Saudi Arabia has now announced that it will allow women in the kingdom to serve in the armed forces as it embarks on a broad programme of economic and social reforms. The move is latest in a series of measures aimed at increasing rights of women in the kingdom, allowing women to serve as private first class, corporal or sergeant.
Turkish President announced military operation against US-backed Kurdish forces in northeastern Syria three days after Trump administration unexpectedly announced withdrawal of US troops stationed in the region. The Turkish leader discussed the operations’s goal that was to neutralise terror threats against Turkey and preservation of Syria’s territorial integrity which will lead to establishment of safe zone.
39-year-old Omer Ismail becomes the only person of Pakistani origin tp be named in Fortune’s Most Influential Under 40 List for 2019. Ismail who hails from Karachi, was selected for making waves in the finance industry. He is currently serving as a partner at Goldman Sachs, one of the leading investment banks in the world, where he oversees entire US consumer business.
President Donald Trump threatened Turkey (NATO ally) to destroy its economy if Ankara takes any action in Syria that he considered “off-limits”. Leaders from both parties and both houses of Congress joined in the criticism. The United States began pulling troops back from the northeast Syrian border giving Turkey a green light to move into the area who has repeatedly threatened to carry out invasion in the same region.
American lawmakers took legislative measures against India, expressing solicitude over the humanitarian crisis in Indian-Occupied Kashmir (IOK), for the first time ever. The report submitted to the Senate notes with concern to the current situation in (IOK) and calls on Indian government to lift the lock down and curfew in occupied territories; restore telecommunication and internet services and release the detainees.
Saudi Arabia is allowing foreign men and women to rent hotel rooms together without even proving they are related, after the conservative Muslim kingdom launched a new tourist visa regime to entice tourists. Similarly, women including nationals are also permitted to rent hotel rooms by themselves which was against the law previously. These regulations would attract tourism and allow the Saudi government to diversify its economy.
Recovery of thousands of gold bars and bricks from the residence of senior Communist Party official could make him the richest man in China. With gold worth up to £520m, Zhang Qi would have been richer than Jack Ma, the wealthiest man in China worth $37 billion. China’s anti-corruption watchdog also discovered 268 billion yuan (£30 billion) in suspected bribes from Zhang Qi’s account.
IAF chief Rakesh Kumar Bhadauria has admitted that the Mi-17 chopper crash on 27th February was a ‘big mistake’ on the part of his force, according to India Today. Bhadauria said that after the court inquiry concluded, it was ascertained that Indian chopper was brought down by its own missile and action will be taken against two officers who made the mistake.
In an emotional statement after taking legal action against the Mail, Prince Harry has said his wife is falling victim to ‘same forces’ as his mother, Princess Diana. Prince Harry said that the couple had taken legal action in response to what he called “bullying” by some sections of the British press by publishing of a private letter of Meghan Markle.
Saudi Arabia’s crown prince said he bears responsibility for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year by Saudi operatives. According to a PBS documentary to be broadcast next week, Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom’s de facto ruler said, “I get all the responsibility, because it happened under my watch’. MBS has not spoken publicly about the killing inside Saudi consulate in Istanbul.