TAIPEI, MAY 17: Taiwan will not give up its “national sovereignty and dignity” nor its democratic and free way of life, and will absolutely not be sacrificed or traded away, President Lai Ching-te told on Sunday.
Lai made the comments responding to what he said was concern about comments over Taiwan at last week’s meeting in Beijing between US President Donald Trump and China’s Xi Jinping.
GAZA, MAY 17: Israeli strikes killed at least four Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, health officials said.
Medics said an Israeli strike killed one Palestinian near a police post in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. The Israeli military said it killed a militant who posed an immediate threat to forces operating in an area south of the enclave.
For the latest updates on the Israel-Palestine conflict, visit our dedicated page.
Separately, Gaza medics said another Israeli airstrike killed at least three people at a community kitchen near Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza area.
The Israeli military didn’t immediately comment on the incident.
Israel and Hamas remain deadlocked in indirect talks to advance US President Donald Trump’s post-war plan for Gaza that is meant to end more than two years of fighting.
Israel has stepped up attacks in Gaza in the weeks since halting its joint bombing with the US in Iran, redirecting its fire back on the devastated Palestinian territory, where the military says Hamas fighters are tightening their grip.
On Saturday, the Israeli military said that Izz al-Din al-Haddad, the head of Hamas’s armed wing in the Gaza Strip, was killed in what it described as a precise strike on Gaza City on Friday.
Hamas confirmed Haddad’s death but stopped short of threatening revenge.
Israel has repeatedly carried out strikes on Gaza since the ceasefire started.
Some 870 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since the October ceasefire, according to figures that do not distinguish between combatants and civilians. Four Israeli soldiers were killed by militants during the same period.
Hamas does not disclose figures for casualties among its fighters.
BAGHDAD, MAY 17: Israel built two secret bases in Iraq’s desert during the ongoing war with Iran, The New York Times reported on Sunday morning, citing unnamed Iraqi officials.
The base was allegedly discovered on March 3 by a Bedouin shepherd in the country’s western desert.
The report comes a week after the Wall Street Journal reported, citing several people familiar with the matter, on a first secret military base Israel had built in a remote part of the Iraqi desert to support an airstrike in the war against Iran.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the base housed special forces from the Air Force and served as a logistics facility. IDF troops were stationed there in case pilots were shot down over enemy territory.
The report also noted that the IDF nearly launched strikes against Iraqi troops that had almost discovered the secret base.
On March 4, a local shepherd spotted unusual activity, including helicopter flights, and tipped off the Iraqi military.
One official told The Wall Street Journal that the IDF drove the Iraqi military away with airstrikes. One Iraqi soldier was killed in the incident.
A US source told The Wall Street Journal that American forces were not involved in the matter.
Base predates Operation Roaring Lion
Unlike the first base, the reported second base “predated the current war between the United States, Israel, and Iran” and was used in June 2025 during Operation Rising Lion, The New York Times claimed.
Furthermore, the report stated that Israel had begun preparations to build the base in 2024.
This is a developing story.
ISLAMABAD, 17 MAY (DNA) — President Asif Ali Zardari, Sunday, extended felicitations to King Harald V, the Government and the people of the Kingdom of Norway on the occasion of Constitution Day. In a message conveyed on behalf of the Government and the people of Pakistan, the president noted that the relations between Pakistan and Norway continued to flourish with each passing day.
“He expressed confidence that the cordial ties between the two nations, further strengthened by the presence of a vibrant Pakistani community in Norway, will continue to grow for the mutual benefit of both friendly countries,” the President Secretariat Media Wing said in a press release.
The president further conveyed his sincere wishes for the continued peace, progress and prosperity of the people of the Kingdom of Norway.— DNA
ISLAMABAD, 17 MAY (DNA) — Prominent environmental and water expert Sadia Khalid has termed any move by India to suspend Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) unlawful and completely unacceptable, stressing that India cannot unilaterally suspend the accord.
Talking to media , she said that Pakistan maintains a clear and firm stance on the Indus Waters Treaty, consistently raising the matter at international forums and exposing what she termed the “real face” of India before the world community.
She stated that India remains unwilling to engage in dialogue to resolve the issue, adding that Pakistan must continue raising the matter on every diplomatic and international platform. She also urged international media and countries maintaining friendly relations with India to play their role in ensuring a peaceful resolution of the dispute.
Sadia Khalid warned that prolonged tensions over water resources could trigger serious economic losses and instability in both Pakistan and India, warning it endangers regional peace. Highlighting Pakistan’s dependence on agriculture, she emphasised that water is a basic necessity and a lifeline for millions of people in the agricultural sector.
She further urged India to join the negotiating table and seek a resolution through dialogue, in the broader interest of the people of both countries. The expert also emphasized the need for Pakistan to adopt innovative water management and monitoring policies to effectively tackle emerging environmental challenges.
She warned that declining sea levels and worsening water conditions could create severe consequences in the near future if timely measures are not taken.— DNA
HANGU, MAY 17 /DNA/ – PML-N MNA Isphanyar Bhandara on Saturday visited the historic Gurdwara Saragarhi Singh Sabha in Hangu, where he distributed food supplies, wheelchairs for elderly community members, and financial assistance among widows facing financial hardship. Mr. Bhandara also presented a donation to the Gurdwara in support of its welfare and community activities.
A large number of minority community members from across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa gathered in Hangu to welcome Mr. Bhandara and participate in the event.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Bhandara emphasized the importance of interfaith harmony, minority welfare, and equal citizenship for all Pakistanis irrespective of religion. He stated that the different colors of Pakistan’s minority religions are what make the country beautiful and vibrant, adding that such coexistence and diversity reflected the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Mr. Bhandara also appreciated the minority youth who had gathered from Mardan, Kohat, Abbottabad, and other districts, stating that it was heartening to see young members of minority communities actively participating in social and welfare activities at such a young age with maturity and dedication.
Following the visit to the Gurdwara, Mr. Bhandara also visited Balmik Mandir and Saint James Church, where he interacted with members of the local communities and reiterated the need for unity, coexistence, and mutual respect among all faiths.
Members of the Sikh community thanked Mr. Bhandara for his continued support toward minority welfare and humanitarian causes.
34 research teams presented completed projects under diverse thematic areas
ISLAMABAD, MAY 17 /DNA/ – The three-day 6th RASTA–PIDE Conference 2026, organised by the RASTA–PIDE Competitive Research Grants Programme from May 15–17, 2026, successfully concluded today after intensive academic dialogue, policy engagement, and evidence-based deliberations on Pakistan’s development challenges and reform priorities.
Held virtually for the first time in the PIDE’s history, the landmark event brought together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, development professionals, students, and members of the Research Advisory Committee (RAC) from across Pakistan and abroad. The Conference reaffirmed RASTA’s growing role as one of Pakistan’s largest and most vibrant policy research networks committed to strengthening the research-policy nexus and promoting evidence-informed governance.
The Conference was inaugurated by the Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, who underscored the importance of research, innovation, and knowledge-led policymaking in achieving Pakistan’s long-term development goals and economic transformation agenda.
Over the course of three days, the Conference featured six thematic sessions and four major showcase studies. Around 34 research teams presented completed projects under diverse thematic areas, including policy and programme evaluations; human capital and social outcomes; climate risks and economic resilience; governance and political economy; urban governance and social protection; and investment, commerce and economic reform.
The discussions provided a dynamic platform for academics, policymakers, practitioners, and experts to deliberate upon practical, evidence-based, and implementable policy solutions aligned with Pakistan’s socio-economic priorities. The Conference also highlighted major RASTA-supported studies focusing on education policy reforms, domestic commerce, poverty reduction strategies, and the Citypedia initiative, which aims to develop comprehensive urban profiles and city-level evidence systems for Pakistan.
In his concluding remarks, Dr Faheem Jehangir, Dean of Policy Advocacy at PIDE and Project Director of RASTA, highlighted that RASTA has evolved beyond a conventional research grants programme into a national policy knowledge ecosystem that connects researchers, universities, think tanks, practitioners, and government institutions. He emphasised the need to deepen collaboration between academia, policymakers, industry, and development stakeholders to ensure that research findings translate into measurable policy outcomes and sustainable national development.
Concluding the Conference, Vice Chancellor of PIDE, Nadeem Javaid, appreciated the RAC and the RASTA team and reiterated PIDE’s commitment to strengthening evidence-based policy dialogue in Pakistan and to continuing to provide a vibrant platform for research dissemination, intellectual exchange, and actionable policy recommendations that can inform national development planning and governance reforms.
The successful conclusion of the 6th RASTA–PIDE Conference 2026 reflects the growing momentum for research-driven policymaking in Pakistan and reinforces the importance of collaborative knowledge platforms in shaping the country’s future development trajectory.
SYLHET, MAY 17: Hosts Bangladesh moved into a commanding position in the second and final Test of the series, after extending their lead over Pakistan on Sunday at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
Batting in their second innings, the hosts ended day two at 110-3 in 26.4 overs, holding a 156-run advantage. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto remained unbeaten on 13, while Mominul Haque was dismissed on the final delivery of the day’s play.
Bangladesh got off to a poor start by losing Tanzid Hasan on the third delivery of the fourth over.
After the early setback, Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Haque stabilised the innings by scoring crucial runs from the start, notching up 50-run stand and helping the team’s total past the 50-run mark as well.
Joy was in dominant form with the bat as he brought up his sixth Test fifty, reaching the milestone off 58 deliveries.
However, the 76-run stand was broken after Mohammad Abbas struck and dismissed Joy, who contributed 52 off 64 deliveries after hitting 10 fours.
Shanto and Haque kept the score board ticking which helped them take the team’s total past the 100-run mark and extend the lead to over 150 runs.
Khurram Shahzad dismissed Haque for 30 off 60 deliveries, an innings that included three boundaries.
In the first innings, Pakistan were bowled out for 232 in 57.4 overs, handing the hosts a 46-run lead courtesy of a dominant bowling performance by Bangladesh.
Babar Azam top-scored with a fighting 68 off 84 deliveries, hitting 10 fours before being dismissed by Nahid Rana, while Sajid Khan contributed valuable runs down the order, scoring 38 off 28 balls with two fours and four sixes.
Skipper Shan Masood and Salman Ali Agha chipped in with 21 runs each, while opener Azan Awais and Mohammad Rizwan added 13 runs apiece.
Pacer Nahid Rana and spinner Taijul Islam led the Bangladesh attack with three wickets each, while Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed two wickets apiece.
Earlier, put into bat first, Bangladesh were bowled out for 278 despite slipping to 116/6 shortly after lunch, largely due to a composed and commanding innings from Litton Das, who held the innings together and guided the lower order.
The right-handed batter top-scored with a magnificent 126 off 159 deliveries, decorated with 16 fours and two sixes.
Skipper Shanto contributed 29 off 74 deliveries, including three fours, while Tanzid Hasan made 26 off 34 balls, striking three boundaries. Haque scored 22 off 41 deliveries with three fours, and Mushfiqur Rahim added 23 off 64 balls, including two boundaries.
Litton Das received strong support from the lower order, with Taijul Islam (16) and Shoriful Islam (12 not out), as he shared crucial partnerships of over 60 runs with both.
For Pakistan, Shahzad was the standout bowler, finishing with four wickets for 81 runs in 17 overs. Abbas took three wickets, while Hasan Ali claimed two. Spinner Sajid Khan also chipped in with a wicket.
SEOUL, MAY 17: South Korean foreign minister Cho Hyun has asked for Iran’s position on a recent attack on a South Korean cargo vessel near the Strait of Hormuz, in a phone call with his Iranian counterpart on Sunday, Seoul’s foreign ministry said.
A South Korean official has previously said the possibility that an entity other than Iran was responsible for the attack is low.
TEHRAN, MAY 17: Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who recently emerged as a chief negotiator in talks with the United States, has been appointed to oversee relations with China, Iranian media reported on Sunday.
“Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has recently been appointed as a special representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran for China affairs,” Tasnim news agency reported, citing “informed sources,” with other media carrying similar reports.
Ghalibaf was appointed to the position at the proposal of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and with the approval of supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei, according to Tasnim.
He will “coordinate various sectors of relations between Iran and China,” it added.
Fars news agency said late security chief Ali Larijani, who was killed in US-Israeli strikes on March 17, held a similar position.
Larijani oversaw the advancing of negotiations with China which led to a 25-year cooperation agreement in 2021.
Following the outbreak of the war on February 28 with Israel and the United States, Ghalibaf has emerged as a central figure steering high-stakes diplomacy in the single round of talks with the US in April.
A number of senior Iranian officials, including former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, were killed in the war, which spread across the Middle East before a fragile ceasefire took hold on April 8.
Iran has in recent days allowed a number of Chinese ships to pass through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy conduit which it had blocked since the war erupted.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the ships transited after “an agreement on Iran’s strait management protocols.”
