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‘Systemic’ China-US rivalry could last a decade: US envoy

Newswire Beijing: The United States and China are likely to remain “systemic rivals” for the next decade as they wrestle over differences and compete in areas such as the military and technology, according to Washington’s top envoy in Beijing. Speaking at a virtual seminar this week, ambassador Nicholas Burns called the deepening competition between the […]

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Aseefa Bhutto steps into political, presidential spotlight

Celina Ali Islamabad: In a significant move marking her entry into the political arena, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, the youngest daughter of President Asif Ali Zardari, is set to contest the upcoming by-election for the NA-207 Nawabshah constituency. This announcement follows the vacancy of the seat after President Zardari’s elevation to office, providing Aseefa with an […]

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China and Pakistan to deepen cooperation in realms of media, culture

Gwadar Pro Islamabad: Pakistani Ambassador to China Khalil Hashimi this week embarked on a significant visit to the School of Journalism at Tsinghua University, marking the inauguration of the new Pakistan Culture and Communication Studies office and agreeing to boost cooperation. This pivotal moment aimed to deepen the ties between China and Pakistan, particularly in […]

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President Zardari thanks President Xi Jinping for felicitations on re-election

Gwadar Pro Islamabad: Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari this week thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping for extending him warm congratulations on his re-election as the President of Pakistan. While replying to President Xi’s letter, the president expressed his commitment to working closely with the Chinese President to deepen practical cooperation, strengthen the all-weather partnership, and […]

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China provides emergency aid to Pakistan for rain-hit areas in Balochistan, KP

Gwadar Pro Islamabad: China this week provided USD 100,000 worth “Emergency Aid” to the government of Pakistan for residents of the rain-hit areas in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. China provides emergency aid to Pakistan for rain-hit areas in Balochistan, KP “On March 14, the donation ceremony for emergency aid provided by the Chinese government to […]

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Pakistan and China share a long and storied friendship: Umar Rehman Malik

Abdullah Jan Islamabad: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Umar Rehman Malik said this week that Pakistan and China share a long and storied friendship. “The PPP starting with #SZAB (Zulfikar Ali Bhutto) has been at the forefront of fostering and further strengthening this relationship,” he said. Umar Rehman Malik added: “Asif Ali Zardari who conceived […]

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EU Ambassador Dr Riina Kionka calls on Finance Minister

Celina Ali Islamabad: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb this week apprised the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Riina Kionka about the impor­tant reform priorities of the government. Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan Dr Riina Kionka called on Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Mu­hammad Aurangzeb,. The finance minister […]

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Greece alarmed by rising tides of migrants

Anthee Carassava Athens: Greece is facing increasing illegal immigration as the Gaza crisis continues. The trend has Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and senior European Union officials heading to Egypt Sunday to sign an aid package worth just over $8 billion intended to help ease migration. A surge in illegal migration has seen numbers entering Greece […]

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High Commissioner Jane Marriott hosts Umama: A day of empowerment and inspiration

Celina Ali Islamabad: Jane Marriott, the British High Commissioner in Pakistan, this week warmly welcomed Umama, the winner of their exclusive “High Commissioner for a Day” contest. The day was an extraordinary experience, filled with insights into diplomacy, empowerment, and inspiration. Umama, a bright and ambitious young woman, arrived at the High Commission with an […]

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More foreign students set to be eligible for Japan government scholarships

Tokyo: The Japanese government plans to expand the scope of foreign university students eligible for its scholarships from April to provide more academic opportunities to children of the country’s growing number of foreign workers, according to officials. The education ministry is set to include in the target students who are residing in the country with […]

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US reaffirms support for Pakistan’s financial and security challenges as envoy meets PM Sharif

Celina Ali Islamabad: The United States reiterated its continued commitment to help Pakistan with its financial and regional security challenges on Friday, as the top American diplomat in the country held a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and discussed a wide range of bilateral issues. The US-Pakistan relations have had its ups and downs […]

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US Ambassador, PM Shehbaz Sharif forge bilateral partnerships

Liaquat Ali Islamabad: US Ambassador Donald Blome this week met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss a broad range of bilateral issues, including partnering with the Government of Pakistan on regional security, US support for continued economic reforms with and through the IMF, trade and investment, education, climate change, and private sector-led economic growth. […]

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Kazakhstan strengthens China-Russia trade links with railway expansion

Astana: Kazakhstan Railways is bolstering its presence in both China and Russia to cement the Central Asian state’s role as a hub for both Europe- and Russia-bound freight rail traffic originating in East Asia. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, speaking via video link, inaugurated a Kazakhstan Railways (KTZ) logistics and innovation center in the central Chinese […]

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Italy: EPPO seizes 2.4 million metres of smuggled textiles worth €3 million

Newswire Rome: In an investigation into textile smuggling led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Bologna (Italy), the Italian Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza) of Prato have seized 2.4 million metres of illegally imported fabric, with an estimated value of €3 million. Law enforcement officers have seized rolls of fabric found in the […]

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High Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri delivers speech at Macquarie University

Canberra: Pakistani High Commissioner to Australia Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri this week delivered a speech at the Macquarie University. “Honoured to be the Occasional Speaker at Macquarie University’s 2024 Graduation Ceremony. Glad to share my thoughts with the very dynamic future leaders pursuing their dreams,” the envoy posted on X. Macquarie University is a public research […]

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Ambassador Marilina Armellin appreciates progress on Olive Culture Project

Celina Ali Islamabad: The 4th Steering Committee meeting for the “OliveCulture – Holistic and Multiprofessional Mechanism for a Pakistani Olive Oil Value Chain” Project convened this week in Islamabad, marking another significant step towards enhancing Pakistan’s olive sector. Chaired by Muhammad Asif, Federal Secretary of the Ministry of National Food Security & Research, Government of […]

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Italy to buy Sidewinder missiles in $90M deal

Newswire Washington: The US State Department this week approved the sale of Sidewinder air-to-air missiles to Italy, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced. The requested $90 million package includes the AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II+ missiles; containers; weapon support and support equipment; spare and repair parts; logistics support services and other related elements. The contract, announced […]

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‘Two sessions’ will pave way for China in an increasingly uncertain world

Xinhua Beijing: China enters its most important political week with the beginning of its “two sessions,” the assembly of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). This year’s gathering will be particularly important given the crisis in Ukraine, the conflict in Gaza, and the increased economic pressure from the […]

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Asif Ali Zardari returns as President for an unprecedented second time

Liaquat Ali Islamabad: Asif Ali Zardari this week took oath as Pakistan’s 14th President, after the veteran politician staged a remarkable comeback when he was overwhelmingly elected as the only civilian president of the coup-prone country for a second time. Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa administered the oath to the 68-year-old Mr Zardari […]

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President Xi Jinping felicitates Zardari in election as President, vows to work together

Newswire Islamabad, March 10: Chinese President Xi Jinping this week congratulated Asif Ali Zardari on his election as President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. In his message, Xi said China and Pakistan are good neighbors, good friends, good partners and good brothers, adding that the two countries’ iron-clad friendship is a choice of history […]

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President Xi Jinping a distinct leader with confidence, competence and strategic clarity: Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed

Islamabad: Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Defence Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed has lauded Chinese President Xi Jinping as a distinct leader characterized by confidence, competence, and strategic clarity. He highlighted the key factors contributing to China’s success story during a book launch event here titled ‘China at 75: China Story – Standing Up to Getting […]

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Pakistan PM looks forward to work with President Xi Jinping

Newswire Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif this week said that he looked forward to working with Chinese President Xi Jinping to further strengthen Pakistan-China iron-clad friendship and for high-quality development of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as flagship project of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The newly elected Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the leadership of […]

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Asif Ali Zardari’s election as the President to ensure better future: Umar Rehman Malik

Abdullah Jan Islamabad: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Umar Rehman Malik said this week that PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari’s election as the President will ensure better future. “Congratulations to President Asif Ali Zardari on taking oath as 14th President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan! His visionary leadership, commitment to reconciliation, and dedication to […]

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British High Commission brings together senior businesswomen from across Pakistan on International Women’s Day

Celina Ali Islamabad: The UK this week convened women in tech, business and trade to highlight their achievements and discuss shared challenges. The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is: Invest in women; accelerate progress. At a trade fair in Islamabad, female entrepreneurs demonstrated the work they are doing on artificial intelligence, medical technology […]

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Greece sets new record in its cruise industry with a surge in arrivals and passengers

Newswire Athens: Greece‘s idyllic islands and historical treasures have long been a magnet for travellers worldwide. But 2023 was a banner year for the Greek cruise industry, shattering previous records with a surge in arrivals and passengers. Over 5,230 cruise ships docked in Greek ports in 2023, welcoming a staggering 7 million passengers. This significant […]

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Moldova faces multiple threats from Russia as it turns toward EU membership, foreign minister says

Newswire Chisinau: The past two years have been the hardest and most tumultuous for European Union candidate Moldova in more than three decades as it faces threats from Russia in multiple spheres of public life, the country’s foreign minister says. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, its neighbor Moldova has faced a litany of crises […]

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Canada, EU, Germany, Austria, Bulgaria and UK host ambassador for a day

Celina Ali Islamabad: To celebrate International Women’s Day 2024, the High Commission of Canada this week hosted its second annual Ambassador for the Day. This year, the initiative gained widespread support from the diplomatic community in Pakistan, including the Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, the […]

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Ambassador Jemal Beker Abdula urges Pakistani investors to invest in Ethiopia

Newswire Lahore: Jemal Beker Abdula, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, this week urged the Pakistani business community to invest in Ethiopia that offered comparative advantage in form of important geographical location, cheap and clean energy and skilled human resource. Addressing a Business Forum […]

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Ambassador Moghadam extends warm congratulations to President Zardari on election victory

Abdullah Jan Islamabad: Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, this week extended his heartfelt congratulations on the election of Asif Ali Zardari as the 14th President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Emphasizing the historical bonds between Iran and Pakistan, Moghadam anticipates a strengthening of relations during President Zardari’s […]

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Italy Consul General Danilo Giurdanella hosts networking reception

Karachi: The Consul General of Italy in Karachi, Danilo Giurdanella this week hosted a networking event reception in honor of Constantino Scudieri, Police Liaison Officer at Embassy of Italy in Islamabad, who is visiting Karachi to meet with officials from law enforcement agencies and security institutions in Sindh. The objective of the visit to strengthen […]

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