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Serious financial irregularities amounting to more than Rs165 billion have been uncovered in the telecommunications sector, according to the Auditor General’s audit report for the fiscal year 2023-24. The report revealed that in 36 cases, Rs157 billion was not recovered. It also highlighted irregularities worth Rs134 million in six cases related to human resources, while violations of Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PEPRA) rules in 14 cases caused a loss of Rs3.74 billion to the national exchequer. The audit further noted that issues in service delivery led to losses exceeding Rs5 billion. In total, the Auditor General identified 58 audit paras…

Renowned host and actor Sahir Lodhi has finally broken his silence after fellow celebrities made fun of his viral “Jee Bhai” videos circulating on social media.The clips, where Lodhi humorously presents everyday situations, have become a trending topic, sparking both praise and trolling. After Sahir Lodhi’s videos gained popularity, actors including Ijaz Aslam, Faisal Qureshi, Yasir Nawaz and comedian Tabish Hashmi recreated his style in a lighthearted manner. These parody clips quickly went viral, with social media users joining in on the trend. However, not everyone supported the trolling. Actress Mehwish Hayat voiced concern, saying it was unfair to ridicule…

The Supreme Court has reconstituted the bench hearing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s bail applications in connection with eight cases linked to the May 9 riots. Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi has joined the three-member bench in place of Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb. The newly formed bench will now be headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, alongside Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui. The reconstituted bench is expected to resume hearings on the former prime minister’s bail applications soon. What happened in last hearing On August 12, an earlier bench comprising Chief Justice Afridi, Justice Siddiqui, and Justice Aurangzeb had heard…

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has decided to participate in the upcoming by-elections, the party’s political committee announced after a late-night meeting. According to party sources, the decision followed a vote within the committee, where a majority supported contesting the polls. Members argued that political opponents should not be given a free field and directed preparations to begin in constituencies where by-elections will be held. However, the committee could not reach a decision on the nomination of Mahmood Khan Achakzai as leader of the opposition. A majority of members expressed a preference for nominating a leader from within PTI instead. The committee…

Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Asim Iftikhar slated what he called “double standards” in the global fight against terrorism, questioning why the UN Security Council’s terrorism list includes only Muslims, while non-Muslim extremist groups escape accountability. Speaking at a Security Council debate on “Threats to international peace and security posed by terrorist acts”, the Pakistani envoy said this imbalance is “absolutely unacceptable” and undermines credibility in the fight against terrorism. “It is beyond comprehension that not a single non-Muslim terrorist is on the Council’s list. Double standards and political agendas act as oxygen for terrorism,” Iftikhar said. Terrorism in the…

At least 81 Palestinians were killed on Thursday as Israel began its long-anticipated assault on Gaza City, the enclave’s largest urban centre, where nearly a million people remain trapped in worsening famine conditions. Three more Palestinians also died of starvation, bringing the toll of hunger-related deaths to 269, including 112 children, according to Gaza health officials. Israeli airstrikes and shelling struck across the Strip, including a tent shelter for displaced families in southern Gaza, killing three. In another deadly incident, former Palestinian national basketball player Mohammed Shaalan was shot dead while seeking aid. At least 30 others were killed at…

Sony announced Wednesday that it will raise the price of its PlayStation 5 consoles in the United States by $50, citing economic headwinds and the added burden of new U.S. tariffs on electronics imported from China. The new pricing takes effect August 21, 2025. New PS5 pricing in US The updated retail prices are as follows: PlayStation 5 Standard Edition: $549.99 (up from $499.99) PlayStation 5 Digital Edition: $499.99 (up from $449.99) PlayStation 5 Pro: $749.99 (up from $699.99) Sony confirmed that PS5 accessories and game titles will remain at their current prices. Isabelle Tomatis, vice president of global marketing…

Judge Frank Caprio – the longtime Chief Judge of Providence Municipal Court and star of the reality TV series Caught in Providence –  has died at the age of 88 following a battle with pancreatic cancer. His family confirmed he passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 20. Caprio became a household name through Caught in Providence, a courtroom show that showcased his humane and humorous approach to minor traffic cases. His rulings, often filled with empathy, went viral on YouTube, earning him millions of fans worldwide. Known as “America’s nicest judge,” Caprio often said: “I don’t wear a badge under my robe. I wear…

Pakistan ODI captain Mohammad Rizwan captain has signed with the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots for the ongoing 2025 edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). According to ESPNcricinfo, Rizwan has joined the Patriots as a replacement for Afghanistan fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi, who has withdrawn from the tournament due to national duties. The franchise is expected to make a formal announcement regarding Rizwan’s inclusion within the next 24 hours. However, his availability for the forthcoming fixture against the Barbados Royals remained uncertain. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to allow Rizwan to participate in…

Rapid loss of Antarctic sea ice could be a tipping point for the global climate, causing sea level rises, changes to ocean currents and loss of marine life that are impossible to reverse, a scientific study published on Thursday said. The paper in the journal Nature aimed to describe in previously unseen detail the interlocking effects of global warming on the Antarctic, the frozen continent at the planet’s South Pole. “Evidence is emerging for rapid, interacting and sometimes self-perpetuating changes in the Antarctic environment,” it said. The study gathered data from observations, ice cores, and ship logbooks to chart long-term…