world

Washington: The reputation of the iconic American F-16 fighter jet took a major hit on Wednesday after a US Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon crashed near Trona Airport in California. The dramatic incident, which occurred on 3 December at around 10:45 a.m. local time, sent shockwaves through military aviation circles.The aircraft went down in a remote desert region south of Death Valley. Moments after hitting the ground, the jet exploded, turning into a massive fireball. Video footage posted online shows thick black smoke billowing into the sky as flames engulfed the crash site.The US Air Force confirmed the crash in an official statement, adding that the pilot managed to eject safely before the fatal impact.Pilot Ejects in Time, Suffers Minor InjuriesAccording to the Air For...

The constitutional amendment in Pakistan may have cleared the path for Army Chief General Asim Munir to become the country’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), but the powerful Sharif family appears unwilling to let that happen. The decision on Munir’s elevation has been delayed repeatedly, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s unexpected diversion to Lahore after returning from London has triggered fresh speculation.Shehbaz’s Flight Diverted — A Political Signal?ISLAMABAD: The appointment of General Asim Munir as Pakistan’s first CDF continues to hang in the balance. Hours after landing in Pakistan from his London visit, PM Shehbaz Sharif’s aircraft—expected to arrive in Islamabad—was redirected to Lahore on Tuesday.The sudden change of destination instantly activated intellig...

Islamabad: In a significant escalation of violence in Balochistan, the armed separatist group Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) carried out an unprecedented attack using a female suicide bomber against a heavily guarded Pakistan Frontier Corps complex. The complex, located in Chagai district, is a hub for Chinese copper and gold mining projects. Reports confirm that six Pakistani personnel were killed in Sunday evening’s assault.This marks the first time the BLF has deployed a female fidayeen, following in the footsteps of another Baloch insurgent group, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which previously used female attackers through its Majid Brigade.BLF Releases Identity of Female BomberBLF released the photo of the attacker, identified as Zarina Rafiq, also known as Trang Mahu. The gr...

The United States has announced an immediate suspension of visa issuance for all individuals traveling on Afghan passports, following a deadly shooting targeting two National Guard members. In a parallel move, the Trump administration has also halted all asylum application decisions until further notice—marking one of the toughest immigration measures in recent years.Visa Freeze Announced After Attack on National GuardOn Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed through a post on X that visas for Afghan passport holders had been stopped without delay.“There is no priority greater than the safety of our nation and our people,” Rubio wrote, underlining the seriousness of the government’s response.The decision comes just days after two National Guard members were shot ...

Washington D.C.: U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a permanent ban on migration from what he referred to as “third world” countries, alongside plans to review pathways to citizenship. The decision comes amid rising public anger after a shooting targeting two National Guard members in Washington D.C.The alleged shooter, an Afghan national, had arrived in the United States under a resettlement program for people who assisted U.S. forces during the Afghanistan withdrawal. The incident has sparked a broader debate over immigration policies and national security.Speaking on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated: “I will permanently halt migration from third world countries to fix the American system. I will end the millions of illegal admissions under Biden, including those he...

Dhaka: Bangladesh is witnessing intense political unrest as the ruling Awami League launches nationwide protests against interim government head Muhammad Yunus. The party is demanding Yunus’s resignation, labeling him as an illegitimate, fascist ruler. The unrest follows a controversial verdict from the International Crimes Tribunal, which recently sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death—a ruling rejected by the Awami League as politically motivated.Nationwide Protests EruptThe Awami League claims that Muhammad Yunus is plotting to bar Sheikh Hasina and her party from participating in next year’s general elections. The party has accused Yunus of orchestrating political conspiracies to suppress democratic voices. Since November 17, when the International Crimes Tribunal h...

Kabul:Pakistan has once again launched a deadly airstrike inside Afghanistan, resulting in the deaths of at least 10 Afghan civilians, most of them children. The Taliban administration has confirmed the incident and strongly condemned Pakistan for what it has called a “direct attack on Afghan sovereignty.”According to Afghan officials, the strike took place around midnight in the Mughalghai area of Gurbuzi district, Khost province. Pakistani forces allegedly bombed the home of a local resident, Waliat Khan, killing nine children — five boys and four girls — and one woman. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid released these details in an official statement.Taliban Accuses Pakistan of Targeting an Entire FamilyThe Taliban government has accused Pakistan of intentionally attack...

Kabul/Islamabad:A massive Pakistani airstrike in Afghanistan has sparked global outrage after reports confirmed the death of nine innocent children and one woman. The attack took place late Monday night in the Gurbuji area of Mughalghai in Khost province. Taliban authorities have strongly condemned the strike, calling it “a barbaric violation of Afghan sovereignty.”The airstrike came barely 24 hours after a deadly suicide attack on the headquarters of the Federal Constabulary (FC) in Peshawar, which killed several Pakistani soldiers. The timing has led many to believe that Pakistan’s operation was intended as retaliation. The central question now is: Can a nation justify revenge by dropping bombs on civilian homes?Taliban Confirms Civilian KillingsTaliban spokesperson Zabihulla...

Riyadh, 25 November 2025:Saudi Arabia — the birthplace of Islam and one of the world’s most conservative nations — is preparing for another major policy shift. The kingdom is reportedly planning to open new alcohol stores for non-Muslim foreigners, marking a significant relaxation of decades-old prohibitions under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s ambitious Vision 2030 reforms.According to sources quoted by Reuters, one store will be opened inside the Aramco residential compound in Dhahran for non-Muslim foreign employees, while another outlet is being set up in Jeddah, where several foreign consulates are located. These stores will serve only expatriates and diplomatic officials.A Historic Shift After 73 YearsSaudi Arabia imposed a nationwide ban on alcohol 73 years ago. Howe...

New Delhi: In a significant enhancement to India’s military firepower, the United States has approved two major defence sales to New Delhi—comprising FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile systems and M982A1 Excalibur precision-guided artillery projectiles, together valued at approximately USD 93 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has formally notified the US Congress and issued the mandatory certification clearing the proposed transactions.Emergency Purchase After Operation SindoorThe decision follows India’s urgent request after Operation Sindoor, during which large quantities of precision-guided ammunition were used against Pakistan-based terror infrastructure. To replenish stocks and strengthen frontline readiness, India initiated an emergency procurement route....