Author: i2wtc
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is seeking funds from the government to ensure the national team’s participation in the 2025-26 FIH Pro League in case New Zealand withdrew from the said event. Funding of $2.5 million is required by Pakistan to participate in the event if New Zealand, who outplayed Pakistan 6-2 in the FIH Nations Cup final in Kuala Lumpur recently, pull out. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Thursday, PHF secretary Rana Mujahid, alongside Pakistan Sports Board director general Yasir Prizada, said that the federation would look to send the team to the FIH Pro League…
Listen to article ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Thursday approved the Rs17.6 trillion worth budget along with Rs463 billion new taxes, bringing the digital economy under the purview of tax laws but almost nullified the single largest enforcement measure to ban economic transactions by ineligible persons. The National Assembly approved the second budget of the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif with a comfortable majority. During a voting on one clause, the coalition government mustered the support of 201 Members of the National Assembly as against 57 votes of the opposition parties. It was also the second budget presented by Minister for…
Visitors communicate with Chinese exhibitors at the China Brand Fair in Budapest, Hungary, June 26, 2025. The China Brand Fair 2025 kicked off here on Thursday, bringing together over 270 companies from 17 Chinese provinces and municipalities. Since its inception in 2015, the China Brand Fair has been held seven times in Hungary. The 2025 edition features 10,000 square meters of exhibition space and products spanning electronics, machinery, building materials, fitness equipment, textiles, daily goods, and food items. (Photo by Sandor Bankuti/Xinhua)BUDAPEST, June 26 (Xinhua) — The China Brand Fair 2025 kicked off here on Thursday, bringing together over 270…
Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to ensure strict law and order during Muharram-ul-Haram processions and majalis across the country. While chairing the federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad on Thursday, Shehbaz Sharif instructed the Interior Minister to coordinate with provincial governments, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir to maintain peace and security throughout the month. The premier praised the government’s economic team, especially Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, for their dedication in preparing Pakistan’s federal budget for the fiscal year 2025-26. He also expressed gratitude to the federal cabinet and allied political parties for their collective support in finalising…
The National Assembly on Thursday approved the Rs17.57 trillion federal budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 with certain amendments, rejecting opposition calls for public consultation and clearing the way for a raft of tax reforms, revenue measures, and government spending plans for the coming year. The Finance Bill 2025 — aimed at giving effect to the federal government’s financial proposals for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2025, and amending various existing laws. The session, chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, began with Finance Minister Mohammad Aurangzeb moving the Finance Bill 2025, which was taken up for a clause-by-clause review. Opposition…
A police officer introduces anti-drug knowledge to passengers at a train station in Lianyungang, east China’s Jiangsu Province, June 25, 2025. This year’s June 26 marks the 38th International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Publicity and education activities were held in many places in China to promote the anti-drug awareness. (Photo by Wang Chun/Xinhua)A police officer leads a sniffer dog to search narcotics during a presentation event at a university in Shijiazhuang, north China’s Hebei Province, June 26, 2025. This year’s June 26 marks the 38th International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Publicity and education activities…
In a significant development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump have reportedly agreed on a swift resolution to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. According to Israel Hayom newspaper, quoting an unnamed source, reported that Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump agreed in a phone call this week on a rapid end to the war in Gaza, potentially within two weeks. Israel Hayom said the deal could include expanding the Abraham Accords between Israel and its Arab neighbors to include Saudi Arabia and Syria. The prime minister’s office declined to comment on the report. The US-brokered Israel-Iran ceasefire…
After a brief pullback this week, shares of stablecoin issuer and recent IPO darling Circle were in rally mode again, soaring double-digits on a percentage basis during trading on Thursday and ending the day up close to 8%, after having moved up by more than 600% percent since its debut on the New York Stock Exchange earlier this month. Bitcoin and ether have led a recent crypto rise, as digital assets joined the resumption of the risk-on rally, with additional factors such as the potential for lower interest rates later this year, some more moderate talk from the White House on…
This screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on June 26, 2025 shows Shenzhou-20 astronauts Chen Dong (R) and Chen Zhongrui closing the hatch of space station lab module Wentian’s airlock cabin. (Photo by Zhou Keyi/Xinhua)BEIJING, June 26 (Xinhua) — The Shenzhou-20 crew on board China’s orbiting space station completed their mission’s second series of extravehicular activities on Thursday, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).The astronaut trio — Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie — worked for about 6.5 hours and completed the task at 9:29 p.m. (Beijing Time), assisted by the space station’s robotic arm…
Listen to article Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari have reiterated their unwavering commitment to eliminating drug abuse and strengthening collective efforts to tackle the menace, emphasising the importance of a united front to combat this pervasive issue. In their separate messages on the observance of International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, both leaders called for concerted efforts from all stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society, the private sector, and international partners, to eradicate drug abuse from society. Shehbaz, in his message, recognised the gravity of the drug abuse issue, acknowledging the government’s ongoing efforts to…