RAWALPINDI, JUL 2 /DNA/ – Lieutenant General Wiseman Simo Mbambo, Chief of the South African Air Force, called on Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force at Air Headquarters, Islamabad.
Upon his arrival, a smartly turned-out contingent of Pakistan Air Force presented Guard of Honour to Lieutenant General Wiseman Simo Mbambo.
During the meeting, Chief of the Air Staff emphasized the shared values and aspirations that form the foundation of the deep-rooted friendship between Pakistan and South Africa. The Air Chief reiterated PAF’s commitment to bolster aerial combat capabilities of the South African Air Force through tailored training and capacity-building initiatives. Lieutenant General Wiseman Mbambo lauded PAF’s robust operational readiness, its multi-domain warfare capabilities and its success in maintaining a credible deterrence posture. Recognizing the shared values and interests between the two Air Forces, the South African Air Chief articulated a strong desire to further strengthen and institutionalize the formal relationship between South African Air Force and PAF. One of the central themes of the discussions was the revamping of South African Air Force’s training regime. In this context, Lieutenant General Mbambo sought Pakistan Air Force’s support in developing a modern and comprehensive training framework, commencing at the academy level. The visiting dignitary also expressed his earnest desire of participation of South African Air Force officers as observers in PAF’s major operational exercises. Acknowledging the technical excellence and cost-effective maintenance capabilities offered by PAF’s engineering infrastructure, he also conveyed the intent of South African Air Force to undertake the inspection and maintenance of its C-130 fleet in Pakistan.
The Sindh government has officially contacted the World Health Organization (WHO) to help control the worsening outbreak of mosquito-borne diseases across the province, especially in Karachi.
Due to recent rains, large pools of stagnant water have formed, leading to a sharp increase in mosquitoes across Sindh, which has caused a surge in dengue, malaria, and chikungunya.
In a letter to the WHO, the Sindh Health Department requested urgent technical assistance for case management, diagnosis, medical staff training, and indoor insecticide spraying in high-risk areas.
Officials warned that the virus outbreak could spiral out of control if not handled immediately. They stressed the need for strong international cooperation and expert support from global health bodies.
READ: Malaria, Dengue cases surge across Sindh, Karachi worst affected
So far this year, over 65,000 malaria cases and around 300 dengue cases have been reported across Sindh. Karachi, in particular, has seen a dangerous spike in mosquito-related illnesses.
The Health Department said that monsoon rains have worsened the crisis. Pools of rainwater and garbage are creating perfect conditions for mosquito breeding in many urban neighborhoods.
The lack of proper spraying campaigns has made the situation worse. The Health Department said local resources are not enough, which is why they have reached out to the WHO for help.
Health experts have urged citizens to take basic precautions, such as closing windows, removing stagnant water, and using mosquito repellents, especially in the evenings and during night hours.
Doctors also advised people to keep drinking water covered and avoid outdoor activities at night, when mosquitoes are most active and dangerous.
The provincial government said the WHO’s help is essential to control the spread, protect vulnerable communities, and avoid a full-blown public health emergency in the coming weeks.
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A Ugandan military helicopter crashed and caught fire at the main international airport in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, killing five people on board.
The pilot, co-pilot and flight engineer survived with “serious injuries and severe burns”, Ugandan military spokesman Maj Gen Felix Kulaigye said, adding that an investigation into the cause of the crash was under way.
“We heard the blast and saw smoke and flames over a helicopter. The smoke entirely covered the helicopter,” Farah Abdulle, one of the staff at the airport, told Reuters news agency.
Somalia’s state-run news agency reported that the fire was quickly contained by the emergency services at the Aden Adde International Airport.
Ugandan troops are part of an 11,000-strong African Union (AU) force helping the government fight the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab group, which has been waging a brutal insurgency in Somalia for more than two decades.
The helicopter that crashed had been conducting a “routine combat escort mission”, Maj Gen Kulaigye said, without giving further details.
The head of the Somali Civil Aviation Authority, Ahmed Maalim, told the BBC that the helicopter had come down in the airport’s military section after flying in from the Balidogle airbase in the Lower Shabelle region, about 90km (56 miles) north-west of Mogadishu.
The crash delayed the departure of a Turkish Airlines passenger plane, but domestic flights continued to operate normally.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has challenged the state, asserting that if it can legally topple his government through constitutional means, he will leave politics if they succeed.
“Don’t do anything unconstitutional — and even through constitutional means, you cannot do anything. Our government, our power, and everything belong to Imran Khan. He can instruct us to topple the government whenever he wishes. Our government cannot be overthrown through constitutional methods,” he said.
Following a meeting of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) parliamentary party, Gandapur held a joint press conference with PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar, Salman Akram Raja, and other leaders on Wednesday.
He described the state, often viewed as a “mother,” as behaving tyrannically. “I challenge the state and all its institutions. You attempted conspiracies and failed. You used unconstitutional means and still could not succeed,” he stated.
“اگر مخالفین سمجھتے ہیں کہ تحریک انصاف کو تقسیم کرنے میں کامیاب ہو گئے ہیں تو ان کی بھول ہے۔ عمران خان ایک سوچ اور نظریے کا نام ہے۔ حقیقی آزادی کی تحریک کے لیے اپنا تن من دھن لگا کر جدوجہد جاری رکھیں گے۔ 9 مئی بہانہ ہے فسطائیت اور سازش اس سے کہیں پہلے سے جاری تھی۔” وزیراعلٰی… pic.twitter.com/wmXSabJ7b8
Gandapur criticised the state’s actions, saying, “You failed in your conspiracies and unconstitutional measures. You imposed martial law and governor’s rule in the past. Now, I challenge your power and authority. Put our people in jail, use all your might, and try to topple the K-P government.”
The CM added that they cannot remove his government through legal and constitutional means because they cannot break his members. “No one has the power to break those who stand with Imran Khan.”
He further stated, “Today’s meeting sends a message to those who think we’re divided. We are fully committed, body and soul, to securing the release of PTI’s founder. I was arrested before May 9. They claim we committed excesses on May 9, but the conspiracy against PTI’s founder began before that.”
Gandapur pointed out that the 26th Constitutional Amendment is an attack on the judiciary, and that PTI will work to reverse it when they return to power.
Regarding a meeting with the incarcerated former PM, he said, “Imran Khan requested a meeting, and it’s our right to meet with him as he is the head of the party. However, I sense that this meeting might not be arranged.”
In response to a question, he said that Imran Khan has never refused to negotiate. “We want to talk to those who truly hold power. Right now, the country is being run with batons, and everyone knows the real worth of the PML-N and PPP.”
Concerning PTI’s future actions, Gandapur announced that the party plans to launch a nationwide political movement after Muharram and will intensify its efforts. He warned, “If bullets are fired at us, the response will be the same, the response will be similar.”
“تحریک انصاف کے مشترکہ پارلیمانی اجلاس میں مخصوص نشستوں کے فیصلے، تحریک اسیران جیل کے خط اور عمران خان کے حکم پر تحریک چلانے پر غور کیا گیا۔ ہم سب عمران خان کی قیادت میں متحد ہیں۔ انشاءاللہ تحریک کا اعلان اور لائحہ عمل جلد عوام کے سامنے آ جائے گا۔” بیرسٹر گوہر علی خان pic.twitter.com/Al4lXFpfTA
During the press conference, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar emphasised that all party actions, including negotiations and protests, have been in line with the directives of the PTI founder.
“We are here because of his vote and his leadership,” he said, adding that the purpose of the meeting was to send a unified message. “Any future plan will be made public only after the founder’s approval,” he added.
He criticised the state’s refusal to allow meetings with the founder for vital matters such as K-P’s budget, noting that similar requests for Sindh, Punjab, and federal consultations were also rejected. “Our MNAs were unseated, references were filed, and sentences were handed out. This is not democracy,” he said.
Gohar concluded by asserting that PTI remains the legitimate government in K-P and dismissed any attempts of a no-confidence motion. “Those seeking to bring down our government simply don’t have the numbers. PTI is and will remain in power,” he said.
Moreover, Salman Akram Raja spoke of long-standing political exploitation and injustice. “For eight decades, this nation has been looted. The people of Pakistan have been silenced,” he said.
Referring to last year’s general elections on February 8, he termed it a “historic day when people exercised their democratic right.” “Our struggle is for dignity and fundamental rights. We will continue to fight the battle of the PTI founder and victory is our destiny,” Raja declared.
BEIJING, July 2 (Xinhua) — A global alliance of over 40 cities was launched in Beijing on Wednesday as part of efforts to enhance multilateral cooperation on the digital economy.
The Global Digital Economy Cities Alliance was initiated by Beijing — alongside partner cities in Europe, North America, the Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Latin America — during the Global Digital Economy Conference 2025, which opened on the same day.
The alliance aims to institutionalize multilateral collaboration beyond bilateral projects, focusing on key issues such as digital infrastructure, cross-border data governance, AI ethics and smart city applications.
The move follows the launch of Beijing’s Global Digital Economy Partner City Cooperation Initiative in 2023, and its joint efforts with partner cities to adopt six action plans to implement the initiative in 2024. The alliance was established this year with support from international bodies including the UN Institute for Training and Research, the International Telecommunication Union and the International Trade Centre.
Organized by the Beijing municipal government, the Cyberspace Administration of China, the National Data Administration, Xinhua News Agency and the United Nations Development Programme, this year’s conference will run through July 5 and feature an opening ceremony, six main forums and multiple thematic sessions, with over 1,000 participants in attendance. ■
DLA Piper advised the underwriters, led by TD Cowen and William Blair as joint book-running managers, in a US$40 million public offering by Allot Ltd., a global provider of innovative network intelligence and security solutions for service providers and enterprises worldwide.
“It was a privilege to advise our clients TD Cowen and William Blair and the rest of the underwriting syndicate on this cross-border public offering and to demonstrate the comprehensive capabilities of our capital markets team,” said Christopher Paci, the DLA Piper Partner who co-led the deal team.
In addition to Paci, the core deal team was co-led by Partner Stephen Alicanti (both New York) and included Partners William Bartow (Philadelphia), Jana del-Cerro, Samuel Knowles (both Washington, DC), and Katie Lee (New York), Of Counsel Christie Lehr (Raleigh), and Associates Zach Altman (Boston), Jordyn Giannone (New York), and Frances Asbury (Austin).
DLA Piper’s global capital markets team represents issuers and underwriters in registered and unregistered equity, equity-linked and debt capital markets transactions, including initial public offerings, follow-on equity offerings, equity-linked securities offerings, and offerings of investments grade and high-yield debt securities.
A new coronavirus variant is currently circulating, but there is no reason for alarm, a health expert has informed.
Speaking to SKAI TV, Professor of Pulmonology Nikos Tzanakis explained that the strain belongs to the Omicron group and “does not pose an epidemiological threat or place pressure on the health system.”
He noted that a mild increase in cases may occur during the summer, as expected with seasonal trends. Individuals infected with this variant may experience symptoms such as a “very sore throat,” the professor said.
Despite the emergence of the new strain, key COVID-19 indicators such as hospitalizations and fatalities are continuing to decline, Tzanakis reassured.
Functional fitness pro Noah Ohlsen is known not only for his explosive power and elite athleticism, but also his infectious energy and love for the sport. A longtime functional fitness competitor, Ohlsen is bringing that same passion to Red Bull Gym Clash – a team-based fitness competition designed for athletes of all levels.
For Ohlsen, it’s more than just lifts and lunges: it’s about celebrating the people who push you and the gym community that supports your journey.
Red Bull Gym Clash is a worldwide fitness competition that challenges strength, teamwork and gym pride. Teams of four (two men and two women) represent their gyms as they take on four challenging workouts designed to test endurance, skill, power and teamwork. From local qualifiers to the ultimate world final, it’s a chance for athletes of all levels to push their limits, inspire others and compete for the title of the Greatest Gym on Earth.
Who is Red Bull Gym Clash for?
Red Bull Gym Clash will test participant’s strength and team work
When it comes to training for Red Bull Gym Clash, Noah Ohlsen is a true expert. A veteran of the CrossFit Games, with 11 appearances under his belt, and a top level HYROX and World Fitness Project competitor, Ohlsen has spent over a decade at the pinnacle of the sport, earning a reputation for his relentless work ethic and infectious energy. Known for his mantra “happy but hungry,” Ohlsen has built a career not just on physical prowess, but on his ability to inspire others to embrace fitness as a joyful journey.
For Ohlsen, Red Bull Gym Clash is much more than just a competition, it’s a celebration of the camaraderie and community that fitness brings into people’s lives. “Gym Clash is for everyone,” Ohlsen says. “Everyone on their fitness journey has a gym, a training partner or a group of people that they can attribute their hard work and dedication to. Gym Clash is a celebration of that.” The event, designed to welcome athletes of all levels, combines team-based challenges with a focus on fun, making it the ultimate way to showcase your gym’s spirit and strength.
When it comes to preparing for Red Bull Gym Clash, Ohlsen emphasizes the importance of versatility in your training. “The best exercises to prepare for Gym Clash would be a variety of strength and conditioning/ functional fitness movements in the categories of weightlifting, cardio and bodyweight exercises,” he explains. “For example, training variations of squats (back, front, overhead) with both a barbell and dumbbells, doing cardio on different machines (rower, runner, bike, ski erg) and practicing bodyweight movements like burpees, lunges, push-ups and pull-ups should be enough exposure to have you prepared for any of the challenges Gym Clash may throw your way.”
While the workouts may be intense, Ohlsen reminds participants to keep things simple when it comes to gear. “The main piece of equipment you need to compete in Gym Clash is your body!” he says. “Aside from maybe some different shoes for running versus lifting events, and maybe a weight belt and some wrist wraps. Obviously, an ice cold Red Bull is highly recommended.”
Fitness phenom Noah Ohlsen competes at the World Fitness Project
The main piece of equipment you need to compete in Gym Clash is your body
For those building a team, Ohlsen encourages a mix of strategy and good vibes. “If I was picking a team, I’d start with choosing three other people that I usually have a good time with. Even though it’s a competition, it should be fun and good vibes tend to lead to smoother performances,” he says. But beyond the fun, balance is key. “Everyone should be pretty well-rounded, but having a couple of secret weapons where one specialises in strength, one in cardio and the other in skill should lead to an unstoppable quattro.”
And if there’s one thing Noah Ohlsen knows, it’s how to celebrate fitness in a way that’s as rewarding as it is fun.
Chemists have discovered for the first time a unique way to control and modify a type of compound widely used in medicines, including a drug used to treat breast cancer.
The research, led by the University of Bristol and published today in the journal Nature, also found a new mechanism associated with the chemical reaction which enables the shape of the compound to be flipped from being right-handed to left-handed by simply adding a common agent in the chemical reaction.
Study lead author Varinder Aggarwal, Professor of Synthetic Chemistry at the University of Bristol, said: “The findings change our understanding of the fundamental chemistry of this group of organic molecules. It presents exciting implications because the science allows us to make alternatives of the drug Tamoxifen, with potentially greater potency and less unwanted side effects.”
While most alkenes are easy to prepare, a specific type with four different parts – called tetrasubstituted alkenes – are much more challenging but used to make cancer-fighting medicines and natural products like essential oils.
So the research team aimed to find a more efficient method of making tetrasubstituted alkenes, including Tamoxifen, which allows them to be easily manipulated and adapted into different forms.
The new method offers a highly versatile solution to building complex complex tetrasubstituted alkenes from simple building blocks.
Prof Aggarwal explained: “Our original design plan used organic boronic esters as the key ingredient but that resulted in unstable intermediates, so didn’t work.
“We then tried a less common form of boron containing molecules, namely boranes and that’s when the clever molecular gymnastics became possible. This new boron system enabled the installation of different groups on the alkene in a controlled manner from very simple building blocks, like Lego.
“It’s so exciting because it holds the key to finding even better drug molecules – like alternatives to Tamoxifen – with more of the properties you want and less of what is undesirable, such as side effects.”
The scientists enlisted the help of computational chemists at Colorado State University to map exactly what was happening. That led to the full extent of their discovery being uncovered.
Co-author Robert Paton, Professor in Chemistry at Colorado State University, said: “The mechanism showed that by just changing the reaction conditions through adding an agent, the geometry of the alkene can switch direction from left to right. This was surprising and hadn’t been seen before.”
In addition to drug molecules like Tamoxifen, the researchers also worked with natural products such as γ-bisabolene, a fragrant compound found in essential oils, to demonstrate the broad applications of their breakthrough.
Prof Aggarwal added: “Now we have struck upon an effective, flexible methodology, it allows us to swap in other molecules so the potential here is wide-reaching for both drug discovery and materials science.”
The research was funded by the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
Paper
‘Boron-Mediated Modular Assembly of Tetrasubstituted Alkenes’ by Varinder Aggarwal et al in Nature
