RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Tuesday summoned Leba­non’s ambassador to the kingdom to protest “insulting” remarks by his country’s foreign minister, who appeared to blame Gulf states for the rise of the militant Islamic State group. Saudi Arabia seems to have taken a step back from its former ally, angered by the influence of Hezbollah, which is backed by Riyadh’s rival …

MAHUVA: At least 27 people died and almost 100 were missing on Tuesday after a monster cyclone slammed India, compounding the country’s woes as it recorded a new record number of coronavirus deaths in 24 hours. The colossal swirling system dubbed Cyclone Tauktae is the latest in what experts say is a growing number of increasingly severe storms in the …

Saudi Arabia is “hopeful” after exploratory talks with its nemesis Iran, its foreign minister told AFP, in a rare comment on delicate discussions whose details have been closely guarded. The official-level meetings aim to restore relations severed five years ago between the Sunni kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Shia Islamic Republic of Iran. “We have initiated some exploratory talks. They are at …

Israeli airstrikes killed at least six people across the Gaza Strip and destroyed the home of a large extended family early on Wednesday. The military said it widened its strikes on targets to the south amid continuing rocket fire from the Hamas-ruled territory. Residents surveyed the piles of bricks, concrete and other debris that had once been the home of …

ISLAMABAD: Paramilitary troops were on Tuesday deployed in Golra in view of the tense situation after a mob attacked a police station with the intention of lynching a blasphemy suspect on Monday night. Officials of the capital administration told Dawn that the deployment of Rangers at the Golra police station was made keeping in view the law and order situation. The police …

ISLAMABAD: A special session of the Senate is being convened to express solidarity with the people of Palestine. Talking to reporters here on Tuesday, Leader of the House in the Senate Dr Shahzad Waseem said a resolution condemning the Israeli aggression would also be passed during the session. Observing that regional peace is at stake due to Israel’s violent actions …

RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government has started aligning the Rawalpindi Ring Road afresh. The decision has been made after Prime Minister Imran Khan took notice of the alleged changes in the alignment of the much-needed Rawalpindi Ring Road project, which not only increased the cost of the project by Rs25 billion but also allegedly benefited some private housing societies. As the …

KARACHI: A model court acquitted on Tuesday an accused, said to be an activist of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-London, of the charges of kidnapping and murdering a rival MQM-Haqiqi activist. Syed Mohammad Farhan Haider, alias Tool, was exonerated from the charges of kidnapping Mohammad Azhar Khan and murdering him in April 2008. The additional district and sessions’ judge, Haleem Ahmed, …

ISLAMABAD: More undeclared bank accounts of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) have surfaced as the perusal of its financial documents continued for the second day on Tuesday, sources told Dawn. The perusal process will end on Wednesday (today) as the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had allowed only 40 hours for scrutiny of PTI accounts by two financial analysts nominated …

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court extended on Tuesday its earlier restraining order against the demolition of leased properties around Gujjar and Orangi nullahs till June 1. The two-judge SHC bench headed by Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi ruled that the authorities concerned be allowed to obtain appropriate orders from the Supreme Court, after a provincial law officer and counsel for …