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ISLAMABAD :  Late-night torrential rain drenched Rawalpindi and Islamabad, while other cities including Sialkot, Haripur, Wazirabad, and Kalabagh also experienced heavy downpours. In light of the severe weather forecast, the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Rawalpindi has declared a rain emergency. According to the WASA spokesperson, field teams equipped with heavy machinery have been deployed across key locations to handle any potential emergency situations swiftly. WASA Managing Director (MD) stated that due to the intensity of the rain, Nullah Lai is being closely monitored. As of now, the water flow remains within safe levels, with 5 feet recorded at Katrian…

Iran has rebuffed a request by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi to visit its nuclear facilities hit during recent hostilities, further straining relations with the UN nuclear watchdog in the aftermath of the Iran-Israel conflict. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in a post on social media platform X on Monday, criticised Grossi’s request as “meaningless” and “possibly malign in intent,” vowing that Tehran would take “any steps in defence of its interests, its people and its sovereignty.” The rejection comes amid growing Iranian frustration with what officials describe as the IAEA’s failure to condemn Israeli and…

At least 95 Palestinians, including women, children, and a journalist, were killed on Monday as Israeli airstrikes targeted multiple civilian sites across Gaza, including a seaside café, a school sheltering displaced families, and a hospital courtyard. According to Gaza’s health authorities, 62 of the fatalities occurred in Gaza City and the northern parts of the besieged enclave. One of the deadliest strikes hit Al-Baqa café on the coast of northern Gaza City, killing 39 people, including journalist Ismail Abu Hatab. Eyewitnesses described a harrowing scene at the cafe, where children had gathered for a birthday celebration. “We found people torn…

US President Donald Trump on Monday signed an executive order permanently lifting most US sanctions on Syria, marking a pivotal moment in the administration’s broader strategy to stabilize the Middle East and advance regional diplomacy. The executive action rescinds five prior orders that formed the core of the Syria sanctions program and instructs federal agencies to begin waiving additional restrictions enforced through congressional mandates, export controls, and other mechanisms, according to senior administration officials. The move fulfills a commitment Trump made during a May visit to Saudi Arabia, where he pledged to eliminate sanctions on Syria — a demand backed…

The White House and US State Department held separate press briefings this week, outlining the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to end the Gaza conflict, introduce tax reforms, and reinforce national security measures. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that President Donald Trump remains committed to ending the war in Gaza and securing the release of hostages held by Hamas. She credited the arrival of humanitarian aid in Gaza to Trump’s leadership, stating, “We are working tirelessly to end the war in Gaza and recover all the hostages. Aid has reached Gaza because of President Trump’s proactive diplomacy.” Leavitt also…

The federal government has increased the price of petrol by Rs8.36 per litre for the next fortnight, effective from Tuesday, July 1. According to details, the new petrol price has been fixed at Rs266.79 per litre. Meanwhile, the price of high-speed diesel has been hiked by Rs10.39 per litre, according to the government’s announcement, taking it to Rs277.98. Sources say that a carbon levy of Rs2.50 per litre has also been imposed on petrol and diesel. Earlier, on June 15, the federal government announced a major increase in the prices of petrol and diesel, effective from June 16 for the…

The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has announced a significant reduction in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices for the month of July in a welcome relief for consumers. According to a notification issued by OGRA, the price of LPG has been cut by Rs7.43 per kilogram, bringing the new rate down to Rs233 per kg. This price adjustment marks a considerable drop from June’s rate of Rs240.50 per kg, offering financial respite to both domestic and commercial users. Domestic cylinder becomes cheaper by Rs88 With the revised per-kilogram rate, the price of a domestic LPG cylinder has also been…

The tech world is abuzz with anticipation as fresh leaks and insider reports offer a sneak peek into Apple’s highly awaited iPhone 17 series. With speculation heating up well ahead of the official reveal, the upcoming lineup is already dominating discussions across global markets. From cutting-edge design upgrades to major internal improvements, the iPhone 17 series — particularly the iPhone 17 Pro Max — is shaping up to be Apple’s next bold leap forward in smartphone innovation. Expected launch timeline Following Apple’s typical launch pattern, the iPhone 17 base model is expected to be unveiled between September 11–13, 2025, with…

The Ministry of Finance has released its latest Monthly Economic Outlook Report, revealing a significant rise in government spending and a narrowing budget deficit, alongside notable gains in revenue and remittances during the first 10 months of the current fiscal year. According to the report, government expenditure surged by 18%, reaching Rs12,948 billion from July to April. During the same period, the budget deficit stood at Rs3,689 billion. Revenue and remittances see robust growth The report noted a 26% increase in government revenues, supported by continued economic reforms and enhanced tax compliance. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) collected Rs11,136…

Pakistan and Iran are set to hold direct bilateral consultations later this week during the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit in Shusha, Azerbaijan. According to official sources, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will meet his Iranian counterpart, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is scheduled to hold talks with Iranian President Masoud Peshkeshian on Friday. The Pakistani delegation is expected to reach Azerbaijan on Thursday, ahead of the ECO summit, which is being held in the historic city of Shusha — a region in Karabakh that Azerbaijan recently reclaimed from Armenia following a military conflict. During the summit,…