China rolls out GMO corn planting, starts small
China will likely plant less than 1% of its corn fields with genetically modified varieties this year, said two people familiar with the plans, dashing hopes for a full market…
Saving democracy
When the dark era of Gen Ziaul Haq ended abruptly in 1988, it rekindled the hopes of millions that Pakistan would be on the right track. Most people thought that…
Energy-hungry bitcoin moves into sights of US environmental movement
When China banned bitcoin mining last year, it launched a US cryptocurrency goldrush, with states such as New York, Kentucky and Georgia fast becoming major mining hubs. New York state…
Budget speech 2021-22
The full text of budget speech of Minister for Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin that he delivered in the National Assembly on Friday, June 11, 2021 Bismillahir-Rehmanir-Rahim Mr. Speaker, 1.…
A disruptive game changer
Pakistan exported $25 billion worth of goods during the current year, its highest ever since 2013-14. For a country of 220 million people with an abundance of raw material and…
Spring is in the air
SPRING is in the air for Pakistan and the PTI government. Just when things looked irredeemable, with the wheels of economy grinding to a halt due to the pandemic and…
Robots fight weeds in challenge to agrochemical giants
In a field of sugar beet in Switzerland, a solar-powered robot that looks like a table on wheels scans the rows of crops with its camera, identifies weeds and zaps…
Private climate investment
Even the strongest critics of climate change can no longer deny that climate change is real. Investing in low carbon and climate resilient development is the need of the hour.…
Land scams and half-truths
The news that the army high command has allowed NAB to investigate land scams involving General Kayani’s brother is welcome. One doesn’t need to be a rocket scientist to know…
Food safety fears see farming return to high-rise Hong Kong
It's a rural tradition that faded out decades ago as Hong Kong turned into a neon-lit megacity: rice seedlings being dropped into watery paddy fields with gentle plops. But now…
