Author: i2wtc

‘It’s my first time working with assistants, as I usually travel and paint alone’ Swedish mural artist Domi Forrest has brought her unique fusion of mythology, nature, and human connection to Pakistan, where she is creating two large-scale murals for the World Culture Festival in Karachi. “This is my first time working with assistants, as I usually travel and paint alone,” she told The Express Tribune, smiling as she looked over her unfinished sketches. On her first visit to Pakistan, Forrest described her experience as “an amazing one full of positive energy and kindness”. Internationally known for her symbolic and…

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella speaks during an event commemorating the 50th anniversary of the company at Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Washington, on April 4, 2025. Microsoft Corp., determined to hold its ground in artificial intelligence, will soon let consumers tailor the Copilot digital assistant to their own needs.David Ryder | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesMicrosoft will expand its employee base once again, CEO Satya Nadella told investor Brad Gerstner on a podcast that aired on Friday.The software maker’s workforce didn’t budge in the 2025 fiscal year, which ended in June. It stood at 228,000, with multiple rounds of layoffs lowering the…

Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger joins former President Barack Obama, during a campaign event on Nov. 1, 2025, in Norfolk, Virginia.Steve Helber | AP PhotoFormer President Barack Obama is encouraging voters to elect Democrats as governor in Virginia and New Jersey in elections this Tuesday that could signal the national mood 10 months into Donald Trump’s second presidency and a year ahead of midterm elections that could reshape it.Obama’s Saturday appearances for Abigail Spanberger and Mikie Sherrill contrast with Trump spending the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, leaving Republicans Winsome Earle-Sears in Virginia and Jack Ciattarelli in…

Pakistan’s science base seen as competitive edge, with potential to become future mineral hub US Critical Minerals Forum (CMF) President Robert Louis Strayer II, along with US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker, called on Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb to discuss enhanced cooperation in Pakistan’s minerals and mining sector. Talks focused on developing secure and transparent supply chains, promoting responsible investment, and advancing sustainable growth in Pakistan’s critical minerals landscape. The visit comes as Washington intensifies efforts to diversify global supply chains and reduce reliance on China for rare earth materials — a domain long dominated by Beijing. Read: Trump says…

Employee Adil Shehzad submits statement naming nearly 20 Pakistan Railways officials in scamPakistan Railways. PHOTO: FILE LAHORE: Three retired officers have been exposed for their role in the fraudulent allotment of Pakistan Railways’ residential quarters. These individuals allegedly signed backdated papers to make the allotments appear legitimate and to avoid suspicion. An employee implicated in the scam, Adil Shehzad, has submitted a written statement to the railway administration detailing the involvement of nearly twenty Pakistan Railways officials. He alleged that the scam involved state inspectors, clerks, photocopy operators, and executive engineers, all part of a well-formed network. According to documents…

New model uses AI forecasts to trigger cash transfers before overflow, helping families evacuate, protect assetsCitizen’s wade through the flooded area of Narowal, a city of Punjab, on August 27,2025. Photo: AFP With this year’s floods devastating rural regions and displacing countless families, it is more important than ever to have systems in place that can anticipate and pre-emptively provide aid to affected populations. The non-profit GiveDirectly is testing a new approach to flood relief, and that is to send money to households before water levels rise. Anticipatory cash assistance uses AI to forecast where floods will hit, and releases…

DIR: Fateha for the slain deputy chief of the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Qari Amjad, continued for a second consecutive day on Saturday at the main mosque of Mayar Jandool. Large number of relatives, local residents, and friends from surrounding villages participated in the prayers. According to family sources, the condolence gatherings will continue for three days in line with local customs and traditions. Qari Amjad, whose real name was Amjad Ali, was killed along with three associates in an intelligence-based operation near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Bajaur on the night between Wednesday and Thursday. Military authorities handed over his body…

Evolve Bank CEO Bob Hartheimer booking photo.Source: Shelby County JailBob Hartheimer, CEO of Tennessee’s Evolve Bank & Trust, was fired after U.S. law enforcement officials caught him propositioning a law enforcement officer posing as a 15-year-old boy on gay dating app Grindr.On Oct. 19, an employee of the Federal Bureau of Investigation logged onto Grindr while pretending to be a teen boy, and a user called “Tomm” wrote a message to that person saying, “Hey any chance u would hu with an older and chill guy,” according to an affidavit from a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation…

Fisherman Ejaz Mallah was arrested by Pakistani authorities after being coerced by Indian intelligence to spy for themMinister for Information Attaullah Tarar speaks alongside Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry during a press conference at the Press Information Department on Saturday. Photo: PID A Pakistani fisherman allegedly recruited by Indian intelligence to carry out espionage activities in the country has been arrested, Information Minister Atta Tarar said on Saturday, claiming the move foiled another attempt by New Delhi following the failure of ‘Operation Sindoor’. Accompanied by Minister of State for Interior Senator Talal Chaudhry, the information minister was addressing…

The logo of Chinese-owned semiconductor company Nexperia is displayed at the chipmaker’s German facility, after the Dutch government seized control and auto industry bodies sounded the alarm over the possible impact on car production, in Hamburg, Germany, Oct. 23, 2025. Jonas Walzberg | ReutersNetherlands-based chipmaker Nexperia is at the heart of a standoff between the European Union, the U.S. and China that has triggered a near-crisis for global automakers.The Dutch government seized control of Nexperia, owned by the Chinese company Wingtech, in October, citing national security concerns. The move prompted Beijing to block Nexperia products from leaving China.Meetings are underway…