Daily News Pakistan

An ally of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proposed a bill to ban social media for children, as the world’s biggest market for Meta and YouTube joins a global debate on the impact of social media on young people’s health and safety. “Not only are our children becoming addicted to social media, but India is also one of the world’s largest producers of data for foreign platforms,” lawmaker L.S.K. Devarayalu told Reuters on Friday. “Based on this data, these companies are creating advanced AI systems, effectively turning Indian users into unpaid data providers, while the strategic and economic benefits are reaped elsewhere,” he said. Australia last month became the first country to ban social media for children under 16, blocking access in a move welcomed by many parents and child advocates but criticised by major technology companies and free-speech advocates. France’s National Assembly this week backed legislation to ban children under 15 from social media, while Britain, ...

Simultaneous raids on two jewellery businesses in the DFW Texas cities of Irving and Frisco are being described as the culmination of a year-long investigation by the Collin County Sheriff’s Office into a large-scale financial fraud targeting elderly residents. Authorities say the operation is linked to hundreds of victims across Collin County and throughout Texas. According to CBS News Texas, the raids were carried out on Thursday, targeting Tilak Jewellers in Irving and Saima Jewellers in Frisco. CBS News was granted exclusive access to the operation, which involved dozens of law enforcement officers working jointly with federal, state, and local agencies. Investigators with the Collin County Sheriff’s Office said the jewellery stores were suspected of conducting transactions involving gold obtained through fraudulent schemes that preyed on senior citizens. Officials reported that significant quantities of gold and cash were seized from the locations and taken into evidence. An ...

Argentina's government on Thursday declared an emergency in Patagonia, where wildfires have ripped through vast tracts of forest since the start of the Southern Hemisphere summer. The biggest blazes are in southern Chubut province, where at least 45,000 hectares of forest -- an area roughly the size of San Francisco -- have gone up in smoke since mid-January. Hundreds of firefighters are trying to prevent the flames reaching populated areas. President Javier Milei's spokesman Manuel Adorni said a state of emergency would take effect in Chubut, Rio Negro, Neuquen and La Pampa provinces of Patagonia on Friday. The measure is expected to facilitate cooperation between provincial and national firefighters. Los Alerces National Park, a vast reserve of pristine forest and glacial lakes, has been among the worst-affected areas. In the past few days, colder weather and drizzle have provided some respite for firefighters, the deputy director of the federal emergencies agency, Ig...

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he hoped to avoid military action against Iran, which has threatened to strike American bases and aircraft carriers in response to any attack. Trump said he is speaking with Iran and left open the possibility of avoiding a military operation after earlier warning that time was "running out" for Tehran as the United States sends a large naval fleet to the region. When asked if he would have talks with Iran, Trump told reporters: "I have had, and I am planning on it." "We have a group headed out to a place called Iran, and hopefully we won't have to use it," the US president added, while speaking to media at the premiere of a documentary about his wife, Melania. As Brussels and Washington dialled up their rhetoric and Iran issued stark threats this week, UN chief Antonio Guterres has called for nuclear negotiations to "avoid a crisis that could have devastating consequences in the region". An Ir...

India is once again putting international sports and public health at risk by deliberately downplaying the severity of the Nipah virus outbreak. Officially, New Delhi claims only two cases in West Bengal since December 2025, yet independent reports confirm five hospital-linked infections in Kolkata, involving healthcare workers exposed in nosocomial clusters. With a fatality rate of 40–75%, Nipah is far more dangerous than Indian authorities admit. The truth is being concealed to maintain an illusion of control ahead of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which lists Kolkata’s Eden Gardens among host venues. This exposes players, officials, and fans to unnecessary risk, especially as India has a history of poor hygiene and unsafe conditions at international sporting events. The 2026 India Open Super 750 badminton tournament highlighted this neglect: foreign athletes complained of filthy training halls, bird droppings, stray animals, extreme cold, and toxic air, with some players wi...

Saudi Arabia has assured Iran that it will not allow its airspace to be used against Iran in any way.Iranian President Masoud Peshkian spoke to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the phone. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman assured the Iranian president that Saudi Arabia will not allow its airspace or territory to be used against Iran. In a telephone conversation, President Masoud Peshkian told Mohammed bin Salman that US threats against Iran will lead to instability in the region. Tehran welcomes any action that prevents war within the framework of international law. The Saudi crown prince reiterated his respect for Iran’s sovereignty and called for resolving all disputes through dialogue. Mohammed bin Salman said that Riyadh rejects any kind of aggression or tension against Iran and is ready to cooperate with Iran for regional security.

US President Donald Trump made it clear that a fleet is moving towards Iran, hopefully Iran will make a deal with us. The US President, while addressing a ceremony in Iowa, said that Iran's nuclear capability was destroyed in June, no civilians were killed in the military operation in Iran, hopefully Iran will make a deal with us. The US President also announced the start of the campaign for the mid-term elections during his address to the ceremony. Trump said that he is starting the campaign for the mid-term elections from today, he claimed that he will win the mid-term elections easily, and also said that if he loses the elections, America will lose a lot. The US President said that a year ago there was a historic recession in America, today the American economy is stabilizing, inflation is low, America is a safe country for investors today, the volume of investment has reached 18 trillion dollars in one year. Trump said that the borders have been completely closed to illega...

The Chinese hybrid SUV car Jaco J5 was launched in the Pakistani market by Nishat Motors, owned by Mansha Group, but its low price compared to other SUVs in this segment in the market has surprised everyone. At first glance, the Jaco J5 looks like one of the many vehicles that have been launched in the Pakistani market since 2019. Nishat Group has launched two variants of the J5. The first is the comfort variant with fewer features, which is priced at Rs 6.699 million, and the second is the premium version, which is priced at Rs 7.699 million. At this price, the Jaco J5 is the cheapest option available in the market for a hybrid electric SUV. The J5 is a B-segment SUV, which means it is a mid-size SUV. However, according to Sunil Manj of PakWheels, the Jaco J5 is designed to be slightly larger than most B-segment SUVs. However, several questions have arisen after the launch of the J5. One is how Nishat Motors is able to sell vehicles at a lower price than its competitors? And th...

Often, the problem arises in the houses that the burnt cloth or black mail freezes on the bottom of the iron, due to which not only the clothes are burnt but the iron also starts to feel sticky and useless. A moment's carelessness can damage expensive and favorite shirts or expensive clothes. Most people in such a case either think of buying a new iron or plan to go to the mechanic, but the problem is not as big as it is supposed to be. The fact is that some common items in your kitchen can make burnt and damaged irons smooth and shiny again, even at no extra expense. If the jammy mail on the bottom of the iron is cleaned in time, not only can the clothes prevent burning but also the age of the ironing. That's why we have brought you simple and tried and tested methods, which bring the iron back to a new state in a few minutes. 5 effective home remedies to clean burnt iron 1. Powerful paste of lemon and baking soda Take 3 to 4 spoons of baking soda in a bowl and add a li...

Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghaddam expressed his gratitude to Pakistan for voting against the anti-Iran resolution in the Human Rights Council. Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghaddam said in a statement that Pakistan took a principled stand in favor of Iran by voting against the anti-Iran resolution in the UN Human Rights Council The Iranian ambassador praised Pakistan's principled role under the leadership of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar The Iranian ambassador said that Pakistan took a bold step by demanding voting on an unfair resolution against Iran.؎ According to the Iranian ambassador, the 12-day aggression, foreign-backed riots and attempts to misuse international organizations failed and political and unjustified actions against Iran faced a third consecutive failure. Raza Amiri Moghaddam said that Pakistan's support is a reflection of its commitment to justice, human rights, multilateral system and nat...

The French navy intercepted a sanctioned Russian tanker in the Mediterranean on Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron said on X. "This operation was carried out ... with the support of several of our allies. It was conducted in full compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea," he said. The vessel was subject to international sanctions and suspected of operating under a false flag, he said. "The activities of the shadow fleet contribute to financing (Russia's) war of aggression against Ukraine," Macron added on X.

The Great Train Robbery was a planned robbery in which a group of 15 criminals managed to stop a Royal Mail train traveling from Glasgow to London and escaped with a huge amount of money. The train was carrying cash and valuables, with a total estimated value of 2.6 million pounds. Planning and preparation: The gang spent months planning the robbery. They had inside knowledge of Royal Mail operations and knew which route the train would take. They learned that the train would be carrying a large amount of cash on a specific date. Signalman: The robbers stopped the train near a place called Cheddington, Buckinghamshire. One member of the gang was working at the signal box, where he misled the train crew by changing the signal, diverting the train onto a deserted track where the robbers were waiting. Train Hijacking: The robbers quickly boarded the train, overpowering the crew. They used a combination of force and intimidation. There was little resistance from the crew as the cri...

US President Donald Trump, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davis, claimed that he has ended eight wars since returning to power. President Trump said that due to America’s recent foreign policy, global tensions have significantly decreased. Talking about Iran, President Trump praised the US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities in June last year and claimed that as a result of these attacks, Iran’s nuclear capability was completely destroyed. According to him, Iran is now willing to negotiate and is showing its willingness to talk to the US. President Trump, referring to the US operations against ISIS in Syria, said that positive progress is being made in the region and the security threats facing Europe, the US and the Middle East have significantly decreased. He said that a year ago, the world was in a serious crisis, but now the situation is relatively better and more stable. On this occasion, President Trump officially announced the establishment of his proposed global...

Britain's upper house of parliament voted Wednesday in favour of banning under‑16s from using social media, raising pressure on the government to match a similar ban passed in Australia. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday he was not ruling out any options and pledged action to protect children, but his government wants to wait for the results of a consultation due this summer before legislating. Calls have risen across the opposition and within the governing Labour party for the UK to follow Australia, where under‑16s have been barred from social media applications since December 10. The amendment from opposition Conservative lawmaker John Nash passed with 261 votes to 150 in the House of Lords, co‑sponsored by a Labour and a Liberal Democrat peer. "Tonight, peers put our children's future first," Nash said. "This vote begins the process of stopping the catastrophic harm that social media is inflicting on a generation." Before the vote, Downing S...

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday ruled out the use of force in his bid to control Greenland, but said in a speech in Davos that no other country can secure the Danish territory. "People thought I would use force, but I don't have to use force," Trump said at the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Switzerland. "I don't want to use force. I won't use force." Trump made the comments in a closely-watched economic speech that has been overshadowed by fraying transatlantic ties and tensions with Europe over his push to acquire Greenland. He downplayed the issue as a "small ask" over a "piece of ice" and that an acquisition would be no threat to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) alliance that includes Denmark and the United States. "No nation or group of nations is in any position to be able to secure Greenland other than the United States," Trump said, adding: "I'm seeking immediate negotiation...

US President Donald Trump has claimed that NATO would not have survived without his support, asserting that the military alliance would have been reduced to “ashes” had he not intervened. Speaking to the media at the White House on Tuesday, Trump stated that NATO’s continued existence was largely due to his efforts. “If I had not supported it, NATO would not exist today. It’s unfortunate, but it’s the truth,” he remarked. The US president further stated that no individual or American president had done more for NATO than he had, reiterating his long-standing position that his administration pushed alliance members to increase defense spending and take greater responsibility for collective security. Trump’s comments come amid ongoing debates over the future of NATO and the role of the United States within the alliance. His remarks once again underscore his belief that American leadership under his presidency played a decisive role in strengthening and sustaining the transatlantic...

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday said Europe would not give in to bullies or be intimidated, in a scathing criticism of US President Donald Trump's threat to impose steep tariffs if Europe does not let him take over Greenland. While other European leaders have tried to keep a measured tone to prevent the trans-Atlantic dispute from escalating, Macron came out swinging. France and Europe, will not "passively accept the law of the strongest," Macron said at the World Economic Forum in Davos, adding that doing otherwise would lead to their "vassalisation". Instead, he said, Europe will continue to stand up for territorial sovereignty and the rule of law, despite what he called a shift towards a world without rules. That could include the EU responding with its own steep trade sanctions. No to bullies "We do prefer respect to bullies," Macron said. "And we do prefer rule of law to brutality." Macron wore aviator sunglasses duri...

Before DeepSeek shook up the tech world and put Chinese artificial intelligence on the map, Wu Chenglin's own startup had nearly folded three times -- but in the past year it has raised $30 million. The January 2025 release of a low-cost generative AI model from DeepSeek that performed at a similar level to ChatGPT and other top American chatbots upended assumptions of US dominance in the sensitive sector. The breakthrough has galvanised China's AI scene, despite hurdles posed by rivalry with the United States, and fears of a global market bubble. "It gave a lot of people confidence" that China's AI community previously lacked, Wu told AFP. His venture DeepWisdom, whose flagship product is a platform for AI-powered software development, had struggled to stay afloat despite its popularity among programmers. But as excitement around DeepSeek fuelled a boom in spending, Wu raised 220 million yuan in two funding rounds. Meanwhile, Shi Yaqiong and her team at B...

Apple is preparing to release its next iPhone software update, iOS 26.3, with public rollout expected by late January or early February. The update is currently in late-stage beta testing, with the second developer beta released on January 12 and public beta 2 following on January 13. Apple’s mid-cycle ‘.3’ releases typically arrive around this time, continuing the company’s regular update schedule after iOS 26. iOS 26.3 is not expected to bring major visual changes but will include feature refinements, platform compliance updates, and under-the-hood improvements. One notable addition in beta builds is support for end-to-end encryption in RCS messaging, enhancing privacy for iPhone-to-Android communication. The update also appears to lay the groundwork for EU-mandated changes, including adjustments to device switching and notifications on third-party hardware. Even incremental updates like iOS 26.3 are critical for security, with Apple regularly urging users to install updates ...

Tajikistan officials on Sunday said they "neutralised" four "terrorists" who crossed over from neighbouring Afghanistan in an area where deadly incidents have been on the rise in recent weeks, state media reported. Tajikistan, in Central Asia, shares a mountainous border with Afghanistan and has had tense relations with the Afghan Taliban regime. According to Tajik security services cited by the state-owned Khovar news agency, "four terrorists were neutralised" after they refused to put down arms in the southern Khatlon region. Tajik authorities have reported at least five deadly incidents on the mountainous border, which is some 1,350 kilometres (840 miles) long, since November. An AFP count using official data found that 16 people have been killed in total. These include Tajik border guards, Chinese workers and what Dushanbe calls "smugglers" and "terrorists". After attacks on Chinese nationals in November, Tajik authorities u...

In preparation for dealing with threats at sea, the British Navy has introduced a new unmanned helicopter. The unmanned helicopter has successfully completed its first test flight. The British Royal Navy has named the autonomous helicopter “Proteus”. According to the British Royal Navy, the “Proteus” helicopter is designed for maritime patrol and monitoring underwater targets, and its development cost has been $80 million. According to the British Royal Navy, the helicopter has been developed by defense and aerospace technology company Leonardo.

US President Donald Trump purchased about $100 million in municipal and corporate bonds from mid-November to late December, his latest disclosures showed, including up to $2 million in Netflix and Warner Bros Discovery bonds just weeks after the companies announced their merger. Financial disclosures posted on Thursday and Friday showed the majority of Trump’s purchases were municipal bonds from cities, local school districts, utilities and hospitals. But he also bought bonds from companies including Boeing, Occidental Petroleum and General Motors. The investments were the latest reported assets added to Trump’s expanding portfolio while he is in office. It includes holdings in sectors that benefit from his policies, raising questions about conflicts of interest. For example, Trump said in December that he would have a say in whether Netflix can proceed with its proposed $83 billion acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery, which faces a rival bid from Paramount Skydance. Any deal ...

OpenAI announced Friday it will begin testing advertisements on ChatGPT in the coming weeks, as the wildly popular artificial intelligence chatbot seeks to increase revenue to cover its soaring costs. The ads will initially appear in the United States for free and lower-tier subscribers, the company said in a blog post outlining its long-anticipated move. Premium Pro and Enterprise subscribers will remain ad-free. The integration of advertising has been a key question for generative AI chatbots, with companies largely reluctant to interrupt the user experience with ads. But the exorbitant costs of running AI services may have forced OpenAI's hand. Only a small percentage of its nearly one billion users pay for subscription services, putting pressure on the company to find new revenue sources. Since ChatGPT's launch in 2022, OpenAI's valuation has soared to $500 billion in funding rounds -- higher than any other private company. Some expect it could go public with a...

US President Donald Trump has reiterated his claim of having stopped a war between Pakistan and India, while also saying that Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked him for saving at least 10 million lives. He made the remarks at the renaming of Southern Boulevard to Donald J Trump Boulevard in Washington on Friday. "In a year, we made eight peace deals and ended the conflict in Gaza. We have peace in the Middle East...We stopped India and Pakistan from fighting, two nuclear nations...The Pakistani Prime Minister said Donald Trump saved at least 10 million people, and it was amazing," he said. The US president further recalled that the Pakistani prime minister’s remarks were an honour for him. Trump cited his administration’s foreign policy record and repeated assertions of brokering peace between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Trump has made similar claims multiple times since May 10 last year, arguing that US pressure helped defuse tensions between India a...

A South Korean court on Friday sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to five years in prison on charges that included obstructing attempts by authorities to arrest him following his failed bid to impose martial law in December 2024. The Seoul Central District Court found Yoon guilty of mobilising the presidential security service to block authorities from executing an arrest warrant that had been legally issued by a court to investigate him for his martial law declaration. In televised proceedings, he was also found guilty of charges that included fabricating official documents and failing to comply with the legal process required for martial law. The ruling is the first related to the criminal charges Yoon faces over his botched martial law declaration. “The defendant abused his enormous influence as president to prevent the execution of legitimate warrants through officials from the Security Service, which effectively privatised officials … loyal to the Republic of Korea for...

India has shut down a medical college in Indian-administered Kashmir following sustained protests by right-wing Hindu groups against the admission of a large number of Muslim students, raising serious concerns about religious discrimination and political interference in education. On January 6, the National Medical Commission (NMC), India’s federal regulator for medical education, revoked the recognition of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical Institute (SMVDMI), located in Reasi district, a mountainous area overlooking the Pir Panjal range that separates the Jammu plains from the Kashmir Valley. The decision came weeks after protests erupted over the religious composition of the college’s first-ever MBBS batch, launched in November. Of the 50 students admitted, 42 were Muslims, most of them residents of Kashmir, while seven were Hindus and one was a Sikh. The college, founded by a Hindu religious charity and partly funded by the government, had launched its first five-year Bachelo...

President Donald Trump signed an order Wednesday imposing tariffs on imports of certain semiconductors, a necessary step in the White House's decision to allow Nvidia to sell advanced AI chips to China. The 25-percent tariff, effective Thursday, applies to chips that are "transshipped through the United States to other foreign countries," White House staff secretary Will Scharf said at an event. This covers technology like the Nvidia H200 chip and AMD's MI325X, a government fact sheet added. Trump said last month that he reached an agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping to allow US chip giant Nvidia to export the H200s into China, with the US government getting a 25-percent cut of sales. The deal was confirmed by the US Commerce Department on Tuesday. The change will permit Nvidia to sell its powerful H200 chip to Chinese buyers if certain conditions are met -- including proof of "sufficient" US supply -- while sales of its most advanced processo...

The US Commerce Department on Tuesday opened the door for Nvidia to sell advanced artificial intelligence chips in China with restrictions, following through on a policy shift announced last month by President Donald Trump. The change would permit Nvidia to sell its powerful H200 chip to Chinese buyers if certain conditions are met -- including proof of "sufficient" US supply -- while sales of its most advanced processors would still be blocked. However, uncertainty has grown over how much demand there will be from Chinese companies, as Beijing has reportedly been encouraging tech companies to use homegrown chips. Chinese officials have informed some tech companies they would only approve buying H200 chips under special circumstances, such as development labs or university research, news website The Information reported on Tuesday, citing people with knowledge of the situation. The Information had previously reported that Chinese officials were calling on companies ther...

US President Donald Trump urged Iranians on Tuesday to keep protesting and said help was on the way, without giving details, as Iran's government tackled the biggest demonstrations in years. "Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING - TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!... HELP IS ON ITS WAY," Trump said in a post on Truth Social, adding he had canceled all meetings with Iranian officials until the "senseless killing" of protesters stopped.  The unrest, sparked by dire economic conditions, has posed the biggest internal challenge to Iran's rulers for at least three years and has come at a time of intensifying international pressure after Israeli and US strikes last year. Tehran has accused the US president of encouraging political destabilisation, inciting violence, and threatening the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national security, Iran's UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani wrote to the UN Security Council. "The United States and the Is...

Apple will use Google’s Gemini models for its revamped Siri coming later this year under a ‌multi-year deal that deepens the tech giants’ alliance in the artificial intelligence era and bolsters Alphabet’s position in the race against OpenAI. The deal announced on Monday marks a major vote of confidence for Google. Its technology already drives much of Samsung’s “Galaxy AI,” but the Siri deal unlocks a large market with Apple’s installed base of more than two billion active devices. “After careful evaluation, Apple determined Google’s AI technology provides ‌the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models,” Google said, adding that its models will also ​power other future Apple Intelligence features. Alphabet has been jostling with OpenAI for the Apple deal, the financial details of which were not disclosed. The iPhone maker had in late 2024 rolled out ChatGPT into its devices, allowing the company’s Siri voice assistant to tap ‍into the chatbot’s expertise to answer com...

A reported data leak has raised concerns over the security of Instagram accounts after cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes claimed that personal information linked to 17.5 million users may be circulating on the dark web. According to Malwarebytes, the exposed data allegedly includes usernames, email addresses, phone numbers and physical addresses. The firm said it identified the data during routine dark web monitoring and warned that it could be misused, particularly through Instagram’s password reset system. The claims surfaced after numerous Instagram users reported receiving unexpected password reset emails in recent weeks, prompting fears of a breach. Meta, Instagram’s parent company, has denied that its systems were compromised. In a statement, Meta said the activity involved an external entity sending password reset requests and did not amount to unauthorised access or a data breach. The company maintained that user accounts remain secure. Despite the denial, users took to ...

The situation in Iran is "under total control" after violence linked to protests spiked over the weekend, the country's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Monday via English translation. "We are ready for war but also for dialogue," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Monday in a briefing to foreign ambassadors in Tehran via English translation. He added that Trump's warning against Tehran of action should protests turn bloody had motivated "terrorists" to target protesters and security forces in order to invite foreign intervention. FM Araqchi's response came after Trump said that he was considering potential military action against Iran, amid mounting mass anti-government protests in the country. "They're starting to, it looks like," Trump said, when asked by reporters aboard Air Force One if Iran had crossed his previously stated red line of protesters being killed. "We're looking at it very serio...

Relations between India and Bangladesh have deteriorated amid political upheaval in Dhaka and approaching elections in both countries, with tensions affecting diplomacy, trade, and sports. The strain intensified after the 2024 removal of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who had maintained close relations with New Delhi during her 15-year tenure. Ms. Hasina was ousted following mass protests over alleged human rights abuses and later fled to India. Bangladesh’s interim government and protest leaders have criticized India for refusing to extradite her to face legal proceedings at home. India has raised objections to what it describes as hostile political statements in Bangladesh and incidents of violence against the country’s Hindu minority. Last month, New Delhi suspended visa operations in the Bangladeshi city of Chattogram after protests targeted its diplomatic mission. Bangladesh responded by pausing visa services for Indian citizens following demonstrations o...