Category: INTERNATIONAL

UN Chief Antonio Guterres Arrives in Syria on Historic First Visit Since Civil War

Nadeem Ali

DAMASCUS: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived in Syria on Saturday for a landmark three-day visit, becoming the first UN chief to travel to the country since before the outbreak of Syria’s devastating civil war more than a decade ago. The visit marks a significant diplomatic milestone as the United Nations seeks to reinforce its support for Syria’s political transition following the change in leadership that ended the rule of former President Bashar al-Assad. According to Syria’s state news agency SANA, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani welcomed Guterres and the accompanying…

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U.S. Denies Passports Over Unpaid Child Support

Asim Siddiqui

U.S. State Department Begins Crackdown on Parents Who Fail to Pay Child Support By Asim Siddiqui | Washington, D.C. The U.S. government has launched a renewed enforcement effort against parents who fail to meet their child support obligations, with the U.S. Department of State taking steps to deny or revoke passports for individuals who owe substantial amounts in unpaid child support. According to reports, enforcement actions have initially targeted approximately 2,700 parents with significant child support arrears. Under current federal law, individuals who owe $2,500 or more in past-due child…

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Pakistan Investors Forum Saudi Arabia Boosts Investment Ties

Amir Muhammad Khan

Consul General of Pakistan in Jeddah,  Syed Mustafa Rabbani , has emphasized that overseas Pakistani investors must strictly implement an effective investment strategy to help increase Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves and strengthen the national economy. He assured investors that the Consulate General of Pakistan in Jeddah would provide every possible support and guidance, adding that the Consulate’s doors are always open to assist the Pakistani business community. He was addressing a ceremony organized by the **Pakistan Investors Forum Saudi Arabia (PIF)** in Jeddah. Speaking on the occasion, the Consul General…

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Philippines Accuses China of Water Cannon Attacks for Second Straight Day at Scarborough Shoal

Kainat R
Philippine and Chinese coast guard vessels face off near Scarborough Shoal amid water cannon attacks in the South China Sea.

The Philippines has accused China of using water cannon on its coast guard and fisheries vessels near Scarborough Shoal for a second consecutive day, marking the third confrontation between the two countries in the South China Sea within a single week. China and Philippines news today centers on this escalating standoff, which comes just days after Beijing announced plans to designate part of the shoal as a nature reserve. Background China scarborough shoal disputes have simmered for over a decade, but tensions have sharply intensified in recent weeks. China has…

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ICC Decision Today: Member States Vote on Removing Prosecutor Karim Khan

Kainat R
ICC member states vote on the future of Prosecutor Karim Khan at the International Criminal Court.

Diplomats from around the world gathered at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Friday for a historic ICC decision today, voting by secret ballot on whether to permanently remove chief prosecutor Karim Khan over sexual misconduct allegations. The vote marks an unprecedented moment in the 20-plus year history of the International Criminal Court. Background Karim Khan, a 56-year-old British barrister, has served as the ICC’s chief prosecutor since 2021, overseeing some of the court’s most closely watched investigations, including its case tied to the war in Gaza. He…

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Captain Phillips Pirate Attack: The True Story Behind the Film, and Why Somali Piracy Is Back

Kainat R
Cargo ship Captain Phillips during the 2009 Somali pirate attack that inspired the Hollywood film.

The 2013 film “Captain Phillips” turned a real 2009 hijacking off the coast of Somalia into one of the most talked-about maritime dramas of the decade. More than a decade later, the same waters are making headlines again, as a fresh wave of Somali piracy has left Pakistani sailors held hostage and reignited global concern about the war on piracy. Background The original Captain Phillips pirate attack took place on April 8, 2009, when four Somali pirates boarded the American-flagged container ship MV Maersk Alabama in the Indian Ocean. It…

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Houthi Red Sea Attacks Escalate as Oil Prices Surge Past $100 a Barrel

Kainat R
Cargo ships sail through the Red Sea as Houthi attacks disrupt maritime traffic and push global oil prices above $100 a barrel.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have struck two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea this week, pushing Brent crude above $100 a barrel for the first time since May. The Houthi Red Sea crisis has entered a new phase, with the group declaring a formal naval blockade on Saudi shipments in direct response to the ongoing US-Israel war with Iran. Background Are the Houthis still attacking ships in the Red Sea? Yes, and the latest escalation marks one of the most serious phases of the conflict since it began. The group…

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US House Passes Measure Seeking to Limit Trump’s Military Powers on Iran, Senate Rejects Companion Bill

Nadeem Ali

House lawmakers vote to require congressional approval for continued US military action against Iran, but the Senate blocks a similar proposal. WASHINGTON: The US House of Representatives has approved a resolution urging President Donald Trump to end American military operations against Iran unless Congress formally authorises further use of force, highlighting growing divisions in Washington over the administration’s war policy. The Republican-controlled House passed the measure by a 214-208 vote, with four Republican members breaking ranks to support Democrats in backing the proposal. However, the effort failed to gain momentum…

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UN Secretary-General Candidates 2026: Full Race Guide Who Will Lead the World Body in 2027?

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Six candidates for the 2026 UN Secretary-General race standing at the United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York

The current Secretary-General is António Guterres of Portugal, whose second term ends on December 31, 2026. That means the United Nations needs a new chief  and fast. On November 25, 2025, the Presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council formally opened the 2026 Secretary-General race with a joint letter inviting nominations from member states. Since then, the process has moved quickly, drawing in candidates from across the globe. Latin America is widely regarded as the region next in line for the top UN job, which explains why three…

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Houston Mayor John Whitmire Honors Muhammad Saeed Sheikh Following Sitara-e-Khidmat Recognition

Nadeem Ali

Pakistani-American humanitarian receives official recognition in Houston as Mayor Whitmire announces plans to visit Pakistan. HOUSTON: Houston Mayor John Whitmire has honored Pakistani-American humanitarian Muhammad Saeed Sheikh after he was awarded Pakistan’s Sitara-e-Khidmat (Star of Service), recognizing his decades of dedication to humanitarian work and community development. The recognition ceremony was organized by the Consulate General of Pakistan in Houston in collaboration with the Houston-Karachi Sister City Association, drawing prominent community leaders, elected officials, business executives and members of the Pakistani-American community. Mayor Whitmire Applauds Lifelong Community Service Speaking at…

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