Indian Sub-continent

Pakistan's anti-narcotics force seizes over 200 kg drugs, arrests 7

ISLAMABAD, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) conducted multiple operations, recovering over 200 kg of drugs and arresting seven suspects, the ANF said on Friday.

During the anti-narcotics operations, the ANF recovered drugs, including opium, hashish, heroin, methamphetamine and others, the ANF said in a statement, adding that other than drugs, 1,000 intoxicated tablets were also seized.

Landmine Blast Killed Child, Injured Two In North Afghanistan

FAIZABAD, Afghanistan, Nov 8 (NNN-ANA) – A child lost his life and two others were injured, due to a landmine blast in north Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province, a statement by the provincial police office said today.

The incident took place in Jarm district yesterday afternoon, the statement said, without providing more details.

A similar incident claimed the lives of two children and injured another in Darzab district, of the northern Jawzjan province, a month ago.

India: New Delhi plans to make rain to tackle 'hazardous' smog

NEW DELHI, Nov 8 (Reuters) - New Delhi plans for the first time to make rain to try improve air quality in the city, which is the world's most polluted capital and has been gripped by smog for a week.

The city has already shut all schools, stopped construction activities, and said it will impose restrictions on vehicle use.

Depending on legal approval and weather conditions, the local environment minister said authorities would try to induce rain from around Nov. 20.

Pakistan Cancels Over 18,000 Illegal Identity Cards

ISLAMABAD, Nov 7 (NNN-APP) – Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), has cancelled over 18,000 illegal identity cards, through its robust monitoring and corrective mechanism, NADRA said.

“NADRA is resorting to stringent rectification measures, through better coordination with other stakeholders and strict internal scrutiny,” NADRA said in a press statement.

China provides anti-dengue emergency supply to Bangladesh

DHAKA, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- A handover ceremony of China's anti-dengue emergency supply for Bangladesh was held here on Tuesday.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen handed over the supply to the Bangladeshi Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque at the ceremony, saying that China and Bangladesh are genuine friends who share weal and woe and close neighbors who always help each other.

Bangladesh has recorded a total of 1,895 deaths from dengue fever out of 283,593 cases this year as of Tuesday, Bangladeshi health department figures showed.

Pakistan: OIC hosts three-day international conference on women in Islam

ISLAMABAD, Nov 06 (APP): The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia is hosting a three-day “International Conference on Women in Islam” in Jeddah starting on Monday.

Organized by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the conference aims to highlight the successes of Muslim women and their role and contributions to the development of the OIC Member States.

India: New Delhi to restrict use of vehicles to curb air pollution

NEW DELHI, Nov 6 (Reuters) - India's Delhi city will restrict use of vehicles next week to curb rising pollution as air quality in the capital remained dangerously unsafe for a third consecutive day despite mitigation efforts.

New Delhi ranks among the world's top polluted cities every year ahead of the onset of winter, when calm winds and low temperatures trap pollutants from sources including vehicles, industries, construction dust, and crop residue burning in nearby fields.

4 soldiers among 7 killed in NW Pakistan clash

ISLAMABAD, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- Four soldiers, including an officer and three militants, were killed during a clash between the security forces and terrorists in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Monday, a military statement said.

The security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in the Khyber district of the province on the reported presence of the terrorists, which led to the clash, the military's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in the statement.

Pakistan steps up security at military and other sensitive installations after attack on an air base

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistani authorities have stepped up security at military and other sensitive installations following the weekend attack by militants on an air base that damaged three grounded aircraft and destroyed a fuel tanker, security officials said Monday.

A recently formed group, Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan, has claimed responsibility for Saturday’s attack in Mianwali, a city in eastern Punjab province, where police have repulsed multiple attacks by another group, the Pakistani Taliban, in recent months.

Afghanistan's opium poppy cultivation down 95 pct following drug ban

KABUL, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- The opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan has dropped by an estimated 95 percent since the country's caretaker government imposed a drug ban in April 2022, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime said Sunday.

According to the organization's report, the opium cultivation of the once world's biggest opium producer fell from 233,000 hectares to just 10,800 hectares in 2023, leading to a 95-percent drop in the supply of opium, from 6,200 tonnes in 2022 to 333 tonnes in 2023.

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