Latest news with #Baluch
GMA Network
15 hours ago
- Business
- GMA Network
Philippine manufacturing decelerates in May 2025
The Philippine manufacturing sector posted a deceleration in May to signal a broad stagnation in operating conditions, results of the latest survey conducted by S&P Global released on Monday showed. The headline S&P Global Philippines Manufacturing PMI stood at 50.1 in May, down from 53.0 in April, and close to the 50.0 threshold that separates expansion from contraction. 'The promising growth observed at the beginning of the second quarter signalled a notable cooling in May, according to the latest PMI data,' S&P Global Market Intelligence economist Maryam Baluch said in a commentary. 'While new orders continued to increase, they did so at a slower pace, overshadowed by contractions in other areas. Notably, output, employment, and the inventories of both purchases and finished goods all experienced fresh declines,' she added. S&P attributed the softer growth in input buying activity to the slowdown in new order growth, while manufacturers said it took longer to receive essential materials and supplies during the month. The replenishment of stocks of inputs depleted for the first time in three months. 'The situation was further exacerbated by a deteriorating demand from foreign markets, with May witnessing a sharper drop in new export orders. As global trade tensions escalate, the outlook for overseas demand appears increasingly precarious,' Baluch said. Workforce numbers likewise declined during the month, falling into contraction territory, as job shedding posted its strongest in 11 months due to voluntary resignations and non-replacement of such roles. The limited manpower then trickled into the buildup of backlogs across Philippine manufacturers, with the accumulation rate overall modest. 'On a brighter note, inflationary pressures remain modest and historically subdued, which could play an important role in supporting demand moving forward,' Baluch said. 'The stability of price pressures may also provide a necessary buffer against the challenges posed by a cooldown in new orders and external market uncertainties,' she added. Survey responses were collected in the second half of the month, taking into account responses from purchasing managers in a panel of around 400 manufacturers. The PMI is a weighted average of new orders, output, employment, suppliers' delivery times, and stocks of purchases. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is scheduled to release official government figures on manufacturing for the month of May on July 8, 2025. — BM, GMA Integrated News
Edinburgh Live
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Gary Lineker's true nature perfectly summed up by refugee who stayed at his home
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Gary Lineker is set to bid farewell to the BBC after his final Match of the Day stint this Sunday, and among the memorable moments from his career that fans recall, is when he opened his home to a refugee in 2020. The ex-England and Barcelona forward has signalled his departure from Match of the Day come November 2024; however, he promises to continue gracing the BBC as he leads their FA Cup and 2026 World Cup coverage. Yet, following a contentious social media update and allegations of anti-Semitism, this upcoming Sunday's Match of the Day will mark the 64 year old Lineker's swansong on the BBC. READ MORE - Queen's favourite sandwich she had 'for every afternoon tea' since she was a girl READ MORE - EastEnders' Molly Rainford has a very famous dad and fans are only just realising In a revealing testimony from 2023, Pakistani refugee Rasheed Baluch reflected on Lineker's "sympathetic and human-loving" nature, expressing boundless appreciation for the hospitality shown by inviting him into his home back in 2020. "He is friendly and open-minded," stated Baluch, who escaped the Pakistani region of Balochistan due to threats against his life as a result of his work in human rights advocacy, reports Wales Online. "He loved to listen to me when I shared my story about the situation in my country and the plight of my people. Gary was comfortable with my company and conversation. That's why he listened to me attentively. "Although Gary is a star, he leads a simple life. He is never proud of his status. He is a very sympathetic, caring and human-loving man. He gave me an Oyster card which contained a £100 top-up for my transport to university." Baluch praised the departing Match of the Day star as a "fantastic cook who served mindblowing meals" during his stay at Lineker's £4million Surrey residence. Lineker once shared a heartfelt letter from Baluch, where the law student wrote: "I can never forget your hospitality, love and company that you and your lovely, respectful children gave to me." (Image: PA) (Image: Rasheed Baluch) The 64 year old broadcaster himself reflected on the experience, which was facilitated by UK charity Refugees at Home, calling it "hugely positive" and crediting it with providing him "such a different perspective on life." In 2023, Lineker faced a temporary suspension from the BBC following an impartiality controversy sparked by his social media comments criticising the then-government's asylum policy. Upon his return to television, Baluch defended Lineker's right to speak out: "He has been given the right of freedom, thought and expression." Baluch also criticised the negative institutional response to Lineker's statements, saying: "So if the institutions react so negatively against the statement of Gary, it is undemocratic and unfair. Gary has come forward to defend humanity. It should be a point of pride for the British public." Now, as Lineker prepares to present his final Match of the Day show of this Premier League season on Sunday, it comes after the announcement earlier this month that he will cut all ties with the BBC, following his involvement in an anti-Semitism row. The row erupted after the English pundit shared a controversial post on Zionism from group Palestine Lobby, which used a rat emoji - a symbol historically offensive towards Jews. Following the ensuing outcry, Lineker is now set for a change of scene. He remarked: "Hi everyone, some personal news. Last week, I shared a post here on Instagram that contained an emoji that has awful connotations. Unfortunately, I did not see the emoji. "If I had, I would never, ever have shared it. The minute I was made aware, I quickly deleted the post and went on to make an apology. I would like once again to say I'm sorry unreservedly for the hurt and the upset caused. It was a genuine mistake and oversight, but I should have been more diligent. I know that." He continued: "So I think it's best for all concerned that I step down from BBC presenting duties altogether and not do next season's FA Cup or World Cup. The final day of the Premier League season on Sunday will be my last show."
Daily Mirror
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Refugee's comments on Gary Lineker after he stayed at his house spoke volumes
Refugee and law student Rasheed Baluch received a warm welcome at the home of departing Match of the Day host Gary Lineker in 2021, and has since shared insights about the true character of the ex-England star Gary Lineker is set to make his final appearance on Match of the Day this Sunday, ending his long-standing association with the BBC. Fans often recall a poignant moment from 2020 when the former England and Barcelona striker opened his home to a refugee. Lineker, who had announced his departure from the stalwart show for November 2024, was expected to continue working with the BBC on their FA Cup and 2026 World Cup coverage. However, following a contentious social media post and allegations of anti-Semitism, the 64-year-old will now bow out from the BBC after Sunday's broadcast. In 2023, Pakistani refugee Rasheed Baluch offered an insight into Lineker's compassionate nature, praising him for the kindness shown three years earlier, when he was welcomed into the ex-footballer's home. "He is friendly and open-minded," said Baluch, who sought refuge in the UK due to threats to his life as a human rights activist in Balochistan. "He loved to listen to me when I shared my story about the situation in my country and the plight of my people. Gary was comfortable with my company and conversation. That's why he listened to me attentively. "Although Gary is a star, he leads a simple life. He is never proud of his status. He is a very sympathetic, caring and human-loving man. He gave me an Oyster card which contained a £100 top-up for my transport to university." Baluch also praised the soon-to-be-departing Match of the Day icon as a "fantastic cook who served mindblowing meals" during his stay at the presenter's £4million Surrey abode. In a heartfelt letter once shared by Lineker himself, Baluch, a law student, wrote: "I can never forget your hospitality, love and company that you and your lovely, respectful children gave to me." The 64-year-old broadcast legend described his hosting experience, enabled by UK charity Refugees at Home, as "hugely positive" and highlighted how it granted him "such a different perspective on life." Lineker found himself temporarily off-air in 2023 following his suspension from the BBC due to a controversy surrounding his comments on social media that criticised the then-government's policy on asylum seekers at the time. Upon Lineker's return to public view, Baluch voiced his support, stating: "He has been given the right of freedom, thought and expression. "So if the institutions react so negatively against the statement of Gary, it is undemocratic and unfair. Gary has come forward to defend humanity. It should be a point of pride for the British public." Now gearing up to host his final Match of the Day for this Premier League season, this Sunday's appearance will be Lineker's last with the BBC after he was caught up in an anti-Semitism controversy earlier in the month. The row erupted following the Englishman's reposting of a video uploaded by group Palestine Lobby, featuring a controversial rat emoji. This symbol has long been used negatively against Jewish communities, sparking significant controversy. Lineker announced: "Hi everyone, some personal news. Last week, I shared a post here on Instagram that contained an emoji that has awful connotations. Unfortunately, I did not see the emoji. "If I had, I would never, ever have shared it. The minute I was made aware, I quickly deleted the post and went on to make an apology. I would like once again to say I'm sorry unreservedly for the hurt and the upset caused. It was a genuine mistake and oversight, but I should have been more diligent. I know that. "So I think it's best for all concerned that I step down from BBC presenting duties altogether and not do next season's FA Cup or World Cup. The final day of the Premier League season on Sunday will be my last show." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
New York Times
27-04-2025
- Politics
- New York Times
Pakistan Says It Killed 54 Militants Trying to Enter From Afghanistan
Pakistan's military said on Sunday that it had killed 54 militants trying to infiltrate the country from Afghanistan, highlighting the challenges its forces face on multiple fronts as tensions with India also rise rapidly. The operation against the fighters from Afghanistan took place on Friday and Saturday nights in North Waziristan, a remote district along Pakistan's northwestern border, its military said. Pakistani troops detected the movement of the large group of militants and killed all of them, the military said, adding that it had seized a cache of weapons and explosives. The 54 deaths reported were an usually high number in Pakistan's battle against instability along its border with Afghanistan during the nearly four years since the United States withdrew its military support from the country and the Taliban took power. The banned group Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or T.T.P., has intensified attacks on Pakistani security forces, straining ties between Pakistan's leaders and the Taliban in Afghanistan. Pakistan accuses the Taliban of harboring and supporting T.T.P. fighters, an allegation that the Taliban deny. The Pakistani government is also contending with an increasingly lethal insurgency among Baluch separatists in the country's southwest. And on the eastern front, Pakistani forces have been placed on alert as India appears to be moving toward military strikes inside the country after a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir last week. Unlike in past crises, Pakistan no longer enjoys the robust U.S. military support it relied on during the 20-year American presence in Afghanistan. That loss has left the military facing one of its most challenging periods in years. Security officials say they are bracing for a sustained stretch of confronting battle-hardened militants in the west and southwest and the possibility of conventional skirmishes with nuclear-armed India to the east. Abdul Basit, a senior research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, said that the killing of the 54 militants from Afghanistan 'paradoxically underscores both a success and a challenge for the Pakistani military,' which he described as 'increasingly sandwiched between its eastern and western borders.' 'India will keep the threat of potential military action alive,' Mr. Basit said, 'and stretch it as far as it can to keep the Pakistan military overstretched.'
Hindustan Times
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
'Intolerance' driving the killings in Kashmir, says RSS leader over Pahalgam terror attack
A day after a terror attack in Pahalgam killed 26 people, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) joint general secretary Krishna Gopal on Wednesday said that a form of "intolerance" was behind the killings in Kashmir. Speaking at an event in Mumbai, Gopal said that the same intolerance will also result in the downfall of the those who promote it. He added that such elements set out to harm those who do not agree with their beliefs, a news agency PTI report said. "A form of intolerance is driving the killings in Kashmir. One day, this intolerance will also lead to their (the ones who promote it) downfall," Gopal said. He further added that this intolerance develops into a sort of nationalism and has divided people across the globe. "Nationalism has become very dangerous in Pakistan. The Baluch people say they do not want to live in Pakistan, Sindhi people say they do not want to live with Punjab. At the time of the creation of Bangladesh, they had said they were Bangla-speaking people, thus they could not live with Pakistan," the RSS leader said. Gopal said that such kind of nationalism was the reason behind people being divided in Europe, adding that Rabindranath Tagore called it the worst word to be coined by the human brain. Contrasting this concept with that of India's "Rashtra" concept, Gopal said that the Indian context is based on spiritual and cultural unity despite the nation's such vast diversity. "Hundreds of languages, religions and lakhs of goddesses exist. But India is been managed successfully. Once we understand it, you will understand our concept of Rashtra," he added. He also referred to the recently held Maha Kumbh Mela and termed it as a demonstration of India's spiritual unity. While criticising a "materialistic approach" to the event, Gopal said, "It would happen even without a government." The RSS leader further said, "They study how many people came, how many new bridges were built, rise in power generation, garbage, hotels, trains, flight, revenue, toilets, new electricity you want to understand Kumbh, study an 80-year-old woman from Tamil Nadu carrying her clothes in a basket over her head, or speak to the 85-year-old man taken there by his two sons. These people will tell you about its spirit." Terrorists came down the hills in Baisaran, a picturesque tourist spot in Pahalgam, which is also known as 'mini Switzerland', and began firing at tourists present there on Tuesday. The deadly attack left at least 26 people dead, mostly civilians. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a state visit to Saudi Arabia, cut short his trip and returned to India early on Wednesday morning. He chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), which later announced five major punitive actions against Pakistan in response to the terror attack. The actions include putting in abeyance the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the integrated check post at the Attari border and cutting down the overall strength of the high commissions.
