Latest News
At least 50 killed, dozens injured in blast in Pakistan

At least 50 people have been killed and more than 50 injured in a suicide attack in Pakistan, police say.
The blast happened near a mosque in the southwestern province of Balochistan on Friday as people gathered to celebrate the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. Officials in Balochistan have declared a state of emergency. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Meanwhile, a separate blast has taken place at a mosque near Peshawar City in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The number of casualties at the mosque in Hangu near Peshawar is not yet known but police say a number of people could be trapped under rubble after the roof collapsed.
The mosque in Hangu is part of a police complex that has a capacity of 40 to 50 people, local police told the BBC.
Footage from the scene in the Balochistan city of Mastung showed the injured being rescued by emergency responders and locals.
Balochistan’s police chief Abdul Khaliq Sheikh confirmed the explosion was a suicide blast. He said a senior police officer was killed while trying to stop the attacker.
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti said the blast was a “very heinous act” and condemned what he called “the terrorist attacks” in Balochistan and Hangu.
Bordering Afghanistan and Iran, Balochistan is Pakistan’s largest province and has frequently been hit by armed fighters including the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or the Pakistani Taliban, and the Islamic State group.
However the TTP have denied involvement in Friday’s blast, saying in a statement that such an attack was against its policies.
Earlier this month, at least eleven people including a prominent Muslim leader were injured in an explosion in the same district. In July, more than 40 people were killed in a suicide bombing in north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province at a religious political party’s gathering.
(BBC)
Latest News
Stripey-faced fish named after warrior princess San

A deepwater fish new to science has been named after San, the warrior princess from Studio Ghibli’s landmark animated film Princess Mononoke, due to its striking facial markings.
The new species, Branchiostegus sanae, was identified by Chinese researchers after they noticed its unique cheek stripes.
San, a princess raised by wolves, was the war-painted protagonist of Hayao Miyazaki’s 1997 animated film.
Princess Mononoke was a sensation in Japan and grossed over 19 billion yen (£100.4m) at the box office.

The newly discovered fish is a deepwater tilefish, belonging to the family Branchiostegidae.
As their name suggests, deepwater tilefish are found at extreme depths, with some species being found as deep as 600m below the surface.
Researchers from the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, the Chinese Academy of Science, Zhejiang University and Ocean University of China, used genetic analysis to confirm it as a new species.
Inspired by its resemblance to San, they chose “sanae” for the specific name as a tribute.
Lead author of the study Haochen Huang said: “In Princess Mononoke, San is a young woman raised by wolves after being abandoned by her human parents. She sees herself as a part of the forest and fights to protect it.
“The film delves into the complex relationship between humans and nature, promoting a message of harmonious coexistence between the two: something we hope to echo through this naming.”
Deepwater tilefish are commonly found in seafood markets across east and southeast Asia.
However their diversity remains relatively low, with only 31 described species in the Branchiostegidae family and 19 in the Branchiostegus genus.
“Finding a new species in this group is a rare and fortunate event, especially one as distinctive as Branchiostegus sanae,” said Haochen Huang.
Only three new species in the genus Branchiostegus have been identified in the last 34 years.
Specimens have been preserved in marine biological collections to help scientists learn more about them.
(BBC)
Foreign News
Israel says Gaza ceasefire will end if Hamas does not free hostages by Saturday

Israel’s prime minister has warned Hamas it will end the ceasefire in Gaza and resume intense fighting if the Palestinian group “does not return our hostages by Saturday noon”.
Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered Israeli forces to amass inside and around Gaza in response to Hamas’s announcement that it was postponing freeing more hostages until further notice.
Netanyahu did not specify whether he was demanding the release of all 76 remaining hostages, or just the three due to be freed this Saturday – but a minister said he meant “everyone”.
On Monday, Hamas accused Israel of violating the three-week-old ceasefire deal, including by blocking vital humanitarian aid – a claim Israel has denied.
The group’s decision to delay this weekend’s scheduled release prompted US President Donald Trump to propose that Israel cancel the agreement altogether and “let hell break out” unless “all of the hostages” were returned by Saturday.
(BBC)
Latest News
President holds key meetings with world leaders on the side lines of the World Governments Summit

President Anura Kumara Disanayake who is currently attending the World Governments Summit 2025 in Dubai held several high-level bilateral discussions with Heads of State, on Tuesday (11).
During the day, the President met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. The discussions focused on strengthening trade relations and diversifying markets between the two countries. Both leaders also deliberated on the importance of adopting a new strategic framework to enhance economic co-operation.
President Disanayake briefed the Pakistani Prime Minister on Sri Lanka’s current economic policies, emphasizing that his administration is committed to transparent and corruption-free economic management. He further highlighted that such governance would create a solid foundation for Sri Lanka’s economic growth.
Additionally, the discussion placed special emphasis on promoting tourism between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, exploring opportunities to boost the industry in both countries.
Meanwhile, President Disanayake also met with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The discussions revolved around the potential for Sri Lanka to leverage the United Kingdom’s expertise and specialized knowledge in various sectors.
President Disanayake briefed Blair on the investment opportunities in Sri Lanka’s health, ports and tourism sectors, extending an invitation for UK investors to explore these prospects.
The former British PM highlighted the potential for Sri Lanka to benefit from expertise in climate change adaptation, good governance and agricultural advancements.
Additionally, he commended Sri Lanka’s current administration for its transparency and corruption-free governance, specifically recognizing these qualities as key strengths of the present leadership.
Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath also accompanied the President on this visit.
(PMD)
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