ISLAMABAD: The federal government announced a five-day holiday on the occasion of Eidul Fitr for government organisations, semi-government organisations, banks, and educational institutions. Eidul Fitr holidays were approved on the recommendation oddf the Cabinet Division, according to which the holidays would run from April 21 to April 25 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday). The interior ministry would issue a …

UNITED STATES: The spring of 2023 will be remembered at U.S. colleges and universities as “a massive labor movement” is sweeping across the country, with professors, students, and other faculty members organizing unions and preparing to strike, according to the Bucks County Beacon (BCB), an independent news outlet based in Pennsylvania. From Pennsylvania’s Bucks County in the East that borders …

BEIJING: China currently has 43 airports that are no less than 1,524 meters above sea level, the most in the world, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). Among them, 23 airports stand at altitudes of 2,438 meters or higher, while 20 airports are between 1,524 meters and 2,438 meters above sea level. Since 2012, the country’s technology …

TOKYO: Japan on Thursday broke ground on its venue for World Expo 2025 to be held in Osaka prefecture of the country’s Kansai region. “It is of historic significance to host an expo that focuses on life at a time of the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical uncertainties and energy crisis,” said Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida while delivering a speech at …

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan on Wednesday formed an eight-member larger bench of the Supreme Court (SC) to take up three petitions challenging a bill seeking to curtail the powers of the chief justice on Thursday morning. The bill, titled the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill 2023, is aimed at depriving the office of the CJP of powers to …

ISLAMABAD: President Arif Alvi has directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to submit a report to the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) explaining how the identity of a whistle-blower, who had reported large scale tax-evasion/fraud by a private limited company, was leaked to his employer and consequently he had to face threats by the tax-evading company. He further directed FBR …

NEW DELHI: A man opened fire indiscriminately inside a military station in India’s northern state of Punjab on Wednesday morning killing for persons, said the Indian Army. The identities of the assailant and those killed have not been ascertained yet. The incident occurred at around 04:35 a.m. local time inside the Bathinda Military Station in Punjab. The assailant was reportedly …

BEIJING: The State Council and the Central Military Commission of China has issued a set of revised rules regarding military recruitment on Wednesday. The main aim of the move is to provide institutional guarantees for consolidating national defense and building strong armed forces. The new regulation, with 74 articles in 11 chapters, focuses on recruiting more high-caliber soldiers, standardizing and …

SAN FRANCISCO: Elon Musk has set a deadline for removing legacy blue check-marks from Twitter accounts verified under the previous rules of the company. “Final date for removing legacy Blue checks is 4/20,” he announced in a tweet. This means that if those who want to retain a blue check-mark, they will have to get subscribed to Twitter Blue. Last …

The widely popular messaging app, WhatsApp, is working on a new feature that will allow users send video messages in real time. When this feature will be rolled out, users can easily press the camera butting to record and send short videos to send to their contacts, according to Wabetainfo that closely monitors developments in WhatsApp. It said the video …

CHICAGO: Pakistan showbiz industry actor Shamoon Abbasi and actress Javeria Abbasi’s daughter Anzela Abbasi’s wedding ceremony has started which is taking place in the American state of Chicago. Actress Javeria Abbasi has shared her daughter’s dholki photos on social media, which have become the focus of everyone’s attention. Actress and model Anzela Abbasi is wearing a black sharara at the …

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) management committee chairman Najam Sethi stressed on Monday the need for backing Babar Azam as the captain of the national team. Mr Sethi said, “For months’ media and cricketing circles have been discussing pros and cons of retaining Babar Azam as captain in all formats of the game. Since this decision is ultimately Chairman’s, I …

LAHORE: Pakistan’s newly appointed head coach Grant Bradburn has expressed his excitement at working with the Pakistan side, calling it a ‘wonderful opportunity’. The Kiwi has previously served as a fielding coach of the national side from 2018 to 2020 before he joined the National Cricket Academy, then known as National High Performance Centre, to take on the coach’s development …

PALESTINE: Palestine is the first and the most important issue of the Islamic world, said Ambassador of I.R. Iran to Islamabad Seyed Mohammad Ali Hossaini on Tuesday. The ambassador, in his message, said that the Al-Quds has special significance to Palestine and the Palestinian cause, but beyond that, it is the axis of unity and integration of the Islamic world. …

MYANMAR: Myanmar exported more than 1,900 tons of honey in during the fiscal year 2022-23, and earned over 2.8 million U.S. dollars, the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department said on Tuesday. The country’s 2022-23 fiscal year started on April 1 last year and ended on March 31 this year. During the period, the country shipped 1,853.74 tons of honey via …

JAPAN: A fire broke out at an idled nuclear power plant in Japan’s Niigata prefecture on Tuesday morning, local reports said. The fire was detected in the morning at the No. 5 reactor building at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant located on the coast of the Sea of Japan. The plant’s operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), said flames were seen near …

MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) High Court on Tuesday disqualified Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan from holding any public office after he was found guilty of contempt of court. A full bench announced the verdict in a contempt notice taken after he criticised the stay orders issued by the court at a public …

KARACHI: The Pakistani rupee witnessed a historic low in value against the US dollar on Tuesday, losing another Rs1.34 to reach Rs288.43 in the interbank market. This comes a day after the local unit had registered a significant decline against the greenback, settling at 287.09 in the inter-bank market after a loss of Rs2.44 or 0.85 per cent. The dollar …

MUMBAI: Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has reportedly received yet another death threat, adding to his security concerns. The call was made to the Mumbai Police control room unidentified caller who identified himself as a Gaurakshak named Rocky Bhai from Jodhpur. According to reports, the caller threatened to kill Salman on April 30. The police actively investigated the matter and located …

SAUDI ARABIA: The Saudi government has announced public holidays for Eidul Fitr. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has announced a four-day Eid holiday plan for private and non-profit sectors in the kingdom. In a post on Twitter, the ministry said Eid break would begin on Friday, April 21, meaning residents can start their holiday at the …

Google has announced stricter guidelines for personal loan apps, restricting them from accessing to sensitive user data such as photos, videos and contacts. In its latest update, the tech giant said: “We’re introducing additional requirements for personal loan apps targeting users in Pakistan. Personal loan apps in Pakistan must submit country-specific licensing documentation to prove their ability to provide or …

KARACHI: Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi has issued clarification regarding comments made by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi about captaincy of Babar Azam. The clarification comes after Me Sethi revealed that the interim selection committee, led by Shahid Afridi, had proposed replacing Babar as Pakistan captain. However, the legendary cricketer took to Twitter to clarify that he had …

LAHORE: The tickets for the fourth and fifth T20 Internationals and the five One-Day Internationals between Pakistan and New Zealand will be put on sale from today (Tuesday). The fans can log on to pcb.bookme.pk from 1600 to buy the tickets. The Pakistan Cricket Board has once again set affordable prices so the cricket lovers in Rawalpindi and Karachi can …

LAHORE: There is no age bar when it comes to sports and an elderly man, who appears to be belonged to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has just proved that by showing his skills with the ball in a viral video. Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar, who holds the record for delivering the fastest ball, has shared the video of the elderly person …

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange Limited (PSX) will remain closed on April 14, on account of Juma Tul Wida the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan. In a statement, the PSX said: “All TRE (Trading Rights Entitlement) Certificate holders [of the exchange], staff and concerned are hereby informed that Pakistan Stock Exchange Limited will remain closed on Friday, …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday asked China to expedite the process for implementation of the first phase of $10 billion Mainline-1 (ML-1) the 1,872km railway track along with associated facilities from Karachi to Peshawar and $2bn Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) as agreed between the leadership of the two nations in November. Pakistan “requested strong support of National Development and Reforms Commission …

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) in collaboration with Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration and Municipal Corporation Islamabad (MCI) planned to organise a shopping festival in the federal capital starting from 21st Ramazan to Chand Raat. Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, President ICCI said that the festival will be organised in F-7 and F-10 markets in collaboration with ICT …

This photo taken on April 10, 2023 shows a view outside the venue of the third China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital city of south China’s Hainan Province. More than 3,300 high-quality brands from home and abroad have gathered at the third CICPE, which kicked off Monday in Haikou. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun) This photo taken on April 10, …

LAHORE: Ushna Shah recently faced backlash on social media for her comments on co-actor Feroze Khan. Refusing to “bully or ostracize” anyone, she faced criticism for her stance on the matter. In response to this, Ushna took to Instagram once again, where she defended her opinion and clarified her stance. In her heartfelt and detailed note, the actress highlighted the …

DUBAI: Khushi Kapoor, the daughter of the legendary Indian actress Sridevi and film producer Boney Kapoor, recently attended the electrifying concert of Pakistani singer Atif Aslam in Dubai. The event was a huge hit and attracted thousands of music enthusiasts from across the globe. Sources revealed that Khushi was spotted enjoying a pre-concert party with her friend Orhan Awatramani at …

MUMBAI: Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut has recently taken to Instagram to share a couple of pictures, along with a romantic couplet that has left her fans speculating about the mystery man in her life. In the pictures, Kangana looks stunning in a traditional outfit, with minimal makeup, as she sits on a chair. The actress captioned the post with a …

LAHORE: Pakistani players have ramped up preparations as they are riveting battle in the nets before taking up New Zealand in home T20I and ODI series, scheduled to begin from April 14. During the practice session, Zaman Khan, who is inspired by former cricketers Shoaib Akhtar and ex-Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga, bowled a toe-crushing yorker to Haris Rauf in …

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad police said that they were fully-equipped and shall provide end-to-end foolproof and world class security to New Zealand Cricket Team during their forthcoming visit. Dr Akbar Nasir Khan said Islamabad Capital Territory police had provided the highest level of security during the visit of the English cricket team and PSL 8 flawlessly in 2022-23. “ICTP shall be playing …

WASHINGTON: The 2023 spring meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) begin in the US capital on today to consider “uncertainties and risks weighing heavily” on the global economy. The April 10-16 meetings at the IMF and World Bank headquarters will also focus on the effects of climate change, which is threatening lives and livelihoods …

ISLAMABAD: Total inflows through Roshan Digital Account (RDA) from overseas Pakistanis surpassed the $6 billion mark in the first week of April, figures released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reveal. Cumulative inflows of RDA deposit reached $6.005 billion as of April 7, 2023. “Roshan Digital Account has reached a new milestone as the total inflows have crossed $6 …

PESHAWAR: Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology and Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU), a leading Chinese research varsity, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop partnership in various mutually agreed fields of science and technology. The MoU was inked by Prof Dr Fazal Ahmad Khalid, Rector GIK Institute and Dr Li Ziwei, Vice Dean (Deputy Director) of …

ISLAMABAD: Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has issued a 30-point code of conduct for international observers and media persons, providing guidelines for conduct, impartiality, and security during the observation and reporting of the country’s electoral process, and aims to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections. According to the code of conduct, individuals or groups who observe and report on the …

ISLAMABAD: More than 2,800 Sikh pilgrims from India reached Lahore via Wagah border to attend the annual Baisakhi festival starting from today. According to details, Sikh pilgrims from India will participate in the main event at Gurdwara Panja Sahib Hasan Abdal on April 14. During the visit, pilgrims will visit Dera Sahib, Panja Sahib, Nankana Sahib and Kartarpur Sahib. The …

HYDERABAD: The civil society and Sindhi Adabi Sangat Sindh staged separate protest demonstrations and sit-ins at Press Club and Naseem Nagar Chowk in Qasimabad against the brutal murder of Ajmal Sawand in Kashmore-Kandhkot district. Sindhi Adabi Sangat’s Secretary Taj Joyo led the protest demonstrations outside the Hyderabad press club to condemn the brutal murder of professor Shaheed Ajmal Sawand, Assistant …

LAHORE: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has served warning notices for improvement to 950 eateries and penalized dozens of food points with Rs2 million cumulative fines during a province-wide inspection operation. On the directions of the Punjab government, the provincial food regulatory body has been working day and night with full dedication to ensure the availability of healthy, safe and …