Pakistan’s request to reduce the 18 percent GST on condoms and other contraceptives has been rejected by the International Monetary Fund, leaving the government unable to make birth-control products cheaper in a period of rising population and financial pressure. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had asked the Federal Board of Revenue to approach the IMF for immediate approval to remove the tax, but the lender made it clear that such changes cannot be made mid-year and may only be considered du

Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has strongly defended the Taliban government's right to maintain political and economic relations with India, pushing back against Pakistan’s criticism over Kabul-Delhi engagement. Speaking at a conference in Kabul, Muttaqi dismissed Islamabad's accusations that India supports anti-Pakistan groups, calling them inconsistent and politically motivated. He reminded that Pakistan itself maintains diplomatic presence in New Delhi with act

Silicon Valley’s commercial real estate sector is experiencing a period of striking contrasts, according to the latest quarterly analysis from Joint Venture Silicon Valley. The region continues to see both strong demand for leased space and a notable slowdown in new development, creating a complex environment for investors, developers, and employers. Between January and September 2025, developers added approximately 5.6 million square feet of new office and industrial space across

In yet another provocative statement, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has claimed that his country is fully prepared for a two-front war against India on the eastern border and the Taliban on the western front. Speaking at a public event, Asif said, “We are ready for war on two fronts. Allah helped us in round one and He will help us in round two.” His remarks came just a day after a deadly suicide bombing in Islamabad that killed 12 people and injured 36 others. The Pakis

In a move that has sparked outrage and concern, Pakistani authorities denied entry to 12 Hindu pilgrims who were part of a 1,932-member Sikh Jatha traveling to Pakistan to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The group crossed the Attari–Wagah border on Tuesday for the annual pilgrimage, but the 12 Hindu devotees were stopped at the immigration counters despite being initially cleared for travel. According to reports, their passports even bore immigration stamps before Paki

Pakistan has offered Bangladesh the use of its Karachi port for exporting jute and other goods, marking a significant geopolitical move amid deteriorating India-Bangladesh relations. The offer comes shortly after India banned the import of jute products through land routes, a major blow to Bangladesh’s export sector. The development was formalized during the Pakistan-Bangladesh Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting in Dhaka, held after a gap of nearly 20 years, signaling a thaw in relatio

India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has sharply criticised the United Nations, saying the global body has become increasingly ineffective and paralysed by internal divisions. Speaking in New Delhi at the release of a commemorative postage stamp marking the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, Jaishankar said the organisation’s decision-making has failed to reflect the realities of its membership or the priorities of the modern world. He emphasised that meaningful reforms are

In a major geopolitical development, Taliban-ruled Afghanistan has decided to restrict Pakistan’s access to cross-border river water by constructing a dam on the Kunar River. The directive came from Supreme Leader Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada, who ordered the Ministry of Water and Energy to begin construction “as fast as possible.” This move comes just weeks after deadly border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan that claimed hundreds of lives and amid heightened tensions followin

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Two San Antonio police officers were shot and injured on Wednesday morning after a confrontation with an armed suspect at a motel along Highway 90 near Military Drive. The suspect, who reportedly opened fire on officers during a brief chase, was killed in the exchange, according to San Antonio Police Chief Bill McManus. Authorities said the incident unfolded just before 9 a.m. when an officer and a cadet were sitting in a motel parking lot. While they were in

Heavy fighting has erupted once again between Pakistani forces and Taliban fighters along the volatile border separating Pakistan and Afghanistan, leaving dozens dead and escalating one of the most serious confrontations between the two sides since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. The clashes, centered around Afghanistan’s Kandahar province, have plunged relations between Islamabad and Kabul to a new low, with both governments trading accusations over who initiated the latest round

  The Austin Police Department is preparing to revise its use-of-force policy following an in-depth review that identified inconsistencies in training, data collection, and reporting practices. The reform effort comes as law enforcement experts and city officials call for greater transparency and improved accountability within the department. The changes stem from an evaluation led by Dr. Robin Engel, a senior research scientist at Ohio State University, who was broug

Paul Kapur, a noted American academic and expert on South Asian security, has been appointed as the new Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia in the United States government. Known for his hardline stance against Pakistan’s military establishment, Kapur’s appointment marks a significant shift in Washington’s regional approach, especially amid renewed tensions in South Asia. His selection comes as the US seeks to redefine its engagement with both India and Pakistan whil

The United States has approved the supply of AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) to Pakistan, marking a new phase in defence cooperation between the two countries. The US Department of War announced the inclusion of Pakistan as one of several international buyers under a recently modified arms contract with Raytheon, the American defence manufacturer responsible for producing the missile systems. According to the department’s notification, Raytheon received

Saudi Arabia’s decision to sign a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement with Pakistan has stirred debates across South Asia and the Middle East. The pact, which promises that an attack on one country will be treated as an attack on both, resembles a NATO-style commitment. For Pakistan, struggling with economic and diplomatic challenges, this deal is seen as a significant political win and a potential deterrence against India. Yet, beneath the surface, exper

At the Doha emergency summit attended by leaders from over 40 Muslim countries, the idea of an Islamic Nato gained momentum, with Pakistan aggressively pitching for an Arab-Islamic task force. The meeting followed Israel’s strike in Qatar and brought together Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and others under one forum. Pakistan, represented by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Is

The emergency Arab-Islamic summit held in Doha on Monday has triggered renewed calls for a NATO-style military alliance of Muslim nations. The push, spearheaded by Egypt, comes in the wake of Israel’s strike in Doha that killed Hamas operatives and a Qatari officer. While leaders differed on concrete action against Israel, the summit may have set in motion the groundwork for an Arab-Islamic defense pact. Egypt,

The International Cricket Council has turned down the Pakistan Cricket Board’s request to remove veteran referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 after the controversial no-handshake episode in the India-Pakistan clash. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also heads the Asian Cricket Council, had alleged that Pycroft instructed Pakistan captain Salman Agha at the toss not to engage in a handshake with India’s Suryakumar Yadav, sparking outrag

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially addressed the controversy surrounding the handshake row during the Asia Cup 2025 clash between India and Pakistan. Following India’s 7-wicket victory, captain Suryakumar Yadav and his teammates did not exchange handshakes with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha or the opposing team. This move sparked outrage from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which lodged a formal complaint with the Asian

India issued a sharp rebuttal to Switzerland during the 60th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva after the Swiss delegation expressed concerns about the treatment of minorities in India. Representing New Delhi, Kshitij Tyagi, Counsellor at India’s Permanent Mission in Geneva, described Switzerland’s comments as “surprising, shallow, and ill-informed.” He emphasized that as the current president of the UNHRC, Switzerland sho

A Gwinnett County police officer and an off-duty nurse are being praised for their quick actions after saving the life of an 18-month-old toddler who stopped breathing. The incident, captured on body camera footage, has drawn widespread attention to the bravery and composure of those involved. On August 17, Officer Mondesir was working on a report from an earlier call while parked when he was suddenly alerted by someone that a toddler was in distress and not breathing. Without hesit