Israeli forces killed six Palestinians in separate operations in Tulkarem and Balata refugee camps in the West Bank. Violence has intensified since the Gaza war began in October 2023.

Six Palestinians Killed in Israeli Operations in West Bank

The ministry of health in Ramallah announced Thursday that four Palestinians were killed and three were injured "as a result of the (Israeli) bombing of a vehicle in Tulkarem camp", in the northern West Bank.

Palestinian officials said Israeli forces killed six people in operations in two refugee camps in the occupied West Bank Thursday.
Contacted by AFP, the Israeli army said it was looking into the reported deaths.
The ministry of health in Ramallah announced Thursday that four Palestinians were killed and three were injured "as a result of the (Israeli) bombing of a vehicle in Tulkarem camp", in the northern West Bank.
Earlier Thursday, the ministry said two Palestinians were killed in a raid in the Balata refugee camp near Nablus.
One of the dead was 80-year-old Halima Abu Leil, according to the ministry, which said she was fatally shot in the chest and leg.
The Palestinian Red Crescent confirmed her death after transporting her to the hospital.
The ministry also announced the death of a 25-year-old man in the same raid. His passing was confirmed by the Red Crescent.
The Red Crescent accused Israeli forces of firing at its ambulances, "obstructing the delivery of humanitarian and medical services inside the camp".
Violence in the West Bank has intensified since the war in Gaza began on October 7 last year, following Hamas's attack on Israel.
Since the start of the Gaza war, at least 803 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank by Israeli forces or settlers, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
In the same period, Palestinian attacks have claimed the lives of at least 24 Israelis in the West Bank, based on Israeli official data.
Israel has maintained an occupation of the West Bank since the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.

A group of 70 Hindu pilgrims from India arrive in Lahore to visit the Katas Raj temples, perform religious rituals, and promote peace. The visit includes Bhanu Saptami ceremonies and a new residential complex for pilgrims.

70 Hindu Pilgrims Arrive in Lahore for Katas Raj Temple Rituals

The seven-day pilgrimage will conclude on December 25 and the delegation will return to their home land same day.

Around 70 Hindu pilgrims arrived in Lahore from India on Thursday to perform religious rituals at the Katas Raj temples in Pakistan's Punjab province.
Katas Raj Temples, also known as Qila Katas, is a complex of several Hindu temples connected to one another by walkways. The temple complex surrounds a pond named Katas, regarded as sacred by Hindus.
The Hindu delegation led by Vijay Kumar Sharma arrived here via the Wagah border crossing. It was warmly received by Additional Secretary (Shrines) Saifullah Khokhar and Pakistan Hindu Temple Management Committee President Krishna Sharma.
"Some 71 Hindus arrived here on Thursday to attend festivities at Katas Raj temples. The pilgrims will travel from Lahore to Katas Raj temples in Chakwal, some 300kms from Lahore, via special buses amid high security on Friday," Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) spokesperson Ghulam Mohayuddin told PTI.
On December 21, the pilgrims will perform religious rituals, including Bhanu Saptami, at the temple, joined by several Pakistani Hindus. Evening ceremonies will include the traditional lighting of lamps (Deep Mala).
The seven-day pilgrimage will conclude on December 25 and the delegation will return to their home land same day.
Talking to reporters at Wagah, Sharma expressed gratitude for the warm reception and highlighted that their visit promotes peace and love. He appreciated the arrangements made by the ETPB.
Additional Secretary (Shrines) Saifullah Khokhar said that under the directives of ETPB Chairman Syed Ataur Rehman, comprehensive arrangements, including security, accommodation and transport, have been made for the Hindu pilgrims.
Krishna Sharma, President of the Pakistan Hindu Temple Management Committee, emphasized that Hindu places of worship in Pakistan are safe, and the ETPB continues to oversee their renovation and maintenance.
The ETPB early this month inaugurated a residential complex built for Hindu pilgrims at the Katas Raj temples.
According to the ETPB, a 36-room residential building next to the Katas Raj temples has been constructed at a cost of PKR190 million.
"It has been ensured that Hindu pilgrims coming from all over the world, including India, can stay here with all facilities," Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain said at the inaugural ceremony.
He said in addition to improved facilities, 6,000 plants of different species have been planted for the health of the temple's environment and conservation of the heritage has been ensured with modern infrastructure and environmental awareness.
He further said the ETPB has installed a 40-KW solar system and spacious parking facilities at the Katas Raj temples so that Hindu pilgrims and tourists from Pakistan and around the world can enjoy complete facilities.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday he was ready for talks "anytime" with US President-elect Donald Trump, who has touted his ability to strike a Ukraine peace deal.

Putin ready to meet Trump 'anytime' to talk Ukraine deal

Asked about Trump's overtures regarding a possible peace deal, Putin said he would welcome a meeting with the incoming Republican.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday he was ready for talks "anytime" with US President-elect Donald Trump, who has touted his ability to strike a Ukraine peace deal within hours of coming to office.
Trump, who will return to the White House in January, has stoked fears in Kyiv that he could force Ukraine to accept peace on terms favourable to Moscow.
Holding his annual end-of-year press conference, the Kremlin leader said his troops held the upper hand across the battlefield, but was forced to admit he does not know when Russia will take back the western Kursk region where Ukrainian troops launched an incursion in August.
The traditional annual question and answer sessions, often lasting hours, are largely a televised show while also being a rare setting in which he is put on the spot and answers some uncomfortable questions.
Asked about Trump's overtures regarding a possible peace deal, Putin said he would welcome a meeting with the incoming Republican.
"I don't know when I'm going to see him. He isn't saying anything about it. I haven't talked to him in more than four years. I am ready for it, of course. Any time," Putin said.
"If we ever have a meeting with President-elect Trump, I am sure we'll have a lot to talk about," he said, adding that Russia was ready for "negotiations and compromises".
The Kremlin recently welcomed Trump's sharp criticism of President Joe Biden's decision to allow Kyiv to use US-supplied missiles to strike Russian territory -- a major escalation in the nearly three-year conflict.
&nbsp;
- Kursk offensive -
Russia's troops have been advancing in eastern Ukraine for months, with Putin repeatedly touting their prowess on the battlefield.
"We are moving towards resolving the primary aims that we set at the start of the special military operation," Putin said, using Russia's term for the conflict.
"Our guys are fighting heroically. The capabilities of the armed forces are growing."
Moscow's army in November advanced at its fastest pace in east Ukraine since the first month of its 2022 attack.
But asked by a woman from the Kursk region when residents will be able to return to their homes there, after thousands were evacuated from frontline areas amid the Ukrainian assault, Putin said he could not name a date.
"We will absolutely kick them out. Absolutely. It can't be any other way. But the question of a specific date, I'm sorry, I cannot say right now," he admitted.
Putin, 72, was also pressed on economic headwinds facing Russia -- the fallout from a huge ramp up in military spending and deep labour shortages caused by the conflict.
He insisted that the situation is "stable, despite external threats", citing low unemployment and industrial growth.
Asked about soaring inflation, Putin said that "inflation is a worrying signal," and that price rises for foods such as butter and meat are "unpleasant".
He acknowledged that Western sanctions were also a factor -- "while they do not have key significance" -- and criticised the central bank saying it should have taken measures beyond raising rates to lower inflation.
&nbsp;
- Oreshnik 'duel' -
Putin appeared to repeat his threat to strike Kyiv with Russia's new hypersonic ballistic missile, dubbed Oreshnik.
Asked by a military journalist if the weapon had any flaws, Putin suggested a "hi-tech duel" between the West and Russia to test his claims that it is impervious to air defences.
"Let them set some target to be hit, let's say in Kyiv. They will concentrate there all their air defences. And we will launch an Oreshnik strike there and see what happens," Putin proposed.
Putin also called the killing of a senior Russian army general in a brazen assassination in Moscow two days earlier "terrorism", in his first comments on the attack.
Igor Kirillov, the head of the Russian military's chemical weapons unit, was killed by a bomb planted in a scooter outside a residential block in Moscow, the boldest assassination claimed by Kyiv since the start of the conflict.
&nbsp;
- Syria -
In his first public comments since the fall of ex-Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Putin rejected claims his toppling was a "defeat" for Russia.
"You want to present what is happening in Syria as a defeat for Russia," Putin said in response to a question from a journalist. "I assure you it is not... we have achieved our goals."
Putin said he has not yet met Assad, who fled to Moscow as rebels closed in on Damascus, but plans to soon.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted a delegation of 13 Indian companies at 10 Downing Street in London on what the British government described as a “curated visit” to enhance the bilateral partnership and boost investment flows.

UK PM Keir Starmer hosts Indian business chiefs to boost investments

The companies represented are said to have collectively invested over GBP 10 billion into the UK and employ tens of thousands of people across the country.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted a delegation of 13 Indian companies at 10 Downing Street in London on what the British government described as a &ldquo;curated visit&rdquo; to enhance the bilateral partnership and boost investment flows.
The visit on Wednesday follows Starmer&rsquo;s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit last month, when the leaders committed to take forward an &ldquo;ambitious&rdquo; UK-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with collaboration opportunities on economic growth, security and defence, technology, climate, health, and education.
According to a readout from the British High Commission in New Delhi, the Indian investors and CEOs also met senior Cabinet ministers to discuss job creation and growth opportunities under a proposed India-UK trade deal after Starmer had confirmed the relaunch of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations early in the new year.
&ldquo;India is a vital partner for the UK and we have huge ambition to unlock more opportunities together, building on our already strong relationship,&rdquo; said Starmer, with reference to the business meeting.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m delighted to welcome some of India&rsquo;s most senior business leaders to Downing Street and to outline the UK&rsquo;s ambitious focus on economic growth and innovation,&rdquo; he said.
The delegation, supported by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), discussed deepening ties with Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and Foreign Secretary David Lammy. Meanwhile, Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and minister for trade policy Douglas Alexander discussed bilateral trade, worth GBP 42 billion a year and supporting over 600,000 jobs across both economies as per UK government statistics.
&ldquo;As one of the most globally connected economies in the G20, the UK provides unmatched opportunities for Indian businesses to thrive. India already accounts for the second highest number of FDI projects into the UK, and this government is committed to deepening our trade and investment links with India even further,&rdquo; said Reynolds.
&ldquo;Boosting investment is a mission at the heart of this government. It was great to hear first-hand from Indian business leaders on why so many of them have given us a vote of confidence and chosen to invest here,&rdquo; he said.
The companies represented are said to have collectively invested over GBP 10 billion into the UK and employ tens of thousands of people across the country. The delegation was led by Sunil Bharti Mittal, founder and chairman of Bharti Enterprises which completed a major investment in the BT Group this year.
&ldquo;This business delegation comes at a pivotal moment, as India stands as the fastest-growing large economy and is on track to become a USD 5 trillion economy by 2027. Over time, India-UK relations have developed into a robust, multifaceted partnership built on historical ties, economic synergy, and increasing geopolitical alignment,&rdquo; said Mittal.
&ldquo;The India-UK Free Trade Agreement negotiations present significant opportunities for mutual growth and cooperation. We are optimistic that this delegation will pave the way for numerous successful business collaborations. We shall seek guidance from Prime Minister Starmer on the sectors that may exhibit better collaboration opportunities,&rdquo; he said.
Other companies represented at the meeting included Bharat Semi Systems, Biocon Group, Blue Star Limited, Essar Group, Hero Enterprise, Jet Synthesis, Piramal Group, Reliance Industries, Tata Steel, TVS Motor Company, TVS Supply Chain Solutions and UPL Limited. The delegation concluded their tour with a reception hosted by the High Commission of India in London.

Russia on Thursday claimed to have taken control of two new villages in eastern Ukraine, near the industrial town of Kurakhove.

Russia claims capture of two new villages in east Ukraine

Moscow has been advancing in east Ukraine for months, pressing its advantage against overstretched and outgunned Ukrainian soldiers, and has claimed new villages almost daily this month.

Russia on Thursday claimed to have taken control of two new villages in eastern Ukraine, near the industrial town of Kurakhove which it is on the brink of capturing, Russian news agencies reported.
The defence ministry said in a daily briefing that troops had "liberated" the village of Zelenivka and Novyi Komar, southwest of Kurakhove, a strategic industrial town on the banks of a reservoir that Moscow is trying to encircle.
Noviy Komar is close to the larger village of Velyka Novosilka, where Ukraine has a large command and logistics post, a Moscow-installed official, Vladimir Rogov, told RIA Novosti news agency.
Moscow has been advancing in east Ukraine for months, pressing its advantage against overstretched and outgunned Ukrainian soldiers, and has claimed new villages almost daily this month.
The nearly three-year conflict has escalated sharply in recent months, with Kyiv deploying US and British-supplied long-range missiles in attacks on Russian soil and Moscow firing an experimental hypersonic weapon at Ukraine in response.

"India now seeks to extradite him for trial on charges based on the identical conduct at issue in the Chicago case," the plea has said.

US Govt urges Supreme Court to dismiss Mumbai terror accused Rana's petition for writ of certiorari

"India now seeks to extradite him for trial on charges based on the identical conduct at issue in the Chicago case," the plea has said.

The United States government has urged the Supreme Court to dismiss "the petition for a writ of certiorari" filed by Mumbai-attack convict Tahawwur Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin, against his extradition to India.
India is seeking the extradition of Rana as he is wanted in the Mumbai terror attack case. Having lost the legal battle in lower courts and several federal courts, including the US Court of Appeals for the North Circuit in San Francisco, Rana on November 13 filed a "petition for a writ of certiorari" before the US Supreme Court. In a long battle, this is Rana's last legal chance to not be extradited to India.
"The petition for a writ of certiorari should be denied," US Solicitor General Elizabeth B Prelogar said in its filing before the Supreme Court on December 16. Rana is not entitled to relief from extradition to India in this case, she argued in a 20-page submission.
In his "petition for a writ of certiorari to review the judgment of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit", Rana has argued that he was tried and acquitted in the federal court in the Northern District of Illinois (Chicago) on charges relating to the 2008 terrorist attack on Mumbai.
"India now seeks to extradite him for trial on charges based on the identical conduct at issue in the Chicago case," the plea has said.
Prelogar disagreed.
"The government does not concede that all of the conduct on which India seeks extradition was covered by the government's prosecution in this case. For example, India's forgery charges are based in part on conduct that was not charged in the United States: petitioner's use of false information in an application to formally open a branch office of the Immigration Law Centre submitted to the Reserve Bank of India," the US solicitor general said.
"It is not clear that the jury's verdict in this case -- which involves conspiracy charges and was somewhat difficult to parse -- means that he has been 'convicted or acquitted' on all of the specific conduct that India has charged," Prelogar said.&nbsp;
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Editorji News Desk and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Pakistan's government said on Thursday US sanctions imposed on state-owned and private companies over its long-range ballistic missile programme were "biased" and had "dangerous implications" for regional stability.

Nuclear-armed Pakistan says fresh US sanctions 'biased'

Pakistan accuses the United States of waiving the licensing requirements for advanced military technology in other countries.

Pakistan's government said on Thursday US sanctions imposed on state-owned and private companies over its long-range ballistic missile programme were "biased" and had "dangerous implications" for regional stability.
The United States announced on Wednesday that four Pakistan companies would be hit by the measures "in light of the continuing proliferation threat of Pakistan's long-range missile development".
The South Asian nation became one of the few countries to openly possess nuclear weapons in 1998, more than two decades after India, its neighbour and arch-rival with which it has fought several wars, announced its atomic capabilities.
It has refused to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty, a global agreement to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology.
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday the US sanctions were "unfortunate and biased" and have "dangerous implications for strategic stability of our region and beyond".
It accused the United States of waiving the licensing requirements for advanced military technology in other countries.
"Such double standards and discriminatory practices not only undermine the credibility of non-proliferation regimes but also endanger regional and international peace and security," it said.
The United States said the executive order "targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery".
It accused the state-owned National Development Complex (NDC), which it says is responsible for the development of ballistic missiles, of working to acquire special equipment to test and launch the projectiles.
American citizens will be barred from working with the NDC and three companies associated with it, which will all have their US assets frozen.

New Zealand tipped into recession in the third quarter, official data showed Thursday, with the economy suffering an unexpectedly sharp slump that sent the country's currency tumbling and sparked political finger-pointing.

New Zealand enters recession with sharp GDP decline

The economy has for months teetered on the verge of recession, with consumer sentiment weighed by high prices, elevated borrowing costs and a housing crisis.

New Zealand tipped into recession in the third quarter, official data showed Thursday, with the economy suffering an unexpectedly sharp slump that sent the country's currency tumbling and sparked political finger-pointing.
The conservative coalition government defended its "respect for taxpayers' money" as the opposition accused it of feeding a "recessionary fire".
The economy has for months teetered on the verge of recession, with consumer sentiment weighed by high prices, elevated borrowing costs and a housing crisis.
But the latest figures showed gross domestic product fell a bigger-than-expected 1.0 percent July-September from the previous three months. Analysts had forecast a contraction of 0.2 percent.
That marked the second quarterly contraction in a row, after shrinking a revised 1.1 percent in April-June.
"Yes, the one percent decline in activity is huge. And it's much weaker than anyone had anticipated," said a report by Kiwibank economics.
Excluding an economic decline during the Covid-19 pandemic, the New Zealand economy had posted the weakest six-month period since 1991, it said.
"And weakness is spreading across most industries," the report said.
However, the recent drop was partly balanced out by a statistical revision of growth upwards earlier in the year, Kiwibank said.
And the latest quarter may be the last in the cycle of decline, it said, with a one percent cut in interest rates over the quarter likely to provide relief going forward.
The New Zealand dollar was trading in the late afternoon at US$0.5626 -- down about 1.8 percent from the previous day -- as the scale of the slump took traders by surprise.
"The latest economic figures highlight the importance of the steps the government has taken to restore respect for taxpayers money and drive economic growth," the government said in a statement.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis said the economy had now contracted for eight quarters on a per-capita basis.
"The decline reflects the impact of high inflation on the economy. That led the Reserve Bank to engineer a recession which has stifled growth," she said.
But she predicted the economy would pick up in the next quarter, and grow more strongly in 2025.
The opposition Labour Party said the recession was of the finance minister's making.
"Nicola Willis' cuts and austerity has fed the recessionary fire," said Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds. "There's no creative accounting that Nicola can do to make these GDP figures better."

Russia Wednesday expanded an operation to clean up thousands of tonnes of oil that spilt into the sea and contaminated 50 kilometres of beaches after tanker ships were wrecked in a storm.

Russian oil spill contaminates 50km of Black Sea beaches

The two tankers were carrying around 9,000 tonnes of oil and satellite monitoring suggests around 3,000 were spilt, TASS state news agency reported.

Russia Wednesday expanded an operation to clean up thousands of tonnes of oil that spilt into the sea and contaminated 50 kilometres of beaches after tanker ships were wrecked in a storm.
An ageing Russian oil tanker broke up and sank and another ran aground Sunday in a strait linking the Azov and Black Seas, between Moscow-annexed Crimea and southern Russia's Krasnodar region, known for its beach resorts.
Russia's emergencies ministry said Wednesday it was working on cleaning up 49 kilometres (30 miles) of beaches from the resort of Anapa north to the port of Temryuk, and patrolling a total of 70km of beaches.
The two tankers were carrying around 9,000 tonnes of oil and satellite monitoring suggests around 3,000 were spilt, TASS state news agency reported.
Satellite images showed that oil is still leaking out of the sunk tanker, TASS reported Wednesday, citing Crimean marine researcher Sergei Stanichny, with strong winds pushing the oil towards southern Russia's beaches.
The beach resort of Anapa, with a population of around 90,000 people, on Tuesday declared an state of emergency.
The number of volunteers and emergency workers "has increased to 2,700", the emergency situations ministry said Wednesday.
They were shovelling up black oil from beaches and removing it in plastic sacks and digger trucks.
It said they had collected about 80 tonnes of oil and cleaned up more than eight kilometres (five miles) of beach.
Among those taking part were around 400 Cossacks, a people living in the steppes of Russia and Ukraine, Anapa's mayor's office said.
Volunteers in the city were working to remove oil from birds at a rescue point, TASS reported.
Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova appealed for volunteers on her Telegram channel, saying "Anapa is battling the oil spill and trying to save beaches. Those famous beaches with golden sand that hundreds of thousands tourists flock to each year".

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry "Butch" Wilmore are experiencing further delays in their return from the International Space Station (ISS). 

NASA delays Sunita Williams' return to earth

Originally expected to return in February 2025, their return has now been postponed to late March or early April 2025.

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry "Butch" Wilmore are experiencing further delays in their return from the International Space Station (ISS). Originally scheduled for a brief mission, their stay has now been extended to nearly 10 months, with their return pushed back to Spring 2025.
&nbsp;
Initial Mission Plans and Setbacks
Williams and Wilmore launched aboard Boeing's Starliner on June 5, 2024, as part of its first crewed flight under NASA's Commercial Crew Program. The mission, initially intended to last just one week, aimed to evaluate the Starliner's performance in launch, docking, and landing phases. However, technical issues with the spacecraft forced an early return of the capsule to Earth&mdash;without the astronauts onboard&mdash;leading to significant delays in their planned journey back. 
Challenges with Return Timelines
Originally expected to return in February 2025, their return has now been postponed to late March or early April 2025. The delay arises from additional time required by SpaceX to prepare a new Crew Dragon capsule to accommodate the astronauts. NASA explored alternate options, including using a different SpaceX capsule, but ultimately decided to extend their stay until the new capsule is ready for launch.
&nbsp;
SpaceX Steps in to Provide a Solution
After deeming Boeing&rsquo;s Starliner unsuitable for the astronauts' return due to persistent malfunctions and safety concerns, NASA partnered with SpaceX to adjust its Crew-9 mission. SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule will now bring Williams and Wilmore back to Earth, underscoring its pivotal role in NASA's current operations.
&nbsp;
Significance of Starliner&rsquo;s Mission Despite the setbacks, the Starliner mission marked a critical milestone as Boeing's first crewed flight. This mission was essential for NASA to evaluate the spacecraft's readiness for future crewed missions to the ISS. While the technical issues delayed its certification process, the mission provided valuable insights into its performance.
As NASA and its commercial partners address these challenges, Williams and Wilmore continue their extended tenure aboard the ISS, contributing to ongoing research and maintenance activities. Their eventual return aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon is anticipated as a step toward resolving these operational hurdles.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sacked his country's ambassadors to India, Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, Norway.
The decision was announced on the presidential website but the reason for their removal was not specified. 
Ukraine's ties with several countries have been strained since Russia invasion for either their reluctance to condemn Putin's actions or to impose strict sanctions. Many of these countries are heavily dependant on Russia for their energy needs. 
 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sacks envoy to India, 8 other countries

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sacked his country's ambassadors to India, Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, Norway.

The decision was announced on the presidential website but the reason for their removal was not specified.&nbsp;

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sacked his country's ambassadors to India, Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, Norway, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Maldives.&nbsp;
The decision was announced on the presidential website but the reason for their removal was not specified.&nbsp;
Ukraine's ties with several countries have been strained since Russia's invasion for either their reluctance to condemn Putin's actions or to impose strict sanctions. Many of these countries are heavily dependant on Russia for their energy needs.&nbsp;
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/sri-lankan-president-gotabaya-rajapaksa-to-step-down-on-july-13-speaker-1657420528071" target="_blank">Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to step down on July 13: Speaker</a>

A senior U.S. official warns that Pakistan’s development of long-range ballistic missiles poses an emerging threat to the United States. The missile capabilities could extend beyond South Asia, raising concerns over U.S. national security. 

U.S. Official Warns of Emerging Threat from Pakistan's Missile Program

Islamabad casts its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs as deterrents against Indian aggression and intended to maintain regional stability.

A senior White House official on Thursday said nuclear-armed Pakistan is developing long-range ballistic missile capabilities that eventually could allow it to strike targets well beyond South Asia, making it an "emerging threat" to the United States.
Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer's surprise revelation underscored how far the once-close ties between Washington and Islamabad have deteriorated since the 2021 US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.
It also raised questions about whether Pakistan has shifted the objectives of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs long intended to counter those of India, the victor in three major wars they have fought since 1947.
Speaking to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Finer said Pakistan has pursued "increasingly sophisticated missile technology, from long-range ballistic missile systems to equipment, that would enable the testing of significantly larger rocket motors."
If those trends continue, Finer said, "Pakistan will have the capability to strike targets well beyond South Asia, including in the United States."
The number of nuclear-armed states with missiles that can reach the US homeland "is very small, and they tend to be adversarial," he continued, naming Russia, North Korea and China.
"So, candidly, it's hard for us to see Pakistan's actions as anything other than an emerging threat to the United States," Finer said.
His speech came a day after Washington announced a new round of sanctions related to Pakistan's ballistic missile development program, including for the first time against the state-run defence agency that oversees the program.
The Pakistani embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Islamabad casts its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs as deterrents against Indian aggression and intended to maintain regional stability.
Two senior administration officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the U.S. concerns with Pakistan's missile program have been long-standing and stemmed from the sizes of the rocket engines being developed.
The threat posed to the United States is up to a decade away, said one official.
Finer's comments, the officials said, were intended to press Pakistani officials to address why they are developing more powerful rocket engines, something they have refused to do.
"They don't acknowledge our concerns. They tell us we are biased," said the second U.S. official, adding that Pakistani officials have wrongly implied that US sanctions on their missile program are intended "to handicap their ability to defend against India."
Finer included himself among senior US officials who he said repeatedly have raised concerns about the missile program with top Pakistani officials to no avail.
Washington and Islamabad, he noted, had been "long-time partners" on development, counter-terrorism and security.
"That makes us question even more why Pakistan will be motivated to develop a capability that could be used against us."
Pakistan has been critical of warm ties US President Joe Biden has forged with its long-time foe India, and maintains close ties with China. Some Chinese entities have been slapped with US sanctions for supplying Islamabad's ballistic missile program.
It conducted its first nuclear weapons test in 1998 - more than 20 years after India's first test blast - and has built an extensive arsenal of ballistic missiles capable of lofting nuclear warheads.
The Bulletin of the American Scientists research organisation estimates that Pakistan has a stockpile of about 170 warheads.
US-Pakistani relations have undergone major ups and downs, including close Cold War ties that saw them support Afghan rebels against the 1979-89 Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.
Pakistan also was a key partner in the US fight against al-Qaeda following the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, and has been a major non-NATO ally since 2004.
But ties also have been hurt by coups staged by the Pakistani military, its support for the Taliban's 1996-2001 rule and its nuclear weapons program.
Several experts said Finer's speech came as a major surprise.
"For a senior US official to publicly link concerns about proliferation in Pakistan to a future direct threat to the US homeland - this is a mighty dramatic development," said Michael Kugelman of the Wilson Centre think tank.

The Malaysian government has approved a new search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which disappeared in 2014. Ocean Infinity will lead the search in a 15,000 square kilometer area in the southern Indian Ocean. 

Malaysia to Launch New Search for Missing MH370 Flight

The plane's disappearance has long been the subject of theories -- ranging from the credible to outlandish -- including that veteran pilot Zaharie Ahmad Shah had gone rogue.

Malaysia's cabinet has agreed to a proposal to launch a new search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which disappeared mysteriously 10 years ago, the transport minister said Friday.
The Boeing 777 carrying 239 people disappeared from radar screens on March 8, 2014 while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, and despite the largest search in aviation history, the plane has never been found.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the government on December 13 "agreed in principle to accept the proposal from Ocean Infinity", a company based in the United States and the United Kingdom, to proceed with the search "in a new area estimated at 15,000 square kilometres in the southern Indian Ocean".
"The proposal for a search operation by Ocean Infinity is a solid one and deserves to be considered," Loke told reporters.
He said the Ministry of Transport is currently negotiating the terms of the agreement, which is expected to be finalised by early 2025.
The new search will be on a "no find, no fee" principle, in which the Malaysian government will not pay Ocean Infinity anything the they find the aircraft, Loke added.
The government had previously engaged Ocean Infinity in 2018 to search for the plane but there were no result.
"The new search area proposed by Ocean Infinity is based on the latest information and data analysis conducted by experts and researchers," Loke said.
"The company's proposal is considered credible and worth further evaluation by the Malaysian government as the state of registration for MH370."
He said the decision to agree to a fresh search "reflects the Malaysian government's commitment to continuing the search operation and providing closure to the families of the MH370 victims".
Following the plane's 2014 disappearance, an Australia-led search that covered 120,000 square kilometres (46,000 square miles) in the Indian Ocean found hardly any trace of the plane, with only some pieces of debris picked up.
The operation was suspended in January 2017, followed by the first Ocean Infinity search.
The plane's disappearance has long been the subject of theories -- ranging from the credible to outlandish -- including that veteran pilot Zaharie Ahmad Shah had gone rogue.
A final report into the tragedy released in 2018 pointed to failings by air traffic control and said the course of the plane was changed manually.

A mysterious illness known as 'Dinga Dinga' has affected around 300 people in Uganda's Bundibugyo district. The condition causes uncontrollable shaking, fever, and weakness. Health officials are investigating its cause and treatment.

Dinga Dinga virus outbreak in Uganda

Health authorities have advised people to maintain good hygiene, avoid close contact with those who are infected, and report any new cases promptly to local health teams.

A new and unexplained illness, known locally as 'Dinga Dinga'&mdash;which means 'shaking like dancing'&mdash;has affected around 300 individuals, primarily women and girls, in Uganda&rsquo;s Bundibugyo district.
The condition is marked by high fever, uncontrollable shaking, and significant difficulty in movement. Those who have contracted the illness report trembling throughout their bodies, severe weakness, and in some cases, even paralysis. Walking becomes nearly impossible for many, as the shaking makes mobility extremely difficult.
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Ugandan health officials have launched an investigation into the cause of this unusual illness. While no deaths have been reported, experts stress the importance of early medical attention. Treatment so far consists of antibiotics provided by community health teams, with most patients recovering within a week. Dr. Kiyita Christopher, the district health officer, cautioned against the use of herbal remedies, noting that there is no scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness for this disease. He also urged residents to seek care at district health centers for proper treatment.
Health authorities have advised people to maintain good hygiene, avoid close contact with those who are infected, and report any new cases promptly to local health teams to prevent further spread. No cases have been reported outside Bundibugyo at this time. Samples from those affected have been sent to Uganda's Ministry of Health for further testing, but an official diagnosis has not yet been determined.
The situation has sparked comparisons to the infamous 'Dancing Plague' of 1518 in Strasbourg, France, where people were compelled to dance uncontrollably, sometimes leading to death by exhaustion.
In a similar vein, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is currently dealing with its own mysterious outbreak in the Panzi health zone. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there have been 394 cases and 30 fatalities so far. Symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, cough, and a runny nose. Investigations are ongoing to determine whether the illness is linked to common respiratory infections like influenza, COVID-19, malaria, or measles. Authorities have also considered the possibility that it could be a new, unidentified illness, sometimes referred to as "Disease X."

Dominique Pelicot was sentenced to 20 years in prison for repeatedly drugging and raping his former wife, Gisele Pelicot, in a case that has shocked France. 50 defendants were convicted, and Gisele's bravery has sparked nationwide protests and debate

Dominique Pelicot Sentenced to 20 Years in French Mass Rape Case

Dominique Pelicot was sentenced to 20 years in prison for repeatedly drugging and raping his former wife, Gisele Pelicot, in a case that has shocked France. 50 defendants were convicted, and Gisele's bravery has sparked nationwide protests and debates on rape laws.

Dominique Pelicot was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with the presiding judge of the criminal court in Avignon, Roger Arata, declaring that Pelicot would not be eligible for parole until two-thirds of his sentence had been served.

Dominique Pelicot, the former husband of Gisele Pelicot, was found guilty by a French court on Thursday for drugging and raping his wife over a span of nearly ten years.
The court also convicted him of inviting multiple strangers to sexually assault Gisele while she was unconscious in their home. The case has drawn international outrage and turned Gisele Pelicot into a symbol of courage and resilience.
Dominique Pelicot was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with the presiding judge of the criminal court in Avignon, Roger Arata, declaring that Pelicot would not be eligible for parole until two-thirds of his sentence had been served.
The court also convicted the remaining 50 defendants&mdash;ranging in age from 27 to 74&mdash;who were involved in the mass rape. None of the defendants were acquitted, with sentences ranging from 3 to 20 years. Prosecutors had requested jail terms ranging from 4 to 18 years for these individuals, almost all of whom were accused of raping Gisele while she was in a comatose state.
Dominique Pelicot, aged 72, admitted to the charges during the trial and expressed remorse to his family. However, many of the other defendants, whom Pelicot had met online, denied the accusations. They claimed that they had been part of a consensual sexual game orchestrated by the couple and argued that it was not rape if the husband had consented.
The trial of Gisele Pelicot has sent shockwaves throughout France and beyond, bringing attention to the shocking extent of abuse she endured. Gisele, 72, waived her right to anonymity during the trial and insisted that the disturbing videos, filmed by her former husband, be shown in court. She expressed her desire to help other women find the strength to speak out.
"I&rsquo;ve decided not to be ashamed, I&rsquo;ve done nothing wrong. They are the ones who must be ashamed," Gisele testified in October, rejecting any suggestion that she had willingly participated in the abuse.
The case has ignited protests across France, with many rallying in support of Gisele. It has also sparked intense debate about the need to update France&rsquo;s rape laws, which currently lack specific mention of consent in sexual relations.

Human Rights Watch on Thursday accused Israel of committing "acts of genocide" in the Gaza Strip by damaging water infrastructure and cutting off supplies to civilians, which Israel dismissed as "appalling lies"

HRW accuses Israel of genocide over Gaza water crisis

The HRW report detailed what the group said was the intentional damaging of water and sanitation infrastructure, including solar panels powering treatment plants.

Israel on Thursday faced accusations of "acts of genocide" in Gaza, a charge it denounced as full of "lies", while a medical charity said the devastation caused in the Palestinian territory showed "signs of ethnic cleansing".
They are the latest in a series of similar accusations levelled against Israel -- and denied by the country -- during its 14-month war against Palestinian Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.
In a new report focused specifically on water, New York-based Human Rights Watch detailed what it called deliberate efforts by Israeli authorities "of a systematic nature" to deprive Gazans of water, which had "likely caused thousands of deaths... and will likely continue to cause deaths".
The war in Gaza was sparked by Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that resulted in the deaths of 1,208 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.
Since then, Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least 45,129 people in Gaza, a majority of them civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run territory's health ministry that the United Nations considers reliable.
"Human Rights Watch is once more spreading its blood libels in order to promote its anti-Israel propaganda," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
"Since the beginning of the war, Israel has facilitated the continuous flow of water and humanitarian aid into Gaza, despite operating under constant attacks" from Hamas.
&nbsp;
- Israel says supplies ensured -
COGAT, the Israeli defence ministry body responsible for civil affairs in the Palestinian territories, denied using water as a "weapon".
It said three water lines from Israel "are active, supplying an average of 107 litres per person in northern Gaza, 34 litres per person in central Gaza, and 20 litres per person in southern Gaza.
"According to international standards, conflict zones require 15 litres of water per person daily," COGAT said.
In a separate report released on Thursday, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) accused Israel of causing widespread devastation in Gaza and noted "signs of ethnic cleansing" in the north of the Palestinian territory.
Israel in early October began a major military operation in Gaza's north, which it said aimed to prevent Hamas from regrouping there.
In a statement, MSF Secretary General Christopher Lockyear said what his medical teams have seen in Gaza "is consistent with the descriptions provided by an increasing number of legal experts and organisations concluding that genocide is taking place".
Lockyear said "signs of ethnic cleansing and the ongoing devastation -&mdash; including mass killings, severe physical and mental health injuries, forced displacement, and impossible conditions of life for Palestinians under siege and bombardment -- are undeniable."
Israel did not offer an immediate response to MSF's accusation.
The HRW report detailed what the group said was the intentional damaging of water and sanitation infrastructure, as well as the blocking of fuel for generators.
The report concluded that in doing so, "Israeli authorities intentionally inflicted on the Palestinian population in Gaza 'conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part.'"
This, it said, amounted to the war crime of "extermination" and to "acts of genocide".
&nbsp;
- 'Malnourished and dehydrated' -
Israel's foreign ministry said that, in addition to water pipelines, it has also ensured that "water pumping and desalination facilities... remain operational".
HRW stopped short of saying Israel was committing outright "genocide".
Under international law, proving genocide requires evidence of specific intent, which experts say is very difficult.
HRW pointed to a statement by then-defence minister Yoav Gallant as suggestive of Israel's intent. In October 2023, he declared a "complete siege" and said: "No electricity, no food, no water, no gas -- it's all closed."
Israel is facing a case brought by South Africa at the International Court of Justice last December, arguing that the war in Gaza breached the 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention, an accusation Israel has strongly denied.
In November the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for Gallant, and also for Mohammed Deif, military chief of Hamas.
Israel told the court it will appeal the warrants.
The HRW report, drawn up over nearly a year, is based on interviews with dozens of Gazans, staff at water and sanitation facilities, medics and aid workers, as well as satellite imagery, photographs, videos and data analysis.
The lack of water left Gazans vulnerable to water-borne diseases and complications, such as infected wounds and the inability to heal due to dehydration, HRW said.
One emergency room nurse cited in the report said they were forced to decide "not to resuscitate children who were severely malnourished and dehydrated".
In early December Amnesty International accused Israel of "committing genocide" against Palestinians in Gaza.
That came after a United Nations special committee in November said Israel's warfare in Gaza is consistent with the characteristics of genocide. An HRW report at the same time said Israel's displacement of Gazans amounts to a "crime against humanity".
Israel dismissed each of these accusations as false.

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