Author: i2wtc

PUBLISHED March 01, 2026 KARACHI: The idea of peace in Gaza, the claim that the war has ended, and the creation of a ‘Board of Peace’ by US President Donald Trump, presented in Davos as a bold stroke of diplomatic genius, reads less like a credible peace plan and more like a scene from an alternate reality. On the ground, barely anything has shifted for the Palestinians. It was the kind of announcement designed to dominate news headlines – a sweeping initiative, a break from multilateral bureaucracy, a president casting himself as the architect and saviour of order in one…

This photo taken on Feb. 28, 2026 shows thick smoke rising in downtown Tehran, Iran. (Xinhua/Shadati)CAIRO, March 1 (Xinhua) — Iran’s state media confirmed Sunday that its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Saturday, prompting Iranian missile strikes on Israel and U.S. targets across the region.What happened in the past 24 hours? Why did the United States and Israel take action now? How will Iran retaliate? Will this conflict escalate?WHAT HAPPENED?Israel announced a “preemptive” strike on Saturday morning, sending about 200 fighter jets in simultaneous airstrikes on missile and defense systems in western…

Iran pledges major offensive in response to attacks; UN Secretary-General calls for immediate cessation of hostilitiesPeople march after Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in Israeli and US strikes, in Basra, Iraq, March 1, 2026. PHOTO: REUTERS DUBAI/ JERUSALEM/ JERUSALEM,: Israel said it had launched another wave of strikes on Iran on Sunday, as Iranians faced uncertainty after the killing of their supreme leader in US and Israeli attacks that threatened to destabilize the wider Middle East. Hours after the United States and Israel said that an air strike killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as part of the most…

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool climbed into the Premier League’s top five with a 5-2 win over struggling West Ham United while Burnley’s slim chances of survival took another body blow in an agonising 4-3 defeat at home to Brentford on Saturday. Three first-half goals, all from set-pieces, by Hugo Ekitike, Virgil van Dijk and Alexis Mac Allister put Arne Slot’s men on course for a fourth consecutive victory in all competitions. Dutch duo Cody Gakpo and Jeremie Frimpong added more goals after the break, but despite the scoreline, it was another far from convincing performance from the English champions. Defeat deals another…

Investors reassess risk after Khamenei strike, with oil in spotlightIran woke up Sunday to a once-in-a-generation shock: state media confirmed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a joint U.S.–Israel strike.For markets, the key question is what comes next.Standard Chartered’s Global Head of Research, Eric Robertsen, said in a note that investors had already been underpricing geopolitical risk. The U.S. dollar is only modestly weaker year-to-date, but the dispersion beneath the surface is telling: commodity-linked currencies are outperforming, suggesting markets are paying for exposure to scarce resources and terms-of-trade winners.Ben Emons of FedWatch Advisors adds a high-volatility geopolitical lens.…

A disappointed Salman Agha said his team had “underperformed” after they exited the T20 World Cup on Saturday, but held back from making an “emotional” decision on his future as Pakistan captain. Pakistan were knocked out on net run rate despite beating Sri Lanka in their final Super Eights match in Kandy on Saturday. “We have underperformed in the whole tournament,” Agha told reporters. “We are out of the semis due to our failure in decision-making in pressure situations.” Opener Sahibzada Farhan became the only player to score two hundreds in the same T20 World Cup as Pakistan posted 212-8.…

Security tightened at entry points, airport; police urge vigilance and warn against spreading rumours Karachi has been placed on high alert amid the Pakistan Army’s ‘Operation Ghazab Lil Haq’ against the Afghan Taliban, with police issuing a detailed public safety advisory on Saturday. Karachi Assistant Inspector General of Police Azad Khan directed heightened security measures across the metropolis following reports of escalating tensions between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban regime. According to a city police spokesperson, surveillance has been intensified while security has been further strengthened at key entry and exit points, major transport hubs and other sensitive installations to pre-empt any…

NEW DELHI: Unbeaten South Africa look to “maintain discipline and intensity” in their last Super Eights match of the T20 World Cup against Zimbabwe, batting coach Ashwell Prince said on Saturday. The 2024 runners-up have already secured a semi-final place ahead of their match in New Delhi on Sunday. The Aiden Markram-led side will take to the pitch in the dead rubber game after scoring convincing wins over hot favourites India and two-time champions West Indies in the Super Eights. Zimbabwe meanwhile have stunned Australia and co-hosts Sri Lanka in the group stages. “I think you’ve got to respect the…

A woman holds an illustration depicting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as others wave Iranian national flags during a demonstration in support of the government and against US and Israeli strikes outside a mosque in Tehran on February 28, 2026.Atta Kenare | Afp | Getty ImagesThe death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei sets in motion a formal succession process that could have significant implications for the country’s political stability, sanctions outlook and already strained economy. Khamenei was killed in a joint military strike by Israel and the United States, Iranian state media confirmed. At the time of his…

Zhang Fan (R) inspects a research base of China Electrical Equipment Group in Shanghai, east China, Jan. 27, 2026.Zhang Fan is vice general manager of China Electrical Equipment Group and a deputy to the National People’s Congress (NPC). Zhang believes that “artificial intelligence (AI) plus manufacturing” would be achieved through strengthening top-level design and industry guidelines. Last year, Zhang presented a suggestion on deepening integration of manufacturing and AI to promote high-quality innovative development. His suggestion was given great importance.In January 2026, eight departments of China including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology jointly issued a plan which outlines…