New Delhi, Jan 8: At least 126 people were killed, 188 were injured and over 1000 houses collapsed after a powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck the Nepal-Tibet border region, according to media reports.

The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) confirmed that the earthquake occurred at 6:35 a.m. (IST) on Tuesday morning, with its epicentre at latitude 28.86°N and longitude 87.51°E, at a depth of 10 km. The location was identified as Xizang (Tibet Autonomous Region), near Nepal’s border.

News agency reported that the fatalities were concentrated in the city of Xizang, with many injuries and structural damage also recorded.

In Tonglai Village, Changsuo Township of Dingri in Xigaze (Shigatse), several houses have reportedly collapsed.

The earthquake also sent tremors across northern India, affecting areas such as Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim, and Delhi-NCR, causing panic as residents rushed out of their homes. Fortunately, no casualties or property damage have been reported in India so far.

Two aftershocks followed the initial quake — a 4.7-magnitude tremor was recorded at 7:02 a.m. (IST), with its epicentre at latitude 28.60°N and longitude 87.68°E, at a depth of 10 km and another 4.9-magnitude quake struck at 7:07 a.m. (IST), with its epicentre at latitude 28.68°N and longitude 87.54°E, at a depth of 30 km.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) pinpointed the earthquake’s location 93 km northeast of Lobuche, near the Nepal-Tibet border. Lobuche lies near the Khumbu Glacier, approximately 150 km east of Kathmandu and 8.5 km southwest of Everest Base Camp.

Nepal, situated in a highly seismically active zone where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates converge, is no stranger to earthquakes. This tectonic activity, which forms the Himalayan region, often results in seismic events of varying magnitudes.

Authorities in Nepal and affected Indian regions remain vigilant, closely monitoring the situation. The earthquake has renewed concerns in an area historically vulnerable to devastating seismic activity.

Gaza, Jan 3: A Hamas delegation has visited Egypt’s capital Cairo to address challenges surrounding a Gaza ceasefire agreement, Hamas spokesperson Jihad Taha said.

Taha told Media that the delegation’s visit to Cairo was part of ongoing discussions with mediators, including Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye, regarding the situation in Gaza.

The visit aimed to address obstacles and conditions “recently imposed” by Israel, Taha said, adding that Hamas is open to any efforts that serve the benefit of Palestinian people and is committed to stopping “the (Israeli) aggression and killings.”

Taha expressed hope that an agreement could be reached if Israel reverses its recent conditions.

Earlier this week, the Israeli state-owned Kan TV reported that Hamas had proposed a one-week ceasefire without a prisoner exchange. Israel rejected the proposal and demanded Hamas provide the list of hostages for release before a ceasefire.

A Hamas source revealed that the Hamas delegation’s meetings in Cairo with Egyptian officials had resulted in a proposal to postpone certain contentious points hindering a ceasefire deal.

The source, speaking anonymously, told Media that the agreements reached with the Egyptian side, including the proposal, would be presented to Israel in a final effort to secure a deal before January 20.

Earlier in the day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed in a statement that an Israeli delegation will travel to Qatar’s Doha to continue Gaza ceasefire negotiations.

Also on Thursday, during a meeting with British National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty underscored “Egypt’s efforts to reach an agreement for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip,” according to a statement by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.

Indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel have gained momentum in recent weeks to end a nearly 15-month war in Gaza. However, both sides have accused each other of creating obstacles and backtracking on agreements, delaying a ceasefire and the release of hostages.

Islamabad, Jan 2: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the government are set to engage in their second round of negotiations on Thursday, at the Parliament House in Islamabad.

This meeting follows a series of consultations within PTI to finalise their key demands.

The session, chaired by National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, will take place in the Constitution Committee Room.

The talks, aimed at resolving ongoing political tensions, come as PTI seeks to address critical issues, including the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the events of May 9 and November 26 and the release of political prisoners.

These demands have been prioritised by PTI in light of the prevailing political and social unrest in the country.

A spokesperson for the National Assembly confirmed that the meeting time had been adjusted at the request of members, underscoring efforts to accommodate both sides and ensure productive discussions. The negotiations are being facilitated and spearheaded by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, who has emphasised the importance of dialogue in finding a resolution to the impasse.

Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has reiterated his party’s commitment to pursuing peaceful negotiations, though he signaled PTI’s readiness to mobilise a protest movement should the talks fail to yield results.

Speaking to a private news channel, Gandapur highlighted that PTI founder Imran Khan had authorised party leaders to engage in talks with the government solely in national interest.

He added that while PTI was willing to explore solutions through dialogue, the party would not hesitate to launch a movement if their demands were not met. “Our demands are clear: the formation of an independent judicial commission and the release of our leaders and political workers,” Gandapur stated.

The ongoing negotiations are being closely watched as both sides attempt to navigate a path forward amid escalating political tensions. With PTI signaling a willingness to take to the streets if necessary, the outcome of the meeting will likely have significant implications for the country’s political landscape.