Sindh High Court seeks record in Mustafa Amir murd…

The death toll from a powerful earthquake in western Colombia has crossed 250 as rescue teams continue searching through collapsed buildings for survivors. The 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck the country’s coffee-growing region early Monday. It caused widespread destruction across several cities and surrounding areas. Local authorities reported that at least 254 people had died by Tuesday morning. Pereira recorded 101 deaths, while 95 fatalities were reported in Cali, Colombia’s third-largest city. Rescue workers have been operating around the clock in the worst-hit areas. They are using cranes, excavators and heavy machinery to remove huge sections of concrete. In some locations, rescuers have been forced to work with their hands. Volunteers have also joined the search, forming human chains to move debris away from collapsed structures. Families have gathered near damaged buildings while waiting for news of relatives who may still be trapped. Rescue workers have reported finding both survivors and bodies beneath the rubble. The earthquake severely damaged homes, apartment buildings, schools and medical facilities. Some structures were completely destroyed, while others were left unstable and unsafe for residents. Cali suffered major damage. Several upper floors of a hospital collapsed, including areas used for paediatric treatment. Hospital officials said some patients became trapped, while hundreds of others were treated outside the damaged facility. The city’s morgue reached capacity as authorities continued bringing in victims from affected areas. Medical and emergency services have been working under difficult conditions. The United Nations humanitarian office estimated that around 5,000 homes had been damaged. Dozens of buildings collapsed, while hundreds of other residences were destroyed or seriously affected. The earthquake also disrupted essential infrastructure. Electricity, water supplies, healthcare services and telecommunications were affected in several areas. Authorities also closed six airports because of damage. Roads were damaged in multiple locations, creating additional difficulties for rescue teams and the delivery of emergency supplies. The region near the epicentre has faced particularly severe disruption. Poor communications have made it difficult for authorities to assess the full scale of the disaster. Nearly 100 aftershocks were recorded by Tuesday morning. Officials have warned residents and rescue workers to remain cautious as damaged buildings could collapse during further tremors. President Abelardo De La Espriella visited the affected region and announced a three-month economic relief measure for residents of Risaralda. The government said the initiative was intended to support people and businesses affected by the disaster. International assistance has also begun. The United States announced $15.5 million in emergency support for shelter, food, protection and damage assessments. The Inter-American Development Bank said $50 million could immediately be made available for reconstruction support if requested by the Colombian government. The United Nations said it was expanding its presence in the affected region to support humanitarian operations. Officials cautioned that the final death toll and overall scale of the destruction could take several days to establish because communications remain disrupted in some of the hardest-hit areas.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced that Kyiv has delivered fresh peace proposals to American negotiators aimed at ending the conflict with Moscow. He simultaneously warned that Russia intends to use its upcoming parliamentary elections to launch a new, large-scale military mobilisation. Speaking in his nightly address, Zelenskiy stated that the proposals handed to the United States focus on bolstering Ukraine’s defence capabilities, particularly air defence, while urging Washington to exert diplomatic and economic pressure on the Kremlin to halt the war. The movement in negotiations comes as U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner prepare for potential visits to both capitals, following a period where diplomatic efforts had largely stalled. Kyiv continues to press for an immediate ceasefire after nearly four and a half years of fighting, whereas Moscow insists any agreement require Ukraine to permanently cede four claimed regions. Zelenskiy also cited Ukrainian intelligence reports indicating that Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to exploit September’s parliamentary polls to orchestrate a rapid autumn draft. “They are preparing for mobilisation in the autumn, immediately after the imitation of parliamentary elections,” Zelenskiy said, estimating that Moscow aims to draft several hundred thousand additional personnel by the end of the year, alongside ongoing voluntary contract recruitment. The electoral warning follows a decision by Russia’s Supreme Court on Monday to bar the liberal Yabloko party, the country’s sole registered anti-war political group, from contesting the upcoming election. Kremlin officials have denied plans for a mandatory draft, pointing to 200,000 voluntary sign-ups recorded in the first half of the year.

Michigan has reported a sharp increase in cases of cyclosporiasis as health authorities continue to monitor one of the largest outbreaks of the intestinal illness in recent years. According to the latest update from the state’s health department, the total number of reported cases has climbed to 9,253, an increase of 1,077 infections since the previous report issued on Friday. The outbreak has led to 160 hospitalizations across the state. However, officials said no deaths have been recorded so far. Public health authorities are continuing to track new infections while working with federal agencies to identify the source of the outbreak and prevent additional cases. Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite. People usually become infected after consuming food or water contaminated with human waste. Raw fruits and vegetables are among the most common sources of infection because they are often eaten without cooking, allowing the parasite to survive if proper food safety measures are not followed. The outbreak in Michigan is part of a wider public health concern affecting several states across the United States. Federal data show that 4,173 laboratory confirmed domestic cases have been recorded nationwide. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reviewing more than 7,400 suspected cases that have not yet been confirmed through laboratory testing. Many of these reports have come from Michigan and neighboring Ohio. The US Food and Drug Administration and the CDC have expanded their joint investigation after identifying additional infections in four more states. Health officials are focusing on a possible link between the outbreak and shredded iceberg lettuce imported from central Mexico. The investigation now includes cases reported in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Authorities are examining distribution records and supply chains to determine how contaminated produce may have reached consumers in different parts of the country. According to the FDA, epidemiological data collected by the CDC indicate that 1,947 people infected with the Cyclospora parasite had eaten food from Taco Bell restaurants before becoming ill. Investigators believe many of those infections may be connected to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms and served at Taco Bell locations. However, officials say the investigation is still ongoing and a final conclusion has not yet been reached. Health experts have reported cases of cyclosporiasis in at least 41 states this year, although not all infections are believed to be related to the current outbreak. Investigators are continuing to determine which cases are connected to the suspected contaminated lettuce and which may have originated from other sources. Symptoms of cyclosporiasis often include prolonged diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue and loss of appetite. While most people recover with appropriate treatment, the illness can be more serious for older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Health authorities continue to advise consumers to follow food safety practices and remain alert for symptoms as the investigation into the outbreak continues.