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Federal Govt to introduce daily fuel price mechanism

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Federal Govt

ISLAMABAD: Federal government has approved a plan to determine petroleum prices on a daily basis, with the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) set to publish updated fuel prices each day in line with international market movements.

Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, speaking alongside Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Friday, said the decision was approved by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the federal cabinet as part of broader reforms to deregulate the petroleum sector.

Malik said rising regional tensions have driven up global crude oil prices, with diesel prices increasing from $110 to $140 per barrel in recent weeks. Despite the increase, he said the government has spent Rs130 billion on targeted fuel subsidies and continues to shield consumers from the full impact of international price hikes.

Under the new mechanism, OGRA will determine and publish petroleum prices daily on its website based on global market trends. Malik said the government is also working to increase domestic oil and gas production, noting that Turkish Petroleum is expected to begin offshore exploration in Pakistan in October for the first time in two decades.

The petroleum minister said the government will continue efforts to modernize the energy sector, improve administrative efficiency and ensure competitively priced fuel supplies through refinery upgrades and increased local exploration.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the recent rise in international oil prices is linked to regional geopolitical tensions. He said Pakistan successfully secured additional fuel reserves during the recent crisis, preventing domestic shortages.

Tarar stressed that the government will maintain strict oversight of the petroleum market despite moving toward deregulation. He said oil marketing companies will not be given a free hand, warning that authorities will take action against hoarding, profiteering and market manipulation to protect consumers.

Petrol pump owners reject govt’s fuel price deregulation plan

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Petrol pump

KARACHI: Pakistan’s petrol pump owners have rejected the federal government’s proposed petroleum price deregulation policy, warning that the plan could disrupt fuel distribution and pricing across the country.

Nauman Ali Butt, chairman of the All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association, said that the association does not support the government’s proposed deregulation policy and urged authorities to reconsider the plan.

Butt said nearly 15,000 petrol pump owners nationwide have serious reservations about the proposal. He called on the government and oil marketing companies (OMCs) to consult all stakeholders before implementing any new pricing mechanism.

He warned that introducing daily fuel price adjustments could affect oil tanker operations, transportation logistics and the overall fuel pricing system, adding that petrol pump owners should not be forced to bear the burden of policy changes.

The association’s reaction came after Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik announced that the federal cabinet had approved a move toward daily petroleum price determination by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) as part of a broader fuel market deregulation strategy.

 The minister said OGRA would set prices each day based on international market trends, adding that current petroleum and carbon support levies remain lower than previous levels.

PM Shehbaz highlights Pakistan’s role in regional peace

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PM Shehbaz

ISLAMABAD:  Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan played an important role in promoting regional peace during the recent crisis, while highlighting growing economic cooperation with China at the Pakistan-China Pharmaceutical & Healthcare B2B Investment Conference.

Addressing the conference in Islamabad, Sharif said the recent regional tensions had affected not only neighboring countries but also the wider international community.

He said Pakistan had acted as a facilitator in efforts to ease tensions between Iran and the United States, and praised the contributions of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir to the reconciliation process.

Sharif also described China as Pakistan’s most reliable and sincere partner, reaffirming that the safety and security of Chinese nationals working in Pakistan remains the government’s top priority.

 He welcomed healthcare-sector agreements worth more than $440 million, saying the investments represent another significant step in advancing the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong said Pakistan’s economy is improving under Prime Minister Sharif’s leadership and reaffirmed Beijing’s support for regional peace and stability. He added that Pakistan offers significant opportunities for investment in the healthcare sector.

Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said the investment conference reflects the prime minister’s vision for expanding economic cooperation, while Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar said Sharif’s recent visit to China had opened new avenues for investment, technology transfer and industrial collaboration.

West Indies cricket legend Sir Garfield Sobers dies at 89

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West Indies

BRIDGETOWN: Sir Garfield Sobers, widely regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history, has died at the age of 89, Cricket West Indies confirmed on Friday.

According to ESPNcricinfo, Sobers died in Barbados, ending a career that transformed the game and established him as one of cricket’s most complete players.

Sobers represented the West Indies in 93 Test matches between 1954 and 1974, scoring 8,032 runs at an average of 57.78 and taking 235 wickets at an average of 34.03. Renowned for his ability to bowl both pace and spin, he was also considered one of the finest fielders of his era.

Australian great Sir Donald Bradman famously described Sobers as a “five-in-one cricketer” because of his extraordinary versatility.

The ICC’s Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, awarded annually to the world’s best men’s cricketer across all formats, is named in his honor.

In a tribute posted on X, Cricket West Indies said, “A great innings has come to an end.”

Sobers made his first-class debut at the age of 16 during the 1952-53 season and earned his Test debut against England in Jamaica a year later, beginning a legendary international career that inspired generations of cricketers.

Canadian wildfire smoke raises air quality concerns ahead of World Cup final

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Canadian wildfire

NEW YORK: Smoke from massive wildfires in Canada has blanketed parts of New York and New Jersey, prompting health officials to issue air quality alerts ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain.

According to international media reports, authorities have advised residents to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities and limit strenuous exercise as smoke continues to affect air quality across the region.

The World Cup final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where more than 80,000 spectators are expected. While organizers have not announced any changes to the match schedule, the deteriorating air quality has raised concerns ahead of the championship game.

Spain has continued training outdoors since arriving in New Jersey, while Argentina is scheduled to hold its training session on Friday despite the smoky conditions.

The poor air quality has already affected other sporting events. A National Women’s Soccer League match introduced additional hydration and recovery breaks because of the conditions, while some players voiced concerns about competing in polluted air. In Chicago, a Major League Soccer match was postponed due to unhealthy air quality.

Forecasters expect rain on Friday and Saturday to help improve air quality before Sunday’s World Cup final.

Shakira lauds Lionel Messi ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup final

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Shakira lauds

MIAMI: Colombian singer Shakira has voiced her admiration for Lionel Messi ahead of the FIFA World Cup final, praising the Argentine captain’s determination, discipline and continued success on football’s biggest stage.

Following Argentina’s semifinal victory, Shakira shared a message on her Instagram Stories, calling Messi’s performances “beyond extraordinary” and describing him as an example of commitment and perseverance.

“What @lionelmessi is doing is beyond extraordinary. It shows the values of a man who is deeply committed and disciplined, challenging time and all odds,” Shakira wrote.

She also credited Messi’s wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, for her support throughout his career, saying that having her by his side provides him with strength and inspiration.

 Roccuzzo later reposted the tribute on her own Instagram Stories, responding with a teary-eyed emoji and a white heart.

Messi led Argentina to a 2-1 comeback victory over England in the World Cup semifinals, booking a place in Sunday’s final against Spain.

The Inter Miami star has scored eight goals in the tournament, tying France’s Kylian Mbappé as the competition’s leading scorer.

Shakira will also take center stage during the World Cup final, where she is scheduled to co-headline the first FIFA World Cup halftime show alongside Madonna, BTS and Justin Bieber, with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin serving as the show’s curator. The final will be played on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey.

Powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake strikes off Mexico’s pacific coast

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Powerful 7.3-

MEXICO CITY: A powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck off Mexico’s southern Pacific coast on Friday, prompting tsunami alerts for parts of Mexico and neighboring Guatemala, authorities said.

The earthquake was initially reported as magnitude 7.4 before being revised to 7.3. Its epicenter was located offshore near the coast of Chiapas state, close to the border with Guatemala.

Following the quake, authorities issued tsunami alerts for parts of the Pacific coastline in Mexico and Guatemala, urging residents to stay away from beaches and low-lying coastal areas as a precaution.

The tremor was also felt across Guatemala, El Salvador and other parts of southern Mexico, prompting evacuations from buildings in several areas.

Officials said there were no immediate reports of major casualties or widespread damage, though damage assessments were ongoing. Authorities also reported a series of aftershocks and continued monitoring the situation.

Severe storms leave 53,000 homes without power across France

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Severe storms

PARIS: Severe thunderstorms swept across France, leaving about 53,000 homes without electricity and prompting hundreds of emergency responses as high winds and heavy rain caused widespread disruption.

According to French media, citing electricity distribution operator Enedis, the storms knocked out power to thousands of households, with the hardest-hit areas including the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Nouvelle-Aquitaine regions.

On Friday morning, nearly 25,000 customers in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and around 20,000 in Nouvelle-Aquitaine remained without electricity as utility crews worked to restore service.

In the Loire department, firefighters responded to 422 emergency incidents after roofs were damaged, trees fell onto roads and vehicles were struck during the storms.

At the height of the severe weather, power outages affected as many as 8,000 additional homes, while regional rail services between Lyon and Rouen also experienced disruptions on Friday as authorities continued to assess the storm’s impact.

UK calls for FIFA investigation over Argentina’s Falkland’s banner

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UK calls

LONDON: Britain has called on FIFA to investigate Argentina after its players displayed a banner referring to the disputed Falkland Islands following their victory over England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal.

After Argentina’s 2-1 win, players celebrated with a banner reading “Las Malvinas Son Argentinas” (“The Falkland Islands are Argentine”), reviving the decades-old sovereignty dispute between the two countries.

British Business Secretary Peter Kyle said displaying political messages on the field could violate FIFA regulations, which prohibit political statements and symbols during official competitions.

He urged world football’s governing body to conduct a full investigation and take appropriate action if rules were breached.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office also backed calls for an inquiry, saying that while England may have lost its place in the World Cup final, “the Falkland Islands are British.”

The Falkland Islands, known as Islas Malvinas in Argentina, have been disputed by the two countries for decades. Argentina invaded the islands in 1982 before Britain regained control following a 74-day war that killed 649 Argentine and 255 British military personnel.

FIFA had not issued an official response to the incident as of Thursday. Meanwhile, Argentina’s Foreign Minister Pablo Kirno said the government had lodged a diplomatic protest with Britain over the reported movement of the Royal Navy vessel HMS Medway near the Falkland Islands.

The latest dispute follows comments by Argentine Vice President Victoria Villarruel, who referred to Britain as an occupying power ahead of the semifinal, further escalating tensions.

Argentina’s Messi fires back at World Cup fixing claims

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Argentina's Messi

MIAMI:  Argentina captain Lionel Messi has rejected allegations that FIFA has favored his team during the 2026 World Cup, insisting Argentina’s success is the result of years of hard work rather than preferential treatment.

Speaking to reporters after Argentina’s 2-1 semifinal victory over England, Messi was asked about claims on social media and elsewhere suggesting the team had benefited from biased officiating. He firmly dismissed the allegations, saying Argentina has consistently been among the world’s top teams over the past four years.

“What we’ve achieved is not a coincidence,” Messi said. “It’s the result of constant hard work and strong performances. Nobody has given us anything. We don’t get anything for free.”

Messi also dedicated Argentina’s semifinal victory to late football legend Diego Maradona, saying he believed Maradona would have been proud of the team’s achievement. He recalled Maradona’s iconic performance against England at the 1986 World Cup, describing the latest victory as a tribute to the former captain’s legacy.

Argentina will face Spain in the FIFA World Cup final after securing a 2-1 win over England in the semifinals.