China files WTO suit against EU over tariffs on Chinese EVs

Liu Yang and Chi Jingyi Beining: China this week initiated dispute settlement proceedings against the EU’s provisional anti-subsidy measures against Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) at the WTO to safeguard the interests of its EV industry’s development and global green transition cooperation, China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said. Experts said that the move suggests that China […]

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Denmark’s Maersk to invest $2bn in Pakistan’s ports over 2 years

Celina Ali Islamabad: In a major upcoming economic development for Pakistan, Denmark’s Maersk Shipping Line will invest $2 billion over the next two years in the infrastructure of ports, terminals, dredging, transshipment, and road construction. This announcement was made this week by the Federal Minister for Naval Affairs Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh while briefing journalists in […]

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Bilawal Bhutto committed to safeguarding rights of minorities

Liaquat Ali Islamabad: Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari this week reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights and fostering the development and empowerment of minorities in Pakistan. He emphasized that the PPP will never compromise on these core principles. The PPP Chairman on the occasion of National Minorities Day, underscored his […]

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Shehbaz Sharif vows to follow China model for economic success

Celina Ali ISLAMABAD, August 2: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif this week pledged to revamp Pakistan’s economy by emulating China’s model. The PM stressed that the objective would be to achieve similar economic success on a smaller scale. Speaking to a 12-member Chinese delegation led by Wang Fukang, the prime minister said that during his […]

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A greener getaway? Danish capital tests climate reward scheme for tourists

Copenhagen: Tourists visiting Copenhagen this summer are encouraged to participate in unusual kinds of vacation fun, including plucking floating trash from the Danish capital’s waterways, cycling to museums instead of going by car, or volunteering at an urban garden. All these activities are part of a new, four-week pilot project called CopenPay that rewards tourists […]

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Rubina Khalid emphasizes zero tolerance against misbehavior with women beneficiaries

Liaquat Ali Islamabad: Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Senator Rubina Khalid during her visit to the Peshawar Tehsil Office this week emphasized that there will be zero tolerance against any misbehavior with the women beneficiaries. The purpose of the visit was to monitor the arrangements at the office and review the facilities provided for […]

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Italy-funded asylum centres in Albania to be fully operational by September

Rome: Italy’s controversial plan to open migrant processing centres in Albania has been delayed. Officials cite construction issues at the Gjadër site primarily due to the region’s hot weather. Initially set to open this week, the centres are expected to be operational in several weeks, according to Italian Cabinet Secretary Alfredo Mantovano. The agreement signed […]

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Pakistan, France vow to deepen economic relations

Celina Ali Islamabad: Pakistan and France this week affirmed their commitment to deepen economic relations, exploring investment opportunities, and expanding bilateral trade. This commitment was expressed during a meeting between Minister of State for Finance Ali Pervaiz Malik and French Ambassador Nicolas Galey in Islamabad. Ali Pervaiz Malik provided an overview of Pakistan’s economic progress, […]

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China opening up to bring new opportunities for China-EU cooperation: Wang Yi

Beijing: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell in Vientiane, Laos this week. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee […]

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President Zardari calls for expanding outreach of BISP, number of beneficiaries

Liaquat Ali Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari this week underscored the need for enhancing the outreach of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) as well as the number of beneficiaries for the uplift of underprivileged sections of society. President Zardari was talking to Chairperson BISP Rubina Khalid during a briefing on the program. President Asif […]

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China urges US to stop deceiving the world with lies

Global Times Beijing: The US should immediately correct its wrongdoings, stop deceiving the world with lies, cease slandering and smearing other countries, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said this week commenting on the report of US Marine Corps’ release of official doctrine on how it employs deception. The US should provide an explanation to […]

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Interfaith harmony crucial for peace: Governor Faisal Kundi

Liaquat Ali Peshawar: Khyber Pakhtunkhaw Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Faisal Karim Kundi this week emphasized the urgent need for interfaith harmony, calling it pivotal for fostering peace. He said this during his visit to Gurdwara Bhai Joga Singh, Jogian Shah. He was accompanied by provincial president Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Muhammad Ali Shah Bacha, former minority […]

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France recalls contaminated Olympic water bottles

Parsi: French authorities have recalled Olympics-branded water bottles for children containing excessive levels of endocrine disruptor Bisphenol A. The reusable bottles made by the Vilac company have “levels of Bisphenol A not in line with regulations” on products designed for contact with foods, government website Rappel Conso (Consumer Recall) said. The white-coloured flasks with beige, […]

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China warns Japan not to act as NATO ‘vanguard’

Liu Caiyu Beijing: China this week urged Japan to play a constructive role in maintaining and promoting peace, stability, development, and not act as a “vanguard” of NATO’s Asia-Pacific expansion, following Japan’s new defense white paper, which delivers its strongest words yet on Taiwan island. Observers said that such narratives smearing China expose Japan’s real […]

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Bilawal Bhutto urges focus on population control for sustainable development

Liaquat Ali Islamabad: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari this week called upon the government and society to address the issue of rapid population growth for sustainable development and a prosperous future for all. He emphasised that reducing Pakistan’s population growth rate could significantly improve the quality of life for its citizens. In […]

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Pakistanis invited to invest in Indonesia

Liaquat Ali Peshawar: Indonesian diplomats this week invited Khyber Pakhtunkhwa businessmen to make investments in their country and offered multiple facilities along with a five-year tax holiday. Rahmat Hindiarta Kusuma, chargé d’affaires, and Axelsyah R Miraza, economic attaché and M Syofiyan Sur of the embassy of Republic of Indonesia made the offer during a visit […]

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China urges US to stop smearing China, contribute to cyberspace security

Beijing: China urges the United States to stop its smears and vilification against China, act responsibly and contribute to the peace and security of the cyberspace, a foreign ministry spokesperson said this week. Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks at a daily press briefing when asked to comment on a newly-released report by China’s National […]

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Bhutto’s execution benefited Zia, violated justice: SC

Abdullah Jan Islamabad: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has issued a detailed opinion on the presidential reference regarding the execution of former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, acknowledging that an innocent person was hanged without a transparent trial. Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa penned the 48-page opinion, with additional notes provided by Justice Sardar Tariq […]

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Italy: PM Meloni insists French election result not defeat for far right

Rome: Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, this week said that no party in France emerged victorious in the just-concluded legislative elections, in which the far-right National Rally (RN) was beaten into third by a leftist coalition and President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist bloc. The Italian leader’s comments were part of reactions pouring from across Europe over […]

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China’s EV architect says investing in Europe a way forward

Hefei: The man who spearheaded China’s electric car strategy said Wednesday that Chinese investment in the European electric vehicles industry could be a way forward for both sides amid trade tensions. “I believe the governments [of China and the European Union] are now considering how, through negotiations, they can combine investment together with commodity trade,” […]

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MoU signed to promote ‘Made in Pakistan Products’ in France

Celina Ali Islamabad: Pakistan’s Ambassador to France Asim Iftikhar Ahmad this week attended a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between Business Forum and International Business & Professional Corporation aimed at boosting commerce and trade activities and promoting ‘Made in Pakistan’ Products in France. Participants appreciated the working of Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), which […]

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Denmark to help Pakistan with green transition: Ambassador Jakob Linulf

Celina Ali Islamabad: Ambassador of Denmark to Pakistan Jakob Linulf said this week that Denmark will continue to help Pakistan with green transition. In an interview, the Ambassador shared insights into Denmark’s extensive efforts to aid Pakistan in climate change adaptation and green transition. Ambassador Linulf, with his vast experience in trade, business promotion, climate, […]

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France deepens military ties with Germany, Poland

Paris: France, Germany and Poland agreed this week to deepen defense cooperation ahead of a snap election that could see the far-right National Rally enter the French government. French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu shared the stage with his German and Polish counterparts, Boris Pistorius and Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, to make the announcements on joint exercises, […]

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Pakistan to follow China to promote business opportunities

Celina Ali Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said this week that his country will seek assistance from Chinese experts to establish a pilot facilitation center modeled after the one-stop shop in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, to promote a business and investor-friendly environment. Addressing a meeting to enhance business opportunities and facilitate the business […]

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Sherry Rehman elected chair of Senate panel on climate change

Liaquat Ali Islamabad: Senator Sherry Rehman was this week unanimously elected as the chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change. Her nomination by Senator Qurratulain Marri was seconded by Senator Agha Shahzaib Durrani. In her acceptance speech, Senator Sherry Rehman expressed gratitude to her colleagues for their support and confidence in her leadership. […]

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Macron: France facing ‘very serious’ moment as far-right and far-left lead polls

Borgo Egnazia: France is facing a “very serious” moment as parliamentary elections loom, said President Emmanuel Macron on Friday, with financial markets rattled by the country’s far-right and far-left political blocs currently leading polls. Political uncertainty has already triggered a brutal sell-off of French bonds and stocks after Macron unexpectedly called the election, following a […]

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