WorldCIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Cuba as Havana said it had run out of oil and faced worsening blackouts. The rare contact came amid deep tensions, protests over power cuts and continued political exchanges between the two countries.
NATIONALPrime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met an 11-member Chinese business delegation led by IBI Beijing United Technology’s Qian Xiaojun in Islamabad on Friday. The PMO said both sides discussed digital economy cooperation, investment promotion and industrial collaboration.
WorldOil prices rose more than 1% after Donald Trump said he would not be much more patient with Iran, while concerns over shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz persisted. Brent climbed to $107.04 a barrel and WTI to $102.50.
NATIONALInterior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and US official Paul Kapur discussed expanding Pakistan-US cooperation in security, counter-terrorism and anti-narcotics in Islamabad. The talks also covered bilateral ties, Reko Diq and the Middle East situation.
WorldIndia has raised petrol and diesel prices by 3 Indian rupees per litre, the first such increase in four years, as state-run retailers try to recover losses from higher crude prices. The move comes alongside fuel-saving measures introduced amid energy market disruption linked to the Iran war.
WorldA US startup says unarmed drones could serve as a first response to school shootings by confronting attackers before police arrive. The company has pilot programmes in Georgia and Florida and says interest is growing in Texas.
HEALTHThe administrative cadre in the KP health department is shrinking after years without fresh inductions, according to sources. They say rule changes, junior postings and hospital outsourcing have further weakened the management stream.
PESHAWARA ceremony in Haripur marked the launch of Prof Abdul Muhaiman’s book <i>Baat Shanasai Ki</i>, dedicated to women. Speakers discussed the book’s focus on misconceptions about women and their role in shaping society.
NATIONALThe ANP has submitted an adjournment motion in the Senate over the reported deportation of thousands of Pakistanis from the UAE. The party called for immediate diplomatic action and legal support for affected citizens.
PESHAWARTribal representatives in Landi Kotal have urged the government to speed up the repatriation of Afghan families through Torkham before Eidul Azha. They also raised concerns over traffic congestion, customs seizures and Pakistani vehicles stranded in Afghanistan.
WorldChina said there was no point in continuing the Iran war and called for a ceasefire and the reopening of shipping lanes, as Xi Jinping hosted Donald Trump in Beijing. Trump said Xi wanted a deal and supported keeping the Strait of Hormuz open.
WorldIsrael has threatened to sue The New York Times over a column alleging widespread sexual abuse of Palestinian detainees. The newspaper rejected the move, calling the article a “deeply reported opinion column”.
