Author: i2wtc

Listen to article The hearingfor a high-profile Rs10 billion defamation case filed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan, was temporarily suspended due to a power failure at Lahore’s sessions court. The Prime Minister appeared via video link for hearing conducted by an additional sessions judge. However, the cross-examination was abruptly halted due to a power outage, Express News reported. Earlier during the hearing, Imran Khan’s lawyer, Mian Muhammad Hussain Chotya, cross-examined the prime minister, who took an oath before testifying. “I will speak the truth and not make any false statements,” Sharif stated. During questioning, Khan’s lawyer asked if Sharif…

The Vatican affirmed good relations with the US but noted ‘an exchange of opinions’ on global conflicts and migration.US Vice President JD Vance has met with the Vatican’s top diplomats, discussing the politically fraught issue of migration months after Pope Francis rebuked the new US administration’s hardline immigration stance. Vance, a Catholic convert, held what the Vatican described as “cordial talks” with Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin – the Holy See’s second highest official after the pope – and Paul Richard Gallagher, the secretary for relations with states. “There was an exchange of opinions on the international situation, especially…

The White House letter sent to Harvard University outlining a list of demands about the university’s hiring and admissions was sent without authorization, according to the New York Times, citing two unnamed people familiar with the matter.The April 11 letter, which demanded that Harvard eliminate its DEI programs and screen international students for ideological concerns, among other sweeping changes, was “unauthorized,” people familiar with the matter told the Times.The contents of the letter were authentic, but “there were differing accounts inside the administration of how it had been mishandled,” per the Times.The letter was signed by Josh Gruenbaum, the commissioner…

Listen to article Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah reaffirmed his province’s united opposition to the proposed canal projects, declaring that the people of Sindh will not back down from their stance. Speaking to the media in Sehwan and Bhan Saeedabad, CM Sindh said that the people of Sindh are “fully united and actively protesting” against the construction of new canals, a plan that has triggered growing political and public backlash in the province. “This is not just the government’s stance — the people of Sindh have made it clear: we reject these canals,” CM Sindh stated. “We are not stepping back.”…

A trade war that pits the world’s two largest economies against each other is now under way. Alongside the tariff battle is a heated battle of narratives and messages between the two countries. Contributors:Andy Mok – Senior Research Fellow, Center for China and GlobalisationJude Russo – Managing Editor, The American ConservativeIsaac Stone Fish – CEO, Strategy RisksYun Sun – Director of China Program, Stimson Center On our radar On April 15, the civil war in Sudan hit the two-year mark. The Sudanese media landscape has been devastated. According to Reporters Without Borders, since the war began, nearly 450 journalists have…

Members of a public health team to Myanmar pose for a group photo before departing from the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, April 19, 2025. A 50-member Chinese public health team departed for Myanmar on Saturday to support post-earthquake public health efforts there.The 7.9-magnitude earthquake, which jolted Myanmar on March 28, has claimed 3,726 lives and left 5,105 people injured, with 129 others remaining unaccounted for as of April 18, according to Myanmar’s State Administration Council Information Team on April 19. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei)Members of a public health team to Myanmar sort their outfit before departing from…

Listen to article Senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Azam Swati has said that the party is awaiting a response from former president Arif Alvi before initiating any political dialogue, adding that discussions would only take place in support of democracy and constitutional rule. Speaking to reporters outside the judicial complex in Rawalpindi on Saturday, Swati dismissed speculation of a political deal, saying, “those claiming a deal is under way have lost their senses,” Express News reported. He clarified that any engagement would not be aimed at securing the release of party’s founding chairman Imran Khan. “If Khan talks, it will only be…

Government says on ‘maximum alert’ due to bid by rivals to kill re-elected president.Ecuador has declared a state of “maximum alert” over an assassination plot against President Daniel Noboa. In a statement entitled “The revenge of the bad losers” issued early on Saturday, the Ministry of Government said “all security protocols have been activated” due to the threat emanating from “criminal organizations, in collusion with political groups defeated at the polls”. Noboa was re-elected earlier this month, promising to continue a crackdown on rampant cartel violence that plagues Ecuador. His opponent, Luisa Gonzalez, has continued to insist that the vote…

Pakistan finished the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 Qualifiers at the top of the table with a domineering win over Bangladesh by seven wickets in Lahore on Saturday to remain unbeaten in the tournament. Pakistan had already booked their spot for the World Cup to be held later this year in India on Thursday, courtesy of their bowlers, who had once again stepped up to defend a below-par score of 205 against Thailand. Playing in their final One-Day International (ODI) encounter of the tournament, the Green Team restricted Bangladesh to a paltry 178-9 in the first innings at the Lahore…

* Humanoid robots and human runners took to the same half marathon course in Beijing on Saturday, marking the world’s first event of its kind.* Humanoid robots, composed of thousands of components, face significant hurdles in achieving stable, long-distance running. To complete the race, robots require high-density integrated joints and bodies engineered for endurance and heat dissipation. They must also execute precise multi-joint coordination for running, navigation, and obstacle avoidance.* More than a race, this event served as a symbolic launchpad for China’s burgeoning humanoid robotics industry.by sportswriters Dong Yixing and Li ChunyuBEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) — In a historic…