Month: February 2025

Trump eases implementation of US law banning bribery, drawing mixed reactions

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WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order which directs the Justice Department to pause prosecutions of Americans accused of bribing foreign government officials while trying to win or retain business in their countries. The order pauses enforcement of the nearly half-century-old Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to review current and past actions related to the law and prepare new guidelines for enforcement. The law, enacted in 1977, prohibits companies that operate in the United States from bribing foreign officials. Over time,…

OpenAI board rejects Elon Musk-led buyout offer

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OpenAI’s board chairman on Friday said it has unanimously rejected an Elon Musk-led offer to buy the hot artificial intelligence company for $97.4 billion. “OpenAI is not for sale, and the board has unanimously rejected Mr Musk’s latest attempt to disrupt his competition,” chairman of the board Bret Taylor said in a statement posted by the company on Musk-owned X, formerly Twitter. “Any potential reorganisation of OpenAI will strengthen our nonprofit and its mission to ensure AGI (artificial general intelligence) benefits all of humanity,” the statement continued. Musk filed court…

President Zardari praises Beijing’s stance against interfering in other countries

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President Asif Ali Zardari has heaped praised on China’s foreign policy and stance against interfering in other countries, which essentially does not warrant any fear from Islamabad regarding Beijing. Speaking during an interview with the Chinese state media on his five-day visit to the country, President Zardari lauded China’s remarkable growth and rise on the global stage and underscored that the country’s fast-paced development and transformation over the past few decades had impressed him to a great extent. “China has never been an occupier. [….] So why should one neighbour…

Elon Musk and Modi explore India’s space and technology future

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WASHINGTON: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Tesla CEO Elon Musk in Washington on Thursday, where they discussed space, technology, and mobility, including Starlink’s planned entry into India and broader cooperation in emerging innovations and governance. “Their discussion also touched on opportunities to deepen cooperation in emerging technologies, entrepreneurship, and good governance,” India’s foreign ministry said separately in a statement. On Wednesday, Reuters reported that Modi was scheduled to meet Musk, CEO and founder of SpaceX, during his trip this week to the United States, with Starlink’s entry into the South Asian…

India’s Modi heads to White House to rekindle bromance with Trump

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to meet with the United States President Donald Trump on Thursday at the White House, aiming to strengthen their previously warm relationship while addressing contentious issues like tariffs and immigration. The two leaders are expected to hold a joint press conference, a rare event for Modi, who is known for his extensive use of social media but typically avoids engaging with the press. Ahead of his visit, Modi has made significant tariff concessions, including a reduction in duties on high-end motorcycles, which is…

Justice Dogar becomes acting IHC CJ after HCs’ jurists elevated to SC

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ISLAMABAD: Following the elevation of the high courts judges to the Supreme Court, Justice Sarfraz Dogar was late Wednesday appointed as the acting chief justice of the Islamabad High Court.  A notification issued by the law ministry late Wednesday said President Asif Ali Zardari appointed Justice Dogar under Article 196 of the Constitution “with effect from the date of he makes oath of his office, till appointment of regular Chief Justice”. The development came two days after the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) approved on Monday the appointment of six…

Zelensky proposes territorial swap with Russia in potential peace talks

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in an interview published on Tuesday, said that Ukraine is prepared to offer territory exchange with Russia, emphasised that Europe would not be able to bear the full weight of Ukraine’s defense efforts alone, AFP reported. Zelensky said that Ukraine would propose a territorial swap in any potential peace talks with Russia. Zelensky is set to meet with US Vice President JD Vance on Friday at the Munich Security Conference, where discussions are expected to focus on the ongoing war. Vance, who has often criticised US involvement,…

12-year-old maid succumbs to injuries in Rawalpindi

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RAWALPINDI: A 12-year-old domestic worker, allegedly subjected to severe torture by her employers, succumbed to her injuries at Holy Family Hospital, police and hospital sources told Geo News on Wednesday. The incident occurred in Rawalpindi’s Asghar Mall area within the jurisdiction of Banni Police Station. The victim, identified as Iqra, was critically injured and rushed to the hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. Police have arrested the primary suspects (the maid’s employers), Rashid Shafiq and his wife, Sana. According to authorities, a case has been registered against them on the complaint…

More than 600 arrested for Illegal employment in UK, says govt

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UK immigration enforcement teams made 609 arrests in January, marking a 73% increase from the same period in 2024, AFP reported. This effort is part of the Labour government’s plan to address undocumented migration and combat people-smuggling rings. The arrests were conducted at over 800 locations, including restaurants, nail salons, car washes, and convenience stores. This surge comes after Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer reversed his predecessor Rishi Sunak’s controversial plan to deport migrants to Rwanda, opting instead to dismantle criminal gangs involved in illegal migration. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasised that…