WorldPalestinians voted in local elections in the West Bank and Gaza’s Deir al-Balah, marking the first inclusion of part of Gaza in municipal polls in nearly two decades. The vote is being closely watched as a measure of political sentiment and a possible step towards broader elections.
WorldThe Taliban government says Afghans in Qatar can return to Afghanistan 'with full confidence' as the US moves to close a camp housing more than 1,100 people. The issue comes amid competing claims over safety for former Afghan allies.
NATIONALPakistan has launched its indigenous electro-optical satellite EO-3 from China’s Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre, the Foreign Office said. Officials said the satellite will strengthen remote sensing and support next-generation space technologies.
WorldThe US State Department has instructed diplomats worldwide to raise concerns over what it says are Chinese efforts to extract and distill American AI models. China has rejected the allegations as groundless, while DeepSeek has not immediately commented.
EducationDr Nousheen Zaidi has become the first Pakistani to receive the Georg Forster Research Award. The honour recognises her academic and research contributions and includes 60,000 euros in research funding.
Russia’s Putin signed a law making April 19 the Day of Remembrance for victims of the genocide of the Soviet people, tying the date to a 1943 decree and Nazi crimes.
InternationalIranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir in Islamabad as Pakistan continued efforts to revive US-Iran talks. Senior Pakistani and Iranian officials attended the meetings.
SportsLahore Qalandars won the toss and elected to bowl first against Peshawar Zalmi in the 38th match of PSL 11 at Gaddafi Stadium. Zalmi hold a 12-9 edge in 22 previous meetings between the two sides.
NATIONALA local court in Islamabad has sent journalist Fakharur Rehman to jail on judicial remand after rejecting the NCCIA’s request for physical remand in a Peca case. The case relates to a post on X cited in an NCCIA inquiry notice.
SportsKarachi Kings beat Quetta Gladiators by nine wickets in PSL 11 at Gaddafi Stadium, chasing 196 in the 19th over. The defeat ended Quetta’s campaign in the tournament.
SportsIndia will bid to host the 2038 Asian Games in Ahmedabad, IOA President P. T. Usha said. She said the Olympic Council of Asia had discussed the matter and would send an evaluation committee to India soon.
ISLAMABADFour members of a family, including a woman and a 14-year-old boy, were found shot dead in Islamabad’s Jhangi Syedan area, police said. Investigators said the motive had not been established, though an honour killing angle was being examined.
