LOS ANGELES – Basketball star Klay Thompson has decisively put to rest persistent speculation regarding his relationship with Grammy-winning rapper Megan Thee Stallion, choosing a candid social media post over a formal statement to address the rumours. The move comes as a relief to fans who had been concerned over a potential split between the high-profile couple. On Sunday, the Dallas Mavericks player took to his Instagram to share a set of intimate photos featuring the celebrated musician. The caption, concise yet powerful, read: “THE BEST THING IN LIFE IS LIFE.” The images, radiating closeness and shared moments, served as…
Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
DAMASCUS – Syria began the process on Sunday to select members for a transitional parliament, a move heavily criticized as undemocratic and designed to consolidate the power of interim leader Ahmed Al Sharaa following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad. The 210-member assembly is set to exercise legislative functions until a permanent constitution is adopted. However, the process is far from conventional, as the system ensures Al Sharaa’s control: One-third (70 members) will be appointed directly by Al Sharaa. The remaining two-thirds will be selected by local committees chosen by an electoral commission named by Al Sharaa. Key Issues and…
DAMASCUS – Syria began a process on Sunday to select members for a transitional parliament, a move heavily criticized by observers and rights groups as undemocratic and designed to consolidate the power of interim leader Ahmed Al Sharaa. The assembly’s formation follows the overthrow of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December after more than 13 years of civil war. The 210-member body is intended to exercise legislative functions until a permanent constitution is adopted and direct elections are held. However, the process is far from conventional: One-third (70 members) of the assembly will be appointed directly by Al Sharaa. The…
PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia – The state visit of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Malaysia has culminated in a significant push for an enhanced strategic partnership, highlighted by an announced deal for the import of $200 million worth of Halal meat from Pakistan. PM Sharif hailed the announcement by his counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, as a “welcome step” set to augment cooperation in the crucial Halal industry. Following “most productive” bilateral talks in Putrajaya, PM Sharif affirmed the two leaders’ resolve to strengthen their “historic partnership,” focusing on boosting trade, investment, climate, defence, education, and tourism sectors. Economic Cooperation and Assurance…
SYDNEY – A 60-year-old man is in Australian police custody after allegedly firing approximately 50 bullets onto a busy street in Sydney’s Inner West on Sunday evening, resulting in injuries to more than a dozen people. The incident is a rare occurrence in a country with strict gun control laws. Police were called to the scene after the suspected gunman began randomly firing from his property at passing cars and police. A large police contingent quickly swarmed the area and locked down the street before arresting the man inside his property, which was situated above a business. Authorities seized a…
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FO) announced on Monday that it is engaged in intense diplomatic efforts for the safe evacuation of former Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, who was detained by Israeli forces last week after the interception of a humanitarian aid flotilla bound for Gaza. The FO stated that its embassy in Amman is “working tirelessly to secure the safe evacuation of former senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan.” Highlighting the critical role of an ally, the statement added, “With the invaluable assistance of the Jordanian government, we are hopeful that the process can be successfully concluded…
WASHINGTON – In an unusual blend of political spectacle and combat sport, US President Donald Trump announced that a planned Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event at the White House will take place next year on his 80th birthday, June 14, overriding the event’s previous tentative date of July 4. Addressing Navy sailors at the vast Norfolk naval base in Virginia, Trump stated, “On June 14 next year, we’re going to have a big UFC fight at the White House—right at the White House, on the grounds of the White House.” He did not publicly mention that the date marks his…
JAIPUR – A devastating fire at the trauma centre of the largest state-run hospital in Jaipur, the capital of India’s northwestern Rajasthan state, has killed at least six patients and injured five others. Officials stated on Monday that a short-circuit is the suspected cause of the blaze, which highlights recurring safety vulnerabilities in the country’s healthcare infrastructure. The fire originated late on Sunday in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Sawai Man Singh Hospital (SMS). Hospital official Anurag Dhakad told the ANI news agency that the blaze released “toxic gases.” He confirmed that five patients remain in critical condition,…
GENEVA – The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is scheduled to vote on Monday on a pivotal European Union (EU) proposal to establish a comprehensive UN investigation into abuses in Afghanistan. Should the motion pass, it would create a mechanism capable of preparing evidence for future criminal investigations targeting suspected violations by both the Taliban authorities and past actions of foreign troops. The EU motion calls for investigators to gather and preserve evidence for eventual court proceedings, marking one of the strongest forms of UN rights scrutiny. It is comparable to existing high-level probes into crimes committed in Syria…
RIYADH – Saudi Arabia has announced a major liberalisation of its pilgrimage regulations, confirming that visitors and residents holding any type of visa will now be permitted to perform Umrah during their stay in the Kingdom. This move is set to dramatically broaden access for Muslims globally. In a statement released by the Ministry of Haj and Umrah on Sunday, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that individuals holding “personal and family visit visas, electronic tourist visas, transit visas, work visas, and other types of visas” are included in this expanded access. Streamlining Access Under Vision 2030 The…
