Right after the crash, rescue operations kicked off without a moment's delay. Heart-stopping footage from the scene captured flames.
DHAKA – A devastating tragedy struck the Bangladeshi capital on Monday when a Bangladesh Air Force jet crashed into a school campus, killing 16 people and injuring over 100 others, many of them children.
According to military officials, the F-7 BGI fighter jet took off at 1:06 PM and crashed at approximately 1:30 PM during a routine training mission. The crash ignited a massive blaze inside the school premises, causing chaos and panic among students and staff.
Firefighters and Military Teams Launch Massive Rescue
Right after the crash, rescue operations kicked off without a moment’s delay. Heart-stopping footage from the scene captured flames and thick smoke wrapping around school buildings as frightened students rushed to find safety.
Firefighters, police, and military personnel joined forces to battle the blaze and help evacuate those injured. In addition, local health officials reported that over 50 individuals, including children, sustained serious burn injuries and are currently in critical condition.
Government Promises Full Investigation
In the wake of this heartbreaking tragedy, Muhammad Yunus, who leads Bangladesh’s interim government, shared his profound sadness and promised a comprehensive investigation.
“We will take all necessary steps to uncover the cause of this tragic incident and ensure that everyone affected receives the full support they need,” he stated in an official announcement. As of Monday morning, emergency teams are still on-site, and part of the school has been cordoned off. Classes have been put on hold until further notice.
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Web browsers with AI capabilities are set to transform the way we surf the internet, summarising content, booking for us, and even writing emails on our behalf. But will they really save us time and make us more productive?
Let’s examine five ways these browsers can simplify your life.
Source: DIA
1. Task Automation at Your Fingertips
AI browsers such as Perplexity’s Comet and Opera Neon now feature integrated assistants that execute routine tasks without additional apps or tabs. The software can search for travel bargains, schedule appointments, or handle mundane errands in a question-and-answer manner.
During early trials, users report that taking a task (such as searching flights and building calendars) and then allowing the browser to handle the heavy lifting eliminates several clicks, and no more back-and-forth switching. However, initial speed concerns remain, with some tasks still feeling slower than doing them yourself.
2. Deep Content Understanding
Real AI browsers don’t show you web pages, they take in and process content in the moment. The Browser Company, for instance, monitors your surf behaviour; what you click, write, and read, and provides contextual assistance such as summaries, shopping recommendations, or email drafts.
Its “skills” framework activates various AI modules for a given task, allowing for more acute outputs. Users like that this intuitive leap is time-saving, as they no longer copy-paste or swap between tabs
3. One-stop Workspace
Browsers such as Sigma AI and Opera One bundle search, writing features, and AI chat into one interface. Sigma organises your session with intelligent prompts, while Opera’s Neon browser handles tasks via “Do” mode, booking or coding without app-switching.
This bundling reduces mental overhead and restricts context-switching, which means you can concentrate on the activity, not the tool. For authors, researchers, and artists, that saved attention turns into productivity.
4. Smarter Research and Summaries
Traditional browsers depend on you to burrow through search results. AI browsers turn that paradigm on its head. Opera and Comet provide page previews and summaries with immediate access, so you can determine what to click on before clicking. They provide you with summarized answers—facts, key points, or source lists—without viewing multiple pages. Industry experts caution, however, that publishers could lose traffic if readers never click through—posing questions about sustainability in ad-supported content
5. Real Time Privacy & Data Handling
Certain AI browsers process data locally to ensure privacy. Brave, for instance, executes its Leo AI model locally, obscuring user data prior to sending queries. Perplexity’s Comet stores data client-side until you choose to enable cloud features.
This balance ensures speed while keeping sensitive data private. It’s a key enhancement, particularly when browsers pull from personal sessions, logins, or email for automation of task.
Source: TechRadar
Yes, AI web browsers save time, but it’s not magic. They are great at automating tedious work, summarising content, and keeping your workflow focused. Early adopters experience up to 30% shorter cycles of content creation and research. But they still have challenges to overcome: speed bottlenecks, inconsistent task accuracy, and changing privacy issues.
For document creation tasks such as traveling planning or document writing, AI browsers are already excelling.
But until their agents mature and publishers come along, we’re still in the early days of reimagining what the browser can do. If you’re looking for wiser browsing and fewer tabs in chaos, these browsers hold real promise, but perfect results aren’t to be expected yet.
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A family land dispute in Malir’s Rehri Goth area, Karachi, turned violent when a woman allegedly killed her brother during a heated argument over a plot of land. According to police, the conflict stemmed from a long-standing disagreement within the family about property ownership.
Suspect Confesses to the Crime
During the altercation, the woman allegedly hit her brother with a wooden stick, resulting in his death. Additionally, officials have confirmed that the suspect confessed to the crime during the initial questioning.
The police have opened a case and are conducting a thorough investigation into the details surrounding the incident.
Similar Incidents Highlight Growing Property Violence
This case is just one more example of the violent property disputes that have been plaguing Pakistan. Back in June 2025, a tragic gunfight erupted between the Esakhel and Wah Wah Khan groups in Peshawar, resulting in the deaths of two men over a land ownership issue.
It doesn’t stop there. Last September, a man took the life of his blind father with a sharp weapon during a property disagreement in Arifwala. The police managed to arrest the suspect and recover the weapon involved in that incident.
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There it is, THAT look you already know what I am talking about. Blank, expressionless, and somehow more piercing than any eye-roll ever could be. You’ve probably seen it across TikTok, at family dinners, or maybe from a Gen Z intern sitting across the conference table.
Millennials, brace yourselves! It’s the era of the Gen Z stare, and no, honey, they are not mad, they are not disengaged. They are still very actively listening, but just not playing by certain rules anymore.
What is the Gen Z Stare?
The Gen Z stare is part poker face, part passive resistance, and entirely intentional. It’s not aggressive or overtly rude, it’s just a silent protest against performative enthusiasm. While Millennials might have grown up with “fake it till you make it,” Gen Z has flipped that script to “why fake anything at all?”
But why aren’t Millennials buying it? Because Millennials are burnt-out overachievers. Raised in a culture of hustle, politeness, and LinkedIn-optimised optimism, many Millennials thrive on validation and visible enthusiasm.
Their social currency was built on being “relatable,” peppy, and eager to please. The Gen Z stare? It believes in authenticity over people-pleasing.
Critics often assail the stare, making snap judgments about what it means: boredom, indifference, superiority, judgment or just sheer silliness, even a death stare. Perhaps the declining Gen Z reputation provides a negative context for the snap judgments.
In the past, Gen Z has been labelled as oppositional and difficult to manage. They are willing to quit a job if it doesn’t prioritise work-life balance and a healthy culture, and expect a promotion in one year or less.
However, sometimes the criticisms levelled against them are too harsh and one-sided.
Gen Z Stare
Decoding the Silence
To understand the Gen Z stare, you need to understand the context Gen Z grew up in. This is a generation raised on irony, side-eyes, and a constant awareness of being watched by algorithms, by social media, by the world.
So, their rebellion isn’t loud. It’s subtle. It’s the refusal to perform emotion where none exists. In a world of overstimulation, their defence mechanism is detachment.
Is screen time to blame? Psychologists and generational experts are weighing in, saying the phenomenon could have more to do with natural growing pains in a first job. There are also factors unique to Gen Z’s upbringing, including how the generation has grown up in front of screens. One professor told BI that it’s naïve to underestimate the impact that COVID-19 shutdowns and online learning could have had on young people’s development.
In fact, the frozen expression does resemble the third trauma “freeze” reaction, like a deer caught in the headlights. In a way, the frozen look resembles a social disability, resulting from deprived social interactions during the Gen Z formative years.
So, instead of judging, how about millennials trying to look beyond the negative perception they have already concluded? Maybe flip the perspective and think out of the box like this:
Gen Z values authenticity and holds a high bar for brands they purchase and advocate for. How do we, as an organisation, rise up to that standard?
They do not work well in a hierarchical structure. How do we create collaborative working models where they are able to co-create and feel ownership over a process, despite their position in the organisation?
Gen Z is impatient. How do we build agile iterative work models (prototype, test, learn and repeat)?
They rely heavily on peers and social media. Gen Z can help turbocharge social media marketing for your organisation.
So next time you’re faced with the Gen Z stare, don’t panic. Just… sit with it.
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A senior Russian lawmaker has warned that WhatsApp may soon halt operations in the country. Anton Gorelkin, deputy head of the State Duma’s IT committee, stated that the messaging platform could be classified as restricted software.
Furthermore, this step appears likely under new regulations targeting foreign technology firms, Reuters reported.
Putin Orders Stricter Control Over Foreign Software
WhatsApp, which is part of Meta, is feeling the heat as Russia ramps up its crackdown on foreign tech firms. Meta has already been branded an “extremist organisation,” resulting in bans on Facebook and Instagram back in 2022.
To make matters worse, President Vladimir Putin has recently signed a directive that calls for stricter control over foreign software from “unfriendly countries.” Authorities are expected to enforce these new rules by September 1, and this includes communication apps like WhatsApp.
Push for State-Controlled Alternatives
In June, Putin approved a law promoting a state-managed messaging service integrated with government platforms. Consequently, this move aligns with Russia’s long-standing objective of achieving technological independence.
Officials argue that removing WhatsApp could accelerate the adoption of the domestic platform. After the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, many Western tech firms exited Russia, reinforcing the Kremlin’s push for self-reliance in digital infrastructure.
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Honor killing is a major cultural issue in Pakistan
“Come walk seven steps with me, after that you can shoot me.”
These were the last words uttered by a woman who was shot and executed on the orders of a local tribal council in Pakistan’s Balochistan province for marrying against the will of her family.
This was another unfortunate case of honour killing, a long-standing patriarchal and morally backwards tradition in which victims, mostly women, are killed for bringing dishonour to their family and community.
However, in this case, it wasn’t just the woman murdered but also the man she married.
The video that went viral shows people in a desert, and some pickup trucks and SUVs in which they had apparently been driven there. The woman is given a copy of the Quran, and she then tells a man, “Come walk seven steps with me, after that you can shoot me.” The man then follows her for a few steps.
A local police official said the woman did not cry or seek mercy.
“You are allowed only to shoot me. Nothing more than that,” the woman says in the regional Brahavi language.
This wasn’t the first case, and unfortunately, won’t be the last. The recent honour killing case in Balochistan is a tragic reminder of a deep-rooted crisis fueled by patriarchal norms, feudal customs, and poor law enforcement.
A Brutal Tradition that has Endured in Pakistan
The recent execution of a couple in the name of honour in Balochistan received considerable traction because it was recorded and circulated on video.
The police arrested 11 suspects, and a terrorism case was registered against the guilty parties. However, the grim truth is that law enforcement is weak against honour killings, and this cultural malaise is a national issue beyond Balochistan’s territory.
First and foremost, the custom of honour killing is rampant in tribal setups and rural feudal areas. Feudal traditions and tribal codes have a far more powerful grip than legal processes, preventing effective law enforcement.
While feudalistic setups are conducive to such practices, urban spaces also fail to protect women. Sana Yousaf, a TikTokker, was recently murdered in her own house when she rejected the advances of Umar Hayat, aka Kaka.
This was more of an individual act committed against a girl who was simply exercising her autonomy, a core theme surrounding all honour killing cases. However, it reflects the ill mindset of such men.
It was not just another high-profile honour killing case, but a reflection of a patriarchal system which promotes toxic masculinity and gendered violence.
Sana Yousaf
We Have Failed to Protect Women as a Society
Honour killings may be committed by one or a few individuals, but the recurring patterns and enduring traditions unearth a horrid reality.
We, as a society, have failed to protect our women. Personal cruelty is one thing, but institutional failures to safeguard women’s rights highlight a broader systemic issue.
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Dubai’s Global Encounters Festival 2025 happens from July 20–27 and features more than 4,000 young people, artists, and athletes from all over the globe. Cultural exchange, creative collaboration, and sustainable innovation, all set across Dubai’s renowned venues, are what this festival brings.
As a participant or a visitor, this guide deconstructs five prominent sections so you can smoothly and pleasantly navigate your experience.
Source: Gulf News
Program Highlights & Daily Activities
GE Fest blends arts, sports, speeches, and service. Look forward to opening and closing ceremonies at the Dubai World Trade Centre with performances and international ambassadors.
Workshops, on subjects such as social entrepreneurship, climate innovation, and digital storytelling, conducted by specialists are each day’s highlight. Parallel sessions comprise cultural exhibitions, youth-organised panel discussions, and community service pop-ups such as beach cleanups and city tree-planting.
That makes each day experiential, hands-on, and purposeful.
Venue Logistics & Mobility
Activities are spread out in three principal locations: Dubai World Trade Centre, Aga Khan Centre, and open-air sites such as Creek Park for art exhibits. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) run extended Metro timings during the festival and upped train frequencies, particularly on Expo and Red lines.
Shuttle bus services move between venues, with rideshare lanes earmarked close to entrances. If you are going to visit more than one place in a day, checking metro status and shuttle timing through the app makes sense.
Packing Smart & Respecting Local Culture
Dubai requires respectful dress, covered shoulders and knees, and modest swimwear. Pack lightweight, loose-fitting clothing because of extreme summer heat (30–40 °C during the day). Sun protection, hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses are a must.
On a cultural level, displays of affection in public are frowned upon. Festival organisers instruct participants to refrain from rowdy conduct, public intoxication (non-Muslim only in licensed areas), and proselytising of religion. Following these rules prevents embarrassing encounters or fines.
Sustainability & Eco Initiatives
GE Fest places sustainability at its heart. Participants can join tree-planting initiatives guided by environmental NGOs. Workshops highlight sustainable business models, plastic-alternative design, and green entrepreneurship.
Each venue will have recycling stations, water-refill points (bring reusable bottles), and plastic-bag bans. In attending, you’re encouraged to reduce your carbon footprint; walk instead of ride, bring refillable bottles, and choose eco-friendly gear over single-use items.
Get the GE Festival mobile app early: it includes schedules, maps, networking features, and real-time alerts. The app allows one-on-one chat with other attendees and schedule updates for every workshop or show.
“Help desks” at all venues on-site have multilingual volunteers available for directions, first aid, and technical assistance. Wi-Fi is strong and free in venues. Security screening is routine at entry—look for bag scans and ID checks.
Getting ready for the Global Encounters Festival 2025 means more than buying a flight and a badge. You’ll need to blend cultural awareness, sustainability habits, and digital preparation to fully tap into this global crossroads. With its vibrant lineup of performances, meaningful workshops, and eco-actions, this festival offers both celebration and transformation.
Arrive informed, respectful, and engaged, and you’ll return with unforgettable stories, new friendships, and ideas worth sharing.
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Tensions have escalated ahead of the World Cricket League (WCL) match as reports confirm that several Indian cricketers have refused to play against Pakistan following Shahid Afridi’s inclusion in the squad.
Indian Players Object to Afridi’s Presence
According to sources, some senior Indian players expressed strong reservations about facing Shahid Afridi in the upcoming WCL fixture. The players reportedly communicated their stance to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), insisting that they will not participate if Afridi remains in the lineup.
Pakistan Stands Firm on Selection
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed Afridi’s inclusion, emphasising his experience and match-winning capability. PCB sources stated that the board will not bow to external pressure and will proceed with its current squad.
WCL Organisers Face Tough Decisions
The WCL governing body now faces the challenge of mediating between the two cricket boards. Talks are reportedly underway to resolve the standoff before the scheduled match date. Fans across both nations have taken to social media, making #AikAfridiSabPeBhari trend as anticipation builds.
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Gaza is currently experiencing a historic hunger crisis. For the first time in its history, UN officials call it the “hungriest place on Earth” with all 2.2 million inhabitants at risk of famine.
What was once a lifeline of humanitarian aid has now been throttled to near extinction. Since 2023, Israel’s all-out blockade has choked the flow of essential supplies, leaving over 116,000 metric tons of aid stranded at the border and an entire population at the mercy of a collapsing system.
The result isn’t just hunger, it’s a deliberate descent into famine. As Gaza’s food infrastructure crumbles under bombardment and aid convoys turn deadly, survival itself has become a battlefield.
All-Out Blockade
Israel’s 2023 blockade reduced humanitarian assistance previously supporting Gaza by over 80%. Closures of borders and suspended UN and NGO activity meant supply lines were effectively throttled.
When truck convoys dwindled to a trickle, 116,000 metric tons of assistance remained stuck at the border through July 2025, leaving Palestinians reliant on a system in collapse. Aid deprivation eclipsed military violence as the overarching peril.
Source: UN News
Destruction of Food Infrastructure
Bombing and shelling destroyed Gaza’s food infrastructure. About two-thirds of bakeries, flour mills, and food warehouses in the Strip remain destroyed. More than 60% of agricultural land fell victim to attacks or remained inaccessible because of danger zones.
The collapse resulted in local food production grinding to a halt, compelling dependence on imports that aren’t getting to the population.
Increasing Malnutrition and Starvation
As rations were cut to one-third of needs, malnutrition levels have soared. Acute child malnutrition rates have doubled, with WFP and UNICEF reporting that up to 10% of children under the age of five may be affected through June 2025.
At least 79 Palestinians were killed in one stampede at an aid convoy, a sign of desperation. Experts say this amounts to a “man-made famine” with potentially deadly consequences.
Deadly Humanitarian Efforts
In mid-July, at least 80 were killed and hundreds wounded when Israeli troops fired on crowds at relief convoys. Previous weeks saw panicky stampedes at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation distribution points kill dozens. Those breakdowns made others fearful of getting aid, further exacerbating the hunger crisis.
Palestinian children in Rafah wait in line
Vulnerable Groups and Children at Risk of Extinction
UN data confirms Gaza is the only region on Earth where 100% of people face famine risk. Among them, children and the elderly suffer most. Over 65,000 under-fives were diagnosed with acute malnutrition by April–May 2025. The elderly also face alarmingly high starvation death rates. Survival tactics, eating grass, animal feed, and plastic, have surfaced.
Gaza’s famine crisis is more than war; it shows a structural breakdown of the norms of basic survival under siege. A shattered food system, severed aid, deadly aid delivery, escalating malnutrition, and fragile populations brought to the brink sketch a dire picture.
The world needs to address Gaza not just as a war zone but as a sustained humanitarian crisis. This disastrous famine is not collateral damage; it’s an intentional result of policy choices. Restoring unobstructed aid, repairing infrastructure, and ensuring safe delivery can avert further loss.
If these actions fail to take place, Gaza can go from the world’s most hungry place to the most tragic human-made disaster of our era.
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Once known as a little brother of Bitcoin, Ethereum at first wasn’t taken seriously by the majority of investors, as it looked difficult for them to understand. Today, the tables have turned, and the Ethereum coin has carved out a sizeable share of the crypto market due to innovations like DeFi (decentralised finance) and NFT (non-fungible token). But such a drastic improvement? How so?
What is Ethereum coin, and why are investors considering it the next big rival to Bitcoin?
What is Ethereum Coin?
The Ethereum coin, AKA Ether (ETH), is the native cryptocurrency of the Ethereum network. It is a decentralised, blockchain-based platform that was launched in 2015. Ethereum is more than just a digital currency, as it also fuels the decentralised applications and smart contracts built on the Ethereum platform. Think of it as the fuel that powers the “world computer” that is Ethereum.
It’s a platform that allows developers to build and run applications, called dApps, that don’t rely on any central authority.
In simpler terms, Ether is to Ethereum what petrol is to a car. You can invest in it, trade it, or use it to run programs on the Ethereum network.
A Quick Look Back at The History of Ethereum
Ethereum was created by Vitalik Buterin, who published its whitepaper in 2013. The project was crowdfunded in 2014 and officially launched in July 2015. What set Ethereum apart from Bitcoin right from the beginning was its ambition: not just to move money, but to allow anyone to build decentralised apps using smart contracts.
Smart contracts are self-executing lines of code written in blockchain that carry out certain instructions once they are met. No banks, lawyers, or middlemen required. These smart contracts are what power decentralised applications or “dApps” on Ethereum.
But wait, you might be thinking that Bitcoin does the same (almost), so how is this any different? Here is what sets Ethereum and Bitcoin apart.
Bitcoin is primarily a digital store of value. It is a kind of “Internet gold” that’s great for holding and transferring value.
Ethereum is a programmable blockchain. It lets developers create applications that can do all sorts of things: lending money, trading assets, creating NFTs, or even running entire games.
Bitcoin is relatively simple. Ethereum is flexible, open-ended, and designed for innovation.
Now, don’t get me wrong, Bitcoin is also playing a huge role in worldwide expansion towards decentralised finance and is still very valuable in its own way. Ethereum is just bringing something new to the table, along with what Bitcoin already offers.
What are Ethereum Gas Fees and Why is it So Expensive?
Gas fees are transaction fees paid by users to record their transactions on a blockchain. The fees are used as rewards to validators, geographically distributed computer users, for verifying transactions and keeping the blockchain network running properly.
Gas fees also offer an extra layer of security to blockchains by making it costly for bad actors to interact with the network and attempt to disrupt it.
Gas fees tend to be small fractions of cryptocurrencies native to a blockchain and are often not set in stone but depend on how much a particular blockchain is being used at any one time.
Users can pay higher gas fees if they want a transaction confirmed more quickly, as these higher fees incentivise validators to process their transactions first. Likewise, users who pay lower gas fees may see their transactions stuck in a queue because validators are less motivated to confirm them in a timely manner.
These gas fees tend to be more expensive on Ethereum than on other blockchains because of the sheer number of users it attracts, which makes the network congested.
Every application and user on Ethereum is competing for a limited amount of space.
The very large volume of transactions that pass through the thousands of decentralised apps, DeFi protocols, and NFT platforms built on the Ethereum blockchain leads to spikes in gas prices.
Since gas fees are priced in ETH, they also naturally go up, or down, depending on the market value of Ethereum.
During periods of elevated blockchain activity, for example, when a new DeFi protocol launches, or a popular set of NFTs are created for sale, the average price for gas fees can climb to very high levels indeed.
Ethereum Price to USD
The Role of Smart Contracts and Ethereum 2.0
One of Ethereum’s most revolutionary features is the smart contract. These are bits of code that execute automatically when certain conditions are met. For example, a smart contract could automatically release payment when a product is delivered.
All of this runs on the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), which is a global and decentralised computer that ensures these contracts execute securely across thousands of nodes worldwide.
This combination of smart contracts and EVM is what makes Ethereum the foundation for much of today’s DeFi (decentralised finance) and NFT (non-fungible token) activity.
In September 2022, Ethereum underwent a major upgrade known as The Merge, transitioning from a Proof-of-Work (PoW) system (like Bitcoin) to a much more energy-efficient Proof-of-Stake (PoS) system. Here is why this can be a very important upgrade:
Ethereum’s energy consumption dropped by over 99%, addressing one of the major criticisms of crypto.
The network is now better prepared to handle future upgrades, like sharding, which will significantly increase its capacity and lower fees.
Users can now stake their ETH to help secure the network and earn rewards, rather than relying on miners.
Ethereum’s energy consumption went down by a total of 99 percent, which has made it a lot more sustainable and less energy extensive unlike what it was before.
So, Is Ethereum Really the Next Big Deal?
By all accounts, it already is.
Ethereum is the backbone of the modern crypto ecosystem. It supports the majority of DeFi protocols, NFT platforms, and decentralised applications. With its transition to Proof of Stake, Ethereum has solved some of its biggest issues, energy waste and scalability, making it even more sustainable and future-ready.
Whether you’re an investor, a developer, or just someone trying to understand the next phase of the internet, Ethereum is a project you can’t ignore.
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China’s Premier Li Qiang has announced that construction has officially started on what is expected to become the world’s largest hydropower dam.
The project, located on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, is estimated to cost at least $170 billion, according to the official news agency Xinhua.
This development is being seen by Chinese financial markets as a sign of economic stimulus. As a result, stock prices and bond yields increased on Monday.
The dam will include five cascading hydropower stations and will have the capacity to produce 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity each year, roughly the same amount of electricity consumed by the UK last year.
It will be built in the lower stretches of the Yarlung Zangbo River. A portion of the river drops by 2,000 meters over a 50-kilometre stretch, providing significant hydropower potential.
Regional and Environmental Concerns
India and Bangladesh have already expressed concerns about how this project might affect millions of people living downstream.
Several non-governmental organisations have also warned about potential damage to one of the most ecologically rich and diverse regions on the Tibetan Plateau.
Despite these warnings, Beijing has stated that the dam will help meet electricity demand in both Tibet and wider China.
The government also claims it will not cause major problems for downstream water supplies or the environment. Operations for the dam are expected to begin in the 2030s.
Market and Stock Impacts
China’s CSI Construction & Engineering Index rose by as much as 4%, reaching a seven-month high.
Stocks of Power Construction Corporation of China and Arcplus Group PLC increased by their daily maximum of 10%.
Wang Zhuo, a partner at Shanghai Zhuozhu Investment Management, said, “From an investment perspective, mature hydropower projects offer bond-like dividends,” but added that “speculative buying into related stocks would inflate valuations.”
According to a client note from Huatai Securities, the project will increase the demand for construction materials such as cement and civil explosives.
Shares in Hunan Wuxin Tunnel Intelligent Equipment Co, which makes tunnel construction machines, jumped 30%, while Geokang Technologies Co Ltd, a maker of smart monitoring terminals, also rose 30%.
Cement manufacturer Xizang Tianlu Co Ltd and civil explosives maker Tibet GaoZheng Explosive Co both surged by their 10% daily limit.
Government Statement and Economic Outlook
Premier Li Qiang called the dam a “project of the century”and emphasised that “special emphasis must be placed on ecological conservation to prevent environmental damage,” according to Xinhua.
Following the announcement, yields on government bonds rose across the board on Monday.
The most-traded 30-year treasury futures dropped to their lowest point in five weeks. Investors viewed the project as part of broader economic stimulus efforts.
The project will be led by the newly formed state-owned company, China Yajiang Group. It represents a large public investment push aimed at supporting economic growth as other sectors weaken.
A report from Citi said, “Assuming 10 years of construction, the investment/GDP boost could reach 120 billion yuan ($16.7 billion) for a single year. The actual economic benefits could go beyond that.”
Jobs and Displacement
China has not yet given any estimates on how many jobs the dam project might create.
When the Three Gorges Dam was built, it took almost 20 years to complete and created nearly one million jobs, according to state media, but it also displaced around the same number of people.
There is no information so far on how many people may be displaced by the Yarlung Zangbo dam project.
NGOs continue to warn that the dam could cause irreversible damage to the Tibetan Plateau and negatively affect millions of people living downstream.
The Yarlung Zangbo becomes the Brahmaputra River as it exits Tibet, flowing into India and eventually into Bangladesh.
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When was the last time you truly switched off your phone during a holiday? Not just your out-of-office email, but your screen, notifications, and the endless scrolling through social media and work chats.
If your “relaxing” vacation still includes checking messages by the pool or sneakily replying to emails at dinner, then maybe what you need isn’t just a holiday… You need a tech-free vacation.
What are Tech-Free Vacations?
Tech-free vacations are exactly what they sound like: trips where you unplug from your digital devices and reconnect with the world around you. Instead, it’s about being fully present in the moment, something many of us haven’t done in years.
In a hyper-connected world, this can be very draining. Even while on holiday, many of us feel pressure to post photos, reply to messages, or keep up with work.
Research shows that excessive screen time is linked to stress, anxiety, and sleep disruption, hardly the ingredients for a restful getaway.
Going tech-free lets you:
Stimulate your brain 24/7, and your mind gets a chance to genuinely unwind.
Let’s you focus on real conversations and meaningful moments.
Stumble upon local gems, meet interesting people, and discover the kind of serendipity tech usually filters out.
Return home feeling more focused, creative, and inspired.
You don’t have to book a remote jungle retreat (though that’s always an option).
Here are some great ideas for tech-free vacations:
Nature cabins with no Wi-Fi (Canada, Sweden, northern Pakistan)
Eco-lodges or treehouses
Retreats in Bali, Sri Lanka or even local farm stays
Digital detox resorts that lock away your phone (yes, really)
Even some cruise ships now offer tech-free zones
Basically, any place that helps you switch off and just be.
Tech-free vacations offer that reset button your brain’s been begging for. You’ll sleep better, stress less, and maybe even rediscover the joy of doing nothing.
So, if you’re craving a real break, ditch the devices. Trust us, your inbox will still be there when you get back.
And you? You’ll return lighter, brighter, and more alive.
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A couple of months ago, Cadbury’s website had a cheeky little FAQ at the bottom:
Q: Why has the size of the egg changed? (Referring to the beloved Cadbury Creme Egg) A: It hasn’t, you’ve just grown up.
Ah, yes, the classic “It’s not us, it’s your nostalgia” defence.
But then, plot twist! Actor BJ Novak showed up on Conan O’Brien’s show and casually shattered the illusion for millions. He brought not one, but two Creme Eggs: one from the current year and one from the year before.
Spoiler alert: they were not the same size. Not even close.
So no, Cadbury, we didn’t just “grow up.” You just shrank our chocolate dreams and hoped we wouldn’t notice.
But you’d think since the size of the chocolate has decreased, there had to be a decline in the prices as well, right? Well, no. The size has changed, the recipe has changed, but the price has increased. Now, with a loyalty card, each egg costs 59p when bought in the packs, rather than last year’s promotional price of 30p.
Cadbury Creme Egg- Then vs. Now
Do you know what’s the worst part? Cadbury isn’t the sole company falling to shrinkflation. There are many.
What is Shrinkflation?
In simple words, Shrinkflation is reducing a product’s size or quantity while keeping its price stable. Whether it’s your toilet paper, your bag of chips, chocolates, or literally any other thing you can think of, they’re all falling to shrinkflation right before our eyes, and we can barely tell.
Between 2012 and 2017, almost 2529 products shrank in the United Kingdom while their prices remained the same. While many companies try to hide these changes, making them as less noticeable as possible, consumers have lately started to catch the little details. In fact, there is an entire Reddit thread dedicated to people finding products that have fallen to shrinkflation.
The list is so long that it would be impossible to attach all of it here. So, I highly recommend you go and check out the Reddit thread; your mind will be blown.
Why Companies Resort to Shrinkflation?
It’s not like Cadbury has a personal vendetta against you and decided to shrink the Creme Egg out of spite. As dramatic as that sounds, there are actually some pretty valid reasons behind shrinkflation.
The biggest culprit? Rising production costs. As the price of raw materials climbs, think potatoes for chips or cocoa for chocolate, so does the cost of making your favourite snacks. Now, brands have two choices: raise the price or shrink the product. Guess which one feels sneakier?
Take your go-to bag of chips. If potatoes suddenly cost more, making the same bag becomes pricier. However, instead of risking a price shock, the company quietly reduces few chips and keeps the price the same. Voilà, shrinkflation!
Shrinkflation
Most shoppers are more sensitive to price tags than portion sizes. We’ll spot a Rs20 hike in an instant, but barely flinch if the bag gets a tad lighter or the bar a bit thinner. That’s why brands often choose shrinkage over price hikes; it’s inflation, but quieter and more subtle.
Skimflation: Is that a Third Choice?
Earlier, I talked about how companies usually have two classic tricks up their sleeves during inflation: increase the prices or shrink the product. But guess what? There’s a third, sneakier move in the playbook: skimflation.
When brands can’t touch the price tag or the portion size, they quietly downgrade the quality. Suddenly, your favourite snack is made with “new and improved” (read: cheaper and sadder) ingredients. The wrapper’s the same, but what’s inside? Definitely not the stuff you grew up loving.
Honestly, no wonder my childhood snacks taste like a faded memory, because they are not the same anymore.
How to Spot Shrinkflation?
It’s weird how tricky it has become to spot shrinkflation today. Unless you pay close attention, you probably wouldn’t even notice that your favourite products have gotten smaller and yet you are paying the same price for them.
If you are looking to spot shrinkflation next time you do your groceries, here are some tips:
Try spotting a redesign. When companies shrink products, they sometimes also change package designs. You might think a new quirky slogan or a flashy design is totally harmless, but guess what, it’s not!
Do a quick price-per-unit check to spot any sneaky changes. Can’t remember the old price? No worries, but if you do, you’ve got a shopper’s superpower.
Learn the net weights of products and notice any changes. Again, this ain’t for the amateur, but if you really want to spot shrinkflation, you need to pay extra attention.
So next time you’re standing in the snack aisle wondering why your chips feel more like crumbs and your chocolate bar disappears in two bites, don’t blame your appetite, blame shrinkflation.
Because no, Cadbury, we didn’t grow up. You just got sneakier. And now, so have we.
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The International Cricket Council (ICC), at its annual conference in Singapore, unveiled a string of significant updates, but one in particular stood out: a groundbreaking move to support displaced Afghan women cricketers who have been exiled from their homeland following political upheaval.
A new chapter for Afghan women in cricket
For years, Afghan women passionate about cricket have been silenced, not by a lack of talent, but by politics and persecution.
But the ICC’s latest initiative offers a beacon of hope. Afghan women cricketers living in exile will now be given structured opportunities to play at the international level, including at major ICC tournaments such as the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup and the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup in England.
Backed by the best in the game
The initiative is being spearheaded by ICC Deputy Chair Imran Khwaja, who is working closely with some of the most powerful boards in cricket, BCCI, ECB, and Cricket Australia.
Together, they will oversee high-performance support and domestic playing opportunities for these women, ensuring they stay match-ready and competitive.
It’s a powerful example of collaboration that transcends borders and politics. For players who’ve seen their dreams interrupted, this could be the lifeline they’ve been waiting for.
England retains WTC final hosting rights
In more traditional cricketing news, England will continue to play host to the World Test Championship (WTC) finals, having been awarded the rights for the next three editions.
This decision maintains continuity, England has already hosted all three WTC finals, including last month’s clash at Lord’s between South Africa and Australia.
While the tournament itself is still growing into its full potential, having a consistent venue helps establish a tradition, something Test cricket thrives on.
A growing cricket family
The ICC also expanded its global cricket family by welcoming Timor-Leste and Zambia as Associate Members. That brings the total number of ICC Members to 110, a strong sign that cricket is continuing to find fans and players in every corner of the globe.
It’s easy to overlook these additions in the shadow of larger announcements, but this grassroots growth is crucial. The future stars of world cricket may well come from places we haven’t yet considered.
While some nations are joining, one cricketing body is on borrowed time. USA Cricket has been granted a three-month extension to carry out crucial governance reforms. These reforms include completing free and fair elections, a long-standing issue that has plagued the board’s operations.
The ICC made it clear: accountability and structure matter. With growing interest in cricket in the US, especially after the successful T20 World Cup co-hosted earlier this year, this could be a make-or-break moment for cricket’s future in America.
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When a team is bundled out for 110 in under 20 overs, fingers are bound to be pointed. But for Pakistan’s white-ball head coach Mike Hesson, the blame wasn’t only on the players; it was squarely on the Sher-e-Bangla pitch in Dhaka.
In the opening T20I against Bangladesh, Pakistan’s batting line-up collapsed like a house of cards. From 46 for 5 to 110 all out, the Men in Green looked out of sorts, unsure whether to defend or attack.
They seemed caught in two minds, and Dhaka’s tricky surface didn’t help.
After the match, Hesson didn’t hold back and slammed the pitch.
“I think (the pitch) is not ideal for anybody,” Hesson said. “Teams are trying to prepare for the Asia Cup or the T20 World Cup.”
“It is not acceptable. It is still no excuse for some of the decisions we made with the bat. But this pitch is not up to international standards.”
He admitted that his team misread the conditions, especially after Fakhar Zaman’s early flourish gave them a false sense of security.
“We got off to a little bit of a flyer… which gave us a false indication of how the pitch was behaving,” he added.
The Run-Outs and the Risk
What made matters worse were the three run-outs. On a surface already playing tricks, those were moments Pakistan simply couldn’t afford.
Hesson called out the poor shot selection, especially in the middle overs when the ball started to grip, nip, and bounce.
“We failed to assess the risk. A couple of run-outs didn’t help either,” he said.
Still, he wasn’t in the mood to fully shield his players. While the pitch was a talking point, he stressed that better decision-making could have changed the outcome.
Bangladesh Players Disagree
Bangladesh opener Parvez Hossain Emon, who scored a match-winning half-century, wasn’t buying the pitch excuse.
“We didn’t feel (it was a bad pitch) as we chased it down in less than 16 overs,” Emon said. “We could have scored 150-160 if we batted the full 20 overs… We adjusted better than them.”
Fair point. Bangladesh chased the target inside 16 overs, making Pakistan’s struggles look worse than they probably were.
A Bigger Concern Than Just One Match
Hesson’s frustration wasn’t just about one bad day at the office. His concern goes deeper, about player development, preparation for global events like the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup, and the overall standard of cricket.
“You need good cricket wickets to develop cricketers. There was some good wickets during the BPL, to be fair. It is not up to the standard when international cricket is being played,” he said.
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Sunday, 20 July, was meant to be a double‑delight for Pakistan fans. First, Pakistan Champions were scheduled to take on India Champions in the WCL 2025.
Then, later in the day, Pakistan’s T20I side kicked off a three‑match series in Dhaka. Instead, Sunday delivered disappointment on both fronts.
Pakistan stumbled in the opening T20I, falling short by seven wickets. Fans had hoped for a strong start in the series, but the result left them asking questions about form and mindset ahead of the upcoming matches.
WCL Spotlight: When Legends Couldn’t Meet
However, the real social media firestorm erupted early Sunday morning, when organisers confirmed the cancellation of the marquee Pakistan–India clash. The statement apologised for causing hurt feelings and discomfort, acknowledging backlash from brands and fans.
They explained their original intent: “We… wanted to bring fans some happy moments… but ended up hurting the feelings of many and stirring emotions.”
Why India Walked Away From Pakistan Clash?
Reports suggest five Indian players, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, and Shikhar Dhawan, objected to playing against Shahid Afridi, citing his strong remarks during recent India–Pakistan tensions.
Several stars even threatened to withdraw. Ultimately, Harbhajan and Yusuf pulled out, while Dhawan unceremoniously confirmed his exit via Instagram.
Afridi, unfazed, responded strongly: “There is no fault of mine… politics should stay away from cricket. If you didn’t want to play Pakistan, you should have refused before coming here… yet you practiced and then backed out at the last minute.”
Fan Frustration: Money Spinner on Hold
Let’s be real: the WCL wouldn’t have generated global buzz if not for the India–Pakistan showdown. That match was the tournament’s headline act, the big draw, the money spinner. And cancelling it at the eleventh hour? That leaves a sour taste.
Afridi’s point rings true, Indian legends were aware of the fixture and Afridi’s inclusion well in advance. To withdraw on matchday smacks of poor planning and a lack of honouring commitments. Ultimately, fans, broadcasters, sponsors, and everyone loses.
This episode poses a tough question: when cricket’s healing power is overshadowed by political crossfire, who really wins?
Pakistan fans hoped for a joyful reunion of legends, while their national side grappled with a shaky start in Dhaka. If diplomacy and sportsmanship can’t prevail even here, what hope is there in broader diplomacy?
Sunday’s saga isn’t just a cancelled game, it’s a reminder that cricket, passion and patriotism remain deeply intertwined. Yet if legends can’t walk onto the field and shake hands, perhaps it’s time for cricket boards to step up boldly, to protect the sport and its fans from politics disrupting the game.
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Apple filed a lawsuit in federal court in Northern California. The company accused Jon Prosser and another individual, Michael Ramacciotti, of misappropriating trade secrets related to the unreleased iOS 26.
According to the lawsuit, Apple is seeking unspecified damages and a court order to prevent Prosser from sharing any more unreleased trade secrets.
In January, YouTuber Jon Prosser began revealing early renderings of Apple’s iOS 26 through his channel FrontPageTech.
He first showed a redesigned camera interface and later, in March, teased a “liquid glass” concept as part of iOS 26’s new look. By April, he had published more detailed previews.
Prosser Responds to Allegations
Jon Prosser responded to Apple’s lawsuit on X (formerly Twitter), reacting to a MacRumors article.
He wrote, “This is not how things went down on my end. For the record, I certainly did not ‘plot’ to access anyone’s phone and was unaware of the situation playing out.”
Apple’s lawsuit claims it received an anonymous tip on April 4. The tip identified Ethan Lipnik, a former Apple software engineer who worked at the company between 2023 and 2025, as the source of the leak.
Apple alleges that Prosser asked Ramacciotti to access Lipnik’s development phone. Ramacciotti, reportedly a friend of Lipnik, was staying at his house.
While Lipnik was away, Ramacciotti allegedly obtained the phone’s password and accessed it.
“He then made a video call to Prosser, displaying unreleased iOS 26 features,” Apple claims.
The company further alleges that Prosser screen-recorded the call and used the footage to create detailed iOS 26 renderings, which he then published on YouTube.
Apple also claims that Prosser shared the footage with others, one of whom recognised Lipnik’s apartment in the background and reported it.
Apple stated that it takes serious measures to protect its unreleased products and trade secrets. However, these safeguards are not always enough against those determined to obtain and leak information.
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Renowned Pakistani cricketer Imad Wasim is facing public attention and speculation after reports surfaced about problems in his marriage with wife Sannia Ashfaque.
The couple, who got married in 2019, are reportedly living separately amid allegations of Imad’s involvement in an extramarital relationship.
Imad recently retired from international cricket but continues to play in leagues like the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
He has not released any public statement in response to these rumours. The couple has two children and recently welcomed a baby boy.
After the birth of their child, Sannia Ashfaque, who is also a digital creator and influencer, shared a heartfelt message on social media. Her post read: “I carried you for 9 months on my own. May Allah bless me with even more strength for the journey ahead, Zayan.”
Her post received supportive comments from followers, with many praising her for being “strong” and “resilient.”
According to social media users, Sannia also updated her Instagram bio.
Previously, it described her as “Imad Wasim’s wife,”but now it reads “Mama to Inaya Imad & Rayan Imad.”
Allegations and Denials
Meanwhile, public speculation increased, with some social media users suggesting Imad may be involved with a social media influencer. Although these claims remain unverified, one name that has surfaced online is Nyla Raja, who has now issued a clarification.
Nyla has publicly denied the rumours, saying that her meeting with Imad Wasim was “purely coincidental”and requested to be kept out of the matter.
Fans have expressed disappointment online, some stating that public figures need to be mindful of the emotional impact their personal decisions have on their families.
One comment read: “These public figures should realise the impact of their actions. Behind every scandal is a real woman and real children facing pain.”
Some have drawn comparisons with similar controversies involving other athletes, pointing to what they see as a repeated pattern in the sports world.
So far, Imad Wasim has neither confirmed nor denied any of the circulating rumours.
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Iran has replaced its air defence systems that were damaged during the conflict with Israel last month, according to Defah Press, a news agency affiliated with the country’s defence forces.
Rear Admiral Mahmoud Mousavi, the regular army’s deputy for operations, confirmed the update in a statement published on Sunday.
During the air conflict in June, Israel’s air force gained air superiority over Iran, damaging parts of the Iranian air defence infrastructure.
In response, Iranian forces launched waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli positions, and Iran claimed these attacks successfully struck key strategic areas.
Rear Admiral Mousavi said, “The Zionist enemy sought to destroy Iran’s defence capabilities, and some of our defence systems were damaged in this war; But with the efforts of my comrades, the damaged systems were replaced and deployed in predetermined locations.”
He also stated that Israel failed to achieve its goals and accused the United States and NATO of supporting Israel in the conflict.
Iran already had its own long-range air defence system, Bavar-373, along with the Russian-made S-300 system, before the war.
The report did not mention any import of new foreign systems after the recent conflict. Following Israeli attacks on Iranian missile facilities last October, Iran had shown the deployment of Russian systems during military drills to demonstrate it had recovered from the assault.
Possible Nuclear Talks With Europe
In a separate development, Iran may hold nuclear negotiations next week with Britain, France, and Germany, according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency.
These talks would address the country’s nuclear programme after recent warnings by the European nations that a failure to return to talks would result in the reimposition of international sanctions.
Tasnim reported: “The principle of talks has been agreed upon, but consultations are continuing on the time and place of the talks. The country in which the talks could be held next week has not been finalised,” citing an informed source.
This update came days after foreign ministers of the E3 (Britain, France, Germany) and the EU’s foreign policy chief held their first discussion with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi since Iran’s nuclear sites were targeted by the US and Israel in an earlier military strike.
The E3, along with China and Russia, remain part of the 2015 nuclear agreement which the US withdrew from in 2018. The deal offered sanctions relief in exchange for limits on Iran’s nuclear activities.
Snapback Mechanism
The E3 nations have warned they will initiate the “snapback mechanism”, a process to reinstate UN sanctions, by the end of August if talks do not resume or fail to reach progress.
Araqchi responded to the warning, saying: “If EU/E3 want to have a role, they should act responsibly, and put aside the worn-out policies of threat and pressure, including the ‘snap-back’ for which they lack absolutely [any] moral and legal ground.”
The snapback mechanism would restore sanctions before the UN resolution linked to the 2015 deal expires on October 18.
Before the recent Israel-Iran war, Iran and the US had engaged in five rounds of nuclear talks mediated by Oman.
These discussions stalled due to disagreements, mainly over uranium enrichment, which Western countries want Iran to halt completely to prevent any risk of nuclear weapons development.
Iran continues to maintain that its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes only.
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Fighter jets from the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) have won top awards in two categories at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) 2025 in the United Kingdom, according to state-run PTV News on Saturday.
The event, running from 18 to 20 July, is known as one of the world’s largest military airshows and has been operating for more than 50 years. It supports the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, according to the event’s website.
A PAF team arrived at Royal Air Force Base Fairford in the UK on Thursday with advanced aircraft, the JF-17 Thunder Block III and the C-130 Hercules, to participate in the show, according to a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The Pakistan Air Force JF-17C Block III was awarded the prestigious ‘Spirit of the Meet Trophy’ at the #RIAT2025 for its striking livery and the incredible journey from Pakistan with non-stop air to air refuelling (AAR).@DGPR_PAF@airtattoopic.twitter.com/x4jTCpBjZi
The JF-17 Block III was awarded the Spirit of the Meet Trophy for its “striking livery and the incredible journey from Pakistan with non-stop air-to-air refuelling,” as reported by PTV.
The aircraft successfully conducted air-to-air refuelling operations en route to the UK with support from a PAF IL-78 refuelling tanker, according to ISPR.
The C-130H Hercules received the Concours d’Elegance Trophy.
“These awards were given in recognition of the aircrafts’ excellent flying and technical skills,”PTV reported. It also noted that the JF-17C Block III is a sign of Pakistan’s “advanced defence technology.”
PTV added, “This success has honoured Pakistan’s aviation sector on an international level.” The recognition is seen as a sign of appreciation for the PAF’s capabilities.
Context of Recent Conflict
In May, during tensions between Pakistan and India, Pakistani forces shot down Indian jets in response to late-night strikes.
A month later, the PAF confirmed that the Kamra-based 15 Squadron was responsible for the engagement.
The incident is now regarded as one of South Asia’s largest air-to-air encounters in over 50 years.
“There is a palpable sense of enthusiasm across the United Kingdom following the recent Pakistan–India conflict, as aviation enthusiasts and defence observers were eagerly looking forward to the arrival of the Pakistan Air Force’s JF-17 Thunder Block III,”the official statement said.
“The aircraft’s combat-proven capabilities and operational excellence have garnered significant global attention, making its appearance at RIAT a highly anticipated highlight in the aerospace and defence community.”
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