International Tennis Federation’s independent security advisors have advised against playing India’s Davis Cup tie against Pakistan in Islamabad this month and suggested the tie must be played at a ‘neutral’ venue. The Asia/Oceania Group I tie, originally scheduled for September 14-15 in Islamabad, was postponed by the ITF to Nov 29-30 following a security review amid political tensions between the neighbours.
Emirates has announced special fares across its global route network to inspire and encourage Pakistani travellers to explore new destinations and revisit their favourite cities. The special fares are available for booking till 18 November 2019, for travel between 12 November 2019 and 30 September 2020. According to Mohammad Sarhan, Emirates’ Vice President Pakistan, special fares represent savings of 15 percent for First Class, and 10 percent on Business and Economy Class fares across 150 countries including Dubai.
The Freedom House has declared Pakistan ‘Not Free’ in terms of internet use for the ninth consecutive year, with the country score decreasing from 27 to 26 out of 100 in 2019. The country scored 5 out of 25 for obstacles to access, 14 out of 35 for limits on content, and 7 out of 40 for violation of user rights index and is the third worst country after Vietnam and China in its region.
Aqsa Kausar, an accomplished graduate of NUST School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (SEECS), has beaten the odds by becoming the first female Google Developer Expert in Machine Learning from Pakistan. She is currently working as an Artificial Intelligence (AI) developer with a software organisation named Red Buffer. Aqsa has done her Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from NUST.
During a meeting with Minister for States & Frontier Regions and Narcotics Control Shehryar Khan Afridi, Chinese Minister showed interest in investing in the halal meat industry in Pakistan, exporting it to China and Middle Eastern countries. He vowed to showcase Pakistani products and halal food in Chinese markets. According to Afridi, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s vision will benefit the underdeveloped countries.
In a recent report, the World Bank has ranked Pakistan at number six amongst the top 20 global reformers. The World Bank also acknowledged Pakistan amongst top 10 economies that improve the most on the ease of doing business after implementing regulatory reform. As per the report, for the first time Pakistan has improved 28 ranks, from 136 to 108, in one year.
More than 30 migrants from Pakistan were found hidden in a lorry in southern France.The Pakistani driver was detained. The group of 31 Pakistani migrants was discovered during a routine check on a motorway near the Italian border on Friday. The discovery came after 39 people were found dead in a refrigerated truck in Britain last month. The prosecutors said they will try to trace back to a network.
Mercantile Pacific, Singapore, a leading mobile phone distribution company, has been appointed as the official regional distributor in Pakistan and Afghanistan by Apple. Mercantile, in order to expand its network has signed up with Airlink Communication. Due to the strict tax policies the prices will be a litter higher relatively but users will get a full Apple product experience, which was lacking in Pakistan.
Aqsa Kausar, an engineering graduate from the National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST) became the first Google Developer Expert (GDE) in machine learning i.e.the application of Artificial Intelligence. Organising different workshops in various events was one of her contributions in the field including Google’s Machine Learning Train-the-Trainer session recently held in Singapore. Aqsa is currently working with a Software firm Red Buffer which she believes had an immense role in her journey to become a GDE.
Pakistan avoids The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) blacklist on Friday. FATF decided to keep Pakistan on the grey list as Islamabad failed to fully implement the 27-point Action plan. Pakistan’s efforts on the agreed five action points were appreciated but it’s position on other points were partially acknowledged or rejected by the global body, providing the country another four months to complete the remaining actions.