Pakistan

Three people died and more than 500 others were rescued after a ferry caught fire off the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, emergency officials said Monday. Passengers jumped overboard with lifejackets after the fire broke out on Sunday at the stern of the KM Barcelona 5, as it sailed to Manado, according to the Indonesian coast guard. A video released by the Manado rescue agency showed a coast guard vessel spraying water on the ferry, which was emitting black smoke. Indonesian authorities previously reported five people died in the accident, but later revised the death toll to three. “Until now, the joint rescue team is still conducting the search and rescue operation because the data is still developing,” Manado rescue agency head George Leo Mercy Randang told AFP on Monday. “Our post is still open 24 hours a day, in case families want to report about their missing relative.” At least 568 people were rescued from the ferry and water while three others were found dead, the national search and rescue agency said...

Alaska Airlines has requested a ground stop for all its mainline aircraft according to an advisory notice by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), with the company citing an “IT outage.” The airline told AFP that on Sunday it “experienced an IT outage that’s impacting our operations” and that it “requested a temporary, system-wide ground stop for Alaska and Horizon Air flights until the issue is resolved.” The FAA status page showed all destinations being impacted by the ground stop of Alaska’s mainline aircraft. It did not immediately respond to AFP’s requests for comment. The incident comes more than a year after a door plug section of a newly delivered Boeing 737 Max 9 blew out during an Alaska Airlines flight between Portland, Oregon and Ontario, California in January last year. The 171 passengers and six crew members survived the rapid decompression, but the incident focused minds at the FAA, which grounded many Boeing 737-9 aircraft operated by US airlines. Last month, US investigators said Boei...

Pakistan and Afghanistan have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation for effective border management and the eradication of terrorism during a high-level meeting in Kabul on Sunday.

ISLAMABAD - The Islamabad High Court (IHC) will Monday (today) resume hearing in a petition filed by Dr Fowzia Siddiqui, seeking the repatriation, health status, and release of her sister, Dr Aafia Siddiqui, who is imprisoned in the United States of America.

After a brief hiatus, the fourth spell of monsoon rains is set to begin across Punjab from today, with heavy rainfall expected in various districts, including Lahore.

ISLAMABAD - The district administration on Sunday opened the spillways of Rawal Dam after continuous rains raised the reservoir’s water level to 1,748 feet.

Gujar khan - Minister of State for Finance and Railways and Head of the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit, Bilal Azhar Kiyani, stated that the process of assessing and estimating damages caused by heavy rains and flash floods across Punjab, including Jhelum, has begun.

• KP’s Malakand and Hazara divisions, parts of Punjab, Sindh likely to receive rain today • PDMA says 135 killed in Punjab • Medium to high-level flow expected in rivers from tomorrow ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: Authorities are bracing for another spell of rain and thunderstorms, which are expected to hit many parts of the country from today (Monday). According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the Malakand and Hazara divisions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the southern parts of Punjab and Sindh, eastern Balochistan and parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) are likely to receive rain and thunderstorms with strong winds. According to the PMD’s detailed national forecast, Islamabad may receive rain and thunderstorms at night. In KP, while most districts will stay hot and humid, scattered rain with thunderstorms and gusty winds are expected in Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Malakand, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Kurram, and Waziristan. Rain and thunderstorms are forecast for urban centres of Punjab in the south, such as Bahawalpur...

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan’s relations with the United States – in the recent weeks - have entered a notable phase of improvement, marked by intensified diplomatic engagements, high-level visits, and renewed dialogue on strategic, political, and economic fronts.

SARGODHA - Provincial Chairman of Zakat and Ushr Council Rana Munawar Ghous Khan said on Sunday that the Punjab government, under the leadership of Maryam Nawaz, was utilising all resources for public welfare and provincial development.

SIALKOT - Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif held an open court at his residence in Sialkot Cantt area, here on Sunday.

PTI's last-ditch bid to stall oath-taking fails; Governor swears in 25 reserved seat MPAs; Gandapur to challenge

Interior Minister Naqvi holds crucial talks with Haqqani in Afghan capital

.

Balochistan activates district disaster management authorities

.

KABUL: Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to reinforce cooperation for efficient border control and the eradication of terrorism. The agreement was established during a top-level meeting in Kabul on Sunday between the Interior Minister of Pakistan, Mohsin Naqvi and his Afghan counterpart, Sirajuddin Haqqani. The two leaders emphasised the importance of mutual respect, regional stability, […]

PESHAWAR: In a major relief for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), two of its covering candidates have withdrawn from the upcoming Senate elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. PTI’s covering candidate, Waqas Orakzai, made the announcement after meeting with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. “I am not withdrawing under any pressure,” Waqas Orakzai clarified. “I received a […]

KUWAIT: Kuwait has enforced new customs rules designed to improve border security and align with international standards. The Kuwait customs rules apply to all travellers who enter or exit the country via Kuwait International Airport and focus on the declaration of cash, gold, and high-value personal items. According to the General Administration of Customs, travellers […]

In a shocking disclosure, Indian officials have arrested Abdul Kalam, a Bangladeshi national who had been living in India for 20 years under the fake transgender identity of a woman named Neha Kinnar. The arrest happened in Bhopal after confidential information that led to an undercover police operation. According to reports, Abdul Kalam came to […]