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Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said on Sunday that the second phase now centres on industrial cooperation, agriculture, information technology and social development, with particular emphasis on the advancement of Gwadar and the construction of economic zones. During a meeting in Islamabad, the Chinese ambassador, Jiang Zaidong, called on Ahsan Iqbal. The session was attended by Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, along with senior delegations from both countries. On this occasion, Iqbal said that the first phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) had been successfully completed. The Chinese ambassador observed that bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and China…

Australia claimed a three-wicket victory over the West Indies in the fourth Twenty20 international on Saturday, barely needing to shift into top gear as they heaped more misery on the hosts who have yet to register a win in the five-game series. Chasing 206 in Basseterre, Saint Kitts, Australia lost opener Mitchell Marsh for a duck but Glenn Maxwell (47) and Josh Inglis (51) put together a 66-run partnership to lay the foundation for the chase. The visitors went on to clinch the win with four balls to spare and took a 4-0 lead in the series courtesy of Cameron…

STOCKHOLM: Top US and Chinese economic officials will resume talks in Stockholm on Monday to try to tackle longstanding economic disputes at the centre of a trade war between the world’s top two economies, aiming to extend a truce by three months and keeping sharply higher tariffs at bay. China is facing an August 12 deadline to reach a durable tariff agreement with President Donald Trump’s administration, after Beijing and Washington reached preliminary deals in May and June to end weeks of escalating tit-for-tat tariffs and a cut-off of rare earth minerals. Without an agreement, global supply chains could face…

Pakistan women’s cricket captain Fatima Sana has expressed confidence in the team’s preparations for the upcoming tour of Ireland, expressing readiness to perform well in the unfamiliar conditions. Speaking at a joint press conference, she said the team had trained according to the conditions expected in Ireland and intended to give their best. “The entire squad remains upbeat and motivated,” she added. On the challenge of captaincy, she acknowledged its demands but said she enjoyed the responsibility. “Leadership is not without its challenges, but I find fulfilment in it,” she said. She maintained: Looking ahead to the Women’s World Cup,…

The United States and the European Union have reached a breakthrough trade agreement, bringing an end to months of escalating tensions between the two major economies. Following high-stakes discussions at President Donald Trump’s Turnberry golf resort in Scotland, both sides confirmed a new framework under which a 15% tariff will be imposed on EU goods entering the American market. The move comes after President Trump had earlier threatened a more punitive 30% rate, set to come into effect later this week. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who met President Trump in a closed-door session on Sunday, described the…

The Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Saidu Sharif Swat on Sunday officially announced the results of the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) Annual Examinations 2025 for Class 9 and 10. According to the board, a total of 47,728 students appeared in the matriculation examinations, out of which 36,365 candidates were declared successful. Kashmala Habib, a student of a private school, secured the top position in the SSC examinations by obtaining 1177 marks out of 1200. She expressed pride in her achievement and stressed that girls are equally capable of securing top ranks. “My message to fellow students is not…

At least 21 people were killed early Sunday in a deadly assault on a Catholic church compound in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), an attack reportedly carried out by Islamic State-backed militants. According to local civil society leader Dieudonné Duranthabo, the attackers, believed to be members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), stormed the church premises in Komanda town, Ituri province, around 1am. The ADF is an armed group that has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and is blamed for hundreds of killings in eastern Congo in recent years. “More than 21 people were shot dead inside and…

Sugar mills across the country have made it mandatory for dealers to present GST registration certificates for procurement, triggering fears of a worsening sugar crisis in the market. According to sources, a large number of dealers and wholesalers remain unregistered under the sales tax system, leading to a disruption in the supply chain from sugar mills to the open market. The sudden halt in supply has raised concerns among market stakeholders, with retail prices of sugar already crossing Rs200 per kilogram in various parts of Lahore. Industry insiders warn that if the situation persists, the sugar shortage could deepen, leading…

Pakistan is set to launch its latest remote sensing satellite on July 31 from China’s Xichang Satellite Launch Center, according to a spokesperson for SUPARCO (Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission). The new satellite is designed to enhance agricultural monitoring, provide accurate data for crop assessment, and support urban planning initiatives across the country. According to SUPARCO, the satellite will also play a critical role in disaster management by offering early warnings for natural hazards such as floods, earthquakes, and landslides. The launch marks a significant step in Pakistan’s space and scientific development, with potential benefits for environmental monitoring, food…

Syria has announced its first parliamentary elections since the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad, marking a major political development in the country’s postwar transition. The vote is scheduled to take place from September 15 to 20, according to Mohammed Taha al-Ahmad, head of the Higher Committee for People’s Assembly Elections. Speaking to the state news agency SANA on Sunday, al-Ahmad said preparations were under way to ensure the vote is conducted in a “transparent and secure” manner. These will be the first elections under the interim leadership of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who assumed office following a swift rebel offensive…