The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has finalized all formalities for the Phase-II review of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited’s (PTCL) acquisition of 100% shareholding in Telenor Pakistan Pvt Ltd and Orion Towers Pvt Ltd.
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CII Chairman Denies Statement on VPNs
Islamabad, November 20, 2024 – Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) Chairman Dr. Raghib Hussain Naeemi has categorically denied declaring virtual private networks (VPNs) “un-Islamic,” explaining that a “typo” in the council’s statement caused the confusion amid the government’s deadline to block all unregistered encrypted networks this month.
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CDNS Raises Rs. 550 Billion Through Fresh Bonds Issuance
Islamabad, November 20, 2024 – The Central Directorate of National Savings (CDNS) has raised Rs. 550 billion through the issuance of fresh bonds, achieving 15% of its annual target for the current fiscal year 2024-25, from July 1 to November 15.
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Nicole Kidman Opens Up About Viral Oscar Clap
Nicole Kidman has opened up about the viral Oscar moment that made her rethink her clapping style. In an insightful interview with Vanity Fair for its 2025 Hollywood Issue, the Australian actress reflected on the famous 2017 moment at the 89th Academy Awards when her clapping went viral for resembling that of a seal.
Kidman, known for her elegance on the red carpet, confessed that she had been “ridiculed” for her unusual clapping technique. While discussing the moment with her Lion co-star Dev Patel, she humorously demonstrated the signature clap. “I know what I do when I clap, and I’ve been ridiculed for that,” she shared, imitating the gesture. Dev, recognizing the viral moment, quipped, “I’ve seen that,” leading Nicole to reveal that she now consciously claps in a more conventional way, admitting, “I now try to clap like this.”
The viral clapping moment became a topic of much discussion after the Oscars, with fans and media jokingly comparing her clap to a seal’s. However, Kidman acknowledged that it wasn’t just the clap but the context that made it awkward. In a previous interview on the Kyle & Jackie O Australian radio show, she confessed, “It was really awkward! I was like, ‘Gosh, I want to clap. I don’t want to not be clapping.’”
Nicole further explained that the awkwardness was compounded by her oversized ring, which wasn’t her own, but one she considered “absolutely gorgeous.” She was concerned about damaging it, adding to her stress during the ceremony.
In the same interview, Kidman also discussed her experiences working with both female and male directors. The actress expressed a strong sense of intimacy and connection with most of the directors she has worked with. “I’ve worked with some of the greatest, and I feel intimacy with most directors that I work with,” Kidman shared. She also highlighted her efforts to support women in the industry, saying, “I’m trying to support all of these women at all different ages, at all different stages in their careers… I’m here and I’m at your disposal.”
With her candid reflections on both her viral moment and her career, Nicole Kidman continues to inspire with her honesty and advocacy for women in the film industry.
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Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater Shine at Wicked Premiere
Ariana Grande and her boyfriend, Ethan Slater, turned heads at the premiere of Wicked in New York City on Thursday, where they made a memorable appearance together. The couple’s appearance at the much-anticipated film’s special screening delighted fans, marking a significant public outing as their relationship continues to capture attention.
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Taylor Swift Thanks Fans for Grammy Nominations and Support
Taylor Swift is expressing heartfelt gratitude to her fans for their overwhelming support of her latest album The Tortured Poets Department, which has not only captured the hearts of listeners but has also earned her six Grammy nominations for 2025.
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Flawed Policy Narratives & Poor Policy Choices
Pakistan’s economy is facing severe challenges, teetering on a make-or-break point. The current crisis is not the fault of any single government but reflects seventy years of policy and economic mismanagement. While the government touts improvements in macroeconomic indicators, the key question is whether the deeper issues of structural distortions and imbalances are being addressed. The gravity of the challenge is evident in the fact that these core problems are either unrecognized or deliberately obscured, and they are not being brought into the national discourse.
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KIBOR – Karachi Interbank Offered Rates on October 15, 2024
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has released the Karachi Interbank Offered Rates (KIBOR) for various tenors on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, providing a crucial snapshot of the prevailing borrowing costs in the interbank market.
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FBR Declares War on Sales Tax Fraud, Warns Large Taxpayers
Karachi, October 14, 2024 – The Large Taxpayers Office (LTO) Karachi convened a high-profile conference on Monday with corporate sector leaders, issuing a stern warning that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has officially declared war on fraudulent sales tax practices.
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Sabrina Carpenter Praises Taylor Swift as Her Guiding Inspiration
Sabrina Carpenter has openly expressed her admiration for Taylor Swift, calling the music icon her “role model” and praising her for being gracious and supportive throughout her career. During an exclusive interview on CBS This Morning, Carpenter, 25, discussed the influence Swift, 34, has had on her journey, especially after performing as the opening act on Swift’s Eras Tour earlier this year.
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