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Here is the situation on Friday, January 10: Fighting Weapons Politics and diplomacy Transport Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/10/russia-ukraine-war-list-of-key-events-day-1051

Body of a miner has been recovered from the coal mine in the Sanjidi area, which collapsed due to gas buildup, resulting in a total of 12 workers being trapped, said the Chief Inspector of Mines Abdul Ghani Baloch on Friday. The coal mine, from where all the workers are yet to rescued despite the passage of more than 12 hours, is located approximately 40 kilometres from Quetta. According to the Pakistan Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), debris has been removed from the entry point of the affected coal mine. Moreover, rescue teams are trying to reach the affected part of the coal mine. The miners are trapped under the depth of 4,000 feet, as per the Deputy Director of Rescue Asghar Jamali, The News reported. Debris has fallen to a depth of 20 feet to 30 feet in the mine, he said added. Rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the site following the incident, according to the Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind. The teams, including mines rescue and PDMA, upon arrival, began a rescue operation to rescue the workers from the collapsed mine and are still involved in the efforts. However, the gas and debris in the mine are making the rescue efforts difficult. Despite these challenges, rescue personnel are working diligently to save the workers’ lives. The debris of the mine is being removed with the help of heavy machinery. The Balochistan government spokesperson further stated that a thorough investigation into the incident will be conducted, and strict action will be taken against those responsible for negligence. Mineral Resources and Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani has taken notice of the incident and instructed the Chief Inspector of Mines, Abdul Ghani Baloch, to send two additional rescue teams to the affected site. He also ordered an investigation into the alleged violation of standard mining procedures Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1270661-miners-body-recovered-as-11-others-still-trapped-in-exploded-mine-near-quetta

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A 23-year-old hiker whose disappearance sparked a nearly two-week-long land and air search of dense Australian wilderness has been found alive, authorities said Wednesday. Hadi Nazari was last seen by friends on December 26 as he walked down a trail to take photos in Kosciuszko National Park, south of Sydney in the state of New South Wales. When he failed to return to their campsite, his friends notified police who began an intensive search involving 300 people from multiple rescue agencies, NSW Police said in a statement. In the end, Nazari wasn’t found by searchers but by a group of hikers near a trail – about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the search command post – at about 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, January 8. “My understanding is that there was a group of hikers in the area,” Riverina Police District Commander Superintendent Andrew Spliet told reporters. “He called out to them and disclosed who he was, and [said] that he’d been lost in the bush.” Hadi Nazari seen with hikers who found him in Kosciuszko National Park, Australia. NSW Rural Fire Service Video released by the NSW Rural Fire Service showed Nazari with the hikers as he waited for rescuers to airlift him out. He was later winched into a helicopter and transported to the command post, where he was examined by paramedics. Spliet said Nazari seemed to be “in really good health.” Nazari told rescuers he had found two granola bars at an abandoned hut, but “that’s pretty much all that he’s had to consume over the last two weeks,” Spliet said. “He’s been reunited with his family, who are very, very happy to have him back,” he said. 300 rescue staff and volunteers searched the national park for signs of the missing hiker. NSW Police Nazari’s family told CNN affiliate 9 News that it was the “happiest day of our lives.” “We talked to him… He is ok… He is fine,” his family said, according to the network. Signs of Nazari were found during the search last week, including garbage and his hiking poles. Then on Sunday, a campfire, lighter and a camera thought to belong to the missing hiker suggested he could be close by. Kosciuszko National Park covers an area of 6 square kilometers (2.3 square miles) in New South Wales. It’s popular with hikers for its challenging trails and stunning scenery. Mount Kosciuszko In the last two weeks, summer temperatures have created sweltering conditions, but searchers had been reassured by the presence of water in the area where Nazari vanished. NSW Riverina Police District Inspector Josh Broadfoot thanked emergency services for their efforts. “This is an incredible outcome – after 13 long days he has been located. We want to thank our emergency services partner agencies, volunteers and members of the public for their assistance,” he said. “We never gave up hope of finding him.” Source: https://edition.cnn.com/travel/australia-missing-hiker-found-intl-hnk/index.html

Military’s media wing says 3 soldiers also martyred in clashes with militants on January 6-7At least 19 terrorists were killed as security forces conducted three separate operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the military’s media wing said on Tuesday. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said three soldiers were also martyred during the clashes with the militants on January 6-7. It said the security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in general area Matani of Peshawar district on the reported presence of militants. During the conduct of operation, the army troops effectively engaged the terrorists’ location and resultantly, eight militants were shot dead. The ISPR said the second IBO was conducted in general area Baizai, Mohmand District. In ensuing fire exchange, the military’s media affairs wing said that eight terrorists were effectively engaged and neutralised by the security forces. In another engagement in Karak District, army troops effectively engaged terrorist location and as a result of which three militants were killed. However, during intense fire exchange, the ISPR said that three brave sons of soil, Lance Havaldar Abbas Ali, 38, Naik Muhammad Nazir, 37 and Naik Muhammad Usman, 37, having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat [martyrdom]. Sanitisation operations were conducted to eliminate any other terrorist found in the area. “Security forces are determined to wipe-out the menace of terrorism from the country and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” the ISPR added. The year 2024 turned out to be the deadliest for Pakistan’s civil and military security forces in a decade with at least 685 fatalities and 444 terror attacks, according to “CRSS Annual Security Report 2024” issued by Centre for Security and Strategic Studies. Equally alarming were the cumulative losses of civilians and security personnel, i.e, 1,612 fatalities, accounting for over 63pc of the total recorded this year, marking 73pc more losses compared to 934 outlaws eliminated, The News reported citing CRSS report. The overall fatalities recorded previous year were a record 9-year high and over 66% more than 2023. On average, nearly seven lives were lost daily, with November emerging as the deadliest month across all metrics, compared to all other months of the year. The violence took the heaviest toll on KP which topped in human losses with 1,616 fatalities, followed by Balochistan with 782 fatalities. In 2024, the country suffered 2,546 violence-linked fatalities and 2,267 injuries among civilians, security personnel and outlaws. This tally of casualties stemmed from 1,166 incidents of terror attacks and counter-terror operations, marking a grim year for country’s security landscape. Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1269694-19-terrorists-killed-in-three-separate-kp-operations-ispr

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/1/8/live-israeli-forces-kill-49-in-gaza-including-children-in-tent-camp

Many also injured as tremors felt as far away as Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, and northern India. Chinese officials report that a strong earthquake has killed at least 53 people in Tibet and left many others injured and trapped. The official Xinhua News Agency, citing the regional disaster relief headquarters, reported that 62 people were injured in the quake on Tuesday, as dozens of aftershocks shook the region of western China and the neighbouring state of Nepal. Some 1,500 firefighters and rescue workers were deployed to search for people in the rubble, the Ministry of Emergency Management said. The quake struck at 9:05am local time (01:05 GMT) at a depth of 10km (6.2 miles), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center, which recorded a magnitude of 6.8. However, the United States Geological Survey measured its magnitude as 7.1. A magnitude 6.8 earthquake is considered strong and capable of causing severe damage. Multiple aftershocks were also reported, with the strongest measuring a magnitude of 4.4. Xinhua reported that at least nine people were killed in three townships – Changsuo, Quluo and Cuoguo – in Shigatse’s surrounding Tingri county, where many buildings had collapsed, and local media report that dozens of people died. Al Jazeera’s Katrina Yu, reporting from Beijing, said images from the affected areas showed many collapsed buildings and homes. “These are very remote villages in mountainous areas that are difficult to access and that difficulty will be increased by the fact that it is winter now, very cold and not very close to any major city,” Yu said. She said the death toll was likely to rise. Very strong 7.0 #quake hits near Shigatse, Tibet, China – info, user reports and updates | Jan 7, 2025 09:05 am (Shanghai time): https://t.co/WRKs73D34j — Earthquake Monitor (@EQAlerts) January 7, 2025 The Reuters news agency said crumbled shop fronts could be seen in a video showing the aftermath in Lhatse, about 150km (93 miles) east of Shigatse city, with debris spilling onto the road. Shigatse is one of Tibet’s holiest cities and the seat of the Panchen Lama, one of the most important figures in Tibetan Buddhism, whose spiritual authority is second only to the Dalai Lama. Powerful tremors were also felt in northern India’s Bihar state and Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, some 400km (248 miles) away, where residents reportedly ran from their houses as buildings shook. Areas around Lobuche in Nepal’s Himalayan region near Mount Everest were also rattled by the tremors and aftershocks. “It shook quite strongly here, everyone is awake, but we don’t know about any damages yet,” said Jagat Prasad Bhusal, a government official in Nepal’s Namche region, which lies near Everest. Nepal: An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 on the Richter scale struck 93 km northeast of Lobuche, at 06:35:16 IST today. Strong tremors were felt across Kathmandu and other western districts pic.twitter.com/ysEiNulN7L — IANS (@ians_india) January 7, 2025 There have been no reports of casualties in Nepal so far. However, police and other security forces have been mobilised to collect information on the impact of the quake, a local official told Reuters. Nepal and southwestern parts of China have been hit frequently by earthquakes. According to Chinese broadcaster CCTV, there have been 29 earthquakes with magnitudes of 3 or higher within 200km (124 miles) of the Shigatse quake epicentre in the past five years, all of which were smaller than the most recent. A huge earthquake in China’s Sichuan province in 2008 killed almost 70,000 people. In 2015, a magnitude 7.8 quake, Nepal’s worst, struck near Kathmandu, killing about 9,000 people and injuring thousands. Source: https://aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/7/earthquake-hits-tibets-shigatse-city-tremors-felt-in-nepals-kathmandu

Convoy, originally scheduled to deliver goods on January 4, remains stranded in Tal for fourth day Fragile peace in Kurram has stalled the aid convoy’s departure, leaving Parachinar residents in desperate need as tensions remain high after last week’s gun attack on the deputy commissioner. The convoy, originally scheduled to deliver goods on January 4, has been stranded in Tal for the fourth day as the Tal-Parachinar Road remains closed for transit today (Tuesday) as well. There are concerns that vegetables, fruits, and other food items may perish. According to the administration, if the convoy proceeds, the curfew will be imposed from Chapri Check Post to Tari Mangal. To ensure the safe passage of the convoy, authorities had announced a curfew along the main highway during its transit while Section 144 was also imposed in the district following the attack. Meanwhile, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government temporarily suspended aid to the victims of violence in Kurram after the attack that left Kurram Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud and six others injured. Sources told Geo News that Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur had ordered financial assistance for those affected by the violence in the restive Kurram tribal district. Following his instructions, a 90% survey of households and shops in Bagan was completed to ensure compensation for the affected people. But the government took strong notice of the armed attack on the official vehicle. When contacted, Adviser to the KP Chief Minister on Information Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif confirmed the development but said that financial aid would be halted for communities found not cooperating with the government. In a meeting in Kohat on Sunday, the government had demanded the tribal elders hand over the perpetrators of the attack or else the monetary aid will be suspended. Aid convoy to proceed only after security clearance Despite the delay in the departure of aid convoy, Barrister Saif continued to downplay the gravity of the situation created by the attack on Kurram DC. Speaking in Geo News’ programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’ on Monday night, Saif said that the incident had certainly caused some unpleasantness but it was unlikely to affect the peace process. He said that the first information report (FIR) into the matter had been lodged and identification of the assailants was underway. “The tribal elders have been asked to handover the assailants to us as per the peace agreement. Both parties of the conflict have condemned the incident and assured the administration of cooperation,” Barrister Saif said. He added that the aid convoy will be allowed to proceed in a day or two after the security clearance. Arrests Meanwhile, as the law enforcement agencies personnel continued crackdown on suspects involved in an attack on Mehsud, one more suspected assailant was apprehended, bringing the total number of arrests to three out of the five named in the FIR. Officials said that efforts were underway to locate the remaining suspects and other unidentified attackers. Apart from that, authorities in the restive Kurram district arrested three tribal elders namely Syed Rahman, Saifullah and Karim Khan for their refusal to sign the recently brokered peace agreement. The district administration said the peace agreement, approved by the KP apex committee and the government, must be implemented at all costs to ensure stability in the region. In a related development, a new case was registered against 200 protesters who staged a sit-in outside Parachinar Press Club for allegedly blocking the main highway and violating Section 144. The administration said that the restoration of transportation routes remained a top priority and warned against any actions that disrupted public movement. It reiterated its commitment to ensuring peace and holding those responsible for violence accountable through thorough investigations and strict enforcement of the law. The Kurram region has been wracked by tribal violence for decades, but around 140 people have been killed since a fresh bout of fighting broke out in November. As feuding tribes have battled with machine guns and heavy weapons, the remote and mountainous region bordering Afghanistan has been largely cut off from the outside world. The months-long blockade of roads has left residents of Parachinar and surrounding areas in dire need of essential supplies. After a truce was called on January 1, the convoy was attacked as it travelled to collect the first aid delivery of food and medicine sent by road since November, officials said. Source: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1269538-aid-convoy-hold-up-leaves-kurram-waiting-for-relief

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/1/7/live-israel-kills-22-in-gaza-launches-manhunt-in-west-bank-after-shooting

Here are the key developments on the 1,047th day of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Here is the situation on Monday, January 6: Fighting Politics and diplomacy Advertisement Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/6/russia-ukraine-war-list-of-key-events-day-1047