12 killed in blast at Turkiye explosives plant – World
A powerful blast ripped through an explosives plant in northwestern Turkiye on Tuesday killing 12 people and injuring five others, officials said. Footage showed shards of glass and metal scattered outside the plant, where ambulances stood by. “According to initial reports, 12 employees died and four were taken to hospital with injuries as a result […]
Festive season marred by persecution in India
Christian communities worldwide celebrate December 25 as a day of joy and happiness. But the situation in India is altogether different as Christmas is marked by oppression, persecution and violence. In recent years, there have been reports of attacks on churches, violence against pastors and believers, and denial of rights under Article 25 of the Indian Constitution. […]
House of Sharifs – Pakistan
TWO political families have mainly piloted our twisted and bumpy semi-democratic ride. I covered the Bhuttos last time. Today, I turn to the Sharifs, now into a record fifth family stint and 11-plus years as prime minister despite joining politics much later than the Bhuttos, their past arch-enemy and present frenemy. The Sharifs started their […]
New polio case detected in Balochistan, raising nationwide tally to 65 – Pakistan
Pakistan on Tuesday reported a new case of polio in Balochistan, raising the tally for the current year to 65, according to the state-owned Associated Press of Pakistan. Pakistan is one of the last two countries in the world, alongside Afghanistan, where polio remains endemic, with the disease mostly affecting children under five, and sometimes […]
Pakistan Railways begins local manufacturing of train coaches
Listen to article Pakistan Railways (PR) has officially commenced the production of new train coaches domestically, following the successful transfer of technology from China, according to state media. The government started manufacturing high-speed passenger coaches and goods wagons at its workshops in Lahore and Islamabad, using advanced technology transferred by China. Additionally, Chinese experts have played a […]
Imran Khan calls for clear timeline on PTI’s demands: Barrister Gohar
Listen to article Barrister Gohar, Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has revealed that former prime minister Imran Khan has stressed the need for a clear and defined timeframe for addressing the party’s demands during the negotiation process. Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail on Tuesday, he stated that Khan has been briefed about the initiation of […]
US sanctions on Pakistani firms have ‘no justification’, PM Shehbaz asserts – Pakistan
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday asserted that the recent sanctions placed by the United States on four Pakistani firms for their alleged involvement in the country’s ballistic missile programme had “no justification”. Addressing a federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad, the premier said, “The sanctions placed upon our National Development Complex and other entities have […]
Hundreds protest in Syrian capital after Christmas tree burned – World
Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets in Christian areas of Damascus on early Tuesday to protest the burning of a Christmas tree near Hama in central Syria, AFP journalists witnessed. “We demand the rights of Christians,” protesters chanted as they marched through the Syrian capital towards the headquarters of the Orthodox Patriarchate in the […]
NASA’s Parker Solar Probe makes historic attempt with closest-ever approach to the Sun
The Parker Solar Probe is making history as it plunges into the Sun’s outer atmosphere, enduring extreme temperatures and intense radiation. During this daring fly-by, the spacecraft will be out of communication for several days, with scientists awaiting a crucial signal on 28 December at 05:00 GMT to determine if it has survived. The mission […]
Two pilots among ex-PIA staffers who admit to using fake degrees – Pakistan
LAHORE: Four ex-employees of PIA, including two pilots and a stewardess, have confessed to furnishing fake degrees to get appointed or promoted in the national flag carrier, court documents revealed. All of them had already been terminated or superannuated when the FIA booked them in 2022, following an audit that transpired the appointments of 457 […]