The United States has imposed sanctions on two China-based drone suppliers and their alleged Russian partners, the first time it has penalized Chinese companies for supplying complete weapons systems to Russia for its war in Ukraine. Washington has long accused China of supporting Russia’s war effort by supplying dual-use goods and components that could be used in the manufacture of weapons, which Beijing denies. But in an announcement Thursday, the US Treasury Department accused the Chinese firms of direct involvement in arms supplies to Moscow. The Chinese companies had collaborated with Russian defense firms in the production of Moscow’s “Garpiya series” long-range unmanned aerial vehicles, the

By : Kh Kashif Mir The 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, chaired by Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, concluded in Islamabad with the signing of eight significant agreements. These agreements addressed issues such as the SCO’s budget, the operations of its secretariat, and regional counterterrorism efforts, underscoring the organization’s commitment to cooperation in security, trade, and economic development. Throughout the summit, leaders from SCO member states reaffirmed their dedication to promoting regional peace, political stability, and socio-economic collaboration. The discussions also highlighted the importance of enhancing cooperation in science, technology, the digital economy, and information security. The summit participants

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has expressed optimism about restoring Pakistan’s ties with India and meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an interview with an Indian journalist, Barkha Dutt, on the eve of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. Pakistan is hosting the summit between October 15 and October 16. Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar is scheduled to attend the conference. Talking to Dutt with reference to Pakistan-India ties, Nawaz said he has always been a supporter of good relations with India. “I hope that there is an opportunity to revive our relationship,” The PML-N president, who served

Pakistan is geared up to host the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit on October 15-16, 2024, in Islamabad. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit (SCO) is an intergovernmental entity that focuses on addressing political, economic, defense, and security matters within the Eurasian region. It is primarily overseen by the Council of Heads of State (HSC) and the Council of Heads of Government (HGC). The summit is not only a platform for diplomatic engagements, but also a significant opportunity for Pakistan to enhance its socio-political and economic standing. Holding this summit in Pakistan is a great opportunity to clarify how it can attract investment

3.2 million square metre mega farm in the kingdom sets a global benchmark in agriculture Saudi Arabia has etched its name in the Guinness World Records with a monumental achievement in agriculture. An extension farm of the Research Unit for Renewable Water Agriculture located in Wadi Bin Hashbal, Asir region, has been recognised as the world’s largest farm in terms of area. The accolade was officially acknowledged in a ceremony organised by the Saudi Reef Program at its headquarters in Riyadh. The Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al Fadhli, was honoured to receive the certificate of

Factors like demographics and turnout in this group of counties could play critical roles in the outcome of this year’s race for the White House – or in U.S. politics beyond. By Louis JacobsonThe presidential election officially is decided by the states through the Electoral College. But to fully understand the race’s dynamics, it also helps to look one level down – at counties. That’s what U.S. News has done through a series examining 15 battleground counties that could prove crucial in this year’s race for the White House – now pitting Vice President Kamala Harris against former President Donald Trump

By Timothy Gardner WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States expanded sanctions against Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical sectors on Friday in response to an Iranian missile attack on Israel, the administration of President Joe Biden said. The U.S. move adds petroleum and petrochemicals to an executive order that targets key sectors of Iran’s economy with the aim of denying the government funds to support its nuclear and missile programs. “The new designations today also include measures against the ‘Ghost Fleet’ that carries Iran’s illicit oil to buyers around the world,” Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser, said in a statement. “These measures

Former Barcelona, Real Madrid and Liverpool stars are among the 10 players with the most career hat-tricks in the 21st century. Most players are lucky if they score just one hat-trick in their entire career, but in order to make the cut for this list, you need a minimum of 18 hat-tricks to your name. Using stats from Transfermarkt, here are the 10 players with the most hat-tricks in the 21st century for club and country. Note: hat-tricks have only been counted when a player is active in a top 15 league. =8. Sergio Aguero – 18 The Argentine legend holds

North Korea said it would permanently seal its border with South Korea and cut off all roads and railways linking the neighbouring countries but stopped short, for now, of formally declaring Seoul its chief enemy. Pyongyang would “permanently shut off and block the southern border”, the official KCNA news agency reported, adding it would “fortify the relevant areas of our side with strong defence structures”. The military called it a “self-defensive measure for inhibiting war and defending the security” of North Korea as “the hostile forces are getting ever more reckless in their confrontational hysteria”. It was unclear how the decision would impact relations with South Korea, analysts said, given that travel and

Former President Donald Trump’s team has blown past a pair of key deadlines for his presidential transition in a break from precedent that could have longterm national security ramifications. With just over 100 days until a new president is inaugurated and less than a month until Election Day, delays in the transition planning could pose challenges for a peaceful transfer of power. In an environment of intense polarization and mistrust, Max Stier, the president and CEO of the nonprofit and nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service, starkly warned that transition activities are “optional at real risk.” “You’re going to need to engage, and