Author: newsdesk

  • Unvaccinated Novak Djokovic owns biotech firm developing Covid drug

    Unvaccinated Novak Djokovic owns biotech firm developing Covid drug

    Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic owns a majority stake in a biotechnology firm, which is working on a way to immunise people against Covid without a vaccine. The Serbian tennis star has been vocal in his opposition to jabs, and appears to be actively invested in finding a way for others like himself to be protected without the need for a needle.

    It was revealed by Reuters on Wednesday that Djokovic has purchased an 80% share of QuantBioRes, which is headquartered in Copenhagen.

    The firm is working on a way to counter the virus without the need for people to get the vaccine against coranavirus.

    The company’s chief executive Ivan Loncarevic told Reuters that Djokovic made the investment more than a year ago, clarifying that it was not a response to his recent saga in Australia.

    He subsequently told the Financial Times that he had not spoken to Djokovic, who has won more than $150m in prize money, since November and that the tennis star was “not anti-vax”.

    Djokovic travelled to Australia at the start of the month with the plan of taking part in the Australian Open, but was held at the airport in Melbourne over a visa issue.

    Eventually, the day before the tournament began, the Federal Court upheld the Australian government’s decision and deported the world number one tennis player.

    Djokovic, who may also be barred from defending his French Open title in Roland Garros in May after the French government ruled on Monday that all athletes will have to be vaccinated in order to attend and compete in sporting events, acquired his stake in the company in June 2020.

  • Taliban call for Muslim nations to recognise them

    Taliban call for Muslim nations to recognise them

    Afghan Prime Minister (PM) Mohammad Hassan Akhund has called on Muslim nations to be the first to officially recognise the government that seized power in Afghanistan in August.

    “I call on Muslim countries to take the lead and recognise us officially. Then I hope we will be able to develop quickly”, Akhund said and stressed that it’s for the public.

    No country has yet recognised the Taliban government. After they gained power, they promised rights for women but they are largely excluded from government employment, and secondary schools for girls are closed.

    According to the recently released report by United Nations (UN), jobs have dried up and women’s employment levels are extremely low by global standards.

    The lack of work also threatens to worsen child labour levels in Afghanistan, where only 40 per cent of children aged five to 17 years old attend school. Moreover, the UN has warned that half the population is threatened with food shortages.

    Last month, a special meeting of the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was held to discuss the Afghanistan crisis. However, Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister (FM) was excluded from the official photograph taken during the event.

  • Netflix reveals primary characters and first teaser of Money Heist’s Korean version

    Netflix reveals primary characters and first teaser of Money Heist’s Korean version

    Netflix has released the first teaser with characters of the Korean remake of Money Heist, a famous Netflix Spanish web series that was ended with Season 5 in the last year.

    In the teaser, the original character of Professor is being played by the Korean actor Yoo Ji-Tae who seems to be planning the first robbery. The Korean version is named Money Heist: Korea-Joint Economic Area.

    According to the Netflix website, the story illustrates the genius strategist who is staging the exceptional heist in the Korean Peninsula with his talented crew.

    The story would captivate the audience with unexpected twists and turns as the crew stage a hostage while facing inexplicable challenges.

    All eyes are focused on the background and definition behind the title Joint Economic Area.  

    The first season of the upcoming Korean adaptation will consist of 12 episodes.

    Here is the look of all characters playing in the Korean adaptation.

    Korean digital content has been enjoying global popularity since the release of Squid Game which was the top trending web series worldwide on Netflix.

    Netflix, while talking about the adaption in a statement said: “The international popularity of the La casa de Papel is proof that significant works based in different cultures and languages can be widely distributed by Netflix and loved by audiences worldwide.”

    Netflix has produced more than 200 original titles, including over 70 Korean live-action and anime titles. The company has also invested more than $700 million in financing partnerships and co-productions in South Korea since 2015 and the country has 3.3 million paid subscribers as of September 30.

  • Blast in Lahore leaves at least three dead, several injured

    Blast in Lahore leaves at least three dead, several injured

    A blast in Lahore near Pan Mandi in Lahore’s New Anarkali which is a crowded area occurred on Thursday.

    As per reports, the blast resulted in at least three deaths (confirmed by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Lahore) and 28 injuries. A police official said the blast caused a 1.5 feet-deep crater in the ground. The injured people were shifted to Mayo Hospital.

    An improvised explosive device (IED) was used in the attack.

    According to DC Lahore, no alert was issued previously by the government. He said that the blast took place at 1:45 pm, while the safe city cameras would be used to track down the culprits.

    The deceased has been identified as 38-year-old Ramzan, resident of Ferozewala, and a child aged 10-12, Zeeshan.

    The area was sealed as police officials were gathering evidence from the scene of the crime.

    After the blast, Twitter was flooded with videos and recent developments.

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan came forward to express his grief and requested a report from the Punjab government.

    Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar took notice of the explosion and instructed the director-general to submit a complete investigation report on it.

    Punjab Cheif Minister Usman Buzdar tweeted: “The blast near Anarkali Bazaar Lahore is a vicious act of sabotaging the atmosphere of law and order.”

    Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) Shehbaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz have also condemned the act.

  • Shoaib Akhtar to initiate career opportunities for Pakistani footballers

    Shoaib Akhtar to initiate career opportunities for Pakistani footballers

    Former Pakistani Pacer Shoaib Akhtar has reportedly initiated a life-changing career opportunity for 20 of Pakistan’s most outstanding football players. The initiative is led by the Global Soccer Ventures (GSV) in collaboration with Jawan Sports Drive.

    With GSV, Akhtar will also play a pivotal role in shaping the future of football in Pakistan. GSV is heavily investing in the trials in Pakistan, giving the first UEFA scouting examination on a national level in Pakistan to identify talent in 10 cities across 11 sites, with the goal of offering life-changing professions through professional football contracts in Ireland.

    Under St Patrick’s Football Club’s development programme, the visit also includes four masterclasses in major cities including Karachi, Islamabad, Quetta, and Lahore to enhance local football coaching expertise to European levels.

    At least 15-25 coaches have been shortlisted based on merit to attend masterclasses to improve their skills as a trainer with the aim of becoming certified trainers who would train other trainers.

    Talking about the initiative, the chairman of GSV Yasir Mahmood said: “Football is here to stay for the right reasons to develop and provide an opportunity for Pakistani players. With Akhtar as an iconic cricket legend well regarded around the world will help play a transitional role in making football become on top of the minds of our nation.”

    Meanwhile, CEO of GSV Zabe Khan said: “The only lifeline a player has and that is to play. Pakistan has seen nothing but football being swiped off its so-called grassroots.”

    “I welcome Shoaib Akhtar standing shoulder to shoulder with GSV offering a new hope for Pakistan’s next-generation football players,” he added.

    British Deputy High Commissioner Allison Blackburne said: “Football is not just a sport, for many in the UK it’s a way of life, and it would be great to see it become more popular in sport-loving Pakistan.

    He further said: “I’m delighted that talented young players here in Pakistan will have this opportunity provided by GSV to learn from some of the best UEFA coaches through St Patrick’s Athletic Football Club.”

    On the other hand, Belgian UEFA licensed coach Karel Freaye said: “Football is for everyone and I am looking for talent with the potential to develop and grow into professional players in Europe.

    With the trial registrations rising by the hour, he said that he is excited to see what football technical excellence Pakistan has to offer.

    On the other hand, SAPM on Youth Affairs and Chairman Kamyab Jawan Program Usman Dar said: “The revival of sports is the top priority of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Government. I welcome GSV in their efforts for reviving football in Pakistan.

    “PM’s Kamyab Jawan Programme together with GSV will ensure that through football talent hunt we will produce the next football Kamyab Jawan heroes who will represent Pakistan nationally and internationally,” he expressed.

    President of St. Patrick’s Football Club Garret Kelleher expressed: “It is simply wonderful that the resources are now being put in place in Pakistan to allow football inspiring those with a passion for the game to fulfil their dreams and aspirations just like Shoaib Akhtar has in the world of cricket representing Pakistan at the highest level.”

    Talking about the sports, CEO of Itel Zeeshan Yousuf said: “What excites me the most about this legacy project of GSV is the prospect of changing lives of 20 successful kids who will be on a life-changing journey to Europe.

  • IHC indicts ex-GB judge Rana Shamim in affidavit case, defers journalists’ indictment

    IHC indicts ex-GB judge Rana Shamim in affidavit case, defers journalists’ indictment

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday indicted former Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Judge Rana Shamim for allegations that he levelled against former Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar in a signed affidavit in London.

    IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah has deferred the framing of charges against the media personnel who were also named in the case, including journalist Ansar Abbasi and Jang Group owner Mir Shakeel-ur-Rehman.

    The contempt of court case is in accordance with the publication of an affidavit containing allegations that Saqib Nisar attempted to influence a case against former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter, Maryam Nawaz, to bring Imran Khan into power.

    The IHC chief justice said the court had been disrespected and questioned whether anyone had any issue with the high court.

    Justice Minallah said the court could not give a license for anyone to disrespect it. “[It is] not even realised that there was an attempt to influence a case [that was being heard in court]. This court believes in open accountability and welcomes it. Has there been any order from July 2018 till now on which this perception [of judges being compromised] fits?”

    “The article is not related to Saqib Nisar but it has to do with this court. People have been told the judges of this court are compromised. A case was fixed for hearing two days later when the story was published,” Justice Minallah said.

    The chief justice addressed Judge Shamim and asked if he had heard any contempt cases himself during his tenure as a judge. Shamim responded in the negative, saying he had neither heard such cases nor believed in the concept of contempt.

    At this point, Justice Minallah gave Judge Shamim the opportunity to present the arguments made in his petitions. Shamim said that in the first petition he requested that a fact-finding inquiry be conducted into the case instead of framing the charges. In the other petition, he requested for the attorney general to be removed as the prosecutor.

    He also said it was important for the requirements of justice that former CJP Nisar’s reply was also made part of the inquiry and cross-examined. “This will not be a case of criminal contempt unless the facts stated in the affidavit are proven wrong,” he argued.

    The court proceeded to reject Shamim’s petitions and indicted him.

    Moreover, adjourning the indictment against the journalists, Justice Minallah said that if it was found during the trial that the news story was published deliberately, then action would be taken.

    After the arguments, Justice Minallah adjourned the proceedings till February 15 and asked Shamim to present his written response.

  • FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 tickets go on sale

    FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 tickets go on sale

    Tickets for the FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) World Cup Qatar 2022 have been put on sale which is set to be played from November 21 until December 18 2022.

    Qatari residents will benefit from subsidised tickets, with prices starting from just under $11 (Rs1,938). However, for international fans prices are starting from $69 (Rs12,158) that go up to $1,607 (Rs283,175). There will also be cheaper accessibility tickets available for those with disabilities.

    Fans applying for tickets until February 8 will go into a draw with those who are successful to be notified by March 8.

    It is reported that seven stadiums in Qatar have been purpose-built and one refurbished for the World Cup but as there will not be enough hotels some fans may have to stay on cruise ships for the event.

    Qatar is the first Arab and Middle Eastern country to be hosting the biggest event of football. However, it has not yet been announced by either FIFA or the local organising committee how many fans will be allowed into stadiums.

    Currently, the Arab country has imposed tight restrictions on visitors including quarantine for new arrivals.

  • ‘Getting older’: Sania Mirza opens up about retirement plan

    ‘Getting older’: Sania Mirza opens up about retirement plan

    Indian tennis player Sania Mirza on Wednesday (January 19) announced that 2022 will be her final season on the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) tour after her first-round loss in women’s doubles at the Australian Open.

    The 35-year-old Sania Mirza and her Ukrainian partner Nadiia Kichenok suffered an opening-round loss in the women’s doubles event of the ongoing Australian Open.

    “There’s a few reasons for it. It’s not as simple as ‘okay I’m not going to play’. I do feel my recovery is taking longer, I’m putting my 3-year-old son at risk by travelling so much with him, that’s something I have to take into account. I think my body is wearing down,” the 35-year-old said.

    “My knee was really hurting today and I’m not saying that’s the reason we lost but I do think that it is taking time to recover as I’m getting older,” said Mirza on Wednesday.

    The tennis star added that it’s difficult for her to find motivation everyday to come out. The energy is not the same anymore.

    “There are more days than there used to be where I don’t feel like doing that. I’ve always said that I will play until I enjoy that grind, the process which I’m not sure I’m enjoying as much anymore,” the athlete said.

    “Having said that, I still want to play the season because I’m enjoying it enough to play the year. I’ve worked very hard to come back, get fit, lose weight and try to set a good example for mothers, new mothers to follow their dreams as much as they can. Beyond this season, I don’t feel my body doing it,” Mirza added

  • PTI’s Zartaj Gul lashes out at anchor Kamran Shahid, asks if she should call his show ‘pathetic’

    PTI’s Zartaj Gul lashes out at anchor Kamran Shahid, asks if she should call his show ‘pathetic’

    Minister of State Zartaj Gul lashed out at anchorperson Kamran Shahid when he called the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ‘pathetic’.

    While speaking on Dunya News programme, ‘On The Front with Kamran Shahid’, Gul was told by Shahid that the government’s focus should be governance.

    “From the past two to three years the governance of [PTI] has been pathetic. You [government] shouldn’t be worried about Nawaz Sharif or anything else,” said Shahid.

    Gul while responding to the government being labelled as pathetic said, “You [Kamran Shahid] being the host [of the show] can not call my government pathetic.”

    “How would you feel if I say that you are conducting your programme in a pathetic way. You need to increase the value of your show and give better analysis,” responded Gul.

    “You cannot become a party, you are the host,” said Gul, adding, ” Senator Afnan Ullah or Major General (R) Ejaz Awan can say this to me, [being fellow panelists] discussing political analysis but as a host, you cannot.”

    ” You being the anchorperson, I will also say to you, that you are conducting your show in a pathetic way, improve your standard,” said Gul.

    Shahid interjected Gul and said, “You can call my programme pathetic and give it minus zero numbers. I will give a warm welcome to your criticism and learn from the suggestions you give for my improvement.”

    “I wouldn’t act like you or your prime minister and act tone-deaf towards issues and become rigid on one thing and make it a matter of my ego.”

    “The government made things a matter of ego and took a U-turn from all the promises it made to the people,” said Shahid.

  • Wahab Riaz reveals his favourite movie, drama during interaction with fans

    Wahab Riaz reveals his favourite movie, drama during interaction with fans

    The Pakistan National Cricket Team pacer Wahab Riaz has recently interacted with his fans on social media and answered several questions. The speedster revealed many things including his favourite Hindi movie and his favourite Pakistani drama.

    Read More – Peshawar Zalmi to reveal kit for seventh edition of PSL tonight

    One of the fans asked Riaz which Pakistani drama is his favourite? Replying to the social media user, he replied that Meray Paas Tum Ho is his favourite drama. The drama features actors Humayun Saeed, Ayeza Khan and Adnan Siddiqui in lead roles.

    Another fan wanted to know about his favourite movie. Wahab said that it’s 3 Idiots. The movie is a Bollywood hit which features Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, R Madhavan, Sharman Joshi and Boman Irani in the lead roles.

    As Wahab Riaz is also leading Peshawar Zalmi in the seventh edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL), a fan had a question about Wahab’s team, Peshawar. The fan wanted him to explain the team in one word. Replying to the fan, he said that Peshawar Zalmi is like a ‘family’ to him.

    Riaz hilariously replied to a fan who asked which batter does he like bowling the most? To which Wahab replied: “Jera pehli gaind tey out ho Javay. (The one who gets out on the first ball.)”

    Wahab also revealed that wicket-keeper-batter Sarfaraz Ahmed and Test player Azhar Ali are his best friends in the team.

    He also shared his plan to visit the Northern areas of Pakistan, Naran and Kaghan, once the quarantine for PSL ends.

    One of the fans wished him luck to win the trophy of PSL 7 to which Wahab said: “We will give it our best Insha Allah (IA). Looking forward to PSL 7.

    Concluding the interaction, Wahab thanked all his fans, saying that “it was great chatting with you all”.