Despite significant strides in routine childhood immunization over the past four decades, Pakistan remains among the eight countries that account for over half of the world’s “zero-dose” children – those who receive no vaccinations during their first year of life. A landmark global study published by The Lancet on Tuesday reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic reversed years of steady progress, pushing millions of children globally, and thousands in Pakistan, into vaccine deprivation. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2023, which analyzed trends from 1980 to 2023 and projected coverage to 2030, found that while the number of zero-dose children…
Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
Pakistan’s National Assembly on Thursday approved the federal budget for the fiscal year 2025-26, along with certain amendments to the Finance Bill, despite strong protests from opposition parties. The budget, with a total outlay of Rs17.57 trillion, was initially unveiled by the federal government two weeks prior. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb presented the finance bill in the lower house, where it received backing from the ruling coalition, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). The finance bill was approved by a majority vote following a clause-by-clause reading and the adoption of amendments through the voting process. All amendments proposed by opposition…
Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos and his fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, have officially begun their opulent three-day wedding celebration in Venice, with VIPs zipping through the city by speedboat on Thursday. Simultaneously, protesters demonstrated in St Mark’s Square. Among the high-profile guests, US reality TV personalities Kim and Khloe Kardashian were photographed boarding water taxis in stilettos, followed by US talk show host Oprah Winfrey in an all-white ensemble, including comfortable trainers. Tech magnate Bezos, 61, and Sanchez, 55, have reportedly invited approximately 200 guests to their multi-million dollar nuptials. The festivities are expected to commence with an open-air soiree in the…
Despite ongoing claims by Pakistani officials that the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is in contact with the International Hockey Federation (FIH) regarding participation in the FIH Pro League, an FIH official has explicitly stated that no formal invitation has been extended to any team to replace New Zealand at this stage. On Thursday, the PHF secretary addressed the media alongside Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) officials, discussing the possibility of Pakistan’s participation in the Pro League and the required funding. He maintained that the PHF is in communication with the FIH on this matter. However, Geo News received a direct communication…
An American Airlines flight en route to Charlotte was forced to make an emergency landing Wednesday morning shortly after takeoff from Harry Reid International Airport. According to eyewitnesses, the aircraft’s left engine emitted smoke and appeared to catch fire. Flight 1665, an Airbus A321 carrying 153 passengers and six crew members, had departed Las Vegas at 8:11 AM local time when the incident occurred. The pilot promptly turned the plane around and landed safely back at the airport, as reported by the New York Daily News. “The aircraft taxied to the gate under its own power and customers deplaned normally,”…
Global carbon dioxide emissions from the energy sector reached a record high for the fourth consecutive year last year, according to the Energy Institute’s annual statistical review of world energy released on Thursday. This occurred as fossil fuel use continued to climb, even while renewable energy also achieved a record high in deployment. Why It Matters: The report’s findings underscore the immense challenge of transitioning the global economy away from fossil fuels. This effort is further complicated by ongoing geopolitical events, such as the conflict in Ukraine, which has reshaped global oil and gas flows from Russia, and the fighting…
India on Thursday, as reported by local media, refused to sign a joint document during a high-level Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting held in China. The refusal stemmed from the document’s mention of terrorist activities in Pakistan’s Balochistan and the lack of reference to the Pahalgam incident, which saw several tourists killed in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). According to the Times of India, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao, which brought together ministers from 10 member states, including Russia, China, India, and Pakistan. The huddle ultimately decided not to issue…
A one-and-a-half-year-old Iranian boy is currently fighting for his life in a coma after a tourist violently assaulted him at a Moscow-area airport. The incident, captured on video and widely circulated on social media, has sparked shock and outrage across the globe. The toddler sustained severe skull fractures and spinal injuries when a man picked him up and slammed him to the floor in the arrivals hall. The horrifying incident, captured on surveillance footage later released by Russian news agency Mash, occurred moments after the boy and his mother arrived in Russia. Witnesses described the attacker scanning his surroundings before…
Matcha, the vibrant powdered green tea, has become the new beverage of choice at trendy cafes worldwide. However, Japanese producers are finding it challenging to keep pace with the soaring global demand. Here’s what you need to know about this drink, cherished by both weekend treat-seekers and “wellness” influencers: What Exactly is Matcha? The word matcha means “ground tea” in Japanese. It comes in the form of a vivid green powder that is traditionally whisked with hot water, and it can also be added to milk to create a popular matcha latte. Green tea was first introduced to Japan from…
The highly anticipated multi-day wedding celebrations for Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, have officially commenced in Venice, Italy, drawing a glittering array of influential figures from the worlds of politics, business, and Hollywood. Event Details and Costs: The wedding festivities are expected to span three days, with the main party scheduled for Saturday at the historic Arsenale. The specific date and venue for the actual wedding ceremony remain private, but reports suggest it might take place on the private island of San Giorgio in a private church within its gardens, or aboard Bezos’s yacht, Koru. The…
