Author: i2wtc

Women at Habib University challenge academia’s gendered norms, proving their scholarship isn’t just “adding color.” On Friday, February 21, 2025, Habib University hosted Wujuud-i Zan, a one-day conference dedicated to celebrating and reflecting on the achievements of women in research, scholarship, and activism.  Organized by Zahra Sabri, a lecturer of Comparative Humanities at Habib University who teaches Urdu literature and Indo-Islamic history, the event brought together academics, journalists, and artists from across Karachi to explore the multifaceted contributions of women in and beyond academia. The conference featured a series of panels, including ‘Gender, Autonomy, and the Politics of Selfhood,’ ‘Migration,…

Scientists are exploring the production of artificial blood amid shortages of blood and the need for safe transfusions. Millions of people die globally each year due to lack of access to blood, studies by the World Health Organization (WHO) have shown. Blood carries oxygen throughout the body and removes waste products, among many other critical functions. Laboratory-grown blood was used on humans in the first clinical trial in 2022, particularly in patients with rare blood groups. Scientists are also working to develop synthetic blood as part of efforts to support emergency medicine, surgery, and transfusions. So how close are scientists…

Meta’s Facebook’s influence remains strong globally, but younger users are logging in less. Only 32% of U.S. teens use Facebook today, down from 71% in 2014, according to a 2024 Pew Research study. However, Facebook’s resale platform Marketplace is one reason young people are on the platform.”I only use Facebook for Marketplace,” said Mirka Arevalo, a student at Buffalo University. “I go in knowing what I want, not just casually browsing.”Launched in 2016, Facebook Marketplace has grown into one of Meta’s biggest success stories. With 1.1 billion users across 70 countries, it competes with eBay and Craigslist, according to BusinessDasher.”Marketplace…

Zoya Sameen’s Wujuud-i-Zan talk explored Musammat Tajo’s 14-year legal battle against colonial expulsion and injustice On February 21st, 2025, Habib University hosted a thought-provoking one-day conference titled Wujuud-i-Zan, focusing on women in academia: scholars, artists, and activists. The event fostered a transdisciplinary dialogue on gender performance and perception, bringing together voices from diverse fields to explore the complexities of women’s roles in society.  As a Habib University alumna, attending this conference was a bittersweet experience. It was a return to an intellectual space I had cherished as a student, but this time, I was there not to discuss the event…

Yoon’s release comes one day after a court cancelled his arrest warrant on insurrection charges.South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol has been released from prison a day after a court cancelled his arrest warrant. Footage aired on local TV channels showed Yoon leaving prison on Saturday, waving his hand and bowing deeply to his supporters. Despite the release, Yoon’s criminal and impeachment trials continue over his short-lived imposition of martial law on December 3. His lawyers said the court decision “confirmed that the president’s detainment was problematic in both procedural and substantive aspects”, calling the ruling the “beginning of…

India are heavy favourites to claim a record third Champions Trophy in Dubai on Sunday, but Rohit Sharma’s men face a New Zealand side with plenty of firepower in the first major white-ball final between the teams in a quarter of a century. India, who refused to play in host nation Pakistan, have produced clinical performances to win all four of their matches in the United Arab Emirates, including a 44-run group-stage victory over the Black Caps last weekend. The 2002 and 2013 champions have excelled on pitches offering turn, while the batting group led by Virat Kohli has excelled…

A Goodyear blimp flies Goodyear AKRON, Ohio — Does the Goodyear blimp sell tires?That was one question veteran auto executive Mark Stewart had when he started as CEO of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. a little more than a year ago, seeking to lead a transformation plan for the quintessential American company.For a century, Goodyear Tire has used more than 300 helium-filled airships to tout its brand. Stewart wanted to ensure consumers connected the blimps to the company’s products and services, which it has increasingly done as Goodyear celebrates the 100-year anniversary of its first blimp, called Pilgrim, in 1925.”The answer is…

Banned and exiled, but never silenced—Fahmida Riaz’s poetry stood against dictatorship and patriarchy. “Amma, why do we associate women with love and heartbreak?” my 13-year-old self asked my mother, the reason I know my language. “Because they’re very soft, and they know how to love,” she replied, braiding my hair for school. I had more questions, but she hurried us all to school before I could ask them. But the question never left my mind. Whenever we talk about revolution, independence, politics, communism—anything that alters society—it is associated with men. All the “meaningful” art, the kind that has the potential…

India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak blasts back at assertion that India’s Champions Trophy hopes boosted by Dubai venue.India playing all their Champions Trophy matches in Dubai was a pre-tournament decision, and talk of it giving India an unfair advantage is baseless, the team’s batting coach says as he blasts back against the criticism. Rohit Sharma’s India face New Zealand in the title clash on Sunday at the Dubai International Stadium, where the tournament favourites have been unbeaten in their four matches. India refused to tour hosts Pakistan in the eight-nation tournament due to political tensions and were given Dubai as…

Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday reaffirming his commitment to gender equality said women’s empowerment could only be achieved by providing them an equal access to education, skill development and employment opportunities. “It’s our mission and an unwavering commitment to ensure emancipation of the country’s female population,” he said in his address here at an event of International Women’s Day, marked globally on 8th March to celebrate the achievements of women and to make a call for their rights. Prominent women from diverse fields including cabinet members, legislators, entrepreneurs and activists joined the event at the Prime Minister’s House,…