UAE-Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector to work together
Islamabad: A delegation from the United Arab Emirates, led by the chairman of an Abu Dhabi-based biotechnology firm, called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in his office. It expressed a “keen interest” to invest in Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector, said an official statement. The Gulf country is Pakistan’s third-largest trade partner after China and the United States and is also home to more than 1.6 million Pakistani nationals.
PTI’s Azhar Mashwani returns home
PTI leader Azhar Mashwani returned home on Friday, he announced on Twitter, more than a week after he was picked up. “Alhumdullilah I have just returned home safe and sound,” Mashwani tweeted. “Your prayers, efforts, and support in these eight days have left us forever indebted,” he added.
Soldier martyred during exchange of fire with terrorists: ISPR
A soldier embraced martyrdom during an exchange of fire with terrorists in the Mir Ali area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s North Waziristan district, the army’s media wing said on Friday. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), 29-year-old Sepoy Irsha Ullah was martyred during the battle. “Own troops fought bravely and effectively engaged the terrorists’ location,” the statement said.
Plunging coca prices create ‘humanitarian emergency’ in Colombia
Bogotá: Farmers in parts of Colombia say sales of coca, the raw ingredient used to make cocaine, collapsed after a recent surge in production of the illicit drug. “We’ve seen a complete collapse of buyers,” said Andres Rojas, a coca farmer in the Catatumbo region who advocates for sustainable farming practices among growers. “Entire crops are going unsold, and families are going hungry,” he added.
“China can not be a mediator in the war”: EU
China cannot be a mediator in the war in Ukraine but could play the role of facilitator to reach a peace deal with Russia, the European Union’s top diplomat Josep Borrell said. “China does not distinguish between aggressor and victim of aggression,” Borrell added in a panel held at the Spanish capital Madrid.
US newspapers call for the release of WSJ journalist
A coalition of US newspapers issued a statement calling for releasing the Wall Street Journal reporter Russia arrested for allegedly spying. The New York Times, The Washington Post, Bloomberg, and Politico said, “We are deeply troubled by Russia’s detention of Evan Gershkovich, a respected Wall Street Journal reporter whose coverage of Russia has been fair and accurate at a time when the world needs reliable information.”
Ukraine’s foreign minister slams Wimbledon’s decision
Ukraine’s foreign minister said that Wimbledon’s decision to let Russian and Belarusian players compete as neutrals was “immoral”. He also urged the UK to deny them visas. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote on Twitter, “Wimbledon’s decision to permit the participation of Russian and Belarusian players is immoral. Has Russia ceased its aggression or atrocities? No, it’s just that Wimbledon decided to accommodate two accomplices in crime.”
Moscow dismisses Lukashenko’s call for truce
Russia dismissed Belarusian President Lukashenko’s call for a truce. It said that China’s proposal for peace was “unrealizable”. Earlier, in an hours-long contradictory address to the nation, the Belarusian leader said “a third world war” looms as he defended hosting Russian nuclear weapons, while also calling for a ceasefire.
NATO bans TikTok on devices
NATO officially banned staffers from downloading the social media app TikTok onto their NATO-provided devices, citing security concerns. NATO officials sent a note to staff announcing the ban, the officials said. The note made the ban official, but TikTok was not really usable on NATO-issued devices before, anyway, the officials said, because of internal tech restrictions.
King Charles honors German World War victims
Britain’s King Charles III honored victims of the Second World War’s Allied bombing raids in Germany on the final day of his state visit. The king laid a wreath at a ruined church in Hamburg, in the first such tribute by a British monarch. Moreover, he viewed a memorial to Jewish children who fled to Britain in the 1930s Kindertransport.
Security guards at Heathrow Airport begin strike
Security guards at London’s Heathrow Airport are on strike as schools break up for the Easter holiday on Friday. They threatened travel chaos for families flying abroad. Unite union’s 1,400 members are walking out for 10 days after last-ditch talks failed to resolve a pay dispute.
Türkiye Parliament ratifies Finland’s NATO membership
Türkiye has become the final NATO nation to ratify Finland’s membership of the defence alliance in the wake of Russia’s offensive in Ukraine. Lawmakers on Thursday unanimously backed the Nordic country’s accession. The Turkish Parliament was the last among the 30 members of the alliance to ratify Finland’s membership after Hungary’s legislature approved a similar bill earlier this week.
Malaysia court rejects Najib Razak’s bid to review graft conviction
Malaysia’s top court has rejected with finality ex-prime minister Najib Razak’s bid to overturn his 12-year jail sentence for corruption, slamming the door on a political comeback. The former prime minister had asked the Federal Court to review a previous panel’s decision to deny his final appeal against the conviction, linked to the plunder of state investment fund 1MDB.
Japan’s top diplomat to visit China in bid to mend ties
Japan’s top diplomat Yoshimasa Hayashi will visit China this weekend, the first such visit in over three years, the foreign ministry in Tokyo has announced. The April 1-2 trip will include talks with Hayashi’s Chinese counterpart Qin Gang, the ministry said on Friday, and will be the first time a Japanese foreign minister has visited since December 2019.
At least 35 die after well collapses in India
At least 35 people have been killed after falling into a well while offering prayers at a temple in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Fourteen others have been rescued and one person is still missing in the accident that took place in Indore city. Police said the victims were standing on a concrete slab over the well when it collapsed under their weight.
Japan plans to restrict some chip equipment exports
Japan’s government says it plans to put restrictions on some computer chip-making exports, following similar moves by the US and the Netherlands. The measures will apply to 23 types of semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Semiconductors, which power everything from mobile phones to military hardware, are at the centre of a bitter dispute between the US and China.
Pakistan, Kazakhstan to start direct flights in May
Ambassador of Kazakhstan Yerzhan Kistafin on Thursday said direct air flights between Kazakhstan and Pakistan would start in May 2023, which would strengthen the economic connectivity between the two countries. The direct flights between Lahore and Almaty would not only increase economic ties but also people-to-people contacts, he said during a meeting with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Minister for Commerce and Industries Adnan Jalil at his office.
Robbers loot shopkeepers at iftar time in Karachi
Armed robbers have looted shopkeepers in the Federal B area of Karachi at iftar time. As per details, the robber came inside the market when a group of shopkeepers were having their iftar in Block 15, Federal B area of Karachi. Two armed robbers looted the cash from the counter and then checked all the nine shopkeepers’ pockets sitting at the shop.
Khan granted bailable warrants in judge threatening case
A local court in Islamabad on Friday converted a non-bailable arrest warrant issued against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan into a bailable one in a woman judge threatening case. Additional District and Session Judge Sikandar Khan announced the verdict after hearing arguments on warrant review petition filed by the former premier.
Taiwan’s Tsai heads to Central America after US visit
Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen began a visit to Guatemala and Belize to shore up ties with dwindling allies following a trip to the United States that angered China. Tsai’s visit to the Central American neighbours on Friday comes after Honduras became the latest country to cut diplomatic ties with Taipei in favour of Beijing.
Japan edges closer toward issuing digital yen
Japan is stepping up efforts toward issuing a digital yen with the creation of a government advisory panel and the launch of a pilot programme, joining a growing number of countries exploring a central bank digital currency (CBDC). The finance ministry will set up a panel of experts as early as April to discuss the feasibility of issuing a digital yen, Reuters reported on Friday.
Zelensky says Ukraine ‘will never forgive’ Russia
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that his country would “never forgive” Russia for its occupation of Bucha, a town near the Ukrainian capital where Moscow’s forces were accused of massacring civilians. “365 days since it is a free Ukrainian сity once again. A symbol of the atrocities of the occupying country’s army. We will never forgive. We will punish every perpetrator,” Zelenskyy said in a statement on social media as the country marked the first anniversary of the liberation of Bucha.
New York grand jury votes to indict Donald Trump
A New York grand jury has voted to indict former US president Donald Trump over hush money payments made to an adult movie actress, Stormy Daniels, ahead of the 2016 election. The felony indictment, reported widely by US media on Thursday and filed under seal by the Manhattan district attorney’s office, will likely be announced in the coming days.
Tyrian White case: IHC reserves verdict on case admissibility
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) reserved its verdict on the admissibility of a petition seeking the disqualification of PTI Chairman Imran Khan for concealing his alleged daughter, Tyrian White from his election papers. Submitting his response to the IHC, the former PM had requested the court to dismiss the petition. Subsequently, the IHC decided to constitute a larger bench to hear the petition. On Feb 9, it emphasized that arguments on the plea’s admissibility were highly important.
Violence erupts during Bisham protest
It emerged that violence erupted in Shangla district’s Bisham tehsil in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday as citizens protested against the “unjust” distribution of free flour. Bisham Assistant Commissioner (AC) Muhammad Jawad Asif said that the residents of the Maira area of Bisham tehsil had blocked the Karakoram Highway while staging the protest. He added that police had been deployed in the area to deal with any untoward situation.
Humza Yousaf’s debut at First Minister’s Questions marred by protesters
Climate activists disrupted Humza Yousaf’s First Minister’s Questions debut in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday. The Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament ordered the public gallery to be cleared following five interruptions by protesters. The interruptions came before the end of Douglas Ross’s questioning of the new SNP leader, stunting proceedings.
UK aims to meet climate targets
The UK government announced on Thursday that carbon capture technology and boosts for offshore wind are at the centre of a plan to boost green investment and infrastructure called “Powering up Britain”. New green hydrogen production projects feature prominently alongside plans for the establishment of Great British Nuclear. The plan is also thought to be a way of countering the impact of the US Inflation Reduction Act.
UK-German bond ‘will grow even stronger’: King Charles
King Charles III paid tribute to the “enduring value” of the relationship between the UK and Germany as he pledged to “strengthen the connections” between the two countries. During his first state banquet speech, the king said that he was “utterly convinced” that the bond between Britain and one of the EU’s leading nations “will grow ever stronger”.
Bolsonaro back in Brazil after three months in US
Brazil’s far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro returned to Brazil where he was greeted by hundreds of supporters at the capital Brasilia’s airport. Supporters with Brazilian flags draped around their shoulders sang the national anthem and chanted “legend” as Bolsonaro arrived. Bolsonaro, 68, who never conceded defeat in last year’s election, is expected to lead the opposition to leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, officials in his Liberal party said.
US VP announces Tanzania trade initiatives on Africa tour
United States Vice President Kamala Harris announced plans to boost trade with and investment in Tanzania during a visit there on Thursday. The move was a part of the African tour aimed at strengthening ties with the continent where the influence of China and Russia was on rise. “Working together, it is our shared goal to increase economic investment in Tanzania and strengthen our economic ties,” Harris said, listing a number of initiatives.
UAE-Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector to work together
Islamabad: A delegation from the United Arab Emirates, led by the chairman of an Abu Dhabi-based biotechnology firm, called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in his office. It expressed a “keen interest” to invest in Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector, said an official statement. The Gulf country is Pakistan’s third-largest trade partner after China and the United States and is also home to more than 1.6 million Pakistani nationals.
PTI’s Azhar Mashwani returns home
PTI leader Azhar Mashwani returned home on Friday, he announced on Twitter, more than a week after he was picked up. “Alhumdullilah I have just returned home safe and sound,” Mashwani tweeted. “Your prayers, efforts, and support in these eight days have left us forever indebted,” he added.
Soldier martyred during exchange of fire with terrorists: ISPR
A soldier embraced martyrdom during an exchange of fire with terrorists in the Mir Ali area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s North Waziristan district, the army’s media wing said on Friday. According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), 29-year-old Sepoy Irsha Ullah was martyred during the battle. “Own troops fought bravely and effectively engaged the terrorists’ location,” the statement said.
Plunging coca prices create ‘humanitarian emergency’ in Colombia
Bogotá: Farmers in parts of Colombia say sales of coca, the raw ingredient used to make cocaine, collapsed after a recent surge in production of the illicit drug. “We’ve seen a complete collapse of buyers,” said Andres Rojas, a coca farmer in the Catatumbo region who advocates for sustainable farming practices among growers. “Entire crops are going unsold, and families are going hungry,” he added.
“China can not be a mediator in the war”: EU
China cannot be a mediator in the war in Ukraine but could play the role of facilitator to reach a peace deal with Russia, the European Union’s top diplomat Josep Borrell said. “China does not distinguish between aggressor and victim of aggression,” Borrell added in a panel held at the Spanish capital Madrid.
US newspapers call for the release of WSJ journalist
A coalition of US newspapers issued a statement calling for releasing the Wall Street Journal reporter Russia arrested for allegedly spying. The New York Times, The Washington Post, Bloomberg, and Politico said, “We are deeply troubled by Russia’s detention of Evan Gershkovich, a respected Wall Street Journal reporter whose coverage of Russia has been fair and accurate at a time when the world needs reliable information.”
Ukraine’s foreign minister slams Wimbledon’s decision
Ukraine’s foreign minister said that Wimbledon’s decision to let Russian and Belarusian players compete as neutrals was “immoral”. He also urged the UK to deny them visas. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote on Twitter, “Wimbledon’s decision to permit the participation of Russian and Belarusian players is immoral. Has Russia ceased its aggression or atrocities? No, it’s just that Wimbledon decided to accommodate two accomplices in crime.”
Moscow dismisses Lukashenko’s call for truce
Russia dismissed Belarusian President Lukashenko’s call for a truce. It said that China’s proposal for peace was “unrealizable”. Earlier, in an hours-long contradictory address to the nation, the Belarusian leader said “a third world war” looms as he defended hosting Russian nuclear weapons, while also calling for a ceasefire.
NATO bans TikTok on devices
NATO officially banned staffers from downloading the social media app TikTok onto their NATO-provided devices, citing security concerns. NATO officials sent a note to staff announcing the ban, the officials said. The note made the ban official, but TikTok was not really usable on NATO-issued devices before, anyway, the officials said, because of internal tech restrictions.
King Charles honors German World War victims
Britain’s King Charles III honored victims of the Second World War’s Allied bombing raids in Germany on the final day of his state visit. The king laid a wreath at a ruined church in Hamburg, in the first such tribute by a British monarch. Moreover, he viewed a memorial to Jewish children who fled to Britain in the 1930s Kindertransport.
Security guards at Heathrow Airport begin strike
Security guards at London’s Heathrow Airport are on strike as schools break up for the Easter holiday on Friday. They threatened travel chaos for families flying abroad. Unite union’s 1,400 members are walking out for 10 days after last-ditch talks failed to resolve a pay dispute.
Türkiye Parliament ratifies Finland’s NATO membership
Türkiye has become the final NATO nation to ratify Finland’s membership of the defence alliance in the wake of Russia’s offensive in Ukraine. Lawmakers on Thursday unanimously backed the Nordic country’s accession. The Turkish Parliament was the last among the 30 members of the alliance to ratify Finland’s membership after Hungary’s legislature approved a similar bill earlier this week.
Malaysia court rejects Najib Razak’s bid to review graft conviction
Malaysia’s top court has rejected with finality ex-prime minister Najib Razak’s bid to overturn his 12-year jail sentence for corruption, slamming the door on a political comeback. The former prime minister had asked the Federal Court to review a previous panel’s decision to deny his final appeal against the conviction, linked to the plunder of state investment fund 1MDB.
Japan’s top diplomat to visit China in bid to mend ties
Japan’s top diplomat Yoshimasa Hayashi will visit China this weekend, the first such visit in over three years, the foreign ministry in Tokyo has announced. The April 1-2 trip will include talks with Hayashi’s Chinese counterpart Qin Gang, the ministry said on Friday, and will be the first time a Japanese foreign minister has visited since December 2019.
At least 35 die after well collapses in India
At least 35 people have been killed after falling into a well while offering prayers at a temple in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Fourteen others have been rescued and one person is still missing in the accident that took place in Indore city. Police said the victims were standing on a concrete slab over the well when it collapsed under their weight.
Japan plans to restrict some chip equipment exports
Japan’s government says it plans to put restrictions on some computer chip-making exports, following similar moves by the US and the Netherlands. The measures will apply to 23 types of semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Semiconductors, which power everything from mobile phones to military hardware, are at the centre of a bitter dispute between the US and China.
Pakistan, Kazakhstan to start direct flights in May
Ambassador of Kazakhstan Yerzhan Kistafin on Thursday said direct air flights between Kazakhstan and Pakistan would start in May 2023, which would strengthen the economic connectivity between the two countries. The direct flights between Lahore and Almaty would not only increase economic ties but also people-to-people contacts, he said during a meeting with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Minister for Commerce and Industries Adnan Jalil at his office.
Robbers loot shopkeepers at iftar time in Karachi
Armed robbers have looted shopkeepers in the Federal B area of Karachi at iftar time. As per details, the robber came inside the market when a group of shopkeepers were having their iftar in Block 15, Federal B area of Karachi. Two armed robbers looted the cash from the counter and then checked all the nine shopkeepers’ pockets sitting at the shop.
Khan granted bailable warrants in judge threatening case
A local court in Islamabad on Friday converted a non-bailable arrest warrant issued against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan into a bailable one in a woman judge threatening case. Additional District and Session Judge Sikandar Khan announced the verdict after hearing arguments on warrant review petition filed by the former premier.
Taiwan’s Tsai heads to Central America after US visit
Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen began a visit to Guatemala and Belize to shore up ties with dwindling allies following a trip to the United States that angered China. Tsai’s visit to the Central American neighbours on Friday comes after Honduras became the latest country to cut diplomatic ties with Taipei in favour of Beijing.
Japan edges closer toward issuing digital yen
Japan is stepping up efforts toward issuing a digital yen with the creation of a government advisory panel and the launch of a pilot programme, joining a growing number of countries exploring a central bank digital currency (CBDC). The finance ministry will set up a panel of experts as early as April to discuss the feasibility of issuing a digital yen, Reuters reported on Friday.
Zelensky says Ukraine ‘will never forgive’ Russia
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that his country would “never forgive” Russia for its occupation of Bucha, a town near the Ukrainian capital where Moscow’s forces were accused of massacring civilians. “365 days since it is a free Ukrainian сity once again. A symbol of the atrocities of the occupying country’s army. We will never forgive. We will punish every perpetrator,” Zelenskyy said in a statement on social media as the country marked the first anniversary of the liberation of Bucha.
New York grand jury votes to indict Donald Trump
A New York grand jury has voted to indict former US president Donald Trump over hush money payments made to an adult movie actress, Stormy Daniels, ahead of the 2016 election. The felony indictment, reported widely by US media on Thursday and filed under seal by the Manhattan district attorney’s office, will likely be announced in the coming days.
Tyrian White case: IHC reserves verdict on case admissibility
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) reserved its verdict on the admissibility of a petition seeking the disqualification of PTI Chairman Imran Khan for concealing his alleged daughter, Tyrian White from his election papers. Submitting his response to the IHC, the former PM had requested the court to dismiss the petition. Subsequently, the IHC decided to constitute a larger bench to hear the petition. On Feb 9, it emphasized that arguments on the plea’s admissibility were highly important.
Violence erupts during Bisham protest
It emerged that violence erupted in Shangla district’s Bisham tehsil in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday as citizens protested against the “unjust” distribution of free flour. Bisham Assistant Commissioner (AC) Muhammad Jawad Asif said that the residents of the Maira area of Bisham tehsil had blocked the Karakoram Highway while staging the protest. He added that police had been deployed in the area to deal with any untoward situation.
Humza Yousaf’s debut at First Minister’s Questions marred by protesters
Climate activists disrupted Humza Yousaf’s First Minister’s Questions debut in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday. The Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament ordered the public gallery to be cleared following five interruptions by protesters. The interruptions came before the end of Douglas Ross’s questioning of the new SNP leader, stunting proceedings.
UK aims to meet climate targets
The UK government announced on Thursday that carbon capture technology and boosts for offshore wind are at the centre of a plan to boost green investment and infrastructure called “Powering up Britain”. New green hydrogen production projects feature prominently alongside plans for the establishment of Great British Nuclear. The plan is also thought to be a way of countering the impact of the US Inflation Reduction Act.
UK-German bond ‘will grow even stronger’: King Charles
King Charles III paid tribute to the “enduring value” of the relationship between the UK and Germany as he pledged to “strengthen the connections” between the two countries. During his first state banquet speech, the king said that he was “utterly convinced” that the bond between Britain and one of the EU’s leading nations “will grow ever stronger”.
Bolsonaro back in Brazil after three months in US
Brazil’s far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro returned to Brazil where he was greeted by hundreds of supporters at the capital Brasilia’s airport. Supporters with Brazilian flags draped around their shoulders sang the national anthem and chanted “legend” as Bolsonaro arrived. Bolsonaro, 68, who never conceded defeat in last year’s election, is expected to lead the opposition to leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, officials in his Liberal party said.
US VP announces Tanzania trade initiatives on Africa tour
United States Vice President Kamala Harris announced plans to boost trade with and investment in Tanzania during a visit there on Thursday. The move was a part of the African tour aimed at strengthening ties with the continent where the influence of China and Russia was on rise. “Working together, it is our shared goal to increase economic investment in Tanzania and strengthen our economic ties,” Harris said, listing a number of initiatives.
Moscow court arrests WSJ reporter
It emerged that a Moscow court formally arrested Evan Gershkovich, a US reporter. According to Russian media, the Wall Street Journal reporter was suspected of espionage. The 31-year-old told the court that he was not guilty.
Pope Francis’ health improving: Report
Pope Francis was “progressively improving” and had started to do some work from his bedside, the Vatican said on Thursday. The Pope was admitted to hospital with a respiratory infection. “His Holiness Pope Francis rested well during the night. His clinical picture is gradually improving and he is continuing his planned treatment,” a statement said.
Rapidly melting Antarctic ice could affect oceans ‘for centuries’: Reports
It was reported that rapidly melting Antarctic ice was dramatically slowing down the flow of water through the world’s oceans. It could have a disastrous effect on global climate, the marine food chain, and even the stability of ice shelves, new research says. The “overturning circulation” of the oceans, driven by the movement of denser water towards the sea floor, helps deliver heat, carbon, oxygen, and vital nutrients around the globe.
Ahmed Ali Akbar, Mansha Pasha star together in a drama
Ahmed Ali Akbar and Mansha Pasha’s upcoming drama Idiot is an ode to all the misfits out there who refuse to accept the world for what it is and seek to align it with the vision they have for it. Green Entertainment shared the trailer captioned, “To all the social misfits and rebels who question dysfunctional man-made norms of society, all the wanderers embarked on a journey of self-discovery, searching for the greater purpose of existence.”
ECP announces date for KP elections
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced the date for general elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) notified that general elections in KP will be held on October 8, whereas, the schedule of polls will be issued soon.
