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  • Gold price in Pakistan for today, July 12, 2025

    Gold price in Pakistan for today, July 12, 2025

    Gold prices in Pakistan fluctuate frequently based on international market trends. The rates listed are provided by local gold markets and Sarafa Markets in various cities.


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  • South Asian filmmakers ‘have so many stories to tell’

    South Asian filmmakers ‘have so many stories to tell’

    Amar Singh Sethi Amar Singh Sethi directing an actor on a film set. He has short, dark hair and a dark, close cut beard. He wears a black t-shirt.Amar Singh Sethi

    Amar Singh Sethi says there are “so many other genres and ideas” South Asian filmmakers can explore

    “I used to steal money from my parents, buy films, keep them under my bed and hide them away – films were very much my thing from day dot.”

    Amar Singh Sethi’s directorial debut has played at dozens of film festivals across the world, including the Short Film Corner at Cannes.

    Bus Driver examines unconscious bias in its tale of a man caught in the middle of a terrorist stand-off on a London bus.

    Sethi told the BBC’s Rena Annobil there was a “lot of room” to explore themes in a variety of genres when telling stories about South Asians.

    He wrote and directed Bus Driver, and worked alongside Berkshire-based filmmakers including associate producers Dr Parvinder Shergill and Andrew St Maur, and music composer Ardie Son, to bring it to fruition.

    Previously Sethi, 39, from Northwood, helmed music videos for his band, studied method acting, went to the National Film and Television School, and edited TV programmes.

    “I guess I’ve accumulated a few skillsets which is useful for a film director,” he says.

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    The notion of Bus Driver came to Sethi as he thought about the repercussions on British Asians following terrorist attacks in London.

    “We were perceived a little differently,” he explains.

    “With these occurrences in the world we do have some sort of prejudice, and it was just asking that question deep down.

    “That’s what sparked me to put a situation on a bus whereby you the viewer are looking at these people, and you’re trying to figure out what’s happened.”

    Making the short film was strenuous, but worth it, he recalls.

    “You’re in a bus first of all, and it was the hottest day of that year.

    “Then you had 20 people on that bus, plus extras, so that was difficult.”

    Amar Singh Sethi Another shot of Sethi directing on set. An actor looks to him for guidance.Amar Singh Sethi

    Sethi recently finished the first draft of the script for his first feature film

    Sethi says watching Indian films “played a big part” in his younger days, citing the acting of Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan.

    Though he also remembers the first time he saw The Godfather, which he calls a “phenomenal piece of filmmaking”.

    “It was about the Italians in New York, and I always felt with the immigration that happens in this country, we’ve got so many stories to tell about South Asians and we haven’t explored that just yet,” he says.

    “There’s so many other genres and ideas we can play with and showcase to the world.”

    Amar Singh Sethi The lead character of Bus Driver lifting up his son in a picturesque, wooded area. Both are smiling, and enjoying the moment.Amar Singh Sethi

    Bus Driver examines unconscious bias in its tale of a man caught in a terrorist stand-off

    Sethi’s second short film Sweaty Hands is now showing at festivals, and he is currently putting the finishing touches to his third.

    He also recently finished the first draft of the script for his first feature film.

    “I’m going a little underground with our South Asian community in terms of the elements of greed, prostitution, and immigration,” he teases.

    “Really dark areas, some truths that I want to just pull out. I might get slapped on the wrist for it.”

    In the meantime the director has advice for any budding filmmakers who may want to follow in his footsteps.

    “It’s really about finding the network around you, the right people,” he suggests.

    “Get rid of the naysayers and get it off the ground. You’ve got to be really pragmatic about picking up a camera or starting work on a film.”

    Bus Driver is available on Apple TV and Prime.

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  • Dave Myers widow Lili ‘cannot watch’ final Hairy Bikers series

    Dave Myers widow Lili ‘cannot watch’ final Hairy Bikers series

    Pamela Tickell

    BBC News, North East and Cumbria

    BBC / South Shore Productions Hairy Bikers Dave Myers and Si King are standing on a boat out in the water and smiling at the camera. Myers, on the left, has his arm around King and is wearing a black leather jacket. King is wearing a brown jacket and they are both wearing sunglasses.BBC / South Shore Productions

    The Hairy Bikers Go West was their last series

    Lili Myers, the widow of Hairy Biker Dave, said she could not watch the final series of her husband’s cookery show following his death from cancer last year.

    Myers, who was one half of the TV duo along with Si King, died aged 66 shortly after the airing of their final series during which they explored the UK’s west coast.

    Ahead of a re-run, Mrs Myers said filming during his treatment had helped him regain his “sense of self” amid the many hospital appointments and physical changes like hair loss.

    “What a superhuman effort he made to finish the series. But also, I’ll never forget the look on his face once filming was done. He knew it would be his last,” she said.

    When she was told the series was scheduled to run again, Mrs Myers said her “stomach filled with butterflies”.

    The pair had been together for nearly 20 years.

    Family handout Lili and Dave Myers have their arms around each other and are smiling at the camera. Lili has mid-length blonde hair and is wearing a white top. Dave has mid-length brown hair and a grey beard. He is wearing a blue suit.Family handout

    Lili Myers said Dave always considered her first when making decisions

    She remembered long talks about whether he should film the series, because he was concerned about maximising their time with each other.

    “He said, ‘look, there’s this project, and if you don’t want me to do it, I won’t do it,'” Mrs Myers said.

    “‘I know that this eats up from our time, and I really wouldn’t like to deprive you of anything.’

    “He always considered me first.”

    ‘Feel himself again’

    Mrs Myers said she encouraged her husband to do it “because it meant so much to him”.

    “Being under treatment, he had a sense of losing his identity, his hair loss,” she said.

    “Can you imagine? He was known for his hair and all of a sudden, this treatment took his hair away.”

    Myers’ sense of taste changed which meant he could not “feel the same pleasure” eating food as he had done before.

    His wife said: “Filming this series for him, I felt that it would make him feel himself again.

    “Make him feel that he had not lost anything, that he was valuable, that he was whole and everything was normal again.”

    Family photo A picture taken at the wedding of Lili and Dave. Lili is in the middle of the shot and is wearing a cream wedding dress that comes off the shoulder. She is carrying a bouquet of orange and cream flowers and is carrying a glass of champagne in her hand. On her right is her husband, Dave. He is looking overjoyed and is smiling at the camera and wearing a purple tie, smart jacket and kilt. Si is on the left of the shot. He is wearing a red tie, smart jacket and a kilt and has a big smile on his face.Family photo

    Lili and Dave Myers were together for nearly 20 years

    King, Dave and Mrs Myers watched the first episode together when in aired in early February 2024.

    “That was the first, the only episode that I watched,” Mrs Myers said.

    “I couldn’t watch the rest of it because afterwards he became ill and it was very difficult to watch.”

    Myers died later that month, to an outpouring of grief.

    Since his passing, Myers’ friends and family have organised Dave Day and Dave Day 2, during which thousands of bikers travel from London to Myers’s home town of Barrow, raising money for charity.

    This year’s event has already raised thousands of pounds for NSPCC Childline and CancerCare North Lancashire and south Cumbria.

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  • Treatment Resistant Depression and Well-Rounded Care, with Alejandro Alva at Southern California Psychiatry

    Treatment Resistant Depression and Well-Rounded Care, with Alejandro Alva at Southern California Psychiatry

    CONFERENCE REPORTER

    Developments in interventional psychiatry like transcranial magnetic stimulation, ketamine, and vagal nerve stimulation provide exciting new options for treatment resistant depression, shared Alejandro Alva, MD at the Southern California Psychiatry Conference.1

    Alva discussed that there is a need to recognize the differentiation between treatment resistant depression and depression that is difficult to treat. Alva focused on the multitude of techniques that are now available to providers in treating depression in patients that have not responded well to traditional treatments. Alva stated “what we want to put out to the general public and to our colleagues is that there are multiple treatment modalities that can be used.” Oftentimes providers focus on medication management, which is important, but Alva emphasized the need to look further. Other available treatment options within interventional psychiatry might include transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and vagal nerve stimulation, which he noted are becoming mainstays for intervention.2 Ketamine and esketamine can also be an option, showing that providers are not limited to one option and are free to explore the growing number of treatments.

    Alva pointed out that psychotherapy is also an essential element in treating this disorder. He said he tells patients “you have a biological nature or genesis of your depression, you have a psychosocial genesis of your depression…we need to address what’s happening in your life.” Addressing all aspects of a patient’s life and including new advances in depression treatment will likely provide better outcomes, he predicts. Alva was excited about the growing future of interventions for treatment resistant depression, and noted that “interventional psychiatry is really coming into its own” in the current moment.

    Dr Alva is the founder, chief medical officer, and CEO of Pacific Neuropsychiatric Specialists. He has been practicing psychiatry for more than 20 years.

    References

    1. Alva A. Treatment-resistant and difficult-to-treat depression: definitions and illness burden. Conference Proceedings of the Southern California Psychiatry Conference. July 2025;11-12. Huntington Beach, CA.

    2. Somani A, Kar SK. Efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in treatment-resistant depression: the evidence thus far. Gen Psychiatr. 2019;32(4):e100074.

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  • Shrewsbury mum’s sudden death ‘completely rocked’ family

    Shrewsbury mum’s sudden death ‘completely rocked’ family

    Alex McIntyre

    BBC News, West Midlands

    Clare Ashford

    BBC Radio Shropshire

    Georgina King Two women smile at the camera as the one on the right takes a selfie of them. They both have long blonde hair - the one on the left has a blue top, the one on the right has a patterned black, purple and blue top,Georgina King

    Georgina King (right) said her mum Judy died suddenly when she was taking a nap

    A woman from Shrewsbury has vowed to increase awareness of heart disease after her family was left “completely rocked” when her mother died suddenly in her sleep.

    Georgina King’s mum Judy King, 57, was found dead in April after saying she was not feeling well and was going to bed “for an hour or two”.

    She suffered with symptoms for years, Georgina said, but it was only after her death when doctors discovered she had ischaemic heart disease and died from a heart attack.

    “It has completely rocked our family,” she said.

    She described her mum as a “phenomenal” woman who loved her children and grandchildren.

    “All she wanted to do was spend time with us – I was with my mum every day, I loved her so much,” Georgina said.

    Her mum’s symptoms included pain in her shoulders, swelling in her legs, indigestion, heart burn, dizziness and heart palpitations.

    She went to see her GP a number of times, Georgina added, but she was never diagnosed with ischaemic heart disease and her symptoms got progressively worse.

    “It was extremely sudden, we had no indication this was going to happen,” she said. “She just went to bed for a nap in the daytime and that was that.”

    Georgina King Two women with long blonde hair, both wearing white tops, put their heads together and smile at the camera while the one on the right takes a selfie. Behind them is a yellow wall and a window with a brown frame.Georgina King

    Georgina King said she wanted to ensure her mother’s memory lived on

    Ischaemic heart disease, also known as coronary heart disease, affects 2.3 million people in the UK, according to the British Heart Foundation.

    It happens when the coronary arteries become narrowed by fatty material, which can lead to the heart not getting enough blood.

    Georgina said she wanted to raise awareness of the symptoms and urged anyone who might suspect they had the illness to push the doctors for a heart exam.

    “I don’t want this to keep happening to families, absolutely not,” she added. “If people even have one or two of these symptoms – go and insist your heart is checked.”

    A family fun day is due to be held in Judy’s memory at the Red Lion pub in Bomere Heath on 16 August, with proceeds going towards the British Heart Foundation.

    Georgina, who organised the event, said: “I want to keep my mum’s name alive as much as I can and just raise as much awareness as I can.”

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  • Southampton Mela Festival aims to bring communities together

    Southampton Mela Festival aims to bring communities together

    Kim Michaels

    BBC News, South

    Art Asia A crowd of people can be seen standing around while some people dance and chat in brightly coloured clothing in a park.Art Asia

    The festival (pictured in a previous year) is free to all, say the organisers

    One of the organisers of a two-day event celebrating traditional and modern South Asian culture says it is “not just about a particular community”.

    This weekend’s Southampton Mela Festival will showcase work from communities across the Hampshire city, including Chinese dragons and African drummers, says Dahlia Jamil, chief executive of Art Asia.

    “Life is quite challenging for everyone but particularly people of certain faiths and ethnicities – and by that I mean white people as well as non-white people,” she tells the BBC.

    About 20,000 festival-goers are expected to attend the music and arts event at Hoglands Park.

    A South Asian woman stands at the top of a staircase which is decorated with trailing green leaves and flowers. She is wearing a dark green tunic with a lighter green pattern all over and a darker green scarf draped around her shoulders. she has dark hair pulled back from her face and is smiling into the camera.

    Dahlia Jamil says it is important that the festival is free

    Art Asia works across Southampton and the wider region running classes in South Asian music and dance, putting on other performances and demonstrations as well as the Mela Festival.

    Ms Jamil has been organising the now two-day event for more than 20 years.

    Making it free is “so important” and “brings all communities together”, she says.

    “You may have a certain heritage but this is where you are going to be living, working, engaging,” she says, adding that “if you do not mix or if everybody does not talk to, or speak to everyone… the world will become more isolated”.

    “For me, working in the arts, it is so important that I use it as a tool not only to engage but to enhance and build up tolerance of people.”

    An Indian woman stands at the top of a staircase which is decorated with trailing green leaves and pink flowers. She is wearing a dark green dress with a white pattern and a black cardigan. she has dark hair in a long bob and is smiling into the camera.

    Dr Pooja Angra says Art Asia has always worked with diverse communities

    Art Asia’s Dr Pooja Angra says the “multicultural element is one thing that I enjoy the most at Southampton Mela”.

    Dr Angra, who trained in Indian classical music at the University of Delhi, will be performing at the event, playing a selection of Bollywood and Sufi music.

    “What I really like about Southampton Mela is that although the focus is on South Asian music, it has created a special stage for musicians around the globe,” she says.

    “We have always been working with diverse communities – African, Chinese – this year we are working with the Mexican community, flamenco artists, so it’s a wide array of musicians and art forms.”

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  • Pledge to plug West Midlands skills gap to boost green economy

    Pledge to plug West Midlands skills gap to boost green economy

    The mayor of the West Midlands has pledged to plug the net-zero skills gap to boost the region’s green economy.

    Richard Parker said he would ensure people in the area would have the skills they needed to take up new jobs being created in “fast-growing green industries”.

    His comments came after a report from Coventry University highlighted the lack of skilled workers in the sector and urged the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to take action.

    Parker said he would boost the sector with measures like investing in decarbonising homes or businesses and attracting firms to the region, including electric vehicle battery manufacturers.

    “It will turbocharge the work that’s already begun to build a pipeline of talent to tackle the net-zero skills gap this report rightly highlights,” he added.

    The report made recommendations for short, medium and long-term action that could be taken in the region.

    These included establishing a green skills centre, creating apprenticeships and collaborate with government and industries.

    Prof Carl Perrin, Coventry University’s associate pro vice-chancellor for research, said: “Green skills are no longer a ‘nice to have’ – they are a strategic imperative.

    “Businesses that invest in sustainability and workforce development are not only contributing to environmental goals but also unlocking economic advantages.”

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  • National Trust and community create blanket of petals

    National Trust and community create blanket of petals

    An award-winning artist brought together a community to create a patchwork blanket using petals from two National Trust gardens.

    Salma Zulfiqar invited school pupils and people from marginalised communities to create patches for the biodiversity blanket made from pressed and dried flowers from Packwood House and Baddesley Clinton on the border of Solihull and Warwickshire.

    “We had almost 100 people working on this, so each piece you see if a reflection of their learning in the workshops that we did,” she said.

    Ms Zulfiqar worked with Packwood’s head gardener over the last six months to gather, dry and press flowers for the project.

    “We collected lots of flowers from the grounds which have medicinal value, and used them in the workshops to create the sections, which we call petals,” she said.

    “We wanted the blanket to reflect all of the beautiful flowers you can find at Packwood and help people learn about their value.

    “I worked with young women from around the area and it gave them an enjoyable experience and help bring them together as a community.”

    A National Trust spokesperson said the flowers which were selected from the gardens were chosen because they are “useful as well as beautiful”.

    “Examples of this are pressed catkins from hazel plants – corylus avellena which produce edible hazelnuts and pressed hellebore flowers which are the source of compounds which are being researched as potential future medicines,” they added.

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  • DPM leaves for home after successful two day visit to Malaysia – RADIO PAKISTAN

    1. DPM leaves for home after successful two day visit to Malaysia  RADIO PAKISTAN
    2. DPM departs to Islamabad after concluding his two-day visit to Malaysia  Ptv.com.pk
    3. Ishaq Dar meets Malaysian PM on sidelines of ASEAN forum  The Express Tribune
    4. DPM Dar commends Pakistani Community in Malaysia for strengthening bilateral ties  Associated Press of Pakistan
    5. DPM highlights global cooperation to tackle challenges  The Daily CPEC

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  • Inside the RenderHub 3D gallery with four standout artists

    Inside the RenderHub 3D gallery with four standout artists

    [Sponsored] Combining a 3D art gallery and marketplace with a supportive user community, RenderHub is an online destination for anyone serious about their art – and serious about developing their art career. Four RenderHub users share their thoughts on what makes it special.

    Today’s 3D artists are looking for more than just a place to post their artwork. They want meaningful exposure, a real community, and tools that help them grow professionally.

    The RenderHub 3D gallery offers all of this. It is not only a digital space to display images but also an online hub of activity where creators connect, share, and evolve together. This article takes a closer look at what makes this such a valuable platform. It also features insights from four talented artists who have chosen to make this website their creative home.

    Creating a 3D art gallery that reflects your style

    Getting started on RenderHub is as simple as setting up your profile and uploading images to your gallery. This personal space acts as a dynamic portfolio, allowing others to explore your artistic journey over time. Whether you specialize in detailed Blender models, cinematic scenes, or stylized characters, the gallery is designed to allow you to represent your unique style. A professional presentation allows your images to stand out in a crowded field.

    Once you have created your profile, RenderHub’s intuitive tagging system makes it easy for viewers to discover your work while they browse 3D renders or search for something specific. This feature helps you connect with potential buyers, collaborators, and fans more effectively.

    Inside a 3D artist community focused on growth

    Engaging with other people is the next step toward success. Unlike static portfolio sites, RenderHub encourages interaction. Members can comment on each other’s artwork, take part in discussions, and follow one another to build meaningful connections.

    This creative community makes it easy to learn from others while also being inspired by the wide variety of styles on display. As you browse the gallery and discover other 3D artists, you’ll find new ways to challenge yourself and refine your craft.

    RenderHub offers more than visibility: it also offers support and connection. As member maru_berlin explains:

    “After more than 15 years of showing my renders on various websites, I found RenderHub an excellent community to be part of. It’s a friendly place with a thankfully growing number of artists and vendors.”

    Let Me Help You by maru_berlin

    Why consistency matters in a 3D art showcase

    Many artists find that consistency plays a key role in building visibility on RenderHub. Members who post regular updates benefit from increased exposure and engagement. By uploading new artwork frequently, your gallery stays active and relevant. This steady rhythm not only helps your portfolio grow but also keeps you connected with a wider audience.

    GMArtworks is one of the artists who takes full advantage of this approach:

    “My experience with RenderHub is great, and I feel at home in the community. The RenderHub team is very helpful if you have a question. I also get the opportunity to sell my 3D models, and I’m very happy with that.”

    Three Chimpanzees Look into the Camera Lens by GMArtworks

    Earning income and recognition with 3D skills

    RenderHub is more than just an online community for digital art. It also includes an integrated marketplace where creators can upload everything from single models to complete scenes.

    Selling your 3D assets in the marketplace can help you turn your passion into profit. Members also gain access to regular features and cash-prize competitions that reward creativity and increase exposure. These opportunities make RenderHub a great answer to common questions artists have – like “where can I upload and showcase 3D artwork?” or “what’s a good online gallery for Blender artists?”

    MysticArtDesign describes how the platform supports their professional goals:

    “As an artist, it’s especially the competitions that make you feel valued. If you’re good, you’ll be rewarded. They also make it easy to connect with others and have valuable exchanges. And as a content creator, the marketplace is very convenient and easy to use. All in all, I feel very comfortable at RenderHub.”

    Kawaii Anime by MysticArtDesign

    Growing a 3D audience to reach more people

    With a combination of intuitive community features and a robust marketplace, RenderHub members have powerful tools to expand their reach. The website allows creators to present their artwork online in a professional and organized way, making it easier for viewers to explore and appreciate their portfolio. This increases visibility, and with the connected marketplace and forum, it creates multiple avenues for engagement. Artists can attract clients, customers, and fans from around the world, building a dedicated audience that grows over time.

    This combination has been key in helping Khatri3d build momentum and sales potential:

    “My experience with RenderHub has been very pleasant from the start. Their core marketplace structure and gallery system, which help expose artists and increase sales potential, have worked well for me. The customer service is excellent compared to other marketplaces. Whenever I have an issue, I receive a direct response from the admin within 24 hours.”

    Albert Einstein 3D Caricature by Khatri3d

    What draws 3D artists to RenderHub

    RenderHub is a destination for 3D artists who are serious about their work and growth. It combines the visibility of an online art gallery with the support of a friendly and engaging creative community.

    Whether you’re just starting or have years of experience, RenderHub provides the tools and opportunities you need to thrive. From sharing renders and learning new techniques to selling assets and competing in contests, artists can take full advantage of everything the platform has to offer. For anyone looking to grow in the digital art space, the 3D gallery at RenderHub is a place where creativity and community come together for you.

    Visit the RenderHub 3D art gallery

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