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Sunday, February 8, 2026

Trump Congratulates Japan PM Sanae Takaichi On Historic Landslide Election Win

Washington DC [US], February 9 (ANI): US President Donald Trump on Sunday (local time) congratulated Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her coalition on what he described as a "landslide victory" in Japan's general election, calling the outcome historic and praising her leadership. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, "Congratulations to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and her Coalition on a LANDSLIDE Victory in today's very important Vote." He described Takaichi as "a highly respected and very popular Leader" and said her decision to call an election had "paid off big time." Trump noted that Takaichi's party now commands a two-thirds supermajority in the legislature, terming it "a HISTORIC TWO THIRDS SUPERMAJORITY -- the first time since World War II." He added, "It was my Honor to Endorse you and your Coalition. I wish you Great Success in passing your Conservative, Peace Through Strength Agenda." Commending Japanese voters, Trump said the "wonderful people of Japan" had voted with enthusiasm and would "always have my strong support." US President Donald Trump on Sunday endorsed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi as Japan held a crucial legislative election. Trump said he was looking forward to welcoming Takaichi to the White House on March 19, recalling his recent visit to Japan, during which he and his delegation were "extremely impressed" with her leadership. Highlighting bilateral cooperation, Trump pointed to close coordination between Washington and Tokyo on national security and trade. He said the United States and Japan have worked together on "a very substantial Trade Deal, one that strongly benefits both Countries." In a direct endorsement of a foreign leader during an election, Trump declared, "As President of the United States of America, it is my Honor to give a Complete and Total Endorsement of her, and what her highly respected Coalition is representing." He concluded the message with a strong vote of confidence in the Japanese leader, writing in capital letters, "SHE WILL NOT LET THE PEOPLE OF JAPAN DOWN!" and wished voters luck ahead of what he called their "very important Sunday Vote." Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) won a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives in Sunday's general election, handing Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi a decisive mandate to advance her conservative policy agenda, Kyodo News reported. Crossing the two-thirds threshold of 310 seats in the 465-member lower house allows the LDP to pursue constitutional revision and pass legislation even if it is rejected by the upper House of Councillors, where the ruling coalition remains in a minority. The LDP is the first party in postwar Japan to achieve such a margin, according to Kyodo News. The landslide result marks a sharp increase from the party's pre-election strength of 198 seats and was widely attributed to Takaichi's personal popularity. The LDP and its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), will together command a dominant presence in the chamber, reinforcing Takaichi's position after she took office in October. Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's upcoming visit to Washington, her first since taking office, will precede US President Donald Trump's planned April trip to China, as Beijing has taken an increasingly hard-line stance over her comments on a potential crisis in the Taiwan Strait, Kyodo News reported. Trump has repeatedly praised Japan's commitment to making large-scale investments in the United States, a key element of a trade deal reached last summer following his tariff threats against Tokyo, Kyodo News said. Since her early days in office, Trump has publicly lauded Takaichi, leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, describing her as a protegee of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, with whom he forged a close personal relationship during his first term. On Sunday, the US State Department said the administration looks forward to advancing " U.S. security and economic priorities, as well as our shared interests, in the Indo-Pacific and globally" with Japan, Kyodo News reported. A State Department spokesperson described the US-Japan alliance as "the cornerstone of peace, security and prosperity" in the region, adding that it "has never been stronger," according to Kyodo News. (This report has been published as part of an auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/trump-congratulates-japan-pm-sanae-takaichi-on-historic-landslide-election-win-1826090

'No One Has Right To Dictate': Iran Defies US Pressure, Rules Out Giving Up On Uranium Enrichment

Iran has pushed back firmly against mounting pressure from Washington to halt its uranium enrichment programme, signalling that threats of force and new sanctions will not sway Tehran’s nuclear stance. Speaking at a public forum in Tehran on Sunday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi struck a defiant tone, saying Iran would not be coerced into changing course and voicing sharp doubts about the United States’ intentions at the negotiating table. His comments came as Iran and the US returned to indirect talks in Oman, their first such engagement in years, following a dangerous escalation in the Middle East that drew Washington into military action against Tehran alongside Israel. For Iran, the talks carry the hope of easing sweeping economic sanctions that have battered its economy. For the US, the priority remains curbing Iran’s nuclear activities. Yet even as diplomacy resumes, mistrust on both sides is running deep. <h2>Iran Rejects Pressure On Enrichment</h2> Addressing an audience that included international media, Araghchi made it clear that uranium enrichment remains a red line for Tehran. "Why do we insist so much on enrichment and refuse to give it up, even if a war is imposed on us?" he asked. "Because no one has the right to dictate our behaviour." He brushed off US military deployments in the region as ineffective intimidation, pointing specifically to the presence of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in nearby waters. "Their military deployment in the region does not scare us," Araghchi said. At the heart of his message was a broader warning: Iran would not accept any agreement that compromises its sovereignty or national dignity. Trust in Washington, he added, is scarce, and Tehran remains unconvinced that the US is genuinely committed to diplomacy. <h2>Talks Resume Amid Fresh Threats</h2> Despite the sharp rhetoric, Araghchi said Iran is open to "a series of confidence-building measures" if they lead to meaningful sanctions relief, provided talks are conducted with mutual respect. Western governments and Israel have long accused Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons. Tehran has consistently denied the allegation, maintaining that its nuclear programme is strictly peaceful. "They fear our atomic bomb, while we are not looking for one," Araghchi said. "Our atomic bomb is the power to say ‘no’ to the great powers." <h2>Us Shows Military Muscle</h2> Tensions remained high over the weekend as senior US officials visited the aircraft carrier stationed in the region. Lead negotiator Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner toured the vessel, reinforcing Washington’s military posture even as talks were underway. US Central Command confirmed the deployment, while Witkoff said the carrier group was "keeping us safe" and backing President Donald Trump’s policy of "peace through strength." Publicly, Trump struck an optimistic note, describing the talks as "very good." Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also called the discussions "a step forward." Yet the diplomatic momentum was quickly tested. Soon after the talks, Trump signed an executive order calling for new tariffs on countries that continue doing business with Iran. Additional sanctions were also imposed on shipping firms and vessels linked to Iranian oil exports. <h2>Doubts Over US Commitment</h2> Those moves only deepened Tehran’s scepticism. Araghchi questioned whether Washington is truly serious about reaching an agreement, citing ongoing sanctions and military activity as mixed signals. "The continuation of certain sanctions and military actions raise doubts about the seriousness and readiness of the other side," he said. Iran, he added, is watching closely and will decide whether to stay at the negotiating table based on US conduct. "We are assessing all the signals," Araghchi said. "We will decide on the continuation of the talks." <h2>Deadly Protests In Iran</h2> The renewed diplomacy is unfolding against a volatile backdrop at home and abroad. Iran is still grappling with domestic unrest, while the US continues a major military buildup in the region. Protests that erupted in late December over economic hardship and political grievances have turned deadly. Iranian authorities say at least 3,117 people were killed during the unrest, most of them security personnel and bystanders, and released a list of nearly 3,000 names on Sunday. However, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency has reported significantly higher figures, claiming nearly 7,000 deaths, mostly among protesters, with thousands of additional cases under investigation. The group has also documented more than 51,000 arrests.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/no-one-has-right-to-dictate-iran-defies-us-pressure-rules-out-giving-up-on-uranium-enrichment-1826088

Hunger Strike Fallout? Iran Slaps Fresh 7-Year Jail Term On Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi

Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate and human rights activist Narges Mohammadi has reportedly been handed an additional prison sentence of more than seven years after launching a hunger strike, according to her supporters and legal representatives. The fresh convictions come as Iranian authorities intensify their crackdown on dissent following nationwide protests, with rights groups alleging thousands were killed in security operations. <h3 data-start="145" data-end="584">Court Sentence Amid Nuclear Talks</h3> Supporters quoted her lawyer Mostafa Nili as saying a Revolutionary Court in Mashhad handed down the sentence, which includes charges related to “gathering and collusion,” propaganda offences and a travel ban. Mohammadi has reportedly been on hunger strike since early February and was previously detained in December during a ceremony honouring a human rights lawyer. The developments come at a sensitive time as Iran continues negotiations with the United States over its nuclear programme to avoid a potential military escalation. <h3 data-start="588" data-end="956">Iran Defiance As Tensions Rise</h3> Iranian officials have reiterated that Tehran’s strength lies in resisting pressure from global powers, even as talks mediated via regional partners attempt to find diplomatic solutions. Iran’s leadership has maintained that its nuclear programme is peaceful, though Western powers and international watchdogs have long expressed concern over uranium enrichment levels nearing weapons-grade thresholds. Meanwhile, Washington has increased military presence in the region and signalled readiness to act if negotiations collapse, raising stakes for both sides.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/iran-nobel-laureate-narges-mohammadi-new-prison-term-hunger-strike-us-nuclear-talks-tension-1826083

Saturday, February 7, 2026

4 Indian Students Among Several Injured In Knife Attack At Russian Medical College

Four Indian students were among at least six people injured in a stabbing attack on Saturday at a university in Russia’s Bashkortostan Republic, the Indian embassy in Moscow said. The incident took place in Ufa, where local media reported a stabbing attack at the sports hall of a foreign students’ hostel at a university in the region. According to preliminary reports, a teenager armed with a knife entered the dormitory of the State Medical University in Ufa and attacked students living there, stabbing several of them. The Interior Ministry said two police officers were also injured during the incident. “The attacker resisted arrest, during which two police officers were stabbed. Furthermore, the suspect also inflicted bodily harm on himself,” Interior Ministry spokesperson Maj General Irina Volk was quoted as saying by RTVI.com webportal. <h3>Indian Embassy Responds</h3> Calling it an “unfortunate incident”, the Indian Embassy in Moscow said, “Several persons including four Indian students have been injured.” The Embassy said it is in touch with the authorities, and officials from the Consulate in Kazan are on their way to Ufa to provide assistance to the injured students. "An unfortunate incident of attack has occurred in Ufa. Several persons including four Indian students have been injured. The Embassy is in touch with the authorities and the officials from the Consulate in Kazan are on their way to Ufa to provide assistance to the injured students," the Indian embassy in Moscow said. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> An unfortunate incident of attack has occurred in Ufa. Several persons including four Indian students have been injured. The Embassy is in touch with the authorities and the officials from the Consulate in Kazan are on their way to Ufa to provide assistance to the injured… — India in Russia (@IndEmbMoscow) <a href="https://twitter.com/IndEmbMoscow/status/2020166462455906704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2026</a></blockquote> <script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> <h3>15-Year-Old Suspected To Be Attacker</h3> In a release, the Russian Federal Health Ministry said that four people injured in the attack are receiving medical care. One is in serious condition, while three others are in moderate condition. The attacker, identified as a 15-year-old youth, has also been admitted to a local children’s hospital in serious condition, the Baza Telegram channel said. Authorities in Ufa, the capital of the Bashkortostan Republic located about 1,200 km east of Moscow, have launched a high-level probe into the incident. There has also been speculation about the possibility of two attackers, according to some credible Russian Telegram channels.  The Baza channel claimed that the attacker belonged to a banned neo-Nazi outfit. “He belonged to the banned NS/WP neoNazi organisation. During the frenzy of attack, he was shouting nationalist slogans about (the) Holocaust,” it said, while sharing a photo of a Swastika drawn on a wall with the blood of the victims. According to eyewitnesses, “there was blood all around,” Ren TV said, showing footage of the wounded being taken to hospital in ambulance vans. Many Indian students go to Russia, and earlier to Ukraine before the war, to pursue medical studies.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/4-indian-students-among-several-injured-in-knife-attack-at-russian-medical-college-ufa-1825978

4 Indian students among several injured in stabbing attack in Russia

Moscow, Feb 7 (PTI): Four Indian students were among at least six people injured in a stabbing attack on Saturday at a university in Russia's Bashkortostan Republic, the Indian mission here said. According to preliminary reports, a teenager armed with a knife entered a dormitory of the State Medical University in Ufa in the Bashkortostan Republic. He attacked the students living there and stabbed several of them, the Interior Ministry said. “The attacker resisted arrest, during which two police officers were stabbed. Furthermore, the suspect also inflicted bodily harm on himself,” Interior Ministry spokesperson Maj General Irina Volk was quoted as saying by RTVI.com webportal. Calling it an "unfortunate incident", the Indian Embassy here said, "Several persons including four Indian students have been injured." The Embassy said it is in touch with the authorities, and officials from the Consulate in Kazan are en route to Ufa to provide assistance to the injured students. In a release, the Russian Federal Health Ministry said that four people injured in the attack are receiving medical care. One is in serious condition, while three others are in moderate condition, it added. The attacker, identified as a 15-year-old youth, has also been admitted to a local children's hospital in serious condition, the Baza telegram channel said. Authorities in Ufa, the capital of the Bashkortostan Republic about 1,200 km east of Moscow, have launched a high-level probe into the incident. The Baza channel claimed that the attacker belonged to a banned neo-Nazi outfit. "He belonged to the banned NS/WP neoNazi organisation. During the frenzy of attack, he was shouting nationalist slogans about (the) Holocaust,” it said and shared the photo of a Swastika drawn on a wall with the blood of the victims. According to eyewitnesses, “there was blood all around,” Ren TV said, showing footage of wounded being taken to hospital by ambulance vans. PTI VS NPK GRS GRS GRS GRS(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/4-indian-students-among-several-injured-in-stabbing-attack-in-russia-1825977

Islamabad Shia Mosque Attack: ISKP, The Zainebiyoun Brigade, Syria’s Spillover, And Pakistan’s Proxy Warfare

The Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) has claimed responsibility for the fidayeen suicide bombing that struck the Qaiser Khadeejatul Kubra Shia mosque in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, on Friday afternoon, once again highlighting the entrenched sectarian terror networks operating within the country. In a statement issued through its official propaganda outlet, the Amaq Agency, ISKP said the attack was carried out as “revenge” against Pakistan’s Shia community for their alleged participation in fighting Islamic State fighters in Syria under the banner of the Iran-backed Zainabiyoun Brigade. <img src="https://ift.tt/QCXK8LT" width="720" /> Alongside the claim, ISKP released a photograph of the suicide bomber with his face blurred, in keeping with its standard propaganda practice. <h2>Attacker Identified As Pakistani National</h2> Pakistan’s security agencies have identified the attacker as 26-year-old Yasir Khan, a resident of Peshawar, confirming that the suicide bombing at the Islamabad Shia mosque was carried out by a Pakistani national. <img src="https://ift.tt/oTq8SWc" width="720" /> The attack has left at least 31 people dead and more than 170 injured, according to official figures. <h2>‘Zainabiyoun Retaliation’ Narrative Revisited</h2> This is not the first time Pakistan’s Shia population has been targeted under the pretext of “Zainabiyoun retaliation”. <img src="https://ift.tt/JCbk2nA" width="720" /> In December 2015, Sipah-e-Sahaba’s proxy outfit Lashkar-e-Jhangvi carried out a fidayeen attack on the Shia community in Parachinar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killing 25 people and injuring over 30. At the time, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi warned that unless Pakistani Shias stopped fighting Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, further attacks would follow. <h2>Roots of Pakistan’s Sectarian Terror Ecosystem</h2> Pakistan’s sectarian violence traces back to the early 1990s, following the rise of the anti-Shia extremist group Sipah-e-Sahaba, founded in 1990, and its armed proxy Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, established in 1996. <img src="https://ift.tt/62VC7HJ" width="720" /> In response, Shia militants formed Sipah-e-Mohammad Pakistan (SMP) in 1994 as a retaliatory force, targeting senior Sipah-e-Sahaba leaders and Sunni collaborators accused of facilitating violence against Shias. Although Pakistan banned both Sipah-e-Sahaba and Sipah-e-Mohammad in 2002, SMP continued operating across Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa until at least 2010, with training, funding and logistical support from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). <h2>From SMP To Lashkar-e-Zainabiyoun</h2> In 2012, following Iranian directives, over 2,000 fighters from Sipah-e-Mohammad Pakistan were redeployed to Syria and Iraq to fight Islamic State and US-led forces. The unit was rebranded as Liwa Zainabiyoun, also known as Lashkar-e-Zainabiyoun. Despite large-scale overseas deployment, SMP operatives continued functioning inside Pakistan against Sipah-e-Sahaba networks. Iran also recruited nearly 1,000 undocumented Pakistani Shias living in Iran, inducting them into Lashkar-e-Zainabiyoun after training. Today, Lashkar-e-Zainabiyoun reportedly has more than 5,000 fighters engaged in combat against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. The group is led by Abid Hussain Turi alias Tehran Turi, who is based in Upper Kurram, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where armed clashes with Sipah-e-Sahaba cadres continue. <h2>ISKP’s Operational Bases Inside Pakistan</h2> ISKP currently operates from Mastung in Balochistan and Khyber district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where it has established permanent bases. In Balochistan, ISKP operations are led by chief Shahab al-Muhajir in collaboration with Mir Shafiq Mengal, a former Lashkar-e-Taiba commander and head of Musallah Difa Tanzim. Sipah-e-Sahaba and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi form key components of this network. The Mastung-based ISKP faction carries out attacks across Afghanistan, Iran, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Central Asia and South Asia, while also targeting Baloch resistance fighters and Pakistan’s Shia population. <h2>New ISKP Unit In Khyber District</h2> Since December 2025, a new ISKP unit has been operational in Pakistan’s Khyber district under the leadership of Hafiz Zubair Mujahid, a former Lashkar-e-Taiba commander who now serves as ISKP’s Nizam-e-Ala, as reported by ABP News on January 21. The unit operates under the operational control of senior LeT commander Huzaifa Bakarwal alias Shafiq Bhai. Multiple intelligence sources allege that Pakistan’s military establishment and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) have tasked this ISKP–LeT hybrid module with carrying out attacks in India while maintaining plausible deniability. <h2>Allegations Of State Collusion</h2> Retired Pakistan Army Major Adil Raja described the Islamabad mosque bombing as a joint operation of Sipah-e-Sahaba and ISKP. On his YouTube channel @SoldierSpeaks, Raja released photographs showing ISKP coordinator Shafiq Mengal posing with Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti and former Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq. He described the images as “direct evidence” of state collusion, claiming that Pakistan’s military and intelligence agencies are not combating terrorism but “running it as a strategic business”. <h2>A Policy Turning Inward</h2> The Islamabad Shia mosque bombing underscores how Pakistan’s long-standing policy of nurturing terror proxies has increasingly turned inward, with its own citizens bearing the cost. The February 6 attack, which killed at least 31 people and injured more than 170, marks another chapter in a cycle of violence rooted in decades of proxy militancy.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/islamabad-shia-mosque-attack-iskp-the-zainebiyoun-brigade-syria-s-spillover-and-pakistan-s-proxy-warfare-1825973

Friday, February 6, 2026

India Slams Pakistan’s ‘Home-Grown Ills’ After Blame Game Over Islamabad Mosque Blast

Islamabad reeled on Friday after a devastating suicide bombing tore through a crowded mosque in the heart of the capital, killing at least 69 people and injuring more than 170. The deadly strike, one of the worst in recent years, not only plunged Pakistan into mourning but also ignited sharp diplomatic exchanges with India and Afghanistan, both of which rejected Islamabad’s allegations and pointed to Pakistan’s internal security failures. <h3>Suicide Bombing Rocks Islamabad</h3> The explosion occurred during prayers, when the mosque was filled with worshippers. According to Pakistani officials, the attacker was stopped by security guards at the entrance, opened fire, and then detonated explosives inside the premises. The blast caused widespread destruction and panic, with emergency services rushing survivors to nearby hospitals. Medical facilities in Islamabad worked through the night to treat the injured, many of whom were in critical condition. Authorities said the high casualty count reflected both the confined space of the mosque and the large number of people present at the time of the attack.  <h3>India Rejects Allegations, Urges Pakistan To Look Inward</h3> As Pakistan’s leadership hinted at external involvement, India swiftly condemned the attack while dismissing accusations of any role. In a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi expressed condolences to the victims’ families but described the allegations as “groundless and meaningless.” The ministry further criticised Islamabad for avoiding responsibility, saying Pakistan was “deluding itself by pointing fingers at others, Pakistan chooses to delude itself by blaming others for its home-grown ills." MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated that the attack was tragic and deplorable, but emphasised that claims linking India were “baseless” and “pointless,” urging Pakistan to focus on addressing its own security gaps, as per NDTV. <h3>Afghanistan Pushes Back, Questions Pakistan’s Claims</h3> Afghanistan’s defence ministry also rejected Pakistan’s assertions, pushing back against suggestions that the attacker had crossed through Afghan territory. Kabul questioned how Pakistani authorities could move so quickly to assign blame after the bombing while failing to prevent the attack in the first place, reported Times of India. The Taliban-led government maintained that it does not support or harbor those responsible for attacks on civilians and reiterated its opposition to violence against innocents. Afghan officials called on Pakistan to strengthen internal security mechanisms and pursue cooperation with neighboring countries rather than escalating tensions through accusations.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/islamabad-bomb-blast-mosque-pakistan-faces-backlash-from-india-afghanistan-home-grown-ills-randhir-jaiswal-1825853