ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives has launched a national innovation competition aimed at mobilizing the country’s top talent to craft artificial intelligence (AI)-driven solutions for high-priority sectors. Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal said Monday that AI is no longer the future, but the present as sectors such as …

ISLAMABAD: Over 20 people were killed and six others injured Monday after a cloudburst struck a village in Swabi district of northwest Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, a local official told Xinhua. Deputy Commissioner of Swabi Nasrullah Khan said that the cloudburst hit Glori village, destroying at least 15 houses. “A number of people were buried under the debris or swept …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has confirmed two new cases of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1), bringing the total number of infections in the country this year to 21, health authorities said Monday. According to the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health in Islamabad, the new cases were detected in Kohistan District, northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, …

            This photo taken with mobile phone shows people gathering outside damaged houses following flash floods in Buner, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, northwest Pakistan, Aug. 16, 2025. At least 313 people have died and over 150 others are still missing in northwest Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in the past three days after flash floods triggered by …

Rescue workers are searching for more than 40 people after a boat accident in Nigeria´s northwestern Sokoto State, the country´s emergency agency said on Sunday. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said in a statement that the boat, which was carrying more than 50 passengers to a market, capsized on Sunday morning. “About 10 persons have been rescued, while more …

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Monday he would sign an executive order ahead of next year’s midterm elections, saying he would lead “a movement” targeting mail-in balloting and voting machines across the country. “I am going to lead a movement to get rid of MAIL-IN BALLOTS, and also, while we’re at it, Highly “Inaccurate,” Very Expensive, and Seriously …

Pakistani squash player Ashab Irfan claimed victory at the Johns Creek Open in the United States on Monday, capping off a strong run by defeating Malaysia’s Nathan in the final. After dropping the first game, Ashab made an impressive comeback to win three consecutive games in just 40 minutes. The final scoreline read 8-11, 11-2, 11-2, 11-6 in favor of …

LAHORE: Former captain Babar Azam has been told to improve his batting against spin and boost his overall strike rate to be considered for Twenty20 Internationals, coach Mike Hesson said. Babar is the national team’s batting mainstay in other formats but has not played a T20 International since their tour of South Africa late last year. The 30-year-old could not …

LAHORE: A local court in the Punjab capital on Sunday approved a two-day physical remand of famed YouTuber Saadur Rehman, widely known as Ducky Bhai, in a case linked to the alleged promotion of online gambling and betting applications. Ducky Bhai was arrested early Sunday at Lahore airport by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). The NCCIA presented him …

As we approach the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the cacophony of “false claims” emanating from certain Western narratives regarding China’s role in the conflict—and the very films that recount this struggle—demands a clear and resolute response. To dismiss China’s immense sacrifice and pivotal contribution …

PML-N senior leader and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Inter-Provincial Coordination, Rana Sanaullah, will contest the Senate by-election for the vacant general seat from Punjab. In a statement, Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said: “(PML-N Supremo) Nawaz Sharif has awarded the Senate general seat ticket from the Punjab Assembly to Sanaullah.” Election for the vacant Senate seat from Punjab …

ISLAMABAD: A meeting of the National Judicial Policy Making Committee (NJPMC) on Monday decided that any judge facing external interference in judicial matters must lodge a complaint within 24 hours. The session, chaired by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yahya Afridi, was attended by all chief justices of the high courts along with the Attorney General of Pakistan. Standard Operating …

ISLAMABAD: The death toll from devastating floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains has climbed to 660 across the country, with reports of casualties and widespread destruction pouring in from all provinces and regions. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP registered the highest fatalities at 392, followed by Punjab with 164, Gilgit Baltistan (GB) with 32, Sindh with 29, Balochistan with 20, Azad Jammu …

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has said her government is working tirelessly to raise the province’s infrastructure to the standard of Japan and is already seeing improvements in various public sector departments, particularly in health and sanitation. Speaking to the Pakistani community in Tokyo, Maryam, who is currently on a five-day visit to Japan, said the province’s health infrastructure has …

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Saturday telephoned the Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber-Pakhtoonkhawa (KPK) government and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives due to the floods. He said the Sindh government stands with the brothers of Gilgit-Baltistan and KPK in this situation. The PPP government will provide whatever help they need, he said. Murad …

Pakistani actress Hania Aamir has brought pride to the nation by being ranked 6th in the list of the top 10 most beautiful actresses in the World for the years 2025–2026, released by the popular entertainment platform IMDb (Internet Movie Database). She is the only Pakistani to be featured in the list, making this achievement even more special. Hania Aamir …

ALASKA: US President Donald Trump said on Saturday Ukraine should agree a deal to end the war with Russia because “Russia is a very big power, and they’re not”, after holding a summit with President Vladimir Putin that failed to yield a ceasefire. In a major shift, Trump also said he had agreed with Putin that the best way to …

Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir has ruled out any change in the country’s leadership, describing circulating rumours as completely false and against both the government and the establishment. Speaking to senior journalist Sohail Waraich in Brussels, the army chief said, “God made me this country’s guardian”, adding that he has no desire for any other position. He …

ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Friday unanimously passed a resolution reaffirming the nation’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding Pakistan’s sovereignty, upholding democratic values, and building a prosperous, united future for coming generations. The resolution moved by Federal Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar in connection with Independence Day, pledged national unity, sustainable development, and economic empowerment while honouring the vision of Quaid-e-Azam …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States on Friday agreed to make exchange of information more effective in the fields of counterterrorism and counter-narcotics in yet another sign of deepening security cooperation between the two sides. The development came during a meeting between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and US Coordinator for Counterterrorism Gregory LoGerfo at the Ministry of Interior. Minister of …

The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued a monsoon flood fact sheet, warning of heavy rains and possible flash floods across the province in the next 24 hours. Rainfall was recorded in Murree, Rawalpindi, Sialkot, and Bahawalpur over the past day, while upper Punjab districts face risks of torrential rains and cloudbursts, PDMA officials said. PDMA Director General Irfan …

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has called for transformative reforms that integrate technological innovation, administrative restructuring and disciplined case management to ensure the expeditious disposal of cases. In a four-page judgment authored by Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, delivered while hearing a case challenging the auction of an immovable property, the apex court stressed that the judiciary must draw upon the …

At least 307 people have died and 23 sustained injuries across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) during the past 48 hours of heavy rains and flash floods, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said Saturday. Buner was the worst-hit district with 184 fatalities, followed by Shangla with 36, Bajaur 21, Mansehra 23, Swat 22, Battagram 15, Lower Dir five, and Abbottabad one, according …

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka’s title defence came to an abrupt end in Cincinnati as Elena Rybakina produced a powerful performance to reach the semi-final. The ninth seed Kazakh star dominated from the very start, using her big serve and clean hitting to overwhelm the defending champion and book her place in the last four. She secured her seventh career win over …

MIAMI: Inter Miami fans can breathe a sigh of relief as Lionel Messi is likely to return when the team take on the LA Galaxy in a Major League Soccer clash that will launch a key stretch for the Florida club, coach Javier Mascherano said on Friday. After sitting out with a minor muscle injury, the Argentine star is back in …

ISLAMABAD: The friendship between Pakistan and China is a model of political trust and enduring cooperation, said Mushahid Hussain Syed, former chairman of the Pakistani senate’s defense committee, calling for joint efforts to build a closer Pakistan-China community with a shared future in the new era. Syed, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan-China Institute (PCI), said in a …

Pakistan defend target by bowling out Bangladesh for 148 to grab commanding 79-run victory Half-centuries from Abdul Samad, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay and Yasir Khan, followed by a combined seven wickets from the spinners, powered Pakistan Shaheens to a resounding 79-run win over Bangladesh ‘A’ in the opening match of the Top End T20 Series at the TIO Stadium in Darwin …

KARACHI: Pakistan’s top squash players Asim Khan and Ashab Irfan progressed to the quarterfinals of the Johns Creek Open 2025, a $12,000 PSA Challenger event, after recording victories in the second round on Thursday. Top seed Asim overcame Egypt’s Kareem Badawi 11-3, 11-6, 5-11, 11-8 in 45 minutes. Asim dominated the opening two games with precise length and controlled rallies …

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that India is seeking self-reliance with energy independence and the development of its own powerful defence systems, vowing to defend his country’s interests “like a wall”. Modi delivered his annual Independence Day address from the imposing ramparts of Red Fort in New Delhi at a time when India faces intense pressure …

MOSCOW: Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin hold talks in Alaska on Friday, with the US president’s hopes of sealing a ceasefire agreement on Ukraine uncertain but with a last gasp offer from Putin of a possible nuclear deal that could help both men save face. The meeting of the Russian and US leaders at a Cold War-era air force base …

LAHORE: President of the Lahore Tax Bar Association (LTBA) Muhammad Asif Rana has called on the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to immediately notify the final income tax return for Tax Year 2025 and resolve ongoing technical glitches in the IRIS e-filing system to ensure smooth and timely compliance. In a letter to the FBR chairman, Rana noted the tax …

LAHORE: The Maarka-e-Haq National Junior Squash Championship, organized by the Punjab Squash Association (PSA), will commence on August 17 with a total prize fund of PKR 2 million. A PSA spokesperson said that the event will take place from August 17 to 20 at the Punjab Squash Complex and Lahore Garrison Green. The inaugural ceremony is scheduled for 4:00 pm on August 17 at Lahore Garrison Green. Matches up to the quarter-finals will be held at the Punjab Squash Complex while the semi-finals and final will take place at the Lahore Garrison …

KARACHI: Famous tv actress and host Fiza has criticized fellow artist and popular actress Veena Malik over controversial videos with young mem. A video clip from actress-host Fiza Ali’s television program has gone viral on social media. Both Fiza Ali and Veena Malik started their careers in the entertainment industry nearly two decades ago at a young age and have since made their mark as successful actresses and television hosts. Recently, Veena has been in the spotlight for posting …

WASHINGTON/BERLIN: US President Donald Trump has warned that Vladimir Putin will face “severe consequences” if he stands in the way of a peace deal for Ukraine. Speaking ahead of their meeting in Alaska on Friday, Trump said he hopes the talks will move things forward – but made it clear he is ready to act if they fail. Trump also said …

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order easing regulations for the private space industry, including eliminating some environmental reviews, in a move likely to please his erstwhile adviser, Elon Musk. The executive order, which said it aimed to “substantially” increase the number of space launches in the United States, was described by an environmental group as “reckless”. Since returning …

Pakistan’s top-order batter Babar Azam has dropped to third place in the latest ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings, following a below-par performance in the recent series against the West Indies. Babar managed just 56 runs across three matches, averaging 18.66, which led to a dip in his overall rating points to 751. As a result, he has been overtaken by …

Pakistani celebrities took to social media on the country’s 78th Independence Day to share messages of patriotism, hope, and unity, with many posting photos, videos, and personal reflections to mark the occasion. Humayun Saeed – acclaimed actor and producer, star of Punjab Nahi Jaungi and Netflix’s The Crown – and Samina Humayun Saeed – television producer – posed together dressed in green and white. …

BEIJING (Internews): The Pakistan Embassy organized a dignified flag hoisting ceremony to commemorate the 79th Independence Day of Pakistan. The event also celebrated the historic victory in Marka-e-Haq during Operation Bunyan al-Marsous. The ceremony commenced with the hoisting of the national flag by Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. Bilal Mahmood Chaudhary. Messages of felicitations from the President, Prime Minister, and …

          BEIJING (Internews) — The Pakistan Embassy in China’s capital of Beijing, in collaboration with Ms. Hao Yuejiao of Asia-Africa Trade Promotion Office of China-Africa Economic and Trade Promotion Council，organized a mango festival here on Wednesday. The festival titled “Golden Silk Road Mangoes: A True Oriental Treasure” to showcase a wide variety of premium Pakistani mangoes …

ISLAMABAD: Model and actress Saheefa Jabbar Khatak has raised serious concerns over the spread of hateful, unethical, and superficial videos on social media, highlighting their negative impact on society. Through her Instagram stories, Saheefa shared videos from various content creators in which individuals were mocked based on their name, caste, income, clothing and skin color. She stressed that no one should be judged solely …