Heavy monsoon rains and widespread flooding in the basmati rice-growing regions of India and Pakistan have raised concerns about the output of the premium staple. The anticipated drop in supply is already driving prices higher, with both countries contributing to a significant portion of the world’s basmati rice production. Impact on Crops and Farmers India’s northern states of Punjab and Haryana, which account for over 80% of the country’s basmati production, have been severely affected. In Pakistan, the Punjab province—responsible for more than 90% of its output—has also been hit hard. The Ravi, Chenab, Sutlej, and Beas rivers…
Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
The federal government has decided to provide relief on electricity bills for people living in flood-affected areas. This decision comes as Pakistan faces its second major monsoon flood in three years, which has claimed over 900 lives and displaced more than a million people. Federal Minister for Food Security, Rana Tanveer Hussain, announced to Geo News that taxes on the electricity bills of flood-hit households would be waived immediately. He explained that while the federal government would provide relief on electricity charges, provincial governments would be responsible for waiving land revenue. The minister also stated that authorities would address cases…
Relations between Pakistan and the United States are undergoing a “surprising and constructive turn” in 2025, marked by renewed cooperation on counterterrorism, economic engagement, and strategic diplomacy. This stands in contrast to the strained and low-level ties of previous years. However, along with these positive developments, several challenges remain, particularly under the presidency of Donald Trump. A New Chapter in Relations Counterterrorism Cooperation: The two nations have revitalized their counterterrorism partnership. A US-Pakistan Counterterrorism Dialogue in August 2025 reaffirmed their commitment to working together to combat all forms of terrorism. Economic and Trade Ties: A new aspect of…
The trophy for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 was unveiled, marking the start of the eight-nation tournament in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The unveiling ceremony was led by Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief, Mohsin Naqvi, and was attended by the captains of all participating teams. Here are the key details of the tournament: Dates and Format: The tournament will run from September 9 to September 28. This edition will be played in the T20 format, serving as a crucial preparatory event for the T20 World Cup 2026. Venues: The matches will be…
What is the new plan? While few details have been officially disclosed, Israeli media reports suggest that the proposal is a variation of a previous plan by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. The core of Trump’s plan appears to be a full release of all remaining Israeli captives from the outset in exchange for an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners. Crucially, the plan does not include an immediate, permanent end to the war. Instead, it calls for negotiations to commence after the captive release. This key difference leaves Israel with little incentive to stop its military operations. The…
The US Supreme Court has issued an administrative stay, temporarily halting a lower court’s decision that had reinstated Democratic FTC commissioner Rebecca Slaughter. This action gives the justices more time to review President Donald Trump’s request to fire Slaughter before her term expires. The stay was issued by Chief Justice John Roberts, who handles emergency filings in Washington, D.C. He has asked Slaughter to file a response by next Monday. Background of the Case The dispute centers on the President’s power to remove officials from independent regulatory agencies. In March, Trump sought to fire two Democratic commissioners from…
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader and advisor to the Prime Minister, Rana Sanaullah, claimed on Tuesday that several Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members wanted to vote for him in the Punjab Assembly Senate by-election, which prompted the party’s boycott of the polls. Speaking to the media, Rana Sanaullah said that 10 to 12 PTI members had secretly contacted him. He criticized PTI’s political practices, saying the party trained workers to insult opponents and raise provocative slogans. According to him, this behavior reflects the political culture fostered under the leadership of PTI’s founder, Imran Khan. In response to this, voting is…
Fighting Attacks in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia: Russian attacks have continued to result in casualties in eastern and southern Ukraine. Four people were killed and 10 injured in the Donetsk region, while two were killed and one injured in the Zaporizhzhia region after Russian forces launched 449 strikes on 17 settlements. Ukrainian Actions: Ukrainian forces launched a “massive” drone attack on Russian-occupied Donetsk, reportedly killing two civilians. Ukraine also claimed that its forces recaptured the village of Zarichne in the Donetsk region. Other Incidents: A Russian attack on a thermal power facility in the Kyiv region caused blackouts and gas outages.…
This year’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session is set to convene amid significant political and financial turmoil. The Trump administration’s decision to withhold or revoke visas for Palestinian Authority and Palestinian Liberation Organization officials has already sparked dismay. This comes as France and Saudi Arabia prepare to host a conference on Israel and Palestine, promising to join several European countries in recognizing a Palestinian state. According to Richard Gowan, the UN director at the International Crisis Group, the gathering marks a year where “illusions have been rather stripped away.” He noted, “It’s now very, very clear that both financially…
Actor Miles Teller has finally shared his thoughts on his friend Taylor Swift’s engagement to Travis Kelce. Speaking to E! News on Sunday at the TIFF premiere of his new film, Eternity, the 38-year-old actor said, “Anytime you find the person you want to spend forever with, that’s such exciting news.” Miles added, “That’s the first step of life-long companionship.” When asked if he and his wife, Keleigh Teller, would go on a double date with Taylor and Travis, the actor replied, “Yeah.” For those unfamiliar, Miles and Keleigh have been friends with Taylor for several years. Promoting His…
