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The Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) concluded its 22nd session Thursday in Beijing. At the closing meeting, lawmakers voted to adopt the revised Prison Law and the Social Assistance Law. The session also voted to appoint Zhang Zhu as minister of agriculture and rural affairs, replacing Han Jun, and appoint Zhang Chengzhong as minister of emergency management. President Xi Jinping signed two presidential orders to promulgate the laws and a third one to announce the decision on the personnel changes. Zhao Leji, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, presided over the closing meeting. Lawmakers also ratified…

US President Donald Trump said Thursday he may reduce US military presence in Spain and Italy, one day after he announced that his administration is assessing a possible cut of troops in Germany. “Yeah, probably will,” Trump told reporters at the White House when asked about the possible reduction. “Why shouldn’t I? Italy has not been of any help. Spain has been horrible. Absolutely,” said Trump, again slamming European allies for not helping in the US-Israeli war against Iran. Trump repeated his criticism of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, claiming Merz “is doing a terrible job.” Earlier this week, Merz said…

The Chinese Foreign Ministry released a working paper regarding Japan’s pursuit of nuclear weapons on Thursday, urging the Japanese side to abide by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the Three Non-Nuclear Principles – not possessing, not producing and not allowing introduction of nuclear weapons into Japanese territory. In recent years, Japan has consistently engaged in negative rhetoric and actions regarding the issue of possessing nuclear weapons, with Japanese officials repeatedly and openly discussing revising the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, noted the paper. It added that Japan has pushed forward revisions to its National Security Strategy and…

Chinese President Xi Jinping has extended festive greetings and best wishes to the country’s working people ahead of the International Workers’ Day, which falls on May 1. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, sent the greetings on behalf of the CPC Central Committee. This year marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the CPC and the first year of the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030). Xi called on workers across the country to work hard, deliver solid results, and play a leading role in…

Pakistan believes in diplomacy grounded in negotiations, whether under a new or an existing framework, the Foreign Office said on Thursday, as contacts continue between the United States and Iran. Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, in a weekly briefing, said talks between Tehran and Washington were under way and that Pakistan places confidence in negotiation-based diplomacy to address complex issues. Owing to the confidence of the parties involved, he said, details of the talks and proposals are not discussed, adding that Pakistan does not place specific points of ongoing negotiations before the media. He confirmed that diplomatic contacts with both…

Iran’s top leadership has sharply criticized the United States over rising tensions in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, saying Washington is responsible for regional instability. Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said a “new chapter” has opened in the Strait of Hormuz, while President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that America’s naval blockade against Iran will fail. Khamenei said a new situation is emerging in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. He said a new chapter has opened in the strategic waterway, which remains one of the world’s most important maritime routes. Khamenei accused the United States of being…

The dream of owning a home has moved closer for thousands of Pakistanis as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif officially launched the Prime Minister’s Apna Ghar Scheme in Islamabad. Under the program, citizens will be able to apply online for housing loans of up to Rs10 million, repayable over 20 years, with relaxed housing finance rules and faster loan approvals. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers and senior officials attended the event. Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan and Federal Minister for Housing Riaz Hussain Pirzada were also present. Cheques were distributed among successful applicants of the first phase…

Pakistan may face a heightened risk of flooding during this year’s monsoon due to the possible impact of El Nino and Super El Nino, according to NDMA official Zahra Hassan. Speaking to Samaa TV, Hassan warned that upper parts of the country, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Pothohar could be affected by intense rainfall and flooding. What is El Nino? El Nino is a weather pattern linked to rising ocean temperatures, which can influence rainfall, heat and storm systems in different parts of the world. NDMA official Zahra Hassan said that when the ocean temperature reaches 8 degrees,…

Australia are set to visit Pakistan for an ODI series, with all matches of the proposed Pak-Australia series likely to be held in Lahore. According to the report, the three ODIs are expected to take place on May 31, June 2 and June 4, while the Pakistan Cricket Board is likely to officially announce the full schedule soon. All matches of the Pakistan-Australia ODI series are likely to be played in Lahore. The proposed schedule suggests that the first ODI will be held on May 31, followed by the second match on June 2 and the third ODI on June…

Sindh has completed nine months of the current financial year, but the province has spent only 35% of its development budget, raising questions over the pace of public-sector spending. According to the available budget details, billions of rupees remain unspent with only three months left before the fiscal year ends. Sindh allocated Rs520 billion for 3,642 development projects during the current financial year. However, after nine months, only 35% of the development budget has been spent. The slow utilization means a large portion of the development funds remains pending at a time when the province is expected to accelerate work…