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Pakistan leans on US and Iran ties to emerge as potential peacebroker

Pakistan's role as a possible host of talks aimed at ending the Iran war builds on its courtship of United States President Donald Trump and its reputation as a relatively neutral player with long-standing ties to neighbouring Iran's Islamic Republic. If talks happen, it could raise Pakistan's global prominence to heights not reached ‌since the country helped mediate the secret diplomatic opening that led to US President Richard Nixon's visit to China in 1972. It would cap over a year of relationship building with Trump that has involved astute diplomacy and crypto deals. Pakistan, which maintains direct contact with both Washington and Tehran at a time when such channels are frozen for most other countries, would also benefit directly from an end to the war. The country is home to the world's second-largest Shia Muslim population after Iran, and faced nationwide protests the day after US and Israeli strikes assassinated Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the start of the co...

Tezgam Express derails near Lodhran, no casualties reported

A Peshawar-to-Karachi Tezgam Express met with an accident near Lodhran after a coupling hook failure caused the train to split into two parts, resulting in multiple coaches derailing. According to initial reports, the accident occurred when the hook connecting the train’s coaches suddenly broke. Eyewitnesses said seven coaches attached to the engine moved ahead, while the rear coaches derailed, with several overturning. Preliminary information indicates that seven coaches were affected, of which five overturned while two derailed. The derailment reportedly began from the fourth coach behind the engine. Despite the severity of the incident, no casualties have been reported so far. Passengers who sustained minor injuries were provided immediate medical assistance. Read More: Sindh on high alert ahead of heavy rains forecast from tomorrow The accident triggered panic among passengers, with scenes of widespread alarm and cries for help reported at the site. Local residents quickly joined r...

What is the university for?

I teach two courses during the spring semester – one is a required course for sophomores in the honours college at my university, and the other is an upper-level engineering elective for undergraduate students. Both courses touch on issues related to forced displacement, migration and health access in complex emergencies and humanitarian settings. Given the myriad conflicts that surround us all in the current moment, my students often come up to me after class or in office hours to share their thoughts, ask questions or seek resources. Sometimes I am able to answer their questions related to challenges around healthcare, disease or public health systems. Often I direct them to scholars on campus who have expertise in the regions' history, its politics and its literature. I encourage them to read books or long-form essays rather than tweets or Instagram posts that lack serious analysis or depth. Several of my students come from, or have family in, many countries of the Middle East. ...

Oil prices plunge 8% on US-Iran talks to resolve hostilities in the Middle East

Oil prices dropped about 8% on Monday after United States President Donald Trump said he would postpone any military strikes against Iranian power plants for ​five days and cited constructive talks to resolve hostilities in the Middle East, hours before a deadline that threatened to escalate the four-week-old war. Brent futures fell $8.92, ‌or 8.0%, to $103.27 a barrel at 12:31pm EDT (1631 GMT), while US West Texas Intermediate lost $7.17, or 7.3%, to $91.06. Extreme price changes in recent weeks — Brent closed at its highest since July 2022 on Friday — boosted both crude benchmarks' historic or actual 30-day futures volatility to the highest levels since April 2022. Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform that the US and Iran had had "VERY GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE" conversations ​over the past two days about a "COMPLETE AND TOTAL RESOLUTION OF HOSTILITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST." https://ift.tt/X5mWjyE Crude futures plunged almost 15% earlier in the session, b...

Let's distribute Eidi of forgiveness

Psychological research shows that in the moments of mirth, one is more prone to shower generosity upon others. Eid offers us an opportunity to exhibit generosity and forgive others. The spirit of offering charity enjoins upon us to cut a pound of our flesh to help others. What else can be equated with cutting one's pound of flesh more than forgiving others? Here, we cut the flesh of our ego. The realisation of the enormity of pains and problems people are going through in this world of cut-throat, selfish pursuits can help us develop empathy for them. Empathy is the antidote to moral disengagement – justifying our harmful actions to avoid guilt – the thinking that stops one from forgiving others by playing the victimhood card. Fasting demands from us the sacrifice of our selfish pursuits. If, on Eid, we nurture grudge and animus against any of our relationships, we can't relish the bliss of Eid. If we embrace each other while nourishing the William Blake's 'poison tree...

SUPARCO kicks off 'Space4Climate Initiative' to boost climate resilience

The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) on Sunday launched the Space4Climate Initiative to strengthen climate resilience and action through space-based technologies, according to a statement issued by the military’s media wing. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the initiative was centered on a GeoAI-enabled Climate Observatory — an integrated digital platform that consolidates satellite data, geospatial analytics, and modeling into actionable insights for policymakers, researchers, and communities. The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has launched the Space4Climate Initiative, featuring a GeoAI-enabled Climate Observatory. By integrating satellite and ground data, it monitors pollutants, greenhouse gases, forests, glaciers, rivers, land use,… pic.twitter.com/Vr7EePxCho — Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) March 22, 2026 “The platform monitors atmospheric pollutants (aerosols, SOx, NOx), greenhouse gases (CO₂,...

PM Shehbaz, Indonesian president call for dialogue, diplomacy to resolve Middle East crisis

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Sunday exchanged views on Middle East tensions, calling for an immediate end to hostilities and the resolution of all differences through dialogue and diplomacy during a telephone conversation. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) today, the two leaders exchanged views on the latest regional developments, particularly the ongoing hostilities in Iran and the Gulf region. “Both leaders called for an immediate end to hostilities and the resolution of all differences through dialogue and diplomacy,” it said. The statement said that the two leaders also extended greetings on the occasion of Eidul Fitr. Spoke with my brother HE Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia, this evening to convey warm Eid-ul-Fitr greetings to him and the brotherly people of Indonesia. We also exchanged views on the regional situation, particularly in Iran and the Gulf region, and called for an… — Shehbaz...