Islamabad, Jan 4: This year, Apple and Samsung are poised to intensify their rivalry in the premium market by introducing ultra-thin high-end smartphones: Apple’s iPhone 17 Air and Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Slim. Apple iPhone 17 Air Apple is set to replace the underperforming iPhone 16 Plus with the sleeker iPhone 17 Air, maintaining the same price as its predecessor. At 6.25 mm thick, this model ranks among Apple’s slimmest yet, though slightly thicker than earlier rumors. Despite its ultra-slim profile, the pricing strategy aims to attract more buyers. The iPhone 17 Air will launch in September 2025, alongside the rest…
Author: Mawadat Fatima
Islamabad, Jan 4: Sohail Adnan, the young Pakistani squash prodigy, has earned a spot in the top 8 of the Under-13 categories at the British Junior Open Squash 2024. His remarkable performance, especially in the pre-quarterfinals, where he triumphed over Malaysia’s Wain Isaac Wilson (11-4, 11-7, 11-5), showcases his emerging talent on the global stage. Impressive Early Wins Sohail’s journey to the quarterfinals was marked by dominant victories in earlier rounds, defeating Germany’s Mats Oliver Efken and Scotland’s Calum Smith with convincing 3-0 scores. His ability to maintain consistency and composure against strong competition has set him apart as a…
Islamabad, Jan 4: Meta-owned WhatsApp is rolling out a new feature that will allow users to manage autoplay animated images, including emojis, stickers, and GIFs, offering enhanced control over their chat experience. Key Features of the New Update Animation Control: Users will have the ability to disable animations for emojis, stickers, and GIFs directly from the app’s settings. Personalized Experience: The new feature allows users to choose whether these elements should animate automatically or remain static until interacted with. This provides a more customized and less distracting chat experience. Separate Management Options: The feature will offer three separate options to…
Islamabad, Jan 4 vivo is set to launch its vivo Y200 in Pakistan on January 10, 2025, following the success of the Y100. The Y200 is designed to offer an unparalleled smartphone experience with advanced features at an accessible price point. Key Features of vivo Y200 Display: A stunning 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a smooth 120 Hz refresh rate for vibrant, fluid visuals. Design: The Y200 boasts an Ultra Slim body and Metallic High Gloss frame, available in Titanium Silver and Emerald Green for a premium look. Performance: Powered by the Snapdragon 685 processor, paired with 8 GB RAM +…
Islamabad, Jan 4: Pakistan’s unemployment rate has surged from 1.5% to 7% over the past decade, according to a report by the Ministry of Planning, highlighting the nation’s growing job crisis. The country’s GDP growth rate has proven insufficient to meet the needs of critical sectors like health and education, with unemployment rates surpassing those in India and Bangladesh. Key Findings Women’s Employment: Pakistani women face greater barriers to employment opportunities compared to neighboring countries, further exacerbating the country’s job crisis. Population Growth: With an annual population increase of 5 million, Pakistan struggles to meet essential needs in healthcare, education,…
Islamabad, Jan 4: President Joe Biden has blocked a $14.9 billion acquisition by Nippon Steel of US Steel, citing concerns over national security and the potential risks to critical domestic supply chains. Key Details National Security Concerns: Biden’s administration argued that the acquisition would place a major American steel producer under foreign control, potentially compromising national security. Bipartisan Support: Both Republicans and Democrats were united in opposing the deal, with figures like Donald Trump and JD Vance voicing their opposition. USW Support: The United Steelworkers union praised Biden’s decision, seeing it as a move to protect American workers and the…
Islamabad, Jan 4: In 2024, the UK car industry achieved a record number of 382,000 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) sold, making up 19.6% of new car sales. However, this still fell short of the government’s target of 22%, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Key Details Despite the record BEV sales, carmakers are at risk of penalties due to missing the government’s target. The SMMT warned that the pressure to meet the 2025 target of 28% will be even greater, with penalties for exceeding pollution limits. Industry challenges include huge investments in new models and unsustainable…
Islamabad, Jan 4: The Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) confirmed slow internet speeds due to a fault in the AAE-1 submarine cable near Qatar, affecting international traffic. PTCL assured users that repair efforts are underway, apologizing for the inconvenience. Key Details of the Outage The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) acknowledged disruptions stemming from the AAE-1 cable, one of seven cables linking Pakistan to the global internet. The fault has exacerbated internet issues, particularly affecting over two million freelancers who rely on stable connections for their work. Pakistan’s Internet Challenges The country ranks 100th in mobile internet speeds (20.61 Mbps) and…
Islamabad, Jan 4: Karachi experienced its first rain of the winter season early Saturday morning, with light showers reported in areas like Sharea Faisal, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, and North Nazimabad. The drizzle, signaling colder weather, is expected to intensify the city’s ongoing cold spell. Karachi’s Weather Outlook The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) predicts partly cloudy weather with chances of light drizzle continuing. Temperatures are set to drop further due to westerly winds, enhancing the winter chill. Despite the pleasant rain, Karachi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) hit a hazardous 257, with PM2.5 levels over 36 times the WHO safety limit, posing health risks.…
Islamabad, Jan 4: The federal government has taken action against two international NGOs— “Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids” and “Vital Strategies”—for engaging in unlawful practices, according to ARY News. The Ministry of Interior has directed these US-based organizations to cease operations in Pakistan, instructing administrations in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and all provinces to ensure compliance. Key Measures Taken: Office Closures: The Ministry has ordered the immediate shutdown of all offices run by the INGOs. Bank Account Freezes: The State Bank of Pakistan has been directed to freeze their accounts. Legal Non-Compliance: Both organizations have been found operating without proper…
