Latest news with #TTP
See - Sada Elbalad
18 hours ago
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
PM Shehbaz Speaks with the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
Taarek Refaat Prime Minister's Office Press wing Islamabad: 20 June, 2025 Press Release: Prime Minister speaks with the U.S. Secretary of State Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, this evening. During their warm and cordial conversation, the Prime Minister conveyed his best wishes for President Donald Trump. He praised the President for his bold leadership and appreciated Secretary Rubio's proactive diplomacy that played a pivotal role in helping Pakistan and India to arrive at a ceasefire understanding and averting a major catastrophe between the two nuclear armed states. The Prime Minister added that President Trump's positive statements about Pakistan were most encouraging for a durable peace in South Asia, which could only be made possible by initiating meaningful dialogue between Pakistan and India. In this context, he reaffirmed Pakistan's willingness for talks with India on all outstanding issues, including Jammu & Kashmir, the Indus Water Treaty, trade and counter-terrorism. The situation in the Middle East, particularly the Iran-Israel crisis, was also discussed, where the Prime Minister emphasized on the need to find a peaceful resolution to this grave crisis, through dialogue and diplomacy. He stated that Pakistan was ready to play a constructive role in any effort for peace in the current situation, which was deeply worrying, not only for the region, but for the entire world. While recalling President Trump's focus on trade, the Prime Minister stated that Pakistan and the U.S. needed to work together to advance mutually beneficial cooperation across a wide range of areas, including trade, investment, energy, mining, rare earth metals, and IT. On security and counter-terrorism, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan's resolve to deal with the menace of terrorism from the entire country, particularly the threat from BLA, TTP and other militant groups. In this regard, Secretary Rubio appreciated Pakistan's counter-terrorism efforts and assured Pakistan of full cooperation by the U.S. in countering all such threats. The Prime Minister noted, with great satisfaction, the most cordial and productive discussion between President Trump and Chief of the Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, in Washington, earlier this week. Both the Prime Minister and Secretary Rubio agreed that talks between their two countries must now be translated into tangible actions, across all areas. The Prime Minister also stressed upon the need for frequent high-level engagements to build upon this positive momentum in Pakistan-U.S. bilateral relations. In this regard, he reiterated his invitation to President Trump to undertake an official visit to Pakistan and said that he too, was looking forward to meeting President Trump at his earliest convenience. The Prime Minister also reiterated his invitation to Secretary Rubio to visit Pakistan, at an early date. Thanking the Prime Minister for receiving his telephone call, Secretary Rubio shared his desire to enhance bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and the U.S., across all areas of shared interest. He also appreciated Pakistan's resolve to uphold the ceasefire understanding with India, as well as its sustained efforts for peace in the region. In this context, he encouraged Pakistan, which enjoys excellent ties with Iran, to continue playing its role in the ongoing peace efforts with Iran. He further noted that the U.S. was committed to working closely with Pakistan to promote regional as well as global peace and stability. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean News 3 Killed in Shooting Attack in Thailand
BBC News
3 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Coventry woman's donor plea after having life-saving plasma
A woman who received blood plasma after being diagnosed with a rare condition called thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) has said she would not be here today without from Coventry, who asked not to share her surname, spoke out after the NHS said blood stocks were running chiefs have called for 200,000 new donors to come forward to avoid a "red alert", where there is a threat to public said it took about 150 donors to save her life a couple of years ago. "I wouldn't be talking to you today without people donating plasma. I developed a very rare blood condition a few years ago and in the space of a week, I needed over 150 units of plasma to keep me alive," she said."They took my plasma out of my blood and gave me donor plasma back."NHS trusts describe TTP as a rare disease, related to blood clotting, that has to be treated in said donating blood and plasma "saves lives", adding: "If you've never done it before, it doesn't take long, it's a really simple thing to do, but it makes such a huge difference to people like me".NHS Blood and Transplant, the body that oversees England's blood donation system, has said the number of regular donors needs to rise from about 800,000 to more than one million to maintain a safe and reliable supply. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Asia Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Asia Times
Taliban making steady gains toward global legitimacy
The Taliban's quest for legitimacy is gaining momentum after Pakistan upgraded diplomatic ties last month, promoting its charge d'affaires in Kabul to the rank of ambassador and accepting the Taliban's counterpart in Islamabad. At the time, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the Pakistan-Afghanistan relationship was on a 'positive trajectory' and that the move was a positive step towards 'enhanced engagement' in the areas of trade, security and counterterrorism. This is a big win for the Taliban, particularly after its relationship with Islamabad broke down over terror attacks on Pakistani soil by the Taliban-affiliated militant group Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The situation had reached crisis levels when Pakistan carried out airstrikes on alleged terror camps in Afghanistan last year, killing 46 people and sparking border skirmishes between Taliban and Pakistani soldiers. Pakistan's recognition is the latest in a series of diplomatic victories for the Taliban. China was the first country to seek closer ties, sending its ambassador to Kabul in 2023 before accepting the credentials of a Taliban envoy in Beijing. At the time, Chinese officials said the Taliban should not be excluded from the international community. Today, China is the Taliban's closest partner. China recently hosted a trilateral meeting with Taliban and Pakistani officials in Beijing that successfully cooled tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan. Beijing also announced it would extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to Afghanistan, representing a potential Belt and Road Initiative-fuelled trade boon for the Taliban. Taliban envoys occupy embassies in every Central Asian country barring Tajikistan, and the United Arab Emirates has also sent an ambassador to Afghanistan. More recently, the Taliban has welcomed Indonesia's chargé d'affaires in Kabul and Iran has accepted the appointment of the Taliban's new Consul General in Mashad. Russia also plans to send an ambassador after removing the Taliban from a list of designated terror organizations. Further afield, Japan hosted a high-level Taliban delegation in February, the first visit to the country by any Afghan government. For a regime accustomed to international isolation, engaging with the likes of Japan and Indonesia is seen as a key route towards international legitimacy. India, too, is bidding to engage with the Taliban. There are reports that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will soon accept a Taliban ambassador in New Delhi. That comes after Indian and Taliban foreign ministers met in Dubai in January. India clearly thinks this is the time to recognize the Taliban before the country is dominated by rivals Pakistan and China. Even the United States, which battled Taliban insurgents for nearly two decades in the name of the War on Terror, has shown signs of softening on the regime. For example, Washington removed millions of dollars worth of bounties for senior Taliban leaders in March, including for Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, to secure the release of George Glezmann, an American tourist detained by the Taliban in December 2022. Despite this, the Taliban still faces stubborn obstacles to achieving full legitimacy. Most significantly, the regime continues to be denied Afghanistan's seat at the United Nations; it has been barred from taking the seat four times since 2021. Many countries still refuse to recognize the regime due to its abysmal treatment of women – called 'gender apartheid' by the UN experts – and its close links to internationally designated terrorist groups. History shows winning legitimacy is rarely a linear process and is often a game of diplomatic patience. The People's Republic of China spent years in isolation before it was recognized by the West as the legitimate government of China, taking its place on the UN Security Council in 1971 and recognized by Washington only in 1979. This was a decision based on pragmatism – an acknowledgment the PRC was not going anywhere and that engaging with Beijing was then aligned with Western strategic interests. Similarly, while China, India and the US have at one time or another all demanded the Taliban respect women's rights and root out terrorism, these unmet demands have not stopped them and others engaging with the regime by opening embassies, exchanging envoys and making deals. There is a pragmatic view emerging that the Taliban is probably here to stay and that it is better to engage with the regime rather than further isolate Afghanistan. The West seems to believe it can negotiate with so-called Taliban 'reformers' to improve the situation for women and girls, while China, Russia and Iran see the regime as a key ally against the deadly Islamic State in Khorasan (ISK), which has carried out attacks in Russia and Iran and threatened Chinese interests in the region. But the Taliban's words and actions show this approach is not working. The Taliban continues to roll out punitive edicts oppressing women and made it clear its position is fused with its harsh interpretation of Islam and is thus non-negotiable. And the West's decision to engage is no doubt seen by the regime as a sign of weakness, validating its stance and emboldening it to take further hardline positions and policies. Indeed, with reports supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzad has strengthened his power base and marginalized Taliban moderates, reforms look increasingly unlikely. The Taliban has also wholly failed to defeat ISK, seen by the group's brazen assassination of Taliban powerbroker Khalil Ur-Rahman Haqqani last year, terror attacks on civilians in Russia, Iran and Turkey, and threats to do the same against India. There is also certain evidence ISK has successfully infiltrated the regime's intelligence agencies and attracted disillusioned Taliban soldiers to its ranks. At the same time, The Taliban is believed to be backing Al Qaeda and TTP, likewise failing on its vow to keep Afghanistan terror-free. The regime's inability to divest from terrorism makes the region less safe, a reality experienced by China, Russia, Iran, Pakistan and India since the Taliban returned to power. Legitimizing and emboldening the Taliban, therefore, comes with significant security risks that may ultimately outweigh the potential diplomatic benefits of engagement. Nonetheless, the Taliban is winning the battle of legitimacy despite these failings, helped by Afghanistan's strategic position between Central and South Asia and China's willingness to fill the vacuum left by the US after its fateful 2021 withdrawal.
Barnama
14-06-2025
- Health
- Barnama
Tabung Kasih@HAWANA Benefits Three More Recipients
GENERAL KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 (Bernama) -- Tabung Kasih@HAWANA continues to demonstrate its commitment to the welfare of media practitioners as three more recipients benefitted from the initiative today. The Star news editor Ng Li Yiao, 56, who is battling breast cancer, said that such donations make her feel appreciated after contributing to the field of journalism over the past 31 years. 'This donation not only will help with covering my medical expenses but also with my daily needs because people who are ill require nutritious food, and we know that nutritious food is expensive. "This assistance means a lot to me as a single mother who is raising twins, currently studying at university," she said after receiving the Tabung Kasih@HAWANA donation today. The Tabung Kasih@HAWANA contribution was presented by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the climax event of National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) 2025 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) today. Also present at the event were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa and Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching. Others who attended the event were Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa; Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, who also serves as HAWANA 2025 project director; as well as top management of the national media companies. Meanwhile, Rusmin Fadzil, 62 said the donation received will help her to buy necessities when she is admitted to the ward for treatment of the skin disease, TTP (thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura), that she is facing. "Such contributions are important for media practitioners who are no longer working and have no source of income. With such a contribution, it can help lighten my financial burden.
Arab News
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan says 700 army personnel killed in militant attacks in last 2 years
ISLAMABAD: Around 700 army personnel have been killed in various militant attacks over the past two years, Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said on Saturday, accusing India of supporting terror outfits in the country. Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant attacks since November 2022 in its northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and southwestern Balochistan provinces bordering Iran and Afghanistan. In KP, the Pakistani Taliban or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) outfit has carried out some of the deadliest attacks against law enforcers. In Balochistan, separatist ethnic Baloch militant groups demand independence from the state, accusing Islamabad of denying locals a share in the province's mineral resources. Islamabad denies the allegations. 'In the past two years, 700 of our soldiers have been martyred,' Asif told lawmakers during a televised parliamentary session. 'Our civilians have been martyred. Several districts of a province of ours are being targeted by terrorism.' The minister said that militant outfits such as the TTP or the separatist Baloch Liberation Army are 'agents of India,' alleging that they were fighting New Delhi's war on Pakistani soil. 'Any person who even has a speck of sympathy toward them is not a Pakistani,' Asif said, vowing that Islamabad would win its war against militancy. India and Pakistan have traded allegations of supporting militant groups for years. New Delhi blames Islamabad for supporting militant outfits who carry out attacks in Indian-administered Kashmir, an allegation that Pakistan has always rejected. The two countries engaged in a military confrontation for days last month after India attacked Pakistan with missiles, accusing it of supporting an April 22 attack in the Pahalgam tourist resort in Indian-administered Kashmir. Pakistan denied the allegations and called for an international, credible probe into the incident. The defense minister expressed solidarity with Iran over Israel's recent attacks against it, vowing to extend support to the neighboring country. 'In this hour of trial, we are with them in every way,' Asif said. 'Whatever help they need at the international level, at the United Nations or any other institution or at the Islamic conference, we will defend their interests there.'
