Author: i2wtc

Hidden among the majestic canyons of the Utah desert, about 7 miles from the nearest town, is a small research facility meant to prepare humans for life on Mars.The Mars Society, a nonprofit organization that runs the Mars Desert Research Station, or MDRS, invited CNBC to shadow one of its analog crews on a recent mission.”MDRS is the best analog astronaut environment,” said Urban Koi, who served as health and safety officer for Crew 315. “The terrain is extremely similar to the Mars terrain and the protocols, research, science and engineering that occurs here is very similar to what we…

Pakistan on Saturday achieved a 2-1 victory over Kyrgyzstan in their qualifying match for the 2026 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Asian Cup, bringing them one step closer to qualifying for the tournament. The national squad was drawn in Group ‘D’ of the qualifiers in Jakarta alongside Chinese Taipei, Indonesia and Kyrgyzstan. Pakistan lost their first match of the campaign to Chinese Taipei 8-0 on June 29, but beat hosts Indonesia 2-0 in their second group match this week. Mariam Mahmood scored her first international goal in the very first minute of the match. “Layla Aliya won possession at the…

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office spokesperson Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan on Friday highlighted Pakistan’s growing diplomatic profile at international and regional forums, including its assumption of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Presidency, participation in the 17th ECO Summit, and ongoing efforts for humanitarian and legal accountability in the region. In a comprehensive weekly news briefing, the spokesperson underlined, “Pakistan assumes the Presidency of the United Nations Security Council this July with a deep sense of responsibility and purpose. Our approach will remain anchored in the principles of the UN Charter, multilateralism, and international law.” The spokesperson announced that Pakistan will convene…

A customer exits a Cava restaurant in New York City on June 22, 2023.Brendan McDermid | ReutersAs some consumers pull back on spending amid economic uncertainty, fast-casual restaurant chains are leaning on rewards programs to pull them back in.Loyalty programs, which offer discounts or added perks for returning customers, have transitioned from being a nice bonus for restaurants to a must-have. As cost-cautious diners prioritize value, brands like Chipotle, Starbucks, Cava and others are utilizing rewards to keep customers coming back and building habits that go beyond the occasional coupon.”In tough times, loyalty programs become more essential,” said Peter Fader,…

Listen to article KARACHI: At least 16 people, including three women and a child, are confirmed dead after a five-storey residential building collapsed in Lyari neighbourhood early Friday morning, authorities said on Saturday. Emergency responders have rescued nine injured survivors so far, but officials fear at least 25 to 30 more people may still be buried beneath the debris. The building, located in Lyari’s Baghdadi area, housed six families and collapsed on Friday. Rescue workers arrived promptly, using heavy machinery to sift through the rubble. Officials say the building was declared unsafe three years ago, yet neither the residents evacuated nor did…

How is China governed from the ground up? What does political leadership look like far from Beijing?In this 80-minute documentary, Xinhua’s Miao Xiaojuan is joined by six Western experts on a journey across China to meet the unsung heroes driving rural development, resolving disputes, and dreaming under the stars.From a remote Yi village in Sichuan, to an ancient porcelain town in Jiangxi, to an unearthly, windswept city in Qinghai, they take a rare, firsthand look at the mechanics, challenges, and human faces of grassroots governance in China.This is one trip you don’t want to miss!And special thanks to all the featured…

Listen to article RAWALPINDI: Security Forces killed 30 Indian proxy terrorists, foiling an infiltration attempt through the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in the North Waziristan district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the media wing of the military said in a statement on Friday. The statement, issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said that a large quantity of weapons, ammunition and explosives was also recovered from the dead “Indian-sponsored Khawarij” – a term used for the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). “Own troops effectively engaged and thwarted Indian sponsored Khawarij’s attempt to infiltrate. As a result of precise and skilful engagement, all thirty Indian sponsored khawarij were sent…

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has taken serious notice of officials in various sports federations holding positions beyond the permissible two terms, in violation of the National Sports Policy 2005. The PSB has issued warning letters to nine office-bearers from different federations who have exceeded the allowed tenure limits, according to a press release issued by the Board. As per the press release, the federations found in violation include the Pakistan Baseball Federation, where the president, secretary, and treasurer have continued in office beyond the prescribed terms; the Pakistan Taekwondo Federation and the Pakistan Judo Federation, where both the…

U.S. President Donald Trump gestures, as he speaks from a balcony, on the day he is expected to sign a sweeping spending and tax legislation, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 4, 2025. Ken Cedeno | ReutersU.S. President Donald Trump said he had signed letters to 12 countries outlining the various tariff levels they would face on goods they export to the United States, with the “take it or leave it” offers to be sent out on Monday.Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One as he traveled to…

A worker assembles a general aviation aircraft at the workshop of CETC Wuhu Diamond Aircraft Manufacture Co., Ltd. in Wuhu City, east China’s Anhui Province, July 3, 2025. In recent years, Anhui Province has accelerated the layout of its aerospace information industry, which encompasses low-altitude economy, commercial space, satellite applications, and deep space exploration. From booming “low altitude economy” such as drone delivery and low-altitude tourism, to the aggregation of enterprises into a commercial space industry chain, and the accelerating development of deep space exploration, Anhui further enhanced its independent innovation capabilities, and elevated aerospace information industry into a new…