UNITED NATIONS — India has abstained in the UN General Assembly from a vote on a draft resolution that demanded an “immediate, unconditional and permanent” ceasefire in Gaza. The 193-member UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to adopt the resolution introduced by Spain that demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire, to be respected by all […]
International
US State Department rakes up Trump’s Kashmir mediation claim despite India’s firm dismissal
WASHINGTON — Despite India’s repeated dismissal of external involvement in the bilateral Kashmir dispute, US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce raked it up, saying that it wouldn’t be a surprise if US President Donald Trump tried to mediate. Replying to a question at her regular briefing on Tuesday, about what the reporter asserted was Trump’s […]
UNSC holds closed consultations on Indo-Pak tensions, hears calls for ‘restraint’
UNITED NATIONS — Amid rising India-Pakistan tensions, the United Nations Security Council has held closed-door consultations where envoys called for restraint and dialogue. The consultations, held by the 15-nation Security Council, lasted about an hour and a half on Monday afternoon but no statement was issued from the Council after the meeting. Pakistan, currently a […]
Pahalgam attack: UK appeals for measured approach, de-escalation
LONDON — The UK has called on all parties involved to take a measured approach and urged de-escalation in the aftermath of the “despicable” terrorist attacks in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives last week. After an urgent question in the House of Commons, the issue of “Kashmir: Increasing Tension” was debated in the House of […]
UNSC expected to meet soon on situation between India, Pakistan
UNITED NATIONS — The UNSC could meet “sooner rather than later” to discuss the situation between India and Pakistan, the President of the world’s topmost diplomatic body has said, noting that this would be an opportunity to express views and to help diffuse tensions between the nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours. “Of course, if a request […]
US issues ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory for J&K after Pahalgam terror attack
NEW YORK/WASHINGTON — The US has issued a ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory for Jammu and Kashmir owing to the “terror attacks” and possible “violent civilian unrest” in the Union Territory and also within 10 kms of the India-Pakistan border. The advisory warning for all US citizens was issued on Wednesday, a day after terrorists opened […]
US lawmakers seek to sanction Pakistan Army chief for political ‘persecution’, free Imran Khan
NEW YORK — Two US lawmakers have introduced a bill seeking to sanction Pakistan’s Army chief General Asim Munir for engaging in the “wrongful persecution and imprisonment” of political opponents and the release of detainees including former premier Imran Khan, a media report said. The “Pakistan Democracy Act” was introduced by Republican representative from South […]
UK govt declares Pakistan ex-PM’s son Hasan Nawaz ‘deliberate tax defaulter’
LONDON — The United Kingdom (UK) government’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has declared Hasan Nawaz, son of PML-N President and former prime minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif, as a “deliberate tax defaulter”. The UK government has updated the list of defaulters on its official website, which included Hasan’s name, declaring him a deliberate tax defaulter. […]
NASA’s stuck astronauts are finally on their way back to Earth after 9 months in space
Cape Canaveral — NASA’s two stuck astronauts headed back to Earth with SpaceX on Tuesday to close out a dramatic marathon mission that began with a bungled Boeing test flight more than nine months ago. Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams bid farewell to the International Space Station — their home since last spring — departing […]
Pakistan likely to face travel ban by US if govt doesn’t address ‘deficiencies’
WASHINGTON — Pakistan has been included in a group that would be considered for partial suspension of visa issuance if their governments “do not make efforts to address deficiencies within 60 days” as part of new ban by Donald Trump’s administration. The Trump administration is considering issuing sweeping travel restrictions for the citizens of dozens […]