France to ban smoking on beaches, parks and bus stops from July 1

Newswire Paris: France will ban smoking in all outdoor places that can be accessed by children, including beaches, parks and bus stops, the health and family minister announced this week. Famed as a country where smokers linger over cigarettes on cafe terraces or strolling down cobblestone streets, France has increasingly tightened restrictions on tobacco use […]

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Xi says China ready to work with Germany to open new chapter in all-round strategic partnership

Henan Daily Zhengzhou: Chinese President Xi Jinping said this week that China is ready to work with Germany to open a new chapter in their all-round strategic partnership, to steer China-EU relations toward new progress and to make new contributions to the stable growth of the world economy. Speaking to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over […]

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Bilawal Bhutto condemns politicisation of water through violation of IWT

Liaquat Ali ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari this week condemned the politicisation of water through violations of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), calling it a form of “hybrid warfare.” He warned that if such actions continue, future generations would face conflicts over water resources. Bilawal criticised India’s assertion of a “new […]

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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 totalling 2.63 trillion yuan (about 366.75 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024, official data showed on Wednesday. These policies accelerated the cultivation of new quality productive forces and promoted the high-quality […]

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Henan’s e-commerce transaction volume hits 324.16 billion yuan in Q1

Henan Daily Zhengzhou: Henan’s e-commerce sector remained stable in the first quarter of 2025, with total goods and services transactions reaching 324.16 billion yuan, according to data released by Henan Provincial Bureau of Statistics on May 14. Service-related and consumer-facing transactions continued to grow at a relatively fast pace. In the first quarter, service transactions […]

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High Commissioner Jane Marriott discusses UK-Pakistan ties with Punjab CM

Newswire Lahore: British High Commissioner Jane Marriott called on Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz here and discussed a wide range of issues, including matters of mutual interest, bilateral cooperation, education, investment, environmental protection, and governance reform. A luncheon was also hosted in the honour of outgoing Political Advisor to British High Commission Zoe Ware on […]

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Rule of law in Italy under EU scrutiny

Newswire Rome: A closed-door hearing at the European Parliament could have been an opportunity for the Italian government to engage seriously on European Union concerns over the rule of law in Italy and make clear commitments to uphold core EU values. Instead, the government sent lower-level officials to attend, and a leading MEP of Prime […]

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High Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri highlights rural culture of Pakistan

Canberra: Pakistani High Commissioner to Australia Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri this week highlighted the rural culture of Pakistan. “Bull racing – Raw energy of rural life in Pakistan,” he posted on X along with a beautiful picture to support his statement. A traditional sport deeply rooted in the cultural fabric of rural Punjab, Bill racing continues […]

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Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad backs UN chief’s plan for world body’s restructuring to enhance its effectiveness

Celina Ali Islamabad: Pakistan this week threw its weight behind UN Secretary-General’s UN80 initiative aimed at enhancing the word body’s effectiveness, emphasizing that it core mandate of maintaining world peace & security must remain paramount. “We welcome the UN80 Initiative as a timely and important step towards making the UN leaner, more efficient and fit […]

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Kazakhstan envoy explores cooperation avenues during his IHCBA visit

Celina Ali Islamabad: The Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Pakistan, Yerzhan Kistafin, paid an official visit to the Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA), marking a key step towards building stronger legal and professional ties between Kazakhstan and Pakistan. The Ambassador was warmly welcomed by President Mr. Wajid Gillani, Mr. Chaudhary Manzoor Ahmad […]

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Success of Pakistani professionals is key pillar of bilateral ties: Ambassador Akamatsu Shuichi

Celina Ali Islamabad: Japan seeks high-quality human resources and by engaging with Japan, young Pakistani talents will contribute significantly to strengthening the Japan-Pakistan relations. This reassuring statement was made by Ambassador of Japan Akamatsu Shuichi while addressing the “Pakistan-Japan Human Resources Stakeholders Meeting” he hosted at his residence. The high-level gathering brought together approximately 70 […]

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US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker calls on Bilawal Bhutto, ties discussed

Liaquat Ali Islamabad: Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met with US Chargé d’Affaires to Pakistan, Ms. Natalie Baker, at Zardari House in Islamabad this week. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation between Pakistan and the United States. During the discussion, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari appreciated former US President […]

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Austria orders 12 Leonardo M-346 Block 20 light combat aircraft from Italy

Rome: The Italian Ministry of Defence announced this week the signing of an intergovernmental agreement for the supply of 12 Leonardo M-346 FA (Block 20) light combat aircraft to Austria. The contract also includes a full mission simulator, IRIS-T short-range air-to-air missile integration, Link 16 data link, Nexter 20mm gun pods, LAU-32 rocket launchers, and […]

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France ‘determined’ to recognise Palestinian state

Newswire Paris: France is “determined” to recognise a Palestinian state, its foreign minister said this week, condemning Israel for the “indefensible” situation in Gaza created by its military campaign and humanitarian blockade. Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot also reaffirmed that Paris backed a Netherlands-led initiative for a review of the cooperation agreement between the European Union […]

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Denmark launches world’s first commercial-scale e-methanol plant

Denmark inaugurated the world’s first commercial-scale e-methanol facility this week, marking a major step in the decarbonization of the shipping industry. Located in Kasso, southern Denmark, the €150 million ($167 million) plant is jointly owned by Denmark’s European Energy and Japan’s Mitsui, and will produce 42,000 metric tons, or 53 million litres, of e-methanol annually. […]

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Aseefa Bhutto distributes home ownership certificates to flood-affected women

Liaquat Ali Islamabad: First Lady and Member of the National Assembly Aseefa Bhutto Zardari visited Mirza Farrukh Beg village in Taluka Daur, Shaheed Benazirabad district this week, where she handed over home ownership certificates to women beneficiaries of the Sindh People’s Housing Project—hailed as the world’s largest free housing initiative. Accompanied by Sindh Health Minister […]

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20 IUB students win prestigious CPEC split-degree scholarships to study in China

Gwadar Pro Bahawalpur: In a major academic milestone, 20 students from the first-ever cohort (2024–2028) of the Bachelor of Science in Forestry program at the Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB) have been awarded fully funded split-degree scholarships under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) education cooperation framework, the university announced this week. The scholarships, which are […]

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Henan’s January-April foreign trade exceeds 270 billion yuan

Henan Daily Zhengzhou: Amid a complex and volatile global economic landscape, Henan’s foreign trade has maintained steady growth, underscoring its strong resilience and vitality. According to data released by Zhengzhou Customs on May 14, Henan’s total imports and exports reached 275.77 billion yuan in the first four months of the year, up 29.5% year-on-year, 27.1 […]

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Henan’s first ‘TIR + cross-border e-commerce’ shipment launched

Henan Daily Zhengzhou: Henan’s first cross-border e-commerce TIR truck convoy operated by China Gate International Logistics Group this week departed from Zone A of Zhengzhou Comprehensive Bonded Zone. This marks Henan’s first attempt to integrate the “9610” cross-border e-commerce model with the TIR international road transport system, signalling the successful launch of an innovative logistics […]

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Portuguese guitar maestro Pedro Jóia performs in Pakistan

Celina Ali Islamabad: Renowned Portuguese classical guitarist and composer Pedro Jóia graced Pakistani stages with his mesmerizing performances from 23rd to 28th May, as part of an exciting cultural initiative led by the Embassy of Portugal in Islamabad, in collaboration with the Camões Institute for Cooperation and Language I.P. and supported by Emirates Airlines. Pedro […]

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Italy launches €4 million climate resilience initiative for Sindh

Celina Ali Islamabad: An Italian humanitarian organization has launched a €4 million initiative aimed at strengthening the climate resilience of vulnerable communities in Sindh, one of Pakistan’s provinces most affected by climate-related risks. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Italian NGO CESVI have signed a partnership agreement to officially launch […]

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First Foreign Secretary visit to Pakistan since 2021 as UK pushes for peace

Celina Ali Islamabad: British Foreign Secretary David Lammy this week visited Pakistan to welcome ceasefire and make clear that further conflict is in nobody’s interest. The visit was used to reassert that peace and security are the cornerstones of the UK’s relationship with Pakistan that will protect growth and prosperity for Brits, Pakistanis and the […]

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Bulgaria shifts from EU funding to private capital for key public investments

Newswire Sofia: Bulgaria is preparing to replace EU cohesion funds with private investments and long-term concessions for rebuilding its critical public infrastructure, PM Rosen Zhelyazkov announced this week, citing the need for financial and strategic partners in the country’s future infrastructure development. Over the past 18 years, Bulgaria has been a major beneficiary of EU […]

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Acting US Ambassador Natalie Baker calls on Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi

Celina Ali Islamabad: Acting US Ambassador to Pakistan, Natalie Baker called on Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in Islamabad this week. Matters of mutual interest, Pakistan-US relations, and enhancing bilateral cooperation were discussed during the meeting. Moreover, the situation following the Pakistan-India ceasefire was also discussed. Mohsin Naqvi expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump […]

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High Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri pays glowing tribute to armed forces

Canberra: Pakistani High Commissioner to Australia Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri this week paid glowing tribute to the armed forces for safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty. “Youm-e-Tashakur (day of gratitude) observed @PakinAustralia (Pakistani High Commission). Rich tributes were paid to Armed Forces of Pakistan for their sacrifices in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty. special prayers offered for the Shuhda […]

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