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Lahore bat populations declining amid urban growth, light pollution and public myths

Urbanisation, shrinking green spaces, artificial lighting and widespread misconceptions among the public are contributing to a gradual decline in bat populations in Lahore, wildlife experts and biologists have warned, stressing the need for conservation measures to protect the species and maintain urban biodiversity. The historic Bagh-e-Jinnah remains one of the largest bat roosting sites in Lahore, where hundreds of bats can still be seen hanging from old trees during the day before leaving in search of food at dusk. However, experts say their numbers have been steadily declining over the years. According to wildlife expert Shahzaib Khurshid, rapid urban expansion is the primary reason behind the decrease in bat populations. He said the construction of roads, housing schemes and commercial projects has led to the loss of mature trees and natural habitats that bats depend on for shelter. “Bats prefer old and dense trees in relatively undisturbed environments. As cities con...
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FM Dar calls for sustained US-Iran ceasefire to prevent breakdown of understandings in call with Araghchi

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday stressed the importance of sustaining the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran to prevent any breakdown of existing understandings during a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi. Earlier today, Iranian state media said the Islamic Republic's negotiating team was stopping exchanging messages with Washington through mediators over attacks on Lebanon, where the US-Israeli war against Iran has reignited Israel's conflict with Hezbollah. However, United States President Donald Trump later claimed that talks with Iran were ongoing at a rapid pace and Israel had agreed to send no troops to Beirut. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the two leaders discussed the current regional situation and developments of mutual interest and agreed to remain in close contact. “FM Dar conveyed Pakistan’s serious concern and emphasised the importance of ensuring that...
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UNSC to hold meeting on Lebanon after Netanyahu orders deeper incursion

The UN Security Council will hold a meeting on Lebanon on Monday, diplomatic sources told Anadolu. The meeting followed a request by France, which described Israel's ongoing military operations in the country as "extremely concerning." According to sources, Russia "strongly" supported France's request for a meeting. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot made the request on Sunday, calling for urgent international attention to the situation as Israeli strikes continued despite a ceasefire that took effect on April 17 and was subsequently extended for 45 days following indirect US-mediated talks. Macron says 'nothing justifies' escalation in southern Lebanon French President Emmanuel Macron said that “nothing justifies” the ongoing escalation in southern Lebanon, as tensions continue to rise in the region. “Nothing justifies the major escalation currently underway in southern Lebanon. France will continue its support for ...
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Israeli occupiers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque under police protection

Israeli occupiers on Sunday stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque in the occupied East Jerusalem under police protection, amid Palestinian warnings of "Judaization" plans. Omar Rajoub, director of the Media Department at the Jerusalem Governorate, told Anadolu that "raising the Israeli flag inside the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque, along with performing provocative rituals, is part of a systematic and deliberate official Israeli policy led by the extremist occupation government." "These practices aim to impose new realities by force in occupied East Jerusalem and undermine the historical and legal status quo at the Al-Aqsa Mosque," he added. Read: Dozens of Israeli occupiers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque compound under police protection He warned that "occupiers' actions inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque are part of an ongoing colonial plan targeting the spatial and temporal division of the mosque, the Judaization of the city to obliterate its religious and historical id...
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The dilemma of our polio workforce

In Pakistan, one of the most devastating casualties of militancy has been the fight against polio. Although polio is a preventable disease, children in Pakistan remain vulnerable because those working to eradicate the disease are themselves being targeted. Hundreds of polio workers and security personnel have been killed over the years. They are not combatants but harmless individuals moving door to door, carrying vaccines to protect children from lifelong paralysis. By targeting these polio workers, militants are weaponising fear against the most vulnerable segment of society. This obstruction of polio eradication efforts perpetuates a preventable suffering, which is a direct attack not just on a critical global health mission but on humanity itself. These health workers carry vaccines, not weapons, yet extremist groups hunt them as though they are enemies rather than individuals dedicated to safeguarding children's futures. By obstructing vaccination efforts, militant grou...
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Pakistan outspun Australia in 1,000th ODI after Minhas’ record debut haul

Pakistan outspun Australia by five wickets in the first one-day international in Rawalpindi with spinner Arafat Minhas becoming the first home bowler to take five wickets on ODI debut on Saturday. Minhas finished with 5-32 as an under-strength Australia were bowled out for 200 in 44.1 overs before Pakistan chased down the target in 42.3 overs for a memorable win in their 1,000 ODI. https://ift.tt/R8yiedu Babar Azam notched a 94-ball 69 while Ghazi Ghori hit an impressive 92-ball 65 as Australia's inexperienced spinners failed to match Pakistan's slow bowlers on a dry spin-assisting Pindi Stadium pitch. Read: Arafat Minhas makes history with five-wicket haul on debut against Australia Azam and Ghori added 127 runs for the third wicket after Sahibzada Farhan (28) and Maaz Sadaqat (eight) fell with the score at 49. Azam hit four boundaries and a six while Ghori's knock had eight hits to the rope before both fell to pacer Nathan Ellis, but with just 16 to win tha...
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Palestine welcomes Israel's inclusion on UN sexual violence blacklist as 'realistic, objective'

The Palestinian Authority on Saturday welcomed the inclusion of Israel on the United Nations blacklist for sexual violence in conflict, calling the move “realistic and objective”. “UN inclusion of Israel on the ‘List of Shame’ for Perpetrators of Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones is a scientific and logical outcome,” a Palestinian Foreign Ministry statement said. The ministry expressed support for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres amid what it described as Israeli attempts to influence the UN report that placed Israel on the list. It said that Israel and its “official and unofficial institutions have practiced torture, sexual violence and rape against our people in the occupied Palestinian territory, especially in detention centres". Israel “has used sexual violence as a weapon of war, which constitutes a war crime and a crime against humanity", It added. The statement said that Israel has employed a “systemat...
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