ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Core Committee chalked out a strategy to form governments in the Center, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Punjab after securing convincing victory in the general elections. PTI Core Committee, in its meeting held on Saturday, held detailed discussion on the strategy pertaining to the formation of the central and two provincial governments after getting clear majority there. The …

Ministry of Foriegn Affairs spokesperson on Saturday took note of statements from certain countries and organizations on the general elections held in Pakistan and said: “We are surprised by the negative tone of some of these statements, which neither take into account the complexity of the electoral process, nor acknowledge the free and enthusiastic exercise of the right to vote …

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir has commended the Pakistani Nation, Caretaker Government, Election Commission of Pakistan, Political Parties, and all winning candidates on the successful conduct of General Elections 2024. In a statement released by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), COAS stressed the significance of free and unhindered participation by Pakistani people in exercising their right …

GAZA: The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has exceeded 28,000, the Gaza-based Health Ministry said Saturday. The ministry said in a press statement that the Israeli army killed 117 Palestinians and wounded 152 others during the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of deaths to 28,064 and injuries to 67,611 since the …

BEIJING: To welcome the Year of the Dragon, a wave of festive celebrations sweeps across the globe, with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds joining in to experience the rich tapestry of Chinese Lunar New Year traditions. Numerous iconic landmarks, from the Empire State Building in New York to the London Eye, Tokyo Tower and the Sydney Opera House, have …

WASHINGTON: There is no “middle-income trap” in China, as the country demonstrates significant technological dynamism, a renowned U.S. economist has said. “The middle-income trap, as in Latin America, arises from a lack of technological dynamism. China is very technologically dynamic,” Jeffrey Sachs, a professor and director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, told Xinhua in a recent …

BEIJING: China’s logistics sector reported steady revenue growth last year, according to the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing. The industry generated revenue totaling 13.2 trillion yuan (about 1.86 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2023, up 3.9 percent year on year, the federation said. China’s logistics efficiency continued to improve last year. The ratio of social logistics costs to GDP was …

UNITED NATIONS: UN humanitarians on Friday said they were deeply concerned about escalating unrest in Haiti’s major cities, where more than 1,100 people have been killed or injured in the first month of this year. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) cited the UN Human Rights Office for the tally of casualties in the capital of …

ISLAMABAD: With a remarkable voter turnout and results starting pouring in, Pakistan on Thursday conducted free and fair general elections in hopes of strengthening democracy and ensuring peace and prosperity in the country. Congratulating the nation on the successful holding of elections, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, said the momentous occasion is not just a testament to the resilience and …

HARBIN: Jiang Kedong still remembers his teacher’s words when he was punished for talking during class. “Can you make money by talking?” the teacher asked angrily. Now he is able to answer that question. This winter, he became a celebrity in China, dubbed “Brother Left and Right” as host of the performances at Harbin Ice-Snow World, a landmark theme park …

DOHA: China emerged victorious in the artistic swimming team free event at the World Aquatics Championships on Friday. With a total score of 339.7604 points, China dominated the competition, securing gold and completing a sweep of victories in three team events in Doha, following its triumphs in the acrobatic and technical events. “Their performance fills me with excitement. I have …

OSLO: The dragon in Chinese culture is not a frightening creature, but a symbol of good luck, said a former top UN official in an interview with Xinhua this week. “My Chinese friends wish their babies to be born in the Year of the Dragon,” said Erik Solheim, the former UN under-secretary-general and executive director of the UN Environment Programme. …

UNITED NATIONS: UN humanitarians on Friday highlighted a harrowing statistic: 700,000 children in Sudan are now facing the most severe form of malnutrition due to the ongoing conflict. James Elder, a spokesperson for the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), described the situation in Sudan as “the world’s largest displacement of children,” with 4 million children displaced. “That’s 13,000 children every single …

Young Pakistani batter Saim Ayub plays down the label of “superstar” that wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan has given him. Despite facing challenges with the Comilla Victorians in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Rizwan sees a promising future for Ayub in Pakistani cricket. In a press briefing during the BPL, Rizwan said that playing in leagues like the CPL and BPL would …

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) backed independent candidate Salman Akram Raja on Friday moved Lahore High Court (LHC) against election results of NA-128. As per details, the plea was filed by Salman Akram Raja in LHC stating that the returning officer violated the election act by not releasing the election result. The plea urged the court to order the Returning Officer …

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has started announcing the results of the Elections 2024 after a delay of many hours that showed that independents are winning majority seats on National Assembly seats. Being a democrat, several politicians from various political parties have accepted their defeats in their respective constituencies and also congratulated their opponents who won against them. The …

The Election Management System has received results from various constituencies across Pakistan, providing insights into the unfolding electoral landscape. In total, results from constituencies have been received, shedding light on the composition of both the National and Provincial Assemblies. Among the National Assembly’s 129 constituencies, a diverse mix of candidates has secured victories, including 58 independents, 34 from PML-N, and …

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan’s claim that it would ensure the timely announcement of results without depending on the internet fell flat on its face when the absence of connectivity brought forth a set of unexpected yet familiar challenges, mainly for Presiding Officers at a number of polling stations on Thursday evening, who found themselves unable to transmit the …

Dried fruits and nuts are amazing snacks you can munch on from time to time. Loaded with the goodness of essential nutrients and antioxidants, they have several health benefits. One such dry fruit is black raisin or Munakka. You can either eat it just like that or you can eat soaked Munakka in your diet. From improving digestion to managing …

BEIJING: The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council held the Spring Festival reception for the year of 2024 at the Great Hall of the People on the morning of Feb. 8. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered a speech. On …

BEIJING: China’s Shenzhou-17 crew members extended their Spring Festival greetings via video from space on Friday, the Chinese Lunar New Year’s eve. Onboard the country’s space station, the three taikonauts, Tang Hongbo, Tang Shengjie and Jiang Xinlin, expressed their wishes for the prosperity of the motherland and all Chinese people. “We have a full and happy Chinese Lunar New Year …

LOS ANGELES: Five U.S. Marines aboard a helicopter that crashed in the mountains outside San Diego in the U.S. state of California have been confirmed dead, according to updates of the U.S. military. The Marines were flying a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter during a routine training flight from Creech Air Force Base to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar on Tuesday, …

WASHINGTON: U.S. special counsel Robert Hur on Thursday announced that he will not be advising any charges against President Joe Biden regarding his management of classified documents during his time out of office. The yearlong investigation uncovered evidence that “President Biden willfully retained and disclosed classified information after his vice presidency when he was a private citizen,” according to Hur’s …

PHNOM PENH: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has extended best wishes to the Chinese people and Cambodians of Chinese descent as they prepare to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, on Feb. 10. In a recent message sent to Pung Kheav Se, president of the Federation of Khmer Chinese in Cambodia, Hun Manet said the peoples …

ISLAMABAD: Standing in a long queue of mostly young voters inside a polling station here, Zoha Mir, 23, was eagerly awaiting to cast the first vote of her life in Pakistan’s general elections 2024. “I am so excited to vote because by using the power of vote I can play a vital role in quelling the prevailing uncertainty and political …

A volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted on Thursday for the third time since December, pumping lava up to 80 metres (260 feet) into the air and threatening to disrupt life in Reykjanes peninsula. Video footage showed fountains of bright-orange molten rock spewing from cracks in the ground as daylight broke. Volcanic outbreaks in the Reykjanes peninsula are so-called fissure eruptions, …

Donald Trump’s lawyers on Thursday bring his fight against a campaign to kick him off state presidential ballots for his actions involving the 2021 Capitol attack to the U.S. Supreme Court in a case with major implications for the November election. The nine justices, three of whom Trump appointed, will hear arguments in his appeal of a lower court’s decision …

President Dr Arif Alvi on Thursday cast his vote and urged the countrymen to use their voting right saying that the country needed their opinion as never before. The president, who reached the polling station along with his family members, awaited his turn in the queue and cast his vote. Later, he wrote on his X timeline, “The Islamic Republic …

Shortly after polling concluded across Pakistan, interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar congratulated the nation for the “successful conduct” of the general elections. In a post on X, he said the high voter turnout today was a clear indication of the public commitment to shaping the future of the country. “The voices, expressed through the votes, will contribute to the …

In a heartwarming revelation at the trailer launch event for her upcoming film “Article 370,” Bollywood actress Yami Gautam and filmmaker husband Aditya Dhar delighted fans by sharing the joyous news of expecting their first child. The couple, who tied the knot in a private ceremony in June 2021, made the announcement, showcasing Yami’s adorable baby bump. At the Mumbai …

The central control room of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) became inactive due to the shutdown of mobile phone and internet services. The central control room of the ECP became inactive due to the shutdown of mobile phone and internet service. According to the spokesperson of the control room, no complaint has been received yet. ECP Control spokesperson Room …

In Lahore’s constituency NA-125, reports have emerged of a violation of the Election Commission’s Code of Conduct. Concerns were raised regarding instances in Raiwand where voters were observed taking pictures with their mobile phones after casting their votes. The specific incident involved citizens capturing images of their ballot papers, a practice strictly prohibited by the Election Commission. It’s worth noting …

DOHA: The AFC announced on Thursday that Chinese match officials Ma Ning, Zhou Fei, Zhang Cheng and Fu Ming would officiate the Asian Cup final at Lusail stadium, marking the first time a Chinese referee team will officiate at the tournament final. Ma will be the referee of the final between Qatar and Jordan, while Zhou and Zhang will serve …

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping, on behalf of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council, extended Spring Festival greetings to all Chinese Thursday at a reception in Beijing. Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered a speech at the gathering at the Great Hall of …

ISLAMABAD: Polling for Pakistan’s general elections started across the country on Thursday morning, said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Spokesperson of the ECP Syed Nadeem Haider told Xinhua that polling had started at 8:00 a.m. local time (0300 GMT) without a delay, adding that the voting process would continue uninterrupted till 5:00 p.m. local time (1200 GMT). People were …

HATAY, Türkiye: “I saw other buildings collapsing, row after row, and then it was ours,” 37-year-old Filiz Turhan recalled that early morning in tears. One year ago, Turhan and her family of four managed to get out into the open from their apartment building when a massive earthquake struck southern Türkiye. It was at 4:17 a.m. local time (0117 GMT) …

LAHORE, Pakistan: Okasha, a 24-year-old electrical engineer, feels delighted to drive the Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT) built in Pakistan’s eastern Lahore city under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework. “It’s a wonderful experience, I am so proud that I am serving the nation by working as a driver in Pakistan’s first-ever mass rapid urban transit train service. I consider …

UNITED NATIONS: Globally, peace remains the absent element amid escalating conflicts, widening divides, and intensifying polarization, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday. Addressing the UN General Assembly with a list of priority areas for action, the UN chief underscored that the UN was founded on the pursuit of peace. “Peace is our raison d’etre. Yet, as I scan the landscape …

At least 26 people were killed while over 30 suffered injuries after back-to-back blasts hit Balochistan’s Pishin and Qila Saifullah on Wednesday, officials said. The incidents came a day before general elections are scheduled to be held in the country. Pakistan has recently witnessed an uptick in terrorism, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, raising security concerns. The first blast …

Anti-Pakistan Bollywood movie ‘Fighter’, starring Bollywood A-listers Deepika Padukone and Hrithik Roshan, has landed in fresh trouble. As per the reports from Indian media outlets, the maiden collaboration of Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone, ‘Fighter’ has been mired with yet another controversy as the title was served with legal notice by IAF officer, Wing Commander Saumya Deep Das, over a …