Friday, January 16th, 2026
Iran protest movement subsides after waves of unrest
TEHRAN, JAN 16: Tensions in Iran have subsided after three weeks of protests under an internet blackout, monitors said on Friday, a week after the start of the largest demonstrations in years challenging the country’s rulers. The son of Iran’s late shah, however, said he was confident the government would fall and called for intervention, though the threat of new military action by the United States against Iran has appeared to have receded for the time being. Protests sparked by economic grievances started with a shutdown in the Tehran bazaarRead More
Putin calls for multi-polar world
MOSCOW, JAN 16 /DNA/ – Russian President Vladimir Putin, addressing a ceremony for newly appointed ambassadors presenting their credentials, underscored the importance of international cooperation as the foundation for humanity’s sustainable development and prosperity. He stressed that in today’s diverse and interconnected world, global stability and security depend directly on the ability of states to engage constructively with one another. Transparent and honest partnerships, he said, create the environment necessary to tackle common challenges. Putin emphasized that peace does not come automatically but must be built daily through effort, responsibility,Read More
Putin calls Pakistan-Russia relations ‘genuinely mutually beneficial’
MOSCOW, JAN 16: Russian President Vladimir Putin has called his country’s relations with Pakistan “genuinely mutually beneficial”, saying that Moscow maintains close ties with Islamabad. “We maintain close cooperation with Pakistan, a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the largest regional organisation in terms of economic, technological, and human potential,” the Embassy of Russia in Pakistan quoted Putin as saying. The statement comes as Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, ambassador of Pakistan to the Russian Federation, formally presented his credentials to President Putin in a solemn ceremony held on Thursday atRead More
US, Pakistan to enhance investment links, focus on Fintech
ISLAMABAD, JAN 16 /DNA/ – Finance Minister of Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Aurangzeb, welcomed the US Acting Ambassador, Natalie Baker, at the Finance Ministry, today. During their talks, the American side commended Pakistan’s economic stability and improvement. Ambassador Natalie Baker specifically praised Pakistan’s reform agenda and macroeconomic policies. She reaffirmed the United States’ full support for enhancing trade and investment ties with Pakistan. The meeting also welcomed a new cooperation agreement between Pakistan’s Finance Ministry and the American company, Liberty Financial, focusing on digital currency. Ambassador Baker expressed her desire toRead More
PM Shehbaz revives health card programme for Islamabad, AJK and GB
ISLAMABAD, JAN 16 – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday revived and extended the Health Card programme to Islamabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to providing quality healthcare as a fundamental right for every citizen, regardless of social or economic status. Addressing the ceremony, the premier said the initiative marked another major step towards delivering healthcare facilities at people’s doorsteps. Recalling the launch of the scheme in 2016 under the leadership of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, he said the programme wasRead More
Focus on health pivotal for national development: PM Shehbaz
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has officially launched the Prime Minister’s Health Card, marking a key step in providing healthcare facilities directly at citizens’ doorsteps. The program, first introduced in Pakistan in 2016 by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, aims to expand access to medical services nationwide. Speaking at the launch, the Prime Minister emphasized the link between good health and national achievements, saying, “When people are healthy, they can excel in sports and overcome challenges posed by opponents.” The rollout of the Health Card program was announced today for regionsRead More