Balochistan Home Minister Ziaullah Langau on Wednesday stated that Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) have been working together to carry out terrorist attacks in Pakistan with Indian support.
Security forces have recently apprehended two key militant commanders – TTP’s Nasrullah alias Maulvi Mansoor and Idrees alias Irshad.
“Confession footage” was also recorded in which Nasrullah alias Maulvi Mansoor in which he went into details about a January 2024 plan according to which BLA would help him cross the Pak-Afghan border via Spin Boldak town.
“Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud and Mufti Muzahim said we and our friends [RAW] have three objectives in establishing a foothold in Balochistan,” he said.
The three objectives were, “Sabotaging CPEC projects, including targeting Chinese citizens; carrying out kidnapping for ransom to play up the matter of enforced disappearances so that intelligence agencies can be defamed; and spreading anarchy and frustration among the people by fomenting terrorist activities in Balochistan.”
The Los Angeles home where Marilyn Monroe died was declared a historic landmark on Wednesday, thwarting plans by its current owners to demolish the property.
The house was home to the “Some Like It Hot” screen siren for the final six months of her life up to her death from a drug overdose in 1962.
More than half a century on, Monroe remains one of the most beloved figures in US pop culture, and fans as well as conservationists have closely followed a row over the future of the home.
Property heiress Brinah Milstein and her reality TV producer husband Roy Bank bought the Spanish Colonial-style home in the swanky Brentwood neighbourhood last summer for $8.35 million.
The couple owned the house next door and intended to combine the two properties. That construction would have involved razing the Monroe home.
But when a demolition permit was issued last September, a furore quickly followed, and local politicians moved quickly to designate the building protected status.
Last month, the owners sued the city of Los Angeles for “illegal and unconstitutional conduct.”
Their petition noted Monroe had “occasionally” lived in the home for “a mere six months”, and the couple claim that more than a dozen previous owners since 1962 have already changed the building beyond recognition.
Those objections were overruled Wednesday, as city councillors approved the designation of the house as a historic cultural monument.
Monroe bought the 3,000-square-foot single-story hacienda in 1962 just after her divorce from playwright Arthur Miller.
“There is no other person or place in the city of Los Angeles as iconic as Marilyn Monroe and her Brentwood home,” said councillor Traci Park, whose district includes the house in question.
“Some of the most world-famous images ever taken of her were in that home, on those grounds and near her pool.
“There is likely no woman in history or culture who captures the imagination of the public the way Marilyn Monroe did. Even all these years later, her story still resonates and inspires many of us today.”
Monroe’s smouldering looks and breathy delivery made her one of the most bankable movie stars of her era.
The “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” star was linked during her lifetime with some of the most eligible men of her era, including president John F. Kennedy, famously singing “Happy Birthday, Mr President” at Madison Square Garden.
Bolivia’s army chief was arrested on Wednesday after sending soldiers and tanks to take up position in front of government buildings in what President Luis Arce called an attempted coup.
The troops and tanks entered Plaza Murillo, a historic square where the presidency and Congress are situated, in the afternoon, prompting global condemnation of an attack on democracy.
One of the tanks tried to break down a metal door of the presidential palace.
Surrounded by soldiers and eight tanks, the now-dismissed army chief General Juan Jose Zuniga said the “armed forces intend to restructure democracy, to make it a true democracy and not one run by the same few people for 30, 40 years”.
AFP reporters soon saw soldiers and tanks pulling back from the square. The uprising lasted about five hours.
Later Wednesday, Zuniga was captured and forced into a police car as he addressed reporters outside a military barracks, footage on state television showed.
“General, you are under arrest,” Deputy Interior Minister Jhonny Aguilera told Zuniga.
“No one can take away the democracy we have won,” Arce said from a balcony of the government palace in front of hundreds of supporters.
Military troops are deployed at the Plaza de Armas in La Paz on June 26, 2024. — AFP
Earlier he had urged “the Bolivian people to organise and mobilise against the coup d’etat in favour of democracy”, in a televised message to the country alongside his ministers inside the presidential palace.
He also swore in new military leaders, firing Zuniga.
Right before he was arrested, Zuniga told reporters that the president had told him to stage an uprising, thus triggering a crackdown that would make him look strong and boost his sagging approval rating.
At a meeting Sunday, the general said, Zuniga asked Arce “So we bring out armored vehicles?” He said the president answered, “Bring them out.”
Arce’s instructions were to “stage something to raise his popularity”, the general said.
Former president Evo Morales wrote on X that “a coup d’etat is brewing” and also urged a “national mobilisation to defend democracy”.
Zuniga’s anti-democratic remarks
Bolivia is deeply polarised after years of political instability and the ruling Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) is riven by internal conflict between supporters of Arce and his former mentor Morales.
A supporter of Bolivian President Luis Arce fires a bengal outside Quemado Palace at Plaza Murillo in La Paz on June 26. — AFP
Morales, who was Bolivia’s first Indigenous president, was extremely popular until he tried to bypass the constitution and seek a fourth term in office in 2019.
The leftist and former coca union leader won that vote but was forced to resign amid deadly protests over alleged election fraud, and fled the country. He returned after Arce won the presidency in October 2020.
Since then a power struggle has grown between the two men, and Morales has increasingly criticised the government and accused it of corruption, tolerating drug trafficking, and sidelining him politically.
Six months ago, the Constitutional Court disqualified Morales from the 2025 elections, however, he is still seeking nomination as the MAS candidate. Arce has not said whether he will seek re-election.
Zuniga appeared on television on Monday and said he would arrest Morales if he insisted on running for office again in 2025. “Legally he is disqualified, that man cannot be president of this country again,” he said.
Since that interview, rumours have swirled that Zuniga was on the verge of being dismissed.
Calls for calm
In this handout picture released by Bolivian Presidency, Bolivian President Luis Arce (2nd R) attends a military event next to Gen. Juan Jose Zuniga (R) in La Paz on April 18, 2024. — AFP
The US administration of Joe Biden said it was keeping a close eye on events in Bolivia and “calls for calm”, according to a spokesperson for the National Security Council.
Condemnations of the troop movements also poured in from across Latin America, with leaders of Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela calling for democracy to be respected.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva wrote on X: “I am a lover of democracy and I want it to prevail throughout Latin America. We condemn any form of coup d’etat in Bolivia.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday called for “respect for democracy and the rule of law,” in a message on X.
The Organisation of American States (OAS) said the international community would “not tolerate any form of breach of the legitimate constitutional order in Bolivia”.
The case of the murder case of journalist Nasrullah Gadani has been taken to court. During the last hearing, witnesses named a local MNA of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and two of his sons for planning the assassination.
The journalist’s brother and cousin Yaqoob Gadani and Salah Gadani recorded their statements under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) before Second Civil Judge and Judicial Magistrate Mirpur Mathelo Muhammad Idress Jakhrani.
Gadani was killed in Mirpur Mathelo on May 21. He was shifted to Karachi for treatment after the attack, where he succumbed to his injuries.
According to the witnesses, on April 11, 2024, three people threatened Nasrullah because he did not stop reporting against them.
On June 8, 2024, police reportedly arrested Asghar Loond, son of Hoat Loond, one of the three main suspects, and found the weapons, motorcycle, and three mobile phones used in the assassination.
Police have declared Asghar Loond’s brother Barkat and Abdullah as absconders.
Divisions in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have gotten stronger as 21 members have hinted at making a forward block over party’s inability to secure founder PTI Imran Khan’s release from prison, Geo News reported on Wednesday.
The dissenting group also “conveyed a message” to Chairman PTI Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan to start serious efforts to free the incarcerated former Prime Minister.
The problem emerged when several PTI leaders refused to attend the parliamentary party’s session earlier this week.
The 27 lawmakers were in favour of stepping down from the assembly, while 21 considered forming a forward block, according to Geo News.
PTI leader Shandana Gulzar has told Geo News, “Resignations would be a better option if we cannot take the PTI founder out of jail.”
A district and sessions court in Islamabad will announce its reserved decision today in incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi’s petition to suspend their sentence in the Iddat case.
A district magistrate has convicted Bushra Bibi and Imran Khan on February 3 and imprisoned them for seven years in an iddat case on a plea filed by Bushra Bibi’s former husband, Khawar Maneka.
However, additional district and session court judge Afzal Majoka will announce the verdict on Bushra Bibi’s petition today.
Imran Khan is serving his sentence in the Toshakhana case, the £190 million reference case and the Iddat case.
If Imran Khan gets relief in Iddat case today, he will be released from the jail, as courts have already suspended Khan’s sentences in Toshakhana case and £190 million corruption case.
Chris Silverwood, head coach of the Sri Lankan cricket team, has resigned after the team’s poor performance in the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup.
Sri Lanka Cricket Board confirmed that Chris Silverwood has resigned from his position citing personal reasons.
“Being an international coach requires a lot of time away and I have decided to step down after detailed consultations with family and close friends. Now is the time to spend some time with my family.”
Sri Lanka won one match out of three while one match was washed out.
Sri Lanka’s batting consultant Mahela Jayawardene also resigned yesterday.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Pakistani actor Mahira Khan honored the memory of her beloved uncle, Akber Khan, who passed away two weeks ago.
The Raees star shared her sorrow at his death, posting fond memories with a series of old photographs, highlighting their special relationship.
“My one and only Mamu. It’s hard to imagine that my handsome, larger-than-life Mamu is no more,” Mahira wrote. She reflected on their unique bond and his irreplaceable presence in her life. “I’ve heard all Mamus are special, but it feels like mine was the most special. He gave us the most beautiful childhood, he gave his mother unconditional love and respect, he was a father to my Khala and my mother’s soulmate,” she wrote. “He never complained. He spoke kindly. He was invested in your life and wrote to you when he felt strongly about something. He didn’t miss a single ‘Good morning precious’ message.”
She remembered the laughter and music her uncle brought into their lives, mentioning the joy he spread. “He gave us laughter and music. He gave me Kishpa and Aly bhai. But most of all, he gave us my angel Mani… his ‘Jannoo’ as he called her.” These memories show the deep impact Akber had on his family.
Concluding her tribute, Mahira expressed the ongoing pain of his loss. “It’s been two weeks since you left us. Still, this is tough to write, tougher than I imagined. We all miss you, Mamu… always will.” Mahira shared his favorite song, Dil Ka Haal Sune Dilwala, recalling their happy times singing and dancing to it.
In the Euro Cup 2024, second-tier team Georgia surprised everyone by defeating Portugal 0-2.
With this win, Georgia also booked a place in the last 16, the former Soviet Republic of Georgia’s first appearance at a major world event and achieved a historic victory by defeating favorites Portugal.
On behalf of Georgia, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored in the second minute of the match to give the team the lead, in the 57th minute of the match, Georges Mikautadze scored a penalty goal and strengthened the lead of the team.
Portugal had already advanced to the next round as group winners.
Portugal rested all 8 key players in this match and replaced them with other players sitting on the bench.
In the first semi-final of T20 World Cup, South Africa qualified for the final for the first time by defeating Afghanistan after a one-sided match by 9 wickets.
Afghanistan won the toss and decided to bat first against Protease.
First inning:
The entire Afghanistan team was bowled out for just 56 runs in 11.5 overs.
On behalf of Afghanistan, only Azmatullah Umarzai has managed to score 10 runs, Rehmanullah Garbaz, Muhammad Nabi and Noor Ahmad scored zero.
Ibrahim Zadran 2, Gulbuddin Naib 9, Ningyalia Kharote 2, Karim Jannat 8, Rashid Khan 8 and Naveen ul Haq scored 2 runs.
On behalf of South Africa, Marco Johnson and Tabriz Shamsi took 3, 3 wickets while Rabada and Enrique Nokia took 2, 2 wickets.
Second inning:
South African batsman Quinton de Kock, who came to open the innings against Afghanistan, returned to the pavilion after scoring 5 runs.
South Africa’s Reza Hendricks played an unbeaten innings of 29 and captain Adrian Markram played a not out innings of 23 runs to take their team to the final.
Fazl Haq Farooqui took the only wicket of the innings for Afghanistan.
Today, the second semi-final of the T20 World Cup will be played between India and England at 7.30 pm in Providence, the final of the event will be played in Bridgetown on Saturday, June 29.
