England names new captain and coach for Test series
England has announced a new captain and coach for their upcoming Test series, with some familiar faces set to feature.
Saturday, August 29, 2026
News in Brief
Short updates, all on one page — read straight down like a newspaper.
Trump and Carney agree temporary pause on tariffs
US President Donald Trump and Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a three-day pause on tariffs following their meeting at the White House.
important work still to be done
Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada
Retailer app launched to expand tax net
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced the launch of an app for retailers at a press conference in Islamabad on August 19, 2026. The minister stated that the app was developed in consultation with traders and urges all sectors to come into the tax net.
App developed in consultation with traders: minister.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb
Goods transporters end nationwide strike
Truckers have suspended a nationwide strike for 40 days following government assurances on toll tax review and monthly petroleum pricing revisions.
Pakistan’s refineries to receive $5bn upgrade
The government is finalising deals for the upgradation of local refineries, with a planned investment of $5 billion aimed at green fuel projects.
China wastes clean energy equivalent to Mexico’s annual consumption
China discarded enough solar power in six months to meet the country's electricity needs for a year, according to Reuters.
Police arrest six in Mirchu Pizza Gang dacoity case
Police have arrested six suspects, including the alleged ringleader, of the 'Mirchu Pizza Gang' involved in a series of robberies and dacoities across the district. The arrests were made during an operation in Badiana on Friday.
Wah Hong boosts AI cooling and semiconductor materials
Wah Hong Industrial Co. has accelerated development of high-value-added products, new technologies, and application markets in the first half of 2026, focusing on AI cooling and semiconductor materials.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye to Formalise Joint Defence Pact
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will meet in Jeddah to formalise a joint defence pact aimed at strengthening regional security ties amid US-Iran tensions.
Election Commission Adjusts AJK Poll Schedule
The Election Commission has revised the schedule for the third phase of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections, with polling now set in Bagh and Haveli districts.
Peshawar High Court rejects Afghan officers’ asylum claims
The Peshawar High Court has dismissed petitions filed by two former Afghan military officers seeking temporary stay and visa extensions in Pakistan.
Uefa maintains World Cup boycott despite Fifa’s backdown
European football body Uefa has maintained its conditions for participation in the World Cups, rejecting FIFA's recent concessions on private investment.
Mexico and Argentina support FIFA president Infantino
Mexican and Argentine football associations have backed Fifa President Gianni Infantino amid ongoing disputes within the international soccer governing body.
Vishal Bhardwaj to Adapt Tarun Tejpal Rape Case into Film
Indian filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj is developing a film based on the Tarun Tejpal rape case following his recent conviction by the Bombay High Court.
Uzbek Prime Minister Arrives in Kyrgyzstan for Council Meeting
Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov has arrived in Kyrgyzstan to attend the regular meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council as the head of the observer state delegation.
Exhumation of Mir Raza Ali’s Body Postponed
The exhumation of businessman Mir Raza Ali's body was postponed on Friday due to objections from his family regarding a medical board decision.
Chinese AI firms shift focus to commercial licensing
Chinese large language model developers are introducing higher prices and new commercial licensing models as they move away from aggressive price competition, seeking more sustainable returns on their investments.
Solidigm seeks US$3.6B to US$7.2B pre-IPO funding
SK Hynix's US-based NAND and enterprise storage unit, Solidigm, is considering a pre-initial public offering (IPO) funding round valued between US$3.6 billion and US$7.2 billion.
Smart vehicle rules shift to include software and cybersecurity
International smart vehicle regulations are evolving, moving beyond parts testing to encompass software, cybersecurity, and full-system safety checks. This change could increase compliance costs but may also expedite the release of safer, more connected vehicles globally.
PM Shehbaz performs Umrah for country’s progress
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and a high-level delegation performed Umrah on Friday, praying for the progress of Pakistan.
Kyrgyz-Russian economic forum opens trade and investment ties
The head of the National Investment Agency, Ravshanbek Sabirov, participated in the opening ceremony of the VIII Kyrgyz-Russian Economic Forum in Bosteri village, Issyk-Kul region, expanding trade and investment links between the two countries.
LG to Develop Three-Tier AI Chips for Home Appliances and Robots
LG Electronics plans to develop premium, midrange and entry-level on-device AI chips for a range of products including refrigerators, washing machines, smart-home hubs and service robots.
China’s auto exports surge as industry shifts focus
China’s auto exports increased significantly in the first half of 2026, with automakers moving away from price competition towards valuing product quality and features.
Wistron wins Oracle AI server contract
Wistron has secured a reported cloud services provider order from Oracle, expanding its customer base to include enterprise accounts HPE and Lenovo Group.
Chinese firm secures OLED supply contract with LG Display
A Chinese equipment maker has sold OLED production tools directly to LG Display for the first time, marking a breakthrough in the Korean company's supply chain.
China ramps up MLCC production to meet AI and automotive demand
China's multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) supply chain is expanding capacity in response to growing demand from artificial intelligence servers and automotive electronics.
Taiwan Innotech Expo to Highlight Latest Tech Research
The 2026 Taiwan Innotech Expo, opening on September 17 in Taipei, will feature the latest research achievements from the Future Tech Pavilion at the National Science and Technology Council.
Nokia acquires NXP Arizona fab for AI optical components
Nokia is expanding its semiconductor manufacturing capabilities by acquiring NXP's Chandler fabrication campus in Arizona, indicating a shift towards producing optical components essential for AI infrastructure.
Trump signs tariffs on polysilicon, benefits US and non-Chinese producers
US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on August 6 imposing minimum import prices and a 15% tariff on polysilicon and its derivatives, giving an advantage to domestic and non-Chinese manufacturers while harming Chinese producers.
US polysilicon imports surge to record levels
US imports of high-purity polysilicon reached $190 million in 2025, marking a significant increase from the previous year. Trade data shows that volume surged to 6,791 tonnes, more than five times the 1,286 tonnes imported in 2024.