CHINA

Exhibition introduces famous novels, works

The 13th Spring Festival Joint Exhibition of Chinese Books in Global Overseas Chinese Bookstores is being held in 85 physical bookstores in 27 countries and regions. The exhibition is organized by China's National Press and Publication Administration. Bookstores in Asia, Europe, America and Oceania are participating in the exhibition. Bookstores in Tunisia and Mauritius are also participating in the exhibition, making it the first time that African countries have taken part in this exhibition. Books on display in the exhibition include award-winning Chinese novels and works on China's governance, which closely meet the interests of overseas readers.

PAKISTAN

51 killed in twin transport tragedies

At least 51 people were killed in two separate transport accidents in western Pakistan on Sunday, when a bus plunged off a bridge and a boat carrying a class of children capsized. Forty-one were confirmed dead after their bus crashed into a ravine in southwestern Balochistan Province, while at least 10 students died in the boating accident in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, officials said. Up to nine were missing in the waters. At the remote site of the bus crash, north of the city of Bela in the Lasbela district, senior administration official Hamza Anjum said "the dead bodies … are beyond recognition".

UNITED KINGDOM

PM Sunak sacks party chairman Zahawi

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak fired the Conservative Party chairman Nadhim Zahawi from the government on Sunday after an investigation found he had been insufficiently open about a tax probe that he settled while he was finance minister. In an embarrassing episode for Sunak, he initially stood by Zahawi before ordering an independent adviser to investigate questions over his tax affairs after it emerged Zahawi had settled a probe by Britain's tax authority HMRC last year. Zahawi has said the tax body ruled he had been "careless" with his declarations but had not deliberately made an error to pay less tax.