Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Russian and Pakistani military forces concluded their joint &ldquo;Druzhba 2025&rdquo; exercises in southern Russia, the Embassy of Russia in Pakistan said in a post on the social media platform X. The annual drills brought together about 200 servicemen from both countries, including Russia&rsquo;s Southern Military District Special Operations Forces and special forces units of the Pakistan Army, to work on actions to counter international terrorism. According to the statement, the exercises focused on joint tactical operations to counter international terrorism, enhance coordination, and strengthen operational readiness between the two forces. The training concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing distinguished participants, followed by an exchange of souvenirs featuring the Druzhba 2025 insignia &mdash; a tradition marking the enduring defense cooperation between Russia and Pakistan. Launched in 2016, the Druzhba (meaning &ldquo;friendship&rdquo; in Russian) exercises alternate between Russia and Pakistan each year. The 2025 edition continues efforts to expand bilateral defense collaboration, military understanding, and partnership between the two nations.

Pakistan Army and Russian Special Forces personnel pose for a group photo during the Druzhba 2025 joint military exercises in southern Russia (Embassy of Russia in Pakistan/ X).

Security

Both military forces concluded their joint 'Druzhba 2025' exercises in southern Russia, the Embassy of Russia in Pakistan said in a post on the social media platform X.

Pakistan, Russia hold joint counterterrorism drills in southern Russia

CAIRO: Preparations were underway Sunday for a ramp-up of aid entering the war-battered Gaza Strip under a new ceasefire deal that many are hoping will signal an end to the devastating 2-year-long war. The Israeli defense body in charge of humanitarian aid in Gaza, COGAT, said that the amount of aid entering Gaza Strip is expected to ramp up on Sunday to around 600 trucks per day, as stipulated in the agreement. Egypt said it is sending 400 trucks carrying aid into Gaza Sunday. The trucks will have to be inspected by Israeli forces before being allowed in. Associated Press footage showed dozens of trucks crossing the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing. The Egyptian Red Crescent said the trucks include medical supplies, tents, blankets, food and fuel. The trucks will head to the inspection area in the Kerem Shalom crossing for screening by Israeli troops. In recent months, the UN and its partners have been able to deliver only 20% of the aid needed in Gaza because of the fighting, border closures and Israeli restrictions on what enters. Expanding Israeli offensives and restrictions on humanitarian aid have triggered a hunger crisis, including famine in parts of the territory. The United Nations has said that it has about 170,000 metric tons of food, medicine and other humanitarian aid ready to enter Gaza once Israel gives the green light. Gaza Humanitarian Fund future in questionThe fate of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an Israeli- and US-backed contractor that replaced the UN aid operation in Gaza in May as the primary food supplier, remains unclear. Food distribution sites operated by the group in the southernmost city of Rafah and central Gaza were dismantled following the ceasefire deal, several Palestinians said Sunday. Hoda Goda, who used to go to the GHF sites in Rafah earlier this year, said people had dismantled the structures and taken wood and metal fences GHF workers used to control the crowds. Another Palestinian, Ehab Abu Majed, said the site in eastern Khan Younis was also dismantled, and there was no food distribution in the past two days. Ahmed al-Masri, a man living in the central Nuseirat refugee camp, said a third site in the Netzarim corridor area was also dismantled. GHF had been touted by Israel and the United States as an alternative system to prevent Hamas from taking over aid. However, its operations were mired in chaos and hundreds of Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire while heading to its four sites. The Israeli military has said its troops fired warning shots to control crowds. A GHF representative declined to comment Sunday. Preparations for hostage, prisoner release, Trump visitPreparations were also underway Sunday for the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. A message sent Saturday from Gal Hirsch, Israel&rsquo;s coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing and obtained by The Associated Press, told hostage families to prepare for the release of their loved ones starting Monday morning. One of the families of the hostages confirmed the note&rsquo;s authenticity. Hirsch said preparations in hospitals and in Rei&rsquo;im camp were complete to receive the live hostages, while the dead will be transferred to the Institute of Forensic Medicine for identification. An international task force will start working to locate deceased hostages who are not returned within the 72-hour period, said Hirsch. Officials have said the search for the bodies of the dead, some of whom may be buried under rubble, could take time. Israeli officials believe about 20 of the hostages out of 48 held by Hamas and other Palestinian factions in Gaza are still alive. All of the living hostages are expected to be released Monday. US President Donald Trump, who pushed to clinch the ceasefire deal, is expected to arrive in Israel Monday morning. He will meet with families of hostages and speak at the Knesset, Israel&rsquo;s parliament, according to a schedule released by the White House. Trump will then continue on to Egypt, where the office of Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has said he will co-chair a &ldquo;peace summit&rdquo; on Monday with attendance by regional and international leaders. Timing has not yet been announced for the release of some 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel who are to be freed under the deal. They include 250 people serving life sentences in addition to 1,700 people seized from Gaza during the war and held without charge. Gaza residents return homePalestinians continued to move back to areas vacated by Israeli forces Sunday, although many were returning to homes reduced to rubble. Satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press showed a line of vehicles traveling north to Gaza City. The photos taken Saturday showed a line of vehicles on Al Rashid Street, which runs north-south along the Gaza Strip&rsquo;s coastline on the Mediterranean Sea. Tents along the coast also could be seen near Gaza City&rsquo;s marina. Many people have been living along the sea to avoid being targeted in Israeli bombardment of the city. Armed police were seen in Gaza City and southern Gaza patrolling the streets and securing aid trucks driving through areas from which the Israeli military had withdrawn, according to residents. The police force is part of the Hamas-run Interior Ministry. Two years of war have wrought devastationThe war began when Hamas-led militants launched a surprise attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, in which some 1,200 people were killed and 250 taken hostage. In Israel&rsquo;s ensuing offensive, more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to Gaza&rsquo;s Health Ministry, which doesn&rsquo;t differentiate between civilians and combatants but says around half the deaths were women and children.&nbsp; The war has destroyed large swaths of Gaza and displaced about 90% of its 2 million residents. It has also triggered other conflicts in the region, sparked worldwide protests and led to allegations of genocide that Israel denies. While both Israelis and Palestinians in Gaza welcomed the initial halt to the fighting and plans to release the hostages and prisoners, the longer-term fate of the ceasefire remains murky. Key questions about governance of Gaza and the post-war fate of Hamas have yet to be resolved. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a post on X that he had instructed the Israel military to prepare to begin destroying the network of tunnels built by Hamas under Gaza &quot;through the international mechanism that will be established under the leadership and supervision of the US&rdquo; once the hostages are released.

Middle East

A ceasefire in Gaza has enabled increased aid deliveries, with 600 trucks expected daily. Hostage and prisoner releases are set to begin, while uncertainty remains over Gaza’s governance and post-war reconstruction.

Aid preparations ramp up in Gaza as ceasefire sparks hope to end 2-year war

Reuters

HONG KONG: US semiconductor manufacturer Qualcomm admitted that it had not informed Chinese authorities when it completed its acquisition of Israel&#39;s Autotalks in June, China&#39;s market regulator said on Sunday.&nbsp;The disclosure was made two days after China launched an antitrust investigation into Qualcomm, examining whether the US firm violated China&#39;s antitrust law by not declaring some details of its acquisition of the Israeli chip designer.&nbsp;Qualcomm did not immediately respond to Reuters&#39; request for comment.&nbsp;China&#39;s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) said it informed Qualcomm in March 2024 that the deal requires approval by the regulator, and the US firm in the same month notified SAMR it wouldn&#39;t pursue further.&nbsp;However, Qualcomm in June this year completed the deal without informing the authority, the regulator said, adding Qualcomm &quot;acknowledged above facts,&quot; based on which Beijing launched the antitrust probe.&nbsp;Qualcomm&#39;s shares fell more than 5% on Friday after US President Donald Trump threatened to hike tariffs against China and cancel a planned meeting with President Xi Jinping.

Business

The disclosure comes two days after China launched an antitrust investigation into Qualcomm, examining whether it violated China's antitrust law by not declaring some details of its acquisition of the Israeli chip designer.

China says Qualcomm admitted to acquiring Autotalks without informing regulator

<span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">YAOUNDE: Polls opened in Cameroon on Sunday in an election that could see Africa&rsquo;s oldest leader extend his rule by another 7 years. <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Around 8 million voters, including over 34,000 overseas, are registered to participate at more than 31,000 polling stations in the Central African nation. Cameroon had over 29 million people in 2024, and like many sub-Saharan African countries, its population is overwhelmingly young. <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Polls are expected to close at 6 p.m., and the results are expected at the latest by Oct. 26. <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Analysts have predicted a victory for current President Paul Biya, who first became president in 1982 following the resignation of Cameroon&#39;s first president, Ahmadou Ahidjo, and has ruled the country since then. Biya was declared the winner of seven subsequent elections. Cameroon has seen just two leaders since independence in 1960. <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">&ldquo;In the face of increasingly difficult international environment, the challenges facing us are more and more pressing,&rdquo; Biya said in announcing another run. &ldquo;In such a situation, I cannot shirk my mission.&rdquo; He did not give details. <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If victorious, Biya would be 99 years old by the time his term finishes. His health has routinely been a topic of speculation as he spends most of his time in Europe, leaving day to day governing to key party officials and family members. <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Biya faces nine opposition candidates, including some former allies and appointees. They include Bello Bouba Maigari, who was minister for tourism, and Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who until recently served as the minister of employment. <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At his first campaign rally, held last week in the northern city of Maroua, Biya promised change for one of Cameroon&rsquo;s poorest areas. The predominately Muslim north accounts for nearly 20% of the country&rsquo;s eligible voters, and Maigari and Bakary command strong followings in the Far North. <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The country faces escalating security crises. In the western region, a secessionist war is being fought between mainly English-speaking separatists who claim they are marginalized by the French-speaking majority, and government forces. In the north, the Boko Haram insurgency spills over from neighboring Nigeria, with armed groups routinely attacking border towns. <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At least 43% of the country&rsquo;s citizens live in poverty as measured by core living standards such as income, education and health, according to UN estimates.

Election officials arrange stacks of ballot papers before the start of voting at a polling station in Garoua, Cameroon, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025.(AP Photo/Welba Yamo Pascal)

Africa

Polls opened in Cameroon on Sunday in an election that could see Africa’s oldest leader extend his rule by another 7 years.

Cameroon votes as President Paul Biya seeks historic eighth term

ISLAMABAD: In a landmark achievement for Pakistan&rsquo;s medical community, Dr. Ayesha Siddiqua, a senior gynecologist and medical academic, has been elected as a Trustee of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) at the FIGO World Congress 2025 in Cape Town, becoming the first Pakistani woman to hold the position. Dr. Siddiqua was also honored with the FIGO Women&rsquo;s Award 2025 in recognition of her contributions to reproductive health and medical education in underserved areas of Pakistan, particularly in the fields of obstetrics and gynecology. Belonging to the Badizi tribe in Qila Abdullah district of Balochistan, she previously made headlines when she was elected Vice President of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP) &mdash; the first woman from Balochistan to be elected. Dr. Siddiqua&rsquo;s contributions to healthcare have been recognized nationally. &nbsp;In 2022, she was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence (Tamgha-e-Husn-e-Karkardagi), and recently received an Honorary Fellowship (FRCOG) from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, UK. Speaking to local media, Dr. Siddiqua said her appointment was &ldquo;not just a personal achievement but a recognition for the people of Balochistan, Pakistani women, and all those striving to improve maternal healthcare in difficult conditions.&rdquo; She currently serves as a Councillor at CPSP and is the President of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Pakistan (SOGP).

Health

Dr. Ayesha Siddiqua of Balochistan has become the first Pakistani woman elected as a FIGO Trustee. She also received the FIGO Women’s Award 2025 for her contributions to reproductive healthcare in Pakistan.

Prestigious global health body welcomes first Pakistani trustee

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani military forces have taken control of 19 Afghan border posts following a series of cross-border attacks, according to security sources, who described the operation as a response to what they called &ldquo;unprovoked aggression&rdquo; from Afghanistan. The offensive began late Saturday night and continued into the early hours of Sunday, with Pakistani forces deploying heavy artillery to strike Taliban positions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier. Security sources said Afghan forces manning the posts were either killed or fled, leaving behind weapons, uniforms, and abandoned installations. Video footage obtained by Pakistan TV Digital shows extensive destruction at multiple locations, including fires at captured posts and the interiors of seized installations strewn with military gear. In one clip, an Afghan Taliban fighter appears to surrender to Pakistani troops. Among the key positions targeted were posts in Qila Abdullah&rsquo;s Liaoband sector, Barabcha, Kharchar Fort in Chitral, and the Taliban&rsquo;s Manojba Camps 2 &amp; 3. Pakistani sources alleged that Kharchar Fort had served as a command hub for militant operations, while the Barabcha battalion was facilitating cross-border terrorist infiltration into Pakistan. A tank position located on a peak across from Pakistan&rsquo;s Kurram district was also hit, destroying several Taliban tanks, according to the sources. Officials described the operation as a &ldquo;targeted response&rdquo; against terrorist hideouts and training centers, stressing that Pakistan had no intention of harming Afghan civilians or public infrastructure. They accused the Afghan interim government and &ldquo;Indian-sponsored terrorist networks&rdquo; of orchestrating the aggression. &ldquo;This is not a war between the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan,&rdquo; the security sources said. &ldquo;It is a fight against terrorist elements operating in Afghanistan under Indian patronage. Pakistan reserves the right to respond more forcefully to any future aggression or terrorism.&rdquo; The Taliban government&rsquo;s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, presented counter-claims&nbsp;in a press conference in Kabul, saying that &ldquo;the situation on all official borders and de facto lines of Afghanistan is under complete control, and illegal activities have been largely prevented.&rdquo; Saudi Arabia, Iran, Qatar urge restraintSaudi Arabia, Iran, and Qatar on Sunday expressed concern over the escalating border clashes, calling on both nations to exercise restraint and resolve their differences through dialogue. &ldquo;The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia follows with concern the tensions and clashes witnessed in the border areas between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the State of Afghanistan,&rdquo; the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on X, formerly Twitter. Qatar&rsquo;s Foreign Ministry also warned of the potential repercussions for regional stability, urging both sides to prioritize &ldquo;dialogue, diplomacy, and restraint.&rdquo; Iran&rsquo;s Foreign Ministry issued a similar statement, calling on Islamabad and Kabul to avoid escalation. &ldquo;Iran is closely monitoring developments and calls on both sides to engage diplomatically to prevent further escalation,&rdquo; a spokesperson in Tehran said. &ldquo;Peace and cooperation must prevail over confrontation.&rdquo; Border crossings closedKey crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan were closed Sunday after intense overnight clashes, following Taliban accusations that Islamabad had conducted airstrikes earlier in the week, officials said. Officials on both sides confirmed that the Torkham crossing, connecting Pakistan&rsquo;s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province with Afghanistan&rsquo;s Nangarhar, and the Chaman crossing, more than 800 kilometers (500 miles) southwest, were shut down. &lsquo;Provocations by Afghanistan&rsquo;Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned what he described as &ldquo;provocations by Afghanistan&rdquo; along the border overnight. &ldquo;There will be no compromise on Pakistan&rsquo;s defense,&rdquo; Sharif said in a statement. &ldquo;Every provocation will be met with a strong and effective response.&rdquo; Sharif also slammed the Taliban government for allowing Afghan soil to be used by &ldquo;terrorist elements&rdquo; targeting Pakistan.

Security sources report that Afghan forces manning the posts were either killed or fled their positions; video footage shows widespread destruction at multiple locations.

Captured 19 Afghan posts in response to unprovoked cross-border aggression: Pak security sources

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday strongly condemned Afghanistan&rsquo;s recent acts of aggression and reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s resolve to safeguard its national interests, regional sovereignty, and security.&nbsp;In a statement, President Zardari said Pakistan would never accept any &ldquo;controversial or misleading stance&rdquo; on Jammu and Kashmir, adding that India&rsquo;s claims regarding the disputed territory were illegal and contrary to international law and UN resolutions.&nbsp;He expressed regret that the Afghan leadership had &ldquo;turned away from the oppressed people of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir,&rdquo; calling it an injustice to both history and the Muslim Ummah.&nbsp;Zardari noted that the use of Afghan soil for attacks by the so-called &ldquo;Fitna-al-Khawarij&rdquo; &mdash; a reference to militant groups &mdash; was a documented fact acknowledged even in UN reports. He warned that the nexus between &ldquo;the Khawarij and India&rdquo; was targeting Pakistani civilians and security personnel.&nbsp;The president urged the Afghan leadership to take concrete steps against anti-Pakistan terrorist groups operating from its soil, stressing that terrorism was a shared regional challenge that could not be borne by one country alone.&nbsp;He reiterated that Pakistan would make no compromise on its sovereignty and had consistently extended all possible facilitation to Afghanistan in trade, economy, and connectivity.&nbsp;&ldquo;Mutual cooperation and economic partnership form the foundation for lasting peace and prosperity in the region,&rdquo; he said, adding that Pakistan desired a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Afghanistan. <div class="fr-embed instagram-embed" style="width: 50%; display: block; max-width: 600px;"><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPspi-oDdV1/embed/captioned/?cr=1&v=14&wp=485&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com&rp=%2Farticles%2F1265#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A1889589.199999988%2C%22ls%22%3A637.3999999761581%2C%22le%22%3A648.8999999761581%7D" allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="1023" scrolling="no" style="background: white; max-width: 540px; width: calc(100% - 2px); border-radius: 3px; border: 1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); box-shadow: none; display: block; margin: 0px 0px 12px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px;">&nbsp;</iframe></div>Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the cross-border aggression, saying Pakistan&rsquo;s armed forces were fully capable of defending every inch of the motherland.&nbsp;He said Islamabad had always acted with restraint and responsibility but would respond firmly to any violation of its sovereignty.&nbsp;&ldquo;The government will take all necessary measures to protect Pakistan&rsquo;s territorial integrity and ensure peace in the region,&rdquo; the prime minister added.&nbsp;The prime minister also lauded the Pakistan Army&rsquo;s swift and professional response under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, saying the forces not only repelled the aggression but also neutralized several enemy positions, forcing a retreat.&nbsp;He emphasized that Pakistan&rsquo;s defense was in strong hands and that the nation stood united with its security forces against any provocation. Dar urges Taliban to act against terrorists Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said he was &ldquo;deeply concerned&rdquo; over the developments along the Pak‑Afghan border, calling unprovoked firing and raids by the Taliban government a &ldquo;serious provocation.&rdquo; <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1977301437160779869&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F1265%2F&sessionId=3cf72649712ea0166c123d48be461eb7eec96caf&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 345px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>&nbsp;The statement said Pakistan&rsquo;s retaliatory strikes targeted Taliban infrastructure and aimed to neutralize Fitna‑al‑Khawarij and Fitna‑al‑Hindustan terrorist elements operating from Afghan soil.&nbsp;He said that the defensive response was not directed at the peace‑loving Afghan civilian population and that, unlike Taliban forces, Pakistan was exercising &ldquo;extreme caution&rdquo; to avoid civilian casualties.&nbsp;Dar also reiterated its long‑standing position that combating terrorism is a shared regional responsibility and said it had repeatedly provided Kabul with information on terrorist networks operating from Afghan territory.

President Zardari says Pakistan would never accept any 'controversial or misleading stance' on Jammu and Kashmir. PM Shehbaz says armed forces are fully capable of defending every inch of the motherland.

President, PM condemn Afghan aggression, vow to defend national sovereignty

McEWEN: A blast in rural Tennessee that leveled an explosives plant and was felt for miles around killed 16 people and left no survivors, authorities said. The explosion left a smoldering wreck of twisted and charred metal and burned-out vehicles at the Accurate Energetic Systems plant, which supplies and researches explosives for the military. The cause of the blast is not known. Investigators are combing the incinerated property foot by foot, searching for possible evidence. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s a gauntlet of emotions there,&rdquo; Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said during a news conference, pausing to clear his throat before he asked for prayers for the families of the victims in a shaky voice. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve recovered no survivors,&rdquo; he added. During a vigil at Hurricane Chapel in McEwen, senior pastor Tim Farris noted that many in attendance knew each other, as well as the victims and their families. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s a lot of people hurting. A lot of people who are crying a lot of tears,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We are sad that our community is going through this, but it&rsquo;s a tremendous opportunity for the church to minister to a lot of those people today.&rdquo; Farris said he spoke with some families of victims on Friday who were in shock and numb, and they did not show much emotion. That had changed by Saturday, he said. &ldquo;Speaking with some of the families today, they were very emotional,&rdquo; Farris said. &ldquo;They can hardly speak or anything, they are so emotional. I think as this goes on, it&rsquo;s going to hit more people. The depth of this, the reality of it. That&rsquo;s when they&rsquo;re going to need people the most.&rdquo; Pamela Jane Brown was among those who came out to pray for friends missing in the blast and their families. She said an acquaintance of her family was driving by the plant when it exploded, and he was &ldquo;hurt pretty good ... all cut up and bruised,&rdquo; but is now recovering at home. &ldquo;I was heartbroken,&rdquo; she said, after learning of the explosion on social media. Meeting others for prayer &ldquo;was a coming together of the community &ndash; a good feeling.&rdquo; State officials brought in a &ldquo;rapid DNA&rdquo; team to help identify the remains of people recovered at the site. Davis said about 300 responders are working in a &ldquo;slow, methodical method&rdquo; as they deal with explosive material that has been damaged and remains volatile. An ambulance and a helicopter used for air evacuations were brought in for the safety of first responders. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s not like working an accident. It&rsquo;s not like working a tornado. We&rsquo;re dealing with explosions. And I would say at this time, we&rsquo;re dealing with remains,&rdquo; he said. Guy McCormick, a supervisory special agent with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said explosive specialists and bomb technicians are trying to make the area safe for national ATF investigators. He said the nature of the scene can change because of the heat and pressure caused by the explosion. Davis said it could be days, weeks, or even months before foul play is ruled out. The site is located in a heavily wooded area of middle Tennessee, between the economically vital Tennessee River to the west and the bustling metropolis of Nashville to the east. Modest homes dot the wooded landscape, residences belonging to &ldquo;good old country people,&rdquo; as local man Terry Bagsby put it. &lsquo;A lot of grief&rsquo;Bagsby, 68, is retired, but he helps out working the register at a gas station near the site. He said people in the close-knit community are &ldquo;very, very sad.&rdquo; He said he knows people who worked at the site. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know how to explain it. &hellip; Just a lot of grief.&rdquo; Officials at an evening news conference said counselors would be available for grieving students on Monday. Earlier Saturday afternoon at the church in McEwen, about 30 people gathered to pray for victims of the explosion and their families. Music played, and mourners bowed their heads and closed their eyes. Some knelt at an altar, placing their hands on each other&rsquo;s backs and shoulders. Some wept softly, among the whispered prayers. After the vigil, Farris, the pastor, told the media that the area has seen its share of tragedy and loss of life, including a deadly flood a few years ago. He asked for prayers for first responders. &ldquo;This is tiresome physically. This kind of thing weighs on you mentally. They carry that home. They need prayer and encouragement as well,&rdquo; he said. The company&rsquo;s website says it processes explosives and ammunition at an eight-building facility that sprawls across wooded hills in the Bucksnort area, about 60 miles (97 kilometers) southwest of Nashville. It is not immediately known how many people work at the plant or how many were there when the explosion happened. Accurate Energetic Systems, based in nearby McEwen, said in a post on social media on Friday that the company&#39;s &ldquo;thoughts and prayers&quot; are with the families and community impacted. &ldquo;We extend our gratitude to all first responders who continue to work tirelessly under difficult conditions,&rdquo; the post said. Explosion jolts residents from sleepThe company has been awarded numerous military contracts, largely by the U.S. Army and Navy, to supply different types of munitions and explosives, according to public records. The products range from bulk explosives to landmines and small breaching charges, including C4. When the explosion occurred, residents in Lobelville, a 20-minute drive from the scene, said they felt their homes shake, and some people captured the loud boom of the explosion on their home cameras. The blast rattled Gentry Stover from his sleep. &ldquo;I thought the house had collapsed with me inside of it,&rdquo; he told The Associated Press. &ldquo;I live very close to Accurate, and I realized about 30 seconds after I woke up that it had to have been that.&rdquo; Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee posted on the social platform X that he is monitoring the situation and asked &ldquo;Tennesseans to join us in prayer for the families impacted by this tragic incident.&rdquo; A small group gathered for a vigil Friday night at a nearby park, clutching candles as they prayed for the missing and their families and sang &ldquo;Amazing Grace.&quot; The US has a long history of deadly accidents at workplaces, including the Monongah coal mine explosion that killed 362 men and boys in West Virginia in 1907. Several high-profile industrial accidents in the 1960s helped lead President Richard Nixon to sign a law creating the Occupational Safety and Health Administration the next year. In 2019, Accurate Energetic Systems faced several small fines from the US Department of Labor for violations of policies meant to protect workers from exposure to hazardous chemicals, radiation, and other irritants, according to citations from OSHA. In 2014, an explosion occurred at another ammunition facility in the same small community, killing one person and injuring at least three others.

Americas

A powerful explosion at a Tennessee explosives factory killed 16 people, leaving no survivors. Authorities continue investigating the cause, while the community mourns the loss and supports grieving families through vigils and prayer.

16 dead in Tennessee factory blast as community mourns loss

Web Desk/AP

<span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">GAZA:&nbsp;<span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Egypt will host an international summit in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday to finalize an agreement aimed at ending the war in Gaza, Egyptian presidential spokesperson Ahmed Fahmy said on Saturday. <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">More than 20 world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, are expected to attend the meeting. The summit seeks to build consensus on a plan that would halt hostilities and lay the groundwork for Gaza&rsquo;s postwar governance. <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Trump&rsquo;s 20-point proposal envisions Israel maintaining a long-term security presence along its border with Gaza, while an international force, primarily composed of troops from Arab and Muslim countries, would oversee security within the enclave.&nbsp; <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has called for the force to be authorized by the UN Security Council. <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">According to the Israeli military, its troops will continue operating defensively in the roughly 50 percent of Gaza still under its control after recent withdrawals to designated lines.&nbsp; <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The United States, meanwhile, plans to set up a coordination center in Israel to manage Gaza-related issues until a permanent administration is established, an official familiar with the discussions said. <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" id="isPasted">More than <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">67,000 Palestinian casualties&nbsp; <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Israel&rsquo;s military campaign after <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" id="isPasted">Oct. 7, 2023 has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza&rsquo;s Health Ministry, which reports that roughly half of the dead are women and children.&nbsp; <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The ministry&rsquo;s figures are widely regarded by the United Nations and independent experts as the most reliable available. <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The conflict has fueled broader instability across the Middle East, triggered global protests and prompted international calls for accountability over alleged human rights violations. <span style="font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Sharm el-Sheikh summit is expected to focus on securing a lasting cease-fire, coordinating humanitarian aid delivery, and outlining a framework for Gaza&rsquo;s reconstruction and governance once the fighting stops.

Egypt will host an international summit in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday to finalize an agreement aimed at ending the war in Gaza, Egyptian presidential spokesperson Ahmed Fahmy said on Saturday.

Donald Trump and El-Sisi to co-chair Gaza peace summit on Monday

BRUSSELS: European Union member countries began rolling out a new entry and exit system on Sunday at the bloc&rsquo;s external borders, electronically registering non-EU nationals&#39; data. The Entry/Exit System (EES), an automated system that requires travellers to register at the border by scanning their passport and having their fingerprints and photograph taken, will be introduced over six months. The move is aimed at detecting overstayers, tackling identity fraud, and preventing illegal migration amid political pressure in some EU countries to take a tougher stance. &quot;The Entry/Exit System is the digital backbone of our new common European migration and asylum framework,&rdquo; European Internal Affairs and Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner said in a statement. SIX MONTHS TO ADJUSTNon-EU citizens will have to register their personal details when they first enter the Schengen area - all EU member countries apart from Ireland and Cyprus, but including Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Subsequent journeys will only require facial biometric verification. The system should be fully operational, with passport stamping replaced with electronic records, on April 10, 2026. &quot;Every third country national who arrives at an external border will undergo identity verification, security screening, and registration in the EU databases,&quot; Brunner said, adding that &quot;the six-month rollout gives member states, travellers, and businesses time to transition smoothly to the new procedures&quot;. For British travellers using the Port of Dover, the Eurotunnel terminal at Folkestone, orthe&nbsp; Eurostar terminal at London&#39;s St Pancras International, the process will take place at the border before they leave the UK. At Dover and the Eurotunnel terminal, only freight and coach traffic will be subject to EES checks from Sunday. Passenger vehicle checks will follow in November at Dover and by the end of the year at Eurotunnel, while the Eurostar at St Pancras will gradually introduce the new process, starting with some business travellers from Sunday. &quot;We recognise that EES checks will be a significant change for British travellers, which is why we have worked closely with our European partners to ensure the rollout goes as smoothly as possible,&quot; British Minister for Border Security and Asylum Alex Norris said. &quot;The UK and EU have a shared objective of securing our borders, and these modernisation measures will help us protect our citizens and prevent illegal migration,&quot; Norris said.

 European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES)

Europe

The EU has begun a six-month rollout of its new Entry/Exit System, replacing passport stamping with biometric registration to enhance border control, detect overstayers, and combat illegal migration across the Schengen area. 

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