Tensions in the Middle East have escalated, with Israel launching attacks on Lebanon. The attacks have killed hundreds of inn-ocent civilians. Lebanon’s prime minister has rightly called it a war of extermination. Israel’s primary target is Hezbollah, a pro-Iran armed group having its base in Lebanon. The civilian death toll highlights Israel’s disregard for the laws of war, as the Zionist regime has shifted its focus to Lebanon after just about a year of bloodshed across the Gaza Strip. Historically, Israel’s ventures in Lebanon have not ended favourably, and there is little indication that the current escalation will be any different. Unfortunately, the wave threatens to engulf the region further, and prospects for peace, particularly in the Gaza, remain bleak. The political rivalry between the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) in Karachi has taken an ugly turn. The PECHS area under the jurisdiction of Chanesar Town is its recent target. Since the area is under JI counsellors, the authorities dominated by the PPP, plan-ned a novel strategy to punish the residents. They have removed the sanitation workers from the roads and streets, and deputed them to public parks. The sanitation workers are happy as they enjoy the gossip sitting there. If this prevails, the area will soon be the dirtiest in the city. Kandhkot has a seriously flawed drainage as well as waste disposal system. The presence of garbage and pools of stagnant water creates difficulties for the people and poses a rather serious health risk. No steps have been taken so far by the government to address the problem. It is important to clean up the drainage system, and start development work in the area. Initiatives to beautify and green the area can have a positive impact on the community’s quality of life and overall wellbeing of the members.