Friday’s Alaska summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin “is a listening exercise for the president,” the White House said on Tuesday, tempering expectations for a quick Russia-Ukraine ceasefire deal. “Only one party that’s involved in this war is going to be present, and so this is for the president to go and to get, again, …

Britain, France and Germany have told the United Nations they are ready to reimpose UN-mandated sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme if no diplomatic solution is found by the end of August, according to a joint letter obtained by AFP. The letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the UN Security Council says the three European powers are “committed to …

TAROUBA: Roston Chase lit up the third ODI with an unbeaten century before Jayden Seales ripped through Pakistan’s lineup with a maiden six-for, sealing a commanding 202-run triumph for the West Indies at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Tuesday. Seales blew away the Pakistan top order en route to figures of 6-18 as the tourists were bundled out for …

Sweden’s Mondo Duplantis broke his own pole vault world record with a clearance of 6.29 metres at the Hungarian Grand Prix meeting in Budapest on Tuesday, the 13th time he has set a new world mark as he continues to defy gravity. The double-Olympic champion maintained his tradition of improving on his previous record by one centimeter, with his second attempt …

KARACHI: The buzz of the world’s biggest music competition, Pakistan Idol, is once again resounding loudly across the country! Fans have been wondering who will host this electrifying season – and the wait is over. The honour goes to none other than Syed Shafaat Ali, the king of wit, spontaneity and entertainment. Known for lighting up every stage, adding colour …

Moody’s Ratings on Wednesday upgraded Pakistan’s credit rating with a stable outlook from Caa2 to Caa1, citing the country’s improved financial position supported by a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Upgrade was secured after similar moves by S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings in the past four months following repeated pledges by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government to stay …

National Assembly Tuesday passed the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2024 by a majority vote amid strong opposition protests. The session, chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, saw opposition lawmakers opposing the bill, raising slogans, and staging protests during its passage. JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said such laws effectively treat every citizen as a criminal from birth, allowing institutions to arrest anyone, …

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said Tuesday that an International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation will visit Pakistan at the end of September, with the country expecting to receive the third tranche of $1 billion upon completion of the next review. Speaking informally to SAMAA, Aurangzeb said preparations for the upcoming economic review were complete. Pakistan has so far received $2.1 billion …

The United States has hailed its role in helping Pakistan and India reach a ceasefire during a recent conflict, calling it a “proud moment” for American diplomacy. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said quick engagement by top US leaders helped prevent a potentially “horrible” escalation. Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Bruce recalled how Washington acted immediately when tensions …

In recent years, the international community has faced growing ecological challenges ranging from climate change to biodiversity loss and environmental degradation. Amid these global concerns, China has not only rechartered its internal approach to ecological conservation but also offered a guiding philosophy for global sustainable development. A recent report highlights this vision and presents a comprehensive analysis of China’s ecological …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday that Pakistan would give befitting response to India if it stops water flow to Pakistan. Addressing an event in connection with the World Youth Day, the premier said: “Enemy is talking about stopping the water flow to Pakistan. The enemy got drubbed at the hands of Pakistan on May 10.” He reiterated the …

Renowned singer Mehak Ali delivered a spellbinding performance that left the audience captivated. The special event, titled “Sang e Mehak”, was held at Ali Auditorium and witnessed a large turnout of music lovers alongside prominent showbiz personalities. During the evening, Mehak Ali enthralled the gathering with her soulful renditions of film songs, folk melodies, and Sufi poetry. Veteran actor Rashid …

Renowned Pakistani singer Atif Aslam is mourning the loss of his father, Chaudhry Muhammad Aslam, who passed away after a prolonged illness. Family sources confirmed that Chaudhry Muhammad Aslam had been unwell for an extended period before his demise. His passing marks a profound personal loss for the award-winning singer, who has often credited his parents for their unwavering support …

The Competition Appellate Tribunal (CAT) upheld the order of the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) against the Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) for “fixing the price of wheat flour”. However, the CAT reduced the fine amount to Rs35 million from previously Rs75 million the CCP had imposed in its 2019 order, according to a CCP statement on Tuesday. In 2019, …

The equity market slightly higher on Tuesday, with the benchmark index trading firmly in the green for most of the session as institutional buying and upbeat investor sentiment kept the market buoyant. “Investments from mutual funds is carrying market forward in light of good results, improving US relationships and macroeconomic rerating. Some positivity also expected due to circular debt resolution,” …

CHENGDU: Pakistan’s Muhammad Asif booked his place in the World Games snooker semi-finals with a commanding 2–0 victory over Britain’s Zac Cosker in Tuesday’s quarter-final in China. He opened with a 79–15 win in the first frame, highlighted by a break of 51, before wrapping up the match with an 89–31 triumph. The win leaves Asif just one victory away …

Five Palestinians, including two children, have died from famine and malnutrition in Gaza over the past 24 hours, according to the territory’s Health Ministry. The ministry said on Tuesday that these latest fatalities raise the total number of hunger-related deaths recorded since October 7, 2023, to 227, among them 103 children. The ongoing Israeli blockade and bombardment have left much …

Pakistan on Tuesday welcomed the US move to designate Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Majeed Brigade as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, and also adding the latter as an alias to BLA. This decision came after the US Department of State designated the same militant group — BLA — a specially designated global terrorist (SDGT) in 2019. In a statement issued, the …

Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has got engaged to his long-term partner Georgina Rodríguez. She announced the news on social media alongside a picture of a large ring, writing “Yes I do. In this and in all my lives” in her native Spanish. No further details have been shared. Ronaldo, who is the most followed person on Instagram, has not yet made …

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping said Tuesday that China is ready to work with Brazil to set an example of unity and self-reliance among major countries in the Global South, and jointly build a more just world and a more sustainable planet. Xi made the remarks during his phone talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. China-Brazil ties …

ISLAMABAD: The World Bank has pointed out that the memorandum of understandings (MoUs) between the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) and the provincial governments, as laid down in the financing agreement of “Digital Economy Enhancement Project” (DEEP) of $78 million, are still pending. Official documents of the Bank also stressed on stronger coordination among the project implementation entities …

Elon Musk’s electric car and energy company Tesla has applied for a licence to supply electricity to British homes. If approved by the energy watchdog Ofgem, it would allow Tesla to take on the big firms that dominate the UK energy market to provide electricity to households and businesses in England, Scotland and Wales as soon as next year. Tesla, …

The Punjab government has decided to introduce uniforms for the Crime Control Department (CCD) to improve discipline. Officials said the force was initially exempted from wearing uniforms, but complaints of corruption and abuse of authority during operations without identification prompted the move. According to CCD sources, a special uniform design has been proposed, featuring a sky-blue shirt and dark-blue trousers. The …

After months of speculation, delays, and political controversy, Fawad Khan’s Bollywood comeback film ‘Abir Gulaal’ finally has a release date. The romantic drama will premiere in over 75 countries on August 29 — but India won’t be one of them. Political tensions force change in release plans Originally scheduled for a May 9 release, ‘Abir Gulaal’ hit roadblocks after the …

The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has acquitted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi in two major cases related to the violent incidents of May 9 — the Rahat Bakery arson and the Shadman police station burning and siege. However, the court sentenced former Punjab governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema, former provincial minister Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Senator Ejaz Chaudhry, former provincial …

The sugar industry owes sugarcane farmers more than Rs3 billion, according to the Punjab Cane Commissioner’s audit report for 2024-25. The findings expose that during the 2023-24 fiscal year, mill owners failed to pay Rs3.0469 billion to growers, despite legal requirements mandating payment within 15 days of purchase. The report also shows that mill owners bought sugarcane at rates lower than …

KARACHI: Fawad Khan’s latest Bollywood film is finally set to release following a ban on Pakistani artists in India. Playing the role of a UK-based chef, Fawad appears opposite Bollywood actor Vaani Kapoor. Directed by Aarti S. Bagdi, known for Chalti Rahe Zindagi, Abir Gulaal is expected to be a cross-cultural film that highlights the chemistry between Fawad and Vaani. The film …

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday congratulated Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on the landmark peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, hailing the development as a historic turning point for the South Caucasus and a gateway to regional prosperity. The prime minister received a telephone call from President Aliyev in which the two leaders discussed the peace accord, bilateral relations, …

Iqrar ul Hassan is hands down one of the most famous anchors of Pakistan. He got famous for Sar e Aam and went on to host several shows and transmissions. He is known not just for his fierce hosting style but also his personal life and multiple marriages, all of which are very public. Iqrar is married to three journalists …

Australia said Monday that it plans to recognize a Palestinian state, joining a growing list of Western governments making the move as Israel becomes increasingly isolated over the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government would recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in New York next month. “A two-state solution is humanity’s best hope to break …

ISTANBUL — A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck Turkey’s northwestern province of Balikesir on Sunday, causing about a dozen buildings to collapse, an official said. At least two people were trapped in the debris of a collapsed building. The earthquake, with an epicenter in the town of Sindirgi, sent shocks that were felt some 200 kilometers (125 miles) to the north …

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pacer Yash Dayal has had his personal life making news for a few weeks. Though court proceedings in the alleged sexual exploitation case are going on at present, his personal life has now started to affect his professional career too, with the pacer being reportedly barred from competing in the Uttar Pradesh T20 League. Dayal is a part …

West Indies secured a five-wicket win over Pakistan, with Roston Chase and Justin Greaves guiding the run chase to tie the one-day series. Roston Chase sparked West Indies over Pakistan to level their One Day International (ODI) cricket series at one victory each. Chase had 49 runs and Greaves was not out for 26 with a thrilling selection of fours …

BEIJING: China’s Ministry of Natural Resources announced Monday that the country has completed property rights registration for its first five national parks, a key step in advancing ecological conservation. The five national parks, namely the Sanjiangyuan National Park, the Giant Panda National Park, the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park, the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park and the Wuyishan …

BEIJING (Internews): Pakistani ambassador to China, Khalil Hashmi undertook an orientation visit to the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to deepening multifaceted cooperation with this dynamic province-level regions of China. The visit, marked by substantive exchanges, provided valuable insights into Inner Mongolia’s rich cultural heritage, economic strengths and ecological achievements. During the visit, the ambassador engaged with Governor …

Indonesia’s strategic location in the Indo-Pacific Region holds political, economic, and geographical positions that require a proper defense system. Indonesia’s defence policy under incumbent President Prabowo Subianto seems to be a distinctive departure from his predecessor’s approach, particularly through greater centralisation and direct presidential control. However, several overlapping key factors especially in defence diplomacy, modernisation and military engagement in non-combat …

BEIJING: A report released on Sunday expounds on China’s innovative approach in ecological conservation and its global impact. Titled “Lucid Waters and Lush Mountains for Beautiful China and World: China’s Ecological Civilization Concept and Practice, and How They Inspire the World,” the report was jointly released by Xinhua Institute, a think tank affiliated with Xinhua News Agency, and the Research …

After ongoing bloody Middle East episodes, worrisome South Asia and uncertain South East Asia, at last the world has witnessed a real peace event at White House. The Azerbaijan-Armenia peace deal would boost bilateral economic ties after decades of conflict and move them toward a full normalization of relations. Fighting for more than 35 years has now been ended with …

Imran Ashraf is a very famous actor and host from Pakistan. He is known for his great acting skills and his very humble attitude towards fans. He is approachable and his fans love that about him. The actor has gone places and he is all set to make a new jump in his career. He is going to star in …

Javeria Saud and Saud Qasmi make one of the most successful couples of the Pakistani showbiz industry. The duo got married in the early 2000s. Saud was working in films while Javeria was working in dramas. They had a fairytale wedding and now they are parents to two grown up kids. They have always been very open about their family …