Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has taken the rare decision to open the Rafah border crossing with Gaza for the entire holy month of Ramazan after Israel killed some 60 Palestinian protesters in the enclave this week. The decision was made "to all

Israel has built a unique "missile net" to defend a new airport, as part of a newly-completed segment of its eastern border barrier, a military official said Friday. The 34-kilometre (21-mile) fence runs along Israel's border with Jordan, beginning near t

At least 11 pro-government fighters were killed as explosions ripped through weapons and fuel depots Friday at a regime military air base in central Syria, a monitor said. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the blasts in Hama provi

France on Friday imposed a six-month asset freeze on several international companies allegedly linked to a chemical weapons programme in Syria, as ministers meeting in Paris vowed that governments that gas their own people would not go unpunished. The ass

A two-year-old girl of Kurdish origin who died after police gave chase to a van carrying illegal migrants in Belgium succumbed to a bullet wound to the face, prosecutors said Friday. The police had opened fire to stop the van after a highway chase between

Hundreds of migrants were left in limbo for hours Friday after Bosnian police dismantled a makeshift camp in Sarajevo but police in the south refused to let them reach a centre offering them accommodation. The standoff came after police carried out a two-

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday approved a new government with key posts largely unchanged for his fourth Kremlin term. Veteran foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu both retained their posts in the government.

President Donald Trump alleged Friday that the FBI planted an informer in his 2016 election campaign, stepping up efforts to cast Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia probe as a politically-driven "witch hunt".

Bill Gates is not a huge fan of Donald Trump, and at a recent event hosted by his foundation, he made that clear as he revealed details about his interactions with the US president. The billionaire Microsoft founder drew laughter from the crowd when he sa

Russian President Vladimir Putin wished "good health" to former agent Sergei Skripal as he was released from a British hospital Friday, after recovering from a nerve agent poisoning alleged to have been orchestrated by the Kremlin. "God grant him good hea

Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel put on a rare show of unity Friday defending the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, criticised by Ukraine and threatened by US sanctions. The two leaders held their first face-to-face meeting in a

The European Union took steps Friday to avoid reimposed US sanctions on Iran and save the international nuclear deal as a rift with Washington widened. The European Commission, the bloc's executive arm, moved to help EU firms skirt US penalties and have m

In Shanghai, the most-traded July copper contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange rose 0.4 percent to 51,280 yuan ($8,051) a tonne on Friday as inventories increased, easing worries over a supply shortage in the aftermath of US sanctions on major Russian

Aluminium fell to a two-week low on Friday after news that sanctions-hit Russian businessman Oleg Deripaska would not seek re-election to Rusal's board of directors, easing concerns that supply from the company would be disrupted. Copper, meanwhile, heade

The Middle East crude benchmarks were little changed on Friday, supported by firm demand in Asia. Fuji Oil bought an Upper Zakum cargo for July-loading via a tender on Friday at about 30 cents a barrel above its OSP, traders said. The premium has slightly

Oil prices fell on Friday, but Brent crude marked its sixth straight week of gains, boosted by plummeting Venezuelan production, strong global demand and looming US sanctions on Iran. Brent crude futures fell 79 cents, or 1 percent, to settle at $78.51 a

Benchmark Tokyo rubber futures closed higher on Friday, tracking Shanghai gains, amid hopes that trade tensions between Beijing and Washington will ease after the second round of negotiations. The Tokyo Commodity Exchange rubber contract for October deliv

The following were Friday's Rotterdam vegetable oil prices at 1600 GMT: (Please note: Markets will be closed on Monday May 21 for Whitsun holiday).

The following were Friday's Rotterdam vegetable oil prices at 1600 GMT: (Please note: Markets will be closed on Monday May 21 for Whitsun holiday).

Malaysian palm oil futures rose as much as 1 percent on Friday to their highest in more than five weeks, tracking gains in related edible oils and crude oil, while a weaker ringgit also lent support. The benchmark palm oil contract for August delivery on

Cocoa futures on ICE rose on Friday after tapping multi-week lows, as funds traded both sides of the market amid West African mid-crop pressure and signs of increasing demand. Raw sugar also gained, on worries about dry weather in Brazil. July New York co

Gold was flat after sliding to a fresh 2018 low on Thursday as another rise in US bond yields and concerns over political risk in Italy held the dollar index near its 2018 peak. The precious metal has fallen more than 2 percent this week on gains in the U

Gold prices edged down on Friday to near their lowest levels this year, pressured by a firm US dollar amid surging US Treasury yields. Spot gold was down about 0.1 percent at $1,289.35 per ounce at 0657 GMT, after hitting its lowest since Dec. 27 in the p

Gold prices dipped on Friday, weighed down by a firmer dollar, but some traders said signs pointed to a rebound. Spot gold was down 0.1 percent at $1,288.41 per ounce at 1400 GMT, after hitting its lowest since Dec. 27 in the previous session at $1,285.41

US wheat futures rallied on Friday, with the benchmark Chicago Board of Trade soft red winter wheat contract surging 3 percent on forecasts for dry conditions that could further stress an already damaged crop. The weather outlook also threatened to slow p

Gold prices rebounded on Friday, as the US dollar eased after Italian political tension sparked a sell-off in the country's bond markets and investors sought a safe haven in bullion. Spot gold gained 0.2 percent at $1,292.12 per ounce by 1:33 p.m. EDT (17

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) vice chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday said Pakistan might face US sanctions on the basis of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's controversial remarks on 2008 Mumbai attacks. Talking to the journalists here, Qureshi s

The amended Finance Bill 2018 has proposed that the person acquiring the asset from non-resident person (NRP) shall deduct tax at 10 percent of fair market value of the asset. According to the comments on changes made vide amended Finance Bill 2018 issued

The outgoing government has not focused on mega water reservoirs projects during its five-year term, despite several warnings from international and domestic experts that the country is heading towards becoming a water scarce country due to change in weat

Syed Mazhar Ali Nasir, Senior Vice President FPCCI has strongly condemned the baseless propaganda by Mian Nasser Hayatt Magoo casting doubts about the legality of his present position in the Federation. Syed Mazhar Ali Nasir said that Magoo was defeated b

A two-member Peshawar High Court (PHC) Abbottabad bench Friday maintained the District and Sessions Judge Mansehra verdict in the gang rape case and announced 14 years sentence to the prime suspect Qari Naseer. The PHC Abbottabad bench comprising Justice

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is leading the Pakistan delegation to the 7th Extraordinary OIC Summit being held on Friday in Istanbul to discuss the grave situation in the aftermath of blatant human rights violations by the occupying forces in the s

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has revoked the registration of "Capital Insurance Company Limited" (company) as a non-life insurer with effect from May 17, 2018. According to a notification SRO 619(I)/2018 issued by the SECP her

The severe water shortage in the country is projected to negatively impact on major kharif crops, cotton, rice and maize, which would make agriculture growth rate target of 3.8 percent for 2018-19 unachievable.

An accountability court on Friday granted three days remand to National Accountability Bureau (NAB) of former Director General Lahore Development Authority Ahad Khan Cheema and Shahid Shafique of Bismillah Engineering involved in Ashiana Housing Scheme sc

Acting President Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani conferred the Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) upon General Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of Chinese Central Military Commission during an Investiture Ceremony at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, Islamabad on Friday. All Services Chiefs,

The amended Finance Bill 2018 has made additions in the list of imports subjected to minimum tax under section 148 of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001. According to the comments made by Tola Associates on changes made vide amended Finance Bill 2018 here on F

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hamza Shahbaz on Friday appeared before the National Accountability Bureau's team, here on Friday in an inquiry about "clean water corruption scam." During the inquiry, NAB officials enquired from Hamza about 13

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif Friday said whether it's NAB or any other institution, justice and accountability should be held across-the-board and if it's not done so, the same may not be termed a

The faithful thronged to mosques, as the first Friday of the holy month of Ramazan was observed with religious fervour, here today. The main Juma congregations were held at Badshahi Mosque, Data Darbar, Masjid Ibrahim, Bagh-e-Jinnah, Masjide Shuhda, Neela

Following completion of its reliability test and adjustments thereafter, the first unit of Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project has started providing electricity to the national grid on Friday. The unit will contribute 242.25 MW power to its full capacity to

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said people of the KP and Sindh are facing problems due to the dilapidated conditions of transport systems in their respective provinces but Zardari Sahib and Niazi were simply unable to start such beneficial

The Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front (PIAF) has appreciated the government's decision regarding disbursement of Rs 100 billion on account of outstanding refunds belonging to export industry. He was reacting to Federal Minister for Financ

All Pakistan Business Forum (APBF) has expressed its concerns over the alarming rise in the trade deficit of the country, which has widened by 14 percent to $30.245 billion during the first 10 months of the current fiscal year of 2017-18.

President of Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Malik Tahir Javaid on Friday stressed the need for joint ventures between the businessmen of Pakistan and Sri Lanka. According to LCCI spokesman, chamber president held productive meetings with Sri Lanka

Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has strongly condemned Indian aggression along Working Boundary (WB) near Sialkot in which four civilians, including three children were martyred in Indian firing.

"Wanna play a game?"

Punjab Provincial Development Working Party approved three development schemes of various sectors with an estimated cost of Rs 4461.233 million in its 65th meeting of current fiscal year presided over by Chairman P&D Muhammad Jahanzeb Khan. Secretary all

Chairman Dairy Science Park Professor Dr Mohammad Subhan Qureshi has said two regulatory authorities including district administration and KP Food Safety and Halal Food Authority have threatened the businesses of small farmers, butchers and marketing outl

The Asian Development Bank and Department for International Development (DFID) UK have committed to provide $ 123 million for enhancing Public Private Partnership in Punjab and capacity building of various departments. A senior economist of Planning and D

Tree plantation campaign 2018 was formally launched at OGDCL Head Office Islamabad by Zahid Muzaffar Chairman OGDCL. Moringa sapling planted by Zahid Muzaffar, Zahid Mir MD/CEO and Irteza Ali Qureshi CFO. OGDCL Tree Plantation Campaign, 2018 is part of co

OPPO Global Research Institute (Shenzhen) announces the company successfully demonstrated the world's first 5G Video Call Demo using 3D Structured Light Technology. The demonstration reproduced a 3D portrait image on a remote receiver using portrait infor

National Accountability Bureau Chairman former Justice Javed Iqbal has said that elimination of the menace of corruption from the country is top priority of the Bureau. He said that zero tolerance against corrupt elements and the policy of "Accountability

Pakistan Textile Exporters Association has stressed for continuation of Duty Drawback of Taxes incentive for further three years to boost the value added textile exports and uplift the economy. DDT incentive has positively impacted as textile exports reco

Board of Revenue (BoR) and Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB)'s joint flagship e-Stamping project has crossed all time higher figure of Rs 75 billion revenue collection till Friday, which is an unprecedented contribution towards the national econo

A state agency in Pakistan has issued a tender to export 500,000 tonnes of wheat under a new government export subsidy programme, European traders said on Friday. The tender was issued by Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO) and

The Lahore High Court on Friday directed a law officer/prosecutor to furnish the list of the witnesses in anti-judiciary rally case and allowed time to two parliamentarians of PML-N and four others to submit their unconditional apology in writing by May 2

Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami, Pakistan senator Sirajul Haq, has urged the people to consider the forthcoming elections as a conflict between truth and falsehood and stand by the forces of truth. Addressing a big Friday congregation at Mansoora mosque, he said th

Bilateral Trade between Pakistan and Spain is hovering around one billion dollars and we must take concrete steps to exploit its untapped potential by encouraging frequent exchange of trade delegations and organizing single country exhibitions in each oth

Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday sought the proposals from Sindh Provincial Minister Health and Secretary Health Sindh to fill the vacant posts of doctors and paramedical staffs in hospitals of various districts of province and directed to submit the deta

Rehabilitation and Modernization of Sukkur Barrage under Sindh Barrages Improvement Project Phase-II will improve the flood handling capacity of the barrage from 0.9 million cusecs to 1.5 million cusecs as well as supplying 65,130 million cusecs water for

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has announced timings for availing SBP Overnight Repo/Reverse-Repo Facilities under Interest Rate Corridor Mechanism during the month of Ramazan-ul-Mubarak. Time for availing Overnight Repo/Reverse Repo Facility from Monda

Business Community has urged the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to abolish bank holiday on Saturdays in Ramadan. Ateeq Ur Rehman, a businessman and economic analyst has said the Holy Month of Ramadan started with a holiday as on Thursday banks went off for

Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar on Friday directed the managements of Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) hospitals to stay alert to ensure proper treatment to the patients hit by heat-wave. He issued these directives following the Met department's heat-wave foreca

Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) has issued a notification of Sindh Sales Tax Relief Package (SSTRP) to facilitate taxpayers at maximum. According to SRB, the board on request of the taxpayers and taxpayers' associations with the approval of the Sindh government

SERAP, a French company and a world leader in the bulk food-grade liquid conservation and processing sector has showed keen interest to supply its state of art hi-tech milk and food cooling integrated systems to Pakistan.

The MQM on Friday lambasted the ruling PPP for all 'destructions' in health, education, civic and road infrastructure and also blamed it for prejudices and biases against 'Muhajirs'. Muhammad Hussain Khan, MQM's senior legislator, who completed his 100 bu

AJ&K President Sardar Masood Khan has said Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K) is enriched with natural beauty and the present government is focusing on sound infrastructure and foolproof security of tourists.

The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) verdict, which acquitted the accused in Maulana Azam Tariq murder case, has been challenged in the Islamabad High Court.

Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar emphasized on the importance of constitutional assurance for fundamental human rights. The Chief Justice while addressing the participants of International Conference on 'Constitution in the Global Change Epoch and the Goals

Assistant Patrol Officer Muhammad Idrees of National Highways & Motorway Police, embraced Shahadat while preventing the suicide attackers entering in zonal office at Chaman housing society, said a press release.

The federal government on Friday made Amjad Saleemi as new inspector general of Motorway Police with immediate effect. In the last high-powered promotion board meeting, Amjad Saleemi was promoted in grade-22. Outgoing IG Motorway Police Kaleem Imam has be

The Islamabad High Court Friday restrained private educational institutions from receiving tuition fee during the summer vacations. A single judge bench comprising Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui heard the case of receiving summer vacation fee from students

2018 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Serbia. The two sides established diplomatic relations in 1948, when Pakistan was still in its nascent years.

The Political Administration of Mohmand Agency on Friday released 14 prisoners, mostly detained for petty issues on eve of Ramzan-ul-Mubarak. The prisoners were released on the directives issued by the Political agent Muhammad Wasif Saeed while presiding

The major portion of Swat Motorway from Karnal Sher Khan to Katlang interchange covering 50-kilometers will be opened for public transport on May 21 of the current month. The next phase covering 30-Kilometers from Katlang to Chakdara will be opened to tra

The State Bank has recently announced a concessional financing scheme for SMEs which was reported in Business Recorder also.

Fundamental rights have been enshrined in our Constitution Chapter 1 of the Constitution contains articles about the fundamental rights. Articles 8 to 28 of Constitution deal with the all fundamental rights provided to the citizens of Pakistan. The questi

Arif Naqvi, the founder of one of the Middle East's biggest private equity firms, Abraaj, is facing calls from investors to further scale back his involvement in the group amid a row over misuse of funds, two people with knowledge of the matter said.

Democracy's annoying obsession with narratives has been more inexplicable than vexing; why should there always be a narrative and what is meant by the war of narratives. I have tried to argue the theory of narratives, being sarcastic here since clearly no

The economic challenges for the next elected government will be more formidable than those inherited by the incumbent government in May 2013. It was then long hours of power shutdown, loss-making public sector entities, mounting circular debt, poor econom

It has been nearly two years since the Fata Reforms Committee, headed by Sartaj Aziz, presented its report to the government recommending, among other measures, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas' merger with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The recommendations,

The May 12, 2007 massacre in Karachi with a toll of 50 people killed and 100 wounded has never been brought to conclusion in our courts of justice. The mayhem at the hands of gunmen who attacked the rallies of political parties, lawyers and others wanting

The Accountability Court Friday gave accused Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and Captain Muhammad Safdar (retd) last chance to record their statements in the Avenfield reference on Monday. At the start of hearing in the Avenfield reference, defense counsel Kha

The Accountability Court Friday gave accused Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and Captain Muhammad Safdar (retd) last chance to record their statements in the Avenfield reference on Monday. At the start of hearing in the Avenfield reference, defense counsel Kha

A male student who entered a Texas high school on Friday and shot dead ten people, including fellow pupils, had planned to end the attack with his suicide but instead surrendered to police, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said. Students said a gunman opened fi

A male student who entered a Texas high school on Friday and shot dead ten people, including fellow pupils, had planned to end the attack with his suicide but instead surrendered to police, Texas Governor Greg Abbott said. Students said a gunman opened fi

The weather report on Friday (May 18, 2018) and the forecast for Saturday (May 19, 2018).

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday urged the Islamic world to show greater unity in supporting the Palestinians, saying Muslim leaders needed to overcome divisions to combat Israel's "brutality". Erdogan first addressed thousands in Istanbul

The following were Thursday official prices.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday urged the Islamic world to show greater unity in supporting the Palestinians, saying Muslim leaders needed to overcome divisions to combat Israel's "brutality". Erdogan first addressed thousands in Istanbul

The following were Thursday official prices.

Income tax, sales tax and excise duty amendments in the Finance Bill 2018 will have an estimated a negative financial impact of Rs 4-5 billion on revenue collection target for next fiscal year. The Finance Bill proposed in the budget envisaged additional

Official KCA spot rates for local dealings in Pakistan rupees on Friday (May 18, 2018).

Income tax, sales tax and excise duty amendments in the Finance Bill 2018 will have an estimated a negative financial impact of Rs 4-5 billion on revenue collection target for next fiscal year. The Finance Bill proposed in the budget envisaged additional

Grain and other commodity rates in rupees on Akbari Mandi on Friday (May 18, 2018)

Income tax, sales tax and excise duty amendments in the Finance Bill 2018 will have an estimated a negative financial impact of Rs 4-5 billion on revenue collection target for next fiscal year. The Finance Bill proposed in the budget envisaged additional

Paper market rates in rupees on Friday (May 18, 2018).

The United States on Friday expressed hope that Pakistan will be a partner in safeguarding the region and would "do more" to uphold regional peace in South Asia. The statement was passed by Assistant to the Secretary of Defence for Public Affairs Dana Whi

Pakistan Mercantile Exchange - PMEX (Formerly National Commodity Exchange Limited - NCEL) Trading Summary on Friday (May 18, 2018).