Sunday, February 8th, 2026
Pakistan, World Bank review progress on long-term development partnership
ISLAMABAD, FEB 8 /DNA/ – Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, today held a meeting with Ms. Anna Bjerde, Managing Director of the World Bank Group, on the sidelines of the Annual AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies, being held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. During the meeting, while following up on the President World Bank’s visit to Pakistan last week, both sides reviewed the progress made under the Country Partnership Framework (CPF) and discussed the way forward to further strengthen development cooperation. The discussions coveredRead More
Portugal votes in presidential election battered by deadly storms
LISBON, FEB 8: Portugal, which is reeling from a battering by deadly storms, began voting in the second round of a presidential election on Sunday, with the moderate candidate expected to trounce his far-right rival. The election campaign has been disrupted by the storms, which have killed at least seven people, and at least 14 of the worst affected constituencies have postponed voting for nearly 32,000 people by one week. Polling stations opened at 8:00 am (0800 GMT), with 11 million voters at home and abroad eligible to cast theirRead More
China condemns Islamabad imambargah attack, pledges support for Pakistan
BEIJING: China on Sunday condemned an attack on a mosque in Islamabad, pledging support for the government’s efforts to “maintain national security and stability”. “China is deeply shocked by the deadly explosion in Islamabad and the heavy casualties it has inflicted. China mourns for the lives lost, and our hearts go out to the injured and those who lost their loved ones,” the foreign ministry said in a statement. “China strongly condemns the attack, opposes any form of terrorism and firmly supports the Pakistani government in safeguarding national security andRead More
T20 World Cup: Seifert, Phillips shine as New Zealand beat Afghanistan by 5 wickets
CHIDAMBARAM, FEB 8: Tim Seifert’s fifty and Glenn Phillips’s 42 off 25 balls propelled New Zealand to a five-wicket win over Afghanistan in the fourth match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday. Set to chase a daunting 183-run target, the Blackcaps struck the winning runs for the loss of five wickets and 13 balls to spare, courtesy of the third-wicket partnership between Seifert and Glenn Phillips. New Zealand had a contrasting start to the pursuit as Mujeeb Ur Rahman dismissed Finn AllenRead More
Voting underway in Japan’s snap elections amid heavy snowfall
TOKYO, FEB 8: Voting is underway in Japan’s snap elections, despite the heavy snowfall, which is affecting Tokyo and other cities. Despite the severe cold, people are heading to polling stations to exercise their right to vote. Election forecasts said that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s party could win 300 or more of the 465 seats. Moreover, Takaichi, 64, who became prime minister in October after being selected LDP leader, called the rare winter election to try to ride a wave of personal popularity. With a straight-talking style and an imageRead More
BCB chief ‘arrives’ in Pakistan ahead of ICC meeting on India match boycott
LAHORE, FEB 8: In the aftermath of Pakistan’s announcement to boycott its T20 World Cup 2026 match against India, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Aminul Islam has arrived in Pakistan, sources said on Sunday. During his stay in Pakistan, the BCB chief, sources added, will attend the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) emergency meeting later today, with other board members also expected to participate. Islam will also meet Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi before departing for Dhaka, the sources said. Meanwhile, an ICC delegation led by its deputy chairmanRead More