Meta has announced new measures to curb the spread of “unoriginal” content on Facebook, targeting accounts that routinely repost others’ videos, photos, and text without significant changes or attribution. In a statement issued on Monday, the social media giant said it has already removed around 10 million accounts this year that were impersonating popular content creators. A further 500,000 accounts …

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised serious reservations over the government’s decision to grant tax exemptions on the import of sugar, warning that such policy deviations could undermine the ongoing $7 billion loan programme. According to sources familiar with the matter, IMF officials conveyed that exempting duties and taxes on sugar imports is inconsistent with the commitments made under …

BEIJING: Journalists from home and abroad are welcome to cover the commemorative events marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Beijing. An online registration system will be available at http://kzjn80reg.zgjx.cn from July 15 to July 29, 2025. Foreign journalists as well as those from …

Seven frontline wildlife protectors have been honoured with the Pakistan Wildlife Protection Awards 2025 for their outstanding work conserving endangered species in Pakistan’s snow leopard range. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC), in partnership with the Snow Leopard Foundation (SLF), announced the winners after reviewing 21 nominations from across Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK), Gilgit-Baltistan, and Khyber …

AI-powered therapy chatbots may unintentionally stigmatize users with mental health conditions and deliver dangerously inappropriate responses, according to a new study by researchers at Stanford University. The study, titled “Expressing stigma and inappropriate responses prevents LLMs from safely replacing mental health providers,” is scheduled to be presented later this month at the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Conference on Fairness, …

Former Pakistan legendary all-rounder Wasim Akram has urged fans to adopt healthy routine and spend some leisure time indulging in exercises. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Akram posted a short video in which he is seen spotting at the gym, urging the fans to ensure their fitness. He used some Punjabi words to further convince his fans to adopt healthy …

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast widespread rain across several parts of the country, including the federal capital, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Sindh, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir over the next 24 to 48 hours. The Met Office said that rain, accompanied by wind and thunderstorms, is likely in various parts of Islamabad, with some areas expected …

Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Anti-Corruption Wing carried out a major operation in Islamabad, arresting the chairman and establishment director of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) over illegal recruitment charges. FIA officials confirmed the arrest of PARC Chairman Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali and Director Establishment Ikhlaq Malik. The two are accused of illegal hiring and abuse of authority in recruitment …

International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has written a letter to the Chief Justice of Pakistan, expressing concern over the challenges faced by journalists in the country, particularly under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). The letter, also sent to the prime minister and the chief justice of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), highlights the increasing risks journalists face while …

The Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led federal government is likely to hike petroleum product prices from July 16. Industry insiders indicate that petrol may become costlier by approximately Rs6.60 per litre, while the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) is expected to go up by around Rs5.27 per litre. The price revisions, if implemented, will take effect from July 16 and remain …

A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia’s Tanimbar Islands region on Monday, according to data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and Germany’s Centre for Georesearch (GEOFON). The earthquake occurred at 12:49pm Western Indonesia Time (0549 GMT), with its epicentre located approximately 177 kilometres west of the city of Tual in eastern Maluku province. The tremor …

A powerful sugar cartel is driving the surge in sugar prices across Pakistan, exploiting export permissions, manipulating production costs, and pocketing billions, according to official documents. Sugar mill owners have historically secured government subsidies under the pretext of sugar exports, yet domestic prices remained uncontrolled. From 2015 to 2020, 26 sugar mills received Rs4.12 billion in subsidies to export 400,000 …

Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem and India’s Neeraj Chopra are set to reignite their long-standing rivalry as they face each other at the upcoming Diamond League meeting in Poland next month — their first direct contest since the Paris Olympics. The high-profile event, scheduled for August 16, has garnered significant attention, particularly given the current political tensions between Pakistan and India. A …

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI, has issued a public apology following widespread condemnation of its chatbot, Grok, over a series of offensive and antisemitic posts that sparked international criticism and regulatory backlash. In a series of posts shared on social media platform X—also owned by Musk—xAI described the chatbot’s behaviour as “horrific” and expressed “deep regret” over the incident. …

WhatsApp is rolling out a new update for Android users that enhances the typing indicator feature in group chats, offering greater visibility of ongoing conversations. According to WABetaInfo, a platform that tracks WhatsApp developments, the feature is currently available to select users through the Android beta version 2.25.20.17, which can be accessed via the Google Play Store. Previously, when multiple …

US President Donald Trump has announced sweeping new tariffs on imports from the European Union and Mexico, declaring a 30% duty on goods from both trading partners starting August 1. The move marks a significant escalation in Washington’s increasingly aggressive trade policy, with Trump warning of even higher levies if the EU or Mexico choose to retaliate. “We have had …

At least 104 people have lost their lives and 200 others have been injured in rain-related incidents across Pakistan since June 26, as the country grapples with the ongoing monsoon spell. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) released updated figures on Friday, detailing the human and infrastructural toll of the extreme weather. According to a spokesperson for the NDMA, the …

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh has said that there is no pressure from Washington on Islamabad to recognise Israel. Speaking at a community event held in Dallas, Texas, Ambassador Sheikh clarified that Pakistan’s stance on Israel remains unchanged, and any decision on the matter will be taken in accordance with the nation’s interests and principles. “There …

Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur has extended an offer of cooperation for the establishment of a cancer hospital in Afghanistan, the Afghan embassy said on Saturday. Pakistan has built several medical facilities in Afghanistan, including a big Jinnah Hospital in the capital, Kabul. Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan, Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb, met with the Chief Minister of Khyber …

After a years-long hiatus from the entertainment industry, actor-turned-painter and social media personality Naimal Khawar is reportedly making her return to television, alongside her husband, celebrated actor Hamza Ali Abbasi. Naimal, who rose to fame with her performance in the drama serial Anaa and made her film debut with Shoaib Mansoor’s Verna, had earlier announced her departure from acting, stating that it was …

Italy have made history by qualifying for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, marking their first-ever appearance at a cricket World Cup. Despite a defeat to the Netherlands at The Hague. The Netherlands also booked their place in next year’s showpiece event in India and Sri Lanka after chasing down Italy’s total of 134 with eight wickets in hand …

The Punjab government on Saturday decided to restore board examinations for eighth grade students across the province. The decision was announced following a meeting of the Board of Governors of the Punjab Assessment and Examination Commission (PACTA), chaired by Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat. The meeting deliberated on the structure of assessment and examination from classes five to eight …

Under conditions set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Ministry of Finance has released a comprehensive performance report of Pakistan’s government-owned enterprises (SOEs), revealing alarming levels of financial mismanagement and mounting liabilities. According to the report, the total losses of more than 15 major government institutions have now surpassed a staggering Rs5,893 billion. In just the first six months …

Inclusion of Indonesia in the BRICS vividly reflects President Prabowo’s strategic vision further diversifying its economy, exports, global supply chains, socio-economic integration and above all modernization and opening-up of its industrial cooperation. Most recently, President Prabowo Subianto attended the opening of the 2025 BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil clearly demonstrating salient features of his country free and …

Nine passengers, all belonging to Punjab, were brutally shot dead after being abducted by terrorists affiliated with Fitna-ul-Hindustan in the Loralai district, officials confirmed on Thursday. All nine were shot dead in cold blood. The victims’ bodies were shifted to Rakhni Basic Health Unit (BHU) for identification and have since been sent to their native towns in Punjab. The bodies …

A recent study has revealed that the subtle language of love through symbols is far from new. The research traces the origins of “secret signals” used to express affection back over two centuries. Conducted by British cultural historian Dr Emily Thomas, the study delves into how 19th-century lovers navigated rigid class boundaries and societal expectations using carefully crafted symbolic languages. …

For the first time in its decades-long history, the iconic Barbie brand has introduced a doll with Type 1 diabetes aimed at promoting awareness and inclusion for children living with the condition. Unveiled during the three-day Breakthrough T1D Children’s Congress held in Washington, the new Barbie Fashionista doll is equipped with medical tools commonly used by Type 1 diabetes (T1D) …

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s former wife Jemima Goldsmith said on Thursday that the latter’s sons will be arrested if visit Pakistan. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Goldsmith said: “My children are not allowed to speak on the phone of their father. He has been in solitary confinement in prison for nearly 2 years.” “Pakistan’s government has now said …

The Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a weather alert, forecasting widespread heavy rains across the country from July 14 to 17, warning of potential urban flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage. According to the Met Office, persistent rainfall during this period could lead to the inundation of low-lying areas in major cities, including Islamabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Sargodha, Peshawar, and Nowshera. …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken strict notice of the National Tariff Commission’s (NTC) poor performance and has ordered immediate structural reforms. According to details surfaced on Thursday, during a high-level meeting chaired by the premier, it was decided that the NTC would undergo a complete legal and administrative restructuring. He directed that the commission be made more effective on …

The Pakistan Army has vowed to continue decisive and comprehensive operations at all levels against Indian-sponsored terrorist proxies, reaffirming that the safety and security of the Pakistani people remain its top priority. This was stated during the 271st Corps Commanders Conference held at the General Headquarters (GHQ), chaired by Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. The high-level …

BEIJING: A team of Chinese geologists has created a Mars soil simulant that almost replicates Utopia Planitia soil, a scientific breakthrough that could be crucial for future explorations of the planet, including China’s ambitious Mars sample-return mission. The simulant, coded UPRS-1, comes very close to replicating the physical, chemical, spectral and mechanical properties of Martian soil based on in-situ data …

Senior lawyer and PTI leader Salman Akram Raja has strongly defended the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party’s democratic right to protest and criticized the government’s claims of having a two-thirds majority in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Speaking to the media outside the Islamabad High Court on Wednesday, Raja emphasized that the sons of the PTI founder have every right to participate in the …

BEIJING: With the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) nearing conclusion, China has clocked up a series of landmark achievements, including a resilient economy, solid steps in green transition and unwavering opening up. At a press conference on Wednesday, Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), described the five years as a period of “pioneering progress, transformative …

Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has accused India of adopting terrorism as a state policy against Pakistan during an interview with Al Jazeera. Addressing security concerns, Lt Gen Chaudhry further asserted Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities remain “invincible and fully secure.” “No one can dare target our nuclear program,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s strategic assets …

It seems the Prabowonomics flourishes in Indonesia transforming lives of common people through people’s friendly socio-economic policies and programs at the gross-root level. According to the 2025 edition of the Indonesia Economic Prospects Report (June 2025) despite challenging global conditions its economy remained stable and sustainable during the first quarter of 2025 in which robust macroeconomic policies, including low inflation, …

Torrential monsoon rains and resulting floods have claimed at least 79 lives across Pakistan in the last 12 days, according to a report issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Tuesday. The report, which covers the period from June 26 to July 7, reveals a grim toll: 29 fatalities were reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 24 in Punjab, 15 …

The number of Pakistanis applying for political asylum in European countries has declined in 2024, according to the latest EU asylum trends report. Italy remained the top destination for Pakistani asylum seekers, followed by France, Greece, and Germany. Asylum applications from Pakistani nationals had been steadily rising since 2020. The EU Asylum Report 2022 had already shown a significant increase, …

Actress Zara Noor Abbas has urged women to avoid using medications to enhance beauty or maintain a youthful appearance, emphasizing that aging is a natural process that should be embraced gracefully. In an Instagram post, she appealed to women, stating that aging is not a flaw and that no one can stop the passage of time, calling it a natural …

Novak Djokovic survived a scare to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals with a tense four-set victory over Alex de Minaur on Monday. Seven-time champion Djokovic endured a nightmare start to his last-16 match against the Australian 11th seed on Centre Court, but eventually battled back to win 1-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. Aged 38, Djokovic is aiming to win a record 25th …