JAKARTA: Five people were killed and 15 others were injured in a train-bus accident on Sunday in Indonesia, an official said. The accident occurred at a crossing in East Ogan Komering Ulu Regency, South Sumatra province at around 13:10 p.m. (GMT 0610) local time, according to Azhar Zaki Assjari, public relations manager of PT KAI Divre IV Tanjung Karang. “One …

BEIJING: A compilation of excerpts from discourses on China’s talent work by Xi Jinping has been published by the Central Party Literature Press. The discourses answer major theoretic and practical questions such as why does China need to build itself into a strong country in talent, what the goal means, and how to achieve it. The discourses are significant to …

BEIJING: The Ministry of Water Resources said on Sunday it had concerted efforts to secure water supply in around 500 large and medium-sized irrigation areas in drought-affected regions of southwestern China. Since this spring, droughts have hit the Yunnan and Sichuan provinces, producing areas of wheat and corns, according to Zhang Xiang, a researcher with the ministry. Zhang highlighted that …

Minister for Foreign Affairs Ishaq Dar on Sunday said that Pakistan dispatched 8th tranche of humanitarian assistance for the people of Gaza. The 400 tons assistance consisted of winterized tents, tarpaulins, blankets, medicines and food supplies through sea, the foreign minister posted on his X account. “The shipment will be received by the Pakistani Ambassador at Port Said, Egypt and …

Police vehicle narrowly escaped an attempted explosive blast attack in Torka Bazaar Bannu. As per details, DPO Ziauddin Ahmed said that an explosive device planted by unknown assailants detonated before the vehicle arrived. The device was planted near Akhoondan Sorani in Torka Bazaar, but it exploded before the police vehicle reached the spot, foiling chances of any potential damage or casualties, …

Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb has said that our direction regarding revival of Pakistan’s economy is quite clear. Addressing a news conference in Washington along with Pakistan Ambassador to the United States Masood Khan, he said that the mechanism regarding tax collection is being improved through reforms. The Finance Minister said that despite difficulties and challenges, we have to move …

Today is the 15th death anniversary, we remember Iqbal Bano, one of the most beloved classical singers and Ghazals in South Asia. Iqbal Bano sang a lot of well-known songs from Pakistani movies. Her most well-known works were Ghazals and her translations of the poetry of renowned revolutionary and poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz. Iqbal Bano, who was born in Delhi …

WhatsApp, a leading messaging platform owned by Meta, is on the brink of unveiling a groundbreaking feature aimed at enhancing communication for business users. This upcoming addition promises to revolutionize the way businesses organize their conversations, reported WABetaInfo. The feature, currently undergoing testing on WhatsApp Business, will empower users to streamline their messaging organization effortlessly. Through a simple interface accessible …

Two Japanese military helicopters crashed in the Pacific Ocean. One person died and 7 officials went missing. The two helicopters were last seen flying close to one another, based on flight data, according to the Japanese Defense Ministry. The helicopter may have fallen into the sea due to a mid-air collision. The search for the wreckage of the helicopters and the …

Pakistan women cricketer Nida Dar became the second bowler from her country to scoop up 100 wickets in ODIs on Sunday. Nida took 108 matches to bag 100 wickets. She achieved this milestone during her outing against the West Indies Women in the second ODI in Karachi. Before Dar it was former captain Sana Mir who took 100 wickets in …

The largest election in history is being held in India, which on Monday will repeat voting at 11 polling places in the northeastern state of Manipur due to reports of violence and voting machine damage in the state torn by months of ethnic conflict, according to Reuters. The chief electoral officer of Manipur said in a statement late on Saturday …

The Foreign Office (FO) of Pakistan announced on Sunday that Iranian President Dr Ebrahim Raisi is set to embark on an official visit to Pakistan from April 22 (Monday) to April 24 (Wednesday). According to the statement, this marks the first visit by any head of state to Pakistan following the February 8 general elections. Accompanied by his spouse and …

Violence has marred the polling process in Lahore, Ferozewala and Zafarwal, as clashes erupted between rival political factions, resulting in the killing of one person and arrests and injuries to others. A brawl broke out between workers of the PML-N and PTI workers in Zafarwal’s constituency, PP-54, wherein a 60-year-old man was killed after a baton hit his head. As …

SHANGHAI: Chinese scientists have newly discovered 46 subglacial lakes beneath the ice sheet in East Antarctica, using an innovative analysis method. Antarctica is covered by a vast ice sheet with an average thickness of over 2,400 meters. Beneath this ice sheet, there exist numerous diverse subglacial lakes. They are formed when melting ice streams flow over depressions in the bedrock …

XINING/ASTANA: With the arrival of spring, northwest China’s Qinghai Province is about to usher in the peak tourist season. In the villages of agricultural and pastoral areas, as well as among urban factories, traditional Tibetan cultural products such as shining silver and bronzewares and gorgeous Tibetan carpets are continuously produced. Wang Fubang, a district-level inheritor of “silver and copperware making …

PORT MORESBY: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Saturday that China’s assistance to Pacific island countries has always been free of political conditions and impositions, and China has never issued “blank checks”. Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks at a joint press conference …

In anticipation of by-elections slated for tomorrow in 22 constituencies throughout Pakistan, Punjab’s provincial government has requested the federal Interior Ministry to suspend mobile and internet services in the affected districts and tehsils. This request was shared in a letter from Punjab’s home department, which emphasized the importance of preserving public order and averting any potential disruptions. The request comes …

The recent heavy rains have claimed the lives of 98 people and injured 89 people across Pakistan. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in a report stated that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has the highest number of people, 46, died in heavy rains, while 26 lost lives in Punjab, 15 people were killed in Balochistan and 11 in Azad Kashmir. At least 89 …

The federal cabinet has removed the 65 years maximum age limit for key appointments, citing sources. The decision will clear the way for new appointments with up to two-million rupees monthly salary, sources said. According to sources, the cabinet has granted approval of amendments in Special Professional Pay Scales Policy 2019. The cabinet has made amendments with approval of a circulation …

Amid the grip of Taliban rule in Afghanistan, retired employees face a stark reality as their pensions abruptly cease. With over 152,000 former workers affected, the halt in pension payments plunges them into dire circumstances, struggling to meet basic needs. The World Bank’s warnings echo the severity of the Taliban regime’s financial struggles, with inflation soaring to 10.2% in January …

Versatile actress Mehwish Hayat says she would love to work with Aamir Khan but she also likes the three Khans of Bollywood. In response to a question at a show, she stated that while she admired Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, and Shahrukh Khan, she would want to work with Aamir. One of the few actresses who has continued to work …

The ordeals of passengers stranded at Dubai airport due to unprecedented heavy rains have yet to be alleviated, leaving them stranded without their luggage and basic facilities. Reports indicate that the downpour in Dubai has severely impacted airport operations, leading to difficulties for arriving passengers. One of the major issues faced by travellers is the non-maintenance of the baggage claim …

The Foreign Office has called the accusation of commercial organizations being related to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program unjustified. In response to media queries regarding the US decision to impose sanctions against commercial entities on allegations of links with Pakistan’s ballistic missile programme, FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said: “Such listings of commercial entities have taken place in the past as …

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday decided to appoint wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan as the vice-captain. According to details, the captain, coaches, and selection committee had decided to appoint Rizwan as the vice-captain. Rizwan will continue his role as the vice-captain even after the ongoing home series against New Zealand. Sources divulged that the meeting of the captain, coaches, …

WASHINGTON: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met with his Chinese counterpart Lan Foan on Friday and assured him that work on the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would be expedited. The two met in Washington where Aurangzeb shared with Foan that the second phase would include monetising assets through the transfer of Chinese privately owned companies (POCs). Aurangzeb …

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping and Transitional President of Gabon Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema exchanged congratulations on Saturday on the 50th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic relations. In his message, Xi said that the traditional friendship between China and Gabon has grown stronger over time. Over the past 50 years, despite changes in the international situation, the two countries …

HEFEI: The discovery of a tomb in Anhui Province, east China, will shed light on an ancient civilization that lived in China over 2,200 years ago, according to archaeologists. Wuwangdun tomb, built in the Warring States period (475 B.C.-221 B.C.), has been recognized as the largest and highest-grade tomb with the most complex structure from the ancient Chu state, that …

ISLAMABAD: Chinese staff and workers at different CPEC-related projects will continue contribution to Pakistan’s socio-economic development with same spirit and zeal, said Jiang Zaidong, the Ambassador of China to Pakistan. In an interview with private TV channel, the Ambassador expressed his satisfaction that the high-level inquiry initiated by the government of Pakistan into recent terrorist attack in which five Chinese …

GAZA: The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip announced Thursday that the death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks has exceeded 34,000. The ministry said in a statement that the Israeli army killed 42 Palestinians and wounded 63 others during the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 34,012 and injuries to 76,833 since the outbreak of the …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a phone talk with President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss enhancing cooperation to counter challenges associated with climate change, according to the prime minister’s office. In the phone call, Sharif said the UAE leadership has confronted the challenges that have emerged from the recent …

BEIJING: The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has set up an information support force. Chinese President Xi Jinping presented a flag to the force at its establishment ceremony held on Friday in Beijing. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), stressed solid efforts to build a …

Radio, a getting through medium, holds a crucial spot in the hearts and homes of individuals around the world, especially in non-industrial nations like Pakistan. In spite of the progressions in innovation, radio remains an undaunted ally for millions, offering a life saver during seasons of energy emergencies and burden shedding, when admittance to TV transmissions becomes unreachable for certain …

The 14-member provincial cabinet of Balochistan took oath at a ceremony held in the Governor House in Quetta. Governor Balochistan Abdul Wali Kakar administered the oath to the 14-member provincial cabinet after more than a month the Chief Minister took oath. The 14-member cabinet sworn in today includes Zia Langau, Tariq Magsi, Shoaib Nosherwani, Raheel Durrani, Sadiq Umrani, Ali Madad …

The Foreign Office of Pakistan has stated that Pakistan will continue to talk to Saudi Arabia in order to enhance their strategic partnership. This was announced during the weekly press briefing by Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch. She underscored the substantial advancements in bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Baloch said the recent visit of the Saudi foreign …

New revelations from the Faizabad sit-in commission report have emerged, highlighting the testimony of former Punjab chief minister Shehbaz Sharif, and shedding light on the government’s actions during the sit-in. The report indicates that the commission investigating the Faizabad sit-in posed seven questions to Shehbaz Sharif, including inquiries about insulting statements against institutions on social media and threats to the …

Despite being widely regarded as one of the most naturally talented snooker players of his era, Ronnie O’Sullivan’s contemplation of retirement persists, even in the face of the tantalising opportunity to secure an unprecedented eighth world title. It’s become an annual ritual akin to the World Championships themselves—O’Sullivan is hinting at hanging up his cue. Yet, officials can’t dismiss it …

The German Football Association (DFB) announced on Friday that Julian Nagelsmann, coach of the German national team, has committed to an extension, ensuring his leadership until at least the 2026 World Cup. Nagelsmann expressed his heartfelt commitment, stating, “It is a great honour to coach the national team.” The extension comes ahead of the 2024 European championships, which Germany is …

In its recent report on the Middle East and Central Asian countries, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has highlighted that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict may enhance problems for the region. The report forecasts that Pakistan’s growth rate in 2024 is expected to surpass that of 2023, indicating a positive trajectory for the country’s economy. It also indicates that weak fiscal policies …

The United States Embassy in Israel has implemented travel restrictions on its employees following recent drone attacks in Iran. In a statement released by the embassy, the decision to ban certain trips aims to safeguard American diplomats within Israeli territory amidst heightened security concerns. The travel restrictions come in the wake of escalating tensions in the region, prompting the American …

Two terrorists and two others were killed in a suicide attack targeting a convoy of foreign nationals near the Mansehra Colony stop in Landhi area of Karachi. Two security guards and a passer-by were among those injured. According to authorities, the attack was aimed at a vehicle carrying foreign nationals. The Sindh inspector general of police, in a statement, confirmed …