In what is being described by cybersecurity experts as the largest breach of its kind to date, nearly 16 billion login credentials have been leaked online, compromising user accounts across major global tech platforms including Apple, Facebook, Google, GitHub, Telegram, and various government services. The breach, uncovered by researchers at Cybernews, was first reported earlier this year but has now been …

At least 27 passengers were injured in an unusual accident at Khanewal Railway Station when a signal pole ladder struck multiple passing trains, railway officials confirmed. According to railway authorities, the injured were traveling aboard Awam Express (up and down) and Musa Pak Express. Officials stated that many of the passengers had their hands extended out of the train windows …

Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued an alert regarding the weather situation in Punjab, warning of the start of pre-monsoon rains from this evening. According to a PDMA spokesperson, several districts across Punjab are expected to experience rain, dust storms, and strong winds. The forecast indicates that the spell of inclement weather will continue until June 23. Rain is …

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance, chaired by MNA Naveed Qamar, on Thursday endorsed the government’s proposal to impose a 10% sales tax on imported solar panels, replacing the earlier suggested 18% rate. Naveed Qamar clarified that the recommendation to impose a reduced sales tax originated from the committee itself, not the Senate. “We had earlier discussed and proposed …

During his official visit to the United States, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Field Marshal Asim Munir, held a series of key engagements in Washington where he addressed critical regional and global issues, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. Field Marshal Munir identified regional actors using terrorism as a tool of hybrid warfare and reaffirmed that …

BEIJING: China’s Ministry of Commerce said Thursday that the country will further deepen its trade ties with Central Asia and promote bilateral cooperation on industrial and supply chains. During the just-concluded second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, the ministry signed three documents with the relevant authorities of Central Asian countries to strengthen economic and trade cooperation, enhance trade facilitation, …

Professor Humbat MUSAYEV In May 2025, during the official visit of Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to Azerbaijan on the eve of the country’s Independence Day, a series of high-level meetings were held in Lachin – a territory liberated from occupation. Among these, the Lachin Summit, attended by the leaders of Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Türkiye, was especially memorable. Prime …

In a world increasingly shaped by fragmentation, shifting alliances and global uncertainty, the 2nd China – Central Asia Summit has emerged as a landmark event not just for the countries directly involved but for the broader vision of international cooperation based on mutual respect and shared prosperity. As geopolitical fault lines continue to widen across continents, the enduring strength of …

U.S. President Donald Trump will host a luncheon today in honour of Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. According to the White House spokesperson, the luncheon will be held in the Cabinet Room, where Field Marshal Munir is also scheduled to have a significant meeting with President Trump. Earlier, a grand reception was held in Washington …

A blast occurred near the railway track close to the cattle market in Jacobabad, causing six bogies of the Jaffar Express to derail. Following the explosion, a heavy contingent of police cordoned off the area. Authorities are currently investigating the nature of the blast. According to railway officials, the train, which was en route from Quetta to Peshawar, suffered no …

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has agreed in principle to reduce Test matches from five days to four for most member nations. According to British media reports, the proposal will take effect in the 2027–29 World Test Championship cycle but will not apply to India, England or Australia, who will continue to play five‑day Tests. All other Test‑playing nations—including Pakistan, …

In the newly proposed Finance Bill 2025, federal government has introduced a clause to levy income tax on online academies and freelance teachers, marking its first foray into taxing digital‑education providers. Under the same measure, e‑commerce businesses that operate via online marketplaces will also face new tax obligations, as authorities seek to broaden the tax base in the rapidly growing …

Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab Director General Irfan Kathia visited the head office of the Meteorological Department in Lahore on Tuesday as part of efforts to enhance preparedness for the upcoming monsoon season. He was accompanied by PDMA Director Zaheer Baig and other senior officers. During the visit, Chief Meteorologist Zaheer Babar gave a detailed briefing on the working …

Careem, Uber’s ride-hailing arm in the Middle East, will suspend its Pakistan service on July 18, citing economic challenges, rising competition, and capital constraints, ending its core business in a country where it helped pioneer app-based transport nearly a decade ago. The move underscores strain on Pakistan’s digital economy, as tech firms scale back amid high inflation, weak consumer demand, …

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced a reduction in the sales tax on solar panels from 18 percent to 10 percent following mutual consultation during the federal budget discussions. The move aims to promote renewable energy adoption and provide relief to consumers amid rising energy costs. Speaking during a session of the National Assembly, Dar also revealed …

ASTANA, June 17 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called on China and Uzbekistan to introduce more measures to promote trade liberalization and facilitation. Xi made the remarks in a meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the second China-Central Asia Summit in the Kazakh capital of Astana. Xi noted that last year he and …

ASTANA, June 17 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday said China is willing to work with Turkmenistan to fully unlock the potential for cooperation on the basis of mutual respect and win-win collaboration. Xi made the remarks in a meeting with Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on the sidelines of the second China-Central Asia Summit in the Kazakh capital …

United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday issued a stark warning to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, claiming that American intelligence knows his location and could target him, though he stressed that such an action was not being pursued “for now.” In a series of social media posts published late Tuesday evening, Trump declared, “We know exactly where the so-called …

ASTANA: Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Tuesday that all related parties should work to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East as soon as possible and avoid further escalation. Xi made the remarks during his meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the second China-Central Asia Summit in the Kazakh capital of Astana. Xi said China is …

ASTANA: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday said that cooperation between China and Kyrgyzstan holds great potential, urging the two countries to scale up trade and investment and expand cooperation in emerging sectors. Xi made the remarks in a meeting with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov on the sidelines of the second China-Central Asia Summit in the Kazakh capital of Astana. …

ASTANA: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called on China and Tajikistan to expand the scale of bilateral trade and investment. Xi made the remarks in a meeting with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on the sidelines of the second China-Central Asia Summit in the Kazakh capital of Astana. Xi recalled that during his visit to Tajikistan last year, he and …

Powerloom workers in Faisalabad have strongly rejected the Punjab government’s proposed minimum wage of Rs 40,000, calling it inadequate and anti-worker. The announcement, part of the provincial budget for the upcoming fiscal year, sparked widespread anger among laborers in the city’s textile hub. A large number of workers walked off their jobs and took to the streets, chanting slogans against …

In the early hours of Tuesday, Iran launched a new wave of missile strikes targeting Israeli territory, as part of its declared retaliation campaign against what it calls “continued Israeli aggression and violations.” According to Israeli media, Iran launched a strike near the Mossad headquarters in Tel Aviv, with thick plumes of smoke seen rising in the area following the …

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS), is currently on an official visit to the United States, where he met with members of the overseas Pakistani community in Washington, D.C. The COAS received a warm and enthusiastic reception, with a large number of expatriates gathering to welcome him. The overseas Pakistanis praised the Pakistan Armed …

ASTANA: Chinese President Xi Jinping met here Monday with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev ahead of the second China-Central Asia Summit. Xi arrived in the Kazakh capital of Astana earlier Monday to attend the second China-Central Asia Summit.

ASTANA: Chinese President Xi Jinping landed here Monday to attend the second China-Central Asia Summit. Xi was welcomed by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and other senior officials at the airport. After Xi’s plane entered Kazakh airspace, fighter jets of Kazakhstan’s air defense forces took off to escort it. Kazakh teenagers and children, holding the national flags of China and Kazakhstan, …

The tentative schedule for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 has surfaced, with India set to host the marquee tournament starting from September 30 in Bengaluru, cricket sources revealed on Sunday. As per the reported schedule, the opening match of the competition will see hosts India take on Sri Lanka. However, due to diplomatic sensitivities, Pakistan’s matches will be …

The U.S. Embassy in Israel and its consulate will remain closed as shelter-in-place orders continue following nearby Iranian missile strikes, Ambassador Mike Huckabee confirmed on social media. While no injuries were reported, minor damage occurred near the embassy branch in Tel Aviv due to concussions from missile impacts. Ambassador Huckabee also advised the estimated 700,000 Americans residing in Israel to …

A high-level committee chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Monday reviewed the country’s petroleum reserves and pricing in light of escalating tensions in the Middle East following the recent Israeli strike on Iran. The meeting, held in Islamabad, examined the impact of fluctuating global oil prices driven by the geopolitical developments in the region. Officials from the Ministry of …

In an increasingly interconnected world, China has emerged as a powerful engine of global connectivity offering practical solutions to bridge development gaps and build shared prosperity. Through flagship infrastructure initiatives such as the China-Europe Railway Express, the China-Laos Railway, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), China continues to reshape regional and transcontinental logistics, energize local economies and …

BEIJING: China and Central Asia have seen their economic and trade ties continue to strengthen with trade among them growing rapidly for more than a decade. Data released Sunday by the General Administration of Customs showed China’s trade with the five Central Asian countries had expanded from 312.04 billion yuan (43.48 billion U.S. dollars) in 2013 to 674.15 billion yuan …

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated that Tehran’s recent military actions against Israel were carried out in self-defence, amid ongoing hostilities between the two countries. Speaking at a press conference in Tehran on Sunday — his first public appearance since Israeli airstrikes began on Friday — Araghchi warned that Iran does not wish to see the conflict escalate into …

The prices of petroleum products in Pakistan are expected to witness an increase of up to Rs5 per litre, as per a preliminary working paper prepared by relevant authorities ahead of the fortnightly price review. According to official sources, the working paper has proposed an upward revision in fuel prices effective from June 16. Petrol prices are expected to rise …

The International Cricket Council (ICC) approved on Saturday a set of new rules for both One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Test matches. From July 2, the use of two new balls in ODIs will be discontinued. Under the revised rules, two balls will be used until the end of the 34th over, after which a single ball will be used …

US President Donald Trump on Sunday distanced the United States from recent attacks on Iran, declaring that “the US had nothing to do with the attack on Iran tonight.” His remarks come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East following deadly missile exchanges between Iran and Israel, which have claimed at least 15 lives and left hundreds injured across Israeli …

Iran launched a powerful retaliatory missile and drone assault on Israel late Saturday night, killing at least 13 people and injuring over 200, in what is being described as one of the largest direct attacks between the two countries in recent memory. The offensive marks the latest and most severe escalation in the ongoing conflict between Tehran and Tel Aviv. …

Iranian authorities have arrested five individuals in the central city of Yazd on suspicion of spying for Israel and allegedly collaborating with its intelligence services, Iranian media reported on Saturday. According to local news outlets, the suspects were allegedly involved in gathering sensitive information and taking photographs of strategic sites. Authorities claim the individuals were working in coordination with Israeli …

The government has introduced a 30 percent tax credit scheme on the purchase of flats and 10-marla houses in the federal budget for the fiscal year 2024-25. This was revealed during a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Finance on Friday, chaired by MNA Naveed Qamar. Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial briefed the committee …

Aiden Markram led South Africa to their second ICC title with a heroic performance in the ICC World Test Championship final on Saturday. According to details, the match, held at the Lords, saw Markram deliver a standout innings that proved decisive in securing victory. Markram’s remarkable effort with the bat helped South Africa overcome Australia, who had set a competitive …

Former  foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace, stressing that war is not a solution and all disputes, including the Kashmir issue, must be resolved through comprehensive dialogue. Speaking at a press conference in Brussels as the head of a parliamentary delegation, Mr Bhutto said Pakistan seeks peaceful engagement with India despite increasing tensions …