Entertainment
Terrorism from Afghanistan poses ‘grave threat’ to region, Pakistan warns UN
- Taliban elements “chose path of complicity” with TTP, BLA, Daesh Khorasan.
- Pakistan has lost thousands of lives; 175 killed last month in attacks.
- Counter-terror strikes conducted after Taliban attacks on border posts.
Terrorism emanating from Afghan soil poses a “grave threat not only to its immediate neighbours, but also to the broader region and beyond,” Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, said on Monday at a UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan.
Speaking at the meeting, Ambassador Ahmad highlighted that elements within the Taliban regime have “chosen the path of complicity and active support” for terrorist groups, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Balochistan Liberation Army (TTP), Majeed Brigade, Daesh Khorasan, Al-Qaeda, and East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), which enjoy safe havens in Afghanistan from where they launch cross-border infiltration, violent attacks and suicide bombings.
“As an immediate neighbour, in order to secure a peaceful and stable Afghanistan, Pakistan regularly facilitated dialogue and engagement with the Taliban authorities,” the Ambassador said, noting that Pakistan had presented initiatives, assisted in humanitarian relief, offered bilateral trade incentives, liberalised visa regimes, and participated in regional platforms to help Afghanistan integrate with the region.
Despite these efforts, Ambassador Ahmad said, “regrettably, they have failed on all three counts” of the international community’s expectations under the Doha-III Process: counter-terrorism, human rights and inclusive governance.
The statement also cited recent attacks originating from Afghanistan. “Pakistan has since witnessed a surge in terrorist attacks, planned, financed and orchestrated from Afghan soil under the Taliban regime’s direct watch. We have lost thousands of lives to terrorism related incidents since the Taliban takeover, and just last month, more than 175 innocent Pakistani lives were lost, including in three suicide attacks,” he said.
Highlighting Pakistan’s defensive actions, the Ambassador said, “After showing maximum restraint, on 21-22 February, Pakistan carried out intelligence-based selective targeting of seven terrorist camps and hideouts belonging to the TTP and its affiliates and the ISIL-K in the bordering regions with precision and accuracy. But on 26 February, the Taliban publicly declared their decision to initiate hostilities against Pakistan across multiple border locations with unprovoked firing and shelling of border posts and military installations. In exercise of its right to self-defence, Pakistan took retaliatory measures against hostile targets and logistical bases used by terrorist groups. Our actions have been proportional, based on careful planning with necessary due diligence, and directed solely against identified terrorist camps and support bases.”
Ambassador Ahmad warned that Pakistan will continue defensive measures for the protection of its citizens, territory and sovereignty. “Our counter-terrorism operations will continue for as long as it takes to degrade the combat capabilities of terrorist groups and support infrastructure,” he said.
He also drew attention to Afghanistan’s domestic situation, noting the suffering of ordinary Afghans under Taliban restrictions. “Ordinary and vulnerable Afghans are suffering from the Taliban’s inhumane restrictions and misplaced priorities. Sanctions, a dysfunctional banking system, drying up foreign aid, poverty, terrorism, narcotics, and human rights violations weigh heavily on Afghanistan’s socio-economic landscape, a direct result of the Taliban’s reckless behaviour,” the Ambassador said.
Addressing the broader international community, he called for continued engagement to stabilise Afghanistan. “Pakistan has consistently advocated for sustained engagement with Afghanistan. We look forward to the next steps of the UN-led Doha Process and action plan for its Mosaic approach, to address Afghanistan’s multifaceted challenges comprehensively, with well-defined objectives and a realistic roadmap as the only viable pathway to lasting peace in Afghanistan. Without reciprocity from the Afghan Taliban regime, we fear that we go nowhere,” he said.
Ambassador Ahmad concluded by emphasising Pakistan’s role and its expectations from the Taliban. “No country desires peace and stability in Afghanistan more than Pakistan. And no country has suffered more from the consequences of decades of conflict and instability in Afghanistan than Pakistan. The Taliban must, first and foremost, ensure that their territory is not used for terrorism against neighbouring countries and take demonstrable steps to deny space to terrorist groups and proxies,” he said.
Ivanna Ortiz is the woman accused of opening fire on Rihanna’s Beverly Hills mansion, an incident that has left the global superstar shaken and forced her to bolster security at home.
Ortiz allegedly fired around 10 shots at the property while A$AP Rocky’s partner was inside, as per TMZ.
No one was injured, but the brazen act has reignited concerns about celebrity safety in Los Angeles.
Ortiz’s social media presence paints a disturbing picture.
In a series of rambling videos, she accused Rihanna of “stealing” from her, called the singer “jealous,” and even branded her a “witch.”
In one clip, she bizarrely claimed Rihanna would “become a ghost” when she died.
These incoherent rants are now being examined as part of her motive.
Criminal Background
Reports highlight Ortiz’s history of domestic violence charges and erratic behavior.
She has previously been involved in violent incidents, and her fixation on Rihanna appears to have escalated dangerously in recent months.
Rihanna’s Response
According to Page Six, Rihanna is “freaking out” over the ordeal.
She has rescheduled a photo shoot and increased her security detail, with guards seen moving luggage and tightening precautions around the mansion.
This is not the first time Rihanna has faced a home intrusion.
In 2018, a man broke into her Hollywood Hills property, highlighting the ongoing risks celebrities face from obsessed fans.
- Royals gather at Westminster Abbey for Commonwealth Day service
- Prince Edward, Duchess Sophie quietly leave UK for key mission
- Representatives of couple share details for Sophie, Edward new trip
King Charles and Queen Camilla were joined by senior members of the royal family at Westminster Abbey on Monday for an important date on the royal calendar: the Commonwealth Day service.
The Prince and Princess of Wales were present along with the Princess Royal and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester. However, in a surprise turn of events, The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were notably absent.
Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie are considered to be key players in Charles’s reign, hence it was odd for them not to be present at the event, unless they had another quiet assignment.
Representatives of The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh confirmed to GB News that they had travelled to Italy to support Team GB at the 2026 Milano Cortina Paralympic Winter Games.
However, the news has not been officially announced by the Palace for the couple.
The update comes after the Duke of Edinburgh, who is a patron of the British Paralympic Association, shared an uplifting message for the team, not only wishing them good luck but also encouraged them to enjoy their competitions.
“The Olympic team surprised so many of us, and I know that you’re going to go out there and surprise many as well, and you’re just going to be able to show them exactly what you can do,” he said.
“So, good luck, have fun, and however you’re involved in the team, I hope you really enjoy the experience.”
Steve Carell has opened up about the deeply personal moment on the set of his new HBO series Rooster when he accidentally called his character’s daughter by his real daughter’s name, and how fatherhood has shaped everything about the role.
Speaking to L’Officiel, the 63-year-old actor revealed that he had hired his daughter Annie, 24, as a production assistant on the show.
During one emotional scene, the line between fiction and reality blurred in the most unscripted way possible.
“I actually got her a job working as a production assistant on the show, and when we were shooting one scene, I accidentally said, ‘I would do anything for Annie,’ instead of saying my character’s daughter’s name,” he recalled.
“There was this big ‘aww’ sort of moment, but it really lined up for me. Because I was thinking of my daughter as I said the line.”
It speaks to something Carell clearly feels with real conviction.
“Raising children is my favorite part of my life,” he said. “There’s not even a close second, it’s the most satisfying thing I’ve done.”
He shares Annie and son John, 21, with his wife Nancy Walls.
For someone with one of the most recognisable faces in comedy, Carell has gone to considerable lengths to keep his children away from the glare of the spotlight throughout their lives.
He has brought them to only a handful of red carpet events and rarely discusses them in interviews.
His reasoning is straightforward.
“It’s always just been a job,” he said of his career. “I’ve tried not to let it define me too much. But mostly, I just didn’t want it to be weird for my kids.”
Annie and John did make a rare joint red carpet appearance alongside their father at the Minions: The Rise of Gru premiere in July 2022, a franchise that has run alongside much of their childhood, given that Carell voices the lead character Gru.
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