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Newsdesk

Spain to legalise 500,000 undocumented migrants

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Spain to legalise

MADRID: Spain has announced a plan to provide legal status to approximately 500,000 undocumented migrants, marking a significant move in contrast to stricter immigration policies in other parts of Europe.

According to the Spanish Minister for Migration, José Luis Escrivá, the government is set to approve a decree under which nearly half a million undocumented migrants will be regularized.

The actual number of beneficiaries may vary. Those granted legal status will be allowed to live and work anywhere in the country and in any sector.

Minister Escrivá emphasized that the government aims to create an immigration system aligned with human rights, social inclusion, mutual integration, economic growth, and social cohesion.

The policy will apply to migrants who have resided in Spain for at least five months and have a clean criminal record. It also covers children already living in the country. Applications are expected to open in April and continue until the end of June.

The initiative will be implemented through a government decree, which does not require parliamentary approval, as the coalition government led by the Socialists does not hold a majority.

Opposition parties, including conservatives and right-wing groups, have criticized the plan, claiming it could lead to an increase in illegal immigration.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez defended the policy, stating that immigration is necessary to address labor shortages and the challenges of an aging population.

According to the think tank Funkas, as of early January 2025, around 840,000 undocumented migrants were living in Spain, mostly from Latin America.

The Spanish National Institute of Statistics (INE) reports that of Spain’s total population of 49.4 million, over 7 million are foreign migrants.

World Bank links Pakistan’s electricity and gas subsidies to BISP

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World Bank

ISLAMABAD: The World Bank has announced that electricity and gas subsidies in Pakistan are being linked to the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) as part of ongoing subsidy reforms.

In a report on South Asia’s development, the World Bank emphasized the need for improvements in Pakistan’s tax system, expanding the tax base, and discouraging pollution to increase revenue.

The report also highlighted water scarcity concerns in South Asia, noting that Pakistan is among the countries facing the most severe water shortages. Poor irrigation systems and inefficient agricultural practices were cited as major contributors to water loss.

According to the report, modern irrigation projects in Punjab have led to 57 percent water savings, while new agricultural initiatives increased crop yields by 14 to 31 percent.

On subsidies, the World Bank stated that linking electricity and gas subsidies to BISP would reduce misallocation, financial losses, and circular debt, while funds saved on fuel subsidies could be redirected toward social protection programs.

The report also mentioned the establishment of a Climate Risk Facility to support small businesses affected by floods and highlighted efforts to make BISP more effective through digital systems.

Heavy rain and snowfall disrupt life across Pakistan

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Heavy rain

ISLAMABAD: Continuous rainfall in plains and persistent snowfall in northern regions, triggered by the latest western weather system, has paralyzed normal life across Pakistan, blocked key roads, and pushed temperatures further down, authorities reported on January 27.

In Dera Bala, a landslide at Gowaldi trapped multiple vehicles along with passengers, causing severe difficulties, while local authorities’ response remained limited.

At Shreen-Gul Forest Colony, a field vehicle slid into a ravine due to heavy snowfall, injuring three people, who were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.

In Peshawar and surrounding areas, intermittent rainfall that began on January 26 paused briefly but resumed later, intensifying the cold.

Similarly, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s plains experienced rainfall overnight, while upper and mountainous regions are witnessing the third spell of winter snowfall.

Chitral recorded light snowfall again, following a previous snowfall four days ago. Areas including Lowari Tunnel, Kalash Valleys, Midak Lasht, Garm Chashma, Shandur, Laspur, and Yarkhun have all received snow since last night. Authorities advised vehicles traveling through Lowari Tunnel to use snow chains, and traffic was being maintained with snow clearance operations.

Snowfall has intensified the cold in Chitral, raising demand for firewood and causing scarcity and rising prices in local markets.

In Swat, popular tourist destination Malam Jabba and upper areas are experiencing ongoing snowfall since last night, while plains including Mingora continue to see intermittent rain. Snow in mountainous areas has significantly intensified the chill.

Lower Dir, Upper Dir, and Chitral are facing ongoing rainfall and heavy snowfall in upper regions. Snow accumulation in areas like Kamrat Valley, Jahaz Banda, Badgoi, Lowari Tunnel, Kalpani, Shahi Ban Shahi, Lajbuk, Ashirei, Darra Tor, Mang Darra, and Ladrum has reached several feet, with road closures disrupting connectivity.

The snowfall and rain have also caused power outages in various areas due to fallen electricity poles. Life in Lower Dir has been severely affected, with markets reporting minimal activity.

Punjab and Upper Sindh

In Punjab, including Lahore, cloudy weather with intermittent rain, strong winds, and thunderstorms is expected, while upper regions may experience rain mixed with snowfall. Meteorological authorities have warned of intensifying cold and advised citizens to take precautions.

Rain is forecast in Rawalpindi, Chakwal, Attock, Jhelum, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, and Kasur, with potential thunderstorms in some areas. Other districts, including Sheikhupura, Gujrat, and Gujranwala, are likely to remain cloudy with chances of rain.

Murree, Galiyat, and surrounding areas are expected to see intermittent rain and moderate to heavy snowfall. According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab, 6–7 inches of snow has already been recorded in Murree, with further snow and rainfall expected over the next 24 hours, further lowering temperatures.

The Meteorological Department has also issued alerts for upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, forecasting rain and snow with strong winds and thunderstorms. Moderate to heavy snowfall is expected in some locations. Other areas of the country are likely to remain cold and dry, with extreme cold in hilly regions on January 28.

In Punjab’s plains and upper Sindh, light to moderate fog is expected during early morning and nighttime hours. PDMA Punjab has advised continuous monitoring of the situation and instructed citizens to report emergencies through the helpline 1129. Tourists are urged to avoid unnecessary travel to Murree and other snow-covered areas and exercise caution.

Bangladesh Chief Advisor orders armed forces on high alert ahead elections

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Bangladesh Chief

DHAKA: Bangladesh Chief Advisor Professor Mohammad Yunus has instructed the country’s armed forces to remain on the highest level of alert ahead of the February 12 referendum and the 13th national parliamentary elections.

During a meeting with the top military leadership at Army Headquarters, Yunus described the upcoming elections as a crucial milestone for the nation’s democratic future, emphasizing the importance of a transparent, free, and peaceful electoral environment. He stressed that the armed forces play a vital role in safeguarding public confidence.

The Chief Advisor directed the military to maintain neutrality, professional responsibility, and operate within the law, while providing full support to the Election Commission and civil administration.

He added that the referendum offers citizens a chance to voice their opinion on the state’s future, and the elections provide the opportunity to elect their representatives, warning that any lapse in this process could undermine public trust.

Woman declared dead by doctors miraculously revives

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Woman declared dead

SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL: In a remarkable incident in São Paulo, Brazil, a woman who was declared dead after a traffic accident miraculously regained consciousness, leaving onlookers and her family stunned.

The woman, identified as Fernanda Cristina Polycarpo, was struck by a car on a motorway, falling unconscious on the road.

 Paramedics from the local emergency service initially examined her and pronounced her dead. She was then covered with a silver foil blanket, a standard procedure before transferring a body to the morgue.

Fernanda’s mother was devastated upon hearing of her daughter’s apparent death. However, shortly afterward, another paramedic arrived to assist in moving the body. Upon closer examination, he discovered that Fernanda was still breathing, despite her severe injuries.

Immediate resuscitation efforts were initiated, and she was rushed to a nearby hospital ICU, where she was placed on life support.

By January 20, hospital authorities issued a bulletin stating that Fernanda’s condition had improved significantly, and in the coming days, she might be able to breathe without the ventilator. The neurosurgery team has been gradually tapering her sedatives to facilitate recovery.

Doctors confirmed that Fernanda’s condition is now stable, and they are assessing whether she can sustain breathing without mechanical support.

The incident has not only brought renewed hope to her family but also exposed serious lapses in the medical response, raising questions about emergency procedures in the city.

Sharma’s 14-ball fifty steals spotlight, Yuvraj Singh’s comment goes viral

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Sharma’s 14-ball fifty

GUWAHATI: India opener Abhishek Sharma stunned cricket fans with a blistering 14-ball fifty as India defeated New Zealand by 8 wickets in the third T20I, taking a 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

Chasing a target of 154, India reached it in just 10 overs, losing only two wickets. Sharma remained not out on 68 off 20 balls, powering the chase with his explosive batting.

Earlier, New Zealand posted 153 for 9, with Glenn Phillips top-scoring with 48 runs. Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the Indian bowlers, claiming 3 wickets for 17 runs, and was later named Player of the Match.

The rapid fifty by Sharma also caught the attention of former Indian star Yuvraj Singh, who humorously posted on social media with a smiling emoji: “Still can’t make 50 in 12 balls, can you? Well played, keep it up.”

India’s dominant performance in Guwahati highlighted the team’s aggressive approach, with Sharma’s innings being the standout.

Tom Cruise’s sudden London departure sparks questions

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Tom Cruise

LONDON: Hollywood star Tom Cruise has reportedly left the United Kingdom and returned to the United States after unexpectedly vacating his £35 million London penthouse overlooking Hyde Park, sources told The Mail on Sunday.

Staff at the property were seen removing boxes of Cruise’s belongings, with insiders describing the move as “very quick” and leaving building staff “stunned.”

The actor had appeared well-settled in London, enjoying regular runs around Hyde Park and walks in the local area. He was also known to frequently travel by helicopter from Battersea Heliport to destinations in the British countryside. “Tom loved London… it’s most strange,” a source said.

Cruise has spent several years in the UK, filming multiple projects and frequently socializing. In 2022, he described himself as an “Anglophile,” noting he spent considerable time in Britain for reasons beyond work. In 2025, he received a BFI Fellowship for his contributions to the UK film industry, affirming he had “no plans to stop” making films in the country.

The sudden departure comes amid reports of local frustration in East Grinstead, West Sussex, where Cruise regularly attends the Church of Scientology’s annual fundraiser.

Residents have complained of noise, traffic disruption, and helicopter arrivals linked to the event. Former Scientologist Alexander Barnes-Ross said locals were “extremely frustrated and angered” by the impact on daily life.

Following these complaints, Mid Sussex District Council has launched a review of the Church’s premises licence. The exact reasons behind Cruise’s abrupt decision to leave London remain unclear.

Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan’s crutch walk goes viral

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Bollywood star

Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan sparked concern among fans after he was seen using crutches at filmmaker Goldie Behl’s birthday celebration, with a video of him walking with support quickly going viral on social media.

Addressing the speculation, Hrithik shared a post on Instagram with a series of photos and a lengthy note titled “STATUTORY WARNING”, combining humor with insight about his health.

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A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani)

The actor explained that his left knee “went on leave” unexpectedly, forcing him to rely on crutches. “We all live in a body whose workings we never fully understand,” he wrote. “My body, however, is a fascinating model—each part seems to have its own ON/OFF switch.”

Hrithik further revealed that his left leg, left shoulder, and right ankle often act unpredictably, leading to unusual experiences. He jokingly described these episodes as teaching his mind unique lessons, calling himself the owner of a special “neural system.”

Sharing an amusing on-set incident, Hrithik said that during a serious court scene, he was supposed to say “dinner,” but his tongue refused, leaving the director and team bewildered.

He recounted improvising, gesturing in classic Salman Khan style, and eventually laughing uncontrollably, ending the scene by saying “lunch” instead.

With his trademark humor, Hrithik turned a health concern into a lesson in patience and levity, earning widespread appreciation from fans.

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A post shared by Hrithik Roshan (@hrithikroshan)

The actor was recently seen in the film “War 2”, which did not perform as expected at the box office.

Severe winter storm in US kills 11, forces cancellation of 19,000 flights

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Severe winter storm

WASHINGTON: At least 11 people have died in the United States due to a major winter storm, which has also led to the cancellation of more than 19,000 flights since Saturday.

International news agencies report that authorities have advised residents to avoid travel on roads due to hazardous conditions.

The storm has brought snow, sleet, and rain across a wide swath from Texas to New England, with forecasts warning of dangerously low temperatures in the coming days.

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed that five people were found dead outdoors on Sunday. Texas authorities reported three fatalities, while two deaths from hypothermia were recorded in Louisiana. In southeastern Iowa, a traffic accident caused by severe weather killed one person and injured two others.

The storm also caused widespread power outages, leaving over 820,000 customers without electricity, primarily in southern states hardest hit by the storm on Saturday.

Authorities from Texas to North Carolina and New York have urged residents to remain indoors due to the dangerous conditions.

At least 20 U.S. states, including the federal capital Washington, D.C., have declared states of emergency. Major airports in Washington, Philadelphia, and New York have canceled almost all flights. Flight-tracking websites report that more than 19,000 domestic and international flights have been canceled since the storm began.

West Bengal on high alert as Nipah virus outbreak reported

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West Bengal

KOLKATA: Authorities in India’s West Bengal have issued a high alert following reports of a Nipah virus outbreak, prompting strict safety measures and quarantines in affected areas.

According to British media, nearly 100 people have been placed under home quarantine, while one patient is reported to be in critical condition. Local authorities have intensified precautions to curb the spread of the virus.

In response to the outbreak, Thailand has increased preventive measures, introducing infectious disease screening at major airports for travelers arriving from West Bengal.

The Nipah virus was first identified in Malaysia in 1998. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is a highly dangerous zoonotic virus, primarily transmitted through bats.

Experts warn that there is currently no specific treatment or approved vaccine for the virus, prompting authorities to advise the public to follow strict preventive measures.