Science and technology

TikTok has released its Q2 2024 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report, shedding light on the platform’s proactive approach to content moderation in Pakistan. This quarterly report provides transparency into the content and accounts removed during the reporting period, for violating the platform’s Community Guidelines. The report reveals that over 30,709,744 videos were removed from TikTok in Pakistan, in the latest reporting period, as the platform continues to strengthen its content moderation systems to safeguard its diverse community. Key findings show that 99.5% of these videos were proactively removed before users reported them, with 97% taken down within 24 hours. These figures highlight TikTok’s commitment to staying ahead of harmful content, ensuring a safer platform for Pakistani users. With over a billion people and millions of pieces of content posted on TikTok every day, the platform continues to prioritise and enhance automated moderation technology. In Q2 2024, the p

Meta-owned messaging platform WhatsApp has introduced a low-light mode feature to help users attend video calls in low-light conditions. WhatsApp’s low-light video calling mode can enhance video calls in low-light conditions. The feature will automatically improve the lighting in a video and provide better illumination to a face. How to use low light mode on WhatsApp? How to enable low-light video calling mode on WhatsApp Step 1: Launch WhatsApp on your device Step 2: Select a contact of your choice and place a video call Step 3: Ensure your screen is set to a full-screen mode Step 4: You will see a ‘Bulb’ icon on the bottom of your screen; tap on it Step 5: With this, your video should be better illuminated for your contact Step 6: To disable, follow the same steps and tap on the Bulb icon The new feature is available on both iOS and Android versions of the application but hasn’t made its way to the web app just yet. Earlier, WhatsApp has begun rolling out chat-specific t

Huawei Cloud is demonstrating its commitment to intelligent upgrades and cloud innovations at GITEX 2024 in Dubai, focusing on AI-driven, industry-specific solutions for sectors like government, finance, media, and e-commerce. GITEX Global 2024 is being held at Dubai World Trade Centre from October 14-18. Visit Huawei’s booths located in B10 and B20 of Hall 22. “Huawei Cloud brings global digital transformation best practices to the region with AI-native cloud services like databases, big data, data governance, software development, and AI,” said Alan Qi, President of Huawei Cloud Middle East and Central Asia. “We partner with industry leaders to create solutions for government, electricity, finance, media, e-commerce, and retail, promoting digital and intelligent transformation. Additionally, we connect local industries with global enterprises to foster innovation through peer exchanges and successful practices.” The company’s “Everything-as-a-Service” strategy aligns with

Disney has announced its new PC and console video game to continue the story of Arq Grid, first introduced in 2023’s puzzle game “Tron: Identity.” The studio plans to launch the game titled, “Disney Tron: Catalyst” next year as Disney continues to boost its video game lineup, according to a report by Variety . Digital’s Big Fan Games, Bithell Games and Disney Games have collaborated to develop the game described as “a thrilling, story-driven isometric action game” that continues the story of Arq Grid. Per the game’s official description, “In ‘Disney Tron: Catalyst’, players are introduced to Exo, a highly resilient and resourceful program with an incredible ability to initiate time loops. With this newfound power, Exo takes on the overlords of a crumbling Grid all while evading Conn, a malevolent agent of CORE. Exo must gain control over her mysterious abilities and uncover the unexplained ‘Glitch’ that threatens the Grid. As Exo, players will battle on-foot and on Light Cycle to c

Global warming, also known as climate change, refers to the long-term rise in Earth’s average surface temperature due to human activities that release greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun, causing the planet to warm. Human activities responsible for global warming include burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas), deforestation, land use changes, and industrial processes. The burning of fossil fuels accounts for approximately 65% of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. Global warming is a pressing issue that affects us all. While it may seem daunting, individual actions can play a significant role in mitigating its effects. Here’s a guide to help you make a difference: 1. Power Down, Not Out Unplug electronics: Even when turned off, many devices continue to draw power. Unplug them when not in use. Use energy-efficient appliances: Opt for appliances with ENERGY STAR ratings. Switch to LED bulbs: These bulb

As fans await development on Rockstar Games’ upcoming Grand Theft Auto (GTA) 6, an old leak has resurfaced revealing an exciting gameplay feature. Rockstar Games’s parent company Take-Two Interactive faced a massive leak in 2022 when hackers leaked footage of GTA 6. The unprecedented leak included dozens of videos showing robberies, gameplay and open-world driving and was posted on an online message board. Now, fans have detected an old Reddit post claiming there is “potential co-op gameplay” based on the GTA 6 leaks. A Redditor, going by the name of Tobbelobben30, claimed that he found what appears to be a ‘Player Action Manager’ in the leaks. “Some of the actions spotted were ‘Downed Self Revive’, ‘Downed Self Suicide’, ‘Buddy Comms’ and ‘Buddy Ping’. The presence of ‘Downed Self Revive’ and ‘Downed Self Suicide’ actions suggests that a character can be downed in some way,” the user said. Read more: GTA 6: Rockstar’s ex-developer reveals likely release date for PC “The idea o

Is there anywhere else in our solar system that could support life? An imposing NASA probe is due to lift off on Monday on a five-and-a-half-year journey to Europa, one of Jupiter’s many moons, to take the first detailed step toward finding out. The Europa Clipper mission will allow the US space agency to uncover new details about the moon, which scientists believe could hold an ocean of liquid water beneath its icy surface. Liftoff is scheduled for “no earlier than” Monday, October 14, from Cape Canaveral in Florida aboard a powerful SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, NASA said in a statement. “Europa is one of the most promising places to look for life beyond Earth,” said NASA official Gina DiBraccio at a news conference last month. The mission will not look directly for signs of life but will instead look to answer the question: Does Europa contain the ingredients that would allow life to be present? If it does, another mission would then have to make the journey to try and detect it

A latest leak regarding the new Pokemon’s Gen 10, a multiplayer game, has revealed the codename for the Nintendo Switch 2 gaming console. The leak, doing rounds on social media and gaming websites, has revealed that Nintendo Switch 2 is being referred to internally as “Ounce,” a name used in the past for Nintendo Switch. According to the leak, the Gen 10 Pokemon game is in development for the next Nintendo Switch. The leak targeted at Game Freak, the developer of Pokemon, has been confirmed by multiple Switch 2 and Pokemon-focused X accounts. Details about the developer’s upcoming games have also been leaked as it was reported that Gen 10, a multiplayer Pokemon game, is the source code for Pokemon Black 2 and Pokemon White 2. While reports had earlier suggested that Nintendo is reportedly looking to release Switch 2 in early 2025, fans are now expecting that the gaming console might be announced in October after its images and specs leaked online. Read more: Nintendo reveals ‘my

While Rockstar Games has said that it plans to release Grand Theft Auto (GTA) 6 in Fall 2025, fans have been speculating a delay in the release date. Take-Two Interactive earlier this year announced that GTA 6 will arrive in the Fall of 2025 . Later, Rockstar Games announced that GTA 6 would be released for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, however, it fell short of announcing a release date for a PC version. Now, Obbe Vermeij who worked on GTA 4, has suggested that PC gamers will get their hands on the sixth title of the Grand Theft Auto series in 2024. His statement came after a fan going by the X handle @BillNye886566, said: “If it releases in 2025 or 2026, it makes no difference because I have a PC.” Replying to the users, Vermeij wrote: “2027 for you I’m afraid.” Fans of Rockstar Games’ hotly anticipated game were left disappointed after another social media post of Obbe Vermeij resurfaced. The former developer warned that GTA 6 could be delayed as the studio does not have

Google has asked a California federal judge to pause his sweeping court order requiring it to open up its app store Play to greater competition. In a court filing on Friday night, Google said U.S. District Judge James Donato’s injunction order, which goes into effect on Nov. 1, would harm the company and introduce “serious safety, security, and privacy risks into the Android ecosystem.” Google, a unit of Alphabet, asked Donato to stay the order while it pursues an appeal. The judge issued the injunction on Oct. 7 in a case brought by “Fortnite” maker Epic Games, which persuaded a federal jury last year that Google was illegally monopolizing how consumers download apps on Android devices and how they pay for in-app transactions. The judge’s order said Google must allow users to download competing third-party Android app platforms or stores and can no longer prohibit the use of competing in-app payment methods. It also bars Google from making payments to device makers to preinstall

In a long-awaited update, WhatsApp has begun rolling out chat-specific theme support for its Android beta users. This feature allows users to customize the appearance of individual conversations with a range of options. Key Features: – 20 color options – Over 22 textured themes – Automatic matching message colors – Customizable wallpapers – Private themes for each conversation participant Exclusive to Android Beta (For Now) While this update is currently limited to Android beta users, it’s expected to roll out to all WhatsApp users in the coming months. The introduction of chat-specific themes brings WhatsApp in line with Facebook Messenger, which has offered similar customization options for some time. As WhatsApp continues to refine its features, users can expect a more personalized and engaging messaging experience. WhatsApp’s focus on privacy and customization comes amidst growing competition from rival messaging apps. With over 2 billion monthly active users, WhatsApp

Nintendo is set to perform a mystery online playtest for a new feature ahead of the launching its hotly-anticipated of Switch 2. The Kyoto-based gaming company has revealed that the test will begin on October 23 and run through November 5, a gaming website reported. Those who have an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership will be able to sign up for the test, however, they will have to be at least 18 years of age. Those wishing to join the test must have their Nintendo accounts registered in Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, or Spain. Fans have since been speculating about the purpose of the Test and its relation to the upcoming Switch 2. Nintendo raised eyebrows after it asked players to keep the contents of the test secret. The documents sent to players read: “We request that you do not discuss or disclose content from either the Nintendo Switch Online: Playtest Program test software or website with others.” Read more: Ni

Ubisoft has shared a major update about its popular title Assassin’s Creed Mirage, weeks after delaying its upcoming title. The developer has announced that Assassin’s Creed Mirage is officially coming to Steam on October 17. The development came after Ubisoft announced that it would be launching its new releases back to Steam on day one. Accordingly, the publisher is now working on bringing older titles, such as Assassin’s Creed Mirage, to Steam. Ubisoft shocked fans last month when it announced that it has delayed the upcoming title Assassin’s Creed Shadows. The developer revealed its plans to release the game in February 2025 while it was initially scheduled for a release on November 15. In a statement on September 25, the developer said that the weak performance for the new game “Star Wars Outlaws” and lower than-expected profit in the most recent quarter were among the reasons behind the delay in the release date. “While the game is feature complete, the learnings from the

As fans await the release of Grand Theft Auto (GTA) 6, a movie based on the game is set to be released next year, however, it is not quite what fans would expect. The entire movie, titled “Grand Theft Hamlet,” takes place inside the Rockstar Games’ GTA Online, a gaming website reported. It is worth mentioning here that Rockstar Games or its parent company Take-Two Interactive has no association with the movie. The film, a fan-made documentary, recorded in the virtual world of Los Santos has already made its debut at in-person events like SXSW. MUBI, a streaming platform, has acquired distribution rights for the documentary and has announced its plans to debut it online in early 2025. According to reports, ‘Grand Theft Hamlet’ has been inspired by the William Shakespeare play and will follow the lives of Sam and Mark during the Covid pandemic. The duo would be seen attempting to recreate Hamlet within GTA Online as they steal cars, shoot strangers, or take a breather in serene lo

The announcement of the Loss and Damage Fund (LDF) at the 2022 UN Climate Change Conference (COP 27) in Egypt was a significant diplomatic victory for Pakistan, as was its formalisation at COP28 last year in the United Arab Emirates. In the last two years, Loss and Damage (L&D) – referring to irreversible costs of climate change beyond ecosystems’ adaptive capacities – has emerged as a central focus of L&D finance, even if it has yet to become operational. Regrettably, the allocated funds remain woefully inadequate, amounting to approximately USD 700 million against an estimated need of USD 290-580 billion by 2030. To fully leverage the potential of L&D, countries like Pakistan have to understand the two foundational mechanisms which preceded the LDF: the Warsaw International Mechanism (WIM) and the Santiago Network. Together, these three mechanisms form the core architecture for enabling developing countries to respond to Loss and Damage. WIM and the Santiago Network are

Elon Musk showcased a robotaxi with two gull-wing doors and no steering wheel or pedals at a splashy event on Thursday and added a robovan to the roster as Tesla’s (TSLA.O), opens new tab goal shifts from low-priced mass-market automaker to robotics manufacturer. Musk reached the stage in a “Cybercab” which he said will go into production in 2026 and be priced less than $30,000. He said operation will cost 20 cents a mile over time and charging will be inductive, requiring no plugs. He said the cars rely on artificial intelligence and cameras and do not need other hardware such as what robotaxi rivals use – an approach investors and analysts have flagged as challenging both from a technical and regulatory stand point. “The autonomous future is here,” Musk said. “We have 50 fully autonomous cars here tonight. You’ll see model Ys and the Cybercab. All driverless. Musk also showcased a larger, self-driving vehicle – called Robovan – capable of carrying up to 20 people, and showed off

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) said it planned to start mass production of a new version of its artificial-intelligence chip called the MI325X in the fourth quarter of the year, as it seeks to beef up its AI chips in a market dominated by Nvidia. The announcements made on Thursday at an AMD event in San Francisco come as demand for AI processors from major technology firms, including Microsoft and Meta Platforms, far exceeds their availability. Santa Clara, California-based AMD said vendors such as Super Micro Computer would begin to ship its new AI chip to customers in the first quarter of 2025. The AMD design aims to compete with Nvidia’s Blackwell architecture. The MI325X chip uses the same architecture as the already-available MI300X, which AMD launched last year. The new chip includes a new type of memory that AMD said will speed AI calculations. AMD shares were trading slightly lower during the event. AMD also announced several networking chips that help speed moving data be

Grand Theft Auto (GTA) 6 fans begin hoping for new updates as Rockstar Games’ parent company Take-Two Interactive revealed the date for its next earnings call. After releasing the reveal trailer in December 2023, Rockstar Games or its parent company have not released any media or details about the game. The trailer for the highly-anticipated game showed that GTA 6 will be set in a fictional Vice City, reminiscent of Miami, and will feature the first playable female character in the franchise. While Take-Two Interactive earlier this year announced that GTA 6 will arrive in the Fall of 2025, fears of a delay grow as fans await any official statement or media from the developer. Now, fans have received a new update from the company which has them hoping that they will get some new media or update about the game. Take-Two Interactive has announced that it hold its next earnings call on November 6. It is worth mentioning here that just ahead of the earnings call for the same quarter

Meta-owned messaging app WhatsApp is introducing a new beta update for Android version 2.24.21.3, which will protect its users from getting deceived by fake images. The new feature will help users verify the authenticity of images they receive, making it easier to identify misleading or fake content. The feature works by uploading the image to Google, enabling users to find similar images or related sources online for quick verification. WhatsApp assures that user privacy will be maintained as the images will remain private and secure, with no storage or processing by WhatsApp itself. However, a beta version of feature is already available for users of the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.21.31 update, which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store. The update will allow users to search any image they receive, whether from friends or forwarded messages, directly on the web to verify its authenticity. In addition to image searches, WhatsApp is also developing a feature to verif

Tech giant Apple is reportedly gearing up to launch the highly anticipated iPad Mini 7 this month, three years after the release of its predecessor. According to recent leaks, the new tablet will be powered by Apple’s latest A18 chip, offering enhanced performance and AI features. Rumored specifications of the iPad Mini 7 include: 8.3-inch display with same design as the sixth generation Front camera relocated to landscape edge for improved video calls HDR 4 support and wider aperture for upgraded camera capabilities Support for Apple Pencil Pro with features like squeeze gestures and haptic feedback Potential price tag around Rs 50,000 The iPad Mini 7 is expected to be unveiled alongside the new MacBook Pro with M4 chip at an Apple event this month. The starting price of the WiFi variant is anticipated to be similar to its predecessor, which launched in India at Rs 46,900. Industry insiders suggest the upgraded tablet will provide users with enhanced Siri capabilities, i

Grand Theft Auto (GTA) 6 developer Rockstar Games has dropped a major update about its critically acclaimed game Red Dead Redemption. Released on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 around 14 years ago, Red Dead Redemption was never released on PC. However, Rockstar Games has now announced releasing the fan-favourite game for PC on October 29. “In collaboration with Double Eleven, this new version brings John Marston’s beloved journey to PC in stunning, new detail,” the GTA 6 developer said in a statement. The developer released a new trailer and tech specs for a PC version of 2010’s Western classic. The PC version of Red Dead Redemption will be available at the Rockstar Store, Steam, and the Epic Games Store, while information about the purchase will be revealed later this week. Read more: GTA 6: Rockstar Games confirms gameplay, mission details leaks The developer has introduced new enhancements including native 4K resolution (up to 144Hz), upscaling technology support for Nvidia DLSS

Rocksteady Studios, developer of “Batman: Arkham Origins” and “Gotham Knights” is reportedly working on a new game based on DC Comics. While Warner Bros. has not made an official announcement about the game, a new job ad at WB Games Montréal has revealed more information about the plans for a new game. The description of the job ad reads: “WB Games Montréal, a division of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (WBIE) is looking for a Senior Producer to join its Game Development team, working on AAA titles set in the DC Comics Universe.” WB Games later removed the part where it says ‘working on AAA titles set in the DC Comics Universe,’ from the description, however, it was enough for fans to begin speculating that the studio was working on a new game. Rumours had it that the game might be related to the Batman series as WB Games Montréal has been involved with ‘Batman: Arkham Origins’ and ‘Gotham Knights.’ Read more: James Gunn’s ‘Superman: Legacy’ gets a title change It is to b

STOCKHOLM: Americans David Baker and John Jumper, together with Briton Demis Hassabis, shared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry on Wednesday for work revealing the secrets of proteins through computing and artificial intelligence. The three were honoured for cracking the code of the structure of proteins, the building blocks of life, with the jury hailing their work as holding “enormous potential” in a range of fields. Biochemist Baker, 62, was given half the award “for computational protein design”, while Hassabis and Jumper shared the other half “for protein structure prediction,” the Nobel committee said. “David Baker has succeeded with the almost impossible feat of building entirely new kinds of proteins,” it said in a statement. The committee added that his work has led to the creation of proteins that “can be used as pharmaceuticals, vaccines, nanomaterials and tiny sensors.” Hassabis and Jumper developed an AI model “to solve a 50-year-old problem: predicting proteins’ complex

“Assassin’s Creed” franchise developer Ubisoft is reportedly working on multiple games for the next five years amid reports of buyout plans. Days earlier, reports emerged that Tencent and the family of Ubisoft co-founder and CEO Yves Guillemot were exploring a buyout of the developer following a shocking delay of “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” and the dismal performance of ‘Star Wars Outlaws.’ Now, Metro UK reported that the developer was reportedly nearing completion of a remake of “Black Flag.” The report surfaced after Ubisoft last month announced that ‘Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ had been delayed to February 14 next year. Further, the developer announced departing from its longstanding tradition of the Season Pass model. Instead, it said that all players will be able to enjoy the game at the same time on February 14, 2025. Reports said that Ubisoft is planning to release multiple games over the next five years, including a remake of 2013’s ‘Black Flag.’ Insider Gaming, in a repo

STOCKHOLM: American John Hopfield and British-Canadian Geoffrey Hinton won the Nobel Prize in Physics on Tuesday for pioneering work in the development of artificial intelligence. The pair were honoured “for foundational discoveries and inventions that enable machine learning with artificial neural networks,” the jury said. “These artificial neural networks have been used to advance research across physics topics as diverse as particle physics, material science and astrophysics,” Ellen Moons, chair of the Nobel Committee for Physics, told a press conference. Moons also noted that these tools have also become part of our daily lives, including in facial recognition and language translation. While lauding the potential of AI, Moons noted that “its rapid development has also raised concerns about our future collectively.” “Humans carry the responsibility for using this new technology in a safe and ethical way,” she said. Hopfield, a 91-year-old professor at Princeton University, wa

Canva, founded in 2013 by Melanie Perkins, Cliff Obrecht, Buebe Lamaz, and Cameron Adams, has transformed the digital design landscape, making it accessible to everyone regardless of design background. Canva’s intuitive drag-and-drop interface simplifies the design process, ideal for both beginners and professionals. With its collaborative features and vast template library, Canva has become a go-to tool for creating professional-quality designs quickly and efficiently. The platform’s ease of use and affordability have made it an attractive option for individuals and businesses alike. Canva’s broad appeal stems from its ability to cater to diverse audiences, from non-designers to professionals. Its simplicity makes it ideal for small business owners, educators, and freelancers, while its robust features attract graphic designers seeking efficiency and time-saving shortcuts. In comparison to industry stalwarts like Photoshop and GIMP, Canva excels in ease of use, accessibility, a

Developer Creative Assembly has announced working on a sequel to its popular horror game “Alien: Isolation.” The announcement was made by creative director Al Hope in a statement on X as fans celebrate the survival horror classic’s 10th birthday, a gaming website reported. “On the 10th anniversary, it seems only fitting to let you know that we have heard your distress calls loud and clear. Today, I’m delighted to confirm, on behalf of the team, that a sequel to Alien: Isolation is in early development. We look forward to sharing more details with you when we’re ready,” he wrote in the post. While Al Hope did not reveal many details regarding the sequel to ‘Alien: Isolation,’ he said that the development team of the game would share more details when they are ready. It is to be noted that ‘Alien: Isolation’ sold one million copies within three months after its release, and 2.11 million after six months. Creative Assembly did not consider the figures enough to call it a commercial

Powerful criminal networks in Southeast Asia extensively use the messaging app Telegram which has enabled a fundamental change in the way organised crime can conduct large-scale illicit activity, the United Nations said in a report on Monday. The report represents the latest allegations to be levied against the controversial encrypted app since France, using a tough new law with no international equivalent, charged its boss Pavel Durov for allowing criminal activity on the platform. Hacked data including credit card details, passwords and browser history are openly traded on a vast scale on the app which has sprawling channels with little moderation, the report by the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said. Tools used for cybercrime, including so-called deepfake software designed for fraud, and data-stealing malware are also widely sold, while unlicensed cryptocurrency exchanges offer money laundering services, according to the report. “We move 3 million USDT stole

Ubisoft, the publisher of popular games such as “Star Wars Outlaws” and “Assassin’s Creed” has reacted to the reports of the potential sale of the company. The statement came days after a US media outlet reported that Tencent and the family of Ubisoft co-founder and CEO Yves Guillemot were exploring a buyout of the developer following a shocking delay of “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” and the dismal performance of ‘Star Wars Outlaws.’ “Ubisoft has noted recent press speculation regarding potential interests around the Company. It regularly reviews all its strategic options in the interest of its stakeholders and will inform the market if and when appropriate. The Company reiterates that management is currently focused on executing its strategy, centered on two core verticals – Open World Adventures and GaaS-native experiences,” the publisher said. The development came after Ubisoft last month announced that ‘Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ had been delayed to February 14 next year. The gam