India, North Macedonia discuss UN reforms, direct connectivity: official

<p> Skopje (North Macedonia), Jul 21 (PTI): India and North Macedonia on Tuesday discussed reforms of the United Nations, direct connectivity, and ways to boost trade and tourism, among others, according to a top Indian diplomat.</p><p> Briefing media persons on President Droupadi Murmu's ongoing visit here, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs Sibi George said all aspects of bilateral relations were discussed, and the two sides underscored the need to identify new areas of cooperation to further strengthen ties.</p><p> He said Murmu's visit marks a historic milestone in India-North Macedonia relations as it is the first-ever bilateral visit by an Indian President to the landlocked southeast European nation.</p><p> The visit reaffirms India's commitment to strengthening its partnership with North Macedonia and reflects its broader engagement with Europe, George said.</p><p> Earlier in the day, Murmu held bilateral talks with her counterpart, President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, at the Presidential Palace (Villa Vodno).</p><p> “They identified areas such as digital technology, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, automotive, agriculture and agro-products, new technologies including AI as priority areas for cooperation,” George said.</p><p> The two sides also discussed reforms of the United Nations, he said.</p><p> “North Macedonia and India work together in the multilateral fora, cooperate with each other, and also it supports India's permanent membership in a reformed UN Security Council,” George said.</p><p> The diplomat said there was also a request for direct connectivity between India and North Macedonia.</p><p> "It is on our wish list. We will see how we can take it forward," he said.</p><p> The two countries renewed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the health sector for another five years to enhance collaboration through joint initiatives and technology development, including healthcare facilities, George said.</p><p> North Macedonia has supported India in the fight against terrorism and strongly condemned the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, he said.</p><p> Murmu also met Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, who hosted a working lunch in her honour.</p><p> "The state visit of the President reaffirms our shared commitment to building a forward-looking and mutually beneficial partnership that contributes to the prosperity of our two countries," George said.</p><p> Murmu is on a two-day visit to North Macedonia from Tuesday as part of the second leg of her three-nation tour of Europe.</p><p> She concluded her visit to Moldova on Monday and will travel to Romania on Thursday in the last stretch of her tour. PTI AKV SCY SCY</p><p><i>(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.)</i></p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/india-north-macedonia-discuss-un-reforms-direct-connectivity-official-1857844

Trump Promises Lebanon 'Respect' As President Joseph Aoun Visits White House

<p>US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said Lebanon had suffered for decades and pledged that the United States would support the country going forward during a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House.</p> <p>During their Oval Office meeting, Trump said Lebanon would receive the respect it deserved.</p> <p>"It's been a very badly treated place and country, and we're going to have it properly treated, and treated with the respect that it deserves," Trump said.</p> <h2><strong>High-Stakes Meeting At The White House</strong></h2> <p>According to a Reuters report, Aoun's visit was aimed at presenting a plan to disarm the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah and secure Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon.</p> <p>Aoun, who served as commander of Lebanon's US-backed army before being elected president last year, is the first Lebanese head of state to visit the White House in nearly 20 years. Tuesday's meeting marked his first face-to-face talks with Trump.</p> <p>The meeting comes as Israeli troops continue to occupy parts of southern Lebanon, hundreds of thousands of Lebanese remain displaced following Israeli strikes, and Hezbollah has rejected both direct talks between Lebanon and Israel and government efforts to disarm the group.</p> <h2><strong>Lebanon Pushes For Israeli Withdrawal</strong></h2> <p>Aoun arrived in Washington over the weekend and met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday. During the meeting, he said Israel should begin withdrawing from southern Lebanon in line with the US-brokered June 26 agreement between Lebanon and Israel.</p> <p>The agreement aims to disarm Hezbollah, facilitate a phased Israeli troop withdrawal and lay the groundwork for peaceful relations between the two countries.</p> <p>Hours before Aoun met Trump, Lebanese army troops began taking control of areas vacated by Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, marking the first test of the agreement.</p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FZtcP8zrrg4?si=F52xJtOgOZlGWFJ2" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>A Lebanese official said Aoun believes only Trump has the leverage to persuade Israel to withdraw its troops and help Lebanon restore its sovereignty. The official also said Aoun planned to present Trump with a written proposal outlining how Hezbollah's weapons arsenal could be decommissioned.</p> <p><strong>ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/kremlin-responds-after-four-indians-killed-in-russian-strike-in-touch-with-india-1857811">Kremlin Responds After Four Indians Killed In Russian Strike; Says In Touch With India</a></strong></p> <h2><strong>A Presidency Shaped By Regional Conflict</strong></h2> <p>Joseph Aoun, 62, became Lebanon's president shortly before Trump began his second term in office. The United States welcomed his election.</p> <p>A Maronite Christian, Aoun was elected under Lebanon's sectarian power-sharing system, which requires the president to be a Maronite Christian, the prime minister to be a Sunni Muslim and the speaker of parliament to be a Shi'ite Muslim.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">WATCH: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun urges <a href="https://ift.tt/tbhvBTX> to continue supporting the <a href="https://ift.tt/A89pI0Q>, warning that without US backing the country could face renewed instability similar to the chaos of the 1970s <a href="https://t.co/FqtTA2IXFY">https://t.co/FqtTA2IXFY</a> <a href="https://t.co/a5IubwQxnY">pic.twitter.com/a5IubwQxnY</a></p> &mdash; Arab News (@arabnews) <a href="https://ift.tt/dY293Ik 21, 2026</a></blockquote> <p> <script src="https://ift.tt/4yaMcVx" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> </p> <p>A career soldier, Aoun was wounded twice during his military service and still carries a shrapnel wound.</p> <p>His election followed a major shift in Lebanon's political landscape after Israel's 2024 offensive against Hezbollah and the fall of Hezbollah's Syrian ally, President Bashar al-Assad, developments that weakened the group's influence over the Lebanese state.</p> <p>At his swearing-in ceremony, Aoun pledged to uphold "the state's right to a monopoly on arms."</p> <h2><strong>Hezbollah Disarmament Remains Central Challenge</strong></h2> <p>The first year of Aoun's presidency focused on government efforts to secure Hezbollah's disarmament. The Iran-backed group, founded by Iran's Revolutionary Guards in 1982, has fought multiple wars with Israel.</p> <p>Lebanese troops were deployed in southern Lebanon to collect Hezbollah weapons caches under the ceasefire that followed the 2024 war, without opposition from the weakened group.</p> <p>However, early in Aoun's second year in office, fighting resumed after Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel on March 2 in support of Iran during the conflict involving the United States and Israel.</p> <p>According to Lebanon's health ministry, the conflict has killed more than 4,300 people, including nearly 800 children, women and medics. The ministry's figures do not distinguish between civilians and combatants, while Hezbollah has not released casualty figures for its fighters.</p> <h2><strong>Calls For Dialogue With Israel</strong></h2> <p>After the latest conflict began, Aoun called for direct talks with Israel, marking a significant shift for Lebanon, which has faced repeated Israeli invasions since 1978. The move resulted in the highest-level face-to-face contacts between the two countries in decades.</p> <p>His position drew strong criticism from Hezbollah and its supporters.</p> <p>Aoun has continued to criticise Hezbollah for initiating the war, saying Lebanon was being destroyed for the sake of Iran.</p> <p>However, he has not agreed to Trump's request that he hold a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.</p> <p><strong>ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/andrew-tate-tristan-tate-to-fight-extradition-to-uk-says-lawyer-1857762">Andrew, Tristan Tate To Fight UK Extradition As Lawyer Calls Case A 'Political Witch Hunt'</a></strong></p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/trump-promises-lebanon-respect-as-president-joseph-aoun-visits-white-house-1857836

President Murmu arrives in North Macedonia; first visit by any Indian head of state

<p>Skopje (North Macedonia), Jul 21 (PTI): President Droupadi Murmu arrived here on a two-day state visit, as part of her three-nation tour of European countries aimed at boosting ties.</p><p>She is the first Indian President to visit North Macedonia.</p><p>During the second leg of her visit to this landlocked country in southeastern Europe, beginning from Tuesday, Murmu will hold bilateral talks with her counterpart Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova.</p><p>She will also meet Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, Speaker of the Assembly Afrim Gashi and address the Parliament here.</p><p>Murmu is scheduled to address the India-North Macedonia Business Forum as well.</p><p>Both sides have a keen interest in deepening economic ties in priority sectors such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, science and technology, Information Technology, and IT-enabled Services.</p><p>President Murmu will also visit Memorial of Mother Teresa.</p><p> Mother Teresa was born on August 26, 1910 in Skopje— the modern day capital of North Macedonia. She lived in Skopje until 1928, when she left to join the Sisters of Loreto in Ireland before eventually moving to India.</p><p>Built in 2009, this museum sits on Macedonia Street in the heart of Skopje. It stands on the exact site of the former Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church, where she was baptised the day after her birth.</p><p>Mother Teresa was awarded Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, in 1980.</p><p>North Macedonia, which shares land borders with Greece to the south, Albania to the west, Bulgaria to the east, Kosovo to the northwest and Serbia to the north, covers an area of 25,713 square kilometres.</p><p>The Indian community in North Macedonia is very small. Most of them are engaged in the IT sector, teaching at universities or working as executives in multinational companies.</p><p>In the final leg of her tour, Murmu will visit Romania from July 23 to 25 at the invitation of President Nicusor Dan. It will be the first visit by an Indian president to Romania in more than three decades.</p><p>The state visit to the three nations reflects the importance India attaches to strengthening its bilateral ties with these countries, along with New Delhi's engagement with the wider Eastern European region.</p><p>One of the most important focus of the visit is on 3Ts - trade, technology and tourism, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs Sibi George has said. PTI AKV MNK MNK</p><p><i>(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.)</i></p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/president-murmu-arrives-in-north-macedonia-first-visit-by-any-indian-head-of-state-1857625

President Murmu concludes Moldova visit; pitches India as investment destination

<p> Chisinau (Moldova), Jul 20 (PTI): President Droupadi Murmu on Monday concluded her historic state visit to Moldova, during which discussions were held on several bilateral matters, including boosting trade and investment, and reforms of the UN Security Council.</p><p> Murmu, the first Indian head of state to visit the eastern European country, was accompanied by a high-level business delegation from India.</p><p> Addressing the India-Moldova Business Forum, the president highlighted the vast potential for collaboration in sectors such as digital technologies, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, fintech, and digital public infrastructure.</p><p> Other key sectors include infrastructure development, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, agriculture, food processing, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, healthcare, and logistics.</p><p> “India also offers good business opportunities for Moldovan companies for trade and investment. We remain committed to fostering a transparent, predictable and investor-friendly business environment. I invite Moldovan businesses to come and explore India,” Murmu said.</p><p> She also encouraged Indian companies to explore investment opportunities in Moldova.</p><p> The two countries also discussed reforms of multilateral organisations, including the UN Security Council, and cooperation in the fight against terrorism, among other key areas.</p><p> As a special gesture of friendship, Murmu presented a bust of Mahatma Gandhi to Moldovan President Maia Sandu.</p><p> As part of her day-long visit, the president laid a wreath at the Monument of Stefan cel Mare si Sfant (Stephen the Great), paying tribute to one of Moldova's most revered national figures.</p><p> Murmu also met Igor Grosu, Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, and interacted with members of the India-Moldova Parliamentary Friendship Group.</p><p> These engagements highlighted the important role of parliamentary diplomacy in deepening mutual understanding, strengthening institutional linkages and bringing the two democratic societies closer together, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs Sibi George said.</p><p> Later, Murmu and Sandu jointly addressed the India-Moldova Business Forum, which brought together leading business representatives from both countries to explore fresh opportunities in trade, investment, innovation and technology.</p><p> George said one of the most important focuses of the visit was on 3Ts -- trade, technology and tourism.</p><p> He also said India and Moldova had finalised a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in higher education, which is expected to be signed shortly.</p><p> The state visit reaffirmed the shared resolve of India and Moldova to build a stronger, broader and more substantive partnership, George said.</p><p> Rooted in democratic values, mutual respect and a common aspiration for peace and prosperity, India-Moldova relations are poised to enter a new era of closer engagement and enduring friendship, he added.</p><p> Later in the evening, President Murmu interacted with members of the Indian community and Friends of India.</p><p> The community welcomed the president with warmth and enthusiasm, the Rashtrapati Bhavan said in a social media post.</p><p> She also attended a banquet hosted in her honour by President Sandu before leaving for North Macedonia on the second leg of her three-nation visit.</p><p> Murmu's visit to North Macedonia will also be the first by an Indian President to the landlocked southeast European country.</p><p> In the final leg of her tour, she will travel to Romania from July 23 to 25 at the invitation of Romanian President Nicusor Dan.</p><p> Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya, Rajya Sabha member Dinesh Sharma and Lok Sabha member Vijay Baghel are part of the official delegation accompanying President Murmu. PTI AKV SCY SCY</p><p><i>(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.)</i></p>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/president-murmu-concludes-moldova-visit-pitches-india-as-investment-destination-1857623

'Iran Will Pay Many Times Over': Trump Issues Stark Warning After US Soldiers Killed

<p class="PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer" data-start="0" data-end="218">US President Donald Trump on Monday warned that Iran would face a severe response for every American soldier killed after two US service members died in an Iranian missile and drone attack on a military base in Jordan.</p> <p data-start="220" data-end="453">In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he had instructed Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Daniel Caine and other senior military leaders to ensure a stronger response to any future attacks.</p> <p><iframe class="truthsocial-embed" style="max-width: 100%; border: 0;" src="https://ift.tt/NFBT7Ca" width="600" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p> <script src="https://ift.tt/ReN7naM" async="async"></script> </p> <p data-start="220" data-end="453">"Every time Iran kills an American Soldier they will pay for that killing many times over! This directive has been passed on to Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Daniel Caine, and every Leader in the Military," Trump wrote.</p> <p data-start="220" data-end="453"><em><strong>Also Read: <a href="After%20CJP-Nadda%20Meet,%20Amit%20Shah%20Chairs%20High-Level%20Meeting:%20Was%20Pradhan's%20Exit%20Discussed?">After CJP-Nadda Meet, Amit Shah Chairs High-Level Meeting: Was Pradhan's Exit Discussed?</a></strong></em></p> <p data-start="722" data-end="986">The warning came after three US service members were killed and another remained missing following Friday's Iranian ballistic missile and drone strike in Jordan, marking the first American troop deaths from direct Iranian fire since the opening days of the conflict.</p> <p data-start="988" data-end="1209">The US military said the personnel were killed while American and partner forces were defending the base against the attack. Four other service members who were evacuated to hospitals in Jordan have since been discharged.</p> <h2 class="post-update__headline">US says it disabled, redirected eight commercial vessels</h2> <div class="qMYqUG_convSearchResultHighlightRoot"> <div class="" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:442964d6-b8ce-40c4-adb1-ece86101d448-2" data-is-intersecting="true"> <section class="text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none [&amp;:has([data-writing-block])&gt;*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id="request-WEB:442964d6-b8ce-40c4-adb1-ece86101d448-2" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:442964d6-b8ce-40c4-adb1-ece86101d448-2" data-testid="conversation-turn-6" data-turn="assistant"> <div class="text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-15 [--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-xs,calc(var(--spacing)*4))] @w-sm/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-sm,calc(var(--spacing)*6))] @w-lg/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-lg,calc(var(--spacing)*16))] px-(--thread-content-margin)"> <div class="[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn" data-conversation-screenshot-content=""> <div class="flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow"> <div class="min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+&amp;]:mt-1" dir="auto" tabindex="0" data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="bc2a10bc-2ff4-49a1-80a3-3d951ceb41ec" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-5" data-turn-start-message="true"> <div class="flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden"> <div class="markdown prose dark:prose-invert wrap-break-word w-full light markdown-new-styling"> <p class="PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer" data-start="0" data-end="204">The US military said on Monday that it had disabled one commercial vessel and redirected seven others as part of its naval blockade of Iranian ports, preventing ships from entering or leaving the country.</p> <p data-start="206" data-end="493">In a post on X, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the figures were current as of July 20. It added that personnel aboard the USS <em data-start="339" data-end="346">Boxer</em>, an amphibious assault ship, were supporting round-the-clock flight operations from the Arabian Sea as CENTCOM enforced the blockade against Iran.</p> <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TUx6xwmM5fw?si=TVjaSpJyhZ4o8aAC" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <h2 data-start="206" data-end="493">Diplomatic Exchanges With US Ongoing Via Mediators</h2> <p data-start="495" data-end="625">Meanwhile, Iran said diplomatic contacts with the United States were continuing through mediators despite the escalating conflict.</p> <p data-start="627" data-end="959">"We have been informed by mediators and have received messages&mdash;without going into details. The important point is that the diplomatic apparatus has remained active in recent days, and certain mediators have conveyed ideas to us," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said during a press briefing in Tehran on Monday.</p> <p data-start="961" data-end="1135">His remarks came a day after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran had continued to signal, both directly and through multiple channels, that it wanted to resume talks.</p> <p data-start="961" data-end="1135"><em><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/india/cjp-protest-live-updates-rahul-gandhi-targets-modi-over-neet-row-demands-pradhan-s-exit-says-most-anti-youth-pm-1857606">'Most Anti-Youth PM': Rahul Gandhi Targets Modi Over NEET Row, Demands Pradhan's Exit</a></strong></em></p> <p data-start="1137" data-end="1256" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">Rubio said a return to diplomacy would be "very positive", but added, "That's not where we are tonight, unfortunately."</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/us-iran-war-live-updates-donald-trump-issues-stark-warning-tehran-after-american-soldiers-killed-iran-will-pay-many-times-over-1857620

Shehbaz Sharif Minister's Party Allies With Lashkar-e-Taiba For PoK Election

<div class="qMYqUG_convSearchResultHighlightRoot"> <div class="" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:e31be624-5cc1-4019-bca6-cf6886b815dd-43" data-is-intersecting="true"> <section class="text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none [&amp;:has([data-writing-block])&gt;*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id="request-WEB:e31be624-5cc1-4019-bca6-cf6886b815dd-43" data-turn-id-container="request-WEB:e31be624-5cc1-4019-bca6-cf6886b815dd-43" data-testid="conversation-turn-88" data-turn="assistant"> <div class="text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-15 [--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-xs,calc(var(--spacing)*4))] @w-sm/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-sm,calc(var(--spacing)*6))] @w-lg/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-lg,calc(var(--spacing)*16))] px-(--thread-content-margin)"> <div class="[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn" data-conversation-screenshot-content=""> <div class="flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow"> <div class="min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+&amp;]:mt-1" dir="auto" tabindex="0" data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="3afcd213-b440-48fc-bba8-cff6fe0a7126" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-5" data-turn-start-message="true"> <div class="flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden"> <div class="markdown prose dark:prose-invert wrap-break-word w-full light markdown-new-styling"> <p class="PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer" data-start="115" data-end="449">Pakistan's Federal Minister for Communications Aleem Khan's party, the Istehkam Pakistan Party (IPP), has announced an electoral alliance with the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), described as the part of terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), for elections to the reserved refugee seats linked to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).</p> <p data-start="451" data-end="678">Under the alliance, the PMML will support the IPP on two alleged refugee-reserved seats in Lahore. In return, the IPP will back LeT's candidates contesting PoK seats under the banner of the Jammu Kashmir United Movement (JKUM).</p> <p data-start="451" data-end="678"><em><strong>Also Read: <a href="After%20CJP-Nadda%20Meet,%20Amit%20Shah%20Chairs%20High-Level%20Meeting:%20Was%20Pradhan's%20Exit%20Discussed?">After CJP-Nadda Meet, Amit Shah Chairs High-Level Meeting: Was Pradhan's Exit Discussed?</a></strong></em></p> <h2 data-section-id="5yqiga" data-start="680" data-end="712">Alliance Announced In Lahore</h2> <p data-start="714" data-end="911">The alliance was announced in Lahore by PMML Lahore General Secretary and US-designated terrorist Hameed-ul-Hasan, along with IPP Punjab president and former federal minister Rana Nazir Ahmed Khan.</p> <p data-start="913" data-end="1046">PMML National General Secretary Khalid Naik Gujjar and IPP Lahore chief Malik Zaman Naseeb were also present during the announcement.</p> <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cc4PvsrNvf8?si=TpGYL4i5WvUx2K8X" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <h2 data-section-id="59xc3f" data-start="1048" data-end="1073">PoK Protests Continue</h2> <p data-start="1075" data-end="1381">The development comes as protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir have continued for the past 42 days. Protesters are demanding the abolition of 12 alleged refugee-reserved seats, claiming that Pakistan's ISI uses them to bring its preferred leaders and militants into the political mainstream as legislators.</p> <p data-start="1383" data-end="1624">During the press conference, Hameed-ul-Hasan opposed the protesters' demand to scrap the 12 alleged refugee seats. He also thanked Communications Minister Aleem Khan, saying the minister had extended significant support on the Kashmir issue.</p> <h2 data-section-id="140k791" data-start="1626" data-end="1678">Questions Over IPP's Role In Pakistan Government</h2> <p data-start="1680" data-end="1886">According to sources, Aleem Khan, whose Istehkam Pakistan Party has only four members in Pakistan's Parliament, was made a minister in Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government with the backing of the ISI.</p> <p data-start="1680" data-end="1886"><em><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/india/cjp-protest-live-updates-rahul-gandhi-targets-modi-over-neet-row-demands-pradhan-s-exit-says-most-anti-youth-pm-1857606">'Most Anti-Youth PM': Rahul Gandhi Targets Modi Over NEET Row, Demands Pradhan's Exit</a></strong></em></p> <p data-start="1888" data-end="2205" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">The sources further claimed that billionaire businessman Aleem Khan had financially supported ISI projects. They alleged that Hameed-ul-Hasan's public expression of gratitude for Aleem Khan's support on Kashmir referred to this alleged funding, which, according to the sources, eventually reached the Lashkar-e-Taiba.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/pakistan-minister-party-ipp-joins-hands-with-let-political-wing-pmml-for-pok-refugee-seat-polls-1857619

World Cup Final: Donald Trump Attends Historic Clash, Presents Trophy to Spain

<p>The FIFA World Cup final was not only a showcase of world-class football but also a significant display of global political presence. U.S. President Donald Trump attended the historic final in person, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump. During the national anthem, Trump stood at attention and saluted, reflecting the ceremonial importance of the occasion. FIFA President Gianni Infantino was also present, while the White House had confirmed Trump's attendance ahead of the match. Trump met Spain&rsquo;s Queen Letizia at the stadium, where Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum were also among the distinguished guests. Due to heightened security following the assassination attempt against Trump in Pennsylvania in July 2024, he watched the match from behind bulletproof protective glass under U.S. Secret Service arrangements. After the final, Trump presented the championship trophy to Spain and awarded medals to the runners-up, Argentina, marking the conclusion of the prestigious tournament.</p>

source https://news.abplive.com/videos/news/world-world-cup-final-donald-trump-attends-historic-clash-presents-trophy-to-spain-1857429