World news from The Thursday Times' foreign desk.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir meet President Donald Trump at the White House to discuss bilateral ties, regional and global issues as the US praises Pakistan’s leadership.
Britain under Keir Starmer has formally recognised Palestine as a sovereign state to revive peace hopes in Gaza and Kashmir and push for a viable two-state solution while signalling a departure from longstanding UK policy.
President Trump signs a proclamation imposing a $100,000 annual fee on new H-1B visa applications, aiming to protect American jobs, tighten U.S. immigration policy, and curb abuses in the high-skilled worker program.
Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office announced that today’s strike targeting Hamas leadership was an entirely independent Israeli operation as officials stressed that Israel initiated, carried out and takes full responsibility for the action.
President Donald Trump will address the nation from the Oval Office at 2 p.m. Eastern Time with the White House insisting it concerns defence despite rumours over his health and resignation. He is expected to announce the relocation of US Space Command from Colorado to Alabama.
The Trump administration is reforming H1B visas and green cards, introducing a wage-based allocation system and a new “gold card.” Indian workers and students are expected to see the greatest impact.
The Trump administration has designated the BLA and its alias, the Majeed Brigade, as Foreign Terrorist Organisations, citing their role in deadly attacks in Pakistan since 2019 including a 2025 train hijacking which killed 31 people.
एपी सिंह की प्रेस कॉन्फ्रेंस की भारत की आधिकारिक प्रेस विज्ञप्ति में नष्ट किए गए विमानों, उनके प्रकार या स्रोत का कोई उल्लेख नहीं है, S-400 की भूमिका और रिकॉर्ड तोड़ हमले के सभी संदर्भ हटा दिए गए हैं, और युद्धक्षेत्र के दावों को वायु शक्ति पर एक शुद्ध किए गए विवरण से बदल दिया गया है — ऐसी चुप्पी जो पाकिस्तान के खंडन को बिना चुनौती दिए छोड़ देती है।
Armenia and Azerbaijan end decades of war with a US-brokered deal. Both nations jointly nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. Pakistan has also endorsed Trump for his role in defusing tensions with India.
Russia officially recognises Taliban rule in Afghanistan, removing legal barriers to engagement. Kremlin eyes deeper regional influence as West keeps distance from Kabul.
