Aamir Ibrahim Joins VEON’s Group Executive Committee, Becomes Financial Services Sponsor Across 6 Dynamic Markets:
Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of Jazz and Chairman of Mobilink Microfinance Bank, has joined the Group Executive Committee (GEC) of VEON in addition to his current responsibilities of heading all VEON businesses in Pakistan. His appointment to the GEC will further strengthen VEON’s strategic alignment to its markets and enable Aamir to contribute further to the Group’s ambitious digital services-driven growth plans. VEON, the largest Nasdaq-listed company with its headquarters in Dubai, is a global digital operator providing integrated connectivity and digital services across six countries.
TikTok is Now Just a Few Days Away from a US Ban:
TikTok’s ban deadline in the US is now closer than ever. The ban, effective from Sunday, January 19th, could result in TikTok being completely shut down for U.S. users, escalating the platform’s struggles with US lawmakers. The platform’s troubles in the U.S. date back to 2020, when then-President Trump threatened to ban TikTok unless its operations were sold to a U.S.-based company. Although the deadline for a sale was extended multiple times, the issue resurfaced in 2023 when TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, was taken to court.
Nothing to Raise $100 Million in Series C Funding:
The London-based tech startup Nothing, renowned for its transparent phone designs and minimalist aesthetic, is reportedly seeking to raise $100 million in a new Series C funding round, according to Media. This comes long after the company successfully secured a similar amount in 2023.With this funding, Nothing aims to strengthen its position in the global market and further its expansion plans.Since its inception, Nothing, co-founded by Carl Pei, a former co-founder of OnePlus, has quickly gained a reputation for innovation. The company’s smartphones, earbuds, and smartwatches have been well-received worldwide. India remains its largest smartphone market, followed by Germany and the UK. Meanwhile, in the audio segment, the US leads as its top market, with the UK, Germany, and Japan trailing.
Here is What the Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim Will Look Like:
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 family is expanding this year with the addition of the Galaxy S25 Slim, joining the vanilla, Plus, and Ultra models. Leaked renders of the S25 Slim have surfaced, giving us a glimpse of its incredibly thin design in detail. The Galaxy S25 Slim reportedly measures 159 x 76 x 6.4 mm, making it nearly as large as the Galaxy S24+ and the upcoming S25+ in footprint, but far thinner. By comparison, the Galaxy S24+ is 7.7 mm thick, meaning the Slim shaves off significant bulk while maintaining a large 6.7-inch to 6.8-inch screen. At its camera bump, the device is 8.3 mm thick, just slightly thicker than the expected depth of the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s camera bump.
iPhone 17 Air and Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim to have a Glaring Problem:
When it comes to creating ultra-slim smartphones, compromises are inevitable. Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Air and Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Slim are some upcoming examples in this case, as both devices are said to prioritize slimness over functionality in certain areas according to a new report.While the iPhone 17 Air has already raised eyebrows with its rumored single rear camera, the latest concern revolves around battery capacity, which might be surprisingly low for both models.According to Digital Chat Station on Weibo, both the iPhone 17 Air and Galaxy S25 Slim are expected to feature batteries between 3,000 mAh and 4,000 mAh, far below what most smartphones in their price range offer. In comparison, Chinese mid-range smartphones are pushing boundaries with 7,500 mAh cells, making the much smaller capacities of these premium models seem less justifiable.
Xiaomi TVs Are Officially Launching in Pakistan Soon:
Xiaomi TVs have been on their way to Pakistan for a while already, but the wait is finally over as the company has confirmed the launch on X. Xiaomi Pakistan’s official X handle has announced that Xiaomi TVs are coming soon. Xiaomi is launching these TVs in Pakistan in partnership with Air Link Communication Ltd. These TVs will be locally distributed and manufactured by SELECT’s production facility, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air Link in Pakistan. Hopefully, this means that the TVs in Pakistan will be priced close to their Chinese counterparts without the exorbitant tax and import rates.
Internet Slowdown Still Persists After Installation of World’s Largest Undersea Cable in Pakistan:
Internet users across various cities in Pakistan continue to face slow connectivity, particularly during peak hours since two weeks after a fault was detected in the submarine cable AAA-1 near Qatar. Social media apps and web browsing remain sluggish for some users, prompting concerns over service reliability. A spokesperson for Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) said internet traffic has been diverted to an alternative route to mitigate disruptions. The spokesperson said extra bandwidth has been arranged to maintain normal internet operations. The spokesperson assured that internet services are functioning normally overall, though some delays may occur during high traffic periods.
NADRA’s Website Will Be Taken Down Tomorrow:
The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has decided to shut down its website and shift all services to a mobile app. NADRA’s website will officially be taken offline on January 17. In a statement, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced that NADRA’s Pak-ID website will be discontinued, and all services will now be provided through the mobile app. He explained that fraudulent individuals were using fake websites to assist in creating forged identity documents. These scammers were also attempting to misuse citizens’ personal information. The Interior Minister further stated that citizens, especially overseas Pakistanis, faced difficulties using the website. Uploading scanned fingerprints and required documents was often a challenging process.
Unlock Your Future with a UK Education: The Gateway to Global Success:
A UK education is more than just earning a degree—it’s a trans-formative journey that equips students with the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to thrive in an interconnected world. Renowned for its academic excellence, career-focused programs, and welcoming student communities, the UK offers everything you need to achieve your goals. UK universities emphasize practical learning and skill development to ensure graduates are ready to meet the demands of the global job market. Courses are designed to foster critical thinking, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities, preparing students to excel in diverse industries. According to the Graduate Labour Market Statistics 2023, 87.7% of UK graduates are employed, highlighting the strong demand for their qualifications worldwide. The Graduate Route allows international students to stay and work in the UK for up to two years (three years for PhD graduates), gaining valuable work experience and enhancing their employ ability.
Air Link Communication Ltd. Launched Xiaomi TVs in Pakistan, Manufactured by It’s Wholly Owned Subsidiary Select Technologies (Pvt) Ltd.:
Air Link Communication Ltd. is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary, Select Technologies (Pvt) Ltd. has officially launched Xiaomi TVs in Pakistan.The launch event took place at the Lahore Expo Center, marking a significant development in the country’s consumer electronics sector. Xiaomi’s full range of innovative and high-performance televisions are being locally distributed & manufactured by SELECT at its state-of-the-art production facility. These products are known globally for their cutting-edge technology, sleek design, and superior functionality. The range includes three distinct series:Mini Series: Featuring QLED technology for vivid colors and sharp images. Max Series: Offering 4K QLED displays for an unparalleled viewing experience. A PRO Series: Designed with 4K Full HD resolution for exceptional clarity.
Nayatel Notifies Customers of Slow Internet Via Email:
Adding to the growing frustration of internet users across Pakistan, local Internet Service Provider (ISP) Nayatel has confirmed that its customers are experiencing slow internet speeds.This confirmation comes via an email to customers, acknowledging the ongoing issues and attributing them to problems with their upstream links. The email, seen by Nayatel subscribers today,stated: “You might be facing intermittent degradation on internet services due to an issue at upstream links. Our teams are already looking into it for earliest resolution. We are sorry for the trouble.” This news from Nayatel arrives amidst widespread reports of internet degradation affecting various ISPs in Pakistan. Notably, PTCL, the country’s largest internet service provider, has also been facing complaints of sluggish speeds, indicating a broader national issue.
World’s Largest Submarine Cable Has Arrived in Pakistan:
The world’s largest submarine cable, the Africa-2 Cable Project, has arrived in Pakistan. Minister of State for IT Shaza Fatima shared this development in the National Assembly on Monday while addressing concerns raised by lawmakers over the country’s internet issues. Senator Mohammad Aslam Abro criticized the government for failing to fix technical internet problems despite global advancements. He suggested referring the matter of frequent internet disruptions to a parliamentary committee. Responding to the criticism, Shaza Fatima explained that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has doubled its frequency capacity over the last two years. She added that IT exports had increased by 33 percent in the past five months, while internet users had grown by 25 percent.
Apple halts AI news alerts after errors:
Apple has suspended a new artificial intelligence (AI) feature that drew criticism and complaints for making repeated mistakes in its summaries of news headlines. The tech giant had been facing mounting pressure to withdraw the service, which sent notifications that appeared to come from within news organisations’ apps. “We are working on improvements and will make them available in a future software update,” an Apple spokesperson said. The BBC was among the groups to complain, after an alert generated by Apple’s AI falsely told some readers that Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, had shot himself.
Celebs requesting cakes by London Tik Tok baker:
An amateur baker from north west London says the sudden online popularity of his cakes has prompted celebrities to start requesting their own faces in sponge and icing. Keith Scovell said the interest in his unique bakes had taken off since the Media The Traitors’ host Claudia Winkleman shared a photo of his cake of her on her Instagram page.
The HR consultant said he was now taking some time away from work to enjoy the flurry of demand and said his smile had become similar to those on his cakes.
‘Looking for my spy’: The jokes Americans and Chinese are sharing on ‘alternative TikTok’:
A looming TikTok ban has connected Chinese and American citizens like never before, as they swap jokes and memes in what one user described as a “historic moment”. It’s all unfolding on a popular Chinese social media app called RedNote, or Xiaohongshu (literally translates as Little Red Book), which doesn’t have the usual internet firewall that separates China from the rest of the world. It has been drawing self-professed US “TikTok refugees” seeking a new home on the internet – despite the fact that their own government is seeking a TikTok ban because of national security concerns. Americans now find themselves in direct contact with 300 million Mandarin speakers in China and elsewhere – while in the real world, Beijing is bracing for a tumultuous Trump presidency that could strain its fragile ties with Washington.
How AI can spot diseases that doctors aren’t looking for:
This is the sixth feature in a six-part series that is looking at how AI is changing medical research and treatments. When 58-year-old Will Studholme ended up in accident and emergency at an NHS hospital in Oxford in 2023 with gastrointestinal symptoms, he wasn’t expecting a diagnosis of osteoporosis. The disease, strongly associated with age, causes bones to become weak and fragile, increasing the risk of fracture.
It turned out that Mr Studholme had a severe case of food poisoning, but early in his ailment’s investigation, he received an abdominal CT scan.
Trump will ‘put measures in place’ to stop TikTok ban, top adviser says:
US President-elect Donald Trump will find a way to save TikTok before a ban on the app is due to take effect this weekend, his incoming national security adviser has said, Congressman Mike Waltz, a Florida Republican, said Trump would intervene if the Supreme Court upholds a law that bans the platform in the US unless it is sold by 19 January. In its last week, the Biden administration is also looking for ways to prevent TikTok suddenly disappearing, Media reports. Chinese owner ByteDance has said it plans to shut off the app for its 170 million US users by Sunday. “We will put measures in place to keep TikTok from going dark,” said Waltz on Thursday. He noted that the law allows a 90-day extension for ByteDance if significant progress has been made towards a sale.
‘Keeley needed love and support – she was exploited for TikTok likes’:
The head of a homelessness charity has accused social media users of “exploiting” a vulnerable woman for entertainment before her death. Known online as “Sheffield Keeley”, she had become well-known for dancing and singing in TikTok videos filmed by members of the public before her death aged 34 this week. Tim Renshaw, chief executive of the South Yorkshire city’s Archer Project, said of the videos seen millions of times: “Just for likes, that’s what it comes down to. They exploited her just for likes.” “She was given money to be on social media, to swim in fountains in the middle of winter or dance in an inebriated state like a performing clown,” he added.
Nintendo finally reveals new console after weeks of leaks:
Nintendo has unveiled its next console after weeks of rumours and leaks about the machine. Purported images and details of the successor to the Switch – one of the best-selling games consoles of all time – have been increasingly appearing online since the start of the year. The Japanese video gaming giant finally broke its silence with a short video showing off the new console that confirmed some, but not all, of the unofficial information. As predicted, the new machine will be named Switch 2 and closely resemble its predecessor, with similar, detachable controllers but boasting a larger screen.
BT scraps EV charging point scheme having only installed one:
BT has abandoned its scheme to turn green street cabinets into electric vehicle (EV) charging points having completed only one of the 60,000 conversions it initially said it was aiming for. The metal cases, seen on streets around the UK, are usually used for phone and broadband cables. When it announced the project in January 2024, BT said repurposing the cabinets was a “unique opportunity” to address a “key barrier” to people switching away from petrol and diesel cars. However, the scheme has now been scrapped with the firm saying it will be focusing on “the Wi-Fi connectivity challenge surrounding EV’s” instead.
What happens if TikTok is banned?:
TikTok will be banned in the US on 19 January – unless the Supreme Court accepts a last ditch legal bid from its Chinese owner, ByteDance, that to do so would be unconstitutional. But even if the country’s highest judicial authority agrees with the lower courts – and Congress – that the platform is a threat to national security will that actually stop Americans using it? Will there be ways to bypass the ban – or could president-elect Donald Trump find a way to stop a law he says he is opposed to, even if the courts uphold it? TikTok boss Shou Zi Chew will certainly hope so – the BBC’s US partner CBS is reporting he will attend Trump’s inauguration alongside former presidents and family members on 20 January.
Google faces UK investigation over search dominance:
The UK’s competition watchdog has launched an investigation into whether Google has too much power in online search. Google accounts for 90% of UK web searches – the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is looking at whether it is using that dominant position to harm competition or choice for users. It is its first investigation after gaining new powers to investigate and enforce changes at firms it determines to have “strategic market status” in digital markets. The CMA says it wants to ensure the tech giant is “delivering good outcomes for people and businesses” and that there is a “level playing field” for rivals. Google says it will cooperate with the investigation but has warned against what it calls “overly prescriptive digital competition rules.” In a statement Google said: “We will continue to engage constructively with the CMA to ensure that new rules benefit all types of websites, and still allow people in the UK to benefit from helpful and cutting edge services.”
GPs turn to AI to help with patient workload:
This is the fifth feature in a six-part series that is looking at how AI is changing medical research and treatments. The difficulty of getting an appointment with a GP is a familiar gripe in the UK. Even when an appointment is secured, the rising workload faced by doctors means those meetings can be shorter than either the doctor or patient would like. But Dr Deepali Misra-Sharp, a GP partner in Birmingham, has found that AI has alleviated a chunk of the administration from her job, meaning she can focus more on patients. Dr Mirsa-Sharp started using Heidi Health, a free AI-assisted medical transcription tool that listens and transcribes patient appointments, about four months ago and says it has made a big difference.
What are the challenges facing the government’s AI action plan?:
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has unveiled plans for the development of the UK’s artificial intelligence (AI) industry, vowing to make Britain “one of the great AI superpowers”. A raft of proposals include new AI “growth zones”, where the construction of key infrastructure such as data centres will be prioritised, and the development of a new supercomputer to boost the UK’s computing power. But experts have highlighted serious challenges for the government, including the huge amounts of funding AI infrastructure projects and tricky questions about data security.
Molly Russell’s dad warns UK ‘going backwards’ on online safety and urges PM to act:
The father of Molly Russell, the teenager who took her own life after seeing harmful content online, has personally appealed to the prime minister to tighten rules that protect children and has warned the UK is “going backwards” on internet safety. Ian Russell, who backed the previous government bringing in new requirements for tech firms in the Online Safety Act, calls the way the regulator Ofcom is implementing the rules a “disaster”. In a letter to Sir Keir Starmer on Saturday, seen by the Media, Mr Russell says there is “widespread dismay” among bereaved families who have fought for tougher protections, and that more young people have lost their lives because of “dither and delay”. And he warns that without tougher actions, “the streams of life-sucking content seen by children will soon become torrents: a digital disaster driven by the actions of tech firms, and being left unchallenged by a failing regulatory model”.
US top court leans towards TikTok ban over security concerns:
The Supreme Court appears poised to uphold a law that bans TikTok in the US over national security concerns unless its China-based parent company sells the platform ahead of a 19 January deadline. The Court’s nine justices heard from lawyers representing TikTok, and content creators that the ban would be a violation of free speech protections for the platform’s more than 170 million users in the US. The US government argued that without a sale, TikTok could be used by China as a tool for spying and political manipulation. A decision by the top court has to be made within days. President-elect Donald Trump – who returns to the White House in just over a week – now argues against the ban.