Daily News Pakistan

Ukrainian official says Saudi Arabia gathering will discuss Kyiv’s 10-point peace formula, which calls for departure of all Russian troops. Saudi Arabia is preparing to host a summit to discuss Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s plan for peace in his country amid the ongoing Russian invasion, according to a senior official in Kyiv. Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, said on Sunday that officials from several countries would take part in the Saudi Arabian summit but did not say when or in which city the meeting will be held. An international news journal, which first reported on the summit citing “diplomats involved in the discussion”, said the talks would take place on August 5 and 6, in the city of Jeddah, with some 30 countries attending. The Journal said Ukrainian and Western officials hope the efforts could culminate in a peace summit later this year where global leaders would sign up to shared principles for resolving the war. Yermak, writing on Telegram, sai...

Pakistan and United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreed to further deepen their bilateral cooperation in diverse fields including economic ties. This came at a meeting between Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and his UAE's counterpart Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi. The two foreign ministers discussed bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and global developments in the region. They expressed satisfaction over their multidimensional cooperation including in trade, investment, energy, information technology and infrastructure. FM @BBhuttoZardari meets #UAE FM @ABZayed in Abu Dhabi. ➖Offered heartfelt condolences on demise of Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed ➖Discussed bilateral relations & regional & global issues of mutual interest ➖Thanked UAE Govt &ppl for their unwavering support to #Pakistan . ????? pic.twitter.com/ZllhdGpSin — Spokesperson ?? MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) July 31, 2023 Bilawal Bhutto Zardari thanked the UAE leadership ...

Pakistan Stock Exchange's (PSX) benchmark KSE-100 index jumped past the 48,000 mark, a 24-month high, on Monday as analysts expect the positive sentiment to continue in the coming days. Bulls took over the market after Pakistan's deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and later, news on the country's mineral sector strengthened the gains further. During the intra-day trade, the benchmark index increased by 1,010.72 points or 2.15% to reach 48,062.56 points, data showed, up from the previous close of 47,076.9 points — a 21-month high. The market has gained more than 6,600 points (+15.9%) since Pakistan's staff-level agreement with the IMF for a $3 billion Standby Agreement. Under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the government is also holding a Pakistan Mineral Summit regarding Reko Diq and other mines and mineral projects, beginning August 1, seeking foreign investment. Speaking to private news channel, Pakistan-Kuwait Investment Comp...

The Chinese capital, Beijing, has recorded its heaviest rainfall this year as the remnants of Typhoon Doksuri passed through the city, forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of people from high-risk areas in the region. According to international media, average rainfall in Beijing overnight on Monday reached 140.7mm (5.5 inches), with the maximum recorded rainfall in the Fangshan area hitting 500.4 mm (19.7 inches), Rains in the southern and western areas were expected to be heavier on Monday morning. There was no reported damage or casualties, state media said. Doksuri is one of the strongest storms to hit China in years and hundreds of millions of people in northern parts of the country, including in Beijing, remain under a red alert – the highest level – for heavy rain. The alert covers Beijing’s 22 million people and Tianjin’s 14 million, as well as parts of Hebei, Shanxi, Shandong and Henan provinces. It is the first time since 2011 that such a heavy rainfall warning ...

At least 46 people were killed and nearly 200 wounded after a suicide bomber targeted a public gathering of Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam-F in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bajaur district, a senior government official said. The blast occurred on Sunday afternoon at Shandy Morr in the outskirts of Khar city which is the district headquarters of Bajaur. Inspector General of Police in KP Akhtar Hayat Khan told a private new channel that the suicide bombing occurred during the speech of JUI-F Khar’s head Ziaullah Jan at the workers’ convention. The IGP said that the police have found the remains of the suicide bomber, while further investigations were under way. Forty people were killed in the blast while 115 were injured, out of which 65 are getting medical treatment at the DHQ Khar, Medical Officer of District Headquarters Hospital Bajaur Doctor Liaquat Ali said. He added that more than 30 were moved to Timargara. The authorities were shifting over 20 critically injured to Peshawar Hospit...

Ants invade homes for one reason: food. Whether you left crumbs on the kitchen table or forgot to take the trash out, where there's food, there's ants. Ants aren't all bad. They help to clean up dead animals and naturally create topsoil as they burrow into the ground. But they can also pose a danger to you and your home. Ant bites aren't only annoying, they can trigger an allergic reaction in some people. A typical ant bite can cause pain and discomfort, but bites from a fire ant can lead to difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, nausea and dizziness. While fire ants pack a big sting, other ants can do a different type of damage. Carpenter ants, similar to termites, can cause damage to your home's walls, decks, doorframes and other wooden materials. These ants create nests in wooden areas that are moist and starting to decay, and cause damage by tunneling through the wood. But if your home has become infested with ants, don't worry. Getting rid of th...

President Dr. Arif Alvi and the Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have strongly condemned blast at workers convention of JUI-F at Khar area of Bajaur district. In their separate messages, they also expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the incident. The President prayed for eternal peace for the departed souls and commiserated with the bereaved families. Dr. Arif Alvi also wished early recovery of the injured and emphasized on timely provision of the medical assistance to them. Read:  At  least  35  killed,   200   injured  in  blast  at  JUI-F   convention  in  KP’s   Bajaur The Prime Minister condoled with the JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazalur Rehman as well. He also directed to provide best medical facilities to the injured. The Prime Minister expressed sympathy with the bereaved families. He said terrorists have targeted the people who talk about Islam, Quran and Pakistan. He exp...

At least 20 people were killed and over 50 people injured in a blast occurred at the JUI-F workers conventions in Khar, capital area of Bajaur on Sunday afternoon. The rescue teams reached the blast site and shifted injured to the hospital. Police said that a blast occurred at JUI-F workers convention in Bajaur. As per initial reports, the blast occurred in front of the NADRA office in Sandiaye area of the Khar in Bajaur. The police also shared stated that more than 50 people were injured and have been shifted to a nearby hospital. The Police and law enforcement agencies have yet to ascertain the nature of the blast, as whether it was a planted bomb blast or a suicide blast. Meanwhile, the security personnel cordoned off the area and a search and clearance operation is underway.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb has strongly condemned the incident of violence against a 14-year-old domestic worker Rizwana and demanded swift justice in the case. The minister, in a news statement on Sunday, called the incident “shameful” and “condemnable.” She emphasized that no society could tolerate such oppressive elements, especially when it involved child labor and the brutal treatment to young individuals like Rizwana. Marriyum said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had directed Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab Syed Mohsin Naqvi to take serious notice of the matter and ensure swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice. The government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, was committed to play its due role in ensuring that the accused were punished according to the law, she added. She regretted that the courts were granting bails to the culprits instead of delivering justice to the innocent victim, Rizwana. The ministe...

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif lambasted the 'inefficient' performance of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) government led by former prime minister Imran Khan Niazi, saying that the country paid heavy price for their blunders and political vendetta. He said this while talking to the media at the inaugural and laying the foundation stone ceremony of various development projects held in Lahore on Sunday. The Prime Minister lauded the services of all provincial governments on ensuring peace and maintaining Law and order across the country. He said the government is making efforts to provide every possible facility to the public by laying the foundation stone of the Medical city project costing 50 billion rupees. He said this project will be the state of the art project and will be according to the international standards and this project will be completed by Punjab and Federal governments collectively. Shehbaz Sharif said the 1263 Megawatt power plant project, inaugur...

At least 12 people have been killed and more than 100 others injured after an explosion ripped through a fireworks warehouse in southern Thailand, officials said. According to international media reports, the blast in the town of Sungai Kolok in the southern province of Narathiwat on Saturday is thought to have been caused by welding during construction work on the building, the provincial governor said. “There are 10 deaths plus the remains of two unidentified persons, which were sent for DNA checks,” officials said, adding that 121 were injured, two severely. The Narathiwat province’s Public Relations Department said more than 200 households were affected. It said that officials believe there are still a number of people trapped under the debris. The blast caused damage in a radius of about 500 metres (1,640 feet), it said. Videos posted on social media from the site showed a huge plume of smoke over the area and many damaged structures, cars and motorbikes, as well as stre...

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng will arrive in Pakistan today on a three-day visit during which he will attend a ceremony planned to mark 10 years of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. A statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO) on Saturday said that the Chinese vice premier will be in Pakistan from July 30 (today) to August 1 (Tuesday) at the federal government’s invitation to attend a ceremony celebrating a decade of CPEC as the chief guest. It added that Lifeng would also hold meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Dr Arif Alvi during the visit. The FO acknowledged Lifeng’s “prominent role” in China’s international economic relations and implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, of which CPEC is a flagship project. As the chairman of China’s National Development and Reform Commission from 2017 to 2023, he was “instrumental in the planning and execution of multiple CPEC projects in Pakistan”, the FO said. It added that his visit was ...

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke Friday with Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum and reiterated the US' "unflagging support and emphasized the importance of his continuing leadership in Niamey," according to the State Department. "He praised Bazoum’s role in promoting security not only in Niger but the wider West Africa region," spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement, "Secretary Blinken underscored that the United States will continue to work to ensure the full restoration of constitutional order and democratic rule in Niger." In a separate telephone call with former President Mahamadou Issoufou, Blinken expressed his "grave concern" that democratically-elected Bazoum "remains in detention and that negotiations to ensure constitutional order in Niger were at an impasse," said Miller. "The Secretary regretted that those detaining Bazoum were threatening years of successful cooperation and hundreds of millions ...

Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) has postponed its public gathering in Kasur scheduled to be held on Sunday due to inclement weather. Federal Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb made it clear on Saturday that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had postponed its rally in Kasur due to the inclement weather. Marriyum said, "The PML-N will now stage a public gathering in Khudian on August 5 (Saturday). Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will inaugurate a new project in order to provide the best travelling facilities to the citizens." The information minister maintained: "The premier will also address a public gathering at Khudian." پاکستان مسلم لیگ (ن) کے زیر اہتمام قصور، کھڈیاں میں (کل) بروز اتوار، 30 جولائی کو ہونے والا جلسہ موسم کی خرابی کی وجہ سے ملتوی کر دیا گیا ہے، اب انشاءاللہ یہ جلسہ بروز ہفتہ 5 اگست 2023 کو منعقد ہوگا۔ وزیراعظم شہباز شریف عوام کو سفر کی بہترین سہولیات کی فراہمی کے ایک اور منصوبے… — Marriyum Aurangzeb (@Marriyum_A) July 29, 20...

The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration has declared a two-day local holiday on Monday, July 31, and Tuesday, August 1, in anticipation of the visit of a distinguished foreign guest. The announcement was made by Additional Commissioner Rana Waqas Ahmed, who confirmed that a notification regarding the holiday has been issued to the public. Sources indicated that the high-level foreign guest expected to visit Islamabad on the specified dates is none other than the Chinese vice premier. The visit is set to commemorate the momentous occasion of the ten-year anniversary of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Upon the vice premier’s arrival, a red carpet welcome is expected to be extended, emphasizing the significance of the event and the warm ties between China and Pakistan. The ceremony planned during the visit will celebrate the decade of CPEC, which stands as the flagship program of President Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative, unveiled in 2013. CPEC has been a cor...

Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said the Muslim Ummah needs to learn from the incident of Karbala and must go hand-in-hand with the revitalization of faith. Talking to the media in Sialkot Khawaja Asif, says we ought to give all sort of sacrifice to fight against oppression and tyranny to uphold the truth. He said the Muslim Ummah needs to learn from the incident of Karbala and must go hand-in-hand with the revitalization of faith. He said Imam Hussain (AS) has taught us to support the truth in every situation. The Minister said mission of Imam Hussain will continue forever and serve humanity.

Australia paused a major military exercise with the United States on Saturday, after a defence helicopter taking part in the drills crashed into the Pacific leaving four aircrew missing. Accoring to international media reports, australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles said the MRH-90 Taipan went down late Friday night in sub-tropical waters near Hamilton Island, Queensland. It had been taking part in the vast Talisman Sabre exercise, which features 30,000 military personnel from Australia, the United States and several other nations. "As we speak to you now, the four aircrew are yet to be found" Marles said after a nearly overnight search, which is set to continue Saturday. "The families of the four aircrew have been notified of this incident and our hopes and thoughts are very much with the aircrew and their families," Marles added. Officials have not yet said what caused the incident, which came as the Talisman Sabre excercise was entering its second...

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng is arriving in Pakistan tomorrow on a three-day visit. Besides participating in the 10th anniversary celebrations of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the Chinese dignitary will also meet with President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Vice Premier He Lifeng has played a prominent role in China’s international economic relations and implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, of which the CPEC is a flagship project. According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, the Chinese official will be the chief guest at the CPEC event. The FO further said the vice premier played an important role in the CPEC as well as Pakistan-China economic relations. As the Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, He Lifeng was also active in the implementation of the CPEC projects, said the FO spokesperson. The Chinese vice premier’s visit is part of high-level contacts between Pakistan and China, the spokesman added. The VP’s visit ...

To pay homage to the eternal sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions, devotees are leading mourning processions on the day of Ashura across the country. Security is on high alert while mobile phone and internet services have been suspended in several cities especially in the area along the procession routes. President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, former President Asif Ali Zardari and other leaders issued statements on Ashura, saying the day has a deep historical and spiritual significance for Muslims all over the world. The martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) teaches us to resist oppression, oppression and injustice, said the prime minister. In the challenges and trials that our nation and the entire Muslim Ummah are facing, we should learn from Imam Hussain’s Farbani, said Shehbaz Sharif. Karachi The main procession in Karachi left from Nishtar Park at 10am. The MA Jinnah road has been closed for the traffic and shops and the street straddling ...

At least eight people, including a child, were killed and nine others were injured on Friday when a van carrying tourists plunged into a ravine near Babusar Pass in the Diamer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, officials said. Diamer Rescue 1122 District Coordinator Shaukat Riaz, while confirming the death, said the accident took place after the vehicle collided with a car. Meanwhile, Chilas Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Wazir Liaqat said the van, carrying 16 tourists, was headed to Gilgit from Sahiwal. “After it fell into the ravine, the van caught fire,” he said, adding that the wounded persons were being moved to the Chilas Regional Headquarters Hospital. The DSP said one body had been brought to the health facility in Chilas while the remaining were referred to Naran. He further stated that the deaths occurred due to severe injuries. Liaqat added the wounded included four women, four children and a man. Earlier this month, six people were killed and 17 others were injure...

Yorkshire County Cricket Club were slapped with a huge 48-point deduction in the English County Championship on Friday after admitting four charges related to the Azeem Rafiq racism scandal. Pakistan-born bowler Rafiq, 32, went public with allegations of racism and bullying in September 2020, related to his two spells at the English county. The independent Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) also fined the club 400,000 pounds ($514,000), 300,000 of which is suspended for two years. The points penalty sends Yorkshire to the bottom of Division Two of the County Championship. The Yorkshire board issued a statement accepting the sanctions. “The CDC and ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) have today acknowledged the vast amount of work done by YCCC to overcome the cultural issues that existed within the club, which allowed racist and discriminatory behaviour to go unchallenged,” it said. “We are accountable for these issues, and we accepted four amended charges as part of a contin...

A minor housemaid, Rizwana, who was allegedly subjected to torture at the house of a judicial officer in Islamabad on Friday recorded her statement along with her father. According to the spokesperson for Islamabad police, the team recorded statements of the victim girl and her father. During the statement, the victim girl bravely confirmed the allegations of torture at the hands of the judicial officer’s wife. The father expressed his determination to seek justice for his daughter and dismissed any talks of reconciliation. The police have assured that a thorough investigation is underway, and all individuals involved in the crime will be held accountable, in accordance with the law. The case involves child labor, which is a punishable offense under the law, and provisions related to this will be considered, the police said. The incident 14-year-old maid was allegedly subjected to brutal torture by the wife of a civil judge in Islamabad and a case was lodged by the parents of ...

The province of Balochistan is facing a dire flood situation due to relentless monsoon rains, leading to the closure of the Bolan National Highway and isolating the region from other provinces of the country. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported that the torrential rains and flooded streams resulted in the tragic deaths of 10 people, including two women and two children in various rain-related incidents. As the floods engulfed the region, 335 houses were inundated, with 112 of them completely destroyed and 232 partially damaged. The deluge water wreaked havoc on essential infrastructure, sweeping away electricity poles in different areas, leading to a suspension of electricity supply and communication disruptions. The temporary river bank at Pinjra Bridge in Bolan was once again affected by the flood, causing the closure of the national highway connecting Balochistan to Sindh and Punjab. Passengers have been left stranded as a result. In addition to the B...

Beijing believed to be aiming to rival US’s global maritime power and defeat western sanctions, report concludes. China’s military may be planning to build a host of overseas naval bases, as it hopes to protect shipping routes and strengthen its ability to resist sanctions from the US and its allies, analysis has found. Hambantota in Sri Lanka, Bata in Equatorial Guinea and Gwadar in Pakistan are the three most likely locations for a Chinese naval base to be established in the next two to five years, according to an analysis by AidData, a US-based research institute, published on Wednesday. The report’s authors considered the amount of development financing issued by Chinese state-owned banks to port projects, the strategic value of existing infrastructure and strong relationships with host country governments, among other factors, to come up with a list of eight leading options for future Chinese naval bases. China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) currently only has one ov...

Mourners across the country are taking out processions on Muharram 9 to commemorate the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S), his family, and his followers in Karbala. The processions are moving along their traditional, pre-determined routes in different cities and towns of the country, including Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Quetta, etc. The mourners were expected to perform different rituals associated with the day. Administrations in these cities and towns have put in place strict security measures to ensure that untoward incidents do not take place. All roads leading to the procession routes and sites have been cordoned off using shipping containers and barbed wires in different cities. Cellular phone services have also been suspended around the site of the processions. Moreover, pillion riding has also been banned in most major cities and towns as a precaution. Hundreds of security personnel have been deployed in different cities to ensure that processions take...

Pakistan strongly condemns the desecration of the Holy Quran and dishonoring of the Pakistani flag in front of the Embassy of Pakistan in Copenhagen, Denmark. According to Foreign Office, a strong protest has been lodged with the Government of Denmark. We expect the Danish authorities to take all measures necessary to stop such acts of hatred and incitement. The intent of such evil acts is to insult two billion Muslims around the world and create friction amongst communities, cultures, and countries. These acts, by any definition, do not constitute freedom of expression. Nor can the permission to carry out provocative acts of religious hatred be justified under the pretext of freedom of expression, opinion and protest. As the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has said, “speech and inflammatory acts against Muslims are offensive, irresponsible and wrong”. Pakistan has always maintained that freedom of expression comes with responsibilities. It is the responsibility of nationa...

A complex but concerning method of gaining control over a user’s iPhone and permanently locking them out the device appears to be on the rise. Some iPhone thieves are exploiting a security setting, called the recovery key, that makes it nearly impossible for owners to access their photos, messages, data and more, according to a recent an international report. Some victims also told the publication their bank accounts were drained after the thieves gained access to their financial apps. It’s important to note, however, this type of takeover is hard to pull off. It requires a criminal essentially watching an iPhone user enter the device’s passcode – for example, by looking over their shoulder at a bar or sporting event – or manipulating the device’s owner so they’ll share their passcode. And that’s all before they physically steal the device. From there, a thief could use the passcode to change the device’s Apple ID, turn off “Find my iPhone” so their location can’t be tracked, and ...

Malaysian seamer Syazrul Ezat has claimed the best figures by a bowler in T20 internationals (T20I). Syazrul Ezat put up a sensational performance at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier B 2023, registering a whopping seven wickets for just eight runs across four overs - a first in Men's T20I history. The sensational record-breaking spell unfolded at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday where Malaysia faced off against China. Syazrul Ezat annihilated the Chinese lineup, contributing significantly to the team's dismissal for just 23 runs in 11.2 overs. Notably, the Malaysian pacer rattled the stumps of all seven batsmen he dismissed. ? BREAKING: Syazrul Ezat sets the WORLD RECORD for best figures in Men’s T20Is! Figures of 7-8 where all his wickets were bowled. Congratulations to Syazrul. An incredible, memorable performance ?? ? ?? 23 All Out (11.2) Watch the chase ➡️ https://t.co/Ttu8Ghsbjl pic.twitter.com/EiZI7f1MR8 — Malaysia Cricket (@Mala...

The upper house of parliament passed a bill proposing amendments to the Army Act on Thursday. The bill was presented by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and was rushed through without being referred to a a committee. The bill includes a section regarding punishment for defaming army to two years and a fine. The amendments also say that divulging information related to national security and national interests will lead to a prison sentence of upto five years. The person will be penalised under the Army Act and the Official Secrets Act. The bill also said that officials that fall under the law will not be able to participate in political activites within two years of retirement, resignation or dismissal. The duration for those on sensative posts will be five years. In case a person commits an offence against the Army under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, action will be taken against him under the act, the bill says. At the start of proceedings, Senator Raza Rabbani said that...

The Export-Import Bank of China (EXIM) has rolled over $2.4 billion to Pakistan, a sigh of relief for the outgoing Pakistan Democratic Movement-led government as it seeks to meet Pakistan's debt payments due next year. In a tweet, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said the bank has rolled over the amount for two years, which are due in the next two fiscal years — $1.2 billion in FY24 and the same amount in FY25. "Pakistan will make interest payments only in both years," the finance minister, whose government's tenure will end in August, said. Chinese EXIM Bank has rolled over for 2 years principal amounts of following loans totalling US$ 2.4 billion which are due in next 2 fiscal years: FY2023-24: US$1.2 billion FY2024-25: US$ 1.2 billion Pakistan will make interest payments only in both years. — Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) July 27, 2023 The relief comes around a week after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had announced that the same financial institution — Exim Bank ...

Soldiers in Niger claimed to have removed President Mohamed Bazoum from power late on Wednesday, hours after members of the presidential guard detained the politician at his official residence. According to international media reports, in a statement broadcast on national television, Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane said that “the defence and security forces have decided to put an end to the regime you are familiar with”. “This follows the continuous deterioration of the security situation, the bad social and economic management.” The soldier said the country’s borders were closed and a nationwide curfew was in place. All institutions of the country were also suspended, he added. Abdramane was seated and flanked by nine other officers wearing fatigues as he read out his statement. The group, which is calling itself the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, warned against any foreign intervention. The announcement came after a day of uncertainty as Niger’s presidenc...

For many of us, being productive means spending more time working. It seems intuitive that the more time we spend on job tasks, the more we can get done. And not surprisingly, the popular literature is rife with advice on how to maximize work time. For example, the “daily routines of CEOs” often include things like waking up at 4 am, working on the weekend, and even being “strategic about how often you go to the bathroom.” To tackle an ever-increasing workload, many workers choose to grind through, skip lunch, and stay after hours. But the cost of being always-on (and doing it well!) is high. More than half of employees (59%) report feeling burnout according to a recent survey. Engagement has taken the opposite turn and is declining among the U.S. workers. Alarmingly, both high burnout and low engagement rates are associated with hindered performance. What can we do to address our declining well-being while maintaining performance? Pausing work rather than pushing through might he...

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, one of the world's longest-serving leaders, has said he will resign and hand power to his eldest son after almost four decades of hardline rule. "I would like to ask for understanding from the people as I announce that I will not continue as prime minister," the 70-year-old said in a special broadcast on state television on Wednesday. According to international media reports, his Cambodian People's Party (CPP) won a landslide victory in an election on Sunday with no strong opposition, taking 82 percent of the vote, paving the way for a dynastic succession to his eldest son. Hun Sen has trailed the handover to his son for a year and a half, and the 45-year-old played a leading role in campaigning for Sunday's vote. But the outgoing leader has made it clear that he still intends to wield influence, even after he steps down, scotching the notion the country could change direction. As per reports, election authorities disqualif...

China has approved the deferment of a loan of $2.1 billion to Pakistan for two years. China Exim Bank has approved extending Pakistan’s $2.1 billion loan for a time span of two years, according to the sources from Ministry of Finance. The respective bank issued an official letter to the Pakistani authorities highlighting the extension of the aforementioned loan from July 21, 2023, to June 30, 2025, sources added. Moreover, the bank further informed that Pakistan would not have to bare any additional markup on this extension. It is worth noting that Exim Bank rolled over Pakistan’s $600 million loan on July 18 which helped increase the country’s Foreign Exchange Reserves. Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that China has rolled over a $600 million loan to Pakistan, helping shore up the country’s foreign exchange reserves. “Exim Bank of China rolled over $600 million to Pakistan, which increased our foreign currency reserves,” the premier said, adding that the assistance...

The match between Pakistan and India at the upcoming 50-over World Cup scheduled for October 15 in Ahmedabad is likely to be rescheduled due to the date coinciding with the beginning of the Navratri festival, Indian media reported on Wednesday. The Navratri festival, which is held in honour of Hindu Goddess Durga, is celebrated over a period of nine days. “We have been told by the security agencies that a high-profile game like India vs Pakistan, for which thousands of travelling fans are expected to reach Ahmedabad, should be avoided since they will be stretched because of Navratri,” a top official from India’s cricket board, who did not wish to be identified, told media. “We are mulling the options that we have and a decision will be taken soon,” the official said. Indian media also reported that Board of Cricket Control for India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah had called a meeting in New Delhi on July 27 (tomorrow) of all the associations hosting the World Cup matches. “I...