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A statement by the secretary general of the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) that athletics had to “come to the party” for the city state to attain better SEA Games results has elicited a heated response from the local athletics community and others in the sporting fraternity.The saga also sparked discussion on whether Singapore’s athletes were receiving sufficient monetary rewards for achievements and rigorous development pathways.SNOC chief Mark Chay made the comments on Saturday during a review of Singapore’s performance in the 33rd edition of the Games, which were held in Bangkok from December 9 to Saturday.Chay applauded the efforts…

Gold prices in Pakistan increased on Wednesday in line with their gain in the international market. In the local market, gold price per tola reached a fresh all-time high of Rs472,862 after a gain of Rs2,000 during the day. Similarly, 10-gram gold was sold at Rs405,402 after it increased by Rs1,714, according to rates shared by the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA). On Tuesday, gold price per tola reached Rs470,862 after a gain of Rs8,500 during the day. The international rate of gold was up by $20 to reach $4,505 per ounce (with a premium of $20). Meanwhile,…

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union’s executive on Wednesday warned that it would take action against any “unjustified measures” after the U.S. State Department barred five Europeans it accuses of pressuring U.S. technology firms to censor or suppress American viewpoints.The Europeans were characterized by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as “radical” activists and “weaponized” nongovernmental organizations. They include the former EU commissioner responsible for supervising social media rules, Thierry Breton.Breton, a businessman and former French finance minister, clashed last year on social media with tech billionaire Elon Musk over broadcasting an online interview with Donald Trump in the months…

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb has stated that Pakistan has reached a critical turning point where macroeconomic stability, sustained reforms and policy continuity are restoring confidence, shifting the economy from stabilisation to export-led growth, opening new horizons for domestic and global investors, and positioning the country for sustainable, long-term economic growth. He said this transition has been enabled by macroeconomic stabilisation, easing inflation and improved external balances, with the government driving export-led, productivity-based growth through structural reforms, sustaining reform momentum despite challenges, and actively encouraging global investment in emerging opportunities across agriculture, minerals, technology and climate…

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) observed another volatile session as the benchmark KSE-100 Index settled with a loss of over 200 points on Wednesday. Stocks opened on a positive note, hitting an intra-day high of 171,587.32 in the opening hours of the trading. However, selling pressure was seen in the final hours, dragging the index to an intra-day low of 170,641.13. At close, the benchmark KSE-100 Index settled at 170,830.22, a decrease of 243.51 points or 0.14%. The stock market will remain closed on Thursday on account of the occasions of Quaid-e-Azam Day and Christmas. A consortium led by AHCL…

Consuming a diet with a moderate amount of lard can decrease both fat accumulation and inflammation in body fat, according to a new study by Chinese scientists.“These findings challenge the conventional view of animal fats and demonstrate that consuming lard at the recommended level (with dietary fat providing 25 per cent of energy) can confer metabolic benefits by regulating adipose tissue homeostasis,” the team wrote.Scientists from Hunan Agricultural University, the University of South China and the Changsha Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau published their findings in the peer-reviewed journal npj Science of Food this month.In China, health researchers are facing…

China Shenhua Energy’s 133 billion yuan (US$18.9 billion) acquisition of a dozen assets could help the mainland’s largest listed coal miner take on competition as the era of coal power starts winding down in the world’s largest market for the fossil fuel, according to analysts.The miner in a filing to the Hong Kong stock exchange last week provided an update to its August proposal to acquire equity interests in 12 enterprises from its controlling shareholder, China Energy Investment Group.The deal, which involves assets in coal production, power generation, coal chemical industry and coal logistics, is expected to take Shenhua’s total…

Terming the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) a “success for Pakistan”, renowned industrialist Arif Habib, the Chief Executive of Arif Habib Corporation Limited, on Tuesday said the transaction would help restore investor confidence and pave the way for fresh investment in the country. Speaking after the conclusion of the privatisation process, Habib said PIA carried a strong legacy and possessed a skilled workforce capable of supporting a turnaround under new capital injection. “PIA has enjoyed a fabulous legacy and was once ranked the second-best airline in the world. Many employees are highly competent and understand their work very well,”…

After finishing his postgraduate studies in May, Tan Kwan Ann expected the job hunt to be difficult, but not so disheartening.The 33-year-old, who specialised in structural biology at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU), sent out more than 600 applications while waiting for the formal conferment of his doctorate, but heard back from almost none of them.“It seemed like I was excluded from society and made me feel very lousy. It made me question if it was my fault that I chose to further my studies, and whether I had become less employable,” Tan said.His experience reflects the growing unease among…

Arif Habib Corporation Limited (AHCL) on Wednesday confirmed that a consortium led by it has emerged as the highest-ranked bidder in the privatisation process of Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL), after submitting a bid of Rs135 billion for the step-wise acquisition of a 75 % equity stake. The acquisition is subject to requisite approvals, including those of the Privatisation Commission and the federal cabinet, AHCL informed its stakeholders via a notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Wednesday. “We are pleased to inform you that the consortium led by Arif Habib Corporation Limited (AHCL), comprising Fatima Fertilizer Company…