Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy demonstrated vigilance and commitment to international maritime obligations, promptly responding to a distress call from the offshore vessel MV Gautam in the Arabian Sea carrying six Indians and one Indonesian crew member, the military&#39;s media wing said on Tuesday.&nbsp;&ldquo;The vessel carrying seven crew members, six Indian and one Indonesian, suffered a critical technical failure while en route from Oman to India, leaving it stranded at sea,&rdquo; the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.&nbsp;According to the ISPR, upon receiving the alert from the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) Mumbai, Pakistan Navy initiated a swift response and deployed PMSA Ship Kashmir.&nbsp;&ldquo;The ship provided food, medical aid, and technical assistance to help restore essential systems and ensure crew safety,&rdquo; it added.&nbsp;The operation underscores Pakistan Navy&rsquo;s commitment to maritime safety and humanitarian responsibilities, irrespective of nationality, and highlights its readiness to respond to emergencies across regional waters.

Security

Six Indian and one Indonesian crew aboard MV Gautam rescued after a technical failure; food, medical aid, and assistance provided following a distress call from Mumbai recue center.

Pakistan Navy rescues Indian, Indonesian crew in Arabian Sea emergency operation

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Hajj operation for this year is gathering pace, with more than 35,000 pilgrims already in Saudi Arabia under the government scheme, an official said on Tuesday. According to the Coordinator of Facilitation and Coordination, Nasir Aziz Khan, a total of 35,135 pilgrims have reached the kingdom so far via 137 flights, reported APP. Of these, 21,063 are currently in Makkah, while 14,072 are in Medina, according to the report.&nbsp;Authorities have deployed 948 welfare staff and Khuddam-ul-Hujjaj across key locations to assist pilgrims from arrival at airports to their accommodation, part of efforts to streamline logistics for one of the world&rsquo;s largest annual religious gatherings.&nbsp;The deployment of welfare staff is being finalized to further facilitate pilgrims, the report said. The staff includes 598 Moavineen (helpers), 184 medical personnel and 158 Khuddam, all operating in shifts around the clock, Khan said, adding that teams were on &ldquo;high alert 24/7&rdquo; to support pilgrims. According to the Consolidated Daily Situation Report, medical assistance has been provided to 6,613 outpatients at hospitals and dispensaries in Makkah and Medina. It added that in Makkah, guidance services helped 6,525 pilgrims reach their destinations, while in Madinah, 15,462 pilgrims have completed their visit to Riaz-ul-Jannah.&nbsp;&ldquo;The mission successfully resolved 2,815 out of 2,832 requests regarding lost luggage in Medina, ensuring the belongings were returned to the pilgrims,&rdquo; as per the report.&nbsp;Khan reaffirmed the mission&rsquo;s commitment to utilizing all available resources to provide the &ldquo;best travel and residential facilities.&rdquo; He said the primary goal is to ensure pilgrims can focus entirely on performing their Hajj rituals with peace of mind.

Culture

Economy

According to the Coordinator of Facilitation and Coordination, Nasir Aziz Khan, over 35,000 pilgrims have reached the kingdom.

Pakistan Hajj operation accelerates as thousands of pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia

ISLAMABAD: President Donald Trump declared Monday that US strikes have wiped out Iran&#39;s navy, air force, anti-aircraft systems, radar, and military leadership. He called the conflict &quot;a skirmish&quot; and said Tehran never had a chance. Trump was speaking to the media after signing a memorandum in the Oval Office to reinstate a presidential fitness award for children. He was joined by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. &quot;They [Iran] have no navy, totally wiped out. They have no air force, totally wiped out. They have no anti-aircraft capability, totally wiped out. No radar. They have no leaders &ndash; the leaders are wiped out,&quot; Trump said. He said Iran&#39;s fleet of 159 ships has been reduced to &quot;little boats with a machine gun on the front &ndash; every little ship at the bottom of the sea.&quot; Iranian state media has previously rejected similar US military assessments. The Tehran Times earlier reported that the IRGC Navy seized two vessels (the MSC Francesca and the Epaminondas) in late April for what it called &quot;maritime violations,&quot; presenting the interdictions as evidence of continued Iranian naval capacity. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei had previously called US claims of successful merchant transits through the strait &quot;baseless and outright false,&quot; saying commercial traffic had collapsed by more than 95% since hostilities began on Feb. 28, according to Tasnim News Agency. Speaking about Iran&#39;s nuclear program, Trump said a US B-2 bomber strike destroyed Tehran&#39;s nuclear facilities before it could develop a weapon. &quot;They would have had a nuclear weapon within two weeks,&quot; he said. &quot;We blew up their nuclear potential &ndash; it was obliterated.&quot; Iranian officials had previously acknowledged damage to facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan while denying that the program had been neutralized. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran&#39;s nuclear rights as a Non-Proliferation Treaty signatory were &quot;inalienable&quot; and could not be eliminated by aerial bombardment, according to Iranian news agency IRNA. In the Oval Office interaction with the media, President Trump said, &quot;We can&#39;t let Iran have nuclear weapons. You can&#39;t let a bunch of lunatics have nuclear weapons or the world would be in trouble.&quot; He said the consequences of inaction would have been catastrophic. &quot;The Middle East would have been gone. Israel would have been gone. They would have trained their sights on Europe first, and then us,&quot; he said. Trump also claimed credit for ending eight armed conflicts, including what he described as a near-nuclear war between India and Pakistan. &quot;I ended eight wars &ndash; &nbsp;nobody else ever ended a war,&quot; he said. He also cited the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Mar&iacute;a Machado, recounting her as saying that the US president was more deserving of the prize than she was.&nbsp; &quot;She said, &#39;I don&#39;t deserve this &ndash; President Trump deserves it. There&#39;s never been a man that deserves it more,&#39;&quot; Trump said. &quot;We are doing well,&quot; he said.

US President Donald Trump speaks during a signing ceremony in the Oval Office at the White House on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, calling the conflict with Iran a “skirmish”. (White House)

Americas

Trump claims US strikes destroyed Iran’s military capabilities, including navy, air defenses, and leadership, and says its nuclear facilities were “obliterated,” while calling the conflict a “skirmish” and saying Iran never had a chance.

Trump calls conflict a 'skirmish,' says Iran military 'totally wiped out'

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar briefed diplomats on Tuesday on the country&rsquo;s security policy, regional tensions, and diplomatic priorities, including the disputed Kashmir region, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Foreign Office reported that the briefing marked the first anniversary of <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistans-diplomatic-strength-postmarkaehaq" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Marka-e-Haq</a>. <div class="fr-embed"><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; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-3" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 624px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-3&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2051676567013871792&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F5685%2F&sessionId=24d8a0adf67c89703109f3a91c626e29c71ba3d3&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div></div> Marka-e-Haq, meaning &ldquo;Battle of Truth,&rdquo; is the official designation for the military conflict with India from April 22 to May 10, 2025. It includes Pakistan&rsquo;s response under Operation Bunyan-ul-Marsoos following Indian conventional strikes on civilian infrastructure on the night of May 6, 2025. The foreign minister described the operation as a symbol of national unity and of Pakistan&rsquo;s armed forces&#39; resolve to defend sovereignty and territorial integrity. He said Pakistan&rsquo;s response during Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos was measured, lawful, and in line with the UN Charter. He stated that only military installations were targeted and warned of risks of escalation, civilian harm, and threats to regional peace. The foreign minister said the issue of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/bjp-targeting-islamic-institutions-to-erase-iiojk-identity-says-former-cm" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">IIOJK</a>) remains a key source of regional instability. He called for its resolution under United Nations auspices, according to the ministry. Dar also cautioned against unilateral actions related to the Indus Waters Treaty. He said Pakistan remains committed to multilateral engagement, peacekeeping, and international cooperation. He also briefed diplomats on Pakistan&rsquo;s role in supporting ceasefire efforts and mediation initiatives in the Gulf region and the <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/us-israel-war-on-iran-day-67" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Middle East</a>. The minister reiterated Pakistan&rsquo;s position in favor of dialogue, diplomacy, and peaceful coexistence in South Asia. China envoy meets Pakistan FM on Marka-e-Haq anniversary China&rsquo;s ambassador to Pakistan met Dar on the anniversary of Marka-e-Haq, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pakistan. Ambassador Jiang Zaidong congratulated the Pakistani FM on &ldquo;Pakistan&rsquo;s decisive success&rdquo; during the 2025 conflict. <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" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 696px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" 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=2051691298135126122&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Flogin%2F&sessionId=a5b9dfb6e49d814bb83fcc6ff6f4a5c0f4e0e931&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" data-tweet-id="2051691298135126122"></iframe></div></div> The Chinese envoy described the relationship between Pakistan and China as an &ldquo;All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership&rdquo;. Meanwhile, Dar said Pakistan remained committed to advancing the strategic partnership with China across all sectors. Consular services reviewed In a separate statement, the foreign office stated that Dar also chaired a meeting on consular services and support for Pakistani nationals. He called for improved coordination between government institutions and said consular services should be made more efficient. This includes passport issuance and assistance for citizens abroad. The deputy prime minister also called for streamlined systems to support overseas Pakistanis. <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; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 672px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" 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=2051686829091324261&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F5685%2F&sessionId=24d8a0adf67c89703109f3a91c626e29c71ba3d3&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> The meeting was attended by the interior minister, the foreign secretary, the interior secretary, and senior officials from the foreign and interior ministries, according to the ministry.

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar briefs the diplomatic corps on the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq on May 5, 2026. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs/X)

Foreign minister briefs diplomats on the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq, outlining its position on the 2025 conflict with India, regional security, and related diplomatic developments.

Pakistan reinforces security doctrine on Marka-e-Haq anniversary

LONDON: UK employees at Google&#39;s AI lab DeepMind on Tuesday requested official recognition of two unions, as concern grows over the company&#39;s technology being used by the US and Israeli militaries.&nbsp;Workers requested recognition of the Communication Workers Union and Unite in a letter to management shared by the CWU on Tuesday.&nbsp;&quot;The unionising DeepMind workers are seeking an end to use of Google AI by Israel and the US military,&quot; the CWU said in a statement.&nbsp;The move came after the Pentagon last week announced agreements with Google and six other AI companies to deploy their technology on classified military networks.&nbsp;Prior to the announcement, more than 600 Google employees urged the company not to sign the deal because of concerns the tools could be leveraged by the military to cause harm.&nbsp;Demands from the unionising UK employees include &quot;restoring a scrapped commitment not to make AI weapons or surveillance tools&quot;.&nbsp;It also requests &quot;the creation of an independent ethics oversight body and the individual right to refuse to contribute to projects on moral grounds&quot;.&nbsp;The letter gives management 10 working days to voluntarily recognize the unions, or organizers would take formal legal proceedings.&nbsp;&quot;Google staff worry how the technology will be used given the deal could reportedly open the door to autonomous weapons and mass surveillance of Americans,&quot; the CWU said.&nbsp;In 2018, an employee movement that successfully pushed Google to abandon Project Maven, a Pentagon program to integrate AI into drone operations.&nbsp;But in recent years Google has embarked on a strategy shift, steadily rebuilding its military business and competing with rivals Amazon Web Services and Microsoft for defense cloud contracts.

Artificial Intelligence

UK DeepMind workers seek union recognition over concerns about Google AI use by US and Israeli militaries. They demand ethical safeguards, banning AI weapons, and independent oversight, amid Pentagon deals and rising defense contracts.

Google DeepMind UK staff move to unionize over military AI use

ROME: World number one&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/aryna-sabalenka-downs-naomi-osaka-to-reach-madrid-open-quarterfinals" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Aryna Sabalenka</a>&nbsp;said Tuesday she was ready to boycott the Grand Slam tournaments in order to have a greater share of the prize money. &quot;I feel like the show is on us. Without us there wouldn&#39;t be a tournament and there wouldn&#39;t be that entertainment,&quot; the four-time Grand Slam winner told a press conference at the Italian Open. &quot;I feel like definitely we deserve to be paid more percentage. &quot;I think at some point we will boycott. I feel like that&#39;s going to be the only way to fight for our rights. &quot;We girls can easily get together and go for this because some of the things I feel like it&#39;s really unfair to the players. I think at some point it&#39;s going to get to this.&quot; Last year almost all the leading players signed two letters to the four Grand Slam bosses demanding an increase in prize money, payments into a player welfare fund to improve retirement and maternity benefits, as well as involvement in decisions that affected them. The letters set a target of a 22% share in tournament revenue, which would bring the majors in line with the nine combined 1000-level events run by the ATP men&#39;s tour and the women&#39;s WTA tour. However, Poland&#39;s Iga Swiatek, a four-time French Open singles champion, believes boycotting tournaments &quot;is a bit extreme&quot;. &quot;I think the most important thing honestly is to have proper communication and discussions with the governing bodies so we have some space to talk and maybe negotiate,&quot; said Swiatek, who has also won Wimbledon and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/us-open-finalist-anisimova-beats-noskova-to-win-beijing-title" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">US Open</a>. &quot;Hopefully before Roland Garros there&#39;s going to be an opportunity to have these types of meetings and we&#39;ll see how they go.&quot; On Monday, players said in a statement that an announcement by the French Open last month of a 9.5% prize money rise was not good enough. It said that last year Roland Garros generated &euro;395 million ($463 million), a 14% increase. However, the total purse went up by just 5.4%, reducing player share of revenue to 14.3%. It estimated that this year&#39;s revenues would pass &euro;400 million ($468.1 million), leaving the player cut still below 15%.

Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka reacts after winning a point to US' Hailey Baptiste during their 2026 WTA Tour Madrid Open tennis tournament singles match at the Caja Magica in Madrid, on April 28, 2026. (AFP)

Tennis

The Belarusian says players should consider boycotting Grand Slams to demand a larger share of prize money, arguing they deserve higher payments and stronger control over tournament revenue distribution. 

Aryna Sabalenka ready to boycott Grand Slams over prize money

ISLAMABAD: Commemoration of Mark-e-Haq serves as a clear message to the Indian hubristic political mindset that the Pakistani nation stands united and prepared.&nbsp; This was communicated during the meeting of the 275th Corps Commanders&#39; Conference at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi on Tuesday, presided over by Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces&nbsp;Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the military&#39;s media wing said.&nbsp;Marka-e-Haq (The Battle of Truth) was a 2025 military campaign and conflict with India, spanning April 22 to May 10. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR),&nbsp;&ldquo;It [Marka-e-Haq]&nbsp;signifies the unshakeable harmony between the People, Government and Armed Forces of Pakistan, which stand together as &#39;Bunyan ul Marsoos&#39; against all internal and external challenges.&rdquo;&nbsp;The forum congratulated the nation and the armed forces on the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq, recognizing it as a defining moment that reflects national unity, collective resolve, and an unyielding commitment to safeguarding Pakistan&rsquo;s sovereignty at all costs, the statement said.&nbsp;It condemned ongoing atrocities, extrajudicial killings, and demographic changes in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), reaffirming Pakistan&#39;s unwavering diplomatic, political, and moral support for the struggle of the Kashmiri people.&nbsp;Regional stabilityThe Corps Commanders&rsquo; Conference, while deliberating on the broader regional security environment, noted that emerging geopolitical developments carry significant implications for regional stability.&nbsp;According to the ISPR, the forum acknowledged Pakistan&rsquo;s continued responsible role in promoting stability and supporting efforts to prevent further deterioration of the situation, while underscoring the importance of restraint and avoiding escalation.&nbsp;&ldquo;It reiterated that peace and stability in the region are intrinsically linked to collective restraint, responsibility and respect for sovereignty,&rdquo; the statement said. Pakistan Armed Forces&nbsp;readinessField Marshal Munir expressed satisfaction over the high standards of operational preparedness, professionalism, and combat readiness of the Pakistan Armed Forces.&nbsp;According to the ISPR, the forum acknowledged the continued degradation of terrorists and their support infrastructure through Operation Ghazb-lil-Haq.&nbsp;Pakistan Armed Forces launched operation Ghazb-lil-Haq on the night of Feb. 26, following cross-border firing by the Afghan Taliban.&nbsp;The session noted that the irrational and perverted policy of the Afghan Taliban regime to provide safe havens to khwarij and other terrorist organizations, with total disregard for the interests of the Afghan people, is increasingly backfiring and stands fully exposed.&nbsp;The ISPR said the Taliban regime&rsquo;s ongoing propaganda campaign falsely portrays Pakistan as targeting civilians inside Afghanistan, and termed such narratives part of a coordinated disinformation strategy to divert attention from its internal failures.&nbsp;&ldquo;The forum categorically rejected these frivolous allegations and reaffirmed that Pakistan&rsquo;s defensive actions remain focused, precise, and directed solely against infiltrators, terrorist hideouts and support infrastructures,&rdquo; the statement said.&nbsp;The conference undertook a comprehensive review of the prevailing internal and external security environment.&nbsp;According to the ISPR statement, the forum resolved to maintain the current operational tempo to decisively dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt their support infrastructure, and deny them any operational space within Pakistan.&nbsp;Field Marshal Munir commended commanders and formations for their unwavering commitment, vigilance, and success in ongoing intelligence-based counter-terrorism operations across the country.&nbsp;He directed commanders to maintain the &quot;highest levels&quot; of vigilance, operational readiness, and adaptability in the face of evolving threats.&nbsp;He further emphasized the need for continued focus on professional excellence, integrated response mechanisms, and proactive measures to counter both conventional and non-conventional challenges. Tribute to the Shuhada of the Pakistan Armed ForcesThe Corps Commanders&rsquo; Conference paid rich tribute to the Shuhada of the Armed Forces, Law Enforcement Agencies, and innocent civilians who laid down their lives in defense of the motherland.&nbsp;&ldquo;Paying profound tribute to their unmatched sacrifices, the forum reaffirmed that the enduring legacy of the martyrs continues to serve as the bedrock of Pakistan&rsquo;s national security, unity, and resilience,&rdquo; the statement concluded.

Pakistan’s 275th Corps Commanders' Conference reaffirms national unity, counterterrorism resolve, and commitment to regional stability, condemns the IIOJK situation, rejects Afghan allegations, reviews the security environment, and vows sustained operations against terror networks under Field Marshal Asim Munir.

Regional peace, stability linked to collective restraint, respect for sovereignty: Military 

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia has expressed concern over rising military tensions in the region, calling for de-escalation, restraint, and support for Pakistan&rsquo;s diplomatic efforts to achieve a political solution.&nbsp;In an official statement, the Kingdom warned that continued escalation could push the region toward further instability, stressing that such a scenario would not serve the interests of regional or global peace. It underscored the importance of dialogue and supported Pakistan&rsquo;s mediation role in defusing tensions.&nbsp;Saudi Arabia also highlighted the need to restore normal maritime activity in the Strait of Hormuz, urging the international community to ensure safe and unrestricted passage of vessels to safeguard global trade routes. <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" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 873px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" 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=2051590497739665606&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=2d04233a2166bf1bd07dbae69b0b0ad230b8a510&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>The development comes as Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned recent missile and drone attacks targeting civilian infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates.&nbsp;In a statement, Sharif expressed full solidarity with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Emirati people, reaffirming Pakistan&rsquo;s support during what he described as a difficult time.<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" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 345px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" 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=2051560804416360773&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=2d04233a2166bf1bd07dbae69b0b0ad230b8a510&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>&ldquo;It is absolutely essential that the ceasefire be maintained to create diplomatic space for dialogue,&rdquo; the prime minister said, emphasizing that peaceful engagement remains key to achieving lasting regional stability.&nbsp;The coordinated calls from Riyadh and Islamabad reflect growing international concern over escalating tensions, with both sides urging restraint and renewed diplomatic efforts to prevent further deterioration.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar receives Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on April 06, 2026. (File photo: MOFA) 

Middle East

The statement comes as Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned recent missile and drone attacks targeting civilian infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates.

Saudi Arabia backs Pakistan mediation, calls for restraint

ISLAMABAD: A viral social media campaign to collectively buy bankrupt Spirit Airlines has attracted more than $22.8 million in non-binding pledges from over 36,000 people, as the initiative rapidly gained momentum online and temporarily crashed its own website.&nbsp;The effort, branded &ldquo;Spirit 2.0,&rdquo; was launched by Hunter Peterson after a TikTok video outlining the idea drew millions of views. The concept proposes that ordinary citizens contribute small amounts, roughly the cost of a budget airline ticket, to collectively acquire the defunct carrier. <div class="fr-embed instagram-embed" style="width: 50%; display: block; max-width: 600px;"><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DX2l1uTJjW6/embed/captioned/?cr=1&v=14&wp=594&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com&rp=%2Farticles%2F5694#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A4530856.100000024%2C%22ls%22%3A684.6000000238419%2C%22le%22%3A716.6999999880791%7D" allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="987" scrolling="no" style="background: white; max-width: 540px; width: calc(100% - 2px); border-radius: 3px; border: 1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); box-shadow: none; display: block; margin: 0px 0px 12px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px;"></iframe></div>Peterson&rsquo;s campaign website, letsbuyspirit.com, recorded a surge in traffic shortly after launch, with search interest also spiking sharply. However, the platform struggled to handle the influx and went offline within hours. A message posted earlier acknowledged the outage, saying the movement had &ldquo;overwhelmed&rdquo; its servers and upgrades were underway.&nbsp;Despite the strong response, Peterson clarified that the campaign has not collected any actual funds. Instead, participants are registering non-binding pledges of intent, with an average pledge reported at over $600. The figures remain self-reported and have not been independently verified.&nbsp;In follow-up videos, Peterson described the initiative as a community-driven alternative to private equity ownership, adding that any future structure would prioritize public stakeholders over institutional investors. He also appealed to developers, legal experts, and aviation professionals to help advance the idea.&nbsp;The campaign draws inspiration from the Green Bay Packers&#39; ownership model, which is held by hundreds of thousands of shareholders rather than a single owner.&nbsp;Spirit Airlines ceased operations after years of financial challenges, including failed merger attempts, layoffs, and a rejected federal bailout. The shutdown affected around 17,000 employees and disrupted travel plans for thousands of passengers.&nbsp;While the Spirit 2.0 campaign has captured widespread attention, analysts note that significant financial, legal, and regulatory hurdles would need to be overcome before any such acquisition could materialize.

Spirit Airlines jets sat on the tarmac as the company ceased operations at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on May 2, 2026. (Photo: AFP/File)

Business

The concept proposes that ordinary citizens contribute small amounts, roughly the cost of a budget airline ticket, to collectively acquire the defunct carrier.

Spirit 2.0 campaign draws $22.8M in pledges after TikTok pitch goes viral

BANGKOK: Already reeling from the effects of conflict in the Middle East, Asia is now facing the prospect of strong El Ni&ntilde;o conditions that could spike energy demand, sap hydropower, and damage crops. El Ni&ntilde;o is a naturally occurring climate phenomenon that brings worldwide changes in winds, air pressure, and rainfall patterns. Last week, the United Nations&#39; weather and climate agency said El Ni&ntilde;o conditions could develop as soon as May to July. The World Meteorological Organization, meanwhile, said early signs indicated the event could be particularly strong, with some dubbing the impending event a &quot;super El Ni&ntilde;o&quot;, although the term is not used by scientists. That is not good news for Asia, parts of which are traditionally heavily affected by the heatwaves, drought, and heavy rains that El Ni&ntilde;o can bring. The phenomenon essentially shifts traditional weather patterns around, for example, moving rain that normally falls over Indonesia out to sea, leaving the country vulnerable to drought and wildfires. El Ni&ntilde;o occurs around every two to seven years and is forecast based on sea temperatures. &quot;The subsurface anomaly that we&#39;re seeing so far is pretty strong,&quot; said Peter van Rensch, a climate scientist at Australia&#39;s Monash University. &quot;It does look a little bit like what we saw in the 1997/98 event, and that was probably the strongest El Ni&ntilde;o,&quot; he told AFP. There are still plenty of uncertainties, and van Rensch cautioned that an El Ni&ntilde;o might not develop at all. Catastrophic impacts&nbsp;But the 1997 El Ni&ntilde;o brought catastrophic impacts, including extreme drought and devastating wildfires in Indonesia that burned through millions of hectares and created regional air pollution. Authorities there have already identified peatlands at risk, and warned the country could see its lowest rainfall in 30 years. The warnings come amid Asia buckling under the strain of an energy supply crunch and fears of shortages of fertilizer and other industrial and agricultural components that pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has effectively closed the strategic waterway since the United States and Israel launched attacks on the country on Feb 28, disrupting global fuel supplies. Hotter weather will strain energy grids already facing fuel shortages as populations seek to cool homes and workplaces, warned Haneea Isaad, an energy finance specialist at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. &quot;For countries that are highly dependent on the Strait of Hormuz for oil and gas deliveries and other trade, strained supply will lead to further fuel rationing, demand-side management, and a reduction in economic activities ... impacting overall GDP growth,&quot; she told AFP. The droughts that El Ni&ntilde;o can bring to parts of the region also pose a threat to countries that are highly dependent on hydropower, said Dinita Setyawati, senior energy analyst for Asia at the Ember thinktank. &quot;Most ASEAN countries use a lot of hydropower,&quot; she warned, highlighting Mekong countries, Nepal, and parts of Malaysia as particularly vulnerable because of their dependence on the sector. The risks were laid bare in 2022, when a heatwave in China saw hydropower generation in Sichuan fall by over 50%, creating shortages that impacted households and industry alike. Agriculture risks&nbsp;Hotter, drier conditions will also pose new risks to agriculture, already under pressure as the ongoing conflict raises the costs of fertilizer and fuel for farming equipment. &quot;If crop prices do not rise enough to offset these higher input and shipping costs, producer margins will be squeezed, raising the likelihood of lower fertilizer application and weaker yields,&quot; warned BMI, a unit of the Fitch Solutions research company. &quot;This would intensify food price inflation and worsen food insecurity, especially in import-dependent and climate-vulnerable markets.&quot; In some parts of Asia, an El Ni&ntilde;o can bring bouts of heavy rain and trigger flooding, which could affect sectors such as southern China&#39;s late-season rice harvest, added Isaad. How climate change affects the emergence and strength of El Ni&ntilde;os remains poorly understood. But research shows climate change itself will bring more frequent, intense heatwaves, as well as sudden heavy rainfall that can cause flooding. So experts said countries across the region should further insulate energy systems against more frequent disruptive weather events by diversifying and greening their grids. &quot;Solar and wind, coupled with batteries, provide a more resilient infrastructure than a centralized fossil infrastructure,&quot; said Setyawati.

Farmers harvest carrots at a field on the outskirts of Lahore on April 19, 2026 (AFP)

Asia

Already reeling from the effects of conflict in the Middle East, Asia now faces the prospect of a strong El Niño that could spike energy demand, sap hydropower, and damage crops.

Pakistan Navy rescues Indian, Indonesian crew in Arabian Sea emergency operation

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