WASHINGTON: Three US senators on Wednesday launched a bid to block the sale of top-of-the-line F-35 jets to the United Arab Emirates, voicing concern over the deal seen as a reward for the nation’s recognition of Israel. Even if the three can persuade a majority in Congress to oppose the $23 billion package, lawmakers would face an uphill climb to …

SYDNEY: Australian special forces allegedly killed 39 unarmed prisoners and civilians in Afghanistan, with senior commandos reportedly forcing junior soldiers to kill defenceless captives in order to “blood” them for combat, an investigation spread over four years found. Australia said on Thursday that 19 current and former soldiers would be referred for potential criminal prosecution for allegedly killing the 39 …

Disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein has not contracted the novel coronavirus while in prison, his spokesmen said on Thursday, but he is being closely monitored due to a number of other health issues. Weinstein, 68, is serving 23 years in prison in New York after being convicted in February for sexual assault and rape. Weinstein, who pleaded not guilty at …

WASHINGTON: The United States issued new guidelines on Thursday to label goods manufactured in Jewish settlements in the West Bank as “Made in Israel”, a move likely to irk human rights groups that see Israeli settlements as infringing on the rights of Palestinians. “Today, the Department of State is initiating new guidelines to ensure that country of origin markings for …

Prince William has “tentatively welcomed” an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding a BBC interview in 1995 with his mother, Princess Diana, royal officials said on Thursday. William, who is second in line to the throne, said in a statement that the probe is “a step in the right direction”, He added that it “should help establish the truth behind the actions” that …

NEW YORK: New York’s public schools closed on Thursday, sparking debate over whether the measure would help fend off a second coronavirus wave when classroom transmission is low and non-essential businesses remain open. While European countries have so far kept schools open, focusing instead on shutting down indoor dining, bars and gyms, America’s most populous city has taken the opposite …

us LAHORE: Chief Minister Usman Buzdar says empowerment of the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) bore fruit as it recovered the state land from land grabbers and made recoveries worth Rs206 billion during the tenure of the PTI government. Flanked by Adviser to Prime Minister on Accountability and Interior Shahzad Akbar, the chief minister told a news conference through a video link …

India’s coronavirus caseload passed nine million on Friday, as hospitals in the capital New Delhi came under increasing pressure and graveyards began to fill up. The world’s second worst hit country has now also registered more than 132,000 deaths from the disease, according to the latest official figures, which are widely seen as understating the true scale of infection. India …

ISLAMABAD: A group of public-spirited individuals, including I.A. Rehman, on Thursday challenged the Supreme Court office’s Oct 29 decision to return a petition they had moved against the alleged kidnapping and detention of the Sindh police chief. The petition had sought an SC declaration that the Oct 19 detention of the Sindh inspector general as well as illegal and mala …

mer ISLAMABAD: The government has been supporting demands of the business community for revival of industrialisation as it is essential for economic growth in the country, Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar said whilst addressing a delegation of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI). “The government is fully focused on reviving industrialisation to achieve rapid economic …