NEW DELHI: Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday he would continue &ldquo;uninterrupted shipments&rdquo; of fuel to India as New Delhi faces heavy US pressure to stop buying oil from Moscow. &ldquo;Russia is a reliable supplier of oil, gas, coal and everything that is required for the development of India&rsquo;s energy,&rdquo; Putin told Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a visit to New Delhi. &ldquo;We are ready to continue uninterrupted shipments of fuel for the fast-growing Indian economy.&rdquo;

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (L) speaks with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi after their joint press statements at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi on December 5, 2025. (AFP)

Americas

Asia

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday he would continue “uninterrupted shipments” of fuel to India as New Delhi faces heavy US pressure to stop buying oil from Moscow

Putin says to continue 'uninterrupted shipments of fuel' to India

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Thursday inaugurated a newly constructed arena at the Wagah Border, the main crossing point between Pakistan and India, along with a museum and a partition-themed park in Lahore.&nbsp;According to Radio Pakistan, several new constructions have been completed, including a theme park depicting the partition of the subcontinent, with models of a railway station, military equipment, and a Martyrs&rsquo; Memorial.&nbsp;&ldquo;After the expansion, the seating capacity of the arena has been increased from 7,500 to 25,000 spectators,&rdquo; it said.&nbsp;The Wagah border crossing, located near the eastern city of Lahore, is the primary land route between Pakistan and India and one of the most recognizable symbols of the often-tense relationship between the two neighbors.&nbsp;The inauguration ceremony organized by Pakistan Rangers (Punjab), was attended by Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, the Lahore Corps Commander, provincial ministers, and other senior civil and military officials.&nbsp;

Culture

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif inaugurated a newly constructed arena at the Wagah Border, along with a museum and a partition-themed park, as senior civil and military officials attended the ceremony.

Pakistan’s Punjab expands Wagah border arena with museum, partition-themed park

ISLAMABAD:&nbsp;Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore announced Friday that his administration has fulfilled 98% of the reform agenda agreed last year with the&nbsp;Joint Awami Action Committee, a move he says has stabilized the region and restored public confidence in the political system. Speaking at a news conference in Muzaffarabad, the AJK PM stated that the government prioritized the implementation of the &quot;38-Point Agreement&quot; signed with the committee representatives.The accord addressed long-standing economic and administrative grievances that had previously sparked unrest in the region. The AJK PM said the administration implemented the agreed terms just six weeks after taking office to bridge the divide between the state and the public. &quot;The public has once again placed its confidence in the democratic process,&quot; he said. &quot;In just one and a half months, we have implemented all matters related to the agreement&nbsp;promised with the Joint Awami Action Committee during the oath-taking ceremony.&quot; Reforms enacted The AJK PM issued formal directives to launch a universal health card scheme intended to support low-income residents. The AJK government&nbsp;also advanced the financial status of the Bank of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The administration approved a Rs9 billion ($32 million) capital injection to meet State Bank of Pakistan requirements. This will help pave the way for the institution to operate as a scheduled commercial bank. It&nbsp;has maintained the subsidized tariff structure for electricity and wheat flour mandated by the agreement. It is also proceeding with the restoration of the Local Government Act of 1990 to devolve administrative power to local representatives. Governance and stability The AJK PM said that the government&rsquo;s adherence to the pact has eliminated any public distrust&nbsp;that characterized the previous year. He said the current administration is focused on preventing any return to instability or violence. AJK PM Rathore noted that the cabinet, which has convened five times since assuming office on Nov. 17 last year, resolved public interest issues through dialogue rather than confrontation. He said the government seeks to compete only with its own performance standards to ensure continued service delivery. The administration has now turned its focus to the remaining procedural aspects of the agreement to ensure full compliance, he added.

Politics

AJK PM stated his government fulfilled 98% of reforms in six weeks, including delivering subsidized electricity, flour, health cards, and bank upgrades.

Government has delivered on key reforms, rebuilt public confidence: AJK PM 

ISLAMABAD: The Financial Times&rsquo; annual review for 2025 describes the year as one marked by failures and setbacks for India, citing sustained economic, diplomatic, and strategic pressures rather than stability or substantial progress. According to Radio Pakistan, the report showcases how India has remained under strain throughout the year due to Pakistan-India military tensions, trade confrontations with the United States, a deadly aircraft accident, currency weakness, and growing economic uncertainty. The report said India&rsquo;s pursuit of strategic autonomy faltered, forcing New Delhi to simultaneously balance relations with the United States, China, and Russia. This challenge added to diplomatic and policy pressures. On the economic front, the Financial Times noted repeated delays in finalizing a United States-India trade agreement. The imposition of American tariffs further increased economic stress, while the limited implementation of goods and services tax reforms constrained growth. The report added that the Indian rupee continued to depreciate against the United States dollar during 2025. Experts cited in the review said the long-term outcome of Pakistan-India tensions did not translate into Indian military dominance. Instead, they pointed to a visible shift in Washington&rsquo;s approach, which the Financial Times described as a diplomatic setback for India. They noted that United States President Donald Trump publicly took credit for facilitating a ceasefire, while increased contacts between Washington and Pakistan&rsquo;s military leadership altered regional diplomatic dynamics. The newspaper quoted analysts saying India&rsquo;s economic and diplomatic space in the United States narrowed significantly during the year, reflecting what they described as a weakened position. They warned that further depreciation of the rupee and rising global oil prices could intensify India&rsquo;s economic difficulties. The review also highlighted that the failure to conclude a United States-India trade agreement exposed gaps in India&rsquo;s global economic credibility. Analysts said that throughout 2025, India appeared to be managing persistent challenges rather than resolving them. Experts quoted by the Financial Times said that against a backdrop of internal weaknesses, regional tensions, and mounting global pressures, 2026 is shaping up to be an even more challenging year for India.

The Financial Times’ annual review for 2025 has described the year as one marked by failures and setbacks for India, citing sustained economic, diplomatic, and strategic pressures rather than stability or strong progress.

India faced failures and setbacks in 2025: Financial Times

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States is &quot;locked and loaded&quot; to respond if Iran kills protesters, after cost-of-living demonstrations in the country turned deadly. Protesters and security forces clashed in several Iranian cities on Thursday, with six people reported killed in the first deaths since the unrest escalated. Shopkeepers in the capital Tehran went on strike Sunday over high prices and economic stagnation, actions that have since spread to other parts of the country. Trump said on his Truth Social platform that &quot;if Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue.&quot; &quot;We are locked and loaded and ready to go,&quot; the Republican leader added. Iran warns of response to any US interventionIran on Friday warned against any US intervention in the country, vowing a response after President Donald Trump said he would come to the aid of protesters in the Islamic Republic. &quot;Any interventionist hand that attacks Iran&#39;s security under any pretext whatsoever will be exposed to a response,&quot; Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to the supreme leader, wrote on X. &quot;Iran&#39;s security is a red line.&quot; Iran&#39;s Fars news agency reported Thursday that two people were killed in clashes between security forces and protesters in the city of Lordegan, in the province of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, and three in Azna, in neighbouring Lorestan province. State television reported earlier that a member of Iran&#39;s security forces was killed overnight during protests in the western city of Kouhdasht. The demonstrations are smaller than the last major incident in 2022, triggered by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for allegedly violating Iran&#39;s strict dress code for women. Her death sparked a nationwide wave of anger that left several hundred people dead, including dozens of members of the security forces.

US President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate on Dec. 22, 2025 (AFP)

Middle East

US president threatens action if Tehran violently suppresses cost-of-living protesters, saying America will 'come to their rescue'; Iran says any intervention attacking the country's security will invite a response.

Trump vows US 'locked and loaded', Iran says any intervention a 'red line'

ISLAMABAD: A recent verification drive in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, has drawn public attention in India after an SHO (Station House Officer) reportedly told residents he could determine their nationality using a mobile phone, said an Indian media report Friday. The incident occurred on December 23, 2025, at Bhowapur slum, a settlement of roughly 50 shanties, in Kaushambi, Ghaziabad, where SHO Ajay Sharma and his team conducted document checks. According to the Indian media report, Sharma asked a slum dweller to show his identity card. When the man identified himself as a resident of Araria district in Bihar, the SHO reportedly asked if he was from Bihar or Bangladesh. Sharma then told the man that he had a machine, a mobile phone, that could &ldquo;immediately&rdquo; detect if someone was an &ldquo;illegal.&rdquo; The phone was placed on the man&rsquo;s back, and Sharma remarked that it showed &ldquo;Bangladesh.&rdquo; The resident insisted he was from Bihar and that no Bangladeshi was present in the slum. A video clip of the incident that surfaced on social media has prompted widespread discussion. Sharma defended his actions, telling an Indian media outlet that he &ldquo;tried to put pressure on them so that they reveal their true identity&rdquo; and that no one was harassed. A senior police officer clarified that the verification was part of a routine foot march during the Christmas and New Year period, but added that no orders for such methods had come from senior officials. Journalist Mohammed Zubair highlighted the incident on X (formerly Twitter) on Jan. 1, questioning whether the police had a new device to detect citizenship.<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" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 601px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" 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=2006682102436413601&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=f953ae37638cf094fd17f8066aa73d6c72aa1f0a&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>In response, the Ghaziabad Police Commissioner stated that these verification exercises are part of ongoing efforts to maintain law and order, and document checks are conducted to ensure accuracy.<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-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 730px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2006742625597247777&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=f953ae37638cf094fd17f8066aa73d6c72aa1f0a&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>According to the media report, Commissioner J. Ravindra Goud said the video was under review and added, &ldquo;If any person is harassed by police, we will take action.&rdquo; The episode has sparked debate over police methods, citizen dignity, and the appropriateness of using technology in identity verification, particularly in vulnerable slum communities.

India

Police officer tells man that he has a mobile phone that can ‘immediately’ detect if someone is an illegal resident.

‘Are you Bangladeshi?’: Indian cop faces backlash over phone ‘citizenship scan’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday urged the United Nations Security Council to develop legally binding international rules to regulate the rapidly growing number of satellites in outer space, warning that unchecked expansion in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) threatens digital equity, national sovereignty, and global security of developing countries. Speaking at an informal Arria-Formula meeting of the 15-member Security Council in New York, Pakistani delegate Gul Qaiser Sarwani outlined a stark vision of a space economy increasingly dominated by a handful of wealthy nations and powerful corporations.&nbsp; <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=2005741334670499887&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=ce1f2ef5569f2f2fd42c04d19e23d25d5702c8f3&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 720px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div> </div>SpaceX&rsquo;s Starlink constellation alone comprises approximately two-thirds of all active satellites, with more than 9,000 satellites currently in orbit (about 8,600 operational) and regulatory approval for up to roughly 12,000 additional satellites, according to the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC). What is the problem?Pakistan warned that the unregulated proliferation of LEO satellites risks exacerbating the global digital divide by privileging states with advanced technological and financial capabilities, while marginalizing others&rsquo; access to orbital resources and spectrum. Pakistan&#39;s position is unequivocal: outer space, including LEO, is the province of all humankind, not subject to national appropriation or de facto control.&nbsp; &ldquo;Outer space is a global commons and must not become the exclusive domain of a few,&rdquo; Sarwani said.&nbsp;&ldquo;Technological or commercial dominance must not translate into exclusive access or regulatory advantage.&rdquo; Pakistan argued that the pace and scale of satellite expansion have outstripped existing international governance frameworks. While space is governed by treaties such as the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, these agreements were drafted decades before the rise of private space companies and do not impose enforceable limits on the number of satellites, traffic management, or data use. Sarwani warned that the absence of binding rules risks creating &lsquo;satellite congestion&rsquo; &mdash; overcrowding of orbital pathways that could increase collision risks and generate long-lasting space debris. National sovereignty and militarization concernsPakistan also framed the issue as one of national sovereignty. Foreign-controlled satellite constellations operating over national territories, the delegation warned, could undermine states&rsquo; ability to regulate data flows, protect privacy, and safeguard sensitive infrastructure. The use of satellite networks for surveillance, intelligence gatherin,g and information operations could heighten mistrust among states and exacerbate geopolitical tension.&nbsp;&ldquo;Unregulated satellite activity risks eroding strategic stability,&rdquo; Sarwani cautioned, adding that transparency and accountability were essential to prevent misperceptions and escalation. Raising alarm over the growing militarization of space, Pakistan noted that the dual-use nature of many satellite technologies blurs the line between civilian and military applications. This, it warned, increases the risk of conflict and miscalculation, particularly as space-based assets become integral to modern warfare. Are other countries pushing back?Pakistan isn&#39;t alone in raising these concerns. Several African countries have advocated for reconsidering the first-come, first-served principle, arguing that principles of equity and conservation should prevail.&nbsp; Iran has similarly argued that existing regulations for orbital slots allocation have restricted the capacity of many countries, with many orbital slots occupied only by the most developed countries, leaving little chance for developing countries to place their own satellites on appropriate orbital slots. The European Space Agency has experienced the operational challenges firsthand. In 2019, ESA had to maneuver its Earth observation satellite to avoid a collision with a Starlink satellite. This incident highlighted how the rapid deployment of commercial constellations is creating coordination challenges even for established space agencies. <img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/ac542e1e-0723-43a6-9367-9b40d763201a.png" style="width: 334px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-fil">Predicted near miss between Aeolus and Starlink 44 (European Space Agency) The solutionWhile many developing countries are pursuing national satellite programmes to reduce dependence &mdash; including Pakistan&rsquo;s PakSat high-throughput satellite, Turkey&rsquo;s T&Uuml;RKSAT-6A launched in 2024, and Brazil&rsquo;s Amaz&ocirc;nia-1 for environmental monitoring &mdash; Islamabad argued that national efforts alone are insufficient.<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-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1810466027790315942&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=ce1f2ef5569f2f2fd42c04d19e23d25d5702c8f3&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 528px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>Pakistan urged the international community to move beyond voluntary guidelines and confidence-building measures, calling instead for a comprehensive, legally binding UN-led framework to govern satellite traffic management, ensure equitable access to orbital resources, and prevent the weaponization of outer space.

File: MetOp Second Generation A-type satellite (Wikimedia Commons)

Security

Pakistan urged the UN Security Council to adopt binding rules on satellite traffic, warning that uncontrolled satellites threaten digital equity, national sovereignty, and space security as Low Earth Orbit becomes increasingly crowded worldwide.

Space sovereignty: Pakistan’s fight for space rights

ISLAMABAD: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) in India has approached the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) seeking urgent intervention into what it describes as a nationwide pattern of intimidation, harassment, and violence against Kashmiri shawl sellers and students across several North Indian states. In a detailed letter dated Jan. 2, addressed to NHRC Chairperson Justice V Ramasubramanian, JKSA said that over the past 10 days alone, more than a dozen incidents had been reported from Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Delhi, and Maharashtra. The association warned that the incidents were &ldquo;systematic and targeted&rdquo; rather than isolated. The move comes days after JKSA national convenor Nasir Khuehami highlighted the alleged harassment of Kashmiri shawl sellers in Himachal Pradesh&rsquo;s Bilaspur district.&nbsp; In a post on X on Dec. 29, Khuehami said dozens of traders, many of whom have been working in the state for over two decades, were assaulted, threatened with eviction, prevented from selling their goods, and had their belongings vandalized by right-wing groups in the Ghumarwin area.&nbsp; He noted it was the 17th such incident reported in Himachal Pradesh in 2025 alone.<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" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 649px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" 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=2005570158652448884&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=d18e102aef708811fd38dccaf88a141f0e8dd01a&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>Two days later, Khuehami flagged another incident from Fatehabad in Haryana, where a Kashmiri youth selling winter clothes was allegedly grabbed by the collar, choked, and forced to chant slogans such as &ldquo;Bharat Mata Ki Jai&rdquo; and &ldquo;Vande Mataram&rdquo;. When the youth refused, he was allegedly threatened and humiliated in public. Similar intimidation and vandalism of Kashmiri traders were also reported from the area.<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-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 897px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2006203723899625476&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=d18e102aef708811fd38dccaf88a141f0e8dd01a&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>In its letter to the NHRC, JKSA said Kashmiri traders were being coerced into chanting slogans, threatened with death, forced to vacate rented accommodations, and prevented from earning their livelihood despite possessing valid documents.&nbsp; The association also cited cases of Kashmiri students facing denial of accommodation, religious discrimination, and verbal abuse. Terming the situation in Himachal Pradesh &ldquo;particularly disturbing,&rdquo; JKSA said repeated incidents had occurred despite representations to authorities, with little evidence of police reports, arrests, or deterrent action. It warned that continued inaction risked normalizing vigilantism and could deepen alienation in Kashmir. JKSA urged the NHRC to seek reports from concerned states, direct registration of police reports, ensure accountability, and put in place measures to protect the safety, dignity, and constitutional rights of Kashmiri traders and students.<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-2" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 696px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2006970222776037413&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=d18e102aef708811fd38dccaf88a141f0e8dd01a&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>

The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association in India has approached the National Human Rights Commission seeking intervention into alleged nationwide harassment, intimidation, and violence against Kashmiri shawl sellers and students across several states, citing repeated incidents and lack of action. 

Call for probe into violence targeting Kashmiri shawl sellers in India 

SEOUL: The North Korean leader&rsquo;s daughter, Kim Ju Ae, has made her first public visit to a mausoleum housing her grandfather and great-grandfather, state media images showed Friday, further solidifying her place as the likely next in line to run the nuclear-armed dictatorship. The Kim family has ruled North Korea with for decades, and a cult of personality surrounding their &ldquo;Paektu bloodline&rdquo; dominates daily life in the isolated country. Current leader Kim Jong Un is the third in line to rule in the world&rsquo;s only communist monarchy, following his father, Kim Jong Il, and grandfather, Kim Il Sung. The two men &mdash; dubbed &ldquo;eternal leaders&rdquo; &mdash; are housed in the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, a vast mausoleum in downtown Pyongyang. The state-run Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim Jong Un had visited the palace, accompanied by top officials. Images released by the agency showed daughter Ju Ae alongside him. South Korea&rsquo;s spy agency said last year she was now understood to be the next in line to rule North Korea after she accompanied her father on a high-profile visit to Beijing. &lsquo;Presented as Kim&rsquo;s successor&rsquo;&nbsp;Cheong Seong-chang at Seoul&rsquo;s Sejong Institute said he expected her to soon be &ldquo;formally confirmed as the next successor both domestically and internationally&rdquo;. Cheong, author of a book on the Kim leadership, said her placement in the centre of the front row during her visit to the palace &mdash; a place typically reserved for her father &mdash; was especially notable. It could be &ldquo;interpreted as reporting to the &lsquo;eternal leaders&rsquo; Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il that she is being presented as his successor&rdquo;, he said. Ju Ae was publicly introduced to the world in 2022 when she accompanied her father to an intercontinental ballistic missile launch. North Korean state media have since referred to her as &ldquo;the beloved child&rdquo; and a &ldquo;great person of guidance&rdquo; &mdash; &ldquo;hyangdo&rdquo; in Korean &mdash; a term typically reserved for top leaders and their successors. Before 2022, the only confirmation of her existence had come from former NBA star Dennis Rodman, who made a visit to the North in 2013. Analysts have suggested that she could be elected first secretary of the Central Committee, the second most powerful position in the North Korean ruling party, at a landmark congress due to be held in the coming weeks.

The North Korean leader’s daughter, Kim Ju Ae, has made her first public visit to a mausoleum housing her grandfather and great-grandfather, state media images showed Friday, further solidifying her place as the likely next in line to run the nuclear-armed dictatorship.

North Korean leader's daughter fuels succession speculation with mausoleum visit

ISLAMABAD:&nbsp;A water contamination tragedy in the Indian city of Indore has claimed at least 10 lives and left over 2,000 people ill, according to an Indian media report on Thursday. A three-member probe committee formed by the Madhya Pradesh government will investigate why the tender for a new supply line in the Bhagirathpura area was not executed on time, forcing residents to depend on an ageing municipal pipeline that was later found to be contaminated by sewage leakage. The probe comes even as an in-charge sub-engineer of the public health department was dismissed from service, and two other officials were suspended for lapses in maintaining a clean water supply. Indore Municipal Corporation Commissioner Dileep Yadav said the officials were responsible for the area but failed to detect leakages in time. Cabinet Minister and Indore-1 MLA Kailash Vijayvargiya termed the incident &ldquo;unfortunate&rdquo; and said the number of patients admitted to healthcare facilities was increasing constantly. &ldquo;It was increasing yesterday [Tuesday] but has reduced today,&rdquo; he said. When an Indian journalist asked Vijayvargiya about the situation, he got angry but later apologized.<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" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 607px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" 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=2006426641413902681&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=17d64457bbb8f9717ade4d6a59a6da65e05ceedf&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" spellcheck="false">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>Toilet drainage line&nbsp;According to officials, a toilet drain line was found leaking directly over the main water supply line, contaminating the water supply, Indian media reported. Multiple leakages were later identified and repaired only after residents began falling ill. More than 100 people from Bhagirathpura have been admitted to hospitals in the past week, including infants and elderly residents. The deceased include a six-month-old child and six women. While authorities are yet to confirm the death toll officially, senior district officials said it has crossed 10. Tender process accountability&nbsp;The probe panel, headed by Indian Administrative Service officer Navjeevan Panwar, will also examine administrative delays and accountability in the tender process, Indian media reported on Thursday. When questioned, the commissioner said the project was to be undertaken under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation scheme. That work could not begin as funds were awaited. Status report sought&nbsp;Meanwhile, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has sought a status report from the State government by Jan. 2 and directed that patients be provided free treatment after allegations that private hospitals were denying care without payment. Fact-finding committee&nbsp;The opposition Congress has also formed a fact-finding committee to investigate the incident, alleging administrative negligence and failure to act despite known infrastructure risks. Water supply to the affected area remains suspended, with over 100 tankers deployed as authorities await test results before resuming distribution. According to an Indian media report from July 2025, Indore was ranked the cleanest city for the eighth consecutive time under the &ldquo;Super Swachh League&rdquo; category in the government&rsquo;s annual cleanliness survey.

According to officials, a toilet drain line was found leaking directly over the main water supply line, contaminating the water supply.  

10 dead, over 2,000 ill in Indian water contamination incident

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Consumer Price Index eased to 5.6% in December 2025, down from 6.1% in November, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics on Tuesday. On a month-on-month basis, consumer prices declined by 0.4%, compared to a 0.4% increase in the previous month.&nbsp; The decline in inflation was mainly driven by a reduction in food prices, particularly perishable items. Prices of vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, and potatoes fell sharply during the month, helping bring down overall inflation. However, prices of some food items, including wheat, cooking oil, eggs, and milk products, increased. The latest inflation figures come as the government and the central bank closely monitor price trends amid efforts to stabilize the economy. Last month, the State Bank of Pakistan reduced its policy rate by 50 basis points to 10.5% after four consecutive monetary policy meetings in which the central bank maintained the status quo. According to a statement issued by the monetary policy committee, inflation remained within the 5-7% target range on average from July to November in fiscal year 2025-26.

Economy

State Bank of Pakistan reduced policy rate by 50 basis points to 10.5% after four monetary policy meetings, where the central bank observed status quo; monetary policy committee says inflation remained within the 5-7% target range on average during July to November for the fiscal year 2025. 