China rolls out raft of measures to curb drones’ interference
Henan Daily Zhengzhou: China this week rolled out a raft of measures to curb drones’ interference with flight operations, as part of efforts to strengthen airspace security at civil transport airports and surrounding areas. The move aims to address growing concerns over drone activities interfering with commercial flights across the country, according to the office […]
Read MorePakistan and Denmark discuss $2 billion maritime investment
Celina Ali Islamabad: Pakistan and Denmark this week reviewed the progress of Denmark’s $2 billion investment in Pakistan’s maritime sector. Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry met with Danish Ambassador Jacob Linulf to discuss the project. They focused on implementing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed last year. Both sides emphasized the […]
Read MoreBilawal Bhutto launches job portal for unemployed youth
Liaquat Ali Islamabad: Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari this week inaugurated an “I Work for Sindh” smartphone application, as part of a job portal developed by the Sindh Information Department, to help unemployed youth get jobs in the province. The inauguration ceremony, held at the Chief Minister House in Karachi, was attended by […]
Read MoreXi Jinping — a champion of mutual learning among civilizations
Henan Daily Beijing: In the book-lined office of Professor Stelios Virvidakis at the University of Athens, Greece’s oldest and most esteemed academic institution, a letter is carefully preserved like a precious, delicate bridge model. It came from President Xi Jinping, delivered to congratulate the inauguration of the China-Greece Center for Mutual Learning of Civilizations in […]
Read MoreJapanese cinema wins big at Portugal’s Fantasporto film awards
Newswire Lisbon: Since the Annabelle doll became an instantly recognisable icon in the horror universe just over 10 years ago, the myth of the doll that comes to life (as old as cinematic horror itself) has come back into fashion. With Dollhouse, by Japanese director Shinobu Yaguchi, the big winner at this year’s Fantasporto, which […]
Read MoreBritish diplomat Jo Moir highlights key area for climate journalists
Celina Ali Islamabad: Jo Moir, Development Director at the British High Commission, this week highlighted key area for reporting for the climate journalists. Speaking at a Climate Journalist workshop, she acknowledged the challenges faced by journalists covering climate stories. She highlighted three main areas for climate journalists to concentrate their reporting on: Nationally Determined Contributions […]
Read MoreWhat is in the huge German spending plan agreed by parties?
Berlin: German Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz reached an agreement with the Greens this week on a massive increase in state borrowing just days ahead of a parliamentary vote next week. This should ensure the package’s approval in the lower house of Germany’s parliament on Tuesday and by the upper house on Friday. Of the promised infrastructure […]
Read MoreBulgaria’s producer prices surge to second-highest in EU in early 2025
Newswire Sofia: Producer prices in Bulgaria this week saw significant growth at the beginning of 2025, positioning the country among the fastest-growing in the European Union. According to Eurostat data, Bulgaria recorded the second-highest increase in producer prices within the EU in January 2025. Producer prices across the euro area and the EU increased more […]
Read MoreAmbassador Riina Kionka calls on Prime Minister
Celina Ali Islamabad: Ambassador of the European Union (EU), Dr. Riina Kionka on Friday paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif here at the Prime Minister’s House. At the outset, the Prime Minister thanked the EU Ambassador for expressing condolences on the recent terrorist attack on Jaffar Express train in Balochistan and […]
Read MoreUmar Rehman Malik strongly condemns Jaffer Express attack, calls for national unity
Abdullah Jan Islamabad: Umar Rehman Malik, Head of PPP Digital Media, has strongly condemned the barbaric terrorist attack on Jaffer Express, calling it an unforgivable crime against innocent civilians. He emphasized that such cowardly acts will never break Pakistan’s spirit or weaken the nation’s unwavering resolve against terrorism. “Our prayers are with the victims and […]
Read MoreShaping crypto policy: Italy aligns with EU and US shifts
Newswire Rome: Italy is advancing its crypto regulatory framework through Legislative Decree 129/2024, aligning domestic law with the EU’s MiCAR. With enforcement set for June 2025 and oversight by Consob and the Bank of Italy, the initiative aims to balance innovation and risk, mirroring similar shifts in Washington Driving the future. Italy is moving decisively […]
Read MoreThe Japanese town turning cowpats into hydrogen fuel
Paul Carter and Kitty Knowles Tokyo: In Japan, a smelly waste product is being reimagined as a potential clean fuel of the future that is powering cars and tractors. We’re being eyed suspiciously by dozens of cows. Their breath fogs cartoonishly from their nostrils. It’s a brisk morning in snowy Hokkaido, an island in the […]
Read MorePakistan may face travel ban by US if govt doesn’t address ‘deficiencies within 60 days’
Islamabad: Donald Trump’s administration in Washington is considering issuing sweeping travel restrictions for the citizens of dozens of countries as part of a new ban and Pakistan has been placed in a group that would be considered for a partial suspension of visa issuance if their governments “do not make efforts to address deficiencies within […]
Read MoreAsim Iftikhar Ahmad to take over as Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN on March 31
Celina Ali Islamabad: Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad will formally step into his role as Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) on March 31, 2025, following the retirement of Munir Akram. At 80 years old, Munir Akram has concluded a diplomatic career that spanned nearly two decades at the UN, during which he represented […]
Read MoreAustralia HC condemns Jaffar express attack, offers sympathies to Pakistan
Celina Ali Islamabad: The Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Neil Hawkins, this week strongly condemned the attack and hijacking of the Jaffar Express Train in Balochistan province, Pakistan. Australian Government denounces the incident and offers its deepest sympathies to those affected, he said in his post on social media platform, X. Hawkins emphasized that Australia […]
Read MoreKazakhstan Welcomes Peace Agreement Between Azerbaijan and Armenia
Astana: Kazakhstan this week welcomed the statements from the Ministries of foreign affairs of Azerbaijan and Armenia regarding the conclusion of negotiations on the draft Agreement on Peace and the Establishment of Inter-State Relations between the two countries. “We express confidence that the agreements reached and the signing of this historic document will be an […]
Read MoreArchimedes’ mirrors and dawn of a new energy age in China
Ding Gang More than two thousand years ago, atop the walls of Syracuse in Sicily, Archimedes was said to have directed soldiers to raise polished bronze shields. According to legend, these reflective surfaces concentrated sunlight into deadly beams, igniting the sails of Roman warships. When I stood on a platform to see the vast array […]
Read More‘Greater BRICS’ a platform to foster constructive consensus
Evandro Menezes de Carvalho The first few months of the Trump administration have shaken up the chessboard of the international system. Some pieces on this board, which were accustomed to playing in certain positions, are being discarded or forced to assume new roles. Using chess as a metaphor, those who were once “queens” are now […]
Read MoreItaly rejects peacekeeper role in Ukraine, sticks to security guarantees
Rome: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni this week confirmed that Italy does not foresee any involvement in a potential military mission on the ground in Ukraine. The statement came following her participation in a videoconference with around 25 Western leaders, convened by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, to discuss the ongoing situation in Ukraine, Caliber.Az […]
Read MoreFrance’s Macron says Russia must accept Ukraine 30-day ceasefire proposal
Newswire Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron said this week that Russia must accept a proposed 30-day ceasefire deal put forward by the United States and Ukraine. Macron added he had discussed the situation on Friday with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Zelenskiy, speaking in his nightly video address, said he […]
Read MoreChinese military vows to achieve PLA centenary goals on schedule
Henan Daily Zhangzhou: The Chinese military will spare no effort to reach the goals set for the centenary of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in 2027, a spokesperson said this week. Wu Qian, spokesperson for the delegation of the PLA and the People’s Armed Police Force, described reaching the PLA centenary goals and speeding up […]
Read MoreDenmark says it remains open to possible troop deployment in Ukraine
Copenhagen: Denmark Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Sunday said her government remains “open-minded” about deploying Danish soldiers to Ukraine as part of a potential peacekeeping force. “As I have said before, we have an open mind as a Danish government,” Frederiksen told TV2 following a high-level meeting in London hosted by UK Prime Minister Keir […]
Read MoreBilawal Bhutto meets key envoys, bilateral relations discussed
Liaquat Ali Islamabad: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari this week held separate meetings with the ambassadors from key Western countries and discussed with them ways to enhance mutually beneficial relations, particularly in trade, economic growth, and regional peace efforts. Bilawal Bhutto met with British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, French Ambassador Nicolas Galey […]
Read MoreChinese-invested rooftop solar project accelerates energy transition in Pakistan
Mia Shah – Gwadar Pro Beijing: CHINT Solar, a clean energy solution provider based in China, is leveraging its advanced photovoltaic technology and high-quality products to successfully contribute to the construction of multiple rooftop solar projects in Pakistan. These initiatives offer clean and reliable energy solutions for local residents and businesses, further accelerating Pakistan’s energy […]
Read MoreZhengzhou’s efforts on becoming international consumption center city
Henan Daily Zhangzhou: In its bid to become an international consumption center city, Zhengzhou city, capital of Central China’s Henan province, is focusing on the development of new consumption spaces, scenarios, models and growth drivers. Large commercial complexes play a pivotal role as significant consumption hubs. Over the past two years, Zhengzhou has continuously driven […]
Read MoreTongwei signs 650MW solar module supply agreement with leading Pakistani companies
Mia Shah – Gwadar Pro Beijing: Recently, Tongwei Group entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with three Pakistani companies—Perfect Services, Nimir Energy, and Mateen Sons—for the supply of 650 MW of solar modules. This collaboration emphasizes Tongwei’s high-efficiency TNC-G12/G12R modules. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, Pakistan receives over 3,000 hours of sunlight each […]
Read MoreBritish High Commission’s Chevening Climate Mentorship Group celebrates success
High Commissioner Jane Marriott says climate change a huge challenge Celina Ali Islamabad: The British High Commission in Pakistan this week held a closing ceremony to celebrate the achievements of the Chevening Climate Mentorship Scheme participants. Through the scheme, 25 young climate activists, journalists and professionals were connected with 11 Chevening alumni who are actively […]
Read MoreHow Germany’s car industry is bracing for Donald Trump’s tariffs
Berlin: US President Donald Trump this week sparked a tariff war with the US’ three largest trading partners, slapping 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, and doubling an already imposed import tariff on China to 20%. On Thursday, he backtracked and postponed the tariffs on multiple imports from Mexico and some from Canada, but emphasised […]
Read MoreZelenskyy: We deeply appreciate the solidarity of the Bulgarian people
Newswire Sofia: In a post on X this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he had had a meaningful conversation with Bulgarian Prime Minister Rossen Zhelyazkov and had “expressed gratitude for Bulgaria’s unwavering support for Ukraine”. “We deeply appreciate the solidarity of the Bulgarian people,” said Zelenskyy, who is attending the special European Council […]
Read More‘The entire coastline will be cemented over’
The tiny town in Italy set to become a dock for giant cruise ships Newswire Rome: On a cloudy day in January, Isola Sacra, a hamlet in Fiumicino, 20 miles from Rome, does not look like a place that would attract masses of tourists. Low-rise family homes with small gardens alternate with meadows and fields […]
Read MoreWomen have played an inspiring role in Pakistan: Umar Rehman Malik
Abdullah Jan Islamabad: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Umar Rehman Malik said this week that the women have played an inspiring role in the country. “On International Women’s Day, we honour the resilience and contributions of Pakistani women in shaping our nation. From Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah to Shaheed Benazir Bhutto—the first female Prime Minister of […]
Read MoreHigh Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri pays tribute to Palestinian people’s bravery, courage
Canberra: Pakistani High Commissioner in Australia Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri this week paid tribute to the Palestinian people’s bravery and courage. “Amid the ruins of war, resilience shines through. Sharing from today’s The Australian a powerful image of people gathering for Iftar, sharing a meal surrounded by devastation—but not defeated by it. A testament to faith, […]
Read MoreAmbassador Mumtaz Zahra Baloch presents credentials to President of France
Newswire Paris: Ambassador Mumtaz Zahra Baloch this week presented her letters of credence as Pakistan’s Ambassador to France to President Emmanuel Macron. At a dignified Presentation of Credentials ceremony held at the Elysee Palace, Ambassador Mumtaz Zahra Baloch conveyed the best regards of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to President […]
Read MoreAt UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad proposes key themes for 2026 UN Water Conference
Celina Ali Islamabad: Pakistan this week proposed transboundary water cooperation and the water-climate-environment nexus as key themes for inclusion in the interactive dialogue of the upcoming 2026 UN Water Conference. Delivering a national statement during the organizational session of the 2026 UN Water Conference at the ECOSOC Chamber, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s Alternate Permanent […]
Read MorePakistan-Japan parliamentary group discusses strengthening of expanding economic, development cooperation
Celina Ali Islamabad: Pakistan-Japan Parliamentary Group meeting this week focused on strengthening bilateral relations and expanding economic and development cooperation between Pakistan and Japan. Chaired by Senator Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto, the meeting highlighted the mutual benefits of strong diplomatic ties between the two countries. Senator Bhutto, along with senior officials from the Senate Secretariat, warmly […]
Read MorePakistan hails renewed cooperation with US after Sharifullah arrest
Liaquat Ali Islamabad: Pakistan this week highlighted its counterterrorism cooperation with Washington after the arrest of Mohammad Sharifullah, whom it blames for a 2021 attack on US troops at Kabul airport, in a military operation along the border with Afghanistan. “We will continue to partner closely with the United States in securing regional peace and […]
Read MoreThe EU Roadmap for Women’s Rights: A renewed push for gender equality
Newswire Brussels: Returning home after sunset, a woman removes her headphones, lowers her hood, and keeps an eye on each man she passes. She cannot stop thinking about the man who followed her home and attacked her. She is 1 in 3 women to have experienced physical and/or sexual violence in the past 12 months […]
Read MoreWhat is behind the rise of ‘China AI threat’ narrative in the West?
Ding Gang The US anxiety and fear of China is nothing new. It has played out like an endless drama with infinite sequels since the Cold War. The latest installment in this long-running saga features a flashy new twist: the “threat” of Chinese artificial intelligence (AI). This time, the “theme song” is straightforward: “China must […]
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