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  • Parliamentary committee raises alarm over climate risks, ineffective disaster systems

    Parliamentary committee raises alarm over climate risks, ineffective disaster systems



    Pakistan


    Early warning systems, glacier melt, and urban flooding under scrutiny





    ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – A meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Climate Change was held today to discuss key issues, including climate change, flood threats, and the melting of glaciers across Pakistan.

    The session was attended by committee members and officials from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

    Committee member Sahibzada Sibghatullah expressed strong concerns about the effectiveness of the early warning system, saying, “The reality on the ground is that the early warning system that has been developed has proven ineffective.” He added that a bridge in his constituency was washed away during recent floods, yet no concrete steps have been taken to repair it. He stressed that disaster management is not solely a provincial issue and that the NDMA must also fulfill its responsibilities, especially when the situation becomes severe.

    Responding to the concerns, the NDMA Chairman explained that while most disaster-related matters fall under provincial jurisdiction, the NDMA steps in when the situation escalates.

    He emphasised the need to strengthen District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs), as their current capacity is limited.

    The NDMA Chairman warned that poor sanitation in urban areas is contributing to urban flooding. He urged provincial governments to prevent human settlements along riverbanks and natural water flow paths.

    During a briefing on glacier monitoring, NDMA officials informed the committee that the authority is keeping a close watch through the Global Glacier Monitoring Portal. They noted that the process of glacier melting has been ongoing for several years, which poses increasing risks of water scarcity and flooding in the future.

    The NDMA Chairman highlighted that the agency is equipped with a modern control room, drones, and other advanced technologies capable of transporting up to 100 kilograms of supplies. He also noted that NDMA conducts emergency drills in collaboration with other agencies and shares all relevant information with provincial disaster authorities.

    He further warned that Pakistan is rapidly losing its forest cover, which exacerbates climate-related threats. While the NDMA issues early warnings up to six months in advance, he stressed that without effective action at the ground level, these warnings cannot lead to meaningful results.

    The meeting was also informed that more rainfall is forecasted in late July for Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Upper Punjab, and relevant institutions have been directed to remain on high alert. 

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  • Very common drug shows signs of slowing brain damage linked to dementia – Benefits and Pensions Monitor

    Very common drug shows signs of slowing brain damage linked to dementia – Benefits and Pensions Monitor

    1. Very common drug shows signs of slowing brain damage linked to dementia  Benefits and Pensions Monitor
    2. A cough medicine could hold new hope in the fight against dementia; research  CP24
    3. Common cough medicine revealed to slow down Parkinson’s disease and dementia  inkl
    4. Cough Syrup for Cognition Loss?  Conexiant
    5. Clinical trial examines whether Ambroxol can slow dementia in people with Parkinson’s  News-Medical

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  • JD Twitch of Scottish DJ duo Optimo diagnosed with untreatable brain tumour | Dance music

    JD Twitch of Scottish DJ duo Optimo diagnosed with untreatable brain tumour | Dance music

    JD Twitch, one half of the celebrated Scottish DJ and production duo Optimo, has been diagnosed with a brain tumour which he has been told is untreatable.

    The musician, real name Keith McIvor, announced the news in a post on Instagram. He said: “My symptoms weren’t immediately diagnosed, and my health declined very rapidly over just a few weeks. Because of how rapidly everything progressed I haven’t been able to share this news personally with everyone I care about so this feels the clearest and kindest way to let you know what’s happening.”

    McIvor had cancelled several recent gigs as he underwent testing. He added: “I am currently trying to process this news and prioritising spending precious time with the people I love.”

    Optimo, with McIvor alongside Jonnie Wilkes (AKA JG Wilkes), are icons of Scottish and indeed British dance music culture, with their punkish and passionate attitude to DJing resulting in sets of astonishing power. Hopping from techno to disco, industrial to soft rock, their sets cover huge stylistic ground, and their weekly Optimo Espacio residency at Glasgow’s Sub Club between 1997 and 2010 became a pilgrimage for global dance fans.

    McIvor, left, with Jonnie Wilkes AKA JG Wilkes. Photograph: Ross Giilmore

    The pair are musicians in their own right, creating ambitious remixes for artists including Florence + the Machine and Manic Street Preachers; McIvor also remixed the likes of Primal Scream, Hot Chip and Nightmares on Wax.

    Optimo also created acclaimed DJ mix albums such as How to Kill the DJ (Part 2), Optimo Present Psyche Out and an entry in the mix series by London nightclub Fabric. They also founded a label, Optimo Music, which spawned various spinoff labels.

    McIvor posted a link to a messageboard for fans to share messages of support.


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  • Optimo DJ diagnosed with untreatable brain tumour

    Optimo DJ diagnosed with untreatable brain tumour

    Getty Images A man DJing behind decks - he has a beard and thin hair Getty Images

    Keith McIvor, aka JD Twitch, posted news of the diagnosis on social media.

    One half of legendary Glasgow clubbing duo Optimo has revealed he has been diagnosed with an untreatable brain tumour.

    Keith McIvor, aka JD Twitch, posted news of the diagnosis on social media.

    Along with Jonnie Wilkes he ran Optimo Espacio – one of the city’s most loved club nights – for 13 years between 1997 and 2010 at the Sub Club venue.

    McIvor said it had been an honour to make a living doing something he loved.

    He wrote: “Following extensive tests I’ve been diagnosed with a brain tumour and I have been told my condition is untreatable.

    “As you can imagine, I am currently trying to process this news and prioritising spending precious time with the people I love.”

    The DJ added the diagnosis had progressed rapidly, and his health had worsened very quickly.

    He said he truly appreciated “everyone’s love and concern, it means the world to me” and that he trusted Wilkes would continue making music under the Optimo name.

    He wrote: “Jonnie and I have been lucky enough to play our music at countless clubs and festivals throughout the world and it has been one of the greatest honours of my life to make a career out of something I love.

    “We have connected with so many beautiful souls through our shared passion for music.”

    Wilkes to continue Optimo Espacio

    McIvor was originally from Edinburgh but moved to Glasgow to attend university, which was when he began to DJ.

    In Edinburgh he established famed night Pure in the 1990s, before setting up Optimo in 1997 with his friend Wilkes, who uses the name JD Wilkes when performing.

    The night was known for its eclectic music and proved hugely popular, while the pair continued to tour and release music after the club night concluded.

    Wilkes wrote on social media it was “painful to put into words” how he felt.

    He said: “Keith and I have been through so much together in our 28-year partnership. We are connected in a way that perhaps only he and I can understand.

    “I do know however, that if you ever heard us play together then you will have realised how deep that connection is.

    “I love you Keith. You inspired me like nobody else could and I’m so proud of what we’ve done together.

    “I will continue Optimo (Espacio) with you always in my heart. The music will speak for both of us. Your anarchic spirit and your ferocious energy is all around me.”

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  • Foolproof arrangements for Muharram, over 49000 Police personnel deployed for security measures: Sharjeel Memon

    Foolproof arrangements for Muharram, over 49000 Police personnel deployed for security measures: Sharjeel Memon

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    KARACHI, Jul 03 (APP):Sindh Senior Minister and Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon, on Thursday said that the Sindh government has adopted foolproof security arrangements for Muharram.

    He stated that the Chief Minister of Sindh held meetings with scholars from various schools of thought and reviewed the security plan for gatherings and processions during the mourning period.

    Memon added that 14,546 police personnel will be deployed for gatherings and 35,116 for Muharram processions, with over 14,000 additional personnel assigned to ensure the security of all events.

    Addressing a press conference in Karachi, Sindh Senior Minister and Provincial Minister for Information, Transport, and Mass Transit, Sharjeel Inam Memon announced that a total of 49,662 police personnel will be deployed across Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas, and Shaheed Benazirabad from the 8th to 10th of Muharram to prevent any untoward incidents.

    Sharjeel Memon stated that the Commissioner of Karachi had issued a notification on April 15, 2025, imposing a ban on the movement of rickshaws on 11 major highways in the city. He clarified that the ban does not apply to all of Karachi but is limited to specific main roads. This measure, he added, has been implemented under the Sindh Motor Vehicle Ordinance, 1965.

    He stated that it is the administrative authority of the government to regulate traffic and ensure convenience for citizens. He also questioned whether rickshaws operate on major highways in any other part of the country.

    Speaking about the education sector, SharjeelMemon said that the Sindh government has recruited 93,118 teachers across the province, including 58,613 men and 31,075 women. He added that 2,100 teachers were appointed under the minority quota, while 1,330 positions were filled by individuals with special abilities.

    He said that the recruitment process carried out through the IBA test with complete transparency, leaving no room for criticism. As a result of these measures, 5,000 previously closed schools have been reopened. Currently, 5.5 million children are enrolled in government schools across Sindh, 4 million in private schools, and 1 million in Sindh Education Foundation schools.

    Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon further stated that the Sindh government has taken revolutionary steps in key sectors such as health, energy, infrastructure, and climate change. He noted that after the devastating floods of 2022, the government successfully began achieving its target of constructing 2.1 million houses. He also emphasized that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari raised his voice on climate change at the global level, while the Sindh government undertook extensive mangrove plantation efforts to promote environmental protection.

    Sharjeel Memon remarked that Ali Amin Gandapur does not require an opposition, as he acts as his own opposition. He criticized the deteriorating law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, adding that the Chief Minister is focused on making threats to attack Islamabad while remaining oblivious to the pressing issues within his own province.

    He said that Jamaat-e-Islami has never fulfilled its responsibilities in Karachi and has consistently engaged in the politics of sedition. He said that while the Sindh government tolerates criticism, it will not allow anyone to dictate its policies. He added that the government had also proposed allocating a large designated area for protests to ensure that public life remains unaffected.

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  • Baker McKenzie Luxembourg: Moving to La Cloche d’Or by 2027 | Newsroom

    Baker McKenzie Luxembourg: Moving to La Cloche d’Or by 2027 | Newsroom

    We are proud to announce that Baker McKenzie Luxembourg will relocate to the exceptional ekxo building in June 2027.

    Developed by IKO Real Estate and located in the vibrant Cloche d’Or district, ekxo is the first timber-structured office building in the area. With its bold architecture, advanced environmental performance and strategic location, ekxo reflects our commitment to sustainability, innovation and the wellbeing of our people.
    Designed to meet the highest environmental and wellness standards — including BREEAM® Outstanding and WELL Building Standard® Gold certifications — ekxo offers a forward-thinking and inspiring workplace for the future.

    Jean-François Findling, managing partner of Baker McKenzie Luxembourg, remarked:
    We chose ekxo for the quality of its environment, its environmental commitment, its representative architecture, and its ability to support our growth in the Luxembourg market. This building perfectly reflects our values and our ambition to offer our people and clients an inspiring, sustainable, and highly professional workplace.

    A signature building with strategic and symbolic influence

    Designed and developed by IKO Real Estate, ekxo stands as a bold architectural landmark, embodying the alliance of modernity, sustainability and prestige. Its iconic metal exoskeleton, visible from the district’s main thoroughfares, gives it a strong visual identity and a distinctive presence in Luxembourg’s urban landscape.

    A strategic location in a forward-looking district

    Ideally located on the corner of boulevard Raiffeisen and rue Robert Stumper, ekxo is just a few minutes from the city center, Luxembourg-Gare and the international airport. It benefits from optimal accessibility by public transport and soft mobility.

    A model of environmental and technological excellence

    Developed by IKO Real Estate and designed by Baumschlager Eberle Architekten, ekxo stands out for its environmental commitment and energy performance, with AAA energy class construction and the following certifications:
    • BREEAM® Outstanding certification
    • WELL Building Standard® Gold certification
    • Carbon Footprint Optimized certification
    As the first wood-structured office building in the Cloche d’Or district, ekxo offers a working environment designed for the wellbeing, health and sustainable performance of its users.

    The move is the fruit of close collaboration with INOWAI, whose expertise enabled us to align Baker McKenzie’s expectations with ekxo’s distinctive strengths.

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  • Microsoft exits Pakistan after 25 years

    Microsoft exits Pakistan after 25 years

    July 03, 2025 (MLN): In a significant development for Pakistan’s tech landscape, Microsoft has officially closed its operations in the country, bringing an end to a 25-year chapter for the global software giant.

    The last few remaining employees were formally informed of the shutdown, marking a quiet yet emotional close to an era that began in June 2000 with the launch of Microsoft Pakistan.

    Jawwad Rehman, the founding Country Manager who led Microsoft’s early journey in Pakistan, shared his reflections in a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter), calling it “the most rewarding journey” of his personal and professional life.

    “It wasn’t just a job… it was a calling,” Rehman wrote. He led the company for seven years, helping assemble a talented team, serve customers, and build key partnerships that supported Pakistan’s digital transformation.

    Rehman described the mission as “bold and hope-filled,” adding that the experience had “shaped me, stretched me, and helped define who I am today.”

    Copyright Mettis Link News

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  • Scientists just simulated the “impossible” — fault-tolerant quantum code cracked at last

    Scientists just simulated the “impossible” — fault-tolerant quantum code cracked at last

    Quantum computers still face a major hurdle on their pathway to practical use cases: their limited ability to correct the arising computational errors. To develop truly reliable quantum computers, researchers must be able to simulate quantum computations using conventional computers to verify their correctness – a vital yet extraordinarily difficult task. Now, in a world-first, researchers from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, the University of Milan, the University of Granada, and the University of Tokyo have unveiled a method for simulating specific types of error-corrected quantum computations – a significant leap forward in the quest for robust quantum technologies.

    Quantum computers have the potential to solve complex problems that no supercomputer today can handle. In the foreseeable future, quantum technology’s computing power is expected to revolutionise fundamental ways of solving problems in medicine, energy, encryption, AI, and logistics.

    Despite these promises, the technology faces a major challenge: the need for correcting the errors arising in a quantum computation. While conventional computers also experience errors, these can be quickly and reliably corrected using well-established techniques before they can cause problems. In contrast, quantum computers are subject to far more errors, which are additionally harder to detect and correct. Quantum systems are still not fault-tolerant and therefore not yet fully reliable.

    To verify the accuracy of a quantum computation, researchers simulate – or mimic – the calculations using conventional computers. One particularly important type of quantum computation that researchers are therefore interested in simulating is one that can withstand disturbances and effectively correct errors. However, the immense complexity of quantum computations makes such simulations extremely demanding – so much so that, in some cases, even the world’s best conventional supercomputer would take the age of the universe to reproduce the result.

    Researchers from Chalmers University of Technology, the University of Milan, the University of Granada and the University of Tokyo have now become the first in the world to present a method for accurately simulating a certain type of quantum computation that is particularly suitable for error correction, but which thus far has been very difficult to simulate. The breakthrough tackles a long-standing challenge in quantum research.

    “We have discovered a way to simulate a specific type of quantum computation where previous methods have not been effective. This means that we can now simulate quantum computations with an error correction code used for fault tolerance, which is crucial for being able to build better and more robust quantum computers in the future,” says Cameron Calcluth, PhD in Applied Quantum Physics at Chalmers and first author of a study recently published in Physical Review Letters.

    Error-correcting quantum computations – demanding yet crucial

    The limited ability of quantum computers to correct errors stems from their fundamental building blocks – qubits – which have the potential for immense computational power but are also highly sensitive. The computational power of quantum computers relies on the quantum mechanical phenomenon of superposition, meaning qubits can simultaneously hold the values 1 and 0, as well as all intermediate states, in any combination. The computational capacity increases exponentially with each additional qubit, but the trade-off is their extreme susceptibility to disturbances.

    “The slightest noise from the surroundings in the form of vibrations, electromagnetic radiation, or a change in temperature can cause the qubits to miscalculate or even lose their quantum state, their coherence, thereby also losing their capacity to continue calculating,” says Calcluth.

    To address this issue, error correction codes are used to distribute information across multiple subsystems, allowing errors to be detected and corrected without destroying the quantum information. One way is to encode the quantum information of a qubit into the multiple – possibly infinite – energy levels of a vibrating quantum mechanical system. This is called a bosonic code. However, simulating quantum computations with bosonic codes is particularly challenging because of the multiple energy levels, and researchers have been unable to reliably simulate them using conventional computers – until now.

    New mathematical tool key in the researchers’ solution

    The method developed by the researchers consists of an algorithm capable of simulating quantum computations that use a type of bosonic code known as the Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill (GKP) code. This code is commonly used in leading implementations of quantum computers.

    “The way it stores quantum information makes it easier for quantum computers to correct errors, which in turn makes them less sensitive to noise and disturbances. Due to their deeply quantum mechanical nature, GKP codes have been extremely difficult to simulate using conventional computers. But now we have finally found a unique way to do this much more effectively than with previous methods,” says Giulia Ferrini, Associate Professor of Applied Quantum Physics at Chalmers and co-author of the study.

    The researchers managed to use the code in their algorithm by creating a new mathematical tool. Thanks to the new method, researchers can now more reliably test and validate a quantum computer’s calculations.

    “This opens up entirely new ways of simulating quantum computations that we have previously been unable to test but are crucial for being able to build stable and scalable quantum computers,” says Ferrini.

    More about the research

    The article Classical simulation of circuits with realistic odd-dimensional Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill states has been published in Physical Review Letters. The authors are Cameron Calcluth, Giulia Ferrini, Oliver Hahn, Juani Bermejo-Vega and Alessandro Ferraro. The researchers are active at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, the University of Milan, Italy, the University of Granada, Spain, and the University of Tokyo, Japan.

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  • First zero-temp symmetry break hits 80% fidelity in quantum test

    First zero-temp symmetry break hits 80% fidelity in quantum test

    An international collaboration of researchers from China, Spain, Denmark, and Brazil has successfully simulated spontaneous symmetry breaking (SSB) at zero temperature using a superconducting quantum processor.

    A first-time achievement, this is a major milestone for condensed physics and showcases additional quantum computing applications, which have seen rapid progress in recent years. 

    SSB is a concept seen across all areas of physics and is critical in the emergence of complex structures. SSB helps us explain the laws of conservation better, and much of physics is centered around breaking symmetries. Researchers are keen to observe SSB at temperatures close to absolute zero. 

    However, it is difficult to achieve physically, since the material system reaches a state of immobility. This is where simulations can help. Classical computers have been used to perform such simulations, but with limited success. The temperatures in these simulations are always above absolute zero and take a long time to process. 

    Leveraging quantum computing properties of entanglement and superposition, researchers were confident they could overcome these challenges of classical computing. 

    Where quantum computing excels

    In theory, a classic or quantum computer is capable of carrying out simulations for SSB at zero temperature. However, the difference between their computations is in the time they will take to conclude. 

    While a classic computer attempts to solve this problem linearly, a quantum computer takes multiple approaches at once to arrive at the final answer, exponentially increasing the pace of computation. Researchers compare this to opening a lock with many keys in hand. 

    While a classic computer attempts to unlock using one key at a time, a quantum computer uses several keys simultaneously in its unlocking attempts. This is referred to as superposition. 

    How did the researchers do it? 

    The collaboration, consisting of scientists from the Institute of Fundamental Physics in Spain, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar) in Brazil, Aarhus University in Denmark, and the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, China, used superconducting qubits based on aluminum and niobium alloys that operate around temperatures of one millikelvin. 

    Schematic representation of the spin systems considered in the study, showing the initial configuration (classical antiferromagnetic phase) and final configuration (entangled ferromagnetic quantum phase) of the system during its digitized evolution over time. Image credit: Alan Santos

    The experiment consisted of a quantum circuit composed of seven qubits that allowed interaction only with immediate neighbors, and then applied an algorithm to simulate zero temperature evolution, a press release said. 

    The system began in a classical antiferromagnetic state where particles had spins in opposite directions. It then evolved into a ferromagnetic quantum state in which particles pointed in the same direction and established quantum relations. This phase transition can be attributed to SSB, researcher Alan Santos, who was involved with the work, said in the press release. 

    The entanglement was also confirmed using measurements of Rényi entropy, which can help quantify subsystem entanglement. 

    “The crucial point was simulating dynamics at zero temperature. There had already been previous studies on this type of transition, but always at temperatures other than zero. What we showed was that, by setting the temperature to zero, it’s possible to observe symmetry breaking even in local particle interactions, between first neighbors,” said Santos in the press release. 

    The research findings were published in the journal Nature Communications.  

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  • FaceTime in iOS 26 will stop video calls if someone is undressing

    FaceTime in iOS 26 will stop video calls if someone is undressing

    For many people living in the post-physical-office era, it’s the ultimate nightmare: Being in a video call only to realize there’s something utterly inappropriate going on in your background. Or foreground.

    A new FaceTime feature in iOS 26, highlighted by iDeviceHelp, puts an end to at least some of the possibly unpleasant scenarios, as it pauses the video if someone is undressing during a FaceTime call.

    The video for other participants will be paused, and you’ll see a message saying “Audio and video are paused because you may be showing something sensitive. If you feel uncomfortable, you should end the call.” Two possible options are presented: Resume Audio and Video, or End Call.

    Mashable Light Speed

    As 9to5Mac noted, Apple actually announced something similar last month, as part of new family tools that are coming for child accounts.

    “Communication Safety expands to intervene when nudity is detected in FaceTime video calls, and to blur out nudity in Shared Albums in Photos,” said Apple in an announcement at the time.

    SEE ALSO:

    Apple is now on Threads

    It appears, however, that this has been expanded to all users. The feature is currently live in the iOS 26 developer beta; we’ll see if it sticks once the iOS 26 public beta launches, which should happen sometime in July.


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