Latest news with #Fiver
Express Tribune
16-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
IT sector performance reviewed, but challenges ignored
Listen to article The Ministry of Information Technology has presented a rosy picture of Pakistan's telecom sector while ignoring the pains and sufferings of consumers due to the slow internet speed following the installation of a firewall. While presenting the performance of the IT and telecom ministry, Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja presented a one-year review of the IT and telecom sector in a recent meeting of the federal cabinet. She said that in the last year, broadband subscribers grew from 127.6 to 142.3 million, telecom revenues increased from Rs817 billion to Rs955 billion, local mobile phone manufacturing rose from 21.28 million to 31.38 million devices and cell site connectivity with fibre expanded by 12%. She also noted that the telecom sector contributed Rs341 billion to the national exchequer. However, she did not disclose the entire picture as the businesses of those related to the IT industry had either been shut down or they were near bankruptcy. Several entrepreneurs had shifted their offices to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to slow internet speed, which occurred following the installation of a firewall. Even the telecom operators suffered multibillion-rupee losses because of the shifting of their customers to different networks in the wake of slow internet speed. The software association had informed the government during the installation of the firewall that they had suffered a loss of $500 million. Additionally, the freelancers' network Fiver had issued an advisory to its customers not to hire services of freelancers from Pakistan. Freelancers lost their clients due to the disruption in communications. Currently, several countries like the UAE and some European Union (EU) states were offering visas to digital marketers, especially those who were receiving earnings online to attract influencers so that they could contribute to their income. However, the case of Pakistan is different as the country's IT policies are going in the reverse direction to the detriment of the IT and telecom sector. The report submitted by the IT minister to the cabinet missed all those facts and figures, which caused severe pain to those businesses that were related to the IT sector. The IT minister also informed the cabinet that it was mentioned that 813 mauzas had been connected to the internet through 2,000 km of optic fibre cables and IT-related exports had surged 27% compared to the previous fiscal year. Furthermore, with the help of eight incubation centres across the country, 229 start-ups, with an investment of Rs2.04 billion, got the services of these centres. Regarding the digital transformation of the economy, governance and society, the minister informed the forum that 42 divisions and 176 departments had switched to e-office and the Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP) had been launched to digitalise government services. She highlighted that all those advancements had been made through the introduction of a series of policy frameworks and enactments. Digital skills among youth Regarding the development of digital skills, the minister stated that around 300,000 training sessions had been completed in one year, with plans to double the number in the future. She added that 1,000 interns had been placed in the ICT internship programme and the Digital Pakistan Cyber Security Hackathon was organised in 2024, attracting 6,443 participants. The minister noted that IT parks were under construction in Karachi and Islamabad while several Software Technology Parks (STPs) had been completed in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Associated Press
14-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Fiver Children's Foundation Celebrates 25 Years of Transforming Lives at Annual Benefit
NEW YORK, NY, March 14, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- The Fiver Children's Foundation is thrilled to announce its 25th Anniversary Benefit, a milestone celebration honoring a quarter-century of empowering youths across New York. This year's event will bring together supporters, alumni, and community leaders to celebrate Fiver's transformative ten-year commitment to youth development and raise critical funds for its year-round and summer programs. Fiver's unique model provides children with a decade-long journey of mentorship, educational support, leadership development, and the unforgettable experience of Camp Fiver. Through this long-term engagement, Fiver equips young people with the tools to make ethical and healthy life choices, graduate high school and college, and become engaged, impactful citizens. This year, Fiver is proud to recognize the exceptional contributions of distinguished honorees with the Richard Adams Leadership Award: Eric and Kyuri Weng Erika Weinberg on behalf of Latham & Watkins LLP Fiver's Emeritus Board of Directors Additionally, the Thomas and Heather Tucker Visionary Award will be presented to Fiver alumnus and Board Member Jonathan Jean-Pierre, celebrating his extraordinary achievements and dedication to Fiver's mission. 'The 25th Anniversary Benefit is not only a celebration of our past achievements but also a powerful reminder of the thousands of lives transformed by Fiver's commitment to youth development,' said Executive Director Christie Ko. 'With the continued support of our community, we are excited to expand our reach and deepen our impact for the next generation of Fiver leaders.' The benefit will take place on June 3 at 583 Park Avenue, offering an evening of inspiration, recognition, and philanthropy. All proceeds will directly support Fiver's programs, ensuring that young people continue to receive the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. For tickets, sponsorship opportunities, and additional information, please visit About Fiver Children's Foundation The Fiver Children's Foundation is a comprehensive youth development organization that makes a ten-year commitment to children from underserved communities in New York City and Central New York. Through year-round programming and a transformative summer camp experience, Fiver empowers young people to make positive life choices, pursue their educational and career aspirations, and become leaders in their communities. Since its founding in 1998, Fiver has impacted thousands of young lives, equipping them with the skills, confidence, and support to build bright futures. For more information, Media Contact
BBC News
04-03-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Seal seen capturing and eating eel in sea off Portland Bill
A seal has been spotted wrangling a large eel for its lunch. Biology teacher Dr Jeremy Rowe filmed the seal after spotting it wrestling something in the water off Portland Bill on Rowe had been birdwatching on a nearby cliff when he saw the kerfuffle through his telescope about 500m (1,640ft) away. He said he spent about 20 minutes watching the seal capture and then eat the eel, which looked about 1.5m (5ft) long. He explained: "I used to be a marine coastal warden and I enjoy birdwatching, I go diving, so I enjoy being by the coast."My wife and I were walking and I was doing some birdwatching, when through my telescope I see this seal wrestling with a big eel. "By the time I got my scope out, I could see it had managed to catch it and subdue it, but it was struggling." Dr Rowe said the seal was not able to close its jaw around the eel, which meant it would keep dipping underwater and then continued: "The tide was just starting to come in so the seal was drifting with the water. It had to stop swimming at one point because it was busy battling, so it just gave up and floated."I've never seen anything like it."Since posting the video online, the teacher from Dorchester says many locals have commented and believe it was the female grey seal called Fiver. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
