باخبر بلوچستان: June 2021

The EU’s vaccine passport and what it means for travel

The EU's vaccine passport - its Digital Covid Certificate - is being rolled out across all 27 nations.

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The Amazon sellers who sold up and became millionaires

Small e-commerce entrepreneurs have thrived in lockdown - now big money wants to buy them out.

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Immigration: Is US-Mexico border seeing a surge in migrants?

Donald Trump says migrants are crossing the border like the US "has never seen". We've checked the numbers.

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China celebrates Communist Party's 100th anniversary

From "red films" and rap to a lavish gala, the country has seen a ramped-up propaganda drive.

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How to handle China at 100

There is much debate about how to deal with China's authoritarian politics, reports the BBC's John Sudworth.

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Mozambique attack: Timeline of terror

Some of those caught up in the attack on the northern city of Palma by Islamist militants share their stories.

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Serbian ex-spy chiefs jailed for Balkans war crimes

The ruling marks the first time Serbian officials are convicted of crimes in Bosnia.

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Trump Organization expected to be charged with tax crimes

The former president himself is not expected to be implicated personally in the New York case.

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Nxivm cult: Actress Allison Mack sentenced to three years in prison

Allison Mack had already admitted recruiting women and asked for forgiveness before sentencing.

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Miami building collapse: Two dead children found in rubble

Nearly 150 people are still missing after the collapse of the tower block near Miami last week.

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Bill Cosby: The rise, fall and release of 'America's Dad'

Once a national treasure, the comedian was jailed for sexual assault but that conviction has now been overturned.

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Headline News 12am | 01 July 2021-SAMAA TV

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Ex-US defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld dead at 88

Former US defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld, one of the main architects of the Iraq war, dies at 88

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Trudeau pays respects to Canada heatwave victims

Dozens have died as Canada sees a new record - 49.6C (121.3F) - for the third day in a row.

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Obituary: Donald Rumsfeld

Ruthless, resilient and divisive - he served as Secretary of Defense twice in a career spanning decades.

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PIA announces special flights for Doha

The Pakistan International Airline will run two special flights to Doha, it announced Wednesday.

Two special flights will take off from the Islamabad International Airport on July 5 and July 12. According to the spokesperson of the national carrier, two flights will leave from Doha for Islamabad on July 6 and July 13.

“Tickets are being sold on a first-come-first-serve basis. People are advised to get their flights booked online immediately,” he added.

Earlier this week, UAE extended its travel ban on Pakistan till July 21.

A notice issued by UAE’s civil aviation authority stated that cargo flights, as well as business and charter flights, will be exempted from the restrictions.

On Sunday, Pakistan decided to increase the number of direct flights from the UK, Europe, Canada, China, and Malaysia by 40%. Passengers will have to undergo a mandatory COVID test before departing for Pakistan.

New travel restrictions will come into effect from July 1.

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Pakistan to act as a bridge between regions: COAS

Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited the National Defence University, Islamabad on Wednesday and addressed the participants of the National Security and War Course.

The army chief spoke about the country’s evolving strategic and regional environment. Pakistan stands for peace within and all around, as it looks forward to acting as a bridge between regions, he remarked.

On Pakistan’s support to Afghan Peace Process, he said that spoilers of peace in Afghanistan risk regional instability. Expressing resolute support to the people of Indian-Administered Kashmir, COAS stressed upon a peaceful and durable solution of Kashmir issue in line with relevant UN resolutions and aspirations of Kashmiri people.

Sharing his vision of the Pakistan Army, he underscored the need for continuous evaluation of existing doctrine and corresponding strategy to effectively deal with the evolving threats in various domains.

The COAS termed professionalism, competence, and devotion to duty as hallmarks of the Pakistan Army and emphasised realistic and futuristic training for maintaining perpetual operational readiness. Force modernisation and induction of advanced technologies are imperative for maintaining a qualitative edge over the adversary, COAS remarked.

Congratulating the participants on the successful completion of their course, he advised them to stay focused on attaining professional excellence while remaining abreast with revolutionary advancements in warfare which are redefining national security.

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Pakistani-origin individuals honoured with 2021 Diana Award

Two people of Pakistani origin named Mashal Aamir and Hassan Ashraf have been honoured with the 2021 Diana Award Roll of Honour.

Mashal, who is Scottish and of Pashtun ethnicity, has been honoured for her services towards humanity.

She has studied law from Cambridge and Glasgow universities. She has worked on eradicating racial and socioeconomic barriers.

Mashal has raised funds to provide scholarships for young people from low socioeconomic backgrounds as well, along with mentoring children who face difficulties in getting enrolled in universities.

Speaking with Samaa TV, she said she is being rewarded for her hard work.

Hassan, who hails from Faisalabad, is the Chief Executive Officer of ‘UMEED’ school, which has 20 branches across Pakistan.

The institution educates more than 1,500 children. Their projects include leadership training and free internships.

Hassan has hosted fundraisers for families during the coronavirus pandemic as well.

The Diana Award recipients include individuals who are source of inspiration from around the world. They demonstrate their ability to mobilise new generations to serve their communities on a global scale.

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Is Pakistan running out of Covid-19 vaccines?

In an emergency move, the Pakistan government has released around 150,000 coronavirus vaccines from its reserves to multiple cities across the country.

It has also requested international authorities to deliver vaccine shipments as soon as possible.

The move was taken after a Covid-19 vaccine shortage was reported at inoculation centres in big cities such as Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.

On June 28, a fight broke out at a mass coronavirus vaccination centre in Islamabad’s F-9 after the security staff barred people from entering the building. The visitors were people travelling out of the country and were told to go back due to a shortage of jabs.

The capital city is reportedly short on Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines, which are being administered to people travelling out of the country. The stock of Chinese vaccines is, on the other hand, sufficient to meet the demand. According to authorities, Islamabad vaccinates people coming from other cities and countries which can be a reason for temporary shortages.

Qasim Soomro, the health secretary of Sindh, has, however, denied claims of vaccine shortage in the province. “Sindh inoculates about 95,000 to 97,000 people in a day,” he told SAMAA Digital. “Karachi alone caters nearly 63,000 people every day.”

The province is expecting 800,000 Sinovac doses, increasing Sindh’s stock to 1.4 million, Soomro added.

An employee at a mega-operational vaccination centre in Karachi said that the centre did witness a dip in vaccine availability but “came out of it smoothly”.

People were being returned unvaccinated because small operational units are allotted limited number of jabs. “This is why when more than expected people show up, they are told to wait for a couple of days,” he revealed.

Here’s a breakdown of vaccines received by Sindh in June:

June 21: 1.5 million Sinovac doses
June 23: 700,000 doses Cansino vaccines
June 23: 400,000 doses of PakVac
Doses of Sputnik V vaccine to be received by June-end.

New doses

On Tuesday, the United States announced that it will be sending 2.5 million vaccine doses to Pakistan by the end of June.

“The vaccine shots will come through World Health Organization’s COVAX programme, “said Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary. The COVAX programme seeks to provide vaccines to countries across the world.

Earlier this week, a fresh batch of two million Sinovac vaccines arrived in Pakistan via a PIA flight.

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Pattoki cleric arrested on charges of raping nine-year-old

A cleric has been arrested in Pattoki on charges of raping a nine-year-old child.

The Phool Nagar police said that the child was a resident of the Sherpur village.

The action was taken on the complaint filed by the child’s parents. The suspect, who hails from Muzaffargarh, was teaching the Holy Quran to the child.

According to the police, the suspect had threatened to kill the child if she told her parents. Her parents, however, found out after the child’s health started deteriorating.

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Two killed after fire erupts at Lahore girls hostel

Two women were killed after a fire erupted at a girls hostel on Lahore’s Raiwind road Wednesday night.

Two people were injured in the blaze. According to rescue officials, the deceased women were aged 18 and 40 years old. They have yet to be identified.

The fire has been doused and injured people have been moved to the hospital.

The police have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.

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Naegleria claims third life in Karachi this year

Brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria Fowleri, has claimed a third life in Karachi this year. It is the second death reported this month.

Forty-year-old Faizan Rasool Ghauri, a resident of Abul Hassan Isphahani Road, died on June 28, Shakeel Ahmed, a member of Sindh government’s Naegleria Monitoring and Inspection Team, told SAMAA Digital.

“On June 24, the patient complained of fever, headache and neck pain, and took medicines, but the fever persisted,” Ahmed said, adding that he was taken to a local health centre in Gulshan-e-Iqbal the next day.

As his condition worsened, his family took him to the Dow University of Health Sciences, Ojha Campus where doctors advise hospitalisation and referred him to a private healthcare centre in Gulshan-e-Iqbal due to the shortage of ICU beds.

On June 26, laboratory investigations of the patient were carried out, including CT scan, chest x-ray, and CSF, and the samples were sent to Aga Khan University Hospital for results,” Ahmed said, adding that the reports confirmed that the patient was suffering from primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, an infection caused by Naegleria fowleri. He was then put on the ventilator.

“Based on findings and observations, it has been concluded that the patient was infected while performing ablution (wuzu) at his house,” Ahmed said.

“The deceased was a religious man and he used to offer prayers five times a day,” the victim’s brother-in-law Hasban Khan shared.

He went to their area’s mosque to offer prayers but performed ablution at home.

Khan said that Ghauri used to run a small business but he had been sitting at home after the provincial government tightened restrictions on the opening of markets because of the increase in coronavirus cases.

Naegleria deaths in Karachi

Naegleria fowleri can cause a rare and devastating infection of the brain
It is commonly found in warm freshwater (lakes, rivers) and soil
Naegleria fowleri usually infects when contaminated water enters through the nose
Naegleria infections may rarely occur from inadequately chlorinated swimming pool water or heated and contaminated tap water)
You cannot get infected from swallowing water contaminated with Naegleria (Source: CDC)

The second death caused by the brain-eating amoeba was reported on June 2. The victim identified as 30-year-old Mirza Muhammad Ali Jarral worked as an inventory manager at a private shipping firm.

Ahmed had earlier called this the second death and declined to reveal the name of the first victim. According to him, the amoeba had claimed five lives last year.

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Headline News 9pm | 30 June 2021-SAMAA TV

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The Yankees' 70-year-old bat girl

Decades after she was told girls couldn't do the job, she got a chance to live her childhood dream.

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UAE places more restrictions on unvaccinated people

The UAE capital Abu Dhabi said it will allow only vaccinated people in many public places, including schools, malls and restaurants, from August 20 in an effort to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

The city announced a colour-coded system on its health app which details testing and vaccination history earlier this month.

Those with “green” status are allowed more freedom of movement in Abu Dhabi, with a list of restricted places such as public beaches already announced earlier this month.

“The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee has approved allowing entry into a number of public places for only those vaccinated, effective from Friday, August 20,” it said Monday.

Unvaccinated people will be kept out of shopping malls, restaurants, retail stores, gyms, recreational facilities and sporting activities, hotel resorts, museums and parks, as well as universities, schools and nurseries.

But they will still be allowed into smaller supermarkets and pharmacies.

“The decision is in line with the emirate’s strategy to combat the Covid-19 pandemic,” the committee said, adding new measures do not apply to children under 15 and those exempt from vaccination — including pregnant women and individuals with medical conditions.

The United Arab Emirates — which has mounted an intensive Covid vaccination campaign that has produced some of the highest inoculation rates globally — warned in April that those who remained unvaccinated would face restrictions on their movement.

It has so far recorded more than 631,000 cases, including 1,807 deaths.

The latest rules come as Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, move towards more stringent restrictions on those who have not been inoculated.

Kuwait has said it will only allow fully vaccinated foreigners to enter the country and only its inoculated citizens to travel abroad from August 1.

And since last Sunday, only vaccinated people are allowed in to large Kuwaiti shopping malls, gyms and restaurants.

Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, has said vaccination against Covid-19 will be mandatory from August 1 to enter any government and private establishments as well as to use public transport.

It will also be required to enter any education institutions.

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Headline News 9am | 30 June 2021-SAMAA TV

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Australia Covid: Seventh city locks down as cases spread

As Delta cases emerge in new areas, state leaders are calling for faster vaccinations.

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Kim Jong-un: North Korea in ‘great crisis’ after Covid lapses

Kim Jong-un berates top officials in a rare sign of the pandemic's severity in the country.

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Taiwan boy thrown 27 times during judo class taken off life support

The 7-year-old had suffered severe brain haemorrhaging after a judo class in April.

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Today’s outlook: Petrol prices likely to increase, infections drop countrywide

Here are some of the stories we will be following today (Wednesday):

Prime Minister Imran Khan will address the National Assembly today. He is likely to give a policy statement over national security and the country’s economic situation.
Coronavirus claims another 27 lives in Pakistan and infected another 979 in the last 24 hours. The positivity rate stands at 2.32%.
OGRA recommends an increase of Rs6 in the price of petroleum prices.
Punjab announces summer vacation in all schools across the province from July 1 to August 1, 2021.
Students of classes one to eight enrolled in federal educational institutions will be passed without exams this year.
Heat wave claims 233 lives in Canada’s British Columbia.

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Convertible flying car takes to the sky

The prototype AirCar completes a 35-minute test flight in Slovakia.

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Hong Kong: How life has changed under the national security law

Seven city residents tell the BBC how the new law has fundamentally changed their lives.

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Lady Boss documentary film "recasts Jackie Collins as feminist icon

Filmmaker Laura Fairrie wants to celebrate Collins' books about female sexual desire and freedom.

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Pinjra Tod: Women's rights activists finally free in India

Natasha Narwal and Devangana Kalita spent a year in prison, accused of 'masterminding' Delhi riots.

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Afghanistan: US commander warns of possible civil war after withdrawal

The country could face "very hard times" after American troops withdraw, General Scott Miller says.

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Miami building collapse: Letter in April warned of worsening damage

Residents of an apartment block that collapsed last week were warned of worsening structural damage.

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Portugal's top art collector Joe Berardo arrested over fraud allegations

Millionaire Joe Berardo is accused of accumulating nearly €1bn in debts to three banks.

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Euro 2020: Sterling, Kane star as England secure quarterfinals berth

England beat Germany 2-0 on Tuesday to reach the Euro 2020 quarterfinals and end decades of hurt against their bitter rivals as Sweden and Ukraine faced off to complete the last-eight line-up.

Raheem Sterling broke the deadlock at Wembley with a quarter of an hour remaining and Harry Kane finally opened his tournament account to end the contest.

England beat the Germans to win the 1966 World Cup final on home soil but their major tournament history has been littered with painful exits against them since.

The Three Lions were eliminated from the 1970, 1990 and 2010 World Cups by Germany, who also beat them in the Euro 96 semi-finals at Wembley.

The Germans, who have won the European Championship three times in their illustrious history, had chances to score, notably a first-half effort by Timo Werner and a golden late chance for Thomas Mueller, but lacked a cutting edge.

England, who themselves looked short of inspiration for much of the contest, finally broke the deadlock when Luke Shaw crossed for Sterling to finish from close range.

Mueller should have equalised when Kai Havertz’s pass sent him clean through, but the Bayern Munich star rolled his shot wide and fell to the turf in dismay.

Kane made Germany pay in the 86th minute as he finished off a lethal England counter-attack with a diving header past Manuel Neuer from substitute Jack Grealish’s cross.

That was the first goal of the tournament for the Tottenham man, who has been a shadow of the player who won the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

“It’s a brilliant afternoon,” England boss Gareth Southgate told the BBC. “We talked about bringing enjoyment to the nation really and afternoons like this are what that’s about. The players were absolutely immense, right the way through the team and the fans were as well. Only 40,000, but it’s as good an atmosphere as I can remember at Wembley.

“We played extremely well. I think we deserved the win, but I’ve had to say to them (the players) straight away, look, ‘I’m the party-pooper because if we don’t capitalise on that on Saturday now, then it doesn’t count for anything’.”

England, World Cup semi-finalists three years ago, have been solid if unspectacular this tournament but they have yet to concede a goal and the draw is opening up invitingly for them.

They head to Rome on Saturday for a quarter-final against the winners of the Sweden v Ukraine match, which kicked off later Tuesday in Glasgow.

If they can win that game they would face the Czech Republic or Denmark for a place in the final, also being held at Wembley.

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Ethiopia Tigray conflict: Rebels build on capture of capital

Tigrayan fighters continue their advance after wresting the regional capital from government forces.

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5,000-year-old man was 'oldest plague victim'

Scientists piece together clues from "patient zero", who likely caught the plague from a rodent.

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Portugal exempts under-18s from quarantine

But they must be travelling with a fully vaccinated parent or guardian, say tourism authorities.

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Headline News 12am | 30 June 2021-SAMAA TV

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Imran Khan: Pakistan won’t sabotage its relations with China

Pakistan won’t spoil its relations with China under any Western pressure, Prime Minister Imran Khan asserted.

“America pressurising Pakistan to cut ties with China is very unfair,” he said in an interview with the Chinese news channel China Global Television Network.

“China has stood by Pakistan in difficult times and we have a huge respect and love for the country.”

The premier pointed out that China always “stood with us” whenever Pakistan was in trouble politically, internationally, or was facing conflict from neighbouring countries.

“Our relations with China are strengthening with every passing day and we won’t do anything to sabotage this,” he said, adding that the countries always stand together on international forums.

The PM asked: “Why do we have to take sides? We should have good relations with everyone.”

You see the United States is wary of China. It has formed a regional alliance called the Quad, which includes US and India, and a couple of other countries, which has complicated things in the region, he said.

Talking about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, PM Khan remarked that it was the “biggest thing happening in Pakistan”.

“Whatever happens in any international forum, Pakistan and China stand together.”

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Eidul Azha SOPs: Covid-19 vaccination mandatory for animal sellers

The government has made coronavirus vaccination mandatory for all sellers and vendors at cattle markets this year.

On Tuesday, the health ministry issued COVID-19 guidelines for Eidul Azha to prevent the fourth wave of the deadly virus.

“These guidelines propose measures to ensure continued and uninterrupted prayers for Muslims on Eidul Azha while minimising the risk of acquiring and transmitting infections.”

Here are the SOPs that have been announced:

Encourage online buying of animals
Set up cattle markets in open spaces outside the city
Ensure sanitisation outside markets, temperature checks at entries, masks, and social distancing
Covid-19 vaccination mandatory for animal sellers
Animal stalls to be set up at a distance of two meters
No shaking of hands or physical contact
Buyers and sellers to wear gloves before touching animals
People showing coronavirus symptoms not to be allowed inside the markets

The government has issued guidelines for Eid prayers as well. These include:

People to perform ablution at home
Separate entry and exit points outside mosques
Worshippers to be screened for fever before entering the mosque
Social distancing of at least three feet to be ensured during prayers
Worshippers to bring prayer mats from home
No carpets inside mosques
Mosques to be vacated 10 minutes after prayer ends to prevent socialising
Windows and doors to remain open for ventilation
Sick, elderly, and children under 15 years won’t be allowed inside mosques
No hugging or shaking of hands

People have been encouraged to avoid shopping and attend gatherings. Crowding in markets should be avoided at all costs, the guidelines added.

Fourth wave of infections

Last week, NCOC chief Asad Umar warned that Pakistan may be hit by the fourth wave of the virus if the people stop being cautious.

“In the absence of strong SOP enforcement and continued strong vaccination programme, the fourth wave could emerge in Pakistan in July,” he tweeted.

Umar advised people to follow the SOPs and get vaccinated.

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Blasphemy case registered against Afghan refugee in Buner

The Buner police have arrested an Afghan refugee in a blasphemy case. The arrest was made on Monday evening on the complaint of a shopkeeper.

The suspect, who lived in a refugee camp, has been charged under sections 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting Its religion or religious beliefs) and 295-C (use of derogatory remarks in respect of the Holy Prophet PBUH) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The refugee runs a shop in Buner. The accusation has been made by the owner of his neighbouring shop, Muhammad Rizwan. Rizwan claimed that he heard the suspect use derogatory language against the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and he told it to the other shopkeepers. After this, the shopkeepers gathered outside his shop. The police were called to the site and they detained the suspect.

Following this, protesting shopkeepers gathered outside the police station and asked the law enforcers to surrender the suspect to them. They even attacked the station and four policemen were injured. The police resorted to aerial firing to disperse them.

On Tuesday, all traders kept their shops closed and staged a protest at Sawari Bazar Chowk. They even appealed to all area lawyers to not represent the suspect in the case. The protesters said that they want the shopkeeper to be punished according to the law.

DSP Nasir Khan confirmed the arrest. He said that the police are investigating the charges.

JUI-F member Mufti Fazal Ghafoor told SAMAA Digital that the said person will be presented in court on Wednesday. Area residents have said that the suspect has made controversial statements in the past too. The current charges against him are weak but the shopkeepers plan on gathering all previous evidence against him and submit it in court.

He speculated that the suspect has been making controversial statements so that he could seek asylum in Germany.

The former MNA remarked that the protesters had initially asked for the suspect’s custody but he spoke to them to cool them off. The state is responsible for punishing the suspect and the people can’t take the law into their hands.

Such cases are quite sensitive because the society then doesn’t readily accept such people so we have to tread carefully, Ghafoor added.

Blasphemy accusations in Pakistan

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom wrote in its 2019 report that at least 80 people are imprisoned in Pakistan jails for blasphemy and at least half of them are facing a life or death sentence. According to Al-Jazeera, at least 77 people have been killed in the country over blasphemy accusations since 1990.

Blasphemy cases elicit strong emotion in Pakistan. People often emerge to support men who kill over it. Qibla Ayaz, the chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology, finds that this happens because people do not know the teachings of Islam on the matter. The Council of Islamic Ideology is a constitutional body that advises lawmakers whether a certain law is repugnant to Islam.

“In Islam, no one can declare any person an infidel,” Qibla Ayaz told SAMAA Digital earlier. In fact, clerics of all sects agreed upon this in January 2018 at the Paigham-e-Pakistan conference in Islamabad. “It is totally unacceptable in Islam for a certain group to take the law into its own hands, declare people infidels, start killing them in the name of commanding good and forbidding from evil.”

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NAB sends notice to daily wage earner in Karachi

Karachi’s resident Muhammad Akbar, a labourer who earns Rs1,000 a day, has recieved NAB’s notice. He has been accused of sending 200 stolen cars from Japan to Pakistan from 2016 to 2017.

Akbar said that he has only one motorcycle which does not even work properly and NAB is questioning about 200 stolen cars. He said that he not even have money travel to Rawalpindi for his NAB appearance.

According to Muhammad Akbar, he has tried contacting the NAB officials through the numbers provided on the notice he recieved but he has yet to receive an answer.

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British Jews' fear and defiance amid record monthly anti-Semitism reports

Some 460 anti-Semitic incidents were reported to the Community Security Trust from 8 May to 7 June.

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Why small investors are piling into share-trading apps

A boom in cheaper trading is tempting some inexperienced investors to take big risks, warn experts.

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A Pride symbol vandalised in Canada's 'prettiest little town'

A rainbow pedestrian crossing in Paris, Ontario was vandalised, and the town rallied to fix it.

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Covid vaccine gap: How South Africa hopes to bridge the divide

Amid a slow rollout, the government is pushing the West to make jabs more accessible.

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UN human rights chief calls for reparations over racism

A report urges countries to "make amends" for racism against Africans and those of African descent.

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Mexico marijuana: Top court decriminalises recreational use of cannabis

Adults will be able to cultivate and consume the drug, but smoking in public remains banned.

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Israeli minister's landmark visit to UAE signals deepening ties

Yair Lapid is the first Israeli minister to visit the Gulf state since they normalised relations.

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Picasso painting found in Athens years after gallery heist

Greek police say they have recovered two valuable pieces of art stolen more than nine years ago.

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Inside India's deadly mucormycosis fungus epidemic

BBC correspondent Yogita Limaye visits a ward battling India's mucormycosis epidemic in the wake of Covid.

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The precarious life of a Gaza fisherman

Fishermen in Gaza eke out a precarious living amid restrictions over where they can cast their nets.

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Australian farmer spreads joy with colourful rescue lambs

Australian farmer Tracey Kruger spreads joy with pictures of her rescue lambs in colourful outfits.

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Euro 2020: Switzerland stun favourites France to book quarterfinals berth

Switzerland stunned world champions France to book their spot in the quarterfinals of the Euro 2020.

Mario Gavranovic equalised in the 90th minute as Switzerland came from two goals down before Yann Sommer saved from Kylian Mbappe in the shootout to book Switzerland a quarter-final clash against Spain.

Haris Seferovic had given Vladimir Petkovic’s Switzerland a shock lead on 15 minutes but Ricardo Rodriguez’s penalty was brilliantly saved by Hugo Lloris early in the second half.

Karim Benzema, recalled to the France squad for the tournament after a five-and-a-half-year international exile, then struck a quick-fire double to put the Euro 2016 finalists back on track.

Paul Pogba’s sensational curling effort made it 3-1, but Switzerland forced extra time as Seferovic grabbed his second of the game before Gavranovic levelled in the final minute.

Switzerland converted all five of their penalties before Sommer dived to his right to turn away Mbappe’s kick, as the Swiss won a major tournament knockout tie for the first time in 83 years.

France coach Didier Deschamps controversially switched to a 3-4-1-2 formation designed to extract the best from his attacking trio of Benzema, Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann, but it was instead Seferovic who gave the Swiss a surprise lead.

Steven Zuber used the space afforded by Rodriguez’s overlapping run, clipping in a left-wing cross that Seferovic headed past Lloris after rising all too easily above Clement Lenglet.

After a dismal first half, in which France failed to test Sommer, Deschamps ditched the experiment of three at the back, hauling off Lenglet and introducing Kingsley Coman while reverting to a more familiar 4-4-2.

But France were indebted to Lloris for sparing them from further trouble after a lung-busting run from Zuber eventually resulted in a penalty for the Swiss when he was brought down by Benjamin Pavard.

Argentine referee Fernando Rapallini immediately pointed to the spot following a VAR review, but Lloris flung himself to his right to claw away Rodriguez’s attempt — the seventh missed penalty of 15 taken at the tournament.

The momentum soon swung sharply in France’s favour as Benzema, scorer of both goals in the 2-2 draw with Portugal in the group phase, superbly dragged a pass from Mbappe into his stride, lifting over Sommer to level.

The Real Madrid striker headed France in front two minutes later when Griezmann’s dinked effort was turned away by Sommer but only to a waiting Benzema who headed in from point-blank range.

Pogba’s magnificent 25-yard strike had France on the cusp of the last eight, but Seferovic powered in a terrific delivery from substitute Kevin Mbabu with nine minutes left to give the Swiss hope.

Gavranovic then had a goal ruled out for offside, but there was no doubting his last-minute equaliser as he skipped past Presnel Kimpembe and drove low beyond Lloris.

Remarkably, Coman nearly won the game with the final kick, rattling the crossbar right at the end of injury time.

An ailing Benzema was withdrawn at the start of extra time for Olivier Giroud, moments before Sommer tipped over superbly to deny Pavard.

Pogba released Mbappe with a piercing pass through the Swiss defence but the Paris Saint-Germain forward sliced wide, with Sommer flying to his right to grasp Giroud’s header before his penalty heroics.

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US judge throws out Facebook anti-trust lawsuits

The judge said lawsuits filed by the FTC and a group of states were vague or occurred too long ago.

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Bruno Candé: White man jailed for Portugal murder of black actor

Evaristo Marinho is sentenced to more than 22 years jail for the murder of Bruno Candé.

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Headline News 12am – 29 June 2021 SAMAA TV

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US Supreme Court declines transgender bathroom appeal in win for student

The order in favour of Gavin Grimm is seen as a significant win for LGBT student rights.

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Kuwait arrests man who posted TikTok weather rant

The man is heard complaining about a dust storm and swearing in the online clip.

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Euro 2020 last-16: Spain knock Croatia out in eight-goal thriller

Spain claimed a remarkable 5-3 victory over Croatia after extra-time on Monday to set up a Euro 2020 quarterfinal against either France or Switzerland.

Croatia, the 2018 World Cup runners-up, fought back from 3-1 down in the 85th minute to force an additional half an hour in the last-16 tie.

But the much-maligned Alvaro Morata slammed home to put Spain back in front in the 100th minute, before Mikel Oyarzabal made it the highest-scoring European Championship match since the first game of the inaugural edition in 1960.

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Funeral of democracy: PTI MPAs bring charpoy to Sindh Assembly

PTI MPAs brought a foldable charpoy to the Sindh Assembly on Monday to mark the ‘funeral of democracy’. They staged a protest after a PTI MPA was denied from addressing the House.

The ruckus started after Haleem Adil Sheikh, the leader of the opposition in the Sindh Assembly, was stopped from making a speech. He asked Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani to let him speak but the permission was denied. Durrani said that the scheduled business will be carried out first and then members will be allowed to speak. This angered PTI MPAs.

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Tourist shoots endangered Kashmir Markhor in Chitral

A tourist shot an endangered female Kashmir Markhor in Chitral’s Toshi Shasha conservation centre Monday afternoon.

According to witnesses, the Markhor was drinking water from a river near the Garam Chashma road when the bullet hit her and the six-year-old animal fell into the river.

The animal was rescued by the wildlife department and immediately moved to a veterinary hospital. “She is in critical condition,” the department’s DFO said.

During summer, female markhors come down from their habitat to give birth.

A complaint has been registered against the suspect, who was visiting the area from another district. He managed to flee from the site.

According to a study, Kashmir Markhor is endangered in the area because of habitat loss, unsustainable hunting, and competition with domestic livestock.

The mountain goat’s habitat includes the Hindu Kush Himalayas in Pakistan, India, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.

Markhor is protected by local and international laws like the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. It can be found in Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral, Kalash Valley, Hunza among other Northern parts of Pakistan.

Although hunting the markhor is illegal in Pakistan, the government has introduced a scheme that makes the hunt legal. The scheme is known as trophy hunting.

A hunting trophy license is issued after a proper auction by Peshawar’s wildlife department. The highest bidder is then given a permit to hunt one markhor.

Annually, four hunting trophy licenses are issued for Markhor hunting and 80% of the money collected is distributed among the local community, whereas 20% is kept by the wildlife department.

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Five people killed in Peshawar jirga firing

Five people were killed and two injured in a firing incident in Peshawar on Monday.

The firing occurred during a jirga session in Sarband, the police said. The jirga had been called to resolve a land dispute. It, however, resulted in an exchange of heated words between its members and they opened fire at each other.

The bodies and injured have been moved to the hospital.

A police team reached the site and cordoned off the area. No arrest has been made yet.

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Cinemas to reopen in Pakistan from July 1

Cinemas across Pakistan will reopen from July 1, the National Command and Operation decided in a meeting on Monday.

Only people who have been completely vaccinated against the novel coronavirus will be allowed inside movie theatres. “Cinemas are allowed to re-open with strict Covid protocols for vaccinated people till 1am.”

Theatres have been instructed to get the staff immunised and submit their vaccination certificates to the provincial governments.

Other important decisions taken in the meeting are:

Indoor dining to reopen on July 1 with 50% capacity
Markets allowed to stay open till 10pm
Shrines, gyms to reopen
400 vaccinated guests allowed in outdoor weddings
200 vaccinated guests allowed in indoor weddings
Public transport to operate at 70% capacity
Ban on religious processions and gathering will remain imposed

Shops of essential items, petrol pumps, and pharmacies have been allowed to stay open round the clock.

The new instructions will remain in force till July 31 after which the forum will meet again to discuss the graph of infections in the country.

The NCOC added that decisions regarding summer vacations at educational institutions will be taken by the provincial governments.

On Monday, Pakistan reported 20 deaths from the deadly virus — the lowest in four months. The country’s infection rate was reported at 2.5%.

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Gilgit-Baltistan woman loses unborn child over Kharmang land dispute

Three women were injured and a pregnant woman lost her unborn child after a group of men attacked them over a land dispute in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Kharmang.

The fight occurred between the residents of Katishu and Mehdiabad Valley over a piece of grazing land. They attacked each other’s houses too.

A video of the fight went viral too. It showed a group of men hurling stones at a woman and hitting her with sticks. According to local reporters, the attackers were residents of Mehdiabad Valley.

People in Katishu said one of the injured women was expecting and she lost her child because of the attack. She is being treated at DHQ Hospital, Skardu.

The woman’s father-in-law confirmed the news. He said that men had attacked their house and beaten his daughter-in-law.

GB CM Muhammad Khalid Khurshid Khan had taken notice and ordered the DIG to submit a report. He ordered strict action against the culprits.

Baltistan DIG Tufail Ahmed told SAMAA Digital that strict action will be taken against people seen in the video. He remarked that the police had taken immediate steps to stop the warring tribes.

A case has been registered and a committee formed to investigate it. He shared that 80 people have been arrested so far. He condemned the attack on women, adding such cases are never reported in this area.

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France eye Euro 2020 quarterfinal berth against Switzerland

World Cup holders France will be in action on Monday against Switzerland in Bucharest, while Croatia will lock horns against Spain in the mouthwatering fixture of Euro 2020 last-16.

The pre-tournament favourites, France have so far struggled to find their best form in this competition after following a narrow opening win over Germany with draws against Hungary and Portugal.

Kylian Mbappe has not yet found the net and coach Didier Deschamps has been hit by injuries to a number of fringe members of his team, but Les Bleus are still expected to have too much for their Swiss neighbours in the Romanian capital.

“We have turned the page now on the group phase, which required a lot of effort from us, and now we are moving on to a new competition,” France captain Hugo Lloris said on Sunday.

“The approach now needs to be completely different and we know we have no margin for error.”

Switzerland, who qualified for the last 16 as one of the best third-placed sides, have not won a knockout tie at a major tournament since the 1930s and it would be an enormous shock if they ousted the defending world champions.

France played their last two group games in Budapest, which is the only Euro 2020 venue without restrictions on capacity related to Covid-19, and now local authorities in Bucharest have increased the number of fans allowed in to the game at the National Arena.

Around 25,000 supporters will be permitted in the stands, amounting to half the overall capacity as coronavirus restrictions are relaxed.

By the time the match kicks off at 1900 GMT France and Switzerland will know the identity of their potential quarter-final opponents, with Croatia and Spain meeting in Monday’s other game in Copenhagen.

‘A great battle’

The match pits the 2008 and 2012 European champions against the 2018 World Cup runners-up who are led by Luka Modric.

The 35-year-old midfielder is a well-known figure in Spain having spent the last nine years at Real Madrid and starred in the 3-1 win over Scotland that took Croatia through to the knockout phase.

“Modric has done great things with Real Madrid, he has won the Ballon d’Or, he has done great things with Croatia, so it’s going to be a great battle in midfield,” said Spain’s Atletico Madrid star Koke.

Spain are fresh from a 5-0 win over Slovakia that saw them advance to the last 16. They have not won a tournament knockout tie since beating Italy in the final in Kiev in 2012.

While Modric will be there, Croatia will be without another key player in Ivan Perisic, who scored twice during the group phase but is now isolating after testing positive for Covid-19.

The winners of Monday’s ties will progress to a last-eight showdown on Friday that is set to be played in Saint Petersburg despite concerns about increasing coronavirus cases in Russia.

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Lahore blast: Suspect who parked car bomb arrested in Rawalpindi

Law enforcement agencies have arrested a suspect who parked a car bomb in Lahore’s Johar Town on June 23, it emerged Monday.

At least three people, including a policeman, were killed and over 20 injured in the attack near Jamaat-ud-Da’wa leader Hafiz Saeed’s residence.

The law enforcers arrested the suspect, Eid Gul, in Rawalpindi, according to investigation sources.

Peter Paul David, another suspect currently in police custody, bought the vehicle in Gujranwala a week before the blast. David handed over the car to Gul.

The vehicle entered Lahore at 9:16am and it was parked outside a house in Johar Town at 10:28am. It exploded moments later.

So far, three suspects have been arrested in connection with the June 23 blast.

David told investigators that he bought the vehicle for Rs950,000. The suspect paid Rs50,000 upfront while the rest of the amount was paid by his accomplice, Zia Khan.

The suspects had placed explosives inside the CNG cylinder of the car, the sources said. The law enforcers are still looking for the one who drove the vehicle to Lahore.

The roads leading to the crime scene have been reopened for residents after four days.

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Minal Khan releases her engagement video

Minal Khan’s video of her engagement to Ahsan Moshin Ikram has racked up over half a million views in just hours.

“The most beautiful day of my life,” Minal said of her engagement, posting the video on Sunday. It shows her sharing moments of love with Ahsan Mohsin Ikram and features Farhan Saeed’s Piyaar Sufiyana.

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Minal and Ahsan were engaged in a private ceremony on June 11, 2021. She wore an embroidered teal green outfit and Ahsan chose an all white sherwani for the occasion by Humayun Alamgir. She had shared the invitation card on Instagram a day before, saying all of her fans were invited to the event.

Ahsan and Minal had their “baat pakki” ceremony in May. It was a simple and private affair, attended by family and close friends.

Many celebrities, including model Mushk Kaleem and singer Aima Baig, congratulated the couple. Fans are showering the two with love and prayers too.

Minal and Ahsan have been together for nearly two years and confirmed their relationship on Valentine’s Day, by exchanging rings.

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Pentagon says air strikes in Iraq, Syria targeted Iran-backed militias

The Pentagon announced Sunday it had conducted targeted air strikes against “facilities used by Iran-backed militia groups” on the Iraq-Syria border, which it said were authorized by President Joe Biden following ongoing attacks on US interests.

“At President Biden’s direction, US military forces earlier this evening conducted defensive precision air strikes against facilities used by Iran-backed militia groups in the Iraq-Syria border region,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in a statement.

Kirby added that the targets — two in Syria, one in Iraq — were selected because “these facilities are utilized by Iran-backed militias that are engaged in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks against US personnel and facilities in Iraq.”

US interests in Iraq have come under repeated attack in recent months, with the United States consistently blaming Iran-linked Iraqi factions for rocket and other attacks against Iraqi installations housing its personnel.

“Given the ongoing series of attacks by Iran-backed groups targeting US interests in Iraq, the president directed further military action to disrupt and deter such attacks,” Kirby said.

“Specifically, the US strikes targeted operational and weapons storage facilities at two locations in Syria and one location in Iraq, both of which lie close to the border between those countries,” he added.

Since the start of the year there have been more than 40 attacks against US interests in Iraq, where 2,500 American troops are deployed as part of an international coalition to fight the jihadist Islamic State group.

The vast majority have been bombs against logistics convoys, while 14 were rocket attacks, some of them claimed by pro-Iran factions that aim to pressure Washington into withdrawing all their troops.

The strikes come one day after Iraqi Kurdish officials said three explosives-laden drones hit near the northern Iraqi city of Arbil, where the United States has a consulate.

It also occurred as the Hashed al-Shaabi, a pro-Iran paramilitary alliance opposed to the US presence in Iraq, held a military parade near Baghdad attended by senior officials.

In April, a drone packed with explosives hit the coalition’s Iraq headquarters in the military part of the airport in Arbil, the Iraqi Kurdish regional capital.

The tactic poses a headache for the coalition, as drones can evade air defenses.

“As demonstrated by this evening’s strikes, President Biden has been clear that he will act to protect US personnel,” Kirby said.

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Covid-19 curbs reimposed in Moscow as Asia-Pacific outbreaks flare

Work-from-home restrictions were reimposed in Moscow on Monday as Russia tried to contain a deadly coronavirus wave fuelled by the Delta variant, while several Asian nations also tightened curbs to contain growing outbreaks.

While many wealthy countries have brought down infections through rapid vaccinations, outbreaks are still raging from Bangladesh and Indonesia to South America, including many fuelled by the highly contagious Delta variant that was first detected in India.

Russia has seen an explosion of new cases in the last two weeks because of this variant, and authorities announced fresh restrictions from Monday in the capital as they pushed vaccine-sceptic citizens to get a shot.

“To stop the pandemic, one thing is needed: rapid, large-scale vaccinations,” Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin told state TV on Saturday.

“Nobody has invented any other solution.”

From Monday, people will have to work from home in Moscow — the epicentre of Russia’s outbreak — with exceptions for vaccinated employees.

They will also have to present a QR code to enter restaurants, certifying that they are either vaccinated, have had Covid-19 in the last six months, or have a valid negative test.

The outbreak in Russia — already one of the worst-hit nations in the world — has also caused alarm because of the ongoing Euro 2020 football tournament which has seen thousands of fans attend matches in different countries across the continent.

Saint Petersburg has already hosted six matches, and is the venue for one of the quarter-finals on Friday. Spectator numbers have been capped at half-capacity, but still upwards of 26,000 people.

Covid-19 is known to have claimed nearly four million lives worldwide since it first emerged in China in late 2019, and it is still spreading with multiple variants now in circulation.

The Delta variant is now in 85 countries and is the most contagious of any identified so far, according to the World Health Organization.

‘How do we pay rent?’

The virus also remained on the march across the Asia-Pacific region, where Bangladesh tightened its lockdown on Monday, curtailing most economic activity.

The South Asian nation, home to more than 160 million people, will shut down shops, markets, transportation and offices in stages by Thursday, and the decision sparked an exodus of tens of thousands of migrant workers from the cities.

“We did not have any choice but to leave (the capital Dhaka),” Fatema Begum, 60, told AFP while waiting for a ferry.

“During lockdown, there is no work. And if we don’t work, how do we pay rent?”

Thailand from Monday also reimposed restrictions on restaurants, construction sites and gatherings in the capital Bangkok and its suburbs because of a spike in cases.

Indonesia battled one of the worst outbreaks in Asia, reported a daily record 21,000 new cases on Sunday as fears grew about the ability of its stretched hospitals to handle the surge.

To its south, Australia was also fighting fresh outbreaks spurred by the Delta variant, with its biggest city Sydney and Darwin in the north going into lockdowns on Sunday.

‘The battle is not yet won’

Fresh restrictions were also announced Sunday in South Africa, where President Cyril Ramaphosa said “health facilities are stretched to the limit”.

The government of Africa’s worst-hit country has banned alcohol sales and all gatherings except funerals. The overnight curfew has been extended by an hour, and only takeaway is allowed at restaurants.

But the situation has dramatically improved in wealthy Western nations that were once the epicentre of the pandemic, thanks to rapid vaccination drives.

All of Italy became a mask-free, “low-risk” zone from Monday, a dramatic shift from early last year when it was a global symbol of the coronavirus crisis.

Despite the progress, however, Health Minister Roberto Speranza urged Italians to be vigilant.

“Caution and prudence is still needed, especially because of the new variants,” he wrote Saturday.

“The battle is not yet won

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Mahira Khan on completing 10 years in showbiz

Mahira Khan has expressed her gratitude to all her fans who supported her through thick and thin and made her the star that she is today.

“So, I completed 10 years in this industry as an actor two days back,” the actor said. “My film Bol and my drama serial Neeyat released on the same day.”

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Mahira is one of the most successful TV and film actors in Pakistan. She rose to fame with Shoaib Mansoor’s social drama Bol (2011) and then established herself as a leading TV actor with the popular drama serial Humsafar, starring opposite Fawad Khan, in September the same year. She has since featured in several successful dramas, including Shehr-e-Zaat (2012) and Sadqay Tumhare (2015), and films such as Bin Roye (2015) and Superstar (2019).

“I bow my head in gratitude to all of you for this magical journey I’ve had and continue to have,” Mahira said. “There have been many ups and downs, moments of feeling broken and alone, and moments of feeling elated.” Mahira added that her fans have been her biggest support throughout these years and promised that she will work harder to give back.

Ayesha Omar, Sohai Ali Abro, Ali Kazmi and many other celebrities congratulated Mahira, saying she is an inspiration for all. Ayeza Khan posted a long note praising Mahira and said she will be paying a tribute to her in her upcoming project.

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Mahira ventured into production with a cricket-related web series Baarwan Khiladi, which stars Daniyal Zafar and YouTuber Shahveer Jafry, including five others who will be making their debut.

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Today’s outlook: Sindh reopens pools, gyms, shrines as infections drop

Here are some of the stories we will be following today (Monday):

Pakistan closes its consulate in Afghanistan’s Jalalabad province for four days. The decision has been taken in view of coronavirus fears. Online visa service will be available for Afghan nationals.
The Sindh government has decided to re-open shrines, indoor gyms, swimming pools and amusement parks across the province.
The suspect who parked a car bomb in the June 23 Lahore attack has been arrested in Rawalpindi. He is identified as Eid Gul. Another suspect, Peter Paul David, had told investigators that he sold the car used in the attack to Gul.
A Frontier Corps soldier was martyred in a landmine blast in Balochistan’s Hoshab district Monday. Terrorists targeted a water tanker in the blast. A hunt was on for the miscreants in the vicinity.
PM Imran Khan will host a dinner for parliamentarians at his official residence today. He will inaugurate different tourism-linked projects in Naran and Kaghan as well.
Fear of another power crisis looms over the country. Of the 70 units at Tarbela Dam, 13 have been closed because of depleting water reserves. The electricity shortfall has reached 3,000MW.
Coronavirus claims another 20 lives in Pakistan. The death toll reaches 22,231. The country reports 914 new infections.

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Headline News 9am – 28 June 2021 SAMAA TV

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F9: The Fast Saga dominates American box office

Universal’s new “F9: The Fast Saga” not only lapped all other films in North American theaters this weekend, it pulverized them with an estimated take of $70 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.

Confirming the persistent appeal of fast cars and muscle-bound men, this ninth installment in the “Fast and Furious” franchise easily became the biggest money-maker since the Covid-19 pandemic began, even as one in five US theaters and most of those in Canada remain shuttered. Ticket sales overseas have passed $300 million.

The plot? Suffice it to say that Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez and John Cena have to deal not only with exploding cars, plane crashes and private armies but also rocket cars, electromagnetic weapons and ominous satellites.

Coming in second — left far behind in the dust of “F9” — was Paramount’s “A Quiet Place Part II,” at $6.2 million for the three-day weekend. The John Krasinski-directed horror film, starring his wife Emily Blunt, has shown staying power, however. Since its release five weeks ago it has taken in $136 million domestically and $112 million overseas.

In third place was “The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard,” from Lionsgate, at $4.88 million. The action comedy has Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson and Salma Hayek reprising their roles from 2017’s “The Hitman’s Bodyguard.”

In fourth, down one spot from last weekend, was Sony’s family-friendly “Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway,” at $4.85 million. The mixed live-action/animation has James Corden voicing the title role, with live performances by Rose Byrne, Domhnall Gleeson and David Oyelowo.

And again in fifth place was Disney’s family-friendly origin film “Cruella,” at $3.7 million. Emma Stone stars as the pooch-tormenting title villain.

So, how should Hollywood be feeling about its incipient recovery? “The industry is still settling” after its 15-month shutdown, David Gross, who runs movie consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research, told Variety. “The effects of the pandemic will take time to heal, (but) the new normal is coming.”

Rounding out the top 10 were:

“The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” ($2.9 million)
“In the Heights” ($2.2 million)
“Spirit Untamed” ($1 million)
“12 Mighty Orphans” ($592,000)
“Nobody” ($560,000)

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US airstrikes in Iraq and Syria target Iran-backed militia

Strikes against an Iran-backed militia came in response to drone attacks on US forces, the US says.

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'Black rainstorm' warning suspends Hong Kong trading

It is the city's first 'black rainstorm' warning of 2021 with more than 70mm of rain forecast.

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Outbreaks emerge across Australia in 'new phase' of pandemic

For the first time in a year, Australia is battling outbreaks in different parts of the country.

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Wuhan lab-leak theory fuels Trump comeback rally

Supporters say the former president was "dead on", as the theory about the origins of Covid gains respectability.

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Climate change: Why action still ignites debate in Australia

Climate change has ended political careers in Australia and action over it remains widely debated.

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Jack Dorsey: Unpicking Twitter boss's passion for Nigeria

The social media platform is banned but Jack Dorsey remains a hugely popular figure in the country.

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Papua's sacred forest for women only

For generations women have gathered clams and shared stories in a forest that is now threatened by pollution.

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Belgium knock resilient Portugal out of Euro 2020

Belgium defeated the defending champions Portugal in the Euro 2020 last-16 courtesy of a wonders strike from Thorgan Hazard in the first-half.

Belgium held on despite losing skipper Kevin De Bruyne to injury in the second half and will face the Italians in Munich in the last eight on July 2.

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Palestinian protests: Crowds clash with police after death of activist

Protests took place in Ramallah after the death of an activist and critic of the Palestinian Authority.

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Headline News 12am – 28 June 2021 SAMAA TV

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India probes suspected drone attack at Jammu airbase

Investigators are probing a suspected drone strike on an airbase in India’s restive north, officials said Sunday, as experts said such an attack would be a first in the vast country and raised concerns about security at military installations.

“Two low-intensity explosions were reported early Sunday morning in the technical area of Jammu Air Force Station. One caused minor damage to the roof of a building while the other exploded in an open area,” the Indian Air Force tweeted.

“There was no damage to any equipment. The investigation is in progress along with civil agencies.”

Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police, Dilbagh Singh, said in a statement that a “drone with payload” was suspected to have been used to “drop the explosive material”.

He called the incident a “terror attack” in an interview with the Press Trust of India.

The Indian Express newspaper reported that two people have been arrested so far over the incident, while two people at the airbase suffered minor injuries.

A team from India’s counter-terrorism task force, the National Investigation Agency, has reached Jammu to probe the incident, an official told AFP.

Police have reportedly filed the first complaint about the attack under anti-terrorism laws. Singh did not say which individuals or groups were suspected being behind the blasts.

Retired Lt. General D.S. Hooda, who until 2016 headed India’s Northern Command, said the country’s military radar system can detect threats such as aircraft and larger unmanned aerial vehicles — but perhaps not drones.

“It could have been a potent attack — there is no need to physically cross over into a military establishment, you could attack it from the air,” Hooda told AFP of the Jammu incident.

“We have to start looking at seriously monitoring drone activity and getting anti-drone systems in place as soon as possible.”

Singh said that later Sunday, police recovered an explosive device weighing some five to six kilogrammes (11-13 pounds) at a different location, and one suspect was detained — but told local media the arrest was not linked to the airbase strike.

He said a “major terror attack” had been averted, as the device was allegedly “received by a LET (militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba) outfit operative and was to planted at some crowded place”.

The Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) is designated by the United Nations as a terrorist organisation.

The northern territory of Jammu and Kashmir was formed after India’s only Muslim-majority state of the same name was stripped of its semi-autonomy in August 2019 by the Hindu nationalist government.

The restive state was broken up into two territories directly controlled by the national government — Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

The government said it was a necessary step for the region’s development and for ending a three-decade armed rebellion against Indian rule in Kashmir that left thousands of mostly civilians dead.

The Himalayan region has been divided between India and Pakistan since 1947, with many demanding an independent country.

The incident came three days after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Kashmir’s leaders for the first time since the autonomy decision.

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France elections: Far-right National Rally loses key battleground states - poll

Marine Le Pen's National Rally had hoped to win a regional powerbase ahead of next year's election.

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Opinion: Rape is a crime of power, not lust

It’s evident that Prime Minister Imran Khan has still not understood what are the reasons behind sex crimes, Imaan Mazari, a human rights activist, said.

In an interview with SAMAA TV programme Sawaal on Sunday, she said that the premier thinks rape is a lust crime.

“Rape is actually a power crime,” the activist pointed out.

She was referring to the PM’s recent comments on rape in an interview with HBO’s Axios. “If a woman is wearing very few clothes, it will have an impact on men unless they are robots,” he said.

“The concept of purdah is [to] avoid temptation in the society,” the prime minister said while referring to his earlier statement. Pakistan doesn’t have discos or nightclubs and it is a completely different society, he added.

Mazari pointed out that PM Khan should read the judgements of rape cases passed by the Supreme Court which clearly state that the crime has nothing to do with the clothes, personality, character, and even sex life of a woman.

“When he talks about punishments for rapists, he brings up chemical castration which is NOT the solution because it doesn’t deter rape.”

Read: Imran Khan and chemical castration: the Pakistan rape punishment debate

We need to understand that the certainty of punishment is more important than the severity of punishment.

The activist said that the “men are not robots” comment projects Pakistani men as animals in the international community which is an insult for all the men in the country.

PM’s comment “blown out of proportion”

Religious scholar Ibtisam Elahi Zaheer said that the PM’s comments on women’s clothes are not entirely wrong. “They are not the sole factor that causes rape but is one of the reasons.”

I believe the premier has put forward his observation but whatever he said was not wrong, he pointed out.

Islam believes that women should wear hijab and do purdah. “Whether you practise it or not, you have to accept that these orders are there and there’s no denying that,” the scholar said.

On the other hand, PTI women Kanwal Shauzeb and Dr Naushaba claimed that the prime minister’s comments were being “blown out of proportion”.

The premier’s entire interview was not run on the channel, PTI MNA Kanwal Shuazab said. “The media today objectifies women sexually from selling juices to water bottles.”

The entire debate between the PM and HBO’s Jonathan Swan was not about rape apologists or victim-blaming but about the factors that lead to rape.

Shauzab added that like everyone else, the prime minister has a right to freedom of expression and he’s not someone who just says but his actions speak louder than words.

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Czech Republic stun Netherlands in Euro 2020 last-16

Czech Republic defeated the 10-man Netherlands 2-0, thanks to goals from Patrik Schick and Tomas Holes in the second-half on Sunday to set up a quarter-final with Denmark.

A header by Holes and clinical finish by Schick came after Matthijs de Ligt was sent off in the 55th minute, securing the efficient Czechs a deserved berth in the last eight against Denmark in Baku on July 3.

Having emerged as Group C winners with a 100 percent record after playing all three of their games in Amsterdam, Frank de Boer’s fancied Netherlands were on the road for the first time in the tournament.

Roared on by boisterous ranks of orange-clad fans in a packed Puskas Arena, the only Euro 2020 venue not to limit stadium capacity as an anti-coronavirus precaution, it was the livelier Dutch who dominated the opening exchanges.

On eight minutes a floated cross by Danny Blind evaded Tomas Vaclik in the Czech goal but De Ligt’s header across the goalmouth was sliced well wide by Memphis Depay.

Then Denzel Dumfries, raiding on both wings, was released on the left soon after but, with Vaclik again flailing, couldn’t direct his header into the open goal.

But after soaking up the early pressure Jaroslav Silhavy’s well-organised side, who qualified as one of the four best third-placed sides, began posing threats of their own with a series of dangerous counter-attacks.

Tomas Soucek, who took over the captain’s armband from the injured Vladimir Darida, glanced a dangerous header just wide at full stretch midway through the period.

Then Antonin Barak, fed by Lukas Masopust, blasted a left-footed effort high and wide when through on goal approaching the break.

Early in the second period the advantage swung decisively the Czechs way when De Ligt was sent off by the Russian referee Sergei Karasev after a VAR review.

Bayer Leverkusen striker Schick, scorer of all three Czech goals in the group stage, put De Ligt under pressure, prompting the Juventus defender to blatantly knock the ball away with his hand to deny a goalscoring opportunity.

Midway through the half, with the Czechs scenting blood, Pavel Kaderabek should have got the opener while in space in the area but saw his shot blocked.

Then 68 minutes in a curled free-kick from the right by Barak was headed across goal by Tomas Kalas to the unmarked Holes who had time to place his header and spark bedlam among the Czech fans.

Ten minutes from the end Schick sealed the win with his fourth goal of Euro 2020, slotting home with his left foot at the near post after the rampant Holes pounced on a loose ball and laid on a clever cut-back.

In truth, a man down, the hapless Dutch never looked like catching the Czechs who were comfortable at the end, chalking up their fourth straight win over the Oranje in front of jubilant fans.

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