The US Federal Reserve has once again left interest rates unchanged, maintaining its current rate at 5.25 per cent to 5.5 per cent. This marks the sixth consecutive meeting where the central bank has opted to hold steady, reflecting a cautious approach amid persistent inflation concerns. In a statement released by the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) on Wednesday, the central bank acknowledged that while inflation has eased over the past year, it remains elevated. “In recent months, there has been a lack of further progress towards the Committee’s 2 per cent inflation objective,” the FOMC ..read more

Bitcoin experienced a significant downturn for the third day in a row on Wednesday, capping off its worst monthly performance in April since late 2022. This downward trend comes as investors shifted their focus away from cryptocurrencies in anticipation of the Federal Reserve’s upcoming interest rate decision. The world’s most traded cryptocurrency fell nearly 16 per cent throughout April as investors cashed in their gains from a recent rally. Bitcoin had reached record highs, topping $70,000, but the recent slide has taken the price to $57,055, a 4.7 per cent drop and its lowest point since l ..read more

The Avicenna Medical College continues to spiral deeper into controversy with Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) taking notice of the death of a female student, and launching a probe into the matter, reports Dawn. On the other hand, University of Health Sciences (UHS) has taken up the serious complaints of students about imposition of heavy fines, harassment, torture and physical punishments. It has directed all the affiliated public and private sector medical colleges of Punjab to establish ‘Students Counselling Cells (SCCs)’, to be constituted of senior faculty members, including tea ..read more

‘Don’t guess the age’ is a new trend seen on Indian Twitter, and it has caught our eye. We sure want to see it in Pakistan. We despise the very common age-shaming in our desi culture, it is high time that we start embracing that age is just a number. It’s not creases on the face but the coolness of the spirit that matters the most. It all started with activist Viji Venkatesh posting an uber-cool and stylish picture of hers on X that prompted people to appreciate their own age and the coolness that comes with it. Don’t guess the age, I am 72 & killing it #nofilterneeded https://t.co/dD3Fbr ..read more

Asim Azhar is getting ready to start a new part of his music career with his first album, ‘Bematlab’, releasing on May. The album will include seven songs, with five being collaborations with other artists. Asim Azhar cleared his Instagram feed last week, suggesting big changes in his career. He posted a mysterious message hinting at something new, leaving fans eager for more details. Then, as the countdown started, the 27-year-old revealed the songs on the album, teasing exciting collaborations with both big names in the industry and up-and-coming stars. View this post on Instagram A post s ..read more

Indian icon Shabana Azmi recently shared a heartfelt compliment filled with love and admiration for our favourite Pakistani actress on Instagram. The post has created a buzz of anticipation among fans for Sajal Ali’s upcoming drama ‘Zard Patton ka Bunn.’ In her comment section, Bollywood royalty Shabana Azmi expressed her affection for Sajal by writing, “Uff! Yeh muskurahat” The teaser for ‘Zard Patton ka Bunn’ has been released, heightening anticipation among viewers. The drama, starring Sajal Aly alongside Hamza Sohail, promises to be a captivating story written by Mustafa Afridi and direct ..read more

Turkish police on Wednesday fired tear gas and rubber bullets and detained dozens of protesters after authorities banned May 1 rallies at Istanbul’s historic Taksim Square. More than 40,000 police were deployed across Istanbul, blocking even small sidestreets with metal barriers in an attempt to prevent protesters gathering. Police clashed with demonstrators near city hall in the Sarachane district, firing tear gas and rubber bullets to stop protesters breaching barricades, AFP reporters said. According to media reports, at least 150 people had been detained by midday, but authorities did not ..read more

The United States (US) has reassured Pakistan once again of its support to end terrorism in the country for the safety of citizens and protection of human rights, Geo reported on Wednesday. “We support Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism and ensure the safety and security of its citizens in a manner that promotes the rule of law and the protection of human rights,” US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said in a press briefing. The post US reassures Pakistan of its support to end terrorism appeared first on The Current ..read more

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has identified 506,671 individuals who have not filed their income tax returns for the 2023 tax year and issued an order to block their mobile phone SIM cards. This directive, known as Income Tax General Order No. 01 of 2024, was released on Tuesday, mandating the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and all telecom operators to comply immediately. According to the FBR, these non-filers are required to file their income tax returns under the Income Tax Ordinance of 2001. The list of those affected is available on the FBR’s website. Those listed can chec ..read more

Miftah Ismail, former finance minister of Pakistan, got emotional during a talk show on Dawn News when journalist Wasatullah Khan asked him about his feelings after the recent “clean chit” he got from the court in the LNG case. Miftah remarked, “Today should have been a happy day but it was a bitter day for me because of memories.” Miftah broke down then, getting teary-eyed while saying, “They raided my home and breached my wife’s privacy by opening her closets.” “I remember this and I will take Imran Khan to the court,” said Miftah. He stated that an inquiry had already been conducted in Sind ..read more