Current Final

Category: Lifestyle

  • Colombia to open embassy in Palestine

    Colombian President Gustavo Petro has been very vocal in his condemnation of Israel’s war on Gaza. In one of his recent statements, after a meeting with both the ambassadors of Palestine and Israel, he showed his solidarity with the children from both sides and pledged to open an Embassy in Ramallah, Palestine.

    “I have expressed my position to achieve an international peace conference that opens the way for two independent and free states. I reiterated my solidarity with Israeli and Palestinian children, who must and have the right to live in peace,” he said in a post on X (former Twitter).

    The Colombian president further pledged, “We will send a plane with humanitarian aid to the outskirts of Gaza waiting for a humanitarian corridor to open. Colombia will open its embassy in Ramallah, Palestine.”

    It is crucial in the context of the ongoing conflict as Petro has refused to condemn Hamas’ attack on Israel and compared Israel’s actions to those of Nazi Germany. In response to this, the country bore the cost in the form of suspension of defence imports from Israel — their biggest supplier of warplanes, surveillance equipment, and assault rifles since the 1990s.

  • Bannu professor forced to apologise publicly for teaching Darwin’s theory of evolution

    Bannu professor forced to apologise publicly for teaching Darwin’s theory of evolution

    Professor Sher Ali from Bannu was forced to apologize publicly by signing an affidavit for teaching Darwin’s Theory of Evolution and organizing a seminar on women’s rights in Islam.

    A tweet from X user Khurram Zakir has brought the tragic state of intolerance to the spotlight.


    The dispute started with Professor Sher Ali organizing a seminar on the topic of Women’s Rights in Islam and the Constitution. It was arranged in response to the growing public displeasure against women leaving their homes without adhering to the Islamic dress code. The professor triggered religious circles who accused him of deviating from the teachings of Islam.

    Although Darwin’s Evolution theory is part of the curriculum set by the board of education, the professor had to bear the brunt of fulfilling his duty and teaching about it. The incident has raised concerns about the inconducive space for rational discourse even in an academic setting.

  • Only 20 trucks of aid allowed into Gaza

    Only 20 trucks of aid allowed into Gaza

    The Rafah border between Egypt and Gaza has finally been opened for aid trucks into Gaza on Saturday.

    Al Jazeera reports that Hamas’s media office confirmed that “The relief aid convoy that is supposed to enter today includes 20 trucks that carry medicine, medical supplies, and a limited amount of food supplies [canned goods],”

    The World Health Organization took to X to highlight that its trucks consists of trauma supplies for 1,200 people, portable trauma bags for on-the-spot stabilisation for 235 people, medication for chronic diseases for 1,500 people, essential health supplies for 300,000 people for three months.

    It is, however, important to note that the besieged Gaza Strip has a population of 2.3 million people.

    Humanitarian workers have been saying that 20 trucks are not enough for the catastrophe caused by Israeli attacks on the Gaza strip. So far, more than 4,000 people have been killed while more than 12,000 are injured.

    The UN reported that there is a severe dearth of food and drinking water while sanitation facilities, water wells, reservoirs, and pumping stations have been destroyed due to air raids.

    Hamas’s media office has also stated that this aid “will not change the catastrophic medical conditions in Gaza”.

    Previously, US President Joe Biden visited Israel and announced the agreement to allow 20 trucks in Gaza through Egypt.

  • Newlyweds murdered in mosque in honour killing

    Newlyweds murdered in mosque in honour killing

    A newlywed couple was shot dead inside a mosque in Jehlum on Wednesday in what is suspected to be a case of honour killing.

    Rehman Rasool and Safia recently eloped to get married of their own free will. They were then called in by the girl’s family for reconciliation. Sensing the possible threat, the two of them took refuge in a mosque’s courtyard but got gunned down by the family, nevertheless.

    The unfortunate incident happened on Wednesday in the outskirts of Pind Dadan Khan where the two of them took sanctuary in a mosque adjacent to the motorway. The killers managed to escape.

    A local shephard informed the police of the murder. The bodies were taken to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

    Raids have been carried out to arrest the suspects while an investigation has also been launched

  • Hamas releases two American hostages

    Hamas releases two American hostages

    Hamas has released two American captives who were captured in the October 7 attacks on Israel.

    Judith Raanan and her daughter Natalie Raanan are also the first ones to be released since the attacks.

    Al Jazeera reports that Hamas’s armed wing al-Qassam Brigades spokesperson Abu Ubaida said that they freed the hostages “for humanitarian reasons” following mediating attempts made by Qatar.

    US President Joe Biden thanked Qatar and Israel for their collective efforts in ensuring their release.

    A spokesperson for Qatar’s foreign ministry stated that the release was the result of “many days of continuous communication with all parties” and that they hope to “release of all civilian hostages from every nationality”.

    The Israeli military believes that many of the detained are still alive.

    Following October 7 and the killings of 1,400 Israelis at the hands of Hamas, Israel has killed more than 4,000 Palestinians in Gaza Strip as a response; and has also foisted a “complete siege” which it says it will not lift till Israeli hostages are freed.

    Red Cross released a statement stating, “The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) helped facilitate this release by transporting the hostages from Gaza to Israel, underscoring the real-life impact of our role as a neutral actor between the warring parties,

    “The ICRC continues to call for the immediate release of all hostages. We are ready to visit the remaining hostages and to facilitate any future release following an agreement reached by the parties.”

  • How can Pakistani’s help the Palestinian movement?

    How can Pakistani’s help the Palestinian movement?

    As the genocide of Palestinians goes on with the death toll currently reported to be 12,493 people in Gaza as per Al-Jazeera. Many of us Pakistanis are feeling a sense of helplessness as videos are emerging showing children killed, shell-shocked or traumatised by the violence they witnessed, asking how they can continue to support the fight for a free Palestine. Here are the several ways you can support the Palestinian cause:

    Donate:

    We are listing down several organisations that are taking donations from Pakistan to help provide humanitarian relief to Palestinians.

    Doctors Without Borders

    This is an organisation that is currently working to provide medical relief and aid to countless injured civilians in Gaza. Pakistani’s can visit their website and provide donations through Mastercard or Visa.

    Al Khidmat Foundation:

    This organisation is working on the ground to provide humanitarian assistance to the wounded in Gaza. Click on their website to send a donation.

    Palestine Children’s Relief Fund:

    The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund is actively working in Gaza to provide medical surgery, mental health programs and also to sponsor children who have become orphans as a result of the war. You can visit their website to find out details on how to donate.

    Read more books about the Palestinian liberation movement and from Palestinians authors

    Here are some books you can look up on to learn more about the origins of apartheid in Palestine, and how did the Nakba begin. These books are currently available at The Last Word or you can download them as pdf’s online.

    Children Of The Stone: the power of music in a hard land by Sandy Tolan

    Chronicles the story of Ramzi Hussein Aburedwan, a child from Palestinian refugee camps who rose to become a music student and founded a music school with the help of musicians around the world.

    The Palestine Nakba: Decolonising History, Narrating The Subaltern, Reclaiming Memory by Nur Masalha.

    This book debunks some of the narratives presented by Israelis in an attempt to suppress the resistance, by directly narrating history from Palestinians.

    Freedom Is A Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine and the foundations of a movement by Angela Davis

    This book is a collection of essays, interviews and speeches written by activist and scholar Angela Davis who draws the comparison between state violence and oppression throughout the world such as Ferguson and the Palestine struggle.

    Watch movies and documentaries made by Palestinians

    Five Broken Cameras: A documentary made by Emad Burnat and Guy Davidi on the protests led by Palestinian farmers in Bil’in, a West Bank village which was encroached by the Israeli West Bank barrier. Available on Netflix.

    Chilldren Of Shatila (1998): A documentary that focuses on the lives of two Palestinian children growing up Beirut’s Palestinian Shatila refugee camp. Available on Netflix.

    Gaza (2019): A documentary that looks in to the lives of Gazan citizens and their everyday routine. Available to stream online.

    Follow Palestinian influencers on Instagram and TikTok

    Subhi who goes by sbeih.jpeg on Instagram provides regular updates on the on-ground situation in Gaza.

    Mohammad Elkurd is a Palestinian poet whose Instagram account mohammadelkurd provides updates on the situation in Gaza.

    Plestia Alaqad is a journalist who gives regular updates on Gaza on her TikTok and Instagram account byplestia

    Boycott brands that are providing donations to Israel

    Here is an official list of brands listed by the Palestinian BDS Movement a group of activists currently leading the call for the end of genocide in Gaza.

  • Karachiites to have hot, humid weekend

    Karachiites to have hot, humid weekend

    The weather department has warned Karachiites of an impending heat wave in the coming three days. It is predicted that the temperature will rise, while the weather will be hot and humid.

    Temperature may range from 35 to 37 degree celsius. Warm breeze blowing from the south-west of the city will keep the climate generally dry. Sea-breeze is suspected to tone it down in the evening.

    Contrary to low temperatures in the northern plains, major parts of Sindh are experiencing an episode of hot and dry weather. However, there is a prediction of heavy rainfall in some districts of Qambar Shehdad Kot and Jacobabad.

  • Police baton-charges teachers and health workers in Lahore, Bahawalpur

    Police baton-charges teachers and health workers in Lahore, Bahawalpur

    In an attempt to deter protesting government employees, Lahore police subjected them to baton charging. The incident occurred on Thursday while protesters were holding a rally from the PMG chowk to Aiwan-i-Iqbal. There were more than a hundred government employees, both male and female teachers and health workers. As part of the crackdown they were shifted to different police stations of the city.

    The protest was held by All Government Employees Grand Alliance (AGEGA), a coalition of 34 organisations representing many departments including health, education and higher education. Their protest is especially targeteding the Punjab Government and the district administration over the arrest of more than 200 teachers.

    They have a range of demands which include the restoration of leave encashment, reversal of amendments to pension regulations and cancellation of privatisation plans for public schools. To get their protests registered, many teachers are boycotting classes in the schools and colleges throughout the province for the last one week.

    The office bearers of AGEGA have held Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi responsible for all their complaints but they also pledged not to give up on their demands or surrender in front of violence.

    In Bahawalpur, Police booked around 200 employees under 16-MPO for making provocative speeches against the Government and blocking the road. An FIR lodged by the police says that the demonstrators were asked to unblock the road, however, they kept it blocked until action by police became imperative.

  • ‘Get bicycles for government servants’: Lahore High Court on combating smog

    ‘Get bicycles for government servants’: Lahore High Court on combating smog

    Lahore High Court on Friday heard petitions pertaining to the remediation of smog and passed its verdict. To thwart the pollution that has made Lahore among the most polluted cities of the world.

    Justice Shahid Karim proposed to control vehicular emissions by banning vehicles that emit smoke, and in a unique recommendation, advised government servants to use bicycles for commuting.

    The court advised the government to provide required funds to the organisations working for the reduction of smog. Commissioner of Lahore assured the court that a warning has been issued to factories and manufacturing units in Kasoor. He vowed to pay surprise visits and updated the court about the awareness campaign that has been started to plant trees. He informed the court about a ban on digging roads without permission.

    The court expressed its disapproval of the officers of the Environment Department who are not charging offenders enough. In a matter-of-fact way, the court remarked that the industries which do not comply should be demolished, stressing that it is high time that the Deputy Commissioner and the police come out of their offices and be active on ground.

    Additionally, the court gave a provisional go-ahead to the construction project in Babu Sabu, refusing to change the Railway Golf Club Administrator.

  • Greta Thunberg calls for ceasefire in Gaza, freedom for Palestine

    Greta Thunberg calls for ceasefire in Gaza, freedom for Palestine

    Climate Change activist Greta Thunberg has raised her voice in calling for an end to the genocide in Palestine. She shared a post on Instagram, holding the poster ‘Free Gaza’ and announced that she was striking in solidarity with Palestine.

    “Week 270. Today we are striking in solidarity with Palestine and Gaza. The world needs to speak up and call for an immediate ceasefire, justice and freedom for Palestinians and all civilians affected.”

    The climate change activist also shared several accounts for her followers to educate themselves on the struggle for Free Palestine.