Business
Pakistan’s trade deficit rises 33% in Q1 of FY25 – SUCH TV
Pakistan’s trade deficit surged 32.92 percent during the first quarter of the current fiscal year (July–September), reaching $9.36 billion, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The widening deficit was driven by a sharp rise in imports alongside a decline in exports.
Imports during July–September increased 13.49 percent to $16.97 billion, while exports fell 3.83 percent, settling at $7.60 billion.
On a monthly basis, Pakistan’s trade deficit in September 2025 expanded significantly, registering a 45.83 percent year-on-year increase, reaching $3.34 billion. Compared to August 2025, the deficit also rose 16.33 percent.
Imports in September totaled $5.84 billion, while exports dropped 11.71 percent year-on-year, amounting to $2.50 billion.
Economists caution that the growing gap between imports and exports highlights mounting challenges in Pakistan’s external sector, adding pressure on foreign exchange reserves and the balance of payments.
Earlier, in July 2025, Pakistan’s trade deficit widened to $2.75 billion, marking a 16.02 percent increase compared to June 2025, according to PBS.
Exports, however, grew 16.91 percent in July compared to the same month last year, reaching $2.697 billion, up from $2.307 billion in July 2024.
Imports in July also climbed 29.25 percent, totaling $5.449 billion, compared to $4.216 billion in the same month last year.
This pushed the trade deficit up 44.16 percent, from $1.909 billion in July 2024 to $2.752 billion in July 2025.
On a month-on-month basis, exports in July increased by 8.88 percent compared to $2.477 billion in June 2025.
According to PBS data, the exports in July (FY2025-26) were recorded at $2.697 billion as compared to the exports of $2.307 billion in July (FY2024-25).
The imports during July 2025 also increased by 29.25 percent and were recorded at $5.449 billion against the imports of $4.216 billion in last July.
Based on the figures, the trade deficit increased by 44.16 percent by increasing from $1.909 billion last July to $2.752 billion, this year.
Meanwhile, on month-on-month basis, the exports from the country witnessed an increase of 8.88 percent in July when compared to the exports of $2.477 billion in June 2025.
A sample prompt response in ChatGPT using Starbucks’ beta app.
Source: Starbucks
Starbucks has launched a beta app in ChatGPT to provide inspiration for customers’ drink orders, the company said Wednesday.
To use the beta app, customers need to enable the Starbucks app through ChatGPT’s app directory and then enter a prompt on the chatbot that includes “@Starbucks.” While they can customize their orders and even select what location to order from, consumers will need to complete their order on the Starbucks app or website — a key distinction for a company that relies heavily on its loyalty program.
“Over the past year, one thing has become clear: Customers aren’t always starting with a menu,” Paul Riedel, Starbucks’ senior vice president of digital and loyalty, said in a statement. “They’re starting with a feeling …. We wanted to meet customers right in that moment of inspiration and make it easier than ever to find a drink that fits.”
The announcement on Wednesday marks the latest way that Starbucks is trying to find ways to entice U.S. customers back to its cafes. Under its “Back to Starbucks” turnaround strategy, the company has added seating back to its cafes, trimmed its menu and reintroduced tiers to its loyalty program.
It also helped customers find new drinks on its mobile app, through its trending beverage category or the secret menu under its “offers” tab. Drink discovery is also important for winning over Gen Z consumers, who have shown more of an affinity for unique beverages at U.S. restaurant chains than members of older generations.
So far, Starbucks’ turnaround strategy looks like it is taking hold. After two years of traffic declines, the chain finally reported rising customer transactions in its fiscal first quarter ended Dec. 28.
Wednesday’s announcement is not Starbucks’ first foray into using generative artificial intelligence or partnering with OpenAI. Last year, the coffee company unveiled Green Dot Assist, an AI assistant for baristas created with Microsoft Azure’s OpenAI platform.
Other consumer companies have also been partnering with OpenAI to boost sales. Walmart, Etsy and Booking.com are among the big names that are testing shopping and purchasing through ChatGPT’s interface.
A student aged about 13 opened fire at random in a Turkish school Wednesday killing four people and wounding 20, just one day after a shooter wounded 16 people and then killed himself in another school, officials said.
Kahramanmaras province governor Mukerrem Unluer said a teacher and three students were killed in the latest attack. The attacker was also dead.
“A student came to school with guns that we believe belonged to his father in his backpack. He entered two classrooms and opened fire randomly, causing injuries and deaths,” Unluer told reporters.
Four of the wounded were in serious condition and undergoing surgery, he said.
The attacker, an eighth-grade student, was the son of a former police officer, Unluer said, adding that the suspect was carrying five guns and seven magazines.
“We suspect he may have taken his father’s weapons,” the governor said.
Unluer said the attacker was also dead.
“He shot himself. It is not yet clear whether this was suicide or happened amid the chaos,” he said.
Footage released by IHA private news agency showed a person, body and face covered, being evacuated in an ambulance, as well as tearful parents who had rushed to the school in the southern province’s main city, Kahramanmaras.
Witnesses quoted by media said intense gunfire was heard.
Police increased security around the building, and television footage showed ambulances in the area.
‘Will be held accountable’
Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said prosecutors had launched an immediate investigation into the shooting.
On Tuesday, an ex-student opened fire with a shotgun at his former high school in Siverek district of Sanliurfa province, wounding 16 people before killing himself in a showdown with police. Ten students were among the casualties.
Speaking to the ruling AKP party in parliament, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan promised that those found to have been negligent or at fault “will certainly be held accountable” over the school shootings.
Police detained one suspect after Tuesday’s attack and suspended four officials from duty, Erdogan said. The school was ordered closed for four days.
School shootings in Turkiye had been rare until this week. In May 2024, a former student killed a private high school principal in Istanbul with a firearm five months after he was expelled.
Turkiye has strict gun laws that require licensing, registration, mental and criminal background checks, and severe penalties for illegal possession.
Business
Donald Trump targets Fed chief Jerome Powell again, threatens to fire him if he is ‘not leaving on time’ – The Times of India
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday renewed his attack on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, saying he would fire him if he continues in the role beyond the end of his mandate.Powell’s term as Fed chair ends in mid-May, and Trump has repeatedly criticised him for not cutting interest rates more aggressively, AFP reported.
“I’ll have to fire him,” Trump told Fox Business, if Powell “is not leaving on time.”The president added: “I’ve wanted to fire him.”The remarks come as the Trump administration steps up pressure on the independent central bank, including initiating a Department of Justice probe into Powell over alleged renovation cost overruns and seeking to remove Fed governor Lisa Cook.Asked if he would drop the DOJ investigation, Trump said: “I’m not playing. I have to find out.”Trump has nominated former central banker Kevin Warsh to succeed Powell, but his appointment requires confirmation by the US Senate.Warsh is scheduled to appear before the Senate Banking Committee next Tuesday, though his confirmation faces resistance.Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican member of the committee, has said he would hold up the nomination while the probe into Powell remains unresolved.As long as the nomination process is delayed, Powell can legally continue as Fed chair.While uncommon, it is possible for a Fed chair to remain on the board even after their term as chief expires.Powell first became Fed chair in 2018 during Trump’s earlier presidency and was reappointed in 2022 under then president Joe Biden.
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