Author: Amjad Qaimkhani

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: Iranian-affiliated hackers reportedly breached the personal Gmail account of Kash Patel, posting private photos and emails online in what cybersecurity experts described as a politically motivated operation amid escalating US-Israeli tensions with Iran. The attack, claimed by a group calling itself the Handala Hack Team, has drawn attention for both its audacity and timing, coming as Washington and its allies maintained pressure on Tehran through military and diplomatic channels. The US administration has announced a $10 million bounty for information leading to the identification of the alleged perpetrators. The Handala Hack Team, which presents itself as a…

By Amjad Qaimkhani NEW YORK: Pakistan had called for a stronger, more coordinated voice for developing nations grappling with mounting debt pressures, as its envoy to the United Nations urged greater participation in a proposed borrowers’ platform designed to rebalance global financial dialogue. Addressing an ambassadorial-level meeting of the Group of 77 at UN headquarters, Pakistan’s permanent representative, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, said the debt crisis facing poorer countries had deepened in both scale and complexity. He noted that rising debt servicing costs, tighter global financial conditions and diminishing fiscal space had left many governments struggling to sustain development priorities. Ahmad…

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: Donald Trump will travel to China in May for high-level talks with Xi Jinping, marking his first visit to Beijing in eight years after the trip was delayed due to the Iran war. The US president said he would visit Beijing on May 14 and 15, adding that he plans to host Xi in Washington later this year for a reciprocal visit. Trump said preparations for the “historic visits” were being finalised and expressed optimism about what he described as a “monumental” meeting with the Chinese leader. The visit, initially scheduled earlier, was postponed as Trump…

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: Joe Kant levelled sharp criticism at Israel. The former US National Counter Terrorism Center director accused Tel Aviv of sabotaging talks with Iran. He spoke out after his resignation. Opposition to the war drove him from office. Kant laid bare his view. De-escalation demanded one first step. Rein in Israel, he said. Without that curb, negotiations crumbled. Tel Aviv launched strikes at key moments. Talks derailed every time. Peace efforts bled out. He spotted a clear pattern. President Donald Trump signaled calm from the White House. Public words urged restraint. Then Israel struck hard. Missiles flew…

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has confirmed ongoing talks with Iran, calling the negotiations positive and announcing a five-day delay in planned military action against Iranian targets. In a statement shared on social media, Trump said discussions over the past two days focused on reaching a complete and lasting resolution to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. He described the talks as constructive and encouraging. The US president said he had instructed the Department of Defense to postpone military strikes on Iran’s power plants and energy infrastructure for the next five days, citing progress in negotiations.…

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has launched a blistering attack on NATO, declaring that the alliance is nothing more than a paper tiger without American leadership. In a statement, Trump asserted that NATO member states do not want to join the war to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power, warning that Washington will remember their reluctance. The US president accused NATO allies of now complaining about high oil prices after the threat to their own security has diminished, claiming the war has already been won. Trump further criticized alliance members for refusing to assist in reopening…

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has warned that Iran is nearing destruction while vowing that the United States will defend the Strait of Hormuz for everyone, as he addressed media on the ongoing conflict and regional security. President Trump stated that the Iranian leadership has been eliminated and Iranian authorities are currently searching for new leadership, adding that a retaliatory response from Iran was expected but the matter will conclude soon. The president confirmed that no troops are being deployed anywhere, and he will discuss Japan’s support regarding Iran, believing that Japan is playing its part. He…

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has stated that the ongoing conflict with Iran is fundamentally different from America’s past wars, as he and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff briefed media on the progress of military operations. Hegseth emphasized that the operation aims to conduct decisive action, with objectives remaining unchanged since day one under the America First president’s direction . The Secretary of War declared that American soldiers killed in the Iran conflict will always be remembered, addressing the nation directly to counter what he described as media narratives of an “endless…

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump does not want further attacks on Iran’s energy facilities after recent strikes on oil installations, according to a US newspaper. The report said Trump believes the attacks have already delivered a strong message to Tehran. The newspaper stated that Trump sees no immediate need for additional military action against Iranian oil infrastructure. However, he warned that if Iran continues provocations in the Strait of Hormuz, the United States could carry out more strikes. According to the report, Trump was aware of the attack on the South Pars gas field and supported efforts…

By Amjad Qaimkhani WASHINGTON: The United States has formulated a plan to eliminate Hezbollah by employing the Syrian army, according to international media reports. An Israeli newspaper reported that Washington encouraged Syria to send forces into Lebanon, but Damascus refused to become entangled in the conflict. The idea of a Syrian cross-border operation into eastern Lebanon to help disarm Hezbollah was first discussed between US and Syrian officials last year and resurfaced around the time the US and Israel initiated hostilities against Iran on February 28 . However, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has moved cautiously, fearing that such a mission…