Showbiz shines in green and white

a combination of pictures shared by actors on social media photos screengrabs express

On Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day, the country’s entertainment industry joined the nation in a vibrant display of patriotism, unity, and hope. Clad in the national colours of green and white, many prominent personalities from television, film, and music took to social media to share their sentiments, combining heartfelt messages with powerful imagery of the country’s … Read more

Germany weighs fate of Afghans in Pakistan

BERLIN: The German government is reviewing whether Afghans stranded in Pakistan while awaiting resettlement in Germany will indeed be allowed to go there, its interior minister said on Thursday, as Islamabad intensifies deportations of Afghans. Pakistan has begun to deport documented Afghan refugees ahead of its September 1 deadline for them to leave, according to … Read more

Reserves triple without new debt

KARACHI: Pakistan’s economy has navigated one of the most turbulent times in recent history, marked by record inflation, depleted foreign exchange reserves and external account pressures. From inflation peaking at 38% in May 2023 to reserves falling to critically low levels at $4.4 billion, the country faced severe macroeconomic instability. However, decisive monetary tightening, structural … Read more

Power minister voices dismay over lack of consultation

[ ISLAMABAD’: The minister for power has expressed concerns over ignoring the Power Division while providing electricity consumption data of shipbreaking and recycling processes for tariff categorisation and determination by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra). The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet, in a recent meeting, held discussions on declaring shipbreaking and … Read more

Liverpool bolster defence with Leoni deal

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool manager Arne Slot continued to reinforce his squad on the eve of their Premier League season opener, confirming on Thursday that the club had agreed a deal to sign 18-year-old defender Giovanni Leoni from Parma. While no financial details were disclosed, British media reported the fee for the Serie A player at 26 … Read more

Taliban meddling in Afghanistan aid: UN

KABUL: The United Nations said Thursday it follows strict rules for distributing international aid in Afghanistan, after a US government watchdog alleged funds were diverted by the Taliban authorities, including through collusion with UN officials. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said it took “extremely seriously any allegations of malpractice and corruption,” in a statement … Read more

Spoiler alert: 'Alien: Earth' lands on streaming

alien earth photo file

A return to one of cinema's most enduring sci-fi horror franchises has sparked fierce debate among fans and critics alike. Alien: Earth, the latest entry in the four-decade-old saga, premiered this week to a mixture of glowing praise and scathing condemnation. Set in the year 2120, the film shifts the action from deep space to … Read more

17 Gazans killed in Israel strikes

GAZA CITY: Gaza’s civil defence agency said at least 17 people were killed Thursday in Israeli strikes as the military intensified its bombardment of Gaza City. The dead included six civilians who had been waiting for humanitarian aid, said civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal. “The Israeli occupation forces are intensifying their raids in the Zeitun … Read more

Businessmen pledge to expedite economic uplift

KARACHI: Industrialists have vowed to work with the government on fast-tracking economic development and achieving prosperity in the long term as the country’s macroeconomic indicators are already showing positive trends. Celebrating Pakistan’s Independence Day, they noted that diplomatic and trade ties with major countries were also improving while global think tanks were giving encouraging signals … Read more