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Dawn - 08:37 Jun 19, 2026
An Indian state health authority is investigating how liquid discharged from Apple supplier Tata’s iPhone components factory has affected farmers, some of whom complained about skin issues from contamination in their farmlands, according to three officials and a document reviewed by Reuters. The health investigation opens a new front in an environmental dispute that has become a test case for India’s push to become a major manufacturing hub for Apple iPhones. The Tata Electronics plant in Hosur in southern Tamil Nadu state was sent a warning notice by the state pollution control board on May 25 for allegedly contaminating groundwater in adjacent farms. Tata said in a statement this week that the pollution board had dropped its scrutiny after confirming its analysis of recently collected water samples from inside the facility did “not indicate any contamination”. The pollution board and the state have not commented on the matter and did not respond to Reuters emails and phone calls requesting comment. Apple ha... -
Dawn - 07:40 Jun 19, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to phase out machine-readable passports and switch fully to e-passports, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced on Friday, saying the move will offer advanced security, global compatibility and a seamless airport experience. Chairing a special meeting at the Passport and Immigration Headquarters, Naqvi said the complete transition would eliminate fraud and forgery. “The complete transition to e-passports will end fraud and forgery related to passports,” he said. Director General Passports and Immigration Muhammad Ali Randhawa briefed the minister on the reforms. The meeting approved in principle to shift to e-passports, though no cutoff date for phasing out old passports was set. An e-Passport is a highly secure travel document with an electronic chip embedded in one of its pages. The contactless NFC chip securely stores biometric data, facial details, biographical information, a unique identification number and a digital signature. The chip allows border control and sm... -
Dawn - 07:20 Jun 19, 2026
Switzerland said talks between the United States and Iran on a pact to end the Middle East conflict would not take place on Friday, as US Vice President JD Vance dropped plans to travel to Geneva. The talks were set to take place under the ‘Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding’ signed between the US and Iran a day ago, after the two sides agreed on a 14-point accord on Monday. Under the deal, Washington and Tehran have agreed on a framework to end the war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and negotiate on key issues within 60 days. The talks, set for the mountaintop resort of Burgenstock, would not take place, Switzerland’s foreign ministry confirmed, but gave no details. “The planned talks between the US, Iran, Qatar and Pakistan have been postponed,” the Swiss foreign ministry said in a message to AFP. “Switzerland remains ready to facilitate these talks. The relevant preparatory work at Burgenstock is continuing,” it added, without providing a new date for the talks. In Washington, a White House spokesperson s... -
Dawn - 05:05 Jun 19, 2026
UNITED NATIONS: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has urged the UN Security Council (UNSC) to take notice of India’s “brazen violations” of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), warning that New Delhi’s actions threaten Pakistan’s water security, regional stability and international peace. Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad delivered a letter from DPM Dar to the president of the UNSC, Ambassador Leonor Zalabata Torres of Colombia, drawing attention to India’s violations of the IWT. In a post on the social media platform X, the ambassador said the letter “draws urgent attention of the UNSC to two illegal Indian infrastructure projects linked to Chenab River system aimed at water diversion, which reveal India’s intention to illegally alter the treaty-governed flow and use of the Western rivers, weaponising water with dangerous implications for Pakistan’s water, food, and economic security as well as regional stability and international peace and security”. H... -
Dawn - 04:48 Jun 19, 2026
ISLAMABAD: City managers have spent three tense days as unknown hackers reportedly breached the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) property and water billing system and demanded ransom in bitcoins, Dawn has learnt. CDA’s data related to property and conservancy charges has been compromised, and the hackers are allegedly threatening to upload the data on the dark web if the ransom is not paid, sources have revealed. “Since it is June (closing month), and a large number of people clear their property and tax dues this month, our systems have been hacked for the last three days,” said an official of the CDA revenue directorate. He said the revenue directorate, CDA’s vendor NRTC, and the Information Technology Department were making all-out efforts to restore the data. “Hopefully, the matter will be resolved by Friday (today),” he said. Meanwhile, several citizens told Dawn that they were unable to pay their taxes as CDA’s online links remained down. The CDA website was functional, however, the “Pay your bills... -
Dawn - 04:00 Jun 19, 2026
RIYADH: Muslim-majority countries including regional heavyweights Saudi Arabia and Turkiye said on Thursday that they held Israel responsible for arson attacks on two West Bank mosques, which Palestinian officials said were torched by settlers. The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, Qatar, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt and Turkiye lambasted “the continued and escalating settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank”, pointing to the mosques that were set on fire a day earlier. “The Ministers hold Israel — as the occupying power — responsible for these attacks,” they said in a joint statement. On Wednesday, Israeli settlers set fire to mosques in the West Bank villages of Jiljiliya, north of Ramallah, and neighbouring Mazari an-Nubani, their mayors said, with journalists at one site seeing scorched walls and graffiti. Israel’s military confirmed the arson and graffiti on the mosques, but did not identify the perpetrators. Journalists who visited one torched mosque saw graffiti d... -
Dawn - 02:29 Jun 19, 2026
Admitting the Crime Control Department’s (CCD) mistake in the shooting of a young girl in Chakwal earlier this month, the Punjab police and the CCD said on Thursday that the incident would neither be defended nor covered up under “any circumstances”. They also described the shooting as a case of “criminal negligence”, saying that the CCD official’s lack of training had contributed to his inability to assess the situation correctly. A nine-year-old girl, Hania, was killed and her father and brother were injured last week after officials of the CCD opened fire on their car in the Chakwal city area, mistaking it for that of robbers. Addressing a press conference on the incident on Thursday, Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdul Karim described the incident as “deeply tragic”. He said it would be thoroughly investigated and that the negligence behind the CCD’s actions would be placed on record to ensure those responsible were brought before a court of law. Karim added that no institution could earn publi... -
Dawn - 19:17 Jun 18, 2026
United States Vice President JD Vance on Thursday issued a rare rebuke of Israel during a White House press briefing, criticising Israeli lawmakers who had opposed the memorandum of understanding signed between the United States and Iran. Under the deal, the two sides have agreed on a framework to end the war, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a 60-day timeline for further talks. Vance’s comments come amid rising tensions between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “If I was in the cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking the only powerful ally that I have anywhere left in the entire world,” Vance told reporters. “Anybody in Israel who thinks their biggest problem is the president of the United States needs to wake up and smell the reality of the situation.” Talking about the MoU itself, the vice president noted that Iran will “have to perform” and honour its end of the deal. “If they don’t perform as we’ve said before, they don’t get any of the bene... -
Dawn - 18:44 Jun 18, 2026
Admitting the Crime Control Department’s (CCD) mistake in the shooting of a young girl in Chakwal earlier this month, the Punjab police and the CCD said on Thursday that the incident would neither be defended nor covered up under “any circumstances”. They also described the shooting as a case of “criminal negligence”, saying that the CCD official’s lack of training had contributed to his inability to assess the situation correctly. A nine-year-old girl, Hania, was killed and her father and brother were injured last week after officials of the CCD opened fire on their car in the Chakwal city area, mistaking it for that of robbers. Addressing a press conference on the incident on Thursday, Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdul Karim described the incident as “deeply tragic”. He said it would be thoroughly investigated and that the negligence behind the CCD’s actions would be placed on record to ensure those responsible were brought before a court of law. Karim added that no institution could earn publi... -
Dawn - 18:29 Jun 18, 2026
Teboho Mokoena’s penalty kept South Africa’s dream of reaching the World Cup knockout stages for the first time alive after a 1-1 draw with the Czech Republic in Atlanta on Thursday. Michal Sadilek’s early opener had the Czechs on course for just their second World Cup win as an independent nation. But Mokoena’s late spot-kick kept both teams in the hunt for the last 32, although they will almost certainly have to win their final Group A fixture to advance. Both sides move onto one point, two behind co-hosts Mexico and South Korea, who face off later on Thursday. South Africa next face South Korea, while the Czech Republic take on the daunting task of playing Mexico in the Estadio Azteca. Both sides started with disappointing performances and defeats on the World Cup’s opening day, but the Czechs quickly set about making amends. Patrik Schick is the biggest name in a Czech side lacking the star quality of previous generations but the Bayer Leverkusen forward missed a glorious chance inside the first minute wh... -
Dawn - 18:16 Jun 18, 2026
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday told Iran’s President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian that the recently signed ‘Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding’ (MoU) between Washington and Tehran would “go a long way towards” rebuilding Iran. According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the premier made the remarks during a phone call with the Iranian president that lasted over 30 minutes. This was the first contact between the two leaders since the signing of the historic Islamabad MoU today, after the 14-point agreement was reached earlier on Monday. Under the deal, the two sides have agreed on a framework to end the war, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a 60-day timeline for further talks. The prime minister congratulated Pezeshkian, the Iranian leadership and the “brotherly people of Iran on the signing of the historic peace deal”, said the PMO in an official press release. “The landmark deal, he said, would not only help restore peace in the region, but also go a long way in rebuilding the Iranian nation a... -
Dawn - 17:51 Jun 18, 2026
KARACHI: E-commerce platform Daraz Pakistan has officially launched the Apple Flagship Store on DarazMall in partnership with GNext, Apple’s authorised distributor in Pakistan, according to a press release issued by Daraz on Thursday. A formal signing ceremony was held at the Daraz Head Office in Karachi, bringing together senior representatives from the e-commerce platform and GNext to mark the launch. According to the press release, the launch gives customers a “trusted and value-driven destination” to shop for original Apple products online. The statement highlighted that the partnership combined “Daraz’ e-commerce platform, nationwide reach and customer service infrastructure with GNext’s authorised Apple distribution network, product authenticity assurance and after-sales support”. It added that the flagship store launch was supported by competitive pricing, transparent offers, reliable fulfilment and official distributor-backed warranty support. Daraz said that the launch was designed to address key cus... -
Dawn - 16:58 Jun 18, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Thursday adopted 123 recommendations regarding the federal budget for FY2026-27, seeking an increase in the income tax exemption threshold for low-income earners, a reduction in electricity bills and increased taxes on luxury assets. A motion for this purpose was moved by Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue Chairperson Saleem Mandviwalla. The standing committee finalised the recommendations earlier in the day. The report was then laid before the Senate for adoption and would now be transmitted to the National Assembly (NA), as per the Constitution. The NA will take up the recommendations before the final vote on the budget. However, these recommendations are non-binding. Senate’s recommendations include: Increase in the income tax exemption threshold for low-income earners Reduction in tax rates for salaried individuals affected by inflation Rationalisation of 7.5 per cent to 8pc income tax deducted at source to function as simplified final tax regime Expansion of targete... -
Dawn - 16:49 Jun 18, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has referred to the chief justice a petition filed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and Finance Adviser Muzammil Aslam seeking permission to meet incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan for consultations on the upcoming provincial budget, it emerged on Thursday. Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro passed the order after being informed that several identical petitions relating to jail meetings with the PTI founder were already pending before a larger bench of the IHC. The petitioners had challenged objections raised by the Registrar’s Office regarding the maintainability of their petition and requested an urgent hearing in view of the budget preparation process in KP. During the hearing, Advocate Ali Bukhari appeared on behalf of the petitioners and argued that the request related to a meeting for consultations on the provincial budget and was therefore distinct. He informed the court that previous judicial orders and decisions in similar matters had already be... -
Dawn - 16:35 Jun 18, 2026
Ukraine on Thursday launched its largest drone attack on Moscow in years, sparking fires, hitting a major oil refinery and forcing evacuations at the country’s largest airport. Russia vowed to retaliate for the attack as AFP reporters saw dramatic scenes of black smoke billowing over the capital’s southern skyline and drops of black rain mixed with soot falling from the sky. At least 17 people were wounded in the strikes, which also set a shopping centre and apartment building ablaze, authorities said. The attack came as Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Southeast Asian leaders at a summit in the central city of Kazan, about 700 kilometres east of Moscow. @dawn.today Scores of Ukrainian drones bore down on Moscow on Thursday (June 18), hitting the Russian capital's oil refinery for the second time this week in what Kyiv cast as a demonstration of its growing capabilities that should force Russia to accept a peace deal. A video posted on social media showed a moment of explosion at the refinery in the de... -
Dawn - 15:35 Jun 18, 2026
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Thursday that at least 17 projects by India on waterways part of the Indus River System would give New Delhi the “tools for hydro-hegemony”. Dar’s statement has come at a time when water and the Indus Waters Treaty remain a contentious issue between India and Pakistan, following New Delhi’s unilateral abeyance of the accord last year — a move that followed a brief military conflict between the two sides in May 2025. More recently, Indian Water Minister CR Patil said his country was working to ensure “not a single drop of water” would flow into Pakistan. Meanwhile, Pakistan has maintained that any attempt to change the flow of cross-border waterways would be considered an “act of war”. It was against this backdrop that Dar’s keynote address, touching upon the matter, was played at a seminar titled “Transboundary Water Resources: A Weaponised Global Common”. The seminar was jointly organised by Pakistan’s embassy in Brussels and the Centre for Europea... -
Dawn - 15:06 Jun 18, 2026
Pre-sales of Grand Theft Auto VI, the feverishly anticipated video game release, will begin on June 25, Rockstar Games said on Thursday. GTA VI, due to be released on November 19 after two delays, is the eighth main entry in the blockbuster franchise and is set to arrive more than 13 years after GTA V, the second best-selling video game in history. Rockstar Games, owned by New York-based Take-Two Interactive, announced the date in a post on X, saying pre-orders would begin across digital platforms and at select retailers. Rockstar also released the game’s official cover art but did not disclose pricing. Analysts believe the game will be available at a base price of $80, based on recent comments from Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick and industry reports. As popular as it is notorious for its sexual and violent content, the franchise has allowed players to roleplay as criminals doing dirty deeds across sprawling cityscapes since its first entry in 1997. The newest game was originally due to be released ... -
Dawn - 14:19 Jun 18, 2026
Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said on Thursday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to immediately pass on the benefit of declining international oil prices to consumers amid easing tensions in the Middle East. In a post on social media on Thursday, the minister said, “International oil prices are falling, and the prime minister has directed that this benefit be passed on to the public immediately.” The minister said that “a high-level committee had been constituted to devise a transparent weekly fuel pricing mechanism … so that in the future, whenever needed, the public can understand the reasons for changes in prices.” Malik added the work would be completed “in full consultation with all stakeholders”. Referring to regional developments, Malik said, “The efforts of the prime minister, field marshal, foreign minister, and interior minister are bearing fruit, as Iran and the United States are moving toward signing a ceasefire agreement.” The minister also thanked industry partne... -
Dawn - 14:13 Jun 18, 2026
PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said on Thursday that the federal government had promised that allocations for provinces under the 7th National Finance Commission (NFC) award would be “protected”, and that the Centre would not request any further “help or sacrifice” following the recent decision to freeze development allocations for the provinces. Bilawal joined the budget debate a day after he held a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is reported to have convinced the head of his coalition partner PPP to attend the budget session in the NA. “The provinces’ NFC award and financial resources have been kept protected; no damage will be caused to them,” Bilawal declared while addressing the NA, which was debating the proposed federal budget for the next fiscal year (FY27). “Besides this decision, the provincial governments will not be required to make any sacrifices,” he added. The government has decided to freeze development allocations for the provinces for three years to generate more than... -
Dawn - 14:06 Jun 18, 2026
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday ordered the Adiala jail superintendent, Punjab’s home secretary, the Islamabad advocate general and the Punjab advocate general to furnish their replies within three weeks in a case concerning the denial of access to incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan. A petition was filed by PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, challenging the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) October 23, 2025, dismissal of his contempt petition, which sought enforcement of the court’s directives regarding visitation rights for Imran’s legal team at Adiala jail. The directives were issued today by a three-member bench comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Musarrat Hilali, and Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan. During the hearing, Justice Mazhar said the bench would not be available next week, but the appeal would be scheduled for hearing, directing that appeals be fixed within three weeks. The court also directed that the IHC’s order of Oct 23, 2025, be placed on record during the hearing. In...
12400 items