MR News

LAHORE: The Mines and Minerals Department Punjab and NESPAK have joined hands for the Attock Placer Gold Project, marking a significant milestone in country’s mining sector. It was stated by Zargham Eshaq Khan, Managing Director NESPAK, here on Thursday. The undertaking of the Attock Placer Gold Deposits Project by NESPAK is a significant development in the mineral sector. In this regards, NESPAK has signed a contract for “Consultancy Services for Preparing Bidding Documents and Transaction Advisory Services for Nine Placer Gold Blocks along River Indus in District Attock.” Pakistan is endowed with abundant mineral resources, including construction materials, industrial minerals, and precious metals, which hold immense potential for driving the country’s economic growth. Properly addressing the challenges and capitalizing on opportunities in this sector can position Pakistan as a key player in the global mining industry. NESPAK has long been a cornerstone of Pakistan’s developme...

GAZA CITY: Hamas handed over the coffins of four hostages early Thursday, Israeli authorities confirmed, followed soon after by the return of hundreds of freed Palestinian prisoners to the West Bank and Gaza. Prime Minister’s office confirmed Israel had received the coffins of “four fallen hostages”, and a process to formally identify them had started. In the West Bank and Gaza, AFP journalists saw hundreds of Palestinian prisoners freed by Israel arrive on buses accompanied by Red Cross vehicles. More than 600 were due to be released in the latest exchange, while Al Jazeera reported nearly 100 would be deported to Egypt. They were supposed to have been freed last weekend, but Israel stopped the process following outrage over elaborate ceremonies Hamas had been holding to hand over hostages seized in its shock October 7, 2023, attack. The row had threatened the first phase of a fragile Gaza ceasefire deal that went into effect on January 19 and ends on Saturday. Hamas said Thurs...

In a viral legal decision, New Zealand’s iconic Taranaki Maunga (Mount Taranaki) has been granted the same legal rights as a human. This viral move comes as part of the Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill, passed by parliament on Thursday. The landmark settlement aims to rectify historical injustices inflicted on the Māori people of the Taranaki region during colonization. The viral agreement, the result of years of negotiations, recognizes the Māori worldview that natural features, like mountains, are living ancestors and grants Taranaki Maunga the right to “own itself.” Read More: Alaska lawmakers push back on Trump’s mountain nam e change A viral collaborative management structure will oversee the mountain’s well-being, involving representatives from the eight local Iwi (tribes) and the government. Additionally, the bill officially restores the mountain’s Māori name, Taranaki Maunga, replacing the colonial name, Mount Egmont, given by British explorer James Cook. The sur...

Michelle Trachtenberg, the talented actress known for her roles in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Gossip Girl,” has tragically passed away at the age of 39. Michelle Trachtenberg was found dead in her New York City apartment near Columbus Circle at approximately 8 a.m local time on Wednesday, as confirmed by police sources. According to these sources, Michelle Trachtenberg had recently undergone a liver transplant and may have been experiencing complications related to the procedure. While no foul play is suspected, an autopsy will be carried out by the medical examiner’s office to confirm the cause and manner of her death. Born in New York City, Michelle Trachtenberg made her acting debut as a child star with roles in Nickelodeon’s “The Adventures of Pete & Pete” and the movie “Harriet the Spy,” before rising to fame in her iconic roles on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Gossip Girl.” Her passing marks a heartbreaking loss to the entertainment industry and her fans around ...

Superhero fans, get ready to step into the action! Invincible , the widely loved comic series and hit animated show on Amazon Prime, is being adapted into a roleplaying (RPG) game. Developed by Free League Publishing and Skybound Entertainment, the Invincible – Superhero Roleplaying game will let players join the world of Mark Grayson, Atom Eve, The Immortal, and more of the iconic characters from the series. Written by Robert Kirkman and illustrated by Cory Walker and Ryan Ottley, Invincible originally ran for 144 issues under Image Comics. The series follows Mark Grayson, a teenager who inherits his father’s superpowers, embarking on a journey filled with danger, growth, and heart-pounding superhero battles. The comic was later adapted into a highly successful animated series on Amazon Prime. The game is being designed by a top-tier team, including Adam Bradford, founder of D&D Beyond, and Tomas Härenstam, co-founder of Free League. Read More: Assassin’s Creed Shadows l...

Fans of Jujutsu Kaisen are still eagerly awaiting updates on the highly anticipated Season 3 of the anime series. After the release of Season 2 in July 2023, there’s been a lot of speculation but little concrete news about when Season 3 will arrive. Despite confirmation from TOHO Animation about its development in December 2023, the wait continues. The anime’s vast following, which has grown immensely with each new season, is now on tenterhooks, especially after Season 2 left fans craving more. While there have been some small hints about Season 3 , like teaser images shared by the show’s X account in December 2024, the absence of major updates has left fans guessing. In addition to the anime series, there’s also a Jujutsu Kaisen movie scheduled for release in 2025, which may be a contributing factor to the delay of Season 3 . However, the excitement around Season 3 continues to build, especially since it will adapt the “Culling Games” arc, one of the darkest and most...

Former pacer Shoaib Akhtar has slammed Pakistan cricket team following their disappointing loss to India, saying the national team lacks required skills to compete on the biggest occasion. During a recent cricket show, Shoaib Akhtar said, “We always speak about intent but I think they also lack skills. If they had skills, they wouldn’t have played like way.” He also expressed his discontent with the team’s management and captaincy during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, labeling them as “clueless” and “brainless”. “Clueless management to be honest, brainless captaincy… absolutely average team who displayed the skills there… nothing to talk about it,” he added. Shoaib Akhtar taking a jibe at the team for their ‘successive’ failures in the past few years. “It is not unusual (from Pakistan team). Nothing to talk about it… they don’t know what to do… honestly nothing,” Shoaib Akhtar added. Earlier on Sunday, a masterful century from Virat Kohli, coupled with disciplined bowling, prope...

KARACHI: In a shocking turn of events, renowned actor Sajid Hasan’s son, Sahir Hasan, has been arrested in connection with the Mustafa Amir murder case in Karachi, ARY News reported. The investigation team conducted raids in various areas of the Defence Housing Authority (DHA), targeting drug peddlers and addicts. During these operations, police apprehended at least four youths, including Sahir Hasan, and seized drugs from their possession. Sahir Hasan, during the investigation, made startling revelations about the drug wave among the youth in the upscale DHA area. He confessed to selling drugs for two years to several individuals, including Armaghan, the prime suspect in the Mustafa Amir murder case. CIA Police claimed to have recovered drugs, including foreign brands, worth Rs 5 million from Sahir Hasan’s possession. Meanwhile, the trial court extended physical remand of two accused in Mustafa Amir abduction and murder case. The court today granted five days extension of phy...

Oman, with a population of  5 million residents has emerged as a prime destination for students. Its top-tier universities offer high-quality education and varied cultural experiences, all taught in English. To attract more international students and travellers, the Middle Eastern nation has reintroduced its E-Visa program for 2025. This revamped program promises a faster, more efficient, and accessible visa application process, benefiting students and tourists alike. Oman E-Visa Program Pakistani Students who want to go to Oman for college admissions or short-term visits can now apply for their visas online through the Royal Oman Police (ROP) E-Visa portal. The updated platform allows applicants to submit their applications, make payments, and receive approvals without the need to visit consulates or endure long queues. The newly launched unsponsored tourist visa is particularly advantageous for Pakistani students. Eligible individuals can directly apply for a visa to explore...

Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has backed Glenn Maxwell for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, saying the ‘stand-out’ player is crucial for the team’s triumph in the eight-team tournament. Shane Watson, the two-time ICC Men’s Champions Trophy champion and one of the four Event Ambassadors for the 2025 tournament, said that Australia would be a formidable opponent, particularly if their dynamic all-rounder Glenn Maxwell plays well. He said that Maxwell is the player who can guide Australia to another ODI title. “The stand-out player for me is Glenn Maxwell. With what I have seen recently, especially in the Big Bash, I believe he has some of his best cricket in front of him across the next two or three years and I would be very surprised if he does not dominate this Champions Trophy,” Shane Watson stated. The former all-rounder also recalled Glenn Maxwell’s heroics against Afghanistan in the ODI World Cup 2023. Read More: Gilchrist has an advice for Steve Smith ahead ...

U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy for the conflict in Ukraine met President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Kyiv on Thursday but there was no immediate word on whether their talks had helped smooth over an unprecedented wartime rift between the once firm allies. Zelenskiy had earlier struck a conciliatory tone after accusing Trump of repeating Russian disinformation in response to the U.S. president’s accusation that Ukraine had started the three-year-old war with Russia. Trump went on to refer to Zelenskiy as a “dictator” who should act fast or lose Ukraine. Trump, in office for just a month, is pushing for a quick deal to end the war and has alarmed Washington’s European allies by leaving them and Ukraine out of initial talks with Russia. His vice president, JD Vance, said on Thursday he believed that an end to the conflict was near and there was no stopping the war without speaking to Russia. Trump’s Ukraine and Russia envoy Keith Kellogg said on arriving in Kyiv on Wednesday that he...

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has planned to deregulate petroleum product prices, a move that has been met with resistance from the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association. In a letter to Minister for Petroleum Musadik Malik, the association expressed concerns that deregulation would lead to an increase in the sale of smuggled Iranian oil and non-standard fuel in the country. The association argued that deregulation would compromise the investments made by petroleum dealers, who have invested billions in the sector. They emphasized that any decision should be made in consultation with stakeholders, as was previously agreed upon. Under the proposed plan, oil marketing companies (OMCs) would be allowed to sell fuel at competitive prices, enabling them to increase their market share. A price ceiling would be established to ensure price stability. Additionally, the government plans to permit oil refineries to blend up to 5% ethanol in petroleum products to reduce fuel costs. The P...

KARACHI: Pakistani opener Fakhar Zaman was seen bursting into tears in emotions after being ruled out of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to a an injury. The explosive batter sustained an injury while fielding in the first over of Pakistan’s game against New Zealand in Karachi on February 19. The incident occurred in the first over of the fixture when Fakhar Zaman fell awkwardly during the fielding and got hurt. Following his injury, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said that the batter was being examined for a muscular sprain. Fakhar Zaman, not looking entirely fit, came in to bat at number four, but failed to leave a mark, managing a mere 24 runs off 41 deliveries, with Michael Bracewell ultimately claiming his wicket. In a video shared by Pakistan Cricket Board on its official social media account, Fakhar Zaman could be seen limping to dressing room where he burst into tears. His teammate Shaheen Shah Afridi could also been in the video, trying to comfort the tearful b...

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 got off to a great start in Karachi with several moments capturing attention and Glenn Phillips’ catch to dismiss Muhammad Rizwan is one of them. New Zealand’s Glenn Philllips took a spectacular one-handed catch to send Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan back to pavilion during the inaugural match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at National Bank Stadium in Karachi. One of the highlights of the competition will be the gravity-defying performance of the New Zealand all-rounder’s fielding prowess. The one-handed grab rocked both the commentary panel and the fans. The incident happened when Pakistan was chasing New Zealand’s 321-run target. Muhammad Rizwan tried a cut shot off a short and wide ball from pacer Will O’Rourke in the 10 over.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by ICC (@icc) Glenn Phillips, who was positioned at backward point, sprang to his left and extended his arm to scoop the ball...

ASTANA: Archaeologists in Kazakhstan found a treasure trove of gold jewellery and weapons dating back to the 5th century BC. The artifacts were found in three burial mounds in the western Atyrau region and are believed to have been created by Sarmatian nomads. The excavation, led by archaeologist Marat Kasyanov, has yielded over 1,000 artifacts, including around 100 gold ornaments and jewelry made in the Sarmatian “animal style.” “Images of predatory animals found in the region at that time, such as leopards, wild boars and tigers, can be seen on these objects,” Kassenov said. These objects feature images of predatory animals such as leopards, wild boars, and tigers. The discovery includes a gold bracelet weighing approximately 370 grams, as well as pottery, and wooden touchstones with gold handles. Two human remains were also found during the excavation. The burial mounds, known as “kurgans,” are estimated to have been used for the burial of at least nine individuals. The find...

Actor Aubrey Plaza stepped out for the first time since the heartbreaking loss of her husband, filmmaker Jeff Baena. She attended the SNL50: The Anniversary Special event in New York City. She introduced musical guests Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard. However, Aubrey Plaza chose not to walk the red carpet before the SNL50 event, as reported by People . After Jeff Baena’s tragic passing, Aubrey Plaza also decided to delete her Instagram account. On January 13, her page displayed a message stating, “Sorry, this page isn’t available.” The message indicated that the page may have been removed or the link could be broken. Jeff Baena, known for his work as a writer and director, passed away at the age of 47 on January 3. His cause of death was reported as suicide. Read More: Famous filmmaker’s untimely death stuns fans, colleagues In a statement, Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena’s family expressed their deep sorrow, calling it an “unimaginable tragedy” and asking for privacy during this d...

Anubhav Singh Bassi is the latest stand-up comedian to face scrutiny after Samay Raina. Indian authorities have cancelled his Lucknow shows amid concerns linked to the India Got Latent controversy and backlash over Ranveer Allahbadia’s remarks. Authorities in India decided to cancel the events after Uttar Pradesh State Women’s Commission vice-chairperson Aparna Yadav raised objections against Anubhav Singh Bassi and wrote a letter to DGP. She urged officials to ensure that the performances by Anubhav Singh Bassi do not include offensive content or, if necessary, cancel them. The letter, dated February 14, highlighted concerns about the use of inappropriate language in Anubhav Singh Bassi’s past performances. Read More: Ranveer Allahbadia loses followers amid ‘India’s Got Latent’ controversy “It is our duty to maintain public decorum at events,” the letter stated. Following this, ACP Radha Raman Singh confirmed that the No Objection Certificate (NOC) for Anubhav Singh Bassi’s show...

A young woman who was seen celebrating after Tom Latham’s dismissal during the Pakistan vs New Zealand final in the tri-series has gone viral on social media. During the match, cameras captured her excitement after the New Zealand batter got out, and her reaction quickly went viral across various social media platforms. Now, details about the viral girl have surfaced. Reports claim that her name is Arifa Junaid Anjum, and she is an emerging model.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by arفا (@arifa_junaid_anjum) Arifa currently has 3,386 followers on Instagram, follows 17 accounts, and has shared 65 posts so far. After her pictures went viral, social media users have started calling her Pakistan’s new crush. It is worth mentioning that in the tri-series final, New Zealand defeated Pakistan by five wickets, successfully chasing the target of 243 runs with ease. Read More: New Zealand clinch tri-nation series with win ...

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif deposited the gifted Turkish electric car to Toshakhana on Friday, ARY News reported. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gifted Turkish-made electric cars “Togg” to President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The Togg SUVs were presented during Erdogan’s official visit to Pakistan, symbolizing the strong bilateral ties between the two nations. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif even took a test drive with Erdogan, getting a firsthand experience of the vehicle’s features. Toshakhana (treasure-house) is a governmental department in Pakistan which collects gifts received by public office holders. Earlier, Pakistan and Turkiye signed twenty-four Agreements, Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and Protocols to further enhance cooperation and cement relations in diverse fields between the two brotherly countries. The signing ceremony was held at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad on Thursday. The two sides exchanged four ...

U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a roadmap on Thursday for charging reciprocal tariffs on every country that charges duties on U.S. imports, his latest trade salvo directed at American friends and foes that the White House says will strengthen economic and national security. “Today is the big one: reciprocal tariffs,” Trump wrote on his social media platform ahead of his announcement. The tariffs were not going into effect on Thursday but could begin to be imposed within weeks as Trump’s trade and economic team study bilateral tariff and trade relationships, a White House official told reporters on a conference call. The administration would examine what it called the most “egregious” issues first, including countries with the biggest trade surpluses and highest tariff rates. Trump’s reciprocal tariffs would match the higher duty rates charged by other countries, the White House official said. They also would aim to counteract non-tariff trade barriers such as burdensome regul...

MUNICH: At least 28 people were hurt when a car driven by an Afghan asylum seeker ploughed into a crowd in Munich on Thursday in what the state premier said was probably an attack, putting security back in focus before next week’s federal election. The suspected attack came hours before international leaders including U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy were due to arrive in the southern German city for the Munich Security Conference. “We currently believe that we have at least 28 people injured, some of them seriously,” said a police spokesperson. Police said a white car had approached police vehicles that were accompanying a demonstration of striking workers, before speeding up and slamming into people. One shot was fired at the suspect and it was unclear if he was wounded, police added. Officers detained the 24-year-old driver. They said his motive was unclear. “It was probably an attack,” Bavaria state premier Markus Soeder told reporters....

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) expelled MNA Sher Afzal Marwat from the party over ‘repeated’ violations of code of conduct and discipline, ARY News reported. According to a notification issued by PTI Additional Secretary General Firdous Shamim Naqvi, the decision was made in line with the instructions of PTI founder Imran Khan. The decision was taken following a review of Marwat’s response to the show-cause notice issued to him, the notification read. Meanwhile speaking during ARY News programme, 11th Hour hosted by Waseem Badami, Firdous Shamim Naqvi said that the party had issued three show-cause notices to Sher Afzal Marwat, citing his failure to maintain party discipline. According to PTI’s additional secretary general, Marwat promised to uphold party discipline but has since made statements against party leaders and violated party policy. Firdous Shamim Naqvi said that the PTI has also decided to revoke Sher Afzal Marwat’s MNA seat. “The PTI will also approach th...

Former Australia captain Aaron Finch reacted to Marcus Stoinis’ sudden decision to announce retirement from one one-day international (ODI) format after being initially selected in the team for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Aaron Finch did not seem impressed with Marcus Stoinis, saying he should have informed the selection panel about his intention to abandon the 50-over format way earlier. “When you’ve had the faith put in you by the selection, the coach and theAron captain – maybe a little bit more of a heads up? Saying, ‘You know, this is what I am thinking.’ I would be surprised if it was an off the cuff decision as well, I am sure there would have been planning down the track, there would have been conversations between Andrew McDonald and Marcus Stoinis to try to get to the decision,” the former Aussie captain stated. Australia had to quickly find Marcus Stoinis’ replacement. With the likes of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Marsh missing out due to injuri...

A new app called Pinksky is making waves by bringing an Instagram-like experience to Bluesky users on Android. While Instagram remains a top choice for photo sharing, many users are exploring alternatives, and Pinksky is stepping in to fill the gap. This app, which was already available on iOS, now offers Android users a familiar interface similar to Instagram, but built on the Bluesky network. Unlike Instagram, Pinksky runs on Bluesky’s open technology, allowing users to connect with their existing social circles without being tied to a centralized platform. Read More: Instagram unveils new video editing app “Edits” for creators The app provides a photo-first experience, giving users a way to share and engage with pictures and videos just like they do on Instagram. However, there are some limitations, as Bluesky currently only supports up to four photos per post and videos up to one minute long. Pinksky was created by developer Ramon Souza, who has a strong background in web t...