France warns of strong-arm industry to boost missile output

Rudy Ruitenberg ParisL: The French government this week threatened local defense firms with measures including requisitioning and order prioritization to accelerate the production of missiles and artillery shells. Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu said he may force firms to put defense orders before civilian ones in coming weeks if manufacturing doesn’t speed up, especially for […]

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European enterprises eye investment opportunities in China

China Economic Net Wuhan: The 2024 Cherry Blossom Viewing: Business Cooperation & Fortune Global 500 with Hubei, a talk platform, held a series of activities this week in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province, with an eye on international cooperation between European enterprises and Hubei. More than 600 attendees, including diplomatic envoys, representatives of domestic and […]

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President Zardari confers military awards upon 42 officers

Liaquat Ali Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari this week conferred insignias of military awards upon 42 officers of Pakistan armed forces for rendering meritorious services for defence of the motherlandThe Presidential Investiture ceremony was held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr in connection with Pakistan Day and was attended by senior officers of Pakistan armed forces, government officials […]

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‘Systemic’ China-US rivalry could last a decade: US envoy

Newswire Beijing: The United States and China are likely to remain “systemic rivals” for the next decade as they wrestle over differences and compete in areas such as the military and technology, according to Washington’s top envoy in Beijing. Speaking at a virtual seminar this week, ambassador Nicholas Burns called the deepening competition between the […]

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Aseefa Bhutto steps into political, presidential spotlight

Celina Ali Islamabad: In a significant move marking her entry into the political arena, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, the youngest daughter of President Asif Ali Zardari, is set to contest the upcoming by-election for the NA-207 Nawabshah constituency. This announcement follows the vacancy of the seat after President Zardari’s elevation to office, providing Aseefa with an […]

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Italy to buy Sidewinder missiles in $90M deal

Newswire Washington: The US State Department this week approved the sale of Sidewinder air-to-air missiles to Italy, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced. The requested $90 million package includes the AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II+ missiles; containers; weapon support and support equipment; spare and repair parts; logistics support services and other related elements. The contract, announced […]

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‘Two sessions’ will pave way for China in an increasingly uncertain world

Xinhua Beijing: China enters its most important political week with the beginning of its “two sessions,” the assembly of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). This year’s gathering will be particularly important given the crisis in Ukraine, the conflict in Gaza, and the increased economic pressure from the […]

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Asif Ali Zardari returns as President for an unprecedented second time

Liaquat Ali Islamabad: Asif Ali Zardari this week took oath as Pakistan’s 14th President, after the veteran politician staged a remarkable comeback when he was overwhelmingly elected as the only civilian president of the coup-prone country for a second time. Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa administered the oath to the 68-year-old Mr Zardari […]

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Italy’s centre-right wants Meloni in EPP

Rome: Italian centre-right party Forza Italia wants right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s party to join the European People’s Party (EPP) to strengthen Italy’s influence in the European Parliament, MEP Salvatore De Meo told Euractiv. Italy has been governed by a right-wing coalition composed of Matteo Salvini’s far-right Lega (ID), Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing Fratelli d’Italia (ECR), […]

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France prepares for space wars in ‘AsterX’ European exercise

Newswire Paris: In silent orbit around Earth, a potentially hostile satellite approaches an allied communication node, intentions unknown. French Space Command has determined the move is deliberate, and intelligence shows the enemy spacecraft is equipped with a robotic arm that would allow it to de-orbit the friendly asset. The French-led blue team moves a “patroller” […]

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Portuguese writer’s presence celebrated in Pakistan

Celina Ali Islamabad: The Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) this week hosted a literary session with internationally acclaimed Portuguese novelist, playwright and poet José Luís Peixoto and discussed scope of cooperation between the writers and poets as well as literary organizations of the two countries. The session was attended by writers and poets from twin […]

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PPP to fix Balochistan issues: Bilawal Bhutto

Liaquat Ali Quetta: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari this week said the issues and challenges facing Balochistan would be resolved through reconciliation and consultation with other political parties and leaders as one person or a single party alone could not tackle them. “The guiding principle for my party’s government in Balochistan is […]

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France wants “truth and justice” after Palestinians shot in Gaza

Newswire Paris: The killing of over 100 Palestinians in Gaza who were requesting humanitarian relief angered French President Emmanuel Macron, who expressed his outrage this week. He also demanded “truth and justice” over the involvement of Israeli forces in the tragedy. More than 100 Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli soldiers on Thursday while they […]

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‘World is watching’ Canada’s military spending: US envoy

Newswire Ottawa: The US ambassador to Canada says the world is closely watching Canada’s defence spending commitments, as the NATO alliance scrambles to shore up Ukraine’s supply of military goods. In an interview that aired Sunday on Rosemary Barton Live, David Cohen praised Canada’s “very significant” military contributions on a variety of fronts, including purchases […]

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PTI never tried to block Shehbaz Sharif: Bilawal Bhutto

Liaquat Ali Islamabad: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto this week said that Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) never tried to block Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) nominee Shehbaz Sharif’s path to premiership as the “Imran Khan-led party refuses to talk with other political parties”. Addressing a press conference, the former foreign minister said that Shehbaz Sharif, […]

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Roman funerary altar found partially buried in Torre river

Rome: Archaeologists have recovered a Roman funerary altar which was found partially buried in the Torree river in the municipality of San Vito al Torre, Italy. The discovery was made by Ervino Silvestri after he noticed a block of partially exposed limestone and contacted the local authorities. Archaeologists from the ABAP FVG Superintendency conducted a […]

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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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