EUROPEAN UNION: The European Union has called on Israel to ensure immediate and unhindered access to humanitarian aid for Palestinians affected by heavy rains and devastating floods in Gaza. It also urged Israel to allow humanitarian organisations to operate and reopen all border crossings into the territory.

According to the AFP news agency, the European Union urged the Israeli government to ensure the continuous and large-scale delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza, along with essential supplies and equipment needed to restore affected areas.

In its statement, the EU said Israel should provide immediate and unconditional access to aid organisations so they can deliver food, clean drinking water, medicines, temporary shelter and other essential supplies to flood-affected civilians.

In several parts of Gaza, tents belonging to displaced Palestinian families have been submerged in rainwater, while flooding in temporary shelters has created severe difficulties for women, children and elderly people.

Heavy rains and floods have also damaged the limited belongings of displaced families. Poor drainage systems, damaged infrastructure and shortages of clean drinking water in several areas have raised concerns about the spread of diseases.

Meanwhile, Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) claimed last week that measures had been accelerated in cooperation with international organisations to improve sanitation and health conditions in Gaza ahead of the heavy rains.

On the other hand, Israel has rejected allegations that it is preventing adequate quantities of essential humanitarian supplies from entering Gaza, arguing that such accusations are an attempt to divert attention from Hamas’s responsibility.

Renowned artificial intelligence scientist and Nobel Prize winner Professor Geoffrey Hinton has warned that superintelligent AI could become powerful enough to threaten humanity within the next three years.

Professor Hinton, widely known as the “Godfather of AI” for his pioneering contributions to artificial neural networks, is expected to present his concerns to European Union leaders at an informal AI summit in Dublin, Ireland.

He cautioned that without proper oversight and control, highly intelligent machines could soon surpass human intelligence and potentially move beyond human control.

The warning comes amid growing concerns raised during the Hinton Lectures, organized by the AI Safety Foundation in Toronto, where experts discussed the possibility that advanced AI could eventually destabilize governments.

Paul Christiano, founder of the Alignment Research Center, has also warned that AI could pose a significant risk of overpowering humans within the next three years.

He further suggested that a considerable risk of such developments could emerge within the next six to 12 months.

Experts’ concerns highlight the rapidly advancing capabilities of artificial intelligence and the need for effective human oversight. However, these warnings represent potential risks rather than certain predictions of future events.

ISLAMABAD: In a landmark anti-smuggling operation, the Collectorate of Customs Enforcement, Indus, has recovered a huge consignment of acetate tow and tobacco, with an estimated total value of Rs. 680 million, from a clandestine dumping site at Missile Colony, Kalabagh. The recovery was made during the night of 12 November 2026 and marks the largest enforcement operation in the short history of the Collectorate.

Acting on credible information, enforcement teams of Kalabagh and Chashma, in close coordination with Punjab Police and under the supervision of Mr. Jawad, Deputy Collector (In-charge), conducted a swift, intelligence-based raid at the identified location, situated approximately 1–2 km from the Digital Enforcement Station (DES), Kalabagh.

During the operation, the teams recovered 45 bundles of acetate tow weighing approximately 9,200–10,000 kg, along with 50–60 parcels of tobacco weighing approximately 1,400 kg. The total estimated value of the recovered goods stands at Rs. 680 million. The entire consignment has been safely shifted to Mianwali, while further legal proceedings are being initiated in accordance with the law.

The operation has also exposed the evolving modus operandi of smuggling elements, who, in response to enhanced vigilance and rigorous checking at the Digital Enforcement Station (DES), had resorted to temporarily storing smuggled goods at a clandestine dumping site in its vicinity and subsequently moving them in small quantities to evade detection. The timely action has disrupted this illicit supply chain and demonstrated the effectiveness of the enhanced enforcement and vigilance measures adopted at the DES, Kalabagh.

The Collectorate has commended the entire enforcement team for its exemplary vigilance, professionalism and dedication to duty. In recognition of their outstanding performance, a special reward will be arranged for all members of the team. Other officers and field formations have also been encouraged to take this successful operation as an example and undertake similar enforcement actions with equal commitment and resolve.

Pakistan Customs reiterates its unwavering commitment to combating smuggling, protecting legitimate trade and safeguarding national revenue.