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China on Tuesday cut its market-based benchmark lending rates, with the one-year loan prime rate (LPR) down to 3 percent from the previous reading of 3.1 percent. The over-five-year LPR, on which many lenders base their mortgage rates, was lowered to 3.5 percent from 3.6 percent, according to the National Interbank Funding Center.

Chinese tech giant Huawei on Monday launched new laptops that run on the company’s self-developed operating system, HarmonyOS, marking a significant breakthrough for China’s domestic software ecosystem. The company unveiled two HarmonyOS-based PCs: the MateBook Pro and a foldable model expanding its MateBook Fold lineup. The MateBook Fold Extraordinary Master – Huawei’s first PC with a foldable form factor – is deemed as the world’s lightest commercial foldable laptop and the largest commercial foldable-screen device to date. The new laptops debuted in Chengdu in southwest China’s Sichuan Province, alongside the company’s Nova 14 smartphone series. A billboard advertises Huawei’s HarmonyOS-powered…

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday sent a congratulatory letter to 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Forum on Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Development.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Monday inspected the city of Luoyang in central China’s Henan Province. During the visit, Xi toured the Luoyang Bearing Group Co., Ltd., the White Horse Temple, and the Longmen Grottoes. He learned about local efforts to accelerate the development of advanced manufacturing, enhance the protection and utilization of historical and cultural heritage, and promote the high-quality development of the cultural and tourism sector.

Pakistan’s military spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has declared that Pakistan will respond “mercilessly” to any aggression from India, warning New Delhi against escalating tensions in the region. Speaking to Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency, the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) dismissed Indian accusations linking Pakistan to the recent attack in Pahalgam, asserting that India’s use of such incidents for political mileage is both baseless and dangerous. “India is not Israel, nor is Pakistan Palestine,” he said, rejecting any comparisons and cautioning that South Asia is not a playground for military adventurism. “We are not a nation…

The annual meeting of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group commenced in Algiers on Monday, bringing together ministers and representatives from 57 member countries to deliberate on sustainable solutions to the socio-economic challenges facing the Islamic world. The four-day event, running from May 19 to 22, marks the 50th meeting of the IsDB Board of Governors — a significant milestone in the institution’s five-decade journey of promoting Islamic finance, development cooperation, and economic resilience across member states. On the opening day, the spotlight was placed on youth empowerment, with a dedicated Youth Development Forum addressing the multifaceted issues young people…

National Security Advisor Lt. Gen. Asim Malik and Iranian NSA Ali Akbar Ahmadian held a detailed telephone exchange on Monday. The conversation touched on a range of shared concerns, with both sides expressing interest in strengthening economic engagement and jointly addressing regional security challenges. Ahmadian stressed that Iran and Pakistan “will not allow regional peace to be undermined by external players.” Lt. Gen. Asim Malik auded Iran’s “positive and stabilising role” in the region and reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to collaborate more closely with Tehran on matters of mutual interest. The phone call follows a similar exchange last week between the…

England’s Test captain Ben Stokes has revealed that he gave up alcohol earlier this year in a bid to accelerate his recovery from a hamstring injury, as he eyes a return to the national side ahead of the summer home series. The 33-year-old all-rounder, who underwent surgery following an injury sustained during the third Test against New Zealand in December, disclosed on a recent podcast that he has been sober since January. Speaking on The Untapped podcast, hosted by former reality TV star Spencer Matthews, Stokes reflected on the toll injuries have taken on his body, suggesting that his decision to stop…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation has arrived in Pakistan to commence final negotiations on the federal budget for the fiscal year 2026. According to sources within the Ministry of Finance, the talks, which began this week, will continue until May 22, involving key government institutions including the Ministry of Finance, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Planning Commission, State Bank of Pakistan, Economic Affairs Division, and the Ministry of Petroleum. Officials said the primary focus of these discussions is to finalise revenue and expenditure proposals, ensuring alignment with IMF conditions as Pakistan seeks to stabilise its economy amid ongoing fiscal…

The Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) plays a crucial role in Pakistan’s social safety net by providing financial assistance to low-income families and vulnerable groups. In the upcoming fiscal year, an allocation of Rs 716 billion is projected for BISP in the national budget. In order to enhance the impact of BISP and address rising inflation and socio-economic challenges, it is proposed that the budget allocation for BISP be increased by up to 20% in the next fiscal year. This increase will allow for an expansion of beneficiary coverage, improved stipend amounts, and greater transparency in fund distribution. Key components…