World

Sydney: Australia is set to implement a world-first ban on social media for children under 16, effective from December 10, as part of the Social Media Minimum Age Act. The legislation targets major platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Snapchat, YouTube, Reddit, and Twitch, requiring companies to enforce age restrictions through “reasonable steps” like age verification. Tech giants are scrambling to comply. Google announced that YouTube users under 16 will be automatically signed out, losing access to subscriptions, comments, and personalized features, while emphasizing the removal of parental controls as a consequence. No penalties apply to minors or parents who circumvent the ban; enforcement falls solely on platforms. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed the move as a vital step to safeguard young Australians from online harms like bullying and misinformation. However, critics argue it could drive teens to unregulated spaces or hinder digital literacy. The eSafety Commissioner has released FAQs to guide families, amid concerns over privacy in age checks. With an estimated 2-3 million affected users, the ban has sparked international interest, potentially influencing policies in the EU and US. Trials for age verification tech begin next year, but immediate impacts on youth mental health remain under scrutiny.

Islamabad: President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Zhaparov will undertake a two-day official visit to Pakistan beginning Wednesday at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Foreign Office announced on Tuesday.This will be the first presidential visit from Kyrgyzstan in two decades, the last having taken place in January 2005.The FO described the visit as a reflection of the brotherly relations between the two countries, based on shared history, faith, and common aspirations for peace and prosperity in Central and South Asia.President Zhaparov, accompanied by a high-level delegation including cabinet ministers, senior officials, and business leaders, will hold meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Delegation-level talks will cover trade, energy, defence, education, people-to-people contacts, and regional connectivity.The Kyrgyz leader will also address the Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan Business Forum.A key highlight will be the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on energy cooperation between the two ministries of energy, already approved by Pakistan’s federal cabinet on November 29, 2025.The visit is expected to inject fresh momentum into bilateral ties and strengthen collaboration at regional and multilateral forums

WASHINGTON: In a sweeping escalation of his hardline stance, the Trump administration announced Tuesday a temporary halt to all immigration applications, including green cards and U.S. citizenship processes, from 19 non-European countries flagged for national security risks. The move builds on June’s partial travel ban, imposing a “thorough re-review” on pending cases, potentially including mandatory interviews to probe public safety threats.The policy, detailed in an official memorandum, directly references last week’s deadly attack on U.S. National Guard members in Washington, where an Afghan suspect was arrested. One soldier was killed, another critically wounded in the shooting, fueling Trump’s recent inflammatory rhetoric against Somalis, whom he branded “garbage” unfit for America. Read More: https://theboardroompk.com/swiss-rolex-gift-to-trump-faces-corruption-scrutiny/ Targeted nations include severely restricted ones like Afghanistan, Iran, Somalia, and Yemen, alongside partially banned countries such as Cuba, Haiti, and Venezuela. Exceptions are narrow, focusing on verifiable low-risk entries.Immigration advocates decried the freeze. Sharvari Dalal-Dheini, senior director at the American Immigration Lawyers Association, reported widespread cancellations of oath ceremonies, naturalization interviews, and status adjustments for affected applicants, calling it a “devastating blow to families.”Since reclaiming the White House in January, Trump has ramped up deportations and border enforcements, but this shift spotlights legal pathways. Critics, including Democrats, blame the administration for scapegoating immigrants while overlooking Biden-era vetting lapses. Supporters hail it as vital protection. The pause’s duration remains unspecified, pending re-assessments

New Delhi: India’s telecom ministry has ignited a fierce political and industry debate with a confidential November 28 directive mandating that all new smartphones be preloaded with the state-owned Sanchar Saathi app, aimed at bolstering cyber security amid rising scams and thefts.The app, which tracks and blocks stolen devices using IMEI verification, must be non-deletable and pushed via updates to existing phones within 90 days. Targeting firms like Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, and Oppo, the order seeks to safeguard India’s 1.2 billion telecom users from fraud and counterfeit devices—successes already credited with recovering thousands of lost phones and curbing millions of fake lines.Yet, the move has triggered widespread concerns over privacy and potential surveillance. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and Congress Party lawmakers decried it as a “snooping tool,” vowing parliamentary scrutiny and demanding a rollback. Privacy advocates echoed fears of unchecked government access to 735 million smartphones.Apple (AAPL.O), powering 4.5% of the market, plans to resist, citing global policies against third-party preloads that compromise iOS security. Sources say the company will urge New Delhi for alternatives, like user prompts. Other Android makers are reviewing compliance, highlighting tensions between national security and user rights in the world’s second-largest smartphone market.

Karachi: Atif Ikram Sheikh, President FPCCI, has apprised that the EU’s GSP Plus Monitoring Mission, headed by Sergio Balibrea, Trade Mission Lead, has visited the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) Head Office, Karachi, to review Pakistan’s progress under the GSP+ scheme; and, explore avenues for enhanced cooperation.Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh added that the EU’s GSP Plus Monitoring Mission held a comprehensive meeting with Mr. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, SVP FPCCI; Ms. Qurat Ul Ain, VP FPCCI; Mr. Zubair Baweja, Chairman of FPCCI’s Pakistan–EU Business Forum and Dr. Mirza Ikhtair Baig, member National Assembly of Pakistan & former SVP FPCCI – along with senior FPCCI members of FPCCI’s Pakistan–EU Business Forum.Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh elaborated that the delegation reviewed Pakistan’s progress under the GSP+ arrangement; which has significantly contributed to enhancing Pakistan’s exports to the European Union. He highlighted that the GSP+ scheme remains a key driver of sustainable economic growth, export diversification, job creation and stronger Pakistan–EU trade relations. He noted that Pakistan’s exports to the EU have risen from $5.4 billion in 2013 to $13.54 billion in 2024 – although the export basket remains dominated by textiles; which accounts for nearly 82% of the total exports of Pakistan to the EU.Mr. Sergio Balibrea, Trade Mission Lead, acknowledged Pakistan’s progress and efforts; but, emphasized the need for sustained reforms, institutional strengthening and effective implementation mechanisms. Whereas, both the sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening a broad-based, long-term and forward-looking partnership under the EU-Pakistan Strategic Engagement Plan. They agreed to continue institutional dialogue and boost cooperation in trade, climate resilience, skills development and optimal utilization of the GSP+ framework for mutual benefit.Mr. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, SVP FPCCI, informed that the Mission also discussed Pakistan’s compliance with the 27 international conventions on human rights, labour rights, environmental protection, good governance and climate action requirements – essential for the continuation of GSP+ status.SVP FPCCI shared industry insights regarding labour laws, working conditions, workplace safety, gender equality, women’s economic participation and ongoing efforts to eliminate child labour from various sectors. He maintained that, on the back of strong religious and cultural practices, traditions and norms, many industrialists in Pakistan routinely and diligently take care of their labour force, women workers and other vulnerable individuals in their respective industries. These include provision of Zakat, healthcare services, educational support for the labour force’ children and marriage support funds for the children of the workforce as well.Ms. Qurrat Ul Ain, VP FPCCI, presented major investment opportunities in Pakistan across renewable energy, mining, infrastructure, telecommunications, engineering, pharmaceuticals, agribusiness, textiles, leather and value-added manufacturing. She stressed upon the promotion of joint ventures and partnerships with European companies – and, emphasized on the much-needed collaboration on SME development, women entrepreneurship, vocational training, CSR initiatives and human development programs.Mr. Zubair Baweja, Chairman of FPCCI’s Pakistan–EU Business Forum, outlined key challenges faced by exporters – including compliance with EU standards; sanitary & phytosanitary (SPS) issues; emerging regulatory requirements, particularly the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) – and limited awareness among SMEs regarding certification and documentation processes. He proposed enhanced EU technical assistance, capacity-building programs and awareness sessions for exporters in diversified and unconventional sectors as well.

LONDON: Bitcoin crashed below the psychologically important $90,000 level on Monday, extending its sharpest monthly decline since the 2021 crypto crash, as broader risk aversion swept global markets.The world’s largest cryptocurrency plunged as much as 6.1% during the session, hitting an intraday low near $85,000 before recovering slightly. By 09:42 GMT, Bitcoin was trading down almost 5% at $86,754 – marking its largest single-day drop in over a month and hovering dangerously close to November’s eight-month low of $80,553.Analysts at Jefferies led by Christopher Kumar pointed to a cocktail of crypto-negative factors weighing on sentiment, including Bitcoin’s rising correlation with equities and renewed macro risk aversion. U.S.-listed spot Bitcoin ETFs suffered record outflows in November, with LSEG data showing the worst monthly redemptions on record as investors fled risk assets.The selloff mirrored sharp declines in global stock markets, underscoring Bitcoin’s evolution from “digital gold” to just another high-beta risk asset. Traders now eye the $80,000 support level, with a break of which could trigger another leg lower in the ongoing correction.

BEIJING: China’s People’s Bank of China (PBOC) doubled down on its stringent anti-crypto policy Saturday, cautioning against a recent uptick in virtual currency speculation and pledging a robust crackdown on stablecoin-related illegalities. In a statement following Friday’s virtual currency regulation coordination meeting, the PBOC emphasized that cryptocurrencies lack legal tender status and deem related business activities as illegal financial operations. Stablecoins, in particular, were flagged for inadequate customer identification and anti-money laundering safeguards, heightening risks of money laundering, fraud, and illicit cross-border transfers. “We will intensify efforts to combat these illegal activities and safeguard economic and financial stability,” the central bank declared. This echoes October remarks by Governor Pan Gongsheng, who vowed ongoing suppression of domestic crypto operations while monitoring overseas stablecoin developments. China has prohibited crypto trading since 2021, though Bitcoin mining is quietly rebounding in energy-abundant provinces via cheap power and data centers. Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s stablecoin framework remains license-free.