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Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday held a phone conversation with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, stressing that normal passage through the Strait of Hormuz should be maintained. Xi pointed out that China attaches great importance to developing relations with Saudi Arabia and has always adhered to the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. Noting that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Saudi Arabia, Xi said China is willing to work with Saudi Arabia to seize this opportunity to deepen strategic mutual trust, strengthen…

ISLAMABAD (DI NEWS) :Ambassador Khalil Hashmi visited Shouguang city in Shandong province from 19-20 April 2026 to participate in the 27th China (Shouguang) International Vegetable Science & Technology Expo. Shouguang is renowned as China’s “Hometown of Vegetables”. This year, Pakistan was designated as the Guest Country of Honour at the Expo coinciding with the 75th anniversary of Pakistan–China diplomatic relations. On 19 April, the Ambassador was received by Mayor Zhao Tianbao, who briefed him on Shouguang’s advanced vegetable industry, including its integrated value chains and world-leading smart greenhouse technologies. Ambassador Hashmi highlighted Pakistan’s agricultural strengths and areas requiring investment and…

RAWALPINDI  – Security forces have killed two Indian-sponsored terrorists, a ring leaders and a suicide bomber, in an intelligence based operations in Bannu. The operation was conducted on 19 April 2026 on reported presence of terrorists, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a press release. After intense exchange of fire, two terrorists, including Ring leader Waheedullah alias Muktiar along with a Suicide bomber were killed. A suicide jacket, weapons and ammunition were also recovered from killed militants. “Kharji Ring leader Waheedullah was amongst the most wanted terrorist list for his active involvement in numerous terrorist activities including martyrdom of…

Calls for peace and an end to conflict have grown increasingly strong since US-Israel military strikes against Iran began in February. Since then, efforts to mediate and facilitate dialogue have not ceased, aiming to restore peace, stability, and development in the region. In this regard, Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward four propositions to promote peace and stability in the Middle East, emphasising commitment to the principles of peaceful coexistence, national sovereignty, international rule of law, and a balanced approach to development and security. According to China’s Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong, the four-point proposal contributes “Chinese wisdom and solutions…

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw Sunday’s ballistic missile test ‌launches as part of efforts to evaluate the performance of warheads carrying cluster bombs and fragmentation mines, state media KCNA reported on Monday. The tests represented the fourth ballistic missile launch this month and the seventh this year, as North Korea seeks to build its missile and nuclear capabilities in defiance of UN Security ​Council resolutions. The tests involved five launches of upgraded short-range Hwasong-11 Ra surface-to-surface tactical ballistic missiles to evaluate the power and performance ​of the new warheads, KCNA said. North Korea fired the missiles toward an…

The ongoing Middle East conflict has begun to weigh heavily on Pakistan’s economy, with exports showing a broad-based decline across multiple sectors in recent months. Pakistan’s exports dropped by 8% during the first nine months of the current fiscal year, falling to $22.74 billion. The slowdown became more pronounced in March 2026, when domestic exports declined by 14% compared to the same month last year, signaling deepening economic strain linked to global instability. Food exports take major hit Food exports have been among the hardest hit sectors. Between July and March, food exports fell by 34% to $3.80 billion. In…

Gold prices fell on Monday as the dollar firmed, ‌while news the Strait of Hormuz is closed again pushed oil prices higher and revived inflation fears. Spot gold was down 0.7% at $4,793.98 per ounce, as of 0351 GMT, after hitting its lowest level since April ​13 earlier in the session. US gold futures for June delivery fell 1.4% ​to $4,813.60. “Gold prices are lower today after the U.S.-Iran war ceasefire that markets ⁠celebrated last week appeared to be breaking down,” said Ilya Spivak, head of global ​macro at Tastylive. “That has revived the now-familiar ‘war trade’ dynamics we’ve seen…

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has quietly opened talks with the United States to secure a financial backstop, as the ongoing Iran war raises fears of deeper economic fallout for the Gulf state. According to US officials, UAE Central Bank Governor Khaled Mohamed Balama discussed the possibility of a currency swap line during meetings in Washington last week. The talks involved US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, along with officials from the US Treasury and the Federal Reserve. Emirati officials stressed that while the country has so far avoided the worst economic impacts of the conflict, it may still need a financial…

Heightened security ahead of US-Iran talks has prompted authorities to shut down all offices and educational institutions in the capital’s Red Zone, with employees directed to work remotely for the day. According to an official notification issued by the Cabinet Division, all ministries, divisions, and government offices located in Islamabad’s Red Zone will remain closed on April 20. Employees have been instructed to work from home, while also remaining on alert. The notification emphasized that officers and staff must be ready to report to their offices at short notice if required. Authorities clarified that if the situation demands, all employees…

A dramatic naval confrontation between Iranian and American forces has intensified tensions in the region, with both sides issuing sharply conflicting accounts over the fate of an Iranian-flagged vessel. Iranian and American forces came face-to-face in the Gulf of Oman after the United States attempted to seize an Iranian ship, according to Iranian officials. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed that US forces opened fire on a commercial vessel, prompting Iranian forces to intervene and provide protection. Iran said the US attempt to capture the ship was “thwarted” due to its timely response, preventing the vessel from being taken. Iran…