Tensions rise in Balochistan amid separatist attack

• At least six people died on Saturday in an attack by separatists in the southwestern Pakistani province of Balochistan. Among the victims were soldiers and civilians, local authorities reported. More than 25 people were injured.

• The Norwegian Coast Guard is monitoring the unusual behaviour of the Panamanian-registered gas tanker "Mulan" - reported Norwegian press on Saturday. Under the North Sea floor, where the vessel has been for several days, run cables and pipelines connecting Denmark, Norway, and the United Kingdom.

• Israel confirmed on Saturday the resumption of indirect negotiations with Hamas in Qatar, aimed at freeing hostages held in the Gaza Strip, reported the AFP agency.

• The appointments of Donald Trump as the US Secretary of State and the American Ambassador in Madrid are a message to Latin American dictatorships that the new White House administration will take a tough stance against them, wrote the Spanish daily "El Mundo" on Saturday.

• The Ukrainian drone attack on the port of Ust-Luga and the response of the Russian air defence did not involve Estonian airspace, reported the Estonian armed forces' air operations centre on Saturday.

• In the past two years, the number of people detained on suspicion of jihadist activities in Spain has increased. The greatest current threat is posed by organizations from Central Asia, wrote the Catalan daily "La Vanguardia" on Saturday.

• Four people aged 17-19 died in a car accident near Helsinki. The car they were travelling in veered off the road on a bridge and fell into a river. The road was slippery and dark, the temperature dropped to -19°C, and the driver was inexperienced, reported Finnish police on Saturday.

• Starting Sunday, tolls for crossing bridges and tunnels into New York City will increase. Drivers heading below 60th Street in Manhattan will pay an additional $9, and for large vehicles, it will total over $150.

Source: PAP