BEIJING: In February 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted then Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing, an appointment between the two old friends. Back in early 2020, Hun Sen visited Beijing as China was battling the COVID-19 epidemic. He visited to show Cambodia’s staunch support for the Chinese people at a …

BEIJING: Over three decades ago, when Xi Jinping, then the top official of China’s southeastern city of Fuzhou, visited Malaysia on an investment promotion trip, he found himself deeply impressed by two symbolic sites. One is the Poh San Teng Temple, a long-standing homage to renowned Chinese navigator Zheng He (1371-1433) of the Ming Dynasty. The other is the city …

KUNMING: As of Saturday, the China-Laos Railway has transported 487,000 cross-border passengers from 112 countries and regions since the launch of its international passenger train service two years ago, according to China Railway Kunming Group Co., Ltd. The 1,035-km railway, which links Kunming in southwest China’s Yunnan Province and the Laotian capital Vientiane, has played a significant role in boosting …

The US President Donald Trump series of reciprocal tariffs have shocked allies and adversaries, marginalizing their economies, communities and enterprises alike due to which global governance and trading systems are in immense stress. Interestingly, Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto has described the reciprocal tariff policy as a move that has raised global concerns about the economic landscape. While delivering his keynote …

PORT OF SPAIN: “The Belt and Road Initiative has brought enormous development opportunities and valuable experiences to Trinidad and Tobago,” Sekou Alleyne, president of InvestTT, the national investment promotion agency, has said. Trinidad and Tobago was among the first Caribbean nations to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with China on jointly advancing the initiative. As a small island developing state, …

Several cities across Punjab and the northern regions of Pakistan were lashed by rain and thunderstorms on Friday, as a fresh western disturbance gripped the upper parts of the country. The weather system, accompanied by strong winds and occasional hailstorms, brought relief from the scorching heat but also caused disruptions in parts of the region. In Lahore, dark clouds hovered …

Supreme Court of Pakistan has ruled that judicial remarks—whether critical or complimentary—must not be considered binding or final in any future legal forum or proceedings. The verdict came in a written decision issued by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, in which the apex court dismissed the Punjab Government’s petition seeking the transfer of May 9 incident cases to another judge. According …

Reckless drivers in the UAE now face on-the-spot arrests and hefty fines of up to Dh100,000 under newly revised traffic laws aimed at improving road safety, according to the Ministry of Interior. The amended regulations, which came into effect in late March, grant broader authority to traffic enforcement officers, enabling them to detain motorists caught committing serious traffic violations. The …

Tensions flared outside Adiala Jail on Thursday as senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omer Ayub Khan and party spokesperson Niazullah Niazi, were once again denied permission to meet the incarcerated founder of PTI — despite clear directives from the Islamabad High Court. Speaking to media outside the jail, Omer Ayub accused the jail …

Pakistan’s rising squash star Noor Zaman has etched his name into history by winning the 2025 U-23 World Squash Championship, defeating Egypt’s Kareem El Torkey in a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory. The final, held at the prestigious DHA Creek Club in Karachi, was a display of resilience, determination, and skill from the 21-year-old from Peshawar, who overcame a challenging start …

Pakistan says that considering the interconnected nature of global trade, the imposition of tariffs by the United States can have far-reaching effects, particularly on developing countries. At his weekly media briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said Pakistan hopes for a swift and mutually beneficial resolution of the issue. He mentioned that, as for the …

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries and striving to open new ground for China’s neighborhood work. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a central conference on work related to neighboring …

Cristiano Ronaldo and his partner, Georgina Rodriguez, have reportedly overhauled their personal security arrangements in Saudi Arabia, replacing their chief bodyguard and dismissing previous staff following a series of alarming threats made against them on social media. The Portuguese football icon, who currently resides in Riyadh with Rodriguez and their five children, has taken the threats seriously — prompting police …

The Sindh government has once again decided to impose a complete ban on the manufacture, sale, and use of plastic bags across the province, citing growing environmental and urban concerns. According to a statement issued by the Sindh Environment Department, violators of the ban will face strict legal action, including prosecution, arrests, and punishment. The department warned that the use …

A high-level US delegation – led by Senior Bureau Officer for South and Central Asia Affairs Eric Meyer –  met with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir on Wednesday as part of an ongoing diplomatic engagement focused on Pakistan’s mineral wealth. The meeting, which took place in the backdrop of the ongoing Minerals Investment Forum 2025, saw …

BEIJING: China’s Minister of National Defense Dong Jun met with Pakistan Air Force Chief Zaheer Ahmad Babar in Beijing on Tuesday. Speaking highly of the cooperation between Chinese and Pakistani militaries in recent years, Dong said China is willing to work with the Pakistani side in strengthening strategic communication and cooperation, deepening practical cooperation, and jointly safeguarding international and regional …

In a story straight out of a fairy tale, Noppajit “Meen” Somboonsate, a 28-year-old street sweeper in Bangkok, has gone from sweeping streets to striking poses—thanks to a chance encounter captured on TikTok. Meen, a single mother of two, was spotted while working on the streets by Semyon Rezchikov, a Russian photographer visiting Thailand. Captivated by her natural beauty, Rezchikov …

A tense standoff unfolded near Adiala Jail on Tuesday, as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers clashed with police demanding access to party founder Imran Khan and his family. The protest, which escalated into a series of arrests, centered around the denial of entry for several prominent PTI figures, including Khan’s three sisters, who had arrived to meet him and his wife, …

The United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) on Tuesday officially announced the cessation of the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) for Pakistani students. The decision, communicated by the U.S. Department of State, marks the end of the program after 15 years of fostering educational and cultural exchange between the two nations. The Global UGRAD Program, which has been …

In a significant development, popular actress and model Nadia Hussain has been summoned by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) following the discovery of large sums of money being transferred into her accounts by her husband, Aatif Khan. According to reports, the FIA’s Corporate Crime Circle issued a call-up notice for Hussain, instructing her to appear on April 14th at 2:30 …

The Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025 kicked off in Islamabad with a grand opening ceremony attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, federal ministers, and chief ministers from across the country. Delegations from China, the United States, Gulf countries, and Europe, along with leading private investors, are participating in the two-day high-level event …

BEIJING: China will resolutely take countermeasures to safeguard its rights and interests should the United States escalate its tariff measures, the country’s commerce ministry said Tuesday. The comments were made by a spokesperson with the Ministry of Commerce after the United States threatened to impose an additional 50-percent tariff on Chinese imports, which the spokesperson said China firmly opposes. The …

Chief Justice Yahya Afridi on Monday upheld the Rs2.2 million fine imposed on the prosecutor general of Punjab by the Lahore High Court (LHC) while disposing of appeals regarding the transfer of cases from the Rawalpindi ATC judge in the case related to May 9 mayhem. The CJP observed that the high court’s decision would not affect the careers of …

Security forces killed nine terrorists including a ringleader during an intelligence based operation in Takwara area of Dera Ismail Khan on night between 6/7 April 2025. During conduct of the operation, own troops effectively engaged their location and after an intense fire exchange, nine terrorist including ring leader Shireen were killed. Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed …

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) recovered slightly after dropping more than 8,000 points on Monday. Trading was suspended when the KSE-100 index lost more than 6,000 point at around midday. At 3 pm, the index was at 114,652.39 after recovering 4,000 points but still in arrears 4,139.27 points or 3.48%. The trend coincides with global markets crash amid ongoing tariff war. This is said …

Music knows no boundaries — and the latest collaboration between Indian singer Tulsi Kumar and Pakistani talents Kaifi Khalil and Sehar Khan is proof of that. Their new track ‘Fitrat’, set to release on April 4, 2025, is already creating buzz across borders. Tulsi Kumar teased the project earlier this week with a striking poster showing Pakistani actress Sehar Khan …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif are expected to visit London in the coming days. According to sources, Nawaz Sharif is scheduled to arrive in London on April 11. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will travel to London following his official visit to Belarus. Shehbaz Sharif is expected to stay in London for three days, …

The Sahara Desert is one of Earth’s most arid and desolate places, stretching across a swathe of North Africa that spans parts of 11 countries and covers an area comparable to China or the United States. But it has not always been so inhospitable. During a period from about 14,500 to 5,000 years ago, it was a lush green savannah rich …

The Balochistan government has warned that veteran politician and BNP-M chief Akhtar Mengal will be arrested if he proceeds with his planned march towards Quetta. According to the provincial government spokesperson, the administration informed Akhtar Mengal at 6am about his detention under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance. Despite the formal notice, Mengal reportedly refused to comply and declined …

Former England Test captain Sir Alastair Cook is all set to make his HBL PSL debut behind the mic as Pakistan Cricket Board today announces a star-studded commentary panel for HBL PSL X. The six-team tournament is scheduled to commence from 11 April at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and will conclude on 18 May, with the final taking place at …

Minister Maryam Aurangzeb has dismissed claims of water theft as misleading and inaccurate, stating that such remarks are false and should not be made. “There is no water being stolen from anyone, nor is it possible,” she said while addressing recent controversies around water distribution. Aurangzeb emphasized that water is a provincial matter and any disputes should be resolved through …

A delegation from the United States, led by the Trump administration under the guidance of the State Department, is set to visit Pakistan next week. The delegation will participate in the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum from April 8 to 10. During the visit, they will also hold meetings with Pakistani officials to enhance economic cooperation and boost investment. Eric Meyer, …

US President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs has produced a seismic shift in the international trading and economic system. It seems that neocons of Trump-capitalism have lost all vital economic wisdom putting the international cooperation and community in the line of fire.  It imposed 54 percent tariffs on Chinese goods which have no economic and trade justifications. Most recently, the policy …

It seems that neocons of Trump-capitalism have badly hit the international economy and trading system and ultimately global geo-economy is endangered and the Central Asian countries are not exempted. Additionally, the US primarily focused on attacking Asian countries and the “Asian Century” which would be self-defeating, devastating and dangerous for the US economy, community and industries alike in the days …

BEIJING: The Chinese government’s position on opposing U.S. abuse of tariffs was released on Saturday. Recently, under various pretexts, the United States has imposed tariffs on all trading partners, including China, which severely infringes upon the legitimate rights and interests of nations, severely violates World Trade Organization rules, severely harms the rules-based multilateral trading system, and severely disrupts the stability …

Dates are known to be an excellent source of essential nutrients that can support a healthy lifestyle. Packed with dietary fibre, vitamins like Vitamin C and B, and key minerals such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium, dates are considered a powerhouse of nutrients that promote optimal body functions. A nutritionist at the National Health Institute, emphasised the importance of dates …

Pakistan has been elected as a member of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) for a four-year term, beginning in 2026 and concluding in 2029. The election took place during a voting session held at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in New York. In a statement issued by Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the UN, the …

After more than a decade-long pause, Pakistan and Bangladesh are set to revive high-level diplomatic engagement, as the Pakistan-Bangladesh Political Consultative Meeting is likely to be held in Dhaka on April 17, sources confirmed. According to diplomatic sources, Foreign Secretary Amina Baloch will represent Pakistan at the upcoming meeting, which marks a significant step forward in improving bilateral ties between …

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for reducing power prices. According to reports, Rehman had telephoned the premier. On this occasion, PM Shehbaz said: “Despite the hardships, providing relief to the masses was the priority.” “We will continue our mission,” he said. PM Shehbaz vowed to continue the mission of steering the …

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced on Saturday that Pakistan plans to send a high-level delegation to Washington to reinforce its commitment to a long-term strategic partnership with the United States, especially in light of shifting US trade policies under President Donald Trump’s administration. Speaking at a press conference, Aurangzeb said the government is in the final stages of formulating its …