Location · 1514 published stories · 152 outlets · All places
Egypt's hesitation to join the Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan Mecca Pact is layered, with analysts pointing to India ties, Saudi opposition, and Cairo's non-aligned instincts. Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar has publicly questioned the pact's effectiveness.
Five years after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, more than 2.6 million girls remain barred from education, and women face sweeping restrictions, according to recent UN statements and reports. A new UNICEF report projects severe losses of female teachers and health workers by 2030, while testimonies from Afghan women in exile highlight ongoing humanitarian and rights crises.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called for an end to the war with the US, saying Iran was negotiating from a position of strength, even as the partial truce agreed in June expired without renewal. His remarks come amid a reported push by Iranian moderates to revive the economy, while hardliners reportedly favor prolonging the conflict.
Oil prices fell more than 1% on Monday as investors booked profits ahead of a US announcement on new sanctions against Iran. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is set to unveil what he calls an 'economic D-Day,' while analysts debate the effectiveness of the measures and the risk of Iranian retaliation.
Yemen's Houthis said they struck a Saudi oil tanker in the Red Sea, while the UK Maritime Trade Operations reported a tanker hit by an unknown projectile off Yanbu. Saudi shipping firm Bahri confirmed its vessel was involved and all crew were safe. The incident is part of a Houthi maritime blockade declared against Saudi Arabia last month.
Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson announced an agreement in principle with Oman on a new maritime transit route for the Strait of Hormuz, with details still being finalized. The development comes amid ongoing US-Iran tensions and a looming deadline for a broader deal, while a separate report frames the situation as continued talks rather than a final agreement.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have signed a trilateral defense agreement in Mecca, which US President Donald Trump has called a 'big, bold, and important first step.' The pact creates a collective defense commitment akin to NATO's Article 5, and analysts are weighing its implications for regional security and multipolarity.
Bangladesh has said it is open to joining the Saudi Arabia-Pakistan-Turkiye defence pact, with two junior ministers stressing any decision hinges on national interests. Meanwhile, reports of an invitation for Iran to join remain unconfirmed, with Tehran denying receiving any official proposal.
As the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding set to expire on Monday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called for ending the war from a position of strength, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said no decision has been made to restart negotiations. The US is preparing intensified sanctions, and analysts note Iran's increased leverage.
The UAE, Saudi Arabia, and six other nations have condemned Israel's rejection of President Trump's Gaza plan, urging compliance. The joint statement comes amid ongoing strikes, ceasefire violations, and a widening diplomatic rift.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast an extended spell of rain, wind and thundershowers over upper and central Pakistan from August 16-21, with occasional breaks. Heavy rainfall may cause urban flooding in low-lying areas and landslides in hilly terrain, prompting advisories for tourists and farmers.
President Donald Trump has vowed an intensified economic campaign against Iran, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signaling unprecedented measures as soon as next week. Options include secondary sanctions on Chinese refiners and banks, while Iran’s key oil trade with China and ties to neighboring countries complicate enforcement. Officials and analysts outline the scale of existing sanctions and the constraints on further pressure.
Bangladesh has indicated it is in no hurry for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit India, citing national interests and the need for progress in bilateral talks. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar responded by emphasizing that any relationship must meet the test of mutual interest, amid ongoing tensions over the extradition of former PM Sheikh Hasina.
Dhaka recorded 'moderate' air quality on Sunday and Monday, with different reports placing the city 18th or 27th globally. The AQI scores ranged from 68 to 87, and the top of the pollution list varied by report.
Ayesha Gilamana, a 28-year-old TikTok star with 1.3 million followers, was shot dead in her car in Taxila, Pakistan, on August 14. Her father's initial complaint cited financial disputes, but police later arrested five including her father and brother, alleging a possible 'honour killing'.
Afghanistan's leaders celebrated the fifth anniversary of their return to power at a Loya Jirga in Kabul, touting restored stability and an end to conflict, even as the UN decried a grave human rights crisis, and the administration renewed its call for representation at the United Nations.
President Donald Trump told supporters in South Carolina that he considers the Strait of Hormuz 'an American territory,' escalating his rhetoric amid the ongoing war with Iran. Iranian officials dismissed the remarks as 'fanciful delusions' and reaffirmed Tehran's sovereignty over the strategic waterway.
Washington has announced an unprecedented push to isolate Iran's economy, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pledging to sever every economic lifeline of the 'tyrannical regime.' Iran has vowed to shut down Gulf oil exports if the pressure continues, as diplomatic efforts and a crisis in the Strait of Hormuz deepen.
Five years after the Taliban's return to power, Germany has admitted over 37,000 Afghan nationals, but hundreds remain stranded, waiting for relocation. This article examines the gap between official promises and on-the-ground reality, including the new government's decision to end resettlement programs, the cash-for-return offer, and a recent court ruling.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Saturday that Tehran received 'numerous messages' from neighboring countries seeking new regional security arrangements, though he did not name any nations. The remarks come as Washington prepares to announce what Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has called the 'toughest sanctions in history' against Iran.