Friday, July 25, 2025

Macron Announces France Will Recognise Palestinian State in September

President Emmanuel Macron
President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will formally recognise the State of Palestine, with the official declaration set to take place at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

In a post on X on Thursday, Macron stated, “In line with France’s longstanding commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine.”

“I will solemnly announce this at the United Nations General Assembly in September this year,” he added.

The move makes France the largest and arguably most influential country in Europe to move to recognise a Palestinian state, after European Union members Norway, Ireland and Spain indicated they would also begin the same process.

At least 142 countries out of the 193 members of the UN currently recognise or plan to recognise a Palestinian state, but several powerful Western countries have refused to do so.

They include the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany.

The announcement comes as European anger over Israel’s war on Gaza, in which Israel has killed 59,587 Palestinians and imposed severe restrictions on aid deliveries that have led to a hunger crisis, has grown.

CREATING MOMENTUM

The decision to make the announcement ahead of next week’s conference aimed to give the French team at the United Nations a framework to work with other countries that are also considering recognising a Palestinian state or have misgivings in doing so.

Diplomats say Macron has faced resistance from allies such as Britain and Canada over his push for the recognition of a Palestinian state.

About 40 foreign ministers will be in New York next week.

Israeli officials have spent months lobbying to prevent what some have called “a nuclear bomb” for bilateral ties.

Sources familiar with the matter say Israel’s warnings to France have ranged from scaling back intelligence sharing to complicating Paris’ regional initiatives – even hinting at possible annexation of parts of the West Bank.

Israel has been waging a devastating war in Gaza since the Palestinian militant group Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel in October 2023 and says recognising a Palestinian state now would be equivalent to rewarding Hamas.

Thanking France, the Palestinian Authority’s Vice President Hussein Al Sheikh said on X that Macron’s decision reflected “France’s commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian people’s rights to self-determination and the establishment of our independent state.”

Thursday, July 24, 2025

Courier Message Asks for a Code? PTA Sounds the Alarm

PTA warns: Courier services never ask for verification codes.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has issued a public alert about a growing scam involving fraudulent SMS and messaging app alerts that pretend to be from courier companies.

These messages typically ask recipients to enter or share a verification code, often under the pretext of confirming a delivery. However, the PTA warns that this is a phishing tactic designed to steal personal data or gain unauthorized access to digital accounts.

"Courier services do not require verification codes for deliveries," the PTA clarified.The authority has advised all users to:Avoid sharing any codes received via SMS or WhatsApp.Verify the sender before taking action on such messages.

Report suspicious activity to relevant platforms or authorities.

The PTA emphasized that similar scams have been reported by banks, where users are asked to share OTP (One-Time Password) codes by individuals falsely claiming to represent the bank or the State Bank of Pakistan.

Sharing such codes can lead to identity theft, financial fraud, or loss of access to personal accounts.

In its statement, the PTA reaffirmed its commitment to protecting digital users and urged everyone to stay alert and think twice before responding to unsolicited verification requests.

Thailand and Cambodia Trade Heavy Fire in Escalating Conflict

Thailand and Cambodia Trade Heavy Fire
Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery fire on Friday as their deadliest border conflict in over a decade entered its second day. The clashes have already claimed at least 16 lives and forced the evacuation of over 100,000 people from Thai border areas, sparking regional concern and international calls for an immediate ceasefire.

According to the Thai military, Cambodian forces launched sustained bombardments using heavy field artillery and Russian-made BM-21 rocket systems. In response, Thai forces returned fire “in accordance with the tactical situation”.

Fighting was reported across six separate locations, spanning 209 kilometers along a long-disputed stretch of the border where sovereignty has been contested for over a century.

Tensions escalated rapidly after a Thai soldier lost a limb to a landmine on Wednesday—an incident Bangkok claims involved newly laid explosives by Cambodian troops.Phnom Penh has denied the allegation, calling it baseless. Hours later, Thailand expelled Cambodia’s envoy and recalled its own ambassador.

On the ground, Reuters journalists in Thailand’s Surin province described hearing intermittent explosions throughout the day, while heavily armed Thai soldiers were seen guarding roads and fuel stations. A convoy of military vehicles, including tanks and armored trucks, moved through rice fields toward the front lines.

Thailand’s health ministry reported that 15 Thai nationals—14 of them civilians—had been killed, and 46 others were wounded. Cambodia confirmed one civilian fatality, five injuries, and the evacuation of 1,500 families in Oddar Meanchey province, though its national government has not released full casualty figures.

On Thursday, Thailand deployed six F-16 fighter jets in a rare combat move, one of which was mobilized for an airstrike on Cambodian forces. Cambodia condemned the strike as reckless military aggression.

Defense analysts note that Thailand’s use of advanced fighter jets reflects a clear military advantage over Cambodia, which lacks any combat aircraft and has limited military capacity.International concern is growing. The United States has urged both countries to halt hostilities immediately and prioritize civilian safety.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said he had spoken to both sides and welcomed what he called “positive signals” toward dialogue. 

Despite these diplomatic overtures, the situation remains volatile. Shelling continued through Friday, with no formal ceasefire in place and tensions at their highest in years.

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

AI Just Cracked a 158-Year-Old Math Challenge, What This Means for the Future

Google and OpenAI AI models win gold medals at global math competition.
Google and OpenAI’s AI models win gold at the International Mathematical Olympiad, solving 5 out of 6 toughest problems like top human students.

In an unprecedented milestone, AI systems developed by Google’s DeepMind and OpenAI have outperformed expectations by securing gold medal-level scores at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), a competition historically reserved for the world’s brightest high school mathematicians.

For the first time ever, these AI models solved five of the six notoriously difficult problems using natural language reasoning,  mimicking human thought processes rather than relying on rigid programming languages or brute computational force.

Google’s model, Gemini Deep Think, completed all tasks within the official exam time, while OpenAI’s experimental AI massively scaled computing power to “think” deeply and explore multiple solution paths simultaneously.

This approach, though “very expensive,” allowed the AI to demonstrate advanced problem-solving that many experts believe could soon assist mathematicians in cracking unsolved puzzles.

Junehyuk Jung, a Brown University math professor involved with Google DeepMind, said this breakthrough “opens the door for real collaboration between AI and human mathematicians,” marking a new era where artificial intelligence is no longer just a tool but a partner in discovery.

While only 11% of the 630 student competitors earned gold medals, these AI systems matched that elite performance level,  signaling that artificial intelligence may soon revolutionize scientific research far beyond math.

With official results set to be published soon, this achievement has ignited excitement and debate about how AI could reshape education, research, and problem-solving worldwide.

Monday, July 21, 2025

Construction Begins on Landmark Hydropower Dam in China’s Tibet

Hydropower Dam in China’s Tibet
HONG KONG/SHANGHAI: Chinese Premier Li Qiang has announced the commencement of construction on what is set to become the world’s largest hydropower dam, according to the official Xinhua news agency. The massive project, situated on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, is estimated to cost approximately $170 billion. This development marks China’s most ambitious hydropower initiative since the construction of the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River. The new facility is expected to begin operations in the 2030s.

Made up of five cascade hydropower stations, the dam will be located in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo.

A section of the river falls a dramatic 2,000 metres (6,561 feet) within a short span of 50km (31 miles), offering huge hydropower potential.

India and Bangladesh have already raised concerns about its possible impact on the millions of people who live downstream, while NGOs have warned of the risk to the environment, one of the richest and most diverse on the plateau.

Beijing has said the dam, with the capacity to produce 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, will help meet power demand in Tibet and the rest of China without having a major effect on downstream water supplies or the environment.

China's CSI Construction & Engineering Index jumped as much as 4% to a seven-month high. Power Construction Corporation of China and Arcplus Group PLC jumped by their 10% daily limit.

Wang Zhuo, partner of Shanghai Zhuozhu Investment Management, said the project offered investors both long-term investment opportunities and a theme for short-term speculation.

"From an investment perspective, mature hydropower projects offer bond-like dividends," Wang said.

But he cautioned that speculative buying into related stocks triggered by the announcement would inflate valuations.

The project will drive demand for construction and building materials such as cement and civil explosives, benefiting related companies, Huatai Securities said in a note to clients.

Shares of Beijing-listed Hunan Wuxin Tunnel Intelligent Equipment Co, which sells tunnel construction equipment, surged 30%. So did shares of Geokang Technologies Co Ltd, which produces intelligent monitoring terminals.

Cement maker Xizang Tianlu Co Ltd and Tibet GaoZheng Explosive Co, which makes civil explosive materials, both jumped their maximum 10%.

Downstream impact

The Chinese premier described the dam as a "project of the century" and said special emphasis "must be placed on ecological conservation to prevent environmental damage," Xinhua said in its report on Saturday.

China has not given an estimate on the number of jobs the project is likely to create.

The Three Gorges Dam, which took almost two decades to complete, generated nearly a million jobs, state media reported, though at least a similar number of people were displaced by the massive project.

Authorities have not indicated how many people would be displaced by theYarlung Zangbo project or how it would affect the local ecosystem.

NGOs including the International Campaign for Tibet say the dam will irreversibly harm the Tibetan Plateau and that millions of people downstream will face severe disruptions to their livelihoods.

The Yarlung Zangbo becomes the Brahmaputra River as it leaves Tibet and flows south into India's states of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam and finally into Bangladesh.

China has already started hydropower generation on the upper reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo, which flows from the west to the east of Tibet

Sunday, July 20, 2025

Microsoft warns businesses, governments of ongoing server software cyberattack

Microsoft has issued a warning about ongoing cyberattacks
Microsoft has issued a warning about ongoing cyberattacks targeting server software used by government agencies and businesses for internal document sharing. The company urged users to immediately install recommended security updates.

In a Saturday alert, Microsoft clarified that the attacks are limited to on-premises SharePoint servers and do not affect SharePoint Online through Microsoft 365's cloud services.

The FBI confirmed on Sunday that it is aware of the situation and is collaborating with federal and private-sector partners, though it did not disclose further details.

The Washington Post, which first reported the hacks, said unidentified actors in the past few days had exploited a flaw to launch an attack that targeted U.S. and international agencies and businesses.

The hack is known as a "zero day" attack because it targeted a previously unknown vulnerability, the newspaper said, quoting experts. Tens of thousands of servers were at risk.

Microsoft did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In the alert, Microsoft said that a vulnerability "allows an authorised attacker to perform spoofing over a network." It issued recommendations to stop the attackers from exploiting it.

In a spoofing attack, an actor can manipulate financial markets or agencies by hiding the actor's identity and appearing to be a trusted person, organisation or website.

Microsoft said on Sunday it issued a security update for SharePoint Subscription Edition, which it said customers should apply immediately.

It said it is working on updates to the 2016 and 2019 versions of SharePoint.

If customers cannot enable recommended malware protection, they should disconnect their servers from the internet until a security update is available, it said.

YouTube monetisation tweaks spark concern

Youtube announces it's new policy for producing content.
YouTube has updated its monetisation policy, renaming "reused content" to "inauthentic content" and clarifying guidelines on overly produced material.

Experts say the changes are minor and not as alarming as portrayed on social media.

Talha Labib, a social media expert who runs a social media marketing agency and manages several YouTube channels, says that the news was blown out of proportion.

"The content that YouTube wants to discourage already did not meet its monetisation criteria under existing policies, as the platform only promotes creators who produce original and authentic content".

"Some creators are concerned that this update would limit their ability to monetise their channels, but that is not the case.

There are many YouTube channels that spread fake or inauthentic news or use inappropriate language.

The platform regularly takes action against them and de-platform them. So, it’s good that people will now be more careful while uploading the content," she said.

YouTube has uploaded a short update on its YouTube Help page, which says the platform updated its Partner Program monetisation policies on July 15, 2025, to clarify its stance on inauthentic content.

While the platform has always required original and authentic uploads, the new guidelines aim to better identify mass-produced and repetitive material that does not meet monetisation standards.

Digital Marketeer and Content Specialist Anusha Asif said that many YouTube channels use clips from other YouTubers for their videos or Shorts. "What is going to happen now is that such accounts will not be able to monetise their content."

But, she added, the original creators will also feel the heat of the new policy. "If clips or content of an original channel is mass-produced, the channel itself could come under YouTube’s scrutiny and may be flagged. This could lead to a shutdown or a ban".

While Labib was of the view that such strikes are reversible and original creators can restore their accounts, Anusha argued that the restored channels would take some time to gain back the ranking they previously enjoyed.

When the news broke out that the platform was rolling out its YPP update, many initially feared it would demonetise all AI-generated repetitive content, which often includes what is now known as "AI slop".

For instance, some channels repeatedly post AI-generated videos that are nearly identical, often copied from similar creators.

Labib said that while "AI videos are still allowed under the new rules. The crackdown would be against deepfakes or other inappropriate content generated through AI".

He added that as creators move to use AI tools for their content, it is important that they give proper disclosures about the use of the new technology to avoid the spread of misleading content.

Tech expert Shahrukh Malik said that "as a consumer, I think [restricting AI-generated content] is great.

Sure, there was a time when these videos were amusing but there is too much of them now".

But, "as a content creator," he said, "it does limit my options. A lot of people earned a lot of money from the videos that will now be restricted.

Now they have to work harder in an already very competitive space.

Also, this kind of starts a reinforcement learning-like war between content creators and YouTube.

Creators will try to invent ways to circumvent this demonetisation and YouTube will invent ways to capture their new ways".

Wipha Threatens: Hong Kong Issues Red Storm Warning

Hong Kong issued its highest storm alert
Hong Kong issued its highest storm alert on Sunday as Typhoon Wipha swept through the territory with winds exceeding 167 km/h (103 mph), bringing torrential rain and strong gusts that led to the cancellation of over 200 flights.

The city’s weather observatory raised the storm signal to No. 10 at 9:20 a.m. (0120 GMT) and warned that the alert would likely remain in place “for some time.”

Wipha will skirt around 50 km to the south of the observatory, the warning showed.

Hurricane-force wind is affecting the southern part of Hong Kong, the observatory said.

Cathay Pacific Airways (0293.HK), cancelled all of its flights arriving or departing Hong Kong airport between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday.

It waived ticket change fees and made arrangements for customers to re-book.

Most public transport was suspended on Sunday, including ferries amid high sea swells.

Saturday, July 19, 2025

Netflix Embraces Generative AI with 'El Atonata' Breakthrough

AI powers VFX in El Eternauta.
Netflix has officially entered a new era of content creation by integrating "generative artificial intelligence " into its production pipeline, with the first application featured in the Argentine series "El Atonata".

The announcement was made during the company’s post-earnings conference call on July 17.

Co-CEO "Ted Sarandos" revealed that AI was used to create final footage for a "building collapse scene", completed "ten times faster" and at a "lower cost" than traditional visual effects methods.

The move signals a major shift in how visual storytelling could evolve across global media.

“We see AI not just as a cost-saving tool, but as a creative enabler,” said Sarandos.

“There are AI-powered tools that empower real creators to do more with less.

Our teams are already seeing its benefits in pre-visualisation, shot planning, and VFX”.

Previously, sophisticated visual effects like "de-aging" were largely reserved for big-budget productions.

However, Netflix believes AI is democratizing access to these tools, allowing smaller-scale projects to achieve high production value.

Netflix’s other co-CEO, "Greg Peters", added that GenAI is also being leveraged in "personalisation", "search", and "advertising".

The company plans to introduce "interactive AI-powered ads" in the second half of 2025, following the successful rollout of its "AI-enhanced search" function earlier this year.

In its Q2 2025 earnings report, Netflix posted a "16% year-over-year revenue growth", reaching "$11.08 billion", with profits at "$3.13 billion".

Viewership also soared, with users watching over "95 billion hours of content" in the first half of the year.

Notably,"non-English titles accounted for one-third" of total views, highlighting Netflix’s global content strategy.

Friday, July 18, 2025

Trump believes 5 aircraft downed during South Asia clash

US President Donald Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Friday that as many as five fighter jets were downed during the recent hostilities between Pakistan and India, which erupted following a militant attack in April in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

The tensions reportedly de-escalated after a ceasefire agreement in May.

Trump made these remarks during a dinner event with several Republican lawmakers at the White House.

"In fact, planes were being shot out of the air. Five, five, four or five, but I think five jets were shot down actually," Trump said while talking about the Pakistan-India hostilities, without elaborating or providing further detail.

Pakistan claimed it had downed six Indian planes in air-to-air combat. India's highest-ranking general said in late May that India switched tactics after suffering losses in the air on the first day of hostilities and established an advantage before a ceasefire was announced three days later.

Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for the ceasefire between India and Pakistan that he announced on social media on May 10 after Washington held talks with both sides.

India has differed with Trump's claims that it resulted from his intervention and his threats to sever trade talks.

India's position has been that New Delhi and Islamabad must resolve their problems directly and with no outside involvement.

India is an increasingly important US partner in Washington's effort to counter China's influence in Asia, while Pakistan is a US ally.

The April attack in IIOJK killed 26 men and sparked heavy fighting between the nuclear-armed Asian neighbours in the latest escalation of a decades-old rivalry.

New Delhi blamed the attack on Pakistan, which Islamabad has vehemently denied responsibility while calling for a neutral investigation.

On May 7, Indian jets bombed multiple sites in Pakistan, setting off an exchange of attacks between the two countries by fighter jets, missiles, drones, and artillery that killed dozens until the ceasefire was reached.

New Study Shows AI Friends Becoming Integral to Teen Social Lives

new study AI
Nearly 75% of American teenagers have interacted with AI companions, and over half are considered regular users, even as concerns about the safety of these virtual relationships continue to rise, according to a new survey released Wednesday.

Nearly three in four American teenagers have used AI companions, with more than half qualifying as regular users despite growing safety concerns about these virtual relationships, according to a new survey released Wednesday.

AI companions -- chatbots designed for personal conversations rather than simple task completion -- are available on platforms like Character.AI, Replika, and Nomi.

Unlike traditional artificial intelligence assistants, these systems are programmed to form emotional connections with users. The findings come amid mounting concerns about the mental health risks posed by AI companions.

The nationally representative study of 1,060 teens aged 13-17, conducted for Common Sense Media, found that 72 percent have used AI companions at least once, while 52 percent interact with such platforms a few times per month.

Common Sense Media is a leading American nonprofit organization that reviews and provides ratings for media and technology with the goal of providing information on their suitability for children.

The survey revealed that 30 percent of respondents use the platforms because "it's entertaining" and 28 percent are driven by curiosity about the technology.

However, concerning patterns emerged: one-third of users have chosen to discuss serious matters with AI companions instead of real people, while 24 percent have shared personal information including real names and locations.

Perhaps most troubling, 34 percent of teen users reported feeling uncomfortable with something an AI companion had said or done, though such incidents were infrequent.

"The reality that nearly three-quarters of teens have used these platforms, with half doing so regularly, means that even a small percentage experiencing harm translates to significant numbers of vulnerable young people at risk," the report said.

The survey revealed an age divide in trust levels.

While half of all teens expressed distrust in AI companion advice, younger teens (ages 13-14) were more likely than older teens (15-17) to trust advice from these systems.

Despite widespread usage, most teens maintained perspective on these relationships: two thirds found AI conversations less satisfying than human interactions, and 80 percent spent more time with real friends than AI companions.

Based on the findings, Common Sense Media recommended that no one under 18 use AI companions until stronger safeguards are implemented.

"Companies have put profits before kids' well-being before, and we cannot make the same mistake with AI companions," the report said.

Sega Revives Its Legacy to Tap Into Nostalgia-Fueled Demand

Sega Revives Its Legacy
Japan's Sega aimed to revitalize its brand by tapping into nostalgia through remakes of classic games, movie adaptations, and themed merchandise stores, following a downturn in its console business.

Sonic the Hedgehog’s cinematic success has revitalised interest in Sega, which halted hardware manufacturing after the Dreamcast closed in 2001 and focused solely on software development.

Now, record levels of tourism in Japan and rising global enthusiasm for Japanese pop culture have prompted a strategic relaunch.

Evidence of this resurgence includes the opening of Sega’s flagship merchandise store in Japan this Friday, following a similar launch in Shanghai in May.

Chief Operating Officer Shuji Utsumi stated, “Opportunities expand. We faced difficulties for some time; now we make our return.” He added that Sega intends to grow beyond Japan and adopt a global reach.

In its heyday during the 1980s and 1990s, Sega stood as a major player in the arcade and console market, renowned for titles such as Streets of Rage and Shinobi.

However, the rise of online multiplayer games in the 2000s, notably World of Warcraft, brought financial strain and led Sega to withdraw from hardware production.

US-based industry analyst David Cole observed that franchises from the 1990s now appeal to adults in their thirties and forties, who wish to share them with their own children.

He described this trend as “an untapped value” and noted that Sega, like Nintendo, now seeks to capitalise via films, retail and theme‑park attractions.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3, starring Jim Carrey, achieved one of the best December box‑office openings in North America last year. The franchise followed the success of the first live-action Sonic in 2020 and mirrored the popularity of Nintendo’s 2023 Super Mario Bros. film.

Additional projects include adaptations of Shinobi and Yakuza, plus discussions with potential partners over a Persona movie. Utsumi commented: “Fans should stay ready,” but declined to share further details.

In 2023, Sega acquired Finland’s Rovio, known for Angry Birds, to strengthen its position in mobile gaming. Utsumi remarked that gamer preferences have shifted beyond console-based experiences. Cole argued that Sega should invest in high-end titles to reinforce brand loyalty.

A new “Super Game” is under development, designed with international scope and incorporating social and possibly AI features. Utsumi cautioned that crafting an exceptional game requires time, adding: “Competition in the gaming market is extremely fierce.”

Sega’s parent company, Sega Sammy, continues to produce arcade and pachinko machines, although demand for pachinko parlours has declined.

Cole noted that Sega’s entertainment division now represents its main avenue for growth. Sega Sammy reported that Sonic’s intellectual property has increased revenue across games and character licensing.

Thursday, July 17, 2025

Trump diagnosed with chronic venous disorder

President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with a common and non-serious vein condition.
The White House confirmed Thursday that President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with a common and non-serious vein condition, following public concern over visible bruising on his hand and swelling in his legs.

At 79, Trump is the oldest individual to assume the U.S. presidency.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated he has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency.

The widely noted discoloration on Donald Trump’s right hand, meanwhile, was “tissue irritation from frequent handshaking” and the use of aspirin as part of a standard cardiovascular treatment, she said.

Presidential physician Sean Barbabella said Trump “remains in excellent health” despite the condition, in a letter released by the White House.

The Republican frequently boasts of his good health and energy levels while the administration recently even posted an image depicting him as Superman.

Trump has alleged that Democrats covered up the mental and physical decline of his predecessor, Joe Biden, who was 82 when he left office in January.

Now Donald Trump, who said after undergoing a routine medical check-up that he was in “very good shape,” has been forced to answer questions about his own health.

Leavitt’s revelations follow widespread online discussions about the president’s visibly swollen ankles, seen in particular at the recent FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey, and a bruised hand that often appeared to be covered with make-up.

“In recent weeks, President Trump noted mild swelling in his lower legs,” Leavitt said, adding that he was examined by White House doctors “out of an abundance of caution.”

Ultrasound tests “revealed chronic venous insufficiency, a benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70.”

The condition involves damaged leg veins that fail to keep blood flowing properly.

Leavitt said Trump had asked her to share the diagnosis “in the effort of transparency.”

Read more: Donald Trump claims Israel, Iran asked him for peace

Dr. Matt Heinz, an internist and hospitalist from Tucson, Arizona, told AFP that chronic venous insufficiency is “pretty common,” especially in older adults.

It results from vein valves becoming less effective.

“It comes with age, gravity, and obesity doesn’t help if that’s a condition that people suffer from.

I know the president’s been losing some weight, though, so I think that’s probably a little better,” he said.

The White House pressed home its message that the condition did not pose a serious risk to Trump, saying that “importantly, there was no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease.”

Donald Trump had “normal cardiac structure and function, no signs of heart failure, renal impairment or systemic illness,” added Leavitt.

Of the hand bruising issue, Leavitt said: “This is a well known and benign side effect of aspirin therapy.”

For months, however, the White House had previously dismissed questions about Trump’s bruised hand, saying that it was purely down to handshaking.

The health of US presidents has always been closely watched, but with the White House seeing its two oldest ever occupants since 2017 the scrutiny is now heavier than ever.

Biden’s health was a key issue in the 2024 election, and the then-president was forced to drop his campaign for a second term after a disastrous debate performance against Trump.

Republicans in the House of Representatives have issued subpoenas to several Biden aides, including his doctor, to get them to testify in an investigation into the Democrat’s mental fitness.

Biden was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer in May.

As far as Trump was concerned, his condition was likely to be treated with compression socks, activity and maybe weight loss, rather than any “invasive” treatment such as prosthetic valves, Heinz said.

Swelling could indicate something more serious such as heart issues “but I don’t have that information.”

Ayatollah Khamenei: Israel clung to US for ceasefire with Iran

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says Israel was compelled to “bow down and cling to the United States” in desperation during the recent 12-day aggression against Iran, as it proved incapable of facing the Islamic Republic alone.

Speaking at a high-level meeting with Iran’s judiciary officials in Tehran Wednesday, Ayatollah Khamenei said the confrontation revealed not only Iran’s military and strategic strength, but also the resilience, awareness, and national unity of the Iranian people.

“The great achievement of the people during the 12-day war was their determination, willpower, and national self-confidence, because the very essence of having the spirit and readiness to confront a power like the United States and its chained dog, the Zionist regime, is extremely valuable,” he said.

Ayatollah Khamenei touched on Iran’s transformation from a submissive client under the former Pahlavi regime to an assertive and independent nation.

“Back then, even in private, officials didn’t dare criticize America. Today, Iran has reached a point where it not only does not fear the United States but also instills fear in it.

“This spirit and national will is exactly what makes Iran proud and leads it to achieve its great aspirations,” he said.

Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that Iran will never enter any arena—diplomatic or military—as the weaker side, addressing Western leaders who mistakenly believe the recent aggression has given them the opportunity to diplomatically pressure Iran.

“We possess all the necessary tools such as reason and military power; therefore, whether on the diplomatic field or the battlefield, whenever we engage, by God’s grace, we will enter with full hands,” he said.

The Leader cited Israel’s desperate appeal to the United States for a ceasefire after 12 days of aggression as clear evidence of Iran’s strong and decisive response to the Zionist regime.

“If the Zionist regime had not bowed down and clung to the ground, and if it were capable of defending itself, it would not have turned to America like that. But it understood that it could not stand against the Islamic Republic.”

On June 13, Israel launched a blatant and unprovoked act of aggression against Iran, assassinating many high-ranking military commanders, nuclear scientists, and ordinary civilians. More than a week later, the US entered the war by bombing three Iranian nuclear sites.

In response, the Iranian Armed Forces targeted strategic sites across the occupied territories as well as the al-Udeid air base in Qatar, the largest American military base in West Asia.

On June 24, Iran, through its successful retaliatory operations against both the Israeli regime and the US, managed to impose a halt to the illegal assault.

The Leader described Iran’s retaliatory strike against the US attack as a highly sensitive one. “The target hit by Iran was an extremely sensitive American center in the region, and once media censorship is lifted, it will become clear what a significant blow Iran delivered. Of course, even greater strikes could be dealt to the US and others if necessary.”

The Leader stated that the enemy's strategy was to weaken Iran through targeted assassinations and psychological operations, then mobilize internal saboteurs and agitators to trigger unrest, but it was fully defeated by public awareness and nationwide solidarity.

"The aggressors’ calculation and plan were that by targeting certain individuals and sensitive centers in Iran, the system would be weakened, and then—by activating their sleeper cells made up of mercenaries, from the hypocrites [MKO] and monarchists to thugs and criminals—they could provoke the people, bring them into the streets, and bring down the Islamic Republic.

"In reality, the exact opposite of the enemy’s plan occurred, revealing that many of the assumptions held by some individuals in political and related spheres were also incorrect.

“God nullified their plot and brought the people into the field in support of the state and the system. Contrary to the enemy’s expectations, the people rose to defend and support the Islamic establishment—both with their lives and their resources.”

Ayatollah Khamenei called on Iran’s Judiciary to vigorously follow up on recent crimes committed against the country, both in domestic and international courts.

“The issue of the Judiciary pursuing these recent crimes in legal tribunals, whether domestic or international, is among the most necessary and important tasks,” the Leader said.

He acknowledged past shortcomings in this regard, noting, “We should have done this in many previous cases, but we failed in the past years. This time, we must not fall short.”

“If the pursuit of this issue and referral to international and domestic courts takes even twenty years, it does not matter. The criminal must be held accountable.”

The Leader argued that even if today a court is under the influence of a certain power, one day a judge may emerge who is independent.

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Russia says Trump is emboldening Ukraine, delaying peace

Russia says Trump is emboldening Ukraine, delaying peace
The Kremlin warned on Tuesday that US President Donald Trump’s pledge of more weapons for Kyiv and threat of sanctions targeting Russian trading partners could embolden Ukraine and further delay already stalled peace efforts.

Trump a day earlier gave Russia 50 days to strike a peace deal with Ukraine, voicing fresh frustration with Moscow as he laid out an arrangement with Nato to supply Kyiv with new military aid sponsored by the alliance’s members.

The Republican forced Moscow and Kyiv to open peace talks to end the conflict, now in its fourth year, but Russia has rejected calls for a ceasefire and launched a record number of drones and missiles at Ukraine in recent months.

Moscow said it needed more time to respond fully to Trump’s statement, but hinted it did not appear conducive to successful negotiations. “It seems that such a decision made in Washington and in Nato countries and directly in Brussels will be perceived by Kyiv not as a signal for peace but for the continuation of the war,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

“President Trump’s statement is very serious. We certainly need time to analyse what was said in Washington,” he told reporters in Moscow’s first reaction to the comments.

Trump warned that if no deal was concluded, he would slap severe tariffs on Russia’s remaining trade partners in a bid to impede Moscow’s ability to finance its military offensive. Pumped up by huge state spending on soldiers and weapons, as well as by redirecting vital energy exports to the likes of China and India, Russia’s economy has so far defied Western hopes sanctions would push it into a deep recession.

Two rounds of talks between Russia and Ukraine, held in Turkiye in recent months, have made no progress towards ending the fighting and yielded only large-scale prisoner exchanges.

Meta’s Grand AI Gambit: A Vision Beyond Human Intelligence

Meta’s Grand AI Gambit:
WASHINGTON: Mark Zuckerberg announced on Monday that Meta Platforms plans to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in building several large-scale AI data centers to support the development of superintelligence, ramping up the company's push for advanced AI and its competition to recruit top engineering talent.

The social media giant is among the large tech companies that have struck high-profile deals and doled out multi-million-dollar pay packages in recent months to fast-track work on machines that could outthink humans on many tasks.

Its first multi-gigawatt data centre, dubbed Prometheus, is expected to come online in 2026, while another, called Hyperion, will be able to scale up to five gigawatts over the coming years, Zuckerberg said in a post on his Threads social media platform.

“We’re building multiple more titan clusters as well. Just one of these covers a significant part of the footprint of Manhattan,” the billionaire CEO said.

He also pointed to a report from industry publication SemiAnalysis that Meta was on track to be the first AI lab to bring a gigawatt-plus supercluster online.

Zuckerberg touted the strength in the company’s core advertising business to justify the massive spending amid investor concerns on whether the expenditure would pay off.

“We have the capital from our business to do this,” he said.

Meta shares were trading 1pc higher. The stock has risen more than 20pc so far this year.

The company, which generated nearly $165 billion in revenue last year, reorganised its AI efforts last month under a division called Superintelligence Labs after setbacks for its open-source Llama 4 model and key staff departures.
It is betting that the division would generate new cash flows from the Meta AI app, image-to-video ad tools and smart glasses.

D.A. Davidson analyst Gil Luria said Meta was investing aggressively in AI as the technology has already boosted its ad business by allowing it to sell more ads and at higher prices.

“But at this scale, the investment is more oriented to the long-term competition to have the leading AI model, which could take time to materialize,” Luria said.

In recent weeks, Zuckerberg has personally led an aggressive talent raid for the Meta Superintelligence Labs, which will be led by former Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang and ex-GitHub chief Nat Friedman, after Meta invested $14.3bn in Scale.

Meta had raised its 2025 capital expenditure to between $64bn and $72bn in April, aiming to bolster the company’s position against rivals OpenAI and Google.

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Iran values its ties with Pakistan: President Pezeshkian

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said his country attaches great importance to its relations with Pakistan.

Talking to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who called on him in Tehran, he said Iran would never forget support extended by Pakistan during the war.

The Iranian President said the Zionist regime is trying to create rift among Muslim countries, emphasizing that unity and harmony among Islamic countries is inevitable.

President Pezeshkian expressed satisfaction over the current bilateral relations between Iran and Pakistan.

He emphasized the importance of diplomatic exchanges and constructive dialogue to enhance cooperation between the two countries. He said both the countries have immense opportunities to enhance cooperation.

On the occasion, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi congratulated Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the great victory in the war. He said Pakistan strongly condemned the attack on Iran at every forum.

The Interior Minister said Pakistan's Parliament was the first to pass a resolution condemning the war imposed on Iran and supported Iran's legitimate right to self-defence.

Tech Giants Race to Tackle AI’s Growing Energy Demands

artificial intelligence
The artificial intelligence industry is scrambling to reduce its massive energy consumption through better cooling systems, more efficient computer chips, and smarter programming all while AI usage explodes worldwide.

AI depends entirely on data centers, which could consume three percent of the world's electricity by 2030, according to the International Energy Agency. That's double what they use today.

Experts at McKinsey, a US consulting firm, describe a race to build enough data centers to keep up with AI's rapid growth, while warning that the world is heading toward an electricity shortage.

"There are several ways of solving the problem," explained Mosharaf Chowdhury, a University of Michigan professor of computer science.

Companies can either build more energy supply -- which takes time and the AI giants are already scouring the globe to do -- or figure out how to consume less energy for the same computing power.

Chowdhury believes the challenge can be met with "clever" solutions at every level, from the physical hardware to the AI software itself.

For example, his lab has developed algorithms that calculate exactly how much electricity each AI chip needs, reducing energy use by 20-30 percent.

- 'Clever' solutions -

Twenty years ago, operating a data center -- encompassing cooling systems and other infrastructure -- required as much energy as running the servers themselves.

Today, operations use just 10 percent of what the servers consume, says Gareth Williams from consulting firm Arup.

This is largely through this focus on energy efficiency.

Many data centers now use AI-powered sensors to control temperature in specific zones rather than cooling entire buildings uniformly.

This allows them to optimize water and electricity use in real-time, according to McKinsey's Pankaj Sachdeva.

For many, the game-changer will be liquid cooling, which replaces the roar of energy-hungry air conditioners with a coolant that circulates directly through the servers.

"All the big players are looking at it," Williams said.

This matters because modern AI chips from companies like Nvidia consume 100 times more power than servers did two decades ago.

Amazon's world-leading cloud computing business, AWS, last week said it had developed its own liquid method to cool down Nvidia GPUs in its servers - - avoiding have to rebuild existing data centers.

"There simply wouldn't be enough liquid-cooling capacity to support our scale," Dave Brown, vice president of compute and machine learning services at AWS, said in a YouTube video.

- US vs China -

For McKinsey's Sachdeva, a reassuring factor is that each new generation of computer chips is more energy-efficient than the last.

Research by Purdue University's Yi Ding has shown that AI chips can last longer without losing performance.

"But it's hard to convince semiconductor companies to make less money" by encouraging customers to keep using the same equipment longer, Ding added.

Yet even if more efficiency in chips and energy consumption is likely to make AI cheaper, it won't reduce total energy consumption.

"Energy consumption will keep rising," Ding predicted, despite all efforts to limit it. "But maybe not as quickly."

In the United States, energy is now seen as key to keeping the country's competitive edge over China in AI.

In January, Chinese startup DeepSeek unveiled an AI model that performed as well as top US systems despite using less powerful chips -- and by extension, less energy.

DeepSeek's engineers achieved this by programming their GPUs more precisely and skipping an energy-intensive training step that was previously considered essential.

China is also feared to be leagues ahead of the US in available energy sources, including from renewables and nuclear.

UK Rolls Out Electronic Visas for Pakistan’s Students, Professionals

UK evisas for pakistani students and workers
In an effort to simplify the visa process, the United Kingdom (UK) has introduced an eVisa system for Pakistani students and workers, according to a statement released by the British High Commission in Islamabad on Tuesday.

The statement said most main Pakistani applicants travelling to the UK on study or work-related visas will no longer need a physical sticker visa in passports from today (July 15).

The UK Government is replacing physical immigration documents for most student and worker visas with a digital proof of immigration status, an eVisa it added.

An eVisa is an online record of a person's immigration permission in the UK, and any conditions which apply, which can be viewed by creating and accessing an online UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.

eVisas are part of an enhanced border and immigration system that will not only make the visa process easier, but is more secure, digital and streamlined, as per the statement.

It further said that eVisas are tried and tested, with millions of people already using them on select immigration routes.

The British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott said the changes to the UK visa system will make it much simpler for students and workers to prove their identity and visa status. “It also means applicants can hold onto their passports, saving them time.”

However, the embassy statement clarified that updating from a physical document to an eVisa does not affect anyone's immigration status or the conditions of their permission to enter or stay in the UK.

E-visas are being rolled out for the main applicants for:

  • Students, including short term study for 11 months
  • Global Business Mobility routes (specifically, Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier, Secondment Worker)  
  • Global Talent
  • International Sportsperson
  • Skilled Worker (including Health and Care) 
  • Temporary Work routes (specifically, Charity Worker, Creative Worker, Government Authorised Exchange, International Agreement, and Religious work routes)   
  • Youth Mobility Scheme 

 The statement said applicants applying as a dependant, or as a main applicant for visas other than study or work, such as general visitor visas, will still need a physical sticker visa. Anyone with existing, in date, physical visa stickers do not need to take any action.

This will eventually be rolled out to all visa routes meaning a more secure and streamlined process for all UK visa customers.

Monday, July 14, 2025

Earth could have up to six 'minimoons' orbiting at any moment

Earth could have up to six 'minimoons' orbiting at any moment
New research suggests that at any given time, Earth may temporarily capture up to half a dozen fragments from the moon, known as minimoons, before they continue their journey around the sun.

However, due to their small size and rapid movement, these objects are difficult to detect, reported Space.com.

When impacts occur on the moon, they eject debris into space. While some larger pieces may be launched, most of the fragments are small—under 6.5 feet (2 meters) wide—and travel at high speeds. Typically, this lunar debris ends up in solar orbit, but occasionally, some of it is briefly caught by Earth's gravity before resuming its path around the sun, according to a study published in the journal Icarus.

It's "kind of like a square dance, where partners change regularly and sometimes leave the dance floor for a while," Robert Jedicke, a researcher at the University of Hawaii and lead author of the study, told Space.com by email.

While the International Astronomical Union hasn't officially defined what a minimoon is, earlier studies suggest it refers to an object that is temporarily gravitationally bound to Earth, completes at least one orbit, and comes within roughly four times the Earth-moon distance during its path.

Minimoons can originate from various parts of the solar system, but a 2018 study proposed that most come from the asteroid belt located between Mars and Jupiter. However, recent discoveries of minimoons with apparent lunar origins are challenging that theory.

In 2016, Hawaii's Pan-STARRS1 asteroid survey telescope detected a near-Earth object, named Kamo'oalewa (or 469219 Kamo'oalewa), measuring between 131 and 328 feet (40 to 100 meters) wide.

Though it orbits the sun alongside Earth, later research showed it likely originated from the moon, possibly ejected during the impact that created the Giordano Bruno crater 1 to 10 million years ago.

More recently, astronomers reported another temporary Earth satellite, 2024 PT5, which was discovered last year. Its composition appears to resemble the moon more than an asteroid, further supporting the idea that some minimoons may be fragments of lunar material.

Trump announces weapons for Ukraine, warns Russia during talks with Nato chief

Trump announces weapons for Ukraine, warns Russia during talks with Nato chief
United States President Donald Trump and Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte announced a plan on Monday to rearm Ukraine with missiles and other weaponry in its fight to fend off Russian invaders and warned of severe tariffs if Moscow does not end the war.

The announcement by the two leaders followed weeks of frustration on the part of Trump with Russian President Vladimir Putin over his refusal to make an agreement to end the conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made frequent appeals to Trump and Nato leaders for more weapons.

Under the deal, Trump said the US will supply weapons that will be paid for by Nato countries. Rutte said massive numbers of weapons would be sent, including missiles, as part of a first wave of equipment.

“It’s a full complement with the batteries,” Trump said when asked whether he would send Patriot missiles specifically. “We’re going to have some come very soon, within days … a couple of the countries that have Patriots are going to swap over and will replace the Patriots with the ones they have.”

Trump also warned that he would impose “very severe tariffs” on Russia if no deal is made in 50 days.

“If I was Vladimir Putin today, and you’re speaking about what you are planning to do in 50 days … I would reconsider whether I should not take negotiations about Ukraine more seriously,” Rutte said.

Trump has been reluctant to punish Russia, but he came away from a recent phone call with Putin disappointed that the Russian leader appeared prepared to continue the war.

“Putin really surprised a lot of people. He talks nice and then he bombs everybody in the evening,” Trump said on Sunday, as he returned from watching the FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey.

The White House has U-turned from an announcement earlier this month that it would pause some arms deliveries to Kyiv, instead announcing a new deal which would involve Nato purchasing some US weapons to send to Ukraine.

Last week, Trump accused Putin of throwing “bullshit” at Washington on Ukraine, openly frustrated with the impasse on peace efforts.

As he began his second stint in office in January, Trump insisted he could work with the Russian leader to end the war in Ukraine swiftly, and held off on hiking sanctions, unlike Kyiv’s European allies.

But Russia has for months refused a ceasefire proposed by the US and Ukraine.

Republican senators, meanwhile, are touting a bipartisan bill that would arm Trump with a “sledgehammer” to use against Russia.

The sanctions bill would allow Trump “to go after Putin’s economy, and all those countries who prop up the Putin war machine”, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told broadcaster CBS News.

It “would give President Trump the ability to impose 500pc tariffs on any country that helps Russia”, said Graham, adding that those could include economies that purchase Russian goods such as China, India or Brazil.

“This is truly a sledgehammer available to President Trump to end this war,” Graham said.

Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal were also due to meet Rutte today.

Blumenthal told CBS News they would also discuss the legally thorny issue of unlocking frozen Russian assets in Europe and the United States for access by Ukraine.

“The $5 billion that the United States has also could be accessed, and I think it’s time to do it,” said Blumenthal.

Zelensky said the proposed bill “is exactly the kind of leverage that can bring peace closer and make sure diplomacy is not empty”.

The Kremlin has previously said that sending arms to Ukraine would only prolong the conflict.

Putin launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and has shown little appetite for ending the conflict despite pressure from Trump.

Over the summer, Russia has escalated its offensive and advanced the front line, launching some of the largest missile and drone attacks of the war.

Sunday, July 13, 2025

Macron unveils plan to boost France’s military spending

France President Emmanuel Macron
President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday announced an accelerated plan to boost France’s defence spending, pledging to double the military budget by 2027 — three years ahead of the original 2030 target — in response to evolving global challenges.

The initial goal was to double the defence budget from 2017 levels by 2030.

However, Emmanuel Macron pledged to reach the target by 2027.

A military budget that stood at 32 billion euros ($37.40 billion) in 2017 will rise to 64 billion euros by 2027, with an additional 3.5 billion euros allocated for next year and another 3 billion euros in 2027.

He said the accelerated spending, which comes as France is struggling to make 40 billion euros in savings in its 2026 budget, would be paid for by increased economic activity.

“Our military independence is inseparable from our financial independence,” Emmanuel Macron said. “This will be financed through more activity and more production.”

He said Prime Minister Francois Bayrou would provide more details in an address on his plans for the 2026 budget on Tuesday.

Bayrou is facing an uphill battle to steer billions of euros worth of savings through a bitterly divided parliament, as France strives to lower its budget deficit to keep EU bean-counters and foreign investors at bay.

NASA releases detailed images of Sun captured by Parker Solar Probe

Parker Solar Probe has captured images of the sun
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (Nasa) Parker Solar Probe has captured unprecedented images of the sun from just 3.8 million miles away, revealing vital clues about the origins of the solar wind and its impact on Earth.

According to Live Science, the breathtaking photos, taken during a flyby on December 24, 2024, are providing scientists with a clearer understanding of the solar wind — a constant stream of charged particles emitted from the sun's outer atmosphere, the corona.

This flow of matter creates space weather phenomena, ranging from beautiful auroras to powerful electromagnetic events that can disrupt power grids and threaten spacecraft.

The new data is particularly significant for solving a long-standing mystery regarding the slow solar wind, which is denser and more unpredictable than its faster counterpart.

Researchers have long struggled to understand how the solar wind is generated and how it escapes the sun's immense gravity.

"The big unknown has been: how is the solar wind generated, and how does it manage to escape the Sun's immense gravitational pull?" said Nour Rawafi, the project scientist for Parker Solar Probe at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory.

"Understanding this continuous flow of particles, particularly the slow solar wind, is a major challenge."


The Parker Solar Probe's latest pass was able to confirm a key hypothesis: the slow solar wind consists of two distinct types — Alfvénic and non-Alfvénic.

The images are helping scientists pinpoint the origins of these streams, suggesting Alfvénic winds may emerge from coronal holes in cooler regions, while non-Alfvénic winds could be released from hot magnetic loops called helmet streamers.

"We don't have a final consensus yet, but we have a whole lot of new intriguing data," said Adam Szabo, Parker Solar Probe mission scientist at Nasa's Goddard Space Flight Centre in Greenbelt, Maryland, in the statement.

The Parker Solar Probe, which was launched in 2018, is the first spacecraft to have entered the sun's corona.

It is equipped with advanced scientific instrumentation, including the Wide Field Imager for Solar Probe (WISPR), the unmanned probe endures extreme temperatures and radiation to collect data.

The probe will continue its mission and is expected to next pass its perihelion — the closest point to the sun's surface — on September 15.

Saturday, July 12, 2025

Reflections from Shenyang: Where Diplomacy Wears a Human Face

Reflections from Shenyang: Where Diplomacy Wears a Human Face
Last week, as the halls of Shenyang echoed with voices from across the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) nations, I found myself not just covering an international forum but witnessing a moment of quiet transformation.

The 2025 SCO Forum on People to People Friendship and the Forum on Friendship Cities, held in the historic and industrious capital of Liaoning Province, wasn’t just another official event it was a powerful reminder that the heart of diplomacy beats strongest when it pulses through people, not podiums.

As China takes on the rotating chairmanship of the SCO, the focus on soft power, cultural connectivity, and civic cooperation could not have been more timely or more profound. Shen Yueyue’s keynote speech beautifully articulated this spirit, urging the member states to uphold openness, mutual learning, and unity. Her emphasis on building a "shared future" was more than a slogan it was an invitation to reimagine how countries connect through culture, cities, and shared values.

For me, as a journalist working on the front lines of international reporting, covering this forum live for Such News was both an honor and a responsibility. Our team gave special, exclusive coverage, with real time updates and in-depth commentary that captured the essence of what was unfolding not just in the main auditorium, but in the quieter corridors where real conversations took root.

After covering the IOM event earlier in China, this was yet another milestone during my stay a moment where my camera, pen, and voice became instruments of dialogue across borders.

I was fortunate to engage directly with several delegates ,diplomats, scholars, city administrators each offering not just analysis, but lived experience. These weren’t sterile policy discussions; these were living conversations about identity, heritage, and mutual growth.
What impressed me most was the foresight embedded in the two outcome documents the Consensus on People to People Exchange and the Shenyang Initiative. These are not mere agreements; they represent a new diplomatic vocabulary, where shared festivals, academic exchanges, youth dialogue, and city level partnerships become strategic tools of regional stability.

Looking back, I believe our coverage was not just timely, but impactful. From live hits to on-ground storytelling, we illuminated an event many might have overlookedand presented it with depth, balance, and cultural nuance. The messages resonated not just with policy wonks, but with audiences eager to understand China’s evolving role through a more human lens.


As I walked through the lantern lit lanes of Shenyang after a long day of reporting, I felt something rare a quiet conviction that amidst geopolitical noise, people to people friendship remains the most underappreciated, yet most powerful force in modern diplomacy.
This was not just a story I reported۔it was a story I lived.


Among the most touching moments at the forum was seeing the flags of all SCO member and observer countries proudly displayed in one frame a powerful visual of unity in diversity. I stood before the Pakistani flag with a heart full of love and pride. It reminded me of my roots, my responsibilities as a journalist, and the resilient spirit of my people. Pakistan is not just where I come from it is the soul of my identity. Then, with equal emotion, I turned to the Chinese flag my second home during these deeply enriching months. Standing there, I felt something profound: a sense of belonging, respect, and gratitude to a nation that embraced me with open arms.


站在中国国旗下,我真切感受到家的温暖和兄弟般的情谊。中国是我心中另 个归属。


Between those two flags stood not just me, but the living spirit of Pakistan China friendship deep, genuine, and unshakable.

Google launches Veo 3 and flow in Pakistan to enhance creative AI tools

VEO 3 Google pro ai model
Google has announced the global expansion of its advanced video generation model, Veo 3, now available to Google AI Pro subscribers in over 150 countries, including Pakistan.

Revealed in a press release on Friday, the update introduces a powerful photo-to-video feature that instantly transforms still images into dynamic eight-second video clips with sound.

Built on the capabilities of Veo 3, launched earlier this year, this new tool enables users to animate their favorite photos using Google’s cutting-edge AI, offering a smooth and creative way to produce compelling visual content.

Globally, users have already created over 40 million Veo 3 videos in just seven weeks — reimagining fairy tales, experimenting with ASMR, and pushing the boundaries of creativity.

Pakistan's growing community of digital storytellers and content creators can look forward to exploring these possibilities.

How to use the new Veo 3 feature?

To turn photos into videos, select 'Videos' from the tool menu in the prompt box and upload a photo.

Then, describe the scene and any audio instructions, and watch as the image transforms into a dynamic video.

Now available to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in select countries, this tool allows users to animate everything from personal moments to creative sketches.

Simply upload a photo, describe the scene and any audio cues, and Gemini will generate a dynamic video to download or share. These capabilities are also available in Flow, Google's AI filmmaking tool.

Expanding creative possibilities in Flow

Users can also explore these features in Flow, Google's AI tool for filmmakers, which now allows adding speech to video clips alongside sound effects and background audio. However, audio generation in Flow is still experimental, so results may vary.

Frames to Video — which lets personal images become the starting point of dynamic clips — is also available on Veo 3 Fast, helping users get even more from their credits. Flow and Google AI Ultra are now available in over 140+ countries, expanding access to these cutting-edge creative tools.

Ensuring trust, safety in AI

Google is committed to responsible AI. All videos generated with Gemini include a visible watermark and an invisible SynthID digital marker to indicate they are AI-created.

The company also conducts extensive "red teaming" exercises to proactively test its systems, identify and address potential issues before they arise, and carries out thorough evaluations to understand how these tools might be used and how misuse can be prevented.

Policies against unsafe content are continuously enforced, and user feedback is actively sought to further strengthen safety measures.

Use the thumbs up and down buttons on generated videos for feedback, which will be used to make ongoing improvements to the safety measures and overall experience.

Pakistan, Bahrain vow to enhance security collaboration

Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and General Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa
Pakistan and Bahrain have agreed to enhance their security cooperation and to strengthen the role of their joint security committee to better address regional and global challenges.

The understanding was reached during comprehensive talks between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Bahraini counterpart, General Sheikh Rashid Bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa, held in Manama.

During the meeting both sides exchanged views on matters of mutual interest.

Earlier, Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Bahrain’s capital Manama on one-day official visit, where he was warmly received by Bahrain’s Interior Minister General Sheikh Rashid Bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa at the airport.

A guard of honour was presented to him on his arrival at the Bahrain Interior Ministry headquarters, “Manama Fort”.

Later, the Pakistani minister held in-depth talks with his Bahraini counterpart and exchanged views on matters of mutual interest.

During the meeting, both dignitaries vowed to strengthen bilateral cooperation on security matters.

The two interior ministers also laid their focus on bilateral cooperation while dealing with issues of terrorism, human smuggling and narcotics.

Mohsin Naqvi and his Bahraini counterpart also agreed to make more effective the joint security committee to address regional and international challenges.

While praising the cooperation and coordination on bilateral security and other sectors, Bahrain’s Interior Minister said the Pakistani minister’s visit will further bolster the bilateral relations and security ties.

Mohsin Naqvi said that both countries should undertake joint measures to curb human and narcotics smuggling.

The Interior Minister invited his Bahraini counterpart to visit Pakistan.

Later, Mohsin Naqvi wrote down his comments in a book kept at Bahrain’s interior ministry.

Friday, July 11, 2025

Trump threatens 35% tariff on Canadian imports starting August 1

Us President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney
President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that Canada will face a 35% tariff on exports to the United States starting August 1, according to a letter sent to Prime Minister Mark Carney.

This marks the latest in a series of over 20 letters Trump has issued since Monday, escalating his trade war rhetoric against multiple countries.

Canada and the U.S. have been engaged in ongoing trade talks, aiming for an agreement by July 21.

However, the latest tariff threat appears to have cast doubt over that timeline.

Both Canada and Mexico are trying to find ways to satisfy Trump so that the free trade deal uniting the three countries — known as the USMCA — can be put back on track.

“Throughout the current trade negotiations with the United States, the Canadian government has steadfastly defended our workers and businesses.

We will continue to do so as we work towards the revised deadline of August 1,“ Carney posted on the social media platform X Thursday night.

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement replaced the previous NAFTA accord in July 2020, after Trump successfully pushed for a renegotiation during his first term in office.

It was due to be reviewed by July next year, but Trump has thrown the process into disarray by launching his trade wars after he took office in January.

Canadian and Mexican products were initially hard hit by 25pc US tariffs, with a lower rate for Canadian energy.

Trump targeted both neighbours, saying they did not do enough on illegal immigration and the flow of illicit drugs across borders.

But he eventually announced exemptions for goods entering his country under the USMCA, covering large swaths of products.

The letter on Thursday came despite what had been warming relations between Trump and Carney, who has been faced with his counterpart’s regular musings that Canada should become the 51st US state.

Reciprocity

The Canadian leader came to the White House on May 6 and had a cordial meeting with Trump in the Oval Office.

They met again at the G7 summit last month in Canada, where leaders pushed Trump to back away from his punishing trade war.

Canada also agreed to rescind taxes impacting US tech firms that had prompted Trump to retaliate by calling off trade talks.

Separately, Trump announced in an interview with NBC that he was also thinking of slapping blanket tariffs of between 15pc and 20pc on August 1 on countries that had not yet received one of his letters.

The letters announce tariff rates of as much as 50pc in the case of Brazil to kick in on August 1 unless better terms can be found before then.

Trump told NBC that the letter to the 27-country European Union, the US’s biggest trading partner, would be sent “today or tomorrow (Friday).”

Brazilian President Luiz Incio Lula da Silva said on Thursday that he is willing to negotiate with the United States after Trump said he would hit the country with his tough tariff.

He, however, reiterated that the Brazilian government is evaluating reciprocity measures. In his letter addressed to Lula, Trump criticised the treatment of his right-wing ally Jair Bolsonaro.

EU launches new probe into TikTok over data transfers to China

New investigation into TikTok regarding transfer of European users
An Irish regulator overseeing data privacy in the European Union announced on Thursday that it has opened a new investigation into TikTok regarding the transfer of European users' personal data to servers in China.

In May, the Data Protection Commission fined TikTok €530 million ($620 million) for sending user data to China, despite the platform's claim that the data was only accessed remotely.

The DPC on Thursday said it had been informed by TikTok in April that "limited EEA user data had in fact been stored on servers in China," then deleted, contrary to evidence previously presented by the company.

The watchdog said it had expressed "deep concern" in its previous investigation that "TikTok had submitted inaccurate information".

TikTok plans to appeal the May fine -- the second largest ever imposed by the DPC.

The social media giant has been in the crosshairs of Western governments for years over fears personal data could be used by China for espionage or propaganda purposes.

But TikTok has insisted that it has never received any requests from Chinese authorities for European users' data.

TikTok, which has 1.5 billion users worldwide, is a division of Chinese tech giant ByteDance.

But since it has its European headquarters in Ireland, the Irish authority is the lead regulator in Europe for the social platform -- as well as others such as Google, Meta and Apple.

The DPC is tasked with ensuring companies comply with the EU's strict General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), launched in 2018 to protect European consumers from personal data breaches.

Its latest probe against the Chinese-owned giant will determine "whether TikTok has complied with its relevant obligations" to comply with the GDPR.

The data protection watchdog has imposed a number of massive fines against tech companies as the EU seeks to rein in big tech firms over privacy, competition, disinformation and taxation.

For years, TikTok promoted its data protection policies. It made much of what it called Project Clover, a plan to invest 12 billion euros (currently $14 billion) in European data security over 10 years, from 2023 onwards.

It claimed that Europeans' data was by default stored in Norway, Ireland, and the United States and "that employees in China have no access to restricted data," such as phone numbers or IP addresses.

TikTok told AFP in May that it had "promptly" informed the DPC of a technical issue regarding data transfers.

The social media giant is also under pressure in the United States where it faces a looming ban if it does not find a non-Chinese buyer.

US President Donald Trump said at the end of June that a group of buyers had been found for TikTok, adding that he could name the purchasers in a matter of weeks.

Thursday, July 10, 2025

Russian minister terms Islamabad and Moscow ‘natural allies’, reaffirms bilateral cooperation

Russian minister terms Islamabad and Moscow ‘natural allies’, reaffirms bilateral cooperation
Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk on Thursday said Pakistan and Russia were “natural allies”, stressing that Russian President Vladimir Putin views Islamabad as an important strategic partner in the areas of economy and energy, the Foreign Office said in a statement.

In recent years, Russia and Pakistan have engaged in strengthening bilateral ties with each other. On June 3, Russian Foreign Min­ister Sergey Lavrov, in a meeting with Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi, reaffirmed Russia’s desire to expand cooperation with Pakistan.

Moscow’s growing engagement with Islamabad — including defe­nce deals, energy cooperation and regular joint military exercises — reflects a strategic shift to diversify partnerships across the region.

In a high-level meeting with Ambassador Fatemi and the prime minister’s aide on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar Khan, in Moscow, the Russian DPM reaffirmed his country’s commitment towards deepening bilateral cooperation with Pakistan.

“Characterising Pakistan and Russia as natural allies, [Overchuck] stressed that President Putin considered Pakistan as an important partner in the growth and development of the economy and energy in the region,” the statement said.

“He also highlighted the significance of important connectivity projects between two countries, such as the railway connectivity between Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Russia, and the launching of a pilot cargo train between Pakistan and Russia in August 2025.”

During the meeting, Fatemi reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening relations with Russia, stressing that strong links with the country were a top priority.

“Pakistan views Russia as a stabilising factor in the international arena,” he added, according to the statement.

Speaking about the New Steel Mills project in Karachi, SAPM Haroon Akhtar — focal point for the project — said the project carries the legacy of Pakistan’s relations with Russia, hailing it as a “leap forward” for future cooperation and partnership.

On May 13, Pakistan and Russia signed an agreement to establish a new steel plant in Karachi, according to a press release from the Press Information Department (PID).

The two sides reviewed engagement across all areas of mutual interest, including political, trade and economic cooperation, as well as energy, connectivity, industrial and agricultural cooperation.

They also discussed recent geopolitical and regional issues such as the situation in South Asia, Afghanistan, and the Middle East. During the recent Indian aggression against Pakistan in May, Russia had offered to mediate between the two countries.

DPM Overchuk shared that President Putin was in favour of strengthening cooperation with Pakistan across all relevant sectors.

He added that President Putin was looking forward to meeting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in August in the upcoming SCO-Council of Heads of State in Tainjin, China.

In September 2024, Overchuk visited Pakistan, where he met with his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar. The two signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) formalising Pakistan and Russia’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Turkey blocks X's Grok chatbot for alleged insults to Erdogan

Turkey blocks X's Grok chatbot
A Turkish court has blocked access to Grok, the artificial intelligence chatbot developed by the Elon Musk-founded company xAI, after it generated responses that authorities said included insults to President Tayyip Erdogan.

Issues of political bias, hate speech and accuracy of AI chatbots have been a concern since at least the launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT in 2022, with Grok dropping content accused of antisemitic tropes and praise for Adolf Hitler.

The office of Ankara's chief prosecutor has launched a formal investigation into the incident, it said on Wednesday, in Turkiye's first such ban on access to an AI tool.

Neither X nor its owner Elon Musk has commented on the decision.

Last month, Musk promised an upgrade to Grok, suggesting there was "far too much garbage in any foundation model trained on uncorrected data".

Grok, which is integrated into X, reportedly generated offensive content about Erdogan when asked certain questions in Turkish, media said.

The Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) adopted the ban after a court order, citing violations of Turkey's laws that make insults to the president a criminal offence, punishable with up to four years in jail.

Critics say the law is frequently used to stifle dissent, while the government maintains it is necessary to protect the dignity of the office.

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Trump slams Putin's remarks on Ukraine as 'nonsense'

US President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump sharply criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin’s comments on Ukraine, dismissing them as “nonsense” and reaffirming U.S. support for Kyiv with additional weapons.

Expressing frustration over the prolonged conflict, Trump told reporters during a televised cabinet meeting, “We hear a lot of nonsense from Putin, to be honest. He’s always polite, but in the end, it means nothing.”

Trump reiterated that he was "very unhappy" with Putin since their phone call last week made no progress on the Ukraine peace deal that the US president has pushed for since returning to power.

Asked about his interest in a bill proposed by the Senate for further sanctions on Russia, Trump said: "I'm looking at it very strongly."

Trump's criticism of Putin came a day after he said he would send more weapons to Ukraine, in a reversal of Washington's announcement last week that it was halting some arms shipments.