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The number of foreign trade entities registered in south China’s Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) has surpassed 100,000, according to customs data released on Wednesday. From December 18, 2025, to January 10, 4,709 new entities were registered, reflecting a rapid expansion. The policy dividends and new business processes have led to a surge in consultation demand from many market entities. According to customs official Zhu He, a single hotline at the government service center can receive over 100 consultation calls per day. On December 18 last year, China launched island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan FTP, allowing freer entry…

“The one-China principle is clearly reflected in the foreign policies of all 11 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states, which constitute our collective consensus, and this position has never changed, remaining consistent and unequivocal,” Secretary-General of ASEAN Kao Kim Hourn said in a recent interview. ASEAN attaches great importance to regional peace and stability, consistently advocating dialogue, diplomacy and constructive engagement, he said in an interview with Xinhua on January 12. He said the ASEAN Charter explicitly upholds sovereignty and territorial integrity, noting that sound relations with China help foster long-term peace and stability in the region. Amid…

The fifth plenary session of the 20th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the Communist Party of China (CPC), held in Beijing from Monday to Wednesday, outlined key priorities for advancing full and rigorous Party self-governance and pledged intensified anti-corruption efforts as China enters the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030). Advancing full and rigorous Party self-governance The meeting highlighted that 2026 marks both the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan and the 105th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, underscoring new requirements in advancing full and rigorous Party self-governance. Against this backdrop, the communique stressed the need…

ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SC Financial Technologies LLC, an affiliated entity of World Liberty Financial, to explore using World Liberty’s stablecoin for cross-border transactions. The Pakistan Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (PVARA) said in a statement that a memorandum of understanding with SC Financial Technologies would enable “dialogue and technical understanding around emerging digital payment architectures”. The announcement of the memorandum came during a visit to Pakistan by Zach Witkoff, son of US special envoy Steve Witkoff and co-founder and chief executive of World Liberty. Witkoff also met senior Pakistani stakeholders to…

Pakistan has denounced remarks by Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on “avenging history” and building a strong India, terming them irresponsible and provocative. Responding to the statement, the Foreign Office spokesperson said Doval’s comments reflected a mindset rooted in hatred and hostility. The spokesperson said Pakistan was not surprised by such rhetoric and termed it as an effort to promote divisive thinking and replace sound policy with imagined and distorted historical narratives. The spokesperson added that such statements did not serve peace or stability in the region and instead encouraged provocation and intolerance. It is pertinent to note that…

The Federal Constitutional Court on Wednesday indicated that the suo motu proceedings in the Arshad Sharif murder case had entered their final stage and that an appropriate order would be issued shortly. During the hearing, the court directed all parties to submit written arguments within five days. Justice Aamer Farooq, who presided over the proceedings, observed that the investigation in the case had progressed slowly, but said the court did not wish to apportion blame for the delay. Justice Farooq stated that once the written submissions were received, the court would pass a suitable order. Additional Attorney General Aamir Rehman…

Veteran Pakistani film director Syed Noor on Wednesday said Pakistan’s film industry cannot be revived in its traditional form, stressing that a new era must be shaped by the younger generation. He was speaking at the opening ceremony of a two day film festival organized by the Punjab University Department of Film and Broadcasting. Punjab University Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Ali inaugurated the festival. The event was attended by renowned director Syed Noor, Chairperson of the Film and Broadcasting Department Prof Dr Lubna Zaheer, writer Amna Mufti, and a large number of students. Addressing the gathering, Syed Noor said the…

The death toll from protests in Iran has reached 2,571, the US-based HRANA human rights group reported on Wednesday. According to a human rights group, the number of deaths during the protests in Iran continues to rise, adding that 2,403 protesters and 147 security personnel were killed. Iranian authorities have also acknowledged more than 2,000 deaths, although official figures have not been released. Separately, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi hold a telephonic conversation with his Emirati counterpart in the United Arab Emirates and informed him of the backing that the agitators received from the United States and Israel. Araghchi said that Iran…

A train derailed in northeastern Thailand on Wednesday after a construction crane fell on three of its carriages, killing at least 19 people and injuring about 80, police said. The accident took place on Wednesday morning in the Sikhio district of Nakhon Ratchasima province, 230 km (143 miles) northeast of Bangkok, on a train from the capital bound for Ubon Ratchathani province. “Nineteen bodies have been recovered, but there are still some inside the train carriages that cannot be removed yet because the crane started shifting, so the team pulled back for fear of danger,” Police Colonel Thatchapon Chinnawong said…

The Cricket Australia has confirmed the Pakistan tour for a three-match T20I series at the end of January, ahead of the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. According to details, the tour dates have been agreed with Pakistan, with the first T20I scheduled for January 29. All three matches will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The series will commence on January 29, with the remaining matches set for  January 31 and February 1. The Australian T20I squad will arrive in Lahore on Wednesday, January 28. The toss for all three matches will take place at 5:30…