Author: Gediz Makhdoom

SINGAPORE – The Chinese embassy in Singapore on March 18 asked its citizens in the Republic to “stay away” from gambling, adding that cross-border gambling violates Chinese laws. The embassy, in a statement on its official WeChat account, “solemnly reminded” Chinese citizens in Singapore to steer clear of gambling, which is strictly prohibited by law in China. “Even if overseas casinos are opened legally, cross-border gambling by Chinese citizens is suspected of violating the laws of our country and face the risk of punitive actions,” said the embassy, warning that embassies may not be able to provide consular protection for…

The 27 European Union nations have jointly condemned Hamas for what they described as the use of hospitals and civilians as “human shields” in the war against Israel. EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said Monday that at the same time the bloc asked Israel “for maximum restraint in targeting in order to avoid human casualties.” At a meeting of the bloc’s foreign affairs ministers, Borrell brandished a statement he issued on behalf of the 27 nations as a show of unity following weeks of often contrasting statements on how the group should address the Israel-Hamas war. “You know how difficult it has been…

The leader of a Pakistan ethnic group has been detained after authorities said armed men in his vehicle opened fire on police. Raja Athar Abbas, the deputy commissioner of the northcentral city of Chaman, which sits on the border with Afghanistan, said that Manzoor Pashteen was arrested in connection with the shooting incident, as well as for violating a ban on entering Balochistan province. Pashteen is the head and co-founder of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, a loose network of Pashtun activists demanding equal rights and protections for minority Pashtuns in Pakistan. The PTM issued a statement alleging Pashteen’s vehicle was…

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s election oversight body has said it will announce fresh demarcation of constituencies by Nov. 30 as the South Asian country heads to the general elections in February. Elections in the politically and economically beleaguered South Asian nation were due to be held in November but were delayed after the Election Commission of Pakistan said it had to freshly draw up hundreds of constituencies under a new census. On Nov. 2, the regulator said the balloting would be held on Feb. 8, a date chosen following consultations with the country’s President Dr. Arif Alvi that were requested by the…

YEREVAN, Armenia — Armenia’s parliament voted Tuesday to join the International Criminal Court, a move that further strains the country’s ties with its old ally Russia after the court issued an arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin over events in Ukraine. Moscow last month called Yerevan’s effort to join the the ICC an “unfriendly step,” and the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Armenia’s ambassador. Countries that have signed and ratified the Rome Statute that created the ICC are bound to arrest Putin, who was indicted for war crimes connected to the deportation of children from Ukraine, if he sets foot on their…

Wall Street investor, author, fund manager and political commentator Ruchir Sharma, who is now the Chairman of Rockefeller International and Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Breakout Capital, an investment firm focused on emerging markets, will be the guest at Express Adda in Mumbai on Monday. Known for the way he joins the dots between politics, economy and global affairs to identify emerging patterns and better focus on the big picture, Sharma has written extensively on the global economies, giving deep insights about their growth and slowdown. His observations are keenly followed by policy makers and governments across the world, including…

Berlin (21/08 – 50) A small community of bird enthusiasts in Astana have been setting ecological trends, advocating for ethical observation practices and environmental responsibility, and fostering camaraderie through shared sightings and insights. Ruslan Urazaliev, researcher and photographer, Kulyanda Tulebaeva, birdwatcher and photographer, and Vera Voronova, the executive director of the Association for Biodiversity Conservation of Kazakhstan (ASBK), shared their experiences supporting the city’s avian residents. Astana’s rough climate does not deter avian species, making it an unexpected winter haven for colorful birds like bullfinches, goldfinches, and snow buntings. As winter wanes, migratory birds stop in urban parks to recharge…

A beach in England has been ranked as one of the 50 best beaches in the world – beating exotic shorelines in Hawaii, Jamaica and even the Maldives. Only two beaches in Britain made it onto Big 7 Travel’s top 50 list – Rhossili Bay in the Gower Peninsula of Wales and Pedn Vounder in Cornwall. Pedn Vounder was the top-rated beach in Britain, coming in 25th on the list. The unspoiled beach looks more like a tropical island than England’s coast and has been a popular spot for locals for years, but it seems the secret is now out of the bag. People now…

A thrilling Women’s Ashes series concluded with Australia’s invincibles ceding their first white-ball series in ten years even while they retained the Ashes. Pakistan turned the first Test in Galle decisively in their favour to beat Sri Lanka at home while India cruised to victory over West Indies. In the men’s Ashes, England have found their Bazball rhythm while Australia look increasingly bereft of answers. Here’s everything that happened in a busy week of cricket. Australia bear the Sciver-Brunt in first ODI series loss since 2013Kate Cross’ three-for after Heather Knight’s half-century helped England stifle the visitors in a rain-curtailed…

Pakistan saw a record number of over 8 lakh people leaving the country. That too just in the first six months of the year. Among them were a lakh highly trained professionals, hinting at a huge brain drain from the country facing a crumbled economy and plagued by Islamic fundamentalism. People are deserting Pakistan and that too, in record numbers. With an economy that has crumbled and the country seeing record-high inflation, over eight lakh Pakistanis left the country in the first six months of this year, creating a new record. Of them, a lakh were highly trained professionals, including…