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Govt hikes petrol, high-speed diesel prices by Rs26.77 per litre

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday jacked up prices of both high-speed diesel (HSD) and petrol by Rs26.77 per litre despite no increase being required in the rates of petrol. The premier imposed a nearly Rs27 per litre additional tax on the fuel to push its price higher. Accordingly, the HSD price has been fixed at Rs380.19 per litre, up from Rs353.42 per litre. This marks a 7.5% increase. Diesel prices are still significantly lower than their peak of Rs520.4 on April 10. Diesel is considered the most inflationary fuel due to its widespread use in freight transportation and the agriculture sector. The prime minister approved an increase in petrol prices to Rs393.35 per litre, up from Rs366.6. This shows an increase of 7.3% over the existing prices. Petroleum Division officials said that there was no change in the petrol prices in the international market and the rates had to be jacked up due to an increase in the tax. Read: PM Shehbaz approves Rs32.12 per litre cut in high-speed d...
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Islamabad Police arrest man over social media post equating Tarnol Phatak to Strait of Hormuz

The Islamabad Police arrested a man for allegedly equating the Tarnol railway crossing to the Strait of Hormuz, it emerged on Friday. Washington has imposed a blockade on Iran's trade by sea, while Iran has prevented ships from sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway at the entrance to the Middle ​East Gulf. Nearly two months after the US and Israel began their war on Iran on February 28, there is little sign of peace ​talks resuming during an uneasy ceasefire. The closure of the strait has disrupted the supply of a fifth of the ⁠world's oil and gas supplies and caused a global energy crisis. A first information report registered at Tarnol Police Station by Sub-Inspector Shahid Asghar on Tuesday under Sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant), Section 341 (punishment for wrongful restrains) and Section 511 (punishment for attempting to commit offences punishable with imprisonment for life or for a shorter term) of the Pakistan Penal Co...
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Gaza children find joy through support animals

Light-hearted chatter ripples through a tent in the central Gaza Strip as a boy in a wheelchair gently strokes a white rabbit and another stands entranced by a bright green bird. For a moment, this group of young children who have lived through the devastation wrought by two years of gruelling conflict are captivated by the joy provided by the animals around them. "The natural presence of animals and birds, with their vibrant colours, absorbs negative energy," said Rashid Anbar, who runs animal-assisted psychological support sessions in Al-Zawayda camp. "Interacting with them fosters an atmosphere of happiness and positive energy," he added, saying the children's reactions left him feeling "encouraged" too. Displaced Palestinian children, who fled their homes due to Israeli strikes, play with one of the cats belonging to the Harb family who survived Israeli airstrikes, at a tent camp in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip November 8, 2023. REUTERS T...
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Used imported mobiles become costlier after 175% FBR hike

The federal government has increased taxes on used imported mobile phones after raising their customs valuation by up to 175%, making 62 models of various brands more expensive. According to documents available to The Express Tribune, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has revised the customs valuation of imported mobile phones through its Directorate General of Customs Valuation, issuing a new valuation ruling under which taxes will henceforth be collected based on revised values. Officials said the increase in customs valuation has directly raised the tax burden on imported mobile phones. Following the new ruling, 62 models of various well-known brands have become costlier. The new framework applies to all used mobile phones regardless of their condition. It further requires that imported mobile phones must have been activated at least six months before import, and importers are required to provide activation details, which will be verified by customs authorities. The previous valuat...
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Minister orders halt to costly power purchases

Federal Minister for Power Division Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari has taken serious notice of power off-take from small power producers (SPPs) and captive power plants (CPPs) by distribution companies (DISCOs) at tariffs exceeding the prevailing national merit order, according to a statement issued on Wednesday. The matter was revealed during a stock-taking of DISCOs. The minister directed an immediate halt to the practice and ordered it to be brought in line with NEPRA's Grid Code, Distribution Code and directions. He also ordered an inquiry into the matter. The minister further directed coordination with the Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO) to include SPPs and CPPs in the dispatch process based on economic merit order (EMO) principles, ensuring least cost for consumers. from Latest News, Breaking News & Top News Stories | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/TUjvheN
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UN says destruction of Jesus statue by Israeli soldier in Lebanon 'shocking'

The United Nations on Wednesday expressed outrage over the destruction of a statue of Jesus by an Israeli soldier in southern Lebanon. Responding to Anadolu's question on the incident, the secretary-general's spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, told a news conference that the UN is aware of the incident and called it "shocking". He welcomed the reports of "disciplinary measures" taken against the Israeli soldiers. "The desecration of religious symbols, the desecration of houses of worship, is unacceptable, regardless of the religion," Dujarric said. Read More: Latin patriarch of Jerusalem condemns destruction of Jesus statue by Israeli soldier in Lebanon Video footage circulating on Sunday showed an Israeli soldier smashing the statue with a pickaxe in the town of Debel in southern Lebanon. The Israeli army acknowledged the incident in a statement on Monday. The incident was not the first involving damage to Christian religious symbols in Lebanon. In ...
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Mandelson scandal shatters UK PM Starmer's promise of stable government

Prime Minister Keir Starmer came to power on a promise to govern Britain efficiently after years of political turmoil. Less than two years later, accusations that his office forced through a key appointment have shattered that image of competence. Embroiled in a scandal over his decision to appoint Labour Party veteran Peter Mandelson ​to Britain's top diplomatic post as ambassador to the United States, Starmer's grip on power appears to be slipping and his leadership skills are in question. Starmer's office denies allegations made by Britain's former top ‌foreign ministry official, Olly Robbins, that it put pressure on his team to accelerate Mandelson's appointment last year. But Robbins' testimony to a parliamentary committee on Tuesday, days after he was sacked, has exposed what Starmer's opponents say is a lack of political instinct and intensified critics' doubts about how he runs his office. Three people close to his Downing Street operation told R...
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