Tech and Telecom

Scientists at the Louisiana State University (LSU) have found that Coronavirus infects two types of brain cells: astrocytes and neurons, resulting in neurological problems in COVID-19 survivors even after recovering. Astrocytes perform several key functions in the central nervous system and maintain the semipermeable boundary known as the blood-brain barrier. They also carry nutrients from the bloodstream to neurons and prevent dangerous substances from invading. ALSO READ NCOC Doesn’t Want PCB to Host PSL in Karachi Although COVID-19 is a respiratory infection, its survivors have complained about different problems including memory lapses, fatigue, sluggishness, fuzzy feeling otherwise known as “brain…

Yesterday, ASUS quietly launched its new 14-inch VivoBook in China. The laptop is focused on power users who have to travel a lot. The new device ships with a gaming-centric processor housed in a sleek and stylish casing. Design and Display The ASUS VivoBook Pro 14 features a matte grey paint job and is designed to be ultra-thin and lightweight. The laptop weighs 1.35 kg with a thickness of just 17.9 mm which makes it very easy to travel with. The display is a 14-inch OLED screen with 2880 x 1800 pixels resolution and a 90 Hz refresh rate. It…

The Automotive Development Policy (ADP) 2016-21 has helped a great deal in creating a fair degree of competition in the local market, with several big names expressing interest to start doing business in Pakistan. It was revealed last year that one of such names is Volkswagen. In a significant development shared by Pakwheels.com, the construction of the Volkswagen assembly plant is set to begin on the 10th of May, 2021, in Hub, Balochistan. The construction contract has been awarded to Ittefaq Building Solution Ltd. ALSO READ Ford to Launch All-Electric Super-Truck F150 Lightning As per the report, one of the…

The Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), which is an entity of the Ministry of Information Technology & Telecommunication, has launched a comprehensive project that is aimed at enhancing the quality and capabilities of IT professionals in Pakistan. The project will improve IT professionals’ skill sets via the provision of training in the latest state-of-the-art technologies like machine learning, blockchain, e-commerce management, digital marketing, penetration testing, and mean/full stack development. ALSO READ FBR Extends Deadline for Payment and Submission of Sales Tax and FED Return The PSEB will also provide training and assistance for the obtaining of international certifications like AWS…

A Pakistani activist and businessman has initiated a project to provide over 500 hot meals to destitute families and refugees in London for free every day. Ehsan Shahid’s Open Kitchen project in Hounslow, West London, began three years ago with the help of a charity and is now a successful venture in the vicinity. The Open Kitchen had served free food to the vulnerable community and low-income households twice a day every day before the pandemic hit in March 2020 and brought everything to a standstill. Shahid decided to end the sit-in service and turned the project into a collection…

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Shaukat Tarin, held a meeting with the Minister for Industries and Production, Makhdoom Khusroo Bakhtiyar, at the Finance Division to discuss the features of a new credit scheme for the SME Sector. SAPM on Finance and Revenue, Dr. Waqar Masood, was also present during the meeting. Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Dr. Reza Baqir, joined the meeting through a video link. SBP Governor briefed the Finance Minister on the proposal for the provision of funds for the small businesses (without collateral) for tenure up to 3 years through the network of Commercial banks.…

A British-Pakistani family says it faced racist treatment by the staff at Central London’s quarantine center, Millennium Gloucester Hotel South Kensington in the United Kingdom. Mansoona Naeem, the girl who spoke out against the injustice, revealed that she, along with her parents, Naeem Chaudhry and Fardous Kauser, flew back to Landon on May 1 and were shifted to the Millennium Gloucester Hotel after their hotel was changed at the last minute. She said her family lives in Manchester, but they were told to stay at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel, some 200 miles away because there was no such facility in…

Pakistani telecom operator, Ufone, has introduced a new member of the Super Card family, Super Card Max that will cater to the growing needs for calls, data, and connectivity of millions of Pakistanis. Promising absolute ‘befikri’ using the Super Card Max, Ufone offers all its subscribers hassle-free connectivity through this offer. Catering to data needs with 4GB of internet along with unlimited Facebook, the Super Card Max allows Ufone users to stay updated on the go. This new addition to the Super Card family will also facilitate voice needs with unlimited U to U and PTCL minutes, 250 other network…

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has extended the deadline for the payment and submission of Sales Tax and Federal Excise Return for the Tax Period of April 2021 under Section 74 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990, and Section 43 of the Federal Excise Act, 2005. ALSO READ Economy Will Recover Next Financial Year: Punjab Finance Minister In its letter to all the Chief Commissioners IR, the FBR highlighted the extension of the date for the payment of Sales Tax and FED from 15 May to 18 May 2021. Similarly, the date for the submission of Sales Tax and…

Only nine months into operations, Retailo has successfully closed a $6.7 million seed investment round, the largest seed capital raised by a Saudi startup. This brings the total investments raised by Retailo, the fastest-growing B2B services platform in MENAP, to $9 million. Retailo’s pre-seed funding of $2.3 million in October 2020, led by Shorooq Partners, was also the largest ever pre-seed round raised by a Saudi start-up. Headquartered in Riyadh, Retailo was founded in 2020 by former Careem leaders Talha Ansari, Muhammad Nowkhaiz, and Wahaj Ahmed. These seasoned startup executives have played pivotal roles in scaling Careem, Foodpanda, and Daraz…