Daily News Brief

 

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April 25, 2024 (Thursday)

GLOBAL

Asia Pacific

1.       China Claims US Military Aid to Taiwan is Pushing Island into 'Dangerous Situation'. The office's spokesperson, Zhu Fenglian, added that Taiwan's ruling pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, which won a third four-year presidential term in January, is willing to "become a pawn for external forces to use Taiwan to contain China, bringing Taiwan into a dangerous situation."

2.       Korea Launches First Nanosatellite to Boost Surveillance over Peninsula. Korea launched its first nanosatellite or mini-satellite, NEONSAT-1, into space, to enhance its surveillance system and better monitor natural disasters on the Korean Peninsula, the Ministry of Science and ICT said.

Russia/Europe/West

3.       Ukraine Foreign Minister Says West Must Boost Defence as ‘Era of Peace is Over’. Ukraine’s foreign minister has enthusiastically praised US politicians for approving a long-delayed $61bn military aid package for Ukraine, but said western allies needed to recognise that “the era of peace in Europe is over” and that Kyiv will inevitably need more help to fight off Russia.

4.       As Ukraine Waits for US Military Aid, Russia Makes Further Advances in the East. As the US prepares to transfer significant military aid to Ukraine following the Senate passing funding legislation worth $61 billion, reports from eastern Ukraine continue to highlight Kyiv’s sliding fortunes on the battlefield.

REGIONAL

India/South Asia

5.       Maldives Vows to Continue China-Backed Building Boom, Drive Indian Troops Out. Two days after his party’s stunning parliamentary victory, President Mohamed Muizzu’s office said that Maldives will press on with Chinese-backed construction projects and evict Indian troops from the country.

IIOJK

6.       Two Indian Troops Injured in Bandipora Attack. According to Kashmir Media Service, the Indian troops were injured in the attack during a cordon and search operation in Ranji area of the district.

Afghanistan

7.       Pakistan and Iran See Afghanistan-Based Terror Groups 'Serious Threat' to Global Security. Pakistan and Iran pledged that they would increase joint efforts against Afghanistan’s terrorism threat and urged Afghanistan’s hardline Taliban government to involve all Afghans in “basic decision-making.”

Middle East/Africa

8.       Gaza Could Surpass Famine Thresholds in Six Weeks, WFP Official Says. The Gaza Strip could surpass famine thresholds of food insecurity, malnutrition and mortality in six weeks, an official from the World Food Programme said.

Iran

9.       Raeisi Attends Inauguration of Iran-Built Mega Multipurpose Project in Sri Lanka.  Iran's President Ebrahim Raeisi has taken part in the inauguration ceremony of a mega multi-purpose project built by Iranian contractors in Sri Lanka, which was long delayed due to international sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

INTERNAL

Security

10.      Two TTP Terrorists Killed in Punjab While Crossing over from KP. The Khorasan Diary has reported that two terrorists were killed in Bhakkar, Punjab while entering the province from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Economy

11.      Pakistan and Iran Set to Finalize Free Trade Agreement. This agreement is part of a broader initiative to boost bilateral trade to USD 10 billion within the next five years. The decision came during a high-profile meeting between Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, who is currently on a three-day official visit to Pakistan.

Politics

12.      President Zardari for Stronger Pakistan-China Partnership in Multiple Sectors. Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari said that the strategic partnership between Pakistan and China needs to be further bolstered in various areas including trade, economy, agriculture, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural relations.