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This year, the cold in Gilgit-Baltistan has intensified, breaking a decade-long record for low temperatures as meteorological department reported that the average minimum temperature in Gilgit has dropped to -8°C, compared to -3°C recorded ten years ago. The report further states that Skardu has experienced an even sharper drop, with average temperatures plummeting to 11°C below freezing — marking a significant 8°C decline over the past decade. Experts warn that the cold is expected to intensify further, potentially disrupting daily life in the region and residents are advised to take precautionary measures to protect themselves against the harsh winter. As…

PRETORIA – South Africa are within touching distance of a place in next June’s World Test Championship final at Lord’s but must win at least one of their two tests against Pakistan, which start with the Boxing Day encounter in Pretoria. A run of five successive test victories in the last five months — over the West Indies, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka — has catapulted South Africa to first in the WTC standings and given them a strong chance of a place against either Australia, India or Sri Lanka in the one-off final in London. They get two chances to…

England Test captain Ben Stokes has been ruled out of all cricket for a minimum of three months following a left hamstring tear sustained during the recent Test series against New Zealand in Hamilton. He won’t be available for ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The injury, which occurred despite England’s 2-1 series victory, has forced Stokes’s withdrawal from England’s 15-man Champions Trophy squad and will prevent his participation in the upcoming Hundred competition starting January 9. This setback continues a challenging period for the all-rounder, who underwent knee surgery in October 2023 following the ODI World Cup. Stokes had previously managed a similar…

The Chinese Consul General in Lahore, Zhao Shiren, awarded the “China Consulate General Friendship Award 2024” to Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Affairs Chaudhry Salik Hussain, along with 18 other individuals, for their contributions to strengthening Pakistan-China relations. Speaking at the ceremony, Zhao highlighted 2025 as a pivotal year for deepening bilateral ties, advancing CPEC projects, and fostering a stronger community of shared future. He emphasized the renewed vibrancy in China-Pakistan relations following high-level visits by leaders of both nations and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s successful trip to China.

Universities in Tianjin, China, have signed three MoUs with the University of Sargodha to enhance cooperation in education, healthcare, and agriculture. The collaboration includes academic exchanges, research initiatives, and faculty training, with plans to build a TCM hospital, an international-standard boarding school, and a citrus processing unit to boost Sargodha’s economy. Highlighting the significance, Honorary Investment Counsellor Philip Jian Peng emphasized the shift of CPEC from government-led to business-driven cooperation, with universities driving innovation and sustainable development under the Belt and Road Initiative.

The New Gwadar International Airport, a Rs 55 billion project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), will commence operations on January 1, 2025. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will operate inaugural flights from Karachi and Islamabad, using an ATR and an Airbus 320, respectively, both receiving a traditional water salute. Federal Defense and Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif is expected to inaugurate the first flight. Built to international standards, the airport can accommodate large aircraft like the Airbus 380 and is now fully equipped to handle domestic and international flights.

Collaboration with China under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is essential for advancing Pakistan’s veterinary sector, including vaccine development, technology transfer, and quality control, emphasized Ms. Afifa Shajia, Education Attaché at Pakistan’s Embassy in China, during an advanced workshop on veterinary drug and vaccine technology transfer for BRI countries in Beijing. Organized by China Agricultural University and the China Veterinary Medicine Association, the workshop aims to enhance regulatory alignment, explore livestock industry needs, and promote technology exchange among 80 participants from multiple BRI countries. Key discussions included disease control, market trends, and building a sustainable veterinary network, with visits…

A high-level Pakistani capital market delegation, led by SECP Chairman Akif Saeed and PSX Chairperson Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, visited China to strengthen ties with leading Chinese financial institutions. During the visit, PSX CEO Farrukh H. Sabzwari signed MoUs with the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges and the China Financial Futures Exchange, marking a significant milestone in fostering bilateral collaboration. The agreements aim to enhance capacity building, promote joint financial products like ETFs, and deepen market integration, building on the foundation laid in 2016 with the divestment of 40% PSX shares to a Chinese consortium. These initiatives are set to bolster…

Azerbaijani Airlines flight-8432 enroute Baku to Grozny crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau on Wednesday, the Kazakh Emergency Ministry said. In a statement, AZAL informed that the Embraer 190 aircraft, operating the Baku-Grozny flight, made an emergency landing 3 kilometers from the city of Aktau. According to preliminary information, the cause of the crash was a collision of the aircraft with a flock of birds, the statement said. The aircraft caught fire following the crash, and emergency responders are working to extinguish it, the ministry said in a statement, adding that preliminary reports indicated there are survivors. “Fifty-two personnel…

The third session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) has been suggested to start on March 4, 2025, in Beijing. The suggestion was made at a recent Chairperson’s Council meeting of the 14th CPPCC National Committee. The meeting also decided the 10th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th CPPCC National Committee to be convened on March 1 and 2, 2025, to prepare for the annual session of the CPPCC National Committee.