US bypasses congressional review for military sales of $8.6 billion to Middle East allies – World
United States President Donald Trump’s administration has bypassed congressional review to approve military sales totalling over $8.6 billion to Middle Eastern allies Israel, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The State Department announcements on Friday came as the US and Israel’s war against Iran marked nine weeks since its start and more than […]
Iran standoff could leave Trump worse off than before he went to war – World
More than two months into a conflict that has failed to deliver a decisive military or diplomatic win, United States President Donald Trump faces the risk that a standoff with Iran will drag on indefinitely and leave an even bigger problem for the US and the world than before he launched the war. With both […]
Hezbollah’s fibre-optic drones pose new challenge for Israel’s military – World
Hezbollah’s cheap fibre-optic drones are creating new challenges for Israeli troops in southern Lebanon, forcing the military to adapt its tactics against an increasingly lethal threat. The Israeli military — considered one of the most advanced in the world — has confirmed two soldiers and one civilian contractor killed in explosive drone attacks in under […]
US to withdraw about 5,000 troops from Germany – World
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the withdrawal of about 5,000 troops from Germany within the next year, the Pentagon said on Friday, in the latest rift in transatlantic ties over the Mideast war. The move came as US President Donald Trump announced that tariffs on cars and trucks from the European Union will […]
Trump expands US sanctions on Cuban government and affiliates – World
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday broadening US sanctions against the Cuban government, two White House officials told Reuters, as he seeks to put more pressure on Havana after ousting Venezuela’s leader. The fresh sanctions target people, entities and affiliates that support the Cuban government’s security apparatus or are complicit in […]
US ‘still not satisfied’ after Tehran conveys another offer – World
• Pakistan hands over Iran’s latest proposal to US, refuses to divulge contents• Trump says Iran ‘made strides’ in talks, claims process marred by ‘tremendous discord’; appreciates PM Shehbaz, FM Munir’s role• Diplomats describe transmission of proposals as a positive step, despite no immediate signs of progress ISLAMABAD: After Pakistan shared a new proposal by […]
US awards F-16 upgrade contract for Pakistan, other states – World
WASHINGTON: The United States Air Force has awarded a $488 million contract to Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. for long-term engineering and technical support of F-16 Fighting Falcon radar systems, with Pakistan among the countries covered by the deal. According to an official award notice, released this week, the firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract will support the […]
Gaza aid flotilla activists, including former Pakistani senator Mushtaq Ahmad, released after Israeli interception – World
More than 100 activists, including former Pakistani senator Mushtaq Ahmad, who were aboard aid ships bound for Gaza were released and taken to the Greek island of Crete on Friday, a day after Israeli forces seized their vessels in international waters near Greece. The activists were part of a second Global Sumud Flotilla, launched in […]
Trump ‘not satisfied’ with Iran’s new proposal; says truce ‘terminated’ hostilities, as War Powers deadline arrives – World
Tehran delivered a new proposal for peace talks with the United States via Pakistan, Iranian state media reported on Friday, with US President Donald Trump saying that he was “not satisfied” with what had been put forth. Separately, he also conveyed to the US Congress his stance the hostilities had “terminated” following a ceasefire with […]
Trump ‘not happy’ with Iran’s new proposal; says truce ‘terminated’ hostilities, as War Powers deadline arrives – World
Tehran delivered a new proposal for peace talks with the United States via Pakistan, Iranian state media reported on Friday, with US President Donald Trump saying that he was “not satisfied” with what had been put forth. Separately, he also conveyed to the US Congress his stance the hostilities had “terminated” following a ceasefire with […]