The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a severe weather alert for multiple regions in Pakistan, forecasting heavy rains over the next three days. The alert covers Azad Kashmir, Malakand, Hazara, and Gujranwala divisions, with additional rainfall expected in Potohar, Mardan, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, Multan, Rajanpur, Mirpur Khas, Sukkur, Karachi, Hyderabad, Umarkot, Badin, Thatta, Tharparkar, DI Khan, Koh-e-Sulaiman …

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has announced a 1% reduction in the interest rate, bringing it down from 20.5% to 19.5%. This decision was made during a meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) held on Monday, as revealed by the governor of the State Bank, Jameel Ahmed. The reduction comes in response to the continuously decreasing inflation rate, …

India will host the men’s Asia Cup in the T20 format next year. The tournament, scheduled to feature a total of 13 matches, will see participation from six teams: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and a sixth team to be decided through a qualifying event. According to the Invitation for Expressions of Interest for the sponsorship rights document issued …

Foreign companies operating in Pakistan have transferred more profit abroad than they have invested in the country, according to the latest data from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). In the current fiscal year 2023-24, foreign companies have repatriated $2.21 billion in profits, significantly outpacing their investments, which amounted to $1.5 billion. This trend marks a notable increase compared to …

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Jose Ramos-Horta here on Monday, saying that China’s comprehensive deepening of reforms will provide new impetus and opportunities for global economic development and bilateral cooperation. Noting that the third plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee was held successfully two weeks …

PARIS: Cycling has many benefits, but for Amir Ansari, the first rider off the ramp in the men’s time trial race at the Paris Olympic Games, it is more than just a sport. The 24-year-old Afghan competes in the colors of the IOC Refugee Olympic Team, highlighting how cycling gave him hope during his darkest moments while striving to build …

PARIS: Breaking, also known as breakdancing, has made an extraordinary journey from street corners to the prestigious stage of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. For the first time, breaking will be included as an Olympic sport, a milestone moment for dance culture worldwide. Behind China’s impressive rise in the breaking arena stands the legendary French breakdancer, Mounir Biba. A 13-time …

WhatsApp is set to transform the video calling experience with the introduction of a new augmented reality (AR) feature, currently available through the Google Beta Program. This update, version 2.24.16.7, is presently accessible only to beta testers. WhatsApp users eager to explore this AR feature can download the latest update from the Google Play Store. However, the feature is in …

Renowned Pakistani actress Aamina Sheikh has made a significant return to the screen with her upcoming role in Netflix’s eagerly anticipated series, Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo. In a recent interview, she candidly discussed her hiatus from acting, shedding light on the reasons behind her temporary departure from the limelight. She, celebrated for her stellar performances and dedication to …

The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has approached the Peshawar High Court (PHC) filed a petition for a judicial inquiry into the May 9 incidents requesting the Chief Justice of the PHC to form a judicial commission. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Law Minister Aftab Alam has said that he has sent a letter to the Chief Justice of PHC for a judicial commission. …

Iran has decided to seal the border with Afghanistan given terrorism concerns. Since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in 2021, there has been an increase in terrorist activities in the region and especially in the neighboring countries. Several terrorist organizations under the influence of the Taliban, such as the TTP and the Islamic State of Khorasan, have safe havens …

The claims of restoring peace in the illegal Indian-occupied Kashmir have been exposed as in just two months, eleven Indian soldiers were killed in Kashmiri resistance, while the Modi government is blaming Pakistan to hide atrocities in Held Valley. Brave Kashmiris are fiercely resisting the atrocities of the Indian Army in Occupied Kashmir. On July 16, four Indian soldiers were …

The national street child football team achieved their first success in the Norway Cup by defeating Norway 6-1. Norway scored 1 goal in the first half against the national team, which the national team equalized shortly after. In the second half, the national team scored 5 goals against Norway. For the national street child football team, Abdul Ghani scored 2 goals, …

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) top brass on Sunday called upon the Supreme Court to take suo motu notice of the recent arrests of its members, following the party’s victory in a case regarding reserved seats. At a press conference in Islamabad, PTI Secretary General and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub and other PTI leaders expressed grave …

Awaam Pakistan Party leader Miftah Ismail announced his intention to file a petition against K-Electric,highlighting a sharp 350% increase in electricity rates since 2015. Addressing a protest outside K-Electric’s head office, Ismail took a jibe at the current government’s handling of electricity tariffs and the burden it places on ordinary citizens. Ismail pointed out that while the Pakistan People’s Party …

PARIS: China is willing to deepen and expand high-level cooperation with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), as the country will host the Asian Winter Games next year, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng said here on Saturday. Han, who is also Chinese President Xi Jinping’s special representative, made the remarks while meeting with IOC President Thomas Bach. Han conveyed President Xi’s …

 The eighth China-South Asia Expo concluded Sunday, with domestic and foreign trade contracts worth a total value of over 8 billion yuan (about 1.12 billion U.S. dollars) signed, according to the organizers. During the event held in Kunming, the capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, the cumulative online and offline sales exceeded 500 million yuan. The six-day event featured 15 …

BEIJING: Earlier this month, with the sound of a long whistle, a China-Europe freight train slowly departed from Wujiashan Station in Wuhan, the capital of central China’s Hubei Province. Fully loaded with 55 containers of textiles, medical supplies, electronic products and other goods, the train set off on its westward journey to Duisburg, Germany, thousands of miles away. This trip …

PARIS: After taking two golds and one bronze on the opening day of Paris 2024, Zhang Xin, secretary-general of China’s Olympic delegation, told Xinhua on Saturday that the Chinese Olympians had made a good start to the tournament and met expectations. The honor of winning the first gold medal of Paris 2024 went to Chinese shooters Sheng Lihao and Huang …

BEIJING: The Chinese leadership has once again demonstrated its determination to develop economic driving forces via sci-tech innovations, according to a resolution on further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization. The resolution, recently adopted at the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, states that high-quality development is the primary task in …

VIENTIANE: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi elaborated on China’s solemn stance on the South China Sea issue on Saturday while attending a series of meetings of foreign ministers of southeastern and eastern Asian countries in Laos’ Vientiane. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said there is a full historical and …

BEIJING: State-owned enterprises supervised and administered by local governments in China reported a 10.4 percent rise in R&D spending that amounted to 249.57 billion yuan (35 billion U.S. dollars) in the first half of 2024, according to the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council. The increased spending came amid efforts by state-owned enterprises to accelerate scientific …

BEIJING: Based on the provisional arrangement China reached with the Philippines on managing the situation at Ren’ai Jiao, the Philippine side conducted a resupply mission of living necessities on Saturday morning, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Saturday. The spokesperson made the remarks when asked to comment that according to a statement of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, …

PARIS: China got off to a flying start on the first official day of competition in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, by winning two gold medals before lunchtime, including the first gold of the Games. The honor of winning the first gold medal went to Sheng Lihao and Huang Yuting, who claimed a close 16-12 win over South Korean shooters …

VIENTIANE: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met here on Saturday to exchange views on bilateral relations, agreeing to maintain communication at all levels and further implement the important common understandings reached at the San Francisco meeting last November between the two heads of state. During his meeting with Blinken, Wang, also a member …

BEIJING: Profits of China’s major industrial firms increased 3.5 percent year-on-year in the first six months, up from the 3.4 percent increase recorded in the first five months, official data showed on Saturday. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that industrial profits rose by 3.6 percent year-on-year in June alone, an increase of 2.9 percentage points from May. NBS …

NEW DELHI: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Saturday announced the inclusion of the Beijing Central Axis: A Building Ensemble Exhibiting the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital, into its world heritage list. So far, China has a total of 59 World Heritage Sites. Beijing Central Axis, initially established in the 13th century and formed in …

Forbes Advisor’s 2024 rankings have identified Karachi as the second most dangerous city for tourists, following Caracas, Venezuela. The study evaluated 60 global cities, focusing on crime, safety, health, infrastructure, natural disasters, and digital security. Karachi earned a safety score of 93.12, just below Caracas, which scored 100. Yangon, Myanmar, ranked third with a score of 91.67. Other cities on …

Pakistani-origin Omani pacer Bilal Khan etched his name in the record books by becoming the fastest seamer to take 100 One-Day International (ODI) wickets, surpassing Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi’s record. Khan reached this milestone during Oman’s ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 match against Namibia, where he claimed three wickets and registered figures of 3/50 in his 10 overs. His outstanding …

Ever wondered why some trees, especially those lining roadsides, have their lower trunks painted white? It’s not just a quirky aesthetic choice; there’s actually a scientific reason behind this curious practice. The whitewash on tree trunks is primarily a protective measure. It’s typically made from lime, which acts as a shield against a host of threats. Insects and termites, for …

South Korea expressed regret that its delegation of athletes at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony on Friday was introduced as from rival North Korea and has demanded assurances from organisers the mistake will not happen again. As the boat carrying South Korean athletes passed on the Seine, the announcer introduced them as the “Democratic People’s Republic of Korea” – the …

A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) air-hostess was caught red-handed while attempting to smuggle currency at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport. The suspect had hidden Saudi riyal worth Rs140,000 in her socks. In an action by Customs officials at the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore, the PIA air-hostess was caught red-handed while attempting to smuggle foreign currency. According to DC …

The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Punjab has arrested 38 terrorists in a series of intelligence-based operations conducted across various cities of the province throughout the current month. The CTD’s operations, carried out in cities including Lahore, Rahim Yar Khan, Narowal, Rawalpindi, and Multan, were aimed at countering terrorism fears and preventing potential attacks. The crackdown extended to Jhang, Sargodha, Khanewal, …

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the formation of a five-member Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to investigate an organized social media campaign targeting state institutions. The decision comes amid growing concerns over the impact of alleged coordinated disinformation efforts on public trust and the integrity of state institutions. According to sources, the JIT will be led by the Islamabad inspector …

The Ministry of Energy has decided to work on an emergency plan that includes the potential abolition of free electricity facilities in all government and semi-government institutions. Sources indicate that the ministry is contemplating cutting off free electricity to all, including bureaucrats, judges, and parliamentarians, as part of the broader strategy to address the financial challenges facing the country. Additionally, …

The Economic Affairs Division has released a comprehensive report on external financial assistance and loans for Pakistan, revealing a significant shortfall in expected external debt for the last financial year. The report indicates that in the last fiscal year, only $9.81 billion in external debt was secured, falling short of the projected $17.61 billion. During June alone, $2.257 billion was …

PARIS: A flash of red, white and blue of the French tricolor flag and the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris was underway, heralded by traditional accordion music. Out of the smoke from under Austerlitz Bridge sailed the boat carrying Greece’s delegation for the Games, as tradition dictates, with the Refugee team close behind receiving the biggest …

PARIS: Almost every Olympiad sees new sports introduced and some other events dropped amid discussion, anger and controversy. Recent Games have seen BMX biking and skateboarding introduced, with questions asked over whether they really qualify as sports. The introduction of breakdancing also caused raised eyebrows: does an event that has its roots in music and street culture have a place …

PARIS: After a century-long wait, Paris welcomes back the Olympic Games with a splashy and “Seine-sational” opening ceremony, making itself a truly moveable feast. French President Emmanuel Macron declared the Games open before the waterborne ceremony reached its climax when Teddy Riner and Marie-Jose Perec lit the cauldron with the Olympic flame. The iconic River Seine glistened with cheers and …

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Industries and Production, Rana Tanveer Hussain on Friday emphasized the significance of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and fostering industrialization, noting that the relocation of Chinese industries presents a significant opportunity for Pakistan. While addressing a report titled ‘Aligning Special Economic Zones Policies of Pakistan and China’ the minister said that …