A “city-killer” asteroid startled astronomers after it whizzed by the Earth on Thursday. The rock, dubbed Asteroid 2019 OK, passed within 43,500 miles of Earth traveling at a speed of 15 miles a second, the Sydney Morning Herald first reported. The rock, which could have the impact of a nuclear bomb, wasn’t picked up by astronomers until days before it passed the planet.
Following an alert issued by intelligence services that militants could target security and other sensitive installations in the city, a high alert has been declared by the Punjab home department in the district with the police directed to be more vigilant of their surroundings. Militants may attack police stations within Rawalpindi and could also attack other sensitive installations.
Unidentified individuals allegedly set a 15-year-old Muslim boy on fire in Chandauli district of Uttar Pradesh on Friday for refusing to chant Jai Shri Ram, IANS reported. The boy is undergoing treatment at the Kabir Chaura hospital in Varanasi. However, the police denied that the boy was forced to chant the religious slogan, adding the boy gave different statements to different people.
After reinvestigation, Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari announced the removal of Iftikhar Loond as focal person of human rights in Sindh. In a Tweet, Mazari said that ‘new evidence’ have been found and regretted the decision she had made earlier. Loond, who was appointed few weeks ago, has been accused of grievously assaulting one of his employees in Ghotki.
A total of 10 Pakistan Army’s valued soldiers embraced martyrdom, in two separate attacks on Saturday. The attacks were carried out by terrorits in Baluchistan and North Waziristan. According to the ISPR, the first incident took place when the soldiers were on regular duty patrolling of the border near Gurbaz area of North Waziristan near the Pak-Afghan border.
Pakistan TV legend, Firdous Jamal’s comments on Pakistan’s top rated star Mahira Khan, in a recent interview on a local media channel outraged many fans. Jamal called Mahira ‘a mediocre model’ and judged her acting skills negatively. He did not stop there and went on to call her ‘overaged’, adding she should be playing role of a mother, not a heroin.
In another positive development, the United States has assured Pakistan that it will soften its travel advisory, enabling Islamabad to attract foreign investors. Adviser to PM on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood while talking to media said US was going to soften the travel advisory. Removal of travel advisory would mean both countries can engage in business activities.
An alarmingly high rate of HIV/AIDS cases in Pakistan has raised concern globally, resulting in United Nations labelling the country among 11 countries with highest ratio of the disease. Newly released report states that sharp increase in cases in Pakistan, despite grant of “massive funding” by international health partners, has proved to be a severe blow to global efforts to curtail HIV/AIDS.
In order to extend maximum hospitality to Muslims, a Tokyo sports and cultural events organisation has launched initiative of Moving Mosques. A white and blue coloured 25-tonne truck that opens from back and doubles in width from side, will create enough room for 50 Muslims to pray. It also has a washing section where taps are positioned for cleansing purposes.
The US State Department has announced on its Twitter account that Trump administration is ready to approve $125 million for Pakistan to provide technical support to its fleet of F-16 aircraft. The programme has been sent to Congress for approval after being given a go-ahead by State Department. The good news comes immediately after PM Imran Khan’s visit to USA.