Author: News Desk

News Desk ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will witness the first full moon eclipse of the year today, with the event set to begin at 1:44 pm local time. According to the Meteorological Department, the partial eclipse will start at 2:50 pm, while the full eclipse is expected to commence at 4:05 pm. Read More: https://metro-morning.com/first-total-lunar-eclipse-of-2026-on-march-3-to-be-partially-visible-across-pakistan/ The peak of the lunar eclipse will occur at 4:34 pm, with the full eclipse beginning to end at 5:03 pm. The partial eclipse will conclude at 6:17 pm, and the entire event will be over by 7:23 pm. Observers in Pakistan will see the eclipse partially…

News Desk MADRID: Spain has refused to allow the United States to use its military bases to carry out attacks on Iran, following weekend strikes by US and Israeli forces, officials said on Monday. Flight tracking data from FlightRadar24 showed 15 US aircraft departing Spain’s Rota and Moron bases, which are jointly operated with the US but remain under Spanish sovereignty. At least seven of the aircraft landed at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said Spain would not permit its bases to be used for operations against Iran, which the government has condemned. “Spanish bases…

News Desk MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered assistance to help stabilise the situation in the Middle East during a telephone call with Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Kremlin said. The conversation took place amid ongoing US–Israeli strikes on Iran. According to the Russian side, the latest developments threaten the security of several Arab states with which Moscow maintains close ties. “With all this in mind, Vladimir Putin confirmed the readiness of the Russian side to use all available opportunities to actively contribute to the stabilisation of the situation in the region,” the Kremlin’s press service…

News Desk TOKYO: Crude oil prices surged sharply on Monday as markets reacted to escalating tensions in the Middle East following US and Israeli strikes on Iran, sending shockwaves through global equities. Brent crude, the international benchmark, jumped as much as 13% in early Asian trading before easing to a roughly 5% gain, reaching $76.48 per barrel by midday Tokyo time. Analysts attributed the spike to concerns over potential disruptions to energy supply from the region. Asian stock markets opened lower amid uncertainty. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index fell about 2%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped roughly 1.5%. US stock…

News Desk ISLAMABAD: The government has released the flight schedule for Hajj 2026, confirming that the first operation will commence on April 18, facilitating the travel of 119,000 Pakistani pilgrims under the official scheme. The initial flights will depart from Karachi, Lahore, Sialkot, and Multan, carrying pilgrims to Madinah. Over the 34-day operation, a total of 468 flights will transport pilgrims, with 186 flights scheduled for Madinah and 282 flights for Jeddah. The first Hajj flight to Jeddah is set for May 4, while the last will depart on May 21. Of the total pilgrims, 67,230 are men and 51,846…

News Desk KOLKATA: India secured a place in the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after defeating the West Indies cricket team in a crucial Super Eight match in Kolkata.Chasing a target of 196, India reached the total in the final over to knock West Indies out of the tournament and confirm their progress to the last four.Batting first, West Indies posted 195 for 4 from their 20 overs. Roston Chase made 40, Jason Holder scored 37 and Rovman Powell added 34 in a competitive total.India’s reply was anchored by Sanju Samson, who struck 97 to guide his…

News Desk DUBAI: Global air travel faced severe disruption on Sunday as ongoing military strikes forced the closure of major Middle Eastern airports, including Dubai, the world’s busiest international hub. The shutdown marked one of the most significant shocks to international aviation in recent years. Airports in Abu Dhabi and Doha were either closed or operating under strict restrictions, with much of the region’s airspace effectively off-limits. Airlines and passengers grappled with uncertainty following the U.S. and Israeli strikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday. Israel reportedly launched another wave of strikes on Iran on Sunday.…

News Desk MANAMA: Explosions were heard in Manama, the capital of Bahrain, according to reporters on the ground. AN international news outlet said in Manama there reported hearing multiple blasts across the city. Bahrain’s state news agency later confirmed that attacks had taken place within the country, though officials did not immediately provide details about the nature or targets of the strikes. The development is particularly sensitive given that Bahrain hosts the United States Navy’s Fifth Fleet, a key strategic command overseeing American naval operations in the Gulf. The explosions followed a series of alerts issued by Bahrain’s interior ministry.…

News Desk TEHRAN: Explosions were reported across Iran late on Friday after Israel, backed by the United States, launched what Washington described as large-scale military operations against the country. The US president, Donald Trump, confirmed that American forces were involved in the assault alongside Israel. In a statement posted on Truth Social, he said the US had begun “major and decisive military operations” inside Iran. Iranian media reported blasts not only in the capital, Tehran, but also in several other cities, including Kermanshah, Qom, Lorestan, Karaj and Tabriz. The scale of the damage and the number of casualties were not…

News Desk ROME: Following a high-level conference on illegal immigration in Warsaw, five European countries have agreed to provide official employment opportunities to Pakistani workers. The meeting, attended by interior ministers from Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Finland, and Lithuania, included Pakistan’s delegation led by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and focused on efforts to curb illegal immigration and human trafficking. Conference participants praised Pakistan’s measures to address illegal migration and noted their positive impact on regional security. The five EU nations committed to creating legal job avenues for Pakistani citizens and enhancing cooperation on immigration issues. Each country will appoint a focal…