Author: News Desk

Kremlin accuses West of war crimes as Yury Ushakov slams deliberate targeting of civilians in brutal, escalating conflict News Desk MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly told former US President Donald Trump that Ukrainian forces deliberately targeted civilian infrastructure in a bid to derail peace negotiations between Moscow and Kiev. The claim, relayed by Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov, adds a sharp new edge to the ongoing war of narratives surrounding the conflict. According to Ushakov, the Russian leader made the accusation during a private conversation with Trump, alleging that Ukrainian strikes on non-military sites were carried out on the…

News Desk TEHRAN: Iran has forcefully rejected a recent proposal from the United States to curb its uranium enrichment activities, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declaring that the country will continue its nuclear program without compromise. The message from Tehran is unmistakable: Iran will not bow to foreign pressure, and it will not engage in talks that undermine what it sees as its sovereign rights. Speaking with characteristic defiance, Khamenei framed Washington’s overture—delivered through Omani mediators—as a direct affront to Iran’s national interests. He dismissed the suggestion as another attempt by the US to dictate terms to a nation…

News Desk NEW YORK: Indian authorities and mainstream television channels have refrained from commenting on a recent investigative report by The Washington Post, which accuses Indian media of spreading fake news under government pressure, damaging the country’s credibility and foreign policy. The report, published by the US-based newspaper, points to the Indian media’s role during recent Pakistan-India tensions, highlighting a spree of misleading and false news stories. It cites one glaring example from 9 May, when several Indian outlets aggressively broadcasted claims of a military coup in Pakistan and the arrest of its Army Chief — a story that was…

News Desk JAKARTA: Indonesia is weighing the possibility of purchasing J-10 fighter jets from China, according to the country’s deputy defence minister. In comments reported by news agencies, the official confirmed that Jakarta is currently assessing the Chinese-made jets as part of its broader efforts to modernize its air force. The review is still in its early stages, but the J-10’s combat performance, including its reported success in Pakistan’s fleet, is under close scrutiny. “We are taking into account Pakistan’s use of the J-10, especially its role in shooting down Indian aircraft,” the deputy minister said, referring to a high-profile…

News Desk AVENFIELD: PML-N leader and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has welcomed the government’s decision not to impose additional taxes on the salaried class, calling it a “very good decision.” Speaking briefly to reporters outside the Avenfield apartments in London, Nawaz Sharif praised the move as a much-needed relief for wage earners already burdened by inflation and economic uncertainty. Asked about reports that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had praised US President Donald Trump, the former premier said, “I haven’t heard that yet.” His comments come at a time when the government is preparing to unveil its new budget, and…

News Desk NEW YORK: In an unexpected and bold proposal, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Pakistan’s senior diplomat and chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party, called for cooperation between Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) to jointly combat terrorism. Speaking at a press conference held at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Bilawal outlined his vision of peace through dialogue, underscoring that collaborative intelligence efforts could reduce violence and build trust between the two adversaries. Bilawal’s suggestion marks a significant departure from the entrenched hostility that has long characterized India-Pakistan relations, especially given the fraught history…

News Desk NEW DEHLI: Senior Congress leader Poonam Khera has launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, accusing it of weak diplomacy and failure in managing both domestic and foreign affairs. Her comments come amid renewed criticism from opposition parties, who have been intensifying their scrutiny of the Modi administration’s global posturing. Speaking at a press event, Khera drew a sharp analogy, claiming that after 11 years of carefully crafting what the ruling party hoped would be a heroic narrative — which she sarcastically referred to as “Alexander of Destiny” — the end result has turned out…

News Desk BANGALORE: A stampede outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore during celebrations of Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) Indian Premier League (IPL) win has left 11 people dead and more than 50 injured, with fears of further casualties. Thousands of RCB fans had gathered around the stadium to celebrate the team’s historic IPL title. According to local media, the crowd grew uncontrollable, triggering panic and chaos at multiple entry points to the stadium. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) had organised a special event to honour RCB’s victory. Following the team’s return from Ahmedabad, thousands flocked to the stadium, many…

News Desk GAZA: Israeli warplanes launched an airstrike on eastern Gaza City, with Israeli media claiming the strike targeted Izz Al-Din Al-Hadid, the newly appointed head of Hamas’s military wing. Citing Arab sources, Israeli outlets have reported that Al-Hadid was killed in the attack. He was regarded as the last remaining senior figure in Hamas’s military leadership in Gaza following a string of high-profile assassinations. Al-Hadid is believed to have taken command of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades after the reported death of Mohammed Sinwar. However, Hamas has not officially confirmed the deaths of either Sinwar or Al-Hadid. As of…

Ukraine faces a pivotal future under proposed settlement terms demanding strict neutrality, banning all foreign military presence, alliances, and external defence partnerships News Desk ISTANBUL: The Russian memorandum on the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis envisions international recognition of Crimea, Donbass and Novorossiya as parts of Russia, as well as the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian armed forces from these territories. “The [main parameters of the settlement envision] international legal recognition of the incorporation of Crimea, the Lugansk and Donetsk People’s Republics, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions into the Russian Federation; the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian armed forces and other Ukrainian military…