Iran Air Launches Direct Quetta-Zahedan-Mashhad Route

August 10, Pakistan — Iran Air has started non-stop flights linking Quetta with the Iranian cities of Zahedan and Mashhad, representing the initial consistent commercial aviation connection between these traditionally important locations. The carrier’s first flight safely arrived at Quetta International Airport on Friday, capturing interest from authorities and passengers. This newly established route aims to provide more ease for travelers and enhance the enduring cultural and economic ties between Pakistan and Iran.

During the airport event, Pakistan’s Envoy to Iran, Mohammad Mudassir Tipu, commended the initiation, referring to it as a “long-held wish” from citizens of both nations. He conveyed his belief that these non-stop flights will enhance commerce, tourism, and cultural interactions between the two countries. As per the envoy, the route holds “significant promise” for strengthening connections and promoting interpersonal relationships that extend past commercial and travel purposes.

The newly launched service will start with weekly operations connecting Quetta and Zahedan, offering a vital transportation choice for people from Balochistan and surrounding areas. Authorities anticipate that this frequency could grow over time as more passengers utilize the route. Additionally, the journey provides a practical link for pilgrims traveling to Mashhad, which is among Iran’s key holy sites. It is projected to generate substantial economic advantages via higher expenditures related to tourism and movement.

At the event, representatives emphasized that the launch occurs during a period when regional aviation connections are growing more significant. Due to the proximity of their locations and common cultural background between Pakistan and Iran, enhancing transportation networks has consistently been considered essential. Officials from both nations expressed their readiness to examine new routes in the near future to enhance mutual collaboration.

Nevertheless, the progress follows closely behind an announcement made by Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who declared that devotees will not be permitted to journey to Iran or Iraq via land for this year’s Arbaeen pilgrimage because of safety issues. He mentioned that the choice was reached following thorough talks with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Balochistan administration, and intelligence organizations. Although overland movement continues to be limited, the introduction of this aerial route presents a secure and effective option for numerous passengers.

This achievement marks an important step for Iran Air’s direct route from Quetta to Zahedan to Mashhad, which will be crucial in connecting populations along the border. Weekly flights are anticipated to support both spiritual and recreational travel, as well as foster commercial relationships, thereby promoting collaboration between the two adjacent nations.

Song Ji-Hyo Laughed at Theft Scandal with Lim Woo-Il — “Running Man” Tops 2049 Ratings

Song Ji-Hyo Laughed at Theft Scandal with Lim Woo-Il — “Running Man” Tops 2049 Ratings

SBS’s “Running Man” continued to lead the 20-49 demographics rating with an eventful “Room Tour” competition.

The show Running Man, which premiered on the 10th, topped the entertainment charts simultaneously with a viewership rate of 1.8%, according to Nielsen Korea’s data from urban households. The peak rating per minute reached as high as 4.9%.

On this day, the group made an appearance in a holiday outfit during the ‘2025 Daydokkaebi Room Tour’ challenge, sparking laughs right from the start. Kim Jong-guk caught eyes wearing a sleeveless T-shirt showcasing his biceps, while Song Ji-hyo stood out with a denim style exposing his midsection. Kim Jong-guk remarked, “He probably wasn’t too sure of himself,” adding humor as everyone laughed when he mentioned, “I used a microphone to cover my stomach.”

Prior to the official competition, the production crew advised participants to think about “What you would like to bring from your car during a trip.” Song Ji-hyo pulled out the slippers used as prop items for “Running Man,” and the group set off on a mission called “Attempting to Steal.” Song Ji-hyo mentioned, “I planned to return them today,” but Ha-ha replied, “They got stolen,” which made everyone laugh.

Ji Seok-jin wept and selected a straw hat as an essential item after being exposed as “Travel Item” by his friends, yet surprisingly, he earned the highest amount of R-coins. It was revealed that the lighter the item, the greater the number of coins awarded. From that point onward, the group had to decide between a luxurious journey or a budget-friendly one, with Yoo Jae-seok, Song Ji-hyo, Yang Se-chan, and Ji Ye-eun opting for the economical option.

Comedian Lim Woo-il made an unexpected appearance as a guide during the budget-friendly tour. At first, he raised doubts among the participants by acting like a live game show host alongside the production crew. Yoo Jae-seok asked, “What’s the ranking of comedians?” To which Lim Woo-il replied, “That’s SBS.” Meanwhile, Song Ji-hyo joined in with humor, saying, “I’m an experienced broadcaster” as she entered the ‘Japdori Time’.

At the same time, Kim Jong-guk opted for an upscale vacation alongside Ji Seok-jin, Ha-ha, and Choi Daniel, stating, “I don’t hold back when it comes to traveling.” In a lavish room filled with meals, the group asked, “Is this alright?” Although he felt nervous, he ultimately appreciated the opulence.

The turning point during this room tour was “Moon Color.” The Green Moon allowed participants to purchase a token for penalty relief, while the Pink Moon required calculating expenses related to food and drinks. Consequently, Ji Seok-jin and Ha-ha, who opted for the deluxe room, were unable to cover the costs, leading them to perform the punishment titled “Blazing with Flame.”

mj.cho@SANGGRALOKA.COM


  • [Summary] Heo Sung-tae experienced panic attacks because of his fame… 52 fans’ chat room posts (What were you up to when hanging out) [SC Review]

  • Han Sung-joo has temporarily stopped sharing videos related to her personal life with Kim Yu-na and her younger partner, marking the first break in 14 years [SCinStar].

  • Jeong Ae-ri, your time has come. Today marks the 11th anniversary.

  • Kim Min-kyung and Yoo Min-sang saw a motel during an urgent news update.

  • Uh-oh, Uhm Jung-hwa isn’t aware that the apple-themed outfits arrived late for the unveiling ceremony… I apologize.

  • Back alley, I went to the restroom once more. Shinji ♥ I’ll return shortly to talk about the letter “Happy” (Kkondaehee).

  • Lee Ha-nee declines to reveal her upper body “I removed a lot” → Mrs. Cannabis

Tourism Businesses on Koh Chang Worry Amid Thai-Cambodian Ceasefire

Although a truce has been signed between Thailand and Cambodia, tour companies and hotel owners on Koh Chang still have doubts regarding the current circumstances’ reliability. Several businesses faced a significant drop in visitors as well as a lack of staff.

Saksit Mungkarn, ex-chairman of the Trat Tourism Industry Council and owner of a hotel on Koh Chang, stated that the peace accord has failed to restore trust within the business community because of ongoing political unrest and unpredictability on either side of the border.

Border disputes between Thailand and Cambodia have led to an unexpected labor deficit. Cambodian employees, who played a crucial role in the hospitality and building industries, started going back to their country at the end of last month. Currently, only those individuals with family members living permanently on Koh Chang remain, according to Mr. Saksit.

Without Cambodian laborers, local business owners have started relying on Thai employees and student trainees to take up roles in hotels and restaurants, he mentioned. Nevertheless, the construction industry suffered the most, as only a small amount of workers from the northeastern region were available, he added. Similarly affected, Ms. Pornthip Sunthornkit, manager of Chai Chet Resort, stated that the tourist environment on Ko Chang had become very subdued since the border conflicts commenced.

Many visitors have delayed or canceled their reservations, particularly seminar groups, who are our primary clients at this time,” stated Mrs. Pornthip. “Travelers view Trat Province as dangerous, despite our efforts to inform them that visiting Ko Chang is still feasible and the island continues to be safe.

She mentioned that reservations at her resort have dropped by nearly 90%, noting that other businesses on the island were probably experiencing comparable challenges.

Apart from the drop in tourism, certain Cambodian employees asked for short-term time off to go back to their homeland because of worries and anxieties about their own security and belongings, even though bosses tried to offer assistance and comfort, according to Ms. Pornthip.

She urged the government to broaden aid programs for individuals impacted by the border clash, regardless of whether they were situated near the frontlines.

“A lot of us have outstanding loan balances with banks. We wish the government would take into account support measures like lowering interest rates, granting temporary pauses on debts, or extending payment periods, akin to previous actions taken,” she mentioned.

“Even though we aren’t at the front lines, we are experiencing secondary effects. If the circumstances continue through the end-of-year peak season, the financial impact will become much worse,” stated the resort manager.

Supplied by SyndiGate Media Inc.
Syndigate.info
).

White Bikes From Dutch Park Get a New Lease on Life in Morocco

White Bikes From Dutch Park Get a New Lease on Life in Morocco

Bikes known as White Bicycles originating from Hoge Veluwe National Park, a natural area located in the Dutch region of Gelderland, are being reused in Morocco. More than 500 of these well-known bicycles, which were once provided at no cost to park guests, have now been gifted to assist school children and triathlon competitions within the nation.

“We previously sent them to Central and Southern Africa, but this time we went with Morocco,” stated Baron Seger van Voorst tot Voorst, the park’s director, in an
interview
in collaboration with the local public broadcasting station. “There are 400,000 people of Moroccan origin residing in the Netherlands, and we aimed to help reinforce these connections.”

The initiative seeks to decrease the extended time kids spend traveling to school, which can enhance their attendance and educational outcomes. The bicycles are light and do not have gears; they are provided for use and completely restored every five years by the park’s specialized maintenance center.

Bicycles are also utilized in triathlons across Morocco, even though the region presents difficulties due to its mountainous landscape. As part of the initiative’s future goals, young locals are receiving training as bike technicians to manage emerging service centers and maintain ongoing operations.

Initially created to encourage sustainable travel, these basic white bicycles are currently supporting neighborhoods well outside of the Netherlands.

Japan Gifts N3.6 Billion in Road Equipment to Nigeria

The central administration has obtained N3.6 billion worth of building machinery provided by the Japanese authorities.

In a press release, the Ministry of Works stated that the machinery provided to the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) would mark a significant step forward in the country’s efforts toward achieving sustainable infrastructure development.

The declaration, signed by the Ministry’s Director of Press, Mohammed Ahmed, cited the Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq., who stated that “the generous support from Japan moves forward the dream of seamless, secure, and dependable transportation throughout the nation.”

Goronyo stated that roads serve as the vital arteries of Nigeria’s economy and everyday activities, with the machinery marking a significant advancement in their use and maintenance.

Worthed at £3.6 billion (three billion, six hundred million Nigerian naira), the provided machinery is anticipated to enhance FERMA’s ability to repair and restore Nigeria’s extensive highway system.

Goronyo highlighted that the contribution marks the beginning of a new phase in road upkeep, allowing engineers and technical staff to achieve quicker and longer-lasting results.

He further pointed out that Nigeria’s large highway system still plays a crucial role in trade, farming, medical services, and uniting the country, despite ongoing serious upkeep issues.

He also praised the actions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, who has placed infrastructure at the forefront and positioned it as a major factor in driving economic development through his Renewed Hope Agenda — a government that acknowledges infrastructure as a catalyst for progress.

“We imagine a future where traveling within Nigeria is smooth, safe, and reliable. This kind gesture brings us nearer to turning that dream into truth,” he added.

The President and citizens of Nigeria expressed deep appreciation through Goronyo to the Japanese government for its concrete assistance and steadfast dedication towards Nigeria’s progress.

He called on the management of FERMA and their engineering staff to guarantee that the machinery is utilized to the best of its potential, stating, “This equipment represents a significant resource, and its proper application will demonstrate our dedication to enhancing the standard of living for every Nigerian.”

He ended by pointing out that the installation of the machinery goes beyond a symbolic transfer, representing instead the start of a fresh phase in road upkeep that corresponds with Nigeria’s larger aim of achieving economic growth through improved infrastructure.

Supplied by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).