Thursday, February 20th, 2025
China keeps benchmark lending rates constant as expected
ISTANBUL, FEB 20 (AA/APP/DNA):The People’s Bank of China on Thursday kept its benchmark lending rates unchanged for a fourth consecutive meeting, in line with market expectations, according to state Xinhua news. The one-year loan prime rate (LPR), a key metric for corporate and household loans, remained constant at 3.10%. Similarly, the five-year LPR, which serves as a benchmark for mortgages, stayed at 3.6%. Both rates remain at record lows, following cuts both last July and October. The decision comes in the wake of the US Federal Reserve chair’s remarks aboutRead More
Trump says Russia has ‘the cards’ in Ukraine talks
KYIV, UKRAINE, FEB 20 (AFP/APP/DNA):US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the Russians “have the cards” in any negotiation to end the war in Ukraine, after branding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a “dictator” who refuses to hold elections. The Ukrainian leader, who has exchanged barbs with Trump since he initiated a dramatic shift in Washington’s stance on the war, was due to meet US special envoy Keith Kellogg in Kyiv Thursday. The United States has provided essential funding and arms to Ukraine, but Trump has rattled Kyiv and its EuropeanRead More
No more free rides, all segments must pay tax for national interest: Finance Minister
ISLAMABAD, FEB 20 (APP/DNA):Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb said here on Thursday that country’s retail sector, which contributes a significant 19% to the country’s GDP, is paying a mere 1% in taxes, sparking concerns over the sector’s lack of contribution to the national exchequer. Speaking at a conference on “Retail Reimagined: Innovate, Collaborate & Thrive”, organized by The Pakistan Retail Business Council (PRBC), the minister said, the disproportionate burden of taxes on the manufacturing, services industry, and salaried class is unsustainable. “We need to bring otherRead More
04 Pakistanis rescued from human traffickers
TEHRAN: FEB 20 (DNA):In the wake of rising cases of human trafficking the Embassy of Pakistan with the cooperation of Government of Iran has been successful in rescuing four Pakistan citizens today. The human smugglers were also arrested in result of rescue operation. The Pakistanis came to Iran legally but afterwards they were kidnaped by a racket of human traffickers, who tortured them and demanded heavy ransom from their families. The timely intervention of the Embassy of Pakistan and the Government of Iran save their lives. Ambassador, Muhammad Mudassir TipuRead More
Mohsin Naqvi Meets Ambassador of Qatar
ISLAMABAD: FEB 20 (DNA):Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with Qatar’s Ambassador Ali Mubarak Ali Essa Al-Khater. During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, bilateral relations, and enhancing cooperation in various fields were discussed in detail. Both sides also discussed the release of Pakistani citizens imprisoned in Qatar. Both sides also agreed to increase cooperation in combating narcotics. The Qatari Ambassador invited Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to visit Qatar. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that Pakistan has very close relations with Qatar, adding that he will visit Qatar soon andRead More
Hamas set to hand over bodies of four Israeli hostages
KHAN YUNIS, PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES, FEB 20 (AFP/APP/DNA):Hamas is set to hand over the bodies of four Israeli hostages on Thursday, including those of the Bibas family, who have become symbols of the ordeal that has gripped Israel since the Gaza war began. The transfer of the bodies is the first by Hamas since its October 7, 2023 attack on Israel triggered the war, and is taking place under a fragile ceasefire that has seen living hostages exchanged for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. The return of the bodies of ShiriRead More