Latest

‘Simple Flying’ terms PIA’s claim of operation to Australia incorrect

Published

4 years ago

February 20, 2022

‘Simple Flying’ terms PIA’s claim of operation to Australia incorrect

Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has termed the Pakistan International Airlines’s claim incorrect wherein PIA management claimed to have applied to operate its flights to Australia, claimed a Canada based World’s largest aviation Website.
CASA has confirmed that reports PIA applied for a local air operator’s certificate to operate passenger flights to Sydney are incorrect. Pakistani media is reporting that the airline has requested the air operator’s certificate from CASA. However, the agency says they’ve received no such application.

It merits mentioning here that the Traffic rights between two countries are always given on the basis of reciprocal agreements signed between two nations, said an aviation expert while talking to this scribe. He said that it is a long process of negotiations especially when no traffic rights exist between them. As far as Australia is concerned there have been no such agreements for the past 5 decades between two countries. In fact Australian authorities have refused to give any such traffic rights to Pakistan in the past. Once two nations agree on traffic rights than individuals airlines registered in these two countries especially an airline given the status of National Airline gets preference. The schedule and weekly frequency of these fights depend on whether an airline can pick up enough passengers to make the operation feasible and at least break even. PIA will have to develop the market before it embarks on such a move. It will have to update its In Flight Entertainment System (IFES) which is a factor that passengers undertaking long haul flights take not of when choosing an airline.

The airline will have to offer passengers consumer friendly Online Booking Facility with credit cards to match Emirates system. Emirates is picking up passengers from Lahore via Dubai to Australia. PIA will have to devise a marketing strategy to attract these passengers.
According to multiple reports out of Pakistan, the application was in, and PIA wanted to start Boeing 777 flights down to Sydney out of both Lahore and Karachi by the end of March / early April – an ambitious timeline for even the most blue-chip airline. No airline operates regular passenger flights between Pakistan and Australia, even before the travel downturn. Pakistani-born Australians number around 100,000, and to date, travelers moving between the two countries have transited in ports like Singapore, Doha, or Dubai. However, there is a substantial Pakistani diaspora in Australia, and reports cited PIA saying the business case for flights to Australia stacks up.

“The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has not received an application from Pakistan International Airlines for permission to commence flights to Australia,” the agency said in response to an inquiry from Simple Flying.

Even if the PIA had applied to fly to Australia, CASA takes aviation safety very seriously, and recent PIA bans in the EU and US wouldn’t have helped the airline’s case.

Latest

University of Tennessee sues Anthropic over AI patent infringement

Published

6 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

1 week 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.