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Pakistan has intensified diplomatic efforts for the safe and early release of Pakistani citizens held hostage by Somali pirates on a cargo ship for nearly 50 days, the Foreign Office said on Thursday. Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi, addressing his weekly media briefing in Islamabad, said the government is taking serious steps to ensure the hostages’ safe recovery and return. The spokesperson said Pakistan is in contact with the Somali leadership over the matter. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with the Somali foreign minister and raised the issue of the Pakistani hostages.…

US President Donald Trump has renewed his threat to intensify military action against Iran, warning that Tehran could face even heavier bombing if it fails to reach an agreement with Washington. Speaking to Fox News and later addressing reporters at the White House, Trump said the option of further attacks remains open and hinted that additional strikes could take place as early as Thursday night. In his latest warning to Tehran, Trump said Iran had already been given opportunities to reach an agreement with the United States. “If Tehran does not make a deal, they will be made worse by bombing,” the…

Oil prices jumped on Thursday as Tehran declared the critical energy chokepoint, the Strait of Hormuz, closed ‌after the US launched additional strikes against Iran and as President Donald Trump vowed even more attacks if no peace deal is secured. Brent futures rose $1.48, or 1.59%, to $94.58 a barrel as of 0243 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude climbed $1.71, or 1.90%, to $91.74. US crude ​futures gained more than $3 earlier in the session. Iran’s top joint military command announced the closure of the ​Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, including oil tankers and commercial ships, saying…

Snapchat has introduced new privacy restrictions for teenage users, rolling out private profiles for users aged 13 to 15 as part of expanded safety measures on the platform. The update is designed to limit exposure to strangers and reduce pressure from public engagement metrics, while giving parents more oversight through built-in controls. Under the new policy, Snapchat users between the ages of 13 and 15 will now be placed into separate private profiles. These profiles will restrict how Stories and Spotlight posts are shared, allowing content only to be visible to mutual friends — specifically users who follow each other…

The countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026 has officially begun as organisers prepare for the biggest edition of the tournament, featuring 48 teams and matches across three host nations. The opening match will see Mexico take on South Africa at the historic Estadio Azteca, as global excitement builds alongside political and logistical challenges. The 2026 edition of the FIFA World Cup will be the largest in history, expanding to 48 participating teams for the first time. Matches will be hosted across major cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with stadiums from Los Angeles to Toronto and Mexico…

Taylor Swift made a surprise appearance at the Toy Story 5 premiere, delivering a live performance in a “Jessie-coded” yellow outfit that paid tribute to the iconic Pixar character. The 14-time Grammy winner performed her new single as part of the event at the Dolby Theatre, adding a major musical highlight to the film’s premiere night. Taylor Swift’s Jessie-inspired look steals spotlight Swift stepped onto the stage in a flowing yellow Oscar de la Renta gown that immediately drew attention for its clear visual link to Toy Story character Jessie. The gown featured a plunging V-neckline and delicate floral detailing, creating a soft yet…

YouTube has officially begun rolling out its revamped direct messaging feature to a wider audience, marking the return of in-app chats years after the platform discontinued its original messaging service. The new feature is currently available in the United States, United Kingdom, Brazil, and Singapore, with additional markets expected to follow. The latest update brings back direct messaging functionality that YouTube previously offered between 2017 and 2019. At the time, the company removed the feature, saying it wanted to focus on improving public conversations on the platform. However, YouTube has now introduced a redesigned version aimed at making content sharing…

North Korean hackers were responsible for nearly half of all documented state-backed cyber intrusions targeting U.S. technology companies over the past year, according to a new report by cybersecurity giant CrowdStrike. The report highlights the growing sophistication of cyber operations linked to Pyongyang, including schemes involving fake remote workers, AI-generated deepfakes, and cryptocurrency theft. CrowdStrike’s latest annual cybersecurity report found that the North Korean hacking group known as “Famous Chollima” accounted for 47% of all state-sponsored activity directed at the technology sector between April 2025 and May 2026. The company said the group has become one of the most active cyber threats…

A former engineer at xAI has filed a lawsuit against the company and its parent, SpaceX, alleging he was fired for repeatedly raising concerns about the safety and ethical risks of Grok, the artificial intelligence chatbot developed by Elon Musk’s AI venture. The legal complaint was filed in a California state court and comes just days before SpaceX is expected to enter public markets in what could become one of the largest IPOs in history. Engineer claims he raised alarms about Grok’s risks According to the lawsuit, former xAI engineer Devin Kim became a leading internal advocate for AI safety…

Iran has announced the complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz, warning that any vessel attempting to pass through the strategic waterway will be targeted, as tensions between Tehran and Washington escalated sharply following a new round of US military strikes. The move marks one of the most significant developments in the ongoing conflict, raising concerns over global energy supplies and regional security as both sides exchange fresh military attacks. Iran’s top joint military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, announced early Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz had been fully closed to all traffic, including oil tankers and commercial ships.…