UK to Give Ukraine Depleted Uranium Shells Despite Russian Warnings
Drastic Emissions Reductions Needed to Halt Climate Catastrophe
Unrest in Pakistan
The US and China are heading towards inevitable conflict if Washington does not change its approach, China’s new foreign minister has said in a fiery press conference in which he defended his country’s strengthening relationship with Russia. In his first media appearance as foreign minister, Qin Gang outlined China’s foreign policy agenda for the coming years, presenting China and its relationship with Russia as a beacon of strength and stability, and the US and its allies as a source of tension and conflict.
Oman's Civil Aviation Authority said that Omani airspace is now open to all civilian carriers, an indirect announcement that the Gulf State's airspace will also be open to ‘Israeli’ carriers. The Jewish entity’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen later thanked Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al Said and said that the decision "will shorten the route to Asia, lower costs for ‘Israeli’ citizens and help ‘Israeli’ airlines be more competitive."
Pakistan's National Assembly passed the Finance Supplementary Bill introduced on Feb. 15, which will implement higher taxes. The bill proposes a general sales tax increase from 17% to 18%, a luxury imports tax increase from 17% to 25% and higher fares for air travel.
Pakistani Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said Islamabad had agreed to the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) demands for economic reforms after the fund's 10-day visit to Pakistan. These reforms will bring Pakistan closer to unlocking funds from the IMF's bailout program, which Pakistan needs in order to prop up its depleted foreign exchange reserves and avoid default.
