SANYA: A high-tech steel framework — resembling a colossal gantry crane — glides over an experimental field in Sanya, south China’s Hainan Province, helping seed specialists develop better varieties and cultivation strategies. Spanning 5.7 meters in height and 21 meters in width, the self-developed high-throughput phenotyping platform is equipped with modular imaging units, including 3D laser scanning and thermal infrared …

PARIS: The excitement was palpable as Kerry Xu, a first-time Olympian in the US women’s badminton doubles team, stepped onto the court at the Paris Olympics. “With the music and all the hype, I was on the verge of tears,” she recalled, describing the moment that she realized her Olympic dream alongside her best friend and twin sister, Annie Xu. …

PARIS: China is represented at the Paris Olympic Games not only by its athletes but also by cutting-edge technologies developed by Chinese companies. These innovations contribute to a more advanced sports event and shape the future of the Olympics. Spectators watching the Paris Olympics on television or the internet might have already experienced a novel feature: athletes’ exciting movements can …

PARIS: At the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics last Friday evening, the main cauldron, lifted by a balloon, slowly ascended in the Tuileries Garden. The warm glow of the “flame” illuminated the surrounding Louvre Pyramid and the Obelisk of the Place de la Concorde. The Paris 2024 team showcased an unprecedented cauldron design, demonstrating France’s deeply ingrained romanticism to …

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has witnessed a significant boost in tourism this year, with a 100 percent increase in tourist arrivals compared to the previous year. This encouraging trend was discussed during a review meeting chaired by Muzamil Aslam, the Advisor to the Chief Minister for Finance. The meeting, attended by key officials including Advisor for Tourism Zahid Chanzeb, Members of …

Pakistan street child football team, competing as Muslim Hands FC secured another victory in the U-17 tournament by defeating Norheimsund 3-1 in their third match. Despite an early setback with an opponent’s goal, the team rallied and continued their aggressive play, resulting in three goals to secure the win. The match’s first half concluded with a 1-1 draw, but Pakistan’s …

Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Malik Amjad Zubair Tiwana has requested early retirement after being unable to reconcile with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Sources told, that Shehbaz Sharif in his last few meetings continuously criticized Tiwana’s performance. The chairman even missed his Monday meeting at PM house. Tiwana has opted for retirement effective August 15th, six months ahead …

Internet users across Pakistan faced significant connectivity issues on Wednesday due to a widespread service disruption. According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), a technical glitch has slowed internet services, causing problems for users. The Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) network is experiencing data outages in several cities, confirmed by a spokesperson. “Currently, the PTCL network is facing data outages …

Sardar Kamal, the celebrated comedian actor known for his significant contributions to Pakistani cinema and theater, has passed away at the age of 52. Kamal, who died of a heart attack, was a beloved figure in the entertainment industry, recognised for his remarkable talent and infectious humor. His mortal remains will be transported to Faisalabad, his hometown, where his funeral …

Former fast bowler Waqar Younis has assumed the responsibilities as the Cricket Advisor to the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). This decision was made by Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who utilised his constitutional powers to bring the 52-year-old into this strategic role. Waqar Younis, who resides in Australia, had an in-depth discussion with Chairman Naqvi before officially assuming his …

International rating agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) has maintained Pakistan’s long-term credit rating at Triple C Plus (CCC+), according to its latest report. The agency cited political instability and chaos as significant threats to the country’s economic stability. The S&P report indicates that Pakistan’s long-term rating outlook is stable, noting improvements in the country’s economic situation over the past year. …

Severe heat and the persistent rainfall and brought on flooding in Hunza River, creating an emergency situation in the Faizabad village of Gilgit. A sudden surge in the water has washed away two swimming pools, hotels, and homes, seriously damaging the property of the citizens and forcing them to relocate. The situation is dire as an electricity pole of 13kV …

Pakistan has strongly condemned the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the chief of the political bureau of Hamas, who was killed in Tehran on Wednesday. The Pakistani government has expressed deep sorrow over the loss and extended heartfelt condolences to Haniyeh’s family and the people of Palestine. “We extend our condolences to his family and the people of Palestine,” a statement …

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Iran on Wednesday, the Palestinian militant group Hamas and Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards said in separate statements. The Islamist faction mourned the death of Haniyeh, who it said was killed in “a treacherous Zionist raid on his residence in Tehran”. Hanieh attended Iran’s new president’s swearing in ceremony on Tuesday. “Early this morning, …

BEIJING: China’s economic output continued to grow in July as the business outlook remained optimistic, but seasonal factors including heat waves and floods somewhat dragged down the expansion. According to the purchasing managers’ index (PMI) released Wednesday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the composite PMI output index stood at 50.2 this month, mildly down from 50.5 in June. …

BEIJING: An article by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on modernizing national defense and the armed forces will be published on Thursday. The article by Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will be published in this year’s 15th issue of the Qiushi Journal, a flagship magazine of …

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for modernizing the country’s border, coastal, and air defense to make it strong and solid as he chaired a leadership group study session prior to the country’s Army Day, which falls on Aug. 1. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military …

Sanjay Dutt, who is well-known throughout the world for playing “Munna Bhai,” is celebrating his 65th birthday today, July 29, and details about his assets are being revealed. Throughout his career, Sanjay Dutt, also known as Sanju Baba, has starred in several blockbuster movies and established himself as one of Bollywood’s leading performers. Dutt has overcome numerous obstacles, such as …

Discrimination and attacks against Muslims and Palestinians rose by about 70% in the U.S. in the first half of 2024 amid heightened Islamophobia due to Israel’s war in Gaza, the Council on American-Islamic Relations advocacy group said on Tuesday. Human rights advocates have reported a global rise in Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian bias and antisemitism since the eruption in October of the …

Fibre, also known as dietary fibre, is a type of carbohydrate found in plant-based foods that the body cannot digest. It is classified into two main types: soluble fibre, which dissolves in water to form a gel-like substance, and insoluble fibre, which does not dissolve in water and adds bulk to the stool. Consuming sufficient fibre is particularly important for …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an inquiry into 34,000 tons of wheat missing in Pakistan Agricultural Storage & Services Corporation (PASSCO) in 2022. The prime minister has ordered completion of the corruption probe in PASSCO within a week after bureaucracy’s non-cooperation with the Prime Minister’s Inspection Team since 2022 as per the official papers. PM Shehbaz has ordered tracing …

In order to address the increasing issues of electricity consumers in Pakistan, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority has finalised ‘NEPRA Asaan Approach’ app. According to the NEPRA spokesperson, the ‘NEPRA Asaan Approach’ will be launched across Pakistan, tomorrow. NEPRA Asaan Approach is the app for electricity consumer where they can submit complain of electricity issue and they can also …

“The government should take immediate and decisive action against illicit trade to enhance revenue and reduce the tax burden on the common citizen. It’s almost six weeks post the budget and you still see heaps of illicit items in the market,” said Fawad Khan, spokesperson for Mustehkam Pakistan, an advocacy firm dedicated to curbing illicit trade and tax evasion in …

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi will look after the administrative affairs of the PCB and he will make all the decisions including international, domestic, selection committee matters, players’ No-Objection Certificates (NOCs). PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s primary focus will be on the administrative affairs of the Champions Trophy. Sources said Naqvi has decided to give former captain Waqar Younis …

Authorities have uncovered further details in the honey-trap case involving renowned playwright Khalilur Rehman Qamar, revealing a meticulously planned scheme by the perpetrators. The group responsible for honey-trapping Qamar had strategically installed cameras throughout the house before inviting him over, with a newly surfaced video showing a woman, part of the honey trap, setting up a camera with her partner. …

Deadly clashes that sparked over ‘land dispute’ between two tribes in Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ended after six days of deadly warfare. Kurram Deputy Commissioner said security forces personnel have been deployed after clearing the fronts from the parties. There has been no firing since last night at 5 places in Karam District while further efforts are being made …

BEIJING: The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will be held in Beijing from Sept. 4 to 6, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced on Tuesday. The theme of the summit is “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future,” Hua said, adding that leaders of FOCAC’s African members …

BEIJING: The Communist Party of China (CPC) leadership held a meeting on Tuesday to analyze the current economic situation and set out priorities for the second half of this year. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting of the committee’s Political Bureau. The country’s economy has been generally stable and made progress since the …

BEIJING: People from countries with diplomatic relations with China can visit the southern island province of Hainan visa-free for 144 hours via tour groups registered in Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, said the National Immigration Administration (NIA) on Tuesday. Effective Tuesday itself, the policy applies to all state-established open ports in the province and the travel scope is …

BEIJING: The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee has held a symposium with non-CPC personages to seek opinions and suggestions on the country’s current economic situation and economic work for the second half of the year. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the symposium and delivered an important speech on July 26.

HEFEI: When Xie Yu, a 24-year-old Olympic debutant, emerged from behind to win an Olympic pistol gold, the scene was reminiscent of what happened in Los Angeles 40 years ago. On July 29, 1984, Chinese sharpshooter Xu Haifeng narrowly defeated his Swedish rival in the men’s free pistol event at the Los Angeles Games, earning China its first-ever Olympic gold. …

CHATEAUROUX, France: A rosy start is often seen to herald good fortune for the journey ahead, a belief deeply rooted in Chinese culture. This sentiment is especially prevalent when it comes to the Olympic Games, where winning the first gold medal is seen as an auspicious beginning for the entire Chinese delegation. Traditionally, this task has often fallen to China’s …

PARIS: Sunday may have only been the second day of competition at the Paris Olympic Games, but it highlighted an aspect that until recently seemed to be a taboo subject for athletes – mental health. Women’s mountain bike champion Pauline Ferrand-Prevot ended her three-Games medal jinx with a dominant display in her race and then explained that she thought it …

PARIS: For Tom Daley, a silver on Monday was more like a bonus for his fifth Olympic Games in Paris. But the 30-year-old diving star, who thought he should have retired after the Tokyo Games, didn’t rule out a next one. Daley, 30, has been Britain’s diving icon for quite a long time. At the age of 15, he stunned …

Strings of additional taxes and capacity charges have not been acceptable with electricity bills, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Ameer Hafiz Naeem here said on Monday. “What capacity charges when the government have shares in 52 percent of the IPPs,” JI chief said. He called the contracts with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) as unlawful and also demanded to make these agreements public. He also …

Justices Sardar Tariq Masood and Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel on Monday took oath as ad hoc judges of the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan. The oath was administered by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Qazi Faez Isa, where Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, law officers, lawyers, and court staff attended the oathtaking ceremony. Both judges have …

Deputy Amir of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) Pir Zaheer-ul-Hassan Shah has been arrested in Okara for issuing death threats to Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa. The TLP senior leader and party workers were earlier booked for issuing death threats to CJP Isa. The case was filed at the Qila Gujjar Singh police station. The charges against TLP deputy …

The global fame of Bollywood superstar Salman Khan is largely due to Aamir Khan’s refusal to take on a main role. Indian media reports that Aamir Khan was first selected to play the role of “Prem” in the highly anticipated movie “Hum Aapke Hain Koun,” which stars Madhuri Dixit. But because he didn’t like the writing, Aamir declined the offer. …

On the second day of the Paris Olympics 2024 on Sunday, 13 more gold medals were awarded, with Japan and Australia leading the tally with four golds each on the points table. The battle for medals continues in the Olympics, where after two days of competitions, Japan has clinched four gold, two silver and a bronze medal. Australia is trailing …

In a major development for Pakistan’s national economy, significant oil and gas deposits have been discovered in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The discovery was made at the Razgir 1 exploratory well located in the Tal Block by Pakistan Oilfields Limited (POL). The well is expected to yield 250 barrels of crude oil and 20 million cubic meters of standard cubic gas per …