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  • UDPL, IBL consider legal options after CCP imposes penalty over non-compete deal

    UDPL, IBL consider legal options after CCP imposes penalty over non-compete deal

    United Distributors Pakistan Limited (PSX: UDPL) and International Brands (Private) Limited (IBL) have announced that they are reviewing the recent order by the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) and exploring legal remedies after being fined Rs42 million for entering into a non-compete agreement deemed anti-competitive.

    In a notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Friday, UDPL acknowledged that CCP proceedings had been initiated in connection with the agreement between the two companies, which included a Rs1.13 billion consideration paid by IBL to UDPL to abstain from distributing human pharmaceutical products for a period of three years.

    The CCP concluded that the arrangement violated Sections 4(1) and 4(2)(b) of the Competition Act, 2010, calling it a market-sharing agreement that hindered competition in the pharmaceutical sector. A Rs20 million penalty was imposed on each company, with an additional Rs1 million fine on UDPL for disclosing the agreement to PSX without prior CCP clearance under Section 38 of the Act.

    In its statement, UDPL emphasised that the company had made several disclosures about the agreement under applicable law, the most recent being on May 15, 2024. The company noted that the implementation of the restrictive arrangement was contingent on obtaining an exemption from the CCP, which was delayed due to internal factors.

    “Regrettably, due to certain internal delays in obtaining the necessary information, the company and IBL were unable to file the exemption application in a timely manner,” UDPL stated. The exemption application was later submitted and remains under CCP review.

    The company asserted that its disclosures were transparent and that the parties had acted in good faith. “UDPL has always been transparent in its disclosures, demonstrating its intention to comply with all applicable laws,” the notice read.

    Following the CCP’s July 2 order, received a day later, UDPL stated that both companies are now “reviewing the order and seeking advice regarding appropriate remedies.” UDPL and IBL believe there are “cogent grounds” to support their case and challenge the penalties.

    The matter has drawn significant attention in regulatory and business circles, particularly given the scale of the consideration involved and the implications for competition in the pharmaceutical sector.


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  • Kuwaiti Dinar to Pakistani Rupee Rate Today- July 4, 2025 – ARY News

    1. Kuwaiti Dinar to Pakistani Rupee Rate Today- July 4, 2025  ARY News
    2. Kuwaiti Dinar to Pakistani Rupee Rate Today- July 3, 2025  ARY News
    3. Kuwaiti Dinar to Pakistani Rupee Rate Today- July 2, 2025  ARY News
    4. Kuwaiti Dinar to Pakistani Rupee Rate Today- June 30, 2025  ARY News
    5. Kuwaiti Dinar to Pakistani Rupee Rate Today- July 1, 2025  ARY News

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  • Pakistan’s PM condemns Israeli military assaults on Iran, Gaza

    Pakistan’s PM condemns Israeli military assaults on Iran, Gaza

    Pakistan to use $1.4 billion climate loan to expand green investment, fiscal space — IMF


    KARACHI: Pakistan will use a $1.4 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund’s climate resilience fund to expand fiscal space, embed climate planning into public investment decisions and unlock private-sector capital for green projects, the IMF said on Friday.


    The financing, approved by the IMF’s Executive Board in May under its Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), is part of a broader reform program that aims to help Pakistan adapt to increasingly frequent and devastating climate shocks.


    Pakistan is the first country in the Middle East and Central Asia region to access the IMF’s Resilience and Sustainability Facility. The fund was launched in 2022 to help climate-vulnerable low- and middle-income countries make the structural changes needed to protect their economies and populations.


    “The RSF will help build climate resilience in Pakistan by creating fiscal space to address climate vulnerabilities, such as the need to improve climate-resilient adaptation infrastructure,” the IMF’s country office in Islamabad told Arab News in a written response.


    “It will also boost climate’s prominence in public investment management and budget processes,” the statement said, “helping Pakistan better identify and target projects needed to strengthen resilience to climate shocks.”


    A third pillar of the reforms, the IMF said, is improving the overall “enabling environment for green investment” so that banks and private firms could incorporate climate-related risk considerations into their risk management and investment activities.


    The RSF financing will be disbursed over a 28-month period and runs alongside Pakistan’s $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF), whose first review was also approved in May, releasing roughly $1 billion in immediate support.


    CLIMATE-FINANCE GAP


    Pakistan, one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, has long struggled to align its public finances with the scale of climate risk it faces. The 2022 floods alone affected over 33 million people and caused more than $30 billion in damages and economic losses.


    By reforming how climate priorities are reflected in budget planning and investment screening, the IMF says Pakistan will be better equipped to attract funding and respond to future disasters.


    The RSF does not fund individual infrastructure projects. Instead, it supports “policy and institutional reforms that make climate action more effective,” the statement explained.


    These include reforms in disaster coordination, water and irrigation infrastructure, and provincial implementation capacity.


    The IMF program supports better coordination between the federal and provincial governments on disaster risk financing, a chronic weakness in past emergency responses, and policy changes that would strengthen water and irrigation management, the lender added in the statement.


    “Policy reforms that directly target Pakistan’s water management and irrigation infrastructure would help make farmers more resilient to climate shocks,” it said, adding the focus would be on improving irrigation service standards, reliability, and water supply adequacy.


    The reforms also aim to reduce waterlogging, salinity, groundwater depletion, and growing water insecurity, issues that disproportionately impact poor rural communities.


    The IMF said its climate program in Pakistan takes a “whole-of-government” approach, with many reforms to be implemented at the provincial level.


    “Much of the focus is on improving coordination mechanisms between the federal government and the provinces.”

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  • Windows 11 finally overtakes Windows 10 • The Register

    Windows 11 finally overtakes Windows 10 • The Register

    Windows 11 has finally overtaken the market share of its predecessor, with just three months remaining until Microsoft discontinues support for Windows 10.

    Windows 11 migration heats up… on desktops

    READ MORE

    As of today, July’s StatCounter figures show the market share of Windows 11 at 50.24 percent, with Windows 10 at 46.84 percent. It’s a far cry from a year ago, when Windows 10 stood at 66.04 percent and Windows 11 languished at 29.75 percent.

    The impending end of support for many versions of Windows 10 on Oxctober 14, 2025, has doubtless focused minds.

    Daniel Bowker, Cloud Endpoint Solutions Lead at Microsoft reseller Phoenix, told The Register that while the company had been very proactive with its customers and Windows 11 readiness, with three months to go, the conversations were more along the lines of “Look, we’re 1000s of devices. We’re 80 percent there. We have a handle on the 20 percent; we’re either going to pay for the ESU [Extended Security Updates] or we’re going to look at leveraging something else.”

    That something else includes a jump to Windows 365, which brings with it free ESU access.

    In June, Keiren Jessop, a research manager at industry watcher Canalys, told El Reg: “Enterprises often migrate in waves. Lots of fiscal years are starting in July or October, so I think we’ll see some big bumps then.”

    Jessop’s prediction appears to be on the money, much to the doubtless relief within Redmond. The question now is by how much the market share of Windows 11 will surpass that of its predecessor in the next three months.

    The sudden spike is likely to be driven by enterprises rather than consumer uptake. Canalys noted that despite stockpiling in the channel in response to a threatened hike in tariffs on imports, hardware sales were likely “to be constrained.”

    Big-ticket items like AI PCs have hardly been selling like hotcakes, with precious little in the way of a killer app to justify their higher prices.

    The belated rise in Windows 11’s market share is more likely to be down to administrators pressing the upgrade button or a long-planned enterprise replacement wave rather than a sudden surge of new purchases (much to the doubtless disappointment of hardware vendors now pinning their hopes to generative AI.)

    Still, with three months to go until its self-imposed support deadline, Microsoft has finally turned a corner with Windows 11. Just in time for Windows 12? ®

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  • Call of Duty Leak Ignites Debate Over Fortnite-Style Audio Visualizer

    Call of Duty Leak Ignites Debate Over Fortnite-Style Audio Visualizer

    The Call of Duty community is in meltdown after a massive leak revealed a controversial new feature inspired by Fortnite.

    A datamine discovered in the Xbox Call of Duty app has hinted at the arrival of an Audio Visualizer. Which is a game-changing tool that shows visual cues for nearby sounds like footsteps and gunfire.

    Call of Duty Copies Fortnite‘s Visual Audio?

    Dataminers like Alaix and reporting from ComicBook spotted code suggesting that the feature will visually highlight in-game sounds. The visualizer will give players the ability to “see” enemies coming, not just hear them. Fortnite players have used a similar feature for years, but in the ultra-competitive world of Call of Duty, this could be a tectonic shift.

    One insider posted on X, saying this isn’t a test. It’s “a real option that is coming.” The visualizer would display directional sound effects for enemy actions like walking or firing, turning crucial audio into on-screen data.

    Audio Visualizer or Unfair Advantage?

    This leak has split the community right down the middle. Supporters say it’s a win for accessibility, allowing hearing-impaired players to compete on equal footing. But many fear it will become mainstream and abused by the broader player base.

    A top Reddit comment captured the outrage:
    “Visual audio is an incredibly massive advantage. You simply can’t compete on the same level without using it.”

    Players across social media are calling for restrictions. One X user said, “This should be for people who genuinely need it, not for sweaty players trying to get an edge.”

    Could This Redefine CoD Gameplay Forever?

    If implemented, the Audio Visualizer won’t just affect casual matches. It could upend competitive CoD as we know it. Tactics that rely on sound, i.e., stealth, flanking, and ambushes, might become obsolete. Developers may have to rebalance entire maps, perks, and audio dynamics.

    Sources like Insider Gaming noted the tool would give “gameplay and audio cues a visual component to help players determine the sounds or actions occurring around them.” That kind of tech could reshape the entire FPS experience.

    Or maybe some clever minds will find a way to bypass it all. We will have to wait and see.

    So, What’s Next for the Audio Visualizer?

    Activision hasn’t officially confirmed the leak yet, but if it’s accurate, the Audio Visualizer could spark some serious debate among Call of Duty fans. Will it create a fairer playing field or completely undermine the skill gap?

    Players should brace themselves for one of the most intense updates in the franchise’s history. Whether you’re in favor of it or against it, one thing is certain. Call of Duty might never be the same again.

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  • Lead Investigator Reviews Early Safety Signals from Novel VMS Agents

    Lead Investigator Reviews Early Safety Signals from Novel VMS Agents

    During the trial, the treatment was generally well tolerated, with only a small proportion of serious adverse events reported. Three adverse effects—fatigue, somnolence, and diarrhea—occurred more frequently in the treatment group than the placebo group. Fatigue and somnolence affected about 10% of patients, and diarrhea was observed in approximately 5%. Despite these occurrences, the overall tolerability profile of the treatment was considered acceptable, with most patients managing adverse effects without needing to discontinue therapy.

    However, the study does have important limitations. One key limitation is the lack of data on long-term breast cancer outcomes, such as recurrence and survival. This omission is due to the nature of hormone receptor–positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, which tends to relapse later, often beyond the 5-year mark. Since the full trial including the optional extension phase spans just over 2 years, it is too soon to assess any impact on recurrence rates or mortality. As of now, no increase in early recurrence has been observed, which is encouraging, but insufficient to draw definitive conclusions.

    Future research will be necessary to determine the long-term safety and impact of these therapies. Data from the extended follow-up phase of the trial, as well as from real-world evidence, will be crucial. It will also be important to monitor any potential long-term risks, particularly in women at high risk of developing breast cancer who are using these drugs preventively. While the mechanism of action does not suggest an increased cancer risk, long-term surveillance will be essential to confirm the drugs’ safety and ensure that symptom relief does not come at the expense of increased recurrence or cancer incidence over time.

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  • Celebrate World Microbiome Day with knowledge that matters!

    Celebrate World Microbiome Day with knowledge that matters!

    Dive into our brand-new Microbiome Knowledge Hub—a curated collection of trusted, expert-led resources tailored for healthcare professionals. Access free our resources, all focused on the intersection of the microbiome, nutrition, and metabolic health.

    Our list with impactful, evidence-based, clinically relevant and easy to access content includes:

    • New Supplement in Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism
    • Books on Nutrition & Microbiome
    • Accredited eLearning Courses
    • Featured Articles

    Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your expertise and stay ahead in the evolving microbiome space.

    Visit Now: https://go.karger.com/microbiome_knowledge_hub?utm_source=article&utm_medium=external&utm_campaign=microbiome_day25_azo

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  • Ozempic-Like Drugs Could Treat Chronic Migraines, Trial Finds : ScienceAlert

    Ozempic-Like Drugs Could Treat Chronic Migraines, Trial Finds : ScienceAlert

    Medications sold under brand names like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Saxenda have become famous for their weight-loss benefits, but that only scratches the surface of what these injections are potentially capable of.

    Originally designed to treat type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 agonists have also shown unforeseen benefits to heart, brain, liver, and kidney health – and now, it seems, the head, alleviating migraines in a new study.

    In a pilot trial of 31 patients with high BMI and frequent or chronic migraines, participants who received a daily injection of the GLP-1 agonist liraglutide experienced significantly fewer painful headaches. After 12 weeks, the number of days with a migraine each month decreased from a mean of 19.8 days to just 10.7 days – a reduction of nearly half.

    Related: Weight-Loss Drugs Like Ozempic Can Leave Lasting Damage in Your Mouth

    Weight loss, age, sex, and the use of other medications at the same time did not significantly alter the results.

    “Our findings show that liraglutide may be effective in the treatment of unresponsive high-frequency or chronic migraine in patients with obesity, and that this effect is independent from weight loss,” conclude the authors, who hail from the University of Naples in Italy.

    “This suggests… that the mechanisms driving liraglutide’s effectiveness in migraine prevention may operate independently of the significant metabolic effects… “

    @ladyspinedoc Replying to @mochi GLP-1 medications and how they may change how we treat headaches in pseudotumor cerebri patients #glp1 #pseudotumorcerebri #hydrocephalus #headaches #migraine ♬ original sound – Ladyspinedoc⚡️

    Further studies with larger cohorts and a control group are needed to verify that hypothesis. But GLP-1 agonists, like liraglutide and possibly even its longer-lasting relative semaglutide, may prove to be a promising route for future migraine treatments.

    Migraines impact an estimated 14 to 15 percent of the global population, and yet the few medications we have on hand do not work for everybody.

    “A substantial number of patients still face an unmet need, especially when preventive drugs prove ineffective,” writes a team of scientists led by neurologist Simone Braca.

    Participants in the current pilot trial had migraines unresponsive to other treatments, meaning liraglutide worked where other drugs had not.

    GLP-1 agonists slow appetite and help regulate blood sugar by mimicking a natural hormone in the body, called glucagon-like peptide-1, which is released after eating. That’s why these drugs are so effective when it comes to managing type 2 diabetes and weight gain.

    But GLP-1 receptors exist throughout the body, in many different tissues and organs. The fact that liraglutide and similar medications have widespread effects outside of the pancreas makes logical sense. Still, scientists are trying to figure out what those effects are, and whether they help or harm.

    The widespread effects of GLP-1 agonists. (Wilbon et al., Cells, 2024)

    In recent years, studies have shown liraglutide and other GLP-1 agonists can greatly reduce intracranial pressure in the brain – a speculative trigger for migraines.

    In animal models, these drugs have also suppressed migraines with great effectiveness.

    The current pilot trial is only small and it did not investigate the mechanisms behind liraglutide’s migraine relief, nor did it directly measure intracranial pressure among participants.

    Nevertheless, Braca and her colleagues suspect that reduced pressure in the skull is playing a role in migraine reduction. In recent animal studies, GLP-1 agonists reduced fluid in the central nervous system, thereby lowering intracranial pressure.

    “These findings provide a foundation for larger-scale trials aimed at further investigating the role of GLP-1R agonists in migraine management,” Braca and her team conclude.

    The study was published in Headache.


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  • The Norqain Independence Skeleton now in a Compact 40mm Case

    The Norqain Independence Skeleton now in a Compact 40mm Case

    Norqain, the young, independent Swiss brand, produces contemporary, adventure-oriented watches. Many of the brand’s most popular models belong to the Independence collection, including the high-tech carbon fibre Wild One, conceived in collaboration with Jean-Claude Biver, the Skeleton Flyback Chrono featuring a proprietary manufacture calibre, and Norqain’s first skeletonised model. In line with current market watch trends, Norqain releases a compact 40mm version of its Independence Skeleton in two case finishes.

    Skeletonised movements are delicate, and fitting one inside a case designed for rugged outdoor action requires secure anchoring. Introduced in 2021, the first skeletonised Independence 21 model was a teaser of sorts, presented in a limited edition of 100 pieces in a 42mm black DLC-coated case and bracelet, powered by a skeletonised, robust, and shock-resistant Sellita SW200-1S automatic. The following year, Norqain unveiled the Independence 22 Skeleton, an unlimited model featuring the same 42mm case diameter and movement, with a black flange, followed by a grey model in 2024.

    Representing more than a simple colour change, the new Independence models have a more compact 40mm diameter but are thicker (12.05mm vs. 11.80mm) than their 42mm counterparts, although the lug-to-lug is more contained at 46.3mm. Living up to its sports watch reputation, the solid case is water-resistant to 100 metres with a screw-down crown protected by guards, balanced by the protruding and engraved plate on the left side of the case. Available in stainless steel or steel with a black DLC coating, the case flanks have sporty recessed areas with a sandblasted finish. The case is decorated with a predominance of brushed finishes and polished highlights.

    Unlike the 42mm models with their ruthenium-coated bridges, the transparent mainplate reveals the anthracite colour of the skeletonised bridges securing the movement. Not only do they look more robust and contemporary, but they also provide more contrast, allowing a clearer view of the movement’s components. The dark grey chapter ring hosts the faceted indices treated with white XI Super-LumiNova. The skeletonised hour and minute hands also have SLN on their tips, but the arrow-tipped seconds hand with its lumed interior varies in colour from model to model: turquoise for the steel version and orange for the black DLC.

    Powered by the calibre NB08S, a Sellita SW200-1 automatic, the movement is secured by connecting arms for greater rigidity and resistance to impacts. Visible from both sides, the COSC-certified chronometer movement beats at a frequency of 28,800vph. Fitted with a personalised Norqain rotor, the barrel can store a 41-hour power reserve.

    The steel model can be ordered with a grey rubber strap for EUR 3,950 or a steel bracelet for EUR 4,200. The black DLC is paired with a khaki or a black rubber strap with a Milanese texture and retails for EUR 4,160. More information at Norqain.com.

    https://monochrome-watches.com/more-compact-40mm-version-of-the-norqain-independence-skeleton-review-price/

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  • Lower Complication Rates in Sludge vs Gallstone Pancreatitis

    Lower Complication Rates in Sludge vs Gallstone Pancreatitis

    TOPLINE:

    Patients with sludge- or microlithiasis-induced acute pancreatitis (AP) had significantly lower rates of pancreaticobiliary complications than those with gallstone-induced AP.

    METHODOLOGY:

    • Researchers enrolled 789 patients who were hospitalised with their first episode of biliary pancreatitis between January 2018 and April 2020 at 16 Spanish and two Mexican centres.
    • Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of types of calculi: those with sludge- or microlithiasis-induced AP (n = 274; median age, 71.9 years; 53.2% women) and gallstone-induced AP (n = 515; median age, 68.9 years; 54.3% women), with neither group receiving cholecystectomy during admission.
    • The primary endpoint was the rate of pancreaticobiliary complications, measured as the complication-free survival rate, in patients with sludge- or microlithiasis-induced vs those with gallstone-induced AP.
    • The multivariate analysis was conducted to assess the effect of multiple variables on complication-free survival.
    • The median follow-up duration was 8.15 months for the sludge/microlithiasis AP cohort and 6.13 months for the gallstone AP cohort (P < .001).

    TAKEAWAY:

    • Patients with gallstone-induced AP had a significantly higher rate of pancreaticobiliary complications than those with sludge- or microlithiasis-induced AP (41.75% vs 32.12%; P = .01).
    • Patients in the gallstone AP group had a significantly lower complication-free survival rate than those in the sludge/microlithiasis AP group (log-rank P = .0022).
    • The most frequent complication was recurrent AP, occurring in 24.08% of patients in the gallstone AP group and 20.07% of those in the sludge/microlithiasis AP group.
    • The medium Charlson Comorbidity Index was independently associated with a higher risk for pancreatobiliary complications for the sludge/microlithiasis AP cohort (hazard ratio [HR], 2.07; P = .005). In the gallstone AP group, older age was associated with a reduced risk for pancreaticobiliary complications (HR, 0.54; P < .001).

    IN PRACTICE:

    “The lower complication rate observed during follow-up supports, for the first time, the consideration of the sludge/microlithiasis AP cohort as a distinct clinical entity — one that may warrant a more conservative interventional approach, particularly in patients with elevated perioperative risk,” the authors of the study wrote.

    SOURCE:

    This study was led by Simon Sirtl, MD, LMU University Hospital, Munich, Germany. It was published online on June 28, 2025, in Digestive and Liver Disease.

    LIMITATIONS:

    The study’s retrospective design precluded prospective stratification depending on the newly published consensus definitions for biliary sludge and microlithiasis. The inability to stratify patients along with only 17.1% of patients undergoing endoscopic ultrasound introduced heterogeneity into the sludge/microlithiasis AP cohort as the classification remained examiner dependent. Furthermore, the sample size was calculated for pancreatobiliary complications in symptomatic cholelithiasis rather than specifically for AP.

    DISCLOSURES:

    The trial was funded by AEG Young Talent Grant 2021. One author reported receiving funding from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation) and the LMU Munich Clinician Scientist Program.

    This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.

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