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  • ‘Burning children alive can never be justified’; Dua Lipa demands ceasefire

    ‘Burning children alive can never be justified’; Dua Lipa demands ceasefire

    British-Albanian singer Dua Lipa is once again calling for an urgent and permanent ceasefire as Israel’s military actions in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where numerous Palestinian civilians have reportedly lost their lives in recent days. Dua Lipa is once more advocating for an immediate and enduring ceasefire.

    On May 28, the pop star posted an Artists for Ceasefire image with the hashtag “#AllEyesOnRafah” on her Instagram Story, stating, “Burning children alive can never be justified.” The harsh condemnation of Israel followed Israel’s massacre in Rafah where videos showed children decapitated and burnt alive.

    Lipa said, “The whole world is mobilising to stop the Israeli genocide, please show your solidarity with Gaza.”
    She signed an open letter from Artists for Ceasefire, encouraging President Joe Biden to support peace in Gaza, a few weeks after the strikes on October 7. She was among many celebrities who supported the initiative. She freely expressed her thoughts on the fight three months later in her January cover story for Rolling Stone.

    On Monday, 45 people were killed in a fire that started in a tent camp in the Gazan city of Rafah due to an Israeli attack. This led to international protest from leaders around the world, who requested the enforcement of a ICJ ruling to stop Israel’s genocide

    Health officials in Gaza stated that women, children, and the elderly made up more than half of the deceased and that the number of fatalities was probably going to increase due to those who had serious burns.
    Over 45 million users, including local and international celebrities, shared the viral ‘All eyes on Rafah’ story on Instagram.
    At least 36,171 Palestinians have been killed and 81,420 wounded in Israel’s war on Gaza since October 7.

  • Situation in Bishkek under control, suspects will be punished according to law: Kyrgyz Ambassador

    Situation in Bishkek under control, suspects will be punished according to law: Kyrgyz Ambassador

    Kyrgyz Ambassador Ulanbek Totuiaev has said that the situation in Bishkek is under control, and that suspects charged with violence will be punished according to the law.

    During a media briefing in Islamabad, he asserted that the news shared on foreign media social networks were completely baseless, especially in Pakistan.

    The ambassador reiterated that on May 13, a clash took place between local and foreign students in a hostel in Bishkek. On May 18, Kyrgyz citizens demonstrated to bring foreign students to justice. As soon as the information was received, the police detained four Egyptians and ten Kyrgyz citizens.

    He further clarified that no one was injured in the riots and that the media is requested to refrain from broadcasting or publishing unverified information. He emphasized that all the rioters will be punished according to law in Kyrgyzstan, whereas Pakistan will be asked to investigate those spreading false information in the media.

  • Pakistan defeats Australia by 3-0 to clinch the Volleyball series

    Pakistan defeats Australia by 3-0 to clinch the Volleyball series

    Pakistan defeats Australia in the second match of the Volleyball series clinching the three-match series by 2-0.

    In the first set of Pakistan defeats Australia by 26-24, but Australia make comeback winning the second set by 25-199 however, in the final set Pakistan defeats Australia by 25-23.

    The Australian team could not win a single game in the volleyball series and Pakistan took a decisive lead of two zero in the three-match series.

    In the first game of the series, Pakistan defeated Australia by 25-22, 23-22 and 25-20.

  • Hina Pervaiz Butt falsely claims Khan’s interview with Mehdi Hassan was paid

    Hina Pervaiz Butt falsely claims Khan’s interview with Mehdi Hassan was paid

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MPA Hina Parvaiz Butt recently got into a Twitter feud with journalist Mehdi Hassan after she called his recent interview with founder Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan “paid content.”

    Former Prime Minister Imran Khan gave an exclusive interview with renowned journalist Mehdi Hassan for his new platform Zeteo where he openly talked about his imprisonment experience, past regrets, and the country’s worsening political situation.

    The interview was available to paid subscribers on his new platform Zeteo and the MPA highlighted the ‘paid’ written at the start of the article alleging that it is paid content, a claim that is false.

    Mehdi called her out saying, “This Pakistani politician from the governing party is pushing a conspiracy theory that I was “paid” to do my interview with Imran Khan. ‘Paid’ on the post below means it’s a post only for paid subscribers to Zeteo.”

  • North Korea drops rubbish-filled balloons on South Korea

    North Korea drops rubbish-filled balloons on South Korea

    North Korea just dropped at least 260 filth-filled balloons on South Korea, prompting officials to warn residents to stay indoors.


    South Korea’s army cautioned the public against touching the balloons and the plastic bags attached to them because they contain “filthy waste and trash”.
    The balloons have been found in eight of nine provinces in South Korea and are now being investigated.


    The recent incident comes days after North Korea said it would retaliate against the “frequent scattering of leaflets and other rubbish” in border areas by activists in the South.


    Photographs shared on various social media platforms show bags attached via string to white translucent balloons carrying toilet paper, dark soil, batteries, and leaflets, among other contents.

    BBC quotes South Korea’s Yonhap news agency’s report: “Some of the fallen balloons carried what appears to be faeces judging from its dark colour and odour”.

    Battle of Ballons

    North and South Korea have both used balloons in their propaganda campaigns since the Korean War in the 1950s.


    South Korea’s military had earlier said it was investigating whether there were any North Korean propaganda leaflets in the balloons.

    Earlier this month, a South Korea-based activist group claimed it had sent 20 balloons carrying choco pies, leaflets, and USB sticks containing Korean pop music and music videos across the border, all of which are banned in North Korea.

    Back in 2016, North Korea launched balloons southward that attacked Seoul’s leaders The balloons reportedly carried toilet paper, cigarette butts, and rubbish.

    However, Seoul police described them as “hazardous biochemical substances”.

    “It seriously threatens the safety of our people. North Korea is entirely liable for what happens due to the balloons and we sternly warn North Korea to immediately stop this inhumane and crass action,” the South’s military said.

  • PCB refuses to issue NOC to Usama Mir for T20 Blast

    PCB refuses to issue NOC to Usama Mir for T20 Blast

    The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has refused to issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to Usama Mir for participation in T20 Blast.

    According to PCB, Usama Mir has not been given any more NOCs due to two league limit. Mir has played two leagues in the cycle from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024.

    Usama had participated in The Hundred and the Big Bash League last year. PCB allows two leagues to contracted players to play in, apart from the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

    Usama Mir was supposed to represent Worcestershire Rapids in T20 Blast, but now the team has canceled his contract after not getting NOC.

    T20 Blast franchise Worcestershire has selected West Indies’ Hayden Walsh to replace Usama Mir.

  • Govt expected to slash petrol price by over Rs5 per litre

    Govt expected to slash petrol price by over Rs5 per litre

    In a significant move to alleviate the burden of soaring inflation, the government is anticipated to reduce petrol prices by Rs5.3 per litre for the first half of June 2024.

    This expected decrease aligns with the recent decline in international petroleum prices, offering much-needed relief to the public.

    As of May 28, 2024, international price trends have shown a decrease, resulting in the ex-refinery price of petrol dropping to approximately Rs184.59 per litre from Rs189.86 per litre in the previous two weeks. This forthcoming reduction will mark the third consecutive cut in fuel prices, accumulating a total decrease of over Rs26 per litre.

    In addition to petrol, the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) is also expected to fall by around Rs4.1 per litre, reflecting a similar downward trend in its international price. This follows the recent reduction in diesel prices, where a second consecutive cut saw a drop of Rs7.88, bringing the price to Rs274.08 per litre.

    However, it is crucial to note that three more trading sessions remain before the final pricing update, meaning the ultimate prices could still be influenced by fluctuations in global markets and exchange rates.

    The government will announce the new fuel prices at midnight on May 31, 2024, which will then be effective for the first half of June. This development is poised to offer substantial financial relief to consumers, amidst one of the highest inflation rates in Asia.

  • Khan, Bushra Bibi get room coolers in jail

    Khan, Bushra Bibi get room coolers in jail

    Adiala jail administration has installed room coolers for founder Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to help them deal with the extreme heat in Rawalpindi.

    Prison sources also confirmed to The News that former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who is incarcerated in Adiala jail in the cypher case, has also been provided with a room cooler.

    The jail administration has started providing additional facilities to inmates, including cold water and beverages, as well as extra water coolers that have also been installed throughout the jail premises.

    The Adiala jail administration affirmed that various measures have been put in place to protect inmates from the heat wave’s impact, as the weather in Islamabad and Rawalpindi is extremely hot.

  • When is Zul-Hajj moon expected?

    When is Zul-Hajj moon expected?


    The Meteorological Department has predicted that there is a strong possibility that the moon of Zul-Hajj will be visible on Friday, June 7.


    The Eid-ul-Azha will be on Monday, June 17, if the predictions around the Zul-Hajj moon stand true.

    The International Astronomy Center says that Islamic countries will witness the Zul-Hajj moon on Friday, June 7, according to the Al-Arabiya report.

    If the moon is visible, the first Zul Hajj will be on June 8, otherwise, it will be on Sunday, June 9, that is, the first day of 10 Zul Hajj Eid-ul-Azha will be on Monday, June 17, or Tuesday, June 18.

    However, the final announcement of the date of Eid-ul-Azha in Pakistan will be made by the central Moon Sighting Committee after the sighting of the Zul-Hajj moon.

  • Talks sirf unke sath hongi’ says former president Arif Alvi

    Talks sirf unke sath hongi’ says former president Arif Alvi

    Former President and senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) leader Dr Arif Alvi reiterated that Imran Khan is ready to hold a dialogue but only with those “who could offer something”, Dawn reported.

    Alvi said that holding talks with those who had come into power through ‘Form 47s’ would be futile.

    Interestingly, during the interaction with reporters outside the Karachi Press Club, Alvi tried to downplay a social media post from Imran Khan’s account on social media which made a comparison with Pakistan’s current political turmoil with events during the fall of Dhaka, saying “It’s never about the whole institution but a few individuals”.

    However, the former president warned that the prevailing situation in the country was “pushing everyone towards a dead-end”.

    “We never invited the military to intervene in politics, but Imran Khan wants to talk to those who have the power to decide,” he said in response to a question.

    “If these talks aren’t held, it would further push everyone to a dead end,” warned the senior PTI leader.