Author: i2wtc
An aerial drone photo taken on May 15, 2025 shows the car carrier Anji Ansheng at Shanghai Haitong International Automotive Terminal in east China’s Shanghai. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe)BEIJING, June 19 (Xinhua) — Though lesser-known globally, China’s provincial economic powerhouses, including Guangdong, Jiangsu, Shandong and Zhejiang, wield influence rivaling the world’s top 20 economies. The country’s 10 economic giants, driving 60 percent of national GDP from 20 percent of land, are playing a crucial role in anchoring growth.SHIFTING FOCUS TO DOMESTIC DEMANDWhile foreign trade once drove China’s growth, the 10 provincial powerhouses, also including Sichuan, Henan, Hubei, Fujian, Shanghai and Hunan, are…
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday termed the regional situation very alarming due to escalated armed conflict between Iran and Israel and said it posed threat not only to the regional but also to the global peace. The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s complete solidarity with brotherly country Iran and its people against Israeli aggression and called upon the international community to make efforts for ensuring immediate ceasefire in the ongoing armed conflict. Addressing a meeting of the cabinet, which was telecast on national Tv channels, the prime minister said that Pakistan had strongly condemned the Israeli aggression against Iran…
BANGLADESH batters Mushfiqur Rahim (L) and Liton Das run between the wickets during the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.—AFP GALLE: Bangladesh continued their dominance over Sri Lanka on the second day of the first Test on Wednesday, finishing at a commanding 484 for nine — despite a few late breakthroughs by the hosts. The Tigers resumed on 292 for three overnight and turned the screws on a batting-friendly wicket, with Mushfiqur Rahim and Najmul Hossain Shanto extending their record-breaking partnership. The 264-run partnership finally ended when Shanto fell for 148, deceived in…
ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court judges are bound to obtain a ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NOC) from the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) for travelling abroad. Recently, a Presidential Order has been promulgated by President Asif Ali Zardari, which is called as Supreme Court Judges (Leave, Pension and Privileges) (Amendment) Order 2025, wherein an amendment has been made in para 14 of President’s Order 2 of 1997. The amended para 14 says that the CJP has been empowered to grant or refuse leave, within Pakistan, or to revoke or curtail leave already granted to the judges. Following the amendment, a General Standing Order…
PAKISTAN captain Ammad Butt in action during the FIH Nations Cup match against New Zealand at the National Hockey Stadium on Wednesday.—courtesy FIH KUALA LUMPUR: In a pulsating contest at the National Hockey Stadium on Wednesday, Pakistan’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the FIH Nations Cup remained intact despite a heart-wrenching 4-3 defeat at the hands of table-toppers New Zealand in their final Pool ‘B’ outing. With qualification hanging in the balance, the Green Shirts knew that a victory would seal their progression. However, they were up against a New Zealand side that had exhibited perfect form throughout the…
Girls dressed in traditional costumes walk on a street in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, June 29, 2024.BEIJING, June 18 (Xinhua) — Let’s discover Central Asia’s rich history and tourism resources. With its proximity, affordability, and exotic charm, Central Asia is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination.This photo taken on Nov. 28, 2023 shows carpets in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan.An aerial drone photo taken on May 2, 2025 shows the scenery of the Charyn Canyon in Almaty Region, Kazakhstan.This photo taken on Sept. 13, 2023 shows plates of pilaf at the restaurant Besh Qozon in Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan.This photo taken on…
Listen to article ISLAMABAD: The government on Wednesday claimed a drastic 52% cut in import duties will lead to exports rising faster than imports, while revenues will grow by one-tenth. However, it admitted these projections are based on calculations by the World Bank. Proceedings of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance revealed that the government is venturing into uncharted territory, largely relying on the World Bank’s Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) model. The committee was briefed by the Ministry of Commerce on the new National Tariff Policy, which is being described as “Pakistan’s East Asia moment” aimed at increasing exports and…
Listen to article Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday Iran had the “legitimate” right to defend itself in the face of Israel’s ongoing bombing campaign, now in its sixth day. “It is a very natural, legitimate and legal right for Iran to defend itself against Israel’s thuggery and state terrorism,” the Turkish leader said, a day after referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “the biggest threat to the security of the region”. The long-range blitz began early Friday, when Israel launched a massive bombing campaign that prompted Iran to hit back with missiles and drones, including hypersonic missiles. “These…
Listen to article ISLAMABAD: Senate’s Standing Committee on Finance has recommended exempting income tax for individuals earning up to Rs1.2 million per year. In addition, it approved a proposal to increase the limit for property purchases by non-filers from 130 per cent to 500 per cent of their declared assets. The committee met under the chairmanship of Senator Saleem Mandviwala on Wednesday and conducted a section-wise review of the Finance Bill 2025. During the meeting, FBR officials informed the committee that a new section has been introduced in the Finance Bill to bring e-commerce businesses and recreational clubs into the tax net.…
BERLIN, GERMANY – MAY 12: Israeli President Isaac Herzog speaks during a press conference with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (not pictured) at Schloss Bellevue presidential palace on May 12, 2025 in Berlin, Germany. Carsten Koall | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesIsraeli President Isaac Herzog said Wednesday that his country was not pursuing regime change in Iran, and its attack on Tehran was aimed at eliminating its nuclear capabilities.Speaking to CNBC’s Dan Murphy, Herzog said that regime change was “not an official objective of ours,” and the goal was “to remove the Iranian nuclear program.”Herzog, who accused Teheran of “cheating”…