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  • Weird that specific party knows election date, says Bilawal Bhutto

    Weird that specific party knows election date, says Bilawal Bhutto

    The chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has said on Wednesday that it’s weird that only one party knows the election date.
    Bilawal Bhutto didn’t take the name of any party, but his statement was about the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), as President Arif Alvi proposed November 6 as the date for the country’s general elections in response to the appeal from his party.
    The former foreign minister also said that one party cannot resolve the issues in the country. “All parties will have to sit together to take the country out of this crisis.”

    “The PPP is answerable for its ministries and the PDM [Pakistan Democratic Movement] for its own,” Bilawal added.
    “As far as the PTI is concerned, those who were involved in the May 9 attacks, it is very difficult for us [to hold talks with them],” Bilawal said, adding, “An incompetent and ineligible prime minister was imposed due to which [country] had to face a crisis at the economic and foreign level.”

  • Child missing since 15 hours found stuck in sewer

    Child missing since 15 hours found stuck in sewer

    A two-year-old missing child from Karachi’s Shah Latif Town was discovered in a sewer 15 hours later on Wednesday.

    The boy, Zohan, was found in a semi-conscious state, exposed to severe mosquito bites while he was stuck in the sewer.

    According to Zohan’s father, Sadaqat Khan, the boy went missing on Saturday.

    He had been searching for Zohan with the help of his relatives, neighbors and local residents around the premises including Zafar Town and Gaddafi Town.

    They even made announcements in mosques but Zohan was nowhere to be found.

    They went through the CCTV footage from the location where Zohan disappeared which revealed that Zohan was with a nine-year-old child named Abdullah at the time of his disappearance.

    According to the father, Abdullah was visiting someone in the neighbourhood as a guest from Gulshan-e-Maymar.

    Abdullah’s maternal uncle interrogated him till he revealed that Abdullah had pushed Zohan into a sewer.

    Everyone hurried to the sewer where Zohan was found in a semi-conscious state.

    Khan described that the sewer had no water but a lot of filth was present inside.

  • Asia Cup 2023: Pakistan makes five changes for Sri Lanka clash

    Asia Cup 2023: Pakistan makes five changes for Sri Lanka clash

    Pakistan has made five changes in their playing XI before the crucial Asia Cup 2023 clash against Sri Lanka. Pacers Nasim Shah and Haris Rauf got injured during the match against India while Agha Salman was also injured during the same match with a ball hitting his face.

    Zaman Khan and Wasim Junior will replace both pacers while Saud Shakeel will be replacing Agha Salman. Two further changes were made in the squad, with Muhammad Haris replacing Fakhar Zaman and Muhammad Nawaz replacing Fahim Ashraf.

    Read More: Sassur jee naraz; Shahid Afridi not happy with Shaheen Afridi’s performance against India

    The match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will start today at 2:30 PM. The winning team will make their place in the final against India. If the match is washed out by the rain, Sri Lanka will qualify for the final because of better NRR (Net Run Rate).

    The final will be played on September 17 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

    Here is the Playing XI of Pakistan against Sri Lanka:

  • Sara Sharif’s father, stepmother arrested in UK

    Sara Sharif’s father, stepmother arrested in UK

    10-year-old Sara Sharif’s father Urfan Sharif, stepmother Beinash Batool, and her uncle flew back to the UK as law enforcing agencies in Pakistan kept pursuing them. The trio has been arrested from Gatwick Airport where they surrendered to the police, BBC has reported.

    Raja Haq Nawaz, a lawyer for Urfan Sharif’s father Muhammad Sharif, told DAWN that the suspects were not arrested and that their flight left from Sialkot, Punjab.

    Previously, Jhelum police shifted Urfan Sharif’s five children to the Child Protection Bureau after a local court granted permission to the police to do so. The children were to be in the Bureau’s custody till the parents were found and arrested.

    A day before that, Sharif’s children, found in their grandfather’s house, were taken into protective custody by the police as the hunt continued for their father and stepmother.

    RPO Khurram Ali claimed that police is “conducting raids at possible hideouts for their arrests”.

    He had also clarified that the three suspects will not be able to flee Pakistan as FIA’s Immigration Wing had put staff on alert at all airports.

    The couple also released a video in which Batool touched upon media reporting of Sara’s death, claiming that they both will cooperate with UK authorities, and that they were on the run in Pakistan because the family feared that the Pakistan police will torture and kill them.

    The Case
    On August 10, 10-year-old Sara Sharif was found dead in her home in Woking, England, when her father, Urfan Sharif, called 999 from Pakistan.

    Nadeem Riaz, shop owner and a travelling agent, has known Sharif for 11 years.
    During an interview with The Times, he recalled that on August 8, he booked a one-way tickets to Pakistan on urgent basis, claiming that his cousin died.

    On August 9, Sharif, his wife Beinash Batool, their five children and Sharif’s brother Faisal Malik left for Islamabad from the UK on a British Airways flight.

    The next day, Urfan Sharif called 999 after which the police found Sara’s body at home. Surrey Police then began an investigation along with international partners. The same day, after arriving at Islamabad, the family travelled to Jhelum. The police kept on tracking them as they left for Domeli late on August 12, and then left Domeli the very next day. This was the last location tracked.

    On August 15, Pakistan police received a request from International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) via FIA to hunt them down.

  • ChatGPT solves medical mystery, diagnosing rare condition in 4-year-old after 17 doctors failed

    ChatGPT solves medical mystery, diagnosing rare condition in 4-year-old after 17 doctors failed

    A mother’s relentless pursuit of answers regarding her four-year-old son’s unexplained pain and growth delay has reached a triumphant conclusion, thanks to the remarkable capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI).

    After consulting with 17 medical professionals over a span of three years, none of whom could provide a definitive diagnosis, she turned to ChatGPT, an AI tool that ultimately unveiled the elusive condition responsible for her son’s suffering.

    ChatGPT has emerged as a transformative AI tool, simplifying intricate tasks and offering solutions to perplexing challenges for individuals and families worldwide. Its profound impact across various industries became evident in a recent case that showcased its extraordinary ability to aid in medical diagnostics.

    The journey began for Courtney, a mother who found herself entangled in a medical mystery concerning her four-year-old son, Alex. This young boy experienced persistent pain and a puzzling lack of growth, necessitating his reliance on Motrin for relief. Desperate to alleviate her son’s suffering, Courtney embarked on an exhaustive quest for answers, consulting numerous physicians and even making a harrowing emergency room visit.

    Courtney recounted the extensive efforts she undertook in her relentless pursuit of a diagnosis, emphasising numerous doctor consultations and a harrowing emergency room visit. She also described spending sleepless nights meticulously researching and exploring various possibilities on her computer.

    Amid the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, Alex’s condition took a perplexing turn as he began chewing objects that caused him severe pain. This development prompted Courtney to intensify her efforts, eventually leading her to a doctor who suggested that Alex’s issues might be related to lingering COVID-19 effects. However, Alex’s growth stagnated, and the mystery endured.

    Having consulted 17 doctors with no conclusive results, Courtney ventured into unconventional territory and turned to ChatGPT for answers. By sharing Alex’s symptoms with the AI, she received a revelation that had eluded medical professionals for years. ChatGPT identified a rare neurological condition known as tethered cord syndrome as the root cause of Alex’s suffering.

    Courtney explained the pivotal role played by ChatGPT in unraveling the medical mystery. She meticulously analysed every detail in her son’s MRI notes, inputting them into the AI tool and even mentioning her son’s inability to sit crisscross applesauce. This meticulous approach led to a breakthrough in understanding the potential structural issue her son was facing.

    Armed with newfound hope and a potential diagnosis, Courtney promptly scheduled an appointment with a neurosurgeon, sharing her suspicion that Alex was afflicted by tethered cord syndrome. The neurosurgeon, after reviewing the MRI, confirmed this diagnosis, paving the way for Alex to undergo surgery to address the condition just a few weeks ago.

    The case of Alex and his mother’s unwavering quest for answers serves as yet another testament to the transformative potential of AI in the field of medicine. ChatGPT’s ability to navigate complex medical data and identify rare conditions has not only provided a lifeline for this family but has also expanded our understanding of AI’s profound impact on healthcare.

    This remarkable story joins a growing list of instances where ChatGPT has proven its mettle in diagnosing challenging medical conditions. In March, a Twitter user shared a similar experience, recounting how the AI tool accurately identified a diagnosis for a pet dog when traditional medical avenues fell short.

    Tethered cord syndrome, as described by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, occurs when spinal cord tissue forms attachments that restrict its movement. This condition leads to abnormal stretching of the spinal cord, resulting in various neurological symptoms.

    The identification of tethered cord syndrome in Alex’s case underscores the significance of AI-powered solutions like ChatGPT in uncovering rare and complex medical conditions, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes.

  • Naseem out, Zaman in; Rauf to possibly play today against Sri Lanka

    Naseem out, Zaman in; Rauf to possibly play today against Sri Lanka

    Right-arm fast bowler Zaman Khan has replaced Naseem Shah in today’s Asia Cup 2023 match against Sri Lanka.

    According to a press release issued by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Naseem Shah got injured on Monday in the last match against India. Pakistan team’s medical panel is continuously monitoring his health as the upcoming one-day international World Cup is going to start on October 5.

    Zaman Khan joined the team on Thursday and will bowl against Sri Lanka in today’s crucial match.

    PCB also said about pacer Haris Rauf that he “continues to recover well” after he felt discomfort in his right flank in the match against India.

    “These two fast bowlers are our assets, and the team’s medical panel will provide them the best possible care ahead of the all-important World Cup,” the press release quoted the team’s doctor, Sohail Saleem, as saying.

    Shahnwaz Dhani also joined the 17-player squad on Thursday.

  • Will iPhone 15 Pro Max in Pakistan surpass the price of a Hyundai SUV in India?

    Will iPhone 15 Pro Max in Pakistan surpass the price of a Hyundai SUV in India?

    The iPhone 15 Pro Max with 256 GB of storage is initially priced at $1,100 in the United States, which, at the current exchange rate of Rs295, translates to approximately Rs325,000 in Pakistani rupee (PKR).

    However, it’s anticipated that the cost will significantly rise in Pakistan due to additional expenses like Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) approval and retailer margins.

    Given the precedent set by the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which currently retails for Rs540,000 in Pakistan, we expect the starting price of the iPhone 15 Pro Max to be around Rs555,000 or possibly even higher once local mobile shop owners import and sell them.

    Apple iPhones generally have higher price tags in Pakistan due to taxes and PTA approval fees, making it challenging to pinpoint the exact cost.

    Nonetheless, it’s reasonable to assume it will exceed Rs500,000, considering that the iPhone 14 Pro Max is already priced above this threshold in Pakistan.

    Additionally, a Pakistani website called Phonebolee suggests an expected price of PKR 643,999 for the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max.

    In terms of comparisons to India, a report by DNA India highlights the astonishing prices of iPhones in Pakistan. It notes that the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max, priced over Rs7.3 lakh in Pakistan, surpasses the cost of a Hyundai Exter 5-seater SUV, which is priced at INR 5.99 lakh in India.

    However, it’s important to be cautious about such comparisons, as they might not accurately reflect the actual market dynamics.

    Keep in mind that the exact price of the iPhone 15 Pro Max in Pakistan can vary among different retailers.

    Additionally, the exchange rate between the Indian rupee and the Pakistani rupee is approximately 1 INR to PKR 3.56. So, when comparing the INR 600,000 price of an SUV, it equates to approximately Rs2,136,800, or Rs2.1 million in Pakistani rupees, which is significantly higher than the expected price of the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max.

  • Police chief tells court Imran Riaz investigation heading in ‘right direction’

    The Lahore High Court (LHC) adjourned till next week a hearing in the Imran Riaz recovery case as the Punjab Police chief told the court that investigation is heading in “right direction”.

    Television anchor and YouTuber Imran Riaz was arrested two days after May 9 riots, following former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s arrest. After the journalist’s arrest, he was taken to Cantt police station and then transferred to Sialkot jail.

    After this a law officer told the court on May 15 that Imran Riaz has been released from the jail after giving an undertaking in writing. His family and lawyer, however , were still not aware of his whereabouts.

    An FIR was registered against “unidentified persons” for allegedly kidnapping the journalist.
    In the previous hearing on September 6, conducted by LHC Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti, the Punjab Inspector General (IG) Dr Usman Anwar said there was “positive progress” in the case.

    “We will give good news in the next 10 to 15 days,” he told the court. The hearing was then adjourned till today.

  • Aliens? Possibility of life on a distant planet

    Aliens? Possibility of life on a distant planet

    There is a possibility that NASA’s James Webb Telescope has discovered signs of life on a distant planet.

    BBC reports that the likelihood of life stems from the possible search for a molecule known as dimethyl sulphide (DMS) which is reportedly “only produced by life” in the case of Earth.

    The researchers, however, believe that more data is needed to confirm its presence on the planet, named K2-18b, which is 120 light years away. Prof Madhusudhan from the University of Cambridge, who led the research, deemed the discovery as “tentative” and stressed on acquiring more data for confirmation and that result is expected in a year.

    ”If confirmed, it would be a huge deal and I feel a responsibility to get this right if we are making such a big claim.”, he added.

    Researchers have also detected methane and CO2 in its atmosphere. This means that the planet also possibly has a water ocean.

    Prof Madhusudhan said that his entire team were ”shocked” when they saw the results.

    “On Earth, DMS is only produced by life. The bulk of it in Earth’s atmosphere is emitted from phytoplankton in marine environments,” he said.

    Moreover, it is the first time detecting a possible DMS presence on a planet orbiting a distant star. But the claim is being dealt with caution as a similar claim was made in 2020 regarding the presence of a molecule called phosphine. It is a molecule that could be “produced by living organisms in the clouds of Venus”. This, however, was disputed a year later.

  • Elections on Nov 6; President Alvi announces date

    Elections on Nov 6; President Alvi announces date

    President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, has announced that elections should be held on November 6, 2023, opening a new legal quagmire for the interim government.

    Despite Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kaakar’s insistence earlier this week that only Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has the right to announce a date for general elections, Dr. Alvi has chosen November 6 as the date, citing article 48(5) of the Constitution.

    Multiple journalists had reported in the past week that the President will announce the date.