Author: i2wtc

Listen to article In the wake of serious administrative lapses that prevented more than 67,000 prospective pilgrims from performing Hajj this year, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Ministry of Religious Affairs to immediately begin planning and logistical preparations for Hajj 2026. Chairing a high-level review meeting in Islamabad on Saturday, the prime minister said such negligence would not be tolerated in the future, and instructed the ministry to develop a comprehensive roadmap aligned with the Hajj policy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. “Serving the Hajj pilgrims is a sacred responsibility. Any negligence in this regard next year will be…

In another blow to the Republicans’ tax and spending cut bill, the Senate parliamentarian has advised that a proposal to shift some food stamps costs from the federal government to states — a centerpiece of GOP savings efforts — would violate the chamber’s rules.While the parliamentarian’s rulings are advisory, they are rarely, if ever, ignored. The Republican leadership scrambled on Saturday, days before voting is expected to begin on President Donald Trump’s package that he wants to be passed into law by the Fourth of July.The loss is expected to be costly to Republicans. They have been counting on some…

A KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft refuels a B-2 Spirit aircraft with the 509th Bomb Wing over Kansas Aug. 29, 2012.U.S. Air Force photoThe United States is moving B-2 bombers to the Pacific island of Guam, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Saturday, as President Donald Trump weighs whether the U.S. should take part in Israel’s strikes against Iran.It was unclear whether the bomber deployment is tied to Middle East tensions.The B-2 can be equipped to carry America’s 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, designed to destroy targets deep underground. That is the weapon that experts say could be used to strike Iran’s…

Listen to article ISLAMABAD: China, Pakistan and Bangladesh have formed a first trilateral forum, in a significant development that highlights new alignments in the region. The first meeting of the newly-formed trilateral meeting was held in Kunming, Yunnan province of China on Thursday. The talks, held on June 19, brought together Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, Bangladesh’s Acting Foreign Secretary Ruhul Alam Siddique, and Pakistan’s Additional Secretary for Asia-Pacific, Imran Ahmed Siddiqui. Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch also joined the first phase of the discussions via video link. Bangladesh had strained ties with Pakistan and relationship with China was not smooth…

Listen to article Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday warned against a “new Sykes-Picot order” in the Middle East and called for stronger solidarity among Islamic nations to counter Israeli actions and regional destabilisation. “We will not allow the establishment of a new Sykes-Picot order in our region with borders to be drawn in blood,” Erdogan said at the 51st Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul. He described the conditions in Gaza as worse than those of Nazi concentration camps, noting that “2 million of our sisters and brothers in Gaza…

American youngsters visit the Stilwell Museum in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, June 19, 2025. (Photo by Tang Anbing/Xinhua)CHONGQING, June 20 (Xinhua) — Visiting the Stilwell Museum in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, 14-year-old American student Thomas Rex Feveryear was fascinated by the history when China and the United States fought together 80 years ago.”I actually didn’t completely know all the things that China and America did together,” he said. “It’s kind of cool to see how they were able to join forces and work together.”The teenager is among the 39 teachers and students from Renaissance Academy in Utah who visited the…

Listen to article Pakistan has categorically denied Indian media reports claiming it requested a ceasefire following recent hostilities with India. In a statement issued Friday, the Foreign Office spokesperson dismissed the reports as “entirely baseless,” asserting that Pakistan responded to Indian aggression in line with its right to self-defence. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, had in multiple media appearances stated that Pakistan’s military response was a direct reaction to Indian provocations. The Foreign Office clarified that at no point did Pakistan initiate or request a ceasefire. The spokesperson detailed that the ceasefire was arranged through third-party diplomatic…

New Zealand beat the Pakistan hockey team 6-2 in the final of the FIH Nations Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Saturday to retain their title. New Zealand launched a blitz early on in the match with five goals in the first half. New Zealand’s hockey federation said “a statement had been made” with the win. “The Vantage Black Sticks men have claimed the victory at the 2025 FIH Nations Cup Grand final. “An electrifying match and a huge effort from the team to secure the win and become back-to-back champions!” “A tough end to a spirited campaign. Pakistan fought…

An AG43 automatic rifle is on display at a gun store in Arlington Virginia.Olivier Douliery | Sipa USA via AP ImagesRhode Island’s Democratic-controlled state House on Friday approved legislation that would ban the sale and manufacturing of many semiautomatic rifles commonly referred to as assault weapons.The proposal now heads to the desk of Democratic Gov. Dan McKee, who has said he supports assault weapons bans. If the bill is signed into law, Rhode Island will join 10 states that have some sort of prohibition on high-powered firearms that were once banned nationwide and are now largely the weapon of choice…

* The expo has fostered economic and trade cooperation between China and South Asian countries, providing steady momentum for regional growth and injecting greater certainty to the global economy.* While consolidating cooperation in traditional fields, China and South Asian countries have expanded cooperation in emerging fields, such as new energy, photovoltaics, electric vehicles, digital technology and cross-border e-commerce, to achieve complementary advantages.by Xinhua writer Wu YanCOLOMBO/KUNMING, June 21 (Xinhua) — At the 9th China-South Asia Expo held in Kunming, capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, Sri Lankan businessman U.A. Ajith showcased more than just his products.Shifting his focus from individual…