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Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Pantami says Technology can be used as a weapon or a tool, depending on the user’s intent. Professor Pantami stated this while playing host to a delegation of video-focused social networking service, TikTok, in Abuja, the nation’s capital. The Minister who was represented by the Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa advocated for laws and regulations in social media usage. According to him, this is to ensure a safer digital space, devoid of illegalities and promoters of… Continue reading “Technology can be used as weapon or tool – Minister”

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The United States, the European Union, Britain, Canada and Japan were due to move jointly on Friday to revoke Russia’s “most favoured nation” (MFN) status over its invasion of Ukraine, people familiar with the situation told Reuters. But what is MFN status and what does its removal mean? MOST FAVOURED NATION STATUS The World Trade Organization’s 164 members commit to treating other members equally so they can all benefit from each other’s lowest tariffs, highest import quotas and fewest trade barriers for goods and services. This principle of non-discrimination is known as… Continue reading “Factbox-What revoking Russia’s ‘most favoured nation’ status means”

In a historic move, 141 countries voted for a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution last week demanding the withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine. Having launched a military invasion of its neighbour, Russia wants to keep Kyiv under its influence and deny it the chance to join the European Union (EU) or North Atlantic Treaty Alliance (NATO). While five countries, including Russia, voted against the UN resolution, 35, including China, Pakistan, and India, abstained. It was unusual for the two nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours to adopt the same stance and call for dialogue to … Continue reading “What the Ukraine war means for India and Pakistan”

Statement by Richard Croker, Minister-Counsellor of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Mission to the United Nations, at the Opening of the First Resumed Session of the Fifth Committee of the 76th General Assembly From:Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Richard CrokerPublished7 March 2022Location:UN General AssemblyDelivered on:4 March 2022 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) Thank you Mr Chair, Firstly, given the gravity of the situation, like others, I want to acknowledge what is happening in Ukraine. Russia’s assault is an unprovoked, pr… Continue reading “Building upon the progress and reforms set by the UN’s Fifth Committee”

Pakistan High Commission, Colombo last week donated cricket equipment to five schools in Beruwela. Youth Affairs and Sports Development Coordination and Monitoring Minister and State Minister of Digital Technology and Enterprise Namal Rajapaksa graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The chief guest in his speech said that World Youth Forum is to be held in Sri Lanka under the aegis of the Sri Lanka youth, which is going to be an ideal platform for the youth to exchange their views and experience from all kinds of cultural background. He cordially invited the youth from Pakistan to the propose… Continue reading “Pakistan High Commission donates cricket equipment | Daily FT”

The Islamic banking and finance industry in Sri Lanka celebrates a very significant milestone – 25 years since its introduction, albeit informally, in February 1997. The evolution of the industry during these years has been nothing short of remarkable. In fact, the Sri Lankan IBF industry has been ranked amongst the top 15 in the world, in terms of its development. This is extremely commendable when one considers that the others that feature prominently in this exclusive list are mostly from the Middle Eastern region along with some of the Asian behemoths, such as Malaysia, Bangladesh, Indones… Continue reading “Sri Lanka celebrates 25 years of Islamic banking and finance with top forum today | Daily FT”

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan hit out on Sunday at Islamabad-based Western envoys who last week urged Pakistan to condemn Russia’s actions in Ukraine, asking them if they thought Pakistan was their “slave”. The heads of 22 diplomatic missions, including those of European Union member states, released a joint letter on March 1 urging Pakistan to support a resolution in the United Nations General Assembly condemning Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The move to release the letter publicly was rare. “What do you think of us? Are we your slaves … that whatever you … Continue reading “Pakistani premier hits out at Western envoys’ joint letter on Russia”