
Liridon arapca encourages perseverance during tough times
One of the most important questions a person can ponder is what makes them happy.
May 22, 2021


Shocking: Person died in 1895 buried in US
"Stoneman Willie" was the nickname given long ago to him who was declared dead in 1895 in jail
October 8, 2023

Palestine-Israel Conflict: Causes and Consequences
On the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, the Palestinian organization Hamas attacked Israel.

Asia Cup 2023 | Prize money, Award-winners list, and Records & Stats
India won the Asia Cup for the eighth time after defeating Sri Lanka by ten wickets in the final match on September 17 at the R.
September 18, 2023

PkMAP leader calls for equal rights for all citizens
Achakzai stresses link between injustice and conflict, says justice plays central role in resolving issues
October 8, 2023

Health Risks of Poverty and Inflation in Pakistan
Asmad Bin Ali nIn 2023, Pakistan is confronted with a concerning rise in poverty rates.
September 28, 2023

Marx Se Khaif Log  
"Marx Se Khaif Log" is an insightful and thought-provoking book that critically analyzes the socio-political landscape of Pakistani society through a Marxist lens.
July 27, 2023


Travis Kelce disappointed over new lover Taylor Swift absence at NFL game
Travis Kelce won the game despite injury but Taylor Swift wasn't there to cheer him on
October 9, 2023

Cricket smasher to heavy strike
Nepal breaks T20 cricket record with the score of 314-2 against Mongolia
October 8, 2023


Prince Harry can last a day or two but maintain popularity
Prince Harry warned his future can’t be sustained ‘in the long run’
September 8, 2023
Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa
Justice Qazi Faez Isa, who was sworn in as 29th chief justice of Pakistan on 7th September, 2023, is admired as a highly qualified and upright jurist of Pakistan.
September 18, 2023
Institutionalizing Evapotranspiration: A Game-Changer for Pakistan’s Irrigated Agriculture
Pakistan, a predominantly agricultural country, relies heavily on irrigation systems for its economic growth.
April 28, 2023
Chandrayaan 3 – India’s triumphant lunar mission
Asmad Bin AlinOn August 30, India achieved a significant milestone as they successfully landed their spacecraft on the southern region of the moon.
September 4, 2023
Today’s currency exchange rates in Pakistan – Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal rates on September 26, 2023
KARACHI – Following are the foreign currency exchange rates for US Dollar, Saudi Riyal, UK Pound Sterling, U.
September 26, 2023

Many Android devices come with an ineradicable backdoor
Human Security finds malware in Android devices including TVs and Phones, which is being used for fraudulent behavior
October 9, 2023


Ranveer Singh in awe of Deepika Padukone’s hair, see his reaction!
Ranveer Singh reacted to his wife Deepika Padukone’s latest Instagram post
January 13, 2022

Rakaposhi Cricket Tournament Highlights the Splendor of Gilgit-Baltistan
Played at world’s highest natural stadium, event aims to promote peace among people of Diamer, Hunza and Nagar
October 3, 2023
Gold Prices in Pakistan Today – October 9, 2023
Today Gold Rate in PakistannKARACHI – The price of a single tola of 24-karat gold in Pakistan is Rs197,200 on Monday.
October 9, 2023

Your digestive health is key to your overall well-being
The article discusses shortage of over-the-counter laxatives, Miralax and Dulcolax, and potential dangers of their abuse
October 4, 2023
State Bank of Pakistan releases commemorative Rs50 coin on Senate's golden jubilee
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has issued a commemorative Rs50 coin to mark the golden jubilee of the country's Senate, which was established in 1973.
March 17, 2023
Avastin use banned for indefinite period
<p>LAHORE: The Punjab government has slapped a ban on the use of Avastin injection for eye patients for an indefinite period across the province, besides launching a portal to collect data of the patients affected by the drug and provide them treatment facilities.</p>n<p>The data collection through the portal launched by the Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department will help the government prepare a policy regarding the use of the injection.</p>n<p>Provincial health ministers Dr Jamal Nasir and Dr Javed Akram said this while addressing a joint press conference here on Tuesday.</p>n<p>They said the ban was imposed as a high-level inquiry was underway to find out the prime factors <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/1777732">leading to vision loss</a> among patients administered the injection in Punjab.</p>n<blockquote class="blockquote-level-1">n<p>68 affected patients have surfaced in Punjab so far</p>n</blockquote>n<p>They asked the affected patients to provide necessary information on the portal to get treatment and help the government in assessing the true impact of the drug’s reaction.</p>n<p>They said that so far 68 patients affected by this injection have been reported in the province, for whom special beds have been allocated in the Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi, Mayo Hospital, Lahore and Nishtar Hospital, Multan.</p>n<p>The ministers said a new 10-member committee has also been constituted by Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi to analyse the situation caused by Avastin injection’s reaction.</p>n<p>The committee will point out deficiencies and weaknesses at various levels in handling and use of the injection and prepare a comprehensive action plan to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future.</p>n<p>Primary Healthcare Minister Dr Jamal Nasir said this injection, available in the market in 100mg pack, was primarily meant for the treatment of colon cancer and its use for the treatment of eyes in diabetic patients falls under the category of “off-label” use, adding that the injection was neither fake nor locally manufactured.</p>n<p>“The diabetes patients require only 1.2mg dose and some people sell this injection in small syringes for this purpose,” Dr Nasir said.</p>n<p>He said the injection should be kept at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius temperature and administered to the patient within six hours of opening the pack. However, he said, apparently due to increase in temperature its chemical composition changed and this might have happened because of not maintaining the required temperature during its transportation.</p>n<p>Dr Nasir said that efforts were under way to arrest those who sold this injection in small syringes illegally, adding that the Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) has also been directed to trace the doctors and hospitals involved in this issue.</p>n<p>The minister said that 11 drug inspectors in eight cities of Punjab have been suspended from service and an inquiry has been ordered against them for failing to check the illegal sale of the injection in small doses.</p>n<p>Punjab Specialized Healthcare Department Minister Dr Javed Akram said new members have been added to the committee constituted by the chief minister, including Professor of Microbiology Dr Sidra, Professor of Ophthalmology Dr Moin and Professor of Forensic Medicine Dr Allah Rakha.</p>n<p>He said the committee would also inspect the premises where the injection was being packaged in small syringes and determine whether those places were suitable for the process or not.</p>n<p>Apart from this, he said, the record of temperature maintained during shipment, off-loading and transportation etc of the “contaminated” lot of the injection would also be sought from Switzerland-based company.</p>n<p>Dr Akram apprehended that it seemed good clinical practices had not been taken into account while using this injection for eye treatment. He said it was mandatory to seek consent of the patient in local language before administering the injection, adding that those responsible for this episode would be held accountable without any leniency.</p>n<p>PHC: The Board of Commissioners of the Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) has directed the senior management of the commission to be prepared for special inspections of the hospitals where eye infection cases were reported due to the administration of Avastin injection to the patients.</p>n<p>The directions were issued in an emergent meeting of the PHC Board of Commissioners (BoC) headed by chairperson retired Justice Muhammad Bilal Khan.</p>n<p>A representative of the PHC, who had attended the meeting of the recently formed committee by the government also attended the BoC meeting.</p>n<p>He briefed the BoC regarding the proceedings of the meeting convened by both interim health ministers – Prof Javed Akram and Dr Jamal Nasir.</p>n<p>The BoC was informed that the issues related to import, compounding and dispensing of the dosage for eye patients will be investigated by the committee, while the PHC was asked to investigate the practices in the hospitals where the injection was administered.</p>n<p>After deliberations, the BoC directed the PHC senior management to make preparations for any action, especially, the inspections of the hospitals where the infections have been reported.</p>n<p>The BoC also ordered inspections of these healthcare establishments to ensure implementation of the minimum service delivery standards, especially pertaining to infection protection and control, medication management, qualifications of the medics, and sterilisation of operation theatres.</p>n<p>The BoC also ordered issuance of an advisory for the affected patients to initiate complaint about these incidents. For this, they can also WhatsApp their complaints at 0306 0843500, for initiation of investigation by the PHC.</p>n<p>In a related development, the Lahore police arrested a suspect, Bilal, from Arifwala, in connection with Avastin injection scam.</p>n<p>The police said a case had been registered against the suspect by Faisal Town police.</p>n<p>A special police team investigating the case traced the location of the suspect at Arifwala and arrested him in a raid on a premises, with the help of local police, sources said.</p>n<p><em>Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2023</em></p>
September 27, 2023
Astrological Forecast for 9 September, 2023
Here's free daily horoscope for all zodiac signs, an insights about your thoughts, love life, career, and health.
October 9, 2023
Visa-free entry to 50 countries: This Islamic nation provides varied travel options
KUWAIT – In a significant development, Kuwaiti passport holders have gained visa-free access to a total of 50 countries, as confirmed by an official memorandum.
October 8, 2023

Examining Mining Explosives Carefully
Licence holders required to update explosives usage daily

Mushaal calls on international community to assist in resolving IIOJK conflict
'Indian government is involved in promoting extremism and terrorism in occupied Kashmir' she says
October 9, 2023

‘Black chapter’: Shehbaz Sharif slams suspension of Imran Khan’s sentence
‘If everyone knows what decision will be before it comes, it should be a moment of concern for justice system," says PML-N leader
August 29, 2023
Saboor Aly raises temperature with new bold pictures
Pakistani diva Saboor Aly never missed a chance to entertain her huge fan following online as the actor mastered the art of turning heads.
September 23, 2023
Momin Saqib sets the stage on fire with killer dance moves on sister&#039;s wedding
Renowned Pakistani host and comedian, Momin Saqib, recently took the centre stage at his sister's wedding with a dazzling dance performance that left everyone in awe.
September 22, 2023
Bella Hadid, Saba Qamar and other celebs send prayers for Palestine
The recent series of brutal attacks on Palestinians by Israeli occupational forces has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation from people across the world.
April 8, 2023


Intel’s ‘historic collapse’ erases $8bn from market value
Intel has been steadily losing market share to rivals like AMD, which has used contract chipmakers such as Taiwan-based TSMC
January 28, 2023

Is Netflix better than Amazon Prime?
An evaluation of online streaming sites, Netflix and Amazon Prime, in their content, price, and audio/video quality.
December 20, 2021


Meghan Markle warned against ‘huge risk’ distancing herself from ‘Prince Harry’
Meghan Markle is set on a path of her own to avoid the royal drama that comes with Prince Harry
September 1, 2023
How much the winner of World Cup 2023 will get? Check prize money details
DUBAI – The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Friday that an overall $10 million pot has been set aside for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 in India.
September 22, 2023

IHC issues notices to former generals Bajwa, Faiz over &lsquo;misleading interviews&rsquo;
Petitioner alleges that interviews tainted reputation of state institutions
October 9, 2023

CM Mohsin Naqvi leads Punjab Government delegation on a landmark visit to China
Mohsin Naqvi became the 1st Pakistani Chief Minister to inaugurate the Ningxia International Friendship Forum in China
September 22, 2023
Situationer: Is Canada becoming &lsquo;the new Pakistan&rsquo; for India?
<p> <figure class='media sm:w-full w-full media–stretch media–uneven media–stretch'>n <div class='media__item '><picture></picture></div>n <figcaption class='media__caption '>OTTAWA: Demonstrators gather in front of the High Commission of India, on Monday.—Reuters</figcaption>n </figure></p>n<p>THE <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/1776704/indian-envoy-expelled-as-pm-trudeau-links-delhi-to-sikh-leaders-deathhttps://">revelation</a> by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of ‘credible allegations’ that agents of the Indian government were behind the June 18 killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar has sent shockwaves all around the globe, with Canada being the epicentre.</p>n<p>The announcement dominated media headlines here all of last week, <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/1776725">adding chill</a> to an already strained relationship between the two countries. While in India, for the G20 summit a few days earlier, Trudeau brought up the issue in his discussions with PM Modi, ‘directly and in no uncertain terms’.</p>n<p>The cold shoulder and the snub the Canadian PM received there is also attributed to the raising of the allegation during a bilateral ‘side meeting’.</p>n<p>It seems that in a bid to paint a macho and muscular image of himself, India’s Narendra Modi may have triggered some landmines.</p>n<blockquote class="blockquote-level-1">n<p>At home, Trudeau’s handling of spat with India is seen as ‘weaker’ than his response to allegations of Chinese interference in elections</p>n</blockquote>n<p>In the process, to borrow a phrase from Shekhar Gupta of <em>The Print</em>, Canada has been transformed in India, into the ‘new Pakistan’ or even a Pakistan Plus — responsible for everything from aiding terrorism and harbouring criminals to supporting organised crime. What a transformation!</p>n<p>But at home, it seems that Canadians stand united on the issue. Such a killing is ‘entirely unacceptable’, was the loud message from the House of Commons.</p>n<p>Immediately after the announcement by Trudeau, the leader of the opposition in the House, Pierre Poilievre of the Conservative Party, in a calibrated statement called on parliament to “put aside our differences, to stand up for the rule of law. If these allegations are true, these represent an outrageous affront to Canada’s sovereignty, he underlined.</p>n<p>Poilievre’s statement was significant. The previous Conservative government in Canada under Prime Minister Stephen Harper had pursued strong bilateral relations with India. Under his leadership, ties between the two countries blossomed and Poilievre was twice a cabinet member in the Harper government.</p>n<p>But Trudeau’s speech in the House of Commons was not authoritative and the way he has played his cards has been questioned by some at home.</p>n<p> <figure class='media w-full w-full media–stretch media–embed '>n <div class='media__item media__item–youtube '><iframe src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/T_jgZ2rsdDU?enablejsapi=1&controls=1&modestbranding=1&rel=0' allowfullscreen='' frameborder='0' scrolling='no' width='100%' height='100%'></iframe></div>n n </figure></p>n<p>It seems the prime minister wasn’t prepared to put all of Canada’s cards on the table and his statement accusing India of involvement in the killing “was carefully crafted, to say just enough but not too much,” wrote <em>Toronto Star</em> columnist Andrew Phillips in an <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="link–external" href="https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/hardeep-singh-nijjar-s-murder-now-a-balancing-act-for-justin-trudeau/article_606ee73c-9edf-57ab-b1b3-f51f05db1325.html">opinion piece</a>.</p>n<p>Judging from the breakneck pace at which events are unfolding, however, it seems more revelations could be in the pipeline.</p>n<p>“We have to assume the government knows an awful lot more than it has been prepared to reveal up to now, given how far it has gone in putting relations with India in jeopardy,” Mr Phillips stressed.</p>n<p>While striving to tread a very fine line on the issue, the vagueness of Trudeau’s revelations continues to be debated. Just a day after showing complete unity with the government in the House of Commons, opposition leader Poilievre urged the Trudeau government to “come clean” with more information about the (Nijjar) case.</p>n<p>The reaction of its close allies on this issue is also being closely watched here. The vagueness of the allegations is aiding allies, including the US, to take a comparatively softer line on the issue, as compared to the harsh stance they took on China when it was revealed that Beijing has attempted to influence the outcome of Canadian elections.</p>n<p>To counter the impression, in a press interaction before leaving the annual UN summit in New York on Thursday, PM Trudeau had <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/1777275">stressed</a>: “I can assure you the decision to share these allegations on the floor of the House of Commons … was not done lightly.” Cabinet ministers also have been underlining that the situation is still evolving.</p>n<p>Some here feel the Canadian response to the issue of possible Chinese interference in Canadian politics was slow. Trudeau and his governing Liberals were raked over the coals by their political rivals for having intelligence that included suggestions MPs were being targeted, but doing nothing with that information.</p>n<p>The issue became a political firestorm, lasting several months and cooled down only a couple of weeks ago, when the government finally agreed to a public inquiry into foreign interference. Many here believe that on India, the government didn’t want to be seen through the same prism.</p>n<p>But not everyone was surprised by the explosive revelations, as the development had been on the radar for ‘some weeks now’. A couple of media outlets had been circling around these allegations — at least one of them — for several weeks through the summer.</p>n<p>The <em>Globe and Mail</em> had also caught wind of the allegations, says Susan Delacourt in her <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="link–external" href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/political-opinion/here-s-why-justin-trudeau-went-public-with-an-explosive-allegation-against-india/article_0eac7d09-3ca7-5924-9c12-f2ce8e54a7e8.html">opinion piece</a> in the <em>Toronto Star</em>. <em>Globe</em>‘s bureau chief Robert Fife later gave the government 24 hours’ notice of his intent to publish the India story. Some believe this may also have spurred the government into action.</p>n<p>The issue is delicate.</p>n<p>Repercussions of this evolving crisis would have reverberations for long. <em>Globe and Mail</em>, Canada’s only national newspaper, says there is also the need to keep the peace domestically.</p>n<p>There will be many Sikh Canadians who will be left shaken by Mr Nijjar’s killing; some will be enraged, and some of them may be tempted to engage in reprisals of some kind. The risk of ethnic and sectarian bloodshed in Canada is real, the newspaper said in one of its reports.</p>n<p>On Sunday, Chandra Arya, the lawmaker from Trudeau’s Liberal party, slammed his own government for inaction against Khalistan extremists. While talking to <em>CBC News</em>, he asserted that Hindu Canadians were fearful after reprisal threats issued to them.</p>n<p>There could be some economic consequences too. Already, trade talks with India have been suspended. As per some estimates, there are some 250,000 to 300,000 Indian students in Canada, among some of the largest avenues of funds for educational institutions in the country.</p>n<p>A lack of oversight on the issuance of visas to many of them has already been under the spotlight here for the last few months and the fresh episode with New Delhi may further impact the flow of Indian students to Canada.</p>n<p>Immigration is also an important source of labour here and Indian immigrants are the largest source of immigrant labour reaching Canada. All these could now be up for review.</p>n<p><em>Published in Dawn, September 26th, 2023</em></p>
September 26, 2023
Fakhar Zaman sets new record with most sixes in PSL history
LAHORE – Pakistan’s star batter Fakhar Zaman achieved another milestone with his blitz as his team, Lahore Qalandars, faced off Multan Sultans in Pakistan Super League season 8 (PSL8) final at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore.
March 18, 2023

Truck discovered carrying merchandise pilfered from hospital
Case registered, inquiry committee formed by management
October 8, 2023

Welcome Nawaz in Sindhi topi, Ajrak: Khushamdeed!
Addresses meeting of PML-N Sindh leaders in Hala via video call
Pakistan down India in Asiad volleyball but fall to arch-rivals in squash, tennis
<p>HANGZHOU: Murad Khan starred as Pakistan crushed India in their Asian Games volleyball fifth-place match on Tuesday but that was the only discipline where they got joy against their arch-rivals.</p>n<p>India had the upper hand against Pakistan in squash and tennis on the third day of action at the Games when the national hockey team extended their winning start in the hockey competition.</p>n<p>Murad scored a game-high 20 points at the China Textile City Sports Centre Gymnasium as Pakistan secured fifth place with a 3-0 romp past India.</p>n<p>In an utterly dominant performance, the Indians were routed 25-21, 25-20, 25-23 in an hour and 14 minutes.</p>n<p>The tables were quicky turned on the tennis courts where India’s Yuki Bhambri and Ankita Raina delivered a double-bagel thrashing to Aqeel Khan and Sarah Ibrahim in their second-round mixed doubles match.</p>n<p>Pakistan’s other team in the same event, comprising Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Ushna Sohail fared better but lost 4-6, 1-6 to Thais Pruchya Isaro and Peangtarn Plipuech.</p>n<p>Pakistan’s journey in the men’s and women’s doubles competitions also ended in round two.</p>n<p>Aqeel and Aisam lost 6-7 (3/7), 4-6 to Taiwan’s Jason Jung and Yu-Hsiou Hsu while Sarah suffered a second double-bagel hammering on the day when she and Ushna fell 0-6, 0-6 to Indonesia’s Jessy Priskila Rompies and Beatrice Gumulya,</p>n<p>There were contrasting fortunes for Pakistan’s men and women squash teams. While the men won both their matches, their female counterparts lost both their Pool ‘B’ ties, opening with a 3-0 defeat against India.</p>n<p>Sadia Gul was beaten by Anahat Singh 6-11, 6-11, 3-11, Noor-ul-Huda Sadiq lost to Joshana Chinappa 2-11, 5-11, 7-11 while Noor-ul-Ain Sadiq fell to a 3-11, 6-11, 2-11 loss to Tanvi Khanna.</p>n<p>The women suffered another 3-0 loss against Malaysia in their second game later in the day.</p>n<p>Noor Zaman clinched the decisive point for Pakistan in their opening Pool ‘A’ tie against Qatar, securing a 2-1 win for the side when he overcame Syed Amjad 12-10, 11-7, 11-9.</p>n<p>Nasir Iqbal had given Pakistan the lead when he dispatched Salem Almaki 11-5, 11-5, 11-6 but Qatar had levelled the tie through Abdulla Altamimi, who beat Mohammad Asim 11-4, 11-5, 9-11, 11-6.</p>n<p>The trio then cruised to a 3-0 win over Nepal in their second match.</p>n<p><strong>WINNING START</strong></p>n<p>Having opened with a thumping 11-0 win over Singapore, Pakistan’s hockey team notched their second straight victory in Pool ‘A’ when they overwhelmed Bangladesh 5-2 at the Gongshu Canal Sports Park Stadium.</p>n<p>Having fallen behind after Bangladesh converted a penalty corner in the 19th minute, Pakistan levelled the contest at the whistle of the second quarter when Afraz netted a field goal.</p>n<p>Two goals in three minutes put Pakistan on top as Shahzeb Khan scored with a field goal in the 40th with Mohammad Imad getting on the scoresheet soon after.</p>n<p>Milon Hussain pulled one back for Bangladesh in the 46th only for Sufyan Khan to restore Pakistan’s two-goal advantage with a drag-flick two minutes later. Arbaaz Ahmed added more gloss to the scoreline with another penalty corner conversion with three minutes to play.</p>n<p>Over at the Hangzhou Gymnasium, Pakistan boxer Mohammad Qasim advanced to the last 16 of the men’s 51-57kg competition with a 5-0 points win against Nawwaf Alzahmi of the United Arab Emirates.</p>n<p>There was no such luck for fencer Mujaded Awan who lost all his five pool matches of the men’s individual epee at the Dianzi University Gymnasium.</p>n<p>Pakistan’s shooters fared better with Kishmala Talat in 12th place after the precision round of the women’s 25m pistol competition with a score of 289. The top eight will qualify for the final after Wednesday’s rapid round.</p>n<p>In the men’s skeet competition, Usman Chand was placed 10th after the first stage with a score of 72. The top six after Wednesday’s second stage will make the final.</p>n<p><em>Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2023</em></p>
September 27, 2023

Shahid Afridi sees eating meat, IPL behind positive change in Indian cricket
"Their bowlers have now started eating meat, so they have gained strength," says Pakistan’s former skipper
October 9, 2023
In a first, Nasa capsule brings major asteroid sample to Earth
<p> <figure class='media sm:w-full w-full media–stretch media–uneven media–stretch'>n <div class='media__item '><picture></picture></div>n <figcaption class='media__caption '>This shot off a Nasa live feed shows the organisation’s safety team working beside the capsule that brought the asteroid sample, on Sunday.—AFP</figcaption>n </figure></p>n<p>DUGWAY: A seven-year space voyage came to its climactic end on Sunday when a Nasa capsule landed in the desert in the US state of Utah, carrying to Earth the largest asteroid samples ever collected.</p>n<p>Scientists have high hopes for the sample, saying it will provide a better understanding of the formation of our solar system and how Earth became habitable.</p>n<p>“Touchdown of the Osiris-Rex sample return capsule!” a commentator said on Nasa’s live video webcast of the landing, as engineers and team members applauded at a nearby mission control center.</p>n<p>Completing a 3.86-billion-mile (6.21bn-kilometre) journey, it marked the United States’ first sample return mission of its kind, the US space agency said in a post on X, the former Twitter.</p>n<p> <figure class='media w-full w-full media–stretch media–embed media–uneven'>n <div class='media__item media__item–twitter '><span>n <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">n <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1706082527809540448"></a>n </blockquote>n</span></div>n n </figure></p>n<blockquote class="blockquote-level-1">n<p>Scientists say 250 grams of dust will give insight into formation of solar system</p>n</blockquote>n<p>Nasa (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) chief Bill Nelson hailed the mission and said the asteroid dust “will give scientists an extraordinary glimpse into the beginnings of our solar system”. The Osiris-Rex probe’s final, fiery descent through Earth’s atmosphere was perilous, but Nasa managed to engineer a soft landing at 8:52 am local time (1452 GMT), in the military’s Utah Test and Training Range.</p>n<p>Four years after its 2016 launch, the probe had landed on the asteroid Bennu and collected what Nasa estimated is roughly nine ounces (250 grams) of dust from its rocky surface.</p>n<p>Even that small amount, Nasa says, should “help us better understand the types of asteroids that could threaten Earth”. The sample return “is really historic,” Nasa scientist Amy Simon said.</p>n<p>“This is going to be the biggest sample we’ve brought back since the Apollo moon rocks” were returned to Earth.</p>n<p>Osiris-Rex released its capsule early Sunday from an altitude of more than 67,000 miles.</p>n<p>The fiery passage through the atmosphere came only in the last 13 minutes, as the capsule hurtled downward at a speed of more than 27,000 miles per hour, with temperatures of up to 5,000 Fahrenheit (2,760 Celsius).</p>n<p>Its rapid descent was supposed to be slowed by two successive parachutes as it made its way to the 37-mile by nine-mile landing zone.</p>n<p>The main chute, however, deployed “much higher than was originally anticipated,” at about 20,000 feet (6,100 metres) rather than 5,000 feet, Nasa said.</p>n<p>Nasa images showed the tire-sized capsule on the ground in a desert wash, with scientists approaching the device and taking readings.</p>n<p>Eventually they concluded the capsule was not breached, meaning its all-important air-tight seal remained intact, avoiding any contamination of the sample with desert sands.</p>n<p>The team then lifted the capsule by helicopter to a nearby “clean room”.</p>n<p>Meanwhile, the probe that made the space journey fired its engines and shifted course away from Earth, Nasa said, “on its way” for a date with another asteroid, known as Apophis. Scientists predict that asteroid will come within 20,000 miles of Earth in 2029.</p>n<p><strong>Japanese samples</strong></p>n<p>On Monday, the sample heads to Johnson Space Center in Houston for additional study, and Nasa plans to announce its first results at a news conference on Oct 11.</p>n<p>Most of the sample will be conserved for study by future generations. Roughly one-fourth will be immediately used in experiments, and a small amount will be sent to mission partners Japan and Canada.</p>n<p>Japan had earlier given Nasa a few grains from asteroid Ryugu, after bringing 0.2 ounces of dust to Earth in 2020 during the Hayabusa-2 mission. Ten years before, it had brought back a microscopic quantity from another asteroid.</p>n<p><strong>Earth’s origin story</strong></p>n<p>Asteroids are composed of the original materials of the solar system, dating back some 4.5 billion years, and have remained relatively intact.</p>n<p>They “can give us clues about how the solar system formed and evolved,” said Osiris-Rex program executive Melissa Morris.</p>n<p>“It’s our own origin story.” By striking Earth’s surface, “we do believe asteroids and comets delivered organic material, potentially water, that helped life flourish here on Earth,” she said.</p>n<p><em>Published in Dawn, September 25th, 2023</em></p>
September 25, 2023
Hackers take control of Facebook’s official page, demand release of Imran Khan
Hacking of user accounts and pages on social media is not a new phenomenon.
October 7, 2023

&#039;Dunki&#039; vs &#039;Salaar&#039;: Shah Rukh, Prabhas may lock horns at the box office this Christmas
Reports suggest that the two releases will coincide
September 27, 2023
$6 million PUBG Mobile Global Championship to kick off in Nov
KARACHI — PUBG Mobile on Tuesday announced the PUBG Mobile Global Championship 2021, which will kick off in November with a total prize pool of $6 million.
August 3, 2021
Breaking the mold: Mahira Khan talks about riveting TV comeback in ‘Razia’ and much more
In the realm of Pakistani television, Mahira Khan has always been a name synonymous with talent, grace, and versatility.
September 19, 2023
Forecast for Islamabad Weather
Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast rains in country's federal capital Islamabad on Monday.
October 9, 2023

Rescue search continues for third day after deadly quakes in Afghanistan
Taliban government reports death toll has surged past 2,000 as rescue workers search for survivors