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Hike comes amid US-Iran nuclear talks, economic uncertainty Reuters February 24, 2026 Less than a minute read A view shows an oil pump jack outside Almetyevsk, in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia July 14, 2025. Photo: Reuters LONDON: Oil prices reached a six-month high on Monday as the US and Iran prepared for a third round of nuclear talks while increased economic uncertainty was also in focus after the latest US tariff upheaval. Brent crude futures were up 62 cents or nearly 0.9% at $72.38 a barrel, a fresh six-month high, by 1432 GMT while US West Texas Intermediate crude…

LAHORE: The Punjab Education Curriculum, Training and Assessment Authority (PECTAA) has reinstated the Grade 8 Public Examination after a pause of six years. About a million students will appear in the centralised public assessment across the province this year. The examination is scheduled to commence on March 9, with results expected a month later. The decision to restore the examination is being framed by policymakers as a corrective measure to address learning gaps that emerged during the years when middle level students were assessed internally. Education officials argue that the absence of a standardised checkpoint weakened academic oversight and allowed…

. KHANEWAL: Police in Khanewal have recovered 10,000 dirhams allegedly stolen from an Indian Sikh woman living in Dubai and transferred the amount back to her account within 72 hours after the suspect fled to Pakistan. According to police sources, the accused, identified as Abdul Jabbar, allegedly lured Harpreet Kaur, a resident of Indian Punjab staying in Dubai, into a relationship on the pretext of marriage. During his stay in Dubai, the suspect reportedly met with an accident, and the woman took care of him and arranged for his medical treatment. Sources said that due to her affection for Punjab…

Hyderabad residents’ complaints fall on deaf ears; people forced to purchase water at high pricesCouncillors complain of that despite paying water dues water supply is limited to one day. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE HYDERABAD: Alleged mismanagement and negligence by administrative officials of the Hyderabad Water and Sewerage Corporation have left residents of several areas without water supply even during the holy month of Ramazan. A lack of coordination between the Corporation and the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) has further aggravated public hardship. Despite repeated complaints, the corporation has reportedly failed to address the issue. A senior administrative officer, speaking on condition…

.The accused Armaghan. photo: express KARACHI: A special Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Tuesday rejected a request to constitute a medical board for the psychiatric evaluation of Armaghan, the main accused in the Mustafa Amir murder case. The defence counsel sought a psychiatric evaluation, possibly to establish an insanity defense. The hearing was held at the Anti-Terrorism Complex inside Karachi Central Jail. During the proceedings, Armaghan accused his lawyer of attempting to declare him mentally unstable and refused to accept his legal representation. “I did not hire this lawyer, nor did I give him any authority. I am perfectly fine. They…

At least 25 dead, hundreds missing after flash floods, landslides strike Brazil According to local media , about 25 people died on Tuesday and hundreds were displaced in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais after relentless, record-breaking rainfall triggered landslides and flash floods. 47 people were missing and the state fire department confirmed 16 deaths in the city of Juiz de Fora and others in Uba, about 110 km away from the area, as per local authorities. About 440 people have been displaced in Juiz de Fora, the city hall said, as the rain triggered flooding and landslides and forced…

The 2026 exhibition theme ‘Costume Art’ shapes the annual fundraising gala with scholarly framework The Metropolitan Museum of Art has announced the theme and dress code for the 2026 Met Gala, offering clear direction for one of fashion’s most scrutinised red carpet events. The 2026 exhibition theme, “Costume Art”, will shape the annual fundraising gala, while the official dress code, “Fashion Is Art”, provides guests with a practical interpretation for their attire. The phrase is intended to guide attendees in translating the curatorial concept into red carpet fashion. Each year, the Met Gala theme influences both the exhibition at the…

LAHORE: The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) has launched a 70% matching grant under its SME Certification and International Accreditation Grant Programme to help businesses obtain internationally recognised certifications and improve export competitiveness. According to a statement issued on Tuesday, the programme has gained traction as entrepreneurs from several parts of the country have shown interest in obtaining globally recognised certifications to enhance their competitiveness and export potential. SMEs will bear 30% of the cost, while the grant will cover certification expenses up to Rs800,000 and consultancy costs up to Rs200,000 under the project. Officials said the programme,…

.S&P Global Ratings’ head of national ratings and analytics for Africa Samira Mensah. Photo: Courtesy — Platform Africa JOHANNESBURG: African governments will lean more on multilateral lenders and reform momentum in 2026 even as debt distress risks remain elevated across the continent, S&P Global Ratings’ head of national ratings and analytics for Africa Samira Mensah said on Monday. “We have so far, according to the IMF, more than 20 countries facing a high risk of debt distress, or severe vulnerabilities,” she said. Mensah added that resilience to external shocks is important because Eurobond borrowing typically comes in dollars. Bond issuance…

.Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division) Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari meets Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Atadjan Movlamov in Islamabad. Photos: file ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division) Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari on Tuesday met Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Atadjan Movlamov, with discussions focusing on regional energy connectivity and cross-border cooperation between Pakistan and Central Asia. According to an official statement, the meeting took place at the Ministry of Energy, where the minister welcomed the ambassador and exchanged greetings on the occasion of Ramazan, conveying goodwill and best wishes for peace and prosperity for the peoples of both…