WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio may push back a trip to Israel in which he is expected to speak to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about potential strikes on Iran, a US official said Monday. &quot;Secretary Rubio is still planning to travel to Israel, but the schedule remains subject to change,&quot; the official told AFP on condition of anonymity. Rubio had earlier been expected to meet Netanyahu on Saturday, but Israeli media reports said he was now expected in the country on Monday. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi earlier told CBS News that he expected new talks on Thursday with the United States and held out hope for progress. President Donald Trump has sent a major deployment of air and sea power to the Middle East and has threatened to strike Iran if it does not reach a deal on key concerns starting with its nuclear program. Netanyahu has long advocated a hard line on Iran&#39;s clerical state and last June ordered a 12-day bombing campaign inside the country, which the United States briefly joined. Netanyahu visited Washington on February 11 to speak with Trump, who said afterward that he &quot;insisted&quot; on giving time for diplomacy. Iran has publicly insisted that it has a right to uranium enrichment.

Middle East

Marco Rubio may push back a trip to Israel in which he is expected to speak to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about potential strikes on Iran

Rubio trip to Israel on Iran tensions 'subject to change'

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: A rare and critically endangered Bowhead Guitarfish (Rhina ancylostomus) was caught in the East Bay of Gwadar on Sunday, confirmed the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Pakistan). The fish, which is locally known as &lsquo;Koh Baradari&rsquo; or &lsquo;Bhuth-khair&rsquo;, was caught at a depth of approximately 30 metres, according to the WWF. The specimen measured over 140 cm in length and weighed more than 65 kg. The organization highlighted that this species is listed as &quot;critically endangered&quot; on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, with its global population plummeting by nearly 80% over the last 45 years.&nbsp; The primary cause for this decline is intense overfishing and habitat loss. While international trade of the Bowhead Guitarfish is strictly regulated under CITES Appendix II, illegal fishing and accidental bycatch continue to push the species toward extinction.&nbsp; WWF-Pakistan noted that a significant decline in sightings has also been recorded within Pakistani waters. Experts explain that the species is particularly vulnerable because females produce very few offspring at a time, resulting in a slow reproductive rate. Since 2013, WWF-Pakistan has been working with local fishing communities to encourage the safe release of entangled guitarfish. Conservationists and marine experts are now calling on the Government of Pakistan and maritime authorities to implement immediate, effective measures to protect this rare marine life and ensure the survival of its remaining population.

Climate & Environment

A rare, critically endangered Bowhead Guitarfish is caught near Gwadar’s East Bay, WWF-Pakistan confirms. With global numbers down nearly 80%, experts warn overfishing and habitat loss threaten its survival, urging stronger government action and marine protection measures.

Critically endangered bowhead guitarfish caught near Gwadar coast

WASHINGTON: The United States on Monday ordered non-emergency personnel to leave its embassy in Beirut as President Donald Trump threatens strikes on Iran, which has close relations with Lebanese Hezbollah. &quot;This is a temporary measure intended to ensure the safety of our personnel while maintaining our ability to operate and assist US citizens,&quot; a senior State Department official said on customary condition of anonymity. Around 40 embassy personnel left through Beirut&#39;s international airport on Monday, a Lebanese security source told AFP. The order applies to non-emergency employees and their family members, but the embassy will remain open. &quot;We continuously assess the security environment, and based on our latest review, we determined it prudent to reduce our footprint to essential personnel,&quot; the US official said. Trump has ordered a major buildup of American forces in the region as he threatens to attack Iran, saying it must accept an onerous deal on concerns starting with its nuclear program. Iran&#39;s cleric-run government&mdash;which last month ruthlessly suppressed mass protests&mdash;says it expects talks Thursday with the United States in what could be a last-ditch attempt at diplomacy. Since the October 7, 2023, attacks by Iranian-backed Hamas, Israel has carried out strikes in Lebanon that have devastated Hezbollah, including killing its leader Hassan Nasrallah. Hezbollah had been expected in the past to form another front against Israel in a war with Iran. The militant group on Saturday vowed &quot;resistance&quot; after a new Israeli strike killed eight of its operatives.

The United States ordered non-essential embassy staff to leave Beirut amid rising tensions with Iran, citing security concerns, while maintaining operations as Washington increases regional military presence and diplomatic pressure

US orders exit of Beirut embassy personnel amid Iran tension

PARIS: Iran said Monday that a US attack of any scale would spur the Islamic republic to respond &quot;ferociously&quot;, after President Donald Trump said he was considering&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/trump-says-considering-limited-military-strike-on-iran" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">limited strikes against</a>&nbsp;the country.&nbsp;The United States has built up forces in the Middle East to pile pressure on Iran to make a deal at negotiations due to restart on Thursday, with Trump weighing a limited strike if no agreement is reached.&nbsp;On Monday Iran&#39;s foreign ministry reiterated that any strike, even limited, would be &quot;would be regarded as an act of aggression. Period&quot;.&nbsp;&quot;And any state would react to an act of aggression as part of its inherent right of self-defence ferociously so that&#39;s what we would do,&quot; ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said at a briefing in Tehran attended by an AFP journalist.&nbsp;The two countries concluded a second round of indirect talks in Switzerland on Tuesday under Omani mediation.&nbsp;Further talks, confirmed by Iran and Oman but not by the United States, are scheduled for Thursday.&nbsp;The European Union, which has been sidelined in mediation on Iran, called for a diplomatic solution ahead of the talks.&nbsp;&quot;We don&#39;t need another war in this region. We already have a lot,&quot; EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers.&nbsp;&quot;It is true that Iran is at its weakest point that they have been. We should be really using this time to find a diplomatic solution.&quot;&nbsp;Iran&#39;s clerical authorities have faced recent steep challenges, including a wave of mass protests that peaked in January, last year&#39;s 12-day war with Israel, and the weakening of Iran&#39;s regional proxies.&nbsp;Fears of conflictIran has, however, insisted only discussions on the country&#39;s nuclear programme are on the table at mediated talks. The West believes the programme is aimed at making a bomb, which Tehran denies.&nbsp;Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is leading the negotiations for Iran, while the United States is represented by envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump&#39;s son-in-law Jared Kushner.&nbsp;Trump is wondering why Iran has not &quot;capitulated&quot; in the face of Washington&#39;s military deployment, Witkoff said in an interview with Fox News broadcast over the weekend.&nbsp;Baqaei responded Monday by saying that Iranians had never capitulated at any point in their history.&nbsp;Trump had initially threatened military action over the violent crackdown on the protests that rights groups say saw thousands of people killed by security forces, but his attention soon shifted to Iran&#39;s nuclear programme.&nbsp;Scattered anti-government protests have continued in the country, despite the threat of suppression and arrests.&nbsp;Students rallied to commemorate those killed in competing pro- and anti-government demonstrations as the university semester restarted over the weekend.&nbsp;Iranians&#39; fears of a new conflict have grown and the concerns have also prompted several foreign countries to urge their citizens to leave Iran.&nbsp;India on Monday joined Sweden, Serbia, Poland and Australia in calling for its citizens -- estimated at 10,000 in the country by the foreign ministry -- to leave Iran.

Central Asia

Americas

Iran says that US attack of any scale would spur the Islamic republic to respond "ferociously", after President Donald Trump said he was considering limited strikes against the country

Iran says would respond 'ferociously' to any US attack, even limited strikes

PALLEKELE: Pakistan on Monday warned England&#39;s inconsistent batting line-up to expect a trial by spin when the teams clash in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/south-africa-thrash-india-to-end-12match-t20-world-cup-win-streak" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">T20 World Cup</a>&nbsp;Super Eights. Pakistan batsman Sahibzada Farhan told reporters that England struggled to 146-9 against Sri Lanka&#39;s spinners on Sunday. <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/tonup-farhan-helps-pakistan-seal-super-eight-spot-with-namibia-rout" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Farhan</a>&nbsp;said that England can expect more of the same from Pakistan&#39;s spinners when they meet on the same Pallekele ground in Kandy on Tuesday night. Pakistan need a win after their first match against New Zealand was washed out. A defeat would put England, who skittled Sri Lanka for 95 to win by 51 runs, through to the semi-finals with a game to spare. Pakistan would then need to beat Sri Lanka in their final Super Eights match and hope other results go their way to reach the last four. &quot;What we saw in the Sri Lanka-England game was that the ball was gripping and England struggled against spin,&quot; said the in-form opener Farhan on Monday. &quot;Sri Lanka have one or two spinners but we have five in all so we will give England a tough time on a pitch that looks good and will grip,&quot; said Farhan. Pakistan&#39;s spinners have taken 26 wickets in the four matches so far. Their seamers have dismissed only seven batsmen. History will be against Pakistan as they have never beaten England in three previous Twenty20 World Cup clashes. &quot;We are confident and our morale is high,&quot; said Farhan, who scored an unbeaten 100 against&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-opt-to-bat-first-against-namibia-in-do-or-die-match" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Namibia</a>&nbsp;in Pakistan&#39;s final group match. &quot;We are focused on this match to win and progress.&quot; Farhan, who tops the T20 World Cup run-scoring chart with 220, said he was ready for the threat of England&#39;s express pace bowler Jofra Archer. &quot;Facing Archer will not be difficult because I have faced similar bowlers in Pakistan,&quot; said Farhan. &quot;So if he has plans against me, I also have plans against him.&quot; Pakistan are likely to bring in spinner Abrar Ahmed in place of seaming all-rounder&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-opt-to-bat-first-against-namibia-in-do-or-die-match" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Faheem Ashraf</a>. England may name an unchanged side for the fifth match in succession with Liam Dawson, Will Jacks, Adil Rashid and Jacob Bethell providing their spin options. Sri Lanka and New Zealand are the two other teams in Pakistan and England&#39;s Super Eights group. They face each other in Colombo on Wednesday. The top two teams will qualify for the semi-finals.

England's Joe Root plays a shot during the ICC Champions Trophy one-day international (ODI) cricket match between England and Afghanistan at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on February 26, 2025. (AFP)

Cricket

Pakistan warned England to expect a spin-heavy challenge in Tuesday’s T20 World Cup Super Eights clash at Pallekele, with Sahibzada Farhan confident as Pakistan seeks a crucial win to advance.

Pakistan warn England's flaky batting to expect a trial by spin

QAMISHLI: US forces that led a coalition against&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/us-kills-alleged-isis-militant-as-syrian-fm-visits-washington" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">ISIS</a>&nbsp;in Syria started leaving a major base in the northeast on Monday and should complete their withdrawal from the country within a month, sources told AFP. The move comes after Kurdish forces, long backed by Washington in the fight against the ISIS group, ceded territory to Damascus and agreed to integrate into the state. American forces have already withdrawn from two other bases in the past two weeks, Al-Tanf in the southeast and Shadadi in the northeast. &quot;Within a month, they will have withdrawn from Syria and there will no longer be any military presence in the bases,&quot; a Syrian government official said, with a Kurdish source confirming the timeline. A third source, a diplomat, said the withdrawal should be completed within 20 days. The United States has about 1,000 troops still deployed in Syria. It began withdrawing on Monday from the Qasrak base in the northeast, which is still under the control of <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/kurdish-sdf-fighters-leave-north-syria-prison-under-govt-deal-report" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Kurdish forces</a>, a Kurdish official who requested anonymity told AFP. An AFP team saw a convoy of dozens of trucks, loaded with armoured vehicles and prefabricated structures, on a road linking the Qasrak base in Hasakeh province to the border with Iraq. Syria&#39;s government recently extended its control into the country&#39;s northeast. Washington has drawn close to Syria&#39;s new authorities since the fall of <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/syria-selects-members-of-first-postassad-parliament-in-contested-process" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bashar al-Assad</a>&nbsp;in late 2024.

Men watch as a US military mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) armored fighting vehicle moves in a convoy along a highway outside Qamishli in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province on February 23, 2026. (AFP)

The move comes after Kurdish forces, long backed by Washington in the fight against ISIS group, ceded territory to Damascus and agreed to integrate into the state.

US forces to complete withdrawal from Syria within a month: sources

Web Desk/AFP

ISLAMABAD: India&rsquo;s government on Monday advised all its citizens in Iran to leave the country immediately, citing a worsening security situation, according to the Indian Embassy in Tehran. The advisory covers students, pilgrims, business travelers, and tourists in Iran. The embassy in Tehran recommended departure by any available means, including commercial flights. <div class="fr-embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/hVDwTTdhja" style="font-size: 18px;">pic.twitter.com/hVDwTTdhja</a>&mdash; India in Iran (@India_in_Iran) <a href="https://twitter.com/India_in_Iran/status/2025823016672710921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" style="font-size: 18px;">February 23, 2026</a></blockquote></div> The advisory asked citizens to carry passports and identification, avoid protest areas, monitor local media, and stay in contact with the embassy for assistance.&nbsp;Emergency helplines were provided for immediate support. The warning comes ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi&rsquo;s visit to Israel on Wednesday.&nbsp;Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Modi&rsquo;s trip would help build a new partnership to counter what he called &ldquo;radical&rdquo; threats. Modi first visited Israel in 2017, and Netanyahu visited India the following year.&nbsp;Modi said on Sunday that he looks forward to talks during the visit. &ldquo;India values its long-standing friendship with Israel, based on trust, innovation, and a shared commitment to peace and progress,&rdquo; he wrote on social media.&nbsp; India has expanded cooperation with Israel in defense, agriculture, technology, and security. US-Iran talks The move follows rising regional tensions and ongoing indirect&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/iranus-talks-expected-thursday-despite-fears-of-strikes" target="_blank" style="font-size: 18px;" rel="noopener noreferrer">US-Iran negotiations</a>. Talks are scheduled to resume in Geneva on Feb. 26, 2026. Oman&rsquo;s Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi will act as mediator, according to the Omani Foreign Ministry. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that &ldquo;guiding principles&rdquo; had been agreed upon, though technical details remain unresolved, AFP reported. US officials confirmed that progress was made but many issues are still under discussion, as per the US Department of State. Relations sour Relations between Iran and India have soured in recent months, with tensions increasing after India seized three Iranian-linked oil tankers on Feb. 17, 2026, enforcing US sanctions. The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the move as a &ldquo;serious concern&rdquo; for trade and energy cooperation, as per official statements. The Chabahar Port project, a key trade route, faces uncertainty amid US sanctions. India holds a conditional waiver from the US Treasury valid until April 26, 2026, as per the Indian&nbsp;Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. India has transferred $120 million for port equipment, while a $250 million credit line remains unfulfilled due to sanctions, according to the MEA. Iranian authorities also detained 16 Indian seafarers aboard the MT Valiant Roar since Dec. 8, 2025, over alleged diesel smuggling, according to the MEA.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/crash-pakistan-airspace-ban-push-air-india-toward-16-billion-annual-loss" target="_blank" style="font-size: 18px;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Indian airline</a>&nbsp;carriers, including IndiGo, have suspended flights over Iranian airspace and nearby hubs until at least Feb. 28, 2026, citing security risks.

India advised all citizens in Iran to leave immediately, recommending any available transport including commercial flights. (Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA)

Asia

Indian nationals in Iran are advised to leave immediately with the embassy in Tehran urging nationals to carry travel documents, avoid protests, and stay updated on local media.

India advises citizens to leave Iran over security concerns

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday arrived in Doha on a two-day official visit at the invitation of Qatar&rsquo;s Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, for trade, energy, and regional issues, the Prime Minister&#39;s Office (PMO) said in a statement.&nbsp;At Hamad International Airport in Doha, the prime minister was received by Qatar&rsquo;s Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, Pakistan&rsquo;s Ambassador to Qatar Muhammad Aamer, and members of the diplomatic staff.&nbsp;During his stay, PM Sharif is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with the Amir of Qatar, focusing on enhancing economic cooperation, energy partnership, and people-to-people exchanges.&nbsp;&ldquo;Both sides will also discuss expanding cooperation in trade, investment, energy, infrastructure development, and manpower export,&rdquo; the statement said.&nbsp;The prime minister is accompanied by the Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, and the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi during the visit.&nbsp;Pakistan and Qatar maintain close coordination at regional and international forums. The visit aims to expand cooperation across multiple sectors and deepen existing ties.

Foreign Affairs

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrives in Doha for talks with Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, focusing on trade, energy cooperation, investment, and strengthening bilateral ties across sectors.

Pakistan PM Sharif arrives in Qatar for key trade, energy talks

BRUSSELS:&nbsp;EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged a &quot;diplomatic solution&quot; on Iran on Monday ahead of expected talks between Tehran and Washington, as US President Donald Trump threatens strikes on the country. &quot;We don&#39;t need another war in this region. We already have a lot,&quot; Kallas said ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers. &quot;It is true that Iran is at its weakest point that they have been. We should be really using this time to find a diplomatic solution.&quot;

Says the world does not need another war; 'we already have a lot.'

EU foreign policy chief calls for 'diplomatic solution' on Iran

GUADALAJARA: The Mexican army announced Sunday that it had killed powerful drug lord Nemesio &quot;El Mencho&quot; Oseguera in an operation that sparked a wave of violence in various parts of the country. Oseguera, the 59-year-old leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was wounded in a clash with soldiers in the town of Tapalpa, in Jalisco state, and died while being flown to Mexico City, the army said in a statement. He had a $15 million US bounty on his head. Gunmen retaliating for the raid blocked more than 20 roads in western Jalisco state, burning cars and trucks. As violence spread across the country, at least eight states suspended in-person classes, and the judiciary authorized judges to close courts where necessary. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum urged citizens to remain calm. Oseguera, whose nickname was &quot;El Mencho,&quot; is one of the biggest Mexican drug lords to be taken down since the capture of the founders of the Sinaloa cartel, Joaquin &quot;El Chapo&quot; Guzman and Ismael Zambada. Both are now serving time in the United States. Sunday&#39;s statement said that in addition to Mexico&#39;s own military intelligence, the raid was carried out with &quot;complementary information&quot; from US authorities. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Washington &quot;provided intelligence support.&quot; Six suspected cartel gunmen besides Oseguera were killed, and three soldiers were wounded, the Mexican army said. Two cartel suspects were arrested, and a variety of weapons were seized, including rocket launchers capable of taking down airplanes and destroying armored vehicles, the statement said. As gunmen blocked roads with retaliatory violence, Jalisco state, which is scheduled to host four World Cup games this summer, cancelled all events involving large crowds. &#39;Great development for Mexico&#39;&nbsp;The streets of the state capital, Guadalajara, were almost empty as stores, pharmacies, and gas stations shut down. Maria Medina, who works in a gas station that was set on fire, said men with guns showed up and told everyone to get out. &quot;I thought they were going to kidnap us. I ran to a taco stand to take cover with the people there,&quot; Medina told AFP. The violence spread to the neighboring state of Michoacan, where Oseguera&#39;s cartel also has a presence, and to the resort city of Puerto Vallarta. His cartel was formed in 2009 and became one of Mexico&#39;s most violent drug trafficking organizations, according to the US Justice Department. Amid the violence, Guatemala said it was reinforcing &quot;strategic&quot; sections of its frontier with Mexico, which has seen cross-border incursions by criminal groups linked to cartels in recent months. The United States has classified the Jalisco cartel as a terrorist organization and accuses it of sending cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and fentanyl into the United States. US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau welcomed the operation and called Oseguera &quot;one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins.&quot; &quot;This is a great development for Mexico, the US, Latin America, and the world,&quot; he added. The raid came amid pressure from US President Donald Trump for Mexico to stem the flow of drugs, particularly fentanyl, into the United States. Trump has threatened repeatedly to slap tariffs on Mexican exports, arguing that Sheinbaum has not done enough to combat the drug trade. In a statement on social media released after Sunday&#39;s violence broke out, the US State Department urged US citizens in large parts of Mexico to &quot;shelter in place until further notice.&quot; Canada also issued a travel warning for some areas, citing &quot;shootouts with security forces and explosions&quot; in Jalisco, Guerrero and Michoacan states. US and Canadian airlines cancelled dozens of flights to Mexico over the violence, with Air Canada saying cancellations to Puerto Vallarta would stretch into at least Monday.

A view of a burned car, allegedly set on fire by crime groups in response to an operation to arrest a high-priority security target, on a highway near Tlajomulco de Zuniga, Jalisco state, Mexico, on February 22, 2026. (AFP)

Mexican forces killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes after a clash in Jalisco, triggering nationwide violence, road blockades and school closures, as US authorities confirmed intelligence support and officials urged citizens to remain calm.

Rubio trip to Israel on Iran tensions 'subject to change'

Latest News

Critically endangered bowhead guitarfish caught near Gwadar coast

US orders exit of Beirut embassy personnel amid Iran tension

Rubio trip to Israel on Iran tensions 'subject to change'

Iran says would respond 'ferociously' to any US attack, even limited strikes

Pakistan warn England's flaky batting to expect a trial by spin