Day: July 4, 2025

Dubai’s air taxi service nears launch as first test flight completed

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DUBAI: Commuters in Dubai may soon take to the skies to avoid traffic, as air taxis edge closer to reality. Joby Aviation this week completed the first test flight of its fully electric air taxi in the emirate — a significant step in Dubai’s push to incorporate airborne transport into its urban mobility network as early as next year. The company aims to help reduce pressure on road infrastructure by offering a faster, zero-emission alternative for travellers navigating the city’s growing congestion. “We want to change the way people commute,”…

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Trump announces lower tariffs on Vietnamese goods in last-minute trade deal

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President Donald Trump has reached a trade agreement with Vietnam that will see a 20% tariff imposed on many of its exports—far less than the 46% initially proposed. The announcement comes just ahead of a 9 July deadline Trump had set to raise tariffs on a broad range of imports. In his statement, Trump noted that goods trans-shipped through Vietnam from third countries would be subject to a 40% levy, while Vietnamese markets will open to US goods at zero tariffs. The deal is aimed at easing trade frictions and…

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Govt slashes import duties on vehicles, food, other items

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The federal government has announced a substantial reduction in regulatory duties on a wide range of imported goods including food items, vehicles, and other products. The revised tax rates came into effect on July 1, according to a notification issued by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). President Asif Ali Zardari had assented to the Finance Bill 2025 on the advice of prime minister under Article 75 of the Constitution on June 30. Following the president’s assent, the Finance Act 2025 was notified. On June 26, the National Assembly passed…

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Russia first to grant official recognition to Taliban-led Afghanistan govt

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MOSCOW: Russia has become the first country to officially recognise the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan. Moscow on Thursday accepted the credentials of a new Afghan ambassador, marking a major step in diplomatic ties. In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Moscow saw good prospects to develop ties and would continue to support Kabul in security, counter-terrorism and combating drug crime. It also saw significant trade and economic opportunities, especially in energy, transport, agriculture and infrastructure. “We believe that the act of official recognition of the government of the Islamic…

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Trump’s ‘big, beautiful’ tax cuts head to signing as Congress clears bill

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US President Donald Trump will sign his sweeping tax-cut and spending bill on Friday at 5pm ET (3am PST Saturday), after a narrow Congress win, a major agenda boost that hands big breaks to corporations and the wealthy while endangering health coverage for millions. The 218-214 vote amounts to a significant victory for the Republican president, which will fund his immigration crackdown, make his 2017 tax cuts permanent, and deliver new tax breaks that he promised during his 2024 campaign. It also cuts health and food safety net programmes and…

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Trump says no Ukraine breakthrough in Putin call

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WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that a phone call earlier in the day with Vladimir Putin resulted in no progress at all on efforts to end the war in Ukraine, while a Kremlin aide said the Russian president reiterated that Moscow would keep pushing to solve the conflict’s “root causes”. The two leaders did not discuss a recent pause in some US weapons shipments to Kyiv during the nearly hour-long conversation, according to a readout provided by Putin aide Yuri Ushakov. US attempts to end Russia’s war…

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Roads partially closed for main Muharram procession in Karachi

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KARACHI: Authorities in Karachi have barricaded key sections of the city’s main Muharram procession route and tightened security across sensitive areas ahead of mourning processions scheduled for the 8th, 9th, and 10th of Muharram-ul-Haram. Shops and commercial centres located along the main procession route — particularly on the megacity’s main artery, MA Jinnah Road, as well as in Saddar, Empress Market, and Preedy Street — have been partially sealed overnight as a precautionary measure. Police have positioned shipping containers at key entry points in Saddar to partially block access and…

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53-strong opposition just 20 seats away from simple majority in KP

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The opposition alliance is now just 20 seats away from a simple majority in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, bringing a potential power shift within reach. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led government currently holds 92 seats, while the opposition’s numbers have risen to 53, following the restoration of reserved seats after a Supreme Court verdict. The KP Assembly has a total strength of 145, but at the moment, there are 115 elected members. Of the remaining 30, 26 seats are reserved for women and four for minorities. The Election Commission of…

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Green Line bus service suspended in Karachi from Muharram 8-10

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KARACHI: The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Green Line service in Karachi will be suspended on the 8th, 9th, and 10th of Muharram owing to security concerns, according to a spokesperson. The spokesperson further stated that seven out of ten routes of the Peoples Bus Service will be closed on the 9th and 10th of Muharram. Additionally, five routes will face partial disruptions on the 8th of Muharram, the spokesperson added. Meanwhile, the Karachi Traffic Police have also issued a detailed traffic diversion plan for these three days. MA Jinnah Road…

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Minister Lipavský Welcomed Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže in Prague

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By Muhammad Sohail On Thursday, 3 July 2025, Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže visited Prague for the first time on a working visit. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský discussed with her the current security developments in Europe, the involvement of Czech troops in the Baltic states, support for Ukraine, and defence, security and economic cooperation. During their meeting, the ministers confirmed the closeness of the Czech and Latvian positions. They expressed their interest in deepening cooperation in European policies as well as in the area of defence and security. “In…

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