Daily News Brief

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April 18, 2024 (Thursday)

GLOBAL

Asia Pacific

1.       China, US Should Find Ways for Pragmatic Military Relations, Chinese Defence Minister Says. China and the United States should explore ways for a pragmatic and cooperative relationship between their militaries, and "gradually accumulate mutual trust", the Chinese defence minister was cited as saying by the ministry.

2.       U.S. Navy Flies Aircraft Through the Taiwan Strait. The U.S. 7th Fleet said a Navy P-8A Poseidon flew through the Taiwan Strait, a day after U.S. and Chinese defense chiefs held their first talks since November 2022 in an effort to reduce regional tensions.

Russia/Europe/West

3.       Germany Urges Dozens of Allies to Send Air Defence Systems to Ukraine. Germany has written to dozens of countries including Gulf Arab states to plead for more air defence systems for Ukraine, saying Kyiv needed urgent help to protect its cities, troops and critical infrastructure from the “murderous onslaught” of Russian missiles.

4.       Russia Will Grow Faster Than the US and All Other Advanced Economies This Year, the IMF Says. Russia's economy is expected to grow significantly faster than major developed economies this year, including the US, according to the International Monetary Fund.

REGIONAL

India/South Asia

5.       Indian Army Chief Inaugurates High-Tech IT Lab in Uzbekistan. Indian Army Chief Gen. Manoj Pande inaugurated a state-of-the-art IT laboratory facility that also boasts a cutting-edge cybersecurity lab at the Uzbek Academy of Armed Forces during his ongoing visit to Uzbekistan.

IIOJK

6.       IIOJK Authorities Impose Restrictions in Ramban. According to Kashmir Media Service, on the eve of the upcoming Indian Lok Sabha election for the Udhampur Parliamentary Constituency, strict restrictions have been put in place by the District Magistrate Ramban, Baseer-Ul-Haq Chaudhary, under section 144. The polling for the constituency will take place on 19th of April.

Afghanistan

7.       70 Killed as Afghanistan Hit by Heavy Rains. Around 70 people have been killed by heavy rains lashing Afghanistan over the past five days, the government's disaster management department said.

Middle East/Africa

8.       Qatar Says Gaza Cease-Fire Talks at 'Delicate Phase'. Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said the negotiations for a new cease-fire in Gaza are at a “delicate phase.”

Iran

9.       As Diplomats Visit, Israel Signals It Will Answer Iran’s Attack.  The top diplomats from Britain and Germany visited Jerusalem in a bid to calm tensions in the Middle East, as Israel signaled it would not let Iran’s large aerial attack over the weekend go unanswered.

INTERNAL

Security

10.      Saudi FM Stresses ‘Strategic Nature of Ties’ in Meeting with COAS. Emphasising on exploring multiple avenues for continued reinforcement of bilateral ties, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud has underscored the enduring and strategic nature of the relationship between Riyadh and Islamabad.

Economy

11.      Govt orders ministries to surrender unused funds by 15 May. In a move likely prompted by the current economic challenges, the government has directed all ministries to surrender any unspent funds by 15th May, according to sources within the Ministry of Finance.

Politics

12.      Pakistan Says It Blocked Social Media Platform X over ‘National Security’. Pakistan blocked access to social media platform X around the time of elections in February, the interior ministry said, citing national security concerns.

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