The US State Department on Tuesday approved the sale of 66 F-16 fighters to Taiwan, in a move expected to anger Beijing. Taiwan will get the latest version of the Lockheed Martin-built fighter, the F-16C/D Block 70, in the $8 billion deal, the State Department said.

The US State Department on Tuesday approved the sale of 66 F-16 fighters to Taiwan, in a move expected to anger Beijing. Taiwan will get the latest version of the Lockheed Martin-built fighter, the F-16C/D Block 70, in the $8 billion deal, the State Department said. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement that President Donald Trump had green-lighted the proposed sale after Congress was notified last week. The F-16s "are deeply consistent with the arrangements, the historical relationship between the United States and China," Pompeo said. "Our actions are consistent with past US policy. We are simply following through on the commitments we've made to all of the parties." Taiwan's plan to upgrade its air defenses comes amid increasing Chinese military incursions into its air space. A spokesman for the Taiwanese president released a statement saying the jets would "substantially enhance our air defence capabilities to help Taiwan's self-defence and maintain the people's freedom and welfare." The sale's approval will have a key role in "peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and region, especially in the wake of China's frequent military actions... in the region in recent years," the statement said. Beijing regards Taiwan as a part of China awaiting reunification, but the island is self-ruled and is a close ally of the United States. In a statement, the Defence Security Cooperation Agency, which oversees US foreign military sales, said Taiwan's purchase of the F-16s "will not alter the basic military balance in the region." "This proposed sale will contribute to the recipient's capability to provide for the defence of its airspace, regional security, and interoperability with the United States." On Monday, China's foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said US arms sales to Taiwan "severely violate" agreements between Washington and Beijing and "constitute severe interference in China's internal affairs." The United States should "immediately cancel the planned arms sales, and stop selling weapons and military contact with Taiwan," he said. "Otherwise, the US will have to bear all the consequences." Taiwan already has a fleet of old-model F-16s purchased in 1992, which have undergone several crucial upgrades. Manufacturer Lockheed Martin says the newest version, the F-16 Block 70/72, includes many avionics, weapons and radar technologies not in existence when earlier models were created. It is structurally stronger, the company says, so that it "can fly and fight to 2070 and beyond." The approval of the sale comes as Washington and Beijing face off in tough trade negotiations that economists say are hurting both of the superpowers, as well as dragging down the global economy.

US State Department approves sale of 66 F-16 fighters to Taiwan

The United States of America notified the Congress on Friday of its decision to approve foreign military sales worth USD 125 million to support the F-16 fighter jets of Pakistan. This move of the US comes days after Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan went to meet USA President Donald Trump on a much talked about the trip. Khan met Trump in his Oval Office on Monday. Both sides had declared the meeting as highly successful. The determination in this regard was made by the State Department and is the first after all security aid to Pakistan was suspended by Trump in January 2018.

U.S approves $125 Mn for Pak’s F-16 programme after Imran Khan’s visit

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Chinese President Xi Jinping declared Wednesday there was "no clash" of civilisations and denounced racial supremacy as "stupid" amid tensions with the United States and concerns over Beijing's rising global power.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/iaf-gives-wing-commander-abhinandan-falcon-slayer-patch-for-striking-down-pak-f-16-218982">IAF gives Wing Commander Abhinandan 'falcon slayer' patch for striking down Pak F-16</a>

The Indian Air Force(IAF) has given the "Falcon slayer" patch to Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman after he reportedly shot down a Pakistani F-16 during an air duel on February 27th with the Pakistan Air Force(PAF) post the Balakot strikes a day earlier.

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China on Wednesday said France granting asylum to the wife of former Interpol chief Meng Hongwei - who has been charged in China with accepting bribes - would be an abuse of its own legal procedures.

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India's second Moon mission that is planned for a July launch will have 13 payloads and one passive experiment from American space agency NASA, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said Wednesday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-to-curb-live-streaming-amid-pressure-over-christchurch-call-218959">Facebook to curb live streaming amid pressure over 'Christchurch Call'</a>

Facebook announced Wednesday it would tighten access to its live streaming feature as New Zealand's premier Jacinda Ardern and French leader Emmanuel Macron prepared to launch the global "Christchurch Call" initiative to tackle the spread of extremism online.

There is no clash between different civilisations, says President Xi amid US-China trade war Chinese President Xi Jinping declared Wednesday there was "no clash" of civilisations and denounced racial supremacy as "stupid" amid tensions with the United States and concerns over Beijing's rising global power.

There is no clash between different civilisations, says President Xi amid US-China trade war Chinese President Xi Jinping declared Wednesday there was "no clash" of civilisations and denounced racial supremacy as "stupid" amid tensions with the United States and concerns over Beijing's rising global power. IAF gives Wing Commander Abhinandan 'falcon slayer' patch for striking down Pak F-16 The Indian Air Force(IAF) has given the "Falcon slayer" patch to Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman after he reportedly shot down a Pakistani F-16 during an air duel on February 27th with the Pakistan Air Force(PAF) post the Balakot strikes a day earlier. Would be abuse of French legal system if ex-Interpol chief's wife wanted political asylum in France: China China on Wednesday said France granting asylum to the wife of former Interpol chief Meng Hongwei - who has been charged in China with accepting bribes - would be an abuse of its own legal procedures. Chandrayaan-2 will have 13 payloads, one passive experiment from NASA: ISRO India's second Moon mission that is planned for a July launch will have 13 payloads and one passive experiment from American space agency NASA, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said Wednesday. Facebook to curb live streaming amid pressure over 'Christchurch Call' Facebook announced Wednesday it would tighten access to its live streaming feature as New Zealand's premier Jacinda Ardern and French leader Emmanuel Macron prepared to launch the global "Christchurch Call" initiative to tackle the spread of extremism online.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The Indian Air Force(IAF) has given the "Falcon slayer" patch to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/iaf-recommending-wing-commander-abhinandan-varthaman-for-wartime-gallantry-award-vir-chakra-212112">Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman</a> after he reportedly shot down a Pakistani F-16 during an air duel on February 27th with the Pakistan Air Force(PAF) post the Balakot strikes a day earlier.

Wg Cdr Abhinandan Varthaman’s unit also calls itself "AMRAAM dodgers" as MiG-21 evaded 4-5 AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles fired by Pakistani F-16. The Pakistani F-16 is fitted with AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles with pinpoint strike accuracy which is considered far superior to MiG-21's R-73 missile.

Abhinandan has the unique distinction of being the only pilot in the world to have <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bengaluru-artist-creates-typewriter-portrait-of-wing-commander-abhinandan-204743">shot down an F-16 combat</a> aircraft from a MiG-21 Bison aircraft.&nbsp;

IAF had earlier lauded the fighter pilot's exploits in the MiG 21 Bison against the far superior Pakistani F-16 aircraft saying he "hunted the hunter".

Posting a poem on its official Twitter handle @IAF_MCC, 'Sabke Bass Ki Baat Nahi', written by Bipin Allhabadi, the IAF described the fighter pilot's feat as something that is not possible for everyone.

What Abhinandan Varthaman did is not everyone's cup of tea. He hunted the hunter, the poem said.

After being shot down over Pakistan air space during a dogfight with Pakistani jets, Wing Commander Abhinandan spent two days in Pakistan's custody after which he was released, walking through the Attari-Wagah border escorted by Pakistani officials and commandos as India rejoiced.

The Indian Air Force operation took place in the aftermath of the Pulwama terrorist attack on February 14th in which 40 CRPF soliders were killed. On Februrary 26th, Indian fighter jets led by Mirage 2000 bombed Jaish-e-Mohammed(JeM) terror camps in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The Indian Air Force(IAF) has given the "Falcon slayer" patch to Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman after he reportedly shot down a Pakistani F-16 during an air duel on February 27th with the Pakistan Air Force(PAF) post the Balakot strikes a day earlier.

The Indian Air Force(IAF) has given the "Falcon slayer" patch to Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman after he reportedly shot down a Pakistani F-16 during an air duel on February 27th with the Pakistan Air Force(PAF) post the Balakot strikes a day earlier. Wg Cdr Abhinandan Varthaman’s unit also calls itself "AMRAAM dodgers" as MiG-21 evaded 4-5 AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles fired by Pakistani F-16. The Pakistani F-16 is fitted with AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles with pinpoint strike accuracy which is considered far superior to MiG-21's R-73 missile. Abhinandan has the unique distinction of being the only pilot in the world to have shot down an F-16 combat aircraft from a MiG-21 Bison aircraft. IAF had earlier lauded the fighter pilot's exploits in the MiG 21 Bison against the far superior Pakistani F-16 aircraft saying he "hunted the hunter". Posting a poem on its official Twitter handle @IAF_MCC, 'Sabke Bass Ki Baat Nahi', written by Bipin Allhabadi, the IAF described the fighter pilot's feat as something that is not possible for everyone. What Abhinandan Varthaman did is not everyone's cup of tea. He hunted the hunter, the poem said. After being shot down over Pakistan air space during a dogfight with Pakistani jets, Wing Commander Abhinandan spent two days in Pakistan's custody after which he was released, walking through the Attari-Wagah border escorted by Pakistani officials and commandos as India rejoiced. The Indian Air Force operation took place in the aftermath of the Pulwama terrorist attack on February 14th in which 40 CRPF soliders were killed. On Februrary 26th, Indian fighter jets led by Mirage 2000 bombed Jaish-e-Mohammed(JeM) terror camps in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan.

IAF gives Wing Commander Abhinandan 'falcon slayer' patch for striking down Pak F-16

A journalist from Pakistan tweeted on Thursday that F-16 fighter jets were seen flying over Islamabad during the night.

<blockquote data-lang="en">
F-16 planes flying at 10:20 pm over Islamabad
&mdash; Hamid Mir (@HamidMirGEO) <a href="https://twitter.com/HamidMirGEO/status/779008199009632256">September 22, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 
 
 
Hamid Mir, the scribe,&nbsp;spoke to an Indian TV channel saying that he had spoken to defence experts who said &nbsp;they were conducting war exercises. He said F-16 jets were seen landing on Islamabad&#39;s motorway.&nbsp; 
 
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Wednesday had suspended multiple flights after Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) imposed restrictions in northern areas. 
 
The air restrictions were imposed after attacks on Indian Army base in Uri sector of Kashmir on Sunday that killed at least 18 soldiers, Indian news agency PTI said.&nbsp; 
 
(WION)&nbsp;

<div class="twitter-block"><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Hamid Mir spoke to an Indian Tv channel saying there were pictures on Twitter that showed the fighter jets landing on Islamabad's motorway

A journalist from Pakistan tweeted on Thursday that F-16 fighter jets were seen flying over Islamabad during the night. F-16 planes flying at 10:20 pm over Islamabad — Hamid Mir (@HamidMirGEO) September 22, 2016 Hamid Mir, the scribe, spoke to an Indian TV channel saying that he had spoken to defence experts who said they were conducting war exercises. He said F-16 jets were seen landing on Islamabad's motorway. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Wednesday had suspended multiple flights after Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) imposed restrictions in northern areas. The air restrictions were imposed after attacks on Indian Army base in Uri sector of Kashmir on Sunday that killed at least 18 soldiers, Indian news agency PTI said. (WION)

Pakistan: Journalist claims F-16 planes seen flying over Islamabad

Pakistan is looking to hire lobbying firms in Washington after a gap of nearly eight years, seeking to refurbish its image in the United States at a time of deteriorating relations between the allies, two government officials said on Tuesday. 
 
Ties have been particularly strained following a US unmanned aircraft strike that killed top Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour in western Pakistan last month, which Islamabad protested was a violation of its sovereignty. 
 
Relations have also been tense since a plan to buy eight F-16 fighter jets from the United States fell through this May after the US Congress refused to approve the deal. 
 
The deal, valued at $699 million, came unstuck after Congress refused to authorise the use of US government funds to pay for the aircraft under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program. 
 
&quot;Pakistan used to have lobbyists in Washington ... Now we want to relaunch the effort,&quot; said a senior government official, who asked not to be identified, as he was not authorised to speak to the media on the record. 
 
Islamabad dropped its official lobbying efforts during the 1999-2008 military rule of General Pervez Musharraf, the official said, adding that the government had now decided it needed help selling its image. 
 
&quot;Look at India and other countries, and how aggressive their public relations is,&quot; the official added. 
 
&quot;In light of this, and most recently, of course, the whole episode with the F-16s, Pakistan has decided that it has to step up its lobbying efforts in DC&quot;. 
 
A second government official in the prime minister&#39;s media team confirmed the decision, saying it aimed at stepping up efforts to &quot;sell Pakistani interests and improve its image in the United States&quot;. 
 
The official added, &quot;We are fighting this war on terror at great cost to lives and our economy. Yet we keep hearing that we have to do more. Clearly there is a public relations gap.&quot; 
 
Neither official would name the lobbying firms Pakistani officials are talking to. 
 
Pakistan was shortlisting prospective lobbying firms, foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz on Monday told a Senate meeting on defence and foreign affairs.&nbsp; 
 
Some jets in Pakistan&#39;s fleet of F-16s are due to be decommissioned in the next few years and the government says it needs the aircraft to fight Islamist militants in remote mountains near neighbouring Afghanistan. 
 
It is now considering buying used F-16 fighter jets from Jordan. 
(Reuters)

Move comes after fatal US drone strike inside Pakistan on top Afghan Taliban leader, and muliti-million dollar fighter jet bid fell through

Pakistan is looking to hire lobbying firms in Washington after a gap of nearly eight years, seeking to refurbish its image in the United States at a time of deteriorating relations between the allies, two government officials said on Tuesday. Ties have been particularly strained following a US unmanned aircraft strike that killed top Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour in western Pakistan last month, which Islamabad protested was a violation of its sovereignty. Relations have also been tense since a plan to buy eight F-16 fighter jets from the United States fell through this May after the US Congress refused to approve the deal. The deal, valued at $699 million, came unstuck after Congress refused to authorise the use of US government funds to pay for the aircraft under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program. "Pakistan used to have lobbyists in Washington ... Now we want to relaunch the effort," said a senior government official, who asked not to be identified, as he was not authorised to speak to the media on the record. Islamabad dropped its official lobbying efforts during the 1999-2008 military rule of General Pervez Musharraf, the official said, adding that the government had now decided it needed help selling its image. "Look at India and other countries, and how aggressive their public relations is," the official added. "In light of this, and most recently, of course, the whole episode with the F-16s, Pakistan has decided that it has to step up its lobbying efforts in DC". A second government official in the prime minister's media team confirmed the decision, saying it aimed at stepping up efforts to "sell Pakistani interests and improve its image in the United States". The official added, "We are fighting this war on terror at great cost to lives and our economy. Yet we keep hearing that we have to do more. Clearly there is a public relations gap." Neither official would name the lobbying firms Pakistani officials are talking to. Pakistan was shortlisting prospective lobbying firms, foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz on Monday told a Senate meeting on defence and foreign affairs. Some jets in Pakistan's fleet of F-16s are due to be decommissioned in the next few years and the government says it needs the aircraft to fight Islamist militants in remote mountains near neighbouring Afghanistan. It is now considering buying used F-16 fighter jets from Jordan. (Reuters)

Pakistan to hire Washington lobbying firms for first time in 8 years to improve relations with America

&nbsp;Pakistan is looking to hire lobbying firms in Washington after a gap of nearly eight years, seeking to refurbish its image in the United States at a time of deteriorating relations between the allies, two government officials said on Tuesday. 
 
Ties have been particularly strained following a US unmanned aircraft strike that killed top Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour in western Pakistan last month, which Islamabad protested was a violation of its sovereignty. 
 
Relations have also been tense since a plan to buy eight F-16 fighter jets from the United States fell through this May after the US Congress refused to approve the deal. 
 
The deal, valued at $699 million, came unstuck after Congress refused to authorise the use of US government funds to pay for the aircraft under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program. 
 
&quot;Pakistan used to have lobbyists in Washington ... Now we want to relaunch the effort,&quot; said a senior government official, who asked not to be identified, as he was not authorised to speak to the media on the record. 
 
Islamabad dropped its official lobbying efforts during the 1999-2008 military rule of General Pervez Musharraf, the official said, adding that the government had now decided it needed help selling its image. 
 
&quot;Look at India and other countries, and how aggressive their public relations is,&quot; the official added. 
 
&quot;In light of this, and most recently, of course, the whole episode with the F-16s, Pakistan has decided that it has to step up its lobbying efforts in D.C.&quot; 
 
A second government official in the prime minister&#39;s media team confirmed the decision, saying it aimed at stepping up efforts to &quot;sell Pakistani interests and improve its image in the United States&quot;. 
 
The official added, &quot;We are fighting this war on terror at great cost to lives and our economy. Yet we keep hearing that we have to do more. Clearly there is a public relations gap.&quot; 
 
Neither official would name the lobbying firms Pakistani officials are talking to. 
 
Pakistan was shortlisting prospective lobbying firms, foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz on Monday told a Senate meeting on defence and foreign affairs.&nbsp; 
 
Some jets in Pakistan&#39;s fleet of F-16s are due to be decommissioned in the next few years and the government says it needs the aircraft to fight Islamist militants in remote mountains near neighbouring Afghanistan. 
 
It is now considering buying used F-16 fighter jets from Jordan.

The move comes to improve the strained relations between Pakistan and the US following the death of the top Afghan leader by a US drone

Pakistan is looking to hire lobbying firms in Washington after a gap of nearly eight years, seeking to refurbish its image in the United States at a time of deteriorating relations between the allies, two government officials said on Tuesday. Ties have been particularly strained following a US unmanned aircraft strike that killed top Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour in western Pakistan last month, which Islamabad protested was a violation of its sovereignty. Relations have also been tense since a plan to buy eight F-16 fighter jets from the United States fell through this May after the US Congress refused to approve the deal. The deal, valued at $699 million, came unstuck after Congress refused to authorise the use of US government funds to pay for the aircraft under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program. "Pakistan used to have lobbyists in Washington ... Now we want to relaunch the effort," said a senior government official, who asked not to be identified, as he was not authorised to speak to the media on the record. Islamabad dropped its official lobbying efforts during the 1999-2008 military rule of General Pervez Musharraf, the official said, adding that the government had now decided it needed help selling its image. "Look at India and other countries, and how aggressive their public relations is," the official added. "In light of this, and most recently, of course, the whole episode with the F-16s, Pakistan has decided that it has to step up its lobbying efforts in D.C." A second government official in the prime minister's media team confirmed the decision, saying it aimed at stepping up efforts to "sell Pakistani interests and improve its image in the United States". The official added, "We are fighting this war on terror at great cost to lives and our economy. Yet we keep hearing that we have to do more. Clearly there is a public relations gap." Neither official would name the lobbying firms Pakistani officials are talking to. Pakistan was shortlisting prospective lobbying firms, foreign policy chief Sartaj Aziz on Monday told a Senate meeting on defence and foreign affairs. Some jets in Pakistan's fleet of F-16s are due to be decommissioned in the next few years and the government says it needs the aircraft to fight Islamist militants in remote mountains near neighbouring Afghanistan. It is now considering buying used F-16 fighter jets from Jordan.

Pakistan to hire Washington lobbying firms after 8 years

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