LONDON: Relatives of a British victim killed in last month’s Air India crash received a casket that contained mixed remains, a lawyer representing several families and UK media said Wednesday. The family of a separate victim received the remains of another person, according to James Healy-Pratt, who is representing 20 British families who lost loved … Read more

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has announced a “massive” trade deal with Japan, as China said it would send its vice premier to US trade talks next week to secure its own agreement ahead of a looming deadline. In an attempt to slash his country’s trade deficits, the US president has vowed to hit dozens … Read more

MONT VENTOUX, FRANCE: Valentin Paret-Peintre became the first French winner on this year’s Tour de France as he edged an enthralling stage 16 on Tuesday, pipping Ireland’s Ben Healy atop the mythical 1910m altitude Mont Ventoux summit finish. Behind them Jonas Vingegaard attacked overall leader Tadej Pogacar relentlessly but the defending champion tracked the Dane … Read more

[ Listen to article KARACHI: The Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturers Association (PVMA) has warned of an indefinite nationwide shutdown of ghee and cooking oil production if the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) does not withdraw controversial tax enforcement powers within 48 hours. At a press conference following the association’s General Body meeting in Karachi, PVMA Chairman Sheikh Umer … Read more

Productions of Wagner’s opera Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg divide audiences. Should emphasis be placed on the opera’s comical elements, or is it to be seen as more of a serious play about German virtues with antisemitic undertones? As per DW, in this year’s new production at the Bayreuth Festival, director Matthias Davids aims to highlight … Read more

RIYADH: A Saudi delegation visiting Damascus on Wednesday inked investment and partnership deals valued at $5 billion to help rebuild war-battered Syria, the oil-rich Gulf kingdom announced. Saudi Arabia has been a major backer of the new Syrian government, which seized power after Islamist-led rebels toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December following 14 years … Read more

[ Listen to article ISLAMABAD: The Prime Minister’s Office said on Wednesday that the retail sector paid an additional income tax of Rs455 billion in the last fiscal year, a startling claim made on the basis of a briefing given by tax authorities. In an official statement released by the PM Office, it was stated “in the … Read more

ISTANBUL: Russia and Ukraine began a fresh round of talks in Istanbul on Wednesday but the Kremlin played down any expectations of a breakthrough after three and a half years of war. “Our aim is to end this bloody war, which has a very high cost, as soon as possible,” Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan … Read more