NASTP and Khazana Cloud Establish Pakistan’s First Hyperscaler Cloud Solution:
The NASTP, Special Technology Zone, is thrilled to announce a Strategic agreement with Khazana Cloud to launch a Tier 3 Data Centre powered by Huawei. This pioneering facility will deliver advanced cloud and AI solutions, tailored to the unique needs of public as well as private sector clients across Pakistan.With Huawei’s leading-edge technology and robust support, this Data Center will operate at peak efficiency, ensuring reliability and security for all clients. NASTP and Khazana are proud to bring these transformative capabilities to Pakistan, empowering organizations with cutting-edge cloud solutions that streamline operations, drive local innovation, and enable rapid digital transformation.
PTA Raids Illegal Phone SIM Sellers in Islamabad and KP:
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Zonal Office Peshawar, in collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cyber Crime Wing Peshawar, recently conducted successful raids on telecom franchisees in Barakahu, Islamabad, and Shinkiari, District Mansehra. Both franchisees were involved in the illegal issuance of SIMs by deceitfully obtaining the fingerprints of underprivileged women from various villages in Orakzai Agency.During the Barakahu raid, 6 BVS devices, 8 activated SIMs, 200 suspected SIMs, 2 computers, and digital fingerprints were confiscated. The FIA team also recovered several original CNICs and 6 mobile phones. Three individuals were arrested, and an FIR was registered.
Jazz Delivers Exceptional Q3 2024 Growth Through Strategic ServiceCo Transition and Digital Innovation:
Jazz, together with JazzCash, Mobilink Microfinance Bank (MMBL), and other VEON Group digital entities in Pakistan, has announced impressive financial growth for Q3 2024. These results underscore the strength of Jazz’s strategic shift to a ServiceCo model, which has empowered the company to respond swiftly to the growing digital needs of its customers in high-growth areas such as fintech, cloud, data centers, software, and connectivity. Guided by its purpose of improving and transforming lives and livelihoods across Pakistan—especially for women and youth—Jazz’s growth trajectory reflects its commitment to enabling a digitally inclusive future. Total revenues grew by 22.6% year-on-year (YoY) in local currency, with the expansion driven by a digital-first approach that aligns with Pakistan’s journey toward digital transformation.
CEO Telenor Pakistan Urges NUST Graduates to Embrace Resilience and Innovation:
The 15th convocation of NUST Business School was marked with a keynote from Khurrum Ashfaque, CEO Telenor Pakistan, who graced the event as a Chief Guest to honor the hard work and accomplishments of the graduating class of 2024.Addressing the audience, Khurrum congratulated the graduates on reaching this pivotal milestone and acknowledged NUST’s longstanding reputation for excellence, calling the graduates “torchbearers of a legacy that continues to shine brightly.”
Conquer the Frozen Wilds of Icemire Frontier in PUBG Mobile’s Version 3.5 Update:
PUBG MOBILE, one of the world’s most popular mobile games, reveals thrilling new enhancements in its Version 3.5 Update. Available until January 7th, players can prepare to brave the cold, conquer the Frostborne Dragon, and uncover hidden treasures as they explore the vast landscapes of the new Icemire Frontier. Discover icy new updates to Home Mode, World of Wonder enhancements, new legendary items in Cycle 7 Season 21, alongside a new enemy, collectibles and improvements in Metro Royale.Icemire Frontier brings a unique, chilling challenge across the Erangel, Livik, and Vikendi maps in the Version 3.5 Update. Journey to Frostheim for intense battles in Chieftain’s Stronghold or venture into the Beast-Taming Grounds. In the Magic Crystal Mines, players can also discover hidden rewards, and unlock Magic Crystal Crates that contain game-changing supplies.
Resident Evil 2 Remake Reaches iPhones Next Month:
Capcom’s hit game, Resident Evil 2, is coming to iPhones and iPads on December 10th. This entry is Capcom’s best-selling Resident Evil title to date and one of the most iconic names out there.However, you’ll need a newer Apple device to play it, such as an iPhone 16 or a Mac with an M1 chip. You can try a free demo before buying the full game. The game supports “universal purchase” and “cross-progression,” meaning you can buy it once and play it on multiple devices. It will also save your progress across multiple devices so you can hop back in right where you left.
Samsung May Hand Over Its Exynos Chip Production to TSMC:
Samsung may outsource Exynos chip production to TSMC amid yield struggles, according to a recent rumor. A well-known leaker and a former Qualcomm employee, now an industry analyst, have both hinted at this possibility.This potential shift could affect future Exynos models. However, the upcoming Exynos 2500 is still on track, despite reported production issues.TSMC already manufactures rival chips, such as the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite. It’s important to note that Samsung would still design the Exynos chips. The company would handle research, development, and distribution, while TSMC would only be responsible for manufacturing.
Askari Bank Leads the Development of Pakistan’s First Cashless Ecosystem for Housing Societies:
Askari Bank is establishing itself in the area of digital financial services with its latest initiative to create a cashless ecosystem. Building on the experience of digital offering, including industry’s-first indigenous biometric verification integrated solution, Askari Bank is positioned to extend innovative financial solutions with a commitment for financial inclusion to support its mission of ‘Getting Closer to the Customer.’ Conceived and funded by Karandaaz Pakistan, an impact investment platform dedicated to driving sustainable economic growth and strengthening financial and social protection systems for inclusion, Askari Bank, in collaboration with Digital Miles, a fintech innovation lab, has launched Pakistan’s first comprehensive Cashless Ecosystem Project aimed at digitalizing communities.
Power and Durability Redefined: Delving Into the Performance Prowess of vivo V40 5G with Its 5500mAh Large Battery:
As smartphones evolve with more features and capabilities, performance remains a top priority for many consumers. The newly launched vivo V40 5G responds to this need by combining a premium design with advanced technology to deliver a seamless, high-performance experience. Beyond its sleek appearance, V40 5G also excels in professional portrait photography, enabling users to capture high-quality images with ease, all while upholding impressive performance standards.Notably, V40 5G is vivo’s slimmest phone equipped with a 5500 mAh battery to date, ensuring long-lasting usage without sacrificing portability. Whether you’re navigating a full day of work or leisure, the battery’s endurance keeps you powered throughout. V40 5G has reached new heights in terms of durability, offering IP68 and IP69 Dust and Water Resistance. This enhancement ensures users can enjoy a worry-free experience.
Oppo Reno 13 Appears in First Hands-On Images:
Oppo’s Reno 13 series is launching on November 25, and a first glimpse of one model has surfaced. Leaked by Digital Chat Station, an image of the phone’s rear cameras reveals a striking resemblance to the iPhone 15.Similarities include the rectangular, transparent camera island, the seamless molding, and the frame design. However, the Reno 13 appears thinner and boasts a third camera in a smaller cutout.This design isn’t entirely unprecedented. The Reno 9 series featured two vertically arranged main cameras, though the camera island was simply a different color, not a separate protruding panel. With two weeks until the Reno 13 launch, more details are expected to emerge soon.
Some Windows 11 Versions Show Signs of “Windows Intelligence” Features:
While Microsoft has not confirmed it, signs point to a rebranding of Windows AI features and the new name appears to be “Windows IntThis change is expected to arrive despite some existing features, like the controversial “Recall” function, remaining untouched. Rumors of “Windows Intelligence” have been circulating for a while. In October, Tero Alhonen revealed possible options for apps using AI services. More recently, X user Albacore found a “Windows Intelligence” settings placeholder in a Windows 24H2 build. This discovery further suggests the rebranding is imminent.
elligence.”Microsoft has invested heavily in artificial intelligence, but simply using “AI” lacks brand identity. Apple cleverly uses “Apple Intelligence,” retaining the “AI” abbreviation while emphasizing its brand.
YouTube is Showing Ads to Premium Users:
The biggest selling point of YouTube Premium is that it provides an ad-free experience on the video-sharing platform, which is otherwise littered with advertisements. Most ad block extensions don’t work on YouTube anymore, which is often why people seek a Premium subscription.However, despite having premium, some users are still seeing ads on the app. One such user reported his grievances on Reddit and shared the problem with YouTube’s support team. Here is a screenshot of the Reddit user’s communication with YouTube.
‘Terrorists’ Are Using VPNs to Spread Propaganda and Mislead Public:
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has claimed that terrorists are using illegal virtual private networks (VPNs) to spread propaganda and mislead the public.The regulator has intensified its campaign to block unregistered VPNs and suspicious websites, citing national security concerns, sources informed Media.Sources said the regulator has identified the culprits and will take action accordingly.Sources said these unauthorized VPNs are being used by terrorists to hide their identities while spreading propaganda and misinformation. It bears mentioning that despite these concerns, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif still uses VPNs to access apps like X (ex-twitter). He recently used a VPN to tweet a congratulatory message to President elect Donald Trump for his victory in last week’s US elections.
PTA Introduces New Portal for VPN Registration:
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) hosted a consultation session on its VPN registration framework, attended by representatives from the Ministry of IT & Telecommunication (MoIT&T), Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), and Pakistan IT Association (P@SHA). The session aimed to foster a secure environment for the IT and ecommerce sectors in Pakistan, the telecom regulator said in a press release.
Outage hits Bluesky just as the platform’s popularity takes off:
The social media platform Bluesky was hit by an outage on Thursday, amid a rising wave of popularity for the app, which is often described as a friendlier alternative to X,. Bluesky has at times been the most downloaded app on both the US and UK Apple Stores in recent days, with many social media users leaving X, formerly Twitter, in the wake of the US election. But on Thursday, some users around the world had trouble getting their feeds and notifications to load. Bluesky spokesperson Emily Liu told the Media that one of its internet providers “had some downtime, apparently because a fibre cable was out. That means it happened outside of our company”.
US hacker sentenced over Bitcoin heist worth billions:
A hacker has been sentenced to five years in a US prison for laundering the proceeds of one of the biggest ever cryptocurrency thefts. Ilya Lichtenstein pleaded guilty last year in the case involving the Bitfinex cryptocurrency exchange being hacked in 2016 and the theft of almost 120,000 bitcoin. He laundered the stolen cryptocurrency with the help of his wife Heather Morgan, who used the alias Razzlekhan to promote her hip hop music. At the time of the theft, the bitcoin was worth around $70m (£55.3m), but had risen in value to more than $4.5bn by the time they were arrested. At today’s prices they would be worth more than double that.
‘Amazing showcase’ for UK gaming industry cancelled:
One of the main showcases for UK gaming has been cancelled, reflecting the wider struggles of an industry which has seen a series of job cuts and studio closures. The WASD expo – which is usually held in London in April – is a shop window for British talent, with a particular emphasis on smaller, independent game-makers. But its organiser has now gone into liquidation. Co-founder David Lilley told the Media “increasing costs and less demand for stand space means running events is just not viable for us anymore.” There had been speculation about the event’s future after the WASD website disappeared from public view months after its 2024 expo took place.
TikTok influencer sentenced over anti-Semitic posts:
A TikTok influencer who posted “nauseating” anti-Semitic videos online has been given two suspended prison sentences. Fiona Ryan, 40, who has more than 50,000 followers on TikTok, was found guilty of four charges relating to “highly offensive” material between March and April. She pleaded guilty earlier this month to two other offences which took place in October 2023, when she posted on X “showing support and glorification for the actions of Hamas”. Ryan, from Salisbury in Wiltshire, was sentenced at the town’s magistrates court on Thursday. She was given a 12-week suspended prison sentence for four separate offences of sending offensive communications in 2024, and an eight-week suspended sentence for the two offences in 2023, to run consecutively.
Meta fined €798m over ‘unfair’ Facebook Marketplace:
Meta has been fined €798m (£664m) for breaking competition law by embedding Facebook Marketplace within its social network. The European Commission said this meant alternative classified ads services had faced “unfair trading conditions”, making it harder for them to compete. In addition to the fine, it has ordered Meta to stop imposing these conditions on other services. Meta said it rejected the Commission’s findings and would appeal. EU antitrust head Margrethe Vestager said Facebook had impeded other online classified ads service providers. “It did so to benefit its own service Facebook Marketplace, thereby giving it advantages that other online classified ads service providers could not match,” she added,She said Meta “must stop this behaviour”, with the EU asking the firm to “refrain from repeating” the infringement.
‘Hospital robot helps me feel like a mum again’:
A mother whose son has been in hospital for more than a year has praised trials of a new technology which dispenses medication and has helped her “feel like a mum again”. The so-called bedside intelligent cabinet securely stores routine medicines and alerts patients or guardians when it is time to take them. NHS Grampian is describing the trial at Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital (RACH) as a world first. Kirsty Mair’s son Jacob, 13, has spent the last 16 months in hospital due to the various conditions he has. She said the new equipment takes pressure off staff and helps her feel more part of his treatment, as well as preparing her for his eventual discharge.
Amazon launches Temu and Shein rival with ‘crazy low’ prices:
Amazon has launched a new outlet called Haul which caps the price of products on sale at $20 (£15.79), in an effort to take on low-cost retailers Temu and Shein. The online shopping giant unveiled Haul as a mobile-only experience available in its Shopping app for US customers on Wednesday. It says shoppers can expect “crazy low prices” on Haul products that are “worth the wait” of up to two weeks for delivery. Amazon’s Chinese e-commerce rivals have enjoyed rapid growth in recent years but also faced criticism over the environmental impact of making and shipping ever more cheap products. “Temu and Shein have faced backlash both for taking advantage of import loopholes and for being wasteful and environmentally irresponsible,” Forrester retail analyst Sucharita Kodali told Media. “This effort seems to have the same challenges,” she said of Amazon Haul. Haul marks the platform’s long-awaited foray into the sale cheaper goods with lengthier shipping times – a business model which has spurred the rise of Temu and Shein.
‘I missed you very much’: China’s social media darling returns:
A Chinese influencer, with a huge global following and the approval of the Communist Party, has returned to the internet after a three-year hiatus. Famous for idyllic videos of life with her grandmother in a village in Sichuan province, the 34-year-old has released three videos since Tuesday – and they have millions of views already. Li first rose to fame in 2016 when China’s fast-growing social media users found comfort in her slow-paced videos about cooking and traditional handicraft. Her return, welcomed by fans around the world, comes amid a government crackdown on influencers whose content they deem “inappropriate”.
Apple accused of trapping and ripping off 40m iCloud customers:
Apple is facing a legal claim accusing it of effectively locking 40 million British customers into its iCloud service and charging them “rip off prices”. Consumer group Which? says the legal action – which it has launched – could result in a £3bn payout if it is successful, with the average customer getting around £70. Apple has rejected the suggestion its practices are anti-competitive, saying users are not required to use iCloud. It said many customers rely on third-party alternatives, and insists it “works hard to make data transfer as easy as possible”. It is another example of the “growing tide of large class actions against big tech” which has “operated without sufficient constraint”, Toby Starr from legal firm Humphries Kerstetter told the Media Facebook, Google, gaming giant Steam and the UK’s leading mobile providers are among the others facing legal claims at the same court, the Competition Appeal Tribunal. “Although most of these claims are in their infancy and take a long time to resolve, there will be more decisions coming out over the next couple of years and there will be settlements – these will start to affect the tech giants’ businesses,” said Mr Starr.
The Guardian stops posting on Elon Musk’s ‘toxic’ X:
British newspaper group the Guardian has announced it will no longer post on X, formerly Twitter, saying it has become a “a toxic media platform”. In a message to readers, it said the US presidential election “underlined” its concerns that its owner, Elon Musk, had been able to use X to “shape political discourse.” Mr Musk strongly backed Donald Trump and has now been given a role cutting government spending in his incoming administration. The Media has contacted X for comment.
The Guardian said users would still be able to share articles and it was likely continue to embed X posts in its coverage of world events.
It also said its reporters would be able to carry on using the site “for news-gathering purposes.”