Pakistani filmmaker Samar MinAllah Khan’s short film wins best documentary short at Nordic International Film Festival
A Senate committee has approved the creation of special courts for rape cases, as part of the Anti-rape Bill 2021. Senator Syed Ali Zafar chaired the Senate standing committee on law and justice, which approved the anti-rape bill earlier this week. In the special court, only serving judges will be allowed to decide on rape cases.
The Taliban co-founder Mullah Baradar will head a new Afghan government set to be announced shortly, sources said on Friday. He will be joined by Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, son of late Taliban founder Mullah Omar, and Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai. Abdul Ghani Baradar, who heads the Taliban’s political office in Afghanistan, is the de facto leader of the Islamist organization.
Haider Ali, a para-athlete from Pakistan, became the first Pakistani to win a gold medal at the Paralympics on Friday. Haider competed in the F37 men’s Discus Throw competition. The winner threw a 55.26m throw in his fifth attempt, making it a personal best as well. Haider had earlier thrown 47.84 in his third attempt.
System Limited became Pakistan’s first IT company to have a market capitalization of more than Rs.100 billion. According to PSX’s financial figures, the company’s net profit has increased from Rs 1.067 billion to Rs 1.514 billion. The company’s shares are currently trading at Rs. 740.93, which amounts to a market value of Rs. 102 billion.
Brazilian researchers at SAU PAULO University claimed that a molecule in the venom of a jararacussu pit Brazilian viper can block the reproduction of Coronavirus in monkey cells, which could lead to the development of an anti-COVID drug. A jararacussu can grow to 6 feet long, making it one of Brazil’s largest snakes has a 75% inhibitory effect on virus growth in monkey cells.
Cristiano Ronaldo has become the world’s leading international goal scorer after his header against the Republic of Ireland. Ronaldo now has 111 goals in 180 appearances for Portugal in the World Cup qualifying campaign. Ronaldo has broken the record set by Ali Daei of 109 goals. Portugal finished top of their World Cup qualifying group, while Ireland remains without a point after three matches.
Former chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference and a symbol of Kashmir’s freedom movement, Syed Ali Geelani died on Wednesday in Srinagar. Despite being under house arrest for the last 11 years, he was an uncompromising campaigner against Indian rule. He has been suffering from a serious illness for several months.
Shahid Rassam is a Pakistani artist who has created the world’s largest Holy Quran, slated to appear at Dubai Expo 2020. It is the first of its kind in over 1,400 years of Islamic history cast on canvas with an inscription on aluminum. The UAE-based Pakistani businessman Irfan Mustafa facilitates the move of Rassam, a Pakistani expatriate in the UAE.
The Indian foreign ministry said several Indian diplomats held talks with a Taliban leader in Qatar. This is the group’s first official diplomatic engagement since taking over Afghanistan. Foreign ministry officials said Deepak Mittal, the envoy, met Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, the head of the Taliban’s political office, in Doha on Tuesday. The two sides discussed the safety of Indians in Afghanistan.