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WhatsApp not introducing ads, boss Will Cathcart says

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The head of WhatsApp refuted a Financial Times (FT) report on Friday that claimed the messaging service, which is owned by Meta Platforms, was considering the addition of adverts to boost revenue. Will Cathcart addressed the issue on Elon Musk-owned X, formerly known as Twitter while reposting the report by FT and saying: “This @FT story is false. We aren’t doing this.”  According to FT sources that are familiar with the situation, Meta’s teams were debating whether to display advertisements in WhatsApp chat lists with contacts, but no decisions have been made.  The report also suggested…

Ex-US Ambassador given three years probation, heavy fine

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Former US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson on Friday was sentenced to three-year probation and ordered to pay $93,400 for lying in ethics paperwork and violating so-called “revolving door” laws by lobbying for Qatar within one year of retiring from federal service.    “I have paid a very heavy price for the mistakes that I made,” 63-year-old Olson told Judge G Michael Harvey ahead of the sentencing, adding that he was “professionally ostracised” and had lost his reputation and income.  In the Friday hearing the prosecutor accused Olson — who…

Some seniors players may lose their positions after Pakistan’s ouster from Asia Cup

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KARACHI: The situation of the Pakistan cricket team has raised concerns after the Green Shirts’ ouster from the ongoing Asia Cup 2023, following losses against India and Sri Lanka.  Pakistan skipper Babar Azam, Director Mickey Arthur, Chief Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq and head coach Grant Bradburn are pondering over the constant fitness issues of players.  Meanwhile, the selectors are considering other players for the team and some senior players are also expected to lose their positions.  According to sources, the selectors had already made a team for the upcoming ICC World Cup…

Imran Khan expresses delight at SC verdict on NAB amendments: PTI counsel

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Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan — who is currently incarcerated in Attock Jail in a graft case — expressed his delight at the Supreme Court’s (SC) verdict on amendments made to the country’s accountability laws during the tenure of the previous Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led government, said his counsel Shoaib Shaheen on Friday. Earlier today, the top court ordered to restore corruption cases against public office holders that were withdrawn after amendments were made to the country’s accountability laws.  A three-member bench of the apex court in a majority…

In first, Nasa officially starts search for aliens, appoints unnamed UFO boss

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The US space agency Nasa officially joined the search for unidentified flying objects (UFOs) on Thursday, but in keeping with the stigma associated with the subject, it refused to name the head of the new programme entrusted with doing so. The official’s appointment is the result of a year-long Nasa fact-finding report into what Nasa calls “unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP).” “At Nasa, it’s in our DNA to explore — and to ask why things are the way they are,” Nasa chief Bill Nelson said. An independent team of 16 researchers…

Thousands still missing in Derna ravaged by catastrophic Libya flood

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Emergency teams in Derna, Libya, continue their search for the thousands of people still missing following a tsunami-sized flash flood that struck the city, leaving at least 4,000 people dead.  The catastrophic event was triggered when two upstream dams burst, transforming Derna into an apocalyptic wasteland where entire city blocks were swept into the Mediterranean.  Eye-witness accounts recount the terrifying speed at which the water level rose, sweeping away cars, buildings, and people. Traumatised survivors speak of their ordeal, with one individual describing how they clung to life on the…

Trade, pedestrian movement resume at Torkham after 10 days

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In a significant development, the Torkham border between Pakistan and Afghanistan Friday reopened for all types of traffic after a 10-day closure prompted by a gun battle between frontier guards. Following the resumption of traffic at the border, pedestrian movement has also begun with scores of travellers gathering at the immigration section, hoping to make their way into Afghanistan. Speaking about the development with AFP, Khyber Assistant Commissioner Irshad Khan Mohmamd, said: “The clearance of trucks is in process and Afghan citizens are entering Afghanistan after clearance and passing immigration processes.” The…

Parvez Elahi granted bail in judicial complex attack case

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ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad on Friday approved Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) President Parvez Elahi’s post-arrest bail in the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC) attack case.  ATC Judge Abual Hsanat Zulqarnain announced the verdict on the PTI leader’s plea and directed him to submit a surety bond of Rs20,000 against the bail. The PTI president was arrested hours after his release from National Accountability Bureau (NAB) custody on September 1, despite the fact that the Lahore High Court (LHC) had explicitly restricted the authorities from arresting him earlier that day.…

Asia Cup 2023: Sri Lanka hold nerves in last ball thriller to defeat Pakistan

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Lanka in a rain-hit match By Sports Desk September 15, 2023 In a last ball-thriller, Sri Lanka held their nerves to defeat Pakistan by two wickets and booked a final with India for this year’s Asia Cup. The nail-biting match ended with Asalanka finishing the game for the home side and taking them to the 252-run target. The final of the Asia Cup 2023 will now be played between Sri Lanka and India on Saturday, September 17 in Colombo. Charith Asalanka remained calm as the responsibility to take his team over…