MULTAN, Dec 02 (APP):A rise in traffic accidents has killed 568 people in Multan division from January to November 2025,officials said.
According to a spokesperson,about 57,862 accidents were reported in the period,leaving 25,585 people seriously injured and 41,012 with minor injuries.
Authorities said that most accidents involved motorcycles and warned that traffic violations were a major cause.
The Punjab government has ordered strict enforcement of traffic laws,including fines for speeding,signal violations,wrong-way driving and riding without helmets or licenses.
Traffic police were active at major roads and markets and citizens were urged to drive responsibly to prevent further deaths.
Road accidents kills 568 people in 2025
Joint sitting of Parliament commences under Speaker Ayaz Sadiq’s chairmanship
ISLAMABAD, Dec 02 (APP):The joint sitting of the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) commenced at 11:44 a.m. on Tuesday at the Parliament House under the chairmanship of Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.
The House is scheduled to take up its legislative business. Any other items permitted by the Chair are also part of the day’s agenda.
Vietnam targets AI-powered government by 2030
HANOI, Dec 2 (Xinhua/APP): Vietnam aims to build a comprehensive digital government infrastructure by 2030, one that will be powered by big data platforms and artificial intelligence (AI), the Vietnam News Agency reported Tuesday.
The target is set out in a new decision regarding the national digital government development program.
According to the report, AI is designated as a core tool for public governance, public service delivery, and policy decision-making support, aimed at enhancing administrative efficiency.
The basic operations of state agencies will be conducted through unified digital platforms that ensure connectivity between different levels of government and sectors while ensuring cybersecurity.
Over 800 people are still missing after flooding in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand
PADANG SIDEMPUAN, Dec 2 (Kyodo/APP): Over 800 people remained missing Monday after devastating floods killed over 1,000 people last week in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand, as Indonesia’s president urged more action to confront the changing climate.
The flooding and landslides killed at least 604 people in Indonesia, 366 in Sri Lanka and 176 in Thailand, authorities said.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto pledged to rebuild infrastructure while visiting affected areas. Some areas remained unreachable, with roads damaged and communications lines down. Residents relied on aircraft delivering supplies.
At least 464 people in Indonesia were missing. Flooding displaced 290,700 people in North Sumatra, West Sumatra and Aceh provinces, the National Disaster Management Agency said.
“We need to confront climate change effectively,” Prabowo told reporters. “Local governments must take a significant role in safeguarding the environment and preparing for the extreme weather conditions that will arise from future climate change.”
Sri Lankan authorities said rescuers were searching for 367 missing people. About 218,000 others were in temporary shelters after being battered in the downpours that triggered landslides, primarily in the tea-growing central hill country.
In Thailand, the first compensation payments were set to be distributed Monday, beginning with 239 million baht ($7.4 million) for 26,000 people, government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat said.
He said authorities were working to restore infrastructure including water and electricity in the south, where severe flooding affected 3.9 million people.
Nearly $400 mil. donations made for Hong Kong fire relief
HONG KONG, Dec 2 (Kyodo/APP): Nearly $400 million in donations have poured in for relief efforts following a massive fire at a Hong Kong high-rise housing complex, according to local media reports, with Japanese rock star Yoshiki among the contributors.
Donations from companies, organizations and individuals have amounted to some HK$3 billion ($385 million), including HK$1.2 billion from firms in mainland China, Hong Kong’s Wen Wei Po newspaper said Monday.
Yoshiki said on his website that he has donated $100,000 through his U.S.-based foundation to the Hong Kong Red Cross to support fire victims. “I have performed many times in Hong Kong and have felt the warmth of the people there,” he said. “I pray that relief comes swiftly and that the community can begin to heal.”
The blaze that occurred last Wednesday at the Wang Fuk Court high-rise housing complex in the northern Tai Po district has left 151 people dead, with some 30 still unaccounted for.
Chinese tech giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and electric vehicle maker BYD Co. are among those who have pledged donations of more than HK$10 million.
Alibaba’s payment app Alipay has launched a special site to collect donations, through which about 420,000 people have offered a total of HK$180 million, according to the newspaper.
Separately, individuals in Hong Kong have made contributions totaling HK$900 million as of Sunday, the report said.
Four suspected ice dealers apprehended
MULTAN, Dec 02 (APP):Police on Tuesday arrested four suspected ice dealers following separate encounters .
According to a spokesperson, the suspects were identified as Zulfiqar Alias Makha,Taimoor, Ajmal and Abdul Sami were alleged to be involved in drug trafficking and other serious crimes.
All four were injured by gunfire from their own accomplices,spokesman added.
Police recovered four 30-bore pistols and a quantity of ice from their possession.
The injured men were shifted to Nishtar Hospital for treatment.
Raids were continuing to track down their remaining accomplices who fled the scene while further investigation was underway.
KSrelief distributes 340 food baskets in Charkint District of Balkh Province, Afghanistan
Baghlan, Dec 2 (SPA/APP): The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) distributed 340 food baskets in Charkint District of Balkh Province in Afghanistan, benefiting 340 families affected by the earthquake.
The distribution comes as part of the Food Security and Emergency Support Project in Afghanistan for 2025–2026.
This initiative is part of the Kingdom’s relief and humanitarian efforts through its humanitarian arm, KSrelief, to support vulnerable and affected communities worldwide.
KSrelief-Backed cholera response project assists 2,044 people in Yemen
Aden, Dec 2 (SPA/APP): The urgent cholera response project in Yemen provided medical services to 2,044 individuals from November 12 to 18, with the backing of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief).
The project conducted comprehensive cholera screening at Aden and Mukalla airports, as well as at the Al-Hafiyah and Razih land border points across Hadramout-Al Sahel, Wadi Hadhramaut, Aden, Hajjah, and Saada.
No suspected or confirmed cholera cases were recorded.
Additionally, the project delivered 381 awareness and educational sessions, benefiting 7,637 individuals.
The initiative focuses on the areas most affected by the outbreak, aiming to reduce infection rates and curb the spread of cholera through preventive measures. These include deploying specialized medical teams to screen and monitor travelers at air and land entry points, and supporting health facilities with essential cholera treatment supplies, such as oral and intravenous rehydration solutions, antibiotics, protective equipment, and disinfectants.
These efforts reflect the Kingdom’s ongoing humanitarian and relief role through KSrelief, supporting Yemen’s health sector and combating the spread of infectious diseases to safeguard the health and well-being of the Yemeni people.
PM extends warm felicitations to UAE on National Day
ISLAMABAD, Dec 02 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday extended heartfelt felicitations to the leadership and people of the United Arab Emirates on the occasion of their National Day.
The prime minister, in a message posted on his X timeline, said, “On behalf of the people and Government of Pakistan, I extend my heartfelt felicitations to the leadership and brotherly people of the United Arab Emirates on the joyous occasion of their National Day.”
He said that Pakistan deeply valued its historic and time-tested partnership with the UAE – a relationship built on mutual respect, shared aspirations, and an unbreakable bond between our peoples.
The prime minister said that the vibrant Pakistani community in the UAE remained a proud bridge between the two nations, contributing to the UAE’s remarkable success story.
He said that under the visionary leadership of the UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE continued to inspire the world with its remarkable progress, innovation and global leadership.
“We remain committed to further strengthening our multifaceted cooperation and elevating our partnership for a brighter, more prosperous future for our two nations.
Long live Pakistan–UAE friendship,” he commented.
Dacoit killed in encounter
KASUR, Dec 2 (APP):A notorious dacoit on Tuesday was killed during encounter with the police in Kot Radha Kishan area.
The police spokesman said the outlaw had been identified as Adeel killed a person namely Raiz and wanted to the police in various cases of robberies .
He said the dacoit’s two accomplices managed to escape from the scene.
The police had formed special teams to arrest the fleeing dacoits, he added.