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NA Speaker grieves passing of Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal Al Saud

By
Kamran Muraad
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ISLAMABAD, Jul 21 (APP): National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Monday expressed profound grief over the passing of Prince Al-Waleed bin Khalid bin Talal Al Saud, who endured a prolonged illness with exceptional strength.
In his condolence message, the Speaker paid heartfelt tribute to the late Prince, commending his remarkable perseverance and unwavering dignity throughout the ordeal.
“Prince Al-Waleed bin Khalid bin Talal exhibited remarkable patience and fortitude during this challenging period,” he said, highlighting the Prince’s unwavering spirit in the face of adversity.
The Speaker conveyed heartfelt condolences to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Royal Family, and the people of Saudi Arabia.
He noted that Pakistan’s Parliament and its citizens share equally in the grief of the Royal Family and the Saudi people during this difficult time.
“May Allah grant the deceased a high rank in Jannat-ul-Firdous and grant strength and patience to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.” the Speaker said.

Tennis: Osaka named to Japan team for Billie Jean King Cup finals

By
NNPS Desk
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TOKYO, Jul 21 (Kyodo/APP): Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka will be part of Japan’s five-woman team for September’s Billie Jean King Cup finals in China, the Japan Tennis Association announced Monday.

The four-time Grand Slam winner will be joined by Moyuka Uchijima, Ena Shibahara, Eri Hozumi and Shuko Aoyama at the eight-nation finals of the premier women’s international team tennis competition in Shenzhen.

Japan skipper Ai Sugiyama named the team in an online press conference.

“I believe that this is the best team we have right now,” Sugiyama said. “We want to harness the strength of our team as we aim to reach the top.”

Japan will open its campaign against quarterfinal opponent Britain on Sept. 18. Defending champion Italy and host nation China are also among the finalists.

The Japanese team qualified for the finals by beating Canada at Tokyo’s Ariake Colosseum in April, minus an injured Osaka.

NCSW strongly condemns Honour Killing Incident in Balochistan

By
Kamran Muraad
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ISLAMABAD, Jul 21 (APP): National Commission on the Status of Women’s (NCSW), Chairperson Ume Laila Azhar, strongly condemned the heinous incident of honour killing reported from Balochistan.
The act of taking a life in the name of so-called honour is a grave violation of human rights and cannot be justified under any circumstances.
The Chairperson, along with the Members of the NCSW Board, has categorically denounced this inhuman practice and called upon the relevant authorities to ensure swift and strict action against the perpetrators. The Commission firmly stands for justice and the protection of women’s rights across Pakistan, said in a Press Release issued here on Monday.
In this regard, NCSW formally registers a protest by raising its concerns to the authorities, demanding an immediate, transparent and impartial inquiry into the incident.
NCSW reiterates its unwavering commitment to advocating for the rights, safety and dignity of all women and girls in Pakistan and urges all stakeholders to join in condemning such barbaric acts.

Emirates to introduce third daily flight to Mauritius

By
NNPS Desk
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DUBAI, Jul 21 (WAM/APP): Emirates has announced the introduction of a third daily flight to Mauritius, starting from 1st December, as part of its commitment to supporting inbound tourism to the island nation.

The additional service, to be operated by a Boeing 777 aircraft as EK709/710, will complement existing schedules and support the travel plans of Emirates customers planning trips to the popular destination from across its network of more than 140 points.

Emirates currently serves Mauritius with two daily services aboard its flagship A380 aircraft, operating as EK701/702 and EK703/704.

The addition of the third daily service, under a codeshare arrangement with Air Mauritius, will provide convenient flight timings to support travel itineraries and enable seamless connectivity for customers from the Middle East, Europe and the Americas travelling to the Indian Ocean holiday spot.

Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, said, “The additional daily service on our wide-body Boeing 777 aircraft will enable a more than 30 percent increase in capacity on the route, while also providing additional flight options for leisure and business travellers to seamlessly connect to flights.”

Since Emirates launched its scheduled services to Mauritius in 2002, the airline has carried more than 8.8 million passengers and more than 126,000 tonnes of cargo on flights to and from Mauritius.

Its passenger and cargo operations have generated significant economic and social contributions, including US$119 million in direct contribution from Emirates’ flights, US$264 million in tourism receipts, as well as US$530 million to the Mauritian economy through tourism-related spending.

Emirates’ operations have also supported the creation of 3,600 jobs in the nation.

Ajman DED launches ‘Our Happy Summer’ initiative

By
NNPS Desk
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AJMAN, Jul 21 (WAM/APP): The Department of Economic Development in Ajman (Ajman DED) has launched six distinctive programmes, including three specialised diplomas, as part of the Ajman Government’s summer initiative “Our Happy Summer 2025″.

Targeting youth aged 13 to 21, the programmes will run throughout July and August 2025.

The summer plan includes advanced diploma courses and high-impact educational programmes, notably: “Tomorrow’s Pioneers” Diploma, which focuses on empowering youth in modern entrepreneurship and smart commerce through artificial intelligence. The “AI Leadership” Diploma provides in-depth understanding and application of AI technologies in life and work, preparing participants to lead digital transformation with innovation and effectiveness.

The “Digital Impact Makers” Diploma is aimed at equipping youth with professional and ethical skills in digital media and purposeful content creation, while enhancing AI applications in media for positive societal outcomes.

In addition, several community-focused programmes will be introduced, including “The Smart Young Consumer”, which targets adolescents to raise awareness of consumer rights and smart purchasing decisions, and “Silent Imprint for People of Determination”, a human-centred workshop that trains individuals with disabilities in high-level customer service skills.

“Humaid Through the Eyes of Generations” is an initiative designed to instil national values and community empowerment among emerging Emirati youth, preparing them to shape the future with their achievements and contributions.

The training approach ensures a comprehensive educational experience that blends theoretical learning, practical application and field visits.

Abu Dhabi Airports welcomes 15.8 million passenger in H1

By
NNPS Desk
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ABU DHABI, Jul 21 (WAM/APP): Abu Dhabi Airports announced that it welcomed over 15.8 million passengers between 1st January and 30th June 2025, marking a notable 13.1 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024.

Zayed International Airport (AUH) played a pivotal role in the increase, with 15.5 million passengers walking through its gates until the end of June – up 13.2 percent year-on-year.

This rise in passenger traffic was also supported by 133,533 total flights across the five airports in the first half of 2025, representing a 9.2 percent rise from the same period last year. AUH registered 93,858 aircraft movements, 11.4 percent over H1 2024 when it recorded 84,286 flights.

Expanding its global footprint remains central to Abu Dhabi Airports’ growth strategy. In the first half of the year, the network added 16 new destinations and welcomed new airline partners.

Notable additions include China Eastern Airlines’ four-times-weekly Shanghai service (with daily service commencing in September), Air Seychelles’ six weekly flights, and Fly Cham’s service to Damascus. IndiGo also strengthened its presence at AUH with new routes to Madurai, Bhubaneswar, and Vishakhapatnam, further cementing AUH as the airline’s most connected hub in the UAE.

Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Abu Dhabi Airports, said, “Consistently delivering positive growth for the past 17 quarters is testament to the dedication and collective effort of the entire Abu Dhabi Airports team. It reflects our operational agility and commitment to delivering an exceptional aviation experience and attracting international investors.”

Abu Dhabi Airports also demonstrated impressive growth in cargo operations, highlighting the emirate’s growing significance in global trade. In H1 2025, it handled a total of 344,795 tonnes of cargo year-to-date, bolstered by strategic partnerships and ongoing infrastructure enhancements. These include a major joint venture agreement signed with JD Property, the infrastructure arm of China’s e-commerce giant JD.com.

The agreement will see the development of a state-of-the-art 70,000sqm advanced-tech facility that aims to meet the growing east-west demand for e-commerce and specialised cargo logistics throughout the GCC and broader MENA region.

The first half of 2025 was also marked by several strategic milestones across Abu Dhabi Airports’ network. The completion of rehabilitation works at Sir Bani Yas Airport reflects the commitment to strengthening the UAE’s aviation infrastructure and supporting Al Dhafra’s eco-tourism ambitions.

Additionally, AUH was awarded the prestigious 3 Pearl Estidama rating for construction, and was also recognised as the ‘Best Airport at Arrivals Globally’ for the third consecutive year at the ACI ASQ Awards.

At Al Bateen Executive Airport, Abu Dhabi Airports’ collaboration with Bombardier progressed with the establishment of a dedicated service facility, advancing Abu Dhabi’s maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities to position the emirate as a centre of excellence for aviation services.

Additionally, a new MoU signed with TAQA Distribution will explore the integration of next-generation utility technologies across the airport portfolio, reinforcing Abu Dhabi Airports’ long-term vision for innovation and sustainable development.

AC awarded appreciation certificate for getting 4th position in “  Suthra Punjab Program”

By
Samina Ch
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NOWSHERA VIRKAN, Jul 21 (APP):Deputy Commissioner (DC), Gujranwala, Naveed Ahmed on Monday awarded appreciation certificate and prize to Assistant Commissioner (AC), Jawad Ahmed as Tehsil, Nowshera Virkan  achieved  fourth position on performance basis in “ Suthra Punjab Program ” .
The tehsil got fourth position among 23 tehsil of the province.
In Punjab, Tehsil Chichawatni got first, Bure Wala Second and Chistian third position in the program on performance basis.
It is pertinent to mention here that Tehsil, Gujranwala Saddar  got 10th position .

HYROX attracts over 3,500 athletes from 124 nationalities in Abu Dhabi

By
NNPS Desk
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ABU DHABI, Jul 21 (WAM/APP): The Abu Dhabi Sports Council, in collaboration with HYROX and ADNEC Abu Dhabi, hosted HYROX, the world’s largest indoor fitness race and the leading fitness event in the Middle East.

The event, held on Sunday, brought together 3,506 athletes from across the globe, including 213 professional competitors. Women represented 41 percent of the participants, with the 30-35 age group being the most represented.

Athletes from 124 nationalities took part, including 340 Emiratis. The United Kingdom led the participant demographics with 24 percent, followed by the UAE with 9 percent, and both Ireland and the Philippines with 5.25 percent each.

The race consisted of eight 1km running rounds, interspersed with eight functional fitness workouts, forming a complete challenge that tested both strength and endurance. Entry was open across several categories: Individual (Men and Women), Doubles (Men, Women, Mixed), Doubles Pro, Individual Pro, Relay Teams (4 persons), and a dedicated category for People of Determination.

The event kicked off with the men’s category at 7:00 am, followed by the remaining categories throughout the day, concluding with the men’s relay at 9:00 pm.

Award ceremonies began at 12:45 pm after the first race and continued until 10:45 pm after the final event. The race witnessed an impressive public turnout of over 12,000 spectators throughout the day.

Talal Al Hashemi, Executive Director of the Events Sector at Abu Dhabi Sports Council, stated, “Hosting HYROX in Abu Dhabi underscores our ongoing commitment to promoting sports and a healthy lifestyle by attracting world-class events that blend challenge and excitement while being inclusive of all community segments. This aligns with the national initiative ‘Year of the Community,’ which reflects our leadership’s vision of building a cohesive and thriving society.”

In turn, Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of ADNEC Group, said, “Our collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and HYROX reaffirms our commitment to attracting leading global events that promote the principles of a balanced and healthy lifestyle for all members of the community.”

HYROX is one of the fastest-growing fitness racing events globally and has become a key fixture in Abu Dhabi’s sports calendar. It blends running with functional fitness in a standardised format designed to accommodate all fitness levels.

Dubai Health Authority welcomes 20 global health leaders

By
NNPS Desk
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0

DUBAI, Jul 21 (WAM/APP): The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has welcomed a delegation of 20 senior healthcare leaders from various countries around the world, as part of its participation in the International Programme for Health Leadership.

The programme is organised by the Government Experience Exchange Office (GEEO), under the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, to exchange global best practices in healthcare and strengthen institutional knowledge partnerships.

The delegation was introduced to Dubai’s pioneering experience in advancing the healthcare sector and the significant achievements made in sustainability and the quality of care, reflecting the emirate’s elevated global standing in public health and quality of life indices.

During the meeting, DHA teams presented key aspects of the institutional transformation currently underway within Dubai’s healthcare system, along with the emirate’s health sector strategy. The session also covered the public health protection framework and the mechanisms for prevention and epidemic response.

A detailed presentation was delivered outlining the authority’s efforts to promote community health, strengthen preventive readiness, and ensure the integration of legislative and regulatory infrastructure in this domain.

The teams also showcased the healthcare regulatory frameworks adopted in Dubai, along with the advanced standards and policies that reflect the authority’s strategic approach and future vision for regulating healthcare professions and facilities across the emirate. The presentation further highlighted the integrated health insurance system and the sustainable financing mechanisms that contribute to the continuity and financial efficiency of healthcare services.

The meeting also featured a specialised presentation on the findings of Dubai’s Household Health Survey, emphasising the critical role of accurate data in supporting decision-making and enhancing planning based on scientific research and analytical insights.

The delegation also undertook a field visit to the Dubai Health Authority’s Crisis and Disaster Management Centre, where they received a detailed briefing on the emirate’s emergency health management system. The session highlighted DHA’s efforts to ensure maximum responsiveness during crises and disasters, as well as the centre’s advanced capabilities.

Dr. Alawi AlSheikh-Ali, Director-General of DHA, affirmed that the rapid progress in Dubai’s healthcare sector has played a key role in reinforcing the emirate’s position as a global leader in quality of life and healthcare.

China clinches team free routine title at World Aquatics Championships

By
NNPS Desk
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0

SINGAPORE, Jul 21 (BelTA/APP): China delivered a flawless performance in the artistic swimming team free routine at the World Aquatics Championships, earning them top spot on the podium here on Sunday.

China’s eight-strong team scored 348.4779 points in the final with their performance, themed “Gravitation”, after having earned 338.2167 in the preliminary round, outshining competitors including Spain and Japan.

It marked China’s second gold medal in artistic swimming at this tournament, following Xu Huiyan’s historic triumph in the women’s solo technical event on Saturday.

“In terms of our strategic approach under the new rules, I believe we were successful,” said China head coach Zhang Xiaohuan. “Although we had to make two substitutions before the tournament, the result shows the resilience of the team and the excellence of our athletes.”

The result further underlined China’s depth and consistency in artistic swimming, which has steadily grown into a global powerhouse over the past decade. Chinese swimmers have frequently stood atop the podium in recent international competitions.

Japan took silver with a score of 334.7232, while Spain secured bronze with 321.1328.

Artistic swimming events at the World Aquatics Championships will continue through July 25, with China also expected to contend for medals in the solo, duet, mixed duet and team events.

Earlier on Sunday, China’s men’s water polo team fell short against Australia, losing 16-9 in the classification match to finish 14th overall at the tournament.

On the final day of open water swimming, Germany claimed the title in the mixed 4x1500m relay, while China finished ninth.

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