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North Korea strengthens nuclear push as US flails in Middle East

North Korea is taking advantage of the Middle East war to speed up its weapons development and cement its nuclear status in a world where international norms have broken down, analysts say. Since US-Israeli strikes on Iran began in late February, North Korea has conducted five missile launches, including four so far in April — the most in a single month since January 2024, according to an AFP tally. They follow a pledge by leader Kim Jong Un to bolster nuclear forces, as Pyongyang reaps the benefits of deeper ties with Russia and sharpens its invective against US ally South Korea. The launches “appear to be part of a sophisticated strategy” to balance military upgrades against shifting dynamics between the United States, Russia and China, said Lim Eul-chul, a North Korea expert at the South’s Kyungnam University. “The current global security landscape has transformed into a ‘lawless zone’ where existing international norms no longer function,” he said. “North Korea is exploiti...
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'No place for political violence': World leaders react to White House correspondents' dinner shooting

The White House Correspondents’ Association dinner late on Saturday took an unexpected turn when a man opened fire in the hotel hosting the dinner, prompting the Secret Service to rush United States President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania out of the event. The man, who was armed with a shotgun, fired at a Secret Service agent, according to officials, bringing an end to the glitzy media gala as guests rushed to take cover. The suspected shooter has been identified by multiple US news outlets as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, who Trump claimed was acting as a “lone wolf” while addressing a press conference after the incident. Here is how global leaders have reacted to the shooting. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a post on X, condemned the incident, saying that he was “deeply shocked” by it. “Deeply shocked by the disturbing shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in Washington, DC, a short while ago,” the premier said. He expressed ...
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Power Division urges Nepra to abolish licence requirement, fee for solar consumers below 25kW

Facing severe public criticism for “taxing sunlight”, the Power Division on Sunday directed the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) to abolish the requirement of a licence and licence fee for solar prosumers below 25 kilowatt capacity. In a statement issued on Sunday — a weekly holiday — the Power Division said that on the directives of Power Minister Awais Leghari, it has “formally asked Nepra for a review to abolish the application fee and remove the license requirement for solar consumers of 25 kilowatts and below”. The Power Division recalled that it had previously alerted Nepra about the adverse effects of this decision and requested that it be aligned with the old regulations. Announcing the decision on X, Leghari said, “Our government is pro-solar, pro-consumer, and committed to clean energy. We want to remove unnecessary barriers, reduce costs, and provide as much relief as possible to the people of Pakistan.” Under the previous 2015 regulations, ...
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'Get down!': Panic and chaos at glitzy White House media gala

It was meant to be a glitzy night with United States President Donald Trump addressing journalists at a Washington ballroom. But the glamour was shattered by gunshots that left guests diving to the floor, and the US leader was bundled out by security personnel. Trump was seated on the stage at the White House Correspondents’ Association’s annual dinner — the first time he attended as president — when loud bangs disrupted the revelry and caused him and others to look up in alarm. AFP journalists attending the event saw chaotic scenes unfolding. Moments after what sounded like gunshots, cries of “Stay down!” and “Get down!” were heard while guests in black tie and gowns — including correspondents, officials in the Trump administration and some members of his cabinet — took cover. Amid the chaos, the president and First Lady Melania Trump were quickly surrounded by US Secret Service agents, their weapons drawn. They quickly rushed Trump off the stage and through a back curtain a...
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JUI-F to boycott CM Bugti-led govt over madressah action

• Seminaries declared a ‘red line’, with warning of protest movement after May 2 deadline • Govt moves to strengthen madressah registration process, says around 300 unregistered seminaries identified QUETTA: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) Balochistan Emir Senator Maulana Abdul Wasay has announced a boycott of the Bugti-led coalition government’s functions, official meetings, and visits to the Chief Minister’s House, alleging that the provincial government has launched operations against madressas (seminaries) across the province and sealed many of them. Speaking at a press conference on Fri­day, along with Senator Kamran Murtaza and other party leaders, he said that the decision to socially boycott the government was taken in response to actions against seminaries. He said the law under which these actions are being carried out has neither been approved by parliament nor by the provincial assembly. He declared that seminaries are the party’s “red line” and warned that those taking ac...
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