Over 15,000 China-Europe freight trains depart from Henan

Henan Daily Zhengzhou: On June 28, a fully loaded freight train left the China-Europe Railway Express (Zhengzhou) assembly center, marking a significant milestone with over 15,000 China-Europe trains launched from Henan. This “Steel Silk Road”, stretching across Eurasia, now operates more than 12 trains daily, cutting the travel time from Central China to the world […]

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Karbala guiding light to stand firm for righteousness: Bilawal Bhutto

Liaquat Ali Islamabad: Chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that Youm-e-Ashura reminds us of the eternal struggle between truth and falsehood, justice and tyranny. The supreme sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS), his family and companions at Karbala is a guiding light for all those who rise against oppression and […]

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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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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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Italy: Leonardo, Baykar’s super smart drone project begins

Newswire Rome: The joint venture “LBA Systems,” announced this week at the 55th Paris Air Show between Türkiye’s leading unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturer, Baykar, and Italian Leonardo, one of Europe’s largest defense companies, was covered in the Italian press. The country’s high-circulation newspaper, Corriere della Sera, reported under the headline “Leonardo’s drone agreement with […]

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A shadow that glows

Newswire Lahore: La Galerie, Alliance Française de Lahore, this week presented ‘A Shadow That Glow’s, a group exhibition curated by Amra Khan and Anne Sophie Francais, featuring the works of six emerging artists: Aleena Usman, Hamna Malik, Joyce Gill, Noor Fatima, Shiza Ali Noor, and Zainab Lashari. A Shadow That Glows gathered six artists whose […]

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Xi urges hard work to build strong China as CPC marks 120th birth anniversary of veteran leader Chen Yun

Henan Daily Zhengzhou: President Xi Jinping this week called for learning from veteran leader Chen Yun and carrying forward his legacy with an enterprising spirit and hard work to build China into a strong country. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, […]

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France says supports Harvard, welcomes foreign students

Newswire Paris: France’s Foreign Minister said this week his country supported students and staff at Harvard, after President Donald Trump tried to ban foreign students from the prestigious US university. “We stand with universities facing the threat of government control, restriction to their funding, constraints on their curricula or research projects,” Jean-Noel Barrot said during […]

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Italy modernises military pilot training with introduction of Leonardo M-345

Rome: Italy this week marked a significant milestone in military aviation with the official induction of Leonardo’s M-345 trainer aircraft into service with the Italian Air Force. The new jet, designated T-345A by the Armed Forces, is now operational with the 61st Wing at Galatina Air Base, replacing the long-serving MB-339. Developed and produced by […]

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Denmark picks French, German and Norwegian air defence suppliers

Newswire Copenhagen: Denmark will acquire short-range air defence systems from MBDA France, Germany’s Diehl Defence and Kongsberg Gruppen of Norway, the Nordic country’s defence ministry said in a statement this week. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in February ordered the military to go on a buying spree to beef up the country’s defences in preparation […]

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“Don’t let them silence you,” urges Aseefa after Sana Yousaf’s murder

Liaquat Ali Islamabad: First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari this week strongly condemned the murder of teenage influencer Sana Yousaf, calling it a tragic reminder of violence against women in Pakistan. Sana, who was shot dead at her Islamabad home just before her 17th birthday, had rejected repeated advances from the alleged killer, Omar Hayat. The […]

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Italy: Referendum on easing citizenship rules thwarted by low turnout

Newswire Rome: An Italian referendum on easing citizenship rules and strengthening labour protections this week failed after hard-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni encouraged voters to boycott the vote. As polls closed on Monday, it emerged that many citizens had heeded Meloni’s call as only 30 percent of the electorate cast their ballots over two days […]

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France keen to strengthen educational ties with Pakistan

Abdullah Jan Lahore: France and Pakistan are poised to deepen cooperation in higher education following a high-level meeting at the French Embassy in Islamabad between renowned career counsellor Syed Abidi and the embassy’s cultural and education team. Under the stewardship of French Ambassador Nicolas Galey, bilateral relations have entered a new phase of vitality, with […]

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International tourists drive shopping surge in China

Henan Daily Zhengzhou: Favourable policies such as visa-free transit and a nationwide instant tax refund system are helping to make China an increasingly popular destination for international travellers, alongside strong global demand for “Made in China” products. At a DJI store in Beijing’s SKP mall on April 23, an American tourist browsed drones on his […]

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Governor Faisal Karim Kundi greets Italy on National Day

Liaquat Ali Islamabad: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Faisal Karim Kundi this week attended a ceremony to mark Italy’s National Day on the invitation of the Italian Ambassador to Pakistan, Marilina Armellin. During the event, Governor Kundi joined the Ambassador and other distinguished guests in cutting a celebratory cake in honor of Italy’s National Day. Extending warm […]

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National Day: Italy can play role of ‘peace builder’ in ‘volatile’ global, regional scenario: Atta Tarar

Celina Ali Islamabad: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar this week said Pakistan look to Italy as an important country which could play the role of peace builder in the volatile regional and global scenario. Addressing the celebration ceremony of Italy’s National Day, he said Pakistan and Italy share a rich history of […]

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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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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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Italy: Meloni warns EU green policies risk ‘industrial desertification’

Newswire Rome: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni this week warned that rigid green policies could devastate Europe’s industrial base, and called for a more cautious approach to the ecological transition that protects economic and social stability. Speaking after meeting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Meloni said the European Union’s push towards electrification, particularly in the automotive […]

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France lauds Pakistan’s efforts for regional peace, stability

Celina Ali Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar this week held a telephonic conversation with Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Jean-Noël Barrot. The Deputy Prime Minister informed that Pakistan has shown restraint throughout the crisis and only exercised its right to self-defence, in line with the UN Charter and […]

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China, Russia foster green partnership

Henan Daily Zhengzhou: Russia and China are forging a broader and greener energy partnership that far transcends the traditional fossil energy trade, taking in hydrogen and renewables, according to a think tank official. This deepening partnership signals broadening cooperation between the two countries, encompassing many sectors, said Zhang Xiuling, director of the Overseas Investment Environment […]

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