Karachi, Pakistan: A 17-year-old resident of North Karachi has succumbed to a fatal brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, commonly known as the “brain-eating amoeba.” The Sindh Health Department confirmed the death on Saturday, bringing the 2025 death toll from this infection to four in Karachi. The patient tested positive on June 27 and passed away today. Pakistan reported its first fatality from Naegleria this year in March, when a 36-year-old woman from Gulshan-e-Iqbal died from the amoeba. Investigations into that case revealed that the deceased had not participated in any water-related recreational activities, with her only known exposure to…
Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
Pakistan has emerged as the most improved economy globally in terms of sovereign risk reduction, topping the list of emerging markets with the sharpest decline in default probability, according to data from Bloomberg Intelligence cited by Adviser to the Finance Minister Khurram Schehzad. In a statement on X, Schehzad highlighted, “As per the latest data, Pakistan stands out globally as the most improved economy in terms of reduction in sovereign default risk, as measured by CDS-implied probability.” Pakistan’s CDS-implied default probability notably dropped from 59% to 47%, marking an improvement of 1,100 basis points. This reduction is the largest among…
WhatsApp is introducing a new feature that will allow users to scan documents directly with their phone’s camera from within the app, eliminating the need for third-party scanning tools. This functionality is currently accessible to a select group of beta testers using the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.19.21 update, available for download from the Google Play Store. Upon selecting the “Scan document” option from the document-sharing interface, the phone’s camera will activate immediately, providing a live preview to help users correctly position the document for capture. The scanning experience is designed with user flexibility in mind, offering two distinct…
Lahore, Pakistan: Pakistan’s Olympic gold medalist, Arshad Nadeem, has claimed the fourth position in the latest javelin rankings for throwers, according to the World Athletics Federation’s update released on Saturday. Despite limited participation in ranking events this season, Arshad holds 1,370 points, placing him firmly among the world’s elite. Arshad, who gained international prominence with his gold-winning performance at the Paris Olympics, has competed in only one event this year: the Asian Athletics Championships, where he secured another gold medal. His absence from several ranking tournaments has impacted his standing, preventing a further rise. However, the coming months are expected…
Washington D.C., Pakistan Time: Saturday, June 28, 2025 – U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he has ceased efforts to ease sanctions on Iran, a decision he attributes to recent “anger and hatred” filled remarks by Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Trump also reasserted that he would consider bombing Iran again if it continues enriching uranium to dangerous levels. Trump’s strong response came just hours after Khamenei’s first public statements following a 12-day conflict with Israel, which culminated in U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites last weekend (around June 21-22, 2025). Khamenei had defiantly declared that Iran had “slapped…
The Republican-controlled US Senate has voted down a Democratic-led initiative aimed at limiting President Donald Trump’s ability to launch further military action against Iran. This proposal would have required Trump to seek congressional approval before undertaking any new military steps, but the Senate’s vote, primarily along party lines, means his war powers remain unchanged. The Democratic attempt to restrict presidential war powers came mere hours after Trump indicated he would consider additional airstrikes. The Senate voted 53 to 47 against the war powers resolution, which explicitly mandated congressional approval for any new hostilities with Iran. The vote largely split along…
Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that relations between Russia and the United States are beginning to stabilize, attributing this improvement to the efforts of US President Donald Trump. Putin reiterated his “great respect” for Trump and expressed willingness to meet him, noting that such a meeting would require careful preparation but was “quite possible.” “In general, thanks to President Trump, relations between Russia and the United States are beginning to level out in some ways,” Putin told a press conference in Minsk. He added, “Not everything has been decided in the sphere of diplomatic relations, but the first steps…
Amazon magnate Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez exchanged vows on Friday in a lavish ceremony attended by the rich and famous on an island in Venice’s lagoon, strategically hidden from the sight and sound of protestors. An “enchanted” Bezos, on Thursday, expressed his awe of the city to a La Repubblica journalist, stating, “This city seems impossible! It can’t exist and yet, here it is!” as he navigated the canals by boat. However, protesters held a contrasting view, questioning Venice’s long-term sustainability. While billionaires celebrated, activists highlighted the city’s fragile state: sinking, overwhelmed by tourism, and experiencing depopulation as locals…
In a scene reminiscent of a feel-good movie, patrons at a French restaurant in Dubai Mall received an unexpected royal surprise when two UAE princes discreetly settled the bill for everyone’s meal. Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed Al Nahyan visited the restaurant without any formal entourage. They cordially greeted other guests, enjoyed their food in a relaxed atmosphere, and departed without drawing significant attention. After their meal, when diners requested their bills, they were informed that no payment was required as the princes had already covered the…
Effective Sunday, the French government will impose a ban on smoking in various public areas, including beaches, parks, public gardens, and bus shelters. This decree, published in the official government gazette on Saturday, also extends the prohibition to areas outside libraries, swimming pools, and schools, with the primary objective of safeguarding children from the harmful effects of passive smoking. The decree does not explicitly mention electronic cigarettes. Individuals found in violation of the ban will face a fine of 135 euros ($158). Health and Family Minister Catherine Vautrin had previously stated in May that “Tobacco must disappear from places where…
