Author: Admin

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…

Millie Bobby Brown has given fans a first glimpse of her adopted daughter with husband Jake Bongiovi, just months after the couple announced they had welcomed a baby girl into their family. The Stranger Things star shared a series of photos on Instagram on Thursday, including a touching image of the couple gazing at their daughter, marking the first family picture since the adoption. In the image , Bongiovi is seen with his arm around Brown as she holds their baby close. The 21-year-old actress confirmed the adoption in an August post that read, “This summer, we welcomed our sweet baby…

ISLAMABAD/LAHORE Authorities in Islamabad ramped up security in the federal capital and neighbouring Rawalpindi following the announcement of a “Gaza March” by Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), in the wake of violent clashes in Lahore. The government decided to seal the capital’s Red Zone by deploying heavy contingents of law-enforcement personnel to block the protest rally from entering the city. Containers were placed at key entry points, while police were ordered to arrest TLP activists named in official lists. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said all state institutions were “on one page” and warned that “anyone advancing on Islamabad with…

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry briefing media at the General Headquarters, Rawalpindi, December 27, 2024. — ISPRDirector-General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry is set to address a press conference today on Friday (today).The briefing, scheduled for 2:30pm at the Corps Headquarters in Peshawar, is expected to focus on key national security matters and related developments. Twelve soldiers, including three officers, were martyred in different engagements in the last two days.Major Sibtain Haider, who was leading his troops from the front, having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice— and embraced…

Internet mobile services in Islamabad and Rawalpindi remained blocked, after the interior ministry notified the suspension of 3G and 4G services from midnight on October 9 till 10pm as Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) geared for its anti-Israel demonstration on Friday. Yesterday (Thursday), Interior Minister of State Talal Chaudhry outside the US embassy said the TLP had not sought permission to hold its “Ya Aqsa Million March” outside the United States Embassy in the federal capital. The government always allows peaceful demonstrations and marches, he claimed, referring to speeches by TLP leaders as inflammatory and abusive in nature, during a press conference…

STOCKHOLM: Hungarian writer Laszlo Krasznahorkai won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature on Thursday “for his compelling and visionary oeuvre that, in the midst of apocalyptic terror, reaffirms the power of art”. “Laszlo Krasznahorkai is a great epic writer in the Central European tradition that extends through Kafka to Thomas Bernhard, and is characterised by absurdism and grotesque excess,” the Swedish Academy, which awards the prize worth 11 million Swedish crowns ($1.2 million), said in a statement. “But there are more strings to his bow, and he also looks to the East in adopting a more contemplative, finely calibrated tone.” ‘My life is a permanent correction’ Speaking to Swedish Radio, Krasznahorkai, 71, said he had…