Category: Lifestyle

The lifestyle of millennials is underreported in our mainstream media. The Current’s lifestyle news covers social events and issues that are unique.

  • PTV World accused of airing unauthorized footage by YouTuber

    PTV World accused of airing unauthorized footage by YouTuber

    Content Creator and YoutTuber Muzammil Hussain has accused PTV World of copyright infringement, claiming that the state television used his tourism footage which was originally uploaded on his Youtube channel ‘MHtoori’ and is three minutes and fifteen seconds long. “PTV World aired the video footage on 30th September around 2 pm,” he said.

    In a legal notice, he alleges that the video was created from various clips posted on his Facebook page in March 2019.

    As per the Copyright Ordinance, 1962 (Ordinance No. lOCKIV of 1962), the sole ownership and copyright over his Facebook page, Twitter, and YouTube channels. All licenses and intellectual property rights are attributed to him, in accordance with Sections 56 and 57A of the Copyright Ordinance. He is demanding compensation of Rs200 million for the unauthorized creation and broadcast of the video, in line with the Copyright Ordinance, 1962.

    The notice provides a 70-day window for PTV World to respond.

  • Opium manufacturing plant opens after a hiatus of 11 years in Lahore

    Established in Lahore in 1942, the Government Opium Alkaloid Factory has resumed operations from today (Thursday) as per media reports.

    The plant is now overseen by the Punjab Excise and Narcotics Control Department. Members of this high-level committee include Punjab Excise Additional Director-General Mian Ahmad Saeed with Excise Director Rizwan Akram Sherwani, Muhammad Asif and Deputy Director Hafiz Zia Mustafa.

    The facility was shut down because of irregularities reported in the distribution of opium tablets to patients and lapses in enforcement.

    It is expected that the revival of the unit will bring major benefits to the economy, potentially saving $400 to $500 million in foreign exchange.

    Additionally, this reactivation may bring about the legal transmission of opium powder to licensed pharmaceutical companies and nationwide herbal centres so that they stop relying on less effective alternatives. Indigenous use may also include its provision to addicts under a registered doctor’s prescription.

  • Tomb presumed to be from era of Jesus excavated in Naples

    Tomb presumed to be from era of Jesus excavated in Naples

    A sealed tomb, presumed to be more than two thousand years old, has been discovered in the municipality of Giugliano in Campania, near Naples, Italy.

    Large murals known as frescos, found by the Italian Ministry of Culture, had creatures from Greek mythology including Cerberus-the hound called the God of the underworld. The tomb has been named the ‘Tomb of Cerberus’.

    It is believed that the tomb, discovered in a remarkable state of preservation, belonged to a wealthy person considering the grandeur of frescos and the tomb.

    In a statement released by the superintendent of archeology, fine arts and landscape, it is said that, “The territory of Giugliano, after years of oblivion, is finally returning significant vestiges of its glorious past, to be preserved and protected, thanks to a common effort.”

    The discovery of the tomb has opened doors to peek into the lives of ancient Romans and the art and culture they once cherished.

  • Karachi’s Mangroves, vital for the city, are depleting, Senate Committee told

    In the wake of an incident of deforestation being reported in the Mangrove forest of Manora, Karachi, the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change headed by Senator Seeme Ezdi paid a visit to the WWF-P Wetland Centre at Hawke’s Bay. The delegation included Senator Muhammad Humayun Mohmand, Senator Khalida Ateeb, Senator Abida Muhammad Azeem, and Senator Keshubai.

    Committee members were briefed by WWF-P Director Hammad Naqi Khan and Chief Conservator of Forests Riaz Ahmed Wagan on the efforts made for rehabilitation and conservation of the mangrove forests along the coastline.

    Mangroves are the biggest source of preventing climate vulnerability of Pakistan in form of tsunami, cyclones and storms.

    The committee was told that the forest cover in the Indus Delta that was reduced to less than 86,000 hectares in 2005 has now increased to over 2,40,000 hectares in 2023.

    On the other hand, the mangroves around Karachi have reduced from 2,000 hectares in 2010 to 18,00 hectares today, with housing and commercial enterprises encroaching on the land.

    However, the aim is to increase the area to 5,00,000 hectares in coming years.

    Senior Manager Conservation WWF Sindh Altaf Sheikh delineated the committee about different programmes in Pakistan which include ongoing work on 18 different landscapes from mountains to mangroves. The Indus Delta being the fifth largest arid ecosystem hosts the seventh largest mangrove forest in the world contributing 98 percent of shrimp catch and more than 77 percent of marine fish.

    Major challenges include sea intrusion and soil erosion amplified by deforestation resulting in the severe loss of biodiversity too.

    The senators also highlighted the importance of mangroves by talking about the financial and environmental significance. A single hector can earn thousands of dollars and carbon credits which are more crucial and is already standing on a steady number of $40 million.

  • Karachi’s Regent Plaza to be purchased by SIUT for Rs14.5 billion

    Karachi’s iconic landmark, the Regent Plaza hotel on Shahrah-e-Faisal, owned by Pakistan Hotels Developers Limited (PHDL) might be changing ownership.

    On October 9, Pakistan Stock Exchange received an offer letter of Rs14.5bn (almost $52 million) by the prestigious Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) which aims to convert the 47,00 square feet built structure into a tertiary healthcare facility within a period of an year. The letter was then delivered to PHDL on October 10. In response to it, a meeting of the Board of Directors was called urgently for October 12.

    To put things in context, renowned financial wizard Shabbar Zaidi expressed, “Karachi badly needs another tertiary-care health facility and constructing a large health facility by acquiring land would take years. In these circumstances, it is the best option to acquire a built structure in the heart of the city and convert it into a health facility.”

    The noble cause of SIUT was founded by Dr. Syed Adibul Hassan Rizvi nearly four decades ago with an eight-bed ward in the Burns Unit of Karachi Civil Hospital. It has expedited its projects from organ transplant surgeries to areas of research in urology and nephrology. The hospital has been run through charity funds and provides financial and medical support to patients.

    Deliberation between the two parties has been going on since the mid of September but was not announced formally earlier. It is because in the first nine months of 2022-23, PHDL reported a net profit of Rs45.5 million, i.e. a 38.3 per cent decrease from the previous year. The occupancy rate of this 400 room space has dropped from 20 per cent for the year 2021-22 to 9 per cent in the previous year. The downward spiral can be credited to Covid-19 but has put the owners in a position to think otherwise of the property.

  • Inclusion of Afghans in fake family tree revealed in NADRA

    Inclusion of Afghans in fake family tree revealed in NADRA

    National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) Chairman Lieutenant General Munir Afsarhas has revealed that the organisation’s own employees have been involved in the issuance of fake Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs).

    As reported by The News, the chairman brought the matter to light on Wednesday during an address to the Senate Committee as other related concerns were raised regarding fake CNICs, citizens’ family data in the black market, and issuance of multiple SIMS on a single CNIC and its use in illegal activities.

    He highlighted Afghans had been included in fake family trees and that officials kept tampering with fake documents, without fingerprint or photo records due to which actions were taken against the officials.

    Chairman NADRA, however, said that NADRA has established a transparent and firm system to prevent fake identity cards.

    He stated that NADRA had already taken action against the employees who resorted to illicit activities. While 84 officials have been suspended up until now, others have escaped “punishment due to the absence of a law dealing with the Privacy of Data Law”

    Senator Bahramand Khan Tangi, mover of the bill, brought the attention to The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2023, highlighting that the false accusations and “malicious criminal prosecution” is a grave concern.

    Through this Amendment bill, the period of punishment for the aforementioned offences is to be increased.

    And while the matter concerns provinces, the secretary of interior told the committee that a letter had been sent which is yet to be responded to.

  • Over 60 dead due to instant loan app scam blackmailing with nudes

    Over 60 dead due to instant loan app scam blackmailing with nudes

    A widespread blackmail scam, originating in instant loan apps, has ensnared victims in India and across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, with at least 60 Indians resorting to suicide after relentless abuse.

    The BBC conducted an undercover investigation that unveiled the culprits profiting from this pernicious scheme in India and China.

    Bhoomi Sinhaa, a Mumbai-based lawyer, fell victim to this ruthless scheme when she borrowed approximately INR 47,000 ($565; £463) from several loan apps.

    These apps, promising swift loans, often extract personal data and use it to extort users when repayments are delayed. Recovery agents, part of the gig economy, are then tasked with harassing individuals into paying back, resorting to insults and humiliation.

    Bhoomi’s debt spiralled, leading to relentless abuse, threats, and even the release of a manipulated, humiliating photo to her contacts.

    The BBC investigation revealed that at least 60 individuals have taken their own lives due to harassment by these loan apps, with most being young victims who suffered in silence.

    The culprits have managed to stay largely anonymous. However, the BBC did uncover a former debt recovery agent who exposed the system’s brutality.

    Rohan, an ex-employee, recorded over 100 incidents of harassment and abuse, capturing the extortion on camera.

    The most egregious behaviour was observed at Callflex Corporation, where agents were not going rogue but following directions from supervisors, including one named Vishal Chaurasia.

    The recovery process often involves painting victims as fraudsters and thieves and pressuring their contacts.

    The scheme’s sinister nature extends beyond India, involving a Chinese connection. Li Xiang, a Chinese businessman, operates in India through loan apps and recovery services, flouting local laws and resorting to shame to extract repayments.

    He emphasised that their approach is akin to exposing customers to their vulnerability, leaving them “naked” in front of the scammers.

    The emotional and psychological toll on victims like Bhoomi Sinhaa is profound. The shame and ostracization they experience have lasting consequences, with friends, family, and colleagues often distancing themselves from the victims.

    Despite the victims’ efforts to seek justice through police reports and media exposure, the culprits remain elusive, with denials and a lack of cooperation from the companies involved.

    Majesty Legal Services, another implicated company, refuted the allegations, while Li Xiang defended his operations, denying predatory practices.

    This investigation underscores the urgent need for authorities to address this alarming issue, protect vulnerable borrowers, and bring those responsible to justice, all while raising awareness to prevent further harm.

  • iPhone users perturbed by mysterious shut down issue

    iPhone users perturbed by mysterious shut down issue

    iPhone users are reporting a mysterious glitch causing their phones to unexpectedly shut down at night.

    The issue isn’t limited to the latest iPhone 15 models, it affects a wider range of devices which implies that this issue is not linked to a beta version. Most affected users were using iOS 17.0.3 extending beyond iPhone 15 models to older devices like the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 13 Mini, affecting users worldwide.

    Face ID remained inactive until the code was entered. Checking their battery statistics, users noticed a blank period between 3 and 7 AM, suggesting the phone had powered down and rebooted.

    Among many theories, one plausible reason could be a kernel panic or overheating, ranging from software bugs to battery management issues causing a reboot and subsequent boot loop. However, absence of battery statistics during the “off” period raises questions.

    A response from Apple remains awaited.

  • Customs successfully hampers smuggling of Phones worth more than Rs20 million

    Customs successfully hampers smuggling of Phones worth more than Rs20 million

    In a bid to thwart the smuggling of expensive phones in the country, Pakistan Customs Department has arrested a family at the Jinnah International Airport terminal who reached Karachi after performing Umrah via a connecting flight from Dubai, PA-417.

    Acting vigilantly on the tip-off, the collectorate stopped some of the passengers and scanned their luggage which had empty boxes of cell phones. The passengers could not provide any satisfactory answers and this led to a body search. Police then found 51 expensive iPhones they had tied around their waist and legs near the ankles. The recovered iPhones include 25 units of 15 ProMax 12 units of 14 ProMax, 14 units of 11 Promax and 12 units of ProMax. The value of these mobile sets is estimated to be around Rs27.6 million. Taxes of Rs8.8 million could be evaded by smuggling the phones into the country.

    The collector informed the media that smugglers have now started to take advantage of the facility of faster airport arrival services for Umrah pilgrims. These groups entice pilgrims to bring up to 10 iPhones for which they are offered cheap tickets and money.

    Remand was obtained for the family of three and a case has been registered against them under the Customs Act .

  • Lahore High Court issues directives on safety, environmental hazards

    Lahore High Court issues directives on safety, environmental hazards

    Lahore High Court has issued a written order pertaining to environmental problems and safety hazards on roads.

    The court order said that those who use green belts for parking should be fined Rs 5,000, forwarding the order to all housing societies and authorities concerned.

    The court has also ordered the shutting down of polluting brick kilns, and filing criminal cases against the officials who do not take action against the kilns.

    Additionally, the court ordered the CTO to impose a fine of Rs 2,000 on motorcycle riders without helmets and this order will be enforced across the province.

    The Dolphin police have also been directed to keep a check on people in case of violation of the latest orders.

    Reforestation

    The Lahore High Court also shed light on the importance of reforestation, pointing at the Miyawaki model where more urban forests should be planted.

    To ensure that they meet the necessary environmental standards, the LDA will be closely working with the Environment Department while planning and executing development projects.

    Additionally, strict action is to be taken against kilns emitting black smoke which is one of the major contributors to poor air quality.