BEIJING: Robust consumption has been thriving and helping to underpin China’s economic recovery, while the country is energetically spurring consumer spending to strengthen one of the pillars needed to support high-quality growth. China’s total retail sales of consumer goods, a major indicator of the country’s consumption strength, climbed 7.2 percent year on year to reach 47.15 trillion yuan (about 6.63 …

ISLAMABAD: The 4th meeting of the CPEC Joint Working Group on International Cooperation and Coordination (JWG-ICC) was held today in Islamabad on Sunday. The meeting, which was co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi and Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of China, Sun Weidong, exemplifies the commitment of both countries to foster international cooperation and coordination including on CPEC. …

Using some types of dental floss may contribute to elevated levels of toxic chemicals in the body which can lead to numerous health problems, a study claims. PFAS are water- and grease-proof substances that have been linked with cancer, thyroid disease and fertility disorders, said researchers from the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health in the US. The …

Maintaining the health of your teeth is a critical aspect of overall well-being, and knowing when to brush is just as important as the act itself. Dentist Dr Surina Sehgal, through her Instagram Reel, highlighted three specific instances when brushing immediately can be detrimental to dental health. Do not brush after eating It’s advised not to brush your teeth right …

Internet monitor Netblocks reported a widespread disruption to social media platforms across Pakistan on Saturday evening, coinciding with a virtual event organized by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The disruption affected popular platforms including X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, according to live metrics provided by the internet tracking agency at 7:12 pm. “Confirmed: Live metrics show a nation-scale disruption to social …

Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi on Saturday said no country in the world gave the media access to those who were involved in serious crimes. Speaking to WION News, the minister said the former chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had been convicted and his conviction had not been set aside. “He remains convicted and charged with serious crimes,” he …

Caretaker Chief Minister of Sindh Maqbool Baqar has requested Interim PM Anwarul Haq Kakar to facilitate the completion of the M-6 motorway by taking a personal interest. In a letter to Prime Minister Kakar, Sindh’s caretaker CM wrote that all portions of Peshawar to Karachi motorway have been completed but a key link of the road project from Hyderabad to …

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has decided to use Election Management System (EMS) for the timely finalization of results. Sources within the ECP said the arrangements have been completed for the timely dispatch of results on the February 8 elections. Each Returning Officer has been provided three data entry operators for the finalization of results on the EMS, the …

Pakistan’s spinners ran through New Zealand to pick up a consolation 42-run win in the fifth and final Twenty20 international on Sunday and avoid a series clean sweep. The tourists lost the five-match series 4-1 but it ended on a positive note as they dismissed the Black Caps for a paltry 92 in defence of 134-8. Part-time offspinner Iftikhar Ahmed …

A bipartisan group of U.K. parliamentarians has urgently sought a meeting with UK security minister Tom Tugendhat in response to reports of “threat to life warnings” issued to British Sikhs amid growing apprehension about the treatment of Sikhs globally by the current Indian administration. The request for the meeting follows allegations from Canada linking India to the death of Hardeep …

An Indian passenger plane crashed in the Zibak district of Badakhshan province in Afghanistan on Sunday. The Badakhshan Police Command said that the passenger plane went off the radar last night and crashed in the high mountains of the “Artillery” area of Zibak district of the said province. An Indian passenger plane crashed in the mountains of Topkhana alongside the …

In a bid to navigate potential shortfalls in the annual tax target, the caretaker government has devised a contingency plan, contemplating a mini-budget with strategic tax measures. The government expects to earn over Rs 18 billion per month from these measures. The contingency plan includes imposing an additional tax of Rs 5 per kg on sugar, raising the GST rate …

MELBOURNE, Australia: China’s Zhang Zhizhen and Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic stunned third seeds and former champions Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury in a men’s doubles thriller on Sunday to reach the quarterfinals at the Australian Open. The unseeded pairing of Zhang and Machac came from behind to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 in one hour and 36 minutes. Zhang, …

NEW YORK: Global shipping giant FedEx Corporation is committed to the Chinese market and its customers, said the company. “As a firm advocate and facilitator of global trade, FedEx considers China as an important market in our global strategy,” FedEx told Xinhua recently via email. The future of FedEx is very much brightened by its partnership with China and the …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan-China Institute, under Friends of Silk Road (FOSR) Initiative organized a dialogue on “Outlook of Security Situation in South Asia in 2024.” The event took place simultaneously at two venues: Islamabad, and a second venue at Quetta Press Club on Saturday. The dialogue featured speeches by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chairman, Senate Defense Committee Defense & Pakistan-China Institute; Senator …

BEIJING: China’s road logistics price index was generally flat week on week during the week from Jan. 15 to 19, industry data showed. The country’s road logistics price index came in at 1,038.95 points in the period, according to a survey jointly conducted by the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing and the Guangdong Lin’an Logistics Group. The sub-index for …

WUHAN: The number of Yangtze River cruise passengers exceeded 1.37 million in 2023, marking a 26-percent growth from the 2019 figure and hitting a 20-year high, the China Yangtze Shipping Group Co., LTD. (CYSC) has announced recently. The Yangtze River, China’s mother river, is rich in tourism resources, with spectacular landscapes and numerous historic and cultural sites along the river. …

BEIJING: Beijing Municipality plans to boost consumption potential and shift its focus from post-pandemic recovery to sustained expansion in 2024, said the city’s mayor Yin Yong when delivering a government work report at the annual session of the Beijing Municipal People’s Congress on Sunday. As one of the five pilot international consumption center cities in China, Beijing will adopt multiple …

SACRAMENTO, the United States, : Facing economic and policy headwinds, the U.S. solar industry is expected to slow down for both residential and utility-scale segments, dimming the industry’s prospects for leading the country’s power generation charge in the next two years. In its latest Short-Term Energy Outlook report, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecast early this week that solar …

CHONGQING: Southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality has set its regional gross domestic product (GDP) growth target at about 6 percent for 2024, according to the annual session of the municipal people’s congress on Sunday. The city also aims to increase added value of industries above the designated size by 7 percent, investment in fixed assets by 4 percent, and general public …

NANNING: Nearly 50 tonnes of orah mandarins from Guangxi Mingming Orchard Group were loaded onto ship at the Shenzhen Port, south China’s Guangdong Province, and were shipped to Canada on Friday. “Our orah mandarins started being exported to Canada four years ago. At first, it was mainly to supermarkets in the Chinese quarter. Now we have become the direct supplier …

TOKYO: Japan’s core consumer prices rose 3.1 pct in 2023 from the previous year, marking the fastest growth in 41 years, the government has said in a report. The core consumer price index (CPI) for the year, excluding fresh food prices because of their volatility, came in at 105.2 against the 2020 base of 100, with its pace of increase …

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, who is currently on a visit to Islamabad, inaugurated the CPEC Corner at the library of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday. Speaking on the occasion, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister said that as iron brother and trusted friend, China attached special importance to Pakistan in …

DAVOS, Switzerland: The 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos unfolded this week amid hope for a stronger recovery as well as concerns over global crises and risks. Prior to its opening, news came from across the Atlantic: Former U.S. President Donald Trump won the first Republican primary in the 2024 presidential election, fueling up discussions …

ZHENGZHOU: By the end of 2023, the installed renewable energy power generation capacity in central China’s Henan Province had surpassed 67 million kilowatts, overtaking coal power for the first time, according to the latest data from the State Grid Henan Electric Power Company. Henan’s installed renewable energy power generation capacity accounted for 48.7 percent of the province’s total installed power …

Regular exercise has a profound impact on diabetes management. Physical activity improves insulin sensitivity, allowing better glucose uptake by cells. It aids weight management, reducing the risk of Type 2 diabetes and helping control blood sugar levels in those with the condition. Exercise enhances cardiovascular health, lowering the risk of diabetes-related complications. It also contributes to stress reduction and improved …

Indian tennis star Sania Mirza’s father has reportedly confirmed that she used her right to divorce her former husband Shoaib Malik through a ‘khula’. The Indian news agency, the PTI, quoted Sania’s father Imran Mirza as saying on Saturday that “it was a khula”, which refers to the right of a Muslim woman to unilaterally divorce her husband. Earlier, unconfirmed …

Following the resignation of Zaka Ashraf as a PCB chairman, the former Pakistan cricket team captain Moin Khan has entered the race for the chairmanship of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Sources close to the development reveal that Moin Khan has engaged in discussions with government officials, and is scheduled to visit Islamabad on Monday. It is anticipated that Moin …

Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Bashir has sought leave till his retirement in March 2024, said sources on Saturday. In a letter to the Islamabad High Court and the Ministry of Law and Justice, Judge Muhammad Bashir has sought leave in a letter on the ground of ill health till his retirement in March, sources said. His retirement from service has …

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released a report, analyzing Pakistan’s economic situation, painting a picture of mixed progress with promising improvements alongside persistent challenges. Positives: Growth on Track since July 2023: Pakistan’s economic growth rate is projected to remain steady at 2% for the current fiscal year. This stability signifies progress compared to the tumultuous economic rollercoaster the country …

In a recent turn of events, Pakistani cricketer Sarfaraz Ahmed has vehemently denied the circulating reports suggesting his farewell to Pakistan. Speaking exclusively to Samaa Digital, the former captain expressed his disbelief and dismay over the news, asserting that such reports are entirely baseless. “I can’t even think of leaving Pakistan. Confirm before running such fabricated news,” Sarfaraz Ahmed emphasised …

Supreme Court Justice Athar Minallah underscored on Saturday the significance of judicial independence, urging judges not to succumb to fear or panic in the face of criticism. Addressing a gathering of legal professionals and scholars, Justice Athar Minallah stressed that judges must remain independent, regardless of the level of criticism they face. He asserted that the judiciary should be a …

A Nishan-e-Haider Football Championship and talent hunt organized by the Pakistan Army is underway in North Waziristan. The 14-day tournament conducted by the Pakistan Army is being held in Miranshah of North Waziristan wherein 24 teams from the district, including Bannu and Lakki Marwat, are participating. The matches are being held at the Younis Khan Stadium in Miranshah and will …

In a surprising turn of events, renowned Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik has exchanged vows with popular Pakistani actor Sana Javed, adding a new chapter to his personal life. The nuptial ceremony, held on Saturday, January 20, was unveiled to the world through the athlete’s social media accounts. This union comes amidst swirling rumors surrounding Shoaib Malik’s relationship with former Indian …

XI’AN: Amidst sub-zero temperatures, tourists donning traditional Chinese attire, Hanfu, strolled through ancient-style buildings in a vibrant block, happily posing for photographers. Located in the city of Xi’an in northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, this block features elements of Chang’an, the old name for the city when it was the capital of China’s Tang Dynasty (618-907). This lively area provides tourists …

Google recently gave a three-month grace period before shutting down the websites created with the Google Business Profiles. After three months, in March this year, the websites made with Google Business Profiles will be shut down and the customers, visiting the website will be redirected to the business profile. This measure will be effective from March to June 10 and …

An earthquake measuring 3.2 on the Richter scale jolted Quetta and its adjoining areas in Balochistan province on Friday. According to the National Seismic Monitoring Centre, the depth of the earthquake was 15 km and the epicenter was 45 km south-east of Harnai. People came out of their homes in panic and started reciting verses from the Holy Quran. Meanwhile, …

BEIJING: Sales of pickup trucks in China rose 10.3 percent year on year in December last year as the country’s consumption promotion policies led to stronger demand, industry data showed. A total of 48,000 pickup trucks were sold in China last month, up 5 percent compared with that of November 2023, according to the China Passenger Car Association. The country’s …

BEIJING: The three taikonauts from China’s Shenzhou-16 crewed mission made their first public appearance in Beijing on Friday, 80 days subsequent to their return from space. The Shenzhou-16 spaceship was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on May 30, 2023, carrying three crew members: Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu, and Gui Haichao. They stayed in orbit for 154 days, during …

SHANGHAI: In 2023, Shanghai’s airports received 440 million export declaration forms of cross-border e-commerce goods, almost treble that of 2022, with a total export value of more than 85 billion yuan (about 12 billion U.S. dollars), said Shanghai Customs. So far this year, airports in Shanghai have recorded a new daily high of such cross-border e-commerce export declarations, hitting around …