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The U.S. will delay its tariff increase on Chinese semiconductor imports to June 2027, a decision announced after a year-long “Section 301” investigation launched on December 23, 2024. Zero tariff will be charged for the next 18 months on semiconductor imports from China, and future tariff rates will be determined at least 30 days in advance, according to the Federal Register filing published by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on December 23, 2025. The aforementioned filing labels China’s acts and policies in the semiconductor industry as “unreasonable.” Despite this, the USTR has decided to hold off on an immediate…

The Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) will become an important gateway for China’s high-standard opening up, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Tuesday. Lin made the remarks during a regular press briefing on December 23, when asked about the recent launch of island-wide special customs operations in Hainan. “Hainan has left a deep mark on the course of China’s reform and opening-up,” Lin said. “In the face of growing uncertainties in the global economy, China’s response is to deliver its commitment to opening up with concrete actions, to fight protectionism with firm resolve and promote an open world…

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on the state-owned enterprises (SOEs) directly administered by the central government to better serve the overall work of the Party and the country and contribute more to Chinese modernization. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in an instruction conveyed at a meeting of heads of central SOEs held on Monday and Tuesday. While affirming their pivotal role in the economy, Xi said central SOEs should serve high-quality economic and social development and the improvement of people’s livelihoods,…

ISLAMABAD (DI NEWS) : Azerbaijan’s growing role as a trusted host of major international forums is not accidental. It reflects a combination of political stability, institutional capacity, and an increasingly visible development model that resonates with global agendas. Just as Azerbaijan successfully hosted COP29 in December 2024, facilitating meaningful dialogue and landmark climate decisions, it is well-positioned to ensure the success of the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), which the country will host on May 17–22, 2026, under the theme “Housing for All: Safe and Sustainable Cities and Settlements.” The decision to hold the Forum in Azerbaijan, including the first-ever…

ISLAMABAD : The British journal Financial Times has described Field Marshal Asim Munir as an expert in “multilateral foreign policy who has emerged as the most effective strategic leader in the changing global system” while changing global politics has opened a new but difficult era for the middle powers. Financial Times said that these developments have proved quite complex for middle powers, and that Field Marshal Asim Munir is among the most successful multi-aligners among middle powers. The journal noted that Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has been the most effective in aligning with US President Donald Trump’s…

ISLAMABAD : The bidding for the privatisation of the national carrier, Pakistan International (PIA), began on Tuesday with three major business groups entering the fray to acquire the airline. The bidding process would be completed in stages. Three consortiums are involved in the bidding process under the Privatisation Commission. The first consortium consists of Lucky Cement, Hub Power Holdings Limited, Kohat Cement Limited and Metro Ventures. The second consortium consists of Arif Habib Corporation, Fatima Fertilizer, City Schools (Private) Limited and Lake City Holdings Limited. The third consortium includes Air Blue (Private) Limited participating in the bidding process. Sealed bids…

KARAK/ISLAMABAD: At least five cops were martyred after a police mobile was attacked in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Karak district, police said on Tuesday. Five police personnel were in a police mobile when they were fired upon by gunmen who fled the scene, said District Police Officer (DPO) Saud Khan. The DPO confirmed that all the five policemen present in the mobile van were martyred. Condemning the incident, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the policemen’s martyrdom and extended condolences to the bereaved families. Praising the police force for their frontline role in the war against terrorism, PM Shehbaz reaffirmed resolve…

US President Donald Trump described Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir as a “highly respected” while reiterating claims that he helped prevent a war between Pakistan and India. “We stopped a potential nuclear war between Pakistan and India,” reiterated Trump while responding to a question during an event in Florida alongside Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth and Secretary of the Navy John Phelan on Monday. He went on to say that Field Marshal Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif credited him with saving 10 million lives by stopping the…

ISLAMABAD : A district and session court on Tuesday has restrained authorities from arresting PTI founder Imran Khan in five cases related to May 9 and others. The court has also extended the pre-arrest bail of both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi until January 27, 2026. During the proceedings, the court clarified that Imran Khan must personally appear in court or attend via video link at the next hearing. The court also stated that the hearings for these cases would continue with formal arguments during the next scheduled hearing. The court further directed both parties to come fully prepared for…

ISLAMABAD : The District and Sessions Court Islamabad has dismissed all eight appeals filed by a private airline in connection with the 2010 plane crash case and has ordered the airline to pay compensation exceeding Rs5.41 billion to the victims. The court issued a detailed written verdict on all 16 appeals—eight from the victims and eight from the airline—delivered by Additional District and Sessions Judge Dr. Rasool Bakhsh Meraj. The ruling pertains to civil claims for damages resulting from the tragic incident. According to the verdict, the airline is also fined Rs1 million per appeal, totaling Rs8 million, for filing…