Iran’s participation at this year’s World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States has been shrouded in uncertainty since the eruption of war in the Middle East in February following strikes by the United States and Israel.

Infantino, who has repeatedly stated that Iran will be at the World Cup, underscored that stance at the start of his address to delegates as FIFA’s 76th Congress got under way in western Canada.

“Let me start by the outset, confirming straightaway that of course Iran will be participating at the FIFA World Cup 2026,” Infantino said. “And of course, Iran will play (in) the United States of America.”

Infantino’s remarks drew swift support from close ally US President Donald Trump, who told reporters in the Oval Office he was “OK” with Iran’s participation.

“Well, if Gianni said it, I’m OK,” Trump said. “I think let ‘em play.”

Iranian officials had floated the idea of shifting their group games from the United States to Mexico, but that proposal had already been nixed by Infantino.

In a further twist last week, Italy-born US special envoy Paolo Zampolli was reported to have floated the idea of Italy taking Iran’s World Cup place.

The US government later distanced themselves from that proposal, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying Iran’s footballers would be welcome.

But the tension surrounding Iran’s World Cup participation rumbled into the build-up to Thursday’s summit.

Iran’s delegation was the only absentee from the 211-member congress as Thursday’s meeting got under way after a clash with Canadian border officials earlier this week.

Officials from the Iranian football federation (FFIRI) abruptly left Canada after landing in Toronto, abandoning their onward trip to Vancouver.

Iranian media said FFIRI president Mehdi Taj — a former member of Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) — and two colleagues flew home after being “insulted” by Canadian immigration officers.

Canada, which designated the IRGC a terrorist organisation in 2024, said Wednesday that individuals linked to the force were “inadmissible.”

Iran, who are due to be based in Tucson, Arizona, during the World Cup, face New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt in Group ‘G’.

The Iranians open their World Cup campaign against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15.

FIFA supremo Infantino went into Thursday’s summit with his organisation under fire over skyrocketing ticket costs for the World Cup, which one supporters group has branded a “monumental betrayal” of fans.

Infantino brushed off those criticisms in his address, insisting that all revenues from the World Cup — estimated between $11 and $13 billion — would be pumped back into football development.

“There are expensive tickets, yes, (but) there are also affordable tickets,” Infantino said. “And what is important is that all the revenues that we generate from the world go back to the entire world and finance football in all of your countries.”

Infantino’s close ties to US President Trump have also come under scrutiny.

Advocacy group Fairsquare filed a formal complaint in December arguing that Infantino had breached FIFA rules concerning political neutrality by awarding Trump the inaugural “FIFA Peace Prize” during last year’s World Cup draw.

However Infantino received a huge boost to his hopes of securing re-election as the head of world football on Thursday after receiving pledges of support from the African and Asian regional confederations.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have both said they will back Infantino if, as expected, he stands for a fourth term in 2027.

The African and Asian confederations account for 101 votes in FIFA’s presidential election out of a total of 211.

Infantino has already secured support for re-election from South American football’s ruling body CONMEBOL, which is worth a further 10 votes.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026

After both Rajoub and Suliman had addressed delegates, FIFA president Gianni Infantino invited both men to stand alongside him.

However Rajoub declined the gesture, refusing repeated attempts by Infantino to encourage him to participate in the moment.

At one point Rajoub could be heard to say: “We are suffering.” The Palestinian Football Association recently appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over FIFA’s refusal to sanction Israel over football clubs based in the West Bank. The PFA maintains that clubs based in West Bank settlements should not be allowed to compete in leagues controlled by Israeli football authorities.

In 2024, United Nations experts said at least eight football clubs had been identified as playing in “Israeli colonial settlements” and called on FIFA to “fulfil its responsibility to respect human rights”.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Rajoub called on FIFA to “apply the statutes with fairness, with logic.”

“What’s going on in Palestine is terrible, destroying all the Palestinian sport facilities in Gaza, the killings of hundreds of Palestinian athletes, employees... I think it’s now the time to make justice,” Rajoub said.

“The guy who spoke on behalf of Israel, he did not even pay attention to the suffering, to what’s going on.

“I refused to shake hands. How can I shake hands or have a photo with such a man?”

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026

The Black Caps’ white-ball captain will be out for “at least a month” after hurting his left shoulder while fielding in the Indian Premier League for Mum­bai Indians on April 23.

The 34-year-old returned to New Zealand and will need rest and rehabilitation, forcing him out of the Ireland Test on May 27-30 in Belfast and the first England Test at Lord’s a week later.

His availability for the second and third Tests will be “evaluated at a later date”, NZC said.

The second Test is scheduled to start at The Oval from June 17 and the third at Trent Bridge begins on June 25.

The squad for the Ireland and England Test series will be named in the coming days, NZC said.

Santner led New Zealand to the final of the T20 World Cup in March, where they lost to hosts India by 96 runs.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026

Kent have made a bad start to the season and are currently at the foot of the second and bottom division of the County Champi­ons­hip following three matches.

Their form has led to some cutting online com­me­nts from frustrated Kent fans.

Hollioake, in a statement released ahead of Kent’s latest game against Derby­shire, which began at Cant­erbury on Friday, accepted the team’s performances had not been “anywhere near the standards we expect of ourselves”.

But Hollioake, a close friend of former Surrey and England team-mate Gra­ham Thorpe, who took his own life in 2024, said he had a “duty of care” to protect the Kent squad.

“Throughout my career in cricket as a player and a coach, I have had to deal with a lot, that’s no secret,” said Hollioake, whose younger brother Ben, also an England all-rounder, was killed in a car crash back in 2002.

Hollioake was also close to former England batsman Robin Smith, who struggled with alcoholism before his death late last year.

“I’ve seen in recent tim­es, two players and friends that I played alongside for En­gland, go down a bad pa­th in terms of mental hea­lth, and I’ve lost both of them,” the 54-year-old added.

“It’s part of my job, and my duty of care, to make sure that we don’t see that again.

“As a professional cricket department, alongside our media team, we’ve decided as one that we will be suspending commenting on our official Kent Cricket social media accounts for the time being.

“This has not been a decision that we’ve taken lightly and we are in no means stopping people voicing their opinions, but to align with our short-term strategy to allow players and staff to think and play with freedom and clarity, we feel it is a necessary one.”

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026

MADRID: World number one Jannik Sinner downed Arthur Fils 6-2, 6-4 on Friday to reach the Madrid Open final.

The Italian won his 22nd straight match to book a place in Sunday’s final, where he will aim to win a record fifth consecutive Masters 1000 title.

With his chief rival Carlos Alcaraz out injured, Sinner is firm favourite to triumph at the Caja Magica and add to recent titles at Indian Wells, Miami and Monte Carlo.

The 24-year-old will face second seed Alexander Zverev or promising Belgian Alexander Blockx in the final.

“I played at a very high level, but I focus on always raising my level a little. Especially when the tournament gets serious… You have to raise your level if you want to keep going,” Sinner told Movistar.

The Italian admitted he was feeling a little tired after playing so many matches of late.

“Obviously there’s a bit of fatigue – mentally I feel good, but there is some physical tiredness, my body isn’t completely fresh, but that’s normal, and I think it’s a very positive thing for me, because it means I’m playing a lot of matches,” Sinner said.

“Of course on Sunday we’ll try to do even better, but whatever happens, I’ve reached another final in a very important tournament.”

Beating Sinner right now seems a near-impossible feat and the four-time Grand Slam winner started superbly against Barcelona Open winner Fils, who has impressed since returning from injury in February. The Italian broke in third game when Fils went long to lead 2-1.

Sinner broke again in the fifth game with Fils, ranked 25th in the world, unable to cope with his sheer power.

The Frenchman has not yet reached a Masters 1000 final and with Sinner in sumptuous form it quickly became clear he would have to wait a little longer.

Sinner wrapped up the first set on his serve after Fils found some fighting spirit to prevent a third break.

The second set was far closer, with Fils rising in confidence and belief.

The 21-year-old saved two break points for a 3-2 lead, and put pressure on Sinner’s next serve, although the Italian produced two aces to hold.

Sinner broke with a down-the-line backhand winner to end an excellent rally for a 5-4 lead and served it out to triumph. On Thursday, Marta Kostyuk beat Anastasia Potapova 6-2, 1-6, 6-1 to book a final meeting with Russia Mirra Andreeva.

Kostyuk battled past lucky loser Potapova in a scrappy night session marked by poor serving and frequent errors from both players.

The 26th seed took the opener with two breaks, but the second set swung the other way as Potapova raced through it in under 30 minutes. Kostyuk then surged to a 4-0 lead in the decider before closing it out, helped by Potapovas sixth double fault.

Kostyuk, who did not shake hands with her Russian-born opponent who now represents Austria, advanced to her first WTA 1000 final where she will aim to replicate her victory over Andreeva from their only previous meeting in Brisbane in January.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026

The ultra-passionate fans present here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday night found themselves extremely lucky. Why not? They witnessed an absolute nail-biting Eliminator-2. Marnus Labuschagne’s energised sprint to the field immediately after the two-run triumph explicitly showed that Peshawar Zalmi will face a rejuvenated Kingsmen brigade in the all-important final on Sunday.

Fielding is not generally considered a forte in this part of the world. However, the way Kingsmen’s Hassan Khan in an extraordinary leap in the air at mid-wicket boundary prevented a six off Faheem Ashraf’s bat in the 17th over was as stunning as anything.

United went through ebb and flow in their chase of a tough 187 and fell short in the very end by a whisker.

Needing 28 off the final two overs, Faheem Ashraf (19 off 11 balls) and Chris Green (21 not out off nine) collected a whopping 22 runs off pacer Mohammad Ali’s 19th over as United came mighty close to entering the decider.

Fast bowler Hunain Shah, however, had kept his very best for this moment. Steaming in to bowl with only six runs to defend, the right-armer did not give Green and Faheem any room to go for a big hit and gave away only one run off the first three balls.

On the fourth, Faheem was caught by Hassan Khan at long-off while the fifth ball went only for a single as Hunain maintained an intelligent line and length under pressure. Requiring four of the very last, Green could only manage a single as the pacer and his team-mates rejoiced.

In a forgettable start to their chase, United lost Sameer Minhas who misjudged a pull off fast bowler Akif Javed in the second over only to be caught by Labuschagne at mid-off.

Mohsin Riaz (five) skied a Mohammad Ali ball and caught by Irfan Khan Niazi near mid-wicket in the third over as United dipped to 15-2 in the third over.

Opener Devon Conway and captain Shadab Khan, who once again came in to bat at number four, slowly steered United to 46-2 in powerplay as the required run-rate touched 10.

United’s progress remained sluggish compelling Conway (30 off 25) to play some unorthodox strokes but it did not work as a wily Saim Ayub bowled a quicker one to trap the batter, who attempted a reverse sweep, in front in the eighth over. The New Zealander opted for a review but to no avail, leaving United languishing at 57-3.

Shadab laboured to 22 off 24 before he was grabbed by Irfan Khan off spinner Hassan as Uni­ted slumped to 68-4 in the 11th.

Haider Ali (31 off 16) came in to join Chapman and the pair injected life into the innings with some breathtaking strokes as United reached the 100-run mark in the 14th over.

After a lively 64-run stand, Maxwell, known for his outstanding skills, took an easy catch at mid-off in the 16th over to enable Ali to celebrate. Haider’s knock contained two fours and as many sixes. In the same eventful over, Irfan could not take a difficult catch at long-on to give Chapman a reprieve.

However, Kingsmen took a sigh of relief in the 18th over when New Zealand’s left-hander (43 off 26, five fours, two sixes) was finally caught by Kusal Perera at point off Hunain.

Man-of-the-match Hunain picked up two wickets for 37, fellow pacer Ali 2-44 while Akif Javed, Hassan and Saim claimed a wicket apiece.

Earlier, Kingsmen posted 186-5 after being sent in to bat, thanks to a belligerent half-century by Usman Khan who was backed by useful cameos from Perera, Labuschagne and Saim.

Following a disastrous start that saw Maaz Sadaqat miscuing a pull shot off pacer Richard Gleeson in the first over to get caught by Salman Mirza at square leg, Kingsmen recovered gradually as Saim, badly looking for some runs under his belt to regain form, joined Labuschagne to steer their team out of trouble.

Both the batters played some fine strokes as Kinsgmen reached 54-1 in powerplay.

As the run-rate dipped following powerplay and pressure mounted on the batters, Saim was dismissed by off-spinner Green in the 10th over as the southpaw was caught in the deep by Chapman to end the 70-run stand. Saim’s 38 came off 27 balls and contained seven fours.

Two overs later, Imad Wasim rose to the occasion and struck twice that restrained Kingsmen.

First, Imad made Labuschagne double-minded and play a chip short only to be caught by Green rushing from long-on. The skipper crafted a 32-ball 39 laced with four fours and a six. The slow left-arm orthodox spinner successfully mesmerised dangerous Maxwell (three) who attempted a wild shot through covers but only got a top edge and grabbed by Salman Mirza at short third man. Kingsmen were now 85-4 and seemed they will crumble.

However, Usman and incoming Perera had other ideas.

The pair changed gears to steer their team past 100 in 13.1 overs. In-form Usman took full benefit from the life he got in the 13th over when a running Chapman grassed a difficult chance off Shadab.

The right-hander, who cracked a match-winning 64 against Multan Sultans in the playoff a couple of days ago, maintained his rich form playing typical attacking strokes as he cruised to a 24-ball half-century as Kingsmen reached 150 in the 18th over.

While Usman remained unbeaten on 61 off just 30 with the help of 10 fours, Perera also made his presence felt with a superb 21-ball 37 dotted with four fours and a brace of sixes. After adding an invaluable 101 runs with Usman, the Sri Lankan finally departed on the very last ball of the innings bowled by Faheem Ashraf.

Surprisingly, Imad bowled only two overs to record figures of 2-16.

Other Spinners Shadab (0-23, three overs) and Green (1-19, three overs) also did not complete their quota while pacers Salman (0-42), Faheem (1-43) and Gleeson (1-40) bowled four overs each but proved expensive.

SCOREBOARD

HYDERABAD KINGSMEN:

Maaz Sadaqat c Salman b Gleeson 0

Marnus Labuschagne c Green b Imad 39

Saim Ayub c Chapman b Green 38

Glenn Maxwell c Salman b Imad 3

Usman Khan not out 61

Kusal Perera c Mohsin b Faheem 37

EXTRAS (B-1, LB-2, W-5) 8

TOTAL (for five wickets, 20 overs) 186

DID NOT BAT: Irfan Khan, Hassan Khan, Hunain Shah, Mohammad Ali, Akif Javed

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-1 (Maaz), 2-71 (Saim), 3-84 (Labuschagne), 4-85 (Maxwell), 5-186 (Perera)

BOWLING: Gleeson 4-0-40-1 (3w), Salman 4-0-42-0, Green 3-0-19-1, Faheem 4-0-43-1, Shadab 3-0-23-0 (2w), Imad 2-0-16-2

ISLAMABAD UNITED:

Devon Conway lbw b Saim 30

Sameer Minhas c Labuschagne b Akif 6

Mohsin Riaz c Irfan b Ali 5

Shadab Khan c Irfan b Hassan 22

Mark Chapman c Perera b Hunain 43

Haider Ali c Maxwell b Ali 31

Faheem Ashraf c Hassan b Hunain 19

Chris Green not out 21

Imad Wasim not out 1

EXTRAS (B-1, LB-1, W-4) 6

TOTAL (for seven wickets, 20 overs) 184

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-8 (Sameer), 2-15 (Mohsin), 3-57 (Conway), 4-68 (Shadab), 5-132 (Haider), 7-182 (Faheem)

DID NOT BAT: Salman Mirza, Richard Gleeson

BOWLING: Ali 4-0-44-2, Hunain 4-0-37-2, Akif 4-0-39-1, Hassan 4-0-31-1 (2w), Saim 4-0-31-1 (2w)

RESULT: Hyderanad Kingsmen won by two runs.

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: Hunain Shah

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026

The Gunners can go six points clear of their in-form rivals if they beat Fulham on Saturday, two days before City face a tricky trip to Everton.

At the other end of the table, West Ham United face Brentford while relegation rivals Tottenham Hotspur take on Aston Villa.

Arsenal can pull well clear of City, at least for 48 hours, but they must re-discover their scoring touch in a season that could be decided by the tightest of margins.

Before the Gunners’ win against Newcastle United last weekend, the top two were level on points and goal difference.

Arsenal know even if they win their four remaining games it may not be enough — they have failed to score more than one goal in any game since mid-March.

City, with a game in hand, have clicked into gear and are scoring much more freely than their rivals.

Former England defender Gary Neville believes Arsenal will have to be “wheel-barrowed” over the line if they are to win their first Premier League title since 2004.

“They’re not going to sail over the line — it’s going to be a real struggle. They’re not going to all of a sudden hit form in this next couple of weeks,” he said on The Gary Neville Podcast.

Meanwhile, just when Tottenham showed encouraging signs of life under new manager Roberto De Zerbi, their injury curse has struck again.

Dutch midfielder Xavi Simons suffered a serious knee injury in last week’s 1-0 win at relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers, while Dominic Solanke could miss the rest of the campaign with a hamstring issue.

The club’s injury list this season makes sobering reading, with long-term absentees including Dejan Kulusevski, Mohammed Kudus, James Maddison and Wilson Odobert. Captain Cristian Romero is another recent victim.

“We can win the games with the players, not with the coaches,” said De Zerbi. “The coaches are important but the players are more important. But I want to be positive.”

Tottenham, who face a tricky match at Aston Villa this weekend, remain in the drop zone, trailing two points behind 17th-placed West Ham despite the first win of De Zerbi’s tenure.

The other London-based club Chelsea can still end the season on a high despite a horrific run of five successive Premier League defeats that led to Liam Rosenior’s recent sacking.

Marginally improved under interim boss Calum McFarlane, the Blues beat Leeds United 1-0 last weekend to set up an FA Cup final against City.

Although they are languishing in eighth in the Premier League, Chelsea still have a slender chance of grabbing a Champions League spot as well.

If Villa finish fifth — their current position — and win the Europa League, the Champions League place they would earn by ending in that position would be passed down to the Premier League’s sixth-placed team.

However, if Villa finish fourth or above and win the Europa League, there would be no extra Champions League place for an English club.

As it stands, Brighton and Hove Albion would be the team to benefit as they are in sixth place on 50 points.

But Bournemouth, Chelsea, Brentford and Fulham are all within one or two points of the Seagulls, while Everton and Sunderland are also within striking distance.

Fixtures (all times GMT, 1400 unless stated): Brentford v West Ham United, Newcastle United v Brighton and Hove Albion, Wolverhampton Wanderers v Sunderland, Arsenal v Fulham (1630); Sunday: Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (1300), Manchester United v Liverpool (1430), Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur (1800); Monday Chelsea v Nottingham Forest (1400), Everton v Manchester City (1900).

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026

The day before, Pogacar had caught Godon in the final metres. This time, although well-placed at the end of a 176.6km circuit starting and ending in Orbe, the Slovenian opted not to give chase when Godon accelerated to the line.

“When he kicks with a heavy gear, he’s long gone,” said the world champion.

“I did not have great speed, so, he could make a big difference compared to me.

I still did a pretty solid sprint and had a nice finish.” New Zealander Finn Fisher-Black, third the day before, was second this time with Frenchman Valentin Paret-Peintre of Soudal Quick Step third in the sprint.

Godon was dropped on the day’s long climb 32 kilometres from the finish, but his Ineos team-mates relayed him back.

“It was tough,” said the French 29-year-old.

“We were about 30 or 40 seconds away from the peloton. I’m very happy because it was truly a collective victory,” he said. “All the guys pushed themselves to the limit for me. I was dead at the end but the last 50 metres were just the little extra grain that made the victory.”

For Godon, who also won the prologue before Pogacar took the next two stages, it was a 21st career victory.

After going too early the day before and allowing the Slovenian to catch him at the line, this time Godon ambushed Fisher-Black of Red Bull with a brutal late burst of speed.

Godon said after losing stage two he had been out for revenge on Thursday only to be thwarted again by Pogacar.

“He made me raise my game,” said Godon.

The overall standings did not change with Pogacar leading the German Florian Lipowitz by 17 seconds and Frenchman Lenny Martinez by 26.

Saturday’s penultimate day is the ‘queen stage’ with four big climbs in a 149.6km run through the Swiss mountains from Broc to Charmey.

Pogacar grinned when asked if he would be going for another stage victory.

“Let’s see,” he said. “First keep the jersey, and then we’ll see if we can win the stage. If not, not the end of the world.”

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026

“The AIU has banned Alysha Newman (Canada) for 20 months from 3 December 2025 for Where­a­bouts Failures. DQ results from 23 August 2025,” the anti-doping body posted on social media.

The 31-year-old Cana­dian, who won bronze in the pole vault at the Paris Games, had been provisionally suspended on Feb 3 for three whereabouts failures over a 12-month period — on February 27, 2025 and on Aug 17 and 23 of the same year.

She has not competed since the Diamond League meeting in Rabat last May.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026

Before a home crowd, Shoaib showed great resilience to overcome the higher-ranked Swedende, keeping local hopes alive in the singles competition.

Meanwhile, Pakistan created history in the men’s doubles event, with two all-Pakistani pairs winning their semi-finals to set up an unprecedented domestic final.

In the first semi-final, Aqeel Khan and Barkatullah edged Essa Qabazard of Kuwait and Malaysia’s Darshan Suresh 6-4, 5-7, 10-7. In the second semi-final, Mohammad Abid and Muzammil Murtaza cruised past Russia’s Alexey Dubinin and Ivan Iutkin 6-4, 6-2.

Other results (quarter-finals):

Men’s singles: Nikita Ianin (Russia) bt Samir Hamza Reguig (Algeria) 6-4, 3-6, 6-2; Arvid Nordquist (Sweden) bt Kerem Yilmaz (Turkiye) 6-2, 6-3; Fanming Meng (China) bt Mert Naci Türker (Turkiye) 6-1, 1-0 ret.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026

The screening will mean Olympic women’s sports from the 2028 Los Angeles Games will be limited to biological females, which would also rule out those with differences in sexual development (DSD).

WA had already announced last July they were introducing the SRY gene test.

“You know, I didn’t come into World Athletics for a popularity contest, I came in to do what I think is the right thing,” said Coe ahead of the World Athl­etics Relays being hosted in Gaborone, Botswana.

“I’m delighted that the world is beginning to see it the way we did, but I think it’s a very important development for the Olympic movement, and I celebrate that.”

The announcement by the IOC of the reintroduction of the testing for the SRY gene did not meet with universal approval with French Sports Minis­ter Marina Ferrari saying it was “a step backwards”.

Andrew Sinclair, the scientist who discovered the gene, had said even ahead of the decision the idea that the biological sex be entirely defined by chromosomes is “overly simplistic”.

IOC president Kirsty Coventry, who succeeded Thomas Bach last year, had made resolving the thorny issue a priority after the 2024 Paris Games were rocked by a gender row involving women boxers Imane Khelif if Algeria and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting.

Khelif and Lin were excluded from the Inter­national Boxing Association’s 2023 world championships after the IBA said they had failed eligibility tests.

However, the IOC allowed them both to compete at the Paris Games, saying they had been victims of “a sudden and arbitrary decision by the IBA”.

Both boxers went on to win gold medals.

Coe praised Coventry for taking the bull by the horns and coming up with a blanket policy to cover all Olympic sports.

“I’m delighted that the new president, Kirsty, has really, in her first few months as president, gone out of her way to protect the female category,” said the 69-year-old Englishman.

“If you don’t, then you don’t have women’s sport, and Kirsty, of all people, is going to protect women’s sport, so we are 100 per cent behind that position at World Athletics, it’s a position we took many years ago.”

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026

Wood netted from the spot in the second half after a needless handball by Villa defender Lucas Digne in the all-English clash at the City Ground.

The New Zealand striker’s fifth goal of an injury-plagued season moved Forest within touching distance of their first European final since 1980.

Vitor Pereira’s side are on a nine-match unbeaten run in all competitions, carrying them five points clear of the Premier League relegation zone and to the brink of the Europa showpiece.

Forest will make the 50-mile trip to Villa Park for the second leg on May 7, with the winners facing Braga or Freiburg in the final in Istanbul on May 20.

Braga won 2-1 in the other semi-final first leg on Thursday.

“It’s nice to have the advantage but going to Villa Park will be a tough game. They’re good at their place,” Wood said. “It’s small moments that can potentially change games. Thankfully it went in our favour tonight.”

Making it to Istanbul would be a dramatic finale to Forest’s soap-opera season, featuring four managers and a tense relegation battle.

After the sacking of Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou and Sean Dyche, Pereira had led Forest to their first European semi-final since losing against Anderl­echt in the 1983-84 UEFA Cup.

Crowned European champions in 1979 and 1980 in their golden era under Brian Clough, Forest have been starved of success over the last three decades.

Villa threatened in the frantic early stages but Forest keeper Stefan Ortega kept the scores level as he made two great saves to deny Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers.

Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson escaped a red card for his ugly tackle on Watkins and the hosts gradually found their stride after the early Villa assault.

Villa coach Unai Emery was scathing in his criticism of the VAR decisions, taking issue with a tackle by Anderson.

“It’s a clear red card — I don’t understand why the VAR is not calling the referee because it’s so clear,” Emery said.

“And it’s very, very important. It’s a huge, huge mistake. VAR is responsible.

“He could’ve broke his ankle. Wow, VAR — where are you? Please. It is your responsibility, we are professionals. You are doing very bad work because it was so clear for everybody.”

On the other hand Emiliano Martinez also pulled off a brilliant one-handed stop when Igor Jesus fired a shot from close range.

Watkins missed a golden opportunity early in the second half but Forest finally broke the deadlock in the 71st minute.

Omari Hutchinson chased an overhit cross and hooked it back in play just before the ball crossed the byline, with Digne foolishly sticking his arm up to block it.

A VAR check confirmed the ball hadn’t gone out of play and Wood stepped up to lash the penalty past Martinez.

The City Ground was rocking and Emery immediately hauled off the hapless Digne, sending on Jadon Sancho, Douglas Luiz and Ian Maatsen.

But Forest held firm to secure a victory that took them to the verge of an historic achievement.

In the other last-four fixture, Braga will take a slender advantage to Germany for the return leg after Mario Dorgeles scored in injury-time to give the hosts a narrow win over Freiburg.

Demir Ege Tiknaz opened the scoring early for the hosts, before Vincenzo Grifo quickly levelled for Freiburg.

Braga was awarded a penalty at the end of the first half but Ge­r­man shot-stopper Noah Atubolu saved Rodrigo Zalazar effort to keep the scores level.

The breakthrough came for Braga two minutes into added time as Atubolu spilled Vitor Car­valho’s effort and Dorgeles was on hand to squeeze the ball home from close range.

PALACE CLOSE IN ON CONFERENCE LEAGUE FINAL

In the Conference League semis, Crystal Palace took a giant step towards the final in their first season of European football with a 3-1 semi-final first leg win over Shakhtar Donetsk while Rayo Vallecano earned a 1-0 win over visiting Strasbourg.

Ismaila Sarr gave Palace the lead before Oleh Ocheretko slotted home the equaliser from close range after Palace failed to clear a corner.

But Daichi Kamada and Jorgen Strand Larsen second half strikes put the Eagles in command of the tie despite a spirited performance from the Ukrainian league leaders.

“It’s a nice half-time lead, but not more,” said Palace manager Oliver Glasner. “It was a huge imp­act from the bench. So overall we’re very pleased with the performance, but it’s just the first step.”

Prior to shocking Manchester City in last season’s FA Cup final, Palace had never won a major trophy in their history.

Meanwhile, Brazilian striker Alemao glanced in the only goal to give Rayo a precious win in front of a a raucous crowd at their 15,000-capacity Vallecas Stadium in Madrid

“We practised the move we wan­ted to pull off. I was lucky enough to score the goal,” said Alemao.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026

The 36-year-old became the first Japanese player to reach a Grand Slam final at the 2014 US Open, eventually losing to Croatia’s Marin Cilic. He was the first Japanese man to climb into the top 10 in the ATP world rankings, reaching a career high of number four, and won 12 titles on tour.

Nishikori also won bronze in the men’s singles at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

He has been dogged by injuries for years and said last month that he was “ba­r­ely hanging on” in terms of his physical fitness.

Nishikori said on Friday on social media that he was reluctantly calling it quits at the end of the 2026 season.

“To be honest, I still wish I could continue my playing career,” he said. “Even so, looking back on everything up to this point, I can prou­dly say that I gave it my all.”

Nishikori was born in western Japan and moved to Florida at the age of 14 to train at the IMG Academy.

He began his professional career in 2007 and won his first ATP Tour title a year later at Delray Be­ach. He produced the best season of his career in 2014, winning four ATP titles and reaching the final of the US Open, where he upset then-world number one Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.

“Reaching the ATP To­ur, playing at the highest level of competition and maintaining a presence in the top 10 is something I am extremely proud of,” he said in his social media post.

“Whether in victory or defeat, the special atmosphere I felt in packed arenas is irreplaceable.”

Nishikori last won a title at Brisbane in 2019. He is currently ranked No. 464 in the world and has been playing this season on the second-tier Challenger Tour.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026

RAWALPINDI/LAHORE/KARACHI: Pakistan is confronting a stark weather dichotomy this week, as a severe heatwave scorches southern parts of the country while central and northern regions brace for widespread dust storms, rain, and potential landslides triggered by an incoming weather system.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) announced that a fresh westerly wave is expected to approach the northwestern parts of the country on the evening of Saturday (today) and persist in upper regions until May 5.

In sharp contrast, extreme heat has gripped much of Sindh. In Karachi, maximum temperature may go up to 39 degrees Celsius over the weekend, according to Chief Meteorologist Ameer Hyder.

Across the large swathes of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the fresh westerly weather system is forecast to bring dust-thunderstorms and rain, with isolated heavy falls and hailstorms. Areas to be affected from Saturday evening till Monday include Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan, Malakand, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Balakot, Haripur, Mardan, Nowshera, Pesha­war, Bajaur, Mohmand, Orakzai, Khyber, Swabi, Charsadda, Kohat, Kurram, Hangu, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Tank, Dera Ismail Khan and Waziristan

In Punjab and the federal capital, a similar weather pattern is forecast for the same period. “Dust-thunderstorm/rain with isolated hailstorm is expected in Murree, Galiyat, Islam­abad/Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Khushab, Sargodha, Mian­wali, Bhakkar, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Jhang, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal,” the department said.

Southern Punjab districts, including Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, and Rajanpur, may see rain-windstorms on May 3 and May 4.

The approaching system is also set to impact Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir from the night of May 2 until May 5, bringing rain and wind-thunderstorms to regions such as Diamir, Astore, Skardu, Hunza, Neelum valley, and Muzaffarabad.

Parts of Balochistan, including Quetta, Ziarat, and Zhob, are expecting windstorms and thunderstorms from May 2 to May 4, while a dust thunderstorm is predicted for upper Sindh on May 2 and May 3.

PDMA issues alert

In response to the forecast, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in Punjab issued an alert, directing the deputy commissioners of all respective districts to remain vigilant to address any “untoward situation” during and after the rains.

Both the PMD and PDMA have issued specific warnings and advisories. Authorities cautioned that windstorms, hailstorms, and lightning could damage weak structures such as electric poles, billboards, and solar panels.

Landslides are also a concern in the “vulnerable areas of upper KP, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir on May 3 and May 4”.

Farmers have been advised to manage their crops according to the weather conditions, as hailstorms and windstorms pose a threat to standing crops, particularly in KP and upper Punjab.

Furthermore, tourists and travellers were advised to “remain extra cautious and avoid unnecessary travelling” during the forecast period. All concerned authorities have been instructed to remain on high alert and take necessary measures to prevent any loss of life or property.

This forecast stands in stark contrast to the conditions in the country’s south.

Sindh districts sizzle at 46.5°C

Extreme heat has gripped much of Sindh, with the PMD reporting that the cities of Shaheed Benazirabad, Sakr­and and Dadu topped the heat charts at 46.5 degrees Celsius, up to 4.3 degrees above normal.

In Hyderabad, temperatures reached 45.7°C, more than four degrees above average. Jacobabad hit 45°C.

Officials warned that the persistent heatwave could continue and urged residents to limit outdoor activity, stay hydrated and take precautions against heat-related illnesses.

Karachi has seen a continued increase in day-time temperature over the week; from 35.2 degrees Celsius recorded on Wednesday to 36.1 degree Celsius on Thursday and 37.5 degrees Celsius. “Over the next two days (Saturday-Sunday), we are expecting that it may go up to 38 to 39 degrees Celsius,” said Chief Meteorologist Ameer Hyder.

He said there is a single-digit increase in daytime and nighttime temperature in Karachi, adding that there was little chance of rain in Karachi before the monsoon.

The senior weather official called for conducting studies on the factors contributing to hot weather conditions in Karachi. “The most important one is the continued loss of green cover. The city has turned into a concrete jungle and new plantations is hardly seen.”

Looking at the broader climate picture, the PMD noted that while neutral conditions persist for ENSO and IOD, most global models suggest El-Niño conditions are likely to emerge, with a 61 per cent chance, during the May-July period.

This could have further implications for weather patterns in the region, which typically sees its hottest months in May and June when temperatures in heat-prone areas can soar up to 52°C.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026

This year’s first case was detected in Sindh.

An official of the Polio Pro­gramme, wishing not to be quoted, said Pakis­tan’s National Emer­gency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication (NEOC) has confirmed two new cases of wild poliovirus, one in Bannu and another in North Waziristan, in southern KP, where access constraints continue to facilitate poliovirus transmission, posing a continued risk to children’s well-being.

“The two new cases were reported through the poliovirus surveillance network and confirmed by the WHO-accredited Regi­onal Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Hea­lth (NIH). The affected children belong to Jani Khel union council of Bannu and Garyom union council of North Wazir­istan districts - both being affected by longstanding security related inaccessibility,” he said.

The official said that with the sudden wave of heat it seemed that the high transmission period will start much earlier this year.

“Usually, the high transmission season starts by the end of May, ending in September,” he added. The polio virus remains less active during low temperature and becomes more active during high temperature and because of this, summer season is called the high transmission season for the spread of the virus.

The polio programme, in a statement, claimed that the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) was analysing the best science-based response to reach and immunise children in the region and prevent further poliovirus transmission. “In addition, the PEI is implementing alternative strategies in southern KP, including integrated service delivery of health services like nutrition, routine immunisation, maternal and child health and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (Wash), as well as a community-based polio vaccination initiative to increase vaccination rates and build immunity,” it said.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026

MIRANSHAH: Tensions escalated after an intense gun battle broke out on Friday between members of the Darpa Khel tribe and terrorists in Miranshah, the district headquarters of North Waziristan, following the killing of a tribal elder, Malik Saifullah Khan Dawar, police said.

The killing of Dawar outside his residence prompted a fierce clash as armed tribesmen confronted the assailants. Both sides reportedly used automatic weapons, and the firefight lasted for several hours.

Sources said that a day earlier, suspected militants had allegedly occupied a local mosque, but Saifullah, along with other tribal elders, intervened and forced them to vacate the premises.

On Friday morning, a large group of miscreants reportedly returned to the area, called Saifullah out of his house and opened fire on him, killing him on the spot, the sources added.

During the clash, four locals — identified as Yaqoob, Fazal Karim, Mujahid, and one unidentified person — were injured.

The injured were shifted to the Miranshah headquarters hospital for treatment.

Local sources also claimed that at least two of the attackers were killed in the exchange of fire.

Due to panic and fear, markets and business centres in Miranshah and nearby areas have been closed, and residents have remained confined to their homes.

Elders said the killing of Saifullah was likely to further worsen the law and order situation in the area, adding that there is widespread anger among the tribes over the incident.

Earlier this week, another tribal elder was killed in the Inayat Kallay Bazaar area of Bajaur district.

Malik Fazal Wahid, 55, was critically injured and was shifted to the district headquarters hospital.

However, the hospital sources said he succumbed to his injuries during the surgery at the facility’s emergency department.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Power Minister Awais Leghari on Friday announced the end of a month-long period of loadshedding, following the arrival of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipment in Pakistan a day earlier.

The minister made the announcement in a recorded televised message, stating that the recent power outages were caused by a gas shortage linked to the US-Israel war on Iran, rather than “incompetence or system failure.”

He recalled that on “April 13 and 14, consumers faced power outages of up to five hours, while on April 15-16, they lasted around seven hours”.

Mr Leghari added that in the following days, outages were “brought down to zero,” and until April 29, the loadshedding duration was reduced to 2-2.5 hours.

He also recalled that the ministry held a press conference to clarify the government’s stance on the matter. “Loadshedding had not been experienced for six to seven years, having been eliminated during the tenure of Nawaz Sharif,” he said.

“Using diesel or furnace oil would have made electricity more expensive,” he said, adding that during this period, “hydropower generation increased to 6,000MW compared to the previous 1,000MW”.

The minister elaborated that the government had to use fuel-based plants to stabilise supply due to the unavailability of LNG.

“Furnace oil was used selectively to protect consumers from additional financial burden while also limiting loadshedding to 2-2.5 hours,” the power minister said.

Mr Leghari said the government had to buy “expensive gas on the spot market” to mitigate the situation, confirming that the first LNG cargo arrived in Pakistan a day earlier.

On April 24, the state-run Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL) had secured three bids at $17.997 to $18.88 per million British thermal units (mmBtu) for LNG cargoes, which were expected to be delivered between April 27 and May 8.

‘No further loadshedding’

The minister promised that no further loadshedding would be carried out and expressed hope that the transmission system would withstand the peak summer season.

In his April 16 press conference, the power minister had apologised for excessive loadshedding, explaining that the external factor of the fuel supply crisis due to the Middle East war was one of the main reasons.

Mr Leghari said the required LNG “stopped coming from abroad after April 1”.

He pointed out that Qatar’s state-run energy firm had declared force majeure, which resulted in a “huge gap” in the power requirements fulfilled through gas plants during peak hours.

The minister had further said that the decision of two hours of daily loadshedding had been made to keep electricity prices in control.

On April 14, the government had announced more than two hours of daily loadshedding “during peak hours”. However, K-Electric and Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco) were excluded from the loadshedding plan.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026

According to an official award notice, released this week, the firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract will support the APG-66 and APG-68 radar systems used on F-16 fighter aircraft. Work will be carried out in Linthicum Heights, Maryland, and is scheduled to continue through March 31, 2036.

The contract covers support for multiple partner countries under the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme, including Bahrain, Belgium, Chile, Denmark, Egypt, Greece, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, South Kor­ea, Morocco, the Nether­lands, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Poland, Portu­gal, Romania, Thailand and Turkiye.

The award was issued on a sole-source basis by the US Air Force Lifecycle Mana­gement Centre in Utah. An initial $2.64 million in fiscal 2026 non-appropriated Air Force and Navy funds has been obligated at the time of award.

The latest support arrangement underscores the long-term US commitment to sustaining F-16 operational readiness across allied and partner air forces, including Pakistan, which continues to operate a fleet of US-origin fighter aircraft under periodic upgrade and maintenance arrangements.

The development follows a separate US notification in December 2025, when the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) informed Congress of a proposed $686 million package to upgrade and support Pakistan’s F-16 fleet.

That package includes Link-16 tactical data systems, cryptographic equipment, avionics upgrades, training and logistical support. The DSCA described the proposed sale as aimed at strengthening interoperability among Pakistan, the US, and partner forces for counterterrorism cooperation and future contingency operations.

The upgrade plan also includes modifications to operational flight programmes, identification friend-or-foe systems, precision navigation tools and secure communications equipment. It further covers simulators, technical documentation, software updates and engineering support.

Lockheed Martin was identified as the principal contractor for the proposed upgrade programme, which US officials said would not require additional personnel deployment to Pakistan and would have no adverse impact on US defence readiness.

The DSCA notification emphasised that the package is intended to modernise Pakistan’s F-16 fleet, extend its service life through 2040, and address operational safety and avionics requirements. It also stated that Pakistan had demonstrated the capacity to absorb the upgrades and maintain its existing fleet.

A diplomatic source familiar with the matter said Pakistan has welcomed continued US support for its F-16 programme, noting that such upgrades would help extend the aircraft’s operational life while maintaining technical compatibility with allied systems.

The source added that Pakistan’s air force has diversified its fleet in recent years, reducing reliance on a single platform while still valuing sustainment of existing F-16 capabilities.

Together, the new long-term support contract and the previously notified upgrade package highlight continued US engagement in sustaining Pakistan’s F-16 fleet within the broader framework of Foreign Military Sales partnerships and regional interoperability objectives.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026

ISLAMABAD: After Pakistan shared a new proposal by Iran with the US, President Donald Trump on Friday said he was still not satisfied with their offer to end the Middle East conflict, which started after the US and Israel struck Iran on Feb 28.

The text of the proposal was handed to Islamabad on Thursday evening, the state-run IRNA news agency reported on Friday. Pakistan officials also confirmed that they had shared the proposal with the US, but refused to divulge its contents.

“At this moment, I’m not satisfied with what they’re offering,” Presi­dent Trump said late on Friday night. Asked why he was unsatisfied with the Iranian offer, he said: “They’re asking for things that I can’t agree.” He gave no details.

Trump was asked what he would do if there was no deal but refused to say whether he would launch more strikes. “Do we want to go and just blast the hell out of them and finish them forever — or do we want to try and make a deal? I mean, those are the options,” he said. He added that he would “prefer not” to launch a huge offensive.

Trump said Iran had “made strides” in negotiations, but added that there was “tremendous discord” in the Islamic Republic’s leadership and warned: “I’m not sure if they ever get there.” During his remarks, the US president said he had “great respect” for Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir.

Meanwhile, Pakistani officials remained tight-lipped about the contents of the proposal, but indicated that established channels were used and that Pakistan’s role remained facilitative. This discretion by Pakistani officials reflected both the sensitivity of the process and the lack of convergence between the two principal parties.

Iranian authorities insist that their latest thinking placed priority on halting hostilities and creating space for a broader political process, before engaging on more contentious issues. Diplomatic sources said the proposals emphasised immediate de-escalation in the Gulf, including steps linked to maritime security and the restoration of commercial activity along critical sea lanes.

A source claimed that there was no significant movement on the issue of negotiations on the nuclear file right away. However, another source said that the new proposal nevertheless contained limited interim assurances related to the nuclear programme, though these fall short of the comprehensive commitments sought by the US.

Therefore, the gap over sequencing still remained wide, with Iran seeking relief and security guarantees upfront, while the US continued to press for verifiable constraints on nuclear activity as part of any meaningful arrangement.

Washington has maintained its position that any durable agreement must address concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions in a substantive and verifiable manner. The US also said that the naval blockade would remain in place until it sees sufficient movement from Tehran on the nuclear front.

Iran, for its part, has underscored the need for an end to military pressure and economic constraints before engaging deeply on nuclear issues. Iranian officials repeatedly pointed to trust deficits stemming from past negotiations, arguing that guarantees would be necessary to sustain any future arrangement.

The divergence over sequencing and priorities has been a central obstacle in recent weeks, with both sides appearing unwilling to shift their core positions. In this context, intermediaries such as Pakistan have focused on keeping lines of communication open and preventing further escalation.

Foreign Office spokesman Tahir Andrabi said at his weekly briefing on Thursday that Pakistan was continuing efforts to facilitate dialogue between the US and Iran. He had expressed cautious optimism that engagement between the two sides could still produce an agreement.

Regional diplomatic activity has, meanwhile, picked up pace alongside the backchannel contacts. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi contacted counterparts across the region, sharing Tehran’s latest positions and seeking support for efforts aimed at ending the conflict.

A fragile ceasefire has held unevenly since early April. While large scale hostilities have subsided, tensions remain elevated, particularly around maritime access and economic restrictions in the Gulf.

Diplomatic observers said the transmission of fresh proposals, even without immediate progress, suggested that neither side was prepared to abandon the possibility of a negotiated outcome. Instead, the process appeared to be moving in incremental steps, with indirect messaging continuing as both sides test each other’s positions.

With input from Agencies

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026

In a letter to congressional leaders on Friday, Trump said there has been no exchange of fire with Iran since the ceasefire. “The hostilities that began on February 28, 2026, have terminated,” he added.

Under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, a US president must terminate military action within 60 days of notifying Congress unless lawmakers authorise the operation. The Trump administration formally notified Congress on March 2 following joint US-Israeli strikes launched on February 28, setting up a May 1 deadline.

The US president faced a legal deadline that could determine the future of US military operations against Iran, even as his administration signalled that it could rely on a controversial legal interpretation to bypass congressional approval.

Writes to congressional leaders as 60-day deadline ends

At the same time, administration officials now argue that the May 1 deadline may not apply, claiming that a ceasefire with Iran — in place since April 7 — effectively ended ‘hostilities’ under the law. A senior official told reporters the conflict had ‘terminated’ for ‘war powers’ purposes, allowing the White House to continue operations without seeking congressional approval.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reinforced that position during congressional testimony on Thursday, saying the statutory clock “pauses or stops in a ceasefire.” The claim triggered sharp pushback from lawmakers and legal experts, who argue that the War Powers Resolution contained no such provision.

Trump himself has said he will not seek Congressional authorisation for military action in Iran under the War Powers Resolution, describing those calling for it as “not patriotic”.

Arguing against the need for authorisation under the law, which requires a US president to seek approval within 60 days of deploying troops, Trump said, “many presidents… have gone and exceeded it. It’s never been used.”

“Nobody’s ever sought it before, nobody’s ever asked for it before, it’s never been used before, why should we be different?”

“Most people consider it totally unconstitutional,” he added. “Also, we had a ceasefire, so that gives you additional time … We’re in the midst of a big victory.”

The War Powers Resolution was enacted in the aftermath of the Vietnam War to prevent presidents from engaging in prolonged military conflicts without legislative oversight. It requires presidents to either obtain congressional authorisation or withdraw forces within 60 days, with a possible 30-day extension in limited circumstances.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026

PARIS: Journalism around the world is in dire straits, with Reporters Without Borders’ (RSF) Press Freedom Index calling it the worst year since records began.

For the first time in its 25-year history, over half of the world’s countries now fall into the “difficult” or “very serious” categories for press freedom, the media watchdog noted.

“Since RSF began publishing the World Press Freedom Index 25 years ago, press freedom has been gradually deteriorating,” it noted in the sobering report, released ahead of World Press Freedom day, which will be observed tomorrow (Sunday).

“Journalists are still being killed and imprisoned for their work, but the tactics undermining press freedom are evolving. Journalism is being asphyxiated by hostile political discourse towards reporters, weakened by a faltering media economy, and squeezed by laws being used as weapons against the press.”

RSF Press Freedom Index paints dismal picture; more than half of the world deemed ‘difficult’ for journalists or worse

According to RSF statistics since Jan 1, 2026, 13 journalists were killed around the world, while 471 are currently detained. In addition, at least 21 journalists are held hostage, while 135 remain missing in action.

The US, which had already fallen from a “fairly good” to a “problematic” situation in 2024, the year of Donald Trump’s re-election, has dropped a further seven places to 64, it said.

US President Donald Trump has turned his repeated attacks on the press and journalists into a systematic policy, pushing the US down to 64th place (-7).

The drastic cuts to the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM) workforce had global repercussions, leading to the closure, suspension and downsizing of international broadcasters such as Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and Radio Free Asia (RFA) in countries where they were some of the last reliable sources of information.

Among some of the most disturbing of RSF’s findings was that the criminalisation of journalism has reaches a peak.

The Index’s legal indicator has seen the most severe decline this year. This score deteriorated in more than 60pc of states — 110 out of 180 — between 2025 and 2026.

This is notably the case in India (157th), Egypt (169th), Israel (116th) and Georgia (135th). The criminalisation of journalism, which is rooted in circumventing press law and misusing emergency legislation and common law, is proving to be a global phenomenon.

In Pakistan (153rd), the press faces relentless waves of restrictions amid a fraught political climate in which authorities seek to control, and in some cases suppress, the dissemination of journalistic content, RSF said.

Among the countries closed off to the independent press, Vladimir Putin’s Russia (172nd) has become a specialist in using laws designed to combat terrorism, separatism and extremism to restrict press freedom.

Even in established democracies, legal provisions can undermine press freedom. In Japan (62nd), the state secrecy law continues to have a chilling effect on journalism as there are no adequate protections for source confidentiality to counterbalance it, which breeds self-censorship.

In South Korea (47th), government measures introduced to combat the spread of “false information” have drawn criticism from press freedom organisations, yet another example of the persistent tension between tackling disinformation and preserving the right to report.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026

The closing of the Civil-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC) in Israel would mark the latest blow to President Trump’s Gaza peace plan, already undermined by repeated Israeli attacks since the October truce.

Diplomats said the move, which has not been previously reported, underscores the difficulties facing US efforts to oversee the truce and coordinate on aid, as Israel seizes more Gaza territory and Hamas firms its grip in areas under its control.

The move could add to unease among Washington’s allies, whom Trump encouraged to deploy personnel to the CMCC and commit funds for his Gaza rebuilding plan, effectively on hold since the US launched its joint war with Israel against Iran.

Trump-led board denies Civil-Military Coordination Centre is shutting down

According to the sources, seven diplomats familiar with CMCC operations, the US-led body’s aid and monitoring responsibilities would soon be handed to a US-commanded international security mission that is meant to deploy to Gaza.

US officials have privately described the move as an overhaul, but diplomats said the International Stabilisation Force would in effect take over, ending the CMCC’s role.

A diplomat briefed on the US plan said that the number of US troops working at the revamped ISF would drop to 40 from around 190. The US would seek to replace those troops with civilian staff from other countries, the diplomats said. All of them spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly.

Diplomats say the CMCC lacked authority to enforce the ceasefire or ensure aid, making it unclear whether folding it into the ISF would have much practical effect on the ground.

The Board of Peace denied in a statement posted on social media after the Reuters story was published that the CMCC was closing, without addressing whether the ISF would take over its responsibilities.

Earlier, an official with Trump’s Board of Peace, set up to oversee Gaza policy, declined to comment on the CMCC’s future but said the centre plays a “critical role in ensuring aid deliveries and coordinating efforts” and advancing Trump’s plan.

The White House and the US military’s Middle East command both referred requests for comment to the Board of Peace.

Once the CMCC is folded into the ISF, the body is expected to be rebranded as the International Gaza Support Centre, two of the sources said. It would likely be led by US Major General Jasper Jeffers, the White House-appointed ISF commander.

The ISF was supposed to deploy immediately to Gaza to establish control and maintain security. But that has yet to happen with only a handful of countries having so far pledged troops, and none of them have committed to security roles.

Washington has said US troops would not deploy to Gaza.

The ISF has, however, established a walled-off annex inside the CMCC, which has been operating from a warehouse in southern Israel, but access to the annex is tightly controlled by US troops who, three sources said, regularly deny entry to representatives from allied countries.

The CMCC’s establishment was a key element of Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza, following a ceasefire meant to halt Israel-Hamas fighting and allow for rebuilding the territory after its pulverization by Israel in two years of fighting.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026

Moved under Article 175(E) of the Constitution, Advocate Zulfikar Ahmed Bhutta, in his petition, sought directions from the court for the government to withdraw the recent price hike in petroleum products, which, according to the petitioner, was imposed in the name of the US-Iran war crisis as well as in line with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) directions.

The petition was filed after the federal government increased the price of petrol by Rs6.51 per litre and that of high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs19.39 on Friday. Following the hike, the price of petrol stands at Rs399.86 per litre and HSD at Rs399.58.

Petition calls on court to direct govt to provide petrol and diesel at Rs200 per litre

The government has attributed the increase to the Middle East conflict and the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.

‘Rs200 per litre’

The petition has reque­sted the FCC to issue directions to the respondent, the government, to provide petrol and diesel at a rate of Rs200 per litre. It said that the government should also ensure the import of petroleum products from Iran through all available sources, including pipelines, on an urgent basis.

The petition contended that the government should request countries in the Middle East to provide petroleum products at concessional prices because of the services being provided by Pakistan in relation to defence.

The petition maintained that Pakistan’s neighbouring countries were importing petroleum products from the same sources and over similar distances but selling fuel at less than half the price being charged in the country.

The petitioner argued that the recent price hike was unjustified and constituted “exploitation of citizens” under the guise of the US-Iran war.

Citing calculations from Dr Alamdar Hussain Malik, a former financial adviser, the petition noted that Pakistan consumed roughly 240,000 barrels (38 million litres) of petrol per day. An increase of Rs55 per litre alone generates approximately Rs2.1 billion daily or over Rs63bn monthly.

By including diesel revenues, the total extraction may exceed Rs120bn per month.

The petition stated that the US government had announced the withdrawal of sanctions on purchasing petrol and diesel from Iran in early April, but Pakistan failed to arrange imports from the neighbouring country, which could have provided fuel at less than Rs150 per litre. It argued that although the government maintained that the price hike was unavoidable due to global crude oil markets, IMF conditions, and the regional conflict, these were mere “smoke screens” allegedly used to conceal wasteful government expenditures, including salary hikes for judges and ministers, and tax policies that burden common citizens.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan recorded a second consecutive month of improving security indicators, with terrorists attacks and related casualties declining significantly in April, according to a report released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).

The think tank documented 85 verified terror attacks in April, down from 146 in March — a 42 per cent decrease. Fatalities resulting from these attacks also fell, from 106 in March to 60 in April, continuing a downward trend that began the previous month, when overall combat-related deaths had already dropped by 35pc.

This improvement follows Pakistan’s cross-border military campaign targeting anti-Pakistan militant groups and Taliban positions between February 26 and March 18. The campaign concluded with a ceasefire and subsequent talks held in Urumqi, China.

According to the report, total combat-related deaths, including those from terror attacks and security forces operations, stood at 291 in April. Terrorists accounted for 224 of these deaths, representing 77pc of the total. The remaining casualties included 28 security personnel, 37 civilians, and two members of pro-government peace committees.

Losses among security personnel declined significantly, falling from 59 in March to 28 in April, a 53pc reduction. Civilian fatalities remained relatively stable, with 37 deaths recorded in April compared to 39 in March.

Injuries also showed a notable decline. The total number of injuries dropped from 210 in March to 131 in April, a 38pc decrease. Civilian injuries fell from 98 to 54, while militant injuries declined from 57 to 31. Injuries among security personnel decreased slightly from 48 to 46, and no injuries were reported among pro-government peace committee members in April.

The 85 terrorist attacks recorded during the month were largely low-intensity incidents, with a few exceptions. These included two suicide attacks in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and a high-profile assault on a mining facility operated by National Resources Limited in Chagai district of Balochistan.

Despite the drop in attacks, security forces operations remained robust. PICSS reported that 224 assailants were killed in April, compared to 228 in March.

In total, security forces have killed 988 terrorists during the first four months of 2026.

Regionally, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continued to record the highest number of terror attacks, followed by Balochistan. In KP, attacks declined slightly from 51 in March to 45 in April, while fatalities remained unchanged at 34.

The most significant improvement was observed in the tribal districts (formerly Fata), where such attacks dropped by 40pc, from 35 in March to 21 in April. Deaths from these attacks fell sharply to six, an 82pc decline.

At the same time, security forces intensified operations in the region, killing 120 terrorists, up from 24 in March. This accounted for more than half of all militant fatalities nationwide in April.

Balochistan also experienced notable improvement. Terror attacks here fell from 59 in March to 18 in April, a 69pc reduction. These attacks resulted in 17 deaths, including 10 linked to the high-profile assault on the National Resources Limited mining facility in Chagai. Security forces killed 66 militants in the province during April, although this was lower than the 145 terrorists killed there in March.

Elsewhere, an isolated attack in Chilas district of Gilgit-Baltistan resulted in the deaths of three police personnel.

No militant attacks were reported in Punjab, Sindh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, or Islamabad during the month. However, intelligence-based operations conducted by security forces in these regions led to the arrest of eight suspects, five in Sindh, two in Punjab, and one in AJK.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026

El Nino is a naturally occurring climate phenomenon that warms surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. It brings changes in winds, pressure and rainfall patterns. Con­ditions oscillate between El Nino and its opposite La Nina, with neutral conditions in between.

The last El Nino contributed to making 2023 the second-hottest year on record and 2024 the all-time high.

The climate outlook for the 2026 southwest monsoon season (June to Sept­ember) was finalised during the 34th session of the South Asian Climate Out­look Forum (Sascof-34) held in Malé, Maldives on Tuesday.

According to a statement by the Pakistan Meteor­ological Depar­tment (PMD), below normal rainfall is most likely during the 2026 southwest monsoon season over most parts of South Asia, particularly across the central parts of the region. “However, some areas over the northwestern, northeastern and parts of the southern region are likely to experience normal to above normal rainfall,” the statement noted.

It said minimum and maximum temperatures during the upco­ming season are expected to be above normal across most of South Asia.

Currently, Enso-neutral conditions in the equatorial Pacific are transitioning tow­ard El Nino conditions, the Sascof-34 statement said. “Based on the global climate model forecasts, there is strong consensus among experts that the El Nino conditions are likely to develop during the 2026 monsoon season,” it added.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026

ATHERINOLAKKOS / ATHENS: More than 100 pro-Palestinian activists aboard aid ships bound for Gaza were taken to the Greek island of Crete on Friday after Israeli forces seized their vessels in international waters near Greece, flotilla organisers said.

The activists were part of a second Global Sumud flotilla, launched in recent months in an attempt to break Israels blockade of Gaza by delivering humanitarian assistance. The ships set sail from the Spanish port of Barcelona on April 12.

Israel’s foreign ministry earlier said around 175 activists had been taken off more than 20 vessels on Thursday by its country’s military. Flotilla organisers put the number of “kidnapped” activists at 211.

On Friday, an Israeli army ship transferred 168 members of the flotilla crew to Greek boats, which then took them to shore where buses and an ambulance waited for them, organisers said and Reuters footage showed.

However, the organisers said two activists remained with Israeli authorities.

Spain’s foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares, said 30 Spaniards had arrived in Crete but one Spanish national, Saif Abu Keshek, had been “illegally” arrested and was being taken to Israel.

Israel’s foreign ministry said Keshek was “suspected of affiliation with a terrorist organisation” and that he and Thiago Avila, suspected of “illegal activity”, would be brought to Israel for questioning.

Germany and Italy’s foreign ministries issued a joint statement saying they were following developments with “deep concern”. A source who asked not to be identified said that while 22 boats had been intercepted by Israel, 47 others were still sailing off southern Crete and planned to anchor there at some point before continuing onwards to Gaza. Each ship is carrying about a ton of food, medical and other equipment, the source said.

Israeli action condemned

The organisers condemned Israel’s seizure of its vessels. “This is piracy,” they said in a statement. “This is the unlawful seizure of human beings on the open sea near Crete, an assertion that Israel can operate with total impunity, far beyond its own borders, with no consequences.”

Pakistan and 10 other countries condemned on Friday in “strongest terms” the Israeli assault on the Global Sumud Flotilla, which they said was as a peaceful civilian humanitarian initiative aimed at drawing the attention of the international community to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

A joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Turkiye, Brazil, Jordan, Spain, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Colombia, Maldives, South Africa and Libya said the Israeli attacks against the vessels and the unlawful detention of humanitarian activists in international waters constituted “flagrant violations of international law and international humanitarian law”.

‘Love-boat activism’

The ‘Board of Peace’ established by US President Donald Trump in January labelled the Gaza-bound flotilla seized by Israel as “love-boat activism”, while highlighting the board’s work in scaling up aid to the Strip since the October ceasefire.

“The ‘flotilla’ heading to Gaza is the performative ‘love-boat activism’ of people who know nothing of and care even less for the condition[s] of [the residents of Gaza],” it said in a post on X.

It maintained that since the ceasefire last October, the Board of Peace had “significantly scaled up support for the people of Gaza”. “Food aid is reaching [three] times more people than before,” it added.

“We are currently hard at work on the next critical step in Gaza’s recovery: finalising the process by which Hamas decommissions its weapons and allows for the transition to a new government that will lead the redevelopment of this war-torn region. This will allow us to accelerate aid and rebirth.”

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026

Climate change is no longer an environmental issue alone; it is a labour crisis unfolding in real time, said Mohammad Saleem Shaikh, the ministry’s media spokesperson and climate policy advocacy specialist.

He said Pakistan’s workforce estimated at over 57 million was increasingly on the frontlines of climate vulnerability, from heat-stressed daily wage earners to flood-affected farmers.

Despite contributing around one per cent to global greenhouse gas emissions, Pakistan remains among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Around 43 per cent of its workers are employed in agriculture, leaving a significant portion directly exposed to erratic rainfall, drought and floods.

Climate impacts projected to reduce Pakistan’s GDP by up to 1820pc by 2050 without accelerated adaptation measures

Shaikh noted that the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including heatwaves, floods and glacial lake outburst floods (Glofs), had increased sharply over the past two decades, disproportionately affecting informal and outdoor workers with limited safety nets.

When heat reduces workers’ capacity or floods wipe out livelihoods overnight, the impact is immediate, personal and deeply economic, he said.

The human cost is also rising. Heatwaves have claimed hundreds of lives in recent years, including more than 568 deaths during the 2024 extreme heat event, while thousands suffered heatstroke. Studies suggest heat-related deaths could exceed 15,000 annually under current climate conditions.

Citing the World Bank’s Country Climate and Development Report, Shaikh said rising temperatures and extreme weather were already eroding labour productivity and damaging public health, with climate impacts projected to reduce Pakistan’s GDP by up to 1820 per cent by 2050 without accelerated adaptation measures.

Referring to a joint assessment by the International Labour Organisation, World Bank and Asian Development Bank, he said around 3.3 million jobs were affected by the 2025 floods, with nearly 78pc of employment losses concentrated in rural areas.

We are witnessing a dangerous convergence; extreme heat is reducing productivity, floods are destroying jobs, and vulnerable workers lack safety nets, he said, warning that climate change could push millions into poverty and reverse development gains if urgent action was not taken.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026

Speaking at the annual prize distribution ceremony at Cadet College Pishin, he said the college has emerged as a model institution by combining quality education with character building. “Only modern education can prepare our youth to face emerging challenges,” he remarked, urging parents to prioritise their children’s education.

He noted that Pakistan’s future rests on its youth, adding that cadet colleges and other educational institutions are not only imparting academic knowledge but also grooming students into responsible citizens.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026

The MoU was signed at NDMA Headquarters, Islamabad, by Mr Adnan Khan, Director of Operations, PAA, and Lt. Col. Ali Imran Syed, Director of (Response), NDMA.

The agreement aims to strengthen coordination between the two organisations through improved information sharing, joint operational planning, and capacity-building initiatives.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026

Speaking at a gathering in connection with the May 1 International Labour Day on Friday in Turbat, National Party President Dr Malik Baloch said that despite adhering to nonviolent political principles, his party continues to face hardships regardless of whether it participates in elections. “We are political people and believe in peaceful struggle, yet we are confronted with challenges in every situation,” he remarked.

Dr Malik emphasised that the essence of Labour Day lies in raising a collective voice against oppression, injustice, and exploitation. He noted that major global transformations, such as the Bolshevik Revolution and the Chinese Revolution, were driven by the working class. Expressing concern over current conditions, he said workers and unions were increasingly being denied their fundamental right to protest, stressing that speaking out against injustice is a responsibility shared by all conscious citizens.

He also voiced concern over reported incidents of enforced disappearances, including that of BSO leader Babul Malik, stating that such developments reflect the ongoing suffering in the region.

Dr Malik says despite adhering to non-violent political principles, his party faces hardships

Speaking on the occasion, Senator Jan Muhammad Buledi highlighted the long history of labour movements, noting that workers began their organised struggle for rights nearly 140 years ago. He said that although Pakistan has committed to constitutional and international labour protections, workers still face exploitation and economic hardship.

Buledi pointed out that the officially declared minimum wage of Rs37,000 remains insufficient to sustain a family, adding that even lower wages are common in the private sector. He criticised government economic policies, particularly taxation measures such as the petroleum levy, arguing that they place additional burdens on ordinary citizens.

National Party leader Shakeel Ahmed Baloch underscored key labour concerns, including fair wages, reasonable working hours, and post-retirement protections. He also stressed the importance of social security for all citizens and welcomed the participation of various labour unions in the event, reaffirming the party’s support for their demands.

Meanwhile, a separate Labour Day gathering organised by the National Party at the Quetta Press Club drew a large number of workers, union representatives, and party members. Speakers, including Mir Kabir Ahmed Muhammad and Aslam Baloch, reiterated the party’s commitment to representing the middle class and advocating for the restoration of student and trade unions, which they described as essential pillars of democracy.

Party leaders stated that May 1 is not only a day to honour the sacrifices of workers, including those linked to the Haymarket affair, but also an opportunity to renew efforts against exploitation and injustice. They maintained that restrictions on unions have contributed to political and economic stagnation.

Highlighting past achievements, leaders said the National Party had regularised thousands of Lady Health Workers and teachers during its tenure in government. They strongly opposed the privatisation of public institutions, calling it detrimental to employees and public welfare.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026