Author: i2wtc

New Zealand have struck early in their encounter with India in the final group match of the Champions Trophy to decide the semi-final line-up. Indian top order batters Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are all back in the dugout with the score at just 30 after seven overs. Earlier New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner won the toss and elected to field against India in this all-important encounter. Both teams came into the match in Dubai unbeaten, with the winners to top Group A and face Australia in the semi-finals. The match is Virat Kohli’s 300th one-day international after…

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shake hands during a bilateral meeting at 10 Downing Street ahead of a summit of European leaders, on March 1, 2025, in London.Peter Nicholls | Via ReutersBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer greeted President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with a warm embrace on Saturday after the Ukrainian leader flew to London for talks following his clash at the White House with U.S. President Donald Trump.In an extraordinary Oval Office meeting on Friday, Trump threatened to withdraw support for Ukraine, three years after Russia invaded its smaller neighbor.French President Emmanuel Macron spoke to Zelenskyy and Trump…

PUBLISHED March 02, 2025 LAHORE/KARACHI/PESHAWAR: “In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.” For a stressed husband struggling to access urgent help for his laboring wife in a remote area with measly healthcare facilities, any elderly woman with experiential knowledge of childbirth is a welcome option regardless of whether or not she has even opened a biology textbook in her life. One such husband was Samar Khan, a local farmer from a remote area in K-P, whose desperate decision to trust an unqualified midwife with the delivery of his wife brought devastating repercussions for his family. When…

PUBLISHED March 02, 2025 KARACHI: Do you remember the first time you saw an airplane soar through the sky, leaving behind a trail of condensed water vapor that seemed to stretch on forever? Perhaps it was on a family vacation, or a solo trip, or simply a lazy summer afternoon spent gazing up at the clouds. Whatever the context, the sight of that plane likely left an indelible mark on your imagination. As children, we’re all fascinated by the magic of flight. Who hasn’t pressed their nose against the windowpane of a plane, fascinated by the cockpit’s intricate controls and…

Hamas calls Israel’s move ‘cheap blackmail’ and a ‘coup’ on the ceasefire agreement between the two sides.Israel has issued a threat to Hamas, saying there would be “consequences” if the Palestinian group did not agree to extend the now-ended phase one of the ceasefire agreement following a proposal put forward by the United States presidential envoy, Steve Witkoff. The first phase of the agreement ended on Saturday, but Israel is yet to move ahead with the second phase, which would have ultimately led to a permanent end to the war. A statement by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, published…

LONDON: Jos Buttler made an unceremonious exit as England’s white-ball captain on Friday, endorsing the popular perception that great players do not always make great captains. Buttler is arguably England’s greatest white-ball batter and was tipped to scale similar heights as skipper after he led the side to the T20 World Cup title in Australia in 2022. Since then, England have instead made a steady decline. In the last 16 months, England have failed to defend either of their World Cup titles and on Wednesday were sent packing from the ICC Champions Trophy by Afghanistan. As the captain of England’s…

PUBLISHED March 02, 2025 KARACHI: Since 2001, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been supporting many programmes in Pakistan and in the rest of the region as well. Non-governmental organisations and many educational, health, and social development projects highly depend upon funding. In 2024, the funds from USAID to Pakistan alone were 210 million dollars, covering several projects. Therefore, US President Donald Trump’s recent freeze for US funds has shocked the world. The Trump administration has begun dismantling USAID, creating uncertainty in the international development community. It has resulted in an immediate halt on foreign aid. This…

European leaders meet in London to bolster Ukraine and address security concerns amid US policy shifts under Trump.More than a dozen European leaders will gather in London for discussions aimed at strengthening security cooperation and reaffirming support for Ukraine. The meeting on Sunday follows a dramatic rift at the White House between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the host, Donald Trump, on Friday. European leaders are set to prioritise military support and increased economic pressure on Russia to strengthen Ukraine’s position. Discussions will also focus on securing a lasting peace deal, ensuring Ukraine can deter future Russian aggression, and planning…

KARACHI: England’s dismal Champions Trophy campaign concluded with a whimper on Saturday as South Africa’s ruthless seven-wicket victory in Karachi sealed their semi-final berth. A shell-shocked Jos Buttler watched his captaincy tenure end in tatters, his side bowled out for 179 before the Proteas romped home in just 30 overs, powered by Rassie van der Dussen’s unbeaten 72 and Heinrich Klaasen’s explosive 64. Head coach Brendon McCullum did not sugarcoat the failure. “Tonight was probably the example of why we’re out of the tournament,” he admitted, citing England’s inability to handle pressure. “We weren’t able to withstand it when applied…

PUBLISHED March 02, 2025 KARACHI: For six decades, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was a cornerstone of Washington’s foreign policy, delivering 40% of global aid while projecting a softer image of American power. Through its vast network, it became a key instrument of US influence—until it was no longer. Last month, in typically abrupt fashion, Donald Trump took to Truth Social with a blunt directive: “CLOSE IT DOWN!” With that, one of the world’s most prominent aid agencies received its death warrant. Hundreds of internal contractors at USAID were placed on unpaid leave, while others were unceremoniously…