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.

  • The Current’s Guide: What to pack for Hajj

    The Current’s Guide: What to pack for Hajj

    Hajj season is in full swing and Hajj flights have already begun to take off. Preparing for Hajj can be an overwhelming task. The Current has put together the Ultimate Hajj Guide, so you can relax and look forward to the wonderful once-in-a-lifetime Hajj experience.

    A small bag of essentials which include:

    Passport / ID

    Tickets

    Hotel
    address and details in English and Arabic

    Painkillers
    and bandages

    Relationship
    certificate if you are a woman traveling with a spouse

    Passport-size pictures

    Cash

    Shahadah certificate if you have converted to Islam

    Digital Tasbeeh

    Suitcase essentials

    Islamic Material

    Ihram

    Hajj
    guide books

    Pocket-sized
    Quran

    Dua
    books

    Prayer
    mat

    Other essentials

    Cotton
    clothes

    Pair of flip flops for bathrooms

    Comfortable walking sandals

    Tent

    Umbrella

    Water
    bottle

    Some snacks like dry fruits

    Unscented toiletries

    A small pouch to be hung around the neck

    Towels

    A bedsheet and a blanket. prepare for hot days and cold nights in the tent at Mina.

    Sunglasses

    Few
    shopping bags

    Miswak

    A word of advice: Keep your packing simple and basic. Try not to take things which are easily available there. And Don’t forget to enjoy the experience.

  • How to deal with work-related back pain

    How to deal with work-related back pain

    Do you feel fatigued, stressed and cranky at the end of the day? Chances are that you are reading this slouched over your desk with your legs crossed or on your way back home after a long week. Most of us spend approximately 8 to 9 hours on our office desks, as a result of which the probability of developing back and neck pain is high. Here are a few tips to avoid back pain.

    For a pain-free posture:

    • Keep monitor height in line with your eye level
    • Sit at least one and a half foot away from your computer screen
    • Place your arms on the armrest and vertical from the shoulders
    • Thighs and legs should make a 90 degrees angle
    • Feet should be resting on a flat surface.

    Fix the things on your desk

    Place the keyboard and mouse close to your hands and arms.

    Take short
    breaks

    Getting up at least once an hour for three to five minutes reduces pressure on spinal disks and boosts circulation. Try this out and notice the difference. You will guaranteed feel less stressed.

    Stretch your
    shoulders

    If you have lots of work on your plate, and getting up after every hour is not possible, don’t worry. You can stretch your shoulders while sitting on the desk.

    Don’t put your phone between the ears and neck

    Pinning the phone between your shoulder and ear while you multitask is a natural move but it can result in neck pain. Use earphones or turn on the speaker of your phone during lengthy conversations.

  • American woman accepts Islam, marries unemployed Nawabshah youngster

    American woman accepts Islam, marries unemployed Nawabshah youngster

    Another social media interaction-turned-love affair met a happy ending when an American woman reached Nawabshah and got married to an unemployed local youngster, a private media outlet reported.

    According to reports, Claudia and Rashid Rasool Rajput tied the knot in a simple ceremony held earlier this week.

    Rashid told the media that he met Claudia on a social networking site and the interaction gradually turned into an affair. He used to post Islamic teachings and messages on his account, which influenced the woman.

    Later, she embraced Islam prior to their decision of getting married and changed her name to Khadija. The wedding was held at the office of Nawabshah deputy superintendent of police (DSP).

    The groom said he is jobless and Khadija is well aware of his financial position. The bride, on the other hand, is a degree holder in weather sciences and is currently serving as a university lecturer.

  • Fact-check: Will your electricity bill cost you more between 7 pm to 11 pm?

    Fact-check: Will your electricity bill cost you more between 7 pm to 11 pm?

    We all get messages that go viral on WhatsApp and most of us do not believe them or we simply ignore them because that is the best thing to do because they do not have any authentic source. The Current just fact-checked one of such text messages.

    The message currently appearing on our phones read:

    Many of us did not consider this and some of us must have thought to block that person who sent this. BUT THIS IS CORRECT. Time to unblock that guy.

    The Peak hours from June to August are from 7pm to 11pm.

    It is on the official websites of Lesco and K-electric. You can find peak and off-peak hours for different times and months. Here are the websites:

    http://www.lesco.gov.pk/3000063

    https://www.ke.com.pk/customer-services/tariff-structure/

    You can not only check the peak and peak off hours at the official website of Lesco but also you can estimate your bill. Isn’t that amazing? You have to write units consumed during off-peak and peak hours. phase type, number of TV sets, arrears (if any). Fill all the columns and make an estimate of your bill.

  • Snack Guide for the #CWC19

    Snack Guide for the #CWC19

    A cricket match is incomplete without food. How is it even possible to watch the overs go by without any snacks to munch on? Here are some easy snacks you need to have on the table for the “hottest match of the season.”

    Corn and Cheese Nachos

    Tortilla chips topped with cheese, corn, jalapenos and salt are irresistible. Can’t wait to dive into the crunchiness.

    Pizza

    You can never go wrong with pizza. Either avail one of cricket pizza deals or make your own bread pizzas at home, if you’re someone who is health conscious.

    Simply add ketchup, cheese and your favourite toppings on a slice of bread and pop it in the oven for a quick bread pizza.

    Chips and Dips

    Grab a few packets of crisps and a bottle of salsa dip from the store or make your own creamy dip at home with mayonnaise, cheese, yogurt, herbs and lemon.

    Ice Cream

    The Pakistani cricket team is very unpredictable and you can never tell what they will do next. For those moments when things get heated and tense, ice cream is the best snack to cool everyone down and bring down the tension.

    Fruit Salad

    For all those who are conscious of their diets, the fruit salad (better known as fruit chaat) is the best match snack. Mix together your favourite fruit, add some chaat masala and juice and your chaat is ready.

    Mixed Nuts

    Another healthy option. Add cashew nuts, peanuts, walnuts, pistachio, almonds to a bowl and your guilt-free snack is ready.

    Masala Corn

    Probably one of the easiest things to make. Boil frozen corn and add butter, salt, lemon and masala to it and you have chatpata snack ready.

    Nuggets and Fries

    Perfect for when the match is not going your way and the depression hits. Allah na karay but you gotta be prepared for anything.

  • Duty first: Rescue 1122 diver missed sister’s funeral to save lives

    Duty first: Rescue 1122 diver missed sister’s funeral to save lives

    There are some people who restore your faith in humanity and make you believe that compassion does exist somewhere. And this Rescue 1122 official is one of them.

    Zahir Shah, a Rescue 1122 official, missed his own sister’s funeral in order to retrieve the bodies of three sisters who drowned in Kundal Dam on Eid in Swabi.

    According to reports, a boat carrying 38 passengers capsized in Kundal Dam due to overloading. While the 35 of the 38 passengers were rescued safely, three sisters drowned and died in the dam. Shah was part of the rescue team who tried their best to save the sisters. He was informed of his sister’s death while he was on the rescue mission but he chose to complete his duty before attending to personal matters.

    Shah’s actions and commitment received applause from all around and he was hailed a hero on social media. He was also given a ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ by Rescue 1122.

  • K Town gets a new bun man

    K Town gets a new bun man

    When Pappa Roti shut down in Pakistan, bun lovers across the country were left heartbroken. But Karachi fans can now rejoice because a new Baker Boy has arrived in the city.

    Baker Boy, a Malaysian brand, has opened its to doors to customers and are serving hot, buttery, coffee buns as well as karak chai and freshly baked brownies. Their signature buns are made with a special recipe that makes them crisp outside and soft inside. Sounds like the perfect tea time.

  • The road less travelled – Pakistan’s offbeat tourist locations

    The road less travelled – Pakistan’s offbeat tourist locations

    Can’t figure out where to spend your summer break this year? Been to all the popular tourist spots? We have you covered. Take a break from your regular routine and plan a trip to one of these offbeat places in Pakistan:

    Kumrat Valley

    Naran, Kaghan aur Hunza toh sab hee jaatay hain garmion ki chution main. But if you truly want to enjoy natural beauty, Kumrat Valley is the place to go. This area is not as well known as the rest which means it is still untouched. The location is perfect for those who don’t like the rush. Visit this place before its natural beauty is replaced by architectural infrastructure.

    Gorakh Hill Station

    Also known as the ‘Murree of Sindh’, the Gorakh Hills are magical. The best part is that the holiday destination is relatively inexpensive. It’s best to go there with company, unless you’re a loner, as there is not much to do there except enjoy the sunset and sunrise and camp out in the open with a bonfire.

    Astola Island

    Everyone is familiar with the beauty of Pakistan’s northern areas, but a few have taken the time to discover the mesmerizing charm of the country’s coastal south. Clear blue water and white sandy beaches, what’s Maldives?

    Kanhatti Gardens

    Soon Valley is a breathtaking vista of natural beauty comprising of lakes and springs, lush green fields and gardens. Though many people visit Soon Valley, they often miss out the Kanhatti Gardens.

    Kanhatti Garden’s name is derived from ‘Kanhat’, a special rock found at natural water spring. Visit the Soon Valley and Kanhatti Gardens this summer and enjoy eating fresh almonds, apricots and pineapples there.

    Rama Meadows

    If you ever happen to find yourself in surrounded by clear, ice-cold water flowing in streams, sheep and cows grazing in peace and pine trees all around, then you are probably in Rama Meadows. Rama is located on the foothills of Nanga Parbat and no picture can do justice to the beauty of the place.  

    Take a virtual tour of these places by watching the video below and then make your decision.

  • Uber will start deactivating riders with low ratings

    Uber will start deactivating riders with low ratings

    Uber announced that it will be
    deactivating those riders that are constantly receiving bad reviews from the
    drivers and consequently have received an overall below average rating.

    Riders may lose access to Uber if
    they develop a significantly below average rating. Initially, the company will
    notify the rider when its rating starts to dip. The company will send tips on
    how to get their rating back-up such as speaking politely to the driver, not
    asking the driver to speed up or not leaving the trash in the car.

    Drivers with the help of the feature would choose from a list of reasons such as

    Wait time

    Patience

    Number of riders

    Attitude

     Wanted new route or any other.

     If a rider got the same “tag” twice within a span of 30 days, a notification would appear when they open the Uber app to let them know that their behavior is affecting their rating.

    According to Uber’s head of safety
    brand and initiatives, Kate Parker:

    “Respect is a two-way street, and so
    is accountability. Drivers have long been expected to meet a minimum rating
    threshold. While we expect only a small number of riders to ultimately be
    impacted by ratings-based deactivations, it’s the right thing to do.”

    Uber has always emphasized both the
    riders and drivers to follow its community guidelines. With the new change now
    set to take place, things will even out for both of the sides and will
    encourage everyone to behave in the right manner.

  • ‘Burn-out’ is real, WHO recognises it as a medical condition

    ‘Burn-out’ is real, WHO recognises it as a medical condition

    The World Health Organisation has for the first time recognised “burn-out” as a medical condition in its International Classification of Diseases (ICD), which is widely used as a benchmark for diagnosis and health insurers.

    The decision, reached during the World Health Assembly in Geneva, could help settle decades of debate among experts over how to define burnout, and whether it should be considered a medical condition.

    In the latest update of its catalogue of diseases and injuries around the world, WHO defines burn-out as “a syndrome conceptualised as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.”

    It said the syndrome was characterised by three symptoms:

    1) feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion

    2) increased mental distance from one’s job or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job

    3) reduced professional efficacy.

    The classification further stated that the burn-out diagnosis is limited to work environments, and shouldn’t be applied to other life situations.

    The updated ICD list, dubbed ICD-11, was drafted last year following recommendations from health experts around the world. It will take effect in January 2022 and contains several other additions, including classification of “compulsive sexual behaviour” as a mental disorder.

    It also recognises video gaming as an addiction for the first time, listing it alongside gambling and drugs like cocaine.

    Watch The Current‘s video on how to tell if you workplace is toxic:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Elz__X4Cnks