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Islamabad rolls out Eid ul Adha traffic plan for cattle markets

Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has finalised a special traffic management plan for cattle markets across the federal capital to ensure smooth traffic flow and facilitate citizens ahead of Eid ul Adha.

Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) of Islamabad Muhammad Sarfraz Virk said more than 350 officers and personnel would perform duties under the special traffic plan.He said additional traffic officials had been deployed at and around cattle markets to guide commuters and ensure the smooth flow of vehicles.

The CTO urged citizens to avoid parking vehicles on roadsides near cattle markets and use only designated parking areas to prevent traffic blockages.

Islamabad Traffic Police personnel would remain present round the clock during Eid days to facilitate citizens and maintain traffic discipline, he said.

Virk appealed to the public to cooperate with the traffic police and strictly follow the issued traffic plan to help ensure smooth traffic management across the city.

Pakistan would observe Eid ul Adha on May 27, the moon sighting Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee (RHC) announced on May 17 after the crescent for the month of Zilhaj was sighted.

The announcement was made after a meeting of the committee held at the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) in Karachi, with Maulana Azad in the chair.

Similarly, the federal government announced a three-day public holiday from May 26-28 (Tuesday to Thursday) to mark Eid ul Adha.

Britney Spears police report sheds new light on singer’s March DUI arrest

New details about Britney Spears’ March DUI arrest have emerged.

According to the arrest report obtained by US Weekly on May 20, the princess of pop was pulled over near her Ventura County home after police received complaints about a driver allegedly “traveling at high speeds and swerving.”

Pakistani climber Salman Ateeque summits Mount Everest

ISLAMABAD: Renowned climber Salman Ateeque on Thursday successfully scaled Mount Everest, becoming the 13th Pakistani to reach the world’s highest peak.

Ateeque reached the 8,849-metre summit at approximately 11:39am during the ongoing 2026 Himalayan climbing season, which has drawn hundreds of climbers from across the world.Around 464 climbing permits were issued this season to mountaineers from 80 countries, with the largest contingents coming from China and India, said sources privy to the matter.

Ateeque was reportedly the only Pakistani climber to obtain an Everest permit this year.

The climber, who has a professional background in electrical engineering and over two decades of experience in the telecommunications sector, previously summited Mount Manaslu — the world’s eighth-highest mountain — in Nepal last year.

Officials familiar with the expedition said Ateeque successfully navigated the hazardous Khumbu Icefall and made his summit push during a favourable weather window.

His ascent adds another chapter to Pakistan’s growing presence in high-altitude mountaineering.

It is pertinent to mention here that Nazir Sabir became the first Pakistani to summit Everest in 2000, while Samina Baig made history in 2013 as the first Pakistani woman to reach the top of the mountain.

Other notable Pakistani Everest summiteers include Hassan Sadpara, Mirza Ali Baig, Abdul Jabbar Bhatti, Shehroze Kashif, Sirbaz Khan, Sajid Ali Sadpara, Naila Kiani, Wajidullah Nagri, Abdul Joshi and Saad Bin Munawar.

Sirbaz Khan is recognised as the first Pakistani to scale all 14 peaks above 8,000 metres, while Sajid Ali Sadpara became the first Pakistani to summit Everest without supplemental oxygen.

The Pakistani mountaineering community and sports enthusiasts are now awaiting Ateeque’s safe descent to Everest Base Camp following the successful summit.

LeBron James teases fans by liking Cavaliers comeback post—Is homecoming coming?

LeBron James’ eight-year run with the LA Lakers had ended after their four-game defeat in the Western Conference semifinals.

The Laker’s playoff exit has fueled more questions about James’ NBA future and whether he is making a comeback for the 24th season.The speculations were fueled further when Lakers’ president pelinka hinted that the franchise is open to welcoming LeBron James for the next season.

He said, “He’s given so much to his teammates, to his organization. And the thing we want to do more than anything else is honor him back.”

With the NBA playoffs still going strong between East and West, a major decision looms large for four-time champion LeBron James.

His two-year contract is about to expire, worth $101.3 million, and he is left with few options between retirement or a new deal.

But after James teases fans with a surprise when he hits the “liked” button on a social media comeback post shared by his uncle, a third option has emerged that suggests he might be joining the latter.

The post carried a caption that read, “Come home,” a call for the 41-year-old basketball legend to make a comeback where it all started.For the unversed, James’ storied career began with the Ohio franchise, the Cleveland Cavaliers, when he reunited with the team in 2014 after his four-year contract ended with the Miami Heat.

He succeeded in clinching the debut NBA title in 2016 for the Cleveland.

Now the decision rests with NBA icon LeBron James to decide how he wants his NBA career to end, but after he “liked” an Instagram post featuring him in a Cavs jersey, it sparked a buzz among his fans about his joining the Cavaliers.

Princess suffers new health crisis: ‘uncontrollable’ infection

Health is real wealth and grace that everyone wants more than anything else. It reminds us that even royals face the same struggles as the rest of us to stay fit and sound.

In the latest shocking update, Thai Princess, who was once seen as the future queen, has sufferred a new health crisis after three years in coma.Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, who has remained in a coma since 2022, is battling an ‘uncontrollable’ infection, according to the Palace.

The 47-year-old, who’s the eldest daughter of Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn, 73, was long considered a likely successor to the throne before her shocking incident in 2022.

The Princess, commonly known as Bha, has never married or had children and is the King’s only child with his first wife, Soamsawali Kitiyakara.

In a statement released Thursday, May 21, the Bureau of the Royal Household said the princess is suffering from an abdominal infection and inflammation in her large intestine.

The palace added that Princess Bha is experiencing “unstable vital signs, low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat and abnormal blood coagulation.”

Princess Bha has remained hospitalised and in a coma since December 2022, after collapsing from a heart condition while training dogs at the Military Dog Training Ground in Pak Chong District.

“She continues to rely on medical equipment to support the function of her lungs and kidneys,” the palace said, adding that her condition has “continued to deteriorate” and that the now “uncontrollable” infection has “affected other organs.”

The Thai royal family has issued several updates on the princess’s condition in the years since her hospitalisation.

Saudi Arabia welcomes Trump decision to ‘give diplomacy a chance’ with Iran

Saudi Arabia welcomes Trump decision to ‘give diplomacy a chance’ with Iran

RIYADH, MAY 20: Saudi Arabia on Wednesday welcomed US President Donald Trump’s decision to “give diplomacy a chance” with Iran and urged Tehran to seize the opportunity to avoid further escalation.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said the Kingdom “highly appreciates” Trump’s decision to “give diplomacy a chance” in an effort to reach an “acceptable” agreement that would end the war, restore security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz to pre-February 28 conditions, and resolve outstanding disputes in a way that supports regional stability.

Writing on X, Prince Faisal also praised Pakistan’s ongoing mediation efforts.

“Saudi Arabia looks forward to Iran seizing the opportunity to avoid the dangerous implications of escalation, and urgently responding to the efforts to advance the negotiations leading up to a comprehensive agreement to achieve lasting peace in the region and the world,” he said.

Trump said on Monday that he had suspended a planned military strike on Iran after leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates urged him to allow negotiations a chance to succeed.

IIRIS, Iran host Islamabad dialogue on West Asia

IIRIS, Iran host Islamabad dialogue on West Asia

ISLAMABAD, MAY 20 /DNA/ – The International Institute for Regional and International Studies (IIRIS), in collaboration with the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Islamabad, organized an International Conference titled “The Islamabad Dialogue and the Future of Regional Stability in West Asia” at the Embassy of Iran, Islamabad. The conference was attended by scholars, diplomats, researchers, strategic experts, students, and participants from Pakistan and abroad through both physical and online participation.

The conference focused on promoting dialogue, regional understanding, peacebuilding, and stability amid the rapidly evolving geopolitical environment in West Asia.

Mr. Shafqat Rasool, President of IIRIS, delivered the welcome remarks and expressed gratitude to all distinguished guests, speakers, and participants for joining the important dialogue. He highlighted the importance of intellectual engagement, diplomatic cooperation, and peaceful approaches to addressing regional challenges.

The Chief Guest, H.E. Dr. Reza Amiri Moghadam, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Pakistan, emphasized Iran’s commitment to peace, regional stability, mutual respect, and adherence to international law. He appreciated Pakistan’s constructive efforts toward peace and stability and reiterated Iran’s desire to maintain positive and respectful relations with all countries in the region.

Lt. General Naeem Khalid Lodhi (Retd), former Defence Secretary of Pakistan, delivered the keynote address and shared valuable insights on the strategic and geopolitical dimensions of the region, highlighting the importance of dialogue and responsible diplomacy.

Ambassador G.R. Baloch emphasized Pakistan’s historic and positive role in supporting regional peace and stability. He noted the importance of diplomatic engagement and highlighted Pakistan’s potential role in facilitating dialogue and reducing tensions in the region.

Mr. Abdullah Gul discussed the significance of unity, resilience, and close Pakistan-Iran relations, emphasizing the importance of cooperation for regional harmony and mutual development.

Major General Muhammad Samrez Salik (Retd) shared a strategic and military perspective on the evolving security environment and regional dynamics, while Dr. Munwar Hussain presented an academic and theoretical analysis of the contemporary geopolitical order and the future of regional cooperation.

The conference concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Ms. Zohreh Shahbeik, who appreciated the valuable contributions of all speakers, guests, organizers, and participants.

The event reflected a collective commitment toward promoting dialogue, peaceful coexistence, regional cooperation, and long-term stability in West Asia through diplomatic engagement and mutual understanding.

‘China training Russian troops’

‘China training Russian troops’

DNA

BERLIN: European intelligence agencies believe the Chinese military has trained hundreds of Russian soldiers for fighting in Ukraine, according to Germany’s Die Welt newspaper which cited secret documents it had seen.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) reportedly hosted covert training for several hundred Russian soldiers late last year at six military bases in China, the newspaper reported on Wednesday, citing the classified documents.

The training, according to the report, focused primarily on the deployment of drones and electronic countermeasures, with many of the Russians sent to fight in Ukraine soon after, including with Russia’s elite “Rubicon” frontline drone unit.

AFP could not independently verify the newspaper report.

China has claimed neutrality in the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, but the Die Welt report would bolster suspicions that Beijing has offered more support to its Russian allies than publicly disclosed.

Chinese troops have also reportedly received secret training in Russia.

Die Welt reported that European intelligence sources believe that roughly 600 PLA soldiers spent time at Russian military bases last year learning about armored combat, artillery deployment and air defenses.

Iran chief negotiator Ghalibaf says US ‘seeks to start new war’

Iran chief negotiator Ghalibaf says US ‘seeks to start new war’

TEHRAN, MAY 20: Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Wednesday said the United States was seeking to restart the war and hoping Tehran would surrender.

“The enemy’s movements, both overt and clandestine, show that despite economic and political pressure, it has not abandoned its military objectives and is seeking to start a new war,” Ghalibaf said in an audio message on his official website.

Ghalibaf’s remarks came as Tehran and Washington escalated threats while swapping proposals to end the war, which broke out on February 28. A ceasefire has been in place since April 8.

On Wednesday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that the war would expand beyond the region if the US and Israel resume attacks after President Donald Trump said he would strike again unless Tehran agreed a peace deal.

Ghalibaf said the US was still hoping Iran would surrender and respond favorably to Washington’s “excessive demands,” by maintaining economic pressure and a naval blockade in place since April 13.

“We must strengthen our preparations for an effective and forceful response to any potential attacks,” he said, adding that “Iran will never give in to intimidation, under any circumstances.”

Ghalibaf acknowledged the economic pressure on Iranians, while appealing for “national unity.”

“Today it is clearer than ever that we are engaged in a war of wills. Whoever wins this war will write Iran’s history and determine its future,” he said.

Pakistan Navy honors heroes at investiture ceremony 2026

Pakistan Navy honors heroes at investiture ceremony 2026

ISLAMABAD, MAY 10 /DNA/ – Pakistan Navy Investiture Ceremony 2026 was held at Bahria Auditorium, Karachi. Admiral Naveed Ashraf, NI, NI (M), T Bt, Chief of the Naval Staff, graced the occasion as Chief Guest and conferred various military awards on Naval personnel in recognition of their services in the line of duty.

Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military) was conferred upon 18 officers of Pakistan Navy, while Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Military) was awarded to 11 officers.

In addition, 33 awards of Tamgha-i-Khidmat (Military)-I, 82 awards of Tamgha-i-Khidmat (Military)-II and 69 awards of Tamgha-i-Khidmat (Military)-III were conferred upon Chief Petty Officers and  Sailors of Pakistan Navy. Moreover, Letters of Commendation from Chief of the Naval Staff were awarded to 51 Officers, CPOs/Sailors and Navy Civilians.

The ceremony was attended by a large number of senior serving and retired officers of Armed Forces and families of the awardees.

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