IT Minister Unveils Rs. 20 Billion Digital Leap for Inclusive Economy:
Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunications, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, unveiled the government’s pioneering approach to providing targeted subsidies through digital wallets. She shared that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had entrusted various ministries including IT industries and Food Security, with the responsibility of devising out-of-the-box solutions for effective and dignified distribution of the Ramadan Relief Package. This resulted in the launch of a Rs. 20 billion digital payments initiative — a first in Pakistan’s history.”PM Shehbaz Sharif provided us the space and confidence to implement this digital initiative,” she said. The concept of using digital wallets to distribute aid emerged as a more efficient and transparent mechanism, aligning with the PM’s broader vision for national digital transformation. The effort ties directly into the recently passed “Digital Nation Pakistan Bill,” marking a foundational framework for steering the country toward a fully digitized economy.
TikTok Gets Another Ban Extension Ahead of Deadline:
After a 75-day pause, the enforcement of the TikTok ban law was set to end this weekend in the US. However, on Friday, US President Donald Trump stated on Truth Social that an Executive Order would be signed to keep TikTok operational for another 75 days. This week, new taxes on goods entering the United States, including a 34% tariff on products from China, were also announced by Donald Trump. The President previously mentioned the possibility of reducing this tax rate if China agreed to a deal regarding TikTok. Despite the approaching deadline, it was Trump who ultimately chose to extend the delay, preventing the TikTok app from being shut down again.
Microsoft’s Copilot Can Now Do Your Online Tasks for You:
Microsoft has announced upcoming enhancements to its Copilot AI assistant. These changes will equip the software to handle online tasks on behalf of users, similar to AI agents. According to the tech giant, by using straightforward text commands, dubbed “Actions,” Copilot will be able to operate in the background while users focus on other activities. These automated “Actions” will include making reservations at restaurants, securing tickets for events, and even purchasing items for delivery to friends.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE and FE+ Bring Several Upgrades to the Table:
Samsung has officially introduced the Galaxy Tab S10 FE and Tab S10 FE+, bringing notable improvements to its upper mid-range tablet line. With bigger screens, updated internals, and better software support, both models aim to refine the experience for casual and productivity-focused users alike. The Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ now features a larger 13.1-inch LCD panel, offering roughly 12% more screen area than the 12.4-inch display of its predecessor. In comparison, the standard Tab S10 FE retains a 10.9-inch screen but manages to reduce its weight slightly, going from 523g to 497g. Both tablets have been slimmed down to 6.0mm thickness.
1.9 Million Digital Payments Were Made Under Ramadan Relief Package 2025:
A total of 1.9 million digital payments were made under the Ramadan Relief Package 2025, marking a significant step towards Pakistan’s vision of becoming a digital nation. The Ramadan Relief Package this year introduced a digital wallet system for the first time, enabling a streamlined, clear, and accessible process for distributing funds to eligible beneficiaries across Pakistan, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The Prime Minister was briefed in a high-level meeting reviewing the Ramadan Relief Package, where he was informed that 951,191 digital wallets had been utilized to distribute funds in a transparent and efficient manner.
Midjourney Unveils First Image Model in a Year, Soon After ChatGPT Launch:
Midjourney has introduced its latest AI image model, V7, marking the first major update to its image-generation capabilities in nearly a year. The rollout began in alpha on April 4, shortly after OpenAI’s viral image generator debuted within ChatGPT. V7 is Midjourney’s first model to feature personalization enabled by default. To access it, users must first rate approximately 200 images to establish a personal visual profile. Once that step is complete, users can activate V7 on the Midjourney website or via the Midjourney Discord server.
Amazfit Bip 6 Launched with AMOLED Display and 14-Day Battery:
Amazfit has officially introduced the Bip 6, the successor to last year’s Bip 5 smartwatch. The new model brings several improvements, including a larger AMOLED screen, enhanced build quality, Bluetooth calling, and a longer-lasting battery.The Amazfit Bip 6 features a 1.97-inch color AMOLED display with a resolution of 450 x 390 pixels, a pixel density of 302 ppi, and a peak brightness of 2,000 nits. The screen is protected by tempered glass with an anti-fingerprint coating. The watch supports over 400 watch faces, although Always-On Display support hasn’t been confirmed.
TSMC and Intel to Partner for Chip Manufacturing:
Industry sources indicate a potential partnership between semiconductor leaders Intel and TSMC. Reports detail a preliminary agreement that would see the two chip companies form a joint venture. This new entity would manage Intel’s existing chip manufacturing facilities. Specifically, TSMC is expected to acquire a 20% ownership stake in this venture. Rather than a traditional capital investment, the arrangement reportedly involves TSMC providing Intel employees with training and sharing its proprietary chip production techniques.
YouTube Shorts Receives Upgrades Ahead of TikTok Ban Deadline:
YouTube plans to roll out several new features for its Shorts platform this spring, aiming to simplify and enhance the editing process for short-form content creators. The updates come at a time when TikTok faces uncertainty in the US, potentially allowing YouTube to attract more users. One of the major updates is a redesigned video editor that introduces a timeline view. This feature allows creators to cut and rearrange clips, zoom into footage, and overlay text or music—all within the Shorts editor. Creators can preview their work directly from this view by swiping up from the bottom of the editing screen. YouTube says this marks the beginning of broader improvements planned for Shorts editing.
TikTok Has Yet Another Tech Giant Suitor Ahead of Ban Deadline:
As the US government’s deadline for TikTok’s divestment approaches, the platform’s future remains uncertain. With President Trump’s extended deadline expiring on April 5, TikTok faces a renewed threat of being banned in the United States unless its American operations are sold. In a surprising move, Amazon has reportedly made a last-minute offer to acquire TikTok. The company is said to have approached Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick regarding its interest. However, Trump administration officials are reportedly not seriously considering Amazon’s proposal. The company has declined to comment on the matter.
Telcos Unhappy Over Being Ignored By Govt in Electricity Price Relief Package:
Telecom operators have welcomed the government’s recent decision to reduce the electricity tariff for general consumers, but have expressed disappointment over the exclusion of the IT and telecom sectors from the price cut. The reduction of Rs. 7.41 per unit for general consumers has been hailed as a positive development, but telecom operators believe more should have been done for their industry.Kamal Ahmed, the General Secretary of the Telecom Operators Association, voiced his concerns in an exclusive conversation with ProPakistani. He pointed out that while the government has provided relief to various industries, including the poultry sector, no similar relief has been extended to the telecom industry. Despite the telecom sector being granted “industry” status in 2004, it continues to face high operational costs due to the lack of electricity tariff reduction for its core components.
PTA Spent More on Allowances Than Salaries in Last 3 Years:
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has spent more on allowances than salaries for its officers in the past three years, official data reveals. From 2021 to 2024, allowances paid to Grade 17 and above amounted to Rs. 100 million, surpassing their total salaries of Rs. 78 million during the same period. According to details provided to Parliament, in 2021-22, PTA officers received Rs. 22.1 million in salaries, while allowances reached nearly Rs. 29.75 million. The trend continued in 2022-23, with Rs. 25.6 million paid in salaries and Rs. 34.5 million in allowances. The gap widened further in 2023-24, where salaries totaled Rs. 29.5 million, while allowances exceeded Rs. 35.5 million.
Will £75 be the new normal for video games after Switch 2’s Mario Kart?:
Nintendo has been the talk of the gaming world this week after it finally unveiled details of the much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, the sequel to the third-best selling console ever made. Despite excitement over its upcoming launch in June, fan conversations have been dominated by one topic – the price of its games. The console itself is priced similarly to its rivals – Sony’s PlayStation 5 and Microsoft’s Xbox Series X. But the games are a different story: Mario Kart World, which is being launched alongside the Switch 2, comes in at £74.99. “It makes it inaccessible, it’s a lot to drop on one game,” said Chloe Crossan, one of several gamers the Media spoke to at a gaming store in Glasgow.
Transatlantic couple’s marriage banter goes viral:
TikTok videos about the cultural differences between a Lancashire man and his American wife have become a sensation on social media. Alex Morris, from Preston, and his wife Taylor Marin, from Arizona, have seen their light-hearted clips amass millions of views. They said they enjoyed learning about each other’s backgrounds and cultures and having a laugh while they did it. Alex, 38, said he had educated his wife about “the real England” after Taylor admitted she originally thought he was Irish because she had only ever heard “posh Media English”.
Trump extends deadline to keep TikTok running in US:
US President Donald Trump has granted TikTok a second 75-day extension to comply with a law that requires the hugely popular video app to either sell its US operation or face a ban in the country. “We do not want TikTok to ‘go dark’,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “We look forward to working with TikTok and China to close the Deal.” The platform is currently owned by Chinese company ByteDance. Trump’s first extension was granted after he took office in January and was set to expire on Saturday. The social media platform, which says it has more than 170 million users in the US, must close in the US under a law passed by Congress – unless a buyer is found.
Sam Altman’s AI-generated cricket jersey image gets Indians talking:
India is a cricket-crazy nation, and it seems the AI chatbot ChatGPT hasn’t missed that fact. So, when its founder Sam Altman fed it the prompt: “Sam Altman as a cricket player in anime style”, the bot seems to have immediately generated an image of Altman wielding a bat in a bright blue India jersey. Altman shared his anime cricketer avatar on X on Thursday, sending Indian social media users into a tizzy. Though the tech billionaire had shared AI-generated images before – joining last week’s viral Studio Ghibli trend – it was the India jersey that got people talking. While some Indian users said they were delighted to see Altman sporting their team’s colours, many were quick to speculate about his motives behind sharing the image. “Sam trying hard to attract Indian customers,” one user said. “Now awaiting your India announcement. How much are you allocating out of that $40bn to India,” another user asked, alluding to the record funding recently secured by Altman for his firm, OpenAI, which owns ChatGPT.
Meta and Pinterest make secret donation to Molly Russell charity:
Instagram’s owner Meta and Pinterest have made significant donations to a charity set up in the name of 14-year-old Molly Russell, the BBC understands. Molly, from Harrow in northwest London, took her own life in 2017 after being exposed to a stream of suicide and self-harm content on the two platforms. A coroner concluded the negative effects of online material contributed to her death. The donations are thought to have gone to the Molly Rose Foundation, which campaigns for internet safety. Meta and Pinterest declined to comment. Molly’s family said they had decided not to take legal action against the tech companies and would “never accept compensation” over Molly’s death.
Nintendo pulls Switch 2 pre-orders in US over Trump tariffs:
Nintendo says it will no longer open pre-orders for the Switch 2 in the United States next week, following the introduction of steep tariffs on exports from Japan. The firm unveiled the much-anticipated console on Wednesday, the same day US President Donald Trump announced his sweeping new global tariffs. It said then that US pre-orders would open in a matter of days, but it has been now been forced to revise its plans. “Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 in the US will not start April 9 in order to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions,” it said in a statement.
It says it still intends to launch the console on June 5, as originally planned.
Resurrection plants: The drought-resistant ‘zombie plants’ that come back from the dead:
To protect crops from rising droughts, scientists are looking to the genes of a small group of plants that can survive months of drought then regreen within hours. It was as a child growing up in South Africa in the 1970s that Jill Farrant first noticed several plants around her apparently coming back from the dead. These plants, she later learned, can survive six months or more without water. Their leaves turn brown and brittle to the touch but, given water, they will regreen within hours. Within a day, they’ve returned to their former self and can continue to photosynthesise. While such a Lazarus-like ability is common among mosses, ferns and other non-flowering plants, these “resurrection plants” belonged to the angiosperms, or flowering plants, the group that includes every blossoming tree and fruit-bearing, seed-carrying crop. But out of the 352,000 known species of flowering plants only 240 are resurrection plants. Scattered across this branch of the tree of life, they are often unrelated, each having independently evolved the ability to live without water. Primarily found growing on the rocky slopes or gravelly soils of South Africa, Australia and South America, the tactics used for this zombie-like trick are surprisingly similar – almost as if an ancestral toolkit can be retrieved from deep inside their DNA to deal with the problem of drought.
What is live shopping and will it take off?:
After graduating college Kelsey Krakora worked full time in a steakhouse, bartending and serving meals. She had dabbled with selling clothes online, but only part-time. But in 2021 that all changed for Cleveland-based Ms Krakora. She switched to selling clothes on Whatnot and then Poshmark – online marketplaces where people can also use live video to sell items. “My first live show with Poshmark was 27th November 2022. I sold zero things on my first show… but that didn’t last long!” Now she sells around 100 items per show, worth about $1,000 in sales (£773). Her shows are on average three hours long and she does between two and three a week.
I played the £75 Mario Kart World on Switch 2 – was it worth it?:
After months of speculation, Nintendo has confirmed the successor to its wildly popular Switch console will be released on 5 June, when it will cost £395.99 to buy in the UK.
But it’s not so much the price of the Switch 2 but its games that have been raising eyebrows, with the new Mario Kart World that is being released alongside it coming in at a whopping £74.99 for a physical copy. Fans will have to wait weeks before seeing what the new console and game are like – and whether they are worth that sort of money – but here’s what I found when Nintendo gave me a chance to try them both out. When I first got my hands on the Switch 2, one thing became very clear to me – like the name suggests, Nintendo wants you to know this is a direct sequel to the Switch. This isn’t like the jump from the Wii to the confusingly named Wii U, swapping motion controllers for a tablet that looked dated even back when the console released. Instead, the Switch 2 looks and feels just like its predecessor, with buttons in the places you’d expect – and a much larger (and nicer) screen.
‘This is the information age’: How Microsoft founder Bill Gates mapped out the new internet era back in 1993:
Gates and Paul Allen launched computing giant Microsoft 50 years ago. In 1993, he talked to the Media about the online innovations that would define the 21st Century. When the Media first broadcast an interview with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates in June 1993, there were thought to be only 130 websites in total. The Media’s venerable science programme Horizon was investigating the new “Electronic Frontier”, in an era where “information is starting to redefine our world, its geography and its economy”. Gates told the programme: “This is the information age, and the computer is the tool of the information age and software is what will determine how easily we can get at all of that information.” Viewers could send off a cheque for £2 and receive a transcript of the programme in the post. The computer industry had already grown faster than any in history, but the key to future profits was creating something portable and user-friendly. The programme asked: “Do we need endless information, or do they just need to sell it to us?” In a world where a list of almost every website could fit on two sides of a sheet of paper, the world wide web did not even get a mention. However, the ideas explored in the programme are often far ahead of their time.