Pakistan receives over 26,000 Hajj applications in a week

  • The last date for submitting Hajj applications in Pakistan is March 31
  • Over 179,000 Pakistani pilgrims are expected to perform Hajj this year
By Arab News Pakistan ·

All eyes on Supreme Court after Pakistan election regulator postpones polls in Punjab

  • Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies were dissolved in January by ex-PM Khan and allies to force early national polls
  • Pakistan’s constitution says elections be held within 90 days after dissolution of an assembly, a rule Supreme Court upheld last month
By SAIMA SHABBIR ·

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Currency devaluation, floods’ destruction push up prices of dates ahead of Ramadan

  • Local traders say high prices have impacted the buying trend amid high inflation in the country
  • Pakistan’s biggest date market has mostly been relying on imported fruit from neighboring Iran
By KHURSHID AHMED    ·

Special video

Afghan child refugees heal with art in Islamabad

  • Non-profit Uplift Afghanistan Fund holds art exhibition featuring work of Afghan refugee girls
  • War-torn Afghanistan remains one of the most dangerous countries in the world to be a child
By SAIMA SHABBIR - & - Kashaf Rehman ·

Saudi, Iranian FMs set meeting on reopening of embassies, consulates

  • Saudi and Iranian foreign ministers arrived at the agreement during a phone call
  • Diplomats also exchanged greetings on the start of the holy month of Ramadan
By Arab News ·

IMF says preparing for first review of Egypt program, dates to be confirmed

  • Disbursements under the 46-month program are subject to eight reviews
By Reuters ·

Pentagon: Budget readies US for possible China confrontation

  • ‘This is a strategy-driven budget,’ US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said.
  • The testimony comes on the heels of Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow
By AP ·

Brent plunge fails to displace Russian crude for Asian buyers

  • Middle East crude prices in Asia appear to be resilient as the market bets on robust demand from China
  • With Russian crude so cheap, a move of a few dollars on Brent-Dubai EFS or even freight would not make a difference
By Reuters ·

Cristiano Ronaldo breaks all-time men’s international caps record

  • The 38-year-old, who was dropped from the Portuguese starting XI during the World Cup in Qatar last year, won a 197th cap for his country
  • "Records are my motivation," Ronaldo told reporters
By AFP ·

Will Smith jets to Saudi Arabia to attend AlUla Camel Cup

  • Smith was snapped with Beatz who attended race to watch competitors from his Saudi Bronx team
  • Will Smith and Beatz were seen sipping the Arabic coffee, which is an essential in the Saudi culture
By Arab News ·