Author: i2wtc

PodcastPodcast, The TakeThe US is targeting China with a military buildup in the Pacific — but some in Japan, Guam, and Hawaii are pushing back. The United States military is ramping up its presence in Japan, Guam and Hawaii as tensions with China grow over Taiwan. A new documentary reveals how this buildup is affecting local communities. In a region that is also a staging ground for potential conflict, how are some residents pushing back? In this episode: Dan Ming (@DanMing), Evident Media correspondent Episode credits: This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra, Sonia Bhagat and Sarí el-Khalili, with Phillip…

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Cultural and recreational event ‘Derajat Festival 2025’ came to a vibrant close with a spectacular ceremony held at Ratta Kulachi Sports Stadium here on Sunday. Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur attended the event as the chief guest. The closing ceremony featured the distribution of awards among participants, who showcased exceptional performances in events such as off-road jeep challenges and various other competitions. The 40-day festival included a variety of traditional and modern sports such as jeep racing, tent pegging, horse riding, boxing, kabaddi and wrestling. The festival also hosted livestock shows, horse parades, pet exhibitions, art…

Diu, India – Boxes of sweets are being passed around as cheers and joy surround Rajeshwari Rama’s brick house, insulated with tin sheets, in the Vanakbara village of Diu, a federally-controlled island along the India-Pakistan coastline near Gujarat state in western India. Rama’s relatives and friends are talking at the top of their voices as they celebrate the release of her husband, fisherman Mahesh Rama, from the Landhi jail in neighbouring Pakistan’s largest city of Karachi, in February this year. Among the attendees is Laxmiben Solanki, 36, standing quietly in one corner. She does not taste the sweets. She is…

Listen to article The United Arab Emirates’ Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, arrived in Islamabad on Sunday for a two-day official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two nations. He was received at the airport by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The visit has been described as “significant” and a reflection of the “deep-rooted and historic ties” between the two countries. “This high-level visit underscores the commitment of both sides to broadening the scope of mutual cooperation in areas of shared interest,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.…

El Salvador president says he is willing to repatriate deportees in exchange for release of ‘political prisoners.’El Salvador President Nayib Bukele has proposed a prisoner swap that would see Venezuelans deported from the United States to his country exchanged for “political prisoners” in Venezuela. In pointed remarks directed at Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Sunday, Bukele suggested the countries reach a “humanitarian agreement” amid Caracas’s demands for the repatriation of Venezuelan deportees. Bukele said he would be willing to repatriate 252 Venezuelans being held in a Salvadoran maximum security prison in exchange for “an identical number of the thousands of…

Listen to article ISLAMABAD: The federal government agreed on Sunday to open dialogue with the Sindh government to address the deepening controversy over a proposed canal project on Indus river that sharply divided allies in the ruling coalition. Amid rising political tensions over the controversial canal project, the Centre and Sindh kicked off talks when Adviser to Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah and Sindh’s Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon talked by the telephone in a bid to ease the rift, and find a common ground. Both sides agreed that the issue should be resolved through consultation rather than confrontation. Sana said that Prime…

KARACHI: Even with arguably a bigger crowd to back them here at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi Kings were a picture of disappointment on Sunday night. Islamabad United, in contrast, embodied consistency. The title holders were clinical as they thrashed the hosts by six wickets with 17 balls to spare — their fourth win in as many games of this HBL Pakistan Super League season. The Kings, meanwhile, are proving to be mercurial this year, continuing their pattern of winning a game before losing one. On what seemed to be a difficult batting wicket, Kings posted a paltry 128-7 before…

Reports come after Hegseth attracted scrutiny last month over discussions of military plans in another group chat.United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth shared details about planned bombing raids on Yemen in a second Signal group chat that included his wife, brother and personal lawyer, US media has reported. The reports come after Hegseth attracted scrutiny last month when the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic magazine revealed that the defence chief had shared details about upcoming air strikes on Houthi rebels in a Signal group chat that the journalist had been accidentally included in. Hegseth’s discussions in the second group chat…

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari on Sunday said a series of recent attacks targeting international fast-food outlets in Pakistan were carried out under an “organised plan”. The attacks, concentrated in Punjab and Sindh provinces, erupted in response to Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Protesters and violent groups vandalised, set fire to, and pelted stones at outlets of international fast-food chains. A deadly incident in Sheikhupura district resulted in the killing of a restaurant employee after armed men opened fire on April 14. Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Azma Bokhari said that these incidents were not isolated or spontaneous. “It…

Listen to article The United Arab Emirates Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan will arrive in Pakistan today (Sunday) on a two-day official visit, according to a statement from Foreign Office. The visit is part of efforts to enhance bilateral relations between Pakistan and the UAE, described by officials as “deep-rooted and brotherly” Express News reported quoting FO. According to the Foreign Office, Sheikh Abdullah will hold wide-ranging talks with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The discussions will cover trade and investment, energy cooperation, regional security and people-to-people exchanges. The Emirati minister is also…