ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday again called upon the world to hold India accountable for its role in sponsoring terrorism against Pakistan and prevent it from doing so in future. “Use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy by India makes it culpable under international law, UN sanctions regime, and international counterterrorism conventions,” the FO said in a statement, adding …

KARACHI: Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the country is facing great pressure from the United States to recognise Israel, especially in the wake of peace deals between several Arab states and Tel Aviv, but this will not be possible “unless there is a just settlement, which satisfies Palestine”. The prime minister was quoted as making these remarks by …

WASHINGTON: Global hopes of overcoming the coronavirus pandemic were boosted on Monday after a second vaccine was found to be nearly 95 per cent effective, bringing much-needed optimism to a world facing surging infections and a raft of new restrictions. The news from the US biotech firm Moderna comes after similar results were announced last week for a vaccine candidate …

WILMINGTON: President-elect Joe Biden is set to outline his plans to revive the nation’s economy in the midst of a global health crisis on Monday as he pushes forward with his transition to the White House despite President Donald Trump’s refusal to accept the election results. Biden, who will take office on Jan 20, is scheduled to speak alongside Vice …

BRUSSELS: Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has spoken to the new acting US defence secretary about the alliances commitment to stay in Afghanistan as long as necessary, his spokeswoman said on Monday, amid speculation that President Donald Trump might order a rapid withdrawal of US troops in the country. Nato spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said Stoltenberg held talks with Christopher Miller …

GENEVA: The World Health Organisation has recorded 65 cases of the coronavirus among staff based at its headquarters, including at least one cluster of infections, an internal email obtained by this news agency shows, despite the agency’s past assertions that there has been no transmission at the Geneva site. The revelation comes amid a surge of cases in Europe, host …

Pakistan has reaffirmed its opposition to adding new permanent members to the UN Security Council (UNSC), adding that India does not qualify for a seat on the 15-member body. India — along with Brazil, Germany and Japan — has been campaigning for a permeant UNSC membership. Speaking to the UN General Assembly (GA) on Monday, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative Ambassador Munir …

KABUL: Afghan security forces have killed the number two mastermind of this month’s bloody Kabul University attack that left 22 people dead, the country’s vice president said on Monday. Amrullah Saleh said the unnamed “second mastermind” was killed in eastern Paktia province, and the number three in charge of the operation captured. Three gunmen rampaged through Kabul University on Nov …

PESHAWAR: Declaring educational institutions a major source of the coronavirus transmission in general population, the World Health Organisation has expressed concern about the government’s failure to decide about school closures in light of the growing Covid-19 incidence in the country. The WHO representatives based in Islamabad that the Covid-19 positivity in general population would increase if the educational institutions saw more …

ISLAMABAD: US blogger Cynthia D Ritchie on Monday sought unfreezing of her bank accounts citing acute financial constraints. Her counsel filed an application before IHC Justice Aamer Farooq seeking court direction to unfreeze her bank account. The court was hearing the case related to deportation of Cynthia since the interior ministry has pointed out gross violations in issuance of business …