Faraz Saeed

DUSHANBE: Tajikistan&rsquo;s Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin has said the Dushanbe Water Process has emerged as a key mechanism supporting the United Nations&rsquo; global water agenda, reflecting the country&rsquo;s growing role in international water diplomacy and long-term policy coordination. In an exclusive interview with Pakistan TV Digital on the sidelines of the Fourth High-Level International Conference on Water for Sustainable Development, Muhriddin said the initiative had helped mobilize political support, generate policy recommendations and facilitate major global water events, including the 2023 UN Water Conference. He said the process was now serving as an important preparatory platform for the upcoming UN Water Conferences scheduled for 2026 and 2028. The remarks come as water security, climate change and sustainable development are increasingly intertwined on the international agenda, prompting governments and multilateral institutions to seek stronger cooperation on managing global water challenges. Muhriddin said Tajikistan, under the leadership of President Emomali Rahmon, had worked closely with the United Nations over the past two decades to elevate water issues within the international system. He pointed to a series of UN General Assembly resolutions championed by Tajikistan, including the International Year of Freshwater, the International Decade for Action &ldquo;Water for Sustainable Development,&rdquo; as well as initiatives focused on glacier preservation and cryospheric sciences. The foreign minister also highlighted the Group of Friends of Water in New York, launched by Tajikistan and now comprising more than 60 countries. &ldquo;The platform has helped maintain international momentum on water issues between major conferences,&rdquo; he said, adding that it had strengthened awareness and engagement on water-related challenges across the UN system. Muhriddin described the Dushanbe Water Process as an &ldquo;inclusive mechanism&rdquo; designed to support implementation of international commitments and enhance cooperation among governments, international organizations and other stakeholders working to address global water challenges. He also pointed to a new proposal unveiled during the fourth Dushanbe Water Conference, the &ldquo;Dushanbe Water Framework,&rdquo; aimed at strengthening international coordination and extending discussions on global water governance beyond 2030. According to the foreign minister, the initiative builds on the outcomes of the 2023 UN Water Conference and the International Decade for Action on Water, reflecting Tajikistan&rsquo;s commitment to advancing international cooperation and sustainable water management in the years ahead. <div class="fr-embed youtube-embed"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n_8T23CU1EA?si=f05x6D0twLsYCMX2" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="" style="width: 100%; height: auto; aspect-ratio: 16 / 9; max-width: 100%; display: block;"></iframe>&nbsp;</div>

Central Asia

Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin says the Dushanbe Water Process has become a key driver of the UN water agenda, helping shape global policy, mobilize cooperation and prepare for upcoming UN water conferences in 2026 and 2028.

Tajik FM says Dushanbe Water Process driving global UN agenda

ASTANA: Armenia should hold a referendum on EU membership &quot;as soon as possible&quot;, President Vladimir Putin and three Russian-allied leaders said in a statement Friday, escalating pressure on Yerevan over its deepening ties with Brussels. Armenia is formally allied with Moscow, but has been building ties with the European Union for years amid frustration over Russia&#39;s perceived failure to protect it during conflicts with neighbouring Azerbaijan. The Caucasus country froze its security ties with Moscow in 2024, and last year passed a law declaring its intention to seek EU membership, further angering Russia. Armenia is still a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, the Russian-led customs union. Putin said it was time for Armenia to choose between the EU and the Eurasian Economic Union, insisting it was &ldquo;impossible to reconcile the two&rdquo;. &quot;Prime Minister (Nikol) Pashinyan himself said that he considers it right to hold a referendum on this issue, on where Armenia should position itself: in the Eurasian Union or in the European Union. We would like this to be done as soon as possible,&quot; Putin said at a press conference in Kazakhstan, where he was attending a summit. In a joint statement issued earlier at the summit, Putin and the leaders of Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan warned Armenia&#39;s moves to join the EU posed &quot;significant risks&quot; to the economy of Eurasian Economic Union member states. &quot;We share the position on the need to hold a national referendum in the Republic of Armenia as soon as possible on joining the European Union or remaining part of the Eurasian Economic Union,&quot; the statement said. Armenia did not immediately comment on the move. &ldquo;Whatever decisions are made, this will not damage our humanitarian ties, it will not damage our political ties,&rdquo; Putin said. Under Pashinyan, Armenia has formally pursued a strategy of what he calls &quot;diversification&quot;, in which the landlocked country pursues ties with both Russia and the West.

Russia and three allied states urge Armenia to hold a referendum on EU membership, arguing it must choose between closer integration with Europe or remaining in the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union.

Armenia should hold EU referendum soon, Putin and allies say

DUSHANBE: World leaders and UN officials have convened in Dushanbe for a major international conference to accelerate global cooperation and action on water sustainability ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference. The 4th High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action, &ldquo;Water for Sustainable Development&rdquo; (2018-28) has commenced in Dushanbe, bringing together world leaders and senior United Nations officials to accelerate global action on water. Tajikistan, in partnership with the United Nations and key international stakeholders, is hosting the conference in the capital from May 25 to 28. The meeting opens as countries continue efforts under the UN Water Action Decade framework, aimed at strengthening the implementation of water-related development goals and international cooperation.&nbsp;Global water diplomacyTajikistan, as the initiator of the Water Action Decade and co-host of the United Nations 2023 Water Conference, continues to position Dushanbe as a central platform for global water diplomacy. The conference builds on the Dushanbe Water Process meetings held in 2018, 2022, and 2024, and serves as a preparatory step toward the 2026 UN Water Conference, while supporting progress on Sustainable Development Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation.&nbsp;Broad global participation&nbsp;The gathering brings together heads of state and government, ministers, UN entities, international and regional organizations, financial institutions, civil society, scientific institutions, youth, indigenous peoples, and the private sector. Discussions will focus on sustaining momentum from the UN 2023 Water Conference, advancing implementation of the Water Action Agenda, and initiating dialogue toward the 2028 UN Water Conference, which will also be hosted by Tajikistan.&nbsp;Program highlightsOver the coming days, participants will engage in high-level plenaries, nine thematic sessions aligned with the interactive dialogue structure of the 2026 UN Water Conference, pre-conference forums, side events, and an international exhibition. A regional preparatory meeting convened by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific is also bringing together countries across the Asia-Pacific region. Field visits will highlight Tajikistan&rsquo;s cultural heritage and its experience in water management and hydropower infrastructure.&nbsp;Expected outcomesThe conference is expected to conclude with a final declaration, a co-chairs&rsquo; summary, and a formal contribution to the 2026 UN Water Conference. A UN framing note describes the gathering as a platform to &ldquo;strengthen partnerships, foster innovation, mobilize financing, and accelerate concrete action&rdquo; on global water priorities.

The 4th High-Level International Conference on the International Decade for Action 'Water for Sustainable Development' will serve as a preparatory step toward the 2026 UN Water Conference, while supporting progress on Sustainable Development Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation.

World leaders gather in Dushanbe to advance global water agenda

ISTANBUL: Turkiye and Armenia will formally resume trade relations after a 33-year freeze as part of a rapprochement between the two countries, a Turkish foreign ministry spokesman said on Wednesday. Turkiye shut its border with Armenia in 1993 in support of its ally Azerbaijan, which was at war with Armenia over Karabakh. Turkiye&nbsp;and Armenia have been cautiously moving towards rapprochement since late 2021, a year after Armenia was defeated by Azerbaijan in a fresh conflict over that disputed territory. &quot;Within the framework of our normalisation process with Armenia that has been ongoing since 2022... the bureaucratic preparations regarding the initiation of direct trade between our country and Armenia have been completed as of May 11,&quot; foreign ministry spokesman Oncu Keceli said on X. Trade had already been passing between Turkiye and Armenia via Georgia, with taxes imposed in the transit country. But under the new regulation, goods can be formally designated as direct exports from Turkiye to Armenia, with the origin and final destination listed as being in those countries. Trade will continue to transit through an unspecified third country due to the lack of a functional border crossing. &quot;The necessary technical and bureaucratic work toward opening the common border between the two countries is still ongoing,&quot; the spokesman said. Turkiye&nbsp;and Armenia also share a border with Iran. Armenia welcomed Turkiye&#39;s decision &quot;to lift the bans on bilateral trade with Armenia&quot;, its foreign ministry spokesperson said in a statement. The spokesperson described it as an &quot;important step towards the development of full-fledged and normal relations between the two countries&quot;. Ankara&#39;s latest announcement marks a new step toward normalisation between Ankara and Yerevan after Azerbaijan&#39;s seizure of Karabakh, which saw most of the Armenian population leave. Last month, Armenia and Turkiye decided to put the Kars-Gyumri railway line back into service on both sides of their border. Turkiye&#39;s&nbsp;national carrier, Turkish Airlines, operated its first direct flight between Istanbul and Yerevan in March. But the two sides remain divided over history. The Armenians say 1.5 million of their people were killed under the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1917 and seek international recognition that it was genocide. Turkiye&nbsp;strongly denies the accusation of genocide and disputes the numbers, saying that the Armenians were among hundreds of thousands of people who died in the turmoil of World War I as the Ottoman Empire disintegrated.

Turkiye, Armenia resume formal trade relations after 33 years amid normalization efforts between longtime rivals

Turkiye and Armenia to restart direct trade: Ankara

PARIS: Sarvanaz remembers celebrating Iranian new year as a girl under the bombs of the Iran-Iraq war. As Tehran is again shaken by explosions, she said marking the Nowruz festival has again taken on new meaning. &quot;For me, it&#39;s an obligation of being Iranian, it&#39;s our root, it&#39;s not just celebrating springtime and rebirth of the earth,&quot; the 45-year-old told AFP from Paris, where she lives now. &quot;For me it&#39;s resistance.&quot; The ancient holiday is celebrated in Iran and neighbouring countries on the equinox in March, typically marked by weeks of anticipation as families prepare Haft-Seen tables -- a symbolic arrangement of foods and objects, including apples, sprouted greens, painted eggs and poetry. This year Sarvanaz, who asked to only use her first name for security, decorated her egg with a blue sky and a sun. &quot;For me it&#39;s peace, it&#39;s a sky with no bombs and always shining.&quot; Iranians inside the country and around the world are marking the Nowruz holiday on Friday under the shadow of the US-Israeli war with Iran that has sent shockwaves around the world. But while the conflict has made marking the normally joyful festival of spring and the new year painful for some, many told AFP it felt even more important to celebrate under the circumstances. Sarvanaz&#39;s parents in Iran will also celebrate, she said, though she may not be able to be in touch with them as usual due to the near-total communications blackout since the war started. In Tehran in the days before the holiday, there was a sense of normalcy with shops open and streets again full of traffic, but there was little of the usual celebratory atmosphere, AFP reporters there said. While many may forgo the usual travel or gatherings this year, others in Iran said they would still celebrate. Hoda, who lives in Saveh, south of Tehran, said she would &quot;definitely gather with family&quot; and even travel to the capital, which has seen some of the worst of the war&#39;s strikes. &quot;We assume and hope that there will be no attacks on the first day of the new year,&quot; she told an AFP reporter based outside Iran. But others left the country seeking reprieve. A Kurdish resident of Mahabad in Iran&#39;s West Azerbaijan province, said her family travelled to Iraqi Kurdistan to celebrate, making part of the roughly 170-kilometre (100-mile) journey to Erbil on foot through the mountains because the borders have been closed. &quot;We were determined to come here because, in Iran, I felt that the Nowruz atmosphere just wasn&#39;t what it should be,&quot; she said. &quot;The Kurds of Iraq are much more accustomed than we, the Kurds of Iran, to war and to the idea of celebrating even during times of conflict.&quot;&nbsp;&#39;Hard to be far away&#39;&nbsp;For Kiarash in Germany, the holiday has been darkened by the war and the death of thousands in anti-government protests in Iran during which he saw people killed. &quot;Last year was with hope, this year is with hope and fear,&quot; he said. &quot;I invited many friends of mine to come here, because during these traumas, we have to sit together and talk, and prepare ourselves for something better.&quot; In a corner of north London known as &quot;Little Tehran&quot;, Shahabi, a baker, said the war shouldn&#39;t steal the Nowruz spirit. &quot;We&#39;ve got to celebrate. I mean, this is the culture. We&#39;ve been doing it for thousands of years. So we have to look for a brighter future,&quot; Shahabi told AFP. Butch Ali Nasiri, 48, said most Iranians around the world &quot;don&#39;t feel like celebrating&quot;. &quot;But just to keep this tradition alive, we&#39;re celebrating. We&#39;re all celebrating, but we&#39;re all thinking of the people lost,&quot; he said. Sasha Khoshabeh, a 44-year-old physical therapist living in Los Angeles where there is a large Iranian community, said he would usually call his friends and family in Iran on Nowruz to wish them good health. But this year, &quot;we don&#39;t even know if they&#39;re safe... what I wish for them is just to stay alive, to stay away from crowded places and to watch out for each other. And hopefully we can all celebrate a free Iran soon,&quot; he said. Like Khoshabeh, Mahnaz Panjehpour in Paris, is feeling the distance from Iran starkly this year. She said at home people say that what you&#39;re doing at the exact moment the calendar turns -- a time that shifts each year -- sets the tone for the year. &quot;That&#39;s why we try to celebrate with family, with dignity, to be calm, with Hafez&quot; the renowned 14th-century poet, she said. &quot;This year, everything is messed up.&quot; Ahead of Nowruz, she returned to a line of poetry for hope for the year to come: &quot;These bitter days will pass -- more bitter than poison; Once again a day will come when life is sweet as sugar.&quot;

Iranians mark Nowruz at home and abroad under the shadow of war, with celebrations muted by fear and displacement but still seen as an act of cultural resilience and hope for peace.

'Hope and fear': Iranians celebrate new year under shadow of war

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Iran&rsquo;s Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi on Tuesday rejected reports of contacting senior US envoy Steve Witkoff, according to Iran&rsquo;s semi-official Tasnim News Agency.&nbsp;The denial follows reports by Axios and other outlets reporting that Aragchi had attempted to directly communicate with Steve Witkoff, with messages reportedly focused on ending the ongoing conflict.&nbsp;&ldquo;My last contact with Mr. Witkoff was prior to his employer&rsquo;s decision to kill diplomacy with another illegal military attack on Iran,&rdquo; the minister said in a post on X.&nbsp;&ldquo;Any claim to the contrary appears geared solely to mislead oil traders and the public,&rdquo; he added.&nbsp;The reports suggested a possible backchannel between Washington and Tehran, since US, &nbsp;Israel carried out airstrikes against Iran almost 3 weeks ago.&nbsp;US President Donald Trump, on multiple occasions, suggested that Iran wanted a deal for a ceasefire.&nbsp;&ldquo;They want to make a deal. They are talking to our people&hellip; we have people wanting to negotiate, [but] we have no idea who they are,&rdquo; Trump told reporters earlier.&nbsp;Iranian officials have maintained publicly that no ceasefire negotiations are underway

Iran denies reports of renewed contact with a US envoy, rejecting claims of backchannel talks with Donald Trump’s administration and insisting no ceasefire negotiations are underway amid escalating conflict.

Iran denies contact with US envoy

WASHINGTON: The US defense secretary on Monday declined to rule out putting troops on the ground in Iran and indicated the war launched over the weekend could go on for as long as six weeks.&nbsp;US forces began carrying out sweeping strikes on Iran Saturday in concert with military action by Israel, and have struck hundreds of targets across the country since then, including the Islamic republic&#39;s missiles, navy and command-and-control sites.&nbsp;When asked if the United States already had boots on the ground, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth told a news conference: &quot;No, but we&#39;re not going to go into the exercise of what we will or will not do.&quot;&nbsp;&quot;We&#39;ll go as far as we need to go,&quot; he said.&nbsp;&quot;I think it&#39;s one of those fallacies for a long time that this department or presidents or others should tell the American people and our enemies by the way, &#39;Here&#39;s exactly what we&#39;ll do, here&#39;s exactly how long we&#39;ll go,&#39;&quot; he said.&nbsp;As for how long the war will last, Hegseth said: &quot;Four weeks, two weeks, six weeks, it could move up. It could move back.&quot;&nbsp;He sought to differentiate the Iran operation from past long-running US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, saying the war is not an effort to build democracy in Iran.&nbsp;&quot;No stupid rules of engagement, no nation building quagmire, no democracy-building exercise. No politically correct wars. We fight to win and we don&#39;t waste time or lives,&quot; the Pentagon chief said.&nbsp;&quot;This is not Iraq. This is not endless,&quot; Hegseth said. &quot;Our generation knows better and so does this president. He called the last 20 years of nation building wars &#39;dumb&#39; and he&#39;s right.&quot;&nbsp;&quot;With every passing day, our capabilities get stronger and Iran&#39;s get weaker. We set the terms of this war from start to finish. Our ambitions are not utopian, they are realistic scoped to our interests and the defense of our people and our allies,&quot; he added.&nbsp;General Dan Caine, the top US military officer, spoke alongside Hegseth, saying that air superiority had been achieved over Iran.&nbsp;Strikes by American forces &quot;resulted in the establishment of local air superiority. This air superiority will not only enhance the protection of our forces, but also allow them to continue the work over Iran,&quot; Caine said.&nbsp;

The US defense secretary declined to rule out putting troops on the ground in Iran and indicated the war launched over the weekend could go on for as long as six weeks.

Pentagon chief refuses to rule out 'boots on ground' in Iran

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.

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

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump&#39;s lead negotiator with Iran, Steve Witkoff, said on Saturday that he visited the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, currently in the Arabian Sea, as Washington and Tehran prepare to hold further talks soon.&nbsp;&quot;Today, Adm. Brad Cooper, Commander of US Naval Forces Central Command, Jared Kushner, and I met with the brave sailors and Marines aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, her strike group, and Carrier Air Wing 9 who are keeping us safe and upholding President Trump&#39;s message of peace through strength,&quot; said Witkoff in a social media post.&nbsp;Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday he hoped talks with the United States would resume soon, while reiterating Tehran&#39;s red lines and warning against any American attack.

Trump envoy Steve Witkoff visits USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea, projecting US military resolve as Washington and Tehran prepare further talks, with Iran signalling readiness to resume negotiations while warning against any American attack.

Top Trump Iran negotiator visits US aircraft carrier in Middle East

ISLAMABAD: More than 1 billion people worldwide affected by neglected tropical diseases are experiencing a largely invisible mental health crisis, according to a new World Health Organization (<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/who-regrets-us-notification-of-withdrawal-rejects-accusations-over-covid19-response" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">WHO</a>) report. The WHO&#39;s &quot;Essential Care Package to Address Mental Health and Stigma for Persons with Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)&quot; reveals stark findings. People with these conditions experience depression, anxiety, and suicidal behaviors at rates significantly higher than the general population. &quot;Over 1 billion people worldwide are affected by neglected tropical diseases and a similar number are affected by mental health conditions,&quot; the report noted. &quot;These independently burdensome conditions are significantly interlinked.&quot; Stigma drives the crisis as people with NTDs face discrimination and social exclusion. They encounter barriers to employment and marriage. These experiences create distress. Worry, fear, sadness and insecurity contribute to isolation and worsening&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/over-million-users-talk-about-suicide-weekly-to-chatgpt-open-ai" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">mental health</a>. The stigma prevents affected persons from seeking treatment. Many delay care or avoid it entirely, worsening both their physical rehabilitation and mental well-being. &quot;Stigma creates barriers to participation in society,&quot; the report warned, leading to decreased quality of life and delayed help-seeking. Some NTDs directly affect the brain, including human African trypanosomiasis and neurocysticercosis. Others cause visible disfigurement. Leprosy, cutaneous leishmaniasis and lymphatic filariasis make affected people particularly vulnerable to social&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/former-australia-great-gillespie-faces-backlash-over-bangladesh-t20-world-cup-exclusion" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">exclusion</a>. Women and girls suffer more severe stigma than men. Existing societal disadvantages compound the problem. Female genital schistosomiasis is wrongly associated with sexual misconduct, leading to social ostracism. Suicide rates are elevated among people with stigmatizing conditions like leprosy while increased substance use has also been documented. Addressing this crisis requires more than health services. Social, psychological and socioeconomic factors must be tackled. This ensures inclusion and improved well-being. &quot;Historically, the intersection of mental health and NTDs has been neglected,&quot; the document states. &quot;Without its adoption the broader agenda of eliminating NTDs will be hindered.&quot; The essential care package outlines evidence-based interventions. These cover prevention, identification and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/german-president-enjoys-royal-treatment-on-uk-state-visit" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">treatment</a> of mental health conditions. The package provides strategies to reduce stigma through education, social contact and advocacy. Health workers need training to screen for mental health conditions. They must provide basic psychological support. The report recommends integrating mental health indicators into routine NTD data collection. Community-level interventions matter. Peer support groups can reduce self-stigma. They promote physical and mental self-care. The WHO calls for multisectoral collaboration. This involves education,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/ai-risks-mass-unemployment-in-london-mayor" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">employment</a>, and water and sanitation services. Policy reforms must eliminate discriminatory laws and practices. These perpetuate structural stigma. &quot;A person-centered approach is essential,&quot; the report states. This ensures people&#39;s multiple specific needs are addressed effectively. WHO developed the document through collaboration. Partners included civil society organizations and representatives of people affected by NTDs. The Coalition for Research on NTDs and UK Aid provided financial support.

More than 1 billion people worldwide affected by neglected tropical diseases are experiencing a largely invisible mental health crisis, the World Health Organization warned. (WHO)

More than 1 billion people with neglected tropical diseases face a hidden mental health crisis driven by stigma and discrimination, a new WHO report reveals. The conditions cause depression and anxiety at rates far higher than the general population.

One billion people with neglected diseases face mental health crisis warns WHO

JESSORE: Rice farmer Mohammad Ismail Hossain fears violence could blight his quiet fields in southwestern Bangladesh, on the front line of a growing Indian push to expel undocumented migrants. The countries share a porous 4,096-kilometre (2,500-mile) border, with communities on either side often so interwoven that crossings -- illegal or not -- are common. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has been stepping up deportations of illegal migrants to Bangladesh, a campaign that critics say unfairly targets Bengali-speaking Muslims. Rights groups say those efforts have gathered more momentum since Modi&#39;s Hindu-nationalist party won power in West Bengal state, which borders Bangladesh, for the first time last month. &quot;(India) says that those found to be Bangladeshi would be sent back after verifying their documents,&quot; Hossain, 66, told AFP at a tea stall in the border region of Khulna-Jessore. &quot;But no one seems to be verifying anything. They are pushing people in, left, right and centre,&quot; he said. Authorities say many people in the border region lack proper documents to prove their citizenship, mainly due to poverty, a lack of awareness, and a long history of informal movement. &quot;If the situation escalates, there could be a bigger conflict, with shots being fired... India, being the larger country, can forcefully do anything,&quot; said a worried Hossain. &nbsp;&#39;Infiltrators&#39;&nbsp;The borderland communities long predate the 1947 partition of British India, which delineated the frontier of the nation now called Bangladesh. Along some stretches, it is often difficult to distinguish one country from the other. Family networks straddle both sides. Some homes may even have their kitchen in Bangladesh and their courtyard in India. India has informally &quot;pushed back&quot; illegal migrants into Bangladesh for decades, but activists say the political changeover in West Bengal has boosted the deportation campaign. The state government has set up detention centers and claimed to have forced out nearly 5,000 &quot;Bangladeshi infiltrators&quot;. The escalation has riled Bangladesh, which is equally reluctant to absorb groups of people whose identities are not immediately clear. Bangladeshi border guards have increased patrols and issued warnings through loudspeakers that no one may enter without verification, Mahmudul Hasan, a regional commander, told AFP. &quot;We are willing to accept our citizens once their nationality has been verified by both countries, but we are not taking unidentified nationals,&quot; Hasan said. &quot;Rules must apply even to undocumented people.&quot; Since June 5, Bangladeshi guards have thwarted at least 35 attempts by India to force migrants over the border, a Bangladeshi spokesman told AFP. West Bengal police official Subrata Saha insisted Indian authorities were only handing over deportees &quot;after it is proved that they crossed the Indian border illegally and they are Bangladeshi nationals&quot;. Battered, bruised&nbsp;Meanwhile, many undocumented migrants remain in limbo, and humanitarian concerns are mounting. At a hospital in the city of Satkhira, Mohammad Mohiuddin lay recovering from injuries he says were inflicted by Indian guards as he was trying to wade across a lake into Bangladesh. &quot;They hit me in the eye with the butt of a rifle and shot me,&quot; he told AFP from his bed. &quot;I don&#39;t deserve such cruelty.&quot; A senior official from India&#39;s Border Security Force refused to comment when contacted by AFP. Women and children have reportedly spent days stranded along the &quot;zero line&quot; -- the narrow buffer zone separating Bangladesh from India -- relying on villagers for food and water. Viral videos show frightened families huddled near border fences while Indian and Bangladeshi personnel argue over who should take responsibility for them. Rights groups say the crisis exposes the gruelling poverty that drives many Bangladeshis to cross illegally. They also worry that India could arbitrarily decide to push Rohingya refugees, who are mainly Muslim, across the border. Bangladesh already hosts more than one million Rohingya refugees from neighboring Myanmar, a huge economic and social burden for one of the world&#39;s less-developed countries. Torn apart&nbsp;Many villagers do not see illegal border crossings as criminal because of the deep historical and family ties linking communities on both sides, said A.B.M. Mohid Hossain, who works with the non-profit Justice and Care. &quot;Some people cross in search of work because they have family members on the other side,&quot; he told AFP. For some families, the suffering continues long after they are detained. At least 20 Bangladeshi children were repatriated in May while their parents were jailed in India on charges of illegal entry, according to police and human rights groups. Among them was 14-year-old Sumi Khatun, who said she and her younger sister were separated from their family after being detained a year ago. Sumi, whose parents are Bangladeshi, says she was born in India but lacks the documents to prove that. &quot;They arrested us and separated my little sister and me from our mother and brother,&quot; she said. &quot;My father&#39;s grave is in Delhi, my mother and brother are in jails in different cities in India, and my sister and I are in Bangladesh,&quot; she said. Sumi said she no longer wants anything to do with the country where her family was torn apart. &quot;I will never go to India again... Just bring my mother and brother back so that we can all live together again.&quot;

This photograph taken on June 3, 2026 shows Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel patrolling near the Benapole-Petrapole frontier crossing between Bangladesh and India in Benapole (AFP)

India

Bangladesh

Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has been stepping up deportations of illegal migrants to Bangladesh, a campaign that critics say unfairly targets Bengali-speaking Muslims; Rights groups say those efforts have gathered more momentum since Modi's Hindu-nationalist party won power in West Bengal state, which borders Bangladesh, for the first time last month.

India migrant evictions seed fear in Bangladesh border towns

ISLAMABAD: India&rsquo;s &quot;Cockroach Janta Party&quot; founder Abhijeet Dipke arrived at Lucknow airport on Friday to participate in a peaceful protest at Eco Garden against the Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.&nbsp; In a post on X, Dipke said he was traveling to the Uttar Pradesh capital after participating in what he described as two successful and peaceful protests in New Delhi and Pune. <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=2065095286754553911&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Flogin%2F&sessionId=c024945361eba3518781b87b0926dd27ab26d6ee&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 321px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> &quot;Will join the students there tomorrow to demand resignation of Education Minister,&quot; he wrote on Thursday. According to a post by his party, if local authorities denied permission for the demonstration, Dipke would personally approach police officials and request approval for the gathering. <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-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2065236086230569226&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Flogin%2F&sessionId=c024945361eba3518781b87b0926dd27ab26d6ee&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 897px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div> The party held its first major street protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, calling for Pradhan&#39;s resignation over major exam irregularities, including question paper leaks and technical glitches. Within weeks, the movement has amassed more than 22 million followers on Instagram, making it one of the most prominent youth-driven online campaigns in India.

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke addresses his supporters during a protest over alleged irregularities in the country's major examinations, in New Delhi on June 6, 2026 (AFP).

Abhijeet Dipke says he will join a student-led protest in Lucknow to demand the education minister's resignation and approach the police himself if permission for the demonstration is denied.

India's 'Cockroach Party' founder arrives in Lucknow to join protest demanding minister's resignation

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s President Asif Ali Zardari has approved the Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (Conversion) (Repeal) Bill, 2026, paving the way for PIA&#39;s privatization. According to the details, following the president&#39;s approval, the legal requirements necessary for the completion of the&nbsp;<a href="https://pakistantv.com/article/pia-nears-full-privatization-as-consortium-moves-for-remaining-stake" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">privatization</a>&nbsp;process of Pakistan International Airlines Company Limited have been fulfilled, said a post shared on&nbsp;<a href="https://pakistantv.com/article/from-18-to-60-aircraft-new-owners-unveil-pia-expansion-plan" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">President</a>&nbsp;of Pakistan&#39;s X handle on Friday.<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=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2065282559559537061&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fdashboard%2F&sessionId=08b9253216cdb53baaa53f1d414c3a108e4996d7&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 393px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>The bill was approved by the Senate of Pakistan on June 10, 2026, and by the National Assembly of Pakistan on June 11, 2026.

Economy

After the approval of the bill, the legal requirements necessary for the completion of the privatization process of Pakistan International Airlines Company Limited (PIACL) have been fulfilled, said a post shared on President of Pakistan's X handle on Friday.


Pakistan president approves law paving the way for PIA’s privatization

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to eliminating child labor, stressing that every child has the right to protection, education, and a safe future free from exploitation. In their separate messages, released in connection with the celebration of World Day Against Child Labor on Friday, the two leaders referred to Article 11 of the Constitution of Pakistan, which prohibits forced labor and exploitation of children. At the same time, Article 25-A guarantees free and compulsory education to all children. President Zardari, in his message, said child labor not only deprives children of their childhood but also damages their future and education.<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: 921px; 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=2065149075553730881&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=6c5db4e6cd2d8e8ee9390e0d4c633e78823e05cd&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> He said steps are being taken at both federal and provincial levels to eliminate child labor, but added that effective implementation of laws is essential to protect vulnerable children from exploitation. The president said children trapped in exploitative labor must be brought back into schools and provided a safe and supportive environment. He also called on parents, teachers, religious leaders, civil society, and employers to play their role in protecting children and ensuring that no child is deprived of education.&ldquo;No one should be allowed to exploit children,&rdquo; the President said. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sharif, in his separate message released from the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office (PMO) in Islamabad, said that Pakistan joins the international community in reaffirming its commitment to protecting every child from exploitation and providing them opportunities for a brighter future through education. He went on to say that this year&rsquo;s theme, &ldquo;Red Card to Child Labor: Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults,&rdquo; highlights the need for collective action against child labor. Citing International Labor Organization estimates, he said, &ldquo;nearly 138 million children worldwide remain engaged in child labor, including around 54 million in hazardous work.&rdquo; The prime minister said that Pakistan has ratified relevant ILO conventions on minimum age for employment and elimination of the worst forms of child labor. He added, &ldquo;The government is pursuing a comprehensive strategy focused on legal reforms, enforcement, social protection, education, and economic empowerment to address the root causes of child labor.&rdquo; Sharif said that institutions such as the National Commission on the Rights of Child, Child Protection Institute, provincial child protection bodies, and welfare bureaus are working to support vulnerable children.

Education

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to eliminate child labor, stressing constitutional protections, education, law enforcement, rehabilitation, and collective national action to protect children from exploitation.

President, PM reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to ending child labor

BUSHBUCKRIDGE: In a remote South African village, Paulina Mhlongo sits in the yard as health workers in green protective gear move briskly through her home, soaking the walls with anti-mosquito insecticide. Her teenage grandson fell critically ill last year from malaria, the disease that kills more than a quarter of a million people annually and is surging in southern Africa as the climate shifts. Before this spraying, the family&#39;s &quot;only defense&quot; against malaria-carrying mosquitoes was a rattling fan, said Mhlongo, a 63-year-old retiree. Her village of Calcutta is in Mpumalanga, one of three provinces in South Africa&#39;s malaria belt experiencing changing rain patterns and rising temperatures that favor mosquito breeding. Heavy rains leave pools for eggs, while warmer temperatures speed up mosquito development and shorten the malaria parasite&#39;s incubation period. Malaria cases in Mpumalanga jumped fourfold in January compared with a year earlier, according to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD). The upsurge jeopardises South Africa&#39;s goal of eliminating the disease by 2029. Gauteng the powerhouse province home to Johannesburg and Pretoria, and where malaria is not endemic logged more than 400 cases and 11 deaths in the first three months of 2026, according to the NICD. While most infections were imported into the province from known hotspots, these figures are &quot;concerning&quot; even if the disease is not being transmitted between people, the public health body said. Supercharging hotspotsHuman‑driven climate change has increased the likelihood and intensity of extreme weather, while the naturally occurring La Nina weather phenomenon brought above‑average rains to parts of southern Africa in early 2026, causing flooding that created more mosquito breeding sites, the group said. Namibia reported 8,760 cases in the first four weeks of 2026, a 68% increase from a year earlier. Flood-hit Mozambique recorded more than 1.35 million cases in the first six weeks of the year, up 55% alongside dozens of deaths. The outlook offers little reassurance as climate volatility deepens. The increase in malaria cases does not mean the disease is migrating, said Jantjie Taljaard, head of infectious diseases at Stellenbosch University. Instead, climate change is supercharging existing hotspots and lengthening transmission windows, fueling far more intense outbreaks. &quot;Rural environments and areas on the margins of established malaria risk areas are at highest risk,&quot; Taljaard said. The effects are being felt on the front line at Cunningmoore Clinic, where technicians Nicholas Skhumbane and Armstrong Mgiba swiftly process a steady stream of blood samples from surrounding villages. Working out of a threadbare laboratory, the two men, clad in white coats and latex gloves, move systematically from slide to slide. They add a drop of Giemsa stain -- a purplish-blue dye that reveals malaria parasites -- before placing each sample under a microscope. The results are returned just as quickly as at Tintswalo Hospital, a modern facility some 50 kilometers (30 miles) away. &nbsp;&#39;Even in winter&#39;&nbsp;For health officials, the shifting weather patterns are forcing a rethink of malaria planning beyond traditional hotspots and seasons. &quot;Climate change is a complex thing to deal with,&quot; said Sharon Lindiwe Nyoni, malaria program manager at the Mpumalanga department of health. &quot;When you plan as a department, you need to anticipate what is coming your way, but with climate change everything is just unfolding.&quot; The old assumption that malaria is confined to summer no longer holds, she warned. &quot;Even in winter, we continue to see transmission.&quot; It is not only local health systems that are coming under strain, experts say, but also intervention efforts. &quot;Flooding can mean we simply cannot reach communities to deliver control measures,&quot; virologist Edina Amponsah-Dacosta told AFP. Apart from heavy rains, extreme heat is a challenge as it can break the strict cold chain required before vaccines, which need refrigeration, ever reach remote clinics, she said. Despite the rising case numbers, health workers say that some locals remain skeptical about the safety of the insecticide spray and refuse to let health workers inside their homes. &quot;It is very painful to see someone dying of something that is preventable and again curable,&quot; Nyoni said. Back in Calcutta, Mhlongo waited outside as the sharp scent of insecticide drifted from her freshly sprayed nine-room house, which she shares with eight relatives. Empty beer cans littered the back of a nearby pickup truck propped on rocks -- a place the sprayers warned could harbor mosquitoes. &quot;I am happy because mosquitoes are a problem,&quot; Mhlongo said, serving the spray team a homemade snack of maize meal, sugar and groundnuts as a neighbor&#39;s music drifted across the farming village.

Medical technologist and laboratory manager at the National Health Laboratory Service Rirhandzu Mashale points to a malaria-positive blood sample projected from a microscope at Tintswalo Hospital in Bushbuckridge on May 26, 2026. (AFP)

Africa

Climate change and extreme weather are driving a sharp rise in malaria cases across southern Africa, straining health systems and threatening disease elimination efforts.

As climate shifts, malaria gains ground in southern Africa

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has expressed support for the Muscat Plan of Action, describing it as an innovative and timely pathway to counter hate speech, prevent incitement to genocide and other atrocity crimes, and promote peace through dialogue, mediation and local peacebuilding. The Muscat Plan of Action is a UN-backed framework aimed at strengthening the role of traditional and indigenous leaders and communities in countering hate speech and preventing genocide, atrocity crimes and their incitement. Speaking at the launch of the Muscat Plan of Action at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Pakistan&rsquo;s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar, said that the initiative comes at a time when the world is witnessing a sharp rise in exclusion, intolerance and discrimination. &ldquo;Pakistan supports initiatives such as the Muscat Plan of Action and appreciates the urgency shown by the United Nations in addressing these disruptive and dangerous trends,&rdquo; added the Pakistani envoy.<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; line-height: 2;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 640px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2065227854917345717&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=ef5545f1c212c27393391d5ca5361035a9d8eaba&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> The launch ceremony was attended by UN Secretary-General Ant&oacute;nio Guterres, along with representatives of member states, international organizations and peacebuilding networks. Ambassador Iftikhar further said that the plan draws strength from the cultural legitimacy, credibility and influence of traditional and Indigenous leaders, particularly in societies where local mechanisms continue to play an important role in conflict prevention and dispute resolution. Inclusive and peaceful societies&ldquo;By mobilizing traditional knowledge, cultural practices, and local mechanisms, the Plan of Action reinforces States&rsquo; efforts for establishing just, inclusive and peaceful societies,&rdquo; he said. He noted that hate speech and incitement to genocide and atrocity crimes are driven by complex social, political and ideological factors, requiring an effective and holistic response at national,&nbsp;international and community levels. The Pakistani envoy said that heads of clans, tribal chiefs and Indigenous leaders have historically played a leading role in local governance, mediation and conflict prevention. Even today, he said, such leaders remain at the forefront of peacebuilding, dispute resolution and humanitarian relief efforts in many parts of the world. Ambassador Iftikhar reaffirmed that Pakistan would continue working with international partners to counter the ideology of hate speech and promote societies based on peace, equality and dignity. He said Pakistan remained committed to supporting collective efforts to transform communities into &ldquo;oases of peace, equality and tranquility.&rdquo; The ambassador also congratulated the Sultanate of Oman, the United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide and the Peacemakers Network for compiling and finalizing the Muscat Plan of Action. Pakistan said the initiative can serve as an important platform for linking global prevention frameworks with community-based peacebuilding efforts, especially in areas vulnerable to hate-driven violence and social fragmentation.

Foreign Affairs

Endorses the Muscat Plan of Action at the UN; Calls it an innovative framework to counter hate speech, prevent genocide incitement, and promote peacebuilding through traditional and Indigenous leaders.

Pakistan backs Muscat Plan of Action against hate speech, genocide incitement

BUENOS AIRES: Temperatures in the Antarctic Peninsula have reached a record-breaking high of 15.4C for June, and ice is melting at abnormal rates during the current winter, climate scientists told AFP on Thursday. Esperanza Base, an Argentine research station located in the north of the peninsula, recorded the unprecedented figure on June 6. The previous highest temperature on record for that month -- 13.3C -- dates back to 1998. The current heat also significantly exceeds Esperanza&#39;s June average of -6.2C. Such a figure is &quot;very unusual for this time of year,&quot; Jose Luis Stella, a climatologist at Argentina&#39;s National Meteorological Service, told AFP. Argentine bases Marambio and San Martin also recorded unequalled temperatures between June 5 and 6. Marambio recorded 11.8C, surpassing a previous high of 9.2C and its June average of -10.7C. San Martin meanwhile saw 9.4C compared to its previous 7.8C record and June average of -5.6C. &#39;Confirms a trend&#39;The northern Antarctic heatwave is not an isolated event, University of Groningen professor Raul Cordero told AFP. &quot;It confirms a trend,&quot; he said, warning that &quot;these kinds of events will continue to occur with increasing frequency&quot; if global warming is not derailed. Thomas Caton Harrison, a polar climate scientist at the British Antarctic Survey, believes a combination of factors including climate change resulted in the current heat. &quot;There is credible evidence that climate change is playing a role, but the effect is complex in this region,&quot; he said. &quot;Because Antarctica sees such big swings in temperature, we have to collect lots of data over many years to build a picture of the underlying climate.&quot; Both specialists agree that regional temperatures have been rising for years and are already showing visible effects. &quot;A surprising amount of precipitation has been falling as rain rather than snow,&quot; Caton Harrison said. &quot;This has implications for polar ecosystems such as penguin colonies,&quot; he said, adding that &quot;it poses a challenge to my colleagues working on Antarctic bases because a lot of liquid rain has been falling and creating runoff and ice.&quot; Esperanza Base has been recording above-zero temperatures daily for three consecutive weeks. This trend has caused &quot;large areas in the far north of the white continent to remain free of snow,&quot; according to Cordero, who called it &quot;an unusual scene in the Antarctic landscape during winter.&quot;

Climate

Temperatures in the Antarctic Peninsula reach a record-breaking high of 15.4C for June, as ice melts at abnormal rates during the current winter.

Antarctic Peninsula sees record high June temperatures

MEXICO CITY: Mexico ignited their World Cup party with a dominant 2-0 victory over nine-man South Africa on Thursday as the biggest ever edition of the global footballing showpiece kicked off at the iconic Estadio Azteca. Julian Quinones scored the opening goal of the tournament and veteran striker Raul Jimenez added a second as the co-hosts&#39; bid for qualification from Group A got off to smooth start. South Africa meanwhile never looked like spoiling the opening day fiesta, and finished with only nine men after Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane were sent off. The Mexican-colored red, green and white smoke from pre-game fireworks had barely dissipated before Quinones fired the hosts into the lead on nine minutes, drilling a low shot through the legs of South Africa&rsquo;s goalkeeper and captain Ronwen Williams. A deafening roar cascaded down from the stands of the Azteca, the footballing cathedral that became the only stadium to host games at three different World Cups. South Africa coach Hugo Broos had warned his players to be ready for the intimidating atmosphere created by a capacity 80,824 crowd at the imposing concrete arena. But South Africa&rsquo;s players looked to have a bad case of stage fright as Mexico&#39;s fans &nbsp;greeted each completed pass with a raucous chorus of &quot;Ole!&quot; in the opening minutes Sithole seemed particularly affected, being caught in possession trying to play out of the back for Quinones&#39; opening goal. Sithole&#39;s miserable afternoon ended with a 49th minute dismissal after bundling over Mexico&rsquo;s Brian Gutierrez when clean through on goal. Mexico rammed home their advantage in the 67th minute, with a fine counter attack culminating in Roberto Alvarado crossing for Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Jimenez to nod home at the far post. It got worse for South Africa in the 84th minute when Zwane was dismissed after a VAR review for flinging an arm into the face of Alvarado. There was still time for late drama when Mexican defender Cesar Montes was shown a red card for a clumsy challenge on Khulisa Mudau on the edge of the penalty area.

Football

Mexico launches World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over South Africa at a packed Estadio Azteca, while the visitors finish with nine men after two red cards.

Mexico beat South Africa to kick off World Cup

NEW YORK: Taylor Swift on Thursday became the youngest woman ever inducted into the prestigious Songwriters Hall of Fame, another milestone in the 36-year-old US pop star&#39;s record-breaking career. The female record was previously held by Carole Bayer Sager, who was 43 when she joined in 1987. Stevie Wonder remains the youngest person ever admitted, at age 32 in 1983. Artists become eligible for the Hall of Fame 20 years after the release of their first commercial track. For Swift, that was &quot;Tim McGraw,&quot; released in June 2006. Her success since is undeniable: the American artist has recorded 12 albums spanning country, pop, and folk, earning her 14 Grammy Awards in the United States, including four Album of the Year trophies -- a record. &quot;Swift&#39;s ability to shapeshift as a songwriter, to inhabit different sonic landscapes and write as credibly in the world of one genre as she does another is part of her superpower as a songwriter,&quot; reads her bio on the Hall of Fame website. &quot;It also represents the boldness and bravery of her artistry: to explore new frontiers when the most practical next step would be to keep mining the material that has gotten you the success in the first place.&quot; Swift appeared on the red carpet in New York on Thursday wearing a strapless black dress with floral motifs ahead of the naming ceremony. &#39;Great honor&#39;Also inducted on Thursday were Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS, the band behind hits such as &quot;Rock and Roll All Nite&quot; and &quot;Detroit Rock City.&quot; &quot;It doesn&#39;t suck,&quot; Stanley told AFP when asked how it felt to join the prestigious songwriting ranks. &quot;It&#39;s really hard to digest the idea. I certainly don&#39;t consider myself in that rarified air of some of the writers, but if you wanna be in that club, I&#39;m there.&quot; Kenny Loggins, the hitmaker behind movie soundtrack classics like &quot;Footloose&quot; and &quot;Danger Zone&quot; from &quot;Top Gun,&quot; was inducted into the Hall of Fame as well. &quot;It&#39;s a great honor and I appreciate it,&quot; Loggins told AFP. &quot;It&#39;s the culmination of a lifetime writing, and that&#39;s exciting for me.&quot; Canadian singer Alanis Morissette, inescapable in the 1990s, and American record producer Walter Afanasieff were also among the total of nine songwriters joining the Hall of Fame this year. Estimates put Taylor Swift&#39;s worldwide sales at over 250 million album-equivalents. Her most recent tour in 2023 and 2024, titled &quot;The Eras Tour,&quot; brought in a record sum of around two billion dollars. She is also the female artist with the most songs ever to reach the top 10 list compiled by Billboard, the leading US music magazine. Swift is omnipresent in the media. After unveiling a country track for the soundtrack of the film &quot;Toy Story 5,&quot; she was at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday for a game of the NBA Finals.

Entertainment

Taylor Swift becomes the youngest woman ever to be inducted into the prestigious Songwriters Hall of Fame, another milestone in the 36-year-old US pop star's record-breaking career.

Taylor Swift becomes youngest woman in Songwriters Hall of Fame

Middle East

Americas

Says a 'great settlement' with Iran has been reached and approved by Iran's Supreme Leader; Trump praises Pakistan for a 'fantastic role' in mediation, calling Field Marshal Asim Munir a 'great general'; Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson denies that any final decision on a deal with the US has been made.