Pakistan’s efforts to combat infectious diseases have suffered a significant setback after the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria reduced its financial support to the country for the current grant cycle. As reported by “The News,” the Global Fund cited global funding pressures and the need to reprioritize allocations as reasons for this cutback. This reduction in funding comes at a critical time, as Pakistan is experiencing a sharp surge in HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria cases. Simultaneously, the nation’s health programs continue to struggle with persistent leadership gaps and administrative mismanagement. According to an official letter from…
Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
This week, acclaimed artist Ai-Da, a humanoid robot, unveiled a new portrait of King Charles. In doing so, the robot articulated the inspiration behind the layered and intricate piece, while also emphasizing that it harbors no intentions of “replacing” human artists. The ultra-realistic robot, recognized as one of the most advanced in the world, is meticulously designed to resemble a human woman, featuring an expressive, lifelike face, large hazel eyes, and brown hair styled in a bob. In contrast, its arms are distinctly robotic, with exposed metal, and can be interchanged to suit the specific art form Ai-Da is currently…
In Dubai, your dinner experience might soon come with an intriguing blend of culinary innovation and cutting-edge technology. WOOHOO, a restaurant positioning itself as “dining in the future,” is slated to open its doors in September in central Dubai, located just a short distance from the iconic Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. While the food at WOOHOO will, for now, be assembled by humans, every other aspect of the dining experience—from the menu composition to the overall ambiance and service—will be meticulously designed by a culinary large-language-model named “Chef Aiman.” Aiman, a name derived from a portmanteau of “AI”…
The death toll from the Texas flash floods climbed to 119 on Wednesday, intensifying concerns that the figure could more than double, with over 160 individuals still reported missing. Workers in central Texas continued their arduous task of sifting through piles of muddy debris left by the July 4 floods. Governor Greg Abbott ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff across the state in remembrance of the tragedy. Officials in Kerr County, the epicenter of the flooding, confirmed on Wednesday that 161 people were known to be missing within the county. Kerr County, part of a central Texas Hill Country…
US President Donald Trump has declared a dramatic 50% tariff on all goods originating from Brazil, a decision made just days after a heated verbal exchange with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. This sudden measure arises from escalating tensions between the two leaders. Trump has openly criticized Brazil’s approach to free speech and has come to the defense of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently facing trial on charges of plotting a coup to prevent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from taking office in 2023. Lula, for his part, had previously referred to Trump as an…
Mikhail Bogdanov, a seasoned Russian diplomat and long-time aide to President Vladimir Putin, has resigned from his position as deputy foreign minister, as reported by the country’s news agency. The 74-year-old, who also served as Putin’s special envoy to the Middle East and Africa, vacated the post at his own request, reportedly citing personal reasons, according to a source quoted by the news agency. His departure was officially confirmed by a presidential decree issued on Wednesday. Bogdanov graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations in 1974 during the Soviet era. He immediately embarked on a diplomatic career as…
Indian election officials have given voters in Bihar state only a few weeks to prove their citizenship, a requirement for which few possess the necessary documents. This registration overhaul, slated for nationwide implementation, is triggering significant fears of disenfranchisement. The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the revision of voter rolls in June, ahead of upcoming polls in the eastern state. The ECI stated that this exercise will subsequently be replicated across the nation of 1.4 billion people. According to the ECI, the “intensive revision” is partly necessary to prevent the “inclusion of the names of foreign illegal immigrants.” Members…
The anti-poverty charity Oxfam released a report on Thursday, revealing that the four wealthiest individuals in Africa possess more wealth than approximately half of the continent’s 750 million people. The report cautioned that this escalating inequality is hindering democratic progress. While Oxfam’s report specifically named Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote as the continent’s richest man, Forbes data indicates that the top four also include South Africans Johann Rupert and Nicky Oppenheimer, along with Egyptian businessman Nassef Sawiris. Over the past five years, African billionaires have seen their collective wealth surge by an astonishing 56%, with the wealthiest individuals experiencing even greater…
According to new research, solar energy has, for the first time, emerged as Europe’s primary source of electricity. A report by Ember, a UK-based energy think tank, reveals that in June, solar panels generated more power than any other source across the European Union, contributing 22.1 percent to the total electricity mix. This performance placed solar ahead of nuclear power, which accounted for 21.8 percent, and wind turbines, at 15.8 percent, according to the British institution. Gas contributed 14.4 percent, while hydropower made up 12.8 percent of the mix. Ember noted that at least 13 countries broke their national records…
The US State Department announced that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi today, Friday, on the sidelines of an ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting in Malaysia. This meeting comes as Washington and Beijing remain entangled in disputes over various issues, including trade, fentanyl, Taiwan, and advanced technology. Both Rubio and Wang are in Kuala Lumpur for a gathering of foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which is also being attended by Japan, South Korea, and Australia. Tensions between Washington and Beijing have escalated significantly since US President Donald Trump…
