A thriving illicit trade of more than 40 billion cigarettes a year is undermining Pakistan’s tax policy objectives Pakistan’s cigarette market has become a case study in how good-faith tax policy can yield unintended/negative results. Despite repeated increases in excise duties – most dramatically in the 2022–23 financial year – the country now hosts the…
PUBLISHED March 09, 2025 KARACHI: I sat in the clinic’s waiting room staring at the walls. Fear and anxiety crept in but I was ready to seek help. This moment came after a long struggle with concentration and self-discipline. What I accepted as a character flaw got a new name when a friend shared a…
PUBLISHED March 09, 2025 LAHORE/KARACHI/PESHAWAR: They say life and death is in the hands of God. But sometimes the delicate thread of fate suddenly lands in the hands of distraught family members, who barely have minutes to find, match and trade a few bags of blood in return for the irreplaceable lives of their loved…
Here are ten science-backed benefits of incorporating watermelon into your summer diet Listen to article As the summer heat intensifies, watermelon emerges not just as a refreshing seasonal treat, but as a powerful source of hydration and nutrition. Here are ten science-backed benefits of incorporating watermelon into your summer diet: Hydrates the body Watermelon is composed of…
One cup of sliced apricots provides about two-thirds of a cup of water. Listen to article Apricots, also known as Armenian plums, are not just delicious —they also boast a wide range of health benefits, both internally and externally. These yellow-orange fruits, often compared to small peaches in appearance and plums in flavour, are rich in nutrients…
While, experts have not dismissed the idea, but they remain cautious about fully relying on AI for fruit selection. Listen to article As watermelon season kicks off, consumers once again face the age-old challenge of selecting the ripest and juiciest fruit. A growing trend on social media, meanwhile, suggests that artificial intelligence (AI) can help solve the…
FDA bans Red Dye 40, citing links to hyperactivity in kids; food firms now shifting to natural alternatives. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned Red Dye No. 40 in food and drinks, citing growing evidence that the artificial colouring may contribute to hyperactivity and behavioural issues in children. Red Dye 40, also known…
Raw foods not only save cooking time during hot weather but also offer essential hydration and nutrients Listen to article As heatwave conditions intensify across the region, health experts are urging the public to incorporate specific raw foods into their daily diets to help combat the risk of heatstroke and related illnesses. With soaring temperatures and high…
Experts stress the power of prevention as communities face rising risk from preventable illness. Listen to article HEALTH: A prominent immunologist has issued a stark warning of a “post-herd-immunity world” as measles outbreaks ravage communities in the American Southwest, Mexico, and Canada, with inadequate vaccination coverage. The United States is now facing its worst measles outbreak in…
Initiative may bridge gaps in care and reveal hidden trends affecting autism outcomes U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. discusses the findings of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) latest Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network survey, during a press conference at the Department of Health and…