Ashab Irfan of Pakistan has won the Rochester ProAm 2024 squash tournament held in America.
At the conclusion of the five-day tournament played at the Houston Squash Club, Ashab Irfan won the title worth $9,000. He defeated Mexico’s Gomez Dominguez 3-1 in the final. He won the final by 10-12, 11-4, 11-9, 11-9.
Squash players from around the world participated in the Rochester ProAm 2024.
The New Zealand Cricket Board (NZC) has announced a 15 member squad for the T20 World Cup 2024.
Kane Williamson will be the captain of New Zealand while Finn Allen, Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Dwayne Conway, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell will be part of the team.
Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ish Saudi, Tim Southee, Michael Bracewell, Lockie Ferguson are also in New Zealand’s World Cup squad.
T20 World Cup 2024 is scheduled to be played from June 1 to June 29 in America and West Indies.
In a move that could reshape the future of iOS, Apple is exploring partnerships with major technology firms to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into its iPhone line, according to reports from Engadget.
The Cupertino-based company is reportedly in discussions with Sam Altman’s OpenAI to incorporate generative AI technologies into its iOS operating system.
However, OpenAI isn’t the only player on Apple’s radar. The company is also engaged in talks with Google to potentially license Gemini, the tech giant’s AI model, for use in iOS 18.
According to Bloomberg, Apple could finalise agreements with both companies, suggesting a comprehensive approach to AI integration in its upcoming products.
Meanwhile, Apple is also building its own language models to support various features in iOS 18, indicating a multi-faceted strategy towards AI.
Although Apple has remained largely silent about its AI developments, there have been subtle hints suggesting that the company is preparing for a significant announcement.
During a company meeting in February, Apple’s chief executive, Tim Cook, mentioned that the company is continuing to invest in artificial intelligence and expressed excitement about sharing more details later in the year.
He also highlighted that the recently launched MacBook was the “world’s best consumer laptop for AI.” Cook’s remarks further fueled speculation that Apple is gearing up to unveil AI-centric laptops and desktops in the near future.
As Silicon Valley dives deeper into the AI arms race, Apple’s moves to partner with leading AI developers and build in-house AI capabilities could set the stage for significant advancements in the iPhone’s functionality and user experience.
Tech enthusiasts and industry watchers are now eagerly awaiting Apple’s official announcements, which could provide more clarity on the company’s AI strategy and the future of its product lineup.
Pakistan’s mobile phone imports surged by 181.26 per cent during the first nine months (July-March) of the fiscal year 2023-24, reaching $1.301 billion, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
This significant increase is in stark contrast to the $462.700 million recorded during the same period in the previous fiscal year.
Despite this year-long surge, March 2024 saw a slight decline in mobile phone imports on a month-on-month (MoM) basis, with imports totaling $153.051 million, a 4.87 per cent decrease from February 2024’s $160.90 million.
However, on a year-on-year (YoY) basis, mobile phone imports experienced a remarkable 930.92 per cent growth in March 2024, as compared to $14.846 million in March 2023.
The overall telecom imports also reflected similar trends. During the first nine months of the fiscal year, total telecom imports reached $1.623 billion, representing a 117.90 per cent increase from $744.971 million during the same period of the previous fiscal year.
On a YoY basis, telecom imports rose by 422.58 per cent, totaling $189.042 million in March 2024 compared to $36.175 million in March 2023. However, on a MoM basis, telecom imports saw a slight decline of 1.13 per cent in March 2024, down from $191.201 million in February 2024.
Meanwhile, local manufacturing and assembling of mobile handsets continued to be an area of focus. During the first two months (January-February) of the calendar year 2024, local plants manufactured or assembled 6.1 million mobile handsets, which included 2.78 million 2G and 3.35 million smartphones.
This was in stark contrast to the 0.3 million units that were imported commercially during the same period.
In February 2024, local plants manufactured or assembled 3.83 million mobile handsets, significantly higher than the 0.06 million units imported commercially.
Notably, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) reported that 60 per cent of mobile devices on the Pakistan network are smartphones, while the remaining 40 per cent are 2G.
Despite robust local manufacturing efforts, official data indicated that local manufacturing and assembling of mobile handsets declined by around four per cent during the calendar year 2023.
This decline is attributed to challenges in importing mobile phone accessories due to restrictions on the opening of letters of credit (LCs).
Nonetheless, commercial imports of mobile handsets increased during this period, suggesting a shift in strategy to meet the demand for mobile phones in the face of supply chain disruptions.
The data presents a complex picture of Pakistan’s mobile phone industry, with significant growth in imports and shifts in local manufacturing dynamics.
The continued growth in imports highlights the demand for mobile technology, while local manufacturing faces challenges that could shape the future of the telecom sector.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed former South African cricketer Gary Kirsten as the head coach of Pakistan’s white ball team and former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie as the head coach of the red ball team.
Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi while holding a press conference with Azhar Mehmood in Lahore announced the coaches of national cricket team saying, “Jason Gillespie is being brought as the coach of Pakistan’s Test team, while South Africa’s Gary Kirsten will be the coach of the national white ball team.”
“Gary Kirsten will join the team for the tour of England while Jason Gillespie will join the team for the Bangladesh series, the arrival of these foreign players is proof that they have faith in our potential.”
He said, “Azhar Mehmood will be the assistant coach of Pakistan cricket team for both formats, which will combine white ball and red ball cricket teams.”
These three appointments for the Pakistan Cricket Team have been made for a period of 2 years.
Lahore High Court (LHC) has ruled that a man cannot marry the sister of his former wife during her iddat period.
Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh from the province’s high court issued this order while hearing a case filed by Sabir Ali, who in August 2023, accused his brother-in-law, Musawir Hussain, of having two sisters as his wives.
Hussain claimed that he married his wife’s sister nine days after divorcing his wife, reports The Express Tribune.
In a 11-page long verdict, Justice Sheikh elaborated that according to Islamic jurisprudence and the country’s law, a man cannot marry two sisters simultaneously.
Resultantly, the court ruled that marrying the sister of one’s former wife before the completion of the iddat of his first wife is equivalent to simultaneously marrying two sisters. It is because a woman remains married to a man until the completion of the iddat period, as per Islamic jurisprudence and the decisions of the Federal Sharia Court.
The verdict also pointed out that during the investigation, Musawir Hussain did not provide authenticated documents regarding his divorce.
The court declared that marrying the sister of one’s former wife before the completion of the iddat period of the first wife would be punishable.
It is mandatory for the husband and wife to separate as soon as they become aware of the invalid marriage. If they fail to do so, it is the responsibility of the judge to annul their marriage, the court noted.
In the fifth T20 match in Gaddafi Cricket Stadium, Pakistan defeated New Zealand by 9 runs in a thriller match.
New Zealand won the toss and decided to bowl against Pakistan.
Pakistan inning:
Playing first, Pakistan scored 178 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in the allotted 20 overs. On behalf of Pakistan, Babar Azam played an innings of 69 runs, his innings included 2 sixes and 6 fours.
Apart from them, Fakhr Zaman scored 43 runs and Usman Khan scored 31 runs.
New Zealand inning:
Chasing the target of 179, Tim Siefert played an excelent inning of 52 runs on 33 balls.
Apart from this Michael Bracewell scored 23 runs, Jamers Nesham 16 and Josh Clarkson scored 37 runs.
From Pakistan Shaheen Afridi took 4 wickets while Usama Mir took 2 wickets.
In a potential relief for Pakistanis grappling with inflation, the government is expected to reduce petrol prices for the first half of May 2024, following a dip in global oil prices.
According to reports, petrol prices could drop by around Rs3.75 per litre, with a final announcement scheduled for midnight on April 30, 2024.
This price cut, if implemented, is a response to a recent decline in international petroleum product prices, with a drop of $1.86 to $107.16 per barrel observed.
High-speed diesel (HSD) prices are also likely to be adjusted, with a reduction of around Rs7.85 per litre anticipated, owing to a $4.3 per barrel decrease in global prices.
Additionally, the stability of the Pakistani rupee against the US dollar has contributed to the downward trend.
Since the previous fortnight, the local currency has remained steady at a weighted average rate of approximately Rs278.38 per USD.
However, these figures are subject to change, as there are still three more trading sessions before the final pricing announcement.
Fluctuations in the global market and exchange rate movements could impact the final decision.
In the last pricing update, the government increased petrol prices by Rs4.53 to Rs293.94 per litre, while high-speed diesel saw an increase of Rs8.14 to Rs290.38 per litre.
The upcoming price adjustments, if confirmed, could provide some relief to consumers affected by inflationary pressures.
Who doesn’t know PUBG? The game where you can interact with others, where people have found love (and betrayal) and friends. Well now, the famous video game ‘PUBG mobile’ has now collaborated with the Prime Minister Youth Program and Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan.
PUBG Mobile’s collaboration with the Prime Minister Youth Program and Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan marks a major step towards helping and working with the potential of Pakistan’s youth. The program aims to create a platform where gaming isn’t a totally negative way to spend your time. You can showcase your skills in competitive gaming events meaning the new age of esports.
The partnership between PUBG Mobile and the Prime Minister Youth Program is highlighting esports as a real and important avenue for skill development and career opportunities. This program seeks to engage youth from across Pakistan, providing them with access to professional gaming resources and mentorship opportunities.
Moreover, this initiative is in line with the broader objectives of the Prime Minister Youth Program and the HEC to empower young people through education, skill-building, and innovation.
Participants can expect a diverse range of activities, including tournaments, leagues, and educational seminars conducted by professionals within the gaming industry.
The Power Division has dismissed recent media reports suggesting that the government is imposing a fixed tax on solar power.
According to a notification released by the Information Ministry today, these reports are unfounded and inaccurate.
The Power Division clarified in a statement that there is no substance to the claims about a fixed tax on solar power.
It highlighted that neither the Central Power Purchasing Agency nor the Power Division has submitted any summary to the government proposing such a measure.
The statement highlighted that the Net Metering Policy of 2017 was designed to encourage the use of alternative energy sources, contributing to a significant increase in solar energy adoption.
This rapid solarization is seen as a positive trend, aligning with the government’s objectives to promote clean energy.
The Power Division also mentioned that any proposed changes or amendments to current policies are aimed at alleviating financial burdens on the economically disadvantaged.
It stressed that protecting the interests of the 152,000 net metering consumers remains a priority.