ISLAMABAD: According to a police public relations official, Islamabad Capital Territory police have detained 11 suspects from various parts of the city who were allegedly involved in a variety of crimes. They also recovered stolen goods, drugs, and weapons from their hands. Details indicate that ICT Police resumed their campaign of repression against criminal elements engaged in unlawful operations. A bootlegger named Abdul Shakoor was detained by the Golra police squad as part of the operation, and nine litres of alcohol were found in his hands. The same thing happened when a Karachi company police squad detained narcotics dealer Mangal Khan and seized 1740 grammes of hashish from his possession. Lohi Bher police team arrested two accused namely Jamshed and Rasib Baloch and recovered 1680 gram hashish and one 30 bore pistol with ammunition from their possession.
The Shehzad Town police squad also detained four suspects, Muhammad Yousaf, Muzafar Zia, Shoaib, Sajid, and collected four 30 bore pistols and ammo from their hands. Maqsood Hussain was detained by Khanna police, who also found a 9mm weapon in his possession. Additionally, the Sabzi Mandi police team detained Muhammad Azad and Tufail, two of the accused, for possessing an illegal weapon. They also found a 30 bore handgun and ammo from their hands. Police detained suspect Khair Ullah about noon and recovered stolen goods from him.
Cases have been filed against the named suspects, and more research is being done. To reduce crime and protect citizen lives and property, the Islamabad Capital Territory police have intensified their efforts against criminal elements in the city. Additionally, residents are urged to assist law enforcement by reporting any suspicious behaviour in their area.
ISLAMABAD: On Wednesday, the cost of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) was raised by Rs10 per kg. Following the rise, the price of LPG for a household gas cylinder has gone up by Rs. 150, and the price for a commercial gas cylinder has gone up by Rs.
In addition, the cost of 1 kilogramme of LPG in Lahore has risen to Rs230. The price of the household gas cylinder has now increased to Rs2,750. The price of the commercial gas cylinder, however, is Rs 10,438.
ISLAMABAD: Under the Undergraduate Semester Exchange (UGRAD) Program for Pakistan, the American government provided scholarships to about 50 undergraduate Pakistani students so they may spend one semester studying in the US. The students will take undergraduate courses at 42 colleges and universities while they are in the country, take part in leadership development programmes, and work on volunteer projects for the community.
Before they left Pakistan, the students attended a two-day pre-departure orientation in Islamabad hosted by the United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) to learn about campus life, American culture, and visa and travel formalities. During the orientation, the acting deputy chief of mission from the American embassy in Islamabad personally met the students. While it would seem evident that you are obtaining a life-changing experience, he said, “it is actually a two-way street since the United States has a long heritage of welcoming overseas students. We in the United States also gain so much from your examples of hard work and dedication to your studies, as well as your willingness to share Pakistani culture with us.”
The students, who attend 27 public and private universities, are from all parts of Pakistan. About 2,391 Pakistani students have already been awarded this coveted one-semester scholarship to study in the United States since the UGRAD Program began in 2010. Rita Akhtar, executive director of USEFP, urged the students to fully utilise the academic, extracurricular, and community service opportunities offered in the US. “Global UGRADs are chosen from among thousands of applications from all around Pakistan based on merit.
They frequently represent the first representative of their community to visit the US. American students also gain a great deal of knowledge about Pakistan through this exchange because they spend a semester studying in colleges and universities in areas of the United States where there aren’t many other Pakistanis. When you return to Pakistan, we hope you will tell many people about your time in the United States and that you meet a lot of interesting individuals along the way. USEFP is the official U.S. – Pakistan binational Fulbright commission. It was established in 1950 by the governments of Pakistan and the United States, and is one of 49 such commissions throughout the world. Since its inception, more than 9,300 Pakistanis and over 935 Americans have participated in USEFP-managed exchange programs. Its mission is to promote mutual understanding between the people of Pakistan and the people of the United States through educational and cultural exchange programs.
KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) extended its gains on Thursday, moving higher as a result of overall optimism following encouraging corporate earnings.
Investors were pleased with the company’s quarterly financial results and the increase in IT exports.
However, political uncertainty and a weakening currency prevented investors from taking on new positions.
KSE-100 scores
The benchmark KSE-100 index ended the day at 40,276.64 points, up 304 points or 0.76 percent.
According to Arif Habib Limited, the PSX had a positive session today.
The benchmark KSE-100 index traded in the green all day as investors sought out bargains across the board.
“A rally was observed in the IT sector, with IT exports surging to $ 2.616 billion (the fiscal year 2021-22),” the brokerage house stated, adding that investor participation remained healthy, with heavy volumes seen in main board and third-tier stocks.
Banks (+154.1 points), technology (+93.3 points), exploration and production (+64.9 points), power (+24.7 points), and oil marketing companies (+18.5 points) all contributed to the performance.
During the session, 344 companies’ shares were traded. At the end of trading, 215 scrips were in the green, 104 were in the red, and 25 were unchanged.
Overall trading volume fell to 251.27 million shares, down from 121.57 million on Wednesday. The total value of shares traded that day was Rs9.34 billion.
WorldCall Telecom had the most shares traded, with 32.61 million shares changing hands, losing Rs0.03 to close at Rs1.15. TPL Properties came in second with 20.37 million shares traded, gaining Rs0.69 to close at Rs17.96, and Lotte Chemical Pakistan came in third with 16.95 million shares traded, gaining Rs1.73 to close at Rs30.23.
ISLAMABAD: New tobacco products are getting more and more popular among Pakistani youth thanks to the tobacco industry’s massive social media marketing and advertising initiatives. If the government doesn’t outright outlaw these allegedly “less” hazardous products, Pakistan’s healthcare system will sustain devastation that has never before been seen. These opinions were expressed by health professionals in a joint press release issued by SPARC and the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC) to draw attention from the federal cabinets to the alarming rise in the use of nicotine pouches, e-cigarettes, and other novel or alternative products.
Govt must ban novel products to save Pakistani Youth from tobacco hazards
Malik Imran Ahmed, the country director for the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, noted that the tobacco industry has been free to advertise and sell substitute goods since, regrettably, tobacco legislation in Pakistan doesn’t extend beyond cigarettes and gutka. Alternative products have been available in the Pakistani market for a while, but there hasn’t been any regulation or a policy to regulate and keep an eye on their advertising, promotion, or sales.
Imran emphasised the need for a ban and said that the idea that tobacco usage is “less hazardous” is a massive deception because every year in Pakistan, almost 170,000 valuable lives are lost as a result of tobacco-related illnesses like cancer, chronic respiratory conditions, and cardiovascular disease. So even if we believe the lie that alternative products are “less” harmful, the damage done will still be significant.
Imran also said that it is fallacious to believe that tobacco companies which are directly responsible for loss of millions of lives around the world will simultaneously sell products which will reduce tobacco addiction. Khalil Ahmed Dogar, Program Manager, SPARC, highlighted that tobacco industry is searching for a new generation of buyers to keep their business and profits running. The fallacious campaigns are targeted at children and youth through social media platforms and sales near educational institutions.
Khalil continued by stating that if the tobacco industry’s efforts to increase sales are not checked by appropriate measures, they will become more powerful and continue to be the nation’s leading source of sickness and death. He also asked the cabinet to investigate social media advertisements, since many of them are leading members of our society astray. According to Shariq Ahmed, CEO of Chromatic Trust, tobacco firms are spending a lot of money on social media advertising online.
Even well-known celebrities have joined the adverts because they are created in such a misleading way. Shariq emphasised the necessity for a state-level effort to increase public understanding of the dangers of nicotine, passive smoking, and the damaging effects of tobacco products on the environment and public health. He stated that the media is the most effective weapon for bringing about social change and that the government should fund such campaigns in addition to regulating the marketing, promotion, and advertising of substitute products to protect priceless lives.
Islamabad: The Federal Minister of Communications and Postal Services, Mr. Asad Mahmood, had crucial measures authorised by the National Highway Authority’s Executive Board Meeting. In light of the recent heavy rains and flooding around the nation, the NHA network’s current state was assessed during the 403rd Meeting of the Executive Board of the National Highway Authority, which was presided over by Chairman NHA Captain (R) Muhammad Khurram Agha. The rebuilding of the Hub Bridge, which connects Sindh and Balochistan, was approved by the NHA Executive Board, according to the information. It should be noted that the bridge on the Hub River collapsed yesterday due to heavy rains and floods. However, the traffic is continuing through the Hub Bypass.
The Hub Bypass project was also approved during the NHA Executive Board meeting. The people of Balochistan and Sindh will profit from the development of Hub Bridge and Hub Bypass. There will be immediate advantages as well as fresh chances for socioeconomic growth. On this occasion, Captain (R) Muhammad Khurram Agha, Chairman of the National Highway Authority, appealed for the rapid repair of the harm brought on by the rains and ensuing floods. Additionally, he gave orders to the NHA staff members who were on the ground to be ready for any situation. He stated that resuming traffic on the system of interstates and motorways during the rainy season is our top priority, and all available resources would be employed to accomplish this.
Inspector General National Highways and Motorways Police Mr. Khalid Mehmood, Additional Secretary Finance Division Muhammad Tanveer Butt, Member I&M Planning Division Major General (R) Zahir Shah, Joint Secretary Ministry of Communications Usman Yaqub, Chief NTRC Hameed Akhtar, Vice President NESPAK Muhammad Daud Rana, Member Finance NHA AllahDad Khan, Member Planning NHA Mr. Asim Amin, Member Engineering-Coordination Arbab Ali Dhakan and Member Administration NHA Mr. Zahir Shah also participated.
WASHINGTON: The US economy unexpectedly shrank in the second quarter, with business spending falling and consumer spending expanding at its weakest rate in two years. This could fuel concerns in the financial community that the economy is already in a recession.
The second consecutive quarterly decline in gross domestic product, which was reported by the Commerce Department on Thursday, was largely attributable to businesses building up inventory at a more moderate rate due to ongoing car shortages.
US economy shrank
Additionally, because of sluggish consumer spending, retailers are less eager to stock up on supplies. In light of the Federal Reserve’s aggressive tightening of monetary policy and the consecutive declines in GDP, the US central bank may be forced to curtail its sharp increases in interest rates.shrank
Sal Guatieri, a senior economist at BMO Capital Markets in Toronto, stated that “the economy is highly vulnerable to slipping into a recession.” “That might deter the Fed from imposing another significant rate hike in September.”
According to the government’s preliminary estimate of GDP, the country’s economy shrank at an annualised rate of 0.9 percent last quarter.
GDP was expected to grow by 0.5 percent, according to economists surveyed by Reuters. Estimates ranged from a contraction rate of 2.1 percent to a growth rate of 2.0 percent. The first quarter saw a 1.6 percent rate of economic contraction.
The conventional definition of a recession is when the GDP declines for two consecutive quarters.
Recessions are defined by the National Bureau of Economic Research as “a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than a few months, normally visible in production, employment, real income, and other indicators,” according to their definition.shrank
In the first half of the year, job growth averaged 456,700 per month, which is leading to significant wage growth. However, the dangers of a downturn have grown. While business and consumer sentiment have weakened recently, homebuilding and home sales have declined.
US stock prices declined. In relation to a currency basket, the dollar remained stable. Price of US Treasury increased.
Demand plateaus
In an effort to calm voters ahead of the midterm elections on November 8, which will determine whether President Joe Biden’s Democratic Party retains control of the US Congress, the White House is vehemently combating the recession talk.shrank
On Thursday, Janet Yellen, the secretary of the Treasury, will hold a press conference to “discuss the state of the US economy.” Although the labour market is still tight, there are indications that it is waning.
Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped by 5,000 to a seasonally adjusted 256,000 for the week ended July 23 according to a separate report released on Thursday by the Labor Department. Reuters polled economists, who predicted 253,000 applications for the most recent week.
The number of new unemployment claims is still below the 270,000 to 350,000 mark, which economists believe would indicate a rise in the unemployment rate. Although much would depend on the trajectory of inflation, which is significantly above the US central bank’s 2 percent target, the Fed may slow the pace of rate increases as the economy struggles.
The Federal Reserve increased its policy rate by another 0.75% on Wednesday, bringing the total increase in interest rates since March to 225 basis points. Jerome Powell, the chair of the Fed, acknowledged the waning economic activity brought on by tighter monetary policy.
Due to record exports in the most recent quarter, the trade deficit dramatically decreased, boosting GDP growth by 1.43 percentage points. Trade had been a drag on growth for seven consecutive quarters before that.shrank
Businesses did continue to rebuild inventory, but at a much slower rate than in the first three months of this year and the fourth quarter of 2021. GDP was reduced by inventories by 2.01 percentage points.
Consumer spending, which makes up more than two thirds of all economic activity in the United States, increased at a rate of 1.0 percent. That was a slowdown from the first quarter’s steady 1.8 percent pace and the slowest since the second quarter of 2020.
Due to inadequate investment in machinery and nonresidential structures, business spending decreased. Additionally, government spending was weak due to a significant decrease in non-defense expenditures.
A gauge of domestic demand that excludes trade, inventories, and government spending remained stable, highlighting the economy’s significant loss of momentum. final sales to domestic consumersshrank
Since the COVID-19 recession two years ago, residential investment has shrunk the most. This is because higher mortgage rates have had a negative impact on both homebuilding but also home sales, which has decreased broker commissions.
ISLAMABAD: The local economy depends heavily on the real estate industry, and CDA will do everything in its power to address the sector’s major problems in order to promote improved economic activity growth. When speaking to the ICCI Real Estate & Developers Committee at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Naveed Elahi, Member (Estate), CDA, remarked this. He was joined at the event by CDA Director General (Admin) Riaz Ahmed Randhawa.
According to Naveed Elahi, the CDA has streamlined the property transfer processes by getting rid of pointless criteria in order to quickly resolve property-related issues. According to him, an undertaking has taken the role of the requirement that property transfers to legitimate heirs under an inheritance be approved by the Building Control Section of the CDA. He claimed that the Revenue NOC had been eliminated and that the No Demand Certificate (NDC) issuance period had been shortened to four days. According to him, estate management records were being automated to make things easier for the stakeholders. According to him, the CDA has established a monitoring platform through Ufone and an 1819 complaint service to offer the public effective service. He said that the CDA was moving towards a system-based one window facility to deliver quick service and added that the business community should provide its input to further streamline the procedures and processes in CDA for their facilitation.
In his welcome speech, Muhammad Shakeel Munir, President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry, stressed the significance of a tight working relationship between the CDA and ICCI for the business community’s ability to promote itself. He suggested that the Chairman CDA and President ICCI resume visiting marketplaces to address the major problems and concentrate on their improved growth. He hoped that Member (Estate) CDA would take an active part in resolving the problems raised by the ICCI Real Estate & Developers Committee members.
Ch. Muhammad Masud, Convener, ICCI Real Estate & Developers Committee, highlighted the major issues that the business community in the real estate and property sector is currently dealing with, including property transfer, timely issuance of NDCs, and the need for NOCs for family member property transfers, and the recommendation that a letter of property transfer be issued on the same day. ICCI Senior Vice President Jamshaid Akhtar Sheikh, Muhammad Eajz Abbasi, Ashfaq Chatha, and other committee members also brought attention to a number of real estate-related problems, such as the problem with commercial and industrial properties’ lease renewals, and they provided helpful solutions.
On the fifth and final day of the second test, in Galle, Sri Lanka’s spinners Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis combined for nine wickets, helping the hosts defeats Pakistan by 246 runs and tie the series.
Left-arm spinner Jayasuriya, who last month took 12 wickets against Australia on his test debut to lead Sri Lanka to another series-tying victory at the same location, recorded his fourth five-wicket haul in just his third test.
As the visiting team was bowled out for 261 in their second innings during the second session, off-spinner Mendis, who had taken five wickets in Pakistan’s first innings, gave helpful support by taking another four.defeats
Jayasuriya, who took 17 wickets from two games and was named player of the series, said, “I worked hard and I was patient.”
Although the pitch wasn’t easy to bowl on, we did well to bowl in partnerships, which resulted in wickets.
Set a record target of 508, Pakistan, who won the first test at Galle by four wickets, got off to a bad start in their attempt to save the match when Imam-ul-Haq fell to Mendis for 49 in the third over of the day after they had resumed on 89-1.defeats
But with a third-wicket stand of 79 runs, Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan increased their chances of a draw. Azam, who top-scored for Pakistan with a determined knock of 81, and Rizwan increased their chances of a draw.
When Rizwan misjudged a straight delivery and was bowled out for 37 without playing a shot, Jayasuriya cleaned him up to start a collapse that ultimately turned the match in Sri Lanka’s favour.
Fawad Alam was out soon after due to a misunderstanding with Babar, and Agha Salman was caught by Kusal Mendis off the bowling of Jayasuriya for a stunning catch at short leg.
After the lunch break, the visiting team, which had started out at 176-2, was down to 205-7 when Babar and Mohammad Nawaz were quickly eliminated, leaving Sri Lanka’s spinners to finish off the Pakistan batting order.
“For us, it was a difficult game. The batting wasn’t up to par “added Babar.
After releasing a video of herself promoting the goods from her brand, Safely, which she co-founded with entrepreneur Emma Grede, Kris Jenner was made fun of.
The momager looks stunning in the video posted on the brand’s official Instagram page while wearing a red blazer over a black top.
Kris Jenner
The 68-year-old says in the brief video, “My favorite Safely products are the all-time OG’s of the line, which are the hand wash, the sanitizer, and the hand lotion.
“I always keep that in each of my home’s sinks. Beyond that, though, I adore the all-purpose cleaner. I love that I can clean anything, she continued.
Although her fans mocked her, saying, “‘Because I can clean anything,’ yeah like she actually cleans,” the video was not well received by them.
Another user added, “Gurl you don’t clean quit reading the screen and sit (expletive) down,” and another added, “I seriously doubt what you say.”
According to reports, Jennifer Lopez and her husband Ben Affleck decided against signing a prenup before their nuptials because the pop star has “unconditional love” for her partner.
Despite their combined $550 million fortune being at stake, an insider told OK! Magazine that the newlyweds did not draught a prenuptial agreement.
According to the outlet, the actor from Marry Me is worth about $400 million, while the actor from Batman v. Superman is worth about $150 million.
A source gave credit to Affleck for having a “grounding” effect on JLo when explaining why the contract was not made prior to marriage.
“He doesn’t have that same need to show off or do things on such a big scale anymore, and that’s helped to balance Jennifer out in that regard,” the insider added.
The source continued, “She gets a lot more joy out of the simple, smaller things than she used to.”
Jennifer loves Ben for who he is, the outlet reported, but a source said that Affleck has changed significantly since the couple’s early relationship in the 2000s.
“Ben’s grown up an awful lot in the 18 years since they first split,” the insider emphasised.
In a low-key, intimate wedding ceremony held at the Little White Wedding Chapel in Los Angeles earlier this month, Lopez and Affleck said “I do.”
JLo announced her engagement to Affleck in her newsletter On the JLo, writing, “We succeeded. Love is lovely. Love is kind. Love, it turns out, is a patient thing. twenty years of endurance
In a drive-through in Las Vegas at 2:30 in the morning, she added, “Stick around long enough and maybe you’ll find the best moment of your life.”
“Love is wonderful, perhaps the best thing of all, and it’s worth waiting for.succeeded
Together with one of her closest friends, Francia Raisa, Selena Gomez performed the “He’s a 10 but…” challenge.
Selena Gomez
Fans of the 30-year-old actor were left speechless when he released a TikTok video in which the subject must compare their strange trait to a love rating of one to ten.
But keep in mind that everyone is a 10, she said in the caption for the video.
He’s a 10, but his breath stinks, Raisa says in the video in response to a less-than-ideal situation.
In response, Gomez queries, “And I can’t fix that?”
Before the Wolves singer revealed a concerned expression and said: “I have no words… no words,” the Grown-ish actor retorted: “You tried.”
Raisa sighed, “Ohh,” as Gomez gave her friend another scenario: “He’s a 10, but he only likes to role-play Star Wars.”
“I know, right!?” the Only Murders in the Building actor retorted. Do you think that’s odd? I’m not sure if that is strange. It might be strange.
NEW DELHI: The governing International Cricket Council (ICC) has played down threats to the game’s 50 overs format, saying a “healthy” number of one-day internationals will be played in the 2023-27 cycle.
ODIs
The proliferation of lucrative domestic T20 leagues have cramped up cricket’s already-strained calendar and England all-rounder Ben Stokes attributed his shock ODI retirement to an “unsustainable” schedule.
Earlier this month South Africa abandoned their ODI tour of Australia as it clashed with the launch of their domestic T20 league rising their chances of qualifying directly for next year’s World Cup in India.
The structuring of the game’s three formats was discussed at the governing body’s annual general meeting in Birmingham, where the Future Tours Programme (FTP) 2023–27 was finalised, according to ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice.
In a video conference, Allardice stated, “I believe at this point there is some discussion, not specifically about ODIs, but about the mix of formats within the calendar.”
“Countries continue to schedule a good number of ODIs in their FTPs as well.”So in the FTP, I don’t think you’ll see any significant change to the number of ODIs or the proportion of ODIs as being planned.”
Usman Khawaja, an Australian test batsman, claimed that one-day cricket was “dying a slow death,” and Wasim Akram, a former Pakistan captain, referred to the game as a “drag.”
Allardice acknowledged that some members gave their domestic leagues “particular attention,” but insisted that their dedication to international and bilateral cricket was “as strong as it’s ever been.”
“Each of them must strike a balance between their domestic competitions, their travel plans, and player management.
“Those boards are all in somewhat different situations. Therefore, there isn’t a single solution to that balancing problem.
Greg Barclay, the chairman of the ICC, acknowledged the rapid growth of franchise-based leagues.
The New Zealander said, “So there’s a lot of pressure on the calendar, but I’m not sure it’s a tipping point.
ISLAMABAD: An official reported on Thursday that three foreign climbers are presumed dead and missing on Pakistan’s perilous Karakorum mountain range in the nation’s far north.
super peaks
Five of the 14 “super peaks” in the world, or those that are over 8,000 meters (26,246 feet) high, are located in Pakistan, and the climbing season is currently in full swing.
Senior government officials from the Gilgit Baltistan tourism office told AFP that British Gordon Henderson was lost while climbing Broad Peak, the world’s twelfth-highest mountain, while Australian Matthew Eakin and Canadian Richard Cartier were missing on K2, the second-highest mountain in the world.
The official stated, “Until the bodies are discovered, we cannot declare them dead.”
It had only been scaled 425 times up until this year, compared to Everest, which has been climbed by more than 6,000 people since Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay made the first ascent in 1953.
A line of tethered climbers was seen pushing up K2 in a video posted earlier this week on social media by Nepali mountaineer Mingma Gyalje.
On his Facebook and Instagram pages, he captioned the picture with the phrase “This is the scariest part.”
K2 got its moniker from the punishing weather there; in the winter, winds can gust to more than 200 kph (125 mph), and the temperature can drop to minus 60 °C (minus 76 Fahrenheit).
Sanu Sherpa, a Nepalese, accomplished the feat for the first time last week.
While this is going on, Norwegian Kristin Harila is attempting to beat Nepali adventurer Nirmal Purja’s record of six months and six days for climbing all 14 super peaks in the shortest amount of time.
On day 70 of her ascent, the 36-year-old woman conquered K2, the eighth peak of the challenge.
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Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is visiting France to meet with President Emmanuel Macron. He is staying at an opulent chateau that was dubbed “the world’s most expensive home” when he bought it in 2015.
The Chateau Louis XIV, a newly constructed mansion outside of Paris, was designed to resemble the extravagant luxury of the nearby Versailles Palace, which used to serve as the home of the French royal family.
The 7,000 square metre home was purchased for 275 million euros ($300 million at the time) by an unidentified buyer in 2015, earning Fortune magazine the title of “the world’s most expensive home.”
Salman, 36, was reportedly the ultimate owner through a number of shell companies two years later, according to The New York Times.
Before his dinner with Macron later that day, local government officials told AFP that the contentious Saudi heir to the throne was staying at the hotel.Paris
A large police presence, including half a dozen vehicles, and security guards in suits guarding the entrance was visible to reporters standing outside the perimeter wall.
Link to Khashoggi In an ironic turn of events, Emad Khashoggi, the cousin of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi who owns a luxury real estate development company in France, built the Chateau Louis XIV.
The chateau has a nightclub, a fountain with gold leaves, a movie theatre, and an underwater glass room with white leather sofas that looks like a huge aquarium in the moat.
Following the demolition of a 19th-century castle on the property, Chateau Louis XIV was constructed in 2009.
Since becoming Saudi Arabia’s top power broker, Bin Salman has frequently made news for his extravagant spending.Paris
A $450 million Leonardo da Vinci painting was purportedly purchased in 2017 by the son of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. In 2015, the son of the monarch spent $500 million on a yacht.
In a further escalation of the energy standoff between Moscow and the European Union, Russia delivered less gas to Europe on Wednesday. This will make it more difficult and expensive for the bloc to fill up its storage facilities in time for the winter heating season.
Gas exports
The major Russian gas exports route to Europe, Nord Stream 1, has had its capacity cut to just a fifth of what it was before the supply cut, which was announced by Gazprom earlier this week.gas exports
About one-third of all Russian gas exported to Europe goes through Nord Stream 1.
After reaching compromise agreements to limit cuts for some countries, the EU countries approved a weak emergency plan to reduce gas demand on Tuesday, hoping that lower consumption will lessen the impact in some countries.gas exports
The plan highlights concerns that countries won’t be able to meet goals to restock storage and keep people warm during the winter and that Europe’s already fragile economic growth may suffer another setback if gas must be rationed.
However, they cautioned against “complacency in the market European politicians have now solved the issue of Russian gas dependence.” Royal Bank of Canada analysts said the plan could help Europe get through the winter provided gas flows from Russia are at 20 to 50 percent capacity.gas exports
Moscow has attributed the supply cuts to sanctions and the delayed return of a serviced turbine, but Brussels has charged Russia with using energy as a weapon to blackmail the EU and retaliate for Western sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine.gas exports
Moscow has attributed the supply cuts to sanctions and the delayed return of a serviced turbine, but Brussels has charged Russia with using energy as a weapon to blackmail the EU and retaliate for Western sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine.
A Siemens turbine used at the Portovaya compressor station of Nord Stream 1 that has been receiving maintenance in Canada, according to Vitaly Markelov, deputy CEO of Gazprom, has still not been delivered to the company.gas exports
Markelov claimed that the equipment posed a risk of being subject to sanctions, while Siemens Energy claimed that in order to bring the turbine back to Russia, Gazprom would need to present customs documentation.
Physical flows through Nord Stream 1 on Wednesday dropped to 14.4 million kilowatt hours per hour (kWh/h) between 1200 and 1300 GMT from about 28 million kWh/h the day before, which was already only 40% of the pipeline’s normal capacity. The decrease occurs less than a week after the pipeline was restarted following a 10-day maintenance window that was planned.
Russia could completely halt gas flows this winter, European politicians have repeatedly warned, which would send Germany into a recession and cause prices for consumers and industry to soar even higher.gas exports
The European benchmark Dutch wholesale gas price for August increased 7% on Wednesday to 210 euros per megawatt hour, a 400% increase from the previous year.
Since mid-June, supply disruptions have particularly affected Germany, Europe’s largest importer of Russian gas. As a result, Germany’s gas importer Uniper needed a 15 billion euro ($15.21 billion) state bailout.
Roberto Cingolani, the minister of ecological transition, warned that if Russia completely stopped supplying gas, Italy, another significant importer that typically receives 40% of its gas from Russia, would experience a shortage of gas at the end of the upcoming winter.
Both Uniper and Eni, an Italian company, claimed to have received less gas from Gazprom recently.
To prevent a shortage of electricity, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner said he was open to using nuclear power.
Germany has stated that if Russia were to cut off its gas supply, it could extend the life of its three remaining nuclear plants, which account for 6% of the country’s total electricity production.
In a new appeal to consumers and business to “save gas,” Germany’s network regulator, Klaus Mueller, said the country could still avoid a gas shortage that would force rationing.
German industry groups have cautioned, however, that due to slow approval for switching from natural gas to other, more polluting fuels, companies may be forced to reduce production in order to achieve greater savings.
Ola Kaellenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz, claimed that a combination of efficiency measures, increased electricity consumption, lowered temperatures in manufacturing facilities, and switching to oil could reduce gas use by up to 50% within five years.
Phase 2 of a three-stage emergency gas plan is currently in effect in Germany; phase 3 will begin once rationing can no longer be avoided.
ISLAMABAD: Following a significant setback in Punjab for the 11-party coalition, the leaders of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) are meeting on Thursday to develop a future strategy.
coalition partner
Pervez Elahi, a supporter of PTI Chairman Imran Khan, has been appointed Punjab’s chief minister, and Hamza Shahbaz, the leader of the PML-N, whose party is the main coalition partner, has been removed from office by the Supreme Court.
While PPP leader and Special Assistant to the PM for Kashmir and GB Affairs Qamar Zaman Kaira supported the idea, Punjab‘s Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, who is currently facing charges, also threatened to impose governor’s rule in the province.
But those are just the top executives speaking. Experts agree that it would be difficult to impose a governor’s rule because it would require solid justification.
The PDM chiefs are gathering today at the PML-N Secretariat in Chak Shahzad, Islamabad, where they expect to discuss the country’s ongoing political situation in light of the rapidly changing environment.
Nawaz Sharif, the leader of the PML-N, wants an early general election in response to the defeat in Punjab even though he has discussed leaving the Centre government with other senior party members.
According to sources, Nawaz, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, senior party members, and the coalition parties in the PDM have discussed the option numerous times.
When there isn’t genuine support for the ruling coalition from the state organs, the PML-N leader believes that remaining in power could make things worse rather than better, according to sources.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Asif Ali Zardari, two PDM leaders, have opposed the idea, but there is a good chance that the ruling coalition will implement it in light of the recent change in circumstances brought about by the Supreme Court’s decision in the Punjab chief minister case, according to sources.
In an apology to Dua Zahra’s parents, Zaheer Ahmed’s mother said that she understood how upset they were when their daughter left the house.
Zaheer Ahmed mother
At a press conference, Zaheer’s mother Noor Bibi stated that both of her sons are in danger and urged that they be transported as soon as possible to Lahore.
Noor Bibi then asked that Zaheer be brought before the local court and that the judgment be rendered by that court.
My sons should be brought back here, and this is also where the verdict should be announced. After the verdict from the Sindh High Court, why was the case reopened? She inquired.
“I am aware of the anxiety Dua’s parents experienced when their daughter left. They resemble my sister and brother, so I kindly ask their pardon,” she continued.Zaheer Ahmed
She continued by saying that Zaheer wanted to wed Dua. I interrupted her and advised him to concentrate on his studies instead.
She continued, “They both are to blame for this marriage, and when Dua returned from Karachi, Zaheer wanted to send her back but she refused.Zaheer Ahmed
“The kids are in love with one another, and I believe we shouldn’t interfere with that. I’ll beg Dua’s parents to pardon her too “Added she.
Dua was brought back to Karachi earlier this week, and on Wednesday, police presented her before a magistrate in the city court.
As stated during the hearing, Dua should not be presented until further orders from the court are made in order to ensure that the environment is appropriate.
The public prosecutor had been instructed by the judicial magistrate to present the teenager only upon court order.
GALLE: Sri Lanka spinners Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis snared nine wickets between them to help the hosts to a 246-run series-levelling victory against Pakistan on the fifth and final day of the second Test in Galle on Thursday.
Set a record target of 508 to try and win the two-Test series 2-0, Pakistan were bundled out for 261 in their second innings after resuming the day on 89-1.
Jayasuriya picked up 5-117 for his fourth five-wicket haul in only his third Test match. Mendis, who took five wickets in the first innings, provided able support by picking up four.
With a tenacious 81-ball inning, Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam led the team to a four-wicket victory in the first Test at the same location.
As the epidemic continues to spread globally, Asif Ali Zardari, the former president, has tested positive for coronavirus, his son Bilawal Bhutto announced on Wednesday.
The co-chairman of the party has not only been immunised against the COVID-19 virus but also received booster doses, according to Foreign Minister and PPP Chairman Bilawal.
“He is receiving therapy, is isolated with mild symptoms, fully immunised, and boosted. We are asking for God to hasten his recovery “the tweet from the foreign minister.
As of Thursday morning, data from Pakistan’s National Institute of Health, Islamabad (NIH) showed that eight people had died from the COVID-19 virus on a single day, making Zardari the infection’s most recent victim. Pakistan had experienced the highest number of COVID-19 deaths in the previous 20 days.
The COVID-19 positive rate in Pakistan is currently 3.65%, according to the most recent statistics. Testing on 20,843 samples revealed up to 761 additional COVID-19 infections, bringing the nation’s total number of coronavirus cases to 1,552,632.
Zardari’s daughter, Bakhtawar Bhutto, stated that although his PCR was positive when he arrived in Dubai four days prior, his symptoms were minimal at the time and he is currently taking it easy.
KARACHI: On Wednesday, an antiterrorism court cleared Uzair Baloch, the leader of the banned Peoples Amn Committee, in three charges including kidnapping, planned murder, and a run-in with the law owing to “lack of evidence.”
Numerous criminal cases involving kidnapping, murder, encounters, and running extortion rings allegedly with the support of senior police officers and the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party are being tried against the reputed kingpin of Lyari.
The ATC-VII judge, who presided over the trial inside the central prison’s judicial complex, delivered his earlier-reserved verdicts in the three instances on Wednesday.
According to the judge, the prosecution’s case against the defendants Uzair Baloch, Zakir alias Dada, and Muhammad Shahid was unfounded.
If his custody was not required in any other case, the judge ordered Uzair, who is kept in a Rangers detention facility, to be released immediately.
Uzair, however, cannot be immediately released, according to attorney Abid Zaman, because he is now being tried in roughly 15 similar criminal cases. He claimed that about 20 criminal cases had resulted in his acquittal so far.
The prosecution alleges that on February 15, 2012, two members of the competing Katchi Rabita Committee were abducted and one of them was assassinated under the direction of PAC chairman Uzair by his armed aides Zubair Baloch, Zafar Baloch alias Langra, and others.
. Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, said on Twitter that he is making more enemies because his ability to be in the spotlight is “increasing” days after making hints about stepping away from it.Musk remarked on his difficulties after recently being the target of several scandals and claimed that establishing friends is more tougher than making enemies.
“Friend-making is much more difficult than enemy-making. My proficiency with the latter is growing, “Musk posted a message on Thursday. Following rumours that he had broken up his association with Google co-founder Sergey Brin, the millionaire has recently come under the spotlight.
Musk recently tweeted, “The amount of attention on me has gone supernova, which extremely stinks,” since insignificant issues relating to him are the subject of a lot of conversation.
He denied claims that he had broken up his connection with Brin, though, and shot down rumours that he had an affair with Nicole Shanahan, Brin’s wife.
KARACHI: Pakistan’s two leading car assemblers, Toyota and Suzuki, plan partial plant shutdowns next month due to unavailability of raw material amid import restrictions and exchange rate volatility, officials at both companies said on Wednesday.
The government in recent weeks has attempted to curb imports in the face of fast depleting foreign reserves, a declining currency and a widening current account deficit, because of which the rupee has lost over 20% of its value this year.
The move has had a cascading effect on industries that rely on imports to complete finished goods as they say the central bank has delayed the clearance of letters of credit with banks facing a shortage of dollars, affecting their ability to import materials.
“There will be 10 working days next month, only if central bank allows us to open letter of credit based on the quota they promised,” Ali Asghar Jamali, chief executive at Indus Motor Company Ltd (INDM.PSX) which assembles Toyota vehicles in Pakistan, told Reuters. He said the company was offering refunds to customers facing delays and markups on their payments, with deliveries likely to be delayed by at least three months and prices to be revised as the country does not have dollars available.
Reserves with the central bank have fallen to as low as $9.3 billion, enough to cover less than two months of imports. The current account deficit for the last financial year touched 5% of GDP with imports hitting record highs.
ISLAMABAD: National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) Chairman Tariq Malik on Wednesday said as many as 10 million women had been added to the electoral rolls since 2018 general election to take the total number of female registered voters to 56.95 million.
He said more women as compared to the men were consistently being registered as voters as barriers in the way of female voters registration were dismantled and improved access given to them under a policy decision.
He was speaking as a keynote speaker at the event “Promotion and protection of women’s civil and political rights by individuals, governments and civil society”, organised by Aurat Foundation in Islamabad. Representatives from major political parties, human rights organisation, Aurat Foundation and different walks of life were also present.
Since the last electoral roll 2018, the percentage of women voters’ registration compared to men increased by 53.2per cent, he said.
The Nadra chairman expressed that overall gender gap was now reduced to 8.9pc. Nadra’s focus was on districts of KP and Baluchistan, where gender gap was over 10pc, he said, adding that as many as 109 new offices were opened across the country to facilitate enhanced women registration.
Nadra established 19 female-only registration centers and deployed 10 mobile registration vans to increase the registration of unregistered women in Pakistan, according to him. Nadra was engaged in multi-pronged interventions to empower women, he said, adding that Nadra took tangible measures in order to enhance women registration.
For the first time ever, China’s central bank is offering lenders short-term cash at a lower cost than its US counterpart.
The Federal Reserve’s interest-rate hike Wednesday has sent the US benchmark rate to 2.5%, which is higher than the 2.1% rate for the People’s Bank of China’s seven-day reverse repurchases. That’s because China has remained an outlier among major central banks as it maintains an accommodative stance to boost its economy battered by Covid outbreaks and turmoil in the property sector. The monetary policies of the world’s two largest economies have been diverging since the Fed kicked off rate hikes this year but analysts don’t expect outflows from China to worsen going forward.
“I don’t think the policy rate inversion will increase China’s capital outflow pressure” which was bigger in the first half of this year as the gap between the two nations’ 10-year treasury bonds has narrowed, according to Zhang Zhiwei chief economist at Pinpoint Asset Management Ltd. Yields on Treasury 10-year bonds surpassed that on similar Chinese debt, widening the gap between the two by as much as 66 basis points last month. That gap has narrowed to less than a basis point as US yields eased on concerns that aggressive Fed hikes may lead to a recession.
The wider yield gap had led to $30 billion of outflows from China’s sovereign bonds. The yuan has also fallen from the top of Asia’s currency performance ranking in 2021 to the fifth position this year with a loss of nearly 6% against the dollar. However, the currency is getting support from the nation’s trade surplus, which jumped to a record high last month.
Brad Pitt, the hunky star of Hollywood, has expanded his magnificent real estate portfolio by purchasing another elegant house. The Fight Club actor paid a stunning $40 million for a mediaeval castle perched on a cliff in the Carmel Highlands neighbourhood of central California.
The 58-year-old actor purchased the D. L. James House in an off-market sale that was also one of the most costly transactions ever completed in the Carmel region. The star is presently busy promoting the next movie Bullet Train.
The five-year construction of the sandstone and granite Mediterranean-style historic estate, which overlooks expansive vistas of the Pacific Ocean, was conceived by renowned architect Charles Sumner Greene and completed in 1918.
QUETTA: Six villagers lost their lives when violent currents of a hill torrent breached a protection dyke in Dera Ghazi Khan late on Tuesday night while families affected by rain in parts of Sindh and Balochistan on Wednesday awaited government help or tried to reach safe places on a self-help basis.
As details of destruction wrought by unusual rains and flooding began to unfold, six more people were reported missing from the torrent-hit Shadan Lund protection dyke.
A large number of people in Lasbela area of Balochistan were marooned as rescuers faced difficulties in reaching them though 150 people were rescued from Lakhra tehsil.
According to villagers living near the protection dyke, they were caught unawares as the administration did not issue any warning about the torrents coming from the Soori Lund hill. Floodwaters also affected wheat stocks of the food department.
Rescue sources claim that parts of Pul Qamber, Basti Amdani, Chowkiwala, Basti Lashari, and Chitani Zindapir Morr were broken by Soori hill floods.
Using 14 boats, the administration started a rescue effort. The bodies of Amina, 40; Khalil, 50; Parveen Bibi, Rasheeda, Naseem, and one Muneer’s three-year-old kid were found.
Two boats were used in the Kot Chhuta tehsil rescue effort after the Kumharwala and Khosa areas were devastated by the Wadoor hill floods. Teams of rescuers relocated 46 villagers.
TAMPA, Fla. — SpaceX has applied for more spectrum to upgrade Starlink satellite broadband services for mobile users.
The company asked the U.S. Federal Communications Commission July 25 for permission to use the 2 GHz spectrum band to “augment” its mobile satellite services (MSS).
Specific details about the next-generation services Starlink plans to provide were not disclosed.
David Goldman, SpaceX’s senior director of satellite policy, told the FCC its planned “next-generation services for mobile users” would operate with latency below 50 milliseconds, “which is nearly unnoticeable to consumers.”
A modular payload would be added to future Starlink satellites to transmit frequencies in the 2 GHz band under the plan. The constellation currently uses higher frequencies in the Ku and Ka spectrum bands to provide broadband to mainly fixed users.
The 2 GHz MSS system will leverage “existing ground equipment and user terminals,” Goldman said, and “will also add new earth-station equipment to optimize performance for consumers.”
However, the company also pointed to plans to expand its mobile services after last year acquiring Swarm Technologies, a narrowband MSS operator that connects small and portable Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
In June, the FCC granted SpaceX permission to operate earth stations in motion (ESIMs), enabling broadband services on moving aircraft, ships, and motor vehicles that can support SpaceX’s directional antennas.
“While these assets will enable SpaceX to provide unprecedented broadband capacity from its space-based platform, Americans are increasingly demanding connectivity wherever they are whenever they want, and whatever they are doing,” Goldman said.
“In particular, they have grown accustomed to being able to connect using small, hand-held devices that they can carry with them or affix to mobile platforms.”
