World community must stay one step ahead of ISIL/Da’esh — UN official

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 9 (APP):Despite military successes against ISIL/Da’esh, the terrorist group and its affiliates continue to pose a significant threat around the world, the top United Nations Counter-Terrorism official told the Security Council Thursday. The rapidly evolving and transnational threat from ISIL/Da’esh presents a difficult challenge for member states and the international community, Vladimir… Continue reading World community must stay one step ahead of ISIL/Da’esh — UN official

New Delhi balks as Malé develops economic relations with Beijing: Global Times

BEIJING, Feb 9 (APP):A political crisis is brewing in Maldives after President Abdulla Yameen refused to implement a Supreme Court ruling to free opposition figures. The political storm in essence is an internal matter of the Indian Ocean island nation. However, India’s reaction deserves thought. India’s First Post has published a commentary titled “Maldives crisis:… Continue reading New Delhi balks as Malé develops economic relations with Beijing: Global Times

Pakistan calls for steps to ensure safety of UN peacekeepers

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 9 (APP):Voicing concern over the record fatalities suffered last year by United Nations peacekeepers operating in hot spots around the world, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN Maleeha Lodhi said Thursday that the “Safety and security of our peacekeepers must be a collective responsibility that required a shared approach, from understanding the ground… Continue reading Pakistan calls for steps to ensure safety of UN peacekeepers

Pakistan wants recognition of sacrifices made in fighting terror: Minister Iqbal

WASHINGTON, Feb.9 (APP):Federal Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal said in an interview to BBC aired on Thursday that Pakistan did not want US aid but recognition of huge sacrifices it has made in fighting terrorism. He said that the tweet President Trump made against Pakistan was very “discourteous”, but Islamabad made a very measured response as… Continue reading Pakistan wants recognition of sacrifices made in fighting terror: Minister Iqbal

Marriyum welcomes unprecedented Chinese support for exhibiting Pakistani films, dramas in China

SHANGHAI, Feb 8 (APP):Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage, Marriyum Aurangzeb in her meeting with Vice President Shanghai Film Group,Chunping Xu warmly welcomed the unprecedented Chinese assurance and support for exhibiting Pakistani films and dramas in China. She said that Pakistan was also looking forward to explore possibilities of co-productions… Continue reading Marriyum welcomes unprecedented Chinese support for exhibiting Pakistani films, dramas in China

US-Mexico border migrant deaths rose in 2017 even as crossings fell, UN says

UNITED NATIONS, Fb 8 (APP):An increasing number of migrants have died at the border between the U.S. and Mexico during the first year of Donald Trump’s presidency, even as arrests have dropped. The United Nations agency International Organization for Migration (IOM) recorded 412 migrant deaths in 2017, a three percent increase from the 398 recorded… Continue reading US-Mexico border migrant deaths rose in 2017 even as crossings fell, UN says

Chinese universities climb rankings in Asia

BEIJING, Feb 8 (APP):Chinese universities have made strong inroads in the Asia University Rankings 2018, taking five of the top ten places in the Times Higher Education report. In the ranking of more than 350 Asian universities, China claims almost one fifth of the entries. For the first time in the list’s six-year history, Tsinghua… Continue reading Chinese universities climb rankings in Asia

Democracy in Maldives under “all-out assault”: UN rights chief warns

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 8 (APP):The declaration of the state of emergency in the Maldives by President Abdulla Yameen and the resulting suspension of constitutional guarantees have undermined the checks and balances necessary in any functioning democracy, the United Nations human rights chief has warned. “The suspension of several functions of the judiciary and Parliament, and… Continue reading Democracy in Maldives under “all-out assault”: UN rights chief warns

US, Pakistan need to take “extra-steps” to boost mutual confidence: Ahsan Iqbal

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 (APP):Underscoring the imperatives for Pakistan and the United States to cooperate in stabilizing Afghanistan, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal said here that both countries, which have a long history of relationship, need to take extra steps to build mutual confidence that has ebbed to an all-time low. In an interview with the Washington… Continue reading US, Pakistan need to take “extra-steps” to boost mutual confidence: Ahsan Iqbal

Minister Iqbal praises Kashmiris valiant struggle, reiterates Pakistan’s support

  WASHINGTON, Feb.7 (APP):Federal Minister for Interior Ahsan Iqbal Wednesday paid tributes to the valiant struggle by the Kashmiri people and said that the third generation of Kashmiris had shown their determination to get their right to self-determination. “I is a war of oppressor and oppressed and InshaAllah, Kashmiris will prevail,” he said in his… Continue reading Minister Iqbal praises Kashmiris valiant struggle, reiterates Pakistan’s support

China urges Maldives ruling, opposition parties to resolve internal affairs through dialogue

  BEIJING, Feb 7 (APP):Terming the current situation in Maldives as its “internal affairs”, a Chinese foreign ministry’s spokesperson Wednesday urged the ruling and opposition parties to resolve it through dialogue and consultations. “As I stated in a press conference a few days ago, what happened in the Maldives at the moment is the internal… Continue reading China urges Maldives ruling, opposition parties to resolve internal affairs through dialogue

India must stop intervening in Malé: Global Times

BEIJING, Feb 7 (APP):The political struggles in Maldives are supposed to be internal affairs, and New Delhi has no justification to intervene in Malé’s affairs. The Maldives must be under huge pressure from India and its sovereignty should be respected and the political unrest should be left to the Maldivian people to address, according to… Continue reading India must stop intervening in Malé: Global Times

Kashmir Day observed at Pakistan Embassy College, Beijing

BEIJING, Feb 7 (APP)::The Kashmir Day was observed to express solidarity with Kashmiri people in their just and fair struggle for right to self-determination promised in the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, at Pakistan Embassy College Beijing (PRCB) here on Wednesday. Speaking as chief guest, Ambassador of Pakistan to China, Masood Khalid reaffirmed… Continue reading Kashmir Day observed at Pakistan Embassy College, Beijing

Thousands of Yemeni dialysis patients risk death: Red Cross

NEW YORK, Feb. 7 (APP):Thousands of Yemenis with kidney failure are at risk of dying unless the country’s remaining dialysis centres receive more supplies and its medical staff are paid, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has warned. “An astonishing 25 percent of dialysis patients in Yemen have died every year since conflict… Continue reading Thousands of Yemeni dialysis patients risk death: Red Cross

PM Abbasi says plans on anvil to broaden Pakistan’s tax base

NEW YORK, Feb 7 (APP):Pakistan plans to use its national identity database to build profiles of potential taxpayers in a renewed bid to broaden its tax base, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said. In an interview with Bloomberg, a New York-based international news agency, he said the plan seeks to plug leakages, encourage correct… Continue reading PM Abbasi says plans on anvil to broaden Pakistan’s tax base

On Safer Internet Day, UNICEF calls for urgent action to protect children and their digital footprint

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 7 (APP):More than 175,000 children go online for the first time every day “a new child every half second” UNICEF said Wednesday as it marked Safer Internet Day. At the same time, the UN agency warned that the Digital access exposes these children to a wealth of benefits and opportunities, but also… Continue reading On Safer Internet Day, UNICEF calls for urgent action to protect children and their digital footprint

Pakistan, US engagement necessary for ensuring stable Afghanistan

WASHINGTON, Feb.7 (APP):Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal met Senator Lindsey Graham on Capitol Hill on Tuesday and briefed him on Pakistan’s success in combating terrorism, and the investment climate which has improved significantly after improvement in security situation. The Minister, who is on a visit to Washington, was accompanied by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States,… Continue reading Pakistan, US engagement necessary for ensuring stable Afghanistan

Highlighting Kashmir dispute, Pakistan urges UNSC to implement its resolutions

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 7 (APP):Pakistan Tuesday proposed that the UN Security Council periodically discuss implementation of its resolutions, especially those on longstanding disputes like Jammu and Kashmir, while stressing the need for enhancing the efficiency, effectiveness and transparency in the 15-member body’s work. “Failure to enforce its own resolutions undercuts not just the Security Council’s… Continue reading Highlighting Kashmir dispute, Pakistan urges UNSC to implement its resolutions

Female Genital Mutilation must end — UN

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 6 (APP):Female genital mutilation is a violent act that causes infection, disease, childbirth complications and death, the chiefs of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and UN Children Fund (UNICEF) said in a joint statement on Tuesday. Marking the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), the UN agency… Continue reading Female Genital Mutilation must end — UN

UN chief calls on Maldives to lift state of emergency

UNITED NATIONS, Feb, 6 (APP):UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday called on the Maldivian government to uphold the rule of law and ensure the safety of people “including members of the judiciary” following the declaration of a state of emergency in the island nation, after which soldiers forced their way into the Supreme Court. The… Continue reading UN chief calls on Maldives to lift state of emergency

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