The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet approved a new framework for natural gas pricing, leaving domestic consumer rates unchanged. The decision came during a meeting chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and forms part of the broader economic reforms under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme. According to an official handout, the federal government will now announce revised …

Australia’s pace battery proved too strong for the West Indies as the hosts crumbled to a dismal 141 all out in their second innings to hand the visitors a commanding 159-run victory in the first Test at Kensington Oval  — with two full days to spare. Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood was the standout performer, claiming 5-43 in a devastating spell …

TikTok is testing a new messaging feature dubbed “bulletin boards” that mirrors Instagram’s broadcast channels, allowing creators and brands to send public, one-way messages to their followers. The bulletin board allows select accounts to share updates using text, photos, and videos, offering a direct and controlled channel of communication with their audience. Followers can engage through emoji reactions only, without the ability …

A recent glimpse of veteran actress Sanam Baloch enjoying a theatre performance has gone viral on social media, reigniting hopes among fans of a potential return to the screen. Baloch, who captivated audiences with her performances in acclaimed dramas such as Kankar, Dastaan, Durr-e-Shehwar, Khaas, and Teri Raza, has largely remained away from the limelight since 2019, when she last appeared alongside Ali Rehman Khan …

US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, threatening further military action if Tehran resumes its nuclear weapons programme, while launching a scathing personal attack on Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The warning came in a post shared on Trump’s Truth Social platform on Friday, where the president responded to Khamenei’s claims of a “victory” in the …

Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir attended the commissioning parade of the Pakistan Navy’s 123rd Midshipmen and 31st Short Service Commission (SSC) Course at the Pakistan Naval Academy PNS Rahbar on Saturday. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Syed Asim Munir graced the ceremony as the chief guest. Upon arrival, he was presented with a ceremonial salute by …

Despite all odds the Chinese socialist economy is thriving whereas capitalism is sinking and facing lots of chronic problems of production and global supply chains. Even in the wake of ongoing Trump trade & tariffs war the Chinese economy remained stable, sustainable, diversified and developed showing its immense structural resilience and global outreach.  Hence false, fake and fabricated notion of …

As a Pakistani journalist with a deep interest in cross-border cultural harmony and development, my recent journey to China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region was nothing short of eye-opening. From the bustling, modern skyline of Urumqi to the serene, history-laden landscapes of Kuqa, I witnessed a region that seamlessly blends tradition with transformation, faith with freedom and heritage with hope. The …

ISLAMABAD (Internews): The OIC Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH), in collaboration with the Hunan University of Chinese Medicine (HUCM) has officially launched the Second Edition of the Joint Technicians Training Program, reaffirming a strong commitment to empowering scientific and technical talent across the Islamic world and beyond. This initiative brings together 15 selected participants from diverse …

CHONGQING: A key high-speed railway link in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality officially entered operation on Friday, marking a significant step toward establishing a vital transportation artery connecting the country’s inland region with its southeastern coast. A high-speed train departed from the Chongqing East Railway Station bound for the Qianjiang Railway Station on Friday morning, inaugurating the 242-kilometer section of the …

Pakistan on Friday reported its 13th polio case of the year after health authorities confirmed the virus in an 18-month-old girl from Union Council Amakhel in Tank district, South Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The latest case was confirmed by the Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Islamabad, which has also verified a previous case of …

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has officially commenced the mandatory registration process for Hajj 2026 pilgrims. According to the ministry, the registration will continue until July 9, and no registration fee is required at this stage. The ministry emphasized that early registration is compulsory for all intending pilgrims for Hajj 2026. Only those who complete this mandatory registration process will …

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected reports of any truce negotiations with Israel, saying the Islamic Republic ended its retaliatory operations only after the Israeli regime unilaterally agreed to halt its aggression “out of desperation” and without preconditions. In a wide-ranging televised interview, Araghchi categorically denied that Tehran had engaged in any ceasefire talks during the recent 12-day conflict, which …

In Swat, 15 tourists from Daska swept away in the Swat River near the Mingora Bypass, according to rescue officials. According to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rescue 1122, four tourists are confirmed dead, and five have been rescued, while seven tourists are reportedly missing. Swat Assistant Commissioner Dr Nida Iqbal said the Swat administration had already imposed Section 144 a week …

For the first time since last month’s brief but intense military standoff, the defence ministers of Pakistan and India are attending a high-level summit under the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Qingdao, China — raising the possibility of a bilateral meeting between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh are …

A United States federal judge on Wednesday ruled in favour of tech giant Meta in a closely-watched copyright lawsuit, finding that the company’s use of copyrighted books to train its artificial intelligence (AI) model constituted “fair use” under US law. The decision, delivered by District Judge Vince Chhabria in San Francisco, dismissed claims brought by a group of authors, including …

Once a quiet staple of traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, matcha – a finely ground green tea powder – is now a global sensation. From Starbucks lattes to TikTok tutorials and skincare routines, matcha is everywhere. But behind its trendy facade lies centuries of history, craftsmanship, and a wealth of health benefits that have captivated wellness enthusiasts and influencers alike. What …

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has instructed its Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) to vote in favor of the federal budget during today’s crucial budget session. The directive was issued during the PPP’s parliamentary party meeting in the National Assembly, chaired by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. All PPP lawmakers, including Asifa Bhutto Zardari attended the meeting. During the session, …

Senior television actress Maria Wasti has shed light on her prolonged absence from the entertainment industry, saying she has not found a script compelling enough to return to screen. In a candid appearance on a private comedy talk show, Wasti — known for her powerful portrayals on television since the 1990s — spoke openly about her artistic journey, her current …

Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has refused to give a post-match interview to Australian sports radio station SEN following the first day of the opening Test against the West Indies in Barbados. The move is widely seen as a protest against SEN’s sacking of journalist Peter Lalor, who was removed from the air four months ago over his pro-Palestinian social media …

US President Donald Trump addressed the media on the sidelines of the NATO summit in the Netherlands, praising the outcome of the conference and defending his administration’s recent military actions in the Middle East. Describing the NATO summit as “very wonderful,” Trump said he had productive engagements with allied leaders and lauded the alliance for increasing collective defense spending. “Our …

ISLAMABAD (Internews) Ambassador of China to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong lauded the proactive and positive role being played by Pakistan at every diplomatic forum, including at the United Nations Security Council for a peaceful settlement of the regional security situation through dialogue and diplomacy. The Chinese ambassador on Tuesday called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and discussed regional security situation, particularly …

US President Donald Trump compared the impact of American strikes on Iranian nuclear sites to the end of World War Two on Wednesday, arguing that the damage was severe even though available intelligence reports were inconclusive. His comments followed reports by Reuters and other media outlets revealing that the US Defense Intelligence Agency had assessed that the strikes had set …

The Punjab Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) has arrested six Pakistani nationals allegedly working as facilitators for India’s intelligence agency, RAW, in a meticulously planned operation named ‘Operation Yalghar’, officials said on Wednesday. Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Punjab Additional IG Shahzada Sultan revealed that the CTD successfully thwarted a terror plot aimed at destabilizing key areas of southern Punjab, particularly …

TIANJIN: A premier barometer of global economic trends and industrial transformation, the 2025 Summer Davos Forum has seen record attendance for recent years, with over 1,700 participants traveling from around the world. Its popularity is testament to both the convening power of the event, which is taking place from Tuesday to Thursday in north China’s Tianjin Municipality, and the unparalleled …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday chaired a high-level meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) to review the regional security situation following the Iran-Israel conflict and subsequent US strikes on Iranian territory, according to informed sources. The meeting, held at the Prime Minister House, was attended by the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, the chiefs of the Pakistan …

Ritika Sajdeh – wife of former Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma – has come under fire on social media after referring to Indian leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal as a “cartoon” during an appearance on a YouTube talk show. The controversy erupted following a segment in which the hosts displayed photographs of various Indian cricketers, asking Ritika and Rohit to share their …

Russian President Vladimir Putin has strongly condemned the recent Israeli and U.S. hostilities against Iran, calling them “groundless, unjustifiable, and illegitimate” during talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Moscow. Putin described the attacks on Iran as “an unprovoked aggression” that violates international norms and said, “There can be no justification for such actions.” He emphasized Russia’s readiness to …

Pakistan has decided to extend the closure of its airspace for Indian aircraft for another month. The decision will be formally announced through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) to be issued later today. Pakistan had initially closed its airspace to Indian aircraft on April 24, and the restriction was first extended for a month on May 23. The current NOTAM …

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast the onset of monsoon rains across the country starting from June 25. According to the PMD, monsoon winds are expected to intensify over the coming days, bringing significant rainfall to various regions. The department has predicted that monsoon rains will continue in different parts of the country from June 25 to July 1. Authorities …

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has warned that Israel made a “big mistake” by attacking Iranian territory and vowed that it is now facing punishment, in his first public remarks since the United States joined Israel in launching strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Speaking on Wednesday, Khamenei declared, “The Zionist enemy has made a grave miscalculation. It is …

It is a good omen that governments of China, Pakistan and Bangladesh have agreed to launch a trilateral cooperation forum which will hopefully further strengthen “win-win cooperation” making a new “paradigm shift” in South Asia’s socio-economic, geopolitical and geo-strategic outlook. Thus a new trilateral forum will further enhance prospects of meaningful engagement gearing for greater trade, economic integration, trade and …

Middle-aged adults in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease may actually become more sociable — not more withdrawn — according to a new large-scale study that challenges long-held assumptions about the condition. Researchers analysed data from nearly 500,000 people in the UK aged 40 and above and discovered that those with a higher genetic risk for Alzheimer’s were more likely …

It has been officially revealed that Pakistanis are spending over $1 billion annually on online shopping, with major payments going to international platforms such as Facebook, Google, Alibaba, Netflix, and others. According to a newly released government document, Pakistani citizens have made over 42.6 million online transactions, amounting to more than Rs317 billion over the past year. In response, the …

The federal government has signed a landmark Rs1,275 billion loan agreement with a consortium of 18 banks in a major breakthrough to resolve Pakistan’s long-standing circular debt crisis in the energy sector. The agreement aims to eliminate circular debt without imposing any additional burden on electricity consumers. According to the Ministry of Energy, this financing arrangement comes with consumer-friendly terms, …

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Sunday said it had not observed any rise in off-site radiation levels following the recent United States strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. In a brief statement shared on social media, the UN’s nuclear watchdog confirmed that radiation levels outside the targeted sites remained within normal limits. “Following attacks …

In a sharp escalation following recent US airstrikes on its nuclear facilities, Iran on Monday threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz — a vital waterway for global oil and gas shipments — a move that could trigger a major spike in international energy prices. Brigadier General Alireza Tangsiri, Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, announced that …

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance, chaired by MNA Naveed Qamar, has approved several significant tax-related proposals under the Finance Bill 2025, targeting non-filers, online businesses, mutual funds, and digital advertising platforms. The reforms aim to expand the tax base, curb evasion, and ensure compliance amid mounting pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Non-filers, e-commerce, and cash transactions …

US President Donald Trump delivered a stark warning to Iran following the recent precision strikes on its key nuclear facilities, urging Tehran to “make peace” swiftly or face far greater military consequences. In a nationally televised address, President Trump declared the air raids on Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites a “spectacular military success,” emphasising that the United States …

ISLAMABAD, June 21 (Internews): The Government of Pakistan has formally recommended former U.S. President Donald J. Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, citing his pivotal diplomatic role in defusing the recent crisis between Pakistan and India. In an official statement released Saturday, Pakistani authorities praised President Trump’s “decisive diplomatic intervention and pivotal leadership” during a period of heightened tensions …