BEIJING: On the shore of the Bohai Sea, world leaders will gather in China’s northern port city Tianjin from Aug. 31 to Sept. 1 for the largest Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit to date. Under China’s fifth rotating presidency, Chinese President Xi Jinping will chair the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO and the …

BEIJING: The largest-ever summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will soon convene in China’s northern port city of Tianjin, bringing together leaders from more than 20 countries and heads of 10 international organizations and sending a stronger signal for global cooperation, development and shared future in an age of global uncertainties. Since its founding in 2001, the SCO has …

MOSCOW: Russia and China will continue to work together to ensure the prosperity of the two great nations, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said. In a written interview with Xinhua on the eve of his visit to China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Tianjin Summit and China’s V-Day commemorations in Beijing, Putin also said that during his visit, …

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will pay an official visit to China from August 30 to September 4, 2025, at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of State Summit being held in Tianjin, the Foreign Office announced Friday. During the visit, the prime minister will hold meetings with President …

ISLAMABAD: The government on Thursday approved Rs25 billion in severance package in order to sack another 6,878 employees of Utility Stores Corporation (USC), bringing down the curtain on a half-a-century-old entity that served the underprivileged with subsidised goods through its 5,600 outlets. Established in 1971, the USC had been catering to the needs of underserved people by providing them essential …

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) ended Thursday’s session with a slight dip as traders stayed on sidelines amid a mix of domestic and external pressures. The KSE-100 index gave up 150.52 points, or 0.10%, to close at 147,343.51, reflecting a clear lack of direction during a week dominated by contract rollovers. Investors remained cautious over risks of flood damage …

Hundreds of UN staff at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) have asked rights chief Volker Turk to explicitly describe the Gaza war as an unfolding genocide, according to a letter seen by Reuters. The letter, sent on Wednesday, said staff believe the legal criteria for genocide in the nearly two-year Israel-Hamas war in Gaza have …

GAZA CITY: The Israeli military pressed operations around Gaza City on Wednesday, as President Donald Trump prepared to host a White House meeting on post-war plans for the shattered Palestinian territory. Israel is under mounting pressure both at home and abroad to end its almost two-year campaign in Gaza, where the United Nations has declared a famine. Mediators have circulated …

Imran Abbas refuses to listen to the opinions of people who ‘haven’t made it in life’. In a recent Instagram video shared over the weekend, the actor clapped back at Babrik Shah who said, “Imran Abbas does not look like a man.” In a recent appearance on Hina Niazi’s talk show Suno To Sahi, Babrik said that, “Imran Abbas does …

The 31-year-old singer and the 28-year-old model have faced many rumors about their crumbling marriage with fan also worrying about Justin in particular as he was apparently smoking marijuana. Now, the Baby hitmaker has ended all rumors of his rift with Hailey in several new family-oriented images, with the couple posing for a picture with their 15-month-old son, Jack Blues, in Idaho. …

Pakistan men’s hockey team has accepted an invitation to compete in the Pro League 2025–26 season, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) confirmed on Thursday. The Green Shirts were formally invited by the apex body to participate in the “League of the Best” after Hockey New Zealand withdrew from the nine-team tournament despite winning the FIH Nations Cup earlier this year …

NEW YORK: Naomi Osaka said using words like “no education” and “no class” to criticise a Black tennis player were among the worst things to say, as debate raged over a heated row between Taylor Townsend and Jelena Ostapenko at the US Open on Thursday. Townsend, who is Black, overcame 2017 French Open champion Ostapenko 7-5 6-1 in a tough …

In a major diplomatic breakthrough, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday announced that Pakistan and Armenia have agreed to consider establishing diplomatic relations. He announced the development following his telephonic conversation with Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan. “Foreign Minister of the Republic of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan and I held a cordial conversation on phone today, and agreed …

LAHORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday that a comprehensive strategy is being developed to build water reservoirs and improve water management across all four provinces, as well as in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit Baltistan (GB). His remarks came as Pakistan is battling torrential monsoon rains that have unleashed flash floods, swelled rivers, and filled dams, …

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir on Friday assured the Sikh community of complete restoration of all religious sites, including Durbar Shaib Kartarpur, affected during the ongoing devastating floods. The army chief made these remarks during his visit to flood-affected areas in the Sialkot sector, including Shakargarh, Narowal, and Kartarpur, to review the ongoing relief operations and …

BEIJING: On July 15, Chinese President Xi Jinping received top diplomats and heads of standing bodies of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the bright, stately Fujian Hall of the Great Hall of the People in the heart of Beijing. “China has always prioritized the SCO in its neighborhood diplomacy, and is committed to making the organization more substantive and …

BEIJING: To date, nearly 50 leaders, former political dignitaries, high-level officials, diplomatic envoys to China, and friendly personages from 30 European countries have confirmed their attendance to China’s V-Day commemorations, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday. Spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks at a regular press conference. Guo said that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory …

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping will host leaders from 26 countries at a massive military parade in Tian’anmen Square next week to mark the 80th anniversary of the country’s victory against Japanese aggression and the world’s victory against fascism. Russian President Vladimir Putin and the top leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un are high …

          This photo taken on Aug. 28, 2025 shows a view of the media center for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025 in north China’s Tianjin. The media center opened here on Thursday. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue) Journalists work at the media center for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025 in north China’s Tianjin …

          Journalists work at the press center of Commemoration of 80th Anniversary of Victory of Chinese People’s Resistance against Japanese Aggression and World Anti-Fascist War in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 28, 2025. The press center has opened here on Wednesday. Based in the Beijing Media Center Hotel, the center handles press credentials and coordinates interview …

MINNEAPOLIS: Two children were killed and 17 other people were injured on Wednesday after a gunman opened fire on schoolchildren who were attending Mass at a Minneapolis Catholic school, authorities said. The assailant, wielding a rifle, a shotgun and a pistol, fired dozens of rounds through the church windows, officials said. The shooter then took his own life, they said. …

Israeli forces killed at least 16 Palestinians across Gaza on Thursday and wounded dozens in the south of the enclave, local health officials said, as residents reported intensified military bombardment in the suburbs of Gaza City. The military is preparing to take Gaza City, the enclave’s largest urban centre, despite international calls on Israel to reconsider this over fears that …

Singer Nimra Mehra was forced to abruptly pause her performance during a concert in Sheikhupura after a disruptive attendee repeatedly shone a green laser into her eyes. The incident unfolded mid-performance, as a young man in the audience continuously aimed the laser directly at Nimra, visibly affecting her ability to continue singing. Clearly disturbed, she stopped the performance and addressed …

Taylor Swift’s engagement ring from Travis Kelce is dazzling fans and gemmologists alike, with speculation swirling that it may carry the singer’s lucky number, 13. The antique cushion-cut diamond, appraised between 10 and 15 carats, has been estimated at $650,000 and is already being hailed as one of the most symbolic celebrity rings in recent memory. According to gemmologist Deborah …

KARACHI: The Emirates Cricket Board has dismissed fears of India boycotting the match against Pakistan. According to Chief Operating Officer Subhan Ahmed, all boards confirmed participation in the Asia Cup only after receiving approval from their respective governments. While a 100% guarantee cannot be given, there is strong hope the match will take place. Details reveal that under India’s hosting, …

Superstars Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi, Babar Azam, and Kamran Akmal will play in an exhibition match to help the flood-affected people. The Flood Relief Exhibition Match will take place at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium in Peshawar on August 30 with a slogan, “Khel Se Khidmat”, roughly translated as service through sports. The fixture is set for Saturday, and the …

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday visited the Ravi River at Shahdara where she boarded a boat to inspect the flood situation more closely. Later, talking to the media after visiting the flood situation at Shahdara, she said that the province has experienced severe and continuous rainfall in recent weeks, leading to dangerous water levels in all three major …

NAROWAL: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday underscored the urgent need to build more water storage infrastructure to minimise the devastating impact of flash floods and protect lives and livelihoods in the country. Pakistan is battling torrential monsoon rains that have unleashed flash floods, swelled rivers, and filled dams, with more than 800 deaths reported since late June. Amid the …

An unusual flood situation has developed in the Ravi, Chenab and Sutlej rivers, prompting the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to issue a high alert, warning of possible damage in multiple cities of Punjab. According to NDMA, an extremely high water flow of 901,000 cusecs was recorded at Qadirabad on the Chenab River and 859,000 cusecs at Khanki. The overflowing …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday underscored the urgent need to build new water reservoirs and small dams to tackle the growing challenge of climate change, as devastating floods continue to sweep through parts of Punjab. Addressing Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, federal ministers, and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) officials in Narowal, the prime minister said Pakistan has repeatedly …

BEIJING: China will stage a gala at the Great Hall of the People on the evening of Sept. 3 as part of the V-Day commemorations, according to a press conference on Thursday. The last integration of the art performance is underway, said Lu Yingchuan, vice minister of culture and tourism. Leaders of the Party and state, veterans and individuals who …

BEIJING: Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend China’s V-Day commemorations on Sept. 3, Assistant Foreign Minister Hong Lei announced on Thursday.

BEIJING: China on Wednesday announced plans to hold three press conferences and three group interviews to further outline preparations on the upcoming victory anniversary events. The activities have been organized by the press center for the events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The …

BEIJING: Preparations for China’s V-Day military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War are basically complete, a military official said on Thursday.

BEIJING: Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), will attend China’s V-Day commemorations on Sept. 3, Assistant Foreign Minister Hong Lei announced on Thursday.

          A journalist takes pictures during the visit to the Museum of the War of Chinese People’s Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 27, 2025. Nearly 200 journalists went to the Museum of the War of Chinese People’s Resistance Against Japanese Aggression for visits and interviews on Wednesday. The participating journalists came …

BEIJING: At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, 26 foreign leaders will attend China’s V-Day commemorations in Beijing, Assistant Foreign Minister Hong Lei announced on Thursday. China will stage a massive military parade on Sept. 3 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) closed lower on Tuesday amid ongoing contract rollover pressure on investors. The KSE-100 index remained volatile, hitting the intra-day high of 149,453 points, before coming down significantly to close at 148,435, a decrease of 380.24 points, or 0.26%. Analysts mentioned that concerns over a proposed hike in industrial gas tariffs, alongside geopolitical uncertainty, played …

KARACHI: In a recent interview with Bollywood entertainment journalist, Faridoon Sheharyar, renowned playback singer Sonu Nigam revealed that his career gained significant momentum when he delivered his rendition of Acha Sila Diya Tune Mere Pyar Ka, originally by Atta Ullah Khan Esakhelvi. Sonu credited his success to the legacy of Esakhelvi. “He is a beautiful soul and holds great importance in …

WASHINGTON: The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has said a team of its inspectors are “back in Iran,” the first to enter since Israeli and US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities this year. Iran suspended cooperation with the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) following a 12-day war with Israel in June, with Tehran pointing to the IAEA’s …