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LONDON: Attacks on tankers sailing through the Strait of Hormuz hit their highest last week of any week since the ​Iran war began, according to maritime security sources tracking incidents, amid ‌a bigger export push by Gulf producers. Attacks, attempted attacks and harassment activity including drone overflights, surveillance and hailing using VHF radio by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have persisted ​in the strait, the US Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) said ​in a note on Sunday. “These actions continue to demonstrate Iran’s ⁠intent to assert presence along key transit lanes and maintain pressure ​on transiting vessels,” the JMIC said. In…

US President Donald Trump, who waged war with Iran and has yet to broker peace in Ukraine, said on Wednesday that he should win the Nobel Peace Prize but acknowledged doubt about his chances. “I don’t know what their decision is going to be,” Trump said of the 2026 award, which the Norwegian Nobel Committee will announce on Friday. “They have a reputation for maybe not giving it to people like me.” Since his return to the White House last year, Trump has repeatedly said he deserves what may be the world’s most prestigious award. “It is about that time,”…

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson  urged the Philippine side to immediately stop its infringement and provocations in the South China Sea. According to reports, Philippine aircraft and vessels intruded into waters and airspace under China’s jurisdiction without China’s permission in recent days. Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said China has sovereignty over Huangyan Dao and Nansha Qundao, including Zhongye Dao and Tiexian Jiao, as well as their adjacent waters, and has sovereign rights and jurisdiction over relevant waters. The scope of Philippine territory is defined by several international treaties, he said, noting that China’s Huangyan Dao and Nansha Qundao lie beyond that…

China remains firmly opposed to US arms sales to China’s Taiwan region, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said. Responding to a question on Taiwan recently receiving two F-16V fighter jets purchased from the United States and planning to receive another 64 within the year, Guo said China’s position on this subject is clear.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has once again been ranked as the world’s freest economy, according to the Economic Freedom of the World 2026 Annual Report released on Tuesday by the Fraser Institute. Among the five areas of assessment, the HKSAR maintained its top position in “freedom to trade internationally” and secured second place in “regulation.” A spokesperson for the HKSAR government noted that the report reaffirmed Hong Kong’s strengths as a free-market economy, alongside its open, efficient and fair business environment. Amid increasing global economic uncertainties and rising trade protectionism, Hong Kong remains firmly committed to maintaining…

Featuring a blend of cultural consumption and tourism, the film market during this year’s week-long National Day holiday starting from October 1 has kept up a strong momentum. After a five-day streak of daily revenue reaching 100 million yuan, the total box-office earnings including advance sales for the holiday has exceeded 900 million yuan (around US$134.2 million). During the holiday, a list of new domestic and foreign films hit cinemas nationwide, covering various genres such as family-friendly, animation, crime thrillers, comedy and socially themed dramas, providing a wide range of viewing options for the public. So far, the top three…

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres held a joint press conference in Islamabad, highlighting Pakistan’s role in global diplomacy, conflict mediation, UN peacekeeping and climate action while stressing dialogue and negotiation as the way forward in resolving international disputes. Dar warmly welcomed Guterres to Pakistan, saying the UN chief had accepted Islamabad’s invitation despite his busy schedule. He described Guterres as a “very close friend of Pakistan” and said his visit reflected a shared commitment to addressing multifaceted global challenges. Ishaq Dar recalled Guterres’ support for Pakistan during the country’s devastating floods, noting that the…

The PTI long march entered its third day on Tuesday, with party workers spending the night at Lachi Cricket Ground in Kohat as the convoy prepares to resume its journey towards Peshawar under the leadership of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. Afridi was scheduled to address PTI workers at University Chowk, while the convoy is expected to continue towards Peshawar and halt for the night at Matani Chowk. Following the gathering, the march will continue its route, with Matani Chowk designated as the stopping point for the night. The latest movement marks the third day of the PTI long…

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to abandon its politics of sit-ins and long marches, warning that “the law will take its course” if protests continue. Addressing the groundbreaking ceremony of the Kashmir Chowk Underpass in Islamabad, the prime minister said the government was focused on national development and economic prosperity, but a “long march” was once again casting a shadow over the country. He called on the opposition to act responsibly and end its sit-ins and long marches. PM again offers talks Shehbaz said the government had previously hoped that negotiations with the opposition would…

Security forces killed five terrorists and injured two others during a successful intelligence-based operation in North Waziristan, according to security sources. The operation targeted terrorist hideouts in North Waziristan and surrounding areas after the militants’ movements were monitored. According to security sources, the security forces conducted the intelligence-based operation after maintaining surveillance on the movement of the militants. The targeted action resulted in the killing of five terrorists, while two others were injured. The operation forms part of the ongoing counterterrorism campaign being conducted under the Azm-e-Istehkam vision, which seeks to eliminate terrorism and establish lasting peace. President Zardari praises…