News Archives for Latest - 2026-01-20

Spain orders speed limit on Madrid-Barcelona line in wake of deadly train crash

Train drivers previously called on rail operator to limit speeds due to concerns of deteriorating high-speed lines.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 11:19pm

‘Time to call it a day’: Shoaib Malik announces retirement from PSL

"My passion and motivation to serve for the betterment of cricket will always stay," he says.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 08:32pm

KP & FATA

Flash flood warning issued for Kabul River from Jan 22-23 amid rain, snowfall in upper parts of country

All relevant bodies, including KP PDMA, advised to remain alert and ensure all necessary precautionary measures.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 08:24pm

Pakistan extends airspace ban for Indian aircraft until February 24

According to the latest Notam, Pakistan’s airspace will remain closed for India-registered aircraft until 5am on February 24.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 07:35pm

Power generation rises in December

Power generation in Pakistan rose in December, but costs climbed significantly as the energy mix shifted toward pricier alternatives.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 07:07pm

‘Not possible without officials’ involvement’: PML-N senator on theft of Pakistanis’ data

Afnanullah Khan claims involvement of Nadra, Passport and Immigration department officials; passports DG says probe conducted, some officials also removed.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 06:35pm

UAE, Bahrain and Belarus join US President Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’

Bahrain’s foreign ministry says it has accepted Trump’s invitation to the Board of Peace as a founding member.

Updated 20 Jan, 2026 11:31pm

South Asia

Diplomatic row between India and Poland after Jaishankar criticises minister’s visit to Pakistan: report

“Poland should display zero tolerance for terrorism and not help fuel the terrorist infrastructure in our neighbourhood,” Indian FM says.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 06:15pm

David Beckham’s son Brooklyn says ‘I do not want to reconcile’ in viral fallout with his parents

The 26-year-old accused his parents of trying to sabotage his relationship with wife Nicola Peltz.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 05:53pm

New Zealand’s Milne, Bracewell suffer injuries ahead of T20 World Cup

All-rounder Bracewell to be monitored over coming days before decision on involvement in world cup is confirmed.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 05:40pm

‘Take a deep breath’: US Treasury Secretary Bessent brushes off ‘hysteria’ over Greenland

Expresses confidence that the US and European countries will find a solution over the US administration’s aim to take over Greenland.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 05:27pm

‘Karachi deserves accountability’: X accuses govt of administrative failure as city counts its dead in Gul Plaza fire

Online, people are pointing to weak safety oversight, firefighting gaps and leadership silence as families wait for answers.

Updated 20 Jan, 2026 05:57pm

Billie Eilish denounces ICE at MLK awards, says Americans are watching their ‘neighbours being kidnapped’

The singer used her environmental justice acceptance speech to link climate, civil rights and migrant fears, days after US officials slammed her anti-ICE posts.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 04:31pm

KP & FATA

Committee formed to begin process for appointing vice chancellors at KP universities

Special secretary for higher education appointed as convenor of seven-member committee.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 04:18pm

Defending champion Keys gets off to shaky start at Australian Open, Shelton outclasses Humbert

Janice Tjen becomes first Indonesian to win a match at the Australian Open in 28 years.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 04:04pm

Police force indispensable for ensuring internal security and rule of law: CDF Asim Munir

COAS acknowledges the supreme sacrifices rendered by police personnel in the face of terrorism, crime, and internal security challenges.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 03:08pm

‘Is this an accident or just plain indifference?’ — Celebrities furious after fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza kills 23

Celebrity reactions to the blaze continued to pour in as more than 60 remained missing.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 02:57pm

Sindh

NA echoes with calls for empowering local govts following deadly fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza

Farooq Sattar lashes out at PPP-led Sindh govt; Khawaja Asif favours LGs, says “not humanly possible to manage Karachi in its present structure".

Updated 20 Jan, 2026 04:56pm

‘Content to die’: Afghanistan’s hunger crisis worsened by winter, aid cuts

Cuts to global programmes since US President Trump returned to White House have sapped resources of organisations such as WFP.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 01:24pm

Trump shares messages from France’s Macron offering G7 meeting after Davos

According to the messages, Macron told the US president that he could invite the Ukrainians, the Danish, the Syrians and the Russians to participate on the margins of the meeting.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 01:18pm

PTI-nominated MWM chief Raja Nasir Abbas appointed Senate opposition leader after months-long delay

In maiden address as opposition leader, Abbas says only solution to country's political crisis is releasing Imran Khan from jail.

Updated 20 Jan, 2026 04:52pm

‘They forced us’: PM Shehbaz says Pak-Afghan trade blockade result of Kabul’s inaction against terrorists

Premier says "what is good for Afghanistan is good for Pakistan, and vice versa"; notes terrorism resurged after 2018; laments lack of development in KP.

Updated 20 Jan, 2026 02:50pm

Senate opposition leader Abbas expresses solidarity with Imaan, Hadi; says dissent has been made a crime

Says Pakistan is currently going through a "severe crisis'; fresh FIR against Imaan, her husband resurfaces.

Updated 20 Jan, 2026 09:57pm

Australia set to pass tougher laws on guns, hate crimes after Bondi shooting

A second bill steps up penalties for hate crimes, such as jail terms up to 12 years when a religious official or preacher is involved.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 11:57am

Cricket

Centurion Djokovic romps to Melbourne win as Swiatek, Gauff move on in Australian Open

Coco Gauff beat Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova 6-2, 6-3, but was also less than convincing at the start and struggled with her serve.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 11:56am

‘Undisputed master of style and elegance’ — tributes pour in for Italian fashion icon Valentino

The designer's partner, the prime minister of Italy joined actors, models and industry professionals in remembering his legacy.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 11:28am

PM Shehbaz arrives in Davos for World Economic Forum

"Pakistan’s ongoing economic reform journey is unlocking profound opportunities," he says; Tarar says PM to interact with world leaders and global CEOs.

Updated 20 Jan, 2026 10:50pm

Sindh

Plea for action against officials lands in SHC over Gul Plaza fire

Petitioners urge judicial or independent technical inquiry into fire safety compliance at commercial buildings across Karachi.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 10:00am

We need industrialisation; instead, we seem to be chasing avenues such as crypto, corporate farming

What is on display is crony capitalism.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 09:48am

Sindh

‘Furqan was always willing to put himself at risk to save others’: Tribute paid to late Gul Plaza firefighter

Mayor announces financial assistance package of Rs10 million for the family.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 09:45am

Indian opposition in disarray as government escapes criticism over abysmal show at home and abroad

The very least the fractured parties can do is to stop carping at each other publicly.

Updated 20 Jan, 2026 10:13am

What if, after yet another amendment, it turns out it wasn’t enough to increase the age of voting to 25?

Surely, it would be easier to simply hone the election management technique introduced before, during and after the 2024 elections.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 09:28am

Editorial: If Gul Plaza tragedy is to mean anything, it must trigger more than condolences and cheques

Karachi has seen this before: factories without exits, markets without safety plans, high-rises without oversight.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 09:04am

Quetta’s water crisis worsens as groundwater depletes and public supply fails

It's 2026, yet many houses in Balochistan's provincial capital have still never been connected to a water pipeline.

Updated 22 Jan, 2026 11:26pm

Sindh

Death toll of fire at Karachi’s Gul Plaza reaches 28

Police surgeon says 8 bodies have been identified; Rescue 1122 official says workers have accessed building’s basement, first and second floors.

Updated 20 Jan, 2026 11:06pm

Branded Content

Dawlance inaugurates advanced condenser manufacturing facility, strengthening Pakistan’s industrial self-reliance

The initiative marks a major milestone in Dawlance’s localisation strategy and represents a significant advancement in Pakistan’s refrigeration component manufacturing capabilities.

Updated 20 Jan, 2026 05:04pm

KP & FATA

One killed as 5.8-magnitude quake hits parts of GB

Landslides block Karakoram Highway and several link roads.

Updated 20 Jan, 2026 08:17am

National

SC regrets apathy towards domestic violence victims

Husband’s conviction upheld as no evidence of natural death found.

Updated 20 Jan, 2026 08:32am

Balochistan

CTD kills five ‘terrorists’ in Mastung operation

Arms and ammunition recovered from possession of terrorists, including five sub-machine guns.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 07:40am

KP & FATA

Tirah operation sparks debate in Senate

Senator Palwasha asks for her privilege motion against Aleem Khan to be taken up.

Updated 20 Jan, 2026 08:52am

National

Pakistan Railways to digitise network by June

Project includes introducing GPS tracking for trains and locomotives.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 07:39am

National

Pakistan, China set to ink MoUs in 10 agri-sectors

PM says agriculture can be transformed "within months" with Beijing’s support.

Updated 20 Jan, 2026 09:07am

Balochistan

Highway accident claims four lives in Khuzdar

Impact wrecks car, injures motorcycle rider.

Updated 20 Jan, 2026 09:19am

Balochistan

Railway track blown up near Dera Murad Jamali

Around three kilogrammes of explosive used in blast, say police officials.

Updated 20 Jan, 2026 09:24am

Grid issues behind costly power, says Nepra in detailed review

Transmission system suffers from overloading, underutilisation.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 07:31am

National

JI warns against hasty decision on joining Gaza peace board

Says protest is PTI’s constitutional right as an opposition party.

Updated 20 Jan, 2026 09:15am

KP & FATA

Militant hideouts destroyed in Lakki operation

Police say terrorists, their facilitators won’t be spared.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 07:21am

KP & FATA

Snow leopard found dead in Chitral

The animal was spotted in area about two months back after its long disappearance for more than 10 years.

Updated 20 Jan, 2026 09:54am

KP & FATA

PTI being unfairly targeted, insist treasury lawmakers in KP Assembly

They wonder how militants continue to enter KP despite border fencing, monitoring.

Updated 20 Jan, 2026 10:00am

Islamabad

Muslim Conference seeks political resurgence in AJK polls

The event was organised by the MC’s Muzaffarabad division.

Updated 20 Jan, 2026 10:25am

Islamabad

Three permanent Islamabad High Court judges take oath

Justice Muhammad Azam Khan, Justice Muhammad Asif and Justice Raja Inam Ameen Minhas sworn in.

Updated 20 Jan, 2026 10:22am

Islamabad

CDA reviews fire safety in high-rise buildings in Islamabad after Karachi tragedy

Completion certificate covers fire safety, structural stability, and implementation of approved building plans.

Updated 20 Jan, 2026 10:16am

Punjab

29 gangsters court arrest during Katcha crackdown in Dera Ghazi Khan

DPO says apprehended outlaws to be prosecuted and punished in accordance with the law.

Updated 20 Jan, 2026 10:38am

Punjab

Five dead in fog-related road crashes in Punjab

School van and bus collide in Nankana Sahib; trailer overturns in Sialkot.

Updated 20 Jan, 2026 10:35am

Punjab

Punjab claims supply of 0.85m metric tonnes of wheat to provinces

PTI Kissan Wing rejects claim; says only smuggled staple reaches province.

Updated 20 Jan, 2026 10:28am

Sindh

Six policemen held for raping girl in Jacobabad police station

Case registered on the complaint of the victim’s grandmother.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 07:21am

International

French TV broadcasts Louvre robbery images

The images, filmed by surveillance cameras, were shown by the TF1 and public France Televisions channels on Sunday evening.

Updated 20 Jan, 2026 08:35am

International

Astronomers spot mysterious ‘iron bar’ in Ring Nebula

Scientists spot a large cloud of iron atoms in shape of a bar stretching about 3.7 trillion miles (6 trillion km) long across the face of the nebula.

Updated 20 Jan, 2026 08:42am

International

China’s birth rate falls to lowest on record

UN predicts population could fall from around 1.4bn to 800m by 2100.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 07:21am

Sport

Ali Raza stars as Pakistan register first victory in U-19 World Cup

Clean bowls Theo Robinson and Max Chaplin in the first over with full and straight deliveries.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 07:21am

Sport

Asif storms into national snooker semis

Three-time world champion Asif first stages a brilliant comeback to oust the title-holder Shahid 5-4 in a nail-biting prequarter-final

Published 20 Jan, 2026 07:21am

Sport

Fullkrug heads winner as Milan edge Lecce at home

Milan are second in the table with 46 points, three behind city rivals Inter Milan at the summit.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 07:21am

Business

India proposes linking BRICS’ digital currencies

Move to reduce reliance on the US dollar as geopolitical tensions rise.

Updated 20 Jan, 2026 07:47am

Business

Regulations amended for rights shares

SECP says that amendment will facilitate capital raising by listed companies while maintaining adequate disclosure requirements for investors.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 07:21am

Business

Foreign direct investment plunges 43pc

Heightened regional tensions weigh on investor sentiment.

Updated 20 Jan, 2026 07:42am

Business

JazzWorld locks Rs75bn swap deal with UBL

With upcoming spectrum auctions on the horizon, the company expects its borrowing requirements to increase further.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 07:21am

Business

IT exports surge to record $437m in December

The government has set a target of $5bn in IT exports for 2025-26, and analysts remain optimistic that the goal will be achieved.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 07:21am

Business

Gold, silver scale fresh highs

Spot gold jumped 1.7 per cent to $4,672.49 an ounce by 12:05pm ET.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 07:21am

Back Page

Iran says internet to return ‘gradually’ after 11-day blackout

Davos disinvites FM Araghchi over "tragic" crackdown.

Updated 20 Jan, 2026 07:54am

Back Page

US invites Russia, Israel, Poland to Gaza ‘Board of Peace’

Kazakh, Uzbek leaders ready to join; Moscow weighs "nuances".

Updated 20 Jan, 2026 07:48am

Front Page

What prompted US to abort Iran strikes?

US, Israel, Gulf allies all were underprepared for retaliation.

Updated 20 Jan, 2026 08:08am

Business

PSX hits new peak despite economic concerns

Market sentiment remained buoyant amid growing expectations of an imminent interest rate cut.

Published 20 Jan, 2026 07:18am

Tuesday, January 20, 2026