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Gold down, rupee edges up amid global cues

KARACHI: Gold prices fell in Pakistan on Tuesday, tracking the decline in international markets, where the metal slipped more than 1% as investors took profits after a six-week high in the previous session. In global trade, spot gold dropped 1.4% to $4,173.91 per ounce by 11:09 am ET (1609 GMT), with markets awaiting key US economic data ahead of Federal Reserve’s policy meeting next week, according to Reuters. Reflecting the global trend, domestic prices also retreated. Gold rate per tola fell by Rs2,700 to Rs444,162. The price of 10-gram gold…

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FBR issues new order to tighten tracking of tax-concession imports for FATA, PATA

KARACHI: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued a new Customs General Order (CGO) No 8/2025 to ensure secure transportation and transparent clearance of plant, machinery, equipment and industrial raw materials imported at concessional sales tax rates for industrial units located in erstwhile FATA and PATA. The new order applies to those industrial units that are availing concessional tax rates under Clause 89 of the Eighth Schedule of the Sales Tax Act, 1990. This new procedure is a continuation of the previously enforced CGO 01/2021. In 2018, the federal…

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Pakistan’s fintech bet pays off in a new era for South Asian finance

“Pakistan is undoubtedly a rising star in digital assets, even if this is still a “honeymoon phase” for the South Asian country in a notoriously volatile fintech segment. How Pakistan responds to its first major crypto shock will ultimately reveal the depth of its commitment.” This is what Forbes has reported on Pakistan’s current fintech landscape. Fintech’s centre of gravity in South Asia may finally be shifting, and Pakistan is emerging as the region’s unexpected powerhouse. For years, India’s dominance kept neighbouring fintech ecosystems in its shadow. Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal lagged…

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New research unveils impact of screentime on child’s health

So-called ‘iPad kids’ in this generation can be seen using gadgets at every nook or corner or even in their mother’s lap. Most parents believe, it is safer to accompany their kids with gadgets instead of leaving them alone to get hurt roaming around or disturbing them while they are coping with their daily tasks, but experts think the opposite. They inform that media consumption is prevalent today, and its impact on children depends on age, frequency, content, and context. Digital media has long been part of everyday life. According…

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Parliament clears bill to establish commission for minority rights

A joint session of Parliament on Tuesday formalised long-delayed protections for non-Muslims in Pakistan. The National Commission for Minority Rights Bill 2025 was passed by the National Assembly and Senate, despite intense debate, ending years of delay in the passage. The legislation establishes a dedicated commission to safeguard minority rights and monitor constitutional guarantees. The bill follows a 2014 Supreme Court directive, which mandated the creation of a commission “to monitor the practical realisation of the rights and safeguards provided to minorities under the Constitution and law” and to “frame policy recommendations for safeguarding…

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December 2025 cosmic trio: Moon-Jupiter duo, Geminid meteors, interstellar comet Earth visit

As the 2025 year draws to a close, the December night skies offer a promising but dazzling cosmic trio surprise for the sky watchers and astronomers. The sky watchers can experience the celestial spectacle in the form of a rare visit of an interstellar comet, Jupiter-Moon phenomenal pairing, and spectacular display of the year’s best geminid meteor shower. On December 7, the sky watchers can witness a rare conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter. During this celestial event, two celestial bodies appear close in the sky. The pairing, from the…

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Scientists reveal 53 giant radio quasars wider than Milky way galaxy

In a groundbreaking discovery, astronomers have successfully discovered 53 new quasars powered by supermassive black holes that are blowing out jets of matter at relativistic speeds, and these jets stretch out for up to 7.2 million light-years, making them 20 to 50 times wider than the width of the Milky Way. Primarily, Giant Radio Quasars, these monster objects were recently unveiled by Indian astronomers as part of a clutch of 369 radio quasars. For that purpose, the data was collected by the Giant Meterwave Radio Telescope (GMRT), an array of…

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‘Doomsday Glacier’ is collapsing faster than expected, new study warns

Researchers in a new study have reported the rapid collapse of “Doomsday Glacier”, also called Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica, sparking fears of global sea-level rise of unprecedented level. Two decades of satellite and GPS data, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, offers detailed account of the accelerating breakdown of the Thwaites Eastern Ice Shelf (TEIS). TEIS, the critical part of the glacier, floats on the ocean and is partly adhered to a pinning point at its northern edge. As per data which documented the changes over 20 years,…

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New study warns, algae could takeover coral reefs in coming years

Beautiful coral reefs underneath,deep sea or oceans are basic attractions for sea explorers who love to find unique and exclusive creatures hidden beside these beautiful vibrant structures. Coral reefs are essential for marine life, as they provide food and shelter for about a quarter of all ocean species or aquatic creatures, while scientists may fear about their existing and future damages. A study published in Communications Biology was conducted to examine rare coral reef environments in Papua New Guinea to understand how ocean acidification may affect coral ecosystems as the climate continues…

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Seeing Saturn, Jupiter with telescope: Tips for amateur astronomers

The year 2025 is about to end and an intriguing glimpse of Saturn and Jupiter can be observed with the best beginner telescopes. Primarily, the best time to examine any outer planet is about a month on either side of its opposition, which is when Earth passes directly between the planet and the Sun. It has been observed that this time is crucial as the distance between the planet and Earth is the shortest, but the planet shines brightest in the sky. Saturn reached opposition on September 21, 2025, and…

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