Pakistan TV Satellite

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani filmmaker Saman Kamraan, recently named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list, has said her creative journey has been shaped by a deep interest in storytelling that she discovered and refined through hands-on experience on film sets. Speaking on Pakistan TV&rsquo;s morning show &quot;World This Morning&quot;, Kamraan described herself as a &ldquo;struggling artist&rdquo; whose career began taking shape during her studies at the National College of Arts, Lahore, where she enrolled in the film and TV programme in 2016. She said that while still a student, she actively pursued work opportunities on professional sets, taking on roles as an assistant director, art director and producer.&nbsp; She explained that early networking during university helped her build confidence and practical experience, adding that later it became easier for her to direct and produce her own projects. Kamraan recalled that her first significant exposure came when a senior invited her to work as an assistant director on a film shoot.&nbsp; The experience, she said, opened her eyes to large-scale production work and encouraged her to continue working across different departments, including direction, art direction and production. Saman Kamraan has also worked as a producer at PTV, and is recognized as Pakistan&rsquo;s first female stop-motion artist. She also served as an assistant director on &lsquo;Umro Ayyar&rsquo;, one of Pakistan&rsquo;s highest-grossing films. Her short film &lsquo;The Bed She Made&rsquo; was the only Pakistani production selected for this year&rsquo;s Busan International Short Film Festival.&nbsp; She is currently in South Korea as part of an international filmmaking programme bringing together 20 filmmakers and producers from around the world to develop and co-produce projects. She is also developing a feature film project that she hopes to shoot in Pakistan after securing international funding. Kamraan incorporates social themes into her creative work, including climate change, which she said remains an important focus in her storytelling. She believes cinema can play a role in highlighting environmental challenges and their impact on communities. Reflecting on her Forbes recognition, she said the achievement came as a surprise.&nbsp; Looking ahead, Kamraan aims to direct more films and has expressed a strong desire to see greater support for female filmmakers in Pakistan&rsquo;s film industry. She said the industry needs to give more attention to women creators so they can contribute to telling stronger and more diverse stories.

World This Morning

Pakistani filmmaker Saman Kamraan, recently named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list, has said her creative journey has been shaped by a deep interest in storytelling that she discovered and refined through hands-on experience on film sets.

From PTV to Forbes: Saman Kamraan’s inspiring storytelling journey

ISLAMABAD: Nigerian content creator Kayode Pelumi-Ridwan has praised Pakistan&rsquo;s hospitality, cultural diversity, and welcoming society, saying the country played a major role in shaping his rise as a social media personality.&nbsp;In an exclusive interview with PakistanTV, Lumi said Pakistan deserves greater global recognition for its warmth, vibrant traditions, and strong sense of community, adding that his experience in the country challenged many misconceptions often seen online.&nbsp;&ldquo;Social media is the new cool,&rdquo; Lumi said, describing digital platforms as powerful tools that are transforming communication, entertainment, and public engagement worldwide.&nbsp;Known for speaking Urdu, Punjabi, and Pashto, Lumi said connecting with people through language helped him build strong engagement with audiences across Pakistan. He added that cultural similarities between Pakistan and Nigeria inspired him to create content focused on positivity and cross-cultural understanding.&nbsp;The interview also highlighted Pakistan&rsquo;s growing soft power appeal, with international creators increasingly using digital platforms to showcase the country&rsquo;s cultural richness, linguistic diversity, and hospitality to audiences around the world.&nbsp;Lumi concluded by encouraging young content creators to stay authentic, responsible, and mindful of the impact their work can have online, emphasizing that meaningful content and positive engagement are key to building lasting connections with audiences.

Nigerian creator Kayode Pelumi-Ridwan praised Pakistan’s hospitality, cultural diversity, and welcoming society, saying the country shaped his digital journey. Speaking Urdu, Punjabi, and Pashto, he highlighted social media’s power to promote positivity, authenticity, and cross-cultural understanding.

Pakistan’s Hospitality, Culture Inspired My Digital Journey: Nigerian Creator

ISLAMABAD: Dogan Bekin, Member of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye, has said Pakistan&rsquo;s diplomatic engagement and mediation efforts have contributed positively to regional stability and enhanced its international credibility.&nbsp; Speaking at Pakistan TV&rsquo;s World This Morning program, Bekin said Pakistan&rsquo;s role in facilitating dialogue and easing regional tensions has been widely acknowledged and reflects its growing importance in global diplomacy. He said lasting peace and stability in the world cannot be achieved without the just resolution of long-standing conflicts, particularly in Kashmir and Palestine. Highlighting the Kashmir dispute, Bekin said multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir have yet to be implemented, and stressed that the dispute should be resolved in accordance with international law. Turning to the Middle East, Bekin said continued violence and humanitarian suffering in Gaza and the West Bank reflect a failure of the international community to enforce accountability and uphold human rights. He said regional tensions are further complicating geopolitical stability, urging Muslim countries to strengthen unity and collective diplomatic efforts. Bekin called for closer cooperation among Pakistan, Turkiye, Iran, and Gulf states to promote peace, political coordination and solidarity across the Muslim world. He said divided approaches weaken the ability of Muslim countries to influence global decisions and resolve conflicts effectively. He also emphasized the need to address sectarian and political divisions within Muslim societies, saying greater unity is essential to counter external pressures and divisive policies. Bekin said coordinated diplomacy and unified action among Muslim countries remain key to resolving protracted conflicts and ensuring long-term regional and global peace.

Pakistan’s diplomatic engagements contributed to regional stability: Turkish MP (Photo: Pakistan TV Satellite)

Turkish lawmaker Dogan Bekin said Pakistan’s diplomacy has boosted regional stability and urged greater unity among Muslim countries to help resolve the Kashmir and Palestine conflicts.

Pakistan’s diplomatic engagements contributed to regional stability: Turkish MP

ISLAMABAD: New York Post correspondent Caitlin Doornbos has said Pakistan&rsquo;s ability to maintain working relationships with both the US and Iran has positioned it uniquely in the conflict, allowing it to serve as a bridge in one of the most sensitive geopolitical standoffs.&nbsp;&nbsp;In an exclusive interview with Pakistan TV, Caitlin Doornbos underscored Pakistan&rsquo;s position as a key mediator in efforts to bridge tensions between the United States and Iran, describing Islamabad as an inimitable diplomatic channel trusted by both sides. She said Islamabad has become a critical venue for dialogue, with direct exchanges and consultations taking place through Pakistan as the leadership remains actively engaged in facilitating communication and maintaining diplomatic momentum between Washington and Tehran.&nbsp;Doornbos also referenced her conversation with US President Donald Trump, saying he expressed strong trust in Pakistan&rsquo;s role in ongoing US&ndash;Iran negotiations, spoke positively about Pakistan&rsquo;s leadership and its engagement in regional stability, and emphasised that Islamabad plays an important role in facilitating dialogue.&nbsp;She said such mediation efforts are rare, especially between two adversaries with long-standing distrust, and that Islamabad&rsquo;s role has gained increasing international attention.&nbsp;Her remarks collectively highlight Pakistan&rsquo;s role as both a key host of high-stakes diplomatic engagement and an increasingly important bridge in efforts to manage US&ndash;Iran tensions, reflecting its growing relevance in regional and global diplomacy.&nbsp;Beyond the diplomatic discussions in Islamabad, Doornbos also reflected on her personal experience in Pakistan, praising the hospitality toward visiting journalists and officials attending the Islamabad Talks.&nbsp;She said she has greatly enjoyed her time in the country, describing the warmth and generosity of the people as deeply welcoming and overwhelmingly positive.&nbsp;Doornbos said she did not expect the level of public engagement she received, joking that she had, in a sense, become a &ldquo;Pakistani celebrity&rdquo; through her interactions both online and on the ground.&nbsp;&nbsp;She added that she has been immersing herself in local culture, wearing traditional attire, listening to regional music, and indulging in delightful Pakistani cuisine.

New York Post correspondent Caitlin Doornbos, speaking exclusively to Pakistan TV, has said Pakistan’s ability to maintain working relationships with both the US and Iran has positioned it uniquely in the conflict, allowing it to serve as a bridge in one of the most sensitive geopolitical standoffs.

Pakistan serves as bridge in US-Iran standoff: Doornbos

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s growing role as a neutral and credible diplomatic actor is gaining recognition globally, according to US journalist and former Obama administration policy adviser Laurie A. Watkins. Speaking at Pakistan TV programme, &lsquo;World This Morning&rsquo;, Watkins praised the country&rsquo;s recent international engagement and facilitation efforts, saying Pakistan has successfully positioned itself as a trusted intermediary by maintaining neutrality and focusing on constructive diplomacy. She said the country &ldquo;has treated this with the highest strategic level&rdquo;, avoiding taking sides while helping bring opposing parties to the table. This approach, she said, has not only served Pakistan well but has also earned broader international approval. Watkins highlighted Pakistan&rsquo;s role in facilitating dialogue between adversaries, describing it as a &ldquo;crucial intermediary&rdquo; that enabled high-level engagement at a time of significant global tension. She emphasised that such efforts are beneficial not just for Pakistan but for regional stability in South Asia and the wider international community. According to her, the current negotiations remain in early stages, with the possibility of further rounds, including what she referred to as a potential &ldquo;Islamabad 2.0&rdquo;. She also pointed to Pakistan&rsquo;s rapidly improving global image, saying the country has undergone a significant transformation in how it is perceived internationally. &ldquo;It has been incredible to watch,&rdquo; she said, adding that discussions in Washington have shifted toward a more respectful and cooperative tone regarding Pakistan. Watkins said the country is increasingly being seen as a reliable partner not only for the United States but also for other global actors. Reflecting on her visits to Islamabad, former policy adviser to President Obama praised the country&rsquo;s hospitality and security environment, describing her experience as welcoming and reassuring. She said international journalists shared similar sentiments, highlighting the warmth and openness they encountered during their stay. While acknowledging ongoing geopolitical challenges, Watkins expressed optimism about the future of negotiations and Pakistan&rsquo;s role in them. &ldquo;Pakistan has elevated itself in the international community,&rdquo; she said, adding that its approach could serve as a model for other countries seeking to enhance their diplomatic standing.

US journalist Laurie A. Watkins says Pakistan’s neutral, constructive diplomacy has boosted its credibility, positioning it as a trusted intermediary, improving its image, supporting dialogue between rivals, and contributing to regional stability and future negotiations.

Pakistan's diplomatic role recognised globally: Laurie Watkins

Pakistan TV

ISLAMABAD: Kazakh ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin says Kazakhstan is keen to expand cooperation with Pakistan across trade, education and tourism sectors, stressing that stronger collaboration between the two countries&rsquo; media communities can play a decisive role in achieving these goals.&nbsp; He shared these remarks in an exclusive interview with Pakistan TV. The ambassador underlined that media platforms are often underestimated but have the power to shape national conversations and public perceptions at scale. He said closer ties between media organizations, journalists, and broadcasters of both countries can help introduce new opportunities to wider audiences, encourage tourism flows, and build academic and cultural linkages. Referring to the recent visit of President of Kazakhstan &nbsp;to Pakistan, Kistafin noted that the Kazakh leader was accompanied by the largest-ever delegation to visit the country, including a 50-member media team from state and private outlets. He said the extensive coverage that followed made Pakistan a central topic across Kazakh TV channels, newspapers, and radio, with widespread discussion on investment and partnership prospects. He said that sustained media engagement and content exchange can further deepen bilateral understanding and ensure that cooperation in commerce, education and tourism is supported by strong public awareness in both nations.

Kazakh ambassador Yerzhan Kistafin says Kazakhstan is keen to expand cooperation with Pakistan across trade, education and tourism sectors, stressing that stronger collaboration between the two countries’ media communities can play a decisive role in achieving these goals. 

Kazakhstan Seeks Broader Partnership with Pakistan in Trade, Education and Tourism: Kazakh Envoy

Islamabad: The award ceremony is one of the most emotional moments of my life,&rdquo; said Pakistan-origin Ali Akbar, his voice heavy with emotion, as he reflected on a remarkable half-century journey of selling newspapers on the streets of Paris, a humble livelihood that ultimately earned him the respect and admiration of an entire nation. Speaking exclusively to Pakistan TV, in its morning show, World This Morning, Akbar said he felt &ldquo;truly honored and deeply grateful,&rdquo; and calling the moment unforgettable. Akbar is Known as Paris&rsquo; last newspaper hawker, has now been awarded the National Order of Merit, one of France&rsquo;s highest civilian honours, personally conferred by President Emmanuel Macron. His story is not just about migration or survival, but about dignity, service, and unwavering faith. Surrounded by his children, grandchildren, wife, and extended family, he said being recognized by the French President felt like a lifetime of honest labor finally being acknowledged. Akbar traced his journey back to Rawalpindi, where poverty forced him to work from a very young age. As a child, he polished shoes, sold popcorn, and worked in wealthy households to support his family. Living without clean drinking water, he made a promise to himself to one day build a better home for his mother, a dream that became the driving force behind his decision to leave Pakistan before the age of eighteen. His path to France was long and uncertain, taking him through several countries before he eventually settled in Paris. There, life remained challenging. Selling newspapers in extreme weather, Ali&nbsp;Akbar became a familiar and respected face in the Latin Quarter, interacting daily with intellectuals, writers, politicians, and students including a young Emmanuel Macron. Despite never attending formal school in France, he learned the language through daily interactions and observation. Ali Akbar said that faith, honesty, and service to people kept him going. His message to Pakistan&rsquo;s youth is clear: stay consistent, work hard, remain honest, and serve others &mdash; because true recognition comes to those who never stop striving.

Ali Akbar said that faith, honesty, and service to people kept him going. 

Paris’ last newspaper hawker knighted: Ali Akbar’s remarkable journey from Rawalpindi to French honor

ISLAMABAD: Palestinian Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Zuhair Mohammad Hamadallah Zaid has said the Palestinians want a permanent ceasefire that will save lives and allow unhindered aid into Gaza.&nbsp; Speaking in Pakistan TV&rsquo;s show &lsquo;World This Morning&rsquo;, Dr Zaid said the Palestinians seek lasting solution, recognition of their inalienable rights, as affirmed in UN resolutions, and the establishment of a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders. The Palestinian representative praised Pakistan&rsquo;s &ldquo;unwavering and unshakable&rdquo; support, saying the country consistently stands at the forefront in defending Palestinian rights.&nbsp; He expressed deep appreciation for the backing shown by the Pakistani government, prime minister, the army and people. He highlighted the recent statement delivered by Pakistan&rsquo;s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Asim Iftikhar, describing his speech as &ldquo;clear and honest&rdquo; and fully aligned with the Palestinian position.&nbsp; Palestinian ambassador Zaid said the 20-point plan linked to US President Donald Trump&rsquo;s proposal, which was adopted by the UN Security Council, outlined a three-phase process. He said the success of the plan hinges on the states acting as guarantors for both sides, adding that the Palestinians have the full backing of Arab and Muslim countries and expressed complete trust in them.&nbsp; He said a stabilization force will be responsible for maintaining peace and ensuring Israel does not violate the agreement, while the United States will serve as the guarantor for Israel.&nbsp; He stressed that effective monitoring by the stabilization force, along with guarantees from Arab and Muslim states for the Palestinians and from Washington for Israel, is essential for the plan&rsquo;s implementation. He said Arab and Muslim states, along with a stabilization force, will monitor the ceasefire and report to a newly formed Peace Board, to be chaired by the United States.&nbsp; The envoy stressed that the immediate priority is ending the war, and the current plan presents an opportunity to stop the fighting.&nbsp; Under the proposal, a two-year transitional period would conclude with the Palestinian Authority taking responsibility in Gaza, ultimately leading toward a two-state solution. Without this, he warned, the region risks returning to instability and chaos

Palestinian Ambassador Dr. Zaid urged a permanent Gaza ceasefire, praised Pakistan’s strong support, and emphasized a UN-backed plan.

Palestinians want permanent ceasefire, unhindered aid into Gaza: envoy

ISLAMABAD: Poland is seeking to significantly expand trade, defence cooperation, and technological partnership with Pakistan as bilateral relations enter a new phase, said the Polish Ambassador to Pakistan Maciej Pisarski. In an exclusive interview with Pakistan Television, Ambassador Pisarski described the recent visit of Poland&rsquo;s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski as a &ldquo;major step forward,&rdquo; noting that both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in mining, fintech, water management, agriculture, and defence technologies. He highlighted that bilateral trade has crossed US$1 billion, though both countries have far greater potential. He emphasized Poland&rsquo;s interest in increasing its commercial footprint in Pakistan, especially as Polish energy giant Orlen has already invested over US$500 million in the country&rsquo;s gas sector. On defence ties, Pisarski recalled Poland&rsquo;s historic role in supporting the formation of the Pakistan Air Force and expressed readiness to enhance cooperation in aviation, training, and defence technology. He also underscored opportunities for collaboration in fintech, praising Pakistan&rsquo;s young digital workforce and calling it a powerful complement to Poland&rsquo;s fast-growing digital innovation ecosystem. Highlighting educational and cultural bonds, the ambassador noted the rising number of Pakistani students in Poland and the longstanding humanitarian and historical links between the two nations. Pisarski concluded by saying Poland and Pakistan &ldquo;share values, history and aspirations&rdquo; and can jointly pursue a more stable and prosperous future.

Recalls Poland’s historic role in supporting formation of Pakistan Air Force, expresses readiness to enhance cooperation in aviation, training, and defence technology.






Poland looks to boost trade, defence ties with Pakistan: Ambassador Maciej Pisarski

ISLAMABAD:&nbsp;Yasir Tufail, deputy portfolio manager at NASA, has said to strengthen STEM education, schools or universities need to play a better role in terms of giving students hands-on projects. Speaking on Pakistan TV&rsquo;s morning show, &lsquo;World This Morning&rsquo;, Yasir Tufail said institutions need to have better labs and equipment and at the same time create opportunities where students can actually do an internship. He said there can be collaboration within Pakistan or even with international partners as well or space organizations to enable students to apply what they learn in classrooms and also get hands-on experience. Yasir Tufail said there is a need to inspire curiosity among students to bring them towards STEM studies or even science and space. &ldquo;We have to show them that there are amazing careers that they can explore,&rdquo; he said, adding that he has started to persuade students in pakistan, especially in the rural areas, to come to stem studies. Yasir Tufail said he had been fortunate to work on many missions, from sending satellites to space to supporting astronauts on manned missions, and each mission taught him to handle risk differently. He said the primary focus with unmanned missions is to ensure everything works perfectly before launch, however when it comes to sending humans to space, the stakes become higher. About solving complex engineering problems, Yasir Tufail said working on missions had taught him how to approach problems calmly and methodically. &ldquo;We go through integration and testing to kind of understand the system,&rdquo; he said, adding that experience had taught him to focus on teamwork and collaboration, which is a key to managing risks successfully. About Spacex, Yasir Tufail said people forget to realize that Spacex is a private entity, and that NASA actually has a contract with it to send astronauts to space.

Speaking on Pakistan TV’s morning show, ‘World This Morning’, Yasir Tufail said institutions need to have better labs and equipment and at the same time create opportunities where students can actually do an internship.

Nasa official stresses stronger role of schools, varsities to promote STEM education

BUENOS AIRES: Temperatures in the Antarctic Peninsula have reached a record-breaking high of 15.4C for June, and ice is melting at abnormal rates during the current winter, climate scientists told AFP on Thursday. Esperanza Base, an Argentine research station located in the north of the peninsula, recorded the unprecedented figure on June 6. The previous highest temperature on record for that month -- 13.3C -- dates back to 1998. The current heat also significantly exceeds Esperanza&#39;s June average of -6.2C. Such a figure is &quot;very unusual for this time of year,&quot; Jose Luis Stella, a climatologist at Argentina&#39;s National Meteorological Service, told AFP. Argentine bases Marambio and San Martin also recorded unequalled temperatures between June 5 and 6. Marambio recorded 11.8C, surpassing a previous high of 9.2C and its June average of -10.7C. San Martin meanwhile saw 9.4C compared to its previous 7.8C record and June average of -5.6C. &#39;Confirms a trend&#39;The northern Antarctic heatwave is not an isolated event, University of Groningen professor Raul Cordero told AFP. &quot;It confirms a trend,&quot; he said, warning that &quot;these kinds of events will continue to occur with increasing frequency&quot; if global warming is not derailed. Thomas Caton Harrison, a polar climate scientist at the British Antarctic Survey, believes a combination of factors including climate change resulted in the current heat. &quot;There is credible evidence that climate change is playing a role, but the effect is complex in this region,&quot; he said. &quot;Because Antarctica sees such big swings in temperature, we have to collect lots of data over many years to build a picture of the underlying climate.&quot; Both specialists agree that regional temperatures have been rising for years and are already showing visible effects. &quot;A surprising amount of precipitation has been falling as rain rather than snow,&quot; Caton Harrison said. &quot;This has implications for polar ecosystems such as penguin colonies,&quot; he said, adding that &quot;it poses a challenge to my colleagues working on Antarctic bases because a lot of liquid rain has been falling and creating runoff and ice.&quot; Esperanza Base has been recording above-zero temperatures daily for three consecutive weeks. This trend has caused &quot;large areas in the far north of the white continent to remain free of snow,&quot; according to Cordero, who called it &quot;an unusual scene in the Antarctic landscape during winter.&quot;

Climate

Temperatures in the Antarctic Peninsula reach a record-breaking high of 15.4C for June, as ice melts at abnormal rates during the current winter.

Antarctic Peninsula sees record high June temperatures

MEXICO CITY: Mexico ignited their World Cup party with a dominant 2-0 victory over nine-man South Africa on Thursday as the biggest ever edition of the global footballing showpiece kicked off at the iconic Estadio Azteca. Julian Quinones scored the opening goal of the tournament and veteran striker Raul Jimenez added a second as the co-hosts&#39; bid for qualification from Group A got off to smooth start. South Africa meanwhile never looked like spoiling the opening day fiesta, and finished with only nine men after Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were sent off. The Mexican-colored red, green and white smoke from pre-game fireworks had barely dissipated before Quinones fired the hosts into the lead on nine minutes, drilling a low shot through the legs of South Africa&rsquo;s goalkeeper and captain Ronwen Williams. A deafening roar cascaded down from the stands of the Azteca, the footballing cathedral that became the only stadium to host games at three different World Cups. South Africa coach Hugo Broos had warned his players to be ready for the intimidating atmosphere created by a capacity 80,824 crowd at the imposing concrete arena. But South Africa&rsquo;s players looked to have a bad case of stage fright as Mexico&#39;s fans &nbsp;greeted each completed pass with a raucous chorus of &quot;Ole!&quot; in the opening minutes Sithole seemed particularly affected, being caught in possession trying to play out of the back for Quinones&#39; opening goal. Sithole&#39;s miserable afternoon ended with a 49th minute dismissal after bundling over Mexico&rsquo;s Brian Gutierrez when clean through on goal. Mexico rammed home their advantage in the 67th minute, with a fine counter attack culminating in Roberto Alvarado crossing for Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Jimenez to nod home at the far post. It got worse for South Africa in the 84th minute when Zwane was dismissed after a VAR review for flinging an arm into the face of Alvarado. There was still time for late drama when Mexican defender Cesar Montes was shown a red card for a clumsy challenge on Khulisa Mudau on the edge of the penalty area.

Football

Mexico launches World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over South Africa at a packed Estadio Azteca, while the visitors finish with nine men after two red cards.

Mexico beat South Africa to kick off World Cup

NEW YORK: Taylor Swift on Thursday became the youngest woman ever inducted into the prestigious Songwriters Hall of Fame, another milestone in the 36-year-old US pop star&#39;s record-breaking career. The female record was previously held by Carole Bayer Sager, who was 43 when she joined in 1987. Stevie Wonder remains the youngest person ever admitted, at age 32 in 1983. Artists become eligible for the Hall of Fame 20 years after the release of their first commercial track. For Swift, that was &quot;Tim McGraw,&quot; released in June 2006. Her success since is undeniable: the American artist has recorded 12 albums spanning country, pop, and folk, earning her 14 Grammy Awards in the United States, including four Album of the Year trophies -- a record. &quot;Swift&#39;s ability to shapeshift as a songwriter, to inhabit different sonic landscapes and write as credibly in the world of one genre as she does another is part of her superpower as a songwriter,&quot; reads her bio on the Hall of Fame website. &quot;It also represents the boldness and bravery of her artistry: to explore new frontiers when the most practical next step would be to keep mining the material that has gotten you the success in the first place.&quot; Swift appeared on the red carpet in New York on Thursday wearing a strapless black dress with floral motifs ahead of the naming ceremony. &#39;Great honor&#39;Also inducted on Thursday were Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS, the band behind hits such as &quot;Rock and Roll All Nite&quot; and &quot;Detroit Rock City.&quot; &quot;It doesn&#39;t suck,&quot; Stanley told AFP when asked how it felt to join the prestigious songwriting ranks. &quot;It&#39;s really hard to digest the idea. I certainly don&#39;t consider myself in that rarified air of some of the writers, but if you wanna be in that club, I&#39;m there.&quot; Kenny Loggins, the hitmaker behind movie soundtrack classics like &quot;Footloose&quot; and &quot;Danger Zone&quot; from &quot;Top Gun,&quot; was inducted into the Hall of Fame as well. &quot;It&#39;s a great honor and I appreciate it,&quot; Loggins told AFP. &quot;It&#39;s the culmination of a lifetime writing, and that&#39;s exciting for me.&quot; Canadian singer Alanis Morissette, inescapable in the 1990s, and American record producer Walter Afanasieff were also among the total of nine songwriters joining the Hall of Fame this year. Estimates put Taylor Swift&#39;s worldwide sales at over 250 million album-equivalents. Her most recent tour in 2023 and 2024, titled &quot;The Eras Tour,&quot; brought in a record sum of around two billion dollars. She is also the female artist with the most songs ever to reach the top 10 list compiled by Billboard, the leading US music magazine. Swift is omnipresent in the media. After unveiling a country track for the soundtrack of the film &quot;Toy Story 5,&quot; she was at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday for a game of the NBA Finals.

Entertainment

Taylor Swift becomes the youngest woman ever to be inducted into the prestigious Songwriters Hall of Fame, another milestone in the 36-year-old US pop star's record-breaking career.

Taylor Swift becomes youngest woman in Songwriters Hall of Fame

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 style="font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Iran has not made a final decision on the deal: FM spokesperson</li><li style="font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">&lsquo;We&#39;ll probably have a signing in Europe,&rsquo; says Trump on Iran war</li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Islamabad backs diplomacy, dialogue</li><li style="font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Three Indian sailors killed aboard ship hit by US off Oman</li><li style="font-size: 14px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Kremlin calls on US, Iran to &#39;return to negotiating table&#39;</li></ul><hr> Egypt urges US, Iran to seize &#39;available opportunity&#39; for deal after Trump cancels strikesPublished: June 12, 2026 | 03:49 GMT | by AFP Egypt urged the United States and Iran to seize what it called an &quot;available opportunity&quot; for a deal to end the war, after President Donald Trump withdrew his threat to carry out further strikes on Tehran. Cairo&#39;s foreign ministry said in a statement late Thursday it hoped &quot;the available opportunity will be seized to reach a deal on the various outstanding issues and to prepare the atmosphere for reaching an end to the war and beginning a new phase of regional stability&quot;. <hr> Trump says &lsquo;we ended the war with Iran today&rsquo;Published: June 12, 2026 | 02:45 GMT | by Web Desk US President Donald Trump, during a tele-rally in support of Senate candidate Barry Moore, claimed that the war is now over, according to local media outlets. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know if you heard, but we ended the war with Iran today, and they have agreed never to have a nuclear weapon, something that we, we insisted on,&rdquo; Trump said in the audio clip. <hr style="box-sizing: border-box; height: 0px; overflow: visible; clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Japan, S. Korea markets jump after Trump cancels Iran strikesPublished: June 12, 2026 | 01:59 GMT | by AFP Japan&#39;s Nikkei share index soared more than three percent Friday after US President Donald Trump withdrew his threat of further strikes against Iran and said a deal to end the war could be signed in coming days. At around 0015 GMT the Nikkei 225 was up 3.5 percent, while South Korea&#39;s benchmark Kospi index jumped 7.59 percent. <hr style="box-sizing: border-box; height: 0px; overflow: visible; clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Iran&rsquo;s FM spokesman condemns US attacks on Indian vesselsPublished: June 11, 2026 | 23:40 GMT | by Web Desk Iran&rsquo;s Foreign Ministry Spokesman&nbsp;Esmaeil Baqaei&nbsp;condemned the US attacks on Indian commercial vessels, which killed at least three Indian nationals. In a post on X, he said that these attacks &quot;stand as clear evidence of America&rsquo;s ongoing policy of armed robbery and State piracy.&quot; <hr style="box-sizing: border-box; height: 0px; overflow: visible; clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Iran has not made a final decision on the deal: FM spokespersonPublished: June 11, 2026 | 21:55 GMT | by Web Desk Iran&rsquo;s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Iran has not made a final decision about a deal, according to Iran&rsquo;s official news agency&nbsp;IRNA. &quot;Once the relevant authorities reach a conclusion on the details of the draft text of an agreement, Iran&rsquo;s government will make a formal announcement,&quot; he said. <hr style="box-sizing: border-box; height: 0px; overflow: visible; clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page;"> &lsquo;We&#39;ll probably have a signing in Europe,&rsquo; says Trump on Iran warPublished: June 11, 2026 | 20:05 GMT | by Web Desk US President Donald Trump on Thursday said a deal to end the Middle East war was nearing completion, describing it as a &ldquo;great settlement&rdquo; and indicating that a formal signing could take place in Europe within days once the remaining documents are finalized. &ldquo;We just made a great settlement of the war with Iran,&rdquo; Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.&nbsp; &ldquo;Subject to finalization of documents, which should get done over the next few days, we&#39;ll probably have a signing, maybe in Europe.&rdquo;&nbsp; He added that the agreement would ensure &ldquo;Iran will never have a nuclear weapon,&rdquo; calling it the central objective of months of negotiations and conflict. Trump also said he believed Iran&#39;s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei had approved the proposed arrangement.&nbsp; Asked whether Khamenei had personally given the green light, Trump replied: &ldquo;I understand the answer is yes.&rdquo; He described the agreement as &ldquo;a very strong memorandum of understanding.&rdquo; The US president said he had spoken with leaders from across the region, including Israel, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait, as diplomatic efforts intensified ahead of a possible signing ceremony.&nbsp; Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would reopen once the agreement is finalized and argued that the deal had already boosted market confidence, pointing to rising stock markets and falling oil prices. Trump also singled out Pakistan for its role in the diplomatic process, praising both Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir.&nbsp; &ldquo;Pakistan was fantastic,&rdquo; he said. Referring to Munir, Trump added: &ldquo;He&#39;s a great, great general. He&#39;s so great that he&#39;s actually a field marshal.&rdquo;&nbsp; Pakistan has played a central mediation role in recent months, hosting talks and maintaining engagement with Washington, Tehran and regional partners in support of a negotiated settlement. <hr style="box-sizing: border-box; height: 0px; overflow: visible; clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Read our June 11 live blog for earlier developments&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/middle-east-june-11-2026" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>

Middle East

Americas

Says a 'great settlement' with Iran has been reached and approved by Iran's Supreme Leader; Trump praises Pakistan for a 'fantastic role' in mediation, calling Field Marshal Asim Munir a 'great general'; Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson denies that any final decision on a deal with the US has been made.

Trump says Iran deal nearing signing, praises Pakistan's role

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday rejected any attempt to draw a &ldquo;false equivalence&rdquo; between the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and matters relating to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), while also raising concerns over India&rsquo;s expanding strategic capabilities. Speaking at the weekly media briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan was addressing issues in Azad Jammu and Kashmir within a &ldquo;democratic and constitutional framework&rdquo; and rejected recent remarks by the Indian leadership and its foreign affairs office. &ldquo;Any attempt to conflate the two is misleading and does not withstand objective scrutiny,&rdquo; Andrabi said. Responding to questions regarding Indian statements on AJK, the spokesperson said Pakistan rejected India&#39;s remarks &ldquo;in their entirety.&rdquo; &ldquo;It&rsquo;s untenable for a state like India, which has consistently denied the people of Jammu and Kashmir their right to self-determination, to claim concerns over the rights of Kashmiris,&rdquo; he said. The remarks come amid continued tensions between Pakistan and India over the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region, a longstanding issue between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.&nbsp; Pakistan maintains that the final status of Jammu and Kashmir should be determined in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. The spokesperson said India&rsquo;s statements appeared aimed at diverting attention from the &ldquo;unresolved status of Jammu and Kashmir&rdquo; and what he described as its &ldquo;abysmal record&rdquo; in IIOJK. &ldquo;We also reject any insinuation of a false equivalence between the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and matters relating to Azad Jammu and Kashmir,&rdquo; Andrabi said. &ldquo;Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir is an illegally annexed, internationally recognized disputed territory whose people have suffered systemic abuses under draconian laws and have been denied their rights, including the right to self-determination, as affirmed by the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and as promised by the Indian founding fathers to the Kashmiri people,&rdquo; he added. Concerns over India&#39;s strategic capabilitiesThe Foreign Office also commented on a recent Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) report suggesting India may have altered aspects of its traditional nuclear posture by reportedly deploying nuclear warheads during peacetime alongside developments in missile systems. Andrabi said Pakistan did not wish to endorse SIPRI&rsquo;s methodology but noted that the findings were &ldquo;not surprising.&rdquo; &ldquo;We do not wish to endorse or lend credence to SIPRI&rsquo;s methodology. Its findings, nevertheless, are &lsquo;not surprising,&rsquo;&rdquo; he said, adding that Pakistan had consistently raised concerns regarding India&rsquo;s continued &ldquo;vertical proliferation.&rdquo; The spokesperson said open-source assessments might not fully reflect the actual scale of India&rsquo;s nuclear arsenal. &ldquo;We also believe that open-source estimates, such as SIPRI&rsquo;s, may not fully reflect the actual scale of India&rsquo;s nuclear arsenal, which may actually be higher than the existing estimates,&rdquo; he said. According to Andrabi, Pakistan remained &ldquo;cognizant of developments in India&rsquo;s strategic capabilities,&rdquo; including the canisterization of missile systems, the expansion of sea-based nuclear-capable submarines and the pursuit of longer-range missile systems extending beyond India&rsquo;s immediate region. &ldquo;These developments enhance operational readiness, complicate crisis stability, and carry implications that extend beyond South Asia, with grave consequences for international peace and security,&rdquo; he said. Reiterating Pakistan&rsquo;s position, Andrabi said the country did not seek an arms race. &ldquo;Pakistan does not seek an arms race and matching warheads or arms and ammunition by number. However, we remain mindful of the evolving security environment. We will continue to take measures essential for preserving strategic stability and deterring India&rsquo;s aggression,&rdquo; he said. The spokesperson urged the international community to closely monitor developments related to India&rsquo;s strategic capabilities and their potential impact on regional and global security. He also called on countries supplying advanced technologies to India to consider the wider implications of emerging capabilities being incorporated into India&rsquo;s strategic posture. &ldquo;These developments threaten consequences far beyond South Asia into the wider world,&rdquo; Andrabi said.

Foreign Affairs

Pakistan also voices concern over India's evolving strategic capabilities, saying recent assessments reinforce longstanding fears about regional stability and urging the international community to closely monitor developments with wider security implications.

‘False equivalence’: Pakistan rejects Indian remarks on Kashmir

PARIS: A leather bag made from Tyrannosaurus rex cells failed to sell on Thursday, the Paris auction house Drouot said, commenting that bids were well below expected. Auctioneers Giquello had touted the &quot;one-of-a-kind&quot; piece to sell for more than $500,000 but bids barely broke the $150,000 mark, said the Drouot house where the sale took place. Unveiled in the spring in Amsterdam, the bag was created from traces of collagen from the femur of a T‑Rex found in the US state of Montana 25 years ago. &quot;In recent years, we&#39;ve developed techniques -- biotechnologies that allow us to instruct a cell culture to produce, so to speak, genuine T‑Rex skin in the laboratory,&quot; Iacopo Briano, a palaeontology expert associated with the sale, recently told AFP. He noted the material differs from vegan leather, which is mostly made from plastic. &quot;In this case, it&#39;s derived from a cell culture, so it&#39;s 100 percent skin. And at the same time, it comes from an animal that went extinct 67 million years ago!&quot; he said. With no precedent to go on, Alexandre Giquello, whose auction house is organising the sale, explained they had to &quot;come up with a price&quot; that would reflect both the amount of investment required to create the bag and its rarity. Giquello estimated the value at between 300,000 and 500,000 euros ($346,000 to $576,000).

Wildlife

A handbag created from lab-grown material derived from Tyrannosaurus rex collagen fails to sell at auction, attracting bids far below expectations despite its rarity and estimated value of up to $576,000.

First leather bag made from T-Rex cells fails to sell at Paris auction

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday held funeral prayers for military personnel martyred in an army helicopter crash near Muzaffarabad, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and senior civilian and military leaders attending the ceremony, according to the military&#39;s media wing. The funeral prayer was offered at Chaklala Garrison in Rawalpindi for the martyrs of the Mi-17 helicopter crash, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. PM Sharif, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, senior civil and military officials, relatives of the martyrs, and members of the public attended the service. The crash occurred Wednesday near Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, during takeoff.&nbsp; The military said the helicopter went down because of a technical fault, and all personnel on board were martyred. A board of inquiry has been ordered to determine the exact cause of the accident. Earlier in the day, a separate funeral service for two Christian soldiers martyred in the crash was held at Christ Church in Rawalpindi and attended by political and military leaders. The ceremonies highlighted the participation of Pakistan&#39;s diverse communities in national service and remembrance. Addressing the gathering, PM Sharif said the martyrs&#39; &quot;devotion to duty, professionalism, and commitment to safeguarding the motherland will remain a source of inspiration for future generations.&quot; He said the sacrifices made by Pakistan&#39;s armed forces for &quot;peace, security, and national sovereignty can never be forgotten,&quot; and reaffirmed the nation&#39;s support for the families of the martyrs. The ISPR said the martyrs would be laid to rest in their respective hometowns with full military honors. Separately, President Asif Ali Zardari and PM Sharif expressed grief over the crash and offered condolences to the families of the martyrs. &quot;The entire nation pays tribute to the great sacrifice of the martyrs and shares the grief of the families,&quot; Zardari said in a statement. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also expressed condolences, extending sympathies to the families of the personnel martyred in the accident. The military leadership, including Field Marshal Munir and all ranks of the Pakistan Army, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families.

Security

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, senior military commanders and government officials attended funeral prayers in Rawalpindi for army aviation personnel lost in the Mi-17 accident, while separate services were held for two Christian soldiers before burial with full military honors.

Pakistan honors helicopter crash martyrs at Rawalpindi funeral service

NEW YORK: Elon Musk&#39;s SpaceX on Thursday confirmed it will begin trading on the Nasdaq exchange Friday in the biggest initial public offering in history, a blockbuster market debut that could propel the entrepreneur to trillionaire status. In a filing with the US markets regulator, the company priced more than 555 million shares at $135 each, placing SpaceX among Wall Street&#39;s most elite companies with a valuation of just under $1.8 trillion. The offering will raise a record $75 billion, easily outranking Saudi Aramco&#39;s $29.4 billion debut in 2019, until now the biggest ever. Underwriters hold an option to buy nearly 83 million additional shares, which would push the total above $86 billion if exercised in full. Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Bank of America led a syndicate of more than 20 banks on the deal. The space and rocket company, co-founded by Musk in 2002, will trade under the ticker symbol &quot;SPCX,&quot; with a parallel listing on Nasdaq Texas. All eyes will be on how Wall Street absorbs the offering, which could send tremors across global markets. As is traditional for high-profile debuts, executives are expected to ring the opening bell on Friday to mark the start of the session -- in this case at New York&#39;s Times Square, home of the Nasdaq. SpaceX will be the first out of the gates among the tech and AI giants eyeing public markets, with OpenAI and Anthropic expected to follow -- both having recently filed with regulators for their own market debuts. The IPO is Musk&#39;s biggest financial gamble yet, with his xAI company and the X social media platform (formerly Twitter) also included in the offering after the multi-billionaire folded them into the company earlier this year. The offering was more than four times oversubscribed by major banks and financial institutions, according to Bloomberg, with interest from everyday investors reported to also be high. More than 20 percent of the shares will be reserved for these retail investors, a far greater proportion than is typically allocated in IPOs, giving Musk&#39;s legions of fans a chance to buy a slice of the company. Data centers in spaceThe success of the IPO rests squarely on investors&#39; faith in Musk as a visionary entrepreneur. The tech multi-billionaire will serve as chief executive, chief technology officer and board chairman of the newly traded company. The IPO is expected to mint thousands of new millionaires and many billionaires, with former and current employees -- and a long list of investors -- from the company&#39;s near quarter-century history looking to cash in. The financials of the company are giving some on Wall Street pause, as the valuation largely depends on Musk delivering on promises worthy of science fiction, including putting data centers in space as well as people on Mars using as yet unproven technology. While the company is growing fast -- revenue hit $18.7 billion in 2025 -- it is also losing money, producing a net loss of $4.9 billion. In an extraordinary prediction, SpaceX&#39;s filing claims it can pull in over $28.5 trillion in revenue from its various markets. Musk&#39;s fortune on Thursday stood at $782 billion according to the Forbes list of the world&#39;s richest people, nearing three times the wealth of number two, Google co-founder Larry Page. A successful IPO could make him the first trillionaire in history on Friday.

Artificial Intelligence

SpaceX confirms a record $75 billion IPO, valuing the company at nearly $1.8 trillion, as investors back Elon Musk’s space, AI and long-term technology ambitions worldwide for growth.

SpaceX to make historic IPO that could make Musk a trillionaire

LONDON: British Defense Secretary John Healey sensationally quit on Thursday, accusing beleaguered Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the finance ministry of failing to commit enough money to protect the country. His shock resignation weakens Starmer&#39;s authority further at a precarious moment for the embattled Labour leader, a week before a by-election that could prompt a bid to replace him. In stinging criticism, Healey warned that Starmer&#39;s long-awaited Defense Investment Plan (DIP) for funding over the next decade&mdash;which the premier has yet to publish&mdash;risked making Britain &quot;less safe.&quot; &quot;You have been unable, and the Treasury has been unwilling, to commit the resources that the nation needs to defend the country at this time of rising threats,&quot; Healey wrote in a resignation letter to Starmer posted on his X account. &quot;After explaining to you that I would not be able to accept a DIP settlement that does not give our Forces the resources they need, I am now left with no other option than to submit my resignation.&quot; Healey&#39;s sudden departure comes after months of delays to the defense plan, which Starmer has insisted he will publish before a NATO summit in Turkey beginning on July 7. Starmer&#39;s centre-left government, elected in July 2024 following 14 years of Conservative rule, has pledged to ramp up defense spending, with priority given to NATO commitments. The rise comes amid threats from Russia and as US President Donald Trump repeatedly urges NATO allies to spend more and become less reliant on Washington for security. &#39;Grave moment&#39;Starmer has vowed to raise defense spending to 2.5 percent of gross domestic product from next year, increasing to three percent if Labour wins the next general election, expected in 2029, before reaching 3.5 percent in 2035. British media has for weeks been reporting on behind-the-scenes battles within the government over the DIP settlement. In his resignation letter, Healey said he was first given full sight of DIP on Monday, and it sees defense spending rise to only 2.68 percent of GDP in 2030. A source close to the former defense secretary told AFP the deal offered by the Treasury did not put a date on the three percent commitment. The plan &quot;falls well short of what is required for defense and the country at this dangerous time,&quot; Healey wrote. &quot;Without a DIP that meets the moment in this way, I am being forced to make decisions that would reduce the readiness of our forces and increase the risk to personnel on operations, and could make the country less safe.&quot; Tan Dhesi, chair of parliament&#39;s defence committee, said the government must take Healey&#39;s warning &quot;with the utmost seriousness&quot;. &quot;That a defence secretary of his integrity and commitment has felt compelled to resign in response to the inadequacy of the proposed defence settlement is a grave moment,&quot; the Labour MP said in a statement. Starmer faces political peril in next Thursday&#39;s contest when Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham stands for the Makerfield parliamentary seat. Both men have said they would participate in any Labour leadership race, although none has yet been triggered. Wes Streeting quit as health secretary last month following disastrous local and regional election results for Labour and has also said he would run in any future contest. Healey, 66, has been previously talked about as another potential contender, but there was no immediate suggestion that his resignation is linked to the leadership speculation. It &quot;underlines that Starmer has become a lame duck prime minister who cannot get decisions through his own government,&quot; Patrick Diamond, a politics professor at Queen Mary University of London, told AFP. The investment plan, originally due to be published in late 2025, has repeatedly been pushed back, to the frustration of industry and others. Healey&#39;s resignation &quot;creates a sequence of political headaches in terms of a replacement, and trying to get the defence investment plan published,&quot; said Ed Arnold, senior associate fellow at the RUSI think-tank. A government source insisted that Starmer had made Britain &quot;safer,&quot; adding the defense spending proposals &quot;will deliver the capability our armed forces need.&quot;

Europe

British Defense Secretary John Healey sensationally quit on Thursday, accusing beleaguered Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the finance ministry of failing to commit enough money to protect the country

UK defense minister quits with stinging rebuke of PM Starmer

JERUSALEM: Radio France Internationale (RFI) condemned Thursday Israel&#39;s entry ban on French reporter Alice Froussard, who freelances for the station and other outlets, as &quot;an obstacle to press freedom&quot;. &quot;Israeli authorities have not provided any justification to RFI for this decision,&quot; the broadcaster said in a statement. &quot;RFI&#39;s management offers its full support to Alice Froussard and protests against this expulsion, which constitutes an obstacle to press freedom and comes at a time when journalists are facing increasing difficulties in covering current events in the region,&quot; it added.

Calls it an as "an obstacle to press freedom"