Friday, February 13th, 2026
New Syrian consulate in Bonn marks diplomatic milestone
BERLIN, Feb 13: Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani, affirmed that the reopening of the Syrian Consulate in the German city of Bonn represents a significant milestone in Syrian diplomatic efforts and reflects the Syrian State’s vision of strengthening its international presence and serving its citizens abroad. “Syrian-German relations have deep cultural and humanitarian roots and have gained exceptional momentum since the fall of the ousted regime,” Al-Shaibani said during the opening ceremony the other day.
Rubio heads to Munich to heap pressure on Europeans
WASHINGTON, FEB 13: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio departed Thursday for the Munich Security Conference, where his aim will be to keep up pressure on Europe, though the tone is expected to be less confrontational than last year. In 2025, President Donald Trump’s newly minted Vice President JD Vance launched a stark attack on European policies on immigration, populist parties and free speech, saying that freedom of expression was “in retreat” across the continent. Vance also seemed to embrace the views of far-right parties such as Germany’s AfD. ButRead More
PM Shehbaz praises UAE support during challenging times
ISLAMABAD, FEB 13 /DNA/ – Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation today with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi. During their warm and cordial conversation, the two leaders fondly recalled their recent meetings in Islamabad and Rahim Yar Khan last month, during the UAE President’s first official visit to Pakistan. The Prime Minister lauded the UAE’s consistent and unwavering support to Pakistan, that had helped the country navigate through difficult challenges. This support, he said, wasRead More
At UN, Pakistan stresses implementation of Kashmir resolutions, tough action against terrorism
UNITED NATIONS, Feb 13 (APP/DNA): The visiting Pakistan’s Parliamentary Delegation, which is led by Senate Chairman Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, met Thursday with the United Nations General Assembly President, Annalena Baerbock, amid growing challenges the UN faces, including persistent Charter violations and non-implementation of Security Council resolutions. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Annual Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Hearing 2026 at the UN Headquarters in New York. A press release of the Pakistan Mission to the UN said that the Senate chairman reiterated Pakistan’s firm and principled supportRead More
Hearing impaired girls shine at month long cricket coaching program in Islamabad
ISLAMABAD, FEB 13 /DNA/ – The Directorate General of Special Education (DGSE) organized the final match and closing ceremony of a month long Cricket Coaching Program for hearing impaired girls at the National Special Education Center for Hearing Impaired Children, H-9, Islamabad. The coaching program, conducted with the support of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), aimed to promote inclusive sports opportunities and empower girls with hearing impairment through structured cricket training. Six teams: Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, White, and Orange participated in the program and competed with great enthusiasm throughoutRead More
Islamabad Red Zone sealed as opposition stages sit-in outside parliament over Imran’s health concerns
ISLAMABAD, FEB 13: Islamabad’s Red Zone was sealed on Friday, with police preventing lawmakers from approaching Parliament House amid Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) sit-in. The PTI had announced a sit-in outside the building in the high-security zone, protesting the alleged negligence in the treatment of jailed former prime minister and party founder Imran Khan’s eye ailment. Police contingents have been deployed and barriers placed at Radio Pakistan Chowk to stop movement towards Shahrah-e-Dastoor and Parliament House. The fresh protest comes following a report submitted by PTI counsel Salman Safdar before theRead More