Lahore has dropped to the second place in global pollution rankings after New Delhi surpassed the Punjab capital, becoming the world’s most polluted city on Wednesday, as the province and surrounding areas remain under the grip of dense smog. According to live data from Swiss-based air quality monitor, the air quality index (AQI) in Lahore and New Delhi stood at 393 and 721, respectively, as of 8am. The dangerously high AQI levels reflect hazardous air conditions, with both cities enduring a prolonged period of toxic smog. The worsening air quality is affecting daily life in both cities, with residents facing serious health risks due to prolonged exposure to hazardous pollutants in the atmosphere. Not only Lahore, but other districts including Multan, Faisalabad and Gujranwala have also witnessed intense air pollution, leading to the complete closure of schools and ban on all outdoor activities till November 17. The orders for school closure were later extended to five more districts of Punjab, including DG Khan, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal, Sargodha and Rawalpindi Divisions, in a bid to lower children’s exposure to pollution, especially during the morning commute when it is often at its highest. According to the provincial Environmental Protection Agency, the decision was made due to an “unprecedented rise in patients with lung and respiratory diseases, allergies, eye and throat irritation, and pink eye” across the province. Meanwhile, Multan — home to several million people some 350 kilometres away from Lahore — remains the city worst-hit by smog, where the AQI passed 2,000 last week, a staggering height never seen before by incredulous residents. According to the AQI scale, an index value of 300 or higher results is “hazardous” to health and Pakistan has regularly tipped over 1,000 on the scale. A score of 0-50 is considered good. The southern city’s AQI was recorded at 396 this morning. As the residents in Punjab continue to battle toxic smog, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Peshawar and surrounding districts have also been blanketed by the dark haze. However, the smog levels witnessed a slight decline in the provincial capital as the city recorded an AQI of 187. The air quality is reportedly being monitored at five points in Peshawar. However, any measures to curb air pollution are not being witnessed in the province. The drastic deterioration of air quality in the smog-hit regions has caused an increase in health issues like eye and throat infections and respiratory diseases. Authorities advise citizens to avoid stepping out of their homes unnecessarily and keep their doors and windows closed beside ensuring mask-wearing. The persistent smog-crisis has also causing widespread traffic disruptions, as the inter-provincial motorways remain closed at various points to prevent accidents. Bad air quality and consequent low visibility have also caused various road accidents, resulting in multiple casualties. A man was killed and three others were injured in a bus and car collision in Kamalia, Punjab. Cloud of poison A mix of low-grade fuel emissions from factories and vehicles, exacerbated by agricultural stubble burning, blanket Punjab and surrounding regions each winter, trapped by cooler temperatures and slow-moving winds. The WHO says that air pollution can trigger strokes, heart disease, lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. It is particularly punishing for children and babies, and the elderly. In order to bring down smog levels, the government in Punjab has restricted prohibited outdoor activities including sports events, exhibitions and festivals, and dining at restaurants in Lahore and eight other districts. However, “unavoidable religious rites” are exempt from this direction. Outlets like pharmacies, oil depots, dairy shops and fruit and vegetable shops have similarly been exempted from the directions to close by 8pm. UNICEF has called for greater efforts to reduce pollution and protect children’s health in Punjab, saying that more than 11 million children under five years of age are in danger as they breathe the toxic air. Last year, the Punjab government tested artificial rain to try to overcome the smog, and this year, trucks with water cannons sprayed the streets — with no results. For days the concentration of polluting micro-particles PM2.5 in Punjab has been dozens of times higher than that deemed tolerable by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The provincial government has blamed its toxic air this year on pollution wafting in from India, where northern parts have also been battling hazardous air, and has said it will take the issue up with the neighbouring country through its foreign ministry. Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1250533-lahore-ranks-as-worlds-second-most-polluted-city

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/11/13/live-israeli-attacks-kill-dozens-us-finds-israel-is-not-impeding-gaza-aid

An American woman who went missing while on a hike on Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa, has died and her body has been recovered, authorities said on Monday. The woman has been identified as a 20-year-old student from North Carolina named Brook Cheuvront. Cheuvront was reported missing on Saturday after a tracking app she was using stopped updating and friends could not reach her, said SANParks spokesman JP Louw. A view of Devils Peak, left, Table Mountain and the city center, and Lions Head in Cape Town on June 13, 2024. Wikus de Wet/AFP/Getty Images The management of SANParks, which manages Table Mountain and other national parks, said the cause of death was still unclear and an inquest into her death has been opened. An initial search was conducted by rangers, wilderness search and rescue members, and trail runners until late Saturday evening when it was no longer practical to continue, said Louw. An aircraft joined the search the next day and helped to locate the body. South African authorities have urged people to avoid hiking on their own, suggesting it be done in groups of at least four people. Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/23/africa/american-hiker-dead-south-africa-table-mountain-intl-latam/index.html

An explosion targeting a police vehicle injured at least 12 people, including two policemen, at the eastern bypass in Quetta, said police on Wednesday. The law enforcers told Geo News that explosive material was planted in a motorcycle which was found by rescue officials near the site of the blast. Bomb disposal squad, according to the police, was called at the spot, while the nature of the blast was being determined. The injured, meanwhile, were shifted to the Civil Sandeman Hospital, said the police. Terrorists will be brought to justice, says CM Balochistan Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti has condemned the attack, directing concerned authorities to provide medical facilities to those injured in the explosion. “Terrorists will be brought to justice,” he said, adding that action against them will continue. The blast comes just two days after a “remote-controlled bomb explosion” targeted a police van guarding a convoy of foreign envoys heading to Malam Jabba from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Swat district on Sunday. According to the police, the attack targeted a group of 11 foreign diplomats, resulting in one officer losing his life and four others being injured. All the envoys were safe after the explosion and had been shifted to Islamabad, said the police. The nation has been reeling under rising violent attacks since the Taliban rulers returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, particularly in the bordering provinces of KP and Balochistan. The two most vulnerable provinces saw a sharp rise in deadly attacks last month, according to data from the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS). The digital database of security incidents managed by the Islamabad-based think-tank suggested an alarming situation as the number of attacks jumped from 38 in July to 59 in August. These incidents included 29 attacks in KP, 28 in Balochistan, and two in Punjab. Meanwhile, KP witnessed 25 casualties in the 29 terrorist attacks during August. “The banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group, Lashkar-e-Islam, Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) and few local Taliban groups were reportedly involved in these attacks,” the report stated. Against this backdrop, the federal cabinet in June this year approved Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, a reinvigorated national counter-terrorism campaign following the Central Apex Committee’s recommendations under the National Action Plan to root out terrorism. Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1233635-two-cops-three-others-injured-after-police-vehicle-targeted-in-quetta-blast

Source: https://aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/9/25/israel-attacks-lebanon-live-families-flee-israeli-bombs-unsure-where-to-go

Hurricane John struck Mexico’s southern coast on Monday night after rapidly strengthening into a major Category 3 storm, triggering warnings of ‘life-threatening’ floods and mudslides. Packing maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (193 kph), the storm made landfall south-southwest of the city of Marquelia in Guerrero state at around 9:15 p.m. local time, according to the National Hurricane Center. Just a day ago, the storm was pacing at 35 mph (56 kph), but it underwent two rapid intensifications in a 24-hour period, ramping up speed by more than three times. “This heavy rainfall will likely cause significant and possibly catastrophic, life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides to the Mexican States of Chiapas, Oaxaca, and southeast Guerrero, particularly in areas near the coast,” the center said. Oaxaca state is a popular tourist spot known for its beautiful landscapes and beaches. Fishermen return to shore ahead of the arrival of Hurricane John in Salina Cruz, Oaxaca State, Mexico, on September 23, 2024. Rusvel Rasgado/AFP/Getty Images Oaxaca’s governor said the state government had evacuated 3,000 people and set up 80 shelters, while authorities had suspended classes in several costal zones on Tuesday, the Associated Press reported. Businesses in Puerto Escondido, a tourist destination in the southern part of the state, have closed after authorities ordered the suspension of all work on the area’s main beaches, the news agency reported. Ana Aldai, who works for a restaurant there, told AP she was “a little bit distressed” because notice from authorities came quickly. The Salina Cruz Port is seen closed ahead of the arrival of Hurricane John in Salina Cruz, Oaxaca State, Mexico, on September 23, 2024. Rusvel Rasgado/AFP/Getty Images “There was no opportunity to make the necessary purchases,” she said. Torrential rainfall of 10 to 20 inches, with isolated totals near 30 inches, could pummel areas along the Oaxaca coast to southeast Guerrero until Thursday. The coastal areas of Chiapas are also expected to be hit by rainfall of six to 12 inches, with isolated totals around 15 inches, during the same period. The rainfall could cause a life-threatening storm surge, producing significant coastal flooding near the landfall location, the National Hurricane Center said. The surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves in coastal areas, it added. Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/24/americas/hurricane-john-mexico-landfall-intl-hnk/index.html

Case lodged against suspects and they have been handed over to anti-human trafficking circle for legal action The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) immigration authorities on Monday arrested three Afghan women at the Karachi airport for trying to go to Germany on counterfeit documents. “The arrested pax have been identified as Zahra Sultani, Mehria Rehmani and Aziza Mohammadi,” said the immigration officials. They said medical and business documents of all three women were forged, adding that a case was lodged against the suspects and they were handed over to the anti-human trafficking circle for further legal action. As per the officials, Aziza came to Pakistan on a medical visa. The documents furnished by her apparently showed she had been admitted to a hospital for treatment in Islamabad between April 27 and May 20, 2024. While, upon investigation, it was revealed that she never visited Pakistan since obtaining her passport, the immigration authorities said. Similarly, documents with Mehria, who arrived in the country on a business visa, insisted that she was on a business trip to Pakistan with her spouse Iqbal Hakimi. When inquired about her husband, the woman claimed she was unmarried and knew no one named Iqbal Hakimi, the FIA officials added. They said, as per documents provided by Zahra, she arrived in Pakistan on September 2 with a female patient, Marman Parveen, as an attendant. Investigation revealed that she deceptively took a Pakistani visa pretending to be the patient’s attendant. It should be noted that the immigration authorities at the Karachi airport recently arrested at least nine other such foreigners going abroad on forged documents. Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1233051-fia-arrests-three-afghan-women-for-using-fake-documents-to-travel-abroad

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/9/24/israel-attacks-lebanon-live-global-calls-for-restraint-as-492-killed

At least six people have been confirmed dead on Japan’s Noto Peninsula after floods struck an area still recovering from a major earthquake nine months ago. Heavy rain pounded the area over the weekend, with more than 540 millimetres (21 inches) of rain recorded in the city of Wajima over 72 hours, the heaviest continuous rain since comparative data became available. The region is still recovering from a magnitude-7.5 earthquake on January 1, which toppled buildings, triggered landslides and sparked a massive fire. The Japan Times and public broadcaster NHK said six people had been killed – five in Wajima and one in nearby Suzu. At least eight people were missing or unaccounted for, according to NHK, including a 14-year-old junior high schoolgirl. Floodwater inundated emergency housing built for those who had lost their homes in the earthquake, which killed at least 374 people, according to the Ishikawa regional government. Some of the missing were workers on quake-related construction projects. Some 4,000 households were without power on Monday as a result of the rain, according to the Hokuriku Electric Power Company. More than 100 areas in the region were cut off after landslides blocked roads. Akemi Yamashita, a 54-year-old Wajima resident, told the AFP news agency she was driving on Saturday when “within only 30 minutes or so, water gushed into the street and quickly rose to half the height of my car”. “I was talking to other residents of Wajima yesterday, and they said, ‘It’s so heartbreaking to live in this city’. I got teary when I heard that,” she said, describing the earthquake and floods as “like something from a movie”. Military personnel have been sent to the area to help rescue workers after tens of thousands of residents were urged to evacuate. “This is heavy rain in the region that suffered massive damage by the Noto Peninsula earthquake. There must be many people who are very worried,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters. Heavy rain was also reported in the nearby northern prefectures of Niigata and Yamagata, threatening flooding and other damage and forcing the suspension of train services. Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/23/at-least-six-killed-in-japan-after-floods-hit-quake-stricken-noto-peninsula

“Such acts will not deter Pakistan from its commitment towards fight against terrorism,” says FO  A “remote-controlled bomb” struck a police van escorting a group of foreign envoys in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Swat district on Sunday, resulting in martyrdom of a policeman and injuring four other cops. District Police Officer (DPO) Zahidullah Khan confirmed the explosion, stating the attack targeted a group of foreign diplomats, resulting in one officer losing his life and four others being injured. DPO Khan detailed that the affected police van was leading a convoy of 11 foreign diplomats, adding that the martyred officer was identified as Burhan and that the four wounded officers included a sub-inspector of police. Police officials informed the media that all envoys were safe after the explosion and had been shifted to Islamabad. They added that the diplomats were heading to Malam Jabba after attending an event at the Chamber of Commerce in Mingora when the explosion occurred in the suburban area of Sherabad. The police confirmed that the convoy included ambassadors from Russia, Portugal, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Iran, and other countries. The wounded officers were transported to the District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) in Saidu Sharif. Heavy contingents of law enforcement agencies were deployed in the area following the incident. They added that the diplomats were heading to Malam Jabba after attending an event at the Chamber of Commerce in Mingora when the explosion occurred in the suburban area of Sherabad. The police confirmed that the foreign ambassadors in the convoy included representatives from Russia, Portugal, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Iran, and other countries. “All the ambassadors remained safe in the attack and had been shifted to a safe place before their departure to Islamabad,” Deputy Inspector General of police Mohammad Ali Gandapur told Reuters. No one claimed responsibility for the attack. Condemnations pour in Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the bomb blast near a police van in Swat.  In a statement issued by the President’s House, he paid tribute to the police officer who embraced martyrdom in the attack. He also expressed condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the swift recovery of those injured in the explosion. “Terrorist elements are enemies not only of the country and nation but of humanity itself,” the president said, reaffirming his commitment to continuing efforts for the complete eradication of terrorism. Denouncing the attack, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif prayed for the elevation of ranks for the martyred policeman in Jannah, as per a statement from the PM Office. He expressed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the swift recovery of those injured in the incident. “The entire nation pays tribute to the police force’s unwavering sacrifices against terrorism. Such cowardly acts cannot shake our resolve for the complete eradication of terrorism,” said the PM. The premier also directed the relevant authorities to provide all possible medical assistance to the injured. In his message of condemnation, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi decried the dastardly attack on the convoy, expressing deep regret and sorrow over the loss of life. “The sacrifices of our security forces and police in the war against terrorism will not be in vain,” he added. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur in a statement condemned the bombing in Swat and has sought a report on the incident from senior police officials. “We share in the grief of the bereaved family. They will receive full financial support; they will not be left alone,” the CM said. Gandapur also extended best wishes for the swift recovery of the injured police officers. “The police have made unparalleled sacrifices while protecting the public’s life and property,” said the KP CM adding, “We salute the police officers who sacrifice their lives for the safety of the people.” Foreign Office reaction The Foreign Office, reacting to the incident, said: “Today a group of diplomats traveling to Islamabad after their trip to Malam Jabba and Swat witnessed an incident.” “An advance scout police vehicle was hit by an IED which resulted in a casualty of the police detail. All members of the diplomatic corps have returned safely to Islamabad,” it read. “Our sympathies are with the families of the shaheed policeman and three injured in the incident,” the FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said. “We honour our law enforcement authorities that remain steadfast in the face of terrorists. Such acts will not deter Pakistan from its commitment towards the fight against terrorism,” she concluded. Rise in terror attacks The nation has been reeling under rising violent attacks since the Taliban rulers returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, particularly in the bordering provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The two most vulnerable provinces saw a sharp rise in deadly attacks last month, according to data from the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS). The digital database of security incidents managed by the Islamabad-based think-tank suggested an alarming situation as the number of attacks jumped from 38 in July to 59 in August. These incidents included 29 attacks in KP, 28 in Balochistan, and two in Punjab. Meanwhile, KP witnessed 25 casualties in the 29 terrorist attacks during August. “The banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group, Lashkar-e-Islam, Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) and few local Taliban groups were reportedly involved in these attacks,” the report stated. Against this backdrop, the federal cabinet in June this year approved Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, a reinvigorated national counter-terrorism campaign following the Central Apex Committee’s recommendations under the National Action Plan to root out terrorism. Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1232837-cop-martyred-3-wounded-in-swat-bomb-attack