PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — Shiite and Sunni Muslim tribes in Pakistan’s northwest have agreed to a cease-fire, a government spokesman said Sunday, days after 42 Shiites were killed in an ambush.
The attack on the convoy last Thursday in Kurram district triggered retaliatory attacks and rampages that killed dozens more people from both communities.
A spokesperson for the provincial Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, Muhammad Ali Saif, said the two communities agreed to a seven-day cease-fire after a government delegation held talks with Sunni and Shiite elders.
“The parties also agreed to exchange prisoners and return the bodies of the deceased,” he said. The prisoners include women.
Shiite Muslims make up about 15% of the 240 million people in Sunni-majority Pakistan. Although the two groups generally live together peacefully, tensions remain, especially in Kurram.
Although the area has a history of sectarian conflict, with militant groups previously targeting the Shiite minority, the current violence is connected to a land dispute.
Nobody has claimed responsibility for Thursday’s convoy attack.
A mourner stands beside the bodies of the victims. who were killed in a gunmen firing incident, before their funeral prayer, in Parachinar, main town of Kurram district of Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Hussain Ali)
Shiite Muslims chant slogans to condemn the killing of Shiite Muslims by gunmen in an ambush in Kurram district, during a demonstration in Lahore, Pakistan, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) — Australia’s bid for its first rugby Grand Slam in 40 years is over.
The Wallabies lost 27-13 to Scotland on Sunday to end their hopes of a sweep of victories in the season-closing tour of Britain and Ireland. They’d previously beaten beaten England and Wales, and will end the tour in Ireland next week.
Adding to Australia’s woes was the sight of Joseph Sua’ali’i, the team’s new star back, going off injured in the first half at Murrayfield after hurting his right arm tackling Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu.
Tuipulotu, born in Australia, was one of four try-scorers for Scotland while Harry Potter — an 18th debutant in 2024 for the Wallabies and the target of pre-match puns because of his name — went over for a late consolation for the tourists.
The Scots ended their autumn campaign with three wins from four, having also beaten Fiji and Portugal. They were defeated 32-15 by world champion South Africa.
The current crop of Australians were looking to emulate the class of 1984, who won the end-of-year Grand Slam but fell short in the face some brilliant finishing from Scotland.
Tuipulotu was playing in front of his 77-year-old grandmother, Jaqueline, for the first time after she flew in from Melbourne for the occasion. He marked it by running onto a long lineout and bursting through two tackles to go over for a converted try and make it 7-3.
Giant winger Duhan van der Merwe scored Scotland's second try — his record 30th in 44 tests — and Josh Bayliss chargeed over down the right after a break by winger Darcy Graham to push the hosts into a 22-6 lead.
Scotland flyhalf Finn Russell then added a fourth try with the best of the game, finishing off a flowing sequence of passes by running onto Blair Kinghorn lay-off and diving over.
The England-born Potter marked his debut by running onto a kick over the top of Scotland's defense and grounding just before going out of touch.
AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
Australia's Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, right, watches his team during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between Scotland and Australia in Edinburgh, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024.(AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
Australia's Rob Valetini and Scotland's Jamie Ritchie challenge for the ball during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between Scotland and Australia in Edinburgh, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024.(AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
Australia's Will Skelton, center, is tackled by Scotland's Zander Fagerson, center rear, during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between Scotland and Australia in Edinburgh, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024.(AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu , right, celebrates scoring a try during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between Scotland and Australia in Edinburgh, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024.(AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu runs to score a try during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between Scotland and Australia in Edinburgh, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024.(AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
