News

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/1/4/live-israels-bombing-carnage-escalates-as-gaza-ceasefire-talks-resume

Here is the situation on Friday, January 3: Fighting Politics Economy Regional tension Finland’s national power grid operator said it had asked a Helsinki court to seize the Eagle S oil tanker in a bid to secure the company’s claim for damages related to the severing of the undersea Estlink 2 electricity interconnector. The cable between Finland and Estonia was damaged on December 25 along with four telecoms lines.Here are the key developments on the 1,044th day of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Angered by Ukraine’s stoppage of Russian gas, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said he would consider the possibility of reducing support for Ukrainians in Slovakia and repeated the threat of stopping electricity deliveries to its larger neighbour. The Lithuanian government said that the recent failure of the Estlink 2 undersea cable, which has been blamed on a Russian vessel, does not affect the planned synchronisation of the Baltic states’ electricity grid with Western Europe. Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/3/russia-ukraine-war-list-of-key-events-day-1044

New members replaced Japan, Ecuador, Malta, Mozambique and Switzerland whose terms ended on December 31, 2024 Pakistan’s Alternate Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, has reaffirmed that the country’s stance on Kashmir is based on UN resolutions, while stressing the importance of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan as vital for ensuring regional harmony. Earlier today, envoy Iftikhar installed the national flag in front of the UN Security Council chamber on Thursday, as Pakistan began its eighth term for two years (2025-26) as a non-permanent member of the 15-member body. As part of the joining ceremony, flags of the five new incoming non-permanent members — Pakistan, along with Denmark, Greece, Panama and Somalia — were installed at the UNSC’s stakeout at UN Headquarters in New York. The new members replaced Japan, Ecuador, Malta, Mozambique and Switzerland whose terms ended on December 31, 2024. In his brief remarks, he said that Pakistan will continue to be guided by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter including maintenance of international peace and security and the development of friendly relations among nations based on the principle of equal rights and self-determination. “Pakistan will always remain a strong voice for peoples under foreign occupation and oppression and for the realisation of their right to self-determination,” Ambassador Ahmad said. Pakistan, he said, was convinced that cooperative multilateralism – with the UN at its core – was the best way of tackling today’s multifaceted challenges. “We need to earnestly address the root causes of long-standing and new conflicts, prioritise dialogue and diplomacy, and support confidence building at regional and global levels – to reduce tensions, arrest the arms race, and enable an environment conducive to peace, stability and development,” the Pakistani envoy said. Pakistan, he said, will partner with fellow members to actively pursue just and peaceful solutions to the issues on the Council’s agenda, and strive to make optimal use of the tools at our disposal – from conflict prevention to peacekeeping to peacebuilding – to achieve durable peace. “Our success lies in upholding the UN Charter and international law under all circumstances, and in ensuring the effective implementation of the Security Council’s own decisions,” Ambassador Ahmad said. “Never forgetting our solemn duty towards the millions of men, women and children suffering in conflicts, Pakistan is assuming this responsibility, fully resolved to our collective endeavour for a more peaceful and secure world.” Pakistan will preside over the 15-member Council in July when it assumes its presidency according to the alphabetical rotation of the member states’ official names. This will allow Islamabad to set the Security Council’s agenda. In addition to this, Pakistan will get a seat on the Islamic State (ISIS) and Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee, which is responsible for designating individuals and groups as terrorists and imposing sanctions. The Security Council has 15 members, five of which – Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States – are permanent ones. The 10 non-permanent seats of the Council are allocated by geographic region, with five replaced each year. The Security Council is considered to be the most powerful body of the United Nations. The council, which is tasked to maintain international peace and security, can make legally binding decisions and has the power to impose sanctions and authorise the use of force against states. The tradition of the flag installation ceremony was introduced by Kazakhstan in 2018. Kazakhstan’s permanent representative, Kairat Umarov, who presided over the ceremony, voiced confidence that the five new council members will bring much depth and focus to the pressing issues of global peace and security. “As we begin a new year, it is clear that the global situation continues to be marked by numerous challenges and crisis, from ongoing conflicts and humanitarian calamities to the negative impacts of climate change and the pandemic.” Speaking to Geo News later, Iftikhar said: “The overall security situation in Pakistan has significantly improved.” He also highlighted the country’s positive economic indicators, underscoring the incumbent government’s commitment to progress and stability. “We have undertaken substantial efforts to combat terrorism,” he noted, acknowledging that the menace of terrorism has resurged in the country recently. Addressing the Afghanistan issue, the envoy affirmed that the issue remains a key item on the UN Security Council’s permanent agenda. “We continue discussions on Afghanistan at the multilateral and bilateral levels,” he remarked, adding, “Our position is crystal clear—we want a peaceful and stable Afghanistan, as regional peace is directly tied to stability there.” He highlighted that Pakistan is a strong country, and our nation stands united, expressing confidence that the government and people remain steadfast in their mission to eliminate terrorism. Reflecting on his role at the UN, he remarked, “It is a great honour to represent Pakistan, and our experienced team will meet the expectations of the government and the nation.” Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1268074-pakistan-begins-two-year-unsc-term-reaffirms-commitment-to-kashmir-afghanistan

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/1/3/live-israeli-air-strikes-pound-gaza-more-than-70-killed-in-24-hours

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/1/2/live-israel-kills-28-in-gaza-as-7th-palestinian-baby-freezes-to-death

Court also annul proceedings to declare chief minister proclaimed offender An anti-terrorism court (ATC) has suspended the non-bailable arrest warrants previously issued against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. The Rawalpindi Anti-Terrorism Court nullified the warrants pertaining to a case filed in Hassan Abdal Police Station. The request to suspend the arrest warrants was filed by Gandapur’s lawyer, Muhammad Faisal Malik, who argued that the Peshawar High Court had already granted bail to Gandapur in all cases. The lawyer submitted the Peshawar High Court’s order to the court, after which the anti-terrorism court suspended the non-bailable arrest warrants issued against Gandapur. Additionally, the court annulled proceedings to declare the chief minister as a proclaimed offender. Last month, an ATC in Rawalpindi issued non-bailable arrest warrants for KP CM Gandapur and other PTI leaders in a case pertaining to the attack on army’s General Head­quarters (GHQ) during May 9 violent protests last year. The May 9 riots were triggered almost across the country after the deposed prime minister Khan’s arrest in the £190 million settlement case. Hundreds of PTI workers and senior leaders were put behind the bars for their involvement in violence and attacks on military installations last year. During the protests, the miscreants targeted the civil and military installations including — the Jinnah House and GHQ in Rawalpindi. The military termed May 9 “Black Day” and decided to try the protesters under the Army Act. Author : Reichert Security Services (Pvt) Ltd.

Suspected gunman in shooting rampage in town of Cetinje shoots himself in the head after being surrounded by police. Two children were among at least 12 people killed in a mass shooting that started at a restaurant in the small town of Cetinje in Montenegro and continued at three different locations, authorities said. A local man suspected of carrying out the shootings, identified by police as Aleksandar Martinovic, 45, was confirmed to have died early on Thursday morning after turning the gun on himself and dying from his injuries while being transported to hospital. Police had surrounded the suspect near his home in Cetinje. When police commanded him “to lay down his weapon, he shot himself in the head”, the country’s police chief, Lazar Scepanovic, told reporters. “An attempt was made to transport him to a clinical centre, but he succumbed to his injuries in the meantime,” he said. In a post on social media confirming that the suspected gunman had died, Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajic said the mass killing had “shrouded our country in black”. “This senseless act has caused immeasurable sadness and bitterness in each of us. There are no words of comfort,” Spajic said. Montenegro’s national security council will now consider “all options” in the aftermath of the attack, including a complete ban on the possession of weapons, the prime minister said, adding the country will observe three days of national mourning. Interior Minister Danilo Saranovic told journalists that the two minors killed in the attacks, which started on Wednesday night, were children of the owner of the restaurant where the shooting spree began. The owner was also killed, he said. The children were aged 10 and 13, according to police. The shooter had “killed members of his own family”, the minister said, adding that the suspect was thought to have been drinking heavily before the rampage. Four people seriously wounded in the attack were reported to be fighting for their lives in a hospital in the Montenegrin capital Podgorica. The suspect, who media reports said had a history of illegal weapons possession and received a suspended sentence in 2005 for violent behaviour, had fled after the shootings and was at large in Cetinje, a small valley town surrounded by rugged hills some 38km (23.6 miles) west of Podgorica. All the roads in and out of the town had been blocked as police swarmed the streets before surrounding the suspect near his home. The mass shooting was the second gun rampage over the past three years in Cetinje, Montenegro’s historic capital. An attacker also killed 10 people, including two children, in August 2022 before he was shot and killed by a passerby, The Associated Press news agency reports. Montenegro, which has a population of just over 620,000 people, is known for its gun culture and many people traditionally have weapons. Organised crime and corruption are two major issues also plaguing Montenegro, which authorities have pledged to tackle under pressure from the European Union that the tiny nation aspires to join. Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/2/at-least-10-killed-in-mass-shooting-in-montenegro-suspect-kills-himself

With Azerbaijan in mourning this week over the Christmas Day plane crash that claimed 38 lives, political scientist Farhad Mammadov’s mind raced back to November 2020. Then, on the last day of the war between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, Azerbaijan shot down a Russian helicopter near its border, while it was in Armenian airspace. “Immediately, the president of Azerbaijan called the president of Russia, took the blame for himself, for the country, brought an apology, and then there was the punishment of the guilty and the payment of compensation,” said Mammadov, who is the director of the Baku-based Center for Studies of the South Caucasus. Four years later, the roles have reversed — almost. On December 25, Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 took off from Baku bound for Grozny in Chechnya, with 67 passengers and crew onboard. As the plane neared Grozny in Russian airspace, it appeared to have come under fire from the ground and changed course east, crashing near Aktau in western Kazakhstan. Only 29 people survived. Advertisement Although Russian officials at first speculated that the plane hit a flock of birds or an oxygen tank onboard exploded, the damage appeared consistent with that from surface-to-air missiles used by the Russian air defence. On Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin apologised for the “tragic incident” but did not directly take responsibility on Russia’s behalf, claiming Ukrainian drones were in the area. However, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has demanded that Russia formally accept responsibility and pay compensation to the survivors — reflecting the anger in Azerbaijan over Moscow’s handling of the catastrophe, and the expectation that Putin be as upfront about what happened as Aliyev was in 2020. “Azerbaijan is expecting the same now, which we have not seen yet,” said Mammadov. “And if the Russian side has chosen the path of partial apology, then we will expect subsequent apologies, punishments and compensations at the subsequent stages of the investigation into the ongoing case.” For many in Azerbaijan, it is not just a question of what hit the plane, but how Russia responded to the emergency. “What makes this situation even more appalling is what happened after the plane was shot down,” Leyla, a native of Baku, told Al Jazeera. “Landing permission in Russian territory was denied. This is the most gruesome part of the incident and something people cannot forgive.” Azerbaijani officials have claimed that the pilots were denied emergency landing permission in Russia, forcing them to change course to Aktau, across the Caspian Sea. “If the plane had been allowed to land in Russia after the mistake was realised, perhaps those lives could have been saved. Instead, the plane was sent to Kazakhstan, a decision made by heartless, incompetent individuals,” Leyla added. “This lack of humanity and accountability is what angers and devastates people the most.” But could the fate of Flight 8243 also damage Russia’s relations with Azerbaijan? As a former Soviet republic, relations between oil-rich Azerbaijan and its enormous northern neighbour have been complicated – but, unlike for example, the Baltics, not completely hostile. Azerbaijan briefly gained independence following the Russian Empire’s collapse at the end of the First World War. But in 1920, the Red Army invaded, bringing Azerbaijan back under Moscow’s wing for the next seven decades. The first few years after Azerbaijan’s independence in 1991 were marked by suspicion, as two attempted coup d’etats in Baku were backed by the Kremlin. Russia has also tried to balance friendly relations with both Azerbaijan and Armenia, with whom Azerbaijan has been in a bitter conflict over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh since the late Soviet era. At the same time as selling weaponry to both sides, Moscow has tried acting as a mediator and deployed peacekeeping troops to Karabakh. These peacekeeping troops stood back as Azerbaijani forces quickly overran Karabakh in September last year, causing almost the entire Armenian population to flee, despite Armenia being a fellow member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a Russia-led NATO-like alliance. Russian peacekeepers finally withdrew from Karabakh in April this year as Baku consolidated control. On the whole, aside from the tensions over the plane crash, ties between Russia and Azerbaijan are good, said Mammadov. Azerbaijan has not taken sides in Moscow’s war on Ukraine and is Russia’s largest trading partner in the South Caucuses, occupying a crucial transport route for goods travelling to and from Iran. Equally, Moscow matters as an economic partner for Baku. “As a trade and economic partner [for Azerbajian], in the first place is Italy, in the second place is Turkey, and in the third place is Russia,” said political scientist and lawmaker Rasim Musabeyov. “So, in this sense, trade and economic relations are important for Azerbaijan and Russia,” he said. “The majority of Azerbaijani planes fly to Russia, at least before this incident. The largest Russian community in the South Caucasus, about 120,000 Russians, live here.” Nearly a million Azerbaijanis live in Russia, he added. Musabeyov believes that it is now on Putin to do the right thing to help relations get over the hit they have taken from the plane crash. Putin’s apology, he said, “should be followed by an analysis of this incident, the culprit punished, and compensation paid”. “Azerbaijan is not interested in worsening relations with Russia,” Musabeyov said. Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/1/lack-of-humanity-why-azerbaijan-is-angry-with-russia-over-plane-crash

Asher Azfar, along with two Rapid Response Force personnel, taken into custody and transferred to police station Months after his videos went viral, Rapid Response Force Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Azfar Mahesar’s son has now been found involved in another controversy, this time injuring a woman in a car accident while allegedly being intoxicated. Asher Mahesar, was travelling in a vehicle with two police personnel, bearing a government number plate, in Karachi’s Garden area when he hit a woman with the car leaving her seriously wounded, said the police. Police sources say that Asher was allegedly intoxicated at the time of the incident and the gunmen accompanying him resorted to aerial firing to disperse the people who had gathered around the vehicle after the incident. Asher, along with DIG’s nephew Mubashir Raza and two personnel of the Rapid Response Force have been taken into custody and transferred to the relevant police station. Meanwhile, the injured woman has been shifted to Civil Hospital. Last year Asher’s videos went viral showing him brandishing different firearms ranging from assault rifles to handguns and shooting into the air at different locations, sometimes while driving a car. The incident warranted an intervention by Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ghulam Nabi Memon who had ordered an inquiry into the matter of the-then DIG East’s son. The senior police officer, back then, had dismissed the videos as propaganda against his son and claimed that he was not involved in any wrongdoing. Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1267504-intoxicated-digs-son-seriously-wounds-woman-in-car-accident

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/1/1/live-israel-pounds-gaza-as-winter-worsens-misery-of-war-weary-palestinians