Islamabad, Pakistan is currently under the influence of continental air, affecting most parts of the country. A shallow westerly wave is also expected to enter the western regions tonight, as reported by the National Weather Forecasting Centre in Islamabad.
According to National Weather Forecasting Centre – Islamabad, The weather forecast indicates that the country will experience mainly cold and dry conditions in most areas on Friday. Northern parts and northern Balochistan are expected to face very cold weather, with partly cloudy skies in the evening and night. Dense fog and smog are likely to persist in the plains of Punjab, and similar conditions may occur in the plains of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and upper Sindh during the night.
On Saturday, the cold and dry weather will continue across most parts of the country, with very cold and partly cloudy or cloudy conditions in northern regions and northern Balochistan. The plains of Punjab are expected to remain under dense fog and smog, with similar foggy and smoggy conditions likely in the plains of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and upper Sindh during the morning and night.
Over the past 24 hours, cold and dry weather prevailed over most parts of the country, while the northern areas and northern Balochistan experienced very cold temperatures. The lowest recorded minimum temperatures included Leh at -10°C, Skardu at -9°C, and Gilgit, Gupis at -5°C.
This weather pattern signifies a typical winter scenario in Pakistan, with regional variations in temperature and weather conditions.
Geneva, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has expressed serious concerns over the escalating repression of media freedom in the Republic of Guinea. He urged the transitional authorities in Guinea to urgently revise their approach to uphold human rights and media freedom.
According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Turk detailed numerous violations against journalists in Guinea, including harassment, intimidation, assaults, arrests, seizure and dismantling of equipment, blocking of broadcast transmissions, and shutting down of media channels. He noted that several social media sites have been blocked and access to the internet restricted, actions that fail to comply with international human rights law.
The High Commissioner highlighted specific incidents demonstrating the increasing repression. On 6 December, Guinea’s media regulator ordered Canal+, a French pay-TV provider, to cease broadcasting content from privately-owned broadcaster Djoma. Shortly after, similar orders were issued against two other privately-owned broadcasters, Evasion and Espace, citing security concerns.
In October, at least 13 journalists were detained in Conakry during a protest against censorship and restrictions on the Guinée Matin news website. Though released the same day, criminal proceedings against them continue. The repression began in May amid opposition-led demonstrations against the transitional authorities, with restrictions placed on the Guinée Matin and Africa Guinée websites, jamming of Fim FM and Djoma FM radio transmissions, and dismantling of transmitters belonging to the Afric Vision media group. Soldiers also harassed and assaulted reporters from Guinée Info and Guinée 114 websites.
Social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and TikTok, have been blocked since at least 24 November, with internet access restricted for several months, as reported by the Open Observatory of Network Interference (OONI).
Turk criticized the transitional authorities’ justification of national security imperatives for imposing these restrictions, emphasizing that any limitations on freedom of expression must be lawful, necessary, and proportionate to be consistent with Guinea’s international human rights obligations. He condemned these excessive restrictions, stating they are shrinking civic space and rolling back human rights in Guinea. He strongly urged the transitional authorities to take immediate corrective measures to address this alarming situation.
Karachi, The Pakistan Navy Fleet Annual Efficiency Competition Parade, a prestigious event marking the successful completion of the operational year, was held at the Pakistan Navy Dockyard in Karachi. The ceremony, graced by the Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf as the Chief Guest, celebrated the achievements of Pakistan Navy ships, submarines, and aircraft.
According to Directorate General Information and PRs – Sindh, upon his arrival, Admiral Naveed Ashraf was welcomed by Commander Pakistan Fleet Vice Admiral Muhammad Faisal Abbasi. A smartly turned out contingent presented the Guard of Honour, setting the tone for the ceremony.
In his address, Admiral Ashraf expressed complete satisfaction and confidence in the operational preparedness of the Pakistan Navy Fleet. He praised the dedication and professionalism of the officers and men, acknowledging their successful attainment of operational objectives and milestones for the year 2023. The Admiral commended the Fleet’s significant contributions to maritime security and discussed the ongoing modernization plans of the Pakistan Navy. The introduction of various new platforms into the Fleet, as highlighted by the Chief Guest, is set to significantly enhance its capabilities.
Admiral Ashraf also shed light on the evolving maritime security environment in the region, emphasizing the need for the Pakistan Navy to remain vigilant and fully prepared to protect national maritime interests. He urged all participants to stay abreast of the latest technologies and work with utmost dedication and honesty.
Vice Admiral Muhammad Faisal Abbasi, in his welcome address, outlined the operational achievements of the Pakistan Navy Fleet over the past year. He emphasized the high level of combat readiness maintained throughout the year, noting the Fleet’s participation in various bilateral and multilateral exercises in home and foreign waters, as well as Regional Maritime Security Patrols and Overseas Deployments.
The ceremony concluded with the Chief of the Naval Staff awarding efficiency trophies to units deemed best in their respective squadrons. Admiral Ashraf also took the opportunity to interact with Officers and CPOs/Sailors of the Pakistan Navy Fleet, reinforcing the spirit of excellence and dedication within the naval forces.