WORLD

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the air defence system that apparently shot down Russia's Kinzhal missiles in one night. Zelensky said that the US Patriot missile system was 'unreal' and also thanked everyone who worked towards the air defence systems. 

Kyiv had claimed that it had shot down six of the missiles, a key weapon for Russia which has intensified its long-range strikes. 

Zelensky said, "We must also remember how much effort such weapons cost for Ukraine. The amount of time, energy, arguments, meetings, and information work that allowed us to build such an air defence system." 

After days of violence and chaos in Pakistan following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan, the Pakistan Army has decided to show no respite or tolerance towards all elements behind what it termed as a "foreign supported and internally instigated, promoted and provoked attack on military installations and public and private properties".

During the violence, state institutions, especially sensitive military buildings, were attacked by supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party led by Imran Khan, who was arrested on May 9 in connection with the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case.

In an important meeting of Special Corps Commanders Conference (CCC), held at GHQ (General Headquarters) Rawalpindi, Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir was comprehensively briefed about the law and order situation since May 9. He was told the violence occurred in a bid to achieve "vested political interests". 

The Philippines has placed navigational buoys within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to assert sovereignty over the disputed Spratly islands in the South China Sea, a coast guard spokesperson said on Sunday.

The step comes amid China's increasingly aggressive actions in the South China Sea as Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr pursues warmer ties with treaty ally the United States.

The Islamabad High Court granted 15-day protective bail to Former Pakistan Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust case on Friday, 12 May. Moreover, the court granted Khan protection from arrest in all cases till 17 May, GeoTV reported.

A two-judge bench, who previously walked out amid sloganeering, granted bail to Khan three days after 80 Rangers arrested him from the court and whisked him away in connection with the case.

GeoTV reported that the Supreme Court gave Khan protection from arrest in the Al-Qadir Trust case for two weeks, adding that the former PM is free to leave. However, Khan claimed that the Punjab Police is waiting outside the HC to arrest him. GeoTV confirmed that the Punjab police is present outside the court.

According to Moody’s Investor Service, Pakistan’s funding choices beyond June make it possible for it to default without a bailout from the IMF.

“We consider that Pakistan will meet its external payments for the remainder of this fiscal year ending in June,” Grace Lim, a sovereign analyst with the ratings company in Singapore told the media.

“However, Pakistan’s financing options beyond June are highly uncertain. Without an IMF program, Pakistan could default given its very weak reserves.”