It was embarrassing to note that seven of the eight captains were wearing kits that had the name of the respective country as the most outstanding feature. The only exception was Pakistan whose team kit had its sponsor’s name as the dominating feature. I wonder who designed this kit and who granted the approval. Do the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials have any system to check such blunders that hurt the sentiments of the cricket fans and degrade the name of the country? How low are they going to stoop in order to please the sponsors?

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday that there was “every indication” that Lebanese group Hezbollah was behind a rocket strike in the Israel-annexed Golan Heights that killed 12 young people. “Every indication is that indeed the rocket was from Hezbollah. We stand by Israel’s right to defend its citizens from terrorist attacks,” Blinken told reporters in Japan. “We are determined to bring the Gaza conflict to a close. That has been one of our goals from day one, from October 7 on, and we’ll continue to do that.

Thousands of firefighters were battling a rapidly expanding wildfire in northern California on Saturday, as the blaze more than doubled in size within 24 hours. The Park Fire had burned over 350,000 acres (141,640 hectares) approximately 90 miles (144 km) north of Sacramento as of Saturday afternoon, according to Cal Fire. The Park Fire was the largest of dozens of wildfires across the country, which have collectively burned more than 2 million acres, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. In Oregon, several fires were also burning, including the Durkee Fire, which had scorched more than 288,000 acres in the eastern part of the state. Tragically, a firefighter died after a single-engine tanker crashed near the Falls Fire in southeastern Oregon, the US Forest Service reported on Friday.

If a voice blender-mixer existed, an ardent music enthusiast like myself would be tempted to combine the best of all worlds. Undoubtedly, the one and only, the legendary singer with the soul-stirring voice – Mohammed Rafi. The softness of his voice refined the compositions of the numerous music directors, he sang for. Rafi’s voice continues to be a euphoric opiate, for his millions of fans across geographies, generations and cultures. His voice is a constant source of comfort, whether he's singing joyous geets, soulful ghazals, powerful qawwalis, devotional bhajans, or uplifting naats.

ISLAMABAD - The federal government has started legal proceedings against TTP militants Noor Wali Mehsud and Ahmed Hussain Alias Ghat Haji after their recently phone call interception. Security and law enforcement agencies conducted a forensic test of the intercepted phone call which established the fact that voices in the phone call were those of Kharji Noor Wali Mehsud and Ahmad Hussain Ghat Haji and none others. In the intercepted phone call, Kharji Noor Wali Mehsud is giving instructions to Ahmed Hussain to attack Pakistani government properties and schools. Following this, a girls’ school in Mir Ali area of North Waziristan district was blown up with an IED while a teacher Meera Jan of Tank district was also killed. The sources said those involved in acts of terrorism will not be forgiven under any circumstances, and that under the guise of the so-called Shariah, heinous acts and bloodshed of innocent people will never be allowed.

RAWALPINDI - The security forces on Saturday killed four Khariji terrorists during a joint intelligence-based (IBO) operation in Tank District on reported presence of terrorists. During conduct of the operation, after intense fire exchange, four Kharji terrorists of Fitna Al Khawarij were sent to hell, says a press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from killed Kharji terrorists, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against Security Forces as well as abduction and target killing of innocent civilians, it said. “Sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Kharji terrorist found in the area as Security Forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe-out the menace of terrorism from the country,” the ISPR said.

Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, addressed Christians in West Palm Beach, Florida, stating that if they vote for him in the upcoming election, they won't need to vote again in four years. He told Christians on Friday that if they vote for him this November, "in four years, you don't have to vote again. Trump said: "Christians, get out and vote, just this time. In four years, you don't have to vote again, we'll have it fixed so good you're not going to have to vote," Trump said. Jason Singer, a Harris campaign spokesperson, in a statement did not directly address Trump's remarks about Christians not having to vote again.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday condemned the violent actions of Israeli forces in Khan Younis in Gaza, where thousands have fled amid intense clashes. He called on the international community, including the United Nations, to fulfill their responsibilities. "Due to the siege of Khan Younis, the supply of food and other necessities of life has been suspended in the area. According to the United Nations, the invasion of Khan Younis has displaced at least 180,000 Palestinians in the first four days, many leaving without their belongings. He mentioned that Pakistan had dispatched around 1,200 tonnes of relief goods to Palestine via Pakistan Air Force planes and another 1,500 tonnes through three ships.

DG ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood highlighted the importance of elections in Iran, particularly given the country’s regional and international significance. This outcome was surprising to many, as Dr Pezeshkian was a relatively lesser known candidate and his previous two presidential attempts had been unsuccessful. However, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood pointed out, Dr Pezeshkian was a seasoned parliamentarian, former health minister, and distinguished academic and surgeon. Dr Pezeshkian aims to balance relations with all countries, enhance regional partnerships, and explore economic and technological opportunities. Dr Aslan stressed the importance of understanding Iran’s regional policies, particularly after the 1979 revolution which raised concerns in Turkiye.

BISHKEK: Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security (SCNS) said on Saturday that it has detained a suspect involved in planning a terrorist attack targeting one of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries, Trends reported. According to the SCNS, the detained individual is a Kyrgyz citizen linked to an international terrorist organization. The committee has not released the suspect’s name or specific details about the planned attack or the terrorist group involved. Authorities are working to uncover further details about the terrorist network, including identifying additional members and understanding the full scope of the planned attack. Kyrgyzstan has been active in counter-terrorism efforts and has previously cooperated with international partners to address security threats.

KARACHI - Gulberg police on Thursday late night “picked up” Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Chairman Asad Iqbal Butt from his house but allowed him to go after questioning him for a couple of hours. According to HRCP member, Prof Dr Tauseef Ahmed, police raided his at around 1:30 after midnight. They took him to police station for “interrogation” about his intention to attend the rally. He (Dr Tauseef) and other rights activists reached the police station on receiving the news of his arrest. They claimed that three Baloch activists were taken away from Lyari for distributing pamphlets and installing banners for the BYC rally in Gwadar.

Thousands took to the streets after becoming fed up the lawlessness, targeted attacks and extortion in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa district of South Waziristan. Thousands of people including tribal elders, leaders and workers of political parties, as well as local residents participated in the rally. The speakers stressed that the state institutions should correct their approach, and fulfill their responsibilities within the framework of the country’s Constitution and laws. The main points of were to pinpoint that maintaining peace, law and order was the responsibility of the state. Bajaur protestIn the Mamond area of Bajaur tribal district, thousands protested against the deteriorating law and order situation in the area.

Cowardly terror acts cannot weaken nation’s resolve against terrorism: PMPrime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has strongly condemned the terrorist attack on a police station in District Kurram. In a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office today, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the Frontier Constabulary officer who was martyred in the attack and prayed for his elevated status in Jannat. Expressing condolences to the bereaved family, the Prime Minister also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured personnel. He directed the authorities concerned to provide all possible medical facilities to the injured. The Prime Minister emphasized that such cowardly acts cannot weaken our resolve against terrorism.

ISLAMABAD - High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, Ambassador Admiral (R) Ravindra C Wijegunaratne on Friday said the people of Sri Lanka esteemed Pakistan as a friendly country unlike any other nation for its unprecedented support against terrorism. Sri Lanka, he said had 74% Buddhist,16% Muslims and the remaining part of population comprising of Hindus. “Every Sri Lankan writes in his last will that if possible his or her eyes be donated to a Pakistani,” he added. Commenting on the mutually shared cultural affinities between the friendly nations, he said the Lankan nation’s religion is cricket. The Sri Lankan Minister for Religious Affairs and high ranking monks participated in that seminar, he added.

Nation can never forget sacrifices of Armed Forces: PMPrime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said the nation can never forget the sacrifices of Armed Forces for the country's defence. In a statement on the occasion of 76th martyrdom anniversary of Captain Muhammad Sarwar Shaheed, Nishan-e-Haider, he said the officers and soldiers of the armed forces have been and are giving great sacrifices for the defence of the country. He said the entire nation is proud of the martyrs of the armed forces and their families. Shehbaz Sharif said the nation is standing by the armed forces, who are performing their duties without caring about their lives for the sake of the defence of the homeland. The Prime Minister paid glowing tributes to the first recipient of Nishan-e-Haider Captain Muhammad Sarwar Shaheed.