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.

  • First Muslim queer lawmaker elected in America

    First Muslim queer lawmaker elected in America

    Mauree Turner won her race for Oklahoma state House for District 88 becoming the first non-binary state legislator in US history and first Muslim lawmaker in Oklahoma.

    As per reports, Turner, 27, defeated Republican candidate Kelly Barlean to represent the district, winning about 71% of the votes, according to the Oklahoma State Election Board’s unofficial results.

    Turner identifies as non-binary, which the National Center for Transgender Equality defines as gender understood as neither male nor female. Turner uses both they/she as pronouns, according to Turner’s Twitter profile. She used the same on her campaign website.

    According to the LGBTQ Victory Fund, a national organisation dedicated to electing LGBTQ people, there are currently four known genderqueer or nonbinary-identified elected officials serving in the US and five public LGBTQ elected officials in Oklahoma. Turner is the first non-binary person to be named to a state legislature.

    An activist, community organiser and native Oklahoman, Turner has spent most of her life fighting for issues such as immigration rights, racial justice and criminal justice. Living as a black Muslim American queer woman in the state of Oklahoma, Turner said, she experienced not being seen or heard by lawmakers. Her campaign ran on a platform of seeking to drive conversations about what inclusive

  • Twitter slams Qasim Ali Shah over misogynist comments

    Twitter slams Qasim Ali Shah over misogynist comments

    Motivational speaker Qasim Ali Shah landed himself in controversy for making misogynist remarks during an interview, a clip of which went viral on social media.

    “Go to schools where our daughters are studying and till matric, they are not taught how to be good wives, even though in a woman’s life, the ultimate role of a women is to be a good wife and a good mother..,” he shared in the interview.

    The speaker’s recent remarks are being viewed as sexist by some. While others believe that his remarks were blown out of proportion.

    As the clip went viral, many are questioning him on why is he only concerned with the upbringing of daughters and not of sons.

    https://twitter.com/Shehzad89/status/1323299001177878530?s=20

    Others are criticising him over his anti-women feedback, saying that women’s goal in life shouldn’t just be limited to being good wives and mothers.

    https://twitter.com/iSadiaSheikh/status/1323711211867983889?s=20

    Comedian Ali Gul Pir trolled Qasim for being a misogynist.

    There have been multiple incidents when prominent personalities in Pakistan have made misogynist remarks in the past. Member of National Assembly Talal Chaudhary making lewd remarks about Firdous Ashiq Awan, and soap-opera writer Khalil-ur-Rehman using abusive and foul language with Marvi Sirmed, are two of the recent examples.

  • Will boycotting French products make a difference?

    Will boycotting French products make a difference?

    French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent controversial statements about Islam and his stance regarding the continued publication of blasphemous caricatures of The Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) served as a source of bitter disappointment for the Muslim community worldwide. Citizens of several Muslim countries publicly called for an official boycott of French products to demonstrate their opposition against Macron’s insensitive actions. Pakistanis are no different.

    While every Muslim country is contributing a unique weightage of resistance, here are five interesting facts about #BoycottFrenchProducts’ increased momentum which may motivate us to appreciate and self-assess ourselves as Pakistanis:

    1. Pakistani Market accounts for 0.08% of France’s exports only

    While the attempt to boycott a country’s products to get our disapproval across is plausible, unfortunately, this protest in the Pakistani context is merely symbolic. The power to ‘actually’ influence world politics cannot be achieved without economic stability. We do not want to sound like Donald Trump here but, for the sake of national integrity, the Ministry of Finance and our Industrial Sector needs to really “do more”.

    2. Sephora has been accused of racially discriminating against Asians

    Many Facebook groups are asking women in Pakistan to boycott the international giant makeup retailer, Sephora and not to order makeup from the popular chain. Sephora was founded by a French entrepreneur, Dominique Mandonnaud, and has its headquarters based in Paris, France. In 2014, customers filed a lawsuit against the retailer for engagement in racial discrimination against Asians.

    3. Divide and rule?

    Not long ago, to condemn Macron’s derogatory remarks about Islam, Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted that President’s comments seem “to deliberately provoke Muslims, including own [France’s] citizens” to which a French minister responded by telling Khan to stay out of France’s domestic affairs. On 3rd November, renowned French news media outlets like France24 released a news piece titled, “Several French Muslim leaders on Monday condemned calls for boycotts of French goods in Muslim countries as unjustified and accused those leading the charge of using Islam for political gain”. The statement has been released on behalf of the leaders of the Great Mosques of Paris, Lyon and the French Mediterranean island of Reunion and three main Muslim groups of the country. The sole purpose of this boycott is to protect the sentiments of a ‘unified’ Muslim community throughout the world; however, French media says otherwise. Divide and rule?

    4. LU is not French

    Netizens, leave LU out of this! While social media posts calling out for the boycott of LU biscuits went viral, a BBC report verified that our very Pakistani Continental biscuits Limited (CBL) is in fact a joint venture with an American company called Mondelez. LU was initially registered under a French trademark but was bought by the American Company a while later. So, let bygones be bygones.

    4. Taking a stand

    Pakistanis have never shied away from risking anything to stand with their fellow Muslims worldwide. An interesting example of this can be our ever-favorite apparel brand. Back in 2011, Gul Ahmed received an award from the French Ambassador Daniel Jouanneau for being the largest exporter to France in Home Textile category. Despite reporting an annual loss of 625 million due to Covid-19 induced lockdown in the fiscal year of 2019-2020, Gul Ahmad did not condemn the boycott. The company seems to have risked its financial position in case France decides to reciprocate the ban due to the deteriorating relations between the two countries. Putting communal interests over business is a commendable gesture indeed.   

  • World’s biggest pink diamond mine closes after reserves finish

    World’s biggest pink diamond mine closes after reserves finish

    The world’s largest pink diamond mine has shut its doors after exhausting its reserves of the expensive gems.

    According to reports, the Argyle mine, in the remote Kimberley region of Western Australia, churned out more than 90 percent of the world’s pink diamonds — sought after for their incredible rarity.

    The seam was discovered in 1979 and the Anglo-Australian firm began mining operations there four years later.

    It has since produced more than 865 million carats of rough diamonds, including a small but steady stream of prized pink stones, according to global mining giant Rio Tinto.

    Read more – Indian jewellery ad slammed for showing Hindu-Muslim couple

    Argyle employees and indigenous landowners attended a ceremony at the shuttered mine to mark the end of operations.

    The company expects efforts to decommission and dismantle the 37-year-old site will take around five years.

    “A new chapter will now begin as we start the process of respectfully closing the Argyle mine and rehabilitating the land, to be handed back to its traditional custodians,” mine manager Andrew Wilson said.

    Over the past two decades, the value of pink diamonds has risen by 500 percent, Rio Tinto’s Sinead Kaufman told public broadcaster ABC.

    The end of operations at Argyle is likely to push the price of the diamonds even higher, jewellers say. At current rates, the gems can fetch up to $3 million per carat.

    Diamonds are typically clear, but jewels such as those mined at Argyle become pink through extreme heat and pressure during their creation. Those conditions warp their crystal lattices and alter the reflection of light as it passes through the body of the diamond.

  • Villagers kill rare Indus dolphin near Nawabshah

    Villagers kill rare Indus dolphin near Nawabshah

    Villagers from Sindh’s Nawabshah district allegedly killed a rare Indus River Dolphin, also known as the blind dolphin. According to journalist Amar Guriro, who shared a video from the incident on social media, the dolphin was stranded in Gujjar Canal when the villagers caught it. In the video shared by Guriro, the villagers can be seen celebrating the man who caught the dolphin.

    Further reports revealed that the dolphin died due to injuries and mishandling.

    https://twitter.com/wildpakistan/status/1322135427034288133?s=20

    The official Twitter handle of the Sindh Wildlife Department also shared details about the incident and said that a criminal case is being registered against those involved in the incident.

    https://twitter.com/sindhwildlife/status/1322146810094387201?s=20

    Later, they announced that the “offender whose unlawful act of trapping Indus Dolphin that stranded in a minor irrigation canal has been arrested with the help of Sindh Police.”

    Meanwhile, several Twitter users including Fatima Bhutto, expressed their sadness over the incident.

    According to WWF-Pakistan, the Indus River dolphin is one of the world’s most endangered freshwater river dolphins. Currently, there are only about 2000 dolphins in the waters of the Indus.

  • VIDEO: Turkish chef Burak Ozdemir eats meal at Islamabad panahgah

    VIDEO: Turkish chef Burak Ozdemir eats meal at Islamabad panahgah

    Renowned Turkish chef Burak Ozdemir arrived in Pakistan today (Saturday) and ate Pakistani food at Islamabad panagah with several citizens there.

    Burak has become a global sensation with almost 500,000 followers on Twitter and 17.2million followers on Instagram.

    Upon his arrival in Pakistan, the celebrated chef said that both countries share an extraordinary harmony when it comes to cultures and food and he has traveled all the way from his country to experience what Pakistan actually looks like in reality.

    The chef became famous after one of his videos of making a giant-sized kebab, went viral on social media. The 26-year-old Turkey-based chef relishes cooking large-sized meals on camera.

    Talking to media in Islamabad, Burak said that he was happy to visit the country and thanked Pakistanis for their messages and support for the recent earthquake in Turkey’s Izmir.

    The two countries have always cherished excellent relations, he noted.

    He said that this time he will go back after a short trip due to the earthquake but promised to visit different cities including Lahore and Karachi when he visits Pakistan next time.

    “I will start learning to cook more Pakistani food, Today I will go to the shelter home and will cook Pakistani food there,” he said while telling about his plans for the day.

    “We love Kashmir,” the Turkish chef said, adding that he has especially come to Pakistan to eat Kashmiri food.

    https://twitter.com/HniaziISF/status/1322498468758380544?s=20

  • Historical British-era tunnel restored and reopened in Ayubia

    Historical British-era tunnel restored and reopened in Ayubia

    Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Climate Change, Malik Amin Aslam, on Thursday, reopened a 129-year old historical ‘Motto Tunnel’ at Ayubia National Park.

    Read more – Sindh Govt comes under fire for ‘painting ancient archaeological sites white’

    The tunnel has been reopened for tourists after almost 20 years. Restoration work on it has been done by the Ministry of Climate Change in collaboration with the Department of Wildlife.

    According to a press release, Aslam while inaugurating the tunnel said that unsustainable and exploitative tourism practices in various parts of the country, particularly in biodiversity-rich and environmentally-sensitive areas, over last several years have badly harmed local fragile ecosystems that house wildlife species and their habitats.

    The special assistant said: “Given the realisation, the incumbent government is taking all-out measures to usher in sustainable models of eco-tourism in consultative with local partners and communities as a part of Prime Minister’s vision for Clean and Green Pakistan.”

    Sharing details about the tunnel, Aslam said that the tunnel was built in 1891 between Ghora Dhaka (presently Ayubia) to Khaira Gali (Murree) beneath the road and residential area in Ayubia Town. The tunnel had remained in terrible condition due to lack of maintenance over the last several decades.

    He said that this tunnel is 12 kilometres long and has a flat track. This track was 4 kilometres long before 12 more kilometres was added to it – it is now 16 kilometres in total.

    “Besides, reopening and renovation of the different segments of the tunnel, the tunnel site has also been provided with various facilities for tourists including paved track to the tunnel, information centre, guiding facilities, sitting and resting areas and coffee shop,” highlighted Aslam.

    The PM’s aide hoped that the glorious cultural icon would add value to the natural beauty of the national park and provide added attraction to tourists.

    He said: “We are taking practical steps to promote tourism. The restoration of this tunnel is also a link to the same series.”

  • ‘Is your beauty natural or do you use some special cream?’: Journalist asks Zartaj Gul

    ‘Is your beauty natural or do you use some special cream?’: Journalist asks Zartaj Gul

    A journalist recently asked the Minister of State for Climate Change, Zartaj Gul if her beauty is natural or she uses some special cream for the glow.

    The question made the minister blush, and she responded with a smile saying: “I am from the tribal area and have come to power after winning election from Dera Ghazi Khan. I am highly exposed to sunlight, dirt and smog because I am involved in practical politics. The beauty that you see on my face is all that is left (compared to before).”

    Read More – Zartaj Gul reveals her favourite designer brands

    “Even my class-fellows do not recognise me now. The political activities have affected my beauty,” she added.

  • Punjab gets its most expensive vehicle ever; Rs45 lacs paid as registration alone

    Punjab gets its most expensive vehicle ever; Rs45 lacs paid as registration alone

    The Punjab Excise and Taxation (E&T) Department in Lahore has registered the most expensive luxury car in its history, The Express Tribune reported.

    As per the details, the car, a Lamborghini Huracan Spyder worth a whopping Rs115 million (Rs11 crores and 50 lacs), was registered for Rs4.5 million (Rs45 lacs).

    Initially, the provincial department had refused to register the luxury vehicle, saying that its system did not recognise car purchases of over Rs100 million (Rs10 crores).

    However, the department then upgraded its system and amended relevant laws to be able to register the sports car.

    “Lamborghini Huracan Spyder comes with 5.2L engine, and it is famous for its unique exterior. The car has specially designed wings at the front so that it can reach its maximum speed easily. This is the reason this car has an aerodynamic smaller front and a bit wider back. Furthermore, it has parking sensors and air intake vents at the front,” according to the supercar’s review on PakWheels.com.

    Before Huracan Spyder, the most expensive car registered in Punjab was of Mercedes GT Series. The price of that car was nearly Rs100 million. The excise department charged Rs3.5million as a registration fee of that vehicle, according to media reports.

    In September 2018, an 18k gold foil Lamborghini Aventador S had arrived in Islamabad, which quickly became the talk of the town when the owner Kunwar Moeez Khan, a property tycoon, shared its photos on social media.

  • Quaid-e-Azam University temporarily closed after COVID-19 cases emerge

    Quaid-e-Azam University temporarily closed after COVID-19 cases emerge

    The Quaid-e-Azam University in Islamabad was temporarily closed on Monday after five coronavirus cases were reported in different departments.

    As per reports, the university’s administration has issued a notification in this regard.

    The move comes after District Health Officer (DHO) had dispatched a letter to the university administration instructing to seal concerned departments.

    “As per the guidelines issued by the Ministry of National Health Services Regulatory and Coordination, due to these five coronavirus cases on the campus, all academic and research activities are hereby shifted to online till November 6,” reads the notification.

    The university administration has also directed students to vacate hostels unless from remote areas.

    707 new cases of the coronavirus were reported across the country during the last 24 hours, soaring the national tally of infections to 328,602.