Report: Phillies had a seven-year deal on the table for Bo BichetteWith Bo Bichette signing a short-term, high-AAV deal with the New York Mets, news about other deals and agreements from the offseason are starting to trickle out when it comes to the former Jays infielder. Per Bob Nightengale at USA Today , the Philadelphia Phillies had reportedly agreed to Bichette’s contract demands for a seven-year, $200 million deal, and an agreement appeared to be on the horizon before the Mets sealed the deal with their recent offer. With the Mets contract, Bichette can opt out of the contract after year one and year two, with the infielder able to test the market in relatively short order. The Phillies’ deal would have paid Bichette ~$28.5 million AAV, and he likely would have played either second base or third base for Philadelphia, given Trea Turner’s spot at shortstop. Realmuto to a three-year deal worth $45 million, which has incentives that could push it to $60 million overall.

LAHORE : The daughter of Bushra Bibi has approached the Lahore High Court for permission to meet her mother in Adiala Jail. Mubashra Khawar Maneka filed a petition through Advocate Asif Niswana, who is the president of the Lahore High Court Bar. The petitioner named the Punjab government, the Superintendent of Adiala Jail, and others as respondents. The petitioner contended that Bushra Bibi has currently been imprisoned in Adiala Jail. The petitioner requested the court to direct the Superintendent of Adiala Jail to arrange an immediate meeting with her mother.

LAHORE : The Lahore Anti-Terrorism Court on Friday extended interim bail until February 13 for several individuals, including Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan, Azam Swati, and Fawad Chaudhry, in cases related to the arson and violence of May 9. Former federal minister Asad Umar appeared before the court after the expiry of his interim bail period. Counsel for Aleema Khan, Uzma Khan, and Fawad Chaudhry filed applications seeking exemption from personal appearance. The court approved the exemption requests for Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan, and also granted a one-day exemption from appearance to Azam Swati and Fawad Chaudhry. Later, Asad Umar told the media that Shah Mahmood Qureshi is innocent in five cases.

KARACHI : Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Friday staged a strong recovery, snapping days long bearish momentum as increasing forex reserves have lifted investor sentiments. Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves inched up by $16 million over the past week, according to figures released by the State Bank of Pakistan. The central bank said its official reserves rose from $16.0557 billion to $16.0718 billion, showing a modest gain during the week. The State Bank also noted that commercial banks’ holdings went up by $5.6 million, reaching $5.1927 billion. A day earlier, the stock exchange dropped by over 1,100 points due to massive selling pressure.

During the hearing, Islamabad Police DIG Javed Tariq appeared before the court, where Judge Afzal Majoka inquired about the failure to execute the arrest warrants. The court then announced a break, warning that failure to comply with the orders could result in contempt charges. Earlier, at the start of the hearing, the court summoned the DIG and the Director of the FIA to explain why Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha were not presented in court. The court took strict note of the situation and summoned the DIG Operations and FIA Director to appear in person. Later, the sessions court gave 24 hours to authorities to arrest Mazari and her husband in the case.

ISLAMABAD (APP) Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday reaffirmed the government’s firm resolve to defeat terrorism through a unified national effort, stressing that peace, stability and prosperity remained the country’s core objectives. He said Pakistan was now on a fast track towards development, but terrorism remained the most serious challenge. The prime minister stated that over 100,000 Pakistanis had embraced martyrdom in the war against terrorism. Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar said the national narrative to discourage terrorism and promote peace and stability would be further strengthened. They said the Qaumi Paigham-e-Aman Committee symbolized national unity and would play a critical role in fostering peace, harmony and stability across the country.

Senior news anchor and broadcaster Ishrat Fatima, who made her mark with Pakistan Television’s newscasts, has announced the end of her 45-year-long association with Radio Pakistan. She said that she deeply thanked Radio Pakistan and the audience, who supported her on this long journey. Later, in a 13-minute video message, Ishrat Fatima spoke openly about the background to her decision. Ishrat Fatima said that she was repeatedly made to feel that she was no longer needed, which was a very painful experience for her. Ishrat Fatima said that she waited for a long time for things to improve, but finally she had to decide to leave Radio Pakistan.

By Sardar Khan Niazi“We hope routine processing of immigrant visas will resume soon,” Andrabi said–an expression of optimism that resonates far beyond bureaucratic corridors. The suspension or slowdown of immigrant visa processing is not merely a technical issue; it is a human one, with social, economic, and diplomatic consequences that demand urgent attention. For thousands of applicants, visa processing is the final bridge between years of planning and a future long imagined. Students defer admissions, professionals lose job offers, and families endure prolonged separations that strain mental health and financial stability. Restoring routine visa processing is not a concession; it is a responsibility.

Washington: The United States has imposed sanctions on five senior officials, including Ali Larijani, for their role in the violence against protesters during the recent riots and demonstrations, and has warned that it is tracking the Iranian leadership’s funds, which are being transferred to banks around the world. Those affected by the US sanctions include Secretary of the Supreme Council for National Security Ali Larijani and other security commanders Mohammad Reza Hashemifar, Nematollah Bagheri, Azizollah Maliki and Yadollah Bouali. The US Treasury Department has accused the individuals of being involved in money laundering, along with a shadow banking network, to hide the proceeds from the sale of Iranian oil and petrochemical products in foreign markets. He said, “Rest assured, we will track him and you, but there is little time for that. It should be noted that these sanctions imposed by the United States on Iran are the first step after Donald Trump’s threats to maintain pressure on Iran.

In a move widely perceived as a response to protests by right-wing Hindu groups, India has shut down the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Medical Institute (SMVDMI) in Indian-administered Kashmir after Muslim students made up the majority of its inaugural medical batch. The National Medical Commission (NMC), the federal authority overseeing medical education in India, revoked the college’s recognition on January 6, citing alleged deficiencies in faculty, hospital infrastructure, and teaching resources. Legislators from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) petitioned the region’s lieutenant governor to reserve seats exclusively for Hindu students. Omar Abdullah, chief minister of Indian-administered Kashmir, pledged to reassign SMVDMI students to other medical colleges in the region, ensuring their education continues. “I appeared for one of the hardest exams in India and earned my place at a medical college.

Jafar Bedru Geletu, Executive Director of the Institution Foreign Affairs (IFA) Ethiopia, and H.E. Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman Board of Governors of the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI). Dr. Oumer Hussein Oba, Ambassador designate of Ethiopia to Pakistan witnessed the ceremony here at the ISSI, Islamabad, while his counterpart Ambassador Atif Sharif Mian was present at the IFA Headquarters in Addis Ababa. Ethiopia is a gateway to Africa, said the ISSI Chairman while emphasizing on establishing robust academic linkages that are crucial to foster joint research, delegations exchange and policy dialogues for benefit of both the nations. Pakistan’s Ambassador in Ethiopia H.E.

Security forces killed 13 Khawarij members belonging to the Indian proxy Fitna-ul-Khawarij during two intelligence-based operations in Bannu and Kurram districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 13 and 14. According to the ISPR, security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in Bannu district on information about the presence of Khawarij. During the operation, forces effectively targeted the Khawarij hideout, killing 8 Khawarij members after a fierce exchange of fire. The security forces will continue operations at all costs to uproot the scourge of terrorism from the country. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has praised the security forces for killing 13 terrorists and said that under the vision of determination of stability, the security forces are achieving great successes against terrorism.

For decades, the Pakistan Army has stood guard over the nation’s frontiers and its internal peace, often at an immeasurable human cost. Supporting the Pakistan Army does not mean abandoning democratic values or silencing debate. This approach reflects political maturity — understanding that a strong army and a strong democracy are not competitors, but partners. Pakistan’s adversaries understand a painful truth: they cannot defeat the Pakistan Army militarily unless they succeed in dividing the nation politically and socially. The answer to this strategy is unity — between the people and the army, between political forces, and between democracy and defense.

Rawalpindi :A delegation of World Liberty Financial USA led by Mr. Zachary Witkoff, Chief Executive Officer of a leading global Fintech firm, called on Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, COAS & CDF. The meeting reflected the growing interest of international private investment groups in Pakistan’s evolving economic landscape and also signals rising global confidence in Pakistan’s fintech potential and aims to strengthen financial inclusion and cross border digital finance. Mr Witkoff highlighted the immense economic potential Pakistan holds and lauded the efforts of Pakistan’s leadership in embracing futuristic technologies to realize the full possibilities of its economic prowess. Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir welcomed the exchange of views and emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to economic stability, investor confidence, and enabling an environment conducive to responsible private sector participation in national development.

By Dana OmirgazyASTANA – At the initiative of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the Taza Kazakhstan large-scale national environmental campaign has become one of the most significant social movements in the country. In October 2024, the government adopted a resolution approving the Taza Kazakhstan concept for the development of environmental culture for 2024–2029. According to official figures, since the start of Taza Kazakhstan, more than 1.6 million tons of waste have been collected, and 859,000 hectares of land have been cleaned. Kazakhstan generates more than 4.5 million tons of municipal waste annually, while the recycling rate in 2024 stood at 25.8%. The Taza Kazakhstan initiative clearly demonstrates that systematic state support, combined with civic engagement, can deliver tangible results.