“Happy to be back in Pakistan,” says Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai arrived in Islamabad on January 11, 2025, to attend the international summit on “Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities.” This marks her third visit to the country. “I’m truly honoured, overwhelmed, and happy to be back in Pakistan,” Malala said upon her arrival at the summit. The education activist, who survived a deadly attack by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in 2012, has returned to her homeland only a handful of times since. The summit gathers representatives from Muslim-majority countries, where millions of girls are…
Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
Recent reports have uncovered alarming details about protein powders. Key Points: Toxic Substances: Studies show that over-the-counter protein powders contain high levels of lead and cadmium, both harmful to humans. Most Affected Types: Plant-based, organic, and chocolate-flavored protein powders are found to have the highest levels of these toxic substances. Lead Risks: The US Environmental Protection Agency states no level of lead is safe for humans. Effects of Cadmium: A known carcinogen, cadmium also harms the heart, kidneys, digestive system, brain, respiratory, and reproductive systems. Additional Insights: Plant-based protein powders like soy, rice, and pea contain three times more lead…
A new study highlights the protective effects of milk, revealing that daily consumption can reduce the risk of bowel cancer by up to 20%. Key Points: Cancer Prevention: Consuming 300 mg of calcium daily—equivalent to half a pint of milk—significantly reduces bowel cancer risk. Alternative Sources: Non-dairy calcium sources like fortified soy milk offer similar protective benefits. Research Insight: Dr. Keren Papier emphasized that calcium, found in dairy and non-dairy sources, plays a central role in lowering cancer risk. Global Concerns: Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer globally, with nearly 2 million cases and 1 million deaths annually.…
The State Bank of Pakistan reported a record inflow of $3.1 billion in December 2024, which Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded as a “historic increase.” Key Figures: Remittances grew by 29.3% compared to December 2023. A 5.6% increase from November 2024. Total remittances for the first half of FY2024-25 reached $17.8 billion, a 32.8% increase from $13.4 billion during the same period last fiscal year. Major Sources: Saudi Arabia: $770.6 million. UAE: $631.5 million. UK: $456.9 million. USA: $284.3 million. Other countries: Gulf nations: $310 million. EU: $360.3 million. Australia: $68.8 million. Malaysia: $15.8 million. Norway: $9.6 million. Prime Minister’s…
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a gain of over 600 points on Friday amid reports of profit-taking. Key Statistics: KSE-100 Index: Gained 609.03 points (0.54%) to close at 113,247.29 points. Total Shares Traded: 499,846,692, lower than 695,142,411 shares traded the previous day. Share Value: Rs24.142 billion, slightly less than Rs24.293 billion on the last trading day. Companies Overview: A total of 450 companies transacted shares. 177 companies recorded gains. 218 companies suffered losses. 55 companies remained unchanged. Top Trading Companies: WorldCall Telecom: 68,828,791 shares at Rs1.75 per share. Fauji Foods Limited: 31,850,296 shares at Rs17.09 per share. Cnergyico PK:…
According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), weekly inflation decreased by 0.65% and decelerated to 1.9% on a year-on-year (YoY) basis. For the week ending January 9, the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) stood at 323.97 points, down from 326.10 points in the previous week. Out of 51 monitored items: Prices of 18 items increased, 10 decreased, and 23 remained stable. Items with Decreased Prices Tomatoes: 31.40% Potatoes: 10.36% Eggs: 5.96% Gram Pulse: 1.64% Onions: 0.87% Items with Increased Prices Moong Pulse: 2.56% Cooking Oil: 1.56% Sugar: 1.23% Chicken: 0.80% Vegetable Ghee: 0.61% Year-on-Year Price Changes Decline: Onions (36.25%), Wheat…
According to the All Sindh Sarafa Jewellers Association, the price of 24-karat gold per tola increased by Rs1,100, reaching Rs279,400 on Friday, compared to Rs278,300 on the previous trading day. Similarly, the price of 10-gram 24-karat gold rose by Rs943, going up from Rs238,597 to Rs239,540. The 10-gram 22-karat gold price also increased from Rs218,714 to Rs219,579. Meanwhile, the prices of silver per tola and 10 grams remained steady at Rs3,350 and Rs2,872.08, respectively. In the international market, gold prices rose by $11, climbing from $2,665 to $2,676, the association reported.
The government has announced revised prices for regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) for January. The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) issued a notification detailing the updated rates. According to the notification, the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) will see a price decrease, while the Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) will face a price increase. The RLNG price for SNGPL has been set at $12.66 per MMBtu, whereas for SSGCL, it is $12.60 per MMBtu. In December, the RLNG price for SNGPL was $12.89 per MMBtu, and for SSGCL, it was $12.54 per MMBtu. Additionally, the federal government…
Actor Billy Crystal and his wife, Janice, have confirmed that the devastating Pacific Palisades fire has destroyed their home of nearly 50 years. In a joint statement, the couple expressed their heartbreak over the loss. The couple stated, “Words cannot describe the enormity of the devastation we are witnessing and experiencing. We ache for our friends and neighbors who have also lost their homes and businesses in this tragedy.” Reflecting on their time in the house, they said, “Janice and I lived in our home since 1979. We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our house was…
Due to the deadly wildfires ravaging Los Angeles, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has extended the Oscar nomination voting period. Originally scheduled to close on January 12, the voting window for the nearly 10,000 Academy members will now remain open until January 14. The announcement was made in an email sent to members by Academy CEO Bill Kramer on Wednesday afternoon. Kramer wrote, “We want to offer our deepest condolences to those who have been impacted by the devastating fires across Southern California. So many of our members and industry colleagues live and work in the Los…
