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DR Congo advance but Iran out as wild World Cup group stage wraps

The Democratic Republic of Congo became the latest underdogs to roar at the World Cup on Saturday, battling into the knockout rounds for the first time as Iran’s rollercoaster campaign ended in elimination. A chaotic finale to the tournament’s expanded group phase saw Austria and Algeria fill the final two berths in the last 32 late on Saturday after battling to an extraordinary 3-3 draw in Group J — a result that dashed Iran’s hopes of advancing from their group. A win for either Austria or Algeria would have allowed Iran to squeeze into the last 32, and it looked as if the Asian side would advance when Riyadh Mahrez scored in the third minute of stoppage time to put the Algerians into a 3-2 lead. But Iranian joy was short-lived when Sasa Kalajdzic arrowed in a header in the sixth minute of injury time to snatch a draw for Austria and spark pandemonium in Kansas City. Austria midfielder Marcel Sabitzer, who scored Austria’s second goal, described the closing moments as “weird”. ...
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Mob vandalises suspect’s shop in murder case

SARGODHA: Angry mob vandalised the shop where eight-year-old Muntaha Zahra was killed on June 22. The youngsters destroyed the entire structure of the shop, Hanif Kiryana Store and in various videos circulating on social media, they are seen throwing the merchandise out on the road. They attempted to set the shop on fire too. Police have reportedly arrested the invaders after identifying them on CCTV footage. District Police Officer Sohaib Ashraf also assured the bereaved family that justice would be done and their reservation about the police/CCD investigation would be taken into consideration. It is pertinent to mention that the CCD are interrogating three suspects. It is learnt that mother of Arslan, the main suspect killed in the CCD encounter, alleged that the main culprits were the owners of the shop who had maneuvered the alleged confession of Arslan to take revenge from the father of the ill-fated girl. The DPO said the police, in collaboration with the CCD, are investi...

PMD issues Glof alert for GB, KP amid soaring temperatures

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued an alert for glacial lake outburst floods (Glofs) for Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, predicting that soaring temperatures across the two regions are likely to persist until the first week of July. “This significant warming will substantially accelerate snow and ice melt in the glaciated valleys of these regions,” the Met Office said in the alert issued late on Friday. It said that consequently, the water level in the river streams was likely to remain high, existing glacial lakes may rapidly expand with an increase in their water levels, and new glacial lakes were likely to form due to the high volume of melted water. Meanwhile, vulnerable downstream locations and low-lying areas adjacent to riverbeds may face a high risk of sudden inundation with chances of flash flooding in vulnerable locations, it added. The Met Office further said that the rapid expansion of glacial lakes could destabilise their natural ice or mo...

Indian authorities arrest staff accused of theft from temple built on site of razed Babri mosque

Indian police have arrested eight people over allegations of theft and misappropriation of offerings at a temple that has been at the centre of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu-first politics, authorities said. The Ram Mandir temple in northern Uttar Pradesh state, built on grounds where a mosque stood for centuries before being torn down by Hindu zealots, was inaugurated in 2024 with great fanfare by Modi himself. Allegations regarding irregularities in the handling of donations led to a criminal case being registered on Thursday, with police arresting eight people, including temple employees, according to a government statement issued late on Thursday. Most of them were involved in counting or handling cash and valuables donated by devotees, including gold and silver, media reports said. The government has not disclosed the scale of the alleged embezzlement. Opposition parties and media reports say it could amount to more than $20 million. “It is so shameful that a shrine...

Mourners observe Ashura amid elaborate security arrangements

Elaborate security arrangements have been made countrywide today as scores of mourners take out Muharram 10 processions in observance of Yaum-i-Ashura. Yaum-i-Ashura is observed every year with mourning processions and religious gatherings to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Husain (RA) and his companions in the Battle of Karbala in 680AD. The central procession in Karachi departed from Nishtar Park at around 9:30am. It will conclude at Imambargah Hussainia Iranian after passing through its traditional routes. Meanwhile, 12 processions are planned for Peshawar. Among them, the first one departed Imambargah Agha Syed Ali Shah near Meena Bazaar at around 11am. No procession would be taken out in Islamabad, but the main procession in Rawalpindi was planned to be taken out from Imambargah Ashiq Hussain in Taili Mohallah and culminate at Imambargah Qadeemi. Meanwhile, commuters in various cities have been advised to take alternative routes, in line with traffic plans devised in view ...

World expresses solidarity with Venezuela after deadly earthquakes, offers assistance

Venezuelans saw buildings crumbling on Wednesday evening when two powerful earthquakes shook the country, leaving at least 32 dead and hundreds injured. Video footage showed emergency workers scrambling over the pancaked debris of a collapsed building in the capital as night fell, while distraught relatives sought help for loved ones believed to be trapped. Several dazed survivors were taken away, some on stretchers. The US Geological Survey, using predictive modeling to estimate the death toll, said it would ‌most likely run into the thousands, with a substantial probability of exceeding 10,000. Meanwhile, countries in Latin America and beyond extended condolences and offers of help. ‘Deeply saddened’ From Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed solidarity with Venezuelans in “ this difficult and challenging time”. “Deeply saddened by the devastation and loss of life caused by the earthquakes in Venezuela. On behalf of the people of Pakistan, I convey our heartfelt co...