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.

  • Defence Phase 7 car collision: Deputy Investigation Officer suspended on request of head of deceased family

    Defence Phase 7 car collision: Deputy Investigation Officer suspended on request of head of deceased family

    In an interview with Urdu Point, the head of the family whose six members were killed in an accident after being hit by an underage driver, Rafaqat Ali, has said that he’s facing difficulty in seeking justice.

    Calling the incident “target killing”, Rafaqat recounts the accident and the harassment his family faced by the teenager driving the car. He clarified that nobody has threatened him but the cold behaviour of the police is repulsive. Earlier, in an interview which was conducted a day after the incident, he claimed that he had been receiving threats.

    He went on to explain his dejection seeing police siding with the accused as in the court hearing, Afnan was brought late and was also given a mobile phone(iPhone) by his relatives. He added that he was not even shown the reason for remand by the police even though he is the petitioner. Rafaqat Ali relayed that the investigation officer requested the judge to issue a judicial remand as both the alleged culprit and his car are in possession of the police. The deputy of the investigation officer also misbehaved with him when he asked for the digital copy of the judicial remand, saying, “Mein ap kay baap ka naukar hoon.”

    This repelled the father so much that he even thought of “withdrawing” altogether since nothing is in his favour and the opposite party seemed stronger than him. He took the matter to DIG Investigation Imran Kishore who called the Investigation Officer Umar and asked him about the case who said that the judicial remand had been issued by the judge to Kishore and asked how is this possible when it was a case registered under section 302(a constitutional clause that governs punishment for murder).

    Kishore brought up the matter of misbehaviour with him and suspended him instantly, stating that the job of the investigation officer is to serve the petitioner, not the suspect. He also reprimanded another officer for negligence. Now the matter of investigation lies with DSP Kahna Police Station.

    The bail plea of the suspect has been rejected.

    To read more: Teenager friend present in underage driver’s car also arrested

  • Israel-Hamas issue is beyond war, it is ‘terrorism’: Pope Francis

    Israel-Hamas issue is beyond war, it is ‘terrorism’: Pope Francis

    Pope Francis has deemed the violence stemming from the Israel and Hamas issue as “terrorism”.

    “They suffer so much and I heard how they both suffer”, he said on Wednesday after meeting with Israeli families of captives held by Hamas and Palestinians who have family in Gaza

    “Wars do this, but here we have gone beyond wars. This is not war, this is terrorism,” he added.

    The head of the Catholic Church also called everyone to pray for peace so that both sides would “not go ahead with passions, which, in the end, kill everyone”.

    Jewish groups reacts

    Jewish groups, however, have criticised Pope Francis, demanding an explanation for accusing both Hamas and Israel of “terrorism.”

    The Council of the Assembly of Italian Rabbis (ARI) issued a statement on Thursday, pointing at “Church leaders” for not condemning the Hamas attack and of “putting the aggressor and the attacked on the same plane in the name of a supposed impartiality.”

    Similarly, American Jewish Committee (AJC) posted on X (formerly Twitter):

    “Later in the day, he described the Israel-Hamas war as ‘beyond war’ as ‘terrorism.’ Hamas’ butchering and kidnapping of civilians is terrorism. Israel’s self-defense is not. Vatican, please clarify.”

    The Simon Wiesenthal Center, a US-based Jewish human rights organisation, also called on the pope “not to forget that all the loss and suffering since October 7th stems from the intolerable actions of Hamas.”

    The statement added that the responsibility of all the suffering and loss of both the families of hostages and civilians in Gaza was “on the hands of the Hamas terrorists who, on October 7th, inflicted in the most brutal way, the worst mass murder of Jews since the defeat of Nazi Germany and World War II.”

    The Jerusalem Post also reports that Italian rabbis also questioned the worth of “decades of Jewish-Christian dialog” if when Jews are attacked the Vatican responds with “diplomatic acrobatics.”

  • 65-year-old man goes to school in Dir

    65-year-old Dilawar Khan from Dir Upper has enrolled in the first grade of a local primary school to improve his reading and writing skills.

    Khan and his classmates have a stark age gap as the fellow students are younger than his grandchildren.

    While talking to The Express Tribune, a local resident of the area revealed that, “Dilawar Khan, hailing from a financially struggling family in Dir Upper district, had to forego the luxury of a formal education in his youth to support his family. Yet, his passion for learning endured.”

    Khan has now enrolled into the Government Primary School Khongai to learn to read and write.

    “As a devout Muslim, I believe it is our responsibility to seek knowledge, and I firmly believe that age is merely a number, not a formidable barrier in this pursuit,” Dilawar states.

    Despite his old age, he regularly attends school on time, ensuring punctuality as do his younger classmates.

  • Israeli soldier posts video playing guitar he stole from Palestinian after bombing

    Israeli soldier posts video playing guitar he stole from Palestinian after bombing

    A heartbreaking video is going viral on the internet where an Israeli soldier was seen playing a guitar he stole from a Palestinian home after bombing it. The guitar belonged to Hamadah, who shared online that the guitar was gifted to him by his late father, who passed away after the 2014 Gaza attacks.

    “I was shocked today when I saw this TikTok video of an IOF soldier playing guitar in the midst of the rubble in Gaza. I know this guitar very well, because there are not many guitars like this in Gaza. My dad gifted me this guitar 15 years ago. My dad died shortly after the 2014 attack on Gaza, and now they have come to take the last thing I have from him.’
    Isn’t it enough that they take away our loved ones, our homes, our families, and even our music and memories? Where does the injustice stop?!”

    Hamadah shared two videos where he was seen humming a melody on the guitar, and then an Israeli soldier strumming it at a bombed site.

    The video has since then gotten responses with users writing they’re horrified by the brutality displayed by Israeli soldiers.

    “this is actually sinister. I’ve seen countless videos of them “playing” amongst the rubble. What could be so awful inside you to push you to do that? It’s inhumane. It’s lacking compassion empathy emotions and humanity,” one user wrote.

    Comedian Anees and activist Shaun King expressed their outrage over the video.

  • Israel-Gaza conflict: Young American TikTokers turn to Quran for understanding and empathy

    Israel-Gaza conflict: Young American TikTokers turn to Quran for understanding and empathy

    TikTok is becoming a platform for the propagation of Islamic values amidst the Israel-Gaza Conflict as so many young Americans are picking up the Qur’an to understand the resilience of Muslim Palestinians. The Guardian‘s article showcases the growing reach of the platform and how the understanding of Islam-once a vilified religion in the West-has started growing because of it.

    Videos under the hashtag “quranbookclub” – which has a modest 1.9 million views on the app – show users holding up their newly purchased texts and reading verses for the first time. Others are finding free versions online, or listening to someone sing the verses while they drive to work. Not all the people reading the Qur’an on TikTok are women, but interest overlaps with the #BookTok space, a subcommunity where mostly female users gather to discuss books.

    @megan_b_rice #freepalestine ❤️ ♬ original sound – Megan Rice

    Megan B Rice, a 34-year-old book enthusiast from Chicago, recently found a new passion – reading the Quran. After speaking out about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, she organized a “World Religion Book Club” on Discord to explore the Islamic faith. Rice, who wasn’t religious before, discovered alignment between the Holy Book’s content and her core beliefs, leading her to convert to Islam.

    This trend isn’t unique to Rice; on TikTok, under the hashtag “quranbookclub,” young people are delving into the Book to better comprehend a religion often misunderstood in the West. With themes like anti-consumerism, feminism, and environmentalism, the Quran resonates with the values of many young, left-leaning Americans.

    @megan_b_rice Welcome to The World Religion Book Club! I’m looking forward to learning from each and every one of you. ♥️ #thequran #bookclub #whatsapp ♬ original sound – Megan Rice

    Nefertari Moonn, a 35-year-old from Florida, also turned to the Quran to understand what inspires people facing adversity. Her emotional connection to the text led her to take the shahada, becoming a Muslim revert.

    @nefertarimoonn It’s been a great journey so far, the Qur’an is so beautiful. #quran #islam #alternative #fyp ♬ so What now – ugh

    Misha Euceph, a Pakistani American writer, and podcast host notes that the Quran’s themes align with progressive values, embracing science and advocating for equality between men and women.

    @meuceph Who is a believer, a disbeliever and a hypocrite in the Quran? #quran #muslim #islam #quranbookclub #palestine #freepalestine #qurantok ♬ original sound – Misha Euceph

    In the aftermath of 9/11, the Quran became a bestseller, but this time around, people are turning to it not to confirm biases but to understand the resilience and faith of Muslim Palestinians. As readers like Rice express empathy for those in Gaza, the Qur’an takes on a new role in their lives, bridging gaps in understanding and fostering connections across different backgrounds.

    For Rice, the experience has been transformative, challenging preconceptions and internalized misconceptions about Islam. She emphasizes that regardless of one’s religious background, learning about someone’s faith can foster empathy, making it a powerful tool for building connections.

    @megan_b_rice #quran #quranreading #islam ♬ original sound – Megan Rice

  • Imaam-e-Kaaba to lead Jumma Prayers at Faisal Masjid on November 24

    Imaam-e-Kaaba to lead Jumma Prayers at Faisal Masjid on November 24

    Imam e Kaaba Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid arrived in Pakistan on a four-day visit on Wednesday. He will lead Jumma Prayers at the grand Faisal Mosque on coming Friday (tomorrow), November 24.

    He was received by Special Representative to the Prime Minister on Religious Harmony and Pakistani Diaspora in the Middle East and Muslim Countries, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi who expressed widespread anticipation of his visit.

    As part of his tour, Imam-e-Kaaba is set to engage in crucial meetings with key figures, including the President, Prime Minister, Chief of Army Staff, and other high-ranking officials.

  • 16-year-old kills older teenager for Rs 350 in India

    16-year-old kills older teenager for Rs 350 in India

    A 16-year-old boy in New Delhi killed an 18-year-old with sixty stabs of the knife.

    As per Indian Media, the shocking incident took place in New Delhi where a young boy robbed an 18-year-old boy for INR 350 and left him lying on the street in a pool of blood. The killer then celebrated the murder by dancing over the body of the murdered boy.

    The police has recovered a blood-stained knife from the murderer and acquired CCTV footage. The suspect has been shifted to the police station.

  • Government aims to send back million ‘illegal aliens’ in second phase, says Balochistan’s Information Minister

    Government aims to send back million ‘illegal aliens’ in second phase, says Balochistan’s Information Minister

    Jan Achakzai, Balochistan’s caretaker Information Minister, has said that the second phase of repatriation of Afghan refugees has begun. In this phase the government aims to repatriate a million undocumented immigrants back to their countries by 2024.

    The minister said in a press conference that over 2,000 illegal Afghans have already been sent back to Afghanistan through Chaman border after getting arrested, reports Dawn.

    “The government has now launched a ‘stop and search policy’ under which police and other law-enforcement agencies will stop and check the national identity card of any suspected person,” Mr Achakzai said.

    Mr Achakzai said that around one million Afghan refugees got themselves registered with UNHCR in Quetta where they were issued Proof of Registration (POR) cards. He said that 200,000 fake cards were issued in Balochistan which have now been blocked by National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).

    Mr Achakzai said that all concerned institutions and agencies were coordinating with each other while implementing orders issued to them by the federal government about illegal immigrants in the country, adding that no one would be allowed to stay illegally in the country.

  • TikTok users call for Black Friday shopping boycott in protest for Palestine

    TikTok users call for Black Friday shopping boycott in protest for Palestine

    TikTok has turned into an influential platform for speaking up against the atrocities going on in Gaza.

    After several Jewish actors like Amy Schumer, Sacha Baron Cohen accused the platform of being ‘anti-semitic’, TikTok heads had to release a statement clarifying that today’s teens were vocally pro-Palestinian, hence the algorithm showing more content in their favour.

    Right now, the hashtag #FreePalestine has over 25 billion views, while #damifalasteeni- the song by Palestinian singer Mohammad Assaf, has over 1.4 million views on the platform.

    READ MORE: Palestinian content leaves Israel miles behind on social media

    TikTok users have consistently used the platform to debunk lies and propaganda spread by IDF soldiers to justify their invasion of Gazan hospitals. TikTok users started a trend, pretending to be Israeli soldiers and mocking their failed attempt at finding the ‘Khamas’ troops at Al-Shifa hospital.

    @drewparker2k This propaganda is getting laughably absurd #freepalestine ❤️ # #ceasfire #propaganda #politics #leftist #gaza #fyp #drewparker2k ♬ original sound – Aseyat

    @unculltured I could go on… #arab #arabtiktok #muslim #muslimtiktok ♬ original sound – khalid ☘️

    Yesterday, Israel agreed to a four-day ceasefire during which Hamas and IDF will exchange prisoners who were captured by their forces, as well as allow aid and fuel to enter Gaza. But many TikTok users slammed this as an attempt to silence the worldwide outrage over the genocide, as well as the timing when the ceasefire was announced with Black Friday, Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday around the corner. The hashtag #boycottblackfriday has over 4 million views on the platform.

    TikTok users are now taking to their accounts to urge their followers to keep boycotting brands and ensure a truce is established so the Palestinians get back their land and all the hostages, including 800 children held captive in Israeli prisons.

    @dontaskabbey ♬ original sound – dontaskabbey

    Fawn Diaz, who has over 41K followers on TikTok, shared a post calling out the greed of American capitalism in upholding a ‘humanitarian ceasefire’ at the same time it was Black Friday weekend.

    @fawn.diaz Boycott tf out of americas christmas and black friday money machine #freepalestine #revolution #freepalestine ♬ Wendigoon is a cool dude – audio

    TikTok user Yourfavouriteguy, who has 3 million followers on the platform, pointed out the ceasefire came in too late when already 20,000 Palestinians have been killed and 50% Gaza was reduced to rubble, and is not a permanent solution which is why social media needs to keep ensuring the pressure remains on their governments to support Palestine.

    @yourfavoriteguy here’s what you need to know about the temporary 4 day ceasefire that has been called in the Gaza Strip #YOURFAVORITEGUY ♬ original sound – YourFavoriteGuy

    TikTok is leading the growing boycott of international coffee chain Starbucks, which had sued workers union for releasing a statement standing in favour of Palestine. The hashtag #boycottstarbucsk has over 101.2 million views on the platform.

    @wwearybaby #boycottstarbucks ♬ الصوت الأصلي – ahmed fawzy

  • Noor Mukadam’s family expresses faith in judicial system after US officials visit Zahir Jaffer

    Noor Mukadam’s family expresses faith in judicial system after US officials visit Zahir Jaffer

    Update: In light of the rumors of US intervention in Noor Mukadam’s case by facilitating the death row inmate Zahir Jaffer, Noor’s family has expressed full faith in the judicial system.

    In addition to that, an elaboration of the recent meeting in Adiala Jail has been released on the JusticeforNoor page on Twitter. It emphasised that the spread of fake news regarding his impending escape should be stopped because this was a routine visit.

    Officials of the US Embassy in Islamabad met with death row prisoner Zahir Jaffer, convicted for killing Noor Mukadam, at the Adiala Central Jail on Tuesday.

    As per the report of The Express Tribune, the convict demanded access to lawyers and vegetarian food during the meeting with the officials while the head of the US delegation, Mitchell P Murphy, gifted him two books.

    The meeting went on for about half an hour where the consul inquired about Zahir’s health, accomodation and facilities in the jail. The three-member American delegation approached Zahir Jaffer through the consular office of the American Embassy.

    Islamabad High Court has upheld Zahir’s death sentence by a trial court but also turned his life imprisonment into a death sentence in a case relating to the rape and murder of Noor. The pleas of his domestic help-Mohammad Iftikhar and Mohammad Jan — both co-accused in the case —have also been dismissed by IHC. He earlier received a 25-year imprisonment sentence with hard labour and a fine of Rs0.2 million after the rape was proven.

    Noor Mukadam was beheaded at Zahir’s residence in Islamabad’s upscale Sector F-7/4 on July 20, 2021. Her death sparked national outrage, including protests and candlelight vigils across the country.