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World’s first Humanoid Robot Game ignites Beijing

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BEIJING, Aug 15 (APP): “Go! Go! Come on!” The cheering coming from the China National Speed Skating Oval, the Ice Ribbon, is not for human athletes. Today, the fierce competition on the field is a group of steel players driven by data and programs.

The inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games (WHRG), as the world’s first multi-sport competition for humanoid robots, is being held in Beijing from August 14 to 17, bringing together 280 teams from 16 countries across five continents.

Over 500 humanoid robots will compete in 26 disciplines and 538 events, the organizing committee announced.

The international teams hail from countries including but not limited Germany, Australia, the US, the UAE, Pakistan, Malaysia and Brazil. Altogether, the event will showcase humanoid robots from 127 brands. At one of the first events, five-aside football, 10 robots the size of seven-year-olds shuffled around the pitch, often getting stuck in a scrum or falling over en masse.

However, in a 1500-metre race, domestic champion Unitree’s humanoids H1 stomped along the track at an impressive clip, easily outpacing their rivals.

The fastest robot the reporter witnessed finished in 6:34.40, a far cry from the human men’s world record of 3:26:00. But this speed has allowed it to easily defeat all opponents, winning the first gold medal in the WHRG.

Following closely behind was the Tiangong robot from the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, which finished second with a time of 6:55. It is worth mentioning that it was the only player in the competition to run autonomously throughout the entire race without any remote control.

Of course, this is just the beginning. “I believe in the next 10 years or so, their speed and dexterity will be basically at the same level as humans,” an excited spectator told China Economic Net.

The RoboCup Asia-Pacific (RCAP) Beijing Masters is currently considered the world’s premier humanoid robot football competition and is generating great expectations. Ten robots will compete on the same field without human input, marking a major breakthrough in swarm intelligence and collaborative decision-making technologies. It will also be the first time that a humanoid robot football match will be staged at an Olympic venue.

The International Federation of Robotics in a paper wrote that Beijing has put humanoids in the centre of the national strategy. China also plans to fund 1 trillion yuan (USD 214 billion) to support AI and robotics startups.

Sindh CM expresses condolences over loss of life in KPK, Gilgit, Azad Kashmir

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KARACHI, Aug 15 (APP):Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has expressed his heartfelt condolences following the devastating floods that have caused significant loss of life and property in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir.
In discussions with Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Ameen Gandapur, he conveyed the Sindh government’s solidarity with the affected regions during this grave crisis.
Affirming Sindh’s commitment to support its fellow citizens, Murad Ali Shah assured that the provincial government stands ready to provide all possible assistance. Medical treatment facilities have been made available in Karachi for those injured in the floods, underscoring Sindh’s dedication to aiding affected communities.
The chief minister also expressed profound sorrow regarding the tragic helicopter crash near Changai Banda, which claimed the lives of five personnel involved in public service missions. He paid tribute to these heroes, extending condolences to their families and assuring them of continued support from Sindh during this time of mourning.

Ammad Ali honored with pride of Pakistan award on 78th Independence Day

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (APP): Ammad Ali, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of RankingGrow LLC, was conferred on the prestigious Pride of Pakistan Award by President Asif Ali Zardari on the occasion of the country’s 78th Independence Day in recognition of his remarkable contributions to the IT industry and youth empowerment, particularly in underprivileged areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Ammad Ali honored with pride of Pakistan award on 78th Independence Day
Hailing from Haripur, Hazara, Ammad Ali has trained over 10,000 students from disadvantaged communities in market-oriented digital skills, enabling many to secure jobs in leading companies across Pakistan and abroad, while others have established successful freelancing careers earning valuable foreign exchange.
Officials at the ceremony lauded Ammad Ali’s decade-long efforts in promoting Pakistan’s digital economy, providing free education to underprivileged youth, and assisting startups in building their online presence. His initiatives, they noted, had created employment opportunities, promoted entrepreneurship, and enhanced the country’s visibility in the global digital marketplace.
Ali, talking to APP after receiving the award, said he plans to provide free training in digital marketing and artificial intelligence to another 10,000 students. “My mission is to equip our youth so they can contribute to Pakistan’s digital economy, bring in dollars, and help make our country prosperous,” he said.
Founded in 2017, RankingGrow LLC has emerged as a leading global digital marketing agency with offices in Pakistan, the United States, Dubai, and the United Kingdom, serving numerous international brands.
The Pride of Pakistan Award is presented annually to individuals making outstanding contributions in their respective fields. This year’s ceremony, part of the ‘Marka-e-Haq’ Independence Day celebrations, was attended by President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Hafiz Syed Asim Munir, senior government officials, armed forces representatives, and distinguished personalities from business, technology, arts, and social development.

Torrential rains claim over 150 lives in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa within 24 hours

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (APP): Torrential rains, flash floods, landslides, and lightning strikes wreaked havoc across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone over the past 24 hours, resulting in the deaths of more than 150 people, including men, women, and children.
According to National Disaster Management Authority’s (NDMA) official reports, among the deceased are 128 men, 9 women, and 13 children. Additionally, 18 individuals have been injured in rain-related incidents across various districts of the province.
Other regions have also suffered casualties. In Gilgit-Baltistan, five people were reported dead, while nine fatalities occurred in Azad Jammu and Kashmir due to the ongoing severe weather.
Rescue and relief operations are in full swing, with teams from the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Pakistan Army, district administration, Rescue 1122, and local volunteers working tirelessly to assist affected communities.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating efforts among all relevant institutions to ensure a swift and effective response.
Authorities have urged the public to remain cautious during the ongoing rains and potential flooding. Citizens are advised to follow safety guidelines, avoid unnecessary travel in vulnerable areas, and take all necessary precautions to protect themselves and their families.

Governor KP expresses grief over helicopter crash

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PESHAWAR, Aug 15 (APP): Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Friday expressed deep sorrow over the tragic helicopter crash, which was on a mission to assist flood-affected people in Bajaur.

The Governor paid tribute to the two pilots and three personnel who were martyred in the incident, offering heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and praying for the elevation of the martyrs’ ranks.

Governor Kundi said that those who embraced martyrdom in the noble cause of serving humanity are the true heroes of the nation.

TIKA to set up water treatment plants to boost public health in Mardan

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By Rehan Khan
ISLAMABAD, August 15 (APP): The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) has signed a protocol with the Mardan District Directorate of National Education and the Mardan District Directorate of Sports to construct two water treatment plants in Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The project will help provide safe and clean drinking water to students, young people, and the local community, helping to curb waterborne diseases and improve overall public health.
Officials said the initiative reflects growing cooperation between Turkey and Pakistan in the field of social welfare, ensuring better access to essential services for undeserved communities.

China Unicom Beijing Powers World’s First Humanoid Robot Games with Smart 5G-A Network

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BEIJING, Aug 15 (APP): At the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games which just kicked off, China Unicom Beijing provides full 5G-A network coverage outside and inside the event venue — Beijing National Speed Skating Oval.

This cutting-edge network, characterized by its high uplink capacity, reliability, and security, is enabling over 500 robots from nearly 280 teams worldwide to compete at their best across athletic, performance, industrial, and healthcare contests. It is also significantly enhancing the experience for tens of thousands of spectators. Such robust 5G-A networks will transform society by propelling humanoid robots beyond competitions and into full-scale commercialization.

The AI industry is developing rapidly. Multimodal and cross-device interactions are reshaping personal experiences, IoT connections are growing exponentially, and AI is now woven into the fabric of core production processes, completely redefining workflows. These embodied AI robots are a demanding AI application, requiring a specialized network that allows them to perceive their surroundings, make instant decisions, pinpoint their location precisely, and coordinate with other robots.

With the games already in play, China Unicom Beijing is delivering reliable, extensive, and high-uplink connectivity for both robots and spectators outside and inside the arena. Outside, a 5G-A 3D network coordinating 1:1 high and mid bands boosts peak uplink and downlink user-perceived rates to 4 Gbps and 11.2 Gbps, respectively. Inside, LampSite offers 300 MHz bandwidth, achieving a peak network speed of 2.4 Gbps.

“Our 5G-A networks currently serve users, and we’re upgrading them to support embodied AI as well,” said Qin Yang, Deputy General Manager of China Unicom Beijing. “Our 5G-A network for this event reflects this progress. It dedicates a channel for spectators and a dynamically scalable one for robots, realizing seamless connectivity for both spectators and robots even during peak usage. In the robot sector, 5G-A will also be key to enabling low-latency remote control.”

Samuel Chen, Vice President of Marketing for Huawei’s Wireless Network Product Line, said, “At the humanoid robot games, the network must support many robots, spectators, and live media streams. It needs to provide high uplink capacity, low latency, high reliability, and wide coverage.”

Inside the venue, a 5G-A digital indoor system has been developed utilizing 300 MHz ultra-high-bandwidth spectrum. It delivers an uplink speed above 100 Mbps, allowing multiple 4K machine vision streams to be uploaded without frame loss. It also ensures air interface latency remains below 20 ms, so robots can respond to commands instantly.

Outside the venue, a 5G-A 3D network coordinates 1:1 high and low bands to achieve downlink and uplink speeds of 10 Gbps and 4 Gbps, respectively. With this fast connectivity, 8K panoramic cameras merge footage live, media like CCTV upload UHD shallow-compressed signals in seconds, and crowds live stream and share videos without lag.

As the world’s first international sports event for humanoid robots, the games set the stage for a groundbreaking fusion of technology and athletics, signaling AI’s expansion into sports at scale. As the event’s exclusive global communications partner, China Unicom is dedicated to ensuring millisecond-level network response and zero downtime with its 5G-A, AI, and all-optical network expertise through collaboration with partners. Beyond the event, China Unicom aims to inject strong momentum into the robotics industry.

SBP issues ‘Marka-e-Haq’ commemorative coin

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KARACHI, Aug 15 (APP): In connection with the Independence Day Marka-e-Haq celebrations, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), on Friday, began issuing Marka-e-Haq commemorative coins.

To honor the valor of Pakistan’s armed forces during the Marka-e-Haq and to celebrate Independence Day with due dignity, the federal government has issued a commemorative coin of Rs 75 denomination, that shall be issued through the exchange counters of all the field offices of SBP Banking Services Corporation from August 15, 2025, the central bank informed in a statement issued here.

The 30 millimeter Nickel-Brass coin weighs 13.5 grams and wordings “MARKA-E-HAQ” in Urdu script and “2025” in numeral are inscribed in the center and wordings “PAKISTAN HAMESHA ZINDABAD” in Urdu script is written along with the periphery on the top on the reverse side of the coin. Two Fighter Aircraft, one Naval Ship and one Multiple Rocket
Launcher System (MRLS) are also shown on the reverse side.

The coin has a traditional crescent star obverse side, with the waxing crescent moon and five-pointed star facing North-West in rising position in the center and wording “ISLAMI JAMHURIA PAKISTAN” in Urdu script inscribed along with periphery on the top.

Below the crescent and on the top of two springs of wheat with arms curved upward, there is the year of issuance 2025. The face value of coins in numeral “75” in bold letters and RUPIA in Urdu script are written on the right and left sides of the crescent star respectively.

21 outlaws held; drugs & weapons recovered

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (APP): Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police, Karachi Company, Khanna, Sihala, Phulgran, Shahzad Town and Bani Gala police station teams arrested nine accused involved in various criminal activities.
21 outlaws held; drugs & weapons recovered
A police spokesperson told APP on Friday that police teams also recovered 275 grams of Ice, 710 grams of heroin, six pistols, and one Kalashnikov with ammunition from their possession. Cases have been registered against the arrested accused and further investigations are underway.
Additionally, during a special campaign launched for the arrest of proclaimed offenders and absconders, various police teams apprehended 12 criminals.
Following the special directions of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, the ICT Police continue their effective crackdown against crime and criminal elements to ensure peace and tranquility in the federal capital.
The ICT Police remain committed to protecting the lives and property of residents, and no element will be allowed to disturb public peace. Ensuring peace and safeguarding citizens remain the top priorities of the ICT Police.

Youth fully capable of carrying forward light of literature: Najeeba Arif

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (APP): Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) Chairperson Dr. Najeeba Arif has said that the youth were fully capable of carrying forward the light of literature.
In an interview with APP on Friday, she said the two-day second “Nasl-e-No Adabi Mela 2025,” hosted by PAL, was “not merely an event but a platform of expression, dialogue, and intellectual freedom.”
Dr. Najeeba Arif added that through this festival, PAL aimed to provide a rare opportunity for dialogue, learning, and self-expression, projecting a vibrant scene of cultural and intellectual unity.
“Literature fosters positive change in human nature, and the festival offered young people a golden chance to learn from their elders,” she remarked.
It is pertinent to mention that under the auspices of the Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL), the two-day second Nasl-e-No Adabi Mela 2025 was held on August 12–13. The festival brought together young writers and established literary figures from across the country in celebration of Pakistan’s Independence Day and Marka-e-Haq. The event was attended by participants from Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Multan, Bahawalpur, Rajanpur, D.G. Khan, Malakand, Chitral, Kashmir, Quetta, Gilgit, Waziristan, and other regions, alongside renowned poets, writers, and international personalities.
The festival opened with a flag-hoisting ceremony at PAL’s Chamanistan-e-Adab, attended by noted artist Syed Jamal Shah, Federal Secretary for National Heritage and Culture Division Asad Rehman Gilani, and celebrated literary icons including Zehra Nigah, Sahar Ansari, Kishwar Naheed, Waheed Ahmed, and others.
Throughout the two days, multiple sessions—including Mitti ka Qarz and Dialogue with Representative Young Creators—explored themes ranging from post-independence opportunities to climate change, cultural traditions, and the responsibilities of young writers. Four parallel training workshops—covering prosody, prose writing, and translation—engaged youth in practical literary exercises.
A major highlight of the festival was the All Pakistan Mushaira, featuring celebrated poets Anwar Masood, Iftikhar Arif, Sahar Ansari, Anwar Shaoor, among others. Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Division Aurangzeb Khan Khichi and Federal Secretary Asad Rehman Gilani were also present.
The closing ceremony, presided over by Mahtab Akbar Rashdi with Hafeez Khan as chief guest, praised the youth’s literary contributions. Certificates, books, and souvenirs were distributed among participants and distinguished guests.