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Newsdesk

Forces kill more suspected militants in Balochistan operation, officials say

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Forces kill

ISLAMABAD: Security forces have killed four more suspected militants during the ongoing Operation Shaaban in Balochistan, bringing the total number of militants killed in the operation to 43, according to security sources.

The operation, launched in the aftermath of the attack on the Mangi Dam police station, is being carried out jointly by the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps (FC) and Balochistan Police. Security officials said the latest operations targeted suspected militant hideouts in rugged mountainous terrain.

Security sources also said an attack on a police station in the Khuzdar area was repelled earlier on Friday.

They reported that eight suspected militants were killed during the ground operation, while another five to six were believed to have been killed in helicopter-assisted operations.

According to the officials, 26 suspected militants had already been killed during operations conducted on July 6 and 7, as security forces tightened the cordon around militant positions in remote areas.

Security sources added that since July 5, a total of 75 suspected militants have been killed in Operation Shaaban and other intelligence-based operations across Balochistan.

President Asif Ali Zardari praised the security forces, saying hostile elements using proxy groups against Pakistan would not succeed in their objectives. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also commended the military and police, vowing that operations would continue until militant groups are eliminated and peace is restored in Balochistan.

Govinda’s humorous comeback to Sunita Ahuja goes viral

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Govinda

MUMBAI: Veteran Bollywood actor Govinda drew laughter from the audience after responding with humor to an old remark by his wife, Sunita Ahuja, during an appearance on a reality television show.

In the show’s promotional clip, Govinda received a warm welcome from hosts Farah Khan and Riteish Deshmukh. Speaking in his trademark comic style, the actor joked that while people only see visible “lockups,” there are others that cannot be seen, adding that he had just emerged from those invisible “lockups.”

During the conversation, Farah Khan referred to an earlier lighthearted comment by Sunita Ahuja in which she had jokingly said that, given the chance, she would “shoot” Govinda in the chest.

Responding in the same playful spirit, Govinda quipped, “I’ve brought a bullet in my pocket. If you wanted to shoot me in the chest, go ahead now,” prompting laughter from the hosts and audience.

Sunita had previously spoken about the ups and downs of their married life on the same program, saying that despite facing difficult phases, their relationship had endured because of love and mutual commitment.

She had also jokingly referred to Govinda’s accidental shooting incident from last year, a remark that attracted attention on social media.

Govinda and Sunita Ahuja married in 1987 and have two children, Tina Ahuja and Yashvardhan Ahuja. The couple is regarded as one of Bollywood’s longest-standing celebrity marriages.

Amitabh Bachchan’s social media post on race draws criticism

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Amitabh Bachchan

MUMBAI: Veteran Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan has come under criticism after a social media post about France’s national football team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup sparked accusations of insensitivity.

The controversy began after France’s victory over Paraguay, when Bachchan posted on X that the French starting lineup consisted of “one white player and 10 Black players,” concluding the post with the phrase “Black Power.”

The remarks drew swift backlash from football fans and social media users, many of whom argued that players representing a national team should be recognized for their nationality, talent and performances rather than their skin color or ethnic background.

Critics described the post as inappropriate and said public figures should exercise greater care when commenting on sensitive issues involving race.

Amid the criticism, Bachchan published a blog post in which he did not directly address the controversy but reflected on the importance of acknowledging mistakes.

He wrote that life teaches new lessons every day and that admitting an error is a sign of strength rather than weakness. He also suggested that sometimes the best way to end a disagreement is to accept that the other person may be right.

The blog has been widely interpreted by some social media users as an indirect acknowledgment of the criticism, while others have continued to call for greater sensitivity from public figures when discussing issues of race and identity.

 Actor Ahsan Khan’s father passes away

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Actor Ahsan

KARACHI: Actor Ahsan Khan has announced the death of his father, sharing the news with fans through an emotional post on Instagram.

The actor posted several photographs with his father and reflected on the profound loss, writing that some farewells serve as a reminder that nothing in this world is permanent and that everything ultimately belongs to God.

Ahsan Khan described his father as an extraordinary man who played a defining role in shaping his life and career. He said his father’s guidance and support had been instrumental in helping him become the person he is today.

The actor also thanked everyone who reached out with prayers, messages of support and condolences during the difficult time, saying their kindness and compassion reminded him that he was not alone in his grief.

Fans, fellow actors and members of Pakistan’s entertainment industry have since extended their condolences to Ahsan Khan and his family, while offering prayers for the departed soul.

Mbappe sets World Cup record with fastest 20 goals

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Mbappe


PARIS: France forward Kylian Mbappe added another milestone to his remarkable career by becoming the fastest player in FIFA World Cup history to score 20 goals after finding the net in his side’s quarterfinal victory over Morocco at the 2026 tournament.

The 27-year-old struck in the 60th minute to reach the 20-goal mark in just 20 World Cup appearances, surpassing Lionel Messi, who reached the milestone in 30 matches.
Mbappe achieved the feat across three World Cup editions 2018, 2022 and 2026 and also became the youngest player to score 20 World Cup goals at 27 years and 201 days. He has scored four goals in 2018, eight in 2022 and eight so far in the 2026 tournament.
The goal also made Mbappe the highest-scoring player in FIFA World Cup knockout matches, with 12 goals in the tournament’s elimination rounds.
In another landmark achievement, Mbappe became the first France international to be directly involved in 100 international goals, having recorded 64 goals and 36 assists for his country.
With eight goals and three assists at the 2026 World Cup, Mbappe is also the first player since 1966 to register more than 10 goal contributions in two separate World Cup editions.
His 14 knockout-stage goal contributions have also drawn level with Lionel Messi for the joint-highest total over the past six decades.

Egypt’s world cup team receives hero’s welcome in Cairo

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Egypt's world

CAIRO: Egypt’s national football team received a rousing welcome on its return home after competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with thousands of fans gathering to celebrate the players’ arrival.

Government officials and airport authorities welcomed the squad upon its arrival, while large crowds of supporters waited outside the airport to greet the players with cheers, applause and requests for photographs.

The team later traveled through the city on a bus, where fans lined the streets waving Egyptian flags and chanting in support of the national side. Many gathered along the route for a glimpse of the players following their World Cup campaign.

Players acknowledged the enthusiastic reception by waving to supporters from the team bus as crowds continued to celebrate the team’s return.

Netanyahu’s son reportedly changes surname in official records

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Netanyahu's son

JERUSALEM: Yair Netanyahu, the son of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has reportedly changed his legal name in official records, adopting the name Yonatan Han, according to Israeli media reports.

The reported change was identified through Israeli tax authority records, which show the same identification number under the new name.

Reports indicate the surname “Han” is derived from the original family name of Yair Netanyahu’s maternal grandfather, while “Yonatan” honors his late uncle, Yonatan Netanyahu, who was killed during the 1976 Entebbe rescue operation.

Israeli media noted that Yair’s brother, Avner, has also previously used a different surname in official documents.

The reports have prompted speculation over the reasons behind the name change, but neither Yair Netanyahu nor the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office has publicly commented on the matter. No official explanation has been provided.

12 killed, 23 missing as wildfire sweeps southern Spain

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12 killed

MADRID: At least 12 people have been killed and 23 remain missing after a fast-moving wildfire tore through forested areas in southern Spain, authorities said.

The blaze erupted near the town of Los Gallardos, prompting a major emergency response involving hundreds of firefighters, military personnel and law enforcement officers working to contain the fire and assist affected communities.

Spanish officials said one of the victims was a Spanish national, while the others appeared to be foreign nationals who reportedly did not follow evacuation orders directing residents and visitors to move to designated safe areas.

Authorities continued search and rescue operations as crews battled the wildfire, with concerns that the death toll could rise.

According to officials, the disaster is being described as one of the deadliest wildfires in Spain’s history.

WB approves $375.9m loan for Pakistan’s power grid modernization

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WB approves

ISLAMABAD: The World Bank has approved a $375.9 million loan for Pakistan to support the first phase of a 10-year energy program aimed at modernizing the country’s electricity transmission network and improving power supply reliability.

According to the World Bank, the financing will be used to upgrade the national power grid, helping reduce electricity outages, strengthen transmission infrastructure, and improve the overall efficiency of the power system.

The project is expected to enable the integration of an additional 640 megawatts of wind power into the national grid, supporting Pakistan’s transition to renewable energy. The upgraded transmission network is also expected to lower electricity delivery costs and improve service for residential, commercial, and industrial consumers.

The World Bank said the program will make Pakistan’s power system more resilient to climate change while supporting the government’s ongoing power sector reforms.

The project is projected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 832,000 metric tons annually through greater use of clean energy and a more efficient transmission system.

The initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s energy infrastructure, improve grid stability, and increase the share of renewable energy in the country’s electricity mix.

Germany records more than 5,100 heat-related deaths this year

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Germany records

BERLIN: Germany has recorded an estimated 5,120 heat-related deaths so far this year, with the vast majority occurring during a late June heatwave, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI).

In its weekly report released, the public health agency said about 4,270 of the deaths were among people aged 75 and older. Women accounted for more fatalities than men, largely because they make up a greater proportion of the country’s oldest age groups.

The figures come as Europe experiences one of its hottest years on record. The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service said Western Europe recorded its warmest June ever, with an average temperature of 20.74 degrees Celsius.

National authorities have also reported more than 4,700 excess deaths linked to the June 20-28 heatwave in France, Belgium, Spain and the Netherlands.

According to the RKI, Germany’s deadliest years for heat-related mortality over the past decade were 2018 and 2019, when an estimated 8,400 and 6,900 people died, respectively.

The rising death toll has intensified political debate over climate policy. During a parliamentary session, Green Party leader Katharina Droege said 120 people died in the western city of Cologne over the June 27-28 heatwave weekend about four times the normal number of deaths.

Droege criticized Chancellor Friedrich Merz for not publicly addressing the heatwave and accused his government of weakening climate protection measures.

The Greens have also opposed the government’s proposed 2027 budget, arguing that it diverts billions of euros away from climate initiatives to help close budget deficits.

Germany aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 65% from 1990 levels by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2045. However, emissions have fallen by only about 48% so far, and experts say current policies are insufficient to meet the country’s climate targets.