LAHORE MIRROR (REUTERS) — Pakistan’s leaders spent two years courting US President Donald Trump, but after the Democrats’ win in Tuesday’s congressional vote, they are preparing for scrutiny of their access to the White House. Ordinary Pakistanis see the result differently. Many hope the shift in Washington will ease a cost-of-living crisis intensified by the US-Israel war on Iran. Residents interviewed by Reuters after the vote said they hoped a change in DC would soon be felt in this import-reliant South Asian nation of more than 240 million people, where war-inflated oil prices weigh on most households. “We believe meaningful…
Author: Faisal Waqas
LAHORE MIRROR (REUTERS) — Comedian Russell Brand, once one of Britain’s most high-profile broadcasters and star of several Hollywood movies, faces a lengthy jail term after being convicted in a London court on Thursday of raping a woman and sexually assaulting three more. Prosecutors said Brand, the former husband of US pop singer Katy Perry, was obsessed with sex and used women to satisfy his own desires. One victim said he treated her “like an animal”. Funny and charming when he wanted to be, but also ruthless, calculating and manipulative, the 51-year-old was interested only in getting what he wanted…
LAHORE MIRROR (AFP) — The Bank of England (BoE) raised its benchmark interest rate to four per cent on Thursday, the first increase in more than three years, as soaring energy costs push up global inflation. The central bank tightened borrowing costs by a quarter point, catching up with the US Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank in lifting rates since the start of the Middle East conflict. Along with Ukraine’s strikes on Russian refineries, disruptions to Gulf energy supplies owing to the US-Iran war have caused record-high diesel prices around the world. “There is now enough inflationary pressure…
LAHORE MIRROR — Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has emphasized that sustained training, indigenous capability development and an uncompromising focus on operational preparedness are essential to maintaining an edge over evolving security threats and emerging challenges. He was interacting with officers and troops during his visit to the Headquarters Special Services Group (SSG) in Tarbela today. The Field Marshal was briefed on the SSG’s specialised training, operational preparedness and mission-oriented readiness. He also witnessed a display of state-of-the-art specialised equipment and a demonstration showcasing the SSG’s combat proficiency, agility and precision…
LISBON: Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his decision to retire from international football, bringing an end to a remarkable career spanning more than two decades. The 41-year-old forward revealed his decision in a social media post on Thursday, saying he would bring his international journey to a close after the November international break. Ronaldo said the decision had not been easy, describing it as one that involved both his head and his heart. “If I ever made you happy, if one of my goals ever made you hug someone, forget a worry or feel proud of our country,…
ISLAMABAD (LAHORE MIRROR) — The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday announced that the first phase of local government elections in Punjab will be held on February 7, 2027, while suspending the ongoing preparations for local government polls in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa until further orders. A four-member ECP bench, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, announced the decision after hearing a case concerning the conduct of local government elections in Punjab. In a short order, the commission accepted a request submitted by the Punjab chief secretary regarding the election schedule. During the hearing, the chief secretary informed the…
LAHORE MIRROR — A civil miscellaneous application has been filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC), raising questions over the transparency and accuracy of Punjab’s electronic traffic challan system. The application challenges alleged irregularities in the system, particularly the issuance of traffic fines without proper verification of vehicles and their ownership. The petitioner has raised concerns over the possibility of motorists being issued challans for violations they may not have committed, calling into question the reliability of the verification process. The application urges the court to examine the procedures followed by authorities when generating and issuing electronic traffic fines. It…
LAHORE MIRROR (REUTERS) — Cristiano Ronaldo announced his intention to retire from the Portugal national team on Thursday in a social media post, bringing to an end one of the most illustrious international careers in the history of football. The 41-year-old said he would ‘hand back the number 7 shirt’ after the November international break. Ronaldo captained the team to their first major trophy at Euro 2016 and helped them win the 2019 and 2025 Nations Leagues. “It was not an easy decision, because there are decisions that are not made only with the head. They are also made with…
A complaint has been filed with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) against the individuals allegedly behind Alishba Noor, a social media personality who recently gained widespread attention for appearing in videos as a female lawyer. The character went viral on TikTok after videos emerged showing her seemingly accompanying Pakistani YouTuber Rajab Butt to court. The account reportedly gained hundreds of thousands of followers within a short period before being suspended by the platform. However, questions later emerged about the authenticity of the character, with reports suggesting that Alishba Noor was created using artificial intelligence (AI) rather than being…
WASHINGTON (Reuters) — Democrats have seized control of both chambers of the US Congress in a sweeping midterm victory, delivering a major political setback to President Donald Trump and signalling growing public frustration with his leadership. The party made significant gains across traditionally Republican strongholds, flipping six Senate seats and securing a path to a House majority after defeating several high-profile Republican candidates. Democratic victories in Texas, Ohio, South Carolina, Iowa and Kansas highlighted the scale of the political shift, with voters turning against Republicans over rising living costs, economic concerns and Trump’s decision to launch a war against Iran.…
