Asfandyar Yahya

Salt once sparked wars, fueled revolts, and toppled rulers. What we now toss into fries was once the spark of revolutions. Today, Pakistan holds the world&rsquo;s second-largest salt reserves, a quiet giant beneath our feet.

Tell Me Why

Once a catalyst for wars and revolts, now quietly powers Pakistan’s vast salt reserves.

Salt Wars: How a pinch changed history

GENEVA: At least 100 children have been killed by Israeli airstrikes and ground forces in Gaza since the start of a tenuous ceasefire three months ago, the United Nations said on Tuesday.&nbsp;The UN children&#39;s agency UNICEF said that at least 60 boys and 40 girls had been killed in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territory since early October.&nbsp;&quot;More than 100 children have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire,&quot; UNICEF spokesman James Elder told reporters in Geneva.&nbsp;&quot;That&#39;s roughly a girl or a boy killed here every day during a ceasefire,&quot; he said, speaking from Gaza City.&nbsp;&quot;These children are killed from airstrikes, drone strikes, including suicide drones. They&#39;re killed from tank shelling. They&#39;re killed from live ammunition. They&#39;re killed from quad copters.&nbsp;&quot;We are at 100 -- no doubt,&quot; he said, adding that the true number was likely higher.&nbsp;&quot;A ceasefire that slows the bombs is progress but one that still buries children is not enough.&quot;&nbsp;AFP has sought a response from the Israeli military.&nbsp;An official at Gaza&#39;s health ministry, which maintains casualty records, has reported a higher figure of 165 children killed during the tenuous ceasefire, out of a total 442 fatalities.&nbsp;&quot;Additionally, seven children have died from exposure to cold since the beginning of this year,&quot; Zaher Al-Wahidi, Director of the Computer Department at the Ministry of Health, told AFP.&nbsp;Elder stressed that the ongoing Israeli attacks came after more than two years of war which has &quot;left life for Gaza&#39;s children unimaginably hard&quot;.

Middle East

Since early October, at least 100 children, 60 boys and 40 girls, have been killed in Gaza during a tenuous ceasefire, mainly from airstrikes, drones, tanks, and live ammunition, UNICEF and Gaza’s health ministry reported.

At least 100 children killed in Gaza since ceasefire: UN

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan-origin United States cricketers Ali Khan and Shayan Jahangir have reportedly been denied Indian visas ahead of the ICC Men&rsquo;s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be held in India from February 7 to March 8.&nbsp;Fast bowler Ali Khan drew attention to the issue through a social media post, sharing a photo of himself with fellow USA batter Shayan Jahangir. The caption read: &ldquo;Indian visa denied but KFC for the win.&rdquo; The post quickly circulated among cricket fans, highlighting visa-related difficulties faced by players of Pakistani origin.&nbsp;<img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/459fe11f-a4c9-44c1-b9f3-93b99c992e78.png" style="width: 1000px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"> Media reports suggest the issue extends beyond the USA squad. Several associate nations, including Italy, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, and the USA, reportedly have players of Pakistani descent or dual nationality who are facing problems obtaining Indian visas.&nbsp;Cricket boards of these countries have formally approached the International Cricket Council (ICC) for clarity and guidance. However, reports say they have yet to receive any assurance from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).&nbsp;The USA squad named for the tournament includes four players of Pakistani origin. Ali Khan, 35, was born in Pakistan and has represented the USA in 15 ODIs and 18 T20Is, taking 49 wickets across both formats.&nbsp;Karachi-born Shayan Jahangir, 31, has played 32 ODIs for the USA, scoring 795 runs with two centuries and three half-centuries. In T20Is, he has scored 371 runs in 19 matches at a strike rate of 134.42, including two fifties.&nbsp;Former Pakistan international Ehsan Adil, who played three Tests and six ODIs for Pakistan, is set to make his USA debut at the tournament. Another Pakistan-born player, Mohammad Mohsin from Peshawar, who featured briefly in the Pakistan Super League for Peshawar Zalmi, is also part of the squad.&nbsp;The USA will be appearing in their second ICC T20 World Cup, following a memorable campaign in 2024 when they stunned 2009 champions Pakistan in a Super Over.&nbsp;The team has been placed in Group A alongside hosts India, Pakistan, Namibia, and the Netherlands. The USA will open their campaign against India on February 7, followed by matches against Pakistan on February 10, the Netherlands on February 13, and Namibia on February 15.&nbsp;USA squad for T20 World Cup 2026 Monank Patel (captain), Jessy Singh (vice-captain), Ehsan Adil, Andries Gous, Shayan Jahangir, Shehan Jayasuriya, Aaron Jones, Nosthush Kenjige, Ali Khan, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Milind Kumar, Mohammad Mohsin, Sai Mukkamalla, Saurabh Netravalkar, Shubham Ranjane, Harmeet Singh, Rushil Ugarkar and Shadley van Schalkwyk.

Cricket

Fast bowler Ali Khan highlights the issue through a social media post, sharing a photo of himself with fellow USA batter Shayan Jahangir

Pakistan-origin US cricketers denied Indian visas for T20 World Cup

Muhammad Usman Amin

PESHAWAR: In cities like London, tea is an art of high society; in Rome, espresso punctuates the day; in Istanbul, &ccedil;ay fuels conversation. But in Peshawar, the bustling heart of Pakistan&rsquo;s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, a unique hot beverage, kahwa, defines the rhythm of daily life. More than a drink, kahwa is a social lubricant, a seal of a deal, and the first gesture of hospitality, a tradition carried along the Silk Road from East Asia centuries ago. It has survived the rise and fall of empires, remaining central to the city&rsquo;s culture and commerce. The historic Qissa Khwani Bazaar, or &ldquo;Street of Storytellers,&rdquo; is where kahwa culture thrives. Here, merchants, storytellers, and travelers once gathered, and where Fazal Karim, a local Kahwa shop owner, traces the practice back generations. &ldquo;Caravans used to come from Afghanistan back in the day&hellip; the city gates would be closed at night. To wait for them to open in the morning, people would tell stories&hellip; and during these stories, kahwa would also be served,&rdquo; he told Pakistan TV Digital. &ldquo;It became inseparable from the bazaar itself.&rdquo; Even today, travelers seek the experience. Karim recalls visits from foreign diplomats: &ldquo;Tourists come all the time to try a cup of our Kahwa. They really like the taste.&rdquo; Many kahwa houses, some dating back 170 years, continue to operate in the same locations. Jamdad Khan, another long-standing shop owner, reflects: &ldquo;This shop in Qissa Khwani Bazaar is one of the oldest; the bazaar has changed, but the shop has stayed the same.&rdquo; Stepping inside a traditional Kahwakhana is a journey through time. The air is heavy with the aroma of cardamom and wood smoke, rising from massive copper samovars that constantly bubble with boiling water. Kahwa is served in green teapots called chainaks and sipped from delicate bone china cups. Rituals of service, pouring boiling Kahwa into successive cups to rinse them before the first sip, preserve the centuries-old tradition. In the narrow bazaar alleys, young boys navigate the crowd carrying trays of kahwa, a testament to how deeply the drink permeates commerce and daily life. Tourists like Yashal are struck by the ambience: &ldquo;It genuinely feels like a second home&hellip; so many people have been here before us, in buildings that are 200&ndash;300 years old.&rdquo; The recipe is simple, green tea, cardamom, and sugar, yet its significance is profound. Fazal Karim notes its health benefits: &ldquo;Kahwa is very good for digestion after a meal. It also reduces weight.&rdquo; While Pakistan imports much of its Kahwa, local vendors praise Vietnamese Kahwa for its flavor, underscoring the city&rsquo;s pursuit of quality in every cup. Whether for taste, wellness, or connection to history, Kahwa remains the soul of Peshawar, a tradition flowing hot and strong through the city&rsquo;s streets. A reminder that even as empires rise and fall, the simple pleasure of a cup of tea endures.

Culture

Kahwa culture, centered in Peshawar’s Qissa Khwani Bazaar, blends history, hospitality, and commerce, with traditional green tea serving as a social, cultural, and culinary staple.

Peshawar’s kahwa tradition endures centuries, blending culture, hospitality and history

ISLAMABAD: Indian farmers have issued a call for protest on January 16 against what they call the anti-farmer policies of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government.The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), translated as the United Farmers&#39; Front, is a coalition of more than 40 Indian farmers&#39; unions. It has called for farmers across the country to observe an All-India Resistance Day on January 16, 2026.The protests are against new laws, such as the VB-GRAMG Act, the Seeds Bill, and the Labour Codes. The farmers are demanding a legal minimum support price and loan waivers, with planned village-level meetings and pledges to escalate their protests.Recent government legislation has been seen as favoring corporations, negatively impacting farmers&#39; livelihoods, undermining federalism, and eroding worker rights, following the earlier repeal of farm laws.The SKM plans to organize pledge ceremonies, public meetings, and large village gatherings across rural India to mobilize for intensified protests.The call aims to build on past farmer movements, uniting farmers, workers, and citizens against policies perceived as detrimental to the agricultural sector and the working class.The farmers reiterated their demand that Prime Minister Modi must shed his &ldquo;authoritarian attitude&rdquo; and &ldquo;respect democratic principles of governance.&rdquo;Acts &amp; billsThe VB-G RAM G Act (2025) replaced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act by increasing the annual work guarantee to 125 days while shifting from a &quot;demand-driven&quot; right to a &ldquo;budget-capped&rdquo; mission. It introduces a mandatory 60-day pause on public works during harvest seasons to prevent farm labor shortages and requires states to bear a higher share of the costs.While the government promotes it as a modernized tool for rural infrastructure and AI-monitored efficiency, critics argue it weakens the legal right to employment by making funding dependent on central allocations rather than worker demand.The government&rsquo;s draft Seeds Bill 2025 is another reason for the planned protests.The farmers fear it favors multinational corporations, threatens seed sovereignty by restricting traditional seed saving/exchange, excludes community seed keepers, and lacks accessible compensation for crop failure.According to SKM, the Bill creates complex digital burdens and centralizes control, potentially increasing dependence on commercial suppliers and opening the door to genetically modified seeds. Congress calls for multi-state campaignThe Indian National Congress on January 3 announced a 45-day nationwide campaign against the repeal of the Rural Employment Guarantee Act, citing the right to work and the authority of the traditional village council. <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" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 673px; 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=2010666989296238606&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F3436%2F&sessionId=bd1de77d94072fb5415f4229e7965ef06fa15547&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" data-tweet-id="2010666989296238606"></iframe></div></div>The campaign is already picking up pace in several states, with people congregating in large numbers.

India

Plans include organizing public meetings, ceremonies, and large village gatherings across rural India to mobilize for intensified protests 

Indian oppositon, farmers plan nation-wide protest against government

ISLAMABAD: NASA and SpaceX will return the four astronauts of the Crew-11 mission from the International Space Station (ISS) on Jan. 14, cutting short their stay aboard the space station following a medical issue involving a crew member, the US space agency said on Monday.<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=2010797683796070660&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2Fnew%2F&sessionId=384c2a3b4c5180f70fba7affb93efc2f29ddfa48&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 667px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>NASA said the decision was taken after consultations with flight surgeons and mission managers, concluding that the astronaut would be better evaluated and treated on Earth. The agency described the move as a precautionary medical return, stressing that the crew member is in stable condition and that the spacecraft and station remain safe. &ldquo;This is the first time in the International Space Station&rsquo;s 25-year history that a mission has been ended early for medical reasons,&rdquo; a NASA spokesperson said, calling the step &ldquo;unprecedented&rdquo; but necessary to prioritize the astronaut&#39;s health. Crew-11 launched to the ISS aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft in August 2025 for a mission originally expected to last about six months. The crew includes NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Michael Fincke, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. NASA said it would not disclose the identity of the affected astronaut or details of the medical condition, citing privacy rules. Officials emphasized that there was no emergency aboard the station and that the return would follow standard procedures. The Crew Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to undock from the ISS on Jan. 14, with a splashdown off the US West Coast expected the following day, weather permitting. Recovery teams will be on standby, and NASA plans to conduct post-landing medical evaluations and briefings after the crew returns. NASA said the early departure would not significantly disrupt space station operations. Other astronauts and cosmonauts currently aboard the ISS will continue routine research and maintenance work. The agency added that it is reviewing whether adjustments are needed to the schedule for upcoming crew rotations.

Official portrait of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 to the International Space Station: from left, Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov; NASA astronaut Mike Fincke; JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui; and NASA astronaut Zena Cardman. (Image: SpaceX)

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Artificial Intelligence

The astronauts are scheduled to depart the International Space Station on Jan. 14, weeks ahead of schedule, after doctors advised Earth-based evaluation, marking the first such health-related early return in the station’s 25-year history.

NASA to bring SpaceX Crew-11 back early over medical concerns

HOBART: Venus Williams was dumped out of the Hobart International in straight sets by Tatjana Maria on Tuesday to dent her Australian Open preparations in a historic clash between two players with a combined age of 83. It was the second consecutive tournament in which the 45-year-old Williams had crashed at the first hurdle after last week&#39;s Auckland Classic. She survived 87 minutes in Hobart against German world number 42 Maria, who is 38, before slumping 6-4, 6-3, having gamely saved six of nine break points. The first meeting between the pair set a new record for the highest combined age for a main draw match since the WTA Tour was founded in 1973. Maria said her daughters Charlotte, 12, and Cecilia, four, were probably cheering for Williams, one of their favorite players. &quot;Everybody loves Venus. I love her too,&quot; said Maria. &quot;For me, to play her was such an honor because I never played her before. It was not easy with all the wind, but it was amazing.&quot; Maria became the oldest WTA Tour singles winner since Serena Williams in 2020, winning at Queen&#39;s Club in London last year. She moves on to a last-16 clash with Hungary&#39;s Anna Bondar. American seven-time Grand Slam champion Williams will now head to Melbourne for the Australian Open, where she has been handed a wildcard five years after she last played there. Williams, who has played only sporadically in recent years, will be the oldest woman ever at the opening Grand Slam of the year, which begins on Sunday. Two-time Grand Slam winner Barbora Krejcikova also lost in the first round, needing treatment and strapping on her knee before tumbling out 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (7/4) to American Peyton Stearns. The Czech former world number two, now ranked 55, ended her season early last year because of a knee injury, but successfully got through three matches in the United Cup last week, winning two. Krejcikova, who won the French Open in 2021 and Wimbledon in 2024, missed last year&#39;s Australian Open with a back injury. Stearns will meet Olga Danilovic next after the unseeded Serb beat American defending champion McCartney Kessler in three sets.

Tennis

Survives 87 minutes in Hobart against German world number 42 Maria, who is 38, before slumping 6-4, 6-3, having gamely saved six of nine break points.

Maria beats Williams in ‘golden oldies’ final at Australian Open warm-up

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to strengthen cooperation in the mining and minerals sector, focusing on joint investment opportunities and better collaboration across the entire mineral value chain. This was decided during a high-level meeting on the sidelines of the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) 2026 in Riyadh. Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, leading a Pakistani delegation to the forum, met Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Ibrahim Al-Khorayef to discuss expanding bilateral engagement in mining, critical minerals, and downstream industries.&nbsp;The Saudi minister welcomed Pakistan&rsquo;s participation in FMF 2026, noting the growing <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-positions-mining-forum-as-economic-priority" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">global focus on mining and critical minerals</a>.&nbsp;He emphasized the strong potential for Pakistan-Saudi cooperation and assured that Saudi Arabia would provide its technical expertise and knowledge resources to help develop Pakistan&rsquo;s mineral industry. He also called Pakistan&rsquo;s young and dynamic workforce a major strength. &nbsp;Ali Pervaiz Malik reaffirmed the strong brotherly ties between the two countries and underscored Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to expanding cooperation in the minerals sector.&nbsp;He said the Geological Survey of Pakistan is working toward collaboration with the Saudi Geological Survey, and emphasized the vast mineral potential of the Tethyan Belt, noting that the Reko Diq project represents only a fraction of Pakistan&rsquo;s resource base. He identified fertilizer production and medical equipment manufacturing as promising areas for joint ventures.&nbsp;The Pakistani delegation includes senior policymakers, heads of state-owned enterprises, private-sector representatives, and leading mining stakeholders, including Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), OGDCL, Mari Energies, GHPL, FWO, PMDC, Saindak Metals, and Balochistan-based mineral companies, as well as specialized service providers.&nbsp;PPL is coordinating Pakistan&#39;s participation in FMF 2026 in partnership with the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division). The theme, &quot;Mineral Marvel &ndash; Unleashing Pakistan&rsquo;s Mineral Revolution,&quot; emphasizes the country&#39;s rich geological resources, prominent mining projects, and investment opportunities. The Pakistan Pavilion will showcase these highlights effectively.&nbsp;Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Ahmad Al-Malkiy welcomed the Pakistani delegation and pledged full support for Pakistan&rsquo;s participation. He praised the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Federal Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, saying Pakistan&rsquo;s presence at the forum would further strengthen longstanding bilateral relations.&nbsp;During a visit to the Pakistan Pavilion, Minister Al-Khorayef commended the Pakistani team, particularly appreciating the pavilion&rsquo;s distinctive design and strong visual impact.

Economy

Saudi minister welcomes Pakistan’s participation in Future Minerals Forum 2026, noting the growing global focus on mining and critical minerals.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia to strengthen cooperation in mining

ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh&rsquo;s Youth and Sports Advisor Dr Asif Nazrul has said there is no conducive atmosphere for Bangladesh to participate in the ICC Men&rsquo;s T20 World Cup in India, citing serious security concerns raised by the International Cricket Council (ICC).&nbsp;According to state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), Dr Nazrul made the remarks on Monday after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) received a letter from the ICC&rsquo;s security team highlighting potential risks to the Bangladesh team if it travels to India for the tournament. Speaking to reporters at the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Bhaban, Dr Nazrul said the ICC security assessment pointed to three key issues. These include increased security risks if star fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman is part of the squad, potential threats if Bangladeshi supporters move around wearing the national team jersey, and rising security challenges as India approaches its election period. He said these observations clearly demonstrate that conditions are not <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/bangladesh-say-will-not-play-t20-world-cup-matches-if-in-india" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">suitable for Bangladesh to play the T20 World Cup in India</a>. Terming the ICC&rsquo;s stance as &ldquo;bizarre and unrealistic,&rdquo; Dr Nazrul said it is unreasonable to expect Bangladesh to field a team without its leading bowler, restrict fans from wearing national colors, or even consider election-related adjustments simply to participate in a cricket tournament. Dr Nazrul further alleged that the prevailing communal situation in India, along with what he described as a sustained anti-Bangladesh campaign over the past 16 months, has made it impossible for the Bangladeshi team to feel secure. He stressed that cricket should not be controlled by a single market or country, adding that if the ICC truly functions as a global body, it should offer Bangladesh the opportunity to play the T20 World Cup in a neutral venue such as Sri Lanka. The sports adviser said Bangladesh would not accept any compromise on player safety and dignity, adding that the lack of a safe playing environment in India has been clearly established. He concluded by saying that when even Indian cricket authorities indicate concerns about Bangladeshi players&rsquo; participation, it leaves little doubt that there is no viable playing environment for Bangladesh anywhere in India.

Says observations made by ICC security team clearly demonstrate that conditions are not suitable for Bangladesh to play the T20 World Cup in India.

No conducive environment to play T20 World Cup in India: Bangladesh adviser

ISLAMABAD: President Donald Trump is keeping the option of military strikes against Iran &ldquo;on the table&rdquo; as his administration weighs how to respond to a severe crackdown on nationwide protests, the White House said Monday.&nbsp;White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters outside the West Wing that air strikes would be among &ldquo;the many, many options&rdquo; available to the commander-in-chief in addressing the unrest and the reported killing of demonstrators on Iran&rsquo;s streets. But she stressed that diplomacy remains Trump&rsquo;s preferred first course of action.&nbsp;Leavitt indicated that messages being received privately from Iranian officials differ from the regime&rsquo;s public stance, and the administration wants to explore those back-channel communications before making a final decision. &ldquo;Diplomacy is always the first option for the president,&rdquo; she said.&nbsp;The comments come amid mounting international furor over protests in Tehran. While there is no official confirmation of the number of people killed, the estimate provided by Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) suggests that at least 648 protesters in Iran have been killed.&nbsp;Although Trump and senior US officials have not ordered military action, the administration has been discussing a wide range of responses, including further sanctions and other pressure tactics, alongside possible cyber operations or assistance to opposition forces. Military strikes remain one of several options under consideration should diplomatic efforts fail or conditions worsen.&nbsp;According to media reports, Trump will consult with senior national security advisers on how best to balance diplomatic channels with the potential for stronger action, underscoring the fragile and uncertain moment in US-Iran relations. Trump slaps tariffs on Iran&#39;s trade partnersThe move comes hours after <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/trump-announces-tariffs-on-countries-doing-business-with-iran" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">Trump</a><a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/trump-announces-tariffs-on-countries-doing-business-with-iran" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">&nbsp;announced a 25% tariff</a> on any country doing business with Iran, increasing pressure even as a human rights group released casualty estimates of protesters.<p style='box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Roboto, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: oklch(0.985 0.002 247.839); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;'><span style='box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Roboto, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 18px;'><br style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Roboto, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, sans-serif;"><p style='box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Roboto, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: oklch(0.985 0.002 247.839); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;'>There is no official confirmation of the number of people killed. The estimate provided by Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) suggests that at least 648 protesters in Iran had been killed, including nine people under the age of 18.<p style='box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Roboto, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: oklch(0.985 0.002 247.839); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;'><br style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Roboto, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, sans-serif;"><p style='box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Roboto, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: oklch(0.985 0.002 247.839); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;'>Trump, who has repeatedly threatened Iran with military intervention, said in a social media post on Monday that the new levies would &quot;immediately&quot; hit the Islamic Republic&#39;s trading partners who also do business with the United States.<p style='box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Roboto, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: oklch(0.985 0.002 247.839); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;'><br style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Roboto, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, sans-serif;"><p style='box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Roboto, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: oklch(0.985 0.002 247.839); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;'>&quot;This Order is final and conclusive,&quot; he wrote, without specifying who they will affect.<p style='box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Roboto, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: oklch(0.985 0.002 247.839); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;'><br style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Roboto, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, sans-serif;"><p style='box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Roboto, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: oklch(0.985 0.002 247.839); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;'>Iran&#39;s main trading partners are China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Iraq, according to the economic database Trading Economics.

Americas

Trump slaps 25% tariff on Iran’s trade partners; Press Secretary Leavitt says messages being received privately from Iranian officials differ from the regime’s public stance; administration may explore those back-channel communications before making a decision.

US may carry out air strikes on Iran: White House

ISLAMABAD: China has rejected India&rsquo;s claim over the Shaksgam Valley in the disputed Kashmir region and defended its infrastructure projects there, saying the territory belongs to China and that development activities are being carried out on its own land, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press briefing in Beijing on Monday. Mao said it was &ldquo;fully justified&rdquo; for China to undertake infrastructure construction in the area and dismissed India&rsquo;s objections to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). &ldquo;The territory you mentioned belongs to China. It&rsquo;s fully justified for China to conduct infrastructure construction on its own territory,&rdquo; the spokesperson said. &ldquo;China and Pakistan in the 1960s signed a boundary agreement and delimited the boundary between the two countries, which is the right of China and Pakistan as sovereign countries.&rdquo; India&#39;s claim Earlier this month, India criticized Chinese infrastructure projects in the Shaksgam Valley and reiterated that it does not recognize CPEC, asserting that the area is part of Indian territory. At a news conference in New Delhi on Jan. 9, the Indian ministry of external affairs had claimed that the Shaksgam Valley is Indian territory and described the 1963 China-Pakistan boundary agreement as &ldquo;illegal and invalid.&rdquo; Indian officials also said New Delhi reserves the right to take necessary measures to safeguard its interests, according to the Times of India. The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson&nbsp;rejected that position, saying the boundary agreement and CPEC do not affect China&rsquo;s stance on the Kashmir dispute. &ldquo;The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, as an economic cooperation initiative, aims at promoting local socioeconomic development and improving people&rsquo;s livelihood,&rdquo; she said, adding that China&rsquo;s position on the Kashmir issue &ldquo;remains unchanged.&rdquo; China and Pakistan launched the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project in 2015&nbsp;as a flagship economic cooperation initiative to boost connectivity, trade, and development between the two countries. The project aims to connect Pakistan&#39;s Gwadar Port in the south to China&rsquo;s northwestern region of Xinjiang via a network of highways, railways, and pipelines.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning speaking at a press briefing on January 12, 2026. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China)

Asia

Beijing rejects India’s objections to its Shaksgam Valley activities as 'fully justified,' asserting the territory belongs to China and that CPEC projects do not alter its position on the Kashmir dispute.