Pakistan TV Satellite

ISLAMABAD: Nigerian content creator Kayode Pelumi-Ridwan has praised Pakistan&rsquo;s hospitality, cultural diversity, and welcoming society, saying the country played a major role in shaping his rise as a social media personality.&nbsp;In an exclusive interview with PakistanTV, Lumi said Pakistan deserves greater global recognition for its warmth, vibrant traditions, and strong sense of community, adding that his experience in the country challenged many misconceptions often seen online.&nbsp;&ldquo;Social media is the new cool,&rdquo; Lumi said, describing digital platforms as powerful tools that are transforming communication, entertainment, and public engagement worldwide.&nbsp;Known for speaking Urdu, Punjabi, and Pashto, Lumi said connecting with people through language helped him build strong engagement with audiences across Pakistan. He added that cultural similarities between Pakistan and Nigeria inspired him to create content focused on positivity and cross-cultural understanding.&nbsp;The interview also highlighted Pakistan&rsquo;s growing soft power appeal, with international creators increasingly using digital platforms to showcase the country&rsquo;s cultural richness, linguistic diversity, and hospitality to audiences around the world.&nbsp;Lumi concluded by encouraging young content creators to stay authentic, responsible, and mindful of the impact their work can have online, emphasizing that meaningful content and positive engagement are key to building lasting connections with audiences.

World This Morning

Nigerian creator Kayode Pelumi-Ridwan praised Pakistan’s hospitality, cultural diversity, and welcoming society, saying the country shaped his digital journey. Speaking Urdu, Punjabi, and Pashto, he highlighted social media’s power to promote positivity, authenticity, and cross-cultural understanding.

Pakistan’s Hospitality, Culture Inspired My Digital Journey: Nigerian Creator

ISLAMABAD: Dogan Bekin, Member of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye, has said Pakistan&rsquo;s diplomatic engagement and mediation efforts have contributed positively to regional stability and enhanced its international credibility.&nbsp; Speaking at Pakistan TV&rsquo;s World This Morning program, Bekin said Pakistan&rsquo;s role in facilitating dialogue and easing regional tensions has been widely acknowledged and reflects its growing importance in global diplomacy. He said lasting peace and stability in the world cannot be achieved without the just resolution of long-standing conflicts, particularly in Kashmir and Palestine. Highlighting the Kashmir dispute, Bekin said multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir have yet to be implemented, and stressed that the dispute should be resolved in accordance with international law. Turning to the Middle East, Bekin said continued violence and humanitarian suffering in Gaza and the West Bank reflect a failure of the international community to enforce accountability and uphold human rights. He said regional tensions are further complicating geopolitical stability, urging Muslim countries to strengthen unity and collective diplomatic efforts. Bekin called for closer cooperation among Pakistan, Turkiye, Iran, and Gulf states to promote peace, political coordination and solidarity across the Muslim world. He said divided approaches weaken the ability of Muslim countries to influence global decisions and resolve conflicts effectively. He also emphasized the need to address sectarian and political divisions within Muslim societies, saying greater unity is essential to counter external pressures and divisive policies. Bekin said coordinated diplomacy and unified action among Muslim countries remain key to resolving protracted conflicts and ensuring long-term regional and global peace.

Pakistan’s diplomatic engagements contributed to regional stability: Turkish MP (Photo: Pakistan TV Satellite)

Turkish lawmaker Dogan Bekin said Pakistan’s diplomacy has boosted regional stability and urged greater unity among Muslim countries to help resolve the Kashmir and Palestine conflicts.

Pakistan’s diplomatic engagements contributed to regional stability: Turkish MP

ISLAMABAD: New York Post correspondent Caitlin Doornbos has said Pakistan&rsquo;s ability to maintain working relationships with both the US and Iran has positioned it uniquely in the conflict, allowing it to serve as a bridge in one of the most sensitive geopolitical standoffs.&nbsp;&nbsp;In an exclusive interview with Pakistan TV, Caitlin Doornbos underscored Pakistan&rsquo;s position as a key mediator in efforts to bridge tensions between the United States and Iran, describing Islamabad as an inimitable diplomatic channel trusted by both sides. She said Islamabad has become a critical venue for dialogue, with direct exchanges and consultations taking place through Pakistan as the leadership remains actively engaged in facilitating communication and maintaining diplomatic momentum between Washington and Tehran.&nbsp;Doornbos also referenced her conversation with US President Donald Trump, saying he expressed strong trust in Pakistan&rsquo;s role in ongoing US&ndash;Iran negotiations, spoke positively about Pakistan&rsquo;s leadership and its engagement in regional stability, and emphasised that Islamabad plays an important role in facilitating dialogue.&nbsp;She said such mediation efforts are rare, especially between two adversaries with long-standing distrust, and that Islamabad&rsquo;s role has gained increasing international attention.&nbsp;Her remarks collectively highlight Pakistan&rsquo;s role as both a key host of high-stakes diplomatic engagement and an increasingly important bridge in efforts to manage US&ndash;Iran tensions, reflecting its growing relevance in regional and global diplomacy.&nbsp;Beyond the diplomatic discussions in Islamabad, Doornbos also reflected on her personal experience in Pakistan, praising the hospitality toward visiting journalists and officials attending the Islamabad Talks.&nbsp;She said she has greatly enjoyed her time in the country, describing the warmth and generosity of the people as deeply welcoming and overwhelmingly positive.&nbsp;Doornbos said she did not expect the level of public engagement she received, joking that she had, in a sense, become a &ldquo;Pakistani celebrity&rdquo; through her interactions both online and on the ground.&nbsp;&nbsp;She added that she has been immersing herself in local culture, wearing traditional attire, listening to regional music, and indulging in delightful Pakistani cuisine.

New York Post correspondent Caitlin Doornbos, speaking exclusively to Pakistan TV, has said Pakistan’s ability to maintain working relationships with both the US and Iran has positioned it uniquely in the conflict, allowing it to serve as a bridge in one of the most sensitive geopolitical standoffs.

Pakistan serves as bridge in US-Iran standoff: Doornbos

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s growing role as a neutral and credible diplomatic actor is gaining recognition globally, according to US journalist and former Obama administration policy adviser Laurie A. Watkins. Speaking at Pakistan TV programme, &lsquo;World This Morning&rsquo;, Watkins praised the country&rsquo;s recent international engagement and facilitation efforts, saying Pakistan has successfully positioned itself as a trusted intermediary by maintaining neutrality and focusing on constructive diplomacy. She said the country &ldquo;has treated this with the highest strategic level&rdquo;, avoiding taking sides while helping bring opposing parties to the table. This approach, she said, has not only served Pakistan well but has also earned broader international approval. Watkins highlighted Pakistan&rsquo;s role in facilitating dialogue between adversaries, describing it as a &ldquo;crucial intermediary&rdquo; that enabled high-level engagement at a time of significant global tension. She emphasised that such efforts are beneficial not just for Pakistan but for regional stability in South Asia and the wider international community. According to her, the current negotiations remain in early stages, with the possibility of further rounds, including what she referred to as a potential &ldquo;Islamabad 2.0&rdquo;. She also pointed to Pakistan&rsquo;s rapidly improving global image, saying the country has undergone a significant transformation in how it is perceived internationally. &ldquo;It has been incredible to watch,&rdquo; she said, adding that discussions in Washington have shifted toward a more respectful and cooperative tone regarding Pakistan. Watkins said the country is increasingly being seen as a reliable partner not only for the United States but also for other global actors. Reflecting on her visits to Islamabad, former policy adviser to President Obama praised the country&rsquo;s hospitality and security environment, describing her experience as welcoming and reassuring. She said international journalists shared similar sentiments, highlighting the warmth and openness they encountered during their stay. While acknowledging ongoing geopolitical challenges, Watkins expressed optimism about the future of negotiations and Pakistan&rsquo;s role in them. &ldquo;Pakistan has elevated itself in the international community,&rdquo; she said, adding that its approach could serve as a model for other countries seeking to enhance their diplomatic standing.

US journalist Laurie A. Watkins says Pakistan’s neutral, constructive diplomacy has boosted its credibility, positioning it as a trusted intermediary, improving its image, supporting dialogue between rivals, and contributing to regional stability and future negotiations.

Pakistan's diplomatic role recognised globally: Laurie Watkins

Pakistan TV

ISLAMABAD: Kazakh ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin says Kazakhstan is keen to expand cooperation with Pakistan across trade, education and tourism sectors, stressing that stronger collaboration between the two countries&rsquo; media communities can play a decisive role in achieving these goals.&nbsp; He shared these remarks in an exclusive interview with Pakistan TV. The ambassador underlined that media platforms are often underestimated but have the power to shape national conversations and public perceptions at scale. He said closer ties between media organizations, journalists, and broadcasters of both countries can help introduce new opportunities to wider audiences, encourage tourism flows, and build academic and cultural linkages. Referring to the recent visit of President of Kazakhstan &nbsp;to Pakistan, Kistafin noted that the Kazakh leader was accompanied by the largest-ever delegation to visit the country, including a 50-member media team from state and private outlets. He said the extensive coverage that followed made Pakistan a central topic across Kazakh TV channels, newspapers, and radio, with widespread discussion on investment and partnership prospects. He said that sustained media engagement and content exchange can further deepen bilateral understanding and ensure that cooperation in commerce, education and tourism is supported by strong public awareness in both nations.

Kazakh ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin says Kazakhstan is keen to expand cooperation with Pakistan across trade, education and tourism sectors, stressing that stronger collaboration between the two countries’ media communities can play a decisive role in achieving these goals. 

Kazakhstan Seeks Broader Partnership with Pakistan in Trade, Education and Tourism: Kazakh Envoy

Islamabad: The award ceremony is one of the most emotional moments of my life,&rdquo; said Pakistan-origin Ali Akbar, his voice heavy with emotion, as he reflected on a remarkable half-century journey of selling newspapers on the streets of Paris, a humble livelihood that ultimately earned him the respect and admiration of an entire nation. Speaking exclusively to Pakistan TV, in its morning show, World This Morning, Akbar said he felt &ldquo;truly honored and deeply grateful,&rdquo; and calling the moment unforgettable. Akbar is Known as Paris&rsquo; last newspaper hawker, has now been awarded the National Order of Merit, one of France&rsquo;s highest civilian honours, personally conferred by President Emmanuel Macron. His story is not just about migration or survival, but about dignity, service, and unwavering faith. Surrounded by his children, grandchildren, wife, and extended family, he said being recognized by the French President felt like a lifetime of honest labor finally being acknowledged. Akbar traced his journey back to Rawalpindi, where poverty forced him to work from a very young age. As a child, he polished shoes, sold popcorn, and worked in wealthy households to support his family. Living without clean drinking water, he made a promise to himself to one day build a better home for his mother, a dream that became the driving force behind his decision to leave Pakistan before the age of eighteen. His path to France was long and uncertain, taking him through several countries before he eventually settled in Paris. There, life remained challenging. Selling newspapers in extreme weather, Ali&nbsp;Akbar became a familiar and respected face in the Latin Quarter, interacting daily with intellectuals, writers, politicians, and students including a young Emmanuel Macron. Despite never attending formal school in France, he learned the language through daily interactions and observation. Ali Akbar said that faith, honesty, and service to people kept him going. His message to Pakistan&rsquo;s youth is clear: stay consistent, work hard, remain honest, and serve others &mdash; because true recognition comes to those who never stop striving.

Ali Akbar said that faith, honesty, and service to people kept him going. 

Paris’ last newspaper hawker knighted: Ali Akbar’s remarkable journey from Rawalpindi to French honor

ISLAMABAD: Palestinian Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Zuhair Mohammad Hamadallah Zaid has said the Palestinians want a permanent ceasefire that will save lives and allow unhindered aid into Gaza.&nbsp; Speaking in Pakistan TV&rsquo;s show &lsquo;World This Morning&rsquo;, Dr Zaid said the Palestinians seek lasting solution, recognition of their inalienable rights, as affirmed in UN resolutions, and the establishment of a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders. The Palestinian representative praised Pakistan&rsquo;s &ldquo;unwavering and unshakable&rdquo; support, saying the country consistently stands at the forefront in defending Palestinian rights.&nbsp; He expressed deep appreciation for the backing shown by the Pakistani government, prime minister, the army and people. He highlighted the recent statement delivered by Pakistan&rsquo;s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Asim Iftikhar, describing his speech as &ldquo;clear and honest&rdquo; and fully aligned with the Palestinian position.&nbsp; Palestinian ambassador Zaid said the 20-point plan linked to US President Donald Trump&rsquo;s proposal, which was adopted by the UN Security Council, outlined a three-phase process. He said the success of the plan hinges on the states acting as guarantors for both sides, adding that the Palestinians have the full backing of Arab and Muslim countries and expressed complete trust in them.&nbsp; He said a stabilization force will be responsible for maintaining peace and ensuring Israel does not violate the agreement, while the United States will serve as the guarantor for Israel.&nbsp; He stressed that effective monitoring by the stabilization force, along with guarantees from Arab and Muslim states for the Palestinians and from Washington for Israel, is essential for the plan&rsquo;s implementation. He said Arab and Muslim states, along with a stabilization force, will monitor the ceasefire and report to a newly formed Peace Board, to be chaired by the United States.&nbsp; The envoy stressed that the immediate priority is ending the war, and the current plan presents an opportunity to stop the fighting.&nbsp; Under the proposal, a two-year transitional period would conclude with the Palestinian Authority taking responsibility in Gaza, ultimately leading toward a two-state solution. Without this, he warned, the region risks returning to instability and chaos

Palestinian Ambassador Dr. Zaid urged a permanent Gaza ceasefire, praised Pakistan’s strong support, and emphasized a UN-backed plan.

Palestinians want permanent ceasefire, unhindered aid into Gaza: envoy

ISLAMABAD: Poland is seeking to significantly expand trade, defence cooperation, and technological partnership with Pakistan as bilateral relations enter a new phase, said the Polish Ambassador to Pakistan Maciej Pisarski. In an exclusive interview with Pakistan Television, Ambassador Pisarski described the recent visit of Poland&rsquo;s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski as a &ldquo;major step forward,&rdquo; noting that both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in mining, fintech, water management, agriculture, and defence technologies. He highlighted that bilateral trade has crossed US$1 billion, though both countries have far greater potential. He emphasized Poland&rsquo;s interest in increasing its commercial footprint in Pakistan, especially as Polish energy giant Orlen has already invested over US$500 million in the country&rsquo;s gas sector. On defence ties, Pisarski recalled Poland&rsquo;s historic role in supporting the formation of the Pakistan Air Force and expressed readiness to enhance cooperation in aviation, training, and defence technology. He also underscored opportunities for collaboration in fintech, praising Pakistan&rsquo;s young digital workforce and calling it a powerful complement to Poland&rsquo;s fast-growing digital innovation ecosystem. Highlighting educational and cultural bonds, the ambassador noted the rising number of Pakistani students in Poland and the longstanding humanitarian and historical links between the two nations. Pisarski concluded by saying Poland and Pakistan &ldquo;share values, history and aspirations&rdquo; and can jointly pursue a more stable and prosperous future.

Recalls Poland’s historic role in supporting formation of Pakistan Air Force, expresses readiness to enhance cooperation in aviation, training, and defence technology.






Poland looks to boost trade, defence ties with Pakistan: Ambassador Maciej Pisarski

ISLAMABAD:&nbsp;Yasir Tufail, deputy portfolio manager at NASA, has said to strengthen STEM education, schools or universities need to play a better role in terms of giving students hands-on projects. Speaking on Pakistan TV&rsquo;s morning show, &lsquo;World This Morning&rsquo;, Yasir Tufail said institutions need to have better labs and equipment and at the same time create opportunities where students can actually do an internship. He said there can be collaboration within Pakistan or even with international partners as well or space organizations to enable students to apply what they learn in classrooms and also get hands-on experience. Yasir Tufail said there is a need to inspire curiosity among students to bring them towards STEM studies or even science and space. &ldquo;We have to show them that there are amazing careers that they can explore,&rdquo; he said, adding that he has started to persuade students in pakistan, especially in the rural areas, to come to stem studies. Yasir Tufail said he had been fortunate to work on many missions, from sending satellites to space to supporting astronauts on manned missions, and each mission taught him to handle risk differently. He said the primary focus with unmanned missions is to ensure everything works perfectly before launch, however when it comes to sending humans to space, the stakes become higher. About solving complex engineering problems, Yasir Tufail said working on missions had taught him how to approach problems calmly and methodically. &ldquo;We go through integration and testing to kind of understand the system,&rdquo; he said, adding that experience had taught him to focus on teamwork and collaboration, which is a key to managing risks successfully. About Spacex, Yasir Tufail said people forget to realize that Spacex is a private entity, and that NASA actually has a contract with it to send astronauts to space.

Speaking on Pakistan TV’s morning show, ‘World This Morning’, Yasir Tufail said institutions need to have better labs and equipment and at the same time create opportunities where students can actually do an internship.

Nasa official stresses stronger role of schools, varsities to promote STEM education

ISLAMABAD: UN Resident &amp; Humanitarian Coordinator in Pakistan, Mohamed Yahya, said the United Nations may be 80 years old, but its values, norms, and identity &ldquo;haven&rsquo;t aged a day.&rdquo; Speaking on Pakistan TV&#39;s morning show &ldquo;World This Morning,&rdquo; he highlighted the UN&rsquo;s enduring mission, Pakistan&rsquo;s development journey, and global crises like Gaza.&nbsp;Pakistan&rsquo;s priorities, not oursYahya said the UN&rsquo;s work in Pakistan is driven by the country&rsquo;s own goals, not by an external agenda.&nbsp;&ldquo;We don&rsquo;t actually have our own priorities &mdash; you have priorities. We&rsquo;re here to help you achieve them,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;He noted that the government has asked the UN to focus on education and basic social services, with around 26 million children still out of school.&nbsp;&ldquo;Development is a marathon, not a sprint,&rdquo; Yahya added. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re supporting federal and provincial governments to address education, malnutrition, and poverty through technical assistance, funding, and new ideas.&rdquo;&nbsp;80 years of the United NationsSpeaking after a UN Day reception in Islamabad, Yahya reflected on the organization&rsquo;s 80-year journey.&nbsp;&ldquo;The UN Charter affirms that every person has the right to equality and dignity &mdash; that each individual matters,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;These are the principles the world committed to 80 years ago, and they remain part of our DNA.&rdquo;&nbsp;He noted that, despite ongoing conflicts, the world has avoided another world war, which was the UN&rsquo;s founding purpose.&nbsp;&ldquo;The UN Is a moral compass&rdquo;On global crises such as Gaza, Yahya quoted Secretary-General Ant&oacute;nio Guterres: &ldquo;The UN is not only a meeting place; it is a moral compass.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;Has peace been experienced by the children of Gaza? Unfortunately, no,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;But the UN continues to call for a ceasefire, deliver aid, and uphold justice.&rdquo;&nbsp;He reminded that the UN&rsquo;s power rests with its member states, including Pakistan, which sits on the Security Council.&nbsp;A lasting legacy&nbsp;As the UN turns 80, Yahya said its mission &mdash; built on peace, development, and human rights &mdash; remains as vital as ever.&nbsp;&ldquo;The UN&rsquo;s values have not aged a day,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;They are as relevant today as they were in 1945.&rdquo;

UN’s Mohamed Yahya says the organization’s values remain timeless at 80, emphasizing its support aligns with Pakistan’s own priorities, especially education and social services. He calls the UN a “moral compass” amid crises like Gaza, urging continued peace efforts.

‘UN values haven’t aged a day’: Mohamed Yahya reflects on 80 years of the United Nations and Pakistan’s priorities

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday creating a voluntary framework under which AI developers will share advanced models with the government before public release.&nbsp;The central provision allows companies such as OpenAI, Google or Anthropic to give the government access to their most powerful models for up to 30 days before planned release.&nbsp;The order was triggered by concerns over Anthropic&#39;s Mythos model, which the AI startup has refused to release publicly due to its ability to expose vulnerabilities in computer systems -- including those of banks, governments and hospitals.&nbsp;The 30-day window represents a compromise: the original draft that leaked to US media called for up to 90 days of pre-release government access, while tech companies had pushed to cut that figure to just 14 days.&nbsp;The signing comes after a turbulent few weeks in which the White House appeared close to unveiling the measure, only to pull back abruptly.&nbsp;According to Politico and other media, David Sacks, the Silicon Valley venture capitalist who served as Trump&#39;s AI and crypto czar, called the president to warn that the measure would slow innovation and hurt the United States in its AI race with China -- blindsiding White House staff who believed Sacks supported the order.&nbsp;Sacks wrote on X last week that &quot;unnecessary regulation is the biggest threat to innovation in America,&quot; adding that winning the AI race required clearing &quot;bureaucratic hurdles&quot; from state legislatures and Washington politicians.&nbsp;The order also instructs Treasury, the National Security Agency and the CISA agency to form an &quot;AI cybersecurity clearinghouse&quot; in voluntary collaboration with industry and critical infrastructure operators to coordinate scanning for software vulnerabilities and prioritize patches.&nbsp;Trump scrapped a Biden-era AI oversight order on his first day back in the White House.&nbsp;Biden&#39;s 2023 order required AI companies to share safety test results with the government and leaned heavily on voluntary commitments -- already a light-touch approach that fell short of what many experts had called for.&nbsp;By contrast, the European Union&#39;s AI Act -- which entered into force in 2024 -- sets binding rules for high-risk AI systems, including mandatory transparency requirements and, for the most powerful models, obligations around safety testing and incident reporting.

Americas

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order creating a voluntary framework for AI firms to share advanced models with the government up to 30 days before release, while establishing an AI cybersecurity clearinghouse to address emerging security risks.

Trump signs AI order giving government access to powerful models

SOUTHAMPTON: Body camera footage of a dying student who was handcuffed by British police after being stabbed by a Sikh man and falsely accused of racially abusing his murderer sparked outrage Tuesday. 18 year-old Henry Nowak is heard repeatedly telling police &quot;I can&#39;t breathe&quot; in the footage captured as he lay mortally wounded in December after a night out with his football team members. A judge on Monday jailed his killer, 23-year-old Sikh Vickrum Digwa, for at least 21 years for stabbing Nowak to death with a ceremonial knife with a 21cm blade. When police arrived at the scene in the south coast city of Southampton, Digwa lied to officers, telling them Nowak had racially insulted him and that he was the victim. The footage, which was played during Digwa&#39;s trial, shows police accepting the aggressor&#39;s accusation, and rather than helping Nowak initially placing him in handcuffs despite his pleas that he had been stabbed and could not breathe. One officer can be heard asking Nowak: &quot;You&#39;ve been stabbed, whereabouts?&quot; before adding: &quot;Don&#39;t think you have, mate.&quot; Moments later the young student collapsed and became unconscious. Speaking after Digwa was sentenced at Southampton Crown Court, Nowak&#39;s father Mark described the police treatment of his son as &quot;shocking&quot;. He called Nowak&#39;s treatment &quot;inhumane and degrading... his murderer, however, was afforded decency. He was believed&quot;. The family gave permission for police to release the bodycam footage. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the &quot;awful, shocking case&quot; on X on Monday, saying it was right the independent police complaints watchdog was investigating officers&#39; &quot;response to (Nowak&#39;s) senseless murder&quot;. Main opposition Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch and far-right Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called for changes to police diversity policies. Farage said there needed to be an end to &quot;anti-white prejudice&quot; and recognition that &quot;white lives matter&quot;. &lsquo;Two-tier culture&rsquo; He said Nowak&#39;s words echoed the 2020 case of George Floyd, a black killed by police in the United States. &quot;I can&#39;t breathe. Familiar words. Remember career criminal George Floyd, who died in appalling circumstances in Midwest America,&quot; Farage said. At the time &quot;Keir Starmer was taking the knee. Black Lives Matter exploded all over the country. Churchill&#39;s statue was defaced,&quot; Farage said. But after Nowak&#39;s death there has been &quot;absolute silence, proof ... we&#39;re living in a two-tier culture in this country where the rights and privileges of white people matter less than those of ethnic minorities.&quot; Change was needed, Farage said, &quot;if our society is not to be ripped apart&quot; amid distrust between communities, and concern over policing and institutions. Badenoch accused Farage of &quot;deepening divisions&quot; with his comments. But she also took at aim at so-called &quot;two-tier policing&quot; in which police allegedly deal with ethnic minorities more leniently. Badenoch, whose party has lost support on the right to Reform UK, called for citizens to be treated equally by police regardless of ethnicity. &quot;No two-tier policing, no believing that racism only happens to ethnic minorities. It happens to everyone,&quot; she told Good Morning Britain television. &quot;And the police need to be trained like that, not with the terrible anti-racism training, which is just reverse racism and reverse discrimination,&quot; she said. American tech tycooon Elon Musk has posted on X an offer to fund a private prosecution against the police over its handling of the murder. Digwa was due in court again Tuesday with his brother, Gurpreet Digwa, 27, and his father, Moga Singh, 52, on weapons offences. All three face charges of possession of offensive weapons including a flick knife, an extendable baton, knuckledusters, a machete, swords and kusaris. Digwa&#39;s family apologized to Nowak&#39;s family for the killing.&nbsp; The convicted killer&#39;s mother, Kiran Kaur, 53, will be sentenced on July 17 for assisting an offender by taking the knife back to the family home.

Demonstrators gather around Kingsway to march during 'Unite the Kingdom' organized at the call of far-right activist Tommy Robinson in London, United Kingdom on May 16, 2026. (AFP)

Europe

18 year-old Henry Nowak is heard repeatedly telling police "I can't breathe" in the footage captured as he lay mortally wounded in December after a night out with his football team members.

'I can't breathe': Outrage after UK police handcuff dying student

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: The International Rescue Committee warned Tuesday that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is likely much larger and more advanced than official figures indicate, as response efforts struggle with delayed detection and dangerously low levels of contact tracing. According to World Health Organization data, Ebola is a rare but severe and often fatal illness in humans, with an average case fatality rate of around 50%, ranging from 25% to 90% in past outbreaks. The current outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo virus strain, for which no approved vaccine or specific therapeutics currently exist, according to available epidemiological data. The virus spreads through direct contact with broken skin or mucous membranes and bodily fluids of infected or deceased persons, and through indirect contact with contaminated surfaces or materials, according to WHO tracking. The incubation period is 2 to 21 days, with individuals not contagious until symptoms appear, per WHO guidelines. With only 20% of contacts currently being traced, health authorities are struggling to identify and isolate new chains of transmission, according to the IRC. The virus may have been spreading undetected since before March, potentially as long as three months before the first official case was identified, allowing multiple chains of transmission to establish across communities and provinces, the IRC warned. &quot;The true scale of this Ebola outbreak is likely far worse than official figures suggest,&quot; said Rachel Howard, Senior Technical Emergency Health Adviser at the IRC. &quot;When four out of five contacts are not being traced, it becomes incredibly difficult to contain the outbreak or even understand its true scale. We&#39;re especially concerned about the virus spreading to other countries like Burundi or South Sudan.&quot; According to integrated epidemiological data, the total confirmed case numbers are 282 in the DRC and 9 in Uganda, with over 220 suspected cases under investigation. At least 42 confirmed deaths have been reported in the DRC and 1 in Uganda. IRC teams report that shortages of diagnostic cartridges and testing backlogs are slowing case confirmation, further obscuring the true spread of the outbreak. Seven confirmed Ebola patients have reportedly left treatment centers in the DRC. More than six healthcare workers have died, including two doctors, in recent days. People are avoiding health facilities, raising concerns that those affected are staying in their communities rather than seeking treatment. Without urgent funding, the situation could deteriorate rapidly. The outbreak is increasingly resembling the 2018-20 North Kivu Ebola crisis, which infected thousands of people and was complicated by insecurity, population movement, and community resistance. However, unlike in previous outbreaks, when the Ervebo vaccine was deployed, there is currently no approved vaccine for this Ebola strain. The IRC called for urgent international support to scale up contact tracing, surveillance, laboratory testing, treatment capacity, and community engagement efforts. In Uganda, the organization teamed up with the local health ministry on the border to support infection prevention and control activities, including screening people coming across the border.

Africa

The current outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo virus strain, for which no approved vaccine or specific therapeutics currently exist.

Congo Ebola outbreak likely far larger than official figures suggest: IRC

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that promoting industry and trade and increasing foreign investment are indispensable for the sustainable development of the country&rsquo;s economy, according to a statement on Tuesday. The prime minister was chairing a review meeting on sectoral reforms and policy measures to increase investment and overall development of the economy. He said that, in addition to increasing domestic production of industrial products, effective policy measures to boost exports are among the government&rsquo;s policy priorities, according to the statement.&nbsp; It further quoted the prime minister as saying that reforms in industry, trade, and various sectors of the economy should focus on long-term economic efficiency and public welfare. PM Sharif assured that a comprehensive strategy is being implemented vigorously to meet future energy needs through alternative sources. &ldquo;A comprehensive and effective electric vehicles policy is the need of the hour to meet the country&rsquo;s needs for energy efficiency and affordable transport.&rdquo;&nbsp; The statement further said that the prime minister stressed the need to ensure meaningful consultation among all ministries and experts and to leverage modern technology across all sectors.&nbsp; Administrative transparency and excellent performance across all reforms and initiatives, as quoted by the prime minister in the statement, are the top priority of his government.&nbsp;

Economy

Emphasizes industrial expansion, export growth, and foreign investment, highlighting economic reforms, energy diversification, electric vehicle adoption, technological innovation, and transparent governance to ensure sustainable development.

Pakistan PM stresses industrial growth, investment and comprehensive EV policy for development

ISLAMABAD: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved a landmark trial that could see the traditional red ball replaced with a pink ball during Test matches when poor light threatens to halt play, according to the digital sports media website ESPN. The website said that the decision was taken during the ICC Board meeting over the weekend and is aimed at reducing interruptions caused by fading light conditions. The red balls usually used in Tests are not easily visible in fading light, while the white balls used in limited-overs matches are not durable enough for the longer format, said an ESPN report. Pink balls are already used in day-night Tests played under lights. According to AFP, the ICC said in a statement that its executive board had approved of &quot;trialing the use of a pink ball in Test matches, with prior agreement from both teams, to maximize play in case of anticipated bad light&quot;. The global cricketing body said it had also approved new &quot;research on lighting technology for match officials and venues to reduce lost play due to poor light&quot;. &quot;Our discussions... have reinforced the ICC&#39;s commitment to governance, administration and the growth of cricket globally,&quot; said council chief Jay Shah, following a meeting in India&#39;s Ahmedabad.

Cricket

Allows the replacement of red balls with pink balls in test matches during poor light, aiming to reduce stoppages and maximize playing time without compromising visibility.

ICC approves pink ball trial in test cricket to reduce bad-light interruptions

GENEVA: There is an 80% chance of the warming El Nino phenomenon developing between June and August, increasing the risk of extreme weather events, the World Meteorological Organization said Tuesday. &quot;Fuelled by unusually warm ocean waters in the tropical Pacific, El Nino conditions are developing and are set to influence global temperature and rainfall patterns,&quot; the United Nations&#39; weather and climate agency said. Forecasts from the WMO global network &quot;indicate a pronounced shift toward El Nino conditions, with probabilities reaching 80% for June-August&quot;, the Geneva-based organization said. El Nino is a natural climate phenomenon that warms surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, bringing worldwide changes in winds, pressure and rainfall patterns. It typically takes place every two to seven years and lasts around nine to 12 months. Conditions oscillate between El Nino and its opposite La Nina, with neutral conditions in between. The likelihood of El Nino developing by November is &quot;near or above 90%&quot;, and most forecast models suggest it will be &quot;at least moderate and possibly strong&quot;, the WMO said in its quarterly El Nino/La Nina update. WMO chief Celeste Saulo said the world therefore needed to get ready for an El Nino which could &quot;exacerbate drought and heavy rainfall and increase the risk of heatwaves both on land and in the ocean&quot;. The WMO says that even a moderate El Nino makes some weather and climate extremes more likely. The last El Nino contributed to making 2023 the second-hottest year on record and 2024 the all-time high at around 1.55C above the 1850-1900 pre-industrial average. &#39;Urgent climate warning&#39;: Guterres&nbsp;In late April to mid-May, the sea-surface temperature in the central-eastern Equatorial Pacific, the area used as a monitoring reference, was approaching El Nino thresholds, the WMO said, with sub-surface temperatures more than 6C above average. Meanwhile, the Southern Oscillation Index, the atmospheric component of El Nino, is also consistent with El Nino conditions developing. The WMO said there was no evidence that climate change increases the frequency or intensity of El Nino events. However, it can amplify the associated impacts, it says, because a warmer ocean and atmosphere increase the availability of energy and moisture for extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and heavy rainfall. &quot;El Nino is arriving on our doorstep,&quot; UN chief Antonio Guterres said in a video message. &quot;The world must treat it as the urgent climate warning it is. El Nino conditions will pour fuel on the fire of a warming world. Impacts will hit even harder, travel even farther, and cross borders with devastating speed. &quot;The only effective response is climate action equal to the crisis, ending the addiction to fossil fuels, accelerating the shift to renewables, protecting the most vulnerable, and delivering early warning systems for all.&quot; Temperatures above normal&nbsp;The WMO said that for June to August, forecasts project &quot;a nearly universal dominance of above normal temperatures in nearly all parts of the globe&quot;. This increases the risk of compounding hazards in some regions and accelerates the onset of drought conditions where rainfall is reduced, it said. Regional climate centers are predicting &quot;below-normal&quot; rainfall during the critical June-September rainy season in the northern Greater Horn of Africa; below-average monsoon rainfall in South Asia; and drier and warmer summer conditions in Central America. During the northern hemisphere summer, warm waters associated with El Nino can fuel hurricanes in the central and eastern Pacific, while hindering their development in the Atlantic Ocean. The WMO hopes advance warning will guide preparedness, especially in climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture, water management, energy and health. Each El Nino is unique, says WMO&#39;s climate prediction chiefAFP spoke with Wilfran Moufouma Okia, head of climate prediction at the United Nations&#39; weather and climate agency, who said Tuesday that warming El Nino conditions were expected to develop before the end of August. The natural climate phenomenon is expected to drive more extreme weather and rainfall, according to the WMO, although its intensity is hard to predict at this stage. What can we expect?&nbsp;Moufouma Okia said El Nino has a temporary warming effect, and while it originates in the tropics, it affects a large part of the planet. &quot;When El Nino occurs, droughts are expected in West Africa, the Sahel, South Africa, Australia, and Southeast Asia,&quot; he said. &quot;Conversely, other regions experience abundant rainfall, such as the southeastern United States and especially the equatorial Pacific region. Therefore, different regions will react differently to the phenomenon.&quot; Moufouma Okia stressed that El Nino does not act in isolation, but interacts with other weather phenomena, which can amplify or weaken its intensity. &quot;According to our projections, we will broadly see an El Nino event ranging from moderate to strong,&quot; he said. &quot;But it&#39;s important to stress that each El Nino event is unique. One might think that a weak El Nino will have no consequences, but that&#39;s wrong. Depending on the country and the context, the consequences can be just as damaging as with strong events.&quot; Are countries ready?&nbsp;Moufouma Okia said the WMO would provide countries and national weather services with its findings, but it was down to them to refine the information at a local level. He hoped countries would take the data into account in preparing for El Nino. &quot;WMO models are capable of making forecasts six months in advance. So we hope that countries will have had time to anticipate,&quot; he said. However, sometimes the consequences go beyond a country&#39;s capacity to respond, as happened during the last El Nino, between 2023 and 2024. &quot;Back then, there was a decrease in rainfall in Panama that affected the canal, and therefore the global economy,&quot; he said. Are countries cooperating on weather?&nbsp;Moufouma Okia said there was progress, with countries exchanging more information regarding El Nino. &quot;There were fewer casualties in 2023-2024 than in 1997. So we can assume that countries are better prepared, or have learned from previous events,&quot; he said. Countries understand the need to share data, and &quot;even countries in conflict&quot; are cooperating, the climate prediction chief said. &quot;To predict a phenomenon on the other side of the world, you need data from the other side.&quot;

Head of climate prediction services at the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Wilfran Moufouma-Okia points on graphs displayed on a computer screen at the WMO headquarters in Geneva, on June 1, 2026. (AFP)

Climate

The World Meteorological Organization warns there is an 80% chance of El Nino developing between June and August, likely bringing increased global risks of extreme heat, droughts, and heavy rainfall as part of a warming Pacific climate pattern.

80% chance of El Nino developing June-August: UN

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Muhammad Sadiq, said Tuesday he held talks with a senior Chinese diplomat in Islamabad on regional security challenges, including concerns over terrorist groups operating from neighboring Afghanistan. Sadiq, in a post on X, said&nbsp;he welcomed Chinese Ambassador Yue Xiaoyong and his delegation for discussions focused on strengthening coordination and synchronized counterterrorism efforts. He said the two sides exchanged views on &quot;threats posed by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) operating from Afghan soil&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=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2061509383318851946&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F4092%2F&sessionId=4a0186208528240165a547fa581bdc21a9f15b22&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;</iframe></div></div> Both sides agreed to &quot;strengthen coordination &amp; synchronize counter-terrorism efforts to protect regional peace &amp; stability,&quot; Sadiq said.&nbsp;

Foreign Affairs

Both sides discussed regional security challenges, particularly threats posed by the TTP and ETIM from Afghan soil, and agreed to strengthen coordination and synchronize counterterrorism efforts to promote lasting peace and stability across the region.

Pakistan, China discuss Afghan-based terror threats, strengthen counterterrorism cooperation

ISLAMABAD: US President Donald Trump sharply criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a tense phone call on Monday, expressing frustration over Israel&rsquo;s escalating military operations in Lebanon, according to US officials cited by American news agency Axios. According to Axios,&nbsp; Trump called the Israeli premier &ldquo;crazy&rdquo; on the call&nbsp;and accused him of ingratitude. The reported exchange came amid growing concerns that the conflict could undermine ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran.&nbsp; Sources familiar with the conversation said Trump warned Netanyahu that expanding military action, particularly threats to strike Beirut, would further isolate Israel internationally and jeopardize diplomatic efforts. US officials told Axios that Trump claimed he had helped keep Netanyahu out of jail. This referred to Trump&rsquo;s support during the corruption trial against the Israeli premier. A second source briefed on the call told Axios that Trump was &ldquo;pissed&rdquo; and at one point yelled at Netanyahu, saying, &ldquo;What the f*** are you doing?&rdquo; According to officials, Trump acknowledged Israel&rsquo;s right to defend itself against attacks from Hezbollah but argued that recent Israeli actions had become disproportionate.&nbsp; He was reportedly concerned about civilian casualties in Lebanon and objected to strikes that resulted in extensive damage while targeting individual Hezbollah commanders. The call followed warnings from Iran that it could abandon negotiations with Washington if Israel intensified its operations in Lebanon.&nbsp; US officials said Trump viewed the escalation as a direct threat to diplomatic progress. Following the conversation, an Israeli official told Axios that Israel no longer planned to carry out strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut.&nbsp; However, Netanyahu later stated that Israel would continue operations in southern Lebanon and maintain its position unless Hezbollah halted attacks.

Middle East

American news agency Axios reports that Trump criticized Netanyahu over Israel’s operations in Lebanon, warning they could derail US-Iran talks, while Israel has reportedly shelved plans to strike Beirut but will continue operations in southern Lebanon

Trump rebukes Netanyahu over Lebanon escalation, urges restraint

JERUSALEM: Israeli lawmakers voted Tuesday to back a bill, in its first reading, to dissolve parliament and pave the way for likely early elections. A total of 106 of the Knesset&#39;s 120 members backed the legislation, submitted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu&#39;s ruling coalition, according to a parliamentary statement. The remaining lawmakers did not attend the vote, which followed a debate in the assembly. The bill, which must pass two further readings before becoming law, stipulates that elections be held between September 8 and October 20. Israel is currently due to hold elections by October 27, when the current legislative term ends. &quot;We completed four full years, which is an exceptional achievement in Israeli politics, and we worked hard to reach this point,&quot; said Ofir Katz, chairman of the ruling coalition in a statement. &quot;This Knesset passed more than 520 laws and nine budgets. In practice, we held on until the very end.&quot; The coalition&#39;s move to propose the bill comes as Netanyahu faces growing pressure from ultra-Orthodox parties and his fractious right-wing coalition appears increasingly vulnerable to collapse. Ultra-Orthodox parties accuse Netanyahu of failing to fulfil a pledge to pass legislation granting a permanent exemption from compulsory military service to young men studying in yeshivas, or religious seminaries. Netanyahu, 76, a political survivor often described as the phoenix of Israeli politics, has confirmed he intends to seek another term in office. He recently disclosed that he had undergone surgery for prostate cancer. Israel&#39;s longest-serving prime minister, Netanyahu has spent more than 18 years in power since first taking office in 1996. He is seeking re-election despite facing a long-running corruption trial. Many Israelis hold Netanyahu responsible for the security failures that allowed Hamas to carry out its unprecedented October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. Last month, a poll published by public broadcaster KAN placed Netanyahu&#39;s Likud party narrowly ahead of Beyahad (Together), the joint list led by opposition leader Yair Lapid and former prime minister Naftali Bennett. However, neither camp appears capable of securing a governing majority in Israel&#39;s fragmented political landscape.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu waits for the start of an Israeli war cabinet meeting also attended by U.S. President Joe Biden on Oct. 18, 2023, in Tel Aviv, Israel. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)

The coalition's move to propose the bill comes as Netanyahu faces growing pressure from ultra-Orthodox parties, and his fractious right-wing coalition appears increasingly vulnerable to collapse.

Israeli MPs back parliament dissolution bill in first reading

ISLAMABAD: US federal authorities have arrested 30 Indian nationals who were found to be living and working illegally in the United States as commercial truck drivers, according to a press release issued by the US Customs and Border Protection on Monday.&nbsp; The arrests were made during &quot;Operation Checkmate,&quot; a federal initiative carried out by US Border Patrol agents in Arizona&rsquo;s Yuma Sector between May 11 and May 15, aimed at enhancing public safety and enforcing immigration and transportation laws. According to the report, a total of 52 people unlawfully present in the United States were arrested during the operation. Of those, 36 were operating semi-trucks at the time of their arrest. Thirty of the truck drivers were Indian nationals, while the remaining six were citizens of Mexico, El Salvador, and Russia. The drivers held commercial driver&#39;s licenses issued by several states, including California, New York, Washington, and Virginia, said the statement. Some individuals did not possess a driver&#39;s license. Most carried employment authorization documents that had been issued during the administration of former President Joe Biden but were no longer valid. US customs said all those arrested were processed under federal immigration laws and will face deportation proceedings. &ldquo;Operation Checkmate reflects our commitment to safeguarding communities and roads from unlawfully present drivers who pose significant risks to public safety,&rdquo; Acting Chief Patrol Agent Dustin Caudle of the US Border Patrol&rsquo;s Yuma Sector said in the statement. Caudle said federal agents continue daily enforcement efforts to identify and remove individuals who are unlawfully operating commercial vehicles across the country. The operation comes amid a broader crackdown on immigration violations under President Donald Trump&rsquo;s administration. The US Department of Transportation recently issued an order to stop unqualified foreign drivers from obtaining licenses to operate commercial trucks and buses.&nbsp; Federal officials have argued that stricter enforcement is necessary to improve highway safety. In recent months, several Indian-origin commercial truck drivers have been arrested and charged in connection with fatal crashes in different parts of the United States, The Hindu reported.

Trucks on American highway - (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

India

During a federal immigration and highway safety enforcement operation, US authorities arrested 30 Indian nationals. They were working as commercial truck drivers while living illegally in the country. They now face deportation proceedings.