Author: News Desk

News Desk BEIRUT: Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon continued on Monday as a 60-day deadline set under a June agreement between the US and Iran to reach a deal on ending their conflict expired. Tehran had previously said the arrangement also applied to Lebanon. However, a Lebanese official source told Arab News that Beirut did not consider itself bound by that particular track of the peace process. “Lebanon is concerned only with what it achieved through direct negotiations with Israel under US sponsorship,” the source said. “We have nothing to do with any other negotiating process.” Israel and Hezbollah agreed…

News Desk ROME: An Italian rescue charity said on Monday that it had rescued 50 people from a double-deck wooden boat in international waters off the coast of Libya, while seven others were found dead. The charity, Emergency, said its rescue team had reached the overcrowded vessel and brought those on board to safety. The operation took place in international waters, where migrant boats attempting to cross the Mediterranean have frequently faced dangerous conditions. Emergency said seven people had died before they could be rescued. Two others were in critical condition after suffering from suffocation. “There was nothing that could…

Trump warned that Washington could take military action against Oman if Muscat obstructed talks with Iran over future navigation arrangements through the Strait News Desk WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to attack Oman if it obstructed efforts to reach an agreement with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, while calling on Tehran to surrender as tensions over the strategic waterway remained high. Trump made the remarks in an interview with Fox News journalist Trey Yingst. Referring to talks between Oman and Iran on future arrangements for navigation through the strait, he warned that Washington could respond militarily…

News Desk QUETTA: Security forces killed two terrorists and injured three others during an intelligence-based operation in the Killi Zaik area of Balochistan, security sources said. The operation was carried out after security agencies received information about the presence of suspected militants in the area. The forces moved to the location and conducted a targeted operation, during which an exchange of fire took place. Two terrorists were killed in the operation, while three others were injured, according to the security sources. The injured suspects were taken into custody for further investigation, although details about their identities and organizational affiliations were…

News Desk ISLAMABAD: Federal Health Minister and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan leader Mustafa Kamal has claimed that a constitutional amendment paving the way for the creation of new provinces could be introduced before Senator Rana Sanaullah was aware of it. Speaking about the possibility of changes to the provincial structure, Kamal questioned Sanaullah’s assertion that no discussions had taken place with the establishment or within the government on creating new provinces. Kamal said those seeking to introduce such an amendment would find a way to bring it before parliament. He suggested that political leaders could be presented with the proposal at…

News Desk KABUL: Afghan citizens in several cities have described the Taliban’s five years in power as one of the darkest periods in the country’s recent history. They accused the Taliban administration of worsening poverty, unemployment and lawlessness while allowing Afghanistan’s infrastructure and economy to deteriorate. Video messages shared by Afghan citizens from different parts of the country showed growing anger over the Taliban’s rule. The messages criticized the government’s policies and its handling of the country’s deepening economic and humanitarian problems. An Afghan citizen from Jalalabad, a city regarded as a Taliban stronghold, said the five-year rule had pushed…

News Desk MUZAFFABAD: Several key members of the banned Joint Action Committee (JAAC) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir have distanced themselves from the organization in recent months, rejecting what they described as its increasingly violent approach and anti-state narrative. The dissociation came amid heightened tensions and recent violence linked to protests in the region. The members said they no longer wanted to be associated with actions carried out in the name of public grievances but involving violence or anti-state propaganda. According to statements attributed to the former members, their decision reflected growing differences within the banned Action Committee. They maintained…

Iran says negotiations are making progress, with foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei reporting no major obstacles as talks continue News Desk TEHRAN: Iran and Oman have agreed on a navigation route through the Strait of Hormuz, marking progress in talks over the movement of maritime traffic through the strategically important waterway. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said there were no major obstacles in the negotiations and that discussions were continuing between the two sides. He said technical talks had made progress and focused on arrangements for navigation through the strait, one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes.…

Intelligence-led operation in Balochistan’s Kharan district targeted militants in the Lajay area, highlighting continued security efforts against armed groups News Desk KHARAN: Security forces killed at least 12 militants in two separate intelligence-based operations in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, security sources said. Seven militants belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij were killed in an operation in Kharan district of Balochistan. The operation was conducted under Operation Radd-ul-Fitna 3 after security forces received intelligence about the presence of militants in the Lajay area. Several other militants were also injured during the operation, according to security sources. Security forces destroyed militant hideouts and recovered…

News Desk CEUTA: Moroccan and Spanish security forces have stepped up deployments around the border of Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta after rumors circulated online that the crossing would be opened on August 15. More than 100 people were detained after a fresh attempt to reach Ceuta through the Moroccan side was blocked by security forces. Hundreds of migrants in the Moroccan town of Fnideq reportedly tried to move towards the border, prompting Moroccan police and Spanish security forces to reinforce their positions. Additional troops and security personnel were deployed on the Spanish side, while Morocco also sent large…