Pakistan has agreed to a ten-year $20 billion loan plan with the World Bank to boost its economy. The plan aims to encourage private-sector investment and enhance climate resilience. Key focus areas include energy, water, agriculture, finance, manufacturing, and digital infrastructure. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed optimism despite the ongoing political crisis.
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The White House accused Hamas on Friday of making "entirely impractical" demands and stalling on a deal to release a US-Israeli hostage in exchange for an extension of the Gaza ceasefire. Hamas said earlier on Friday it was ready to free an Israeli-American hostage and the remains of four others, after the Palestinian militants and Israel resumed indirect Gaza ceasefire negotiations.
A 4.8 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar early Friday. The tremor had a depth of 127 kilometers. There were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage. Earlier this week, a 5.1 magnitude earthquake also hit Myanmar. In December, the region experienced a 4.2 magnitude earthquake, indicating ongoing seismic activity.
Increased Chinese military activity around Taiwan has been reported, with 41 aircraft, 9 vessels, and an official ship detected. Amidst heightened tensions, Chinese and Canadian naval transits in the Taiwan Strait have sparked responses from both Beijing and Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence. International discussions reaffirm the global commitment to Taiwan’s security and regional peace.
NASA astronaut Don Pettit's video of dressing in zero gravity has gone viral. In the clip, Pettit uniquely slides into his pants with both legs simultaneously, showcasing the lighter side of life on the ISS. The video has garnered significant social media attention, highlighting the novelty and challenges of mundane tasks in space.
Discovered in December 2024, YR4 currently ranks 3 out of 10 on the Torino Scale. Nasa said it is deploying the James Webb Space Telescope to overserve the asteroid. The asteroid will be at its brightest in March 2025 when the first round of Nasa observations is scheduled. The follow-up will take place in May when YR4 moves away from the Sun. This will be the last opportunity to study it until it returns in 2028.
Kanye West faces backlash for his recent antisemitic posts praising Hitler and accusing Elon Musk of Nazi appropriation. Despite prior apologies, West's return to hate speech has drawn widespread criticism, highlighting ongoing concerns about his conduct on social media.
Boston lawyer Joseph Donohue, 65, was brutally murdered on his houseboat, suffering multiple stab wounds. Police discovered his duct-taped, weighted body, with a knife blade lodged in his skull, and one of his dogs drowned. Nora Nelson, 24, was arrested on unrelated warrants. Despite her arrest, many questions about the crime remain unanswered.
Pakistan's Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication has detected Wild Poliovirus Type 1 in sewage samples from 18 districts, including Islamabad and major cities in all four provinces. The samples were collected from February 21 to March 6, highlighting the ongoing presence and risk of polio in the country.
A Vanity Fair report dismissed the rumors of Barack Obama-Michelle Obama impending divorce and Barack Obama-Jennifer Aniston dating, crediting the rumors to prominent MAGA people like Meghan McCain, Megyn Kelly. Citing an unnamed source, the VF report said all these rumors are beyond absurd and the Obamas are not getting divorced.
Tiger Woods has confirmed his relationship with Vanessa Trump, the former daughter-in-law of President Donald Trump. Woods' son Charlie and Vanessa’s daughter Kai have also gained attention for their golf performances, with Charlie finishing better than Kai in a recent junior tournament. Charlie and Kai attend the same school and Kai got coached by Tiger Woods which is believed to be how Tiger Woods and Vanessa Trump's relationship began.