Monday, August 3rd, 2026
Dar, Araghchi discuss rising tensions in occupied East Jerusalem
ISLAMABAD, AUG 3 /DNA/ – Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar spoke today with the Foreign Minister of Iran, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi. They exchanged views on regional and international developments, including the deteriorating situation in Occupied East Jerusalem. DPM/FM invited Foreign Minister Araghchi to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience.
EU chief urges ‘united action’ on borders after Ceuta migrant rush
BRUSSELS, AUG 3: EU chief Ursula von der Leyen called Monday for “united action” on border security after a migrant rush on Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta triggered a public spat between Madrid and several European partners. “From this incident, it is clear that we must do more to further strengthen our borders at critical points,” von der Leyen wrote in a letter to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez seen by AFP. “The protection of all our external borders is a shared European responsibility,” she warned, calling for “vigilantRead More
Iran says no talks are under way with United States after Trump calls off attacks
TEHRAN, AUG 3: Iran said on Monday there were no talks underway with the United States and no plans for any meetings, contradicting US President Donald Trump, who had cited talks he said would take place that afternoon as justification for calling off attacks. Over the weekend Trump repeated a pattern that has emerged throughout the past five months: announcing plans for “massive attacks” on Iran, only to cancel them at the last minute. “Would I rather make a deal? I’m not looking to kill people,” Trump said aboard AirRead More
Pakistan, Afghanistan have no alternative but dialogue-based engagement: experts
ISLAMABAD, AUG 3: /DNA/ – Despite persistent security challenges, Pakistan and Afghanistan have no viable alternative but to pursue sustained dialogue-based engagement and pragmatic cooperation, calibrated security measures, expanded trade, and stronger Track 1.5/ II diplomacy to rebuild trust and advance bilateral relations, urged the experts during a high-level stakeholder consultation on Pakistan–Afghanistan bilateral developments and the way forward, organized by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) as part of its multitrack diplomacy initiative Beyond Boundaries. While opinions differed on the sequencing of priorities – particularly the relationshipRead More
HEC commission approves budget estimates for FY 2026-27
ISLAMABAD, AUG 3 /DNA/ – The 48th Meeting of the Commission, the apex governing body of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan, was held on Monday at the HEC Secretariat, Islamabad. The meeting, chaired by Chairman HEC Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, deliberated on a range of financial, administrative and policy matters concerning Pakistan’s higher education sector. The Commission approved the recommendations of the Finance & Planning Committee relating to the HEC’s Budget Estimates for the Financial Year 2026-27. The approved budget encompasses the Federal Recurring Grant for public sector universities, budgetaryRead More
Ukraine’s top negotiator Umerov to head foreign intelligence service
KYIV, AUG 3: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy put Ukraine’s chief peace negotiator in charge of foreign intelligence on Monday, the latest move in an ongoing shakeup that included replacing the defense minister in July, which has caused public anger. Zelenskyy said Rustem Umerov, moved to the post of spy chief from his previous job as head of the advisory Security Council, would remain in charge of peace talks, tasking him with continuing to seek a diplomatic end to the war with Russia. Former Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko would take over asRead More