Brazil's trade surplus reached $8.814 in June, official figures showed on Friday, below market expectations.

Economists polled by Reuters had projected a $9.994 billion surplus for the month.

The reading was the second best for the month of June, after last year, since the figures were recorded in 1989.

According to the Economy Ministry, exports grew 15.6% from June last year, to $32.7 billion, while imports jumped 33.7% to $23.9 billion.

Global inflationary pressures have been boosting the value of tradable goods, amid rising food and energy prices and disrupted supply chains with the Russia-Ukraine war.

But Brazilian imports have increased faster, which has prompted the ministry to revise its projections for the year.

The first half of 2022 ended with a $34.2 billion surplus, down from $37.0 billion in the year-ago period. The government now expects to end 2022 with a $81.5 billion surplus.

The number represents a major cut from the $111.6 billion 2022 surplus estimate made in April.

The outlook for exports was revised slightly up to $349.4 billion in 2022, from $348.8 billion. Imports are now expected to reach $268.0 billion this year, up from the previous $237.2 billion estimate.

SOURCE: REUTERS

Rawalpindi: Three terrorists have been killed after security forces conducted an operation in North Wazirstan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, army’s media wing reported Saturday. 

According to Inter-Service Public Relations, security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Ghulam Khan Kalle area on the reported presence of terrorists.

Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from their possession, said ISPR. 

The military’s press wing said the killed terrorists remained actively involved in activities against security forces.

Lahore: Senior journalist and analyst Ayaz Amir was attacked by unidentified men in Lahore on Thursday.

Amir was leaving the office of a private TV channel located at Lahore’s Abbott Road when unidentified men attacked him. The assailants also snatched his wallet and mobile phone.

As soon as the incident was reported, a Punjab Police spokesperson said that the inspector-general has summoned a report of the incident from the capital city police officer.

The IG directed the CCPO to utilise the safe city cameras to identify the culprits and ensure their arrest. 

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the incident and ordered Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz to hold a high-level investigation.

“Suspects should be brought before the law as soon as possible. Journalism and protection of journalists should be ensured,” said PM Shehbaz.

-- Punjab CM condemns --

Punjab Chief Minister Punjab Hamza Shahbaz took a notice of the torture incident on the senior Journalist and columnist Ayaz Amir and sought a report from Inspector General of Police.

The CM ordered to arrest the accused at the earliest who are found involved in the torture incident on Ayaz Amir.

Hamza directed to bring the accused into the stern grip of law and further action be taken against them. CM condemned the attack on Ayaz Amir and directed to fulfill all the requirements of justice.