Beijing to host key nuclear talks between China, Russia and Iran
Listen to article China will host talks in Beijing on Friday with Russia and Iran to discuss the Iranian nuclear issue, according to a statement from China’s Foreign Ministry. The meeting will see the participation of Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov and Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu chairing […]
Planning minister irked by officials’ lethargy on CPEC projects – Business
• Ahsan asks diplomats, EAD to liaise with Chinese for technical, financial assessment of Main Line-1 rail link ISLAMABAD: Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has expressed annoyance over the slow progress on mega projects that are part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). On Tuesday, Mr Iqbal chaired a meeting to prepare for the Joint Cooperation […]
Hopes revived for Torkham reopening – Pakistan
KHYBER: The Torkham border crossing, which has been closed since Feb 21, is expected to reopen soon as Pakistani security officials held a meeting with tribal elders on Tuesday after the Afghan side gave some “positive signals”. Sources told Dawn that the jirga met in the late evening “to take stock of the situation”. The […]
Rights-based social protection – Newspaper
THE last few years have seen a slow expansion of social assistance programmes in Pakistan. Among mainstream political parties, the PPP claims to embrace such programmes as a policy measure. In 2008, the PPP-led federal government introduced the first targeted cash transfer programme, the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). In its 2024 election manifesto, the […]
Russian missile attack on Kryvyi Rih kills one, injures nine, damages infrastructure
Listen to article A Russian missile attack on the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih has resulted in the death of a 47-year-old woman and left at least nine others wounded, according to Dnipropetrovsk regional governor Serhiy Lysak. The strike, which also damaged various infrastructure, high-rise apartments, administrative buildings, a shop, and an educational facility, was confirmed […]
Food Choices & Pro Tips
Ramadan, a month of spiritual reflection and community, is also a time when dietary habits shift dramatically. Fasting from dawn till dusk can present challenges to maintaining consistent health, but it doesn’t mean sacrificing the delicious flavors that make this month so special. With a little planning and mindful choices, you can navigate Ramadan with […]
Govt hikes tariff for captive plants on IMF prodding – Pakistan
• ‘Grid levy’ to witness multiple hikes till Aug 2026 amid bid to discourage use of natural gas• Insiders say Fund unhappy with Discos’ privatisation timeline; agri tax also on its agenda ISLAMABAD: In a major retreat, the government had to immediately notify an increase in gas rates for industrial captive power plants (CPPs) by […]
Shoaib Malik’s selection for National T20 Cup sparks fan backlash
Veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik’s inclusion in Sialkot’s squad for the upcoming National T20 Cup has drawn criticism from fans, who argue that his selection has come at the expense of young talent. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the tournament’s squads earlier this week, with the competition set to begin on March 14. Following the […]
State Bank’s caution – Newspaper
THE State Bank’s decision to pause its monetary easing cycle, after six consecutive cuts of 1,000bps in its key policy interest rate since June to 12pc, in spite of a bigger than expected drop in inflation last month, reflects its efforts to achieve a balance between emerging strains on the economy and the fragile macro […]
10 Hilarious Comedy Movies Based on Books
Hollywood’s love for book adaptations is undeniable, but when it comes to comedy, things can get tricky. Comedy novels don’t always translate well to the big screen, and sometimes filmmakers take creative liberties, turning serious books into laugh-out-loud comedies. Here are 10 hilarious comedy movies based on books that show how well literature can pair […]