How Japanese Scallops Became a Pawn in Diplomatic Tensions With China
[Beijing is using a ban on the humble mollusk to punish Japan over its apparent willingness to defend Taiwan.
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See the First Iceberg of the Times’s Trip to Antarctica
For Antarctic veterans and novices alike, the first sighting of an iceberg on an expedition stays “closest to your heart.”
New seaports planned to boost economy
[ Four modern facilities to be set up as existing ports will reach full capacity by 2040 ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has planned to set up four new seaports along its coastline to boost economic activity as the government realises that the country’s existing ports will reach their full capacity by 2035-40. Chairing a multi-agency committee meeting … Read more
From strategic margins to global relevance
Pakistan ends 2025 not as a state reacting to events, but as one increasingly shaping them US President Donald Trump looks at Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif speaking following the official signing of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on October 13, 2025. Photo: REUTERS ISLAMABAD: Few could have predicted … Read more
Climate shocks agriculture
[ LAHORE: Pakistan’s agriculture sector once again found itself trapped between climate shocks and policy uncertainty in 2025. For a sector that contributes around 24% of GDP and provides livelihoods to more than one-third of the country’s workforce, the year served as a stark reminder of how vulnerable national food security remains. As Punjab is … Read more
PSX ends historic year with modest fall
[ KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) signed off a standout 2025 on a historic note, during which the benchmark KSE-100 index soared to unprecedented highs above the 174,000 mark. On the last day, however, the market registered a modest correction, falling 418.47 points, or 0.24%, to settle at 174,054.32. Trading remained choppy as early … Read more
Mbappe suffers knee sprain in blow for Real Madrid
Mbappe, the leading scorer in La Liga this season with 18 goals. Photo: AFP MADRID: Real Madrid on Wednesday said that Kylian Mbappe had suffered a knee sprain, delivering a blow to their bid to reel in Liga leaders Barcelona. “After the tests carried out today on our player Kylian Mbappe by Real Madrid’s medical … Read more
Power tariff likely to be cut by Rs0.72
[ Additional concerns were raised over capacity payments to K-Electric’s power plants, projected to cost over Rs 82b. PHOTO: FILE ISLAMABAD: Electricity consumers are set to get a relief of Rs0.72 per unit on account of fuel cost adjustment for November 2025. Power-sector regulator, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra), on Wednesday held a … Read more
Gold soars Rs184,000/tola in 2025
[ At current prices, the looted gold is worth around $70 million. PHOTO: PIXABAY KARACHI: Gold capped a historic year in Pakistan with prices near record highs, underscoring how global monetary shifts and unprecedented demand reshaped the precious metals landscape in 2025. The price of 24-karat gold per tola surged by Rs184,362 over the year, … Read more
Iran building attacked as protests rage
. Iranian students staged street protests in Tehran. Photo: Reuters TEHRAN: A government building in southern Iran was attacked on Wednesday, authorities said, as the country’s top prosecutor warned of a “decisive response” to any attempt to create instability after days of economic protests. Spontaneous protests, driven by dissatisfaction at Iran’s economic stagnation, began on … Read more