Romesa Umar

Through 250 diplomatic engagements across five continents, Pakistan helped build the conditions that culminated in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, ending 110 days of conflict and opening a path toward lasting negotiations. &nbsp;

Shorts

Through 250 diplomatic engagements across five continents, Pakistan helped build the conditions that culminated in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, ending 110 days of conflict and opening a path toward lasting negotiations.  

250 engagements, 49 countries: A story of Pakistan's relentless diplomatic blitz

LOS ANGELES: Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said Saturday he has been told US travel restrictions on his World Cup team will finally be eased for their third group game, but blasted the treatment they have received so far for damaging their on-field performance.&nbsp;The Iranian squad arrived at the World Cup with their country still at war with co-hosts the United States, and have been based in Mexico while playing all their games in the US.&nbsp;That has required frequent cross-border travel, and US authorities have only permitted the team to remain in the country for a few hours after each game, with restrictions frequently shifting last-minute.&nbsp;After playing Belgium in Los Angeles on Sunday, Iran&#39;s final group game will take place in Seattle next Friday against Egypt.&nbsp;Ghalenoei on Saturday said he had been told his team will have more flexibility for their final match, before quickly adding that it would have been &quot;justice&quot; for his team to have the same treatment for its first two games.&nbsp;&quot;They said in Seattle, you can do what you want, you can act the way you want to, and you can come earlier,&quot; he told a press conference, without specifying who exactly the information had come from.&nbsp;&quot;But what I want, my problem is, why didn&#39;t they let us come earlier for the first two games as well?&nbsp;&quot;I just know for the last game, yes, they&#39;ve allowed us to decide, to make our own decisions with regards to planning the travel.&nbsp;&quot;But unfortunately, for the first two games, others made these travel arrangements for us, and the timing for us.&quot;&nbsp;Last week Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand, the tournament&#39;s lowest-ranked team, with sloppy defending twice allowing the All Whites to go ahead before Team Melli equalized.&nbsp;&quot;There were errors, individual ones, and also with regards to this defense we had, and I think we were playing... we were doing too many passes,&quot; said Ghalenoei.&nbsp;&quot;And I think, because we have been flying too much, commuting, as a result of this long commute, we&#39;ve been tired.&quot;&nbsp;The manager said restrictions on his team had been even more onerous for Sunday&#39;s upcoming game against Belgium, Group G&#39;s highest-ranked team.&nbsp;Ghalenoei said his team had arrived in the US on Saturday less than 24 hours before kickoff, despite being briefly told by FIFA on Friday early afternoon that they may be able to travel that day.&nbsp;&quot;We waited till 7.00pm, nothing happened, and they said, &#39;Sorry, we weren&#39;t able to do that,&quot; said the coach.&nbsp;&quot;That&#39;s going to affect us mentally, especially me as a head coach, because I want to focus on technical stuff,&quot; he said.&nbsp;Iran had only been able to do half its usual pre-game training session, complained Ghalenoei.&nbsp;All four teams in Group G currently have one point, with only the top two guaranteed to reach the knockout stages. A majority of third-placed teams across all groups will also progress, depending on their performance.

Football

Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei said eased US travel restrictions for Iran’s final World Cup group game came too late, arguing frequent cross-border travel from Mexico disrupted preparation, caused fatigue, affected performances, and reduced training time before facing Belgium.

Iran World Cup travel restrictions to be eased, says coach

Syed Maisam Ali

ISLAMABAD: The United States and Iran are set to begin technical-level talks today under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding in Switzerland&#39;s B&uuml;rgenstock resort, with mediators Pakistan and Qatar facilitating the discussions as implementation of the agreement moves into its next phase.&nbsp;The talks follow the electronic signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, ending more than three months of conflict between Washington and Tehran that disrupted energy markets, closed the Strait of Hormuz, triggered military exchanges across the Gulf and raised fears of a wider regional war.&nbsp;Pakistan emerged as a key mediator during the crisis, maintaining diplomatic channels with both sides and helping facilitate negotiations that ultimately produced the agreement.&nbsp;Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the signing of the memorandum earlier this week, describing it as a landmark diplomatic achievement.&nbsp;&ldquo;The Memorandum has been signed by honourable Presidents of both the countries and also endorsed by me as the mediator,&rdquo; Sharif said in a post on X. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2067403784419254306&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=abc8c4f8cdc3f3d085c1a3fa058bd4dc83b26bfd&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 345px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2067403784419254306">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>&nbsp;Why B&uuml;rgenstock?The venue for the technical talks was changed from Geneva to B&uuml;rgenstock, a mountain resort overlooking Lake Lucerne in central Switzerland.&nbsp;According to the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the location was selected for security reasons and proposed by mediators from Pakistan and Qatar, as well as by the United States and Iran.&nbsp;Located 1,128 metres above sea level, B&uuml;rgenstock is surrounded by water on three sides and accessible via limited routes, making it well-suited for high-level diplomatic engagements that require privacy and extensive security arrangements. <figure class="fr-media"><figcaption class="caption-cover-image text-sm text-gray-600 italic"> </figcaption></figure><figure class="fr-media"><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/ac5c27f7-5f25-49a2-bcc3-ba5e83bc1b5d-AFP__20260619__B7LU89E__v2__MidRes__SwitzerlandWarIranIsraelUs.jpg" alt="AFP__20260619__B7LU89E__v2__MidRes__SwitzerlandWarIranIsraelUs.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><figcaption class="caption-cover-image text-sm text-gray-600 italic">Police officers securing the access to the Burgenstock luxury hotel complex above Lake Lucerne, rest after talks following up on a deal to end the Middle East conflict had been postponed, in Burgenstock, on June 19, 2026. (AFP)</figcaption></figure> &nbsp;The Swiss government said hosting the talks reflects Switzerland&#39;s longstanding tradition of providing &ldquo;good offices&rdquo; for dialogue, mediation and conflict resolution.&nbsp;A venue shaped by diplomacyThe technical talks will add another chapter to B&uuml;rgenstock&#39;s long history of international diplomacy.&nbsp;The resort hosted meetings of the influential Bilderberg Group in 1960, 1981 and 1995, bringing together senior political, business and policy leaders from around the world.&nbsp;In 2002, it hosted negotiations that produced the B&uuml;rgenstock Agreement, helping end hostilities between Sudan&#39;s government and southern rebels in what later became South Sudan. <figure class="fr-media"><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/2ae61c01-dfed-439d-805d-c7b5e0f4ecec-AFP__20260619__B7LR9ZQ__v1__MidRes__SwitzerlandWarIranIsraelUs.jpg" alt="AFP__20260619__B7LR9ZQ__v1__MidRes__SwitzerlandWarIranIsraelUs.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><figcaption class="caption-cover-image text-sm text-gray-600 italic">This photograph shows a part of the Burgenstock luxury hotel complex above Lake Lucerne, where talks following up on a deal to end the Middle East conflict were scheduled to begin, on June 19, 2026. (AFP)</figcaption></figure> &nbsp;According to the United Nations Cyprus Mission, B&uuml;rgenstock also hosted the final round of negotiations on the Cyprus issue in 2004, where Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders met under UN auspices to finalize the Annan Plan. <figure class="fr-media"><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/693c8390-0689-4cda-bbcf-1261726e4212-Screenshot 2026-06-21 064957.png" alt="Screenshot 2026-06-21 064957.png" class="fr-fil fr-dib"><figcaption class="caption-cover-image text-sm text-gray-600 italic">The Burgenstock resort looks out over Lake Lucerne. (AFP)</figcaption></figure> &nbsp;More recently, Switzerland&#39;s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs said the resort hosted the 2024 Summit on Peace in Ukraine, attended by more than 90 countries and international organizations. &nbsp;From Pakistan to SwitzerlandThe choice of B&uuml;rgenstock reflects the transition of the peace process from mediation to implementation.&nbsp;Earlier in the conflict, Pakistan hosted direct US-Iran talks in Islamabad and facilitated subsequent rounds of engagement, helping preserve dialogue despite repeated setbacks.&nbsp;Now, after months of diplomacy involving Pakistan, Qatar and other regional stakeholders, the process has moved to Switzerland, where technical-level discussions are set to begin under the framework established by the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. <figure class="fr-media"><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/173aee8b-b524-465c-b3d3-5254114a3583-AFP__20260619__B7M36ZQ__v1__MidRes__SwitzerlandWarIranIsraelUs.jpg" alt="AFP__20260619__B7M36ZQ__v1__MidRes__SwitzerlandWarIranIsraelUs.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><figcaption class="caption-cover-image text-sm text-gray-600 italic">This photograph shows the Burgenstock luxury hotel complex above Lake Lucerne, where talks following up on a deal to end the Middle East conflict were scheduled to begin, on June 19, 2026. (AFP)</figcaption></figure> Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir are expected to participate in the discussions alongside a high-level Pakistani delegation.&nbsp;Representatives of the United States and Iran, as well as mediators from Pakistan and Qatar, are also expected to take part in the talks, which US Vice President JD Vance said would focus on the nuclear issue and the Lebanon ceasefire. The B&uuml;rgenstock talks will mark the first formal implementation-stage meeting under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, with negotiators expected to focus on advancing commitments reached under the agreement&#39;s 60-day framework and addressing outstanding issues through continued dialogue.

Europe

The first technical talks under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding will take place in Switzerland's Bürgenstock resort, a venue known for hosting major peace negotiations, as Iran, the United States and mediators Pakistan and Qatar begin the agreement's implementation phase.



From Islamabad to Bürgenstock: The next chapter of US-Iran talks

Web Desk

This live blog follows the latest developments across the Middle East crisis, including regional diplomacy, maritime security, ceasefire negotiations, and economic fallout.<hr>Catch up: Yesterday&rsquo;s top developments<ul style="list-style-type: square;"><li>Trump praises Pakistan leadership</li><li>UK foreign secretary terms Israeli minister&#39;s Lebanon remarks &#39;horrendous&#39;</li><li>Islamabad, Tehran discuss ties, regional developments</li><li>Pakistan leaders join next negotiation phase</li><li>US VP Vance departs Washington for Iran talks in Switzerland</li></ul><hr> Technical negotiations set to beginPublished: June 21, 2026 | 00:00 GMT | by Web Desk Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir departed for Switzerland on Sunday ahead of technical-level talks under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, as efforts to implement the Iran-US agreement move into a new phase.&nbsp;The development came as Switzerland welcomed the arrival of the Iranian delegation in B&uuml;rgenstock. In a post on X, the Swiss Foreign Ministry said: &ldquo;We welcome the arrival of the Iranian delegation in Switzerland,&rdquo; adding that the delegation was traveling to B&uuml;rgenstock &ldquo;as part of the implementation of the MoU signed between the United States and Iran.&rdquo;&nbsp;US Vice President JD Vance also departed Washington for the talks, signaling the importance Washington attaches to the negotiations. Speaking to reporters before leaving Joint Base Andrews, Vance said he hoped the discussions would make progress on &ldquo;the nuclear issue&rdquo; and &ldquo;the Lebanon ceasefire issue,&rdquo; describing them as the two main priorities for the next stage of negotiations.&nbsp;The talks, scheduled for June 21, will bring together representatives of the United States and Iran, alongside mediators from Pakistan and Qatar, marking the first formal technical engagement since the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.&nbsp;The discussions are expected to focus on implementing commitments under the agreement&#39;s 60-day framework as negotiators seek to advance the next phase of the peace process. <hr> Pakistan leaders join next negotiation phasePublished: June 20, 2026 | 19:45 GMT | by Web Desk&nbsp;Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir departed Islamabad on Saturday for Switzerland to participate in technical-level talks under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister&#39;s Office.&nbsp;The discussions are scheduled to take place in B&uuml;rgenstock on June 21 and form part of the next phase of engagement following the signing of the Islamabad MoU between the United States and Iran earlier this week.&nbsp;&nbsp;According to the statement, PM Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir will participate in the talks alongside a high-level Pakistani delegation. Representatives of the United States and Iran, as well as mediators from Pakistan and Qatar, are expected to take part in the discussions. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2068419582264799350&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=abc8c4f8cdc3f3d085c1a3fa058bd4dc83b26bfd&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 769px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>&nbsp;&nbsp;The talks are aimed at advancing understandings reached under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and moving forward on issues covered under the agreement&#39;s implementation framework, according to Pakistani officials. <hr> For earlier developments, read our June 20 live blog&nbsp;<a href="https://pakistantv.com/article/middle-east-live-june-20" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>

Middle East

Technical discussions under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding are set to begin in Switzerland, with senior officials from the United States and Iran joining mediators Pakistan and Qatar for the first implementation-stage negotiations.

Pakistan PM, US vice president depart as Iranian delegation arrives in Switzerland

Muhammad Imad Abbas

PESHAWAR: Pakistan&#39;s vast mineral reserves are drawing growing international attention, with recent diplomatic engagements and investment agreements highlighting the country&#39;s emergence as a promising destination for critical minerals development and resource-based investment.&nbsp;As Islamabad seeks to diversify its economy beyond traditional sectors, the government has increasingly positioned mining and minerals as a key pillar of future economic growth.&nbsp;Rich deposits of copper, gold, rare earth elements, chromite, coal and other strategic minerals have attracted interest from international investors, particularly as global demand for critical minerals continues to rise amid the energy transition and technological advancement.&nbsp;The growing focus on the sector has also coincided with a broader upswing in Pakistan-US relations, where economic cooperation and investment have increasingly taken center stage.&nbsp;Pakistani officials have repeatedly encouraged American companies to explore opportunities in the country&#39;s untapped mineral sector, viewing resource development as an avenue for strengthening bilateral economic ties while creating jobs, attracting foreign direct investment and boosting exports.&nbsp;According to the US Embassy in Islamabad, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Zach Harkenrider accompanied a delegation from US Strategic Metals (USSM) to the Prime Minister&#39;s House in September last year for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between USSM and Pakistan&#39;s Frontier Works Organization (FWO).&nbsp;The embassy said Charg&eacute; d&#39;Affaires Natalie Baker described the agreement as a reflection of the strength of the Pakistan-US relationship and its potential benefits for both countries.&nbsp;&quot;The Trump administration has made the forging of such deals a key priority given the importance of critical mineral resources to American security and prosperity,&quot; Baker said at the signing ceremony, according to the US Embassy.&nbsp;She added that Washington looked forward to further agreements between American companies and their Pakistani counterparts in the critical minerals and mining sector.&nbsp;Pakistan&#39;s mineral endowment has increasingly positioned the country as an emerging hub for resource investment.&nbsp;According to a report by the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI), Pakistan possesses an estimated $6 trillion worth of mineral deposits, including copper, gold, coal, chromite, antimony and rare earth elements.&nbsp;Among the country&#39;s most resource-rich regions is Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where significant deposits remain largely untapped.&nbsp;Zohaib Afridi, a geologist with more than a decade of experience in the mines and minerals sector and a native of the former tribal districts, told Pakistan TV Digital that Khyber district alone holds substantial mineral potential.&nbsp;&quot;Khyber district contains significant untapped deposits of fluorite, barite, laterite, coal, lead, zinc, industrial minerals, marble and limestone,&quot; Afridi said.&nbsp;He noted that many of these resources are widely used in construction and industrial applications and could contribute significantly to economic development if explored on a larger scale.&nbsp;Afridi said extraction activities in the region currently rely largely on traditional methods.&nbsp;&quot;With gradual government facilitation, these practices can become institutionalized, allowing operations to scale up and creating greater opportunities for foreign direct investment in the sector,&quot; he said.&nbsp;Efforts to attract such investment have also featured prominently in high-level diplomacy between Islamabad and Washington.&nbsp;According to a statement posted by the Government of Pakistan on X, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir discussed enhancing bilateral cooperation during talks with US President Donald Trump at the White House in September 2025.&nbsp;The government statement said the prime minister invited US investment in Pakistan&#39;s key economic sectors and emphasized the importance of expanding bilateral cooperation.&nbsp;The growing international focus on Pakistan&#39;s economic potential has also come as the country seeks to play a more active role in regional and global diplomacy.&nbsp;Analysts say Pakistan&#39;s recent diplomatic engagements have helped project an image of stability and economic opportunity, creating favorable conditions for international investors evaluating long-term projects in the country.

Climate & Environment

Pakistan is increasingly positioning its vast mineral reserves as a driver of economic diversification, with growing US interest and government-backed initiatives aimed at attracting foreign investment, expanding resource development, and unlocking long-term growth opportunities.



Pakistan's $6 trillion mineral wealth attracts global investment interest

ISLAMABAD: Five men were injured in a series of suspected anti-Muslim attacks across the Scottish capital on Friday night, prompting a counter-terrorism investigation and condemnation from Britain&#39;s political leaders.&nbsp;Police Scotland said a 36-year-old white Scottish man was arrested after a &quot;fast-moving sequence of events&quot; involving threats, assault, robbery and vandalism at multiple locations across Edinburgh.&nbsp;The attacks reportedly began near a mosque in the Broomhouse area of western Edinburgh, where two men were injured. Three other men were later attacked in separate incidents on Telford Road and Leith Walk.&nbsp;Police said none of the injuries were believed to be life-threatening, although three victims required hospital treatment.&nbsp;Counter-terrorism officers have joined local detectives in the investigation as authorities work to establish the motive and circumstances surrounding the attacks.&nbsp;Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton described the incidents as a &quot;shocking attack&quot; and sought to reassure affected communities.&nbsp;&quot;I want to send a clear message of support to all our communities that there is no place for racism or faith-based hate in a Scotland which is at its best when we stand together,&quot; Paton said in a statement.&nbsp;&quot;Extensive work is ongoing to establish all the circumstances. I want to thank our officers who responded with bravery and professionalism, and with a focus on protecting the public.&quot;&nbsp;Muslim engagement group MEND Scotland said several of the victims were from the Muslim community, raising concerns that the attacks may have been motivated by anti-Muslim hatred.&nbsp;Video footage shared on social media appeared to show a bare-chested man carrying a large weapon at several locations across the city. One video showed damage to a taxi at a petrol station on Telford Road, while others appeared to show a man vandalising a fuel station, striking the doors of a pizzeria on Leith Walk and confronting members of the public.&nbsp;Additional footage circulated online showed armed police officers detaining a topless man on the ground. Witness videos appeared to capture the suspect shouting that he was &quot;protecting the country&quot; as officers restrained him.&nbsp;British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the violence, saying the suspect appeared to have been motivated by &quot;anti-Muslim hatred.&quot;&nbsp;&quot;My thoughts are with those who are injured and I thank the police and the emergency services for their response,&quot; Starmer wrote on X. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2068420853042217360&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=e7fa88e1ab234bf3f9a46d9e3cf863c33bd99fb8&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 785px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>&nbsp;Scotland&#39;s First Minister John Swinney said he was &quot;deeply concerned&quot; by the incidents.&nbsp;&quot;There is no place for violence, racism or intolerance in our country,&quot; Swinney said in a statement.&nbsp;Police said the suspect remains in custody while enquiries continue. Authorities have urged anyone with information, footage or witness accounts related to the incidents to contact investigators.

United Kingdom

Five men were injured in a series of suspected anti-Muslim attacks across Edinburgh, prompting a counter-terrorism investigation. Police arrested a 36-year-old suspect as British leaders and Muslim groups condemned the violence and called for unity.

Five injured in suspected anti-Muslim attacks across Edinburgh streets

TORONTO: Germany reached the World Cup knockout phase for the first time since 2014 with a dramatic come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast on Saturday.&nbsp;Substitute Deniz Undav scored twice, including the crucial goal four minutes into injury time, triggering a massive roar from the overwhelmingly pro-German crowd of 43,000 in Toronto.&nbsp;Germany had not advanced from the group stage since winning the 2014 tournament in Brazil, and coach Julian Nagelsmann had been under huge pressure to make that breakthrough.&nbsp;A first-half goal by Franck Kessie gave the Ivorians a 30th-minute lead.&nbsp;Kessie turned in from close range following strong work by teenage Ivorian phenomenon Yan Diomande, who is in the sights of some of Europe&#39;s top clubs, including Liverpool.&nbsp;The Germans thought they had found the net twice in the first half.&nbsp;Nathaniel Brown&#39;s corner in the 21st minute was knocked into the goal by Aleksandar Pavlovic, but Paraguayan referee Juan Gabriel Benitez immediately called it back -- charging Pavlovic with fouling Ivorian goalkeeper Yahia Fofana.&nbsp;Then, in the 38th minute, German forward and Arsenal star Kai Havertz had the ball in the net, but it was disallowed because of a foul by Bayern Munich&#39;s Jamal Musiala.&nbsp;When the second half began, the Germans applied relentless pressure.&nbsp;The vaunted Ivorian defence held firm till the 68th minute, but ultimately the Germans broke through.&nbsp;Undav, of VfB Stuttgart, volleyed in a cross by Nadiem Amiri in the 63rd minute.&nbsp;His second sent Nagelsmann and the German crowd into a frenzy as the Germans snapped a string of disappointments at the last two World Cups.&nbsp;&quot;Winning mentality, team spirit -- we had exactly what you need to be successful in a tournament,&quot; Germany defender Jonathan Tah told MagentaTV.&nbsp;&quot;We never gave up, we kept going no matter what. The guys coming off the bench brought energy. Deniz deserves a special mention, outstanding!&quot;&nbsp;The Ivorians have never advanced at a World Cup, but may still move on with a win over debutants Curacao in their final group stage match.

Germany secured a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Ivory Coast in Toronto, reaching the World Cup knockout stage for the first time since 2014. Substitute Deniz Undav scored twice, including a stoppage-time winner, after Franck Kessie’s opener.

Germany come from behind to beat Ivory Coast and reach World Cup last 32

UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Security Council said Saturday it is concerned over the &quot;imminent risk of mass atrocities&quot; in Sudan as it called on paramilitary forces encircling El-Obeid to back down.&nbsp;The majority-Muslim southern city, in the Kordofan region, has been under siege for several months by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been at war with the regular army since April 2023.&nbsp;&quot;The members of the Security Council expressed concern at the imminent risk of mass atrocities and demanded the RSF immediately halt its assault on El-Obeid,&quot; the Security Council said in a statement.&nbsp;&quot;Council members called on the parties to the conflict to immediately halt the fighting.&quot;&nbsp;The UN has voiced fears that there could be a repeat of the atrocities committed during the October 2025 assault on the city of El-Fasher, which it said bore &quot;hallmarks of genocide.&quot;&nbsp;The UN said Friday that Pekka Haavisto, the secretary-general&#39;s special envoy for Sudan, had called rebel paramilitary forces chief Mohamed Hamdan Daglo to urge him not to attack El-Obeid.&nbsp;Haavisto &quot;underscored the need to urgently de-escalate the situation in El-Obeid and avoid any actions that may further worsen the already dire humanitarian situation and put civilian lives further at risk,&quot; said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.&nbsp;The official said aid workers were &quot;preparing for the potential movements of large numbers of people&quot; fleeing the city, and that &quot;our humanitarian colleagues are doing the responsible thing, which is getting ready for the worst while hoping for the best.&quot;&nbsp;Dujarric said Haavisto was also talking to countries with influence over the warring parties to encourage dialogue and prevent the assault.&nbsp;The conflict in Sudan has killed tens of thousands of people and forced more than 11 million from their homes, creating what the UN describes as the world&#39;s largest displacement and hunger crises.

Africa

The UN Security Council warned of an imminent risk of mass atrocities in Sudan and urged the RSF to halt its assault on El-Obeid. The conflict has displaced over 11 million people, worsening the world's largest humanitarian and hunger crisis.

UN Security Council warns of 'imminent risk of mass atrocities' in Sudan

PARIS: France issued a red alert for the heatwave across more than a third of the country for Sunday, also banning the consumption of alcohol during the annual Fete de la Musique festivities that day.&nbsp;The ferocious heatwave, which began earlier this week, has disrupted the country, forcing the cancellation of dozens of trains and the suspension of classes.&nbsp;Authorities are concerned about how the annual Fete de la Musique celebrations will unfold across the country Sunday, when musicians take over the streets with free performances and revellers party into the night.&nbsp;&quot;Very high temperatures are settling in for the long term across the country,&quot; Meteo-France said as it announced the highest heatwave warning for 35 of France&#39;s departments, or administrative regions, for Sunday -- the most ever.&nbsp;And Meteo-France is predicting that starting Monday temperatures could reach 41C (106F) in some places, and that the average reading across the whole country could reach its highest ever. It also said the duration of the heatwave was &quot;uncertain&quot;.&nbsp;Paris is one of the regions on the red-alert list, which covers a wide area running south-west from the capital.&nbsp;According to AFP&#39;s calculations, more than three-quarters of the mainland&#39;s population will suffer from the heat Sunday, with another 45 departments under orange alert.&nbsp;On Saturday, the government said that alcohol consumption during the annual street festivals would be banned in departments under the heatwave red alert.&nbsp;&quot;Prefects will issue decrees banning alcohol consumption in public spaces in the departments under red alert,&quot; the government said in a statement following a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu.&nbsp;&quot;For all events organised by the state and its agencies, instructions have been given not to offer alcohol,&quot; said his office.&nbsp;The government has called for limits on alcohol consumption &quot;to preserve emergency and healthcare services and allow medical staff to focus on caring for the most vulnerable&quot;.&nbsp;To help Parisians and tourists cope with the heat, authorities are keeping parks and gardens in the French capital open through the night.

France placed 35 departments, including Paris, under red heatwave alerts as temperatures soar. Authorities banned public alcohol consumption during Fete de la Musique celebrations to reduce health risks and ease pressure on emergency and healthcare services.

Red heat alert issued for third of France, alcohol banned at music festival

Aleena Zara Malik

The internet has a lot to say about Pakistan, and a surprising amount of it skips the same fact. From the country labelled an &quot;epicentre of terror&quot; by international media to the same country that has been the longest and largest contributor of UN peacekeepers. This episode of Debunkistan puts the West&#39;s favourite framing on trial, with satire, sarcasm, and a little reality check.

Debunkistan

Pakistan has served in 48 UN peacekeeping missions since 1960, deploying thousands of troops and women peacekeepers across global conflict zones while sacrificing 181 personnel, underscoring its longstanding role in supporting international peace and security.

250 engagements, 49 countries: A story of Pakistan's relentless diplomatic blitz

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Pakistan's $6 trillion mineral wealth attracts global investment interest