BEIJING: The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday released a paper stating China’s position on resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The following is the full text: Position Paper of the People’s Republic of China on Resolving the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict The current Palestinian-Israeli conflict has caused heavy civilian casualties and a serious humanitarian disaster. It is a grave concern of the …

HONG KONG: At a special session at the Pui Kiu Middle School Wednesday, students were thrilled to see their hometown, Hong Kong, from a whole new perspective. Chinese astronaut Chen Dong showed the students a photo of the city taken from outer space. “This is the airport, and this is the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge,” he said, pointing to the tiny …

AUCKLAND, New Zealand: Kiwis are amazed by unique cultural events and cuisine from southwest China’s Sichuan Province during a tourism promotion event held here on Wednesday. The “Cultural China, Splendid Sichuan” features the long-pot tea art, a large puppet performance, the unique Sichuan Opera act “Face Changing,” other local dances and performances, as well as Sichuan’s spicy cuisine. Chen Shijie, …

Singer Britney Spears shared another video of herself while smiling before oddly saying, “Good morning.” Britney Speakers said: “I know that a lot of people don’t understand why I love taking pictures of myself naked or in new dresses. But I think if they’d been photographed by other people thousands of times, prodded and posed for other people’s approval, they’d …

In a heartbreaking twist of fate, Bilal Pasha, a distinguished CSS officer from Pakistan, breathed his last on November 27, 2023, falling victim to an unexpected cardiac arrest. His premature departure sent ripples of sorrow through the civil service fraternity, marking the end of a journey defined by tenacity, commitment, and a profound influence on the community. Bilal Pasha, a …

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and Senator Ali Zafar has claimed that the party will hold its intra-party elections on December 2. Talking to the media in Islamabad, the lawyer also announced that lawyer Barrister Gohar Ali Khan will be the nominee for the party chairman’s election, as Imran Khan will not be contending for the office. He further said that …

Pakistan batter Sarfraz Ahmed lavished praise on former skipper Babar Azam and Australian batter Steve Smith. Expressing his thoughts on Wednesday ahead of the Australia series, Ahmed said: “Both Babar Azam and Steve Smith are high-quality players.” He also commended Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi and Australian speedster Mitchell Starc. “Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mitchell Starc have the ability to …

An elephant, labelled one of the “loneliest” in the world by animal rights activists, has passed away at a Philippines zoo, where she spent the majority of her life confined to a solitary enclosure. An outpouring of tributes has emerged for Mali, who captivated audiences as Manila Zoo’s star attraction for four decades and was deeply cherished. Nonetheless, the solitary …

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has acquitted PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif of the charges in the Avenfield Apartments references. A division bench comprising IHC Chief Justice Aamir Farooq and Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb heard Nawaz’s appeals against his sentence in the Avenfield and Al-Azizia Steel Mills cases. He had been sentenced to 10 years in prison in the Avenfield Apartments …

Last year’s debut of ChatGPT ignited an upsurge in AI research and investment, with one concept standing out for its potential to significantly transform the labor market. This emerging trend centers around “AI agents,” a novel category of AI systems set to revolutionize the workplace. Functioning similarly to a personal assistant or a “synthetic employee,” these agents are capable of …

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has decided to register members of different associations and service providers like lawyers and tax advisers of High courts and the Supreme Court under the broadening the tax base exercise, official sources told media. The probe is set to target members of powerful associations including industrialists, lawyers, and doctors. FBR sources have disclosed that …

Do you know international orange juice prices have increased by more than 300 percent since 2020, clocking to an all-time high? Some even joke that it may beat certain hedge funds out there but why? Given extreme weather events and disease outbreaks hurting both near and long-term prospects of a thinly traded market, a constrained production outlook from the United …

If you Google search “Twitter is dying”, it shows several articles from major news outlets covering the topic of Twitter’s (now called X) spiraling traffic. This has actually helped X beat Instagram and Facebook significantly in terms of traffic generated through Google. Bad publicity is still publicity after all. Elon Musk highlighted this news on his social media platform, saying …

President Dr Arif Alvi has upheld the orders of Banking Mohtasib directing Allied Bank Ltd (ABL) to pay Rs 344,600 to a customer as the amount was fraudulently transferred from his account and the bank had committed maladministration by opening the fund transfer facility without his consent which caused financial loss to the customer. While deciding upon a representation filed …

TEHRAN: Any visitor to the Chinese Culture Week being held at the University of Tehran would be amazed by the Chinese tea, food, and various artworks produced through Chinese knotting and traditional paper cutting — all displayed by Iranian students learning Chinese. “Chinese knots are believed to bring good luck and act as charms that can ward off evil spirits,” …

SHANGHAI: Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made an inspection tour in east China’s Shanghai from Tuesday to Wednesday. During his trip, Xi inspected the Shanghai Futures Exchange, an exhibition on Shanghai’s sci-tech innovations, and a government-subsidized rental housing community, learning about the city’s efforts in strengthening its competitiveness as an international financial center, …

BEIJING: Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with representatives of the 14th Plenary Session of the China-Russia Friendship Committee for Peace and Development in Beijing on Wednesday. Han said that under the strategic guidance of the two countries’ heads of state, the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era has enjoyed sustained, sound and steady development, with …

The Chinese One Belt & One Road Initiative (BRI) has entered into its Phase 2. According to numerous independent reports the BRI 2.0 has brighter prospects in terms of further expansion, scope, utility and multidimensional trans-regional connectivity in the next decade. The BRI represents the Chinese president Xi’s extraordinary vision, transcends borders, connects continents, and fosters economic cooperation on an …

UNITED NATIONS: China calls for convening a more authoritative, inclusive and result-oriented peace conference as soon as possible to set a roadmap and timetable for the two-state solution to the Palestine-Israel issue, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. China supports the United Nations in playing a leading role to that end, said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau …

NEW YORK: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here Tuesday that China and Brazil should take the 50th anniversary of bilateral ties next year as an opportunity to elevate their partnership to a new level. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the call during talks with his Brazilian counterpart, …

JINAN: The receding tide at the mouth of the Yellow River in Kenli District of the city of Dongying, east China’s Shandong Province, revealed a vast seagrass bed on a morning in late September. Dozens of workers walked back and forth, gathering Japanese eelgrass seeds to be sown next spring. The seeds, which were about the size of sesame seeds, …

CHONGQING: Despite losing his sight completely at 21, Zhang Hong in 2021 summited Mount Qomolangma to become Asia’s first blind climber to scale the world’s highest peak. Zhang, who was born in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, said that it was the draw of Mount Qomolangma that pulled him away from the self-doubt that had long plagued him. Zhang’s blindness, which …

BEIJING: China will thoroughly evaluate and fine-tune service infrastructure in urban communities to meet people’s urgent needs and improve any weak links for the sustainable development of cities. The country plans to implement comprehensive checking for service facilities in communities of cities at or above the prefecture level starting from 2024, according to the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development. …

Deccan Gladiators continued their winning run over New York Strikers in the glitzy opening encounter of the 7th edition of Abu Dhabi T10. The night saw enthralling dance performances, a glamourous fashion show, and a memorable performance from Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who smashed an unbeaten 68 off 33 balls to help the defending Champions to their first win to kick off …

BENGALURU, India: Bengaluru, capital city of India’s southern Karnataka state, in the past weekend held its first-ever Kambala buffalo race, a centuries-old folk sport in Karnataka. The racing event took place on the slush tracks in the Palace Grounds in the city, with the participation of over 150 buffalo pairs. Jockeys held the reins tight and whipped the buffalos to …

BEIJING: China has pledged an initiative to establish a network of rehabilitation service centers across the country for people with disabilities, aiming to enhance support for this group. According to a plan issued by the China Disabled Persons’ Federation, in 2024, every provincial-level region must set up at least one service center for each category of disabled people. The initiative …

SACRAMENTO, United States: The increase in overdose deaths across the United States linked to tranquilizer Xylazine has prompted California Governor Gavin Newsom to propose new legislation to toughen penalties for illicit uses of the drug. As part of the state’s plan to address the opioid and overdose epidemic, Newsom announced on Tuesday the legislation, which would make Xylazine, known on …

BEIJING: A Chinese zodiac dragon version of Beijing Winter Olympic Games mascot Bing Dwen Dwen was unveiled at China’s National Stadium here on Wednesday. The special version was designed to celebrate the second anniversary of the Beijing Games and the upcoming Year of the Dragon in February 2024. “The dragon represents the spirit of the Chinese nation and the best …

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) team has sought a meeting with Pakistan’s petroleum division officials to ‘review’ steps taken under the petroleum levy to boost revenue. Currently, Pakistan is charging Rs60 per liter levy each on petrol and diesel, the sources familiar with the matter said. As per details, the meeting is expected to take place on November 30 in …

The Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Shaheed Benazirabad District on Tuesday arrested four policemen for allegedly taking bribes from national cricketers Sohaib Maqsood and Aamir Yamin. The cricketers in their tweet explained that after their team’s last match in the ongoing National T20 Cup in Karachi, where the Multan team was knocked out, the players were traveling to Multan from …

Following the orders of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is planning to hold intra-party elections this week. Sources said that the PTI core committee has decided to hold intra-party elections after consultation with the incarcerated party chairman Imran Khan. It emerged that the former prime minister will remain PTI chairman unopposed while elections will be …

The special court of Official Secrets Act has declared that the next hearing of the cipher case against PTI Chairman Imran Khan and Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi will be held in jail. Announcing his verdict reserved a short while ago, Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqernain remarked that jail authorities and security agencies had expressed security concerns, so the next hearing …

The Peshawar High Court chief justice admitted on Tuesday that police officials were recruited against bribes, adding that even at his residence, four out of the five personnel were recruited against bribes. Chief Justice Muhammad Ibrahim made these remarks while hearing a case of violence by the superintendent of police (training) against a retired sub-inspector. The CJ was heading a …

According to the recently released Ipsos Consumer Confidence Index Survey for the fourth quarter of 2023, only 1 out of 10 Pakistanis believe that the country is “headed in the right direction.” However, the public’s confidence in the current state of the economy has significantly improved. The recent survey revealed that 60% of Pakistanis believe that the country’s current state …

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has opted to rescind the imposed fine on Azam Khan following a comprehensive review of the matter. Reports indicate that Azam Khan violated Article 2.4 of the PCB’s Code of Conduct and did not comply with the code despite being instructed by an umpire. The PCB said in a brief press release, “Azam Khan’s 50 …

The Asian Development Bank said on Tuesday it had approved a $180 million loan to improve water supply and solid waste management services in two cities in Pakistan’s Punjab province. “This project will help make municipal services in these two cities more sustainable, resilient, and less carbon-intensive,” ADB Director General for Central and West Asia Yevgeniy Zhukov said in a …

BEIJING: China International Supply Chain Expo (CISIE) opened in Beijing, the first of its kind in the world devoted to promoting industrial and supply chain collaboration. The expo is the “world’s first national exhibition themed on supply chain” and a new open platform built by China for the global business community to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the sector, said …

NANNING: Bamboo, a cultural symbol for the Chinese people since ancient times, has today become an important tool in China’s efforts to go green. Bamboo-based products such as lunchboxes, bookmarks, computer mice and keyboards grabbed the limelight at the First World Forestry Industry Conference held last week in Nanning, capital of south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. “Painted the sunniest …

BEIJING: The People’s Bank of China (PBOC), China’s central bank, said that 95 Chinese cities have lowered the floor on commercial individual mortgage rates for first-time home buyers while 24 others have abolished the floor as of the end of September amid efforts to help bring down borrowing costs for home buyers and boost the real estate market. In its …

BEIJING: Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday called for enhanced global cooperation on industrial and supply chains. Li made the remarks while addressing the opening ceremony of the first China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) and the Global Supply Chain Innovation and Development Forum. Li said the CISCE is the world’s first national-level supply chain expo, and that maintaining the …