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China is willing to work with Turkmenistan to strengthen the alignment between the Belt and Road Initiative and Turkmenistan’s development strategy to revive the Great Silk Road, explore new measures to deepen cooperation in connectivity and agriculture, and expand collaboration in culture, tourism and education, China’s top legislator Zhao Leji said on Thursday. Zhao, chairman of China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, made the remarks while holding talks with Dunyagozel Gulmanova, chairperson of the National Assembly (Mejlis) of Turkmenistan, in Beijing. Zhao said that in January 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov jointly announced the…

ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Thursday strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Khuzdar, labelling the targeting of schoolchildren as inhumane, calling for a stronger defence against external threats and reaffirming the country’s commitment to safeguarding its citizens. Senator Agha Shahzaib Durrani presented the motion seeking the suspension of normal business and discussing the Khuzdar attack, which took the lives of six people, including four schoolchildren. During the debate, senators accused India of supporting the perpetrators and emphasised the importance of national unity in the fight against terrorism. Initiating the debate, former caretaker prime minister Senator Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar condemned the growing influence…

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) continued its bullish run on Thursday as the benchmark KSE-100 index surged past the 120,000 milestone, adding nearly 500 points during the early hours of trading. At 9:35am, the index was recorded at 120,410.08, up by 478.63 points or 0.4 per cent, reflecting sustained investor interest following Wednesday’s sharp rebound. The rally was supported by broad-based gains in key sectors, including automobile assemblers, commercial banks, oil and gas exploration companies, oil marketing companies, power generation and technology. Blue-chip stocks such as HUBCO, MARI, POL, PSO, MCB, MEBL and NBP traded in the green, lifting overall…

Two employees of the Israeli embassy were shot and killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum in downtown Washington DC. The Metropolitan Police Department identified the suspect as Elias Rodriguez, 30, of Chicago. Police said Rodriguez opened fire on a group of four individuals shortly after 9pm local time, fatally shooting a young couple who were staffers at the Israeli mission. The suspect was apprehended inside the museum moments later after being stopped by security personnel. Police Chief Pamela Smith, addressing a late-night news conference, stated that the shooter shouted “Free, free Palestine” after being taken into custody. Authorities believe the…

The Pentagon has confirmed that US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has accepted a Boeing 747 jet offered by Qatar for use as Air Force One, stirring significant constitutional, ethical, and security debates in Washington. The Gulf emirate’s gift, valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars, comes under scrutiny due to the US Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, which prohibits government officials from accepting gifts “from any King, Prince or foreign State.” Critics argue the acceptance of a foreign government’s aircraft for the president’s use could compromise national security and violate federal law. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated on Wednesday, “The Secretary…

Apple has officially announced that iOS 19 will be introduced at the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025, starting on June 9. The keynote event will serve as the global stage for showcasing Apple’s latest software innovations, including a revamped iPhone experience. The week-long conference, running from June 9 to June 13, will primarily take place online. However, Apple will host a special in-person event for select developers and students at Apple Park, offering exclusive early access to hands-on sessions and previews. Redesigned UI Among the most anticipated updates in iOS 19 is a complete visual overhaul. Inspired by the…

Islamabad United were dealt a significant setback on Thursday as star English batter Alex Hales departed the squad ahead of Qualifier 2 of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10 due to personal commitments. The seasoned opener, who has been a vital cog in United’s batting line-up over the years, confirmed his exit via an Instagram post, extending gratitude to the franchise and expressing his best wishes for the remainder of the campaign. Hales’ departure comes just a day before the crucial Qualifier 2 clash, where United are scheduled to face the winner of the Eliminator between Karachi Kings…

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday met with an International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation led by Jihad Azour –  Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department –  to discuss the ongoing IMF programme and Pakistan’s economic outlook. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the meeting focused on Pakistan’s macroeconomic indicators, the pace of institutional reforms, and the next phase of cooperation under the Fund’s programme. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Planning Minister Ahad Cheema, Finance Secretary Imdad Ullah Bosal, and Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Amjad Zubair Tiwana were also present during the meeting. The…

In an interview with Aljazeera, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, said the Pakistan Army has taught India a lesson it will never forget, adding that the military’s strategic response will be studied in the future. “We selected 26 targets and successfully hit all of them,” he said, referring to a recent military escalation. “We told the truth, didn’t twist facts, and never resorted to lies. In contrast, the Indian government and media continue to promote fictional narratives.” DG ISPR dismissed India’s allegations linking Pakistan to an attack on the Golden Temple as absurd,…

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has stressed the urgent need to eliminate the scourge of terrorism, warning that a clear future strategy must be devised to counter India’s ongoing proxy war. Speaking during a Senate session, Dar strongly condemned the recent attack on children in Khuzdar, terming it a cowardly act. He urged India to learn from its past failures and emphasised that terrorism must be eradicated not only from Pakistan but from the entire region. “The curse of terrorism must end. The prime minister and military leadership are fully focused on this issue,” he said. “To devise a roadmap…