Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Rawalpindi Police officer Lady Inspector Iram Khanam has won two gold medals at the World Powerlifting Championship 2025 in Sri Lanka, earning international recognition after defeating a leading Indian powerlifter to secure top position in both events. According to Rawalpindi Police, Inspector Iram secured first place in the powerlifting category and also clinched gold in the deadlift competition. Officials said her performance has brought pride to Rawalpindi Police, Punjab Police, and Pakistan. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 560px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" 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=1996489517847777344&lang=en&maxWidth=560px&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=aa5b44e332045e597f5963b96c23b5939f577f9a&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 560px; height: 316px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div> Inspector Iram has a strong track record in national competitions. On October 4, she won one gold and two silver medals in the Inter-Region Archery Championship held in Rawalpindi.&nbsp; Later, on October 23, she secured another gold medal in the Powerlifting Championship in PC Farooqabad, strengthening her position as one of the top female athletes in the police force. Upon her arrival at the CPO Office, Inspector Iram was warmly received by Rawalpindi Police personnel. City Police Officer (CPO) Syed Khalid Hamdani praised her outstanding achievement, calling her a &quot;shining star of Punjab Police.&quot; He said her success is not only a matter of pride for the police department but for the entire nation.

Athletics

 Inspector Iram Khanam secures first place in the powerlifting category and also clinches gold in the deadlift competition.

World Powerlifting: Pakistani police officer defeats Indian counterpart to win two gold medals

Pakistan TV Satellite

Islamabad: German boxer Zeina Nassar, who made her professional debut in Lahore, has said she felt &ldquo;honoured, protected, and completely at home&rdquo; during her visit to Pakistan, calling the experience &ldquo;beautiful and overwhelming&rdquo;. In an exclusive conversation in Pakistan TV&rsquo;s show &lsquo;World This Morning&rsquo;, Zeina Nassar, who participated in the international boxing championship in Lahore, expressed deep gratitude for the respect and warmth she received from the Pakistani crowd and organisers. &ldquo;I was feeling blessed to be part of Pakistan and to have my pro debut fight in Lahore,&rdquo; she said. Nassar, who represents Germany as a hijabi athlete, said fighting in a Muslim-majority country carried special significance for her. &ldquo;Even though I don&rsquo;t have Pakistani roots, I felt at home. As a Muslim hijabi fighter, being in a Muslim country made me feel very comfortable,&rdquo; she said. She described the crowd as &ldquo;loud in the best way&rdquo;, saying every reaction from the audience energised her in the ring. The boxer praised Pakistan&rsquo;s hospitality, emphasising the professionalism of the organisers and security teams. &ldquo;When athletes travel to a new country, we need to feel safe and trust the people behind the event. Alhamdulillah, everything was perfect, from the airport to the venue. We were protected, and that is very important for us,&rdquo; she said. Nassar highlighted how the event brought together athletes from different countries. &ldquo;Boxing is a global language based on respect, discipline, and hard work. After the fight, we exchanged experiences and learned about each other&rsquo;s cultures. We even made new friends. That&rsquo;s the beauty of sport,&rdquo; Zeina Nassar said. Speaking about her journey as a hijabi boxer, she said she helped change international clothing rules in 2019 to allow Muslim women to compete wearing the hijab. Zeina Nassar said she wanted her next fights to be in Pakistan.

Boxing

German boxer Zeina Nassar expresses gratitude to Pakistani crowd, organisers

NEW DELHI: Russia and India call each other &ldquo;time-tested&rdquo; friends with ties dating back to the Soviet era, but their relationship has come under significant pressure since Moscow&#39;s invasion of Ukraine. US President Donald Trump has pressured India to curb purchases of Russian oil -- arguing it is fuelling Moscow&rsquo;s war -- and has imposed steep 50% tariffs on New Delhi. The relationship comes under further scrutiny as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/putin-to-visit-india-december-45-kremlin" style="color:#0073e6;">Russian President Vladimir Putin visits New Delhi</a>on Thursday, his first trip to India since December 2021.&nbsp; He last met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September in China. Here are five key areas of cooperation and tension: <h2 style="line-height: 2;">Oil and energy&nbsp;</h2>India emerged as a major buyer of Russian oil after the start of the Ukraine war, providing Moscow with a crucial export market as Europe sharply reduced purchases. In 2024, Russia supplied nearly 36% of India&rsquo;s total crude imports, around 1.8 million barrels of discounted oil per day. That saved India billions of dollars while also bolstering Moscow&rsquo;s war coffers, straining New Delhi&rsquo;s ties with Western partners, and prompting Trump to hike tariffs. Trump has claimed that Modi has agreed to cut its Russian oil imports as part of a prospective US trade deal, something New Delhi has not confirmed. But trade data suggests purchases have started to decline. <h2 style="line-height: 2;">Defense&nbsp;</h2>Russia remains one of India&rsquo;s largest arms suppliers, though New Delhi has moved to reduce its dependence by increasing purchases from the United States, France and Israel. At the same time, India has boosted domestic production. As a result, Russia&rsquo;s share of India&rsquo;s arms imports fell from 76% in 2009&ndash;13 to 36% in 2019&ndash;23, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). A possible deal for Russia&#39;s advanced S-400 air defense systems is expected to be discussed, as well as proposals for co-production with India of Russia&rsquo;s Su-57 fighter jets. India currently has three S-400 units, with delivery of two more stalled by Western sanctions. <h2 style="line-height: 2;">Trade&nbsp;</h2>Russia is India&rsquo;s fourth-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade hitting a record $68.7 billion in 2024&ndash;25, according to official data. But it is far from an equal relationship: over 90% of that came from Indian imports from Russia, amounting to $63.8 billion, mainly fuels and oil.India mainly exports nuclear reactors and machinery and some pharmaceuticals. Analysts suggest a substantial volume of unofficial trade -- possibly 15&ndash;25% above reported figures -- &nbsp;moves through shadow shipping networks.Some allege that involves strategic electronics and dual-use items to circumvent Western sanctions. <h2 style="line-height: 2;">Ukraine war&nbsp;</h2>India has walked a tightrope to avoid condemning Russia&rsquo;s war in Ukraine, while maintaining ties with Western nations. When Modi and Putin met in 2022 in Uzbekistan, Modi said he wanted the war to end &ldquo;as soon as possible&rdquo;. Allegations that Indian citizens were duped into fighting for Russia have added to frictions. <h2 style="line-height: 2;">&lsquo;Non-alignment&rsquo;</h2>India&rsquo;s long-standing policy of &ldquo;non-alignment&rdquo; continues to guide its approach, preserving a historical partnership with Russia while expanding ties with the United States and Europe. Washington has regarded India as a critical partner, especially in balancing China&rsquo;s power. But Modi has repeatedly emphasized a &ldquo;multipolar&rdquo; world order and resisted calls to distance India from Moscow. &ldquo;India seeks to maintain its longstanding relationship with Russia, which is vital not only for managing its challenging relations with China but also for its strategic autonomy -- the core principle of its foreign policy,&rdquo; said Praveen Donthi from the International Crisis Group.

India

US President Donald Trump has pressured India to curb purchases of Russian oil -- arguing it is fuelling Moscow’s war -- and has imposed steep 50% tariffs on New Delhi.

India-Russia ties face tough test under US pressure

Afghanistan

An Afghan national was arrested near Washington, DC, for supporting ISIS-K and supplying weapons to his father; other recent arrests and attacks by Afghan nationals have heightened US security concerns and prompted a review of immigration policies.

Afghan national arrested near Washington for ISIS-K support: US Homeland Security 

ISLAMABAD: Thousands of civilians in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) have been left permanently disabled due to the systematic use of violence by Indian security forces, including pellet guns, torture, landmines, and other forceful measures, according to a report. Released on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a Kashmir Media Service report warns that more than 7,000 people have suffered pellet injuries since 2016, with over 200 losing their eyesight. Hospitals in Srinagar recorded 777 pellet-related ocular injuries in just four months: doctors at a local hospital treated more than 1,000 pellet victims in the two years after the 2016 uprising. Human Rights Watch has confirmed that 139 people were fully or partially blinded, while 1,459 others sustained severe eye injuries requiring multiple surgeries. The report says Indian forces, including the army, paramilitary units, police, and Special Operations Groups, have used pellet shotguns, bullets, crowd-control shells, and tear gas not only during protests but also in residential areas, targeting bystanders, schoolchildren, and women. Victims frequently suffer shattered bones, damaged organs, and lifelong disabilities. It also documents brutal torture methods in interrogation centers, including electric shocks, severe beatings, crushing of leg muscles with wooden rollers, burning with heated metal, and hanging detainees upside down. Many of those tortured have been left permanently crippled or psychologically scarred. The report says the danger extends beyond direct violence. Landmines, unexploded ordnance, and booby traps have killed or disabled thousands across districts such as Poonch, Rajouri, and Budgam since 1947. In Tosa Maidan, a former Indian army artillery range, at least 150 people were disabled and 75 killed, with locals claiming the real figures are much higher. Medical evidence cited by the Kashmir Media Services report shows the conflict has created a mental health emergency. A study by the Government Medical College Srinagar found that pellet victims suffer from high levels of major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, anxiety, and substance abuse, leaving many unable to reintegrate into everyday life. The report highlights the emotional trauma through individual stories, including that of photojournalist Zuhaib Maqbool, who was struck by pellets in 2016 while covering a protest. He has undergone multiple surgeries but continues to live with severe vision impairment and chronic pain. The Kashmir Media Services report&nbsp;concludes that disabled individuals in the region face &ldquo;double discrimination,&rdquo; first from their injuries, and then from the challenges of surviving in a heavily militarized, conflict-affected territory with limited access to rehabilitation, education, or employment. The report urges the international community, human rights bodies, and global civil society to take urgent notice of what it calls a systematic pattern of violence aimed at crippling an entire generation of Kashmiris.

Pellet guns violence in Indian occupied Kashmir

Released on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a Kashmir Media Service report warns that more than 7,000 people have suffered pellet injuries since 2016, with over 200 losing their eyesight.


India using violence to systematically cripple Kashmiris: report

BEIJING:&nbsp;French President Emmanuel Macron told Xi Jinping that France and China must overcome their &ldquo;differences&rdquo;, as the two leaders met in Beijing on Thursday. &ldquo;Sometimes there are differences, but it is our responsibility to overcome them for the greater good,&rdquo; Macron told Xi during the meeting. The Chinese leader echoed Macron, calling for &ldquo;more stable&rdquo; ties with France during their talks at the Great Hall of the People. &lsquo;More stable&rsquo;Xi said China was willing to work with France &ldquo;to exclude any interference&rdquo; and &ldquo;make the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and France more stable&rdquo;. Macron and his wife Brigitte were given a grand welcome by Xi and First Lady Peng Liyuan to the Great Hall of the People, where the ceremony was moved indoors due to cold weather. Macron blew kisses to children who held flowers, while a band played the national anthems of both countries. Top of Macron&#39;s agenda during his three-day visit to China is the issue of Ukraine and the role Beijing could play in securing a ceasefire. Rebalancing trade ties&nbsp;&quot;We must continue to work towards peace and stability in the world, and in Ukraine and other regions affected by war,&quot; Macron told Xi, adding: &quot;Our capacity to work together is decisive.&quot; The French president also called for rebalancing trade ties, and urged Xi to work with G7 countries for rules-based economic governance.<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-3" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-3&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1996188658487922937&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=92a695e3547cf2463211d3633b6c821060f9ae9c&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 897px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="1996188658487922937">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div><h2 style="line-height: 2;">Pressure on Ukraine&nbsp;</h2>Macron, visiting China for the fourth time since taking office in 2017, is also expected to meet with Premier Li Qiang before travelling to Chengdu, where two giant pandas loaned to France were recently returned. Macron has sought to pressure Xi to help secure a ceasefire in Ukraine, as the war with Russia drags into a fourth winter. Macron&#39;s three-day visit to Beijing follows a trip to Paris by Ukraine&#39;s President Volodymyr Zelensky, who urged Europe to stand by Kyiv as US President Donald Trump pushes a plan to end the war. &quot;We share the view that the war must be brought to a fair end,&quot; Zelensky wrote on social media after Monday&#39;s talks with Macron, which also included phone calls with other European leaders.<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-4" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-4&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1995507343648235773&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=92a695e3547cf2463211d3633b6c821060f9ae9c&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 344px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="1995507343648235773"></iframe></div></div><h2 style="line-height: 2;">Over $350B trade deficit &nbsp;</h2>Macron is also due to discuss trade with his Chinese hosts, with the European Union facing a massive trade deficit of $357 billion with the Asian powerhouse. &quot;It is necessary for China to consume more and export less... and for Europeans to save less and produce more,&quot; an adviser to Macron said. Macron has previously called for the European Union to reduce its dependence on China and for a &ldquo;European preference&rdquo; in the tech sector. Last month, he told a European summit of tech leaders and ministers from across the continent that the bloc does not want to be a &ldquo;vassal&rdquo; to US and Chinese tech companies. The French president will stay in China until Friday, with a final stop in Chengdu in the southwestern province of Sichuan. &lsquo;Quite exceptional&rsquo;Last week, two giant pandas loaned to France by China were flown to their ancestral home to retire at an animal sanctuary in the city. The Chinese embassy promised new bears would soon be dispatched to make up for the popular pair leaving. The Chengdu visit is &ldquo;quite exceptional in Chinese protocol&rdquo;, the French presidency said, adding it was &ldquo;appreciated as such&rdquo; by Macron. During his last trip to China, the French president was given a rock star welcome at a university in the southern city of Guangzhou, with students chanting his name and scrambling for selfies and high-fives.

China

Europe

French President Macron met Xi Jinping in Beijing, urging France and China to overcome differences, strengthen strategic partnership, rebalance trade, and work toward peace in Ukraine, while Xi emphasized stable ties and cooperation against interference.

China and France must overcome ‘differences’, Macron tells Xi

ISLAMABAD: US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on December 3 a new task force for the US military&rsquo;s first one-way-attack drone squadron based in the Middle East, said a post on X by US CENTCOM on Wednesday. &ldquo;CENTCOM launched Task Force Scorpion Strike (TFSS) four months after Secretary of War Pete Hegseth directed acceleration of the acquisition and fielding of affordable drone technology,&rdquo; the post 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-2" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1996217608761118914&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=92a695e3547cf2463211d3633b6c821060f9ae9c&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 224px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="1996217608761118914"></iframe></div></div>Regarding the TFSS, it said that the task force is &ldquo;designed to quickly deliver low cost and effective drone capabilities into the hands of warfighters,&rdquo; adding it has &ldquo;already formed a squadron of Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones currently based in the Middle East.&rdquo; Extensive range, autonomous operation&nbsp;The social media post said: &ldquo;LUCAS drones deployed by CENTCOM have an extensive range and are designed to operate autonomously.&rdquo; &ldquo;They can be launched with different mechanisms to include catapults, rocket-assisted takeoff, and mobile ground and vehicle systems.&rdquo; &ldquo;This new task force sets the conditions for using innovation as a deterrent,&rdquo; says the post, quoting Admiral Bradley Cooper, the CENTCOM commander. &lsquo;Cutting-edge drone capabilities&rsquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;Equipping our skilled warfighters faster with cutting-edge drone capabilities showcases U.S. military innovation and strength, which deters bad actors.&rdquo; The post adds: &ldquo;In September, CENTCOM launched the Rapid Employment Joint Task Force (REJTF) led by its chief technology officer to fast-track processes for outfitting deployed forces with emerging capabilities.&rdquo; &ldquo;The joint task force is coordinating innovation efforts among Service components in three focus areas: capability, software, and tech diplomacy.&rdquo; &ldquo;TFSS&rsquo;s efforts to build the one-way-attack drone squadron are led by personnel from Special Operations Command Central and align with REJTF&rsquo;s capability focus area,&rdquo; the post said.

Americas

US CENTCOM announced Task Force Scorpion Strike to rapidly field low-cost, one-way-attack LUCAS drones in the Middle East, providing autonomous, extensive-range capabilities and aligning with broader innovation efforts under the Rapid Employment Joint Task Force. 

US launches one-way-attack drone force in Middle East

ISLAMABAD: Tajikistan has dismissed a Reuters report claiming that Dushanbe was in talks with the Collective Security Treaty Organization on allowing Russian troops to jointly patrol its border with Afghanistan. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Tajik Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the report was &ldquo;untrue,&rdquo; adding that the spread of such &ldquo;false information&rdquo; could mislead the international audience. The ministry said Tajikistan continues to take its own measures to strengthen security along the Tajik Afghan frontier.&nbsp; Officials added that the situation along the border remains stable and under the full control of the country&rsquo;s competent authorities. The denial comes a day after Reuters reported Tajikistan was in talks with Russia and a Moscow-led regional security grouping about the possibility of Russia deploying troops to jointly patrol the volatile border with Afghanistan. The report came days after Tajikistan confirmed the <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/tajikistan-condemns-afghanistan-drone-strike-killing-three-chinese-workers" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">death of five Chinese nationals</a> near the border in attacks launched from inside Afghanistan. Tajik President Emomali Rahmon held meetings with security chiefs on Monday to review the situation, while China advised its citizens working in mining and business ventures to leave the border areas. Separately, <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/tajikistan-slams-afghanistan-for-deadly-crossborder-attacks" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Tajik&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/tajikistan-slams-afghanistan-for-deadly-crossborder-attacks" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">President Emomali Rahmon</a> has also condemned two cross-border attacks from Afghanistan.&nbsp; The Tajik foreign ministry said the attack &ldquo;originated from the territory of Afghanistan,&rdquo; noting that gunmen opened fire on the camp late on Nov. 26 within the control area of the 1st Border Guard Post Istiqlol of the Yol Border Detachment. It added that the assault involved &ldquo;an unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with grenades and firearms.&rdquo;

Central Asia

Its foreign ministry says Tajikistan continues to take its own measures to strengthen security along the Tajik Afghan frontier. 

Tajikistan rejects report on joint border patrols with Russian troops

WASHINGTON:&nbsp;The Pentagon&#39;s independent watchdog said US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth&#39;s use of the commercial messaging app Signal to discuss strikes on Yemen could have put American troops at risk, US media reported Wednesday. The probe by the inspector general&rsquo;s office concluded that Hegseth did not violate rules on classification, however, because he has the authority to declassify information, the reports said, citing sources familiar with the results of the investigation. &lsquo;Extrajudicial killings&rsquo;The watchdog&rsquo;s conclusion -- which has been transmitted to Congress -- is nonetheless likely to reignite debate over conduct by Hegseth, who is already under fire over <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/white-house-confirms-admiral-ordered-2nd-strike-on-alleged-drug-boat" style="color:#0073e6;">US strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats</a> that experts say amount to extrajudicial killings. The probe was sparked by The Atlantic magazine&#39;s revelation in late March that its editor-in-chief was inadvertently included in a Signal chat in which US officials, including Hegseth and then-national security advisor Mike Waltz, discussed strikes on Yemen&#39;s Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Editor labelled &lsquo;liar&rsquo;The magazine initially withheld the details the officials discussed, but later published them after the White House insisted that no classified information was shared and attacked the editor, Jeffrey Goldberg, as a liar. The chat included messages in which Hegseth revealed the timing of strikes hours before they happened and information on aircraft and missiles involved, while Waltz sent real-time intelligence on the aftermath of the military action. &lsquo;TOTAL exoneration&rsquo;In a post to X late on Wednesday, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell called the review &quot;a TOTAL exoneration of Secretary Hegseth.&quot;<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" 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=1996367776089571829&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fsections%2F&sessionId=92a695e3547cf2463211d3633b6c821060f9ae9c&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 320px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>The Atlantic said that Waltz had set some Signal messages to disappear after one week and others after four, raising questions about whether federal records law was violated. Waltz fired, Hegseth survivesTrump rejected calls to fire Hegseth and largely pinned the blame on Waltz, whom he ultimately replaced as national security advisor, appointing him as US ambassador to the United Nations instead. US media then reported in April that Hegseth had created a second Signal chat in which the March Yemen strikes were discussed with people, including his wife and brother, but the Pentagon chief likewise weathered that storm and remained in office. US forces launched a renewed air campaign against the Houthis on March 15. Trump&#39;s strikes against the Houthis lasted until early May, when a ceasefire agreement was reached with the help of Omani mediation.

The watchdog’s conclusion -- which has been transmitted to Congress -- is likely to reignite debate over conduct by Hegseth, who is already under fire over US strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats.

Probe found Hegseth’s Signal use could have put US troops at risk: reports

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a phone call with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday, said that Pakistan is ready to provide all possible relief and humanitarian assistance in response to the &quot;unprecedented challenge&quot; posed by the widespread destruction from recent floods across the Southeast Asian country. Monsoon rains, paired with two tropical storm systems, dumped record deluges across Sri Lanka and parts of Indonesia&#39;s Sumatra, southern Thailand, and northern Malaysia last week. In Indonesia, 770 were confirmed dead, the country&#39;s disaster management agency said earlier today, revising the toll down from 812 it announced earlier in the day. Another 463 people are missing. According to a press release issued by the Press Information Department, PM &nbsp;Sharif extended &quot;heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy&quot; to President Prabowo Subianto&nbsp;over the tragic loss of precious lives and widespread devastation. While expressing full solidarity with Indonesia, the premier assured the Indonesian president that Pakistan is ready to extend all possible relief and humanitarian assistance, including sharing its own experience in managing large-scale flood emergencies, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts. During the call, the prime minister highlighted the &quot;shared vulnerability of both countries before the impacts of climate-induced disasters,&quot; stressing the importance of &quot;enhanced cooperation in disaster preparedness, response and climate resilience.&quot; The Indonesian president shared with PM Sharif the efforts underway by the country&#39;s authorities, which responded &quot;swiftly and effectively to deal with this catastrophe.&quot; He also thanked the premier for his expression of condolences and solidarity. PM Sharif said he looked forward to welcoming the Indonesian president to Pakistan for the scheduled official visit next week, adding that the visit would offer both countries &quot;a valuable opportunity to further strengthen bilateral diplomatic ties and cooperation across all areas of mutual interest.&quot;

Foreign Affairs

In a call with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, the prime minister extended heartfelt condolences and expressed profound sympathy to the people and the government of Indonesia over the tragic loss of precious lives and the widespread devastation caused by the recent floods and landslides.

World Powerlifting: Pakistani police officer defeats Indian counterpart to win two gold medals

Related Articles

India and Pakistan set for group-stage clash in T20 World Cup

Pakistan Shaheens clinch Asia Cup Rising Stars title in super over

Latest News

German boxer Zeina Nassar expresses gratitude to Pakistani crowd, organisers

World Powerlifting: Pakistani police officer defeats Indian counterpart to win two gold medals

India-Russia ties face tough test under US pressure

Afghan national arrested near Washington for ISIS-K support: US Homeland Security

India using violence to systematically cripple Kashmiris: report