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No point in negotiating with govt lacking mandate, Achakzai tells PTI

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Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai, whose party is an ally of the PTI, has maintained that there is no point for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in holding negotiation with the incumbent government as it lacked  “legitimate mandate”. “What is the point in negotiating with a government that does not have a legitimate mandate?” Achakzai said while speaking to journalists along with Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) Chairman Allama Raja Nasir Abbas in Islamabad on Friday. The statement came a day after the embattled former ruling party and the government…

South Korean investigators call off arrest of President Yoon

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SEOUL: South Korea’s investigators called off their attempt to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol at his residence Friday over a failed martial law bid, citing safety concerns after a standoff with his security team. Yoon, who has already been suspended from duty by lawmakers, would become the first sitting president in South Korean history to be arrested if the warrant is carried out. The president, who issued a bungled declaration on December 3 that shook the vibrant East Asian democracy and briefly lurched it back to the dark days…

President, PM express hope for united, prosperous Pakistan in 2025

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President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed warm wishes to the citizens of Pakistan and the global community on New Year, expressing hopes for a year marked by the elimination of hunger, poverty, conflict, terrorism, crime, sectarianism, and social inequality in 2025. In a message to the nation, President Zardari urged the public to reflect on the achievements and challenges of the past year, drawing lessons to pave the way for a brighter and more prosperous future. He emphasised the importance of unity, discipline, and hard work…

EU shows concern over ‘sentencing of civilians by military court’

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The European Union’s (EU) has called the sentencing of civilians, involved in May 9 events, by military court inconsistent with the obligations that Pakistan has undertaken under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). “In line with article 14 of ICCPR every person is entitled to a fair and public trial in a court that is independent, impartial and competent, and has the right to adequate and effective legal representation,” said a statement issued by the European External Action Service (EEAS). Furthermore, it said, Article 14 also stipulates…

Trump threatens to retake control of Panama Canal citing unfair fee

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Donald Trump threatened to retake control of the Panama Canal on Sunday, accusing Panama of unfairly charging excessive fees and drawing sharp criticism from Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino, Reuters reported. At a rally in Arizona, Trump said he would not allow the canal to fall into the “wrong hands,” referring to concerns about potential Chinese influence, even though China does not control the canal. A subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings has long managed two key ports at the canal’s entrances. In a post on Truth Social, Trump reiterated his…

Pakistan witnesses ‘longest’ night of year today

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As winter continues to intensify in Pakistan, the country is witnessing the winter solstice, the longest night of the year, today.  This is the longest night for the Northern Hemisphere region including Pakistan, a spokesperson of the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) said in a statement.  Winter solstice falls annually on December 21 or 22, varying from country to country, and brings the longest night and shortest daylight hours when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted furthest away from the sun.  This astronomical event results in reduced daylight hours and…

Fatal familial insomnia: Genetic disease where patient can’t sleep at all

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A rare genetic condition that causes sleep difficulties, memory loss (dementia) and involuntary muscles twitching has no cure and gets worse over time and eventually leads to death.  Symptoms of fatal familial insomnia (FFI) can only be slowed through treatment temporarily, according to Cleveland Clinic.  FFI affects an estimated one to two people per million every year, as per data provided by the National Organisation of Rare Disorders.  It passes from parent to child and between 50 and 70 families around the world are suspected to carry the genetic mutation…