Japan Football Association president Tsuneyasu Miyamoto has said his country will consider bidding to host the 2039 Women’s World Cup after FIFA’s decision not to allow Asian nations to pitch for the rights to the 2031 or 2035 editions of the competition. The game’s governing body announced last week that bids for the 2031 rights would be permitted from countries …

Police in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka used tear gas and sound grenades on Friday to disperse hundreds of members of the banned group Hizbut Tahrir seeking to march to demand the country’s secular democracy be replaced by an Islamic caliphate. Hundreds of activists chanting “Khilafat, Khilafat” gathered for the ‘March for Khilafat’ procession at the Baitul Mukarram Mosque after Friday prayers, …

Punjab Police thwarted a major attack by militants on the Lakhani check post near the Punjab-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa border in the early hours of Saturday, officials said. According to Punjab Police, a group of 15 to 20 heavily armed militants launched a coordinated assault on the security post at dawn, using rocket launchers and other heavy weaponry. The attackers attempted to …

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday reiterated their commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women, underscoring the crucial role they play in shaping Pakistan’s future. In their messages marking International Women’s Day, the two leaders emphasised the need to address the challenges faced by women, including gender discrimination, violence, and economic barriers. They …

BEIJING: Through head-of-state diplomacy, China’s relations with the world have undergone positive and profound changes, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Friday. In the past year, President Xi Jinping personally planned and conducted head-of-state diplomacy, and many fruitful results were achieved, Wang said at a press conference. The three major events hosted by China last year — the conference marking …

Bananas are one of the most widely available and nutritious fruits in the world. Not only do they taste great, but they also provide a natural energy boost, making them a favourite among fitness enthusiasts. Doctors and nutritionists often recommend bananas due to their rich nutritional value and multiple health benefits. Whether blended into a smoothie, baked into desserts, or …

The Supreme Court’s constitutional bench on Friday ordered the government to submit a daily progress report in the case of the murder of senior journalist Arshad Sharif. A six-member constitutional bench, headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan, heard the suo motu case regarding the murder of Arshad Sharif. The bench included Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Naeem …

The Islamabad High Court witnessed a new twist in the case regarding the repatriation and well-being of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui. The government has filed a miscellaneous application seeking the immediate disposal of the plea for her release. During the hearing, the court issued a notice to the government, demanding a response on the matter. Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan engaged …

The federal government has amended the Civil Servants Rules, 1973, introducing new promotion policies for senior bureaucrats following the Prime Minister’s directives. According to the official notification, new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been formulated for Grade-21 officers seeking promotion to Grade-22. These policy changes aim to streamline promotions within the bureaucracy and ensure a more structured and transparent process …

The federal government on Friday announced the portfolios of the newly inducted cabinet members, with Hanif Abbasi appointed as the Federal Minister for Railways and Mustafa Kamal taking charge of the Ministry of Health. According to an official notification, Khawaja Asif will now only retain the portfolio of the Ministry of Defense, while Azam Nazir Tarar has been assigned the …

BEIJING (Internews):  Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian has expressed his country’s enthusiasm for the growing space collaboration with Pakistan. “Exploring the universe is humanity’s shared aspiration,” said Lin, highlighting the significance of the recent space cooperation agreement between China and Pakistan. The agreement is expected to pave the way for further collaboration in the realm of space exploration. Lin …

Guava, a mildly sweet fruit with a light green peel, is a winter favourite enjoyed in various ways—whether eaten raw, blended into a juice, or mashed. Beyond its refreshing taste, health experts emphasize its benefits, particularly for individuals with diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic condition where blood sugar levels rise due to insufficient insulin production in the pancreas. Managing this …

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur visited Darul Uloom Haqqania in Akora Khattak on Wednesday to condole martyrdom of Maulana Hamidul Haq. Gandapur met with Maulana Abdul Haq Sani, the successor of Maulana Hamidul Haq Shaheed, and his brother Maulana Rashidul Haq. The Chief Minister expressed condolences on the martyrdom of Maulana Hamidul Haq Haqqani. He said that the …

Hira Mani, known for her dynamic performances in Do Bol, Mere Paas Tum Ho, and Dil Moum Ka Diya, is under fire for comparing herself to Bollywood superstar Kareena Kapoor. The actress, who recently appeared in Sunn Mere Dil and Jaan Se Pyara Juni, is currently starring in Dayan. In a recent interview, Hira expressed her admiration for Kareena Kapoor …

Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani remains at odds with the government over the non-implementation of opposition Senator Ejaz Chaudhry’s production order. Despite the ongoing dispute, Gilani is set to preside over today’s Senate session, scheduled for 11:30 AM at Parliament House. However, new production orders for Senator Ejaz Chaudhry have not been issued for this session. PML-N Parliamentary Leader Senator …

ISLAMABAD (Internews): The DASU Hydro-power Project has commenced the excavation of the dam foundation pit, marking a critical phase in the construction of this major water conservancy hub According to a statement released by Energy China on Wednesday, this marks a crucial phase in the development of one of the country’s major water conservancy projects. The excavation works, which span …

          Lei Jun, a deputy to the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC), attends a group interview ahead of the opening meeting of the third session of the 14th NPC at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei) Deputies to the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) attend a …

BEIJING: The 14th National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s national legislature, opened its third session on Wednesday morning at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders attended the opening meeting. Premier Li Qiang delivered a government work report at the meeting. Lawmakers reviewed a report from the State Council on the implementation of …

BEIJING: China’s 2025 GDP growth target of around 5 percent, alongside the measures the country will implement to meet this goal, demonstrates its confidence and prowess in securing new achievements in high-quality development. The world’s second-largest economy will sustain its encouraging momentum and remain a key anchor in an uncertain global economic landscape. Taking all factors into account, the target …

BEIJING: The annual “two sessions,” a highly anticipated event on China’s political calendar, began on Tuesday with the opening of the annual session of the country’s top political advisory body. The annual session of China’s top legislature, the National People’s Congress (NPC), is set to begin on Wednesday. Offering a critical window into China’s development roadmap for 2025, the final …

          Chinese Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng gives an interview after the opening meeting of the third session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua) Chinese Minister of Transport Liu Wei gives an interview after the opening meeting of …

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, on Wednesday took part in a deliberation with his fellow deputies from the delegation of Jiangsu Province at the third session of the 14th National People’s Congress, China’s national legislature.

India’s pace spearhead Mohammed Shami has acknowledged that playing all their Champions Trophy matches at a single venue has worked in their favour, describing it as a “plus point” after his side secured a place in the final. Shami played a key role in India’s four-wicket victory over Australia in the semi-final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday, …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to complete eradication of polio from the country. Chairing a meeting in Islamabad on Wednesday, he praised the timely identification of polio cases and the negative trend in these cases, acknowledging the efforts of all provincial authorities. Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that the complete eradication of polio from the country will only …

Saudi Arabia has reiterated its firm stance against violations of Palestinian rights, with Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan emphasizing the Kingdom’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause during the Arab League Summit in Cairo. In an extraordinary summit convened on Tuesday to counter US President Donald Trump’s controversial Gaza reconstruction plan, Prince Faisal strongly condemned the displacement of Palestinians, …

Bollywood actors Tamanna Bhatia and Vijay Varma have officially confirmed their separation, ending their romantic relationship on mutually agreeable terms. According to sources close to the couple have verified that while their romantic journey has concluded, they intend to maintain a respectful and friendly relationship. The actors, who publicly acknowledged their relationship in 2022, have decided to part ways amicably. Industry …

United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday delivered his first address to Congress since returning to power, declaring that “America is back” and touting his administration’s swift policy shifts, while drawing sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers. Speaking in a prime-time televised session, the 78-year-old Republican leader took a victory lap, asserting that his administration had “accomplished more in 43 days …

A miniature park in Nagaizumi, Japan, has officially been recognized by Guinness World Records as the smallest park in the world. Measuring just 2.6 square feet (0.24 square meters), the tiny green space consists of a patch of grass, two stone plaques, and a small stool for visitors to sit on. Located near Nagaizumi Town Hall in Shizuoka Prefecture, this …

Security forces successfully thwarted a terrorist attack on Bannu Cantonment in a swift and effective operation, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported. According to ISPR, the operation resulted in the elimination of 16 terrorists, including four suicide bombers. However, five brave soldiers embraced martyrdom while defending the cantonment. The terrorists attempted to breach the security by ramming two explosive-laden vehicles …

BEIJING: China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes the U.S. decision to impose an additional 10-percent tariff on goods imported from China again, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce said Tuesday. China will take countermeasures to firmly safeguard its own rights and interests, the spokesperson added. China is one of the countries with the strictest and most rigorously …

BEIJING: The United States should work with China in the same direction to resolve trade disputes through equal-footed consultation, a Chinese spokesperson said Tuesday. Lou Qinjian, spokesperson for the third session of the 14th National People’s Congress, China’s national legislature, made the remarks at a press conference. Commenting on the U.S. decision to impose an additional 10-percent tariff on goods …

BEIJING: The preparatory meeting of the third session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) on Tuesday adopted the following agenda of the session: — Deliberate the report on the work of the government; — Review the report on the implementation of the 2024 plan for national economic and social development and on the 2025 draft plan, and the draft …

BEIJING: The underlying conditions for and basic trend of the long-term sound development of the Chinese economy remain unchanged, a spokesperson said Monday. Liu Jieyi, spokesperson for the third session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, China’s top political advisory body, made the remarks at a press conference. Liu said the Chinese economy has …

SHANGHAI: By the end of February, cargo volume on the Chancay-Shanghai shipping route had exceeded 22,000 tonnes since the sea link between China and Peru became fully operational in both directions on Dec. 18, 2024, according to Shanghai Customs. The total cargo value reached 610 million yuan (about 85.03 million U.S. dollars), the customs department said Tuesday. Currently, two regular …

Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday formed a committee to ensure the prompt implementation of the agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) he signed with Azerbaijan during his most recent visit to the friendly country. While chairing a meeting to review the implementation of accords, PM Shehbaz directed the authorities concerned to present an action plan to take the …

Pakistan cricket head coach Aqib Javed has announced the ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming New Zealand tour. Wicketkeeping batter Mohammad Rizwan will lead the ODI side while allrounder Salman Agha will serve as his deputy. Opening batter Abullah Shafique made a comeback to the ODI format alongside Mohammad Wasim Jr. who last played in the ODI World Cup …

Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have entered the policy-level phase of discussions regarding the country’s ongoing $7 billion loan programme, following the completion of technical talks. The IMF delegation –  led by Nathan Porter –  met with Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and his economic team, including Finance Secretary and Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), …

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has initiated emergency measures to tackle smog and air pollution, including a large-scale afforestation drive under the Chief Minister’s Plant for Pakistan Initiative. The plan aims to plant 42.5 million trees across 48,368 acres in the province. According to Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, 7.361 million trees will be planted over 8,496 acres during the …

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that fans attending tomorrow’s semi-final match between New Zealand and South Africa will be provided with free Iftar. Spectators can avail an Iftar box containing dates, juice, and mini pizza by presenting their match tickets. South Africa will re-embark on an agonising quest for their first piece of ICC silverware since 1998 when …

The Supreme Court’s constitutional bench continued hearings on intra-court appeals challenging the annulment of military trials for civilians. Civil society lawyer Faisal Siddiqui concluded his arguments, emphasizing that in the U.S., both parties have the right to propose judgments at the end of a case. He suggested alternatives to court-martial proceedings. Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail remarked that punishment should be …