THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
1. Biden’s Afghan Pullout Is a Victory for Pakistan. But at What Cost?
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/15/world/asia/pakistan-afghanistan-withdrawal.html
2. Rocky US-Pakistan Ties Scrutinized as Foreign Troops Set to Exit Afghanistan
https://www.voanews.com/south-central-asia/rocky-us-pakistan-ties-scrutinized-foreign-troops-set-exit-afghanistan
3. Five things to watch as the U.S. prepares to exit Afghanistan
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/04/26/five-things-watch-us-prepares-exit-afghanistan/
4. Transcript: General Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., Commander, U.S. Central Command, Press Briefing
https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/2582980/general-kenneth-f-mckenzie-jr-commander-us-central-command-holds-a-press-briefi/
5. Preparing for Heightened Tensions between China and India
https://www.cfr.org/report/preparing-heightened-tensions-between-china-and-india
6. U.S.-Israel tensions build as Iran talk’s progress
https://www.axios.com/us-israel-tensions-over-iran-nuclear-talks-vienna-c81a1c98-3a7c-4245-aee3-130105d3b5d6.html
7. Defense Secretary Austin orders aircraft carrier and bombers to guard U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan
https://apple.news/AnpIl-9xsQfirQ73V6_ar1A
8. Rocky US-Pakistan Ties Scrutinized as Foreign Troops Set to Exit Afghanistan
https://www.voanews.com/south-central-asia/rocky-us-pakistan-ties-scrutinized-foreign-troops-set-exit-afghanistan
9. What does Biden’s foreign policy mean for the world?
https://newsus.cgtn.com/news/2021-04-26/What-does-Biden-s-foreign-policy-mean-for-the-world–ZL84UZIUYE/index.html
RUSSIA & EUROPE
| 1. US Rewards for Justice Program violates basic human rights, says Russian diplomat https://tass.com/politics/1281753 2. West turns OPCW into tool of pressure on unwanted countries – Russia’s envoy https://tass.com/politics/1281965 3. British name enormous carrier strike group heading for the Indo-Pacific https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2021/04/26/british-name-enormous-carrier-strike-group-heading-for-the-indo-pacific/ 4. Situation around Open Skies Treaty developing towards its collapse – Russian diplomat https://tass.com/politics/1283387 5. European Parliament suggests halting gas purchases from Russia in case of war with Ukraine https://tass.com/economy/1284835 6. In Russia, 9,284 cases of coronavirus infection were detected per day. This is the maximum since April 17 https://tass.ru/obschestvo/11271959 7. Germany announced its intention to quickly put Nord Stream 2 into operation https://tass.ru/ekonomika/11271033 8. Bishkek reports shootout between Kyrgyz, Tajik military servicemen on the border https://tass.com/world/1284811 9. The first S-400 regiment will arrive in India by the end of the year https://tass.ru/politika/11276189 10. European Union warns of ‘long, hard period’ in Russia ties https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/827906-european-union-warns-of-long-hard-period-in-russia-ties 11. European Parliament ratifies post-Brexit trade deal https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/28/hold-eu-parliament-ratifies-brexit-trade-deal 12. German foreign minister arrives in Pakistan on official visit https://tribune.com.pk/story/2297380/german-foreign-minister-arrives-in-pakistan-on-official-visit 13. Russia sends over 22 tonnes of medical supplies to help India battle COVID-19 wave https://www.businesstoday.in/current/economy-politics/russia-sends-over-22-tonnes-of-medical-supplies-to-help-india-battle-covid-19-wave/story/437816.html 14. France to unveil anti-terrorism bill days after attack against police officer https://www.euronews.com/2021/04/28/france-to-unveil-anti-terrorism-bill-days-after-attack-against-police-officer |
MULTILATERALISM
1. Prioritize people and planet, UN chief urges Asian and Pacific nations
https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/04/1090572
2. ECOSOC chief calls for financial support for small island developing states
https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/04/1090532
3. UN chief stresses ‘clear and urgent need’ for concrete multilateral solutions
https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/04/1090522
4. SDGs will address ‘three planetary crises’ harming life on Earth
https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/04/1090762
POLITICAL ECONOMY & NON-TRADITIONAL THREATS
1. SBP Weekly Data Report
http://www.sbp.org.pk/ecodata/index2.asp
2. Fiscal deficit at 3.5pc of GDP in eight months of current fiscal
http://www.finance.gov.pk/economic/economic_update_april_2021.pdf
3. Pakistan’s regional exports down by 5.7pc
https://www.dawn.com/news/1620580/pakistans-regional-exports-down-by-57pc
4. ADB projects 2% economic growth rate for FY2020-21
https://www.adb.org/news/pakistan-economy-recovering-vaccine-rollout-and-stabilization-measures-remain-key-adb
5. Pakistan has only three weeks of wheat stocks left
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2296965/pakistan-has-only-three-weeks-of-wheat-stocks-left
6. The prospects of a Pakistan-Tajikistan strategic partnership
https://tribune.com.pk/article/97368/the-prospects-of-a-pakistan-tajikistan-strategic-partnership
7. SBP revises current account deficit
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2297069/sbp-revises-current-account-deficit
8. Pakistan Mercantile Exchange can be a solution to the recurring sugar crisis
https://www.dawn.com/news/1620695/pakistan-mercantile-exchange-can-be-a-solution-to-the-recurring-sugar-crisis
9. Govt introduces Rs1.24tn stimulus package for SMEs to shield against insolvency
https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2021/04/28/govt-introduces-rs1-24tn-stimulus-package-for-smes-to-shield-against-insolvency/
10. Khewra salt set to be registered with international trade bodies
https://www.dawn.com/news/1620895/khewra-salt-set-to-be-registered-with-international-trade-bodies
11. Current account shows $959m surplus for first nine months
https://www.dawn.com/news/1619964/current-account-shows-959m-surplus-for-first-nine-months
12. IT exports soar 58% during March 2021
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2296527/it-exports-soar-58-during-march-2021
13. Circular debt to remain over Rs1.1tr by 2023
https://www.dawn.com/news/1620414
14. Gold imports decline by 48.10%
15. https://www.geo.tv/latest/347506-gold-imports-decline-by-4810-in-ongoing-fiscal-years-three-quarters
16. Roshan Digital Accounts receive $1bln in seven months
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/825505-roshan-digital-accounts-receive-1bln-in-seven-months
17. Govt’s historic initiative of Kisan Card to transform agri sector
https://www.radio.gov.pk/26-04-2021/govts-historic-initiative-of-kisan-card-to-transform-agri-sector-in-pakistan-pm
18. Pakistan, Japan sign $367m debt relief pacts
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2297072/pakistan-japan-sign-367m-debt-relief-pacts
19. Pakistan, Azerbaijan to hold business forum
https://profit.pakistantoday.com.pk/2021/04/27/pakistan-azerbaijan-to-hold-business-forum/
20. April may record inflation in double digits
https://www.dawn.com/news/1620792/april-may-record-inflation-in-double-digits
21. Wheat growers in middleman trap as Sindh drags feet on procurement
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/824481-wheat-growers-in-middleman-trap-as-sindh-drags-feet-on-procurement?_ga=2.99311576.731560742.1618254679-1446837775.1617775438
22. Australia Vetoes Victoria’s Belt and Road Deal With China
https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/australia-vetoes-victoria-s-belt-and-road-deal-china
23. Oil prices extend gains as bullish demand outlook outweighs India concerns
https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN2CG043
24. Climate change: World’s glaciers melting at a faster pace
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-56921164
25. Reversing warming quickly could prevent worst climate change effects: Study
https://news.mongabay.com/2021/04/reversing-warming-quickly-could-prevent-worst-climate-change-effects-study/
26. Climate change adaptation key to region’s survival
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/826455-climate-change-adaptation-key-to-region-s-survival
27. PM Imran Khan, Bill Gates talk about climate change, polio eradication and COVID-19
https://www.geo.tv/latest/347712-pm-imran-khan-bill-gates-talk-about-climate-change-polio-eradication-and-covid-19
28. Panellists on IWMI dialogue discuss how Pakistan can achieve food, water and food security
https://nation.com.pk/25-Apr-2021/panellists-on-iwmi-dialogue-discuss-how-pakistan-can-achieve-food-water-and-food-security
29. CM Aide Met With Secretary Food Security
https://www.urdupoint.com/en/pakistan/cm-aide-met-with-secretary-food-security-1238004.html
30. Govt constitutes NCC on agri transformation
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40088780
