THERE had been much speculation about what exactly the trilateral Makkah Joint Defence Agreement entails, other than general commitments about the collective defence of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye.
But with the release of the text of the 16-article agreement, there is now some clarity about its objectives. While Article 2 says that an “externally originating armed attack” on any of the signatories will be considered an attack on all, triggering the right of self-defence under the UN Charter, the agreement is silent on offensive action.
This should settle questions about the extent of involvement of the pact allies in the ongoing Saudi-Houthi war, and any future engagement. That it is a purely defensive arrangement was also echoed by the Turkish foreign minister.
He stressed it was not an “offensive agreement”, and ruled out sending his country’s troops to a foreign theatre. Other salient features of the pact include joint defence production, intelligence sharing and the interoperability of forces. Such clarity is welcome. While the defence of Saudi Arabia is important, Pakistan, Turkiye, and other regional states should continue efforts to find a negotiated solution to the Yemen conflict — both between the Saudis and Houthis and within Yemen.
In a related development, Pakistan’s chief of defence forces was in Tehran on Tuesday to try and prevent further escalation on the war front. The message from Tehran is that the US should accept Iran’s seven-point proposal if talks are to restart. A key Iranian demand is a ceasefire on all fronts, the end of the American blockade, lifting of sanctions, and the release of the Islamic Republic’s funds. However, despite the efforts of Pakistan and others, there are troubling noises coming from Washington and Tel Aviv.
The abrasive US war secretary — who is no proponent of peace and dialogue — was recently in Israel, while the Israeli prime minister, who will be fighting for his political survival in next week’s elections, has said he and President Donald Trump need to ‘eliminate’ the “Iranian regime”.
Even the sincerest effort to bring peace to the Gulf, Yemen, and the wider Middle East will come to naught if the US and Israel continue with their provocative behaviour. A strike on Iran after the Israeli and US elections would be a massive blunder, and if there are any mature advisers left in Washington, they should talk the US president out of making any such move, besides warning Tel Aviv against such arrogant action. Iran may be under pressure, but as the past several months have shown, it has the capacity to withstand considerable pain inflicted on it by the US and Israel. Fresh aggression can kick off a firestorm that will be in no one’s control, hence it is best to abandon such reckless plans.
Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2026
Que un profesional de reconocida trayectoria universitaria como Ángel Gabilondo, actual defensor del Pueblo, haya comprometido su prestigio al final de su carrera con una acción política exageradamente partidista como ha sido la presentación de un recurso ante el Tribunal Constitucional para enmendar una decisión judicial, nada menos que del Tribunal Supremo, en un procedimiento todavía en curso, actuación para la que carecía de competencia, explica hasta qué punto el sanchismo es capaz de pasar por encima de instituciones y personas con tal de salirse con la suya. Gabilondo es, pues, una víctima más de un sistema opresivo, que siempre se cobra las deudas pendientes y que se ha revelado mucho más eficiente en la cooptación de dirigentes socialistas y altos funcionarios que en la gestión de los intereses generales de los españoles. Ayer, con Gabilondo, pasará a la nómina de los muy agradecidos el magistrado del Tribunal de Garantías Juan Carlos Campo, que ha votado a favor de la tesis gubernamental, tal vez, porque su apoyo a los indultos del procés no se considera servicio suficiente por parte del inquilino de La Moncloa. Sin embargo, junto a la decisión muy mayoritaria del Constitucional, con el voto favorable de su presidente, Cándido Conde-Pumpido, poco sospechoso de derechismo intransigente, hay que destacar las indignadas reacciones desde el ámbito del Gobierno, que confirman lo que la opinión pública venía sospechando desde que se conociera el engendro jurídico de la llamada “ley de nietos”, que es el interés desmesurado, diríase que desesperado, por alterar el censo electoral de cara a las próxima elecciones generales, cuyas negras perspectivas para el sanchismo y sus aliados de la ultraizquierda no son un secreto para nadie. Sólo por ello adquiere la mayor importancia la decisión de los tribunales de interponer medidas cautelares ante una actuación jurisdiccional evidentemente partidista, que no sólo ha eludido la normal tramitación parlamentaria, sino que se ha servido de una figura administrativa, una instrucción ministerial, para adulterar el propósito expreso del legislador. Que una juez haya admitido a trámite, es decir, haya imputado, a Sofía Puente, la principal responsable de la citada instrucción, por un presunto delito de prevaricación administrativa, está dentro de la más absoluta lógica jurídica, una vez que, poco a poco, se van comprobando las tremendas irregularidades cometidas en la concesión de la nacionalidad española, con situaciones tan chuscas como conceder pasaportes a descendientes de unos españoles que nunca abandonaron el territorio nacional, o lo que hasta 1956 era considerado como tal, caso del protectorado marroquí. Con todo, lo mejor de toda esta peripecia es que los jueces y magistrados de este país están consiguiendo, pese al despliegue inaudito de la propaganda de combate que se ha conocido en democracia, devolver la confianza a los ciudadanos sobre la limpieza de su sistema electoral. Solo por eso hay que honorar a estos servidores del Estado por su ejemplar labor.
© La Razón
Las cuentas curis son una nueva y cada día más extendida presencia en la esfera digital, que impulsan alumnos de secundaria. Básicamente, se trata de imágenes elaboradas por adolescentes (normalmente inspiradas en cómics o animación) y luego subidas a una cuenta de TikTok creada ex profeso y de modo anónimo en la red, que ha sido bautizada con el nombre del centro educativo correspondiente. Los curis suele reproducir un episodio sucedido en las aulas o en el patio de una escuela. Aunque no solo eso.
Editorial: On an ecological level, it is regrettable that ministers have been persuaded to look again at the North Sea gasfield – but it is an unavoidable answer to the much deeper challenges facing Britain’s energy security
© PA
Los científicos del Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Medio Ambiente (Pnuma) certifican el fracaso del principal objetivo del Acuerdo de París sobre el clima. Es ya prácticamente seguro, a estas alturas, que el calentamiento del planeta crecerá por encima de los 1,5 grados centígrados que se habían establecido como límite. Las proyecciones que se realizan, además, son sumamente inquietantes para el futuro de la humanidad. Las políticas actuales contra el calentamiento climático, aunque todos los países las cumplieran a rajatabla, se revelan insuficientes para evitar la catástrofe climática. Si no se hacen nuevos y determinantes esfuerzos para reducir drásticamente las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero, el calentamiento global podría alcanzar aproximadamente los 2,8 grados centígrados para el año 2100. La comunidad internacional debe reaccionar con prontitud para frenar esa peligrosa deriva que supone dejar a nuestros hijos y nietos una Tierra sometida a una temperatura extrema.
FOLLOWING the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in KP on Oct 11, many lawmakers of the PTI remain untraceable. The matter has been raised in parliament and in the courts. During a hearing of related petitions in the Peshawar High Court yesterday, PTI chairman Gohar Ali Khan said that 12 MNAs and 14 MPAs belonging to the KP Assembly had been “picked up”.
Soon after the proclamation of emergency, Federal Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry had confirmed that KP’s non-functional Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and some members of his cabinet were in “preventive custody”. Meanwhile, on Monday, PTI lawmakers in the National Assembly demanded production orders for their fellow party MNAs. Opposition Leader Mahmood Achakzai endorsed the demand, while Raja Nasir Abbas, the opposition leader in the Senate, raised the issue in the Upper House.
One PTI MNA has been arrested at his madressah in Bannu, but the whereabouts of most of the missing lawmakers remain unknown, with their families also in the dark. Some lawmakers have reportedly been in detention since before Oct 11.
This is not the first time that opposition lawmakers in Pakistan have gone ‘missing’. The proclamation of emergency should not, however, mean holding fundamental rights in abeyance. Whether it is members of the assemblies, or ordinary citizens, the Constitution — if that document still holds any value for the wielders of power — guarantees due process to every Pakistani.
Therefore, Mr Afridi, as well as other PTI lawmakers, must be produced before the courts forthwith. The state must announce publicly what they are accused of, so that they can defend themselves, and engage counsel of their choice. Mr Chaudhry had said that if there are cases against the PTI leaders they would be charged, and if no evidence is found against them they would be released.
The state must keep its promise, and also grant the lawmakers access to their families. Members of the ruling coalition — belonging to both the PML-N and PPP — were on the receiving end of the state’s excesses during their time in opposition. Perhaps they should remember their own experiences, and the commitments their leaders made to upholding the rule of law.
Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2026
© Damon Winter/The New York Times
Over the past ten days, a great many extreme weather events have been recorded—from the USA to Europe, and from Asia to South America.
Is it truly all the fault of El Niño only?
Or does geoengineering—a subject to which Gospa News has devoted numerous investigations—play a role?
UPDATE on OCTOBER, 22, 2026
In the latest hours and days new massive floods are devastating some US states and North America. Four footages in one video below on ocober, 2026 events.
The western Mediterranean is currently experiencing a period of extreme weather, characterized by torrential rain, flooding, and overflowing rivers across Europpe ande above all eastern Spain, southern France, and Italy. The situation is most critical along the Spanish coast, where Storm Adam has triggered exceptional rainfall, resulting in a heavy toll of casualties and displaced people.
The Valencian Community has been among the hardest-hit areas. In Pego, in the province of Alicante, 693 mm of rain was recorded over a 36-hour period.
As of October 20, the provisional toll stands at four fatalities, with over 2,100 people evacuated and hundreds of rescue operations carried out. Blocked roads, flooded homes, and vehicles swept away by the currents bear witness to the intensity of the event.
The severe weather is now also affecting southern France and Corsica. This Mediterranean weather system has primarily impacted the Languedoc region, with the departments of Hérault and Gard being of particular concern.
In the latest hours and days new massive floods are devastating some European countries. Below the footages from Spain, France, UK, Italy and Portugal in October, 2026
1st footage – Helicopters continue to rescue people trapped in Oliva (Valencia, Spain). The La Safor and La Marina Alta districts are the most severely affected.
2nd footage – An intense downpour hit El Palo, Málaga (Spain). The storm dumped nearly 60 liters per square meter in just 30 minutes, causing significant water accumulation on the streets.
3rd footage – Massive Flash Flood Turns a London Airport Baggage Hall Into a Raging River
4th footage – The famous giant waves of Nazaré are found at Praia do Norte, in the town of Nazaré, in the Western region of Portugal.
France
Italy
FIRST POSTED on OCTOBER, 20, 2026
The current El Niño event could have far-reaching economic and humanitarian consequences. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) predicts that the phenomenon will almost certainly persist until February 2027, while the Peterson Institute for International Economics estimates that global losses in 2027 could reach nearly $986 billion if the event’s intensity matches that of 1997–98.
The WMO has issued warnings regarding potential impacts on temperatures and precipitation, noting an increased risk of heatwaves, droughts, and floods.
In its Global Seasonal Climate Update for the September–November 2026 quarter, the organization forecasts a likely rise in temperatures across Europe—particularly in central and southern regions—along with a higher probability of above-average rainfall in Southern Europe.
The repercussions will extend beyond the climate. An analysis by the World Food Programme, cited in the study, indicates that among 45 countries already facing food insecurity, an additional 49 million people could fall into a state of severe food insecurity by the end of 2027. The most significant effects are expected in parts of Central America and Southern Africa, with substantial impacts also anticipated in East Africa, as well as South and Southeast Asia.
From an economic perspective, the outlook is concerning: the Peterson Institute warns that, in addition to the nearly $1 trillion in losses projected for 2027 alone, cumulative losses over the following five years could exceed $7.2 trillion in the absence of coordinated intervention.
These figures have reignited the debate regarding the international community’s preparedness and response capabilities.
On the mornign of October 9, 2026, in Marsala (Sicily, Italy) , a double waterspout struck the Alcide De Gasperi school, where approximately 270 children were present.
The building has been rendered unusable; reports vary, but five or six children sustained minor injuries. In Petrosino, two people are in critical condition (classified as “red code”) after their car was forced off the road. This is not an isolated incident.
Around the same time, severe weather rendered a nursery school in Viareggio unusable, left a school bus stranded in floodwaters in Giugliano, and caused a lightning strike on a 17th-century church in Forio d’Ischia.
Extreme weather events recorded in Italy have increased from 60 in 2015 to 376 in 2025—a sixfold increase in ten years.
The estimated cost of damages for 2025 alone is 11.9 billion euros. A national adaptation plan was approved at the end of 2023; the observatory tasked with its implementation began its work in February 2026, yet, according to Legambiente, the necessary funding is still missing.
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