Author: i2wtc

A drone photo taken on July 24, 2025 shows China’s research icebreaker Xuelong 2 conducting scientific research in the Arctic Ocean. China’s research icebreaker Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon 2, arrived in Shanghai on Friday, marking the completion of the country’s hitherto largest Arctic Ocean scientific expedition. A total of 100 members of China’s 15th Arctic Ocean scientific expedition were aboard the vessel. Organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources, this round of Arctic survey was jointly carried out by four vessels, including Xuelong 2, Jidi, Shenhai-1 and Tansuo-3. This Arctic expedition has further enhanced China’s understanding of the rapid…

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has begun shaping a new National Resilience Plan 2025-26 to better prepare Pakistan for the next monsoon season, aiming to reduce the destruction caused by floods and other natural disasters. “The National Resilience Plan must be outcome-focused, with clear strategies to reduce the losses resulting from such calamities – whether in terms of human lives, infrastructure, crops, or livestock,” Dr Malik said. Officials say the upcoming plan seeks to avoid a repeat by identifying high-risk areas, integrating scattered response systems, and ensuring faster, more coordinated relief operations. Dr Malik also acknowledged weaknesses in the current system,…

Google CEO Sundar Pichai waves as he arrives to attend the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit at the Grand Palais in Paris, France, February 11, 2025. Benoit Tessier | ReutersGoogle long touted the need for factually accurate information on its platforms, but a letter submitted to Congress this week demonstrates how the tech company is shifting to prioritize “free expression.”The company’s YouTube division on Tuesday said it will soon allow accounts that were previously banned for spreading misinformation related to Covid-19 and the 2020 U.S. election to apply for reinstatement. The company made the announcement through the letter, which was…

ISLAMABAD: Challenging the University of Karachi’s last year decision to revoke his law degree after 32 years, Islamabad High Court (IHC) judge Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri has told the Sindh High Court (SHC) that he faces retribution from powerful members of the executive for exercising judicial autonomy. On August 31, 2024, the University of Karachi’s Syndicate annulled the allegedly “invalid” degree of Justice Jahangiri on the recommendations of the university’s Unfair Means (UFM) Committee. However, the SHC on September 5, 2024 suspended the university’s decision. However, last week — on September 16 — a division bench of the IHC comprising Chief…

A car equipped with Momenta technology on display at the IAA Mobility show in Munich, Germany in September 2025.Arjun Kharpal | CNBCMomenta, a Chinese driverless technology startup, is raising a fresh round of funding that could value the company at around $6 billion, two people familiar with the matter told CNBC.The valuation could change as the funding progresses, one of the people, who wished to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to discuss the details publicly, said.Bloomberg first reported the deal with a valuation above $5 billion.Momenta declined to comment when contacted by CNBC.The Beijing-headquartered company develops software and…

Young Asian woman holding smartphone with a computer generated background. Innovation, metaverse and futuristic concepts.Oscar Wong | Moment | Getty ImagesA version of this article first appeared in CNBC’s Inside Wealth newsletter with Robert Frank, a weekly guide to the high-net-worth investor and consumer. Sign up to receive future editions, straight to your inbox.Investment firms of the ultra-wealthy, such as the family office of Jeff Bezos, are making headlines with massive fundraises for artificial intelligence startups.Late last month, Bezos Expeditions co-led a $405 million round for robotics startup Field AI with backers including Laurene Powell Jobs’ Emerson Collective. In the past six…

This photo taken on Sept. 25, 2025 shows the night view of a “flower basket” installation at Tian’anmen Square in Beijing, capital of China. The 18-meter-high installation in the shape of a flower basket is placed at Tian’anmen Square as a decoration for the upcoming National Day holiday. (Xinhua)This photo taken on Sept. 25, 2025 shows a “flower basket” installation at Tian’anmen Square in Beijing, capital of China. The 18-meter-high installation in the shape of a flower basket is placed at Tian’anmen Square as a decoration for the upcoming National Day holiday. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)Tourists view a “flower basket” installation at…

Traders in Gilgit-Baltistan have decided to press on with their sit-in at the Sost Dry Port, rejecting the government’s conditional tax concessions. The announcement came after negotiations in Islamabad between the federal government, G-B authorities, and local trade representatives. Protesters have kept the port shut since July in opposition to new taxation measures and the suspension of customs clearance. On Wednesday, officials agreed to exempt certain imports from federal taxes, provided they were meant for local use and complied with specific conditions. The annual value of these exemptions was capped at Rs4 billion. However, trade leader Javed Hussain said on…

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang gestures as U.S. President Donald Trump (not pictured) delivers remarks during the “Winning the AI Race” Summit in Washington D.C., U.S., July 23, 2025. Kent Nishimura | ReutersNvidia this week said it’ll invest $100 billion into OpenAI in a deal that highlights just how big the chipmaker’s investment portfolio has become since the arrival of generative AI in 2022.That deal came just one week after Nvidia committed a $5 billion investment into one-time rival Intel, and after the company announced its intention to make $500 million investment into self-driving car startup Wayve and a £500 million…

People walk by a Claire’s store on December 11, 2024 in San Rafael, California.Justin Sullivan | Getty ImagesClaire’s is headed for a major makeover.The tween retailer, known for its ear piercing stations, jewelry and purple carpeting, declared bankruptcy in early August, the second time in seven years, citing nearly $500 million in debt and an increasingly competitive environment.Weeks later, private holding company Ames Watson announced it was buying up roughly 1,000 Claire’s stores across North America in a $140 million deal to rebuild the brand. The announcement paused the liquidation process at most Claire’s stores.”We went and started to do…