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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s trade deficit ballooned 44% in July 2025 as imports jumped at nearly double the pace of exports, citing official data on Thursday. The development highlights renewed pressure on the country’s external balance at the start of the new fiscal year, Meanwhile, exports climbed 16.9% year-on-year to $2.7 billion in July, up 8.9% from June, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). Imports, however, surged 29.3% from a year earlier to $5.4 billion and 12.4% month-on-month, swelling the monthly trade gap to $2.75 billion from $1.91 billion a year earlier and $2.37 billion in June. For the fiscal year…

With Independence Day celebrations nearing, the Islamabad district administration has imposed a citywide ban on the sale and use of bajas (vuvuzelas). According to officials, the move aims to curb public nuisance and maintain order in the federal capital in the lead-up to August 14. Daily operations ordered against baja stalls Deputy Commissioner Islamabad has instructed all field officers to immediately launch an on-ground operation and seize bajas from stalls across the city. The directive stressed daily monitoring and action until Independence Day. Vendors and individuals found selling or using bajas will face strict legal action, with fines and potential confiscation of…

India’s legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar has lavished praise on right-arm pacer Mohammed Siraj, saying the fast bowler “doesn’t get the credit he deserves” for his consistent match-winning spells during the recently concluded five-Test series against England. Despite the series ending in a draw, Siraj emerged as a standout performer, claiming 23 wickets in nine innings at an average of 32.43 – the highest across both teams in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. The 30-year-old Hyderabad pacer also outshone India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, and was the only fast bowler to feature in all five Tests, underlining his fitness and determination. “Unbelievable. Superb…

As concerns rise over the impact of AI-generated search results on publishers’ revenues, Google has denied that its AI features are to blame for declining traffic to websites. The tech giant insists that overall click-through rates from its search engine have remained “relatively stable” over the past year, despite a sharp uptick in AI usage and changing user behaviour. Google’s Vice President and Head of Search, pushed back against multiple third-party studies and mounting criticism from media outlets that claim AI-powered search tools — including AI Overviews and chat-style interfaces — are driving fewer users to external sites. “This data…

Ana de Armas is gearing up for what insiders are calling a major collaboration with Tom Cruise, as the two stars prepare to begin shooting for their upcoming thriller Deeper. According to a source quoted by People, the 37-year-old Cuban-Spanish actress and the 63-year-old Mission: Impossible star recently spent time together in Vermont, where Ana owns a home, before heading to England for a short break. “Now, they are still very focused on kicking off their new project together. It’s a very important project for both of them. They’ll have an intense shooting schedule, but they are ready,” the source told People. The insider…

A new study has raised alarms over children’s increasing screen time, linking it to higher risks of heart disease and diabetes. Researchers found that even an hour of extra daily screen exposure could significantly raise the chances of developing serious metabolic conditions. Children and adolescents who spend extended hours on phones, tablets, or in front of TVs may be exposing themselves to long-term health dangers, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association on Wednesday. The research, conducted by a team at the University of Copenhagen, analyzed screen time and sleep patterns in more than…

President Donald Trump announced plans to impose a 100% tariff on semiconductor chips imported from countries that don’t manufacture in the United States or haven’t committed to doing so — a move expected to escalate trade tensions and benefit U.S.-based production. In a bid to accelerate onshore chip production, President Trump told reporters on Wednesday that all semiconductor imports not tied to U.S. manufacturing will face a new 100% tariff. “The rule is simple,” Trump said in the Oval Office. “If you don’t build in America or commit to building here, your chips will be taxed — heavily.” While Trump…

Gaza’s collapsing healthcare system is now facing a critical blood shortage, as widespread malnutrition caused by Israel’s ongoing blockade prevents Palestinians from donating. With aid cut off and medical facilities under attack, officials warn the crisis is spiraling. Hospitals across Gaza are sounding the alarm over a severe blood shortage as Israeli attacks and a hunger crisis deepen the humanitarian catastrophe. “We’ve seen people begging to donate blood for their loved ones, but they are being turned away,” said Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud from Gaza City. “They are too dehydrated and malnourished to safely give blood.” Amani Abu Ouda, head…

President Donald Trump has said there’s a “very good prospect” of holding a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, following what he called “constructive” talks between his envoy and the Kremlin. Donald Trump on Wednesday raised hopes for a possible peace summit with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky after a high-level meeting in Moscow involving his envoy Steve Witkoff. The president, who previously claimed he could end the war in a single day, said both sides had exchanged “constructive signals.” Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump noted that Russia had expressed interest in further talks…

A major of the Pakistan Army was among three soldiers martyred in an improvised explosive device (IED) attack on a security forces’ vehicle in the Mastung district, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The ISPR confirmed that Major Rizwan Tahir embraced martyrdom in the attack. Two other soldiers, Naik Ibni Amin, aged 37 from Swabi, and Lance Naik Muhammad Younas, aged 33 from Karak, also sacrificed their lives. Major Tahir had participated in multiple counter-terrorism operations, the statement added. Following the incident, security forces launched an intelligence-based operation and neutralised four militants affiliated with Indian-sponsored…