Author: i2wtc

Listen to article Pakistan plans to dramatically enhance its digital infrastructure by extending fiber-optic connectivity to 7.5 million households and achieving 80 percent fiber-to-the-site (FTTS) coverage within the next five years, the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication (MoITT) announced. These goals form a central part of the upcoming National Fiberization Policy, being crafted under the Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP). The initiative aims to bolster the country’s fixed broadband infrastructure and raise average download speeds to 60 Mbps nationwide. A dedicated Project Management Unit (PMU) is being recruited to oversee the policy’s development. Once established, the PMU will hire a consultancy firm…

The Ivy League school has filed suit to halt a US federal freeze on more than $2.2bn in grants.Harvard University has sued US President Donald Trump’s administration to halt the government’s pause of more than $2bn in funding for the US educational institution. “Over the course of the past week, the federal government has taken several actions following Harvard’s refusal to comply with its illegal demands,” Harvard President Alan Garber said in a statement on Monday. “Moments ago, we filed a lawsuit to halt the funding freeze because it is unlawful and beyond the government’s authority,” Garber said. Among the…

PodcastPodcast, The TakeThe first Latin American pope has died. We look at his legacy, his reforms, and what his death means for the Catholic Church. Pope Francis, the first Latin American and Jesuit pontiff, has died at age 88. His papacy broke barriers and redefined the Catholic Church’s global image — but also left tough questions unanswered. We look back on his legacy, the controversies that followed him, and what comes next for the church. In this episode: Episode credits: This episode was produced by Marcos Bartolomé, Khaled Soltan, Chloe K. Li, Tamara Khandaker, Sonia Bhagat, Amy Walters, with Sarí…

Staff members process glass products at a glass enterprise in Beihai, south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, March 13, 2025.  (Xinhua/Cao Yiming)NANNING, April 21 (Xinhua) — In recent years, along with the development of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, a key logistics network connecting China’s western regions to global markets, Chinese enterprises have been expanding glass-related industries by leveraging regional resources and logistics advantages.A staff member checks automotive glass products at a glass enterprise in Beihai, south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, March 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Cao Yiming)A staff member transfers a glass product at a glass enterprise in southwest…

Listen to article More than 172,000 Pakistani workers went abroad for employment during the first three months of 2025, according to the latest figures released by the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE). The data reveals that Saudi Arabia remained the most popular destination, welcoming 121,970 Pakistani workers. Other Gulf countries such as Qatar (12,989), Oman (8,331), and the United Arab Emirates (6,891) also featured prominently. Outside the Gulf, Pakistani workers found opportunities in Bahrain (939), Malaysia (775), China (592), Azerbaijan (350), Germany (264), Greece (815), Turkey (870), Italy (109), Japan (108), the United Kingdom (1,454), and the United States (257).…

CEO of Alphabet and Google Sundar Pichai meets Polish Prime Minister at the Chancellery in Warsaw, Poland on March 29, 2022.Mateusz Wlodarczyk | Nurphoto | Getty ImagesAs Google heads back to the courtroom Monday, the company is arguing that the U.S. needs the company in its full form to take on chief adversary China and uphold national security in the process. The remedies trial in Washington, D.C., follows a judge’s ruling in August that Google has held a monopoly in its core market of internet search, the most-significant antitrust ruling in the tech industry since the case against Microsoft more than 20 years ago.The…

Listen to article At least six terrorists were killed during two separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) conducted by security forces in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the military’s media wing confirmed on Monday. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the first operation took place in the general area of Razmak, located in North Waziristan district, where security forces engaged suspected terrorist hideouts. “During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the Khawarij location; resultantly, five Khawarij were sent to hell,” the ISPR stated. In a separate operation in South Waziristan, troops successfully neutralised Zabi Ullah Zakran, a high-value target and ring leader who was allegedly…

Nadine Menendez, 58, guilty of bribery and fraud related to using her husband’s influence on behalf of Egypt.Nadine Menendez, the wife of former United States Senator Bob Menendez, has been convicted of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of bribes in exchange for attempting to use her husband’s influence to benefit Egyptian officials and New Jersey businessmen. Nadine Menendez, 58, was found guilty on Monday of all 15 counts she faced, including bribery, honest services wire fraud and conspiracy for a public official to act as a foreign agent. She will be sentenced by US District Judge Sidney Stein…

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk attends a cabinet meeting held by U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on March 24, 2025.Win McNamee | Getty ImagesTesla shares fell almost 6% on Monday, a day ahead of the electric vehicle company’s first-quarter earnings report, as analysts fret over “ongoing brand erosion.”The stock closed at $227.50 leaving it less than $6 above its low for the year on April 8. The shares are now down 44% for the year after wrapping up their worst quarter since 2022 in March. It’s the 12th time this year the stock has dropped by at least 5% in…

Listen to article Justice Mansoor Ali Shah was sworn in as the acting chief justice of Pakistan on Monday. The oath-taking ceremony was held at the Supreme Court of Pakistan, where Justice Munib Akhtar administered the oath. Senior lawyers and staff of the Supreme Court were present at the oath-taking ceremony. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah assumes the role during the absence of Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, who is on an official visit to China to attend the 20th Conference of Chief Justices of Supreme Courts of SCO Member States. The conference is scheduled to take place in Hangzhou from April 22 to…