Miracle 601-July 14, 2023

Sweden government condemns ‘Islamophobic’ Quran burning

Sweden’s government has condemned the burning of a Quran outside Stockholm’s main mosque, calling it an “Islamophobic” act, after an international Islamic body called for measures to avoid future desecration of the Muslim holy book.

Foreign ministry denounces ‘Islamophobic acts’ and says they are not reflective of the government’s views.

“The Swedish Government fully understands that the Islamophobic acts committed by individuals at demonstrations in Sweden Cont. @ page 5

“A man came to the Prophet (PBUH) and said: ‘Which fasting is better after the month of Ramadan?’ He said: ‘The month of Allah which is called Muharram.’” (Ibn Majah)

Muharram: Everything You Need to Know about The Sacred Month and its Benefits

ens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them…’ (Qur’an, 9:36)

standard was upheld by the Arabs in preIslamic times, and Allah confirms it in the Qur’an.

countless rewards and forgiveness.

When is Muharram?

Muharram, also known as Muharram-ulHaram, is the first month of the Hijri calendar and thus marks the beginning of the Islamic year. It is the only month which Allah’s name has been attached to - the Prophet Muhammad (saw) referred to it as ‘the Sacred Month of Allah’ - and is thus a highly blessed month.

It is one of the four sacred months, and its special importance is indicated by its name. The word ‘Muharram’ literally means ‘forbidden’ - i.e. it is so sacred that certain actions become forbidden during it, as they would violate its sanctity. Both the month of the Muharram and Allah’s House (AlMasjid Al-Haram) derive their names from the same Arabic root word; both are sacred spaces in which every deed, good or bad, weighs heavier on the scales.

Why is Muharram so special?

’Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heav-

Regarding this verse, Ibn Katheer (rh) explains, ’Allah has chosen elites from His creation: from among the angels He chose Messengers, from among mankind He chose Messengers, from among speech He chose remembrance of Him (dhikr), from among spaces on earth He chose the mosques, from among the months He chose Ramadan and the sacred months…So, venerate that which has been chosen by Allah, for people of understanding and wisdom respect that which has been chosen by Him’.

(Tafseer Ibn Katheer)

Therefore, Muharram is special simply because Allah has chosen it to be so. He commands us not to ‘wrong ourselves’ during this sacred month, which essentially means to ensure we have pure intentions and righteous behaviour and don’t fall into sin. What are the four sacred months?

Allah has also chosen Rajab, Dhul-Qa’dah and Dhul-Hijjah as sacred months.

Historically, one of the practical consequences of Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram being sacred was that pilgrims would be allowed to perform Hajj safely without worrying about banditry or war. Fighting was forbidden during DhulQa’dah, when they would be travelling to make the Hajj; Dhul-Hijjah, when they would be performing Hajj in Makkah and its surroundings; and Muharram, when they would be returning home from Hajj. This

Disrespecting the Qur’an

Question

Please enlighten me about whether it says in Qur’an that if a person disrespects the Qur’an he should be killed, if the person is a Muslim. Does it matter if he is Muslim or non-Muslim? Some says that it means the Muslim person who disrespects the Word of Allah (swt) because he knows the real truth and denias it.

Answer

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

No doubt, that Qur’an is the “Speech of Allah” which was revealed to Muhammad (Blessing and peace upon him) through Gabriel (Alaihisslam). So, whoever defames it, contests it, or attributes it to someone other than Allah, he has contested one of the Attributes of Allah and that person is then a Kafir.

Allah Says (interpretation of meaning):

{And truly, this (the Qur’ân) is a revelation from the Lord of the ‘Alamîn (mankind, jinns and all that exists), Which the trustworthy Rûh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] has brought down; Upon your heart (O Muhammad SAW) that you may be (one) of the warners, In the plain Arabic language. } [26: 192-195]. Allah also Says: {HâMîm.

[These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur’ân, and none but Allâh (Alone) knows their meanings.] A revelation from Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. A Book whereof the Verses are explained in detail; A Qur’ân in Arabic for people who know. }[41: 1-3]. Allah The Almighty has threatened whoever says that the Qur’an is the speech of human beings with the Hell Fire. Allah Says (interpretation of mean-

ing): {Then he turned back and was proud; Then he said: “This is nothing but magic from that of old; “This is nothing but the word of a human being!” I will cast him into Hell-fire.}[74: 23-26]. Allah states that whoever hates any of what Allah has revealed all his good deeds become fruitless. Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {That is because they hate that which Allâh has sent down (this Qur’ân and Islâmic laws, etc.), so He has made their deeds fruitless. }[47: 9].This is sound evidence that a rejection of any of what Allah has revealed is synonymous to apostasy from Islam.

All the Muslim scholars are agreed that contesting, deriding, or minimizing the Qur’an is Kufr, taking the person out of the Muslim community. The same rule applies to all kinds of deformation against the Qur’an or any denial of any part of it.

So, if the Muslim does any of the above mentioned things he apostatizes. The verdict in his case is to be ordered to repent; if he refuses, he should be killed. The evidence for this verdict is in the Qur’an, the Sunnah and the Muslim consensus. In the Qur’an, Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it). And fear Allâh; verily, Allâh is Severe in punishment. }[59: 7]. Allah also says: { And let those who oppose the Messenger’s (Muhammad SAW) commandment (i.e. his Sunnah, legal ways, orders, acts of worship, statements, etc.) (among the sects) beware, lest some Fitnah (disbelief, trials, afflictions, earthquakes, killing, overpowered by a tyrant, etc.) befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them. }[24: 63].

The Prophet also ordered to be killed whoever gives up Islam. Al Bukhari reported

Rajab, meanwhile, is the seventh month of the Hijri calendar and stands alone as a sacred month. Historically, this was to allow people to perform ’Umrah in Rajab if they wanted to.

What are the benefits of Muharram?

Although many of us understand the importance of the month of Ramadan, we can often neglect the sacred months. However, they offer us a wealth of opportunities to seek the mercy and favour of Allah, the likes of which cannot be found at any other time of the year. They have been specifically selected by Allah Himself as the best times to draw closer to Him.

As mentioned before, our deeds carry more weight during Muharram, just as they carry more weight in the Ka’bah and its surroundings. Thus, there is an opportunity to gain more reward every day; but also the danger of gaining more sins with our bad deeds. This means we should be extra-vigilant when it comes to how we act, whether in our relationships, at work, in our worship, in our time management, or even how we take care of our health. With the right intention, every single action can become an opportunity for reward!

We’ve put together a quick list of easy ways to take advantage of the benefits of Muharram: Say salaam more! This is the greeting of the Prophet (saw) and the people of Paradise, and such a simple action can reap

Smile at everyone (even on Monday mornings). This simple action will weigh heavy on the scales during Muharram.

Give regular Sadaqah. Muharram is the beginning of the Islamic New Year, so it’s the perfect time to make resolutions and establish good habits that you can reap the rewards of all-year round.

Improve your health by eating better, exercising more and having a good sleeping routine. Yes, taking care of your health is a rewardable action too - your body is an amanah (trust) from Allah! Making a few lifestyle changes can earn you countless rewards.

Seek forgiveness. Since sins are heavier in Muharram, you should ask for forgiveness as often as possible during this month, or even erase your sins by giving water to the people of Yemen, which is a great Sadaqah Jariyah.

Read more Qur’an. It’s an obvious one that always gets put on these lists - but it’s the perfect way to draw closer to Allah during this incredible month! The best way to do it is to commit to just 10-15 minutes per day; set yourself a time and stay disciplined! Hopefully, you will stick to this New Year’s resolution if you establish the good habit during Ramadan.

These actions aren’t specific to Muharram, but they are highly recommended, and it makes sense to increase them during this blessed month!

Source: muslimhands.org.uk

from a Hadeeth narrated by Ibn Abbas that the Prophet said: “Whoever changes his religion (Islam) kill him”. All the Muslims from the companions of the Prophet till now are agreed on this verdict except some extremists whose opinions have no weight.

On the other hand if a Harbi the Kafir who is in the state of war with Muslims, disrespects the Qur’an, he has added more Kufr to his Kufr. The Harbi Kafir is called to do one of three things: become Muslim, give the Jizyah or fight.

As for the Kafir who is paying the Jizyah

or the one who was given a peace covenant that links him to Muslims, if one of these disrespects the Qur’an, there is a disagreement among scholars over the verdict concerning such a person. Some scholars believe that he breaks by this act the peace covenant that was given to him and then his blood becomes lawful and should be killed. Other scholars have a different opinion clarified in Ibn Al Qayim’s book “The verdicts of the Zimmi” which could be read for more details on this subject. Allah knows best. Source: islamweb.net/en/fatwa

Prayer Schedule in Greater Vancouver

Lightning sparks about 200 new wildfires across B.C. as heat grips Interior

VANCOUVER —

Hundreds of lightning strikes in many parts of British Columbia almost tripled the number of active wildfires in the province over the weekend, with most burning in central and northern B.C. The BC Wildfire Service is reporting more than 300 fires, with 87 spotted in the last 24 hours and almost 200 of the total number ranked as out of control.

The wildfire service is bracing for challenging conditions, with lightning storms still in the forecast for most of the week, as well as

heat warnings or above-average temperatures through the central Interior.

Of the 13 blazes listed as “fires of note,” all but two are located in the Prince George and Northwest fire centres, and the wildfire service says 11 have prompted at least one evacuation order, although no major communities are threatened. Some of the fires are threatening rural highways, including Highway 27 south of Fort St. James and Highway 77 north of Fort Nelson, while flames first spotted last Thursday near the Yukon boundary now cover 300 square kilo-

Surrey Council Receives First RCMP Restaffing Update

Surrey, At last night’s Regular Council Meeting, Surrey Council received its first monthly Progress Report on maintaining the RCMP as Police of Jurisdiction (POJ).

The Progress Report updates the status of the restaffing plan, confirming the following:

·15 Surrey Police Service (SPS)

Officers are in the hiring process or already hired

·81 SPS Officers have indicated they will join the RCMP

·

8 RCMP cadets are joining the

detachment by August 2023

·2 Experienced Police Officers are transferring to the Surrey RCMP.

“I am pleased to see Surrey RCMP’s restaffing plan is well underway, and I welcome the SPS members who have chosen to continue their policing careers in Surrey with the RCMP,” said Mayor Brenda Locke. “The City is committed to working with the Province and the SPS to meet the Minister’s binding conditions as we return to a single Police of Jurisdiction in Surrey with the RCMP. It is time to move forward and do what’s right

for our City, what’s right for taxpayers, and what’s right for future generations.”

On June 15, 2023, Mayor Locke announced the decision of Council to maintain the RCMP as POJ in Surrey following consideration of a confidential report prepared by staff. On June 19, 2023, following Council direction, staff’s confidential report was forwarded to the Province for review. Staff are currently working with all parties to prepare a redacted version of the confidential report. The redacted version will be released to the public once completed.

metres close to Highway 37, but aren’t immediately affecting the link to Watson Lake and Whitehorse.

A wildfire in Yukon has roughly tripled in size since Sunday and remains out of control, charring about three square kilometres of bush in the Ibex Valley, about 30 kilometres due west of Whitehorse, south of the Alaska Highway, prompting an evacuation alert for numerous properties along the route. B.C.’s wildfire danger was high to extreme across all but small pock ets of the province on Monday. Source: rdnewsnow.com

By: Amy

Local business leaders applaud Ottawa’s move to intervene in B.C. port strike

will forward them to both sides. They’ll then have until 5 p.m. Thursday to decide whether to ratify the deal. The local business community says while it’s a promising first step, there’s no guarantee of a quick resolution.

VANCOUVER - After nearly two weeks of failed negotiations, Federal Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan is intervening in the B.C. port worker’s strike that’s crippling the country’s economy. The job action has shut down all ports in the province including Vancouver, the busiest port in Canada. The minister has given a federal mediator until 5 p.m. Wednesday to send him recommended terms to end the strike. Once O’Regan has received the terms from the mediator, he

New loan financing marks significant step towards completion of new world-class venue Vancouver, BC – On Tuesday, the new PNE Amphitheatre took another step towards construction, with Vancouver City Council voting to approve an increase in loan financing to the project. “The PNE is home to some of the best and most iconic summer experiences our city has to offer – once completed, the new Amphitheatre will be a world leading performance facility,” said Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim. “We’re incredibly excited to see another step taken towards the construction of the PNE Amphitheatre and renewal of Hastings Park.”

The increase in loan financing reflects updated design plans for the Amphitheatre. The

“As of 10:30 this morning, we estimate that $8.9 billion in trade has been disrupted due to the labor disruption at our ports. It’s fueling inflation and rising costs, it’s hurting our international reputation as a stable and secure trading partner,” said Bridgitte Anderson, president and CEO of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade. The board launched a live “Port Shutdown Calculator” estimation tool Wednesday morning to illustrate the significant impact of the labour disruption on Canada’s west coast ports. The dispute is impacting various industries nationwide, including manufacturing, retail, agriculture, critical minerals, automotive dealers and energy. Approximately 25 per cent of the nation’s total traded goods flow through the ports in Western Canada.

members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada have been on strike since July 1st, halting cargo in and out of 30 ports in B.C. Both sides of B.C. port strike now considering mediator’s recommended deal.

A federal mediator appointed to help bring an end to the B.C. port strike has delivered their recommendations to both sides of the dispute, meaning the parties are now on deadline to respond on Thursday morning at the latest. A spokesperson for Federal Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan confirmed to CBC News that the mediator had handed over their recommended settlement at 10:30 a.m.

PT. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and the B.C. Maritime Employers Association now have 24 hours to decide whether to ratify the deal in principle — that is, until 10:30 a.m. PT Thursday.

ter deciding the sticking point in negotiations wasn’t enough to justify the ongoing strike. B.C. port strike: U.S. worers refusing to touch cargo rerouted from Canada

VANCOUVER - Maritime employers says the impact of the B.C. port strike is spilling over internationally, as U.S. port workers refuse to handle containers rerouted from Vancouver to Seattle.

7,400

O’Regan appointed the mediator Tuesday af-

The BC Maritime Employers Association says the move further damages the “reliability and competitiveness of West Coast ports up and down” as the work stoppage drags on for a 10th day. International Longshore and Warehouse Union International president Willie Adams told CNBC last week that members of the U.S. West Coast chapter of the union won’t be unloading Canadian-bound cargo in solidarity with the striking workers in B.C. ........Source:bc.ctvnews.ca

Vancouver City Council votes to invest in construction of PNE amphitheatre

additional investment will allow the PNE to repay its loan to the City of Vancouver in a shorter timeframe on account of expected increases in revenue. “This decision is a win for Vancouver taxpayers, a win for Vancouver’s arts and culture sector, and a win for the future of the PNE,” said Councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung, PNE Chair. “There is an unmistakable magic and excitement that comes with watching performances at the PNE and this new investment will allow the PNE Amphitheatre to be a truly world-class venue.”

Updated renderings of the new PNE Amphitheatre were released earlier this year to an overwhelming positive response from the public. The renderings showcased the venue’s mass timber roof, which is set to be

built entirely from British Columbian wood and once completed, will be one of the longest clear-span roofs in the world. “The PNE is excited to see this project move forward –this new investment will mean technology, features, and sound mitigation will be stateof-the-art from the moment it opens,” said Shelley Frost, PNE CEO. “This new space will be a beautiful, inclusive venue, welcoming talent from across the world and enhancing summertime experiences for residents and visitors alike.”

Today’s action from Council comes on the heels of other announcements related to the renewal of Hastings Park and the PNE including a $10M investment from PacificCan to improve PNE facilities, new multi-colour

Media Contact:, Taylor Verrall Director of Communications, Office of the Mayor

Canada’s far north under heat warnings amid ‘alarming’ rise in record-breaking temperatures

Northern communities in Canada are smashing heat records this July creating concerns about the health of people and wildlife living there not used to such warm weather. Multiple areas in Yukon and the Northwest Territories are facing higher-than-normal temperatures, breaking records that have stood for decades. The warnings stretch as far as Inuvik, N.W.T., which is 200 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle. The heat is reaching parts of Canada with daily tem-

peratures usually in the low 20-degree range.

Jesse Wagar, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada, told CTVNews.ca four of the five hottest temperatures ever seen in the N.W.T. were recorded in the last eight years.

“This is sort of the poster child for climate change,” Wagar said. “The rate of the warming in the Arctic is just incredible to watch year over year…it is alarming.”

Wagar said over the last 10 years of focusing

on northern communities, she’s observed temperatures increasing at an “exponential rate.” Due to temperatures increasing in the Arctic, Wagar said Environment Canada created a new specific heat threshold for Nunavut.“We’ve never had a heat warning program for Nunavut before this year,” she said. “We’ve never seen a requirement for it but we recognized that the trends are there for the heat to increase…it’s just incredible.”

Source: ctvnews.ca/climate

Jugpal Communications & Media Relations Lead Office of the Mayor

lighting installed on the Pacific Coliseum, and the refurbishment of the iconic PNE Wooden Roller Coaster.

W

OP i N i ON

meeting of ruling coalition leaders in Dubai, their focus seemed to be more on who should be in the caretaker government and subsequent power-sharing arrangements between them than the economic problems facing the country. This suggests that the PDM parties still see governance as leveraging the spoils system rather than formulating public policy.

In any case, an IMF programme is necessary but not sufficient for the country to achieve economic recovery and embark on a path of growth. A comprehensive set of home-grown structural reforms are needed for Pakistan to escape from the vicious cycle of high budget and balance-of-payments deficits, slow growth, low savings and investment, excessive borrowing, rising indebtedness and soaring inflation. The cost-of-living crisis fuelled by the unprecedented level of inflation has placed an onerous burden on people. The public’s greatest expectation from their government is that it competently manages the economy to alleviate their plight and provide them with a better economic future.The real test, however, will come once elections are announced, because parties will then have to stake out their positions on economic as well as other issues. Voters will be able to determine whether in fact any party or leader has offered anything like an economic vision and has a strategy to extricate Pakistan from the economic mess it is in. But that doesn’t mean voicing the usual platitudes and clichés that figure so frequently in pronouncements by political leaders. There has been some talk about an ‘economic compact’ among parties, but this amounts to little more than a slogan as no one has cared to spell out what that should entail.

Only a fundamental break from the past can ensure a better economic future for Pakistan.

their number one concern. In a survey conducted by Ipsos in March, inflation and unemployment were the top public concerns. It would follow from this that many voters will look more closely at which political party can better handle the country’s economic troubles and ease their hardship. Voters are also likely to punish incumbents for their worsening economic plight.

With the election season around the corner, what are political parties doing to show people they have a serious plan to deal with the country’s economic challenges? So far, very little, if anything. Indeed, if news accounts are correct about a recent

Some would argue that elections in the past have hardly been fought on policy issues and, instead, have been about personalities, traditional loyalties and local, constituency factors. This, of course, is true. But that view overlooks the fact that the ongoing economic crisis has affected people like never before and therefore public expectations may be very different from the past in the intensely fraught economic environment today. Not surprisingly, in successive public opinion surveys, people identify the economy as

Apart from what political parties may have to offer on economic policy, there is also the question of whether the nature of the election outcome will help or hinder efforts at serious economic reform. Present indications are that Pakistan’s era of coalition governments is not about to end. The pattern is likely to persist of a hung parliament with no party able to win an overall majority and form a government on its own. If the past is any guide, a coalition government will find it harder to secure consensus or agreement on tough economic measures, especially as the likely parties in such an arrangement (the two major parties in the present ruling coalition), are status quo parties in the first place, which have demonstrated little commitment to reform. Thus, coalition politics might inhibit the ability of the next government to take decisive actions and launch bold reforms. There are examples of coalition governments elsewhere in the developing world that managed to carry out far-reaching reforms, but it needed strong commitment by key parties to such action — a crucial element missing in our case, as none of the parties can be deemed as reformist.

There is also the strong likelihood of elections producing a

regionalised outcome, with different parties forming governments in the four provinces. This reflects the reality of the country being bereft of a truly national party with roots and support in all provinces. Regionalised results in recent general elections also indicate the growing fragmentation of politics. As this trend is also likely to continue, it will magnify the challenge for the federal government to manage such a polity and, more importantly, build inter-provincial consensus on major issues of economic policy and reform.

Of course, before the country goes to the polls, there will be a period of some months when a caretaker government will be in charge. Its main task will be to supervise and preside over the election. But at a time when an ailing economy will need to be carefully managed and delicately handled, leadership on this count will be expected from the interim government. By prior agreement with the major parties, it can also take steps to strengthen and reinforce stabilisation measures to sustain the momentum of economic recovery. There are many unknowns going forward. What is not in doubt is that the government that will emerge from elections, whatever its complexion, will have the responsibility to take the process of economic revival forward. Whether it can live up to that responsibility is an open question. But nothing less than a fundamental break from the past can ensure a better economic future for the country and its citizens.

Courtesy by: Maleeha Lodhi

The writer is a former ambassador to the US, UK and UN.

Sweden government condemns ‘islamophobic’ Quran burning

News Coninued from Page 1

can be offensive to Muslims,” the foreign ministry said in a statement on Sunday. “We strongly condemn these acts, which in no way reflect the views of the Swedish government,” it added.

The condemnation came in response to a call for collective measures to avoid future Quran destruction from the Saudi-based Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The 57-member body met at its Jeddah headquarters to respond to Wednesday’s incident in which an Iraqi citizen living in Sweden, Salwan Momika, 37, stomped on the holy book and set several pages alight.

‘No place in Sweden’

The OIC urged member states to “take unified and collective measures to prevent the recurrence of incidents of desecration of copies of the Quran”, according to a state-

ment released after the “extraordinary” meeting.s..

“The burning of the Quran, or any other holy text, is an offensive and disrespectful act and a clear provocation. Expressions of racism, xenophobia and related intolerance have no place in Sweden or in Europe,” the Swedish foreign ministry said. At the same time, the ministry added that Sweden has a “constitutionally protected right to freedom of assembly, expression and demonstration”. Countries in-

cluding Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Morocco have summoned Swedish ambassadors in protest at the Quran burning incident. Swedish police had granted Momika a permit in line with free speech protections, but authorities later said they had opened an investigation over “agitation against and ethnic group”, noting that Momika had burned pages from the Islamic holy book very close to the mosque.. Source:aljazeera.com

Inalilahe wa Inalilahe rajeon

It is with deep sadness that Miracle Media announces that our Pakistani community member Mrs. Shafqat Alam, wife of late Aftab Alam, mother of Farrukh Alam at the age of 90 has returned to our Creator in Vancouver on July 11, 2023.

Her Funeral was held in Surrey Jameh Masjid on Wednesday, July 12 after Dhuar Prayer and Burial had been taken to the Oceanview Cemetery, Burnaby.

Farrukh Alam and his family arrange the Qul and Duaa in the Surrey Jameah Masjid at 5 pm on

July 16, 2023 May Allah forgive her and give Alam’s family patience during this time(Ameen). Truly, the biggest loss in someone’s life is losing their Mother. May Allah (SWT) grant your mother the highest place in Jannah and give

you and your family the strength and patience to bear this loss.

May her soul rest in peace and her memory be a source of comfort to you always.

Please accept Miracle’s Team deepest condolences.

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Bank of Canada raises key interest rate for the 10th time since March 2022

OTTAWA - The Bank of Canada has raised its policy interest rate again, making the cost of borrowing more expensive.

The 25 basis points hike brings the Bank’s overnight rate to 5 per cent, the highest it’s been since 2001. In its Monetary Policy Report, the Bank of Canada says the rate increase was necessary to help slow economic growth and reduce core inflation. Three-month rates of core inflation have been higher than the Bank’s expectation hovering around 3.5 per cent to 4 per cent since September 2022. “The stubbornness of core inflation in Canada suggests that inflation may be more persistent than originally thought,” the Bank’s Monetary Police Report states.

Since the Bank of Canada started raising rates in March 2022 inflation has dropped from a peak of 8.1 per cent last summer to 3.4 per cent in May. This is the 10th interest rate hike since March 2022.

While the Bank acknowledges inflation has

approves much-awaited US$3 billion bailout for Pakistan, saving it from defaulting on debt

ISLAMABAD - The International Monetary Fund on Wednesday approved a much-awaited US$3 billion bailout for Pakistan, the global lender said, a move that’s likely to save the impoverished Islamic nation from defaulting on its debt repayments.

been declining due to falling energy prices, easing supply constraints and interest rate hikes, it predicts inflation will remain elevated around 3 per cent over the next year. The Bank says economic growth isn’t slowing as quickly as expected, citing more momentum for demand and stronger than anticipated consumer spending in the first quarter of 2023. The central bank’s mandate is to keep inflation around 2 per cent and its forecasters are currently predicting inflation will return to that 2 per cent level in the middle of 2025, two quarters later than previously projected..Source: ctvnews.ca

Ukraine wins G7 security pledges but its NaTO membership remains elusive

The IMF said its executive board approved an agreement to release the funds over a ninemonth period to support Pakistan’s economic stabilization program. The announcement comes less than two weeks after Pakistan and the IMF agreed to the nine-month plan following a series of meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and other officials. ”The arrangement comes at a challenging economic juncture for Pakistan. A difficult external environment, devastating floods, and policy missteps have led to large fiscal and external deficits, rising inflation, and eroded reserve buffers” in the fiscal year 2023, the IMF said in a statement. Sharif quickly welcomed the IMF decision,

saying it was a amajor step forward in the government’s efforts to stabilize the economy and achieve macroeconomic stability.

“It bolsters Pakistan’s economic position to overcome immediate to medium-term economic challenges, giving the next government the fiscal space to chart the way forward,” he said in a tweet. “This milestone, which was achieved against the heaviest of odds & against seemingly impossible deadline, could not have been possible without excellent team effort.”

Source: ctvnews.ca/world

PM Shehbaz promises timely elections, sans exact date

VILNIUS, LITHUANIA - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed fresh pledges of weapons and ammunition to fight Russia’s invasion along with longerterm security commitments from the West on Wednesday even as he expressed disappointment over the lack of a clear path for his country to join NATO as the alliance wrapped up its annual summit.

“The Ukrainian delegation is bringing home a significant security victory for the Ukraine, for our country, for our people, for our chil-

dren,” he said while flanked by U.S. President Joe Biden and other leaders from the Group of Seven most powerful democratic nations. A joint declaration issued by the G7 lays the groundwork for each nation to negotiate agreements to help Ukraine bolster its military over the long term. Zelenskyy described the initiative as a bridge toward eventual NATO membership and a deterrent against Russia. Biden said, “Our support will last long into the future. We’re going to help Ukraine build a strong, capable defense.”

The Ukrainian and American presidents also met privately along with their advisers, and Biden pledged later that “the United States is doing everything we can to get you what you need.” He acknowledged that Zelenskyy is sometimes “frustrated” by the pace of military assistance.Zelenskyy thanked Biden, saying that “you spend this money for our lives,” and said shipments of controversial cluster munitions would help Ukraine’s fight against Russia...Source:ctvnews.ca/world

How does a country join NaTO?

Portugal, the United Kingdom and United States. Their aim was to curb Soviet expansion and encourage political integration in Europe. Countries interested in joining NATO are asked to agree to a membership action plan tailored to the individual country and potentially requiring political, legal, military and security reforms.

The following steps outline the process of joining NATO:

• PM Shehbaz says ECP will decide whether polls are to be held in Oct or Nov

• Coalition partners yet to take a decision on question of early dissolution of assembly

• 67 amendments proposed in elections law, draft likely to be finalised next week

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz

Sharif’s categorical statement that he would leave the government on completion of the

five-year term of the National Assembly in August has made clear, to some extent, the intentions of the rulers regarding elections in the country this year, but there is still a question mark on the timing of the polls. Speaking at the launching ceremony of the Pakistan Endowment Fund for Education on Wednesday, the prime minister declared that the term of his government would end next month. He, however, did not clear the confusion about whether the coalition partners would go for the normal dissolution of the National Assembly on completion of its term on August 12, or he would advise the president for an early dissolution. ccording to Article 224 of the Constitution, “A general election to the National Assembly or a provincial assembly shall be held within a period of sixty days ..Source: dawnnews.com

Lahore special court acquits Suleman Shehbaz in money laundering case

The world’s most powerful military alliance has 31 members. Sweden is poised to make it 32, and Ukraine wants in as well.

On the final day of the NATO summit in Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius, the military alliance’s chief, Jens Stoltenberg, has told reporters, “Ukraine is now closer to NATO than ever before.” In a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Stoltenberg said: “I look forward to the day we meet as allies.”

While Zelenskyy described the results of the NATO summit as good after allies pledged more military aid to Ukraine, he said an ideal situation would have been an invitation to Kyiv to become a member of the alliance.

Here is how a country joins NATO: NATO history and expansion

Since its creation in 1949, the world’s most powerful military alliance has increased its membership from 12 to 31 countries through nine rounds of enlargement.

NATO’s founding members were Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway,

Step 1: Accession talks with NATO in Brussels. This involves discussions to determine if an invitee meets the requirements of NATO membership.

Step 2: Letter of intent sent to NATO secretary-general. This involves an invitee providing written confirmation of its acceptance of NATO commitments and a timetable of reforms.

Step 3: Accession protocols signed by NATO members. This step allows an invitee to become a party to the Washington Treaty, which formed NATO.

Step 4: Accession protocols ratified by NATO member governments according to their national procedures. In the US, this requires a two-thirds majority of the Senate to pass the required legislation.

Step 5: Secretary-general invites the potential member to accede to the treaty.

Step 6: Invitee accedes to the treaty according to their national procedures.

Step 7: After depositing their instruments of accession with the US Department of State, an invitee becomes a NATO member.

Lahore’s Special Court (Central) on Monday acquitted Suleman Shehbaz, son of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a Rs16 billion money laundering case registered with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). Suleman, who returned to Pakistan in December 2022 after four years of self-exile in London, was accused in the money laundering case registered with the FIA while the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had nominated him in an assets-beyondmeans reference. He was declared a proclaimed offender in both cases. But prior to his return, the Islamabad High Court had restrained both the authorities from arresting him. In October

last year, a special court had also acquitted the prime minister and his elder son, Hamza Shehbaz, in the same case. During today’s hearing, Suleman appeared in court accompanied by his counsel, Advocate Amjad Parvez, while the FIA submitted its response to 27 questions asked by the court. Source: dawnnews.com

Somalia a plane carrying passengers crashed in Mogadishu

The Halla airline passenger plane change direction suddenly off the runway at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu on Tuesday. Reports indicate that a female passenger suffered a broken neck, while authorities are still uncertain about the cause of the plane’s deviation from the runway. On the other hand, the Minister of Transport and Aviation of the Somali government, Fardowso Osman Igal, who gave an interview to the outlet media, reported the incident and said that one person was injured.

It also denied that the plane that crashed was accompanied by the former prime ministers of the country, Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke and Abdiweli Mohamed Ali (Gaas),

after it was broadcast on social media that they were on the plane.

The latest reports now say that assistance is being provided to the passengers and crew of the plane, and the flight in Mogadishu Aden Adde airport has been suspended.

Source: somalitimes.co.uk

iMF

Decision to allow the desecration of the Muslim holy book was angrily criticised by Turkey, which has blocked Sweden’s application for NATO membership.

By Nils Adler, 28 Jun 2023

Stockholm, Sweden – Salwan

Momika strutted into view behind rows of police officers outside the picturesque Stockholm Central Mosque, waving two Swedish flags as the national anthem blasted over a speaker system. With white AirPods in his ears and a cigarette hanging nonchalantly from his mouth, he then desecrated the Quran repeatedly on Wednesday by tearing it up and lighting it on fire. Momika, an Iraqi refugee seeking to ban the Quran in Sweden, also laid a strip of bacon on the holy book and began stamping on it with his foot. Another unidentified man with him spoke to the crowd through a megaphone. It was a scene intended to shock and antagonise the Muslim community celebrating the holiday of Eid al-Adha. Instead, the display

Quran desecrated at Sweden mosque during Eid al-adha

was largely mocked, dismissed, or ignored by about 200 people gathered outside.

‘I feel bad for him, not for us’ Muslim community members handed out chocolates, chit-chatting with the police as Momika spoke in Arabic through a megaphone. A few people hurled isolated insults at Momika outside the mosque, which is perched on a hill in a trendy, bustling district in the Swedish capital, especially when he attempted to light the Quran ablaze with his cigarette.

Some ridiculing comments drew laughter from the crowd. “Speak Swedish”, some shouted, mocking Momika for waving a Swedish flag but seemingly unable to speak the language. A group of teenage boys swore repeatedly at the two men who were hemmed in behind a police cordon. One boy then turned to a frowning, towering police officer. “All good? the boy asked him.

“Just hot”, the officer responded, smiling.

Action needed against ‘religious hatred’ after Quran defiled: OIC Defilement of the Muslim holy book in Sweden has prompted international condemnation, including large protests and countries in

the Middle East summoning ambassadors.

The 57-country-strong Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) said international law and other collective measures are needed to prevent future incidents involving the desecration of the Quran.

The grouping, whose populations are majority Muslim, issued the statement on Sunday during an extraordinary meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia after the holy book was burned and defiled in Sweden.

“We must send constant reminders to the international community regarding the urgent application of international law, which clearly prohibits any advocacy of religious hatred,” OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha said.

Last week, Salwan Momika, a 37-year-old Iraqi who fled to Sweden several years ago, tore up and lit pages of the Islamic holy book on fire. The desecration occurred on the first day of the Eid al-Adha holidays. The act angered OIC member Turkey, whose backing Sweden needs to gain entry to the NATO military alliance.

Swedish police granted permission for a protest to take place, saying freedom of expression is guaranteed under the country’s constitution. But after the burning,

police charged Momika with agitation against an ethnic or national group. The act outside the Stockholm Central Mosque prompted international condemnation, including large protests in Iraq and countries in the Middle East summoning Swedish ambassadors. UN body condemns Quran burning in Sweden.

Alliance of Civilizations and several Muslim-majority countries denounce stunt by Danish far-right party leader. The high representative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations has condemned the burning of the Muslim holy book by a Swedish-Danish farright politician as a “vile act”. Rasmus Paludan, leader of the Danish far-right political party Hard Line, carried out the stunt outside the Turkish embassy in Sweden under the protection of local police on Friday. “While the High Representative stresses the importance of upholding the freedom of expression as a fundamental human right, he also emphasises that the act of Quran-burning, amounts to an expression of hatred towards Muslims,” a spokesperson for Miguel Angel Moratinos said in a statement released on Sunday.

‘Racist action’

By AJLabs, 8 Jul 2023

Five-hundred days ago, in the early hours of a cold February morning, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of its western neighbour, Ukraine. The Kremlin had hoped for a quick “special military operation” but 16-and-a-half months later, fighting is still raging with no immediate end in sight.

As the war reaches another grim milestone on Saturday, here are just some of the sombre ways it has upended life for tens of millions of people:

6.3 million Ukrainians have become refugees, according to the United Nations’ refugee agency (UNHCR)

9,083 civilians have been killed in Ukraine, according to the latest figures from the UN’s rights office (OHCHR); the real toll, however, is feared to be much higher

15,779 civilians have been wounded in Ukraine, according to the OHCHR

Military casualties on both sides of the war are difficult to establish and verify; the warring sides often estimate rival losses, and are understood to downplay their own

The cost of destruction is thought to be more than $143bn*, according to the latest findings from the Kyiv School of Economics

It is estimated that Russia controls less than 20 percent of Ukrainian

Shortly after Paludan burned a copy of the Quran, Turkey’s foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, condemned Swedish authorities for failing to ban the protest.

“It’s a racist action. It’s not about freedom of expression,” he said. Arab countries – including Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Kuwait – have also denounced the stunt as well as other Muslim-majority countries such as Pakistan and Somalia. “Allowing this hateful act that insults Islamic sanctities and values is completely unacceptable,” Somalia’s foreign ministry said in a statement on Monday. “It is nothing but a demagogic practice that promotes hatred and racism and serves the agendas of extremism and terrorism.” In a post on Twitter, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said that while freedom of expression was a fundamental part of democracy, “what is legal is not necessarily appropriate.”

“Burning books that are holy to many is a deeply disrespectful act,” he said. Source: aljazeera.com

500 days of war in Ukraine: at what cost ?

territory

More than 6 million refugees

The conflict has led to the fastest-growing refugee crisis since World War II, with 6.3 million people forced to flee Ukraine since the invasion on February 24, 2022. The vast majority of them - 5,967,100 - went to other European countries. An additional six million are internally displaced within Ukraine. Most refugees are women and children, as Ukrainian men aged between 18 and 60 have been instructed to remain in the country and fight. The infographic below highlights the flow of refugees recorded from Ukraine across Europe between June 1, 2022 and July 7, 2023, as well as some of the painful stories of those forced to leave their homes. Among those who fled in the early days of the war was a young boy called Mark Goncharuk. Battling back his tears,

he said, “We left dad in Kyiv. And dad will be selling things and helping our heroes, helping our army. He might even fight.”

The countries with the largest refugee populations are Russia, with 1,275,315; Germany, with 1,076,680; Poland, with 999,690; the Czech Republic, with 350,455; and the United Kingdom, with 206,700.

Thousands of civilian deaths, and probably many more

The OHCHR estimates that 9,083 civilians have been killed in Ukraine and 15,779 wounded since Russia’s invasion.

But these numbers are believed to be underestimates.

In territory controlled by the Ukrainian government, the OHCHR has recorded at least

will the death of a teenager in France change the police?

video, sparking unrest across France and a police crackdown. Thousands of people have been arrested, and cars and buildings across the country are burning. As protests rage, will the police be held accountable, and will there be justice for Nahel?

Thousands defy bans in France to rally against police violence

Thousands have taken to the streets in France to protest after another police shooting. But will anything change?

In the Paris suburb of Nanterre, thousands of people have taken to the streets to remember a 17-year-old boy killed by police during a traffic stop.

Nahel M was shot at close range in the chest and the incident was caught on

French police have come under renewed scrutiny following the June 27 shooting of a teenager of Arab descent. Thousands of French protesters have defied a ban to march in central Paris against police violence, a week after riots sparked by the killing of a teenager in a Parisian suburb broke out. Police dispersed the 2,000 protesters from Paris’s huge Place de la Republique

on Saturday, sending several hundred people towards the wide Boulevard Magenta where they were seen marching peacefully. Two people were arrested, the Paris police department said after the demonstration. It said it had banned the planned demonstration due to a “context of tensions”. Protesters called the ban “shocking”.

“We still enjoy freedom of expression in France but freedom of assembly, in particular, is under threat”, said Felix Bouvarel, a health worker who came to the gathering in spite of the ban. About 30 demonstrations against police violence also took place across France, including in the southern port city of Marseille and Strasbourg in the east.

20,073 casualties (7,072 killed and 13,001 wounded):

In the eastern provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk regions: 9,966 casualties (4,105 killed and 5,861 wounded)

In other regions: 10,107 casualties (2,967 killed and 7,140 wounded)

In territory occupied by Russia, the OHCHR has recorded at least 4,789 casualties (2,011 killed and 2,778 wounded):

In the eastern provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk regions: 3,239 casualties (718 killed and 2,521 wounded)

In other regions: 1,550 casualties (1,293 killed and 257 wounded)

Source: aljazeera.com

Authorities in Lille banned a gathering.

The rallies came a week after the country was rocked by riots sparked by the killing of Nahel M at a traffic stop in the Nanterre suburb of the French capital. The 17-yearold of Algerian and Moroccan origin was driving a sports car without a licence. Source: aljazeera.com

Trump team asks to delay documents trial, citing election run-up

Settler faces ‘terrorism’ charges over west Bank mosque vandalism

United States for accountability.

Donald Trump is too busy campaigning for the 2024 US election to prepare for trial, lawyers say, asking for indefinite postponement. The legal team for former United States President Donald Trump has asked that a criminal trial

regarding his handling of classified documents be postponed, citing conflicts with campaigning leading up to the presidential election in November 2024. In court filings late Monday, Trump’s lawyers noted the “extraordinary” nature of the federal case, in which Trump is accused of hoarding and hiding sensitive governments he took when he left the White House, as well as obstructing the subsequent FBI investigation. Trump is the first current or former president in US history to face criminal charges. Beyond the federal charges he faces connected to the documents, he also faces New York state charges related to falsifying business records in connection to hush-money payments made to a porn star. ..Source: aljazeera.com

Flash floods rage in New York, reservoir threatens to overwhelm dam in Vermont

Torrential downpours have unleashed flash floods on the US Northeast that washed out roadways, overwhelmed rivers prompted 50 swift boat rescues, and killed a woman who was swept away in front of her fiance, officials said. More than 13 million Americans were under flood watches and warnings from Eastern New York state to Boston and Western Maine to the northeast, the National Weather Service said in its forecast Monday, after storms that began over the weekend inundated rivers and streams. Meanwhile, a Vermont reservoir threatened to overwhelm a dam protecting the state’s capital on Tuesday and exacerbate “catastrophic” flooding that has already shut roadways leading out of town and trapped some residents in their homes. Private forecaster AccuWeather estimated damages and economic loss at $3 billion to $5bn, preliminarily, based on its own method of evaluation. More than 1,000 flights to and from airports across the region, including

New York’s LaGuardia and Boston’s Logan, were delayed or cancelled on Monday due to the rains. Amtrak suspended passenger train service between the state capital Albany and New York City after flooding damaged tracks, as did the MetroNorth commuter railroad which shares some of the same track... Source: dawn.com/news

Sudan rejects african peace bid and ‘enemy’ peacekeeping force

Khartoum instead welcomes an upcoming summit held by Egypt, widely seen as closer to the army than the rival Rapid Support Forces. Sudan’s army-aligned foreign ministry has rejected a regional summit proposal to consider deploying peacekeeping forces to protect civilians, dashing tentative hopes it might help efforts to end the country’s three-month war. The East African regional body the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) suggested on Monday that the rival sides consider the deployment of a regional force and new peace negotiations. The mediation offer was the first in weeks after talks in Jeddah

were suspended by the United States and Saudi Arabia after numerous ceasefire violations... Source: aljazeera.com

Fiji: No more coups – Home affairs Minister

continuing to incite and propagate for the Republic of Fiji Military Forces to remove the elected Coalition Government.

Mr Tikoduadua said those politicians had continually attempted to destabilise the security of the country. “It is unfortunate though that since the announcement of the outcome of the 2022 General Election, some people, including politicians who have failed to earn power legitimately at the polls, have continually attempted to destabilise the security of our beloved Fiji,” he said.

Israelis are rarely punished for crimes committed against Palestinians, particularly in the occupied West Bank. Israeli prosecutors have filed charges related to “terrorism” against a Jewish settler accused of vandalising a mosque as part of antiPalestinian rampages in the occupied West Bank last month, which drew a rare demand from the

The spree of vandalism and arson by hundreds of settlers in several villages and towns followed the June 20 killing of four Israelis by Hamas gunmen, which in turn was a response to a deadly Israeli raid on the Jenin refugee camp that killed seven Palestinians and wounded more than 90 others. At least one man was killed in the village of Turmus Ayya. Many of the Palestinians who lost property in the subsequent settler rampage were US dual nationals. The defendant, in his early 30s, was among “a large number [of] rioters” who threw objects at buildings in the village of Orif, wrecked furniture and windows in its mosque and ripped up and threw to the floor copies of the Quran, the indictment said on Wednesday... Source:aljazeera.com

Erdogan agrees to send vote on Sweden’s NaTO accession to Turkish parliament, Stoltenberg says

Sweden’s NATO accession has been held up by objections from Turkey since last year. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Monday that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has agreed to send Sweden’s accession protocol for joining NATO to Turkey’s parliament “as soon as possible” and to help ensure that the assembly approves it. Stoltenberg made the announcement after talks with Erdogan and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on the eve of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in Lithuania. Sweden’s NATO accession has been held up by objections from Turkey since last year. “This is an historic day because we have a clear commitment by Turkey to submit the ratification documents to the Grand National Assembly, and to work also with the assembly to ensure ratification,” Stoltenberg told reporters.

Earlier Monday, with NATO hoping to put on a public display of unity in its support for Ukraine more than 500 days after it was invaded by Russia, Erdogan said he would block Sweden’s path unless European members of the military organization “pave the way” for Turkey to join the world’s biggest trading bloc.... Source: aljazeera.com

in US detention centres

Afghans fleeing deteriorating economic and humanitarian conditions find themselves with few pathways to seek refuge. The immigration detention centre was packed. There were more than 100 people in a single room meant to accommodate less than 20. A, an Afghan man who asked that his name be withheld, had come to the United States with his wife to seek safety. But as

they experienced their first few days on US soil, a different reality sank in: one in which their future was all but certain. “We thought our problems had been solved, that we had escaped the risk of prison and torture in Afghanistan,” he said. “We didn’t know that this was what awaited us in the United States.” A has spent the last six months in that detention centre, stuck in a limbo that awaits many Afghan asylum seekers arriving at the USMexico border after the Taliban takeover of their country. With limited options for legal immigration, thousands of Afghans like A have resorted to desperate measures, embarking on dangerous trips to enter the country irregularly. And like A, many have found themselves swept up in the US immigration detention system, faced with possible expulsion....Source: aljazeera.com

Bangladesh: Quit, pave way for free, fair election

Announcing a one-point movement for polls under a non-party interim government, the BNP yesterday asked the government to step down right away and pave the way for conducting the election freely and fairly.

Home Affairs Minister Pio Tikoduadua says any attempt to remove any government by the barrel of a gun must stop. “No more coups,” Mr Tikoduadua said on Tuesday during his contribution to the parliamentary debate on the National Budget 2023-2024. He said it was unfortunate that some politicians who had failed to earn power legitimately at the 2022 General Elections were

“It is the rule of law that they do not want to respect. “They continually incite and propagate for the RFMF to take power, essentially to remove the elected government people, abusing constitutional provisions to support their ambitions to take power at any cost.”

Mr Tikoduadua said any grievances people may have with the Government must be taken up through the judiciary.

Source: fijitimes.com

The party declared it will hold marches in all city and district headquarters on July 18 and July 19 in the first programme as part of the one-point movement. Apart from the BNP, 36 like-minded political parties also announced a one-point movement to press home the same demand. “There is no more demand. The only demand is resignation of the government, dissolution of parliament, and an election under a non-party interim administration…” said Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, secretary general of BNP. He was addressing a massive rally, organised by the BNP’s Dhaka north and south units, in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office. “I am announcing the programme, on behalf of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rah-

man, to free the nation [from misrule]. It’s a historic moment as other political parties who are with us in the movement are also making similar announcements.”

Fakhrul said the BNP and like-minded parties, who are carrying out an anti-government movement, have unanimously decided to make a joint declaration on a simultaneous one-point movement from their respective positions... Source: thedailystar.net

‘Like a jailhouse’: afghans languish

Non-governmental organizations such as the Red Cross, Salvation Army are eligible for an additional $82M.

The federal government is setting aside $82 million over three years to top up a fund for humanitarian groups that respond to climaterelated disasters. Minister of Emergency Preparedness Bill Blair said the government has been relying on the work of non-governmental organizations that deliver humanitarian aid in climate-related emergencies.

The government says the additional $82 million will go toward helping organizations such as the Red Cross, the Salvation Army and St. John Ambulance recruit and train personnel, buy supplies and cover other operational

needs. The fund was established during the pandemic for non-governmental organizations involved in Canadian response efforts.

“It is a stark reminder that the frequency and severity of climate-related disasters are growing each year,” Blair said. “The humanitarian organizations here today play a key role in that response.” It also reflects a shift in how humanitarian non-governmental organizations operate in Canada, said Canadian Red Cross president and CEO Conrad Sauvé.

“When I look back a decade ago, the work of the Canadian Red Cross responding to largescale disasters and emergencies was largely overseas,” he said.

“Large events in Canada were seen as the ex-

ception … Then things rapidly changed.”

Sauvé said the vast majority of Canadian Red Cross operations are now domestic — responses to floods, fires and other disasters from coast to coast. In recent months, the Red Cross has been asked to administer programs delivering cash payments to Nova Scotians and Prince Edward Islanders affected by wildfires and post-tropical storm Fiona. Sauvé said his organization is open to such requests for assistance, which began with the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfires. Blair said this year has already been the worst for wildfires in recorded Canadian history. Roughly 900 fires are burning now and an area roughly the size of Newfoundland has been consumed so

far this year.

Other countries, such as Germany, maintain federal agencies of volunteers to help with disaster response.

Source: cbc.ca/news/politics

Wildfire smoke could be to blame for an increase in cases of pink eye: experts

If you’ve been feeling a burning in your eyes after spending time outside sometime in the last few months, it might be more common than you think — according to some experts, the poor air quality caused by raging wildfires across Canada is affecting more than just our lungs. Poor air quality caused by wildfire smoke could bring more cases of conjunctivitis and eye irritation than usual this year, experts warn. “I’ve had a lot of patients who are just complaining of eye irritation, or those who already have dry eye, that are really finding that their symptoms are sort of acting up,” Mili Roy, an actively practicing ophthalmologist in Oakville, Ontario, told CTVNews.ca in a phone interview.

Roy, who is also an assistant professor in the department of ophthalmology at the University of Toronto, said that earlier in the spring, there were more patients coming in with their seasonal allergies “being much worse because of climate change.

“Now that we’re sort of deeper into summer, we’re seeing more people with just irritated

OTTAWA - Canadians should get another COVID-19 vaccine booster in the fall if it’s been at least six months since their last dose or COVID-19 infection, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) said on Tuesday. “Booster doses in the fall will be formulations updated to target more recent, immune-evasive SARS-CoV-2 variants,” the NACI statement said. “Individuals vaccinated with the updated formulation are expected to benefit from a better immune response against these variants compared to current vaccines,” it said. Both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have started the process to get the new formulations of their mRNA COVID-19 vaccines approved by Health Canada, the de-

eyes,” she said. “But particularly on the poor air quality days.” The conjunctiva is a layer of tissue covering the front of the eyeball, and inflammation of that layer is called conjunctivitis. When conjunctivitis is caused by a viral infection, it’s more commonly referred to as ‘pink eye’, but conjunctivitis can also be caused by chem icals, allergens or other irritants in the air.

“What we are seeing is that the wildfire smoke, it cre ates an external irritant to the eye,” Roy said. “So that produc es a form of what we call conjunctivitis due to that external irritation. And the other thing that happens with the wildfire smoke is with all the toxins that are in the air, it sort of acts as a bit of an allergen as well. So it can cause a little bit of an allergic conjunctivitis

partment said in an email to The Canadian Press. “This regulatory review has not yet been completed,” Health Canada said. “More information on this vaccine, including the authorized age groups, will be available in the coming months.” NACI continued to strongly recommend that anyone five years of age and older who hasn’t yet been vaccinated should be immunized with a primary two-dose series of an mRNA vaccine. It also issued a “discretionary recommendation” that children six months to five years of age who haven’t yet been vaccinated get the two-dose primary series of an mRNA vaccine.

The existing bivalent Omicron-containing mRNA vaccines can be used for people re-

A B.C. nurse is facing a five-day suspension of her professional registration for mismanaging the care of patients who were certified under the Mental Health Act.

According to the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives, Patsy Perkull of Quesnel, B.C., failed to provide vital information to a physician while caring for two vulnerable patients between April 17 and 20, 2022.

(as well).” The wildfires have caused recordbreaking levels of poor air quality over the last few weeks alone.

Last week, Toronto’s air quality was the worst in the world according to a Swiss air quality tracker. Only a few days before, Montreal had the worst air quality in the world, all due to smog produced by wildfires in northern Quebec.

When a person is exposed to irritants in the air, they may feel those effects not just in their lungs, but in their eyes. “It tends to cause burning of the eyes and tearing. Sometimes it can cause some light sensitivity,” Roy said. “More rarely, it might cause you a little bit of thin or watery discharge, but nothing that’s really sort of thick or purulent, which is more typical of an infec-

ceiving their first two-dose vaccination series, NACI said. Immunization this fall is “particularly important for those at increased risk of COVID-19 infection or severe disease,” NACI’s statement said.

Those vulnerable groups include people aged 65 and older, residents of long-term care homes or other group living settings, people with underlying medical conditions, people who are pregnant, people from First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities, people who are racialized and people who provide essential community services, it said.

The mRNA vaccines available in Canada are manufactured by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. Although mRNA COVID-19 vac-

“The registrant acted contrary to the patients’ plans of care and her actions served to undermine the multi-disciplinary team approach to safe, ethical and competent care for vulnerable patients,” reads an online notice of the consent agreement Perkull and the BCCNM reached last week.“Further, the registrant engaged in unprofessional communication while at work by disparaging

tious conjunctivitis, which is your classic pink eye.” It’s no surprise that wildfire smoke can be a source of eye irritation, according to Dan Riskin, CTV News’ Science and Technology Specialist.

“Any kind of smoke, from cigarettes to car exhaust can cause severe irritation of the eyes,” he told CTVNews.ca in an email.

HOW TO SOOTHE EYE IRRITATION?

The majority of ways to deal with eye irritation caused by poor air quality are largely “common sense measures,” Roy said. If you pay attention to your symptoms when they are just starting, heading inside can head off those symptoms worsening. “Try to get out of out of that environment as much as possible into an environment with maybe filtered air indoors,” she said. And the other thing is, sometimes it’s just a relief to lubricate the eyes with something like preservative-free artificial teardrops that just helped to sort of dilute the surface irritants that are causing the symptoms in the first place.”

Source: ctvnews.ca/health

Ottawa tops up fund for humanitarian groups as climate disasters take their toll Get another COViD-19 booster in the fall, Canada’s immunization panel recommends

cines are “preferred,” NACI said Novavax’s Nuvaxovid should be offered as a booster to adults 18 years of age and older who are “unwilling or unable to receive an mRNA vaccine.” Source: ctvnews.ca/health

colleagues,” notes the college. On top of the five-day suspension, BCCNM says Perkull has agreed to undergo remedial education related to “interpersonal conflict in the workplace” and “interdisciplinary care planning,” as well as the scope of registered nursing practice and professional standards.

Source: ctvnews.ca/health

Central bank still likely to hike at least once or twice more, however.

After two years of painfully high prices, inflation in the United States has reached its lowest point in more than two years — 3 per cent in June compared with 12 months earlier — a sign that the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes have steadily slowed price increases across the economy.

The inflation figure the government reported Wednesday was down sharply from a 4 per

cent annual rate in May, though still above the Fed’s 2 per cent target rate. Over the past 12 months, gas prices have dropped, grocery costs have risen more slowly and used cars have become less expensive. From May to June, overall prices rose 0.2 per cent, up from just 0.1 per cent in the previous month but still comparatively mild. At the same time, underlying inflation remains persistently high and a nagging concern for the Fed, which is all but certain to

increase its key interest rate again when it meets in two weeks. The Fed has raised its benchmark rate by a substantial 5 percentage points since March 2022, the steepest pace of increases in four decades.

Slowest pace since 2021

The year-over-year inflation figure for June marked the mildest such increase since March 2021, when the current bout of painfully high inflation began as the economy roared out of the pandemic recession... Source: cbc.ca/

BCMa Celebrates Eid ul adha at Newton athletic Park Surrey

On June 28th, the Eid-ul-Adha Prayer was held at the Newton athletic park Surrey. Thanks to the determination and dedication of event organizers and the management committee of BCMA’s Surrey Jamea Masjid. Thousands of Muslims poured in, to perform Eid ul Adha Prayers, the Sunnah Way. A large number has been increasing in

Muslim Communities for 4-5 years.

At this Eid ul Adha prayer the Seniors, Women, Children, Adults, and Youth from every shape, colour, creed, and language came together for one reason only, to commemorate the Quranic tale of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice Ismail as an act of obedience to Allah. The celebration was attended by BC Premier

Hon. David Eby, BC United leader Kavon Falcon, Surrey Mayor Brenda Lock, SurreyNewton Federal MP Mr. Sukh Dhaliwal, Provincial Labour Minister Mr. Harry Bains, MLA Jagrup Brar, and MLA Jinny Sims. Irshad Khan did the MC. BCMA Surrey/Delta branch Chairperson Mohammed Janif welcomed attendees at the event, followed by a speech delivered by BCMA President Mr.

Asad Gondal.

Mohammed Mouadh Surrey/Delta spoke on the importance of celebrating Eid Al Adha and the message of Hzt Ibrahim’s sacrifice. The Eid prayer led and concluded with a Khutba from Mufti Mohammed Mouadh

Event photographs at Pg 11

Canadian Muslim Media Club Celebrates 156th Canada Day at Taste of Lahore

By: Naveed Waraich,

Liasion CMMC

On July 1, We are thrilled to share our incredible Canada Day celebration at Taste of Lahore, Surrey: where the Canadian Muslim Media Club(CMMC) proudly united with esteemed community leaders! The event commenced with a powerful rendition of the Canadian National Anthem, filling the air with pride and

camaraderie. As we stood together, our hearts swelled with love for this remarkable country we call home. The highlight of the festivities was undoubtedly the cutting of a beautifully decorated 156th Canada Day cake that symbolized unity and togetherness. Sharing laughter and joy, we commemorated Canada’s birth and the values that make it truly exceptional.

During the program, our CMMC Di-

rectors and respected community leaders took turns addressing the gathering, expressing their admiration and gratitude for Canada’s diversity and multiculturalism. Their words resonated deeply in our hearts, reaffirming the strength of our inclusive society and the importance of fostering harmony among all Canadians. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to everyone who attended the event, lending

their voices to the celebration of Canadian values and unity. Together, we are building a brighter future, where diversity is celebrated and embraced wholeheartedly. Let us continue to cherish our wonderful multicultural nation, working hand in hand to create a harmonious Canada where every citizen feels respected, heard, and included.

Event photographs at Pg 11

Canada’s premiers urge Ottawa to advance infrastructure to boost economic growth

WINNIPEG - Canada’s premiers have ended their annual three-day conference in Winnipeg with a request that Ottawa boost economic growth and trade.

Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson, who hosted the meeting, says the premiers have asked for a dedicated meeting with the prime minister to discuss infrastructure pri-

orities. Stefanson says partnerships are needed to keep Canada competitive, but Ottawa must respect the unique jurisdictions of each province. She says the provinces are united in their goal of advancing infrastructure in communities and between jurisdictions, including economic trade corridors.

The premiers have also raised con-

cerns about the bail system, asking Ottawa to reform the Criminal Code to prevent crime from repeat violent offenders.

They also say the federal government could help address staffing shortages in the health-care system by streamlining recruitment through immigration.

Source: ctvnews.ca/politics

what is Canada doing to crack down on goods produced using forced labour?

Canadian gold mining company Dynasty Gold are benefiting from the forced labour of Uyghurs in China.

Corporate watchdog to investigate Nike, Dynasty Gold over allegations they benefited from forced Uyghur labour Canada’s corporate watchdog announced Tuesday it would launch an investigation into two companies over allegations that they benefited from slave Uyghur labour, shining a spotlight on the country’s approach to preventing the use of forced labour.

Sheri Meyerhoffer, the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE), says she has enough to launch an investigation into allegations that Nike Canada and

Advocates have called for better enforcement of Canadian law when it comes to the use of forced labour to produce goods. Since Canada introduced its first law to fight forced labour in 2020, it has intercepted just one shipment of goods linked to such practices. The Canada Border Services Agency says that shipment, too, was released after an appeal from the operator. Here is a look at what Canada has done to prevent the use of forced labour, the challenges of enforcement and how international approaches vary.

Who are the Uyghurs?

According to Global Affairs Canada, more than one million Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslim minorities are being imprisoned in China, because of their religion and ethnicity. Human Rights Watch says at least one million Uyghur and other Muslims in Xinjiang have been arbitrarily detained in what China calls “re-education” or “vocational training” camps, in prisons or “pre-trial de-

tention” facilities. China routinely denies accusations, including from Canada’s House of Commons, that its treatment of Uyghurs amounts to genocide.

The Chinese government began its campaign against what it described as extremists and terrorism in 2014 after a series of violent attacks it blamed on Uyghur extremists or separatists.

A 2022 report by the United Nations said China may have committed crimes against humanity.

How has Canada responded?

In 2021, Canadian MPs passed a motion saying China’s treatment of the Uyghur population and other Turkic Muslim minority groups amounted to a genocide, according to the definition set out in the 1948 UN Genocide Convention.

The motion — which passed 266 to 0 — was supported by all opposition parties and a handful of lawmakers from the governing Liberal Party. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and most of his cabinet were absent for the vote. The Integrity Declaration of Doing

Business with Xinjiang Entities, first introduced in July 2020, required Canadian companies to file declarations they are not directly or indirectly sourcing products from Chinese entities implicated in forced labour or other human rights violations related to Xinjiang. But according to the Supply Chain Risk Report 2023, released in January by aid agency World Vision Canada, statistically 7.5 per cent (or one in every 13) imported products that come into Canada could be made by an enslaved labourer...

Source: cbc.ca/news

Premiers say they’re concerned — and confused — about Ottawa’s plans for the future of the RCMP

Federal government says it’s reviewing the RCMP’s contract obligations to provinces. Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson said she and other provincial leaders are in the dark about the federal government’s plans for the future of the RCMP, despite the fact that they rely on Mounties to keep parts of their provinces safe. “We’re very concerned because there is no indication what the federal government’s plan is moving forward,” Stefanson, chair of the Council of the Federation, said Wednesday as the premiers wrapped up three days of meetings in Winnipeg. Like many provinces, Manitoba uses the Mounties as a provincial police force through a contract policing arrangement. Provinces and territories pay 70 per cent of RCMP costs and the federal government pays the rest.

The current contracts are up for renewal in 2032. Federal Public Safety Minister Marco

Mendicino has launched a review of how that arrangement is working.

“How it looks going forward will very much be a function of the ongoing conversations that we’re having with provinces, territories and municipalities,” Mendicino told CBC News back in May. But Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said there haven’t been open discussions yet. “They do seem to send a

mixed message about whether they’re committed to maintaining contract policing,” she told reporters Wednesday. “It’s left some provinces like ours, where we are expanding our sheriffs in anticipation that they may not want to continue expanding the service.”

Provinces grappling with RCMP vacancies

B.C. Premier David Eby said the premiers also discussed the large number of RCMP vacancies across the country.

“We have officers that have to work extended shifts that are increasingly strained and stressed and then going off on leave, making the problem worse,” he said.

“We don’t see a clear path from the federal government about filling those vacancies.” That almost looks as if the force is being wound down just through attrition.

- Alberta Premier Danielle Smith

The RCMP has seen a drop in the number of

applicants in recent years, raising concerns about its ability to properly police.

The force’s independent advisory board recently wrote a report warning that if the RCMP doesn’t attract more cadets, it “will be even more challenged to meet its service delivery commitments under the provincial, territorial and municipal police service agreements.” .. Source: cbc.ca/news

Mufti

Media

Eid ul Adha Celebrates at Newton Athletic Park Surrey.

Canadian Muslim Media Club Celebrates 156th Canada Day at Taste of Lahore

Masjid Rahmah’s Canada Day Community event connected and created memorable moments with the community to celebrate values of inclusion;openness and pride with family and friends. It was a full day of great food, festivities, and family fun activities.

Sajid and Raza’s Community Picnic at Bear Creek Park

BCMa Rehma Masjid Celebrates Canada Day

Digital Egg presents second BC Halal Food Fest at Holland Park, Surrey

BC United Kabaddi Federation organised Kamagata Maru Kabaadi Cup

Funeral for gunned down Surrey Sikh leader draws hundreds

The white Rock Muslim association Fundraising Dinner with Sheikh alaa Elsayed

Digital Egg presents second BC Halal Food Fest at Holland Park, Surrey

On June 8th-9th, Second British Columbia’s halal food festival was organized by the Digital Egg with the help of multiple sponsors and volunteers. With over 40 vendors serving delicious food and drinks along with many fun activities for kids, the event was a success.

It was a Free Entry event and open to all communities to visit at Holland Park, Surrey. Vendors represented a diverse range of communities including Pakistani, Indonesian, Lebanese, Palestinian, Syrian, Indian, and Central Asian communities along with mainstream halal favorites like pizza, burg-

ers, and tacos. Everyone served delicious and fresh food at their stalls and people were excited to try it as observed with the long queues in front of a few stalls for both days. Food lovers were willing to wait over half an hour with their friends and families to try different treats. The event

was an overwhelming response by thousands of people on both days. The Miracle Media congratulates the entire Digital Egg team under the leadership of Yusuf Hakimi for this great successful and very well-organized BC Halal food fest.

Funeral for gunned down Surrey Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar draws hundreds

Emotional community members gathered Sunday, for the funeral of a Sikh leader gunned down in Surrey last week.

Large crowds took to the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara to remember former president Hardeep Singh Nijjar.Former Surrey mayor Doug McCallum recalls his time with Nijjar. “He was [so] full of energy. And we worked with him a lot … he was always working for the community. He was a really a community member. “I remember he

used to pester me all the time to get a volleyball for the youth in the community and to widen the walkway so that people can get exercise,” McCallum told CityNews Sunday. Nijjar was killed in what many in the community believe to be a targeted shooting linked to foreign interference.

Police have denied that claim, adding investigators have no reasons to believe that the Sikh community in Canada is at risk.

“It is a very, very sad day. Not only just for

The Role of Art in Society

By: Khadija Nadeem, Gr 11

Throughout human history, art has been a fundamental part of society. From the earliest cave paintings to the latest digital installations, art has been a means of communication, expression, and reflection. It has helped us understand and make sense of the world around us and has played a key role in shaping our collective understanding of history, culture, and identity. We can explore the multifaceted role of art in society and how it enriches our lives. By examining the ways in which art communicates, inspires, challenges, and unites us, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the importance of art in our daily lives and in the world at large. At its core, art is a form of communication that transcends language and culture. It allows artists to express themselves and

convey their ideas to others in a way that is both universal and deeply personal. Whether it's through a painting, a sculpture, or a performance, art has the power to communicate complex emotions and ideas in a way that words alone cannot. This is why art is so important in shaping our collective understanding of the world around us. It provides a means of expression that is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experience. Through art, we can explore the human experience, grapple with difficult emotions, and gain a deeper appreciation for the beauty and complexity of life. In addition to its communicative power, art has the ability to inspire and challenge us. It can evoke strong emotions, spark new ideas, and encourage us to see things from a different perspective. Art that addresses social and political issues is particularly effective in this regard. By drawing attention to issues like social inequality, human rights, and political corruption, artists like Banksy and Ai Weiwei have challenged the status quo and prompted us to think critically about the world we live in. Through

the community of Surrey, but literally for the whole world, to be honest. This type of thing should never happen. … It’s just a terrible situation,” McCallum said.

The Times of India (TOI) reports in 2016, Nijjar was accused of running a terror training camp in Mission, B.C., to help carry out potential attacks in Punjab. The TOI added he previously called those allegations “factually baseless and fabricated.” The funeral comes as about 200 protesters from the Ca-

their work, they have encouraged us to take action and effect positive change. This is why art is so important in shaping our collective consciousness and inspiring us to make a difference in the world. Art also has the power to unite us. It can bring people together from different backgrounds and cultures, and provide a common ground for understanding and empathy. This is particularly evident in music, which has the ability to transcend borders and language barriers. From classical to hiphop, music has the power to connect us on a deep emotional level and to create a sense of community and belonging. But music is not the only art form that has this power. Visual arts, dance, theater, and literature can also bring people together and foster a sense of shared experience and understanding. This is why art is so important in building bridges between people and promoting social cohesion. By experiencing art together, we can gain a deeper appreciation for our shared humanity and our collective potential to effect positive change.

In conclusion, art plays a multifaceted and essential role in society. It is a means of communication, expression, inspiration,

nadian Sikh community gathered outside Vancouver’s Indian consulate Saturday morning, accusing the South Asian nation’s government of being involved in the death of Nijjar. Protesters who knew Nijjar, who was organizing an unofficial referendum in India prior to his death, described him as a “peaceful” man who was “loved in the community.”

Source: https://vancouver.citynews.ca/

in which art enriches our lives, we can gain a deeper appreciation for its importance in shaping our collective consciousness and our understanding of the world around us. Whether it's through a painting, a performance, or a piece of music, art has the power to move us, to challenge us, and to inspire us to be our best selves.

This is why it is so important that we continue to support and celebrate art in all its forms. By doing so, we can create a more vibrant, inclusive, and compassionate society that values creativity, diversity,

P a K / SPORTS

PM Shehbaz condemns ‘social media campaign’ against army chief

said that the new campaign was one aspect of the abhorrent drive against the country’s martyrs. The premier instructed the relevant agencies to take action against those responsible both at home and abroad.

as well as political parties stood behind the COAS and the armed forces “like a rock” and would thwart “any attempt and conspiracy at undermining their prestige, honour and integrity”.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday strongly condemned what he said was a social media campaign regarding an assassination attempt on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, and expressed the resolve to “crush all conspiracies” against Pakistan and state institutions.

According to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the premier said similar thinking was done for the events of May 9 — when military installations were attacked during violent protests in the country following the arrest of PTI chief Imran Khan.“A clear message to the planners, facilitators and handlers of May 9: All conspiracies against Pakistan and its institutions will be crushed,” PM Shehbaz said. He said that “vile” media campaign against the COAS and army was the result of planning by an “evil mind”. He said that “conspiratorial minds and elements” were once again working against political and economic stability in the country. The prime minister

Asserting that the media campaign against the COAS and the army did not fall under freedom of speech, he said, “This is only a conspiracy; stopping it is a legal responsibility.” He said that the nation would thwart this conspiracy in the same way it had foiled the plot to spread violence in the country on May 9. “Desperate elements will not be allowed to create a new crisis in the country,” he said, adding that the nation stood by its armed forces and its leader.

While the premier did not name anyone in the statement issued by the PMO, he lambasted the PTI chief on Twitter for the “vile, sinister and malicious campaign” against the COAS. “His trick of using the proxies to threaten the army chief of an assassination attempt has been badly exposed,” he said.

“After his methodically planned attack on state symbols failed, he is clearly desperate and wants to coerce his way back into power, little knowing that the time of his politics of intimidation, violence and hatred is over,” he added. “Through such highly condemnable antics, he is only exposing himself, the core of which is defined by putting his personal interest (power grab) over everything else.”

Shehbaz added that the people of Pakistan

The premier had released a similar statement in March, condemning the the “vile campaign” against the Pakistan Army and COAS abroad and called on overseas Pakistanis to raise their voices against it.

The PMO statement had come a day after hundreds of Pakistanis Americans had gathered outside the White House, ignoring freezing cold and biting winds, to demand an end to the government’s actions against Imran.

PTI calls PM’s statement ‘shameful’ and ‘irresponsible’

In a rebuttal issued later in the day, the PTI termed the premier’s statement “irresponsible” and “dangerous”. The party claimed that appointing a person devoid of “self-respect” to the position of prime minister led to damaging the dignity of the post and creating “chaos and disorder”.

“Shehbaz Sharif’s statement is shameful and reprehensible from every angle,” it said in a statement posted on Twitter.

The PTI said that the prime minister was attempting to “use the military leadership and the armed forces as fuel for a controversial narrative” and warned that this could have disastrous consequences.

Referring to the recently-released detailed order from the Supreme Court — in which the apex court had termed PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s arrest illegal — the party said: “The characters who planned to set fire to the country on May 9, crush the PTI and the people standing behind it have been completely exposed.”

It demanded that the prime minister should apprise the nation about whether an independent investigation was held into the events of May 9 and who ordered the arrest of Imran from court premises that day.

“States rise not by false narratives and blind use of force against citizens but by the cultivation of truth and supremacy of law,” the PTI said, alleging that PM Shehbaz had taken refuge in the PMO after “looting Rs24 billion from the state”.

“If there was any life left in the parliament, this frivolous person would have been held accountable and impeached,” the statement added.. Source: dawn.com

Dubai-based Naila and Samina become first Pakistani women to scale Nanga Parbat

first Pakistani women to scale the world’s ninthhighest peak. However, both were part of different expedition teams.

“Today on July 2, 2023, at 10:18am, Naila Kiani scaled the majestic Nanga Parbat, standing tall at an inspirational height of 8,125 metres. She became the first Pakistani woman to climb Nanga Parbat,” said Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) Secretary Karrar Haidri.

Gulf Today Report

Renowned mountaineer and Dubai-based banker Naila Kiani and Samina Baig achieved new milestones after they became the first Pakistani women to scale Nanga Parbat — the ninth-highest mountain on Earth (8,126 metres tall). The 8,126-metre peak, known as the “Killer Moun-

tain” due to its high fatality rate, has a daunting ascent, made more treacherous by the risk of unstable glaciers, avalanches and storms.

At least 52 mountaineers, including 11 Pakistani nationals, scaled Nanga Parbat on Sunday, Dawn News reported. Among these climbers were Naila Kiani and Samina Baig, who became the

The ACP said that the Dubai-based banker Naila Kiani has ascended seven out of the 14 peaks of 8,000 metres and above in height. Apart from Nanga Parbat, she has also scaled Mount Everest, K-2, Lhotse, Annapurna, Gasherbrum I, and Gasherbrum II. “She serves as a bright example of how people can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles,” Haidri said.

Samina Baig also became the first Pakistani woman to scale peaks on seven continents.

The ACP said that on Nanga Parbat, climbers had reported sections of hard ice and a sustainably steep climb. The Alpine Club said Ali Olszanslci was struck by a rock and had to retreat to the base camp. He hoped to launch a fresh attempt soon. Over half a dozen climbers Eid Muhammad, Ahmed Baig, Waqar Ali, Saeed Karim, Liaqat Karim, Shah Daulat from Shimshal and He Jing from China scaled the mountain without additional oxygen for the first time.

According to Imagine Nepal, the 10-member expedition team reached the top of Nanga Parbat at 10:25am. Naila Kiani, Goliath from China, Tracee Lee Metcalfe from the US, Naolci Ishikawa from Japan, Sasko Kedev from North Macedonia, Dawa Sherpa, Tamting Sherpa, Dawa Gyalje Sherpa, Ngima Nuru Sherpa, Ngim Dorjee Tamang from Nepal successfully reached the summit. Source::gulftoday.ae

Pakistani trio beats South Korea to clinch Gamers8 Tekken 7 Nations Cup in Saudi arabia

A Pakistani videogaming trio on Sunday won the Gamers8 Tekken 7 Nations Cup in Saudi Arabia with a 3-2 win over South Korea. The tournament was organised by the Saudi Esports Federation in Riyadh from July 6-9 with a total prize pool of $1 million, while 16 national teams participated from all over the world.

The Pakistani team included Arslan “Ash” Siddique, Atif Butt and Imran Khan.The trio reached the final after beating United Kingdom 2-1 in the semi-final and South Korea 3-0 in the upper-bracket final.

“Pakistan is the best Tekken [playing] region in the world,” Siddique tweeted after the win. Meanwhile, Butt said he was grateful for his time in the tournament and lauded his teammates. In April, Siddique won the Tekken 7 competition at EVO Japan 2023.

In 2019, he won the Tekken 7 tournament in Japan as well as the Evolution Championship Series in the United States.

In August last year, he had finished third in the EVO 2022 Tekken 7 competition while Khan had secured second place in the competition. Meanwhile, Butt had emerged as

Asia Cup schedule to be finalised during ICC meeting

LAHORE: The schedule of this year’s Asia Cup will be finalised by the Asian Cricket Council on the sidelines of the annual general council meeting of the International Cricket Council in Durban, South Africa from July 9 to 16.

Pakistan Cricket Board’s interim management committee chairman Zaka Ashraf, chief operating office Salman Naseer and Director Special Projects Faisal Hasnain are scheduled to attend the meeting.

Dawn has learnt that the ACC will also hold its meeting under president Jay Shah, the

the new “King of the Iron Fist” in February after winning the Tekken World Tour 2022 videogame tournament in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Source: dawn.com

Board of Cricket Control in India secretary, to finalise the schedule of the Asia Cup. Pakistan was originally supposed to host the Asia Cup but BCCI’s strong opposition to sending its team saw the tournament being hosted on a hybrid model with Pakistan hosting four matches before the event shifts to Sri Lanka. With Zaka coming in place of previous interim chairman Najam Sethi only a few days back, PCB is yet to decide whether it will host its allocation of Asia Cup matches in Karachi or Lahore.

Source: dawn.com

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