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  • PTI made mistake granting Bajwa extension: Asad Qaiser

    PTI made mistake granting Bajwa extension: Asad Qaiser

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    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser has admitted the party made a mistake by granting an extension to former army chief Gen (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa, saying he “apologises” for the decision, Express News reported.

    Speaking at a press conference alongside leaders of Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan on Sunday, Qaiser alleged that the country is currently under “de facto martial law” and that the existing system is “neither constitutional nor legal.”

    He claimed a “whisper campaign” was under way about a possible 27th constitutional amendment, adding that the lawyers’ movement would begin opposing it. “We have decided to use every forum, both inside and outside Parliament,” he said.

    Addressing speculation that he could become opposition leader, he dismissed the reports, saying he expected PTI’s Omar Ayub to return soon and assume the role.

    Qaiser urged that the cases against PTI founder Imran Khan be heard on merit. He criticised the disqualification of the opposition leaders in both houses of Parliament, calling it “a farce.” “Around the world, lawmakers enjoy privileges and can visit prisons. Is it not illegal to bar an assembly member from going to jail?” he asked.

    The former speaker accused the administration of pressuring decision-makers, warning that Pakistan was heading towards “severe anarchy.” “If the cases are heard on merit, there is nothing in them,” he added.

    Bajwa was appointed COAS by PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif in 2019 and extended by PTI chairman Imran Khan in 2019 – serving the nation as army chief for six years. Qaiser was speaker of the house during the tension, which ended up showing the door to the PTI’s government through vote of no-confidence.

    Meanwhile, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar dismissed Qaiser’s press conference as “misleading and contrary to facts,” saying his statements on the country’s economy were not in the public interest.

    In a statement issued on Sunday, Tarar questioned whether the opposition could not accept that Pakistan’s remittances had reached a record USD 38 billion, the current account surplus had hit USD 2.1 billion, exports were rising, the stock market was booming, and the economy was developing.

    “Global rating agencies have clearly improved Pakistan’s ranking in terms of the economy,” the minister said, adding that these indicators reflected the government’s progress.

    He asserted that the opposition’s only real concern was that “the perpetrators of the May 9 conspiracy are being brought to justice.” Tarar said sentences in May 9-related cases had been issued “in accordance with the law after a transparent and fair trial.”

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  • Air Canada flight attendants to picket at four Canadian airports – Reuters

    1. Air Canada flight attendants to picket at four Canadian airports  Reuters
    2. Air Canada Offers 32.5% Increase for Flight Attendants in Contract Talks  Bloomberg.com
    3. Air Canada flight attendants vote to strike if necessary to end unpaid work and poverty wages  Canadian Union of Public Employees
    4. Air Canada Labor Disruption and Its Impact on Airline Valuation and Sector Dynamics  AInvest
    5. Air Canada flight attendants vote to strike if agreement not reached, union says  CBC

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  • Zach Bryan vows to never perform in Kansas City after renewed feud with Chiefs fans

    Zach Bryan vows to never perform in Kansas City after renewed feud with Chiefs fans

    Country star Zach Bryan has reignited his feud with Kansas City Chiefs fans, declaring he will “never play in Kansas City” after a fresh round of NFL-season trash talk on social media.

    A devoted Philadelphia Eagles supporter, Bryan took to Twitter ahead of the 2025 NFL kickoff to poke fun at the Chiefs’ failed attempt to win three consecutive Super Bowls. “Where are all the three-peat people from last year,” he posted. The remark drew heated responses from Kansas City fans, prompting Bryan to double down: “Please understand I will never play in Kansas City… I’ll be about to finish my show and then get a taunting call if I play at that stadium.”

    The online spat escalated when one Chiefs fan demanded Bryan remove “Fifth of May (Live from Kansas City)” from his 24 Live album. Bryan quickly replied, “Done brother,” though the track remained available as of Sunday morning.

    Bryan continued to rib fans, writing, “Bro all u have to do to piss off a Chiefs fan is play a fair game of football… Guys it’s okay to talk trash… y’all are weird as hell.” Unlike previous celebrity-NFL dustups, this one ended without apologies or deleted posts.

    While Bryan insists he won’t return to Kansas City, he hinted at a workaround for fans in the region: “I miss you Bonner Springs… coming to play next year,” referencing the Kansas town just 30 minutes away.

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  • C Palace 2-2 Liverpool (10 Aug, 2025) Game Analysis

    C Palace 2-2 Liverpool (10 Aug, 2025) Game Analysis

    Dean Henderson saved two penalties as Crystal Palace fought back against Liverpool to win the Community Shield in a shootout after a 2-2 draw at Wembley.

    Henderson kept out spot-kicks from Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott, after Mohamed Salah had missed the Reds’ first, as the Eagles added more silverware to their collection, having secured their first major trophy with FA Cup glory in May.

    Liverpool summer signing Hugo Ekitike opened the scoring on his competitive debut in the fourth minute, assisted by another new addition, Florian Wirtz, before Jean-Philippe Mateta drew the sides level with a 17th-minute penalty.

    Arne Slot’s Premier League champions restored their lead four minutes later through another debutant, Jeremie Frimpong, before Ismaila Sarr’s 77th-minute equaliser forced penalties.

    Justin Devenny wrapped up a 3-2 victory for the Eagles in the dramatic shootout.

    Dean Henderson celebrates winning the Community Shield with Crystal Palace.

    Tributes, including a wreath-laying and standing ovation, were paid before kick-off to former Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who died in a car crash in Spain on July 3.

    The minute’s silence had to be cut short due to some shouting from a small number of Palace fans.

    Liverpool took the lead just as the smoke was settling from the red flares lit by Palace fans, who also displayed a banner reading “UEFA mafia” — a nod to their demotion to the Conference League over multi-ownership rules.

    Slot’s new additions introduced themselves brilliantly as Milos Kerkez and Wirtz progressed up the pitch before the latter found Ekitike, who laid a neat pass back to Wirtz at the corner of the 18-yard box.

    The Germany international then provided a short pass along the edge of the area for Ekitike, who struck past a diving Henderson into the bottom-right corner.

    But the lead did not last long as Virgil van Dijk brought down Sarr and referee Chris Kavanagh had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

    Mohamed Salah missed the first penalty of the shoot-out.

    Mateta missed a penalty in the FA Cup final but would not be denied here, sending Alisson Becker the wrong way as he fired into the bottom corner.

    Frimpong’s own account-opener for his new club seemed to be intended as a cross from the right, but instead looped over Henderson’s fingertips and in as Liverpool swiftly restored their advantage.

    The ball hit the net just before the clock struck 20 minutes and 20 seconds — a fitting moment to honour Jota, who wore No. 20.

    Ekitike missed two chances at the beginning of the second half, while momentum-building Palace had not been entirely devoid of opportunities of their own, going close when Eberechi Eze forced Alisson into a save on the hour.

    – The VAR Review: Why Mac Allister didn’t concede a penalty

    – Dean Henderson on penalty heroics: I love big moments

    – Howe: Isak’s Newcastle future not my decision

    Sarr then levelled, latching on to a lovely pass from Adam Wharton before hitting the equaliser off the inside of a post.

    Palace appealed for a penalty after Sarr and Mac Allister both challenged for a ball in the air, but, after Kavanagh turned to VAR, it was deemed no handball by the Argentina international, and the game ended in stalemate.

    Salah struck over the bar to open the shootout, before Mateta fired low past Alisson and then Henderson, who also made a critical save in the cup final shootout, denied Mac Allister to put Palace in the ascendancy.

    Eze’s effort was saved before Cody Gakpo and Sarr both got the job done, but new Palace signing Borna Sosa hit the bar and Dominik Szoboszlai kept Liverpool alive before up stepped substitute Devenny, who struck a bullet past Alisson to seal Palace’s win.

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  • Poland’s Kwiatek siblings reign supreme with 5yo and 6yo wins, & Lars Krüger wins 7yo title

    Brother and sister Bartlomeij and Weronika Kwiatek (POL) have both won gold and bronze at the 10th FEI Driving World Championship for Young Horses.  Skilled producers and previous Young Horse World Champions, they each drove two horses in the same class, maintaining their leads from the start of the competition.  Lars Krüger (GER) was also on the podium twice winning gold in the 7-year-old and silver in the 5-year-old classes.

    5-year-olds

    Weronika won the 5-year-old category which was the largest of the event with 17 starters on Thursday for the Combined Dressage and Cones test.  She topped the leaderboard with 8.13 driving DSP gelding Cortano and was third on 7.63 with KWPN mare Proud Walda.  In-between was Lars Krüger (GER) with DSP stallion Tito De Saxe on 8.00. The top nine qualified for the Dressage and Combined Marathon so did not have to drive in the second round on Friday, after which two more combinations joined the lineup so there were 11 combinations for the Dressage on Saturday morning. 

    Although the next phase of the competition started afresh, the top three positions were the same with Weronika scoring 7.83 and 7.50, and Lars 7.67.  For Sunday’s Combined Marathon, in reverse order Weronkia and Cortano were last to go and scored 7.70 for a total of 15.53 to secure gold – Weronika’s third at a Young Horse World Championship.  Lars scored 7.80 to gain silver on 15.47 and with Proud Walda, Weronika had the joint highest score of 7.90 – matching fourth placed Mario Gandolfo (SUI) – which gave them bronze on 15.40.

    6-year-olds

    Bartlomeij secured the 6-year-old gold with DSP gelding Eldin, the same class his sister won last year with the mare Elektroda.  The 2018 FEI Single Horse World Champion had to drive out of sequence after the 7-year-olds on Sunday to allow himself time to change turnouts, so the result was not confirmed until the end.  There were only four in the final lineup from seven starters, when Bartlomeij and Eldin posted a leading score of 7.72. Next was Henrik Hoeper (DEN) on 7.22 with his own Hastings, a Trakehner gelding, and Bartlomeij scored 6.94 with his second horse, Hunter, a Silesian WB stallion. After Friday’s Dressage, Eldin was on 7.43, Hastings on 7.36 and the fourth competitor in the class, Sylvia Peters (AUT) with Showgirl moved into third on 7.14, ahead of Hunter’s 6.71. 

    But the original order was restored after the Combined Marathon when Eldin scored 8.00 for a total of 15.43.  Henrik and Hastings were assured of silver with 7.70 and 15.06 and after Sylvia scored 6.30 for 13.44, Bartlomeij and Hunter took bronze after scoring 7.10 to end on 13.81.

     

    7-year-olds

    Already with a silver medal, Lars Krüger went one better in the 7-year-old category to stay ahead of current Singles World Champion Mario Gandolfo – but only just.  Driving his own Sathu mare DSP Fenne Lily, they qualified for the final competition in fifth place on 6.81 but rose to first after Saturday’s Dressage with 7.43, ahead of Mario and his Freiberger gelding Johnson du Signal on 7.14. Leonhard Risch (SUI) with another Freiberger, the stallion Camaro, scored 6.79 for fourth, behind Bettina Winkler (GER) on 7.07.  But Bettina dropped behind Leonhard when he scored 7.40 in the Combined Marathon to end on 14.19 and secure bronze.

    Lars and Fenne Lily had to stay cool after Mario’s excellent round on Sunday which was the judges’ choice with a score of 8.20 but an expensive knock in the final set of cones deducted 0.3 for 7.90, and meant that Mario’s total of 15.04 kept him in silver after Lars scored the same 7.90 but plus his Dressage, his total of 15.33 was higher.  In this section, seven combinations qualified from 11 starters on Thursday.

    Education & Development

    The aim of the FEI Driving World Championship for Young Horses is to assess the horses’ development and education in relation to their age.  The classes have different Dressage and Combined tests which are simpler for the younger horses. In the Combined Marathon, for the 5-year-olds there is one mobile obstacle and a reduced cones course over a shorter distance of 600 metres, increasing to two obstacles, more cones and a 1,450 metre track for the 7-year-olds. 

    The panel of judges, led by Ground Jury President Pia Skar (DEN), collaborated during the tests and announced after each round the breakdown of several marks out of ten, which are then added and averaged, minus deductions for knocked cones or errors, to give one score. During the prize giving, the German national anthem was played for all three classes to acknowledge the origins of the horses rather than the athletes.

    The Championship and has been held in Hungary eight times and began in 2015 when the Kwiatek siblings also competed and Bartlomeij won the 6-year-old title with the Silesian horse Bazyli.  This year there were 35 combinations from seven nations, and at the same time the National Championships for the Hungarian Youth Drivers took place. The drivers and community were grateful to Vilmos Jámbor (HUN) and his family who worked hard to host the Championship after a late change in venue.

    “We have witnessed in the last four days what our sport is about – friendship, family and the future. We have seen some fantastic young horses, and we have seen positive results after each day.  This gives the promise of some great quality horses in the future of Driving.

    I wish to thank everyone on behalf of the FEI for providing such a great Championship, especially the Organising Committee, the National Federation and the Jámbor family for their work and commitment in delivering a great event to all of us.” – Pia Skar (DEN), Ground Jury President.

    FULL RESULTS

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  • America’s drug regulator is in turmoil

    America’s drug regulator is in turmoil

    TO APPRECIATE the dilemmas the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) faces when it reviews new drugs targeting rare diseases, consider the recent rollercoaster ride of Sarepta Therapeutics, a biotech firm. In 2023 the FDA granted accelerated approval for its gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare genetic disorder that typically causes death in early adulthood. Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s biologics centre at the time, approved the treatment despite reviewers’ concerns about limited clinical data. Some hailed that as proof the FDA could be nimble in cases where sufferers had few options. The treatment costs an eye-watering $3.2m per patient, so the drug’s approval delivered Sarepta a major payday. But in the past four months three patients on Sarepta’s treatments have died from acute liver failure. On July 18th the FDA asked the firm to suspend distribution. Within days its stock lost nearly half of its value (see chart 1).

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  • ‘Use your other senses’: pioneering show for the blind hits Edinburgh | Edinburgh festival

    ‘Use your other senses’: pioneering show for the blind hits Edinburgh | Edinburgh festival

    In the intimacy of a blacked-out theatre, the smell of freshly made coffee, cheap perfume and stuffed peppers becomes more pronounced. The weight of each character’s footsteps become recognisable.

    Welcome to the Blind Theater from Brazil, where every scent is a prop, and an actor’s breathing and tread are their character’s signatures.

    Before their Edinburgh fringe show begins, the blind actor Edgar Jacques briefs the audience on what to expect when they enter the entirely darkened space. It is a fringe first and will be an unusual, perhaps unsettling experience, he warns the sighted.

    Sitting in pitch dark will “reach your other senses, and use your other senses. You will listen to things, you will smell things and maybe things will touch you, like the wind or maybe the rain.”

    Before audiences line up single file, one hand resting on the shoulder of the person in front, everyone is cautioned to switch off their mobile phones and smartwatches, and to avoid stretching their legs in the small auditorium, where production staff taped out light leaking under the theatre door.

    Although well established in São Paulo, the Blind Theater (Teatro Cego) production of Another Sight is one of several shows designed for visually impaired audiences being staged by the venue group Zoo for the first time at this year’s festival.

    Another theatre company, Extant, has teamed up with the charity Sight Scotland and artists’ collective Visually Impaired Creators Scotland to put on three “enhanced” performances, which include touch tours of the shows and live audio description over headphones.

    One semi-autobiographical Extant production, I Dream in Colour, was written by a fully blind writer Jasmin Thein. It recounts the trauma of a blind woman forced to weigh up losing her remaining eye owing to a tumour or risking cancer.

    Another Sight, played by blind and sighted actors, examines Brazil’s class system and the politics of disability. It explores the tensions between a wealthy woman, Grace, confronting a cancer diagnosis, when her maid, Maria, returns to work as Grace’s domestic while she completes her own treatment for cancer.

    Anxious to work again despite being clearly fragile and diminished by her chemotherapy, her presence triggers a powerful reaction from her employer. Their respective husbands, including Jacques, act as peace-makers.

    For Jacques, the darkness offers him an equality that conventional theatre productions do not. Unlike on a fully lit stage, he is no longer defined by his disability or his physical movements and posture which, as a blind person, can be different from the sighted.

    “We open this universe for blind actors to play not just blind characters, but the good guy, the bad guy, the princess, the frog, everybody. So in the darkness, a blind person can be like anybody else,” he told the audience earlier this week.

    For Ana Righi, a fully sighted actor who played Grace, that means she has to emphasise the sound of her feet and voice far more deliberately. Facial expressions, makeup and physical movement are irrelevant. Speaking through a translator, Righi said that changes “a lot of elements … especially using breathing to express emotions”.

    Actors move through the audience, which sits close to the small stage in a semi-circle, adding a spatial dimension by working in different parts of the room. Grace has “a very stiff, secure step, whereas the maid has a very timid step, like a person who’s always afraid”.

    Another Sight is part of a series showcasing theatre, dance and clowning from São Paulo supported by the state government, the Brazilian consulate in Edinburgh and the local arts association Associação Paulista dos Amigos da Arte.

    Paulo Palado, the show’s director, said blind actors were normally expected to play only blind characters. The approach taken in Another Sight lifted that restriction. The company realised the power of that only during their first show 13 years ago; they now have seven plays in that format.

    Sensory perceptions are essential, Palado said. Those can include fans to provide a breeze or, in some shows, rain. It can be a special experience for unsighted audiences, too, who normally have audio description telling them what is happening in conventional theatre.

    In this show blind and sighted people “are all in exactly the same situation. We have the same information. In this case audio description is not necessary because that language is for all.”

    Another Sight runs at Playground 2 at Zoo Playground from 1–24 August

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  • Apple Debuts AI-Powered Support Assistant Chatbot in iPhone App

    Apple Debuts AI-Powered Support Assistant Chatbot in iPhone App

    In a quiet but significant move, Apple Inc. has begun integrating artificial intelligence chatbots into its customer support ecosystem, signaling a broader push into AI-driven services amid growing competition from rivals like OpenAI and Google. The rollout, spotted in the Apple Support app for iPhone users, introduces an AI-powered “Support Assistant” that handles queries ranging from device troubleshooting to account issues, potentially reducing the need for human intervention. This development comes as Apple navigates delays in its more ambitious AI features, such as an enhanced Siri, while experimenting with generative AI in less visible areas.

    The chatbot, currently in a limited preview for select users, appears under a new “Chat” tab in the app. It leverages natural language processing to provide responses, but Apple has included a disclaimer warning that the tool “may get things wrong,” urging patience from users. This cautious approach reflects broader industry concerns about AI accuracy, especially in high-stakes customer service scenarios where errors could erode trust.

    The Evolution of AI in Customer Support

    Industry observers note that Apple’s foray into AI chatbots aligns with a trend where tech giants are automating support to cut costs and improve efficiency. According to a report from TechRadar, the feature was secretly deployed while users await Siri’s full AI upgrade, highlighting Apple’s strategy of incremental AI integration. Sources indicate the chatbot is built on a stripped-down version of Apple’s in-house AI models, designed to compete with tools like ChatGPT without the computational overhead.

    This isn’t Apple’s first brush with AI in support; the company has long used machine learning for diagnostics in its apps. However, the new chatbot represents a step toward conversational AI, capable of understanding context and escalating complex issues to human agents. Reports suggest it’s being tested in regions like the U.S. and Canada, with plans for wider rollout tied to iOS updates.

    Challenges and Risks in AI Deployment

    Despite the promise, experts warn of pitfalls. A piece in Gadgets360 details how the AI assistant is rolling out to some iPhone users, emphasizing its ChatGPT-like interface but with Apple’s privacy-focused twist—no data is stored externally. Yet, the disclaimer about potential inaccuracies underscores a key challenge: AI hallucinations, where bots provide plausible but incorrect information, could frustrate users accustomed to Apple’s polished experiences.

    Comparisons to competitors reveal Apple’s measured pace. While Microsoft and Amazon have aggressively deployed AI in customer service, Apple’s version prioritizes integration with its ecosystem, such as linking to AppleCare services. Insights from TechCrunch suggest this chatbot is part of a larger “answer engine” project, aiming to deliver concise, reliable responses without the verbosity of broader AI models.

    Implications for the Tech Industry

    For industry insiders, this move raises questions about labor dynamics in customer service. As AI handles routine queries, human roles may shift toward oversight and complex problem-solving, potentially leading to workforce reallocations. A 9to5Mac analysis notes the limited test phase, indicating Apple is gathering feedback to refine the tool before a full launch, possibly coinciding with Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18.

    Moreover, the integration hints at Apple’s broader AI ambitions. With reports from Engadget revealing an internal team named “Answers, Knowledge and Information” working on this, it positions Apple to challenge dominant players in enterprise AI. Privacy remains a cornerstone—unlike some rivals, Apple’s chatbot processes data on-device where possible, aligning with its brand ethos.

    Future Prospects and Strategic Positioning

    Looking ahead, success will depend on user adoption and iterative improvements. If the chatbot proves reliable, it could extend to other Apple services, like retail apps or even hardware diagnostics. However, as highlighted in The Times of India, recent updates to the Support app’s terms suggest an imminent wider release, complete with safeguards against misuse.

    Ultimately, Apple’s AI chatbot initiative exemplifies a pragmatic blend of innovation and caution, setting the stage for how tech firms might redefine customer interactions in an AI era. As the company refines this tool, it could influence standards for accuracy, privacy, and seamlessness across the sector, potentially reshaping expectations for automated support worldwide.

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  • Rape accuser had lunch with Haider Ali week after their Manchester meeting

    Rape accuser had lunch with Haider Ali week after their Manchester meeting

    Right-handed batter Haider Ali speaks during an interview at Kent County Cricket Ground. — Screengrab via Facebook/@PakistanCricketBoard/File

    LONDON: A British-Pakistani woman who accused Pakistani batter Haider Ali of assault maintained contact with the player for nearly two weeks and met him at a Manchester restaurant on July 23, sources close to the police investigation have confirmed to Geo News.

    According to the sources, the female, who is in her mid-20s, met the cricketer at a hotel in Manchester on July 23 for the first time, but reported the rape assault around two weeks later on August 4. 

    Between the two dates, she made a special trip to Ashford, in Kent, and met the right-handed batsman for lunch and a walkabout in the city on August 1. 

    Two witnesses who saw the female with Ali at a local restaurant in Ashford shared that they also saw Ali and the female walking towards the train station the same afternoon, without noticing any animosity.

    It’s understood that the female travelled from Manchester to Ashford on her own, which takes around four hours on each side. She reported the rape allegations to the Manchester Police three days after the Ashford meeting and nearly two weeks after the Manchester encounter on July 23.

    Trusted sources said the woman, whose identity is known but cannot be disclosed, remained in contact with Ali during the two weeks leading up to her police complaint.

    Sources familiar with the investigation shared that phone data seized by the Manchester Police shows their contact with each other was normal, after both their meetings. Sources also shared that the female was a fan of Ali and got in touch with the cricket star through social media sites in 2023.

    The 24-year-old cricketer remained in police custody for nearly 48 hours, where he provided a written statement to the police, strongly denying the allegation of rape and stressing his innocence. The police returned his phone when releasing him on bail on the evening of August 7, pending further inquiries. 

    The police release suspects on bail in circumstances when there is not enough evidence to bring charges.

    Greater Manchester Police said on August 8 that Ali was arrested on the allegations of rape after the police received a report of rape on August 4 and arrested Ali the following day.

    The police said: “It’s alleged that the incident occurred on Wednesday, 23 July, 2025, at a premises in Manchester. The man has since been bailed pending further enquiries. The victim is being supported by officers.”

    Ali was arrested at the Spitfire County Cricket Ground, Kent, from the Players’ Canteen Office. He was taken to the Canterbury Police Station by the Kent Police officers. Sources said he was not handcuffed.

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said Ali has been provisionally suspended for the duration of the criminal investigation.

    “The PCB fully respects the legal procedures and processes of the United Kingdom and acknowledges the importance of allowing the investigation to run its due course,” the PCB said in a statement.

    “Accordingly, the PCB has decided to place Haider Ali under provisional suspension, effective immediately, pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.

    “Once the legal proceedings are concluded and all facts have been duly established, the PCB reserves the right to take appropriate action under its Code of Conduct, if necessary.”

    Ali has represented Pakistan in 35 Twenty20 internationals since making his debut in 2020, as well as two one-day internationals.

    Disclaimer: Under UK law, sexual assault survivors can report the crime at any time, with no time limits. Women have reported decades-old assaults and won justice. There are no reporting restrictions in this case. Geo News has shared only the facts so far. The victim’s view is not included, as police have advised against contacting her. Geo News is committed to fair, fact-based reporting that seeks the truth and supports justice without bias.


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  • ‘This is a major finding’

    ‘This is a major finding’

    While you likely hear about carbon dioxide in a negative way, it can be turned into useful things. And although the process isn’t efficient, a team of researchers may have discovered a better way.

    According to Tech Xplore, carbon dioxide can be turned into alcohols, ethylene, or carbon monoxide using a method called electrochemical CO2 reduction, using electricity — preferably from renewable sources. It “can be further refined into fuels or used in industrial processes, potentially turning a major pollutant into a feedstock.”

    Unfortunately, the process creates potassium bicarbonate salts, which clog up the gas flow channels. 

    A team of researchers at Rice University has discovered that using acid-humidified CO2 instead of water is much more efficient. 

    Tech Xplore wrote: “In tests using a silver catalyst — a common benchmark for converting CO2 to carbon monoxide — the system operated stably for over 2,000 hours in a lab-scale device and more than 4,500 hours in a 100-square-centimeter, scaled-up electrolyzer.”

    In comparison, water-humidified CO2 failed after 80 hours due to salt buildup. 







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    Co-first author and Rice chemical and biomolecular engineering graduate student Ahmad Elgazzar said: “This is a major finding for CO2 electrolysis.” 

    The study was published in Science. 

    Given that the planet has more carbon dioxide than nature can absorb, finding a way to turn the harmful gas into something useful is a great way to get rid of the excess gas. Carbon dioxide is one of the poisonous gases that are produced by dirty energy sources. These toxic gases contribute to the planet’s warming, which is causing extreme weather events that also threaten the world’s food crops.

    One way to combat poisonous gases is for society to reduce its reliance on dirty energy sources so that less toxic gas is released into the atmosphere. 

    In the meantime, projects like electrochemical CO2 reduction using acid bubbles are one way to help eliminate the toxic gas, and you can donate to climate causes that are doing this vital work.

    Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don’t miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.


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