BEIJING: As the world steps into 2025, amidst geopolitical tensions, unrest and poverty in certain regions, China as always remains committed to fulfilling the aspirations of its own people for a better life while actively fostering global peace and development. One of the most closely watched aspects is the Chinese economy, which has withstood numerous challenges both at home and …

Thirty passengers traveling to various destinations, including China and Saudi Arabia, were offloaded at Karachi Airport, while 51 Pakistanis were deported from seven countries within the last 24 hours, immigration authorities confirmed. According to sources, two of the deportees returned on original passports, while 49 arrived on emergency travel documents. Among them, 33 were sent back from Saudi Arabia, 14 …

Supreme Court Justice Jamal Mandokhel, while hearing a case related to military courts, raised concerns over why cases of soldiers who are martyred in terrorism-related incidents are not being tried in military courts. Justice Mandokhel emphasized that while soldiers are daily sacrificing their lives, the question arises: why are the cases of these martyrs not being heard in military courts? …

ISLAMABAD (Internews): A powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck China’s Xizang region today, resulting in the deaths of at least 95 people. The Chinese Embassy in Islamabad expressed deep gratitude for the condolences and support extended by Pakistan’s leadership and friends. In a statement, the embassy confirmed that search and rescue operations are underway under the strong leadership of the Chinese …

BEIJING: President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out rescue efforts to save lives and minimize casualties following a 6.8-magnitude earthquake that took a heavy toll after jolting a county in southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region Tuesday morning. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made an important instruction, demanding …

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced a rollover of $2 billion in debt due for repayment by Pakistan this month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif disclosed during a federal cabinet meeting on Tuesday. The announcement follows a one-on-one meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Rahim Yar Khan. The PM told the …

Before departing for the 6th World Media Summit in Urumqi, the capital of China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, I received enthusiastic recommendations from business associates and friends who insisted that visiting China was a must. They emphasized the nation’s remarkable progress over recent decades. Clearly, outdated narratives about Chinese poverty and underdevelopment no longer hold true. In Urumqi, I saw …

ADDIS ABABA: The Ethiopian government has lauded China’s Huajian Group for its “significant contribution” in its investment engagements in Ethiopia. The statement was made by the Ethiopian Industrial Parks Development Corporation (IPDC), a public enterprise overseeing the country’s manufacturing sector, in a statement issued Saturday. The IPDC officials commended the Chinese company for employment creation that benefited thousands of Ethiopians. …

Days after pressure from the business community and launching of the five-year plan, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Monday ruled out the possibility of “accelerating” economic growth and preferred stability over debt-led growth model. Meanwhile, the Governor State Bank of Pakistan Jameel Ahmad urged the government to expedite critical structural reforms to avoid any pressure on foreign exchange reserves and …

A powerful earthquake in China has claimed the lives of at least 53 people, with many others injured, as reported by state media. The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported a 7.1 magnitude earthquake, with its epicenter in the Tibet region. The quake struck a mountainous region in the Tibet Autonomous Region, close to the Nepalese border, shortly after 9:05 a.m. …

JAKARTA: “Looking ahead to the coming years, I believe China will continue to play a vital role in maintaining global peace and promoting shared development,” said Ayu Anastasya Rachman, an Indonesian international relations expert. Rachman, director of the international affairs office at Indonesia’s Bina Mandiri University of Gorontalo, highlighted China’s significant contributions to global cooperation, particularly through the Belt and …

PHNOM PENH: The value of imports and exports passing through the Sihanoukville Special Economy Zone (SSEZ) in Cambodia hit a record high in 2024, said Cambodia’s customs data released on Monday. The total trade volume of the enterprises in the SSEZ reached 4.07 billion U.S. dollars last year, a year-on-year increase of 21.3 percent, the data showed. Jointly ventured by …

ADDIS ABABA: The Ethiopian government has lauded China’s Huajian Group for its “significant contribution” in its investment engagements in Ethiopia. The statement was made by the Ethiopian Industrial Parks Development Corporation (IPDC), a public enterprise overseeing the country’s manufacturing sector, in a statement issued Saturday. The IPDC officials commended the Chinese company for employment creation that benefited thousands of Ethiopians. …

Saudi authorities have implemented a new system allowing pilgrims to visit more than once throughout the year. As per the Inside the Haramain Facebook page — having 4.6 million followers —pilgrims needed to ensure their GPS location was activated while making a booking. Unlike before, pilgrims did not need to wait an entire year to visit the Riaz-ul-Jannah. Nusuk App …

Severe winter weather caused widespread disruptions across Europe on Sunday, particularly impacting air travel in the United Kingdom and Germany. In the UK, airports including Manchester, Liverpool, and Newcastle faced temporary runway closures due to heavy snow and ice. Manchester Airport, the third-largest in the country, shut its runways early in the morning but reopened around 9:45 a.m. after staff …

Negotiations between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have hit a standstill, with no progress made toward scheduling the third round of talks. Sources reveal that PTI’s failure to present a written Charter of Demands has become the primary reason for the impasse. According to sources, there has been no contact from either side with the Speaker’s office to arrange …

The £190 million case involving the PTI founder and his wife Bushra Bibi in the Islamabad Accountability Court has been postponed once again and court staff has informed PTI lawyer Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry that the decision will now be announced on January 13. “The staff has confirmed that the verdict will not be announced today,” said Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry. Court …

HANGZHOU: In a bustling workshop of a sportswear company, workers were racing to fulfill an urgent order of 50,000 pairs of ski goggles, a popular item in the trolleys of megacity shoppers, around late December. “Our production lines have been running at full tilt,” said Pan Xinru, the workshop director of Zhejiang Vista Sports Goods Co., Ltd. Located in a …

On the 76th anniversary of the historic United Nations resolution for the right to self-determination in Jammu and Kashmir, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have once again reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Kashmiri people in their legitimate struggle for freedom. As Kashmiris across the globe observe January 5 as Right to Self-Determination Day, both leaders …

Two soldiers travelling in a passenger coach from Karak were kidnapped by terrorists in the Kurrum Par area of Lakki Marwat district on Friday. Official sources said one of the soldiers managed to escape his captors, while the other was taken to an unknown location. Armed men had closed a rural road and were checking vehicles near Wanda Gulapa area, …

A New York court has scheduled January 10, 2025, as the sentencing date for President-elect Donald Trump in his hush-money case. The decision comes less than two weeks before Trump is to be sworn in for his second term as president. Justice Juan Merchan, presiding over the case, indicated that the sentencing would result in an “unconditional discharge,” ruling out …

BEIJING: As the largest economy of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), China will continue to implement RCEP in a comprehensive and high-quality manner, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday. The RCEP celebrated its third anniversary of effective implementation on Wednesday. It comprises 15 countries, including 10 countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as …

The Apex Committee of the National Action Plan (NAP), chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, convened to address pressing national security challenges, with a particular focus on Balochistan. The committee resolved to continue implementing a comprehensive security plan against terrorist organisations active in Balochistan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the need for political consensus to tackle national challenges effectively, stressing …

Ten people were injured in a mass shooting in the New York City borough of Queens on New Year’s Day, according to a news briefing by the New York Police Department (NYPD) early on Thursday. The incident occurred outside a private events club late on Wednesday evening, where three to four males opened fire toward a crowd. The victims, which …

Neelam Muneer, a renowned Pakistani television and film actress, is admired by countless fans for her beauty and exceptional acting talent. With a massive Instagram following of 7.7 million, she remains a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. Some of her most notable TV dramas include Qaid-e-Tanhai, Ashk, Qayamat, Dil Nawaz, Bikhray Moti, Mohabbat Dagh Ki Surat, Kahin Deep Jalay, Dil …

The second round of negotiations between the government and opposition committees to resolve pressing political issues was held today in Islamabad, chaired by National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq. The session began with Speaker Ayaz Sadiq welcoming the participants and emphasizing his role as a facilitator. He praised the positive tone of the first meeting and expressed hope for continued constructive …

The Lahore traffic police received the authority to handcuff offenders involved in illegal parking and encroachments. According to details, the officials implemented the measure to tackle persistent traffic congestion caused by unlawful activities in busy areas. In the first three days of enforcement, authorities arrested 500 individuals for violations related to unauthorised parking stands and illegal encroachments. The police aimed …

BEIJING: The New Year message delivered by Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday demonstrates China’s remarkable achievements in pursuing high-quality development in the past year, and injects a sense of confidence into the world amid challenges and turbulence, overseas experts have said. Xi’s message also shows China’s responsibility as a major country to advance global peace and development and its …

FUZHOU:  The first power generation unit of the Zhangzhou nuclear power project in east China’s Fujian Province began commercial operations on Wednesday, according to China National Nuclear Corporation. This marked a major step forward in the scaled construction of Hualong One, a domestically developed third-generation reactor, as China seeks to improve its energy mix and meet its dual carbon targets. …

After three weeks of intense deliberations, a grand jirga in Kohat has successfully brokered a peace agreement to end the longstanding tensions in Kurram district.  All parties involved have signed the 14-point agreement, signaling a significant step towards restoring peace and stability in the region. Key provisions of agreement Weapons will be collected under government supervision, with all militant fronts …

BEIJING: As 2024 draws to a close, Chinese startup DeepSeek has made a significant mark in the generative AI landscape with the groundbreaking release of its latest large-scale language model (LLM) comparable to the leading models from heavyweights like OpenAI. DeepSeek’s V3 model, trained for just two months using significantly fewer computing resources, delivered performance on par with the world’s …

Pakistan and India on Wednesday exchanged the lists of their respective nuclear installations and facilities. The exchange took place pursuant to the Agreement on Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between Pakistan and India. Signed on 31st December 1988, the Agreement, inter alia, provides that both countries shall inform each other of their nuclear installations and facilities, falling …

Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has initiated action against its officials implicated in human smuggling related to the Greece boat tragedy. A total of 35 officials, including 4 inspectors, 10 sub-inspectors, and 2 assistant sub-inspectors, have been dismissed from service. Five head constables and 14 constables have also been terminated. Cases have been registered against 13 FIA officials found involved in …

The Uzbekistan Presidnt Shavkat Mirziyoyev showcased achievements of the past year and outlining priorities for the future consisting of green development through green technologies by maintaining a balance between development and environment which vividly reflects the Uzbek ancient wisdom of ecological love caring about nature, its resources and of course humanity. The Uzbek President Mirziyoyev rightly termed 2024 a prosperous …

BEIJING: On New Year’s eve, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered his 2025 New Year message through China Media Group and the Internet. The following is the full text of the message: Greetings to everybody! Time flies fast, and the new year will be with us shortly. I extend my best wishes to you all from Beijing. In 2024, we have …

ISLAMABAD (Internews): Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, announced that the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit 5 (C-5) will generate approximately 40,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly, during its peak construction phase. He shared this during the First Concrete Pouring (FCD) ceremony of the C-5 project on Monday. The ambassador expressed gratitude to the stakeholders in both countries for fostering …

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has formally submitted its demands in writing ahead of upcoming negotiations with the government. According to sources, the first demand from PTI is the release of its workers arrested in various incidents. The party is also demanding an investigation into the events of May 9 and November 26, calling for the formation of a judicial commission to …

The management of Masjid-e-Nabwi has revealed that over 287,000 pilgrims from Pakistan visited the mosque and the Roza-e-Rasool in the past three months. According to the data of the first quarter of Islamic year, more than 1.486 million pilgrims from around the globe visited Masjid-e-Nabwi during this period. Indonesian pilgrims topped the list, with 449,696 visitors recorded during the ongoing …

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has called for a meeting of the government and opposition negotiation committees on January 2. A notification has been issued confirming the second round of negotiations, which will take place at 11:30am. The meeting will be held in the Constitution Room of the Parliament House, as per the notification. NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq will preside …

Alima Khan, speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail, reiterated that the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has made it clear that he is not negotiating any deals but will face all the cases against him. “The founder of PTI has stated that there is no need for a deal. He will fight every case,” Alima Khan told reporters. She …