PARIS – France’s profound political instability intensified dramatically on Monday as the newly appointed Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, submitted his resignation, barely 14 hours after announcing his cabinet. The unprecedented, swift departure came after both allies and opponents threatened to topple his government, sending immediate ripples through financial markets and driving French stocks and the Euro sharply lower. Lecornu, a close ally of President Emmanuel Macron, had finalized his ministerial appointments on Sunday after weeks of cross-party consultations, with the first cabinet meeting scheduled for Monday afternoon. However, the new lineup immediately alienated factions across the political spectrum—some deeming it…
Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
QUETTA – An armed clash between local tribesmen and alleged militants in the Korki area of Mangochar in Balochistan’s Kalat division has left four suspected terrorists dead and claimed the life of one local. The confrontation, which began on Sunday, highlights growing civilian resistance to militant groups in the volatile province. Security officials confirmed that the slain militants belonged to banned Baloch separatist groups and had reportedly attacked the people of Korki, a locality on the outskirts of Mangochar. However, the locals “did not surrender and offered stiff resistance.” Hours-Long Gun Battle The gun battle, which officials described…
QUETTA – Security forces, aided by local communities, successfully rescued more than a dozen fishing boats and their crews trapped in the Arabian Sea by high tides triggered by Cyclone Shakhti. The cyclone’s effects have placed coastal areas, including Karachi and the Makran coast, on high alert. The 13 fishing boats were stranded in deep waters off the coast of Ormara when they were caught by the severe weather conditions. Officials from the fisheries department confirmed the success of the operation, stating, “All the 13 boats and the stranded fishermen were rescued,” with no casualties reported. High Alert and…
WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD – Pakistan is forging a new phase in its strategic and economic engagement with the United States as the two allies move closer to implementing a deal for the export of rare earth minerals. The development comes amid strong political opposition demands for the government to disclose the full details of all agreements struck with Washington. US Strategic Metals (USSM), which signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pakistan in September to invest roughly $500 million in mineral processing facilities, recently dispatched its first consignment of mineral samples to the US to advance the deal. Sources in Washington anticipate…
KOHAT – A police checkpoint in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) Kohat district came under a fierce overnight assault, resulting in the martyrdom of one police officer and injuries to a Frontier Constabulary (FC) official. The attack, confirmed by police on Monday, underscores the sustained and brutal threat faced by law enforcement agencies in Pakistan’s northwest. Kohat District Police Officer (DPO) Dr. Zahidullah Khan reported that a “large number of miscreants” launched the attack on the post in Darra Adamkhel from “multiple sides” around 1 am. A subsequent exchange of fire between the security personnel and the unidentified assailants lasted for two-and-a-half…
ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) announced on Monday that cyclonic storm Shakhti over the Arabian Sea has weakened in severity, though it is still expected to trigger isolated rainfall across the coastal belts of Sindh and Balochistan today. The weather system, which originated as a deepening depression over the Arabian Sea on Friday before quickly intensifying into a severe cyclonic storm, is now on a dissipating trajectory. An 11 am update from the PMD confirmed that the “severe cyclonic storm Shakhti over west central and adjoining northwest of the Arabian Sea has weakened into a cyclonic storm during…
LAHORE – Heavy rainfall across Pakistan’s Punjab province has resulted in a deadly toll, claiming the lives of at least four people and injuring another 28 over the last 24 hours, according to Rescue 1122 officials. The fatalities, which include two children, underscore the immediate danger posed by the severe weather system currently impacting the region. The severe downpour was anticipated after the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued an alert last week, forecasting “heavy to very heavy wind-thunderstorms and rains” across Punjab, Islamabad, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from October 5 to October 7, driven by a strong westerly weather system. …
PUTRAJAYA – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday hailed his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement to import $200 million worth of Halal meat from Pakistan as a “welcome step,” anticipating a significant boost in bilateral engagement within the Halal sector. The announcement followed comprehensive bilateral talks between the two leaders in Putrajaya. During a joint press conference, PM Shehbaz shared that he had a “most productive exchange of views” with PM Ibrahim, focusing on strengthening their “historic partnership.” Discussions covered a wide array of areas, including trade and investment, climate, defence, education, and tourism, reflecting a strategic intent to deepen…
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. The detention occurred after Israel intercepted a Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) carrying essential aid to the besieged Gaza Strip. 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 a key ally, the statement added, “With the invaluable assistance of the Jordanian government, we…
ISLAMABAD – Former Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani has strongly urged the federal government to “immediately” take Parliament into confidence regarding its evolving policy towards the United States. His assertion focuses on alarming media reports concerning the sale of rare earth minerals and the purported plan to offer Pasni port to Washington, raising fundamental questions about national sovereignty and resource ownership. In a press release issued on Monday, Rabbani voiced deep concern that the federal government “has not taken the people or parliament into confidence on the dynamics of the new relationship with the United States.” He emphasised that “It is…
