Current Final

Category: Lifestyle

  • Dead patient decomposes, locked and forgotten in hospital store

    Dead patient decomposes, locked and forgotten in hospital store

    The locked store of the District Headquarter Hospital in Isakhel tehsil had been harbouring the decomposed body of an elderly patient, DAWN has reported.

    According to reports, Mohammad Ali, son of Mohammad Asif, was an injured elderly man who was brought to the hospital in February by Rescue 1122 after an accident. He was admitted and treated for a fracture but no relatives paid him a visit.

    Ali was said to be mentally ill and grappling with speech. The patients in his ward complained about him after which he was shifted to another room.

    When the Punjab health secretary visited the hospital a few days back, Ali was taken to an empty store and locked in for the duration of the visit to avoid any “objectionable” behaviour from him.

    He remained locked since the hospital staff reportedly “forgot” to take him out after the visit. Days later, when a revolting smell began spreading through the hospital, the staff began interrogating only to find Ali’s decomposed body in the store room.

    Upon receiving the news, Mianwali Deputy Commissioner Khalid Javed Gorayia went to the DHQ Hospital and called for an investigation into the incident.

    He established an inquiry committee, led by DHO (HR) Dr. Rafiqe Khan.

    An autopsy report will be provided to determine the cause of death.

    The hospital administration has reportedly buried the body as an unknown person.

  • Captain America clarifies he was not involved with Israeli forces; receives flak for not mentioning Palestine

    Captain America clarifies he was not involved with Israeli forces; receives flak for not mentioning Palestine

    Chris Evans, famous for playing Captain America, took to his Instagram to issue a clarification for a photo floating on the internet. The picture, which showed him signing ammunition with a soldier, was being shared with misleading information that the soldier was from the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF).


    As Israel’s genocide in Gaza continues unabated, people across the world slammed Evans for the photo.

    This clarification came amid heightened speculations of Evans having gone to Israel to meet IDF soldiers and signing a missile for them like other American dignitaries including Nikki Haley.


    While Reuters did a fact-check story on this picture earlier in February, Evans posted a story earlier in the day (May 31). In his Instagram story, he wrote, “This image was taken during a USO tour in 2016. I went with a group of actors, athletes and musicians to show appreciation for our service members.” He went on to add that, “The object he was asked to sign is not a bomb, or a missile, or a weapon of any kind. It is an inert object used for training or display purposes only.”


    It’s been close to nine months since the genocide in Gaza started but the actor neither condemned it nor uttered a word of support for the oppressed Gazans. His clarification is thus receiving flak for still not mentioning Palestine.

    A netizen wrote, “Chris Evans can say all this to defend himself and still not use his platform spread awareness about Palestine is truly so evil.”


    A supporter of Free Palestine lambasted Captain America for signing something that merely represents the bomb but no information or donation link about Palestine.


    Nicole on X (formerly Twitter) called him out for not shedding light on the genocide and said, “Anyway, don’t be like Chris, call for a free Palestine.”


    A proponent of Ceasefire Now posted, “The thing that bothers me about this post, even though it should be reassuring he’s not gross is the fact he said nothing about Palestine whatsoever in conjunction with this picture.”


    While a passionate user called him “cold-hearted” another said that, “this speaks a lot about his character.”

  • Pakistan farmers pin poor mango crop on climate change

    Pakistan farmers pin poor mango crop on climate change

    Pakistan’s mangoes are normally a source of national pride and much-needed income, but farmers are blaming climate change for the parasites and extreme weather ruining much of this season’s crop.

    A white and orange scarf wrapped around his head in the scorching heat, farmer Muhammad Yusuf lamented the erratic weather.

    An abnormally long winter was followed by the wettest April in decades, while the country is now experiencing a heatwave with temperatures hitting up to 52 degrees Celsius (126 degrees Fahrenheit).

    “Buds didn’t flower on time, many buds just died. Those that started growing were infected with (parasite) black hopper,” said Yusuf, who has worked half his life growing mangoes.

    Now over 60 years old, Yusuf said “climate change has wreaked havoc” in his village of Tando Allahyar, around 200 kilometres (124 miles) northeast of economic hub Karachi.

    Pakistan is the world’s fourth-largest mango producer and agriculture accounts for almost a quarter of its GDP.

    Further south in Tando Ghulam Ali, Arsalan, who manages a 900-acre mango orchard, noticed the damage as soon as the harvest started this week.

    “We have production losses of 15 to 20 percent, and the picking has only just started so this figure will surely increase,” said the 32-year-old.

    Exports will be slashed as a result warned Arsalan, who goes by one name.

    “The mangoes turn yellow from the outside but remain underripe or overripe inside,” he explained.

    Ziaul Haq, a mango grower and exporter from Tando Ghulam Ali, said the “many attacks on fruit” by pests were unprecedented.

    “This, in our history, has never happened before,” he told AFP.

    ‘Feed our families’

    The proliferation of parasites has led to an explosion in spending on pesticides.

    This uptick was confirmed by several farmers in Sindh province, where Tando Allahyar and Tando Ghulam Ali are located, as well as those in the leading agricultural province of Punjab further north.

    They told AFP that chemicals are now used six to seven times per year, compared to just twice three years ago.

    Farmers in Sindh said they have been struggling since 2022 when a series of severe heatwaves were followed by unprecedented flooding, while those in Punjab said the declining crops yields date back several years more.

    “The losses in Punjab reached 35 to 50 percent and in Sindh, 15 to 20 percent” compared to last year, said Waheed Ahmed, head of the Pakistan Federation of Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association (PFVA).

    Speaking to local media, he said that last year Pakistan had only managed to export 100,000 of the 125,000 tonnes of mangoes it planned to sell abroad.

    Pakistan’s 20 varieties of mangoes come second only to oranges as the most-produced fruit in the country.

    The income loss from a poor harvest could have a significant impact on the country, which is in talks to secure a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

    Mashooq Ali, a 30-year-old labourer in Tando Ghulam Ali, wants the government to help farmers cope.

    “Landowners will earn less this year,” said Ali, whose wife has started trading clothes to earn extra cash.

    “And even if they paid us as much as last year, with inflation, we won’t be able to feed our families.”

    srq/rsc/lb

    © Agence France-Presse

  • Malala in her cowgirl era for British Vogue; internet reminded of her silence on Palestine

    Malala in her cowgirl era for British Vogue; internet reminded of her silence on Palestine

    Malala is making a special appearance in a British sitcom called ‘We Are Lady Parts’ based on a punk band consisting of Muslim women.


    For a photoshoot with British Vogue, Malala donned a look similar to that of a cowgirl with a shimmery blue outfit and a large hat while sitting on horseback.

    Other cast members were seen standing in front of the horse.


    Netizens were reacting in all ways possible to her pictures but the dominant element is her muffled response and lack of condemnation of Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza.


    Social media users subjected her to criticism as one commented underneath the British Vogue post, “Wow, the priorities Malala has during an ongoing genocide.”


    While another commented, “Proving that modesty fashion can be stylish, trendy, and fun.”


    A user subjected her to severe criticism: “Can officially add actress to her CV, we’ve only been assuming for the past many years”. Someone else commented, “Baby girl is too busy to give a damn about genocide. #AllEyesOnRafah”


    Fashion journalist Amna Isani shared the picture and took a jibe at her by commenting, “Is this what officially losing the plot looks like?”.


    Malala has been receiving ire since October 7 because of her perceived restraint in condemning Israel for the genocide. Even though she has called for a ceasefire in the past, the internet is lambasting her for her silence on the Rafah Massacre carried out by Israeli forces early in the week.

    However, in the interview that she gave to Vogue, Malala did talk about Gaza and specifically the Rafah Massacre. “This is such a difficult time right now, especially with what is happening in Gaza, and especially what we saw in Rafah this week,” she told the magazine, calling the images “heartbreaking.”

    She went on to plead the case for a ceasefire in Gaza, stating: “I want people in Gaza not to be dehumanised. I want people to see those children as humans.”

  • Prolonged load shedding continues across country in extreme heat

    Prolonged load shedding continues across country in extreme heat

    With record breaking temperatures, hours of load shedding of electricity have caused inconvenience for people in a number of cities across Pakistan.

    In many areas of Hyderabad, the duration of load shedding has reached up to 12 hours.

    Spokesperson of HESCO said that load shedding is happening on the basis of line losses. He also claims that load shedding is not interrupting examination hours.

    Meanwhile, urban areas of Sukkur are experiencing six to eight hours of load shedding while Jacobabad, Shikarpur and Kashmore undergoing 12 to 14 hours.

    Thatta city and its surroundings are subjected to 14 to 16 hours load shedding, six hours in Kamalia city, and eight hours in rural areas.

    Wahari stands at four to six hours of load shedding while 10 hours in rural areas.

    More than 10 hours of load shedding is taking place in Mingora city, more than 16 hours in suburban areas, while Bannu is experiencing 18 to 20 hours of load shedding.

    Citizens say that business activities and life are being affected due to load shedding.

  • After iCUBE-Q, another Pakistani Satellite to be launched into space

    After iCUBE-Q, another Pakistani Satellite to be launched into space

    After the successful launch of iCUBE Qamar, Pakistan’s newest Communication Satellite, MM1, is to be launched into space today (May 30).


    The satellite which is officially names as PAKSAT MM1will be launched from Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC), China.


    The satellite will help bring in Pakistan into the digital era as it will provide internet to remote areas, according to SUPARCO officials.


    “Our team is very excited for the upcoming launch of PakSat MM1 on May 30,” Project Director PakSat MM1 said.


    The launch ceremony will be shown live for media from the Islamabad and Karachi establishments of SUPARCO.


    The satellite is expected to contribute to the establishment of a sophisticated communication network and help meet the growing demands of the telecom sector and its advanced capabilities will address the increasing demand for high-speed internet and seamless connectivity.


    “It will prove to be a stepping stone in the transformation of the country into Digital Pakistan. It will provide various communication services like broadband internet, TV broadcasting, Mobile bank –hauling and VSAT connectivity.”


    Project Manager MM-1 Usman Iftikhar said that the primary objective behind the PAKSAT MM-1 satellite is to strengthen Pakistan’s communication infrastructure and pave the way for broadening the horizons for connectivity.


    This satellite is a communication satellite that will be sent in a Geostationary Orbit.


    Earlier, Pakistan’s historic lunar mission (iCUBE-Q) was launched on May 3 on board China’s Chang’E6 from Hainan, China.


    The satellite iCube-Qamar mission marked Pakistan’s first lunar exploration effort.

  • Heavy monsoon spell on its way to Pakistan

    Heavy monsoon spell on its way to Pakistan

    The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Thursday forecast said that many areas in the country will receive extraordinary monsoon rains from June to August.

    This forecast is a relief amid the ongoing heatwave but is also concerning because of the fear of floods in the country, reports Geo.

    As per the predictions by the weather department, there is a chance of usual and above-normal rains in most places this year. However, central and northern Punjab will remain affected the most.
    While southern Sindh is expected to receive torrential rains, Balochistan might experience extraordinary rainy weather.

    Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan are expected to experience average rainfall this year, informs the meteorological department.

    The department has predicted heavy rainfall in the first phase of the monsoon in comparison with the second phase.

    PMD has also predicted that Punjab and upper parts of the country are expected to receive rain during the ongoing week which could break the heat spell.

    Severe heatwave conditions were likely to subside in upper parts if it rained, said the Met Department.

  • Situation in Bishkek under control, suspects will be punished according to law: Kyrgyz Ambassador

    Situation in Bishkek under control, suspects will be punished according to law: Kyrgyz Ambassador

    Kyrgyz Ambassador Ulanbek Totuiaev has said that the situation in Bishkek is under control, and that suspects charged with violence will be punished according to the law.

    During a media briefing in Islamabad, he asserted that the news shared on foreign media social networks were completely baseless, especially in Pakistan.

    The ambassador reiterated that on May 13, a clash took place between local and foreign students in a hostel in Bishkek. On May 18, Kyrgyz citizens demonstrated to bring foreign students to justice. As soon as the information was received, the police detained four Egyptians and ten Kyrgyz citizens.

    He further clarified that no one was injured in the riots and that the media is requested to refrain from broadcasting or publishing unverified information. He emphasized that all the rioters will be punished according to law in Kyrgyzstan, whereas Pakistan will be asked to investigate those spreading false information in the media.

  • North Korea drops rubbish-filled balloons on South Korea

    North Korea drops rubbish-filled balloons on South Korea

    North Korea just dropped at least 260 filth-filled balloons on South Korea, prompting officials to warn residents to stay indoors.


    South Korea’s army cautioned the public against touching the balloons and the plastic bags attached to them because they contain “filthy waste and trash”.
    The balloons have been found in eight of nine provinces in South Korea and are now being investigated.


    The recent incident comes days after North Korea said it would retaliate against the “frequent scattering of leaflets and other rubbish” in border areas by activists in the South.


    Photographs shared on various social media platforms show bags attached via string to white translucent balloons carrying toilet paper, dark soil, batteries, and leaflets, among other contents.

    BBC quotes South Korea’s Yonhap news agency’s report: “Some of the fallen balloons carried what appears to be faeces judging from its dark colour and odour”.

    Battle of Ballons

    North and South Korea have both used balloons in their propaganda campaigns since the Korean War in the 1950s.


    South Korea’s military had earlier said it was investigating whether there were any North Korean propaganda leaflets in the balloons.

    Earlier this month, a South Korea-based activist group claimed it had sent 20 balloons carrying choco pies, leaflets, and USB sticks containing Korean pop music and music videos across the border, all of which are banned in North Korea.

    Back in 2016, North Korea launched balloons southward that attacked Seoul’s leaders The balloons reportedly carried toilet paper, cigarette butts, and rubbish.

    However, Seoul police described them as “hazardous biochemical substances”.

    “It seriously threatens the safety of our people. North Korea is entirely liable for what happens due to the balloons and we sternly warn North Korea to immediately stop this inhumane and crass action,” the South’s military said.

  • When is Zul-Hajj moon expected?

    When is Zul-Hajj moon expected?


    The Meteorological Department has predicted that there is a strong possibility that the moon of Zul-Hajj will be visible on Friday, June 7.


    The Eid-ul-Azha will be on Monday, June 17, if the predictions around the Zul-Hajj moon stand true.

    The International Astronomy Center says that Islamic countries will witness the Zul-Hajj moon on Friday, June 7, according to the Al-Arabiya report.

    If the moon is visible, the first Zul Hajj will be on June 8, otherwise, it will be on Sunday, June 9, that is, the first day of 10 Zul Hajj Eid-ul-Azha will be on Monday, June 17, or Tuesday, June 18.

    However, the final announcement of the date of Eid-ul-Azha in Pakistan will be made by the central Moon Sighting Committee after the sighting of the Zul-Hajj moon.