Wednesday, April 21st, 2021
Australia cancels Belt and Road deals; China warns of further damage to ties
Australia on Wednesday cancelled two deals struck by its state of Victoria with China on Beijing’s flagship Belt and Road Initiative, prompting the Chinese embassy in Canberra to warn that already tense bilateral ties were bound to worsen. Under a new process in Australia, Foreign Minister Marise Payne has the power to review deals reached with other nations by the country’s states and universities. Payne said she had decided to cancel four deals, including two that Victoria agreed with China, in 2018 and 2019, on cooperation with the Belt andRead More
Oman to impose travel ban on Pak
ISLAMABAD: Oman will impose a ban on the entry of travellers from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, as coronavirus cases in the three countries continue to surge. The decision was taken by Oman’s supreme committee for coronavirus on Wednesday. As per the committee, the ban will come into effect from April 24. Those who have passed through these countries in the two weeks before travelling are also barred from entry. “The ban begins at 6 pm on Saturday, 24 April 2021, and continues till further notice. This is with the exceptionRead More
‘Pakistan values Turkey’s efforts’
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday said it valued Turkey’s efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan and expressed hope that the Afghan parties would not miss the opportunity to work out an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement, during next finalization of meeting. Responding to media queries on the postponement of Afghan Peace Process conference due to be held in Turkey, Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said Pakistan hoped that the meeting of Afghan leadership in Turkey, on the new dates once finalized, would be an important opportunity for theRead More
Rouhani stresses upon Pak-Iran security co-op
Qureshi meets Iranian President; thanks him for support to establish border markets TEHRAN: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that security is a common concern of Iran and Pakistan, underlining the need for both countries to cooperate in this regard. The president made the remarks during a meeting in Tehran with visiting Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. The foreign minister, on behalf of President Dr. Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan, conveyed a message of goodwill to President Rouhani and the brotherly Iranian nation. President Rouhani urgedRead More
Quetta: 1 dead, 9 injured in Zarghun Road blast
QUETTA: One person died and nine others were injured in a blast that took place on the city’s Zarghun Road on Wednesday. The blast occurred in the parking area of a hotel located near the Serena Chowk, said police. Several vehicles parked in the area were damaged due to the intensity of the blast, added police. The injured have been shifted to the Civil Hospital, said sources. Police said it is trying to figure out the intensity of the blast. The area has been cordoned off and an investigation isRead More
MoU signed for establishment of border markets
TEHRAN: Signing of “Memorandum of Understanding between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for the establishment of border markets along the border between the two countries” by the Foreign Ministers of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Pakistan. By signing this memorandum of understanding and with the aim of promoting economic relations between the two countries and the welfare of the border residents, the two sides agreed to establish joint border markets along the common border between the two countries. Accordingly, in the first phase,Read More