A report submitted to the UN Security Council on July 25 this year has warned that the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is seeking a merger with the global Sunni pan-Islamist terrorism group Al-Qaeda to formulate an umbrella organization to provide safe refuge to all the terror groups operating in South Asia. The report elaborated: “TTP shares ‘close and symbiotic’ ties with the Afghan Taliban and is seeking a merger with the regional affiliates to expand its terror operations... These terror groups claimed responsibility for many terrorism-related assaults. It is mentionable that TTP is an umbrella terror outfit of various militant groups, belonging to different nationalities, ethnicities, and tribes, operating along the Afghan-Pakistani border. Both the TTP and Afghan Taliban share a similar hardline ideology.

We are less than one week away from the Detroit Lions Preseason Week 1 matchup against the New York Giants, and it is now time to make my latest prediction on what I believe the 2023 Lions‘ 53-man roster will look when training camp concludes. 2023 Detroit Lions 53-man roster predictionQuarterbacks (2)Jared GoffTeddy BridgewaterI am being stubborn and I continue to stand by my prediction from February that the Lions will sign Teddy Bridgewater to back up Jared Goff in 2023. If the Detroit Lions opt not to sign Ioannidis, I would recommend considering Julian Okwara as a viable alternative. Cornerbacks (5)Cameron SuttonJerry JacobsWill HarrisChase LucasStarling ThomasDan Campbell, and everybody else, were very impressed with Thomas during OTAs and rookie minicamp, so I am putting him on the initial 2023 Detroit 53-man roster. Gardner-JohnsonKerby JosephTracy WalkerBrian BranchIfeatu MelifonwuI am fairly confident that these will be the Detroit Lions safeties in 2023.

Extensive discussions took place concerning the “Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill 2023.”Eminent senior journalists representing key electronic media organizations in Pakistan were also in attendance. Senior journalists raised pertinent questions about the bill, including the appointment of the Chairman of PEMRA, asserting that it should be the prerogative of Parliament, following recommendations from the Media Commission. Also present were senior officials from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, senior journalists, and the Chairman of PEMRA. Journalists say the bill was deferred by Senate Committee after concerns raisedAs The bill was later tabled in a meeting of the Senate Committee on Information and Broadcasting, lawmakers and senior journalists said they had raised concerns over some clauses of the bill by journalists and TV anchors which were also supported by Senators. TV anchor Hamid Mir said that there were concerns shared over the bill by journalists and Senators also raised concerns after which the bill was postponed to evolve consensus.

FAISALABAD - Government College Women University Faisalabad (GC­WUF) observed Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir on Satur­day by arranging a seminar here to express solidarity with the oppressed Kashmiri people. Vice Chancellor GC­WUF Prof Dr. Zill-e-Huma Nazli presided over the event and said that India had com­mitted unprecedented bar­barism and tyranny against innocent Kashmiris because they were raising voice for their fundamental right to self-determination. She said that innocent Kashmiris laid down their lives for their freedom and their blood would surely bring a revolution and Indian would have to pay for its atrocities very soon. She also condemned siege of Kashmir and demanded the international leaders to intervene in Kashmir issue and get it resolved as early as possible. The entire adminis­trative and teaching staff of the university including head of Urdu Department Dr Sadaf Naqvi, Prof Dr Saima Akram, Dr Syed Samina Tahira were present at the seminar.

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan on Saturday reiterated that it rejected all the unilateral and illegal actions taken by India in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and vowed to continue extending its unwavering diplomatic, moral and political support to Kashmiris in their just struggle. “We call upon India to reverse its post-August 5 actions,” said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on his Twitter handle as Pakistan marked completion of four years since India deprived Kashmiris of their statehood by unilaterally annexing the IIOJK. “Pakistan Armed Forces pay rich tribute to the martyrs of IIOJK for their supreme sacrifices and affirm full support of Pakistan for provision of political, moral and humanitarian support to Kashmiris in their just struggle against tyranny and illegal subjugation,” the ISPR concluded. One-minute silence was observed at 9:00 am in support of Kashmiris who were martyred in the freedom struggle. In Islamabad, a walk was held at Constitution Avenue, which started from Foreign Office and culminated at D-Chowk.

Former CFL linebacker Sam Eguavoen has signed with the New York Jets, according to an announcement made by his agent David Canter. He worked out for the Jets on Saturday after the team had two linebackers go down with injuries in training camp. He became a household name over three seasons in Regina, recording 173 total tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception in 38 CFL games. He appeared in 66 games, including seven starts, and registered 71 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, four sacks, two fumble recoveries, and one defensive touchdown. The Jets will kick off their 2023 season on Monday, September 11 against the Buffalo Bills.

LAHORE - The stage is set for the Lincoln Cup baseball match between Pakistan and Palestine, taking place in Chicago. This exciting event will feature Pakistan and Palestine players, who are currently studying and living in the United States and honing their baseball skills. Leading the Pakistan team is President of Pakistan Federation Baseball, Syed Fakhar Ali Shah, who is also serving as the team manager. The PFB, under its President Syed Fakhar Ali Shah’s leadership, is dedicated to the growth of baseball in the region, particularly in Pakistan. The match has garnered significant attention from both the media and officials of Baseball United, who are keen on witnessing the talent and skills of the players representing Pakistan and Palestine.

Women from the Meira Paibis group of the Meitei community in India's Manipur state protest against men accused of abusing two Kuki women after a video of the incident emerged. PHOTO: AFPThree people were killed and houses set ablaze in fresh violence in India's Manipur, police officials said late on Friday, as sporadic violence and killings continue in the remote northeastern state. The three people killed on Thursday night belonged to the majority Metei community in the state's Bishnupur district, a police spokesperson said. A spokesperson for a Kuki civil society group said it did not have an immediate comment on the latest killings. Over 180 people have been killed and thousands have fled their homes, since the violence started in Manipur, a state of 3.2 million that borders Myanmar.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Saturday vehemently denied any political motivation behind the arrest of former prime minister and PTI chief Imran Khan. Marriyum clarified that the investigation into Imran Khan's alleged crimes had been ongoing for over a year, with more than 40 hearings conducted in the Toshakhana case. Aurangzeb further pointed out that comparing Imran Khan's arrest with that of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was unwarranted. Nawaz Sharif had voluntarily presented himself for accountability based on allegations, whereas Imran Khan had been evading it and resorting to dishonesty in his responses, she maintained. The information minister stressed that the government's aim was not to arrest Imran Khan politically but to revive the economy, which had suffered during the "incompetent and inefficient" four-year regime of the PTI chairman.

Minister of State for Petroleum Musadiq Malik has said that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and UAE have indicated to invest $46 billion in the country’s mineral and mining sector worth 6.1 trillion dollars. Pakistan will establish a global standard regulator for the mineral and mining sector, Minister of State for Petroleum Musadiq Malik announced at the ‘Pakistan Minerals Summit’. The Minister said that Saudi Arabia and UAE have indicated an investment of $24 billion and $22 billion respectively in the country’s mine and mineral sector. “We believe that the United States is a major economic power and the force behind it is companies like Apple, Google and Amazon.”- nation.com.pk

Over the past week, USA Hockey has hosted its World Junior Championship Summer Showcase — an opportunity for prospects to skate in game action to make their case for a spot in this winter’s World Juniors. The Blackhawks had four prospects in the tournament: Frank Nazar, Oliver Moore, Gavin Hayes and Sam Rinzel. Nazar scored the game-tying goal (in the second tweet below). He got the start as the only Blackhawks prospects on the White Team in the second game on Friday, rolling as the second-line center. He then scored the second American goal on a feed from former USNTDP Danny Nelson to put USA back in it.

ISLAMABAD - Advisor to the Prime Minister on Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Qamar Zaman Kaira Friday said In­dia cannot suppress the legitimate struggle of the people of Indian Ille­gally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Flanked by Kash­miri leaders, he said Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari presented the Kashmir cause in a befitting manner at all international forums even dur­ing his visit to India. The Advisor to Prime Minister said the Kashmir dispute was not an issue between Hindus and Muslims, rather it was a just freedom cause of the people residing over there. Kaira regretted that India is giving the impression that Kashmir is an issue between Hindus and Muslims through propaganda. Rahmani said according to the United Nations Charter, Kashmir has a separate identity and India’s claims on Kashmir were false.

Miind DwivediRae Bareli: Under tree plantation program on at Modern Rail Coach Factory, Rae Bareli. The General Manager directed the people of the residential complex to provide trees as per their demand to connect them with the tree plantation drive. This tree plantation program was conducted under the direction of PCE Rajesh Agarwal. Officers and employees did the work of planting plants in pits prepared for plantation. On this occasion, Aredica’s PCME SS Kalsi CAO Sanjay Kumar Katiyar, PCPO Amar Nath Dubey, PCMO MK Shakarwal, PCSC Ramesh Chandra along with Head of Department and senior officials participated in tree plantation.

PM Shehbaz Sharif photographed on December 13, 2022. PIDISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Friday said the nation would never forget the sacrifices of its martyrs. In a message on the Police Martyrs’ Day, he said the whole nation paid tribute to their dutiful countrymen who rendered sacrifices to protect the lives and properties of citizens. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Friday inaugurated the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park (NASTP) established with collaboration among the government, international companies and private sector. The prime minister said Pakistan was a great place for promoting tourism and cultural heritage.

LAHORE - The Punjab Disaster Manage­ment Authority (PDMA) has issued a forecast of monsoon rains in various districts of Punjab until August 7. According to Spokesperson PDMA, Current­ly, the Ravi River experiences a low-level flood at Sidhanai, with an inflow of 52040 cu­secs and an outflow of 36840 cusecs. Additionally, the Sutlej River faces low-level flooding at Sulaimanki and Islam, with increasing water levels at both sites. The inflow at Sulaimanki stands at 76035 cusecs, while the outflow is 62877 cusecs. At Head Islam, the inflow is 66643 cusecs, and the outflow is 65743 cusecs.