Latest news with #Counterterrorism
Arab News
17 hours ago
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan, China, Afghanistan resume trilateral talks in Kabul amid rising militancy, refugee tensions
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Kabul on Wednesday to attend the sixth trilateral meeting with the foreign ministers of China and Afghanistan, according to an official statement. The trilateral dialogue, institutionalized in 2017, aims to promote political trust, counterterrorism coordination and economic integration. It also helped ease tensions between Islamabad and Kabul amid a surge in militant attacks in Pakistan, with both sides agreeing to elevate diplomatic ties earlier this year in May to the ambassadorial level. China brokered the deal in an informal meeting in Beijing to improve relations between the two neighbors, under which it was also agreed to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan. 'Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, has arrived in Kabul today for the 6th Trilateral Meeting of Foreign Ministers of Pakistan, China and Afghanistan,' the foreign office said in a statement. The foreign office said Dar will hold a bilateral meeting with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to discuss wide-ranging issues between the two countries. He will be accompanied by the country's special representative for Afghanistan, Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq, and senior foreign ministry officials. Last month, Dar visited Kabul to sign a framework agreement for a joint feasibility study on the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project, marking a step toward boosting regional connectivity with Central Asia. Today's meeting will also mark Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's first visit to Afghanistan since the Taliban's return to power five years ago. The trilateral takes place as Pakistan presses ahead with a deportation drive against 'illegal immigrants,' mostly Afghans, launched in 2023 on security grounds. The process has continued in phases, with Islamabad now planning to expel documented Afghan refugees after September 1, having refused to extend their stay permits.
Arab News
20 hours ago
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan's deputy prime minister to visit Kabul today for trilateral talks with China, Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is scheduled to visit Kabul today, Wednesday, to attend the sixth trilateral meeting with the foreign ministers of China and Afghanistan, according to an official statement. The trilateral dialogue, institutionalized in 2017, aims to promote political trust, counterterrorism coordination and economic integration. It also helped ease tensions between Islamabad and Kabul amid a surge in militant attacks in Pakistan, with both sides agreeing to elevate diplomatic ties earlier this year in May to the ambassadorial level. China brokered the deal in an informal meeting in Beijing to improve relations between the two neighbors, under which it was also agreed to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan. 'The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, is visiting Kabul today for the 6th Trilateral Meeting of Foreign Ministers of Pakistan, China and Afghanistan,' the foreign office said in a statement. 'During the meeting, discussions will be held on enhancing cooperation between the three countries especially in trade, regional connectivity and counterterrorism domain,' it added. The foreign office said Dar will hold a bilateral meeting with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to discuss wide-ranging issues between the two countries. He will be accompanied by the country's special representative for Afghanistan, Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq, and senior foreign ministry officials. Last month, Dar visited Kabul to sign a framework agreement for a joint feasibility study on the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project, marking a step toward boosting regional connectivity with Central Asia. Today's meeting will also mark Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's first visit to Afghanistan since the Taliban's return to power five years ago. The trilateral takes place as Pakistan presses ahead with a deportation drive against 'illegal immigrants,' mostly Afghans, launched in 2023 on security grounds. The process has continued in phases, with Islamabad now planning to expel documented Afghan refugees after September 1, having refused to extend their stay permits.
CBC
06-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Man charged over alleged arson attack on Melbourne synagogue with worshippers inside
Australian police have charged a man in connection with an alleged arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue with worshippers in the building, the latest in a series of incidents targeting the nation's Jewish community. There were no injuries to the 20 people inside the East Melbourne Synagogue, who fled from the fire on Friday night. Firefighters extinguished the blaze in the capital of Victoria state. Australia has experienced several antisemitic incidents since the start of the Israel-Gaza war in October 2023. Counterterrorism detectives late on Saturday arrested the 34-year-old resident of Sydney, capital of neighbouring New South Wales, charging him with offences including criminal damage by fire, police said. "The man allegedly poured a flammable liquid on the front door of the building and set it on fire before fleeing the scene," police said in a statement. The suspect, whom the authorities declined to identify, was remanded in custody after his case was heard at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Sunday and no application was made for bail, the Australian Broadcasting Corp reported. Synagogues targeted by vandalism, arson Authorities are investigating whether the synagogue fire was linked to a disturbance on Friday night at an Israeli restaurant in Melbourne, in which one person was arrested for hindering police. The restaurant was extensively damaged, according to the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, an umbrella group for Australia's Jews. It said the fire at the synagogue, one of Melbourne's oldest, was set as those inside sat down to Sabbath dinner. Israeli President Isaac Herzog went on X to "condemn outright the vile arson attack targeting Jews in Melbourne's historic and oldest synagogue on the Sabbath, and on an Israeli restaurant where people had come to enjoy a meal together." "This is not the first such attack in Australia in recent months. But it must be the last," Herzog said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incidents as "severe hate crimes" that he viewed "with utmost gravity." "The State of Israel will continue to stand alongside the Australian Jewish community," Netanyahu said on X. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese late on Saturday described the alleged arson, which comes seven months after another synagogue in Melbourne was targeted by arsonists, as shocking and said those responsible should face the law's full force. "My Government will provide all necessary support toward this effort," Albanese posted on X. Homes, schools, synagogues and vehicles in Australia have been targeted by antisemitic vandalism and arson. The incidents included a fake plan by organized crime to attack a Sydney synagogue using a caravan of explosives in order to divert police resources, police said in March.
Irish Times
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Australia synagogue fire: Police charge man over alleged arson
Australian police have charged a man in connection with an alleged arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue with worshippers in the building, the latest in a series of incidents targeting the nation's Jewish community. There were no injuries to the 20 people inside the East Melbourne Synagogue, who fled from the fire on Friday night. Firefighters extinguished the blaze in the capital of Victoria state. Australia has experienced several anti-Semitic incidents since the start of the Israel-Gaza war in October 2023. Counterterrorism detectives late on Saturday arrested the 34-year-old resident of Sydney, capital of neighbouring New South Wales, charging him with offences including criminal damage by fire, police said. READ MORE East Melbourne Synagogue in Melbourne. Photograph: William West/AFP/Getty Images 'The man allegedly poured a flammable liquid on the front door of the building and set it on fire before fleeing the scene,' police said in a statement. The suspect, whom the authorities declined to identify, was remanded in custody after his case was heard at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Sunday and no application was made for bail, the Australian Broadcasting Corp reported. Authorities are investigating whether the synagogue fire was linked to a disturbance on Friday night at an Israeli restaurant in Melbourne, in which one person was arrested for hindering police. The restaurant was extensively damaged, said the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, an umbrella group for Australia's Jews. It said the fire at the synagogue, one of Melbourne's oldest, was set as those inside sat down to Sabbath dinner. Israeli president Yitzhak Herzog went on X to 'condemn outright the vile arson attack targeting Jews in Melbourne's historic and oldest synagogue on the Sabbath, and on an Israeli restaurant where people had come to enjoy a meal together'. 'This is not the first such attack in Australia in recent months. But it must be the last,' Mr Herzog said. Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu described the incidents as 'severe hate crimes' that he viewed 'with utmost gravity'. 'The State of Israel will continue to stand alongside the Australian Jewish community,' Mr Netanyahu said on X. Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese late on Saturday described the alleged arson, which comes seven months after another synagogue in Melbourne was targeted by arsonists, as shocking and said those responsible should face the law's full force. 'My government will provide all necessary support toward this effort,' Mr Albanese posted on X. Homes, schools, synagogues and vehicles in Australia have been targeted by anti-Semitic vandalism and arson. The incidents included a fake plan by organised crime to attack a Sydney synagogue using a caravan of explosives to divert police resources, police said in March. – Reuters
RNZ News
06-07-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Australia police charge man over alleged arson on Melbourne synagogue
There were no injuries to the 20 people inside the East Melbourne Synagogue, who fled from the fire on Friday night. Photo: ABC / Rachel Clayton Australian police have charged a man in connection with an alleged arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue with worshippers in the building, the latest in a series of incidents targeting the nation's Jewish community. There were no injuries to the 20 people inside the East Melbourne Synagogue, who fled from the fire on Friday night. Firefighters extinguished the blaze in the capital of Victoria state. Australia has experienced several antisemitic incidents since the start of the Israel-Gaza war in October 2023. Counterterrorism detectives late on Saturday arrested the 34-year-old resident of Sydney, capital of neighbouring New South Wales, charging him with offences including criminal damage by fire, police said. The man, whom authorities have not identified, was due to face court on Sunday. "The man allegedly poured a flammable liquid on the front door of the building and set it on fire before fleeing the scene," police said in a statement. Authorities are investigating whether the synagogue fire was linked to a disturbance on Friday night at an Israeli restaurant in Melbourne, in which one person was arrested for hindering police. The restaurant was extensively damaged, according to the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, an umbrella group for Australia's Jews. It said the fire at the synagogue, one of Melbourne's oldest, was set as those inside sat down to Sabbath dinner. Israeli President Isaac Herzog went on X to "condemn outright the vile arson attack targeting Jews in Melbourne's historic and oldest synagogue on the Sabbath, and on an Israeli restaurant where people had come to enjoy a meal together". "This is not the first such attack in Australia in recent months. But it must be the last," Herzog said. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese late on Saturday described the alleged arson, which comes seven months after another synagogue in Melbourne was targeted by arsonists, as shocking and said those responsible should face the law's full force. "My Government will provide all necessary support toward this effort," Albanese posted on X. Homes, schools, synagogues and vehicles in Australia have been targeted by antisemitic vandalism and arson. The incidents included a fake plan by organised crime to attack a Sydney synagogue using a caravan of explosives in order to divert police resources, police said in March. - Reuters
