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Families of Pakistani hostages held by Somali pirates urge govt to form committee for their release

The families of the Pakistani crew members aboard the Honor 25 oil tanker, seized by Somali pirates, are calling on the government to take immediate action and demand the formation of a committee. In what appears to be a “ray of hope” for the families of hostages held by Somali pirates, direct contact has been established with the group that seized the Honor 25 oil tanker. The pirates have sent recent photographs of the 17 crew members being held hostage to the Ansar Burney Welfare Trust, including 10 Pakistani citizens. The Honor 25 was taken over on April 21 by Somali pirates near Somali waters. For the past two weeks, families of the kidnapped Pakistani crew members have been anxiously awaiting updates on their loved ones. Ansar Burney, head of the welfare trust, said that while contact with the pirates had been established, no practical steps had yet been taken by the government. Read: FO in touch with Somalia over hijack standoff Qurat-ul-Ain Advocate, directo...
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Brent oil prices jump 5% on rising tensions over Strait of Hormuz

Brent oil prices surged more than five per cent on Monday amid intensifying tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, after Emirati authorities said an energy installation had been struck by a drone. At around 1535 GMT, Brent crude futures rose 5.2% to $113.78 a barrel, while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate gained 3.1% to $105.11 a barrel. Stocks mixed after US disputes Iran US stock markets were mixed, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 0.5%, the S&P 500 slightly lower, and the Nasdaq Composite edging up 0.12%. Iranian state media reported that its navy had prevented “American-Zionist” warships from entering the Strait of Hormuz, while the Fars News Agency said missiles struck a US warship near Jask in the Gulf of Oman. Reuters could not independently verify the reports. Read More: Trump says Iran will be 'blown off the face of the earth' if it targets US vessels The US military said two US Navy guided-missile destroyers had entered the Gulf to...
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UK maritime agency reports attack on cargo ship west of Iran’s Sirik district

A cargo vessel was reportedly attacked by small boats west of Iran’s coastal city of Sirik, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said on Sunday. The centre said the incident was reported approximately 11 nautical miles west of Sirik city, which overlooks the Strait of Hormuz. It said all crew were reported safe and no environmental impact was recorded. No details were given about the vessel’s cargo or the identity of those behind the attack. "Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity," UKMTO said. Update 040 JMIC Advisory Note 03 May Click here to view the full advisory note⤵️ https://t.co/FMiz4OONEv#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/t7A4l1pBHi — UKMTO Operations Centre (@UK_MTO) May 3, 2026 The UKTMO also released an advisory in which the conditions of Hormuz and surrounding waters remain "critical." The Monitoring body said that the Master of a Northbound bulk carrier sent ...
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CPNE elects Kazim Khan unopposed as president, flags press freedom concerns

Prominent journalist Kazim Khan was once again elected unopposed as president of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) during its annual general meeting held on the eve of World Press Freedom Day on Saturday, while Ayaz Khan was elected senior vice president. During the meeting, Ghulam Nabi Chandio was elected general secretary and Tanveer Shaukat deputy general secretary. The announcement was made by election committee chairman Ali Raza Lehri, who congratulated the newly elected members. The annual general meeting discussed the future of print media, the expanding influence of digital platforms and the economic challenges facing the media industry. 1-روزنامہ دنیا کے ایگزیکٹو ایڈیٹر کاظم خان سی پی این ای کے صدر منتخب ہو گئے ۔ روزنامہ پاک سندھ کے ایڈیٹر غلام نبی خان چانڈیو سیکرٹری جنرل منتخب ۔ 2-سال 27-2026 کو “ مزاحمت “ کا سال قرار دینے کا اعلان۔ صدر سی پی این ای 3- جس صحافت نے عزت دی آج اسکی عزت خطرے میں ہے ۔ کاظم خان 4-… pic.twitter.com/HjEmp4mE...
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Journalists warn of rising regulatory control over media, highlight link between financial and editorial independence

Journalists and media personnel on Saturday warned that threats to journalism were increasingly shifting from physical violence to legal, regulatory and economic pressures. At an event hosted by the Institute of Business Administration Karachi’s Centre for Excellence in Journalism (IBA-CEJ) ahead of World Press Freedom Day, speakers said that in an era marked by misinformation and self-censorship, public interest journalism was more vital than ever to promote accountability and ensure an informed society. Opening the event, IBA-CEJ Director Shahzeb Jillani said the gathering was taking place at a "critical moment for press freedom globally", a concern also highlighted by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in its Press Freedom Index, which described 2026 as the worst year since records began. Read: Pakistan media freedoms face sharp decline “We are holding this event at a critical time, when press freedom is at its lowest around the world. Yet, we are here to ...
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Three-day technology and books festival kicks off in Karachi

The three-day Karachi International Books and Technology Fair (KIBTF) kicked off at the Karachi Expo Centre on Friday. Educational technologies, STEM competitions and thought-provoking talk sessions are also part of the festival. Authors, publishers, innovators, startup founders and other experts are participating during the three-day festival. “Haprow”, a cute little robot, grabbed attention as it was fabricated in Pakistan with the efforts of the National Incubation Centre, Karachi. The AI-enabled robot helps children in learning and is designed to be a virtual friend for children with autism. Its different version is a disinfection robot that kills germs and pathogens with ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Students in a competition at KIBTF. PHOTO: KIBTF Various new startups also showcased their digital products, offering 100% online classes with an effective learning feedback mechanism. An Islamabad-based company presented its school books with STEM learning t...
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Israeli army demolishes Christian monastery, nuns' school in southern Lebanon

The Israeli army demolished a monastery and a school run by the Sisters of the Holy Saviour in the southern Lebanese town of Yaroun, the state National News Agency reported on Friday. 🔴 Israeli army demolished a monastery and a school run by the Sisters of the Holy Savior in the southern Lebanese town of Yaroun, local media reports https://t.co/RJqxiN6dwW pic.twitter.com/2T58ie8I6r — Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) May 1, 2026 The school “was considered one of the most prominent educational institutions in the region”, having educated thousands of students over the years from various towns in the Bint Jbeil district, said the agency. Its targeting represents “a major loss at both the educational and social levels", it added. Israel has waged an offensive in Lebanon since March 2, killing more than 2,600 people and displacing over a million. A 10-day ceasefire that began on April 17 was later extended until May 17, but Israel continue...
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