Author: News Desk

News Desk WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has claimed that he is the most followed and influential personality on TikTok, saying global pop star Taylor Swift ranks far behind him on the platform. Speaking during a recent White House media briefing, Trump told reporters that new figures released two days earlier showed he was ranked first on TikTok. “Do you know who is number one on TikTok? Trump – that’s me. I’m number one. Taylor Swift is number 11. I’m ahead by a very large margin,” he said. However, Trump’s claim is not supported by publicly available TikTok data. As…

News Desk WASHINGTON: A video of US President Donald Trump has gone viral on social media after users claimed he appeared to confuse Iran with Japan during a public remark. The clip spread rapidly across multiple social media platforms within minutes, attracting widespread attention and prompting online discussion. Many users pointed to what they described as a verbal slip in which the US president appeared to mix up the two countries. The incident quickly became a trending topic, with thousands of users sharing the video and posting humorous reactions and memes about the apparent mistake. While some social media users…

News Desk KASHMIR: Indian security forces carried out a series of large-scale multi-agency mock drills across Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra, with officials saying the exercises were intended to strengthen preparedness for emergencies during the pilgrimage. However, the extensive security measures prompted concern among some local residents, political observers and rights advocates, who said the heightened military presence could further affect daily life in the region. According to the Kashmir Media Service (KMS), the exercises involved personnel from the Indian Army, paramilitary forces and police. Senior Superintendent of Police Srinagar, Dr G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy, supervised…

News Desk ISLAMABAD: The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) has approved the long-anticipated Machike–Thallian–Tarru Jabba White Oil Pipeline project, marking a significant step in Pakistan’s efforts to modernise its energy logistics and reduce dependence on road-based fuel transportation. The decision, confirmed on Tuesday, came after sustained facilitation by the SIFC, which has been overseeing a range of strategic investment initiatives aimed at streamlining approvals and accelerating infrastructure development. Officials said the 435-kilometre pipeline had remained on the council’s priority agenda for an extended period, with its memorandum of understanding previously signed under the SIFC’s coordination framework. Once completed, the White…

News Desk TEL AVIV: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has renewed his call for Israel to reduce its reliance on US military support and expand its domestic arms production capacity, according to a statement issued by his office on Tuesday. Speaking to reserve officers during a training course in the occupied West Bank on June 18, Netanyahu said Israel should “break free” from dependency on American assistance and develop what he described as an independent armaments network. He emphasised the need for local manufacturing of weapons, saying that strategic autonomy had become essential for the country’s long-term security. His remarks…

News Desk BÜRGENSTOCK, SWITZERLAND: Shehbaz Sharif held a high-level pre-negotiation meeting with a senior Iranian delegation ahead of formal Iran–United States talks, in what officials described as a key coordination step designed to streamline positions before structured dialogue began. The meeting, held on the sidelines of the wider diplomatic process, took place shortly before the start of formal negotiations and was intended to allow an initial exchange of views on issues of mutual concern. According to official sources, it was part of a broader sequence of consultations aimed at reducing gaps between the parties and ensuring a more orderly transition…

News Desk NEW DEHLI: Reports from India suggest renewed political calls for Pakistan to be placed back on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, following New Delhi’s increased representation in the global financial watchdog’s leadership structure. According to the reports, India has secured a senior position within Financial Action Task Force, prompting domestic political figures to urge the government to intensify diplomatic efforts aimed at scrutinising Pakistan’s compliance record. Among those making such calls is Indian parliamentarian Asaduddin Owaisi, who reportedly urged the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to push for renewed action against Pakistan in international…

US delegation led by JD Vance holds informal talks with Pakistani leadership in warm exchange ahead of formal negotiations process News Desk BÜRGENSTOCK, SWITZERLAND: Shehbaz Sharif and Asim Munir held a cordial meeting with a senior United States delegation on the sidelines of ongoing Iran–US technical-level talks, in what officials described as part of an increasingly layered diplomatic effort taking place at the venue in Switzerland. The US delegation, which included JD Vance alongside Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, met the Pakistani leadership in an informal exchange that officials characterised as warm and cooperative. The interaction reportedly began with handshakes…

News Desk NEW DEHLI: Reports from India suggest renewed political calls for Pakistan to be placed back on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, following New Delhi’s increased representation in the global financial watchdog’s leadership structure. According to the reports, India has secured a senior position within Financial Action Task Force, prompting domestic political figures to urge the government to intensify diplomatic efforts aimed at scrutinising Pakistan’s compliance record. Among those making such calls is Indian parliamentarian Asaduddin Owaisi, who reportedly urged the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to push for renewed action against Pakistan in international…

News Desk BÜRGENSTOCK, SWITZERLAND: Shehbaz Sharif held a high-level pre-negotiation meeting with a senior Iranian delegation ahead of formal Iran–United States talks, in what officials described as a key coordination step designed to streamline positions before structured dialogue began. The meeting, held on the sidelines of the wider diplomatic process, took place shortly before the start of formal negotiations and was intended to allow an initial exchange of views on issues of mutual concern. According to official sources, it was part of a broader sequence of consultations aimed at reducing gaps between the parties and ensuring a more orderly transition…