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Ukraine and Russia declare separate truces

Russia on Monday declared a unilateral ceasefire with Ukraine between May 8-9, when Moscow marks its annual World War II Victory Day commemorations, and threatened a “massive missile strike” on Kyiv if Ukraine violated it. Ukraine responded by declaring a truce of its own between May 5-6, saying it was “not serious” to expect it to observe a ceasefire during a Russian military holiday. The quarrelling between the two sides comes with a lull in US-led diplomatic efforts to end the war, as Washington shifts its focus to conflict in the Middle East . Russian strikes killed nine people across Ukraine on Monday, according to Ukrainian officials, while a Ukrainian drone crashed into a high-rise building in an upscale Moscow neighbourhood overnight. “In accordance with a decision of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces, Vladimir Putin, a ceasefire has been declared from May 8–9, 2026… We hope that the Ukrainian side will follow suit,” the Russian defence ministry sai...
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Support among American Jews for US-led war on Iran declines: survey

WASHINGTON: Public opinion within parts of the American-Jewish community on the US-led war against Iran has shown a noticeable shift, with support easing and opposition rising over time, according to a recent survey. While different polls focus on different segments of the community, both point to growing reservations about the campaign as it has progressed. The Jewish People Policy Institute’s “Voice of the Jewish People Index” survey, which tracks attitudes among a more connected segment of American Jews engaged with organised communal life, records a steady decline in support over the course of the conflict. Backing fell from 68 per cent in the war’s first week to 62pc in the third week, and further to 60pc in the week following the ceasefire, while opposition rose from 26pc to 34pc over the same period, the survey shows. A separate nationwide survey conducted by GBAO Strategies for the advocacy group J Street, which reflects a broader sample of American Jewish voters, suggests...
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A gas sector gaslighting itself

Pakistan’s gas sector has an allocation problem, not a supply problem. The country already produces and imports enough gas to serve the existing network more intelligently. Pakistan’s energy ladder runs in cruel reverse. The poorest households, those in places where clean-fuel access remains thin and where firewood, dung, crop residue, or cylinders remain the default, pay the most for energy. Around 40 per cent of Pakistani households still use wood or sticks for cooking, while only 38pc have access to clean fuel for cooking, lighting, and heating. In Balochistan, that clean-fuel figure is only about one in four households. The household outside the pipe is the majority experience, not an exception. LPG, one rung up the income ladder, is also expensive once converted into useful heat. At official notified consumer prices, LPG is roughly Rs4,900 per metric million British thermal unit (MMBtu) on a gross energy basis. After accounting for burner losses, cylinder handling, retail margin...
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In pictures: Glimpses of the star-studded HBL PSL 11 closing ceremony in Lahore

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The final match of the 11th HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) edition was preceded by a star-studded closing ceremony of the tournament, featuring fireworks and performances by popular singers, including Aima Baig, Arif Lohar and Atif Aslam. Scores of spectators arrived at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on a hot Sunday to witness the gala event that was followed by the final clash between Peshawar Zalmi and debutant Hyderabad Kingsmen. Here are some glimpses of the closing ceremony. Spectators witness fireworks at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium ahead of HBL PSL 11 final match on May 3, 2026. — White Star Dancing groups representing different franchises perform at the closing ceremony of the HBL PSL 11 on May 3, 2026. — White Star Singers perform at the closing ceremony of the HBL PSL 11 on May 3, 2026. — White Star Singer Arif Lohar performs at the closing ceremony of the HBL PSL 11 on May 3...
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Germany takes US troop drawdown in stride but deterrence gaps remain

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US President Donald Trump has called for a reduced military presence in Germany and urged Europe to take responsibility for its defence.—Reuters • German minister says move should spur Europeans as Pentagon announces withdrawal of 5,000 troops • Two top US Republican lawmakers ​express ‘concern’ over decision • Nato says it’s working with US to understand details of plan • Transatlantic tensions simmer over Iran and tariffs BERLIN: A planned drawdown of 5,000 US troops from Germany should spur Europeans to strengthen their own defences, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Saturday, as the continent scrambles to boost deterrence against Russia. However, two top US Republican lawmakers expressed concern, saying the troops should not leave Europe. The Pentagon announced the drawdown from Germany, its largest European base, on Friday, as a rift over the Iran war and tariff tensions place further strain on relations between the US and Europe. As ...
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Naqvi pledges ‘merit over politics’ in FIA hiring

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday vowed to keep political influence out of more than 1,300 new appointments in the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), two weeks after the country’s premier probe body advertised its largest hiring drive in years. During a visit to FIA headquarters, Naqvi said “merit and transparency must be ensured at all costs” in the recruitment process. His remarks came three days before the deadline for submitting online applications. The promise of a merit-based process addresses a persistent concern for the FIA, which handles immigration, cybercrime, human trafficking and financial fraud cases. The recruitment covers posts including assistant (BS-15), sub-inspector (BS-14), stenotypist (BS-14), upper division clerk (BS-13), lower division clerk (BS-11), assistant sub-inspector (BS-09), constable (BS-05), and drivers. Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2026 from Dawn - Home https://ift.tt/IOwvgZK
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Upper, central parts of country expected to see dust storms, rain from May 2-5; extreme heat grips Sindh cities

RAWALPINDI/LAHORE/KARACHI: Pakistan is confronting a stark weather dichotomy this week, as extreme heat scorches southern parts of the country while central and northern regions brace for widespread dust storms, rain, and potential landslides triggered by an incoming weather system. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said that a fresh westerly wave is expected to approach the northwestern parts of the country on Saturday evening and would persist in the upper regions until May 5. In sharp contrast, extreme heat has gripped much of Sindh. In Karachi, the maximum temperature is expected to rise to 39 degrees Celsius over the weekend, according to Chief Meteorologist Ameer Hyder. Across the large swathes of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the fresh westerly weather system is forecast to bring dust-thunderstorms and rain, with isolated heavy falls and hailstorms. Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Shangla, Buner, Kohistan, Malakand, Battagram, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Balakot, Haripur, Mardan, Nows...
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