ISLAMABAD: The China-built Suki Kinari Hydropower station in northwest Pakistan started impoundment on Wednesday. The successful start will lay a solid foundation for the project’s operation on schedule under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Located in the Mansehra district of the South Asian country’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the 884-megawatt hydropower project was invested and constructed by the Overseas Investment Company …

The Centre for Development and Stability (CDS) has been launched here in Islamabad, aiming to provide a platform for youth-led research and dialogue on pressing national issues across Pakistan. The team of the Centre for Development and Stability aimed to work diligently with a motu of “empowering innovation for sustainable growth and stability.” Speaking on the occasion, Director General of …

What causes upset stomach (indigestion)? Upset stomach (also called indigestion or dyspepsia) is a term used for pain and discomfort in the stomach. What causes an upset stomach? A number of factors can play a role including eating greasy or spicy foods, eating too much or too quickly, consuming too much alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, or carbonated beverages, anxiety, smoking, and …

Former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Amir expressed his admiration for Babar Azam’s shot development against Islamabad United in Lahore. Babar played a remarkable innings of 111 runs off just 63 deliveries, characterized by aggressive stroke play, as he smashed 14 boundaries and two sixes, maintaining a striking rate of 176.19. Speaking to media in Karachi, Amir denied any personal animosity towards …

South Korea’s birth rate fell to a record low last year, the government said on Wednesday, despite having poured billions of dollars into efforts to encourage women to have more children and maintain population stability. The country has one of the world’s longest life expectancies and lowest birth rates, a combination that presents a looming demographic challenge. Neighbouring Japan is …

Algeria has finally opened the third-biggest mosque in the world and the largest in Africa, ahead of the holy month of Ramazan, according to Al Jazeera. Due to political unrest in the country, the inauguration of the mosque took several days. The Grand Mosque of Algiers was formally opened on Monday by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. Djamaa El-Djazair is how …

In a recent interview with Neha Dhupia on her show No Filter Neha, Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor made candid remarks about the prevalent camp culture and nepotism in the entertainment industry. Known for his versatile roles in Bollywood, Shahid Kapoor expressed his discontent with the camp structure, emphasizing the challenges faced by outsiders like himself in the industry. He recounted …

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced the reserved decision and rejected the application of Nawaz Sharif’s application challenging the verdict of NA-15. “The petitioner may approach the Election Tribunal,” the verdict said. The ECP ordered the Returning Officer RO to complete the results in three days. Election Commission of Pakistan member Sindh Nisar Durrani wrote the decision. Nawaz Sharif’s …

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar has appeared before the Islamabad High Court in a case related to the non-recovery of Baloch students. The hearing of the case related to the non-recovery of Baloch students has started in the Islamabad High Court, with Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani conducting the hearing. The caretaker premier has appeared before the court today after …

Quetta Presiding Officer (PO) Zumark Achakzai administered the oath from the Fifty-six newly elected lawmakers of the Balochistan Assembly on Wednesday. Speaker Zumark Achakzai welcomed the new members and said he hoped that the new assembly will work together for the development of the province. “Together we have to take the province forward.” Assembly staff ensured preparation for reception of …

Gwadar city has been submerged following heavy rainfall spell resulting inundating the streets, market, camouflages and downpour wreaked havoc on the city’s infrastructure, chocking the already strained sewerage system. The heavy spell of rain left its inhabitants to leave their homes from multiple areas of the city.  Land connectivity of Gwadar Coastal highway is cut off from other areas. Due …

Wednesday marks a significant moment in the political landscape of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as 116 newly elected members of the provincial assembly have taken oath. Preparations had been finalized to welcome the incoming representatives of the 14th assembly. Speaker Mushtaq Ghani presided over the oath-taking ceremony, administering the oath to the members. He also announced that the election for the speaker …

BEIJING: Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on Wednesday met with Kirsten Schuijt, director general of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) International, calling for closer cooperation to tackle global challenges in ecological conservation. Han said the Chinese government has firmly established and practiced the concept of green development and has made remarkable achievements in building a beautiful China. WWF International …

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with President of the Republic of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Wednesday. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties more than half a century ago, China and Sierra Leone have firmly supported each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests, carried out …

CAIRO: China has succeeded in achieving “comprehensive development” and fruitful Belt and Road cooperation with many partner countries despite Western smear campaigns, an Egyptian expert on Chinese affairs has said. “Economic and social development in China picked up since the country began implementing its reform and opening-up policy more than 40 years ago, and China has ever since achieved high …

NANJING: The water quality of Taihu Lake, China’s third-largest freshwater lake, improved last year and reached its best level since 2007, the local authority said Tuesday. In 2023, the lake’s phosphorus level stood at 0.052 mg/L and nitrogen was 1.09 mg/L, down by 17.5 percent and 9.9 percent respectively compared with the year before, said the government of Jiangsu Province …

GUANGZHOU: The majority of 183 companies studied are optimistic about the growth of the Chinese market, according to a report released by the American Chamber of Commerce in South China (AmCham South China) on Tuesday. Of these companies, 76 percent plan to reinvest in China in 2024. For those who have plans for reinvestment in China in 2024, 45 percent …

SHANGHAI: C919 and ARJ21 jetliners produced by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC) on Tuesday kicked off demonstration flights in Southeast Asia. The two jetliners have a tight schedule in the next two weeks in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia and Indonesia. COMAC said on Tuesday the demonstration flights can further verify the adaptability of China-made commercial aircraft to …

UNITED NATIONS: The permanent observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, on Tuesday told the Security Council that Gaza is currently experiencing a famine, which worsens daily due to the ongoing “criminal aggression” by Israel. “We must stop for a moment and consider what this truly means,” Mansour addressed the Security Council meeting on the …

NEW YORK: In a move to streamline operations and focus on its core business, U.S. department store chain Macy’s on Tuesday announced a strategic plan dubbed “A Bold New Chapter.” The plan, while outlining broader initiatives, notably includes the closure of approximately 150 underperforming stores by 2026. This significant decision aims to allocate resources more effectively, allowing the company to …

WASHINGTON: U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday he is “very optimistic” that Congress will avoid a government shutdown by the Friday deadline, after meeting with President Joe Biden and top congressional leaders at the White House. “We believe that we can get to agreement on these issues and prevent a government shutdown, and that’s our first responsibility,” said Johnson, …

WASHINGTON: Voters went to the polls across Michigan, a battleground state, on Tuesday for the 2024 U.S. presidential primary. In the Republican race, former U.S. President Donald Trump, who remains undefeated so far this year, continues to be challenged by former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. Tuesday’s GOP primary will determine only …

WASHINGTON: A U.S. Air Force member who set himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy here “in an apparent protest” against the Israeli raids on Gaza died in a hospital late Sunday. The airman was identified by police as 25-year-old Aaron Bushnell from San Antonio, Texas, and confirmed on active duty by an Air Force spokesperson Monday. People gathered Monday …

BEIJING: “Small yard and high fence” will not stop China’s innovation-driven development, nor will it do any good to U.S. companies or the entire semiconductor industry, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday. Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks when asked to comment on a related query at a daily press briefing. It is reported that chipmaker Nvidia has …

levels. A mouthwash with 0.25% lemongrass oil can reduce plaque more effectively than chlorhexidine gluconate, which is a proven anti-bacterial rinse used to treat gum inflammation. A lemongrass oil rinse is easy and quick to make, but it can be potent. To create one, simply add two to three drops of lemongrass oil to a cup of water. Swish for …

An Islamabad district and session court on Tuesday granted the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) five-day remand of journalist Asad Ali Toor in a case about an online campaign against the judiciary. In January, the caretaker government had formed a five-member joint investigation team (JIT) to “ascertain facts behind a malicious social media campaign” against the judiciary in the aftermath of …

In a move to safeguard the integrity of the upcoming European Union elections scheduled for June, Meta, the parent company of social media giants Facebook and Instagram, has announced the formation of a dedicated team to counter deceptive artificial intelligence (AI) content. Expressing concerns over the potential misuse of generative AI technology to manipulate voters, Meta unveiled plans to establish …

The parents of the late Punjabi singer Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, famously known as Sidhu Moosewala, are reportedly expecting a new member in their household soon, sources close to the family have confirmed. Moosewala’s mother, Charan Kaur, is currently pregnant and is expected to deliver the baby in the near future. Reportedly, his mother is 58 and father is 60. Moosewala, …

Neil Wagner, the prominent left-arm fast bowler for the Blackcaps, has announced his retirement from international cricket after a distinguished career spanning 64 Tests. Finishing as the fifth-highest wicket-taker for New Zealand in Test cricket, Wagner’s decision comes after a challenging discussion with coach Gary Stead, where it became apparent he wouldn’t feature in the top XI for the upcoming …

The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) held a case hearing of a presidential reference filed against the ‘judicial murder’ of former prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto on Tuesday. Two judicial assistants, Khalid Javed Khan and Barrister Salahuddin completed the arguments. During the hearing, Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa said that the Supreme Court is bound to give an opinion on …

Peshawar Zalmi’s skipper Babar Azam orchestrated a scintillating century against Islamabad United during the riveting clash in the ongoing ninth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The maestro’s remarkable innings, coupled with Arif Yaqoob’s stellar five-wicket haul, propelled Peshawar Zalmi to a thrilling eight-run victory, clinching their third consecutive win in the tournament. In a heartwarming revelation during the …

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Founder Imran Khan has said that President Arif Alvi did the right thing by not summoning a session of the National Assembly. Imran made these remarks during an informal interaction with journalists at Adiala Jail on Tuesday. First and foremost, he said he had personally dictated the letter addressed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He clarified …

On February 27, 2019, the Pakistan Air Force made history by successfully defending against Indian aggression, marking it as a momentous day in Pakistan’s military history. During a brief aerial engagement, Pakistani jets retaliated fiercely, downing an Indian aircraft and capturing Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, the pilot of the downed plane. This operation, dubbed “Operation Swift Retort,” showcased Pakistan’s resolve …

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Omar Ayub on Wednesday announced the name of the party’s candidate for the contest of the National Assembly speaker ahead of National Assembly session scheduled on February 29. PTI has nominated Amir Dogar from NA-149 for speaker of the Lower House of the Parliament while nominated Junaid Khan from Malakand for the slot of the …

PESHAWAR, Pakistan: Woolen threads for traditional shawls flutter at craftsmen’s fingertips when they are thinking about the pattern and color of the work of art to be made at a workshop in Pakistan’s Peshawar. Woolen shawls are popular among Pakistani people in winter. These products have a distinct cultural style and are one of the major exports of Pakistan, helping …

BEIJING: A press center for China’s upcoming annual legislative and political consultative sessions opened Tuesday at the Media Center Hotel in Beijing. The second session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) and the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) will open on March 5 and 4, respectively. More than 3,000 …

TAIYUAN: Installed capacity of new energy produced by wind and solar power in north China’s coal-rich Shanxi Province had reached 50.93 million kilowatts as of January 2024, accounting for 38.2 percent of the province’s total, according to the State Grid’s Shanxi branch. Wind and solar power each boasts capacity exceeding 25 million kilowatts, the company added. In 2019, China launched …

BEIJING: The Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) concluded its eighth session Tuesday in Beijing. At the closing meeting, lawmakers voted to adopt a revised Law on Guarding State Secrets. President Xi Jinping signed a presidential order to promulgate the law. Zhao Leji, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, presided over the closing meeting. Lawmakers approved in …

BEIJING: According to the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee’s regulations, every year, members of the Political Bureau and the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, members of the leading Party members groups of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the State Council and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and secretaries of …

NAIROBI: Kenya’s coffee exports reached 47,861 tonnes in 2023 out of a total production of 48,648 tonnes, a senior government official said Monday. Simon Chelugui, cabinet secretary for the Ministry of Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development, told journalists in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, that the country earned 251.86 million U.S. dollars from its coffee exports …