Blog

  • More than half of world’s population could face measles outbreak by end of 2024: WHO

    More than half of world’s population could face measles outbreak by end of 2024: WHO

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that if urgent measures are not taken, more than half of the world’s countries may face a measles outbreak by the end of the year.

    During a press conference in Geneva, WHO said that many countries have not been vaccinating against measles this year.“What we are worried about is this year, 2024, we’ve got these big gaps in our immunisation programmes and if we don’t fill them really quickly with the vaccine, measles will just jump into that gap,” stated Natasha Crowcroft, a senior technical adviser on Measles and Rubella.

    She called for urgent action to protect children, saying there was a “lack of commitment” by governments given competing issues like economic crises and conflict.

    According to data from the World Health Organization, last year measles cases worldwide increased by 79 percent.

    Death rates are higher in poorer countries due to weaker health systems, Crowcroft said, adding that outbreaks and deaths were also a risk for middle and high-income countries.

  • ChatGPT cranks out gibberish for hours

    ChatGPT cranks out gibberish for hours

    ChatGPT spewed nonsensical answers to user’s queries for hours Tuesday into Wednesday before eventually returning to its apparent senses.

    OpenAI did not explain what went awry with its generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool, considered the one to beat in the technology sector.

    “We are investigating reports of unexpected responses from ChatGPT,” OpenAI said on its status website when the software seemed to go wacky on Tuesday afternoon.

    ChatGPT was giving “peculiar” responses, generating nonexistent words, incomplete sentences and general gobbledygook, developers using the tool said in a discussion forum on the OpenAI website.

    “It gives me meaningless words followed by a bizarre list,” one developer lamented in the forum.

    “It feels as if my GPT is haunted or something has been compromised, either on my end or at OpenAI’s (end).”

    It wasn’t until more than 16 hours had passed that OpenAI updated the page with a message that ChatGPT was operating normally.

    The San Francisco based technology firm replied to an AFP query by directing it to the ChatGPT status page.

    OpenAI recently concluded a deal with investors that reportedly valued the start-up at $80 billion or more, after a roller-coaster year for the tech firm.

    The agreement, reported by the New York Times but not yet confirmed by OpenAI, would mean the value of the company — a world leader in generative AI — would have nearly tripled in under 10 months.

    OpenAI led a revolution in AI when it placed its ChatGPT program online in late 2022.

    The immediate success of the interface sparked tremendous interest in the cutting-edge technology, capable of producing text, sounds and images upon demand.

    OpenAI — which is also the maker of image-generating DALL-E — recently released a new tool named “Sora,” which can create realistic videos of up to a minute long via simple user prompts.

    Microsoft has invested some $13 billion in OpenAI, using the startup’s technology in Bing and other services.

    Microsoft is locked in fierce competition with Google to roll out new AI-infused tools, to the point that the US Federal Trade Commission in January launched an investigation into the enormous investments by Microsoft, Google and Amazon in such specialized start-ups.

  • Public health concerns mount as essential drug prices increase

    Public health concerns mount as essential drug prices increase

    The interim government announced on Wednesday a price adjustment affecting 146 essential drugs, aligning with the decision made by the federal cabinet on February 1, 2024.

    The Ministry of National Health Services and Regulations issued a notification invoking its authority under Section 36 of the Drug Act 1976, stating that all drugs and biological substances not included in the National Essential Medicines List are exempt from Section 12 of the act in the public interest.

    This decision stems from a federal cabinet meeting chaired by interim Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar on February 1, 2024. The move, categorised under hardship, was endorsed based on the recommendation of the National Health Services Ministry. The ministry highlighted the escalating costs of raw materials for drug manufacturing in the global market.

    Officials from the National Health Services Ministry and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) informed the cabinet that citizens could report medicine unavailability through the pharmaceutical industry regulator’s online portal.

    Primarily targeting vital medications like those for cancer treatment, vaccines, and antibiotics, the decision, communicated through a drug price hike notification, was based on a proposal from the Drug Regulatory Authority, suggesting price increases for 262 medicines. However, the government opted to implement adjustments for 146 medicines crucial to saving lives.

    According to Brecorder, among the medicines listed for price increments, pharmaceutical companies are tasked with adjusting the prices of 116 medications.

    Significantly, the government will now oversee the prices of 464 medicines included in the National Essential Medicines List, ensuring the accessibility of critical medications to the public.

    The government’s decision to deregulate drug prices grants pharmaceutical companies autonomy to adjust prices independently, marking a significant shift in pharmaceutical pricing governance that may reshape the healthcare industry’s landscape.

    As stakeholders assess the implications, concerns regarding affordability and access to life-saving medications emerge. While the government seeks to balance the viability of pharmaceutical companies with public health interests, the consequences of these adjustments warrant scrutiny and debate.

    However, following the cabinet’s approval of the price increase, a shortage of essential drugs was observed in both the wholesale and retail markets. Drug distributors and retailers attribute this to manufacturers awaiting formal notification from the Health Ministry regarding the price increase before releasing supplies to the market.

    This practice has resulted in significant patient suffering, as Mohammad Samiullah Awan, a drug retailer, highlights. While the notification’s issuance may ensure medicine availability, it further burdens already financially strained consumers grappling with price hikes.

  • PSL 9: Multan Sultans defeats Lahore Qalandars by 5 wickets

    PSL 9: Multan Sultans defeats Lahore Qalandars by 5 wickets

    In the seventh match of HBL Pakistan Super League 9, Multan Sultans defeated Lahore Qalandars by 5 wickets and achieved their third consecutive victory in the event.

    Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Afridi won the toss and decided to bat first.

    Lahore Qalandar’s inning

    Lahore Qalandars scored 166 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in the allotted 20 overs, van der Dusen was prominent by scoring 54 runs.

    Apart from this, Fakhar Zaman scored 41 runs, Sikandar Raza scored 23 runs, Jahandad Khan scored 16 runs, while Sahibzada Farhan was out by scoring 2 runs. Abdullah Shafiq scored 6 runs and Braithwaite remained unbeaten by scoring 15 runs.

    For Multan, Muhammad Ali took 2 wickets, Abbas Afridi and Usama Mir took one wicket each.

    Multan Sultan’s innings

    Multan Sultans achieved the target of 167 runs against Lahore Qalandars for the loss of 5 wickets in 19 overs.

    Captain Muhammad Rizwan was prominent by scoring 82 runs while Iftikhar Ahmed played an unbeaten innings of 34 runs off 11 balls to bring success to the team.

    It should be noted that Lahore Qalandars lost both their matches so far while Multan Sultans won both their matches.

  • Gold rate increases to Rs215,200 per tola

    Gold rate increases to Rs215,200 per tola

    In Wednesday’s market update, the price of 24-karat gold exhibited an upward trend, surging by Rs750 per tola and reaching Rs215,200 per tola.

    The Karachi Sarafa Association noted a marginal gain in the price of 10-gramme 24-karat gold, which stood at Rs184,500, marking an increase of Rs644 from the previous session. Similarly, the price of 10-gramme 22-karat gold experienced an uptick, reaching Rs169,124.

    Global traders are currently anticipating the release of the US Federal Reserve’s meeting minutes on January 30 and 31. This event is expected to provide valuable insights into the economic outlook and potential policy shifts.

    Contrastingly, silver prices remained stable, with 24-karat silver maintaining a selling price of Rs2,580 per tola, and 10-gramme silver being traded at Rs2,211.93.

    It’s noteworthy that domestic gold concluded the previous week in the red zone, influenced by a downturn in international prices. Speaking of global trends, international spot gold hovered around $2,028, showing a 0.2 per cent change compared to the preceding session.

    Market participants are keenly awaiting the minutes from the Federal Reserve’s January policy meeting, scheduled for release on Wednesday, which are anticipated to provide valuable insights into the central bank’s stance and potential future monetary policy adjustments.

  • Food watchdog lodges complaint over Nestle mineral water ‘fraud’

    Food watchdog lodges complaint over Nestle mineral water ‘fraud’

    Paris, France – Consumer watchdog Foodwatch said it was filing a legal complaint Wednesday against food giant Nestle and another group over them allegedly fraudulently treating water for their top mineral water brands.

    A government probe reported by media last month said about 30 percent of mineral water sold in France had undergone purification treatment only meant to be used on tap water.

    Foodwatch said it was lodging its complaint with a Paris court against Nestle Waters, behind brands such as Perrier and Vittel, and the Sources Alma group, which also owns several water labels.

    “This is a massive fraud for which Nestle Waters, the Sources Alma group and the French government must answer,” the European watchdog said.

    “Nobody, not even a multinational like Nestle, is above the law,” Foodwatch spokeswoman Ingrid Kragl said.

    The NGO claimed Nestle Waters and Sources Alma had “illegally processed their bottled waters and then sold them without informing consumers”.

    French law, based on a European Union directive, forbids such purification of mineral water, which is supposed to be of naturally high quality before bottling.

    French prosecutors last month said they had opened an investigation into suspected fraud by Nestle Waters after a complaint by France’s ARS health regulator.

    They spoke after Le Monde and Radio France reported that a government investigation had concluded in 2022 that “almost 30 percent of commercial brands undergo non-compliant treatments”.

    Nestle Waters said it put some top brands, such as Perrier and Vittel, through ultraviolet light and active carbon filters “to guarantee food safety”, and had informed French authorities about this in 2021.

    A government source told AFP that authorities had found “no health risk” linked to the bottled water.

    Foodwatch said it had also written to the European Commission, denouncing “the complacency of France, which… should have alerted European authorities and the other member states importing these waters”.

    max/spb/ah/rl

    © Agence France-Presse

  • Fake social media profile pretending to be Vidya Balan caught trying to take money

    Fake social media profile pretending to be Vidya Balan caught trying to take money

    How gullible do you have to be to believe a famous Bollywood actress will try to swindle you for money?

    According to Indian media reports, a fake account surfaced on Instagram under the name of Vidya Balan, offering jobs to people but demanding money in return.
     
    Mumbai police have filed an FIR against the unknown person behind the fake account.

    Balan, who has a large number of followers on social media, was concerned when the account popped up.
     
    Indian media reports state that police have initiated investigations into the fake social media account.

    Maybe the next time people will send money to a fake Salman Khan account offering them bodybuilding tips.

  • PSL 9: Karachi Kings defeats Peshawar Zalmi by 7 wickets

    PSL 9: Karachi Kings defeats Peshawar Zalmi by 7 wickets

    In the sixth match of Pakistan Super League 9, Karachi Kings defeated Peshawar Zalmi by 7 wickets thanks to Kieron Pollard’s brilliant innings.

    Kings captain Shan Masood won the toss and invited Zalmi to bat.

    Peshawar Zalmi’s inning

    Zalmi’s team looked in trouble from the start, Shoaib Malik dismissed Saim Ayub for zero, then Mohammad Haris scored 6 runs and was dismissed by Mir Hamza.

    On behalf of Peshawar Zalmi, captain Babar Azam was outstanding by scoring 72 runs, besides Tom Kohler Cadmore 2, Roman Powell 39, Asif Ali 23, Aamir Jamal 1, Lockwood returned to the pavilion by scoring 8 runs.

    Mir Hamza and Hasan Ali took three wickets each for Karachi Kings.

    Karachi King’s inning

    Karachi Kings easily achieved Peshawar Zalmi’s target of 155 runs in the 17th over, Kieron Pollard scoring 49 runs and James Vince 38 runs unbeaten. Kieron pollard inning included 4 sixes and 4 fours.

    Peshawar Zalmi has lost their two out of two matches in the ongoing PSL season 9.

  • Actress Bushra Ansari doesn’t like new TV show names

    Actress Bushra Ansari doesn’t like new TV show names

    Senior actress Bushra Ansari isn’t happy with the names of today’s TV dramas. A video of her sharing her dislike for the titles is doing the rounds on the internet.

    @galaxylollywood Bushra Ansari talks about the lack of thought and effort that’s put into naming dramas in today’s age, as compared to the olden days. #BushraAnsari #GalaxyLollywood #foryou #fyp ♬ original sound – Galaxy Lollywood

    “When shows were doing well, names mattered a lot. They chose titles carefully, thinking about the characters and the mood of the show,” she said.
    Ansari then opines that show titles nowadays are weird and don’t match the stories, citing ‘Kalmohi’ and ‘Badnaseeb’ as examples.

    “The names of dramas don’t seem to have anything to do with the story,” she commented.

  • If decision made on merit, Imran Khan will be PM of Pakistan: Asad Qaiser

    If decision made on merit, Imran Khan will be PM of Pakistan: Asad Qaiser

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Qaiser said on Wednesday that if the decision is made on merit, party founder Imran Khan will be the prime minister of Pakistan.

    While speaking to the media outside of Adiala jail, Rawalpinid, Qaiser said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has conducted the worst polls in the country’s history.

    “We still have hopes from the judicial system of Pakistan,” he remarked, adding that the party will continue its “legal struggle” against the people in power.

    The former speaker of the National Assembly (NA) also said that the Islamabad High Court (IHC) gave him permission to meet Imran Khan, but jail authorities didn’t allow him to do so, instead asking him to come tomorrow.