News Archives for Latest - 2026-01-08

Middle East

Shelling rocks Syria’s Aleppo as clashes intensify between government, Kurdish fighters

Syria's army gave a window on Thursday for residents to evacuate the neighbourhoods held by Kurdish forces in Aleppo before launching new strikes.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 11:46pm

Pakistan, Muslim countries ‘express strong condemnation’ of Israeli FM’s visit to Somaliland

Statement says visit violates the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia, undermines established international norms and the UN Charter.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 10:32pm

Sindh

Couple gunned down in Karachi’s Sohrab Goth for ‘honour’: police

Sindh IG takes notice, orders immediate arrest of suspected shooters.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 09:48pm

‘Negotiations do not happen in jail’: PTI’s Raja says talks with govt will not happen in Imran’s absence

PTI leader says Achakzai and Imran's sister Aleema Khan are on the same page, asks govt to present an agenda for negotiations.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 09:25pm

Trump says US oversight of Venezuela could last years

"They're giving us everything that we feel is necessary," Trump says, referring to the Venezuelan government.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 08:55pm

Bangladesh air chief discusses enhancing defence cooperation in meetings with CDF Munir, naval chief

ISPR says meetings reflect “longstanding and strong bonds between the two brotherly countries”, and "deepening defence ties".

Updated 08 Jan, 2026 08:31pm

Only ‘bilateral dispute’ with Kabul is terrorism emanating from Afghan soil: FO

Says there is potential for bilateral cooperation with Afghanistan, but it can only be realised with written commitments from Kabul to end cross-border terrorism.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 07:06pm

Bruno Mars is releasing a new album, The Romantic, on Feb 27

The star will start releasing songs from the album on Jan 9.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 05:20pm

Historic Rs1.85bn bid buys Sialkot as new PSL franchise, Hyderabad snapped up for Rs1.75bn

OZ Developers win bid for Sialkot moments after FKS group snaps up Hyderabad for Rs1.75bn.

Updated 09 Jan, 2026 08:57am

Fatima Bhutto’s upcoming memoir explores anxiety, chosen family, and the quiet salvation of a dog’s love

Set to launch later this month, The Hour of the Wolf traces grief, friendship, and healing through Bhutto’s relationship with her dog Coco.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 05:02pm

Zainab Qayoom on her transition to acting and the challenge of playing the mother of a former co-lead

The star talked about her transition from modelling to acting and how she's better at playing mature roles.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 04:58pm

Crowds pay tribute as French cinema icon Brigitte Bardot is buried in Saint-Tropez

She shot to international fame in her early 20s in the film And God Created Woman, made in 1950; the last of her 42 films was made in 1973.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 04:58pm

In Quetta, PM Shehbaz stresses ‘brotherhood and cooperation’ with provinces, especially those facing challenges

PM Shehbaz says, "We have to work together where there are challenges and come to the table to find solutions".

Updated 08 Jan, 2026 08:04pm

Anoushey Ashraf’s dreamy reception gown didn’t cost a fortune, and yours doesn’t have to either

The host revisited her Istanbul find and explained why care and personalisation matter more than price tags.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 04:09pm

KP & FATA

3 cops injured as police vehicle comes under attack in KP’s Bannu

The vehicle was transporting prisoners for court hearings, say sources; investigation under way.

Updated 08 Jan, 2026 06:49pm

PTI takes offence to being labelled ‘terrorist facilitators’, says there should be no politics on the issue

"In fact, we need a singular stance and narrative on terrorism,” says PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan.

Updated 08 Jan, 2026 06:45pm

Balochistan

Terrorists using BYC’s platform to induct Balochistan’s youth into their networks: CTD official

CTD DIG says terrorist arrested from Panjgur was in contact with BYC; 3 youngsters involved with BYC also arrested.

Updated 08 Jan, 2026 03:51pm

Sabalenka to skip events in 2026 to prioritise health, accuses tour chiefs over ‘insane’ tennis schedule

Belarusian says she is prepared to be fined for missing mandatory tournaments in the months ahead.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 02:36pm

PIA announces resumption of Lahore-London flights from March 30

Airline will operate up to seven flights to UK by the end of March, says spokesperson.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 02:28pm

Abdullah Siddiqui calls his next album Bad Music, and he means it

Written in the aftermath of trauma, the record drops January 16 after a month of emotionally charged singles.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 01:50pm

What do airports reveal about the societies that build them? A comparison of Doha, Berlin and Karachi airport

A brief stay at this airport feels like a delight for the senses; an artificial tropical garden, endless dining options and other curated attractions look like something from a fairytale.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 01:37pm

Stopping weight-loss drugs makes people pile back on kilos 4 times faster than they would after ending diet: study

Six of the clinical trials involved semaglutide — the ingredient used in Novo Nordisk's brands Ozempic and Wegovy — and tirzepatide used for Eli Lilly's Mounjaro and Zepbound.

Updated 08 Jan, 2026 08:26pm

Middle East

Iran police officer killed in stabbing during unrest near Tehran: local media

Unrest broke out in Iran on Dec 28 after merchants in Tehran staged a protest against rising prices and the collapse of the rial.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 01:15pm

South Asia

Direct Bangladesh-Pakistan flights to resume after 14 years

Biman Bangladesh Airlines is scheduled to fly its first Dhaka-Karachi flight on January 29.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 01:05pm

In meeting with air chief, Saudi defence leadership lauds Pakistan’s role in promoting regional peace and stability

“During the meetings, matters pertaining to bilateral defence cooperation, regional security environment and future avenues of collaboration were discussed," ISPR says.

Updated 08 Jan, 2026 01:06pm

In pictures: Anger in US over woman’s killing by immigration officer

The woman was shot at point-blank range as she apparently tried to drive away from ICE agents crowding around her car.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 12:04pm

Japan nuclear official loses phone with confidential data in China

The device is primarily used for telephone calls and texting, and not for accessing nuclear data at the agency, says official.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 11:56am

Netflix announces Enola Holmes 3 will release in 2026

Millie Bobby Brown will return as titular lead character alongside Louis Partridge and Henry Cavill.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 11:49am

Punjab

At Imran’s Zaman Park residence, TTAP chief calls for protests on Feb 8

Says opposition alliance is not against PM or president, but against "those political parties and state institutions desecrating the Constitution of Pakistan”.

Updated 08 Jan, 2026 11:21pm

Indian-Nigerian filmmaker’s first movie Namaste Wahala brings two worlds of Bollywood and Nollywood together

Hamisha Daryani Ahuja's film was released by Netflix during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 11:40am

Elvis-themed train kicks off its annual journey to the Elvis Festival in Australia

The seven-hour railway trip features a continuous line-up of Elvis-themed entertainment, including tribute artists performing some of the King’s greatest hits.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 11:36am

SHC dismisses petition seeking ban on release of animated biblical film David

A two-judge bench dismissed the plea at the preliminary hearing stage, observing that it was 'misconceived'.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 11:17am

CDF Field Marshal Munir emphasises army’s zero-tolerance policy towards threats to national security

In visit to Lahore Garrison, he says armed forces are committed to safeguarding Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and internal stability.

Updated 08 Jan, 2026 01:48pm

Killing of woman by US immigration officer sparks protests in Minneapolis

Thousands of protesters take to the frigid streets of Minneapolis after the shooting.

Updated 08 Jan, 2026 12:13pm

Why I don’t write about solutions to the problems in Pakistan

When talking about solutions, it is critical to first have clarity on the problem.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 09:43am

Australia win final Test to complete 4-1 Ashes triumph over England

Usman Khawaja makes six in final knock before retirement, walks off to standing ovation.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 09:27am

Editorial: The 27th Amendment was a monumental mistake and a review cannot be put off indefinitely

Parliament must consider if it is worth inviting international opprobrium over a piece of legislation that has demonstrably so little to do with the public interest.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 09:14am

Balochistan

‘National Highway Authority-related issues to be resolved soon’, Balochistan governor told

Aleem tells Mandokhail that N-25 will meet global standards.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 08:51am

Trump pulls US out of dozens of international organisations, including key climate treaty and global warming assessment body

A total of 66 international organisations have been named in a White House memorandum as “contrary to the interests of the United States”.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 08:42am

Ferry service licences being issued in a week, says maritime affairs minister

Says Iran and Yemen have shown an interest in launching ferry services from Pakistan.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 08:25am

Punjab

Community health inspectors programme launched in Punjab

“Once these inspectors enter the field, diseases will be driven out of Punjab," says Punjab CM Maryam.

Updated 08 Jan, 2026 09:54am

Punjab

Transfer of judge holding May 9 trials in Lahore withdrawn

During the last year, the judge handed down sentences to PTI leaders and workers in multiple cases pertaining to the May 9 riots.

Updated 08 Jan, 2026 09:39am

Federal cabinet halts hike in fuel margins

PM links commissions and margins to full digitisation of petroleum supply chain.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 08:03am

Punjab

Tribunal cites court verdicts for rejecting Yasmin Rashid’s plea

Finds petition legally untenable as it fails to meet statutory requirements.

Updated 08 Jan, 2026 10:06am

‘Troubled and dangerous times’: Trump seeks 50pc hike in US defence budget for 2027 to $1.5 trillion

The hike would push Washington’s financial outlay on its armed forces even farther ahead of its rivals China and Russia.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 07:57am

Punjab

HED too forms committee to probe into suicide bid by student in Lahore

HED official says committee will submit its report in 4 days.

Updated 08 Jan, 2026 10:08am

Business

Virtual mobile service operators to get permits

PTA notifies MVNO policy framework; licence fee set at $140,000.

Updated 08 Jan, 2026 08:11am

Business

PM Shehbaz directs speedy refunds to boost exports

Says no negligence would be tolerated in the timely payment of tax refunds to exporters; calls for devising a strategy with stakeholders’ input.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 07:42am

Business

Govt raises Rs1.08tr through T-bills, bond auctions

According to SBP, the govt borrowed Rs979.3 billion through T-bills and Rs108bn through Pakistan Investment Bonds.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 07:40am

Ex-US envoy for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad asks Islamabad to have fresh accord with Kabul

Calls it "misunderstanding" to think Doha Agreement covers Afghanistan-Pakistan issues.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 07:38am

Business

Nepra cuts power tariff by 62 paise

The national average tariff has been set at Rs33.38 per kWh, down from Rs34.00 per kWh in 2025-26.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 07:36am

Column

Remittances: boon or bane?

Absorbing new labour force entrants domestically is increasingly difficult.

Updated 08 Jan, 2026 09:28am

US says it needs to control Venezuelan oil sales indefinitely to drive change

Trump says Venezuela has agreed to use the proceeds from the sale of its oil to purchase American-made goods.

Updated 08 Jan, 2026 07:52am

KP & FATA

Peshawar burn centre records 66pc spike in cases last year

Doctor urges government to initiate scheme for prevention of burn injuries.

Updated 08 Jan, 2026 09:14am

KP & FATA

Wapda XEN abducted in Bannu

The abductors have demanded a ransom of Rs 50 million for his release, official sources say.

Updated 08 Jan, 2026 09:23am

KP & FATA

Rs1 trillion tribal development package in the works

Afridi says Roshan Qabail initiative to improve infrastructure, develop human resources, create jobs.

Updated 08 Jan, 2026 09:07am

Islamabad

Senate panel orders job protection, salary clearance for ex-PWD employees

Emphasises need for immediately paying the outstanding dues of the employees.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 07:10am

Islamabad

Centre, provinces green light action plan to enrol out-of-school children

UN agencies, including Unicef, say that more than 25 million children are out of school in Pakistan.

Published 08 Jan, 2026 07:10am

Sindh

Despite ‘strong objections’ to PTI politics, CM Afridi to be welcomed in Sindh, says Sharjeel

Says Sindh government holds strong objections to PTI's politics.

Updated 08 Jan, 2026 09:06am

Sindh

Mayor throws his weight behind culling amid surge in dog-bite cases in Karachi

Questions whether critics comprehend the suffering caused by dog attacks; Says a small group should not dictate stray dog policy, which must reflect majority’s will.

Updated 08 Jan, 2026 09:04am

Sindh

Journalist held under Peca in Karachi sent to prison after NCCIA remand denied

The complainant has alleged Muhammad Aslam Shah was carrying out “defamation propaganda” against him and his senior, Colonel Anjum, in social media groups.

Updated 08 Jan, 2026 08:48am

Sindh