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PM in Azerbaijan to represent Pakistan at 17th SCO Summit – RADIO PAKISTAN
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New Centaur AI model aims to mimic human decision-making
Researchers said they have developed an artificial intelligence system that can predict and simulate people’s decisions across a wide variety of situations.
Dubbed Centaur, the model was trained on 160 psychology studies involving 60,000 participants making more than 10 million choices while completing different tasks, like memory games, gambling, and problem solving.
Researchers found that Centaur was able to capture human behavior across several language-based scenarios, including ones it hadn’t been trained on.
Some experts not involved with the project argued that Centaur doesn’t meaningfully mimic human cognition.
Still, Centaur’s creators ultimately hope the model could be used to run experiments faster than conventional cognitive science studies.
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Emergency Department Data Show Rise in Hospitalizations Due to Pediatric Clavicular Fractures
Journal: JSES Reviews, Reports & Techniques
Title: Mechanisms and Trends of Pediatric Clavicular Fractures in the United States: A 10-Year Epidemiologic Analysis of National Injury Data
Authors: Charu Jain, MD candidate at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Sheena Ranade, MD, Associate Professor of Orthopedics (Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Bottom line: Clavicular fractures are common injuries among children, usually due to sports-related trauma or accidental falls. The purpose of this study was to assess the epidemiology of clavicular fractures among children in the United States between 2014 and 2023.
Why this study is unique: This study is the first of its kind to analyze 10 years of national emergency department data on pediatric clavicle fractures in the United States.
Why the study is important: Understanding how and where children sustain clavicular fractures helps guide injury prevention, especially in sports and at home. The rise in hospital admissions over the course of this study underscores a need to examine why these injuries may be getting more severe.
How the research was conducted: Data were extracted from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), a publicly available database representing approximately 100 emergency departments in the United States. NEISS was queried for all shoulder fractures in patients 0-18 years old. These fractures were then filtered for clavicle fractures. Queries were restricted to fractures from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2023.
Results: The findings show that while overall rates for pediatric clavicular fractures remained stable over the course of the study, there was a statistically significant increase in hospital admissions due to those injuries during that same period. This suggests an increase in severity of those injuries necessitating admission.
What this study means for doctors: The data suggest that pediatric clavicular fractures may be becoming more severe, which calls for better injury prevention and management strategies for doctors, parents, and patients. For physicians, this requires careful assessment and more intensive treatment or monitoring as needed. This study provides valuable insight into where pediatric clavicle fractures are treated—whether in emergency departments, outpatient clinics, or primary care—which can help guide resource allocation for health systems and improve care pathways for patients. Since many clavicle fractures in children heal well without surgery, understanding treatment settings can support better patient management, reduce unnecessary ED visits, and optimize follow-up care.
What this study means for patients: For patients and their parents, the findings emphasize that while many clavicular fractures may heal, some may require closer care or even hospitalization. The findings also emphasize the need for rigorous safety protocols during play and sports to reduce injury risk.
What the next steps are for this work: Next steps include using this data to investigate whether clavicular fracture cases presenting to the ED are more severe or more likely to require surgery compared to those seen in outpatient settings. We also aim to identify how many cases go untreated and explore whether specific injury patterns or treatment settings correlate with better long-term outcomes. This will help refine clinical decision-making and improve care strategies for pediatric clavicular fractures.
Quotes:
“Our review of recent national data on pediatric clavicle fractures demonstrates that among younger children, there has been an increase in bed-related falls causing clavicular fractures,” says Dr. Ranade. “Just as there has been a strong emphasis on safe sleep for infants, this study shows that attention should be placed in safe sleeping environments for toddler aged children to prevent falls out of bed.”
“Understanding common mechanisms like sports injuries and falls from beds can help guide targeted prevention strategies and parent education,” says Ms. Jain. “I would like to thank the Mount Sinai Department of Orthopedics for their support, our co-authors for their contributions, and Dr. Ranade for her guidance and mentorship throughout this project.”
About the Mount Sinai Health System
Mount Sinai Health System is one of the largest academic medical systems in the New York metro area, with 48,000 employees working across seven hospitals, more than 400 outpatient practices, more than 600 research and clinical labs, a school of nursing, and a leading school of medicine and graduate education. Mount Sinai advances health for all people, everywhere, by taking on the most complex health care challenges of our time—discovering and applying new scientific learning and knowledge; developing safer, more effective treatments; educating the next generation of medical leaders and innovators; and supporting local communities by delivering high-quality care to all who need it.
Through the integration of its hospitals, labs, and schools, Mount Sinai offers comprehensive health care solutions from birth through geriatrics, leveraging innovative approaches such as artificial intelligence and informatics while keeping patients’ medical and emotional needs at the center of all treatment. The Health System includes approximately 9,000 primary and specialty care physicians and 11 free-standing joint-venture centers throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida. Hospitals within the System are consistently ranked by Newsweek’s® “The World’s Best Smart Hospitals, Best in State Hospitals, World Best Hospitals and Best Specialty Hospitals” and by U.S. News & World Report‘s® “Best Hospitals” and “Best Children’s Hospitals.” The Mount Sinai Hospital is on the U.S. News & World Report® “Best Hospitals” Honor Roll for 2024-2025.
For more information, visit https://www.mountsinai.org or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.
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Air Chief Marshal thanks NA speaker for backing forces during Indian aggression
Listen to article Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu has expressed his gratitude to National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq for the parliament’s strong support of the armed forces in the face of Indian aggression.
In a letter addressed to the Speaker, the Air Chief praised the parliamentary leadership’s role in fostering national unity, saying the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) values the show of solidarity from lawmakers.
“Speaker Sadiq’s efforts to strengthen national cohesion in the wake of Indian hostility are commendable,” wrote Chief Marshal Sidhu. He added that the support of parliament and the people gave strength to the armed forces and helped thwart the enemy’s intentions.
The Air Chief also termed the tributes extended by the parliament and national leadership “unforgettable,” and said PAF’s success is a result of divine blessings and the unity of the nation.
Sidhu reaffirmed that PAF is fully prepared to defend the country’s borders and considers this duty a sacred responsibility. He also pledged continued cooperation toward achieving national goals.
His letter was in response to one sent earlier by Speaker Sadiq, who had written to Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir and Air Chief Marshal Sidhu, lauding the armed forces—particularly the PAF—for their professionalism and bravery in responding to Indian actions.
Read: Attacks on innocent civilians unmasked India’s ugly face: DG ISPR
The Speaker had also conveyed the parliament’s unwavering support for the military and acknowledged its role in defending the country with courage and distinction.
Previously, members of the National Assembly paid tributes to the armed forces, especially PAF for giving a swift and decisive response to Indian aggression.
Speaking in the lower house, they strongly condemned the cowardly attack by India, calling it a shameful act, and reiteriated that Pakistan is fully prepared to respond to any aggression with full force.
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PlayStation’s ‘Helldivers 2’ Coming to Xbox in August
The crossplatform walls are slowly but surely coming down more and more, as Sony Interactive Entertainment’s “Helldivers 2” makes its way to Microsoft’s Xbox gaming console this August.
Formerly a PlayStation and PC exclusive title, the third-person co-op shooter developed by Arrowhead Game Studios and published by PlayStation will launch for Xbox Series X and S on Aug. 26.
“Helldivers 2” is a described as a “cooperative, third-person feast of destruction where players and up to three squadmates step into the boots of an elite class of soldiers whose mission is to spread peace, liberty, and Managed Democracy using the biggest, baddest, and most explosive tools in the galaxy.”
The game launched for PlayStation and PC in February 2024 and was a critical and commercial hit.
“We know gamers have been asking for this for some time and we are so excited to bring more Helldivers into our game,” “Helldivers 2” game director Mikeal Eriksson said in a statement Thursday. “We have so much more in store for the future months and years – and the more players we have the more stories we can tell! The fight for Super Earth has only just begun.”
“Helldivers 2” is coming to Xbox on the heels of Xbox’s releasing one of its current hottest titles on PlayStation: “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.” Microsoft really kicked off industry-wide conversations surrounding breaking down the barriers for console-exclusive titles early last year and has continued to tease future developments with PlayStation and Switch 2 since. But we have yet to see much movement from the PlayStation and Nintendo direction, with the “Helldivers 2” release on Xbox marking a significant moment.
Watch Thursday’s announcement trailer revealing “Helldivers 2” will be coming to Xbox in the video below.
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IMF Rejects Pakistan’s Crypto Mining Power Subsidy Plan
Pakistan’s plan to use surplus electricity for crypto mining has hit a roadblock after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reportedly rejected a proposal to offer subsidized power to energy-intensive industries, including Bitcoin miners.
Pakistan’s Secretary of Power Fakhre Alam Irfan told the Senate committee on energy that the IMF claimed such measures could distort the energy market and worsen existing issues in the country’s fragile power sector, according to a report from Urdu-language news outlet Independent Urdu.
Although Pakistan has excess electricity, particularly during winter, the IMF remains concerned that pricing schemes could disrupt the market balance, per the report. Irfan said all significant energy policies must be approved by the IMF.
The Power Division’s November 2024 plan proposed a marginal-cost tariff of 22–23 Pakistani rupees (about $0.08) per kilowatt-hour for industries like copper smelting, data centers, and crypto mining. Officials argued the scheme would boost electricity demand and help absorb surplus capacity.
Source: Bitcoin Archive Related: Strategy’s Michael Saylor to help Pakistan with crypto pivot
IMF cites risk of economic imbalances
The IMF reportedly dismissed the plan, comparing it to sector-specific tax breaks that have historically created economic imbalances in Pakistan, the report said.
Irfan noted that the proposal hasn’t been shelved entirely and is under review by the World Bank and other international partners. He said that the government is working on refining the plan with input from these institutions.
Cointelegraph reached out to the IMF for comment but had not received a response by publication.
In May, Pakistan earmarked 2,000 megawatts of surplus electricity for Bitcoin (BTC) mining and AI centers as part of a digital transformation initiative led by the Pakistan Crypto Council and supported by the Ministry of Finance.
At the time, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced tax incentives for AI centers and duty exemptions for Bitcoin miners to attract investors.
Saqib first proposed using the country’s runoff energy to fuel Bitcoin mining at the Crypto Council’s inaugural meeting back in March. The meeting included lawmakers, the Bank of Pakistan’s governor, the chairman of Pakistan’s Securities and Exchange Commission and the federal information technology secretary.
Related: Can Bitcoin fix Pakistan’s energy problem? The 2,000 megawatt mining strategy explained
Pakistan eyes DeFi yields to grow Bitcoin reserve
Saqib announced plans for a national Bitcoin reserve during the Bitcoin 2025 conference, revealing that a discussion with Strategy’s Michael Saylor reaffirmed his conviction in the move.
Saqib has also said the country intends to expand its Bitcoin holdings using yield generated through decentralized finance protocols.
Magazine: Bitcoin vs stablecoins showdown looms as GENIUS Act nears
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PM aide slams KP govt for poor handling of Swat tragedy
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ISLAMABAD, Jul 3 (APP):Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Information for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Affairs, Ikhtiar Wali Khan criticized the Chief Minister (CM) of KP for mishandling the Swat tragedy, highlighting KP government inefficiency and lack of interest in serving people.
While talking at the press conference on Thursday, he stated that resorting to allegations and propaganda is the hallmark of PTI’s politics, focusing that such tragic incidents could happen all over the world, but the response to those events indicated the performances of the authorities, which the KP government failed to maintain.
It is a matter of grave concern that more than one and a half dozen, including women and children, were stuck in river for two hours seeking help. Those could be saved by minor efforts like dropping rope through a drone and other means, Wali Khan said.
He added that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government has focused on only one vision: to release their incarcerated leader without considering legal requirements.
“This incident has uncovered the KP government priorities, as the victims were 15 yards away from the mainland, seeking help,” he said.
CM has not officially taken the public into confidence on this incident, as their government was enjoying luxuries, involving corruption, blaming and propaganda against the federal government, dividing people, and others, he focused.
Several examples, followed by other countries during tragic incidents, were quoted by their leader as a precedent, but in the case of the Swat incident, no such practical measures were taken, which clearly indicated an absence of their will for public safety.
While talking about their false claims regarding the non-provision of funds to the provincial, he said, during the current budget, they were expecting 1500-plus billion to be received from the federal government in respect of NPC shares, royalties, and others. While billions of amount were given to the provincial government during 12 years of their ruling.
While talking about the education system in the province under the PTI government, he said the provincial government has announced the construction of schools but has no roadmap for that, while the condition of universities is in a deteriorating state, where most have no vice-chancellor and the remaining ones face financial crises and are on the verge of closing.
On the medical situation in the province, he said, during their rule of 12 years, they have not constructed even a single hospital.
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ESAs sign Memorandum of Understanding with AMLA for effective cooperation and information exchange
The European Supervisory Authorities (EBA, EIOPA and ESMA – the ESAs) today announced that they have concluded a multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the European Union’s new Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLA) to ensure effective cooperation and information exchange between the four institutions.
The multilateral MoU outlines how the ESAs and AMLA will exchange information with one another and cooperate in practice to perform their respective tasks in an efficient, effective and timely manner. The memorandum aims to promote supervisory convergence throughout the EU’s financial sector, enable the exchange of necessary information, and foster cross-sectoral learning and capacity building among supervisors in areas of mutual interest. It is part of the overall cooperation framework that AMLA is required to issue in relation to the financial sector and is an important component of the institutional arrangements going forward.
Petra Hielkema, Chair of EIOPA and Chair of the Joint Committee of the ESAs said: “The memorandum we signed demonstrates the strong commitment of Europe’s financial supervisors to working closely together to combat money laundering and terrorist financing—crimes that undermine social justice and the well-being of our communities. Uncovering companies that engage in or facilitate such activities demands serious effort and dedication. The ESAs stand ready to support AMLA with all the knowledge and information at our disposal so that it can exercise its new powers to ensure that these illicit activities do not go undetected or unpunished on our soil. We look forward to a productive and efficient EU-wide collaboration with AMLA to protect the integrity of the EU’s financial system and create a safer and fairer financial environment for all.”
Bruna Szego, Chair of AMLA said: “This Memorandum marks an important step in delivering a risk focused and integrated European AML/CFT framework. Cooperation between AMLA and the ESAs is essential so that we support each other to effectively deliver on our respective mandates and work together for a safer and more resilient Europe. The fight against crime affects all sectors and we are stronger when we work together.”
About AMLA
The Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLA) has the objective to transform the anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) supervision in the EU and enhance cooperation among financial intelligence units (FIUs). AMLA will directly supervise the EU’s highest-risk financial institutions with significant cross-border exposure. It will exercise indirect supervision across both the financial and non-financial sectors, ensuring that national supervisors apply EU AML/CFT rules consistently and effectively. AMLA coordinates the work of Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) helping to improve the quality, consistency, and cross-border exchange of financial intelligence. It complements EU AML/CFT rules by developing regulatory and implementing technical standards and issuing guidelines.
About the ESAs
The three European Supervisory Authorities (the EBA, EIOPA and ESMA) have the objective to protect the public interest by contributing to the short, medium, and long-term stability and effectiveness of the financial system, for the Union economy, its citizens, and businesses. The ESAs are tasked with developing and implementing a common regulatory framework and convergent supervisory practices across the EU.
Through the Joint Committee, the ESAs regularly and closely coordinate their supervisory activities within the scope of their respective responsibilities to ensure consistency in their practices. The Joint Committee’s chairmanship rotates annually among the authorities. In 2025, the forum is chaired by EIOPA.
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Study finds significant uptick in chronic digestive disorders during COVID-19 pandemic
A study led by Cedars-Sinai investigators uncovered a significant uptick in chronic digestive disorders, like irritable bowel syndrome, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study findings, published in the peer-reviewed journal Neurogastroenterology & Motility, highlight a potential link between pandemic-related stress on the gut-brain axis.
Using data from a national online study, we found that rates of digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome and chronic idiopathic constipation rose significantly. These findings underscore the significant toll the pandemic has taken on digestive health.”
Christopher V. Almario, MD, MSHPM, lead author and gastroenterologist at Cedars-Sinai
Also known as disorders of gut-brain interaction, conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and chronic idiopathic constipation are common gastrointestinal disorders driven by complex interactions between the gut and nervous system.
Nearly 40% of people in the U.S. are estimated to meet diagnostic criteria for at least one disorders of gut-brain interaction, making these conditions a major source of healthcare burden and reduced quality of life.
“These disorders involve chronic gastrointestinal symptoms that are often triggered or worsened by psychological stress,” said Almario.
To better understand how the viral infection might be linked with digestive health, researchers analyzed data from over 160,000 adults across the U.S. who participated in a national online survey conducted from May 2020 to May 2022.
Participants completed detailed questionnaires covering digestive symptoms, mental health and lifestyle changes. By tracking responses over time, the researchers observed a steady rise in gut-related health issues that began early in the pandemic and persisted throughout the survey period.
Key findings showed that:
- Rates of irritable bowel syndrome increased from around 6% among U.S. adults in May 2020 to about 11% in May 2022.
- Chronic idiopathic constipation rose slightly from 6.0% to 6.4%.
- Among adults who reported IBS, investigators noted that the prevalence of mixed IBS, a subtype of IBS where a person experiences both diarrhea and constipation, was most commonly reported. The investigators did not observe significant increases in other types of functional digestive disorders.
As doctors uncover the long-term health effects of COVID-19, study investigators hope this study may draw attention to how the virus’ impact on mental health may affect the gut-potentially triggering or worsening disorders like IBS and other gut-brain conditions.
“This research calls for a renewed focus on gastrointestinal health in the post-pandemic era,” said Brennan Spiegel, MD, MSHS, corresponding author of the study and director of Health Services Research for Cedars-Sinai.
Spiegel, director of the Cedars-Sinai Master’s Degree Program in Health Delivery Science and the George and Dorothy Gourrich Chair in Digital Health Ethics, says even those who did not get COVID-19 but endured significant psychological distress also may have had alterations in their gut-brain axis.
“Healthcare providers must be vigilant in recognizing and addressing the long-term effects of the pandemic on digestive health,” said Spiegel.
Source:
Journal reference:
Almario, C. V., et al. (2025). Trends in Prevalence of Rome IV Disorders of Gut‐Brain Interaction During the COVID‐19 Pandemic: Results From a Nationally Representative Sample of Over 160,000 People in the US. Neurogastroenterology & Motility. doi.org/10.1111/nmo.70020.
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Elderly man dies as wildfires rage in Turkey, forcing evacuations and road closures
ANKARA, Turkey — Firefighters on Thursday discovered the body of an elderly man after dousing a wildfire near a village in western Turkey, while crews elsewhere continued to battle another blaze that closed a highway and forced some residents to be evacuated from their homes.
The 81-year-old-man died from smoke inhalation in a village near the town of Odemis, Suleyman Elban, the governor for Izmir province, said. His death marks the first fatality in a series of wildfires across the country that have forced thousands to flee.
A total of 37 other villagers were safely evacuated by security forces and emergency teams, Elban said.
Meanwhile, hundreds of firefighters, supported by aircraft and helicopters, were deployed to extinguish a wildfire blazing in the Aegean coastal town of Cesme, a tourism hotspot some 192 kilometers (120 miles) west of Odemis.
That wildfire, which began on Wednesday, forced the evacuation of three neighborhoods and closed roads. Television footage of the blaze showed flames burning through dried vegetation on both sides of a road.
Elban said the wildfires in Izmir province are believed to have been sparked by electrical lines, which ignited dry grass and spread rapidly due to wind.
Turkey has in the past week battled hundreds of fires across the country that were fuelled by fierce winds, scorching heat and low humidity. The fires, most of which have now been extinguished, led to the evacuation of tens of thousands of people.
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