Pakistan conducts successful training launch of Ghaznavi ballistic missile

Express Tribune: Pakistan Army’s strategic forces on Thursday conducted a successful training launch of the 290-kilometre range Ghaznavi ballistic missile, said a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The latest missile test by the Pakistan Army comes days after India test-launched the submarine-launched K-4 ballistic missile.

The missile is capable of delivering a conventional or nuclear warheads and the training launch was part of a field training exercise of the Strategic Forces Command aimed at “rehearsing operational readiness procedures during day and night”.

Pakistan will continue to look after its interests with regards to CPEC: FM Qureshi

Dawn News: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Thursday that when it comes to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Pakistan has to look out for what is in the country's best interests.

"We will continue to do what is beneficial to us," the foreign minister said in a statement released by his office Thursday morning.

Qureshi's remarks come a day after China issued a strongly-worded statement in response to allegations levelled by US diplomat Ambassador Alice Wells, who said there was no transparency in CPEC projects.

Harvard University ranks Quran as the best book for justice

Hellopakistan: At the entrance of the library for faculty , Harvard Law School, being of the prominent Law School, has displayed an Ayah from surah Nisa.It explains that it is among the greatest expression regarding justice in the past. Harvard Law School is known to be home to the biggest academic library around the world and is a part of Harvard university.

EU preparing to give UK worse trade deal terms than Canada or Japan

The Telegraph: The European Union is preparing to offer the UK a trade deal on tougher terms than its deals with Canada, Japan and a host of other leading trade partners, The Telegraph has learned.

In what will be seen by industry as an unusually harsh move, the European Commission has warned EU member states that it would be a mistake to allow some UK industry bodies to be allowed to certify that goods conform to EU standards.

The so-called Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) are granted to other key EU trade partners to facilitate the smooth movement of goods in key sectors, but could be withheld from the UK if it only seeks a basic trade deal.

Lebanon announces new government after months of uncertainty and protests

The Telegraph: new Lebanese government was formed Tuesday night, breaking a months-long impasse amid ongoing mass protests against the country's ruling elite. Hassan Diab, the new prime minister, had struggled to form a government since being nominated in December.

Mr Diab vowed on Tuesday that his newly unveiled government would strive to meet the demands of a three-month-old protest movement demanding radical change.

"This is a government that represents the aspirations of the demonstrators who have been mobilised nationwide for more than three months," he said, moments after the line-up was read out at the presidential palace.

He said his government "will strive to meet their demands for an independent judiciary, for the recovery of embezzled funds, for the fight against illegal gains."

UK's Prince Charles says climate change is humanity's greatest threat

Morungexpress:Britain's Prince Charles said on Wednesday that global warming and climate change are the greatest threats humanity has faced, calling on business leaders in Davos to act now to create a sustainable economic future.

In a speech to the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in the Swiss ski resort, the British heir-to-the-throne said it was time for everyone in a leadership role to take action "at revolutionary levels and pace".

"We are in the midst of a crisis that is now, I hope, well understood," he said. "Global warming, climate change, the devastating loss of biodiversity are the greatest threats that humanity has ever faced and one largely of our own creation."

His warnings came a day after U.S President Donald Trump, also speaking at Davos, dismissed "perennial prophets of doom" on climate change.

The 71-year-old prince, who chose to make the final leg of his journey to Davos by electric car rather than helicopter, has spent much of his life campaigning for business and governments to take more notice of environmental issues, admitting that "quite frankly it has been a bit of an uphill struggle"

Trump says Taliban must curb violence for meaningful Afghanistan talks

Morung Express:U.S. President Donald Trump told Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani that there cannot be meaningful negotiations until the Taliban significantly reduces its violence, the White House said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Trump reiterated the need for a significant and lasting reduction in violence by the Taliban that would facilitate meaningful negotiations on Afghanistan's future," the White House said. Trump had been in Davos attending the World Economic Forum.

India slips 10 spots in 2019 global Democracy Index over violent protests, threats to civil liberties

Deccan Herald: India's ranking in the latest global Democracy Index has dropped 10 places to the 51st spot out of 167 owing to violent protests and threats to civil liberties challenging freedoms across the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has been criticized by rights groups and western governments after shutting off the internet and mobile phone networks and detaining opposition politicians in Kashmir.

Modi’s government has also responded harshly to ongoing protests against a controversial, religion-based citizenship law. Muslims have said their neighborhoods have been targeted, while the central government has attempted to ban protests and urged TV news channels not to broadcast “anti –national” content. Some leaders in Modi’s ruling party called for “revenge” against protestors. India’s score in 2019 was its worst ranking since the EIU’s record began in 2006, and has fallen gradually since Modi was elected in 2014.

The Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2019 Democracy index, which provides an annual comparative analysis of political systems across 165 countries and two territories, said the past year was bleaklest for democracies since the research firm began compiling the list in the 2006.

India keen on importing more oil from Brazil

Deccan Herald: India on Wednesday expressed interest in raising the import of crude oil from Brazil as the world’s third largest consumer is looking at diversifying its import basket beyond the highly volatile Middle East region.

Oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan met visiting the Brazilian minister for mines and energy Bento Albuquerque to review cooperation between the two countries.

“India is diversifying its crude oil supply and our oil companies have expressed interest in sourcing more crude from Brazil if offered favorable commercial terms” , Pradhan tweeted after the meeting.

India imports 84% of its oil needs and two thirds of its import come from the Middle East with Iraq and Saudi Arabia being the top suppliers.

Developments in Mideast may seriously impact regional peace, security: Pak FM Qureshi tells UK minister

Deccan Herald: Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday told his British counterpart, Dominic Raab, that the recent developments in the Middle East could have a serious impact on regional peace and security. Qureshi held a telephonic conversation with British foreign secretary and discussed a wide range of regional and bilateral issues of mutual interest , the foreign official said in a statement.

The foreign minister briefed Raab on the evolving security situation of the region and "shared Pakistan's concern over the latest developments in the Middle East/Gulf region, which carried serious implications for the peace and security as well as world economy”, it said

Qureshi underlined the importance of "maximum restraint" and steps for de-escalation of tensions by all sides.