Author: i2wtc
* The fourth session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference is scheduled to commence on Wednesday, one day before the opening of the fourth session of the 14th National People’s Congress.* Lawmakers will deliberate on the central government’s annual work report, and review the draft government budget and development plan for 2026. This year, they will also examine a draft outline of the new five-year plan, which will anchor policy priorities until 2030.* As China enters a fresh planning cycle, the “two sessions” offer a window into how the country aims to advance its…
Police officers walk past the Supreme Court of Pakistan building, in Islamabad, Pakistan April 6, 2022. REUTERS ISLAMABAD: The Shariat Appellate Bench of the Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to the federation in an appeal challenging the Federal Shariat Court’s (FSC) ruling that declared the quota system un-Islamic and adjourned the hearing until the first week of April. A five-member bench headed by Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail heard the case. Other members of the bench included Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Irfan Saadat Khan, and Islamic scholars Justice (retd) Dr Khalid Masood and Dr Qibla Ayaz. During the proceedings, Justice…
This is CNBC’s Morning Squawk newsletter. Subscribe here to receive future editions in your inbox.Good morning. While the war in Iran continues to unfold, today also brings the first midterm primary elections in the U.S. Here are the races to watch.Stock futures are plunging this morning following a mixed session on Wall Street.Here are five key things investors need to know to start the trading day:1. Day 4A plume of smoke rises after a strike in Tehran, Iran, Monday, March 2, 2026.Mohsen Ganji | APThe U.S. embassy in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh was hit by two drones Tuesday morning local time, as…
South African captain Aiden Markram poses as he arrives at the airport with team-mates ahead of their semi-final against New Zealand on Monday.—Courtesy CSA KOLKATA: South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad has urged his side to embrace the pressure of being labelled favourites as they prepare for a high-stakes semi-final against New Zealand in the T20 World Cup. The Proteas remained unbeaten in the tournament after registering an emphatic five-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in New Delhi on Sunday and will now face the Black Caps on Wednesday, with a place in the final at stake. Despite the added intensity of…
Versant Media Group, the newly minted spinout of TV networks and digital assets from Comcast, released its first earnings report on Tuesday. The company reported full-year revenue of roughly $6.69 billion for 2025, down 5% from the prior year. Versant is reporting a breakdown of its earnings from its final year under the ownership of Comcast’s NBCUniversal. Versant’s linear distribution revenue was down 5.4% to $4.1 billion, and advertising revenue declined almost 9% to $1.58 billion. Net income attributable to Versant was $930 million, and the company reported $2.18 billion in standalone adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Shares of Versant gained…
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has dissolved the bench hearing the appeals filed by human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her spouse Hadi Ali Chattha against their conviction in a case related to their controversial social media posts. The IHC has ordered placing the case file before Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfaraz Dogar for the constitution of a new bench. Justice Muhammad Asif issued the order on Monday on an application filed by the appellants seeking an early hearing of their appeals and the suspension of their sentences. During the proceedings, the counsel for the appellants, Riasat Ali Azad,…
Sign at the main entrance to a Best Buy store in Venice, Florida. Erik McGregor | Lightrocket | Getty ImagesBest Buy posted mixed results on Tuesday as the retailer’s holiday-quarter sales declined and came in below Wall Street’s expectations, but its earnings topped estimates as it showed improved profitability.For the current fiscal year, the consumer electronics retailer expects revenue to range between $41.2 billion and $42.1 billion, compared with $41.69 billion in the most recent fiscal year. It expects adjusted earnings per share to range from $6.30 to $6.60, after it reported adjusted earnings per share of $6.43 for the…
Official says operation will be taken to its logical end; dismisses regional spillover ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will not hesitate to target top leadership of the Afghan Taliban, including reclusive supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, if credible intelligence becomes available, a senior security source disclosed on Monday, as Islamabad presses ahead with an expanded military campaign across the border. In a background briefing, a security source did not rule out the possibility of taking out Taliban leaders while responding to a question on whether Pakistan’s ongoing operations would also extend to the Taliban’s political and military leadership. “If there is actionable intelligence, no…
Tuesday is the first moment of truth for the 2026 midterm elections. It’s the day the first polls will close to kick off a seven-month stretch of primaries that will help shape who will win the House and Senate on Election Day, Nov. 3.While Democrats are favored to win the House and Republicans seem likely to keep the Senate, much will depend on the results of the primaries leading up to the big day. Here are five early races taking place Tuesday that will indicate how the rest of the election could go:1. Texas Senate Republican Primary Sen. John Cornyn,…
Afghan Taliban patrol near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border in Spin Boldak, Kandahar Province on October 15, 2025. Photo: Reuters/ File PESHAWAR: Pakistani armed forces have destroyed a major ammunition depot in Afghanistan’s Khost province during the ongoing Operation Ghazab lil Haq, launched in response to unprovoked aggression by the Afghan Taliban along the border. Security sources said the targeted depot belonged to Fitna al-Khwarij and the Afghan Taliban, and was neutralised as part of strong and effective retaliatory action. According to the sources, following the cross-border escalation, the Afghan Taliban regime and affiliated groups are now facing a broad setback across…