Shaharyar Khalid

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is preparing for a new spell of heavy rainfall and a sharp drop in temperatures just weeks after devastating floods, raising fresh concerns for recovery efforts, agriculture, and transport across the country.&nbsp;According to WeatherWalay, the weather system, linked to a developing low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, will impact large parts of Pakistan, northern India, and eastern Afghanistan from this weekend. Nighttime temperatures could fall by 8 to 10 degrees Celsius in some regions, accompanied by widespread showers, gusty winds, and even snowfall in mountainous areas.&nbsp;The forecast comes as Pakistan continues to recover from catastrophic flooding that displaced over 2.5 million people and killed more than 1,000, according to Reuters. The renewed rainfall threatens to complicate relief operations, particularly in flood-hit Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan, where damaged infrastructure and waterlogged fields remain critical challenges.&nbsp;Danish Baig, Head of Meteorology at WeatherWalay, said rainfall is expected across Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, with urban centres like Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad likely to experience downpours, cooler nights, and travel delays. Mountainous areas such as Naran, Hazara, and Kalam may also see snowfall.&nbsp;In Punjab, the wet spell could last three to four days, with strong winds and hail possible. Islamabad&rsquo;s temperatures may dip to 14&ndash;15&deg;C. Traffic on major motorways (M-2, M-3, and M-4) is expected to slow due to slippery conditions, while crops in central and southern Punjab are at risk of damage from hail and waterlogging. In KP, tobacco crops may also be threatened.&nbsp;Health experts warn that stagnant water may trigger a rise in mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue. Authorities have urged intensified vector-control measures. In Gilgit-Baltistan, snow and rain could disrupt transportation on routes such as Babusar Top and the Karakoram Highway, potentially isolating remote communities.&nbsp;While the cold spell signals an early seasonal transition, forecasters stress that it does not mark the onset of winter. However, the development of La Ni&ntilde;a conditions could bring cooler-than-normal temperatures across the region later this year.

Climate & Environment

Pakistan braces for a new wave of heavy rain, hail, and snowfall, threatening flood recovery, crops, and transport. The Bay of Bengal weather system may drop temperatures by up to 10°C and trigger health risks.

Pakistan braces for heavy rains, temperature drop amid recovery

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Kazakhstan signed several memoranda of understanding and agreements toward strengthening bilateral relations on Wednesday during the Kazakh president&rsquo;s visit to Islamabad. &nbsp; The signing ceremony was held at the PM House.<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" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 639px; 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=2018936301643600280&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=53e3d991498758b2d1e48e66f2cb1e47e084317d&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" data-tweet-id="2018936301643600280"></iframe></div></div>Earlier, President of <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/kazakhstan-ready-to-deepen-cooperation-with-pakistan-in-science-and-higher-education" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kazakhstan </a>Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was accorded a warm reception and a guard of honor as he arrived at the Prime Minister&rsquo;s House to hold meetings with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and hold delegation-level talks, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported. Heading a high-level delegation comprising senior cabinet ministers and other high-ranking officials, the president of <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/kazakh-president-begins-pakistan-visit-to-advance-bilateral-cooperation" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kazakhstan </a>is in Islamabad for his first two-day state visit to Pakistan. During the visit, President Tokayev is expected to meet with <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/kazakhstan-presidents-upcoming-pakistan-visit-to-spotlight-trade-regional-connectivity" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">President </a>Asif Ali Zardari and address the Pakistan-Kazakhstan Business Forum. The visit will provide the two sides with an important and timely opportunity to undertake a comprehensive review of bilateral relations, discuss new avenues for broadening cooperation, particularly in trade, logistics, regional connectivity, and people-to-people contacts, and to explore collaboration at regional and international forums, the APP report said.

Foreign Affairs

Heading a high-level delegation, Kazakhstan president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is in the capital for his first two-day state visit to Pakistan, at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Pakistan, Kazakhstan sign MoUs, agreements to boost ties

ISLAMABAD: Three sisters aged 12, 14, and 16 died after jumping from their apartment balcony in Ghaziabad district of India&#39;s&nbsp;Uttar Pradesh state in the early hours of Wednesday, in what police say is likely linked to an online Korean task-based game, Indian media reported.&nbsp;The girls, Pakhi (12), Prachi (14), and Vishika (16), had locked themselves inside their room at Bharat City, a residential township in Loni city, before jumping one by one from the balcony around 2:15 a.m., police said.&nbsp; The loud thud alerted residents and security staff, who rushed to the spot. By the time family members broke into the room, all three had already jumped, according to NDTV.&nbsp;They were rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared them dead. According to the report, police recovered a handwritten note and a diary from the room. In a message, the girls urged their parents to read the diary fully, stressing that it contained the truth. &nbsp;&ldquo;I&rsquo;m really sorry. Sorry, Papa,&rdquo; the note read, followed by a crying emoji. Investigators also found a message written on the wall of the room stating, &ldquo;I am very, very alone, my life is very very alone.&rdquo; According to the police and the girls&rsquo; father, the siblings were reportedly addicted to an online Korean task-based game, an obsession that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. They had allegedly adopted Korean names for themselves and followed tasks assigned through the game. The note also reportedly mentioned: &ldquo;We can&rsquo;t leave Korea. Korea is our life. You can&rsquo;t free us. We are ending our lives.&rdquo; Police say they are examining the&nbsp;girls&#39; diaries, digital devices, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/indian-state-mulls-social-media-ban-for-children" target="_blank">online activity</a>&nbsp;to determine the exact nature of the game and whether any external involvement was involved. Further investigation is ongoing.

India

Police recover a handwritten note and a diary from the room. In a message, the girls urged their parents to read the diary fully, stressing that it contained the truth.

Three Indian sisters die after roof jump following online gaming restrictions

ISLAMABAD: The Taliban in Afghanistan increased repression of women and girls in 2025 and imposed new restrictions limiting media freedom, Human Rights Watch said in its World Report 2026 released on Tuesday. &ldquo;Governments need to press the Taliban to end their&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/afghanistan-bans-women-from-heavy-labour-in-nuristan-province" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">horrific abuses</a>,&rdquo; said Fereshta Abbasi, an Afghanistan researcher at HRW.&nbsp; &ldquo;The Taliban&rsquo;s unrelenting repression should push governments to support efforts to hold all those responsible for serious crimes in Afghanistan to account.&rdquo; In its 36th edition, the 529-page World Report 2026 reviewed human rights practices in more than 100 countries.&nbsp; Executive Director Philippe Bolopion wrote in the report&rsquo;s introductory essay that breaking the global wave of authoritarianism is &ldquo;the challenge of a generation.&rdquo;&nbsp;&lsquo;Gender apartheid&rsquo;HRW said the Taliban issued new laws restricting women&rsquo;s freedom of movement and access to public spaces, while enforcing existing bans on post-primary education and limitations on employment, abuses United Nations experts have called &ldquo;gender apartheid.&rdquo;&nbsp; In July, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for senior Taliban leaders for the crime against humanity of gender persecution.&nbsp; On Oct. 6, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution creating an independent mechanism to investigate past and ongoing human rights abuses in Afghanistan.&nbsp;&lsquo;Morality&rsquo; lawsThe report also detailed new restrictions on media freedom, arbitrary detentions of critics, and arrests for alleged violations of &ldquo;morality&rdquo; laws, including improper hijab use or failing to maintain separate workplace facilities for men and women.&nbsp; HRW noted that fewer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/afghanistan-revokes-licenses-of-media-journalists-due-to-unprofessionalism" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">journalists</a>&nbsp;were working due to foreign aid cuts and Taliban policies. The organization urged governments to continue pressuring the Taliban to end human rights violations.

Afghanistan

Human Rights Watch says the Taliban issued new laws restricting women’s freedom of movement and access to public spaces, while enforcing existing bans on post-primary education and limitations on employment, abuses United Nations experts have called ‘gender apartheid.’

Taliban tighten restrictions on women, media in Afghanistan: Human rights report

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Super League franchises have locked in their retained players and released several big names ahead of the league&rsquo;s first-ever players&rsquo; auction, scheduled for Feb. 11, marking a major shift in how squads are built. <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: 922px; 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=2018771511897911472&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2F&sessionId=2c33c371487d07e8c8e629e0532d2a728993df1e&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>Under the revised rules for PSL 11, teams were allowed to retain only four players, compared to up to eight in previous seasons, forcing franchises to make tough calls and release several established stars into the auction pool. Entering the auction pool is a high-risk, high-reward situation for players. While strong demand can lead to higher prices, shifting team needs and limited budgets can result in a player going unsold.&nbsp;Lahore Qalandars, the defending champions, retained skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi (Platinum), Abdullah Shafique (Diamond), Sikandar Raza (Gold), and Mohammad Naeem (Silver). Big names such as Fakhar Zaman and Haris Rauf were released and will be available in the auction.&nbsp;Peshawar Zalmi held on to their core by retaining captain Babar Azam (Platinum), spinner Sufiyan Muqeem (Diamond), Abdul Samad (Gold), and young pacer Ali Raza (Emerging). Players like Mohammad Haris, Hussain Talat, and Saim Ayub were released.&nbsp;Quetta Gladiators opted for a balanced mix, keeping Abrar Ahmed (Platinum), Usman Tariq (Diamond), Hassan Nawaz (Gold), and Shamyl Hussain (Emerging). Notably, experienced campaigners Mohammad Amir, Faheem Ashraf, and Saud Shakeel, the skipper in PSL 10, were released.&nbsp;Karachi Kings retained Hasan Ali (Platinum), Abbas Afridi (Diamond), Khushdil Shah (Gold), and wicketkeeper Saad Baig (Emerging). Former captain Shan Masood, star bowler Mir Hamza, and overseas star David Warner were among the high-profile names heading to the auction.&nbsp;Islamabad United kept captain Shadab Khan (Platinum), pacer Salman Irshad (Gold), and USA batter Andries Gous (Silver). Senior players, including Naseem Shah, Imad Wasim, and Mohammad Nawaz, were released.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pcb-invites-bids-for-multan-sultans-franchise-ahead-of-psl-11" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Multan Sultans</a>&nbsp;took the boldest route, opting for zero retentions. As a result, marquee players such as Mohammad Rizwan, Usama Mir, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Mohammad Hasnain will all enter the auction, with the franchise heading in with a full purse of $1.6 million.&nbsp;PSL 11 auction The <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/psl-governing-council-approves-sweeping-player-auction-model-for-season-11" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">PSL&rsquo;s first-ever auction</a> will be held on Feb. 11 and comes ahead of a historic expansion of the league from six to eight teams. Hyderabad and Sialkot Stallionz will make their debut in PSL 11. <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-3" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 947px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-3&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2015403911864303842&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2F&sessionId=2c33c371487d07e8c8e629e0532d2a728993df1e&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/psl-auction-hyderabad-franchise-sells-for-a-record-61-million" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hyderabad franchise</a>&nbsp;was acquired by Fawad Sarwar for approximately $6.25 million, while Hamza Majeed secured ownership of Sialkot Stallionz with a winning bid of around $6.6 million.&nbsp;The 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League is set to begin on March 26 and will run until May 3, with the auction expected to reshape team combinations ahead of the expanded season.

Haris Rauf celebrates after taking Babar Azam's wicket in a PSL 10 encounter.

Cricket

Entering the auction pool is a high-risk, high-reward situation for players. While strong demand can lead to higher prices, shifting team needs and limited budgets can result in a player going unsold. 

Big retentions, high-profile releases ahead of PSL 11 auction

ISLAMABAD: Indian External Affairs Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar met United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Tuesday, with both sides highlighting efforts to deepen India-US strategic cooperation.&nbsp;According to the US State Department, Rubio and Jaishankar discussed formalizing bilateral cooperation on critical minerals, including exploration, mining, and processing.&nbsp;The State Department readout said the two leaders welcomed the trade deal reached between US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stressing that closer economic ties could unlock new opportunities and strengthen shared energy security goals.&nbsp;Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation through the Quad, emphasizing that a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region remains vital to advancing shared interests.&nbsp;In a post on social media platform X, Jaishankar said the meeting involved a wide-ranging exchange covering bilateral cooperation as well as regional and global issues.<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; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 815px; 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=2018811808220582060&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2F&sessionId=2c33c371487d07e8c8e629e0532d2a728993df1e&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>He said discussions on the India-US strategic partnership included trade, energy, nuclear cooperation, defense, critical minerals, and technology.&nbsp;&nbsp;He also said both sides agreed on holding early meetings of various bilateral mechanisms to advance shared objectives.&nbsp;The talks were held against the backdrop of a recently finalized bilateral trade deal between India and the United States, which has drawn attention across the region. US President Donald Trump on Monday said he had agreed&nbsp;to a trade deal with India that would slash US tariffs on Indian goods to 18% from 50% in exchange for India lowering trade barriers, stopping its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/russia-says-india-has-not-said-it-will-halt-oil-purchases" target="_blank">purchases of Russian oil</a>, and buying oil instead from the US and potentially from&nbsp;Venezuela.&nbsp;Following that, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a post on his X account, thanked the US president for the &ldquo;wonderful announcement&rdquo;, saying that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/modi-wants-to-please-me-trump" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">&ldquo;President Trump&rsquo;s leadership</a>&nbsp;is vital for global peace, stability, and prosperity. India fully supports his efforts for peace.&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-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 369px; 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=2018377090840830101&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2F&sessionId=2c33c371487d07e8c8e629e0532d2a728993df1e&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>&nbsp;He added: &ldquo;I look forward to working closely with him to take our partnership to unprecedented heights.&rdquo; Russia, on the other hand, said it has not received any indication from India that it would stop buying Russian oil following the announcement of a trade deal with US President Donald Trump.

Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar meets US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on February 3, 2026. (Photo: X/@DrSJaishankar)

US State Department says both leaders discussed formalizing bilateral cooperation on critical minerals, including exploration, mining, and processing.

Jaishankar, Rubio discuss critical minerals, strategic partnership in Washington

KYIV: Russia launched the &quot;most powerful&quot; attack this year on Ukraine&#39;s battered energy facilities overnight, Kyiv said on Tuesday, leaving hundreds of thousands without heating in frigid temperatures ahead of talks to end the four-year <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/russian-strikes-in-ukraine-kill-12-target-passenger-train" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">war</a>. Russia&#39;s strikes hit as temperatures dropped to their lowest since the start of the war in February 2022, killing two teenagers in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia and damaging a&nbsp;Soviet-era&nbsp;World War II monument. The attack came a day before Ukrainian and Russian negotiators were due to meet for a second round of US-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi. &quot;Taking advantage of the coldest days of winter to terrorize people is more important to Russia than turning to diplomacy,&quot; Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, denouncing the attack. He said Russia had &quot;once again disregarded the efforts of the American side.&quot; US President Donald Trump urged Vladimir Putin to &quot;end the war,&quot; adding that he &quot;would like&quot; his Russian counterpart to extend a brief halt in attacks due to the frigid temperatures. NATO chief Mark Rutte, who visited Kyiv on Tuesday, said &quot;Russian attacks like those last night do not signal seriousness about peace.&quot; An air alert blared out across Kyiv during Rutte&#39;s visit. AFP journalists heard explosions across the capital overnight, and residents in hundreds of buildings woke to find their heating cut off as temperatures dipped toward minus 20 Celsius. More than 1,100 residential buildings remained without heat as of late Tuesday, Restoration Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said. Some residents gathered around a damaged building, stepping over creaking debris and a thick layer of ice coating the ground. &quot;Our windows are broken, and we have no heating,&quot; Anastasia Grytsenko told AFP. &quot;We don&#39;t know what to do.&quot; Russia&#39;s defense ministry confirmed it had launched &quot;a massive strike&quot; against &quot;Ukrainian military-industrial complex enterprises and energy facilities.&quot; The Kremlin had last week said it agreed to a US request not to strike Kyiv for seven days, ending Sunday. Ukraine had not reported large-scale Russian attacks on the capital last week, while denouncing continued attacks in other parts of the country. &quot;Several types of ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones, were used to strike high-rise buildings and thermal power plants,&quot; Energy Minister Denys Shmygal said. &quot;Hundreds of thousands of families, including children, were deliberately left without heat in the harshest winter frosts,&quot; he added. Tuesday&#39;s strike on energy facilities was &quot;the most powerful&quot; since the start of 2026, Ukraine&#39;s largest private energy provider confirmed. Ukraine&#39;s air force said Russia had attacked with 71 missiles and 450 attack drones. Six people were wounded in the capital, officials said. A drone strike on the southern city of Zaporizhzhia also killed two teenagers and wounded at least 11 people, officials said. &#39;Symbolic and cynical&#39;&nbsp;The base of Kyiv&#39;s towering Soviet-era Motherland statue was damaged. &quot;It is both symbolic and cynical: the aggressor state strikes at a place of remembrance of the struggle against aggression in the 20th century, repeating its crimes in the 21st century,&quot; Culture Minister Tetyana Berezhna wrote on social media. Recent Russian strikes have repeatedly cut power and heating to tens of thousands of homes. Strikes also hit Ukraine&#39;s second-largest city, Kharkiv, temporarily cutting heating to around 100,000 subscribers. Authorities had to cut heating to more than 800 homes to prevent the wider network from freezing, the regional governor said. Overnight temperatures had plunged to minus 19 Celsius in Kyiv and minus 23 Celsius in Kharkiv. US pushes for deal&nbsp;Russian occupation authorities in southern Ukraine said Ukrainian shelling had killed three people in the town of Nova Kakhovka. Kremlin-installed authorities said the shelling hit a municipal building and a fruit shop. &quot;There are dead: three people, including an employee of the administration,&quot; said Vladimir Saldo, the Moscow-backed head of the Russian-controlled part of the Kherson region. Nova Kakhovka fell to Russian forces in the first days of their 2022 invasion. The United States has sought to craft a settlement between the two sides, but a first round of <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/first-round-of-usrussiaukraine-talks-ends-in-abu-dhabi" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">trilateral</a> talks held in Abu Dhabi last month failed to yield a breakthrough. A second round is due to <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/kremlin-confirms-ukraine-war-talks-this-week-in-abu-dhabi" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">begin</a> on Wednesday in the Emirati capital, and is expected to focus on the crucial issue of territory. Russia has demanded Kyiv withdraw from the Donetsk region and has repeatedly said it is ready to seize the rest of eastern Ukraine by force if diplomacy fails.

Europe

The US has sought to craft a settlement between the two sides, but a first round of trilateral talks failed to yield a breakthrough. A second round is due to begin on Wednesday in the Emirati capital.

Russia resumes large-scale Ukraine strikes in freezing weather

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Tuesday condemned the &ldquo;heinous and cowardly&rdquo; coordinated <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/balochistan-cm-vows-wont-surrender-even-an-inch-after-coordinated-attacks" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">terrorist attacks</a>&nbsp;in Pakistan&rsquo;s Balochistan province.&nbsp; Pakistan has faced a renewed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-reaffirms-resolve-after-security-forces-kill-108-indianbacked-terrorists" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">surge</a> in militant violence in recent years, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, following the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan&rsquo;s (TTP) decision to end its ceasefire with the government in November 2022.&nbsp; Last week&rsquo;s coordinated assaults, claimed by Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), left 17 security personnel martyred and 31 civilians dead.&nbsp; Consequently, Pakistani security forces, in counter terrorism operations, eliminated 177 terrorists, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif told the National Assembly. In a press statement issued today by Council President James Kariuki, the members of the UNSC expressed their &ldquo;deepest sympathy and condolences,&rdquo; wishing a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured. &ldquo;The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security,&rdquo; the statement shared by Pakistan&rsquo;s permanent mission to the UN said. The members underline the need &ldquo;to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable,&rdquo; bringing them to justice. They also urged all states to cooperate actively with the Pakistani government.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever, and by whomsoever committed,&rdquo; the statement said, reaffirming the need for all to combat threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts. Several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, etc., have separately <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/condemnations-pour-in-for-pakistan-as-security-forces-kill-another-22-indianbacked-militants" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">condemned</a> the attacks, expressing solidarity with Pakistan. BLA is listed as a terrorist organization by Pakistan, China, Iran, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union.

Security

Security Council members underline need “to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable,” and to bring them to justice. 

Balochistan attacks: UNSC condemns ‘heinous, cowardly’ terrorists

TRIPOLI: Seif al-Islam Kadhafi, the son of Libya&#39;s late longtime ruler, was killed Tuesday by gunmen who stormed his home in western Libya&#39;s Zintan, his French lawyer Marcel Ceccaldi told AFP. &quot;He was killed today at 2 pm (1200 GMT)... in Zintan in his home by a four-man commando,&quot; Ceccaldi said. Seif al-Islam, 53, had been seen by some as his father&#39;s successor, despite being targeted by a warrant from the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity. In 2021 he announced he would run for president, but those elections were indefinitely postponed. His adviser, Abdullah Othman Abdurrahim, told Libya&#39;s Al-Ahrar television channel that the four unidentified men had stormed the home before &quot;disabling surveillance cameras, then executed him.&quot; It remained unclear who was behind the killing. Ceccaldi said that a close associate of Seif al-Islam had told him days ago &quot;that there were problems with his security.&quot; &quot;So much so that the head of the (Kadhafi&#39;s) tribe had called Seif and told him, &#39;I will send you people to ensure your security&#39;. But Seif refused,&quot; he said. While Seif al-Islam held no official position in the North African country under his father&#39;s rule, he had been described as Libya&#39;s de facto prime minister, cultivating the image of a moderate and reformer prior to the 2011 Arab Spring revolt. But that reputation soon collapsed when he promised &quot;rivers of blood&quot; in the face of the uprisings. A divided country Seif al-Islam was arrested in November 2011 in southern Libya following a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court in The Hague. A Tripoli court later sentenced him to death in 2015 after a speedy trial, but he was granted amnesty. His whereabouts had long been unknown. Ceccaldi said he &quot;often moved around.&quot; Libya expert Emadeddin Badi said Seif al-Islam&#39;s death was &quot;likely to cast him as a martyr for a significant segment of the population, while also shifting electoral dynamics by removing a major obstacle to presidential elections.&quot; &quot;His candidacy and potential success had been a central point of contention,&quot; Badi wrote on X. Moamer Kadhafi&#39;s last spokesperson, Moussa Ibrahim, also posted on the social network: &quot;They killed him treacherously. He wanted a united, sovereign Libya, safe for all its people. &quot;I spoke with him two days ago. He spoke of nothing but a peaceful Libya and the safety of its people.&quot; Libya has struggled to recover from chaos that erupted after a NATO-backed uprising in 2011 overthrew longtime ruler Moamer Kadhafi. Libya remains divided between an UN-backed government based in Tripoli and an eastern administration backed by Haftar.

Africa

Libya has struggled to recover from chaos that erupted after a NATO-backed uprising in 2011 overthrew longtime ruler Moamer Kadhafi; country remains divided between an UN-backed government based in Tripoli and an eastern administration backed by Haftar.

Son of Libya's late ruler Kadhafi killed by armed gang

Web Desk/AFP

ISLAMABAD/RIYADH: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday met with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, where the two reviewed prospects for improving relations between the two countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.&nbsp;An official reception ceremony was held in honor of the Turkish president.&nbsp;During an official talks session, the crown prince welcomed the president to the country. President Erdoğan also expressed his pleasure at the visit.&nbsp;The two sides reviewed prospects for &ldquo;relations between the two countries, avenues of cooperation, and promising opportunities to further develop ties across various fields,&rdquo; SPA reported.&nbsp;The talks, attended by several officials from both sides, also discussed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-saudi-arabia-agree-to-enhance-cooperation-in-energy-and-minerals" style="color:#0073e6;">regional</a>&nbsp;and international developments and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-joins-saudi-arabia-turkey-in-backing-un-gaza-peace-plan" style="color:#0073e6;">efforts</a>&nbsp;made in this regard.&nbsp;In the first visit in more than two years, Ankara hopes to &quot;finalize negotiations towards a free trade agreement between Turkey and the member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)&quot;, the Turkish presidency said.&nbsp;&quot;The two sides agreed to strengthen their cooperation in the fields of oil, petroleum products, and petrochemicals,&quot; as well as in &quot;electricity and renewable energy... building on Saudi Arabia&#39;s massive energy investments,&quot; the statement added.&nbsp;Ties between Turkiye and Saudi Arabia have steadily recovered in recent years, with the countries cooperating on a range of diplomatic issues.&nbsp;This includes support for Gaza and backing Syria&#39;s new government in the wake of the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in 2024.&nbsp;Turkish state-run news agency Anadolu reported that Erdogan would then travel to Cairo on Wednesday.

Middle East

Ankara hopes to "finalize negotiations towards a free trade agreement between Turkey and the member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)."


Erdogan, Saudi Crown Prince review prospects for improving bilateral ties

JERICHO/JERUSALEM: Palestinian health officials said Israeli forces shot dead a man and wounded three others in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Palestinian Authority would play no role in post-war governance of <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/gaza-civil-defence-says-22-killed-in-israeli-strikes" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Gaza</a>. The Ramallah-based health ministry said that Saeed Nael Saeed al-Sheikh was martyred by &ldquo;occupation gunfire in Jericho, and three others were injured.&rdquo; The Israeli military said the soldiers opened fire after &quot;rocks&quot; were thrown at them. The death of the 24-year-old Saeed was confirmed to AFP by Riad Eid, director of the Jericho Governmental Hospital. The Israeli military alleged that soldiers carrying out an operation in the Jericho area &quot;identified a number of terrorists who hurled rocks at the forces.&quot; &quot;The soldiers responded with live fire, one terrorist was eliminated, and hits were identified on the additional terrorists,&quot; a military statement claimed. Violence has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-muslim-nations-denounce-israeli-ceasefire-breaches-killing-palestinians-in-gaza" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">surged</a>&nbsp;across the West Bank since the war in Gaza broke out in October 2023 after an unprecedented attack by Hamas on Israel. At least 1,033 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli forces or settlers since the war started, according to the Palestinian health ministry. During the same period, 45 Israelis, including soldiers, have been killed in Palestinian attacks in the territory, according to official Israeli figures. Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967. PA won&#39;t be part of post-war Gaza governance: Netanyahu tells USSeparately, while meeting US envoy Steve Witkoff in Jerusalem on Tuesday, Netanyahu said that the PA would not be part of post-war Gaza&#39;s governance &quot;in any way.&quot; &quot;The Prime Minister clarified that the Palestinian Authority will not be involved in administering the Strip in any way,&quot; Netanyahu&#39;s office said in a statement after the meeting ended. Under US President Donald Trump&#39;s Gaza ceasefire plan that ended a two-year war in the Palestinian territory, the PA&#39;s post-war role in Gaza was left unclear. The technocratic National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) was established to oversee day-to-day affairs until the PA completes its reform program. Witkoff held talks with Netanyahu on Tuesday, during a visit that followed the reopening of Gaza&#39;s Rafah crossing with Egypt. This was the second meeting between the two in less than a fortnight. At the meeting, Netanyahu also &quot;reiterated the uncompromising demand for the disarmament of Hamas, the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip, and the fulfilment of the war objectives prior to the reconstruction of the Strip,&quot; according to his office. Israel has demanded that neither Hamas nor the PA should be involved in the governance of post-war Gaza. On Monday, Netanyahu&#39;s office lamented that the NCAG logo includes a PA symbol, suggesting a link between the two. &quot;Israel will not accept the use of a Palestinian Authority symbol; the Palestinian Authority will have no part in the administration of Gaza,&quot; his office said in a statement. The NCAG replied on X on Tuesday, saying it &quot;has been testing a range of visual concepts&quot; and that logo designs may evolve, and added that its focus is &quot;humanitarian relief, civilian administration, recovery, and a livable future for Gaza.&quot; &quot;That&#39;s the conversation that matters,&quot; it said.

Israeli military says soldiers opened fire after "rocks" were thrown at them; at least 1,033 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli forces or settlers since the Gaza bombardment started.

Articles by Shaharyar Khalid