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Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Trump says Gaza ceasefire possible next week as Israeli attacks kill 14
Palestinians gather at a food distribution point in Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on 21 May 2025, as Israel allows a limited amount of aid into the enclave. PHOTO:REUTERS Listen to article United States President Donald Trump said a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas could be reached 'within the next week", even as Israel's relentless assault on Gaza continues, with at least 14 people killed in recent attacks across the besieged enclave since dawn. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump said he believed a truce was close after discussions with unnamed parties. 'I think it's close. I just spoke to some of the people involved,' Trump said. 'We think within the next week we're going to get a ceasefire.' However, Trump had already suggested progress during a NATO summit earlier this week in The Hague, where he met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. At the time, he said: 'I think great progress is being made on Gaza… I think we're going to have some very good news.' He also said his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, had told him 'Gaza is very close' to an agreement. Read: 62 killed in Gaza In parallel, a senior Hamas official also stated that negotiations had gained momentum, pointing to an active diplomatic track. Al Jazeera correspondent Nour Odeh, reporting from Amman, noted there were 'no negotiations at this moment happening anywhere in the region". A spokesperson for Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who was involved in earlier truce efforts, said they had 'no information to share' regarding Trump's ceasefire prediction. Hamas, for its part, demands a halt to Israeli attacks, withdrawal of troops from seized areas in Gaza, and US guarantees to prevent future ceasefire breaches. Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer is expected in Washington next week for meetings with Trump officials to discuss Gaza, Iran, and a possible White House visit by Netanyahu. Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. The Gaza Government Media Office said Israeli soldiers were 'ordered to deliberately shoot' starving Palestinians seeking humanitarian aid, a claim first reported by Israeli media. The head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, said that aid distribution centres operated by the US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) had effectively become a 'killing field'. Read more: UN chief slams US-backed Gaza aid plan At least eight people were killed in an Israeli air raid on the Osama Bin Zaid School in Saftawi, north of Gaza City, Al Jazeera Arabic reported, citing its correspondents on the ground. The school had been sheltering displaced civilians. Earlier, at least six people were killed when Israeli forces struck tents housing displaced Palestinians in the Al-Mawasi area, west of Khan Younis, according to Al Jazeera, which cited medical sources at Nasser Hospital. Among the targets was a tent belonging to the Abu Taima family. The attacks come amid widespread displacement and severe food shortages. Israel's war on Gaza The Israeli army has launched a brutal offensive against Gaza since October 2023, killing more than 56,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children. Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Justin Bieber posts vacation with Hailey and Jack
On June 27, 2025, Justin Bieber posted a series of photos from a family vacation with his wife Hailey Bieber and their 10-month-old son, Jack Blues Bieber. The images appeared to be taken near a lake and included relaxed, everyday moments from their trip. In one photo, Hailey is seen walking outdoors near a golf cart, holding two pickleball paddles and dressed in casual attire. Another photo shows their son Jack standing with his back to the camera, wearing a small hockey jersey. The couple has not revealed their child's face publicly, maintaining a consistent approach to privacy. Hailey also shared a photo separately, showing Jack seated on grass beside a small soccer ball. Both parents' posts presented a quiet, family-focused view of their time away. The vacation photos were shared shortly after Justin changed his Instagram handle from @justinbieber to @lilbieber and posted multiple images in a single day. The name change prompted conversation among fans but was not accompanied by a formal explanation. Justin and Hailey welcomed Jack in August 2024. Since his birth, they have occasionally posted carefully selected moments of their parenting experience, while avoiding broader exposure.
Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez marry in Venice
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez were married on June 27, 2025, in a private ceremony on San Giorgio Maggiore, a small island across from St. Mark's Square in Venice, Italy. The wedding was part of a multi-day celebration spanning June 26 to 28. Around 200 to 250 high-profile guests were in attendance, including Oprah Winfrey, Kim and Khloé Kardashian, Leonardo DiCaprio, Bill Gates, Tom Brady, and Queen Rania of Jordan. The ceremony featured tight security, and part of the celebrations was relocated to the Venetian Arsenal due to safety concerns and to reduce disruption to the local area. Lauren Sánchez wore a custom Dolce & Gabbana lace gown with a dramatic veil, reportedly inspired by Sophia Loren. The dress took over 900 hours to create. Following the ceremony, she shared a photo with Bezos and changed her social media handle to reflect her new name. The couple's wedding weekend included themed parties, multiple outfit changes, and elaborate décor, with estimates placing the event's total cost between €40 million and €50 million. Protests were staged by local activist groups criticizing the perceived privatization of Venice, rising wealth inequality, and overtourism. Demonstrations included floating effigies and banners across key landmarks. Despite the criticism, local officials noted that the event brought substantial economic benefits to the city. Tourism-related revenue was estimated at nearly €1 billion, and the couple reportedly donated between €2 million and €3 million to support Venetian cultural preservation and lagoon conservation. The wedding drew global media attention for its scale, celebrity presence, and location, balancing both admiration for its grandeur and debate over its broader cultural and civic impact.
Express Tribune
4 hours ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
PNSC eyes $700m freight earnings in 3 years
Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) aims to generate an estimated $700 million in freight earnings by expanding its fleet to 34 vessels over the next three years, according to a statement released on Friday. The announcement was made during a high-level meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, outlining a new business strategy to revitalise the maritime and logistics sectors. The meeting was informed that PNSC currently handles around 11% of the country's cargo by volume and 4% by value. The national carrier is now targeting a substantial increase in its cargo share to 52% by volume and 43% by value, excluding containerised cargo, within three years. Presenting a forward-looking business plan, the minister described PNSC as central to enhancing Pakistan's maritime capabilities. He stressed the need for it to evolve into a globally competitive, technologically advanced, and environmentally sustainable entity aligned with international maritime standards. A key feature of the plan is the phased renewal and expansion of PNSC's aging fleet to boost cargo capacity, improve fuel efficiency, and ensure compliance with International Maritime Organisation (IMO) standards, including regulations on carbon emissions and ballast water management. To promote self-reliance, the minister proposed stronger collaboration between PNSC, Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works, and local industries to enable domestic construction of modern cargo ships, oil tankers, and container vessels. This initiative is expected to generate skilled employment, strengthen local supply chains, and revive Pakistan's shipbuilding sector. The expansion plan also recommends leveraging public-private partnerships, maritime leasing models, and international green shipping funds to support modernisation without burdening the national budget. Digital transformation was highlighted as another key priority. The plan includes adoption of the Pakistan Single Window (PSW), Vessel Traffic Management Systems (VTMS), blockchain-based documentation, e-logistics solutions, and real-time cargo tracking to improve transparency and operational efficiency. Environmental sustainability is central to the agenda, with PNSC set to adopt cleaner fuels, retrofit vessels for energy efficiency, and align with global decarbonisation goals. Chaudhry reaffirmed PNSC's strategic role in securing maritime sovereignty, economic stability, and resilient supply chains amid global uncertainty.
Express Tribune
4 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Two children killed, 11 injured in seminary roof collapse
A group of men is standing amidst the rubble of the seminary roof, assessing the damage, after its tragic collapse claimed the lives of two children. photo: APP Two children lost their lives, and 11 more were injured, in addition to two adults, as the roof of a seminary collapsed immediately after Thursdays rainfall in Tandojam town of Hyderabad. The incident happened in Siddique Akbar seminary in the town's Muzaffarabad Colony. According to Liaquat University Hospital, children aged between seven to 13 years, were admitted to the hospital. Most of them sustained head and leg injuries. They said that 80-year-old Zubaida Rauf and 37-year-old Hafiz Shabir were also among the injured. The deceased have been identified as Zain and Waseeullah, both aged 10 years. Local volunteers rushed to the spot and started a rescue operation with shovels and spades. They pulled out the injured from the collapsed structure and shifted them to the hospital. As per the preliminary report, the roof of only one part of the seminary caved in and children in another room remained safe.
