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WASHINGTON: The United Nations on Friday added Israel and Russia to a UN blacklist of countries suspected of committing sexual violence in conflict zones, a move that prompted Israel’s foreign ministry to say it would sever all ties with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Guterres’ annual report to the UN Security Council on conflict-related sexual violence goes a step further than last year, when he put Israel and Russia “on notice” that they could be added to the list of parties “credibly suspected of committing or being responsible for patterns of rape or other forms of sexual violence.” The latest report…

China on Friday delivered a 174,000-cubic-meter liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier that is the country’s first to use a fully domestic set of cryogenic valves in its cargo containment system – a milestone that completes a full domestic supply chain for large LNG carriers, from materials and design to equipment, according to China Media Group (CMG). The vessel, named Puteri Johor, was built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC). It is 299 meters long and 46.4 meters wide, with a deck area equivalent to three football fields. Its four cargo tanks can carry 174,000 cubic…

The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) on Friday voiced its firm opposition to the European Union’s (EU) draft revision to its Cybersecurity Act, citing that the draft contains obviously unreasonable content. The draft introduces “non-technical risk” factors, and directly links cybersecurity risks to companies from specific countries or specific national backgrounds, seeking to exclude them from relevant EU supply chains, said Wang Yifei, spokesperson for the CCPIT, at a press conference. Wang expressed resolute opposition to these practices, adding that the China Chamber of International Commerce has formally submitted comments to the European side on behalf…

Government officials and business leaders from China and Germany gathered in Guangzhou, capital of south China’s Guangdong Province, on Thursday for an economic roundtable. Germany’s economy and energy minister Katherina Reiche said China has shown strong momentum in growth, investment, innovation and global market expansion, and Germany hopes to attract more Chinese companies to invest and deepen cooperation in digitalization and decarbonization. As one of China’s most open and economically vibrant regions, Guangdong is emerging as a key platform for economic and trade cooperation between China and Germany. Guangdong Vice Governor Zhang Guozhi said trade between Guangdong and Germany rose…

The return capsule of China’s Shenzhou-22 crewed spaceship, carrying the three Shenzhou-21 astronauts, touched down at the Dongfeng landing site in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region at 8:11 p.m. on Friday, according to the China Manned Space Agency. On-site medical personnel confirmed that astronauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang were all in good health. The mission was a complete success. At 7:20 p.m., the Beijing Aerospace Control Center sent the return command from the ground. The return capsule of the Shenzhou-22 spaceship then separated from the orbital capsule and later touched down successfully. The search and recovery…

US President Donald Trump will only make a peace deal with Iran if it meets all of his conditions, a White House official told AFP , as questions swirled about the state of negotiations to end the war. The White House had indicated Trump was close to a decision on a potential deal, even as Tehran insisted there was still “no final agreement” on ending the Middle East conflict. An Iranian state media report also rebutted several key elements of Trump’s characterisation of the deal, with sources calling his remarks a “mixture of truth and lies.” US sources had told AFP the deal was…

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan reiterated its steadfast commitment to further strengthening global peace efforts through active participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions. In a message on International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers being observed today, he said: “Our continued contribution reflects Pakistan’s enduring commitment to international peace and security, as well as to the principles of multilateralism.” He said: “Today, Pakistan joins the international community in paying rich tribute to the brave men and women serving under the United Nations flag on the occasion of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.” “Observed annually across the world, this…

Renowned singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has secured major relief from the Lahore High Court in an inheritance property dispute after the court set aside a trial court decision that had dismissed his appeal over non-payment of court fees. Justice Muhammad Sajid Mahmood Sethi issued an eight-page written judgement on Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s petition. The Lahore High Court declared the trial court’s decision to dismiss the singer’s appeal for non-payment of court fees null and void. The court also restored Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s appeal and directed him to deposit a fine of Rs100,000. According to the written judgement,…

The US said on Thursday it has imposed new sanctions on Iran’s ​military oil trade, even as Washington and Tehran reached a ‌tentative agreement to extend their ceasefire and lift restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The Treasury Department said it had sanctioned eight vessels involved in ​transporting Iranian crude oil and petroleum products to global markets. ​The vessels included the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker Flora, the ⁠Comoros-flagged crude oil tanker Hauncayo and the Panama-flagged tanker Ill Gap. “We ​will not allow the Iranian government to increase its oil revenue ​for the purpose of reconstituting its armed forces…

Famous singer Sanam Sindhu has accused several people of attacking her and her team during a wedding ceremony in Shikarpur, prompting police to file a report and promise action against those involved. Sanam Sindhu said she had been invited by Lakh Baradari to perform at a wedding ceremony in Mirani locality, within the limits of New Faujdari police station. According to the artist, some people at the event were drunk and began misbehaving during the ceremony. She alleged that the host continued immoral acts while intoxicated. Sindhu claimed that the accused attacked her during the ceremony. She further alleged that her entire…