The draw for the 2026 World Cup takes place Friday in Washington, with US President Donald Trump expected to play a prominent role. The tournament, expanded to 48 teams, will be hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19 next year. Top seeds include defending champions Argentina, hosts USA, […]
WASHINGTON
Diplomatic ghosts linger in Washington’s embassy district
WASHINGTON: The quiet, tree-lined streets of Washington’s Kalorama district have become home to a cluster of abandoned embassies, their empty halls reflecting the turbulence of global politics. The most recent reminder came in September, when the wildly overgrown vegetation outside the shuttered Syrian Embassy was finally cleared and the country’s flag raised again, symbolising a […]
Washington’s struggling economy takes another hit from govt shutdown
With the combination of the longest government shutdown, the mass firings of government workers and a fresh cut in federal food aid, the Capital Area Food Bank in Washington is bracing for the swell of people who will need its help before the holiday season. The food bank, which serves 400 pantries and aid organizations […]
Finance Minister Aurangzeb: Pakistan Not Dictated by IMF
Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has rejected suggestions that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) dictates Islamabad’s policy decisions, asserting that the government acts solely in the national interest. Speaking at a press conference in Washington, Aurangzeb said Pakistan’s economic stability is tied to national security, adding that unrest or border tensions directly impact the economy. […]
IMF Cannot Impose Conditions Against Pakistan’s Interests, Says Aurangzeb
WASHINGTON — Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Saturday that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) cannot impose any conditions that go against Pakistan’s national interests. Speaking at the Pakistan Embassy in Washington, Aurangzeb said that all IMF-backed reforms were consistent with Pakistan’s economic priorities and had helped stabilise the national economy. “Please name any IMF-suggested […]
Finmin boosts int’l economic partnerships in Washington
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb continued his engagements on the fifth day of his visit to Washington DC, where he is attending the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group. During a meeting with World Bank President Ajay Banga, the minister recalled the Prime Minister’s […]
China Defends Russian Oil Purchases, Slams US Trade Measures
BEIJING – China on Thursday defended its purchases of Russian oil as “legitimate” and criticised the United States for “unilateral bullying” amid rising tensions over trade and energy policies. The statement came after former US President Donald Trump said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to stop buying Russian oil, and claimed he would pressure […]
John Bolton Charged for Sharing Secret U.S. Information with Family
John Bolton, who once served as President Donald Trump’s national security adviser, was charged on Thursday with sharing secret government information with his wife and daughter. According to the U.S. Justice Department, Bolton sent his relatives notes from meetings with senior officials, foreign leaders, and intelligence briefings. Prosecutors say the family discussed using some of […]
US Strikes $20 Billion Currency Swap Deal with Argentina Amid Market Turmoil
WASHINGTON – The United States finalized a $20 billion currency swap line with Argentina on Thursday and directly purchased Argentine pesos, in what Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called an “exceptional measure” to stabilize turbulent markets in the debt-laden South American nation. “US Treasury is prepared to take whatever exceptional measures are warranted to provide stability […]
Israel and Hamas near Gaza ceasefire deal, says White House
The White House has said Israel and Hamas are very close to agreeing on a Gaza ceasefire deal. U.S. President Donald Trump will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today in Washington to discuss the 21-point peace plan. Trump is also expected to speak with Qatar’s leaders, who are acting as mediators with Hamas. White […]