Author: i2wtc
LAHORE: The gap between official price lists and actual market rates has continued to widen this week, leaving consumers to absorb the impact across Lahore’s retail markets. Poultry prices remained largely stagnant on paper but told a different story on the ground. Live chicken was officially fixed at Rs397411 per kilogramme and remained unsold in several areas, while chicken meat held at Rs595 per kg officially but traded between Rs660 and Rs710. Boneless chicken continued to command steep premiums, hovering at Rs1,050 per kg and above in many neighbourhoods. Vegetable prices showed mixed movement in official lists but remained elevated…
Supporters celebrate victory of Changzhou after the opening match against Nantong of the 2026 Jiangsu Football City League in Changzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province, April 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)China’s grassroots football boom is gathering pace as the “Su Super League” returns, drawing large crowds, attracting major sponsors and turning amateur matches into citywide events. The tournament offers a vivid example of how sport can boost the economy ahead of the World Cup.by sportswriter He LeijingNANJING, April 13 (Xinhua) — As the FIFA World Cup prepares to ignite global football fever this summer, China’s “grassroots World Cups” are already stealing a…
ISLAMABAD: Amid PTI’s protests over the lack of legitimate rights for its detained leaders, the National Judicial Policy Making Committee (NJPMC), comprising all chief justices, has announced it will organise a National Conference on the “Prison Reforms Action Plan” in June to promote stakeholder engagement and policy dialogue as part of an inclusive reform process. Last week, Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi chaired the 59th meeting of the NJPMC, which was attended by the chief justice of the Federal Shariat Court, the chief justices of all high courts, the attorney general for Pakistan, and the secretary of the Law…
LAHORE: The Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) has moved to purchase vehicles worth around Rs70 million despite austerity directives issued by the provincial government. According to sources, the commission has proposed the procurement of a luxury vehicle for its chairman along with four cars for senior officials. The summary has been forwarded to the Punjab Finance Department for approval but the timing and nature of the request have raised questions. “The development appears to be in contradiction to the province-wide austerity campaign under which all departments were instructed to curb unessential spending. The policy includes restrictions on vehicle purchases, discretionary…
Says vessels paying ‘tolls’ to Iran would be intercepted, CENTCOM to enforce blockade on Iranian ports todayUS President Donald Trump holds a press conference at the White House in Washington, DC. SCREENGRAB WASHINGTON/TEHRAN: United States President Donald Trump on Sunday announced a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz following the end of Islamabad talks, a move that immediately triggered a sharp warning from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard (IRGC), which vowed a “forceful response” to any hostile action. The escalation came after 21 hours of negotiations between the US and Iranian delegations, led by Vice President JD Vance and Parliament…
Pope Leo XIV waves to the crowd from the popemobile after the Easter Mass as part of the Holy Week celebrations, at St Peter’s square in the Vatican on April 5, 2026.Alberto Pizzoli | Afp | Getty ImagesPresident Donald Trump on Sunday bashed Pope Leo XIV over the U.S.-born Roman Catholic pontiff’s criticism of the U.S. war in Iran. The president said he does not “want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I’m doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do,” in a Truth Social post. Trump linked the pope’s ascension to…
Foreign ministry spokesperson says talks reached agreement on several points, but views differed on 2 important issuesSpeaker of the Parliament of Iran Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, after registering as a candidate, in Tehran, Iran June 3, 2024. PHOTO: REUTERS Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Sunday said the US failed to earn Iran’s trust despite its goodwill and forward-looking initiatives during the latest round of talks in Islamabad. The US and Iran failed to reach an agreement to end their war despite marathon talks that concluded on Sunday in Islamabad, jeopardising a fragile ceasefire. Each side blamed the other for…
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA)Yuri Gripas | ReutersRep. Eric Swalwell on Sunday evening said he was suspending his campaign for California governor on the heels of sexual misconduct allegations against the Democratic lawmaker.”To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past,” Swalwell said in a post on X announcing his campaign’s suspension.”I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s,” he added.Swalwell’s announcement came after growing calls that he drop out of the race to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom, a…
People visit the BYD stand during the 2026 Melbourne Motor Show in Melbourne, Australia, April 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Xu Haijing)MELBOURNE, April 12 (Xinhua) — Retired Australian Sandra drove three hours on Friday to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre for the 2026 Melbourne Motor Show.At the Zeekr stand, she walked around a New Zeekr X again and again, studying the compact new energy vehicle she had already spent a long time researching online before coming to the show.Asked why she wanted to buy a new energy vehicle and whether rising fuel prices was a factor, Sandra gave a simple answer.”I’m not…
Say it is open for the safe passage of non-military vessels in accordance with specific regulations Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Sunday that any military vessels attempting to approach the Strait of Hormuz will be considered a violation of the two-week United States ceasefire and will be dealt with harshly and decisively. The strait is under the control and ‘smart management’ of Iran’s Navy, the Guards said in a statement reported by Iranian state media, adding it is “open for the safe passage of non-military vessels in accordance with specific regulations”. IRGC Navy :Strait of Hormuz is open for passage…