SIXTEEN MORE HOSTAGES RELEASED FROM GAZA ON SIXTH DAY OF TRUCE

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has officially confirmed the release of 16 hostages, marking a positive step in the Israel-Hamas extended truce deal. The release is part of a Qatari-mediated deal, with 30 Palestinians (16 minors and 14 women) being exchanged, as announced by Majed Al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Additionally, two Russian citizens and four Thai citizens were released outside the agreement's framework, and among the 10 Israeli citizens freed were five dual citizens.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in his third trip to the region since the October 7 attack, arrived in Tel Aviv to discuss the potential extension of the temporary truce and increased humanitarian aid for Gaza.

While talks are ongoing regarding a possible extension of the truce, scheduled to expire early on Thursday, no agreement has been reached. An Israeli official stated that extending the ceasefire would require a commitment to release all women and children among the hostages. Israel believes that enough women and children are still held by militants to potentially prolong the truce by two to three days. Negotiators are determining whether Israeli men will be released under different terms than the three Palestinian detainees exchanged for each Israeli woman and child.

Qatar expresses hope that the recent progress can be sustained, anticipating a further extension to the humanitarian pause agreement, according to Ansari, the foreign ministry spokesperson.

COP28: GLOBAL EFFORTS TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE GATHER MOMENTUM IN DUBAI

Despite signs suggesting that the window to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial levels may have closed, leaders, corporations, climate negotiators, and activists are convening in Dubai over the next two weeks to make a final push. Their aim is to inject fresh momentum into climate action, with a renewed commitment to short-term measures, even as the overall situation appears increasingly challenging.

Among the attendees at COP28 is Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will participate in the climate conference for the third time. The conference, commencing today, will draw leaders from around the world to discuss and address pressing climate issues. During his initial two days in Dubai, Modi will not only contribute to the conference but also engage in bilateral discussions with other leaders.

TRAGIC EVENTS CAST SHADOW ON ISRAEL-HAMAS TRUCE TALKS

Ongoing negotiations between Israel and Hamas faced a sudden setback as Hamas claimed the death of an Israeli family, including a 10-month-old baby, potentially influencing the Gaza truce extension talks. The family's fate adds emotional weight to the already sensitive issue of civilian hostages. Simultaneously, four Palestinians, including two children, were reportedly killed by Israeli forces in Jenin, escalating tensions and raising concerns about regional security. These tragic events cast a shadow on the discussions for extending the Gaza truce.

HAMAS READY TO SWAP ALL DETAINED ISRAELI SOLDIERS FOR ALL PALESTINIAN PRISONERS

Cape Town, South Africa - A senior Hamas official said on Wednesday the Islamist movement was ready to release all the Israeli soldiers it is holding captive in exchange for all Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, amid negotiations to extend a truce over Gaza.

Hamas official and former Gaza health minister Bassem Naim said the group was going through "hard negotiations" to extend a cessation of hostilities that was scheduled to end early Thursday after a six-day pause in fighting.

"We are ready to release all soldiers in exchange for all our prisoners," Naim told a press conference in Cape Town, during a visit to South Africa.

Sixty Israeli hostages and 180 Palestinian prisoners have been released under the truce agreement to the joy of their relatives.

Among the hostages still held by Hamas are soldiers who are excluded from the exchange agreement, and the Islamist movement is likely to use then as an important bargaining chip.

IMRAN KHAN STEPS ASIDE AS PTI CHIEF

Islamabad : Pakistan's former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, announced his decision to step aside as the leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, founded by him in 1996. Imran will be succeeded by close associate Barrister Gohar Ali Khan. The move, though anticipated, surprised many PTI supporters. Imran, currently detained and facing legal challenges, will not participate in the upcoming intra-party elections, according to his lawyer Ali Zafar. The swift appointment of Gohar aims to counter any potential challenges from electoral authorities. Imran's conviction in the Toshakhana graft case made his leadership position legally untenable. Gohar expressed gratitude for his selection, emphasizing the interim nature of his appointment. The move is seen as a strategic decision to maintain PTI's political standing amidst legal uncertainties and to ensure continuity until Imran's legal matters are resolved.

PAKISTAN COURT ACQUITS FORMER PM NAWAZ SHARIF IN GRAFT CASE

ISLAMABAD: In a major relief to Nawaz Sharif ahead of elections, a top Pakistani court on Wednesday acquitted the former Prime Minister in the Avenfield corruption case while his acquittal in another case was maintained after an appeal by the anti-graft body challenging it was withdrawn.

OTTAWA, GOOGLE REACH DEAL TO SUPPORT CANADIAN MEDIA

OTTAWA: The Canadian government and Google have reached a deal to support the country's media, heading off an imminent threat by the digital giant to block news on its platform. Sources said that the two sides had agreed on a framework that would establish regular payments by Google to help Canadian media.

SUNAK FUELS ROW WITH GREECE OVER PARTHENON SCULPTURES

London/Athens : British PM Rishi Sunak fuelled a diplomatic row with Athens on Wednesday by accusing his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis of “grandstanding” during a recent trip to London over ownership of the Parthenon sculptures. Sunak told parliament he had cancelled a planned meeting with Mitsotakis in London on Tuesday after the Greek PM broke a promise not to use his trip as an opportunity to advocate for the return of the sculptures, known in Britain as the Elgin Marbles, from the British Museum.

In his first public comments, Sunak said: “It was clear that the purpose of the meeting was not to discuss substantive issues for the future, but rather to grandstand and relitigate issues of the past.”

Responding to Sunak’s comments, a senior Greek government official said: “In the spirit of the good longstanding relations between the two countries, which we intend to preserve, we have nothing more to add on this matter.” Sunak cancelled the meeting after Mitsotakis discussed the issue during an interview for the BBC at the weekend. The cancellation prompted an angry response from Mitsotakis, and Greek government officials said it was disrespectful. Earlier on Wednesday, Mitsotakis appeared ready to tone down the rhetoric, calling the cancellation of the meeting an “unfortunate event”.

TAMILS ARE BEING PUSHED OUT IN NORTH AND EAST OF SRI LANKA, SAYS TAMIL MP

Sri Lanka is pushing Sinhala population into the north and the eastern provinces of the country with the aim of displacing the Sri Lankan Tamil population from these regions, a Sri Lankan Tamil parliamentarian said here on Wednesday. Addressing an interaction at the Press Club of India, C.V. Wigneswaran, Member of Parliament of Sri Lanka, said that the Sri Lankan system prioritises ethnic and religious links and termed it an “ethnocracy”.

“The Sri Lankan Tamils are a buffer between India and pro-China Sinhala population who are from the southern Sri Lanka. But over the years, the Sinhala population has been supported to increasingly get into the northern and eastern territories that belong to the Tamil population,” Mr. Wigneswaran said. He is leading a team of civil society individuals from Sri Lanka who are here to highlight incidents of discrimination faced by the Tamils.

Mr. Wigneswaran said that the Sri Lankan government has several projects to edge out the Tamil population from the north and the east.

In a press note released after the interaction, the Sri Lankan Tamil team stated that the Sri Lankan state machineries have destroyed at least 1,800 temples.

NEPAL RECORDS FIRST SAME-SEX MARRIAGE AFTER COURT RULING

A village in Nepal has registered the country's first same-sex marriage, following a Supreme Court interim order five months ago that paved the way for such unions. The marriage involves Ram Bahadur Gurung (Maya), a 36-year-old individual born male but identifying as female, and Surendra Pandey, a 26-year-old born and identifying as male. The ceremony was officially registered in Lumjung district, and the couple expressed their happiness. The marriage registration aligns with the Supreme Court order and government instructions. Taiwan remains the only other Asian country to have legalized same-sex marriage.

SAUDI ARABIA EXTENDS TERM OF $3 BILLION DEPOSIT TO PAKISTAN

ISLAMABAD: In a major relief to debt-ridden Pakistan’s struggling economy, Saudi Arabia has extended the term of its $3 billion deposit with the country's central bank for another year. The decision by the Saudi Fund for Development was taken just prior to the maturing date of the $3 billion deposit that was due on December 5.

MYANMAR CITES ‘FOREIGN HANDS’ IN JUNTA ATTACKS

Myanmar’s junta chief said on Wednesday “foreign experts” were helping ethnic minority armed groups in their widespread offensive against the military along the northern border with China.

Clashes have raged across Myanmar’s northern Shan state after an armed alliance of three ethnic minority groups launched surprise attacks against the military in October.

The groups have seized dozens of military positions and a town important for trade with China.

Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing said “foreign drone experts” had been involved in attacks on military outposts.

He did not specify which country the “foreign experts” were from.

RUSSIA PREPARING A ‘LOYALTY AGREEMENT’ FOR FOREIGNERS TO STOP POLICY CRITICISM

Russia's interior ministry is drafting legislation that would compel foreigners entering the country to sign a "loyalty agreement," preventing them from criticizing official policies, discrediting Soviet military history, or violating traditional family values. The proposed agreement includes clauses related to morality, family, and historical narratives. Foreigners would be prohibited from interfering with Russian authorities' activities and distorting the historical truth about the Soviet people's contributions to victory in World War II. The specific application and consequences of this agreement remain unclear.