Islamabad, April 03: Countries around the world, including key U.S. allies, have condemned President Donald Trump’s newly announced reciprocal tariff regime, with several nations pledging countermeasures while still hoping for negotiations. China strongly opposed the move and urged the U.S. to cancel the tariffs, warning of further escalations in the ongoing trade war. Beijing’s commerce ministry stated, “There are no winners in trade wars, and there is no way out for protectionism.” Trump has now imposed a 34% tariff on China, bringing total levies to 54%—just shy of the 60% he had threatened during his campaign. Among major U.S. allies, Japan,…
Author: Ahmad Mukhtar
Islamabad, April 03: A new study by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations underscores the urgency of improving livestock productivity to curb the rising global use of antibiotics. Without targeted interventions, antibiotic use in livestock is projected to increase by nearly 30% by 2040. However, strategic improvements in livestock productivity could potentially cut this increase by half. The study, The Future of Antibiotic Use in Livestock, estimates that under current trends, global livestock antibiotic consumption could reach 143,481 tonnes by 2040—a 30% rise from 2019 levels. However, optimized livestock management could reduce this figure by up to…
Islamabad, April 03: A U.S. Senate investigative subcommittee has launched an inquiry into Meta Platforms’ past efforts to gain access to the Chinese market, demanding internal records from the company. The Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, chaired by Senator Ron Johnson, along with Senator Richard Blumenthal and Senator Josh Hawley, has asked Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to provide documents related to allegations that the company developed censorship tools for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) as part of its attempt to operate in China. A letter obtained by media indicates that the senators expect Meta to submit these records by April 21. The…
Islamabad/Peshawar, April 03: The second phase of repatriating Afghan refugees is set to resume today (Thursday) following the expiration of the government’s deadline for Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders to voluntarily leave the country. Despite international appeals for an extension, the government had initially set March 31 as the final date for their departure. However, a brief delay was granted due to Eidul Fitr celebrations. A senior official from the Afghan Commissionerate in Peshawar stated that while the deadline technically ended on March 31, the provincial authorities allowed a short extension until April 2 for Eid festivities. “Now, the second…
Islamabad/Washington, April 03: The Trump administration has seemingly delayed plans to impose visa restrictions on citizens from multiple countries due to concerns over inadequate vetting procedures identified by U.S. security agencies. The proposed travel restrictions were expected to affect travelers from over 40 countries, including Pakistan. This initiative stemmed from an executive order issued by President Donald Trump on January 20, titled Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other Threats. The order directed federal agencies to assess global screening protocols and recommend visa restrictions by March 21. However, the deadline passed without an announcement, and the State Department…
Islamabad, April 03: IMF team will visit Pakistan from tomorrow, April 4, to prepare the budget for the next fiscal year. An IMF delegation will visit Pakistan from tomorrow to prepare the budget for the fiscal year 2025-26. According to sources, the delegation will hold talks with Pakistani officials regarding the budget for the next fiscal year, including tax revenue measures, expenditure control and other development expenditure budget. Sources say that the federal budget for the next fiscal year will be presented in the first week of June and before that, the IMF team will prepare proposals in consultation with…
Islamabad, April 03: In less than three months, the National Highway Authority (NHA) has once again raised toll taxes on motorways and highways, with increases ranging from 15% to 50%, effective April 1. The previous hike occurred on January 5. Under the latest revision, car tolls have increased from Rs60 to Rs70, while vans and jeeps now pay Rs150 instead of Rs100. The toll for buses has risen to Rs250 from Rs200. Owners of two- and three-axle trucks will now pay Rs300, up from Rs250, while articulated trucks face a new toll of Rs550, compared to the previous Rs500. Motorway…
Islamabad, April 03: Despite widespread speculation, Pakistan’s four major telecom operators—Jazz, Zong, Telenor, and Ufone—agree that the full extent of Starlink’s market influence remains unpredictable. Pakistan’s telecom landscape is on the brink of transformation as the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) prepares to grant final approval for Starlink’s entry into the market. While excitement surrounds this development, skepticism within the industry remains due to uncertainties about its potential impact. However, they acknowledge that Starlink’s premium pricing is unlikely to replace traditional fiber-based internet services, particularly in urban areas. “In the short term, some customers may opt for Starlink, but its high…
Singapore, April 03: The global financial markets have been thrown into turmoil as the latest round of US tariffs escalates trade tensions, prompting investors to seek refuge in safe-haven assets like gold, bonds, and the yen. Concerns over a potential recession have intensified, leading to sharp declines across stock markets worldwide. Investor sentiment took a major hit after the US government implemented tariff increases that significantly raised import taxes to levels not seen in over a century. The impact was immediate, with the Nasdaq plummeting 3.2%, European stock futures down by nearly 2%, and Japan’s Nikkei index dropping 3% to…
Karachi, April 02: Pakistan President’s Corona test positive, he has been kept in isolation: Statement of personal physician President Asif Ali Zardari is undergoing treatment in a private hospital in Karachi. In a conversation with media, the President’s personal physician Dr. Asim Hussain said that President Asif Ali Zardari’s Corona test has come positive and he has been kept in isolation. He said that Asif Ali Zardari is under treatment by infectious disease specialists and there is a complete ban on meetings with him. Dr. Asim Hussain said that the President has been tested and complete monitoring is being carried…
