Author: Sajjad Ali

KYIV: Russia launched a series of missile strikes against Ukraine, primarily targeting the country’s energy infrastructure. Simultaneously, Russian air defense systems claimed to have intercepted over 60 Ukrainian drones in the southern Krasnodar region. Ukraine’s air force reported that 34 missiles were launched by Russia, with 21 being successfully intercepted by Ukrainian air defenses. According to Minister of Energy Herman Halushchenko’s Telegram post, energy facilities in Dnipropetrovsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Lviv were attacked, resulting in injuries to an engineer. DTEK, a private energy operator, confirmed damage to four of its thermal power plants, with casualties reported but not specified. This attack…

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur remains steadfast in his stance regarding the potential protest in Islamabad. Speaking to the media in Islamabad, CM Gandapur reiterated that only the PTI’s founder could make a decision regarding any protest in the capital. “We are prepared for whatever he decides,” he affirmed. In a veiled criticism aimed at the Sharifs and Zardaris, Gandapur accused them of prioritizing their personal interests over national concerns. “They are currently worried about where to find money when the country is facing financial difficulties,” he remarked. Responding to inquiries about his brother’s election from the…

BEIJING: China will host talks between two Palestinian groups- Hamas and its rival Fatah- for unity. Hamas, controls Gaza, clashed with Israeli forces in October 2023, leading to casualties and hostages. Fatah, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, governs the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. Despite previous attempts, the factions have struggled to reconcile since Hamas ousted Fatah from Gaza in 2007. The United States, backing Fatah, remains cautious due to its classification of Hamas as a terrorist group. A Fatah delegation, led by senior official Azzam Al-Ahmed, has departed for China, while a Hamas team, led by senior official…

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to embark on a two-day journey to Saudi Arabia today, where he will participate in a special meeting of the World Economic Forum on Global Collaboration, Growth, and Energy for Development in Riyadh. During his visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz is scheduled to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss bilateral ties and the upcoming visit of the Saudi premier to Pakistan. Additionally, Prime Minister Shehbaz is expected to hold talks with the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, regarding a new economic package. Accompanied by Foreign Minister Ishaq…

Afghanistan’s national futsal team clinched a thrilling 5-3 victory against Iraq in the first playoff match of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand 2024, significantly enhancing its prospects for the upcoming Futsal World Cup. Mehran Gholami emerged as a key player for Afghanistan, netting two goals, with contributions from Akbar Kazemi, Farzad Mahmoudi, and Javad Safari, each scoring one. Next up, Afghanistan is slated to take on Kyrgyzstan on Sunday, following Kyrgyzstan’s narrow 3-2 win over Thailand in the second playoff match on Friday.

Esteemed actors from the Pakistani drama scene, Feroze Khan and Ayeza Khan, are gearing up to mesmerize audiences with their on-screen chemistry in an upcoming project. Both Feroze Khan and Ayeza Khan have received immense acclaim for their outstanding performances in popular primetime drama serials. Ayeza Khan’s portrayal of Mahnoor in ‘Jaan-e-Jahan’ has captured hearts, while Feroze Khan’s role in ‘Khumar’ has earned him accolades. With sizable followings on social media, fans are eagerly anticipating their collaboration in this new venture. Details about the project have been unveiled by the Pakistani Cinema portal, sparking excitement and anticipation among fans. As…

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet under the leadership of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif sanctioned the extension of proof of registration (POR) cards for Afghan refugees until June 30, 2024. During the meeting, the cabinet greenlit the creation of a specialized court in the Makran division to handle cases related to narcotics, extending its jurisdiction over Panjgur, Kech, Gwadar, Hub, and Lasbela. Discussion also revolved around the privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and airport facilities, with the cabinet formulating a policy for integrating drone technology into the agricultural sector, pending approval. Multiple companies have expressed keen interest in PIA’s privatization, as…

The Taliban’s defense minister, Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, asserted that no “destructive” groups, including Daesh, have a “physical existence” in Afghanistan. Mujahid’s comments came during a meeting with a Malaysian delegation led by the country’s special envoy to Afghanistan. Mujahid’s statement, issued through the Taliban’s Defense Ministry, emphasized that Afghanistan poses no threat to any nation. This assertion contradicts recent estimations by the United Nations Security Council, which suggested the presence of approximately 6,000 Daesh members in Afghanistan. Moreover, reports indicate the establishment of new training camps by al-Qaeda across six Afghan provinces following the Taliban’s assumption of power. The Malaysian…

Another batch of humanitarian aid from Uzbekistan departed from Termez to Balkh province in Afghanistan, officials from the Surkhandarya region of Uzbekistan said. The aid package consisted of 48 tons of flour, 48 tons of wheat, 15 tons of vegetable oil, over 10,000 units of canned meat, 24 tons of sugar, 22 tons of pasta, and 100,000 packages of instant noodles. The handover ceremony occurred at the Astras company in Hairatan, graced by the presence of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, Erkin Khamrayev, Surkhandarya’s head Ulugbek Kosimov, Governor Muhammad Yusuf Vafo of Balkh Province, and other dignitaries from…

KABUL: The World Health Organization (WHO) has released alarming figures regarding measles outbreaks in Afghanistan, with 18,744 suspected cases reported since the onset of 2024, resulting in 94 deaths. Of these suspected cases, 80.5% (15,096) affected children under five years old, with 45.1% (8,462) being females. Balkh province recorded the highest incidence rate of suspected measles, with 14.6 cases per 10,000 individuals, followed by Samangan with 14.3, Khost with 11.3, and Farah with 10.3. Despite the concerning numbers, there has been a recent decline in the epidemiological curve of suspected measles cases over the past four weeks, following a surge…