U.S. President Donald Trump has temporarily suspended the imposition of steep tariffs on Mexico and Canada, granting a 30-day reprieve in exchange for commitments on border security and crime enforcement. However, tariffs on Chinese imports are set to take effect as scheduled. The decision, announced on Monday, follows talks with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. Both leaders pledged to intensify efforts to curb illegal immigration and drug smuggling, a key demand from Trump’s administration. Under the agreement, Canada will enhance its border security by deploying advanced technology and additional personnel, along with cooperative measures to…
Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
US President Donald Trump has paused new tariffs on Mexico for one month after Mexico agreed on Monday to deploy 10,000 National Guard members to reinforce its northern border and curb the flow of illegal drugs. The agreement also includes a US commitment to prevent the trafficking of high-powered weapons to Mexico, as stated by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on X. The two leaders spoke by phone on Monday, just hours before US tariffs on Mexico, China, and Canada were due to take effect. The two countries will use the one-month suspension to engage in further negotiations, Trump said on…
U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday, directing the U.S. Treasury and Commerce Departments to establish a sovereign wealth fund, stating that it may potentially acquire TikTok. “We’re going to set this up within the next 12 months. We will monetize the asset side of the U.S. balance sheet for the American people,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters. “It will be a combination of various assets, which we will work to bring out for the benefit of the American people.” Trump had previously proposed such a government investment vehicle as a presidential candidate, suggesting it could…
In response to new US tariffs on Chinese goods, China has announced retaliatory measures, reigniting a trade war between the world’s two largest economies. On Tuesday, China’s Ministry of Finance revealed that the country would impose tariffs on a range of US products following the United States’ decision to implement a 10% duty on all Chinese imports. The US tariff, which took effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on Tuesday (0501 GMT), is part of former President Donald Trump’s strategy to pressure China into curbing the flow of illicit drugs into the US. In retaliation, China announced a 15% tariff on…
Former U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk, who has been assigned to cut federal spending, reports directly to him and cannot take any action without his approval. The statement comes amid growing concerns over the access Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been granted within the federal government’s payments system. These concerns intensified after Musk announced plans to shut down the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a move that has sparked sharp criticism from lawmakers. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump clarified the extent of Musk’s authority, stating…
KHAIRPUR: The mother of a young domestic worker, who was allegedly murdered by an influential Pir in Sindh’s Ranipur town in 2023, has reached a settlement with the accused and requested the dismissal of the case. Shabnam, the mother of the slain maid, submitted a written statement in court, confirming her settlement with the prime suspect, Pir Asad Shah Jeelani, his wife Hina Shah, and other accused individuals, including Fayyaz Shah and Imtiaz. This development took place during a hearing at the additional sessions court. The petitioner’s lawyer, Qurban Malano, informed the court that since his client had reached an…
KARACHI: The Oxford University Press Pakistan (OUPP) announced its plans for the 16th Karachi Literature Festival (KLF) during a press conference held at a local hotel. The festival, with the theme “Narratives from the Soil,” will take place from February 7 to 9, 2025. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah expressed his support for the festival, emphasizing its role in celebrating Karachi’s vibrant culture and ideas. He stated, “As the Chief Minister of Sindh, I am delighted to support this platform that fosters creativity, learning, and dialogue among diverse voices across our province.” Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab also…
Islamabad: Amid the rising incidents of terrorism in the country, the military leadership expressed deep concern on Tuesday over the use of Afghan soil by terrorists against Pakistan and demanded that the interim Afghan government take “effective and decisive measures.” This concern was raised during the 267th Corps Commanders’ Conference, chaired by General Asim Munir at the GHQ in Rawalpindi. A statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the forum called for concrete actions against the Khawarij faction by the interim Afghan government, rather than denial, and emphasized continuing all necessary measures for the defense of Pakistan…
Islamabad: Amendments to the controversial Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) by the ruling coalition government were challenged in the Supreme Court on Tuesday. The petition reads, “It is humbly requested in the national interest of peace and stability that both the amendment and the existing law may kindly be reviewed in the full court bench in the light of the freedom of expression and opinion to disseminate to society.” Muhammad Qayum Khan, in his petition, has asked the Supreme Court to declare the amendments to PECA as “ultra vires” to the constitutional powers of the legislature, calling the changes…
Islamabad: On Monday, Supreme Court Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail raised questions regarding the powers of military courts under the Army Act. The constitutional bench heard an intra-court appeal against the trial of civilians in military courts, during which senior lawyer Salman Akram Raja presented arguments. Raja referred to the 1962 Constitution and explained that the ruling in the FB Ali case allowed military trials for civilians as long as their fundamental rights were protected. Justice Mandokhail questioned, “What are the powers of military courts under the Army Act? Can a non-military person be tried solely based on their crime?” Raja…
