Blasts kill nine in camp for displaced in east DR Congo
Goma, DR Congo - Blasts killed at least nine people Friday in a displaced persons camp on the outskirts of Goma in the war-torn eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, local sources said. “Bombs” fell on huts housing displaced people, according to witnesses, in the central African country’s eastern region, which has seen ongoing fighting between M23 (March 23 movement) rebels and the government. According to Kinshasa, the United Nations and Western countries, neighbouring Rwanda is backing the M23, something Kigali denies. Fighting intensified around Sake early February and the rebels have since seized new towns in Masisi district, northwest of Goma, including the mining town Rubaya. The UN estimated at the end of 2023 that nearly seven million people had been displaced in DR Congo, including 2.5 million in North Kivu alone.
Source:The Nation
May 04, 2024 01:22 UTC
PM felicitates nation on Pakistan’s first lunar satellite mission launch
ISLAMABAD, May 3 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday congratulated the Pakistani nation on the historic milestone of Pakistan’s first lunar satellite mission launch, in collaboration with China’s Chang’e-6 mission. “Today marks a momentous leap for Pakistan space science programme. We are proud of our scientists and Pakistan collaboration with China,” he wrote on his X timeline. “This achievement will inspire young minds in science and research, strengthen our Lunar Programme and expand our knowledge of the Moon,” the prime minister added.
Source:The Nation
May 03, 2024 21:20 UTC
Blinken urges nations to do more to protect journalists
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday called on all countries to do more to protect journalists, reiterating unwavering support for free and independent media around the world, the State Department said in a press release. In his message on World Press Freedom Day, he said that more journalists were killed in 2023 than in any year in recent memory. In their pursuit of truth, he added, journalists face unprecedented danger just for doing their jobs. “Each year on World Press Freedom Day, the world celebrates the importance of journalism and recognises the integral role a vibrant, independent media plays in democratic societies,” he added. “On World Press Freedom Day, we call on every nation to do more to protect journalists, and we reiterate our unwavering support for free and independent media around the world.”
Source:The Nation
May 03, 2024 20:54 UTC
Battleship Takeover
In India, press freedom has seen a marked decline, driven by a political climate that increasingly stifles dissent. One such example is the implicit ‘ban’ on media outlets from mentioning PTI founder Imran Khan. Many media outlets, formerly bastions of courageous reporting, now succumb to the aforementioned double pressures. Powerful corporate entities put further pressure on media outlets, with some throwing money at them to campaign against specific outlets. On this World Press Freedom Day, let us pledge to present a united front, not only to protect our operational independence but also to strengthen the very foundations of press freedom in the country.
Source:The Patriot
May 03, 2024 20:40 UTC
Earthquake of 4.2 magnitude jolts Balochistan
An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.2 jolted Khuzdar district of Balochistan on Friday. However, no loss of life or damage to property was reported from any part of Balochistan so far. On Thursday, an earthquake measuring 3.1 on the Richter scale hit Malir district of Karachi. The National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC) confirmed that tremors were felt in Malir, Landhi, Quaidabad, Kathore and Gadap Town. The epicentre of the earthquake was New Malir Karachi and the depth was 12km, it said.
Source:The Nation
May 03, 2024 17:20 UTC
Japan announces MEXT Scholarships 2025 for talented Pakistani student
ISLAMABAD: The Government of Japan has announced its MEXT Scholarships 2025 for the talented Pakistani students to apply for their Undergraduate and graduate studies (Masters & PhD) and get a chance to study in the prestigious universities of Japan. The Embassy of Japan in Pakistan was now accepting applications for the MEXT undergraduate and Research Scholarships (Masters & PhD) 2025. Every year the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan offers scholarships to international students who wish to study in under-graduate and graduate courses at the Japanese universities. MEXT research scholarship was fully funded by the Government of Japan and provides an excellent opportunity for the aspiring students in Pakistan to apply and get a chance to study at the high-quality universities in Japan. For further details about the scholarship and how to apply, visit https://www.pk.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/education.html
Source:Pakistan Today
May 03, 2024 17:17 UTC
President, PM, DPM felicitate nation, scientists as Pakistan launches first space mission ICUBE-Q
ISLAMABAD, May 03 (APP):President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday felicitated the nation and the scientists as Pakistan launched it first lunar mission ICUBE-Q. “The successful launch of the space mission will prove to be a milestone in Pakistan’s space programme. The whole nation feels proud for this significant achievement in the space technology,” he remarked. President Zardari expressed the hope that Pakistan’s space research institutes and scientists would bring more laurels to the country through their enhanced hard work, dedication and planning. The acceptance of Pakistan’s mission among eight countries was the recognition of the capabilities of Pakistan’s scientists and experts, he added.
Source:The Nation
May 03, 2024 12:36 UTC
Ishaq Dar's appointment as deputy PM challenged in SHC
A petition has been filed in the Sindh High Court against the appointment of Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar as deputy prime minister,The notification of the appointment of Ishaq Dar has been challenged in the Sindh High Court. The petition to challenge Ishaq Dar's appointment has been scheduled for hearing tomorrow. The petitioner claims that there is no provision for the position of deputy prime minister in Pakistan's constitution and demands the annulment of Ishaq Dar's appointment. Dar was appointed as deputy prime minister on April 28. The Cabinet Division issued a notification on Sunday, formally assigning Dar the additional charge of deputy prime minister, following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's approval.
Source:The Nation
May 03, 2024 11:19 UTC
President, PM felicitate nation, scientists for launching lunar orbit mission
President, PM felicitate nation, scientists for launching lunar orbit missionPresident Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have felicitated the entire nation on the successful launch of first lunar orbit mission. In a statement today, Asif Ali Zardari congratulated the Institute of Space Technology, SUPARCO and the China National Space Administration on this achievement. The President said the successful launch of the spacecraft will be a milestone for Pakistan's space programme. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a statement today, said ICUBE-Q satellite is Pakistan's first step in the space. It is pertinent to mention that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif himself observed the historic launch of Pakistan's first satellite mission to the moon on TV.
Source:The Nation
May 03, 2024 10:19 UTC
To the moon: Pakistan's first orbiter lifts off
Pakistan's space programme achieved a historic milestone on Friday as the country's first-ever lunar orbiter lifted off from China's Henan Space Launch Site. Read Shooting for the moon: Pakistan's lunar ambitionsThe payload consists of three parts, the CubeSat, the separation mechanism, and the mounting bracket. The ICUBE-Q satellite. Finally, the orbiter will take pictures of the Earth, and the moon and try to take pictures of at least two objects together (earth, moon, and orbiter). "This achievement will bolster Pakistan's satellite communication capabilities and pave the way for new opportunities in scientific research, economic development, and national security," he added.
Source:The Express Tribune
May 03, 2024 09:45 UTC
Uncertain character of the UN
He is taking advantage of the situation and is dragging the world towards a Third World War. World War III. The international community led by global organizations like the United Nations must try to find a peaceful and diplomatic solution to this crisis averting the danger of a third world war from emerging. According to Article 6 of the UN charter, if there is a dispute between two countries, they should decide it bilaterally. This shows the uncertain character of the UN and the double standard of biased policy and attitude.
Source:The Patriot
May 03, 2024 08:41 UTC
Unlocking Opportunities in Riyadh
At the end of Ramadan, the prime minister flew to the kingdom to see the holy cities and meet with the crown prince. The de facto Saudi ruler had provided favourable signals about his country’s investment in Pakistan. During Shehbaz Sharif’s most recent trip to Saudi Arabia, which coincided with a World Economic Forum event in Riyadh, the prime minister met with Mohammed bin Salman and numerous Saudi ministers. Riyadh appears to be more interested in investing in agriculture, while energy projects were also mentioned during Mr Sharif’s recent visit. Mr Sharif hinted at the need to clean up our stables when he confessed at a WEF gathering in Riyadh that Pakistan’s income sector is “in tatters”.
Source:The Patriot
May 03, 2024 08:41 UTC
20 killed, 21 injured as bus falls into ravine in GB
At least 20 people lost their lives while 21 sustained injuries after a passenger bus veered off a narrow mountain road and plummeted into a ravine in a remote area of Diamer district, Gilgit Baltistan. The accident took place at the Yashokhal area on the Karakoram Highway in Diamer early Friday morning at around 5:30am, according to police. “The accident took place 20 kilometres away from Chilas city. The bus met with an accident while overspeeding or taking a turn,” said the official. Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif expressed condolences and grief over the loss of loss in the bus accident, praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Source:The Nation
May 03, 2024 08:36 UTC
PTI demands ‘immediate release’ of Imran Khan
Moreover, the PTI demanded the immediate release of Imran Khan, demanding all politically motivated cases against him, other PTI leaders and supporters be withdrawn. Surprisingly, the PTI document revealed that there were eight constituencies where PTI won provincial seats but failed to secure National Assembly seats and six seats where it secured lower house seats but lost provincial seats. Moreover, the PTI demanded immediate release of Imran Khan, demanding all politically motivated cases against him, other PTI leaders and supporters be withdrawn. The PTI stated that testimonials from contesters of other parties in favour of PTI were also provided but were ultimately disregarded. The PTI stated that testimonials from contesters of other parties in favour of PTI were also provided but were ultimately disregarded.
Source:The Express Tribune
May 03, 2024 06:10 UTC