Katie Zacharia out as White House press secretary after five days in the job
Trump says his new spokesperson should reconsider the role, as reports say she is leaving after a short debut briefing and questions over her credentials.
Top stories
-
NEWSROOM
Pakistan stands “shoulder to shoulder” with Saudi Arabia: Shehbaz Sharif
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed that Pakistan stands "shoulder to shoulder" with Saudi Arabia in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, in a meeting in Islamabad with the newly arrived Saudi Ambassador, Dr Rajeh Tami Albugamy.
-
NEWSROOM
Rubio skips New Delhi on India trip, no Modi meeting announced
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will land in India this week with a schedule that leaves out New Delhi and includes no announced meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
-
NEWSROOM
Protests gather pace in India
Protests are gathering pace across India, with the Cockroach Janta Party set to hold another demonstration at Delhi's Connaught Place on Friday after the Delhi High Court refused to restrain it.
-
NEWSROOM
Thousands detained as India’s “largest democracy” faces criticism
The UN, Amnesty and Human Rights Watch have criticised India over the mass detention of protesters, opposition leaders, lawyers and journalists in Delhi.
-
NEWSROOM
Islamabad beats New York, London and Paris in quality of life index
Pakistan's capital has beaten Paris, New York and London in Numbeo's 2026 Mid-Year Quality of Life Index, scoring 140.7, in a ranking that highlights Islamabad's safety, climate and affordability.
Ask Pakistan. Get the proof.
- What did the budget change for salaried workers?
- Why did the State Bank hold the rate?
- How much have remittances risen?
Every answer from Thursday Times reporting and the official record. On WhatsApp too.
Featured
President signs advice on emergency, governor’s rule in KP
The federal government has moved to impose an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to protect citizens and restore peace, with President Asif Ali Zardari signing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's advice on the province's security situation
Opposition leaders detained at CJP protest in Delhi
Former chief ministers Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal and Pinarayi Vijayan were among those held as the Cockroach Janta Party protest at Jantar Mantar demanded the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation
IMF, Pakistan reach staff-level deal potentially unlocking $1.2bn
he International Monetary Fund and Pakistan have reached a staff-level agreement on two programme reviews, potentially unlocking about $1.2 billion in financing, subject to approval by the IMF Executive Board.
Words by
Raza Butt
The politics of collective security
The strongest defence of the Haramain would be one that keeps the turbulence of the region far from their gates. That is more than deterrence; it is stewardship of a trust larger than any single state.
Words by
Fizza Sajawal
In the AI age, knowing what to believe may matter most
In the AI age, the challenge is no longer finding information, but deciding what deserves our trust. As artificial intelligence reshapes news and society, human judgement, verification, and context matter more than ever, writes Fizza Sajawal.
Words by
TT Monitoring Desk
Boris Johnson has lost it on Imran Khan
Pakistan's courts are already ordering what Johnson demands. The man who slashed Britain's aid to Pakistan now wants to use "our leverage" to overrule its courts. Everything else in his Daily Mail column is wrong, half-told or left out.
Words by
TT Monitoring Desk
Pakistan’s Saudi commitment: deployed, declared, undefined
"Pakistan stands with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia diplomatically and physically," the Pakistan military spokesman said this week, pausing to underline the second word himself. "We will go to any extent."
Westline
How markets and wars dictate society.
Read Westline
Trump’s infatuation with Munir is a love letter to charisma
Trump rarely admires foreign figures by accident. His praise for Asim Munir points to something deeper than protocol: a recognition of rank, restraint and the kind of charismatic presence Trump has always found irresistible.
The Editorial Desk
Every Starmer stumble brings Kemi closer
TT Monitoring Desk
Pakistanis at centre of fake gay asylum claims scandal in Britain
Abdullah Esquire
Paying Scandinavian taxes for a British reality
Abdullah Esquire
French Montana engaged to Dubai’s Princess Sheikha Mahra post-PFW proposal
Dubai Princess Mahra has become engaged to rapper French Montana after a Paris Fashion Week proposal just one year after divorcing her first husband in a viral Instagram post and the couple have since been seen together in Dubai and abroad as they prepare for their second marriages.
قادم من دبي: مستقبل تحكمه الروبوتات والمحاكم الرقمية والفيزياء الكمية
تقرير "الميجاترندز 2025" الصادر عن مؤسسة دبي للمستقبل يرسم خريطة تحولات كبرى من المواد الكمية إلى الروبوتات والأتمتة والهوية الرقمية، في لحظة تاريخية قد تعيد صياغة الاقتصاد والمجتمع والقيادة على مستوى العالم.
What comes after AI? Dubai’s futurists bet on humanoids and AI lawsuits
The Dubai Future Foundation’s sweeping Megatrends 2025 report unveils a provocative map of near-future disruptions from quantum materials to AI personhood and planetary regeneration all converging into a decade poised to redefine everything.
Isolation to influence
Pakistan’s role in securing the US-Iran ceasefire has opened a narrow but important window for peace, projecting Islamabad as a credible mediator. Yet the ceasefire is only a pause, and Pakistan’s test now lies in turning this diplomatic breakthrough into lasting regional, domestic, and economic gains.
Why Imran Khan must become the chancellor of Oxford University
Imran Khan’s bid to become Oxford University's Chancellor while imprisoned symbolises resilience and leadership, offering the institution a global icon committed to justice and education, though critics argue his legal troubles complicate his chances, writes political theorist Gavin Mercer
The Pakistani youth are a wasted asset
Our government must rethink their stance on the youth and take the necessary steps to utilise our youth for rebuilding Pakistan.
Norway stun Brazil 2-1 to reach the World Cup quarter-finals
Norway stunned Brazil 2-0 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with goals in the 79th and 90th minutes. Norway dominated with 67% possession. Haaland and Odegaard starred. Brazil are out.
اتفاق الدفاع الباكستاني السعودي: إسحاق دار يوجّه تحذيراً لنظيره الإيراني من مهاجمة السعودية
حذّر وزير الخارجية الباكستاني إسحاق دار نظيره الإيراني من شنّ أي هجمات على السعودية، مشيراً في ذلك إلى اتفاق الدفاع المشترك بين باكستان والسعودية. وفي وقتٍ سابق، أعرب رئيس الوزراء شهباز شريف خلال اتصال هاتفي مع ولي العهد السعودي عن تضامنٍ كامل مع المملكة.
PIF debuts Dollar-Euro commercial papers to tighten global capital grip
Saudi Arabia’s PIF has launched a dual commercial paper programme in U.S. and Euro markets to diversify its funding sources and enhance short-term liquidity while securing top credit ratings from Moody’s and Fitch.
PMLN and PPP agree to form joint federal government in surprise coalition
The PML(N) and PPP have agreed to form a coalition government at both the federal and Punjab levels, following talks between Shehbaz Sharif and PPP leaders Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Asif Ali Zardari, aiming to tackle Pakistan's political and economic challenges through unity and collaboration.
Maryam Nawaz, a catalyst for the PML(N)’s revitalisation
Maryam Nawaz ignites PML(N)’s resurgence, championing progressive reforms and female empowerment, poised to redefine Pakistan’s politics in her electrifying electoral debut.
The PTI’s social media strategies continue to leave other parties in the dust
Imran Khan's PTI continue to lead the way in Pakistan's digital political landscape, leveraging innovative social media strategies and AI technology as the 2024 Pakistani General Elections approach.
The SIFC is a visionary concept with flawed execution
Pakistan's untapped FDI potential hinges on proactive diplomacy, strategic investment policies, and private sector engagement to transform its economy; empowering ambassadors can unlock opportunities for sustainable growth and development, writes global policy expert Abdul Rauf Shakoori.
پاکستان کا سفر – مجیب الرحمٰن سے عمران خان تک
شیخ مجیب الرحمٰن کی وڈیو جاری کر کے عمران خان نے قوم سے آدھا سچ بولا ہے جو جھوٹ سے زیادہ خطرناک ہے۔ ہمارے ملک کے نوجوانوں کو بس یہ بات یاد رکھنی ہے کہ پہلے دشمن ہماری سرحدوں پر حملہ کرتا تھا اب ہماری نوجوان نسل سے آدھا سچ بول کر ان کی سوچ کو پامال کرتا ہے۔ مجیب الرحمٰن سے لیکر عمران خان تک کے سفر میں پاکستان کو دشمنوں کے ساتھ اپنوں نے بھی مسلسل ڈسا ہے۔
Benazir, the pioneer
Benazir Bhutto, twice Prime Minister of Pakistan, was the first woman to lead a democratic government in a Muslim-majority country. Her landmark tenures, from 1988-1990 and 1993-1996, were marked by significant political and social reforms.
Spain beat Argentina 1-0 after extra time to win 2026 FIFA World Cup
Spain have won the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a dramatic 1-0 extra-time victory over Argentina, ending a tightly contested final with a decisive breakthrough.
Argentina stun England with dramatic late comeback to reach World Cup Final
Argentina scored twice in the final minutes to complete a dramatic 2-1 comeback over England in Atlanta and advance to a second consecutive FIFA World Cup final.
Spain beat France 2-0 to reach the World Cup final
Spain beat France 2-0 to reach the 2026 World Cup final, scoring in the 22nd and 58th minutes behind a clean sheet from Unai Simón. France had more shots but no way through. Spain play the final on 19 July.
اردو ایڈیشن
Ask Pakistan. Get the proof.
Every answer from Thursday Times reporting and the official record, with the proof behind it. On WhatsApp, in your own language.
Free on WhatsApp. Nothing to download.