Author: i2wtc
Listen to article At least 44 civilians were killed and 13 others injured in an attack on a mosque in southwestern Niger on Friday. The assault took place in the village of Fonbita, located in the Kokorou commune, when militants, believed to be from the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), stormed the mosque during prayers. Among the injured, four are in critical condition, according to Interior Minister Mohamed Toumba. The attack has been condemned as a “cowardly and inhumane act” by the government, which has vowed to enhance efforts to combat terrorism in the region. Niger’s authorities have declared 72…
The group said the decision was in line with a ceasefire declared in February and in support of peace initiatives.M23 rebels staging an offensive in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) will withdraw their forces from the town of Walikale, which they took control of this week, in support of efforts to address the conflict, a rebel alliance that includes M23 has said. The Congo River Alliance said in a statement on Saturday that it had “decided to reposition its forces” from Walikale and surrounding areas. The Congolese government said it hoped the move would be translated into…
Listen to article Israel has killed five more children with the overnight bombing of a residential area in Gaza City that also left at least eight members of a family trapped under rubble, amid Tel Aviv’s escalating onslaught on the beseiged Palestinian territory. The attack is part of a broader escalation in violence since Israel broke the Gaza ceasefire on Tuesday, with nearly 600 Palestinians killed since the renewed offensive began. The Gaza Health Ministry reports that more than 49,600 Palestinians have died, with 112,950 others wounded in the ongoing conflict. Since Israel’s renewed attacks, humanitarian aid and basic services have been…
Who: New Zealand vs PakistanWhat: Fourth T20I of five-match seriesWhere: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, New ZealandWhen: Sunday at 5:15pm (06:15 GMT) Pakistan has kept alive their hopes of winning the five-match T20 series in their tour of New Zealand with their stunning win in the third match on Thursday. It reduced New Zealand’s lead in the series to a 2-1 advantage and throws open the possibility of a dramatic turnaround after a tough opening to Pakistan’s tour. Al Jazeera looks at the series so far and to the fourth match. What happened in the first two matches of Pakistan’s tour?…
Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with a high-level delegation, performed Umrah on Saturday during his official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also took part in the Umrah rituals, joining Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The prime minister, who arrived in Makkah on Friday, also offered Nawafil prayers at the Holy Kaaba, seeking blessings for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan and its people, as well as for the betterment of the Muslim Ummah. Earlier in Madina Munawara, PM Sharif paid his respects at Roza-e-Rasool (Peace Be Upon Him) and performed Nawafil prayers at…
Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton leads from start to finish in the sprint race before Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix.Lewis Hamilton says his first Formula One sprint race win for Ferrari feels “mega” and he hopes for more after qualifying fifth for Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix. The seven-times world champion led from start to finish on Saturday in the sprint, only his second race for Ferrari, in a stunning response to critics after his disappointing 10th in last weekend’s Melbourne season opener. The 40-year-old Briton managed his tyres superbly to take the chequered flag ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who will start Sunday’s…
Listen to article Armaghan Qureshi, the prime suspect in the Mustafa Amir murder case, has denied confessing to the crime, telling a court that police are attempting to force a statement from him. Armaghan was produced before a magistrate by Karachi police on Saturday, Express News reported. In court, he refused to admit guilt and claimed authorities were pressuring him into making a confession. “The police are trying to make me give a statement under duress,” he told the court. Earlier, co-accused Shiraz aka Shavez Bukhari also refused to confess during his own appearance before the magistrate. The two suspects are under…
Francis was admitted to Rome hospital on February 14 with a severe respiratory infection.Pope Francis will be discharged from hospital on Sunday and will need two months of rest at the Vatican, one of the doctors treating him says. Francis, 88, was admitted to a Rome hospital on February 14 with a severe respiratory infection that has required evolving treatment. Catholics and others worldwide have been praying for his recovery. Many have been leaving flowers, candles and notes for Francis outside Gemelli University Hospital, where he is admitted. Francis will make his first public appearance since becoming ill on Sunday…
Listen to article Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched a province-wide campaign to distribute Eid gifts among special needs children ahead of the Eid holidays. The initiative aims to provide Eid gifts to 40,000 special students enrolled in government institutions, according to an official statement released on Saturday. Acting on the chief minister’s directive, Special Assistant Sania Aashiq visited three special education institutions in Lahore and distributed Eid gifts on Maryam Nawaz’s behalf. The campaign was formally inaugurated at the Government Degree College of Special Education in Johar Town. Gifts were also distributed at the Government Shadab Institute of Special…
Listen to article The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has agreed in principle to a partial reduction in the withholding tax rate on property purchases, following a request from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The new rate, which will be reduced by two percent, is set to come into effect in April 2025. However, the withholding tax rate imposed on property sellers will remain unchanged. According to sources, a recent virtual meeting between Pakistani officials and the IMF concluded with an agreement to lower the federal excise duty rate for property buyers. However, the tax on property sellers will still be collected…