Islamabad, Dec 17: Chinese leaders have agreed to increase the budget deficit to 4% of GDP for 2024, marking the highest level on record, while keeping the economic growth target at around 5%, according to two sources familiar with the matter. The new deficit target contrasts with the initial 3% target for 2024 and aligns with a “more proactive” fiscal policy outlined by officials after the December Politburo meeting and the recent Central Economic Work Conference (CEWC), where these goals were discussed but not officially announced. The increase of 1% of GDP in spending equates to roughly 1.3 trillion yuan…
Author: Mawadat Fatima
Islamabad, Dec 17: OpenAI has announced a major update to its ChatGPT service, now making its AI-powered internet search available to all users. This move increases competition with Google, which has long dominated the search engine market. Previously limited to paying subscribers, the search feature is now accessible to free users, allowing them to access real-time information from across the web. With this new functionality, ChatGPT can provide fast, up-to-date answers, including links to relevant web sources, a feature traditionally provided by search engines like Google. Kevin Weil, OpenAI’s chief product officer, confirmed the update in a YouTube video, saying,…
Islamabad, Dec 17: The Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) has successfully recovered Rs. 3.81 billion from 128,395 chronic defaulters across various districts, including Lahore, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Kasur, and Okara. A Lesco spokesperson reported that Rs. 568 million was recovered from 17,454 defaulters in the Northern Circle, while Rs. 753 million was collected from 16,158 defaulters in the Eastern Circle. In the Central Circle, Rs. 615 million was recovered from 15,578 defaulters. Additionally, Rs. 263 million was collected from 8,750 defaulters in the Southern Circle, and Rs. 298 million was recovered from 11,933 defaulters in the Nankana Sahib Circle. The…
Islamabad, Dec 17: Dr. Erum Najeeb, assistant professor and consultant breast surgeon at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), revealed that between 90 and 100 new breast cancer patients are diagnosed each month at the hospital during a breast cancer awareness session. She emphasized that breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women. Dr. Najeeb highlighted that nearly 90,000 women in Pakistan are diagnosed with breast cancer annually, with 40,000 dying from the disease. She also expressed concern that many patients are younger and often present with advanced stages of cancer. As the chief…
Islamabad, Dec 17: After a delay of 12 years, the government has introduced a bill in the National Assembly to establish a Pakistan Land Port Authority, aimed at improving the movement of goods and people at border crossings and reducing business costs. The bill was presented by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on behalf of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. However, Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah did not refer the bill to the relevant committee for further discussion. The proposal to create a land port authority was first introduced in 2012 by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government under the Ministry…
Islamabad, Dec 17: The University of Karachi has extended the deadline for submitting PhD admission forms in various departments to December 20, 2024. The University of Karachi has extended the deadline for submitting PhD admission forms in various departments to December 20, 2024. Applicants must submit their forms a processing fee of Rs7,500 and the required documents to the respective departments. The fee vouchers should be deposited at Bank Alfalah near KU’s Silver Jubilee Gate. Applicants must submit their forms a processing fee of Rs7,500 and the required documents to the respective departments. The fee vouchers should be deposited at…
Islamabad, Dec 17: The National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) is the authorized organization responsible for issuing the National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP). The NADRA NICOP is intended for Pakistani nationals who plan to travel abroad or reside in other countries. All Pakistani citizens are eligible to apply for the NICOP, which allows dual nationals to enter Pakistan without the need for a visa. A valid passport number is required to apply for a Smart NICOP. Applications can be submitted at any NADRA office within Pakistan, or overseas Pakistanis can apply through their consulates or online. NADRA categorizes countries…
Islamabad, Dec 17: Former Australian all-rounder Jason Gillespie has explained the reasons behind his resignation as Pakistan’s red-ball head coach, citing poor communication and a diminishing sense of purpose in his role. In a candid interview with Australian media, Gillespie, who stepped down after a challenging period with the Pakistan cricket team, shared the frustrations that led to his decision. The 49-year-old expressed dissatisfaction with the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) handling of key decisions, particularly their treatment of his role and the dismissal of High-Performance Coach Tim Nielsen. “I was completely unaware of the decision not to retain Tim Nielsen,”…
Islamabad, Dec 17: British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott, suggested that the United Kingdom (UK) may enter into a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Pakistan in the future. She highlighted that the UK and Pakistan’s current trade volume, worth £4.1 billion, is outdated and at a low point, requiring improvement. Speaking at the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) lecture titled “Pakistan-UK Relations in a New Era” on Monday, Marriott emphasized the need for enhanced investments from Pakistan. She pointed out that 90 percent of goods exported from Pakistan to the UK benefit from reduced trade tariffs, and both nations…
Islamabad, Dec 17: Realme will launch its latest entry-level smartphone, the Realme C75, in Pakistan on December 23, as the brand announced on its social media platforms. The Realme C75 boasts a stylish yet robust design, paired with notable features and specifications. Realme C75 Specifications The smartphone features a 6.72-inch IPS LCD display with Full HD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate for smooth visuals. It is powered by the MediaTek Helio G92 Max chipset, equipped with an octa-core processor reaching speeds of up to 2.0 GHz. The device has an IP68/IP69 rating for water and dust resistance, enabling it…
