Better and Easier – tabiyat.pk’s New Update is Here:
tabiyat.pk has recently undergone a major update, bringing with it a brand-new interface and several new features designed to make it even easier for users to manage their health. “One of the main goals of the new interface is to make it easier for our users to navigate the app and find the information they need to manage their health,” said Asad Khan, tabiyat.pk’s co-founder and CEO, announcing the update of the new app.
PTA to Award Local Loop License to Cable Operators for Better Digital Access:
PTA and the Cable Operators Association of Pakistan (CAP) held a successful meeting to discuss areas of mutual interest. The meeting was held to discuss facilitation of cable services operations in Pakistan with a special focus on IPTV through PTA Licensed Operators. The two parties deliberated on ways to enhance cooperation. The association was informed on the process of application and award of a local-loop license, after fulfilling codal formalities to have better digital access to the consumers.
Telenor Partners with Nestlé to Promote Digital Healthcare in Pakistan:
In line with its objective to empower societies by connecting them to what matters most, Telenor Pakistan has joined hands with Nestlé Bunyad to create healthcare awareness and offer knowledge about the issue of iron deficiency in Pakistan. In this partnership, informative content will be easily accessible through Khushaal Watan services where content will be disseminated through live shows to educate parents on the importance of sound healthcare and, most importantly, how to prevent iron deficiencies by maintaining a balanced diet. “Telenor Pakistan is always striving to find opportunities to bring affordable and accessible healthcare through nutrition awareness. We’re out to reduce inequalities in our society, and digital healthcare remains a cornerstone of digital enablement,” said Khurrum Ashfaque, Chief Operating Officer, Telenor Pakistan.
Spotify Reveals Who Is Listening What In Pakistan:
Marking its 2nd anniversary in Pakistan, Spotify has revealed interesting insights about the local market, creatively highlighting a region-based breakdown of where audience interests lie. With all provinces unanimous in their love for Atif Aslam, making him the most streamed local artist throughout, the data offers a unique perspective for music listeners across the country.
Beware Expats: Financial Scams on the Rise in UAE:
United Arab Emirates (UAE) Police has issued warnings about increasing financial scams in the country. It has urged residents to protect their identity details like PIN, date of birth, or phone numbers, especially during online shopping. Ras Al Khaimah Police General Command released an awareness campaign on Thursday. It advised residents not to disclose CVV numbers of credit or debit cards and frequently change PINs as well as passwords.
Facebook and Twitter’s Subscriptions Plans Are Failing Miserably:
Meta’s subscription plan for Facebook and Instagram has left a lot of people scratching their heads. After a similar move last year by Twitter, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced at the weekend an option to pay up to $14.99 a month for a blue “verified” mark that offers protection against impersonation. But not much else. Tech analysts have said the move was prompted by the urgent need for new revenue streams after Meta suffered a 40% drop in profits last year and was forced to lay off thousands of staff members. Some are skeptical about the demand for the premium service, accusing the social media giant of being short on new ideas.
Emissions Rise as Apple and Others Ignoring Climate Pledges:
Apple, Mercedes-Benz, and Microsoft are among the world’s largest companies whose emissions reductions are woefully inadequate — despite their net-zero commitments. The net-zero emissions plans of 24 multinational companies are not only largely misleading but also distract from a failure to cut climate-wrecking emissions in line with the Paris climate goals. The latest Corporate Climate Responsibility Monitor, which is authored by a German think tank, the New Climate Institute, paints a picture of private sector obfuscation in regard to meaningful decarbonization.
James Webb Telescope Discovers Formation of Massive Galaxies After Big Bang:
The six candidate galaxies could rewrite the current understanding of the early universe and how galaxies form. The James Webb Space Telescope has discovered six gigantic galaxies that emerged shortly after the Big Bang, a study said, stunning scientists by forming at a speed that upends the current understanding of the early universe. Since becoming operational last July, the James Webb telescope has been giving insights into the universe’s distant reaches. Astronomers on Wednesday said data obtained by the telescope revealed what appear to be six big galaxies as mature as the Milky Way. These galaxies are estimated to have existed about 540 million to 770 million years after the Big Bang.
MMBL and SCBF Commit to Fostering Financial Inclusion through Innovative Credit Scoring & Banking Solutions:
Mobilink Microfinance Bank Limited (MMBL) has partnered with the Swiss Capacity Building Facility (SCBF) and the Arab Gulf Program for Development (AGFUND) to enhance its capacity to offer innovative and fast-tracked banking solutions to the unbanked and underbanked in Pakistan. Swiss Capacity Building Facility (SCBF) is a Switzerland-based innovative public-private platform, while the Arab Gulf Program for Development (AGFUND) is a Saudi Arabia-based development organization. SCBF has funded over 188 projects across 48 countries to date, with this being their second project in Pakistan.
Christoforos Nicolaou: Couple set up web safety charity after son’s death:
The parents of a teenager who took his own life after joining an online forum where he received “horrific messages” have set up a charity encouraging teenagers to spend less time online. Christoforos Nicolaou, 15, was found unconscious at his family home in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire in March 2022. The charity aims to support parents worried about their children. “We can’t do anything for our son any more but they can save their kids,” his mother said.
Rendr Festival focusses on film and gaming talent:
“We undersell ourselves so much and don’t appreciate what we have here and that’s part of what this event is about.” That is according to Michael Weir, founder of a new festival which highlights Northern Ireland’s video game, animation and special effects talent. The sold-out Rendr festival takes place in Belfast on Thursday and Friday. More than 30 industry speakers will feature at the festival. There will also be technology demonstrations, live performances and digital art. The idea for Rendr grew out of the Belfast Photo Festival, which Weir also runs.
UK phone repair apprenticeship needed, says firm:
A firm that fixes smartphones is calling for an official device repair apprenticeship to be introduced. In 2022 there were almost 72 million mobile phone connections in use in the UK. But repair firm TMT First, which introduced its own apprenticeship after struggling to find staff, points out there is no industry training standard. By contrast, there are 33 million cars on the road – and mechanics learning on nationally recognised apprenticeships “There’s lots of young techy people out there who perhaps have even tinkered around with phones at home themselves, and are really interested in how they can do this better, and maybe create a career out of it,” Adam Whitehouse from TMT First said.
Netflix cuts prices for subscribers in more than 30 countries:
Streaming giant Netflix has cut prices in more than 30 countries as it attempts to attract more subscribers. Prices have been cut in parts of Asia, Europe, Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. It comes as the rising cost of living sees households tightening their belts and Netflix faces increased competition from rival services. “Members have never had more choices when it comes to entertainment,” a company spokesperson told the BBC. Countries in which subscription charges have been lowered include Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Croatia, Venezuela, Kenya and Iran.
Signal would ‘walk’ from UK if Online Safety Bill undermined encryption:
The encrypted-messaging app Signal has said it would stop providing services in the UK if a new law undermined encryption. If forced to weaken the privacy of its messaging system under the Online Safety Bill, the organisation “would absolutely, 100% walk” Signal president Meredith Whittaker told the BBC. The government said its proposal was not “a ban on end-to-end encryption”. The bill, introduced by Boris Johnson, is currently going through Parliament. Critics say companies could be required by Ofcom to scan messages on encrypted apps for child sexual abuse material or terrorism content under the new law.
Can technology clean up the shrimp farming business?:
For generations the family of Debabrata Khuntia made a living by fishing in the Bay of Bengal and the rivers and canals of Purba Medinipur in West Bengal. He remembers being able to catch 10 tonnes of fish a year, some of which he would keep and the rest he would sell in the market. But those days are gone. There are few fish and Debabrata now makes a living growing tomatoes and brinjal. He is in no doubt what is to blame. “Excessive shrimp farming.” Many farmers have shifted to shrimp farming because the money is better, he says. But that involves building shrimp ponds, feeding the shrimp and treating them with antibiotics.
Sam Bankman-Fried hit with four new criminal charges:
The former boss of collapsed crypto exchange FTX has been hit with four new criminal charges accusing him of conspiring to make illegal political donations and to commit bank fraud. Sam Bankman-Fried has already pleaded not guilty to defrauding customers and investors. FTX filed for bankruptcy last year, leaving many users unable to withdraw their funds. Mr Bankman-Fried now faces a total of 12 criminal charges. A spokesman for Mr Bankman-Fried declined to comment. Regarding the latest charges, prosecutors accused Mr Bankman-Fried of conspiring with two other former FTX executives to donate tens of millions of dollars to influence US politicians to pass laws favourable to the company.
European Commission bans TikTok on staff devices:
Staff working at the European Commission have been ordered to remove the TikTok app from their phones and corporate devices. The commission said it was implementing the measure to “protect data and increase cybersecurity”. TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has faced allegations that it harvests users’ data and hands it to the Chinese government. TikTok insists it operates no differently from other social media. EU spokeswoman Sonya Gospodinova said the corporate management board of the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, had made the decision for security reasons. “The measure aims to protect the Commission against cybersecurity threats and actions which may be exploited for cyberattacks against the corporate environment of the commission,” she said.
Robots to do 39% of domestic chores by 2033, say experts:
Within a decade, around 39% of the time spent on housework and caring for loved ones could be automated, experts say. Researchers from the UK and Japan asked 65 artificial intelligence (AI) experts to predict the amount of automation in common household tasks in 10 years. Experts predicted grocery shopping was likely to see the most automation, while caring for the young or old was the least likely to be impacted by AI. The research is published in the journal PLOS ONE. Researchers from the University of Oxford and Japan’s Ochanomizu University wanted to know what impact robots might have on unpaid domestic work: “If robots will take our jobs, will they at least also take out the trash for us?”, they asked. Robots “for domestic household tasks”, such as robot vacuum cleaners “have become the most widely produced and sold robots in the world” the researchers observed.
Broadband must be accessible to all, peers told:
Broadband should be made more accessible to people on benefits by encouraging them to use discounted deals designed for them, experts say. They told the Lords Digital Committee’s digital exclusion hearings that cutting VAT on broadband could help people who struggle with “digital exclusion”. Rocio Concha, of consumer group Which?, urged action to get more people on benefits using cheaper social tariffs. The government has called on firms to raise awareness of the deals. The high cost of living continued to put household budgets under strain, resulting in more people being “pushed” into digital exclusion, chairwoman Baroness Stowell said in her opening remarks.
Tommy Fury v Jake Paul: Boxer says Molly-Mae deserves more credit:
Tommy Fury says Molly-Mae Hague deserves more credit for putting up with him being away training as they’ve become first-time parents. The boxer is taking on YouTuber Jake Paul in a multi-million pound fight in Saudi Arabia on Sunday. Molly-Mae gave birth to their daughter Bambi last month but Tommy says he’s been busy preparing for the fight. “Molly’s took it upon herself to deal with everything herself,” he tells Newsbeat. “She hasn’t bothered me once about anything. “She’s been absolutely amazing. I think people need to stand up and give her a lot of credit for that.” Tommy’s been criticised online for being away a lot preparing for the fight while Molly-Mae was pregnant. But he says the fight with Jake Paul is so big that he wasn’t able to take much time off from training.