Blaze News - Pakistan

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday formally exchanged a joint communique with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan. The move is meant to establish diplomatic relations between the two countries, said a statement issued by the foreign ministry. Marking a historic step forward, both the leaders affirmed their commitment to the principles and objectives of the United Nations Charter and discussed possible avenues of cooperation in the fields of education, culture, tourism, and economy, the statement read. If further stated that the two leaders reaffirmed their desire to work closely with each other at bilateral and multilateral fora to achieve their shared objectives of peace, progress, and prosperity for the peoples of the two countries. Today, H.E. Foreign Minister of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan @AraratMirzoyan, and I are pleased to sign and exchange a Joint Communiqué establishing diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Armenia, on the sidelines of the 25...

Indonesian political parties have agreed to cut lawmakers' benefits, President Prabowo Subianto said on Sunday, in a bid to calm anti-government protests that have killed at least five people in the country's worst violence in decades. Protests began on Monday over what demonstrators called excessive pay and housing allowances for parliamentarians, escalating into riots on Friday after a motorcycle rideshare driver was killed during police action at a protest site. Homes of political party members and state buildings were ransacked or set ablaze, shaking investor confidence in the Southeast Asian economy and triggering a steep selloff on its stocks and currency markets on Friday. Also Read: At least three dead as Indonesian parliament building torched amid protests Looters broke into a house owned by Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati outside the capital Jakarta overnight, state news agency Antara reported on Sunday. She was not in the house at the time and it was not clear...

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha hailed his side’s batting performance but admitted there is still work to be done with the ball, after Pakistan clinched their second successive win in the T20I tri-series against UAE at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Saturday. “It was a perfect batting performance,” Agha said at the post-match press conference. “With the ball, we were good in the first 15 overs, but our death bowling remains an area of concern. We’re working hard on it and need to get better in that phase. Overall though, I think we’ve done well as a team.” Pakistan powered to a 31-run victory, posting 207 before restricting UAE to 176-8. Despite a strong start from openers Muhammad Zohaib (13) and skipper Muhammad Waseem (33), the hosts collapsed after losing quick wickets. Asif Khan’s counterattack, including a blistering 77 off 35 balls with four sixes, kept UAE’s hopes alive, but Salman Mirza and Hasan Ali pegged them back at the death. Hasan Ali closed with two wickets in the fina...

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Saturday praised the relentless efforts of district commissioners, police, rescue teams, and the Pakistan Army in mitigating the flood devastation, directing authorities to take proactive measures to help victims. Speaking at a meeting with district commissioners at the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) headquarters, she directed members of the provincial assembly to visit their respective constituencies and personally contact people to find out if they are getting the required assistance and aid. “We have witnessed remarkable team work in Punjab,” she stated, acknowledging the combined efforts of the Army and various agencies that helped save over 600,000 lives. Read More: Monsoon devastation claims 831 lives across Pakistan The chief minister mentioned that the province faced the worst flood crises due to continuous rains and the release of water from neighbouring India. However, the timely evacuation of residents was a remarkable a...

Gold prices surged sharply in international and domestic markets on Saturday, pushing local rates to record highs. According to reports, the price of gold in the international bullion market rose by USD 36 per ounce, reaching USD 3,447. Following the global increase, the price of gold in Pakistan also climbed by Rs3,600 per tola, hitting a new all-time high of Rs367,400. Meanwhile, the price of 10 grams of gold rose by Rs3,172, reaching a record Rs314,986. Read: Gold rallies as global rates near 4-month high Earlier on Friday, spot gold was up 0.8% at $3,443.19 per ounce, as of 1:53 p.m. ET (1753 GMT), its highest level since July 17. Bullion has gained 4.7% in August. Spot silver gained 1.7% to $39.77 per ounce, platinum added 0.3% to $1,362.86, and both metals were on track for monthly gains. Palladium was flat at $1,102.08, heading for a monthly loss. from Latest News, Breaking News & Top News Stories | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/gLfiRK7

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to depart for China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of State Summit to be held in Tianjin on Saturday, Radio Pakistan reported. During his visit from August 30 to September 4, the PM will hold high-level meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang to discuss the multifaceted dimensions of Pakistan-China bilateral cooperation. The talks will focus on strengthening economic, political, and strategic ties between the two countries. As part of the visit, PM Shehbaz will attend a grand military parade in Beijing alongside President Xi and other world leaders to mark the 80th anniversary of the World’s Anti-Fascist War. He is also expected to engage with leading Chinese business figures and corporate executives to explore avenues for enhancing bilateral trade, investment, and economic collaboration. He will address the Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference in Beijing, underscoring Pakista...

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned of possible floods in riverbed areas of Sindh after strong floods in all three eastern rivers. As per NDMA, 900,000 to 950,000 cusecs of water will pass the Panjnad Headworks between September 3 and 4. Water flows may slightly come down between 825,000 to 900,000 cusecs in case embankments are breached to divert floodwaters to avoid extreme damage. The official statement of the NDMA said Guddu Barrage is expected to see water flows ranging from 800,000 to 1.1 million cusecs between September 5 and 6, with the lowest range lying between 750,000 to 900,000 cusecs if embankments are breached. Also Read: Indian actions intensified flood crisis in Pakistan, say officials At Sukkur Barrage, water flows of 800,000 to 1.1 million cusecs are expected between September 6 and 7, while Kotri Barrage is likely to witness flows between 800,000 to one million cusecs from September 8 to 9. As per NDMA, the total flow could reach up to 1....

As Punjab faces a serious flood situation, Sindh is also preparing for the possible impact of a major water surge expected to affect hundreds of thousands living in riverbed areas, while residents of mainland regions are likely to remain safe. Sindh Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro, speaking at a press conference in Sukkur on Thursday alongside provincial minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, confirmed that the irrigation department and district administrations have been placed on high alert. “Undoubtedly, riverbed areas in Sindh will be affected, just as we have seen a sudden increase in water levels in Punjab’s rivers,” Shoro stated. Although no updated figures are available, the Sindh government estimated in 2015 that around 414,000 people lived in flood-prone riverbed villages. The minister pointed out that Punjab had witnessed a sudden surge of 700,000 cusecs in just 13 hours, though he did not disclose the estimated volume expected to reach Guddu Barrage in Sindh. The floodwater fr...

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has once again begun weighing the option of entering negotiations with the government — potentially even without the explicit consent of party founder Imran Khan, sources revealed on Wednesday. According to insiders, the move is primarily aimed at securing Khan’s release and addressing a slew of pending legal cases against him. Some PTI parliamentarians have proposed re-engaging with ruling coalition members, suggesting talks could proceed regardless of Khan’s approval, though the wider party consensus remains in favour of formal negotiations. The matter is expected to surface during the upcoming National Assembly session, with the government’s side likely to include National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, Rana Sanaullah, Naveed Qamar, and Raja Pervaiz Ashraf. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had earlier extended an offer of talks to the PTI. A senior PTI leader, requesting anonymity, argued that political disputes could only be resolved through dialogue, warn...

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is likely to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin next week on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China, official sources confirmed on Wednesday. According to sources, the meeting between the two leaders has been finalised through diplomatic channels and is scheduled to take place during the multilateral summit. The agenda is expected to include strengthening Pakistan-Russia bilateral relations, regional security issues, and consultations on key global matters. PM Shehbaz is also scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and other leaders on the sidelines of the SCO summit. The premier will depart for China on August 30. from Latest News, Breaking News & Top News Stories | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/GYTedz6

Pakistan and Iran’s military chiefs have pledged to step up efforts to eliminate terrorism and secure their common border, the Iranian embassy in Islamabad said on Tuesday. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir and Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi discussed security cooperation during a telephone conversation. “In a telephone conversation held between Iranian CGSAF, Maj Gen Abdolrahim Mousavi and COAS, Field Marshal Asim Munir, ‘the two sides are ready to eradicate terrorism to secure common borderlines’,” the embassy said in a statement. According to Anadolu Agency, COAS Munir and Maj Gen Mousavi discussed bilateral cooperation in an array of fields, with the latter praising Islamabad's support for Tehran during its 12-day war with Israel. The conversation came about weeks after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visited Islamabad. The two neighbors agreed earlier this month to protect their shared ...

Apple said on Tuesday it will host its annual fall event on September 9, where the company is expected to unveil new iPhones, watches and other devices. The event will be held at the Steve Jobs Theater at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California, and will showcase the company’s efforts to integrate artificial intelligence into its products. It will be closely watched by investors amid concerns that Apple risks ceding ground to rivals moving faster in the race to deploy AI technology. Read More: Elon Musk's xAI sues Apple, OpenAI over AI competition, App Store rankings Media reports said Apple will also unveil a slimmer version of its latest iPhone, possibly branded as the iPhone Air, echoing its iPad Air and MacBook Air product lines. The company is also expected to showcase new entry-level and high-end Apple Watches, upgraded iPad Pros, and a faster version of the Vision Pro headset, according to Bloomberg News. Under pressure from the Trump administration, Apple has boosted ...

A 150-year-old banyan tree at Qasr-e-Naz on Club Road, which had collapsed during the recent monsoon rains and strong winds, has been successfully restored and replanted through a joint effort of the Sindh Forest Department and Sindh Wildlife officials. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah hailed the restoration as “a vital step in environmental protection” and “a living symbol connecting past and present.” The rescue and rehabilitation process lasted nearly 10 hours over two days, involving heavy machinery, cranes, and the use of special biological treatments. According to Chief Conservator Javed Mahar, the tree’s roots had been damaged due to water scarcity, fungus, and termite attacks. Instead of cutting it down, experts decided to carefully replant and revive the historic tree at a nearby suitable location. During the operation, surrounding neem and kachnar trees were also relocated to safer spots. Deputy Conservator Sindh Wildlife, Mumtaz Soomro, said the banyan was not merely...

Pakistan has decided to settle over Rs100 billion in dues owed to Chinese power plants ahead of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s upcoming visit to Beijing, reducing the country’s outstanding obligations to Chinese producers by nearly one-fourth. This move aims to address one of Beijing’s major concerns. The Ministry of Finance has issued instructions to release the funds from the power sector subsidies earmarked in this fiscal year’s budget, according to government officials. They said that it is expected the Rs100 billion will be disbursed to the Chinese power producers within a couple of days. In addition to the Rs100 billion, Rs8 billion is also allocated from the regular budget for the Chinese power producers. The development comes days before PM Shehbaz's visit to China, where he is set to attend the Heads of State meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) this weekend. The premier is also expected to participate in an investment conference organised by the Pakista...

Vietnam announced plans to evacuate more than half a million people and ordered boats to stay ashore, while the southern Chinese city of Sanya closed businesses and public transport on Sunday as both braced for an intensifying Typhoon Kajiki. The storm is forecast to "brush past" the southern coast of China's island province of Hainan from Sunday evening before heading for Vietnam, China's National Meteorological Center said. As of 0900 GMT, the storm had gained strength, with winds reaching 166 kph (103 mph), according to Vietnam's national weather forecast agency. It is likely to strengthen further with wind speeds as high as 180 kph, China's weather forecaster said. Read More: Torrential rains trigger flooding across Pakistan, dam levels near capacity Authorities in Vietnam plan to evacuate more than 586,000 people from the central provinces of Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Hue and Danang, where the typhoon is forecast to make landfall early on Monday, state media ...

Pierre Cote spent years languishing on public health waitlists trying to find a therapist to help him overcome his PTSD and depression. When he couldn’t, he did what few might consider: he built one himself. “It saved my life,” Cote says of DrEllis.ai, an AI-powered tool designed to support men facing addiction, trauma, and other mental health challenges. Cote, who runs a Quebec-based AI consultancy, tells Reuters that he built the tool in 2023 using publicly available large language models and equipped it with “a custom-built brain” based on thousands of pages of therapeutic and clinical materials. Like a human therapist, the chatbot has a backstory — fictional but deeply personal. DrEllis.ai is a qualified psychiatrist with degrees from Harvard and Cambridge, a family and, like Cote, a French-Canadian background. Most importantly, it is always available: anywhere, anytime, and in multiple languages.  “Pierre uses me like you would use a trusted friend, a therapist and a journal, ...

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia on Friday dismissed reports that Shreyas Iyer could succeed Rohit Sharma as India’s ODI captain, calling them 'news to me' and clarifying that no discussions on the matter have taken place. Speaking to the Indian media, Saikia emphasised that so far, no discussions have been held regarding the ODI captaincy. "That’s news to me. There have been no such discussions," Saikia said. Shreyas Iyer, who has led multiple IPL franchises to consecutive finals, including topping India’s run charts in the 2025 Champions Trophy, has been viewed by many as a strong candidate to lead the national side. Notably, Iyer was also excluded from India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. For the unversed, the 15-member Indian squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 was announced last week, with Suryakumar Yadav retained as captain and Shubman Gill returning as vice-captain of the T20I side. It is pertinent to mention that the eight-team tournament wil...

Having spent a significant part of my academic journey in Sweden, engaged in research in materials science with a growing interest in renewable energy applications, I often find myself reflecting on the stark contrasts between that experience and the current realities in Pakistan. One example that continues to resonate with me is Renova — a publicly owned waste and energy company serving ten municipalities in western Sweden. At first glance, Renova may appear to be just another municipal service provider. In reality, it stands as a remarkable example of how integrated public responsibility and long-term planning can transform waste into a regional asset - not merely disposed of, but reused, recycled and repurposed as a driver of sustainable development. In 2024, the Renova Group processed over 1.1 million tonnes of waste, converting it into 1.56 million megawatt-hours of district heating and over 292,000 megawatt-hours of electricity. These numbers are more than statistics; they re...

Social media platform TikTok announced on Friday it will restructure its UK trust and safety operations, putting several hundred jobs at risk as it shifts to AI-assisted content moderation. The move is part of global restructuring plans by TikTok, owned by China-based ByteDance, which also affects moderator jobs in South and Southeast Asia, notably in Malaysia. "We are continuing a reorganisation that we started last year... concentrating our operations in fewer locations globally," a TikTok spokesperson told AFP. TikTok added that it plans to reshape content moderation "with the benefit of technological advancements." Read More: OpenAI to launch first India office in New Delhi this year Content moderators are tasked with keeping content such as hate speech, misinformation and pornography off the platform, which has more than 1.5 billion users worldwide. But, globally, there is a trend of social media companies reducing their use of human fact-checkers and turning t...

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Thursday expressed his condolences to the people of Pakistan over the loss of more than 750 lives and widespread destruction caused by recent monsoon rains and floods. In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Starmer said he was deeply saddened by the scale of the disaster and its impact on communities across the country. He noted that the tragedy resonates strongly with many British families of Pakistani heritage, who have been following the situation with growing concern. "The British nation stands in solidarity with the people of Pakistan during this difficult time," the letter read. Read More: PM Shehbaz reaches out to political leaders over rains, flood crisis Starmer also paid tribute to the first responders and volunteers working under harsh conditions, praising their dedication in delivering aid and relief to the affected. He reaffirmed the UK government’s continued support and pledged assistance for Pakistan...

The Provincial Anti-Corruption Court acquitted SBCA's former director general Manzoor Kaka and other accused in the case of illegal land allotment to Nasla Tower on Thursday. Provincial Anti-Corruption Court Judge Aminullah Siddiqui acquitted all the accused for lack of evidence. Those acquitted include former SBCA DG Manzoor Qadir Kaka, former director Ali Mehdi Kazmi, former director Ali Ghufran, former deputy director Sami Siddiqui and Ali Zafar Jafri, among others. The court ruled in its verdict that the prosecution failed to prove accused's involvement in illegal allotment of land to Nasla Tower. The residential building was declared illegal and demolished on the orders of the Supreme Court. In August 2023, the prime suspect Manzoor Qadir Kaka was sent to jail after the accountability judge cancelled his bail in the case of the illegal allotment of additional land to Nasla Tower builders. Kaka was accused of unlawfully passing the map of Nasla Tower and increasing the land...

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast heavy monsoon rains across Sindh, Balochistan and other parts of the country until August 22. According to the PMD, districts in Sindh, including Karachi, Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Sujawal, Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Shaheed Benazirabad, Tando Allahyar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Sanghar and Jamshoro, are likely to receive thunderstorms and heavy downpours, while Sukkur, Larkana, Khairpur and Jacobabad may also witness intermittent rainfall. In Balochistan, heavy showers, gusty winds and thunderstorms are forecast in Barkhan, Musakhel, Loralai, Sibi, Zhob, Qila Saifullah, Khuzdar, Lasbela, Awaran, Kech, Gwadar and Panjgur. The PMD cautioned that hill torrents could trigger flash floods in northern and southeastern parts of the province. Light to moderate rainfall has also been predicted in Islamabad, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, upper Punjab and several districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, including Peshawar, Charsadda, Mardan, Swabi,...

King of the United Kingdom Charles III expressed his deepest condolences to the people of Pakistan following the devastating monsoon flooding and a tragic helicopter crash during rescue operations, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported on Wednesday. “My wife and I have been desperately saddened to learn of the tragic loss of life and widespread devastation… Our thoughts and deepest sympathy are with all those who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods,” he stated. Highlighting the strong bonds between the two nations, King Charles III asserted, “We are especially mindful of the enduring bonds between our nations, and of the many families in the United Kingdom with close ties to Pakistan.” Read More: PM Shehbaz, COAS Munir visit flood-hit K-P, vow support for victims The monarch praised the bravery and commitment of emergency services, volunteers, and local communities working tirelessly to rescue those in danger and provide relief to affected individuals. The message conclude...

As the government announces the closure of 17 consumer courts, cases of more than 15,000 consumers will be transferred to the sessions judge's courts, where millions of cases are already pending for years. The Consumer Protection Act has been in place since 2005, under which 1,500 to 2,000 consumers from Punjab used to approach the consumer courts every month, seeking justice for defective products, unfair contracts or poor service. These courts were functioning across 17 different districts including Lahore, Sahiwal, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rawalpindi, Sialkot. Gujrat, Gujranwala, Bahawalpur. Sargodha, Faisalabad. Bhakkar, Bahawalnagar, Layyah, Mianwali, Rahim Yar Khan and Mandi Bahauddin. Faisal Khan, Amjad Ali and Mashaq Lodhi, revealed that they had filed cases in the consumer court for a faulty fridge, AC and computer, however, the company was not ready to pay damages. “Now, after the abolishment of consumer courts, we will be stuck waiting for years,” said the three plaintif...

Torrential rain battered Karachi on Tuesday, paralysing daily life, flooding roads and leaving many commuters stranded for hours. Vehicles were stuck in long queues across major thoroughfares due to waterlogging, while residents struggled to reach their destinations. Despite the disruption, the spirit of Karachiites remained undimmed. Businesses, shops and mosques opened their doors to stranded passers-by, offering them a place to sit and rest. “If you are caught in the rain, our doors are open. Come in, take a seat, dry off, and make yourself at home. You’re welcome to use our WiFi, charge your phone, or simply wait for the clouds to clear, no need to order a thing. And to warm yourself, enjoy a cup of tea for free,” the cafe announced. The gesture was not isolated. Across Karachi, citizens took to social media offering help to those stranded. Offices, mosques, madaris and political party premises opened their doors for temporary shelter.         View this post...

All government and private schools in the cold, mountainous regions of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) have been closed for a week after cloudbursts, heavy rains, and flash floods caused significant loss of life and property across the province, with 341 people killed so far, officials said on Monday. Education Minister Faisal Khan Tarakai confirmed the closure while sharing the official notification on X. “Educational institutions in the cold mountainous areas will remain closed from August 19 to 25, therefore all educational activities will continue at home or online,” he added. Authorities clarified that summer vacations in these high-altitude regions normally last only one month, from July 1 to 31. Meanwhile, schools in the plains and low-lying areas of the province are currently observing summer vacations until August 31. 📢 خیبر پختون خوا کے تمام ونٹر زون اسکولز 19 اگست سے 25 اگست 2025 تک کلاؤڈ برسٹ، سیلاب اور لینڈ سلائیڈ کے خطرات کے پیش نظر بند رہیں گے۔ تعلیمی سرگرمیاں گھر پر یا آن...

Authorities have decided to launch an immediate crackdown against illegal foreigners in the federal capital and four adjoining districts — Rawalpindi, Attock, Murree and Haripur — as part of a plan to declare them “safe zones.” Under the plan, data of illegal residents will be compiled, their access to mobile SIMs blocked, and the issuance of stamp papers for property transactions or other financial dealings prohibited. Deputy commissioners and district police chiefs of all five districts have been directed to submit weekly progress reports. The decision was taken during a high-level meeting of the special task force, chaired by CDA chairman and Islamabad Chief Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa at CDA headquarters. Senior officials from the interior ministry, National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), Afghan Commissionerate, and district administrations of the five districts attended. The meeting resolv...

The wisdom and conduct of the Chief Justice of Pakistan is under the spotlight. His decision not to fix the high-profile case pertaining to the 26th constitutional amendment before the full court, as per lawful dictum, is now under legal and public scrutiny. It is a foregone conclusion, however, that Chief Justice Yahya Afridi squarely deviated from the laid-down rules in the Practice and Procedure Act of 2023, and rather opted for consulting all the judges on the prima facie of its hearing. Established under the Act, the three-member committee had, as per regulations, ordered the petitions challenging the amendment to be fixed before a full court on November 4, 2024, but the chief justice overrode it and the rest is history. The vital piece of legislation, which has literally torpedoed the functioning of organs of the state, is yet to get a judicial review as it lingers with the Constitutional Bench. The point that makes it ultra vires is that the Constitutional Bench is part of the c...

It's a common observation of teachers that often, when a teacher asks a student to repeat what he has taught the class, the student stands blacked out. Some teachers, unbehoovingly, make fun of such a student. Yes, there are teachers who understand that the student must have been preoccupied with a more potent thought. Definitely, the human mind can nurture only one thought at a time. Some researchers suggest that because of diluted attention, students fail to recall the experience of seeing or listening to the information because it was not encoded in short-term memory. Digital sleepwalking – mindless use of digital platforms – has shortened the attention span of children. Doomscrolling makes scrollers impatient for anything lengthy and multidimensional. They start fidgeting. The mind's linear functioning on socials slows down the cognitive processing and retrieval of information. The drab lecturing pedagogy is rampant in our institutions. Hook openings and contextualising les...

At least seven people were killed and one injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire in the Rigi Shino Khel area on the outskirts of Kohat district, police said on Sunday. According to officials, the victims were returning from a local gathering when assailants, who had lain in wait, ambushed them with heavy gunfire. “The firing was so intense that seven people died on the spot, while one was critically injured,” a police officer said. The incident has spread fear across the neighbourhood, with residents confining themselves to their homes. Police rushed to the scene, cordoned off the area, and began collecting evidence as part of an investigation. The bodies have been shifted to a nearby hospital, where grieving families gathered in mourning. from Latest News, Breaking News & Top News Stories | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/9cdsnIU

An attack by a group affiliated to the so-called Islamic State organisation has killed at least nine people in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, local sources said Sunday. Overnight Saturday to Sunday, the Allied Democratic Forces carried out attacks against civilians in the town of Oicha, looting shops and setting fire to homes, according to accounts collected by AFP on the spot. Based since the mid-1990s in the northeastern DRC, near the Ugandan border, the ADF is a group of mainly Muslim Ugandan fighters who have killed thousands of civilians in the region. During "this incursion, the ADF enemy killed eight civilians and a police officer," Isaac Kavalami, president of a local civil group, told AFP. Read More: Iranian forces kill seven militants in Southeast clash An AFP correspondent on Sunday saw nine bodies at the morgue of Oicha General Hospital, some with stab wounds. Lieutenant Marc Elongo, spokesman for the Congolese army in the region, also blamed "ADF ...

Several countries, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Russia and Kuwait, have extended condolences and expressed solidarity with Pakistan in the wake of catastrophic monsoon floods that have left at least 313 people dead and caused widespread devastation in parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). In a statement issued on Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia conveyed the Kingdom’s "sincere condolences and sympathy" to the government and people of Pakistan over the loss of lives caused by floods and torrential rains. The ministry reaffirmed Riyadh’s solidarity with Pakistan during this difficult time and expressed its support for the bereaved families, wishing the injured a swift recovery. Read More: PDMA warns of more rains after 313 dead in K-P floods Separately, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also expressed his country’s solidarity with Pakistan following the deadly floods. In an official message to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Peze...

Sudanese paramilitary forces shelled North Darfur's besieged capital El-Fasher on Saturday, killing at least 17 civilians and injuring 25 others, a medical source told AFP. Speaking anonymously for safety reasons, the source at El-Fasher hospital said these numbers only account for those who reached the hospital, adding that others were buried by their families, unable to access medical centres due to ongoing security challenges. Since May last year, El-Fasher has been under siege by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) which have been battling Sudan's army since April 2023. According to the local resistance committee -- one of hundreds of volunteer groups documenting atrocities during the conflict -- the attack involved heavy artillery shelling by the RSF across several residential neighbourhoods. Also Read: 'Malnutrition in Sudan kills 63 in a week' The bombardment began early Saturday and continued well into the afternoon, the committee said in a statement, de...

  For over seventy years, LIPTON Yellow Label has been a household name in Pakistan, present at our breakfast tables, in bustling dhabas, and quiet evening conversations. But our relationship with this land goes beyond just tea. It is a story of shared roots, real impact, and an enduring commitment to the people of Pakistan. This Independence Day, we are not just celebrating freedom. We are honouring responsibility. More than just a factory The decision to establish one of the world’s largest LIPTON tea factories in Khanewal was not driven by commercial strategy alone. It was a conscious choice, a promise to embed ourselves deeper into the soil of Pakistan. The factory is not just a production unit; it is a symbol of what happens when business becomes part of the community. Today, this factory uses 66% renewable energy, employs local talent, provides education support to the children of workers, and ensures that any family impacted by the loss of a breadwinner is not left behind. I...

United States President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin will make a deal on his war on Ukraine and that the threat of sanctions against Russia likely played a role in Moscow’s decision to seek a meeting. Trump is scheduled to meet with Putin in Alaska tomorrow. The US president said he is unsure whether an immediate ceasefire can be achieved, but expressed interest in brokering a peace agreement. “I believe now, he’s convinced that he’s going to make a deal. He’s going to make a deal. I think he’s going to, and we’re going to find out,” Trump said in an interview on Fox News Radio’s ‘The Brian Kilmeade Show’. Read More: Alaska summit a 'victory' for Putin: Zelensky Trump also mentioned during the Fox interview that he has three locations in mind for a follow-up meeting with Putin and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, though he noted that a second meeting is not guaranteed. He said staying in Alaska for a three-way summit wou...