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On this day…

Good morning and welcome to The Blue Express! As we step into another day, let's take a moment to reflect on some of the significant historical events that occurred on July 5th:

1. 1811 - Venezuela Independence Day: Venezuela declared its independence from Spain, marking a significant step in the Latin American wars of independence.

2. 1954 - BBC Launches Television News: The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) broadcasted its first daily television news program, a significant development in the history of news media.

3. 1996 - Dolly the Sheep Cloned: The birth of Dolly, the first mammal to be cloned from an adult somatic cell, was announced. This breakthrough in genetic engineering and biotechnology opened new avenues for scientific research.

4. 2009 - Michael Jackson Memorial: A public memorial service for the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, was held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, drawing millions of viewers worldwide.

Open Market Forex Rates

Data is provided by Link Exchange

Todays Gold & Silver Prices

Gold:

• 24K Gold: PKR 242,300 per tola

• 22K Gold: PKR 222,350 per tola

• 21K Gold: PKR 212,375 per tola

• 18K Gold: PKR 182,525 per tola

Silver:

• Silver: PKR 3,100 per tola

  

  Data is Provided by Waseem Jewellers

World

US Policy on Gaza May Change, Warns Biden.

President Joe Biden has informed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the United States may reconsider its policy on Gaza if Israel fails to protect civilians. This comes amidst ongoing conflict and humanitarian concerns in the region.

British voters head to polls for a momentous election

British voters are heading to the polls on Thursday for a crucial general election, seen as a referendum on 14 years of Conservative rule. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called this snap election earlier than necessary, surprising his party. The Labour party, led by Keir Starmer, has rebuilt itself after suffering its worst defeat since 1935 in the last election. The six-week campaign has focused on the economy, the cost of living, public services, taxes, and immigration, with little discussion about Britain's relationship with the European Union. Since the 2019 election won by Boris Johnson, the UK has seen three Conservative prime ministers: Johnson, Liz Truss (the shortest-serving PM in history), and now Sunak.

China warns of hotter heatwaves and unpredictable rainfall

China's meteorological authority highlights growing climate change impacts on the world's second-largest economy.China is facing hotter and longer heatwaves and more frequent and unpredictable heavy rain as a result of climate change, the weather bureau warned on Thursday, as the world's second biggest economy braces for another scorching summer.

In its annual climate "Blue Book", the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) warned that maximum temperatures across the country could rise by 1.7-2.8 degrees Celsius (3-5 Fahrenheit) within 30 years, with eastern China and the northwestern region of Xinjiang set to suffer the most.

Last year, average national temperatures hit a new high, leading to record levels of glacial retreat and melting permafrost in the northwest, the Blue Book said.

China describes itself as one of the world's most climate-vulnerable countries, and it is coming under increasing pressure to adapt to rapidly changing weather patterns and sea levels that are rising faster than the global average.

Pakistan

Pakistan Navy strengthens defenses with successful missile test

The Pakistan Navy successfully conducted the firing of surface-to-air FN-6 missiles through its ground-based air defence system, demonstrating its operational readiness and combat capabilities, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).Commander Coast Vice Admiral Raja Rabnawaz graced the occasion as the chief guest, overseeing the impressive display of firepower.

During the live weapon firing, the Navy’s ground-based air defence system successfully hit aerial targets, showcasing its precision and effectiveness. Vice Admiral Rabnawaz expressed his satisfaction with the operational readiness of the Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) system and commended the troops for their performance.

"The successful firing of these surface-to-air missiles reaffirms our combat readiness and our ability to respond effectively to any threat," said Vice Admiral Rabnawaz. He added that the Pakistan Navy is fully prepared to defend the country’s maritime borders and ensure regional security.

Pakistan PM attended SCO summits in Astana, and met Kazakhstan president

• Shehbaz Sharif presented Pakistan’s perspective on global and regional issues at the Council of Heads of State

• He also participated in the SCO Plus Summit that included observer nations and other invited guests

Former Senator Hidayat Ullah among three others killed in Bajaur bomb attack.

A former Senator from the tribal district of Bajaur and three others were killed when their vehicle was targeted with a remote-controlled explosive device in Dama Dola locality of their home district on Wednesday.

According to police, the vehicle of former Senator Hidayat Ullah was targeted with a remote-controlled device which resulted in deaths of three people including the former Senator. The three other companions of the deceased Senator include Malik Irfan of Niyag Banda and Nazar Din of Nawagai and another person whose name could not be ascertained were killed in the blast.

Punjab Announces Matric Results date

BISE Punjab Board Matric Class Result 2024: The Punjab Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) are preparing to release the Punjab Board Result 2024 soon. The results will be announced on different dates for each class. Students are eagerly waiting for these annual results because they greatly influence their academic and career futures.

9th Class Result 2024 Date Punjab Board

The 9th class results are likely to be announced in August 2024, but it depends on confirmation from the Punjab Board.

Business

PSX reaches new high with 331-point gain

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) gained 331 points to reach an impressive 80,564.95 during intra-day trading at 11:50am on Thursday, up from the previous 80,233 points.

The surge reflects a continued bullish trend, marking a 0.41% increase from the previous session. The rise has bolstered investor confidence and demonstrated robust market activity.

The record-breaking points have also been buoyed by expectations of substantial dividend payouts and securing a loan deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in about a month.

The upward momentum was also driven by trade numbers, which showed an increase of 10.54% in exports to $30.7 billion and the narrowing of trade deficit by 12.3% to $24.09 billion in the just-ended fiscal year 2023-24.

PBF urges PM to reduce tube well tariff

The Pakistan Business Forum (PBF) has urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to reduce the agriculture tube well tariff, similar to the recent reduction announced for the industrial sector. In a letter addressed to the prime minister, PBF President Khawaja Mehboobur Rehman commended the decision to lower the electricity tariff for the industrial sector, highlighting its potential to boost the country’s industrial growth and competitiveness.

Electric shock for millions as tariffs soar

The government has approved an increase in the per-unit price of electricity by up to 51%, or Rs7.12, starting in July. This hike, the highest percentage increase for lower-income groups, affects 32.5 million consumers, primarily households. This will result in an additional Rs580 billion in costs for this fiscal year, mainly due to past mismanagement and flawed energy policies.

Among these consumers, 26 million households from the poorest to low-middle-income groups will see the most significant price increase. The government has also introduced fixed monthly charges for residential consumers, ranging from Rs200 to Rs1,000 per unit. This increase is a condition set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for Pakistan to qualify for the next bailout package.

The federal cabinet approved the price hike through circulation, bypassing the traditional discussion process in a regular cabinet meeting.

Technology

Meta ends blanket ban on word “Shaheed“ after oversight review

Meta Platforms (META.O) said on Tuesday it would lift its blanket ban on the word "shaheed", or "martyr" in English, after a year-long review by its oversight board found the social media giant's approach was "overbroad".

The company has been criticised for years over its handling of content involving the Middle East, including in a 2021 study Meta itself commissioned that found its approach had an "adverse human rights impact" on Palestinians and other Arabic-speaking users of its services.

Those criticisms have escalated since the onset of hostilities between Israel and Hamas in October.

Users data at risk of using Public WiFi - Lahore

Public Wi-Fi is common at places like cafes and airports, but users must be cautious about security risks. Scammers may create fake networks to steal personal information. However, the CM Maryam Nawaz Free Wi-Fi, launched by the Punjab government, is designed to be secure by not requiring user details for access, thereby preventing data misuse. This service began on May 2, 2024, in Lahore and has expanded to 200 sites, with plans to reach 450 sites and extend to Kasur and Nankana, eventually covering all 41 districts of Punjab.

The Punjab Safe City Authority (PSCA) ensures the security of this free Wi-Fi by using existing safe city network infrastructure with strict security measures. This project costs nothing additional as it leverages existing resources. Social entertainment apps are blocked on these networks, intended for emergency use.

Sohaib Sultan from PSCA highlighted that 65,000 users log in daily, with over 4 million accesses since its launch. Kaspersky experts recommend using public Wi-Fi only when necessary and confirming the network's legitimacy to avoid security risks.

iPhone 15 latest prices & PTA tax in Pakistan- July 2024

The iPhone 15 Pro Max has the highest PTA tax in Pakistan among all the latest iPhone models. The chart below shows its price in Pakistan.

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HealthDaily Health Tips

1. Stay Hydrated: Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to keep your body hydrated and functioning optimally.

2. Balanced Diet: Include a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains in your meals for balanced nutrition.

3. Regular Exercise: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise, such as walking or cycling, most days of the week.

4. Adequate Sleep: Ensure you get 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night to support overall health and well-being.

5. Mental Wellness: Practice mindfulness, meditation, or deep breathing exercises to reduce stress and improve mental health.

6. Limit Sugar and Salt: Reduce your intake of sugary snacks and salty foods to maintain a healthy weight and blood pressure.

7. Stay Active: Take short breaks to stand up, stretch, and move around if you have a sedentary job or lifestyle.

8. Healthy Snacking: Opt for healthy snacks like nuts, fruits, or yogurt instead of chips and cookies.

9. Regular Check-ups: Schedule routine medical check-ups to monitor and maintain your health.

10. Sun Protection: Wear sunscreen and protective clothing when outdoors to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.

Entertainment

• Music and Concerts:

  • The 2024 summer concert scene is heating up with tours from major artists. Melissa Etheridge and Jewel, Foo Fighters, Olivia Rodrigo, and Green Day are all set to hit the road. These tours are packed with supporting acts like Pretenders, Mammoth WVH, and Smashing Pumpkins​.

  • In Philadelphia, the Wawa Welcome America festival will feature performances by Ne-Yo and Kesha, headlining the July 4th concert on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, followed by a fireworks display​​.

• Movies and TV Shows:

  • Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman are teaming up in the new Deadpool and Wolverine film, exciting fans of Marvel's mutants​.

  • Emma Corrin dives into the role of the villain Cassandra Nova in the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine movie, marking a significant addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe​​.

• Celebrity News:

  • Ellen DeGeneres has unexpectedly canceled her comedy tour shows, stirring speculation among fans and industry insiders​.

  • Victoria and David Beckham celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary by rewearing their iconic purple wedding outfits, delighting their followers with nostalgic photos​.

Sports

• NBA Free Agency: Jayson Tatum is finalizing a five-year, $314 million extension with the Boston Celtics, making it the largest contract in NBA history. Klay Thompson is set to join the Dallas Mavericks on a three-year, $50 million deal, while Tyrese Maxey has agreed to a five-year, $204 million extension with the Philadelphia 76ers​​.

• Cricket: Team India celebrated their T20 World Cup victory with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence in New Delhi. Virat Kohli and Yuzvendra Chahal expressed their gratitude for the warm reception. The team arrived from Barbados earlier in the day and had a light-hearted interaction with the Prime Minister, who posed with the trophy and the players​​.

• Wimbledon 2024: The Indian-Australian pair of Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden have advanced to the second round of the men's doubles at Wimbledon 2024. The tournament continues with exciting matches ahead​​.

• Football: Newcastle United has appointed Paul Mitchell as their new Sporting Director, replacing Dan Ashworth, who moved to Manchester United. Mitchell's role will be crucial in shaping Newcastle's future in the Premier League​​.

What else is happening?

• Gold Prices rise by PKR 800

• Former Punjab Governor Ghulam Mustafa Khar hospitalised due to illness

  Ghulam Mustafa Khar removed from ventilator and moved out of ICU. He continues to be affected by various infections.

• More than 100 people were killed in a stampede at a religious gathering in northern India, police said.

• Hurricane Beryl, a Category 4 storm, is expected to hit Jamaica today.

• Skydance and Paramount may have a deal after all. Despite previously calling off merger talks, Skydance is said to have come to terms to buy Shari Redstone’s company National Amusements, which owns the majority of Paramount’s shares.

• CDK Global said “substantially all” of the ~15,000 car dealerships that use its software are back to normal, nearly two weeks after a cyber attack shut the software down.

• Moderna will get $176 million from the US to develop a bird flu vaccine.

• Rudy Giuliani, the former federal prosecutor, NYC mayor, and legal advisor to Donald Trump, was disbarred in New York for repeatedly lying about Trump’s 2020 election loss

• SC suspends ECP notification, LHC decision on election tribunals.

• Boeing will face a criminal fraud charge from the DOJ, per Bloomberg. The department told families of the victims of two fatal 737 Max crashes that the planemaker has until the end of the week to decide whether to plead guilty.

• Inside Out 2 topped $1 billion in global box-office sales, becoming the first movie since Barbie to reach 10 figures.

• NASA said astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams “are not stranded in space” aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule, where they are currently stranded. They remain docked with the ISS without a return date as NASA tries to resolve issues with the spacecraft.

• An asteroid flew past Earth this weekend, missing us by a comfortable 180,000 miles.