Category: Uncategorized

  • Pakistani doctor Asifa Akhtar to receive Germany’s highest scientific award

    Pakistani doctor Asifa Akhtar to receive Germany’s highest scientific award

    Pakistani-born Dr Asifa Akhtar has been selected to receive Germany’s highest scientific award, the ‘Leibniz Prize’. In addition to the award, she will also receive prize money of 2.5 million euros.

    According to details, Dr Asifa Akhtar has been selected for the award on the basis of her “cell biological work on mechanisms of epigenetic gene regulation and understanding chromosome regulation (“dosage compensation”). This is a mechanism in which the genes of the X chromosome are produced in equal strength in the male and female sex.”

    German Consulate General Karachi congratulated Dr Asifa on her achievement and said that she makes “both Pakistan and Germany extremely proud with your outstanding contributions to science!”

    Dr Asifa received her PhD from the Imperial Cancer Research Fund in London in 1997. She continued her research at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg, where – after a stopover at the LMU Munich – she headed a research group from 2001 to 2009. Akhtar has been a member of the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina since 2019.

    She is currently serving as the director at the Max Planck Institute for Immunobiology and Epigenetics in Freiburg. She is also the Vice President of the Max Planck Society. Established in 1948, the Max Planck Society is Germany’s most successful research organisation with 18 Nobel laureates from the ranks of its scientists. It is on par with the best and most prestigious research institutions worldwide.

    The Leibniz Prize will be awarded digitally on 15 March 2021. The Leibniz Prize has been honouring up to ten scientists each year since 1986.

  • WhatsApp will stop working on selected iPhones, Android devices from 2021

    WhatsApp will stop working on selected iPhones, Android devices from 2021

    Facebook-owned messaging app WhatsApp has announced that it will end support on some old Android and iOS smartphones from 2021.

    As per reports, WhatsApp is ending support for Android phones and iPhones that run on a dated operating system. The app will stop working on smartphones that are not running on at least iOS 9 or Android 4.0.3 operating systems.

    The iPhone models include all iPhone 4 and earlier models. However, if you have iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6S, you will have to update your phone to iOS 9 or later if you want to continue using WhatsApp.

    The iPhone 6S, 6 Plus, and iPhone SE first generation can be updated to iOS 14.

    Similary, Android phones that do not have Android 4.0.3 will lose access to WhatsApp. This includes models like HTC Desire, LG Optimus Black, Motorola Droid Razr, the Samsung Galaxy S2 and some other Android phones.

    Some users may still continue to access WhatsApp on their older smartphones as their operating systems may have received a patch with an update

    How to check the operating system running on your phone?

    In order to find out what operating system your phone is running on, iPhone users can go to Settings > General > Information, where you will find information about the software version on your iPhone. 

    On the other hand, Android users can go to Settings > About Phone to see which Android version their smartphone is running on.

  • 77% Pakistanis believe country is heading in wrong direction: survey

    At least 77 per cent Pakistanis believe that the country is heading in the wrong direction, whereas 23 per cent think there’s nothing wrong with Pakistan, said a survey by research company IPSOS.

    According to The News, the survey was conducted in the first week of December and over 1,000 people participated in it. “The findings were released on Tuesday for the last quarter (Q4) of 2020 and compared with people’s responses from the same period a year ago,” it added.

    Last year, 21 per cent people believed that Pakistan was on the right track, while 79 per cent contested this view.

    This year, 36 per cent said that their current personal financial situation was weak, while 51 per cent said it was neither strong nor weak, and 13 per cent said they were in a strong financial position.

    In comparison with the results of the last year, the people are in a better financial position: the data showed that 38 per cent believed that their financial situation was weak, 5 per cent viewed it as strong, and 57 per cent said it was okayish.

    Meanwhile, on province-wise assessment, the report found that a “poor financial situation” featured in almost all the provinces and inflation ranked number 1 among the list of top four contributors.

    “In Sindh, the second-highest contributor was viewed to be unemployment (20 per cent), followed by COVID-19 (17per cent) and poverty (16 per cent). In Punjab, 23 per cent people felt the province’s poor financial situation was due to unemployment, 8 per cent thought it was due to COVID-19 and 14 per cent believed poverty played a key role,” the newspaper stated.

    Meanwhile, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa about 18 per cent believed the poor financial situation was the result of unemployment, 12 per cent viewed coronavirus and 8 per cent felt it was poverty that was behind the province’s financial situation.

    Similarly, in Balochistan about 25 per cent responded by blaming unemployment, a mere 2 per cent felt COVID-19 played a role, and 25 per cent felt it was poverty that has led to the province’s dismal state of financial affairs, said reports.

  • Mehwish Hayat calls for zoos to be shut down

    Mehwish Hayat has requested authorities to close all zoos across the country, saying “animals are born free”.

    Sharing a news article about the relocation of animals from Islamabad Marghazar Zoo, Mehwish commented: “In a country where we’re still fighting for human rights, animal rights are a long way off.”

    Hinting towards Kaavan’s recent relocation to Cambodia after an intense campaign led by US pop icon Cher, Mehwish further wrote: “Why do we only take action when foreign celebrities get involved?”

    “This is so embarrassing,” she added.

    Meanwhile, Islamabad Zoo’s last remaining animals Bubloo and Suzie are all set to leave for Jordan on December 17. The Islamabad High Court in its order had stated that the zoo was not fit enough for animals and had requested authorities to move all animals there to temporary sanctuaries.

    https://twitter.com/fourpawsint/status/1338391109639286785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1338391109639286785%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fthecurrent.pk%2Fsuzie-and-bubloo-to-fly-to-jordan-on-december-17%2F

  • PM Imran’s adviser ‘secretly visited’ Israel with offer to start diplomatic ties, foreign media claims

    PM Imran’s adviser ‘secretly visited’ Israel with offer to start diplomatic ties, foreign media claims

    An adviser of Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Tel Aviv in November on his British passport to relay an official message that proposed normalisation of ties between Pakistan and Israel in return for its support “to halt down Pakistan’s current cold situation with the Arab countries as well as to support it in many international issues”, claimed foreign media reports.

    According to a global think-tank director, the visit took place in the last week of Nov. “The PM’s adviser [sent to Israel] lives in the UK and has also close relations with the Trump administration.”

    According to the report, the unnamed adviser was welcomed by the Israeli officials at the airport as the visit was approved by the US. The adviser was escorted to the “foreign ministry of Israel where he met several political officials and diplomats and delivered the message of the Pakistani PM”, the reports claimed.

    “He stayed a few days in Israel where he met with the director of Israeli intelligence Mossad Yossi Cohen and delivered a secret message of Pakistan army chief,” it went on to claim.

    According to the reports that cite unnamed Israeli sources, Pakistan has sought the support of Israel to “halt down the current cold situation with the Arab countries as well as to support it in many international issues such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) as well as Indian lobbying against Pakistan”.

    “In return, Pak would start political ties at a slow place due to the fear of religious bloc within the country,” they claimed, adding that the offer was welcomed by the state of Israel.

    Meanwhile, the Foreign Office has not responded to these reports yet. However, the FO has many times rejected the reports pertaining to the normalisation of ties with Israel as baseless.

    Last month, the prime minister had told a journalist on TV that some Muslim states and the US were putting pressure on Pakistan to recognise Israel.

  • Karachi to get Pakistan’s first chess corner, Twitter hits gold

    Commissioner Karachi Iftikhar Ali Shallwani, in a recent tweet, announced that Pakistan’s first chess corner is being built in Karachi and netizens have the most hilarious responses.

    Check out some of the funniest responses below:

    https://twitter.com/ABjeezExpert/status/1338501339710681088

    Some Twitter users thought that the new initiative was inspired by Netflix’s hit series The Queen’s Gambit.

    https://twitter.com/JawadKBaloch/status/1338630957218324480?s=20

    Meanwhile, the Commissioner also announced that signboards reading ‘I love Karachi’ in ten different international languages will also be displayed at the chess corner, giving rise to more memes as people compared the boards to tombstones.

    https://twitter.com/sibtehh/status/1338545369580531716

    https://twitter.com/hodornm/status/1338514560475598848

  • Govt seeks early Senate polls: report

    Govt seeks early Senate polls: report

    The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has decided to hold the Senate elections in February instead of March, reported Geo News.

    The decided to change the date of the polls was taken amid protests by the opposition parties, who have threatened to march on Islamabad in Feb if the prime minister fails to step down.

    Unlike previous elections of the upper house, this time the voting will be through ‘show of hands’, the report claimed. However, in order to change the Senate election procedure, the government will need an amendment for which it doesn’t have the required majority or approach the Supreme Court.

    Addressing a press conference following a weekly meeting of the federal cabinet, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz said that the government is striving to make the Senate elections “free and fair”.

    “Controversies have always surrounded the Senate elections. It is such an old practice that it is assumed that in the elections, [horse trading] will surely take place,” he said.

    He said the government has decided to move the apex court regarding the reforms in Senate elections. “The government seeks an election that is conducted through a “show of hands”, Faraz said, adding that the government expects to get guidance from the SC long before the elections.

    “This is in favour of all parties,” he said.

  • Daler Mehndi praises Ali Pervez, Meesha Shafi’s ‘Gal Sunn’

    Looks like it’s a good day for Meesha Shafi. After Zoheb Hassan thanked her for paying a beautiful tribute to his late sister Nazia Hassan, Daler Mehndi has praised her and Ali Pervez’s song Gal Sunn from Coke Studio 2020.

    The celebrated Indian singer, in a heartfelt video message, praised the singers performance.

    “I am ecstatic! Ali Pervez Mehdi has sung an amazing track in Coke Studio. Like Ali, Meesha Shafi has done a brilliant job with Gal Sunn as well,” said Mehndi. “I’ve been waiting for years now for Ali to come out with a song in the music industry. We were always in awe of his father, Ustad Pervez Mehdi and just like me, I’m sure other fans of Ali’s father must be happy today to see how well his son is carrying his name forward. I wish Pervez Sahab was alive today to see his son’s success.”

    Mehndi’s video was shared by Ali on social media. Thanking the veteran musician, Mehdi said: “Such an honour Daler Mehndi pa ji! You are family to us! Can’t thank enough for your love and support stay blessed always! Love you!”

    Meanwhile, Meesha said that she felt extremely “honoured and humbled” with the praises.

    Gal Sunn, which has over 3 million views on YouTube is a catchy, upbeat folk song with a contemporary funk element. According to a press release, the song represents the longing between lovers.

    Talking about the song, Ali had said: “In these times, going through [Covid-19], I wanted people to listen to something positive and fun. That is why I created this song. I dance to it and I want everyone else to dance to it too!”

     

  • Kashif Zameer backs out of deal, pays half money to Ertugrul star

    Kashif Zameer backs out of deal, pays half money to Ertugrul star

    The man who hosted Dirilis Ertugrul star Engin Altan Düzyatan during his Lahore visit is allegedly facing at least eight cases, including those of fraud and robberies, and has not even paid the promised amount to the actor.

    As per reports, Zameer struck a deal of one million dollars with the Turkish actor but paid only half of it.

    According to reports, the eight alleged cases against Zameer are those of fraud, betrayal of trust, car theft and robbery.

    The cases have been registered against the managing director of Chaudhry Groups of Companies.

    In an interview with Daily Pakistan, Kashif Zameer said that a deal of Rs17 crore with Engin Altan has been finalized and he is the global brand ambassador of his company.

    Also Read: Ertugrul star’s Pakistani host breaks silence on fraud allegations

    Previously, the Turkish series star was planning to visit Pakistan as the brand ambassador for Blue World City. Later, it was revealed that the project was an illegal housing scheme and the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) had even filed charges against Blue World City.

  • Newsletter – 15th December 2020, Tuesday

    Newsletter – 15th December 2020, Tuesday









    *|MC:SUBJECT|*

    Good morning Subscriber. Today is Tuesday, 15th December and the weather is going to be cold and windy in most cities, while Karachi will be sunny. Speaking of Karachi, do you that the original name of the city was derived from a Baloch fisherwoman called Mai Kolachi. Log kahtay hain kay she founded a fishing village near Lyari, thus laying the foundation of the city.

    Morning Meme

    ‘PDM lawmakers to submit resignation on Dec 31’

    Fazlur Rehman announced that the 11-party alliance’s lawmakers would hand in their resignations from the provincial and national assemblies on December 31. “History would remember Lahore’s jalsa, just like it remembers the one held in the same place in 1940,” he said while asking his supporters to start preparing for February’s long march.

    Responding to Pakistan Democratic Movement’s announcement, Minister Asad Umar took a jibe at it, saying “I was afraid that if PM Imran Khan were sitting near a TV, he would start laughing and fall of his chair.” What do you think will happen on 31st December?

    A Pakistani developed COVID testing app

    A Pakistani doctor who is based in Toronto has launched an instant COVID-19 diagnostic test wo bhi bas ek smartphone ki madad say. The doctor highlighted that instant, precise and low-cost testing that does not rely on laboratory is vital in handling the pandemic. Pakistan High Commissioner to Canada Raza Bashir Tarar has congratulated Dr. Naqeeb Khalid for his achievement.

    Read on

    ‘Mujhe shaadi par koi nahi bulata’

    Actor Hira Mani has expressed her disappointment with Iqra Aziz, Sarah Khan, Sajal Aly, and Mira Sethi kyun kay inn sab nay unhay apni shadi pay nahi bulaya. In a recent interview with Sethi, she said that Pakistani celebrities do not invite her kyun kay wo sab unhay apna dost nahi samjhtay. When Sethi apologized to her, she replied “Don’t worry, I will invite everyone to Muzammil’s (Hira’s sons) wedding.”

    Read on

    Know your politician

    He is renowned for his ‘Awami Style’ and was made the interior minister in a cabinet reshuffle by PM Khan. He has been assigned 15 ministries in a 35-year-career span. Can you guess the politician? Watch the video to learn more about him in this week’s “Know Your Politician”
     

    Watch the video

    Current Baba’s prediction

    This is a great time for bringing a change in your life. So despite this freezing weather, you will finally take a bath and change your two days old clothes.

    HEY, WAIT A SECOND PLEASE. 
     
    If you like the newsletter, make sure that this email doesn’t get lost in promotions or spam.

    Here’s how: 

    • Through your phone, add us by hitting the “Kabob,” (the three dots in upper right-hand corner). Then click “move to,” and select “primary inbox.”
    • If you’re using a desktop just drag and drop the email into primary as shown in the video below. (You can also do this on your phone if you open your email in your browser). Easy.

    And don’t forget to send us your feedback. We would love to hear from you ❤️

    Twitter

    Facebook

    Instagram

    Website

    Copyright © 2020 Instant Morning Current, All rights reserved.