Browsing: News

Global citizenship and residence advisory firm, Henley & Partners, has placed Pakistan at the 100th position among 227 nations, rating it as the fourth worst passport worldwide. The report reveals that Pakistanis had visa-free or on-arrival visa access to 35 countries until the beginning of the year, a number that has since declined to 33. The London-based advisory firm had previously ranked Pakistan among the five worst passports earlier this year. The ranking is determined by the number of countries their citizens can visit without needing a prior visa. Pakistan, with a population exceeding 220 million, continues to grapple with limited…

The United States has reaffirmed its status as the world’s leading military superpower, according to the latest global military strength ranking. The newly released 2023 Military Strength list by Global Firepower, a reputable data aggregator of defense-related information, places the US at the top, with Russia, China and India following in the second and third positions, respectively. The detailed assessment by Global Firepower uses a unique in-house formula to rank the military prowess of 145 nations worldwide. Criteria such as the number of military units, financial resources, logistical capabilities, and geographical considerations play significant roles in shaping the final list. The process also includes special modifiers, such…

In an unanticipated development, Anas Haqqani, a key leader of the Taliban, has entered the ongoing social media feud between Twitter and Threads. He publicly stated his preference for Twitter, attributing his choice to the platform’s commitment to upholding freedom of speech. In a Twitter post, Haqqani lauded Twitter’s liberal free speech policies and appreciated the credibility the platform offers, showing his explicit support for Elon Musk’s social media venture. Haqqani’s assertion sheds light on the comparison between Twitter and other platforms, notably Meta. The Taliban leader’s tweets highlighted that while Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads,…

Italy’s national statistics office revealed on Friday that the number of people aged over 100 in the country reached a record high last year, as Italy’s population ages at a faster rate compared to its European Union counterparts. In its annual report, ISTAT disclosed that the share of the population aged over 100 has tripled since the beginning of the century. As of January this year, the number of centenarians in Italy totaled almost 22,000 individuals, with a majority being women. This surge in centenarians reflects a growing trend of increased longevity within the Italian population. On the other end…

A significant ancient Maya city, previously unknown to researchers, has been unearthed deep within the jungles of southern Mexico, announced the country’s anthropology institute on Tuesday. The city, believed to have thrived over a millennium ago, is presumed to have served as a vital hub during its time. According to the INAH institute, the recently discovered city, named Ocomtun in the Yucatec Maya language, boasts remarkable features such as large pyramid-like structures, stone columns, and three plazas adorned with imposing buildings. These architectural marvels, along with other structures arranged in near-concentric circles, provide valuable insights into the ancient Maya civilization.…

The OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have pledged to jointly bolster Thailand’s pursuit of sustainable growth. The collaborative effort hinges on a co-financing agreement aimed at underpinning the country’s evolving economic model designed for enduring development. The OPEC Fund is earmarking a $500,000 technical assistance grant for a project aimed at consolidating Thailand’s bio-circular green (BCG) economy. This project aligns with the country’s robust vision for a paradigm shift into an innovation-driven, value-based economy, a transformation encapsulated in the “Thailand 4.0” initiative. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa, Director-General of the OPEC Fund, articulated that the technical…

In a significant development aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, the United Arab Emirates and the State of Qatar have jointly announced the restoration of diplomatic representation between the two countries. This comes as a result of the Al-Ula agreement and the shared commitment to enhance ties. Effective from Monday, 19th June 2023, the Embassy of the UAE in Doha will resume its operations, while the Embassy of Qatar in Abu Dhabi and its consulate in Dubai will also be fully functional once again. The decision to restore diplomatic representation underscores the strong resolve of the leaderships of both nations and…

In a remarkable tale of survival, four Indigenous children have been found alive after enduring an Amazon plane crash and spending 40 days alone in the unforgiving jungle. The Associated Press reported today that Colombian soldiers discovered the children, bringing a joyful conclusion to a gripping saga that has captured the attention of many Colombians. The rescue announcement on Friday marked the end of a rollercoaster of emotions as search teams tirelessly scoured the rainforest in their desperate quest to locate the youngsters. A video released by the air force depicted a helicopter employing lines to hoist the children, as…

In a scientific breakthrough that has captivated the global community, researchers at a renowned zoo in Costa Rica have revealed an extraordinary case of a “virgin birth” by a crocodile. This groundbreaking event represents the first-ever documented instance of facultative parthenogenesis (FP) in crocodiles, offering unprecedented insights into the enigmatic reproductive abilities of ancient archosaurian species that roamed the Earth millions of years ago. According to a recent study published in the prestigious journal Biology Letters, scientists were left astounded when a female American crocodile, living in isolation for 16 years within the confines of the Costa Rican zoo, laid…

Japan’s ongoing demographic crisis has reached a new level as the country’s birth rate hit a record low in 2022, marking the seventh consecutive year of decline. The health ministry’s announcement on Friday has underscored the sense of urgency gripping the nation, as the population continues to shrink and age rapidly. According to reports from Reuters, the fertility rate, which represents the average number of children born to a woman in her lifetime, dropped to 1.2565. This figure is even lower than the previous record low of 1.2601 set in 2005 and falls far below the ideal rate of 2.07…