Latest

Extreme Commerce launches program to facilitate ‘Billion Dollar Pakistan’ vision

Published

6 years ago

August 20, 2020

Extreme Commerce launches program to facilitate ‘Billion Dollar Pakistan’ vision

LAHORE – Approximately 63 per cent of Pakistan’s population is currently under the age of 30 and the total unemployment figure is estimated to reach 6.65 million during the fiscal year 2020-21.

Moreover, according to a recent report published by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), titled “Tackling the COVID-19 Youth Employment Crisis in Asia and the Pacific”, more than 2.3 million Pakistani youth are at risk of losing or have lost their jobs in case of a long term containment scenario implemented to curtail the coronavirus spread.

Meanwhile, it has also highlighted the unemployment rate is set to increase by 12.6 per cent from 8.9 per cent at the end of 2019 to a whopping 21.5 per cent.

While traditional retail sales have declined both in Pakistan and globally, ecommerce has seen a 129 per cent year-over-year growth in the United States and Canada, with an impressive 146 per cent growth globally. It has also been estimated that by the end of 2020, global e-commerce sales are expected to reach $4.2 trillion.

This is where Extreme Commerce and its ‘Billion Dollar Pakistan’ vision fits in. Since its inception, it has evolved into a one of the largest knowledge sharing and empowerment ecosystem, paving the way for Pakistani’s living in Pakistan and abroad to engage with international ecommerce hubs such as Amazon, eBay etc and local hubs such as Daraz.

Extreme Commerce’s Chief Executive Officer Sunny Ali while sharing his vision said that, we want to enable Pakistanis to at least making $1,000 per month. This is the correct minimum wage that Pakistanis need to survive and improve not just their lifestyles but do something for their nation as well. He said, “my ideology is simple if I have an empty stomach how can I even think of doing good for others? We need to eradicate this problem and take Pakistanis to next level”.

Aligning with this ambition, Extreme Commerce aims to inject more than a $1-billion into the local economy via online sales and service and so it has launched VBC2020, a one of its kind eCommerce skill development platform which has more than 40-50 practical pieces of training covered by industry experts, through which students and can earn $300-$500 minimum.

Moreover, the company’s management says that financial accommodations will be made for those who cannot afford so that everyone has a shot at making it work. It is worth mentioning that more than 90 per cent or around 13,000 VBC students currently have access to the platform free of cost.

Sunny Ali also added that VBC2020 is proof of Extreme Commerce’s commitment and vision of empowering the youth through skill development and capacity building. This initiative will also help in training the next generation of ecommerce professionals and e-tailers of Pakistan and digital nomads, and give the industry a much-needed boost along with acting as a catalyst for the nation so that Pakistan can export IT services in global ecommerce marketplaces.

Latest

University of Tennessee sues Anthropic over AI patent infringement

Published

3 days ago

July 21, 2026

Haris Sarfraz Ali

The image is AI-generated and used for illustration purposes only

Contents

About the patented technologies Anthropic and the University of Tennessee representatives Key points:

ISLAMABAD – The research arm of the University of Tennessee has filed a lawsuit against artificial intelligence company Anthropic, accusing it of infringing patents related to neural networks and machine-learning technology. The complaint, filed in the US District Court for the District of Delaware, alleges that Anthropic’s artificial intelligence systems unlawfully use technology protected under patents owned by the University of Tennessee Research Foundation (UTRF).

About the patented technologies

According to the lawsuit, the patents represent significant innovations in artificial intelligence, machine learning, neuromorphic computing and neuroscience-inspired computing. Professors at the University of Tennessee developed the patented technologies, which remain protected under US patent law.

The foundation argued that Anthropic’s alleged disregard for intellectual property extends beyond copyright issues and includes patented AI technologies.

“Anthropic’s cavalier approach to others’ intellectual property rights in the development of its products extends beyond the use of copyrighted material,” the complaint states. The university is seeking unspecified monetary damages and a court order preventing Anthropic from continuing the alleged patent infringement.

Anthropic and the University of Tennessee representatives

The lawsuit is believed to be the first patent infringement case filed against Anthropic. It comes shortly after a California federal judge approved the company’s $1.5 billion settlement in a class-action copyright lawsuit brought by authors over the use of their works for AI training.

The outcome of the case could become another closely watched legal battle in the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence industry, where disputes over copyrights, patents and intellectual property continue to increase.

Key points:

University of Tennessee Research Foundation has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Anthropic.
The lawsuit alleges Anthropic’s AI systems violate two patents related to neural networks and machine learning.
The case was filed in Delaware federal court.
The university claims the patented technology covers AI, neuromorphic computing, and neuroscience-inspired computing.
The foundation is seeking monetary damages and a court order preventing further alleged infringement.
The lawsuit comes a day after a California judge approved Anthropic’s $1.5 billion copyright settlement involving authors.

Education

Central Park Medical College gaslights students into a fee reduction

Published

6 days ago

July 19, 2026

Staff Reporter

The image is AI-generated and used for illustration purposes only

LAHORE – Central Park Medical College(CPMC) on 18th July, 2026, issued a notification after students stormed the vicinity demanding a fee reduction. The notification explicitly stated that CPMC has filed an appeal with the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council(PMDC) for a revision of the fee structure of Session 2024-25 and Session 2025-26.

A student contacted an Upfront official and explained the situation, as to how the management tricked so many students. The protestors returned to their homes, satisfied with their success, until, allegedly, the principal deleted the notification claiming the fee reduction. According to the student, the principal said the students would be required to pay their original fee in full despite the notification showing otherwise.

The student alleged that Central Park Medical College was taking Rs. 25 lac for the first year and Rs. 28 lac for the second year, while the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council has revised the fee to Rs. 20 lac for each year.

Note: This is a developing story for further updates and videos. Visit our social handles. Upfront

Entertainment

Netflix officially begins Queenstown production in New Zealand

Published

1 week ago

July 17, 2026

Staff Reporter

Contents

What is Queenstown centered on?The cast of Queenstown Where is the production of Queenstown taking place Key Points:

KARACHI – Netflix has officially begun production on Queenstown, marking the streaming giant’s first original television series commissioned in New Zealand after more than a decade of offering content in the country.

The eight-episode drama is currently being filmed on location in Queenstown, one of New Zealand’s most popular luxury ski destinations on the South Island. Set against the backdrop of the town’s affluent ski-resort community, Queenstown follows a wealthy family whose internal conflicts spill over into the lives of the people who work for them.

The story explores themes of power, loyalty, family conflict and desire.

What is Queenstown centered on?

Netflix described the series as a drama centered on “a wealthy family at war with itself,” unfolding within the glamorous yet competitive world of Queenstown’s elite. The writer and creator of Queenstown is Chloe Stearns, who also serves as an executive producer. Moreover, Glendyn Ivin will direct the series and executive-produce it, while New Zealand filmmaker Roseanne Liang will direct selected episodes.

The cast of Queenstown

The cast is led by Emmy Award nominee Rufus Sewell, alongside Frances O’Connor, Alycia Debnam-Carey, and New Zealand actor Te Kohe Tuhaka. Amanda Duthie, Netflix’s Content Director for Australia and New Zealand, described the project as a significant milestone for the company.

She said that producing the first locally commissioned Netflix series in New Zealand represents an important step for the platform and praised the drama as a compelling story about class, family, and power set in the world of a luxury ski resort. On the other hand, Executive producers Jodi Matterson and Libbie Doherty also expressed confidence in the project, calling creator Chloe Stearns an exceptional new storytelling talent and predicting the series would become a favourite among audiences.

Where is the production of Queenstown taking place

Furthermore, Netflix’s original productions in the region have so far largely focused on Australia, producing successful titles including Heartbreak High, Boy Swallows Universe, and Apple Cider Vinegar. The production has received support from the New Zealand Film Commission and the country’s Screen Production Rebate programme.

Netflix has not yet announced an official release date for Queenstown.

Category	Details
Series Title	Queenstown
Platform	Netflix
Type	Original Drama Series
Episodes	8
Significance	Netflix’s first original series commissioned in New Zealand
Filming Location	Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand
Story	Power struggles, family conflict, loyalty and desire among a wealthy family and their employees
Creator & Writer	Chloe Stearns
Lead Directors	Glendyn Ivin and Roseanne Liang
Main Cast	Rufus Sewell, Frances O’Connor, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Te Kohe Tuhaka
Executive Producers	Chloe Stearns, Glendyn Ivin, Jodi Matterson, Libbie Doherty, Jeremy Platt and Erika North
Production Support	New Zealand Film Commission and Screen Production Rebate
Release Date	Not announced

Key Points:

Netflix has started production on Queenstown, its first original series commissioned in New Zealand.
The drama consists of eight episodes and is being filmed in Queenstown.
The story revolves around a wealthy family and the people working for them amid power struggles, loyalty and desire.
Rufus Sewell, Frances O’Connor, Alycia Debnam-Carey and Te Kohe Tuhaka lead the cast.
The series is created by Chloe Stearns and directed by Glendyn Ivin and Roseanne Liang.