China has made travel easier for international visitors by extending its visa fee discount policy until December 31, 2026, allowing tourists, business travelers, and frequent visitors to benefit from reduced visa charges. Under the extended policy, visa applicants will pay approximately 25% lower fees compared to pre-2023 rates. The discounted fees will apply to single-entry, double-entry, and multiple-entry visas, while the application process and eligibility criteria will remain unchanged. China has also extended the exemption from fingerprint collection for visa applicants until the end of 2026. Applicants seeking tourist, business, family visit, or transit visas for stays of up to…
Author: Web Desk2
Lahore: Internal divisions within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have surfaced openly over the decision to boycott the by-election in Punjab Assembly constituency PP-167 (Lahore). The party appears split into two camps regarding participation in the by-election, with several senior PTI leaders questioning the decision to stay away from the polls. According to party sources, some leaders believe the boycott was unnecessary and not in line with the party’s broader policy. They argue that the PTI founder had issued boycott instructions only for constituencies where elected members were disqualified following convictions. PP-167, they maintain, does not fall under that category and therefore…
The United States has introduced a new visa requirement, further tightening its immigration policy by adding seven more countries to a list whose citizens must submit a security bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 when applying for a US visa. According to the Associated Press, most of the newly added countries are from Africa, bringing the total number of countries subject to the bond requirement to 13. The US State Department had previously imposed the same condition on nationals of Mauritania, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tanzania, Gambia, Malawi, and Zambia last year. Under the latest decision, citizens of Bhutan, Botswana,…
Jeddah: Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority (CMA) has announced a major regulatory change allowing all foreign investors worldwide to invest directly in the Saudi stock market starting February 1, 2026. According to the Saudi Press Agency, the CMA board has approved amendments to existing regulations aimed at expanding access to the Kingdom’s main equity market. Under the revised rules, global investors will be able to participate directly in Saudi Arabia’s stock exchange without previous restrictions. The authority said the move is designed to broaden and enhance the investor base in the main market, promote investment inflows, and increase market liquidity.…
Web Desk: Newly disclosed documents submitted to the United States Department of Justice have revealed how India actively lobbied the Trump administration on the day a ceasefire was reached between Pakistan and India on May 10. According to the documents, the Indian Embassy in Washington was in direct contact with senior officials of the Trump administration on the day of the ceasefire. With the help of a US-based lobbying firm, Indian officials reportedly reached out to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and other key figures. The lobbying firm hired by India has confirmed its role in arranging high-level…
Chakwal: At least five people were killed and 24 others injured when a passenger bus plunged into a deep ravine near Talagang in the early hours of Wednesday. According to Rescue officials, the bus was travelling from Rawalpindi to Bahawalpur when the driver opted for an alternative route due to the closure of the motorway amid dense fog. The bus took the Talagang–Fateh Jang Road, where the accident occurred at around 2:15am. Rescue 1122 spokesperson Qazi Muhammad Akram said that as the bus reached near Dhok Pathan village along the Swan River, the driver lost control on a narrow and…
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly rejected Bangladesh’s request to move its T20 World Cup matches out of India, despite security concerns raised by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), Indian media claimed on Tuesday. According to reports, the BCB had formally requested that Bangladesh’s T20 World Cup fixtures be shifted to a neutral venue, citing serious security risks for players and officials. However, the ICC has directed Bangladesh to compete in India as per the announced schedule. Indian media sources claimed the ICC made it clear that the matches would be held in India, warning that Bangladesh could face…
Pakistan’s star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore following a knee injury. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) remains hopeful that Afridi will regain full fitness in time to represent Pakistan in the upcoming T20 World Cup. According to PCB sources, Afridi’s rehabilitation is being closely monitored by the board’s medical panel, with his fitness levels, knee condition, and training workload assessed regularly. The medical team is taking a step-by-step approach to ensure he recovers fully without risking further injury. Afridi had to withdraw from the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia…
Peshawar: The price of flour has surged once more, putting additional pressure on consumers in Peshawar. Over the past week, the price of a 20-kg bag of flour has increased by PKR 400. Dealers report that the cost of a 20-kg bag of mixed flour has risen from PKR 2,600 to PKR 3,000, while a 20-kg bag of fine flour has gone up from PKR 2,700 to PKR 3,100. Flour dealers attribute the price hike to disrupted supply from Punjab, warning that prices may climb further if the situation persists.
Sydney: Pakistani-origin Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja, who has scored over 6,000 runs in Test cricket, received a heartwarming tribute from fans during what is likely his final Test appearance. Khawaja took the field on the third day of the Ashes series’ final Test in Sydney, where spectators rose to their feet and applauded him, honoring his illustrious career and contribution to Australian cricket. Although he was unable to turn his career-ending Test into a memorable performance with the bat, the standing ovation and cheers from fans reflected the respect and admiration he has earned over the years. Usman Khawaja’s career…
