News

An Australian warship has sailed through the Taiwan Strait, the sensitive and narrow waterway that separates Taiwan from China, provoking a warning from Beijing. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence did not name the ship in a statement released on Friday but said it entered the strait the previous day and sailed through in a southerly direction. Taiwan’s military kept watch throughout, the statement added without giving details. end of list An Australian official, quoted by the Reuters news agency, confirmed that the Toowoomba frigate had transited the international waters of the Taiwan Strait as part of a regional deployment. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the country’s position on the issue has been “consistent and clear”. “We urge the parties concerned to refrain from taking provocative actions and causing trouble towards the peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,” ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said in a regular briefing. The sailing came at a difficult time in Australian-Chinese relations even as the two countries seek to get their ties back on track. Last week, Canberra complained of an incident involving a Chinese warship and the same Australian navy vessel in Japan’s exclusive economic zone, in which an Australian military diver was injured. ‘Routine’ US transits The US navy sends ships through the strait about once a month in what it calls “routine” transits. China also routinely objects to the voyages. Euan Graham, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said the Australian navy has regularly transited through the Taiwan Strait but “chooses not to publicise it”. The analyst told Reuters that the Australian navy uses the Taiwan Strait because it is the shortest route between the East China Sea and South China Sea, and he warned against reading too much into the timing of the latest sailing. “It’s a befitting coincidence but shouldn’t be misinterpreted as Australia going out of its way to make a point to China after the [earlier] incident,” he said. “Transits through the Taiwan Strait shouldn’t be controversial, just lawfully going from the East China Sea to the South China Sea via the shortest route.” Taiwan has complained over the past four years of repeated Chinese military activity around the the democratically governed island, especially in the strait. China considers Taiwan a breakaway province. Taiwan, which rejects China’s sovereignty claims, is gearing up for presidential and parliamentary elections on January 13. Source:https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/24/australian-warship-sails-through-taiwan

After seven weeks of war, Palestinians in bombarded Gaza welcome first truce agreed by Hamas and Israel with mixed feelings. Under the Qatar-mediated deal for a four-day pause, 39 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails and 13 captives in Gaza expected to be released in the coming hours, with aid trucks also crossing into Gaza. Gaza endures another night of heavy bombardment from air, land, and sea ahead of the start of the truce, while Israeli military raids continue across the occupied West Bank. More than 14,800 people killed in Gaza since October 7. In Israel, the official death toll from Hamas’s attacks stands at about 1,200. Palestinians shot by the Israeli army Many displaced Palestinians have attempted to reach their homes in northern Gaza, despite the Israeli military’s warnings. At least two people were shot and killed by Israeli troops and another 11 were wounded in the legs, according to AP. A journalist with the news agency saw the two bodies and the wounded as they arrived at a hospital. [Adel Hana/AP Photo] [Adel Hana/AP Photo] [Adel Hana/AP Photo] [Adel Hana/AP Photo] Click here to share on social media Photos: Israeli forces warn Palestinians against moving to the north This leaflet was dropped on Rafah in southern Gaza says the war is not over yet and calls northern Gaza a combat zone. [Abed Zagout/Anadolu via Getty Images] [Abed Zagout/Anadolu via Getty Images] [Abed Zagout/Anadolu via Getty Images] Israel says preparations for receiving captives completed The army says it has prepared several locations dedicated to the initial reception of the released captives, including with necessary medical provisions and support. “After the initial reception and medical treatment, the released hostages will continue to hospitals, where they will be reunited with their families,” it said in a statement. The Israeli army added that four helicopters with medical teams and soldiers on board will be tasked with completing the return of the captives after their reception. Click here to share on social media Hamas open to releasing more civilian captives including men Ghazi Hamad, member of Hamas’s political bureau, says the group is open to negotiating to release even more civilian captives currently held in Gaza, including men. However, in regards to Israeli soldiers held captive, Hamad told Al Jazeera, “This is another story”. “At this phase, we are talking about the civilian hostages. Regarding others, we are looking for a comprehensive swap and exchange to release all [7,200] prisoners in Israeli detention centres. This is our goal and aim,” Hamad said. “But we will wait and see. We have full patience, power and energy to do that … Israel must release all the prisoners, and we are ready to release the Israeli soldiers.” Click here to share on social media Click here to share on social media Foreign minister says unable to confirm if Thai captives will be freed Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara says he has not been able to confirm if the 23 Thai workers held as captives in Gaza are set to be released. Thailand’s foreign minister said preparations to receive the hostages if and when they are released are under way. Bahiddha-Nukara’s Iranian counterpart, serving as an intermediary with Hamas, told him there would be “good news soon”. He said Qatari officials, who mediated the truce agreement, will have a meeting about the matter, and by this afternoon, Thai officials are expecting to know more. A woman cycles next to a billboard calling for the return of the hostage in Tel Aviv, Israel [Ohad Zwigenberg/AP Photo] Click here to share on social media Where things stand right now It’s 12:25pm (10:25 GMT) in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel, and these are the most significant developments in the past few hours: Displaced Palestinians are trying to get to their homes but Israel says movement to northern Gaza is not allowed. Gaza residents say their happiness about the pause in Israeli attacks is accompanied by feelings of grief and uncertainty about the future. Trucks carrying humanitarian aid, including tankers with fuel and cooking gas, are moving into Gaza from Rafah crossing. Families of Palestinian prisoners and captives held in Gaza wait for news of their loved ones ahead of expected release later on Friday of 39 and 13 people, respectively. Palestinians try to cross back into northern Gaza as an Israeli tank blocks the Salah al-Din road in the central Gaza Strip Source:https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2023/11/24/israel-hamas-war-live-israel-continues-gaza-attacks-ahead-of-truce.

ISLAMABAD/RISALPUR – Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Tuesday said peace in the region could not be guaranteed till the resolution of the dispute of Jammu and Kashmir between Pakistan and India. “Let me make it clear that there can be no peace without the settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir issue,” he said in his address at the graduation ceremony of the officers here at the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Academy Asghar Khan. PM Kakar said Pakistan was a peace-loving nation and wished to maintain friendly relations with all countries, especially its neighbours. He, however, categorically stated that the country’s desire for peace “must not be understood as weakness”. The prime minister strongly condemned the ongoing grave human rights situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Pakistan, he said, would not indulge in any arm race but would continue to enhance its capability in line with evolving technology to deter any aggression. The prime minis­ter highlighted that the rapidly changing geo-strategic environ­ment had a profound impact on Pakistan and rest of the region. No plans for electoral alliance with PTI, says PPP “Therefore, the situation de­mands advancements in space networks, cyber technology, nano technology and artificial in­telligence,” he said. He expressed satisfaction that PAF modernised itself though smart induction of cutting-edge niche technol­ogy and achieved great prog­ress in cyber space and non-con­tact warfare through indigenous means. PM Kakar termed the Armed Forces of Pakistan as pro­fessionally competent and well-trained to cope with all internal and external challenges. “The nation holds our Armed Forc­es in high esteem for the sacri­fices they rendered for national defence and for their contribu­tion towards nation-building,” he said. He mentioned that the country’s brave Armed Forces always showed great courage during testing times to keep the national flag high. “I assure you that as a na­tion we have surmounted chal­lenges in the past and Insha’Al­lah, we will do so in future and make the country prosperous,” he said. The prime minister con­gratulated the cadets graduated from the colleges of flying train­ing and aeronautical engineer­ing and expressed confidence that they would give their best professional performance with commitment and diligence. “Be­ing the custodians of the PAF, you carry the hopes of this na­tion and must work hard to keep abreast with modern technolo­gy and trends related to modern warfare,” he told the graduates. Imam-e-Kaaba urges world community to stop Gaza crimes The PAF graduates includ­ed 148 General Duty Pilots, 94 Aeronautical Engineers, 104 air defence and 130 of combat support course officers. Earlier, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu received the prime min­ister on the venue. Bugles were blown when PM Kakar as chief guest of the ceremony entered the arena. The prime minis­ter onboard a PAF jeep inspect­ed the formation of the smart­ly turned out contingents of the PAF falcons. He awarded the prestigious Quaid-e-Azam Banner to the Champions No. 3 Squadron on its consistently best perfor­mance in all semesters. The prime minister also pinned badges on the professional­ly distinguished graduating ca­dets. The Chief of the Air Staff tro­phies for best performance were given to Muhammad Moo­sa Jawad (best pilot), Muham­mad Ali Gohar (general avia­tion), Sajid Sikandar Abbas (air defence), Syed Saad Ali (com­bat support) and Sohaib Saeed (aeronautical engineering). ECP to release final list of constituencies on Nov 30 The Swords of Honour were awarded to Aviation Cadets Ahmed Malik (flying) and Sohaib Saeed (engineering). The prime minister witnessed a thrilling fly-past of the formations of PAF jets including Mirage, F-7P, JF-17 Thunder and J-10C. Source: https://www.nation.com.pk/22-Nov-2023/v

NEW YORK: US-Canada border crossings near Niagara Falls were closed Wednesday as terrorism investigators responded to a vehicle explosion at Rainbow Bridge, local and state authorities said. Two people were killed in the blast, according to US media citing authorities. Their identities were not yet clear. The cause of the incident was not immediately clear but New York Governor Kathy Hochul said state police and the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force were monitoring all points of entry into the state. US media cited law enforcement sources as saying there were two people in the car, which had passed through one border checkpoint where it was selected for a secondary check. The car then sped up, crashed into a barrier and exploded, the sources said, stressing it was unclear if the blast was the result of a device. “I am traveling to Buffalo to meet with law enforcement and emergency responders and will update New Yorkers when more information becomes available,” Hochul posted on social media. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau´s office said he had been briefed and was in contact with US law enforcement. Multiple Canadian agencies were supporting the investigation, it added. Witnesses reported hearing a deafening explosion and seeing a large cloud of smoke near the inspections station. Ivan Vitalii, a visitor from Ukraine, told the Niagara Gazette he and a friend were at a nearby convenience store on the US side when they saw a car exit a parking lot and travel toward the bridge. “We heard something smash,” he said. “We saw fire and big, black smoke.” Ron Rienas, of the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority, told ABC News all four bridges connecting the two countries over the Niagara River have been closed. Dramatic images posted to social media, which AFP has not verified, purported to show thick plumes of black smoke rising from a large conflagration at the crossing. Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1131507-two-killed-in-car-explosion-at-niagara-border-prompting-terrorism-task-force-response

Israel intensified its attacks across the Gaza Strip late Wednesday shortly before a humanitarian pause in fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas fighters was set to take effect. The Israeli army struck several areas across the Gaza Strip, particularly in the northern parts, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. It said a number of people were killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes on residential homes in the Nuseirat refugee camp. The agency cited local sources as saying that Israeli artillery bombed the vicinity of Khalifa School in Beit Lahia in northern Gaza, which is home to more than 8,000 displaced people, leaving many injured. In Gaza City, Israeli warplanes struck the Sheikh Ridwan and Shejaiya neighborhoods. Artillery shelling was also reported in Al-Fukhari east of Khan Younis in the southern the Gaza Strip and another airstrike on a home in Rafah which left at least three people injured, WAFA said. The latest attacks come as a humanitarian pause is expected to come into effect as a result of Qatari, Egyptian and US mediation between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. Source: https://www.nation.com.pk/23-Nov-2023/israel-intensifies-attacks-across-gaza-ahead-of-humanitarian-pause

TURBAT: A policeman and four labourers were killed when unidentified assailants attacked a police station in the Nasirabad area of Balochistan’s Turbat in what appeared to be a terrorist incident. According to police, the labourers belonged to Punjab and were identified as Mohammad Uzair, Baqar Ali, Shehbaz Ahmed and Shehzad Ahmed. It added that Shehbaz and Shehzad were brothers. The law enforcement agency also shared that one labourer was also injured in the incident, adding that the bodies of the deceased were shifted to Teaching Hospital Turbat. Caretaker Information Minister Jan Achakzai confirmed that the firing was a terrorist incident, and condemned the attack on unarmed labourers. Meanwhile, interim Chief Minister Ali Mardan Khan Domki has summoned a report from the provincial Ministry of Home and Tribal Affairs. He also vowed to hold the perpetrators of the attack accountable. This is the second time that such an incident has occurred in Turbat this month where labourers from Punjab were among the deceased. Earlier this month, at least 6 labourers were killed in their sleep and two were wounded after gunmen targeted them in an overnight attack in Turbat city. According to the police, unidentified gunmen targeted the labourers who were sleeping in an under-construction house. The deceased — which included four family members of which two are brothers — were identified as Rizwan, Shehbaz, Waseem, Shafiq Ahmed, Mohammad Naeem, and Sikander. Source:https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1124554-four-labourers-killed-in-attack-on-turbat-police-station

An earthquake jolted Gilgit, Chilas and surrounding areas on Thursday. A quake with less intensity was reported in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). No loss of life or property has been reported so far. Source: https://www.nation.com.pk/05-Oct-2023/earthquake-jolts-gilgit-chilas-and-surroundings

VENICE-Flags flew at half-mast over Venice Wednesday after 21 people including a toddler were killed when a bus careered off an overpass and caught fire. “The bus flipped upside down. The impact was terrible because it fell from over 10 metres (32 feet)” landing next to railway tracks below, said Mauro Luongo, Venice’s fire brigade commander. Source:https://www.nation.com.pk/05-Oct-2023/venice-mourns-after-21-killed-in-bus-accident

TEHRAN-Activists have accused Iran’s morality police of beating a girl for not wearing a hijab and posted a photo purportedly showing her in a coma. Armita Geravand, 16, collapsed after boarding a Tehran metro train at Shohada station on Sunday. Officials said she fainted and released CCTV footage in which she is seen being pulled unconscious from the train. Human rights group Hengaw alleged that she was subjected to “a severe physical assault” by morality police officers. It said Armita was being treated at Tehran’s Fajr hospital under tight security, and that the phones of all members of her family had been confiscated. On Monday, authorities briefly detained a female journalist for the Sharq newspaper who went to the hospital to report on the case. Hengaw, which focuses on Iran’s Kurdish ethnic minority, said on Tuesday afternoon that Armita lived in Tehran but was originally from the predominantly Kurdish western province of Kermanshah. “She was physically attacked by authorities at Shohada station for what they perceived as non-compliance with the compulsory ‘hijab’,” it added. “As a result, she sustained severe injuries and was transported to the hospital.” Two prominent rights activists also told Reuters news agency that there was a confrontation with agents enforcing the strict dress code. Source:https://www.nation.com.pk/05-Oct-2023/iran-hijab-police-accused-of-beating-girl-into-coma

Inayatullah, the driver of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) leader, Hafiz Hamdullah, succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday. The deceased who was being treated at a private hospital in Karachi, had suffered serious injuries during a motorcycle bomb blast last month near the Pringabad area of Mastung, Quetta. After the blast, Inayatullah had been shifted to the Civil Hospital Quetta, however, sensing his condition the caretaker chief minister of Balochistan got him shifted to the Agha Khan Hospital in Karachi. The JUI-F leader Hafiz Hamdullah and scores of other people had also sustained wounds in the blast. Mr Hamdullah had also been transferred to the Agha Khan Hospital. Source: https://www.nation.com.pk/04-Oct-2023/driver-of-hafiz-hamdullah-passes-away-days-after-explosion