25-10-2025

Month: October 2024

Middle East crisis top-of-mind at first EU-Gulf summit

Gulf leaders including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with European heads of state and government in Brussels Wednesday for summit talks the EU hopes could help defuse an “extremely dangerous escalation” in the Middle East.

The 27-nation European Union is seeking to work more closely with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) — which brings together Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — in addressing conflicts in both the Middle East and Ukraine.

“Russia’s war against Ukraine and the Hamas-led terrorist attack against Israel on October 7 have fundamentally undermined regional security in Europe and the Gulf,” EU chief Ursula von der Leyen told the gathering in opening remarks.

“We need to do all in our power and mobilize all our diplomatic skills to stop the extremely dangerous escalation with now Iran launching a massive ballistic attack against Israel, or Huthis attacking our ships,” she added, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon.

The first-ever gathering of its kind, the EU-GCC summit comes on the eve of an EU leaders’ meeting in the Belgian capital.

Confirmed at the last minute, the presence of Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler among the six Gulf leaders in attendance heightened expectations.

Trade, energy and climate change were all on the table, but Israel’s conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon — on which the two groups hold broadly converging views — were set to dominate the agenda.

“We need a settlement for these conflicts,” said Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.

“We hope that this first summit will be the first step to consolidate our historic ties between the GCC and the EU.”

 

The EU is the second-largest trading zartner for GCC countries but talks on a trade pact have languished for years.

While views differ on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — in particular the implementation of Western sanctions and the EU’s push to punish Iran for bolstering Moscow’s war effort — there was some hope of closer cooperation on that front.

“I’m confident that we can work together and rely on you to stop this illegal Russian war,” von der Leyen told Gulf leaders.

The Brussels summit comes just over a year into the war between Israel and Iran-allied Palestinian militant group Hamas that has in recent weeks expanded to include Lebanon — raising fears of a major regional conflict.

Traditionally Western allies, the resource-rich Gulf monarchies have grown closer to Iran, which backs Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

They have repeatedly called for the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, with some playing a key role in efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.

Hezbollah had been exchanging cross-border fire with Israel for almost a year, saying it is acting in response to Israel’s devastating ground and air assault on Gaza.

The war in Gaza began after the armed wing of the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack from the territory into Israel on October 7, 2023.

The near-daily exchange of fire across the Israel-Lebanon border led to the displacement of tens of thousands of people on both sides even before last month’s escalation — with at least 690,000 people now displaced.

Chaired jointly by European Council president Charles Michel and Qatar’s Sheikh Tamim, who currently holds the rotating GCC presidency, the EU-GCC meeting presented “an unprecedented opportunity to discuss issues of mutual interest,” said Saudi Arabia’s Prince Mohammed.

His red carpet welcome in Brussels however sparked criticism over Riyadh’s poor human rights record.

“European leaders smiling and shaking hands with a man allegedly responsible for having a journalist dismembered is deeply disturbing,” said EU lawmaker Daniel Freund, of the Greens.

Prince Mohammed, who has pushed to soften Saudi Arabia’s ultra-conservative image and open up the country to tourists and investors, was linked by US intelligence to the brutal killing of Saudi critic Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.

Human Rights Watch called for EU leaders to press their Gulf counterparts for reforms — including on the jailing of political prisoners, freedom of expression, labour and women’s rights.

“EU leaders should make it clear that the release of critics and progress on human rights are vital for bilateral relations,” said Claudio Francavilla, the group’s associate EU director.

The published agenda for the talks made no mention of human rights.

Iran warns of ‘decisive’ response if Israel strikes

TEHRAN: Iran’s top diplomat has warned UN chief Antonio Guterres that Tehran is ready for a “decisive and regretful” response if Israel attacks his country in retaliation for a missile attack.

The Islamic republic fired about 200 missiles at Israel on October 1 in revenge for the killing of two of its closest allies, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, as well as an Iranian general.

Israeli Defence Mini­ster Yoav Gallant vowed last week that his country’s retaliatory measure would be “deadly, precise and surprising”.

“Iran, while making all-out efforts to protect the peace and security of the region, is fully prepared for a decisive and regretful response to any adventures” by Israel, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said during a phone call with Guterres, according to a statement from his office on Wednesday.

During the call on Tuesday evening, Araghchi also appealed to the United Nations to use its resources “to stop the crimes and aggressions of the Israeli regime and to send humanitarian aid to Lebanon and Gaza”.

Iran’s top diplomat also spoke on the phone with his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot on Tuesday, his office said.

In the call, Araghchi stressed the need to stop Israeli attacks on Lebanon, warned against any “new adventures” by its arch-foe in the region, and called for the removal of Israeli “obstacles” impeding the delivery of aid to displaced people.

It followed a phone conversation on Sunday between the two countries’ presidents, Emmanuel Macron and Masoud Pezeshkian.

 

 

Araghchi said that new Western sanctions against Iran were “hostile action” and would not help to resolve regional tensions, state media reported.

“The new Western sanctions against Iran are considered a hostile action and will not help the existing situation,” he told reporters in Jordan’s capital, Amman, according to IRNA state news agency.

Araghchi said the so-called Muscat process of indirect negotiations with the United States on nuclear issues “has been halted for the time being”. Oman has long mediated between Iran and the United States, which cut ties after the 1979 Islamic revolution. Araghchi said, however, that exchanges with the US on other issues are “still ongoing”.

Araghchi arrived in Jordan on Wednesday before travelling to Egypt and Turkiye, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said in a post on social media platform X.

Meanwhile, Iran’s atomic energy agency said Wednesday that a potential Israeli attack on nuclear facilities “will not succeed” or “cause any serious damage”, predicting that such an attack was “unlikely” to happen.

“It is very unlikely to happen,” said agency spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi in a video interview with the Nournews agency.

“In the event of an attack on a key site: be sure it will not succeed,” he said.

“And if they (Israel) do such a stupid thing, it is very unlikely that they will cause serious damage to us and even if we assume that they can cause some damage, the country can quickly compensate for it,” he added.

North Korea says constitution now defines South as ‘hostile’ state

North Korea said Thursday that its constitution now defines the South as a “hostile” state, the first time Pyongyang has confirmed legal changes called for by leader Kim Jong Un earlier this year.

Relations between the two Koreas have deteriorated since Kim in January defined Seoul as his country’s “principal enemy” and said the North was no longer interested in reunification.

After months of laying fresh mines and ramping up security on the border, the country this week blew up roads and railways linking it to the South, calling it “an inevitable and legitimate measure”, the official Korean Central News Agency said.

The move was “taken in keeping with the requirement of the DPRK Constitution, which clearly defines the ROK (South Korea) as a hostile state,” KCNA said, the first time the North has mentioned a revision of its basic law.

The country last week held a key meeting of its rubber-stamp parliament, where experts had widely expected the constitution to be revised after Kim’s explicit call for it in January.

Under a 1991 inter-Korean accord, relations between the North and South had been defined as a “special relationship” rather than state-to-state relations, part of a process aimed at eventual reunification.

South Korea’s military on Tuesday released video footage of North Korean soldiers dynamiting deeply symbolic roads and railways connecting the two Koreas, days after Pyongyang’s military had vowed to “permanently” seal the border with the South.

KCNA said move was “part of the phased complete separation of (North Korea’s) territory, where its sovereignty is exercised, from the ROK’s territory,” using the acronym of South Korea’s official name.

North Korea said that sections of the key inter-Korean roads and railways had “been completely blocked through blasting”.

South Korea’s defence ministry dismissed the idea that the move was a “legitimate” measure as a “one-sided assertion” from Pyongyang.

The detonations may have been done for domestic propaganda reasons, experts have said, with some pointing out that Pyongyang appeared to have used South Korean military images in its media coverage of the event.

– Solidifying hostilities –

“The ongoing commitment to fortifying the southern border seems to reflect an intention to permanently solidify hostilities with the enemy state,” Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, told AFP.

North Korea also recently accused Seoul of using drones to drop anti-regime propaganda leaflets on the capital Pyongyang, with Kim convening a security meeting to direct a plan of “immediate military action” in response, state media reported Tuesday.

Seoul’s military initially denied sending drones north but has subsequently declined to comment, even as Pyongyang has warned it would consider it “a declaration of war” if another drone was detected.

Activist groups in the South have long sent propaganda northwards, typically carried by balloons, but some have also flown small, hard-to-detect drones into the North.

North Korea has been bombarding the South with trash-carrying balloons since May, in retaliation for the activists’ propaganda missives.

Pyongyang earlier this week said it had “clear evidence” that Seoul’s military was behind the recent drone incursions.

JCS spokesperson Lee Sung-joon told reporters on Thursday the claim was “something North Korea should verify”.

North Korea has itself sent drones southwards — in 2022, five of Pyongyang’s drones crossed the border, prompting the South Korean military to fire warning shots and deploy fighter jets.

The jets failed to shoot down any of the drones.

Jenrick vows lower benefits bill to pay for tax cuts

Conservative leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick has said he would reduce benefits spending in order to enable cuts to income tax.

In a speech, the former minister said unemployed claimants should face tougher sanctions if they refuse to take up suitable job offers.

He also vowed to tackle “misuse” of the sickness benefits system, arguing it was “medicalising normal human experiences”.

He added that reducing economic inactivity to pre-Covid levels could save the taxpayer £12bn, equivalent to cutting the basic rate of income tax by 2p.

The pledges largely echo proposals set out by the Tories ahead of the election.

Speaking at the Centre for Policy Studies think-tank, Jenrick said there should be attempts to tighten eligibly for disability payments, which have risen sharply since the pandemic and are projected to rise further in coming years.

Although payments for the “genuinely unable” should continue, he said, “we should not be blind to the rise and misuse of our system”.

In an apparent reference to rising claims for mental health reasons, he added: “Too many indicators now show that we are medicalising normal human experiences.”

He also set out proposed changes for those on out-of-work benefits, including tougher penalties for people who fail to meet conditions attached to benefit payments, such as attending job centre meetings.

Long-term claimants on work coaching schemes who remain jobless should face additional conditions after 12 months, rather than 18 currently, he argued.

He said returning both the disability and incapacity caseload to pre-pandemic levels would save £12bn, adding: “That would equate to almost 2p off the basic rate of income tax.”

Asked whether as leader he would commit the Tories to 2p cut to the basic rate of income tax at the next election, he replied that he was not seeking to write the party’s next manifesto, but rather to “set out what the choice is”.

Disability benefit payments are projected to rise sharply over the coming years, from £39bn in 2023-24 to £58bn in 2028-29.

The majority of this is estimated to come from extra spending on Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which is paid to working-aged people to support them with additional health costs, and can be paid to those in work.

Separate income-related and out-of-work benefits can be topped up for people whose health condition is judged to restrict their ability to work.

The Tories promised to overhaul PIP payments before the election, but they were voted out of office before a consultation on the plans finished.

The suggested changes included replacing cash payments for those with mental health conditions with improved access to treatment.

The party also promised to overhaul PIP testing, but its election manifesto offered no details beyond promising a “more objective” approach.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies think tank warned the idea was “far easier said than done,” noting that predicted savings from previous attempts to deliver savings to the benefits system had failed to materialise.

‘Labour’s worst nightmare’

The speech comes as Tory members receive their ballots for the leadership vote, with a winner due to be announced on 2 November.

Jenrick’s rival Kemi Badenoch, tipped as the favourite among party activists, has meanwhile sought to present herself as “Labour’s worst nightmare”.

In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, the shadow housing secretary, who was born in London but spent the majority of her childhood in Nigeria, said as leader she would nullify any Labour attempts to depict the Tories as racially prejudiced.

She also added she knew how to find Labour’s “weak points”, citing the move to charge VAT on private school fees as a “tax on aspiration”.

She also launched a swipe at Jenrick’s signature policy of leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in a bid to make it easier for the UK to deport failed asylum seekers.

Jenrick has argued the party faces a Brexit-style choice between leaving or remaining in the convention, on the basis that reforming it is a “fantasy”.

But Badenoch told the newspaper: “Trying to recreate the referendum is not something people want to hear right now.”

Meanwhile, Badenoch has declared more than £130,000 in campaign donations in the latest version of her MP’s register of interests, more than double the £55,000 declared by Jenrick.

The donations included in the document, published on Wednesday, were registered this month and were received during September.

Jenrick has declared a higher total overall, however, with records showing he has received £450,000 in donations compared with Badenoch’s £340,000.

Protests spread to other Punjab cities against alleged rape of Lahore student

LAHORE: Students of a private college took to streets for the second day on Tuesday to protest against the alleged rape of a girl in Lahore, a day after dozens were injured in violent clashes between protesters and law enforcers.

A group of students gathered outside a private college on Monday on a protest call after reports of the alleged rape of a female student went viral on social media platforms.

At least 28 people, including four policemen, were injured after the protests turned violent. Later, the protest was put off and it was decided to resume the demonstration today again.

It may be noted that the police had arrested a security guard of the college, who was accused of raping the student and launched an investigation into the matter.

However, the suspect denied the allegations, while the police also couldn’t find the evidence to prove them.

Earlier today, the Punjab police also refuted the claims related to the alleged rape of a private college student, saying that “there is no victim” linked to allegations.

However, the students continued their protest today and staged a sit-in in front of the Punjab Assembly on Charing Cross Mall Road amid heavy police presence.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Defence Shehrbano Naqvi said while speaking to ‘Geo Pakistan’ hosts on Tuesday that the girl who is being named as alleged victim was hospitalised 10 days prior to the day that is being claimed as the day of the incident.

“Her medical reports are available, the record of the hospitals she has been admitted to are also available, and information about the way she fell while getting ready for school at her own house is also available,” the officer said.

The ASP noted that two girls in the college had the same names, one of them was completely fine, while the other one was the girl admitted to the hospital.

Meanwhile. the students from other cities of Punjab also joined the protests with some of them vandalising a college building on Bosan Road in Multan after which the police arrested dozens of students and baton charged them.

A motorcycle rally was taken out by students in Jahanian, while in Zafarwal, students blocked traffic by setting tires on fire, demanding justice and a transparent investigation into the matter.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Monday formed a six-member investigation committee under the chairmanship of chief secretary.

Meanwhile, Lahore police also asked details of the incident from the citizens, saying anyone with information should inform the Virtual Women Police Station.

Girl’s family denies ‘rape’

While the protests rocked the provincial capital, the girl’s family surfaced and denied the claims regarding the purported rape.

In a video message with ASP Naqvi, the girl’s father and uncle — with their faces covered with masks — said that “there has been no sexual assault” on their daughter.

“We are surprised to see the videos of ongoing protests on social media.”

The girl’s uncle said that she was currently under treatment in a hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU) for the injury in her back that she had sustained from a fall in their house, adding that the protests in her name were being wrongly held.

In the video, ASP Naqvi said requested the masses to avoid involving anyone on the basis of false reports.

Police always register a case on their behalf in case of such offences, she insisted.

PM Shehbaz pushes for regional security, stability in address at SCO summit in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in his keynote address at the opening ceremony the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, said that the regional powers are at a historic moment of transition where sweeping transformations are reshaping the global, social, political, economic, and security landscape.

The 23rd meeting of the SCO Council of the Heads of Governments (CHG) — the highest-profile event hosted by the country in years — is being presided over by PM Shehbaz at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad.

Commenting on the diplomatic reverberations of the SCO summit, former ambassador Maleeha Lodhi said that Islamabad had significantly bolstered its international standing.

“By holding this summit, Pakistan’s diplomatic position has strengthened globally. This is an important diplomatic moment for Pakistan as important leaders are attending the summit,” said Lodhi while speaking to Geo News.

The leaders from the SCO member states attending the summit include China’s Premier of the State Council Li Qiang, Prime Minister of Belarus Roman Golovchenko, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Tajik Prime Minister Kohir Rasulzoda, Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, Kyrgyzstan’s Chairman of Ministers’ Cabinet Zhaparov Akylbek, and Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref.

Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar’s participation at the event is a major highlight, marking the first such visit by an Indian FM in almost a decade amid frosty relations between the two nuclear powers.

Besides them, Mongolia is participating in the summit as an Observer State, represented by Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai and Turkmenistan as Special Guest represented by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Rashid Meredov.

Among other dignitaries attending the moot include SCO Secretary-General Zhang Ming, Director of Executive Committee SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) Ruslan Mirzayev, Chairman of the Board of SCO Business Council Atif Ikram Shaikh and Chairman of the Council of SCO Interbank Union Marat Yelibayev.

The government has taken stringent security measures to ensure the smooth conduct of the SCO meeting. The capital city has been shut down for the two-day summit with more than 9,000 police officers deployed alongside security forces.

PM champions regional peace, stability

Presiding over the meeting, PM Shehbaz said: “From the esteemed platform of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, a beacon of multilateralism, I stand in the belief that we possess not only the potential but the will to forge a future that is more prosperous and secure for our people.

“A future, that is inclusive, and reflective of the shared aspirations of all member states,” the premier said while addressing the meeting.

He also noted that the regional powers were at a historic moment of transition where sweeping transformations were reshaping the global, social, political, economic, and security landscape.

The premier said that Afghanistan, by virtue of its contiguity with the region, presents an invaluable opportunity for trade and transit, benefiting all SCO member states.

“A stable Afghanistan, is not only desirable, but essential, to fully realising these opportunities,” he added.

It may be noted that the neighbouring nation is part of the regional bloc. It holds the positon of an observer state but has been inactive since 2021, when the Taliban took over.

The premier called on the international community to step forward, with urgent humanitarian support for Afghanistan, while also urging its interim Taliban government to embrace political inclusivity to ensure that Afghan soil is not misused for terrorism against its neighbours by any entity.

PM Shehbaz highlighted the challenges of poverty in his address, saying that it was not just an economic issue but a moral imperative that demanded the collective attention of the regional states.

“With millions living in poverty within the SCO region, closer cooperation on poverty alleviation is critical,” he added.

PM Shehbaz underscored that Pakistan, as the permanent chair of the SCO Special Working Group on Poverty, has facilitated, several seminars, and webinars aimed at sharing of knowledge, and best practices.

He reaffirmed the country’s commitment to providing the required impetus to the collective efforts to address the root causes of poverty and uplift the quality of life for our people.

Speaking about another dire global issue, PM Shehbaz said that climate change is an existential crisis that transcends borders and its impacts are felt universally but more acutely by nations like Pakistan.

He went on to say that the country is on the frontline of climate-induced disasters.

“It is imperative that we prioritise environmental cooperation within the SCO to build resilience and secure a sustainable future for the generations to come,” the premier added.

Moreover, the prime minister maintained that Pakistan welcomes the recent SCO agreement on environmental protection and calls upon all member states to actively engage in both regional and global environmental efforts.

He said that the government has developed a “one of its kind” proactive, technology-driven, disaster management system.

“We look forward to organising, simulation exercises with SCO partners, to bolster, disaster preparedness, across the region,” PM Shehbaz added.

Emphasising the importance of connectivity, the premier urged the establishment of a robust SCO connectivity framework to boost regional trade and advance the vision of a connected Eurasia.

He also called for the expansion of flagship projects like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and the International, North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) to enhance integration and cooperation, across the region.

“Let us not look at such projects, through the narrow, political prism and invest in our collective connectivity capacities, which are crucial to advancing the shared vision of an economically integrated region. Let us work together for a well-integrated and prosperous region that benefits all Member states,” he added.

Moreover, the premier stressed that unilateral coercive measures and protectionist policies run contrary to the principles of international law as they “stifle economic growth, hinder, technological advancements and exacerbate inequality”.

PM Shehbaz Sharif called on the SCO leaders to encourage private sectors in their respective countries to cultivate an environment that is conducive to business and investment within the region.

He said that the growing consensus, among member states on the use of mutual currencies for settlements is a promising development.

The premier added that Pakistan firmly believes that a stronger and more effective SCO is essential to achieving sustainable development in our region.

“We wholeheartedly endorse, the ongoing reforms, aimed at modernising the organisation, enhancing the resources and capabilities of the SCO Secretariat and the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure,” he said.

PM Shehbaz reminded the SCO member states that the “true essence” of the multi-lateral forum extends, beyond political alliances and economic partnerships.

“Pakistan remains deeply committed to fostering people-to-people ties and cultural exchanges that bridge divides, cultivate understanding, and deepen cooperation. In unity and with shared purpose, we can build, lasting legacies, and enrich, the future, of all our nations,” PM Shehbaz said while concluding his keynote address.

Before the meeting officially kicked off, the premier welcomed the leaders at the venue, which was followed by a group photo.

FM Jaishankar calls for self-accountability for ‘lack of trust’

Speaking on the occasion, Indian FM Subrahmanyam Jaishankar felicitated Islamabad on assuming the SCO chairmanship and said that New Delhi’s full support to make its presidency successful.

Underscoring the need to have an honest discussion, Jaishankar called for self-accountability for the existence of a lack of trust, friendship and principles of good neighbourliness.

Saying that the world was moving towards a multi-polar system, the Indian FM noted that globalisation has created opportunities in trade, investment, communication, and other areas of cooperation which can result in regional development if it is taken advantage of.

Jaishankar’s visit to Pakistan is a rare one as it is the first in nine years after former Indian foreign minister Sushma Swaraj visited the country in 2015 for a summit on Afghanistan.

The relations between the two countries have been particularly sour since 2019 when Indian PM Narendra Modi revoked the limited autonomy of Indian-administered Kashmir.

The neighbouring governments have said that no bilateral meetings have been requested, and Jaishankar’s visit will strictly follow the SCO schedule.

Touching upon New Delhi’s participation in the summit, ex-ambassador Lodhi said: “India’s foreign minister made it clear before coming to Pakistan that he was coming for a multilateral event and that he was neither interested nor intended to hold a bilateral interaction.

“I believe that Pakistan also has the same attitude. I believe that the ice will not melt between India and Pakistan. Our deadlock is too intense, and such a meeting cannot move the situation towards a breakthrough,” she added.

What is SCO?

China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Iran, and India constitute the Eurasian security and political group formed in 2001, while 16 other countries are affiliated as observers or “dialogue partners”.

SCO claims to represent 40% of the world’s population and about 30% of its GDP, but its members have diverse political systems and even open disagreements with one another.

Observers believe the bloc seeks to counter Western influence in the region.

Saudi crown prince holds talks with Sisi in Cairo, eyeing fresh investments

Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler crown prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Egyptian president Abdelfattah al-Sisi in Cairo on Tuesday, calling for regional de-escalation as Egypt prepares for a fresh $5 billion in Saudi investments.

The pair reiterated calls for de-escalation and ceasefires in both the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, warning that “attempts to liquidate the Palestinian cause intend to perpetuate conflict in the region”, Sisi’s office said.

They also witnessed the formation of a high-level Saudi-Egyptian coordination council and the “signing of an agreement to encourage and protect mutual investments”, after months of Egyptian attempts to draw Saudi investors in.

Last month, the crown prince announced he had directed the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund to “pump $5 billion in investments in Egypt as an initial phase”, according to Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly’s office.

Madbouly signalled in a cabinet meeting this week that the government was set to announce “important news” on the long-delayed privatisation of “banks and airports”, according to a cabinet statement.

Saudi investment has been key to crisis-hit Egypt’s plans to privatise state holdings, with Cairo struggling to escape from its worst-ever economic crisis, during which the Egyptian pound has lost two-thirds of its value in two years.

Earlier this year, Egypt received a bailout of over $50 billion in loans and investment deals including from the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the United Arab Emirates.

Abu Dhabi alone pledged $35 billion for a land development deal for Egypt’s Ras al-Hikma on the Mediterranean coast.

Reports then emerged of a similar but smaller Saudi investment deal to develop Ras Gamila on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, as well as investor interest in the country’s tourism, energy and banking sectors.

But deals have been slow to bear fruit, amid reported transparency issues and attempts by Cairo to create a favourable investment climate.

Madbouly last month said that of the around “90 problems” facing Saudi investors in the North African country, only “14 issues” remained.

North Korea claims over million people joined army this week

North Korea claimed Wednesday that more than a million young people had signed up for or rejoined the army this week after Pyongyang accused Seoul’s military of sending drones into its airspace.

Pyongyang on Tuesday blew up deeply symbolic roads and railways connecting the two Koreas after warning any further drone flights would be considered a declaration of war, and ordered soldiers on the border to prepare to fire.

Seoul initially denied sending drones, but Pyongyang claims it has “clear evidence” of official involvement in the campaign, which purportedly features anti-regime propaganda leaflets scattered over the North’s capital.

“Millions of young people have turned out in the nationwide struggle to wipe out the ROK scum who committed a serious provocation of violating the sovereignty of the DPRK through a drone infiltration,” the official Korean Central News Agency said, referring to both countries by their official acronyms.

It said more than 1.4 million youth league officials and youth and students across the country volunteered to join or rejoin the Korean People’s Army on October 14 and 15.

North Korea already has lengthy periods of mandatory military service for all men, and has previously made claims of patriotic waves of enlistments at times of high tensions with Seoul or Washington.

While it remains unclear who is behind the drone flights, South Korean activists have long flown balloons carrying anti-Pyongyang regime leaflets over the border, a tactic that infuriates the North and which has responded by bombarding the South with trash-carrying balloons.

South Korean authorities in areas near the border with the nuclear-armed North are moving to prevent activists from launching balloons.

To protect its citizens, the provincial government of Gyeonggi will designate Yeoncheon, Gimpo and Paju “as special ‘danger’ zones where anyone trying to send leaflets to the North may be subject to criminal investigation”, an officer from the Gyeonggi provincial goverment told AFP.

“The Gyeonggi Province considers the act of distributing anti-North leaflets to be a crisis-causing dangerous act that could cause a military conflict,” the Gyeonggi government said in a separate statement.

– ‘Unsettling broadcasts’ –

South Korean activists — many are former North Koreans who defected — have also sent materials such as USB drives containing K-pop tracks and K-dramas. The isolated North is extremely sensitive about its people gaining access to the South’s popular culture.

In response to the North’s trash balloons, Seoul suspended a tension-reducing military deal and resumed loudspeaker broadcasts along the border, which feature K-pop and international news.

Since late July, Pyongyang has broadcast eerie sounds along the border — some resembling the cries of wild animals — in apparent retaliation.

“The anxiety and suffering of residents in border areas is becoming increasingly severe,” the Gyeonggi province said in the statement.

“Many are reporting that they can’t sleep without medication due to the constant influx of garbage balloons and unsettling broadcasts from the North.”

In 2020 South Korea’s parliament passed a law banning the sending of anti-Kim leaflets across the border as then-president Moon Jae-in sought engagement with the North.

But the Constitutional Court struck down the law last year, calling it an undue limitation on free speech.

Reeves eyeing £40bn in tax rises and spending cuts

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is looking to make tax rises and spending cuts to the value of £40bn in this month’s Budget

At a political cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Reeves told ministers that filling the “£22bn black hole inheritance from the previous government” would only be enough “to keep public services standing still”.

Reeves is now drawing up plans to find £40bn in order to avoid real-terms cuts to departments, sources say, as first reported in the Financial Times and the Times.

Reeves warned ministers there would be “difficult decisions on spending, welfare, and tax” to come in her Budget this month.

The chancellor is finalising details of her first Budget, to be announced on Wednesday 30 October.

She recently said there would be “no return to austerity” under this government and promised a boost to government investment, designed to kickstart growth.

The chancellor is setting herself a new borrowing rule which means all day-to-day spending should be funded from taxes raised, not from borrowing.

It is this rule which is binding the government’s hands, and why they are seeking some welfare savings as well as a series of tax rises at the Budget.

A HM Treasury spokesperson said: “We do not comment on speculation around tax changes outside of fiscal events.”

In an interview with BBC Breakfast on Tuesday, the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, did not rule out a National Insurance increase for employers in the Budget.

Treasury officials are reportedly exploring National Insurance on employer pension contributions to raise Budget revenue.

Employers pay NI at a rate of 13.8% on all employees’ earnings above £175 per week, but pension contributions made by employers are currently exempt from the levy.

The prime minister side-stepped questions over whether Labour’s manifesto promise not to raise taxes for “working people” covered employers’ NI too.

The Labour Party’s 2024 manifesto ruled out raising taxes for “working people”, such as National Insurance, income tax and VAT.

On Monday, Reeves said Labour’s election pledge not to increase NI on “working people” related to the employee element, as opposed to the sum paid by employers.

Leading business groups in the UK raised concerns over the potential tax rise, warning that it would “hobble” economic growth and “hammer” the hospitality sector.

The £40bn figure is much higher than government has previously acknowledged, as ministers come to terms with the economic reality of delivering on their promise that there will be “no return to austerity”.

So why mention it now? To mentally prepare the public for tax rises to come, and begin to set the parameters as to what to expect.

The prime minister has talked about how those with the “broadest shoulders” should bear the “heaviest burden”.

There are two weeks to go until we see what that means. There will no doubt be plenty more pitch-rolling in the days ahead.

PM Shehbaz, Chinese Premier Li inaugurate Gwadar airport

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who landed in Islamabad on a four-day official visit earlier today ahead of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, virtually inaugurated the Gwadar International Airport part of the multi-billion dollars CPEC project.

Both the prime ministers unveiled the plaque of Gwadar airport during the ceremony held at the Prime Minister House. The ceremony was attended by members of the both delegations, ministers, military leadership and senior officials.

“The landmark achievement was all about time-tested friendship between the two countries,” PM Shehbaz said while addressing the inauguration ceremony of the newly completed Gwadar airport.

He expressed the hope that the completion of this international airport would transform Gwadar’s economy in particular and the economy of Pakistan in general.

The prime minister said that today, both sides had witnessed the signing and exchange of MoUs between the two countries in various fields of industry, commerce and agriculture.

“No doubt these MoUs will shape into agreements very soon through joint efforts of both countries. Once again, I thank you for your visit to Pakistan out of your busy schedule which is a reflection of your commitment to promoting friendship between the two countries,” the minister told the Chinese premier.

The prime minister also thanked President Xi, the Chinese premier and the people of China for their generous gift in shape of Gwadar International Airport.

“This gift is another feather in the CPEC’s cap” he said, assuring his Chinese counterpart to work closely with him to complete the second phase of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the peace and security of the people of Pakistan and China.

Prime Minister Shehbaz further said that the completion of project reflected the untiring efforts of the Chinese and Pakistani engineers and workers who made it possible as world class airport.

Speaking on the occasion, Premier Li Qiqang congratulated the Pakistani nation and the government on behalf of the Chinese government and his people on the completion of Gwadar airport.

He said that it was a critical step for realising the vision of regional connectivity and whatever they had achieved in the last many years, demonstrated the strength of Pak-China friendship, adding the inauguration would significantly capitalise to promote shipping and port activities and enhance regional connectivity in the entire region.

Premier Li further said that as a symbol of deepening cooperation, “CPEC played a positive role in Pakistan’s economic and social development and regional integration”.

He said that it was made possible owing to the consistent efforts of both sides.

The Chinese prime minister assured that Beijing would continue to work closely with the intimate Pakistani friends in building and benefiting together by pursuing the goals of high standards, sustainability and high quality of Belt and Road initiative.

Li Qiang, referring to the Pak-China ties, termed them “special relationship and friendship”, saying that this all-weather strategic partnership was further deepening.

“The unique and unbreakable time-tested ironclad friendship stood the global changing landscape,” he added

He reiterated to work hand in hand with the Pakistani friends to accelerate the mutual economic development in the future.

The two sides also signed 13 accords to boost bilateral cooperation in multiple sectors including security, education, agriculture, human resources development and science and technology.

They exchanged documents of the accords after PM Shehbaz and Chinese premier held the delegation-level talks wherein they discussed all aspects of Pakistan-China relations including economic and trade ties and cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Both countries exchanged the documents of a handing over certificate of Smart Classrooms project inked by Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao.

They exchanged the minutes of 13th meeting of the CPEC Joint Coordination Committee and 7th Joint Working Group on Gwadar under CPEC.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Lou Zhaohui, Chairman of China International Development Cooperation Agency exchanged an MoU on Promoting Cooperation on Livelihood Working Group of CPEC.

Pakistan and China also reached an understanding to strengthen cooperation in the fields of “Information and Communication”, “Water Conservancy Facilities, Flood Control and Calamity Reduction”, and “Security.” The MoUs in this regard were exchanged by Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema and Luo Zhaohui, Chairman of China International Development Cooperation Agency.

Ahad Cheema and Luo Zhaohui also exchanged documents of Letters of Exchange on “Human Resource Development under the GDI” and “Assistance Program of Fire Fighting Vehicles to Islamabad.”

Two countries exchanged an MoU on Jointly Supporting the Joint Laboratories inked by Secretary Ministry of Science and Technology Sajid Baloch and Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong.

The countries also agreed on the “Co-production of TV Programs” and the document was signed by Secretary Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Ambreen Jan and Chinese Ambassador Zaidong.

Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanvir Hussain and Jian Zaidong, Ambassador of China to Pakistan exchanged the documents of protocol on Quarantine Requirments of export of donkey meat to China.

The neighbouring countries also signed a Currency Swap Agreement and a Protocol on Quarantine Requirements for the export of donkey meat to China.

Earlier, as Premier Li arrived at PM House, Prime Minister Shehbaz warmly received him at the formal welcome ceremony where he was given a guard of honor before proceedings for the meeting and delegation-level talks.

The Chinese premier arrived earlier today in Pakistan for a four-day bilateral visit.

During his visit, Premier Li will also attend the highly anticipated SCO meeting of the Council of the Heads of Government (CHG), which is taking place on October 15 and 16 amid stringent security measures.

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