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Frozen Four preview: Battle of blue bloods

Much has changed in NCAA men’s hockey this season, but some of the traditional power programs remain the big forces. The first Frozen Four of the CHL-players-allowed era features the four teams with the most national titles in NCAA history. The Denver Pioneers (10 titles), Michigan Wolverines (nine), North Dakota Fighting Hawks (eight) and Wisconsin Badgers (six) will battle it out Thursday and Saturday in Las Vegas. The biggest sign of change might be the goaltending crew — all four starters are freshmen for the first time in Frozen Four history and all have CHL experience. Forty-nine NHL Draft picks are on the rosters, just two behind last year’s record total (per College Hockey Inc., which began keeping track in 2014). Here’s a look at Thursday’s semifinal matchups: North Dakota (29-9-1) vs. Wisconsin (23-12-2), 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT Exciting game for Calgary North Dakota has three Flames prospects on its roster, led by first-round pick and NCHC rookie of the year Cole Resch...
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Iran’s engagement removed doubts about Vance’s participation in Islamabad talks

WASHINGTON: The White House’s abrupt confirmation of Vice President JD Vance’s role in the Islamabad talks was driven less by “security concerns” and more by a pivotal shift in Iran’s willingness to engage directly at the highest level — a development that significantly elevated the diplomatic stakes. Earlier on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump told The New York Post that Vance might not travel to Islamabad for Iran negotiations, citing “security reasons,” while other senior aides would represent the administration. Hours later, however, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that Vance would indeed lead the negotiating team, joined by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, with the first round of talks scheduled for Saturday morning local time. Leavitt framed the decision as reflecting the administration’s firm commitment to direct engagement with Iran on the issue. The key driver behind this shift was not merely operational risk but the confirmation...
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In pictures: Hundreds gather as Al Aqsa Mosque reopens after weeks-long shutdown

Al Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem reopened on Thursday after being closed for 40 days by Israel. The mosque, located in the Old City, was reopened at dawn, allowing hundreds of Palestinian Muslims to enter the Al-Haram al-Sharif compound. As the gates were opened with the morning call to prayer, large numbers of worshippers flocked to the site, with many seen breaking into tears and performing prostrations of gratitude in the mosque’s courtyards. Below are some glimpses of Palestinian Muslims who were able to enter the holy site after being denied access by Israeli authorities. Worshippers pray in front of the Dome of the Rock at Al-Aqsa compound, also known to Jews as the Temple Mount, following a two-week ceasefire in the Iran war, in Jerusalem on April 9, 2026. —Reuters Worshippers gather near the Dome of the Rock at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound for the dawn prayers in Jerusalem on April 9, 2026. —AFP Worshippers pray at Al-Aqsa compound, also known to Jews as t...
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IHC restrains CDA over tree-cutting on Ataturk Avenue, seeks response

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has restrained the Capital Development Authority (CDA) from cutting trees along Ataturk Avenue, from Express Chowk to Aga Khan Road, while seeking responses from the civic agency and other parties. Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro passed the order while hearing a petition filed by Ayesha Muzaffar challenging the ongoing tree cutting for a road expansion project. Advocate Mudassar Latif Abbasi appeared on behalf of the petitioner and argued that the CDA was acting in clear violation of a prior court order, issued on January 15, 2026, in Writ Petition No. 153/2026, which restrained the authority from cutting trees in the federal capital. The counsel contended that the authority had adopted an “unsustainable approach” to traffic management by resorting to cutting trees and widening roads. “Opening roads by eliminating green cover is not a solution to traffic issues,” Advocate Abbasi argued, adding that the project involved the removal of more t...
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In pictures: Iranians celebrate as ceasefire with US eases tensions

The United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire, with both sides claiming victory. Pakistan on Wednesday announced that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, along with their allies, had agreed to an immediate ceasefire, including in Lebanon, effective immediately, and invited their delegations to Islamabad on April 10 for talks aimed at reaching a lasting settlement of disputes. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the ceasefire, welcoming the move and extending his “deepest gratitude” to the leadership of both countries. Iranians react after a ceasefire announcement at the Enqelab square, in Tehran, on April 8 2026. —AFP Iranians burn US and Israeli flags after the ceasefire announcement at the Enqelab square, in Tehran, on April 8, 2026. —AFP Iranians react after a ceasefire announcement at the Enqelab square, in Tehran, on April 8 2026. —AFP Iranians react after a ceasefire announcement at the Enqelab square, in Tehran, on Apr...
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Soaring costs, fuel shortage fears drive Pakistan to electric motorbikes

Days after Iran effectively blocked shipping through the Strait of Hormuz following the start of US and Israeli attacks in late February, two Pakistani electric motorbike (EV) outlets 1,400 km away found themselves overwhelmed with enquiries. Haseeb Bhatti, who retrofits petrol-fuelled bikes with battery-powered motors in the northern city of Rawalpindi, said his March sales surged 70 per cent. For Ali Gohar Khan, who owns a 7-year-old electric motorbike retail franchise with branches across Pakistan, the recent surge in sales is the steepest ever. “People have this fear that maybe in the near future, they might not get petrol at all,” Khan said. The Middle East crisis has sent global fuel prices soaring, compounding pain for Pakistanis already hit by inflation and a post-pandemic economic downturn. As the nation imports nearly all its oil through the Strait of Hormuz, shortage rumours took hold despite the government’s supply assurances. Workers assemble an electric motorcycle...
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Diamer-Bhasha Dam protesters call off sit-in, reopen Karakoram Highway

Protesters called off their sit-in blocking the Karakoram Highway (KKH) in the Thore area of Diamer on Tuesday morning and reopened the highway for traffic after successful negotiations with the district administration. Police said that stranded passengers and vehicles, which had been stuck since Sunday, started moving towards their destinations from both sides after the restoration of traffic on the KKH. Maulana Hazratullah, the chief organiser of the protest, said that after negotiations with government representatives and the district administration, a time frame has been agreed for the implementation of an agreement signed in 2025 with the Diamer-Bhasha dam land-affected people. He said, hopefully, the implementation of the 2025 agreement will now be ensured. Since Sunday, people affected by the Diamer-Bhasha Dam have been staging sit-ins at Thore and other areas of Diamer, blocking the KKH and demanding the implementation of the agreement. Hundreds of passengers, including...
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