logo
Wars and crypto bring Pakistan army chief to Trump's lunch table

Wars and crypto bring Pakistan army chief to Trump's lunch table

Nikkei Asia5 hours ago

President Donald Trump had Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan's army chief, over for lunch at the White House on June 18 to thank him for not prolonging a serious clash with India in May -- among other things. (Source photos by Reuters)
ADNAN AAMIR
ISLAMABAD -- The lunch meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, at the White House on Wednesday proved something of a diplomatic breakthrough as Islamabad woos Trump with its recently announced national crypto reserve plan.
Munir became the first serving army chief of Pakistan who was not at the head of a military government to have a meeting with a sitting U.S. president. It was also the first interaction between a top Pakistani official and a U.S. president since July 2019, when Prime Minister Imran Khan and Trump met in the White House. Biden did not meet his Pakistani counterpart during his four-year tenure.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Japan nationals fret over UK push for English standards for visas
Japan nationals fret over UK push for English standards for visas

Nikkei Asia

time16 minutes ago

  • Nikkei Asia

Japan nationals fret over UK push for English standards for visas

The U.K. is moving to tighten immigration restrictions, linking visas to English-language ability. © Reuters TOMOHIRO EBUCHI LONDON -- A recent proposal by the U.K. to require English proficiency for some visas has caused a stir among Japanese nationals, with particular concern about the impact on workers whose families may end up being affected. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government released a white paper in May on its plans for the immigration system. In addition to lengthening the qualifying period for permanent residency and shortening the time that international students can stay in the country after graduation, it calls for stricter English language standards for some visas.

2 SDF planes leave Japan for Djibouti for possible Mideast evacuation
2 SDF planes leave Japan for Djibouti for possible Mideast evacuation

Kyodo News

timean hour ago

  • Kyodo News

2 SDF planes leave Japan for Djibouti for possible Mideast evacuation

KYODO NEWS - 4 minutes ago - 17:46 | All, Japan Two Self-Defense Forces planes departed Japan on Saturday for eastern Africa to stand by for a possible evacuation of Japanese nationals from the Middle East amid mounting safety concerns over the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. The C-2 transport planes left Miho Air Base in Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, carrying about 120 personnel, according to the Defense Ministry. They will stand by at a Self-Defense Forces base in Djibouti, with no specific airlift plans at present as major airports in Israel and Iran remain closed. Since Israeli strikes on Iran on June 13, the two countries have exchanged attacks, with tensions further escalating after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested using military options to pressure Tehran to abandon its nuclear program. On Friday, a total of 87 Japanese nationals and their family members were evacuated, with 66 traveling from Iran to Azerbaijan and 21 from Israel to Jordan on government-arranged buses, according to the Foreign Ministry. Before the bus evacuation began, about 280 Japanese citizens were in Iran, and around 1,000 were in Israel, the ministry said. On Tuesday, Japan raised the travel alert for all of Iran to its highest, Level 4, advising nationals to "evacuate and avoid all travel." Most of Israel has remained subject to the second-highest Level 3 advisory, which urges people to "avoid all travel." Related coverage: 87 Japanese nationals, family members evacuated from Iran, Israel

2 SDF planes leave Japan for Djibouti for possible Mideast evacuation
2 SDF planes leave Japan for Djibouti for possible Mideast evacuation

The Mainichi

timean hour ago

  • The Mainichi

2 SDF planes leave Japan for Djibouti for possible Mideast evacuation

TOTTORI (Kyodo) -- Two Self-Defense Forces planes departed Japan on Saturday for eastern Africa to stand by for a possible evacuation of Japanese nationals from the Middle East amid mounting safety concerns over the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. The C-2 transport planes left Miho Air Base in Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, carrying about 120 personnel, according to the Defense Ministry. They will stand by at a Self-Defense Forces base in Djibouti, with no specific airlift plans at present as major airports in Israel and Iran remain closed. Since Israeli strikes on Iran on June 13, the two countries have exchanged attacks, with tensions further escalating after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested using military options to pressure Tehran to abandon its nuclear program. On Friday, a total of 87 Japanese nationals and their family members were evacuated, with 66 traveling from Iran to Azerbaijan and 21 from Israel to Jordan on government-arranged buses, according to the Foreign Ministry. Before the bus evacuation began, about 280 Japanese citizens were in Iran, and around 1,000 were in Israel, the ministry said. On Tuesday, Japan raised the travel alert for all of Iran to its highest, Level 4, advising nationals to "evacuate and avoid all travel." Most of Israel has remained subject to the second-highest Level 3 advisory, which urges people to "avoid all travel."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store