Author: newsdesk

  • Air pollution in South Asia can cut life expectancy by more than five years per person

    Air pollution in South Asia can cut life expectancy by more than five years per person

    University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute (EPIC) has published its latest report about Air Quality Life Index on Tuesday. The report deduced that rising air pollution can cut life expectancy by more than five years per person in South Asia which is currently one of the most polluted places in the world.

    Primary contributors in the region’s declining air quality are increasing industrialisation and population growth. The particulate pollution levels are resultantly more than 50 percent higher in comparison to the century’s start, posing a much greater health threat.

    What does the report say about Pakistan?
    According to the report, 98.3% of Pakistan’s population lives in areas exceeding the national air quality standard of 15 micrograms per cubic meter.

    From 1998 to 2021, average annual particulate pollution increased by 49.9% in Pakistan and reduced life expectancy by 1.5 years.

    In Punjab, Islamabad, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 65.5 million citizens reside (69.5% of Pakistan’s population), with the country’s people potent set to lose between 3.7 to 4.6 years of life expectancy on average relative to the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline and between 2.7 to 3.6 years relative to the national standard if the current pollution levels persist.

    Moreover, if Pakistan is able to meet WHO’s guideline, Karachi residents would gain 2.7 years of life expectancy whereas residents of Lahore would gain 7.5 years and people in Islamabad would gain about 4.5 years of life expectancy.
    Pakistanis would gain 3.9 years by meeting the WHO guidelines of limiting average annual PM 2.5 concentration to 5 micrograms per cubic meter.

    Others in South Asia

    The study further expounds upon other countries in the region.

    In light of the current pollution levels, Bangladeshis can lose 6.8 years of life on average per person compared to 3.6 months in the United States.

    A Nepali would live 4.6 years longer by meeting the WHO guidelines of limiting average annual PM 2.5 concentration to 5 micrograms per cubic meter.

    It is also highlighted that India is responsible for about 59 percent of the world’s increase in pollution since 2013, threatening to reduce lifespan in some of the country’s polluted regions.

    The average lifespan in New Delhi, a heavily populated and the world’s most polluted megacity, is down by more than 10 years.

    The report added that by reducing global levels of lung-damaging airborne particles, known as PM 2.5, to levels recommended by WHO could raise average life expectancy by 2.3 years.

    China has put in work to reduce pollution by 42.3 percent between 2013 and 2021. The report suggested the governments generate accessible air quality data in order to help bridge global inequalities in accessing tools to combat pollution.

  • Miley dedicates song to Sinead O’Connor, ending dispute with late singer

    Miley dedicates song to Sinead O’Connor, ending dispute with late singer

    Pop star Miley Cyrus has dedicated her song ‘Wonder Woman’ to Sinead O’Connor during an ABC concert special ‘Endless Summer Vacation: Continued (Backyard Sessions), ending a decade long dispute with the late Irish singer.

    In 2013, the two songstresses engaged in a public clash when Miley’s ‘Wrecking Ball’ video came out. O’Connor wrote an open letter to Miley advising her not to “obscure your talent by allowing yourself to be pimped” by the industry. “None of the men ogling you give a s*** about you either, do not be fooled,” she wrote.

    In response, Miley shared a list of tweets by the late singer, and compared her to the actress Amanda Bynes, who was publicly struggling with her mental health at the same time. O’Connor had been open about mental health struggles, especially the time she spent in psychiatric hospitals. The late singer slammed Cyrus for the response, writing:

    “You have posted today tweets of mine which are two years old, which were posted by me when I was unwell and seeking help so as to make them look like they are recent… In doing so you mock myself and Amanda Bynes for having suffered with mental health issues and for having sought help. I mean really really… who advises you?”

    Now, in the concert special, the former ‘Hannah Montana’ star reflected on the feud, confessing that she wasn’t prepared to be publicly humiliated by another woman, especially one who had been in her position before- but also apologised because she wasn’t aware of Sinead’s fragile mental health state:

    “I was expecting there to be controversy and backlash, but I don’t think I expected other women to put me down or turn on me, especially women that had been in my position before,” said the ‘Flowers’ singer. “This is when I’d received an open letter from Sinead O’Connor, and I had no idea about the fragile mental state that she was in, and I was also only 20 years old, so I could really only wrap my head around mental illness so much. All that I saw was that another woman had told me that this idea was not my idea.”

    “Our younger childhood triggers and traumas come up in weird and odd ways, and I think I’d just been judged for so long for my own choices that I was just exhausted, and I was in this place where I finally was making my own choices and my own decisions, and to have that taken away from me deeply upset me,” she continued. “God bless Sinead O’Connor, for real, in all seriousness.”

  • With ‘Midsummer Chaos’ Season Two returning, here are some meme-worthy moments from Season One

    With ‘Midsummer Chaos’ Season Two returning, here are some meme-worthy moments from Season One

    After a hilarious season one, Ahmed Sarym has announced that his web series ‘Midsummer Chaos’ is set to return once more on September 9 for the second season. This time, the show will feature a whole new cast. The short series revolves around the lives of teenagers in high school dealing with mental health, depression, parental relationships and social media influence. The trailer for the second season released online yesterday and already has 1.9k likes on YouTube.

    But since some of y’all might need to recall all of the hilarious moments from the previous season before sitting down to binge a new one, you must remember how the internet broke when the series was released in 2021

    We’ll take charge and share some of our favorite moments from the previous season, which featured actors like Khushhal Khan, Meher Bano and Mamia Shahjaffer.

    1 Episode One will remain iconic in Pakistani pop culture history because of the hilarious phadda between Harris and Sameer.

    2. Gossip girl but set in Islamabad’s upper class circles.

    3. Everyone, even your five year old brother, was quoting ‘Alyna I love you’ after this episode.

    4. This entire dance sequence in the end of episode 2 was memed to infinity the second the internet got a hold of it.

  • Toshakhana case: Bushra Bibi gets bail till September 12

    Toshakhana case: Bushra Bibi gets bail till September 12

    An accountability court has granted bail to former First Lady Bushra Bibi until September 12 in the Toshakhana case, in exchange for surety bonds of Rs500,000.

    Bushra Bibi has been accused of keeping a locket, chain, earrings, two rings, and a bracelet from Toshakhana state gifts.

    According to a report in Samma News, she is also accused of keeping a gold and diamond necklace and bracelet, as well as gold and diamond ring, earrings, and bracelet.

    According to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the gifts were not given to the Toshakhana for fair price calculation.

  • Imran Khan rearrested in cypher case

    Imran Khan rearrested in cypher case

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has on Tuesday suspended PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s conviction and three-year sentence in the Toshakhana case.

    Imran Khan was rearrested again in the cypher case right after getting bail in the Toshakhana case.
    According to the judgment of Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain, Khan will remain in police custody until August 30.

    Imran Khan was sentenced to jail for three years on August 5 in the Toshakhana Case. As a result of the sentence, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) also banned Imran Khan for five years from contesting elections.

    Imran Khan has to sumbit a surety bond of Rs 100,000 to get bail, as per Geo.

    The former Prime Minister had challenged his sentence in the high court, with today’s verdict coming as a major legal victory.

    Earlier, Judge Humayun Dilawar of a sessions court in Islamabad found former Prime Minister Imran Khan guilty in the Toshakhana case.

    Khan had been disqualified for five years and given a prison sentence of three years.

    He had also been fined Rs 100,000. The judgement also said that if the fine is not paid, the imprisonment can be increased by six months.

  • KHAN TO BE SET FREE, Shehbaz is NOT happy

    KHAN TO BE SET FREE, Shehbaz is NOT happy

    Shehbaz Sharif took to X (formerly Twitter) and reacted to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) decision suspending Imran Khan’s three-year sentence in the Toshakhana case.”‘Laadla’s’ sentence has been suspended, not terminated,” Sharif wrote, adding that Chief Justice’s message of “Good to see you” and “Wishing you good luck” has reached Islamabad High Court.

    He tweeted, “Before the decision comes, everyone knows what the decision will be, so it should be a momentary concern for the justice system. If a clear message is received from the higher judiciary, then what else should the subordinate court do?”

    He further stated that a monitoring judge was appointed to ensure Nawaz Sharif’s punishment, and the then Chief Justice himself became a monitoring judge to save “Laadla”.

    He added, “This role of the justice system will be written in the dark chapter of history. Scales tilted to one side and a justice system that undermines justice are not acceptable. The law is powerless before the one who sold watch. Thieves and state terrorists will be facilitated, then where will the common man get justice in the country?”

    He also stated that be it May 9, be it an attack on the judicial complex, be it throwing petrol bombs on the police, everything is forgiven.

    READ MORE: Imran Khan’s Toshakhana conviction suspended by Islamabad High Court

  • Installment plans introduced for power consumers struggling with full bill payments

    Installment plans introduced for power consumers struggling with full bill payments

    In a strategic move aimed at addressing the protests triggered by soaring electricity bills and alleviating the burden on citizens, Dr Muhammad Amjad Khan, Chief Executive of the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), has issued a comprehensive directive. This directive mandates all IESCO offices to introduce installment plans tailored to assist customers who are facing challenges in paying their electricity bills in full.

    Against the backdrop of mounting public outcry, Dr Khan’s proactive step aims to alleviate the financial burden on power consumers. These installment plans are envisioned to provide customers with a respite, allowing them to manage their electricity bill payments more effectively while maintaining their financial stability.

    To further enhance customer convenience, IESCO has also taken the initiative to extend the due dates for electricity bill payments. This calculated move underscores the company’s commitment to accommodating the unique challenges faced by its customers.

    Dr Amjad Khan underscored the importance of open communication, urging IESCO’s patrons to engage with the relevant Sub-Divisional Offices, Revenue Offices, or Customer Service Centers for any concerns related to their bills. This approach underscores IESCO’s dedication to ensuring customer satisfaction and resolving any uncertainties promptly.

    Nevertheless, this considerate move coincides with ongoing protests across the nation, ignited by grievances against inflated electricity bills. Demonstrators, who have congregated outside the IESCO office in Rawalpindi for the past four days, have now rallied in various cities, including Sargodha, Hafizabad, Vehari, and Hyderabad.

    In response to the heightened tensions, IESCO officials have taken precautions by involving the local police to bolster security measures. This step is aimed at safeguarding the well-being of both the demonstrators and IESCO’s employees.

    The protestors have been resolute in their demands, seeking a reduction in the substantial charges or even pledging to withhold bill payments until their concerns are heard. These demonstrations, set against a backdrop of broader economic challenges and escalating inflation, reflect the mounting frustrations of citizens grappling with financial hardships.

    The protestors hail from diverse backgrounds, encompassing members of civil society, men and women alike, traders, farmers, and representatives from legal and business sectors. This broad participation underscores the pervasive concern and unified front against economic difficulties and price hikes.

    As electricity prices continue their upward trajectory and taxes weigh heavily on citizens, these widespread demonstrations emphasise the pressing need to address economic grievances.

  • Live worm found in woman’s brain during MRI scan

    Live worm found in woman’s brain during MRI scan

    A woman, suffering from depression and forgetfulness, has had an 8cm-long parasitic live roundworm removed from her brain.

    The 64-year-old of age resident of New South Wales in Australia was referred to the hospital in January 2021 after three weeks of diarrhoea and abdominal pain followed by night sweats and dry cough.

    In 2022 her symptoms, including depression and forgetfulness, increased with medical professionals referring her to Canberra Hospital.

    During an MRI scan of her brain, it was revealed that a living parasite, motilehelminth, was embedded in the right frontal lobe lesion of her brain, the first such instance seen in the world.

    Surgical intervention was deemed necessary. After that, doctors successfully removed the 8 cm (80mm) long 1mm wide worm from her brain.
    The parasite was identified as a third-stage larva of the Ophidascaris Roberts nematode species.

    Usually, this species lives in the digestive tract of pythons, indigenous to New South Wales in Australia. This is the first-ever discovery of that type of parasite in the human brain.

    Read More: Petrol and diesel prices expected to surpass Rs300 per liter this week

    According to medical professionals, the lady may have inadvertently eaten the worm’s eggs while eating edible grass. They suspect that eggs may have hatched in her body and then larvae made their way to her brain.

    They also believe that the larvae may be affected by the medication that she was taking. However, the actual cause of the case is still not confirmed.

  • Imaan Mazari handed to police on three day physical remand

    Imaan Mazari handed to police on three day physical remand

    An anti-terrorism court has handed over Imaan Mazari, the daughter of former federal minister Shireen Mazari, to the police on a three-day physical remand.

    Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Abual Hasanat heard the case against Imaan Mazari in which prosecutor Raja Naveed appeared in court while Zainab Janjua appeared on behalf of Iman Mazari.

    During the hearing, prosecutor Raja Naveed argued that a case had been registered against Imaan Mazari in Bara Kahu police station. The plaintiff accused Imaan Mazari of inciting the youth and instigating them against the state, alleging that he received threats when he broke away from Imaan Mazari’s party.

    Prosecutor Raja Naveed requested the physical remand, which was opposed by her lawyer, saying that a new case was made on the same day that Imaan was supposed to get bail. He asked how can three cases be registered on the same incident.

    She said that a drama is being constructed against Imaan Mazari, while the real purpose of the prosecution against her is something else.

    Imaan’s lawyers requested to discharge her from the case.

    After listening to the arguments of the parties, ATC judge Abual Hasnat reserved the decision, after which she was handed over to the police on a three-day physical remand.