Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Hammad Azhar on Friday said that there had been a  73 per cent decrease in the current account deficit, which was good news for the nation. The minister credited the government for its ‘tireless efforts’ in bringing out the economy from shambles and putting it on the path to progress. Azhar said that the International Monetary …

PARIS: A French court on Friday found the former CEO and other executives at France Telecom guilty of “institutional harassment” after the company was rocked by dozens of suicides during a vast corporate restructuring. In the first ruling of its kind against a blue-chip French company, presiding judge Cecile Louis-Loyant said managers used “forbidden” methods to create “a climate of …

KARACHI: The government is working on multiple fronts to enter into new markets in order to boost exports, said Commerce Secretary Nawaz Sukhera on Friday. Addressing a gathering of value-added textile leaders at the Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association, he said the Ministry of Commerce is planning to hold a conference in Nairobi, Kenya on Jan 30 under its ‘Look Africa’ …

KARACHI: After the massive bloodshed a day earlier, the stock market limped back to a semblance of normalcy on Friday. The KSE-100 index recouped 177.62 points (0.44 per cent) and closed at 40,832.99. The market remained in directionless trading throughout both sessions, with the index sporting intraday high and low by 399 points and 161 points. Individuals were the major …

ISLAMABAD: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has taken note of malpractices in selling of insurance policies through bancassurance agents, initiating action against all companies involved in their sales. The SECP had received a large number of complaints regarding insurance products sold through bancassurance distribution channel. Bancassurance combines savings with insurance to offer a unified product for both …

ABU DHABI: Rafael Nadal has a shorter than usual offseason this year but he believes he can work it to his advantage as he looks to carry his Davis Cup-winning form into 2020. The world No.1 led Spain to the Davis Cup title just over three weeks ago then went on a short break before beginning his preparations for the …

KARACHI: Opener Abid Ali  scored his second century  of his career in the ongoing Karachi Test, while Shan Masood also neared his hundred against the Sri Lankan attack on Saturday as Pakistan took the lead in the second Test. Abid was just seven away from his second hundred of the series, while Masood was 78 not out as they took …

DOHA: FIFA President Gianni Infantino is assessing nine offers from companies seeking to buy the commercial and broadcasting rights for a new club competition he hopes will become the most lucrative in world football, usurping Europe’s Champions League. The deadline passed on Thursday for investors to submit tenders for the rebooted Club World Cup, which is due to begin in …

JOHANNESBURG: England added two bowlers to their squad on Friday after illness struck the camp less than a week before the first Test against hosts South Africa, the England and Wales Cricket Board said. Seamer Craig Overton and off-spinner Dominic Bess will join the squad as cover ahead of the start of the four-Test series, which begins on Boxing Day …

LONDON: Arsenal hired Mikel Arteta as manager on Friday, hoping their former midfielder can turn around the fortunes of the ailing London club after spending more than three years learning the coaching ropes as assistant to Pep Guardiola at English champion Manchester City. The 37-year-old Spaniard, who made 149 appearances for Arsenal between 2011 and 2016, replaces compatriot Unai Emery, …