Sunday, April 18th, 2021
Blinken rejects criticism of planned US withdrawal from Afghanistan

NEW YORK, APR 18 – United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken, returning from an unannounced visit to Kabul, pushed back on criticism of President Joe Biden’s plan to remove American combat troops from Afghanistan, arguing that Washington had fulfilled its mission to end al Qaeda’s ability to strike at the U.S. Blinken told ABC-TV’s Sunday’s news programme “This Week” that while he respected retired generals including David Petraeus and Joseph Dunford, who commanded troops in Afghanistan but opposed the pullout plan, the Biden administration was following a “deliberateRead More
US, China to cooperate on climate crisis

WASHINGTON: The United States and China have reiterated their commitment to cooperate with each other and with other countries to tackle the climate crisis. The joint statement, issued after a meeting between US climate envoy John Kerry and China’s special envoy for climate change Xie Zhenhua in Shanghai, said challenge of the climate change will be addressed with the seriousness and urgency that it demands despite tensions on multiple other fronts.
Istanbul Airport tops European traffic charts again

ANKARA, APR 18 – Turkey’s Istanbul Airport maintained its lead in European traffic charts with 604 flights on April 14, the European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation (Eurocontrol) said on Sunday. According to its latest flight traffic report, Istanbul Airport was followed by Paris Charles de Gaulle with 478 flights and Frankfurt with 474 flights. The Amsterdam Airport ranked fourth with 451 flights. The Madrid Barajas Airport came fifth with 414 daily flights, followed by Sabiha Gokcen Airport, another airport in Istanbul, with 345 flights. Seven of theRead More
PM taking steps to control inflation in country: Rashid

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed says Prime Minister Imran Khan is taking steps to control inflation in the country and relief is being provided to the people through ‘Sasta Bazars.’ Talking to media, while visiting a Ramadan Model Bazar in Islamabad on Sunday, he said relief is being provided on edible items in these bazars. Responding to a question, the Minister ruled out talks with banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan. He said all motorways, GT road, and linking highways are open for traffic.
Govt not to be blackmailed by any outlawed armed group: Fawad

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain says the government believes in negotiations, but it will not be blackmailed by any outlawed armed group. In a statement today (Sunday), he said law enforcement agencies had to carry out an operation in Lahore today after police and Rangers personnel were abducted by the activists of the proscribed group. The Minister said Prime Minister Imran Khan is a true “Aashiq-e-Rasool” (Sallallah o Alaihe Wasalam Khatimun Nabiyeen), and he has raised voice for Namoos-e-Risalat (Sallallah o Alaihe Wasalam) at every forum.
UNSC welcomes Saudi peace initiative

The initiative provides for a nationwide ceasefire, reopening of Sanaa International Airport and allowing fuel and food imports through the port of Hodeidah New York: The UN Security Council has welcomed Saudi Arabia’s peace initiative launched last month to end the Yemeni conflict and reach a political solution to the crisis. In a press statement released on Friday, the council said the Saudi initiative is in line with the UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths’ peace proposal,Saudi Press Agency reported. The initiative provides for a nationwide ceasefire, reopening ofRead More