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At least seven people were killed and thirty injured on Saturday in a car blast in a busy market place in the rebel held Syrian town Azaz near the Turkish border, residents and rescuers told Reuters. They said the blast occurred during peak late night shopping after breaking of the fast during the Muslim month of Ramadan. “It’s timing comes with heavy congestion by shoppers,” said Yaseen Shalabi who was near the site of the explosion shopping with his family. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. The Arab-populated town run by Syrian rebel groups backed by Turkey opposed to Syrian President Bashar al Assad has been relatively quiet since it was hit by a car blast over two years ago. Main towns in the northwestern border area have in recent years been frequently hit by bombings detonated in crowded civilian areas. The civil defence forces said that at least thirty were wounded with some seriously injured transferred to local hospitals. Residents and rebels in the mainl

The French, Egyptian and Jordanian foreign ministers called Saturday for an “immediate and permanent ceasefire” in Gaza and the release of all hostages held by Palestinian group Hamas. Speaking at a joint press conference in Cairo, France’s top diplomat Stephane Sejourne said his government would put forward a draft resolution at the UN Security Council setting out a “political” settlement of the war. He said the text would include “all the criteria for a two-state solution” of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the peace blueprint long championed by the international community but opposed by the Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. On Monday, the Security Council adopted a resolution demanding an “immediate ceasefire” in Hamas-run Gaza, where the health ministry says the death toll has reached 32,705, most of them women and children. The war started when Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, which resulted in about 1,160 deaths in Israe

President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday underlined the need for promoting barter trade and economic relations with Iran for the mutual benefit of the two brotherly countries. The president, talking to Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Reza Amiri Moghadam, who called on him, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, said that both countries had great scope for expanding bilateral economic cooperation in diverse fields. Talking to the ambassador, the president expressed his commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries. He called for working together to overcome the common challenges faced by both sides. The Iranian ambassador congratulated the president on assuming the office. He emphasised the need for increasing the bilateral trade volume, banking cooperation, and air and business linkages between the two countries. The ambassador said that Pakistan could benefit from the Chahbahar-Zahedan railroad for trade with Central Asia, Europe and Turkiye. He expressed the

United Kingdom (UK) High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott called on Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday and discussed various aspects of bilateral relations and regional developments. Both leaders agreed to further advance bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and the United Kingdom in all areas of mutual interest, including trade and investment, peace, security, and development cooperation. Earlier in the day, President Asif Ali Zardari has emphasized further strengthening trade and economic ties between Pakistan and the United Kingdom for mutual benefit. He was talking to British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott, who called on him in Islamabad today. Pakistan and the United Kingdom enjoy cordial relations reinforced by high-level interactions and people-to-people contacts over the years, Zardari added. He said stabilization of economy with a key focus on employment generation and poverty alleviation is one of the top priorities of the government. Highlight

The talks between Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) over women’s seats in the upcoming Senate election has reached a deadlock, ARY News reported. PPP candidate for the women’s seat Faiza Malik has refused to withdraw from the election as the former ruling coalition parties were at a standstill over the seat adjustment in the Punjab Senate election. In this regard, Malik said that she filed her nomination papers on the orders of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. According to her, the PPP chief has not asked her to withdraw from the race for the women’s seat in the upper house. It is pertinent to mention that the two women’s seats of the Senate are vacant from Punjab. The PML-N has fielded Anusha Rehman and Bushra Anjum Butt while Malik is contesting from the PPP’s platform. Read more: ECP issues revised list for upcoming Senate elections Meanwhile, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has nominated Sanam Javed for the Senate seat in Punjab.

ISLAMABAD: British High Commission Development Director Jo Moir on Tuesday emphasised significance of journalism on climate impact, saying that journalists play a pivotal role in helping Pakistani people understand how climate change affects them. Over 100 journalists from 35 media outlets and research organisations participated in a practical training from the British High Commission on climate journalism. Journalists gained in-depth knowledge on complex climate change and nature protection issues, discussed how journalism is at the frontlines of climate change, explored how to find real climate stories on the ground and practised telling climate stories. They discussed challenges that can exist around climate journalism, how to centre women and girls in climate stories, and made commitments to tell climate stories in future. The journalists reflected on the importance of finding and telling stories of community action related to climate change going out to the field in search of

Guests in Saudi Arabia were faced with a dilemma after their host locked them up to show his “generosity” at a dinner. Video footage, shot by one of the guests, showed several people approaching the exit door of the house in an attempt to leave the place. However, the host had them locked up from the outside as he did not want to leave any food leftovers from the feast. “He is giving us a tough time! He has closed the door and told us to leave nothing in plates!” read a caption attached to the video. While some of the guests were seen negotiating with the host to let them leave the house, others chose to finish the food they were served by their Saudi host. pic.twitter.com/3NmooWGt15 — فيديوهات منوعة (@EsmailBaher) March 21, 2024 The place and time of the incident have been determined, however, it brought smiles to the faces of the social media users. Reports have said that food worth an estimated SR40 billion is wasted in Saudi Arabia. Several campaigns have been launched

QUETTA: The Sister of alleged terrorist Kareem Jan, confessed that her brother who was killed along with seven others by security forces in Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) Complex attack, was Baloch Liberation Army member, ARY News reported. Security forces thwarted an attempted attack on the Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) Complex and killed all eight terrorists belonging to the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). As per details, the sister of the alleged BLA member identified the dead body of her brother and filed the application for handing over the dead body to the family. She said that Kareem Jan was also on the list of Baloch Solidarity Council’s missing persons list. According to the concerned authorities, the alleged BLA terrorist Kareem Jan, resident of Turbat went missing on May 25. 2022. Related: ‘8 BLA terrorists’ killed as attack on Gwadar Port Authority Complex thwarted According to sources, the BLA militants tried to enter the GPA complex to carry out terrorism but

In a fearless act, a brave mother fought off her teenage daughter’s alleged kidnapper down four flights of stairs. The footage shows Adriana Alvarez, 35, sprinting after the suspect who grabbed her daughter, Lex, 18, and violently dragged her down the stairs during an incident at their Astoria apartment complex on January 23. The man, identified as deli worker George Vassiliou, 25, attacked Lex while she was returning from a morning walk with her two dogs at 9:00 a.m. Vassiliou, who was wearing a mask, black gloves and a camouflage jacket, emerged from his waiting position at a staircase and grabbed Lex by her shoulders, dragging her down the stairs and out of the video before her mother heard her screaming and bolted into the frame to track him down. “You never imagine this kind of thing would happen to you, especially in your own building. It was horrible.” Alvarez, who is 5-foot-4, 130 pounds, said Vassiliou, who is 6-foot-2, 230 pounds, pummeled her in the face before pulli

The French government is raising its terror alert warning to its highest level following the shootings on Moscow, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said on Sunday after a meeting with senior security and defence officials with President Emmanuel Macron. Attal said in a post on X that the decision, which comes months before Paris hosts the Olympic Games, was taken “in light of the Islamic State’s claiming responsibility for the (Moscow) attack and the threats weighing on our country”. France’s terror alert system has three levels, and the highest level is activated in the wake of an attack in France or abroad or when a threat of one is considered to be imminent. It allows for exceptional security measures such as stepped-up patrols by armed forces in public places like train stations, airports and religious sites. from ARY NEWS https://ift.tt/oJRd25z

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has dissolved the current National Cricket Selection Committee, ARY News reported on Sunday. As per details, the cricket board has dissolved the National Cricket Selection Committee and the new committee will be announced soon. The Pakistan Cricket Board spokesperson said that the new selection committee will be free to use its powers in the selection process of the national cricket team. The development came after sources revealed on March 18 that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will further empower the National Cricket Selection Committee with full authority. Sources claimed that the PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi urged that the selection committee should be granted complete authority, expressing his commitment to refrain from interfering in matters related to the selection committee. READ:  PCB no longer under IPC’s domain Sources revealed that the selection committee will be responsible for the selection of the national team and the captain, addi

Russia said on Saturday it had arrested all four gunmen suspected of carrying out a shooting massacre in a concert hall near Moscow, and President Vladimir Putin pledged to track down and punish those behind the attack. Militant Islamist group  Islamic State  claimed responsibility for  Friday’s rampage , but there were indications that Russia was pursuing a Ukrainian link, despite  emphatic denials  from Ukrainian officials that Kyiv had anything to do with it. Moscow regional Governor Andrei Vorobyov said 133 bodies had been recovered from the rubble in 24 hours and doctors were “fighting for the lives of 107 people”. State TV editor Margarita Simonyan, without citing a source, had earlier given a toll of 143. In a televised address, Putin said 11 people had been detained, including the four gunmen. “They tried to hide and moved towards Ukraine, where, according to preliminary data, a window was prepared for them on the Ukrainian side to cross the state border,” he said. Russia’

TV actor Agha Shiraz, who is also famous for his magic tricks, recently shared a supernatural experience that happened to him and which positively impacted his life. During a guest appearance on the Ramadan transmission, the TV actor shared details of an incident that happened in 2019, while he was offering prayer at a mosque near Karachi’s Sea View. Sharing the incident, Agha said: “I was praying Namz-e-Asar near Sea View and someone tapped my shoulder and asked me to offer the prayer again. They also told me that my prayers won’t be accepted until I seek Allah’s love and guidance. Even though I didn’t pay attention to their advice and completed my Darood and Dua . Agha Shiraz said that he turned back to look at the person after the Namaz, but he didn’t find anyone. He then went to the Imam Masjid and told him the entire incident. The Imam, according to Agha, told him that: “I observed you talking to someone invisible. Let me tell you something important, the spiritual beings (J

Pakistan Navy, in a joint intelligence-based operation with the law enforcement agencies, seized liquor worth Rs145.6 million in the North Arabian Sea. “A joint intelligence-based operation, coordinated through Joint Maritime Information and Coordination Centre, was conducted by Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Maritime Security Agency and Pakistan Customs Intelligence in North Arabian Sea, in which 4104 bottles of Liquor were recovered. “The seized liquor has been handed over to the Customs for further legal proceedings, read the statement issued by navy spokesperson. “PN, PMSA, and Customs are vigilant and remain committed to preventing the use of Pakistani waters and land for any unlawful act.” The successful joint operation by PN, PMSA and Customs intelligence resulting in the seizure of liquor is a testament to the fact that despite the prevailing maritime situation in which the criminals are active for their nefarious designs and leaving no opportunity to defame Pakistan, the spokesp

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ata Tarar on Wednesday said today’s US Congressional hearing had completely exposed the “cipher drama” orchestrated by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan against the country, just for the sake of his personal interests. “The PTI chairman’s deceit and hypocrisy has been exposed before the whole world today as [US Assistant Secretary of State] Donld Lu testified before the Congress and called the cipher a complete falsehood,” the minister said while addressing a news conference. Ata Tarar condemned the PTI’s conspiracy in the strongest terms lashing out the party for their all the anti-state moves including May 9 riots and protests outside the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Headquarters for derailing Pakistan talks with the lender on final review of the standby agreement. “The PTI hired lobbyists in the United States for a congress hearing on the so-called regime change conspiracy, but their leader could not e

Hollywood star Tom Cruise was seen scaling the Hollywood Sign in Los Angeles of the US in a casual outfit as shooting for a movie of the Mission: Impossible series is underway. The 61-year-old Top Gun: Maverick star was seen at the landmark Hollywood Sign with a film crew in a black t-shirt along with pants and shoes as he flashed his abs from underneath his shirt. Known for his dedication towards his work and death-defying stunts, Cruise is currently shooting for Mission Impossible 8. Recently, The movie’s shooting was at risk of a delay after a traffic chokehold around the studio. However, Tom Cruise arranged helicopters for the cast and crew to arrive at the location in Surrey after motorways were blocked due to on-site work last weekend. Sources said that M25 closure might be a problem for other people but Cruise had a solution to almost everything that might disturb the filming schedule. Read more; Bad news for Tom Cruise’s ‘Mission: Impossible’ fans According to sources,

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has constituted five appellate tribunals to address appeals regarding the acceptance or rejection of nomination papers submitted by candidates for the vacant Senate seats. According to a notification issued by Election Commission, Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz has been appointed as the tribunal judge for the Islamabad, while Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan has been appointed as the appellate tribunal for resolving disputes in Punjab. Likewise, Justice Adnan Iqbal Chaudhry was appointed as the Appellate Tribunal Judge to handle petitions concerning disputes in the Sindh province. Justice Shakeel Ahmed for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Justices Ejaz Swati and Nazeer Ahmed Langove for Balochistan were appointed as Appellate Tribunal judges. According to the election schedule appeals can be filed upto March 21 against approval or rejection of nomination papers. The election tribunals will decide appeals by March 25. A revised list of candidates

President  Vladimir Putin  won a record post-Soviet landslide in  Russia’s election on Sunday , cementing his already tight grip on power in a victory he said showed Moscow had been right to stand up to the West and send its troops into Ukraine. Putin, a former KGB lieutenant colonel who first rose to power in 1999, made it clear that the result should send a message to the West that its leaders will have to reckon with an emboldened Russia, whether in war or in peace, for many more years to come. The outcome means  Putin , 71, is set to embark on a new six-year term that will see him overtake Josef Stalin and become Russia’s longest-serving leader for more than 200 years if he completes it. Putin won 87.8% of the vote, the highest ever result in Russia’s post-Soviet history, according to an exit poll by pollster the Public Opinion Foundation (FOM). The Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VCIOM) put Putin on 87%. First official results indicated the polls were accurate. The Uni

Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Aamir Khan delighted their fans by performing together at Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s pre-wedding bash in Jamnagar. At the pre-wedding festivities, the trio delivered an energetic on-stage performance. The videos were widely shared on social media, and now, the uncut version of their banter and their dance has been shared online. However, before the same, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan had a lighthearted, heated discussion where Aamir Khan had to play the peacemaker. The performance begins with Shah Rukh telling Salman and Aamir that they’ll perform together because Mukesh Ambani desires to see them dance together. When Salman asks them to put on a song from Dabangg, Shah Rukh takes offence because he wants one of his songs to be played. Shah Rukh wants “Besharam Rang” to be played but Salman wants them to perform on “Hud Hud Dabangg”.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Dharma 2.0 (@dharma2

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve and commitment to closely work together with the leadership of Turkey to further solidify the bilateral relations. In a post on X, he said, “I am pleased to receive a congratulatory call from my brother Hakan Fidan, FM of Turkey. Recalling close & fraternal ties between our two great nations, we reaffirmed our resolve & commitment to closely work together to further solidify our bilateral relations.” Foreign Minister (FM) Ishaq Dar and his Afghanistan counterpart Amir Khan Muttaqi on Saturday agreed to continue working together in building on fraternal bilateral relations. “Expanding cooperation in connectivity, trade, security, counter terrorism and people to people contacts is a top priority for Pakistan,” the foreign minister posted on X, after he received a congratulatory call from Afghan minister. Meanwhile, a statement by the deputy spokesperson at the Afghan foreign ministry, Hafiz Zia Ahmad, said

RAWALPINDI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif along with his cabinet members, visited the General Headquarters (GHQ) Rawalpindi on Friday and laid a floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada to pay tribute to the martyrs, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. According to the military’s media wing, the prime minister was received by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir. Shehbaz Sharif was also presented guard of honour. The prime minister, cabinet members and the military leadership discussed matters of national security, regional stability and military preparedness. “The prime minister and cabinet members were briefed on the current security environment, threat spectrum, response to the security threats and ongoing counter-terrorism operations,” the ISPR read. Shehbaz Sharif also appreciated the professionalism, operational readiness, and sacrifices of the Pakistan Army in the war against terrorism and commended the dedication of the Pakistan Army to safeguarding t

In a horrific incident, a woman pensioner’s dream retirement in a small French hamlet ended with her brutal murder after a psychotic neighbor brutally strangled and beat her to death. Susan Higginbotham, 67, was found dead at her home in Esclottes, a village of just 150 residents about 35 miles east of Bordeaux. She had been attacked by her psychotic neighbor, Hichame Bahloul, now sentenced to 30 years in prison. Lot-et-Garonne Criminal Court heard that Higginbotham asked Bahloul, 42, for duct tape before he exploded and attacked him. He told the court he went to her house on the day of the attack with a “rope” with which he strangled her, before punching and kicking her in the chest. Before the attack, Bahloul had spent nearly half his life in psychiatric care. But at the time, he had been back with his parents in the same village of Esclottes, in the southwest, for six months. The trial, which lasted three days, helped to understand why Bahloul had carried out this attack. “