Mayor Zohran Mamdani attended Army Sgt. Angel Sarah Rampersad’s funeral in Queens on Friday, but organisers did not call him to speak. He arrived with prepared remarks and sat in the fourth row at Calvary Assembly of God in Ozone Park. Witnesses told that the Mamdani reviewed his speech on an iPad while other officials addressed mourners. “They kept calling names and then he was never called,” one attendee said. The witness claimed the mayor looked toward his staff in frustration before putting the tablet away. Read More: Why Did NY Mayor Zohran Mamdani Reject a $47,000 Pay Raise? Family Reportedly Wanted to Avoid Political Distraction Local media cited unnamed people involved in the funeral arrangements who said Rampersad’s family did not want Mamdani to speak. One source described the family as politically conservative and supportive of President Donald Trump. “The family is more conservative and wanted to limit any political distractions,” the source said. The allegation rests on anonymous accounts, and Rampersad’s relatives have not publicly endorsed that explanation. Governor Kathy Hochul, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, state Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr. and community leader Sam Esposito delivered remarks. New York Attorney General Letitia James also attended the service. Read More: New Year, New Mayor: Mamdani’s Unconventional Start Explained City Councilman Frank Morano said the mayor’s omission surprised him. “I didn’t understand why they would have lower-level officials speak and not the mayor,” he said. City Hall did not respond to the newspaper’s requests for comment. Mamdani’s press team later released his planned speech under the label “remarks as prepared.” “It is often said that our fallen ‘gave their tomorrows for our today,’” Mamdani planned to say. His statement said Rampersad surrendered future birthdays, ordinary mornings and evenings with loved ones so others could remain safe. Queens Mourns Soldier Killed in Jordan Rampersad, 28, grew up in Ozone Park and graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Her uncle’s military service inspired her to join the Army. An Iranian attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan killed Rampersad on July 17, according to the US Army. She served as a Signal Operations Support Specialist with the 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment. The attack also killed Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, and 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25. Their deaths raised the US military toll in the Iran war to 18. Read More: Zohran Mamdani Makes History as New York City’s First Muslim Mayor, Takes Oath on the Quran Hundreds of relatives, neighbours, soldiers and community members attended Rampersad’s funeral. Hochul said she had come to admire the young soldier and viewed her with the affection of a parent. Daisy Davis-Credle, president of the Queens Sunday School Association, praised Rampersad’s ability to communicate with soldiers of every rank. After the service, NYPD officers carried Rampersad’s coffin to a hearse. A blocks-long police procession then escorted her toward her burial site on Long Island.
Deadly Broad Peak Avalanche Kills Nirmal Purja and Nine Others
Celebrated Nepal-born mountaineer Nirmal Purja has died after an avalanche struck an international expedition on Pakistan’s Broad Peak, his company confirmed on Saturday. “Today it is with profound sadness and immense heartbreak that we confirm that Nirmal ‘Nimsdai’ Purja tragically lost his life following the avalanche on Broad Peak,” Elite Exped said in an Instagram statement. Read More: Ali Sadpara’s Last Climb: Winter K2 Tragedy Takes Centre Stage at Sundance “We have also received confirmation that other members of the expedition sadly did not survive,” it added, without releasing full details. Purja, 43, and nine other mountaineers had remained missing since Thursday. The avalanche hit while they climbed between Camps 2 and 3 in the Karakoram range. Officials placed the team at roughly 6,600 metres when the snow struck. Broad Peak rises to about 8,051 metres and ranks as the world’s 12th-highest mountain. Some Pakistani records list its height as 8,047 metres. Tracking Data Reveals Avalanche’s Force The avalanche swept away the group around midday, although tracking data suggested it may have struck earlier in the morning. Six climbers were Nepali. The remaining members came from Pakistan, Oman, the United States and China. “Their tracking beacon data show they were thrown hundreds of metres down the mountain,” Pakistani mountaineer Naila Kiani told Le Monde. Read More: Pakistan Tourism Boom: 820% Surge in Foreign Visitors Shocks Industry Rescuers recovered three bodies on Friday and located others in difficult terrain. Officials identified the recovered climbers as Nepal’s Pur Bahadur Gurung, Oman’s Nadhira Al Harthy and American Mallory Geis. Harsh weather and limited helicopter access slowed the operation. Drone images later helped rescuers spot and identify additional bodies. Chhang Dawa Sherpa of Seven Summit Treks said they remained in a location that made recovery extremely difficult. Broad Peak has a long summit ridge and presents serious risks from altitude, unstable weather, ice and avalanches. An Austrian expedition completed its first ascent in 1957. Record-Breaking Career Ends on Pakistan Peak Purja served with Britain’s Brigade of Gurkhas before joining the Special Boat Service of the Royal Marines. He later became a full-time climber, expedition leader and guide. In 2019, he climbed all 14 mountains above 8,000 metres in six months and six days, then a record. The 2021 Netflix documentary 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible brought his achievement to a global audience. Read More: Meet the Volunteers Keeping a 100-Year-Old Swiss Railway Alive Purja had recently said he was close to becoming the first mountaineer to climb all 14 “super peaks” twice without supplemental oxygen. “Broad Peak, I ask for nothing but safe passage up and back down,” he wrote this week. “I take zero mountains for granted. Not one.” His death prompted tributes across Nepal and the international climbing community. Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah said the climbers’ physical journeys had ended, but their courage and contributions would remain inspiring. The Broad Peak disaster has again highlighted the extreme dangers of high-altitude climbing in Gilgit-Baltistan, home to five of the world’s 14 mountains above 8,000 metres.
China Bans Controversial ‘Foot Juice’ Stall After Backlash
Female cosplayers at an anime convention in Guangzhou, China, sparked outrage after selling drinks prepared in containers where they had soaked their bare feet. The incident occurred outside the 39th Firefly Anime Game Carnival, held from July 17 to 20. Videos showed cosplayers sitting beside large tubs containing water and lemon slices while companions served the liquid in disposable cups. Each cup cost 50 yuan, or about $7 to $7.50. Read More: Meet the AI Drone That Hunts and Kills Mosquitoes Mid-Air Some social media posts described both lemon-flavoured and cola-based drinks. However, reports from established outlets mainly documented lemon-infused water. The available reports did not confirm how many cups sellers distributed or whether the drinks completely sold out. Crowds Gather Around Unofficial Stalls Videos circulated widely on Chinese social media after dozens of people gathered around the stalls. Some attendees queued to purchase cups, while others filmed the spectacle. 真的有这么变态的人吗？买人家的洗脚水喝，还50一杯！ pic.twitter.com/YLSELorHMm— 默默 (@momoGZ0412) July 21, 2026 More extreme clips appeared to show customers drinking liquid dripping directly from the cosplayers’ feet. Other footage showed attendees touching or licking their feet as onlookers cheered and recorded videos. A notice beside one stall sought to portray the activity as a joke. “It is for entertainment only. We do not intend to guide in an inappropriate way,” it read. The stalls operated in an outdoor public area rather than as authorised vendors inside the exhibition hall. That distinction became important after organisers faced criticism over the incident. Online users condemned the scenes as vulgar, unhygienic and damaging to China’s cosplay community. Many also questioned why people would knowingly consume a drink handled under such conditions. Read More: Man Fired Minutes Into Hawaii Vacation as Wife’s Video Goes Viral The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says contaminated food or drinks can contain germs that cause foodborne illness. Its general guidance urges consumers to choose properly handled beverages and follow basic cleaning and food safety practices. Organisers Ban Similar Stalls Firefly organisers intervened after the videos attracted widespread attention. Chinese media quoted them as saying they had expelled the cosplayers and would prohibit similar stalls from returning. “We have expelled the cosplayers involved and explicitly prohibited such vulgar stalls from appearing again,” the organisers said, according to a translated statement reported by Chinese media. The Guangzhou stunt appeared to copy a controversy at FanimeCon in San Jose, California, in May. That activity took place during Park Con, an unofficial outdoor gathering connected with convention attendees. Read More: Routine Dental Check Ends in Controversy After Patient Loses 12 Teeth Videos from San Jose showed costumed participants selling a red drink after placing their feet inside coolers. Signs advertised cups, small swigs and other options. Reports said customers consumed the drink and that the sellers ran out within an hour. The California sale also raised questions about food vending permits and public health rules. FanimeCon’s official programme did not organise the outdoor stunt, and reports found no immediate evidence of enforcement action. The Guangzhou organisers said they would strengthen restrictions after the backlash. The episode has also intensified debate over increasingly provocative stunts designed to attract attention at cosplay events.
Toyota Pakistan Gives Buyers Fee-Free Cancellation Option
Toyota Pakistan has clarified that customers may cancel vehicle bookings and receive refunds without paying administrative charges. The policy applies whether buyers have paid the full price or only part of the amount. The company said customers can also cancel orders for vehicles that are ready for delivery. Toyota will process each refund under the applicable terms and procedures linked to the booking. Read More: Toyota Cars to Get Costlier as Freight Charges Rise Nationwide “Customers may request cancellation of their vehicle booking and a refund without any administrative charges, in accordance with applicable terms and procedures,” Indus Motor Company said in its customer update. The company described the arrangement as part of its long-standing customer service practices. It said the policy gives buyers greater flexibility and supports transparency during the purchasing process. Full and Partial Payments Covered Toyota’s clarification removes uncertainty for buyers who may need to withdraw after placing an order. It confirms that the waiver of administrative charges does not depend on how much they have already paid. The same rule applies when Toyota has prepared the vehicle for handover. However, customers must still follow the company’s cancellation process and meet the terms attached to their booking. Toyota did not announce a standard refund timeline in the latest clarification. It also did not list the documents required in every case. Buyers should contact their authorised dealership and request written guidance before submitting a cancellation. Read More: Toyota’s New Luxury EV Sells 3,000 Units in Just One Hour The company’s official booking guide advises customers to place orders only through authorised Toyota 3S dealerships. It also warns them not to make payments in favour of any person or business other than Indus Motor Company Limited. Toyota permits partial-payment bookings when a vehicle’s delivery period exceeds one month. Its website lists the minimum partial payment at Rs1.5 million, subject to the relevant model and conditions. Customers Advised to Use Official Channels Toyota Pakistan operates locally through Indus Motor Company, which manufactures and markets Toyota vehicles in the country. The company said the refund clarification reflects its focus on customer care, trust and transparency. The announcement specifically covers administrative charges. It does not promise additional mark-up on refunded deposits. That differs from a special measure announced in July 2022. At the time, Indus Motor offered a full refund plus mark-up after currency depreciation, import restrictions and production uncertainty disrupted deliveries. The company also waived administrative deductions under that temporary arrangement. Read More: Toyota Set to Unwind $19 Billion in Shares in Historic Move Customers seeking refunds should keep their provisional booking order, payment evidence and identification documents available. They should submit requests through the dealership that handled the original booking or contact Toyota Pakistan’s customer relations department. Toyota’s website lists its Karachi customer relations number as +92-21-34721100 and nationwide UAN as +92-111-86-96-82. Buyers should rely on official channels rather than agents or unofficial social media accounts. The clarification gives customers a clearer exit option if their finances, delivery plans or vehicle preferences change. It also reinforces Toyota’s policy of processing eligible cancellations without an administrative penalty.
What Went Wrong for Arshad Nadeem in Glasgow?
Pakistan’s Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem failed to defend his Commonwealth Games javelin title after finishing ninth at Scotstoun Stadium on Friday. Nadeem exited the 12-man final after failing to enter the top eight during the opening three rounds. His best effort measured only 77.41 metres, well below the standards that made him an Olympic and Commonwealth champion. Read More: FIFA President Acknowledges Arshad Nadeem’s Olympic Feat in Dubai The result brought a disappointing end to a campaign that had already raised concerns. Nadeem qualified for the final in seventh place with a season-best throw of 78.63 metres. No athlete reached the automatic qualifying mark of 84 metres, so the leading 12 advanced. Nadeem Exits After Three Attempts The defending champion opened the final with a foul. His second attempt reached 77.41 metres and briefly placed him on the leaderboard. However, Nadeem slipped to ninth before his final attempt. He then failed to improve and missed the top-eight cut, which would have earned him three additional throws. Most live result reports recorded his third throw at 75.39 metres, although an Express Tribune report listed it as 75.61 metres. Both figures left him outside medal contention. The Express Tribune reported that a dejected Nadeem left the venue immediately and returned to his hotel. The athlete had not publicly commented on his performance at the time of publication. Before the final, Nadeem acknowledged the pressure surrounding his title defence. Read More: South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia to Host 2027 World Cup “Four years after I broke the Commonwealth Games record in 2022, I remain in the same position,” he said earlier. “There is also pressure [on me] … I have been the champion for four years and now I will need to again do well [to retain the title].” “There is always pressure while entering the field … that pressure has to be controlled.” Nadeem won the 2022 Commonwealth title in Birmingham with a Games record of 90.18 metres. He later produced an Olympic record of 92.97 metres to claim gold at the Paris Games in 2024. His Glasgow result marked a third straight sub-80-metre performance. He finished ninth in Luzern on July 16 with 78.47 metres before recording 78.63 metres in Commonwealth qualifying. Pathirage Wins as India Takes Two Medals Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage claimed gold with 89.75 metres on his second attempt. His remaining five throws were fouls, but nobody surpassed his early lead. Pathirage entered Glasgow as the 2026 world leader after throwing 92.62 metres at the Rome Diamond League in June. The former fast bowler has quickly emerged as one of Asia’s strongest javelin competitors. Read More: HBL PSL 12 Schedule, Retentions and Signings Under Review India secured the remaining podium places. Neeraj Chopra won silver with a season-best 85.83 metres, while Yash Vir Singh claimed bronze with a personal-best 85.41 metres on his final attempt. Nadeem’s inability to cross 80 metres in three consecutive outings will increase scrutiny on his form ahead of upcoming international competitions.
