BEIJING: China has registered a record-high soybean output of 20.84 million tonnes in 2023, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs on Tuesday. The country’s soybean planting area reached 157 million mu (about 10.47 million hectares) last year, while that of oilseed crops exceeded 200 million mu, said Deng Xiaogang, vice minister of agricultural and rural affairs, at …

BEIJING: China and Nauru signed a joint communique in Beijing Wednesday on the resumption of diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, held talks with Nauru’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Lionel Aingimea and signed the joint communique, effective as …

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged for strengthening institutions to curb corruption and money laundering. The government has assured the IMF of ending political interference in the NAB and other anti-graft institutions. “A report will be published for improvement in the anti-corruption framework with the cabinet’s approval,” according to a document. The IMF has been assured that the anti-corruption …

Banks are seeking a fixed 16.6 percent yearly interest rate for postponing payments on their Rs. 281 billion loans to Pakistan International Airlines for five years. Finance Minister Dr Shamshad Akhtar has refused this demand and instead offered approximately 10 percent on the full loan amount based on the banks’ actual borrowing costs, reported Express Tribune. Due to this, banks …

Former English fast bowler Ian Pont, who currently runs a fast bowling academy in England, has shared that they use video clips of Pakistan’s emerging fast bowler Muhammad Zeeshan to motivate young talents at their academy. In a recent podcast on social media, Ian Pont mentioned that we use his video clips to demonstrate the correct way to bowl. We’ve …

Acclaimed singer Umair Jaiswal, who recently hit headlines after divorce from Sana Javed, has been posting reels on his official Instagram account. The singer posted two reels on his Instagram account in which he enjoyed the Snowfall song by Oneheart and Reidenshi and the ‘United in Grief’ song by Kendrick Lamar. It is pertinent to note that United In Grief …

A recent study from the Weizmann Institute of Science found that the smell of women’s tears can calm down men and reduce their aggression. Scientists discovered a special chemical in tears that sends a calming message to men’s brains, making them less likely to act aggressively. To test their idea, researchers had 31 men play a frustrating computer game. Before …

Pakistan men’s hockey team has ascended one place in the International Hockey Federation (FIH) rankings, landing at 15th after their recent participation in the Paris Olympics qualifiers held in Muscat, Oman. Despite the disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Green Shirts have shown resilience in the rankings. The current top three teams according to FIH …

Former prime minister Imran Khan has approached the Islamabad High Court for bail in the Toshakhana and 190 million pounds cases. Imran’s counsel filed separate applications for bail in both cases. The court has been requested to grant bail till the final decision of the case in the accountability court. The accountability court had earlier rejected Imran Khan’s bail plea …

In a move reflective of broader trends within the tech sector, popular short-form video platform TikTok has reportedly initiated a round of layoffs, targeting approximately 60 employees predominantly within its sales and advertising division. The affected staff hail from various TikTok offices across the United States, including Los Angeles, New York, and Austin, as well as international locations. A spokesperson …

The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently unveiled the Men’s Test and ODI Teams of the Year 2023, recognizing outstanding individual performances throughout the calendar year. However, to the dismay of Pakistani cricket fans, no players from Pakistan secured a spot in either team. Pat Cummins, the captain of the Test Team of the Year, led Australia to their historic World …

Caretaker Federal Minister for Information Murtaza Solangi said on Monday that a significant number of foreign journalists and observers have expressed keen interest in covering the upcoming 2024 elections in Pakistan. Contrary to speculation that international media outlets were hesitant to send their representatives due to perceived risks, Solangi revealed that 174 foreign journalists have applied to cover the elections, …

The Supreme Court reserved its judgment on an appeal of former judge of the Islamabad High Court, Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, against his removal from office. A five-judge bench of the court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, heard the appeal. The CJP said, if deemed necessary, the case could be re-heard. At the outset of the proceedings, …

BEIJING: Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with Speaker of the National Assembly of Djibouti Dileita Mohamed Dileita in Beijing on Tuesday. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Djibouti, and the two heads of state have reached important consensus on the development of bilateral relations, according to Han. He said China …

China and Pakistan have reaffirmed their commitment to widen and deepen cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), with a focus on project security and third-party participation. The Fourth Meeting of the CPEC Joint Working Group on International Cooperation and Coordination was held in Islamabad on Sunday. The two sides had in-depth discussions on the mode of third-party participation in …

GUANGZHOU: A total of 1,078 new foreign-funded manufacturing enterprises were set up in south China’s Guangdong Province in 2023, marking a year-on-year increase of 29.9 percent, local authorities said on Tuesday. The actual utilization of foreign capital in Guangdong’s manufacturing industry reached 49.22 billion yuan (about 6.92 billion U.S. dollars) last year, up 11.7 percent year on year, said Zhang …

HAIKOU: In the hush of the night, a blaze of brilliance pierced the darkness, its fiery ascent thundering through the clouds. On the sandy beaches, rooftops and balconies of high-rise residential buildings in Longlou, a quaint township in southern China, all eyes turned skyward, as the resounding rumble of the carrier rocket and the thunderous roar of the crowd swept …

BEIJING: Chinese space scientists have revealed in a paper the scientific goals and payloads mounted on the country’s lunar probe Chang’e-7 that will investigate the water ice in the shadow pit near the south pole of the moon. China plans to launch the Chang’e-6 to land on the moon in the first half of 2024 to collect samples from the …

MELBOURNE: China’s Zhang Zhizhen made another piece of Chinese tennis history here on Tuesday when he and Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic produced a masterclass to reach the men’s doubles semifinals at the Australian Open. The unseeded pairing of Zhang and Machac overwhelmed Ariel Behar and Adam Pavlasek 6-3, 6-1 in a one-sided quarterfinal that lasted just one hour. …

HOHHOT: North China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region saw a foreign trade volume of 196.53 billion yuan (about 27.32 billion U.S. dollars) in 2023, up 30.4 percent year on year, hitting a record high, local authorities said Monday. According to the Hohhot Customs, the region’s exports came in at 78.57 billion yuan, up 28.1 percent year on year and imports reached …

BEIJING: China’s State Council Information Office on Tuesday released a white paper titled “China’s Legal Framework and Measures for Counterterrorism.” Besides the preface and conclusion, the white paper consists of five parts: “An Improving Legal Framework for Counterterrorism,” “Clear Provisions for the Determination and Punishment of Terrorist Activities,” “Standardized Exercise of Power in Fighting Terrorism,” “Protection of Human Rights in …

ISLAMABAD: As the mercury falls to single digits in Pakistan’s federal capital, Islamabad, making the weather chilly and foggy on Sunday, a hotel hall decorated with traditional Chinese red lanterns was a source of warmth and coziness for people gathered to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. Buzzing with slogans of “Long Live Pakistan-China Friendship,” the hall was filled with …

RAWALPINDI: Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir at General Headquarters (GHQ), said a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Monday. During the meeting, both sides discussed matters of mutual interest, focusing on initiatives to further strengthen bilateral defense cooperation. The ISPR statement said that the Chinese …

The caretaker government of Pakistan issued permits to foreign media for the coverage of the upcoming general election scheduled to be held on February 08. Sources revealed that the government issued election coverage permits to 35 foreign journalists from China, Japan, America, London, Canada, China’s Hong Kong, and Singapore during the initial phase. It is worth mentioning here that the …

A-list actor Iqra Aziz and TV heartthrob Hamza Sohail are all set to grace the small screen in ‘Burns Road Kay Romeo Juliet’. The wait is finally over as everyone’s favourite actors Iqra Aziz and Hamza Sohail are finally coming together in their maiden on-screen collaboration, the hotly-anticipated drama serial ‘Burns Road Kay Romeo Juliet’. The first look at the …

According to unverified news circulating on various social media platforms, educational institutions nationwide could be closed for 8 days next month due to the General Election scheduled for February 8. As per the reports, educational institutes will close on Sunday, February 4, and for Kashmir Day on February 5. Following that, they are expected to remain closed during the election …

Engaging in early evening walks helps relieve work-related stress and improve sleep, but delaying until late may lead to insomnia. Opting for a dawn walk after restful sleep boosts energy, aids in daily task planning, and aligns with the body’s biological clock. Morning air, abundant in ozone, positively impacts mental and physical well-being, while sunlight enhances collagen production and bone …

Four universities of Islamabad have been closed for an indefinite period including Navy University, Air University and National Defense University (NDU) and Quaid-e-Azam University have been closed due to security concerns. Many schools in Islamabad have also been closed while four universities closed indefinitely due to security concerns. Sources said that several schools in Islamabad were also closed. Law enforcement …

WhatsApp continuously announces new features, another addition might catch you off guard. Meta-owned instant messaging app appears to be actively working on a function that let users share files wirelessly. This particular feature is designed to function flawlessly between devices that are in proximity to each other. WhatsApp aims to simplify the wireless sharing of files between Android and iPhone …

Australian cricketer Travis Head’s triumphant performance in the first Test against the West Indies is now shadowed by a new challenge, as he has tested positive for COVID-19. The dynamic batsman, who clinched the Player of the Match award for his crucial century in Adelaide, is now facing the prospect of participating in the upcoming Brisbane Test under team isolation …

In response to alarming instances of absenteeism during the training of polling staff, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday resolved to take decisive measures against those found neglecting their duties. In this regard, Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja has issued stringent directives to all Chief Secretaries and Provincial Election Commissioners to enforce the attendance of polling staff …

The Supreme Court of Pakistan imposed on Monday a ban on the recording of V-logs, interviews, and other multimedia content within the court building, introducing new guidelines for media reporters. The four-point directive, issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Supreme Court, outlines strict conditions for beat reporters covering proceedings within the esteemed institution. Reporters are now required to …

Pakistan needs external financing of $71.88 billion in the next three years, as per the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The global lender on Monday identified the high external financing risks facing Pakistan. It said that in the event of a shortfall or slowdown in external funding, the government will have to rely on expensive domestic borrowing. It has said that …

Security forces gunned down seven terrorists during an intelligence-based operation in the Sambaza Sector near the Pakistan-Afghan border in Balochistan’s Zhob District, the military’s media wing said on Monday. “Own troops effectively surrounded and engaged the fleeing terrorists. Resultantly, seven terrorists were sent to hell who remained actively involved in terrorist activities against security forces as well as killing of …

Stunning details of the terrorists killed in the Pakistani strike on Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) bases in Iran have come to the fore. These terrorists played a prominent role in the long-standing terrorism being perpetrated in Balochistan, as they became tools in the hands of anti-Pakistan forces for personal financial gains. The Pakistani armed forces conducted successful airstrikes against hideouts …

BEIJING: Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission, has signed an order to promulgate a revised set of regulations on military legislation, which will take effect on March 1. With 85 entries in 13 chapters, the revised regulations standardize the working systems and mechanisms for military legislation based on the newly-revised Legislation Law, said a statement issued on Monday. …

BEIJING: A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Monday refuted recent comments from certain foreign media outlets about a “flee spree” of international talent from Hong Kong. Spokesperson Wang Wenbin dismissed relevant comments as totally groundless, saying at a daily press briefing that such rhetoric, which disregards the fact that Hong Kong continues to be a highland for international talent, disparages …

ISLAMABAD: President Dr. Arif Alvi has said Pakistan is fully committed to the high-quality development of CPEC. Talking to Vice Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China Sun Weidong in Islamabad on Monday, he said the Chinese support in the next phase of CPEC would be crucial for Pakistan’s industrial development. He said economic cooperation between the two friendly …

RIYADH: The third edition of the Qemam International Festival for Mountain Performance Arts kicked off on Saturday in Khamis Mushait, Asir Region, southwest of Saudi Arabia, and will last till Jan. 27. With the participation of 20 groups from Saudi Arabia and 25 international groups, the art festival, organized by the Saudi Theater and Performing Arts Commission, aims to promote …

TOKYO: Approval ratings for Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has sunken to a record low in the wake of its slush fund scandal, according to the latest opinion poll. Public support rate for the LDP dropped to 14.6 pct, down 3.7 percentage points from the previous month, Japanese news agency Jiji Press said in its latest survey. It marked …