world

Riyadh, 25 November 2025:Saudi Arabia — the birthplace of Islam and one of the world’s most conservative nations — is preparing for another major policy shift. The kingdom is reportedly planning to open new alcohol stores for non-Muslim foreigners, marking a significant relaxation of decades-old prohibitions under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s ambitious Vision 2030 reforms. According to sources quoted by Reuters, one store will be opened inside the Aramco residential compound in Dhahran for non-Muslim foreign employees, while another outlet is being set up in Jeddah, where several foreign consulates are located. These stores will serve only expatriates and diplomatic officials. A Historic Shift After 73 Years Saudi Arabia imposed a nationwide ban on alcohol 73 years ago. Howe...

New Delhi: In a significant enhancement to India’s military firepower, the United States has approved two major defence sales to New Delhi—comprising FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile systems and M982A1 Excalibur precision-guided artillery projectiles, together valued at approximately USD 93 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has formally notified the US Congress and issued the mandatory certification clearing the proposed transactions. Emergency Purchase After Operation Sindoor The decision follows India’s urgent request after Operation Sindoor, during which large quantities of precision-guided ammunition were used against Pakistan-based terror infrastructure. To replenish stocks and strengthen frontline readiness, India initiated an emergency procurement route....

New Delhi: In a significant ruling on marital relationships, the Supreme Court has clarified that a husband and wife living separately does not automatically mean their marriage has broken down. The court emphasised that before drawing such a conclusion, all evidence must be thoroughly examined. A bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that courts today often assume marital breakdown solely based on prolonged separation. However, the judges said that Family Courts and High Courts must first determine who is responsible for the separation and whether one spouse intentionally forced the other to leave. The bench noted that unless there is strong evidence of desertion or refusal to cohabit, courts should avoid concluding that the marriage has collapsed—especial...

New Delhi: The Supreme Court is set to hear a landmark case on November 26 that could potentially abolish another controversial Islamic practice known as Talaq-e-Hasan, under which a Muslim man can divorce his wife by pronouncing ‘talaq’ once a month for three consecutive months. A bench comprising Justice S. R. B. Suryakant, Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, and Justice N. Kotishwar Singh indicated that the matter may be referred to a larger five-judge bench given the wide-ranging legal and social implications. The court has asked the concerned parties to submit detailed notes on potential questions arising from the case. Supreme Court Signals InterventionAccording to The Economic Times, the bench observed that because this practice affects society at large, the Supreme Court may need to interv...

Islamabad: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has openly blamed India for attacks launched from Afghan soil, signaling growing tensions in the region. Speaking to the media, Asif claimed that India is actively involved in cross-border operations from Afghanistan and warned that Islamabad could become entangled in a two-front conflict if the situation escalates. According to Pakistani media reports, Asif highlighted that India’s actions are a key factor in the ongoing tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, alleging that New Delhi does not want Kabul and Islamabad to resolve their disputes peacefully. Regional Concerns and Mediation Efforts Asif also mentioned that Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iran, and China have urged Pakistan to halt cross-border incursions. His statements co...

Islamabad/Lahore: The Lahore High Court has issued a crucial order to protect Indian Sikh woman Sarabjeet Kaur and her Pakistani Muslim husband Nasir Hussain from any harassment or coercion. The court directed local authorities to immediately stop all forms of pressure or intimidation against the couple. Sarabjeet Kaur, 48, had traveled to Pakistan earlier this month as part of a pilgrimage to celebrate Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birth anniversary, joining a group of 2,000 Sikh devotees. While most pilgrims returned to India on 13 November, Kaur’s whereabouts remained unknown, causing concern in India. Later, a video surfaced showing that Kaur had voluntarily embraced Islam during her visit and married Nasir Hussain the very next day, 4 November, in Sheikhupura, about 50 km from Lahore. The...

Islamabad: Former Pakistani Prime Minister and cricket legend Imran Khan’s sisters were reportedly subjected to violent treatment outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has alleged that police brutally detained Alima Khan, Norain Niazi, and Dr. Uzma Khan while they were peacefully waiting to meet Khan inside the prison. According to PTI, the women had gone to the jail late Tuesday night for a scheduled family visit but were denied access. Instead, police allegedly used excessive force, dragging the women violently and causing panic among PTI supporters present at the scene. A PTI statement on social media platform X also reported that other individuals, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa local government minister Meena Khan Afridi and National Assembly ...

Dubai: The Dubai Airshow has set the stage for a high-stakes competition between the world’s most advanced stealth fighter jets – America’s F-35 and Russia’s Su-57E. Both aircraft showcased their capabilities in front of global defense observers, highlighting the growing race among Middle Eastern nations to acquire cutting-edge military technology. F-35: America’s Proven Stealth Fighter The F-35, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is a single-engine, fifth-generation fighter equipped with advanced sensors, network-centric warfare capabilities, and true stealth technology. Already operational in 18 countries, it has proven combat experience. Recently, former U.S. President Donald Trump approved the sale of F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia, although the delivery process may take several year...