Asfandyar Yahya

In this episode of Tell Me Why, we uncover the shocking story behind that metal bar on the back of every truck around the world.&nbsp; How a deadly 1967 crash killed Hollywood actress Jayne Mansfield, created a safety device that now bears her name, and left behind a three-year-old survivor who grew up to become a Hollywood star herself.

Tell Me Why

Tell me why trucks have these bars

In the heart of Lahore, a 2,000-square-foot space is parking 30 cars at once, stacked up to 65 feet in the air using a rotary elevator system. The system comes in two models, one for sedans holding 18 cars and one for SUVs holding 14, and is assembled locally from imported parts.&nbsp;

Lahore's rotary parking system stacks 30 cars in the space of six

Viral

In the heart of the city, a 2,000-square-foot space is parking 30 cars at once, stacked up to 65 feet in the air using a rotary elevator system. 

Okay, let&rsquo;s be honest. Why does a rabbit&mdash;a mammal&mdash;deliver eggs? Biologically, it&rsquo;s a disaster. But historically? It&rsquo;s a fascinating 400-year-old mystery that connects German courtrooms, French emperors, and the streets of Karachi. This is How Easter is celebrated across the globe and let me surprise you with how its celebrated in Pakistan. It all began in 17th-century Germany with something called the &ldquo;Osterhase,&rdquo; or Easter Hare. But this bunny wasn&rsquo;t just cute &mdash; it was actually believed to judge children, deciding who had been good or bad before giving out colorful eggs, kind of like a springtime Santa. And why eggs? During the 40 days of Lent, people weren&rsquo;t allowed to eat eggs. So they boiled them to keep them from spoiling, then decorated them to celebrate when the fasting period finally ended. France: In the town of Bessi&egrave;res, they cook a giant omelet with 15,000 eggs&mdash;legend says Napoleon started it. Norway: They celebrate by... reading murder mysteries? It&rsquo;s called P&aring;skekrimmen. Bermuda: They fly colorful kites to symbolize the Ascension. Australia: They actually swapped the bunny for the Easter Bilby because wild rabbits were hurting their environment. But here in Pakistan, its celebrated a little differently. Head to Saddar in Karachi. Historic spots like Misquita, United, and Crispo Bakery have been doing this since 1948. People queue up at 2 AM for Hot Cross Buns&mdash;spiced with cinnamon and topped with a biscuit cross. And What&rsquo;s truly beautiful is the overlap. In years like this, where Lent meets Ramadan, we saw &quot;Interfaith Iftars&quot;. Christians and Muslims breaking fast together with pakoras, dates, and Rooh Afza. It&rsquo;s a uniquely Pakistani synthesis of faith and community. So, whether it&rsquo;s a jeweled Faberg&eacute; egg in Russia or a simple marzipan egg in Lahore, the message is the same. Behind the chocolate and the folklore, Easter is about one thing: Hope. The triumph of life over death.

Tell me why - Easter Eggs

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: -0.07px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;" id="isPasted">You&rsquo;ve seen it in movies. The cable snaps. The lights flicker. Your heart is in your throat, and you think, &quot;This is it.&quot; But what if I told you that most of what you think you know about surviving this is wrong? Specifically, that &quot;jumping&quot; myth? It&rsquo;s going to get you killed.<br style="transition: none !important; animation: auto ease 0s 1 normal none running none !important; color: rgb(41, 42, 46); font-family: &quot;Atlassian Sans&quot;, ui-sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Ubuntu, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: -0.07px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: -0.07px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;">Look at this. Physics 101. If the elevator is falling at 50 miles per hour, and you jump upward at 5 miles per hour... you&#39;re still hitting the ground at 45. That&rsquo;s like jumping off a 7-story building instead of an 8-story one. It&rsquo;s not a plan; it&rsquo;s a math error. Plus, if you jump too early? You hit the ceiling first. Now you&#39;re traveling faster than the car. Not great.<br style="transition: none !important; animation: auto ease 0s 1 normal none running none !important; color: rgb(41, 42, 46); font-family: &quot;Atlassian Sans&quot;, ui-sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Ubuntu, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: -0.07px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: -0.07px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;">But here&rsquo;s the thing. The elevator isn&rsquo;t just falling into a void. It&rsquo;s a piston. Look at the clearance. As it falls, it compresses air, creating a literal air cushion. In 1945, Betty Lou Oliver fell 75 stories in this building. Seventy-five. And she lived. Why? Because the air and the coiled cables beneath her acted like a massive, crude shock absorber.<br style="transition: none !important; animation: auto ease 0s 1 normal none running none !important; color: rgb(41, 42, 46); font-family: &quot;Atlassian Sans&quot;, ui-sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Ubuntu, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: -0.07px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: -0.07px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;">So, what&rsquo;s the move? You lie down. Flat on your back. Right in the middle. Forget bracing. If you stand, your legs will shatter like glass. But if you lie flat, you spread that force across your whole body. Your muscles and fat? They&rsquo;re your crumple zone. You protect your head with your arms, and you pray the physics holds up.<br style="transition: none !important; animation: auto ease 0s 1 normal none running none !important; color: rgb(41, 42, 46); font-family: &quot;Atlassian Sans&quot;, ui-sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Ubuntu, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: -0.07px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: -0.07px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;">Modern elevators have so many brakes that it&rsquo;s almost impossible for them to fall. But if the cables do snap... don&#39;t hop. Just get on the floor. It&rsquo;s tacky, it&rsquo;s scary, but it&rsquo;s the only way you&rsquo;re walking out of that shaft.

Entertainment

Tell me why... you should never jump in a falling elevator

Eid ul-Fitr might look like a festival filled with food, family, and joy, but behind it is a much deeper idea about discipline, self-control, and returning to your original state. In this episode of Tell Me Why, we explore the meaning behind Ramadan, what fasting actually does to the body and mind, and why Eid isn&rsquo;t just about ending hunger but understanding it.

In this episode of Tell Me Why, we explore the meaning behind Ramadan, what fasting actually does to the body and mind, and why Eid isn’t just about ending hunger but understanding it.

Tell me why we celebrate Eid

Ever wondered why mosquitoes always seem to bite you first? In this episode of Tell Me Why, we break down the science behind mosquito attraction and why the world&rsquo;s deadliest animal might already have you on its radar.

In this episode of Tell Me Why, we break down the science behind mosquito attraction and why the world’s deadliest animal might already have you on its radar.

Tell me why you're a mosquito magnet

Whenever tensions rise in the Middle East, the Strait of Hormuz becomes the world&rsquo;s pressure point. About 21 million barrels of oil pass through it daily, but after the March 2026 strikes on Iran, shipping traffic collapsed.&nbsp;The Strait is more than an oil route. It also underpins Gulf drinking water through desalination plants and carries critical undersea cables moving trillions in global financial data.&nbsp;A 21-mile corridor now holding energy, water, trade, and the digital economy in one fragile space.

Whenever tensions rise in the Middle East, the Strait of Hormuz becomes the world’s pressure point. About 21 million barrels of oil pass through it daily, but after the March 2026 strikes on Iran, shipping traffic collapsed.

Oil, Water and Internet: How Strait of Hormuz controls global economy   

In this episode of &ldquo;Tell Me Why,&rdquo; we examine the lingering questions surrounding Jeffrey Epstein beyond his well-documented crimes as a convicted sex offender and accused trafficker of minors.&nbsp; From the discovery of a mysterious Austrian passport in his Manhattan safe to his documented associations with figures linked to Israeli political and intelligence circles, we explore the claims that have fueled speculation about possible intelligence ties.&nbsp; The episode reviews public records, financial connections, and statements made by individuals such as former CIA officer John Kiriakou regarding allegations of links to Mossad. We separate verified facts from unproven assertions, connect the documented dots, and leave viewers to decide what the evidence suggests.

In this episode of “Tell Me Why,” we examine the lingering questions surrounding Jeffrey Epstein beyond his well-documented crimes as a convicted sex offender and accused trafficker of minors

Tell Me Why: Jeffrey Epstein, Mossad & the missing answers

In this episode of Tell Me Why, we explain how the Khewra Salt Mine has been mined for more than 2,000 years and is still far from empty.&nbsp; Discovered when Alexander the Great&rsquo;s horses began licking salty rocks, this mine has survived empires, colonisation, and modern industry.&nbsp; Formed over 500 million years ago from an ancient sea, this underground salt range exists on a scale beyond human history. Only a small fraction of its reserves has been extracted so far.

Tell Me Why: Khewra's salt is limitless

In this episode of Tell Me Why, we explore why spice triggers such a strong reaction, how the brain interprets it, and why humans across cultures keep coming back for more. A closer look at one of the most familiar and misunderstood sensations we experience every day.&nbsp;That burning sensation from green chillies feels unmistakable, sharp, intense, and impossible to ignore. But what if it isn&rsquo;t what you think it is?&nbsp;

Chillies don’t burn but trick the brain into sensing heat and pain, explaining why spice feels intense and why people worldwide crave the thrill despite the discomfort.

Tell Me Why: Chillies hack your brain

JERUSALEM: Hundreds of activists seized by Israel from a Gaza-bound flotilla were awaiting deportation on Thursday, as global outcry grows over their treatment in custody. More than 430 activists from countries around the world were in custody in Israel after they were detained at sea while making the latest in a string of attempts to break the blockade of the Palestinian territory. Israel&#39;s far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, sparked condemnation on Wednesday by posting a video showing the detained activists with their hands tied and foreheads on the ground. Captioned &quot;Welcome to Israel&quot;, the footage showed Ben Gvir heckling and waving an Israeli flag among the detained activists. In the latest diplomatic backlash, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he had asked the European Union to sanction Ben Gvir &quot;for the unacceptable acts committed against the flotilla&quot;. The United Kingdom announced it had summoned Israel&#39;s most senior diplomat in Britain following &quot;the inflammatory video&quot;. On Thursday, the legal centre representing the activists said the flotilla members were &quot;en route for deportation&quot; from Ramon Airport in Israel&#39;s far south. &quot;The majority of the participants are being transferred to Ramon Airport to be flown out of the country,&quot; Adalah said in a statement, adding that the activists had been held at Israel&#39;s Ktziot prison, in the Negev Desert near Gaza. Turkey said it was sending planes to Israel to &quot;bring our citizens and participants from third countries to Turkey via special charter flights we will organize today&quot;. Foreign ministry sources said &quot;three flights&quot; with a capacity for &quot;more than 400 passengers&quot; were being sent to Ramon airport. Around 50 vessels under the Global Sumud Flotilla set sail from Turkey last week in the latest attempt by activists to breach Israel&#39;s blockade of Gaza, after Israeli forces intercepted a previous convoy last month. &#39;They kicked us&#39;&nbsp;Adalah said one of the flotilla participants who holds Israeli citizenship had a court hearing Thursday, and faced &quot;absurd&quot; charges. &quot;Israeli authorities are holding her under unfounded and contradictory accusations of &#39;illegal entry into Israel&#39;, &#39;unlawful stay&#39;, and for an attempt to break the blockade on Gaza,&quot; Adalah said. Adalah&#39;s legal director Suhad Bishara told AFP Wednesday that the group&#39;s lawyers had been able to give legal counsel to &quot;many&quot; of the hundreds of activists, though she added that others had faced court hearings without legal assistance. &quot;We know of at least two participants who were hospitalized... both of them were shot by rubber bullets,&quot; Bishara said, adding that others said they feared they had broken ribs. Alessandro Mantovani, an Italian journalist detained with the flotilla activists and deported before the others, told reporters at Rome&#39;s Fiumicino airport Thursday that he and others had been &quot;taken to Ben Gurion airport in handcuffs and with chains on our feet and put on a flight to Athens&quot;. &quot;They beat us up. They kicked us and punched us and shouted &#39;Welcome to Israel&#39;,&quot; he said of his treatment by Israeli security forces. Dario Carotenuto, an Italian MP who was also detained and deported, said: &quot;It was really tough... They called us by number... with rifles pointed at us... I think those were the longest seconds in my life.&quot; The video posted by Ben Gvir sparked resounding condemnation by governments around the world, from Italy to Spain and Australia to Canada. He was also criticized at home by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, as well as by US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. Francesca Albanese, an outspoken UN expert on the Palestinian territories, called on Italy, where she is from, to take action. &quot;Words do not suffice: let Italy stop opposing the suspension&quot; of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, she wrote on X. Fragile truce&nbsp;Israel controls all entry points into Gaza, under blockade since 2007. Since the start of the Gaza war, the territory has suffered severe shortages of food, medicine, and other essential supplies, with Israel at times halting aid deliveries entirely. A previous flotilla was intercepted last month in international waters off Greece, with most activists expelled to Europe. Two were brought to Israel, detained for several days, and then deported.

Activists hold a rally against Israel’s interception of ships participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla, a civilian-led humanitarian aid mission to Gaza by sea, in Surabaya on May 21, 2026. (Photo by JUNI KRISWANTO / AFP)

Americas

Middle East

More than 430 activists from countries around the world were in custody in Israel after they were detained at sea while making the latest in a string of attempts to break the blockade of the Palestinian territory.

Gaza flotilla activists await deportation from Israel

PARIS: Wealthy countries topped their $100 billion annual climate finance goal for poorer nations for the third straight year in 2024, the OECD said Thursday, but questions are growing over their ability to meet a new, larger pledge. Developed nations had long fallen short of their commitment to mobilize $100 billion a year by 2020, finally hitting the target for the first time in 2022 after the deadline was extended to 2025. The money is aimed at helping developing countries, which are least responsible for global warming, invest in renewable energy and cope with the worsening impacts of climate change. After providing $115.9 billion in 2022, wealthy countries sharply raised their contribution to $132.8 billion in 2023, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which tracks the figures. It increased slightly in 2024 to $136.7 billion. Climate finance can come from governments in the form of bilateral aid, multinational development lenders like the World Bank, or the private sector. Public climate finance slipped 2.6% to $101.6 billion in 2024, but private sector contributions surged 33% to $30.5 billion. The OECD said the data needed to produce figures for 2025, the last year of the $100 billion pledge, would not be available before 2027 &quot;at the earliest&quot;. Raphael Jachnik, who led the report at the OECD, told AFP the dip in bilateral public finance partly reflected a return to more normal trends after a sharp rise in 2023. Trump guts aid programmes&nbsp;Climate finance has been a thorny issue at annual UN climate talks, as developing nations grew frustrated with the developed world for dragging its heels to fulfil its pledges. Richer nations committed to a new goal at the UN COP29 summit in Azerbaijan in 2024, pledging to provide $300 billion a year by 2035 -- an amount still considered insufficient by developing nations. They also set a less specific target of helping raise $1.3 trillion annually from public and private sources. Jachnik said the international context &quot;raises more fundamental questions&quot; about the new $300 billion target. US President Donald Trump, a climate sceptic who returned to office last year, pulled the world&#39;s richest country out of climate diplomacy and gutted its foreign aid programmes. The European Union, the biggest contributor to climate finance, is under budget strains and seeking to ramp up military spending amid the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. Turkish Climate Minister Murat Kurum, who will chair the COP31 climate summit hosted by his country in November, said Wednesday that he would &quot;hold donors accountable for the commitments they made under the $300 billion Baku finance goal&quot;. &quot;It is easy to say we support global climate action. But promises must be kept,&quot; Kurum said in a speech at a climate ministerial meeting in Copenhagen. Western nations have pushed to broaden the contributor base to include countries that are still listed as developing but have now become wealthy, such as China and Saudi Arabia. Developed countries, which are facing their own budget constraints and debt problems, have also insisted that the private sector play a bigger role. &#39;Total scandal&#39;&nbsp;Asia was the main target of climate finance contributions in 2024, with 36%, followed by Africa at 31%. As in previous years, most public climate finance took the form of loans in 2023 and 2024, accounting for 73% and 67% of the total, respectively, according to the OECD. Developing countries have argued that climate finance should come in the form of grants, as loans compound their debt problems. &quot;The rich world profits from the loans they provide to poor countries, who are desperately trying to deal with climate change caused by the rich world. It&#39;s a total scandal,&quot; said Mohamed Adow, director of the Nairobi-based climate think tank Power Shift Africa. &quot;The countries least responsible for the climate crisis are being asked to take on debt to survive it,&quot; he said.

This photograph, taken on September 22, 2025, shows the logo of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) displayed on banners at the OECD headquarters in Paris. (AFP)

Europe

Developed nations had long fallen short of their commitment to mobilize $100 billion a year by 2020, finally hitting the target for the first time in 2022 after the deadline was extended to 2025.

Rich nations topped $100 bn climate finance goal again in 2023, 2024: OECD

ISLAMABAD: The interim Afghan government&#39;s new decree on marriage separation &quot;reinforces systemic discrimination&quot; and erodes the rights of Afghan women and girls, the United Nations said on Thursday. Published in mid-May, the 31-article code sets out various grounds for separation in Afghanistan, including a husband&#39;s prolonged disappearance, &quot;incompatibility&quot; between couples, renunciation of Islam and &quot;failure on the part of the husband&quot;. The decree, which appeared in the country&#39;s Official Gazette, also states that marriage contracts drawn by relatives &quot;on behalf of a minor boy or girl&quot; can be annulled, which suggests child marriage is permitted in Afghanistan, according to the UN. In most cases, the procedures for women seeking a separation are more complicated than those for men. The document, approved by Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, &quot;is part of a broader and deeply concerning trajectory in which the rights of Afghan women and girls are being eroded&quot;, said Georgette Gagnon, deputy special representative of the UN secretary-general. It &quot;further entrenches systemic discrimination in law and practice&quot;, the UN statement said, adding that women and girls are denied &quot;autonomy, opportunities and access to justice&quot;. Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban government in Afghanistan has banned girls from continuing their education beyond primary school, walking in parks and going to gyms, swimming pools or beauty salons. They are required to cover themselves from head to toe and are barred from many jobs. Any breach of the rules can result in arrest and imprisonment. The UN&#39;s Afghanistan mission (UNAMA) said that following a decree issued in 2021 in which the Taliban authorities had &quot;recognized certain rights for women, including women&#39;s consent to marriage&quot;, subsequent legislation has ultimately eroded those protections.

Afghanistan

The United Nations says the Taliban’s new marriage separation decree further restricts Afghan women’s rights, reinforces systemic discrimination, and raises concerns over child marriage and access to justice in Afghanistan.

UN says Taliban marriage decree deepens discrimination against Afghan women

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, said the fight against terrorism would continue with full national resolve until enduring peace and stability were achieved across the country. He said this at the investiture ceremony to confer military awards on officers and soldiers of the Pakistan Army, held at General Headquarters, Rawalpindi, on Thursday, according to a press release issued by the Pakistan military&rsquo;s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations. Field Marshal Munir, as the chief guest, conferred the awards to the families of martyrs, officers and soldiers in recognition of exceptional gallantry in operations and distinguished services rendered to the nation. Decorations conferred included 50 Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military) and 12 Tamgha-i-Basalat. Medals awarded posthumously were received with honor by the families of martyrs. Fight against terrorismField Marshal Munir paid tribute to the martyrs and war heroes. &ldquo;Shuhada and Ghazis remain the enduring pride of the nation. Their honor and sacrifice are a sacred trust for every Pakistani. Peace and security of our motherland are owed to their supreme sacrifices and unwavering devotion to duty.&rdquo; He also expressed profound admiration for the resilience, dignity and steadfastness demonstrated by the families of martyrs, acknowledging their unparalleled sacrifices and unwavering commitment to the homeland. Commending the operational preparedness and unwavering resolve of the Pakistan Army and law enforcement agencies, Field Marshal Asim Munir lauded their sustained efforts against terrorists and reaffirmed that the fight against terrorism will continue with full national resolve until enduring peace and stability are achieved across the country.

Security

Chief of Defense Forces profound admiration for the resilience, dignity and steadfastness demonstrated by the families of martyrs, acknowledging their unparalleled sacrifices and unwavering commitment to the homeland.

Pakistan’s Field Marshal Munir vows anti-terror fight until lasting peace achieved

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Kenya have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral economic relations and agreed to double the volume of bilateral trade over the next five years, said a statement issued at the end of the Second Session of the Pakistan-Kenya Joint Trade Committee held in Islamabad on Thursday. According to the Federal Ministry of Commerce statement, the session was co-chaired by the Secretary of Commerce of Pakistan, Jawad Paul, and the Principal Secretary of Kenya&rsquo;s State Department for Trade, Regina A Ombam.&nbsp; Representatives from various government departments and trade-related institutions from both countries also attended. The Joint Trade Committee reviewed ongoing trade cooperation and discussed measures to enhance commercial engagement between the two countries.&nbsp; Both sides emphasized the importance of expanding economic ties and promoting sustainable trade growth. During the session, Pakistan and Kenya agreed to strengthen cooperation in several priority sectors, including market access, export promotion, customs cooperation, investment, pharmaceuticals, banking, information and communication technology, tourism, and industry. &quot;The two sides also discussed collaboration in sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical standards, animal quarantine, plant protection, and trade dispute resolution mechanisms,&quot; added the statement.

Economy

Pakistan and Kenya reaffirm their commitment to expanding economic cooperation during the Second Joint Trade Committee session in Islamabad, agreeing to double bilateral trade and strengthen collaboration across multiple key sectors.

Pakistan, Kenya agree to double bilateral trade in five years

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday hosted a breakfast meeting in honor of Prince Rahim Aga Khan V during his first official visit to Pakistan, reaffirming Islamabad&rsquo;s longstanding partnership with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office, the premier warmly welcomed Prince Rahim and appreciated his commitment to &quot;fostering peace, stability, and constructive engagement with governments and international partners.&quot; <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" allowfullscreen="true" 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=2057373864133582992&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=58c0acab0737469eda0d93677aa6b958d48bd4c2&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 721px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> The prime minister assured him of Pakistan&rsquo;s &quot;shared commitment to these ideals,&quot; the statement said. PM Sharif commended AKDN&rsquo;s contributions in rural development, healthcare, education, disaster resilience, climate adaptation, renewable energy, digital skills training, and youth entrepreneurship. According to the statement, he particularly appreciated AKDN&rsquo;s &quot;impactful work in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral, especially in remote and vulnerable communities,&quot; and encouraged the network to &quot;deepen and expand its partnership with Pakistan,&quot; particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral, where its &quot;institutional presence and community outreach are highly valued.&quot; The PM also said AKDN remained a &quot;natural and trusted partner&quot; in Pakistan&rsquo;s efforts to strengthen climate resilience, particularly in glacially vulnerable northern areas. Sharif added that the country would &quot;always remain his second home&quot; and that his regular visits would further strengthen longstanding bonds between Pakistan and the Ismaili community. The prime minister also expressed gratitude for Prince Rahim Aga Khan V&rsquo;s &quot;generosity for making the Serena Hotel available on gratis basis for Islamabad Talks.&quot; During the meeting, Sharif extended &quot;heartfelt condolences&quot; on the passing of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV and paid tribute to the late Aga Khan&rsquo;s &quot;enduring humanitarian legacy&quot; and longstanding association with Pakistan spanning nearly seven decades. <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-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2057381345643655535&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=58c0acab0737469eda0d93677aa6b958d48bd4c2&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 723px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> The prime minister also presented a commemorative stamp issued by Pakistan Post to honor the late Aga Khan IV for his services to Pakistan, the statement said.

Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif welcomes His Highness Prince Rahim Agha Khan V upon his arrival at the PM House. Islamabad, 21 May 2026. (Photo: X/@PakPMO)

Foreign Affairs

The two sides discuss expanding cooperation in healthcare, education, climate resilience, and rural development; Sharif praises the Aga Khan Development Network’s longstanding humanitarian contributions, particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral’s remote and vulnerable communities.

Pakistan PM hosts Prince Rahim Aga Khan V during first official visit

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China are celebrating their 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations on Thursday, with both countries&rsquo; leaders reiterating their commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation and strengthening their long-standing all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.&nbsp; In his message on the occasion, the President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, stated that Pakistan-China relations over the last 75 years have developed into a strong model of an enduring friendship based on mutual trust, strategic cooperation, and unwavering support of each other&rsquo;s core interests.<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" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 825px; 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=2057353987528237263&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=cf61210766af88909be525b07d13027311cade71&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> He further stated that the people of Pakistan place great value on the historic relationship they have with China and continue to seek to strengthen their cooperation with neighboring country in trade, technology, development, and regional harmony, while the spirit of friendship that has existed between the two countries will continue to guide future generations. In a separate message to the people of both countries, Pakistan&#39;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended his most sincere congratulations on this momentous occasion, noting that he sees the friendship between Pakistan and China as a bond built on mutual respect, a commitment to shared goals, and a foundation of mutual strategic trust.<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-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 750px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2057321173286043812&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=cf61210766af88909be525b07d13027311cade71&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> In addition, he praised the leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping, and recognized the country of China for its incredible achievements relating to its economic growth, technological advancements/ innovations, poverty alleviation, and modernization. Lastly, he emphasized the significance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as the cornerstone of the Belt and Road Initiative and how it has substantially improved Pakistan&rsquo;s infrastructure, energy generation, and provided many other benefits. Meanwhile, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also congratulated the leadership and people of Pakistan and China on the completion of 75 years of Pak-China diplomatic relations. In a post on social media platform X by the Interior Ministry of Pakistan, the minister extended best wishes to Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Communist Party of China, and the people of China.&nbsp;

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirm Pakistan-China friendship, highlighting mutual trust, CPEC cooperation, regional stability and shared commitment to peace on diplomatic ties’ 75th anniversary.

Pakistan, China celebrate 75 years of ties with renewed commitment to strategic partnership

ISLAMABAD: India is facing a supply shortfall of about 400,000 barrels of liquefied petroleum gas per day, as the Middle East conflict severely disrupts imports through the Strait of Hormuz, according to data from energy analytics firm Kpler. A report by Nikkei Asia, a Japan-based financial newspaper, was cited by India&rsquo;s The Wire, saying that the country&rsquo;s domestic production is &quot;unable to make up for the fall in imports caused by the Iran war.&quot; Kpler data cited by Nikkei Asia showed that India imported only 377,620 barrels of LPG per day in April, less than half the 851,870 barrels per day imported in February before the regional conflict intensified. Although India increased domestic production, output rose by only 75,000 barrels per day, far below the scale needed to offset import losses, the newspaper said. Speaking to Nikkei, Kpler&rsquo;s lead analyst for refining and supply, Sumit Ritolia, said India&rsquo;s domestic LPG production &quot;had already peaked and could not increase much further.&quot; &quot;The supply gap might persist for as long as imports don&rsquo;t fully resume,&quot; Ritolia said. According to India&rsquo;s Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell, in FY 2025-26, the country imported around 60% of its LPG requirements. Nearly 80% of those imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz from Gulf suppliers, including the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, according to Nikkei. According to the report, LPG imports from those four countries fell to 173,000 barrels per day in April, down about 75% compared to February levels. Indian Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri recently said at the Confederation of Indian Industry Annual Business Summit that there was &quot;no crisis,&quot; claiming India possessed enough LPG stocks to last 45 days, while crude oil and natural gas reserves could last 69 days. India has attempted to &quot;diversify&quot; LPG imports by sourcing supplies from Iran, Argentina, Australia, and Chile, The Wire said. However, it added that the combined shipments from those countries totaled only 43,000 barrels per day last month, far below the 678,000 barrels per day previously supplied by its main West Asian partners.

File: A staff worker fills petrol in a scooter at a fuel station in Ahmedabad on May 15, 2026. (AFP)

India

Data cited by Nikkei Asia shows that India imported only 377,620 barrels of LPG per day in April, less than half the 851,870 barrels per day imported in February, before the Middle East conflict intensified.

India records LPG supply gap of 400,000 barrels per day: Kpler data 

ISLAMABAD: In an intelligence-based operation, a highly wanted terrorist leader, Khariji Umar alias Jan Mir alias Tor Saqib, along with four other terrorists, was killed, according to security sources. They stated that a bounty of three million rupees had been placed on the head of the <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-forces-kill-23-terrorists-in-sanitization-operation-in-north-waziristan" style="color:#0073e6;">terrorist</a> leader Umar alias Jan Mir alias Saqib Tor. According to security sources, the slain leader of &ldquo;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/three-indianbacked-militants-killed-in-southwest-balochistan-province-pakistan-army" style="color:#0073e6;">Fitna al-Khawarij</a>&rdquo; was the mastermind behind numerous terrorist attacks on security forces and civilians. They said said that Umar alias Saqib Tor had constructed underground bunkers, tunnels, and explosive traps in the area around Bobali Mosque in Spinwam. The security forces, through a coordinated strategy, surrounded the terrorists and eliminated them. Operations continue&nbsp;According to experts, the killing of the terrorist leader of &ldquo;Fitna al-Khawarij&rdquo; will help restore peace in the region. They stated that the killing of the Khariji leader in the intelligence-based operation is a major setback for the terrorists of &ldquo;Fitna al-Khawarij.&rdquo; Experts further said that under &ldquo;Operation Azm-e-Istehkam,&rdquo; operations against &ldquo;Fitna al-Khawarij&rdquo; and &ldquo;Fitna al-Hindustan&rdquo; are continuing successfully.&nbsp; Mohsin Naqvi praises security forcesFederal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised security forces for the successful intelligence-based operation. In a post shared by the Ministry of Interior on X, Naqvi paid tribute to the security forces for &quot;sending four Khawarij, including the highly wanted terrorist leader Umar alias Jan Mir, to hell.&quot; <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-2" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" 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=2057369074536202589&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=58c0acab0737469eda0d93677aa6b958d48bd4c2&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 321px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div> He described the killing of the &quot;most wanted terrorist leader&quot; as a &quot;major success&quot; for the security forces. &quot;Pakistan&rsquo;s brave sons are valiantly eliminating the terrorists of the Kharijite sedition,&quot; Naqvi said,&nbsp;further stating that &quot;terrorists and their facilitators will not be allowed to thrive under any circumstances.&quot;

They state a bounty of Rs3m was on the head of Umar alias Jan Mir alias Saqib Tor; the slain leader of ‘Fitna al-Khawarij’ was the mastermind behind numerous terrorist attacks on security forces and civilians.

Wanted leader among five terrorists killed in Waziristan operation: Security sources  

MIAMI: The United States on Wednesday indicted Cuba&#39;s former leader Raul Castro, on murder charges, fueling speculation that President Donald Trump will try to topple the communist state. The charges against the former president -- who at 94 years old remains influential in Cuban politics -- stem from the deadly 1996 downing of two civilian planes manned by anti-Castro pilots. Castro is the younger brother of Fidel Castro, the late iconic US nemesis who led Cuba&#39;s 1959 communist revolution. &quot;We expect that he will show up here by his own will or by another way and go to prison,&quot; acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told a news conference in Miami attended by cheering Cuban-Americans. In addition to murder, Castro has been charged with conspiracy to kill Americans and destruction of aircraft. The US government previously seized on a domestic indictment to justify military action in January that toppled and seized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, a staunch ally of Cuba. Trump hailed the indictment on Wednesday as a &quot;very big moment&quot; but played down prospects of moving on Cuba, whose economy has been in a deepening crisis for months amid a US oil blockade. &quot;There won&#39;t be escalation. I don&#39;t think there needs to be. Look, the place is falling apart. It&#39;s a mess, and they sort of lost control,&quot; he told reporters. The Cuban government, in a statement, said that the 1996 shootdown was &quot;legitimate self-defense&quot; against an airspace violation. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel wrote on X that the charges carry no legal basis and &quot;add to the file they are fabricating to justify the folly of a military aggression against Cuba.&quot; Five other Cubans were also charged, including the air force pilots who shot down the planes. Four people died in the 1996 incident, sending relations plummeting. Two decades later, Raul Castro joined US President Barack Obama in an effort to reconcile. Trump reversed Obama&#39;s effort to improve relations and has been steadily tightening sanctions on the island, already under a US embargo almost continuously since the communist revolution. &#39;New path&#39;&nbsp;Trump has repeatedly signaled that the Cuban government could be next after Venezuela to fall to US pressure, and earlier this month even said Washington would be &quot;taking over&quot; the Caribbean island, about 90 miles (145 km) from Florida, &quot;almost immediately.&quot; In a video message to the Cuban people in Spanish, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, himself a Cuban-American, accused the Havana leadership of theft, corruption, and oppression. &quot;President Trump is offering a new path between the US and a new Cuba,&quot; Rubio said in the message on the day Cuban-Americans mark the island&#39;s independence from Spain. &quot;A new Cuba where you have a real opportunity to choose who governs your country and vote to replace them if they are not doing a good job.&quot; The US ousting of Maduro has hit Cuba hard, cutting off a supply of free Venezuelan oil to the island, which has suffered major blackouts. Rubio has dangled an offer of $100 million in aid to Cuba if it takes steps to open up. &quot;Currently, the only thing standing in the way of a better future are those who control your country,&quot; Rubio said. &#39;Pretext&#39; for war&nbsp;Representative Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, warned against war and urged Trump to return to the Obama-era policy. &quot;Raul Castro should be held accountable for the murder of Americans over international waters. But this indictment looks less like a pursuit of justice and more like a pretext for escalation, potentially even an illegal invasion of Cuba,&quot; Meeks said. Trump has described his stance as a reward to Cuban-Americans who helped him win the electorally crucial state of Florida. At the Versailles restaurant, a historic gathering point for Miami&#39;s Cuban diaspora, Francys Fabelo, a 67-year-old writer originally from Cuba, said the community has been waiting for charges against the Castros for decades. &quot;You don&#39;t mess with President Trump. I think this is serious. We hope, the people of Cuba hope, that this is serious,&quot; she said.

People hold signs outside Versailles Restaurant in support of charges announced by US federal prosecutors against the former Cuban president in Miami, Florida, on May 20, 2026 (AFP)

The charges against the former president stem from the deadly 1996 downing of two civilian aircraft flown by anti-Castro pilots, while Castro is also being charged with conspiracy to kill Americans and destruction of aircraft.

Articles by Asfandyar Yahya