Patuakhali - Millions of people in low-lying areas of Bangladesh and India on Monday surveyed the tangled wreckage left by a powerful cyclone that killed at least 16 people, destroyed thousands of homes, smashed seawalls and flooded cities. Winds and torrential rain still hammered residents as they tried to salvage what remained of their belongings, a day after Cyclone Remal made landfall with fierce gales and crashing waves. “At least 10 people were killed in the cyclone” in Bangladesh, the country’s state minister for disaster Mohibbur Rahman told reporters. Villages had been swamped by storm surges, tin roofs ripped off, trees uprooted and powerlines cut, an AFP reporter in the affected area said. “A total of 3.75 million people have been affected... 35,483 homes were destroyed by the cyclone, and another 115,992 homes were damaged”, Rahman said of the damage in Bangladesh alone.

On May 28, 1998, Pakistan became the first nuclear power in the Muslim world and seventh in the world. On May 28, 1998, Pakistan emerged as the first Muslim-majority country to acquire nuclear capabilities, marking a pivotal moment in its history. He also paid tribute to Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the founder of Pakistan’s nuclear program, for his strategic foresight and unwavering commitment. Gillani added that Youm-e-Takbeer serves as a testament to Pakistan's resilience, unwavering determination, and commitment to maintaining regional peace and stability. The armed forces paid respect to all those involved in the achievement stating, "The scientists, engineers, and officials who devoted their lives to realising this dream rightly deserve the gratitude and admiration of the nation and its Armed Forces."

ISLAMABAD, May 27 (APP): Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Chaudhry Salik Hussain on Monday said ‘Youm-e-Takbeer’ was the day to reiterate the nation’s determination to protect the motherland. In his congratulatory message to the nation, he said the was a day of pride for all the Pakistanis. The minister lauded the contribution of all those who made Pakistan a nuclear-powered nation, balancing the power in the region. The minister emphasized that Pakistan’s successful nuclear tests made the country stronger, removing any complacency of the enemy. He urged the nation to commemorate the significant day of ‘Youm-e-Takbeer’ with enthusiasm, reiterating their unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation’s defense.

In the use of nuclear energy for generating electricity, PAEC is currently operating six nuclear power plants (NPPs), including Karachi Nuclear Power Plants Unit-2 & Unit-3 commonly known as K-2 and K-3 in Karachi; and C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4 NPPs in Chashma, Mianwali. As per international best practices in the field of nuclear power, Emergency Preparedness Measures are well in place for timely intervention at these power plants. The safety and security are the two highlights of nuclear power plants operating in the country. Four PAEC agriculture research centers have been established in the three provinces of Pakistan having a major share of the cultivatable land in the country. Taking a big step towards agriculture industrialization and commercialization, PAEC recently organized a huddle of agriculture scientists, agriculturists and business leaders in the field of agriculture.

PHOTO: ANADOLU AGENCYRussia will remove the Taliban from a list of banned terrorist organisations, three years after they returned to power in Afghanistan, the state-run RIA Novosti news agency said Monday. "Kazakhstan has recently taken the decision, which we are also going to take, to remove them from the list of terrorist organisations," RIA Novosti quoted Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as saying. Read: Russia invites Afghanistan's Taliban to major economic forumKazakhstan removed the Taliban from its list of banned organisations at the end of 2023. Russia also invited Taliban representatives to its flagship Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum, state media reported. The event was once seen as the cornerstone of Russia's economic relations with the West.

Gandapur’s KP administration and Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) have been at odds recently over prolonged loadshedding across the province. “We will soon be loadshedding-free,” the chief minister vowed. Once everything is set, the model in KP will be replicated in other provinces as well.”The energy minister echoed the KP chief minister’s comments, saying that the initiative will be “community-based,” involving MNAs and MPAs. We must not conflate the two,” the chief minister maintained. Responding to a question, Interior Minister Naqvi acknowledged there was a “great shortage” of electricity in KP.

Meghan Markle has been criticized by Nigeria’s First Lady for her “nakedness” following her visit to the country. During the “unforgettable” trip, Meghan, 42, made multiple outfit changes as she and the duke met with locals and leaders. In a speech marking President Bola Tinubu’s first year in office, after the Sussexes had returned to the US, Tinubu made a pointed comment about Meghan. Tell them we don’t accept nakedness in our culture. Don’t lose who you are.”During the trip, Meghan wore several high-end brands, including Carolina Herrera, Altuzarra, and Johanna Ortiz.

LAHORE - Acting President Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) would continue to support the government’s welfare initiatives and also provide suggestions to make the upcoming budget favourable towards people, especially farmers, youths, and labourers. He expressed his appreciation for those working to provide clean drinking water, noting that their efforts were also in service to the state. He said that the provision of clean water was a global issue, which needed to be addressed on a priority basis with global support. The acting president said his party believed in public welfare and political dialogue and had always preferred to adopt a conciliatory approach to address national issues. Gilani urged the need for dialogue and unity to make decisions in people’s interest, adding that political instability led to economic instability.

Islamabad: Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar has said that under specific propaganda, an attempt was made to reconcile the country with the situation of 1971, while PTI’s attempt was to default the country and take political advantage. While giving a press conference in Islamabad, Atta Tarar said that the audio of you (PTI founder) was heard saying that you have to play with cyphers. The Minister of Information further said that the Prime Minister has declared the peace of the world conditional on the peace in Gaza. Atta Tarar said that his hopes were broken when the country was saved from default, he was trying to make the country default and take political advantage, while he tried to take political advantage by plotting on May 9. There has always been an attempt to take political advantage by putting the integrity of the country at stake.

Despite exporting more rice this year at higher prices compared to last year, both Basmati and non-Basmati rice prices have surprisingly fallen in the domestic market. Pakistani Basmati rice growers are swiftly transitioning to high-yield hybrid coarse rice varieties due to several factors: the lower yield of original Basmati, high costs, and losses incurred when harvesting and bringing Basmati paddy to market. There is a growing concern regarding India selling more than 4 million tonnes of Pusa rice varieties, labelled as Basmati rice, to innocent new generation consumers living abroad. These benefits should be passed on to the growers of original Basmati rice in Kalar tract to protect Basmati heritage. Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, and smuggling may jeopardise Pakistan’s traditional Basmati rice varieties, which constitute a billion-dollar trade.

The construction site of US carmaker Tesla's Megapack factory in east China's Shanghai, May 23, 2024. This photo taken on May 23, 2024 shows the groundbreaking ceremony of US carmaker Tesla's Megapack factory in east China's Shanghai. Tesla's deep involvement in the energy storage industry now rivals its electric vehicles in importance, Tao said, adding that its energy storage products are currently used in over 60 countries and regions. Tesla's plan to open a Megapack battery plant in Shanghai was announced In April 2023, cementing another foothold for the company in China. An aerial panoramic drone photo taken on May 23, 2024 shows the construction site (R) of US carmaker Tesla's Megapack factory in east China's Shanghai.

SARGODHA - Chairman Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad visited Sargodha on Sunday and said that Islam teaches only peace and harmony in society. Addressing a press conference at Deputy Commissioner’s Office here, he regretted the Mujahid Colony incident and said that Islam, first of all, respects humanity and advocates religious harmony among all religious factions. He said Sargodha is a district of peace-lovers, and hoped that no such incident would occur in future. Man kills elder brotherA man killed his elder brother over the ownership dispute of a tractor in Bhera police limits on Sunday. In a fit of rage, accused Tanveer shot dead his elder brother and fled.

MULTAN - Qutabpur police have apprehended four thieves and recovered stolen valuables from their possession during a special crackdown launched in the area on Sunday. Holding a press conference, SP Cantt division Javed Tahir Majeed said that the City Police Officer (CPO) Sadiq Ali Dogar while taking notices on the rising incidents of valuable theft in the area, directed officers concerned to launch a comprehensive crackdown against the criminals. He said that police arrested four thieves and recovered stolen valuables from their possession by tracing various cases. The SP added that the arrested criminals have also confessed a robbery case reported at Babu Pir Chowk in which they looted cash from a medical store in premises of Qutabpur police station about two days ago. He maintained that further investigations were underway from the arrested criminals and more recoveries expected from them.

RIYADH: The Gulf Cooperation Council marked its 43rd anniversary in Riyadh on Sunday with a ceremony attended by its members, ambassadors, and various guests including Riyadh Gov. In his speech, GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi said the council was an “icon and embodiment of the shared religious, historical, social, and cultural values that are reinforced by the geographical extension of the GCC countries.”Al-Budaiwi said the council has had a clear vision for integration since its inception. The GCC was formed on May 25, 1981, at a conference in Abu Dhabi, bringing together the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait. “We underscore the firm position of the GCC regarding the Israeli aggression. The event ended with traditional songs and dances of each member nation, including Saudi Arabia’s Ardah dance.

The sun was at 90 degrees so there was no shadow on the Kaaba and any sculptured buildings or other objects__Photo: FileToday, Monday, May 27, the Sun was directly above the Kaaba. Majid Al-Zahra, Supervising Engineer of the Saudi Astronomical Society, says that today the sun came directly above the Kaaba. He said that this incident was the first incident of this year, the Saudi time for the sun to come directly above the Kaaba was 12:00 pm to 18:00 pm. According to Abu Zahra, the sun was at 90 degrees due to which there was no shadow on the Kaaba and any sculptured buildings or other objects.