Rights groups condemn arrest of Baloch activist, decry ‘Pakistani fascism’

IANS | July 2, 2026 11:06 AM

Quetta, July 2 (IANS) Several leading human rights organisations on Thursday strongly condemned the arrest of a woman activist and Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) member, Syed Bibi, by Pakistani forces in Balochistan, describing it as part of an escalating crackdown on peaceful activists and "Pakistani fascism".

Gold, silver trade mixed amid hopes Fed may hold interest rates

IANS | July 2, 2026 11:06 AM

Mumbai, July 2 (IANS) Gold and silver traded mixed in Thursday morning's session, with gold edging lower on profit booking and silver extending gains for a third straight session amid expectations that the US Federal Reserve may not rush to raise interest rates.

WhatsApp clarifies usernames are optional, addresses impersonation concerns

IANS | July 2, 2026 10:37 AM

New Delhi, July 2 (IANS) Meta-backed messaging platform WhatsApp has clarified that its upcoming username feature will be optional and reiterated that several safeguards have been built in to prevent impersonation, scams and unwanted contact as it prepares for a wider rollout later this year.