Wednesday, September 16th, 2026
China FM says willing to ‘safeguard’ Iran’s rights
DNA Beijing: China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing was willing to “safeguard” Iran’s rights during talks with his counterpart Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday, as Beijing seeks to mediate in Tehran’s war with the United States. China is “willing to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with Iran, and safeguard Iran’s legitimate rights and interests”, Wang told Araghchi as they met in the Chinese capital. “We encourage Iran and the US to stay rational and restrained,” he added. The talks come one week before an expected trip by Chinese President Xi JinpingRead More
UK to no longer stand by Israel
DNA DUBAI: Britain will “no longer stand by” while Israel kills Palestinian children in Gaza, First Secretary of State Louise Haigh said on Tuesday, pledging to increase pressure on Tel Aviv over the war and illegal settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank. Speaking at the Trades Union Congress in Brighton, Haigh said Prime Minister Andy Burnham was right to acknowledge that Britain had been “too slow” in its response to the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. “At a time when it has never been more important toRead More
Pakistan boycotts Israel Match at Samarkand Chess Olympiad
By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has boycotted its scheduled match against Israel at the 46th FIDE World Chess Olympiad 2026 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, with the Chess Federation of Pakistan citing the country’s policy towards Israel and solidarity with the Palestinian people. The Pakistan-Israel match was scheduled for Wednesday in the opening round of the prestigious international event. However, Pakistan declined to play against the Israeli team and did not take part in the scheduled match. Chess Federation of Pakistan (CFP) President Syed Zeeshan Naqvi said Pakistan had a clear andRead More
Seoul top diplomat off to US
DNA SEOUL: Seoul’s top diplomat is set to meet his US counterpart in Washington this week, officials said Wednesday, with billions in deals and a possible Hormuz deployment on the agenda. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is due to depart on Thursday for a trip that will run until Saturday, and includes talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Seoul’s foreign ministry said. South Korea committed to $350 billion in US investments under a deal struck last year to avoid the worst of President Donald Trump’s tariffs, but specific projects andRead More
Pakistan target Asiad hockey final
KARACHI: After finishing at the 11th spot in the recently concluded FIH World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium, Pakistan men’s hockey team will be desperately looking to finish on the victory podium in the men’s hockey event of the 20th Asian Games in Japan. The Asiad is going to formally open on September 19 in Aichi-Nagoya, and organisers have already set up a cruise ship to house 4,000 athletes and officials due to accommodation issues. Ranked 12th in the world, it would be a testing event for the Green-shirtsRead More
Pakistan squads ready for Asian Games
KARACHI: Squads from nine disciplines from Pakistan will attend the opening ceremony of the 20th Asian Games, which will be held on September 19 at 2pm PST. “Only those athletes have been invited to the opening ceremony who are close to the venue hosting it,” a well-placed source told The Express Tribune. This correspondent understands that badminton, cricket (women), kabaddi, martial arts, rowing, fencing, squash, table tennis and wushu will attend the opening ceremony of the quadrennial spectacle. Sources said that Japan has been hit by heavy rains and rowingRead More