TEHRAN: (DNA) – Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday reached Saadabad Palace to hold meeting with President Hassan Rouhani.Upon arrival at the Palace, PM Khan was accorded warm welcome and received by Iranian president himself.Matters related to bilateral interests and regional security will come under discussion.The premier, during his two-day- visit will also call on Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and meet Pakistani and Iranian business community.
Asad Umar – ‘a man of integrity who dares to speak truth’, says Lijian Zhao
ISLAMABAD: (DNA) – Deputy Chief of Mission at Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, Lijian Zhao lauded former Finance minister Asad Umar for his strong moral principles calling him, “a man of integrity. A man who dares to speak truth.”Lijian Zhao Sunday posted a video clip of the outgoing minister on his Twitter Handle, and wrote: “A man of integrity. A man who dares to speak truth. @Asad_Umar #AsadUmar.
Indonesia’s Jokowi Set for 2nd Term as President
Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has won a second five-year term, preliminary election results showed Wednesday, in a victory for moderation over the nationalistic rhetoric of his rival, Prabowo Subianto.Vote counts from five independent survey groups showed Jokowi with a clear lead over Subianto, a general during the era of the Suharto military dictatorship who warned Indonesia would fall apart without his strongman leadership.
Environment emerges as major issue for Australian voters
MELBOURNE: (DNA) – The environment has emerged as a major issue for Australian voters, a poll showed on Sunday, but healthcare and the cost of living are the top concerns ahead of next month’s elections.For 32 percent of Australians, access to affordable health services is the biggest worry, followed by the cost of living at 31 percent and crime at 25 percent, according to the Ipsos Issues Monitor, cited by the Sydney Morning Herald.
Jokowi’s election win sets up Indonesia political free-for-all
JAKARTA , (DNA) — The electoral victory of Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo last week represents a win for the nation’s political elite.Although the official count is not due until late May, an unofficial quick count suggests voters gave Widodo, 57, a former furniture exporter, a solid mandate. His challenger, former general Prabowo Subianto, appears to have lost to Widodo for a second time.Markets are reacting with relief. The rupiah strengthened around 1% on Wednesday as Widodo appeared to be cruising to a likely victory. The country’s stock exchange was closed on election day but the Jakarta Composite Index rose as much as 2.3% on Thursday.
Kashmiris’ struggle cannot be suppressed: Gandapur
ISLAMABAD, April 21 (DNA): Minister for Kashmir Affairs Ali Amin Gandapur here on Sunday said that Kashmiris’ just and indigenous struggle for self-determination could not be suppressed through Indian brutalities in occupied Kashmir.In a statement, Ali Amin Gandapur strongly condemned the state terrorism of India against Kashmiri people who are struggling for their right to self-determination for the last seven decades.Expressing serious concern over the health of a renowned Kashmiri leader Yasin Malik, the minister said, “India will not succeed in shattering Kashmiris unshakable resolve through inhuman measures.”
Eight outlaws held; stolen bike and weapons recovered
ISLAMABAD, April 21 (DNA): Islamabad Capital Police have arrested eight outlaws from various localities of the city and recovered stolen bike, tampered car, wine and weapons from their possession a police spokesman said.Following the directions of DIG (Operations) Waqar Uddin Syed, all officials of Islamabad police had accelerated their efforts to curb activities of anti-social elements and drug pushers.According to details, Golra police arrested accused Muqam Khan and recovered stolen bike from him.Bhara Kahu police arrested Fareed and recovered one 30 bore pistol along with ammunition from him.
PM Iran visit to reinforce Tehran, Islamabad trust: Mushahid
ISLAMABAD, April 21 (DNA): Chairman of Pakistan’s Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Mushahid Hussain Syed says Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Iran would reinforce confidence and trust between Tehran and Islamabad.Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed said the visit would also built strong political ties between the leaders of Iran and Pakistan.Prime Minister Imran Khan is paying an official visit to Iran on 21-22 April 2019 on the invitation of President of Iran, Hassan Rouhani. This is the first visit of the Prime Minister to Iran.
World leaders react to deadly Sri Lanka blasts
COLOMBO, (DNA) – World leaders have condemned a series of blasts in Sri Lanka that killed more than 160 people on Sunday, including dozens of foreigners – with British, Dutch and American citizens believed to be among them.Hospital sources also said Japanese citizens were among those injured by the bombs which ripped through high-end hotels and churches holding Easter services.Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe condemned the string of blasts as “cowardly” and said the government was working to “contain the situation.”
At least 129 killed, hundreds more injured in Colombo Easter Sunday blasts
COLOMBO: (DNA) – Easter Day bomb blasts at three Sri Lankan churches and three luxury hotels killed about 129 people and wounded more than 400, a hospital director and police officials said, following a lull in major attacks since the end of the civil war 10 years ago.In just one church, St. Sebastian’s in Katuwapitiya, north of Colombo, more than 50 people had been killed, a police official told Reuters, with pictures showing bodies on the ground, blood on the pews and a destroyed roof.
