World

Islamabad, Oct 24: Saudi Arabia has agreed to give Pakistan $3 billion in foreign currency support for a year and a further loan worth up to $3 billion in deferred payments for oil imports to help stave off a current account crisis, Pakistan's government said on Tuesday. The $6 billion total exceeds forecasts by analysts and will likely reduce the size of any bailout Pakistan receives from the

Washington, Oct 24: The United States has said it was revoking visas of Saudi officials involved in the "brutal murder" of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, in its first major action against the longtime ally as global outrage escalated. The visa curbs came as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Khashoggi's killing inside the Saudis' Istanbul consulate had been meticulously planned, in a speech

Ankara, Oct 23: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan dropped a geopolitical bombshell on Tuesday during a speech in Parliament, saying there were strong signs Jamal Khashoggi's "savage" killing was planned and attempts to blame it on intelligence operatives "will not satisfy us". Erdogan did not directly mention Saudi Arabia's leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who some U.S. lawmakers suspect

Istanbul, Oct 23: Just hours after writer Jamal Khashoggi was killed in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, a man strolled out of the diplomatic post apparently wearing the columnist’s clothes as part of a macabre deception to sow confusion over his fate, according to surveillance video leaked on Monday. The new video broadcast by CNN, as well as a pro-government Turkish newspaper’s report that a

Zhuhai, Oct 23: The world's longest sea bridge connecting Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China was launched on Tuesday at a time when Beijing is seeking to tighten its grip on its semi-autonomous territories. It was launched by President Xi Jinping at an opening ceremony in the mainland city of Zhuhai this morning, but details of the event were kept secret. The 55-kilometre (34-mile) crossing

Islamabad, Oct 23: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan left for Saudi Arabia to attend an investment conference boycotted by other leaders over the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Khan told an interviewer before leaving he was concerned at Khashoggi's death but could not skip the conference because "we're desperate" for possible Saudi loans to shore

London, Oct 22: Stephen Hawking was a cosmic visionary, a figure of inspiration and a global celebrity. His unique status is reflected in an upcoming auction of some of the late physicist’s possessions: It includes complex scientific papers, one of the world’s most iconic wheelchairs and a script from “The Simpsons.” The online sale announced Monday by auctioneer Christie’s features 22 items from

London, Oct 22: London's West Magistrate Court has observed that underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's key aide Jabir Motiwala will remain in custody on remand and will appear for a case management hearing on November 12. A three-day trial in his extradition case has been scheduled between February 25 and 27 next year. The 51-year-old had been denied bail during previous hearings and did not make any

Jerusalem,Oct 22: Israel is reportedly concerned that the Trump administration is considering recognizing Jerusalem as the Palestinian as well as the Israeli capital in a bid to bring Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas back to the negotiating table. A senior Israeli official said “Trump wants a deal and he’s very serious.” “To the Americans, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is

Moscow, Oct 22: Withdrawing from a Cold War-era nuclear weapons treaty with Russia as US President Donald Trump has announced he plans to do is a dangerous step, Russia's deputy foreign minister warned on Sunday. "This would be a very dangerous step that, I'm sure, not only will not be comprehended by the international community but will provoke serious condemnation," deputy foreign minister