VATICAN CITY – The Vatican has kicked off its preparations for the Christmas season with the installation of a giant Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square. The massive tree, a highlight of the Vatican’s annual celebrations, was carefully positioned using a crane by workers on Thursday. Read More: Decked Christmas tree always becomes centerpiece of festive joy […]
Middle East peace
Mamdani confronts Trump over US role in Gaza conflict
US President Donald Trump welcomed New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani to the White House on Friday. The 34-year-old democratic socialist was praised for his election victory despite months of mutual attacks during the campaign. The meeting, described as unexpectedly warm, did not erase deep political differences. Mamdani reiterated his accusation that Israel is “committing […]
Pakistan backs US-led push for Gaza stabilisation force at UN
UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has joined several key Muslim and Arab nations in backing a US-drafted UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution that seeks to deploy an international stabilisation force in Gaza. In a joint statement released at the UN Headquarters, Pakistan, Qatar, Egypt, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Jordan, Turkiye and the United States voiced strong […]
Kazakhstan set to join Abraham Accords after Trump, Tokayev, Netanyahu call
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that Kazakhstan will join the Abraham Accords, a framework that normalises relations between Israel and Muslim-majority nations, marking the first such expansion of the pact in several years. The announcement followed a trilateral call between Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. “We […]
US seeks UN approval for International Security Force in Gaza
WASHINGTON – The United States has submitted a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) seeking approval for the establishment of an International Security Force (ISF) in Gaza with a two-year mandate, Axios reported on Tuesday. The proposed force, described by US officials as an “enforcement force” rather than a peacekeeping mission, would […]
Secretary Rubio: UN-backed multinational force for Gaza
DOHA – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday that Washington is working with international partners on a possible UN resolution or global agreement to authorize a multinational peacekeeping force in Gaza. Rubio made the remarks while en route to Qatar, following meetings in Israel during his Asia tour. According to Rubio, several […]
Trump arrives in Israel
TEL AVIV — US President Donald Trump arrived in Israel aboard Air Force One on Monday, marking the start of a high-profile Middle East peace tour just as the first Israeli hostages were freed after two years in Gaza captivity. Trump was welcomed with full honors at Ben Gurion Airport by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin […]
Trump Secures Gaza Truce but Faces Major Hurdles to Lasting Peace
WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump has scored a major diplomatic victory by helping broker a truce in Gaza, but analysts say the road to lasting peace in the Middle East remains fraught with challenges. The Crime Control Department (CCD) said Friday that Israeli forces halted fire at 0900 GMT, in line with the deal […]
Gaza Erupts in Celebration
GAZA: Palestinians in Gaza and families of Israeli hostages broke into emotional celebrations on Thursday after news of a pact between Israel and Hamas to end the war in Gaza and bring home all Israeli hostages, both living and dead. In Gaza, where over 2 million people have been displaced by Israeli airstrikes, crowds cheered […]
PM Shehbaz Welcomes Gaza Ceasefire Deal
ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday welcomed the announcement of an agreement aimed at ending the ongoing war and genocide in Gaza, calling it a historic opportunity to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East. In a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, the prime minister lauded US President Donald Trump’s […]