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Iran says three militants killed in province bordering Pakistan

Iran says three militants killed in province bordering Pakistan
In this file picture, taken on February 25, 2020, Pakistani soldiers stand guard at the closed Pakistan-Iran border in Taftan. (AFP/File)
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Updated 10 November 2024
AFP
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Iran says three militants killed in province bordering Pakistan

Iran says three militants killed in province bordering Pakistan
  • Sistan-Baluchistan is one of most impoverished provinces in the Islamic republic
  • It has for years faced unrest involving drug-smuggling gangs and Baloch militants
Updated 10 November 2024
AFP
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TEHRAN: Iranian security forces on Sunday killed at least three people during clashes with militants in the country’s restive southeast, state media reported, following a deadly attack on police last month.
“Three terrorists of the enemy were killed and nine others were arrested” during operations in Sistan-Baluchistan province, the official IRNA news agency said.
Some 15 militants have been reported killed since an October 26 attack claimed by Jaish Al-Adl, a Baloch Sunni militant organization that operates mainly in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan province.
That attack left 10 police officers dead in the province.
Sistan-Baluchistan, which borders both Afghanistan and Pakistan, is one of the most impoverished provinces in the Islamic republic.
It has for years faced unrest involving drug-smuggling gangs, militants from the Baloch minority and extremists.
Formed in 2012 by Baloch separatists, Jaish Al-Adl is designated a “terrorist organization” by both Iran and the United States.
 

Topics: Pakistan Iran Ties Sistan-Baluchistan

In moving gesture, Coldplay’s Chris Martin invites Pakistani fan onstage at Abu Dhabi concert

In moving gesture, Coldplay’s Chris Martin invites Pakistani fan onstage at Abu Dhabi concert
Updated 28 sec ago
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In moving gesture, Coldplay’s Chris Martin invites Pakistani fan onstage at Abu Dhabi concert

In moving gesture, Coldplay’s Chris Martin invites Pakistani fan onstage at Abu Dhabi concert
  • Chris Martin dedicates band’s popular song ‘Everglow’ to people in West Bank, Gaza, Pakistan and Iran
  • Coldplay, one of the most influential pop-rock acts since late ‘90s, is known for vibrant concerts, fan interactions
Updated 28 sec ago
Fatimah Amjad

ISLAMABAD: British rock band Coldplay’s lead singer Chris Martin recently won admiration on social media for inviting a Pakistani fan onstage during their Abu Dhabi concert and dedicating their popular song ‘Everglow’ to people suffering war in Palestine and other countries. 
Coldplay performed at Abu Dhabi on Jan. 9, returning to the UAE to perform for the first time since their powerhouse show at Expo 2020 Dubai. While entertaining thousands of fans in the crowd, Martin spotted a female fan holding a sign that read, “I traveled 10,000 km for this.” 
Inviting her onstage, he asked where she’d come from, to which the woman named Kinza replied: “Pakistan.”
Martin responded that he had traveled from Los Angeles where “everything was on fire,” adding that it was very strange to witness.
“So maybe we can sing this song for your brothers and sisters in Pakistan,” he said to loud cheers from thousands of fans. “And our brothers and sisters in Iran. Our brothers and sisters in the West Bank and Gaza. You can sing.”
He then proceeded to perform the band’s popular song Everglow, much to the delight of the attendees. 
Coldplay remains one of the most influential pop-rock acts since the late ‘90s. With guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman and drummer Will Champion filling out the lineup, the British musicians have long been fixtures on the charts with Hot 100 hits 2001’s “Yellow,” 2008’s “Viva La Vida,” and 2017’s “Something Just Like This.”
The band’s concert in Abu Dhabi was a visual and auditory spectacle, with fans wearing glowing wristbands that pulsed in sync with the music. There were bursts of confetti, large, illuminated planets suspended throughout the stadium where the concert was held, and balloons floating across the crowd during the band’s performance. 
Coldplay are scheduled to perform in the UAE capital today, Jan. 14 as well.

Topics: coldplay Abu Dhabi abu dhabi concert Coldplay Abu Dhabi Concert

Security forces kill eight Taliban militants in Pakistan’s northwest

Security forces kill eight Taliban militants in Pakistan’s northwest
Updated 24 min 51 sec ago
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Security forces kill eight Taliban militants in Pakistan’s northwest

Security forces kill eight Taliban militants in Pakistan’s northwest
  • The development was announced a day after the army chief visited Peshawar, vowed decisive force against militants
  • General Munir’s visit came amid an uptick in violence in KP where 17 government servants were kidnapped last week
Updated 24 min 51 sec ago
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Security forces killed eight militants in two separate intelligence-based operations in northwest Pakistan, the military’s media wing said on Tuesday, a day after army chief General Asim Munir warned any attempt to disrupt the country’s peace would be met with decisive force.

The army chief, who attended a security meeting during his visit to Peshawar, emphasized security forces would persist in combating violent extremism, particularly against the proscribed militant network Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has predominantly targeted civilians and security personnel in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

The latest operations, conducted in KP, occurred amid heightened tensions following a surge in attacks by TTP militants, which Pakistan says operate from across the border in Afghanistan, though Afghan authorities deny the allegation.

“On 12-13 January 2024, eight khwarij [TTP militants] were sent to hell in two separate engagements in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province,” the military’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

The ISPR detailed that six militants were killed during an operation in Tank District, while two others lost their lives in a clash that took place in the Tirah Valley, Khyber District.

“Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other khwarij found in the area, as security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country,” the statement added.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also praised the security forces for their successful operations.

“The nation is proud of the fearless young men in our security forces,” Sharif was quoted as saying by his office, vowing to thwart the militants’ “evil designs” and reiterating the government’s commitment to eradicating terrorism.

The northwest region of Pakistan has seen an uptick in violence since the TTP ended a fragile ceasefire agreement with the government in November 2022.

Last week, armed TTP militants abducted 17 Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission workers and their driver in Lakki Marwat district, releasing eight of them hours later while police said they were working to free the remaining abductees.

Topics: Pakistan Army

Netflix to release documentary on India-Pakistan’s fierce cricket rivalry on Feb. 7

Netflix to release documentary on India-Pakistan’s fierce cricket rivalry on Feb. 7
Updated 14 January 2025
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Netflix to release documentary on India-Pakistan’s fierce cricket rivalry on Feb. 7

Netflix to release documentary on India-Pakistan’s fierce cricket rivalry on Feb. 7
  • Owing to political tensions, India-Pakistan cricket matches are biggest, quickest-selling fixtures of every tournament 
  • Documentary to release weeks before India-Pakistan clash against in Champions Trophy tournament on Feb. 23
Updated 14 January 2025
Shahjahan Khurram

ISLAMABAD: Online streaming platform Netflix announced this week it would release its highly anticipated documentary profiling the fierce cricket rivalry between India and Pakistan on Feb. 7, weeks before the Champions Trophy tournament gets underway. 

India and Pakistan enjoy one of the fiercest sports rivalries when it comes to cricket. Separated after partition in 1947, both nuclear-armed countries have fought three wars against each other over the past seven decades, with diplomatic ties between them remaining mostly bitter.

The political tensions make for an enthralling contest every time the two teams take a cricket field against each other. India and Pakistan clashes have been the biggest, quickest-selling and most anticipated matches of every multilateral cricket tournament, drawing thousands to stadiums across the globe and millions to TV sets worldwide. 

Netflix announced it would release its upcoming sports documentary titled: “The Greatest Rivalry: India vs Pakistan” on Feb. 7. The poster of the documentary features former Indian batters Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag walking toward a cricket pitch with members of the Pakistan cricket team huddled together. 

“Two nations. One epic Rivalry. 1.6 Billion prayers,” Netflix wrote in an Instagram post on Monday. “Come witness the thrill of a legacy like no other in The Greatest Rivalry: India vs Pakistan, arriving on 7th February, only on Netflix.”

The trailer of the documentary features interviews from Sehwag and former Pakistan bowling great Waqar Younis, both talking about swing bowling. 

“Once the batsmen they started knowing about the reverse swing and they were also smart,” Younis says in the trailer. “So they were keeping a really close eye on the shiny side. So what we tried to do then was, we started hiding it.”

The last time India and Pakistan faced each other was at New York’s Nassau County Stadium on June 9 in the T20 World Cup. India beat Pakistan in a last-over victory, beating the green shirts by six runs in a thrilling encounter. 

Both rivals are set to face each other in the Champions Trophy ODI fixture scheduled to take place in Pakistan in February. However, India will not tour Pakistan for the tournament but face the cricket rivals in Dubai on Feb. 23. 

Political tensions have kept both cricket teams from touring each other’s countries over the past couple of years and playing against one another at neutral venues only during ICC tournaments. 

India’s national cricket team has not toured Pakistan since 2008 due to soured political relations. Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup in 2023 but was forced to shift all of India’s matches to Sri Lanka under a “hybrid model” after India refused to send its team to Pakistan. 

After India announced it will not send its team to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy tournament, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced in December that India and Pakistan matches hosted by either country at ICC Events during the 2024-2027 cycle will be played at a neutral venue. 

Topics: Pakistan Netflix

English cricketers seek NOC clarity from board after signing Pakistan Super League deals— report

English cricketers seek NOC clarity from board after signing Pakistan Super League deals— report
Updated 14 January 2025
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English cricketers seek NOC clarity from board after signing Pakistan Super League deals— report

English cricketers seek NOC clarity from board after signing Pakistan Super League deals— report
  • As per new policy, English players will be denied NOCs for overseas leagues that take place during English summer
  • PSL has moved into April-May window for 2025, meaning it will clash with English season’s start for the first time
Updated 14 January 2025
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: English cricketers have sought clarity from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on whether they will be granted a no objection certificate (NOC) after a few of them were signed on Monday to play in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for the upcoming T20 league’s season this year, a report by ESPNcricinfo said. 

English cricketers last November reacted sharply to the ECB’s announcement of a new policy regarding NOCs. As per the new policy, the board said players would be denied NOCs for all overseas leagues that take place during the English summer, including the PSL, the Caribbean Premier League and Major League Cricket, with the notable exception of the Indian Premier League. This means that players on white-ball contracts with their counties will be granted NOCs for competitions that do not clash with English T20 competitions, the T20 Blast or the Hundred.

The PSL has moved into an April-May window for 2025 due to the Champions Trophy tournament scheduled to be held in February and March, meaning it will clash with the start of the English season for the first time.

“English players are seeking clarity from the ECB over whether they will be granted No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) after they were signed to play in the PSL at Monday’s draft in Lahore,” ESPNcricinfo reported. 

English cricketers Tom Kohler-Cadmore (Peshawar Zalmi), Sam Billings, and Tom Curran (both Lahore Qalandars) were signed during Monday’s draft. Meanwhile, James Vince (Karachi Kings), Chris Jordan and David Willey (both Multan Sultans) were all previously retained by their respective franchises. 

The website said that the ECB has softened its stance on the NOCs after pressure from players, their agents and the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA). At this stage, Billings, Curran, Jordan and Willey are all expected to be granted NOCs for the PSL, it added. 

“The board’s stance is that its NOC ‘consultation group’ will consider all requests against the criteria set out in November,” the report said. “ESPNcricinfo understands that in the case of the PSL, this will mean players will be eligible for NOCs if they are on white-ball contracts, or if they choose to renegotiate existing multi-format deals after the draft.”

The cricket website said six players with England central contracts registered themselves for the draft but were marked “unavailable” on a longlist sent to franchises on Sunday after the ECB clarified it would not grant them NOCs. 

“These included Jonny Bairstow, who has not played for England since June, and Adil Rashid, who is a white-ball specialist,” ESPNcricinfo said. 

Topics: NOC English cricketers Pakistan Super League PSL 2025

Pakistan’s National Assembly expresses solidarity with Los Angeles fire victims as deaths rise to 24

Pakistan’s National Assembly expresses solidarity with Los Angeles fire victims as deaths rise to 24
Updated 14 January 2025
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Pakistan’s National Assembly expresses solidarity with Los Angeles fire victims as deaths rise to 24

Pakistan’s National Assembly expresses solidarity with Los Angeles fire victims as deaths rise to 24
  • National Assembly passes resolution urging global organizations to come together to aid rehabilitation efforts in Los Angeles
  • At least a dozen people remain missing, while 12,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed as per official estimates
Updated 14 January 2025
Shahjahan Khurram

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Assembly this week passed a resolution expressing solidarity with the victims of the raging Los Angeles wildfires, where the death toll has climbed to 24 in the last seven days, state-run media reported. 

The blazes in Los Angeles burned for a seventh straight day on Monday, reducing whole neighborhoods to ruins and levelling homes as firefighters continue to battle the flames. More than 100,000 people have been forced to evacuate from Los Angeles, while 12,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed as per official estimates. 

Pakistani lawmaker Naveed Jeeva moved the resolution in the National Assembly, Pakistan’s lower house of parliament, on Monday to extend his deepest condolences to families of the Los Angeles fire victims. 

“The National Assembly today passed a resolution expressing solidarity with the victims of Los Angeles fire,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Monday. “It called upon local and global organizations to come together in the spirit of humanity to aid in recovery and rehabilitation of Los Angeles.”

The wildfires have also dealt a huge economic loss to the city, with private forecaster AccuWeather estimating the damage and economic loss from the blaze at $135bn to $150bn.

Firefighters got a temporary break from the weather this weekend as the Santa Ana winds finally eased. However, weather experts on Monday forecast that the fierce winds are likely to return and threaten the progress made so far on the two massive infernos. 

Meanwhile, US President-elect Donald Trump criticized local officials, saying that they had not dealt with the situation properly. 

“The fires are still raging in LA. The incompetent [politicians] have no idea how to put them out,” he wrote on his Truth Social media feed. “Thousands of magnificent houses are gone, and many more will soon be lost. There is death all over the place … they just can’t put out the fires. What’s wrong with them?“

Several celebrities residing in Los Angeles have said they lost their homes to the blaze. These include Leighton Meester, Adam Brody, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Joshua Jackson, Anna Faris, Ricki Lake, Cary Elwes, Cameron Mathison, Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag. 

Many others, including Tara Lipinski, Chrissy Teigen, Britney Spears and more said they have evacuated as the fire continues to spread.

Topics: LA fire Los Angeles fires

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