Bilawal Bhutto says Zardari PPP’s candidate for President

Liaquat Ali Islamabad: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said this week that his father Asif Ali Zardari would be the party’s candidate for the presidential election. The comments come a day after talks between PPP and PML-N to devise a power-sharing formula in the upcoming coalition government remained inconclusive, though both sides […]

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Europe has ambition to be the first climate-neutral continent: Ambassador Dr Riina Kionka

Celina Ali Islamabad: Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan Dr Riina Kionka said this week that Europe has the ambition to be the first climate-neutral continent. She was addressing a large gathering at the Jinnah Convention Center here on to participate in “EuroVillage,” organized by the European Union and its Member States. This year’s […]

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Canada’s rural communities will continue long decline unless something’s done, says researcher

Ottawa: A researcher at Western University says rural communities in Canada will continue their long population decline unless governments intervene with policy changes to address new immigrants’ preference to settle in major urban centres rather than small towns, villages and hamlets. The story of rural Canada over the last 55 years has been one of […]

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Bilawal Bhutto: Pakistan’s rising political force advocating democracy

Liaquat Ali Islamabad: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the rising political figure in Pakistan, advocates for democratic governance, economic stability, and electoral reforms. He addresses critical issues such as missing persons, respectful engagement, and the privatization of state-owned enterprises. With an ambitious manifesto focusing on sectors like agriculture and energy, Bilawal’s commitment to a democratic, inclusive, and […]

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France plans to revoke birthplace citizenship in Mayotte

Newswire Paris: French authorities this week announced a controversial plan to amend the Constitution to revoke birthplace citizenship on the French Indian Ocean island of Mayotte, which has been struggling with social unrest and a crippling migration crisis. France currently grants citizenship through both bloodline and birthplace, and this proposal risks further ramping up tensions […]

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French FM rejects ‘forced displacement’ of Gazans to Egypt

Newswire Cairo: France’s top diplomat Stephane Sejourne said this week that he rejects the “forced displacement” of Palestinians into Egypt from the Gaza Strip, where Israeli bombardment has pushed hundreds of thousands against the border. At the start of his first Middle East tour as foreign minister, Sejourne addressed his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry in […]

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Pakistan must invest in climate resilience to survive: Bilawal Bhutto

Liaquat Ali Islamabad: Pakistan must invest in climate resilience for its survival, prime ministerial hopeful Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said in a wide-ranging interview. He said he had been ready to quit the government while he was foreign minister because there were no new climate-resilience projects in the federal budget following devastating floods that killed more […]

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Italy’s Meloni urges swift trial for Italian activist held in Hungary

Newswire Brussels: The Italian anti-fascist activist held in Hungary for assaulting far-right militants should be granted a quick trial, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said this week, wading into a controversy that is souring relations between Rome and Budapest. Images of Ilaria Salis, 39, being led into court on Monday with her feet and hands […]

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Greece, UAE sign memorandum for data center investments in Greece

Athens: Greece and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a memorandum of collaboration in Abu Dhabi this week for the promotion of investments in digital infrastructure in Greece. Signing the memorandum were Greek Digital Governance Minister Dimitris Papastergiou and UAE Investments Minister and CEO of ADQ, Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi. The memorandum specifically foresees the construction […]

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Xi urges China, France to jointly open up path of peace, progress for human development

Beijing: As today’s world is once again at a critical crossroads, China and France should jointly open up a path of peace, security, prosperity and progress for human development, Chinese President Xi Jinping said here this week. Xi made the remarks as he exchanged congratulations with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, on the 60th anniversary […]

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Greece’s emergency response migrant program receives award

Newswire Athens: Greece’s National Emergency Response Mechanism (NERM) program, established two years ago in collaboration with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), has received an award of ‘best practice’ for its contribution to rescuing young migrants from organized crime. Greece has earned recognition for its National Emergency Response Mechanism (NERM) program, a collaborative effort with […]

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Bilawal Bhutto urges people to thwart PML-N ‘conspiracy’

Liaquat Ali Rawalpindi: Taking a jibe at former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari this week urged the masses to thwart “conspiracy” of those aiming to become prime minister for the fourth time by voting for his party. Addressing a rally at Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh, Bilawal accused Pakistan Muslim […]

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Italy’s Meloni targets energy, migration with Africa plan

Newswire Rome: Italy’s hard-right Giorgia Meloni reveals her long-trailed development plan for Africa this weekend, a “non-predatory” approach which critics warn favours European priorities and pockets. Prime Minister Meloni, who came to power in 2022 on an anti-migrant ticket, hopes to posit Italy as a key bridge between Africa and Europe, funnelling energy north while […]

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Aseefa Bhutto vows to carry forward mother’s vision

Laiquat Ali Islamabad Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, daughter of the late Benazir Bhutto, delivered a poignant speech during her visit to Maripur, echoing the legacy of her mother and the Bhutto family. Embracing her lineage, she reminded the crowd of her connection to Benazir Bhutto, emphasizing her commitment to continue her mother’s mission. “Benazir Bhutto was […]

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Indonesia supports Palestine’s full UN membership in the NAM Summit

Newswire Jakarta: Indonesia expressed support for the full membership of Palestine in the United Nations during the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, this week. Deputy Foreign Minister Pahala Nugraha Mansury voiced Indonesia’s support for Palestine’s full UN membership at the NAM Summit by underlining the importance of […]

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Bilawal Bhutto asks PTI supporters to vote for PPP

Liaquat Ali Lahore: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari this week urged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters to rally behind his party in the upcoming general elections, pledging to put an end to the politics of revenge and division. “I’ve experienced the oppression of PML-N myself, and I wouldn’t want any political party worker […]

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Taiwan election: China says US ‘gravely wrong’ to congratulate new leader

Beijing: China this week accused the US of sending “a gravely wrong signal” to those pushing for Taiwan’s independence after Saturday’s election result. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken sent “Taiwanese president-elect William Lai” a message of congratulations following the result. Beijing called the message a violation of Washington’s commitment to maintain only unofficial ties […]

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Italy’s Meloni attempts to soften Hungary’s stance on EU aid to Ukraine

Newswire Rome: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is presently in the thick of a diplomatic initiative aimed at swaying Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s stance against the European Union’s assistance for Ukraine. Meloni’s endeavor is not solely for diplomatic relations; it also carries political implications within the EU. A successful persuasion could lead to Hungary’s […]

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China calls for stabilizing ties with US

Xu Wei Beijing: China reaffirmed its commitment to building a stable, healthy and sustainable relationship with the United States this week, with its top diplomat calling on both sides to assume the vision and role befitting major countries to give the world “rock-solid certainty and positive energy”. Addressing a reception commemorating the 45th anniversary of […]

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Indonesia targets exports to China at over US$65 billion in 2024

Jakarta: The Indonesian Government targets this year’s exports to China at around US$65 – 70 billion, said Director General of National Export Development at the country’s Ministry of Trade Didi Sumedi. He said that total exports to China during January-November 2023 stood at US$56.57 billion, and the whole year’s value is projected to reach some […]

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Ambassador Andreas Ferrarese praises contribution of Pakistanis in Italy

Celina Ali Islamabad: Italy’s Ambassador to Pakistan Andreas Ferrarese this week praised the contribution of Pakistanis in Italy. In a recent media interaction, he said Italy was home to a significant and growing Pakistani community, estimating the population at around 200,000, with 140,000 having official documentation. The envoy said this indicates a robust presence of […]

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Xi for continuously consolidating, developing China-Russia ties

Newswire Beijing: The development of China-Russia relations in the past three-quarters of a century has shown that to continuously consolidate and develop bilateral relations featuring permanent good-neighborly friendship, comprehensive strategic coordination and mutually beneficial cooperation serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, meets the expectations of the international community and conforms to […]

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Ambassador Andreas Ferrarese pledges to ease work visas process in near future

Celina Ali Islamabad: Ambassador of Italy to Pakistan Andreas Ferrarese this week pledged to ease work visas process in the near future. In a recent meeting with Punjab Caretaker Minister Mohsin Naqvi, he delved into the realms of culture, tourism, and trade, illuminating a path towards stronger bilateral ties. As the two dignitaries exchanged thoughts, […]

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Saudi Arabia, Indonesia collaborate to elevate the assurance of halal products

Jakarta: Saudi Arabia and Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Halal product assurance cooperation in addition to the mutual recognition of each other’s Halal certificates. The agreement was signed between Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Organizing Body (BPJPH) and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority. Importantly, the agreement also expands to cooperation in training, […]

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