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Saudi Arabia downs incoming missiles targeting its Eastern Province, while an Iranian strike kills a worker in Kuwait and damages infrastructure, as escalating conflict drives global oil prices above $100 and heightens regional tensions.

LIVE: Saudi intercepts missiles as Iran strikes Kuwait, oil prices surge

ISLAMABAD: Israel&rsquo;s parliament has approved a sweeping 2026 budget dominated by surging military spending, but opposition leaders say the plan amounts to &ldquo;looting public&rdquo; funds as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expands wars across Gaza, Lebanon and Iran. The budget passed narrowly, 62&ndash;55, just ahead of a legal deadline that would have triggered the government&rsquo;s collapse and early elections, highlighting the political fragility underpinning Netanyahu&rsquo;s coalition. The approved framework sets total spending at approximately $270 billion, with a sharp increase in defense allocations tied directly to Israel&rsquo;s widening regional conflicts. Under the plan, more than $10 billion has been added to military spending, bringing the defense budget to over $38 billion. The increase comes as Israel continues what it calls Operation &ldquo;Roaring Lion,&rdquo; its war with Iran, while maintaining ongoing military aggression in Gaza and along the Lebanese border. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich described the budget as a defining moment for the country. &ldquo;We have the capacity to reshape the Middle East. This budget positions the nation to win,&rdquo; he said, calling it a &ldquo;historic turning point&rdquo; for Israel&rsquo;s security and economic trajectory. But opposition leaders said the budget reflects a government prioritizing political survival over national interest. Former prime minister Naftali Bennett, widely seen as one of the leading challengers to Netanyahu in this year&rsquo;s elections, accused the coalition of diverting billions to maintain power during wartime. &ldquo;We are at war&hellip; But the government is doing something entirely different: looting the public purse $2.2 billion in political bribery just to preserve the coalition,&rdquo; Bennett said, describing the plan as the &ldquo;most reckless and anti-Zionist&rdquo; in Israel&rsquo;s history. Opposition leader Yair Lapid intensified the criticism, calling the budget &ldquo;the greatest theft in the state&rsquo;s history.&rdquo; He said, &ldquo;Six billion shekels are coalition funds that this government is allocating to itself &mdash; to corruption and draft evasion,&rdquo; adding that &ldquo;the Israeli public is not foolish&hellip; it understands that this budget is a windfall for the corrupt&hellip; celebrating at our expense.&rdquo; Yair Golan described the measure as &ldquo;a working plan for dismantling the State of Israel,&rdquo; accusing the government of shifting the burden of war onto ordinary citizens while shielding its political base. Despite sweeping 3% cuts across civilian ministries, the government approved substantial funding increases for ultra-Orthodox institutions and settlements in the occupied West Bank. Ultra-Orthodox parties are set to receive more than $750 million in additional funding for private schools, while long-term settlement expansion plans worth hundreds of millions of dollars remain intact. The anti-settlement group Peace Now condemned the allocations as &ldquo;daylight robbery of public funds&rdquo; benefiting a narrow segment of the coalition. The budget dispute has been sharpened by growing concern over military strain. Bennett pointed to warnings from the army&rsquo;s leadership, saying, &ldquo;While IDF Chief of Staff [Eyal] Zamir is crying out, &lsquo;I don&rsquo;t have enough soldiers to win,&rsquo; the government is transferring NIS 2 billion to yeshivas that educate people not to enlist.&rdquo; The controversy has been compounded by Netanyahu&rsquo;s delay of legislation that would require ultra-Orthodox men to serve in the military, a move widely supported by the broader Israeli public but opposed by key coalition partners. The financial debate unfolds against the backdrop of an expanding regional war that critics say Netanyahu has pursued aggressively. Since October 2023, Israel&rsquo;s war in Gaza has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and devastated large parts of the territory, triggering a severe humanitarian crisis. Fighting has also intensified along the Lebanese border against Hezbollah, while a direct war with Iran since late February, backed by the United States, has opened a new and volatile front. The widening conflict has drawn international outrage, particularly following a strike on an Iranian school that killed over 150 schoolgirls, further amplifying concerns over civilian casualties and the conduct of the war. For opposition figures, the 2026 budget encapsulates a broader pattern under Netanyahu: escalating wars abroad while redistributing resources at home to sustain a fragile political coalition. As Israelis face rising living costs, extended reserve duty and mounting casualties, critics argue the government is deepening both the external conflict and internal divisions.

Middle East

Israeli lawmakers approved the 2026 spending plan, narrowly avoiding elections, as critics warn funds favor coalition allies despite cuts elsewhere and mounting strain from ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.

Opposition slams Israel’s $270 billion budget, says Netanyahu ‘looting public’

Asfandyar Yahya

<span style='color: rgb(41, 42, 46); font-family: "Atlassian Sans", ui-sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Ubuntu, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: -0.07px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;' id="isPasted">You&rsquo;ve seen it in movies. The cable snaps. The lights flicker. Your heart is in your throat, and you think &quot;This is it.&quot; But what if I told you that most of what you think you know about surviving this is wrong? Specifically, that &quot;jumping&quot; myth? It&rsquo;s going to get you killed.<br style="transition: none !important; animation: auto ease 0s 1 normal none running none !important; color: rgb(41, 42, 46); font-family: &quot;Atlassian Sans&quot;, ui-sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Ubuntu, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: -0.07px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style='color: rgb(41, 42, 46); font-family: "Atlassian Sans", ui-sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Ubuntu, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: -0.07px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;'>Look at this. Physics 101. If the elevator is falling at 50 miles per hour, and you jump upward at 5 miles per hour... you&#39;re still hitting the ground at 45. That&rsquo;s like jumping off a 7-story building instead of an 8-story one. It&rsquo;s not a plan; it&rsquo;s a math error. Plus, if you jump too early? You hit the ceiling first. Now you&#39;re traveling faster than the car. Not great.<br style="transition: none !important; animation: auto ease 0s 1 normal none running none !important; color: rgb(41, 42, 46); font-family: &quot;Atlassian Sans&quot;, ui-sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Ubuntu, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: -0.07px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style='color: rgb(41, 42, 46); font-family: "Atlassian Sans", ui-sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Ubuntu, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: -0.07px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;'>But here&rsquo;s the thing. The elevator isn&rsquo;t just falling in a void. It&rsquo;s a piston. Look at the clearance. As it falls, it compresses air, creating a literal air cushion. In 1945, Betty Lou Oliver fell 75 stories in this building. Seventy-five. And she lived. Why? Because the air and the coiled cables beneath her acted like a massive, crude shock absorber.<br style="transition: none !important; animation: auto ease 0s 1 normal none running none !important; color: rgb(41, 42, 46); font-family: &quot;Atlassian Sans&quot;, ui-sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Ubuntu, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: -0.07px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style='color: rgb(41, 42, 46); font-family: "Atlassian Sans", ui-sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Ubuntu, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: -0.07px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;'>So, what&rsquo;s the move? You lie down. Flat on your back. Right in the middle. Forget bracing. If you stand, your legs will shatter like glass. But if you lie flat, you spread that force across your whole body. Your muscles and fat? They&rsquo;re your crumple zone. You protect your head with your arms and you pray the physics holds up.<br style="transition: none !important; animation: auto ease 0s 1 normal none running none !important; color: rgb(41, 42, 46); font-family: &quot;Atlassian Sans&quot;, ui-sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Ubuntu, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: -0.07px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style='color: rgb(41, 42, 46); font-family: "Atlassian Sans", ui-sans-serif, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Ubuntu, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: -0.07px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;'>Modern elevators have so many brakes it&rsquo;s almost impossible for them to fall. But if the cables do snap... don&#39;t hop. Just get on the floor. It&rsquo;s tacky, it&rsquo;s scary, but it&rsquo;s the only way you&rsquo;re walking out of that shaft.

Entertainment

Tell me why - Elevator

KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday he was in Jordan as part of a whirlwind tour of the Middle East, during which he has signed defence agreements with Gulf states. &quot;Today in Jordan. Security is the top priority and it is important that all partners make the necessary efforts toward it. Ukraine is doing its part. Important meetings ahead,&quot; Zelensky said on X. The visit comes after Ukraine -- which has sought to leverage its expertise in downing Russian drones to help Gulf nations -- agreed to cooperate on defence with Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Ukrainian anti-drone experts have been deployed to all three countries since Iran responded to US-Israeli aerial bombardments that began more than one month ago. A Ukrainian team is also in Jordan, a senior official told AFP earlier this month on the condition of anonymity, without elaborating. Ukraine uses a mix of cheap drone interceptors, electronic jamming tools and anti-aircraft guns to down Russian drones. It has proposed swapping its interceptors for the expensive air-defence missiles that US allies in the region are currently using to down Iranian drones.

Volodymyr Zelensky visits Jordan as part of a Middle East tour, securing defence cooperation deals with Gulf states and offering Ukraine’s anti-drone expertise amid regional tensions.

Ukraine's Zelensky says visiting Jordan for 'security' talks

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Sunday that both the United States and Iran have expressed confidence in Islamabad to facilitate peace talks, as diplomatic efforts intensify to contain a rapidly expanding regional conflict. Speaking after a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-to-host-quadrilateral-meeting-of-foreign-ministers-on-iran-war-fo" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">quadrilateral&nbsp;</a>meeting with foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, T&uuml;rkiye and Egypt, Dar said Pakistan stands ready to host negotiations aimed at ending the war. &ldquo;It would be an honor to host and facilitate meaningful talks between the two sides in the coming days for a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the ongoing conflict,&rdquo; he said. The development signals a rare convergence of trust from opposing sides, with Pakistan emerging as a key channel for communication as the conflict, sparked by US-Israeli strikes on Iran, continues to reverberate across the Gulf, disrupting energy routes and heightening global economic uncertainty. Dar said the participating countries unanimously emphasized diplomacy as the only viable path forward. &ldquo;We advocated dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable pathway to prevent conflict and promote regional peace and harmony,&rdquo; he said, adding that ministers also called for &ldquo;upholding principles of the UN Charter, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states.&rdquo; Pakistan has remained actively engaged with multiple stakeholders, maintaining contacts with Washington, Tehran and regional capitals to reduce tensions and keep diplomatic options open. &ldquo;We have remained actively engaged with the US leadership as part of our efforts to de-escalate the situation and find a peaceful resolution of the conflict,&rdquo; Dar said. He added that Pakistan&rsquo;s initiative has received broad international backing, including support from China and appreciation from global partners. &ldquo;We have remained actively involved in all efforts and initiatives aimed at bringing this conflict to an end,&rdquo; he said, expressing gratitude to Saudi Arabia, T&uuml;rkiye and Egypt for supporting Pakistan&rsquo;s peace efforts. Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, appreciating Riyadh&rsquo;s restraint amid escalating tensions. Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s &ldquo;full and unwavering solidarity&rdquo; with Saudi Arabia, while both sides agreed to continue close coordination to promote regional peace and stability. Officials said the flurry of high-level engagements reflects growing urgency among regional and global actors to prevent further escalation and create space for a negotiated settlement.

Foreign Affairs

Security

The development signals a rare convergence of trust from opposing sides, with Pakistan emerging as a key channel for communication as the conflict, sparked by US-Israeli strikes on Iran, continues to reverberate across the Gulf, disrupting energy routes and heightening global economic uncertainty.


Iran, US back Pakistan role to host peace talks: FM Dar

ROME: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned Israeli police actions preventing Jerusalem&#39;s Latin Patriarch from celebrating Palm Sunday mass. The Latin Patriarchate earlier said Israeli police stopped Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa -- an archbishop with Catholic jurisdiction across Israel and the Palestinian territories - from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem to conduct the mass. Meloni said in a statement the incident was &quot;an offence not only to the faithful but to any community that respects religious freedom&quot;. Italy&#39;s foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, said on X he had summoned Israel&#39;s ambassador over the incident. Israeli police did not immediately respond to AFP&#39;s request for comment about the incident. At the start of the US‑Israeli offensive against Iran on February 28, Israeli authorities banned large gatherings -- including in synagogues, churches and mosques - and capped public events at 50 people. Palm Sunday, which opens Holy Week for Christians, marks Christ&#39;s final entry into Jerusalem, days before his crucifixion and resurrection, according to the Gospels. The Latin Patriarchate had also cancelled the traditional Palm Sunday procession from the Mount of Olives, which normally draws thousands of worshippers. Pope Leo XIV, speaking after the Angelus prayer in Rome on Sunday, paid tribute to &quot;the Christians of the Middle East, who suffer the consequences of a terrible conflict and in many cases cannot fully live the rites of these holy days&quot;.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned Israeli police actions preventing Jerusalem's Latin Patriarch from celebrating Palm Sunday mass

Israel preventing mass by Jerusalem's Latin Patriarch an 'offence to the faithful': Italy

ISLAMABAD: Karachi Port Trust (KPT) Chairman Rear Admiral Shahid Ahmed&nbsp;(retd)&nbsp;visited key port facilities&nbsp;on Sunday&nbsp;to review cargo operations and security arrangements amid increased shipping activity, the authority said. The visit comes as port authorities seek to capitalize on increased cargo movement and optimize available infrastructure. The chairman, along with the KPT team, reviewed facilities at oil piers and the East Wharf to identify areas that could be adjusted to accommodate additional cargo, containers, and vehicles, with a focus on boosting transshipment, especially vehicle handling. Rear Admiral Shahid Ahmed&nbsp;inspected multiple port areas and was briefed on ongoing operations. He was told that 18 ships were currently berthed, with seven more expected to arrive within the next 24 hours. He also visited the Port Operations Centre, described as &quot;the nerve center of all safety and security operations,&quot; where officials briefed him on monitoring systems and readiness. The commandant of the Port Security Force gave an overview of security arrangements during the visit. According to the statement, the chairman appreciated the role of female Port Security Force personnel, noting their &ldquo;valuable contribution in critical security operations.&rdquo; Separately, the chairman visited the KPT Sports Complex at West Wharf and directed officials to maximize the use of existing facilities, to enhance benefits for both the organization and the wider community, the statement added.

Senior officials visited various port areas to oversee ongoing cargo operations on 29 March 2026 in Karachi, Pakistan. (Photo credits: Karachi Port Trust)

Economy

Karachi Port Trust Chairman Rear Admiral Shahid Ahmed (retd) visits port to review activities, focusing on cargo flow, safety arrangements, and infrastructure use, as growing traffic prompts efforts to streamline operations and maximize efficiency.

Karachi Port eyes transshipment boost as activity surges

LONDON: British police said on Sunday seven people suffered &quot;serious but not life-threatening injuries&quot; and a man had been arrested for attempted murder after a car drove into people on a street in an English city. Officers arrested a man in his 30s shortly after the incident in Derby, about 40 miles (64 kilometres) north of Birmingham, Derbyshire Police said. &quot;He was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, causing serious injury through dangerous driving, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, and dangerous driving,&quot; the force added. &quot;The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing and we are keeping an open mind as to the motives.&quot; The statement said the suspect was &quot;originally from India&quot;. UK police have started to release such details in some high-profile cases, after a 2024 Southport mass stabbing targeting children was initially falsely blamed on a purported immigrant. Misinformation online was viewed as helping to fuel anti-immigration riots that subsequently swept the country. The black Suzuki Swift car struck the pedestrians at about 9:30 pm (2130 GMT), according to police. The seven injured were treated at the scene and then taken to Royal Derby Hospital and Queen&#39;s Medical Centre in the nearby city of Nottingham. &quot;The seven suffered a range of serious but not life-threatening injuries and we can confirm that, contrary to online speculation, no-one died in the incident,&quot; police noted. Interior minister Shabana Mahmood was being kept updated on the incident, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told the BBC. &quot;The police are actively investigating. We don&#39;t believe there is wider cause for the public to be alarmed,&quot; she added. Derby North MP Catherine Atkinson said she was &quot;deeply shocked&quot; by the incident. &quot;My thoughts are with those injured and I&#39;m grateful to our emergency services,&quot; she said on social media.

Police forensic officers work amongst a variety of personal items seen covering the road, inside a cordon set up on Friar Gate in central Derby, central England, on March 29, 2026, following an incident the night before where a vehicle was driven into ped

United Kingdom

The seven injured were treated at the scene and then taken to Royal Derby Hospital and Queen's Medical Centre in the nearby city of Nottingham.

Indian-origin man arrested for attempted murder as car hits pedestrians in UK

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the government allocated Rs125 billion through budget cuts and savings to absorb rising petroleum prices and shield the public from global economic pressures. An online review meeting was held on Sunday under the prime minister&#39;s chairmanship to discuss the implementation of ongoing measures for fuel conservation and austerity in view of the regional situation, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office Media Wing. Prime Minister Sharif, while declaring public relief the top priority, said that over the past three weeks, the government has absorbed as much of the increase in petroleum product prices as possible to provide relief to the public. Sufficient quantity of petroleum products availableThe prime minister said that due to government decisions, sufficient quantities of petroleum products are available to meet domestic needs.&nbsp;Participants were informed that arrangements for petrol imports for April have been completed. The PM emphasized that, in the current situation, public relief has been the top priority and that, over the past three weeks, the government has provided the maximum possible relief. Unlike in other countries, Pakistan has neither long queues nor fuel supply mismanagement, reflecting the government&rsquo;s effective management. The PM urged the public to support the government&rsquo;s conservation campaign, avoid unnecessary travel, and prioritize teleconferencing at offices and workplaces. Austerity and conservation measuresThe meeting was briefed on the progress of implementing austerity and conservation measures. It was informed that the demand and supply of petroleum products, along with the entire supply chain, are being regularly monitored, and a digital dashboard has been developed for this purpose. He directed provincial governments to provide all necessary facilities for motorcycle and rickshaw owners to register their vehicles in their names to digitalize vehicle data, and&nbsp;enable owners to benefit from future government relief measures. The meeting was briefed on a prepared app for the proposed fuel support program for motorcycle riders and rickshaw drivers. The prime minister instructed the relevant authorities to expedite coordination with the chief secretaries of all four provinces, as well as Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, on this matter. The meeting, held via video link, was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Attaullah Tarar, Dr Musadik Malik, Ahsan Iqbal, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Owais Khan Leghari, Special Assistant Tariq Bajwa, State Bank Governor Jameel Ahmad, and other senior officials.

Prime Minister Sharif says public relief top priority; review meeting informed arrangements for petrol imports for April have been completed. 

 Pakistan government allocates Rs125B to curb fuel price hike

SUZUKA:&nbsp;Mercedes&#39; Kimi Antonelli vowed to &quot;keep raising the bar&quot; after winning Sunday&#39;s Japanese Grand Prix to become the youngest driver in Formula One history to lead the championship standings. Antonelli took advantage of a mid-race safety car to leapfrog into the lead after a dreadful start from pole position and led home McLaren&#39;s Oscar Piastri by 13.722sec with <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/ferrari-unveil-2026-car-with-hamilton-ready-for-massive-challenge" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ferrari&#39;s</a> Charles Leclerc a further 1.548sec back in third. Antonelli&#39;s Suzuka victory came two weeks after the first grand prix win of his career in China, and sent him top of the championship standings after three races, nine points ahead of team-mate George Russell. Mercedes is struggling to contain the excitement building around their young driver, even if Antonelli said he was &quot;not thinking too much about the championship&quot;. &quot;Of course it&#39;s great but it&#39;s still a long way to go, and I need to keep raising the bar, because George is very quick,&quot; he said. &quot;For sure he&#39;s going to be back at his usual level, and also competitors will eventually get closer.&quot; Russell finished fourth to drop to second in the championship standings on 63 points. Leclerc is third on 49. Russell battled Piastri for the lead over the first half of the race but pitted just before the safety car which dropped him out of contention for the win. Piastri secured second in his first grand prix start of the season, after crashing on his way to the grid in the opener in Australia and missing the race in China because of a technical problem. Piastri led for the first half of the race before the safety car gave Antonelli his chance. &quot;It would have been really interesting to see what would have happened without that,&quot; said Piastri. &quot;A shame that we never got to see what would have happened, but I think for us to be disappointed at this point about finishing second is a pretty good place to be.&quot; Poor starts &#39;making life harder&#39;&nbsp; McLaren&#39;s world champion Lando Norris was fifth ahead of Ferrari&#39;s Lewis Hamilton and Alpine&#39;s Pierre Gasly. Red Bull&#39;s four-time world champion Max Verstappen, the winner in <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/verstappens-japan-gp-win-streak-under-threat-as-mercedes-dominate" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Japan</a> for the past four years, was eighth after starting from 11th on the grid. Antonelli had become the youngest pole-sitter in F1 history in China and again was at the head of the grid. But he suffered a shocking start and was down in sixth by the first corner. Piastri took the early lead ahead of Leclerc, with Norris, Russell and Hamilton all sweeping past Antonelli. &quot;It&#39;s an area where I need to work a lot because it&#39;s definitely not good enough,&quot; said Antonelli. &quot;I&#39;m just making my life a lot harder.&quot; The young Italian had made up some of the lost ground when a crash by Haas driver Ollie Bearman brought out the safety car during the pit stop window. Piastri had already pitted but Antonelli was able to dive in for fresh tyres moments after the safety car was deployed and emerged in front of the Australian, a stroke of luck that effectively won him the race. &quot;I was very lucky with the timing of the safety car,&quot; said Antonelli. Bearman got out of his car unaided but was limping badly as race marshals helped him off the track. Haas later said he had &quot;a right knee contusion&quot; and initial X-rays showed no fractures after hitting the barrier at high speed. Formula One now takes an extended break until the Miami Grand Prix on May 3. The Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races scheduled for April have been cancelled because of the war in the Middle East.

Winner Mercedes' Italian driver Kimi Antonelli celebrates on the podium after the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka circuit in Suzuka, Mie prefecture on March 29, 2026. (Photo by Philip FONG / AFP)

Racing

Driver secures back-to-back victory after safety car advantage, overtaking rivals at Suzuka, while competitors trail in standings and disrupted calendar sees upcoming races cancelled amid regional conflict, with next event scheduled in Miami.

LIVE: Saudi intercepts missiles as Iran strikes Kuwait, oil prices surge

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Opposition slams Israel’s $270 billion budget, says Netanyahu ‘looting public’

LIVE: Saudi intercepts missiles as Iran strikes Kuwait, oil prices surge

Tell me why - Elevator

Ukraine's Zelensky says visiting Jordan for 'security' talks

Iran, US back Pakistan role to host peace talks: FM Dar