Author: i2wtc

Listen to article The Israeli-initiated conflict with Iran continued to escalate early Saturday, with both sides exchanging fresh strikes, even as diplomatic efforts in Geneva stalled with no breakthrough on a ceasefire. At least 430 people were killed and 3,500 were wounded in Iran since the start of the Israeli-Iranian conflict on June 13, Iranian state-run Nour News reported on Saturday, citing the country’s health ministry. Israel has on the other hand reported 24 deaths with more than 800 others injured. An Iranian missile triggered a fire in a residential building in central Israel, prompting evacuations and emergency response, though no casualties…

GALLE: Bangladesh edged ahead of Sri Lanka on day four of the first Test in Galle on Friday, extending their lead to 187 runs with seven wickets in hand. The visitors finished at 177-3 after a strong partnership of 68 between opener Shadman Islam and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto. All-rounder Milan Rathnayake dismissed Shadman for 76 but veteran campaigner Mushfiqur Rahim, fresh off a first-innings century, joined his captain to steady the innings. The duo built an unbroken 49-run partnership for the fourth wicket to put their side in the driver’s seat heading into the final day. Bangladesh off-spinner Nayeem…

INDIAN captain Shubman Gill plays a shot during the first Test against England at Headingley on Friday.—AFP LEEDS: Shubman Gill marked his first innings as India captain with a sparkling hundred after fellow young gun Yashasvi Jaiswal also scored a fine century against England at Headingley on Friday. India — sent into bat by England captain Ben Stokes — were in the commanding position of 359-3 at stumps on the first day of the five-Test series. Gill was 127 not out after sharing a stand of 129 for the third wicket with opener Jaiswal, dismissed for 101 shortly after tea.…

Listen to article ISLAMABAD: The White House luncheon hosted by US President Donald Trump for Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir on Wednesday marked more than just a routine meeting — it signalled a major reset in US-Pakistan relations. This major reset in the relations between the two countries includes a permanent and enduring bilateral partnership, such as cooperation in counter-terrorism, mutual trade in mines and minerals, and cryptocurrency. President Trump’s praise for Pakistani political and military leadership, particularly Field Marshal Asim Munir, during his press conference after the meeting, clearly reflects the world’s growing confidence in the strong leadership…

LAHORE: Pakistan Sports Board has taken up a new role as election commissioner for national federations, with its Director General stating it will be on a case-to-case basis. The country’s sports regulatory body marked a first when it conducted elections of the national tenpin bowling, alpine club and bodybuilding federations here at the National Sports and Coaching Centre on Friday. Candidates for the Pakistan Tenpin Bowling Federation and the Alpine Club of Pakistan had already been elected unoppposed while Tariq Hassan was elected president of the Pakistan Bodybuilding Federation. The elections came after the PSB had recently amended its constitution,…

Listen to article GENEVA: Iran said on Friday it would not resume nuclear negotiations with the United States until Israel halts its attacks, as Israel’s military chief warned the week-old war will be “prolonged”. A series of blasts were heard in Tehran on Friday as Iran’s Fars news agency said air defences had been activated, as Israel kept up its bombardment and Iran launched missiles at its arch enemy. “We must be ready for a prolonged campaign,” Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir told Israelis in a video statement, eight days after his country launched a massive wave of strikes it said were…

Listen to article ISLAMABAD: Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has said that Pakistan does not seek security assistance or aid from the United States, but rather trade, investment and mutual respect. Speaking at a closed-door session with senior scholars, policy experts, analysts and representatives of leading international media outlets in Washington, the army chief praised President Donald Trump as “one of the greatest and fantastic leaders”, a day after their landmark meeting at the White House. “We want to be treated with respect and dignity,” Field Marshal Munir was quoted as saying by several participants of the session, who spoke to The…

Listen to article Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari asserted that after suffering a humiliating defeat on the battlefield, India also failed in its diplomatic campaign against Pakistan abroad, while Islamabad’s narrative prevailed on the international stage. Bilawal led a delegation to United States and Europe, appointed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, to present Islamabad’s perspective on the recent conflict with India. The visit aimed to secure international support, especially from the European Union, to help prevent further escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. “میں اس دورے کے دوران پاکستان کا امن کا پیغام، کشمیر کا پیغام، سندھو کا پیغام…

Listen to article ISLAMABAD: The government has formally decided to recommend US President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, praising his decisive diplomatic intervention and leadership during the recent Pakistan-India standoff, according to an official statement released Friday. Islamabad cited what it called “unprovoked and unlawful” Indian aggression against Pakistan, resulting in civilian casualties, including women, children and the elderly. “This constituted a grave violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the statement added. In response, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, described as a measured and precise military action aimed at re-establishing deterrence while avoiding civilian harm. The operation, the…

Listen to article ISLAMABAD: The government’s plan to ban economic transactions by ineligible persons from the start of new fiscal year has faced a setback, as a National Assembly panel found the online portal being developed to determine the eligibility criteria for carrying economic transactions was far from the finishing line. National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance Chairman Syed Naveed Qamar gave his critical post-review assessment on Friday after reviewing the government’s much-trumpeted plan to catch tax evaders. The committee, nonetheless, supported the government’s proposal to impose income tax on the earnings of elite recreational clubs, like Islamabad Club and Guns and…