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Islamabad Seeks Partnerships with Riyadh to Boost Digital Media Production, Content Quality

Pakistan’s Minister of Information Attaullah Tarar. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Pakistan’s Minister of Information Attaullah Tarar. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Islamabad Seeks Partnerships with Riyadh to Boost Digital Media Production, Content Quality

Pakistan’s Minister of Information Attaullah Tarar. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Pakistan’s Minister of Information Attaullah Tarar. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Pakistan’s Minister of Information Attaullah Tarar emphasized his country’s commitment to forming partnerships with Saudi Arabia to enhance digital media production, journalism, content creation, and new media business models.

He also highlighted the importance of digital transformation and financial sustainability in the modern media landscape, noting that the Saudi Media Forum in Riyadh introduced innovative initiatives and comprehensive solutions to contemporary challenges.

Tarar told Asharq Al-Awsat that Islamabad and Riyadh share strong historical and cultural ties. He praised Saudi Arabia for its forward-thinking initiatives that promote prosperity, economic growth, and increased commercial activities.

Tarar expressed his desire to strengthen cooperation with the Kingdom, particularly in addressing emerging challenges such as misinformation and fake news facilitated by modern technologies.

Tarar noted that the Saudi Media Forum, which he recently attended in Riyadh, provided a valuable platform to learn from Saudi Arabia’s media expertise and foster collaboration between media sectors while discussing the latest industry trends.

“This is a remarkable step under the Vision 2030 Saudi Arabia which is progressing under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister,” he remarked.

“Hosting a large number of global leaders in Riyadh for fostering media cooperation to create a livable and sustainable future for our generations especially by mitigating its potentially chaotic challenges such as misinformation and disinformation, fake news, propaganda,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Tarar stressed the need for collaboration among media professionals to tackle issues arising from rapid technological advancements, such as the unethical use of artificial intelligence and deepfake technology.

While technology presents challenges, it also offers solutions, he said, underscoring the need for greater media pluralism—not only to address technological threats but also to defend against cybersecurity risks that could escalate into international conflicts.

“The people gathered here are not merely numbers but brilliant brains who will work together and by sharing knowledge and expertise to counter issues emanating with evolution of technology such unethical use of AI and deep fake,” he remarked.

Furthermore, Tarar urged social media platforms and online content providers to take greater responsibility for the content they host.

He noted: “Social media platforms and online content providers must be held accountable for the content they host. Stricter policies against misinformation and malicious actors, coupled with collaborations with independent fact-checking organizations, can enhance platform integrity.”

“Nations must workout legal frameworks to address the problems of the media evolving in the modern world entailing problems like misinformation and cyber threats,” he urged.

Furthermore, the minister highlighted the importance of raising awareness and instilling individual responsibility among digital media users. He called for large-scale awareness campaigns and joint training programs for content creators to promote ethical media practices and reduce harmful content.

“Awareness creation to inculcate individual responsibility among the people are the main consumer of the content from the platforms of the digital media,” he said. “The users of these platforms must be educated about the harmful content and its implications through massive sensitization campaigns.”

“We must also initiate joint trainings for content creators to equip them with the media ethics that will help a great deal in curbing the virility of harmful content,” he explained.

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Alarming Study: 77% of Pilots Report Falling Asleep During Flights

Fatigue is a major factor behind these episodes during flights (Pexels)
Fatigue is a major factor behind these episodes during flights (Pexels)
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Alarming Study: 77% of Pilots Report Falling Asleep During Flights

Fatigue is a major factor behind these episodes during flights (Pexels)
Fatigue is a major factor behind these episodes during flights (Pexels)

A new report has raised alarming concerns about aviation safety after finding that a large proportion of pilots have experienced brief episodes of sleep while in the cockpit.

According to the European Cockpit Association (ECA), more than three in four pilots have fallen asleep while operating an aircraft, the New York Post reported.

The study, released this week and involving approximately 7,200 pilots, found that 76.8% of respondents had experienced at least one episode of involuntary sleep at the controls during the four weeks preceding the survey.

The report described these episodes as "microsleeps," which the National Sleep Foundation defines as brief, involuntary periods of sleep lasting several seconds. People experiencing them may not even realize they have fallen asleep, posing significant safety risks for those operating vehicles or aircraft.

In some cases, a person experiencing a microsleep may appear awake, even with their eyes open, while their brain temporarily stops processing information.

The National Sleep Foundation explains that microsleeps are a common symptom of sleep deprivation.

Fatigue is a major factor behind these episodes during flights. The study found that 38.8% of pilots usually or always lacked sufficient rest to prevent fatigue from accumulating.

A culture of silence and pushing through exhaustion despite the risks also remains prevalent in cockpits.

Only 37.2% of pilots said they report themselves unfit to fly when experiencing fatigue.

Meanwhile, 24.2% admitted that they do not report their fatigue and continue flying despite feeling unfit for duty, citing fears of punishment or negative reactions from management.

The study also highlighted concerns surrounding "Commander's Discretion," a provision under aviation regulations that allows aircraft commanders to extend a flight duty period or reduce the required rest period.

Some 38.3% of respondents reported using this discretion at least once during the previous four weeks, while 15.2% said they had used it twice or more.

Approximately 69.1% of pilots also expressed concern about facing negative consequences if they refused to extend their duty hours.

"When pilots fear career consequences, fatigue goes unreported and the risk returns to the cockpit," Captain Coen George, an ECA board director, said in a statement.

He stressed that airlines and aviation authorities must ensure pilots can report fatigue without fear of punishment and that Commander's Discretion is used appropriately.

George also pointed out that some airlines pressure flight crews to extend their working hours to make up for delays and even penalize those who refuse to extend their duty periods.

"We have repeatedly warned aviation authorities about these pressures, which clearly undermine our safety margins, but we are still waiting for effective action to put an end to them," he said.

Varieties

Why Do People Lie? 8 Tips for Dealing With Someone Who Isn't Telling the Truth

Lying is a complex social behavior driven by multiple motivations (Pexels)
Lying is a complex social behavior driven by multiple motivations (Pexels)
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Why Do People Lie? 8 Tips for Dealing With Someone Who Isn't Telling the Truth

Lying is a complex social behavior driven by multiple motivations (Pexels)
Lying is a complex social behavior driven by multiple motivations (Pexels)

People sometimes tell lies in everyday situations, not necessarily to deceive or hurt others, but to spare their feelings and preserve relationships. You might, for example, pretend to like a gift you've received even though you don't actually care for it. These small, relatively harmless untruths are commonly known as "white lies," according to Everyday Health.

But not all lies are equally serious. Being less than honest about an unflattering haircut is very different from concealing an affair. Still, discovering that someone you care about may be hiding the truth can be emotionally unsettling, no matter how insignificant the lie might seem.

Why Do People Lie?

Lying is a complex social behavior driven by a range of motivations, says Laura Sgro, a Los Angeles-based therapist. It exists on a spectrum, from relatively harmless dishonesty to deception that can have devastating consequences.

Sgro explains that although a person's intentions do not erase the consequences of their actions, understanding why someone lied, along with what you know about that person and the circumstances, can help put the situation into perspective.

Researchers generally distinguish between two main categories of lies: those intended to protect relationships and those intended to protect oneself.

The first category, known as "other-oriented lies," is intended to preserve relationships, while the second, "self-oriented lies," often has more harmful consequences.

Other-oriented lies, commonly described as white lies, are widespread in social relationships. An example would be telling a friend you loved a gift they gave you when you actually didn't.

According to Sgro, these lies are usually intended to spare another person's feelings or benefit them in some way, and often stem from good intentions.

Self-oriented lies, by contrast, are intended to manipulate circumstances for personal gain, such as inventing a story to conceal wrongdoing.

Sgro says the motivation behind this kind of deception is considerably less selfless. Even when these lies go undetected, they can weaken social connections, partly because people who lie are more likely to assume that others are dishonest as well.

Another form of dishonesty is compulsive or pathological lying, characterized by telling five or more lies a day.

This behavior is often associated with personality disorders, including narcissistic personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder, although it can also occur as a distinct condition.

Estimates suggest that pathological lying affects between 8% and 13% of the general population.

8 Tips for Dealing With Someone Who Lies to You

When you believe someone has lied to you, feeling hurt or betrayed is a natural response. Before confronting them, however, therapists recommend several strategies for handling the situation.

Consider the Source

Jordan A. Conrad, PhD, a licensed clinical social worker and therapist based in New York City, explains that when facts don't add up, your first instinct may be to assume that someone deliberately lied to hurt you, prompting an immediate confrontation. Before reacting, however, consider your relationship with that person.

Conrad advises tailoring your response to the individual's character and behavior. A close friend who has consistently supported you deserves a different response from a coworker who routinely belittles you.

Examine Your Own Reactions

Conrad recommends asking yourself a question: How would I have reacted if this person had told me the truth?

This applies to relatively harmless lies, such as someone complimenting a haircut they don't actually like, as well as more serious situations, such as a friend encouraging you to make a bold career move despite privately believing it is a bad idea.

Conrad warns that if you react angrily whenever a friend tells you something you don't want to hear, you should not be surprised if people eventually begin withholding details or even lying to you.

He emphasizes the importance of being honest with yourself about the expectations you place on others.

Document the Evidence

Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation that causes someone to question their memory or perception of events.

If you believe you are experiencing this kind of manipulation, writing down your account of what happened and preserving supporting evidence can help you maintain a clear understanding of the situation.

Sgro explains that some people are particularly skilled at undermining another person's sense of reality, making documentation a valuable way to remain grounded in your own recollection and perspective.

Prepare Before Confronting Someone

Before confronting someone you believe has lied to you, identify the main points you want to address and practice expressing them aloud.

Sgro notes that heightened emotions can make it easy to lose focus or allow a conversation to drift away from its original purpose.

Rehearsing what you want to say can help you remain composed and focused on what you hope to achieve.

Show Compassion and Allow Room for Explanation

Remember that what appears to be dishonesty could simply be a misunderstanding rather than a deliberate lie.

If you decide to confront the person, approach the conversation in good faith and give them an opportunity to explain their perspective.

Conrad recommends explaining how you discovered the apparent lie and asking the other person for their account of what happened.

He stresses that serious accusations should be supported by substantial evidence.

Remain Calm and Composed

Even when confronted with a significant lie, try to remain calm throughout the conversation.

The aim is to avoid reacting in a way that leaves you feeling disappointed in yourself afterward.

Conrad emphasizes that your feelings are legitimate and that you have every right to express them. However, becoming overwhelmed or behaving in a way you may later regret is unlikely to help resolve the situation.

Communicate Your Boundaries Clearly

Establishing personal boundaries is essential in any relationship, particularly one in which trust has been damaged by dishonesty.

Sgro explains that setting boundaries does not mean telling others how they must behave, because you cannot control or change another person's actions.

Instead, it means clearly communicating your expectations and explaining what the consequences will be if those boundaries are not respected.

Give Yourself Time to Recover

Lies range from minor white lies to the concealment of important truths, and people's emotional responses can vary just as widely.

You may feel irritated, deeply hurt or profoundly shaken.

Give yourself enough time to understand and process those emotions, whether by writing down your thoughts or discussing what happened with someone you trust.

A serious betrayal, such as an affair, may require considerably more time to come to terms with and to organize your thoughts.

Sgro advises that when dishonesty leaves you questioning your sense of reality, engaging in activities you enjoy can help you reconnect with yourself.

She also recommends grounding techniques, including deep breathing exercises, to help calm the nervous system.

Varieties

India Vows Action after 1st Cheetah Shot Dead

A cheetah cub stands at the Lunaret Zoo in Montpellier, southern France, on October 22, 2026. (Photo by Sylvain THOMAS / AFP)
A cheetah cub stands at the Lunaret Zoo in Montpellier, southern France, on October 22, 2026. (Photo by Sylvain THOMAS / AFP)
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India Vows Action after 1st Cheetah Shot Dead

A cheetah cub stands at the Lunaret Zoo in Montpellier, southern France, on October 22, 2026. (Photo by Sylvain THOMAS / AFP)
A cheetah cub stands at the Lunaret Zoo in Montpellier, southern France, on October 22, 2026. (Photo by Sylvain THOMAS / AFP)

India has vowed "swift action" after a cheetah was shot dead, the first such killing since the country began reintroducing the animals in 2022, the government said Wednesday.

The environment ministry said it had ordered a "high-level team for an on-ground investigation" into the shooting of the 19-month-old male, treating the incident with "utmost gravity”

The India-born cheetah -- whose mother was among those introduced to India from Botswana, Namibia and South Africa as part of efforts to restore the planet's fastest land animal -- was shot as it prowled in forests outside a protected national park.

Asiatic cheetahs were declared extinct in India in 1952. The critically endangered subspecies, once found across the Middle East, Central Asia and India, now survives in very small numbers in Iran.

Their African cousins were first reintroduced in September 2022 to India, to the Kuno National Park, 300 kilometers south of New Delhi.

The wounded cheetah was picked up on Sunday in forests in Madhya Pradesh state, outside Kuno's boundaries, and taken for veterinary care.

"During the surgery, five firearm pellets were recovered from its body," the environment ministry said.

Despite efforts, the cheetah died on Tuesday, AFP reported.

"Medical examinations corroborated multiple internal injuries associated with the recovered firearm pellets," it added.

The high-profile project, championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been dogged by criticism over the deaths of several of the cats.

But experts in animal reintroductions say they often result in more than 50 percent mortality, especially in the initial phases.

The National Tiger Conservation Authority, which oversees the cheetah project, said that survival rates and hunting successes are "comparable to other international cheetah reintroduction efforts, with recorded wild prey kills confirming successful adaptation to the Indian landscape.”

The total cheetah population in the wild in India is around 60, including some 40 Indian-born cheetahs.