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HANOI: China’s President Xi Jinping on Monday called for stronger ties with Vietnam on trade and supply chains amid disruptions caused by U.S. tariffs, as he attended in Hanoi the signing of dozens of cooperation agreements between the two Communist-run nations. The visit, planned for weeks and part of a wider trip in Southeast Asia, comes as Beijing faces 145% U.S. duties, while Vietnam is negotiating a reduction of threatened U.S. tariffs of 46% that would otherwise apply in July after a global moratorium expires. “The two sides should strengthen cooperation in production and supply chains,” Xi said in an…

Gold prices in the domestic market witnessed a decline on Monday, following a downward trend in the international bullion market, according to data released by the All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewellers Association (APSGJA). The price of 24-karat gold per tola dropped by Rs1,800, settling at Rs338,800. Likewise, the rate for 10 grams of 24-karat gold stood at Rs290,466. The price for 10 grams of 22-karat gold was recorded at Rs266,261. In the international market, the price of gold declined by $18, with the yellow metal now trading at $3,218 per ounce. Meanwhile, silver rates remained stable. The price of…

Supreme Court of Pakistan has refused to immediately restrain judges who have been transferred to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) from performing their duties. However, the court has issued notices to all parties involved in the seniority dispute case filed by five IHC judges. A five-member constitutional bench of the Supreme Court heard the case concerning the seniority of judges transferred to the IHC. The petitioners had requested the court to issue a stay order ahead of the Judicial Commission meeting scheduled for April 18, fearing the case could be impacted. The court declined the stay request but scheduled the…

Punjab Culture Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm across the province, as schools, public spaces, and cultural venues came alive with traditional festivities, sports events, and colorful displays showcasing the rich heritage of Punjab. Across Punjab, the day was filled with colors, joy, and a strong sense of pride, as communities united to honor their cultural roots and pass them on to future generations. Lahore Commissioner Zaid Bin Maqsood also issued a message on the occasion, stating that “Punjab’s culture is deeply cherished and recognized worldwide.” He emphasized that cultural celebrations help connect the younger generation with their ancestral traditions…

Quetta Gladiators spinner Usman Tariq has been reported for a suspect bowling action during a recent Pakistan Super League (PSL) match against Lahore Qalandars. Umpires Ahsan Raza and Chris Brown flagged concerns about Tariq’s bowling technique during the fixture, submitting an official report to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Despite this development, the PCB has clarified that Tariq remains eligible to continue bowling in upcoming matches. However, the board issued a warning that if his action is reported again, he will be suspended from bowling until he receives clearance from the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Biomechanics Laboratory. This process follows…

The prices of several food items, including popular beverages and processed edibles, are likely to surge by up to 50 per cent in the upcoming federal budget 2025-26. Sources within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) said that a significant rise in federal excise duty (FED) is under consideration for sweetened beverages, including soft drinks, juices, and carbonated soda water. The proposed duty is expected to increase from the current 20 per cent to 40 per cent. The proposal includes products containing additional flavouring agents or artificial sweeteners, a move aimed at discouraging consumption of sugar-rich and non-essential food items.…

Bangladesh has reinstated the phrase “except Israel” on its passports, barring citizens from traveling to the Jewish state, nearly four years after it was removed. The move comes in response to growing public anger over Israel’s ongoing attacks on Gaza. A directive has been issued to the Director General of the Department of Immigration and Passports to implement the change, following a notification by the Home Ministry earlier this month. Previously, Bangladeshi passports carried the inscription: “This passport is valid for all countries of the world except Israel.” The phrase was dropped in 2021 under the Awami League government, which…

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore has announced its verdict in the Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar case, sentencing three accused to seven years in prison each, while acquitting eight others. The verdict was delivered by ATC Judge Arshad Javed, who had earlier reserved the decision. The court sentenced Amna Urooj, Mamnoon Haider, and Zeeshan to seven years in prison for demanding ransom. However, the court noted that the charges of kidnapping could not be proven against them. Among those acquitted are Hafiz Iqbal, Falak Sher, Qaiser Abbas, Tanveer Ahmed, Rasheed Ahmed, Yasir Ali, and Hassan Shah.

OnePlus may soon introduce the Nord CE 5, the successor to its mid-range Nord CE 4 smartphone, according to recent reports. While the company has not yet made any official announcements, emerging specifications suggest a significant focus on battery performance for the upcoming device. According to a rumours, the OnePlus Nord CE 5 will feature a substantial 7,100mAh battery, representing a notable 29 percent increase over the 5,500mAh capacity found in the current Nord CE 4. This upgraded battery capacity could potentially position the Nord CE 5 as a category leader in terms of battery performance within its market segment.…

The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday disposed of the appeals filed by the Punjab government seeking the cancellation of bail for those accused in the May 9 incidents, directing that the trials of all accused be concluded within the next four months. The court emphasised the importance of adhering to legal timelines and ensuring the fair conduct of trials. During the proceedings, Khadija Shah’s lawyer, Sameer Khosa, brought up concerns regarding her case, noting that although a similar order had been passed in one case, three other cases had also been registered against her. Chief Justice Yahya Afridi assured…