Global warming causing extreme rainfall that threatens Sri Lanka, Malacca Strait region: Report

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Fri, 12 Dec 2025, 10:35 AM

ISTANBUL, Dec 12 (AA/APP): Extreme rainfall spells are becoming more intense in Sri Lanka and the Malacca Strait region due to global warming, according to a World Weather Attribution report released on Wednesday.

The region’s highly populated areas are under threat from increasingly heavy rainfall and extreme floods, the statement said, following deadly floods in November that ravaged Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Malaysia last month, killing over 2,230 people.

“For the Malacca Strait region, the increase in extreme rainfall associated with rising Global mean surface temperature is estimated at about 9% to 50%. Over Sri Lanka, the trends are even stronger; heavy 5-day precipitation events, such as those associated with Cyclonic Storm Ditwah, are now about 28% to 160% more intense due to the warming to date,” it said.

Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore surround the Malacca Strait.

In Sri Lanka, the death toll from Cyclone Ditwah has risen to 639, with up to 203 people still missing as of Thursday, according to the local Daily Mirror newspaper. More than 2.3 million people were affected.

Meanwhile, the UN announced a plan Thursday that calls for $35.3 million in additional life-saving assistance for communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah, according to a UN Sri Lanka statement.

The plan aims to reach 658,000 of the most vulnerable people who require immediate assistance between December 2025 and April 2026, the statement said.

On Indonesia’s Sumatra island, 990 people were killed due to the floods and landslides intensified by Cyclonic Storm Senyar, while 222 people remain missing as of Thursday, according to the disaster agency.

“While early warnings were issued in both Sri Lanka and Indonesia, failures in Information & Communication Technology infrastructure may have prevented them from reaching intended audiences, and even those who did receive warnings were often unable to anticipate the scale of the floods. Issues such as language barriers, timing of floods, and the remoteness of some communities presented further challenges,” stressed the report.

AJK HC cancels 52 degrees of allotted land in ‘Shamilat’ area issued by Bhimber Senior Civil judge court

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Samina Ch

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Fri, 12 Dec 2025, 10:33 AM

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MIRPUR (AJK), Dec 12 (APP):Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) High Court’s (HC) Judge, Justice Sardar Muhammad Ijaz Khan has canceled 52 degrees of land in the ‘Shamilat’ area issued by the court Senior Civil judge Bhimber.

“Senior Civil Hajj Raja Imtiaz had issued hundreds of kanals of land in the year 2007 in favor of various persons, which were declared illegal and canceled by the High Court of AJK”, an official handout said issued by Press information Department of Azad Jammu Kashmir government .

The learned AJK HC ordered the responsible AJJ Revenue Department to cancel the implementation/action taken on all these degrees from the record property.

The court also ordered the Revenue Department to immediately restore the cemetery, playground and public interest area in the concerned unlawfully allotted Shamilat area and also make corrections in the record property.

” The AJK High Court. exercising the powers vested in it under Section 115 of the Code of Civil Procedure, also ordered the Mirpur Division Magistrate Court to submit the record of the degrees issued in respect of the annexed lands within two months so that the legal status of the remaining issued degrees in respect of the annexed lands could also be reviewed”, according to the official handout .

Magisterial court rejects after-arrest bail plea of accused allegedly involved in embezzlement of millions of rupees in famous visa scam

By

Samina Ch

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Fri, 12 Dec 2025, 10:31 AM

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MIRPUR (AJK), Dec 12 (APP):The Magistrate Court 2, Mirpur has rejected the bail plea of Ehtesham-ul-Haq, accused of fraud allegedly involved in embezzlement of millions of rupees in the famous visa scandal.

According to details, the bail petition of Ehtesham-ul-Haq, alleged accused of visa fraud in the case titled Ehtesham-ul-Haq vs AJK Government, was rejected after arrest. Prominent lawyers Adil Masood Sheikh and Khawaja Afaq argued on behalf of the plaintiff.

The accused allegedly defrauded Naeem Muhammad and embezzled millions of rupees.

The accused was arrested by the City Police Station after the case was registered.

The accused had applied for bail after his arrest.

Foreign exchange rates

By

Samina Ch

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Fri, 12 Dec 2025, 10:28 AM

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KARACHI, Dec 12 (APP):The Exchange Rates Committee of the Financial Markets Association of Pakistan issued the following Exchange Rates Bulletin, here on Friday.

CONVERSION RATES FOR DECEMBER 12, 2025, FOR FOREIGN CURRENCY FOR FORWARD COVER FOR DEPOSITS (EXCLUDING FE-25 DEPOSITS)

SBP SETTLEMENT VALUE DATE DECEMBER 16, 2025

USD 280.3243

GBP 374.7655

EUR 328.0075

JPY 1.7972

Pakistan, Iraq Agree to strengthen security cooperation, facilitate pilgrims in high-level Brussels meeting

By

Samina Ch

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Fri, 12 Dec 2025, 10:27 AM

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 12 (APP):Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control, Mohsin Naqvi, held an important meeting with his Iraqi counterpart, General Abdul Ameer Al-Shammari, during which both sides discussed measures to enhance bilateral relations and improve facilities for Pakistani pilgrims traveling to Iraq.

The two ministers held a detailed exchange of views on strengthening cooperation between the interior ministries of both countries on a sustainable and effective basis. They agreed to deepen coordination to ensure smooth arrangements for pilgrims as well as progress in broader security matters.

The Iraqi Interior Minister highly appreciated Pakistan’s recent steps to formally organize and regulate pilgrim groups, calling the efforts “commendable” and noting that such effective measures were taken for the first time under the current administration. He assured that all pilgrims included in the list provided by Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior would be allowed entry into Iraq.

Mohsin Naqvi emphasized that pilgrims traveling to Iraq would not be permitted to overstay beyond the specified period, adding that relevant institutions of both countries would remain in close contact to ensure compliance and smooth coordination.

Both ministers also agreed to further strengthen cooperation in security matters, counterterrorism, prevention of human trafficking, and the exchange of information through a joint mechanism.

Minister Naqvi expressed gratitude to the Iraqi government and people for their continued cooperation and traditional hospitality towards Pakistani pilgrims. He reaffirmed that the safety, dignity, and facilitation of Pakistani pilgrims remain the top priority of the Government of Pakistan.

Iraqi Interior Minister General Al-Shammari announced that he would soon visit Pakistan to finalize a joint plan aimed at enhancing pilgrim facilitation, security cooperation, and bilateral ties.

PM Shehbaz lays wreath at Turkmenistan’s Neutrality Monument

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Ishtiaq Rao

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Fri, 12 Dec 2025, 9:53 AM

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ASHGABAT, Dec 12 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday joined the leaders from various countries at the iconic Neutrality Monument, to lay a wreath in commemoration of the International Day of Neutrality and the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality.

At the invitation of Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the prime minister is on a two-day official visit to Ashgabat to attend the international forum being held in connection with the International Year of Peace and Trust 2025, the International Day of Neutrality, and the anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality.

Besides Prime Minister Shehbaz, Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedow, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev were also among the leaders besides the representatives of the United Nations and other international organisations who laid wreath at the monument.

As the leaders arrived at the venue host President Serdar Berdimuhamedow warmly received them.

Designed as a trio of ascending pillars, the monument weaves together the cultural fabric of the nation and stands as a powerful symbol of the nation’s commitment to peace, humanism, and constructive diplomacy.

Pakistan embassy observes Mountains Day to highlight ecosystem protection, sustainable tourism

By

Ishtiaq Rao

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Fri, 12 Dec 2025, 8:15 AM

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RIYADH, Dec 12 (APP): The Embassy of Pakistan hosted a vibrant celebration of the UN-designated International Day of Mountains here aimed at creating awareness of mountain ecosystems and sustainable tourism besides underscoring a shared global responsibility to protect natural treasures.

Held in collaboration with UN Tourism Office on Thursday evening, the event brought together diplomats, members of the civic society, mountaineers, and artists to highlight the ecological, cultural, and economic significance of mountain ecosystems globally and in Pakistan.

The event commenced with a micro-documentary on ‘Mountains of Pakistan’ showcasing the breathtaking beauty and ecological importance of Pakistan’s mountain landscape.

In his opening remarks, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ahmad Farooq, underscored the critical role of mountains in sustaining water, food, and livelihoods, and highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to sustainable mountain development, and challenges being faced amid climate-change induced glacial melt and associated phenomenon.

The program also featured remarks from the Director of the UN Tourism Office, emphasizing international cooperation in preserving mountain ecosystems, and a second micro-documentary titled ‘Spirit of Mountaineering’, celebrating the courage, resilience, and achievements of Pakistan’s mountaineers.

At the event, acclaimed mountaineer and environmental advocate Naila Kiani shared her experiences of scaling some of the world’s highest peaks, including K2 and Nanga Parbat while a renowned landscape.

Ambassador Farrukh Amil also highlighted Pakistan’s mountain heritage and ongoing initiatives to promote conservation and eco-tourism.

The celebration concluded with the official inauguration of the mountain photography exhibition curated by Awais Ali, offering guests an immersive experience of Pakistan’s northern landscapes.

Ambassador Ahmad Farooq, in his address on the occasion, said that mountains were not just landscapes but they are life-giving ecosystems, repositories of culture, and sources of inspiration.

He said the event was aimed at celebrating not only their beauty but our shared responsibility to protect them for future generations.

The event reaffirmed the Embassy of Pakistan’s commitment to promoting awareness of mountain ecosystems, sustainable tourism, and cultural heritage, while fostering international collaboration to address climate challenges affecting these fragile environments.