A new wave of tension has erupted between Washington and Beijing after US President Donald Trump announced a 100% tariff on all Chinese imports, set to take effect next month. In a strongly worded social media post, Trump accused China of becoming very hostile following Beijing’s decision to tighten export rules on rare earth minerals key materials used in smartphones, electric vehicles, and defense equipment. The president further revealed plans to impose export controls on critical US software, escalating what many analysts are calling the most significant trade flare-up in years. Trump’s announcement sent shockwaves through global financial markets. The…
Author: Imran Ali Khan
Washington: In a major step reinforcing U.S.-Qatar defense ties, U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday announced that Qatar will build an air force facility at Mountain Home Air Base in Idaho, which will host Qatari F-15 fighter jets and pilots for joint training operations. The announcement, made at the Pentagon alongside Qatari Defence Minister Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, comes days after President Donald Trump signed an executive order pledging to defend Qatar following Israeli air strikes in Doha targeting Hamas leaders. We’re signing a letter of acceptance to build a Qatari Emiri Air Force facility at the Mountain…
GAZA CITY: Israeli forces began withdrawing from several key positions in Gaza on Thursday, marking the start of a long-awaited ceasefire agreement that has brought a rare moment of relief after two years of devastating conflict. Thousands of displaced Palestinians, weary and homeless, began the slow journey back to what remains of their homes, while families of hostages taken on October 7 anxiously awaited word of their release. According to the Israeli army, troops ceased fire at noon (2pm PKT) as part of preparations for the ceasefire and the return of captives. The army confirmed that its forces were repositioning…
OSLO: Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her relentless struggle to restore democracy in Venezuela and her unwavering commitment to peaceful political change. Announcing the award in Oslo on Friday, Jorgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, said Machado was being recognised for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy. Machado, who has long been one of the most vocal critics of Venezuela’s authoritarian regime, was barred from contesting the…
PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that Israel’s rapid expansion of settlements poses a grave threat to the establishment of a Palestinian state and undermines the US-led peace initiative in the Middle East. His statement came only hours after the announcement of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, as France hosted a high-level conference of Arab and European foreign ministers in Paris to revive the stalled peace process. Addressing the conference, President Macron described the settlement activity as “unacceptable and in clear violation of international law.” He said such actions not only fuel instability and violence in the region but…
Saudi Arabia fought back from behind to claim a thrilling 3–2 victory over Indonesia in Group B of Asia’s World Cup qualifiers on Wednesday, with Feras Al-Brikan’s brace boosting their hopes of securing a berth at next year’s finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Kevin Diks put Indonesia ahead in the 11th minute from the penalty spot, but Saleh Abu Al-Shamat equalized just six minutes later. Al-Brikan then turned the game around, converting a penalty before halftime and adding another goal in the 62nd minute with a composed close-range finish. Although Diks pulled one back with a late…
LONDON: The High Court in London has ruled in favour of former Pakistani military officer Brigadier (retd) Rashid Naseer in a high-profile defamation case against YouTuber and ex-army officer Major (retd) Adil Farooq Raja, declaring Raja’s allegations false, baseless, and malicious. Justice Richard Spearman of the High Court’s King’s Bench Division ordered Raja to pay £50,000 in damages and £300,000 in legal and court costs, in addition to issuing a written apology and permanently refraining from publishing any further defamatory statements. In a detailed judgment, Justice Spearman noted that Raja had made serious and deliberately false accusations against Brigadier Naseer…
In a landmark breakthrough, Hamas and Israel on Thursday signed a ceasefire and prisoner-exchange agreement, marking the first phase of U.S. President Donald Trump’s new initiative to end the conflict in Gaza. Officials from both sides confirmed that the deal was finalized after intense indirect negotiations in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh. The agreement paves the way for the release of captives and the flow of much-needed humanitarian aid into Gaza after more than two years of war and devastation. President Trump hailed the deal as a great day for the world, saying both parties had signed off…
Islamabad:Pakistan received $3.2 billion in workers’ remittances in September 2025, showing an 11.3% increase compared to the same month last year, when inflows stood at $2.9 billion, according to the latest data from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). On a monthly basis, remittances rose slightly by 1%, up from $3.1 billion in August, indicating steady inflows despite global economic challenges. During the first quarter of the fiscal year 2025–26, remittances reached $9.5 billion, up 8.4% from $8.8 billion during the same period last year, providing crucial support to the country’s external account and household spending. Adviser to the Finance…
RAWALPINDI / ISLAMABAD: In a stern and unambiguous message to the region, Pakistan’s military leadership on Wednesday warned that any act of aggression by India would be met with an immediate and decisive response. The warning came at the conclusion of the 272nd Corps Commanders Conference held at General Headquarters, Rawalpindi, which reviewed the security environment, counter-terrorism operations and the Army’s preparedness across multiple domains. Presided over by Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the high-level forum opened with prayers for the martyrs of recent India-sponsored militant attacks and paid tribute to the courage and sacrifices of…