Punjab cybercrime crackdown, 28 suspects arrested

North Korea is highlighting traditional foods, health advice and leisure activities as an intense heatwave sweeps across the Korean Peninsula. State media reported that temperatures in the country reached 36.7°C, the highest recorded since modern weather observations began. The extreme heat has also brought a series of unusually warm nights. With the hottest period of summer underway, North Korean media has focused heavily on ways for people to stay cool and maintain their health. One of the recommendations receiving particular attention is dog-meat soup. State media described the dish as a traditional summer food and promoted a long-standing belief that it can help people cope with extreme heat. Other foods recommended by state media include watermelon, cucumbers, mung beans, fish porridge and red-bean porridge. Chicken soup prepared with ginseng, sticky rice and dates has also been promoted as a popular summer meal. Health programmes on North Korean television have urged people to remain hydrated and take precautions while swimming or exercising outdoors. The country has not released figures on deaths linked to the current heatwave. South Korea, meanwhile, has reported more than 20 heat-related deaths. North Korean state media has also used the extreme weather to highlight leader Kim Jong Un’s image as a leader who shares difficult conditions with ordinary citizens. A recent report recalled a 2013 visit by Kim to a construction site during hot weather. The report said his clothes became soaked with sweat during the inspection. According to the account, Kim insisted that important work for the people should continue despite the heat. State media also highlighted other past inspections in difficult weather conditions. These included a trip through mountainous terrain during heavy rain and a visit to a seafood factory where temperatures were reportedly around 39°C. There has been no detailed report on Kim’s activities during the current heatwave. Meanwhile, state television has shown large crowds visiting beaches, swimming pools and water parks to escape the extreme temperatures. Thousands of people have reportedly visited the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone, one of Kim’s major tourism projects on the country’s eastern coast.

LONDON:Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Tipu Usman, has announced a series of people-centred reforms aimed at improving consular services for the British Pakistani community. As part of the new measures, consular services at the Pakistan High Commission in London will now begin at 8:00 am, Monday to Friday, increasing the number of appointments available each day and helping reduce waiting times. The High Commission has also introduced a daily walk-in facility from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday, on a first-come, first-served basis. The service will cover passport issuance and renewal, NADRA-related services, document attestation, including Powers of Attorney, and Police Character Certificates. The reforms are among the first major public service initiatives introduced by High Commissioner Tipu Usman since assuming office. They are aimed at making consular services more accessible, efficient and responsive to the needs of overseas Pakistanis living in London and surrounding areas. Members of the British Pakistani community have welcomed the initiative, describing it as a practical step that will ease access to essential consular services and improve the overall public service experience at the Pakistan High Commission in London.

Graduates of the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research in Hyderabad have urged the university administration to reconsider its decision to invite Chief Justice of India Surya Kant as the chief guest at its upcoming convocation. The students have submitted a written request to the vice chancellor, registrar and faculty members. They said the university should consider constitutional values, justice and respect for citizens’ grievances while deciding who should preside over such an important academic event. The students’ concerns are linked to the Supreme Court’s handling of a petition related to police action during a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 20. The protest was held under the banner of “Chalo Sansad”. The students have raised questions about the court’s decision not to list the petition for an urgent hearing at the time. In their representation, the graduates referred to reports about a hearing held on July 22. They claimed that the lawyer representing the protesters was told not to waste the court’s time. The students also cited reports that the lawyer offered to show videos of alleged police excesses during the protest. According to the petition, the chief justice reportedly declined to watch the footage, saying he did not have time. The graduates further alleged that the lawyer was not allowed to fully explain the reasons behind the protest. They said the matter deserved greater consideration because of the allegations surrounding the police action. The students also said a separate letter had previously been sent to the chief justice. The letter reportedly requested the Supreme Court to take suo motu notice of the alleged police action. According to the students’ petition, more than 170 protesters were injured during the incident. They claimed that women and children were also among those injured. The graduates said their concerns were based on the principles they had been taught during their time at the law university. They argued that constitutional rights and citizens’ freedoms were central to their legal education. They said receiving degrees from a chief guest whose recent conduct they believe raises questions about the handling of allegations of police violence would be a matter of concern. The students have therefore asked the university to reconsider the invitation. They have also sought consultation with graduating students before making a final decision. They further requested a meeting with the university administration to discuss the issue. The graduates also asked the administration to respond to their concerns without delay.