Japanese PM after landslide victory: ‘I do not fear any challenges’
NewsFeed Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s coalition won 352 of the 465 seats in the lower house of Parliament, its best result ever at the polls. Experts say the decisive victory will pave the way for a defence expansion that China has condemned as a return to militarism. Published On 9 Feb 20269 Feb 2026 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Adblock test (Why?)
Protesters in Australia rally against Israeli president’s visit
NewsFeed Protesters took to the streets across Australia to rally against the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog, whom they describe as “war criminal supporting one of the most heinous genocides”. Clashes broke out in Sydney as police used pepper spray and arrested demonstrators. Published On 9 Feb 20269 Feb 2026 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Adblock test (Why?)
Strong support in Pakistan for Gaza peacekeeping force but questions linger
Islamabad, Pakistan – A new survey indicates nearly three-quarters of Pakistanis support deploying troops to the Gaza Strip as part of an International Stabilisation Force (ISF). The findings of the poll by Gallup Pakistan come as media reports suggested Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will attend the first formal meeting of United States President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace (BoP) on February 19, a body Pakistan joined alongside several other Muslim-majority countries last month. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list The Gallup poll, conducted from January 15 to February 3, surveyed 1,600 respondents through random telephone interviews. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 2 to 3 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level. According to Bilal Gilani, executive director of Gallup Pakistan, the results paint a picture of a nation deeply engaged with the Palestinian cause yet divided on how best to pursue it and uncertain about the political structures being built around Gaza’s future. The ISF was proposed along with Trump’s BoP in September on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. They were part of a 20-point plan Trump proposed to try to end the war in Gaza. The plan began with a “ceasefire” that started in October. In later stages, the international peacekeeping force is to be created and deployed to provide security and oversight of the “truce” between Hamas and Israel in Gaza. The Board of Peace was initially framed as a mechanism to support the administration, reconstruction and economic recovery of Gaza. Advertisement The White House formally announced its creation in January. However, the organisation’s 11-page charter does not mention Gaza once. Permanent membership on the board requires a $1bn contribution for a three-year term although the UN Security Council resolution establishing it limits its mandate in Gaza until the end of 2027. The board includes countries with sharply different relationships with Israel, from Muslim-majority states that have normalised ties to others, such as Pakistan, that do not recognise Israel but have participated in diplomatic efforts to end its genocidal war on Gaza. Divided views The Gallup Pakistan survey’s central finding is unambiguous: 73 percent of Pakistanis support sending a contingent of the country’s military to Gaza with 55 percent expressing “strong” support and 18 percent “slight” support. Opposition was limited. Only 6 percent opposed the deployment while 16 percent were undecided. Gilani said the most striking takeaway is the divergence between Pakistan’s elites and the broader public. “The public opinion, at least in my reading, with respect to sending troops to Gaza is more unanimous whereas joining BoP is a little divided but still more in support of joining, so I think this is an interesting juncture where elite and public opinion varies,” he told Al Jazeera. Salman Shahid, a 29-year-old lawyer in Lahore, said Pakistan’s diplomatic standing improves when it acts as a “voice of reason, law and unity, not when it rushes into confrontational positions”. “A mature, lawful and humanitarian approach strengthens our credibility far more than military posturing. However, any military involvement outside Pakistan’s borders must strictly follow Pakistan’s Constitution and must align with UN mandates,” Shahid told Al Jazeera. Masroor Hussain, 33, a software developer from Karachi, said Pakistan should avoid joining the stabilisation force but believes participation in Trump’s board could be beneficial. Despite criticism, the body is currently the only platform offering countries a role in shaping a resolution to the Gaza war while potentially providing a long-term solution, he said. “Pakistan being in BoP will mean it is more involved in the Middle East as far as talks go, but how it turns into something concrete for Pakistan is hard to say as the region has multiple sides with their own agendas,” Hussain told Al Jazeera. Pakistani peacekeepers are deployed with the UN’s stabilisation force in the Democratic Republic of the Congo [File: Glody Murhabazi/AFP] ‘Vague objectives’ Support cuts across demographic lines although with variations. About 78 percent of men backed a troop deployment to Gaza compared with 68 percent of women. Urban residents showed stronger support at 84 percent compared with 67 percent in rural areas. Advertisement Education appeared less decisive. About 67 percent of respondents with less than a high school diploma supported a deployment compared with 84 percent of those with post-secondary educations. Anam Nadeem, 38, a communications professional from Sialkot, is firmly opposed. “The ISF’s role, leadership and objectives are vague, and it appears to be aligned with a US-led framework that lacks broad regional legitimacy. Joining such a force risks placing Pakistan in direct conflict with Palestinian factions, including Hamas, potentially against the will of the Palestinian people,” she said. Pakistan is neither politically nor strategically prepared for a military entanglement in Gaza under unclear terms, Nadeem said. “Without a transparent mandate, UN authorisation and explicit Palestinian consent, supporting this decision would be irresponsible,” she added. These concerns echo conditions highlighted in the survey. A joint alliance of Muslim countries emerged as the most crucial prerequisite for deployment with 64 percent rating it “important” and 35 percent calling it “very important”. A formal request from the Palestinian leadership was deemed necessary by 86 percent of respondents while 81 percent said UN approval was essential. Approval from major powers, including the US and China, ranked lowest. Only 47 percent considered it important while 30 percent viewed it as unimportant. Pro-Palestinian protesters in Dublin, Ireland, in January 2026 [File: Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters] Uncertain framework Although Pakistan accepted an invitation to join the Board of Peace during a signing ceremony at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last month, the Gallup poll suggested significant uncertainty. About 39 percent of respondents said they’re unsure about the move. About 34 percent expressed happiness at Pakistan becoming part of the board while 23 percent were unhappy. Gilani said this ambivalence likely reflects limited public information about the body’s mandate and the contours of any potential troop deployment. “I think there is obviously this aspect that if the military force
Punjab law college student kills classmate, later shoots self; tragedy caught on camera; Watch
According to the PTC reports, police officials have taken both bodies into custody and sent them to the civil hospital for postmortem. Bullet shells and weapons have been recovered from the spot, and evidence is being collected by the forensic team. The police have sealed the entire college.
Uttar Pradesh: CM Yogi Adityanath govt’s masterstroke, apparel park on Yamuna Expressway to boost exports, create jobs
The Apparel Park scheme has generated considerable enthusiasm among entrepreneurs and investors. According to official data, out of the total 173 plots planned in the park, 156 have been successfully allocated as of January 22, 2026, leaving only 17 plots remaining.
Has Lalu Yadav’s son Tej Pratap Yadav become father without marriage? This is what he has said
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Sharad Pawar, Maharashtra NCP leader, rushed to hospital as health deteriorates
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Supreme Court extends West Bengal SIR by one week, CJI Kant says won’t ‘create impediments’ in exercise
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PF on UPI: EPFO to soon let you withdraw your provident fund through UPI apps, here’s all you need to know
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Why is climate crisis failure of governance, not science or technology?
Despite scientific evidence and available solutions, climate change remains unresolved. The real crisis lies in governance, not the environment. Details here.