Alan Scarfe, the esteemed British-Canadian actor renowned for his iconic villainous portrayals in films like Double Impact and Lethal Weapon III, as well as his memorable role as Dr. Bradley Talmadge in the sci-fi series Seven Days, has passed away at the age of 77. Scarfe succumbed to colon cancer on April 28 at his residence in Longueuil, Quebec, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his son, actor Jonathan Scarfe. Born in England and raised in Vancouver, Scarfe had a prolific career spanning various roles in the entertainment industry. Notably, he graced the Star Trek universe with his…
Author: WebDesk
In Islamabad, sources reveal that a national firewall is being implemented across various internet service providers (ISPs) to regulate social media content, effectively filtering out undesirable material. An official confirmed the procurement of the firewall, stating that the installation and commissioning processes are underway. While Pakistan has previously utilized similar technology to block websites and social media apps, the new firewall will focus on scrutinizing data originating from different internet protocol addresses. Its primary objectives include identifying the sources of propaganda and limiting their reach by blocking or reducing coverage of such accounts. Additionally, the firewall will employ keyword filtering…
Heritage enthusiasts in Peshawar have raised concerns following the removal of an ancient tree in the city center during the observance of World Environment Day on June 5. The tree, located in the Shah Wali Qataal neighborhood near the historic Qissa Khwani Bazaar, was estimated to be 500 years old. Notably, this area is home to relatives of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. The residents reported that the tree, standing at 15 feet tall with a trunk diameter of five feet, was cut down overnight in the presence of government officials, and its remnants were swiftly removed to avoid community…
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has unveiled significant property tax reforms and relief measures as part of its Rs 1,754 billion budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, announced on June 4. Key highlights of the proposed changes include a reduction in the per kanal tax on factories from PKR 13,600 to PKR 10,000. For commercial properties, the tax rate will be lowered from 16 percent to 10 percent of the monthly rent. Additionally, private hospitals, medical stores, and other health sector businesses will benefit from a reduced tax rate of 5 percent. Finance Minister Aftab Alam presented the…
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has unveiled a significant energy initiative to solarize 125 public facilities across Pakistan. This ambitious project, aimed at promoting sustainable energy solutions and environmental protection, will also include the planting of 74,000 new trees in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan regions. Funded by the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (Germany), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the Netherlands, and the United States, the program is expected to yield substantial environmental benefits. Annually, the initiative will save over 5,000 tons of CO2e emissions, equivalent to conserving 500,000 gallons of diesel or 2,500 tons of unburnt…
China’s Chang’e-6 probe has successfully lifted off from the far side of the moon, starting its journey back to Earth. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced the departure at 7:38 am local time, marking a significant milestone as China aims to be the first country to return samples from the moon’s far side. The probe, which conducted its sample collection between June 2-3, faced unique challenges due to the lack of direct communication with Earth, relying instead on the relay satellite Queqiao-2. The mission, which has captured global scientific interest, is expected to return its samples…
Mandisa, the Grammy-winning artist who rose to fame on season 5 of American Idol, passed away in April at the age of 47. According to an autopsy report obtained by PEOPLE, her death was caused by complications of Class III obesity. Friends discovered Mandisa’s body in her Nashville home after she had been out of contact for roughly three weeks. Her death was deemed natural. Class III obesity, or morbid obesity, is defined by a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher and is associated with severe health risks, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and certain…
The government is grappling with whether to abolish up to 15% additional tax on bank profits from loans to the finance ministry or tighten laws to recover an extra Rs60 billion from financial institutions next year. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has proposed a shift to average annual lending calculations to close loopholes exploited by banks. However, the central bank and certain government factions favor maintaining or reducing the tax. With the budget announcement imminent, any relief to banks could face scrutiny amid plans to hike sales tax and meet an ambitious Rs12.9 trillion tax collection target.
The Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) has announced that applications are open for the China Link Scholarship 2025. Sponsored by the China Scholarship Council (CSC), this prestigious scholarship is available to undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students, as well as faculty members. It offers international scholars a remarkable opportunity to engage in academic and research activities in China. ### Comprehensive Benefits for Scholars The China Link Scholarship provides numerous benefits, including: – **Tuition Fees:** Fully covered. – **Accommodation:** Free on-campus housing. – **Medical Insurance:** Comprehensive coverage included. – **Monthly Stipend:** CNY 3,000 for undergraduate and master’s students; CNY 3,500 for…
As per Yuan (via a Gadgets360 report), the innovative solution aims to empower users to delegate mundane tasks to AI-driven virtual assistants, thus creating more time for face-to-face interactions and potentially facilitating a more adaptable work schedule. Furthermore, the CEO underscored the company’s substantial investment in AI research, particularly in advancing language models. Through the integration of these models into Zoom’s platform, users can generate personalized digital avatars capable of representing them in meetings, managing routine duties, and enabling individuals to concentrate on more crucial work aspects. Reportedly, Yuan envisions a future where AI avatars are an essential component of…
