Govt to Hire Consultant to Bring Starlink to Pakistan:
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications (MoITT) has decided to complete the hiring of a consultant in a few weeks for regulations in particular for allowing access to Starlink internet in Pakistan. MoITT held a key meeting chaired by Minister of State Shaza Fatima Khawaja on January 6, 2025, to review the progress on Starlink’s licensing and regulatory frameworks for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. Discussions focused on expediting these processes to ensure a robust regulatory framework for LEO satellites, enhancing connectivity, and driving technological innovation. The Minister emphasized the need for aligning Pakistan’s policies with global standards to unlock satellite technology’s full potential for national growth.
Ministries Not Interested in Adopting E-Office System Despite PM’s Demand:
Despite repeated directives from the Prime Minister, the federal ministries and divisions have shown little to no interest in adopting the e-office system, prompting a strong response from the premier. Frustrated with the lack of progress, the Prime Minister has reiterated the need to eliminate traditional physical correspondence and transition entirely to the digital platform. To enforce compliance, the Prime Minister’s Office has issued a letter to all ministries and divisions, emphasizing the mandatory use of e-office for all official communication. The directive also includes instructions for resubmitting correspondence previously handled via physical documents through the e-office system.
Has Starlink Recently Registered in Pakistan?:
Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, has confirmed on Monday that Starlink, the satellite-based internet service owned by Elon Musk, has registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). The announcement has sparked widespread excitement, particularly after Musk himself stated two days earlier that he was awaiting Islamabad’s approval to launch Starlink in Pakistan. Musk’s statement was in response to messages from a Pakistani social media activist on platform X (formerly Twitter). While this news has generated significant buzz, it is important to approach the announcement with caution. A similar claim had already been made in March 2023 when Ryan Goodnight, Director of Global Licensing and Market Activation at SpaceX, met with Syed Aminul Haq, the then Federal Minister of Information Technology and Telecommunication.
Internet Users in Pakistan Continue to Experience Slow Speeds After Submarine Cable Fault:
Internet users in Pakistan continue to experience slow browsing speeds due to a fault in the international submarine cable. According to officials of Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT), 830 gigabytes per second of the affected traffic had already been shifted to an alternative route. While efforts are underway to reroute the remaining traffic. On Saturday, IT minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja said that disruption in internet services due to a fault in the AAE-1 submarine cable affected 1,000 gigabytes per second of data traffic.
OpenAI CEO Admits ChatGPT Pro is Losing Money Hinting a Price Hike:
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman revealed that the company is losing money on its $200-per-month ChatGPT Pro plan due to higher-than-expected usage. “I personally chose the price,” Altman wrote in a series of posts on
X, adding, “and thought we would make some money.” Launched late last year, ChatGPT Pro offers users access to OpenAI’s advanced o1 “reasoning” AI model, o1 Pro mode, and lifts rate limits on other tools like the Sora video generator. Despite these offerings, the plan’s pricing has proven insufficient to cover the unexpectedly high usage.
Samsung Introduces The Frame Pro TV With Major Upgrades:
Samsung is taking its iconic The Frame TV to the next level with the introduction of The Frame Pro, as reported by The Media. Unveiled at CES 2025, the new model offers key upgrades in display technology, functionality, and design to maintain its edge in the design-focused TV market. The Frame Pro moves to Mini LED technology, promising improved brightness, contrast, and black levels. However, unlike traditional Mini LED TVs, Samsung places the LEDs along the bottom edge instead of behind the screen, which still functions like an edge-lit TV. While Samsung claims some level of local dimming, the real-world performance remains to be seen.
Oppo Find X8 Mini Specs Revealed in New Leak:
Oppo is gearing up to expand its Find X8 series including the standard and Pro models as well as the much-anticipated Oppo Find X8 Mini. According to the latest leaks, this new addition promises to deliver a flagship experience in a smaller, more portable design. According to industry insider Digital Chat Station, the Oppo Find X8 Mini will feature a 6.31-inch LTPO OLED display with a 1.5K resolution, placing it in direct competition with the Vivo X200 Mini, which is currently exclusive to China. Furthermore, Oppo is opting for a premium build, combining a metal frame with a glass back. This design ensures durability and a sleek, elegant look that will appeal to users seeking style and functionality in one package.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Series New Colors and Features Leaked Ahead of Official Announcement:
The Samsung Galaxy S25 series is set to debut at the Unpacked event on January 22, and as the date approaches, leaks continue to paint a clearer picture of what to expect. The latest reveals new color options, design refinements, and a first look at Samsung’s take on magnetic wireless charging. The leaked images showcase the Galaxy S25 Plus and Galaxy S25 Ultra in new blue color variants, likely named “Icy Blue” for the S25 Plus and “Titanium Blue” for the S25 Ultra. Spigen Crystal Flex cases are on both models, allowing us to see their sleek designs.
Samsung Display Unveils New Quantum Dot OLED Panels With 4,000-Nit Brightness:
Samsung Display, the global leader in OLED panel manufacturing, has introduced its fourth-generation quantum dot (QD)-OLED TV panels, delivering a remarkable peak brightness of 4,000 nits. This significantly improved over the previous generation’s 3,000 nits, reinforcing Samsung’s leadership in OLED technology. Alongside these advancements, the company also revealed innovative rollable and foldable displays for smartphones and other devices, setting the stage for a groundbreaking showcase at CES 2025 in Las Vegas. Samsung’s fourth-generation QD-OLED panels deliver over a 30% increase in brightness, making them some of the brightest OLED displays available. This leap is attributed to advancements in panel-driving technology and new organic materials. Unlike LG Display’s WOLED panels, which rely on white sub-pixels, Samsung’s QD-OLED technology achieves superior brightness and color purity using red, green, and blue sub-pixels.
Telcos Barely Meet Key Performance Indicators for Quality of Service in Q3 2024:
To measure the performance and quality of Cellular Mobile Operators’ (CMOs) services being provided to their customers, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has carried out an Independent Quality of Service (QoS) Survey in eighteen (18) cities across the country. Zong achieved an overall No. 1 position in almost all attributes examined in the QoS survey while Jazz came in second, Ufone third, and Telenor fourth. Overall, cellular mobile operators (CMOs) achieved encouraging levels of key performance indicators (KPIs) set in their licenses and the applicable regulations with respect to voice and latency, the PTA survey has revealed. Still, they lagged in a few positions due to deteriorating internet and network problems observed throughout 2024.
realme C75 Sets New Sales Records with Its Waterproof Promise:
As the realme C75 continues its journey through the Pakistani market, its offline sales have become the talk of the town, reflecting an incredible surge in demand and consumer enthusiasm. The buzz around this smartphone, with its IP69 waterproof certification and cutting-edge features, has captivated audiences, solidifying realme’s position as a brand that understands the pulse of its consumers. From bustling retail outlets to neighborhood mobile shops, the realme C75 has garnered unparalleled attention. Its revolutionary features, such as unmatched water and dust resistance, a 6000mAh battery with 45W fast charging, and stylish design, have set a new benchmark for smartphones in its segment. With vibrant color options like Lightning Gold and Storm Black, customers are drawn to both its functionality and aesthetic appeal.
Mobile and Internet Services Suspended in Quetta for Two Days:
Mobile phone and internet services in Quetta have been suspended for two days, starting Sunday night, due to security concerns. The services are expected to resume on Tuesday, January 7, at midnight, according to media reports. Meanwhile, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) has called for a province-wide shutter-down strike today. JUI Balochistan leader Maulana Abdul Wasay stated that the protests would continue until their demands are met.
Why just two hours of exercise a week can be life-changing:
Many people struggle to do the recommended amount of exercise each week. But research suggests even a small amount has powerful effects. There’s no question that exercise is good for the heart. Regular exercise lowers blood pressure and cholesterol and reduces the chances of having a heart attack or stroke. But sometimes it can be hard to find the time (and motivation) to exercise. So, what’s the least amount of exercise you can get away with doing while still seeing these benefits? That answer depends on how fit you are to begin with. Here’s some good news: the lower your starting point is in terms of fitness, the less you have to do to see a benefit.
Facebook and Instagram get rid of fact checkers:
Meta is abandoning the use of independent fact checkers on Facebook and Instagram, replacing them with X-style “community notes” where commenting on the accuracy of posts is left to users. In a video posted alongside a blog post by the company on Tuesday, chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said third-party moderators were “too politically biased” and it was “time to get back to our roots around free expression”. The move comes as Zuckerberg and other tech executives seek to improve relations with US President-elect Donald Trump before he takes office later this month. Trump and his Republican allies have criticised Meta for its fact-checking policy, calling it censorship of right-wing voices.
Nvidia unveils robot ambitions and powerful new gaming chips:
The boss of US chip giant Nvidia has unveiled the firm’s next-generation of gaming chips and pledged the “ChatGPT moment for general robotics is just around the corner”. The announcements were part of CEO Jensen Huang’s keynote address at CES, the major annual technology show in Las Vegas. The new family of gaming chips will use Nvidia’s Blackwell artificial intelligence (AI) technology to create movie-quality images, he told a packed arena. The chips will range in price from $549 (£438) to $1,999, and are twice as fast as their predecessors, he added. He also introduced an AI model, called Cosmos, which he said could generate video that can be used to train robots and self-driving cars at a much lower cost than current methods.
Cryptocurrencies and personal AI: Tech to watch out for in 2025:
As 2022 drew to a close the outlook was bleak for the cryptocurrency business. One of its best know firms, FTX, had collapsed with $8bn (£6.3bn) of customer funds unaccounted for. In March of 2024, the company’s co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried received a 25-year jail sentence for defrauding customers and investors. The scandal rattled confidence in the whole sector. As AI tools move into our phones – Apple, Google and Samsung have all launched services that can edit photos, translate languages and carry out web searches – we are at the start of an era in which AI becomes an intrinsic part of our digital lives and increasingly helpful on a personal level. That’s if we allow it, because it does require a bit of a leap of faith. Let’s take diary management as an example. An AI tool efficiently can manage your diary for you, if you allow it to access it. But how far should this go? In order to be truly useful, does that mean it also needs to know who you would rather avoid meeting, or relationships you want to keep secret, and from whom? Do you want it to provide you with summaries of counselling sessions, or medical appointments?
The ocean current vital to regulating our weather:
Our oceans move vast amounts of water, heat, chemicals and microscopic life around the planet – with one ocean current particularity crucial to life on earth. The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, or AMOC, is vital in regulating the temperature of the earth. Scientists measure it using scientific instruments deployed in different latitudes across the north and south Atlantic Ocean. But studies have suggested it will slow down or even collapse, which could have a catastrophic effect on our climate, and lead to more extreme weather. The National Oceanography Centre in Southampton has been studying the AMOC for 20 years.
Apple urged to withdraw ‘out of control’ AI news alerts:
Apple is facing fresh calls to withdraw its controversial artificial intelligence (AI) feature that has generated inaccurate news alerts on its latest iPhones. The product is meant to summarise breaking news notifications but has in some instances invented entirely false claims. The Media first complained to the tech giant about its journalism being misrepresented in December but Apple did not respond until Monday this week, when it said it was working to clarify that summaries were AI-generated. Alan Rusbridger, the former editor of the Guardian, told the Media Apple needed to go further and pull a product he said was “clearly not ready.” Mr Rusbridger, who also sits on Meta’s Oversight Board that reviews appeals of the company’s content moderation decisions, added the technology was “out of control” and posed a considerable misinformation risk.
US launches probe of Tesla’s ‘smart summon’ driverless tech:
US safety regulators have opened an investigation of a Tesla feature that allows drivers to summon parked cars without being in the vehicle after numerous accidents were reported linked to the technology. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the Tesla cars operating in the “Actually Smart Summon” mode were reported to be unable to detect posts or parked cars. The feature is in place on nearly 2.6 million cars made by Tesla since 2016, including its Model S sports car, Model 3 sedan, and Model X and Y sports utility vehicles. Tesla did not immediately comment. Boss Elon Musk has previously been an outspoken defender of Tesla’s push into self-driving, arguing that it is more safe than regular driving and represents the future of transportation.
From a Trump presidency to ‘game-changing’ lawsuits: Seven big climate and nature moments coming in 2025:
Some key events coming up in 2025 have game-changing potential for our planet. Here, two of the Media’s environment journalists analyse what they could mean for the climate and nature. As countries unveil new climate targets, Donald Trump enters the White House for a second term and a potentially game-changing ruling for future climate lawsuits unfolds – 2025 is set to be a big year for climate and nature. Speaking in his New Year’s message in late December, secretary-general of the United Nations  António Guterres said that the world is witnessing “climate breakdown – in real time”. “We must exit this road to ruin. In 2025, countries must put the world on a safer path by dramatically slashing emissions and supporting the transition to a renewable future,” he said, stressing that “it is essential – and it is possible”.
Apple to pay $95m to settle Siri ‘listening’ lawsuit:
Apple has agreed to pay $95m (£77m) to settle a court case alleging some of its devices were listening to people without their permission. The tech giant was accused of eavesdropping on its customers through its virtual assistant Siri. The claimants also allege voice recordings were shared with advertisers. Apple has denied selling Siri data and said it settled to avoid further litigation. “Siri data has never been used to build marketing profiles and it has never been sold to anyone for any purpose,” an Apple spokesperson told Media, adding that data collected by the tool is only used to improve it. “Apple settled this case to avoid additional litigation so we can move forward from concerns about third-party grading that we already addressed in 2019,” they added. They said that its digital assistant technology had been “engineered to protect user privacy from the beginning” and it has continually sought to enhance its privacy.
‘Energy company broke into my home’:
A man has said he felt “violated” after an energy firm broke into his home to check whether his electricity meter had been tampered with. Alan Knight, 67, from Waterlooville, Hampshire, was at work when E.On engineers executed a warrant on 31 October 2024. In a private message to Mr Knight, the firm said its artificial intelligence (AI) software had detected that the smart meter cover might have been removed, although no issues were later found. The firm admitted: “The AI technology needs further work to better its detection for future cases.” Mr Knight said: “I was livid that it happened to me… The implication was that I was stealing their gas and electric.
Venus and crescent Moon stun stargazers:
Stargazers around the globe were treated to a stunning celestial scene on Friday as Venus appeared shining brightly above a crescent Moon. The planet was visible to the naked eye from the UK to the US, Turkey and China. Venus is often called the Evening Star or Morning Star because, when it is prominent, it appears like the brightest “star” in the sky. More astronomical delights are expected this new year, as January 2025 is going to be a good month to spot both Venus and Saturn. Make sure to take a look up into the sky on 18 January, as those planets will be appear just 2.2° apart.
Farage distances himself from Musk on Robinson:
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has distanced himself from Elon Musk’s support for jailed far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson. The tech multi-billionaire added his voice to calls to release Yaxley-Lennon, who was jailed in October after admitting contempt of court by repeating false claims against a Syrian refugee. Farage has been proud to show off the support of Musk, flying to Florida to meet the owner of social media site X, who helped President-elect Donald Trump win the US election. But Musk’s support for Yaxley-Lennon is uncomfortable for Farage, who has made it clear over a number of years that he does not want him in his political party. Speaking to Reform UK’s East Midlands conference in Leicester on Friday, Farage said Musk had “a whole range of opinions, some of which I agree with very strongly, and others of which I am more reticent about”.