Author: i2wtc
Listen to article ISLAMABAD: The High-Powered Selection Board (HPSB) has approved the promotion of 36 officers from the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS), Police Service and Foreign Service to Grade 22. However, the promotions of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) officers have been deferred due to a stay order issued by the Islamabad High Court (IHC). The board will reconvene on Monday to review promotions in other service groups. The HPSB meeting, presided over by Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, was held at the Cabinet Division. PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also attended the moot as a member of the board, along with federal…
PodcastPodcast, The TakeEgypt’s plan to rebuild and govern Gaza has been approved by Arab countries. Arab countries have agreed on a plan to rebuild and govern Gaza without displacing its Palestinian population, a direct response to former United States President Donald Trump’s vision of transforming Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East”. What does Egypt’s plan entail, and what are its chances of success? In this episode: Imad Harb (@harb3imad) – Director of research and analysis, Arab Center Washington DC Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker and Chloe K. Li, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Khaled…
PARIS: Real Madrid eked out a 2-1 home victory over crosstown rivals Atletico Madrid, while Arsenal and Aston Villa scored emphatic first-leg victories as the Champions League last 16 kicked off on Tuesday. In the night’s fourth tie, Lille gained a 1-1 draw at Borussia Dortmund. At the Santiago Bernabeu, Real, who sit third in La Liga, edged Atletico, who are second, in a game illuminated by three dazzling goals. Real took the lead on four minutes when Rodrygo Goes dribbled in from the right and placed a shot inside the far post. The visitors gradually gained control and levelled…
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi poses for a picture with leaders as Egypt hosts emergency Arab summit to discuss Palestinian developments, at Egypt’s New Administrative Capital in Cairo, March 4, 2025. Egyptian Presidency | Via ReutersArab states led by Egypt have accepted a roadmap to rebuild Gaza as the “comprehensive Arab plan,” countering President Donald Trump’s proposal to redevelop the strip, transform Gaza into what he calls the “Riviera of the Middle East,” and displace Palestinians.The White House has effectively rejected the Arab plan, saying “the current proposal does not address the reality that Gaza is currently uninhabitable and residents cannot…
Listen to article A new travel ban by President Donald Trump could bar people from Afghanistan and Pakistan from entering the US as soon as next week based on a government review of countries’ security and vetting risks, three sources familiar with the matter said. The three sources, who requested anonymity, said other countries could also be on the list but did not know which ones. The move harkens back to the Republican president’s first term ban on travelers from seven majority-Muslim nations, a policy that went through several iterations before it was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. Former President…
The Cavs maintain their 12-game unbeaten streak and become the first team to book a spot in the NBA postseason.The Cleveland Cavaliers have punched their ticket to the NBA playoffs with a hard-fought 112-107 victory over the Miami Heat, thanks to 26 points from Donovan Mitchell. A see-saw battle in Cleveland on Wednesday saw the Heat threaten to end the Cavs’ 11-game unbeaten streak after opening up a seven-point lead late in the fourth quarter, but the Cavs clawed back the deficit in the closing minutes to seal their 12th straight victory and a place in the postseason. The Cavaliers improved…
LAHORE: Back at their favoured hunting ground, on a Gaddafi Stadium pitch offering little spin, New Zealand batters Rachin Ravindra and Kane Willamson set the tone for their side with sterling centuries in their Champions Trophy semi-final victory against South Africa. Having come together following the departure of Ravinda’s opening partner Will Young, the duo stitched a 164-run stand to flay the South African bowlers and guide their side to an imposing 362-6 after skipper Mitchell Santner had elected to bat. Ravindra helped Williamson bide his time, being the aggressor in their stand, racing to his fifth ODI century in…
Listen to article ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund may lower the tax collection target to less than Rs12.5 trillion due to overall slowdown of economic activities and huge shortfall suffered so far in a move that will still require meeting the remaining four months’ targets and partially recoup some of the shortfall. Any reduction in the target against the original goal of over Rs12.9 trillion will depend upon the Finance Ministry’s ability to cut the expenditures to protect the overarching IMF programme goal to generate Rs1.2 trillion primary budget surplus in this fiscal year, according to the government sources dealing with the…
LAHORE: The spin web proved too tough for South Africa to handle as they looked to climb a mountainous target against New Zealand. Though David Miller did entertain the crowd in the end with a rearguard 67-ball unbeaten century which he achieved on the very last ball of the innings, the writing was always on the wall for Temba Bavuma and his brigade in the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday night. As South African wickets started to fall regularly after the departure of Rassie van der Dussen who was undone by an unplayable delivery…
US President Donald Trump waits to greet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the entrance of the West Wing of the White House in Washington, DC, on February 27, 2025. Carl Court | Afp | Getty ImagesTensions between the U.S. and Europe have hit something of a low in recent weeks — and China could be poised to use the spat to bolster its relationships on the continent.Transatlantic strains came to head last week during a disastrous meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office. What started out as a…