Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) conducted this year’s MDCAT on Sunday. The paper-based exam took place in centres across the country.
PMDC President Professor Dr Rizwan Taj said that a total of 180,534 students from Pakistan appeared in the MDCAT exam. 180,151 registered candidates appeared in national venues whereas 382 candidates appeared at two international centres; 185 candidates in Dubai and 197 candidates in Saudi Arabia.
Punjab hosted 66,875 candidates, Sindh 40,528, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 46439, Balochistan 9,230, Gilgit 926, Azad Jammu and Kashmir 4,036 and Islamabad 12,118.
The candidates were accommodated in 31 different cities including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Gujranwala, Sahiwal, Sialkot, DG Khan, Sargodha, Gujrat, Faisalabad, Karachi, Jamshoro, Dera Ismail Khan, Malakand, Nawabshah, Swat, Swabi, Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat, Bannu, Abbottabad, Quetta, Gilgit, Muzaffarabad, Huripur, Larkana, Mansehra, and Mirpur.
Dr. Taj pointed that special assistance had been provided to candidates with special needs or handicaps to fill out answer sheets.
As per the spokesperson of the Sindh Medical University, MDCAT results will come out after around one week.
It looks like the Avengers superhero is officially off the market
Actor Chris Evans has married actress Alba Baptista in an intimate ceremony at his Boston home, with only friends and family present. Page Six reports that guests had to sign NDAs, while phones were strictly not allowed during the ceremony. The 41-year-old actor’s fellow superheroes including Robert Downey Jr, Chris Hemsworth and Jeremy Renner, were present at the wedding, as was Emily Blunt and husband John Krasinski.
In November 2022, a source told People Magazine that the pair had been dating for over a year.
“They are in love, and Chris has never been happier,” the insider said, adding that the ‘Knives Out’ actor’s friends and family members all adored his girlfriend.
Chris Evans previously opened up to People Magazine about his desire to have a family and getting married:
“That’s absolutely something I want — wife, kids, building a family,” said the ‘Captain America’ actor. “When you read about most of the best artists, whether it’s actors, painters, writers, most of them [admit] it wasn’t the work they made [that they are most proud of], it was about the relationships, the families they created, the love they found, the love they shared.”
“So it’s also something through my long 41 years that also rings true. Those things are the most important. I love the idea of tradition and ceremony, I had a lot of that in my life so the idea of creating that, I can’t think of anything better.”
An American online shopping platform known as “Americana Pipedream” is offering Pakistani Servis Cheetah high-top shoes, which are advertised as “The Taliban’s Favourite Shoe” and are priced at approximately Rs30,500 ($99).
Screenshot from Americana Pipedream Website
The website lists these shoes for individuals who wish to emulate the Taliban’s style, and the company claims that “the Servis Cheetah is a highly popular running and sports shoe in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Much of its notoriety stems from its use by the Taliban, Mujahideen, and even Afghan Security Forces over the past 40 years.
These Servis Cheetahs are brand new and originate from Pakistan, a shoe brand that is not commonly found in the American market.
Interestingly, despite the platform’s strong promotion of these shoes as the “Taliban’s favourite,” the details section acknowledges that they are rare to come by in the United States and suggests that the quality may not be top-notch due to their Pakistani origin.
Furthermore, upon conducting research, it was discovered that the exact same shoes are sold by Servis Pakistan for Rs2,799.
Screenshot from official Servis Pakistan Website
The website appears to specialise in promoting clothing and accessories associated with the Taliban and similar themes. Other products featured on the website include Afghan War Rugs & Accessories, new apparel and accessories, books, camping and outdoor gear, axes and knives, tactical gear, pipes and accessories, vintage clothing, Phantomleaf camouflage, clearance items, night vision devices, and various military surplus items categorised by style and country of origin, including Swiss Surplus, Balkan Surplus, Greek Surplus, German & Austrian Surplus, Romanian Surplus, Vintage US Military Clothing, and British Surplus.
Shadab Khan and Virat Kohli’s camaraderie off the field has won the hearts of Pakistani and Indian cricket fans.
The Asia Cup 2023 match between Pakistan and India was officially called off on Sunday. It will resume tomorrow (Monday). India will resume their innings where they left off. Rain in Colombo, Sri Lanka, interrupted India’s innings at 24.1 overs, with India at 147-2.
Here are the Shadab-Kohli memes breaking the internet:
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said on Saturday that party leader Usman Dar has been “abducted”, demanding that the Sialkot native be recovered and presented in court, Geo News has reported.
“First it was Aoun Abbas Buppi, then Sadaqat Abbasi, and now Usman Dar has been abducted,” the party wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Usman Dar is the latest in a number of PTI leaders and officials who have encountered cases and incarceration after the May 9 riots. PTI leader Farrukh Habib said in a tweet on Saturday that Dar “be brought to light immediately and presented in court if there was a case against him so Dar could exercise his right to defend himself and his family could meet him”.
Earlier, Dar had said that his house, factory, and business in Sialkot were sealed in August. He had also said in one of his statements that his family members, including women, were left helpless.
Bushra Iqbal, the ex-wife of late television host and politician Aamir Liaquat, was a guest on Hafiz Ahmed’s podcast where she opened up about her 2020 divorce. The late politician’s divorce of his wife Syeda Bushra in 2020 left many in surprise, particularly as it came after he married actress Tuba Anwar.
At the time, Bushra had announced on her Instagram account that her marriage to the television host had ended, confirming that she was divorced by Liaquat on the phone at the request of his second wife, an act she termed traumatic for their two children.
Speaking at the podcast, the lawyer and television producer revealed she had not wanted to leave Aamir, but Tuba and her family kept pushing Aamir to divorce her, which is why he did it.
Bushra also addressed the leaked videos controversy, where the late host could be seen walking around a small room without clothes. Bushra said she was disappointed at how revenge videos were released to shame her husband.
“Honour is not just a woman’s. A man has honour as well. Had this happened to a woman, the entire country would have been out on the street, burning things. But a woman had done this. Men and women are kept equal. God has not kept the level of punishment different in the Quran.”
“People didn’t speak up. I was quite hurt. Everyone had their fun. YouTubers, members, everyone…People should think, ‘What if this happened to me?’ The best of people end up killing themselves. Who [ends up killing themselves]? Those who have no shame or honour. Otherwise, people have a lot of videos leaked, it was his honour. There are many videos of him crying. Some people claim we weren’t in contact. About facing his kids, he’s crying and saying – there are many audios that people haven’t even heard, I have them, on which basis I am fighting the case.”
In 2007, Apple introduced the iPhone, a revolutionary new smartphone that would change the way people use their phones forever. BlackBerry, the dominant smartphone maker at the time, was quick to dismiss the iPhone, saying that it was “not a threat” and that “we’ll be fine.”
But BlackBerry was wrong. The iPhone was a huge success, and it quickly took over the market. BlackBerry, on the other hand, began to lose market share. By 2013, BlackBerry was no longer the top smartphone maker.
How BlackBerry lost the smartphone war?
There were a number of reasons why BlackBerry failed to see the threat posed by the iPhone. Here are some of the most important factors:
BlackBerry was too focused on its existing customers: The company’s bread and butter was business users, who were slow to adopt new technologies. The iPhone, on the other hand, was designed for a wider audience, including consumers.
Slow to innovate: The iPhone was packed with new features, like a touch screen and a web browser, that BlackBerry didn’t have. BlackBerry was also slow to adopt new operating systems, such as Android.
BlackBerry was arrogant: The company executives believed that they were the best in the business and that they didn’t need to change. This attitude blinded them to the threat posed by the iPhone.
How iPhones have captured the market now
The iPhone has been the best-selling smartphone in the world for many years. In 2022, it accounted for 22 per cent of the global smartphone market. This is followed by Android with 69. per cent market share.
There are a number of reasons why iPhones have captured the market:
They are known for their high quality and sleek design. iPhones are made from high-quality materials and have a sleek, modern design. This makes them appealing to consumers who want a stylish and durable smartphone.
iPhones have a user-friendly interface and are easy to use. The iPhone’s operating system, iOS, is known for its intuitive interface and easy-to-use features. This makes it a good choice for people who are not familiar with smartphones.
Offer a wide range of features and apps. The App Store has a wide variety of apps to choose from, including games, productivity apps, and social media apps. This makes the iPhone a versatile device that can be used for a variety of purposes.
Backed by a strong brand name and reputation. Apple is a well-known and respected company, and its products are known for their quality. This gives consumers confidence in the iPhone.
Facts about iPhone sales
In 2022, Apple sold over 240 million iPhones.
The iPhone 13 was the best-selling iPhone model in 2022.
Apple iPhone generates more revenue for the tech giant than any other product.
The iPhone is a major driver of Apple’s stock price.
Additional thoughts on the matter
BlackBerry’s physical keyboard was a major advantage in the early days of smartphones, when touch screens were still relatively new and difficult to use. However, the iPhone’s touch screen was a more intuitive and user-friendly interface, and it eventually won over consumers.
The company’s business model was also a factor in its downfall. BlackBerry made most of its money from selling its devices to businesses, which were slow to adopt new technologies. Apple, on the other hand, made most of its money from selling apps and services in its App Store, which was a more open and flexible platform.
BlackBerry also made some bad strategic decisions. For example, the company decided to focus on its own proprietary operating system, BlackBerry OS, instead of adopting a more open platform like Android. This decision made it difficult for BlackBerry to attract developers and apps, which further hurt its competitive position.
The story of BlackBerry vs. iPhone is a cautionary tale about the dangers of complacency. When a new technology comes along, it’s important to be open to change and to be willing to adapt. Otherwise, you could end up like BlackBerry.
BlackBerry’s main focus currently is on software and services. Sadly, the company has discontinued its own smartphone line and now focuses on providing security software and services to businesses and governments.
October aka Spooktober has already set in motion with the return of the fan favourite horror novel series ‘Goosebumps’, set to release on Disney Plus and Hulu from October 13 onwards. A teaser trailer is already setting social media on fire. The series was created by Rob Letterman and Nicholas Stoller, and will feature an entirely new cast of child actors.
Omfg yessss can’t wait October is gonna be amazing I’m so hyped for this
— Hannah (Prp and banner is from my bestie cholley) (@Franandfriends1) September 7, 2023
The television series is adapted from the popular horror novel series written by R.L Stine, which explores the lives of protagonists who find them selves in scary situations involving ghosts or other supernatural elements.
The series were previously adapted into a television series in 1995, and a film in 2015, which followed a fictionalised version of Stine teaming up with his daughter to save the neighbourhood after the monsters written in his book escape and begin igniting chaos.
A new trend known as ‘Barbie Botox’ has been unleashed on TikTok. Women are getting Trapezius Botox in order to elongate the neck and shrink the shoulders, so it makes the person resemble a Barbie doll. The hashtag #barbiebotox has over 9.4 million views on TikTok according to Forbes, while #traptox has over 22.5 million views, with clips of popular influencers and reality tv who have gotten the procedure.
TikTok influencer Malibutoast who has over 195 K followers, shared clips of herself after having the procedure done, with users worried in her comments about whether the trend would encourage more insecurities among women on social media.
‘Wake up guys new insecurity just dropped,” wrote one user.
“Damn now I have to add… trapezius to the list of things I need to fix about myself ” another wrote.
Isabelle Lux, another TikTok influencer who credits herself with coining the phrase ‘Botox Barbie’ detailed her own experience of getting the treatment with CNN:
“It came from the idea that you would look more like a Barbie when you get it done, which I don’t think is a bad thing. It elongates the neck, slims the shoulders and creates a very delicate physique when it’s done properly.”
Speaking to the news organisation about the growing backlash she was getting on the internet, including being called an ‘anti-feminist’, Lux defended her choice by pointing out that women shouldn’t be belittled for wanting to look a certain way.
“The desire to look a certain way has for centuries been seen as silly, a waste of time, waste of money and pointless, especially for women,” she told CNN. “But when a man wants to look a certain way, it’s scientific, it’s cool. I think that we need to stop belittling women for things that they’re interested in, including looking a certain way if they want to. It’s not silly. Like, it’s real.”
But many plastic surgeons are condemning the trend, explaining that the procedure was coined in order to help those with excessive neck pain, with a side effect of creating the illusion of a longer and slimmer neck. Speaking to PEOPLE magazine, New York City dermatologist Dr Amy Wechsler pointed out that Barbie’s features are unrealistic and these cosmetic procedures won’t make a noticeable effect on women.
“Someone years ago explained that if you take a Barbie doll and make it into an adult woman, the measurements are not really realistic. So I don’t love jumping on social media trends because they often don’t have any basis in science,” she explains. “I think that’s human nature to try to wanna copy a trend, but usually what happens — which is good — is that the trend will fizzle out if it’s not a good idea or if it’s not healthy.”
“The #BarbieBotox trend is more about slimming,” Wechsler adds. “If you relax those muscles it can make a big improvement in the feel and the look. But if someone doesn’t overuse that muscle, I don’t think it does that much.”
Speaking to CNN, Dr Parisha Acharya warned that incorrect administration of Botox could weaken the muscle completely, and then effect your ability to hold up your neck properly. She expressed concerns about the trend going viral on social media, especially when younger audiences are watching:
“I think a medical procedure should be treated as a medical procedure. And in the UK, (the aesthetics industry) is unregulated. So shockingly anyone can administer botulinum toxin injections. That could be a beautician or hairdresser with no clinical experience, no anatomy knowledge. It really does worry me.”
Dr Acharya also pointed out that the trend took the wrong message from the movie ‘Barbie’ which advocated for women to stop trying to mould themselves to appease the patriarchy, and start accepting their bodies as the way they are:
“It was very pro-feminism, and (women) were moving away from sexualizing our bodies and thinking of them as just objects,” she stressed. “I don’t like the fact that this trend is using Barbie to say we should have slim necks. We should embrace ourselves for who we are.”
If you could share an unpopular opinion about marriage, what would you say?
Pakistani women are sharing cold hard facts with this trend on X (formerly Twitter), sharing their frank opinions about marriage. Since desi societies predominantly consider marriages to be a system arranged without a woman’s consent or opinion, many women shared what they thought about relationships, living with parents and other issues Pakistanis should really consider listening to.
We completely have to side with this one. Your wives are not hired helpers for your home or your parents.
If your wife moves in with your parents you owe her. This is even before she bears and raises your children. Very beghairat of any man who raises his voice to a wife who puts up with his mother. https://t.co/ycqGsW9ex7
— OhChiefestAndGreatestOfCalamities (@mustyoumustard) September 9, 2023
Never take any excuses like this from someone who claims to love you.
