Author: admin

BEIJING: U.S. President Donald Trump left China on Friday with no major breakthroughs on trade or tangible help from Beijing to end his Iran war, despite two days spent heaping praise on his host, Xi Jinping. Trump’s visit to America’s main strategic and economic rival, the first by a U.S. president since his last trip in 2017, had aimed for tangible results to beef up his sagging approval ratings ahead of crucial midterm elections. The summit was filled with pageantry, from goose-stepping soldiers to tours of a secret garden, but behind closed doors Xi issued a stark warning to Trump…

 The Single Window: A Key to Modernizing the Investment System: The Algerian government announced a new regulatory phase for the investment system, reducing processing time for investor files to 15 days as a general rule, and 20 days for classified establishments. The Algerian Investment Development Agency (ADIA) is now obligated to respond to requests for economic real estate within 48 hours of its board’s decision. This step aims to eliminate procedural delays, unify administrative channels, and accelerate the transformation of registered projects into actual productive activity. These directives were outlined in a speech by Prime Minister Sifi Gharib during the…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said that Pakistan’s steady policy execution has helped preserve economic stability and improve financing conditions, even as the fallout from the Middle East conflict tests the broader outlook, stressing that maintaining disciplined policies and accelerating structural reforms will be critical for the country to build resilience and secure sustainable long-term growth. The Fund’s Executive Board released the report on Friday after completing the third review of the Extended Arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the second review of the arrangement under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). A day earlier, the country’s…

Pakistan’s disappointing outing in the first Test against Bangladesh worsened after the International Cricket Council (ICC) imposed sanctions on the national side for a slow over-rate. The team was fined 40 per cent of its match fee and docked eight World Test Championship points following the defeat in Dhaka. ICC penalises Pakistan over slow over-rate The ICC confirmed that Pakistan fell eight overs short of the required target after time allowances were taken into account during the match against Bangladesh. As a result, the team received a 40 per cent fine on their match fees. In addition, Pakistan lost eight…

The Punjab government has hinted at reviewing the academic calendar after private schools criticized the long summer vacations in the province. Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat, while talking to Samaa TV, said long vacations harm education and he agrees with the concerns raised by private schools. He said a proposal to open schools on alternate Saturdays after summer vacations is under consideration. He added that the academic calendar will be prepared in consultation with private schools, adding that an alternative plan will also be made in case sudden holidays are announced. Friday holiday also caused loss The education minister said…

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met a high-level 11-member Chinese business delegation led by IBI Beijing United Technology founder, president and controlling shareholder Qian Xiaojun at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad. Welcoming the delegation, the prime minister said that Pakistan and China share long-standing and historic relations. He also praised China’s remarkable development under the leadership of President Xi Jinping and said he looks forward to his upcoming visit to China later this month. The prime minister appreciated IBI Group’s decision to establish its digital economy headquarters in Pakistan and expressed satisfaction over the growing business-to-business cooperation between the…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released a detailed post-disbursement review report on Pakistan, introducing 11 new conditions tied to its ongoing loan program. The report outlines key fiscal targets, energy pricing reforms, tax expansion measures, and structural changes across multiple sectors of the economy. According to the report, the IMF has added 11 fresh conditions for Pakistan, bringing the total number of program requirements to 55. These include preparations for the FY2027 budget, adjustments in gas and electricity tariffs, and broader fiscal reforms aimed at improving economic discipline. The IMF said gas tariffs will be revised in July 2026…

A new humanitarian convoy, the Global Sumud Flotilla, has set sail once again from southern Turkey in an effort to deliver aid to Gaza, despite previous interceptions by Israeli forces in international waters. The renewed mission comes amid ongoing restrictions on aid access and heightened global attention on multiple regional conflicts. The flotilla departed from the Turkish port of Marmaris on Thursday, marking its third attempt to reach Gaza with humanitarian supplies. The group had earlier set sail from Spain on April 12, but vessels were intercepted by Israeli forces before reaching their destination. According to reports, more than 100…

A diplomatic confrontation broke out between Iran and the United Arab Emirates during a BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi, as accusations over military involvement in the Iran conflict escalated tensions between the two countries. The dispute highlights growing regional friction amid the ongoing Middle East war and shifting alliances. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the UAE of being directly involved in military operations against Iran during the BRICS meeting, according to Iranian state media. Araghchi claimed that while he avoided naming the UAE in his official statement “for the sake of unity,” he believed the country had…

The National Highway Authority (NHA) marked the 75th anniversary of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations on Thursday with simultaneous tree plantation ceremonies held across its regional offices, highlighting the longstanding friendship and shared commitment to environmental sustainability between the two countries. According to an official statement, the commemorative activities were organized in compliance with directives issued by the Ministry of Communications, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the NHA headquarters in Islamabad. In Sukkur, a ceremonial tree was planted at the premises of the NHA Regional Office by General Manager Maintenance Sindh-North Muhammad Hussain Shah. The ceremony was attended by other officials.…