International

Trump did not push back when briefed on Britain's plan to sanction Israeli settlements, a Western official says. — COLLAGE/THE THURSDAY TIMES

UK PM Burnham announces sanctions on Israeli settlements

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a package of measures targeting Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including a trade ban, a formal declaration that the occupation is unlawful, and sanctions on individuals and companies profiting from settlement expansion, calling it a decisive break from years of British hesitancy.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements and declared Israel's occupation of the West Bank unlawful. — FILE

Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation in talks to invest in Pakistan mining

Pakistan's Special Investment Facilitation Council has brought Japanese trading conglomerate Sumitomo Corporation into discussions about potential mining and minerals investment. Talks have begun, but no project, financial commitment, or timeline has been announced.

Pakistan has brought Japanese trading giant Sumitomo Corporation into talks on investing in its mining sector, a fresh sign of growing international confidence in the country's mineral wealth. — FILE

Elon Musk tops Forbes’ richest people list

Elon Musk remains the world's richest person by a wide margin, with a fortune of $908.2 billion, according to Forbes' Real-Time Billionaires list. His nearest rival, Google co-founder Larry Page, trails by more than $630 billion, while Michael Dell has climbed into fourth place.

Elon Musk tops Forbes' Real-Time Billionaires list with a fortune of $908.2 billion, more than $630 billion ahead of second-place Larry Page, while Michael Dell has climbed into fourth. — Photos: Forbes | Graphic: THE THURSDAY TIMES

Pakistan among eight nations condemning Israeli Gaza displacement remarks

Pakistan joined Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and the UAE in condemning remarks by Israeli ministers Ben-Gvir and Katz on displacing Palestinians from Gaza, calling the proposals a violation of international law and a threat to Trump's plan to end the Gaza conflict.

Pakistan joined Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and the UAE in a joint statement condemning remarks by Israeli ministers Ben-Gvir and Katz on displacing Palestinians from Gaza. — FILE/MOFA

Trump $1 coin sells out hours after entering circulation

The US Mint put a $1 coin bearing President Trump's image into circulation on September 2, making him only the second sitting US president in history to appear on American currency. The coins reportedly sold out within hours of going on sale.

Trump $1 coin enters circulation, only the second sitting US president ever featured on American currency, and it sold out within hours. — FILE
Lahore has become a sister city with Osh, Kyrgyzstan's second-largest city and one of Central Asia's oldest, home to the UNESCO-listed Sulaiman-Too mountain. — COLLAGE/THE THURSDAY TIMES

Lahore named SCO Tourism and Cultural Capital

Lahore has been designated the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's Tourism and Cultural Capital for 2026-2027, under a resolution signed at the same Bishkek summit where Pakistan assumed the SCO chairmanship, with four flagship cultural events planned in the city.

Lahore has been named the SCO's Tourism and Cultural Capital for 2026-2027. — FILE/THE THURSDAY TIMES

Pakistan assumes SCO chairmanship for 2026-27

Pakistan formally assumed the chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State on September 1, taking over from Kyrgyzstan at the conclusion of the Bishkek summit. It's Pakistan's first time holding the role since joining as a full member in 2017, and Islamabad will host the organisation's 2027 summit.

Pakistan formally assumed the SCO Council of Heads of State chairmanship on September 1 at the Bishkek summit, its first time holding the role since joining in 2017. — FILE/MoIB

First Makkah Defence Alliance secretary general to be from Pakistan

The defence pact signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye three weeks ago will be known as the Makkah Defence Alliance, its secretariat has been established in Riyadh, and its first secretary general will be appointed from among Pakistanis, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced in Istanbul on Monday.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye's defence pact is now the Makkah Defence Alliance, with a secretariat in Riyadh and a Pakistani first secretary general. — FILE