Five policemen injured in TTP attack in Pakistan
PESHAWAR, Dec 12: At least five policemen were injured when TTP terrorists attacked the Shaikh Landak police checkpost in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district on Thursday night. The attackers, referred to by officials as Fitna al Khawarij, exchanged fire with police for three hours before being repelled. Several terrorists were reportedly killed or injured. Additional forces were deployed on the orders of Bannu DIG Sajjad Khan, who, along with DPO Yasir Afridi, praised the police’s bravery. The injured officers were later visited at the hospital. The incident followed a quadcopter attack earlier in the day that injured seven people, including children, during a football match. Pakistan has recently seen rising militant violence, especially in KP and Balochistan, after the TTP ended a ceasefire in November 2022, leading to increased attacks and intensified counter-terror operations. (PTI)
Nepal’s Karki government gets four new ministers
KATHMANDU, Dec 12: Nepal’s Prime Minister Sushila Karki on Friday inducted four new ministers in her cabinet, bringing the strength of the council of ministers to 14. President Ramchandra Paudel administered the oath of office and secrecy to the four newly appointed ministers of the interim government at a ceremony in the Office of the President. The newly appointed ministers are Shraddha Shrestha, Madhav Chaulagain, Rajendra Singh Bhandari and Kumar Ingnam, according to officials at the Prime Minister’s Office. Shraddha Shrestha has been appointed as the Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens, Madhav Chaulagain has got the portfolio of Forest and Environment, while Rajendra Singh Bhandari got the portfolio of Labour and Social Security, and Kumar Ingnam has got the portfolio of Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation. It is the fourth time that Prime Minister Sushila Karki has expanded her Cabinet. Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, Prime Minister Sushila Karki and Chief Justice Prakashman Singh Raut, among others, attended the swearing-in ceremony. (PTI)
Japan issues tsunami alert after 6.7 magnitude earthquake
TOKYO, Dec 12: Japan issued a tsunami advisory after a 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck off the east coast of Aomori at a depth of 20 km, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The Pacific coasts of Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate and Miyagi were warned of possible tsunami waves up to 1 meter, though early reports indicated no immediate damage or injuries. The quake followed a stronger 7.5-magnitude tremor earlier in the week that injured at least 34 people, caused light structural damage, triggered small tsunamis and briefly cut power to hundreds of homes. Authorities had already warned residents to expect aftershocks and noted a slight increase in the risk of a major quake along the northeastern coast. The region remains cautious due to the catastrophic 2011 magnitude-9 quake and tsunami. (AP)
