149th birth anniversary of Allama Iqbal being celebrated with fervour

The 149th birth anniversary of poet-philosopher Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal is being celebrated all over the country today (Monday) with national fervour and enthusiasm. Popularly known as the Poet of the East, Allama Iqbal was born in Sialkot on November 9, 1877. He inspired the Muslims of the Subcontinent through his philosophical poetry and played a key role in shaping the intellectual foundations of their struggle for a separate homeland. His historic Allahabad Address in 1930 provided political direction to the Muslims of the Subcontinent and strengthened their demand for…

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Policeman martyred, three abducted in attack on Hangu checkpost

A police constable was martyred, and three other personnel were abducted after terrorists launched a sudden attack on a police checkpost located on Shah Almas Pir mountain in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Hangu district. According to police officials, a large contingent of police and security forces rushed to the scene and cordoned off the area. An intense exchange of fire between security personnel and the attackers was underway. District Police Officer (DPO) Hangu Salahuddin Kundi confirmed the incident, saying the attackers had taken the three abducted policemen towards Khanano Kotta, an area…

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Trump blames Iran war, anti-Israel sentiment for election losses

US President Donald Trump has attributed the Republican Party’s sweeping losses in last week’s midterm elections to public opposition to the war with Iran, rising gasoline prices and growing anti-Israel sentiment. In an interview with CBS News’ 60 Minutes on Sunday, Trump acknowledged that the conflict with Iran had damaged Republicans politically, particularly amid rising fuel costs. “They didn’t like the war. They didn’t like the fact that gasoline went up,” Trump said, adding that there was also an “incredibly” strong dislike of Israel among voters. He identified opposition to…

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Democrats plan probes of Musk, Miller, corporate America after midterm rout

Tech megabillionaire Elon Musk ​and President Donald Trump’s newly appointed White House chief of staff, Stephen Miller, and some large companies will likely be targets ‌of congressional probes when Democrats take control of Congress in January, senior lawmakers said on Sunday. In television appearances, US Representative Robert Garcia of California and US Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, set to lead the House Oversight and Senate Banking committees, vowed aggressive oversight after their party’s sweeping midterm election victory. Meanwhile, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries indicated he and ​his fellow Democrats would…

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Trump says he is unlikely to order Iran attack if talks progress, CNN reports

US President Donald Trump on Sunday said ‌he was highly unlikely to order fresh attacks on ​Iran as long ​as talks to end the conflict ⁠progress, CNN reported. “It ​depends on whether or not ​they sign a very strong agreement,” CNN cited Trump as ​saying in a ​phone interview. “The answer is, highly unlikely ‌it’s ⁠going to be necessary.” CNN did not specify exactly what it had asked ​Trump, ​who ⁠also said the US had identified potential ​infrastructure targets. These ​included ⁠38 bridges “that we can knock down in literally…

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Train collision in Egypt kills at least 7, injures dozens, health ministry says

Two passenger trains collided some 76 km (47 ‌miles) south of Cairo on Sunday, killing at least seven people and injuring 112, Egypt’s health ministry said. The state ​railway authority said a train travelling from ​Giza to Fayoum hit the back of ⁠another heading from Cairo to Aswan, derailing several ​carriages. Emergency crews were clearing the wreckage to restore ​services on the Cairo-Upper Egypt line, the railway authority said, without giving any indication of how long this would ​take. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ordered a swift ​investigation and said anyone…

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Iran suggests blasts are not US attacks as both sides report ships hit

Iranian media suggested explosions in southern Iran on Saturday evening were related to Iranian military ​activities rather than US strikes, while both sides reported that shipping had been hit in or near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s state television said ‌officials had not confirmed any missile strikes on Iranian territory following blasts heard in several areas, including on Qeshm Island in the strait. President Donald Trump had hinted at renewing major attacks on Iran after last week’s US midterm elections, but there has been no sign of a large-scale US…

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PM briefs Nawaz on KP situation, economic reforms

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday visited Jati Umra and met Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to discuss the country’s political situation and various national matters. During the meeting, the prime minister briefed Nawaz Sharif on the law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and apprised him of recent measures taken for the development and prosperity of the province. Shehbaz also briefed him on the government’s ongoing reforms, particularly economic reforms, the challenges facing the country and steps being taken to address them. The two leaders…

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Pakistan’s robot waitresses serve up a taste of future in Karachi

Gliding between dining booths at a neon-lit restaurant in Pakistan’s commercial hub, Karachi, a robot waitress delivers a freshly baked pizza to a waiting family, offering diners a glimpse of a future still rare in the South Asian country. “Welcome to Sicilian. My name is Robia,” the machine says in an electronic voice, its red LED eyes blinking as it introduces itself to customers. Robia and her colleague Jojo are the creations of Pakistani engineer Syed Osama Aziz, who has brought a touch of science fiction to Karachi’s restaurant industry…

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Shrapnel damages Aramco building in Riyadh after attack

Falling shrapnel damaged an administrative building belonging to the Saudi oil giant Aramco in Riyadh following a missile attack blamed on Yemen’s Houthi militia, reports said on Sunday. Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry confirmed that the incident caused minor damage but resulted in no casualties, Anadolu news agency reported. An official source said the relevant authorities responded swiftly and took the necessary measures following the incident. The announcement came hours after the Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Houthi group reported intercepting and destroying missiles over Riyadh and the kingdom’s southern regions. The…

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