Author: newsdesk

  • US-UK strike Yemen after Houthi rebels defend Palestine by stopping Israeli ships

    US-UK strike Yemen after Houthi rebels defend Palestine by stopping Israeli ships

    American and British forces have launched fresh raids on Yemen’s capital, Houthi rebel forces confirmed on Saturday, a day after the allies carried out dozens of strikes on the country.

    The latest raids targeted Al-Dailami airbase in Sanaa, which has been under Houthi control since 2014, a statement released on their official media stated. “The American-British enemy is targeting the capital, Sanaa, with a number of raids,” Al-Masirah TV posted on X, formerly Twitter, citing its correspondent in Sanaa.”The American-British aggression targeted the Al-Dailami base in the capital, Sanaa,” it added.

    Raids on Yemen follow weeks of Houthi attacks on Israel’s ships in the commercial Red Sea in protest against the war on Gaza.

    The strike on a Houthi radar site comes a day after scores of attacks across the country heightened fears that Israel’s aggression on Gaza could engulf the whole Arab region.

    The Houthis warned that US and British interests were “legitimate targets” after the initial strikes. Britain, the United States and eight allies said strikes carried out on Friday had aimed to “de-escalate tensions”, but the Houthis vowed to continue their attacks. Hussein al-Ezzi, the rebels’ deputy foreign minister, said the United States and Britain would “have to prepare to pay a heavy price”.

    The rebels have controlled much of Yemen since a civil war erupted in 2014 and are part of the “axis of resistance” against Israel and its allies.

    Violence involving these groups in Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria has surged since the war in Gaza began in early October.

    What has the UN said?

    UN chief Antonio Guterres called on all sides “not to escalate” in the interest of regional peace and stability, his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

    The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on Friday, days after adopting a resolution demanding the Houthis immediately stop their attacks.

    At the meeting, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield warned that no ship was safe from the threat posed by Houthis to shipping in the Red Sea.

    Russian ambassador Vassili Nebenzia denounced the “blatant armed aggression” against the entire population of the country.

    Red Sea attacks and the politics of the Middle East

    The Houthis have intensified attacks on what they deem Israeli-linked shipping in the Red Sea- through which 12 percent of global maritime trade normally passes- since October 7.

    The United States and Britain launched strikes on Friday that targeted nearly 30 locations using more than 150 ammunitions, US General Douglas Sims said, updating earlier figures, and President Joe Biden said he did not believe there were civilian casualties.

    Biden called the strikes a successful “defensive action” after the “unprecedented” Red Sea attacks and said he would act again if the Houthis continued their “outrageous behaviour”.

    British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the Houthis’ breach of international law warranted the “strong signal”, with his government publishing its legal position justifying the strikes as lawful and “proportionate”.

    Nasser Kanani, spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry, said the Western strikes would fuel “insecurity and instability in the region” while “diverting” attention from Gaza.

    The Houthis fired “at least one” anti-ship ballistic missile in retaliation on Friday that caused no damage, according to Sims.

    The United States said it did not seek conflict with Iran, with National Security Council spokesman John Kirby telling MSNBC there was “no reason” for an escalation.

    Middle Eastern leaders voiced concern at the violence, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan describing the strikes on Yemen as disproportionate and saying: “It is as if they aspire to turn the Red Sea into a bloodbath.”

    Saudi Arabia said it “is following with great concern the military operations” and called for “self-restraint and avoiding escalation”. The kingdom is trying to extricate itself from a nine-year war with the Huthis, though fighting has largely been on hold since a truce in early 2022.

    Palestinian freedom fighting group Hamas said it would hold Britain and the United States “responsible for the repercussions on regional security”.

    ‘Death to America’

    Hundreds of thousands of people, some carrying Kalashnikov assault rifles, gathered in Yemen’s capital Sanaa on Friday to protest, many waving Yemeni and Palestinian flags and holding portraits of Huthi leader Abdulmalik al-Huthi, an AFP journalist reported.

    “Death to America, death to Israel,” they chanted.

    In Tehran, hundreds rallied against the United States, Britain, and Israel, burning the three countries’ flags outside the UK embassy while voicing support for Gazans and Yemenis, an AFP correspondent reported.

    In Gaza, Palestinians lauded Houthi support and condemned Britain and the United States. “No one is standing with us but Yemen,” said Fouad al-Ghalaini, one of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians left homeless by Israel’s bombardment of Gaza City

  • Cashier arrested after allegedly stealing more than three crore in banking fraud

    Cashier arrested after allegedly stealing more than three crore in banking fraud

    Ghulam Muhammad, alleged to be involved in stealing more than three crores in banking fraud, has been arrested from Karachi.

    The Commercial Banking Circle of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) conducted a raid to arrest Ghulam Muhammad.

    According to Director FIA Karachi Zone Zaeem Iqbal, the suspect was posted as a cashier in the branch of a private bank located in Sadar area of Karachi.
    He has been accused of embezzling a total of three crore, 29 lakh and 78 thousand rupees by issuing, without permission, fake cash transits to various branches under the guise of excess cash.

    According to the initial investigation, no request for cash was received from the above branches, while the suspect did not hand over the said amount to the van used for cash transit after making cash entries last year in May, June and July.

    As per FIA, the suspect had fled after cheating. After his arrest, raids are being conducted to apprehend others from the group.

  • PTI yet to finalise candidates from 34 NA constituencies

    PTI yet to finalise candidates from 34 NA constituencies

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced a list of its candidates for National Assembly (NA) seats for the upcoming general elections, set to take place on February 8, 2024.

    The former ruling party has opted to nominate candidates from all 266 national assembly seats throughout Pakistan. Nonetheless, numerous constituencies have been labelled as ‘pending’, primarily due to disagreements in candidate selection.

    In all, the naming of candidates in at least 34 NA constituencies is pending, including from Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Kasur, Khanewal, Sahiwal, and Pakpattan.

    Former prime minister and founder of PTI, Imran Khan, is currently in Adiala jail after being convicted in the Toshakhana case. His nomination papers have been rejected.

    Surprisingly, PTI has nominated candidates to compete against its former close ally Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, and his nephew, Sheikh Rashid Shafiq.

    PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan is a candidate from NA-10 Buner-I, while Omar Ayub Khan is contesting from NA-18, Haripur.

  • Flood-affected areas unlikely to produce good voter turnout in Balochistan and Sindh: Report

    Flood-affected areas unlikely to produce good voter turnout in Balochistan and Sindh: Report

    The Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) has stated in a report that over 10 million individuals faced displacement while 2.1 million homes were damaged in Sindh and approximately 100,000 in Balochistan in the devastating floods that hit Pakistan in 2022. The findings of the report reveal that due to financial constraints, there is a possibility that low-income migrated families will not return to cast their votes in the upcoming general elections.

    The lack of Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) and damaged pathways to polling stations jeopardise participation of the flood-affected communities, reports Dawn.

    A study by CPDI, conducted in Sindh and Balochistan, identifies multiple problems faced by flood-affected communities which may adversely affect voter turnout. It shows key issues, notably the absence of CNICs and damaged pathways to potential polling stations or school buildings.

    While highlighting the issues, CPDI urged authorities to take immediate measures to facilitate voter turnout in the flood-affected areas specifically in Khairpur, Naushahro Feroz, Naseerabad and Jaffarabad.

    The qualitative assessment was undertaken in the severely affected provinces of Sindh and Balochistan, highlighting various critical issues, including the absence and delays in obtaining national identity cards, damaged infrastructure such as roads and designated polling stations/school buildings, waning interest in political leaders due to insufficient post-disaster rehabilitation efforts, and concerns about the displaced community’s return to exercise their voting rights.

    Additionally, individuals with lifelong injuries may be bedridden, posing a challenge for their participation in the general election (GE) 2024. These findings underscore the multifaceted challenges affecting the electoral landscape in flood-affected regions.

    A significant number of flood victims lost their CNICs (at least one in every household), delays in renewal of CNICs are primarily because of the crowded and limited number of Nadra centres established at village level, residents added that mobile registration vans of Nadra initially helped but were later discontinued.

    “Furthermore, daily wage earners also find it financially burdensome to visit Nadra centres. CPDI urges the authorities to take immediate action to ensure that eligible voters in flood-affected regions receive their CNICs before elections. Moreover, damaged roads and access tracks force voters to take longer alternative routes to reach polling stations, reported in all villages of selected districts in Sindh and Balochistan.

    “Increased distances, combined with high transportation costs, will likely discourage voters, particularly women, elderly, differently-abled and low-income individuals, from travelling to cast their votes. With over 40 per cent of school buildings damaged and incomplete recovery efforts, newly designated polling stations may be distant, posing accessibility challenges for flood-affected residents on polling day without adequate transportation,” the report stated.

  • Pakistan’s weekly inflation soars beyond 44%

    Pakistan’s weekly inflation soars beyond 44%

    In the latest economic developments, Pakistan has witnessed a surge in weekly inflation for the third consecutive week, marked by a notable increase in the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) for the Combined Group.

    The SPI for the said group witnessed a significant rise of 1.36 per cent week over week (WoW) during the week concluded on January 11, 2024.

    Adding to the economic landscape, the SPI showcased a remarkable year-over-year (YoY) increase of 44.16 per cent, comparing the current statistics with the corresponding period from the previous year.

    Last week’s SPI for the Combined Group demonstrated a WoW increase of 0.81 per cent.

    Data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reveals that the combined index stood at 317.92 in comparison to 313.66 on January 4, 2024.

    Notably, this index was recorded at 220.53 a year ago, specifically on January 12, 2023.

    Among the 51 items analysed, 21 experienced an increase in average prices, while prices for 8 items decreased, and 22 items remained stable.

    The noteworthy price hikes during the week were observed in tomatoes (15.63 per cent), onions (8.94 per cent), chicken (6.42 per cent), electricity charges for Q1 (5.11 per cent), and eggs (4.31 per cent).

    Conversely, significant decreases were noted in the prices of potatoes (5.92 per cent), vegetable ghee (1 KG) (0.84 per cent), sugar (0.43 per cent), vegetable ghee (2.5 KG) (0.29 per cent), and mustard oil (0.26 per cent).

    The weekly SPI percentage change, when categorised by income groups, indicated a uniform increase ranging between 1.2 per cent and 1.34 per cent across all quantiles. The lowest-income group experienced a 1.2 per cent rise, while the highest-income group recorded a 1.34 per cent increase.

    On a yearly basis, the analysis of SPI change across various income segments revealed an overall increase ranging from 36.06 per cent to 47.48 per cent.

    The lowest-income group witnessed a yearly rise of 36.06 per cent, whereas the highest-income group recorded a significant increase of 42.71 per cent.

  • Gold prices surge in Pakistani market, 24-karat hits Rs216,500 per tola

    Gold prices surge in Pakistani market, 24-karat hits Rs216,500 per tola

    On Friday, the domestic bullion market saw a modest increase, with the price of 24-karat gold in Pakistan rising by Rs200 per tola to reach Rs216,500.

    The Karachi Sarafa Association noted that the price of 10-gramme 24-karat gold reached Rs185,614, indicating a gain of Rs172, while the 10-gramme 22-karat gold stood at Rs170,146.

    In contrast, silver remained steady in the local market, with 24-karat silver being sold at Rs2,650 per tola and Rs2,271.94 per 10-gramme.

    On the global scale, international spot gold is currently trading at 2,036.75, marking an increase of $8.55 or 0.4% for the day.

    Notably, when the Karachi Sarafa Association reported local rates, the spot rate in the international market had seen a slight uptick of $4.

  • Pakistani rupee records 9th consecutive surge, gains Rs1.04 against US dollar

    Pakistani rupee records 9th consecutive surge, gains Rs1.04 against US dollar

    In the currency markets, the Pakistani rupee (PKR) maintained its winning streak for the 9th consecutive week, appreciating by 1.04 rupees against the US dollar.

    The local unit closed at PKR 280.36 per USD, showcasing resilience in the face of economic fluctuations. During today’s trading session, the PKR experienced fluctuations, reaching an intraday high bid of 279 and a low ask of 281.5.

    Exchange companies in the open market quoted the dollar at 279.15 for buying and 281.50 for selling, reflecting the ongoing strength of the PKR against the greenback.

    Notably, the PKR also demonstrated gains against major currencies, gaining 78.58 paisa against the Euro, closing at 307.85.

    The British Pound saw a decrease of 58.38 paisa, settling at 358.18, while the Swiss Franc experienced losses of 1.41 rupees, closing at 329.08.

    However, the Japanese yen posed a slight challenge, as the PKR lost 0.09 paisa, closing at 1.934 against 1.933 from the previous session.

    Overall, the PKR’s robust performance against the US dollar and several major currencies underscores the resilience and stability of Pakistan’s currency in the global financial landscape.

  • Nawaz’s birthday cake thief given party ticket for elections

    Nawaz’s birthday cake thief given party ticket for elections

    Umar Farooq Dar, accused of stealing the birthday cake of party leader Nawaz Sharif in Gujranwala has now been given party tickets to contest the upcoming elections.

    Umar Farooq Dar took to Twitter and expressed hope to win the elections under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, and Maryam Nawaz. He is going to contest the elections from PP-64.

    Journalist Majid Nizami shared the news by posting on X that Umar Farooq Dar, who collected Nawaz Sharif’s birthday cake from the bakery for free, has been issued MPA ticket by PML-N from Gujranwala. He also took a jibe at the politician that his devotees have collected cakes that were not theirs.

    Read more: Nawaz Sharif ki salgirah ka cake chori, case registered

  • Yo Yo Honey Singh and Mehwish Hayat’s epic meet-Up

    Yo Yo Honey Singh and Mehwish Hayat’s epic meet-Up

    Pakistani superstar Mehwish Hayat met Indian crooner Yo Yo Honey Singh, and the meeting has made a lot of people curious. Yo Yo Honey Singh is famous for his catchy songs and hit numbers. He’s not just a rapper but also a music producer and actor.

    Now, fans are excited, hoping that there might be news of the two stars working together, looking forward to an announcement that brings their talents together, crossing borders and celebrating the unity of art and culture.

    Honey Singh posted a selfie with Mehwish on his Instagram and praised her as lively in the caption, using the term “With zinda dil.” Mehwish, in return, shared Honey’s post on her Instagram Stories and wrote a sweet note expressing happiness about meeting him at last.

    She wrote, “It was an absolute pleasure meeting you finally. You are an incredible powerhouse of talent and a true inspiration.”She wrote, “It was an absolute pleasure meeting you finally. You are an incredible powerhouse of talent and a true inspiration.”

  • Watch: Nikah of Aiman and Minal’s Brother, Maaz Khan

    Watch: Nikah of Aiman and Minal’s Brother, Maaz Khan

    Maaz Khan, the brother of renowned Pakistani actresses Aiman Khan and Minal Khan, recently got married. Wedding celebrations started a few days ago with Dholki events. They had a lovely outdoor ceremony with family and friends.

    Maaz and Saba looked stunning in their outfits. Saba wore a beautiful dress from Aiman Minal closet. Now, Aiman Khan and Minal Khan have shared beautiful Nikah pictures, capturing the joyous occasion.