Weekly News Round-Up (20th– 26th March)
This week in the news, find out about new scientific discoveries being made, Pakistan’s recent performance in cricket, new films releasing in Pakistan and more! Read on to find out all the news you’ve missed this week.
PAK vs AUS: Australia Takes The Win In Lahore
On the 25th of March, Australia beat Pakistan by 115 runs in the third and final Test in Lahore, with the last two matches ending in a draw keeping the audience on their toes. This was Pat Cummins’ first Test series against Pakistan as captain and he was elated with a series win. Australia visited Pakistan for a three-match test series, fourteen years after their last visit to the country. “…We’ve been so well received here. Didn’t know what to expect here but it has been an amazing experience. Been a lot of fun. Competitive cricket. In a lot of ways, it’s been more important than just the result” Cummins concluded saying. Both teams are now scheduled to play a three-match ODI series followed by a one-off T20I match starting from March 29th. (Source: cricketaddictor)
Pakistan’s Women Cricket Team Wins A Match In The World Cup Tournament & Nida Dar Makes A New Record!
After 18 consecutive losses, Pakistan’s Women Cricket Team finally secured a win in the Women’s Cricket World Cup against West Indies by 8 wickets. Nida Dar’s performance was exceptional as she took 4 wickets & bagged the Player of the Match and became the record holder for best bowling figures by a Pakistani bowler in the Women’s World Cup! However, this is just the beginning! Our Women’s Cricket Team has achieved great heights and we must appreciate them just like our Men in green. Here’s to more wins!
What’s Prolonged Grief Disorder?
On the 21st of March the American Psychiatric Association’s diagnostic manual included a new disorder called ‘prolonged grief disorder’. The new diagnosis is meant to apply to a small percentage of the population that appears to be crippled by grief, unable to return to previous activities and still overwhelmed a year after a loss. The disorder is part of the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or the DSM-5, doctors can bill insurance companies for treatments. The newly added disorder will likely also expand funding for research into treatments. Moreover, Naltrexone, which is used to treat addiction, is in clinical trials as a form of grief therapy. (Source: nytimes)
Afghan Girls To Be Kept Away From Schools Until Further Notice
The Taliban administration in Afghanistan announced on the 23rd of March that girls’ high schools would be closed, hours after they reopened for the first time in nearly seven months. The backtracking by the Taliban means female students above the sixth grade will not be able to attend school. A Ministry of Education notice said on Wednesday that schools for girls would be closed until a plan was drawn up in accordance with Islamic law and Afghan culture, according to a government news agency. (Source: AlJazeera)
Don’t Expect The 99% Effective Male Contraceptive Pills To Hit Shelves Anytime Soon
Earlier this week, researchers at the University of Minnesota created a birth control pill for male mice, which proved 99 per cent effective in preventing pregnancy. The contraceptive targets a protein in the body that receives a form of vitamin A, which is involved with sperm production and fertility. Researchers gave this compound, referred to as YCT529, to male mice for four weeks; the animals showed drastically lower sperm counts. Four to six weeks after they stopped receiving the contraceptive, the mice could impregnate a female mouse again. “I would be very sceptical until I see human data,” Dr Amin Herati, director of male infertility and men’s health program within Brady Urological Institute at Johns Hopkins, said about the study. There are key differences between how human and mice genes interact, he said, and in the reproductive systems. However, the drug is expected to enter human clinical trials by the end of this year. (Source: nytimes)
The First Public School For The Sikh Community In Pakistan Nears Completion
The first public school for the Sikh community in Pakistan is nearing completion in Peshawar as 90% of the construction has been concluded. The project started two years ago after eight marlas of land were purchased in the Jogan Shah Mohalla situated in the old city with the help of Rs20 million donated by a foreign benefactor. After the purchase of land, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government started construction work. Previously, about 300 children from the Sikh community were studying at an NGO-run school in Dabgri. The project is a first of its kind and will provide an opportunity for the children of the Sikh community and other minorities to get an education in a better environment. (Source: Pakistantoday)
COLABS Raises $3 Million In Seed Round & Makes Global News Headlines
COLABS, the Lahore-based startup that enables SMEs, entrepreneurs and freelancers to build and grow their businesses through its spaces and tech platform, has raised $3 million in a seed round. The round was led by Indus Valley Capital, Zayn Capital and Fatima Gobi Ventures. It is the first time these three leading Pakistan focused VCs have invested together in a startup. The round was also joined by Shorooq Partners, Kinnow Capital, Muir Capital, Sai Ventures, and some key angels, including Turner Novak, William Hockey, and Teddy Himler. COLABS is Pakistan’s fastest growing flexible workspace, thoughtfully designed to enable people and businesses to grow. They aim to inspire collaboration, productivity and innovation through their community and network. Their vision is to redefine the future of work in Pakistan. The COLABS community today has 1200+ members and over 100 companies across multiple facilities in Pakistan. With this investment, COLABS aims to knit together a community of 100,000 entrepreneurs and freelancers in Pakistan, starting with 10,000 members within the next two years. This ambition will be realized through the national expansion across major cities in Pakistan like Karachi and Islamabad.
Grammy Nominee, Arooj Aftab Ecstatic Over Times Square Billboard Feature
The two-time Grammy nominee, Arooj Aftab is Spotify’s artist of the month for EQUAL Pakistan. Spotify’s new initiative “EQUAL Pakistan” is a playlist that aims to amplify the voices of Pakistani female artists by giving them a platform that highlights and celebrates their music. Aftab was chosen as the streaming platform’s artist of the month in March. Her nomination was announced on International Women’s Day. A few weeks later, the singer became the face of a billboard in New York city’s Times Square, much to the glee of both Aftab and her fans and made international news headlines!
Find Out How You Can Attend Swinery’s University Of Michigan Talk
Anonymous Pakistani influencer, Swinery, will be speaking at the University of Michigan’s upcoming symposium on April 8th. Her talk will be about comedy, the risks involved, and what it means and takes to be funny. Find out more about the event and how you can attend for free HERE.
‘Abhi’ Promises Romance & Thrill For Audiences
Kubra Khan and Goher Mumtaz took to Instagram on March 25th to announce the upcoming release of their new romantic thriller, ‘Abhi’. The film includes songs by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Tanya Wells, Aima Baig, Nish Asher and Gohar Mumtaz as well. Director Shoaib Mansoor has even composed and written a few songs for the film. The trailer will be released on Eid and will unveil the film’s storyline further. A release date for the film hasn’t been announced yet. The film is directed by Asad Malik and produced by Ali Chaudhry. The screenplay and dialogues have been written by Shoaib Rabbani and Mansoor.
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