ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has vacated the stay order regarding the execution of the death sentences of five ex-navy officers, who were sentenced to death by a Field General Court Martial. These ex-naval officers were court-martialed for their alleged involvement in the attack on the Karachi-based Naval Dockyard. IHC judge Justice Babar Sattar heard the plea of the ex-navy officers …

DHAKA: Elections in Bangladesh could be held by the end of 2025, the head of the country’s interim government said on Monday, provided that electoral reforms are carried out first. Bangladesh has been ruled by an interim government led by its only Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus since August, when then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India amid …

BRISBANE: Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been India’s one-man army in the ongoing test series against Australia and the 31-year-old said he has no problem shouldering the massive bowling workload. Bumrah is the leading wicket-taker in the five-test series with 18 dismissals from five innings despite little support from the other end. In the ongoing third test in Brisbane, Bumrah claimed …

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Maj-Gen (retd) Hafeezur Rehman on Monday claimed that no Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have been blocked in the country. Speaking at a press briefing in Islamabad, Rehman said, “We have not blocked any VPNs to date. I earlier told the National Assembly that while we have the ability to block VPNs, we have no intention …

Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused the West of forcing Russia into a corner, pushing it to its “red lines” and compelling a response. Speaking to a gathering of defense officials on Monday, Putin reiterated that Russia had no choice but to act in the face of what it perceives as escalating threats from the West. Putin’s comments came amid …

A policeman was martyred and a polio worker injured when unidentified attackers targeted a polio team in the Banda Daud Shah tehsil of Karak district on Monday. The incident occurred in the Shakarkhel area of Teri police precincts, where unidentified motorcyclists opened fire on the team during an ongoing anti-polio campaign. According to the Kohat DIG, the martyred policeman, identified …

Monday marks the tenth anniversary of the Army Public School (APS) tragedy, a day that remains etched in Pakistan’s history as one of its darkest. On December 16, 2014, six terrorists from the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban launched a cowardly attack on APS, resulting in the deaths of 132 students and 17 staff members. The tragedy not only devastated families but also revitalized the …

After limiting Pakistan to a woeful total of 67, India reached the required total within eight overs on Sunday, winning their opening match of the Under-19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024 by nine wickets. The women in green struggled in their opening match against India, with only two batsmen making it to double digits. Komal Khan had the highest score …

Spinach is a distinguished food choice during winter, rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that enhance immunity, promote heart health, support bone strength, and boost skin hydration. Its low calorie content and high nutritional value make it ideal for managing weight and energy. – Supporting Bone Health – During winter, Vitamin D levels drop, impacting bone health. Spinach provides a …

KUALA LUMPUR: A delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC), led by Ma Hui, deputy head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, visited Malaysia from Thursday to Saturday. During the visit, the delegation attended the Fifth Belt and Road China-Malaysia Business Dialogue and held discussions with Malaysia’s political and business sectors. Ma emphasized that China is …

As winter approaches, many individuals notice an increase in hair fall, which can be concerning and puzzling. The cold air, harsh winds, and changing environmental factors can affect both your scalp and hair health, leading to shedding and breakage. This seasonal hair fall, while common, can be managed with the right care. Dr. Shweta Mishra, a Facial Cosmetic and Aesthetic …

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup, xAI, said on Saturday that its new version of the Grok-2 chatbot will be available for free to all users of the social media platform X. “As always, Premium and Premium+ users get higher usage limits and will be the first to access any new capabilities in the future,” the artificial intelligence startup said in a …

Another devastating incident of human trafficking has claimed lives as a boat carrying illegal migrants capsized near a southern Greek island. The tragic accident resulted in the deaths of five Pakistani nationals, with dozens reported missing. Some survivors have been rescued, according to initial reports. President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi have expressed deep …

Senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader, journalist, and writer Siddiq-ul-Farooq passed away in Islamabad after battling a prolonged kidney ailment. The funeral prayers for the late Siddiq-ul-Farooq will be offered tomorrow at 11 am at the H-11 Cemetery in Islamabad. A Life of Service Siddiq-ul-Farooq, a seasoned journalist and author of two books, joined the PML-N in 1993 and remained …

KUALA LUMPUR: The rise of the Global South countries pushes the global economy through expected headwinds and keeps international trade vibrant, a Malaysian official said here on Saturday. These developments, in turn, will help unlock potential and facilitate cooperation in addressing a range of pressing issues, including managing climate change, enhancing supply chain resilience, ensuring food security, and shaping the …

ISLAMABAD: The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has eleveted Pakistan-China relations to a robust economic partnership, Pakistan’s minister for planning, development, and special initiatives Ahsan Iqbal said on Friday. When CPEC was launched in 2013, Pakistan was grappling with an unprecedented power shortage, experiencing up to 18 hours of load shedding and a deteriorating law-and-order situation. Despite these challenges, China made …

BEIJING: President Xi Jinping on Friday said the central authorities fully support Hong Kong in aligning with national strategies and fostering new momentum and advantages for economic development. Xi made the remarks when meeting with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee, who is on a duty visit to Beijing. During the meeting, Xi heard …

The Federal Inves­tigation Agency (FIA) has initiated action against over 150 individuals — including journalists, vloggers and anchorperson Harmeet Singh — for allegedly promoting a false narrative against state institutions, particularly the security agencies, over the Nov 26 crackdown on PTI supporters in Islamabad. The FIA Cybercrime Wing has so far arrested over 20 social media activists across the country for controversial posts about …

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar has reiterated that dialogue is essential for resolving political disputes in Pakistan, a stance previously taken by the party’s faounding chairman Imran Khan as well. Speaking to the media at the District Courts, Gohar said, “Imran Khan has called for negotiations before, and dialogue should definitely take place,” Express News reported. He emphasised that …

The World Bank has approved $240 million in funding for the Second Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP-2) to enhance water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in Karachi. The project aims to provide safely managed WASH services to nearly 16 million people with improved water supply and to 7.5 million with sanitation services by 2030. “Safely managed WASH …

A Pakistani delegation, including members of parliament and a psychiatrist, visited Dr. Aafia Siddiqui in her high-security Texas prison. The visit, which lasted for nearly three hours, was conducted following instructions from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. During the meeting, Dr. Aafia shared the challenges she faces in prison and expressed hope for justice. The delegation’s visit is part of Pakistan’s continued efforts …

A lion from Kasur underwent a successful jaw surgery in Daska after sustaining injuries in a fight with another lion. The operation, performed by renowned livestock surgeon Dr Rizwan Bashir, involved the installation of an iron plate to repair the broken jaw. Following the surgery, the lion began eating normally. Dr Rizwan Bashir stated, “The lion is now able to …

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has introduced the Fee-Less Customs Assessment (FCA) system in Karachi as part of its broader reform programme, approved by Prime Minister of Pakistan. The system, effective from midnight on 15 December, mandates that all import declarations filed at Karachi’s Appraisal Collectorates will be routed to the Central Appraisal Unit (CAU). The CAU, established under …

The government has decided to call joint session of Parliament, with the possibility of reintroducing the controversial Madrassa Bill. A summary to summon the joint session has been sent to the President of Pakistan for approval, with the approval expected soon. The joint session is likely to be held on 17 December, sources said. The Madrassa Bill has been at the …

ISLAMABAD: Chinese embassy in Pakistan held the awarding ceremony for outstanding Pakistani staff of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects on Friday to recognize 43 Pakistani outstanding staff from different projects who have contributed to the CPEC construction. While delivering the remarks, Chinese ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong emphasized that, we should look at reality, trends and prospects, and strengthen …

NANJING: In a solemn display of remembrance, the people of Nanjing observed a moment of silence as sirens resonated throughout the city on Friday, marking China’s national memorial ceremony to mourn the 300,000 victims of the Nanjing Massacre. Despite the winter chill, thousands of people clad in dark attire gathered in Nanjing, east China’s Jiangsu Province, with white flowers pinned …

GWADAR, Pakistan: Saiba Asghar Ali, an eighth-grade student at the China-Pakistan Government Middle School in Faqeer colony, Pakistan’s southwest Balochistan province, dreamed of becoming a doctor since childhood. Due to financial hindrances and lack of education opportunities for girls in her colony, it was a goal she feared might never be achievable. “There was no proper school in the area …

Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Thursday warned that his party would stage street protests across the country if the federal government didn’t ensure early implementation of the madressah registration bill passed by parliament. He told a presser at his residence in Shorkot area here that he rejected the federal government’s decision on seminary registration with the education ministry. Mr Fazl …

Telugu actor Allu Arjun has been arrested by the police in connection with a stampede at the Hyderabad premiere of his film Pushpa 2 on December 4. The incident claimed the life of a 39-year-old woman and left her son critically injured. The police registered a case against the management of Sandhya Theatre, the actor, and his security team, stating they had …

Britain’s economy shrank for a second month in October in the run-up to the new government’s first budget, the first back-to-back falls in output since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gross domestic product shrank 0.1% month-on-month in October, as it did in September, the Office for National Statistics said. It was the first consecutive drop in monthly GDP – …

The New Zealand government said on Friday it will pass legislation next year to prevent entities that “do not share the country’s values” from using it as a base to monitor satellites. The South Pacific nation’s location and clear skies make it a good place to launch and monitor satellites from, with the European Space Agency among those keeping an …

The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) Constitutional Bench has allowed military courts to issue verdicts; however, the implementation of sentences or the release of individuals will depend on the outcome of the pending appeals. Supreme Court allowed military courts to pronounce verdicts on 85 accused. The verdict reads that those accused who can get relief in their sentences should be …

The seven-member constitutional bench of the Supreme Court adjourned the hearing of intra-court appeals against the decision to try civilians in military courts until Friday (tomorrow). The federal government lawyer Khawaja Haris argued that the Army Act is applicable to civilians in certain circumstances and that the Supreme Court does not have the authority to nullify the provisions of the …

GENEVA: An Extraordinary FIFA Congress announced Wednesday Morocco, Portugal and Spain as the hosts of the 2030 World Cup, as well as Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2034 World Cup. The virtual meeting attended by all 211 FIFA Member Associations also awarded three matches of the 2030 edition to Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, one for each country, to …

Newly surfaced proposed changes to the country’s cybercrime laws on Wednesday specified that violations could result in seven years of prison term, with fines hiked up to Rs2 million. Last week, Internews reported that the government was planning ‘wholesale’ changes to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (Peca), which would see the formation of a new authority with powers to block online content …

BEIJING: A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday said that Lai Ching-te’s so-called “stopover” in the United States was, in nature, soliciting external support to seek “Taiwan independence.” At a press briefing, Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, voiced firm opposition to any official interaction between the U.S. and Taiwan, and any “transit” by a …

BRUSSELS: For much of 2024, electric vehicle (EV) disputes have weighed heavily on the economic and trade ties between China and the European Union (EU). The “love-hate” relationship, marked by both friction and interdependence, has left the two powers navigating a precarious path — seeking common ground even as uncertainty looms. UNCERTAINTIES CLOUD COOPERATION What started as an EU investigation …

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Wednesday revised its forecast for Pakistan’s economic growth in the fiscal year 2025 (FY25) slightly upwards, projecting it at 3 per cent. In an Asian Development Outlook (ADO) report issued by the Manila-based lending agency in September, Pakistan’s economic growth had been estimated to be struggling at 2.8pc in FY25, subject to domestic and external …

Following the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Israel has declared the 1974 Golan Heights buffer zone agreement null and void. Israeli forces have advanced into positions on Mount Hermon, a highly strategic peak near the Lebanon border. Mount Hermon’s elevation provides critical observational advantages, enhancing Israel’s ability to monitor Syria and Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon. The Israeli government claims …

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has decided to withdraw the recently proposed amendments to the Baggage Rules 2006, which included a complete ban on bringing goods in commercial quantities from abroad. Sources revealed on Tuesday that the proposed amendments, which sparked widespread concerns, have been shelved temporarily following directives from the FBR chairman. The draft notification of the amendment, …