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Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad calls for revival of multilateralism

Celina Ali Islamabad: Pakistan’s top diplomat to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, urged the international community to reaffirm it commitment to multilateralism and collective action during a Security Council meeting convened by China this week. ?An informal session, the meeting provided a platform to the member states to discuss the challenges posed by […]

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Embassy in France hosts Pakistan Day reception

Celina Ali Islamabad: The embassy of Pakistan to France this week hosted the Pakistan Day Reception in Paris, which was attended by a large number of French government officials, elected officials, military personnel, academics, businesspersons and the media. Senior officials of international organizations based in Paris, including UNESCO and OECD and the diplomatic community based […]

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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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China, Malaysia to strengthen air cargo cooperation between Zhengzhou and Kuala Lumpur

Henan Daily Zhengzhou: On April 17, 2025, China and Malaysia issued a joint statement on building a high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future. Article 21 of the statement emphasizes the commitment of both countries to comprehensive aviation cooperation, including enhanced civil aviation technical exchanges and closer air cargo collaboration between Kuala Lumpur International […]

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DPM Dar reaffirms Pakistan’s strong commitment to SCO vision of regional cooperation

Gwadar Pro Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar this week reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm commitment to deepening its constructive engagement within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), stressing the importance of mutual cooperation in critical areas such as trade, transportation, and regional connectivity. Senator Dar made these remarks during a meeting […]

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Henan deepens its ties with ASEAN

Henan Daily Zhengzhou: Henan has great potential for further collaboration with ASEAN. Trains bound for ASEAN depart regularly from Zhengzhou International Land Port every day. Over the years, Henan has embraced the Belt and Road Initiative, seized the opportunities presented by RCEP, and leveraged its transportation hub advantages to strengthen ties between China and its […]

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CM assures EU rights standards compliance

Newswire Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif this week invited companies from the European Union states to invest in the education, information technology, green energy and health sectors in the province. Welcoming the EU Parliamentary Delegation for South Asia to discuss matters related to mutual interests, bilateral relations, trade, education and investment, she agreed […]

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A train from the UK to Italy?

Newswire Rome: Between environmental breakdown, economic crisis and Donald Trump, it often feels like there’s precious little reason to feel hopeful these days. So how’s this for a reason to cheer up: Italian state railway company, Trenitalia, is planning to run trains through the Channel tunnel before the decade is out. It’s studying the option […]

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Japan provides assistance to Afghan refugees, host communities in Pakistan

Celina Ali Islamabad: The Government of Japan this week announced USD 3 million to support UNHCR’s programmes for Afghan refugees and host communities in Pakistan. The Government of Japan has decided to provide USD 3 million to UNHCR to support Afghan refugees and host communities in Pakistan. This significant contribution, which comes from Japan’s supplementary […]

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Bilawal Bhutto realising dreams of the poor: Umar Rehman Malik

Abdullah Jan Islamabad: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Umar Rehman Malik this week said that PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was realising the dreams of the poor. “People’s Housing Initiative is a game changer; transforming climate tragedy into opportunity, dignity, and empowerment. Under Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s leadership, PPP is bringing the vision of ‘Roti, Kapra […]

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High Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri felicitates national women’s blind cricket team on historic victory

Celina Ali Islamabad: Pakistani High Commissioner to Australia Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri this week extended heartfelt congratulations to the Pakistan Women’s Blind Cricket Team after their historic victory against Australia in the first T20 match of their maiden international tour. In a message of pride and encouragement, the High Commissioner hailed the team’s achievement as a […]

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Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad meets Elizabeth Spehar

Celina Ali Islamabad: Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, met with Elizabeth Spehar, Assistant Secretary General for Peacebuilding Support Office at the United Nations this week. Among other matters of mutual interest, they also discussed Pakistan’s priorities in peacebuilding as well as the upcoming preparatory meeting of the Peacekeeping Ministerial […]

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Reception hosted at Pakistan Embassy, Dakar to mark 85th National day of Pakistan

Newswire Dakar: A reception was hosted at the Pakistan Embassy, Dakar to celebrate 85th National Day of Pakistan. Members of the Diplomatic Corps, officials from the Senegalese government, businessmen, members of the civil society, friends of Pakistan and Pakistan Diaspora from Senegal attended the event. H.E. Ms. Khady Dienz Gueye Minister of Youth, Culture and […]

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Europe’s quest for ‘strategic autonomy’ needs refocusing

Andrey Kortunov Lately the not-so-fresh idea of a “European strategic autonomy” has got back in circulation in many EU capitals. This should come as no surprise, given the condescending and even arrogant attitude displayed by the Donald Trump administration toward US’ European allies. Politicians and state officials across the European continent can no longer take […]

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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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World’s largest ECA to stretch from Portugal to Greenland

Newswire London: At this week’s Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting held at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the world’s biggest emission control area (ECA) has been agreed upon. The new Northeast Atlantic ECA, due by 2027, stretches along coastlines from Portugal to Greenland (see map below), joining existing nearby ECAs in the North Sea, […]

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Pakistan, UK discuss energy collaboration, sustainable development

Celina Ali Islamabad: Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik and Development Director of the British High Commission Joe Moir this week discussed exploring opportunities for enhanced bilateral cooperation in Pakistan’s petroleum and energy sectors. The discussions focused on strengthening UK-Pakistan collaboration in oil, gas, and broader energy initiatives, with both sides emphasizing sustainable development, […]

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Germany eliminates Fast-track citizenship program for Immigrants

Berlin: Germany is set to terminate its fast-track citizenship program, a policy that allowed eligible immigrants to obtain citizenship in just three years. The decision, reached in an agreement between the Christian Democratic Union (CDU)/Christian Social Union (CSU) alliance and the Social Democratic Party (SPD), marks a shift in the nation’s immigration landscape. The Fast-track […]

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Bulgaria second European NATO nation to receive the modern F-16 block 70

Newswire Sofia: Bulgaria continues its military modernization efforts, now surpassing NATO’s 2% defense spending target by dedicating 3% of its GDP to defense, writes Peter Suciu from the National Interest. The country’s latest acquisition, the F-16 Fighting Falcon, marks a significant step in replacing its outdated Soviet-era MiG-29 jets, which had been in service since […]

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