Inaugurated by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, IDEAS 2024 features over 560 exhibitors, including 333 international participants…reports Asian Lite News
The 12th International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2024 began in Karachi on Tuesday, drawing participation from 55 countries, including major defence manufacturers from the US, Russia, the UK, China, Turkiye, and Iran. Organised by Pakistan’s Defence Export Promotion Organisation (DEPO), the four-day event is being held at Karachi’s Expo Centre under tight security, with a ban on public gatherings imposed across the city.
Inaugurated by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, IDEAS 2024 features over 560 exhibitors, including 333 international participants. Turkiye leads with 75 exhibitors, followed by China, which is also sending more than 50 delegations. Iran and Italy are making their debut appearances at the biennial event, further broadening its international scope.
Pakistan is showcasing several key domestically produced defence products, including the Haider Main Battle Tank (MBT), Shahpar III medium-altitude long-endurance drone, Al-Khalid and Al-Zarrar tanks, and the latest Super Mushshak Aircraft. The event highlights Pakistan’s growing emphasis on self-reliance in defence manufacturing, with Defence Minister Asif stating that the country’s defence industry has achieved competitive quality and reliability standards on the global stage.
IDEAS serves as a platform for defence manufacturers and suppliers to explore collaboration, joint ventures, and outsourcing opportunities. It also reinforces Pakistan’s position as a regional hub for defence innovation and cooperation.
With high-level delegations from across the globe in attendance, the event underscores the strategic importance of defence diplomacy and technological exchange in an increasingly interconnected security landscape.
The deals will mirror those signed by Italy with other countries, with money exchanged in return for stopping migrants from setting off…reports Asian Lite News
The government is set to agree deals with several countries in a bid to prevent thousands of illegal migrants reaching Britain, the Sunday Times reported.
The deals will mirror those signed by Italy with other countries, with money exchanged in return for stopping migrants from setting off.
Those in discussions with the UK include Turkiye and Vietnam, as well as the semi-autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan. Deals are expected to be signed by the year’s end.
Italy has managed to reduce the number of people crossing to it by 62 percent after Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni struck deals with Tunisia and Libya. Tunisia received patrol boats and €100 million ($105.4 million) to invest in education, energy and companies employed to halt migration, while Libya’s coast guard will be trained and equipped by Rome. The EU has paid Tunisia an additional €105 million.
However, both agreements have been criticized by human rights organizations over the treatment of migrants in Tunisia and Libya by local authorities. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met Meloni in September, during which he praised Italy’s “upstream work” in North Africa.
“I have always made the argument that preventing people leaving their country in the first place is far better than trying to deal with those that have arrived,” he said. The UK has seen continuous increases in the number of people entering the country illegally, with the Labour government pledging to “smash the gangs” running the trade across the English Channel.
By Nov. 11, the total to have made the crossing for 2024 stood at 32,900 people. In 2023, the total number of crossings was 29,437. According to UK government statistics, the top five nationalities for small boat crossings for the year up to June were Afghan at 5,730 (18 percent of the total), Iranian at 3,844 (13 percent), Vietnamese at 3,031 (10 percent), Turkish at 2,925 (10 percent) and Syrian at 2,849 (9 percent).
A deal signed by the previous UK government and France gave Paris £500 million ($630.9 million) to stop the crossings. The UK also gives Turkiye significant funds to stop migrants reaching Europe. Last week, Dutch police arrested a Turkish man suspected of being a “major supplier” of small boat equipment in Amsterdam following a joint operation by the UK’s National Crime Agency.
The UK government is keen to strike a deal with Iraqi Kurdistan, from which a number of trafficking gangs operate. Earlier this year, high-profile trafficker Barzan Majeed, known as The Scorpion, was arrested in Iraq after being tracked down by the BBC in the city of Sulaymaniyah.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is known to have sent fact-finders to the region to assess the viability of an Italy-style deal. Any deals are likely to involve funding and training for local security services, as well as potentially including return clauses for migrants who reach the UK.
A source told the Sunday Times: “The assessment made after that trip was that Kurdistani nationals monopolise every part of the journey made by small boat migrants from the procuring of the craft to putting people on the boats on the beaches in France.”
Relations between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa have soured dramatically since Ethiopia struck a controversial maritime deal…reports Asian Lite News
Turkey will hold separate talks with Horn of Africa rivals Somalia and Ethiopia to ease tensions before a new round of Ankara-hosted talks, the foreign minister said.
Relations between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa have soured dramatically since Ethiopia struck a controversial maritime deal in January with the breakaway Somali region of Somaliland.
The memorandum of understanding gives Ethiopia — one of the world’s biggest landlocked countries — access to the sea, but Somalia has condemned it as an assault on its sovereignty.
Turkey, which has been conducting shuttle diplomacy between Ethiopian and Somalian foreign ministers since the summer, mediated two rounds of talks in July and August.
The third round, which was supposed to take place on Tuesday, was canceled as Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Ankara would rather meet them separately before another round of talks.
“Because there are some lessons we learned from the previous two rounds of talks,” Fidan said. Fidan said he would directly talk to the two parties to “bring their positions closer” and help them reach a deal.
Under the Jan. 1 deal with Addis Ababa, Somaliland agreed to lease 20 km of its coast for 50 years to Ethiopia, which wants to set up a naval base and a commercial port. Somaliland has said Ethiopia would give it formal recognition in return, although Addis Ababa has never confirmed this.
Somaliland, a former British protectorate of 4.5 million people, unilaterally declared independence in 1991, but the international community has never recognized the move. Addis Ababa had access to a port in Eritrea until the two countries went to war between 1998 and 2000. Since then, Ethiopia has sent most of its sea trade through Djibouti.
Fidan said he was hopeful about a deal between the two rivals.
“I believe we have brought the parties closer to a certain degree. Hopefully, we will continue this … I am hopeful,” he said.
Local media reported that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, this October….reports Asian Lite News
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend the BRICS summit scheduled to be held in the Russian city of Kazan in October, local media reported citing presidential sources.
The Haberturk daily report followed a statement by Russian presidential aide on foreign policy Yury Ushakov, who said, Turkey has applied for full membership and “we will review the application”, Xinhua news agency reported.
On Tuesday, Omer Celik, the spokesperson for Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party, said that the country’s request to join BRICS is clear, and the process is ongoing. “If there are any concrete developments, they will be shared,” Celik added.
BRICS is the acronym for an emerging-market cooperative mechanism that initially included Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. In January, the mechanism expanded its membership to include Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, and Ethiopia.
Syrian President Bashar Al Assad says respecting sovereignty fundamental for reconciliation with Türkiye…reports Asian Lite News
Syrian President Bashar Assad said that improving Syria-Türkiye relations requires mutual respect for sovereignty and a true commitment to addressing the root causes of their tensions.
Despite high-level meetings mediated by Russia, Iran, and Iraq over the past five years, little progress has been made due to the absence of a clear framework and guiding principles, Assad said when addressing the People’s Assembly, Syria’s legislative authority.
“For any normalisation of relations to occur, Türkiye must reverse the policies that have led to the current situation, including the withdrawal of Turkish forces from Syrian territory and the cessation of support for terrorist groups,” he said.
Assad emphasized that these are not mere conditions but fundamental requirements for successful diplomacy. He called for a formal agreement between Syria and Türkiye that outlines the principles for future negotiations and ensures that all steps are aligned with international law and the sovereignty of both countries.
Meanwhile, he said Syria must remain steadfast in defending its sovereignty and pursuing its national interests amid current global tensions.
“Our capacity to influence events within our borders depends not just on military and economic power but on our collective will to resist external pressures,” he said, adding that Syria would continue to seek solutions that protect its territorial integrity and national dignity.
“We will not abandon any of our rights under any circumstances, nor will we ask others to relinquish theirs. This is a principle that guides our approach to all negotiations,” he said.
Formal diplomatic relations between Syria and Türkiye were severed following the onset of the Syrian civil war in 2011, with Türkiye backing opposition groups against the Assad government. While there have been signs of thawing relations in recent years, substantial progress remains elusive
Egyptian President El-Sisi stressed that regional developments should not overshadow efforts to allow access to relief aid to the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip….reports Asian Lite News
Middle East is going through a very delicate and dangerous juncture that requires exercising the highest levels of self-restraint and upholding the voice of reason and wisdom, said Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
El-Sisi yesterday met with Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan and his accompanying delegation, in the presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Badr Abdel-Aty and the Turkish Ambassador in Cairo.
The Spokesman for the Presidency said the Turkish foreign minister conveyed to the President the greetings and appreciation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, which was valued by the President.
The meeting focused on the latest regional developments and warnings of the dangerous escalation in the region.
President El-Sisi stressed that defusing the escalating tension lies in the concerted efforts of the active forces and the international community to implement a ceasefire immediately in the Gaza Strip, and to provide the opportunity for political and diplomatic solutions.
The Egyptian President noted that Egypt has repeatedly warned of the danger of expanding the scope of the war, in a way that threatens regional and international peace and security, as well as the capabilities, security and stability of the peoples of the region.
During the meeting, views were aligned on the gravity of the regional scene and the Israeli escalation policies were condemned.
The two sides reviewed the latest pertinent to the ongoing intensified Egyptian efforts to reach an agreement for a ceasefire and the exchange of captives.
President El-Sisi stressed that regional developments should not overshadow efforts to allow access to relief aid to the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, who suffer from inhumane living and health conditions, and the lack of the most basic elements of life.
The meeting confirmed the necessity of advancing a fundamental and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue, based on the two-state solution and the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, along the 1967 borders, in a manner that achieves sustainable justice, security, and stability in the region.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh delivers a speech in Gaza City, on Jan. 23, 2018. The Islamic Hamas movement called on Tuesday for Palestinian national conference to discuss a new Palestinian strategy. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh stressed in a televised speech the need for a new strategy that addresses the U.S. and Israeli declaration aimed at striking the Palestinian issue. (Xinhua/Wissam Nassar/IANS)
Iran, Jordan discuss Haniyeh assassination
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi have exchanged views on the assassination of Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh.
In a meeting in the Iranian capital Tehran, the two sides also discussed the improvement of bilateral relations and the developments of Gaza, according to a statement published on Sunday on the website of the Iranian President’s office.
Pezeshkian said the “cowardly” assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran was a “big mistake” by Israel, noting that Iran expected all Muslim states and the world’s free people to strongly condemn such “crimes” as reported by Xinhua news agency.
He stressed that Israel’s “audacious” action would not go unanswered, adding those who claim to defend freedom, democracy and human rights had employed all their scientific and operational capabilities to “spread terrorism” and commit “heinous crimes”.
He highlighted the necessity to strengthen solidarity among Muslim countries to stop Israel’s “aggressions and crimes against the oppressed Palestinians in Gaza”.
Pezeshkian expressed hope that negotiations between Iranian and Jordanian diplomatic delegations on the resumption of normal relations would soon come to fruition, enabling the two Islamic countries to use each another’s capacities and people in the region to benefit from “friendship and constructive cooperation” between Tehran and Amman.
The Jordanian Foreign Minister, for his part, said his country had condemned the assassination of Haniyeh, describing the action as being in line with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts to widen the scope of the conflict in the region.
Safadi also conveyed Jordanian King Abdullah II’s congratulations to Pezeshkian on his election as Iran’s President, saying Jordan was seeking to resume normal relations with Iran and to work together on ensuring stability, stability, security and calm in the region.
Fire and smoke are seen following an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis on April 7, 2023. Israel on Friday intensified airstrikes on military posts in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, in response to rockets fired from the areas at several parts in Israel, escalating tensions with Palestine over the past three days after Israeli police forcibly expelled Palestinian worshippers from the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)
Sonic boom causes terror in Beirut
On Monday, Israeli warplanes created a sonic boom over Beirut and southern Lebanon, intensifying fears amid escalating tensions between the Israeli military and Hezbollah. The sonic boom added to the anxiety among residents already on edge from the ongoing conflict.
Israeli jets attacked Mays Al-Jabal, killing two civilians, Mohammed Fawzi Hammadi, a paramedic with Lebanon’s Islamic Risala Scout Association, and Ali Ghaleb Shaqir, who were working in the local cemetery. Additionally, Israeli forces targeted the village of Taloussa in the Marjeyoun district with phosphorous bombs, which, while not banned under international law, are restricted and prohibited in populated areas.
Israeli soldiers also conducted a raid in Rab El-Thalathine, resulting in one person being injured and hospitalized in stable condition.
In response, Hezbollah continued its military operations following the previous day’s Israeli airstrike on Houla, which killed two of its members. Hezbollah reported launching a drone attack on the newly established 91st Brigade headquarters, targeting positions and personnel directly.
The Turkish leader on Saturday announced the imminent conclusion of Turkish forces’ operation against the Kurdish fighters in northern Iraq and Syria…reports Asian Lite News
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said that Turkey has issued a high-level call for normalisation with Syria, highlighting its utmost importance, and expressed hope for a positive response from Syria.
Addressing a press conference alongside visiting Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Istanbul on Sunday, Fidan expressed hope that the Syrian government would acknowledge Turkey’s calls for peace.
“The current atmosphere in the region prioritises peace and stability. There is a strong impetus driving us to pursue peace actively,” he said, highlighting the Turkish President’s crucial high-level call for peace.
“This appeal holds great significance, and I hope it resonates and receives a positive response,” he emphasised.
Previously, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasised that there is no reason not to restore relations with Syria, stating, “Just as we previously collaborated in advancing our ties with Syria, we will proceed together similarly.”
After the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in March 2011, Turkey’s relations with Syria have become significantly strained. Ankara has aligned itself with several opposition groups against the Syrian government.
Since 2015, Turkey has launched several military operations in Syria, accusing the Syrian government of supporting the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party, a Kurdish rebel group designated as a terrorist organisation by Turkey.
The Turkish leader on Saturday announced the imminent conclusion of Turkish forces’ operation against the Kurdish fighters in northern Iraq and Syria.
“In Syria, we will complete the missing links of the security belt along our southern border, based on Syria’s territorial integrity,” said Erdogan.
Iran has requested a night vision search and rescue helicopter from Turkey following the helicopter accident, the Turkish disaster management agency said…reports Asian Lite News
Turkey has sent a drone to participate in the search and rescue operations for the helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, which had an accident in Iran’s northwestern province of East Azerbaijan.
“Based on the request made by the Iranian authorities through the Foreign Ministry, an Akinci UAV and a Cougar-type helicopter with night vision capability were assigned to participate in the search and rescue activities of the crashed helicopter of the President of Iran and his delegation,” the Defence Ministry said on Sunday evening in a statement.
The drone has been dispatched, while the helicopter remains on standby, prepared to engage pending favourable weather conditions, according to the Ministry as quoted by Xinhua news agency report.
Iran has requested a night vision search and rescue helicopter from Turkey following the helicopter accident, the Turkish disaster management agency said.
Turkey is also sending 32 search and rescue mountaineers and six vehicles to support Iran’s rescue operation, the country’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority said in a statement.
In addition, mountaineer search and rescue teams, consisting of 15 people each from Ankara, Diyarbakir, and Konya provinces are on standby to be dispatched, the statement added.
Turkey closely follows the incident in full liaison and coordination with the Iranian authorities and is ready to provide all necessary support, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier said on social media platform X on Sunday.
The site of the helicopter accident is close to Turkey’s eastern Van province.
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Raisi had an accident and made a hard landing in East Azerbaijan on Sunday, the state-run IRIB TV reported.
The possible site of the incident has been determined to be in Varzaqan, nearly 670 km away from the capital Tehran, and rescue teams have been dispatched to the scene, the report said.
Iran Holds Emergency Meeting After Raisi’s Helicopter Accident
The Iranian Cabinet has convened for an emergency meeting in light of the helicopter accident involving President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hussein Amirabdollahian, state media reported.
The first Vice-President, Mohammad Mokhber, chaired the meeting late Sunday evening, state news agency IRNA reported.
He initiated further measures for the rescue operation.
According to protocol, Mockber would become President in the event of Raisi’s death.
Rescue workers continued to search on foot after dark for the scene of the helicopter accident, in poor weather conditions.
A total of 65 rescue teams were involved in the search for the helicopter’s crew, including the Iranian armed forces.
According to the Tasnim news agency, the accident site has been located.
The Iranian government asked the rescue services in neighbouring Turkey for assistance in the search. Both Turkey and Russia had offered their help.
In particular, helicopters with night vision equipment were requested.
Meanwhile, special mountain rescue units also arrived in the accident region, IRNA reported.
The Iranian President’s helicopter came in for what has been called a “hard landing” on Sunday in the northwest of the country after a meeting between Raisi and the President of neighbouring Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev.
Turkey will strictly and decisively implement these new measures until the Israeli government allows the uninterrupted and sufficient flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza, it added…reports Asian Lite News
Turkey halted all trade activities with Israel due to the latter’s “non-stop violence” against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the Turkish Trade Ministry said.
The move follows Turkey’s imposition of restrictions on an array of exports to Israel since last month, which Ankara said on Thursday would remain in effect until a ceasefire in Gaza is achieved.
In a statement, the Ministry recalled that Ankara previously restricted the export of 54 product groups to Israel in April because the “massacre, humanitarian catastrophe, and physical destruction caused by Israel continued,” and the Israeli government “ignored” international ceasefire efforts and blocked humanitarian aid, Xinhua news agency reported.
“It is observed that the Israeli government continues its aggressive behaviour and the humanitarian tragedy in Palestine worsens,” the Ministry said.
“In this respect, the second phase of the measures taken at the state level has been initiated and export and import transactions with Israel have been suspended for all products,” said the statement.
Turkey will strictly and decisively implement these new measures until the Israeli government allows the uninterrupted and sufficient flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza, it added.
On the other hand, the Turkish Trade Ministry is coordinating with Palestinian authorities to ensure that Palestinian people “who are forced to live under occupation” are not affected by these restrictions, the Ministry noted.
According to the Turkish Statistical Institute, trade between the two countries amounted to $6.8 billion in 2023, with Turkish exports accounting for 76 per cent of the total.
Israel, which is not a member of the ICJ, also argued that the court has no jurisdiction and asked the court to reject the case outright…reports Asian Lite News
Turkey announced it is joining South Africa’s genocide lawsuit against Israel in the International Court of Justice on Wednesday.
“Our legal experts have been studying how to participate in the legal case against Israel at the ICJ,” said Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan as he announced the move.
Fidan said an application will soon be filed with the ICJ.
During the mid-January hearings, South Africa argued to the judges in the Hague that Israel’s military campaign was intended to cause “the destruction of the population” of the Gaza Strip.
Israeli representatives, led by former Supreme Court president Aharon Barak, rejected the claims, arguing that Israel has a right to defend itself, respects international law, and that Palestinian casualties were the result of Hamas embedding its tunnels and military infrastructure in civilian areas.
Israel, which is not a member of the ICJ, also argued that the court has no jurisdiction and asked the court to reject the case outright.
In a provisional ruling issued on January 26, the ICJ ordered Israel by a vote of 15-2 to “take all measures” to prevent “genocide” in Gaza, but did not order the implementation of a ceasefire.
Legal experts said it could take years for a final ruling on whether Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinians. However, a ruling on the genocide claim, while legally binding, would be difficult to enforce.
Meanwhile, Israeli leaders are bracing for the possibility that the International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, may soon issue warrants for the arrest of senior Israeli officials for war crimes, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Chief of the Israel Defense Forces Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi. It is also speculated that Khan will ask for warrants to be issued against Hamas leaders.
Although both the ICC and ICJ are based in the Hague, they are separate courts.
Foreign Minister Israel Katz instructed Israel’s embassies to “immediately prepare for the outbreak of a severe anti-Jewish and anti-Israeli anti-Semitic wave in the world.”
Due to what the Foreign Ministry said is the “seriousness of the threat,” Katz also instructed Israeli representatives to impress on local Jewish communities the need to boost security for their institutions.
