Daily News Pakistan

The entire population of Gaza could be relocated, and the United States may take control of the Palestinian territory under a plan reportedly being considered by the Trump administration, the Washington Post reported Sunday. The plan envisions transforming the war-ravaged enclave left in ruins after Israel’s 2023 conflict triggered by the Hamas attack into a U.S. administered trusteeship for at least ten years. Modeled on former President Donald Trump’s vision of turning Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East,” the initiative aims to convert Palestinian lands, which are part of their claim for a future state, into a tourism and high-tech hub. The Post reviewed a 38-page prospectus detailing the proposal. It calls for the temporary relocation of Gaza’s two million residents, either through “voluntary” moves to other countries or into restricted, secured zones within the enclave during reconstruction. Gaza landowners would receive a digital token from the trust in exchange for ...

Britain’s energy operator is turning to an age-old technology to strengthen its power grid as traditional plants shut down and renewable systems take their place. The devices in focus are flywheels spinning metal disks that for centuries have provided stability to machines ranging from potters’ wheels to steam engines by resisting sudden changes in motion. Today, grid operators see flywheels as a way to supply much-needed inertia to electricity networks dominated by renewables, helping prevent large-scale blackouts like the one that recently struck Spain and Portugal. In conventional grids, inertia is created by massive spinning turbines in coal and gas plants, which help balance supply and demand by maintaining a steady frequency. Solar and wind farms, however, do not contribute inertia, nor can they easily manage other grid challenges such as voltage control. Flywheels can replicate the stabilizing role of turbines, adjusting their spin to smooth out fluctuations and keep the g...

Torrential rains have caused chaos in Saudi Arabia’s southwestern Asir region, where flash floods swept away dozens of vehicles. Saudi media reports that the National Center for Meteorology (NCM) has issued a severe weather alert, warning of heavy downpours, thunderstorms, and potential flooding across multiple regions, including Najran, Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Makkah, and Madinah. The forecast also includes strong winds, hailstorms, and sandstorms, which could significantly reduce visibility in parts of the Kingdom. Authorities have appealed to residents to take precautionary measures, avoid flood-prone areas, and adhere to official safety advisories as the inclement weather persists.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that New Delhi is committed to improving ties with Beijing during a key meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of a regional security forum. Modi is visiting China for the first time in seven years to attend a two-day Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting, joined by Russian President Vladimir Putin and other leaders from Central, South and Southeast Asia, as well as the Middle East, showcasing Global South solidarity. “We are committed to advancing our relations based on mutual respect, trust, and sensitivities,” Modi told Xi during the meeting on Sunday, according to a video clip shared on his official X account. The bilateral talks took place five days after Washington imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods over New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil. Analysts suggest Modi and Xi aim to present a united front against Western pressure Modi also highlighted that an atmosphere of “peace and stability” has been establish...

TikTok is moving beyond video entertainment with the introduction of new messaging features. The update allows users to send 60-second voice notes and share up to nine photos or videos within both one-on-one and group chats, enhancing the app’s social interaction capabilities. The update marks a significant step for TikTok as it positions itself as more than just a video-sharing platform. With the addition of voice notes and photo sharing, the app is aligning its messaging experience with competitors like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Apple’s Messages. According to TikTok, the features will be rolling out globally over the next few weeks. How voice notes work on TikTok Users can now record and send audio messages up to 60 seconds long in direct messages. The feature reflects a growing communication trend among Gen Z, who increasingly prefer voice notes over typing. This move puts TikTok in line with social platforms where audio-based messaging has become a core feature. Photo and ...

Pakistan’s seafood industry has received a significant boost as the United States granted a four-year approval for fish exports, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced. Chaudhry said the license is global recognition of Pakistan’s seafood quality standards, proving that the country’s fisheries meet strict U.S. benchmarks. He added that this approval will ensure continuity in exports to one of the world’s most valuable markets. Sharing figures, the minister noted that Pakistan exported 242,000 tons of fish last year, generating $489 million in foreign exchange. With U.S. access secured for the next four years, seafood exports are expected to increase, with projections reaching $600 million in the coming year. He emphasized that U.S. approval will bring stability to the export sector, strengthen Pakistan’s global credibility, and open up fresh opportunities for the fishing community. “This is a proud achievement for Pakistan, as our fisheries have d...

Internet services have been suspended across Balochistan, including Quetta, officials and sources confirmed on Saturday. The disruption affects both mobile and broadband networks, impacting communication and access to online services throughout the province. No official reason has been provided to users for the suspension of mobile internet services, the sources said, adding that the mobile internet services were suddenly suspended last night across. The government has not issued any statement regarding the suspension, which is causing serious difficulties to common people, including students and traders. It is worth noting that mobile internet services have been suspended in most districts of the province since August 1. Earlier, the Balochistan High Court, during the hearing of a constitutional petition against the suspension of internet services, had ordered the restoration of mobile internet across the province, after which services were resumed. However, with the recent sus...

The UK government announced on Friday that representatives of the Israeli government will not be invited to participate in an upcoming London arms fair, amid escalating diplomatic tensions between Britain and Israel over the situation in Gaza. A government spokesperson stated that the decision reflects growing concerns regarding recent developments in the region and the UK’s position on ongoing humanitarian and political issues. The move comes as relations between the two countries face increased scrutiny, drawing attention from international observers and media. “We can confirm that no Israeli government delegation will be invited to attend DSEI UK 2025” in September, said a defence ministry statement emailed to AFP. Israeli defence companies will still be allowed to attend the biennial event. But Israel slammed the move taken against officials as “discrimination”. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has in recent months suspended arms export licences to Israel for use in G...

On Friday, a divided U.S. appeals court ruled that the majority of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump are illegal, delivering a major setback to one of his key international economic policy tools. The decision challenges Trump’s use of these levies to influence global trade relations and could have wide-ranging effects on U.S. trade agreements, affected industries, and supply chains. Legal experts note that the ruling may also set an important precedent for how future administrations implement tariffs and other trade measures. The court allowed the tariffs to remain in place through October 14 to give the Trump administration a chance to file an appeal with the US Supreme Court. The decision comes as a legal fight over the independence of the Federal Reserve also seems bound for the Supreme Court, setting up an unprecedented legal showdown this year over Trump’s entire economic policy. Trump has made tariffs a pillar of US foreign policy in his second term, using them to ex...

The chief of India’s Hindu nationalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Mohan Bhagwat, has urged Indian families to have three children each, warning of long-term risks linked to the country’s declining birth rates. Despite being the world’s most populous nation with 1.46 billion people, India’s fertility rate has dropped below two children per woman, according to the UN Population Fund’s 2025 report, as the economy continues to grow. Bhagwat, whose organization is the ideological parent of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, said the population must remain “controlled, yet sufficient.” Speaking during a lecture marking the 100th anniversary of the RSS, he stressed that “in the national interest, every family should have three children and restrict themselves to that.” His remarks highlight growing concern among nationalist leaders and some regional politicians over long-term demographic stability, economic capacity, and cultural identity. Hardline Hindu gro...

A Blood Moon will be visible in Pakistan for the first time in the country’s history, the Meteorological Department announced on Thursday. A total lunar eclipse is expected on the night of September 7-8, 2025. The eclipse will begin at 8:28 pm on September 7, followed by the start of the partial lunar eclipse at 9:27 pm. The eclipse will reach its peak at 11:12 pm, and the partial lunar eclipse will conclude at 12:57 am. The total lunar eclipse is expected to end at 1:55 am on September 8. The entire lunar eclipse will last approximately 5 hours and 27 minutes. The eclipse will be visible across much of the world, including Pakistan. Due to the eclipse, the moon will turn red and will be called a Blood Moon. The lunar eclipse will be visible in Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, the Pacific Ocean.

When the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) was established in 2001, its primary mission was to enhance regional security and stability. Over the years, however, its scope has expanded significantly to encompass economic cooperation reflecting the reality that sustainable prosperity and enduring stability are inseparable. Today, the SCO is the world’s largest regional organization in terms of geography and population. With a vast market, abundant resources, and immense growth potential, the bloc has become an important driver of regional and global development. One of its central objectives now is to facilitate trade and investment among member states. To this end, mechanisms such as the SCO Business Council and the Interbank Consortium have been set up to boost cross border commerce and financial cooperation. The results are tangible. In 2024, trade volume between China and other SCO member states, observer states, and dialogue partners hit a record $890 billion, accounting f...

A black-clad gunman killed two children and wounded 17 other people on Wednesday when he opened fire on students attending Mass at a Minneapolis Catholic school, authorities said. The assailant, a man in his early 20s, fired dozens of rounds through the church windows and then took his own life, officials said. He was armed with a rifle, a shotgun and a pistol, they said. “This was a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshipping. The sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible,” Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara told reporters. The shooting occurred two days after school started at Annunciation Catholic School, a private elementary school with about 395 students, connected to a Roman Catholic church in a residential area in the southeast part of Minnesota’s largest city. Local TV showed parents ducking under yellow police crime tape and leading students out of the school. Officials sa...

United States President Donald Trump once again claimed credit on Tuesday for ending the conflict between India and Pakistan, saying that his threat of extremely high tariffs was instrumental in reaching a ceasefire agreement. Participating in a cabinet meeting at the White House yesterday, the US president reiterated the claim that his intervention was directly responsible for the end of the conflict. “India and Pakistan were gonna end up in a nuclear war if I didn’t stop them,” he said, adding, “I saw seven jets were shot down … $150 million planes were shot down; seven, maybe more than that, they didn’t even report the real number.” Trump added that he had spoken to both India and Pakistan at the time of the conflict, asking them what was going on between them. “The hatred was tremendous,” he said, saying that the conflict had been going on, “sometimes with different names”, for hundreds of years. Without specifying whether he had been speaking to India or Pakistan, the presi...

Google has introduced its cutting-edge ‘AI Mode’ in Pakistan, designed to provide faster, smarter, and more personalized search results. First introduced in the United States this year, the feature is now expanding globally, with Pakistan among the latest countries to gain access. The tool, powered by a custom version of Gemini 2.5, enables people to ask longer and more complex questions that previously required multiple searches. Available in English, AI Mode can be accessed via the Google app on Android and iOS, as well as on mobile and desktop web. In a statement, Google said that early testers have shown that queries are already two to three times longer than traditional searches, highlighting the tool’s usefulness for exploratory tasks such as comparing products, planning trips, or tackling “how-to” questions. “It dives deep to answer multiple questions at once, with helpful links for further exploration,” the company said. Google explained that Pakistani users can use ‘AI...

US President Donald Trump will host a meeting on Wednesday on post-war plans for Gaza, his envoy Steve Witkoff said Tuesday.“We’ve got a large meeting in the White House tomorrow, chaired by the president, and it’s a very comprehensive plan we’re putting together on the next day,” Witkoff said in a Fox News interview, without providing more details. He was asked if there was “a plan for a day after in Gaza,” referencing the end of Israel’s war in the Palestinian territory that began in October 2023. Trump stunned the world earlier this year when he suggested the United States should take control of the Gaza Strip, clear out its two million inhabitants and build seaside real estate. Trump said the United States would remove rubble and unexploded bombs and turn Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the proposal, which was heavily criticized by many European and Arab states. Witkoff did not elaborate on the plan he touted Tues...

Indian exporters are bracing for a sharp decline in orders from the United States after trade talks collapsed and Washington confirmed that steep new tariffs on the South Asian nation’s goods would take effect from Wednesday, escalating tension between the strategic partners. An additional 25 per cent duty announced by President Donald Trump, confirmed in a notice by the Homeland Security Department, takes total tariffs to as much as 50pc, among Washington’s highest, in retaliation for New Delhi’s increased buying of Russian oil. “The government has no hope for any immediate relief or delay in US tariffs,” said a commerce ministry official, who sought anonymity for lack of authorisation to speak to the media.  Exporters hit by tariffs would receive financial assistance and be encouraged to diversify to alternative markets such as China, Latin America and the Middle East, the official added. However, the commerce ministry did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment...

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI has filed a lawsuit in federal court in Texas against Apple and OpenAI, accusing them of conspiring to prevent fair competition in the AI market, Reuters reported. The complaint alleges that Apple and OpenAI have “locked up markets to maintain their monopolies and prevent innovators like X and xAI from competing.” It claims Apple’s partnership with OpenAI, which integrated ChatGPT into iPhones, iPads and Macs, has unfairly tilted the marketplace. “If not for its exclusive deal with OpenAI, Apple would have no reason to refrain from more prominently featuring the X app and the Grok app in its App Store,” the lawsuit said. xAI is seeking billions of dollars in damages. An OpenAI spokesperson responded that “This latest filing is consistent with Mr Musk’s ongoing pattern of harassment.” Apple did not immediately comment. Musk had warned earlier this month that Apple’s behaviour “makes it impossible for any AI company besides OpenAI to...

US President Donald Trump said Monday that he hopes to meet again with North Korea's Kim Jong Un, possibly later this year, as he held White House talks with South Korea's new progressive leader, Lee Jae Myung. Hours before Lee's first long-planned visit to the White House, Trump took to social media to criticize what he called a "Purge or Revolution" in South Korea, seemingly over raids involving churches. During a 40-minute Oval Office meeting in which Lee praised Trump, the US President softened his earlier remarks, saying, "I'm sure it's a misunderstanding" as "there is a rumor going around." Trump expressed confidence that he and Lee share similar views on North Korea. He recalled meeting Kim Jong Un three times during his first term and said he knows the North Korean leader "better than anybody, almost, other than his sister." "Someday I'll see him. I look forward to seeing him. He was very good with me,...

Elon Musk’s AI startup, xAI, has filed a federal lawsuit in Texas against Apple and OpenAI, accusing them of conspiring to block fair competition in the AI market, Reuters reported. The complaint claims that Apple and OpenAI have “locked up markets to maintain their monopolies and prevent innovators like X and xAI from competing.” It further alleges that Apple’s partnership with OpenAI, which integrated ChatGPT into iPhones, iPads, and Macs, has given them an unfair advantage in the market. “If not for its exclusive deal with OpenAI, Apple would have no reason to limit visibility of the X app and the Grok app in its App Store,” the lawsuit stated. xAI is seeking billions in damages. An OpenAI spokesperson called the filing “consistent with Mr. Musk’s ongoing pattern of harassment,” while Apple has not commented. Earlier this month, Musk warned that Apple’s actions “make it impossible for any AI company besides OpenAI to reach #1 in the App Store.” Antitrust experts say the case...

Nuclear talks between Iran and Britain, France, and Germany are set to take place in Geneva on Tuesday, Iranian state media reported. “Iran and the three European signatories to the 2015 nuclear agreement, along with the European Union, will hold a fresh round of discussions at the deputy foreign minister level in Geneva,” state television said Monday. This will mark the second round of talks since Israel’s 12-day conflict with Iran in mid-June, during which the United States also targeted Tehran’s nuclear facilities. The last meeting was held in Istanbul on July 25. The talks follow Iran’s suspension of cooperation with the UN’s nuclear watchdog after the Israel conflict, with Tehran accusing the International Atomic Energy Agency of failing to condemn Israeli and US strikes on its nuclear sites. The unprecedented bombardments by Israel and the US further derailed Iran’s negotiations with Washington. Britain, France, and Germany have warned they may invoke the “snapback mechani...

Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, has announced that the installation of three new submarine internet cables will significantly boost internet speed and connectivity in Pakistan. Addressing the media, Minister Khawaja highlighted that in today’s world, no nation can move forward without strong digital infrastructure. “This is not just about faster internet it’s about unlocking new opportunities for innovation, investment, and inclusion,” she stated. The upcoming submarine cables are expected to greatly expand Pakistan’s bandwidth and strengthen its international digital links, coinciding with a period of record-breaking digital growth in the country. In the past year alone, Pakistan has added 10 million new mobile subscribers, bringing the total to over 200 million by 2025. Internet usage has also risen by 25% in the last two years, showing how deeply the population is engaging with the digital economy. One of the most notable achievements is ...

Minister of State for Crypto and Blockchain, Bilal bin Saqib, stated that Pakistan’s crypto strategy is making rapid progress on the global stage, with “crypto diplomacy” positioning the country not just as a participant but as a global leader in the industry. He recalled that his 2018 predictions about the crypto market had proven correct. Bilal bin Saqib highlighted the creation of Pakistan’s Bitcoin Strategic Reserve as a landmark development, formally aligning the nation with the global crypto strategy. He further pointed to the establishment of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority as another vital step in strengthening the country’s crypto market framework. According to him, Pakistan’s approach to crypto diplomacy has been redefined, opening doors for wider economic growth and greater international recognition. Describing Pakistan as a “hidden treasure,” Bilal bin Saqib expressed confidence that the country’s true economic potential would become more evident in ...

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s plan to reduce consumption taxes on everyday goods could provide billions of dollars in annual relief and stimulate demand in an economy preparing for potential US tariffs, experts say. US President Donald Trump has warned he may double import duties on India from 25% to 50% in response to New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil, arguing such transactions help Moscow finance its war in Ukraine. The threat has cast uncertainty over the outlook for the world’s fifth-largest economy, with Indian exporters cautioning about declining orders and significant job losses. Calling Washington’s move “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,” New Delhi is working to cushion the impact. Modi, during his recent Independence Day address, pledged to “reduce the tax burden on the common man.” The proposed cuts to the goods and services tax (GST) would make items ranging from small cars to air conditioners more affordable for consumers, according to economists. Cur...

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally supervised the test-firing of two newly developed air defence missiles, state media reported Sunday, shortly after Pyongyang accused Seoul of stoking tensions along the border. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the launches, conducted on Saturday, demonstrated that the two “enhanced” missile systems possessed “superior combat capability.” The agency did not provide specific details about the missiles or the test site, only noting that their “operation and reaction mode is based on unique and special technology.” KCNA added that the firing confirmed the projectiles were highly effective in targeting and destroying a range of aerial threats. Photos released by state media showed missiles streaking into the sky and what appeared to be the interception of incoming targets. Other images showed Kim receiving a briefing from military officials, with binoculars placed beside him on his desk. The report also said Kim assigned a...

Meta’s messaging platform WhatsApp is testing a new voicemail-style feature that allows users to send voice messages when a call goes unanswered, adding a convenient voicemail shortcut to the interface. Currently available to select Android beta users (version 2.25.23.21), the feature aims to simplify communication by providing a quick follow-up option directly from the call screen. Feature Overview When a WhatsApp voice call is missed, users will see three options on screen: call again, cancel, and a new shortcut to record a voice message. This shortcut will also be accessible from the chat window with the recipient, allowing users to send a voice message without switching screens. The recorded message is sent immediately within the conversation thread, accompanied by the missed call notification. The feature mirrors traditional voicemail but is seamlessly integrated with WhatsApp’s chat interface, enhancing both convenience and immediacy. Currently in testing for Android bet...

Chipmaker Intel has agreed to provide the US government with a 10-percent stake in the company, President Donald Trump and Intel announced Friday. The agreement follows Trump’s administration requesting Intel to grant Washington an equity share in exchange for large grants committed during Joe Biden’s presidency. As part of the deal, the US government will receive 433.3 million shares of common stock, representing a 9.9 percent stake in Intel, the company said in a statement. The total investment amounts to $8.9 billion, partially funded by $5.7 billion in grants awarded under the CHIPS and Science Act—a major law enacted during Biden’s term, which Trump has criticized. The remaining $3.2 billion comes from an award to Intel as part of the Secure Enclave program, the company added. This $8.9 billion investment is in addition to $2.2 billion in CHIPS grants Intel has already received, bringing the total to $11.1 billion. Trump posted on Truth Social: “The United States of America...

The head of the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) along with two other senior officers has been removed from their posts, officials confirmed Friday marking the latest in a string of high-level military dismissals this year. Lieutenant General Jeffrey Kruse, who took charge of the DIA in early 2024, was relieved of his duties after the agency issued a preliminary assessment concluding that US strikes on Iran had only delayed Tehran’s nuclear program by a few months. The findings, widely covered by American media, directly contradicted President Donald Trump’s claims that the strikes had “completely destroyed” Iran’s nuclear sites sparking anger within the administration. “Kruse will no longer serve as DIA director,” a senior defense official told reporters on condition of anonymity, without elaborating on the reasons for his removal. Before assuming the DIA’s top post, Kruse served as military affairs advisor to the Director of National Intelligence and earlier as intelligence...

Following the loss of several aircraft to Pakistan during the four-day conflict in May, India’s Defence Minister has announced that Delhi is collaborating with a French company to develop and produce fighter jet engines domestically. In May, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved the prototype of a 5th generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), describing it as a "major step toward strengthening India’s indigenous defence capabilities." Speaking at a conference in New Delhi on Friday, Singh provided further details on the plan to manufacture fighter jet engines within India. "We are moving forward to produce aircraft engines right here in India," Singh stated, as reported by Indian media. "We are partnering with a French company to initiate engine production in the country." Although Singh did not reveal the company’s name, Indian media widely reported it to be Safran, which has been active in India’s aviation and defence sectors for decade...

Meta has struck a cloud computing deal with Google valued at over $10 billion across six years, a source familiar with the matter told AFP on Thursday. The agreement, first reported by The Information, will see Meta rely on Google’s data centers for servers, storage, networking, and related services. While Meta declined to comment, the deal is said to be one of the largest in Google Cloud’s 17-year history. The move comes as Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg ramps up spending on artificial intelligence, luring top talent from rivals like OpenAI and Apple to develop what he calls “AI superintelligence.” “I’m excited to build personal superintelligence for everyone in the world,” Zuckerberg said during last month’s earnings call. Meta is competing fiercely with other tech giants, all investing billions in AI, making this partnership a key milestone in the ongoing race. Google parent Alphabet's cloud computing business was on pace to bring in $50 billion over the course of the year, the...