Web Desk

<div id="isPasted">ISLAMABAD: US and allied forces carried out &ldquo;large-scale&rdquo; strikes against the Islamic State jihadist group in Syria on Saturday, the US military said, in the latest response to an attack last month that left three Americans dead.</div> Washington said a lone gunman from the militant group carried out the Dec. 13 attack in Palmyra &mdash; home to UNESCO-listed ancient ruins and once controlled by jihadist fighters &mdash; that killed two US soldiers and a US civilian interpreter. &ldquo;The strikes today targeted ISIS throughout Syria&rdquo; and were part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, which was launched &ldquo;in direct response to the deadly ISIS attack on US and Syrian forces in Palmyra,&rdquo; US Central Command said in a statement on X, using an acronym for the jihadist group.<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" 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=2010089772120002721&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Flogin&sessionId=cee458877eb6fbabc6f4aea1b886e701fa5b9975&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 224px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2010089772120002721"></iframe></div></div> The United States and Jordan carried out a previous round of strikes as part of the same operation last month, hitting dozens of Islamic State group targets. The Palmyra attack was the first such incident since the overthrow of Syria&rsquo;s longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. The US personnel who were targeted were supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, the international effort to combat the Islamic State group, which seized swaths of Syrian and Iraqi territory in 2014. The jihadists were ultimately defeated by local ground forces backed by international airstrikes and other support, but the group still has a presence in Syria, especially in the country&rsquo;s vast desert regions. US President Donald Trump has long been skeptical of Washington&rsquo;s presence in Syria, ordering the withdrawal of troops during his first term but ultimately leaving American forces in the country. The Pentagon announced in April that the United States would halve the number of US personnel in Syria in the following months, while US envoy for Syria Tom Barrack said in June that Washington would eventually reduce its bases in the country to one.

Americas

Middle East

US and allied forces carried out “large-scale” strikes against the Islamic State jihadist group in Syria on Saturday, the US military said, in the latest response to an attack last month that left three Americans dead

US announces 'large-scale' strikes against IS in Syria

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has placed esports at the center of its international youth engagement strategy, with Chairman of the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Youth Program (PMYP) Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan using a series of high-level meetings in the United Kingdom to promote esports as a global career pathway for Pakistani youth. According to an official statement issued by the Press Information Department, Khan&rsquo;s UK engagements focused on connecting Pakistan&rsquo;s young population with the rapidly expanding global esports and digital economy, while strengthening international partnerships in skills development, innovation, and policy design. A key meeting was held with British Esports President Chester King, where both sides explored collaboration on esports policy development, curriculum design, digital skills training, and institutional strengthening. The discussions also included plans for joint esports tournaments and international events aimed at giving Pakistani youth exposure to global competition and professional networks. &ldquo;Esports is no longer just entertainment; it is a fast-growing global industry offering real career opportunities in digital skills, innovation, and entrepreneurship,&rdquo; Khan said, according to the statement. The PMYP chairman emphasized the need for structured knowledge exchange and policy guidance to support Pakistan&rsquo;s emerging esports ecosystem, noting that international collaboration is essential for aligning local talent with global industry standards. He invited King to visit Pakistan to participate in upcoming national esports initiatives. The statement added that potential cooperation with the British Council was also discussed, particularly in integrating game development, esports management, and broader digital skills into youth-focused programs under the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Youth Program. Beyond esports, Khan highlighted Pakistan&rsquo;s wider youth empowerment agenda during his UK visit. He outlined flagship initiatives such as the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Youth Laptop Scheme, under which more than 600,000 laptops have been distributed, and specialized training programs in artificial intelligence, data science, and blockchain. He also cited the Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Scheme, which has disbursed Rs64.4 billion [$230 million] to over 120,000 young entrepreneurs, with a focus on women, technology startups, agriculture, and small and medium-sized enterprises. During a visit to the Muslim Hands Open Kitchen in Hounslow, Khan praised the organization&rsquo;s humanitarian work, calling it &ldquo;a powerful example of Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to serving humanity beyond borders.&rdquo; He noted that the project has received recognition from national and international bodies, including the British government. &ldquo;The Open Kitchen projects a positive image of Pakistan across the United Kingdom and Europe, rooted in compassion, discipline, and sustained service,&rdquo; he said. Khan concluded that esports, digital innovation, and community service together form a modern framework for youth empowerment, positioning Pakistan&rsquo;s young population to compete, collaborate, and contribute on the global stage.

E-Sports

Islamabad promotes esports, digital innovation, and youth empowerment in the UK, highlighting global collaboration, career opportunities, and community service as key drivers for the next generation.

Pakistan pitches esports as youth career path in high-level UK talks

ISLAMABAD: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kirit Somaiya on Saturday said the Maharashtra government under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had canceled 224,000 allegedly fake birth certificates issued to Bangladeshi nationals and announced plans for a &ldquo;special campaign&rdquo; to identify and deport undocumented migrants following local body elections.&nbsp;Speaking to Indian news agency IANS, Somaiya said: &ldquo;Maharashtra is the first state where Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has canceled 224,000 fake birth certificates of Bangladeshi citizens.&rdquo;&nbsp;He added that a statewide drive would begin after January 16 to identify Bangladeshi nationals living &ldquo;illegally&rdquo; in Maharashtra.&nbsp;&ldquo;A special drive will be launched after the elections to identify each and every one of them and deport the Bangladeshi nationals,&rdquo; Somaiya said, adding that authorities would scrutinize Aadhaar cards, ration cards, voter identity cards, and birth certificates, according to local media reports.&nbsp;The remarks follow similar statements earlier this week by Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane on action against undocumented migrants.&nbsp;Somaiya also criticized West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of opposing investigations for political reasons.&nbsp;&ldquo;Mamata Banerjee does not show any concern about the killings of Hindus in Bangladesh. She sees the vote bank before the upcoming assembly elections,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Her vote bank includes people of Bangladeshi origin. All this comes out, so she does not want to allow any investigation to proceed.&rdquo;&nbsp;He further alleged that Bangladeshi nationals had settled in large numbers in West Bengal and Assam. &ldquo;Today in these states, Bangladeshi citizens decide the leadership,&rdquo; Somaiya said, without providing evidence.&nbsp;Somaiya also targeted All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen Chief Asaduddin Owaisi and regional political rivals in Maharashtra. &ldquo;Owaisi&rsquo;s party is saying that they want to make Mumbai a Muslim city,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;The BJP leader also criticized opposition candidates for their campaign practices, accusing them of promoting what he described as &ldquo;extremism.&rdquo;&nbsp;Citing demographic changes in Mumbai, Somaiya noted that the city&rsquo;s Muslim population had increased from 8.8% in 1947 to 24.8% at present.&nbsp;&ldquo;Bharatiya Janata Party will not tolerate any compromise on repatriation of Bangladeshi citizens,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;Somaiya&rsquo;s remarks come amid rising tensions between India and Bangladesh, particularly following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.&nbsp;Bangladeshi officials allege that New Delhi has long meddled in their domestic politics, operating behind the scenes and influencing political outcomes.&nbsp;Dhaka has expressed concern that the Indian system is increasingly replacing Bangladesh&rsquo;s electoral process, casting shadows over upcoming elections. For Bangladesh, such statements from Indian political leaders underscore fears over sovereignty, democratic integrity, and activist safety, reflecting a marked deterioration in bilateral relations since Hasina&rsquo;s exit.

India

BJP leader Kirit Somaiya announces statewide drive to identify and deport 224,000 Bangladeshi nationals, escalating India-Bangladesh tensions amid concerns over electoral interference and activist safety.

India threatens ‘special mission’ to deport 224,000 Bangladeshi nationals

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy demonstrated its operational readiness and combat preparedness through a comprehensive exercise in the North Arabian Sea, showcasing both conventional and unmanned capabilities, as per the dictates of evolving naval warfare. A press release issued by Pakistan military&rsquo;s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Saturday, stated: The exercise included the successful live firing of LY-80(N) Surface to Air Missile (SAM) from Vertical Launching System at extended range, validating the long-range capabilities of Pakistan Navy&#39;s modern air defense systems. Loitering munition&nbsp;The statement said that &ldquo;LY-80(N) SAM successfully engaged and neutralized an aerial target, demonstrating Pakistan Navy&#39;s robust air defense capabilities.&rdquo; &ldquo;The exercise also featured the successful engagement of surface targets using Loitering Munition (LM), demonstrating Pakistan Navy&#39;s precision strike capabilities.&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" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 624px; 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=2009930694253052185&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=0dfc7bbdac468c5b6e22137503d5558da1ddc4b8&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" data-tweet-id="2009930694253052185"></iframe></div></div>Loitering Munition (LM) successfully engaged and destroyed surface targets, showcasing its effectiveness in modern naval warfare, it said. Autonomous naval technologyThe press release said successful open-sea trials of Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) were also conducted, marking a significant leap in autonomous naval technology. &ldquo;The trials validated the platform&rsquo;s ability to combine high-speed performance with mission-critical durability,&rdquo; the ISPR&rsquo;s statement said.<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" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 1056px; 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=2009930696912187840&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=0dfc7bbdac468c5b6e22137503d5558da1ddc4b8&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" data-tweet-id="2009930696912187840"></iframe></div></div>Key capabilities demonstrated include extreme maneuverability, precision navigation, and weather resilience, it added. The statement further said, &ldquo;USV offers a low-risk, high-impact solution with the stealth of a tactical interceptor.&rdquo; Safeguarding maritime interests &nbsp;Commander Pakistan Fleet witnessed the exercise, which showcased Pakistan Navy&#39;s ability to employ advanced systems. Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Chief of the Naval Staff, commended officers and men of the Pakistan Navy for their professionalism and operational competence. He reaffirmed Pakistan Navy&#39;s resolve to ensure seaward defense of Pakistan and safeguard national maritime interests under all circumstances.

Security

Demonstrates its combat readiness in the North Arabian Sea through a comprehensive exercise featuring live missile firing, precision strikes, and advanced unmanned systems, underscoring its evolving operational capabilities.

Pakistan Navy showcases modern warfare capabilities in North Arabian Sea

The Pentagon building in Arlington, Virginia, US (AFP/File)

Fact Check

Viral

Social media users revived the 'Pentagon pizza theory' after late-night restaurant activity near the Pentagon, fueling speculation about secret US military activity.

Pentagon pizza theory: late-night orders spark online war speculation

ISLAMABAD: Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force (PAF), called on Lieutenant General Staff Pilot Mohanad Ghalib Mohammed Radi Al-Asadi, Commander of the Iraqi Air Force, during his official visit to Iraq, the military said on Saturday.&nbsp;The Air Chief was received with a Guard of Honor at the Iraqi Air Force Headquarters, reflecting strong mutual respect between the two forces, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations, the media wing of the Pakistani military.&nbsp;Discussions focused on enhancing bilateral military cooperation, including joint training, capacity building, and operational coordination.&nbsp;Air Chief Sidhu highlighted the deep-rooted religious, cultural, and historical ties between Pakistan and Iraq, reaffirming PAF&rsquo;s commitment to supporting the Iraqi Air Force in training and capacity development. Both commanders agreed to pursue joint exercises and training initiatives to strengthen interoperability.&nbsp;The Iraqi Air Chief praised PAF&rsquo;s professionalism and technological advancements, expressing keen interest in Pakistan&rsquo;s world-class training programs, JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, and Super Mushshak trainer aircraft. He also acknowledged Pakistan&rsquo;s role in promoting regional stability.&nbsp;The visit highlighted the shared resolve of both air forces to further deepen defense ties and professional collaboration.

Discussions focus on enhancing bilateral military cooperation, including joint training, capacity building, and operational coordination.


Pakistan air chief pledges support for Iraqi Air Force training

ISLAMABAD: Turkiye is reportedly seeking to join the mutual defense agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, potentially creating a new trilateral security alignment, Bloomberg reported on Saturday.&nbsp;&nbsp;The US-based news agency cited unnamed sources familiar with the matter, saying the talks are at an advanced stage and &ldquo;a deal is very likely.&rdquo;&nbsp;According to Bloomberg, Turkiye views joining the pact as a way to strengthen security and deterrence amid questions over the reliability of the United States and changing regional dynamics. The report noted that Turkiye&rsquo;s interests increasingly overlap with those of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.&nbsp;The story also referenced comments from Nihat Ali Ozcan, a strategist at Ankara-based think tank TEPAV, who highlighted the combined strengths of the three countries.&nbsp;&nbsp;&ldquo;Riyadh brings financial clout, Islamabad its nuclear capability and manpower, while Turkiye contributes military experience and a developed defense industry,&rdquo; Ozcan told Bloomberg.&nbsp;&nbsp;The report added that the expanded alliance could shift regional and global security calculations, particularly as countries seek new mechanisms to identify friends and foes in a changing geopolitical environment.&nbsp;Bloomberg further noted that Turkiye has already been deepening defense ties with both countries, including constructing corvette warships for the Pakistan Navy, upgrading the Pakistan Air Force&rsquo;s F-16s, and sharing drone technology.&nbsp;&nbsp;The outlet added that Turkiye now aims to involve Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in its Kaan fifth-generation fighter jet program.&nbsp;Pakistan-Saudi Arabia defense pactThe&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistansaudi-defense-pact-oozes-with-unknowns" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pakistan-Saudi Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement</a>&nbsp;was signed in Riyadh in September 2025 by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.&nbsp;Under the pact, any attack on either nation would be treated as an act of aggression against both. The agreement is part of a broader effort to strengthen military and strategic cooperation between Islamabad and Riyadh, which also includes economic assistance and energy support.

Foreign Affairs

Bloomberg says Turkiye views joining the pact as a way to strengthen security and deterrence amid questions over the reliability of the United States and changing regional dynamics.

Turkiye joining Pakistan-Saudi Arabia defense pact: Report

ISLAMABAD: India on Friday said it is &ldquo;closely following the developments&rdquo; on a proposed US legislation that seeks to impose 500% tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil, Indian media reported. Reacting to the proposed legislation, India&rsquo;s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said: &ldquo;We are aware of the proposed bill. We are closely following the developments. Our position on the larger question of energy sourcing is well known. In this endeavor, we are guided by the evolving dynamics of the global market and by the imperative to secure affordable energy from diverse sources to meet the energy security needs of our 1.4 billion people,&rdquo; the MEA said.<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" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 417px; 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=2009574142857908257&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=0dfc7bbdac468c5b6e22137503d5558da1ddc4b8&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" data-tweet-id="2009574142857908257"></iframe></div></div>India is once again facing the heat of a proposed US law that would seek to levy as much as 500% tariffs on countries for buying Russian oil, after US Senator Lindsey Graham said President Donald Trump has &ldquo;greenlit&rdquo; the Russia sanctions bill. &lsquo;Tremendous leverage&rsquo; against IndiaGraham, chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, said: &ldquo;This bill would give President Trump tremendous leverage against countries like China, India, and Brazil to incentivize them to stop buying the cheap Russian oil that provides the financing for [Vladimir] Putin&rsquo;s bloodbath against Ukraine.&rdquo; The bill, titled the &ldquo;Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025&rdquo;, enables the US administration to impose tariffs and secondary sanctions on countries buying Russian oil, gas, and uranium, among other goods. &ldquo;The President must increase the rate of duty on all goods and services imported from Russia into the United States to at least 500% relative to the value of such goods and services,&rdquo; according to the bill. Trade deal stalemate&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, a planned India&ndash;US trade deal stalled because Prime Minister Narendra Modi <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/us-commerce-secretary-blames-modi-call-for-india-trade-deal-stalemate" style="color:#0073e6;">did not call </a>President Donald Trump, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick claimed on Friday. Lutnick made the remarks in an interview on the All-In podcast, a US business and technology show hosted by four venture capitalists.&nbsp; He said, &ldquo;It&#39;s all set up, and you have got to have Modi call the president,&rdquo; and they were uncomfortable doing it. So Modi didn&#39;t call.&rdquo;

India again faces pressure from a proposed US law seeking tariffs up to 500% on countries buying Russian oil, after Senator Lindsey Graham said President Donald Trump has greenlit the Russia sanctions bill.

‘Closely following developments’: India on US bill seeking to impose 500% tariff 

ISLAMABAD: The 13th Pakistan-United States bilateral joint exercise &quot;Inspired Gambit-2026&quot; kicked off on Jan. 9 at the National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC) in Pabbi, the military said on Saturday. The two-week-long exercise brings together professional contingents from the armies of both countries to conduct training in the counterterrorism (CT) domain, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military&rsquo;s media wing. Officials from Pakistan and the United States attended the opening ceremony. The exercise aims to enhance mutual understanding and operational interoperability by sharing experiences in counterterrorism operations, according to the statement. Training focuses on urban warfare marksmanship, understanding each other&rsquo;s operational doctrines, and refining tactics, techniques, and procedures essential for effective CT operations. Joint exercises like Inspired Gambit play a key role in addressing evolving security challenges, improving professional military standards, and strengthening the capacity of both forces to operate in complex counterterrorism environments, it added.

Officials from Pakistan and the United States attend the opening ceremony.


Pakistan, US begin two-week-long counterterrorism exercise

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has advised its citizens to avoid all unnecessary travel to Iran until the security situation improves, according to a travel advisory issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday. The advisory stated that the decision was made in light of the prevailing security conditions, urging Pakistani nationals to prioritize their safety and security. Pakistanis currently residing in Iran have been asked to exercise extreme caution, remain vigilant and limit non-essential movement. The advisory also urged them to stay in regular contact with Pakistani diplomatic missions in the country.<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: 827px; 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=2009859476799860748&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Flogin&sessionId=b8b0cc8bf1f1a9c6f67f50a90d2278f34b08635e&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>The Foreign Office shared the contact details of the Embassy of Pakistan in Tehran and its consular offices in Zahidan and Mashhad to facilitate its citizens in case of emergencies.&nbsp;The advisory said Pakistani missions in Iran remain available to provide assistance and support to nationals as required. Citizens were advised to closely follow official updates and comply with local laws and security guidelines while in Iran. Protests in IranThe advisory comes after reports of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/new-protests-erupt-in-iran-despite-internet-shutdown" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">countrywide protests in the neighboring country</a>, with authorities blocking the internet as part of a crackdown that has left dozens dead. On Friday, US President Donald Trump said it looked like Iran&#39;s leaders were &ldquo;in big trouble&rdquo; and repeated an earlier threat of military strikes if peaceful protesters are killed.<br style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; scroll-behavior: auto !important; font-family: Roboto, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, sans-serif;">&ldquo;It looks to me that the people are taking over certain cities that nobody thought were really possible just a few weeks ago,&rdquo; Trump said.

Culture

Urges Pakistani nationals to prioritize their safety and security.

Pakistan advises citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Iran

WASHINGTON: The US State Department on Saturday urged Americans in Venezuela to leave the country &ldquo;immediately,&rdquo; citing risks from armed militias searching vehicles for US citizens at roadblocks. &ldquo;The security situation in Venezuela remains fluid,&rdquo; the department said in a security alert, one week after the country&rsquo;s leader, Nicolas Maduro, was captured by US forces in a lightning raid. &ldquo;As international flights have resumed, US citizens in Venezuela should leave the country immediately,&rdquo; it said, warning of armed militias, called colectivos, searching cars for Americans or evidence of US support.<figure class="fr-media"> </figure>

The US State Department on Saturday urged Americans in Venezuela to leave the country “immediately,” citing risks from armed militias searching vehicles for US citizens at roadblocks.

US urges Americans to leave Venezuela 'immediately' due to risk

Aleena Zara Malik

Global media often frames conspiracy theories in Pakistan as cultural or even biological, while treating the same beliefs in Western societies as political or social phenomena. In this episode of Debunkistan, we challenge that double standard. Using data from the US, UK, and Europe, this episode breaks down why conspiracy thinking is a human response to uncertainty, mistrust, and broken information systems, not a national DNA marker.

Debunkistan

Conspiracy Is Not a National Trait | Debunkistan

BRISBANE: Aryna Sabalenka beat Karolina Muchova in straight sets to reach her third Brisbane International final in a row on Saturday, a week before the Australian Open.&nbsp;Sabalenka looked in great touch against the tricky Czech, who had won their last three meetings and went into the match as one of the few players with a winning record over the world number one.&nbsp;But Sabalenka showed her class and power as she broke Muchova once in each set to take the semi-final 6-3, 6-4 in 89 minutes and will face Ukraine&#39;s Marta Kostyuk in Sunday&#39;s women&#39;s final.&nbsp;Former world number one Daniil Medvedev will take on unseeded American Brandon Nakashima in the men&#39;s final.&nbsp;&quot;I struggled against her a couple of times (in the past),&quot; Sabalenka, the defending champion, said of Muchova.&nbsp;&quot;I&#39;m happy that today I was focused from the beginning and I was able to show such great tennis and put her under so much pressure and get the win in straight sets.&quot;&nbsp;The 27-year-old Belarusian said she could feel her level getting better with every match in Brisbane, where she is yet to drop a set.&nbsp;She said that with seven of the world&#39;s top 10 having entered, it was ideal preparation for the Australian Open, which begins in Melbourne on January 18.&nbsp;Sabalenka is aiming to win a third Australian Open in four years.&nbsp;&quot;I definitely feel that compared to the first match here, I&#39;m playing better and better,&quot; she said.&nbsp;&quot;That&#39;s really important heading to Melbourne, to build that level, and to play some great matches against great opponents.&nbsp;&quot;So I&#39;m super happy with the performance so far and cannot wait to play my final match here.&quot;&nbsp;Kostyuk, who entered the week ranked 26th in the world, swept past world number six Jessica Pegula 6-0, 6-3 in just 55 minutes in a stunning display of power and aggression.&nbsp;Kostyuk&#39;s demolition of the American made it three wins over top 10 players in succession.&nbsp;She beat world number three Amanda Anisimova in the third round and ninth-ranked Mirra Andreeva in the quarter-finals.&nbsp;&quot;I think it was one of those days today when everything you touch turns into gold,&quot; Kostyuk said.&nbsp;&quot;Personally, I didn&#39;t have many matches like this in my career, especially against top-10 players, so it&#39;s a great bonus to have such a match because it&#39;s not easy conditions in Brisbane. It&#39;s very hot, very humid.&quot;&nbsp;Kostyuk has never beaten Sabalenka in four previous meetings but said the pressure was all on her opponent.&nbsp;&quot;The pressure is not on me -- I want to go out there and put on a good show for the crowd,&quot; she said.&nbsp;&quot;I really have nothing to lose.&quot;&nbsp;In the men&#39;s draw, top seed Medvedev beat Alex Michelsen of the United States 6-4, 6-2 while Nakashima defeated another American in Aleksandar Kovacevic, 7-6 (7/4), 6-4.

Tennis

Aryna Sabalenka reached her third straight Brisbane final after beating Karolina Muchova and will face Marta Kostyuk. Daniil Medvedev also advanced to the men’s final, as players prepare for the Australian Open.

Sabalenka into third straight Brisbane final ahead of Australian Open

JAKARTA: Indonesia suspended Elon Musk&#39;s AI chatbot Grok on Saturday over concerns about AI-generated pornographic content, the country&#39;s communication and digital affairs minister said.&nbsp;Grok has faced a global backlash after it emerged that its image creation feature allowed users to sexualize pictures of women and children using simple text prompts.&nbsp;Indonesia is the first country to deny all access to the tool, which has been restricted to paying subscribers elsewhere following the backlash.&nbsp;&quot;In order to protect women, children, and the public from the risks of fake pornographic content generated using the artificial intelligence technology, the government has temporarily blocked access to the Grok application,&quot; Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid said in a statement.&nbsp;&quot;The government views non-consensual deep fake practices as a serious violation of human rights, dignity, and the security of citizens in the digital space.&quot;&nbsp;The ministry has also summoned representatives from social media platform X to seek clarification on the issue.&nbsp;According to AFP journalists in Jakarta, the Grok X account was still active and replying to queries, including in Bahasa Indonesia, on Saturday evening.&nbsp;Musk-owned startup xAI, which developed Grok, was not immediately available for comment in person.&nbsp;European officials and tech campaigners slammed the move to limit Grok&#39;s features to paying subscribers, saying it failed to address concerns about sexually explicit deep fake content.&nbsp;Musk said last week in response to a post about the explicit images that anyone using Grok to &quot;make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content&quot;.

Artificial Intelligence

Indonesia has blocked Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok over concerns it enables pornographic deepfake content involving women and children. The government called it a human rights violation and summoned platform X for clarification.

Indonesia suspends Musk's Grok AI over pornographic content: minister

ISTANBUL: One person died and seven others were missing Saturday after a migrant boat sank in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Turkiye, the Turkish coast guard said.&nbsp;Thirty-seven passengers on a rubber dinghy which took on water before dawn off the western city of Dikili, north of Izmir, were rescued alive, the coast guard stated.&nbsp;Dikili, a small seaside resort, faces the Greek island of Lesbos, some 20 kilometres (12 miles) away.&nbsp;&quot;Search operations ... are continuing to find the seven missing irregular migrants,&quot; the coast guard said.&nbsp;Shipwrecks are common for perilous crossings to the Greek islands, which are a gateway to the European Union.&nbsp;Nearly 1,900 migrants either disappeared or were found drowned in the Mediterranean in 2025, according to the International Organization for Migration.

Asia

One migrant died and seven were missing after a rubber dinghy sank off Dikili, Turkiye. Thirty-seven were rescued near Lesbos, and searches continue. The International Organization for Migration says 1,900 migrants died or disappeared in 2025.

One dead, seven missing after migrant boat sinks off Turkiye

HAVANA: The capture by US forces of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and the killing in the operation of 32 Cubans assigned to protect him represent a major blow for the island&#39;s revered intelligence services, experts say.&nbsp;Fearful of betrayal by dissenters within Venezuela&#39;s ranks, the leftist Maduro, like his late mentor Hugo Chavez sourced his security detail in communist-ruled Cuba.&nbsp;But the Cubans proved little match for the US special forces sent by helicopter to snatch Maduro from a military compound after US jets had pummeled Venezuela&#39;s air defenses.&nbsp;Of the 32 Cubans killed, along with 23 Venezuelan troops, 21 were from the Cuban interior ministry, which oversees the intelligence services, officials said.&nbsp;The remaining 11 were from Cuba&#39;s military.&nbsp;Experts consulted by AFP agreed that the key to the seamless execution of the US operation meticulously prepared for months, in complete secrecy was the element of surprise.&nbsp;But former Venezuelan military officer Jose Gustavo Arocha of the Center for a Secure Free Society, a US think tank specializing in defense issues, also suggested that Cuba had misjudged the threat.&nbsp;Cuban intelligence &quot;convinced the Maduro regime and its security agencies that the United States would never attack on Venezuelan territory,&quot; Arocha said.&nbsp;Former US intelligence officer Fulton Armstrong, who is now a Latin America researcher at American University in Washington, also pointed to intelligence failures.&nbsp;Chief among them, he said, was the failure to anticipate the attack and then to detect helicopters entering Venezuela&#39;s airspace.&nbsp;&quot;Even a five- or 10-minute warning would have made a massive difference for the guards and for Maduro,&quot; the former CIA agent said.&nbsp;US forces however, had a major advantage in the form of stealth drones, used to monitor the Venezuelan leader&#39;s movements in real time, as well as more advanced weapons and combat gear.&nbsp;Paul Hare, a former British ambassador to Cuba and Venezuela, argued that Cuban intelligence underestimated US access to &quot;insider cooperation in Venezuela,&quot;&nbsp; an informant within Maduro&#39;s camp.&nbsp;Citing sources close to the operation, The New York Times reported that a CIA source within the Venezuelan government revealed Maduro&#39;s location.&nbsp;The United States had issued a reward of $50 million for information leading to his capture.&nbsp;Aura of invincibility&nbsp;For decades, the Cuban secret service, trained during the Soviet era by the KGB, enjoyed a reputation for invincibility.&nbsp;Besides having foiled some 600 assassination attempts against late leader Fidel Castro, Cuba was reputed for its ability to infiltrate foreign intelligence services and recruit high-ranking informants, particularly Americans.&nbsp;The most recent case to come to light was that of Victor Manuel Rocha, a former US diplomat sentenced in 2024 to 15 years in prison after working for over four decades for the Cuban state.&nbsp;But Cuba &quot;didn&#39;t adequately read the Trump administration,&quot; said Arocha, noting that the administration&#39;s National Security Strategy unveiled in December clearly articulated Trump&#39;s goal of asserting US dominance over Latin America.&nbsp;Washington had regularly denounced Cuba&#39;s role, since the 2000s, in the Venezuelan security apparatus.&nbsp;The routine response from Caracas and Havana was that Cuba, in return for Venezuelan oil supplies, provided its ally with doctors and humanitarian workers.&nbsp;Arocha argued that &quot;so many years... doing the same thing successfully&quot; blinded the Cubans to Trump&#39;s willingness to defy diplomacy and international law, so they did not see him coming.&nbsp;The Republican leader stunned the world by ordering the capture of the Venezuelan president in what his administration said was a law enforcement operation that did not require authorization from Congress.&nbsp;&quot;All the capabilities of Cuban intelligence were blocked for the first time in the region... because their traditional methods became irrelevant against this new decision-making style,&quot; Arocha said.

US forces captured Nicolas Maduro in a surprise operation that killed Cuban and Venezuelan guards. Experts say Cuban intelligence failed to anticipate the attack, underestimated US intentions, and was outmatched by secrecy, technology, and insider information.

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Conspiracy Is Not a National Trait | Debunkistan