PAKISTAN'S parliament session was on Thursday (31) adjourned abruptly till Sunday (3) after opposition lawmakers demanded an immediate vote on a no-confidence motion against prime minister Imran Khan.
The adjournment came amid vociferous protest from the opposition who had tabled the motion on March 28.
Khan has suffered further setbacks as two main allies of the government - Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) - have joined the ranks against him.
The government lost its majority after the allies ditched it and pressure is mounting on the cricketer-turned-politician.
His ministers, however, said Khan would fight until “the last ball of the last over”.
Khan needs 172 votes in the Lower House of 342 to foil the opposition's bid to topple him.
However, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, chief of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), said the opposition has the support of 175 lawmakers and the prime minister should resign.
No Pakistani prime minister has ever completed a full five-year term in office. Also, no prime minister in Pakistan's history has ever been ousted through a no-confidence motion.
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India’s exports to the US increased by 11.6 per cent to £64.9 billion (USD 86.51 billion) in 2024-25, from £58.1 billion (USD 77.52 billion) in 2023-24. (Photo: iStock)
US remains India’s top trading partner in FY25
Apr 16, 2025
THE UNITED STATES was India's largest trading partner for the fourth consecutive year in 2024-25, with bilateral trade amounting to £98.9 billion (USD 131.84 billion), according to government data.
In the same period, India's trade deficit with China increased to £74.4 billion (USD 99.2 billion).
India’s exports to China declined by 14.5 per cent to £10.7 billion (USD 14.25 billion) in 2024-25, compared to £12.5 billion (USD 16.66 billion) in 2023-24.
Imports from China rose by 11.52 per cent to £85.1 billion (USD 113.45 billion) in 2024-25, up from £76.3 billion (USD 101.73 billion) in the previous fiscal.
This pushed the trade deficit with China up by about 17 per cent, from £63.8 billion (USD 85.07 billion) in 2023-24 to £74.4 billion (USD 99.2 billion) in 2024-25.
China remained India's second-largest trading partner, with two-way trade of £95.8 billion (USD 127.7 billion) in 2024-25, compared to £88.8 billion (USD 118.4 billion) in the previous year.
Commerce ministry data showed that China was India’s top trading partner between 2013-14 and 2017-18, and again in 2020-21.
Before China, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) held the top position. The US has been India’s largest trading partner since 2021-22.
In 2024-25, the UAE was India’s third-largest trading partner, with trade valued at £75.4 billion (USD 100.5 billion).
India’s exports to the US increased by 11.6 per cent to £64.9 billion (USD 86.51 billion) in 2024-25, from £58.1 billion (USD 77.52 billion) in 2023-24.
Imports from the US rose by 7.44 per cent to £34 billion (USD 45.33 billion), up from £31.7 billion (USD 42.2 billion).
The trade surplus with the US grew to £30.9 billion (USD 41.18 billion) in 2024-25, compared to £26.5 billion (USD 35.32 billion) in 2023-24.
India’s main exports to the US in 2024 included drug formulations and biologicals (£6.1 billion/USD 8.1 billion), telecom instruments (£4.9 billion/USD 6.5 billion), precious and semi-precious stones (£4 billion/USD 5.3 billion), petroleum products (£3.1 billion/USD 4.1 billion), gold and other precious metal jewellery (£2.4 billion/USD 3.2 billion), ready-made garments of cotton including accessories (£2.1 billion/USD 2.8 billion), and iron and steel products (£2 billion/USD 2.7 billion).
Key imports from the US were crude oil (£3.4 billion/USD 4.5 billion), petroleum products (£2.7 billion/USD 3.6 billion), coal and coke (£2.5 billion/USD 3.4 billion), cut and polished diamonds (£2 billion/USD 2.6 billion), electric machinery (£1 billion/USD 1.4 billion), aircraft, spacecraft and parts (£975 million/USD 1.3 billion), and gold (£975 million/USD 1.3 billion).
The trade between India and the US is expected to grow further, with both countries negotiating a trade agreement.
The goal is to increase two-way trade in goods and services to £375 billion (USD 500 billion) by 2030, up from the current level of £143.3 billion (USD 191 billion).
(With inputs from PTI)
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The FRC said the probe will look into EY’s audits of the Post Office’s financial statements between 2015 and 2018.
Reuters
FRC launches probe into EY audits of post office
Apr 16, 2025
THE Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has launched an investigation into EY’s audit of Post Office Limited, the regulator said on Wednesday.
The move comes as inquiries continue into one of the country’s most serious miscarriages of justice.
The FRC said the probe will look into EY’s audits of the Post Office’s financial statements between 2015 and 2018.
The investigation will focus on the Horizon IT system, which was at the centre of the scandal.
“We have been notified of the FRC’s intention to open an investigation into the EY audits of Post Office Limited for the financial years ending March 2015 – March 2018,” a spokesperson for EY said.
“We take our public interest responsibilities extremely seriously and will be fully cooperating with the FRC during their investigation,” the spokesperson said.
Between 1999 and 2015, hundreds of self-employed sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses were wrongly prosecuted or convicted for offences such as false accounting, theft and fraud.
The errors were linked to faults in the Horizon software, which incorrectly showed shortfalls in branch accounts.
(With inputs from AFP)
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Jonathan Reynolds reacts during his visit to one of the Blast Furnaces at British Steel's steelworks site in Scunthorpe, northern England, on April 15, 2025. (Photo by DARREN STAPLES/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Jonathan Reynolds to visit China despite 'steel tensions'
Apr 16, 2025
BUSINESS and trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds is planning a trip to China later this year aimed at reviving trade relations, despite recent tensions over Chinese investment in the UK's steel sector.
The visit will focus on restarting the UK-China Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO), which has not met since 2018, reported the Guardian. China currently ranks as Britain's fifth-largest trading partner
Reynolds' planned trip follows visits by chancellor Rachel Reeves to Beijing in January and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi to London in February, marking increased engagement since Labour took office last year.
However, the planned visit comes just days after Reynolds publicly said that China was "no longer welcome" in Britain's steel sector. The comment followed emergency government action to take control of Chinese-owned British Steel's Scunthorpe plant amid deteriorating relations with its owner, Jingye Group.
"You've got to be clear about what is the sort of sector where actually we can promote and cooperate and ones, frankly, where we can't," Reynolds told Sky News. "I wouldn't personally bring a Chinese company into our steel sector."
Some government officials reportedly suspect Jingye's actions may have been intended to undermine Britain's ability to produce its own steel, forcing reliance on Chinese imports instead.
Despite these concerns, Reynolds has identified other sectors as less sensitive areas for potential Chinese investment, including car manufacturing, life sciences and agricultural products.
"A lot of UK-Chinese trade is in non-contentious areas," Reynolds noted, suggesting the government is taking a targeted approach rather than a wholesale rejection of Chinese economic engagement.
The Department for Business and Trade characterised its approach as "consistent and strategic," saying they are "engaging with China in areas of trade that benefit Britain's national interests," though they did not explicitly confirm Reynolds' trip.
The Labour government is also expected to complete a cross-Whitehall audit of UK-China relations by June, fulfilling a manifesto commitment. The audit may recommend improvements to China expertise within government, potentially including Mandarin language programmes and training about the Chinese system for civil servants and MPs.
The government's continued engagement with Beijing comes despite pressure from some quarters to take a tougher stance on human rights and security concerns.
Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse, who was recently refused entry to Hong Kong, argued that "no government minister should be visiting China on official business" until her situation is clarified.
Prime minister Keir Starmer is also expected to visit China later this year, signalling the government's intention to maintain its diplomatic engagement with Beijing despite the complications in the relationship.
The revival of JETCO appears to be a key priority, with Treasury documents published after Reeves's January visit explicitly mentioning plans to restart the dialogue. The commission serves as an important forum for high-level economic discussions between the two nations, the report added.
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Susan Smith (L) and Marion Calder, directors of 'For Women Scotland' cheer as they leave the Supreme Court on April 16, 2025 in London.
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UK Supreme Court rules legal definition of woman means biological sex
Apr 16, 2025
THE UNITED KINGDOM's Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that the term "woman" in equality legislation refers to biological sex. However, the court said the ruling would not disadvantage transgender people.
The case centred on whether a transgender woman with a gender recognition certificate is considered a woman under the Equality Act and protected from discrimination on that basis.
Campaign group For Women Scotland brought the case, arguing that rights under the Equality Act should be based on biological sex.
The group had challenged guidance issued by the Scottish government related to a 2018 law aimed at increasing the number of women on public sector boards.
The guidance stated that a transgender woman with a gender recognition certificate is legally a woman.
For Women Scotland initially lost in the Scottish courts. However, the Supreme Court ruled in the group's favour following an appeal last November. Supporters were seen cheering outside the court after the judgment.
"The unanimous decision of this court is that the terms 'women' and 'sex' in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex," said deputy president of the Supreme Court Patrick Hodge.
"But we counsel against reading this judgment as a triumph for one or more groups in our society at the expense of another – it is not," he said.
Critics of the Scottish guidance argued that its definition could affect single-sex services for women, including refuges, hospital wards, and sports.
Transgender campaigners warned that a ruling in favour of For Women Scotland could lead to discrimination against those with gender recognition certificates, especially in employment.
"The correct interpretation of the EA (Equality Act) as referring to biological sex does not cause disadvantage to trans people, whether or not they possess a gender recognition certificate," Hodge said.
"Trans people have the rights which attach to the protected characteristic of gender reassignment."
In the United States, legal challenges are underway after president Donald Trump issued executive orders that include a ban on transgender people serving in the military.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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UK set to be hotter than Hawaii with 26°C heat later this month
Apr 16, 2025
Forecasters are predicting that the UK could experience its warmest day of the year later this month, with temperatures set to surpass those in Hawaii. According to weather experts, Sunday, 27 April, is expected to bring highs of up to 26°C, particularly across parts of eastern England.
The rise in temperature is attributed to warm air moving eastwards from the Atlantic, which will bring a noticeable shift from the cooler conditions experienced across the UK earlier in the month. Meteorologists at Metdesk, who supply data to the weather service Ventusky, expect Norfolk and Cambridgeshire to enjoy the highest temperatures.
In comparison, many areas in Hawaii, located almost 7,000 miles away, are forecast to see maximum temperatures of around 20°C, with some parts of the island of Hawaiʻi predicted to drop to 15°C – more than 10°C cooler than the UK’s expected high.
Contrast with recent cooler conditions
The anticipated warm spell will come as a stark contrast to the much cooler weather experienced across the country in mid-April. On Monday, 14 April, the Met Office recorded a low of -2.5°C in South Newington, Oxfordshire. Temperatures also dipped below freezing in Northumberland, North Yorkshire, Herefordshire, and other areas.
Earlier this month, a brief heatwave brought temperatures close to 24°C, but much of this week has seen a return to cooler, unsettled weather, including rain and cloudy skies. The drier spell also led to wildfires in Northern Ireland and Scotland, highlighting the volatility of spring weather patterns.
Warm spell to align with Easter School holidays
The expected return of warmer weather is well-timed for families across the country, as it coincides with the Easter school holidays. The Met Office expects temperatures to rise steadily across the UK in the days leading up to Sunday 27 April, with parts of West Yorkshire and other inland areas also forecast to experience highs of around 20°C.
In its extended outlook, the Met Office noted:
“Some drier and brighter interludes are likely... Later next week and into the following week, settled weather is expected to become more prevalent, with more in the way of dry, sunny weather developing. Temperatures will probably be around or slightly above average.”
Looking even further ahead, the Met Office added:
“Late April into early May will probably see a good deal of settled weather with high-pressure patterns most likely to dominate. Whilst some spells of more unsettled weather are possible at times, these are perhaps more likely towards mid-May, much of the period is expected to be largely fine and dry. Temperatures are expected to be near or slightly above average.”
Wet weather to continue in the short term
Before the warmer conditions arrive, much of the UK will have to endure unsettled and wet weather throughout the remainder of this week. The Met Office has issued warnings for heavy rainfall affecting Wales, Southwest England, and Northern Ireland today (Wednesday, 16 April).
These downpours could result in flooding, particularly in low-lying areas, and may also disrupt travel. The Met Office cautions that drivers should expect slower journey times, surface water on roads, and potential flooding of homes and businesses.
UK to outshine
With temperatures expected to peak at 26°C by Sunday, 27 April, the UK is on course to outshine tropical destinations like Hawaii later this month. While the warm weather offers a welcome change from recent chilly and wet spells, the nation will have to navigate several more days of rain before enjoying the forecasted sunshine.
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