Author: News Desk
News Desk BERLIN: Germany is set to strengthen its air force with plans to acquire 15 additional US-made F-35 fighter jets, a move that would expand its fleet to 50 and further integrate its capabilities within Nato’s European defence framework, according to a report by Der Spiegel. The German news magazine, citing classified documents prepared for the Bundestag’s budget committee, said the government had earmarked approximately $2.92 billion for the new aircraft. The funding proposal is expected to be presented for formal parliamentary approval in the coming weeks, marking another step in Berlin’s accelerated military modernization drive. The decision to…
Gaza officials accuse Israel of breaching the ceasefire 80 times since 10 October, with 97 Palestinians killed and 230 wounded, highlighting fragile truce. News Desk GAZA: The Gaza media office has accused Israel of violating the terms of the ceasefire agreement at least 80 times since it was signed on 10 October, claiming that military operations have killed 97 Palestinians and wounded 230 others. In a statement released today, officials described the actions as a “flagrant violation of international humanitarian law,” asserting that they reflect Israel’s “aggressive behavior and desire for bloodshed.” The allegations underscore the fragile nature of the…
Trump threatens India with steep tariffs over Russian oil purchases, claiming Modi assured him of a halt—a claim firmly denied by New Delhi. News Desk WASHINGTON: US president Donald Trump has threatened to impose hefty tariffs on India if it continues purchasing Russian oil, intensifying a dispute that highlights the tension between New Delhi’s energy security needs and Washington’s geopolitical agenda. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had personally assured him that India would halt its purchases of Russian crude. “Modi told me, ‘We will not buy Russian oil,’” Trump said.…
A senior US delegation, including Vice President J.D. Vance and Jared Kushner, arrived in Israel to shore up Gaza’s fragile ceasefire amid parallel Hamas talks in Cairo. News Desk WASHINGTON: A senior US delegation arrived in Israel on today in a concerted diplomatic effort to stabilize the fragile ceasefire in Gaza, highlighting Washington’s urgent attempts to prevent a return to full-scale violence. The delegation includes Vice President J.D. Vance and senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, who was a key architect of the original truce, alongside US Special Envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff. The mission comes as a…
Trump reportedly urged Zelenskiy to accept Putin’s ceasefire terms, including ceding eastern Donbas, warning that Russia could destroy Ukraine otherwise. News Desk WASHINGTON: US president Donald Trump reportedly urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to accept Russian terms for a ceasefire, advising him to cede the eastern Donbas region to Moscow to end the ongoing conflict. The guidance, detailed in an exclusive report, suggested that Trump viewed a swift settlement along current front lines as the most viable route to halting the war. According to the report, Trump conveyed a direct warning from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who allegedly threatened to…
News Desk BRUSSELS: Twenty European nations urge EU to broker Taliban deal for forced return of Afghan migrants, citing security risks and illegal residency concerns. A coalition of twenty European nations has urged the European Commission to take “immediate action” to return Afghan nationals living illegally in Europe, even if this requires forced removals and direct negotiations with the Taliban, according to an exclusive report. In a joint letter obtained by The Guardian, the countries argued that the current inability to deport Afghans, including those convicted of crimes, poses a threat to public security. The initiative is being led by…
News Desk TEHRAN: Iran declared that a critical time limitation within the landmark 2015 nuclear accord had expired, formally asserting that it was no longer bound by the restrictions of the deal it once signed with world powers. The Iranian foreign ministry announced that all clauses of the agreement, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), had reached their expiry date, concluding the pact while maintaining that the nation remained “committed to diplomacy.” The declaration from Tehran marked a significant hardening of Iran’s position and was poised to raise fresh international alarm over the future of its…
The truce, mediated by Doha and Turkey, aims to end cross-border tensions and establish a permanent mechanism for peace News Desk DOHA: In a major cross-border operation, Pakistani security forces reported killing more than 70 militants in targeted strikes on camps in Afghanistan’s Paktika province, marking a significant escalation in ongoing counter-terrorism efforts along the volatile border. The strikes, carried out under the cover of night on 17 October, were described by officials as “effective operations” that dismantled key hideouts used by the Gul Bahadur faction, an allied group of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The timing of the offensive followed a…
Houthi group detains 20 UN staff, including UNICEF representative, in Sana’a compound, raising urgent concerns over aid workers’ safety amid Yemen conflict. News Desk YEMEN: A Houthi-majority group, Ansarullah, has reportedly taken 20 United Nations employees into custody, including UNICEF representative Peter Hawkins, during a raid on a UN compound, according to a British news agency. Details surrounding the incident remain limited, and the UN has not yet released an official statement regarding the detentions. The incident has raised alarm among the international community and humanitarian organizations, highlighting the persistent dangers faced by aid workers operating in conflict-affected regions. Yemen…
Army chief tells PMA cadets that Pakistan is ‘regaining its place in the world,’ points to warming ties with US and strategic partnership with China. News Desk KAKUL: Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan’s army chief, said on Tuesday that the country expected the ceasefire in Gaza to hold, creating the conditions necessary for humanitarian aid and reconstruction, and allowing Palestinians to “live in peace in their homeland.” Speaking at a passing-out parade at the Pakistan Military Academy, he outlined Pakistan’s recent diplomatic efforts, portraying the nation as a proactive contributor to regional and global peace. Field Marshal Munir described Pakistan’s interventions…