World Cup winners Spain guaranteed their place at this year's Olympics in Paris with a crushing 3-0 win over the Netherlands in Seville in the Nations Cup semi-final on Friday. Jenni Hermoso put the Spanish on track, latching on to a neat pass from Aitana Bonmati to net the opener after 43 minutes. In Lyon, an unmarked Kadidiatou Diani put France ahead against the Germans with a low half-volley four minutes before the break. Giulia Gwinn pulled one back from the penalty spot eight minutes from the end but France held on for the win. France will now meet Spain in the Nations League final on Wednesday while Germany and Netherlands will battle it out in the third-place play-off with an Olympic place on the line.

I humbly request the higher authorities to please disallow the entry of technical experts (engineers, doctors, IT specialists etc) into the civil services through the CSS and PMS exams. The talents of these skilled professionals are more needed and better spent in their respective sectors, where they can better contribute to the technical advancement and uplift of Pakistan. Sohail NasirRawalpindi

Google’s e-mail service ‘Gmail’ is known as the most popular e-mail communication service in the world, It has been rumored for the past few days that it will shut down in August 2024. Internet is a basic necessity for everyone including office workers, students, and financial institutions and emails are done for many official tasks that use Gmail. Recently, a post surfaced on social media sharing a screenshot of an email with the title ‘Google is sunsetting Gmail’, after which social media users were in dire straits as to whether Gmail would be shutting down. Gmail will officially shut down by 2024’. To further quell the rumours, Google tweeted on its official Gmail X account stating that all these reports are false and Gmail will continue its service without interruption.

US Senator Kirs Van Hollen says that the new government should be empowered to deal with the problems faced by Pakistan. US Senator Kirsty Van Hollen wrote a letter to Pakistani Ambassador Masood Khan regarding the new government to be formed in the country. Also read thisThe United States has once again demanded an investigation into the rigging of elections in PakistanWants to see full probe into claims of election rigging in Pakistan: USIn his letter, he also said that the new government should be empowered to deal with the problems facing Pakistan. The letter said that the Pakistani authorities should fully investigate the allegations of rigging and election interference. Apart from this, the American senator also paid tribute to the people of Pakistan for their full participation in the elections.

The exhibition, hosted by the Art One 62 Gallery in Clifton, is not only a celebration of art but also a communal experience. PHOTO: EXPRESSThe Punjab Arts Council (PAC) organised on Thursday the First Punjab Painting Competition 2024 at the Government Post Graduate College Attock. Sara Hafeez, Umm Salma and Saleha Tariq won the first, second and third positions respectively in the painting competitions. Read: Art exhibit held on climate changeSpeaking on the occasion, DC Rao Atif Raza said that civilisation and culture were the mirror of any nation. The council wanted to bring the hidden talent of the youth to the world through painting competitions, he added.

All types of vehicles have been restored in the Bhasha area of the Upper Kohistan district on Friday after removing debris from the landslide-hit Karakoram Highway (KKH). Earlier in the day, the highway in Bhasha was opened only for one-way traffic. The first closure of the highway in Bhasha took place from 8am to 10am. Making matter worse, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Friday issued an advisory to all provincial authorities expecting thunderstorms forecasted across the country. The NDMA has urged all provincial disaster management authorities, Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority, State Disaster Management Authority, the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration, National Highway Authority, National Highways and Motorway Police, Frontier Works Organisation, Rescue 1122, dam authorities, line departments, ministries, and federal agencies to undertake necessary measures in line with their respective mandates.

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a body that groups countries from the United States to China to tackle financial crime, on Friday dropped the UAE from its 'grey list' of around two-dozen nations considered risky. Markus Meinzer, director of policy at the Tax Justice Network, which campaigns for financial transparency, said the removal of the UAE showed the FATF list was ineffective. Jonny Bell, director of financial crime compliance and payments at LexisNexis Risk Solutions, said the UAE would likely continue strengthening its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing measures. There is increasing competition among Gulf states to develop non oil sectors such as financial services, trade and logistics, and tourism. Measures taken by the UAE include increasing financial investigations and prosecutions, boosting international cooperation, and aligning virtual asset regulation with international standards.

The United Arab Emirates, home to the financial hub of Dubai, has been dropped from a global watchdog’s list of countries at risk of illicit money flows, a win for the nation that could bolster its international standing. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a body that groups countries from the United States to China to tackle financial crime, on Friday dropped the UAE from its ‘grey list’ of around two-dozen nations considered risky. John Kartonchik, a director at UAE think tank Re/think, said the move could boost confidence in the country and attract more money from overseas. Markus Meinzer, director of policy at the Tax Justice Network, which campaigns for financial transparency, said the removal of the UAE showed the FATF list was ineffective. Measures taken by the UAE include increasing financial investigations and prosecutions, boosting international cooperation, and aligning virtual asset regulation with international standards.

The Kashmir conflict, an endur­ing and unresolved issue with roots in the partition of British In­dia, has left a lasting impact on the region. How­ever, the Maharaja’s decision to align with India ignited a dispute that has persisted for decades, be­coming a prolonged and compli­cated geopolitical challenge. This failure perpetuated the contentious issue between India and Pakistan, leading to conflicts, militarisation, and ongoing hu­man rights concerns. The conflict in Kashmir is char­acterised by the presence of Indi­an security forces, resulting in sig­nificant human rights challenges. Emphasising the need to safeguard and celebrate the cultur­al heritage of the Kashmiri people becomes increasingly important in the pursuit of a just and lasting resolution to the Kashmir conflict.

The nation has now fallen into a severe debt trap as a result of the failure of succeeding governments to enact reforms aimed at reducing the high budget deficit by increasing revenues and eliminating unnecessary spending. This has forced the government to take on more debt in order to make up the difference in funding and settle existing debt.It makes sense, given that total external and domestic loans and liabilities increased from $145.7 billion to $271 billion between 2011 and 2011, that Pakistan’s external debt has nearly doubled to $124.6 billion and its domestic debt has grown six-fold in nominal terms to $146.4 billion. This indicates that during the same period, per capita GDP decreased by 6%, from $1,295 to $1,224, while per capita debt increased by 36%, from $823 to $1,123. The government must implement reforms to address Pakistan’s long-standing issues if it hopes to lower the country’s debt load and free up funds for demands related to social protection, health, education, and climate-related disasters and adaptation plans. When negotiations for a new loan from the IMF begin, the next government’s commitment to enacting reforms to control the enormous debt and stabilize the economy will be put to the test.

The bill (LB1402), if passed, would provide $25 million in grants to private school scholarship funds. Best private high schools in Nebraska Best private high schools in Nebraska #30. Kearney Catholic High School #24. Roncalli Catholic High School #13. Gross Catholic High School #12.

ISLAMABAD - The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari on Thursday in­vited the Saudi importers to import agricultural products from Pakistan to meet their consumption. He said that Pakistan pro­duces quality food products and Saudi Arabia is an import-based market receiving sup­plies from foreign markets. He urged Saudi Arabia to import agricultural products from Pakistan at competitive prices to meet the needs of its consumers. He said this while talking to Fadel Abdallah, General Manager, Al-Shaqaq Trading Est of Saudi Arabia during his visit to ICCI. He said that Pakistani meat, poultry products, textiles, IT products, surgical instru­ments, sports goods, leather products, and construction materials can also find good a market in Saudi Arabia.

PHOTO: REUTERSIndia's foreign ministry confirmed Friday that some of the country's citizens had signed up for "support jobs" with the Russian army and said it was working with Moscow to secure their discharge. But it said in a statement that it was "aware that a few Indian nationals have signed up for support jobs with the Russian army". "We urge all Indian nationals to exercise due caution and stay away from this conflict." The Hindu's report alleged that Indians had been conned by Dubai-based recruiters with promises of high wages and a Russian passport. Upon arriving in Moscow, the Indians were reportedly trained to handle "arms and ammunition by the Russian Army" and shipped to the frontlines in January.

(AP Photo/Peter K. Afriyie)Tying their longest winning streak in eight seasons, thrashing the rival New Jersey Devils, getting two goals from Alexis Lafreniere and another outstanding performance from goaltender Igor Shesterkin wasn’t the difference for the New York Rangers. All they wanted to talk about was their penalty kill after a 5-1 win over the Devils on Thursday extended their winning streak to nine games. “That was great.”AdvertisementThe initial kill set the tone for the game and Zibanejad scored on a power play minutes after that kill, and the Rangers never looked back. “We got to score on so many opportunities in a power play,” Devils captain Nico Hischier said. “We weren’t sharp enough in the first power play; It was better but just couldn’t find the back of the net and it is what it is.

The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) has extended an invitation to Saudi importers, advocating for the importation of Pakistani agricultural products to satisfy local demand. ICCI President Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari highlighted Pakistan's production of quality food items and pointed out Saudi Arabia's reliance on imports for its consumption needs. During discussions with Fadel Abdallah, General Manager of Al-Shaqaq Trading Est, Bakhtawari emphasized the potential of Pakistani wheat, rice, fruits, and vegetables in the Saudi market. He assured full support from ICCI in boosting exports of these commodities to Saudi Arabia. Additionally, Bakhtawari suggested that other Pakistani products could also be well-received in the Saudi market.