Katie Zacharia out as White House press secretary after five days in the job
Trump says his new spokesperson should reconsider the role, as reports say she is leaving after a short debut briefing and questions over her credentials.
International
The Thursday Times brings the globe into focus, delivering clear, comprehensive reporting on pivotal events shaping nations and communities. With The Thursday Times‘ on-the-ground insights and expert analysis, we connect readers to the stories that matter across borders, helping make sense of our fast-changing world.
Rubio skips New Delhi on India trip, no Modi meeting announced
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will land in India this week with a schedule that leaves out New Delhi and includes no announced meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Protests gather pace in India
Protests are gathering pace across India, with the Cockroach Janta Party set to hold another demonstration at Delhi's Connaught Place on Friday after the Delhi High Court refused to restrain it.
Thousands detained as India’s “largest democracy” faces criticism
The UN, Amnesty and Human Rights Watch have criticised India over the mass detention of protesters, opposition leaders, lawyers and journalists in Delhi.
Islamabad beats New York, London and Paris in quality of life index
Pakistan's capital has beaten Paris, New York and London in Numbeo's 2026 Mid-Year Quality of Life Index, scoring 140.7, in a ranking that highlights Islamabad's safety, climate and affordability.
Opposition leaders detained at CJP protest in Delhi
Former chief ministers Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal and Pinarayi Vijayan were among those held as the Cockroach Janta Party protest at Jantar Mantar demanded the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation
IMF, Pakistan reach staff-level deal potentially unlocking $1.2bn
he International Monetary Fund and Pakistan have reached a staff-level agreement on two programme reviews, potentially unlocking about $1.2 billion in financing, subject to approval by the IMF Executive Board.
Trump welcomes Pakistan, Türkiye military support for Saudi Arabia
US President Donald Trump welcomed Pakistan and Türkiye's military support for Saudi Arabia under the Makkah Alliance, saying "I think that's great."
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye agree to activate Makkah pact
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye decided at an emergency meeting in Riyadh on 5 October to move to the practical implementation of collective defence commitments under the Makkah Alliance for Defense, including rapid deployment of agreed forces in the Kingdom.
ICC unseals four arrest warrants against Taliban leaders
The International Criminal Court on 5 October 2026 unsealed four arrest warrants in the Afghanistan situation against senior Taliban figures, including Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani.
