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. ...

Ankara: Turkey is intensifying its focus on Kashmir, raising eyebrows worldwide by bringing the issue to its parliament despite not being a direct stakeholder. While Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir might not surprise anyone, Turkey’s move marks a significant step in its assertive foreign policy and signals a fresh strain in India-Turkey relations. Earlier, Turkey had even denied passage to Indian Apache helicopters through its airspace, forcing the US company to reroute.Analysts suggest that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is following the path of the Ottoman rulers, seeking to revive Islam and establish himself as the spiritual leader or ‘Caliph’ of the Muslim world. In this vision, nuclear-armed Pakistan is a key ally, and Bangladesh under Mohammad Yunus is emerging as another st...

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/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...

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....

New Delhi: In a significant ruling on marital relationships, the Supreme Court has clarified that a husband and wife living separately does not automatically mean their marriage has broken down. The court emphasised that before drawing such a conclusion, all evidence must be thoroughly examined.A bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that courts today often assume marital breakdown solely based on prolonged separation. However, the judges said that Family Courts and High Courts must first determine who is responsible for the separation and whether one spouse intentionally forced the other to leave.The bench noted that unless there is strong evidence of desertion or refusal to cohabit, courts should avoid concluding that the marriage has collapsed—especial...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court is set to hear a landmark case on November 26 that could potentially abolish another controversial Islamic practice known as Talaq-e-Hasan, under which a Muslim man can divorce his wife by pronouncing ‘talaq’ once a month for three consecutive months.A bench comprising Justice S. R. B. Suryakant, Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, and Justice N. Kotishwar Singh indicated that the matter may be referred to a larger five-judge bench given the wide-ranging legal and social implications. The court has asked the concerned parties to submit detailed notes on potential questions arising from the case.Supreme Court Signals InterventionAccording to The Economic Times, the bench observed that because this practice affects society at large, the Supreme Court may need to interv...