News Archives for Latest - 2026-01-05

Pakistan expresses ‘profound concern’, urges restraint and dialogue on Venezuela at UNSC

Unilateral military action contravened “sacrosanct principles” as well as the doctrine of sovereign immunity, says Pakistan's envoy.

Updated 06 Jan, 2026 10:04am

US Vice President Vance says ‘crazy person’ tried to break into his home

US VP says he was not home, thanks Cincinnati police and Secret Service for handling incident.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 09:35pm

Social media posts case: Cross-examination of key witness completed by Imaan, Hadi

NCCIA official refuses to comment on previous statements by incumbent ministers and an ex-army official that touched upon the issue of missing persons, negotiations with rights activists, criticism of the military.

Updated 05 Jan, 2026 09:31pm

Palestinian embassy in UK officially inaugurated

“This is a day of hope, a day of steadfastness, and a day that reminds the world that peace is not only possible, it is inevitable," says Ambassador Husam Zomlot.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 08:52pm

Sindh

Water tanker kills 7-year-old boy in Karachi’s Manghopir: police

Police say the driver was speeding on a street when he hit the boy, who died on the spot.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 08:47pm

Middle East

Damascus seeks withdrawal of Israeli troops as US-mediated security talks with Syria resume

Syria is seeking an Israeli withdrawal to positions held before Assad was toppled; talks focused on reviving 1974 buffer zone pact.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 07:45pm

Venezuela’s Maduro, wife plead not guilty in US court appearance

Next hearing set for March 17; deposed Venezuelan president, first lady charged with narcotrafficking offences.

Updated 05 Jan, 2026 11:23pm

EU says ‘seriously looking’ into Musk’s Grok AI over sexual deepfakes of minors

Public prosecutor’s office in Paris also expands probe into X over Grok being used for generating, disseminating child pornography.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 07:26pm

KP & FATA

Peshawar, the city that once pulsed with music, cinema, poetry and coexistence, now struggles with fear, radicalisation and silence

A native returns to his home in what was once known as the ‘City of Flowers’ and tries to make sense of its slow erosion.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 07:01pm

Punjab

Lahore court grants pre-arrest bail to qawwal booked for song linked to Imran Khan

The FIR alleged that Faraz Khan gave a "political colour" to the event as the song mentioned “Qaidi No. 804” in reference to former premier.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 06:48pm

Commonwealth, Asian Games and T20 World Cup to shape Pakistan’s 2026 sports calendar

Pakistan’s largest international medal haul this year can be expected at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh from July 23-August 2.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 06:20pm

Greenland says ‘no more fantasies about annexation’ after Trump remarks

Denmark’s allies in Europe affirmed that the Arctic island’s future must be determined by its people.

Updated 05 Jan, 2026 06:35pm

Karachi’s TDF Ghar and MagnifiScience Centre declared museums by Sindh government

Both venues have established themselves as important places for informal learning in Karachi.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 06:01pm

Balochistan

1 killed, 16 injured in Panjgur IED attack

IED was planted in a motorbike; assistant commissioner says three of the injured are in serious condition.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 05:42pm

A week in social media: An invasion, a YouTuber being attacked, and a new mayor

A recap of the biggest events on social media this week, ICYMI!

Published 05 Jan, 2026 05:28pm

Iran judiciary chief says ‘no leniency’ towards ‘rioters’

Judiciary chief says Iran “listens to the protesters and their criticism"; Fars news agency reports "a notable decrease in the number of gatherings".

Published 05 Jan, 2026 05:10pm

The Chalta Phirta Documentary Festival is returning to Karachi with 12 documentary films

The two-day festival will commence in the city on Jan 10 and then head to Lahore on Jan 17.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 05:09pm

Sindh

Mustafa Amir murder case: Main suspect gets bail in illegal call centre case

Armaghan will remain in jail as multiple cases against him are still pending in court; defence counsel says not a “single shred of evidence” has been presented against the accused.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 04:55pm

South Asia

India’s top court denies bail to Muslim student leader Umar Khalid

Khalid, 38, has been detained for more than 5 years on charges of conspiracy to trigger the deadly 2020 riots in Delhi.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 04:52pm

Life is a gift, says actor Navin Waqar about her character’s death in Humsafar

She urged people to live for themselves, focus on people who love them and never let anyone tell them they're worthless.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 04:42pm

Manchester United sack manager Ruben Amorim

Says club's leadership has "reluctantly made the decision that it is the right time to make a change."

Published 05 Jan, 2026 03:46pm

Sindh

Sindh CTD says major terrorist plot in Karachi foiled; 2,000kg of explosive material seized

CTD official says 3 terrorists have been arrested; Mazda truck loaded with explosive materials seized.

Updated 05 Jan, 2026 07:23pm

Bangladesh orders indefinite ban on IPL telecast after Mustafizur Rahman row

All IPL-related broadcasts, promotions and event coverage has been suspended with immediate effect and will remain so until further orders.

Updated 05 Jan, 2026 03:16pm

KP CM Sohail Afridi calls on lawyers to stand up for independence of judiciary

Urges them to announce a lawyers’ movement while addressing the Islamabad Bar Association.

Updated 05 Jan, 2026 02:24pm

As social media stardom takes over, do celebrities still need paparazzi and journalists?

The chasm between celebrities and journalists may have become more pronounced but whether stars like it or not, the power of the press remains.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 01:54pm

Former heavyweight boxing Tyson Fury comes out of retirement again

Fury has not fought since losing to Oleksandr Usyk in a bout for three of the four major world titles in December 2024.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 01:53pm

Top Featured

’We did this incredible thing’: Trump’s capture of Maduro and the ‘complexities’ of international law

America’s actions are a violation of Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter and a clear act of aggression.

Updated 12 Jan, 2026 01:05pm

Opposition leader’s appointment: PTI chief whip submits documents pertaining to Omar Ayub’s cases to NA speaker

“Constitutional process for the appointment of the next opposition leader will be initiated in the next parliamentary session,” Ayaz Sadiq says.

Updated 05 Jan, 2026 04:54pm

Samsung to double mobile devices powered by Google’s Gemini to 800m units this year

Co-CEO acknowledges "no company is immune" to impact of global shortage of memory chips.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 12:48pm

‘God made this year a test’: Hania Aamir shares a glimpse of her not-so-easy-year in a vulnerable post

The actor opened up about being the 'steady voice to so many', yet having to hope someone answers the phone just so the night feels survivable.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 12:33pm

UK starts ban on junk food ads on daytime TV and online

The ban targets ads for products high in fat, salt or sugar.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 12:28pm

‘We can revise tariffs very quickly’: Trump warns of higher tariffs on India over Russian oil purchases

“Modi is a good guy. He knew I was not happy, and it was important to make me happy,” US president says.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 12:23pm

Djokovic exits Professional Tennis Players Association over transparency concerns

Says his latest move was also driven by how his voice and image had been represented.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 12:02pm

Ukraine says Russian strike on Kyiv leaves first civilians dead this year

Ukraine's State Emergency Service says strike set ablaze a medical facility in the Obolonskyi district in Kyiv’s northern sector, where an inpatient ward was operating.

Updated 05 Jan, 2026 01:53pm

North Korea tests hypersonic missiles, says nuclear forces ready for war

“Important achievements have been recently made in putting our nuclear forces on a practical basis and preparing them for an actual war,” says Kim Jong Un.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 11:09am

Sindh

I rode Karachi’s new double-decker bus and I think you should too

Getting around the city without a car is no easy feat, but these new buses definitely help.

Updated 05 Jan, 2026 09:21pm

Head hits back for Australia after Root’s majestic 160 in fifth Ashes Test

By stumps, the hosts had raced to 166-2 with nightwatchman Neser on one alongside Head.

Updated 05 Jan, 2026 12:39pm

Pakistan, China call for more ‘visible, verifiable’ actions to eliminate terrorist groups based in Afghanistan

Joint communique says China commended the measures taken by Islamabad to combat terrorism and protect the safety of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan.

Updated 05 Jan, 2026 05:58pm

Inflation may have subsided in Pakistan since 2024 but dynamism in the economy is still missing

Failure is rooted in the absence of a viable political project that puts broad-based, welfare-enhancing growth as its primary objective.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 09:48am

Editorial: Increasing terrorist attacks in Pakistan point to a crisis that is expanding in scale and becoming harder to control

There is danger in accepting this as the new normal.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 09:22am

Sindh

Protest held in Karachi condemning US aggression against Venezuela

Demonstrators express solidarity with the anti-imperialist resistance of the Venezuelan people.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 08:50am

Trump says second Venezuela strike possible if govt does not cooperate, insists US ‘in charge’

Suggests Colombia and Mexico could also face military action if they do not reduce the flow of illicit drugs to the United States.

Updated 05 Jan, 2026 12:01pm

Tehran announces monthly allowance to ease economic pressures following week of protests

Rights groups claim at least 16 killed, hundreds arrested during first week of protests.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 07:48am

After Venezuelan leader’s capture, Trump ‘threatens’ Mexico, Cuba and Colombia next

Accuses the Colombian leader of facilitating drug trafficking into the United States.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 07:46am

2026 may prove yet another challenging year for Pakistan’s middle class and poor households

The government must exercise caution in its policy choices, ensuring that short-term growth ambition does not undermine long-term economic stability, social equity and institutional resilience.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 07:42am

Why chasing every dollar is a policy mistake for Pakistan

Treating all FDI as equally beneficial and celebrating investments that merely exploit domestic demand reflects a flawed economic strategy.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 07:37am

Business

Using stablecoins to upgrade remittances

Remittances can be converted into dollar stablecoins, bridged into the Pakistani CBDC's network, exchanged at market rates, and redeemed into rupees via Raast.

Updated 13 Jan, 2026 06:04pm

Business & Finance

CORPORATE WINDOW: Breaking the glass ceiling

Study finds 77pc of unemployed parents will return to work if childcare options are available.

Updated 05 Jan, 2026 08:01am

Business

Agriculture: The hidden cost of trade shocks

The suspension of exports has slashed farm-gate citrus prices by 50–80pc, while the inability to export potatoes is triggering a market crash.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 07:32am

Business

A high-stakes digital turn

Given the rise in AI adoption and resulting misuse, Pakistan has begun laying a strategic foundation for its digital future that involves setting up training centres and starting a national fund.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 07:32am

New federal agricultural financing scheme and the flaws of coercive sustainability

Banks cannot substitute relationship-based rural finance with unsecure, portal-driven credit mandates and expect similar repayment behaviour.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 07:30am

Column

A national agenda for 2026

Overlapping challenges facing the country are a test of leadership for all political stakeholders.

Updated 05 Jan, 2026 09:33am

KP & FATA

Khyber residents take to streets to demand reopening of Torkham border

Ask both countries to detach bilateral trade from political, security issues.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 07:26am

KP & FATA

KP CM orders completion of feasibility study for power distribution company

Participants review progress on power transmission infrastructure and hydropower projects.

Updated 05 Jan, 2026 10:08am

KP & FATA

PTI in state of political disarray: KP governor

Kundi says elements working against Constitution can’t be engaged through dialogue.

Updated 05 Jan, 2026 09:59am

Islamabad

Education ministry expands national learning assessments to private sector

Assessments will be conducted in Grades 5 and 8, covering schools across all provinces and regions.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 07:26am

Islamabad

Daducha Dam displacement sparks outcry in Barwala

Residents of Barwala and adjoining villages facing displacement have demanded that their community and clans should not be scattered.

Updated 05 Jan, 2026 09:35am

Islamabad

Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad informs ministry about encroachments by foreign missions in Diplomatic Enclave

The Diplomatic Enclave is a gated area in Islamabad's Sector G-5 where embassies and foreign missions are located.

Updated 05 Jan, 2026 09:41am

Islamabad

Ring Road inspection soon before approval of revised PC-I

Punjab Planning and Development Board has made some observations over cost escalation and its team will visit the site, says official.

Updated 05 Jan, 2026 09:31am

Punjab

Heritage lovers call for restoring rusting Indus Queen

The boat's skeleton is presently rusting near Kot Mithan along the deserted banks of the Indus River.

Updated 05 Jan, 2026 08:51am

Punjab

2 children killed in fog-related accidents in Jaranwala

Four others have been injured in fog-related accidents.

Updated 05 Jan, 2026 08:51am

Punjab

New policy in Lahore links SHOs’ performance with public feedback

A senior official says Lahore’s police stations will function as "citizen facilitation centres" rather than "complaint deterrents" in 2026.

Updated 05 Jan, 2026 08:53am

Punjab

Qawwal booked in Lahore over song linked to Imran Khan

He sang a song titled 'Qaidi No 804' during a government-sponsored cultural event at the Shalimar Gardens.

Updated 05 Jan, 2026 08:55am

Sindh

Karachi Mayor inaugurates Rs900m solar-powered street light project on Sharea Faisal

“2026 will be the year of development, and every promise made to the people during the elections will be fulfilled," he says.

Updated 05 Jan, 2026 09:26am

Sindh

Study calls for regulating flavour chemicals in nicotine pouches

Existing research shows flavours can lead young people to try tobacco and nicotine products for first time, says co-author.

Updated 05 Jan, 2026 09:27am

International

US president makes ‘illogical’ claim about ‘stolen’ US oil

Historical records show Venezuela’s oil nationalisation is a negotiated process with compensation, not outright theft as claimed by the US president.

Updated 05 Jan, 2026 07:57am

International

Mamdani calls Venezuelan president’s arrest illegal ‘regime change’

“I called the president and spoke with him directly to register my opposition to this act,” he says.

Updated 05 Jan, 2026 08:07am

South Asia

2 detained near residence of BNP’s acting leader Tarique Rahman

Official says one of the two was seen taking photographs of the residence and nearby vehicles from different angles.

Updated 05 Jan, 2026 07:49am

Sport

Israr retains Karachi Marathon crown, Sara claims women’s title

Marathon’s official partners announce they will sponsor Pakistani runners to participate at this year’s London Marathon.

Updated 05 Jan, 2026 11:47am

Sport

Rain forces no result in Pakistan, Zimbabwe U-19 tri-series game

After electing to bat first, Pakistan posted 208 all out in 46.3 overs before the weather intervened and no further play was possible.

Updated 05 Jan, 2026 11:51am

FIA sets up pre-departure facilitation desks nationwide following large-scale offloading complaints

Initiative aims to provide guidance and assistance to international travellers on immigration procedures and clearances, ensuring a smoother and more hassle-free travel experience, says FIA.

Published 05 Jan, 2026 07:25am

Balochistan