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Saturday, May 9, 2026

3 policemen killed in militant attack in Pakistan's KPK

Peshawar, May 10 (PTI): At least three policemen have been killed and several others injured in a suicide bomb attack at a police station, followed by an exchange of fire between security personnel and militants in Pakistan's restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, police said.The security forces on Saturday frustrated a major suicide attack on the Fatehkhel police station in Bannu district and destroyed an explosives-laden vehicle before it could reach its target, a police official said.Initial reports suggest that several civilian houses in the vicinity suffered heavy damage due to the blast, while the roofs of multiple houses collapsed.A large number of militants attacked the police station after the blast, triggering heavy gunfire. At least three policemen were killed in the firing, while many sustained injuries, police said.Officials said dozens of attackers had surrounded the checkpoint during the attack.Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the Fatehkhel police station and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives.In an official statement issued from Peshawar, he directed the authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured. He also prayed for the elevation of the ranks of the martyrs and for the swift recovery of those wounded in the attack.The war against terrorism was not only the battle of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but of the entire country. Decisions made behind closed doors and imposed policies had pushed the nation into a swamp of insecurity, Afridi said.He said the provincial government stood with every family affected by terrorism and paid tributes to the sacrifices rendered by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police while remaining on the frontlines in the fight against militancy."We will not let the sacrifices of our martyrs go in vain and will continue efforts until the menace of terrorism is completely eradicated," the chief minister said. PTI AYZ DIV DIV(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/3-policemen-killed-in-militant-attack-in-pakistan-s-kpk-1842549

Putin Presides Over Scaled-Back Victory Day Parade At Red Square

Edited by: Louis Oelofse, Karl Sexton Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed a scaled-back military parade in Moscow's Red Square on Saturday, saying Russian soldiers in Ukraine were fighting an "aggressive force" backed by all of NATO. The traditional Victory Day parade commemorates the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. Images broadcast on state television showed a formation of soldiers carrying the Russian flag into the square. "Victory has always been and will be ours," Putin said in his speech. "The key to success is our moral strength, courage and valor, our unity and ability to endure anything and overcome any challenge." Russian soldiers in Ukraine "are confronting an aggressive force armed and supported by the entire NATO bloc," he said, adding that he believed they are fighting a "just" cause. <h2>Heightened security</h2> The Russian president typically uses Victory Day, a major national holiday in Russia, to showcase the country's military prowess and rally support for the war in Ukraine. But this year's festivities were scaled back over fears of a potential Ukrainian attack. For the first time in two decades, the parade won't feature tanks, missiles and other heavy weapons. A large security detail could be seen surrounding the president during his appearance at the parade. There were also fewer guests attending, and mobile internet access was blocked for the public in Moscow and other cities. Foreign leaders attending the parade included Malaysia's King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, Laos President Thongloun Sisoulith, Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Belarus' authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko. <h2>Putin welcomes Slovakia's Fico contentious visit</h2> Prime Minister Robert Fico of Slovakia was the only EU leader visiting Moscow on Saturday, but he did not attend the parade. "I know there were some difficulties with your trip," Putin told Fico during their meeting at the Kremlin. "But the important thing is that you're here," he said, adding that Russia could meet Slovakia's energy demands. Fico's visit has been criticized by many in Slovakia and in Europe, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz slamming the Slovakian leader for his Moscow visit. "Robert Fico knows that we are in disagreement. I deeply regret that, and we will talk to him about this day in Moscow," Merz told a joint press conference with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in Stockholm on Saturday. <h2>3-day ceasefire holds despite allegations of minor violations</h2> The parade is taking place as a three-day ceasefire brokered by the US came into effect, allaying concerns about a Ukrainian attack on the parade. The two sides also agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners. Russia had earlier declared a unilateral two-day ceasefire to coincide with Victory Day. Ukraine also declared its own ceasefire starting two days earlier, but the truces quickly unraveled with both sides accusing each other of continuing attacks. The US-brokered ceasefire largely appeared to be holding, although both Moscow and Kyiv accused the other of minor violations on Saturday evening. The Ukrainian General Staff said Russia had launched 51 attacks on Saturday. The Ukrainian air force said Moscow had launched just 44 drones since Friday evening, one of the lowest numbers in months. The Russian Defense Ministry, meanwhile, said Ukrainian armed groups had "launched attacks using drones and artillery against our troops' positions." The Ukrainian army press spokesman Viktor Trehubov said, "The Russians are in fact taking a break today and are using it to bring up reinforcements, to rotate forces and to restore their offensive capabilities," adding that Ukraine was taking similar measures. Disclaimer: This report first appeared on Deutsche Welle, and has been republished on ABP Live as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by ABP Live.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/putin-presides-over-scaled-back-victory-day-parade-at-red-square-1842546

ABP Exclusive: One Year After Operation Sindoor, Jaish Rebuilds Markaz Bilal in PoK

One year after India’s precision strikes under Operation Sindoor, terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed has begun reconstruction of its destroyed Pakistan-occupied Kashmir headquarters, Markaz Bilal, in Muzaffarabad. The development once again exposes Pakistan’s deep nexus with UN-designated terror groups and its continued state-backed support infrastructure for jihadist organisations operating against India. During <a title="Operation Sindoor" href="https://ift.tt/cHsb87S" data-type="interlinkingkeywords">Operation Sindoor</a> on May 7, 2025, Jaish-e-Mohammed suffered one of its biggest setbacks. While the Indian Air Force carried out precision missile strikes on Jaish headquarters Markaz Subhanallah in Bahawalpur, the Indian Army simultaneously targeted and destroyed Markaz Bilal in Muzaffarabad using armed drones. Now, exactly one year later, reconstruction work at the terror facility has officially begun. <h2>Demolition Followed By Fresh Construction</h2> Exclusive videos and photographs accessed by ABP News show that demolition of the damaged structures started in April 2026. Following the clearance of debris, foundation work for a new complex is currently underway at the site. <img src="https://ift.tt/LvBhZGn" width="720" /> Highly placed sources revealed that the entire reconstruction project is being supervised directly under the watch of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Special Assistant on Political Affairs, Rana Sanaullah. For the rebuilding effort, a dedicated entity called the “Markaz Bilal Redevelopment Trust” has been constituted. <h2>Rana Sanaullah, Jaish Commander Part Of Trust</h2> According to sources, Rana Sanaullah is serving as chairman of the trust, while Mohammad Asghar Khan Kashmiri, the top Jaish-e-Mohammed commander in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, is also a member. The reconstruction effort has once again highlighted how Pakistan’s political establishment, security apparatus and terror organisations continue to operate in coordination despite Islamabad repeatedly denying the existence of terror infrastructure on its soil. <h2>Pakistani Army Providing Security Cover</h2> Sources further confirmed that the entire Markaz Bilal compound is currently under heavy protection of the Pakistani Army. Strict restrictions have reportedly been imposed around the site, and no outsider is being allowed to photograph or record the demolition and reconstruction activity. The irony is striking, while Pakistan claims globally that it is fighting terrorism, its own state machinery is allegedly funding, supervising and protecting the rebuilding of a terror headquarters destroyed by Indian forces. <h2>Terror Operatives Killed In Indian Strike</h2> It may be recalled that during the Indian Army’s strike last year, two Jaish terrorists, Hassan Khan Kashmiri and Mohammad Waqas, were killed. Intelligence sources had indicated that both operatives were being prepared for infiltration into Jammu and Kashmir within months. ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/negotiating-with-us-is-surrender-iran-s-hardliner-endurance-front-escalates-campaign-1842530">‘Negotiating With US Is Surrender’: Iran's Hardliner 'Endurance Front' Escalates Campaign</a> Sources also revealed that the Pakistani government released 40 million Pakistani Rupees in January 2026 to the Rana Sanaullah-led trust specifically for reconstruction of Markaz Bilal. ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/operation-sindoor-one-year-anniversary-china-confirms-for-first-beijing-provided-on-ground-support-to-pakistan-1842431">China Confirms For First Time Beijing Provided Direct Support To Pakistan During Op Sindoor</a> The redevelopment of the destroyed terror facility is likely to raise fresh international questions over Pakistan’s continued patronage of terror outfits and the use of state resources for rebuilding infrastructure linked to jihadist groups.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/abp-exclusive-one-year-after-operation-sindoor-jaish-rebuilds-markaz-bilal-in-pok-1842537

Friday, May 8, 2026

Trump Announces Three-Day Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire From May 9

US President Donald Trump on Friday announced a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, stating that both sides had agreed to halt military operations from May 9 to May 11. Trump said the temporary truce would coincide with Russia’s Victory Day celebrations and would also include a large-scale prisoner exchange involving 1,000 prisoners from each country. The announcement comes amid ongoing international efforts to end the war, which Trump described as the “biggest conflict since World War II”. <h2>Ceasefire From May 9 To 11</h2> In a statement, Trump said the ceasefire would involve a complete suspension of “all kinetic activity” during the three-day period. He claimed the request for the truce had been made directly by him and thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for agreeing to the proposal. Trump also noted that the pause in fighting coincides with Russia’s Victory Day commemorations, while adding that Ukraine too played a major role during the Second World War. Also Read: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-iran-war-news-live-iraniran-issues-fresh-warning-to-us-says-readiness-to-defend-itself-at-1-000-1842357">Iran Issues Fresh Warning To US, Says Readiness To Defend Itself At ‘1,000%’</a> <h2>Prisoner Swap Planned</h2> The proposed agreement also includes an exchange of 1,000 prisoners from each side, potentially making it one of the largest prisoner swaps since the war began. Trump expressed hope that the temporary ceasefire could pave the way for a broader peace agreement and eventually bring an end to the prolonged conflict. He said discussions aimed at permanently ending the war were continuing and claimed negotiators were “getting closer and closer every day” to a breakthrough. Also Read: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-releases-classified-ufo-records-after-trump-directive-on-alien-life-1842369">US Releases Classified UFO Records After Trump Directive On ‘Alien Life’</a>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/russia-ukraine-war-trump-announces-three-day-russia-ukraine-ceasefire-from-may-9-1842377

Middle East Crisis Hits Pakistani Families As Gulf Remittances Slow Down

Edited by: Srinivas Mazumdaru Samina Bibi, a 34-year-old mother of three, lives in a modest house on the outskirts of Rawalpindi, the fourth-most populous city in Pakistan. One early morning this week, she received a message from her husband saying that his salary would be delayed again. She says she had to fight back tears. Bibi's husband has been living in Saudi Arabia for the past decade. He works for a Riyadh-based construction company. "He says the company is facing issues due to regional conflict," she said, referring to the Iran war. "I just think, what about us relying solely on his 80,000 rupees (€245, $288) per month?" For Samina, the delay in remittance is not merely an inconvenience, but a disruption that ripples through every part of her life. She says the Middle East crisis is directly affecting the families of migrant workers in the region. <h2>Dependent on money transfers from abroad</h2> Pakistan is among the world's largest recipients of remittances, with tens of billions of dollars flowing in each year — much of it from workers in the Gulf. For millions of households, this money offer an economic lifeline, allowing them to cover basic needs including food, rent, education and healthcare. According to the State Bank of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) contributed more than half of Pakistan's record $38.3 billion remittances in fiscal year 2025. But as the crisis bites, causing delays and fluctuations, many are now questioning Pakistan's heavy reliance on Gulf economies. Analysts warn that rising Middle East tensions, along with labor market shifts like increased automation and preference for hiring local workers, could threaten the remittance income for millions of Pakistani families. "There are rising reports of workers from the Gulf being sent back. No numbers or data are available at the moment though," said Khurram Husain, an economic analyst. "The UAE accounts for 20% of all Pakistan remittances, so a sudden slowdown from this one source alone would create significant pressure on the reserves and families of migrant workers back home," he added. Remittances have grown into a pillar of the national economy — supporting foreign exchange reserves and even stabilizing the currency. But that pillar rests on foundations far beyond Pakistan's borders. "A slowdown in remittances would obviously cause a lot of difficulty — we export labor more than goods and services," Safiya Aftab, an Islamabad-based economist, told DW. <h2>Families split by borders</h2> Bibi's husband has spent 10 years working in Saudi Arabia. He visits home once every two years. In between, their relationship exists largely through video calls. Their children have grown up this way. "My youngest child still asks when his father will come back for good," she said. "I don't know what to tell him." Her situation is not uncommon. Migration has reshaped family life across Pakistan, creating what sociologists describe as "transnational households" — families split between countries but bound by financial necessity. Regional tensions, economic slowdown, and labor market shifts in Gulf countries can directly affect migrant workers' earnings — and, by extension, the families who depend on them. "When something happens there, we feel it here," Bibi lamented. Her husband's hours were cut earlier this year, forcing him to send smaller amounts of money. One delayed payment forced her to borrow money to pay her children's school fees. "It's like everything stops," she said. "You wait, and you hope." <h2>A limited safety net</h2> Many Pakistani workers in the Gulf hold low- or semi-skilled jobs, which makes them particularly vulnerable to layoffs during economic downturns. "Too much depends on one region and one type of labor. Many young people are now coming to us looking for work visas for Malaysia or even Belarus. They consider a UAE work contract an uncertain prospect," Osama Malik, an Islamabad-based immigration lawyer, told DW. In Saudi Arabia, there are often delays in the payment of salaries to overseas workers, with certain restrictions on how much can be remitted back to their home countries, he added. <h2>The human cost of migration</h2> For families, migration brings economic benefits but also causes emotional strain. Bibi manages the household alone, raising children, caring for in-laws and making financial decisions. Her husband, meanwhile, lives in shared accommodation abroad, working long hours. "We talk every day," she said. "But it's not the same." There are moments when the distance feels heavier, particularly during illness, school events, family emergencies, Bibi told DW. "You realize how much is missing." <h2>An uncertain future</h2> Experts say Pakistan should provide more security for its workers by strengthening domestic industries and diversifying migration destinations. "Pakistan should not rely so heavily on remittances from the Gulf or any other place," Aftab stressed. "There is no substitute for growth in the domestic commodity-producing sectors. We need to focus on improving productivity in agriculture, manufacturing, and high-end services," he added. For families like Bibi's, however, such policy debates feel distant. "Our life depends on his job there," she said. "If something happens, we have nothing here." Disclaimer: This report first appeared on Deutsche Welle, and has been republished on ABP Live as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by ABP Live.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/middle-east-crisis-hits-pakistani-families-as-gulf-remittances-slow-down-1842373

Thursday, May 7, 2026

China Defies Trump Sanctions Push, Tells Firms To Keep Buying Iranian Oil

China has directed domestic companies to disregard US sanctions targeting Iranian oil imports, escalating tensions with Washington and setting up a direct challenge to the Trump administration’s pressure campaign against Tehran. According to a report by Fox News, China’s Commerce Ministry issued a directive on Sunday invoking a 2021 “blocking statute” that bars Chinese firms from complying with foreign sanctions Beijing considers illegitimate. The order reportedly applies to several Chinese refiners accused by the United States of purchasing Iranian crude, including independent “teapot” refineries. <h2>Trump Administration Intensifies Pressure On Iran</h2> The move comes as the Trump administration ramps up sanctions aimed at cutting off a major source of Iranian revenue. ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/australia-arrests-3-women-with-alleged-is-links-after-return-from-syria-1842125">Austria Shooting Horror: 3 Dead In Linz, Police Launch Major Probe</a> US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accused China of effectively financing Iran’s military activities through large-scale oil purchases. Speaking to Fox News, Bessent said: “China, let’s see them step up with some diplomacy and get the Iranians to open the strait.” He added: “Iran is the largest state sponsor of terrorism … China has been buying 90 percent of their energy, so they are funding the largest state sponsor of terrorism.” Bessent has repeatedly defended the administration’s “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, saying the US is “suffocating” Tehran through financial restrictions and naval enforcement measures. <h2>China Remains Iran’s Biggest Oil Buyer</h2> China continues to remain the primary destination for Iranian oil exports despite mounting US sanctions. Much of Iran’s sanctioned crude reportedly reaches Chinese refiners through indirect shipping channels and complex maritime networks designed to avoid detection. Defending its latest action, China said the US sanctions unlawfully interfere with normal trade between sovereign nations. China’s Commerce Ministry said the American measures violate international norms and confirmed that Chinese firms were prohibited from recognising or complying with the sanctions. <h2>Diplomatic Tensions Rise Ahead Of Trump-Xi Meeting</h2> The latest dispute comes ahead of a highly anticipated meeting later this month between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/business/wall-street-slips-from-record-highs-as-chip-stocks-retreat-iran-talks-in-focus-1842119">Wall Street Slips From Record Highs As Chip Stocks Retreat, Iran Talks In Focus</a> Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Beijing this week for talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, underlining China’s growing role as both Iran’s leading oil customer and a major diplomatic partner.

source https://news.abplive.com/business/china-defies-trump-sanctions-push-tells-firms-to-keep-buying-iranian-oil-1842128

Austria Shooting Horror: 3 Dead In Linz, Police Launch Major Probe

Edited by: Rana Taha Shots were fired in Linz in Austria on Thursday. A police spokesman told the Reuters news agency that three people had been killed and the weapon used had been recovered by law enforcement. National public broadcaster ORF reported a large police presence in the Klausenbachstrasse area in the north of the city. <h2>What do we know about the Linz shooting?</h2> "The deceased found at the scene were one male and two female persons," Ulrike Handlbauer, a spokeswoman for Upper Austria state police, told ORF. "Police cannot currently give any more detailed comments on the more specific circumstances of the motive or the identity of the deceased." The tabloid news outlet Kronen Zeitung offered further details on the incident, reporting that an elderly man had shot two women and then himself outside a gastronomical business. It also cited police as saying that the wider danger to the public had passed. Linz is situated on the River Danube in the Upper Austria region in the north of the country, around half way between Salzburg in the west and Vienna in the east. It's home to more than 200,000 people. Gun crime is relatively rare in Austria with only around 0.2 people per 100,000 per year being killed by gunshots. For orientation, that's more than 25 times less frequent than in the US but also not among the lowest levels in Europe. If you are suffering from serious emotional strain or suicidal thoughts, do not hesitate to seek professional help. You can find information on where to find such help, no matter where you live in this world, at this website: <a href="https://befrienders.org/">https://befrienders.org/</a> Disclaimer: This report first appeared on Deutsche Welle, and has been republished on ABP Live as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by ABP Live.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/austria-shooting-horror-3-dead-in-linz-police-launch-major-probe-1842126