تازہ ترین

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    Oil tanker hit near Oman coast, engine room damage…

    ByJustpaste.in

    MUSCAT: A commercial oil tanker came under attack off the coast of Oman on Saturday after being struck by an unidentified weapon, raising fresh concerns over maritime security in one of the world’s busiest energy shipping corridors. According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the incident occurred approximately 11 nautical miles northeast of Lima, a coastal area in Oman. The organization said the vessel was hit by an unknown weapon, causing damage to its engine room. The impact reportedly left the tanker without propulsion, forcing the crew to deal with a loss of control while emergency procedures were initiated. Despite the damage, no casualties or injuries have been reported, and all crew members are believed to be safe. Authorities have not yet identified the source of the attack or disclosed the identity and flag of the vessel. Maritime security agencies are closely monitoring the situation as investigations continue. The latest incident comes at a time of heightened tensions across regional waters, where commercial vessels have increasingly faced security threats. Shipping companies operating in the Gulf and nearby sea lanes have been urged to remain vigilant and follow updated security guidance while transiting through the area. The waters surrounding Oman, particularly routes connecting the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, are vital for global energy supplies, carrying millions of barrels of crude oil and petroleum products every day. Any disruption in these sea lanes has the potential to affect international shipping and energy markets. Maritime analysts say even isolated attacks can increase insurance costs, delay cargo movements and intensify concerns among global shipping operators. Omani authorities and international maritime organizations are expected to release further details once the investigation progresses. Meanwhile, commercial vessels in the region continue to receive security advisories as officials assess the circumstances surrounding the latest attack.

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    PSX soars as KSE-100 Index jumps over 5,000 points…

    ByJustpaste.in

    KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) wrapped up the trading week on a bullish note, with investors driving the benchmark KSE-100 Index sharply higher amid sustained buying interest and renewed market optimism. According to the PSX’s weekly market update, the KSE-100 Index gained 5,072 points during the week, closing at 176,094 points. The strong performance reflected growing investor confidence as the market continued its upward momentum. Throughout the week, the benchmark index traded within a 4,510-point range, touching a weekly high of 179,123 points while falling to a low of 174,612 points. Analysts said the wide trading range highlighted active investor participation and healthy market activity. The rally capped off a positive week in which the stock market maintained strong momentum. On the final trading day of July, the KSE-100 Index had already climbed 546 points, setting the stage for an impressive weekly finish. Trading activity also remained robust. During the five trading sessions, investors exchanged approximately 4.15 billion shares, with the total value of transactions reaching Rs158 billion, indicating strong liquidity and continued interest from market participants. Meanwhile, the market’s overall capitalization increased by Rs477 billion over the week, reaching Rs19.755 trillion. The significant rise in market value underscores improving sentiment among investors despite ongoing economic challenges. Market experts say the latest gains reflect confidence in Pakistan’s financial markets, supported by sustained institutional buying and expectations of improving macroeconomic conditions. However, they caution that investors will continue to monitor economic indicators, corporate earnings and policy developments that could influence market direction in the coming weeks. The latest weekly performance reinforces the Pakistan Stock Exchange’s position as one of the region’s best-performing markets this year, with investors hoping the bullish trend will continue if economic stability and positive business sentiment remain intact.

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    Bilawal urges Kashmiris to shape their own future

    ByJustpaste.in

    MUZAFFARABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has reiterated that the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) alone should have the authority to determine their government and future, as political campaigning intensifies ahead of the second phase of the AJK elections. In a video message focusing on the Kashmiri people’s right to self-governance, Bilawal said his party was committed to ensuring that the residents of Azad Kashmir enjoy the same democratic rights as every citizen of Pakistan. “I want the people of Kashmir to receive the same rights that every Pakistani citizen enjoys,” Bilawal said, adding that the most fundamental of these rights is the right to sovereignty through the power of the vote. Explaining his vision, the PPP chairman said the true meaning of sovereignty is that every vote should be respected and accurately reflected in the election results. According to him, the public mandate must remain free from outside influence so that the will of the people prevails. Bilawal also stressed the need for greater representation of Azad Kashmir in national decision-making institutions. He argued that whenever key decisions are made regarding the region’s water resources, electricity or budgetary matters, Kashmir should have its own seat and an effective voice at the table. He maintained that stronger institutional representation would ensure that the interests of the people of Azad Kashmir are protected while promoting more inclusive governance. As part of his election campaign, Bilawal urged voters to support the PPP in the upcoming polls, asking them to stamp the party’s traditional arrow symbol on August 2. He said the election represented an opportunity for the people to safeguard their democratic rights and send a clear message that the future of Kashmir should be determined by its own citizens. The PPP chairman’s remarks come as political parties intensify their campaigns across Azad Kashmir ahead of polling, with issues of governance, development, constitutional rights and public representation dominating election debates. The second phase of the Azad Kashmir elections is expected to draw significant voter participation, with major political parties competing for crucial seats. Political analysts believe voter turnout and public confidence in the electoral process will play a decisive role in shaping the region’s next government and its political direction in the years ahead.

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    Upper Dir battles massive cholera outbreak as case…

    ByJustpaste.in

    PESHAWAR: A major cholera outbreak has struck several areas of Upper Dir in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, infecting more than 3,000 people and placing severe pressure on local healthcare facilities, officials said on Saturday. The outbreak has affected multiple localities, including Ashirai Dara, Sharingal, Barawal and Dir Khas, where a large number of residents have reported symptoms associated with the waterborne disease. According to Dr. Sahibzada Imtiaz, Medical Superintendent of the District Headquarters Hospital in Upper Dir, the number of cholera patients has risen rapidly over the past few days. He said more than 3,000 people, including women and children, have been infected since the outbreak began. Hospital authorities revealed that 600 patients were admitted in a single day, highlighting the alarming pace at which the disease is spreading. The influx of patients has overwhelmed the District Headquarters Hospital, leaving medical staff under immense pressure. Doctors said several patients remain in critical condition and are being shifted to other healthcare facilities for specialized treatment because the main hospital has reached full capacity. In response to the health emergency, teams from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department have been dispatched to the affected districts. Public health officials are conducting field inspections, monitoring the spread of the disease and working to improve access to safe drinking water. Authorities are also testing local water sources to identify possible contamination, as cholera is commonly spread through polluted water and poor sanitation. Health experts have urged residents to drink only boiled or purified water, maintain proper hygiene and seek immediate medical attention if they experience severe diarrhea, vomiting or dehydration. They stressed that early treatment can significantly reduce the risk of serious complications. The outbreak has raised concerns about public health infrastructure in remote areas, where limited access to clean water and medical services can accelerate the spread of infectious diseases. Officials say emergency response efforts will continue until the situation is brought under control and further infections are prevented.

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    Massive $4 billion Iranian sanctions evasion network uncovered behind illegal gambling and crypto scheme

    ByJustpaste.in

    A Reuters investigation has exposed a massive Iranian sanctions evasion network operating through a Dubai-based, unlicensed cryptocurrency exchange named Shelbit. The exchange has processed over $4 billion since May 2024, serving as a critical financial hub that links a Farsi-language illegal gambling network of over 2,000 websites, Iran’s central bank, state-backed bitcoin mining operations, and entities tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Despite strict prohibitions against gambling under Iranian law, the vast network utilises Iran’s central bank-regulated online payments system, allowing sanctioned entities and illicit networks direct access to global crypto markets and major international exchanges. Fronted by prominent Iranian influencers Sasha Sobhani and Pooyan Mokhtari, who promote the gambling sites to millions of social media followers while flaunting lavish lifestyles abroad, the operation is considered one of the largest illegal gambling and sanctions evasion schemes ever identified. Regulatory and law enforcement agencies have begun taking action against the network. Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) issued a cease-and-desist order against Shelbit for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing violations, while the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) confirmed it is actively investigating the network’s digital asset transactions.

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    Naqvi’s remarks backed administrative reforms, s…

    ByJustpaste.in

    ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s recent remarks about Pakistan’s governance system reflected ongoing discussions on improving administrative efficiency through the creation of new provinces or administrative units, according to informed sources. Naqvi made the comments while addressing the Pakistan Economic Summit 2026 on Thursday. During his speech, he described the country’s governance system as “broken” and urged political parties to develop a consensus on the issue of creating new provinces. His remarks triggered widespread debate among political leaders, analysts and journalists, with many questioning the message behind his statement. According to sources familiar with the matter, the minister’s comments should not be viewed as criticism of the federal government or as a sign of differences within the state institutions. Instead, they said the remarks were aimed at highlighting the need for administrative reforms to improve governance and ensure better delivery of public services. Speaking at the summit, Naqvi said the existing governance structure was no longer capable of addressing Pakistan’s growing challenges. He warned that unless major reforms were introduced, the country would continue discussing the same problems even after another 10 years. The interior minister stressed that Pakistan needed a long-term solution rather than temporary measures. He said the issue of creating new administrative units should be placed before the people so that a national consensus could be developed through public debate. Naqvi also referred to the prime minister’s reported long working hours, saying that working 18 to 20 hours a day reflected commitment but could not permanently solve structural governance problems. He said such efforts were similar to dealing with emergencies instead of addressing the root causes of the country’s administrative challenges. His remarks immediately sparked political speculation in Islamabad. Some observers interpreted the statement as an acknowledgment that the current governance model was not delivering the desired results. Others suggested the comments reflected dissatisfaction with the existing administrative structure. Some political analysts also linked the statement to speculation about differences between the civil government and the military establishment. However, informed sources firmly rejected that interpretation. A source with knowledge of the matter said there was no disagreement between Islamabad and Rawalpindi regarding the issue. The source emphasized that Naqvi’s speech was focused solely on promoting the idea of administrative reforms through the establishment of additional administrative units. According to the source, the purpose of the remarks was to encourage discussion among policymakers, political parties and the public about whether Pakistan should adopt a new administrative framework to improve governance across the country. Observers believe supporters of the proposal argue that Pakistan’s existing provincial structure has become too large and complex to effectively manage the country’s administrative and development needs. They maintain that smaller provinces or administrative units could bring government institutions closer to the people, improve service delivery, strengthen local administration and make governance more efficient.

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    British funeral director sentenced to 20 years in prison for fraud and desecration of remains

    ByJustpaste.in

    Former funeral director Robert Bush, 48, has been jailed for 20 years at Hull Crown Court after pleading guilty to 67 criminal charges. The charges include preventing a lawful and decent burial, fraud by false representation, fraudulent trading, and theft, spanning a period of nearly 12 years at Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull, East Yorkshire. The police investigation, launched in March 2024 following a report from a casual worker, uncovered 35 decomposing bodies left uncovered and un-cremated at the business’s Hessle Road premises. Investigators revealed that Bush had repeatedly provided grieving relatives with ashes belonging to strangers, including delivering young adult remains to the parents of a stillborn baby whose body was discovered stored in a paper bag on site. Bush also stole thousands of pounds in charitable donations collected from mourners at memorial services. Presiding Judge Nicholas Hilliard described Bush’s actions as “heartless” and motivated by greed, noting that his crimes caused pain and anguish on an incomprehensible scale. Alongside the 20-year custodial sentence, Bush has been banned from acting as a company director for 14 years. The severe failure has prompted renewed demands across the United Kingdom for stricter statutory regulation of the funeral industry.

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    US expands import blacklist over Chinese forced la…

    ByJustpaste.in

    The United States has banned imports from 43 additional Chinese companies over alleged human rights abuses and forced labour involving Uyghurs and other minority groups in the Xinjiang region. The decision marks the largest single expansion of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List since its enactment in December 2021, bringing the total number of restricted entities from 144 to 187. Newly blacklisted firms span electronics, lithium, metals, pharmaceuticals, and food sectors, including major capacitor manufacturer Hunan Aihua Group and exporter Chacha Food Co, which US officials accuse of sourcing materials or recruiting personnel through state-backed forced labour programmes. While US Customs and Border Protection has intercepted more than 24,300 shipments valued at nearly $1 billion under the law, the Chinese embassy in Washington has rejected the allegations, maintaining that workers of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang freely choose their employment and receive equal remuneration.

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    Fatima Jinnah remembered for inspiring legacy on b…

    ByJustpaste.in

    SIALKOT: Government College Women University Sialkot (GCWUS) commemorated the birth anniversary of Madar-e-Millat Fatima Jinnah, honouring her remarkable role in Pakistan’s independence movement, her commitment to women’s empowerment, and her lasting contributions to nation-building. In a statement issued on Friday, the university described Fatima Jinnah as one of the country’s most influential national figures. Born in Karachi on July 31, 1893, she remained a steadfast supporter of her brother, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and played a pivotal role in encouraging Muslim women to actively participate in the struggle for an independent homeland. The university also highlighted her leadership in establishing the All India Muslim League Women’s Committee in 1937, an initiative that helped spread the message of the Pakistan Movement among women across the subcontinent and strengthened their political participation. Paying tribute to her humanitarian efforts, GCWUS noted that Fatima Jinnah also devoted herself to the rehabilitation of refugees and the provision of medical assistance following the creation of Pakistan. The university said her vision, courage, and dedication continue to inspire generations, reaffirming her enduring place in the country’s history as a symbol of patriotism, resilience, and public service.

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    Independent experts confirm pellet-gun injuries among protesters in Delhi

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    Independent ballistic and forensic experts have confirmed to the BBC that injuries sustained by protesters during the 20 July demonstrations in Delhi were caused by birdshot from 12-gauge pellet guns. The protests, led by the Cockroach Janta Party over repeated exam paper leaks, faced a heavy police and paramilitary crackdown near parliament. While government ministers and Delhi Police have denied deploying pellet guns, insisting only batons and tear gas were used, hospital records, X-rays, and multiple victims verify dozens of small metal pellets embedded in bodies. Among the injured is 19-year-old student Sahil Lochab, who risks losing an eye, and a journalist who documented 30 pellet wounds. If officially verified, this represents the first instance of Indian security forces using pellet guns for crowd control within the capital.