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The federal government has introduced a new tax on petrol and diesel vehicles as part of the Budget 2025–26, targeting all internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles — both locally manufactured and imported. According to the Finance Bill 2025–26, a fixed levy will now be charged on ICE vehicles based on engine capacity, with the rate applied as a percentage of the vehicle’s total price. The levy will be collected from manufacturers and importers at the source, though it is widely expected that the additional cost will ultimately be passed on to consumers. As per the government’s classification, vehicles with engines:…

The concentration of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the Earth’s atmosphere has surged to 430.2 parts per million (ppm) — the highest level recorded in millions of years — according to new data released by researchers at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego. The measurement was taken at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii, a globally recognised benchmark for tracking atmospheric CO₂. The new figure reflects an increase of 3.5 ppm over the past year, rising from 426.7 ppm in May 2024. Climate scientists have long warned that continued reliance on…

LAHORE : World Day Against Child Labour is being observed across the world including Pakistan today (Thursday). The theme of the day this year is “Progress is clear, but there’s more to do: let’s speed up efforts!” World Day Against Child Labor aims to focus attention on the global extent of child labor and the action and efforts needed to eliminate it. Each year on 12 June, the Day brings together governments, employers and worker organizations, and civil society, as well as millions of people from around the world to highlight the plight of child labourers and what can be…

Light tremors were felt in several areas of Karachi during the early hours of Thursday, causing panic among residents though no casualties or damage were reported. According to the National Seismological Centre, the earthquake occurred at 1:44am and had a magnitude of 2.6 on the Richter scale. The epicentre was located in the Malir area, with a depth of 10 kilometres. The tremors were felt in parts of Quaidabad, Landhi, Shah Latif Town, and Malir. The unexpected shaking prompted citizens to come out of their homes, many of whom could be seen reciting Kalima Tayyaba in fear.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Thursday forecast rain accompanied by thunder and strong winds in various parts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). According to the Met Office, strong and dusty winds are expected in the plain areas of Punjab, with light rain likely in cities such as Talagang, Jhelum, and Rawalpindi. Isolated showers accompanied by thunder are also predicted in Murree, Galiyat, Attock, and Chakwal, particularly during the evening and night hours. Islamabad and its surrounding areas are likely to witness extreme heat during the day, with the possibility of thunderstorm-driven rain at a few locations by night,…

Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has announced the appointment of headmasters in 35,000 government schools across the province. In an official directive issued to the School Education Department, the minister emphasized that permanent headmasters will be appointed after many years of vacancies in these key positions. The decision includes an additional monthly compensation of Rs 10,000 for appointed headmasters. Rana Sikandar Hayat stated that the lack of permanent leadership in schools has negatively impacted the quality of education. “The appointment of permanent headmasters will strengthen administrative control and improve the overall educational standards in schools,” he said. The education…

In a chilling revelation made public on the birth anniversary of Punjabi rapper Sidhu Moose Wala, Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar has confessed to orchestrating the singer’s 2022 murder. Speaking in a six-hour exchange with the British media outlet, Brar said he had “no remorse whatsoever” for the brazen daylight assassination that stunned India and the global Punjabi diaspora. On May 29, 2022, Moose Wala, born Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, was driving his black Mahindra Thar SUV through his native Mansa district when two vehicles intercepted and cornered him. Moments later, a volley of bullets—24 of which struck him—riddled the SUV. The 28-year-old…

Renowned singer Asim Azhar and actress Merub Ali have announced the end of their engagement, requesting privacy and understanding from fans as they navigate what they describe as a mutual and respectful decision. In a late-night Instagram story on Wednesday, the Jo Tu Na Mila singer shared that after “a great deal of thought and reflection,” the couple has decided to part ways. “Merub and I have chosen to move forward on separate paths peacefully and mutually,” the singer wrote. “While we shared meaningful moments and genuinely hoped for a future together, life sometimes takes its own course.” The statement further added:…

Tensions between Iran and the United States escalated further on Wednesday, with Tehran warning it would target American military bases in the region should conflict erupt, as President Donald Trump expressed dwindling confidence in the possibility of reviving a nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic. Speaking ahead of a sixth round of negotiations expected later this week, Iranian Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said that all US bases in the region were within striking range if Washington initiated hostilities. “Some officials on the other side threaten conflict if negotiations don’t come to fruition. If a conflict is imposed on us, all…

The United States has launched a review of the landmark Aukus submarine pact with the United Kingdom and Australia, signalling it wants the multi-billion-dollar agreement to align more closely with the new administration’s ‘America First’ policy. The trilateral security agreement, signed in 2021, was seen as a strategic move to counter China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. Under the deal, Australia is set to acquire nuclear-powered submarines — first from the US, then through a joint programme with the UK — using cutting-edge defence technology shared between the allies. A senior US defence official confirmed to the BBC that the…