PARIS:&nbsp;Arctic sea ice is headed for one of its smallest winter peaks on record, an AFP review of US data showed Wednesday, as climate change shrinks the region&#39;s frozen cover and heightens geopolitical tensions. The maximum sea ice extent in the Arctic reached nearly 14.22 million square kilometres (5.5 million square miles) on March 10, according to the data from the US National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC). If the trend continues before winter ends later this month, it would rank among the five smallest ice covers in four decades of satellite monitoring or even break last year&#39;s record.

Europe

Asia

Arctic sea ice is headed for one of its smallest winter peaks on record, an AFP review of US data showed Wednesday, as climate change shrinks the region's frozen cover and heightens geopolitical tensions

Arctic sea ice among lowest on record: Data

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday condemned Israel&rsquo;s &ldquo;continued&rdquo; military aggression in southern Lebanon, which has claimed more than 400 civilian lives, including at least 83 children and 42 women, and displaced over 600,000 people.&nbsp;Speaking at the United Nations, Pakistan&rsquo;s Deputy Representative Usman Jadoon highlighted the scale of destruction caused by Israeli strikes and criticized the blatant disregard for international humanitarian law.&nbsp;&ldquo;Lebanon is a country of remarkable diversity, shaped by layers of civilization and rich cultural legacy,&rdquo; Jadoon said. &ldquo;Its people have long shown resilience in the face of adversity, preserving a vibrant social fabric rooted in coexistence among communities and traditions.&rdquo;&nbsp;He urged the international community to allow Lebanon a period of calm to pursue peace and stability, warning that continued escalation threatens far more than infrastructure.&nbsp;&ldquo;Sweeping illegal evacuation orders across large parts of southern Lebanon have deepened civilian suffering,&rdquo; he added.&nbsp;Jadoon emphasized that the use of force must remain the &ldquo;exclusive prerogative&rdquo; of the Lebanese state, with the Lebanese Armed Forces playing a central role.&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan supports efforts to strengthen their capacity and operational effectiveness,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;The Pakistani diplomat welcomed recent initiatives by the Lebanese government, including the March 2 Cabinet decision to reinforce national security structures and the four-point plan aimed at restoring calm and stability.&nbsp;He also strongly condemned attacks on UN peacekeepers serving with UNIFIL who were injured in Israeli strikes. &ldquo;Their safety and security must be guaranteed at all times,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;Jadoon denounced the continued Israeli military presence and construction of positions inside Lebanese territory as &ldquo;illegal and unacceptable.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;These actions contravene international law and undermine Lebanon&rsquo;s efforts to ensure peace and stability,&rdquo; he added.&nbsp;He called for Israel&rsquo;s &ldquo;immediate, full, and unconditional withdrawal from all occupied Lebanese territories.&rdquo;&nbsp;Highlighting the broader regional context, Jadoon said the situation in Lebanon cannot be viewed in isolation.&nbsp;&ldquo;Heightened confrontation and unjustified attacks on several brotherly countries, which Pakistan has condemned, have gravely aggravated regional security and stability,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;He urged that &ldquo;dialogue and diplomacy must prevail over confrontation&rdquo; and called for de-escalation, restraint, and renewed diplomatic engagement to prevent further deterioration of regional security.&nbsp;&ldquo;Only sustained political dialogue and respect for international law can lead the region toward stability and peace,&rdquo; he concluded.

Foreign Affairs

Security

Pakistan condemned Israel’s “continued” military aggression in southern Lebanon, which has claimed more than 400 civilian lives, including at least 83 children and 42 women, and displaced over 600,000 people

Pakistan condemns Israel’s escalation, calls for Lebanon sovereignty respect

WASHINGTON: The United States was responsible for a Tomahawk missile strike on an Iranian elementary school because of a targeting mistake, The New York Times reported on Wednesday. The newspaper, citing US officials, said the investigation into the February 28 attack was ongoing but preliminary findings were that the United States was responsible. The US military was conducting strikes on an adjacent Iranian base of which the school building was formerly a part and target coordinates were set using outdated data, it said. President Donald Trump suggested earlier this week that Iran itself may have been responsible but later said he could &ldquo;live with&rdquo; whatever the investigation reveals. Asked by reporters about the Times report on Wednesday, Trump said: &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know about it.&rdquo; Iran has said the strike on the elementary school in the southern city of Minab killed more than 150 people. The Times said US Central Command officers created the target coordinates for the strike using outdated data provided by the Defense Intelligence Agency. It said investigators were still looking at why outdated information was used in planning the strike and who failed to verify the data. The newspaper said the school is on the same block as buildings used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard&rsquo;s navy and the site of the school was originally part of the base. It said the building housing the school had been fenced off from the base between 2013 and 2016. AFP has been unable to access the location of the strike to independently verify the circumstances around it or the toll reported by Iranian media. President Masoud Pezeshkian blamed the United States and Israel for the strike. Israel has consistently denied any involvement in or knowledge of the strike and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last that the United States would not intentionally target a school.

Middle East

Probe into Feb. 28 strike finds United States likely fired Tomahawk missile that hit Iranian elementary school due to outdated targeting data during attack on nearby base; investigation continues into verification failures as death toll reportedly exceeds 150.

Targeting mistake led to US missile strike on Iranian school: Report

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) visited injured Pakistani nationals receiving treatment in Abu Dhabi after missile debris linked to the ongoing regional conflict caused casualties among expatriates in the Gulf state. According to a statement posted on X by the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi, Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan visited Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City and met Pakistanis injured during recent aerial interception incidents. &ldquo;Shafqat Ali Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan to the UAE visited Sheikh Shakhbout Hospital and met injured Pakistani nationals receiving treatment. He wished them a speedy recovery, appreciated the hospital administration for their care, and lauded the UAE government&rsquo;s commitment to providing top-tier medical care to all affected residents,&rdquo; the embassy said. The embassy also announced new outreach measures for the Pakistani diaspora in the Emirates as the regional conflict continues to affect civilians across the Gulf. &ldquo;The Embassy of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi has launched an online registration form for the Pakistani Community residing in the UAE for the sake of Facilitation and outreach,&rdquo; it said in a separate post. The visit comes days after the Dubai Media Office confirmed that a Pakistani driver was killed when debris from an aerial interception struck a vehicle in Dubai&rsquo;s Al Barsha district late Saturday night. The Pakistani mission said its consulate in Dubai was working with local authorities to support the victim&rsquo;s family and arrange repatriation. &ldquo;We are profoundly saddened to confirm that a Pakistani national lost his life yesterday in Dubai&rsquo;s Al Barsha area due to falling debris following the interception of an incoming missile,&rdquo; the embassy said earlier, adding that officials were in direct contact with authorities to facilitate assistance. The death marked the second Pakistani fatality in the United Arab Emirates since the regional war erupted following US and Israeli strikes on Iran, which have triggered missile and drone attacks on American bases across parts of the Gulf and heightened risks to civilian areas. UAE authorities earlier confirmed that another Pakistani national, Mureed Zaman from Bannu in Pakistan&rsquo;s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, was killed when debris from an intercepted missile fell on a residential area in Abu Dhabi. He had been working in the Emirates for nearly eight years supporting his family back home. The UAE government expressed condolences over the deaths and reiterated that &ldquo;the targeting of civilians and civilian objects is unequivocally condemned and strictly prohibited under international law and humanitarian principles.&rdquo;

Islamabad’s diplomatic mission says officials are assisting families of victims and injured nationals after missile interception debris incidents in the UAE, while launching a registration initiative to improve outreach and support for the Pakistani community.

Pakistani envoy visits injured nationals in UAE amid Iran war fallout

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has reaffirmed its unwavering support for Saudi Arabia, saying it will stand by the Kingdom &ldquo;no matter what,&rdquo; as the widening war triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran continues to shake regional security and global energy markets. Speaking to Bloomberg Television, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif&rsquo;s spokesperson, Mosharraf Zaidi, underscored the depth of Islamabad&rsquo;s strategic partnership with Riyadh, particularly following their mutual defense agreement. &ldquo;One thing to be clear about is the question isn&rsquo;t whether Pakistan might come to Saudi Arabia&rsquo;s aid,&rdquo; Zaidi said. &ldquo;Both countries have always operated on a principle of being there for the other before they need to be, no matter what.&rdquo; The comments come as tensions escalate across the Middle East after US and Israeli strikes on Iran triggered a widening regional conflict, raising concerns about attacks on Gulf states and the security of global oil supplies. Last week, Pakistan Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir met Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman in Riyadh, where the two sides reaffirmed their strategic defense partnership and discussed regional security as the crisis deepened. The meeting underscored growing military coordination between Islamabad and Riyadh amid fears the conflict could draw Gulf states further into the war. Talking to Bloomberg, Zaidi said Pakistan is closely coordinating with regional partners while also maintaining dialogue with Tehran in an effort to prevent further escalation. &ldquo;We are constantly in touch with Iranian leadership,&rdquo; he said, adding that Islamabad has engaged in sustained diplomatic conversations with multiple countries in the region in recent days. Pakistan&rsquo;s leadership has also been working to manage the economic fallout from the conflict, particularly disruptions to energy supply routes linked to instability around the Strait of Hormuz. Zaidi said the government moved quickly to raise fuel prices earlier in anticipation of supply disruptions, a decision that has placed pressure on consumers but helped protect supply chains. &ldquo;The increase in the petroleum and diesel prices a few days ago has hit the Pakistani consumer really hard. There&rsquo;s a lot of concern,&rdquo; he said. At the same time, authorities have introduced measures to conserve fuel and stabilize demand, including a four-day government work week, expanded remote work and reduced official vehicle use. Despite the regional turmoil, Zaidi said Pakistan&rsquo;s immediate priority remains ensuring supply stability and protecting its maritime routes. &ldquo;The Pakistani Navy has been providing escorts through shipping lanes in Pakistani waters,&rdquo; he said, adding that Islamabad&rsquo;s focus is securing its own territory while supporting diplomatic efforts to calm the crisis. Zaidi also addressed security concerns on Pakistan&rsquo;s western border, rejecting suggestions that the country is engaged in a broader conflict with Afghanistan. &ldquo;We are not in a conflict with Afghanistan,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We are in a conflict with a regime that&rsquo;s been hosting and giving safe haven to Taliban terrorists attacking Pakistani civilians.&rdquo; He said Pakistan will continue counterterrorism operations until militant groups operating from Afghan territory no longer threaten its security. As the Middle East war continues to ripple through regional politics and global markets, Islamabad says its approach remains centered on diplomacy, economic stability and strong strategic partnerships.

Talking to Bloomberg, Pakistan PM’s spokesperson Mosharraf Zaidi says Islamabad is working to prevent wider regional escalation while maintaining close coordination with Gulf partners, protecting energy supply chains and managing economic pressures caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Pakistan vows support for Saudi Arabia ‘no matter what’ amid Middle East war

ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan&rsquo;s deepening food crisis has pushed some families to marry off their daughters at an early age to secure money for food, according to a report by the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET).&nbsp;In its latest &ldquo;Afghanistan Food Security Outlook, February-September 2026,&rdquo; the organization said poor households facing emergency-level food shortages have adopted extreme coping measures, including arranging early marriages for underage girls to obtain cash for basic necessities.&nbsp;The report notes that the practice has been observed in several provinces, including Faryab, Ghor and Daykundi.&nbsp;According to FEWS NET, a USAID-funded program,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/afghan-traders-warn-food-could-run-out-by-april-due-to-taliban-pressure" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">emergency-level food shortages</a>&nbsp;represent the stage just below famine on the international food security scale. Families in affected areas are also resorting to distress sale of assets, borrowing at high interest rates and begging to survive.&nbsp;The report estimates that between 10 million and nearly 11 million people in Afghanistan will require humanitarian food assistance at the peak of the lean season between February and April 2026, one of the highest levels recorded since 2014.&nbsp;The crisis has been exacerbated by four consecutive years of drought between 2021 and 2025, which have severely depleted rural households&rsquo; savings, livestock and agricultural resources.&nbsp;By early 2026, the availability of daily wage work had declined by 26% compared to the previous year, while the purchasing power of unskilled labor, measured in wheat, dropped by about 40% year-on-year, further reducing families&rsquo; ability to buy food.&nbsp;FEWS NET also reported that a surge in returning Afghans has intensified pressure on the labor market. Around 287,000 people returned to the country in the first weeks of 2026, increasing competition for limited jobs and pushing wages even lower.&nbsp;Humanitarian assistance has also been constrained. According to the report, the World Food Program reached about 2.7 million people under its winter assistance program between December and January, but provided three months of food rations instead of the usual five months due to limited resources.&nbsp;Aid deliveries in remote provinces such as Ghor, Daykundi and Nuristan ended before the harsh winter peak, leaving many isolated communities without support during the coldest period.&nbsp;Even with the wheat harvest expected in May, FEWS NET warned that relief may be limited in the worst-affected provinces, where households remain burdened by debt, depleted assets and reduced purchasing power.&nbsp;The Famine Early Warning Systems Network, established by the United States Agency for International Development in 1985, monitors food security conditions and provides early warning of potential famine and hunger crises around the world.

Afghanistan

In a report by the Famine Early Warning Systems Network, up to 11 million Afghans may require food aid during the February–April lean season as drought, falling wages, returning migrants and reduced humanitarian assistance deepen the country’s food security crisis.

Food shortages drive Afghan families to marry off underage daughters: Report

WASHINGTON: A van smashed through a security barricade near the White House early Wednesday, police said, forcing a shutdown of the area in downtown Washington during morning rush hour. The driver was taken into custody and there were no reported injuries following the pre-dawn incident at Lafayette Square, just north of the White House. The Secret Service, which handles presidential security, said in a statement it was &quot;looking into a suspicious vehicle. The driver of the car has been detained and is being questioned.&quot; Washington has been under heightened security amid the US-Israel war on Iran. Police closed off several major streets around the White House, halting government employees and city workers from getting to their offices, while traffic congestion snarled the area. Dozens of emergency vehicles with flashing lights were on the scene as tourists and residents waited for streets to reopen, checking their phones for the latest updates.

Americas

A van smash through a security barricade near the White House forcing a shutdown of the area in downtown Washington during morning rush hour

White House area shut down after van breaches security barricade

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s security forces have killed 641 Afghan Taliban and injured more than 855 others during the ongoing operation under Operation Ghazab Lil-Haq, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Wednesday.&nbsp;In a summary of the operation posted on X, Tarar stated that the ongoing strikes destroyed 243 checkposts and 219 tanks, armoured vehicles, and artillery guns, while Pakistani forces captured an additional 42 posts.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 448px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2031687512868159638&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=806456770eaa8607502a2db10f612103c065f96a&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>According to the minister, 65 terrorist hideouts and supporting locations in Afghanistan were effectively targeted in air operations during the campaign.&nbsp;Earlier on Tuesday, &nbsp;Tarar clarified that Pakistan is <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/527-afghan-taliban-killed-in-crossborder-strikes-under-operation-ghazb-lil-haq-pakistan-minister" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">targeting</a> terrorist hideouts, not civilian areas, in Afghanistan during the ongoing operation. &nbsp;The information minister said operations are based on accurate intelligence information. &nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan is targeting only the infrastructure of terrorists and their support networks,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;Tarar denied reports from the Afghan Taliban regime and the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan alleging civilian casualties. He said the UN agency in Kabul relies entirely on information provided by the Taliban government. He also dismissed the figures presented by Afghanistan&#39;s interim government, saying the <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-debunks-fabricated-afghan-reports-of-strikes-on-nur-khan-airbase" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">claims of battlefield victories</a> against Pakistan are &ldquo;incorrect and merely propaganda.&rdquo;

Information Minister says the ongoing strikes destroyed 243 checkposts and 219 tanks, armoured vehicles, and artillery guns, while Pakistani forces captured an additional 42 posts.

Operation Ghazab Lil-Haq: Pakistan’s cross-border offensive kills 641 Afghan Taliban

ISLAMABAD: A Thai-flagged bulk carrier was attacked while passing through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, while two other cargo ships were also struck by unidentified projectiles amid increasing tensions between the US, Israel, and Iran.&nbsp;&quot;The Thai-flagged bulk carrier &#39;Mayuree Naree&#39;... was attacked while transiting the Strait of Hormuz,&quot; after departing from a port in the United Arab Emirates, the navy said in a statement.&nbsp;While 20 crew members were rescued by the Omani navy, efforts were underway to rescue the remaining three crew members, the navy said, adding that the cause of the attack was under investigation.&nbsp;In a separate strike, an unknown projectile hit a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz abutting Iran, causing a fire and forcing the crew to evacuate, a maritime security agency said on Wednesday.&nbsp;&quot;It has been reported that a cargo vessel has been hit by an unknown projectile in the Straits of Hormuz, which has resulted in a fire onboard,&quot; the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said.&nbsp;In another strike, a second container ship was hit off the coast of the UAE by an unidentified projectile on Wednesday, a British maritime security agency said.&nbsp;&quot;The master of a bulk carrier has reported their vessel being hit by an unknown projectile. There is no report of any environmental impact. The crew is reported safe and well,&quot; said the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations.&nbsp;Last week, Iran&rsquo;s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in joint US‑Israeli airstrikes, plunging the Middle East into a major conflict. In response, Iran has launched missile and drone strikes targeting US and Israeli positions across the region.&nbsp;The conflict has heightened regional instability, disrupted global trade routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, and threatens broader economic and security consequences worldwide.&nbsp;

A Thai bulk carrier was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, while two cargo ships were hit by projectiles, as US-Israel strikes on Iran escalate regional tensions, threatening trade, security, and global economic stability.

Thai bulk carrier, two cargo ships hit amid rising 'Strait of Hormuz' tensions

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&#39;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday congratulated Rabi Lamichhane and Balendra Shah of the Rastriya Swatantra Party following their victory in the 2026 elections in Nepal.&nbsp;In a message shared on the social media platform X, the premier praised the electoral outcome and described it as a strong sign of public confidence in the country&rsquo;s emerging leadership.&nbsp;&ldquo;My heartiest congratulations to Rabi Lamichhane and Balendra Shah of the Rastriya Swatantra Party on their remarkable victory in the 2026 elections in Nepal,&rdquo; Sharif said.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 369px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2031659899013488916&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=d68f16a36bb6770eb78bf5163230641a750a12b7&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>Sharif also highlighted the importance of ties between the two countries, saying Pakistan is eager to work with Nepal&rsquo;s incoming leadership to deepen bilateral relations.&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan looks forward to working closely with the newly elected Government of Nepal to further strengthen our historic friendship and cooperation,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;Historic election winShah&rsquo;s centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) appears set to form the next government in Nepal after securing a commanding lead in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/rapperturnedpolitician-looks-set-for-landslide-nepal-election-win" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">parliamentary elections</a>, with only around two percent of votes left to be counted.&nbsp;According to preliminary results, the party has already secured a majority in the 275-member House of Representatives, marking one of the most dramatic political shifts in recent Nepali politics.&nbsp;The 35-year-old Shah, a rapper-turned-politician who previously served as mayor of Kathmandu, is now widely expected to become Nepal&rsquo;s next prime minister. His rise caps a bold political gamble and follows a wave of support among younger voters.&nbsp;The March 5 parliamentary vote was the first national election since deadly youth-led anti-corruption protests toppled the government in September last year.&nbsp;In a major upset, Shah defeated veteran four-time prime minister KP Sharma Oli in his own constituency. Oli&rsquo;s Marxist-led government had been ousted amid the unrest that swept the country in 2025.

The premier praises the electoral outcome, describing it as a strong sign of public confidence in the country’s emerging leadership.

Arctic sea ice among lowest on record: Data

Latest News

Pakistan condemns Israel’s escalation, calls for Lebanon sovereignty respect

Arctic sea ice among lowest on record: Data

Targeting mistake led to US missile strike on Iranian school: Report

Pakistani envoy visits injured nationals in UAE amid Iran war fallout

Pakistan vows support for Saudi Arabia ‘no matter what’ amid Middle East war