MOMBASA: A luxury cruise ship carrying 2,500 foreign tourists, including 200 Chinese, docked in the Kenyan port city of Mombasa on Saturday as senior officials reiterated that the sector’s revival is on course after a pandemic-related hiatus. Alfred Mutua, the cabinet secretary for tourism and wildlife, was among the officials who received the cruise ship MSC Poesia, whose 1,000-member crew …

BEIJING: Gary Bettman, commissioner of the North American Professional Hockey League (NHL), announced that NHL players will participate in the 2026 and 2030 Winter Olympics, while the International Olympic Committee (IOC) welcomed the decision reached by relevant parties On Saturday. The NHL chief made the announcement in Toronto, saying “We know how important international competition is to our players.” “The …

STOCKHOLM: The eCarExpo 2024 opened here on Friday, with a strong presence of Chinese electric cars. MG Cyberster, a sporty roadster manufactured by Shanghai-based SAIC had its Swedish premiere here and was a crowd-pleaser with many of the visitors admiring its “scissor” doors. The brand has grown steadily in the Swedish market since the first model was launched here in …

AUCKLAND, New Zealand: The Auckland Showgrounds burst forth with color and festivity here on Saturday with the opening of the Chinese New Year Festival and Market Day, a signature event that has become a long-cherished tradition for various communities in New Zealand. The crowd erupted in applause when New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Chinese Ambassador Wang Xiaolong dotted …

SUVA: Fijian Acting Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica said Friday that his country firmly adheres to the one-China principle and is willing to inject new momentum into China-Fiji comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. Kamikamica made the remarks after meeting with Luo Zhaohui, head of the China International Development Cooperation Agency, and signed related cooperation documents. Noting that the Chinese-style modernization has provided …

It seems that the US new blame-game against China on the issue of so-called cyber security breach and attacks will again hurt ongoing constructive pace and momentum between two countries. The Chinese Foreign Ministry strongly criticized the baseless allegation made by the chief of the FBI, intentionally creating hype about China’s plan to take down US’ domestic infrastructure in the …

BEIJING: Total profits of China’s major textile enterprises rose 7.2 percent year on year in 2023, official data showed. Last year, these companies generated profits amounting to 180.2 billion yuan (about 25.38 billion U.S. dollars), according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The combined operating revenue of these firms stood at 4.70 trillion yuan, edging down 0.8 percent …

BEIJING: Chinese scientists have revealed the characteristics of the metabolic changes of primates during pregnancy, which is expected to help study the mechanism of diseases during pregnancy. Pregnancy induces dramatic metabolic changes in females, but the intricacies of this metabolic reprogramming remained unclear, especially in primates, according to Huang Shiqiang with the Institute of Zoology under the Chinese Academy of …

Iran’s foreign ministry on Saturday condemned overnight U.S. air strikes in Iraq and Syria as “violations of the sovereignty and territorial integrity” of the two countries. In Tehran’s first response to the U.S. strikes, ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said in a statement that they represented “another adventurous and strategic mistake by the United States that will result only in increased …

Poland’s president declared on Saturday he had always been unwavering in his support for Ukraine after coming under strong criticism for saying he was unsure whether Kyiv would be able to regain control over Russian-occupied Crimea. Warsaw has been one of Kyiv’s staunchest supporters since Russia’s February 2022 invasion and has said Ukraine must regain control over all of its …

WASHINGTON: The U.S. military launched airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against more than 85 targets linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) and the militias it backs, in retaliation for last weekend’s attack in Jordan that killed three U.S. troops. The strikes, which included the use of long-range B-1 bombers flown from the United States, were the first in a multi-tiered …

President Dr Arif Alvi has called for promoting chess in the country, especially at the grassroots level in collaboration with international organizations and the private sector. A delegation of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) called on the President at Aiwan-e-Sadr. The delegation included President FIDE and former Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Arkady Dvorkovich, President of the Asian …

Pakistan former captain Misbahul Haq said on Saturday that Pakistan are having good chances in the upcoming T20 World Cup, slated to happen on June 1. Addressing the press conference in Karachi, Haq said, “We are having a good T20 side. However, there is a need to focus on our spin bowling.” He said, “The players are focusing more on …

Get ready for smarter maps and a more powerful language assistant! Google recently unleashed a double dose of AI advancements, enhancing both its Maps platform and Bard, its AI-powered language model. Maps Get a Generative Boost: Google Maps is stepping into the world of generative AI, promising a more dynamic and informative experience. While details are still under wraps, expect …

Amid significant personal transitions, renowned Indian tennis star Sania Mirza has taken to social media to share a powerful message of self-love and strength, encouraging her followers to value themselves and recognize the inner resilience that lies within. The inspirational post comes in the wake of public discussions surrounding Sania Mirza’s recent divorce from Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, who announced …

In a significant political development in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, renowned South Indian film star Vijay has officially stepped into the political arena by launching his political party, Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), as reported by NDTV. The newly-formed party, Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam, which roughly translates to “Tamil Nadu Victory Party,” is set to make its mark in the …

Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi affirmed on Saturday the government’s unwavering commitment to a democratic process, ensuring thorough security arrangements as the nation approaches the imminent elections in four days. Adressing a presser in Islamabad, Mr Solangi joined by Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, Information Ministry’s Publicity Wing representative Amberin Jan, and Election Commission Spokesperson, the minister highlighted the …

Renowned Bollywood actor and model Poonam Pandey has refuted recent reports of her demise, revealing that the shocking news of her death was a staged effort to draw attention to the critical issue of cervical cancer. In a video message shared on her Instagram today, the 32-year-old actress clarified, “I’m alive and well, I didn’t die of cervical cancer.” Poonam …

A senior civil judge has pronounced the verdict in the illegal nikah case involving Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi. Senior Civil Judge Qudratullah sentenced Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi to seven-year imprisonment each. Their nikah, said to have taken place during her iddat after divorce from former husband Khawar Maneka, has also been declared …

LANZHOU: A train carrying 261 vehicles on Friday left Lanzhou, capital of northwest China’s Gansu Province, for Almaty in Kazakhstan, marking the start of an auto export logistics center construction project. The train will travel outbound via the port of Horgos in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and is expected to arrive in Almaty in 12 days. The logistics distribution center …

TIANJIN: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday inspected troops stationed in north China’s Tianjin Municipality ahead of the Spring Festival, or Chinese Lunar New Year. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), extended festive greetings to service personnel of the People’s Liberation Army and the People’s …

BEIJING: China unveiled its “No. 1 central document” for 2024 on Saturday, outlining the priorities for comprehensively promoting rural revitalization this year. The document encompasses six parts, including ensuring national food security, forestalling any large-scale relapse into poverty, improving rural industries’ development, strengthening rural construction, enhancing rural governance, and strengthening the leadership of the Communist Party of China on work …

XICHANG: China on Saturday sent a group of 11 satellites into space from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwestern Sichuan Province. Carried by a Long March-2C carrier rocket, the 11 Geely-02 constellation satellites took off at 7:37 a.m. (Beijing Time) from the launch site, and entered the preset orbit. This was the 508th flight mission of the Long March …

WASHINGTON: The Chinese Embassy in the United States, in partnership with the local organization “Things to Do DC,” hosted the “Evening at the Chinese Embassy – Year of the Dragon Celebration” cultural event Thursday night. About 300 guests were invited to watch festival performances, taste Chinese delicacies, and experience the Chinese New Year. Minister Jing Quan of the embassy said …

YANGON: In the heart of Myanmar’s commercial hub Yangon, a sweet transformation is unfolding, one dough at a time. Students of bakery and pastry courses, wearing crisp white chef’s jackets and black trousers along with red caps and aprons, are eagerly delving into the learning process at their classroom kitchens in downtown Yangon. The two-year bakery and pastry training program, …

GENEVA: The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday over 100,000 Gazans are injured, missing or presumed dead as the situation deteriorates in the enclave. The figure makes up 4.3 percent of Gaza’s 2.3 million population. Speaking to a United Nations weekly briefing via video link from Jerusalem, Richard Peeperkorn, WHO representative for the occupied Palestinian territory, said the rest …

OSAKA, Japan: The China Pavilion at Expo Osaka, Japan, broke ground here on Friday, marking the commencement of construction for the venue highlighting green development and human-nature harmony. About 200 people participated in the groundbreaking ceremony at Yumeshima, an artificial island in Osaka Bay, where the expo site is located. Noting that Friday’s ceremony signified a crucial step forward in …

BEIJING: China’s railway network handled 81.55 million trips between Jan. 26 and Feb. 1, the first week of the Spring Festival travel rush, industry data showed. This translated to an average of about 11.65 million railway trips every day during the past week, said China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. (China Railway). China Railway estimated that a total of 480 …

TIANJIN: President Xi Jinping has extended Spring Festival greetings to all Chinese people during his inspection tour in north China’s Tianjin Municipality from Thursday to Friday. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, wished Chinese people of all ethnic groups, compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, …

BEIJING: As China’s gross domestic product (GDP) reached a new high of over 126 trillion yuan (about 17.74 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2023, what measures are likely to be adopted to reinforce the sound economic fundamentals and what is the outlook for the Chinese economy in the coming year? Several heads of government departments have recently presented reports addressing commonly …

TIANJIN: President Xi Jinping has extended Spring Festival greetings to all Chinese people during his inspection tour in north China’s Tianjin Municipality from Thursday to Friday. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, wished Chinese people of all ethnic groups, compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, …

To boost overall health, it is important to consume these plant-based foods in a balanced and varied way, along with a wholesome diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and limited processed foods. Read on as we share a list of plant-based foods that can help boost your heart health and reduce risk of heart diseases. 9 Plant-based …

Pakistan on Thursday reiterated its demand for Afghanistan to extradite the leaders of banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a designated terrorist group, while underscoring the need for bringing to justice those responsible for terrorism and maintaining regional security. “We urge Afghanistan to take immediate and effective action against these terrorist entities, hand over their leadership to Pakistan, and those individuals who …

Pakistan’s veteran actor Adnan Siddiqui did not mince his words, advising makers of the anti-Pakistan movie ‘Fighter’, to learn from the underwhelming Box Office numbers. Taking to his handle on the micro-blogging site X, formerly termed Twitter, on Wednesday night, Adnan Siddiqui urged the team of Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone starrer ‘Fighter’ to take notes from the failure of …

The Caretaker Federal Government of Pakistan has decided to ban the import of wheat. According to sources, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) took the decision to ban the state-level import of wheat as the flour prices in Pakistan are stable and the country has enough reserves. Sources within the government revealed that Pakistan has ample amount of wheat to meet …

Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam on Friday praised Fakhar Zaman, saying the latter mounts pressure on the opponents on his day. During a live session on Twitter Space, Azam said, “The innings against Australia are memorable.” Speaking about his role model, he said, “My father is a role model for me. I am more close to my father, but I …

Small dogs with long noses, such as whippets and miniature dachshunds, live for years longer than large flat-faced breeds such as English bulldogs, new research said on Thursday. The study, which is based on data from more than half a million dogs across the UK, aims to help people planning to get a dog ensure they choose a breed that …

Popular Indian model, actress and reality TV star Poonam Pandey has allegedly passed away. The news was first posted on her official Instagram handle. The social media post said that Poonam has died on Friday morning due to cervical cancer at the age of 32. The statement read: “This morning is a tough one for us. Deeply saddened to inform …

In a harrowing incident on January 29, 2024, terrorists launched a brutal attack on the Mach region of Balochistan, initially targeting security forces and later taking civilians and hotel staff hostage. The shocking assault left local residents injured and scarred, with heart-wrenching revelations emerging from the victims. The terrorists, numbering ten, attempted to strike security forces before seizing control of …

A somber cloud hangs over the upcoming elections as news emerges that 88 candidates vying for National and provincial assembly seats have passed away before the polls. This includes nine National Assembly candidates and 79 provincial assembly hopefuls. The tragedy has forced the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to postpone elections in three crucial constituencies: NA-8 Bajaur, PK-22, and PK-91 …