International

A letter to the editor highlights Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, praising her leadership style as a rare combination of firmness, humour and self-respect. The writer argues that Meloni has managed to project authority on the international stage while also maintaining a composed and relatable public persona, a balance that is often difficult for political leaders in high-pressure environments. The letter points to Meloni’s recent diplomatic appearances and public interactions as examples of her ability to respond to challenging situations without losing poise or resorting to confrontation. According to the author, her approach demonstrates that strength in leadership does not require rigidity, and that humour can be effectively used as a tool to defuse tension while still assert...

The Pakistan Navy has unveiled plans to establish a persistent submarine presence in the strategically critical Bay of Bengal, marking its first major underwater deployment to the region since the catastrophic losses of the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War. The landmark announcement was made by Commodore Omer Farooq, mission commander of the task group escorting Islamabad's newly acquired, Chinese-built attack submarine, PNS Hangor. Speaking during a high-profile diplomatic stopover in Colombo, Sri Lanka—just 130 nautical miles from Indian territorial waters—Commodore Farooq declared the new vessel a definitive "game-changer," confirming that the upcoming induction of eight advanced Hangor-class submarines will grant Pakistan the necessary endurance to maintain a continuous, forward-deployed footp...

A Pakistan Air Force (PAF) training aircraft crashed during a routine operational training mission in a desolate area near Mardan district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Monday, June 15, 2026, tragically resulting in the immediate deaths of both pilots on board. According to an official statement released by the PAF media wing, the aircraft, identified as a dual-seat trainer jet, encountered a catastrophic technical malfunction mid-flight, making it impossible for the flight crew to safely navigate back to the nearby military airfield. Eyewitnesses in the local farming community reported hearing a sudden, deafening explosion in the sky before the burning wreckage plummeted into an open field, completely missing nearby residential structures and preventing any civilian casualties or pro...

The United States has reportedly carried out another military strike against Iranian targets amid rising tensions in the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, shortly after President Donald Trump stated that Tehran was “negotiating on fumes.” According to U.S. officials, American forces targeted an Iranian military facility and intercepted several attack drones near the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. The latest operation comes as diplomatic efforts to secure a broader ceasefire and nuclear-related agreement remain uncertain. President Trump, speaking during a Cabinet meeting, expressed confidence that negotiations with Iran were progressing but warned that Washington was prepared to intensify military action if a satisfactory deal could not be reached. U.S. officials described the s...

The US is reportedly weighing further military action against Iran and maintaining a broad menu of strategic options. The White House is looking at the possibility of more limited airstrikes to address regional threats, current administration sources say. Defense planners have not entirely ruled out broader contingency plans, including the possible deployment of ground forces, though officials emphasize that diplomatic channels and deterrence are the main focus. National security advisers are briefing the president on shifting dynamics, and the Pentagon is on high alert in the region. Analysts say the administration is trying to send a message of resolute strength to prevent further escalation by Tehran, but critics warn that signaling a willingness to go into a ground conflict could m...

A much-anticipated diplomatic summit between the U.S. and China was reportedly beset by logistical chaos and physical altercations, with some officials describing the event’s organization in scathing terms. The friction reached its boiling point in a face-off involving security personnel and members of the traveling press corps, underscoring the deep-seated tensions that often accompany high-level meetings between the two superpowers. In a frantic effort to control the movement of delegates and media, a staff member was apparently either knocked down or trampled, eyewitnesses said. The physical disorder was compounded by tough restrictions on the press, with multiple reporters saying they were prevented from reaching key sites or seeing staged photo ops, casting doubt on transparency. ...

Tensions between Washington and Tehran have escalated to a critical point following President Donald Trump’s rejection of Iran’s latest 14-point peace proposal, which he dismissively characterized as "a piece of garbage." Sources close to the White House indicate that the President is now more seriously considering the resumption of large-scale combat operations than at any point since the fragile April ceasefire began. Frustrated by what he perceives as a lack of serious concessions regarding Tehran's nuclear program and the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Trump told reporters that the current truce is on "massive life support." Reports suggest he has met with his top national security advisors—including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio—to review option...

A huge oil slick of around 45 square kilometres has been detected off Kharg Island, Iran's main crude export terminal, prompting urgent environmental concerns amidst a deepening regional conflict. European Union Copernicus Sentinel satellite images taken between May 6 and May 8 show a huge discharge moving southward into Saudi Arabian waters. Experts say more than 3,000 barrels of crude may have leaked into the Persian Gulf, possibly from a rupture in aging undersea pipelines or the extreme pressure the U.S. naval blockade has put on Iran’s storage infrastructure. The spill at the island, which processes nearly 90 percent of Iran’s oil exports, highlights the deteriorating condition of the country’s energy facilities after years of sanctions and recent military strikes. The ecological ...

The German government has downplayed the Pentagon's announcement that it will pull 5,000 U.S. troops out of Germany, calling the move "foreseeable" in light of a growing public feud between President Donald Trump and Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The decision, which was made public on May 1, 2026, came after a week of heated arguments that started when Merz said that Iran is "humiliating" the United States and that there is no good way for the US to get out of the conflict. Trump hit back by saying that Merz didn't care about a nuclear-armed Tehran and quickly called for a review of the military's readiness. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that Berlin was already "prepared" for the drawdown, stressing that while both countries still want the U.S. to be there, Europe needs to ste...