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Pakistan:132 killed in two terror attacks on election rallies

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Pakistan:132 killed in two terror attacks on election rallies

Nawaz Sharif and daughter Maryam Sharif sent to jail on return

In one of the bloodiest days in Pakistan, around 132 people were killed and 180 injured in two separate terrorist attacks during election gatherings in Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday, the day when former PM Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Sharif were arrested on their arrival at Lahore airport.

The fast moving developments in the country are somehow related to the forthcoming general election for national assembly and state assemblies to be held on 25 July. Currently the federal and state governments are headed by caretaker Prime Minister and Chief Ministers.

Read More: Taliban kill 20 people in suicide attack in Peshawar

Nawabzada Siraj Raisani, the Baloshistan Awami Party (BAP) candidate for the provincial assembly seat was among 128 killed in the suicide attack on an election gathering in the Mastung area, 60 km south-west of Quetta.

In another terror attack four people died when remote-controlled explosive device was used to attack Akram Khan Durrani,a Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) candidate for national assembly in Bannu in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Thirty people were injured in the attack. Durrani survived the attack.

Reports say that the blast occurred when Durrani boarded his vehicle after addressing a public meeting. The explosive-rigged motorcycle was parked near his vehicle.

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Nawabzada Siraj Rasani was the younger brother of Nawab Aslam Raisani, the former chief minister of Baloshistan. Elder brother is contesting for national assembly.

According to Dawn, Haji Lashkari Raisani, another brother of Siraj Rasani confirmed saying, “My younger brother has been martyred in the suicide attack”  adding that he was critically injured in the attack and succumbed to his injuries while being taken to the hospital.

Tehreek-Taliban Pakistan’s Gazi force Lal Masjid” wing in a Whatsapp message has claimed responsibility for the suicide attack. All hospitals in Mastung and Quetta were kept on emergency to help the survivors.

A large number of people sitting in the gathering died on the spot and many were injured. The dead included some relatives of the slain BAP leader Siraj Raisani.

Qaim Lashkari, the Deputy Commissioner of Mastung said, “It was a suicide attack”. Another senior police official said, “It seems the target of the suicide attack was Siraj Raisani.”

An injured survivor said, “The suicide bomber blew himself up when local leaders were speaking at the gathering. The suicide bomber went near the stage where Siraj Raisani and other leaders were sitting and detonated the explosive-laden jacket he was wearing.”

Aslam Tareen, the Director General Civil Defence also confirmed that it was a suicide attack saying that around 8 kg explosives, ball bearing and nails were used in the suicide jacket saying “We have collected evidences from the explosive site.”

The bodies of the identified victims were handed over their relatives. However, large number of bodies remained unidentified. Allauddin Marri, the caretaker chief minister of Balochistan, has strongly condemned the suicide bombing and termed it a barbarian act. He said that terrorists involved in the attack would be brought to justice.

There have been several minor and moderate attacks on election related gatherings. However, the casualties remained highest in a single day on Friday. Rockets were reportedly fired at the house of Zahoor Buledi, another BAP candidate some two weeks ago.

Read More: Ousted Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif sentenced to 10 years in prison

Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz were arrested by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) officials upon their arrival from London to Lahore on Friday night. They were subsequently whisked away to Islamabad on a chartered flight.

Pakistan:132 killed in two terror attacks on election rallies

Nawaz and Maryam had been convicted by the accountability court in the Avenfield corruption reference last Friday and handed jail term of 10 years and seven years respectively. Former PM was found guilty of owing assets beyond known income, while his daughter was convicted for aiding and abetting her father in covering up a “conspiracy”.

Read More: Pakistan: Supreme Court disqualify Nawaz Sharif for life

At the time of conviction, both were in London for taking care of bed-ridden PM’s ailing wife. They announced that they would return to Pakistan to appeal against the sentence. Before leaving London Nawaz said that he had decided to return to the country to fulfil his pledge to ‘honour the vote’, “despite seeing the bars of prison in front of my eyes”.

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Priya Ghanghas, Sakshi Chaudhary script history as India win four boxing golds at Commonwealth Games 2026

Priya Ghanghas and Sakshi Chaudhary powered India to a record four boxing gold medals at the Commonwealth Games 2026, taking the country’s medal tally to 32.

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India continued its impressive campaign at the Commonwealth Games 2026 on Day 10, creating history in boxing as Priya Ghanghas and Sakshi Chaudhary added two more gold medals to the country’s tally. With four boxing gold medals already secured, India achieved its best-ever boxing performance in a single edition of the Commonwealth Games.

Priya Ghanghas defeated Canada’s Marie Al-Ahmadieh by a 4-1 split verdict in the women’s 60kg final. After conceding the opening round, the Indian boxer fought back strongly to win the next two rounds and seal the gold medal.

Earlier, Sakshi Chaudhary produced a commanding display to defeat England’s Ruby White by unanimous decision in the women’s 51kg final, earning India’s third boxing gold of the Games.

Four boxing champions script history

Priya Ghanghas and Sakshi Chaudhary joined Preeti Pawar and Jaismine Lamboria on the list of Indian boxing gold medallists at the Glasgow Games.

According to the live updates, India’s four boxing gold medals are the most the country has won in the sport at any edition of the Commonwealth Games.

The boxing campaign is still not over, with five more Indian boxers scheduled to compete in gold medal bouts later on Day 10.

India’s medal tally rises to 32

India’s medal tally climbed to 32 medals, comprising 10 gold, 15 silver and seven bronze.

Apart from boxing, India also celebrated a one-two finish in the men’s F57 shot put event. Soman Rana clinched the gold medal with a throw of 13.40 metres, while Shubham Juyal secured silver with 13.28 metres.

In athletics, Praveen Chithravel claimed silver in the men’s triple jump, while Selva Prabhu Thirumaran won bronze.

Judoka Unnati Sharma also added a bronze medal after defeating South Africa’s Skye Knoester by Ippon in the women’s -63kg event.

India eye more medals on Day 10

India’s medal tally could grow further as several athletes remain in contention later on Day 10.

Boxers Arundhati Choudhary, Lovlina Borgohain, Sachin Siwach, Ankush Panghal and Narender Berwal are all scheduled to compete in their respective finals. Harsh Tokas is also set to fight for bronze in the men’s -81kg judo event, while Indian athletes will feature in the men’s pole vault, men’s 5000m and mixed 4x400m relay finals.

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Spain’s Ceuta migrant crisis: 34 dead as 60,000 cross from Morocco in 24 hours

At least 34 migrants have died and around 60,000 crossed into Spain’s Ceuta from Morocco within 24 hours, prompting a major security response and diplomatic reactions across Europe.

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At least 34 migrants have died while attempting to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, as Spain faces one of its biggest border challenges in recent years.

According to Ceuta regional president Juan Jesus Vivas, around 60,000 migrants entered the Spanish territory from Morocco within the past 24 hours. The situation has escalated rapidly since Thursday, with security personnel confronting large groups attempting to enter the enclave.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez travelled to Ceuta on Friday, where he condemned the breach of the border and described the incident as a violation of Spain’s territorial integrity.

Sanchez blamed human smuggling networks for encouraging dangerous migration attempts, saying traffickers exploit vulnerable people and put their lives at risk.

Spain says many migrants have already returned

Spain’s Interior Ministry said nearly half of those who crossed into Ceuta have already returned to Morocco. The ministry also released footage showing people walking back through a border gate separating the two territories.

To strengthen border security, the Spanish government has deployed additional troops, police personnel, divers, drones and boats in and around Ceuta.

Videos circulating on Thursday showed thousands of migrants crossing into the Spanish enclave, highlighting the scale of the sudden influx.

Crisis sparks diplomatic tensions across Europe

The large-scale movement of migrants has triggered diplomatic reactions across Europe. Germany, Italy and Finland criticised the situation, while France tightened border checks with Spain.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the scenes in Ceuta as unacceptable in a social media post, stressing that entry into the European Union must comply with established rules.

An EU official later said there was no evidence of migrants moving onward from Ceuta into mainland Europe.

Italy also called for Spain to be suspended from the Schengen free-travel area, with Finland and Denmark expressing support for the proposal. France and the United Kingdom said they were ready to assist Spain in managing the crisis.

Donald Trump comments on Ceuta crisis

US President Donald Trump also reacted to the developments, using the situation to criticise the Democratic Party’s immigration policies.

According to Fox News, Trump said the United States could face a similar situation if Democrats return to power, using the events in Ceuta as a warning about border security.

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PM Modi, UK’s Andy Burnham agree to strengthen India-UK strategic partnership

PM Modi and new UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham agreed to expand cooperation in trade, defence, technology, clean energy and investment during their first phone conversation.

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PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated newly appointed UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and said both leaders had agreed to take the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to “new heights” by expanding cooperation across several key sectors.

The two leaders spoke over the phone and discussed various aspects of bilateral relations, including trade, investment, technology, defence, clean energy, education and people-to-people exchanges.

PM Modi highlights cooperation across key sectors

Sharing details of the conversation on social media, PM Modi said he extended his congratulations to Andy Burnham on assuming office and wished him success during his tenure.

He said both countries would work together in areas such as technology, innovation, defence, security, clean energy, education and stronger people-to-people connections to further strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The Prime Minister also said India and the United Kingdom would work closely to maximise the trade and investment opportunities created by the recently operationalised India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), with the aim of promoting shared prosperity and improving the well-being of people in both countries.

UK outlines Vision 2035 goals

According to a statement issued by the British government, Andy Burnham highlighted the strong partnership between the two nations and its positive impact on communities across the United Kingdom.

The statement said the British Prime Minister expressed his ambition to further deepen bilateral ties through the UK-India Vision 2035 framework while strengthening people-to-people links.

Burnham also acknowledged the contribution of the Indian community to British society. During the conversation, PM Modi referred to the historical connection between Manchester and Ahmedabad, describing Ahmedabad as the “Manchester of India”.

Focus on trade and investment

The British readout said the leaders also discussed the recently introduced free trade agreement, with PM Modi underlining its potential to generate new opportunities for businesses and people in both countries through stronger trade and investment cooperation.

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