Romesa Umar

ABIDJAN: Pakistan concluded its FIFA Series campaign with a 2-0 defeat to C&ocirc;te d&rsquo;Ivoire in Abidjan, showing defensive resilience against a higher-ranked opponent on Thursday. The result placed Pakistan third in the standings after a mixed tournament that included an 8-0 win over Turks and Caicos and a 1-0 loss to Mauritania. Despite the defeat, the match highlighted Pakistan&rsquo;s disciplined structure and ability to compete against stronger opposition. C&ocirc;te d&rsquo;Ivoire, ranked 72 places above Pakistan, had previously scored heavily in the tournament but struggled to break down Pakistan&rsquo;s defense for much of the game. Pakistan held firm for nearly 40 minutes, with Kayla Siddiqi and Isra Khan organizing the backline and limiting the hosts to long-range efforts. Goalkeeper Zeeyana Jivraj made several key interventions, while full-backs Anmol Hira and Karissa Jivraj disrupted attacking crosses. C&ocirc;te d&rsquo;Ivoire opened the scoring in the 39th minute when Ami Diallo headed in following a corner. The hosts increased pressure after the breakthrough, but Pakistan continued to defend resolutely, including a goal-line clearance by Isra. The second goal came in the 69th minute, with Habibou Oudraogo converting another set-piece opportunity. Pakistan&rsquo;s challenge intensified minutes later when Anmol Hira was sent off for handling the ball on the goal line. Jivraj saved the resulting penalty, denying Bernadette Amani and keeping the score line within reach. Jivraj continued to impress, making additional saves late in the match, including a close-range stop and a diving effort to deny a free kick. The tournament marked a competitive outing for Pakistan, who showed improvement in defensive organization and composure under pressure. The FIFA Series provided valuable international exposure for the team, with performances indicating progress despite the final result. While speaking to Pakistan TV Digital, Coach Adeel Rizki said that his side was up against &ldquo;a tough opponent&rdquo; wher it was key that th theam manage to keep its &ldquo;shape and discipline.&rdquo;&nbsp; &ldquo;Overall, it was a very satisfying performance from the team to hold them to just two goals,&rdquo; the coach said, adding that the games were &ldquo;learning curve&rdquo; for the team and they were bound to improve if they continued to &ldquo;play against such opponents.&rdquo;

Football

Result places Pakistan third in the standings after a mixed tournament that included an 8-0 win over Turks and Caicos and a 1-0 loss to Mauritania; despite defeat, match highlights Pakistan’s disciplined structure and ability to compete against stronger opposition.

Pakistan concludes FIFA Series with 2-0 defeat against Côte d’Ivoire 

Pakistani defender Kayla Siddiqui is chasing her professional dream while proudly representing her roots on the international stage.&nbsp; <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: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;" id="isPasted">On the sidelines of the FIFA event in Abidjan, she opened up about her journey from growing up inspired by Sydney Leroux to now wearing Pakistan&#39;s colors.&nbsp; <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: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">&quot;Keep putting Pakistan on the map and making a big name for itself&quot; is the mission she has set for herself.&nbsp;

Shorts

Pakistani Kayla Siddiqui is chasing her professional dream while proudly representing her roots on the international stage; the defender opens up about her journey from growing up inspired by Sydney Leroux to now wearing Pakistan's colors. 





'I have it rooted in my name': Pakistani defender on identity and representing her nation at FIFA

&nbsp;Romesa Umar from Pakistan TV Digital sits down with Pakistani footballer Nadia Khan behind the scenes of Pakistan&#39;s historic women&#39;s FIFA debut in the Ivory Coast. Nadia talks about her love for the game, the footballers who inspire her, what sets her apart on the pitch, and what she is working toward in the year ahead.

Nadia talks about her love for the game, the footballers who inspire her, what sets her apart on the pitch, and what she is working toward in the year ahead.

Neymar and a dream: Meet Pakistan’s Nadia Khan post-historic FIFA debut

ABIDJAN: Pakistan opened its FIFA Series campaign with an 8-0 victory over Turks and Caicos Islands at Stade Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan, C&ocirc;te d&#39;Ivoire, on Thursday. The win marked Pakistan&rsquo;s biggest-ever margin of victory, surpassing their previous 7-0 result against Maldives in September 2022, signaling a strong start under coach Adeel Rizki. Pakistan dominated from the outset, creating early chances through Mariam Mahmood and Nadia Khan before Zahmena Malik broke the deadlock in the 10th minute. Aqsa Mushtaq doubled the lead two minutes later, converting a rebound after Mahmood&rsquo;s effort was saved. Layla Banaras extended the advantage in the 31st minute with a composed finish following a solo run, while Mahmood added a fourth in the 38th minute with a volley at the back post to cap a commanding first-half display. Pakistan maintained control after the break, with Nadia Khan heading in the fifth goal in the 56th minute from a cross on the left. Aqsa Mushtaq scored her second in the 76th minute with a long-range strike, while Layla Banaras also completed a brace with a shot from outside the box. Isra Khan sealed the 8-0 victory in the 81st minute. Pakistan Football Federation President Syed Mohsen Gillani congratulated the team, calling the result historic. &ldquo;I congratulate the players and the coaching staff for creating history,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;This is the start of a new era for women&rsquo;s football in Pakistan and I hope the team continues in the same vein in the FIFA series.&rdquo; Gillani also dedicated the victory to the country&rsquo;s leadership. &ldquo;At a time when our PM and CDF are playing a historic role for peace, our girls have created history on the football field,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp; &ldquo;We dedicate this victory to our leadership for their dedication. The golden era for Pakistan women&rsquo;s football is dawning upon us.&rdquo;

Cricket

Claims biggest-ever international win with dominant 8-0 victory over Turks and Caicos Islands in FIFA Series opener.

Pakistan secure biggest-ever win, beat Turks and Caicos 8-0

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s women&rsquo;s football movement is gaining renewed momentum as officials and young players highlight growing participation and opportunities following International Women&rsquo;s Day celebrations in the capital. The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) marked AFC Women&rsquo;s Football Day with the &ldquo;Women in Play: Ramzan Football Festival&rdquo; at Jinnah Stadium, bringing together young girls and clubs for a five-a-side tournament aimed at increasing visibility and participation in women&rsquo;s football. PFF Director Women&rsquo;s Football Mejzgaan Orakzai said Pakistan&rsquo;s women&rsquo;s teams have recently shown promising results on the international stage. &ldquo;Our women&rsquo;s national team put up a very good show in the AFC qualifiers last year,&rdquo; Orakzai told Pakistan TV Digital. &ldquo;We were able to secure wins against Indonesia as well as Kazakhstan.&rdquo; She added that the federation has also expanded into new formats of the sport. &ldquo;In January, we formed our first ever national futsal team, and we competed against seven South Asian countries,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;We secured two wins and a draw against some very strong teams in South Asia. And we&rsquo;re looking forward to putting up a very good show at the FIFA series happening next month in April.&rdquo; According to the PFF, the upcoming tournament will mark a historic moment for Pakistan, as the women&rsquo;s national team prepares to participate in the FIFA Series in Abidjan, C&ocirc;te d&rsquo;Ivoire next month. The first time a Pakistan team will feature in the event. The Islamabad festival itself featured participation from five clubs, Legacy, Strikers, Smurfs, Highlanders and Infinite, with dozens of young girls competing in a non-competitive tournament designed to encourage participation and confidence. Orakzai said the event was meant to send a broader message about opportunity and inclusion. &ldquo;As part of International Women&rsquo;s Day, it&rsquo;s a very important reminder for us that we build an equitable, inclusive and supportive society where women can participate and lead in all aspects of life,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;We all know historically that women face a lot of barriers in sports in general. In football particularly, women in Pakistan, and globally, face a lot of barriers.&rdquo; She added that the goal of the event was to create a welcoming space for young players. &ldquo;With today&rsquo;s event, our aim was to bring together young women and girls to come and play football in a very inclusive and supportive environment to celebrate International Women&rsquo;s Day,&rdquo; Orakzai said. &ldquo;We saw participation from eight teams representing five clubs here in Islamabad. We saw girls as young as 12 and 13 years old participating. It was really encouraging. My heart is full of joy. I am very hopeful and proud of all the girls who came out and participated.&rdquo; Among those players was 12-year-old Alina Bilal from Smurfs Elite, who said events like these are crucial for young girls entering the sport. &ldquo;I think events like these are really important because it gives women a chance to play and build their confidence,&rdquo; she told Pakistan TV Digital. &ldquo;When women play like this they feel free, and they can express themselves.&rdquo; Bilal said football has been part of her life since early childhood. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been playing since I was about two years old,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;When I play football, I feel free and it takes all of my stress off. I really want to encourage other girls to play.&rdquo; During the festival, Shanzeh Khan of Legacy was named best player, Asra of Strikers finished as top scorer and Aleena Bilal of Smurfs Jr won the best goalkeeper award. PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani said the federation remains committed to expanding opportunities for women in the sport. &ldquo;As we celebrate the continued growth of women&rsquo;s football and women in football in the country, the PFF reaffirms its commitment to increasing participation of women in the sport,&rdquo; he said in a statement.

Club teams compete during the “Women in Play: Ramzan Football Festival” organized by the Pakistan Football Federation on International Women’s Day at Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad, March 8 (Pakistan TV Digital)

Event highlights growing momentum in Pakistan’s women’s football as players and officials mark International Women’s Day with tournament promoting participation.

At Women’s Day, Pakistani athletes push football into new era

ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh has further tightened visa restrictions for Indian nationals, extending the curbs to its deputy high commissions in Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai amid ongoing bilateral tensions, Bangladeshi media reported on Thursday. According to Dhaka Tribune, consular and visa services have been halted at the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata.&nbsp; Tourist and other visa services for Indian nationals have also been suspended at Bangladeshi missions in Mumbai and Chennai. Local media outlets stated that the restrictions took effect from Thursday. Under the latest measures, all categories of visas except business and employment visas have been suspended, Dhaka Tribune reported. Diplomatic sources cited by the Dhaka Tribune said the decision was taken due to security considerations amid continuing tensions between the two countries. Earlier restrictions&nbsp;The latest move follows an earlier suspension announced on December 22, 2025, when Bangladesh temporarily halted visa issuance and consular services at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, the Assistant High Commission in Agartala in India&rsquo;s Tripura state and the visa center in Siliguri.&nbsp; Consular services were also stopped at the mission in Guwahati, Assam.&nbsp; Mahid Imran, a Bangladeshi journalist, described the restrictions as temporary.&nbsp; &ldquo;I think it&rsquo;s a temporary decision because&nbsp;Bangladesh is heavily dependent on imports from India, and many exclusive imported items come from there,&rdquo; he said.

Asia

Bangladesh has further tightened visa restrictions for Indian nationals, extending the curbs to its deputy high commissions in Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai amid ongoing bilateral tensions, according to Bangladeshi local media outlets

Bangladesh restricts visas for Indian nationals: Reports

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani artists, architects, and filmmakers achieved unprecedented recognition on international platforms in 2025, marking a transformative period for the country&#39;s creative industries. Music and SoundTaurees Habib made history as the second Pakistani to win a Grammy Award, receiving the honor for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media for his sound engineering work on Dune: Part Two. The Karachi-born engineer publicly announced his achievement in September 2025, generating widespread acclaim in Pakistan&#39;s entertainment sector.<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; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-2" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 873px; 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=1968368202494394668&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=ba9f54ced9e6a176a754d5c8500a74ca53fef762&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div><span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Streaming data also shaped the year&rsquo;s narrative. Rapper Talha Anjum&nbsp;maintained his position as Pakistan&#39;s most-streamed artist on Spotify for the second consecutive year, according to the platform&#39;s 2025 Wrapped data. His continued dominance reflects the growing influence of Pakistani hip-hop and rap culture on listeners.<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; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-3" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 674px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-3&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1997192688064778403&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=ba9f54ced9e6a176a754d5c8500a74ca53fef762&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div><span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Meanwhile, Arooj Aftab&nbsp;sustained her international momentum with multiple Grammy nominations for 2025, including Best Alternative Jazz Album for Night Reign&nbsp;and Best Global Music Performance, solidifying her standing in the global jazz and fusion music community.<span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The year&#39;s most popular track domestically came from Maanu and Annural Khalid, whose collaboration &quot;Jhol&quot; became the most-streamed Pakistani song of 2025, according to streaming data, signaling a shift toward indie-pop in the local market.<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; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 826px; 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=1819500250341822928&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=ba9f54ced9e6a176a754d5c8500a74ca53fef762&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div><span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In classical music, Ustad Naseeruddin Saami was nominated for the Aga Khan Music Award 2025, drawing renewed attention to his mastery of the 49-note microtonal surti scale and the khayal genre.Film and DocumentaryPakistani cinema achieved notable international success across multiple festivals. Jawad Sharif&#39;s documentary &quot;Moklani &ndash; The Last Mohanas&quot; won the Global Voices Award at the Jackson Wild Media Awards in Wyoming, often referred to as the &quot;Oscars of nature filmmaking.&quot; The film documents the endangered boat-dwelling Mohana community of Lake Manchhar and represents the first Pakistani win at this event. <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; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 674px; 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=1974419808029733081&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=ba9f54ced9e6a176a754d5c8500a74ca53fef762&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div><span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Film Festival in China, &quot;Nayab,&quot; directed by Umair Nasir Ali and starring Yumna Zaidi, received the Special Jury Award. Zaidi&#39;s portrayal of a young woman breaking barriers in cricket demonstrated the international appeal of locally rooted narratives.<span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rafay Rashdi&#39;s psychological horror film &quot;Deemak&quot;&nbsp;won Best Editing at the same festival, marking significant recognition for Pakistani genre cinema.<span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In Azerbaijan, Shehzad Rafique&#39;s &quot;Welcome to Punjab&quot;&nbsp;captured the Best Audience Award at the Baku Cinema Breeze Film Festival, showcasing the cross-cultural potential of Punjabi-centric Pakistani cinema.Architecture and DesignYasmeen Lari, Pakistan&#39;s first female architect, received the Lisbon Triennale Millennium bcp Lifetime Achievement Award in October 2025 in Portugal. The international jury recognized her six-decade career and her &ldquo;zero-carbon&rdquo; humanitarian work rebuilding flood-resilient communities in Sindh. She became one of the few South Asian architects to receive this European honor. Talent that resonates across boundariesThe achievements of 2025 represent not only individual successes but also a collective elevation of Pakistan&#39;s creative sectors on the world stage. From Grammy stages to European architecture awards, Pakistani talent has demonstrated both artistic excellence and the ability to tell stories that resonate across cultural boundaries.

Culture

Pakistani artists, architects, and filmmakers achieved unprecedented recognition on international platforms, marking a transformative period for the country's creative industries.

Pakistani Creatives Who Made Headlines in 2025

ISLAMABAD: In the Indian Himalayas, the villages of Dharamkot, Kasol, and other hill settlements &mdash; termed as the &ldquo;Hummus Trail&rdquo; by travelers &mdash;&nbsp;have evolved into &ldquo;mini Israel,&rdquo; a corridor of Hebrew signboards, Jewish community centers, and caf&eacute;s that draw waves of ex-Israeli military officials. Villages like Dharamkot and Shabbat meals at Chabad Houses have contributed to the creation of &quot;microcosms of Israeli society&quot; beneath the Himalayan peaks Dharamkot was once recognized for its dimly lit caf&eacute;s and budget-friendly homestays The same narrow lanes now host a Hyatt resort &mdash; the first five-star hotel in the region &mdash; signaling the shift from a humble backpacker destination to a luxury retreat popular with Israeli tourists According to TOI, the village originally belonged to the Gaddi shepherd community of Himachal Pradesh. As Israeli visitors began coming &ldquo;in routines&rdquo; from the 1990s onward, many Gaddi homes were turned into guesthouses and rooms for rent, bringing what locals described as a &ldquo;culture shock&rdquo; to a once-quiet tribal settlement, the Times of India reported. Who are these Israeli tourists?A 2015 feature in the Jerusalem Post described the Hummus Trail as the &ldquo;informal route across India where Israelis, especially in their 20s, flock after compulsory military service. Former Israeli ambassador to India Daniel Carmon told the paper that around 80,000 Israelis visit India each year and use the country &ldquo;to decompress after their military service,&rdquo; often staying for months. Second home for Israeli touristsThe Times of India reports that Dharamkot is the only village in the state with a Jewish community center, the local Chabad House, and is widely seen as a second home for Israeli tourists. Most restaurants serve falafel, shakshuka, and hummus with pita, while Hebrew is often seen on signboards along the steep streets.&nbsp; Residents told the Times of India that tourism in the area wasn&rsquo;t developed through state initiatives, but rather &quot;by the vision of the Israeli people&quot; who began arriving in the 1990s. In a broader context of Israeli presence in India, the Orthodox Union, a Jewish organization based in the US, reported sending a group of volunteers to Mumbai in late&nbsp;October. The group included 12 members of Ben Gurion University&rsquo;s Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus, many of whom had recently served in Gaza, who combined volunteer work with time away from Israel.

Middle East

In the Indian Himalayas, Dharamkot, Karsol, and other Himalayan spots as part of the 'Humus Trail' have evolved into 'mini Israel,' a hub of Hebrew signboards, Jewish community life, and Israeli food that draws waves of Israeli tourists

India’s ‘Mini Israel’: The post-service detox destination for ex Israeli soldiers

ISLAMABAD: Israel has approved a plan to resettle the entire Bnei Menashe community from India, accelerating settlement expansion with nearly 5,800 members of the group to emigrate by 2030, according to Israeli officials and local media outlets. The proposal, endorsed at a cabinet meeting and submitted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Immigration and Absorption Ofir Sofer, sets out a two-phase arrival schedule. By the end of 2026, 1,200 people are expected to arrive, with the remaining 4,600 arriving by 2030, according to the Times of Israel. Who are the Bnei Menashe?The Bnei Menashe identify as descendants of the biblical tribe of Manasseh, regarded as one of Israel&rsquo;s &ldquo;lost tribes.&rdquo; For decades, members practiced a form of Judaism mixed with local traditions before seeking formal recognition. Their immigration has taken place in waves, supported largely by private organizations and the state. Resettlement plan and costsUnder the plan, the first phase will cost approximately 90 million shekels ($2.75 million), covering immigration arrangements, conversion, accommodation in absorption centers, Hebrew language training, and integration into education and employment.&nbsp; According to the official Israeli press statement, the Jewish Agency will manage and finance pre-immigration preparation and flights, investing additional funds in support of diaspora communities. Although members of the Bnei Menashe began arriving in the 1990s, Israel formally recognized the group as descendants of a biblical &ldquo;lost tribe&rdquo; only in 2005, when the then-Sephardi chief rabbi issued an endorsement, according to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. Settlement expansion&nbsp;The decision comes as Israel continues significant settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank. Earlier this month, the Times of Israel reported that tenders for a record number of housing units were published in 2025. A joint statement by Katz and Smotrich described the security cabinet&rsquo;s decision as &ldquo;a step that will change the face of the area and shape the future of settlement for years to come,&rdquo; the Times of Israel reported. &ldquo;The new settlements are all placed within a long-term strategic vision, whose goal is to strengthen the Israeli hold on the territory, to avoid the establishment of a Palestinian state, and to create the basis for future development of settlement in the coming decades,&rdquo; Katz&rsquo;s office said as reported by Times of Israel. In May, the International Center for Transitional Justice, a non-profit human rights group, reported that Israeli ministers said 22 new Jewish settlements had been approved in the West Bank &mdash; the largest expansion in decades.&nbsp; Some settlements already exist as illegal outposts and will now be legalized under Israeli law, while others are newly planned as stated by Defense Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. India-Israel tiesThis week, PM Netanyahu said Israel and India were strengthening their strategic partnership following a meeting with India&rsquo;s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in Jerusalem. Netanyahu said in a post on X that both sides were advancing investments, innovation and plans for an economic corridor linking India to Europe through Israel. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, announced during the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi, is progressing on schedule, according to its official website. Goyal also met the Israeli president and said Israel&rsquo;s innovation ecosystem, combined with India&rsquo;s scale and talent, could serve as a &ldquo;force multiplier.&rdquo; According to India&rsquo;s Ministry of External Affairs, bilateral trade reached $6.53 billion in FY 2023-24, while investment ties continue to deepen, including India&rsquo;s $1.18 billion acquisition of a majority stake in Israel&#39;s Haifa Port in 2022.

Israel has approved a plan to resettle the entire Bnei Menashe community from India, accelerating settlement expansion with nearly 5,800 members of the group to emigrate by 2030, according to Israeli officials and local media outlets.

Israel to resettle thousands from India's Jewish tribe ‘Bnei Menashe’ 

MADRID: A Spaniard placed under quarantine after partaking in a cruise hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak has tested positive, the Spanish ministry of health said on Monday.&nbsp;&quot;The patient was transferred to a high-level isolation unit in the Gomez Ulla hospital, where he will remain hospitalised,&quot; the ministry said in a statement.&nbsp;&quot;This does not change the level of the risk for the general population and does not change the measures of the current epidemiological response,&quot; it said.&nbsp;It is the second confirmed case of the hantavirus in Spain.&nbsp;The hantavirus outbreak occurred on a Dutch-flagged ship MV Hondius that set off April 1 from Ushuaia, Argentina, taking in remote islands in the South Atlantic Ocean before heading north to Cape Verde, then Tenerife in Spain&#39;s Canary Islands, where remaining passengers were evacuated.&nbsp;The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Saturday that 12 suspected and confirmed cases have been reported to the UN agency, including three deaths, and that no deaths have been reported since May 2.&nbsp;Spread by rodents, hantavirus is a rare virus for which no vaccines or specific treatments exist.

Europe

Spain confirms a second hantavirus case in a quarantined cruise passenger from the MV Hondius outbreak. The rodent-borne virus has no vaccine or specific treatment, while public risk remains low.

Quarantined Spaniard tests positive for hantavirus: health ministry

MOSCOW: Russia said Monday it plans to launch more strikes on Kyiv, including on its &quot;decision-making centres&quot;, and repeated a call for foreign citizens and diplomats to leave the city.&nbsp;Russia launched scores of drones and missiles at Ukraine over the weekend, killing four people, wounding dozens and causing damage across the Ukrainian capital.&nbsp;Among the weapons Russia used was its Oreshnik hypersonic missile, which can travel 10 times the speed of sound and is capable of carrying nuclear warheads, according to Moscow.&nbsp;The barrage came days after Russia accused Kyiv of striking a vocational school in the Russian-occupied Lugansk region, killing 21 people. Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his military to retaliate.&nbsp;&quot;Under the current circumstances, the Russian Armed Forces are starting to launch systematic strikes against Ukrainian military-industrial facilities in Kyiv,&quot; Russia&#39;s foreign ministry said in a statement.&nbsp;&quot;The strikes will target both decision-making centres and command posts... We are warning foreign citizens, including personnel of diplomatic missions and international organisations, to leave the city as soon as possible,&quot; it added.&nbsp;Ukraine described Russia&#39;s threats as &quot;rhetoric&quot;.&nbsp;&quot;We are now telling our partners that they should not give in to all this Russian blackmail,&quot; Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said.&nbsp;Russia had already called on foreign citizens and diplomats to evacuate Kyiv earlier this month, when it threatened massive strikes on central Kyiv if Ukraine disrupted a military parade on Red Square.

Russia says it plans more strikes on Kyiv, including “decision-making centres,” after weekend attacks kill four people. Moscow urges foreign citizens and diplomats to leave the city, while Ukraine dismisses the threats as Russian blackmail.

Russia threatens more strikes on Kyiv, urges foreigners to leave city

MEXICO CITY: Mexico will allow Iran to be based in the country during the 2026 World Cup so its players can avoid US visa restrictions, President Claudia Sheinbaum said Monday.&nbsp;The Iranian national team, scheduled to play three first-stage matches in US stadiums, announced on Saturday that FIFA had endorsed its plan to stay overnight on the Mexican side of the border to avoid visa problems.&nbsp;Uncertainty has clouded the Iranian team&#39;s participation in the tournament ever since the US and Israel launched an offensive against the Islamic republic in late February.&nbsp;The team had originally planned to set up camp in Tucson, in the US state of Arizona.&nbsp;&quot;The United States doesn&#39;t want the Iranian team to spend the night,&quot; Sheinbaum told reporters in her daily press conference. &quot;So they asked us, &#39;can we stay the night in Mexico? We said sure, no problem.&#39;&quot;&nbsp;The Iranian team chose the northwestern border state of Tijuana as their base, where they will recuperate in between two games in Los Angeles and a third in Seattle.&nbsp;The players are in Group G and will debut on June 15 in a game against New Zealand.&nbsp;Sheinbaum explained that Mexican authorities are coordinating the details of the Iranians&#39; stay with FIFA.&nbsp;Iran and the United States broke diplomatic relations in 1980 after militants held dozens of Americans hostage for more than a year in the US Embassy in Tehran.

Mexico agrees to host Iran’s 2026 World Cup squad after the United States rejects their presence in Arizona. President Claudia Sheinbaum confirms Iran's requests for relocation to Tijuana, which Mexico accepts without issue.

Mexico accepts to host Iran during the World Cup: president

GENEVA: The countries neighboring the Democratic Republic of Congo are at high risk from Ebola and should act immediately to counter the virus, the World Health Organization&rsquo;s head said on Monday.&nbsp;&quot;Countries bordering DRC are at especially high risk and should take immediate action,&quot; said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, adding that he would travel on Tuesday to the DRC, the epicentre of the current outbreak of the deadly disease.&nbsp;&quot;The outbreak is spreading rapidly,&quot; Tedros told a virtual ministerial meeting on the viral haemorrhagic fever, which spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids. It can cause severe bleeding and organ failure.&nbsp;He said the current outbreak was &quot;especially challenging&quot;.&nbsp;&quot;First, the delay in detecting the outbreak means that we are now playing catch-up with a very fast-moving epidemic. We are urgently scaling up operations but at the moment, the epidemic is outpacing us,&quot; he said by videolink from Geneva.&nbsp;Secondly, the eastern provinces of the DRC, where the outbreak was first detected on May 15, &quot;are highly insecure, with intensified fighting in recent months (and) there is also significant distrust of outside authorities among the local population&quot;.&nbsp;Thirdly, he pointed out, there were &quot;no approved vaccines or therapeutics&quot; for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola behind the current outbreak.&nbsp;The WHO has recorded 10 confirmed Ebola deaths and 220 suspected deaths in the DRC since May 15. One person is confirmed dead in neighbouring Uganda&nbsp;Ten African countries are at risk of being affected by the Ebola virus, in addition to the DRC and Uganda, the African Union&#39;s health agency, Africa CDC, warned on Saturday.

Africa

WHO warns neighboring countries of Democratic Republic of Congo are at high Ebola risk as the outbreak spreads rapidly. Ten confirmed and 220 suspected deaths reported, plus one in Uganda. Insecurity, delay, and no vaccine worsen the situation.

WHO urges DRC's neighbors to act immediately on Ebola

BUNIA: Locals at the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak in the DR Congo attacked the town hospital overnight, demanding the body of a religious leader who died from the virus, officials said on Monday.&nbsp;Mongbwalu, a large town in the unstable northeastern province of Ituri, is where the current outbreak of the viral haemorrhagic fever was first detected on May 15, since when it has killed more than 200 people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.&nbsp;&quot;A group of young people attacked the hospital four times,&quot; a hospital official told AFP of the incident on Sunday night.&nbsp;&quot;They wanted to retrieve the body of a Catholic shepherd who had died of Ebola,&quot; the official said on condition of anonymity.&nbsp;He said the victim had been &quot;a well-known local figure, a religious leader from Mongbwalu&quot;, which is home to 130,000 people.&nbsp;Soldiers intervened to disperse the crowd with warning shots, he said.&nbsp;Ebola is a deadly viral disease that spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids. It can cause severe bleeding and organ failure.&nbsp;There is no vaccine or treatment for the Bundibugyo strain responsible for the current Ebola outbreak, the 17th to plague the vast central African country of more than 100 million people.&nbsp;Attempts to tackle the spread are forced to rely mainly on precautions and rapid contact tracing.&nbsp;But in rural parts of the DRC, &quot;loved ones are throwing themselves at the bodies, touching the corpses and the clothes of the deceased, while organising mourning rituals bringing together loads of people&quot;, Jean Marie Ezadri, a civil society leader in Ituri, told AFP last week.&nbsp;&quot;This... explains the many instances of contamination.&quot;&nbsp;Distrust and incomprehensionPoorly served by roads and torn apart by violence, Ituri is one of the most troubled provinces in the DRC.&nbsp;Hastily arranged burials of Ebola victims have been met with suspicion in a region already distrustful of the state.&nbsp;An isolation tent near Mongbwalu hospital was torched on Friday night and the hospital official said his car had been stoned at the weekend.&nbsp;The tensions were &quot;hampering (Ebola) response efforts&quot;, he said.&nbsp;Another hospital worker confirmed the incidents.&nbsp;Mongbwalu medical centre is not the first in Ituri to have been attacked.&nbsp;Tents used to isolate Ebola patients at the hospital in Rwampara, Ituri, were burned down on Thursday after the family of a deceased man was prevented from taking his body for burial because of the dangers of contamination.&nbsp;Tonnes of medical supplies have been sent to Ituri, where teams from the World Health Organization are on the ground.&nbsp;But the response has been slow to get off the ground in a province where state services have been largely absent from rural areas for decades.&nbsp;One million of the province&#39;s estimated eight million inhabitants have been displaced by years of conflict and live cheek-by-jowl in cramped camps.&nbsp;The WHO has issued an international health alert.

At least 200 people have died in a Bundibugyo strain Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, with angry residents attacking hospitals over burial disputes. Officials say distrust, violence, and unsafe mourning rituals are hampering efforts to contain the virus.

Locals at epicenter of DR Congo Ebola outbreak storm hospital

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&#39;s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will depart Beijing for New York on a three-day visit from May 26 to 28, said a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad on Monday. According to the statement, in New York, he will participate in the UN Security Council Open Debate on &ldquo;Maintenance of International Peace and Security&rdquo; on May 26, convened under the Council&#39;s rotating presidency by China and chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.<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=2058865658029343054&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=b2e41eef4af9236282a2ea4682a48b2840517e12&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 648px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>Pakistan, the statement said, welcomes China&#39;s initiative, highlighting the importance of multilateralism and the United Nations&#39; central role in addressing global challenges. On May 28, he will attend the Group of Friends on Global Governance, which is working to reform and improve global governance and collective responses to global challenges. On the sidelines, he will hold bilateral meetings with counterparts and with senior United Nations officials. Pakistan remains a steadfast supporter of multilateralism and stands ready to contribute constructively to global peace, security and development.

Foreign Affairs

Ishaq Dar visits New York from May 26-28 to attend a UN Security Council debate, chaired by China’s Wang Yi, and the global governance reform meeting on the sidelines.

Pakistan foreign minister to attend UNSC debate, global governance meeting in New York

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&#39;s Finance Minister, Muhammad Aurangzeb, met British High Commissioner Jane Marriott at the Finance Division on Monday to discuss bilateral cooperation and economic reforms, said a statement from the Ministry of Finance in Islamabad. The finance minister briefed the envoy on Pakistan&rsquo;s macroeconomic outlook, external sector stability, and ongoing reform agenda aimed at ensuring long-term growth and resilience amid global economic uncertainties. He highlighted improvements in key indicators, including remittance inflows, investor confidence, and measures to broaden the tax base through digitalization, improved compliance, and enhanced transparency. Aurangzeb reiterated the government&rsquo;s commitment to fiscal discipline, policy continuity, and structural reforms to support private sector-led growth. Both sides also closely exchanged views on regional and global economic challenges, energy market volatility, and their impact on supply chains and development. The British high commissioner appreciated Pakistan&rsquo;s reform efforts and reaffirmed the UK&#39;s support for climate resilience, social development, and institutional cooperation. She also appreciated Pakistan&rsquo;s continued engagement on regional issues and reaffirmed the United Kingdom&rsquo;s support for Pakistan&rsquo;s economic reform efforts and development priorities. The meeting concluded with a resolve to strengthen Pakistan-UK relations.

Muhammad Aurangzeb meets British High Commissioner Jane Marriott to discuss Pakistan-UK cooperation, economic reforms, macroeconomic stability, tax broadening, investment confidence, and continued support for development priorities agenda.

Pakistan's finance minister, British high commissioner discuss economic reforms, bilateral cooperation

LONDON: Britain was set to break its record for the hottest day in May on Monday, the national weather agency predicted, as the country sweltered in an &quot;unprecedented&quot; heatwave. &quot;Today will be the hottest day in May in the UK in our temperature records, with highs of 35 degrees Celsius expected,&quot; the Met Office said on social media. The current record for the hottest May day is 32.8 &deg;C, set in 1922 and seen again in 1944. &quot;Records are usually only broken by tenths of a degree -- making this heatwave unprecedented for the time of year,&quot; added the Met Office statement. Monday is also expected to be the hottest bank holiday ever, as heatwave conditions spread to parts of southeast England and London by Sunday night. &quot;We rarely see temperatures above 35C, even in the summer months, so to see temperatures getting close to 35C in May is, as I say, pretty historic,&quot; Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan told the Press Association news agency. &quot;It&#39;s nice to have it, but it is much, much hotter than it should be in the UK,&quot; Andrea Quaine, a 41-year-old mother, told AFP in London as temperatures exceeded 30C on Sunday. &quot;I am worried about it because it obviously shows that global warming is happening,&quot; she added. &quot;The weather here, it&#39;s like a mini version of hell. It&#39;s boiling. It&#39;s like really hot. The sunscreen, it will protect me, but it&#39;s really hot,&quot; said 10-year-old Liza Nizari, who was visiting London from Manchester in the northwest. Scientists say human-induced climate change is making extreme weather events like heatwaves, droughts and floods more intense, resulting in temperature records being broken more frequently. Britain saw its hottest year on record in 2025. Climate advisers last week warned the UK government that the country was &quot;built for a climate that no longer exists&quot; and urged it to adapt infrastructure like schools and hospitals for a warming planet.

Britain is set to record its hottest May day as temperatures near 35°C during an unprecedented heatwave, prompting climate concerns and renewed warnings about the growing impact of global warming.

UK set to record hottest May day amid unprecedented heatwave

NEW DELHI:&nbsp;India&#39;s ruling Hindu-nationalist party has ordered detention centers for undocumented Bangladeshis and Rohingyas in West Bengal state, sparking fear among minorities that it could lead to arbitrary expulsions. The directive comes just days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s Bharatiya Janata Party won power in the eastern state for the first time since the country&#39;s independence in 1947. The order calls on local authorities to set up &quot;holding centers&quot; for &quot;apprehended foreigners&quot; awaiting deportation, as part of a broader crackdown on illegal migration.&nbsp;Anxiety among Muslims&nbsp;The government has defended its &quot;detect, delete, deport&quot; principle, saying those targeted are migrants staying illegally in the country. &quot;Illegal migration has security and socio-economic ramifications which are often well beyond law enforcement&quot; read the order, issued last week. The decision has fueled anxiety among West Bengal&#39;s roughly 35 million Muslims, many of whom share linguistic and cultural ties with neighboring Bangladesh.&nbsp;&lsquo;Termites&rsquo; and &lsquo;infiltrators&rsquo;Critics say the measure reflects the government&#39;s long-standing hardline stance on immigration, with top BJP members referring to Bangladeshi migrants as &ldquo;termites&rdquo; and &ldquo;infiltrators&rdquo; in the past. The party has pursued similar policies in the neighboring state of Assam, where it has overseen sweeping identification drives and large-scale detentions.&nbsp;Ethnic profiling&nbsp;Rights activists say hundreds have been deported to Bangladesh from Assam without due legal process, often based on ethnic profiling. Many of them have been allegedly pushed across the border at gunpoint, according to activists and lawyers who have challenged the measures in court.&nbsp;Impact on Muslims&nbsp;They argue the policies disproportionately impact the Muslim population by conflating religious identity with illegal migration. The planned centers in West Bengal have drawn particular concern because of the state&#39;s porous border with Bangladesh and its long history of migration. The inclusion of Rohingya refugees in the order has also drawn criticism. India has previously been accused by humanitarian groups of forcibly returning Rohingya to Myanmar, despite ongoing conflict there, in potential violation of international norms on refugee protection. Adding to the unease of the Muslims, the BJP-led government in Assam on Monday introduced legislation to amend personal religious laws, which critics say could further marginalize minorities.

India

The decision has fueled anxiety among West Bengal's roughly 35 million Muslims, many of whom share linguistic and cultural ties with neighboring Bangladesh.

India orders migrant detention centers in West Bengal, sparking expulsion fears

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) remained firmly in positive territory by midday on Monday, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index gaining over 2,600 points as investor sentiment stayed upbeat on optimism surrounding possible diplomatic progress between the United States and Iran.&nbsp;At 11:57am, the KSE-100 Index stood at 170,525.37 points, up 2,681.13 points or 1.6% from Friday&rsquo;s close of 167,844.24 points.&nbsp;The index touched an intraday high of 171,519.26 points and a low of 170,377.63 points during trading. Market volume reached 107.2 million shares, with traded value nearing Rs10 billion.&nbsp;Earlier in the session, the benchmark index had surged more than 3,500 points, climbing to 171,438 points at 9:30am before paring some gains.&nbsp;Buying remained broad-based across key sectors, including automobile assemblers, cement, commercial banks, fertilizer, oil and gas exploration firms, and oil marketing companies.&nbsp;Sana Tawfik, head of research at Arif Habib Limited, said the market was reacting positively to developments over the weekend, suggesting a possible breakthrough in talks involving the United States and Iran. &ldquo;Because of that, the market was expected to be positive today, and that is what we are seeing,&rdquo; she said. She added that the IMF&rsquo;s remarks describing Pakistan&rsquo;s economic performance as &ldquo;exceptional&rdquo; also boosted investor confidence. Tawfik said lower oil prices and improving geopolitical sentiment were among the key factors driving the rally. Investor sentiment also improved amid reports that LNG tankers were heading towards Pakistan and China from the Strait of Hormuz, easing concerns over regional energy supplies.

Pakistan Stock Exchange. (File photo: APP)

Economy

At 11:57am, the KSE-100 Index stands at 170,525.37 points, up 2,681.13 points or 1.6% from Friday’s close of 167,844.24 points.


Articles by Romesa Umar

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