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The annual Hajj pilgrimage has officially begun, with nearly two million pilgrims settling in the vast tent city of Mina. Hajj, one of Islam’s five pillars, draws millions of Muslims from around the world every year, fulfilling a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual journey for those people who could afford them. The air in Makkah echoes with the powerful chants of Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik as pilgrims commence the sacred journey. A total of 88,301 Pakistani pilgrims are participating under the government scheme, while another 27,012 are performing Hajj through private operators. Pilgrims from Pakistan have been transported to Mina via buses from residential…

U.S. President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Wednesday banning the nationals of 12 countries from entering the United States, saying the move was needed to protect against “foreign terrorists” and other security threats. The directive is part of an immigration crackdown Trump launched this year at the start of his second term, which has also included the deportation to El Salvador of hundreds of Venezuelans suspected of being gang members and efforts to deny enrollments of some foreign students and deport others. The countries affected by the latest travel ban are Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti,…

The United States on Wednesday vetoed a draft U.N. Security Council resolution that demanded an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire” between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza and unhindered aid access across the war-torn enclave. The other 14 countries on the council voted in favor of the draft as a humanitarian crisis grips the enclave of more than 2 million people, where famine looms and aid has only trickled in since Israel lifted an 11-week blockade last month. “The United States has been clear: We would not support any measure that fails to condemn Hamas and does not call for…

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday suspended for an initial six months the entry into the United States of foreign nationals seeking to study or participate in exchange programs at Harvard University, amid an escalating dispute with the Ivy League school. Trump’s proclamation cited national security concerns as a justification for barring international students from entering the United States to pursue studies at the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based university. Harvard in a statement called Trump’s proclamation “yet another illegal retaliatory step taken by the Administration in violation of Harvard’s First Amendment rights.” “Harvard will continue to protect its international students,” it added.…

Pakistan has been appointed as the co-chair of the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) Counter-Terrorism Committee for the year 2025, with Algeria serving as Chair. According to details surfaced on Wednesday, in addition, Pakistan will also chair the Security Council’s Sanctions Committee on the Taliban, which oversees the implementation of measures such as asset freezes, travel bans and arms embargoes on individuals and entities associated with the Taliban. Pakistan has been named co-chair of the UN Informal Working Group on Sanctions, which reviews and works to improve the design, implementation, and impact of the United Nations sanctions regime. These appointments…

Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan is expected to be removed as the ODI captain. According to sources, a final decision regarding the change in captaincy will be made in the coming days. Head coach Mike Hesson has already begun consultations over the potential leadership shift. Current T20I captain Salman Ali Agha is considered a strong contender to lead the ODI side. In addition to appointing a new captain, Hesson is also expected to name a vice-captain.

None of the Pakistani batters included in the top 10 as the International Cricket Council (ICC) had released the latest T20I rankings on Wednesday. According to details, former Pakistan captain Babar Azam’s T20I ranking dropped to 12th, while Mohammad Rizwan’s ranking dropped to 13th position. Meanwhile, Mohammad Haris, who was outstanding with the bat in the recently held home series against Bangladesh, jumped to 30th position. Hasan Nawaz, who had showcased his batting prowess recently reached 46th position. Moreover, opener Saim Ayub reached 61th position, whereas Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha had reached the 76th position. On the other side,…

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded on Wednesday United States President Donald Trump’s efforts in promoting peace and praised his role in facilitating a ceasefire, saying the latter has proven to be a proponent of peace and economic cooperation. Speaking at an event held at the US Embassy in Islamabad to mark the 249th Independence Day of the United States, the prime minister congratulated the American people and highlighted the deepening ties between Pakistan and the United States. He said: “Both countries are entering a new phase in their bilateral relations, grounded in shared democratic traditions and the rule of law.”…

By : Yi Fan Ever since its inception 80 years ago, the United Nations has worked tirelessly to preserve the hard-won postwar international order by mediating crisis, delivering humanitarian aid, advancing sustainable development, among other endeavors. Through the process, China has contributed its due part and more, living up to the commitment it has made as a founding member of the U.N. When trying times confront today’s world, some U.N. member states are casting themselves as victims of the world order they once helped build. China has stayed true to the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter and is…

Countries in the Asia-Pacific do not welcome the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in the region, and the region certainly does not need an Asia-Pacific NATO, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular press briefing on Wednesday. Lin made the remarks when asked to comment on a European leader’s remarks at the recent Shangri-La Dialogue that linked the Taiwan question with the Ukraine issue, alluded to the so-called China threat in the South China Sea, and suggested that NATO has grounds to “be involved” in the Asia-Pacific. Lin said that China firmly opposes the remarks, noting that…