US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday called on all countries to do more to protect journalists, reiterating unwavering support for free and independent media around the world, the State Department said in a press release. In his message on World Press Freedom Day, he said that more journalists were killed in 2023 than in any year in recent memory. In their pursuit of truth, he added, journalists face unprecedented danger just for doing their jobs. “Each year on World Press Freedom Day, the world celebrates the importance of journalism and recognises the integral role a vibrant, indep ..read more

Pakistan has descended two places in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on Friday. The country now stands at 152 out of 180 nations, a decline from its position at 150 in the previous year's index. In its assessment of Pakistan, RSF noted the nation's historical struggle between civil society's pursuit of greater press freedom and the enduring influence of the political-military elite over media affairs since its inception in 1947. Despite a diversified media landscape since the end of state broadcasting monopolisation in 2002, RSF observed a nuanced ..read more

German company HyImpulse successfully launched on Friday a candle wax-powered rocket capable of carrying commercial satellites on a test suborbital flight into space for the first time. "We're signalling Germany's prowess as a spacefaring nation and expanding Europe's access to space," HyImpulse's chief executive Mario Kobald said in a statement. The 12-metre, 2.5-tonne test rocket dubbed "SR75" lifted off shortly after 0500 GMT from a launch site in Koonibba, South Australia. Read: Russia launches first space rocket developed since dissolution of Soviet Union It is capable of carrying small s ..read more

In a significant development, the appointments of new governors for Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan have been confirmed following a high-level meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. Under an agreement reached between the ruling PML-N and PPP, Sardar Salim Haider has been selected as the governor of Punjab, Faisal Karim Kundi for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and Jaffar Khan Mandokhel for Balochistan. According to reports from Express News, these appointments were finalised subsequent to a meeting between Bilawal Bhutto ..read more

Even though excessive greenhouse gas emissions from the highly-industrialized Global North states have significantly raised heat levels all across the planet, countries like Pakistan, which have consistently failed to devise and implement a cohesive action plan in response to climate change, are now trapped in a furnace. While rising heat levels and altered climate patterns are a major challenge for all cities in the developing country, the industrial hub, Karachi, appears to bear the brunt of global warming since the gradual proliferation of heat-trapping concrete constructions and alarming p ..read more

The skies over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) cleared on Friday, bringing relief to travellers as Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced the resumption of its flights. In a statement issued by the PIA spokesperson, it was confirmed that air operations have returned to normalcy following the restoration efforts by the local aviation administration. Passengers affected by previously cancelled flights are being prioritised for accommodation on upcoming flights. In addition, plans are underway to schedule more flights to enhance passenger convenience during this period. Read more: PI ..read more

Pakistan has extradited to Norway a known militant suspected of masterminding an Oslo shooting on the eve of the 2022 Pride festival, Norwegian authorities said on Friday. On the night of June 25, 2022, just hours before the Pride parade was to take place, a man opened fire outside two bars in central Oslo, including a well-known gay club, killing two men and wounding nine others. The suspected shooter, Zaniar Matapour, a 44-year-old Norwegian of Iranian origin, is currently on trial accused of an "act of terror". Matapour has pleaded not guilty, and psychiatric experts are at odds over his me ..read more

Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan on Friday urged the courts to expedite hearings of his cases, accusing Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa of being “biased” against his party. "I urge all judges presiding over my cases to expedite the hearings and refrain from unjustified delays,” he said in a message from Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail. Saying that delaying the decisions was unjust, he said that all cases against him were false, baseless, and concocted. Khan referred to CJP Isa's statement, saying, "He stated that there is no pressure on him, bu ..read more

Pakistani actor and model Aymen Saleem, known for her role in the hit drama series Chupke Chupke, recently engaged with her fans in an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session on Instagram. Among the myriad of questions and comments from followers, one remark stood out. During the lively interaction, a follower compared Aymen’s appearance to that of Bollywood actor Kiara Advani. The comment sparked a moment of delight for the Pakistani star, who graciously acknowledged the comparison. “She’s definitely one of my favorites from Bollywood, so that’s very sweet, thank you!” Aymen responded with a beaming sm ..read more

La Liga leaders Real Madrid have their first chance to be crowned champions this weekend, although they require a helping hand from this season's shock challengers Girona to make it happen. Madrid host Cadiz on Saturday and if they win and Girona take any points off champions Barcelona immediately afterwards, Los Blancos will earn a record-extending 36th Spanish title. It seems fitting for Michel Sanchez's side to have a say on a potentially decisive day, after they were Madrid's main contenders for pole position for much of the season. The wheels came off Girona's bandwagon after Carlo Ancelo ..read more