US AND UK FORCES SUCCESSFULLY THWART HOUTHI'S 'LARGEST ATTACK' IN THE RED SEA

US and UK forces successfully thwarted what they described as the most significant attack yet by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. The incident involved the interception of 18 drones, two anti-ship cruise missiles, and one anti-ship ballistic missile by F/A-18 fighter jets from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and four other warships. This marks an escalation in the Iranian-backed Houthi militia's attempts to disrupt global commerce in response to Israel's conflict with Hamas. The UK's Diamond destroyer also played a role in repelling the attack, which is noted as the Houthis' largest since initiating their targeting of ships in the Red Sea. Despite 26 previous attacks on commercial shipping in the region since November 19, no injuries or damage were reported in this latest incident. The US and its allies, including the UK, have issued an ultimatum to the Houthis to halt their frequent attacks on shipping lanes crucial for connecting the Indian Ocean with the Suez Canal. The Houthis have vowed to continue their assaults until Israel ceases its actions in Gaza. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized that there will be consequences for the Houthis' actions, without specifying the nature of these consequences.

GLOBAL DEMOCRACY IN FOCUS: ELECTIONS ACROSS OVER 50 COUNTRIES IN 2024

Presidential and legislative elections are set to take place in more than 50 countries, ranging from Russia and the UK to India, El Salvador, and South Africa. The outcomes of these elections hold significant implications for human rights, economies, international relations, and global peace in today's volatile world. Some nations may experience elections that are neither free nor fair, marked by restrictions on opposition candidates, wearied electorates, and the potential for manipulation and disinformation, making the fate of democracy a central focus in many campaigns.

The potential rematch in the US between President Biden and former President Donald Trump looms large in the election calendar, with a Trump victory considered a major global wildcard. Taiwan's upcoming elections for president and legislature, facing intense pressure from China, hold importance for the Asia-Pacific region and the US. Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the world's longest-serving female leader, secured a fourth successive term in an election marked by opposition boycott and preceding violence.

El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele, seeking re-election, has gained widespread support for his aggressive crackdown on ultra-violent street gangs, despite a Supreme Court ruling allowing his candidacy in defiance of a constitutional ban on consecutive terms. In Pakistan's parliamentary election on February 8, held under the watchful eye of the military, former PM Imran Khan is imprisoned, and election officials barred him from running. Meanwhile, his rival, three-time PM Nawaz Sharif, was allowed to contest after corruption convictions were overturned.

The June elections for the European Parliament, comprising 27 nations, will serve as a test for traditional parties against populist rivals, many of which harbor skepticism towards military support for Ukraine. In the former EU member, Britain, an election this year will feature a contest between the governing Conservatives and he center-left Labour Party, currently leading in opinion polls after 14 years out of power.

Lastly, Russia's presidential election in March is expected to see President Vladimir Putin secure a fifth term, facing only token opposition.

BLINKEN MEETS ABBAS, SEEKS REFORM BY PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY FOR GAZA ROLE

Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, met Wednesday with Mahmoud Abbas, the leader of the Palestinian Authority, to discuss Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza and the role that the authority might play there when the conflict ebbs. Blinken travelled in a convoy from Tel Aviv to Ramallah, the seat of the authority, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

In their meeting, Abbas told Blinken that the Palestinians would not accept what he called Israeli plans to keep Gaza separate from the West Bank, according to Wafa, the Palestinian Authority’s official news agency. “The Gaza Strip is part and parcel of the state of Palestine,” it quoted him as saying.

Later in Bahrain, Blinken said he had spoken with Abbas about the need to make changes to the Palestinian Authority to make it more effective as a governing organisation. He said Abbas was “committed” to that. “He’s prepared to move forward and engage in all of these efforts,” he said, adding that this would be an important step toward an eventual goal of uniting West Bank and Gaza under one governing body. Critics say the authority, which has limited governing powers in the West Bank, has become more autocratic and corrupt over the years.

WHO WARNS COVID STILL A THREAT; 10K COVID DEATHS GLOBALLY IN DEC

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported nearly 10,000 Covid-19 deaths globally in December, signaling a concerning spike in transmission attributed to holiday gatherings and the prevalence of the JN.1 variant. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed dismay at the preventable deaths, emphasizing that, although the numbers are lower than the pandemic's peak, such a toll remains unacceptable. The surge in fatalities was accompanied by a 42% increase in hospital admissions, primarily in Europe and the Americas.

The JN.1 variant, identified as an omicron variant, is now the dominant strain worldwide. Despite the variant's prevalence, current vaccines are expected to offer some level of protection. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's technical lead for Covid-19, highlighted a broader increase in respiratory diseases globally, including Covid-19, flu, rhinovirus, and pneumonia.

The WHO stressed the ongoing threat posed by the virus, urging governments to maintain surveillance and access to treatments and vaccines. Tedros emphasized that while Covid-19 is no longer categorized as a global health emergency, it continues to circulate, evolve, and pose a substantial risk. He called on individuals to prioritize vaccination, testing, mask-wearing, and proper ventilation in crowded indoor spaces. The agency warned that, despite the lower death toll compared to the pandemic's peak, the current rate remains unacceptable, underscoring the importance of sustained preventive measures and global cooperation.

PAK SC UPHOLDS MUSH’S DEATH PENALTY FOR TREASON

Islamabad : Pakistan’s Supreme Court validated on Wednesday the death sentence awarded to the now deceased former military ruler Pervez Musharraf by a special court in a high treason case. He had been booked for high treason in 2013 in a case moved by former PM Nawaz Sharif’s government.

In 2019, a special court had found him guilty of treason under Article 6 of Pakistan’s constitution. Article 6 holds that a person who “abrogates or subverts or suspends or holds in abeyance” the country’s constitution has committed high treason. In Pakistan’s history, this was the first time that a military chief has been found guilty and sentenced. Musharraf died in exile in Dubai on February 5, 2023.

On January 13, 2020, the Lahore HC had abolished the death penalty and declared illegal all actions taken against Musharraf. The Lahore HC’s verdict was challenged soon after.

In its short order, a four member SC bench headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa on Wednesday reinstated the death sentence and dismissed the appeals. The top court observed that there were two questions before it: whether an appeal could be heard after the person has passed away, and if the death penalty is upheld, will Musharraf’s legal heirs be entitled to his benefits. Musharraf’s counselsaid that the appeal had been pending for four years. “His appeal was not heard when he was alive,” he told media, adding that Musharraf had never committed high treason.

PAK HC RESTORES PTI’S ELECTION LOGO

The Peshawar HC restored on Wednesday the cricket bat logo of the Imran Khan-led PTI, reports Omer Farooq Khan. It had been revoked by the Election Commission in the run-up to the Feb 8 polls. The HC said that the electoral watchdog’s order was “illegal, without any lawful authority and of no legal effect”. The ECP had cancelled the logo, saying that PTI had failed to hold intra-party elections in accordance with the constitution. But PTI said the move was another jab to prevent the party from contesting national elections.

ECUADOR GANG VIOLENCE BROADCAST LIVE AS GUNMEN STORM TV STUDIO

Guayaquil : It was a day like any other at the TC Television studio in Ecuador, with its mid-afternoon newscast under way, when masked gunmen burst in, unleashing 15 minutes of threats and fear — all broadcastlive.First, a man with apistol appeared in the middle of the public TV station’s live transmission, followed by a second man with a shotgun, then a third and more. With the show’s “After the News” title behind them, station employees were brought onto the set and ordered to lie down. “We are on air, so you know that you cannot play with the mafia,” one of the assailants is heardsaying. Masked men couldbe seen aiming guns at news staff. Someone said: “Don’t shoot!” After 15 minutes the transmissionwascut. No one was killed in Tuesday’s attack.

The assault came hours after a series of other attacks and police officer abductions. It also followed escapes from prison of two of the leaders of Ecuador’s most powerfulgangs.

BOEING CEO ADMITS ERROR, SAYS BLOWOUT ‘CAN’T HAPPEN AGAIN’

Washington : Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun acknowledged errors by the US planemaker as over 170 jets remained grounded for a fourth day, telling staff the company would ensure an accident like the mid-air Alaska Airlines panel blowout “can never happen again”. The firm’s top planemaking official, Stan Deal, told a town hall meeting at its Washington-based 737 factory that Boeing acknowledges “the real seriousness of the accident” as it launches checks into its quality controls. Calhoun’s remarks were Boeing’s first public acknowledgment of errors since a door plug snapped off the fuselage of a737 MAX 9 on Friday.

GREECE PM TO LEGALISE MARRIAGE AND ADOPTION BY SAME-SEX COUPLES

ATHENS: Greece will legalise marriage and adoption by same-sex couples, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said, but gave no timeframe on the taboo issue in the Orthodox Christian state. He said the move would benefit “a few children and couples” and said the Bill will not permit assisted reproduction or parenthood through surrogacy.

SAUDI ARABIA SAYS VALUE OF MINERAL RESOURCES HAS NEARLY DOUBLED

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia said that the estimated value of its mineral resources had nearly doubled from $1.3 trillion to $2.5 trillion, highlighting a sector it hopes will help diversify its oil-reliant economy. The government is eyeing the mining sector as a potential source of billions of dollars in foreign direct investment each year.