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Used imported mobiles become costlier after 175% FBR hike

The federal government has increased taxes on used imported mobile phones after raising their customs valuation by up to 175%, making 62 models of various brands more expensive. According to documents available to The Express Tribune, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has revised the customs valuation of imported mobile phones through its Directorate General of Customs Valuation, issuing a new valuation ruling under which taxes will henceforth be collected based on revised values. Officials said the increase in customs valuation has directly raised the tax burden on imported mobile phones. Following the new ruling, 62 models of various well-known brands have become costlier. The new framework applies to all used mobile phones regardless of their condition. It further requires that imported mobile phones must have been activated at least six months before import, and importers are required to provide activation details, which will be verified by customs authorities. The previous valuat...
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Minister orders halt to costly power purchases

Federal Minister for Power Division Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari has taken serious notice of power off-take from small power producers (SPPs) and captive power plants (CPPs) by distribution companies (DISCOs) at tariffs exceeding the prevailing national merit order, according to a statement issued on Wednesday. The matter was revealed during a stock-taking of DISCOs. The minister directed an immediate halt to the practice and ordered it to be brought in line with NEPRA's Grid Code, Distribution Code and directions. He also ordered an inquiry into the matter. The minister further directed coordination with the Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO) to include SPPs and CPPs in the dispatch process based on economic merit order (EMO) principles, ensuring least cost for consumers. from Latest News, Breaking News & Top News Stories | The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/TUjvheN
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UN says destruction of Jesus statue by Israeli soldier in Lebanon 'shocking'

The United Nations on Wednesday expressed outrage over the destruction of a statue of Jesus by an Israeli soldier in southern Lebanon. Responding to Anadolu's question on the incident, the secretary-general's spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, told a news conference that the UN is aware of the incident and called it "shocking". He welcomed the reports of "disciplinary measures" taken against the Israeli soldiers. "The desecration of religious symbols, the desecration of houses of worship, is unacceptable, regardless of the religion," Dujarric said. Read More: Latin patriarch of Jerusalem condemns destruction of Jesus statue by Israeli soldier in Lebanon Video footage circulating on Sunday showed an Israeli soldier smashing the statue with a pickaxe in the town of Debel in southern Lebanon. The Israeli army acknowledged the incident in a statement on Monday. The incident was not the first involving damage to Christian religious symbols in Lebanon. In ...
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Mandelson scandal shatters UK PM Starmer's promise of stable government

Prime Minister Keir Starmer came to power on a promise to govern Britain efficiently after years of political turmoil. Less than two years later, accusations that his office forced through a key appointment have shattered that image of competence. Embroiled in a scandal over his decision to appoint Labour Party veteran Peter Mandelson ​to Britain's top diplomatic post as ambassador to the United States, Starmer's grip on power appears to be slipping and his leadership skills are in question. Starmer's office denies allegations made by Britain's former top ‌foreign ministry official, Olly Robbins, that it put pressure on his team to accelerate Mandelson's appointment last year. But Robbins' testimony to a parliamentary committee on Tuesday, days after he was sacked, has exposed what Starmer's opponents say is a lack of political instinct and intensified critics' doubts about how he runs his office. Three people close to his Downing Street operation told R...
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Trump says currency swap with UAE is under consideration

President Trump said ​on Tuesday that the United States was considering helping the ‌United Arab Emirates financially and a currency swap with the Middle East nation was under consideration. "It is," ​Trump told CNBC when asked if ​a currency swap with the UAE was ⁠under consideration, calling them a good ally. "They're ​really led by incredible people ... I mean, I'm ​surprised, because they are really rich," Trump said. "If I could help them, I would, I mean, we're ​helping them much more with what we're ​doing with the war," Trump said, referring to the US and ‌Israel's ⁠war with Iran. Read More: Pakistan returns $2 billion more to UAE The Wall Street Journal reported that the UAE's central bank governor raised the idea of a currency swap line with US ​Treasury Secretary ​Scott Bessent ⁠and Federal Reserve officials in meetings in Washington last week, in ​case the war plunges the oil-rich ​country ⁠into a deeper crisis. "If...
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What is the classroom for?

Over the last decade, at least in the US, trust in higher education has dropped significantly. A decade ago, surveys showed that 57% Americans had a 'great deal of' or 'quite a lot of' trust in higher education. Now the same number has come down to about 36 per cent. It is likely that the number is going to decline further. Manifestations of this issue are seen not just in the political spheres of the right where institutions of higher education are viewed as places of indoctrination of left wing ideas, but also on the left where questions about the value of an exorbitant price tag of higher education, and issues around accessibility, are being asked regularly. The lack of trust plays out in public conversation and in the polling booth. A year ago, Yale University created a committee of ten faculty members from a variety of academic disciplines to analyse the drivers of the decline in trust, and identify remedial measures. The final report was made public last week. The...
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Russian, Iranian foreign ministers discuss Middle East crisis over phone

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed the Middle East crisis in a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on Monday. The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Araghchi informed Lavrov of Tehran's position regarding the ceasefire with the US and Israel. "Araghchi informed Lavrov of the Islamic Republic’s position regarding ceasefire violations committed by the United States, including an illegal naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and a seizure of an Iranian container ship," it said. 📞 On April 20, FMs Sergey #Lavrov & @araghchi spoke over the phone. Abbas Araghchi informed Sergey Lavrov of Iran’s position regarding the US violations of the ceasefire, including the illegal naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.https://t.co/zT3c21Ywvj pic.twitter.com/r4XmxB0Fq5 — MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) April 20, 2026 The Russian side reiterated the need to maintain the ceasefire, which must be observed within the parameters initially agr...
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