Author: News Desk

News Desk JEDDAH: Pakistan’s creative delegation — proudly represented by Atiqa Odho and Shahzad Nawaz — reaffirmed its commitment to advancing cinematic storytelling, cultural diplomacy and creative collaboration on the world stage during a powerful panel discussion at the Red Sea International Film Festival (RSIFF ’25) earlier today. Hosted at Souk Forum 1 in Jeddah, the session highlighted Pakistan’s dynamic evolution within the global content and media ecosystem. Moderated by celebrated Saudi-born Pakistani presenter Omair Shaikh, the panel brought together key voices shaping Pakistan’s cultural narrative internationally: Atiqa Odho, actor, producer and women’s empowerment advocate; Shahzad Nawaz, filmmaker, creative visionary…

News Desk KOREAN PENINSULA: South Korea scrambled its fighter jets on Tuesday morning after two Chinese and seven Russian military aircraft swept into its Air Defence Identification Zone, a sudden and coordinated intrusion that pushed regional tensions sharply higher. Officials in Seoul said the aircraft—among them strategic bombers and fighter jets—moved across sensitive stretches of the Sea of Japan in what appeared to be a deliberate show of force rather than routine patrol activity. The joint maneuver marked the first such incursion since November 2024, yet its scale and timing struck security officials as distinctly unsettling. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs…

News Desk BEIJING: China urged Pakistan and Afghanistan to continue addressing their differences through dialogue and consultation, to work towards de-escalation, and to jointly safeguard regional peace and stability, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said. His remarks came after renewed clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan on the night of 5 December, marking the first major confrontation since the two sides agreed to a ceasefire in mid‑October. Multiple civilian casualties were reported. Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday, Guo said Pakistan and Afghanistan were both traditionally friendly neighbors of China, and that their relationship could not be altered. He added…

News Desk MUSA KHEL, BALOCHISTAN: In a rare and contentious episode in Musa Khel district, a local jirga compelled eight individuals accused of theft to walk on burning coals inside a shop, an act that drew widespread attention and condemnation. Remarkably, reports indicated that none of the participants suffered injuries during the ordeal, though the incident raised serious questions about the continued use of traditional tribal justice mechanisms. The district administration moved quickly to investigate, identifying seven members of the jirga involved in organizing the ritual. In a statement to Geo News, the Deputy Commissioner confirmed that one jirga member…

News Desk SYDNEY: Pakistan’s cricket captain Babar Azam has expressed his enthusiasm at the opportunity to play alongside Australian batting star Steve Smith in the upcoming Big Bash League season. Both players are set to feature for the Sydney Sixers, a pairing that has already generated excitement among fans and cricket analysts alike. Speaking ahead of the tournament, Babar described Smith as one of the best players in the world, highlighting the advice and guidance he has received from the Australian veteran over time. “It’s always special to play with someone like Steve Smith. Sharing the field with him will…

News Desk MIAMI: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has issued an executive order designating the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations, a move that has sparked immediate concern and controversy across the United States. The order, announced quietly via a social media post rather than a public gathering, comes just a month after Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a similar proclamation, which is currently being challenged in federal court. CAIR has vowed to contest the Florida order in court as well, calling it unconstitutional, malicious, and politically motivated. CAIR, the country’s largest Muslim civil…

News Desk ABU DHABI: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced stricter residency laws, imposing severe penalties on those providing shelter or employment to undocumented residents. Offenders face fines of up to AED 5 million (approximately PKR 38 crore) and potential imprisonment. Working on a visit visa is now considered a criminal offence, with fines starting at AED 10,000 (around PKR 760,000). Possessing forged residency documents can lead to prison sentences of up to ten years. The UAE government has classified violations of residency laws as crimes against national security. Authorities have begun strict enforcement of immigration regulations to protect…

News Desk NEW DEHLI: Passengers on an Indigo Airlines flight in India were treated to an unusual airborne visitor when a pigeon unexpectedly entered the cabin, sparking both surprise and amusement. A video of the incident quickly went viral on social media. The footage shows the bird fluttering around the cabin as passengers laugh, film the scene, and try to guide it toward the exit. One passenger is even seen attempting to catch the bird, while others watch in astonishment. Captioning the clip, a passenger wrote: “Surprise guest mid-flight—a moment of humour and joy. Truly enjoyable.” Hashtags indicate the incident…

News Desk NEW DEHLI: India has unveiled a sweeping $214 billion (₹19.3 trillion) plan to expand its nuclear energy sector, accompanied by proposed reforms to the country’s energy laws designed to attract private investment and streamline operations. The announcement, officials said, is part of a broader strategy to achieve ambitious energy and economic goals, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s target of generating 100 gigawatts of nuclear power by 2047, a cornerstone of India’s vision to become a fully developed economy. According to Bloomberg, Jitendra Singh, India’s Minister for Atomic Energy, confirmed that a new nuclear bill would be presented to…

News Desk LONDON: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with officials from the British Foreign Office in London to discuss the potential extradition of several Pakistani nationals, sources close to the matter reported. The meeting, attended by Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK, Dr Muhammad Faisal, also touched upon broader aspects of bilateral relations between the two countries. During the discussions, Naqvi reportedly raised concerns about certain Pakistanis alleged to be involved in activities that could incite unrest or destabilize communities within Pakistan. He emphasized the importance of cooperation between the two nations in addressing issues related to law enforcement and…