The Pakistan men’s cricket team’s latest showing against New Zealand at home in the One-Day International series has several positives that the green shirts can bank on in the upcoming World Cup. Cricket diplomacy between India and Pakistan has been more or less stagnant ever since the Modi government came to power. However, an international tournament is much bigger than any bilateral series. A world cup without a potential finalist and winner would be tantamount to the other teams getting a walkover. An international tournament should be free from bilateral politics and should be about the sport itself.

I am writing to express my concern about Twitter’s decision to charge for the blue tick verification system. The blue tick was once a way to show that someone was genuine and famous, but now it costs $8 a month to get one. I worry that charging for the blue tick verification system will make it less valuable and honest. This could cause people to trust Twitter less and make it harder for people to feel like they belong on the platform. Overall, I think Twitter should find a way to keep the blue tick verification system without making it something people have to pay for.

Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Muttaqi on Monday suggested to the government of Pakistan and the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to sit down for talks to resolve their issues. pic.twitter.com/3CjpHh3P9g — Hafiz Zia Ahmad (@HafizZiaAhmad1) May 8, 2023“Pakistan has lost 80,000 lives at the hands of the TTP. The Afghan minister emphasised that the relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan went beyond neighbourliness, as the two countries were bound by historical, religious, social, geographical and public bonds. “Customs system has to be digitised for the Pak-Afghan trade,” Muttaqi said. Referring to a World Bank report, Muttaqi said that connectivity with Pakistan and Central Asian countries was very important.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Sunday that an investment conference would be convened to enhance cooperation between Pakistan and Scotland in diverse fields, including trade, investment, education, water management, wind, and solar technology. “We have agreed to enhance cooperation between Pakistan and Scotland,” he said. “[Former prime minister] Imran Khan used all tactics and wasted state money as well as precious time to defame me,” he said. The prime minister suggested the holding of an investment conference in Scotland and separately arranging a road show to showcase Pakistan’s renewable energy potential in Scotland. The prime minister thanked the Scottish government for its generous contribution to floods relief last year.

— Says Pakistan and Afghanistan have to jointly invest in infrastructure, especially railways, corridor projectsISLAMABAD: Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Amir Muttaqi on Monday urged Pakistan government and the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) sit together for dialogue. Speaking at the Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad, Muttaqi said that the Afghan Taliban had helped initiate negotiations between Islamabad and the TTP. He stated that the Afghan Taliban have said that educational activities will remain suspended until further orders. The acting FM also stressed that economic connectivity with Pakistan and Central Asian countries is important. Attacks in Peshawar Police Lines and Karachi Police Office had compelled Pakistani authorities to reach out to the Afghan Taliban.

Pakistan People’s Party has emerged as single largest party in local bodies by -election in the province. According to unofficial results Pakistan people’s party emerged victorious on seven out of eleven union committees in Karachi, while four UCs were won by Jamat-e-Islami . Similarly it won two out of four union councils in Hyderabad and bagged a majority in all the districts where elections were held.

According to the available documents to PR’s officers had enjoyed number of foreign trips by allegedly utilizing the funds of Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) of Pakistan Railway. It revealed in documents that railway officers had baldy ruined the austerity drive initiated by the federal government. The high officials of Pakistan Railways have been enjoying foreign trips on the name of revamping Pakistan Railways with modern technology from abroad. While some officers visited China twice and spent 10 to 22 days there on the expenses of Pakistan Railway from PSDP fun. To get the official version of Pakistan Railway, the spokesman of Pakistan Railway was contacted several times but he refused to comment on it.

Quality education inevitable for nation's progress, development: Ahsan IqbalPlanning Minister Ahsan Iqbal says quality education is inevitable for progress and development of any society. Addressing a ceremony in Narowal on Monday, the Minister said he established three universities in Narowal which are providing standard education to the poor and middle class segments of society. He said with quality education, the bright future of the next generation can be secured. The Minister said PTI halted the journey of progress and pushed the country back into darkness.

Shah Rukh Khan is known for his second-to-none acting prowess, but he is also quite famous for his wit and charm. Speaking about Khan's son, Aryan's latest venture, a streetwear brand, a fan jibed at the steep prices of the collection. Yeh D’Yavol X wale log mujhe bhi sasti nahi bech rahe….kuch karta hoon..!! #Jawan https://t.co/PLW9WUd6mg — Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) May 6, 2023Replying to the same, Khan quipped, "Yeh D'Yavol X wale log mujhe bhi sasti nahi bech rahea. D’YAVOL X is a new luxury streetwear brand and is Aryan's baby.

The patient, who emerged as this year's first case of the life-threatening Congo virus, died during treatment at a private hospital in Karachi, officials confirmed on Sunday. The Health Department said that the deceased was a meat slaughterer, processor, and seller (butcher) by profession. Despite intensive care, the patient passed away on May 5, the health department spokesperson said. This was the first case of Congo virus in the country this year, and medical experts have warned that the virus is very dangerous, as it can cause bleeding at very early stages. While the symptoms of the Congo virus are similar to those of dengue fever, they can quickly become life-threatening.

MANIPUR - Some 23,000 people have fled eth­nic violence in northeast In­dia that has reportedly killed at least 54 people, the army said on Sunday, although there was no new “major violence” overnight. The unrest in Mani­pur state erupted after a pro­test march by a tribal group last week sparked clashes, with vehicles and houses set on fire and authorities firing tear gas. The military has de­ployed thousands of troops to the state bordering Myanmar, issued “shoot-at-sight” orders in “extreme cases”, imposed curfews and cut the internet. The army said on Sunday no major flare-ups were report­ed overnight and that a curfew was lifted between 7-10 am in Churachandpur district, one of the main flashpoint areas.

From Tribune staff reportsTRUSSVILLE — A Sunday afternoon fire at CrossFit Trussville brought out all three Trussville Fire and Rescue stations and briefly closed traffic on Railroad Avenue and Railroad Street. Fortunate timing and an overwhelming response by firefighters quickly brought the structure fire under control. According to Shotts, the timing of the 911 call allowed personnel to move quickly. “We had units returning from an earlier run when the CrossFit call came,” Shotts said. The Fire Marshal was in route to the scene to investigate the cause of the blaze, which is standard procedure.

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari hosted Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Amir Khan Muttaqi at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Office spokesperson said in a press release. Pictures shared by the foreign minister’s account also showed State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar present during the meetings. The acting Afghan foreign minister and the acting Afghan minister for commerce and industry are on visit to Pakistan from 05-08 May accompanied with high-level delegations. It was an honor to host FMs of China & Afg & Chair the 5th China-Pak-Afghan Trilateral FMs Dialogue. The trilateral dialogue was followed by the 4th round of Sino-Pak strategic dialogue.

KARACHI-Weather in Karachi will likely remain hot and humid during the next 24 hours, the Pakistan Meteorological Department said on Sunday. Mercury will leave Karachi scorching today with temperatures likely to remain high for the next three days. The temperatures, according to the Met department, could rise up to a maximum of 36 to 38 degrees centigrade, while the minimum temperature might not fall below 26.6 degrees centigrade. Meanwhile, humidity in the air would remain at 67%; however, the speed of winds blowing from the southwest towards the port city is 18 kilometres per hour, the PMD said. In most parts of Sindh, however, the weather will likely remain hot and dry for the next few days.

The menace of mob violence and the weaponization of blasphemy continues unabated as another tragic incident took place in Mardan on Saturday. The incident took place during a PTI rally in Mardan where a man was lynched by a crazed mob over blasphemy accusations. It is important to remember that this is not the first time a man has been lynched over blasphemy accusations in Mardan. What seemed to be an incident that shook the nation’s conscience turned out to be another footnote in the long history of blasphemy related mob violence. The misuse of blasphemy laws is often described by courts as an unlawful act and the Islamabad High Court had previously suggested to the legislature to amend the existing laws to give equal punishment to those who level false blasphemy accusations.