Weekly News Round-Up (13th – 19th November)
This week in the news, find out about the Covid Delta Plus variant, how Lahore is dominating the news but for all the wrong reasons, whether the ‘Khel Khel Mein’ premiere was a success and if ‘Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam’ is worth the hype! Read more to find out all the news you’ve missed this week.
New Covid Delta Subvariant (Delta Plus) Less Likely To Cause Symptoms
AY.4.2 is a *subvariant* of Delta (“Delta Plus”) that appears to be even more transmissible and less likely to cause symptoms. Vaccinated persons could unknowingly bring Delta Plus home to their loved ones without ever showing symptoms. As a parent, that’s scary AF. 14/n
— Jorge A. Caballero, MD (@DataDrivenMD) November 18, 2021
A recent study by The Imperial College London REACT-1, released on Thursday, found that two-thirds of people with the Delta subvariant called AY.4.2 had “any” symptom, compared with more than three-quarters with AY.4. AY.4.2 is thought to be slightly more transmissible, but it has not been shown to cause more severe disease or evade vaccines more easily than Delta. The researchers said that asymptomatic people might self-isolate less, but also that people with fewer symptoms might spread it less easily through coughing and also may be unlikely to get severely ill. The REACT-1 study also found that booster doses reduced the risk of infection in adults by two-thirds compared with people who had two doses. (Source: Reuters)
The UK In Search OF A Buyer For Tipu Sultan’s Treasure
The Boris Johnson government on Friday placed a temporary ban on the export of one of the eight gold tiger heads valued at £1.5 million that adorned the throne of Tipu Sultan in the 18th century, in the hope that a buyer could be found within the country. The committee made its recommendation on the grounds that the finial’s departure from the UK would be a misfortune because it is so closely connected with British history and national life and is of outstanding significance for the study of royal propaganda and 18th-century Anglo-Indian history. The decision on the export licence application for the finial will be deferred until February 11, which may be extended until June 11 if a serious intention to raise funds to purchase it is made at the recommended price of £1.5 million. (Source: Khaleej Times)
Pakistani Kickboxing Gold Medalist Has Resorted To Seling Parathas In Lieu Of Support
National Kickboxing Gold Medalist Nisar Ahmed has a total of four National gold medals to his name but is still patiently waiting for the government to provide financial support for his upcoming participation in an international kickboxing championship in Moscow. Meanwhile, to make ends meet, he has been selling breakfast (parathas and chai) to save money for his trip. He makes roughly 18k a month from his small business but he needs 2 lac and 20 thousand PKR to make it to the tournament. He keeps his gold medals in his shop alongside numerous certificates. Nisar Ahmed is currently seeking sponsors and if you’d like to support him you can contact on the details provided below:
Jazz Cash: 0317 2756490 (Nisar Ahmad)
Bank Details: Mr Junaid Khan (Brother)
Account No.: 01720103571464
IBAN: PK18MEZN0001720103571464 (Source: Propergaanda)
PCAA Launches Android App To Curb Safety Isuues In Air
Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility.
— PCAAOfficial (@official_pcaa) November 18, 2021
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PCAA is pleased to announce the launch of an android app “Voluntary Hazard/Incident Reporting System”. The application can be accessed and downloaded from Google Play Store. pic.twitter.com/M1A5secsXL
The Android app called the ‘Voluntary Hazard/Incident Reporting System’, is available on the Google Play store, will cover a wide range of reporting areas, including hazard, incident, accident, damage, deficiency, violation, failure and services. “PCAA firmly believes aviation safety is everyone’s responsibility and always gives due importance to aviation safety-related issues and remains continuously. The aim of the hazard/incident reporting app is to provide an easy, user-friendly adequate platform/resources to the general public and aviation stakeholders for proactive/reactive identification and reporting of hazards/incidents and safety issues directly to the PCAA,” the statement read.
The Simple Act Of Breathing In Lahore Has Become A Life-risking Chore
Lahore has dominated news headlines this week, but for all the wrong reasons. Lahore has once again topped the list of the world’s most polluted cities. As per the air quality index, the particulate matter level in Lahore has surged to 367, while in Karachi, it has climbed to 163. The air quality index says a particulate matter level that lies between 151-200 is considered harmful for health, while a pollution level between 201-300 is considered extremely harmful for health. Any pollution level exceeding more than 301 is recognised as “dangerous pollution”. The Lahore High Court (LHC) has denied the recommendation proposed by the Water and Environment Commission to close schools in areas affected by smog. announce and put a 50% attendance policy in place for private offices. Instead, the LHC has ordered for a smog cell to be created in the Pakistan Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).
‘Khel Khel Mein’ Successfully Delivers At The Box Office!
Khel Khel Mein hit the screen on 19th November 2021 and is the first movie to be screened in post-covid Pakistan, but that is not the sole reason it really caught our attention. The movie not only starred the nation’s much-loved actors, Bilal Abbas Khan and Sajal Ali but it also address the taboo subject of the 1971 war. Khel Khel Mein is single-minded, without doubt, a movie for the youth. Plus, the movie carries an almost zero romantic angle to it, which is interesting. So far, in the past 24 hours, KKM seems to be making it big at the box office & among critics and it’s reflective of the great talent of the team – Nabeel and Fizza of Filmwala Pictures, as well as the elevated level of maturity in audiences. This is what audiences have ahd to say so far:
The Trailer For ‘Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam’ Is Finally Out!
Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam is set to be released on December 10 on Zee5 and it’s promising us everything we could possibly wish for in a desi noir. The show is set in the timeless lanes of Androon Sheher – a mythical neighbourhood and showcases stories of love, lust, power, and redemption woven in a web of betrayal, angst, and revenge. Each story from the anthology depicts the fearlessness of women and their determination to avenge deceit. At the core of the stories are mysteries, suspense and intrigue with twist endings. ‘Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam’ is a compilation of six stories of seven women who wrestle back control and redefine the word femme fatale. With a star-studded cast which includes Osman Khalid Butt, Sheheryar Munawar, Samiya Mumtaz, Sanam Saeed, Sarwat Gilani, Eman Suleman and more (!), we can already tell it’s going to be a hit!
