OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT and image generator DALL-E, said it was testing a text-to-video model called Sora that would allow users to create realistic videos with a simple prompt. The Microsoft-backed company said the new platform was currently being tested but released a few videos of what it said was already possible, with the accompanying input made to generate …

TOKYO: Japan’s space agency toasted a successful blast-off for its new flagship rocket on Saturday, making it third time lucky after years of delays and two previous failed attempts. The next-generation H3 has been mooted as a rival to SpaceX’s Falcon 9, and could one day deliver cargo to bases on the Moon. “I’ve been in the space industry for …

LAHORE: Defending champions Lahore Qalandars and Islamabad United are all set to lock horns in the opening clash of the ninth edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the Gaddafi Stadium here on Saturday night. Both the teams have two titles to their name each. While the Qalandars have won back-to-back editions in 2022 and 2023, United clinched …

DOHA: China’s Pan Zhanle backed up his men’s 100 metres freestyle world record by winning the world title in Doha on Thursday in a warning to rivals for the Paris Olympics gold medal. The 19-year-old did not threaten the stunning 46.80 seconds mark he set with the leadoff swim in Sunday’s relay at the World Championships but 47.53 was enough …

HAMILTON: New Zealand won a Test series against South Africa for the first time with Kane Williamson hitting an unbeaten century to steer them to a seven-wicket victory in the second Test on Friday. Williamson’s unbeaten 133 was at the heart of their 269-3 in the fourth innings of a tight Test in Hamilton to complete a 2-0 series win …

LAHORE: Former Pakistan team director and head coach Mohammad Hafeez has claimed that he was promised four years in the roles before being released from it only two months after the commencement of his tenure. Hafeez was appointed in the positions by the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) interim Management Committee chairman Zaka Ashraf following the removal of his successor Mickey …

KARACHI: The Economic Coordina­tion Committee’s (ECC) decision to increase the general sales tax to 25 per cent on locally produced vehicles of 1,400cc and above or priced Rs4 million will result in a drop in volumes and revenues. The auto assemblers said it is highly unlikely that a hike in GST would additionally generate revenue of Rs4 billion. The measure …

ISLAMABAD: Textile and clothing exports grew for the second consecutive month in January, according to data issued by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Friday. The sector’s exports rose 10.10 per cent to $1.45 billion in January from $1.32bn in the same month last year. Month-on-month the exports increased by 3.33pc. However, in the first seven months of FY24, …

ISLAMABAD: Short-term inflation has been on a downward trajectory for the third week in a row, decelerating to 34.25 per cent year-on-year in the week ending Feb 15, official data showed on Friday. This comes after a consistent 11-week period of inflation above 40pc, which surged from 29pc recorded on Nov 8, 2023. The spike was primarily fuelled by a …