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The seventh spell of monsoon rains has wreaked havoc in the upper regions of the country, with cloudbursts, landslides, and flash floods in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa claiming over 300 lives. “The death toll from heavy rains and flooding in Pakistan has crossed 300,” local officials were quoted as saying by Reuters on Saturday. Hundreds have been killed in recent weeks as Pakistan experienced more rain than usual during the current monsoon season, washing away roads and buildings. According to a report by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) KP, 307 people have died and 23 have been injured…

Former Australia test captain Bob Simpson, who ushered in the country’s modern-day golden era of cricket as its coach, has died aged 89, Cricket Australia said on Saturday. Simpson played 62 tests between 1957 and 1978, scoring 4,869 runs, including 10 hundreds, and claimed 71 wickets with his leg spin following his debut on a tour of South Africa. Simpson, one of the greatest slip fielders the game has ever seen, initially retired from the game in 1968 before returning as test captain at the age of 41 after several front-line Australian players had joined the World Series Cricket in…

South Sudan and Israel are discussing a deal to resettle Palestinians from war-torn Gaza in the troubled African nation, three sources told Reuters – a plan quickly dismissed as unacceptable by Palestinian leaders. The sources, who have knowledge of the matter but spoke on condition of anonymity, said no agreement had been reached but talks between South Sudan and Israel were ongoing. The plan, if carried further, would envisage people moving from an enclave shattered by almost two years of war with Israel to a nation in the heart of Africa riven by years of political and ethnically-driven violence. Israeli…

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) parliamentary leader in the Senate Ali Zafar said on Saturday that negotiations with the government are not possible at this stage, citing clear instructions from the party founder. However, he stressed that the “doors to dialogue should not be closed” in the long run. PTI founder rules out negotiations Senator Ali Zafar confirmed that the PTI founder has directed the party not to engage in talks with the government. He added that no discussions will be held unless the former prime minister’s overall strategy changes. By-election decision still pending Commenting on the upcoming by-elections, Zafar clarified that…

Russia is preparing to test its new nuclear-capable, nuclear-powered cruise missile and if successful, plans to use the results to bolster its negotiating position with the West, Ukrainian military intelligence said on Friday. Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for the service, issued the written statement to Reuters just before US President Donald Trump was due to hold talks in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin on ending Moscow’s war in Ukraine. He did not give an assessment of the possible timing of the test in the statement, given in response to questions submitted by Reuters for a report published on Tuesday…

A highly anticipated summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday yielded no agreement to resolve or pause Moscow’s war in Ukraine, though both leaders described the talks as productive. During a brief appearance before the media following the nearly three-hour meeting in Alaska, the two leaders said they had made progress on unspecified issues. But they offered no details and took no questions, with the normally loquacious Trump ignoring shouted questions from reporters. “We’ve made some headway,” Trump said, standing in front of a backdrop that read, “Pursuing Peace.” “There’s no deal until there’s…

A Pakistan Army helicopter delivering relief goods to flood-hit areas in Bajaur crashed in the rugged mountains of Mohmand district on Friday, killing all five personnel on board, according to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s initial report. Flight lost contact before tragic discovery Government officials said the helicopter took off at 10:30am for Bajaur but lost contact around noon. Search efforts were launched immediately, and the aircraft was finally located at 4pm in Mohmand. The crash site lies on a remote hill at an altitude of about 8,000 meters, far from any settlements, making rescue and recovery efforts challenging. Victims included…

Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves saw a modest boost this week, with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reporting a $1.1 million increase, bringing the country’s total domestic dollar reserves to $19.497 billion. SBP holdings edge higher According to the SBP’s weekly report, the central bank’s reserves rose by $11 million, reaching $14.243 billion. This growth reflects a continued effort to maintain currency stability and ensure adequate import cover. Commercial bank deposits decline While the SBP’s holdings grew, commercial banks’ dollar deposits recorded a slight drop. Deposits held by banks fell by $10 million, settling at $5.254 billion. Meanwhile, inflation in…

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has ordered immediate and comprehensive Pakistan Army assistance for the rehabilitation of flood-affected communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, pledging full support to help restore normalcy in the province. Army steps up relief efforts According to security sources, army units already stationed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been tasked with providing all possible support for relief and recovery. Additional contingents are being dispatched to reinforce operations in flood-hit districts. Demonstrating solidarity with the victims, the Pakistan Army has donated one day’s salary from its personnel, while also allocating over 600 tons of rations…

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken swift action to address the devastating floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, directing agencies to intensify rescue and relief efforts. Following deadly cloudbursts and flash flooding, the federal government is stepping in to support the provincial administration and affected communities. Emergency response underway Prime Minister Sharif chaired an emergency meeting at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) headquarters in Islamabad to assess the flood situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including hard-hit areas like Buner. The NDMA, led by Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik, briefed the PM on the extensive damage caused by heavy rains and flash…