Pakistan: 7 die in illegal firecracker factory blast in Sindh
KARACHI, Nov 16: At least seven people were killed and several others injured in an explosion at an illegal firecracker factory in Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan, on Saturday night. The blast occurred at an unlicensed makeshift unit in the Latifabad area, collapsing part of the building and leaving some feared trapped under the rubble. Rescue teams have recovered seven bodies so far, while three of the injured sustained 98 percent burns and are in critical condition. Officials confirmed the factory was operating illegally, although the owner, Asad Zai, held a license for a different location and is currently absconding. Authorities are investigating the circumstances and verifying the licensing details. The exact cause of the explosion will be determined after the rescue operation concludes. This incident echoes a similar tragedy in Karachi in August, when an illegal fireworks factory explosion killed two people and injured 33. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has ordered an inquiry into the illegal operations and safety lapses in residential areas. (PTI)
Nepal takes action to freeze terrorist assets
KATHMANDU, Nov 16: Nepal’s insurance regulator has instructed insurers to freeze assets and deny insurance services to individuals and organisations involved in terrorism, as part of efforts to be removed from the FATF grey list. The move follows criticism of Nepal’s weak implementation of targeted financial sanctions (TFS), a key factor behind its grey-listing since February.
Under the Guidelines on Targeted Financial Sanctions for Insurers, 2025, insurers must block transactions, suspend insurance services, and prevent ownership or nominee transfers for UN-designated terrorist entities like Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Harakat-ul-Jihad Islami. Daily monitoring and automated checks against updated UN and domestic terrorist lists are required, with immediate freezing of any matched assets.
Non-compliance can result in penalties ranging from NPR 1–50 million or license revocation. The regulator emphasized that these measures aim to deny terrorists funding for attacks or weapons proliferation, while insurers must maintain up-to-date systems to enforce sanctions effectively. (IANS)
Toddler falls to death from New Jersey high-rise
Newark, Nov 16: Authorities in New Jersey are investigating the death of a 2-year-old boy who allegedly fell from a 20th-story window. Newark police were called to a high-rise apartment building at 7 am Saturday on the report of a child falling from the window. The toddler was pronounced dead at the scene, along a public park near Newark Liberty International Airport, the Essex County prosecutor’s office said in a statement. An investigation was announced by County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens and Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda. No further information was immediately made available. (AP)
