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The Chinese government would like to see companies reach solutions that comply with Chinese laws and regulations and balance the interests of all parties, a commerce ministry spokesperson said on Thursday when asked about the hand-over of TikTok’s US operations. TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, last week signed binding agreements to hand control of the short video app’s U.S. operations to a group of investors, including Oracle, in a big step toward avoiding a U.S. ban and ending years of uncertainty. “It is hoped that the U.S. side will work with China in the same direction, earnestly fulfill its corresponding commitments,…

Nvidia (NVDA.O) has agreed to license chip technology from startup Groq and hire away its CEO, a veteran of Alphabet’s (GOOGL.O), opens new tab Google, Groq said in a blog post on Wednesday. The deal follows a familiar pattern in recent years where the world’s biggest technology firms pay large sums in deals with promising startups to take their technology and talent but stop short of formally acquiring the target. Groq specializes in what is known as inference, where artificial intelligence models that have already been trained respond to requests from users. While Nvidia dominates the market for training AI…

LAHORE : The outgoing year proved to be a landmark year for Pakistan in space research and exploration. The country made significant strides in satellite launches, astronaut programmes, and lunar exploration, marking a new chapter in its scientific achievements. Satellite success Pakistan’s national space agency, SUPARCO, successfully launched three major satellites this year. In January, the first satellite, an electro-optical platform, was sent into orbit from China. July saw the launch of another remote-sensing satellite from a Chinese launch centre, significantly enhancing Pakistan’s terrestrial observation capabilities. October brought another historic achievement, with SUPARCO deploying Pakistan’s first hyperspectral satellite, increasing the…

ISLAMABAD : State Minister for Interior Tallal Chaudhry confirmed on Friday that the government has written to the UK government regarding “inciteful” statements and content circulating on social media involving the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The minister highlighted a video circulating online that has raised concerns. The letter urges the UK to take action against individuals involved in inciting terrorism, violence, and instability in Pakistan from British soil. The Pakistani government has specifically raised concerns about social media accounts linked to PTI, which are spreading videos calling for the assassination of Pakistan’s army chief. The letter emphasised that such content is…

LAHORE : The Punjab government has announced that buses and rickshaws will operate free of charge in Lahore on February 6, 7, and 8 amid Basant celebrations. Provincial Information Minister Azma Bokhari said the decision aims to discourage the use of motorcycles and reduce road accidents during Basant. She added that the government is considering allowing limited kite-related manufacturing from December 30, but with strict conditions. The use of metallic strings, chemically treated thread, or any hazardous kite-flying material will remain strictly prohibited. All kite manufacturers, sellers, and suppliers will be required to register with the respective Deputy Commissioner. Any…

LAHORE : During the hearing of a petition challenging actions taken under the Property Ownership Act, Chief Justice Aalia Neelum of the Lahore High Court (LHC) issued strong remarks and ordered the immediate restoration of possession obtained through DRC (Dispute Resolution Committee) proceedings. The chief justice heard a petition filed by Muhammad Ali, during which the individual who had obtained possession under the Property Ownership Act also appeared before the court. During the hearing, the chief justice questioned the lawyer representing the party in possession, asking how he could defend an unlawful decision. The lawyer argued that committees formed under…

LAHORE : The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Lahore has issued its written verdict in two cases related to the events of May 9, sentencing Mehmood ur Rashid to 33 years in prison, while Dr Yasmin Rashid, Ejaz Chaudhry, and Umar Cheema have each been sentenced to 10 years. The court awarded Rashid a cumulative sentence of 33 years’ imprisonment along with a fine of Rs600,000. Dr Yasmin Rashid, Omer Sarfraz Cheema, and Ijaz Chaudhry were each sentenced to 10 years in prison. Mahmood Rashid received separate sentences under different sections of the law. The court acquitted 23 accused due to lack…

KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that he would soon meet US leader Donald Trump, as part of efforts to end the Russian invasion. “We have agreed on a meeting at the highest level – with President Trump in the near future. A lot can be decided before the New Year,” Zelenskyy said on social media. The comments came after the latest round of negotiations between US and Ukrainian teams produced a 20-point plan to end the war, which has been sent to Moscow for feedback. The latest plan would freeze the frontline and remove a requirement for Kyiv to legally…

DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates welcomes Saudi Arabian efforts to support security and stability in Yemen and remained committed to backing stability in the country, the UAE’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Friday. Saudi Arabia said on Thursday it remains hopeful that Yemen’s main southern separatist group will end an escalation that has given it broad control across the south.

SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered officials to step up production of missiles and construct more factories to meet his military’s growing need for the projectiles, state media said Friday. Pyongyang has significantly increased missile testing in recent years – aimed, analysts say, at improving precision strike capabilities, challenging the United States as well as South Korea, and testing weapons before exporting them to key ally Russia. In a visit to munitions factories accompanied by top officials, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Kim had ordered the factories to prepare for a busy year ahead. The North Korean…