ISLAMABAD — The ongoing budget debate in National Assembly of Pakistan has become a focal point for political tensions, highlighting deep divisions within the ruling coalition and raising concerns about the country’s fiscal health. Lawmakers have expressed strong reservations over the proposed federal budget for the fiscal year 2025-26, which stands at Rs17.573 trillion—a 7%…
“This morning a food convoy waiting to move into northern Gaza was hit by Israeli naval gunfire; thankfully no-one was injured,” said Tom White, Director of Affairs for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNWRA. Accompanying the post on X, formerly Twitter, two photographs showed a stationary flat-bed lorry parked in front of a UN…
Briefing ambassadors, Caroline Ziadeh, Special Representative of the Secretary-General cited a “serious” incident on 24 September, that saw five people – including a Kosovo police officer – killed and others injured. “[These events] exacerbated an already deteriorating security environment, characterized by an atmosphere of mutual suspicion and contradictory perceptions touching much of the population,” she…
Mohammad Najib Azmi Mikati argued that one of the primary challenges facing Lebanon was filling the presidential vacancy, along with instituting reforms needed to achieve economic recovery, ease the financial crisis, and promote institutional and political stability in the country. He expressed hope that the Lebanese Parliament would elect a president the Lebanese people could…
“Given the tensions and divisions arising from the constitutional referendum, the Central African authorities urgently need to engage all actors in a genuine political dialogue aimed at de-escalating the situation”, said Yao Agbetse, the UN Independent Expert on the Central African Republic, at the end of a 10-day visit to the country. Inclusive talks “Only an…
On 4 August, the Ethiopian Council of Ministers declared a state of emergency in the region after, according to media reports, the regional leader said he was no longer able to contain a surge of violence between a local militia and the army over a disputed plan to absorb the regional security forces into the…
US Secretary of State Anthony Blanken says that the restoration of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia is not impossible, but will be more difficult due to the tension between Jewish settlers and Palestinian citizens in the West Bank. Speaking at a Council on Foreign Relations event in New York, Antony Blanken said the expansion…
South Korea summons Chinese ambassador for commenting on US relations South Korea’s foreign ministry has summoned China’s ambassador to protest comments that accused Seoul of leaning toward the U.S. and distancing itself from China as the competition between Washington and Beijing for global influence intensifies. Adopting South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Chang Ho-jin warned Chinese…
“Key peace and security issues, such as the situation on the Korean Peninsula, must be an area for cooperation,” she cautioned in a briefing to the 15-member Council on recent developments. “Diplomacy – not isolation – is the only way forward.” During the Council’s emergency debate on the issue, members expressed divergent views, with many…
“There is no time to spare,” said Tor Wennesland, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process. “We must take action, not only to ensure Palestinian well-being and governance, but as an integral part of ending the occupation and restoring a political horizon toward a viable two-State solution, based on UN resolutions, international…
