North Korea’s Kim calls for ‘exponential’ nuclear expansion after inspecting new plant, KCNA says
Kim says expansion needed given worsening security threats, long-term confrontation with ‘ferocious enemies’ North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits the country’s nuclear material production base and nuclear weapons institute, at an undisclosed location in North Korea, in this photo released by North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency on January 29, 2025. PHOTO: KCNA […]
Delhi to crack down on fire safety violations after blaze that killed 21
Building fires are common in India due to a lack of firefighting equipment, routine disregard for safety regulations Police officers stand at the site a day after a fire at a hotel in New Delhi, India. PHOTO: REUTERS The Delhi government will launch a crackdown on properties violating fire safety norms after a fire at […]
Authorities warn of World Cup ticket, merchandise scams
The official ball of the 2026 FIFA World Cup named “Trionda” is displayed during a presentation event in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo: REUTERS Fraudsters are exploiting interest in the 2026 World Cup with a barrage of scams, as authorities and researchers caution against fake websites impersonating FIFA’s official online presence to sell phantom tickets. Controversy […]
Delhi reclaims its Gymkhana. Lahore keeps its elite club for Rs5,000 a year – Pakistan
The Delhi Gymkhana Club was born in 1913, raised for British officers and the colonial set, and was later inherited by bureaucrats, politicians, and the comfortably connected. None of that pedigree could save it, however, from the law. Last week India told it to vacate the land by June 5. The government read a single […]
Israel, Lebanon agree to conditional ceasefire – World
Israel and Lebanon agreed on Wednesday to implement a ceasefire but said it would require a “complete cessation” of fire by Hezbollah, according to a joint statement after US-led talks in Washington. The two sides, which do not have formal diplomatic relations, also agreed to create “pilot zones” in which the Lebanese armed forces “will […]
From poplars to pistachios, Afghans rediscover the value of trees
Under the shade of recently planted poplars in northeastern Afghanistan, village leader Ghulam Ali Poya is proud to see residents rediscover the value of trees after years of wartime deforestation. “There were forests of pistachio trees,” he told AFP, gesturing to the bare mountains that surround Char Bagh’s mud homes. “During the conflicts and the […]
Budget delay – Newspaper – DAWN.COM
THE government has postponed the announcement of the FY27 budget without offering any explanation for the decision. In the absence of an official announcement, speculation has been rife in the media about the reasons behind the delay. The most plausible explanation appears to be unresolved issues with the IMF, particularly with regard to fiscal space […]
The embrace of Nessus – Newspaper
THEY all look the same and for good reason. Every budget over the past 10 years (and more) is pretty much the same with minor differences usually in the gimmickry being advanced in the name of a ‘revenue plan’. And it will be no different this time round when the budget for FY27 is announced. […]
Weaponising climate – Newspaper – DAWN.COM
IN November 1970, the Bhola cyclone killed up to half a million people in East Pakistan. Yahya Khan’s government introduced a 10 per cent surcharge to fund emergency relief. Bangladesh became independent 13 months later. The affected territory was gone. The levy remained. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s government absorbed the revenue into general federal accounts in […]
‘Provinces asked to help fill massive gap in budget’ – Newspaper
• KP finance czar says federal govt facing Rs1.7tr ‘fiscal hole’• Muzammil Aslam claims Centre in a tight spot due to coalition partners’ needs, IMF ‘over-commitments’ ISLAMABAD: The federal government is having problems formulating the budget, owing to an around Rs1.7 trillion fiscal hole and wants the provinces, particularly Punjab and Sindh, to shoulder a […]