Court fight with Pentagon raises Senator Mark Kelly’s White House profile
WASHINGTON: A courtroom clash with US War Secretary Pete Hegseth is rapidly transforming Democratic Senator Mark Kelly into one of the most closely watched potential challengers to President Donald Trump ahead of the 2028 US presidential election. A federal appeals court on Thursday appeared sceptical of Pentagon efforts to punish the retired astronaut and Navy officer over remarks urging US troops to refuse illegal orders, with judges sharply questioning whether the government’s case could stand constitutional scrutiny. The case has taken on broader political significance in Washington, where Democrats are increasingly searching for figures capable of challenging Trump’s hardline political and security agenda. Kelly, 62, is a former US Navy combat pilot who flew missions during the 1991 Gulf War before joining Nasa as an astronaut. He later commanded multiple space shuttle missions, including the final flight of Space Shuttle Endeavour in 2011. He studied at the US Merchant Marine Academy and earned a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. Kelly has since built a political profile in Arizona and nationally, and is now widely discussed in Washington political circles as a possible Democratic presidential contender. According to the magazine Politico, Kelly has raised more than $25 million in recent months, while also using the legal dispute to energise supporters and expand his national fundraising base. The dispute began after Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers — all with military or intelligence backgrounds — released a video last year warning against the politicisation of the US armed forces and reiterating that troops are not required to obey unlawful orders. US President Donald Trump reacted angrily, accusing the lawmakers of “seditious behaviour,” while the Pentagon later initiated proceedings that could have reduced Kelly’s military retirement rank and benefits. The case reached the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit this week, where a three-judge panel — Judges Karen LeCraft Henderson, Florence Pan, and Cornelia Pillard — questioned the government’s legal reasoning. Judge Pillard said the central issue appeared to be mischaracterised by the government. “The text of the video advises that service members have no obligation to obey unlawful orders,” she said. “Nobody in the video says service members have a duty to disobey lawful orders.” Judges Pan and Henderson also pressed government lawyers on whether the Pentagon’s interpretation of the remarks could justify disciplinary action against a retired officer for expressing a constitutional view, while questioning whether any actual harm to military discipline had been demonstrated. During the hearing, administration lawyers ultimately conceded that Kelly had not explicitly called for disobedience of lawful orders. The Washington-based Cato Institute also supported Kelly, arguing that the Pentagon’s attempt to revoke his benefits amounted to unconstitutional retaliation for protected speech. Outside the courtroom, Kelly said the case had implications far beyond his personal dispute with the Pentagon. “I am not backing down,” he said. “After 25 years in the Navy, I have given too much to this country to be silenced by an administration that does not want to be held accountable. “This was a day in court not just for me, but for millions of retired veterans and our First Amendment rights.” The legal battle has significantly elevated Kelly’s national profile, with some Democrats already viewing him as a potential White House contender in a future election against Trump. That political attention has also spilt into social media. Soon after the hearing, Kelly posted on Facebook, reiterating his stance and vowing to continue the legal fight. In the comments section under his post, reactions reflected both growing Democratic enthusiasm and Republican alarm. Legal observers expect the dispute to eventually reach the US Supreme Court, potentially turning it into a major constitutional test of free speech, military authority, and the boundaries of political expression by former service members in the United States.
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Senators alarmed by ‘surge’ in violence against women; 5pc conviction rate termed ‘systemic failure’
ISLAMABAD: Senators on Friday voiced alarm over rising violent crimes against women and demanded stronger measures to improve the conviction rate, which the presiding officer, PPP Vice President Sherry Rehman, said stood at “only five per cent”. The debate began after Balochistan Senator Naseema Ehsan raised the killing of Rubina Chandio for alleged ‘honour’ in Sindh’s Tando Masti. “Rubina Chandio was killed in Sindh. She was given neither a funeral nor a shroud,” Ehsan said. She added that the woman was shot in front of a crowd, and the case surfaced after videos circulated on social media. “The culprits involved in this brutal murder should also be hanged publicly,” she added. Police suspect that Chandio was killed in a karo-kari case in Khairpur district. ‘Honour killings’ persist de...
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Pentagon releases previously secret files on UFOs
The Pentagon on Friday released a first batch of previously secret files documenting reported sightings of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) — some as far back as the 1940s — a move sought for decades by some Americans. “These files, hidden behind classifications, have long fueled justified speculation — and it’s time the American people see it for themselves,” War Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a statement. More than 160 files were released on Friday on the website of the War Department, which officially refers to UFOs as “Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena,” or UAPs. An image showing an Unidentified Anomalous Phenomenon, or UAP, released by the Pentagon on May 8, 2026. — Photo courtesy US Department of War One file — from December 1947 — contains a series of reports on “flying discs.” ...
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Australia sanctions BLA, three senior leaders for 'engagement in and support of terrorist attacks'
Australia on Friday imposed sanctions on the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and three of its senior leaders, according to a statement from Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s office. “The Australian Government has today imposed counter-terrorism financing sanctions on the Balochistan Liberation Army and three senior leaders for their engagement in and support of terrorist attacks,” said the statement dated May 8. The Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the BLA is a “group that has conducted violent terror attacks across Pakistan”. “These appalling attacks have targeted civilians, critical infrastructure, and foreign nationals, as well as the Pakistani state,” the statement read, adding that Australia’s commitment to counter-terrorism and curbing violent extremism is “unwavering”. “...
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High-profile terrorist killed in Bannu was Afghan special forces member: security sources
BANNU: A high-profile terrorist who was killed in a recent operation by security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district was a member of the Afghan Taliban regime’s special forces, security sources said on Friday. Security sources said the terrorist, Fatehullah alias Mudassir, was an active member of Yarmook 60 Special Forces Battalion. The unit operates under the Taliban regime’s Ministry of Interior Affairs. They added that Fatehullah belonged to the Zarmat district of Afghanistan’s Paktia province and was actively involved in terrorist activities in Pakistan alongside the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Reports further suggest that he was also involved in facilitating cross-border terrorist networks and planning various militant operations, the security sources elabora...
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Interior ministry denies reports of 'country or sect-specific' deportation of Pakistanis from UAE
The interior ministry on Friday denied reports about the “targeted deportation” of Pakistanis from the United Arab Emirates, asserting that no “country or sect-specific” expulsions from any country, including the UAE, were being carried out. The ministry’s statement contradicts claims on social media that Pakistanis were being deported from the UAE without any reason. In recent days, several media outlets have also reported that Pakistanis are being deported from the UAE. Among them, New York Times published a report earlier today, stating that the Gulf country had started a “large-scale expulsion” of Pakistani workers. The US news outlet spoke to more than 20 Pakistani Shias who worked in the UAE, the report said, adding that “all said they were suddenly arrested, detained and deported...
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JUI-F holds second round of protests over killing of Maulana Idrees
PESHAWAR: The Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) on Friday held a second round of protest rallies across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa against the killing of prominent cleric Maulana Muhammad Idrees, according to a statement released by the party’s media cell. On Tuesday, JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced that the party would hold two rounds of protest rallies — on Wednesday and Friday — against the “martyrdom” of the cleric. The party had also staged demonstrations on Wednesday. “On the appeal of the JUI-F, protest rallies were held across all districts of the province today after Friday prayers against the killing of Maulana Idrees,” the statement said. It added that a large protest demonstration was also staged by JUI-F outside the Peshawar Press Club, with protesters demanding the imm...
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WHO says hantavirus risk low after flight attendant tests negative
The World Health Organisation (WHO) insisted on Friday that there is a minimal risk from the hantavirus to the general public, as countries prepared to repatriate passengers stuck on a cruise ship hit by a deadly outbreak. Three passengers from the MV Hondius — a Dutch husband and wife and a German woman — have died while others have fallen sick with the rare disease, which usually spreads among rodents. The only hantavirus species that can transmit from person to person — Andes virus — has been confirmed among those who have tested positive, fuelling international concern. The Dutch-flagged vessel, which has around 150 people on board, is expected to arrive in the Spanish Canary Island of Tenerife on Sunday. Special flights will take passengers to their home countries. “This is a dange...
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Islamabad airport flights may be delayed over weekend from 8-9:15pm
ISLAMABAD: Flight operations at the Islamabad airport may be affected due to “operational reasons” from May 8-10, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) notified in a notice to airmen (Notam) on Friday. The Notam said flight arrivals and departures could be delayed because of “operational” reasons from 10:45am to 12:15pm on May 8 and between 8pm and 9:15pm on May 9 and 10. It further stated that flights arriving at the Islamabad airport had been asked to “bring sufficient holding fuel to cater to the delay”. The PAA had issued a similar Notam for the airport in the federal capital in March as well. It said flight operations at Islamabad airport would be suspended for two hours on March 17 due to “operational reasons”. The arriving aircraft were advised to “bring sufficient holding fuel t...
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Vatican's careful words on pope-Rubio meeting imply deep tensions with Trump, say analysts
A Vatican statement after Pope Leo’s meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which said the two had pledged to improve bilateral relations, was a recognition of unprecedented tensions, insiders and analysts said. Rubio’s meeting on Thursday with Pope Leo, the first US pope, garnered wide public attention as President Donald Trump has repeatedly attacked the pontiff over the US-Israeli war on Iran. The Vatican statement after the 45-minute encounter, the first between the pope and a Trump cabinet official in nearly a year, said the two leaders had “renewed the shared commitment to fostering good bilateral relations”. “[The] statement makes it clear that, at present, there is work to do,” Peter Martin, a former diplomat at the US embassy to the Holy See who served during Democrati...
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Indonesia volcanic eruption kills 3 hikers: officials
Three hikers, including two foreigners, died and 10 were missing after Mount Dukono on Indonesia’s eastern Halmahera island erupted on Friday, spewing an ash cloud about 10 kilometres into the air, a local police chief said. “There are three dead, two foreigners and one resident of Ternate” island in eastern Indonesia, police chief Erlichson Pasaribu of North Halmahera district told Kompas TV. Seven people had come down safely, Erlichson said, but 10 more were missing in an area declared off-limits to visitors last month after scientists observed an increase in volcanic activity. According to Indonesia’s BNPB disaster mitigation agency, five climbers were injured in the eruption. “The joint teams from the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and the National Search and Rescue Agen...
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Pakistan seeks Singapore's support in repatriating nationals, Iranians aboard vessels seized by US
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday said that he had spoken with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and requested the country’s support in facilitating the “welfare and repatriation” of 11 Pakistanis and 20 Iranians aboard vessels seized by the United States. In a post on the social media platform X, he said that the vessels were currently near Singaporean waters. He said that he also spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi “as we remain in close coordination on the matter”. “Pakistan also stands ready to facilitate the safe repatriation of Iranian nationals to Iran via Pakistan,” he said. “We appreciate the cooperation and support being extended by Singapore. Pakistan, through its Foreign Office and relevant authorities, is closely co...
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'Too much at stake to accept ignorance': Lawmakers challenge US ambiguity over Israel’s nuclear capability
WASHINGTON: Nearly 30 Democratic lawmakers have urged US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to end Washington’s longstanding ambiguity over Israel’s alleged nuclear weapons programme, arguing that such secrecy has become untenable during the ongoing war on Iran. Israel is widely believed to be in possession of nuclear weapons, though it neither acknowledges nor denies having a nuclear arsenal. In a May 4 letter addressed to Secretary Rubio, the lawmakers said the US was “currently engaged in a war against Iran, a conflict with nuclear dimensions that the administration has not adequately addressed with Congress or the American public”. The move is led by Congressman Joaquin Castro, a senior Democratic lawmaker from Texas who has served in the US House of Representatives since 2013 and is kn...
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US and Iran exchange fire, but Trump says ceasefire still in effect
The United States and Iran exchanged fire on Thursday in the most serious test yet of their month-long ceasefire, but Iran said the situation returned to normal while the US said it did not want to escalate. The renewed hostilities broke out as Washington was awaiting Iran’s response to a US proposal that would stop the fighting but leave the most contentious issues, such as Iran’s nuclear programme, unresolved for now. Iran’s military said the US targeted two ships entering the Strait of Hormuz and carried out strikes on Iranian territory. The US military said it fired in response to Iranian attacks. Trump told reporters the ceasefire was still in effect and sought to play down the exchange. “They trifled with us today. We blew them away,” Trump said, while inspecting renovations to th...
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NAB freezes four more Bahria Town properties in Karachi
ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Karachi, has frozen four more high-value properties of Bahria Town on the instructions of an accountability court. Sources in the NAB said the action was carried out under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2010, following investigations that established that these assets were purchased through the laundering of crime proceeds. The bureau has attached the Bahria Icon Tower in Clifton, Karachi, where investigations revealed that Rs8 billion in crime proceeds had been laundered for its construction. The property was being held under a front company, M/s Galaxy Construction Pvt Ltd. Similarly, the Bahria Town Tower on Tariq Road, Karachi, was attached after it was established that the project was held in the name of Muhammad Awais, a “benami...
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Senate lauds courage, sacrifices of armed forces
• Resolution lauds civilian and military leadership, national unity during Marka-i-Haq• Naqvi states India ‘pleaded for a ceasefire’ through US but Pakistan ‘agreed to truce after teaching a lesson’• Info minister says dreams of ‘Indian hegemony in S. Asia shattered’ in a few hours ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Thursday passed a resolution paying tribute to the “exemplary sacrifices, courage and dedication” of the country’s armed forces, security institutions and the entire nation for the protection of Pakistan’s sovereignty, national dignity and security on the first anniversary of last year’s military conflict with India, titled Marka-i-Haq by the state. “This House salutes the armed forces of Pakistan for their professionalism and in-timely strategy in foiling the nefarious designs of the...
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Judge releases note purportedly written by Epstein
NEW YORK: A federal judge on Wednesday released a document described as a suicide note purportedly written by the late Jeffrey Epstein and including the line: “It is a treat to be able to choose ones time to say goodbye.” Epstein, the disgraced financier and accused sex trafficker, was found dead in his Manhattan jail cell in August 2019 in what was ruled a suicide. The handwritten note was said to have been found by his former jail cellmate, convicted murderer and ex-police officer Nicholas Tartaglione. US District Judge Kenneth Karas, who oversaw the Tartaglione case, released the note after a request by The New York Times, which reported its existence last week. Karas ruled that the note qualified as a judicial document subject to the public’s right of access because it was submitted...
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Benazir programme cuts child stunting rates: study
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has recorded a major decline in child stunting under the Benazir Nashonuma Programme (BNP), along with improvements in maternal and newborn health outcomes. An evaluation conducted by the Aga Khan University (AKU) revealed that stunting rates among beneficiary children were 22 per cent lower at six months of age and 18pc lower at one year of age. The study also reported a 6pc reduction in low birth weight cases, an 11pc decline in premature births, and a 7pc decrease in weak and vulnerable newborns. The findings were unveiled by the AKU during a session on the Endline Impact Evaluation of the BNP held at the BISP headquarters here on Thursday. Speaking at the event, federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Syed Imran Ahmed Shah termed the resu...
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PTI walks out of Senate to protest Bushra’s ‘secret’ hospital visit
• Seeks probe into ‘sudden and suspicious’ transfer of ex-PM’s spouse to medical centre from Adiala jail• Rana Sanaullah advises party to pursue matter through legal channels ISLAMABAD: PTI senators walked out of the Senate on Thursday after the party’s parliamentary leader in the House, Syed Ali Zafar, raised alarm over reports that Bushra Bibi was “suddenly and suspiciously” taken to a hospital from Adiala jail during the night and returned without any disclosure, calling it a “serious human rights violation”. Raising a point of order, Mr Zafar said the reports had caused “grave apprehension and concern throughout the country”. He termed the situation “highly strange and secretive” and said it raised several questions. “If Bushra Bibi was unwell, why has the nation not been informed a...
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‘Saudi pressure’ led US to pause Hormuz project: NBC
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump’s decision to pause a US operation to escort commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz reportedly followed pressure from Saudi Arabia, according to an NBC News report citing two US officials. The operation, dubbed Project Freedom, was unexpectedly announced by Trump on social media on Sunday and began on Monday. However, US allies in the Gulf were reportedly surprised by the announcement. According to the officials, Saudi Arabia — one of Washington’s key regional partners— subsequently suspended the US military’s access to its bases and airspace needed to support the mission. “Trump surprised Gulf allies by announcing ‘Project Freedom’ on social media Sunday afternoon, the officials said, angering leadership in Saudi Arabia,” NBC News reported. ...
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Pakistan remains ‘positive’ as Iran mulls peace offer
• FO spokesperson expects agreement ‘sooner rather than later’, hopes for ‘sustainable solution’• Officials say Tehran expected to share response today as optimism prevails• Iranian FM speaks to Dar on ‘importance of continuing’ diplomacy; briefs him about China visit ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran on Thursday agreed on continuing dialogue and diplomacy for ending the war in the Persian Gulf as Islamabad expressed growing optimism that the United States and Iran could soon move towards a peace agreement after weeks of conflict and fragile ceasefire. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi amid indications that Washington and Tehran were edging closer to a preliminary understanding on ending hostilities. According to the Fo...
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How South Asian military calculus has changed after May 2025
• Air power increasingly central to modern battlefield planning; lessons from Ukraine, Middle East wars show primacy of drones, satellites and jamming capabilities on modern battlefield• Both sides realise conventional escalation still possible without breaching nuclear threshold• China now figures more prominently in New Delhi’s military calculations about Pakistan ONE YEAR on, the four-day India-Pakistan conflict of May 2025 has increasingly come to be seen by military circles on both sides as not simply another skirmish between two nuclear rivals, but rather the beginning of a new phase in their military rivalry. The conflict reinforced some long-held assumptions, overturned others, and convinced policymakers in New Delhi and Rawalpindi that future confrontations are likely to unfold...
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Pakistan turns down two lowest evaluated LNG bids
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday rejected the two lowest evaluated LNG bids from BP Singapore and TotalEnergies, priced at $17.28 and $16.98 per million British thermal units (mmBtu), respectively, for delivery next week and in the last week of the current month. State-run Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL) received a total of seven bids — three cargoes for May 12-14 and four for May 24-26 — against urgent tenders floated a day earlier. For the first cargo, PetroChina bid $17.69 per mmBtu, BP Singapore $17.28 and Vitol Bahrain $17.84. For the second cargo (May 24-26), TotalEnergies bid $16.98 per mmBtu, OQ Trading $18.58, SOCAR Trading $17.21 and PetroChina International $17.49. PLL on Wednesday floated urgent tenders on a 36-hour notice for the import of two LNG cargoes for delivery between May...
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Breathe Pakistan International Climate Change Conference concludes with calls for climate resilience, coordinated action
The second edition of the Breathe Pakistan International Climate Change Conference, organised by DawnMedia, concluded in Islamabad on Thursday after two days of deliberations on climate resilience, adaptation, energy transition, water security, urban planning, agriculture, climate finance and equitable policymaking. According to a press release by Breathe Pakistan, the conference brought together policymakers, parliamentarians, international organisations, climate experts, corporate leaders, academics, development partners and civil society representatives to assess Pakistan’s climate vulnerabilities and the reforms needed to strengthen resilience. It stated that across both days, speakers emphasised that climate change was no longer solely an environmental concern, but a broader econom...
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PM Shehbaz discusses regional situation with Qatari counterpart: PMO
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday received a telephone call from Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. During their “warm and cordial” conversation, the two leaders held a productive exchange of views on the current regional situation. Both sides reaffirmed their strong commitment to facilitating ongoing efforts to ensure lasting peace in the region, according to an official press release by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Recalling his recent visit to Doha on April 16, the prime minister said that his meeting with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the rest of the Qatari leadership was “most helpful” in forging a consensus for the peace efforts. He noted that the people of Pakistan were looking forward to...
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PTI says preparations for final round of movement against Imran's imprisonment underway
ISLAMABAD: PTI said that preparations for the final round of its movement against Imran Khan’s imprisonment had begun, as Adiala jail authorities again denied permission to meet the party founder on Thursday. PTI leaders, including Khurram Virk, Naseem Ali Shah, Zahir Shah, Rajab Abbasi, Zar Aalam and Rubina Shaheen, reached Adiala jail but were not allowed to meet Imran Khan until the end of visiting hours. Zahir, talking to the media, said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had announced preparations for the final round of the movement against the imprisonment of the PTI founder. He said that as soon as directions were received from the party founder, the movement would move forward, adding that the struggle had not yet ended. “Obstacles are deliberately created, res...
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Countries track passengers of hantavirus-hit cruise ship
Countries worldwide sought to prevent further spread of the hantavirus on Thursday, after an outbreak on a cruise ship, by tracking those who had already disembarked before the virus was detected and anyone in close contact with them since. Three people — a Dutch couple and a German national — died in the outbreak on the MV Hondius. In total, five people are confirmed to have contracted the virus, with another three suspected cases, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said. Hantavirus is usually spread by rodents, but can, in rare cases, be transmitted person-to-person. All passengers who disembarked in St. Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean, where the ship made a stop on April 24, have been contacted, the ship’s operator said, adding this included people from at least 12 countries, ...
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FCC sets aside Income Tax Ordinance section enabling taxation on ‘deemed income’ from assets and property
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) on Thursday set aside Section 7E of the Income Tax Ordinance (ITO) 2001 as ultra vires the Constitution, which had empowered tax authorities to levy tax on “deemed income” from assets and properties. Having a significant impact on the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) property taxation, Section 7E was introduced through the Finance Act, 2022, for the tax year 2023. It provided for taxation on deemed or notional income arising from ownership of certain immovable properties, subject to specified exemptions relating to personal residences, agricultural land, and other exempt categories recognised under the statutory framework. The Finance Act 2022 had imposed tax on the “deemed income” of taxpayers holding immovable property worth over Rs25 ...
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Govt mulls allowing commercial banks to take over mortgaged houses 90 days after default
ISLAMABAD: The government decided in principle to grant commercial banks significant powers to take over mortgaged houses in case of default after a cumulative notice period of 90 days, in a move aimed at encouraging lending to the housing sector. The proposed foreclosure law to amend “The Financial Institutions (Recovery of Finances) Ordinance, 2001”, currently under review by the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue, provides that where a customer defaults on payment of mortgage dues, the financial institution may issue three notices of 30 days each, “demanding payment of the outstanding mortgage amount”. “In case of default in payment by a customer after service of the final (third) notice, the financial institution may proceed with the sale of the housing un...
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CIE to retake ‘prematurely shared’ mathematics exam on June 9
Cambridge International Education (CIE) on Thursday cancelled the “prematurely shared” mathematics exam, announcing that it will conduct a new version of the exam for affected regions on June 9. On April 30, CIE confirmed that its AS-level mathematics paper was “shared prematurely” against its regulations. It said that the exam paper was for the Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Pakistan and South Asia regions. CIE, in a statement, said that “Cambridge’s senior assessment experts have decided that a new version of the Mathematics (9709/12) exam paper will be sat by all candidates in the affected regions”. CIE noted that the previous exam paper could not be used to award final exam results and “will not be used to generate results through calculated assessment”. As per the statement, the ...
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Masood expresses confidence in bowling as Pakistan set to face Bangladesh in first Test tomorrow
Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood has expressed confidence in the bowling attack as the national side prepares to face Bangladesh in the first Test of the two-match series in Mirpur on Friday. The Green Shirts are visiting Bangladesh for a Test series after being whitewashed on home soil by the Bengal Tigers in August 2024. The visitors had won the two-match series by 10 wickets and six wickets respectively in Rawalpindi. Addressing the pre-series press conference on Thursday, Masood said, “We are fully focused on this series and the challenge of playing Bangladesh in their own conditions.” He also put the weight on the home side’s “quality in all departments”. Masood said that the team is looking forward to “testing” itself against its hosts. “We have selected a well-balanced squad tha...
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Breathe Pakistan 2026: Need for multi-sectoral approach towards climate action highlighted
The second Breathe Pakistan International Climate Change Conference concluded in Islamabad on Thursday, with experts calling for a multi-sectoral approach towards climate action and stressing the need to engage women and the youth. Despite contributing minimally to global emissions, Pakistan remains among the most climate-vulnerable nations, underscoring the critical need for coordinated, locally grounded, and globally informed responses. The two-day conference, organised by DawnMedia, brought together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders from across sectors to examine intersecting challenges and chart a path forward. Today, stakeholders from the development and private sectors, civil society members, energy experts, among others, gathered to frame a walkable pathway for a sustainabl...
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3 children killed, several injured in South Waziristan attack: security sources
Two separate attacks in South Waziristan on Thursday killed three children and injured several people, security sources said. According to reports, an explosion occurred near a civilian settlement in the Gawa Khwa area of South Waziristan, while mortar shells were also fired at civilians by Afghan Taliban forces in the border tehsil of Angoor Adda. The explosion, they said, was caused after “Fitna al Khawarij hid cylinders filled with explosives near a house in a nearby settlement”. Fitna al Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. “Three innocent children of a family were martyred and several people were injured” as a result of the explosion, the security sources said, noting that the victims were a 15-year-old boy and two gir...
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Breathe Pakistan 2026: Need for multi-sectoral approach to climate action highlighted
The second Breathe Pakistan International Climate Change Conference concluded in Islamabad on Thursday, with experts calling for a multi-sectoral approach towards climate action and stressing the need to engage women and the youth. Despite contributing minimally to global emissions, Pakistan remains among the most climate-vulnerable nations, underscoring the critical need for coordinated, locally grounded, and globally informed responses. The two-day conference, organised by DawnMedia, brought together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders from across sectors to examine intersecting challenges and chart a path forward. Today, stakeholders from the development and private sectors, civil society members, energy experts, among others, gathered to frame a walkable pathway for a sustainabl...
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At least three children killed, several injured in South Waziristan attack: security sources
At least three children were killed and several people were injured in two separate attacks in South Waziristan on Thursday, security sources said. According to reports, an explosion occurred near a civilian settlement in the Gawa Khwa area of South Waziristan, while mortar shells were also fired at civilians by Afghan Taliban forces in the border tehsil of Angoor Adda. The explosion, they said, was caused after “Fitna al Khawarij hid cylinders filled with explosives near a house in a nearby settlement”. Fitna al Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. “Three innocent children of a family were martyred and several people were injured” as a result of the explosion, the security sources said, noting that the victims were a 15-ye...
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‘We are prepared’: DG ISPR highlights indigenous military capabilities on Marka-i-Haq anniversary
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said on Thursday that Pakistan was “prepared” as he highlighted the armed forces’ indigenous military capabilities. He made the remarks while addressing a press conference in Islamabad as the nation commemorated the one-year anniversary of Marka-i-Haq. The deputy chief of naval staff (operations), Rear Admiral Shifaat Ali, and the deputy chief of air staff (projects), Air Vice Marshal Tariq Ghazi, were also present alongside him. Last year’s military conflict with India, starting from the April 22 Pahalgam attack to the end of Pakistan’s Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, with a ceasefire ending a military escalation between the two countries on May 10, has been called “Marka-i-Haq” (Battle of Truth) by the st...
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Breathe Pakistan: UN official says political will required to really engage women, girls at every step
The second day of the second edition of the Breathe Pakistan International Climate Change Conference, organised by DawnMedia, was held in Islamabad on Thursday. Despite contributing minimally to global emissions, Pakistan remains among the most climate-vulnerable nations, underscoring the critical need for coordinated, locally grounded, and globally informed responses. The two-day conference is bringing together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders from across sectors to examine intersecting challenges and chart a path forward. On the first day, federal ministers, government officials, business leaders, and agriculture and water experts were among the various speakers who presented their perspectives on tackling the climate crisis. View the full agenda here. 5:30pm — Conference close...
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Pakistan expects agreement between US and Iran 'sooner rather than later': FO
Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said on Thursday that Islamabad was hopeful about and would expect an agreement between the US and Iran “sooner rather than later”. He said this during a weekly briefing, where he was asked how soon could the agreement be expected. In this regard, Andrabi also said Pakistan would welcome a settlement between Iran and the US wherever it may be reached. “If an agreement is reached in Pakistan, it would be an honour for us,” he said. The FO spokesperson also said he could not say whether the draft of the agreement would be one page or longer. Andrabi’s remarks came after the US and Iran seemed to inch toward a peace deal on Wednesday. There were reports that Tehran was reviewing a fresh proposal from Washington for a peace following the suspe...
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'We are prepared': DG ISPR highlights Pakistan's indigenous military capabilities
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said on Thursday that Pakistan was “prepared” as he touted the armed forces’ indigenous military capabilities. He made the remarks while addressing a press conference in Islamabad as the nation commemorated the one-year anniversary of Marka-i-Haq. The deputy chief of naval staff (operations), Rear Admiral Shifaat Ali, and the deputy chief of air staff (projects), Air Vice Marshal Tariq Ghazi, were also present alongside him. Last year’s military conflict with India, starting from the April 22 Pahalgam attack to the end of Pakistan’s Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, with a ceasefire ending a military escalation between the two countries on May 10, has been called “Marka-i-Haq” (Battle of Truth) by the state. ...
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Breathe Pakistan: WHO estimates 5m deaths globally between 2030-2050 ‘driven by climate change’
The second day of the second edition of the Breathe Pakistan International Climate Change Conference, organised by DawnMedia, is currently underway in Islamabad. Despite contributing minimally to global emissions, Pakistan remains among the most climate-vulnerable nations, underscoring the critical need for coordinated, locally grounded, and globally informed responses. The two-day conference is bringing together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders from across sectors to examine intersecting challenges and chart a path forward. On the first day, federal ministers, government officials, business leaders, and agriculture and water experts were among the various speakers who presented their perspectives on tackling the climate crisis. View the full agenda here. 4:02pm — WHO official un...
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Breathe Pakistan: Official says climate actions ‘now becoming mandatory’ for banks
The second day of the second edition of the Breathe Pakistan International Climate Change Conference, organised by DawnMedia, is currently underway in Islamabad. Despite contributing minimally to global emissions, Pakistan remains among the most climate-vulnerable nations, underscoring the critical need for coordinated, locally grounded, and globally informed responses. The two-day conference is bringing together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders from across sectors to examine intersecting challenges and chart a path forward. On the first day, federal ministers, government officials, business leaders, and agriculture and water experts were among the various speakers who presented their perspectives on tackling the climate crisis. View the full agenda here. 3:34pm — Women, children...
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'We are prepared': DG ISPR touts Pakistan's indigenous military capabilities
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry is currently addressing a press conference. The deputy chief of naval staff (operations), Rear Admiral Shafaat Ali, and the deputy chief of air staff (projects), Air Vice Marshal, Tariq Ghazi, are also present alongside him. The press conference comes as the nation commemorates the one-year anniversary of Marka-i-Haq. Last year’s military conflict with India, starting from the April 22 Pahalgam attack to the end of Pakistan’s Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, with a ceasefire ending a military escalation between the two countries on May 10, has been called “Marka-i-Haq” (Battle of Truth) by the state. “We welcome you to ISPR on this happy day,” he said at the outset of his presser, congratulating the nation o...
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Anyone who thinks there is space for war between two nuclear neighbours is crazy, DG ISPR says
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry is currently addressing a press conference. The deputy chief of naval staff (operations), Rear Admiral Shafaat Ali, and the deputy chief of air staff (projects), Air Vice Marshal, Tariq Ghazi, are also present alongside him. The press conference comes as the nation commemorates the one-year anniversary of Marka-i-Haq. Last year’s military conflict with India, starting from the April 22 Pahalgam attack to the end of Pakistan’s Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, with a ceasefire ending a military escalation between the two countries on May 10, has been called “Marka-i-Haq” (Battle of Truth) by the state. “We welcome you to ISPR on this happy day,” he said at the outset of his presser, congratulating the nation o...
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Breathe Pakistan: International Renewable Energy Agency official calls for investing in solar infrastructure
The second day of the second edition of the Breathe Pakistan International Climate Change Conference, organised by DawnMedia, is currently underway in Islamabad. Despite contributing minimally to global emissions, Pakistan remains among the most climate-vulnerable nations, underscoring the critical need for coordinated, locally grounded, and globally informed responses. The two-day conference is bringing together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders from across sectors to examine intersecting challenges and chart a path forward. On the first day, federal ministers, government officials, business leaders, and agriculture and water experts were among the various speakers who presented their perspectives on tackling the climate crisis. View the full agenda here. 1:28pm — ‘Many factors’,...
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Pakistan hopeful about agreement between US and Iran: FO
Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said on Thursday that Islamabad was hopeful about an agreement between the US and Iran and was expecting it to happen soon. He said while responding to a question during a weekly FO briefing, adding that Pakistan would welcome a settlement between Iran and the US wherever it may be reached. “If an agreement is reached in Pakistan, it would be an honour for us,” he said. The FO spokesperson also said he could not say whether the draft of the agreement would be one page or longer. More to follow
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Breathe Pakistan: Researcher warns largest cities of Pakistan facing ‘haphazard’ urbanisation
The second day of the second edition of the Breathe Pakistan International Climate Change Conference, organised by DawnMedia, is currently underway in Islamabad. Despite contributing minimally to global emissions, Pakistan remains among the most climate-vulnerable nations, underscoring the critical need for coordinated, locally grounded, and globally informed responses. The two-day conference is bringing together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders from across sectors to examine intersecting challenges and chart a path forward. On the first day, federal ministers, government officials, business leaders, and agriculture and water experts were among the various speakers who presented their perspectives on tackling the climate crisis. View the full agenda here. 1:05pm — ‘Consistent dec...
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Breathe Pakistan: Environmentalist warns against turning Karachi’s coastal islands into ‘high-rise communities’
The second day of the second edition of the Breathe Pakistan International Climate Change Conference, organised by DawnMedia, is currently underway in Islamabad. Despite contributing minimally to global emissions, Pakistan remains among the most climate-vulnerable nations, underscoring the critical need for coordinated, locally grounded, and globally informed responses. The two-day conference is bringing together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders from across sectors to examine intersecting challenges and chart a path forward. On the first day, federal ministers, government officials, business leaders, and agriculture and water experts were among the various speakers who presented their perspectives on tackling the climate crisis. View the full agenda here. 12:29pm — Having data al...
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Doctors Without Borders says Israel has 'manufactured malnutrition crisis' in Gaza
Doctors Without Borders on Thursday accused Israel of having deliberately restricted food and aid in Gaza, creating a “manufactured malnutrition crisis” with particularly devastating impacts on infants and pregnant and breastfeeding women. The report also examined the harm done by the US- and Israeli-backed private organisation set up last year to largely replace UN distribution of aid in Gaza. The medical charity, known by its French acronym MSF, based its case on an analysis of the situation between late 2024 and early 2026 at four health facilities it supports in the Gaza Strip. That analysis showed significantly higher levels of prematurity and mortality among infants born to malnourished mothers, and spikes in miscarriages, it said. MSF linked these outcomes with Israel’s blockade ...
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Breathe Pakistan: Marriyum Aurangzeb says environmental protection, urbanisation not 'opposing forces'
The second day of the second edition of the Breathe Pakistan International Climate Change Conference, organised by DawnMedia, is currently underway in Islamabad. Despite contributing minimally to global emissions, Pakistan remains among the most climate-vulnerable nations, underscoring the critical need for coordinated, locally grounded, and globally informed responses. The two-day conference is bringing together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders from across sectors to examine intersecting challenges and chart a path forward. On the first day, federal ministers, government officials, business leaders, and agriculture and water experts were among the various speakers who presented their perspectives on tackling the climate crisis. View the full agenda here. 12:13pm — Panel discussi...
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PTI decries reports of Bushra Bibi's 'sudden, secret' hospital visit
The PTI on Thursday expressed concern and anger over reports of Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi being “suddenly and secretly” taken to the hospital in the middle of the night and then taken back to jail. “The entire matter is shrouded in unusual secrecy, a lack of transparency, and serious human rights violations, which have raised countless questions in the minds of the nation,” the party said. The statement came after media reports emerged on Wednesday night alleging that Bushra Bibi, who is currently incarcerated at Adiala jail, was taken to a hospital under tight security for a follow-up examination of her eye. Last month, Bushra Bibi underwent eye surgery at a Rawalpindi hospital. According to prison authorities, she was diagnosed with retinal detachment in the right eye, and doctors...
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Breathe Pakistan: Envoy notes melting glaciers ‘shared vulnerability’ for countries like Nepal, Pakistan
The second day of the second edition of the Breathe Pakistan International Climate Change Conference, organised by DawnMedia, is currently underway in Islamabad. Despite contributing minimally to global emissions, Pakistan remains among the most climate-vulnerable nations, underscoring the critical need for coordinated, locally grounded, and globally informed responses. The two-day conference is bringing together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders from across sectors to examine intersecting challenges and chart a path forward. On the first day, federal ministers, government officials, business leaders, and agriculture and water experts were among the various speakers who presented their perspectives on tackling the climate crisis. View the full agenda here. 11:09am — Maldives, Paki...
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KP PDMA directs deputy commissioners to take precuationary measures ahead of heatwave
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has directed all deputy commissioners to take precautionary measures ahead of heatwave conditions that are slated to begin from May 8 (Friday). In the letter sent, a copy of which is available with Dawn, the PDMA said heatwave conditions were likely to develop over the province’s plain areas from May 8 to May 10. It said that daytime temperatures may rise to 43–47°C in Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Bannu, Karak, and Lakki Marwat. It also forecast daytime temperatures between 39–43°C in Peshawar, Nowshera, Charsadda, Mardan, Swabi, Haripur, and Kohat. “Afterward, a shallow westerly wave is likely to affect most parts of the province on 10th (evening/ night) and likely to persist in the upper parts till May 13. This system is ...
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Marka-i-Haq: ISPR says any hostile design against Pakistan will be countered with greater strength, resolve
The military’s media affairs wing has said that any hostile design against Pakistan will be countered with “even greater strength, precision and resolve far stronger than what was witnessed by the adversary during Marka-i-Haq”. Last year’s military conflict with India, starting from the April 22 Pahalgam attack to the end of Pakistan’s Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, with a ceasefire ending a military escalation between the two countries on May 10, has been called “Marka-i-Haq” (Battle of Truth) by the state. In a statement released late Wednesday night to mark the first anniversary of the conflict with India, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the armed forces, particularly the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) “proudly commemorate a defining chapter in the nation’s military history; ...
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Breathe Pakistan: IFAD official says Pakistan on the frontline of climate change
The second day of the second edition of the Breathe Pakistan International Climate Change Conference, organised by DawnMedia, is currently underway in Islamabad. Despite contributing minimally to global emissions, Pakistan remains among the most climate-vulnerable nations, underscoring the critical need for coordinated, locally grounded, and globally informed responses. The two-day conference is bringing together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders from across sectors to examine intersecting challenges and chart a path forward. On the first day, federal ministers, government officials, business leaders, and agriculture and water experts were among the various speakers who presented their perspectives on tackling the climate crisis. View the full agenda here. 10:08am - Expert highlig...
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Australia to tour Pakistan for 3-match ODI series beginning on May 30
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Thursday that the Australia men’s cricket team will tour the country for a three-match one-day international (ODI) series. In a press release, the cricket board said that the visitors would arrive in Islamabad on May 23 and take on the Green Shirts in the first ODI scheduled at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on May 30. The second and third ODIs of the series will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on June 2 and 4, respectively, it said. “All three ODIs are scheduled to begin at 4:30pm local time, with the toss taking place at 4pm,” the press release said. It went on to say that the upcoming bilateral ODI series would be Australia’s first in Pakistan since 2022. It also highlighted that Australia last visited Pakistan earlier this yea...
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PM Shehbaz's daughter, son-in-law acquitted in graft case
LAHORE: An anti-corruption court (ATC) on Wednesday discharged the daughter and son-in-law of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif from a case of alleged irregularities in the Punjab Saaf Pani Company. Special Court Judge Javed Iqbal Warraich heard two separate acquittal applications filed by the prime minister’s daughter, Rabia Imran, and her husband Ali Imran Yousaf. The judge observed that no evidence had been found linking the applicants to the alleged offence. The judge further observed that the anti-corruption establishment (ACE) had submitted its investigation report, declaring both applicants innocent and that the case against them was not prosecutable. He said the prosecution also stated that an accountability court had, on Jan 31, 2022, discharged other accused in the same matter wit...
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Plan for water sports at Simly Dam raises environmental concerns
• CDA mulls tourism development at key water source• Critics cite past controversies and ecological risks ISLAMABAD: City managers are planning to develop water sports and recreational facilities near Simly Dam, a move that may pose environmental challenges for residents. The dam, built in 1983, is located 30 kilometres east of Islamabad in the foothills of lush green mountains and is considered a main source of clean drinking water. The other dam in Islamabad, including Rawal Dam, which supplies water to Rawalpindi, is already heavily polluted, mainly due to uncontrolled contamination in its catchment area. Simly Dam, located in a less-visited area, remains a source of clean drinking water. However, the federal government and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) now plan to introduc...
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Israeli court rejects flotilla activists’ plea challenging detention
• Israeli rights group calls decision ‘unlawful and unreasonable’• UN, Brazil, Spain demand swift release of the two activists BEERSHEVA: An Israeli court on Wednesday rejected an appeal contesting the detention of two foreign activists kidnapped by Israeli forces from a Gaza-bound flotilla in international waters, with the rights group representing them denouncing the ruling as unlawful. Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish national of Palestinian origin, and Brazilian Thiago Avila were among dozens of activists aboard the flotilla intercepted in international waters off the coast of Greece on Thursday. The two were abducted by Israeli forces and brought to Israel for questioning, while the others were taken to the Greek island of Crete and released. On Tuesday, an Israeli court extended their d...
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Any hostile design against Pakistan will be countered with greater strength, ISPR says in Marka-i-Haq message
The military’s media affairs wing has said that any hostile design against Pakistan will be countered with “even greater strength, precision and resolve far stronger than what was witnessed by the adversary during Marka-i-Haq”. Last year’s military conflict with India, starting from the April 22 Pahalgam attack to the end of Pakistan’s Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, with a ceasefire ending a military escalation between the two countries on May 10, has been called “Marka-i-Haq” (Battle of Truth) by the state. In a statement released late Wednesday night to mark the first anniversary of the conflict with India, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the armed forces, particularly the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) “proudly commemorate a defining chapter in the nation’s military history; ...
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Pakistan has fiscal space to fight climate crisis: Aurangzeb
• Calls macroeconomic stability ‘basic hygiene’ for unlocking climate funds• WB official says global economy has resources to bridge financing gap ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has adequate local financial capacity to address the impact of climate change, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Tuesday, stressing that the country should first utilise available domestic resources effectively instead of immediately seeking international support. He was speaking at a session titled ‘Mobilising Climate Financing for Pakistan’ during the Breathe Pakistan Climate Conference. Referring to the devastating floods of 2022, the finance minister said the 2025 floods were even more intense and widespread, with three rivers and almost the entire country affected. “Despite some demands to seek internatio...
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Sindh to provide cash assistance to caregivers of children up to five
KARACHI: Caregivers of children up to five years of age in Sindh will receive Rs3,000 every quarter for growth monitoring, nutrition counselling and school readiness, as the provincial government rolls out a Rs14 billion Early Childhood Development (ECD) programme. The decision was taken on Wednesday at the third board meeting of the Sindh Social Protection Authority (SSPA), chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah. The board approved a package of initiatives to expand the province’s social safety net, strengthen maternal and child welfare, and provide seasonal income support to rural women. The ECD project, funded by KfW, a German state-owned investment and development bank, will target 885,000 children aged between one month and five years. Murad approves Rs14bn early childhood d...
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FCC questions integrity of Nadra records in custody case
ISLAMABAD: The functioning of National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) came under scrutiny on Wednesday when the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) questioned the notion that its records are immune to tampering. “Who says Nadra records cannot be tampered with?” wondered Justice Aamer Farooq while hearing a habeas corpus petition regarding the custody of a minor girl, Ayesha Tariq, who had converted from Christianity to Islam. Justice Farooq was heading a two-judge FCC bench that also comprised Justice K.K. Agha. During the hearing, senior counsel Muhammad Saqib Jillani, representing the girl’s parents, argued that Ayesha was underage, adding that a Nadra certificate to this effect had been placed on record. He also expressed concern that the girl might have married. Orders s...
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LHC expands scope of property courts for overseas Pakistanis
• Judgement says special courts not limited to ownership, possession matters • Rules they can hear inheritance, partition, contract, transaction disputes LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has declared that special courts established for overseas Pakistanis can hear a wide range of property-related disputes, going beyond narrow questions of ownership and possession. In a judgement authored by Justice Anwaar Hussain, the court decided multiple petitions related to the scope of jurisdiction under the Punjab Establishment of Special Courts (Overseas Pakistanis Property) Act, 2025. The matter reached the high court after special courts declined to hear several cases — including suits relating to specific performance, cancellation of transactions and inheritance claims — on the grounds that...
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Israel strikes Beirut for the first time since ceasefire
Israel struck Beirut on Wednesday for the first time since agreeing to a ceasefire with Hezbollah last month, with Israel claiming it targeted a commander of the group’s elite Radwan force in the city’s southern suburbs. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz announced the action in a joint statement. Israeli media reported that the commander was killed in the strike, but there was no immediate confirmation from the Israeli military or Hezbollah. The Lebanon ceasefire has underpinned a broader US-Iran truce, with a halt to Israeli strikes in Lebanon being a key Iranian demand. As Iran and the US say they are drawing closer to a deal to halt their conflict, the strikes threaten the ceasefire that halted Israeli attacks on Beirut. Israeli troops have re...
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JUI-F holds protest rallies across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over killing of Maulana Idrees
PESHAWAR: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) on Wednesday held protest rallies across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa against the killing of prominent cleric and former MPA Maulana Muhammad Idrees, said a statement issued by the party’s media cell. On Tuesday, JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced that the party would hold protests all over the country on Wednesday and Friday against the “martyrdom” of the cleric. “At the call of JUI-F, protest rallies were held in all districts across the province against the killing of Maulana Idrees. Participants demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible,” the statement said. “The participants said the frequent killings of religious scholars and government actions against seminaries indicate the implementation of an international agenda, and that JU...
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Pioneering CNN founder Ted Turner dead at 87
Ted Turner, the flamboyant US entrepreneur who transformed television news with the creation of CNN in 1980, died at the age of 87, the network said on Wednesday. The moustached southerner, yachting enthusiast and philanthropist, whose empire also included sports clubs, had been suffering from the degenerative disease Lewy Body Dementia. Cable News Network upended established broadcasting with its dedication to around-the-clock breaking news and shot to global recognition with its coverage of the Gulf War in 1990-91. The 24-hour network was the first in the United States to run non-stop news and quickly built a worldwide footprint. Correspondents brought live coverage from major events ranging from the collapse of the Soviet Union to the Chinese crackdown on the Tiananmen Square protest...
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Education, health fees among key concerns
China to legislate on preschool education
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International group praises green revival
A high-level international advisory body applauded China's efforts to improve the environment and suggested a 15-year strategy against pollution in a draft recommendation report on Monday.
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Beijing, Moscow drill for potential missile warfare
China and Russia kicked off their second joint computer-assisted anti-missile drill on Monday, a move experts said could deter potential missile threats amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
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Memorial Day a time to 'remember', 'inspire'
A memorial service to mark the 80th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre committed during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) brought together hundreds of activists and members of the Chinese and other Asian communities on Sunday in San Francisco.
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More military technologies targeted for civilian sector to boost economy
China will strengthen innovation by developing high-tech industries with military technologies to boost military-civil integration, a move that aims to cultivate new growth drivers and boost the economy, said a recent State Council guideline.
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