A US import ban on certain Apple smartwatch models came into effect Tuesday, after the Biden administration opted not to veto a ruling on patent infringements.
The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) decided in October to ban Apple Watch models over a patented technology for detecting blood-oxygen levels.
Apple contends that the ITC finding was in error and should be reversed, but last week paused its US sales of Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2.
The order stemmed from a complaint made to the commission in mid-2021 accusing Apple of infringing on medical device maker company Masimo Corp’s “light-based oximetry functionality.”
“After careful consultations, Ambassador (Katherine) Tai decided not to reverse the… determination and the ITC’s decision became final on December 26, 2023,” the president’s executive office said in a statement on Tuesday.
Apple has been steadily ramping up fitness and health features with each generation of its Apple Watch, which dominates the smartwatch category.
In September, Apple released its Apple Watch Series 9, touting increased performance along with features such as the ability to access and log health data.
“Our teams work tirelessly to create products and services that empower users with industry-leading health, wellness and safety features,” Apple said when the ITC ban was issued.
“Masimo has wrongly attempted to use the ITC to keep a potentially lifesaving product from millions of US consumers while making way for their own watch that copies Apple.”
In May, a trial of Masimo’s allegations ended in a mistrial after jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict.
Late last year, Apple filed two patent infringement lawsuits accusing Masimo of copying Apple Watch technology.
The Airbus A340 initially had been bound for Nicaragua when it was detained last Thursday at Vatry airport, east of Paris, where it had stopped for refuelling. A donkey flight is an illegal immigration used for unauthorized entry into foreign countries like the USA, UK, Canada etc.
It had arrived from the United Arab Emirates and was halted after an anonymous tip-off that it was carrying potential victims of human trafficking.
Of the original 303 people on the passenger list, 276 were on the plane that arrived in Mumbai before dawn on Tuesday.
Passengers began walking out onto the concourse four hours later but refused to speak to a large crowd of waiting journalists and covered their faces to shield their identities.
It was unclear whether the arrivals were questioned by authorities and India’s government has yet to issue a statement on their return.
Among those staying behind in France were two people questioned by police there over suspected people trafficking.
A judicial source said they were released after it was established the passengers had boarded the plane of their own free will.
French authorities are continuing to investigate the case for a potential violation of immigration laws, but no longer for people trafficking, judicial sources said.
Another 25 passengers sought asylum in France including five minors, local officials said.
A source close to the inquiry told AFP that those aboard were likely workers in the UAE bound for Nicaragua, which they intended to use as a staging post for journeys to the United States or Canada.
Authorisation for the plane to leave France came after a court ruled that any further detention of three of its passengers would be illegal.
The passengers of the flight, operated by Romanian company Legend Airlines, were put up at Vatry airport during the investigation.
Beds, toilets and showers were installed, the local prefecture said, while police prevented press and outsiders from entering the airport.
The passengers included 11 unaccompanied minors, according to Paris prosecutors.
The Indian embassy in Paris posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday that it was grateful for the “quick resolution” of the incident.
The 30 crew members were not detained. Some had handled the Dubai-Vatry leg while others were to take over for the flight to Nicaragua.
‘Mutual benefit’
The use of charter flights to aid migrants “is a relatively new phenomenon”, Manuel Orozco, director of migration issues at the Washington-based Inter-American Dialogue, told AFP last month.
Orozco said he believed that airline operators and Nicaraguan airport authorities made “an economic calculation” for their “mutual benefit”.
Indian deputy foreign minister V. Muraleedharan this month told parliament that close to 100,000 illegal Indian migrants had attempted to enter the United States this year, citing US Customs and Border Protection data.
Last year the issue caught public attention when four Indians froze to death while trying to cross into the United States on foot from the Canadian border.
They were among a group of 11 people attempting the journey, with the remaining seven detained by US authorities.
Many Indian migrants seek passage to the United States for economic reasons.
But human rights experts say there are several other factors at play, including the oppression of minority communities in India and extreme visa backlogs.
Unlawful Indian migration abroad is such an established phenomenon that it forms the backdrop of the Bollywood comedy-drama “Dunki”, released in cinemas last week.
Starring Shah Rukh Khan, one of India’s most bankable film stars, “Dunki” delves into the various means by which Indians attempt the perilous journey to the West with the help of unscrupulous agents and corrupt border officials.
A video featuring Syed Basit Sultan, a Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) candidate from NA-177 and other constituencies, has sparked controversy on social media.
The politician took oath from his supporters on the Holy Quran to swear allegiance to him ahead of the general elections scheduled for February 8.
In a video that has now gone viral, Bukhari can be seen sitting with supporters who swore allegiance to him.
The political journey of Sultan took a turn last year when he switched allegiances, leaving the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) to join the ruling coalition under the leadership of PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif.
Recently, Sultan, accompanied by his wife and daughter, submitted nomination papers for NA-176, NA-177, PP-272, and PP-273.
Responding to critics who questioned the unconventional oath-taking approach, Sultan defended his actions, stating that supporters, including former union council chairmen, voluntarily participated in the oath.
He argued that the purpose was to dispel opposition propaganda suggesting a lack of support from constituents. Sultan explained that he initially resisted the idea of the oath but eventually yielded to the request of friends.
The caretaker government of Sindh on Tuesday announced a public holiday on December 27 (tomorrow) on account of the 16th death anniversary of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
Sindh Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (Retd) Maqbool Baqar’s spokesperson made the announcement, declaring a public holiday across the province tomorrow.
“The Government of Sindh has been pleased to declare 27th December 2023 (Wednesday) as a Public Holiday throughout the Province of Sindh on the occasion of Shahadat of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed for all offices, Autonomous, Semi-Autonomous Bodies, Corporations and Local Councils under the Administrative control of Government of Sindh, except the essential services,” said the notification issued today.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice-Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi was arrested again on Wednesday by Rawalpindi police from Adiala jail in connection with a case related to the May 9 riots.
Earlier, Shah Mahmood Qureshi was detained for 15 days after the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rawalpindi issued an order to that effect.
According to the orders, the PTI leader will be detained owing to his involvement in attacking the GHQ, Rawalpindi Gate, on May 9.
Priviously, there was news circulating that Shah Mahmood Qureshi can be released from Adiala Jail today as the Supreme Court (SC) had approved his bail last week on Friday.
The former federal minister’s lawyer, Barrister Taimur Malik, reached Adiala jail today with required bail bonds.
Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain, who is hearing the cipher case, also arrived at Adiala jail in Rawalpindi.
The wife of PTI founder Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, and lawyers Umair Niazi and Rai Muhammad Ali were also present.
The SC approved the post-arrest bail of PTI leaders in the cipher case as well as the apex court also determined that Islamabad High Court (IHC) incorrectly exercised discretion deny the bail of petitioners in the said case.
After examining the material available on record, the court found that there was no sufficient incriminating material available at this stage to show that Khan communicated the information contained in the cipher telegram received from PAREP (Ambassador), Washington, USA, to the public at large with the intention or calculation, directly or indirectly, in the interest or for the benefit of a foreign power, nor the disclosed information related to any of the defence installations or affairs, nor did he disclose any secret official code to the public at large.
In the video, the actor, following the director’s instructions, picks up a burning shawl and tosses it aside for the scene. However, as the shawl lands, flames spread on the ground. Unaware of the fire, Ayeza Khan continues moving backward, unintentionally stepping into the flames. A voice can then be heard calling Ayeza’s name to warn her. She quickly becomes careful and narrowly avoids an accident. Along with the video post, Ayeza thanked Allah for keeping her safe. She wrote that being an actor is not easy. “When the director says ‘action’ we forget what is going to happen next and just give our best. The quest to put on a performance dawns on us.” She wrote that sometimes unexpected things happen on the set which the on-screen viewers don’t see but Allah protects them.
“I am thankful to Allah that He keeps me safe every day.”
In a major legal victory for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the Peshawar High Court (PHC) temporarily halted the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) directives and restored the iconic party symbol ‘bat’.
The PHC also stated while announcing the verdict that a double bench will hear the matter after winter vacations.
PHC judge, Kamran Hayat Miankhel, said the election symbol can’t be revoked after the release of the election schedule.
Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) filed a petition in Peshawar High Court (PHC) to challenge the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) order declaring intra-party polls illegal and revoking its electoral symbol, the cricket bat.
Justice Kamran Hayat Miankel of the PHC will hear the petition filed by PTI today after the party requested an urgent hearing in court.
According to the petition filed by PTI, the ECP has no authority to decide about the intra-party elections, adding that the complainant who challenged intra-party polls is not a member of the party.
“The ECP withdrew the electoral symbol ‘bat’,” it read asking the court to form a bench comprising senior judges and hear the plea on Tuesday (today).
In discussing the recent decision, the chairman of the PTI, Gohar Khan, strongly criticised the ECP but expressed optimism that courts will support the request for its reinstatement.
Hello, my beautiful people, New Year celebrations are around the corner and you’ve probably forgotten to buy a gift for your loved ones just like me. Yeah, yeah, I know you are thinking, who even expects a gift on New Year’s? Well, a lot of people do, your loved one might be expecting a surprise too. So, stop procrastinating and start thinking. I have a bunch of ideas for you.
Silver Jewelry
Cute jewelry items are always a good gift. You can gift them anklets, get a couple’s band i.e. matching rings, or you can give your male loved one a challa, if he is into it. I would recommend Ghazi Silver House for good and affordable jewelry. If you are in Lahore, you can visit their store located at MM Alam Road.
Dari Mooch
If your significant other proudly dons a beard but seems to be overlooking its proper care, you might want to consider gifting them an all-encompassing solution to address both their beard and skincare needs. Look no further than Dari Mooch, a brand known for its premium grooming products designed specifically for the modern man who takes pride in his facial hair.
Books
If your loved one is an avid reader or has a keen interest in a particular genre, now is the perfect time to surprise them with a thoughtful and enriching gift — a collection of books. Explore the ongoing book sale at Readings or Liberty Books, where you can discover a diverse selection of literary treasures at discounted prices.
Intimate Dinner
Consider gifting your loved one an intimate dinner experience that transcends the ordinary. Instead of venturing out to a crowded restaurant, create a haven of warmth and romance right at home or in a private, secluded setting. Elevate the celebration by crafting an evening that revolves around shared moments, exquisite cuisine, and the comfort of being in each other’s company.
Spice up your intimate dinner a bit with Aromatic candles. The aroma can add to the romance, and you can always add some red roses to create a vibe. Polly and other stories have a decent collection of affordable candles.
Teddy Bear/ Cute stuff
Aren’t we girls in love with Teddy Bears, Plush toys, and cute stuff? Well, Miniso is your best friend for all the cute stuff. Go gift them a bunch of things and yes, there is a sale going on too.
Skin Care Products
Well, winters always demand more skincare, and, doing skin care as a couple or as a friends group is always fun. Well, in my case, I have cool cousins and we do face mask skin care together.
While you are at it, if your loved one is tensed due to extreme hair fall, gift them an organic water-based solution from Silk Locks by Zahraa.
Rice Water Hair Growth Spray by Barn and Island also has amazing results.
Sari
Selecting a saree as a gift for a special girl can indeed be a wonderful choice, as the timeless elegance and versatility of a saree make it a cherished wardrobe piece. Remember, the beauty of gifting a saree lies not only in the garment itself but also in the consideration and effort put into choosing one that aligns with her taste and preferences. The gesture of presenting her with a saree is a celebration of her individuality and the special bond you share.
You can avail yourself 50 to 70 percent off in the ongoing Winter Sale at The Saari Girl.
Leather Products
If your loved ones have an affinity with leather goods, be it jackets, wallets, handbags, belts, or keychains, consider exploring the offerings at Jild for your next purchase. Jild is currently running a remarkable sale with a substantial 60 percent discount, making it an opportune time to indulge in high-quality leather products.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) social media team in Gujranwala placed an order for a cake to mark party head Nawaz Sharif’s birthday, but the cake got stolen. The team has accused their candidate of stealing the dessert.
A case has been filed in the police station of Satellite Town in Gujranwala. The FIR states that when the team went to collect the cake, they were informed that the electoral candidate of the party from pp-64 Umer Farooq Dar had forcefully taken the cake already. As they filed the complain with the police, Umer Farooq Dar returned the cake to the bakery but this did not settle the debate as they went on to say it was done intentionally by the candidate and that the matter should be investigated further.
Lollywood actress Veena Malik is all set to make a comeback on our screens, but in a very different format.
The actress and controversial social media personality has announced the launch of her YouTube channel in a video she shared on Instagram, revealing that her upcoming channel will be named ‘Showbazian.’
Malik elaborates that the channel will feature performances by various comedians. In her hey day, Malik, a gifted mimic, was known for the Geo News superhit program ‘Hum Sub Umeed Se Hain’.
Even though she’s done well in both places, the actress, who is now a mom of two, is being more careful about the work she chooses. After her divorce, she spends a lot of time with her kids. This means she’s more thoughtful and focused on her job compared to how she used to be.
