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30 dead as Hurricane Melissa wreaks havoc in Jamaica and Cuba

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30 dead

Hurricane Melissa, which has strengthened into a Category 3 storm, continues its destructive path after devastating Jamaica and Cuba, now heading toward the Bahamas.

At least 30 people have been killed — 25 in Haiti, four in Jamaica, and one in Dominica. In the Bahamas, authorities have issued evacuation orders for residents in the southern regions as the storm approaches.

Nearly 700,000 people have been evacuated to safer locations in Cuba, where power outages and blocked roads have been reported across affected areas.

In Jamaica, the parish of St. Elizabeth has been submerged, leaving more than half a million people without electricity. The hurricane’s fierce winds, torrential rains, and landslides have caused extensive damage to homes and infrastructure.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared a state of emergency across the country and appealed for international assistance.

Meanwhile, the United States has established a special task force to coordinate relief efforts in areas hit hardest by Hurricane Melissa.

Khurram Zeeshan, Taj Afridi face off in KP Senate by-poll

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Khurram Zeeshan

PESHAWAR: The by-election for a vacant Senate seat from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is currently underway, as lawmakers cast their votes to fill the position left vacant by Shibli Faraz.

According to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), polling will continue uninterrupted until 4 p.m. at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly building. Provincial Election Commissioner Saeed Gul has been appointed as the Returning Officer (RO) for the by-election.

The contest is between Pakistan Tehreak e Insaf-backed candidate Khurram Zeeshan and the joint opposition nominee, Taj Mohammad Afridi.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly comprises 145 members, with 73 votes required for victory. The ruling coalition holds 92 seats, while the opposition has 53 members.

Pakistan denounces Israel’s breach of Gaza Truce Deal

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Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday strongly condemned the renewed attacks by the Israeli occupying forces in Gaza, which have reportedly resulted in civilian casualties.

“These actions constitute a clear and flagrant violation of international law, as well as a breach of the recently concluded peace agreement,”.

He said that such aggressive measures by the Israeli occupation forces threatened to undermine the international efforts aimed at establishing durable peace and stability in the region.

“Pakistan calls upon the international community to ensure an immediate cessation of ceasefire violations by the Israeli occupation forces,” the spokesperson said and reiterated Pakistan’s principled position for the establishment of an independent, sovereign, viable, and contiguous State of Palestine, based on the pre-June 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Gold prices surge by Rs3,500 per tola across Pakistan

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Gold prices

KARACHI: The price of gold in Pakistan increased by Rs3,500 per tola on Wednesday, according to the All Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Association (APGJA).

With the latest rise, the price of 24-karat gold now stands at Rs419,862 per tola, while the price of 10 grams of gold has gone up by Rs3,000, reaching Rs359,963.

In the international market, the price of gold also saw an uptick of $35, climbing to $3,975 per ounce.

Market experts attribute the surge to global economic uncertainty and rising investor demand for safe-haven assets.

Melissa becomes century’s most powerful Hurricane

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Melissa

Kingston/Havana: Hurricane Melissa, the most powerful storm to strike the Caribbean in decades, hit Jamaica on Wednesday and is now moving toward Cuba, prompting large-scale evacuations and emergency precautions.

According to international media reports, more than 700,000 people across Cuba have been evacuated to safer areas due to fears of flooding, storm surges, and severe destruction.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that Melissa initially struck Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane, generating winds of up to 185 kilometers per hour, before weakening slightly to Category 4 as it advanced toward Cuba.

Heavy rainfall, flash floods, and landslides have been reported across the Caribbean, with at least seven deaths confirmed so far — three in Jamaica, three in Haiti, and one in the Dominican Republic.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness warned that the nation’s infrastructure is “not built to withstand a Category 5 hurricane,” urging citizens to remain indoors and cooperate with emergency services.

Melissa is expected to continue moving northwest, bringing torrential rain and destructive winds to parts of eastern Cuba and the Bahamas in the coming hours. Regional disaster response teams remain on high alert.

Punjab suffers as Lahore again tops global pollution chart

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Punjab suffers

LAHORE: The Lahore city once again topped the list of the world’s most polluted cities on Wednesday, as thick smog blanketed Punjab and the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) climbed to a hazardous 462.

According to real-time monitoring data, Sandha Road recorded an alarming AQI of 941, followed by Cantonment at 690, Iqbal Town at 639, and Burki Road at 616 — placing the provincial capital under severe smog conditions.

The situation was similarly dire in other major cities. Multan’s AQI hit 507, Faisalabad 712, Gujranwala 287, and Peshawar 219, all indicating unhealthy to extremely hazardous air quality.

Medical experts have urged citizens to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities, wear protective masks, and keep windows closed, warning that prolonged exposure to the polluted air could trigger respiratory and cardiac complications, particularly among children and the elderly.

Authorities said the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) has mobilized its 16 mechanical washers and 50 washing rickshaws as part of the ongoing anti-smog operation. Around 200 sanitation workers have been deployed in the day shift and another 200 at night, carrying out washing and water sprinkling on over 300 kilometers of roads daily.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirmed that water sprinkling is being carried out twice a day across 47 major roads, including Jail Road, Main Boulevard Gulberg, Noor Jahan Road, MM Alam Road, GT Road, Band Road, Ravi Road, Shahdara, Saggian, Nazaria Pakistan Avenue, Raiwind Road, and Ferozepur Road, among other high-AQI areas.

In the night shift, mechanical washing and water sprinkling are being ensured at all entry and exit points of Lahore, in a bid to suppress dust and particulate matter contributing to smog formation.

Pakistan continues cross-border strikes after negotiations hit deadlock

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Pakistan continues

ISLAMABAD: Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar confirmed that negotiations between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban have failed, adding that Islamabad appreciates the diplomatic backing extended by friendly nations.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Atta Tarar confirmed that negotiations with the Afghan Taliban had broken down. He asserted that the Government of Pakistan will employ all available resources to completely eradicate terrorism from the country.

“The government will continue to take all possible measures against terrorism. The terrorists, their hideouts, and facilitators will be eliminated,” Tarar said.

He revealed that the dialogue between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban, held in Istanbul, ended without any outcome.

According to the minister, Pakistan repeatedly lodged protests with the Taliban government over cross-border terrorism and the activities of banned outfits such as the TTP and BLF. “However, the Afghan Taliban resorted to blame-shifting, delays, and excuses,” he added.

Tarar further remarked that the Taliban government does not represent the Afghan people and is dependent on a war-driven economy for its survival. “Continuous support for anti-Pakistan terrorism has rendered Pakistan’s efforts futile,” he said.

The minister also thanked Qatar, Turkiye, and other friendly nations for their sincere diplomatic efforts in facilitating the talks.

Powerful Hurricane Melissa hits Caribbean, three killed

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Powerful Hurricane

The most powerful storm of the year, Hurricane Melissa, has begun battering parts of the Caribbean, according to international news agencies.

Classified as a Category 5 hurricane, Melissa has already caused torrential rains across Haiti, leaving at least three people dead. Authorities reported that flights have been suspended in southern Haiti, while more than 3,000 residents have been moved to emergency shelters.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) stated that Melissa’s winds have reached speeds of up to 280 kilometers per hour (174 mph). The storm is expected to make landfall in Jamaica later today before moving toward eastern Cuba and the Bahamas.

In anticipation of the storm, Jamaican authorities have urged residents to evacuate low-lying areas and move to designated shelters.

Jamaican Prime Minister has warned of the potential for widespread destruction, emphasizing the government’s preparedness for emergency response operations.

Air Pollution: Lahore faces alarming smog levels once again

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Air Pollution

Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab, remained the world’s most polluted city on Tuesday, as real-time data from global air quality monitor IQAir showed dangerously high pollution levels across the metropolis.

At 8 a.m., Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 410, placing it in the “hazardous” category, while the city’s average level stood at 329 later in the day.

Among the most affected localities were Sanda Road (767 AQI), Township (758), Model Town (574), Allama Iqbal Town (511), and Gulberg III (390).

Air pollution also persisted across other cities of Punjab, with Faisalabad recording a particulate matter (PM2.5) level of 622, Multan 485, and Bahawalpur 255, according to environmental reports.

As per IQAir’s latest index, New Delhi ranked second, Dhaka third, and Kolkata fourth among the world’s most polluted cities. Karachi stood fifth with an AQI of 165.

Experts warned that low wind speed and falling temperatures are trapping pollutants close to the ground, intensifying smog and reducing visibility—particularly during late night, early morning, and evening hours. They added that the air may improve slightly between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. when higher temperatures and wind movement help disperse pollutants.

Medical experts have urged citizens to wear protective masks and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities, especially children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory or heart conditions.

Punjab’s Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb advised residents to use masks whenever outdoor movement is unavoidable to reduce exposure to toxic air.

In response to worsening conditions, the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) deployed 16 mechanical washers and 50 washer rickshaws as part of its anti-smog operation.

More than 400 sanitation workers have been assigned for day and night shifts, washing and sprinkling water on over 300 kilometers of major roads daily.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 47 main roads—including Jail Road, Main Boulevard Gulberg, Noor Jehan Road, MM Alam Road, GT Road, Bund Road, and Ferozepur Road—are being washed twice daily to suppress dust and reduce airborne particulates.

In the past 24 hours, authorities registered 14 FIRs, imposed ₨1 million in fines on 115 violators, and issued 53 warnings across Lahore and other districts.

Violations included crop residue burning (13 cases), emission from smoke-producing vehicles (86), illegal industrial operations (5), and brick kiln violations (10).

Cumulatively, during the ongoing smog season, police have filed 1,642 cases, arrested 1,571 offenders, imposed fines exceeding ₨150 million, and issued over 15,000 warnings.

Officials reported 500 crop-burning cases, 55,763 vehicle violations, 1,599 industrial violations, and 3,185 brick kiln breaches across Punjab.

Brazilian model harassed by food delivery agent in Bengaluru hotel

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Brazilian model

Bengaluru: A Brazilian model was allegedly harassed by a food delivery agent at a hotel in Bengaluru, India, according to Indian media reports.

Police said the incident took place when the model, who was staying at a hotel in Karnataka’s capital, received an online food order delivered by a part-time agent. The accused allegedly touched her inappropriately and misbehaved while handing over the parcel.

In her complaint to the police, the model stated that she had ordered food through an online delivery app, and upon delivery, the man behaved indecently and attempted to physically harass her.

According to reports, Deputy Commissioner of Police confirmed the incident, identifying the accused as Kumar Rao, a college student who works as a part-time delivery agent. Police said the suspect was arrested the same day after the harassment complaint was filed.