Energy Minister Awais Leghari has assured the public that electricity prices will be reduced soon. He denied reports claiming that prices would not go down, according toExpress News. Furthermore he declared that Prime Minister will announce the good news for the people who are consumers of electricity.
We will lower the prices of electricity at the right time, whether it is two days earlier or later.” , Speaking to the media on Tuesday
The Energy Minister announces upcoming electricity tariffs cuts will bring relief to consumers.
Leghari made it clear that the reports saying electricity prices would not be reduced were false.
When asked if the government would share the benefit of not lowering fuel prices with the public, Awais Leghari said, “We stand by our promises. Our word is not like the previous government’s.”
On March 15, the government decided to maintain fuel prices, despite the expected drop due to changes in the international market. Instead of reducing prices, the government increased taxes on fuel by Rs10 per litre.
Last week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that while fuel prices remained unchanged, the government had made an important decision to pass on the benefits of lower electricity prices to the public.
The Prime Minister said that the government is working on a plan to lower electricity prices. This plan will be announced in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervez Malik spoke to journalists in Lahore. He said that the government is committed to helping the public in every way possible.
Awais Leghari also mentioned that the Prime Minister will soon introduce a relief package for electricity consumers. He made it clear that the price reduction will not be a short-term solution but part of a long-term plan.
The United Nations warned on Monday that reducing international aid could stop years of progress in reducing child deaths and might even make things worse. A new report fromUNICEF, the World Health Organization, and the World Bank does not mention the United States directly. Furthermore funding cuts could mean less help for people in Gaza, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine and many more countries.
However, it comes at a time when President Donald Trump’s government has cut most programs run by USAID. It is America’s main foreign aid agency, which once had a yearly budget of $42.8 billion.
Fouzia Shafique said the global health community is extremely worried about the situation we are seeing. She is a UNICEF’s Associate Director of Health. The United States reports warns that cutting aid money will have the worst effects in places where child deaths are already high. Such as sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia.
If funding for life-saving services dwindles, many nations may witness a surge in newborn and child fatalities, the report warned.
In 2023, child deaths under the age of five continued to decline, with 4.8 million deaths recorded. This included 2.3 million newborn babies who died in their first month. For the first time, the number of child deaths dropped below five million in 2022.The latest numbers show that child deaths have dropped by 52% since the year 2000.
However, Shafique emphasized, “4.8 million deaths is still 4.8 million too many.”
Since 2015, progress in saving children’s lives has slowed down because funds were redirected to fight COVID-19. This could lead to a worrying trend. “Reaching a record low in preventable child deaths is a big success,” said United Nations executive director Catherine Russell. “But without the right policies and enough funding, we could lose all the progress we have made.”
“We cannot let that happen,” she added. Some effects of funding cuts are already visible, such as a shortage of health workers, closed clinics, problems with vaccination programs, and a lack of essential supplies like malaria treatments. Ethiopia is seeing a big rise in malaria cases, said Shafique.
However, the country does not have enough malaria test kits, insecticide-treated bed nets, or funds for spraying to stop disease-carrying mosquitoes.
The reduction by IMF in tax will help the real estate, property, and construction industries grow. The government will implement the new tax change in April 2025, expecting it to boost the real estate market. However, the withholding tax for property sellers will stay the same.
TheInternational Monetary Fund (IMF)has given partial approval for a 2% cut in withholding tax on property purchases. This decision came after a request from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and also effective from April 2025.
FBR officials said that they have also agreed to reduce the Federal Excise Duty on property purchases. The government convinced the International Monetary Fund to lower the tax for buyers but will continue to collect it from sellers.
FBR officials believe this decision will help finalize the Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies, leading to a final agreement. More progress is expected next week. Earlier Federal Board of Revenue(FBR) had asked the IMF to reduce withholding tax for both buyers and sellers. IMF also agree the principal to reduce the withholding tax (WHT) on property purchases by two percent.
In another update, the IMF has approved a PKR 1,250 billion loan from banks to help reduce circular debt in the power sector. Meanwhile, the IMF and the government are still discussing budget targets for the next financial year.
Experts have praised this decision, saying it will help the real estate, property, and construction industries grow.
The United States is bringing in eggs from Turkey and South Korea to help with a shortage caused by bird flu. This shortage in US has made egg prices go up across the country.
Brooke Rollins, an official in the U.S. government, said on Friday (March 21) that eggs from these two countries have already started arriving. Furthermore, she also said that the government is talking to other countries about bringing in more eggs for a short time.
She said : “We are bringing in hundreds of millions of eggs for now,” .
Egg prices have gone up a lot because of several bird flu outbreaks in the United States. Moreover, farmers had to kill at least 30 million birds, which made it harder to get enough eggs.
Last year, during the presidential election,Donald Trumptalked about high egg prices to gain support. Therefore he used it to show people’s frustration with the rising cost of important items under Joe Biden’s presidency.
After becoming president again in January, Donald Trump gave Rollins the job of increasing the egg supply and lowering prices.
In the past few weeks, egg producers in different countries said the U.S. is interested in buying their eggs. Poultry groups in Poland and Lithuania told AFP that U.S. officials had asked them about getting fresh eggs.
There’s an egg deficit in numerous countries,” said Katarzyna Gawronska, a leader in Poland’s flesh assiduity. “The important question is what price the Americans are willing to pay.
TheU.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)recently said that the price of eggs sold in bulk has dropped by almost 50% since late February. This means that egg prices in stores might also go down soon.
“The falling prices show that USDA’s plan is working,” the agency said.
On Friday, Rollins told reporters that egg imports will stop once U.S. farmers can produce enough eggs again.
“When our chickens are back and our egg farms are fully working hopefully in a few months. we will stop importing and use our own eggs again,” she said.
Final thoughts on US imports eggs
The decision to increase egg imports from Korea and Türkiye is a strategic move to combat high prices and supply shortages. While consumers may not see immediate price drops, this step is crucial in stabilizing the market.
Researchers say some people should get an extra dose of the measles vaccine as cases of measles outbreak texas keep increasing in Texas and nearby states.
The measles outbreak in the United States is getting worse, with no sign of stopping. As of March 18, there were 279 cases in Texas, 38 in New Mexico, and up to 4 in Oklahoma.
In Gaines County, Texas, the center of the outbreak, a six-year-old child who was not vaccinated died from measles. In New Mexico, an unvaccinated adult may have also died from the disease.
“We haven’t seen any signs that the outbreak is slowing down,” says William Moss, a disease expert at Johns Hopkins University.
While health officials are working to stop the spread, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, who has a history of opposing vaccines, has given only weak support for the measles vaccine. Furthermore, this vaccine is a safe and effective way to prevent the disease.
Instead, Kennedy has suggested treatments like cod liver oil, steroids, and antibiotics, but none of these work against measles. (He says he is not against vaccines but believes people should choose for themselves.)
Experts spoke to Nature about how serious the outbreak could become.
How big could the measles outbreak texasbecome?
It is hard to say how big the measles outbreak texas will get. William Moss compares it to a forest fire spreading sparks.
If a spark lands in a place like Maryland, where 97% of people are vaccinated, it will die out quickly. But if it reaches communities with low vaccination rates, there could be many large outbreaks.
“I think the number of cases could reach thousands,” says Paul Offit, a virus expert at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Why is measles so incredibly infectious?
Measles is the most contagious disease that spreads directly from person to person.
Scientists use a number called R0 to measure how many people one sick person is likely to infect. For measles, this number is 12 to 18, which is very high. In comparison, early COVID-19 had an R0 of about 1.4 to 2.5, and the flu has an R0 of 1 to 2.
Measles spreads so easily that in 1991, one athlete with measles in a sports stadium infected 16 people, including 2 who were sitting 30 meters away—about the length of a gym.
Measles spreads very easily because only a tiny amount of the virus can infect someone.
The virus spreads through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. If a person with measles walks through a room, the virus can stay in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours.
At first, measles can seem like a common cold, with fever, cough, and runny nose in the first 2–4 days. Because of this, people may not realize they have measles and do not stay away from others. Moreover even when they are very contagious. The red rash, which is a clear sign of measles, usually appears several days later.
What are the long-term effects of measles?
Measles outbreak texas can be deadly
Measles can cause death. Out of every 1,000 unvaccinated children, 1 to 3 may die from the disease.
About 5–6% of people with measles develop pneumonia, which is the main cause of death in young children. Measles can also lead to blindness or hearing loss.
Serious Long-Term Effects of Measles
One of the most dangerous long-term effects is a rare brain disease called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). It happens years after a measles outbreak texas and causes memory loss, personality changes, and dementia. Sadly, it is almost always fatal.
Another long-term problem is ‘immune amnesia’. Therefore Measles destroys antibodies that help the body remember how to fight infections. This makes people more likely to get sick with other diseases for 2–3 years after having measles.
Measles Symptoms Can Be Very Uncomfortable
Even when measles is not fatal, it can cause painful symptoms like:
“The way we stop measles outbreak texas is to vaccinate,” says William Moss. Furthermore the measles vaccine is safe and effective and can prevent serious illness and death. For more info :measles outbreak spread to more states.
More people and countries are choosing to boycotts the US to challenge its power in politics, business, and society. Some believe that avoiding U.S. products, companies, and policies is a strong way to protest issues like trade rules and human rights problems. This global view explores why boycotting the US matters, examining its impact on international relations, economic independence, and ethical consumerism.
The Trump government is attacking democracy in the U.S. in a dangerous way. Most Americans did not vote for him, and many did not vote at all in the 2024 election. Yet, he still acts as if he has full power to weaken the Constitution.
This issue is also linked to the Israel-Palestine conflict, as U.S. products and policies have a significant influence. Many people worry that buying American goods might indirectly support actions in this conflict. Because of this, some choose to boycott U.S. products as a form of protest.
Like all bullies, he will only stop if people stand up to him boycotting the US this includes you. When people unite against unfair actions, they can make a difference. Boycotting the US is one way to send a strong message that the world does not support his attacks on democracy. The United states has a history of peaceful boycotts, sometimes controversial and divisive, to challenge human rights abuses and seek political change.
If you are planning a trip to the United States, please think again. Why spend your money in Trump’s America?
Tourists from other countries bring a lot of money to the U.S. economy and pay taxes when they visit. By not traveling there, you avoid supporting Trump’s government. Many people have already canceled their trips because they are worried about his leadership.
Boycotting the US: A Stand Against Political Policies
Last week,Donald Trump threatened a huge tax on European wine and alcohol. He called the European Union one of the most unfair trading partners in the world. Many Europeans are now choosing not to visit Disney World or attend festivals in the U.S.
Chinese tourism to the U.S. has dropped by 11%, with travelers preferring to visit Australia and New Zealand instead. Canadians, who usually travel to the U.S. the most, are now going to Europe and Mexico. In fact, fewer Canadians are driving or flying to the U.S. this year, with travel dropping by over 20%. Experts predict international travel to the U.S. will go down by at least 5% this year.
Although the U.S. has welcomed and benefited from visitors in the past, now may not be the best time to come. Many people are waiting for a better political situation before visiting.
If you are thinking about coming to the U.S. for school or work on a visa, you may want to wait.
It is not always safe, even for legal visitors.
For example, Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a 34-year-old kidney transplant specialist and professor at Brown University, was deported without explanation—even though she was in the U.S. legally and a court had stopped her expulsion.
It may be better to wait a few years, hopefully until Trump’s rule is over.
Sugar millers in Pakistan have warned that they will raise sugar price by five rupees per kilogram. They say this is because the government has decided to change the General Sales Tax (GST). This could cause them to lose money.
The Warning:
Sugar millers have said they will raise the sugar price by Rs 5 per kilogram if the government does not cancel its decision to change the GST. According to reports, the government and sugar millers could not agree on the price because the millers refused to sell sugar for Rs 140 per kilogram. Sources also say that sugar prices may go up even more before Eidul Fitr due to a shortage.
Sugar mill representatives have warned that if the Pakistan government tries to lower prices. Furthermore they may stop supplying sugar to the market.
They also pointed out that the government itself allowed sugar exports and should not complain about the resulting shortage.
Retail markets are selling sugar at Rs 170 to Rs 175 per kg. Despite the government’s efforts to stabilize prices, no significant reduction has been observed.
It is to be noted that Pakistan government allowed sugar millers to export sugar on the assurance of stability of the rate.
Sugar price in Pakistan city Karachi
Retailers are selling sugar at Rs150 per kg, while online grocery stores, marts, and supermarkets have set prices between Rs155-165 per kg.
According to the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), the national average price of sugar was Rs135-160 per kg last week. In early July, it was Rs125-140 per kg, and in January 2023, it was much lower at Rs87-100 per kg.
Wearable health monitors devices are defined as tools designed to track and record a patient’s health information. The sensors in smartphones, watches other wearable health monitor devices can be continuously monitor walking habits. It provide an accurate measure of the patient’s gait. Wearable health monitor technology, mainly smartwatches, is a huge industry worth billions of dollars. This is a strong focus on health tracking.
Wearable technology in healthcare defines as devices that patients attach to their bodies to collect health and fitness data. They can share this data with their doctors. Continuous glucose monitors, smartwatches with advanced health metrics these all innovations are changing healthcare for the better
Many high-end devices claim to accurately monitor exercise, body temperature, heart rate, menstrual cycles, and sleep patterns. Right now the benefits of health monitoring through wearables are disproportionately available to consumer technology companies. Wearable health monitors enable remote monitoring of patients are allowing healthcare to keep the track of many patients.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has suggested giving wearable devices to millions of NHS patients in England. This would help them track symptoms, such as side effects from cancer treatments, from home
However, many doctors and tech experts are still unsure about relying on health data from wearables. I’m currently testing a smart ring from the company Ultrahuman, and it seemed to know I was getting sick before I did.
How Wearable Health Monitors Are Changing Healthcare: Benefits, Challenges, and Future Trends
One weekend, it alerted me that my temperature was slightly high and my sleep was restless. It warned that this could be a sign of illness.
I brushed it off, thinking it might be due to perimenopause, and ignored it. But two days later, I was in bed with gastric flu.
I didn’t need to see a doctor, but if I had, would the data from my wearable have helped with my treatment? Many wearable brands believe it can.
For example, the Oura smart ring allows users to download a report of their health data and share it with their doctor.
Dr. Jake Deutsch, a doctor in the US who also advises Oura, says wearable data helps him “assess overall health more accurately.” But not all doctors agree that it’s always useful.
Dr. Helen Salisbury, a GP in Oxford, says she doesn’t see many patients bringing in data from their wearables, but it is becoming more common—and it worries her.
“I think wearables are helpful sometimes, but often they are not very useful,” she says. “I worry that they might make people overly anxious about their health and lead to too much monitoring of our bodies.”
Dr. Salisbury says there are many reasons why we might get unusual health data, like a higher heart rate. It could be a small change in our body or even a mistake by the device—and most of the time, it doesn’t need further checking.
“I worry that people will start checking their health all the time and see their doctor just because the device says something is wrong, instead of when they actually feel unwell,” she says.
She also points out that some people use this data as a kind of safety net, hoping it will warn them about serious health problems. But a smartwatch or app might not always detect something like a dangerous cancerous tumor, she warns.
Biotechnology in Agriculture is also known as agritech, is an area of agricultural science involving the use of scientific tools and techniques including genetic.
The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) is using Nuclear Technology to help improve farming in Pakistan. It has developed new types of crops, better ways to control pests, improve soil and water use, keep animals healthy, and make food safer and last longer.
Biotechnology in Agriculture improves crops and livestock using biotechnology tools.
PAEC also helps farmers by organizing special events like “Farmer’s Days” and field visits. These programs teach farmers about new crop varieties, modern farming techniques, and ways to save water. This helps them grow more food and improve their farming methods. There are some major uses of biotechnology in agriculture.
Biotechnology in Agriculture is the use of new scientific techniques based on our understanding of DNA to improve the production of crops.
Development of New Crop Varieties
The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) is developing new types of crops using different scientific methods. These include traditional breeding, mutation breeding, genetic engineering, and marker-assisted selection.
The goal is to create crops that produce more food, have better quality, can survive in tough conditions, and grow in different areas. So far, PAEC’s Agriculture and Biotechnology Institutes have developed over 150 crop varieties, which are widely used by farmers in Pakistan.
Using Salty Land for Farming
The agriculture and biotechnology institutes of PAEC have developed special methods to use land that has too much salt. They provide these methods and special plants to local farmers and even to other countries.
The main goal is to make salty land useful for farming while also improving its condition over time. This helps farmers grow crops and earn money from land that was previously not useful.
Plant Nutrition and Water Management
Water shortage is a big problem that affects farming and food production. Using too much fertilizer is also harming the soil and the environment.
PAEC has developed better ways to use water efficiently in farming, reducing water waste. They have also found cheaper and better nutrient sources for plants, helping farmers use less chemical fertilizer while keeping the soil healthy.
Reducing Crop Losses from Pests and Diseases
One way to increase farm productivity is by reducing the damage caused by pests and diseases, both in the field and after harvest. PAEC Institutes have introduced methods to breed large numbers of helpful predatory insects that naturally control harmful pests in crops.
Scientists have developed and shared new technologies with farmers to help them manage pests using an integrated approach. Research in food irradiation has also helped improve food storage by increasing shelf life, removing harmful contaminants, and reducing waste. These efforts help farmers protect their crops and reduce losses.
Increasing Export Opportunities
Exports are very important for a country’s economy. Since 70% of Pakistan’s exports come from agriculture, any improvement in this sector helps the country grow.
To support exports, services are provided to remove harmful substances from food using irradiation. Experts also test food and dairy products for aflatoxins and drug residues. Additionally, researchers use DNA testing to check the quality of Basmati rice and identify genetically modified crops. These efforts help improve the quality of export goods and make them safer for international markets.
Training and Skill Development
Agriculture and Biotechnology Institutes train people through courses, workshops, and internships. They organize about 40 training programs each year to teach the latest techniques in agricultural research.
Because of PAEC’s continuous efforts to build skilled research teams, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has recognized NIAB as a ‘Collaborating Centre’ for Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture. These training programs benefit researchers, students, and teachers from both national and international organizations and universities.
Additionally, NIAB and NIBGE work with PIEAS to offer MPhil and PhD degrees in Biology and Biotechnology.
5G is the fifth generation of cellular networks. It is up to 100 times faster than 4G and is opening up new opportunities for people and businesses.
With faster internet speeds, lower delays, and more bandwidth, 5G is changing how we live and work. It is helping industries grow. Furthermore making everyday experiences better, and improving society in many ways. Therefore, it can run on a broader range of bandwidths.
Things that once seemed like the future such as online healthcare, smart traffic systems. Moreover high-quality mobile gamings are now possible with 5G-Advanced.
This technology is helping us to create a safer, reliable and more endurable world.
Primary Benefits of 5G
Faster Speeds
More Bandwidth
Better Coverage
Lower Latency
Supports More Devices
More Accurate Location Tracking
A short comparison between 4G and 5G
These few lines can help you understand the main key difference between them
2G: focused on calls and text messages.
3G: introduced web browsing.
4G: brought faster internet, video streaming, and better mobile experiences.
Previous mobile networks were mainly designed for personal use but 5G is much more.
Furthermore, this technology in Pakistan it is designed to transform entire industries, businesses, and public services.
5G is Better Than 4G:
1.Reduced Latency:
5G reacts considerably more quickly. ensuring the seamless operation of devices like smart cars, video calls, and gaming.
2. Greater Capacity:
It can accommodate more people and devices without experiencing lag, even in congested areas, 3. Improved Mobility & Tracking:
While traveling quickly and increases location accuracy. Moreover, even then 5G maintains steady connections even 4. Edge Computing:
5G can process data closer to users, increasing speed and efficiency, rather than just depending on cloud servers. 5. Guaranteed Performance:
5G may meet a variety of needs through “network slicing,” Furthermore, guaranteeing everyone receives high-quality service. 6. AI & Automation:
5G’s cloud-based architecture facilitates automation driven by AI, advancing the development of intelligent, self-governing networks.
Furthermore, 5G isn’t just a faster version of 4G…it’s a game-changer for the future of technology!
5G
4G
Peak download speed
20 Gbps
1 Gbps
Peak upload speed
10 Gbps
0.2 Gbps
Latency (shortest delay time)
1 millisecond
10 milliseconds
Availability
99.999%
99.99%
Mobility
500 km/h
350 km/h
Positioning accuracy
1 meter
45 meters
Device density (per square mile)
250 million
250
Comparision of 4G and 5G
The Future of 5G: What to Expect Next
5G is not just an upgrade from previous mobile networks . Moreover, it is a complete transformation. It is designed to be faster, safer, and more energy efficient.
More Energy Efficient
5G is the most energy-saving mobile technology so far. Furthermore, It helps reduce power use in networks and makes device batteries last up to 10 times longer.
New high-performance processors, like Ericsson Silicon, have also made network equipment 10 times lighter and more energy-efficient between 2016 and 2022. This helps create a greener and more sustainable future.
Stronger Security
5G is the safest mobile network ever. Security is built into its design to make it more reliable and always available.
With this strong protection, 5G can support the growth of smart technology, including automated machines, robots, and transportation systems. However, this marks the start of a new and more secure digital world.
Smarter Technology
5G introduces cloud-based networks, allowing AI-powered software to be used across the entire system from the core network to the outer edges.
With advanced AI, 5G can detect problems, manage resources better, improve service quality, and enhance security. Therefore, this makes networks faster, safer, and more efficient, creating a better experience for users and businesses.
Expand the potential of 5G technology by making the internet much faster, reducing delays, connecting more smart devices furthermore, improving city services, transforming healthcare and transportation, and opening the door for new technologies like AI, virtual reality, and self-driving cars.
