Author: Amjad Qaimkhani

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump unveiled a nine-nation “Board of Peace” designed to oversee a ceasefire, reconstruction, and the pursuit of lasting peace in Gaza, signaling a high-profile diplomatic effort to address one of the most intractable conflicts in the Middle East. According to international media reports, foreign ministers from Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar confirmed their participation, with Kuwait joining the initiative shortly afterwards. In a joint statement, the member states said the board would work to consolidate a durable ceasefire, support reconstruction efforts, and promote a fair…

By Amajd Qaimkhani NEW YORK: Pakistan called for the consistent and courageous application of international law, emphasizing the need to uphold the core principles of the United Nations Charter, during a major conference on international law in Singapore. Speaking at the International Law Year in Review 2026, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, highlighted what he described as a growing disregard for established legal frameworks in global affairs. In his address, Ahmad drew attention to India’s recent move to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, describing it as an “illegal and unilateral” action that threatened longstanding agreements on…

President Donald Trump announced the suspension of all meetings with Iranian officials, condemning the “senseless killing” of protesters as the immediate cause By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump urged Iranians on Tuesday to keep protesting and said help was on the way, without providing details, as Iran’s clerical establishment pressed its crackdown on the largest demonstrations in years. “Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!… HELP IS ON ITS WAY,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. He added that he had cancelled all meetings with Iranian officials until the “senseless killing” of protesters stopped.…

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has announced new sanctions targeting trade with Iran, warning that countries conducting business with Tehran could face a 25% tariff, with the measure taking immediate effect. According to figures released by India’s embassy in Tehran, bilateral trade between the two countries stood at $1.68bn in the 2024–25 financial year. India exported goods worth $1.24bn to Iran, while imports totalled $0.44bn, reflecting a trade balance heavily tilted in India’s favor. Data from Trading Economics showed that Indian exports to Iran were dominated by organic chemicals, valued at about $512.9m, followed by edible fruits,…

Trump claimed that President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had been captured and relocated abroad, describing the operation as “very well planned” By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has released an image of Venezuela’s detained president following a high-profile operation in the country. He confirmed on social media that the United States had carried out a large-scale mission targeting Venezuela and its leadership. Trump said both President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured and moved out of the country. He added that the operation had been “very well planned.” Meanwhile, Venezuela’s vice president…

The federal order compelled HeiFo to divest all Emcore assets within 180 days, threatening to void the deal unless directives were met By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: The Trump administration had blocked a major semiconductor acquisition involving China on Monday, citing national security concerns, in a move that underscores the increasing scrutiny of technology transfers amid rising US–China tensions. President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing the US photonics company HeiFo to halt its acquisition of assets from New Jersey-based aerospace and defence firm Emcore, after concerns emerged over potential Chinese involvement in the transaction. According to the White House,…

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: The United States Embassy in India on Tuesday issued a stern warning to Indian nationals, highlighting ‘significant criminal penalties’ for those attempting to migrate illegally to the US or violating American laws. Relations between Washington and New Delhi have grown tense over the past year, following US President Donald Trump’s sweeping 50 percent tariffs on Indian goods and India’s concerns over increased US engagement with Pakistan after the May conflict between the two South Asian neighbors. In a post on X, the US Embassy stated: “If you break US law, you will be punished with significant…

By Amjad Qaimkhani NEW YORK: A United Nations peacekeeper deployed in southern Lebanon was injured in an Israeli attack, UN officials said on Saturday, marking the latest in a series of incidents involving peacekeeping forces in the region. According to Arab media reports, the UN described the Israeli action as “aggressive”, noting that the peacekeeper was wounded during an assault on positions held by the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The force has been stationed along the Israel-Lebanon border to help maintain a buffer and prevent hostilities between the two sides. The UN said the incident near Bistra village…

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: The United States has announced it will abolish the long-running lottery system for H-1B work visas and replace it with a new “weighted selection” model, a move expected to reshape how foreign workers are hired. According to international media reports, the new system will prioritize higher salaries and advanced skills, making it more difficult for younger and entry-level professionals to secure US work visas. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the new rules would come into effect on 27 February 2026, with around 85,000 H-1B visas to be issued each year under the revised…

By Amjad Qaimkhani HOUSTON: The newly established committee was tasked with overseeing all party activities in Greater Houston, including meetings, events, appointments, and official communications. In a statement, Awan outlined the committee’s structure, highlighting key appointments. Amir Arslan Malik was named Chief Organiser, with Kashif Soomro assuming the role of Deputy Chief Organizer. Several prominent party figures, including Ali Chang, Riaz Hussain Kakakhil, and Taufiq Dandiya, were designated as organizers, while Fahad Junejo was entrusted with coordinating the committee’s activities. Party sources indicated that Awan had directed all PPP members in the Houston area to extend their full cooperation to…