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.

  • Malala will make history as the youngest speaker at Mandela Annual Lecture

    Malala will make history as the youngest speaker at Mandela Annual Lecture

    Youngest Nobel laureate and education activist Malala Yousafzai will be delivering the 21st Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture in Johannesburg, South Africa.

    The announcement was made by Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF) on social media on Monday.

    The NMF acting Chief Executive Verne Harris posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Scheduled for 5 December 2023, this lecture holds special significance as it coincides with the tenth anniversary of Madiba’s passing.”

    The Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture Series consists of prominent people initiating debate on significant social issues and difficult subjects in order to address the challenges the world encounters.

    Nelson Mandela was the first Black president of South Africa (1994–99). He was jointly awarded the Nobel Prize with South African Pres. F.W. de Klerk for Peace in 1993 for their efforts towards the rights of Africans.

    “Malala embodies the type of leadership we believe the world needs across all levels of society. In the face of current global challenges, which can seem daunting, she stands as an inspiring symbol of hope for a just and equitable future,” said Harris.

    Some of the previous speakers include South Africa’s Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, former US president Barack Obama; Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai; former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan; Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates.

  • Saudi court orders media to publicly disclose identity of harasser doctor

    Saudi court orders media to publicly disclose identity of harasser doctor

    A Saudi court has sentenced a doctor to five years in prison after he was found guilty of harassing a nurse, ordering the media to publicise the case and expose the harasser.

    The doctor was reportedly a Syrian who sexually harassed a Filipino nurse.

    Hospital management sent the issue to Public Prosecution which led to an extensive investigation, proving the doctor guilty of misconduct.

    The arrest was made without any delay after solid proof against the doctor and legal proceedings were initiated right away.

    In criminal court, the doctor was initially ordered to to pay SR5,000 in fine and sentenced to one year in prison but then the Court of Appeal increased the sentence to five years.

    In addition to the prison sentence, the Saudi court also issued an order to publicly disclose the doctor’s name.

  • No more advantage points for Hafiz-e-Quran in medical admissions

    No more advantage points for Hafiz-e-Quran in medical admissions

    As per the new policy, Hafiz-e-Quran candidates applying to medical colleges will no longer be given additional marks in their application process.

    Concurring with Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), Punjab Health Department confirmed that the policy has been revoked.

    According to the previous policy, Hafiz-e-Quran candidates were given an addition of 20 marks in merit calculation during the admissions process

    The marks remained a part of the admission procedure till it came to Supreme Court’s notice in April under a six-member bench, led by Justice Ijazul Ahsan.

    The PMDC’s lawyer, Afnan Kundi, stated during the proceedings that the policy had already been revoked.

    With no conflict over the matter raised, Justice Ijazul Ahsan closed the suo motu case.

    Eliminating advantage points is considered to be a fair move in creating an equal opportunity and chances for candidates to qualify through a merit-based system.

  • ‘The story starts here’; American MMA fighter converts to Islam

    ‘The story starts here’; American MMA fighter converts to Islam

    An American MMA fighter, Amber Leibrock, has converted to Islam, believing it has made her life better.

    35-year-old Leibrock is a renowned MMA fighter who competes in the Featherweight division in Professional Fighters League (PFL) and has bagged many victories during her career.

    Her personal life, however, has been rocky.

    In an Instagram post, Leibrock wrote, “This year so far has been life changing. The last two months have been even more life changing. There’s been ups and downs but at the end of the day I know I’m exactly where I’m suppose to be. As much as I wanted things to go differently you’ll never here me say “Im not blessed.” Because im beyond blessed. The good, the bad, doesn’t matter “I’m blessed.”
    I’ve shared this year, these experience and memories with the ppl I love most and those are things that no one can ever take from me. The story starts here! ✨  “Alhamdulillah

  • Geniuses behind mRNA covid vaccines to receive Nobel Prize

    Geniuses behind mRNA covid vaccines to receive Nobel Prize

    Katalin Kariko from Hungary and American-born Drew Weissman have won the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their research that paved the way for the first mRNA vaccines against COVID-19, made by Pfizer and Moderna.

    The Nobel Prize committee announced the winners in Sweden on Monday.

    “The laureates contributed to the unprecedented rate of vaccine development during one of the greatest threats to human health in modern times,” the jury said in Sweden’s capital Stockholm on Monday.

    Professor at Sagan’s University in Hungary and an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania, Katalin Kariko researched mRNA along with Drew Weissman at the University of Pennsylvania.

    Their prize will include a diploma, a gold medal and a $1 million cheque on December 10 in Stockholm. That day will also mark the death anniversary of Alfred Nobel, the scientist who created the prize in his last will and testament.

  • Pakistan to deport 1.1 million illegal foreign residents in security move

    Pakistan to deport 1.1 million illegal foreign residents in security move

    Due to security concerns, the caretaker government led by Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar announced on Monday its intention to repatriate 1.1 million foreign nationals who are currently residing in Pakistan without legal authorisation.

    The government’s plan involves a multi-phase approach. In the initial phase, those individuals who are residing in Pakistan unlawfully, colloquially referred to as “aliens,” will be subject to eviction, as will individuals who fail to renew their visas.

    Subsequent phases will target individuals with Afghan citizenship who possess proof of residence cards. The decision to take action against illegally residing Afghan citizens was made due to concerns that this group is linked to activities such as funding, facilitating, and smuggling terrorists. Additionally, a significant number of Afghan nationals have not renewed their proof of residence in Pakistan, further raising security concerns.

    A source familiar with the situation emphasised that illegally residing foreigners pose a significant security risk to Pakistan. The Ministry of Interior has collaborated with relevant stakeholders and the Afghan government to formulate a comprehensive plan for implementation.

    In parallel, the ministry has issued directives to identify and compile records of Afghans living in Pakistan without proper permits. Plans are being developed to facilitate their transportation back to the Afghan border. Authorities are also expediting the processing of applications related to the registration of Afghan nationals.

    Last week, it was reported that the government would soon announce a one-month deadline for all illegal foreign immigrants, including Afghans, to voluntarily leave the country or face legal consequences. Following this deadline, law enforcement agencies will conduct a nationwide crackdown to identify and deport illegal immigrants, the majority of whom are believed to be Afghan nationals.

    At the highest level, the government is committed to preventing Pakistan from becoming a sanctuary for illegal immigrants, many of whom are engaged in criminal activities and smuggling operations. Notably, some illegal Afghan immigrants have already been apprehended for engaging in illicit dollar trading, negatively impacting the country’s economy.

    Additionally, a considerable number of illegal foreign nationals are involved in various businesses across major cities, including the federal capital. The increase in street crime in Islamabad has been associated with the influx of illegal Afghan nationals.

    According to The News, it is estimated that approximately 1.1 million Afghan refugees are residing in Pakistan without legal authorization. Since the return of the Afghan Taliban to Afghanistan in August 2021, around 400,000 Afghans have entered Pakistan illegally, with an additional 700,000 identified as residing in the country without legal permission.

  • Pakistan’s security forces lost 386 personnel in 2023: report

    Pakistan’s security forces lost 386 personnel in 2023: report

    A recent Security Report released by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) reveals that Pakistan’s security forces lost at least 386 personnel, including 137 army soldiers, in the first nine months of the ongoing year, marking an eight-year high as the country continues to battle militant violence.

    The Islamabad-based think tank’s report states, “Over the past five years, there has been a consistent and alarming surge in violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan provinces. Equally greater concern is the collective percentage of violence-related fatalities recorded in these two provinces which indicates a disturbing upward trend over the last five years; together, they suffered 72% of all fatalities in 2019, and this unsetting figure surged to a staggering 92% in the first 9 months of 2023.”

    There has been a trend of brutal attacks against religious congregations in the country, with more than 60 people losing their lives in two separate bombing incidents at a mosque and a gathering to mark the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) birth anniversary on Friday.

    “Pakistan’s security forces lost at least 386 personnel, 36 percent of all fatalities – including 137 army and 208 police personnel – in the first 9 months of 2023, marking an eight-year high as the country continues to battle proxy terrorism, largely in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan,” the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) said in its report released on Saturday.

    “With 1087 violence-related fatalities recorded so far during the year, the outlaws suffered 368 (34 percent), followed by civilians with 333 (31 percent) fatalities,” it added.

    The CRSS maintained there had been a consistent and alarming increase in violence in the two Pakistani western provinces over the past five years.

    Experts attribute the recent increase in militant violence and security forces casualties in Pakistan to the change of government in neighboring Afghanistan, saying it emboldened militant groups in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and fueled separatist violence in Balochistan.

  • A Pakistani component will soon be going to the moon

    A Pakistani component will soon be going to the moon

    China’s new mission to the moon, Chang’e 6, will be launched in 2024, carrying a Pakistani satellite.

    As per a statement issued by the China National Space Administration (CNSA), Chang’e 6 mission will be launched to the moon in the first half of 2024.

    The mission is set to carry payloads to the moon from Pakistan, the European Space Agency (ESA), France and Italy.

    This includes French instruments to test radioactive gas, ESA’s Negative Ion Detector, Italy’s Valle Brett Radar System, and Pakistan’s satellite named CubeSat.

    China is currently expanding the International Lunar Research Station project that will result in more international partnerships in the future as well as an increased international cooperation.

    Constituting a first in history, Chang’e-6 mission is to journey towards the dark side of the moon and gather specimens from its surface.

    Previously, samples were collected from the near surface of the moon.

    The aim is to collect samples from various areas of the moon to evaluate its age. This is said to be followed by Chang’e 7 robotic mission to the moon’s south pole.

    This will trace for signs of ice and examine the region’s atmosphere and weather.

    The Chang’e 8 mission is said to conclude the Chang’e missions and to possibly establish a research station on the planet.

  • Want a phone on instalments? The govt has good news for you

    Want a phone on instalments? The govt has good news for you

    The Caretaker Federal Minister for IT, Dr. Umar Saif, has said in a conversation with Samaa that by January 2024, people will be able to buy Pakistani-made mobile phones in installments.

    Dr. Saif pointed out that Pakistan has the fifth largest population and the seventh largest telecom industry in the world; 33 national companies have made 57 million low-cost mobile phones, of which one crore 20 lakhs have been exported.

    Made-in-Pakistan phones will be less expensive and will cost an average of 15 thousand rupees.

    He added that having 1.5 million cell phone users in the country is a big deal; and despite the lack of foreign exchange, most mobile phones are imported, asserting that there is no reason why mobile phones cannot be assembled and manufactured within the country.

    He questioned that if India can manufacture iPhones, why can’t Pakistan too. According to Dr. Saif, Pakistan’s IT exports are 2.6 billion dollars while India’s is 150 billion dollars because there is a lack of trained manpower since only 120 thousand people are available here.

    He asserted there is a need to train students in universities and he aims to upskill two lakh people as well as establish e-employment centres for five lakh freelancers in the next two years.

    The caretaker IT minister is also determined to take IT exports to 10 billion dollars.

  • Journalist corrects Indian media spreading misinformation about Pakistan

    Journalist corrects Indian media spreading misinformation about Pakistan

    Naimat Khan, a journalist working with Arab News, pointed out false news being widely circulated by Indian media.

    Indian news platforms have been reporting that Maulana Qaiser Farooq has been shot and killed in a target attack in Karachi, alleging that he was one of the prominent leaders of Lashkar-e-Taiba and was a close associate of Hafiz Saeed.

    Khan, however, fact checked and corrected the outlets by stating that Maulana Qaiser Farooq, killed by unknown assailants in Karachi, was associated with Gulshan-e-Umar, a branch of Binori Town, a top Deobandi seminary in Karachi. He pointed out that this institution has no connection with Hafiz Saeed.