Pakistan’s Fatima Zahra reaches Commonwealth boxing quarter-finals

TUNIS: At least 13 Tunisians are missing after a migrant boat sank off the country’s coast while attempting to reach Italy, according to a migrant rights official. Two people were rescued following the incident, but one of them was reported to be in critical condition. The head of the Tunisian Observatory for Human Rights, Mostafa Abdelkebir, said the boat had departed early Thursday. One of the survivors told rescuers that the passengers had spent hours stranded at sea after the vessel overturned. Rescue efforts were launched after the boat sank, but the whereabouts of the missing migrants remained unknown. The incident highlights the continuing dangers faced by migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean in overcrowded or poorly equipped vessels. Tunisia has been a major departure point for migrants seeking to reach Europe, particularly Italy. However, the number of departures from the country has declined significantly over the past two years as authorities have strengthened maritime surveillance and border controls. The tighter measures have received financial and technical support from European countries, particularly Italy, as part of efforts to curb irregular migration across the Mediterranean. The European Union’s migration cooperation with Tunisia has also faced criticism from international rights organisations. Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and other humanitarian groups recently accused the EU-Tunisia arrangement of contributing to serious abuses against migrants and asylum seekers. The organisations have urged the EU to suspend funding for migration and border-control operations involving Tunisian security forces. Tunisian authorities have defended their position, saying the country is facing intense pressure from the growing number of migrants attempting to use its territory as a route towards Europe. The central Mediterranean remains one of the most dangerous migration routes in the world. Migrants from African and Middle Eastern countries frequently attempt the journey in boats that can be overcrowded, poorly maintained or unsuitable for long sea crossings.

A senior American military commander has warned that the United States could soon struggle to maintain its support for Israel while also protecting its own military interests across the Middle East. The warning reflects increasing concern inside the Pentagon that the ongoing conflict with Iran is placing heavy pressure on US naval forces and missile defence resources. According to reports from The Washington Post and other international media outlets, General Alexus Grynkewich, who leads US European Command, has told Pentagon officials that American naval assets in the region are becoming overstretched. He reportedly said that unless another US Navy destroyer is deployed, military commanders may eventually have to choose between defending American personnel and continuing missile defence operations in support of Israel. His assessment has drawn attention because it comes from one of the senior officers directly responsible for overseeing US military operations rather than from outside analysts. It suggests that the growing demands on American forces are becoming a serious concern at the highest levels of military planning. US Navy destroyers equipped with the Aegis combat system have played a major role in helping defend Israel from Iranian missile attacks. These warships are capable of detecting incoming ballistic missiles and intercepting them using advanced SM-3 and SM-6 missile systems. However, these destroyers are also critical to American security operations around the world. They are needed in the Indo-Pacific to counter China’s growing military presence, in Europe to support NATO allies, and across the Middle East to protect US military bases and key shipping routes. Sending more of these ships to one conflict reduces the military’s ability to respond quickly to other global crises. The conflict has also placed significant pressure on America’s stockpile of advanced missile defence systems. Pentagon assessments reported by The Washington Post indicate that US forces have fired more than 200 THAAD interceptors during the fighting with Iran, which is believed to be nearly half of the country’s available inventory. In addition, US Navy ships have launched more than 100 missile interceptors. Although Israel also relied on its own defence systems, including the Arrow and David’s Sling missile shields, American support proved essential during the most intense phases of the missile exchanges. Military experts say the challenge goes beyond the number of missiles used. Advanced interceptors are highly sophisticated weapons that require considerable time and resources to manufacture. Replacing depleted stockpiles cannot happen quickly, raising concerns about America’s ability to sustain long conflicts while remaining prepared for new security threats elsewhere. Defence planners have warned that prolonged military operations could leave the United States with reduced inventories of some of its most important air defence weapons. For many years, US military strategy has been based on the ability to respond to several major conflicts at the same time. The country maintains security commitments across Europe, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific, requiring a constant supply of military equipment and personnel. The latest warning from US European Command suggests those assumptions are now being tested as growing global tensions demand the same resources in multiple regions. An analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, cited by CNN, estimates that the US has already used a large share of its advanced missile inventory in recent weeks. The report suggests that around half of the country’s THAAD and Patriot interceptors have been consumed, while substantial numbers of Precision Strike Missiles, Tomahawk cruise missiles, Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles, and SM-3 and SM-6 interceptors have also been used. The findings highlight a broader challenge facing the US military. Although it remains one of the world’s strongest armed forces, modern warfare is consuming advanced weapons at a pace that is difficult for defence industries to match. As conflicts continue across different regions, Washington may increasingly face difficult decisions about where to deploy its military resources.