Tensions flared between pro-Palestinian student protesters and school administrators at several US universities on Monday, as in-person classes were cancelled and demonstrators arrested. The protests, which began last week at Columbia University with a large group of demonstrators establishing a “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” on school grounds, have spread to other campuses, including Yale, MIT and others. Some Jewish students at …

Global temperatures hit record highs last year, and the UN’s weather and climate agency said Asia was warming at a particularly rapid pace. The World Meteorological Organisation said the impact of heatwaves in Asia was becoming more severe, with melting glaciers threatening the region’s future water security. The WMO said Asia was warming faster than the global average, with temperatures last year …

DERA MURAD JA­­MALI: The Nasirabad Range DIG, Malik Saleem Lehri, said on Monday the dacoits from Sindh’s katcha areas will not be allowed to take refuge in any of the bordering districts in Balochistan. Speaking at a press conference along with Nasirabad SSP Samiullah Malik, DIG Lehri said that the divisional police and administration have taken strict security measures on …

ISLAMABAD: A six-member committee formed to probe the blaze at a petrol pump in Blue Area has revealed that the oil tanker caught fire due to an “electric spark” from a water cooler installed on the premises, officials told Dawn. The incident occurred at a PSO site near Beverly Centre, Blue Area, on April 19 during the decanting of petrol from …

LAHORE: PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif on Monday left for China on a ‘low-profile’ five-day visit, with the ruling party refusing to divulge details about the nature of his trip. PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurang­zeb and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar did not confirm the elder Sharif’s “unannounced visit” to Beijing. “I have no idea (about Nawaz Sharif’s China visit),” Mr Tarar …

RAWALPINDI: The Met Office on Monday forecast rain-wind/thunderstorm in many parts of the country, including Rawalpindi and Islamabad from April 24 to 29. It said a westerly wave was likely to enter western parts of Pakistan on April 24 (night) and likely to grip most upper parts of the country on April 26. Under the influence of this weather system, …

ISLAMABAD: A full court meeting of the Islam­abad High Court (IHC) will deliberate upon proposals on Tuesday (today) to finalise the same before their submission to the Supreme Court in a matter related to the alleged meddling by personnel of intelligence agencies in judicial affairs. Interestingly, six of the eight IHC judges who will take stock of the issue and come up …

ISLAMABAD: In a surprise display of conciliation in the National Assembly, opposition Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Monday offered “cooperation and constructive engagement” in the parliamentary proceedings, as the government made a significant goodwill gesture by withdrawing suspension of the two PTI lawmakers whose entry had been banned by the speaker due to their rowdy behaviour during the joint sitting of parliament last …

KHYBER: A policeman was martyred when suspected militants opened fire at him in Landi Kotal, while a young Tirah resident was executed by the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan affiliates in Bar Qambarkhel area of the valley on Sunday. An official at the Shah Kas police centre said unidentified militants gunned down constable, Aminullah in Sultankhel locality. Following the incident, he said …

KARACHI: Traffic authorities on Monday decided to close various key arteries for vehicular traffic for at least two hours on Tuesday (today) as part of security arrangements for the visiting Iranian president. The city commissioner had already announced a public holiday for today, but banks, stock exchange, offices of the federal government, Supreme Court, high court and district courts, etc will continue to …