Author: Admin

Afghan Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi (left) pictured along with Indian counterpart Jaishankar in New Delhi on October 10, 2025. — X/@HafizZiaAhmadNEW DELHI: India will upgrade its technical mission in Afghanistan to a full embassy, Foreign Minister Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said on Friday, as he met his counterpart from Kabul in New Delhi.”I am pleased to announce today the upgrading of India’s Technical Mission in Kabul to the status of Embassy of India,” Jaishankar told Amir Khan Muttaqi. India had closed its embassy in Kabul after the Taliban seized power following the withdrawal of US-led NATO forces in…

Islamabad and Rawalpindi in lockdown on Friday, with roads sealed, communication lines cut, and public movement at a standstill, and all entry points sealed. Police expect clashes with Tehreek-e-Labbaik’s (TLP) supporters on Multan Road after Friday prayers. The religiopolitcal party has announced an anti-Israel demonstration outside the US Embassy in the federal capital today (Friday).  Hamas and Israel signed a ceasefire agreement on Thursday with Israeli captives to be freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in first phase in line with United States Donald Trump’s 20-boint initiative to end the war in Gaza. Islamabad has touted Trump’s plan as an “historic opportunity” for lasting…

ARGENTINA: Argentine football fans queued up Thursday to pay their respects to one of the national game’s greats, Boca Juniors deceased manager Miguel Angel Russo, at an emotional stadium send-off in Buenos Aires. From the early hours of Thursday, long lines of supporters began filing past the coffin of the award-winning coach in the chapel of the club’s legendary Bombonera stadium. The former international, who coached Boca Juniors three times and also had successful stints at Rosario Central and Estudiantes de la Plata, died Wednesday at the age of 69. The club never gave details of his health, but Argentine…

Jenny Han has joined the growing list of recipients of Taylor Swift’s homemade sourdough bread. The Summer I Turned Pretty author shared the thoughtful gift from the Grammy-winning artist on her Instagram Stories on October 9. The package featured a loaf of lemon blueberry sourdough, decorated with cat stickers and a label that read “Lemon blueberry sourdough for Jenny.” Swift also included a handwritten note that said, “Thank you for everything and congratulations,” in recognition of the third season of Han’s hit Prime Video series. Photo: Instagram The show has long been associated with Swift’s music, which has soundtracked key…

WUHAN: Aryna Sabalenka powered into her 11th semi-final of the year with a 6-3, 6-3 win over eighth-seeded Elena Rybakina at the Wuhan Open on Friday. The world number one remains unbeaten in four tournament appearances at the event and will take a 20-0 record into her final-four showdown with Jessica Pegula on Saturday. The defending champion improved to 8-5 head-to-head against Kazakhstan’s Rybakina, whose bid for a WTA Finals berth has taken a hit with the loss. “Elena is a great player, very nice girl and always tough to play against,” said Sabalenka, the US Open champion. “We have…

YOKOHAMA: Xander Schauffele moved four shots off the lead at the halfway stage of the US PGA Tour’s Baycurrent Classic in Japan after carding a sizzling eight-under-par 63 on Friday. The American, who played in his country’s Ryder Cup defeat to Europe two weeks ago, shot eight birdies against no bogeys at Yokohama Country Club to sit tied for second behind sole leader Max Greyserman. Two-time major winner Schauffele made a blistering start to his second round, carding five birdies on the front nine including four in succession. He finished his round with two more straight birdies to leave him…

Pakistani traders stand beneath an electronic board displaying share prices at the Pakistani Stock Exchange (PSX). — INP/FileThe stock market traded cautiously on Friday, fluctuating within a range as investors weighed Pakistan’s ongoing International Monetary Fund (IMF) review, persistent geopolitical and global economic headwinds.“Stocks are under pressure amid security unrest and geopolitical uncertainty,” said Ahsan Mehanti, Managing Director and CEO of Arif Habib Commodities. “Weak global crude oil prices and weak global equities amid fears over the outcome of the US Govt shutdown, US tariffs played a catalyst role in bearish activity at PSX,” he added.During intraday trading, the Pakistan…

US President-elect Donald Trump gestures during a gathering. — AFP/FileWASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said that he expected to visit the Middle East on Sunday to mark the implementation of the first phase of the Gaza peace agreement and witness the release of hostages held by Hamas.Speaking at the White House on Thursday, Trump said that the deal between Israel and the Palestinian group had brought an end to the war in Gaza. The US leader added that “nobody’s going to be forced to leave” the Palestinian territory under his 20-point peace plan, which formed the basis for indirect negotiations between…

Traffic police officials issue a challan for violating the traffic rules in Karachi on April 15, 2025. — PPIKARACHI: Sindh Inspector General (IG) Ghulam Nabi Memon on Friday announced that a new e-challan system for traffic violations will be launched in Karachi on October 27.He said the issuance of traffic challans had been temporarily suspended until the new system becomes operational, noting that no new contract had yet been finalised following the expiry of the previous company’s agreement that supplied challan machines. The IG added that a committee has been established to handle public complaints regarding e-challans once the digital…

Taiwan will build a new multi-layered air defence system called “T-Dome” to defend itself against enemy threats and increase defence spending, President Lai Ching-te said on Friday, calling on China to renounce the use of force to seize the island. Taiwan has faced increased military and political pressure from China, which views the island as its own territory over the strong objections of the government in Taipei. Taiwan is ramping up defence spending and modernising its armed forces, but faces a China that has a far larger military and is adding advanced new weapons such as stealth fighter jets, aircraft carriers…