M Faiz

Watching ‘The Archies’ is a grueling marathon to a mediocre finish line

In 1964, a group of teenagers in Riverdale, as old as independent India, faces the challenges of adulthood. Hiram Lodge aims to build a plaza in Green Park, a significant site for the Anglo-Indian town. The 8000-strong population must rally to save their cherished park, but the journey is fraught with obstacles, musical interludes, subplots, and a lengthy runtime of over two hours.

Hamas battling Israeli troops in and around Gaza’s biggest cities

In Gaza, the Palestinian group Hamas clashed with Israeli forces on Friday as Israel continued its offensive. The conflict has resulted in a death toll exceeding 17,000 in Gaza, primarily affecting women and children. Palestinian poet Refaat Alareer, known for writing in English, was killed in an Israeli strike. Israeli forces claimed to have surrounded major urban centers to eliminate Hamas, but resistance fighters persist.

PML-N, IPP reach understanding on seat adjustments in Punjab

In a significant development reported on Friday, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Istehkaam Pakistan Party (IPP) have reached an understanding on seat adjustments ahead of the upcoming general elections scheduled for February 8, according to sources quoted by Express News.

Shaukat Tarin quits PTI, active politics

Dealing a significant blow to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), former finance minister Shaukat Tarin announced his departure from the party and retirement from active politics on Friday. Tarin cited challenging financial circumstances and declining health as the primary reasons for his decision.

PTI issued notice on pleas challenging intra-party polls

In Islamabad, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued a notice to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Friday in response to a plea seeking the annulment of the party's recent intra-party elections. Presided over by the chief election commissioner, a five-member bench conducted a preliminary hearing on 14 applications challenging the legitimacy of the PTI's intra-party polls.

Russia and Saudi Arabia urge all OPEC+ powers to join oil cuts

In Moscow, the world's top two oil-exporting nations, Saudi Arabia and Russia, issued a joint call on Thursday for all OPEC+ members to join an agreement on output cuts in the interest of the global economy. This plea came shortly after a tense meeting of the OPEC+ producers. Following a hastily arranged visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Riyadh to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a joint statement was released by the Kremlin summarizing their discussions.