Pakistan: Two Christian youths gunned down in Balochistan

IANS | July 17, 2026 3:02 PM

Islamabad, July 17 (IANS) At least two young Christian men were fatally shot in Pakistan's Balochistan province, a leading minority rights organisation said on Friday, warning that the killings reflect persistent threats to lives faced by the religious minorities across the country.

Bangladesh police crackdown on student protests draws global condemnation

IANS | July 17, 2026 1:54 PM

Paris, July 17 (IANS) Bangladesh authorities came under strong condemnation from a leading international human rights organisation after police used batons and force against students during recent demonstrations outside the National Parliament in Dhaka, calling for the resignation of the country’s Education Minister, ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon.

Pakistan: Power outages disrupt work at education offices across Sindh

IANS | July 17, 2026 1:43 PM

Islamabad, July 17 (IANS) Official work, online systems and public services at education offices in Pakistan's Sindh province have been facing disruption due to prolonged power outages for nearly three weeks despite officials claiming that all electricity bills have been paid and repeated complaints have been made to K-Electric, local media reported on Friday.

FBI arrests Jaggu Bhagwanpuria's aide in US amid Hard Ball crackdown

Vicky Nanjappa | July 17, 2026 12:46 PM

New Delhi, July 17 (IANS) In a continuation of Operation Hard Ball, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested Nitish Kaushal, an alleged associate of jailed gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, in Vermont, the USA. The arrest is part of the FBI's ongoing investigation and crackdown on organised crime syndicates linked to gangsters of Indian origin.

Punjab-based gang built global organised crime network, claims FBI

IANS | July 17, 2026 11:54 AM

Washington, July 17 (IANS) A sweeping US federal indictment has alleged that a Punjab-based criminal gang evolved into a sprawling transnational organised crime syndicate with more than 1,000 members and associates operating across five continents, generating millions of dollars through murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking, extortion, weapons trafficking, money laundering and human smuggling.