Imran Khan to take oath as prime minister on Aug. 11

Pakistani men sit near a poster of Pakistan’s cricketer-turned-politician and head of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party Imran Khan in Islamabad on Monday. (AFP)
Updated 30 July 2018
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Imran Khan to take oath as prime minister on Aug. 11

  • Imran's parrty, PTI, was asked to form a government in the center after it won the most number of seats in the July 25 general elections.
  • PTI also won a two-thirds majority in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province and emerged as a strong runner-up in Punjab

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Tehreek-e-Insaf party Chairman Imran Khan said on Monday that he will be taking oath as prime minister of Pakistan on Aug. 11, reported Radio Pakistan.

The party was asked to form a government in the center after it won the most number of seats in the July 25 general elections. PTI also won a two-thirds majority in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province and emerged as a strong runner-up in Punjab.

The PTI chief is currently actively engaged in forging alliances to form a coalition government in the center, Punjab, and Balochistan.

Talking to the newly elected members of KP Assembly, the prime minister-in-waiting said his nominated choice for the position of chief minister KP would be a “decision taken in the best interest of the people.”

He added that alleviation of poverty from interior Sindh is a top priority for the PTI government.

On Sunday, while speaking to the media outside Khan’s Bani Gala residence, PTI leader Naeemul Haq confirmed the PTI chief would be taking oath as prime minister before Aug. 14.

He also said that a possible venue for the oath-taking ceremony could be D-Chowk — a very important junction in Islamabad, leading up to the Presidency, the Prime Minister’s House, the Supreme Court of Pakistan, and the Parliament.

“Imran Khan would prefer a people’s ceremony of oath-taking where thousands can watch him take oath as prime minister of Pakistan.”

In August 2014, to protest against alleged rigging in the 2013 general elections, the PTI started a long march ending with a sit-in at D-Chowk. After reaching Islamabad, the protesters insisted on staying at D-Chowk until their demands were met. The sit-in lasted for 126 days.

“Perhaps the D-Chowk area may be the right place to do it (the oath-taking ceremony). Let’s hope so. Will keep on updating on this,” Haq reiterated in a statement released on social media.

All mainstream political parties have also agreed to attend the oath-taking ceremony, which is perceived as a “positive step,” said Haq.

According to the official results issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan, the PTI has emerged as the single largest political party in the National Assembly with 116 members.

“Imran Khan (is) working day and night to create the best possible team to run the country under a PTI government. The challenges of the economy, foreign policy, development, poverty, inflation (and) environment must be met and resolved on a priority basis. Inshallah the PTI govt will do it,” Haq said in his statement on social media.

 

PTI also won a two-thirds majority in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province and emerged as a strong runner-up in Punjab.

 


Saudi pavilion at UNESCO Arab Week in Paris celebrates Kingdom’s camel culture

Updated 3 min 39 sec ago
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Saudi pavilion at UNESCO Arab Week in Paris celebrates Kingdom’s camel culture

  • It shows how the role of the camel evolved from essential means of transport and provider of resources to a cultural icon embodying the Kingdom’s values

PARIS: The Saudi pavilion at UNESCO’s Arab Week event in Paris this week featured a showcase of the Kingdom’s deep-rooted connection to camel culture.

It explored the role of the animals as a vital part of the nation’s heritage, identity and civilization, and offered a glimpse into their enduring place in society, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The exhibits showed how the role of the camel has evolved from essential means of transport and provider of resources to a cultural icon that embodies the Kingdom’s values, and the ways in which camels are embedded in Saudi customs, traditions and literature, including poetry and proverbs.

The Saudi Ministry of Culture designated 2024 “The Year of the Camel” to highlight and reinforce the status of the animal as a national symbol and cornerstone of the Arabian cultural identity. Camels are regularly celebrated across the country through dedicated festivals, race events, clubs and research centers.

UNESCO’s Arab Week, which features 22 Arab nations, was initiated by Saudi Arabia. Guests at the official opening of the event on Monday included Saudi envoys, ambassadors representing other nations, Arab and other international diplomats stationed in France, and officials from UNESCO.


Saudi minister receives German foreign ministry official

Saud Al-Sati holds talks with Gregory Bledjian in Riyadh. (Supplied)
Updated 16 min 56 sec ago
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Saudi minister receives German foreign ministry official

  • Discussions focused on enhancing relations, regional and international developments and issues of common concern

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Saud Al-Sati received Gregory Bledjian, head of the Middle East division at the German Foreign Ministry, and several accompanying officials, in Riyadh on Tuesday.

During the meeting, they discussed ways to enhance relations, regional and international developments, and issues of common interest, the Foreign Ministry wrote on X.

Meanwhile, Shoura Council Speaker Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Asheikh received Turkiye’s Ambassador to the Kingdom Emrullah Isler in Riyadh on Tuesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

 


Where We Are Going Today: ‘Noto’ Italian cuisine in Jeddah

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Updated 18 min 20 sec ago
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Where We Are Going Today: ‘Noto’ Italian cuisine in Jeddah

  • The menu at Noto is as extensive as it is impressive

Nestled in Tahlia street at Jeddah Walk, Noto offers an Italian dining experience inspired by the timeless beauty of Sicily.

Drawing design cues from baroque architecture and Sicilian village charm, this restaurant is decorated with chandeliers, elegantly dressed tables with white linens, and plush, comfortable sofas. The ambiance is perfect for fine dining, with an inviting, lively atmosphere enhanced by live entertainment.

Noto’s dedication to Sicilian culture extends to its logo, which features the symbolic Sicilian lion, and its menu, which presents a harmonious fusion of Greek, Latin, and Arabic influences.

Every dish celebrates the heart of Sicily with flavors that feel both classic and inventive, promising a sensory journey that delights every palate.

The menu at Noto is as extensive as it is impressive. From the antipasti selection, highlights include the ricciola, a delicate yellowtail sashimi with lime vinaigrette and candied tomatoes, and the signature melanzane alla parmigiana, which transforms eggplant into a rich, layered dish.

For something warm, the zuppa di porcini e funghi di stagione is a seasonal mushroom soup that feels both comforting and earthy. For cheese lovers, the burrata al tartufo with truffle adds a luxurious touch to the meal.

In true Italian fashion, the pasta menu is rich, featuring classics like spaghetti al pomodoro with fresh cherry tomatoes and basil, the lasagne alla bolognese, and paccheri al branzino e pomodorini, a seabass pasta paired with juicy cherry tomatoes.

Exclusive offerings like the fettucine al caviale, with caviar, add an elevated twist to traditional Italian fare. Risotto fans will be delighted by the creamy risotto ai funghi, made with seasonal mushrooms.

For main courses, the secondi selection impresses with standout dishes such as the tagliata di black angus, accompanied by a decadent parmesan potato espuma and black truffle jus, and the agnello, succulent lamb chops seasoned with herb oil and sun-dried tomatoes. Diners can also enjoy fiorentina, a perfectly roasted T-bone steak from the grandi piatti menu.

The pizza menu features artisanal options such as the pizza funghi with truffle and mushrooms and the calzone filled with turkey ham and mushroom, offering a taste of Italian comfort.

To end on a sweet note, desserts like the traditional tiramisu and the creamy panna cotta with red berry sauce are satisfying options.

Check @noto.ksa on Instagram for more details.
 

 


Two UK mpox cases first local transmission in Europe: WHO

Updated 26 min 22 sec ago
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Two UK mpox cases first local transmission in Europe: WHO

  • The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed late Monday that the two new cases were household contacts of Britain’s first case identified last week
  • The WHO warned that European states should be prepared for “rapid action” to contain the latest mpox variant

LONDON: Two new cases of the mpox variant clade 1b detected in the UK are the first locally transmitted cases in Europe and the first outside Africa, the World Health Organization said Tuesday.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed late Monday that the two new cases were household contacts of Britain’s first case identified last week, bringing the country’s total confirmed cases to three.
The WHO warned that European states should be prepared for “rapid action” to contain the latest mpox variant, which spreads through close physical contact including sexual relations and sharing closed spaces.
The two cases are also the first to be locally transmitted outside Africa since August 2024, when the WHO declared the outbreak of the new variant an international public health emergency — its highest level of alarm.
Those affected are under specialist care and the risk to the UK population “remains low,” UKHSA said.
The original case was detected after the person traveled to several African countries on holiday and returned to the UK on October 21.
The patient developed flu-like symptoms more than 24 hours later and, on October 24, started to develop a rash that worsened in the following days.
Mpox, a viral disease related to smallpox, has two types, clade 1 and clade 2. Symptoms include fever, a skin rash or pus-filled blisters, swollen lymph nodes and body aches.
The WHO first declared an international public health emergency in 2022 over the spread of clade 2. That outbreak mostly affected gay and bisexual men in Europe and the United States.
Vaccination and awareness drives in many countries helped stem the number of worldwide cases and the WHO lifted the emergency in May 2023 after reporting 140 deaths out of around 87,400 cases.
In 2024, a two-pronged epidemic of clade 1 and clade 1b, a new strain that affects children, has spread widely in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The new strain has also been recorded in neighboring Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, with imported cases in Sweden, India, Thailand, Germany and the UK.


Trump snaps at reporter when asked about abortion: ‘Stop talking about it’

Updated 36 min 37 sec ago
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Trump snaps at reporter when asked about abortion: ‘Stop talking about it’

  • The former president was asked twice after casting his ballot in Palm Beach
  • Pressed a second time, Trump snapped at a reporter, saying “you should stop talking about it”

FLORIDA: Donald Trump is refusing to say how he voted on Florida’s abortion measure — and getting testy about it.
The former president was asked twice after casting his ballot in Palm Beach, Florida, on Tuesday about a question that the state’s voters are considering. If approved, it would prevent state lawmakers from passing any law that penalizes, prohibits, delays or restricts abortion until fetal viability — which doctors say is sometime after 21 weeks.
If it’s rejected, the state’s restrictive six-week abortion law would stand.
The first time he was asked, Trump avoided answering. He said instead of the issue that he did “a great job bringing it back to the states.” That was a reference to the former president having appointed three conservative justices to the US Supreme Court who helped overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision in 2022.
Pressed a second time, Trump snapped at a reporter, saying “you should stop talking about it.”
Trump had previously indicated that he would back the measure — but then changed his mind and said he would vote against it.
In August, Trump said he thought Florida’s ban was a mistake, saying on Fox News Channel, “I think six weeks, you need more time.” But then he said, “at the same time, the Democrats are radical” while repeating false claims he has frequently made about late-term abortions.
In addition to Florida, voters in eight other states are deciding whether their state constitutions should guarantee a right to abortion, weighing ballot measures that are expected to spur turnout for a range of crucial races.
Passing certain amendments in Arizona, Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota likely would lead to undoing bans or restrictions that currently block varying levels of abortion access to more than 7 million women of childbearing age who live in those states.