Latest news with #tensions
Arab News
3 hours ago
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan again extends airspace ban on Indian aircraft till August 24
KARACHI: Pakistan has extended for the third time its airspace ban on Indian aircraft until August 24, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) said late Friday, amid continued tensions between the two countries. The restriction was first imposed on Apr. 24 as part of a series of tit-for-tat measures announced by both India and Pakistan, days after an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir. India blamed Pakistan for the assault that killed 26 tourists, Islamabad denied the allegation and called for a credible international probe into the incident. Both countries later engaged in a four-day military conflict in May. 'All aircraft operated by Indian airlines will not be able to use Pakistani airspace,' the PAA said in a statement. 'The ban will remain in effect until 4:59am on August 24, Pakistan time.' The authority said Indian-owned or -leased military and civil aircraft will also not be allowed into Pakistani airspace. Pakistan previously extended the one-month restriction in May and June. The restriction has forced Indian airlines to reroute their flights, resulting in increased fuel consumption, longer travel times and higher operational costs. Air India, which operates numerous flights to Europe and North America, estimated in May that the airspace ban could lead to approximately $600 million in additional expenses over the course of a year and requested compensation from the Indian government.
The Sun
10 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Israel and Syria agree to ceasefire, US envoy says after days of airstrikes amid mounting tensions
ISRAEL and Syria have agreed to a ceasefire, a US envoy has said, after days of airstrikes amid mounting tensions. US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack revealed on Friday the two countries agreed to a ceasefire supported by Turkey, Jordan and neighbours. 3 3 3 On Wednesday, Israel launched airstrikes in Damascus, while also hitting government forces in the south, demanding they withdraw and saying that Israel aimed to protect Syrian Druze - part of a small but influential minority that also has followers in Lebanon and Israel. "We call upon Druze, Bedouins, and Sunnis to put down their weapons and together with other minorities build a new and united Syrian identity," Barrack said in a post on X.
Arab News
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Lebanese army warns of security crackdown in wake of clashes in Syria's Sweida
BEIRUT: The Lebanese army said on Friday that it 'will not allow any breach of security or violation of civil peace' amid fears that rising tensions in the neighboring Syrian Arab Republic could spread to Lebanon. In a statement, the army added that 'overcoming this phase requires the unity and solidarity of the Lebanese, awareness of the gravity of the situation, and their responsibility, and refraining from taking any action that would have unintended consequences for the security of the Lebanese.' Towns and villages in Mount Lebanon, home to the Druze community, have witnessed attempts to block roads and assault Syrian workers in recent days following the renewed clashes in Sweida, Syria. President Joseph Aoun chaired a meeting of security leaders on Friday. A military source told Arab News: 'The security, military, and intelligence agencies have taken the utmost caution and vigilance to thwart any attempt at sedition within Lebanon.' Prime Minister Nawaf Salam spoke with Druze Sheikh Sami Abi Al-Mona and praised his 'responsible role in calming tensions, quelling strife, and preserving civil peace in Lebanon,' according to Salam's office. The media office said the two sides stressed that 'what is happening outside Lebanon's borders should not be turned into a source of internal incitement.' An extraordinary meeting of the Druze Religious Council in Lebanon concluded with former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt calling for 'an immediate ceasefire in Sweida in preparation for direct dialogue between the Syrian state and local actors.' Jumblatt added that 'Jabal Al-Arab is an integral part of Syria.' He condemned the Israeli attacks on Syria and Lebanon, and called for the 'formation of an investigation committee to uncover the crimes committed against the people of Sweida and the Bedouins.' Al-Mona declared the council's 'full solidarity with our people in Sweida, and with the wounded and injured as a result of the recent unfortunate events.' He called on 'everyone to reject any divisive tendency,' and stressed 'the need to adhere to the ceasefire agreement signed two days ago.' Al-Mona denounced 'the attack on Sunnis,' considering it a reaction. 'The council neither justifies nor accepts this type of action, whatever its reasons,' he said. Al-Mona rejected any Israeli interference in Syrian affairs, calling on the international community to open a transparent investigation into the events and hold those responsible accountable. He also declared his rejection of 'the spread of strife to Lebanon.' The Grand Mufti of the Lebanese Republic, Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian, the highest religious authority in the Sunni sect, contacted Al-Mona, and both sides affirmed their 'complete rejection of being drawn into any inflammatory rhetoric or covering up any provocative actions that would inflame sectarian tensions and give a false image of the relationship between the two sects.' The two sides called for 'avoiding falling into the trap of strife' and emphasized their 'rejection of any foreign interventions and attacks that contribute to undermining the unity that has always governed the historical relationship between the two sects.' Both called on 'the Syrian state, the religious sheikhs of Jabal Al-Arab, religious authorities, religious figures, and tribes to work seriously and effectively to bring about an immediate end to the ongoing violence and to expel the extremists who, intentionally or unintentionally, contribute to the implementation of suspicious plans.'
Asharq Al-Awsat
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Snapback Threat Deepens Iran-West Tensions Amid Warnings and Diplomatic Standoff
Tensions between Iran and Western powers have escalated sharply, as the European trio - Britain, France, and Germany - hinted at reactivating the 'snapback' mechanism that would automatically reimpose United Nations sanctions on Iran. The looming decision has sparked strong reactions from Tehran, with Iranian officials warning of potential retaliatory actions that may come as a surprise to some European nations. According to diplomatic sources cited by the Associated Press, the foreign ministers of the European trio agreed during a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier this week to reinstate UN sanctions on Iran by the end of August, should no substantial progress be made on the nuclear deal. The snapback mechanism, part of the 2015 nuclear agreement, allows any signatory to reinstate international sanctions if Iran fails to uphold its commitments. The clause expires on October 18, making this summer a crucial period for decisive action. In Tehran, the response was swift and stern. Iranian MP Ebrahim Azizi, head of the parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, denounced the European move as 'a hostile political action.' He stressed that Iran has 'multiple options' and would not hesitate to use them if provoked. 'The West must refrain from such a step,' Azizi warned, 'and if they go ahead with it, our countermeasures may be unexpected for some Europeans.' Conservative Iranian newspaper Kayhan went even further, calling for legislation to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), framing it as a necessary deterrent step. Earlier this month, Iran's parliament passed a law to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), requiring all inspection requests to be coordinated with Iran's Supreme National Security Council. This move came in response to US airstrikes on Iran's underground Fordow uranium enrichment site, as well as facilities in Isfahan and Natanz, during a 12-day war initiated by Israel on June 13. Despite the growing tensions, some Iranian figures are urging a return to diplomacy. Mohammad Sadr, a veteran diplomat and member of the Expediency Council, stressed the need for 'serious and urgent' negotiations with the European trio. 'Given the limited time before snapback is activated, Iran must work to create conditions that prevent Europe from taking that route,' Sadr said in a media interview. The UK, France, and Germany are all original signatories of the 2015 nuclear deal, from which US President Donald Trump withdrew in 2018, arguing it was too lenient on Tehran. Under the agreement, sanctions were lifted in exchange for strict limits on Iran's nuclear program. The snapback clause allows for the automatic reimposition of sanctions if Iran is found to be non-compliant. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated on Tuesday that the trio is now in a position to justify triggering the snapback. Meanwhile, the ambassadors of the three nations met at the German UN mission this week to discuss the situation. Though no specific conditions were disclosed, the discussions signaled growing impatience with Tehran. According to Yedioth Ahronoth, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar urged his German and French counterparts to activate the snapback during a meeting on the sidelines of the EU ministerial council in Brussels on Tuesday. The newspaper reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also discussed the issue with multiple world leaders. A senior Israeli official said: 'There are no longer valid excuses to delay reimposing sanctions.' He added that Iran's previous threats to enrich uranium to 90% are now considered irrelevant. 'Even the US now supports the snapback, and the Europeans are inclined to follow suit.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
SZA and Nicki Minaj's feud continues this week
SZA and Nicki Minaj's beef is waging on with hints of tensions long before this week.
