WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Wednesday that the Trump administration is working to identify and exempt certain USAID programs from sweeping stop-work orders, as part of President Donald Trump’s broader freeze on foreign aid. This move follows the administration’s decision to place all directly hired USAID employees globally on leave and recall thousands of overseas personnel, after Trump’s directive last month to halt most US foreign assistance in line with his “America First” policy. Trump and his aides have stated that their goal is to ensure billions of dollars in US assistance, including humanitarian aid distributed…
Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
WASHINGTON: The United States announced on Wednesday that its government vessels would be allowed to transit the Panama Canal without charge, following heavy pressure from President Donald Trump. “US government vessels can now transit the Panama Canal without charge fees, saving the US government millions of dollars a year,” the State Department said. This was the first public announcement of promises hinted at by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said that Panama offered concessions during his talks on Sunday. Rubio said he had told Panama that it was unfair for the United States to be in a position…
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump will sign an executive order on Thursday to sanction the International Criminal Court (ICC) for targeting the United States and its allies, such as Israel, a White House official said. The order will impose financial and visa sanctions on individuals and their family members who assist in ICC investigations of US citizens or US allies, the official added. Trump’s move comes after US Senate Democrats last week blocked a Republican-led effort to sanction the ICC in protest at its arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister. Netanyahu is currently…
NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the United States from February 12 to 13 and hold talks with President Donald Trump, according to Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Friday. The visit follows an invitation from Trump and comes just weeks after his return to the White House for his second term. It also coincides with a time when Modi’s government is facing criticism over the treatment of 104 Indian immigrants deported by Washington this week as part of Trump’s immigration agenda. Trump spoke with Modi on January 27, where they discussed immigration and emphasized the importance…
TORONTO: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday stated that US President Donald Trump’s talk of absorbing Canada “is a real thing” and is related to the country’s rich natural resources, according to a government source. Trudeau made these comments during a closed-door session with business and labor leaders on how best to respond to Trump’s threats of tariffs on Canadian imports. The remarks were first reported by the Toronto Star, which said they were accidentally broadcast through a loudspeaker. Trump has repeatedly suggested that Canada would be better off if it agreed to become the 51st US state. “They are…
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman in the federal capital on Thursday, where discussions revolved around Balochistan’s security, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the madrassa registration bill. According to details, JUI-F Secretary-General Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri stated that the meeting was not pre-planned with a set agenda. He mentioned, “Fazlur Rehman conveyed concerns regarding the immense pressure he faced over madrassa registration.” Haideri added that Fazlur Rehman expressed strong reservations about the security situation in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, emphasizing that conditions had deteriorated to the extent that no one felt safe anymore. The JUI-F leadership…
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has nullified the Registrar’s Office objections to the constitutional petition filed by the PTI founder against amendments to the Official Secrets Act and the Army Act. The court directed the Registrar’s Office to formally register the petition and assign it a case number. A five-member constitutional bench, led by Justice Aminuddin Khan, heard the case. During the hearing, PTI founder’s lawyer, Shoaib Shaheen, argued that the amendments infringe upon fundamental rights and should therefore be reviewed by the court. The court questioned why the petitioner had not approached the High Court first. In response, Shoaib…
Pakistan’s aggressive opening batsman Fakhar Zaman has made an interesting proposal just days before the Champions Trophy 2025. During an interview with Salman Butt on PCB’s podcast, Fakhar suggested that if a six crosses 90 meters, the batsman should be awarded two extra runs. Team Absence and Babar Azam Speculations When asked about his absence from the team and speculation regarding Babar Azam, Fakhar clarified that he was sidelined due to an injury. The delayed diagnosis made his comeback difficult. He added that he was working on regaining form by playing domestic cricket, as returning after an illness felt like…
The National Logistics Corporation (NLC) has successfully completed the reconstruction of the Hub Bridge, a crucial transportation link between Sindh and Balochistan that was destroyed by floods in 2002. The newly constructed two-lane bridge spans 488 feet across the Hub River and has resumed operations, significantly improving traffic flow on the N-25 highway connecting Karachi, Quetta, and nearby regions. Improved Connectivity and Trade Facilitation With the bridge’s completion, travel times have been reduced, and long-standing logistical challenges have been addressed. Passenger and commercial vehicles can now move seamlessly between the two provinces, boosting trade and economic activities. Despite challenging conditions…
The five-day multinational maritime exercise “AMAN-25” and the first-ever “AMAN Dialogue” officially commenced in Karachi. The primary objective of this exercise is to unite maritime nations to adopt safe and sustainable practices, share experiences, and collectively address maritime threats. The 9th edition of AMAN-25, taking place in the Arabian Sea, has attracted participation from over 60 navies, along with their ships, aircraft, special operation forces, EOD marine teams, and observers. The AMAN Dialogue will bring together Chiefs of Navies, Coast Guards, and Defence Forces to discuss global and regional maritime issues. Opening Ceremony and Pakistan Navy’s Commitment The opening ceremony…
