WASHINGTON: The US military said it mistakenly shot down one of its own fighter aircraft over the Red Sea early on Sunday, forcing both pilots to eject. Both were rescued, one with minor injuries, after the “apparent case of friendly fire,” which is being investigated, US Central Command said in a statement. The fighter was an F/A-18 Hornet flying off …

Pakistani dramas have maintained their exceptional quality for decades, dating back to the era of PTV. During this time, dramas were so popular that entire streets would go silent when a new episode aired. While the film industry was thriving, television dramas took the lead, creating unforgettable narratives that captivated audiences. Behind these beloved stories are the talented writers who …

The United States military on Saturday announced airstrikes targeting Houthi-linked sites in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, to curb the rebel group’s operations amid a series of escalating regional confrontations. According to a statement by the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the strikes targeted a missile storage facility and a “command-and-control” site, aiming to “disrupt and degrade Houthi operations.” The strikes come in …

Security forces foiled an attack on a checkpoint in the Makeen area of South Waziristan, killing eight terrorists, while 16 soldiers embraced martyrdom during the exchange of fire. According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), terrorists attempted to attack a security checkpoint, but forces repelled the assault, eliminating eight attackers. The ISPR stated that 16 soldiers …

A team of researchers from the University of Toronto has announced the discovery of “negative time,” a concept that challenges traditional understandings of time in quantum mechanics. While the findings have generated significant interest, they have also sparked scepticism among some scientific community members. In a series of experiments conducted in the university’s basement laboratory, the team, led by Daniela …

Senior Supreme Court judge Justice Mansoor Ali Shah has expressed reservations over the involvement of intelligence agencies in the process of judicial appointments. In a letter addressed to the Secretary of the Judicial Commission, ahead of the commission’s meeting, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah argued that a defined mechanism for appointing judges to constitutional benches must be established within the Judicial …

ISLAMABAD (Internews): The Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong on Thursday called on President Asif Ali Zardari and discussed with him ways to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two brotherly countries.  Senator Saleem Mandviwalla and senior government officials also attended the meeting. During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on matters of bilateral importance. The Chinese ambassador expressed his happiness over …

A senior White House official on Thursday said Pakistan is developing long-range ballistic missile capabilities that eventually could allow it to strike targets well beyond South Asia, making it an “emerging threat” to the United States. Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer’s surprise revelation underscored how far the once-close ties between Washington and Islamabad have deteriorated since the 2021 US …

Scientists have made groundbreaking discoveries about Stonehenge, shedding light on its origins and purpose. Recent research reveals that the iconic Altar Stone, central to the ancient monument, may have been transported from northeastern Scotland nearly 5,000 years ago, challenging previous assumptions about its origins. The findings, published in Archaeology International, suggest that Stonehenge was reconstructed between 2620 and 2480 BC as …

Earthquake tremors were felt in Malakand district and its surrounding areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, sparking panic among residents. The National Seismic Monitoring Centre in Islamabad confirmed that the earthquake’s epicentre was located in the Hindu Kush mountain range, Afghanistan. It said the magnitude of the earthquake was 3.5 on the Richter Scale with a depth of 133 kilometres. Citizens rushed …

COLOMBO: China and Sri Lanka expressed willingness to jointly advance high-quality development of Belt and Road during meetings held here between Sri Lankan leaders and a senior Chinese political advisor. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya met with Qin Boyong, vice chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, executive vice …

BEIJING (Internews): Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal has said that Pakistan and China will jointly elevate China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into a beacon of high-quality development, not just for the two nations but for the region and the world. Inaugurating the opening ceremony of high-level workshop organized by China’s National Commission for Development …

MACAO: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday met with Ho Iat Seng, the outgoing chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), expressing the central authorities’ full acknowledgment of the work of Ho and the fifth-term Macao SAR government. Xi said Ho has risen to challenges in a pragmatic and productive manner during his five-year term as chief executive. …

The ICC Board has confirmed that India and Pakistan matches in ICC events during the 2024-2027 rights cycle will be played at neutral venues, regardless of which country is hosting.   This arrangement will apply to the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled for February and March 2025 in Pakistan, as well as the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, …

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) staged a walkout in the National Assembly during the question hour session, protesting the absence of ministers in the House. PPP members voiced their dissatisfaction with the lack of ministerial presence, demanding accountability for the absence. Along with PPP, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) member Hanif Abbasi also joined the protest and walked out of the …

Pakistan has called the US decision to impose sanctions on National Development Complex and three commercial entities as unfortunate and biased. According to a Foreign Office statement, the decision defied the objective of peace and security. The statement said Pakistan’s strategic capabilities are meant to defend its sovereignty and preserve peace and stability in South Asia. It further said such …

BEIJING (Internews): Federal Minister for planning, development & special initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has said that Pakistan and China have the potential on future cooperation in the field of Iinformation Technology (IT) and implementation possibilities. While visiting the iSoftStone Information Technology Park in Beijing on Wednesday, Ahsan Iqbal said that Pakistan offers immense potential of investment in IT industry. The Minister, …

The nutritionists said that breakfast accounts for a quarter of the energy requirements of children and teenagers. The significance lies in breaking the fasting period from night until the following morning. Many studies showed teenagers either skip breakfast or consume meals that fail to meet their nutritional needs. It had been stressed that the breakfast provides essential components necessary for …

The government has begun implementing stringent measures to boost tax revenue under the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) conditions. The Tax Laws Amendment Bill 2024 proposes the strictest penalties yet to crack down on tax evasion and enforce compliance with tax laws. Crackdown on non-filers Under the proposed measures, individuals who fail to file taxes will face severe restrictions. Non-filers will …

At least 13 people died when a boat with more than 100 passengers capsized off the coast of India’s financial capital Mumbai after colliding with an Indian Navy boat on Wednesday, officials said. The navy said 99 people were rescued with efforts ongoing for others. “An Indian Navy craft lost control while undertaking engine trials in Mumbai Harbour due to …

The threat of polio cases looms as fresh cases reported in the parts of the country. According to details surfaced on Wednesday, the World Health Organisation (WHO), a child from Jacobabad had contacted the polio. The number of cases reported in Jacobabad reached four. Balochistan had reported 26 cases, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh reported 18 polio cases each. Punjab …

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) parliamentary party reiterating the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the May 9 and November 26 incidents have expressed their desire to come on the negotiating table. PTI in a statement after the meeting on Wednesday, condemned the raids on the homes of its lawmakers and urged authorities to cease pressure tactics against members …

Bangladesh’s evolving foreign policy is creating significant challenges for India, with recent diplomatic shifts indicating a reorientation of regional alliances. Rising anti-India sentiment and strained bilateral relations have further complicated the geopolitical landscape in South Asia. Key developments include the alleged attack on Bangladesh’s consulate in India, which has led to heightened tensions between the two neighbors. Meanwhile, international reports …

Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi has issued an additional note in the presidential reference on the Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto case, highlighting that the requirements of a transparent trial were not met and also partially agrees with Justice Mansoor Ali Shah’s earlier observations. Justice Afridi emphasized that Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto did not receive a fair trial. He noted that the …

BEIJING: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the seventh foreign ministers’ meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) via video link on Tuesday. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that as a founding member of CICA, China actively participates in the CICA …

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan claimed on Tuesday that nobody could dictate Imran Khan. Expressing his thoughts, Khan said: “We are ready to negotiate with anybody. The talks will move forward only if his party’s demands will be fulfilled and reservations addressed.” He stated: We do not take any decision. The PTI founder understands everything and give …

Combining dates and milk daily provides the body with essential nutrients and delivers significant health benefits. The drink contains antioxidants, iron, potassium, selenium, magnesium, copper, Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C, dietary fibre, and protein. Consuming this nutrient-rich combination helps the body in several ways: – Combating anaemia – The drink significantly increases iron levels in the body, addressing anaemia. It …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani experts and officials hailed the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a transformative initiative that is reshaping Pakistan’s economic landscape, shaping up industrial growth, and empowering marginalized communities. Speaking at a seminar titled “10 Years of CPEC: Success, Opportunities, and Challenges,” organized by the Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research and Development (AIERD) here on Monday to commemorate a decade …

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Tuesday stated that the civil disobedience movement will commence only after receiving instructions from PTI founder Imran Khan. Speaking to the media in Peshawar, Gandapur stressed his readiness to implement the movement based on Khan’s directives, adding that it would be carried out as soon as the orders were given. Gandapur also …

LAHORE: The Punjab Assembly has approved exorbitant salary increases for its members and officials, raising concerns amid economic challenges in the province. Under the newly passed bill, the monthly salaries of Members of the Provincial Assembly (MPAs) will see a sharp rise from Rs76,000 to Rs400,000 — a staggering 426% increase. The bill, which will now b cited as ‘Punjab …

ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazal (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that the government was the biggest obstacle to the registration of madrasas, and warned to take to the streets if any changes to the provisions of the “Madrasa Registration Bill” were made. Speaking in the National Assembly, he expressed reservations about the House’s representation but acknowledged the parliamentary responsibilities shared …

BEIJING (Internews): Director of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) Luo Zhaohui has said that CIDCA is committed to working with Pakistan to implement the important agreements, actively promote the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), implement the Global Development Initiative (GDI), and deepen China-Pakistan development cooperation, thereby benefiting both nations and their people. During the …

BEIJING (Internews): Chief minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif introduced Punjab’s important position in China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and its economic advantages to the Chinese investors during the event held in Guangzhou. According to the details, Maryam delivered the remarks at the “China-Pakistan Punjab Province Roundtable Conference” co-organized by Q Group (qgroup.co) and Beijing Overseas Returnees Association for Science and Technology. …

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja has admitted to the slow internet speed in Pakistan, promising improvement with the adoption of the upcoming “fabrication policy and the rollout of 5G technology. Speaking at the National Broadband Network Forum in Islamabad, the minister acknowledged the existing connectivity challenges, emphasising that faster internet services are critical for the country’s digital …

MOSCOW: A top Russian general accused by Ukraine of being responsible for the use of chemical weapons against Ukrainian troops has been assassinated in Moscow using a bomb hidden in an electric scooter, Russian investigators said on Tuesday. Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, who was chief of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection Troops, was killed outside an apartment building on Ryazansky Prospekt along with his assistant, Russia’s Investigative Committee, which probes serious crimes, said …

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s efforts to curb illegal foreign-exchange trading have led to a significant boost in remittances, according to a report by Bloomberg. Citing data from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the report revealed that remittances surged by 34 per cent to $14.8 billion in the five months leading up to November, compared to the same period last year. The …

BEIJING: China on Monday released its latest home price data, indicating that the property market of the world’s second-largest economy is on stronger footing for recovery, supported by a raft of policy measures. In the country’s 70 large and medium-sized cities, the decline in the prices of commercial residential homes narrowed on a year-on-year basis in November, data from the …

Online fraud cases are on the rise in South Punjab as advanced technology and social media misuse create opportunities for scammers. In 2024, over 1,500 cases of online fraud have been reported in Multan, with unsuspecting citizens frequently targeted. One such victim, Muhammad Daniyal, shared his ordeal: “I ordered a cellphone online, and the vendor promised delivery within five days. …

GWADAR, Pakistan: Nadia Akram Ali’s life took a devastating turn when a health worker informed her that her five-year-old son was showing symptoms of acute typhoid fever and urgently needed to be hospitalized to save his life in the Gwadar district of Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province. “I felt utterly helpless. I didn’t have the resources to take him to big …

KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) cut its key policy rate by 200 basis points to 13 per cent on Monday, for a fifth straight reduction since June as the headline inflation declined to 4.9 per cent year-on-year basis in November 2024. The new rate will be effective from December 17 (Tuesday), SBP’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) said in …