Covid-19: NCOC bans air travel for unvaccinated Pakistanis

Pakistan has banned air travel for people who have not yet been vaccinated against the novel coronavirus.

The National Command and Operation Centre has made coronavirus vaccination certificates mandatory for domestic air travel from August 1.

Get yourself vaccinated by July 31 and carry your immunization certificates at all times to avoid any trouble, the forum tweeted earlier this week.

According to NCOC chief Asad Umar, people above the age of 18 who have administered at least one dose of the vaccine will be allowed to board flights.

The government tightened Covid-19 restrictions across the country after infections rose. Pakistan is currently battling the fourth wave of the deadly virus. In the last 24 hours, over 5,000 new cases were reported. The infection rate in the country has jumped to 8.02% — the highest since May 2021.

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Rockets hit Kandahar airport in southern Afghanistan

At least three rockets struck Kandahar airport in southern Afghanistan overnight, an official told AFP on Sunday, as the Taliban pressed on with their sweeping offensive across the country.

“Last night three rockets were fired at the airport and two of them hit the runway… Due to this, all flights from the airport have been cancelled,” airport chief Massoud Pashtun told AFP.

Pashtun said work to repair the runway was underway and expected the airport to be operational later on Sunday.

An official at the civil aviation authority in Kabul confirmed the rocket attack.

The Taliban have for weeks launched withering assaults on the outskirts of Kandahar, stirring fears that the insurgents were on the verge of capturing the provincial capital.

Kandahar’s airbase is vital to providing the logistics and air support needed to keep the militants from overrunning Afghanistan’s second-biggest city. 

The attack on the airport came as the Taliban inched closer to overrunning two other provincial capitals — Herat in the west and Lashkar Gah in the south.

The Taliban’s significant territorial gains during the final stages of the US military withdrawal have largely been in sparsely populated rural areas.

But in recent weeks they have brought increasing pressure on several provincial capitals and seized key border crossings.

The capture of any major urban centre would take their current offensive to another level and fuel concerns that the army is incapable of resisting the Taliban’s battlefield gains. 

The government has repeatedly dismissed the Taliban’s steady territorial gains over the summer as lacking strategic value. 



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Headlines News 9am | 01 August 2021-SAMAA TV



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Turkey: Foreign tourists evacuated as wildfires threaten resorts

Coastguard vessels and private boats have brought holidaymakers to safety, as the death toll rises.

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Tokyo Olympics: Armand Duplantis glad to have avoided coffee with Sam Kendricks

Armand Duplantis is glad that a phone call from his girlfriend meant he missed a coffee with Sam Kendricks before the American's positive Covid test.

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Today’s outlook: Third monsoon spell, coronavirus and petrol prices

Here are some of the stories we are following today, August 1.

  • After the Sindh government imposed a partial lockdown in the province, people across Karachi are heading to vaccination centres. Long queues were seen at the Expo Centre Saturday.
  • The price of petrol has been increased by Rs1.17 per litre. The commodity now costs Rs119.8.
  • Five people were killed in a van crash near Rajanpur Saturday. The driver and two other people have been arrested.
  • According to the National Disaster Management Authority, Pakistan is witnessing the third spell of monsoon rains. It is expected to stay till August 3.
  • Pakistan is currently battling the fourth wave of the novel coronavirus. In the last 24 hours, 5,026 new cases were reported while 62 people succumbed to the virus. The infection rate has risen to 8.2% — the highest since May 2021.


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Simone Biles withdraws from floor final at Tokyo Olympics

American Simone Biles withdraws from the floor final but is yet to make a decision on whether to compete on beam.

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Simone Biles criticism baffles Callum Skinner: Mental health 'not death of sport'

Criticism of Simone Biles for withdrawing from some events at Tokyo 2020 is "baffling", says Olympic gold medallist Callum Skinner.

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Tokyo Olympics: Charlotte Worthington wins BMX freestyle gold for Great Britain

Great Britain's Charlotte Worthington wins a thrilling gold in the women's BMX park freestyle Olympic final.

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Anti-eviction lawmaker camps overnight on US Capitol steps

Cori Bush fears millions of US tenants could be at risk if an eviction freeze is allowed to expire.

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Nairobi - the centre of East Africa's thriving arts scene

Artists from across East Africa have converged on Kenya's capital, creating a vibrant scene.

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The women fighting infertility stigma in Nigeria

Three Nigerian women confront the prejudice they have faced on their fertility journeys.

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Headlines News 12am | 01 August 2021-SAMAA TV



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Kris Wu: K-Pop star arrested on suspicion of rape

The Chinese-Canadian star denies allegations made online by several women in China.

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Rajanpur: Fire erupts in a passenger van, five killed

Five people were killed and nine injured after a fire erupted in a passenger van on Indus Highway near Rajanpur Saturday.

The authorities have said that the vehicle caught fire after its gas cylinder exploded. The accident occurred near the Meeranpur Toll Plaza.

The bodies and injured have been moved to the District Headquarters Hospital, Rajanpur.

Four people died on the spot, while a 16-year-old succumbed to her wounds at the hospital. She had received 90% burn wounds.

The driver managed to escape after the accident. The police are conducting raids to arrest him.

The deceased include two siblings, 13-year-old Sajjada and 21-year-old Naveed.

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Taliban and Afghan forces clash again outside Herat city

Afghan and Taliban forces clashed again on the outskirts of Herat on Saturday, a day after a police guard was killed when a United Nations compound in the western city came under attack.

Violence has surged across the country since early May, when the militants launched a sweeping offensive as US-led foreign forces began a final withdrawal that is now almost complete.

The Taliban have seized scores of districts across Afghanistan, including in Herat province, where the group has also captured two border crossings adjoining Iran and Turkmenistan.

Officials and residents reported renewed fighting on the outskirts of Herat on Saturday, with hundreds fleeing their homes to seek shelter closer to the heart of the city.

Herat governor Abdul Saboor Qani said most of the fighting was in Injil and Guzara district — where the airport is located.

“At the moment the fighting is ongoing in the south and southeast. We are moving cautiously and to avoid civilian casualties,” Qani said.

Government forces also called an airstrike near a 10-bed hospital in Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand province, that officials said had been seized earlier by the Taliban to treat its wounded fighters.

Residents told AFP that Taliban fighters took over the Ariana Afghan Speciality Hospital to treat those hurt.

“This morning, the Taliban fighters came and forced the hospital staff to leave,” said Agha Mohammad.

“Planes were hovering in the air at that time, and they were following the Taliban, and the airstrike happened.”

Sher Ali Shakir, provincial public health director of Helmand, said the hospital was destroyed, one person killed, and two wounded.

Fighting hampers flood rescue

During fighting Friday, the main Herat compound of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan came under attack from rocket-propelled grenades and gunfire that the UN blamed on anti-government elements.

The militants say they will not target foreign diplomats, but have blatantly violated international protocol before.

Abdullah Abdullah, former deputy president and now head of the High Council for National Reconciliation, tweeted Saturday that the Taliban had executed a senior Afghan army officer after capturing him near Herat.

“The Taliban, contrary to all the principles of war and Islamic and humanitarian standards, martyred Abdul Hamid Hamidi, commander of the 1st Brigade of the 207th Zafar Corps, after taking him captive,” he said.

“Shooting prisoners of war is a cowardly act against all the rules of war and shows the cruelty of the Taliban.”

In Herat, Afghan forces and militiamen of veteran warlord and anti-Taliban commander Ismail Khan have been deployed around the city of 600,000 in recent days.

Khan, who previously fought the Soviet occupation forces in the 1980s and then the Taliban during their hardline regime in the 1990s, has vowed to fight the insurgents again to counter their staggering advances in recent months.

Fighting was also hampering rescue efforts after severe flooding in Nuristan this week killed at least 113 people, with over 100 more missing.

“Unfortunately the area is under the control of the Taliban, we were unable to send our provincial teams to the area,” said Tamim Azimi, spokesman for Afghanistan’s state ministry for disaster management.

“But we have sent the (local) rescue teams along with the Afghan Red Crescent,” he told AFP.



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Headlines News 9pm | 31 July 2021-SAMAA TV



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Ten seconds cost cop who thought he was a hero

A 10-second long video posted on social media has landed Sahiwal Police Constable Hamza in trouble.

In the video, Hamza is wearing a light shalwar qameez and sandals. He walks around with guns in both his hands as music plays in the background.

DPO Kashif Aslam saw the video and now Hamza is sitting at home, suspended for showing off.

The DPO has ordered DSP Headquarters to conduct a departmental inquiry and submit a report to him.



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Shaniera Akram: Forget politics, I want to join Rangers, police

Shaniera Akram has said that she wants to join the police force and Rangers to catch rapists herself.

“This little girl the same age as mine went out to pay and never came back,” Shaniera said. “This happened in my city. This is happening in our country.”

Shaniera was referring to the rape and murder of a six-year-old girl in Karachi’s Korangi. She was abducted while playing outside her house when there was no power.

Related: Six-year-old child raped and murdered in Karachi 

“Stop telling me this happens everywhere,” Shaniera said. “I’m telling you it’s happening in Pakistan. And I refuse to ignore it until our country does something about it.” She believes that the sole purpose of these predators is to rape and murder children.

“Forget going into politics, I want to join the police force and Rangers to go get these monsters myself,” she said. “Nothing would make me happier.”

Shaniera is vocal about domestic and sexual violence in Pakistan and has called for protection for women, children and animals.

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Karachi Expo Centre: Long lines for Covid-19 vaccination

People are waiting in long lines outside Karachi’s largest vaccination centre, the Expo, for a second day to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

The rush is being caused by the fear that the Sindh government will go through with its deadline of blocking salaries for unvaccinated people after August 31.

Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced strict lockdown measures in Karachi on Friday to last till August 8.

Police and other law enforcement authorities will check vaccination certificate of people out and about.

Lockdown restrictions

  • Small-scale public transport will stay open.
  • Large-scale transport will operate with some restrictions.
  • Grocery stores, meat shops, and milk shops will stay open till 6pm.
  • Pharmacies and medical facilities will be open 24/7.
  • Cabinet meeting and assembly sessions to be moved online.
  • Offices to call in minimum staff.
  • Ports to remain open.
  • Utility, food, and pharmaceutical companies to stay open.
  • Only deliveries allowed for restaurants, takeaway banned.
  • Movement of media persons allowed, but they will have to wear masks.


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Simone Biles: Tokyo Olympics gymnast withdraws from two more events

American Simone Biles pulls out of the vault and uneven bars gymnastics finals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

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Nigerian sprinter Okagbare fails drugs test

Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare is out of the Tokyo Olympics after being suspended for failing a drugs test.

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Elon Musk: 'I don't want to be CEO of anything'

Elon Musk reiterated on Friday that he doesn't want to be Space X or Tesla boss. What's going on?

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Today’s Outlook: Zahir Jaffer in court, Karakorum highway closed, lockdowns

These are some of the stories we will be following today, July 31, 2021, Saturday:

  • Key accused in Noor Mukadam case, Zahir Jaffer, will be produced in court today. During the last hearing the police was awarded physical remand on the grounds that he was physically required in Lahore for the forensics of videos. Est 12pm
  • A fourth wave of coronavirus spread in Pakistan. The positivity rate is 8.4%. The epsilon variant has surfaced.
    >> 65 more deaths reported across Pakistan
    >> 4,950 new cases reported in twenty-four hours
    >> 70% of cases of the Delta variant in major cities of Punjab
    >> The new Epsilon variant confirmed by Dr. Yasmeen Rashid
  • Gilgit-Baltistan floods disrupt traffic on the Karakoram highway which is closed at 25 places. Landslides reported. Hundreds of tourists are stranded. It may take three to four days to open. The Meteorological Department forecasts more heavy rains in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from today. Passengers and tourists to refrain from traveling on the Karakoram Highway beyond Chilas for a week.
  • Sindh has imposed a partial lockdown till August 8. Read more here: What stays open and what closes.


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Headlines News 9am | 31 July 2021-SAMAA TV



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Sadaf Kanwal’s ‘problematic’ feminism statement enrages Twitter

Sadaf Kanwal, model and wife of actor Shahroz Sabzwari, has enraged a number of people for reducing feminism to household chores and taking care of the husbands.

A clip from an interview featuring Sadaf and Shahroz has topped Twitter trends. When asked about how she interprets feminism, Sadaf says, “Aurat is not bechari at all. A woman is very strong. I feel very strong and surely you [the host] must feel strong as well.” 

She believes that the Aurat March is an entirely different debate.

“In our society, our culture is our husband,” Sadaf said. “I have to pick up his shoes, iron his clothes (which I seldom do, but I know where they are kept). I should know where Sherry’s [Shehroz] stuff is and what and when he has to eat.”

Sadaf’s remarks have prompted a strong backlash from many people who argued that women like herself don’t represent those who are oppressed and subjected to violence. They are upset because they think Sadaf’s interpretation of feminism is “myopic and patriarchal”. 

Some people have defended the model too, saying that she only put forth her views when asked about them and that everyone has the right to express themselves.

Sadaf and Shahroz tied the knot in a simple ceremony in May 2020. Shahroz was married to actor Syra Yousuf for seven years and they have a daughter named Nooreh Shahroz. 

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Tokyo Olympics: Russians face backlash from fellow competitors

The Russian Olympic Committee are fourth in the medal table at the Tokyo Games but their athletes are facing questions from fellow competitors about whether they should even be there.

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Donald Trump ordered to hand over tax returns to Congress

The ruling is a big legal blow to the ex-president, who has not publicly disclosed his tax returns.

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From Afghan interpreter to US homeless - until reaching the American dream

Thousands of Afghan interpreters have waited years to flee to the US. Arriving is a different story.

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Mitholz - the tranquil Swiss village facing a time bomb

More than 60 years after a deadly explosion ruined Mitholz, the village remains under threat.

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Nigeria's kidnap crisis: 'I saw my two-year-old carried by a man with a gun'

Parents of schoolchildren abducted in Nigeria describe their trauma, and dilemma over the ransom demands.

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India reptile park struggles to survive amid Covid

The future is uncertain for the thousands of snakes, lizards and crocodiles at the Guindy Snake Park.

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The man who 'killed' Pluto

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Bob Odenkirk: Better Call Saul actor thanks supporters after heart attack

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Headlines News 12am | 31 July 2021-SAMAA TV



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Woman charged for disturbing Yellowstone mother grizzly

A woman faces wildlife endangerment charges for a close call with a mother grizzly in Yellowstone.

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Russia stops Cubans trying to enter EU by air bed

Three Cubans caught trying to cross a river into Estonia are said to have been heading for Spain.

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Islamabad taxation department generating massive revenues by facilitating public

The Islamabad Excise and Taxation Department has found a new way of generating revenues: by facilitating the public.

In FY 2020-21, the department earned Rs8.18 billion for the national exchequer, approximately Rs2.5 billion more than its target set for the year.

According to director Bilal Azam, the revenue was generated by a number of initiatives introduced in favour of people in the city, which have subsequently resulted in a huge inflow in the department’s kitty as well.

An addition to these initiatives was made on Friday. The people of Islamabad can now pay taxes on their vehicles at public parks. The facility will be provided by two mobile vehicles of the department from 5pm to 7pm. The service has initially been launched at the Katchnar Park in I-8, F-9 Park, Rose and Jasmine Garden, Aabpara, F-6’s Shalimar Cricket Ground, and Trail-3.

The department will soon introduce this facility at Centaurus Mall as well.

It will soon sign an MoU with the Islamabad Club too after which a sub-office will be set up in the club. No extra service fee would be charged from members.

Earlier, a biometric verification system for the registration and transfer of the ownership of vehicles was launched by the department. Door-to-door registration of vehicles is another such initiative introduced by the department. Applicants can call NADRA centres to avail the service.

Online verification of registration documents, the establishment of accessible information desks, and setting up complaint cells are some other initiatives that have been taken so far by the department.

The idea behind these initiatives is to facilitate the general public as much as possible and enable them to pay the taxes happily, Azam said.

He revealed that that the biometric for vehicles is available at 32,000 NADRA Sahulat Centres across the country.

A two-month expiry period has been set for biometric verification, Azam said, adding that this has resulted in an increase in revenues for the department. Once the expiry period has passed, applicants will have to pay a fine of Rs2,000.

“Let’s suppose that if earlier 200 vehicles were being transferred, now 1,000 vehicles are being transferred because of the new initiatives,” the director added.

The story has been written by Qadir Tanoli, an Islamabad-based journalist.



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Four killed in deadly Turkey wildfires

Turkish firefighters made progress Friday containing deadly wildfires that forced the evacuation of entire villages and Mediterranean coast hotels already reeling from the shock of the coronavirus pandemic.

Blazes that erupted Wednesday to the east of tourist hotspot Antalya on Turkey’s scenic southern shores have officially killed four people and injured nearly 200.

But they have also threatened to scare off tourists who had only just started to return to Turkey in what President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had hoped would be a boon for the developing country’s fragile economy.

The soaring flames turned summer skies blood orange over luxury hotels and villages dotting rolling hills that have been parched by another dry summer.

They had spread by Thursday evening to the Aegean Sea on Turkey’s western coast and spanned a region stretching 300 kilometres (185 miles) and covering most of the country’s top resorts.

Local resident Gulen Dede Tekin came to a five-star hotel in the coastal city of Marmaris on Thursday morning and at first thought nothing of the fires raging beyond the hills.

“In the evening, we realised how serious things were when they cut off the electricity and the ventilation at the hotel,” Tekin told AFP.

“This morning, we woke up to a rain of ash.”

Arrests

The government said 57 of the 71 fires had been contained or entirely put out by Friday.

“The situation is improving in all active fires,” Agriculture Minister Bekir Pakdemirli told reporters during a visit to the affected region.

But he also confirmed that Turkey no longer had a firefighting plane in its inventory and was only in the process of acquiring one under orders from Erdogan.

Russia has sent three giant aircraft and Turkey’s historic rival Greece — at odds with its neighbour on a wide range of disputes — said it was “ready to help”.

Turkey’s regional allies Ukraine and Azerbaijan also announced they were sending planes and other help.

The blow the fires threaten to deal to Turkey’s tourism-dependent economy and the admission that the country had no firefighting planes has put Erdogan’s government under pressure.

His office has officially blamed arson and unspecified “attacks”.

Erdogan told reporters after Friday prayer that his opponents were trying to score political points by questioning the government’s preparedness for the crisis.

“While our country is burning, they are playing politics,” he said.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced the arrest of five people on suspicion of starting one of the blazes.

“Who started these fires,” he asked in televised comments during a visit to Manavgat. “We, as well as our citizens, have our suspicions.”

But the blame on arsonists — which government media has linked to banned Kurdish militants waging an insurgency against the Turkish state — has created a febrile atmosphere in some of the most badly damaged regions.

Turkish television showed an angry mob of a few dozen men being restrained by the police on Thursday night as they tried to attack two locals they held responsible for blazes in the town of Manavgat.

The private DHA news agency said two children — one eight and the other 10 years old — had also admitted under questioning in the presence of their teacher that they accidentally started one of the fires by burning their books.



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Govt should assist women in obtaining inheritance: Balochistan court

The Balochistan High Court has ordered the government to assist women in obtaining their share of the inheritance.

On Friday, Advocate Muhammad Sajid Tarin filed a petition in the court against women in the province being deprived of their share in inheritance, especially property.

“In most cases, whenever a settlement is made for inherited property, women are conveniently ignored or sidelined from the process,” he said.

A two-member bench, comprising Chief Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail and Justice Muhammad Kamran Khan, remarked that under Section 498 A of the Pakistan Penal Code, anyone depriving women of their rightful share of inheritance shall be punished.

The law states: “Whoever by deceitful or illegal means deprives any woman from inheriting any movable or immovable property at the time of opening of succession shall be punished with imprisonment for either description for a term which may extend to ten years but not be less than five years or with a fine of one million rupees or both”.

Whoever is found guilty of the crime will be punished to a sentence of at least 10 years with a fine of Rs1 million.

Advocate Tarin pointed out that despite the law, there are multiple violations being made. “In a male-dominant society like ours, it is very difficult for women to go to courts.”

In most of the cases, women themselves, are not aware of their rights, he said.

To this, the judges remarked that the government should take up the responsibility of ensuring women receive their rightful share.

“The government should also run electronic and digital campaigns creating awareness over the issue, especially among women,” the court said, adding that the law should be taught in schools and colleges as well.

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Nanjing: New China virus outbreak worst after Wuhan, says state media

Almost 200 people have been infected since the virus was first detected at Nanjing airport on 20 July.

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Hong Kong crowd booing China's anthem sparks police probe

Police are investigating an incident where hundreds jeered while watching an Olympics broadcast.

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Covid in Sydney: Military deployed to help enforce lockdown

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Didi: Chinese ride-hailing giant denies plans to go private

Didi shares surged by almost 50% in pre-market trade after a report that it planned to go private.

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Russian module mishap destabilises International Space Station

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US sailor charged over massive USS Bonhomme warship blaze in 2020

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Coronavirus: Israel to give third jab to people aged over 60

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China warns UK as carrier strike group approaches

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Covid and a coup: The double crisis pushing Myanmar to the brink

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The fungus and bacteria tackling plastic waste

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Africa's week in pictures: 23-29 July 2021

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'My bakery lets you take a bite out of celebs'

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Dressage: How to make a horse dance

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Tokyo Olympics: Novak Djokovic thrashes Kei Nishikori to reach men's semi-finals

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Tokyo Olympics: How to think like a champion

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The separated refugees brought back together by judo

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Olympics: The hidden sight of Tokyo's homeless

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Covid-19: Biden tells states to offer $100 vaccine incentive as cases rise

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First group of evacuated Afghan interpreters arrives in US

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Scarlett Johansson sues Disney over streaming of Black Widow

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Islamabad rains: CDA to demolish ‘illegal’ structures in E-11

The Capital Development Authority, an entity responsible for municipal services in Islamabad, has decided to identify housing societies built on a stormwater drain in Section E-11 and demolition them.

The decision has been taken after some areas in Islamabad were flooded following territorial rains Wednesday. At first, it was reported that the flooding occurred because of a cloudburst but it was later learned that faulty planning was the cause of it. In the E-11 sector, the passage of a stormwater drain was altered to build new structures, and that led to the flooding.

Videos of cars being washed away on roads and streets went viral on social media. Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat attributed it to a cloudburst but the claims were refuted by the Pakistan Meteorological Department. The department said that rains had been predicted on July 26 for which it had even issued an advisory.

Sector E-11

Sources have claimed that there are a number of well-known housing societies in this sector of the CDA and a stormwater drain passes through them.

Some constructions alongside this drain have encroached upon it because of which its shape has been altered to resemble a bottleneck. This created hurdles in the smooth flow of rainwater and the area was consequently flooded.

The people of Islamabad witnessed heavy rains on Wednesday and it led to urban flooding. The authorities were left with no other option but to seek military’s assistance for rescue efforts.

“The CDA has now decided to take strict measures against constructions on the stormwater drain,” an official said, adding that no one was expecting such heavy rain.

A survey would be conducted to ascertain as to what structures narrowed the drain. “After this, the identified structures would be sealed and later on razed,” the official added.

It has been reported that people can construct a housing society after acquiring land in bulk in Zone 2, Zone 4, and Zone-5. Then, the CDA asks the builder to submit a layout plan and after its approval, a housing project may started.

Pirs of Golra Sharif had reportedly acquired certain exemptions in the land acquiring process in E-11 years ago. They can now sell the land on their own because of these exemptions.

The story has been written by Qadir Tanoli, an Islamabad-based journalist.



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Headlines News 12am | 30 July 2021-SAMAA TV



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Theodore McCarrick: Defrocked US cardinal charged with assault and battery

Theodore McCarrick is believed to be the highest-ranking US Catholic to face criminal abuse charges.

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I am more than my accomplishments, Biles says

US gymnast Simone Biles reacts to the widespread support she has received after withdrawing from Thursday's all-around final.

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Taliban start charging customs duties on Pak-Afghan trade

The Afghan Taliban has started to impose customs tariffs on commercial goods, which will force traders to pay double taxes.

Traders said that the Afghan government is already charging taxes, and now the Taliban will increase the cost of doing business, which will affect trade in both countries.

According to a tariff document obtained by SAMAA Digital, the movement of 376 items will be taxed, including cranes, excavators, electronics, animals, medicines and food. The rate is determined by number and ton.

Engineer Daru Khan Achakzai, the former president of the Federation Chamber of Commerce and Industries and the Chaman Chamber of Commerce, said that the double tax was levied unannounced in Afghanistan for a long time, especially on goods coming from Iran. The Taliban used to pocket it, but now it has been officially collected by them.

He said that this double tax will be charged in some areas, but where commercial goods do not pass through the areas of two different parties, there will be a single tax.

Shahid Hussain, senior vice-president of the Pak-Afghan Trade and KP Chamber of Commerce, said that shutting the Chaman border disrupted trade, causing a loss of vegetables and fruit. However, shipments of goods at Torkham continue.



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North Waziristan: Two tribal elders gunned down in targeted attack

Unidentified men opened fire and killed two tribal elders in a targeted attack in Sargardan Chow of Miranshah, North Waziristan on Wednesday.

The victims were identified as Malik Sahab Rehman and Malik Khairullah. The attackers fled in a car.

The bodies were taken to the Miranshah Hospital where a post-mortem was conducted.

DPO Miranshah Shafiullah Gandapur said that the police is investing.



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Tokyo Olympics: China stuns Australia, US in women’s 4x200m relay

China’s women stunned the field to smash the world record and win the Olympic 4x200m relay title in a major upset Thursday.

The team of Yang Junxuan, Zhang Yufei, Li Bingjie and Tang Muhan touched in 7mins 40.33 seconds ahead of the United States (7:40.73) and Australia (7:41.29).

It is the first time neither Australia nor the USA have won gold since the event was introduced in 1996.

All three teams were under the previous world record of 7:41.50 set by Australia at the 2019 world championships.

But China took the title after holding off a late charge by America’s Katie Ledecky, who threatened an incredible comeback during the final leg.

“These girls swam their lights out and I got in a position where I thought I could take on those ladies next to us,” Ledecky said. “I wish I had another half-second in me but I gave it my all.”

Australia had been the overwhelming favourites coming in, with their women’s team already winning gold in the 4x100m relay on Sunday, when they broke their own world record.

With Australian star Ariarne Titmus leading the team off on the back of wins in the 200m and 400m freestyle events this week, the expectation was they would cruise to another victory.

“It was a really fast race,” Titmus said. “We were under our previous world record, so it was still a good swim from us.

“I feel like I should’ve been better but it’s what you can do on the day and it’s been a big couple of days, so I’m happy to come away on the podium.”

Titmus trailed Yang at the end of the first leg and that set the tone, as Australia’s Emma McKeon, a bronze medallist in the 100m butterfly, was behind after the second too.

China’s Zhang, who had earlier won gold in the 200m butterfly, conceded some ground to America’s Katie McLaughlin and Australian Madison Wilson in the third, before Ledecky made her move.

The six-time Olympic gold medallist pushed past Australian anchor Leah Neale and looked like she could even snatch victory with one length left to go.

But Li dug in, holding off Ledecky to win by less than half-a-second and secure China their second swimming gold of the Games.



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Headlines News 9am | 29 July 2021-SAMAA TV



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Ayeza Khan questioned for posting her vaccination certificate

Ayeza Khan has a message for people who think she should not have updated her followers on her coronavirus vaccination status.

“Because this is our responsibility as a citizen to get vaccinated,” was the actor’s response to a follower who commented if “showing off” her certificate was really needed.

Ayeza said that as an influencer it is her responsibility to keep reminding everyone that they have to get vaccinated as every life matters. The government has started imposing lockdowns again as the cases are rising, she added.

Photo: Instagram/Ayeza Khan

“Our kids are not going to schools, people are losing their jobs, businesses are shutting down [and] still we are unaware of everything,” Ayeza remarked.

The actor advised people, who are questioning her choice of letting her followers know that she is now vaccinated, to stop writing such comments and get inoculated themselves. Without showing the certificate they will not be allowed to go anywhere, Ayeza said.

Nearly 5,000 positive cases and 76 deaths have been reported in the last 24 hours, according to the National Command and Operation Centre. Active cases have risen to 59,761.

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Shilpa Shetty shouted at husband during home raid: reports

Shilpa Shetty had a heated argument with her husband Raj Kundra when the police arrived to search their Mumbai residence, according to India TV.

Raj was arrested last week on charges of “creating and distributing” pornographic content. 

“The day the crime branch took Raj Kundra to his Mumbai home for the searches, Shilpa was questioned too,” the sources said. “Shilpa was very upset after the interrogation.”

Shilpa is said to have shouted at Raj, asking what the need was to do such a thing. The officials had to intervene to calm the actor down. Shilpa said that their endorsements were being cancelled, incurring losses.

Related: Shilpa Shetty’s husband arrested in pornography case

The police claim that they have sufficient evidence against Raj, who is a businessman. They had busted a gang involved in the production of such content for OTT platforms and arrested nine people after some women complained that they had been promised roles in a web series but were instead made to act in porn films.

According to police, Raj used to send the films to foreign companies through a file-sharing service. They were then uploaded on apps to evade Indian law.

The Indian law prohibits transmission or publication of pornographic content under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act 2000. Those proven guilty may face up to three years in prison and a fine of INR0.5 to INR1 million

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Today’s outlook: Delta variant updates, complete lockdown and monsoon alert

Here are some of the stories we will be following today, July 29:

  • Pakistan reported 4497 new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday and 76 people died in the last 24 hours. The toll has reached 23,133.
  • The Delta variant is growing alarming in Karachi, and the positivity rate has crossed 30% in the city. The Sindh government started considering a complete lockdown for 15 days.
  • Prime Minister Imran Khan has advised people to be careful during the heavy monsoon rains across the country has put the National Disaster Management Authority on high alert.
  • The PML-N lost the PP-38 constituency of Punjab and Ahsan Saleem of the PTI won by 62,657 votes.
  • The bodies of two climbers, including Muhammad Ali Sadpara, have been taken out. According to his son Sajid Sadpara, the body has been brought to Camp Four.
  • Pakistan’s first T20I against West Indies at the Kingston Oval in Barbados has been abandoned due to rain on Wednesday.

Some of our most read stories

In order to comply with FATF’s guidelines, Pakistan has discontinued prize bonds of high denominations and according to a report by SAMAA Digital’s Wakil Ur Rehman. It might also discontinue the other prize bonds.

Sector E 11 in Islamabad right next to Saidpur has been flooded with hill torrents that have swept away cars after a cloudburst.

In case you missed it

Pakistan has decided to not extend the summer vacations of educational institutions and all schools have been instructed to open from August 2, Monday.

The decision was made in a meeting chaired by Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood on Wednesday. All provincial education ministers, including Gilgit-Baltistan’s minister, attended it.



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Australian athletics team isolating in Tokyo

Multiple members of the Australian athletics team are isolating after coming into close contact with American pole vaulter Sam Kendricks, who has tested positive for Covid-19.

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Tokyo Olympics: Caeleb Dressel breaks Olympic record on way to second gold

American Caeleb Dressel sets an Olympic record on his way to winning the men's 100m freestyle gold as he aims to become one of the most successful swimmers at a Games.

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Tokyo Olympics rowing: Ireland's Paul O'Donovan & Fintan McCarthy win lightweight men's double sculls

Ireland win their first gold medal of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games as Paul O'Donovan and Fintan McCarthy claim the lightweight men's double sculls.

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From garden pool to Olympic gold

Matt Richards' relay swim team almost broke the world record as they won gold in Tokyo.

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Outspoken billionaire Sun Dawu jailed for 18 years in China

He has in the past been vocal in criticising authorities and has spoken out about human rights.

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Covid vaccines: Tourists head to the US to get vaccinated

Some tourists are spending thousands of dollars to travel to the US to get a coronavirus vaccine.

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South Africa riots: The inside story of Durban's week of anarchy

The worst unrest since white-minority rule ended has left deep scars, especially in the coastal city of Durban.

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Why cannabis is still a banned Olympics substance

US sprinter Sha'carri Richardson won't be competing due to a positive marijuana test. People are asking why.

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Gaza photographer hopes digital art boom can help raise aid money

A Palestinian photographer wants to help children by selling an image from May's conflict.

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Arthur: Popular children's show to end after 25 years

US public broadcaster PBS confirmed the final episode will air in winter 2022.

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Colorado officer arrested after threatening to shoot suspect during stop

The Colorado officer was filmed striking a man with his gun, saying "if you move, I will shoot you".

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Dusty Hill: ZZ Top founding bassist dies aged 72

Dusty Hill played bass for the iconic US blues rock band for more than five decades.

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Headlines News 12am | 29 July 2021-SAMAA TV



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Sindh halts compensation process for Gujjar, Orangi nullah affectees

Affectees of the anti-encroachment drive along Karach’s Gujjar and Orangi nullahs will have to wait for their compensation cheques for 20 more days as the Sindh government has halted the process.

KMC Katchi Abadis Senior Director Mazhar Khan, who is looking after the process of cheque distribution to the affectees of Gujjar and Orangi nullahs, confirmed to SAMAA Digital that the process was being stopped for a while, and will resume in a couple of days.

Why has the process been stopped?

The Sindh government was allocated a compensation amount for nullah affectees in the Budget 2020-21. The fiscal year ended on June 30. “The distribution process was stopped because of this,” Khan said.

He assured that the process will resume as soon as the government’s compensation account is re-credited with the funds allocated for the nullahs’ victims in the FY 2021-22.

The cheque distribution process for affectees started in February 2020 after the KMC and district administration completed the anti-encroachment operation along the Mehmoodabad nullah.

Over 200 compensation cheques have been handed over to the stormwater drain’s affectees. The distribution of cheques to affectees of Gujjar and Orangi nullahs was underway.

Reservations of affectees

People have not gotten their compensation cheques even though their houses have been demolished by the authorities, a victim said.

Residents said authorities are not considering the people who have permanent addresses of other cities on their CNICs.

Multiple families are living under one roof here, one of the affectees said. “But the government has recorded them all as one family.”

The authorities have been distributing cheques with mistakes in CNICs and names.

A committee was formed during the process, Khan shared, explaining that it comprises the assistant commissioner of the area, mukhtiarkar, union council secretary, and land and katchi abadis surveyors. It is responsible for visiting nullahs and compiling records of demolished houses.

Houses with less than 30% damages are not eligible for compensation, Khan said. The cheques were distributed to affectees regardless of the permanent addresses mentioned on their CNICs, he claimed.

During the area’s survey, it was decided that units will be counted on the basis of kitchens and washrooms. This means that even if more than one family was sharing a kitchen and washroom, they will be still be considered as one family.

If affectees want their names corrected, they should visit the office of the relevant assistant commissioner along with an affidavit for correction of name and CNIC number for verification.

The KMC senior officer said that people whose cheques expired on June 30 or have not yet been deposited have to wait for the process to resume again.

The authorities will issue cheques again to those affectees as well, Khan reassured.

He confirmed that the government has issued a compensation cheque of Rs90,000 for every affected family as the first installment for six months.

Four installment cheques of Rs90,000 each will be issued to the affected families after every six months.

Over 5,000 houses have been marked as encroachments along three major stormwater drains, including Mehmoodabad nullah, Gujjar nullah, and Orangi nullah.      



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Headlines News 9pm | 28 July 2021-SAMAA TV



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Barabanki accident: Eighteen die after truck crashes into bus in India

The victims were migrants workers who were going home to meet their families.

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Headlines News 9am | 28 July 2021-SAMAA TV



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Let more Afghan interpreters resettle in UK, say ex-military chiefs

More Afghans who worked for British forces should be allowed to resettle in the UK, former military chiefs say.

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Covid: Sydney extends lockdown as other Australian cities reopen

Infections in Australia's largest city remain stubbornly high, despite five weeks of restrictions.

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Joey Jordison: Slipknot founding drummer dies aged 46

Jordison was a founding member of the heavy metal band, and remained the group's drummer until 2013.

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Gilgamesh tablet: US authorities take ownership of artefact

The Gilgamesh Dream Tablet was imported illegally into the US before being bought by Hobby Lobby.

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Canadian police reveal decade-long Manitoba residential school inquiry

Police are investigating abuse claims at a former school that sought to assimilate indigenous children.

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Lebanon’s descent into darkness

The country's economic crisis has forced some families to move into refugee camps to survive.

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Simone Biles: American gymnast praised for 'prioritising mental wellness'

American gymnast Simone Biles is praised for prioritising "mental wellness over all else" after pulling out of the Olympic women's team final.

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Indians turn to crowdfunding to pay Covid bills

More and more Indians are asking strangers to help them pay off crushing medical debt.

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US sells unique Wu-Tang Clan album seized from 'pharma bro' Martin Shkreli

The album was handed over as part of a $7.4m deal with a notorious former drug firm executive.

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Key moments from first hearing of Capitol riot inquiry

Police officers gave emotional testimony about their struggles during the riot to US lawmakers.

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Roma student: 'My only goal is to finish school'

How one school in Croatia is working to improve education opportunities for Roma children like Kristina.

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Zimbabwean with football dreams to be kicked out of UK

Christopher Arundell grew up in the UK but after doing time in jail is being deported to Zimbabwe.

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The black immigrant who challenged US segregation - nearly 190 years ago

A black Brazilian immigrant was the first person in US history to challenge segregation in a courtroom

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Capitol Hill police officer in tears during testimony

Officer Gonell gave an emotional statement during the first day of the US Capitol riot inquiry.

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Tokyo Olympics: German gymnasts' full-body suits inspire other athletes

British-Jamaican gymnast Danusia Francis believes athletes should have a choice over their outfits.

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Tokyo Olympics: Take a tour of the incredible venues

They range from an arena built by a father and son, to a legendary home of Japanese martial arts.

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Ivory Coast president and rival in first meeting since civil war

President Alassane Ouattara and Laurent Gbagbo shook hands at the presidential palace on Tuesday.

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Headlines News 12am | 28 July 2021-SAMAA TV



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Shalimar Gardens, Lahore Fort removed from heritage site risk list

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has removed Lahore Fort and Shalimar Gardens from the list of heritage sites that are in danger.

It was placed on the list in 2017 because the Orange Line Train ran beside Shalimar Garden. It also put the Lahore Fort, which is located just few kilometres away from the site, as risk.

An archaeology department official said that Lahore Fort should be treated as a separate entity as they are situated far from each other as it becomes a risk if there is any danger to Shalimar Gardens.

He added that committee believed that the train systems was made right next to the heritage site and the trains’ vibration will damage the walls. He continued that a bridge would be seen over the sites.

The official said that the sites got its status back after the government made adjustments after convincing UNESCO.

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Israel-Gaza conflict: Apparent war crimes committed, says rights group

Human Rights Watch accuses Israel and Palestinian militants of unlawful attacks in May's conflict.

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Greece: Forest fire rips through area near Athens

About 300 firefighters, water-dropping planes and helicopters helped bring the blaze under control.

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Today’s outlook: Federal Cabinet meeting, Sadpara’s body found and coronavirus update

Here are some of the stories we will be following today, July 27:

  • Pakistan reported 3262 new Covid-19 cases on Monday and 39 people died in the last 24 hours. The toll has reached 23,087.
  • Pakistan hands over to the Afghan government 46 Afghan soldiers who took refuge in Pakistan. According to ISPR, Afghan troops were allowed to enter Pakistan after the operation.
  • Captain Raja Muhammad Sarwar Bhatti’s 73rd death anniversary will be observed today. He was the first to be awarded the Nishan-e-Haider.
  • A meeting of the Federal Cabinet will be held today with Prime Minister Imran Khan in which the political and economic situation will be reviewed. A briefing will be given on vaccinations and an action plan will be worked out on Azad Kashmir governance.

Some of our most read stories

Pakistan has sent a 10-member contingent for the ongoing Tokyo Olympics, which will participate in six different disciplines in the event. Volume 0% . The athletes will be competing in athletics, badminton, judo, shooting, swimming and weightlifting. Here is all you need to know about each one of them.

Foreign exchange reserves are at an all-time high in Pakistan.

The total foreign exchange reserves crossed $25 billion for the first time in Pakistan, according to the data available on the State Bank’s website.

In case you missed it

The body of Pakistan mountaineer and national hero Muhammad Ali Sadpara has been found near K2’s Bottleneck, Gilgit Baltistan Information Minister Fateh Ullah Khan confirmed Monday.

Sadpara went missing on February 5 while attempting the winter summit of the world’s second-highest mountain.

On June 24, Sajid Sadpara, the mountaineer’s son, vowed to complete his father’s mission. “I know my father is not alive anymore but I want to go to K2 and find out what happened to him,” he said.

Sadpara, Iceland’s John Snorri, and Juan Pablo Mohr from Chile were last seen at the Bottleneck of the mountain. The Pakistan Army launched a search operation but their efforts were thwarted by harsh weather conditions.

On February 18, his family declared the mountaineer dead. “K2 has embraced my father forever,” Sajid said.



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Hollywood’s Jameela Jamil ‘disgusted’ by Noor Mukadam murder

English actor Jameela Jamil has admitted that she is “horrified” by the fact that rampant violence against women in Pakistan and India no longer surprises her.

“I’m disgusted to learn the details of what happened to Noor Mukadam,” she wrote. “And even more horrified that this level of violence no longer surprises me, considering the ongoing violence against women in Pakistan and India.”

Photo: Instagram/Jameela Jamil

Noor was the daughter of a former Pakistani diplomat Shaukat Mukadam. She was found murdered in Islamabad on July 20. The police arrested a man named Zahir Jaffer from the scene and now his parents are facing charges of abetting the murder as well. The case has prompted debates on the protection for women in Pakistan.

“I talk about it a fair bit and continue to urge men in the public eye to speak out about this,” said Jameela. “This is a men’s problem, but only we [women] pay the price for it.”

The actor remarked that she is longing for a time when she would be “shocked” to hear about violence against women now that gender-based violence is commonplace.

Several Pakistani celebrities, including Mahira Khan and Osman Khalid Butt, have spoken up against femicide in Pakistan as well.

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Britney Spears files to replace her father as guardian

Britney Spears has launched a legal bid to remove her father from a controversial guardianship controlling her finances and replace him with an independent accountant, according to court documents filed Monday.

Mathew Rosengart, who was appointed as the pop star’s attorney this month, had pledged to move swiftly to remove Jamie Spears after the singer delivered two emotional testimonies to a Los Angeles court labeling the conservatorship as “cruelty.”

“If the court doesn’t see this as abuse… I don’t know what is,” said Spears, 39, telling the court via telephone earlier this month that she wanted her father removed and to “press charges” against him.

The Los Angeles Superior Court website on Monday listed a new petition to “Appoint Conservator of Estate (Successor)”, and California-based accountant Jason Rubin is listed as “Nominee.”

Rosengart argued in the petition that as a recent judge’s ruling found “Ms. Spears has sufficient capacity to choose her own legal counsel, she likewise has sufficient capacity to make this nomination,” The New York Times reported.

At a brief hearing later Monday, Judge Brenda Penny said she will rule in late September on the bid to remove Jamie Spears from control of an estate estimated to be worth $60 million.

Jamie Spears’ removal has been a longstanding demand of devoted global fans campaigning under the #FreeBritney slogan.

Spears was placed under a unique legal guardianship largely governed by her father after she suffered a highly public 2007 breakdown.

But the “Toxic” singer has become increasingly vocal and public in opposing the conservatorship since emotional court testimonies and social media posts in which she slammed the system as “cruelty” and accused her father and others of profiting from the system.

Spears alleged in court that she had been prevented from having a contraceptive IUD removed, despite wanting more children, and forcefully put on medication that made her feel “drunk.”

She recently wrote on Instagram that she was “not gonna be performing on any stages anytime soon with my dad handling what I wear, say, do, or think.”

Following a July 14 hearing, Rosengart told AFP his team would be “filing a petition as soon as possible to move Mr Spears,” while also calling on the singer’s father to step down voluntarily.

But Jamie Spears’ lawyer told the court he would not be standing down, and disputed Britney Spears’ account of the conservatorship.

A previous petition to remove Jamie Spears from his role last year was rejected by the judge.

A court hearing has been set for September 29.

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Stefanos Tsitsipas downs Frances Tiafoe to make Olympics third round

Stefanos Tsitsipas advanced to the third round of the Olympics men’s tennis tournament on Tuesday as he defeated Frances Tiafoe.

The Greek third seed downed American Tiafoe 6-3, 6-4 under the centre court roof at Ariake Tennis Park, where all play on outside courts was delayed an hour by morning drizzle.

Tsitsipas, who is also entered in mixed doubles with Maria Sakkari, will play France’s Ugo Humbert or Miomir Kecmanovic of Serbia for a spot in the quarter-finals.

Having lost to Tiafoe in the opening round at Wimbledon, Tsitsipas ensured there was no repeat disappointment as a single break in each set enabled him to wrap up victory in 77 minutes.

Naomi Osaka meets 2019 French Open runner-up Marketa Vondrousova later Tuesday as the Japanese star steps up her bid for Olympic gold after making a convincing return to action from an eight-week break.

Osaka had not played since abandoning her Roland Garros campaign in late May citing the need to preserve her mental health. She later revealed her battle with depression and anxiety.

The second seed has won four of the past six Grand Slams on hard court, and is the heavy favourite for the women’s title following the early exit of world number one Ashleigh Barty.



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Headlines News 9am | 27 July 2021-SAMAA TV



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Malcolm Turnbull: Australia ex-PM says vaccine rollout 'a colossal failure'

Ex-PM Malcolm Turnbull tells the BBC he believes Australia's borders won't reopen until early 2022.

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Facebook assembles team to build ‘metaverse’

Facebook on Monday said it was combining specialists from across its hardware, gaming and virtual reality units to build an immersive digital world known as the “metaverse.”

The “metaverse,” a term coined by sci-fi writer Neal Stephenson, refers to a shared online world in which multiple users can hang out, spend money, consume media and potentially even work.

The project is seen as central to Facebook’s future by CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

“Today we’re standing up a Metaverse product group… to bring together the teams focused on responsibly building this ambitious work,” Facebook executive Andrew Bosworth said in a post. “The defining quality of the Metaverse will be presence — the feeling of really being there with people.”

Facebook hardware such as Portal smart-screens and Oculus virtual reality head gear are already tools for making people feel close together despite being far apart, according to Bosworth.

“To achieve our full vision of the Metaverse, we also need to build the connective tissue between these spaces,” he said.

Vishal Shah from the Instagram team will head a new Metaverse Product Group.

Epic Games, the US company behind video game sensation Fortnite, early this year announced it raised $1 billion in new funding, with some of that money to support its vision of the metaverse.

Hit video games such as Fortnite have seen use soar during the pandemic, and their creators see potential to expand to virtual parties, get-togethers or work events.

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Kieron Pollard slams pitch after Australia series defeat

West Indies captain Kieron Pollard criticised the pitch after suffering a six-wicket defeat against Australia on Monday.

The Aussies clinched the three-match ODI series 2-1 at Kensington Oval in Barbados.

Opening batsman Evin Lewis played a lone hand with an unbeaten 55 as the tourists bundled out the home side for 152 off 45.1 overs batting first with Mitchell Starc leading the rout with figures of three for 43.

That effort lifted his series wicket haul to 11 and confirmed the left-arm pacer as “Man of the Series.”

“It’s my role in the team to use whatever pace and swing I have consistently through my spells,” said Starc in putting his performances in the match and the series in context. “It helps when I’ve got Josh (Hazlewood) at the other end and the spinning quality we have as well in support.”

Fellow new ball bowler Hazlewood was at his most miserly in claiming two for 18 while the trio of spinners Adam Zampa, Ashton Agar and Ashton Turner combined for the other five wickets.

Matthew Wade’s unbeaten 51 (52 balls, two sixes, five fours) led Australia to the target with almost 20 overs to spare. He received good support from Alex Carey (35) and Mitchell Marsh (29) after the West Indies prised out the openers early and the slow bowlers, led by Akeal Hosein, threatened to give their team a fighting chance at defending that modest target.

Yet the “Man of the Match” award did not go to either Starc or Wade but to left-arm spinning all-rounder Agar. Having been selected to replace younger brother and pacer Wes in the final eleven on a surface expected to favour the slow bowlers, he responded with figures of two for 31 off his allotted ten overs and then contributed an important 19 not out in an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 54 to take his side through what could have been tricky chase.

Batting challenges were the defining features of the match as exemplified by Lewis’ effort at the top of the West Indies order when his captain, Kieron Pollard, chose to bat on winning the toss for the first time in the series.

Forced to retire hurt at the start of the innings when he edged a delivery onto his helmet, Lewis returned at the fall of the fifth to prevent an abject capitulation in finishing on 55 not out off 66 balls with three sixes and five fours.

He suffered for a lack of support though with only four others getting into double-figures and no-one else going past 20.

It prompted his skipper into give a scathing assessment of the pitch conditions, not just for the deciding encounter but the two other matches in the series.

“I think it is unacceptable for international cricket,” was Pollard’s blunt verdict. “We are not here to make excuses. We know we batted badly, but I think when you look at the scores through the series with two top international teams, I think it was embarrassing. Coming from St Lucia (where West Indies won the T20 International series 4-1) to this, I think it is absolutely ridiculous.”



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North and South Korea restore hotline after a year

The two countries have not spoke since Pyongyang cut off all channels of communication last year.

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Thomas Barrack: Top Trump aide pleads not guilty to working as foreign agent

Thomas Barrack has been accused of lobbying the US government on behalf of the United Arab Emirates.

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Mapping the advance of the Taliban in Afghanistan

Maps of Afghanistan showing who controls districts in fighting between the government and Taliban.

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Brazil: Why are so many pregnant women dying from Covid?

One in five women that died from coronavirus in Brazil didn't have access to an intensive care unit.

from BBC News - World https://ift.tt/3kYwwDL

The Indian girl killed for wearing jeans

Neha Paswan was allegedly beaten to death by relatives who disagreed with her choice of clothes.

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Kenyans sue the British army over fire at wildlife sanctuary

Some 1,000 people are going to court after a fire destroyed 12,000 acres of land at a wildlife sanctuary.

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Archibald Prize: 100 years of Australia's top portrait honour

Over 100 years, the Archibald Prize has become better at reflecting Australian diversity.

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Is there a future for Africa's lions?

As lion populations decline across much of Africa, could community-led conservation help reverse this trend?

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Surfside tower collapse: Final victim identified from rubble

The family of Estelle Hedaya say they have confirmation she is the 98th victim of the Surfside disaster.

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Hemingway 'lookalike' chosen in Florida contest

A 63-year-old won the Key West, Florida contest for his likeness to the award-winning author.

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Bezos' $2bn offer to get back in race to the Moon

The billionaire offers to pay $2bn in Nasa costs to be reconsidered for a key Moon lander contract.

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Covid passports: How do they work around the world?

How are countries enforcing vaccine passports and what can people use them for?

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US combat forces to leave Iraq by end of year

The move, while largely symbolic, could provide a domestic boost to both the US and Iraqi leaders.

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Headlines News 12am | 27 July 2021-SAMAA TV



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Former US President Bill Clinton admitted to hospital with fever

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