Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif rejected what he called &ldquo;baseless propaganda&rdquo; about the safety and operations of the national carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), on Monday. In a statement on X (Twitter), the minister said flight safety is &ldquo;non-negotiable&rdquo; and regulated by Pakistani and international authorities. He said that &ldquo;unqualified people cannot dictate it.&rdquo; <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 368px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1987825916165431715&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=41083d636fb3f2062963698455b96286b669c5c0&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" data-tweet-id="1987825916165431715"></iframe></div></div> The minister stated that PIA&rsquo;s average daily revenue over the past three days stood at Rs600 million ($2.1 million), achieved through uninterrupted domestic and international flight schedules. The minister said detractors were spreading malicious news to harm Pakistan&rsquo;s national interests and &ldquo;sabotage&rdquo; PIA&rsquo;s progress. He said the airline has been steadily improving after years of effort to restore profitability. According to the statement, PIA continues to operate flights as scheduled, serving destinations including Toronto, Manchester, Paris, Saudi Arabia, China, and the Far East. Plans to expand to Europe and North America are also in the works.

Politics

Pakistan’s defence minister rejected 'baseless propaganda' over PIA’s safety, saying flights meet international standards and recent revenues hit PKR600 million daily.

‘Propaganda in the air’: Pakistan rejects claims of PIA safety issues

Muhammad Usman Amin

Nearly a month of political and security issues has halted trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan, stopping bilateral commerce and causing over $100 million in losses for traders in both countries.&nbsp; As of Nov. 10, major border crossings, including Torkham and Chaman, remain closed to commercial traffic. The recent collapse of talks in Istanbul has dashed hopes for a quick resolution, potentially shifting regional trade. The crisis, which began in early October following deadly border clashes, has escalated into an economic standoff. The recent third round of negotiations in Istanbul, mediated by Turkey and Qatar, also ended without any agreement. Islamabad maintains that Kabul must first address its concerns regarding militant groups like the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and rein in terrorist elements operating against Pakistan on Afghan soil. With diplomacy on pause, the economic fallout is on full display. The Afghanistan-Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Investment has confirmed that combined losses have exceeded $100 million. For reference, annual trade between the two countries is estimated at $2.3 billion.&nbsp; Junaid Altaf, President of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce, speaking to Pakistan TV Digital, said, &ldquo;Containers are still stranded at the Torkham border. Many perishable items had to be returned, resulting in significant financial losses. Nearby warehouses are filled to capacity; there is no space left.&rdquo;&nbsp; &ldquo;Containers are also stuck on the Afghan side, unable to enter Pakistan. These containers are loaded with stone, coal, and fresh fruit. Traders estimate that these blockades are impacting more than just trade; they are affecting employment, supply chains, and people-to-people relations between the two countries,&rdquo; he added. For Pakistan, the closure has affected certain imports, leading to temporary domestic price increases. Prices for essentials like tomatoes had soared to many times the usual rate, but the recent harvest in Pakistan&#39;s Sindh has brought prices back down.&nbsp; Coal, another major import from Afghanistan, is in short supply. Pakistan has substantial coal reserves in the Thar region, but the quality does not meet the required standards, and it needs to import higher-quality coal from South Africa and other countries. &nbsp; In Afghanistan, on the other hand, the impact is quite severe. The crucial dried fruit market, a mainstay of its export economy, has come to a near standstill, with traders in provinces like Zabul and Kandahar reporting devastating price drops as their goods cannot reach Pakistani markets. The suspension of Afghan imports of grapes, apples, and pomegranates has raised prices in Pakistan. In Afghanistan, however, orchard owners are lamenting that prices need to be slashed by almost 50% compared to last year, as the fruit is piling up with no buyers in sight.&nbsp; Pakistan is also the largest exporter of cement to Afghanistan. The construction industry is one of the country&#39;s biggest employers, especially in a nation ravaged by decades of war. However, the border closure has brought construction to a halt and impacted the lives of millions of laborers. Afghanistan can turn to Iran for cement, as it is already the second-largest importer, but this transition will require time, resources, and infrastructure.&nbsp; According to the Afghanistan Food and Drug Authority, 95% of the pharmaceuticals in Afghanistan are imported, with the majority being from Pakistan and India (imported via Pakistan). The border closure has put a significant strain on Afghanistan&#39;s fledgling healthcare sector.&nbsp; Khanjan Alokozay, Chairman of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Joint Chamber&mdash;Kabul Chapter, commenting on the ties between the two countries, said, &ldquo;Unless trade and social matters are separated from intelligence and security issues and addressed seriously, resolving this problem is impossible.&rdquo; Faced with a blocked eastern border, Afghanistan is actively seeking alternatives, but the necessary infrastructure isn&#39;t available, and the costs are significantly higher. The lack of easy access to a port makes Kabul&#39;s task even more difficult. Pakistan remains firm, linking trade to its security needs. The approach is part of a nationwide effort to repatriate undocumented foreigners, mostly Afghans. The belief is that the long-term security gains outweigh the short-term economic difficulties. For a landlocked and unrecognized government, the Taliban must now treat border diplomacy as an absolute necessity, not a political afterthought. Although Pakistan benefits from trade with its western neighbor, its overall reliance on it is limited. However, for Kabul, it could serve as a critical choke point with long-term economic consequences.

Asia

Political and security issues has halted trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan, stopping bilateral commerce and causing over $100 million in losses for traders in both countries

Pakistan, Afghanistan border closure costs surpass $100M as talks remain stalled

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday praised Pakistan&rsquo;s security forces after they successfully foiled a militant attack targeting Cadet College Wana in South Waziristan, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office (PMO). The PM condemned the attack and lauded the swift action of security personnel, who eliminated two militants during the response. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the attackers had rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the main gate of the college, causing it to collapse and damaging nearby structures. After the blast, three militants entered the college premises but were cornered inside the administrative block, the ISPR said. &quot;The cowardly enemy once again attempted to target an educational institution, but their plan was successfully foiled,&quot; the PMO stated. The ISPR noted that the militants involved were in communication with handlers based in Afghanistan. &quot;Khwarij hiding inside the college premises are in contact with their masters and handlers in Afghanistan and are receiving instructions,&quot; the ISPR said, adding that the act was &quot;orchestrated by Khwarij from Afghanistan.&quot; Pakistan identifies Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as khwarij, invoking a historical label for a radical sect in early Islam that violently opposed established leadership, accused fellow Muslims of disbelief, and justified rebellion through extremist interpretation.&nbsp; The statement further said the incident contradicts claims by the Afghan Taliban authorities that such militants are not operating from Afghan soil. &quot;Pakistan reserves the right to respond against terrorists and their leadership present in Afghanistan,&quot; the ISPR warned. The militants, the statement continued, were linked to what it described as an &quot;Indian proxy group, Fitna al-Khwarij,&quot; and had attempted to emulate the 2014 Army Public School attack in Peshawar. The objective of the attack, the ISPR noted, was to instill fear among students from the region who are pursuing education to build better futures. Security forces are currently conducting a clearance operation in the area. The PMO reaffirmed that Pakistan&rsquo;s counter-terrorism campaign under the &ldquo;Azm-e-Istehkam&rdquo; framework will continue, as endorsed by the Federal Apex Committee under the National Action Plan. &quot;This campaign will continue at full pace to eliminate the menace of foreign-sponsored terrorism,&quot; the statement said.

Security

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the Cadet College Wana attack, praised security forces for killing two militants, and reaffirmed the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign against foreign-supported terrorism

PM Sharif hails Pakistani forces after foiled attack on cadet college

Pakistan TV Satellite

ISLAMABAD: Despite all odds, differently-abled squash player Sana Bahadur remains determined to chase her dream of becoming one of Pakistan&rsquo;s top players. Talking to Pakistan TV, Sher Bahadur, Sana&rsquo;s father, said his daughter&rsquo;s remarkable journey into squash began purely by chance. &ldquo;Sometimes, the most extraordinary journeys begin by accident,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp; &ldquo;We had gone to visit a school, and there we met someone who took us to the Hashim Khan Squash Complex. Children were playing on the courts, and that&rsquo;s where Sana and her brother Saifullah saw the game for the first time. They immediately showed interest.&rdquo; <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 560px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-2" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 560px; height: 316px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1987926525484876197&lang=en&maxWidth=560px&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F2080%2F&sessionId=fc900c825f898943a61dbb113734b95e52d540cb&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> Encouraged by squash legend Qamar Zaman, the family decided to bring the children to the complex. &ldquo;From day one, Sana showed an unusual passion. It felt natural as if she was born for this game,&rdquo; her father recalled proudly. That spark quickly turned into dedication. Through relentless practice and focus, Sana began to make her mark, showcasing a blend of talent, determination and discipline that set her apart. Sher Bahadur said competing with top players from Malaysia, Egypt, the US, and Australia has improved her game significantly. Since she began playing squash a decade ago, Sana has won nearly a dozen national titles while competing internationally in Australia and the United States, where she reached a career-high PSA world ranking of 212. <img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/08fb55ed-71f0-46de-944c-7e5139fbacfb-8dd8099e-ffbd-49f2-bbe6-3934f20ef123.jpg" alt="8dd8099e-ffbd-49f2-bbe6-3934f20ef123.jpg" class="fr-fil fr-dib"><figcaption class="caption-cover-image text-sm text-gray-600 italic">Pakistan&rsquo;s differently-abled squash player Sana Bahadur defies all odds while competing in the U-19 Squash Tournament in Islamabad on March 15, 2022.</figcaption> &ldquo;We are focusing on her physical training and planning to play more tournaments abroad; maybe in the US or England,&rdquo; Sher Bahadur said, adding that with continued effort, we will see her among the top 20 or 30 players in the world within the next couple of years. Behind Sana&rsquo;s journey lies a family&rsquo;s faith, sacrifice and belief in her potential.&nbsp; Her rise reflects not just personal success but the enduring spirit of Pakistan&rsquo;s squash legacy &mdash; one that still burns bright in the next generation of champions.

SAT News Desk

Since she began playing squash a decade ago, Sana Bahadur has won nearly a dozen national titles while competing internationally in Australia and the United States.

From chance to champion: Journey of Pakistan’s differently-abled squash prodigy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan security forces killed 20 terrorists affiliated with the Indian-backed group &lsquo;Fitna al Khwarij&rsquo; during two separate operations in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Nov. 8-9, the military&#39;s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said on Monday.&nbsp;According to the ISPR, an intelligence-led operation in Shawal, North Waziristan, targeted the reported presence of terrorists. Eight terrorists were killed during a precise engagement.&nbsp;A second operation in Dara Adam Khel District resulted in the neutralization of 12 more terrorists following an intense exchange of gunfire. Security forces are continuing sanitization operations to eliminate any remaining threats in the area.&nbsp;The ISPR emphasized that these actions are part of Pakistan&rsquo;s ongoing counter-terrorism campaign under the federal Azm-e-Istehkam strategy, aimed at eradicating foreign-supported terrorism from the country.&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,&rdquo; the statement concluded.

Pakistan security forces killed 20 militants linked to Indian-backed ‘Fitna al Khwarij’ in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Nov. 8-9, during operations in Shawal and Dara Adam Khel under the federal counter-terrorism strategy.

Pakistan forces kill 20 Indian-backed terrorists in operations: military

ISLAMABAD: Conflicting accounts and rapid speculation by some Indian media outlets followed an explosion in the heart of New Delhi, even as authorities stated that the cause remains under investigation. According to AFP, at least eight people were killed and 19 others injured in a car explosion on Tuesday near the Red Fort, in the densely populated Old Delhi district.&nbsp; The blast occurred near a metro station, close to the historic 17th-century Mughal landmark, a major tourist attraction. Police did not provide details on the cause but said forensic and anti-terrorism agencies were at the site, the AFP reported. Delhi Police spokesperson Sanjay Tyagi confirmed that the explosion took place inside a vehicle but said officials had not yet determined what triggered it. &quot;The exact cause is still under investigation,&quot; Tyagi said. &quot;We have teams on the ground gathering evidence.&quot; Local television networks reported that at least 11 people were injured. Visuals broadcast from the scene showed flames engulfing multiple vehicles and thick smoke rising from a crowded street. According to the city&rsquo;s deputy fire chief, six vehicles and three autorickshaws caught fire. Firefighting teams later brought the blaze under control. Early contradictionsShortly after the incident, several Indian outlets initially described the explosion as a cylinder or CNG blast, citing early unofficial accounts. However, as police cordoned off the site and brought in forensic experts, reporting shifted to references to a &ldquo;possible larger conspiracy&rdquo; in some media commentary panels, despite official statements urging caution. International wire agencies that operate in India did not describe the blast as a terror incident, instead reporting it as an explosion under investigation. Speculation over identity raises concernsSome Indian media channels also circulated the unverified claim that a car allegedly linked to the blast belonged to a man named &ldquo;Salman,&rdquo; suggesting wrongdoing without police confirmation. No official statement from Delhi Police has identified any suspect or motive, and investigators have not commented on claims regarding ownership of the vehicle. Media analysts in India noted this as part of a recurring pattern where speculation sometimes outpaces verified detail during breaking news coverage. Security questions raisedThe blast took place near a highly sensitive zone of the capital that houses government buildings, prompting scrutiny over security measures. Police said forensic teams are conducting examinations, and further details will be released once preliminary findings are complete. The Red Fort, known locally as Lal Qila, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major historical symbol in India, drawing domestic and international tourists year-round. Authorities continue to disperse crowds at the site and maintain a security perimeter as investigations proceed.

India

 Indian media begins blame game after Red Fort blast, shifting narratives and naming suspects without confirmation as police say cause remains under investigation

Speculation follows deadly New Delhi blast as investigators probe cause

ISLAMABAD: More than a million Syrians have returned home over the past year, but millions remain displaced within the country, according to a new United Nations report. Over 1.2 million Syrians crossed back into Syria from abroad since December 8, 2024, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) reported. Most returnees came from Turkey, followed by Lebanon and Jordan, with smaller numbers arriving from Iraq, Egypt and beyond the region. While more than 1.9 million internally displaced people have returned to their home areas or intended destinations within the country, including over one million who left camps and collective sites in the north, around seven million people remain displaced inside the country. UNHCR data show that return movements are taking place across multiple governorates, including Aleppo, Homs, Damascus and Hama. Meanwhile internal returns are concentrated in northern Syria. The report said the figures reflect continuing population shifts more than a decade after the start of the conflict. The number of people returning from neighboring countries is also continually rising. Turkey&rsquo;s interior minister reported that 550,000 Syrians have returned since December 2024, bringing total voluntary returns from Turkey to 1.29 million since 2016. From Lebanon, an estimated 362,027 Syrians have gone back, and from Jordan, about 167,000 refugees registered with UNHCR have returned since December 2024. Smaller numbers have also returned from Iraq and Egypt. The report said the total number of Syrians who have returned either from abroad or from internal displacement since December 2024 exceeds three million, even as millions remain uprooted throughout the country.

Middle East

More than a million Syrians have returned home since late 2024, while about seven million remain displaced inside the country, according to a new UNHCR report.

Syria: Millions return home but millions still displaced

KATHMANDU: Nepal&#39;s police have arrested 423 people accused of crimes ranging from murder to vandalism during a deadly mass uprising in September that toppled the government, according to police data released on Monday. Suspects also face charges that include the illegal possession and use of weapons, as well as theft and indecent behavior, the data showed. &quot;A team is looking into the incidences and we are working to collect information,&quot; Nepal police spokesman Abi Narayan Kafle said. Youth-led protests that rallied under the loose umbrella title of &quot;Gen Z&quot;, referring to those aged under 28, erupted on September 8 after a government ban on social media. The movement was more broadly fuelled by economic hardship and growing anger over corruption. Protests then morphed into nationwide fury, culminating in the collapse of the government as crowds torched parliament and the Supreme Court. At least 76 people were killed in two days of violence, according to a new police toll, including 63 protesters, 10 escaped prisoners and three police officers. Thousands of activists used the group-chat app Discord in the aftermath of the uprising to nominate 73-year-old former chief justice Sushila Karki as their preferred interim leader. She was then appointed prime minister until elections due in March 2026. Arrests have taken place since the unrest but the police data issued on Monday gave the first indication of the scale of the detentions. More than 2,700 structures were attacked across Nepal, including government buildings, police stations, hotels, businesses, party offices and the houses of politicians. Supermarkets, stores and private residences were also looted. Some protesters were seen brandishing rifles on the second day of the unrest, weapons that were allegedly seized from the police. Around 14,500 detainees also escaped from prisons nationwide during the chaos. Authorities say 5,020 remain at large. Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal said on Saturday a special operation would be launched to recapture the escapees and recover looted weapons. Representatives of Gen Z protest groups have demanded Aryal&#39;s resignation, accusing him of failing to hold accountable those responsible for the deadly crackdown on young demonstrators. The government has imposed travel bans on former prime minster KP Sharma Oli and four former senior officials as a commission investigates the unrest.

Suspects also face charges that include the illegal possession and use of weapons, as well as theft and indecent behavior, the data showed.

Nepal police arrest more than 400 over September protests

JERUSALEM: An organization representing international media in Israel and the Palestinian territories on Monday condemned attacks by Israeli settlers on journalists in the occupied West Bank, urging Israeli authorities to halt the &quot;violence immediately&quot;.&nbsp;The Foreign Press Association (FPA), which represents hundreds of foreign journalists, said it was &quot;appalled&quot; by the recent attacks, especially during this year&#39;s olive harvest.&nbsp;&quot;Journalists, both local and foreign, have proven to be a clear target as they document an unprecedented level of unchecked violence against Palestinians during this year&#39;s olive harvest,&quot; the association said, citing two incidents involving journalists from international media outlets.&nbsp;The FPA said that on Saturday two employees of Reuters wearing clearly marked press vests and helmets were assaulted by masked Israeli civilians armed with clubs and rocks near the Palestinian village of Beita.&nbsp;&quot;A mob of dozens of settlers beat one of the employees, a female reporter, while she was already on the ground, resulting in severe injuries,&quot; the FPA said.&nbsp;&quot;They also attacked those who tried to help her. A Reuters security person was hit, and two Palestinian freelance journalists were injured while being chased.&quot;&nbsp;On October 10, settlers beat a veteran AFP photographer with sticks when filming the olive harvest in the same area.&nbsp;His car, along with a handful of others parked at a safe distance from the field, was stoned and then set on fire by the assailants.&nbsp;&quot;The photographer, who testified it was one of the worst attacks in his 30-year career, reported that Israeli forces at the scene refused to intervene, instead firing rubber bullets and tear gas at olive pickers and activists accompanying them,&quot; the FPA said.&nbsp;Several such incidents have occurred in the last few weeks, the FPA added.&nbsp;&quot;Israeli forces routinely harass and intimidate journalists, in some cases detaining them and threatening them with deportation,&quot; the FPA said.&nbsp;&quot;This is all part of a deepening climate of hostility toward the media by Israeli authorities,&quot; it added, urging the authorities to investigate the incidents and hold the perpetrators accountable.&nbsp;&quot;In particular, we urge central command head Major General Avi Bluth and police commander Moshe Pinchi to uphold their duties to ensure that journalists can work freely and safely,&quot; the association said.&nbsp;&quot;There cannot be press freedom in an environment in which journalists are threatened and harmed with complete impunity.&quot;&nbsp;Some 500,000 Israeli settlers live in the Palestinian territory and some of them have also attacked farmers trying to access their olive trees almost every day this year since the season began in mid-October, according to the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority.&nbsp;Almost none of the perpetrators have been held to account by the Israeli authorities.&nbsp;Violence in the West Bank has soared since the war in Gaza broke out in October 2023.

The Foreign Press Association condemned Israeli settler attacks on journalists in the occupied West Bank, urging authorities to stop the violence, investigate assaults on reporters, and ensure press freedom amid rising unrest since the Gaza war.

International media association denounces Israeli settler attacks on journalists

Web Desk/AFP

ISLAMABAD: Former US President Donald Trump said Sunday that he plans to give most Americans $2,000 each, funded by tariff revenues collected under his administration. &ldquo;A dividend of at least $2,000 a person (not including high-income people!) will be paid to everyone,&rdquo; Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, criticizing opponents of tariffs as &ldquo;fools.&rdquo; <div class="fr-embed" style="line-height: 2;"><iframe src="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/115519726463094783/embed" class="truthsocial-embed" style="max-width: 100%; border: 0;" width="600" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> Any such payments would need authorization from Congress, which remains locked in budget negotiations following a partial government shutdown that has stretched beyond 40 days, halting funding for key federal programs and disrupting air travel and other industries. The US Senate on Sunday took a major step toward ending the shutdown, clearing the way for a formal debate on a motion to resume funding for federal agencies. Trump has previously floated similar ideas, referring to the proposed payment as a &ldquo;dividend&rdquo; or &ldquo;rebate.&rdquo; Last month, he said his administration was &ldquo;thinking about a little rebate,&rdquo; but emphasized paying down national debt as a priority. &ldquo;We have so much money coming in,&rdquo; Trump said at the time. &ldquo;The big thing we want to do is pay down debt.&rdquo; Earlier this year, Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri introduced a bill to provide $600 tariff rebates to most Americans, arguing that citizens should benefit directly from trade revenue. Since returning to the White House, Trump has expanded tariffs on major trading partners including China, Canada and Mexico. Under his &ldquo;Liberation Day&rdquo; announcement in April, the United States extended higher tariffs to most foreign nations, though some were later eased. Trump has claimed the United States is collecting &ldquo;trillions of dollars&rdquo; through tariffs imposed on foreign nations, though the Treasury Department reported $195 billion in tariff revenue for fiscal year 2025. His latest proposal comes as the US Supreme Court considers challenges to his authority to impose broad tariffs without congressional approval.

File Photo - US President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC on November 7, 2025. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)

Americas

Former US President Donald Trump said Sunday that he plans to give most Americans $2,000 each, funded by tariff revenues collected under his administration.

‘Propaganda in the air’: Pakistan rejects claims of PIA safety issues

Latest News

Pakistan, Afghanistan border closure costs surpass $100M as talks remain stalled

PM Sharif hails Pakistani forces after foiled attack on cadet college

From chance to champion: Journey of Pakistan’s differently-abled squash prodigy

‘Propaganda in the air’: Pakistan rejects claims of PIA safety issues

Pakistan forces kill 20 Indian-backed terrorists in operations: military