The Curva Fiesole came out with a throwback theme for the day, which looked marvelous and probably provided the highlight of the match. Nicolò Cambiaghi got loose and had a shot that clattered off Francesco Caputo, who also missed a free header from a corner. The goal was well-deserved as Alberto Grassi got in behind unmarked and crossed for Caputo’s lovely finish, but the Viola defending was truly woeful. With Fiorentina reeling, Caputo nearly added a second just before the break, stooping for a header that was ruled out after a VAR check for the slightest of handballs. Losing to Empoli here isn’t a catastrophe, but a win would’ve vaulted the Viola past Napoli and into 4th.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday held that the country was in grip of a "new form of dictatorship", demanding the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to immediately announce the date of general elections. Bilawal made these remarks during an event organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1973 Constitution. Chairman Bilawal said that he would not like to dwell more on it, as they say, “Forget the past, arrange for the present and face the future”. Read More: Don’t shy away from polls, Bilawal tells ex-alliesDuring his address, Bilawal underscored the foundational principles of the rule of law enshrined in the Constitution. Bilawal made it clear that the Pakistan Peoples Party stands as a staunch advocate of democracy and maintained that their demand for timely elections was a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution of Pakistan.

Pakistan, as a developing na­tion, grapples with signifi­cant project delays, exemplified by the crucial ML-1 railway proj­ect stretching from Peshawar to Karachi. According to media re­ports, this project hinges on both IMF approval and a substantial $6.67 billion investment from China. The ML-1 railway is not the sole vic­tim of these challenges. A strategic approach, bolstered by efficient governance and inter­national collaboration, is essen­tial to navigate these hurdles and ensure the timely and successful completion of these vital projects. Pakistan’s progress depends on overcoming these obstacles and forging a path towards sustain­able development.

The IMF is an international institution of 190 member countries. Such anti-growth policies, delivered in line with the IMF diktat, have been shown in the majority of cases to have actually increased countries’ dependence on the IMF over time. Unless and until the IMF alongside its partner the World Bank changes the modus operandi, over time their influence will diminish on the global stage. For the last 10 years, China has increased its loans in billions through the policy banks: China Exim Bank. Only these changes can promote sustainable economic growth and prosperity for the poverty-stricken Global South and keep the IMF’s influence intact as a global financial institution.

photo: fileIf I tell you that the stock market index has just crossed 50,000, then it must not be news for you if you are still investing in the market and watching the index on a daily, if not hourly, basis. The period from 2013 to 2017 was a remarkable chapter in the history of Pakistan stock market, characterised by an enthusiastic surge in performance, primarily attributed to the initiation of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This transformative project not only shaped Pakistan’s economic landscape but also ignited investor optimism, particularly impacting sectors crucial to CPEC. The announcement and subsequent initiation of the CPEC project brought a wave of optimism to Pakistan’s economic horizon. However, the cement sector went ahead of itself by announcing a huge expansion, and the resultant price war and the later struggle for market share resulted in oversupply.

A formation of Israeli tanks is positioned near Israel's border with the Gaza Strip. PHOTO: REUTERSChina believes "force is not a way to resolve" the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and is once again calling for a ceasefire, its envoy for the Middle East pleaded in Egypt, the foreign ministry said Sunday. "China believes that force is not a way to resolve the problem and that responding to violence with violence will only lead to a vicious circle of revenge," Zhai said according to the statement, which mentioned neither Israel nor Hamas. Read also: China proposes four priorities on Gaza crisisIsrael's retaliatory bombing campaign has killed more than 4,600 Palestinians, mainly civilians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza. China said Thursday it was "deeply disappointed" by the United States' decision to veto a UN Security Council resolution calling for a "humanitarian pause" in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Peshawar - Khyber Medical University (KMU) Peshawar organised the third Centralised Admission Test (KMU-CAT) on Sunday for admissions in various undergraduate disciplines like Pharm D, DPT, BS Nursing and BS Allied Health Sciences in 9 centres of the province. A total of 16679 candidates participated in the test. According to the details, the test was conducted for those candidates who could not appear in the first and 2nd test for any reason. In the recent test, 5531 students participated in three centres of Peshawar including Islamia Collegiate School, Government Higher Secondary School No 1 Peshawar city and Shekh Taimur Academic Ground Peshawar Zoo Gate. 863 students participated in KMU-IHS Abbottabad Hazara Campus, 2796 in Iqra University Swat, 2322 students participated in BISE Mardan Ground, 1117 in KMUIMS Kohat, 14 in Parachinar Kuram, and 73 students participated in KMU IHS Islamabad Campus.

In the recently held elections in Maldives, a pro-China candidate Mohamed Muizzu won the elections on the slogan “India Out” of Maldives. It was former president and opposition leader Abdullah Yamin wore a T-shirt with the words “India Out”. When “India Out” campaigns were at its peak before election the Ibrahim Solih Government, under Indian pressure, issued a decree that the “India Out” campaign by the opposition was a threat to national security. The Chinese presence in the Maldives for India is a threat and a matter of concern. However, the actual reason is that they fear Chinese presence in their backyard and a real threat to India.

The role of the media in shaping public perception and disseminating information cannot be overstated. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), championed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, embodies the spirit of fostering global peace and prosperity through economic development. In addition to economic cooperation, Pakistan seeks to benefit from China’s extensive experience in various domains, including poverty alleviation, research and development, information technology, and media. It’s not just about economic development; it’s about fostering goodwill and camaraderie that goes beyond business transactions. The collaboration between these two nations’ media outlets is a testament to the enduring and fruitful relationship, and it is poised to drive the narrative of growth, friendship, and shared prosperity.

Blackhawks 3, Golden Knights 5 — Three Stars, Key TakeawaysYou couldn’t get off to much of a better start than the Blackhawks did on Saturday night. After a stirring tribute to Rocky Wirtz before the game began, the Blackhawks got a power play 85 seconds into the action. He appeared to be in some discomfort on the bench after the shift, but he had a really good second period. The Golden Knights scored on their first power play of the night. Taylor Hall went to the room late in the second period; Tyler Johnson replaced him on Bedard’s line.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Faisal Karim Kundi stated on Sunday that the reason for the delay in the elections is a planned effort to manipulate the results. In a statement issued here, Kundi stated that the elections should not be postponed based solely on the wishes of a couple of political parties. The PPP leader emphasised that the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) decisions should be in line with the constitution, rather than influenced by the preferences of a select few. Kundi, who is also the PPP's information secretary, pointed out that instead of continuously experimenting with the “selection” process, the ultimate decision should rest with the voters in a fair election. He asserted that the authority to choose and reject their representatives in the upcoming elections should lie solely with the people.

FAISALABAD - Secretary Agriculture Punjab Nader Chattha has said that wheat crop would be cultivated over 16 million acres of land in the prov­ince this year and the government was trying its optimum best and taking all possible measures to en­sure provision of quality agricul­tural inputs to farmers. Addressing a Farmer’s Day func­tion, he said that last year, the Fais­alabad division in Punjab province got the highest average wheat yield of 38 maunds per acre. Now, it’s the time that farmers should cultivate wheat over maximum area with na­tional spirit so that the food security could be achieved, he added. He said that the government was contemplating to reduce input cost of the crops in addition to providing quality fertilizers and pesticides so that the farmers could get abundant production of the wheat during Rabi 2023-24. He directed the officers of Agriculture (Extension) Depart­ment to take immediate steps to ensure provision of quality agricul­tural inputs in the market.

PTI terms Nawaz’s return ‘humiliation of nation’. Peace InstituteISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Spokesperson Raoof Hasan Saturday dubbed the homecoming of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) supremo Nawaz Sharif as the murder of justice and humiliation of the nation. Speaking on the Geo News programme Naya Pakistan, he said Nawaz Sharif should have talked about elections, but he did not. Kundi said that if Nawaz Sharif was sure that people would vote for him, then he should have talked about elections. Nawaz Sharif will have to work hard for the revival of economy and ending inflation,” the seasoned politician said.

One of the major achievements is the signing of the Mainline-1 (ML-1) railway project, a crucial component of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The railway project can serve as a vital transit route for Afghan goods to access international markets via Gwadar, potentially revitalising Afghanistan’s economy. For Central Asia, this railway offers new trade routes, granting access to the Arabian Sea and diversifying trade options. The railway could provide Iran with better access to markets in China and Central Asia, enhancing trade opportunities and trade links that can contribute to economic growth and regional stability. This extension would enhance both regional and global trade by providing a more efficient and cost-effective trade route, fostering increased trade between Asia, Europe, and Central Asia.

Exercising Restraint: Sharif pledged to speak with restraint to prevent making inflammatory statements. Promoting Peaceful Diplomacy: He underscored the importance of maintaining peaceful relations with neighboring countries, emphasizing the significance of diplomacy. Safeguarding the Nation's Interests: He stressed the importance of protecting Pakistan's future and not allowing anyone to jeopardize its destiny. Accelerating Development: Sharif advocated for rapid progress, asserting that "beggars cannot solve" the nation's problems and emphasizing the necessity of proactive problem-solving. Nawaz Sharif's speech encompassed a broad array of subjects, providing insight into his views on governance, politics, and Pakistan's future.