Pakistan

A Sydney man who rose to global fame for disarming a gunman in last year’s Bondi Beach mass shooting pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to assaulting his father. Ahmed al Ahmed, a fruit seller, was hailed as a hero when viral video footage showed him intervening in the December 14 attack, which killed 15 people at a Jewish festival on the beach. The 44-year-old ducked between parked cars as the shooting unfolded, grabbing one of the two gunmen and wresting away his weapon in an effort to stop the killing. Facing court in the Sydney suburb of Bankstown, Ahmed denied charges of common assault and domestic stalking or intimidation, according to court documents provided to AFP. The next court hearing was set for August 12. “It has been very difficult. It is a family situation that he never expected, one would never want to expect, and it must be very difficult for him,” his lawyer Mohamad Sakr told journalists outside court. “There is one thing that must be upheld and that is the presumption of innocence. He is a he...

Peshawar - Under the leadership of Advisor to the Chief Minister for Social Welfare, Special Education and Women Development, Malik Liaqat Ali, the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and UNICEF have agreed to further expand and strengthen their collaboration for the protection, welfare, and development of children, as well as support for.

WASHINGTON: The US Senate has passed a largely symbolic resolution on Tuesday, calling for an end to President Donald Trump’s war with Iran, delivering a fresh rebuke to the White House as it tries to negotiate a lasting settlement with Tehran. The House-passed measure, adopted by the Senate in a 50-48 vote, directs Trump to remove US forces from hostilities with Iran unless Congress explicitly authorises military action. Because the measure is a “concurrent resolution,” it does not go to Trump’s desk for signature and carries disputed legal force. But its passage still puts both chambers of Congress on record against a conflict that began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, rattled global energy markets and opened a broader regional war involving Lebanon and Gulf states. The vote came as the Trump administration pursued a 60-day diplomatic push to turn a preliminary memorandum of understanding with Iran into a final agreement covering Tehran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief and the Strai...

Peshawar - Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Tuesday said that educated women were the bright future of Pakistan, a valuable national asset and a guarantee of a strong and prosperous society.

Peshawar - Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information and Public Relations Shafi Jan on Tuesday attended oath-taking ceremony of newly-elected cabinet of Mardan Press Club as chief guest.

• Azam Nazeer Tarar rules out telecom activity on private premises without consent; sub-committee formed to review bill • Telecom stakeholders insist reforms essential for connectivity, hope parliament will ‘refine’ proposed legislation ISLAMABAD / LAHORE: Trying to allay the controversy surrounding Pakistan Telecommunication Reorg­ani­sation (Amendment) Bill over proposed right-of-way reforms, Law Min­ister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Tue­sday said the government had no intention of occupying private property, or installing telecom towers without the consent of property owners. The minister made these comments after an in-camera meeting of the parliamentary committee formed by the prime minister to review the proposed legislation that could not sail through the Senate after its approval by the National Assembly. The Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecom had objected to a clause in the bill that would allow free installation of telecom towers in public spaces, including parks, green belts, and government build...

PESHAWAR - Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department Fazal Shakoor Khan on Tuesday chaired a meeting to review the progress of new Annual Development programme (ADP) and ongoing development schemes and projects being executed by the PHE across the province.

Forty people have drowned in France over recent days as they sought to cool down to escape record heat, the prime minister said on Tuesday, ​as a heatwave swept across much of Europe. Britain, Italy, Switzerland and Spain were also sweltering in extreme heat, with record temperatures in some regions disrupting schools and transport ‌networks. Europe is warming at more than twice the global average, according to the World Meteorological Organisation, making such prolonged heat episodes increasingly likely. Children cool off in the Trocadero Fountain next to the Eiffel Tower in Paris as temperatures rise during a heatwave affecting a large part of France, June 22. — Reuters Heat alert across France Much of France is under severe heat alert and set to experience temperatures around 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) on Tuesday, Meteo France said, with temperatures of up to 43°C expected in some parts of western France. The country has just recorded its hottest afternoon and night since records began in ...

Karachi Traffic Police (KTP) on Tuesday provided alternative routes for commuters to use as some roads will remain closed for the 8th, 9th and 10th Muharram processions. In a statement issued on X, the KTP said on Tuesday, “Special arrangements have been made to ensure the traffic flow and facilitate the citizens during the 8th, 9th, and 10th Muharram processions.” According to a press release issued by the Karachi deputy inspector general’s (DIG) office, attached to the post, “On 8/9/10 Muharram (June 24/25/26, 2026), the central procession will depart from Nishtar Park and conclude at Imambargah Hussainia Iranian via its traditional routes. “Due to security reasons, M.A. Jinnah Road will be closed to traffic from Gurumandir to Tower,” it added. The press release also shared the alternative routes for the commuters to reach their destinations. District Central: Commuters coming from Nazimabad can reach their destination from Lasbela Chowk via Nishtar Road heading to Garden. Commuters coming from Liaquatabad ...

ISLAMABAD - Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said US-Iran talks in Switzerland have entered a second phase focused on nuclear issues, sanctions, and Lebanon, but could have been “derailed” by Israeli attacks on Lebanon.

ISLAMABAD - President of Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr.

ISLAMABAD - In a magnificent demonstration of mutual respect and the enduring fraternity between the two neighbouring brotherly nations, a 6-ship formation of JF-17 Thunder and F-16 Falcon aircraft of Pakistan Air Force extended a Ceremonial Air Escort to the aircraft carrying the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr Masoud Pezeshkian,.

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ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and Russia on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation against terrorism as senior officials from both countries met in Islamabad for the 12th round of the Pakistan-Russia Joint Working Group on Countering International Terrorism.

ISLAMABAD - Minister for Defnece, Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Tuesday said that his remarks about the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) were made with honesty and sincerity, asserting that no propaganda or vested interests could weaken the historic and emotional bond between Pakistan and Kashmir.

ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday extended his heartiest congratulations to Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Amjad Hussain on his election as the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan.

LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif Tuesday directed the installation of surveillance cameras at marriage halls, marquees, farmhouses and major food chains across the province to ensure transparent monitoring of business transactions and curb tax evasion.

Two years ago, Gen-Z protests marked a new era for Kenyan politics, but led to dozens of deaths, and devastated families are unimpressed with government promises of compensation. Memorial protests are planned on Thursday to mark two years since the country’s biggest show of dissent, when Kenyans stormed parliament to protest new taxes amid wider anger over corruption. It was seen as a watershed moment, as young Kenyans joined together to demand accountability without regard for traditional ethnic dividing lines. People attend a demonstration against Kenya’s proposed finance bill in Nairobi, Kenya on June 25, 2024. — Reuters But it came at a price: 62 people died during weeks of protests in June and July 2024, and another 65 died during anniversary protests in the same period the following year, according to the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA). Rights groups put the toll higher, and say the overwhelming majority were shot dead by police and security forces. After showing little remorse for the ki...

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday called for a “united front” of Muslim nations, extending “hands of friendship” for a new regional security structure. Key developments Iranian president holds “productive” talks with PM Shehbaz as he and FM Araghchi visit Pakistan Pezeshkian appreciates Pakistan’s peace efforts, highlights “age-old trust” between two nations Prime minister clarifies Iran’s ballistic missile programme not part of MoU with US President Zardari reaffirms Pakistan’s “principled support” for Iran’s peace CDF Munir, Pezeshkian discuss “peace initiatives” The Iranian president made the remarks during a one-day official visit to Pakistan, undertaken at PM Shehbaz’s invitation. The two leaders held a meeting at the Prime Minister House, which was followed by delegation-level talks. Addressing a joint press conference later with the prime minister, Pezeshkian said he held “constructive meetings and discussions” with PM Shehbaz, President Asif Ali Zardari and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) an...

ISLAMABAD: The sisters of PTI founder Imran Khan and other party leaders were once again prevented from meeting him at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail on Tuesday, as the party railed against the jail administration, claiming it had misled the court regarding power of attorney documents for the former premier and his wife. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has allowed Imran twice-a-week meetings — on Tuesdays and Thursdays — with his family, lawyers and other associates. Despite the order, the ex-premier has been largely restricted from meeting visitors for several months as the court’s directives have not been implemented. Imran’s sisters and PTI leaders reached Adiala jail in the morning, but were not allowed to meet the incarcerated former prime minister. Speaking to reporters outside the jail, Aleema recalled how initially, Imran’s meetings with party leaders were banned, after which family members were also stopped from meeting him. PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said a large number of people reached Adial...