Day: July 17, 2025
Minister Lipavský took over a significant collection of works of art from the estate of Jan Masaryk
By Muhammad Sohail Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavský received a valuable part of the estate of former Foreign Minister Jan Masaryk at the Černín Palace on Thursday, July 17, 2025. The collection of artworks, which has not only cultural but also historical value, was donated to the ministry by Mrs. Alenka Soukup, daughter of Masaryk’s former secretary, Dr. Lumír Soukup. The gift includes a diverse collection of objects that were kept in exile for decades. ” Today we present the art collection that originally decorated Jan Masaryk’s London apartment…
Read MoreWhatsApp to roll out typing indicator upgrade for group chats
WhatsApp is enhancing its group chat experience with a new typing indicator feature that reveals the number of users typing simultaneously, aiming to provide users with a better understanding of real-time group activity. According to WABetaInfo, the new feature is currently available to some beta testers in the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.20.17 update, which is available on the Google Play Store. Previously, Meta’s popular instant messaging app only displayed one participant’s name in the chat list, leaving others unaware of ongoing conversations unless they opened the chat. However, the new…
Read MoreNasa’s Parker Solar Probe snaps closest-ever photos of Sun
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (Nasa) Parker Solar Probe has delivered breathtaking images of the sun, capturing stunning visuals from just 3.8 million miles (6.1 million kilometres) away. During a flyby on December 24, 2024, the probe captured the groundbreaking images, revealing crucial insights into the solar wind — a continuous flow of charged particles emerging from the sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona. This flow contributes to various space weather phenomena, including auroras and disruptive electromagnetic events that can endanger power grids and satellites, according to Live Science.…
Read MoreCabinet okays 15% hike in EOBI pensions
The federal cabinet has approved a 15% increase in Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) pensions, effective January 1, 2025. The cabinet’s decision was based on the recommendation of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development. This increase will be funded from the institution’s own resources. The meeting of the federal cabinet was held here under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The prime minister directed the formation of a cabinet committee to introduce institutional reforms in EOBI. The committee will also deliberate on proposals to extend old-age…
Read MoreSolar boom adds stress to national electricity grid
KARACHI: A growing number of Pakistanis are abandoning the national grid in favour of solar energy, fuelling a rooftop panel boom and alarming a government already burdened by billions of dollars in power sector debt. This quiet energy shift has moved beyond affluent suburbs, taking root in middle- and lower-income communities where households seek relief from soaring electricity bills and frequent outages. In one narrow alley of Karachi, neighbours battling the punishing summer heat crowd into Fareeda Saleem’s modest home — drawn by something rare in their lives: uninterrupted electricity.…
Read MorePSX tests new high, retreats on profit-taking
The stock market rallied to near record peak on Wednesday as investor enthusiasm over robust earnings and reform-driven optimism was tempered by late-session profit-taking, despite upbeat signals from Islamabad’s engagement with Moody’s for a potential ratings upgrade. “Stocks trading at new all-time high in the earnings season rally at PSX as investors weigh strong financial results and eye likely Moody’s upgrade on strong economic recovery,” said Arif Habib Commodities Managing Director and CEO Ahsan Mehanti. “Finance minister affirmation over deliberations on resolve with industrials over FBR powers, sharing with Moody’s…
Read MoreTrump imposes 19% tariff on Indonesia; EU prepares to retaliate
US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that a 19% tariff would be imposed on goods from Indonesia as part of a new trade agreement with the Southeast Asian nation, adding that further deals were in the pipeline. He also offered fresh details on upcoming tariffs targeting pharmaceuticals. Trump, who has consistently pushed for more favourable trade terms and a reduction in the US trade deficit, described the agreement with Indonesia — a relatively small US trading partner — as part of broader efforts to recalibrate Washington’s global trade relationships.…
Read MoreKhamenei says Israel war meant to ‘overthrow system’ in Iran
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday said that Israel’s attacks during last month’s 12-day war were intended to weaken the Islamic republic’s system and spark unrest to topple it. “The calculation and plan of the aggressors was to weaken the system by targeting certain figures and sensitive centres in Iran,” said Khamenei during a meeting with judiciary officials. During the meeting, excerpts of which were published in videos on his website, he said the move was meant to stir “unrest and bring people into the streets to overthrow…
Read MoreCTD neutralises three terrorists in Bannu operation
Three militants were shot dead in Bannu during a late-night operation by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police, officials confirmed on Thursday. A spokesperson for the provincial anti-terror police said the eliminated militants were affiliated with the proscribed Gul Bahadur and Zarar groups. They were identified as Mudassir, Turab, and Mohammad Hussain, the spokesperson added, saying all three, who were from Bannu, were wanted by the police for acts of terrorism. During the raid, the CTD recovered explosives, automatic weapons, including a Kalashnikov and a pistol, as…
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