Author: newsdesk

  • iOS 18 launches with Dark Mode for app icons and revamped Control Centre

    iOS 18 launches with Dark Mode for app icons and revamped Control Centre

    Apple has officially unveiled iOS 18, the latest significant update for the iPhone operating system, packed with new customisation options, a revamped Photos app, and much more.

    One of the standout features of iOS 18 is the enhanced customisation tools for the Home Screen. Users can now apply Dark Mode to app icons and tint them with colours for a personalised appearance. Additionally, apps can be positioned freely anywhere on the Home Screen.

    The Control Center has been completely redesigned and offers extensive customisation options through a new gallery. Developers can now integrate tools for their apps directly into the Control Center. Users can continuously swipe to navigate between different Control Center screens. Customisation options are also available for Lock Screen controls.

    In the Messages app, tapbacks have been revamped, allowing users to react with any emoji. Messages can now be scheduled for later delivery, and text formatting options include bold, italics, underline, and strikethrough.

    New text effects provide automatic suggestions to highlight words and phrases. Additionally, users can now send and receive messages via satellite connectivity.

    The Mail app introduces automatic sorting of emails into categories to help prioritise messages. The Maps app now features topographical maps with detailed trail networks and hiking routes. In Wallet, the new Tap to Cash feature enables users to send money by simply holding iPhones together.

    The Photos app has undergone a comprehensive redesign in iOS 18. The new unified view features a photo grid at the top that displays the entire library, with collections organised by theme below. Users can filter photos by Months and Years views, and a filter button allows for the hiding of screenshots and other sorting options.

    Below the grid, users can browse Collections by topics such as Time, People, Memories, and Trips. The Recent Days section shows photos from the past few days, with automatic filtering of items like receipts.

    The People and Pets section now groups photos of individuals and allows for reordering or pinning of collections. Swiping right from the grid reveals a new carousel with Featured Photos and other favourite collections, which automatically refreshes to display new images.

    iOS 18 introduces app locking with authentication, hiding information from Search and Siri. It also offers a new method for connecting accessories more seamlessly.

    RCS messaging support has been added, along with larger Home Screen icons and calendar integration in Reminders. Game Mode makes its debut on the iPhone, minimising background activity to maintain high frame rates and providing more responsive connections to AirPods and wireless game controllers.

    The first developer beta of iOS 18 is available today, with a public beta set for release in July and a general public release in the autumn.

  • Pakistan’s Business Confidence Index increases in May 2024

    Pakistan’s Business Confidence Index increases in May 2024

    The overall Business Confidence Index (BCI) in Pakistan rose to 54.6 in May 2024, according to the 48th wave of the Business Confidence Survey conducted by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the Institute of Business Administration (IBA).

    This increase was driven by improvements in both the Industry and Services sectors, with the Industry BCI rising by 2.2 points to 52.1 and the Services BCI by 0.7 points to 55.4.

    The headline index, “Overall Business Confidence,” consists of the Current Business Confidence Index (CBCI) and the Expected Business Confidence Index (EBCI). The CBCI, reflecting economic conditions over the past six months, increased by 1.1 points to 51.2 in May 2024.

    Specifically, the Industry CBCI climbed by 2.8 points to 48.3, while the Services CBCI edged up by 0.5 points to 52.1, indicating more positive and neutral views and fewer negative perceptions.

    Looking ahead, the EBCI saw a 1.1-point increase to 58, driven by rises in both sectors. The Industry EBCI grew by 1.6 points to 55.9, and the Services EBCI by 0.9 points to 58.7, with a corresponding shift towards more positive and neutral expectations.

    However, the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) fell by 0.6 points to 49.3, continuing to stay below the positive zone last seen in June 2022. Four of the five PMI components decreased: total orders by 1.5 points, business activities by 1.0 point, supplier delivery times by 0.6 points, and employment by 0.3 points. Only the quantity of raw material purchases slightly improved by 0.1 points.

    On inflation, expectations significantly dropped by 10.1 points to 56.0, with the Industry and Services sectors both showing decreases of 10.2 and 9.8 points, respectively.

    Employment trends were mixed. The Current Employment Index rose by 1.1 points to 51.2, primarily due to a 1.6-point increase in the Services sector, despite a slight 0.3-point decrease in the Industry sector.

    Conversely, the Expected Employment Index fell by 0.8 points to 55.1, driven by a 1.0-point decline in the Services sector, while the Industry sector showed a marginal increase of 0.1 points.

    Additionally, the Average Current Capacity Utilization (ACCU) in the Manufacturing sector within the Industry sector increased by 4.1 per cent to 67.7 per cent in May 2024.

  • T20 World Cup: Bangladesh loses to South Africa by four runs

    T20 World Cup: Bangladesh loses to South Africa by four runs

    In the T20 World Cup, South Africa defeated Bangladesh by 4 runs after an interesting match in Nassau County Cricket Stadium, New York.

    The South African captain won the toss and decided to bat first.

    First inning:

    Batting first, the South African team scored 113 runs for 6 wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

    Henrik Klaasen scored 46 runs for South Africa. David Miller scored 26 runs and Quinton D Cook scored 18 runs.

    Hassan of Bangladesh took 3 wickets by giving 18 runs. Tasin Ahmed dismissed 2 players and Rashad Hussain dismissed one player.

    Second inning:

    In response to the target of 114 runs, the Bangladeshi team scored 109 runs for 7 wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

    On behalf of Bangladesh, Tawheed Hardoy scored 37 runs and Mahmudullah scored 20 runs.

    Keshav Maharaj took 3 wickets for South Africa. Apart from them, Enrique Noorkia and Rabada dismissed two players each.

  • After conspiracy allegations, PPP says no hand in dictatorship-style defamation law

    After conspiracy allegations, PPP says no hand in dictatorship-style defamation law

    A day after the highly controversial Punjab defamation bill became law, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Governor Saleem Haider tried to dissociate the party from the legislation, saying the PPP is against the defamation law.

    “I tried to stop the [passage] of the defamation bill as Governor,” he stated while speaking to media in Dubai.

    Interim Punjab Governor Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan signed the bill into law in the absence of Haider while journalists called the move deceiving.

    The Governor, who is currently on leave also added, “I did not sign the bill. However, it will become law automatically after the passing of 15 days.”

    The bill has invited strong criticism from journalists, human rights organisations, and the opposition calling it a “black law.”

    The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) also expressed grave concern over the defamation bill.

  • Baaji director Saqib Malik shares experience working with Meera

    Baaji director Saqib Malik shares experience working with Meera

    Filmmaker and director Saqib Malik was invited recently as a guest on Dawn News’ show Aap Ki Kahani with Deepak Parwani. He discussed his experience working with Meera in ‘Baaji.’
    “Working with Meera was a wonderful experience.

    Despite the rumors and gossip surrounding her, we managed to complete the film successfully and it received a great response. It was a labor of love, and I would love to collaborate with her again in the future. Meera is an incredibly talented actress with a very expressive face that conveys a thousand emotions without needing much effort. She brings great energy to the set, but her trusting nature can sometimes be a weakness, as she believes others easily and can be influenced by hearsay. Nevertheless, her hard work and dedication to her craft are evident in the appreciation she received for her role in Baaji. I’m grateful for her brilliant performance and my own hard work on the project.”

    Note: He has directed many music videos, including ‘Khumaj’ , Na Re Na’, and ‘Love Mein Gum’. His recent success was the feature film ‘Baaji’ (2019).

  • Here are all the details of Sonakshi Sinha upcoming wedding, including larka karta kya hai

    Here are all the details of Sonakshi Sinha upcoming wedding, including larka karta kya hai

    Bollywood actress Sonakshi Sinha is all set to tie the knot with actor Zaheer Iqbal on June 23 in Mumbai, according to India Today.
    The couple, who’ve been together for a while, have kept their relationship private.
    According to India Today the wedding invite says “The rumours are true”.

    The event is scheduled on June 23 at Bastian in Mumbai. Guests are requested to wear formal clothes.
    The guest list includes close friends, family, and the whole cast of ‘Heeramandi’.
    However, an official confirmation of Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal’s impending wedding is still awaited.
    Earlier this month, Zaheer had shared cute photos of the two while wishing a happy birthday to Sonakshi, and captioned the post, “Happy Birthday Sonzzz.”

    Sonakshi appeared on the show, where Kapil Sharma teased her about her colleagues’ marriages.
    She said, “You’re rubbing salt on my wounds! Kapil Sharma, you know how desperately I want to get married.” (Aap jale pe namak daal rahe ho na. Wo( Kapil Sharma) jaanta hai mujhe kitne zor se shaadi karni hai.)

  • PPP’s Syed Khursheed Shah raises concerns over federal budget

    PPP’s Syed Khursheed Shah raises concerns over federal budget

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) senior leader Syed Khursheed Shah has raised concerns on Sunday over the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) strategy for preparing the federal budget.

    Shah voiced concern that PML-N didn’t invite PPP for engagement and dialogue on the budget.
    “What kind of proposals? What kind of budget? The government did not say anything, nor did they take PPP into confidence,” said the senior politician.
    Shah was also unaware of the allocation of resources to the provinces, and demanded transparency in the privatization process.

    “I don’t know which province is getting what share in giving relief to the people,” he said.

    The former opposition leader stressed that, “PPP has shared the entire burden of the government and was also worried about the accountability the party will face due to the federal budget.

    “The public will ask us what has been done, what we will answer,” Khursheed Shah questioned.

  • Bollywood dreams: Sonya Hussyn discusses Bollywood offers, fantasy co-stars

    Bollywood dreams: Sonya Hussyn discusses Bollywood offers, fantasy co-stars

    Its not unusual for talented Pakistani actors to get noticed by Indian filmmakers. One such actor is Sonya Hussyn, who recently shared that she was offered projects from India.

    In an interview with ‘Independent Urdu,’ Sonya talked about her career and who she would like to work with. She mentioned Ali Zafar as her favorite on-screen hero, saying he has a special charm.

    “I never really thought about it, but when it comes to movies, I find Ali Zafar very charming. He has that charisma of a movie hero. There are many good actors, like Fawad Khan, who also have charm, but when it comes to acting, I would choose Ali Zafar,” she said.

    But things got interesting when Sonya talked about her experiences with offers from the Indian film industry. She revealed that she was approached for three different projects. “I have received three film offers from India. One was a Shakespeare screen adaptation of Measure for Measure. The other was a sequel to some old Santosh Kumar film – I can’t recall its name,” she noted.

    One offer, in particular, caught her attention—a film with the famous Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi. “For that one, I even had a meeting with the relevant people but then the exchange with India stopped altogether,” she explained, referring to the stop in collaborations between India and Pakistan after the Uri attack and the subsequent ban on Pakistani artists working in India.

  • State Bank of Pakistan cuts policy rate to 20.5%

    State Bank of Pakistan cuts policy rate to 20.5%

    The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has reduced its key policy rate by 150 basis points to 20.5 per cent, marking the first rate cut in nearly four years.

    The move, announced on Monday, aligns with market analysts’ expectations and comes just ahead of the country’s annual budget for 2024-25.

    Since June 2023, the central bank had maintained borrowing costs at a record 22 per cent. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) highlighted that while the significant decline in inflation since February was generally anticipated, the inflation figures for May were better than expected.

    The MPC also observed that underlying inflationary pressures are easing due to the tight monetary policy stance and fiscal consolidation efforts.

    This trend is evident from the continued moderation in core inflation and the improvement in inflation expectations among both consumers and businesses, according to recent surveys.

    Despite acknowledging some upside risks to the near-term inflation outlook, particularly from upcoming budgetary measures and uncertainties regarding future energy prices, the MPC remains confident that the cumulative impact of previous monetary tightening will help keep inflationary pressures in check.

  • Celebrities lash out at Pakistan team’s ‘shameful’ defeat to India

    Celebrities lash out at Pakistan team’s ‘shameful’ defeat to India

    The high voltage match between Pakistan and India in the T20 Cricket World Cup 2024 ended in disappointment for Pakistan on Sunday after they lost by six runs. They won the toss and chose to bowl first, coming tantalising close to victory yet losing.

    The team’s poor batting was slammed by fans and celebrities alike.
    Many celebrities have expressed their opinions about the match on social media; some have even questioned the team’s commitment and effort.

    Here are some of the reactions on the defeat: