Author: i2wtc

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring food self-sufficiency by protecting farmers and stabilising the wheat market. Chairing the 8th Wheat Board meeting, Hussain reviewed the country’s wheat demand and supply position and the availability of critical inputs for the upcoming Rabi season 2025-26. According to the ministry’s statement issued on Thursday, the minister noted that national wheat availability stands at 33.47 million metric tonnes (MMT) against a requirement of 33.58 MMT, leaving a shortfall of only 0.11 MMT. Hussain said this gap is insignificant and assured there…

Affirm stock popped 15% Friday after the buy now, pay later firm beat Wall Street’s expectations across the board in its fiscal fourth-quarter results. The stock was already up 31% this year heading into the report, outpacing the Nasdaq’s 12% gain.Earnings came in at 20 cents a share and nearly doubled analyst expectations, with revenue also topping estimates at $876 million, up 33% from a year earlier. Net income was $69.2 million for the quarter, compared with a loss of $45.1 million in the same period last year.The firm also offered higher guidance for fiscal 2026 and upbeat guidance for…

Lisa Cook, governor of the US Federal Reserve, and U.S. President Donald Trump.Ting Shen | Bloomberg | Getty Images | Jonathan Ernst | ReutersPresident Donald Trump on Friday morning asked a judge in a court filing to deny a request by Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook to issue an order barring Trump from firing her as her lawsuit challenging her removal plays out in court.The Fed, in a separate court filing, said it would make no arguments on the merits of Cook’s request to temporarily block her termination by Trump.But the central bank also asked Judge Jia Cobb to…

The de minimis exemption, an obscure trade law provision that has simultaneously fueled and eroded businesses across the globe, officially came to an end on Friday following an executive order by President Donald Trump. For nearly a decade, shipments valued under $800 were allowed to enter the country virtually duty free and with less oversight. Now, those shipments from the likes of Tapestry, Lululemon and just about any other retailer with an online presence will be tariffed and processed in the same way that larger packages are handled. In May, Trump ended the exemption for goods coming from China and Hong Kong,…

ISLAMABAD: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority has directed all licensed entities under its regulation to adopt digital payment solutions in line with the government’s push for a cashless economy. According to the directive, OMCs, gas utilities, CNG stations, LPG and LNG operators, refineries, and lubricant marketers must introduce and display digital payment options, particularly the SBP’s Raast QR Code, at their outlets. OGRA said no outlet will be allowed to refuse customers opting for digital transactions. All entities must ensure full compliance by October 31, 2025. The authority said the move supports SBP’s digitisation drive and is expected to…

SYDNEY: Olympic champion Sifan Hassan has confirmed her decision to skip the athletics world championships in Tokyo next month after deciding to take part in this weekend’s Sydney marathon. Hassan, who won the Olympic marathon in Paris last year, has represented the Netherlands at every world championships since 2015, winning six medals including her 1,500-10,000 metres golden double in Doha in 2019. “It’s in two or three weeks and I don’t think I’m going to recover, I can barely walk the first couple of days after a marathon,” the 32-year-old told a news conference on Thursday. “It was so hard…

The press center of Commemoration of 80th Anniversary of Victory of Chinese People’s Resistance against Japanese Aggression and World Anti-Fascist War holds a press conference in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 29, 2025. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu attended the press conference. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai)BEIJING, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) — China is committed to working with countries around the world to strive for the goal of building a community with a shared future for humanity, Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu said on Friday.Ma made the remarks during a press conference on activities marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the…

ISLAMABAD: The government on Thursday approved Rs25 billion in severance package in order to sack another 6,878 employees of Utility Stores Corporation (USC), bringing down the curtain on a half-a-century-old entity that served the underprivileged with subsidised goods through its 5,600 outlets. Established in 1971, the USC had been catering to the needs of underserved people by providing them essential food items at subsidised rates and also acted as a price moderator. However, after years of mismanagement due to the appointment of inexperienced people at managerial positions, the USC ran into losses, prompting the government to close it. “The Economic…

Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr during the Bitcoin 2025 conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, US, on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesEric Trump said Friday he is certain bitcoin will eventually hit a $1 million valuation as he spoke at a Hong Kong conference, marking the first of a series of Asian crypto events that will feature U.S. President Donald Trump’s sons.Speaking at Hong Kong’s Bitcoin Asia 2025 conference, Eric Trump discussed his strong involvement in the crypto space.”I really believe in the next several years, Bitcoin hits a million dollars. There’s no question,” he said,…

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum met with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino on Thursday to discuss preparations for the 2026 football World Cup, which Mexico will co-host with the United States and Canada. “I appreciate the visit of Gianni Infantino, FIFA President, to discuss the progress of the World Cup,” the president said in a post on social media, adding photos with the FIFA President and the tournament trophy. Sheinbaum said the opening ceremony of the tournament will take place at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, 2026. “Remember that in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey, 13 matches of…