EU publishes Nature Credits Roadmap to boost private investment in nature-positive actions

Celina Ali Islamabad: This week, the European Commission published a Roadmap towards Nature Credits, outlining a strategic approach to stimulate private investment in nature-positive actions across the EU. The initiative aims to complement public funding by creating market-based incentives to protect and restore nature. It seeks to reward those who actively contribute to ecosystem restoration […]

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Who should be blamed for Rafale jets’ poor sales?

Global Times The Associated Press recently cited anonymous sources from the French military claiming that, following the India-Pakistan conflict in May, China “led a charge” to “spread doubts” about French-made Rafale jets and launched a large-scale “disinformation campaign” aimed at undermining the reputation and sales of this “France’s flagship fighter.” Some French media outlets quickly […]

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Italy: Leonardo takes a stake in Finland’s SSH as European defence M&A inches forward

Helsinki: Italy’s Leonardo (LDOF.MI), opens new tab will buy a 24.55% stake in Finland’s SSH (SSH1V.HE), opens new tab to expand its cybersecurity business, the companies said on Tuesday, in a sign of some progress in European defence consolidation and cooperation. The deal will see the Italian aerospace and defence group become SSH’s biggest shareholder, […]

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Pakistan, France sign €12 million grant to improve water, sanitation in Punjab

Celina Ali Islamabad: The Government of Pakistan and the French Development Agency (AFD) this week signed a grant agreement worth €12 million in the Ministry of Economic Affairs for a project aimed at strengthening water and sanitation service delivery across selected urban areas in Punjab. The agreement was signed by Mr. Kazim Niaz, Secretary of […]

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China Post launches its first intercontinental air route in Henan

Henan Daily Zhengzhou: China Post this week officially launched its Zhengzhou-Luxembourg international postal cargo route. This is the company’s second intercontinental air route after the Nanjing-Luxembourg service, and its first such route in Henan. The newly launched Zhengzhou-Luxembourg postal route brings Henan closer to the world, reuniting old friends and embracing new ones. Zhengzhou and […]

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Denmark takes major step to crack down on AI deepfakes: Gives citizens copyrights

Copenhagen: The Danish government this week decided to crack down on AI-generated deepfakes by giving citizens copyrights of their personal features and voice. According to CNN, the new proposed legislation will allow public figures and artists as well as common people to protect their digital identity. Danish Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt explained that if someone […]

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‘You idiot’: Bilawal Bhutto takes dig at Fawad over Indus River history

Liaquat Ali Islamabad: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari this week took dig at former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry over Indus River history. Taking to X (formerly), the former foreign minister had lashed out at Chaudhry over the latter’s tweet. ” You idiot. Sindhu River is the Indus River. The Indus Valley civilization […]

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Huawei launches smart Hybrid energy system in Pakistan

Celina Ali Islamabad: Huawei Digital Power Pakistan this week officially launched its Residential Hybrid Energy System, a smart and sustainable solution aimed at transforming how Pakistani households manage electricity. Unveiled at the “Huawei Powering Pakistan – Advancing Energy Through Innovation” event in Karachi, the system is designed specifically for local needs and offers a reliable, […]

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China’s tax cuts boost high-tech, manufacturing growth in 2024

China Economic Net Beijing: China’s main policies supporting sci-tech innovation and the development of the manufacturing industry saw tax cuts, fee reductions and tax refunds totaling 2.63 trillion yuan (about 366.75 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024, official data showed. These policies accelerated the cultivation of new quality productive forces and promoted the high-quality development of […]

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British High Commissioner Jane Marriott calls on Bilawal Bhutto, Aseefa Bhutto

Celina Ali Islamabad: British High Commissioner Jane Marriott this week called on Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto and Aseefa Bhutto at Zardari House. During the meeting, Bilawal Bhutto and British High Commissioner discussed the promotion of bilateral relations. Both sides agreed to further enhance trade stability between the two countries. Bilawal Bhutto and […]

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British High Commissioner Jane Marriott meets DPM Ishaq Dar

Celina Ali Islamabad: British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott this week called on Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar. During the meeting they discussed bilateral cooperation across various sectors; regional & international developments; and upcoming multilateral engagements including Pakistan’s Presidency of the UN Security Council in July.

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Read Japan Project: Japan embassy donates a collection of 92 books to NUTECH Islamabad

Celina Ali Islamabad: The Embassy of Japan, in collaboration with the Nippon Foundation, this week donated a collection of 92 books on Japan to the National University of Technology (NUTECH) Islamabad as a part of the ‘Read Japan Project’ for fostering a deeper understanding of Japan’s rich culture, politics and economics through books. Ambassador of […]

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Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad urges all stakeholders in divided Libya to address outstanding issues through dialogue

Celina Ali Islamabad: Pakistan this week underscored the need for Libyan stakeholders to “address the absence of a definite roadmap” for the political reconciliation process and the reunification of institutions in the divided country. “Open-ended processes will not encourage the relevant stakeholders to act with a sense of urgency,” Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, permanent representative […]

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Kazakhstan opens new air routes to Central Asia, China

Astana: Kazakhstan is enhancing regional air connectivity and international flight offerings with several new routes launched by Kazakh and foreign carriers, the country’s Civil Aviation Committee reported this week. Starting June 27, Kyrgyz carrier Asman Airlines will launch direct flights from Issyk-Kul to Almaty, operating twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays. Kazakhstan’s low-cost airline, […]

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Climate change not a future threat but it’s here and accelerating: Umar Rehman Malik

Abdullah Jan Islamabad: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Umar Rehman Malik this week said this Swat tragedy and earlier catastrophic floods in Sindh were stark reminders that climate change is not a future threat but it’s here and accelerating. “Glacial melt, erratic monsoons, and unregulated development have turned vulnerable regions into disaster zones,” he said […]

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Gathering of 10 defense ministers in Qingdao highlights appeal of ‘non-aligned SCO’

Global Times From Wednesday to Thursday, the meeting of Ministers of Defense of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States was held in Qingdao, East China’s Shandong Province, drawing extensive international attention. This is because the meeting not only served as a “warm-up event” for the Tianjin SCO Summit this year, but also achieved the […]

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Italy obtained “flexible” conditions for increasing defense spending: PM Meloni

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said this week that the country will achieve new NATO targets for defense spending through a flexible approach and without redirecting funds from other budget priorities. Italy, which currently spends 1.5% of GDP on defense, plans to gradually increase this figure. The PM also insisted that no euro would be […]

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Aseefa Bhutto urges urgent investment in education, human development

Liaquat Ali Islamabad: First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari this week called for a national education emergency, highlighting the critical need for greater investment in health, education, and human capital in light of escalating public hardships. Participating in the ongoing budget debate in the National Assembly, she underscored the importance of a pro-poor and pro-women budget, […]

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Pak-China Dialogue: ‘Soft Power’ key to counter disinformation; ‘Pakistani talent & Chinese technology an invincible wall

Celina Ali Islamabad: Leaders, diplomats, parliamentarians, students and scholars gathered at the Pakistan-China Dialogue hosted by Pakistan-China Institute (PCI) under “Friends of Silk Road” auspices, focused on “Strengthening Mutual Understanding Between Pakistan and China and Building a Community with a Shared Future for Neighbouring Countries.” Speakers celebrated the enduring “Iron Brothers” partnership, championed a multipolar […]

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Pakistan, China, BD pledge trilateral cooperation based on win-win principles

Celina Ali Islamabad: In a show of strengthened regional ties, Pakistan, China and Bangladesh have agreed to pursue trilateral cooperation grounded in the principles of openness, inclusiveness, good neighborliness, mutual respect, and trust. This agreement, aimed at fostering win-win outcomes through closer coordination and shared goals, was reached during the inaugural Bangladesh-China-Pakistan Vice Foreign Minister/Foreign […]

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Portugal’s National Day celebrated

Celina Ali Islamabad: The National Day of Portugal was celebrated this week at a mega event hosted by Portuguese Ambassador to Pakistan Frederico Pinheiro da Silva. Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq participated as the chief guest in a ceremony held here at the Serena Hostel. Portuguese Ambassador to Pakistan Frederico Pinheiro da […]

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EU Ambassador Riina Kionka hosts vibrant Europe Day reception in Islamabad, celebrates unity and peace amid global challenges

Celina Ali Islamabad: The European Union Delegation to Pakistan, led by EU Ambassador Dr. Riina Kionka, this week hosted a warm and vibrant Europe Day reception in Islamabad, commemorating the 74th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration—a foundational moment in European history that ultimately paved the way for the creation of the European Union. Held in […]

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Portugal’s National Day: Ambassador Frederico Silva reflects on country’s remarkable journey

Celina Ali Islamabad: The Embassy of Portugal hosted a vibrant celebration of Portugal’s National Day at the Serena Hotel in Islamabad this week, marking 886 years of Portuguese statehood and commemorating 75 years of diplomatic relations between Portugal and Pakistan. The event was attended by prominent Pakistani dignitaries, diplomats, business leaders, and members of civil […]

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