Pakistan ranks second-last in WEF’s global gender equality index
Listen to article Pakistan continues to face significant challenges in achieving gender equality, ranking 145th out of 146 countries in the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Gender Gap Report 2024. The only country ranked lower is Sudan. In contrast, neighboring Bangladesh ranks 99th, and India stands at 129th. The WEF report highlights that while global gender parity […]
Trump threatens new sanctions and tariffs on Russia over Ukraine attacks
Listen to article President Donald Trump on Friday threatened new sanctions and tariffs on Russia over its bombardments of Ukraine, after previously suspending US aid to Kyiv in a stated bid to encourage diplomacy. “Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely ‘pounding’ Ukraine on the battlefield right now, I am strongly considering large-scale banking sanctions, sanctions […]
US’ South Carolina to carry out first firing squad execution in 15 years
Listen to article South Carolina plans to execute a man convicted of two murders by firing squad on Friday, the first use of the method in the US in 15 years. Brad Sigmon, 67, chose to be killed by a firing squad, saying he feared the alternatives of the electric chair or lethal injection would risk a […]
Govt advises Afghan Citizen Card holders to leave by March 31
Listen to article The government announced on Friday that it will repatriate Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders as part of its ongoing Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Programme (IFRP), which began on November 1, 2023. In a statement, authorities advised all illegal foreign nationals, including ACC holders, to leave Pakistan voluntarily by March 31. Deportation procedures will commence from […]
Four migrant boats sink off Djibouti and Yemen, leaving over 180 missing
Listen to article Four boats carrying migrants have sunk off Djibouti and Yemen, killing at least one person and leaving more than 180 missing, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) told AFP on Friday. The sinkings occurred late on Thursday along a route that is increasingly used by Ethiopians hoping to find work in Gulf countries or […]
Country to review 18pc tax on packaged milk, says food security minister – Business
National Food Security & Research Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges in the dairy sector, referring to reviewing the impact of the 18 per cent general sales tax on packaged milk. According to a Press Information Department (PID) press release, Hussain met a delegation from the Pakistan Dairy Association […]
20,000 tons of waste to be cleared as Kumbh Mela festival ends in India
Listen to article Thousands of sanitation workers in Prayagraj were working tirelessly on Friday to clean up 20,000 tons of waste left behind by the millions of Hindu devotees who attended the Kumbh Mela mega-festival. The massive sanitation effort began after the six-week festival concluded last week in the northern city of Prayagraj, where hundreds of millions […]
LHC issues notices on PTI’s plea against Punjab govt’s promotional supplement – Pakistan
The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday issued notices on a petition filed by the PTI against the Punjab government for alleged “wastage of public funds” through a recent extensive promotional supplement. A 60-page newspaper supplement was published in most national dailies on Feb 26, 2025, highlighting the Punjab government’s performance in its first year […]
Arshad Sharif murder case: Govt seeks time from SC to ratify mutual legal assistance pact with Kenya – Pakistan
The government has sought more time from the Supreme Court to ratify a mutual legal assistance agreement with Kenya in journalist Arshad Sharif’s murder case as the constitutional bench took up the hearing on Friday. Sharif was shot in the head when Kenyan police opened fire on his car in October 2022. He had left […]
Key players and factors in Champions Trophy final
Listen to article India and New Zealand will face off in the Champions Trophy final in Dubai on Sunday to determine the winner of the prestigious eight-nation ODI tournament. New Zealand’s pace spearhead Matt Henry, who leads the bowling charts with 10 wickets, has been a standout performer. In the group match against India, Henry took five […]