Current Final

Category: Lifestyle

  • Pakistani man becomes first Muslim to head NYPD’s volunteer force

    Pakistani man becomes first Muslim to head NYPD’s volunteer force

    A Pakistani-American police officer has become the first Muslim to head the New York Police Department’s volunteer force.

    According to reports, Nasir Saleem, a 30-year veteran of the New York police, became the first Pakistani and Muslim to be appointed as the auxiliary deputy chief of the nearly 5,000-strong force.

    The volunteer force serves in the city’s neighborhoods as the “eyes and ears” of the regular police through foot, vehicle, and bicycle patrols.

    “It’s a great honour […] I am speechless. I dedicate my new title to Pakistan,” said Saleem speaking to reporters after taking the oath of office.

    Saleem was inducted into his new assignment at a ceremony where senior police officials and members of the Pakistani community were present. Captain Adeel Rana and Lt Zaigham Abbas, fellow Pakistani-American police officers, pinned badges on Saleem’s uniform.

    Taking to Twitter, the New York Police Department Chief of Patrol Fausto Pichardo stated that Saleem’s “28 years and 14,000 hours does not go unnoticed”.

    Auxiliary police officers are trained to observe and report on conditions requiring the services of the regular police, assisting in non-enforcement and non-hazardous duties.

  • Pakistan suspends flight operations to China amid coronavirus outbreak

    Pakistan suspends flight operations to China amid coronavirus outbreak

    Pakistan on Friday halted flights to and from China with immediate effect as death toll from the deadly coronavirus continued to climb in China and World Health Organisation declared it a global health emergency.

    “We are suspending flights to China until February 2,” Senior Joint Secretary of aviation Abdul Sattar Khokhar told Reuters, adding the situation would be reviewed after that date.

    Previously on Thursday, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) suspended all flights to Beijing until February 2. It is pertinent to mention here that PIA had restarted two flights to Tokyo and Beijing in May 2019 after a gap of three months.

    Meanwhile, Special Assistant to PM Imran on Health Dr Zafar Mirza announced that the government has decided not to repatriate Pakistani citizens stranded in China in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organisation.  

    “We believe that right now, it is in the interest of our loved ones in China [to stay there]. It is in the larger interest of the region, world, country that we don’t evacuate them now,” he told reporters at a press conference. 

    “This is what the World Health Organisation is saying, this is China’s policy and this is our policy as well. We stand by China in full solidarity,” he stated, adding, “Right now the government of China has contained this epidemic in Wuhan city. If we act irresponsibly and start evacuating people from there, this epidemic will spread all over the world like wildfire.”

    Mirza assured that the Pakistan Embassy in China was in close contact with Pakistani citizens in Wuhan and China was monitoring their activity closely. He said that the government will take responsibility for its citizens and ensure that they are taken care of.

    As the death toll from the virus hit 213, the World Health Organisation declared coronavirus to be a global health emergency. The virus has infected close to 10,000 people and all flights to and from China have been suspended to contain the virus and prevent it from spreading.

  • UAE to give $200 million financial aid to PM’s youth programme

    UAE to give $200 million financial aid to PM’s youth programme

    The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has announced to give $200 million in financial aid to the Prime Minister’s Kamyab Jawan Programme.

    UAE ambassador has made this announcement while meeting PM’s Special Assistant to Youth Affairs, Usman Dar. The financial assistance had been assured by the Crown Prince of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during his recent visit to Pakistan.

    The ambassador said Pakistani youth are talented and capable and UAE will cooperate for the development of the youth. He said practical steps will be taken soon for the Pakistani youth.

    He also announced to start a youth exchange programme between UAE and Pakistan. A delegation of Pakistani youth will be sent to UAE where they will be trained with skills of entrepreneurship and artificial intelligence. Moreover, the UAE government has offered to Pakistani youth to partner in Dubai Expo 2020.

    The ambassador admired the federal government’s practical steps for its young generation and UAE will provide opportunities to the skilled youth in the future.

    Dar welcomed the financial assistance of UAE in the Kamyab Jawan programme. He said ‘PM Imran Khan has an aim to uplift the young generation. He added that a huge investment is being made on youth for the first time in the history of Pakistan. The young generation will play an important role in the national economy.’

  • India promotes traditional remedies to fight the new coronavirus

    India promotes traditional remedies to fight the new coronavirus

    As all are paranoid after the deadly coronavirus and scientists are trying to find a cure for the virus, the Indian government said that the cure could be found in ancient homeopathy and Ayurveda remedies.

    Ayurvedic medicine that means the ‘science of life’ in Sanskrit, treats the physical and mental sources of illness through herbs in combination with yoga or massage.

    The Indian ministry that promotes the country’s growing Ayurveda, yoga, and homeopathy sectors released an advisory listing herbal oils to be rubbed into the scalp to hypothetically ease the symptoms. It also suggested ingesting Arsenicum album-30, a homeopathic treatment.

    The dose should be repeated after one month by following the same schedule in case coronavirus infections prevail,” the ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Homoeopathy) said in a statement.

    The ministry also advised on maintaining personal hygiene to prevent the spread of the virus. The advisory came as the Dalai Lama, in exile in Dharamsala in India, said on Facebook that followers concerned about the virus should chant a mantra that would help them in dealing with the situation.

    India claims to have natural remedies for everything from cancer to the common cold. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said he wants the world to make Ayurveda ‘a way of life’.

  • ‘Pakistan bohat khoobsurat hai’: UK envoy reveals what he likes the most about Pakistan

    ‘Pakistan bohat khoobsurat hai’: UK envoy reveals what he likes the most about Pakistan

    British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Dr Christian Turner has shared that he is a huge fan of Karachi Biryani and Lahori food. He expressed his love for Pakistan’s foods and cities in Urdu that is quite impressive and interesting. 

    In an interview with Hamid Mir, Dr Turner said, “Well, I should say, first of all, Pakistan bohat khoobsurat hai, Meri Urdu kharab hai. Thodi jaanta hun.” 

    Turner agreed with the old saying “Lahore Lahore Hai (Lahore is Lahore)” and said that all he had done for three days in Lahore was eat. The representative revealed he was fond of Karachi’s biryani. He said it was “Bohat mazedaar (very delicious)”. 

    Watch the video here:

    Dr Turner has also documented, in detail, his experiences in Pakistan on his social media.

  • Four Pakistani students in China tested positive for coronavirus

    Four Pakistani students in China tested positive for coronavirus

    Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Health Dr Zafar Mirza has confirmed that at least four Pakistani students in China have tested positive for coronavirus as the outbreak claims at least 132 lives, leaving thousands of others affected.

    According to Dawn, Dr Mirza, while addressing a press conference on Wednesday, said that a large proportion of Pakistanis living in China were students, of which over 500 are based in the central city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the new virus.

    The premier’s special assistant said that four Pakistani students had tested positive for coronavirus with links to Wuhan. On PM Imran Khan’s behalf, Mirza assured the families of the children of the government’s support. He said that they will take on the responsibility of these children and all Pakistanis in China.

    “We will take care of them the same way we would care for our own children,” he said. However, he added, that no case of the coronavirus has been confirmed in Pakistan yet.

    The report comes days after Pakistani students studying at the Engineering and Science University of Wuhan requested help from the Pakistani and Chinese governments amid the alarming outbreak of the virus. A video message that was sent by the students stated that due to the virus, no communication between Wuhan and China was possible and more than 2,000 Pakistani students were facing food shortage.

    The students had requested the premier and foreign minister to send help and facilitate their evacuation from the province.

    On Monday, the PM Office had also convened a meeting in light of 2,000 coronavirus cases being confirmed across the globe amid the presence of a large number of Chinese nationals in Pakistan, and frequent travel between the two countries.

    CORONAVIRUS:

    In mid-December, some people in the central Chinese city of Wuhan began complaining of flu and pneumonia-like symptoms. Some had a high fever. Doctors were perplexed. To find out what might be causing their illness, geneticists analysed the DNA of the virus that had infected them.

    At once, the scientists realised the virus was new to science.

    As of January 23, experts at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Switzerland estimated that at least 557 people have contracted the rapidly spreading disease.

  • Barbie dolls celebrate diversity

    Barbie dolls celebrate diversity

    The blonde and skinny Barbie dolls, which were once criticised for promoting a narrow, unrealistic ideal of what is beautiful, have undergone change as the brand adopts a more progressive approach, unveiling dolls with an array of skin tones, hair textures, body sizes and facial structures.

    There are Barbies with less defined waists, varying bust sizes and sculpted arms. The new Barbie dolls have prosthetic limbs, alopecia, the skin condition vitiligo and no hair.

    The 2020 additions to Mattel’s Barbie Fashionistas line are the company’s latest nod to making sure its dolls reflect more of society’s diversity.

    While a doll with a prosthetic limb debuted last year, this year’s version will have a darker complexion. Another new addition has no hair. And even Ken has gotten an updated look, sporting long locks instead of his signature, short, sculpted coif.

    “We’ve been committed to increasing diversity in our line and showcasing all the different types of beauty that exist … making the line more accessible,” says Lisa McKnight, senior vice president and global head of Barbie and its dolls portfolio.

    In 2019, over half of all Barbie dolls were diverse. And some of the newer Fashionistas have been inspired by customers. “Our wheelchair Barbie and our doll with vitiligo were literally fan requests,” says McKnight.

    Shoppers have welcomed the inclusiveness. Barbie’s top seller throughout 2019 was a curvy black doll with an Afro. And among the 10 top-selling Fashionistas last year, seven were diverse, including the doll that uses a wheelchair.

    This year’s Fashionistas line will roll out in two phases. The new Ken doll and Barbie with vitiligo are on sale now, while the new doll with a prosthetic leg and the Barbie with no hair will become available starting in June.

  • Aurat March 2020 is looking for poster designs

    Aurat March 2020 is looking for poster designs

    Social change activist and artist Shehzil Malik took to social media to call for poster design submissions for this year’s Aurat March.

    https://twitter.com/shehzilm/status/1221724811900129281
    https://twitter.com/shehzilm/status/1221724819353456642

    The march was organized by feminist collective Hum Aurtain in Karachi last year to bring women together in a public space to raise voice for their rights in the country.

    Shehzil shared a poster with the caption “Be part of Aurat March 2020 by designing a poster that shows why you think womxn should march for their rights in Pakistan.”

    She also explained the meaning of the term ‘womxn.’ In a separate tweet.  “Womxn is a term that is used to be inclusive of trans and non-binary women.”

    https://twitter.com/shehzilm/status/1221724821836435456

    Aurat March started in 2018, where many women, children and men got together in Karachi only. Last year, the march extended to other cities such as Lahore, Islamabad, Hyderabad, Quetta, Peshawar and Faisalabad. Many people took part in the movement for gender justice. The march across different cities of Pakistan is held to celebrate International Women’s Day that is on March 8.

  • The weekend of fashion fails

    The weekend of fashion fails

    While the rest of us were glued to our TV screens to catch the last episode of Meray Paas Tum Ho, our celebrities were attending the Hum Style Awards in Karachi. The same weekend the Grammys took place in Los Angeles which means that there were a lot of red carpet looks to debate over. However, there was little to no ‘fashion inspo’ considering that our stars did not exactly put forward their best fashion fronts.

    Here is the fashion rundown from the past weekend.

    Nay – Momina Mustehsan

    Red seems to be Momina’s favourite colour. Either her hair is red or her outfit is – and in this case the amount of red in this outfit is a bit too much. Plus her hairstyle is just too basic and her makeup typical. Considering it was the Hum Style Awards, the singer could have experimented with her look.

    Yay – Ayesha Omar

    Ayesha Omar is the ultimate style icon and here’s proof in case you needed it. Ayesha looks absolutely glam in this outfit by Elan.

    Nay – Mansha Pasha

    From the stockings to that embroidery to that boring hairstyle, Mansha’s look failed to hit the mark.

    Yay – Mahnoor Baloch

    Mahnoor Baloch can make anything look good.

    Nay – Ghana Ali

    First of all, what is that design? And secondly, what is that fitting?

    Also can we take a moment to discuss how bad the background wall. Totally takes the attention away from the person.

    Nay – Rubya Chaudhry

    No words.

    Yay – Reema

    The evergreen Reema can give the younger lot a run for their money with her sophistication.

    Nay – Sana Fakhar

    The hair, the makeup, the dress, the yello Chanel clutch – so many things wrong with this look.

    Now that we’re done dissecting the Hum Style Awards celebrity looks, onto the Grammys now.

    Priyanka Chopra

    Priyanka has been trolled enough for that look, so we’re not going to say more.

    Cardi B

    Uhm, from that purple eyeshadow to the hairstyle, what was Cardi B was thinking?

    Camila Cabello

    This outfit is a mess and not a hot one.

  • Groom’s father and bride’s mother, who ‘eloped’, appear before police

    Groom’s father and bride’s mother, who ‘eloped’, appear before police

    Days after an Indian textile businessman, whose son’s marriage was fixed on February 13, allegedly eloped with the bride’s mother, the couple has appeared before the police to clarify the situation.

    According to The Indian Express, husband of the woman didn’t allow her back at home, following which, she went to her parents’ house. The marriage of son and daughter of the eloped couple was cancelled.

    The report quoted the family of the couple as saying that the marriage of the groom from Surat city was fixed with a bride from Vejalpore village in Navsari district. Preparations were on in full swing when the groom’s father allegedly eloped with the bride’s mother.

    Over 20 years ago, the groom’s father, now 43, who was from a poor economic background, had an affair with a woman from a rich family. The woman’s family was against the relationship and she was married off to a youngster from Navsari. The man got married to a woman from Surat.

    The family said the man met the woman, now 41, again at a funeral almost a year ago. By then their children were grownups and the man sent a marriage proposal of his son to the daughter of the woman. The girl and boy met and got engaged around eight months ago, following which the families agreed to the marriage.

    Both the families used to visit each other’s house and the couple met regularly. They were also in touch on social media, the family said.

    A few days before their elopement, the woman’s husband learnt about their relationship and had warned her, said Navsari police. Seeing no way out, the businessman, father of two sons, eloped with the woman on January 10, police said. The woman’s husband filed a missing complaint with Vejalpore police station, while another missing complaint was filed by family members of the businessman with Katargam police station and later with Kadodara police station in Surat.

    Before leaving Surat, the businessman called up his friend Raju and informed him about the same and requested him to take his bike home from Kadodadara. Raju reached Kadodara and informed the police. However, police failed to trace the couple.

    On Sunday night, the couple appeared before the police and clarified how they had left willingly.