Malaysian ex-PM’s jail term halved – World
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s pardons board said on Friday it had halved the jail term for former premier Najib Razak, currently in prison for corruption, to six years. Najib was sentenced in 2022 to 12 years in jail for offences linked to the misuse of public money in the multi-billion-dollar 1MDB financial scandal. “After considering opinions […]
SC asks lawyers, IOs to avoid unjustified delays during trial – Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has conceded that inordinate and unreasonable delay in the conclusion of trial is a challenge that affects the administration of criminal justice system and noted it is incumbent upon investigating officers and lawyers to avoid unnecessary and unjustified delays to ensure timely justice. “Such delay is antithetic to the foundational principles […]
Europe within reach of landmark AI rules
Europe on Friday moved a step closer to adopting rules governing the use of artificial intelligence and AI models such as Microsoft-backed ChatGPT after EU countries endorsed a political deal reached in December. The rules, proposed by the European Commission three years ago, aim to set a global standard for a technology used in a vast swathe of industries from […]
Explosions target candidates, parties’ offices in Balochistan – Pakistan
QUETTA: At least six people, including PPP workers, were injured in multiple hand grenade attacks in different towns of Balochistan on Friday. Separately, a law-intensity explosion took place near the Provincial Election Commission (PEC) office in Karachi’s Saddar area, according to officials. In the Mughalsarai area of Kalat town, three PPP workers were injured when […]
Mbappe gifted goal as PSG beat Strasbourg
STRASBOURG: Kylian Mbappe had a penalty brilliantly saved but was gifted the opening goal as champions Paris Saint-Germain edged energetic Strasbourg 2-1 away in Ligue 1 on Friday. PSG now have 47 points from 20 games with second placed Nice taking on third placed Brest Sunday on 38 and 35 points respectively. “They pressed us […]
Taylor Swift eyes record at Grammys as women take center stage
LOS ANGELES: All eyes are on – who else? – Taylor Swift ahead of Sunday’s Grammys, when the megastar could break the record for most Album of the Year wins at a gala where women finally are taking centre stage. SZA will arrive at the star-studded event in Los Angeles as the evening’s top nominee […]
Interim govt seals plan to privatise PIA
ISLAMABAD: The caretaker government was making “binding plans” for the incoming government after the February 8 elections to privatise the loss-making Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Privatisation Minister Fawad Hasan Fawad said on Friday. In the past, elected governments have shied away from undertaking unpopular reforms, including the sale of the national-flag carrier. However, in June, […]
PM gives green light for PARCO MD hiring
ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has given the green light to appoint Irteza Qureshi as the new regular managing director of Pak Arab Refinery Limited (Parco). He is currently working as the deputy managing director (DMD). According to sources, eight potential candidates had been shortlisted during the first phase for the slot of […]
‘Hostage’ voters or game changers? The politics of (s)electables – Pakistan
Pildat president says electables are politicians who can be elected without the support of a political party because of their cultural or religious clout. With the Feb 8 general elections fast approaching, major political parties have scrambled to woo electables across Pakistan, trying to out-manoeuvre each other in a bid to boost their prospects post-Feb […]
Maldives says India to withdraw troops from March
India will start withdrawing its troops deployed in the Maldives from next month, Male’s foreign ministry said after talks on Friday. New Delhi considers the strategically located Indian Ocean archipelago — which straddles key global shipping lanes — to be within its sphere of influence. But the Maldives has shifted into the orbit of China […]