Author: i2wtc
Listen to article Karachi experienced major traffic disruptions and law and order issues on Tuesday due to widespread protests against ongoing work on water and power infrastructure, local media reported. One of the main causes of disruption is the construction of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, which has damaged a key water line on University Road near Old Sabzi Mandi. This has left residents facing a water crisis that could last until Friday, with many areas likely to face water shortages. The protests, mainly against the water and power shortages, have led to road blockages, making it difficult for citizens to…
A group of civil service employees in the United States have announced their resignation from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), in the latest sign of discord within the administration of President Donald Trump. The 21 employees issued a joint letter to DOGE leadership, which was also obtained by media outlets including The Associated Press. In their statement on Tuesday, they accused DOGE of carrying out ideological attacks and risking the integrity of government systems. “We swore to serve the American people and uphold our oath to the Constitution across presidential administrations,” the employees wrote. “However, it has become clear…
Gloom and demands for wholesale changes have engulfed cricket-crazy Pakistan after the hosts crashed out of the Champions Trophy in the group stage, barely a week into celebrating the return of a major tournament. The titleholders lost their opening game to New Zealand by 60 runs in Karachi on Wednesday, before Sunday’s six-wicket defeat to archrivals India pushed them to the brink of an early exit. Pakistan needed Bangladesh to beat New Zealand on Monday to keep their slim hopes of a place in the semifinals alive, but the result went the other way. Thursday’s game with Bangladesh in Rawalpindi…
CEO of Apple Tim Cook poses as Apple holds an event at the Steve Jobs Theater on its campus in Cupertino, California, U.S. September 9, 2024. Manuel Orbegozo | ReutersApple shareholders on Tuesday rejected a request to abolish its Inclusion & Diversity program, signaling that investors still see value in the company’s diversity programs.The proposal, submitted by the National Center for Public Policy Research, was voted down at Apple’s annual shareholder meeting.The proposal pushed Apple to cease its diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, and it cited CNBC reporting that found companies such as Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft and Zoom were rolling…
Iran’s foreign minister made the announcement after meeting his Russian counterpart.Iran will not engage in direct talks with the United States on his country’s nuclear programme amid US President Donald Trump’s policy of “maximum pressure” against it, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said. His remarks came a day after the US imposed a fresh round of sanctions targeting Iran’s oil industry, the Iran’s main source of income. “Iran’s position regarding nuclear talks is clear and we will not negotiate under pressure and sanctions,” Aragchi said during a televised joint press conference with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Tehran on…
The Perplexity AI logo is seen in this photo taken on Jan. 4, 2024.Dado Ruvic | ReutersPerplexity AI, the developer of a popular artificial intelligence search engine, is close to raising a $50 million venture fund focused on early-stage AI startups, CNBC has learned.The company will be an anchor investor in the fund, but most of the capital is coming from outside limited partners, according to a person familiar with the matter who asked not to be named because the information is confidential.The two general partners of the fund are also coming from elsewhere. They are Kelly Graziadei and Joanna…
U.S. President Donald Trump meets with French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., Feb. 24, 2025. Brian Snyder | ReutersA trio of federal judges on Tuesday dealt the Trump administration setbacks in separate court cases involving federal spending, refugees and foreign aid.In one case, a judge extended a block on the Trump administration freezing federal spending on grants, loans and other financial aid.”In the simplest terms, the freeze was ill-conceived from the beginning,” wrote Judge Loren Alikhan in an opinion issued in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C.”Defendants either wanted to pause up to $3 trillion…
Listen to article The government on Monday warned independent power producers (IPPs), including wind power plants, of a forensic audit if they refuse to renegotiate agreements. After negotiations with IPPs, the government terminated contracts with six private power plants, while others agreed to rupee-based returns and a hybrid take-and-pay basis, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Power Muhammad Ali informed a parliamentary panel. The Senate Standing Committee on Power, chaired by Senator Mohsin Aziz, met to review ongoing IPP negotiations, forensic audits, and the privatisation strategy for power distribution companies. Ali stated that the government previously paid between Rs70 billion and…
Global talks to protect biodiversity have restarted with a call for humanity to come together to “sustain life on the planet” and overcome a fight over funding that caused the previous meeting last year to end in disarray. More than two years after a landmark deal on biodiversity – including a pledge to protect 30 percent of the world’s land and seas by 2030 – nations are still haggling over the money needed to reverse the destruction that scientists say threatens a million species. Negotiators meeting at the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization headquarters in Rome are tasked with resolving…
Listen to article ISLAMABAD: Akhtar Hussain a senior Supreme Court lawyer who represents the bar at the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP)has resigned as a member of the commission, citing concerns about “controversies surrounding judicial appointments”. Hussain, who was nominated thrice by the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) to the JCP, submitted his resignation to Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, who also heads the commission. His two-year term at the JCP was going to end in July 2025. In his letter, he expressed dissatisfaction with the process adopted for elevation of six more judges to the apex court. “On present controversies with…