The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has started a comprehensive cybersecurity audit for telecom operators in a move to bolster cybersecurity across Pakistan. This audit aims to ensure the robustness of cyber defenses within the country’s telecom sector. According to sources, the PTA has directed world-class companies to conduct these audits, focusing on a thorough review of all technical aspects related …

The federal government has decided to undertake an extensive right-sizing initiative across various ministries and divisions in a sweeping reform aimed at optimizing governmental efficiency. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has outlined 23 critical goals to guide this process, which he has directed will be implemented in phases. As part of the initiative, the premier has instructed the preparation of proposals …

TEHRAN: Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi said Saturday that the country’s response to the assassination of Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh would be “precise, calculated and managed.” He made the remarks in an address to reporters while commenting on his recent phone calls with his German, French and British counterparts, in which they discussed Israel’s “terrorist action” of assassinating …

BEIJING: The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held a meeting on Friday to review policies and measures to open up a new vista in the large-scale development of China’s western region. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, chaired the meeting. The meeting noted that the large-scale development of the western region …

ISLAMABAD: Two people were killed and ten others, including policemen, were injured in an explosion in Pakistan’s southwest Balochistan province on Saturday morning, police sources said. The incident happened at about 11:00 a.m. local time (0600 GMT) in Pishin district of the province where explosives mounted on a motorbike were detonated by unidentified militants, the sources told Xinhua. The injured …

How to Encourage a Bowel Movement when Constipated If you find yourself having difficulty going to the toilet and emptying your bowels, there are a number of non-medical methods to encourage a dormant gut to relieve you of constipation. In this article, we cover some ideas you can try at home to remedy constipation and encourage bowel movements. Firstly, if …

President Asif Zardari has confirmed a landmark order issued by Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Dr. Asif Jah, who has taken notice of an illegal tax recovery by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) through the coercive measures of attachment of bank accounts wherein the FTO has reprimanded the FBR officers for harassing taxpayer with a warning for illegal actions across …

Pakistan is seeking $4 billion from banks in Gulf countries to meet its external financing needs for IMF bailout approval. According to sources, the government is exploring alternative sources to meet its external financing needs including talks with Dubai Islamic Bank and Mashreq Bank to secure the funding. Sources revealed that Minister of Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb held an online meeting …

Pakistani heartthrob Hamza Sohail is making waves in the entertainment industry with his upcoming Netflix debut. The talented actor, who rose to fame with his impressive performances in dramas like ‘Raqeeb Se’ and ‘Fairy Tale’, is now all set to conquer the global streaming giant. Hamza’s journey to stardom began in 2021 with his debut drama ‘Raqeeb Se’, followed by …

A murder case has been filed against former Bangladeshi prime minister sheikh Hasina and cricketer Shakib Al Hasan and actor Ferdous Ahmed, both former Awami League MPs from the country’s 12th parliament. Rafiqul Islam, the father of a deceased garment worker, Rubel, lodged the case on Thursday at the Adabor police station in Dhaka. In the case, former Awami League-backed …

Balochistan Health Department officials said some parents in an underhand agreement with polio workers did not administer polio drops to their children but ensured marks on children’s fingers. The health department took action against more than 500 workers involved in fake vaccination. Balochistan, which was polio-free for two years, once again started hovering in the dark clouds of poliovirus as …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a review meeting focused on the ongoing reforms in Pakistan’s aviation sector, emphasizing the need for enhanced facilities for passengers, tourists, and overseas Pakistanis at airports across the country. During the meeting, the prime minister directed the authorities concerned to ensure that more service counters are operational during peak hours to reduce waiting times for …

The Met Department has issued a warning for heavy rains across Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan from August 26 to 29. This weather system, driven by winds from the Bay of Bengal that will enter Pakistan, poses significant risks, including flooding in low-lying areas near rivers and canals, as well as landslides in the upper regions of the country. Due to …

The federal government has decided to close Utility Stores across the country, a move confirmed by the secretary of industries and production ministry during a Senate Standing Committee meeting on Friday. The secretary told the meeting the decision was part of a broader strategy of the government to exit non-essential business operations, and that efforts were ongoing to reassign affected …

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan opened up on postponing the Islamabad power show which was scheduled to take place in Tarnol on August 22. In an informal interaction with media inside the Adiala Jail’s courtroom, Imran Khan said he had called a meeting with Azam Swati and Barrister Gohar Ali Khan to postpone the rally, citing concerns of potential …

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was informed about attempted attacks on the Kursk nuclear power plant. The organization is expected to send specialists to assess the situation, Putin said at a meeting. Alexei Smirnov, acting governor of the Kursk region, told Putin that the situation at the Kursk nuclear power …

GAZA: The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 40,265, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Thursday. During the past 24 hours, the Israeli military killed 42 people and wounded 163 others, bringing the total death toll to 40,265 and injuries to 93,144 since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict broke out, it added. …

You may have used aloe vera to soothe sunburns, but did you know that it may also have benefits for your hair? Here’s what to know about how aloe vera can strengthen your hair and help you manage an itchy scalp or greasy strands. How Aloe Vera Can Help Your Hair The aloe vera plant has been used for thousands …

The recent nationwide slowdown in internet speed is creating multifaceted challenges for all sectors including commerce, health, education, financial & banking, and public sector operations. The Telecom Operators Association (TOA) has appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to intervene and resolve the ongoing internet slowdown crisis. They highlighted the following issues: The recent nationwide slowdown in internet speed is creating …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will address the United Nations General Assembly’s annual session on September 26, according to a provisional list of speakers released by the UN here. The high-level debate of the 193-member Assembly’s 79th session will take place from September 24 to 30. PM Sharif will deliver a speech to the General Assembly for the second time. He …

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced to postpone the Islamabad power show scheduled in Tarnol on August 22 (today) after the Islamabad administration cancelled No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the public gathering. As per details, the announcement was made by the PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan saying that the Islamabad power show has been postponed on the direction of the …

Cristiano Ronaldo, the 39-year-old soccer legend, has launched his YouTube channel, and it has already attracted over a million subscribers within the first 90 minutes. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who currently plays for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr and has represented Portugal for over 20 years, announced his channel’s debut on social media, encouraging fans to “SIUUUbscribe and join …

Pakistan’s ongoing firewall upgrade project is progressing rapidly, with efforts underway to enhance both local and international gateways. Sources within the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) have confirmed that significant components of the new firewall will be installed at these critical points. The PTA has issued specific instructions to carry out firewall-related work during off-peak hours in response to complaints about …

Model and actor Roma Michael has become the first Pakistani participant in the upcoming Miss Grand International 2024 pageant. Roma is a professional model and actress born in Lahore. She completed her BTech degree from the University of South Asia, and is also a social media influencer and content creator with over 72.5k followers. Has paved her way in the …

Eight rivers in the Bangladesh’s northeastern and southeastern regions are flowing above the danger level this morning leading to a worsening flood situation in Cumilla, Feni, Chattogram, Khagrachhari, Noakhali, and Moulvibazar. According to the Department of Disaster Management and Relief 43 upazilas of several districts have been affected by the flash flood, and about 1,89,663 families have been marooned. Floodwaters …

A lost postcard took a whole 121 years to arrive at its destination in Whale probably sent at a bank address that was built here before the current building in the United Kingdom. The news went viral after the social media post where the Building Society of Swansea confirmed that they had received a 121-year-old postcard in their building at …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Thursday that he would soon unveil a comprehensive five-year economic revival plan, with the broad parameters already established through months of discussions with key stakeholders. Speaking at the launch of the Buna-Raast connectivity project, the prime minister introduced the ‘Home-Grown Economic Program’, aimed at revitalizing Pakistan’s economy by focusing on key sectors such as …

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping lauded the “outstanding contributions” of late leader Deng Xiaoping and urged advancing socialism with Chinese characteristics initiated by Deng, as the country marked Deng’s 120th birth anniversary on Thursday. Addressing a meeting held to mark the anniversary, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military …

BEIJING: China will, as always, welcome foreign companies to seize its development opportunities and share its development dividends, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday. Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a daily press briefing when asked to comment on a signed article by Japanese Ambassador to China Kanasugi Kenji, in which he said China is far ahead in …

VIENTIANE: Representatives from the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have met in northern Laos’ Luang Prabang province discussing enhancing regional connectivity and resilience. The representatives gathered on Wednesday for the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM), hosted by the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ministry said in a report on Thursday. The meeting reviewed the …

ISLAMABAD: Two students were killed and five others injured when a school van was attacked in Pakistan’s east Punjab province on Thursday morning, police said. The incident happened in the Attock district of the province where a gunman sprayed bullets at the van and fled the scene, the District Police Officer of Attock, Ghayas Gul told the media. He said …

The quietude of dawn, the birdsong, the crisp in the air, the stillness of the world waking up to a new day there’s a serene magic to an early morning stroll. And when done on an empty stomach, a short morning walk can even offer you an array of benefits. Engaging in a brisk 30-minute walk before breakfast triggers a …

Google has announced the launch of ‘Digital Sahafat’, a special program designed to enhance the digital journalism skills of Pakistani journalists. In collaboration with local social enterprise Tech Valley, the program aims to empower 1,000 journalists across Pakistan with the necessary tools, training, and resources to create accurate and compelling digital stories. The initiative falls under the broader Google News …

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board is expected to approve a $7 billion bailout package for Pakistan in September. As per details, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said that Pakistan is in contact with the IMF for the approval of the loan agreement. The finance minister mentioned that talks are being held with IMF to put the staff-level agreement for …

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has revealed that a fault in the submarine cable is the reason behind the recent internet disruption in Pakistan۔. As per details, PTA Chairman, Hafiz Rahman, briefed the Standing Committee on Information Technology, chaired by Syed Aminul Haque, on the matter. Syed Aminul Haq asked the PTA chairman to inform the public about the reasons …

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are set to divorce after just two years of marriage. Lopez filed for divorce on Tuesday in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, according to court documents. The couple, often referred to as “Bennifer” by the media, initially married in Las Vegas in July 2022 and later celebrated with a larger ceremony in Georgia the …

The Balochistan Election Tribunal has de-notified the provincial Home Minister Zia Lango as the Election Tribunal ordered re-voting at seven polling stations in Gizag and Johan. The Election Tribunal led by Justice Abdullah Baloch heard the case invalidated the appointment of Zia Longo as the Ministry of Interior. Mir Saeed Longo filed an election complaint against Zia Lango in the …

The Foreign Office has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of Pakistani pilgrims in a recent bus accident in Iran. The spokesperson for the Foreign Office extended heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the families of the deceased, who were primarily residents of Sindh province. In response to the tragedy, spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar …

SHANGHAI: Shanghai ranks third among leading international shipping centers, according to a report published here Wednesday. Singapore, London, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Dubai have secured the top 5 spots in the Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Center Development Index (2024). With their outstanding shipping service capabilities and industry-leading port infrastructure, these cities provide a strong guarantee for the smooth operation of global …