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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Xi’s diplomacy injects certainty, stability into turbulent world

Henan Daily Zhengzhou: President Xi Jinping has engaged in extensive diplomatic efforts both at home and abroad this spring, cementing a closer bond with neighboring countries, advocating unity and cooperation, and injecting certainty and stability into a turbulent world. In a world grappling with growing uncertainty and instability fueled by protectionism and unilateralism, China has […]

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DPM Dar holds telephone conversation with Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen

Celina Ali Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar this week held a telephone conversation with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen. Ishaq Dar briefed the Foreign Minister of Denmark on the evolving regional situation and the measures taken by Pakistan’s National Security Committee in response to India’s baseless accusations and its unilateral and provocative actions. […]

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Imran Leghari credits Bilawal Bhutto’s leadership for political consensus

Liaquat Ali Islamabad: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Imran Leghari this week lauded the recent Council of Common Interests (CCI) meeting as a triumph for constitutional supremacy and political consensus, attributing the breakthrough to the leadership and efforts of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Leghari said the long-overdue CCI session was a response to the […]

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France to compensate more Harki families for mistreatment after Algerian War

Paris: France this week recognised additional sites at which Harkis – Muslims who fought alongside the French during the Algerian War – faced harsh living conditions following Algeria’s independence. While the move will allow up to 6,000 more Harkis and their descendants to claim compensation, groups representing the victims say it doesn’t go far enough […]

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Greenland, Denmark affirm alliance amid Trump’s interest in US control

Copenhagen: Greenland and Denmark agreed this week to strengthen their ties in response to US President Donald Trump’s interest in taking control of the strategically located Arctic island, their leaders said after talks in Copenhagen. Greenland’s new Prime Minister, Mr Jens-Frederik Nielsen, landed in the Danish capital on April 26 for a three-day visit, in […]

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Bilawal Bhutto urges dialogue with India amid escalating tensions

Liaquat Ali Islamabad: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari this week called for dialogue between Pakistan and India to resolve ongoing disputes, as tensions between the two countries continue to rise. In an interview, Bilawal criticised India’s rejection of Pakistan’s offer for talks following the deadly April 22 attack on tourists in Indian […]

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France says ‘non’ to loosening rules for arms exports in Europe

Newswire Paris: Paris this week raised its voice against any revision of the current EU rules on export control for defence gear within the bloc, sources with knowledge of the plans told Euractiv. To reduce administrative burdens and speed up weapons production, the Commission proposed facilitating the movement of defence components across EU countries, regulated […]

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Bilawal Bhutto threatens to quit coalition over canal project

Liaquat Ali Islamabad: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari this week strongly criticised the Pakistan government over the controversial canal project and threatened to withdraw support from the ruling coalition if the initiative is not scrapped, The Express Tribune reported. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari demanded that the Pakistan government withdraw the proposed canal initiatives […]

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Macron invites scientists to work in France amid US funding cuts

Newswire Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron this week invited scientists from all over the world to come work in France or Europe, as US President Donald Trump’s new administration has started slashing funding for universities and research bodies. Macron did not mention the US, where hundreds of scientists have been dismissed in cutbacks to research […]

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China-SCO trade hits record $890 billion

Henan Daily Zhengzhou: The trade volume between China and the member states, observer states and dialogue partners of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization reached a record high of $890 billion in 2024. The figure, representing 14.4 percent of the country’s total exports, was disclosed during a conference on industrial cooperation for sustainable development among SCO members […]

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Pakistan, Denmark forge $2 billion maritime partnership to modernize ports

Celina Ali Islamabad: Pakistan and Denmark this week announced a significant partnership worth $2 billion to modernize the country’s maritime infrastructure. This collaboration aims to improve port operations and enhance global trade competitiveness. The announcement came during a meeting between Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry and Danish Ambassador Jakob Linulf. They agreed […]

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Bilawal Bhutto re-elected as PPP chairman

Liaquat Ali Islamabad: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was re-elected as Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) this week for another four-year term following the party’s intra-party elections held at the Central Secretariat in Islamabad The elections, conducted in accordance with the PPP’s constitution, finalised key leadership positions for the next four years. Alongside Bilawal Bhutto […]

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Denmark PM to US on Greenland: You cannot annex another country

Newswire Copenhagen: Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen this week called for increased Arctic defence collaboration with the United States during a visit to Greenland, and firmly dismissed Washington’s desire to annex the semi-autonomous Danish territory. Frederiksen’s visit follows months of tension between Washington and Copenhagen over US President Donald Trump’s repeated declarations that the Arctic […]

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Bilawal Bhutto warns against exploiting Balochistan crisis

Liaquat Ali Islamabad: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari this week warned against attempts to exploit the situation in Balochistan and vowed to counter any threats to the federation. He made these remarks while addressing a gathering on the 46th death anniversary of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh. […]

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