Blaze News - Pakistan

India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja announced his retirement from T20 international cricket on Sunday, a day after lifting the 20-over World Cup in Barbados. Jadeja, 35, is the third senior player to retire from the team after India beat South Africa in a thrilling final, with captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli quitting shortly after the match. “With a heart full of gratitude, I bid farewell to T20 internationals," Jadeja wrote on Instagram. Read also: Rohit Sharma joins Virat Kohli in T20I retirement after World Cup win "Winning the T20 World Cup was a dream come true, a pinnacle of my T20 international career. Thank you for the memories, the cheers, and the unwavering support." The left-arm spinner made his T20 international debut in 2009 and has played 74 matches, scoring 515 runs with a strike rate of 127.16 and picking up 54 wickets. He has also played 72 tests and 197 One-Day Internationals. "I’ve always given my best for my country and will continue to do so ...

Israel's national carrier El Al said Sunday its Warsaw to Tel Aviv flight was not allowed to refuel at Antalya airport after making an emergency landing to evacuate a passenger for medical reasons. Turkish workers at Antalya airport refused to refuel flight LY5102 before it could take off for Israel, El Al said in a statement. "Local workers refused to refuel the company's plane even though it was a medical case," it said, adding that the passenger was evacuated. The plane then took off to Rhodes in Greece where "it will refuel before taking off to Israel", the airline said. Relations between Turkey and Israel have deteriorated since the war in Gaza broke out on October 7, with all direct flights between the two countries cancelled since. Turkish diplomatic sources confirmed the plane was allowed to make an emergency landing to evacuate a sick passenger. "Fuel was to be provided to the plane due to humanitarian considerations, but as the relevant proced...

China on Saturday successfully sent a new satellite into space from the Wenchang Space Launch Site on the coast of southern island province of Hainan. The satellite, Zhongxing-3A, was launched at 7:57 p.m. (Beijing Time) by a modified version of the Long March-7 carrier rocket and entered the planned orbit successfully. Designed as a communication and broadcasting satellite, the satellite will provide voice, data, radio and television transmission services. This marks the 526th mission for the Long March series carrier rockets. from Latest News, Breaking News & Top News Stories | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/mEdWaUD

The European Union has decided to sanction six people and three companies for financing Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the EU council said on Friday. The EU said it was sanctioning Jamil Yusuf Ahmad Aliyan, Ahmed Sharif Abdallah Odeh, Zuheir Shamlakh, Ismail Barhoum, Ali Morshed Shirazi and Maher Rebhi Obeid. It added it was sanctioning the companies Zawaya Group for Development & Investment Co Ltd, Larrycom for Investment Ltd and Al Zawaya Group for Development & Investment Sociedad limitada. The individuals and companies will be subject to EU sanctions 6 people and 3 firms in Hamas finance crackdown from Latest News, Breaking News & Top News Stories | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/rKjG1Bi

Canada on Thursday imposed sanctions on seven Israeli settlers it said had taken part in extremist violence in the West Bank, the second time in just over a month Ottawa has taken such a step. The foreign ministry said it had also imposed punitive measures on five entities, including settler organisations. "We remain deeply concerned by extremist settler violence in the West Bank and condemn such acts, not only for the significant impact they have on Palestinian lives, but also for the corrosive impact they have on prospects for lasting peace," Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said in a statement. Violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank was already at a more than 15-year high in 2023 and surged further after Israel's war in the separate enclave of Gaza in response to the Palestinian militant group Hamas' attack on October 7. Those Canada targeted include Ben-Zion Gopstein, founder and leader of the right-wing group Lehava, which opposes Jewish assimilation with non-Je...

South African scientists on Tuesday injected radioactive material into live rhino horns to make them easier to detect at border posts in a pioneering project aimed at curbing poaching. The country is home to a large majority of the world's rhinos and as such is a hotspot for poaching driven by demand from Asia, where horns are used in traditional medicine for their supposed therapeutic effect. At the Limpopo rhino orphanage in the Waterberg area, in the country's northeast, a few of the thick-skinned herbivores grazed in the low savannah. James Larkin, director of the University of the Witwatersrand's radiation and health physics unit who spearheaded the initiative, told AFP he had put "two tiny little radioactive chips in the horn" as he administered the radioisotopes on one of the large animals' horns. Read: Poaching poses serious threat to rare species of sea turtles The radioactive material would "render the horn useless... essentially poisonous for h...

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Tuesday emphasised the significance of a strong turnout in the country's upcoming presidential election, scheduled for Friday. He made the remarks in an address to thousands of Iranians from different provinces gathered in Iran's capital Tehran, three days ahead of the 14th presidential election and on the occasion of the religious holiday of Eid al-Ghadir, according to a statement published on the leader's website. "In three days, the Iranian people will face the important test of election, whose importance is greater than ever," Khamenei said, stressing that maximum participation and the selection of the most qualified candidate would bring pride to the nation. Listing the characteristics of the "most qualified" candidate, Iran's leader stated that the next president should firmly believe in the principles and foundations of the Islamic Revolution and establishment, demonstrate efficiency and liveliness in ...

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb assured the Pakistan Business Council (PBC) that its recommendations would be considered in finalisation of the budget for fiscal year 2024-25 to the greatest extent possible. According to a press release issued by the finance ministry on Monday, a delegation from the PBC, led by Chairman Shabbir Diwan, met with the minister.  The PBC delegation appreciated the government's ongoing efforts and discussed the Federal Budget 2024-25 with the finance minister. They presented specific suggestions and tax proposals for consideration. The minister acknowledged and thanked the PBC for their insights. He also highlighted the FBR’s ongoing efforts aimed at broadening the tax base and bringing retailers into the tax net. Aurangzeb assured that decisions would be made through mutual consultation to ensure favourable outcomes for both the public and the business community. The meeting was also attended by Minister of State for Finance and Revenue, Ali Pervez ...

The Sindh government ordered on Sunday an inquiry into the damage to the gates of the Sukkur Barrage and appointed focal persons to immediately update the farmers about the possible water shortage and crop losses. The provincial Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro announced a five-member committee comprising his department’s senior officials to find out the causes of the barrage gate collapse, identify the real culprits behind it, and determine the responsible officers. The committee would submit its report in five days. Sukkur Barrage over the Indus River – the largest single irrigation network of its kind in the world – was built over 90 years ago and is considered the pride of Pakistan's irrigation system. The barrage consists of 66 gates with seven off-take canals to irrigate 70% of the province’s arable land. On Thursday, the barrage official said in a statement that damages had been detected to gates number 44 and 47 of the barrage. They added that the water supply into all th...

PTI leader Raoof Hassan on Tuesday announced that former premier and party founder Imran Khan was open to considering any "constructive suggestions" brought forward by Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai through his dialogue with the government. About Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Hassan stated, “Regarding Mehmood Khan Achakzai [...] Imran said that if he wanted to talk [to the opposition] on his own then he is allowed.” He further added, “We cannot pressure any party [...] if they think that they can play a constructive role then they should try.” “Imran said today that if they bring forward constructive suggestions, we would consider them. It is an open-ended policy.” Read:Gandapur meets Imran Khan in Adiala Jail to discuss K-P matters When asked if the PTI had given Achakzai the authority to negotiate, Raoof Hassan was crystal clear: “No, PTI’s position is clear. Do not confuse two things together. PTI’s position is clear that we don’t want any co...

The UN highlighted the alarming humanitarian need in Afghanistan, saying that more than 50% of the population require humanitarian assistance in the war-torn country. "Humanitarian needs in Afghanistan remain alarmingly high. More than 50% of the population – some 23.7 million people – require humanitarian assistance this year, the third highest number of people in need in the world," Lisa Doughten, head of the UN Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs Humanitarian Financing and Resource Mobilization Division, said at a Security Council meeting on Afghanistan. She emphasised the impacts of poverty, food insecurity, and climate change, saying: "1 in 4 Afghans are uncertain where their next meal will come from. Nearly 3 million children are experiencing acute levels of hunger." Doughten also noted the devastating effects of climate change, with more frequent extreme weather events and annual droughts predicted to become the norm by 2030. "Efforts ar...

Iran condemned Canada's listing of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization as "an unwise and unconventional politically-motivated step," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani was quoted as saying by the semi-official Fars news agency on Thursday. "Canada's action will not have any effect on the Revolutionary Guards' legitimate and deterrent power," Kanaani said, adding that Tehran reserves the right to respond accordingly to the listing. On Wednesday, Ottawa listed the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organisation, a step that could lead to the investigation of former senior Iranian officials now living in Canada. Read also: Iran rejects G7 statement over nuclear programme The United States took a similar step in 2019 against the Revolutionary Guards, which Western nations accuse of carrying out a global terrorist campaign. Tehran rejects such claims, saying that the elite force is a sovereign institution respon...

Reece Topley assumed new ball duties on his return to the England side after missing the first two group matches at the T20 World Cup but the left-arm seamer says he can also be a strong death-bowling option for the defending champions. The towering seamer opened the bowling against both Oman and Namibia as England made the Super Eight stage of the tournament. Jofra Archer and Chris Jordan are England’s preferred bowlers in the final overs of an innings but Topley also relishes bowling at a stage when batters throw caution to the wind. “It’s nothing new, I’ve done it in an England shirt before,” he told reporters ahead of Wednesday’s Group 1 game against tournament co-hosts West Indies. “I actually really enjoy it because it’s kind of like the time where you get your rewards for bowling well up top and keeping it tight. “It’s the time when wickets fall. So it’s quite exciting in that respect and I don’t think there’s anything to be feared.” Apart from regular yorkers, Topley’s armoury ...

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday responded to the Indian statement on references made to Jammu and Kashmir in the Pakistan-China joint statement issued in Beijing, following talks between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang on June 8. The Foreign Office stated, "It is an established fact that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally-recognised disputed territory. The dispute has been on the agenda of the UN Security Council for over seven decades. The relevant Security Council resolutions clearly stipulate that the final disposition of the State of Jammu and Kashmir will be made in accordance with the will of the people expressed through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite conducted under the auspices of the United Nations. In that backdrop, the Indian claims over Jammu and Kashmir are totally unfounded and misplaced." India had rejected “unwarranted” references to Jammu and Kashmir in the joint statement last week and cr...

In the remote and serene valleys of Hunza, Eidul Adha is marked by a unique and communal approach to the tradition of Qurbani. Unlike elsewhere, where individual families perform Qurbani privately, Hunza's practice revolves around a collective effort that emphasises anonymity and communal harmony. Read also: In pictures: Celebrating Eid ul Adha across the globe Villagers who commit to sacrificing animals bring them to a central location, where a joint Qurbani (sacrifice) ceremony takes place. Here, the meat from the sacrificed animals is distributed equally among all residents, regardless of whether they contributed an animal themselves or not. This egalitarian distribution ensures that everyone in the community receives an equal share, without knowledge of who the original donors are.         View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Karim Azeez (@karimmazeez) There are no public announc...

Ben Affleck spent Father's Day with his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, instead of his current wife, Jennifer Lopez, despite Lopez's public tribute. According to TMZ, Garner was seen arriving at Affleck's rental home in Brentwood alone on Sunday. Jennifer Lopez, who was not present, posted a Father's Day tribute to Affleck, featuring a photo of him from the film ‘Pearl Harbor’ and referring to him as a "hero." Affleck and Garner, who share three children, spent the day together. Later, Affleck was seen driving Garner home in his BMW, with their son Samuel possibly in the front seat. Their children appeared to join them at Affleck's home, while Lopez and her children were absent. This Father's Day contrasts with last year's when Lopez posted intimate photos of her and Affleck, including a shirtless shot of him. The change reflects the ongoing strain in Affleck and Lopez's marriage. TMZ reported that the couple is attempting to sell their $60 million m...

The majority of the people in Punjab were satisfied with the performance of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz-led government, acknowledging her “effective” steps for reducing prices of various commodities, according to a survey released on Sunday. The release of the data of the survey, titled, ‘Punjab Speaks—Public Perception of Performance’ conducted by the Institute for Public Opinion Research (IPOR), an independent research institution, marked the 100 days in office of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. Maryam was elected the chief minister of Punjab on February 26, following the general elections held on February 8, 2024. She is the 20th chief minister of the country’s most populous province and had just completed the first 100 days in office. According to the IPOR, Maryam Nawaz’s leadership in Punjab was highly regarded, with strong public approval of her performance and initiatives. Besides, there was significant support for her efforts for reducing commodity prices, particularly the ...

Jordan announced on Sunday that the death toll of its citizens during this season's Hajj rituals had risen to 14, with 17 others reported missing. In a statement, the Jordanian Foreign Ministry reported that "the number of Jordanian citizens who have died while performing Hajj rituals has increased to 14, with 17 pilgrims still missing." It added that they are coordinating with the relevant Saudi authorities to expedite the burial procedures for the deceased pilgrims and arrange the transportation for the bodies of those whose families wish them to be returned to Jordan. They are also actively involved in the search for the 17 missing pilgrims. Read also: Hajj pilgrims 'stone the devil' as Muslims mark Eid ul Adha The ministry clarified that the deceased and missing pilgrims "are from outside the official Jordanian Hajj delegation." On Saturday, the Jordanian Foreign Ministry announced that six pilgrims had died from sunstroke. However, the causes of the...

Former England captain Michael Vaughan, considered one of the best batsmen England has ever produced, expressed his views on Pakistan's T20 squad during a television show, asserting that none of their players, except Shaheen Shah Afridi, would make it into the English, Australian, or Indian cricket teams. Responding to a question about whether Pakistan's T20 players lack the skill set or if it’s a mentality issue, Vaughan stated, "I think they do have the skill set, but not what I've seen in the past from Pakistan cricket." "In T20 cricket, I honestly don't think they've got many great T20 players. You know, I think Babar Azam's a brilliant batter but would he get into an England T20 team? No. An Australia T20 team? No. An India T20 team? No," Vaughan added. The former English opener acknowledged Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Imad Wasim, and Mohammad Amir as good T20 players but questioned their inclusion in top teams. "How many of thos...

The government has proposed seeking powers to seal shops and business premises for issuing three non-certified electronic receipts in a single day, as it introduces a slew of new streamlining measures to raise Rs70 billion in taxes in the next fiscal year. These special powers have been sought under the Sales Tax Act, said the chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) in a briefing to the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue. The committee met for the second consecutive day to deliberate and finalise recommendations on the Finance Bill, 2024. The meeting was presided over by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). The standing committee also proposed the mandatory acceptance of debit and credit cards by shops to discourage the cash-based economy. The FBR chairman hinted at reversing the budget proposal to impose a 10% sales tax on stationery and books after the standing committee asked him to withdraw the proposal. However, the chairman said tha...

The bodies of 45 Indians who died in a fire in a labour housing facility in Kuwait were flown to India on Friday, as bereaved relatives and experts urged New Delhi to do more to protect the lives of those who work abroad and send remittances home. An electrical short circuit is likely to have caused Wednesday's fire in the housing facility in Mangaf, a coastal city south of the capital Kuwait City. The Indian workers were among the 49 people who perished. A further 33 are being treated in hospitals. Television showed bereaved families waiting at the airport to receive the bodies of their loved ones. On arrival, the coffins were placed with photographs of the deceased on separate tables in the cargo complex of the airport. Families, friends, ministers and officials paid homage while police gave them a guard of honour. Twenty-three of the 45 were from the southern Indian state of Kerala and its chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, called the accident "a national tragedy". Read...

Republican Representative Michael McCaul is expected to lead a bipartisan US congressional delegation to India in the coming days, where he and other lawmakers, including Democratic former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, plan to meet Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama. McCaul, Pelosi and a group of other US lawmakers will visit Dharamsala – the town in the northern Indian Himalayas where the 88-year-old Tibetan monk lives in exile - from June 18-19, an official of the Tibetan government in-exile, known as the Central Tibetan Administration, told Reuters. The meeting comes days ahead of a planned trip by the Dalai Lama to the US to undergo medical treatment for his knees, but it is unclear whether he will have any engagements during that time. US lawmakers have regularly visited Dharamsala and touted the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Dalai Lama's work to draw global support for linguistic and cultural autonomy in his remote, mountainous homeland. China considers him a dangerous separat...

Minister of State for Finance, Ali Pervaiz Malik, stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif opposed increasing taxes on salaried individuals, adding that the prime minister also did not agree to raising the sales tax from 18%. Speaking on Express News programme “Centre Stage" on Thursday, Malik pledged to address the issue of ensuring minimum wage payments at every forum. "Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed that taxes on the salaried class should not be increased. Everyone is aware that we have been experiencing double-digit inflation for some time. However, considering the negotiations with the IMF, these measures were taken, and the government has provided relief to the most vulnerable segments." In response to a question about taxes on the salaried class, Malik emphasised, "I will raise the issue of ensuring minimum wage payments at every forum. The government has set the minimum wage at Rs37,000. If this is not enforced, strict action should be taken; it is ...

The interior ministry on Thursday challenged the acquittal of PTI founder Imran Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the cipher case before the Supreme Court. The ministry, in its appeal, adopted the stance that the Islamabad High Court (IHC) did not have the authority to hear the duo’s appeals in the case, adding that the “overwhelming evidence” of the prosecution was ignored. The cipher case originated from Imran's public display of a paper during a rally in Islamabad on March 27, 2022, claiming it as evidence of an "international conspiracy" before a vote of no-confidence led to his government's ouster. On January 30, a special court established under the Official Secrets Act awarded Imran and Qureshi 10 years’ imprisonment in the case. Later, both the leaders appealed against the verdict in the IHC. On June 3, the IHC acquitted both the leaders, suspending their 10-year sentence. On Thursday, the interior ministry’ appeal maintained that the Of...

Group of Seven leaders have agreed to provide Ukraine with $50 billion via the use of frozen Russian assets by the end of the year, the French presidency said on Wednesday. "We have an agreement," a presidency official said, ahead of a G7 summit in Italy on Thursday that will focus on backing Kyiv's fight against Russia's invasion. G7 leaders had aimed to agree a deal on using the profits from the interest on 300 billion euros ($325 billion) of frozen Russian central bank assets to help Kyiv, using the profits as collateral for a loan of up to $50 billion. Read: US to sign new security deal with Ukraine US President Joe Biden is to meet with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday during the G7 summit in Puglia, Italy. "Originally this was an American initiative," the French presidency official said, adding that in theory the loan to Ukraine would be repaid with "the proceeds from the frozen Russian assets". "But if for some reason or...

Pakistan has set a challenging tax revenue target of Rs13 trillion for the year starting July 1, a near 40% jump from the current year, in its national budget on Wednesday that looked to strengthen the case for a new bailout deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The ambitious revenue targets for the fiscal year through June 2025, presented by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb in parliament, were in line with analyst expectations with total spending at Rs18.87 trillion. Pakistan had to find ways to increase its revenues to reduce its fiscal deficit as part of reforms being discussed with the IMF. The country is in talks with the lender for a loan of $6 billion to $8 billion as it seeks to avert a default for an economy growing at the slowest pace in the region. Read more: Govt unveils Rs18.877 trillion budget with record development fund, salary hikes The rise in the tax target is made up of a 48% increase in direct taxes and 35% hike in indirect taxes over re...

In a crucial moment during Canada’s innings, Pakistan pacer Naseem Shah ended the impressive run of right-handed opener Aaron Johnson. Shah claimed his first wicket by dismissing the dangerous Johnson in the 14th over. Read also: T20 World Cup 2024: Group A points table after Pakistan's victory against Canada Delivering at 141 kmph, Shah bowled a back-of-a-length ball that angled into the stumps, deceiving Johnson with its lower-than-expected bounce. Attempting to back away and slash it through cover, Johnson missed the ball completely and lost his shape. The ball beat the bottom edge and struck the wicket, bringing Johnson's innings to an end after he had reached his 8th half-century. This was a pivotal wicket for Pakistan, crucial for their chances after suffering back-to-back losses in the tournament. The match was a must-win for Pakistan to keep their hopes alive for advancing to the Super 8. Pakistan clinched victory by 7 wickets with 15 balls to spare, keeping hopes aliv...

Pakistan emerged triumphant against Canada in a crucial T20 World Cup encounter at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Tuesday. Opting to field first after winning the toss, Pakistan's strategic decision proved pivotal as they restricted Canada to a modest total of 106 runs. During the post-match ceremony, Captain Babar Azam said, "Good for us. We needed this win. Credit to team. We started well and took wickets with the new ball. We had the net run rate on the back of the mind. The first six overs are very crucial here. You assess after 6 overs. Then we tried to take on the spinners. We are going to go with the same mindset. The conditions at Florida should be better from here as well. I got out to the same shot. So, I was angry. I still try my level best". Led by the exceptional bowling performance of Mohammad Amir, who claimed the Player of the Match award for his remarkable figures of 2 wickets for just 13 runs in four overs, Pakistan's ...

The National Economic Council on Monday approved one-fourth higher national development budget outlay of Rs3.5 trillion amid support by the four provinces, including Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme. In a baby step towards federal fiscalism and consensus decisions on major national economic matters, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also set up a committee under his trustworthy Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema to prepare a mechanism under the NEC to involve provinces in major decisions. However, the NEC revived the budget for the parliamentarians’ schemes and allocated Rs75 billion for the next fiscal year in addition to setting aside more financial resources for provincial nature projects in the federal budget 2024-25. These decisions were in contradiction to the decisions made by the NEC in January this year when the parliamentarians schemes had been discontinued and the provincial nature new projects were banned from the federal Public Sector ...

Nullah Leh, the sharp thorn in the garrison city’s eye has earned itself a bad reputation for causing devastating floods every year, but little do Pindiites know who the culprit is when it comes to fixing the responsibility for the constant nuisance it has become. The Leh stream, commonly known as Nullah Leh, originates from the Margalla Hills in Islamabad and passes through Rawalpindi, posing a recurring threat to the city with its history of devastating floods. From June 15 to August 15 each year, the stream's potential for flooding causes fear and panic among the approximately 0.5 million residents living in settlements along its banks. These residents often rush to transport their cattle and belongings to safer areas in anticipation of torrential rains and floods. Historically, Nullah Leh's water was clear, allowing people to perform ablutions and drink from it, while the Hindu community used it for bathing and scattering the ashes of their deceased. A Shamshan Ghat from th...

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma addressed the media ahead of their much-anticipated T20 World Cup match against Pakistan, stressing that his team was not taking its opponents lightly as any team can beat any other team in T20 cricket. "Regardless of the pitch or the opponent, we must play our best cricket," said Sharma. "We've discussed our game plan for the match against Pakistan." Sharma emphasised the importance of adapting to the situation. "We will play according to the circumstances," he stated. "Our team is full of experienced players, and we expect nothing but the best from them." The Indian captain stressed the collective effort required from the team. "We can't rely on just one or two players; all eleven need to contribute," Sharma asserted. "While key players are important in every squad, the role of each team member is crucial." Sharma acknowledged the challenges posed by the conditions in New York...

NFL cornerback, Xavien Howard, is facing serious allegations involving sexually explicit images and videos.  According to court filings obtained by the Miami Herald, the former All-Pro allegedly sent explicit content of a woman, with whom he was in a relationship, to her minor son after she refused to get an abortion. The Miami Herald reported that these accusations are part of a broader lawsuit against Howard, in which he is also accused of repeatedly sharing explicit videos of another woman after their relationship ended. The latest filing requests that the minor, who remains unnamed and was under 18 at the time, be allowed to sue Howard as part of the ongoing case. The court documents reveal that Howard was involved with a woman in 2022. When she became pregnant that fall, Howard allegedly demanded that she have an abortion. Upon her refusal, the lawsuit claims, Howard “went on a warpath against her” and sent sexually explicit photos of the woman to her other son, causing “signi...

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced a Rs400 billion package for farmers, including a Punjab Kisan Bank, Green Tractor scheme, local manufacturing of harvesters and agricultural tools along with an Oil Seed Promotion Programme. The CM and PML-N President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif presided over a meeting in which a comprehensive briefing on the Kisan Package was given. It was agreed in principle to establish a Punjab Kisan Bank for granting loans to the farmers on soft terms. Approval was also granted for the CM Punjab Green Tractor Scheme for the farmers. The CM turned down a proposal for disbursement of only Rs600,000 in subsidy on a tractor. She directed the authorities to give 70 per cent subsidy on small and 50% on big tractors. On the proposal of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, the number of tractors under the scheme was increased by 10,000. CM Maryam Nawaz called for the completion of the first phase of the tractor scheme within a year. It was also decided that the nu...

Suzanne Collins has announced a new ‘Hunger Games’ novel, titled ‘Sunrise on the Reaping,’ set to be released next year.  According to the Associated Press, this will be the fifth novel in her bestselling series and serves as a prequel to the original trilogy, taking place 40 years after ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,’ which had its film adaptation released last year. ‘Sunrise on the Reaping’ is scheduled for release on March 18, 2025. “With 'Sunrise on the Reaping,' I was inspired by David Hume’s idea of implicit submission and, in his words, ‘the easiness with which the many are governed by the few,’” Collins told the AP. “The story also lent itself to a deeper dive into the use of propaganda and the power of those who control the narrative. The question ‘Real or not real?’ seems more pressing to me every day.” While the film rights for the novel have not yet been announced, it is likely that "Sunrise on the Reaping" will follow the path of its predecessors an...

Ukraine's first deputy foreign minister visited China on Wednesday and urged it to send a delegation to a planned summit on Ukraine this month in Switzerland, in the apparent hope it was still possible to persuade China to attend. Russia has not been invited to participate in the June 15-16 meeting. Beijing has so far said it will stay away, describing the attendance of both warring sides as a prerequisite for any substantive peace conference. "The Ukrainian side expressed hope that China's participation in the event could be a good opportunity to make a practical contribution to achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine," the Ukrainian foreign ministry said following a meeting in Beijing between First Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong. Kyiv says more than 100 countries have accepted its invitation to the summit, to discuss provisions of a peace plan outlined by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to end the full-scale R...

Pakistanis who believe the country is heading in the right direction increased from 12% to 18%, according to a latest Consumer Confidence Index Survey report by market researchers Ipsos. The survey, conducted through CATI interviews with over 1,000 participants from all provinces, Islamabad Capital Territory, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, shed light on various aspects of consumer confidence and economic sentiment. The findings from the Consumer Confidence Index Survey for Pakistan released for the second quarter of the year, offered a glimpse into the sentiments and perceptions of the country's citizens regarding the country's economic outlook. Here is a look at the key findings: Perception on country direction The survey indicated that only 2 out of 10 Pakistanis believe the country is heading in the right direction, increasing from 12% to 18%, marking the highest level of optimism in the past two years. Interestingly, there's a significant gender gap in op...

Doubts were growing on Monday about a plan for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal outlined by US President Joe Biden, as heavy fighting raged for a third day since his White House address. Biden on Friday presented what he labelled an Israeli three-phase plan that would end the bloody conflict, free all hostages and lead to the reconstruction of the devastated Palestinian territory without Hamas in power. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office quickly stressed that Israel would push on with the war sparked by the October 7 attack until all of its "goals are achieved", including the destruction of Hamas's military and governing capabilities. Israeli media have questioned to what extent Biden's speech and some crucial details were coordinated with Netanyahu's team, including how long any truce would hold and how many captives would be freed and when. A Palestinian woman mourns a relative killed in an Israeli strike, at the Al-Aqsa Mar...

The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has unearthed a company for making fake antibiotics and supplying them across Punjab. Sources told The Express Tribune that the officials conducted raids in different cities and seized antibiotic suspension Frugozyme 100mg (5ml). Read: More than 250 websites selling fake weight-loss drugs reported by anti-counterfeit firm   After the medicine was declared counterfeited, the authority banned its sale and use. Officials found the fake address of Korangi Karachi on the medicine’s packet. A DRAP team found Furozyme Suspension at a pharmacy in Kallu Kot Bazaar in Bhakkar. The drug inspector sent samples to the Drug Testing Laboratory Rawalpindi which declared batch 100/S-005 of Frogzyme as fake and substandard. The antibiotic suspension has been manufactured from Cefixime USP which is used in throat and chest infections. Read: Factory producing counterfeit drugs busted   The provincial field teams have been instructed through a DRAP ...

Are we a nation of liars and cheats? Not really, would be the response by many. But how come the inclination to lie and cheat is deeply ingrained in the national psyche? Is it just because we are South Asians or because of our own socio-political environment since the first literal martial law in 1954? Let us consider the following before any emotive judgment on the issue. “A country’s potential for success and development is directly proportional to its ability to speak the truth. Do we speak the truth? Domestic and foreign investors will invest if they believe we speak the truth.” Hussain Dawood, Chairman Engro and Dawood Hercules, made this telling statement in a December 2023 speech at the PSX Top 25 Companies Awards in the presence of the caretaker prime minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and many luminaries from the business world — all those lording over Pakistan’s political and economic landscape. With one sentence, Dawood encapsulated Pakistan’s fundamental ailment: hypocritical beha...