The United Arab Emirates, home to the financial hub of Dubai, has been dropped from a global watchdog’s list of countries at risk of illicit money flows, a win for the nation that could bolster its international standing. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a body that groups countries from the United States to China to tackle financial crime, on Friday dropped the UAE from its ‘grey list’ of around two-dozen nations considered risky. John Kartonchik, a director at UAE think tank Re/think, said the move could boost confidence in the country and attract more money from overseas. Markus Meinzer, director of policy at the Tax Justice Network, which campaigns for financial transparency, said the removal of the UAE showed the FATF list was ineffective. Measures taken by the UAE include increasing financial investigations and prosecutions, boosting international cooperation, and aligning virtual asset regulation with international standards.

The Kashmir conflict, an endur­ing and unresolved issue with roots in the partition of British In­dia, has left a lasting impact on the region. How­ever, the Maharaja’s decision to align with India ignited a dispute that has persisted for decades, be­coming a prolonged and compli­cated geopolitical challenge. This failure perpetuated the contentious issue between India and Pakistan, leading to conflicts, militarisation, and ongoing hu­man rights concerns. The conflict in Kashmir is char­acterised by the presence of Indi­an security forces, resulting in sig­nificant human rights challenges. Emphasising the need to safeguard and celebrate the cultur­al heritage of the Kashmiri people becomes increasingly important in the pursuit of a just and lasting resolution to the Kashmir conflict.

The nation has now fallen into a severe debt trap as a result of the failure of succeeding governments to enact reforms aimed at reducing the high budget deficit by increasing revenues and eliminating unnecessary spending. This has forced the government to take on more debt in order to make up the difference in funding and settle existing debt.It makes sense, given that total external and domestic loans and liabilities increased from $145.7 billion to $271 billion between 2011 and 2011, that Pakistan’s external debt has nearly doubled to $124.6 billion and its domestic debt has grown six-fold in nominal terms to $146.4 billion. This indicates that during the same period, per capita GDP decreased by 6%, from $1,295 to $1,224, while per capita debt increased by 36%, from $823 to $1,123. The government must implement reforms to address Pakistan’s long-standing issues if it hopes to lower the country’s debt load and free up funds for demands related to social protection, health, education, and climate-related disasters and adaptation plans. When negotiations for a new loan from the IMF begin, the next government’s commitment to enacting reforms to control the enormous debt and stabilize the economy will be put to the test.

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ISLAMABAD - The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari on Thursday in­vited the Saudi importers to import agricultural products from Pakistan to meet their consumption. He said that Pakistan pro­duces quality food products and Saudi Arabia is an import-based market receiving sup­plies from foreign markets. He urged Saudi Arabia to import agricultural products from Pakistan at competitive prices to meet the needs of its consumers. He said this while talking to Fadel Abdallah, General Manager, Al-Shaqaq Trading Est of Saudi Arabia during his visit to ICCI. He said that Pakistani meat, poultry products, textiles, IT products, surgical instru­ments, sports goods, leather products, and construction materials can also find good a market in Saudi Arabia.

PHOTO: REUTERSIndia's foreign ministry confirmed Friday that some of the country's citizens had signed up for "support jobs" with the Russian army and said it was working with Moscow to secure their discharge. But it said in a statement that it was "aware that a few Indian nationals have signed up for support jobs with the Russian army". "We urge all Indian nationals to exercise due caution and stay away from this conflict." The Hindu's report alleged that Indians had been conned by Dubai-based recruiters with promises of high wages and a Russian passport. Upon arriving in Moscow, the Indians were reportedly trained to handle "arms and ammunition by the Russian Army" and shipped to the frontlines in January.

(AP Photo/Peter K. Afriyie)Tying their longest winning streak in eight seasons, thrashing the rival New Jersey Devils, getting two goals from Alexis Lafreniere and another outstanding performance from goaltender Igor Shesterkin wasn’t the difference for the New York Rangers. All they wanted to talk about was their penalty kill after a 5-1 win over the Devils on Thursday extended their winning streak to nine games. “That was great.”AdvertisementThe initial kill set the tone for the game and Zibanejad scored on a power play minutes after that kill, and the Rangers never looked back. “We got to score on so many opportunities in a power play,” Devils captain Nico Hischier said. “We weren’t sharp enough in the first power play; It was better but just couldn’t find the back of the net and it is what it is.

The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) has extended an invitation to Saudi importers, advocating for the importation of Pakistani agricultural products to satisfy local demand. ICCI President Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari highlighted Pakistan's production of quality food items and pointed out Saudi Arabia's reliance on imports for its consumption needs. During discussions with Fadel Abdallah, General Manager of Al-Shaqaq Trading Est, Bakhtawari emphasized the potential of Pakistani wheat, rice, fruits, and vegetables in the Saudi market. He assured full support from ICCI in boosting exports of these commodities to Saudi Arabia. Additionally, Bakhtawari suggested that other Pakistani products could also be well-received in the Saudi market.

Many users have complained that their social media accounts are either blocked or face restrictions in India. PHOTO: ANADOLU AGENCYX has said it will withhold certain accounts after a request by the Indian government. “The Indian government has issued executive orders requiring X to act on specific accounts and posts, subject to potential penalties including significant fines and imprisonment,” the Global Government Affairs account representing X on the platform said. X, formerly Twitter, has millions of users in India. Many users have complained that their social media accounts are either blocked or face restrictions in India.

PHOTO: FILEAn accused individual managed to escape from the custody of Mansoorabad police while being presented at the sessions court. Chief Police Officer (CPO) Captain (retd) Muhammad Ali Zia issued the suspension orders of the police officers and ordered a probe. ASI Nasir of Mansoorabad police station, accompanied by Constable Muhammad Salim and Javed Iqbal, escorted the accused, identified as Ahsan, son of Abdul Aziz, to the session court for legal proceedings. However, due to alleged negligence on the part of the police, the accused managed to flee from custody. CPO Muhammad Ali Zia took immediate action, suspending the three implicated employees and initiating both criminal and departmental proceedings against them.

His case serves as a litmus test for journalistic freedom, free expression, and the right of the people to know. Fear that Mr. Assange’s extradition would put a stop to whistleblowing as it currently exists and turn disclosing wrongdoing into an illegal activity like espionage is at the core of the issue. The case against Mr. Assange’s extradition goes beyond defending press freedom; it also argues for preserving the channels by which society learns the truth. Mr. Assange’s health, which has already been harmed by his years of detention, is as significant. It is imperative that the UK protect free speech and the freedom to speak the truth without fear at this time.

Longstanding effects on economic growth and monetary strength may result from this. Thousands of Pakistan traders closed their shops in September last year, striking over rising energy and fuel bills rousing extensive dissatisfaction. Years of mishandling and uncertainty have shaken Pakistan’s economy, and last summer Islamabad had to make a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to avert default. Merchants have huge power in Pakistan; the government faces the delicate task of dealing with them while sticking to IMF austerity measures. Policymakers must control inflation through sound monetary and fiscal policies to ensure economic prosperity for all and to put Pakistan on the road to progress.

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Cabinet approved the inclusion of 35 names in the ECL. While approving 4 persons to go abroad under one-time permission, the cases of 26 persons were postponed on the basis of various reasons. According to sources, names have been included in the ECL in cases of corruption, crimes and damage to national exchequer. On the summary of the Ministry of Interior, approval has been obtained from the federal cabinet through circulation and approval was also given to remove the names of 30 persons from the exit control list, while 4 persons were approved to go abroad under one-time permission.

A Spanish court on Thursday sentenced former Brazil international Dani Alves to four and a half years in prison after finding him guilty of raping a young woman at a Barcelona nightclub in December 2022. "The victim did not consent and there is evidence that, beyond the complainant's testimony, permits the rape to be considered proven," the Barcelona court wrote in a statement. Alves, who testified at his trial that the sex with the woman was consensual, can appeal. Alves, who was present in court throughout his three-day trial, testified that his sexual encounter with the woman was consensual and denied hitting her and grabbing her hair. Alves' friend who was with him that night testified the football player drank wine and whisky before going to the nightclub.

WhatsApp, the world’s most popular messaging application, has reduced the age limit for users to 13 years. Recently, in a statement issued by WhatsApp, it has been stated that the company has reduced the minimum age to use WhatsApp from 16 to 13 in the UK and EU countries. Earlier, in Europe and the United Kingdom, the minimum age of users to use WhatsApp was 16 years, while in other countries this requirement was 13 years, but with this change, this age has been reduced to 13 years for users of all countries. The statement said that the minimum age requirement for users has been removed in Europe and the United Kingdom to ensure a minimum age requirement for WhatsApp globally, but this change will not affect any of the services being used. According to the statement, the company is updating its terms and privacy policies in accordance with 2 new EU regulations.