تازہ ترین

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    FIFA clarifies proposed Forward Enterprise plan

    ByJustpaste.in

    FIFA has issued a detailed clarification regarding its proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise project following concerns raised by several stakeholders. The world football governing body said the proposal is still under discussion and no final decision will be made without consulting all 211 member associations. In an official statement, FIFA stressed that transparency and consultation remain central to its decision-making process. It said every member association will have the opportunity to review the proposal and express its opinion before any final approval is granted. FIFA said no single organisation or group can claim to represent the interests of all 211 member associations. For that reason, it said all major decisions must be taken collectively after a comprehensive consultation process involving its global membership. The organisation also responded to criticism suggesting that the proposed project could result in the commercial sale of football. FIFA strongly rejected those claims and stated that football is not being sold under any circumstances. The governing body said it would never compromise the integrity of the sport or transfer ownership of its commercial operations. It added that the proposed enterprise is intended solely to improve the management of commercial activities while keeping FIFA in full control. According to FIFA, the proposal involves establishing a subsidiary company under the FIFA Forward Enterprise initiative. The subsidiary would manage certain commercial operations, but it would remain entirely owned and controlled by FIFA. The organisation said the project aims to generate higher commercial revenue, allowing greater investment in football development programmes across the world. FIFA said the additional income would be distributed among all member associations through its existing development framework. Under the proposal, every FIFA member association could receive up to $20 million in FIFA Forward funding during the 2027-2030 funding cycle. The organisation said the increased financial support would help national football associations strengthen infrastructure, improve grassroots development, enhance coaching programmes and invest in long-term football projects. FIFA also clarified that while the proposal may include external investment, such investment would not affect FIFA’s governance structure, independence or decision-making authority. The organisation said it would retain complete ownership and operational control of the proposed subsidiary. The governing body further stated that the project has not yet been approved and remains subject to discussions with member associations. It emphasised that the proposal could still be amended if member associations recommend changes during the consultation process. FIFA made it clear that if a majority of its 211 member associations do not support the proposal, the FIFA Forward Enterprise project will not move forward.

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    Fatima Zahra wins historic Commonwealth Games boxing bronze

    ByJustpaste.in

    GLASGOW: Pakistani boxer Fatima Zahra made history by winning a bronze medal in the women’s 60kg boxing event at the Commonwealth Games, becoming the first Pakistani woman to secure a boxing medal at the prestigious multi-sport event. Fatima’s campaign ended in the semi-finals after she was defeated by Canadian boxer Maria. Despite the loss, she earned the bronze medal under the tournament’s competition format, marking a significant milestone for Pakistan’s women’s boxing. During the semi-final, the Canadian boxer established a 4-1 lead in the opening round. The referee stopped the contest in the second round, bringing the bout to an early conclusion and ending Fatima’s hopes of reaching the final. Before advancing to the semi-finals, Fatima delivered an impressive performance in the quarter-finals by defeating New Zealand’s Jordan Wilson. The victory secured her place among the top four boxers in the competition and guaranteed Pakistan a medal. The achievement is particularly significant as it marks Pakistan’s first boxing medal at the Commonwealth Games since 2014. It also represents a historic breakthrough for women’s boxing in the country, with Fatima becoming the first Pakistani female boxer to reach the podium at the Games. Speaking after the semi-final, Fatima said the bronze medal was an important achievement, although the team had entered the event with hopes of winning the gold medal. She described the medal as an encouraging step for Pakistani women’s boxing and said it would inspire more female athletes to pursue the sport at the highest level. Fatima added that the journey to the Commonwealth Games had required years of hard work, dedication and sacrifice. She said reaching the podium showed that Pakistan’s women boxers were making steady progress and moving in the right direction. Sports officials and boxing supporters praised her achievement, describing it as a major boost for women’s boxing in Pakistan and a source of inspiration for the country’s young athletes. The women’s 60kg boxing final will be held on Saturday, with India’s Priya set to face Canada’s Mary Almahdi in the gold medal contest.

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    Sri Lanka’s Tharanga storms to Commonwealth gold

    ByJustpaste.in

    Pakistan’s star javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem failed to secure a medal in the men’s javelin final at the Commonwealth Games, finishing ninth in a field of 12 athletes. Arshad entered the competition as one of Pakistan’s strongest medal contenders. However, he was unable to produce the long throws needed to challenge for a place on the podium. His opening attempt was declared a foul and did not count towards the final standings. In his second attempt, he registered a throw of 77.41 metres. His third and final throw measured 75.39 metres, leaving him in ninth position at the end of the event. Sri Lanka’s Romesh Tharanga delivered the best performance of the competition to win the gold medal with a throw of 89.75 metres. His effort secured the top spot after an impressive display throughout the final. India’s Neeraj Chopra claimed the silver medal with a best throw of 85.83 metres. Fellow Indian athlete Yashvir Singh completed the podium by winning the bronze medal after recording a throw of 85.41 metres. The men’s javelin final featured 12 athletes from different Commonwealth nations, with several competitors producing throws beyond the 85-metre mark. Arshad was unable to find his rhythm during the competition and remained well behind the leading performers. The result came as a disappointment for Pakistani fans, who had hoped Arshad would add another major international medal to his impressive career. Despite missing out on the podium, he remains one of Pakistan’s most successful athletes and has consistently represented the country with distinction at international events. Arshad has previously won medals at major competitions and is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading javelin throwers. His achievements have inspired a new generation of athletes in Pakistan and raised the profile of athletics in the country.

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    Gold rate slips to Rs426,736 per tola

    ByJustpaste.in

    Gold prices witnessed a sharp decline across Pakistan on Saturday, providing some relief to buyers after recent fluctuations in the bullion market. The decrease came in line with a fall in international gold prices, according to the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Association. The association said the price of 24-karat gold per tola dropped by Rs3,700, bringing the new rate to Rs426,736. Similarly, the price of 10 grams of 24-karat gold fell by Rs3,202, with the new price fixed at Rs365,857. Jewellers said the domestic gold market remained under pressure due to changes in global bullion prices. They explained that local gold rates are determined by international market trends along with fluctuations in the value of the Pakistani rupee against the US dollar. In the international bullion market, the price of gold also registered a noticeable decline. The price per ounce dropped by $37, settling at $4,043. Market analysts said international gold prices continue to fluctuate because of changes in investor sentiment, global economic conditions, inflation expectations and movements in the US dollar. These factors directly influence gold prices in Pakistan.

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    SC rules widow entitled to deceased’s pensio…

    ByJustpaste.in

    The Supreme Court of Pakistan has ruled that the widow of a deceased retired employee is the lawful recipient of the employee’s pension and post-retirement benefits, clarifying that siblings cannot claim such benefits solely on the basis of being legal heirs. The ruling was issued in a detailed four-page written judgment authored by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi. The decision provides important legal clarification on the distribution of pension and retirement benefits after the death of a retired government employee. According to the judgment, pension is not treated as inherited property that can automatically be divided among all legal heirs. Instead, the court held that pension payments are governed by the relevant laws, service rules and institutional regulations. The Supreme Court stated that the widow of a deceased retired employee has the primary legal right to receive the pension and related benefits. It further observed that if a person has been legally nominated under the applicable rules, that nominee would also be entitled to receive the benefits. The court made it clear that brothers and sisters cannot claim a deceased employee’s pension merely because they are legal heirs under inheritance laws. It explained that pension rights arise from specific statutory provisions and are separate from the general rules governing inheritance. The judgment emphasised that all pension payments must be made strictly in accordance with the applicable laws and the regulations of the concerned institution. Authorities responsible for disbursing pensions must follow these legal provisions while determining the rightful beneficiary. The case reached the Supreme Court after the siblings of a deceased employee of the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) challenged an earlier court ruling and sought a succession certificate to claim pension-related benefits. After reviewing the case, the apex court dismissed the appeal and upheld the decision of the Peshawar High Court, which had ruled that the siblings were not entitled to receive the deceased employee’s pension. The Supreme Court observed that pension is a statutory benefit and cannot be distributed under ordinary inheritance principles unless specifically permitted by the relevant legal framework.

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    Kanikka Kapur’s ‘Batwara 1947’ look has fans convinced it is Kiara Advani

    ByJustpaste.in

    A fresh poster from Batwara 1947 is making waves online for a rather unexpected reason. Fans have started comparing debutant actress Kanikka Kapur’s appearance in the poster to Bollywood actress Kiara Advani. The buzz began after the poster dropped on July 30. It featured Kanikka alongside co-star Karan Deol. The partition-era drama boasts a solid ensemble cast. This includes Sunny Deol, Preity Zinta, Shabana Azmi, Ali Fazal, Karan Deol, and Kanikka Kapur in key roles. Almost immediately after the poster surfaced, comment sections lit up. Viewers pointed out a striking resemblance between the two actresses. In the poster, Kanikka wears a floral outfit paired with a light brown dupatta. Her makeup was kept simple and understated. That styling choice seemed to be what triggered the comparisons in the first place. Kanikka shared the same poster on her personal Instagram account. Alongside it, she wrote a simple caption. “Watch #Batwara1947 in cinemas this Partition Day, 14th August,” she posted. The comments under her post soon filled up with reactions from fans. One user wrote, “Congratulations @kanikkakapur I really thought it was Kiara Advani on the poster!” Another commented, “I thought it is Kiara Advani…but happy for you Kanika ji…God bless you with huge success.” Many other users chimed in with similar observations. Kiara Advani’s name kept coming up repeatedly across the replies. For Kanikka Kapur, Batwara 1947 marks her big Bollywood debut. Before stepping into films, she built a name for herself on television. She played the role of Suman Tiwari in Ek Duje Ke Vaaste 2. She has also worked on digital projects, including Dono, Modern Parivar, and Murderbad. Separately, director Rajkumar Santoshi recently shared an emotional detail about the film. He revealed that Batwara 1947 was the very last film veteran actor Dharmendra watched before his death. According to Santoshi, Dharmendra grew emotional while listening to the film’s narration. Tears welled up in his eyes as he offered his blessings for the project. Santoshi also mentioned that after watching the film, Dharmendra praised it warmly. He reportedly told the director that the film would go on to do exceptionally well. Batwara 1947 is all set to hit cinemas on August 14, 2026, coinciding with Partition Day.

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    Search ends as all 34 miners recovered after Quett…

    ByJustpaste.in

    QUETTA: The search and rescue operation at the site of the deadly coal mine explosion near Quetta concluded on Saturday after rescuers recovered the bodies of the last two trapped miners. With the latest recovery, the death toll from the tragedy has reached 34. The explosion took place on Thursday at a privately operated coal mine in the Sorange coalfield, located around 30 kilometres northeast of Quetta. Officials said a buildup of methane gas triggered a powerful explosion, causing a fire inside the mine and leading to its collapse. The blast also affected another nearby mine. Balochistan Chief Inspector of Mines Muhammad Atif confirmed that all 34 miners trapped underground had now been recovered. He said rescue teams worked continuously under difficult conditions to retrieve the remaining two bodies after recovering 32 victims on Friday. Following the completion of the rescue mission, authorities sealed both mines and launched a formal investigation into the incident. A team of mining experts has been formed to determine the exact cause of the explosion and examine whether all required safety measures had been followed. Officials said all the deceased miners belonged to Shangla district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Their bodies have been transported to their hometowns, where funeral prayers and burials will be held. Authorities said 23 of the victims were residents of Pirabad, a village that has repeatedly suffered losses in coal mining accidents. Local representatives said most of the miners were young men between the ages of 17 and 25. Community leaders said many of the victims belonged to the same families and were close relatives. Some of the deceased had already lost their fathers in previous mining accidents, reflecting the continued dangers faced by families dependent on coal mining for their livelihood. According to officials, 24 miners were working nearly 4,000 feet underground in the mine where the methane gas explosion occurred. The remaining workers were trapped in another nearby mine that was also affected by the blast. The tragedy has once again highlighted concerns over working conditions and safety standards in Pakistan’s coal mining sector. Labour organisations have repeatedly called for stronger enforcement of mining regulations, improved ventilation systems and better emergency preparedness to reduce the risk of fatal accidents. Coal mining remains one of the country’s most dangerous occupations. Workers face constant threats from gas explosions, mine collapses, toxic fumes, suffocation and long-term respiratory diseases caused by prolonged exposure to coal dust.

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    RLNG prices jump up to 34.6% amid supply disruptio…

    ByJustpaste.in

    ISLAMABAD: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has increased the prices of re-gasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) by up to 34.6% for July 2026, as continued disruptions in LNG supplies from Qatar forced Pakistan to rely on expensive spot market imports. According to an official notification, consumers of Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) will face the largest increase. The RLNG price for SSGC consumers has been fixed at $25.087 per MMBtu, following an increase of $6.4512 per MMBtu, representing a 34.6% rise. Consumers of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) will also pay higher rates. The regulator fixed the RLNG price at $25.8388 per MMBtu, an increase of $6.316 per MMBtu, or 32.35%, compared with the previous month. Officials said the latest increase was mainly driven by a sharp decline in LNG imports during July. Pakistan received only five LNG cargoes throughout the month, making it the third-lowest monthly import volume since the country started importing LNG. The reduced supply forced the country to purchase all available LNG cargoes from the international spot market, where prices are generally much higher and more volatile than long-term contractual rates. Energy officials said state-owned Pakistan LNG Limited arranged all five cargoes from the spot market. Meanwhile, Pakistan did not receive any LNG shipments under its long-term agreements with Qatar during the month. The interruption in Qatari supplies has continued since damage to energy infrastructure earlier this year, affecting LNG exports to several countries in Asia and Europe, including Pakistan. Experts said the absence of lower-cost LNG from long-term contracts has significantly increased Pakistan’s import bill and placed additional pressure on the country’s energy sector. Since the regional conflict in the Middle East began earlier this year, RLNG prices in Pakistan have risen by more than 144%, making energy substantially more expensive for industries, businesses and other consumers.

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    Australia defends social media ban for under-16s

    ByJustpaste.in

    The Australian government has defended its ban on social media use by children under the age of 16, despite new data showing that most teenagers continue to access restricted platforms months after the law came into effect. The legislation, introduced in December, was designed to protect children from the harmful effects of social media on their mental and physical health. The policy attracted international attention, with Australia becoming the first country to implement such a nationwide restriction on underage social media users. A recent report by Australia’s online safety regulator found that more than eight in ten teenagers under the age of 16 were still using social media platforms three months after the restrictions became operational. The findings have highlighted the challenges governments face in enforcing digital regulations. Despite the report, Australian authorities insisted that the policy remains an important step toward creating a safer online environment for children. Officials said the law has already influenced public discussion about online safety and encouraged greater awareness among parents, educators and technology companies. Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury Andrew Leigh said the government never expected complete compliance immediately after the law came into force. He explained that many public safety laws require time before they achieve widespread compliance. Leigh said the government considers the legislation successful because it has changed the national conversation about children’s use of social media and encouraged stronger action to protect young users from harmful online content. He noted that millions of social media accounts had already been closed or restricted since the implementation of the law. According to the minister, this demonstrates that the legislation is already having an impact, even if some teenagers continue to access online platforms. The government also stressed that technology companies have a major responsibility to ensure compliance with the new rules. Officials said digital platforms must strengthen age verification systems and take effective measures to prevent underage users from creating or maintaining accounts. Regulatory authorities are continuing to assess how well social media companies are implementing the restrictions. They are also examining additional measures that could improve enforcement and ensure technology firms meet their legal obligations. Experts say the latest findings illustrate the complexity of regulating online platforms, particularly as social media has become deeply integrated into the daily lives of young people. They note that effective enforcement will require cooperation between governments, parents, schools and technology companies.

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    North Korea accuses NATO of expanding war preparations

    ByJustpaste.in

    PYONGYANG: North Korea has accused NATO of increasing preparations for future conflicts, claiming the alliance’s planned expansion of military fuel infrastructure reflects a shift toward a more aggressive military posture. In a statement carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Pyongyang criticised NATO’s reported plans to upgrade and expand its fuel supply network across Europe. The project reportedly includes new pipelines and fuel storage facilities aimed at improving military logistics between western Europe and newer eastern and northern member states. North Korea claimed the expansion of fuel infrastructure shows NATO is strengthening its ability to maintain strategic reserves and conduct large-scale military operations. It alleged that the alliance is preparing not only for conflicts in Europe but also for possible involvement in other regions, including the Asia-Pacific. The commentary accused NATO of increasing its military presence in the Asia-Pacific region and criticised the alliance’s cooperation with countries that Pyongyang considers hostile. North Korea claimed that NATO’s recent activities near the Korean Peninsula have contributed to rising regional tensions. Pyongyang also criticised NATO members’ participation in multinational military exercises, including the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) drills. It claimed such exercises demonstrate that the alliance views the Asia-Pacific as a possible area of future military confrontation. North Korea warned that NATO’s expansion of military capabilities and logistics networks could increase global instability. It said strengthening military infrastructure would encourage an arms buildup and create further tensions between major powers. The allegations come amid growing concerns over security developments in Europe and the Asia-Pacific. NATO, however, has repeatedly stated that its military posture is defensive and focused on protecting member countries and deterring potential threats.