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Trump says Iran deal could come this weekend

Trump says US-Iran negotiations are going very well and a deal could come this weekend, while cautioning it might not happen. Talks back on track.

Pakistan manufacturing returns to growth as export orders hit 15-month high

Per a new purchasing managers’ survey released by HBL and S&P, Pakistan’s manufacturing PMI rose to 50.9 in May, returning to expansion as new orders recovered and export orders posted their strongest rise since February 2025.

Pakistan’s ports see sharp container surge as Gulf disruption shifts cargo routes

Pakistan’s major ports are seeing a sharp rise in container and transshipment activity as Gulf disruption redirects cargo towards Karachi, Port Qasim and Gwadar.

Iran prepares three-day farewell ceremonies and 24-hour funeral procession for Ali Khamenei

Iranian officials are preparing three days of farewell ceremonies and a 24-hour funeral procession for Ali Khamenei, with events expected in Tehran, Qom and Mashhad.

Trump reportedly rebukes Netanyahu as Israel’s Lebanon escalation threatens US-Iran diplomacy

Trump reportedly warned Netanyahu against further escalation in Lebanon as US-Iran diplomacy faced renewed pressure, with Pakistan and Qatar involved in efforts to preserve a fragile regional framework.

EU formally commends Pakistan’s Iran mediation as Kallas visits Islamabad

The EU formally commended Pakistan's Iran mediation, supported Pakistan's Kashmir position, called for action against Afghan terrorist groups and backed a two-state solution for Palestine in joint communiqué. Kallas met PM Shehbaz and Field Marshal Munir.

UN documents Taliban rape and sexual abuse of Afghan women

ISLAMABAD (The Thursday Times) — The United Nations Secretary-General's annual report on conflict-related sexual violence, document S/2026/321 submitted to the UN Security Council, documents...

Iran’s president reportedly submitted a resignation letter. Here is what we know!

Iran International reports President Pezeshkian submitted a resignation letter citing IRGC takeover. Iran's presidency denies it. Khamenei is reportedly in seclusion. The US-Iran deal has not been signed. The Thursday Times reports what is known and what remains contested.

EU’s Kaja Kallas to visit Islamabad for talks with Pakistan’s top leadership

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas visits Islamabad on 1 June 2026 for the 8th EU-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue, meeting Pakistan's top civilian and military leadership including Field Marshal Munir.

PSG win the Champions League, defeating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties

PSG are back-to-back Champions League champions after defeating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties in Budapest. Havertz gave Arsenal an early lead before Dembele equalised. Neither side could find a winner in 120 minutes. PSG held their nerve in the shootout. The Thursday Times reports.

Hegseth calls Pakistan’s mediation “an unexpected development” and “a true friendship”

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said a true friendship is growing between Washington and Pakistan, calling its mediation role an unexpected development and praising Field Marshal Munir and PM Shehbaz Sharif directly.

Trump posts US-Iran deal terms from Situation Room as Pakistan’s Ishaq Dar meets Rubio in Washington

Trump posted US-Iran deal terms from the Situation Room on 29 May. Strait of Hormuz to open. Blockade lifted. Nuclear material to be destroyed. Final determination pending. Pakistan's Ishaq Dar was in Washington meeting Rubio at the same moment. The Thursday Times reports.

Iran’s news agency signals US-Iran deal may be close, credits Pakistan

Iran's Tasnim News Agency signalled a US-Iran deal may be close, crediting Pakistan's effective efforts. President Pezeshkian also praised Pakistan in an Eid call with PM Shehbaz Sharif.

EU Parliament votes to sanction Taliban leaders

The EU Parliament adopted a resolution calling for expanded sanctions against Taliban leaders, condemning gender apartheid and slavery under the Taliban's Criminal Procedure Code, and regretting the EU's decision to invite the Taliban to Brussels. 480 votes in favour, 5 against.

Trump: “I gave Iran a chance” because Pakistan asked. “The Field Marshal and Prime Minister have been great.”

Trump said he gave Iran a chance because Pakistan asked him to, praising Field Marshal Munir and PM Shehbaz Sharif as "great." His most personal acknowledgement yet of Pakistan's role in the US-Iran negotiations. The Thursday Times reports

New York’s first Muslim mayor Zohran Mamdani prays Eid in the Bronx in an Arsenal thobe

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined Eid al-Adha prayers in the Bronx wearing an Arsenal thobe. The city's first Muslim mayor said he is determined to lead through solidarity. The Thursday Times reports.

China formally acknowledges Pakistan’s role in brokering US-Iran ceasefire

China has formally acknowledged Pakistan's role in the US-Iran ceasefire for the first time in a joint statement issued in Beijing. The statement also reaffirms Kashmir UN resolutions, names TTP and announces a Pakistani astronaut for China's Space Station. The Thursday Times reports.

US-Iran deal “close to being reached,” Field Marshal Munir tells China’s Wang Yi

Field Marshal Munir told China's Wang Yi in Beijing that a US-Iran agreement is close to being reached and Pakistan will continue all-out efforts. Wang Yi called Pakistan a trustworthy mediator. Source: Xinhua. The Thursday Times reports.

Indians arrested in Canada, police dismantle extortion network

Canadian police have arrested 17 individuals, majority of Indian origin, linked to the For Brothers criminal network which allegedly extorted South Asian businesses across Canada and the US. 106 charges. FINTRAC confirms Indian crime syndicate links. The Thursday Times reports.

RedBird begins AC Milan reset after Champions League failure

AC Milan have confirmed the immediate departures of Giorgio Furlani, Igli Tare, Massimiliano Allegri and Geoffrey Moncada as RedBird begins a major reset after a failed season.

Pakistan’s mediation role ≠ Israeli normalisation

Pakistan’s role in de-escalation does not amount to acceptance of normalisation with Israel. Islamabad’s Palestine policy remains rooted in statehood, Al-Quds, and pre-1967 borders, not the politics of the Iran file.

Xi Jinping praises Pakistan’s role in US-Iran mediation

President Xi Jinping praised Pakistan's constructive mediation role between the US and Iran, welcoming Field Marshal Munir to Beijing alongside PM Shehbaz Sharif. Iran had thanked Pakistan by name earlier the same day. The Thursday Times reports.

پاکستان کا شکریہ، امریکا و ایران اکثر معاملات میں مفاہمت تک پہنچ چکے ہیں، ترجمان ایرانی وزارتِ خارجہ

ایران وزیراعظم شہباز شریف، وزیرِ خارجہ اسحاق ڈار اور پاکستانی متعلقہ اداروں کی انتھک کوششوں پر شکریہ ادا کرتا ہے۔ فیلڈ مارشل عاصم منیر کا کردار اور دورہ تہران نہایت اہم رہا۔ امریکا کے ساتھ اکثر معاملات میں مفاہمت تک پہنچ چکے ہیں۔ ترجمان ایرانی وزارت خارجہ

Iran thanks Pakistan by name as US-Iran understandings reached on “most issues”

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman thanked Pakistan by name, citing PM Shehbaz Sharif, Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Munir's role, as Tehran said understandings had been reached on most issues with the US. A formal agreement has not yet been signed. The Thursday Times reports.

IMF board called Pakistan’s economic performance “exceptional,” officials say

The IMF board called Pakistan's performance "exceptional" in closed-door discussions and India's attempt to block the third review did not prevail. Pakistan receives $1.32 billion. Total disbursements reach $4.8 billion. Officials cited by the Express Tribune. The Thursday Times reports.

Quetta railway blast: BLA’s Majeed Brigade claims responsibility

An explosion near a railway track in Quetta on Sunday injured at least 52 people. The BLA's Majeed Brigade claimed responsibility. The group is designated a terrorist organisation by Pakistan, the US, UK, EU, Canada and Australia. The Thursday Times reports.

Donald Trump: US-Iran deal “largely negotiated.” Pakistan named.

President Trump says a US-Iran peace agreement is "largely negotiated" and will be announced "shortly." The Strait of Hormuz will be opened. Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir was named personally by Trump alongside heads of state. Pakistan brokered the original ceasefire. Pakistan's army chief flew to Tehran and negotiated through the night. Less than twenty-four hours later, Trump announced the deal is largely done. The Thursday Times reports.

Field Marshal Munir played a central role in US-Iran mediation, New York Times

The New York Times reported that Field Marshal Asim Munir played a central role in US-Iran mediation and his overnight Tehran visit was an intensification of shuttle diplomacy. The Thursday Times traces how Pakistan's army chief built the trust of both Washington and Tehran, one visit at a time.

Trump to call Arab and Muslim leaders as US-Iran deal reaches a decisive moment

Trump is to hold a conference call with leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey and Pakistan to discuss a draft Iran agreement. The FT reports a 60-day ceasefire deal is close. Iran says nuclear issues are excluded from the initial framework. Rubio says Iran could accept today. Trump says it is deal or strikes. The Thursday Times reports.

Field Marshal Asim Munir concludes Tehran visit as Pakistan reports “encouraging progress”

Field Marshal Asim Munir has concluded his Tehran visit with Pakistan's army reporting "encouraging progress towards a final understanding" on a US-Iran deal. The Financial Times reports mediators are close to a 60-day ceasefire extension. Rubio says there is a "chance" Iran accepts today. The Thursday Times reports.

One year after Operation Sindoor, India’s rupee is losing to Pakistan’s

One year after Operation Sindoor, the Indian rupee has lost nearly 12 per cent against Pakistan's currency, hit a record low of 96.47 against the dollar, and become Asia's worst-performing currency. Pakistan's rupee, once called worthless, has stabilised. The Thursday Times explains what the data means.

CJP Instagram hacked, X accounts gone, death threats received

CJP's Instagram was hacked. Both X accounts are gone. Abhijeet Dipke received death threats warning he would be killed in the United States. His parents in Maharashtra are publicly worried. The petition to sack India's Education Minister has crossed 568,000 signatures. The government has said nothing. Eight days old. Still here. The Thursday Times reports.

Pakistan named Primary US-Iran mediator as Field Marshal Asim Munir arrives in Tehran

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio named Pakistan the primary mediator in US-Iran peace talks, praising Field Marshal Asim Munir's "admirable job." Munir has arrived in Tehran in a final push for a deal. Key sticking points remain. Military options are still on the table. The Thursday Times reports.

CJP launches petition to sack India’s education minister. The movement is no longer just online

The Cockroach Janta Party crossed 20 million Instagram followers and launched a petition to sack Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. Volunteers took to the streets in cockroach costumes. Congress protesters adopted the movement's symbolism. Seven days old. Still growing. The Thursday Times reports.

Cristiano Ronaldo wins his first Saudi Pro League Title with Al Nassr

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Al Nassr beat Damac 4-1 on the final day of the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League season to win the title by two points over Al Hilal. The 41-year-old reached 973 career goals and ended a six-year wait for a major club trophy. Portugal and the World Cup are next.

Main Bhi Cockroach: How a supreme court insult became India’s biggest political account

When India's Chief Justice compared unemployed youth to cockroaches, Abhijeet Dipke turned the insult into a political movement. In six days the Cockroach Janta Party accumulated over 20 million Instagram followers, outpacing every political party in India. Its X account was withheld. It came back. Now it wants a seat in Bihar. The Thursday Times has the full story.

آپریشن سندور کے بعد بھارتی روپیہ پاکستانی روپے کے مقابلہ میں تقریباً 13 فیصد نیچے گِر چکا ہے

آپریشن سندور کے بعد ایک سال کے دوران بھارتی روپیہ پاکستانی روپے کے مقابلہ میں تقریباً 13 فیصد نیچے گِر چکا ہے۔ مئی 2025 میں تقریباً 3 اعشاریہ 32 پاکستانی روہے سے مئی 2026 میں تقریباً 2 اعشاریہ 90 پاکستانی روپے تک گراوٹ واضح اور تیز تبدیلی کو ظاہر کرتی ہے۔

Indian rupee falls nearly thirteen per cent against Pakistani rupee since Operation Sindoor

The Indian rupee has weakened nearly thirteen per cent against the Pakistani rupee since Operation Sindoor, according to exchange-rate data reviewed by The Thursday Times.

India debates while Pakistan mediates

Senior RSS and military remarks in India have reopened the question of dialogue with Pakistan, exposing the limits of New Delhi’s hardline public posture. At the same time, Islamabad is trying to show that its relevance now extends beyond India, through crisis diplomacy involving Iran, the US, the Gulf, China and multilateral finance.

ایران نے پاکستانی ثالثی کے ذریعہ ایک نئی 14 نکاتی تجویز امریکا کے سامنے پیش کر دی۔ ایرانی نیوز ایجنسی

ایران نے امریکا کے ساتھ جنگ بندی معاہدے کیلئے پاکستانی ثالثی کے ذریعہ نئی 14 نکاتی تجویز پیش کر دی۔ جنگ بندی مذاکرات اور اعتماد سازی کیلئے امریکی اقدامات پر مرکوز ترمیمی تجویز پاکستانی ثالثی کے ذریعہ امریکیوں کے سامنے پیش کی جائے گی۔