Four Suspects in Five-Body Murder Case Remanded into Formal Custody; One Apologizes to Victims’ Families, Claims He Was Forced, Bail Opposed, Families Want Death Penalty

JERUSALEM: Israel has withdrawn the entry permits of several American Jewish activists who took part in protests in the occupied West Bank against attacks on Palestinians and damage to their property, according to a report by US Jewish publication The Forward. Among those affected was activist Sam Sherman, who said his travel permit was canceled while he was participating in a seven-week volunteer programme in Masafer Yatta, where he had been working alongside Palestinian residents. Sherman told the publication that several members of his group received cancellation notices within minutes of one another. He said Israeli soldiers, police and armed settlers had photographed his passport during confrontations that he described as being initiated by settlers. According to Sherman, the activists had been peacefully spending time with local Palestinians but were treated by Israeli authorities as though their presence itself constituted a serious offence. The reported permit cancellations come amid continued tensions in the occupied West Bank, where confrontations involving Palestinians, Israeli settlers and security forces remain a major source of concern.

  A man climbed an electricity pole in Peshawar in an alleged attempt to steal power cables, according to the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO). The unusual incident took place in the Shahibagh Sub-Division area, where electricity supply had already been suspended because maintenance work was underway. According to PESCO officials, the man climbed onto the pole while power was switched off in the area. The incident reportedly occurred during a period when electricity lines were not operational due to repair and maintenance work being carried out by the power distribution company. PESCO said that the man appeared to have taken advantage of the temporary suspension of electricity supply. He reportedly climbed the pole with the intention of removing electrical wires. The incident was noticed by people in the area, who alerted the relevant authorities. Officials reached the location and took action to prevent the situation from becoming more serious. The man was eventually brought down safely from the electricity pole. The incident occurred in the Shahibagh Sub-Division, an area served by PESCO as part of its electricity distribution network in Peshawar. Authorities said that the power supply had been deliberately shut down because repair work was being conducted on the network. The temporary power outage may have created an opportunity for the suspect to attempt the alleged theft. Electricity cables and other equipment belonging to power distribution companies are frequently targeted by thieves because the materials can be sold as scrap or for their metal value. However, climbing an electricity pole can be extremely dangerous even when the power supply has been switched off. Electrical systems can contain residual risks, and unexpected restoration of electricity can also create a serious threat to anyone working on or near power lines. PESCO officials did not immediately provide further details about whether the man had successfully removed any cables before being stopped. It was also not immediately clear whether a formal case had been registered against him or what legal action would be taken. The incident highlights the challenges faced by electricity distribution companies in protecting their infrastructure from theft and illegal interference. Power cables, transformers and other equipment are essential for maintaining electricity supplies, and their theft can cause additional outages and financial losses. Authorities regularly warn members of the public against approaching electricity poles, wires and other electrical equipment without proper training or authorisation. Such actions can result in serious injuries or even death. Residents in the area reportedly alerted officials after noticing the man on the pole. His safe removal prevented a potentially dangerous situation from escalating. PESCO has been carrying out maintenance and repair activities in different parts of its service area to improve the reliability of electricity supplies. Planned outages are sometimes necessary to allow technical teams to safely work on power lines and related infrastructure. Officials have advised consumers to cooperate with maintenance schedules and report suspicious activity involving electricity infrastructure to the relevant authorities. The Peshawar incident serves as a reminder that electricity infrastructure remains vulnerable to theft, particularly during planned outages. It also demonstrates the dangers associated with attempting to interfere with electrical equipment. While the man was successfully brought down from the pole, authorities are expected to investigate the incident further and determine whether he intended to steal cables and whether any electricity infrastructure was damaged during the attempt.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a nationwide flood alert, warning that rising river levels and continued monsoon rainfall could lead to flooding in several parts of Pakistan through Sunday. The authority has urged citizens to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel to flood-prone areas. According to the NDMA, the Indus River is currently experiencing moderate flooding at Guddu, while low flood conditions persist at Kalabagh, Chashma, and Sukkur. The Chenab River is also expected to witness moderate to high water flows at Marala, with low to moderate flows forecast at Khanki and Qadirabad. The authority further stated that the Jhelum, Ravi, and Kabul rivers, along with their tributaries, are expected to experience low to moderate flows. However, water levels in streams and tributaries connected to the Jhelum, Chenab, and Ravi rivers are likely to increase significantly due to ongoing rainfall. Hill torrents in Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur are also expected to experience heavy water flows, raising the risk of flash flooding. Similar conditions are forecast for rain-fed streams and nullahs in central and southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and northern Balochistan. The NDMA warned that districts including Mohmand, Bajaur, Buner, Mardan, Kurram, South Waziristan, Shangla, and Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could experience flooding in streams and nullahs. In northern Balochistan, the Nari, Bolan, Kangri, and Lehri rivers are also at risk of flash flooding. Urban flooding is expected in several Punjab districts, including Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Gujrat, Narowal, Lahore, Okara, Sahiwal, and Faisalabad. Similar conditions may affect Sindh districts such as Sukkur, Hyderabad, Shaheed Benazirabad, Thatta, Badin, Sanghar, Khairpur, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Tharparkar, and Nawabshah. Cities including Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda, and Mardan may also experience urban flooding. The NDMA has advised the public to avoid crossing flooded roads, rivers, and streams, particularly in mountainous areas where landslides, debris flows, and flash floods are more likely during the monsoon season. Travelers are encouraged to carry emergency supplies, including drinking water, dry food, a flashlight, a first-aid kit, a power bank, and emergency contact numbers. Citizens have also been urged to stay informed through the official Pak NDMA Disaster Alert mobile application and follow instructions issued by local authorities to ensure their safety during the ongoing monsoon season.