RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, announced on Wednesday that the kingdom will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel until a Palestinian state is created. This declaration presents a setback to US efforts aimed at brokering a normalization deal. In his address to the Shura Council, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s stance: “The kingdom will not cease its tireless efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, and we affirm that the kingdom will not establish diplomatic relations with Israel without one.” This position comes in response…
Author: Hasnain Abid Khanzada
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Russia have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations, emphasizing increased trade, energy cooperation, regional connectivity, and enhanced defence ties. In a joint press conference on Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and visiting Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk outlined their shared goals following talks at the Foreign Office. The discussions reviewed the breadth of bilateral cooperation and aimed to build on the positive trajectory in their relationship over the past two decades. Dar announced a key milestone, revealing that trade between Pakistan and Russia had reached $1 billion in the last fiscal…
SRINAGAR: The three-stage assembly elections in India-held Jammu and Kashmir commenced on Wednesday, amid widespread reports of repression. Amnesty International has called on New Delhi to end the use of restrictive travel bans and arbitrary detentions against dissenters in the region. Amnesty criticized the Indian government for using stringent anti-terror laws to intimidate those critical of its policies in Jammu and Kashmir, especially following the region’s special constitutional status revocation in 2019. This marks the first election in the area in a decade since the controversial move. The human rights organization highlighted several repressive measures, including passport revocations, creation of…
Multiple women have accused Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Al-Fayed, the former owner of London’s prestigious Harrods department store, of rape and sexual assault, according to a BBC report released on Thursday. The allegations, detailed in a BBC documentary and podcast, come as part of an ongoing examination of high-profile figures following the #MeToo movement’s rise in 2017. Al-Fayed, who passed away last year at the age of 94, was a significant figure in British society, notably for his ownership of Harrods and his association with Princess Diana. The investigation reveals that more than 20 women have reported instances of assault and…
WASHINGTON: Pakistan’s UN Ambassador Munir Akram has alerted the UN Security Council to the escalating threat of terrorism originating from Afghanistan, specifically highlighting the growing menace posed by Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). In a statement delivered on Wednesday, Akram described the TTP as rapidly evolving into an “umbrella organization” capable of regional destabilization. He warned that the group, which has intensified attacks on Pakistani security forces since breaking a ceasefire agreement in November 2022, is receiving full support from the Afghan Interim Government (AIG) and is a significant concern due to its links with Al-Qaeda. Akram criticized the Afghan government for…
WASHINGTON: The US State Department has reaffirmed Pakistan’s status as a long-term partner but emphasized its willingness to impose sanctions to safeguard American interests. During a news briefing on Tuesday, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller addressed the recent sanctions imposed on companies accused of supplying components for Pakistan’s missile program. On September 12, the US sanctioned three Chinese firms and one Pakistani company for their involvement in Pakistan’s ballistic missile development. “Pakistan has been a long-term partner, and this action reflects ongoing areas of disagreement,” Miller said. “When such disagreements arise, we will act decisively to protect America’s interests.” In…
Pakistan has condemned the recent terror attacks across Lebanon, which have resulted in over 30 deaths and thousands of injuries from explosions involving electronic devices, according to the Foreign Office (FO). On Tuesday, detonations from pagers used by the armed group Hezbollah killed 12 people, including two children, and injured nearly 3,000, with Israel blamed for the attack. The following day, further explosions in Hezbollah strongholds caused at least 14 more deaths and over 450 injuries, escalating tensions with Israel. Lebanese officials have alleged that Israel’s Mossad planted explosives in 5,000 pagers imported by Hezbollah, leading to a major security…
India is investigating the work environment at the Big Four accounting firm EY after the death of a 26-year-old associate worker, Anna Sebastian Perayil, whose mother has accused the company of contributing to her death through excessive work stress. Perayil passed away in July, and her mother, Anita Augustine, claimed in a letter to EY’s India chairman that her daughter endured an extremely demanding workload that severely impacted her physical, emotional, and mental health. The letter, which went viral on social media, has sparked widespread concern. Labour Minister Shobha Karandlaje announced on X that a comprehensive investigation into the allegations…
In a significant shift from their historical pattern, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters has announced that it will not endorse either major party candidate in the upcoming 2024 U.S. presidential election. The influential union, representing approximately 1.3 million members, has consistently backed the Democratic candidate in every presidential race since 2000. However, on Wednesday, the Teamsters stated that neither Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris nor Republican former President Donald Trump had made sufficient commitments to align with the union’s priorities. Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien expressed disappointment with both candidates, saying, “Neither major candidate was able to make serious commitments…
The United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) released a report on Tuesday detailing extensive human rights abuses in Myanmar since the military’s takeover on February 1, 2021. The report reveals that over 5,350 civilians have been killed and more than 3.3 million people displaced due to ongoing violence by the armed forces. The report underscores that more than half of Myanmar’s population now lives below the poverty line, a situation exacerbated by the conflict and economic instability. Additionally, over 27,400 people have been arrested since the coup, with the numbers rising following the implementation of mandatory conscription earlier this year.…
