Author: i2wtc
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Senator Musadik Malik announced on Thursday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had directed to prepare a comprehensive 300-day implementation plan within 15 days to address the mounting challenges of climate change, including the risks posed by monsoon rains and accelerated glacial melting. The directives came a day after PM Shehbaz declared a climate and agricultural emergency in view of the ongoing monsoon rains and flood situation across the country. Speaking at a press conference flanked by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, the minister said the…
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella departs following a meeting of the White House Task Force on AI Education in the East Room of the White House in Washington on Sept. 4, 2025.Eric Lee | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesMicrosoft CEO Satya Nadella told employees in a meeting on Thursday that the company has work to do to smooth relations with employees after announcing several rounds of layoffs and a mandated partial return to in-person work.In the meeting that was held online, an employee asked executives to speak about a perceived lack of empathy in the company’s culture as of late and steps…
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday hailed Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s “unparalleled leadership and selfless struggle” in securing dignity and independence for Pakistanis. On his 77th death anniversary, the day was observed with prayers, tributes, and a renewed pledge to uphold his principles of unity, faith, and discipline. Ceremonies were held across Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), where social and civil society forums recalled Jinnah’s leadership in uniting Muslims of the subcontinent under the All-India Muslim League and securing a separate homeland. The Government of Pakistan’s official X handle also shared a tribute,…
Microsoft Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella (L), speaks with OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman, who joined by video during the Microsoft Build 2025, conference in Seattle, Washington on May 19, 2025. Jason Redmond | AFP | Getty ImagesOpenAI on Thursday said its nonprofit parent will continue to have oversight over the company and will own an equity stake of more than $100 billion.The artificial intelligence startup, recently valued at $500 billion, said this structure will make the nonprofit “one of the most well-resourced philanthropic organizations in the world,” and will allow the company to continue to raise…
U.S. President Donald Trump and Lisa Cook, governor of the U.S. Federal ReserveAnnabelle Gordon | Reuters | Al Drago | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesLawyers for President Donald Trump on Thursday asked a federal appeals court to let his bid to fire Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook take effect before the central bank’s rate-setting committee meets next week.The request to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit came two days after a lower-court judge blocked Trump from removing Cook from her post while her lawsuit proceeds.The Federal Open Market Committee, which includes Cook, is set to…
Jose Luis Pelaez Inc | Digitalvision | Getty ImagesHealth-care inflation is fueling higher coverage costs, setting the stage for what could be the largest increase in health-care spending by large employers in 15 years.Medical care costs in August rose 4.2% on an annualized basis, according to the Labor Department’s Consumer Price Index, compared to an overall inflation rate of 2.9%. The cost of doctors’ visits climbed 3.5%, while hospital and outpatient services jumped 5.3%.Those price increases are contributing to higher health insurance costs for 2026. Consumers who don’t qualify for government subsidies to buy health coverage on the Affordable Care Act exchanges…
President Asif Ali Zardari will begin a ten-day visit to China on Friday at the invitation of the Chinese government, Radio Pakistan reported on Thursday. Zardari is scheduled to travel to Chengdu, Shanghai and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, where he will meet provincial leadership. Talks will cover Pakistan-China bilateral relations, with a focus on economic and trade cooperation, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and future connectivity initiatives. The two sides are also expected to exchange views on collaboration at multilateral fora. Officials said the visit highlights the tradition of high-level exchanges between the two countries and reflects their commitment…
Paramount+ signage in the Times Square neighborhood of New York, US, on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023. Gabby Jones | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesDavid Ellison looks to be buying up a media empire.The CEO and chairman of the newly minted Paramount Skydance has tapped an investment bank to help prepare a takeout offer for Warner Bros. Discovery, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic dealings.Warner Bros. Discovery had yet to receive an offer as of Thursday, according to people familiar. However, shares of the company soared almost 30% Thursday afternoon, notching the stock’s…
The District and Sessions Court of Islamabad on Thursday annulled a judicial magistrate’s order that had directed the closure of several YouTube channels, ruling in favour of 11 content creators who challenged the move. Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka set aside the lower court’s ruling while hearing appeals filed by 11 YouTubers, including journalists Matiullah Jan, Asad Toor and Abdul Qadir. The case stemmed from an earlier order by a judicial magistrate directing the blocking of 27 YouTube channels. Of these, 11 content creators approached the sessions court, arguing that the decision was unlawful. Their appeals were…
A man holds up a smartphone with the Uber app visible on screen, as taxis queue in the background on June 4, 2019.Olly Curtis | Future via Getty ImagesThe Department of Justice sued Uber on Thursday, alleging the ride-hailing giant discriminated against riders with disabilities, according to a filing.”Despite the importance of its services to people with disabilities, Uber denies people with disabilities full and equal enjoyment of its services in several critical ways,” the complaint, filed in a federal court in San Francisco, reads.The DOJ alleged that Uber and its drivers “routinely refuse to serve individuals with disabilities, including…