Account Opening Form | Tariq Vohra Securities (Private) Limited

News

Business Recorder - Markets
Business Recorder - Business & Finance
Business Recorder - Latest News
The News International - National
The News International - World
قومی خبریں
بین الاقوامی خبریں
تجارتی خبریں
MarketWatch.com - Top Stories
MarketWatch.com - MarketWatch Breaking News Bulletins
MarketWatch.com - MarketPulse

Positive sentiments return, KSE-100 gains nearly 3.3%

February 18, 2026 1:06

After days of selling pressure, positive sentiments returned at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), with the benchmark KSE-100 Index staging an impressive recovery following a gain of nearly 3.3% on Wednesday. The benchmark index opened in positive territory and quickly extended gains during early trade, surging toward the 177,000 level amid strong buying interest. However, profit-taking was observed during the afternoon session, pushing the index towards 175,000–175,500 level. Buying momentum reemerged in the final hours of trading and the index rallied sharply to hit an intra-day high of 178,974.16. At close, the KSE-100 Index settled at 178,853.09, an increase of 5702.68 points or 3.29%. Support from major heavyweights—UBL, HBL, MEBL, NBP, and MCB—underpinned the market’s performance, jointly adding 2,699 points to the benchmark. In contrast, POL, PIOC, and AICL weighed on the index, collectively trimming 163 points, brokerage house Topline Securities said in its post-market report. Pakistan’s current account returned to surplus in January 2026, supported by higher inflows of workers’ remittances. According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the current account posted a surplus of $121 million in January 2026, compared with a deficit of $265 million in December 2025. On a year-on-year basis, the external balance also improved, as it also posted $393 million deficit in January 2025. On Tuesday, PSX remained under pressure, extending its losing streak as sustained selling by foreign and local participants weighed heavily on equities amid broad-based weakness across the banking, energy, power, and telecom sectors. The KSE-100 Index declined by 1,303.52 points, or 0.75%, to close at 173,150.42 points. Internationally, Asian stocks pushed higher on Wednesday despite the renewed artificial intelligence worries gripping international markets, while oil prices were under pressure after Iran touted progress in nuclear negotiations with the United States. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index rose 0.93% to 57,090.14, poised to snap a three-day skid, while Australia’s S&P/ASX200 was up 0.5%. Mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea were among the markets closed for Lunar New Year holidays. The positive start in Asia followed a lacklustre session on Tuesday on Wall Street as investors grappled with the outlook for the AI boom. Concerns that companies are over-investing, along with angst about the extent to which the nascent technology could disrupt labour markets, have fuelled investor jitters in recent weeks. In the US overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.07% to 49,533.19, the S&P 500 was up 0.10% at 6,843.2,2 and the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.14% to 22,578.38. The S&P 500 fell 0.88% initially before making up ground to close in positive territory. Meanwhile, the Pakistani rupee registered marginal gain against the US dollar, appreciaiting 0.01% in the inter-bank market on Wednesday. At close, the local currency settled at 279.57, a gain of Re0.03 against the greenback. Volume on the all-share index declined to 697.68 million from 716.03 million recorded in the previous close. The value of shares increased to Rs50.00 billion from Rs40.47 billion in the previous session. K-Electric Ltd was the volume leader with 116.97 million shares, followed by B.O. Punjab with 71.11 million shares, and Pak Petroleum with 27.58 million shares. Shares of 484 companies were traded on Wednesday, of which 334 registered an increase, 103 recorded a fall, while 47 remained unchanged. [...]

Oil gains nearly 3% after abrupt end to Russia-Ukraine talks

February 18, 2026 1:02

LONDON: Oil prices gained nearly 3% on Wednesday after peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Geneva ended after only two hours, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy describing them as “difficult”. Brent crude oil futures were up $1.85, or 2.7%, to $69.27 a barrel at 1227 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was up $1.78, or 2.9%, at $64.11. After talks ended, Zelenskiy accused Russia of deliberately seeking to delay progress toward a deal to end the four-year-old war. Russia’s chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said the talks were difficult but business-like, and that a new round would be held soon. The U.S.-mediated talks in Switzerland took place as U.S. President Donald Trump has twice in recent days suggested it was up to Ukraine to take steps to ensure their success. Hungary has halted shipments of diesel to neighbouring Ukraine and will not resume them unless Ukraine restarts crude shipments via the Druzhba pipeline to Hungary, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Wednesday. There have been weeks of disrupted supplies of Russian oil flows through Ukraine to Slovakia and Hungary, which Kyiv blames on a Russian attack on January 27. Progress on US-Iran talks On Tuesday, oil prices fell after Iran and the US reached an understanding on “guiding principles” in talks aimed at resolving their longstanding nuclear dispute, though that does not mean a deal is imminent, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said. Just as talks began on Tuesday, Iranian state media said Iran was temporarily shutting parts of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil supply route, due to “security precautions” while its elite Revolutionary Guards conducted military drills there. Later, state media said the strait had been shut for a few hours, without making it clear if it had fully reopened. “Iran knows Trump’s negotiation tactics now. It also knows that a disruption in oil exports out of the Strait of Hormuz and a rally in the oil price to $150 per barrel is the very last thing Trump wants,” said SEB chief commodities analyst Bjarne Schieldrop in a note. “Iran has time to negotiate in calmness.” Iran and Russia will conduct navy drills in the Sea of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean on Thursday, the Iranian semi-official Fars news agency reported, a few days after Revolutionary Guards conducted military drills in the Strait of Hormuz. Political consultancy Eurasia Group said in a Tuesday note to clients that it thinks there is a 65% probability of U.S. military strikes against Iran by the end of April. Investors will watch for weekly reports by the American Petroleum Institute, due later in the day, and the EnergyInformation Administration, the statistical arm of the U.S. Department of Energy, on Thursday. Analysts polled by Reuters estimated that U.S. crude oil stockpiles likely rose last week, while distillate and gasoline inventories probably fell. [...]

Sri Lankan shares rise as communication services gain

February 18, 2026 12:36

Sri Lankan shares closed higher on Wednesday, as gains in communication services overpowered losses in utilities stocks. The CSE All Share index settled up 0.16% at 23,919.84. Softlogic Capital PLC and C. W. Mackie PLC were the top percentage gainers on the CSE All Share index, surging 18.1% and 12.6%, respectively. Mercantile Shipping Company PLC and Kerner Haus Global Solutions PLC were the top percentage losers, down 14.8% and 14.5%, respectively. Trading volume on the CSE All Share index rose to 289.2 million shares from 160.8 million in the previous session. The equity market’s turnover rose to 5.66 billion rupees ($18.3 million) from 4.23 billion rupees in the previous session, according to exchange data. Foreign investors were net sellers, offloading stocks worth 292.2 million rupees, while domestic investors were net buyers, purchasing shares worth 5.55 billion rupees, the data showed. [...]

Copper rises on dip buying in thin trade

February 18, 2026 12:26

LONDON: Copper rose around 1% on Wednesday, rebounding from more than a one-week low in the previous session, as investors stepped in to buy the dip amid thin trade volumes. Benchmark copper on the LME was up 1.1% at $12,755.50 a metric ton as of 1013 GMT, having slipped 1.8% on Tuesday to its lowest level since February 6. The Shanghai Futures Exchange is closed for the Lunar New Year until February 23 and traders in top metals consumer China are largely absent due to the holiday. “They rarely leave significant capital in the market” during the holiday, said Panmure Liberum analyst Tom Price, adding that volatility tends to increase and leads to dip buying. “So I think that will offer a little bit of support.” LME copper dips on firmer US dollar, thin Asia trade LME copper hit a record high of $14,527.50 on January 29 but has since eased by around 12% on rising inventories. Copper stocks in LME-approved warehouses increased for a 12th straight day to 224,625 tons, the highest in 11 months, with fresh inflows into New Orleans and Kaohsiung. U.S. sheds now account for almost 18% of all available copper in LME warehouses, while there is still 538,122 tons on the U.S. Comex exchange. “When inventories and copper prices lift together, something’s not right,” Price said, adding that U.S. copper consumption rates had declined in the last 12 months. The cash LME copper contract was trading at a $100 a ton discount to the three-month forward contract, suggesting no pressing need for near-term metal. Goldman Sachs expects upside to its 2026 fourth-quarter copper price forecast of $11,200 if proposed strategic stockpiling by the U.S., and potentially China, reduces commercial inventories. Elsewhere, zinc nudged up 0.1% to $3,288 a ton, after touching a two-week low on Tuesday, while aluminium rose 0.7% to $3,056.50 and was on track to snap a four-day losing streak. Lead gained 0.2% to $1,949.50, nickel added 0.5% to $16,935 and tin shed 0.5% to $45,500. [...]

Rupee sees marginal gain against US dollar

February 18, 2026 12:22

Rupee's Performance Against US Dollar Since 04 March 2025 const ctx = document.getElementById('closingRatesChart').getContext('2d'); const closingRatesChart = new Chart(ctx, { type: 'line', data: { labels: [ "04-Mar-25", "05-Mar-25", "06-Mar-25", "07-Mar-25", "10-Mar-25", "11-Mar-25", "12-Mar-25", "13-Mar-25", "14-Mar-25", "17-Mar-25", "18-Mar-25", "19-Mar-25", "20-Mar-25", "21-Mar-25", "24-Mar-25", "25-Mar-25", "26-Mar-25", "27-Mar-25", "28-Mar-25", "03-Apr-25", "04-Apr-25", "07-Apr-25", "08-Apr-25", "09-Apr-25", "10-Apr-25", "11-Apr-25", "14-Apr-25", "15-Apr-25", "16-Apr-25", "17-Apr-25", "18-Apr-25", "21-Apr-25", "22-Apr-25", "23-Apr-25", "24-Apr-25", "25-Apr-25", "28-Apr-25", "29-Apr-25", "30-Apr-25", "02-May-25", "05-May-25", "06-May-25", "07-May-25", "08-May-25", "09-May-25", "12-May-25", "13-May-25", "14-May-25", "15-May-25", "16-May-25", "19-May-25", "20-May-25", "21-May-25", "22-May-25", "23-May-25", "26-May-25", "27-May-25", "29-May-25", "30-May-25", "02-Jun-25", "03-Jun-25", "04-Jun-25", "05-Jun-25", "10-Jun-25", "11-Jun-25", "12-Jun-25", "13-Jun-25", "16-Jun-25", "17-Jun-25", "18-Jun-25", "19-Jun-25", "20-Jun-25", "23-Jun-25", "24-Jun-25", "25-Jun-25", "26-Jun-25", "27-Jun-25", "30-Jun-25", "02-Jul-25", "03-Jul-25", "04-Jul-25", "07-Jul-25", "08-Jul-25", "09-Jul-25", "10-Jul-25", "11-Jul-25", "14-Jul-25", "15-Jul-25", "16-Jul-25", "17-Jul-25", "18-Jul-25", "21-Jul-25", "22-Jul-25", "23-Jul-25", "24-Jul-25", "25-Jul-25", "28-Jul-25", "29-Jul-25", "30-Jul-25", "31-Jul-25", "01-Aug-25", "04-Aug-25", "05-Aug-25", "06-Aug-25", "07-Aug-25", "08-Aug-25", "11-Aug-25", "12-Aug-25", "13-Aug-25", "15-Aug-25", "18-Aug-25", "19-Aug-25", "20-Aug-25", "21-Aug-25", "22-Aug-25", "25-Aug-25", "26-Aug-25", "27-Aug-25", "28-Aug-25", "29-Aug-25", "01-Sep-25", "02-Sep-25", "03-Sep-25", "04-Sep-25", "05-Sep-25", "08-Sep-25", "09-Sep-25", "10-Sep-25", "11-Sep-25", "12-Sep-25", "15-Sep-25", "16-Sep-25", "17-Sep-25", "18-Sep-25", "19-Sep-25", "21-Sep-25", "22-Sep-25", "23-Sep-25", "24-Sep-25", "25-Sep-25", "26-Sep-25", "29-Sep-25", "30-Sep-25", "01-Oct-25", "02-Oct-25", "03-Oct-25", "06-Oct-25", "07-Oct-25", "08-Oct-25", "09-Oct-25", "10-Oct-25", "13-Oct-25", "14-Oct-25", "15-Oct-25", "16-Oct-25", "17-Oct-25", "20-Oct-25", "21-Oct-25", "22-Oct-25", "23-Oct-25", "24-Oct-25", "27-Oct-25", "28-Oct-25", "29-Oct-25", "30-Oct-25", "31-Oct-25", "03-Nov-25", "04-Nov-25", "05-Nov-25", "06-Nov-25", "07-Nov-25", "10-Nov-25", "11-Nov-25", "12-Nov-25", "13-Nov-25", "14-Nov-25", "17-Nov-25", "18-Nov-25", "19-Nov-25", "20-Nov-25", "21-Nov-25", "24-Nov-25", "25-Nov-25", "26-Nov-25", "27-Nov-25", "28-Nov-25", "01-Dec-25", "02-Dec-25", "03-Dec-25", "04-Dec-25", "05-Dec-25", "08-Dec-25", "09-Dec-25", "10-Dec-25", "11-Dec-25", "12-Dec-25", "15-Dec-25", "16-Dec-25", "17-Dec-25", "18-Dec-25", "19-Dec-25", "22-Dec-25", "23-Dec-25", "24-Dec-25", "26-Dec-25", "29-Dec-25", "30-Dec-25", "31-Dec-25", "02-Jan-26", "05-Jan-26", "06-Jan-26", "07-Jan-26", "08-Jan-26", "09-Jan-26", "12-Jan-26", "13-Jan-26", "14-Jan-26", "15-Jan-26", "16-Jan-26", "19-Jan-26", "20-Jan-26", "21-Jan-26", "22-Jan-26", "23-Jan-26", "26-Jan-26", "27-Jan-26", "28-Jan-26", "29-Jan-26", "30-Jan-26", "02-Feb-26", "03-Feb-26", "04-Feb-26", "06-Feb-26", "09-Feb-26", "10-Feb-26", "11-Feb-26", "12-Feb-26", "13-Feb-26", "16-Feb-26", "17-Feb-26", "18-Feb-26" ], datasets: [{ label: 'Closing Rates', data: [ 279.77, 279.87, 279.82, 279.97, 280.07, 279.95, 279.97, 280.05, 280.21, 280.17, 280.27, 280.21, 280.22, 280.26, 280.37, 280.42, 280.26, 280.22, 280.16, 280.56, 280.47, 280.57, 280.73, 280.78, 280.56, 280.47, 280.60, 280.57, 280.46, 280.62, 280.72, 280.87, 280.77, 280.97, 281.07, 280.97, 281.07, 281.02, 280.97, 281.06, 281.22, 281.37, 281.47, 281.52, 281.71, 281.57, 281.67, 281.72, 281.61, 281.66, 281.77, 281.92, 281.97, 282.06, 281.97, 282.06, 282.17, 282.07, 282.02, 281.97, 282.12, 282.22, 282.17, 282.21, 282.47, 282.67, 282.96, 283.17, 283.41, 283.55, 283.64, 283.70, 283.87, 283.77, 283.72, 283.67, 283.72, 283.76, 283.95, 283.86, 283.97, 284.22, 284.36, 284.47, 284.56, 284.46, 284.72, 284.67, 284.96, 284.97, 284.87, 284.95, 284.97, 284.76, 284.22, 283.45, 283.21, 283.05, 282.95, 282.87, 282.72, 282.66, 282.57, 282.67, 282.56, 282.47, 282.45, 282.42, 282.22, 282.06, 282.01, 281.96, 281.95, 281.92, 281.90, 281.87, 281.86, 281.83, 281.8, 281.77, 281.75, 281.72, 281.71, 281.67, 281.65, 281.62, 281.61, 281.60, 281.56, 281.55, 281.52, 281.51, 281.50, 281.47, 281.46, 281.45, 281.46, 281.42, 281.43, 281.41, 281.37, 281.35, 281.32, 281.31, 281.27, 281.26, 281.25, 281.22, 281.21, 281.20, 281.17, 281.16, 281.15, 281.12, 281.11, 281.10, 281.07, 281.06, 281.05, 281.03, 281.02, 281.01, 280.97, 280.96, 280.92, 280.91, 280.90, 280.87, 280.86, 280.85, 280.82, 280.81, 280.78, 280.77, 280.76, 280.72, 280.71, 280.67, 280.66, 280.66, 280.65, 280.62, 280.61, 280.57, 280.56, 280.55, 280.52, 280.51, 280.47, 280.46, 280.45, 280.42, 280.41, 280.40, 280.37, 280.36, 280.32, 280.31, 280.30, 280.27, 280.26, 280.25, 280.22, 280.21, 280.20, 280.17, 280.16, 280.15, 280.12, 280.11, 280.10, 280.07, 280.06, 280.05, 280.02, 280.01, 280.0, 279.97, 279.96, 279.95, 279.92, 279.91, 279.90, 279.87, 279.86, 279.85, 279.82, 279.81, 279.80, 279.77, 279.76, 279.75, 279.72, 279.71, 279.70, 279.67, 279.66, 279.65, 279.62, 279.61, 279.60, 279.57 ], borderColor: 'black', borderWidth: 1, fill: false, pointRadius: 3 }] }, options: { responsive: true, plugins: { legend: { display: false } }, scales: { x: { title: { display: true, text: 'Date' } }, y: { title: { display: true, text: 'Closing Rate' } } } } }); The Pakistani rupee registered marginal gain against the US dollar, appreciaiting 0.01% in the inter-bank market on Wednesday. At close, the local currency settled at 279.57, a gain of Re0.03 against the greenback. On Tuesday, the local currency closed at 279.60, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Meanwhile, the dollar held its ground on Wednesday as geopolitical risks kept markets on edge and investors awaited minutes from the Federal Reserve for signals on future rate cuts. The yen was steady after data showing a rebound in Japanese manufacturer sentiment and President Donald Trump announced the first tranche of mega-investments Tokyo is making in the US. The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of currencies, was little changed at 97.16 after a two-day advance. The euro slid 0.06% to $1.1846. The yen held steady at 153.23 per dollar, and sterling weakened 0.07% to $1.3558, after a 0.5% slide in the previous session. Moreover, Oil prices steadied in Asian trade on Wednesday after falling about 2% in the previous session as investors assessed progress in US–Iran talks but remained cautious about the prospects of a final deal that could ease supply concerns. Brent futures rose 23 cents or 0.34% to $67.65 a barrel by 0412 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was up 19 cents or 0.3% at $62.52. Both are around two-week lows. [...]

India sugar output seen lower than forecast, curbing exports

February 18, 2026 11:42

KOLHAPUR: India is likely to produce less sugar than initially estimated, as excessive rainfall across major producing states is resulting in lower cane yields, farmers and trade officials told Reuters, capping exports from the world’s second-largest producer. Traders said India may struggle to ship even half of its allocated export quota, lending support to global sugar prices that are hovering near five-year lows while also lifting domestic prices. India is expected to produce between 28.5 million and 29 million metric tons of sugar in the 2025/26 marketing year ending in September, according to internal estimates from five trade houses that declined to be named in line with company policies. India sugar export deals gain traction on lower prices, weak currency The Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) has forecast output at 30.95 million tons for the year. “Cane yields are down across all the main producing states. From Maharashtra and Karnataka to Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat and that’s pushing this season’s production estimates lower,” said Rahil Shaikh, managing director of Mumbai-based MEIR Commodities India. The largest cut is expected in top producer Maharashtra, with output seen at about 9.6 million tons compared to an earlier estimate of 10.8 million tons, trade houses said. Nearly five dozen farmers from cane-growing regions of Maharashtra and neighbouring Karnataka, including Vilas Patilfrom Kolhapur, said excessive rainfall damaged root development and led to early crop maturity. “We were hoping for a cane yield of at least 60 tons per acre, but it came in at only 48 tons. Excessive rainfall disrupted the crop’s growth cycle,” said Patil. Cane-growing regions of Maharashtra received as much as 115% more rainfall than normal in September, weather department data showed. Maharashtra has produced 9 million tons of sugar so far this season, and nearly half of the 207 mills that began crushing have already shut due to cane shortages, said a senior state government official, who declined to be named as he is not authorised to speak to media. The downward revision in sugar output, coupled with an expected rise in seasonal summer demand from next month, is likely to support prices, a Mumbai-based dealer said. India on Friday allowed the export of an additional 500,000 tons of sugar, on top of the 1.5 million tons approved earlier, taking total export quota for the year to 2 million tons. “Mills are fetching higher prices in the domestic market, so they have little incentive to export. Indian shipments are unlikely to exceed 700,000 tons,” said Shaikh. [...]

Financials, metals help Indian benchmark shares end higher; IT caps gains

February 18, 2026 11:14

India’s equity benchmarks shook off a sluggish start to close higher on Wednesday, with financials and metal stocks leading the advance, while IT lagged on persistent uncertainty around AI and kept a lid on broader gains. The Nifty 50 rose 0.37% to 25,819.35 and the BSE Sensex added 0.34% to 83,734.25, their third straight day of gains. Both benchmarks opened flat and edged 0.2% lower in the early session, before staging a recovery in the final two hours of trade. Fifteen of the 16 major sectors rose. State-owned lenders added 1.3% after advancing 2.1% in the previous session. The heaviest-weighted financials rose 0.6%. Metals gained 1.3%, reversing previous session’s losses, after media reports quoted U.S. trade representative Jamieson Greer saying that Washington is open to simplifying steel tariffs amid industry pushback. Steel makers Tata Steel rose 2.9%, JSW Steel gained 0.7% and Steel Authority of India added 1.4%. The broader small-caps and mid-caps added 0.5% each. On the flipside, IT index fell 1.2%, pulling back from a 1% rise in the previous session. All 10 constituents of the IT index declined, with Infosys shedding 1.3% to give away previous session’s gains. Infosys’ collaboration with Anthropic highlights Indian IT’s accelerating AI push, but uncertainty over how well software firms can protect their earnings is driving a short-term rotation into sectors offer clearer visibility such as financials, said Kranthi Bathini, director of equity strategy at Wealth Mills Securities. Markets are likely to consolidate with a positive bias as the third-quarter earnings season did not throw up any major negative surprises, he said, adding that trade deals with the U.S. and the European Union have also kept the broader backdrop constructive. Among stocks, Dilip Buildcon gained 4.1% after emerging as the lowest bidder for a 7.02-billion-rupee project. Cigarette makers such as ITC and Godfrey Phillips extended gains to rise 2.2% and 19.9%, respectively, after they hiked prices of tobacco products a day earlier. [...]

Indian rupee ends little changed, volatility expectations dip to one-month low

February 18, 2026 11:11

MUMBAI: The Indian rupee closed nearly flat on Wednesday after drifting in a narrow range through the session, with traders pointing to both importer and exporter merchant flows alongside intermittent dollar sales by state-run banks. The Indian rupee closed at 90.6675 per dollar, nearly unchanged from its close at 90.6725 in the previous session. The currency has hovered in the 90-90.80 band over the last two weeks. The range-bound trading has pushed near-tenor volatility expectations on the Indian rupee to near one-month lows. The three-month implied volatility, a gauge of future expectations, was last at 4.07%, the lowest since January 21. “The U.S. trade deal announcement had created expectations of a Indian rupee rally but that hasn’t materialised. Now, some market participants expect a return to 92 and weakness beyond that over the medium term,” a senior trader at a foreign bank said. The Indian rupee had hit a record low of 91.9875 in late January as persistent portfolio outflows and then-ongoing trade frictions with the U.S. hurt the currency. Foreign investors have net bought about $1.5 billion of local stocks so far this month, a turnaround from nearly $4 billion of outflows last month. Traders reckon a sustained recovery in inflows is key to supporting the Indian rupee. “Broad dollar support internationally will keep the pressure on the Indian rupee, with expectations of RBI capping the downmove. The medium-term outlook seems to be sideways,” said Anil Bhansali, head of treasury at Finrex Treasury Advisors. The dollar index was up 0.2% at 97.3 on Wednesday. Later in the day, the focus will be on the release of the minutes of the Federal Reserve’s January policy meeting for cues on the future path of U.S. interest rates. Money markets are currently pricing in little over two 25 basis-point cuts from the Fed over the remainder of the year. [...]

Gold per tola gains Rs1,300 in Pakistan

February 18, 2026 7:32

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 Rs516,062 after a gain of Rs1,300 during the day. Similarly, 10-gram gold was sold at Rs442,439 after it increased by Rs1,114, according to rates shared by the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA). On Tuesday, gold price per tola reached Rs514,762 after a decline of Rs9,000 during the day. The international rate of gold was up by $13 to reach $4,933 per ounce (with a premium of $20). Meanwhile, the price of silver increased by Rs32 to reach Rs8,046 per tola. [...]

Microsoft says it is on pace to invest $50 billion in ‘Global South’ AI push

February 18, 2026 6:48

Microsoft on Wednesday said it is on pace to invest $50 billion by the end of the decade to help expand AI to countries across the ‘Global South’. The announcement was made at the AI summit in New Delhi, where top executives from global AI giants meet several world leaders this week. The ‘Global South’ refers to developing, emerging or lower-income countries, mostly in the southern hemisphere. Microsoft unveiled $17.5 billion worth of AI investments in India last year, as the US tech giant deepened its bet on one of the world’s fastest-growing digital markets. [...]

Indian data center firm Yotta to build $2 billion AI hub with Nvidia’s Blackwell chips

February 18, 2026 6:45

Indian data centre company Yotta Data Services said on Wednesday it will build one of Asia’s largest AI computing hubs using latest Blackwell Ultra chips, in a project costing more than $2 billion. The project includes a four-year engagement worth over $1 billion under which Nvidia will establish one of Asia-Pacific’s largest DGX Cloud clusters within Yotta’s infrastructure, the company said. The move comes as global cloud providers including Microsoft and Amazon expand AI data centre capacity in India, amid rising demand for generative AI services and a push to localise advanced computing infrastructure. The investment also comes amid US export controls that have reshaped global supply chains for advanced AI chips, prompting companies to deepen partnerships in markets such as India. The supercluster, expected to go live by August, will be deployed at Yotta’s data centre campus near capital New Delhi, with additional capacity from its facility in India’s financial capital Mumbai. Elon Musk, Jensen Huang to talk AI at US-Saudi investment forum Yotta, part of Indian billionaire Niranjan Hiranandani’s real estate group, is a partner firm for Nvidia in India and runs three data center campuses in Mumbai, Gujarat and near New Delhi. [...]

ECB’s Lagarde focused on job, not taken decision on leaving, ECB says

February 18, 2026 6:33

FRANKFURT: European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde is focused on her job and has not taken any decision regarding the end of her term, an ECB spokesperson said on Wednesday after a news report claimed she plans to leave before her term ends in October 2026. The Financial Times reported on Wednesday that Lagarde is looking to leave before the French presidential election in April next year to allow outgoing President Emmanuel Macron to have an input into finding her successor. [...]

South African rand flat ahead of local data

February 18, 2026 6:28

JOHANNESBURG: The South African rand was muted in early trade on Wednesday, as traders awaited inflation data, retail sales data and a business confidence index that will shed light on the country’s economic outlook. At 0532 GMT the rand traded at 16.0125 against the dollar, little changed from its previous close of 16.0175. Domestically-focused traders are waiting for January consumer inflation data due at 0800 GMT and November retail sales at 1100 GMT. Economists polled by Reuters expect annual inflation will come in at 3.4% for January, down from 3.6%. Investec economist Lara Hodes said inflation is projected to have lifted by a modest 0.2% m/m in January, translating to 3.5% y/y. “Fuel prices decreased in January, with the petrol price down -66c/litre. Moreover, international food prices, which affect domestic prices through export/import parity decreased by -2.1% m/m in January,“ Hodes said in a research note. Nedbank economists forecast CPI to remain unchanged at 3.6% in January citing upward pressure from food inflation, driven by elevated meat prices reflecting the continued impact of foot-and-mouth disease. Then, for insight on private sector sentiment, the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry will release its business confidence index at 0930 GMT. South Africa’s benchmark 2035 government bond was also flat in early deals, with the yield at 7.195%. [...]

Global Energy Alliance seeking to raise $100 million by 2028 to digitise India’s electric grids, CEO says

February 18, 2026 6:05

MUMBAI: The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet is seeking to raise about $100 million by 2028 to finance the digitisation of India’s electricity grids and plans to approach development finance institutions, including the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, its chief executive Woochong Um said. GEAPP is a philanthropic body backed by The Rockefeller Foundation, IKEA Foundation and the Bezos Earth Fund. The proposed fund would follow an initial $25 million deployment by the alliance to digitise grids in the states of Rajasthan and Delhi, and would support a broader nationwide roll out of the project, Um said in an interview with Reuters at the Mumbai Climate Week. Grid digitalisation refers to the transition of traditional electricity networks into automated systems powered by artificial intelligence. It improves reliability, enables the integration of renewable energy and allows real-time monitoring, helping to reduce costs and emissions. New Delhi’s recently announced climate action plan targets a 45% cut in emissions intensity by 2030 from 2005 levels, with a net-zero goal set for 2070. However, experts have warned that the transition could prove challenging amid India’s rapid growth ambitions. India is targeting 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity by 2030, a key component of its COP26 commitment, alongside a goal of achieving 50% cumulative electric power capacity from non-fossil sources. Grid digitisation is expected to support that effort. That backdrop is drawing increased attention from global philanthropies and multilateral lenders seeking investable projects, Um said. “There are plenty of concepts, but not enough bankable projects,” he said. The alliance initially plans to focus on grids in Delhi and Rajasthan before expanding to at least 15 utilities nationwide by 2028. [...]

Soybeans hit 3-month high on China demand hopes; wheat firms

February 18, 2026 5:38

SINGAPORE: Chicago soybean futures hit their highest in three months on Wednesday, rising for a second session, as expectations of higher Chinese demand for US cargoes underpinned the market. Wheat ticked up, recouping some of the previous session’s losses, although gains were curbed by ample world supplies, while corn firmed, having closed lower on Tuesday. The most-active soybean contract on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) added 0.6% to $11.55-1/4 a bushel, as of 0408 GMT, the highest since mid-November. Wheat rose 0.3% to $5.44-1/4 a bushel and corn gained 0.3% at $4.27-1/2 a bushel. Soybeans have rallied after US President Donald Trump said earlier this month that China is considering buying an additional 8 million metric tons of US soybeans, and a report in the South China Morning Post said Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping could extend their countries’ trade truce for as long as a year. The US soybean crush in January reached its highest level on record for the first month of the year, while soyoil stocks ballooned to their largest level since April 2023, according to monthly National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA) data issued on Tuesday. However, demand for soybeans and other farm goods is likely to remain subdued this week, due to the Lunar New Year holidays in Asia and the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan this week. In wheat, news on Friday of a 3 million ton increase to consultancy IKAR’s forecast for Russia’s 2026 wheat crop, plus the announcement that India will allow the export of 2.5 million tons of wheat, drew attention back to abundant global supplies. [...]

Textile exporters reject new levy on off-grid captive power plants

February 18, 2026 6:22

The Pakistan Textile Council (PTC), a forum representing textile and apparel exporters, opposed the Petroleum Division’s decision of imposing a Rs1,243 per MMBtu levy on off-grid captive power plants for December 2025 under the Off-Grid (Captive Power Plants) Levy Act, 2025. “This is a policy-induced shock to Pakistan’s productive economy. At a time when the country is striving under Uraan Pakistan to raise exports to $60 billion, the government has chosen to impose one of the highest gas levies in recent history on the very industries that generate foreign exchange, create employment, and sustain industrial growth,” the PTC said in a press release. “Within months, the levy has escalated from Rs402 per MMBtu to Rs1,243 per MMBtu — with a built-in increase to 20%.” The PTC said results were already visible as export-sector gas demand had collapsed, national linepack breached danger thresholds, 300 MMCFD of domestic gas curtailed, LNG cargoes being diverted, and gas utilities were facing throughput shocks. “The levy ‘over and above’ OGRA’s notified sale price. destroys tariff finality. If regulator-notified prices can be topped up at will through executive notification, then no energy price in Pakistan is final. Investors cannot hedge it. Industry cannot plan for it. Banks cannot finance against it. This creates sovereign overlay risk in an already fragile economy,” PTC chairman Fawad Anwar was quoted as saying in the press release. The PTC urged the government to restore regulator-led pricing without executive overlays, protect high-efficiency cogeneration, remove cross-subsidy from commodity pricing, and align energy policy with export competitiveness and macroeconomic stability. [...]

SBP announces office, banking hours for Ramadan

February 18, 2026 4:57

State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Wednesday announced revised office and business (banking) hours for the month of Ramadan 2026, which will be observed by all banks, development finance institutions (DFIs) and microfinance banks across the country. According to a circular issued by the central bank, SBP offices will remain open from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday to Thursday, without break during Ramadan. On Fridays, office hours will be from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm, without break. The central bank further advised banks to observe the following business (banking) hours for public dealing during the holy month: from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, Monday to Thursday, without break. On Fridays, banking hours for public dealing will be from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm, without break. The SBP said that after the month of Ramadan-ul-Mubarak, the above timings will automatically revert to pre-Ramadan schedule. Earlier, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee announced that the Ramadan 2026 moon has been sighted and the first day of fasting will be observed on Thursday, February 19. [...]

Govt–industry dialogue key to sustainable growth: minister

February 18, 2026 4:49

State Minister for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani underscored the importance of dialogue between the government and industry, saying economic decision-making could not take place in isolation and that sustainable growth depends on consistent engagement. He passed these remarks speaking to a policy dialogue titled ‘From budget lines to bottom lines: turning policy into growth.’ The session, part of ‘Reset: reimagining reform, growth, and competitiveness,” organised by the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and the American Business Forum, brought together policymakers, economists, and industry leaders. “Decision-making cannot occur in isolation…exports, growth, and job creation must be driven by the private sector, with government focused on creating an enabling environment through consistent engagement and predictable policies,” the minister was quoted as saying in a press release. Also present at the event, Ali Naseer, Chief Strategy Officer at JazzWorld, said Pakistan’s core challenge was not the absence of policy, but the frequent reversal of it. “One of the worst things that has happened to Pakistan is policy inconsistency,” he said, noting that even well-designed frameworks were often shelved within a few years, undermining investor confidence and long-term competitiveness. Naseer stressed that durable growth required rules-based frameworks, regulatory predictability, and continuity beyond political cycles. Also read: Regulatory reforms: Public-private dialogue in key agricultural markets held He described digital infrastructure as economic infrastructure, underpinning financial services, healthtech, education technology, e-commerce, and emerging artificial intelligence (AI) applications. Naseer welcomed the government’s approach to spectrum policy, observing that the upcoming auction reflects improved design and greater sensitivity to sector realities, including more competitive reserve pricing. Meanwhile, Dr Stefan Dercon, Professor of Economic Policy at the University of Oxford, cautioned that while headline indicators such as inflation and near-term growth projections showed relative stability, structural constraints continued to cap Pakistan’s long-term trajectory. He noted that low investment, modest export performance, and regulatory inefficiencies limit sustainable expansion, arguing that productivity gains and export competitiveness were essential for durable growth. Businesses, he observed, seek policy certainty rather than short-term stimulus, and reforms must be sustained rather than episodic. [...]

Oil gains 3% as Russia-Ukraine talks abruptly end, Iran-US tensions support

February 18, 2026 4:16

LONDON: Oil prices gained nearly 3% on Wednesday after peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Geneva ended after only two hours and as investor concerns persisted about the prospect of conflict between the U.S. and Iran. The U.S.-mediated talks over Ukraine in Switzerland took place as U.S. President Donald Trump has twice in recent days suggested it was up to Ukraine to take steps to ensure their success. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy described them as “difficult.” Brent crude oil futures were up $1.96, or 2.9%, to $69.38 a barrel at 1440 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained $1.75, or 2.8%, to $64.08. Both contracts fell to two-week lows on Tuesday. “Neither of the geopolitical negotiations shows any tangible progress,” Tamas Varga of oil broker PVM told Reuters, referring to Ukraine and Iran. “It is understandable that yesterday’s dip was viewed as a buying opportunity.” Oil’s drop on Tuesday arose from hopes that tensions between the United States and Iran were easing after Iran’s foreign minister said the countries had reached an understanding on the main “guiding principles” of their nuclear talks. But on Wednesday, the Iranian semi-official Fars news agency reported that Iran and Russia will conduct navy drills in the Sea of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean on Thursday, a few days after Revolutionary Guards conducted military drills in the Strait of Hormuz. Just as the talks began on Tuesday, Iranian state media said Iran was temporarily shutting parts of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil supply route, due to “security precautions” while its elite Revolutionary Guards conducted military drills there. Later, state media said the strait had been shut for a few hours, without making it clear if it had fully reopened. “Iran knows Trump’s negotiation tactics now. It also knows that a disruption in oil exports out of the Strait of Hormuz and a rally in the oil price to $150 per barrel is the very last thing Trump wants,” said SEB chief commodities analyst Bjarne Schieldrop in a note. “Iran has time to negotiate in calmness.” Political consultancy Eurasia Group said in a Tuesday note to clients that it thinks there is a 65% probability of U.S. military strikes against Iran by the end of April. U.S. oil inventory reports from the American Petroleum Institute, due later in the day, and from the Energy Information Administration on Thursday will also be in focus. Analysts polled by Reuters expect U.S. crude stockpiles likely rose last week. [...]

Rupee sees marginal gain against US dollar

February 18, 2026 3:54

Rupee's Performance Against US Dollar Since 04 March 2025 const ctx = document.getElementById('closingRatesChart').getContext('2d'); const closingRatesChart = new Chart(ctx, { type: 'line', data: { labels: [ "04-Mar-25", "05-Mar-25", "06-Mar-25", "07-Mar-25", "10-Mar-25", "11-Mar-25", "12-Mar-25", "13-Mar-25", "14-Mar-25", "17-Mar-25", "18-Mar-25", "19-Mar-25", "20-Mar-25", "21-Mar-25", "24-Mar-25", "25-Mar-25", "26-Mar-25", "27-Mar-25", "28-Mar-25", "03-Apr-25", "04-Apr-25", "07-Apr-25", "08-Apr-25", "09-Apr-25", "10-Apr-25", "11-Apr-25", "14-Apr-25", "15-Apr-25", "16-Apr-25", "17-Apr-25", "18-Apr-25", "21-Apr-25", "22-Apr-25", "23-Apr-25", "24-Apr-25", "25-Apr-25", "28-Apr-25", "29-Apr-25", "30-Apr-25", "02-May-25", "05-May-25", "06-May-25", "07-May-25", "08-May-25", "09-May-25", "12-May-25", "13-May-25", "14-May-25", "15-May-25", "16-May-25", "19-May-25", "20-May-25", "21-May-25", "22-May-25", "23-May-25", "26-May-25", "27-May-25", "29-May-25", "30-May-25", "02-Jun-25", "03-Jun-25", "04-Jun-25", "05-Jun-25", "10-Jun-25", "11-Jun-25", "12-Jun-25", "13-Jun-25", "16-Jun-25", "17-Jun-25", "18-Jun-25", "19-Jun-25", "20-Jun-25", "23-Jun-25", "24-Jun-25", "25-Jun-25", "26-Jun-25", "27-Jun-25", "30-Jun-25", "02-Jul-25", "03-Jul-25", "04-Jul-25", "07-Jul-25", "08-Jul-25", "09-Jul-25", "10-Jul-25", "11-Jul-25", "14-Jul-25", "15-Jul-25", "16-Jul-25", "17-Jul-25", "18-Jul-25", "21-Jul-25", "22-Jul-25", "23-Jul-25", "24-Jul-25", "25-Jul-25", "28-Jul-25", "29-Jul-25", "30-Jul-25", "31-Jul-25", "01-Aug-25", "04-Aug-25", "05-Aug-25", "06-Aug-25", "07-Aug-25", "08-Aug-25", "11-Aug-25", "12-Aug-25", "13-Aug-25", "15-Aug-25", "18-Aug-25", "19-Aug-25", "20-Aug-25", "21-Aug-25", "22-Aug-25", "25-Aug-25", "26-Aug-25", "27-Aug-25", "28-Aug-25", "29-Aug-25", "01-Sep-25", "02-Sep-25", "03-Sep-25", "04-Sep-25", "05-Sep-25", "08-Sep-25", "09-Sep-25", "10-Sep-25", "11-Sep-25", "12-Sep-25", "15-Sep-25", "16-Sep-25", "17-Sep-25", "18-Sep-25", "19-Sep-25", "21-Sep-25", "22-Sep-25", "23-Sep-25", "24-Sep-25", "25-Sep-25", "26-Sep-25", "29-Sep-25", "30-Sep-25", "01-Oct-25", "02-Oct-25", "03-Oct-25", "06-Oct-25", "07-Oct-25", "08-Oct-25", "09-Oct-25", "10-Oct-25", "13-Oct-25", "14-Oct-25", "15-Oct-25", "16-Oct-25", "17-Oct-25", "20-Oct-25", "21-Oct-25", "22-Oct-25", "23-Oct-25", "24-Oct-25", "27-Oct-25", "28-Oct-25", "29-Oct-25", "30-Oct-25", "31-Oct-25", "03-Nov-25", "04-Nov-25", "05-Nov-25", "06-Nov-25", "07-Nov-25", "10-Nov-25", "11-Nov-25", "12-Nov-25", "13-Nov-25", "14-Nov-25", "17-Nov-25", "18-Nov-25", "19-Nov-25", "20-Nov-25", "21-Nov-25", "24-Nov-25", "25-Nov-25", "26-Nov-25", "27-Nov-25", "28-Nov-25", "01-Dec-25", "02-Dec-25", "03-Dec-25", "04-Dec-25", "05-Dec-25", "08-Dec-25", "09-Dec-25", "10-Dec-25", "11-Dec-25", "12-Dec-25", "15-Dec-25", "16-Dec-25", "17-Dec-25", "18-Dec-25", "19-Dec-25", "22-Dec-25", "23-Dec-25", "24-Dec-25", "26-Dec-25", "29-Dec-25", "30-Dec-25", "31-Dec-25", "02-Jan-26", "05-Jan-26", "06-Jan-26", "07-Jan-26", "08-Jan-26", "09-Jan-26", "12-Jan-26", "13-Jan-26", "14-Jan-26", "15-Jan-26", "16-Jan-26", "19-Jan-26", "20-Jan-26", "21-Jan-26", "22-Jan-26", "23-Jan-26", "26-Jan-26", "27-Jan-26", "28-Jan-26", "29-Jan-26", "30-Jan-26", "02-Feb-26", "03-Feb-26", "04-Feb-26", "06-Feb-26", "09-Feb-26", "10-Feb-26", "11-Feb-26", "12-Feb-26", "13-Feb-26", "16-Feb-26", "17-Feb-26", "18-Feb-26" ], datasets: [{ label: 'Closing Rates', data: [ 279.77, 279.87, 279.82, 279.97, 280.07, 279.95, 279.97, 280.05, 280.21, 280.17, 280.27, 280.21, 280.22, 280.26, 280.37, 280.42, 280.26, 280.22, 280.16, 280.56, 280.47, 280.57, 280.73, 280.78, 280.56, 280.47, 280.60, 280.57, 280.46, 280.62, 280.72, 280.87, 280.77, 280.97, 281.07, 280.97, 281.07, 281.02, 280.97, 281.06, 281.22, 281.37, 281.47, 281.52, 281.71, 281.57, 281.67, 281.72, 281.61, 281.66, 281.77, 281.92, 281.97, 282.06, 281.97, 282.06, 282.17, 282.07, 282.02, 281.97, 282.12, 282.22, 282.17, 282.21, 282.47, 282.67, 282.96, 283.17, 283.41, 283.55, 283.64, 283.70, 283.87, 283.77, 283.72, 283.67, 283.72, 283.76, 283.95, 283.86, 283.97, 284.22, 284.36, 284.47, 284.56, 284.46, 284.72, 284.67, 284.96, 284.97, 284.87, 284.95, 284.97, 284.76, 284.22, 283.45, 283.21, 283.05, 282.95, 282.87, 282.72, 282.66, 282.57, 282.67, 282.56, 282.47, 282.45, 282.42, 282.22, 282.06, 282.01, 281.96, 281.95, 281.92, 281.90, 281.87, 281.86, 281.83, 281.8, 281.77, 281.75, 281.72, 281.71, 281.67, 281.65, 281.62, 281.61, 281.60, 281.56, 281.55, 281.52, 281.51, 281.50, 281.47, 281.46, 281.45, 281.46, 281.42, 281.43, 281.41, 281.37, 281.35, 281.32, 281.31, 281.27, 281.26, 281.25, 281.22, 281.21, 281.20, 281.17, 281.16, 281.15, 281.12, 281.11, 281.10, 281.07, 281.06, 281.05, 281.03, 281.02, 281.01, 280.97, 280.96, 280.92, 280.91, 280.90, 280.87, 280.86, 280.85, 280.82, 280.81, 280.78, 280.77, 280.76, 280.72, 280.71, 280.67, 280.66, 280.66, 280.65, 280.62, 280.61, 280.57, 280.56, 280.55, 280.52, 280.51, 280.47, 280.46, 280.45, 280.42, 280.41, 280.40, 280.37, 280.36, 280.32, 280.31, 280.30, 280.27, 280.26, 280.25, 280.22, 280.21, 280.20, 280.17, 280.16, 280.15, 280.12, 280.11, 280.10, 280.07, 280.06, 280.05, 280.02, 280.01, 280.0, 279.97, 279.96, 279.95, 279.92, 279.91, 279.90, 279.87, 279.86, 279.85, 279.82, 279.81, 279.80, 279.77, 279.76, 279.75, 279.72, 279.71, 279.70, 279.67, 279.66, 279.65, 279.62, 279.61, 279.60, 279.57 ], borderColor: 'black', borderWidth: 1, fill: false, pointRadius: 3 }] }, options: { responsive: true, plugins: { legend: { display: false } }, scales: { x: { title: { display: true, text: 'Date' } }, y: { title: { display: true, text: 'Closing Rate' } } } } }); The Pakistani rupee registered marginal gain against the US dollar, appreciaiting 0.01% in the inter-bank market on Wednesday. At close, the local currency settled at 279.57, a gain of Re0.03 against the greenback. On Tuesday, the local currency closed at 279.60, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Meanwhile, the dollar held its ground on Wednesday as geopolitical risks kept markets on edge and investors awaited minutes from the Federal Reserve for signals on future rate cuts. The yen was steady after data showing a rebound in Japanese manufacturer sentiment and President Donald Trump announced the first tranche of mega-investments Tokyo is making in the US. The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of currencies, was little changed at 97.16 after a two-day advance. The euro slid 0.06% to $1.1846. The yen held steady at 153.23 per dollar, and sterling weakened 0.07% to $1.3558, after a 0.5% slide in the previous session. Oil prices gained nearly 3% on Wednesday after peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Geneva ended after only two hours and as investor concerns persisted about the prospect of conflict between the US and Iran. The US-mediated talks over Ukraine in Switzerland took place as US President Donald Trump has twice in recent days suggested it was up to Ukraine to take steps to ensure their success. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy described them as “difficult.” Brent crude oil futures were up $1.96, or 2.9%, to $69.38 a barrel at 1440 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained $1.75, or 2.8%, to $64.08. Both contracts fell to two-week lows on Tuesday. Inter-bank market rates for dollar on Wednesday BID Rs 279.57 OFFER Rs 279.77 Open-market movement In the open market, the PKR gained 3 paise for buying and 4 paise for selling against USD, closing at 280.07 and 280.62, respectively. Against Euro, the PKR gained 11 paise for buying and 16 paise for selling, closing at 331.11 and 333.97, respectively. Against UAE Dirham, the PKR gained 2 paise for buying and lost 1 paisa for selling, closing at 76.45 and 77.21, respectively. Against Saudi Riyal, the PKR gained 1 paisa for buying and lost 1 paisa for selling, closing at 74.73 and 75.34, respectively. Open-market rates for dollar on Wednesday BID Rs 280.07 OFFER Rs 280.62 [...]

US factory output beats expectations on manufacturing uptick

February 18, 2026 3:24

WASHINGTON: US industrial production rose more than analysts expected in January, the Federal Reserve said Wednesday, with manufacturing output seeing its biggest gain in nearly a year. Overall, industrial output rose by 0.7 percent month-on-month, accelerating from a 0.2 percent increase in December, the Fed said. This was notably higher than the 0.3 percent rise predicted by economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal. While Donald Trump has promised a manufacturing boom in his second presidency, activity in the sector had been gloomy last year, with sentiment dragged by tariffs and significant trade policy uncertainty. Conditions appear to have picked up in January, with improvements in new orders and production, but businesses remain wary. READ MORE: Asia’s factory activity expands on solid global demand For now, last month’s “0.6 percent increase in manufacturing output was the largest since February 2025, with widespread gains across industry groups,” the Fed said Wednesday. These included an uptick in durable manufacturing, with gains in areas like computer and electronic products as well as motor vehicles and parts. But economist Oliver Allen of Pantheon Macroeconomics warned that the solid manufacturing figure was “tempered by the meaningful downward revisions to production in the earlier months, leaving the recent trajectory looking far from impressive.” “A big share of the gains compared to a year earlier reflect rapid growth in just two sectors: computer and electronics equipment – where AI capital expenditure is in the driving seat – and aerospace equipment led by a turnaround in fortunes at Boeing,” he said. Separately, mining output dipped 0.2 percent in January, while utilities output rose 2.1 percent, Wednesday’s report showed. Overall, Allen expects a flagging consumer, weak investment intentions and soft export demand due to trade policy uncertainty to continue weighing on the manufacturing sector in the coming quarters. [...]

Vodafone sells 50% stake in VodafoneZiggo for $1.18 billion to partner Liberty Global

February 18, 2026 3:08

LONDON: Vodafone said on Wednesday it would sell its 50% stake in Dutch joint-venture VodafoneZiggo to its partner Liberty Global for 1 billion euros ($1.18 billion) in cash and a 10% stake in a new enlarged Benelux telecoms group. Liberty Global will own 90% of the new Ziggo Group, which will bring together its Belgian operator Telenet with VodafoneZiggo. It said it planned to spin off Ziggo Group and list it on Euronext in Amsterdam in 2027. India grants Vodafone Idea moratorium on telecom dues Shares in Vodafone rose 4% after the deal was announced on Wednesday. Vodafone and Liberty Global brought together their mobile and fixed-line networks nearly a decade ago in a stronger competitor to KPN. Vodafone’s Chief Executive Margherita Della Valle said the deal had been agreed at an attractive valuation. “This transaction delivers 1 billion euros in cash to Vodafone, and we have the potential for further value creation through our 10% stake in Ziggo Group, a business with greater scale,” she said on Wednesday. [...]

Wall St on track for higher open as tech concerns abate

February 18, 2026 3:03

The main U.S. stock indexes were set to open higher on Wednesday, supported by gains in technology stocks as AI worries eased, while investors awaited minutes of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s latest policy meeting for insight on the rate outlook. Markets were volatile on Tuesday, with the S&P 500 ending 0.1% higher after falling as much as 0.9% early in the session. The Nasdaq and the Dow saw similar reversals. U.S. stocks have been rocked this month by worries that rapidly improving AI tools could disrupt business models, hitting sectors from software to trucking. Broader AI-linked and megacap technology stocks also lost ground as investors demanded stronger evidence the heavy investments in the technology were tangibly boosting revenue and profits. “We have not really seen much of a drawdown, just a lot of daily volatility, which implies that the market is more at a crossroads and waiting for some sort of a bullish or bearish catalyst to push… (it) in a new direction,” said Sam Stovall, CFRA’s chief investment strategist. Most megacap and growth stocks rose in premarket trading on Wednesday. Nvidia was up 2.3% after the company said it had signed a multi-year deal to sell Meta Platforms millions of its current and future AI chips. Wall Street muted as tech stocks waver after sell-off; financials outshine Other megacaps also advanced. Amazon rose 1.4%, while Alphabet and Microsoft edged up. Minutes from the Fed’s January policy meeting, where it held its main lending rate steady, are expected later in the day. Traders are pricing in a chance of roughly 63% for a rate cut of at least 25 basis points at the Fed’s June meeting, the first with odds above 50%, according to CME’s FedWatch Tool. The personal consumption expenditure report - the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge - will be in focus later in the week and is expected to provide insights into inflation and how it could impact borrowing costs. At 08:33 a.m. ET, Dow E-minis rose 122 points, or 0.25%, S&P 500 E-minis were up 27.75 points, or 0.4%, and Nasdaq 100 E-minis gained 122.75 points, or 0.49%. In earnings-driven moves, Analog Devices’ shares gained 5.6% after the chipmaker forecast second-quarter results above Wall Street estimates. Global Payments gained 11% after the company projected annual adjusted profit above expectations, while data analytics firm Verisk jumped 11.7% after beating fourth-quarter profit estimates. Moderna climbed 7.8% after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration agreed to review its influenza vaccine, reversing an earlier decision to reject the application. Palo Alto Networks dropped 6.9% after the cyber security company trimmed its annual profit forecast, while Cadence Design Systems added 6.4% after the chip design software provider beat fourth-quarter revenue estimates. The New York Times rose 1.8% after Berkshire Hathaway disclosed a new investment in the media company. Hard-disk drive maker Western Digital plans to raise $3.17 billion by selling some of its stake in former unit Sandisk through a secondary share sale, sending Sandisk’s shares down 3%. [...]

Saudi’s Humain invested $3 billion in xAI’s Series E funding round

February 18, 2026 2:44

Saudi Arabia’s Humain, the kingdom’s artificial intelligence company, said on Wednesday it had invested $3 billion in Elon Musk’s xAI as a part of its Series E funding round just prior to its acquisition by SpaceX. The investment made Humain a “significant” minority shareholder, with its xAI holdings converted into SpaceX shares, it said. Saudi Arabia is boosting its artificial intelligence ambitions as it seeks to capitalize on the growing demand for compute capacity and diversify revenue sources away from oil. The investment builds on the partnership announced between Humain and xAI in November at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum where both firms said they would jointly develop 500 megawatts of AI data center infrastructure. In January, xAI said it raised $20 billion in an upsized Series E funding round as the company ramps up deployment of new models and infrastructure to get ahead of competitors OpenAI and Anthropic. A month after the fundraise announcement, Musk’s SpaceX acquired xAI in a massive consolidation move that combines the billionaire’s artificial intelligence startup with his space and rocket firm. [...]

Unilever’s India arm to invest up to $221 million in high-growth categories

February 18, 2026 2:35

Indian consumer goods major Hindustan Unilever said on Wednesday it will invest as much as 20 billion rupees ($220.54 million) to expand manufacturing capacity in its fast-growing premium categories as it navigates margin pressure from rising competition. The company said it will deploy the investment over two years to scale up capacity in categories such as beauty, wellbeing and home care liquids. The local unit of UK’s Unilever and home to Dove and Surf Excel brands said the proposed investment aligns with its strategy of focusing on “fewer, bigger bets” and strengthening its presence in high-growth demand spaces. HUL’s increased push into premium segments comes as the company battles margin pressure. Earlier this month, it reported a 15% decline in quarterly profit, hit by thinner margin as the company cut some product prices to counter rising competition. [...]

Pakistan IT exports surge nearly 20% to $2.61bn in July–January

February 18, 2026 2:31

IT exports maintained steady double-digit growth in Pakistan, with total receipts rising to $2.61 billion during July–January FY2025–26, up from $2.17 billion recorded in the corresponding period of the previous financial year, showing a 19% year-on-year growth or $431 million overall increase in values, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). The increase in export receipts was driven by higher foreign earnings from IT companies, remote professionals, and freelancers providing services to international clients across various markets. Dr Noman Said, an IT exporter and CEO SI Global Solutions, said the IT sector had the potential to take the country’s services exports to the next level and help turn the current account deficit into a surplus. Also read: Pakistan’s IT exports rise to $691m in July–August He said emerging technologies under artificial intelligence had provided Pakistan with an opportunity to claim a notable position among countries worldwide through its IT services, solutions, and products. “We must provide quality training to the younger generation and equip them with skills in emerging technologies, both in software and hardware systems,” he said, adding that would not only produce human resources for the local market but also enable qualified professionals to serve international markets. In December 2025, IT exports rose to $437 million compared to $348 million —the highest-ever monthly exports for the IT sector. However, the export receipts stood at $374 million In January. Over the past few years, Pakistan’s IT companies and fintech operators have actively participated in global exhibitions and conferences, including GITEX Global, GITEX Europe, LEAP, the Singapore FinTech Festival, Money20/20, and various roadshows and conferences in cities across the US and the UK. In this regard, the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication (MoITT) has also been providing financial assistance to IT companies, fintech operators, and emerging startups. Mehwish Salman Ali, a member of the P@SHA AI Committee, said the growth in IT exports was driven by the increasing penetration of Pakistani companies into both traditional and emerging markets, particularly in the Gulf region. Also read: Pakistan plans export push to tackle potato surplus She suggested that Pakistani companies should target high-value clients through joint ventures and partnerships in the US, European, and Gulf markets to attract higher returns and investment. In 2025, Pakistan explored new opportunities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with several IT companies establishing subsidiaries and offshore offices due to facilitation by both brotherly countries and enhanced bilateral strategic and defence ties. The IT sector is the leading contributor to services exports and ranks second in overall exports after the textile sector. Last year, IT sector recorded exports of $3.8 billion, surpassing the rice sector, which posted exports of $3.6 billion. [...]

PTA set to hold 5G spectrum auction on March 10

February 18, 2026 1:49

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is set to hold long-awaited 5G spectrum auction on March 10, 2026, unveiling an extensive policy package, phased rollout roadmap, and quality-of-service (QoS) benchmarks aimed at accelerating digital transformation and strengthening the country’s telecom infrastructure. Briefing the media, PTA Chairman Hafeez ur Rehman said improved connectivity was critical for achieving Digital Pakistan and cashless economy objectives, adding that regulatory and policy reforms had been aligned to facilitate next-generation services. Director General Licensing Aamir Shahzad said the auction would be conducted through a multi-round electronic clock auction format, with the main allocation stage commencing on March 10. Also read: PTA updates regulatory framework with IM amendments ahead of 5G auction Around 597 MHz of spectrum will be made available, including mandatory bidding in the 2600 MHz and 3500 MHz bands during the first round. Under the approved framework, the US dollar-to-PKR exchange rate will be fixed on the auction date for payment purposes. Operators will be offered a one-year moratorium and the option to pay either 100% upfront or 50% upfront with the remaining amount in five equal annual instalments at KIBOR plus three percent. The policy is technology-neutral and forms part of broader telecom sector reforms. Measures include enabling 5G smartphone upgrades through tax rationalisation, promoting local manufacturing to improve affordability, and allowing duty-free import of 5G equipment to accelerate network deployment. DG said a joint task force comprising the Ministry of IT and Telecom, Power Division, NEPRA, PTA, telecom operators, and DISCOs would be constituted to examine industrial power tariffs for the telecom sector, smart grid solutions and dedicated feeders to mitigate prolonged power outages affecting network performance. Right-of-way charges for fibre deployment had been reduced from Rs36000 to zero to fast-track tower fibreisation, he added. DG said after getting the license, 5G was expected to be launched in 3-6 months –the target for commercial launch, starting with federal and provincial capitals, followed by phased expansion over nine years. Each operator will be required to deploy 1,000 new sites annually, including at least 200 sites per year to address coverage gaps. Over successive phases, 5G coverage will expand to additional cities across provinces, while fibre-to-the-site (FTTS) ratios will gradually increase from 20% to 35% by 2035. The regulator has also mandated proportionate expansion and enhancement of 4G networks in urban and rural areas to ensure service continuity and improved nationwide broadband experience. The framework sets phased QoS enhancement targets for both 4G and 5G services through 2035. For 4G, minimum download speeds will rise from 20 Mbps in 2026-27 to 50 Mbps by 2030-35, while latency targets will be tightened from 75 milliseconds to 50 milliseconds. Web page loading times are to improve from five seconds to three seconds. For 5G, minimum download speeds will increase from 50 Mbps initially to 100 Mbps by 2030-35, with latency targets reduced to 35 milliseconds in the final phase. Upload speeds are benchmarked at 20% of download speeds across both technologies. New key performance indicators will also be introduced, including network downtime monitoring at district, tehsil and union council levels. PTA expects mobile broadband speeds to improve by around 25% following the auction. PTA officials said that applications, along with a $15 million bank guarantee, must be submitted by February 27. Qualified bidders will participate in mock auctions before the main allocation stage. If demand in any spectrum category exceeds supply, prices will increase in successive rounds. The auction will conclude after the assignment stage, with provisional winners required to submit performance bank guarantees within 15 business days before licences are granted. Also read: PTA given directive for holding next-gen mobile spectrum auction PTA Chairman said at least three operators are expected to participate and termed the auction successful if more than 50% of the offered spectrum is sold. The PTA chairman noted that telecom operators have already placed orders for 5G equipment, while local manufacturing of 5G-enabled smartphones has commenced, with 500,000 to 600,000 units produced so far. Describing the auction as delayed but necessary, he said the initiative would lay the foundation for next-generation connectivity and prepare the ecosystem for future technologies, including 6G, while supporting sustainable digital economic growth. [...]

Most Gulf markets gain on signs of progress in US-Iran talks

February 18, 2026 1:46

Most Gulf stock markets ended higher on Wednesday after Iran touted progress in nuclear negotiations with the United States. Iran’s foreign minister said after talks in Geneva on Tuesday that Tehran and Washington had reached an understanding on the main “guiding principles” for resolving their longstanding nuclear dispute, easing fears of a military conflict. Crude prices - a catalyst for the Gulf’s financial markets - gained more than 1% after falling in the previous session as investors assessed developments in Russia-Ukraine and U.S.–Iran talks. Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index gained 0.5%, snapping a three-day losing streak, led by a 1.7% rise in the country’s biggest lender by assets Saudi National Bank. Elsewhere, oil behemoth Saudi Aramco finished 0.6% higher. GCC stock markets were mostly higher, supported by encouraging signals from the U.S.–Iran meetings. The improved mood offered a break from the recent risk-off sentiment driven by heightened regional geopolitical tensions, said George Pavel general manager at Naga.com Middle East. Dubai’s main share index advanced 1.2%, buoyed by a 3.4% gain in blue-chip developer Emaar Properties and a 3.9% leap in budget airliner Air Arabia . Pavel said the Dubai market seems well placed to sustain its upward momentum, backed by sound fundamentals and robust economic forecasts for the year. In Abu Dhabi, the index climbed 1.2%, outperforming Gulf peers, with Aldar Properties rising 2%, after the developer announced a mid-rise residential project in Dubai as part of its joint venture with Dubai Holdings. Meanwhile, Iran and Russia will conduct navy drills in the Sea of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean on Thursday, the Iranian semi-official Fars news agency reported, a few days after Revolutionary Guards conducted military drills in the Strait of Hormuz. The Qatari index added 0.2%, with the Gulf’s biggest lender Qatar National Bank putting on 0.6%. Outside the Gulf, Egypt’s blue-chip index finished 0.8% higher, . Saudi Arabia rose 0.5% to 11,155Abu Dhabi advanced 1.2% to 10,755Dubai gained 1.2% to 6,765Qatar was up 0.2% to 11,389Egypt added 0.8% to 52,222Bahrain increased 0.8% to 2,069Oman eased 0.2% to 7,294Kuwait added 0.7% to 9,345 [...]

India debt switch pinches bond traders, 10-year yield snaps 6-day falling streak

February 18, 2026 1:23

MUMBAI: Indian government bonds fell on Wednesday, after yet another government debt switch announcement, leading market participants to conclude that any more impactful measures to cool yields are unlikely. The benchmark 6.48% 2035 bond yield ended at 6.6780%, after closing at 6.6600% on Tuesday. Bond yields move inversely to prices. New Delhi will buy back bonds worth 250 billion rupees ($2.76 billion) maturing in fiscal year 2027 from the market and sell longer-duration papers in a switch operation next Monday. This comes after the government switched similar maturity papers with the central bank last week for 755 billion rupees, bringing gross borrowing down to 16.45 trillion rupees from 17.20 trillion rupees initially planned in a federal budget for the fiscal year starting April 1. While such debt switches reduce the size of debt the market must absorb this year, they increase the supply of longer maturity notes in the market, pushing up their yields. Benchmark 10-year yields rose on Wednesday after six straight sessions of declines. “Government borrowings should keep the long end under pressure in the coming months amid higher central and state government supply. We advise investors to stay in the front end of the yield curve up to 5 years,” Murthy Nagarajan, head of fixed income at Tata Mutual Fund. Surplus liquidity in the banking system, which the Reserve Bank of India has allowed to persist, has also helped soften the impact of the government’s large gross borrowing plan, particularly in shorter maturity debt. Rates India’s overnight index swap (OIS) rates witnessed muted activity and shallow volumes amid a lack of fresh cues on interest rates. The one-year OIS rate ended at 5.5%, while the two-year rate closed at 5.6150%. The five-year OIS rate settled at 6.04%. [...]

Pakistan’s mobile phone imports surge 31.4% to $1.139bn in first seven months of FY2025–26

February 18, 2026 1:10

Pakistan imported mobile phones $1.139 billion in the first seven month (July-January) of current fiscal year 2025-26 compared to $867.685 million during the same period of last year, registering a growth of over 31.36 percent growth. Official data revealed that in terms of rupees, the total value of mobile phone imports stood at Rs 321.137 billion during July-January 2025-26 compared to Rs 241.330 billion, registering 33.07 percent growth. On a Month-on-Month (MoM) basis, Pakistan’s mobile phone imports saw a 12.60 percent growth, totaling $179.380 million in January 2026, compared to $159.304 million in December 2025. Year on year mobile imports witnessed a 33.62 percent growth when compared to $134.243 million in January 2025. READ MORE: FY 2025-26: Mobile phones worth USD 500.011m imported in QI Pakistan imported mobile phones worth $1.494 billion in the last fiscal year 2024-25, registering a fall of 21.31 per cent compared to $1.898 billion during the previous year, 2023-24. In terms of Pakistani rupees, the total value of mobile phone imports stood at Rs 417.351 billion during fiscal year 2024-25. This represents a 22.09 percent decline when compared to Rs535.690 billion in the same period of 2023-24. Overall telecom imports into Pakistan stood at $2.099 billion during fiscal year 2024-25, reflecting a negative growth of 11.30 percent when compared to $2.366 billion during the same period of 2023-24. READ MORE: Local mobile phone production hits 30.21mn units in 2025 The local manufacturing/ assembling plants manufactured/ assembled 30.21 million mobile handsets during the calendar year (January-December) 2025 compared to 2.37 million imported commercially. Official data revealed that 2.61 million mobile handsets were manufactured/ assembled in December 2025 against 0.33 million imported commercially.The local manufacturing/ assembling plants manufactured/ assembled 30.21 million mobile handsets included 15.64 million smart phones and 14.57 million 2G phones. Besides, as per the PTA data, 71 per cent of mobile devices are smartphones, and 29 per cent are 2G on the Pakistan network.End [...]

Ruet-e-Hilal Committee meets for Ramadan 2026 moon sighting

February 18, 2026 1:24

The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is meeting in Peshawar on Wednesday evening to decide the start of Ramadan 2026, state-run Radio Pakistan reported. The central body, headed by Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad, is scheduled to gather at 4:30 p.m. at the Auqaf Hall. Zonal committees will simultaneously convene in Lahore, Karachi, Quetta and Islamabad to collect and review moon sighting reports from across the country. Earlier, the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), citing the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), said there is a strong likelihood of the Ramadan 1447 AH crescent being visible on February 18, which would make February 19 the first day of fasting in Pakistan. According to astronomical estimates, the moon’s age at sunset on February 18 is expected to be around 25 hours and 48 minutes. In coastal regions, the gap between sunset and moonset is projected to be nearly 59 minutes, enhancing the possibility of a naked-eye sighting. A day earlier, Saudi Arabia and several Gulf countries — including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait — confirmed the sighting of the crescent and began fasting on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, the Philippines, Japan, Turkiye, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei reported no moon sighting on Tuesday. Ramadan is observed by more than a billion Muslims worldwide, who fast from dawn to sunset as an act of worship marked by reflection, self-restraint and charity. The Islamic lunar calendar is based on moon sightings, causing the holy month to shift each year in the Gregorian calendar and last either 29 or 30 days. [...]

India debt switch pinches bond traders, 10-year yield snaps 6-day falling streak

February 18, 2026 1:23

Pakistan’s mobile phone imports surge 31.4% to $1.139bn in first seven months of FY2025–26

February 18, 2026 1:10

Ton-up Farhan helps Pakistan seal Super Eight spot with Namibia rout

February 18, 2026 1:06

COLOMBO: Sahibzada Farhan hit a magnificent unbeaten century to help Pakistan seal the final Super Eight berth at the T20 World Cup with a thumping 102-run win over Namibia in Colombo on Wednesday. Farhan scored 100 not out off 58 balls with four sixes and 10 fours as Pakistan posted 199-3 before they routed Namibia for 97 in 17.3 overs. Pakistan’s victory took them to six points from four games in Group A and eliminated the United States, who finished with four points. India also have six points and play the Netherlands in the group’s final game later Wednesday. The defending champions India, South Africa, Zimbabwe and the West Indies will play each other in the Super eights Group 1, hosted in India. Pakistan join New Zealand, England and co-hosts Sri Lanka in Group 2, hosted in Sri Lanka. READ MORE: Usman Tariq confident Pakistan can bounce back after India drubbing After a morale-shattering 61-run defeat against India, Pakistan needed a victory to avoid an early exit, which was achieved with ease as spinners Usman Tariq (4-16) and Shadab Khan (3-19) tore through the Namibia batting. Louren Steenkamp scored 23 while Alexander Busing-Volschenk was the only other batsman to reach double figures with 20. Farhan earlier blasted a six and a four off pace bowler Jack Brassell to enter the 90s before taking a single off Gerhard Erasmus to complete his hundred in the final over. Farhan is the only second Pakistani to score a T20 World Cup century after Ahmed Shehzad in 2014 against Bangladesh. Shadab Khan, promoted to number five with Babar Azam left out, hit three sixes and a four in his 36 not out off 22 balls as Pakistan smashed 42 from the last three overs. Farhan put on 40 for the opening wicket with Saim Ayub (14) before consolidating the innings during a 67-run second wicket stand with captain Salman Agha (38). Pakistan also left out pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi after a poor show in the first three matches, including conceding 31 in two overs in the defeat against India on Sunday. Farhan’s ton means this is the first T20 World Cup in which three centuries have been scored. He followed Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka, who scored a hundred against Australia on Monday, and Canada’s Yuvraj Sama who reached three figures against New Zealand on Tuesday. [...]

English cricket gets 45 million pounds grassroots boost as Hundred investment pays dividends

February 18, 2026 12:54

English cricket is set to receive a 45 million pounds ($61.05 million) injection into grassroots facilities as proceeds from The Hundred investment trickle down to community level, England’s cricket board (ECB) said on Wednesday. The ECB announced the fund will target projects benefiting women and girls, disabled participants, lower socio-economic groups and ethnically diverse communities as part of making cricket inclusive. The ECB also said it hopes the funding could leverage projects worth 150 million pounds over the next decade. “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for grassroots cricket thanks to the investment we’ve received into The Hundred,” ECB CEO Richard Gould said in a statement. “With more children playing, the rapid growth of women’s and girls’ cricket, and our desire to become the most inclusive team sport, new and improved facilities are vital to open up access to cricket for communities across England and Wales. “This additional investment into facilities will be a real game-changer and I hope other local and national partners will come on board to support these community projects so that we can get much more bang for our collective buck.” The ECB is simultaneously doubling smaller grants for facilities at individual clubs to five million pounds this year, focusing on women’s and girls’ cricket development. They are also increasing interest-free loans that are available to clubs from 50,000 pounds to 75,000 pounds. The ECB said around 300 projects are expected to be delivered in 2026 alone, supporting the drive toward having at least 6,000 girls’ teams by 2028. [...]

ECB President Lagarde plans to quit before Macron’s term ends, reports

February 18, 2026 12:49

FRANKFURT: European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde plans to leave her job early, ahead of next year’s French presidential election, to give outgoing French leader Emmanuel Macron a say in picking her successor, the Financial Times said on Wednesday. Lagarde’s term at the head of Europe’s most important financial institution is due to end in October 2027, but a victory by the euro sceptic far right in the spring 2027 presidential vote could complicate selection of the next ECB chief. As the EU’s second biggest economy, France traditionally has a big input in the choice and no ECB president has been picked without a sign-off from Paris. Concerns about central bank independence have risen since U.S. President Donald Trump waged a campaign against Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, demanding the Fed cut interest rates sharply. Citing a person familiar with the matter, the FT said Lagarde had not yet decided on the exact timing of her departure but was keen that Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz be the key European leaders choosing who succeeds her. Macron cannot run for a third presidential term. ECB’s Lagarde focused on job, not taken decision on leaving, ECB says ECB says Lagarde has not made a decision “President Lagarde is totally focused on her mission and has not taken any decision regarding the end of her term,” an ECB spokesperson said. The ECB’s response is a departure from earlier guidance on Lagarde. Last year, when the FT suggested she may leave early, the ECB said Lagarde was “determined to complete her term.” Market reaction to Lagarde’s possible departure was muted on Wednesday as none of her potential successors are expected to radically alter policy. Three big ECB jobs could be in play “The ECB takes monetary policy decisions by building consensus, and whoever replaces Lagarde is unlikely to radically shift or change the way the ECB works, in particular should her replacement be one of those being touted in the media,” Andrzej Szczepaniak, an economist at Nomura, said. Lagarde’s early departure could also strengthen the case for EU leaders to make upcoming ECB Executive Board appointments asa package as the terms of chief economist Philip Lane and market operations chief Isabel Schnabel expire next year. ECB makes euro backstop global to bolster currency’s role Since ECB presidential appointments are subject to political horse trading, filling the three jobs together may make sense, especially as the bloc’s biggest nations - France, Italy and Germany - have a de facto permanent seat on the board. Candidates for the top job most often mentioned include former Dutch central bank chief Klaas Knot, Bank for International Settlements General Manager Pablo Hernandez de Cos and Bundesbank chief Joachim Nagel. Schnabel has also said she was interested in the role but EU law may prevent her candidacy since board members serve non-renewable terms. “All the likely candidates are mainstream central bankers and, even if the eventual successor is not one of the current supposed front-runners, he or she would be sure to be from a similar background,” Andrew Kenningham at Capital Economics said. EU lawmakers back plans for digital euro Bank of France governor also quit early The FT report comes only a week after Bank of France Governor Francois Villeroy de Galhau said he would step down more than a year before the end of his term, allowing Macron to name his replacement. That move was condemned by the far-right Rassemblement National which said it was aimed at putting in place anti-RN allies in case there was a change of power in France. Villeroy reiterated on Wednesday that his choice to step down was a personal one. Polls show either RN leader Marine Le Pen or her protégé Jordan Bardella could win the presidential election, although the nationalist, anti-immigrant party has made little headway with France’s economic establishment, which frets over its shifting positions. While it will be up to leaders from all 21-nation euro zone to pick Lagarde’s successor and could technically pick a candidate France disagrees with, past practice suggests a candidate needs both German and French support to clinch the role. Some analysts also questioned whether an attempt to bypass the far right, or far left, could have unintended effects. “The road to hell is paved with good intentions and (Lagarde) has very honourable intentions,“ said Frederik Ducrozet, head of macroeconomic research at Pictet Wealth Management. “But this would send the signal that European elites are trying to control the institution and it could prove counterproductive for everything else that the EU is trying to achieve,” he said. On Wednesday in Britain - outside the European Union - the populist Reform UK party, which is leading in opinion polls, said it would make changes to the way the Bank of England operates, but stressed it would respect its independence. ECB in a ‘good place’ Lagarde would leave the ECB at a relatively tranquil time. Inflation is at target, interest rates are in a neutral setting, and the euro zone’s economic growth is at potential, arare combination that some have called a central banker’s nirvana. Markets currently expect the ECB to keep rates on hold for the rest of the year but exceptional uncertainty in the global environment could quickly alter the outlook. [...]

Sri Lankan shares rise as communication services gain

February 18, 2026 12:36

US tech giants announce India deals at AI summit

February 18, 2026 12:30

EW DELHI: Google said it would build new subsea cables from India and chip titan Nvidia unveiled tie-ups with computing firms on Wednesday as tech giants rushed to announce deals and investments at a global AI conference in New Delhi. This week’s AI Impact Summit is the fourth annual gathering to discuss how to govern the fast-evolving technology – and also an opportunity for India to raise its profile in the booming sector. “India’s going to have an extraordinary trajectory with AI and we want to be a partner,” Google CEO Sundar Pichai told reporters as the US firm unveiled a plan to boost connectivity to the South Asian country. New direct undersea connections from India to Singapore, South Africa and Australia will be constructed, it said, touting faster connections as demand for computing power, including AI, ramps up. READ MORE: Indian data center firm Yotta to build $2 billion AI hub with Nvidia’s Blackwell chips It is part of Google’s $15 billion investment announced in October to construct its largest AI data centre hub outside the United States, in Visakhapatnam, a port city in the southeastern state of Andhra Pradesh. Also on Wednesday, the California-based Nvidia – the world’s most valuable company – said it was teaming up with three Indian cloud computing providers to provide advanced processors for data centres that can train and run AI systems. Dozens of world leaders and ministerial delegations are in New Delhi for the summit to discuss the opportunities and threats, from job losses to misinformation, that AI poses. Last year India leapt to third place – overtaking South Korea and Japan – in an annual global ranking of AI competitiveness calculated by Stanford University researchers. But despite its plans for large-scale infrastructure and grand ambitions for innovation, experts say the country has a long way to go before it can rival the United States and China. ‘Power India’s growth’ The AI conference has brought a flurry of deals, with IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw saying Tuesday that India expects more than $200 billion in investments over the next two years, including roughly $90 billion already committed. Mumbai cloud and data centre provider L&T said Wednesday it was teaming up with Nvidia to build what it touted as “India’s largest gigawatt-scale AI factory”. “We are laying the foundation for world-class AI infrastructure that will power India’s growth,” said Nvidia boss Jensen Huang in a statement that did not put a figure on the investment. Nvidia is also working with other Indian AI infrastructure players such as Yotta, which announced a $2 billion deal with the US company that will provide it with 20,000 top-end AI processors. Nvidia’s Huang is not attending the AI summit but other top US tech figures joining include OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Meta chief AI officer Alexandr Wang and Microsoft founder Bill Gates. Microsoft said it was investing $50 billion this decade to boost AI adoption in developing countries, while US artificial intelligence startup Anthropic and Indian IT giant Infosys said they would build AI agents for the telecoms industry. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other world leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron and Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are expected to deliver a statement at the end of the week about how they plan to address concerns raised by AI technology. But experts say the broad focus of the event and vague promises made at previous global AI summits in France, South Korea and Britain mean that concrete commitments are unlikely. Nick Patience, practice lead for AI at tech research group Futurum, told AFP that nonbinding declarations could still “set the tone for what acceptable AI governance looks like”. But “the largest AI companies deploy capabilities at a pace that makes 18-month legislative cycles look glacial,” Patience said. “So it’s a case of whether governments can converge fast enough to create meaningful guardrails before de facto standards are set by the companies themselves.” [...]

Copper rises on dip buying in thin trade

February 18, 2026 12:26

Rupee sees marginal gain against US dollar

February 18, 2026 12:22

Finland’s Orpo sees no obstacles to implementing EU-India trade deal

February 18, 2026 12:17

HELSINKI: No obstacles have emerged among European Union member states to implementing the EU-India trade deal, Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo told Reuters on Wednesday, after meeting with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The EU and India reached a landmark trade deal at the end of last month to slash tariffs between them on most goods and reduce reliance on the United States amid growing global trade tensions. Tanveer warns of USD2bn export risks amid EU-India trade deal The deal is expected to be implemented within a year, but the EU vetting process could be subject to some setbacks as has been the case with a separate trade deal with Mercosur, which EU lawmakers have voted to challenge in the bloc’s top court. Orpo said that both he and Modi had welcomed the EU-India deal, and that European leaders had been “exceptionally unanimous and satisfied”. “At last week’s informal European Council meeting, nothing arose that would suggest there are any problems with the implementation of the trade agreement,” Orpo said in a telephone interview after the meeting with Modi. [...]

‘Difficult’ Ukraine peace talks end after Zelenskiy says Russia stalling

February 18, 2026 12:08

GENEVA: Peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Geneva ended on Wednesday after only two hours, with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy describing them as “difficult” and accusing Russia of deliberately delaying progress toward a deal to end the four-year-old war. The two days of U.S.-mediated peace talks in Switzerland took place as U.S. President Donald Trump has twice in recent days suggested it was up to Ukraine and Zelenskiy to ensure the talks were successful. “We can see that progress has been made, but for now, positions differ because the negotiations were difficult,” Zelenskiy told reporters in a WhatsApp chat shortly after talks concluded. Rustem Umerov, the head of Kyiv’s negotiating team, said separately that the second day had been “intensive and substantive”. Both sides were working toward decisions that can be sent to their presidents, he said. Russia’s chief negotiator, former culture minister Vladimir Medinsky, told reporters that further negotiations would be held soon, without specifying a date. Earlier on Wednesday, Zelenskiy had accused Russia of “trying to drag out negotiations that could already have reached the final stage”. US, Ukraine teams tackle ‘most difficult issues’ in Russia war talks: Zelensky Ukrainian officials have routinely accused Moscow – which has carried out a winter bombing campaign against Ukraine’s energy system and pursued its battlefield offensive – of negotiating in bad faith. Pressure from Trump In an interview with U.S. website Axios published on Tuesday, Zelenskiy was quoted as saying that it was “not fair” Trump kept publicly calling on Ukraine, not Russia, to make concessions in negotiating terms for a peace plan. Trump had told reporters on Monday that “Ukraine better come to the table fast. That’s all I’m telling you.” Zelenskiy also said any plan requiring Ukraine to give up territory that Russia had not captured in the eastern Donbas region would be rejected by Ukrainians if put to a referendum. “I hope it is just his tactics and not the decision,” Axios quoted Zelenskiy as saying in the interview. Next round of Russia, Ukraine talks to begin in Abu Dhabi on February 1: US official Push for European involvement Ukrainian officials have been pushing for greater involvement of Kyiv’s European allies in the peace process, with Zelenskiy saying ahead of Wednesday’s talks it was “indispensable”. Leading European nations - including France, Germany and the UK - have been strong supporters of Kyiv’s stance. The talks came just days before the fourth anniversary of Russia’s 2022 invasion of its much smaller neighbour. Hundredsof thousands of people have been killed, millions have fled their homes, and many Ukrainian cities, towns and villages have been devastated by the conflict. Russia denies deliberately targeting civilians. Trump sends message to Putin ‘war has to end’ after good meeting with Zelenskiy Russian source called talks “very tense” Umerov said on Tuesday that the first day of talks had focused on “practical issues and the mechanics of possible decisions,” without providing details. However, Russian news agencies quoted a source as saying that the Tuesday talks were “very tense” and lasted six hours in different bilateral and trilateral formats. Ukrainian government bonds fell as much as 1.9 cents on the dollar in morning trade in Europe on reports of stalled progress at the talks. Before the talks began, Umerov had played down hopes for a significant step forward in Geneva, saying the Ukrainian delegation was working “without excessive expectations”. The Geneva meeting follows two rounds of U.S.-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi that concluded without a major breakthrough as the two sides remained far apart on key issues such as the control of territory in eastern Ukraine. Ukraine, Russia start second day of peace talks in Abu Dhabi Russia occupies about 20% of Ukraine’s national territory, including Crimea and parts of the eastern Donbas region seizedbefore the 2022 full-scale invasion. Its recent airstrikes on energy infrastructure have left hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians without heating and power during a harsh winter. [...]

Car parts maker Valeo to invest over 200 million euros to drive India sales

February 18, 2026 11:49

French car parts maker Valeo on Wednesday unveiled plans to increase its sales in India, driven by new initiatives announced alongside President Emmanuel Macron’s trip to India this week, which is expected to yield new deals for French companies. Valeo said it would be investing more than 200 million euros ($237 million) in the coming years to expand its presence in India and that these new investments were aimed at tripling its sales in the country to around 700 million euros by 2028. The group is focused on building strong competencies in new-technology products in India while progressively increasing localisation across manufacturing and operations, it said. It aims to address the country’s needs in both the passenger vehicle and small mobility markets. A month ago, India and the European Union struck a long-delayed deal, aiming to slash tariffs on most goods to boost two-way trade and reduce reliance on the U.S. amid growing global trade tensions. France, India hail growing ties as Modi hosts Macron Valeo added it had been selected to supply electric powertrains for a range of vehicles under the “Born Electric” passenger vehicle platform of Indian company Mahindra & Mahindra and that this strategic partnership had a total order value of close to $1 billion. “India is a key pillar of Valeo’s global growth and innovation roadmap, and we are committed to significantly expanding our engineering centers and industrial footprint,” Valeo CEO Christophe Perillat said in a statement. The group, operating in the country since 1997, currently employs more than 7,500 people in India. [...]

India sugar output seen lower than forecast, curbing exports

February 18, 2026 11:42

Turkiye foreign minister to attend Trump’s Board of Peace meeting in Washington

February 18, 2026 11:36

ANKARA: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will travel to Washington in lieu of President Tayyip Erdogan for the inaugural meeting of US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” on Thursday, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday. A Turkish diplomatic source told Reuters that Fidan, during the talks, would call for determined steps to resolve the Palestinian issue and emphasize that Israel must end actions to hinder the flow of aid into Gaza and stop its ceasefire violations. Fidan will also reiterate Turkiye’s readiness to contribute to Gaza’s reconstruction and its desire to help protect Palestinians and ensure their security, the source said. He will also call for urgent action against Israel’s “illegal settlement activities and settler violence in the West Bank”, the source added. EU to take part in Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ but not as member According to a readout from Erdogan’s office, the president separately told reporters on Wednesday that he hoped the Board of Peace would help achieve “the lasting stability, ceasefire, and eventually peace that Gaza has longed for”, and would focus on bringing about a two-state solution. [...]

Punjab by-polls: Notices served on minister, SAPM for 'violating' election code of conduct

November 21, 2025 1:33

This collage of pictures show Federal Minister of Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Huzaifa Rehman. —APP/NA website/FileShow-cause notices have been issued to Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari and Special Assistant to the... [...]

27th Amendment empowers FCC to hear all constitutional cases: minister

November 20, 2025 7:59

Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik addressing an event on December 21, 2024. — Facebook@BarristerAqeelMalikState Minister for Law Aqeel Malik said on Thursday that the 27th Amendment has vested authority to hear constitutional matters in the Federal Constitutional... [...]

JF-17 attracts strong attention at Dubai Airshow as friendly country inks procurement MoU

November 20, 2025 5:25

Pakistan Air Force JF-17 Thunder fighter jet during World Defence Air Show 2024 held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, February 7, 2024. — PPI Pakistan's JF-17 Thunder garnered significant attention at the Dubai Airshow 2025, leading to the signing of a memorandum of understanding with a... [...]

US lawmakers laud Punjab govt's initiative to modernise brick-kiln

November 20, 2025 4:39

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz attends ceremony in this undated image. — Facebook/@MaryamNSharifISLAMABAD: The Congressional Pakistan Caucus has applauded Punjab’s drive to modernise its brick-kiln sector, saying the reforms could serve as a pilot for eliminating bonded labour and... [...]

Security forces gun down 30 terrorists in multiple IBOs in KP: ISPR

November 20, 2025 4:38

Frontier Constabulary and army personnel gather stand guard in Kurram, January 17, 2025. — AFPSecurity forces killed 30 Indian proxy Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists during multiple intelligence-based operations carried out by security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa , the military's media wing... [...]

MQM-P calls for new province in Sindh

November 20, 2025 3:56

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui addresses a press conference in Karachi, November 20, 2025. — Screengrab via YouTube/Geo NewsKARACHI: With discussions on the 28th Amendment gaining momentum, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement–Pakistan has once again... [...]

US report validates Pakistan military edge over India: PM

November 20, 2025 3:55

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addresses ceremony in Azad Jammu and Kashmir on November 20, 2025. — X/@GovtofPakistanPrime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said a recent US report endorsing Pakistan’s downing of Indian aircraft stands as formal validation of the country’s... [...]

Banned TTP poses serious threat to Pakistan security: UNSC panel

November 20, 2025 10:24

Denmark’s Deputy Permanent Representative to United Nations and chair of UNSC's ISIL, Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee Sandra Jensen Landi. — Screengrab via UN WebTV websiteThe chair of the United Nations Security Council's Daesh and Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee has cautioned that the... [...]

CM Afridi clarifies remarks on by-poll after ECP requests army deployment

November 20, 2025 10:01

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Khan Afridi addresses a gathering at Havelian, Abbottabad on November 19, 2025. — Facbook@ImMuhammadSohailAfridiISLAMABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Thursday issued a clarification concerning his remarks on the NA-18 by-poll,... [...]

Dubai sees 3.2m Pakistani passengers in 2025 as airport sets new milestone

November 20, 2025 6:16

People sit at a coffee shop as they wait for their flight at the Dubai International Airport, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, April 17, 2024. — ReutersDUBAI: Dubai International Airport handled 3.2 million passengers travelling from Pakistan in the first nine months of 2025, making the... [...]

Security forces kill 23 Indian proxy terrorists in KP's Kurram

November 20, 2025 5:08

Security forces are seen taking position during an operation. — ISPR/FileRAWALPINDI: Amid country's ongoing fight against the menace of terrorism, security forces have neutralised 23 Indian proxy Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists in separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Kurram... [...]

Pakistan to construct island to boost oil exploration: report

November 19, 2025 6:26

Pump jacks operate in front of a drilling rig in an oil field in Midland, Texas United States. — Reuters/FilePakistan's state-owned energy company, Pakistan Petroleum Limited , has announced plans for an artificial island to boost its oil exploration efforts.Islamabad has intensified its... [...]

Russia ready to mediate Pakistan's issues with India, Afghanistan: envoy

November 19, 2025 6:14

Russia's ambassador to Pakistan has extended his country's offer to mediate Islamabad's conflicts with India and Afghanistan, amid strained relations with its neighbouring countries.Islamabad's relations with India have remained tense since the four-day war in May, while the Afghan Taliban regime... [...]

Security forces neutralise four terrorists in KP IBOs

November 19, 2025 5:12

Soldiers ride on a Pakistan Army vehicle in this undated image. — AFP/FileFour terrorists affiliated with Indian proxy, Fitna al-Khawarij, were killed in a series of operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from November 17 to 18, the Inter-Services Public Relations said on Wednesday.An... [...]

Reclassification of 41 candidates on reserved seats goes beyond SC mandate: Justice Mandokhail

November 19, 2025 4:38

Supreme Court's Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail addresses an event related to Labour Day in Islamabad on May 1, 2025. — Screengrab/YouTube/Geo NewsISLAMABAD: Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail has released a detailed dissent in the reserved seats case, stating that the ruling on 41 candidates... [...]

Oregon man 'stabbed woman, then drove her to pharmacy for bandages'

February 18, 2026 1:12

Oregon man 'stabbed woman, then drove her to pharmacy for bandages'An Oregon man allegedly stabbed a woman after she resisted a sexual assault, then drove her to a pharmacy, apparently for an urgent first aid to treat her own wounds.Daniel Ray Myers has been arrested on suspicion of attempted... [...]

US, Japan unveil $36B energy security, critical minerals investment deal

February 18, 2026 8:46

US, Japan unveil $36B energy security, critical minerals investment dealThe US and Japan have entered a strategic partnership, aiming to achieve energy security and secure critical mineral supply chains. Under the first wave of agreement with the Trump administration, Japan will invest in US oil,... [...]

Study finds excruciating tropical disease expanding its reach across Europe

February 18, 2026 8:32

Study finds excruciating tropical disease expanding its reach across EuropeEurope is in the grip of an excruciatingly painful tropical disease: chikungunya can now be transmitted by mosquitoes across the continent. A new study has discovered that the primary drivers behind this spread are the... [...]

Epstein files expose acts that may amount to 'crimes against humanity,' UN experts warn

February 18, 2026 7:37

Epstein files expose acts that may amount to ‘crimes against humanity,’ UN experts warnEpstein files are not just regular case files or tell-tale diaries; in fact, millions of files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein suggested the existence of a "global criminal... [...]

Police detain man armed with loaded shotgun running towards US Capitol building

February 18, 2026 6:10

US Capitol: Police detain man armed with loaded shotgunUS Capitol Police in Washington, DC arrested an 18-year-old man after he brandished a loaded shotgun and ran towards the Capitol building. Given the gravity of the situation, police have not yet identified a motive for the suspect's actions,... [...]

Lake Tahoe avalanche: 10 skiers missing, 6 stranded in California

February 18, 2026 5:46

Lake Tahoe avalanche: 10 skiers missing, 6 stranded in California An avalanche near California's town of Truckee has left as many as 10 skiers missing and stranded 6 people. The tragedy occurred in the Lake Tahoe region, in the Castle Peak area, at around 11:30PST , as reported by the Nevada... [...]

Jamil Jivani's 'anti-America' comment prompts response from Pierre Poilievre

February 18, 2026 4:09

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he does not agree with recent comments made by MP Jamil Jivani regarding Canada’s response to the ongoing trade dispute with the United States.Jamil Jivani, who recently travelled to Washington for meetings with US officials, described Canada’s... [...]

Weather alert for Wednesday: Snow and freezing rain set to hit Toronto and Southern Ontario

February 18, 2026 3:43

The weather across Toronto and southern Ontario is expected to shift sharply as a new system brings snow and freezing rain beginning Wednesday.Weather warnings and advisories are in effect from Windsor through Hamilton, Barrie and as far east as Belleville. Conditions may include fog, freezing... [...]

When is Ramadan 2026 in Canada? All you need to know

February 18, 2026 3:01

Muslims across Canada are welcoming the holy month of Ramadan on Tuesday night.ISNA Canada confirmed that Ramadan will begin on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. The organization said the first Taraweeh prayers will take place on the evening before, marking the spiritual start of the holy... [...]

Fake 'immigration officer' charged after defrauding $40k from migrants

February 17, 2026 7:22

Fake 'immigration officer' charged after defrauding $40k from migrantsA woman in Houston has been charged with defrauding migrant families of thousands of dollars promising expedited citizenship after allegedly posing as a federal immigration officer.According to a report by KPRC, Irma Aidde... [...]

Teen girl accused of attacking six police officers in Virginia

February 17, 2026 6:07

Teen girl accused of attacking six police officers in VirginiaA 17-year-old girl has been charged after allegedly assaulting six police officers in Prince William County, Virginia, according to local authorities.According to WUSA 9, the incident unfolded on 7 February at a home on Glory Court in... [...]

Mother believed to have killed daughter in Las Vegas hotel tragedy: police

February 17, 2026 4:30

Mother believed to have killed daughter in Las Vegas hotel tragedy: policeA Utah mother and her 11-year-old daughter were found dead inside a room at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.Addi Smith, a member of Utah Xtreme Cheer, had journeyed to the city with her mother, Tawnia McGeehan, for a... [...]

'Britain's Got Talent' contestant took her own life after allegation, inquest hears

February 17, 2026 2:24

'Britain’s Got Talent' contestant took her own life after allegation, inquest hearsA dancer who contested on Britain's Got Talent was found dead just days after being arrested on suspicion of a sexual offence, an inquest has heard.According to Sky News, Kerri-Anne Donaldson who reached the... [...]

Georgia teacher killed in crash after suspect flees ICE arrest

February 17, 2026 12:47

Georgia teacher killed in crash after suspect flees ICE arrest File Photo/ReutersA public school teacher has been killed after a man authorities say was fleeing federal immigration agents crashed into her car in Georgia.According to The New York Post, Oscar Vasquez Lopez, a 38-year-old... [...]

Donald Trump warns kidnappers of death penalty in Nancy Guthrie case

February 17, 2026 10:02

Donald Trump warns kidnappers of death penalty in Nancy Guthrie caseUS President Donald Trump has issued a death penalty warning to the kidnappers of Nancy Guthrie if she does not return safe and sound. In an telephonic interview with the New York Post, Trump said, in the case of any harm to the... [...]

رمضان کا چاند دیکھنے کیلئے مرکزی رویت ہلال کمیٹی کا اجلاس پشاور میں جاری

February 18, 2026 12:02

فائل فوٹو پاکستان میں رمضان کا چاند دیکھنے کیلئے مرکزی رویت ہلال کمیٹی کا اجلاس پشاور میں جاری ہے، زونل کمیٹیوں کے بھی اجلاس متعلقہ... [...]

متنازع ٹوئٹس کیس: ایمان مزاری، ہادی چٹھہ کی اپیل کی سماعت کل ہوگی

February 18, 2026 12:02

فائل فوٹو۔اسلام آباد ہائیکورٹ میں متنازع ٹوئٹس کیس میں وکیل ایمان مزاری اور ہادی علی چٹھہ کی اپیل کل سماعت کیلئے مقرر کی گئی... [...]

26 نومبر احتجاج کیس: بشریٰ بی بی کو گرفتار کرنے سے روک دیا گیا

February 18, 2026 12:02

بشری بی بی : فائل فوٹو ڈسٹرکٹ اینڈ سیشن کورٹ اسلام آباد نے بشریٰ بی بی کی عبوری ضمانت میں توسیع کردی اور 26 نومبر احتجاج کیس میں... [...]

آزاد کشمیر عوامی معاہدے کے 37 میں سے 17 مطالبات پر عملدرآمد ہوچکا، امیر مقام

February 18, 2026 12:02

فائل فوٹووفاقی وزیر امور کشمیر امیر مقام نے کہا ہے کہ آزاد کشمیر میں عوامی معاہدے کے 37 مطالبات میں سے 17 پر مکمل عمل درآمد ہو... [...]

رمضان، ریلوے ریزرویشن دفاتر کے اوقات کار میں عارضی تبدیلی

February 18, 2026 11:02

فائل فوٹورمضان المبارک کے دوران ریلوے ریزرویشن دفاتر کے اوقات کار میں عارضی تبدیلی کا اعلان سامنے آگیا۔ترجمان پاکستان ریلوے کے... [...]

سحری، افطار میں کہیں لوڈشیڈنگ ہو تو 118 پر شکایت درج کروائیں، اویس لغاری

February 18, 2026 11:02

اویس لغاری: فائل فوٹو حکومت نے سحری اور افطار کے وقت ملک بھر میں بجلی اور گیس کی لوڈشیڈنگ نہ کرنے کا فیصلہ کیا ہے۔اسلام آباد میں وزیر... [...]

دورۂ آسٹریا: وزیرِ اعظم شہباز شریف نے مصروف دن گزارا

February 18, 2026 10:02

—فائل فوٹواسلامی جمہوریہ پاکستان کے وزیرِاعظم شہباز شریف نے اپنے اعلیٰ سطح کے وفد کے ہمراہ دورۂ آسٹریا کے دوران مصروف ترین دن... [...]

اس عمر میں بانئ پی ٹی آئی کی 1 آنکھ کی بینائی 6/6 ہونا معجزے سے کم نہیں: اعظم نذیر تارڑ

February 18, 2026 10:02

وفاقی وزیرِ قانون اعظم نذیر تارڑ—فائل فوٹووفاقی وزیرِ قانون اعظم نذیر تارڑ کا کہنا ہے کہ بانئ پی ٹی آئی کی ایک آنکھ کی بینائی 6/6 ہے جو... [...]

لطیف کھوسہ کی بانیٔ پی ٹی آئی سے فوری ملاقات کرانے کی استدعا مسترد

February 18, 2026 10:02

—فائل فوٹوسپریم کورٹ نے بانئ پی ٹی آئی سے فوری ملاقات کرانے کی استدعا مسترد کر دی۔توشہ خانہ کیس کی سماعت میں وکیل لطیف کھوسہ نے... [...]

توشہ خانہ کیس، الیکشن کمیشن کو نوٹس جاری، جسٹس ہاشم کاکڑ کے جملے سے عدالت میں دلچسپ صورتِحال

February 18, 2026 9:02

فائل فوٹو سپریم کورٹ نے توشہ خانہ کیس میں الیکشن کمیشن کو نوٹس جاری کر دیا۔جسٹس ہاشم کاکڑ کی سربراہی میں سپریم کورٹ کے 3 رکنی بینچ نے... [...]

لائٹ بند نہ ہوتی یا ایمرجنسی لائٹس ہوتیں تو سانحۂ گل پلازا میں اتنا نقصان نہ ہوتا: چیف فائر آفیسر

February 18, 2026 9:02

—فائل فوٹوکراچی میں سانحۂ گل پلازا پر جوڈیشل کمیشن کا اجلاس جسٹس آغا فیصل کی سربراہی میں ہوا۔ ڈی جی ریسکیو 1122 واجد صبغت اللّٰہ نے... [...]

بیوی کو قتل کرنے والے منشیات کے عادی شوہر کی سزائے موت عمر قید میں تبدیل کرنے کا فیصلہ برقرار

February 18, 2026 8:02

— فائل فوٹوبیوی کو قتل کرنے والے منشیات کے عادی شوہر کی اپیل سپریم کورٹ نے خارج کر دی اور شوہر وارث مسیح کی سزائے موت کو عمر قید میں... [...]

پنجاب: ایچ آر سی پی کا سی سی ڈی کے مقابلوں کیخلاف عدالتی کمیشن بنانے کا مطالبہ

February 18, 2026 8:02

— فائل فوٹوہیومین رائٹس کمیشن آف پاکستان نے پنجاب کے پولیس مقابلوں کے لیے منظم پالیسی بنانے کا مطالبہ کر دیا۔ایچ آر سی پی نے سی سی ڈی... [...]

26 نومبر احتجاج کیس: علیمہ خان کے ناقابلِ ضمانت وارنٹ گرفتاری جاری

February 18, 2026 8:02

بانئ پی ٹی آئی کی بہن علیمہ خان—فائل فوٹوراولپنڈی کی انسدادِ دہشت گردی کی عدالت نے 26 نومبر احتجاج کیس میں مسلسل غیر حاضری پر بانئ پی... [...]

پارلیمنٹ میں دیا گیا دھرنا ختم کرنے جا رہے ہیں: علامہ ناصر عباس

February 18, 2026 8:02

سینیٹ میں اپوزیشن لیڈر علامہ راجہ ناصر عباس کا کہنا ہے کہ پارلیمنٹ میں دیا گیا دھرنا ہم ختم کرنے جا رہے ہیں۔اسلام آباد میں میڈیا... [...]

بنگلادیش اور بھارت میں رمضان المبارک کا چاند نظر آ گیا

February 18, 2026 1:02

فائل فوٹو بنگلادیش اور بھارت میں رمضان المبارک کا چاند نظر آ گیا۔ کل پہلا روزہ ہوگا۔بھارتی شہر الہ آباد میں بھی رمضان کا چاند نظر... [...]

امریکا: فریزر سے خاتون کی لاش برآمد، شوہر بیرون ملک فرار

February 18, 2026 12:02

فوٹو: امریکی میڈیا امریکی ریاست ورجینیا کے شہر نورفوک میں فریزر سے خاتون کی لاش برآمد ہوئی ہے، جبکہ قتل میں ملوث خاتون کا شوہر ہانگ... [...]

سانحہ سمجھوتا ایکسپریس کو 19 سال ہو گئے

February 18, 2026 12:02

فائل فوٹو۔سانحہ سمجھوتا ایکسپریس کو 19 سال گزر گئے۔ بھارتی اخبار کے مطابق سمجھوتا ایکسپریس کو پانی پت کے مقام پر آئی ای ڈی بلاسٹ کے... [...]

کریملن کی چین کے خفیہ جوہری تجربہ کرنے کے امریکی دعوے کی تردید

February 18, 2026 10:02

—فائل فوٹوکریملن نے چین کے خفیہ جوہری تجربہ کرنے کے امریکی دعوے کی تردید کر دی۔غیر ملکی خبر رساں ادارے کے مطابق کریملن نے کہا ہے کہ... [...]

لندن: موبائل چوری کی وارداتوں میں کمی کے باوجود ہر 8 منٹ میں 1 فون چوری ہونے کا انکشاف

February 18, 2026 9:02

---فائل فوٹو لندن میں میٹ پولیس کے ٹارگیٹڈ آپریشن کے باعث موبائل فون چوری کی وارداتوں میں نمایاں کمی آئی ہے، 2024ء کے مقابلے میں گزشتہ... [...]

ماہِ رمضان کے استقبال کیلئے لندن جگمگا اُٹھا، میئر صادق خان کا خصوصی پیغام جاری

February 18, 2026 8:02

—فوٹو بشکریہ انسٹاگرامرمضان کے مقدس مہینے کے استقبال کے لیے لندن کے مشہور علاقے ویسٹ اینڈ کو مسلسل چوتھے سال روشنیوں سے سجایا گیا... [...]

ٹرمپ کی مسلمانوں کو ماہِ رمضان کی مبارکباد

February 18, 2026 8:02

ڈونلڈ ٹرمپ — فائل فوٹو امریکی صدر ڈونلڈ ٹرمپ نے رمضان المبارک کی آمد پر دنیا بھر کے مسلمانوں کو مبارکباد پیش کی ہے۔رمضان المبارک کی... [...]

افغان پاسپورٹ دنیا بھر میں کمزور ترین قرار

February 18, 2026 6:02

—فائل فوٹومستند ہینلے پاسپورٹ انڈیکس رینکنگ نے افغان پاسپورٹ دنیا بھر میں کمزور ترین قرار دے دیا۔ہینلے پاسپورٹ انڈیکس میں افغان... [...]

جیفری ایپسٹین کے جنسی جرائم ’انسانیت کیخلاف خطرناک جرائم‘ قرار دیے جا سکتے ہیں: اقوام متحدہ کا ردعمل

February 18, 2026 5:02

—فوٹو بشکریہ بین الاقوامی میڈیا اقوامِ متحدہ کے پینل کے ممبران نے کہا ہے کہ بدنامِ زمانہ مجرم جیفری ایپسٹین کے جنسی جرائم بعض... [...]

امریکا کے ساتھ مذاکرات بنیادی نکات پر اتفاق تک پہنچ گئے: ایران

February 18, 2026 4:02

---فائل فوٹو ایران اور امریکا کے درمیان جاری جوہری مذاکرات کے دوسرے دور کے بعد ایران نے کہا ہے کہ معاہدے کے اہم اصولوں پر سمجھوتا ہو... [...]

نیویارک: گرجا گھر میں دھماکے سے 5 افراد زخمی

February 18, 2026 4:02

تصویر بشکریہ بین الاقوامی میڈیاامریکی ریاست نیویارک کے قصبے بونول میں گرجا گھر میں دھماکے سے 5 افراد زخمی ہو گئے۔امریکی میڈیا کے... [...]

چین: جشنِ بہاراں کے دوران ٹیکنالوجی کی شاندار نمائش، ڈانس کرتے روبوٹس اور ڈرون شو کے حیرت انگیز مناظر

February 18, 2026 4:02

فوٹو کولاج — سوشل میڈیا چین میں جشنِ بہاراں کے دوران جدید ترین ٹیکنالوجی کی شاندار انداز میں نمائش کی جا رہی ہے۔ملک میں قمری سالِ نو... [...]

ڈونلڈ ٹرمپ کے بیٹے ایرک ٹرمپ کی اسرائیلی ڈرون کمپنی میں سرمایہ کاری کا انکشاف

February 18, 2026 4:02

ایرک ٹرمپ---فائل فوٹو امریکی صدر ڈونلڈ ٹرمپ کے بیٹے ایرک ٹرمپ نے ایک ڈرون بنانے والی اسرائیلی کمپنی میں سرمایہ کاری کی ہے جس کے بعد... [...]

امریکا: سول رائٹس کے عظیم رہنما جیسی لوئس جیکسن چل بسے، دنیا ایک اور انسانی حقوق کے علمبردار سے محروم

February 18, 2026 3:02

جیسی جیکسن---فائل فوٹو امریکی سیاست اور انسانی حقوق کی تاریخ میں اہم کردار ادا کرنے والے رہنما ریورنڈ جیسی لوئس جیکسن سینئر 84 برس کی... [...]

ایران بعض ریڈ لائنز پر بات چیت کے لیے تاحال تیار نہیں، جے ڈی وینس

February 18, 2026 2:02

فائل فوٹوامریکا کے نائب صدر جے ڈی وینس نے کہا ہے کہ ایران سے مذاکرات کا دوسرا راؤنڈ بعض صورتوں میں تعمیری رہا تاہم تہران صدر ڈونلڈ... [...]

سونے کی قیمت آج پھر بڑھ گئی

February 18, 2026 9:02

---فائل فوٹوپاکستان میں سونے کی قیمتوں میں ایک بار پھر اضافہ ریکارڈ کیا گیا ہے۔فی تولہ سونے کی قیمت 1 ہزار 300 روپے بڑھ کر 5 لاکھ 16 ہزار 62... [...]

جنوری میں کرنٹ اکاؤنٹ سر پلس 12 کروڑ ڈالرز رہا: اسٹیٹ بینک

February 18, 2026 4:02

—فائل فوٹواسٹیٹ بینک آف پاکستان کی جانب سے کہا گیا ہے کہ جنوری میں کرنٹ اکاؤنٹ سر پلس 12 کروڑ ڈالرز رہا۔اسٹیٹ بینک کا کہنا ہے کہ... [...]

پاکستان اسٹاک ایکسچینج میں تیزی، 5702 پوائنٹس کا اضافہ

February 18, 2026 4:02

---فائل فوٹوپاکستان اسٹاک ایکسچینج میں کاروباری ہفتے کے تیسرے دن تیزی دیکھی گئی۔پی ایس ایکس بینچ مارک 100 انڈیکس کاروبار کے اختتام پر... [...]

سونے کی قیمت میں بڑی کمی، فی تولہ کتنے کا ہو گیا؟

February 17, 2026 9:02

— فائل فوٹوپاکستان میں آج ایک مرتبہ پھر سونے کی قیمتوں میں بڑی کمی ہوئی ہے۔فی تولہ سونے کی قیمت 9 ہزار روپے کم ہو کر 5 لاکھ 14 ہزار 762... [...]

رواں سال زکوٰۃ کا نصاب گزشتہ برس سے تقریباً 3 گنا زیادہ مقرر

February 17, 2026 7:02

ملک میں رواں سال زکوٰۃ کا نصاب مقرر کر دیا گیا ہے۔ایڈمنسٹریٹر جنرل زکوٰۃ کی جانب سے جاری کیے گئے اعلامیے کے مطابق 5 لاکھ 3 ہزار 5... [...]

پاکستان اسٹاک ایکسچینج میں مثبت رجحان منفی میں تبدیل

February 17, 2026 4:02

---فائل فوٹوپاکستان اسٹاک ایکسچینج میں کاروباری ہفتے کے دوسرے دن مثبت رجحان منفی میں تبدیل ہوگیا۔پی ایس ایکس بینچ مارک 100 انڈیکس... [...]

لاہور: رمضان المبارک کی آمد سے قبل پھلوں اور سبزیوں کی قیمتوں میں اضافہ

February 16, 2026 10:02

—فائل فوٹوماہِ صیام کی آمد سے قبل ہی لاہور میں پھلوں اور سبزیوں کی قیمتوں میں اضافہ ہو گیا۔پنجاب کے صوبائی دارالحکومت لاہور میں... [...]

سونا پھر سستا، فی تولہ قیمت کیا ہو گئی؟

February 16, 2026 9:02

---فائل فوٹوملک بھر کی صرافہ مارکیٹوں میں سونے کی قیمتوں میں اضافے کے بعد ایک بار پھر کمی ریکارڈ کی گئی ہے۔آل پاکستان صرافہ جیمز اینڈ... [...]

پاکستان اسٹاک ایکسچینج میں مندی، 5149 پوائنٹس کی کمی

February 16, 2026 4:02

---فائل فوٹوپاکستان اسٹاک ایکسچینج میں کاروباری ہفتے کے پہلے دن شدیدی مندی دیکھی گئی۔پی ایس ایکس بینچ مارک 100 انڈیکس کاروبار کے... [...]

پیٹرول و ڈیزل کے ساتھ مٹی کے تیل کی قیمت میں بھی اضافہ

February 16, 2026 4:02

—فائل فوٹوگزشتہ شب پیٹرول اور ڈیزل کی قیمت میں اضافے کے ساتھ مٹی کے تیل کی قیمت میں بھی اضافہ کر دیا گیا۔نوٹی فکیشن کے مطابق مٹی کا... [...]

ملک میں سونے کے ذخائر کتنے ہیں؟ اعداد و شمار سامنے آ گئے

February 16, 2026 4:02

—فائل فوٹوملک میں سونے کے ذخائر کتنے ہیں؟ اس حوالے سے اعداد و شمار سامنے آ گئے۔اس حوالے سے اسٹیٹ بینک آف پاکستان کا کہنا ہے کہ ملکی... [...]

سونے کی قیمت میں بڑا اضافہ ہو گیا

February 14, 2026 10:02

—فائل فوٹوملک بھر کی صرافہ مارکیٹوں میں سونے کی قیمتوں کو پر لگ گئے۔آل پاکستان صرافہ جیمز اینڈ جیولرز ایسوسی ایشن کے مطابق سونے کی... [...]

25 کروڑ کی آبادی کو حکومت روزگار نہیں دے سکتی: محمد اورنگزیب

February 14, 2026 9:02

محمد اورنگزیب— فائل فوٹووزیرِ خزانہ محمد اورنگ زیب کا کہنا ہے کہ 25 کروڑ کی آبادی کو حکومت روزگار نہیں دے سکتی، حکومت کا کام نوکریاں... [...]

16 فروری سے پیٹرولیم مصنوعات مہنگی ہونے کا امکان

February 14, 2026 7:02

—فائل فوٹوپیٹرولیم مصنوعات 16فروری سے مہنگی ہونے کا امکان ہے۔انڈسٹری ذرائع کے مطابق پیٹرول 4 روپے39 پیسے فی لیٹر مہنگا ہو سکتا ہے... [...]

پاکستان سے بجلی کے مجوزہ ٹیرف میں رد و بدل پر بات جاری ہے: آئی ایم ایف

February 14, 2026 5:02

عالمی مالیاتی ادارے کے حکام نے کہا ہے کہ پاکستان کے ساتھ بجلی کے مجوزہ ٹیرف میں رد و بدل پر بات چیت کر رہے ہیں۔اس حوالے سے آئی... [...]

Fed minutes reveal discussion of a possible rate hike if inflation doesn’t cool

February 18, 2026 7:32

Several officials would have supported a statement by the Fed indicating that interest rates could rise if inflation remained high. [...]

‘We have no prenup’: I want rights of survivorship in our marital home. My wife prefers tenants in common. Now what?

February 18, 2026 7:12

“She is an old-school farm girl who inherited all her money and wants to pass it down to her children.” [...]

Palo Alto Networks’ stock falls after earnings. These analysts see a good chance to buy.

February 18, 2026 6:47

Some analysts encourage investors to look past a muddy outlook and focus on the company’s recent momentum and AI opportunity. [...]

This chart shows why stocks aren’t all they’re cracked up to be

February 18, 2026 6:29

What Wall Street doesn’t tell you about the long-term return on your investments. [...]

Why Nvidia’s deal with Meta is an ‘Intel killer,’ according to this analyst

February 18, 2026 6:19

The use of Nvidia CPUs could signal a significant shift toward Arm-based chips in the data center. [...]

How Amazon’s ‘underappreciated’ AI potential could drive the stock 50% higher

February 18, 2026 6:07

Both AWS and the Amazon retail business have big opportunities to reap the financial benefits of AI. [...]

‘The world feels unpredictable’: I’m 56. My husband is 64. Our mortgage costs $17K a month. Do we pay it off?

February 18, 2026 5:36

“We paid $3.1 million for the house and owe $1.3 million on the loan.” [...]

‘I’m a loner’: I’m 62 with a multimillion-dollar portfolio and no heirs. Should I find a wife for my twilight years?

February 18, 2026 5:36

“I have never been married, have no siblings, and both my parents have passed away.” [...]

‘She spent over $1,000 a month on weight-loss drugs’: My son wrecked his finances after meeting his girlfriend. Who’s to blame?

February 18, 2026 5:11

“My son is smart — he really is — but he was in love.” [...]

You can invest in SpaceX before its IPO — but should you?

February 18, 2026 5:06

Various funds promise exposure to SpaceX and other hot private companies, but investors should be aware of the risks and nuances. [...]

Fed minutes reveal discussion of a possible rate hike if inflation doesn’t cool

February 18, 2026 7:07

Amazon’s ‘underappreciated’ AI potential could drive the stock 50% higher

February 18, 2026 6:12

Trump economist Hassett says N.Y. Fed staff should be punished over tariff study

February 18, 2026 4:59

Economic calendar: Minutes from January Fed meeting due this afternoon

February 18, 2026 2:47

Orders for U.S. durable goods declined in December. Boeing was a big reason.

February 18, 2026 2:26

Shutdown-delayed data on durable-goods orders and housing starts on daily agenda

February 18, 2026 12:59

Stanley Druckenmiller's big bet in the fourth quarter already is paying off

February 18, 2026 10:30

What the ECB is saying after report Lagarde to step down early as president

February 18, 2026 9:51

My husband was killed by a careless driver. What do I owe my stepdaughter?

February 18, 2026 2:07

Nvidia’s new Meta deal may not be great news for these other tech stocks

February 18, 2026 1:05

Jobless claims fall to lowest level since mid-May

July 3, 2025 12:36

Jobless claims stay low in latest week

February 13, 2025 1:33

Consumer credit growth soars in December

February 7, 2025 8:26

U.S. productivity slows down in fourth quarter while unit labor costs accelerate

February 6, 2025 1:34

Beyond to buy rights to Buy Buy Baby brand and reunite it with Bed Bath & Beyond

February 3, 2025 1:46

Trump asks Supreme Court to pause TikTok ban

December 28, 2024 12:32

Amazon says it had best-ever Thanksgiving Holiday week with record sales and number of items sold

December 3, 2024 2:05

U.S. stock futures and bond yields drop on reports Putin has updated nuclear doctrine

November 19, 2024 8:55

Charter Communications announces buyout deal for Liberty Broadband at terms above its previous proposal

November 13, 2024 1:52

General Motors unveils new all-electric Cadillac called the Vistiq with 300-mile range

November 12, 2024 1:53

Vestas Wind Systems stock slumps as company says margins to be at low end of guidance

November 5, 2024 8:39

Burberry shares rise on report Moncler could bid for it

November 4, 2024 8:36

Kazatomprom reports 17% increase in production during the third quarter

November 1, 2024 7:36

Anheuser-Busch InBev shares slip as sales come up shy of estimates

October 31, 2024 8:09

Wingstop’s stock slides 12% after profit falls short of estimates

October 30, 2024 12:22