Author: i2wtc

PodcastPodcast, The TakeThe Syrian television and film industry is changing following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. Ramadan is peak season for watching Syrian TV dramas, a cherished tradition once stifled by censorship under Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Writers, actors and directors were exiled, yet many still shaped popular series. As creatives return home, how will Syria’s TV and film industry evolve in a post-Assad era? In this episode: Christa Salamandra (@csalamand) – Professor of anthropology at Lehman College Inas Hakki (@inas_hakki) – Film director Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tamara Khandaker and Chloe K. Li, with Sarí el-Khalili, Phillip…

Ukrainian leader says he will resign if Kyiv is granted membership of NATO.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said a minerals deal with the United States is “ready” to be signed despite his public bust-up with US President Donald Trump. Speaking to journalists after a pivotal summit with European leaders in London on Sunday, Zelenskyy said Kyiv was ready to go forward with the agreement, which fell through following a public clash with Trump on Friday. “It is our policy to continue despite what happened in the past. We are constructive. If we agreed upon signing it, we were ready to…

Listen to article The National Weather Forecasting Center (NWFC) has issued a warning of heavy rains and snowfall in Pakistan’s northern regions, urging citizens to exercise caution while traveling. The advisory, issued on Sunday, forecasts the westerly wave affecting western parts of the country and continuing to impact the upper regions for the next 36 to 48 hours. In its daily weather outlook, the NWFC noted that cold and dry conditions are expected across most parts of Pakistan. However, cloudy weather with rain, wind, and thunderstorms (along with snowfall in the hills) are likely to affect northern and northwestern Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,…

The Lenovo ThinkBook ‘flip’ concept. The screen is able to fold once horizontally to create two different screen spaces.CNBC: Lenovo Flip PCLenovo on Monday showed off a laptop with a foldable screen and one that can get extra battery life from solar power.These laptops are just concepts, meaning they are not commercially available. Lenovo, the world’s biggest PC maker, has a history of showing off imaginative concepts with some becoming reality, so it’s worth keeping an eye on what the Chinese technology giant is up to.For example, Lenovo previously showed off the idea of a rollable laptop — one where…

Listen to article British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Sunday European leaders had agreed to draw up a Ukraine peace plan to take to the United States, a vital step for Washington to be able to offer security guarantees Kyiv says are vital to deter Russia. At a summit in London just two days after Volodymyr Zelenskiy clashed with US President Donald Trump and cut short a visit to Washington, world leaders offered a strong show of support to the Ukrainian president and promised to do more to help his nation. European leaders agreed they must spend more on defence to show Trump the…

An imitation of an Oscar statuette sits outside of a souvenir shop on Hollywood Boulevard as preparations continue for the 97th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, California, U.S. February 27, 2025. Daniel Cole | ReutersThe 97th Academy Awards are live from the Dolby Theater in Hollywood on Sunday, March 2 at 7 p.m. ET. The ceremony, hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien, airs on ABC and is available through its website and app.This year’s awards put a handful of new records on the line: “The Brutalist” star Adrien Brody could be the first to go 2-for-2 in the best actor category, while…

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance speaks during a swearing-in ceremony for newly confirmed CIA Director John Ratcliffe at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House on Jan. 23, 2025 in Washington, DC. Kent Nishimura | Getty ImagesCrowds gathered in a Vermont town on Saturday to protest Vice President JD Vance’s visit to a local ski resort, the day after his explosive Oval Office clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.Protesters lined a main thoroughfare in Waitsfield, Vermont, located near the Sugarbush Resort where Vance and his family were vacationing. They held signs that said, “Vance is a traitor go ski…

Listen to article Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Adviser to Information, Barrister Saif, has urged the federal government to approve the Terms of Reference (TORs) for an urgent delegation to Afghanistan, emphasizing the need for immediate dialogue. In a statement, Barrister Saif stressed that ensuring the security of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s residents remains the provincial government’s top priority. He criticised the federal government for allegedly politicising the issue of terrorism and questioned why similar objections were not raised when chief ministers from Punjab and Sindh undertook foreign visits. He stated that such actions reinforce the province’s sense of deprivation. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Office has confirmed reports that Afghan authorities…

FRANCE – 2025/01/20: In this photo illustration, Trump Meme , Trump the Crypto president, is seen displayed on a smartphone screen. (Photo Illustration by Romain Doucelin/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)Romain Doucelin | Getty ImagesCryptocurrencies rallied on Sunday after President Donald Trump announced the creation of a U.S. strategic crypto reserve that will include bitcoin and ether, as well as XRP,  Solana’s SOL token and Cardano’s ADA, he said in a post on Truth Social.”A U.S. Crypto Reserve will elevate this critical industry after years of corrupt attacks by the Biden Administration, which is why my Executive Order on Digital Assets…

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir has urged Pakistan’s youth to prioritise their duties and self-responsibility over engaging in baseless criticism, the state-run Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported on Sunday. Addressing students at the CMH Institute of Medical Sciences in Bahawalpur, Gen Munir emphasised the importance of academic excellence and equipping young people with the skills to contribute to national development. The army chief praised the youth’s role in shaping Pakistan’s future and reiterated the army’s commitment to supporting initiatives that empower young talent. Gen Asim Munir cautioned that false narratives were being spread to undermine the state’s efforts against…