DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Fri, 14 Nov 2025 04:09:06 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/international/botswana-gifts-india-eight-cheetahs-lauds-indias-landmark-wildlife-conservation-initiative-648454.html Gaborone Nov 13 Beginning a new chapter in IndiaBotswana cooperation in wildlife conservation Botswana on Thursday donated eight cheetahs to India under Project Cheetah The symbolic donation event took place during the visit of President Droupadi Murmu and her Botswana counterpart Duma Gideon Boko to the Mokolodi Nature Reserve during which the two leaders witnessed release of captured cheetahs originating from the Ghanzi region into the quarantine facility by experts from India and Botswana This event marks Botswanaâs symbolic donation of eight cheetahs to India under Project Cheetah This event signifies the beginning of a new chapter in IndiaBotswana cooperation in wildlife conservation the Presidents Secretariat statedAccording to Cheetah Conservation Botswana CCB Botswana hosts one of the worldâs largest populations of cheetahs with an estimated population of approximately 1700 individuals This accounts for approximately 25 per cent of the worldâs remaining wild cheetahs Due to Botswanas location in the centre of southern Africa this population is also crucial to facilitate connectivity between other regional populationsIndias Project Cheetah is a landmark wildlife conservation initiative launched on September 17 2022 aimed at reintroducing cheetahs to India after their extinction in the late 1940s and early 1950s As the worlds first intercontinental large wild carnivore translocation project it operates under the umbrella of Project Tiger and aligns with the Cheetah Action Plan to restore and conserve the species Efforts are underway to expand suitable habitats ensuring longterm survival and ecological balance in Indias grassland ecosystemsLater Botswana Vice President Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe and Minister of International Relations Phenyo Butale called on President Droupadi Murmu in Gaborone commending India on its notable development journeyDuring the meeting the two sides discussed strengthening the enduring collaboration of two nations in strategic sectorsIn separate meetings His Honor Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe Vice President of Botswana and Honâble Dr Phenyo Butale Minister of International Relations called on President Droupadi Murmu at Gaborone the Presidents Secretariat posted on XThey both commended India on its notable development trajectory Several issues of mutual interest were discussed in these meetings to further strengthen and deepen the enduring collaboration of IndiaBotswana in strategic sectors it addedEarlier in the day President Murmu addressed the members of Indian community and stressed that the ties between two nations are based on trust respect and shared democratic valuesWhile addressing members of Indian community President Murmu said The relationship between India and Botswana is based on trust respect and shared democratic values Today I had a very productive discussion with President Boko of Botswana We have decided that our countries will further cooperate in areas such as trade education health digital technologies agriculture and renewable energyHuman resource development is a strong pillar of our cooperation Many Botswana citizens have received training in India under Indias ITEC and ICCR schemes They are today playing a leading role in Botswanas development â ââa testament to the depth of our relationship India and Botswana are also close partners in the diamond sector and we are expanding cooperation in new areas such as technology defence and digital connectivity she addedShe thanked Indian community for the warm welcome in Botswana and said that the people of India living in Botswana are connected to Indias soil culture and valuesCalling Indian community as living bridge of friendship between two nations President Murmu said Despite staying away you all remain deeply connected to Indias soil culture and valuesYou are living bridges of friendship between India and Botswana I am told that nearly 10000 Indians are active here in various fieldsâeducation health accounting business and industryYour hard work honesty and dedication have earned you respect and affection in Botswana society You have also played a vital role in local employment and skills development I congratulate all of you for being proud representatives of India Your spirit of social service and philanthropy is admirable I am told that almost every week the Indian community in Botswana gathers to organise social service or charitable events whether supporting schools organising health camps or helping those in need â your compassion embodies the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam she added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/botswana-gifts-india-eight-cheetahs-lauds-indias-landmark-wildlife-conservation-initiative-648454.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 21:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-president-signs-controversial-27th-constitutional-amendment-bill-into-law-648460.html Islamabad Nov 13 Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday signed the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill which was earlier approved by both houses of parliament After his approval the bill has now become part of the constitution local media reported Earlier in the day Pakistans Senate passed the 27th Constitutional Amendment bill after a second round of voting amid oppositions protest The clauses of the amendment were already approved with twothirds majorityThe bill previously passed by the National Assembly on Wednesday comprises 56 clauses and was presented in the Senate in the same form JUIF members remained present in the House while defected senators Saifullah Abro and Ahmad Khan from PTI and JUIF joined the session to cast their votes Pakistanbased The Express Tribune reportedInitially the bill was presented in the Senate for voting on Monday and passed the same day The bill was then referred to the National Assembly which passed it on Wednesday with some amendments The proposed legislation was again presented in the senate on Thursday to consider the changesPakistans Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar again tabled the bill in the upper house of Parliament on Thursday Elaborating on the changes in the bill he said the incumbent chief justice of Pakistan CJP would continue to hold this post until he held the office Pakistans leading daily Dawn reported He stated that after CJPs retirement the senior most judge among the topmost judges of the Supreme Court and the planned Federal Constitutional Court would have the title of the CJPTarar said that as per the proposed amendment the CJP would administer the oath to the president chief election commissioner and auditor general for Pakistan Elaborating on changes to Article 6 of the Constitution which deals with the subject of treason he said the provision would now read Any court in Pakistan be it the Federal Constitutional Court that will now God willing be established the Supreme Court or high courts cannot validate the abrogation of of the Constitution He contended that it was similar to blocking martial laws and upholding democracyPakistan TehreekeInsaf PTI Senator Ali Zafar said that 27th Amendment was based on deceit and fraud and slammed the government for its hasteHe said They want to establish their constitutional court at the earliest so that they can control it And the reason behind the haste is the fear of one person who is in jail a few miles away from hereAli Zafar stated that people of Pakistan were not in favour of the proposed legislation He said âThe very foundation of the 27th Amendment is based on fraud and deception and this building is going to fallâ he warnedMeanwhile the opposition alliance has said that they would start a political movement against the 27th Constitutional Amendment from Friday pledging to restore judiciary and the office of the chief justices power that they claim have been curbed by the amendment The Express Tribune reportedPTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said The office of the chief justice has been abolished â we will restore it He stated We will restore the dignity and powers of the judiciaryâ he added arguing that while judicial reforms may be necessary the governmentâs current approach toward the judges was âunacceptablePashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party PKMAP chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai announced that opposition will start protest on Friday He said that movement will remain peaceful and is aimed to restore the mandate of the people which he claimed had been stolen IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-president-signs-controversial-27th-constitutional-amendment-bill-into-law-648460.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 22:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/laos-aims-to-boost-agricultural-production-strengthen-competitiveness-648461.html Vientiane Nov 13 Laos Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has outlined measures to boost agricultural production and processing aiming to increase competitiveness and add value to Laos products Speaking during the 10th ordinary session of the Lao National Assemblys ninth legislature on Thursday Lao Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Linkham Douangsavanh reported steady growth in agricultural and forestry production in recent years with several largescale projects helping reduce imports and increase exports Xinhua News Agency reportedFrom 2021 to 2025 the export value of agricultural and forestry products averaged 157 billion US dollars per year In the first 10 months of 2025 exports reached 154 billion dollars surpassing the Lao National Assemblys annual target of 15 billion dollarsDespite progress Linkham acknowledged challenges including limited mechanization low use of modern technology inadequate irrigation high production costs weak supply chains and underdeveloped infrastructureTo tackle these challenges the ministry has outlined several key measures including developing policies to lower production costs and promote the use of advanced technology and innovation and implementing detailed national strategies for crops livestock and aquacultureThe ministry also plans to improve access to capital market information and essential inputs such as seeds fertilizers veterinary medicines and machinery In addition it aims to promote modern sustainable farming while supporting investment in logistics processing plants storage facilities and laboratories for pest and residue analysisEarlier in September the first Lao National Youth Forum themed YouthLed Climate Smart Agriculture and ClimateResilient Food Systems was held in Lao capital Vientiane aiming to empower youth to drive the transformation of food systems toward sustainabilityAccording to the Vientiane Mai newspaper the forum was attended by Lao Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Xaynakhone Inthavong the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Laos Bakhodir Burkhanov the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FAO Representative to Laos KyungMee Kim and other key stakeholdersIn his speech Xaynakhone highlighted Laos rapidly growing population projected to reach 9 million by 2035 This growth will drive economic expansion but also increase demand for food water and land The rise in urban areas which converts agricultural land into residential zones adds pressure on resources and food security with climate change further compounding these challengesTo address these issues the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is focusing on transforming food systems Key initiatives include promoting young farmers by offering training in sustainable agriculture business management and marketing as well as supporting research on climate resilience in partnership with universitiesThe ministry also encourages youth involvement in community development provides scholarships and vocational training and organizes periodic courses in agricultural technology fostering a new generation of leaders in sustainable agriculture IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/laos-aims-to-boost-agricultural-production-strengthen-competitiveness-648461.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 22:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/kabul-tells-businesses-to-stop-import-of-inferior-medicine-from-pak-urges-alternate-routes-for-trade-648273.html New Delhi Nov 12 Afghanistan has asked its business community to stop importing medicines from Pakistan within three months alleging it is of inferior quality and has emphasised that traders seek alternative routes for trade âinstead of relyingâ on Islamabad say reports Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has âwarned that after this noticeâ Kabul will not cooperate with or listen to traders who continue trading with Pakistan reported Tolo News on WednesdayâOur health sectorâs main problem is the import of lowquality medicines from Pakistan I strongly urge all medicine importers to immediately find alternative supply routes Those who have contracts or purchases in Pakistan are given three months to settle their accounts and wind up their workâ the report quoted BaradarThe Taliban leader made several key recommendations regarding the protection and sustainability of national trade in a meeting with Afghanistanâs business housesReports are coming in from AfghanistanPakistan where trade routes have remained closed for about a month that markets in both countries are experiencing severe fluctuations and unprecedented price hikesSocial media posts shared how prices of tomatoes imported from Afghanistan have spiralled in Pakistanâs markets Posts from Afghanistan too echoed with claims from another angle â where the border closure has led to a drastic drop in prices of tomatoes grapes pomegranates and onionsMeanwhile the price of goods imported from Pakistan especially bananas increased in Afghan markets mentioned the social media postsTolo News quoted Baradar asking Afghan businesses to âturn to alternative trade routes instead of Pakistan These routes have not only harmed our traders but have also caused difficulties for markets and the general public I strongly urge all traders to implement alternative options for imports and exports as soon as possibleâThe landlocked country of Afghanistan depends heavily on trade through the border gates which gives it access to Karachi and Gwadar ports in Pakistan for sending goods to other countries Carpets and rugs dried fruits medicinal plants and some gemstones comprise Kabuls main export products with the total value estimated at around 161 billion in 2024Baradar assured the assembled businessmen that âAfghanistan now has access to alternative trade routesâ and that its economic ties with regional countries have âexpanded significantly compared to the pastâThe report also added that the Taliban leader mentioned that âAfghanistan is often targeted with political pressureâ and that trade relations and the âsuffering of refugeesâ are being used as tools for âirrational political motivesâIt was an obvious reference to Islamabadâs closure of border trade and forcing Afghan refugees to move out of its lands in thousands sometimes tens of thousands at a timeBaradari stressed that no one can deny the fact that all countries are interdependent when it comes to trade He also said that if Pakistan wishes to reopen trade routes with Afghanistan this time âit must provide firm guarantees that the routes will never be closed again under any circumstancesâ according to the Tolo reportSince the two countries signed an understanding for a truce following a fierce firefight that erupted on October 11 the neighbours have failed to reach a consensus on the modalitiesThe Durand Line drawn by the British during their occupation of India has been a subject of contention for Kabul and has witnessed several skirmishes at multiple fronts along the 2600 km border IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/kabul-tells-businesses-to-stop-import-of-inferior-medicine-from-pak-urges-alternate-routes-for-trade-648273.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 00:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/constitutional-amendment-sparks-concerns-about-future-of-democratic-governance-in-pakistan-report-648286.html Kabul Nov 12 The fragile democracy of Pakistan seems to be entering a new phase as the balance between civilian authority and military dominance tilts further towards the latter a report highlighted on Wednesday citing the proposed 27th Amendment that has sparked concerns among political political observers legal experts and international partners about the future of democratic governance in Pakistan The proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment has become a focal point of controversy Reports suggest that the amendment would establish special constitutional courts restore executive magistrate powers and permit the transfer of judgesâchanges that critics argue could weaken judicial independence a report in Afghanistanbased Khaama Press statedIt mentioned how Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir has now gained significant control over economy and politics of the countryIt also seeks to alter fiscal and administrative arrangements between the federal and provincial governments by centralising control over key subjects such as education and population welfare One of the most debated elements concerns Article 243 of the Constitution which defines the command of the armed forces Observers note that the amendment could introduce a new position of CommanderinChief above the Chief of Army Staff formalising a superior command structure and further expanding military authority the author further statedSupporters of the amendment have claimed that it would strengthen governance and increase national stability while critics insist that it marks a fundamental shift away from parliamentary democracy and the federal structure established in the 1973 constitution Despite facing criticism from parts of the opposition legal community and civil society the amendment is expected to advance through two houses of parliament showcasing militarys institutional leverage and the weakened condition of political oppositionProminent political figures have sparked concern over the erosion of democratic norms in Pakistan A newlyformed alliance of prodemocracy leaders including Pakistans former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser and former Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar have pledged to oppose the constitutional changes in and outside the parliament They contended that the proposed amendment erodes the principle of separation of powers and threatens to dismantle the institutional safeguards of democracy the Khaama Press report stated Some members of the cabinet are also reportedly concerned about the scope of the proposed reformsThe suppression of opposition in Pakistan has further contributed to democratic decline Pakistans former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been kept in prison since 2023 with many of his party leaders and supporters also being detained or pressured into silence Civil society groups and rights bodies have highlighted restrictions on free expression political assembly and independence of media Earlier in September a bipartisan group of US lawmakers introduced the Pakistan Freedom and Accountability Act HR 5271 which proposes imposing sanctions on people responsible for human rights abuses and antidemocratic actionsAnalysts warn that the consolidation of power under military influence could have broader implications for Pakistanâs political stability and regional role With civilian institutions increasingly marginalized and judicial independence under strain the country risks entering a period of entrenched authoritarianism reminiscent of earlier military regimes Should the 27th Amendment be enacted it would mark one of the most consequential shifts in Pakistanâs constitutional and political history redefining the relationship between the military the judiciary and elected representativesPakistanâs democracy thus stands at a critical juncture The erosion of civilian authority combined with economic and social uncertainty poses challenges not only for governance but also for the countryâs longterm stability and its relations with the international community The coming weeks may determine whether Pakistan can preserve its democratic institutions or whether it will enter a new era of overt military dominance the report emphasised IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/constitutional-amendment-sparks-concerns-about-future-of-democratic-governance-in-pakistan-report-648286.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 00:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/israel-reopens-zikim-crossing-to-allow-aid-trucks-into-northern-gaza-648289.html Jerusalem Nov 12 Israel said on Wednesday it has reopened the Zikim crossing to allow humanitarian aid trucks into northern Gaza Today the Zikim crossing has been opened for the entry of humanitarian aid trucks into the Gaza Strip said a statement from the office of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories COGAT a body under Israels Defence Ministry responsible for carrying out the governments civilian and humanitarian policies in the Palestinian territoriesThe statement added that the aid would be delivered by the United Nations and international organizations after undergoing thorough security inspections by the Land Crossings Authority of the Defence Ministry and that the move followed a directive of the political echelonThe UN and international aid agencies have long urged Israel to reopen crossings to northern Gaza so that more supplies can reach the area hit hard by the war Xinhua news agency reported The UNs Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a situation update in late October that the opening of direct crossings to the north is vital to ensure that sufficient aid reaches people as soon as possibleAid delivery to Gaza has been hampered by intensive Israeli security inspections and strict restrictions on permitted goods humanitarian officials sayEven after trucks enter the enclave distributing supplies remains difficult due to widespread infrastructure destruction and the risk of lootingThe United Nations and its partners have fed more than one million people in the Gaza Strip since the ceasefire took effect one month ago a senior UN official said on MondayOne month after the Gaza ceasefire we are continuing to seize every opportunity to save lives said Tom Fletcher UN UnderSecretaryGeneral for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator in a statementSince the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza took effect on October 10 nutrition sites have been reopened hospitals are treating more patients roads have been cleared and vital immunizations have been resumed he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/israel-reopens-zikim-crossing-to-allow-aid-trucks-into-northern-gaza-648289.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 00:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/42-presumed-dead-in-migrant-boat-shipwreck-off-libyan-coast-iom-648290.html Geneva Nov 12 The International Organisation for Migration IOM said on Wednesday that a rubber boat carrying 49 migrants and refugees capsized off the coast of Libya leaving 42 people presumed dead In a statement the IOM said Libyan authorities carried out a search and rescue operation on November 8 near the Al Buri Oil Field after the vessel which had departed from the Libyan coastal city of Zuwara capsizedAccording to survivors the boat left Zuwara on November 3 About six hours after its departure high waves caused the engine to fail overturning the vessel and throwing all passengers into the sea Xinhua news agency reportedAfter drifting for six days seven were rescued four from Sudan two from Nigeria and one from Cameroon The 42 missing migrants are presumed dead including 29 from Sudan eight from Somalia three from Cameroon and two from Nigeria the IOM saidAccording to data from the IOMs Missing Migrants Project more than 1000 migrants and refugees have died in the Central Mediterranean so far this yearLast week Libyas Ministry of Defence under the UNrecognised Government of National Unity GNU announced that it targeted several boats used for smuggling illegal migrants in northwestern LibyaAccording to a post by the staterun Libya National TV on social media platform Facebook the airstrikes conducted inside Zuwara Port about 120 km west of the capital Tripoli were carried out with precision and without causing any human casualtiesField sources told the channel that the airstrikes followed close monitoring and tracking of smuggling networks operating in the areaAccording to the ministry the operation was part of ongoing security efforts to combat human trafficking networks and curb the flow of migrants through Libyas coastal areasDue to the insecurity and chaos that followed the countrys 2011 uprising Libya has become a hotspot for migrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean towards European shores IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/42-presumed-dead-in-migrant-boat-shipwreck-off-libyan-coast-iom-648290.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 00:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistans-constitutional-amendment-signifies-major-shift-in-civil-military-ties-report-648291.html Islamabad Nov 12 Pakistans proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment PCA demonstrates not only a structural change to Pakistans defence system but also a constitutional change in civilmilitary ties The amendment which is being hurried through parliament introduces changes to Pakistans judicial and military structure a report has stated The amendment aims to restructure the Supreme Court set up a new Federal Constitutional Court and restructure the hierarchy of the armed forces These amendments establish a framework in which the Chief of Army Staff also becomes the Chief of the Defence Forces CDF and may further be promoted to the post of Field Marshal along with lifelong privileges and immunity L Ali Khan founder of Legal Scholar Academy and an Emeritus Professor of Law at the Washburn University School of Law in Topeka wrote in a commentary for the Jurist NewsThe proposed amendments to Article 243 have a direct impact on accountability and the rule of law Specifically the changes establish the Army Chiefâs dominance constitutionalize the Field Marshal position politicise the Field Marshal rank and grant an unprecedented immunity that could shield the Field Marshal from any legal accountability The PCAâs timing â before the retirement of a senior generalâsuggests it aims not just to streamline command but to centralize unprecedented authority in a single military leader the Army Chief wrote KhanSince the government has already awarded the title of Field Marshal to General Asim Munir the proposed amendments to 243 directly and exclusively empower him By amending Article 243 of the Constitution the PCA eliminates the post of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and transfers its coordinating authority to the Army Chief who will also hold the new title of Chief of the Defence Forces CODF Henceforth every Army Chief will command not only the land forces but also the Navy Air Force and intelligence branches under a unified structure he addedThe merger centralises power in a way that was not known even during prior military regimes in Pakistan In the past Pakistans Army Chief was the most influential figure within the armed forces However the air and naval chiefs were independent of his direct command The PCA now institutionalises a hierarchy that places the Army Chief above all other military officers in all branches changing a once dominant post into a constitutionally supreme one Section 9 of the PCA Article 243 gives immunity to the Field Marshal under Article 248 of the Constitution which states that No criminal proceedings whatsoever shall be instituted or continued against the President In any court during his term of office Field Marshal would also be granted this protection the Jurist News reportedBy amending Article 248 the PCA breaks a fundamental barrier between civilian and military accountability The immunity would be granted to the Field Marshal which implies that once an Army Chief gets elevated to the position of Field Marshal he would enjoy immunity for life If he commits a crime as Pakistans Army Chief he is protected since he is also the Field Marshal This causes serious legal inconsistency as the immunity of the President lasts until he is in office however the Field Marshals immunity would last for life His immunity remains constitutionally protected even after leaving the commandA report in Jurist News stated The proposed TwentySeventh Amendment signifies not only a structural change to Pakistanâs defense system but also a constitutional shift in civilâmilitary relations By granting lifelong absolute immunity to the Field Marshal the PCA risks placing the rule of law beneath his authority especially when he serves as the Army Chief The principles of constitutional democracy require that all public power whether civilian or military be exercised in accordance with the law and remain subject to accountability and oversightIf passed without revision the PCA will permit the Field Marshal to operate beyond those limits institutionalizing a form of Field Marshal exceptionalism that conflicts with constitutional governance No one should be above the law for life or exempt from Article 6 of the Constitution If enacted Pakistanâs TwentySeventh Amendment will serve as a global example of how constitutional design can justify military dominance within a democratic framework The lesson is clear when absolute immunity replaces accountability the constitution ceases to be a restraint and becomes a shield for those who violate it it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistans-constitutional-amendment-signifies-major-shift-in-civil-military-ties-report-648291.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 00:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-uses-disinformation-strategy-to-manipulate-domestic-and-global-opinion-report-648294.html Islamabad Nov 12 Pakistanâs persistent disinformation campaign exposes a broader pattern of manipulating information flows to serve its geopolitical objectives a report said on Wednesday It added that these disinformation practices have farreaching consequences fueling regional instability by eroding trust among neighbouring countries and hindering diplomatic efforts towards peace and cooperationâPakistans recent deflection of criticism regarding certain media narratives including the controversy surrounding The Frontier Post fits within a longstanding pattern of strategic manipulation and disinformation employed by the Pakistani state This statesponsored disinformation apparatus is instrumental in influencing both domestic and international perceptions often by exploiting global media spaces and social networks to project preferred narratives favourable to Pakistans geopolitical interestsâ a report in leading Sri Lankan newspaper âDaily Mirrorâ detailedâThe Pakistani state and its intelligence apparatus have repeatedly employed disinformation as a central tool to navigate its complex regional and international relations This manipulation manifests prominently against neighbouring India but also extends to a broader global context including relations with countries such as Russia Saudi Arabia the United Arab Emirates UAE and the United Statesâ it addedAccording to the report Pakistanâs information warfare strategy leverages statecontrolled media social media campaigns and indirect use of proxy organisations to spread distorted or fabricated content aimed at misleading and polarising target audiences Such tactics it said are designed to advance Pakistanâs diplomatic objectives justify its policy decisions and deflect unfavourable international scrutinyâThe Frontier Post incident where Pakistanbased actors were traced to publishing and amplifying falsified content critical of Russiaâs actions seeking to cultivate diplomatic friction and deflect negative attention regarding Islamabadâs own geopolitical alignments This episode revealed how nationalistic narratives were seeded via fringe news platforms and bot networks to exploit international tensions and discredit external powers for domestic political mileageâ the report notedâThe Makkah guard controversy in Saudi Arabia where an alleged incident involving disrespect by guards to pilgrims within the Grand Mosque was aggressively circulated on Pakistani social media demonstrated the scale of narrative exploitation Despite official Saudi clarification Pakistani online networks exaggerated the episode fuelling outrage across Muslim audiences and attempting to redirect collective sentiment on sectarian lines The incident is an example of how disinformation aligns with Pakistanâs habit of leveraging religious and emotional triggers to consolidate domestic opinion and gain digital traction abroadâ it stressedThe report emphasised that Pakistanâs disinformation operations function on two critical frontsdomestically shaping public opinion suppressing dissent and managing political competition by controlling narratives through official and proxy channels Internationally it seeks to manipulate international perceptions control diplomatic dialogue and counter criticism of its policies and actions including allegations of crossborder terrorism and regional conflictsâThis dual strategy highlights Pakistanâs reliance on narrative control as an indispensable element of its statecraftâ the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-uses-disinformation-strategy-to-manipulate-domestic-and-global-opinion-report-648294.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 00:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistani-forces-abduct-two-more-civilians-in-balochistan-648296.html Quetta Nov 12 At least two Baloch civilians including a minor were forcibly disappeared by the Pakistani forces in Balochistan amid an escalating wave of enforced disappearance across the province a leading human rights organisation said on Wednesday Paank the Baloch National Movements Human Rights Department condemned the enforced disappearance of Tajah Bugti and his young son Mir Ahmed Bugti who were abducted in broad daylight on Tuesday by Pakistanâs InterServices Intelligence ISI and Counter Terrorism Department CTD personnel from Dera Bugti districtâThe abduction of a father and his minor child reflects the alarming scale of state repression in Balochistan where even children are not spared from the cycle of enforced disappearancesâ Paank statedThe rights body held the Pakistani authorities and its security agencies responsible for ensuring the safety and immediate release of both victims It urged the international community human rights organisations and media to take urgent notice of the ongoing policy of collective punishment against the Baloch peopleHighlighting atrocities in Balochistan several human rights bodies condemned the extrajudicial killing of Mir Dost a resident of Kosh Kalat region in Kech district in Balochistan by the Pakistani military on November 10nine months after he was forcibly disappearedBaloch Yakjehti Committee BYC revealed that Mir Dostâs bulletriddled and tortured body was found on November 10 in the Ginnah area of KechâAccording to his family Mir Dost was forcibly disappeared from his home on February 13 2025 by personnel of the Pakistani security forces For nearly nine months his family remained in anguish unaware of his fate despite their repeated appeals to authorities After months of silence his tortured and bulletriddled body was recovered confirming his extrajudicial execution while in the custody of state forcesâ the BYC statedâThis case is part of a disturbing and persistent pattern of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Balochistan Families continue to suffer unbearable grief as statebacked violence escalates with impunity The absence of accountability and rule of law has emboldened such abuses leaving the people of Balochistan in a constant state of fear and mourningâ it addedCondemning the brutal incident as part of a wider pattern of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Balochistan the Baloch Voice for Justice BVJ called on the United Nations and international human rights bodies to urgently investigate and hold Pakistan accountable for these grave crimes IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistani-forces-abduct-two-more-civilians-in-balochistan-648296.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 00:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-sanctions-indian-company-over-directors-alleged-links-toiransmissile-droneprogrammes-648303.html New York Nov 13 The US sanctioned an Indian company alleging it has links through one of its directors to Iranâs missile programme The Treasury Department listed the Chandigarhbased Farmlane Private Limited among 32 businesses and individuals sanctioned because of their alleged connections to a supply chain for Iranâs missile and drone programmesThe Treasury Department did not directly accuse Farmlane of supplying material used for rocket propellants for missiles but said that one of its directors was involved in the scheme that relied on Chinese suppliersIt identified Marco Klinge who is based in the United Arab Emirates as the director of FarmlaneAccording to the US Office of Foreign Assets Control he is a German citizenUnder the sanctions they will not be able to access US financial systems and any assets in the US will be frozenThe US invoked the reimposition of United Nations sanctions on Iran for the measures Tommy Pigott the State Departments Principal Deputy Spokesperson saidThe UN brought back the sanctions on September 27 because Iran violated the 2015 agreement against developing nuclear weaponsTreasury Departmentâs Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John Hurley said âAt the direction of President Donald Trump we are putting maximum pressure on Iran to end its nuclear threatââThe United States also expects the international community to fully implement UN snapback sanctions on Iran to cut off its access to the global financial systemâ he addedThe Treasury Department said that those sanctioned were also from Germany Ukraine Turkiye China Hong Kong and Iran and they operated multiple procurement networks for Iran IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-sanctions-indian-company-over-directors-alleged-links-toiransmissile-droneprogrammes-648303.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 06:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/white-house-clarifies-over-h-1b-visas-after-trump-defends-programme-648304.html Washington Nov 13 A day after US President Donald Trump defended the H1B visa programme the White House asserted that itâs committed to cracking down on alleged abuses in the visa system The White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted the clarification to Daily Wire a news outlet on X In a statement to the publication White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers on Wednesday said that the administration was committed to âreforming the immigration systemââIn record time President Trump has done more than any president in modern history to tighten our immigration laws and put American workers firstâ Rogers saidâThe 100000 payment required to supplement new H1B visa applications is a significant first step to stop abuses of the system and ensure American workers are no longer replaced by lowerpaid foreign laborâIn an interview with Fox Newsâ Laura Ingraham on Tuesday Trump was asked if his administration planned to deprioritise H1B visas He replied âYou do have to bring in talentâWhen Ingraham countered âWe have plenty of talentâ Trump responded âno you donâtââYou dont have certain talentsâAnd people have to learn you cant take people off an unemployment line and say Im going to put you into a factory Were going to make missilesâ he addedLast week the US Department of Labor DOL launched at least 175 investigations into potential abuses within the H1B visa programme as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to crack down on the foreign worker visa systemThe initiative dubbed âProject Firewallâ was launched in September to target companies allegedly exploiting the visa system which allows US firms to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations such as information technology engineering and healthcareâThe Department of Labor is using every resource at our disposal to put a stop to H1B abuse and protect American jobsâ the DOL Secretary Lori ChavezDeRemer said in a post on XIn October Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that he was directing the stateâs Board of Governors to end the use of H1B visas across state universities saying that positions currently held by visa holders should be filled by Florida residentsDays later the White House reiterated that President Donald Trumpâs priority in reforming the Hâ1B visa programme is to put âAmerican workers firstâ and vowed to fight lawsuits filed against the administrationâs crackdownThe administrationâs H1B visa policy has faced broad opposition from lawmakers and legal challenges with two major lawsuits filed in courts including the one by the US Chamber of Commerce the countryâs biggest business organisationOn October 31 five US lawmakers wrote a letter to Trump urging him to reconsider his September 19th proclamation on H1B visas due to its âpotentially negative impactsâ on the IndiaUS relationshipIndiaborn workers received over 70 per cent of the total approved H1B visas in 2024 primarily due to a huge backlog in approvals and a high number of skilled immigrants from India IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/white-house-clarifies-over-h-1b-visas-after-trump-defends-programme-648304.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 06:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/un-confirms-israeli-decision-to-reopen-3rd-aid-crossing-into-gaza-648306.html United Nations Nov 13 Amid continuing calls for greater aid access UN humanitarians said that Israel has announced it is reopening the Zikim crossing into the north of the Gaza Strip Overnight Israeli authorities informed the UN that the Zikim crossing between Israel and northern Gaza will reopen for humanitarian cargo said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs OCHA on WednesdayThe Zikim crossing closed for two months will be the third crossing to be opened following the Kerem ShalomKarem Abu Salem crossing near the Egyptian border and the Kissufim crossing between Khan Younis and Deir alBalah as aid access points Xinhua news agency reportedHumanitarians have been calling for greater aid access to the heavily populated north During the twomonth closure no supplies entered Gaza directly from the north of the strip Travel up from the southern crossings was hampered by heavily damaged roadsOCHA said the United Nations has in recent weeks been repairing the road leading up to Zikim from inside Gaza in preparation for the reopening and to enable the resumption of cargo collection It has begun final checks including on potential unexploded ordnanceThe office said the authorities reported that incoming cargo will need to be scanned outside Zikim offloaded from Israeli trucks and reloaded on a separate day onto Palestinian trucks for distribution in GazaOCHA said partners managing displacement sites in Gaza report that people continue to move from southern Gaza to the north with approximately 4000 movements recorded over the past week While the distribution of shelter and winter supplies is scaling up the needs remain vastThe office said that as humanitarians continue to scale up assistance with the commercial sector and bilateral assistance further supporting the response market prices for basic commodities are gradually stabilizing At the same time OCHA partners continue to provide critical cash voucher assistance with 66000 cash transfers since the ceasefire came into effect last month IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/un-confirms-israeli-decision-to-reopen-3rd-aid-crossing-into-gaza-648306.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 07:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-congress-votes-to-end-longest-govt-shutdown-648307.html New York Nov 13 The US Congress has finally voted to end the government shutdown after 42 days of paralysis of most operations The House of Representatives voted 222 to 209 mostly along partisan lines to pass the resolution that had been approved by the Senate to temporarily fund the government till the end of the yearThe legislation now goes to US President Donald Trump and the White House said he will sign it later in the nightThe legislation ending the longest government shutdown was passed without the Democrats getting the extension of Obamacare the health insurance programme adopted during former President Obamaâs presidency and measures to avoid the huge increases in costs to those participating in the programme expected to start next yearThe Democrats had held up the measure in the Senate where a procedural rule requires 60 votes to bring the legislation to a voteAlthough the Republicans had a slender majority in the Senate they were short of the 60 and finally relied on eight Democratic Party defectors to hit that mark on SundayIt sailed through the Senate on Monday and the House which was in recess was hastily reconvened on Wednesday to approve itIn the House six Democrats voted with the Republican majority while two Republicans voted against itThe shutdown affected a range of government services from air travel to programmes of subsidised and free food for the poorTrump and the Democrats were locked in a battle of wills with Trump and his party refusing to give in to the Democrats on Obamacare and the Democrats refusing to budgeAlthough the standoff may have contributed to the Republican Partys reverses in elections this month which Trump acknowledged it was also affecting Democratic Party supporters who worked for the federal government and were not receiving their salaries and the poor who depended on government aidThis wore out some Democrats in the Senate who decided to end the shutdownThat has caused a rift in the party with many criticising the partyâs Senate Leader Chuck Schumer for not preventing the defectionsUnder the legislation adopted to end the shutdown and fund the government most government agencies will be funded through the end of the year and a few till January 30All government employees including those who did not work through the shutdown will receive full pay for the period of the shutdown and they will all be allowed to return to workEven if all the federal employees return to work it will take a few days for the government to fully resume all operationsBefore the vote Speaker Mike Johnson said âOn the Republican side we operated in good faith We need to get this government open as soon as possibleâDefiant to the end Democratsâ leader in the House Hakeem Jeffries said âEither Republicans finally decide to extend the Affordable Care Act Obamacare tax credits this year or the American people will throw Republicans out of their jobs next yearâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-congress-votes-to-end-longest-govt-shutdown-648307.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 08:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/nearly-25-million-people-facing-acute-food-insecurity-in-congo-un-648308.html United Nations Nov 13 Nearly 25 million people over 20 per cent of the population are facing high levels of acute food insecurity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo DRC a UN spokesperson said The DRC remains one of the countries most affected by food insecurity with the situation particularly severe in the east said Stephane Dujarric spokesperson for the UN secretarygeneral at a daily briefing on WednesdayAccording to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification analysis the number is projected to rise to nearly 27 million people in the first half of 2026 he saidDujarric said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs OCHA remains deeply concerned about continued attacks against civilians in Beni and Lubero territories in North Kivu and also in Ituri province with more than 1000 people reportedly killed in the two provinces since the beginning of this yearThe impact on health services has been devastating with at least six facilities attacked since the beginning of 2025 and a total of at least 28 health sites affected by armed attacks since 2024 said the spokespersonHe said OCHA reiterated its call on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructureSince January the security situation in eastern DRC has worsened sharply amid renewed fighting involving the March 23 Movement rebel group which seized several key towns including Goma and Bukavu Xinhua news agency reportedHumanitarian agencies say the escalating violence has displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians deepening an already dire crisisEarlier on October 14 the government of the DRC and the March 23 Movement M23 rebel group had signed an agreement in Doha to establish a ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism under the facilitation of Qatar IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/nearly-25-million-people-facing-acute-food-insecurity-in-congo-un-648308.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 08:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/uk-lawmaker-urges-yunus-led-interim-govt-to-ensure-free-and-fair-elections-in-bangladesh-648313.html London Nov 13 The United Kingdom Conservative Party leader and MP Bob Blackman has urged Bangladeshâs interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus to ensure free fair and inclusive elections in the country He emphasised the need to make minorities who endured hardship following last yearâs July demonstrations equal stakeholders in the countryâs social and political sphereâI urge the present government in Bangladesh to ensure a free fair transparent participatory and inclusive election in Bangladesh Elections are the foundation for democracy and a true reflection of peoples will The Yunus government assumed office with the promise of reestablishing the rule of law and ensure justice and fair play However despite promises and pledges the progress on democratic reform and restoration of constitutional values and governance have not been on expected linesâ read a statement issued by Blackman which was posted on his social media platformâA special mention may be made for the minorities who had faced difficult situation in the aftermath of the July uprising special effort is needed to make them an equal stakeholder in Bangladesh society and polity Their concern for safety and security and yearning for due share in political space must be ensuredâ he addedBlackman further stated that the Yunus administration must ensure that people of all âpolitical hues and colourâ get an opportunity to contribute to rebuilding BangladeshâI call upon all well wishers of Bangladesh that the country which struggled to establish independent identity for its people culture and language must be given the support needed for restoration of political rights and for building a just and equitable society without any recrimination and discriminationâ he stressedLast month a group of British lawmakers including Blackman raised alarm over âdeterioratingâ human rights situation in Bangladesh calling the UK government the United Nations and the âwider international communityâ to adopt a stronger stance on the matterThey urged for a âclear and timebound pathway towards peaceful elections and the establishment of a stable civilian governmentâ stressing that such steps are vital to restoring trust and accountability IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/uk-lawmaker-urges-yunus-led-interim-govt-to-ensure-free-and-fair-elections-in-bangladesh-648313.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 09:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/longest-us-govt-shutdown-ends-as-trump-signs-legislation-to-fund-federal-operations-648320.html New York Nov 13 The longest government shutdown has ended with President Donald Trump signing the legislation passed by Congress to temporarily fund federal operations The standoff between the Republicans and the Democrats that paralysed the government for 42 days broke on Wednesday when the House of Representatives voted to approve the legislation passed by the Senate to end the stalemateIt was a setback for the Democrats whose demands about extending subsidies for the health insurance programme passed during former President Barack Obamaâs tenure and is popularly known as Obamacare was not at acceptedâItâs a great dayâ Trump said after signing the bill which the Republicans consider a triumph as they got it through Congress without giving in to the Democratsâ demandsThe legislation for temporary funding till a budget is passed was stuck in the Senate because the majority Republican Party lacked the 60 votes required to move it for a vote under procedural rulesThe stalemate was broken when eight Democrats crossed the floor to vote with the Republicans to move the bill to a vote on MondayThe range of federal operations from air travel to programmes for subsidised or free food for the needy can now resume although it may take some time for all of them to be fully functionalAll federal employees will get their back pay including those who could not work during the shutdownSome like the air traffic controllers airport security staff and certain categories of essential workers worked without pay during the shutdownReferring to next yearâs Congressional elections and the problems caused by the shutdown Trump said at the signing I just want to tell the American people you should not forget this when we come up to the midtermsâHowever Democratsâ leader in the House Hakeem Jeffries said âEither Republicans finally decide to extend the Affordable Care Act Obamacare tax credits this year or the American people will throw Republicans out of their jobs next yearâUnder the legislation most government operations will be funded till the end of the year by when a budget will have to be hammered outFunding for some programmes like services for retired military personnel and food for the poor â estimated to number 42 million â will continue till SeptemberThe House votes were mostly along partisan lines 222 to 209 with six Democrats voting with the Republican majority and two Republicans voting against itAlthough the standoff may have contributed to the Republican Partys reverses in elections this month â which Trump acknowledged â it was also taking a toll on Democratic Party supporters who worked for the federal government and were not receiving their salaries and the poor who depended on government aidThis wore out some Democrats in the Senate who decided to end the shutdownDemocrat Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez who joined Republicans to vote in the House to end the shutdown reflected their moodShe said none of her friends who rely on food assistance âwould want to trade their dinner for an ambiguous Washington DC beltway âmessaging victoryââThe defections though have created a rift in the party and some Democrats have criticised the partyâs leader in the Senate Chuck Schumer for not stopping the defectionsTrump has threatened to take an axe to Obamacare and proposed giving the subsidies directly to people eligible for it and letting them use it to choose their own insuranceHe said the subsidies go to the insurance companies enriching them and sending their stocks soaringHidden in the bill is an extraneous provision making it illegal for federal prosecutors to search senators phone records without notice and provides for compensation of as much as 500000 for violationsIt is retroactive to 2022 and was prompted by prosecutors searching senatorsâ phone records during the investigations into the January 2021 protests by Trumpâs supporters who broke into the Capitol while Congress was ratifying former President Joe Bidenâs election IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/longest-us-govt-shutdown-ends-as-trump-signs-legislation-to-fund-federal-operations-648320.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 11:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/faridabad-jem-units-plot-multiple-coordinated-blasts-ayodhya-target-among-plans-648332.html New Delhi Nov 13 Fresh details emerging from the investigations into the Delhi Red Fort blast clearly point towards a major plot that was in the making Investigators can now confirm that the JaisheMohammads Faridabad terror module had planned not only to carry out a series of blasts but also to hold a major recruitment driveAn official said that the plan was to build one of the biggest terror modules which would spread across the length and breadth of the countryIn the first phase the JeM sought to target major cities in North India Further they wanted to expand towards Maharashtra the Northeast and then South India officials saidThe Telegram chats of the accused showed the outfits expansion plansThe accused discussed carrying out at least six coordinated blasts in many parts of North India This also included a major blast outside the Ram Mandir in AyodhyaThe first target was however Delhi since the terror group wanted to challenge the security agenciesBy hitting the national capital the message the JeM wanted to send was that it is capable of carrying out an attack anywhere and would succeed even if the security was tightThe terror group sought to convey a message that they are hitting the Ram Mandir to avenge the demolition of the Babri MasjidThe Ayodhya issue has been a major tool for several terror groups over the years to recruit youth This time around too the intention was the sameThe remaining four planned blasts were meant to show the outfits strength and create panic Further the terror group also wanted to avenge the losses it faced during Operation Sindoor The JeM was one of the worst hit during this operationAn Intelligence Bureau official said that such attacks were not just meant to send a message in India so that the youth would be impressed and join the group This was also meant to send a message in Pakistan where the JeM is finding it hard to recruit peopleAfter Operation Sindoor many have stayed away from the group making it hard for the JeM to operateDuring the first phase of the campaign the JeM pieced together a module in Faridabad Once the manpower was in place they found places in Nuh Haryana to source the ammonium nitrateAfter this was done the plan was discussed both in person and through Telegram channelsOnce the locations were fixed the module began preparing the explosivesIn the final phase the explosives were distributed among the operativesDuring the course of the execution the dates were changed several times The initial plan was to execute the attacks on August 15 This plan was changed and then they decided to carry out attacks on December 6Another chat transcript suggested that if the December 6 date does not go through then they would carry out the coordinated operations on January 26However the busting of the Faridabad module led to panic and the blast took place prematurely according to investigatorsSources said that a similar plan was in place for the rest of the country They were in the process of creating similar modules and executing blasts in the rest of the countryThe module members were told that they would move towards other parts of the country once the first plan relating to North India was executed IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/faridabad-jem-units-plot-multiple-coordinated-blasts-ayodhya-target-among-plans-648332.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 12:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/philippines-steps-up-tb-fight-targets-12-million-screenings-by-2026-648333.html Manila Nov 13 The Philippines has been intensifying its fight against tuberculosis TB with an ambitious goal to screen 12 million Filipinos nationwide by 2026 the countrys Department of Health DOH said on Thursday To expand and accelerate TB services the agency said on social media that it has proposed a 42billionpeso about 71 million budget for 2026 nearly double the 26 billion pesos 44 million earmarked in 2025In the Philippines we are already using ultraportable AIpowered chest Xrays and WHOrecommended Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests to quickly screen and diagnose TB cases Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa was cited by the DOH as sayingAn innovative alloral regimen for drugresistant TB cuts treatment time from two years to only six months Herbosa addedGlobally an estimated 107 million TB cases were recorded in 2024 with 68 per cent in the Philippines according to the World Health Organization Around 100 Filipinos die of tuberculosis daily Xinhua news agency reportedAccording to the World Health Organization TB is caused by bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis and it most often affects the lungs TB is spread through the air when people with lung TB cough sneeze or spit A person needs to inhale only a few germs to become infectedEvery year 10 million people fall ill with tuberculosis TB Despite being a preventable and curable disease 15 million people die from TB each year â making it the worldâs top infectious killerTB is the leading cause of death of people with HIV and also a major contributor to antimicrobial resistanceMost of the people who fall ill with TB live in low and middleincome countries but TB is present all over the world About half of all people with TB can be found in 8 countries Bangladesh China India Indonesia Nigeria Pakistan Philippines and South AfricaAbout a quarter of the global population is estimated to have been infected with TB bacteria but most people will not go on to develop TB disease and some will clear the infection Those who are infected but not yet ill with the disease cannot transmit it IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/philippines-steps-up-tb-fight-targets-12-million-screenings-by-2026-648333.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 13:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/unearthing-myanmars-cybercrime-hubs-and-rescue-of-indians-from-chinese-mafia-clutches--648343.html New Delhi November 13 In the first week of November 2025 two Indian Air Force IAF transport aircraft landed at Hindon Air Base carrying 270 rescued Indian nationals including 26 women These were not victims of a natural disaster or a foreign war They were survivors of a new silent conflictâa global network of cyber slavery run by transnational crime syndicates many with deep Chinese linksThe victims were among hundreds trapped in cyber scam compounds in Myawaddy Myanmarâan area notorious for hosting organized criminal hubs tied to the socalled Chinese mafiaThis latest rescue coordinated by the Ministry of External Affairs MEA the Indian embassies in Thailand and Myanmar and executed through IAF airlifts from Chiang Mai marks one of Indiaâs most sophisticated humanitarian and intelligenceled operations in recent memoryBehind the successful repatriation lies a disturbing reality Over the past two years thousands of young Indians have been deceived with promises of lucrative digital jobs in Southeast Asia only to end up enslaved in compounds run by Chinese syndicates and local militiasThese victims were forced into executing online scams crypto frauds and romance cons under threat of torture and deathAccording to opensource intelligence data between January 2022 and May 2024 at least 29466 Indians traveled to Cambodia Thailand Myanmar and Vietnam on tourist visas and never returnedMany are feared to have fallen into similar cyber slavery networks an expanding digital underworld feeding off desperation and deceptionThe Chinese Mafiaâs Shadow EmpireThe criminal infrastructure behind these scams stretches from Cambodiaâs Sihanoukville to Laosâ Golden Triangle and Myanmarâs Myawaddyâregions that have become the dark nerve centers of Southeast Asiaâs shadow digital economyAt its core lies a Chinese mafia network comprising rogue businessmen triadlinked investors and organized cybercrime syndicatesThese groups exploit lawless border zones and weak governance to establish fortresslike scam compoundsâcomplete with armed guards surveillance systems and private militias The infamous KK Park and Shwe Kokko complexes in Myanmar where many Indians were imprisoned are among the most prominentWhile these facilities outwardly claim to be âtech parksâ or âinvestment zonesâ intelligence reports and satellite imagery have exposed them as cybercrime hubs operated by Chinese syndicates with local rebel protectionThe scam operations themselves are highly structured Workers are forced to execute âpigbutcheringâ scamsâlongcon online frauds blending romance crypto and investment lures that target victims in the US Europe and IndiaThose who fail to meet targets are beaten starved or sold to other compounds for a higher âpriceâTestimonies from rescued Indians reveal the sheer brutality of this system Satish a restaurant manager from Maharashtra was lured online with a âdigital marketing jobâ in Thailand Once inside Myawaddy his passport was seized and he was beaten for minor mistakesâWe were sold for 5000â he told officials after his rescue âBeaten if we refused punished if we slowed down They said China people owned the campâIn another case Pradeep Vijay a 24yearold from Maharashtra spent nearly a year trapped in a Chineserun cyber compound His family eventually paid â¹10 lakh in ransom for his release after enduring months of silence and fearThese stories reveal the chilling reach of Chinalinked syndicates that now run a modern slave economyâpowered not by plantations or factories but by laptops and stolen identitiesA Diplomatic Triumph Amid ChaosIndiaâs November rescue operation stands as a major success in this murky geopolitical theatre When Myanmarâs military launched operations in late October to regain control over Myawaddy chaos eruptedMany scam operatorsâprimarily Chinese nationalsâfled abandoning their compounds In the confusion hundreds of captive workers including Indians escaped across the Moei River into Thailandâs Mae Sot regionIndian diplomatic teams in Bangkok and Yangon immediately swung into action Working with Thai police Interpol and Myanmar authorities they identified and verified the stranded victims Two IAF aircraft were dispatched to Chiang Mai to fly the rescued Indians back home to Hindon Air BaseThis was not Indiaâs first operation Earlier in 2025 the MEA had coordinated similar missionsâ549 Indians were rescued in March over 60 in April and now 270 in NovemberEach mission demanded careful negotiation with multiple governments and intelligence coordination to trace victimsâ digital footprints across borders controlled by warlords and militiasThe MEAâs Crisis Management Cell supported by cyber intelligence agencies worked round the clock to map recruitment networks identify compound locations and coordinate repatriationIndian officials acknowledge that this mission required significant backchannel discussions with Thai and Myanmar counterpartsâparticularly in regions where official law enforcement is practically absent and local armed groups operate with tacit Chinese supportIndiaâs Strategic Response to a Transnational ThreatThe Indian governmentâs reaction to the crisis has been clear and calculated protect citizens dismantle trafficking networks and build deterrence through diplomacy and awarenessThose rescued from the Myawaddy cyber hubs are now undergoing debriefing by Indian authorities Officials have clarified that this process is not punitive but preventiveâaimed at uncovering recruitment routes identifying Indian accomplices and exposing the operational structures of these criminal syndicatesâWe want to know how it beganâ a senior MEA source told The Hindu âOur goal is to break the chain that enables such crimes not to punish the victimsâThe Indian Embassy in Bangkok has since issued a stern advisory warning citizens against dubious overseas job offers and reminding travelers that tourist visas are not for employment Yet despite multiple advisories young Indians continue to be lured by fake recruitment ads promising salaries in dollars and a chance to work abroadThai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul recently disclosed that about 500 Indian nationals were stranded in Thailand after fleeing Myawaddy He identified the KK Cyber Hub as a major node of global online fraud calling it a âthreat to Thailandâs national credibilityâFor India this is not merely a humanitarian issueâitâs a national security challenge The same networks that traffic Indian workers are also involved in global cybercrime cryptocurrency fraud and money laundering operations that can destabilize economiesBeyond Rescue A Battle for the Digital FrontierOperation Myawaddy has reaffirmed Indiaâs growing ability to project humanitarian and strategic influence beyond its bordersThe synergy between the MEA the IAF and Indiaâs intelligence agencies reflects a state apparatus that is increasingly adept at handling complex transnational crisesBut the larger war is far from over The rise of cyber slaveryâfueled by Chinese mafia syndicates transnational cartels and local militiasârepresents a new kind of global threat It thrives in the grey zones of digital anonymity and geopolitical instability where borders mean little and human lives are expendableIndiaâs success in rescuing its citizens from these cyber gulags sends a powerful message that the state will not abandon its people no matter how deep they are trapped in foreign criminal networksMore importantly it signals Indiaâs emergence as a responsible power willing to confront the darker side of globalizationâwhere crime technology and exploitation intersectThe writer is founder and editor of Milli Chronicle Media UK is an analyst and geopolitical commentator He frequently appears on Indian and international media offering insights on the Middle East extremism and the politics of South Asia IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/unearthing-myanmars-cybercrime-hubs-and-rescue-of-indians-from-chinese-mafia-clutches--648343.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 13:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/global-leaders-condemn-delhi-blast-extend-support-to-india-648345.html Singapore city Nov 13 Several world leaders condemned the deadly terror attack near the Red Fort Metro Station in Delhi which claimed several lives and injured many The incident occurred on Monday evening when a Haryanaregistered car parked near Gate No1 of the Red Fort Metro Station exploded killing several people and injuring over 20The Indian Union Cabinet declared it a terrorist attack saying in a resolution âThe country has witnessed a heinous terror incident perpetrated by antinational forces through a car explosionâThe cabinet directs that the investigation into the incident be pursued with the utmost urgency and professionalism so that the perpetrators their collaborators and their sponsors are identified and brought to justice without delayâ the resolution addedCondemning the attack Singaporeâs Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan expressed solidarity with IndiaâSingapore strongly condemns the terror incident involving a car explosion near New Delhiâs Red Fort on 10 Nov Heartfelt condolences to the families of victims May those injured recover soon EAM S Jaishankar â Singapore stands in solidarity with India in this difficult timeâ Balakrishnan posted on XIn response to the statement External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar took to X statingâ Value your sentiments of solidarity FM Vivian BalakrishnanâSouth Koreas Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun offered heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in the horrific attackâI am deeply saddened by the news of the explosion in Delhi On behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Korea I offer my sincere condolences to the people of India who lost their loved ones I wish the injured a full and speedy recovery and a swift return to normal lifeâ Hyun posted on XAdditionally Irish Ambassador to India Kevin Kelly extended support to India condemning terrorism in all formsâHeartfelt condolences to the victims and speedy recovery to those injured in the Delhi terror attacks Terrorism has no place in society We strongly condemn all forms of terrorism and stand with the Indian peopleâ Kelly posted on X IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/global-leaders-condemn-delhi-blast-extend-support-to-india-648345.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 13:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/fm-muttaqi-tears-into-pakistans-military-circles-says-afghanistan-wont-bear-your-burdens-648352.html New Delhi Nov 13 Afghanistanâs Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Thursday accused Pakistan of repeated airspace violations and making âunrealistic and unreasonableâ demands during recent bilateral talks in Istanbul asserting that Afghanistan would defend its sovereignty if provoked In a stronglyworded address FM Muttaqi said tensions between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and âcertain military circles within Pakistanâ have risen due to Islamabadâs repeated breaches of Afghan sovereigntyâOur airspace and markets were bombed and even the skies above our capital were violatedâ he stated adding that Afghanistan was left with âno choice but to respondâMuttaqi revealed that three rounds of negotiations â first in Qatar and later in Istanbul â failed because Pakistan demanded from Kabul that no security incidents would occur in PakistanâHow can we be responsible for Pakistanâs internal security Do we control their police or armyâ he asked calling the demand âillogicalâThe Afghan minister alleged that Daesh ISIS elements are being trained inside Pakistan to attack Afghanistan and urged Islamabad to âstop such actionsâHe further claimed Pakistan suggested relocating TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP fighters into Afghanistan â an idea he dismissed as âcreating chaosâResponding to Pakistani claims that militants cross from Afghanistan Muttaqi questioned how such movements were possible given Pakistanâs heavily fenced and guarded Durand Line âYou have technology cameras and hundreds of checkposts If fighters still cross why canât you stop themâ he askedHe accused Pakistan of blaming Afghanistan for its internal instability economic woes and political turmoil saying âYou fought wars with India had clashes with Iran and now face unrest with TehreekeLabbaik Pakistan â will you blame all of that on AfghanistanâMuttaqi condemned Pakistanâs expulsion of Afghan refugees and the closure of trade routes remarking that âa nuclear power is using its strength against onions and tomatoesâReaffirming Kabulâs position he said âAfghanistanâs soil will not be used against anyoneâ and called for âreasonable practical diplomacyâMuttaqi also expressed hope that âhonourable scholars and politicians of Pakistanâ would help restore calm between the two neighbouring Muslim nations IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/fm-muttaqi-tears-into-pakistans-military-circles-says-afghanistan-wont-bear-your-burdens-648352.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 14:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/un-calls-for-immediate-aid-for-earthquake-victims-in-northern-afghanistan-648378.html Kabul Nov 13 The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs OCHA has called for urgent aid for earthquake victims in northern Afghanistan as hundreds of families remain homeless and vulnerable to freezing temperatures local media reported on Thursday Hundreds of families have lost their homes in the earthquake of 63 magnitude that struck Balkh province killing at least 27 people and injuring nearly 1000 others Nearly 1000 homes were destroyed due to the earthquake leaving many families homeless and exposed to freezing temperatures Afghanistans leading news agency Khaama Press reportedOCHA stated that earthquake victims urgently require support to reconstruct their homes and secure shelter to survive the freezing temperatures in the coming monthsImpacted families in Balkh and Samangan provinces have demanded reconstruction of their homes to ensure their safety and basic living conditions as the winter is approachingHumanitarian groups have been providing food blankets and shelter materials to affected families Officials warned that delays in providing aid to impacted families could further intensify the crisis and increase sufferingAid agencies have been making efforts to reach people living in remote areas However challenging terrain and winter weather may slow down their relief workAuthorities stressed the importance of international support to stop further loss of life and ensure safety of vulnerable families in the upcoming winter seasonMeanwhile the United Nations warned that 90 per cent of families in Afghanistan face severe food shortagesThe United Nations Development Programme UNDP said nine out of 10 Afghanistan families have been forced to reduce food consumption or sell assets to survive a situation exacerbated by Afghan refugees returning from Iran and Pakistan Khaama Press reportedUNDP Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Kanni Wignaraja warned that restrictions on women working in humanitarian and reconstruction projects have reduced access to essential servicesThe report released on November 13 is based on a survey conducted of nearly 49000 Afghan families which includes over 1500 refugee families The return of approximately 23 million is further putting severe strain on recovery efforts in Afghanistan IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/un-calls-for-immediate-aid-for-earthquake-victims-in-northern-afghanistan-648378.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 15:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-mobile-internet-services-suspended-in-balochistan-yet-again-648382.html Quetta Nov 13 The Pakistani authorities have suspended mobile phone internet services for three days in several districts of Balochistan including Quetta and Chaman citing security concerns The suspension has disrupted communication business activity and daily life of residents in Balochistan the local media reported on Thursday Authorities say that they have halted mobile data services in Quetta as part of precautionary measures Mobile data services were also disrupted in suburbs of Chaman Pakistanbased Samaa TV reported citing official sourcesAccording to the Balochistan Home Department mobile internet data service has been suspended in various districts of Balochistan for three days They stated that the decision was taken considering the law and order situation though no formal notification has been issued regarding the decision so farLocals have said that they are facing severe difficulties due to the ongoing shutdown People involved in online businesses freelancing and digital services have expressed concern noting that their work has come to a standstill due to the internet shutdown Residents have said that suspension of mobile internet services has disrupted communication and other essential daily activitiesLast month the Balochistan government suspended mobile data services in Quetta for 24 hours due to the peculiar law and order situation In a letter sent on October 30 the Balochistan government requested Pakistans Ministry of Interior that the relevant authorities be directed to suspend 3G4G internet services in Quetta on October 31 for 24 hours Pakistans leading daily Dawn reportedThe letter stated Owing to the peculiar law and order situation and threat perceptions the services of 3G and 4G services are required to be jammed in district QuettaEarlier in August the authorities suspended mobile data services in Balochistan citing security reasons Education online businesses and media reporting had faced widespread disruptions in Balochistan due to the suspension of internet services in August Officials had said that the decision was taken on the security agencies recommendation keeping in view rising tensions especially around National Day celebrations in Pakistan IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-mobile-internet-services-suspended-in-balochistan-yet-again-648382.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 15:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-two-more-dengue-deaths-raises-sindhs-2025-toll-to-29-648417.html Islamabad Nov 13 Two more women have died due to dengue in Karachi and Hyderabad raising the death toll in Pakistans Sindh to 29 in 2025 according to provinces Health Department local media reported on Thursday The department said one of the patients who died due to dengue lived in Liaquatabad area of Karachi According to the department 5412 tests were conducted in Sindh during the last 24 hours Among these 976 people tested positive for dengue Pakistans leading daily Dawn reportedA total of 3951 tests were conducted in Karachi division out of which 528 tested positive In Hyderabad division 1461 tests were carried out with 448 confirmed casesHealth Secretary Rehan Baloch stated that 127 new dengue patients were admitted to government hospitals while 84 were taken to private hospitals in the past 24 hoursMeanwhile 96 patients were discharged from government hospitals while 79 were discharged from private hospitals after recoverySo far in October 8331 dengue cases have been reported in Sindh increasing the total number of cases in 2025 to 13908Presently 269 patients are receiving treatment in government hospitals and 184 in private hospitals in SindhLast week the Pakistan Medical Association PMA urged the government to declare a health emergency in the most affected parts of Sindhs Karachi and Hyderabad and start taking effective vectorcontrol measures as per the Dawn reportThe association demanded an independent audit of Sindhs dengue prevention and control programme and monitoring municipal services to find and hold the officials responsible for the deteriorating situation accountableThe dengue crisis is a manmade tragedy rooted in the systemic dysfunction of government bodies The lack of political will to ensure sanitation waste management and timely and effective fumigation has turned our cities into breeding grounds for the Aedes mosquito Every death reported is a verdict on the failure of the local government and the provincial Health Department it said It also slammed delayed and ineffective fumigation and what it termed as a collapse of municipal services IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-two-more-dengue-deaths-raises-sindhs-2025-toll-to-29-648417.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 18:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-and-spain-review-bilateral-ties-discuss-issues-of-mutual-concern-648440.html New Delhi Nov 13 India and Spain on Thursday held the 8th round of Foreign Office Consultations reviewing the entire spectrum of bilateral ties The meeting was cochaired by Secretary West at the Ministry of External Affairs MEA Sibi George and Diego Martinez Belio Secretary of State for Foreign and Global Affairs of Spain During the meeting the two sides exchanged perspectives on regional and global issues of mutual concern including in global fight against terrorismIn a post on X Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated Secretary West Sibi George held the 8th Round of IndiaSpain Foreign Office Consultations with Mr Diego MartÃnez Belio Secretary of State for Foreign and Global Affairs of SpainIn the discussions the two sides reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral ties especially in the context of the upcoming IndiaSpain Year of Culture Tourism and Artificial Intelligence They also exchanged perspectives on regional and global issues of mutual concern including in global fight against terrorism India reiterated its policy of zero tolerance against terrorism it addedEarlier in October External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar extended wishes to his Spanish counterpart Jose Manuel Albares and people of Spain on their National Day and expressed Indias commitment to deepening tiesBest wishes to FM Jose Manuel Albares the Government and the people of Spain on their National Day Value the deepening of our multifaceted cooperation EAM Jaishankar posted on XIn May EAM Jaishankar held telephonic conversation with Jose Manuel Albares and discussed Indias firm and measured response to crossborder terrorismIn a post on X he wrote Spoke with FM Jose Manuel Albares of Spain Discussed Indiaâs firm and measured response to crossborder terrorismThe conversation took place after the Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor targeting nine terror locations in Pakistan and Pakistanoccupied Kashmir PoK in response to the dastardly April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs PahalgamTies between India and Spain have been cordial since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1956 Spain is Indiaâs 6th largest trade partner in Europe according to Consulate General of India in Spain statement Defence partnership between India and Spain has witnessed rapid growth in recent years Cultural exchange is an important component of IndiaSpain bilateral ties IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-and-spain-review-bilateral-ties-discuss-issues-of-mutual-concern-648440.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 19:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/eam-jaishankar-meets-global-leaders-at-g7-fms-meet-in-canada-648193.html Ontario Nov 12 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar held a series of bilateral meetings with world leaders on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Niagara Canada The EAM met Scott Moe Premier of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan where the two sides explored ways to deepen collaboration in areas including energy food and fertiliserValue his warm sentiments towards our relationship he posted on X on WednesdayThe EAM also met his Mexican counterpart Juan Ramon de la Fuente to discuss strengthening cooperation between India and Mexico across key sectorsTaking to X EAM Jaishankar wrote A pleasure to meet FM Dr Juan Ramón de la Fuente of Mexico Discussed further advancing our cooperation across business trade health amp pharmaceuticals and science amp technologyFollowing his meeting with South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola EAM shared on X stating Nice to catch up with South Africa FM Ronald Lamola in Niagara todayIndia is participating in the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting as an invited partner under the Canadian presidency alongside countries such as Brazil Australia and South KoreaThe twoday event focuses on global security economic resilience energy cooperation and strengthening partnerships in the IndoPacific regionIn a statement on Monday the Ministry of External Affairs said that EAM Jaishankars visit reflected Indias continued commitment to work with international partnersEAMs participation in the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting reflects Indias continued commitment to working with international partners in addressing global challenges and bolstering the voice of the Global South in international fora it addedThe External Affairs Minister is expected to hold further interactions with counterparts from other participating nations before the formal conclusion of the G7 ministerial sessions in Canada on November 12 IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/eam-jaishankar-meets-global-leaders-at-g7-fms-meet-in-canada-648193.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 12:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/indo-canadian-minister-visiting-delhi-to-advance-trade-links-with-india-648196.html New Delhi Nov 12 Canadian Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu will be travelling to New Delhi from Wednesday to find opportunities to advance trade and investment linkages between Canada and India He will visit Visakhapatnam on November 14 to attend the Confederation of Indian Industry Partnership Summit said the Office of the Minister of International TradeDuring his visit Minister Sidhu will promote Canadas commitment to supporting and growing the wellestablished commercial ties shared by Canada and India including artificial intelligence clean technology and digital industries and explore new opportunities for partnerships that benefit workers and businesses in both countriesThis visit to India will reinforce Canadas commitment to diversifying our trade relationships and attracting new investment an official statement quoting Sidhu saidAs one of the fastestgrowing major economies India offers significant opportunities for Canadian businesses and workers Our commercial ties continue to expand bilateral trade surpassed 30 billion in 2024 and there is even greater potential aheadBy deepening cooperation in areas such as energy clean technology artificial intelligence and agriculture we can unlock new commercial opportunities drive innovation and build more resilient and secure supply chains that deliver shared prosperity for both our countriesThe IndoCanadian with roots in Punjab was previously a parliamentary secretary to International Development Minister Karina GouldSidhu of the Liberal party has been reelected to a third term in Brampton East in the April 28 federal electionIndia is a key partner as Canada strengthens its economic links in the IndoPacific region under a comprehensive strategy for the regionIn 2024 India was Canadas seventhlargest goods and services trading partner with twoway trade valued at 309 billionCanadas commercial priorities in India are targeted at the countrys policy objectives and sectors where Canada has a comparative advantage including agriculture clean technology digital industries and infrastructureIndia is expected to become the worlds thirdlargest economy in the coming yearsCanada is committed to supporting and growing its wellestablished commercial ties with India including in the agriculture critical minerals and energy sectors IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/indo-canadian-minister-visiting-delhi-to-advance-trade-links-with-india-648196.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 12:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-ex-first-ladys-lawyers-ask-court-to-grant-bail-for-health-reasons-648202.html Seoul Nov 12 Lawyers for former first lady Kim Keon Hee asked a court on Wednesday to grant immediate bail citing her deteriorating health in prison during her bail hearing The hearing was held at the Seoul Central District Court after Kim filed for bail on November 3 citing the need to treat worsened symptoms of anxiety and dizzinessKim under arrest since August has been standing trial on charges of involvement in stock price manipulation schemes meddling in candidate nominations for elections and taking bribes from the Unification Church in exchange for favoursKims lawyers said that she lost consciousness several times in the past and her health is now in very bad condition in prison unable to receive proper treatment Yonhap News Agency reportedThey said she can accept all bail conditions such as limiting the residence to home and hospital a ban on cell phone use and wearing an electronic deviceThey also said that it is too harsh to put Kim and her husband former President Yoon Suk Yeol under arrest at the same time Yoon has been in custody while standing trial over his failed bid to impose martial law in DecemberSpecial counsel prosecutors however opposed her bail arguing that if she were released there would be great concern about the destruction of evidence such as through collusion with her associatesKim did not speak in person but only listened with her head bowed during the hearingOn November 5 Kim Keon Hee admitted that she received two Chanel bags from a shaman but denied they were in exchange for favours for the Unification ChurchIn a statement released by her lawyers Kim made the admission for the first time while also denying allegations that she received a highend Graff necklace from the churchFirst lady Kim Keon Hee admits that she received bags as gifts from Jeon Seongbae on two occasions the statement said referring to the shaman However she makes it clear that there was no collusion with the Unification Church or request or exchange of any form in the process She also denies outright receiving a Graff necklaceThe bags and the jewellery are at the centre of allegations that the former first lady took bribes in exchange for her help in gaining business favours for the church following Yoons election in March 2022According to the special counsel team investigating the allegations Jeon delivered the goods to Kim at the request of a former church official surnamed Yoon between April and July that yearThe bags have been priced at 8 million won USD 5500 and 12 million won each while the necklace has been valued at 62 million wonKim said she initially declined the bags but later accepted them at Jeons persuasion IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-ex-first-ladys-lawyers-ask-court-to-grant-bail-for-health-reasons-648202.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 13:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/memorial-foundation-launched-to-honour-un-forces-who-fought-in-korean-war-648203.html Seoul Nov 12 A foundation was launched Wednesday to honour tens of thousands of United Nations forces who fought for South Korea in the 195053 Korean War with an inauguration ceremony held in Seoul As its first commemorative project the foundation plans to erect a memorial wall bearing the names of about 40000 UN forces who served in the civil war through fundraising from government corporate and individual donorsIt will also seek to install sculptures depicting combat troops from 16 participating countries as well as those from six US military units under the title UN forces on Korean battlefields Yonhap News Agency reportedEnvisioned projects also include the creation of a commemorative park in central Seoul to enhance public accessThe Korean War ended in a truce not a peace treaty leaving the two Koreas technically still at war Nearly 180000 South Korean and UN Command troops were killed during the war including 36940 AmericansSixteen countries provided combat troops to fight on the Souths side including Canada France New Zealand Turkey Thailand and EthiopiaOn November 7 the veterans ministry said that South Korea will hold an annual ceremony next week to commemorate the UN forces who fought in the 195053 Korean WarThe UN Veterans International Memorial Day will take place at the UN Memorial Cemetery in Busan some 330 kilometres southeast of Seoul on Tuesday according to the ministryThe event will bring together 80 war veterans from 14 countries including the United States Britain Colombia Turkey and Belgium and their bereaved family membersThe eldest veteran to participate is Luis A Garcia Velandia from Colombia aged 100 who fought in the battle of Old Baldy alongside the South Korean and US armies to defeat Chinese troops in June 1952During their trip slated for Saturday to Thursday the war veterans will pay their respects at the war memorial in Seoul on Sunday as well IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/memorial-foundation-launched-to-honour-un-forces-who-fought-in-korean-war-648203.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 13:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/jems-doctor-module-chose-delhi-to-showcase-its-return-say-officials-648205.html New Delhi Nov 12 Investigators probing the Delhi blast case have learnt that the Faridabad module had planned a series of blasts across the country but their first target was always Delhi Delhi was chosen as the first target by the JaisheMohammadrun Faridabad module to send out a strong message to the security agenciesThe terror group wanted to make a big announcement and also showcase their ability to strike in the national capitalSuch attacks the intelligence agencies said make a terror group stronger and this is used as a major recruitment toolWhile the attack did kill eight people the terror group had however not intended for it to happen this wayThe bomber was possibly told to ram the explosiveladen vehicle into the Red Fort However he panicked and detonated the explosives in the traffic following the busting of the Faridabad module an official notedInvestigations showed that the attack was immaculately plannedIt was probably planned over the last four to five monthsHowever it was not a module that came up overnight The radicalisation of the doctors had been taking place for a longThe radicalisation wing was not based in Jammu and Kashmir It chose the people from Uttar Pradesh This was an intentional ploy as these persons were aware that the security agencies radar in Jammu and Kashmir is exceptionally highThe probe further revealed that the attackers were in touch with their Afghanistanbased handlers These handlers are part of the JaisheMohammad JeM cells that have been active in Afghanistan since 2021The JeM clearly had a very different strategy in this module It has chosen highly educated persons to be part of the module and also to execute terror attacks This is because the radar of the agencies on such persons especially doctors is lowerDr Shaheen Saeed who was arrested for being part of this module would visit Jammu and Kashmir numerous times Over there she met with Maulvi Irfan Ahmed on several occasions Through her he had managed to recruit the others who were part of the moduleShe used her profession as a tool to escape scrutiny from security agenciesFurther the JeM wanted intelligent persons to be part of the module Not only do such persons manage to avoid detection but they also contribute more to the moduleMoreover when educated persons are tasked with radicalisation they have a good convincing power This also helps boost recruitment an official pointed outIntelligence Bureau officials said that it is clear that this module wanted to target major citiesThey however wanted to target Delhi first because it not only sends a message but also spreads panicMeanwhile the investigating agencies are looking for more cars procured by the accusedThe police say that it is important to track these vehicles as they were clearly procured to carry out such vehicleladen explosions in other parts of the countryFurther the police during the probe also learnt that the original plan was to carry out a bomb attack during Diwali However the plan was aborted as there was too much security in place an official saidNow investigators suspect that after the Diwali plan was aborted the accused persons had planned an attack on the Red Fort on January 26 However after the Faridabad module was busted the bomber Umar Nabi panicked and prematurely detonated the car IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/jems-doctor-module-chose-delhi-to-showcase-its-return-say-officials-648205.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 13:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/as-risks-multiply-for-energy-need-for-diversification-and-global-cooperation-more-urgent-iea-648219.html New Delhi Nov 12 Countries around the world are contending with pressing energy security threats and growing longerterm risks across an unprecedented range of fuels and technologies thrusting energy into the heart of geopolitical tensions and elevating it as a core issue of economic and national security In this context the latest edition of the IEAâs World Energy Outlook WEO underscores the need for governments to pursue greater diversification of supplies and increased cooperation with one another to help navigate the uncertainties and turbulence aheadThe 2025 edition of the WEO the most authoritative global source of energy analysis and projections covers a broad range of trajectories highlighting different opportunities and vulnerabilities but also commonalitiesIt does this through three main scenarios none of which are forecasts Each maps out a distinct energy future enabling an analysis of the implications of different policy investment and technology choices for energy security affordability and emissionsAmong the many trends common to all the scenarios in this yearâs WEO is the worldâs growing need for energy services over the coming decades with demand rising for mobility heating cooling lighting and other household and industrial uses and increasingly for data and AIrelated servicesIn particular a group of emerging economies led by India and Southeast Asia and joined by countries in the Middle East Africa and Latin America comes to increasingly shape energy market dynamics in the years aheadCollectively they take up the baton from China which accounted for half of global oil and gas demand growth and 60 per cent of electricity demand growth since 2010 although no country or group of countries comes close to replicating Chinaâs energyintensive riseAmid these shifts traditional energy risks affecting the security of oil and gas supply are now accompanied by vulnerabilities in other areas most visibly in supply chains for critical minerals due to high levels of market concentrationA single country is the dominant refiner for 19 out of 20 energyrelated strategic minerals with an average market share of around 70 per cent The minerals in question are vital for power grids batteries and EVs but they also play a crucial role in AI chips jet engines defence systems and other strategic industriesGeographic concentration in refining has increased for nearly all key energy minerals since 2020 and particularly for nickel and cobaltAnalysis in this yearâs WEO of the pipeline of announced projects suggests that reversing this process is set to be slow calling for stronger action by governmentsâWhen we look at the history of the energy world in recent decades there is no other time when energy security tensions have applied to so many fuels and technologies at once a situation that calls for the same spirit and focus that governments showed when they created the IEA after the 1973 oil shockâ said IEA Executive Director Fatih BirolâWith energy security front and centre for many governments their responses need to consider the synergies and tradeoffs that can arise with other policy goals on affordability access competitiveness and climate change The WEOs scenarios illustrate the key decision points that lie ahead and together provide a framework for evidencebased datadriven discussion over the way forwardâElectricity is at the heart of modern economies and electricity demand grows much faster than overall energy use in all scenarios in WEO2025Investors are reacting to this trend Spending on electricity supply and enduse electrification already accounts for half of todayâs global energy investmentFor the moment electricity accounts for only about 20 per cent of final energy consumption globally but it is the key source of energy for sectors accounting for over 40 per cent of the global economy and the main source of energy for most householdsâAnalysis in the World Energy Outlook has been highlighting for many years the growing role of electricity in economies around the world Last year we said the world was moving quickly into the Age of Electricity and itâs clear today that it has already arrivedâ Birol saidâIn a break from the trend of the past decade the increase in electricity consumption is no longer limited to emerging and developing economies Breakneck demand growth from data centres and AI is helping drive up electricity use in advanced economies tooGlobal investment in data centres is expected to reach 580 billion in 2025 Those who say that âdata is the new oilâ will note that this surpasses the 540 billion being spent on global oil supply a striking example of the changing nature of modern economiesâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/as-risks-multiply-for-energy-need-for-diversification-and-global-cooperation-more-urgent-iea-648219.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 15:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/slammed-for-irresponsible-behaviour-pak-pm-says-regional-peace-depends-on-talibans-actions-648226.html Islamabad Nov 12 Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said that the regional peace and stability relies on Taliban taking concrete action against terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan including the TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP the Afghan media reported In his remarks at the International Conference of Speakers in Islamabad Sharif expressed Pakistans willingness to cooperate with the Taliban if they take âdecisive and verifiable stepsâ against groups threatening crossborder security Afghanistans leading news agency Khaama Press reported Our doors for dialogue and cooperation remain open he saidSharif stated that repeated militant attacks have stalled economic growth of Pakistan and stopped investment particularly in border regions where violence continues to impact development He stated that diplomatic efforts for peace and stability would continue through every possible channelHis remarks came after failure of three rounds of negotiations between Pakistan and Taliban with both sides accusing each other of not agreeing on a mechanism to monitor and combat crossborder terrorism Tensions between two nations have escalated in recent months with major clashes erupting between forces of Afghanistan and Pakistan in OctoberA ceasefire was agreed between the two sides on October 15 which had been extended during the two rounds of talks held on October 19 in Doha and October 25 in IstanbulMeanwhile the Taliban Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad Naeem blamed Pakistans unrealistic demands and lack of coordination for the failure of talks between the two nations local media reported on TuesdayNaeem stated that there was no outcome from the negotiations due to Pakistani sides âirresponsible and uncooperative behaviour despite what he termed Talibanâs goodwill and the efforts of mediators Khaama Press reportedHe said that certain factions of Pakistans military did not intend to resolve issues through dialogue He further said that blaming Taliban for all the security problems faced by Pakistan was unjustifiedNaeem expressed Talibans readiness to resume talks with Pakistan through diplomacy and mutual understanding whenever Islamabad demonstrates goodwill and makes reasonable demands IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/slammed-for-irresponsible-behaviour-pak-pm-says-regional-peace-depends-on-talibans-actions-648226.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 16:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-formally-entrenches-military-dominance-within-constitutional-framework-report-648255.html Colombo Nov 12 Pakistans 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill formally entrenches the militarys dominance within the constitutional framework The measure presented as a way to increase operational efficiency and interservice coordination in Pakistan effectively institutionalises military dominance further ending civilian control over national security and foreign policy a report has stated Supporters of the bill have claimed that it will end years of fragmented coordination and lead to a coherent defence structure The Pakistani government has insisted that Pakistan by removing interservice rivalries and streamlining decisionmaking will be better positioned to address external threats a report in Sri Lanka Guardian detailed However critics have warned that the amendment is a calculated move to formalise militarys political supremacy under constitutional frameworkOpposition parties lawyers bodies and civilian groups have denounced it as person specific aimed to perpetuate Pakistans Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munirs authority and protect the establishment from judicial or parliamentary scrutiny The ruling coalitions support for the bills passage showcases civilian leaderships reliance on the armed forcesPakistans 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill passed on November 8 2025 marks a decisive transformation in the countrys power structure formally entrenching the militarys dominance within the constitutional framework The amendment establishes the Chief of Defence Forces CDF unifying command over the Army Navy and Air Force while abolishing the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Though presented as a measure to enhance operational efficiency and interservice coordination it effectively institutionalises military supremacy further eroding civilian control over national security and foreign policy the Sri Lanka Guardian report mentionedAt the centre of this transformation stands the Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir set to become the first CDF By amending Article 243 the legislation grants him lifelong privileges retention of rank and immunity comparable to that of the President Consolidating operational command strategic oversight and control over nuclear and intelligence assets in a single office the amendment cements the Army Chiefs primacy within the state apparatus The creation of a Commander of the National Strategic Command appointed on the CDFs recommendation further strengthens this concentration of authority and centralises the military chain of command it addedThe amendment showcases a further regression in Pakistans democratic evolution and formalises the militarys position as the supreme arbiter of state policy The judiciary and parliament in Pakistan are marginalised while opposition parties face an environment shaped by military oversight and selective implementation as per the reportThe 27th Amendment completes Pakistans transition to a system where the Army is both guardian and governor hollowing out democratic institutions and embedding militarisation within the constitutional order The militarys domestic consolidation and regional assertiveness will shape South Asias strategic landscape reinforcing the reality that Pakistans generals not its politicians remain the ultimate arbiters of national destiny With the addition of more Baloch activists into the Fourth Schedule list the Pakistan establishment is trying to solve the Baloch crisis with extreme repression Given the present state of the rising Baloch insurgency this latest move can only fuel further bloodshed the report in leading Lankan media outlet emphasised IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-formally-entrenches-military-dominance-within-constitutional-framework-report-648255.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 19:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-congresswoman-extends-condolences-over-delhi-blast-says-closely-monitoring-situation-648152.html Washington Nov 12 US Congress member Sydney KamlagerDove has extended her condolences to the victims of the blast near Red Fort in Delhi saying her heart goes out to all those affected In a statement to IANS on Tuesday local time KamlagerDove said My heart goes out to all those affected by the explosion at Delhis Red Fort and I extend my sincerest condolences to those who lost loved onesThe Democratic Congresswoman from California also added that she is monitoring the situation and the ongoing investigationsI will continue to closely monitor developments as law enforcement investigates and more details emerge she told IANSAt least eight people were killed and 20 were injured when a car exploded near the Red Fort on Monday evening Indian timeThe US State Department had also said that its closely monitoring the situation and stand ready to provide consular assistanceIn an exclusive response to IANS a State Department Spokesperson said We are aware of the explosion near Red Fort in Delhi We are closely monitoring the situation and stand ready to provide consular assistanceIn a separate post on X the State Department Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs wrote Our hearts are with those affected by the terrible explosion in New Delhi We continue to closely monitor the situation Our sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones Praying for the speedy recovery of those injuredThe blast took place in a Hyundai i20 car at 652 pm on Monday near the Red Fort Metro Station leaving mangled bodies and damaged cars scattered in the busy areaThis incident also came after police busted a terror module linked to JaisheMohammad JeM and Ansar GhazwatulHind terror outfits in Faridabad and seized 2900 kg of explosives and a huge cache of arms and ammunitionPolice also announced that over the past few days they have arrested two JampK doctors Adil Ahmad Rather and Muzammil who were linked to these terror outfits which according to the sources panicked the module and led to the blastInvestigators believe the blast may have occurred after one of the suspects Dr Umar Mohhamad panicked while transporting the explosives sources saidPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday assured that our investigative agencies will get to the bottom of this conspiracyAll those responsible will be brought to justice he addedOn Tuesday Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a meeting with senior officials and instructed them to hunt down each and every culprit behind this incidentChaired review meetings on the Delhi car blast with the senior officials Instructed them to hunt down each and every culprit behind this incident Everyone involved in this act will face the full wrath of our agencies Shah posted on X IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-congresswoman-extends-condolences-over-delhi-blast-says-closely-monitoring-situation-648152.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 06:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-flight-disruptions-continue-as-government-shutdown-nears-end-648153.html Washington Nov 12 Air travellers across the United States continued to face disruptions as airlines cancelled more than 1700 flights and delayed over 14000 others Despite a Senate vote on Monday local time to reopen the government the Federal Aviation Administration FAA expanded flight cuts at major airports on TuesdayThe FAA announced deeper reductions in domestic flights at 40 of the nations busiest airports raising the mandated cut to 6 per cent on Tuesday up from 4 per cent last weekThe agency said the decision was made to relieve pressure on air traffic control centres which have been operating with reduced staff for more than six weeksThe reduction is expected to increase further to 8 per cent on Thursday and 10 per cent by Friday if the shutdown continuesThe US House of Representatives will hold a vote on Wednesday and if passed it would be signed into law by US President Donald TrumpTransportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Tuesday urged Congress to swiftly approve a bipartisan spending bill to end the 42day shutdown which has disrupted federal agencies delayed payments and strained key sectors of the economyIf the House does its work tomorrow were well on our way to getting air travel back to normal Duffy said at a news conference at Chicago OHare International Airport where he provided updates on the flight situationMajor travel hubs including Chicago OHare New Yorks JFK and LaGuardia Atlanta Washington and DallasFort Worth reported the highest concentration of cancellationsIn a post on Truth Social on Monday Trump said he would recommend 10000 bonuses for air traffic controllers who continued to work through the shutdown while warning that those skipping shifts could face penaltiesThe FAA and the Transportation Security Administration TSA have both reported increasing absenteeism as employees work without pay for the 42nd consecutive day The FAA said its priority remains maintaining safety while minimising disruptionsAirlines have cancelled more than 9000 flights since the FAA began ordering cuts last week IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-flight-disruptions-continue-as-government-shutdown-nears-end-648153.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 06:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/eam-jaishankar-holds-talks-with-key-foreign-ministers-at-g7-in-canada-648154.html Washington Nov 12 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar held a series of bilateral meetings with his counterparts from France Brazil the United Kingdom and Germany on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Niagara Canada Jaishankar met French Foreign Minister JeanNoel Barrot where the two sides reviewed the IndiaFrance Strategic Partnership and discussed ways to deepen cooperation in multilateral and plurilateral formatsTook stock of our Strategic Partnership Discussed deepening our cooperation in multilateral and plurilateral formats Jaishankar said in a post on XHe also met Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and recognised the recent progress in our bilateral cooperation adding that both nations are actively exploring greater collaboration in trade investment health and technologyIn his engagement with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper Jaishankar said he acknowledged the positive momentum in our relations and reaffirmed the IndiaUK Vision 2035 for further deepening cooperation across key areasJaishankar also held discussions with Germanys Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on advancing IndiaEU ties and exchanged views on developments in the Middle East the IndoPacific and Afghanistan Discussed advancing our Strategic Partnership and IndiaEU ties Exchanged views on Middle EastWest Asia IndoPacific and Afghanistan he posted on XIndia is participating in the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting as an invited partner under the Canadian presidency alongside countries such as Brazil Australia and South Korea The twoday event focuses on global security economic resilience energy cooperation and strengthening partnerships in the IndoPacific regionIn a statement on Monday the Ministry of External Affairs said that Jaishankars visit reflected Indias continued commitment to work with international partnersEAMs participation in the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting reflects Indias continued commitment to working with international partners in addressing global challenges and bolstering the voice of the Global South in international fora it addedThe External Affairs Minister is expected to hold further interactions with counterparts from other participating nations before the formal conclusion of the G7 ministerial sessions in Canada on November 12 IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/eam-jaishankar-holds-talks-with-key-foreign-ministers-at-g7-in-canada-648154.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 06:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/iraqis-seek-stability-and-reform-after-parliamentary-elections-648155.html Baghdad Nov 12 Iraq held the sixth parliamentary election since the 2003 USled invasion with over 20 million eligible voters casting ballots at 8703 polling centres to choose among 7744 candidates competing for 329 parliamentary seats The voting process began at 700 am local time on Tuesday and ended at 600 pm local time under the supervision of the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission IHEC More than 2200 women were among the candidates contesting in what Iraqi leaders described as a pivotal moment for the countrys futureThe voting came amid a mandatory election silence period imposed for security reasons Iraqs last parliamentary elections in 2021 sparked violent clashes in the capital Baghdad and nearly a year of political deadlock before a government was formedIt has also faced a notable boycott from influential Shiite cleric Moqtada alSadr and his followers who cited the persistent corruption within the political processIn a televised address to the nation on Friday Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia alSudani urged Iraqis to vote in the most important election since 2003 saying it would determine the future of Iraq for the next 20 yearsAlSudani cast his ballot on Tuesday at a polling centre in the Karrada district of central Baghdad He was notably accompanied by his elderly mother in a wheelchair underscoring the elections significance for all citizens reported Xinhua news agencyThese elections which are held on their constitutional date affirm the principle of the peaceful transition of power under the new political system in Iraq alSudani told reporters after votingEvery vote holds significance for Kurdistan Participate and vote to help shape your future and that of our country said Nechirvan Barzani president of Iraqs Kurdistan Regional Government after voting in ErbilMeanwhile Iraqi voters have expressed clear priorities focused on change and developmentFor the sake of the future and change for the better I participated in this important parliamentary election Alaa Mahmoud an Education Ministry employee said after voting at the alMasarra polling centre in central BaghdadWe must participate so that we can change the old faces with new ones that work to solve previous challenges and advance the national situation Mahmoud addedHawraa Ali a teacher highlighted the shifting national focus The security situation has returned to normal and now we look forward to providing and improving services I elected someone I trust will work to improve education and this is important for the future of the countryMedia Professor Mohammed alJubouri of alIraqia University in Baghdad noted that the election represents the Iraqi peoples aspirations for longterm stability and comprehensive developmentThese elections offer a vital opportunity to reinforce the foundations of the political structure and ensure that the next government can effectively work towards lasting stability and reform for the benefit of all citizens he saidThe current sixth round of parliamentary elections is considered one of the most important We hope to see a good turnout as the Commission has provided all the elements necessary for a successful polling process Saddam Thabit IHEC Director of Baghdads Karkh area told Xinhua IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/iraqis-seek-stability-and-reform-after-parliamentary-elections-648155.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 07:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/obama-thanks-korean-vietnam-war-veterans-on-honour-flight-to-washington-648156.html Washington Nov 12 Former US President Barack Obama has expressed his appreciation to a group of Korean War and Vietnam War veterans aboard an honour flight ahead of Veterans Day stressing that their sacrifices will be honoured today and every day Obama made a surprise appearance in front of the veterans on the flight from Madison Wisconsin to Washington according to a video clip that he posted on X on TuesdayThe trip was organised by the Honour Flight Network a nonprofit organisation that gives such flights to veterans and their families to honour them reports Yonhap news agencyTo all those who bravely served our country thank you to you and your family for your extraordinary service Obama wrote on X The sacrifices that all of you have made to protect our country will be honoured today and every dayCatching the veterans by surprise Obama also delivered a message to thank the retired soldiers via the intercom on the planeAs we approach Veterans Day I wanted to stop by and just say thank you for your extraordinary service he said To you your family the sacrifices that all of you made to protect our country is something that will always be honoured and we are very gratefulThe Honour Flight Network which consists of over 128 hubs across the country runs the program to honour veterans of World War II the Korean War and the Vietnam War by bringing them to the US capital to visit memorials commemorating their sacrifices according to its websiteIt transports roughly 22500 veterans annually It has flown over 300000 veterans to Washington over the last 20 yearsThe network said its vision is to achieve a nation where all of Americas veterans experience the honour gratitude and community of support they deserve IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/obama-thanks-korean-vietnam-war-veterans-on-honour-flight-to-washington-648156.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 07:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/severe-storm-cause-widespread-damage-on-greeces-northeast-islands-648157.html Athens Nov 12 Heavy rainfall and hailstorms swept across Greeces northeastern Aegean islands over the past 24 hours causing extensive flooding and major damage to homes businesses and crops local authorities said On Lesvos Island the town of Kalloni was among the hardest hit with streets houses and dozens of shops submerged after the Tsiknias River overflowed Floodwaters reached up to 13 metres in some areas while emergency crews worked for hours to pump water from buildings reports Xinhua news agencyLocal officials said the flooding was worsened by debris blocking a nearby bridge The historic Kremasti Bridge also sustained damage when floodwaters carried a large shipping container into itOn Samos Island a powerful overnight storm brought torrential rain and hailstones the size of small walnuts officials said The severe weather flooded homes and damaged roads while heavy hail destroyed olive crops at the height of the harvest seasonLocal authorities have requested emergency financial aid from the government to repair infrastructure and support affected farmersGreece has experienced an increasing number of extreme weather events in recent years which scientists link to climate changeThousands of farmers and livestock breeders staged demonstrations across Greece on Tuesday urging the government to provide stronger financial support to the countrys primary production sectorIn Athens union representatives from across the country gathered outside the Ministry of Rural Development and Food in a rally organised by the National Union of Agricultural CooperativesCarrying banners and chanting slogans such as No farmers no food no future protesters called for faster distribution of subsidies and compensation for losses caused by natural disasters and livestock diseasesFarmers also requested additional assistance to cope with rising production costs and the impact of a recent sheep and goat pox outbreak which led to the culling of about 400000 animals nationwide this year IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/severe-storm-cause-widespread-damage-on-greeces-northeast-islands-648157.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 07:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-infant-formula-recall-expanded-amid-widening-infant-botulism-outbreak-648158.html Los Angeles Nov 12 The recall of ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula in the United States has been expanded to include all products as infant botulism cases continued to rise across multiple states according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC As of Monday 15 infants with suspected or confirmed infant botulism had been reported from 12 states according to an update from the CDCs official website While laboratory confirmation is still underway for several cases reports Xinhua news agencyAmong the 14 cases with illness onset information available symptoms began between August 9 and November 10 said the CDC adding that all 15 infants were hospitalised and treated with BabyBIG an intravenous medication used for infant botulism with no deaths reportedFor the 14 infants with age and sex information available the CDC said that patients ranged from 16 days to 157 days old and half were femaleByHeart initially recalled two lots of its Whole Nutrition infant formula on November 8 However the CDC and the US Food and Drug Administration FDA warned that additional lots may also be contaminated and linked to ongoing illnessesOn Tuesday the company expanded its recall to all ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula products including all unexpired lots of formula cans and singleserve sticksThe CDC and FDA urged parents and caregivers to stop using any ByHeart infant formula products immediatelyAccording to the CDC symptoms of infant botulism often include constipation poor feeding loss of head control and difficulty swallowing and may take several weeks to appear after ingestion of contaminated formula IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-infant-formula-recall-expanded-amid-widening-infant-botulism-outbreak-648158.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 08:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/three-dead-56-rescued-as-boat-capsizes-off-greek-island-648159.html Athens Nov 12 Three people have died and 56 others were rescued after a migrant boat capsized off the southern Greek island of Gavdos according to the state broadcaster The Hellenic Coast Guard on Tuesday local time said a largescale search and rescue operation was continuing in rough weather conditions to locate possible missing persons Survivors were unable to confirm how many people had been on board when the vessel sank reports Xinhua news agency quoting the state broadcaster ERTThe European Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex is assisting Greek authorities in the ongoing operation The nationalities of the victims and survivors have not yet been confirmedGavdos located south of the island of Crete lies near routes often used by migrants attempting to reach Europe from North Africa Greece has been one of the main entry points for irregular migrants and refugees into the European Union since 2015 when more than 1 million people crossed its borders mainly from TurkeyOver the years hundreds have lost their lives in the Mediterranean Sea while trying to reach Europe in unseaworthy boats prompting repeated calls from humanitarian organisations for stronger rescue coordination and safer migration routesA day earlier four people died after a migrant boat sank off the Greek island of LesvosAnother seven migrants were rescued the Greek coast guard said A search and rescue operation was ongoing despite being hindered by strong winds reaching force six on the Beaufort scaleThe exact number of people on board at the time of the incident remains unclear as the survivors all Sudanese nationals do not speak English making communication difficult IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/three-dead-56-rescued-as-boat-capsizes-off-greek-island-648159.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 08:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/eam-jaishankar-canadas-anita-anand-discuss-rebuilding-bilateral-ties-648162.html Ontario Nov 12 External Affairs Minister EAM SJaishankar met his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Niagara and expressed hope for rebuilding a stronger partnership During the meeting the EAM praised the progress made under the New Roadmap 2025 aimed at enhancing bilateral ties between India and CanadaDelighted to meet with FM Anita Anand of Canada today Congratulated her on hosting the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting Appreciated the progress in implementation of the New Roadmap 2025 Look forward to the further rebuilding of our bilateral partnership Jaishankar posted on X on WednesdayEAM is on a visit to Canada to participate in the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting with Outreach Partners at the invitation of Anita AnandThis visit comes just a month after Anands recent visit to India where the two ministers agreed on an ambitious cooperation roadmap for bilateral tiesOn October 13 EAM Jaishankar and Anand held discussions to restore and reinvigorate the mechanisms necessary to advance the bilateral partnershipThe Ministers recognised that in the context of ongoing global economic uncertainty and rising geopolitical tensions a strong and resilient IndiaCanada bilateral relationship is essentialA joint statement released following their talks stated that in keeping with the priorities that the Prime Ministers of India and Canada had set out for bringing momentum to the relationship both sides based on mutual respect for shared democratic values the rule of law and a commitment to upholding the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity reached consensus on a New Roadmap for IndiaCanada relationsReviving this partnership will not only create opportunities for enhanced economic cooperation but also help mitigate vulnerabilities arising from shifting global alliances ensure more reliable supply chains and reinforce strategic stability in an increasingly complex international environment it mentionedEarlier in June Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis Canada for a crucial bilateral meeting aimed at reviving strained relations IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/eam-jaishankar-canadas-anita-anand-discuss-rebuilding-bilateral-ties-648162.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 08:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trumps-big-turnaround-on-h-1b-visas-says-us-needs-foreign-talent-648163.html Washington Nov 12 US President Donald Trump defended the H1B visa programme saying the country needs foreign talent for certain industries In an interview with Fox News Laura Ingraham on Tuesday local time Trump was asked if his administration planned to deprioritise H1B visas He replied You do have to bring in talentWhen Ingraham countered We have plenty of talent Trump responded No you dontYou dont have certain talentsâAnd people have to learn you cant take people off an unemployment line and say Im going to put you into a factory Were going to make missiles he addedTrumps statement comes even as he launched a crackdown on H1B visas in September through a proclamation imposing a hefty application fee of 100000Last week the US Department of Labor DOL launched at least 175 investigations into potential abuses within the H1B visa programme as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to crack down on the foreign worker visa systemThe initiative dubbed Project Firewall was launched in September to target companies allegedly exploiting the visa system which allows US firms to hire foreign workers in speciality occupations such as information technology engineering and healthcareThe Department of Labor is using every resource at our disposal to put a stop to H1B abuse and protect American jobs the DOL Secretary Lori ChavezDeRemer said in a post on XIn October Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that he was directing the states Board of Governors to end the use of H1B visas across state universities saying that positions currently held by visa holders should be filled by Florida residentsWhy are we bringing people in to assess our accreditation on an H1B visa We cant do that with our own people DeSantis said adding that the practice amounts to cheap labour and calling on university leaders to reassess hiring practicesDays later the White House reiterated that President Donald Trumps priority in reforming the Hâ1B visa programme is to put American workers first and vowed to fight lawsuits filed against the administrations crackdownThe administrations H1B visa policy has faced broad opposition from lawmakers and legal challenges with two major lawsuits filed in courts including the one by the US Chamber of Commerce the countrys biggest business organisationOn October 31 five US lawmakers wrote a letter to Trump urging him to reconsider his September 19th proclamation on H1B visas due to its potentially negative impacts on the IndiaUS relationshipIndiaborn workers received over 70 per cent of the total approved H1B visas in 2024 primarily due to a huge backlog in approvals and a high number of skilled immigrants from India IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trumps-big-turnaround-on-h-1b-visas-says-us-needs-foreign-talent-648163.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 09:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-gives-pre-emptive-pardon-to-indian-american-republican-activist-647936.html New York Nov 11 US President Donald Trump has given a preemptive pardon to Indian American Republican Party activist C B Chandra Yadav along with several highprofile political figures allegedly involved in Trumps attempts to change the 2020 election results Trumps pardons announced on Monday cover only possible federal offences and federal prosecutors cannot charge him in the futureTrumps Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said These great Americans were persecuted and put through hell by the Biden Administration for challenging an election which is the cornerstone of democracyYadav could however face statelevel charges in Georgia regarding his alleged involvement in the 2020 election case as Trumps pardon does not extend to state cases because the US judicial system separates federal and state prosecutionsA grand jury a panel of citizens that determines if there is a prima facie case in Georgia recommended in 2023 charging him in the alleged election interference case along with only 38 othersBut local prosecutors did not prosecute himThe pardon is symbolic because it is unlikely that federal prosecutors would bring charges against him and it does not apply to state prosecutionsJustice Department Pardon Attorney Ed Martin released the names of people who were given the presidential reprieve and it included Trumps lawyers former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani Sidney Powell John Eastman and his former chief of staff Mark MeadowsIn his order Trump said the pardon ends grave national injustice perpetrated on the American people following the 2020 Presidential Election and continues the process of national reconciliationThe alleged interference with the 2020 election centered around Trumps reported request to Georgia officials to find enough votes to overturn former President Joe Bidens win in the stateYadav and some others allegedly submitted a fake list of electors who were to participate in the electoral college that finally elects the presidentThe pardon does not cover Trump and were he to attempt a selfpardon it would face legal questionsYadav serves on the Georgians First Commission which examines ways to promote business growth in Georgia by cutting red tape as well as on several other state and local panelsHe is the owner and CEO of the Gope group of companies and his businesses include several grocery stores and motelsHe graduated from B N College of Engineering in Pusad Maharashtra before coming to the US for graduate studies in management IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-gives-pre-emptive-pardon-to-indian-american-republican-activist-647936.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 08:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-says-us-pretty-close-to-signing-trade-deal-with-india-647937.html Washington Nov 11 US President Donald Trump said he is very close to signing a trade agreement with India We are making a deal with India much different deal than we had in the pastWere getting a fair deal just a fair trade deal Were getting closeI think were pretty close to doing a deal thats good for everybody Trump addedTrump made the remarks during the swearingin ceremony of Sergio Gor the next US ambassador to IndiaTrump also said that he has a fantastic relationship with Prime Minister Modi and termed India one of Americas most important international relationshipsIm trusting Sergio to help strengthen one of our countrys most important international relationships and thats the strategic partnership with the Republic of India Its a big deal India is home to one of the worlds oldest civilisations the largest country in the worldWe have a fantastic relationship with Prime Minister Modi and Sergio has only enhanced that because hes become already friendly with the Prime Minister Trump saidSergio Gor was sworn in by Vice President JD Vance and senior members of the Trump administration such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent attended the ceremony in the Oval Office of the White HouseTrump also added that India is an amazing country which is also an important economic and strategic security partner in the IndoPacific regionSo I know you are Gor going to have a great success over this very important relationshipIts also the fastestgrowing middle class and its an important economic and strategic security partner in the IndoPacific region Its an amazing country he notedJD Vance also congratulated Gor and said he and President Trump love IndiaYoure going to be a great ambassador and a great representative to the country of India which the President and I both love he addedGor thanked Trump for nominating him for the Ambassadors position and vowed to enhance the IndiaUS relationshipIve been at your side for many years and I will continue to be there and its just an incredible honour and I look forward to enhancing the relationship between our two nations he emphasisedConfirmed by a Senate vote in October the 38yearold Gor is the youngest US ambassador to India He is one of the closest aides of Trump and was the Director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office entrusted with vetting more than 4000 posts in the new Trump administration IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-says-us-pretty-close-to-signing-trade-deal-with-india-647937.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 08:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-expresses-condolences-over-delhi-explosion-says-closely-monitoring-situation-647938.html Washington Nov 11 The US State Department reacted to the explosion near Delhis Red Fort saying it is closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to provide consular assistance In an exclusive response to IANS a State Department spokesperson said We are aware of the explosion near Red Fort in Delhi We are closely monitoring the situation and stand ready to provide consular assistanceIn a separate post on X the State Department Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs said Our hearts are with those affected by the terrible explosion in New Delhi We continue to closely monitor the situation Our sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones Praying for the speedy recovery of those injuredA powerful explosion ripped through cars parked near Delhis Red Fort Metro Station on Monday evening leaving at least 10 people dead and a dozen others injuredSeveral nearby vehicles caught fire due to the impact The injured have been admitted to LNJP Hospital where their condition is being monitoredNeighbourhoods in Old Delhi near the Red Fort are among the most crowded in the national capitalPolice NIA NSG and forensic teams reached the spot within minutes and the entire vicinity has been cordoned off CCTV footage from the area is being scanned to determine the cause of the explosionPrime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and wished a speedy recovery to the injuredHe also reviewed the situation with Union Home Minister Amit ShahThe Home Minister visited LNJP Hospital and has sought a detailed report from security agenciesFollowing the incident high alerts have been issued in Delhi Uttar Pradesh Bihar and Mumbai Security around crowded public places and religious sites is being enhanced and patrolling has been intensified IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-expresses-condolences-over-delhi-explosion-says-closely-monitoring-situation-647938.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 08:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/canada-offers-condolences-over-deadly-red-fort-blast-in-delhi-647940.html New Delhi Nov 11 The High Commission of Canada in India has expressed condolences to the families of those killed in the Red Fort blast in Delhi describing the explosion as horrific Canada offers its condolences to the families of the people who were killed in todays horrific explosion in New Delhi and wishes those injured a speedy recovery the High Commission said in a post on X formerly TwitterIn a separate post the mission also shared emergency contact details for Canadian citizens in India stating Canadians in need of emergency consular assistance can contact Global Affairs Canadas Emergency Watch and Response Centre at httpsowlyMRkZ50UyybIThe message came hours after a powerful explosion ripped through a Haryanaregistered car parked near Gate No1 of the Red Fort Metro Station killing at least ten people and injuring over a dozen others The impact of the blast set several nearby vehicles ablaze and damaged streetlights and parked cars in the vicinityThe injured have been admitted to LNJP Hospital where their condition is being closely monitored Police NIA NSG and forensic teams reached the spot within minutes of the explosion and the entire area has since been cordoned off Authorities are currently scanning CCTV footage to determine the exact cause of the blast and trace the sequence of eventsPrime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery He also reviewed the situation with Union Home Minister Amit Shah who later visited LNJP Hospital and sought a detailed report from the security agenciesThe Ministry of Home Affairs is monitoring the situation while high alerts have been issued in Delhi Uttar Pradesh Bihar and Mumbai Security has been tightened at crowded public places and religious sites with increased patrolling across sensitive areas IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/canada-offers-condolences-over-deadly-red-fort-blast-in-delhi-647940.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 08:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-draws-unsc-attention-to-pakistanarming-terrorists-usingdrones-demands-zero-tolerance-647944.html United Nations Nov 11 India has drawn the Security Councils attention to Pakistan sending arms to terrorists across the border including through the use of drones and demanded that the Security Council uphold zerotolerance for terrorism and its sponsors India has suffered due to crossborder terrorism carried out using illicit weapons trafficked across our borders including now through the use of drones Indias Permanent Representative P Harish said on MondayThe increase in the volume and sophistication of such arsenals reminds us that these groups cannot sustain themselves without being enabled financed or supported he saidHarish who spoke at a Security Council Open Debate on Small Arms did not name Pakistan but it was clear who he was referring toThe Security Council must continue to uphold a zerotolerance approach to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and to those who facilitate sponsor finance or enable the use and movement of such weapons he saidHe said India has fought the scourge of terrorism for several decades and is therefore aware of the dangers posed by the diversion and illicit transfer of small arms and ammunition to armed nonState actors and terrorist groupsSierra Leones Foreign Minister Alhaji Musa Timothy Kabba who presided over the meeting called for effective arms embargoes that are consistently enforced to prevent the proliferation of small weaponsHe said that with an estimated 850 million small arms in circulation globally about 650 million in civilian hands the small arms trade is often cited as among the least transparent of all weapon systemsHe said that it was imperative to prevent terrorists from getting armsBesides addressing the dangers from the nexus of terrorists and transnational criminal networks working together exploiting porous borders weak regulatory mechanisms attention should be paid to emerging threats such as craftproduced and 3Dprinted firearmsSecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres in his report to the Council warned about the emerging dangers from terrorists making weapons using 3D printing technologyThe CounterTerrorism Committees Executive Directorate has identified the manufacture of 3Dprinted small arms and light weapons parts and components by terrorists as an emerging Issue he saidMember States are encouraged to take steps to regulate through national legislation digital blueprints and the electronic sharing of designs and construction data for the illicit manufacturing of firearms and components he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-draws-unsc-attention-to-pakistanarming-terrorists-usingdrones-demands-zero-tolerance-647944.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 08:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/no-place-for-extremist-terrorism-in-modern-world-ex-bdesh-pm-hasina-on-delhi-blast-647949.html Dhaka Nov 11 Bangladeshs former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday vehemently condemned the horrific attack near Delhis Red Fort Metro Station calling it unacceptable under any circumstances The remarks came after a powerful explosion ripped through cars parked near Delhis Red Fort Metro Station on Monday evening leaving at least 10 people dead and a dozen others injured The impact of the blast set several nearby vehicles ablaze and damaged streetlights and parked cars in the vicinityHasina expressed deep sorrow and grief over the loss of innocent lives and extended her condolences to the bereaved families while wishing a speedy recovery to those injuredThere is no place for extremist terrorism in the modern world These extremist terrorist groups strike at the very foundations of a secular humane and welfareoriented state These terrorist groups rooted in Pakistan have infiltrated networks across countries including Bangladesh and are carrying out attacks in India to undermine regional peace and stability read a statement issued by Hasina which was posted on the Awami Leagues social media platformWe must resist these terrorists and preserve South Asian peace and stability by building bonds between peoples The Bangladesh Awami League gives its full support to Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this principled struggle against terrorism the statement addedHasina underscored that such heinous crimes against humanity have no place and deserve no forgiveness in todays civilised world She emphasised that wherever the roots of terrorism lie they must be eradicatedThose who support these terrorist groups in Bangladesh and elsewhere are enemies of humanity and we strongly denounce them as well Hasina stressedShe further expressed solidarity with the people of India and pledged every possible cooperation in the fight against terrorismWe remain unwavering in our stance against terrorism and militancy We believe that through the defeat of these terrorist groups justice and human rights will be upheld and the world will become safer Hasina stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/no-place-for-extremist-terrorism-in-modern-world-ex-bdesh-pm-hasina-on-delhi-blast-647949.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 09:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/conspirators-behind-delhi-car-blast-will-not-be-spared-pm-modi-in-bhutan-648001.html Thimphu Nov 11 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday assured action against the conspirators behind the deadly car blast in Delhi He stated that Indian agencies will get to the bottom of the conspiracy and assured that those behind the blast will not be spared In his remarks at Changlimethang Ground in Thimphu PM Modi said that India and Bhutan have shared a deep spiritual and cultural bond for centuriesHe said Today is a very important day for Bhutan for the Bhutanese royal family and for all who believe in world peace India and Bhutan have shared a deep spiritual and cultural bond for centuries And therefore it was Indias and my commitment to participate in this important occasionToday I come here with a very heavy heart The horrific incident that took place in Delhi yesterday evening has deeply saddened everyone I understand the grief of the affected families Today the entire nation stands with them I was in touch with all the agencies investigating this incident throughout last nightOur agencies will get to the bottom of this conspiracy The conspirators behind this will not be spared All those responsible will be brought to justice he addedPM Modis remarks came after a blast occurred in New Delhi on Monday evening when a Haryanaregistered car parked near Gate No 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station exploded killing at least eight people and injuring dozens High alerts have been issued in Delhi Uttar Pradesh Bihar and Mumbai with security around crowded public places and religious sites enhancedEarlier in the day PM Modi arrived in Thimphu for a twoday visit where he was warmly received by his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering TobgayThe visit aims to deepen IndiaBhutan partnership and reinforce Indias commitment to its Neighbourhood First PolicyLanded in Bhutan Grateful to Prime Minister Tobgay for the warm and gracious welcome at the airport This visit reflects the deep bonds of friendship and cooperation shared between our two nations India and Bhutan enjoy a timetested partnership anchored in trust goodwill and mutual respect I look forward to further strengthening our close ties during this visit PM Modi posted on XExtending a warm welcome to PM Modi Tshering Tobgay took to his social media platform stating I join the entire nation in welcoming my elder brother Prime Minister Narendra Modi to BhutanEarlier in his departure statement PM Modi said I will be visiting the Kingdom of Bhutan from 1112 November 2025 It would be my honour to join the people of Bhutan as they mark the 70th birth anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth KingPM Modis visit coincides with the exposition of the Sacred Piprahwa Relics of Lord Buddha from India He will also offer prayers to the Holy Relics at Tashichhodzong in Thimphu and participate in the Global Peace Prayer Festival organised by the Royal Government of BhutanReferring to this he said The exposition of the Sacred Piprahwa Relics of Lord Buddha from India during the organisation of the Global Peace Prayer Festival in Bhutan reflects our two countries deeprooted civilisational and spiritual tiesThe visit according to the Prime Minister will also mark another major milestone in our successful energy partnership with the inauguration of the PunatsangchhuII hydropower project IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/conspirators-behind-delhi-car-blast-will-not-be-spared-pm-modi-in-bhutan-648001.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 13:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/thousands-join-bhutan-king-in-praying-for-delhi-blast-victims-648018.html Thimphu Nov 11 Bhutanese King Druk Gyalpo on Tuesday led a prayer for the victims of the Delhi blast during a ceremony at Changlimethang Stadium in Thimphu He was joined by thousands of Bhutanese people who expressed solidarity with IndiaThe Bhutanese leadership conveyed their heartfelt condolences on the tragic loss of lives in the car blast near Delhis Red Fort Metro StationThe blast occurred in New Delhi on Monday evening when a Haryanaregistered car parked near Gate No 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station exploded killing at least eight people and injuring dozensPrime Minister Narendra Modi who is currently on a twoday Bhutan visit on Tuesday assured action against the conspirators behind the deadly car blast in DelhiIn his address at the Changlimethang Ground in Thimphu on Tuesday PM Modi said Today is a very important day for Bhutan for the Bhutanese royal family and for all who believe in world peace India and Bhutan have shared a deep spiritual and cultural bond for centuries And therefore it was Indias and my commitment to participate in this important occasionHe stated that Indian agencies will get to the bottom of the conspiracy and vowed that those behind the Delhi blast will not be sparedToday I come here with a very heavy heart The horrific incident that took place in Delhi yesterday evening has deeply saddened everyone I understand the grief of the affected families Today the entire nation stands with them I was in touch with all the agencies investigating this incident throughout last nightOur agencies will get to the bottom of this conspiracy The conspirators behind this will not be spared All those responsible will be brought to justice he addedThe Delhi Police have intensified their investigation into the car blast that occurred near the Red Fort revealing crucial details from CCTV footage that tracked the suspect vehicles movements hours before the explosionAccording to Delhi Police sources CCTV footage shows that the white i20 car was parked near the Red Fort parking area at around 319 pm remaining there for nearly three hours before it exited the parking at approximately 648 pmThe car was seen leaving the parking area at a time when there was heavy crowd movement in the vicinity police officials saidInvestigators are also tracing the vehicles full route from where it originated how it reached the Red Fort parking and how it later proceeded toward the traffic signal located directly in front of the monumentPolice officials confirmed that over 100 CCTV clips are being analysed including footage from nearby roads and parking toll plazas to map the vehicles journey and identify the suspectA case has been registered under UAPA Sections 16 and 18 along with provisions of the Explosives Act and several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita BNS IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/thousands-join-bhutan-king-in-praying-for-delhi-blast-victims-648018.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 14:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-receives-global-support-after-deadly-delhi-blast-648044.html Dublin Nov 11 Condolences pour in from several world leaders and foreign envoys to India following the deadly car blast near the Red Fort Metro Station in Delhi which claimed eight lives and left several injured The blast occurred on Monday evening when a Haryanaregistered car parked near Gate No1 of the Red Fort Metro Station exploded killing at least eight people and injuring dozensIrelands Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris took to his social media to extend solidarity with the people and the Indian governmentDeeply saddened by the tragic explosion in Delhi this evening Our thoughts are with all those who lost their lives the injured and their families We offer our full support and solidarity with the people and Government of India at this difficult time Harris posted on XChinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong also expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident and posted on X stating Saddened by the explosion near Delhis Red Fort metro station My deepest condolences to the victims and my thoughts are with everyone affectedThe German Ambassador to India Philipp Ackermann offered heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in the explosionDevastated and shocked by the news about yesterdays blast near the Red Fort in Delhi I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends who lost their loved ones in the explosion and I hope for a swift recovery of all those injured Ackermann posted on XExpressing solidarity and offering condolences to the victims the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said Ukraine shares the grief of the people and government of India following a tragic explosion in the heart of New Delhi that claimed lives and injured many We express condolences to the victims families and wish a speedy recovery to those who have been injuredUK Conservative Party MP Priti Patel also conveyed condolences to the families of those killed and urged the British Government to support its nationals in DelhiHorrifying reports from Delhi My thoughts are with the families of those killed the emergency responders amp the Indian people as they confront this dark moment The UK Government must support British nationals in Delhi amp respond to requests for assistance Patel posted on XThe messages from global leaders and diplomats reflect the international concern over the tragic incident that shook the national capital IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-receives-global-support-after-deadly-delhi-blast-648044.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 15:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-proud-to-be-key-partner-in-bhutans-development-journey-pm-modi-648078.html Thimphu Nov 11 IANS Asserting that India is proud to be a key partner in Bhutans development journey Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held a meeting with Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck discussing cooperation in sectors like energy capacity building connectivity technology defence and securityHad a very good meeting with His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck the King of Bhutan We covered the full range of IndiaBhutan relations We discussed cooperation in sectors like energy capacity building connectivity technology defence and security India is proud to be a key partner in Bhutans development journey PM Modi posted on X after the meetingThe twoday visit of PM Modi to Bhutan marks another major milestone in a highly successful bilateral energy partnership with the inauguration of the PunatsangchhuII hydropower projectEarlier in the day after his arrival in Thimphu from New Delhi Prime Minister Modi joined today the King of Bhutan the Royal Family the Government and people of Bhutan at the event to mark the 70th birth anniversary of Jigme Singye Wangchuck the Fourth King of Bhutan held at the Changlimithang Stadium On the occasion the Bhutan King led a collective prayer in remembrance of the victims of the Delhi blastThe Prime Minister addressed the gathering and conveyed the warm wishes of the people of India to His Majesty the Fourth King and to the people of Bhutan He highlighted the transformative reign of His Majesty which saw the emergence of Bhutan as a modern nationstate and as a constitutional democratic monarchy Under the Fourth Kings leadership Bhutan introduced the unique concept of Gross National Happiness blending economic growth with sustainability read a statement issued by the Prime Ministers Office PMOThe Prime Minister thanked His Majesty the Fourth King of Bhutan for his invaluable contribution to the special friendship between India and Bhutan His Majesty the Fourth King has personally shaped the IndiaBhutan partnership over the years across all sectors of bilateral cooperation The Prime Minister expressed that the relationship will continue to benefit from His Majestys guidance and wise counsel The Prime Minister also commended the vision and steadfast efforts of His Majesty the King of Bhutan in successfully carrying forward the illustrious legacy of His Majesty the Fourth King He underscored Bhutans remarkable progress under His Majestys leadership as well as the enduring friendship and close partnership between India and Bhutan it addedPM Modi also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the people of Bhutan for their moving gesture of solidarity with India during the programme In the wake of the tragic incident in Delhi the people of Bhutan offered a unique prayer for the victims and their families The Prime Minister acknowledged this profound act of compassion and unity stating I will never forget this gesture https://dailyworld.in/international/india-proud-to-be-key-partner-in-bhutans-development-journey-pm-modi-648078.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 17:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/world-leaders-express-solidarity-with-india-offer-condolences-over-delhi-blast-648113.html TokyoKathmandu Nov 11 Several world leaders on Tuesday expressed solidarity with India and offered condolences following the deadly car blast near Delhis Red Fort that has claimed several lives and injured many Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi offered condolences to the families of the victims of the Delhi car blast and prayed for the speedy recovery of injured peopleI am in deep sorrow to learn that many precious lives were lost in the explosion that occurred in Delhi India On behalf of the Government and people of Japan I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the victims and their bereaved families I also offer my sincere prayers for the swift recovery of the injured Takaichi posted on XThe blast occurred on Monday evening when a Haryanaregistered car a Hyundai i20 exploded near the Red Fort Metro StationNepal Prime Minister Sushila Karki also expressed sadness over the tragic Delhi blast emphasising that Kathmandu stands in solidarity with IndiaIn a statement shared on X Karki stated I am shocked and saddened by the tragic Delhi explosion last evening Deepest condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured Nepal stands in solidarity with India in this hour of griefMalaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed sadness over the explosion that occurred in Delhi In a post on X Ibrahim wrote I am deeply saddened by the explosion near the Red Fort in Delhi on Monday evening which has claimed several lives and injured many others My heartfelt condolences go to the victims families and to the people of India as they mourn this senseless tragedyIf confirmed to be an act of terror it deserves the strongest condemnation There can be no justification for violence that targets innocent lives and sows fear among ordinary people I also pay tribute to the first responders and to the authorities working to determine the cause of the blast and to bring those responsible to justice Our thoughts and prayers are with all who are affected he addedSri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed solidarity with the people of India He wrote on X Saddened by news of the explosion in Delhi last evening Sri Lanka stands in solidarity with the people of India Our thoughts are with all those affectedIsrael Foreign Minister Gideon Saar offered condolences to the people of India including the families of the victims killed in the blast in Delhi He expressed Israels support to India in its fight against terrorI extend my and Israels deepest condolences to the People of India and especially to the families of the innocent victims killed in the blast at the heart of Delhi Wishing speedy recovery to the wounded Israel stands with India in its fight against terror Saar posted on XIn a regular press briefing on Tuesday Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian offered sympathies to the bereaved families and wished speedy recovery to those injured in the blastWhen asked about Chinas comment on blast that occurred in Delhi Lin said China noted reports about the explosion in New Delhi As we have learned there are no Chinese casualties so far We are shocked by the incident We mourn for the lives lost extend sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured and wish the injured speedy recovery IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/world-leaders-express-solidarity-with-india-offer-condolences-over-delhi-blast-648113.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 20:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-people-hold-protests-in-balochistan-demand-end-to-enforced-disappearances-648115.html Quetta Nov 11 Protests were recently held in Khuzdar and Hub districts of Pakistans Balochistan with families and rights activists calling for the recovery of missing persons and end to enforced disappearances across the region local media reported During the protests in Khuzdar the people marked three years since the enforced disappearance of Salman Baloch Protesters including families of the disappeared and local residents held banners and photographs of their loved ones demanding justice and immediate recovery of all victims of enforced disappearances The Balochistan Post reportedSalman Balochs family stated that they have no information regarding his whereabouts or his conditions since past three years Salman Balochs sister said Today marks three years since the disappearance of my brother Salman Baloch We organized this rally to demand justice truth and the return of our loved one For three years we have been waiting endlesslyAn online campaign was launched on social media where human rights activists and people expressed solidarity with the familyMeanwhile missing youth Maroof Koh Balochs family in Hub Chowki blocked the KarachiQuetta highway at Hub Bhawani calling for his release The sitin led to suspension of traffic and long queues of vehicles along the highwayHeavy contingent of police personnel were deployed at the site of the protest Authorities stated that efforts were being made to hold talks with the protesters who vowed to continue their protests until whereabouts of Maroof Koh Baloch are revealedOn Monday Paank the Baloch National Movements Human Rights Department condemned the enforced disappearance of Amjid Baloch a resident of Zarin Bugh Dasht of Kech district The rights body alleged that Amjid was forcibly disappeared by Pakistani intelligence personnel from Jinnah International Airport in KarachiAccording to his family Amjid a labourer returning from the United Arab Emirates was seized by plainclothes men suspected to be linked with Pakistani intelligence agencies shortly after his arrival Since then his whereabouts remain unknown and his family has received no information about his condition or detention Paank stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-people-hold-protests-in-balochistan-demand-end-to-enforced-disappearances-648115.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 20:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/mos-margherita-calls-on-cuban-president-discusses-bilateral-cooperation-648124.html Havana Nov 11 Minister of State MoS for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita on Tuesday called on Cuban President Miguel DiazCanel Bermudez in Havana with their discussions focusing on enhancing bilateral cooperation Following their meeting Margherita in a post on X wrote Called on the President of Cuba HE Miguel DiazCanel Bermudez and discussed matters of bilateral cooperationEarlier in the day Margherita visited Fidel Castro Centre in Havana and paid tribute to Cubas revolutionary leadership and the countrys deep bonds of friendship with IndiaVisited the Fidel Castro Centre in Havana Paid tribute to the enduring legacy of Cubas revolutionary leadership and its deep bonds of friendship with India Margherita wrote on XOn Monday Margherita arrived in Havana for an official visit after concluding his visit to Bolivia where he represented India at the inauguration ceremony of Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz PereiraUpon arrival in Cuba Margherita in a post on X wrote Arrived in Havana on an official visit to Cuba in the 65th year of diplomatic relations The visit underscores Indias commitment to strengthening historic ties and advancing cooperation across sectorsAccording to the Ministry of External Affairs MEA the MoS would be discussing strengthening bilateral relations including in the areas of health and medicine digital public infrastructure and capacity building during his Cuba visitIndia and Cuba share excellent bilateral ties which have traditionally been warm and friendly India was among the first nations to extend recognition to the new Cuban government following Cuban revolution in January 1959 according to Ministry of External Affairs MEA The visit of Major Ernesto Guevera Che to India in 1959 consolidated diplomatic ties which fructified in opening embassies in respective capitals India and Cuba maintain close contacts with each other in United Nations UN NonAligned Movement NAM and other international fora IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/mos-margherita-calls-on-cuban-president-discusses-bilateral-cooperation-648124.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 21:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-faces-rising-political-turmoil-since-ouster-of-former-pm-hasina-report-648133.html Dhaka Nov 11 Several rights groups have expressed serious concerns over ongoing abuses in Bangladesh under the Muhammad Yunusled interim government The country has been gripped by political turmoil since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted in August 2024 following a mass studentled demonstration a report said on Tuesday Citing a report from Dhakabased rights organisation Odhikar leading German media outlet Deutsche Welle DW stated that at least 281 people had been killed in political violence following the fall of the Awami League governmentThe report recorded 40 victims of extrajudicial killings and 153 lynching incidents with many deaths attributed to Bangladeshi security forces including the police and the armyâIn its October report the Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation MSF an NGO also warned there was a rise in unidentified bodies and deaths in custody The group reported that 66 unidentified bodies had been recovered nationwide in October alone and 13 custodial deaths were reported during the same periodâ the DW report detailedSpeaking to DW Nur Khan a member of the Bangladesh Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances stated that the police efforts to investigate the rising number of deaths have been insufficientIts not certain that all of them were murders But some of them may have been extrajudicial killings Mobs are now also responsible for extrajudicial killings in many cases Khan arguedEarlier in October six international groups â including Human Rights Watch HRW and the international press watchdog the Committee to Protect Journalists CPJ â wrote to Yunus calling for stronger measures to stop human rights abusesWe are deeply concerned that the security sector remains largely unreformed and that members of security forces have not been fully cooperative with accountability and reform efforts the letter statedMeenakshi Ganguly HRWs Deputy Asia Director told DW the interim government must work alongside civil society religious and political parties to ensure the Bangladeshis trust the justice system and curb angry protests and mob violenceThe Yunus administration has amended the 2009 AntiTerrorism Act and used it to ban Hasinaâs Awami League party HRW criticised the amendments as draconianâ with several journalists arrested under the actThe report highlighted that journalist Monjurul Alam Panna and 15 others were arrested in August under the AntiTerrorism Act for taking part in a roundtable on the countrys 1971 independence war against PakistanIn a statement last month Reporters sans frontieresâ RSF South Asia head Celia Mercier cited Monjurul Alam Pannaâs detention as an example that highlights the increasing authoritarianism of Bangladeshs interim governmentâ while accusing the Yunusled interim government of using antiterrorism laws to silence critical voices IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-faces-rising-political-turmoil-since-ouster-of-former-pm-hasina-report-648133.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 22:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/yunus-led-interim-govt-struggling-to-hold-bangladesh-together-report-648136.html Dhaka Nov 11 With elections approaching in Bangladesh the Chief Advisor to the interim government Muhammad Yunus is struggling to keep the country of 170 million people united a report detailed on Tuesday It added that sectarian violence has become commonplace amid concerns over a surge in radical Islamism while the Awami League alleged that several of its members have been killedâAnd Yunus himself is facing accusations of abusing power and of lawfare after his government banned the Awami League from elections set to be held in February blaming it for a coordinated violent activity during the deadly protests last yearâ a report in The Irish Times detailedAccording to the report one of the interim governmentâs first actions was to appoint Mohammad Tajul Islam as chief prosecutor to the countryâs International Crimes Tribunal tasked with holding those responsible for the killings accountableâIn January he brought charges against Hasina and 11 others in her regime relating to enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings that happened during her rule Then in July a tribunal formally charged her with alleged crimes against humanity related to the Monsoon Revolution Her trial in absentia ended last month and a verdict is expected next weekâ it mentionedIn a written statement Hasina described the proceedings against her as âa politically motivated charadeâ which âhave been brought by kangaroo courtsâAt the same time the report said the students and other political groups intensified pressure on the interim government to remove the Awami League from politics completelyâIn May it finally obliged by ordering a âtemporaryâ ban of the party from political activity citing national security concerns However rather than going through the courts to curtail Hasinaâs party the Yunus administration issued an executive order based on a recent amendment to the countryâs Antiterrorism Actâ it addedMeanwhile the report noted that several Awami League members accused Yunus of pursuing political vendettasMohammad Arafat a senior member of the Awami League alleged that âYunus is clearly dividing the nation and proceeding with a sham electionâ and is âmaking a peaceful democratic transition nearly impossibleâBangladesh has also filed charges against members of Hasinaâs family including her niece Tulip Siddiq a British politician and her daughter Saima Wazed Siddiq termed the charges as âuntrue and politically motivatedâ while Hasinaâs son Sajeeb Wazed denounced the broader allegations against the family as âcompletely false baseless fabricated and motivated by ulterior political agendas of the Yunus regimeââIn the halls of Jamuna House the temporary government residence of Yunus in central Dhaka there is a sense of pride only tamed by the frustration and exhaustion of himself and his team as the country faces what promises to be a tense electoral periodâ the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/yunus-led-interim-govt-struggling-to-hold-bangladesh-together-report-648136.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 22:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/indian-envoy-congratulates-sergio-gor-on-being-sworn-in-as-us-ambassador-to-india-648138.html Washington Nov 11 Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Kwatra congratulated the new US envoy to India Sergio Gor for being sworn in on Tuesday and wished him luck for his new assignment in New Delhi In a post on X Gor said âHeartiest Congratulations SergioGor for being sworn in as the Ambassador of the US to India I wish you the best as you prepare to take up your assignment in New Delhi Pleasure to join the celebration at kencen Kennedy Centre last evening to mark the occasionâOn Monday US President Donald Trump hosted Gorâs swearingin ceremony at the White House He was sworn in by Vice President JD Vance and senior members of the Trump administration such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent attended the ceremonyDuring the event Trump said he is very close to signing a trade agreement with IndiaâWe are making a deal with India a much different deal than we had in the pastâWere getting a fair deal just a fair trade deal Were getting closeâI think were pretty close to doing a deal thatâs good for everybodyâ Trump addedTrump also said that he has a âfantastic relationship with Prime Minister Modiâ and termed India one of Americaâs most âimportant international relationshipsââIm trusting Sergio to help strengthen one of our countrys most important international relationships and thats the strategic partnership with the Republic of India Its a big deal India is home to one of the worlds oldest civilisations the largest country in the worldâWe have a fantastic relationship with Prime Minister Modi and Sergio has only enhanced that because hes already friendly with the Prime Ministerâ Trump saidTrump added that India is an âamazing countryâ which is also an important economic and strategic security partner in the IndoPacific regionââSo I know you are Gor going to have a great success over this a very important relationshipâIts also the fastestgrowing middle class and its an important economic and strategic security partner in the IndoPacific region Its an amazing countryâ he notedGor thanked Trump for nominating him for the Ambassadorâs position and vowed to enhance the IndiaUS relationshipâIve been at your side for many years and I will continue to be there and its just an incredible honour and I look forward to enhancing the relationship between our two nationsâ he addedConfirmed by a Senate vote in October the 38yearold Gor is the youngest US ambassador to India He is one of the closest aides of Trump and was the Director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office entrusted with vetting more than 4000 posts in the new Trump administration IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/indian-envoy-congratulates-sergio-gor-on-being-sworn-in-as-us-ambassador-to-india-648138.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 22:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/sustainable-cooling-can-slash-emissions-save-trillions-of-dollars-says-un-report-648143.html Belem Nov 11 Amid rising heatwaves and surging cooling demand adopting sustainable cooling with a strong focus on passive techniques lowenergy and hybrid cooling that combines fans and air conditioners which consume little or no power could cut greenhouse gas emissions save trillions of dollars and expand lifesaving cooling access to those who need it a new UN Environment Programme UNEP report said on Tuesday Global Cooling Watch 2025 launched at COP30 in Belem in Brazil finds that cooling demand could more than triple by 2050 under business as usual driven by increases in population and wealth more extreme heat events and lowincome households increasingly gaining access to more polluting and inefficient coolingThis would almost double coolingrelated greenhouse gas emissions over 2022 levels pushing cooling emissions to an estimated 72 billion tons of CO2 emissions by 2050 despite efforts to improve energy efficiency phase down climatewarming refrigerants and overwhelm power grids during peak load The report suggests adopting a Sustainable Cooling Pathway which could reduce emissions to 64 per cent 26 billion tons of CO2 emissions below the levels expected in 2050 When combined with rapid decarbonisation of the global power sector residual cooling emissions could fall to 97 per cent below businessasusual levels As deadly heat waves become more regular and extreme access to cooling must be treated as essential infrastructure alongside water energy and sanitation said Inger Andersen Executive Director of UNEP But we cannot air condition our way out of the heat crisis which would drive greenhouse gas emissions higher and raise costs Passive energy efficient and naturebased solutions can help meet our growing cooling needs and keep people foodchains and economies safe from heat as we pursue global climate goals We have no excuse it is time we beat the heat Published by the UNEPled Cool Coalition the report is the most comprehensive assessment to date of the rapidly growing global demand for cooling and the need for climatefriendly solutions to the issue A Sustainable Cooling Pathway can provide access to space cooling or refrigeration resilient buildings and urban green spaces to all including lowincome and vulnerable groups such as smallholder farmers women and the elderly without exacerbating the climate crisis This pathway combines passive cooling strategies lowenergy and hybrid cooling that combines fans and air conditioners rapid adoption of highefficiency equipment and accelerated phasedown of hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants under the Kigali Amendment Nearly twothirds of the emissions cuts available come from passive and lowenergy solutions reinforcing the urgency of embedding them in national policies and urban planning Such solutions are also highly affordable and critical for improving access to cooling for three billion more people by 2050 If adopted the pathway could save 17 trillion in cumulative energy costs through to 2050 and avoid up to 26 trillion in grid investment through reduced electricity demand IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/sustainable-cooling-can-slash-emissions-save-trillions-of-dollars-says-un-report-648143.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 23:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-air-travel-faces-disruptions-despite-senate-deal-to-reopen-the-govt-647935.html Washington Nov 11 US airlines are preparing for another week of widespread travel disruptions even as the Senate moved forward on legislation to end the 41day government shutdown More than 1500 flights were cancelled about 55 per cent of scheduled trips according to flight tracking data The Federal Aviation Administration FAA said the cancellations and schedule reductions are needed to ease pressure on air traffic controllers who have been working without pay for more than a month Flight reductions are expected to rise through the week reaching 6 per cent on Tuesday 8 per cent on Thursday and 10 per cent on FridayLast weekend roughly 5000 flights were cancelled nationwide as restrictions at major airports took effect according to aviation analytics firm Cirium Sunday saw the highest level of disruption with 10 per cent of all scheduled flights cancelled the fourthworst day for flight cancellations in the United States this yearUS President Donald Trump on Monday said controllers who failed to report to work would be docked though he did not specify how the penalty would be applied He also said he would recommend bonuses of 10000 for controllers who worked throughout the shutdownAll Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work NOW Anyone who doesnt will be substantially docked For those Air Traffic Controllers who were GREAT PATRIOTS and didnt take ANY TIME OFF for the Democrat Shutdown Hoax I will be recommending a BONUS of 10000 per person for distinguished service to our Country For those that did nothing but complain and took time off even though everyone knew they would be paid IN FULL shortly into the future I am NOT HAPPY WITH YOU he wrote on Truth SocialMeanwhile the Trump administration told the Supreme Court on Monday that it will continue its legal effort to withhold full federal funding for food stamps during the shutdownThe move came hours after an appeals court refused to block a lower courts ruling that ordered the government to fully finance benefits for about 42 million Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program SNAPIn a separate development a judge in Massachusetts granted a temporary stay requested by more than two dozen states to block the federal government from implementing that funding cutThe bipartisan legislation in the Senate promises to reverse US President Donald Trumps firings of federal employees and guarantees food stamp funding through fiscal year 2026On Sunday a group of eight Democratic Senators broke ranks with their party and voted to reopen the federal government IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-air-travel-faces-disruptions-despite-senate-deal-to-reopen-the-govt-647935.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 08:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/yemens-houthis-vow-to-resume-striking-israel-if-gaza-ceasefire-collapses-647760.html Sanaa Nov 10 The Houthi group warned that it would resume missile and drone attacks against Israel if the ceasefire in Gaza collapses according to a letter sent to the Palestinian Hamas movement The threat broadcast by the Houthirun alMasirah TV channel comes amid heightened regional tensions that could undermine the fragile USbrokered truce in Gaza as well as renewed friction between Iran and the United States over stalled nuclear talksIn the letter the Houthis newly appointed chief of staff Yousif alMadani told Hamas We remain steadfast in our pledge and promise to stand with you no matter the sacrificesMadani was appointed by the group last month to replace Mohammed Abdulkarim AlGhamari who was killed along with dozens of Houthi officials in Israeli airstrikes on a building in Sanaa in August Xinhua news agency reportedSince the war in Gaza broke out in October 2023 the Houthis had launched hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones toward Israel most of which were reportedly intercepted until the current ceasefire went into effect on October 10 The group also targeted Israelilinked ships in the Red Sea sinking fourLast week the Houthis declared a state of general mobilization recruiting hundreds of tribal fighters tightening security measures in their areas setting up additional checkpoints and detaining more UN employees on alleged accusations of spying for Israel They also sent reinforcements to frontlines near Marib an oilrich province under the control of Saudibacked Yemeni government forcesThese developments followed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus televised speech last week in which he said the Houthis pose a threat to Israel and that work is underway to eliminate it IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/yemens-houthis-vow-to-resume-striking-israel-if-gaza-ceasefire-collapses-647760.html Mon, 10 Nov 2025 07:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/over-2-000-flights-cancelled-across-us-as-federal-govt-shutdown-enters-day-40-647761.html Washington Nov 10 As the US federal government shutdown entered its 40th day more than 2000 flights were cancelled and over 8000 delayed nationwide according to flight tracking website FlightAware Since the Federal Aviation Administrations FAA mandated flight reduction policy took effect on Friday the number of canceled flights surged from 202 on Thursday to 1025 on Friday and further to 1566 on Saturday Xinha news agency reportedThe number of air traffic controllers taking leave has risen since the shutdown began on October 1 forcing many others to work overtimeThe US Department of Transportation and the FAA recently announced a 10 per cent capacity reduction at 40 major airports across the country starting Friday aiming to ease staffing pressures and reduce airspace safety risksIts only going to get worse Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told CNN on Sunday I look to the two weeks before Thanksgiving Youre going to see air travel be reduced to a trickleOn the same day National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett told CBS that if people are not traveling during Thanksgiving we really could be looking at a negative quarter for the fourth quarterThe regular budget which should have been ready on October 1 marks the start of the US fiscal year Instead it is snaggled in party polarisation A temporary measure known as a continuing resolution is needed to finance the government for nowThat resolution has been held up in the Senate due to a procedural element known as the filibuster which blocks a legislative measure from coming up for a voteSixty votes are required to break it instead of a simple majority as a way of putting the brakes on a party with a majority running roughshodThe Republicans with only 53 votes are powerless to break the filibuster and pass their version of the temporary funding resolution IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/over-2-000-flights-cancelled-across-us-as-federal-govt-shutdown-enters-day-40-647761.html Mon, 10 Nov 2025 07:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-government-shutdown-likely-to-end-soon-as-senate-clears-bill-647776.html Washington Nov 10 The US Senate has approved a bipartisan measure aimed at ending the 40day federal government shutdown sending the legislation to the House of Representatives for consideration The bill would fund most federal agencies through January and guarantee back pay for federal employees affected by the closureThe compromise package was negotiated over the weekend by Democratic Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire in coordination with Senate Republican Majority Leader John Thune and White House representativesAt least eight Senate Democrats broke with their party to support the measure allowing it to pass with 60 votes despite opposition from Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York who cited concerns over ongoing healthcare issues including subsidies under the Affordable Care ActThe legislation promises to reverse US President Donald Trumps firings of federal employees during the course of the shutdown It also guarantees food stamp funding through fiscal year 2026 providing certainty for lowincome households relying on government assistanceSenate Republican leaders are committed to holding a vote on legislation addressing expiring enhanced healthcare subsidies by the second week of December House and Senate Republican leaders are expected to negotiate with Democrats on that measure once the government reopensThe shutdown disrupted federal operations nationwide including air travel Several major US airlines have reduced flights and thousands of cancellations were reported on Sunday local timeThe Federal Aviation Administration mandated a 4 per cent cut in flights compounded by staffing shortages in air traffic control raising concerns for travellers ahead of the Thanksgiving holidayThe House of Representatives must now approve the measure for it to take effectThe government shutdown now the longest in US history also affected numerous other programmes from national parks to federal research operationsNegotiators expressed hope that swift House action will allow government services to resume quickly and provide certainty to federal employees and the public ending weeks of stalled activity IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-government-shutdown-likely-to-end-soon-as-senate-clears-bill-647776.html Mon, 10 Nov 2025 10:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-to-attend-swearing-in-of-new-us-ambassador-to-india-sergio-gor-647781.html Washington Nov 10 US President Donald Trump on Monday will participate in the swearingin ceremony of the new US ambassador to India and his close aide Sergio Gor In an email on Sunday the White House confirmed that Trump will participate in a Swearingin Ceremony for the Ambassador to the Republic of IndiaGor is expected to take charge in New Delhi soon after the swearinginConfirmed by a Senate vote in October the 38yearold Gor will be the youngest US ambassador to India He is one of the closest aides of Trump and was the Director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office entrusted with vetting more than 4000 posts in the new Trump administrationIn August Trump announced his nomination on Truth SocialFor the most populous Region in the World it is important that I have someone I can fully trust to deliver on my Agenda and help us Make America Great Again Sergio will make an incredible Ambassador Trump posted on August 22Gor would also serve as a special envoy for South and Central Asian affairsIn September Gor during his Senate confirmation hearing had called India a strategic partner whose trajectory will shape the region and beyondIndias geographic position economic growth and military capabilities make it a cornerstone of regional stability and a critical part of promoting prosperity and advancing the security interests that our nations share India is one of the most important relationships our nation has in the world I will work to deliver on a presidential agenda and advance US interests by increasing our defence cooperation ensuring fair and beneficial trade deepening energy security and furthering technology he addedHe also spoke about strengthening defence ties with IndiaI will prioritise deepening defence and security cooperation with India This includes expanding joint military exercises advancing codevelopment and coproduction of defence systems and concluding critical defence sales he notedHe had also met External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in SeptemberAfter the meeting the US State Department Bureau of South and Central Asian affairs said that both leaders look forward to further promoting the success of the USIndia relationshipA day after his Senate confirmation Gor travelled to India on a 4day visit and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior officialsAfter the meeting Gor wrote on X An honour to be with PM Narendra Modi this evening Our relationship with India will only strengthen over the months aheadPM Modi reciprocated Glad to receive Mr Sergio Gor Im confident that his tenure will further strengthen the IndiaUS Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-to-attend-swearing-in-of-new-us-ambassador-to-india-sergio-gor-647781.html Mon, 10 Nov 2025 10:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/rights-body-condemns-pakistan-for-silencing-dissent-turning-judiciary-into-rubber-stamp-647788.html Quetta Nov 10 Human rights body Baloch Yakjehti Committee BYC accused Pakistani authorities of not only weaponising the law to silence dissent but also reducing the judiciary to a mere rubber stamp According to the BYC during the jail trial on Saturday Pakistans CounterTerrorism Department CTD once again failed to submit the complete challans in the case against BYC leadership alleging that the case is being deliberately prolonged through delaying tacticsThe rights body noted that since the very beginning the CTD has repeatedly avoided submitting the full challans with the Pakistani court continuing to support these delaying manoeuvresDespite failing to submit the complete challan the court is in a hurry to frame the case based on the incomplete challan However the case should only proceed once all challans have been properly submitted Unfortunately the court appears to be supporting the CTDs irregular approach From the outset the CTD has produced a series of fabricated FIRs against BYC leaders despite the judge previously remarking during hearings for physical remand that all FIRs against the BYC leadership should be presented at once read a statement issued by the BYCFollowing those remarks the CTD had produced more than twentyfive fake FIRs But in the ongoing hearings the CTD is providing challans that include new FIRs against BYC leaders which were not presented before This not only proves that the state is weaponising its legal system against Baloch human rights activists but also tarnishes the credibility of the judiciary itself the statement addedThe rights body stated that in four similar cases the AntiTerrorism Court in Balochistans Khuzdar district has granted bail to the BYC leadership while the court in Quetta continues to prolong these proceedingsThis clearly indicates that in the BYC leadership case the judiciary seems to be paralysed from taking legal action and is indirectly acting on the side of power the BYC statedDuring Saturdays proceedings the rights body said BYC chief organiser Mahrang Baloch asked the judge whether freedom of speech exists in Pakistan to which the judge replied Yes there is and it is a constitutional right of every citizen However the BYC asserted that in practice there is no freedom of speech as all the cases against the BYC leaders are based on their public speechesThe very judge who acknowledges freedom of speech as a constitutional right is himself denying it by following the orders of intelligence agencies rather than the judicial system the rights body mentionedThe BYC appealed to human rights organisations to take immediate notice of Pakistans misuse of the law against human rights defenders and to play their role in ensuring the release of the BYC leadership IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/rights-body-condemns-pakistan-for-silencing-dissent-turning-judiciary-into-rubber-stamp-647788.html Mon, 10 Nov 2025 10:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/over-12-000-afghan-refugees-forcibly-deported-from-iran-and-pakistan-in-single-day-647862.html Kabul Nov 10 More than 12000 Afghan refugees were forcibly repatriated from Iran and Pakistan on Sunday a top Taliban official revealed on Monday While sharing the High Commission for Addressing Migrants Issues report on X Taliban Deputy Spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat revealed that 2194 families comprising 12666 people returned home on Sunday Afghanistanbased Pajhwok Afghan News reportedHe said that the Afghan returnees returned to the country through PuliAbresham in Nimroz Spin Boldak in Kandahar Bahramcha in Helmand Islam Qala crossing in Herat and the Torkham crossing in NangarharFitrat noted that 1609 Afghan refugee families comprising 10533 people have been taken to their home areas while 1966 others were provided humanitarian assistance He further stated that telecommunication companies provided 1665 SIM cards to Afghan refugeesAs many as 12455 Afghan refugees also returned to Afghanistan after being forcibly deported from Iran and Pakistan on SaturdayEarlier in October Afghan refugees voiced concerns over escalating challenges and growing fear amid the ongoing crackdown in Pakistan local media reportedThey alleged that the Pakistani police have made announcements in some mosques warning that anyone assisting the refugees including by renting homes or shops in Pakistan would be considered a criminal by the governmentA large number of Afghan refugees including children women and the elderly have been held in Pakistani detention centres for over 15 days living in extremely harsh conditions Afghanistans leading media outlet TOLO News quoted Atiqullah Mansoor an Afghan refugee in Pakistan as sayingMeanwhile several other refugees stated that Pakistani government along with demolishing shelters have stepped up arrests and forced deportations They urged the Pakistani government to suspend the demolition of their homes and allow them to stay in Pakistan at least through the winterWinter has already started Many of the remaining homes of Afghan refugees here have been demolished We urge the Pakistani government to stop destroying the rest of the homes because otherwise refugees will be left without shelter and with nowhere to go On top of that the government has warned locals not to rent homes to Afghan refugees or they will face legal consequences said another Afghan refugee in Pakistan IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/over-12-000-afghan-refugees-forcibly-deported-from-iran-and-pakistan-in-single-day-647862.html Mon, 10 Nov 2025 16:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/human-development-indicators-continue-to-worsen-in-pakistan-undp-647879.html New Delhi Nov 10 Representatives of the UNDP IMF and World Bank have painted a grim picture of Pakistans economy as the human development indicators continue to worsen amid weak governance in a country that is surviving on bailouts from multilateral agencies such as the latter two The United Nations Development Programmes Resident Representative Dr Samuel Rizk said last week that there are two tales of Pakistans story as on one side there is macroeconomic stability but on the other hand the social and human development indicators are worsening and posing serious challenges according to an Islamabaddatelined report in The News InternationalHe said that Pakistan was receiving 14 billion from all multilateral agencies including the IMF World Bank ADB and others including the IFC on a per annum basis but its requirement stood at 15 to 17 per cent of GDP having an annual estimated requirement of 50 billion for achieving sustainable development goals This cannot materialise without the coblending of financing needs he addedHe also highlighted that the EU delegation would soon be visiting Pakistan to review the GSP whereby Pakistan would have to show compliance with 27 conventions the report saidGSP is a special incentive arrangement under the EUs Generalised Scheme of Preferences GSP that grants developing countries zero customs duties on over twothirds of their exports to the EU To qualify a country must be vulnerable have limited export diversification and demonstrate a commitment to sustainable development and good governance by ratifying and implementing 27 international conventions on human rights labour rights environment and good governanceIndia has been highlighting that Pakistan has been flouting these conditions but yet the EU is continuing with the GSP status for the countryThe IMFs Resident Representative in Pakistan Chief Mahir Binc highlighted Pakistans weak energy sector poor institutional reforms weak governance low exports an unfriendly business climate and a narrow tax base as serious challenges holding back economic stability and growth according to The News International ReportHe stated that Pakistan was facing challenges of revenue mobilisation and energy sector losses which are hampering growth in exports He said that the IMF wanted to have fiscal and export buffers by the end of the ongoing Extended Fund Facility EFF and Resilience Sustainability Fund RSF programmes by 2027 The taxtoGDP ratio he said should have gone up to 15 per cent in accordance with the IMF assessment but it might go up to 13 per cent by 2027The World Banks Country Director for Pakistan Bolormaa Amgabazar stated that Pakistan was losing 20 per cent of its GDP by 2030 mainly because of climate change and natural disasters She said that if Bangladesh could curb population growth why was Pakistan lagging She also highlighted stunting standing at 40 per cent among children in Pakistan causing an increased number of learning povertyAccording to the World Bank climate shocks will continue to hit Pakistan if action is delayed as the country is already facing aftershocks of environmental disasters She cited the example of Lahore where air pollution has become hazardous for human life IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/human-development-indicators-continue-to-worsen-in-pakistan-undp-647879.html Mon, 10 Nov 2025 17:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pm-modis-visit-to-bolster-india-bhutan-trade-and-investment-ties-647893.html New Delhi Nov 10 Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Bhutan scheduled from November 11 to 12 will aim at strengthening Indias trade and investment ties with the Himalayan Kingdom Indias unique trade relations with Bhutan are governed by the 2007 IndiaBhutan Friendship Treaty and the 2016 IndiaBhutan Agreement on Trade Commerce and Transit which establishes a free trade regime between the two countries and also provides Bhutan duty free transit of goods to and from third countriesIndia has consistently been Bhutans top trading partner both as an import source and as an export destination Indias share of Bhutans total trade grew from 7917 per cent in 2023 to 7988 per cent in 2024In value terms in 2024 JanuaryDecember Indias bilateral trade with Bhutan was Rs 12669 crore of which Indias exports to Bhutan amounted to Rs 9538 crore and Indias imports from Bhutan were Rs 3131 croreIndia has provided special exemption from any restrictions or prohibitions on export of essential commodities to Bhutan At the request of Bhutan a number of trade points routes have been approved for facilitating Bhutans exports to India and also to third countries Recently a B2B agreement for supply of various fertilisers to Bhutan was signedFurther enhancing connectivity between the two countries is a priority for both the countries This includes establishing crossborder rail links strengthening road connectivity establishing Integrated Check Posts and trade routes new immigration points multimodal trade routes and digital connectivityOn September 29 2025 an intergovernmental MoU for the establishment of railway links between India and Bhutan was signed in New Delhi Under the MoU two rail links KokrajharGelephu 69 km and BanarhatSamtse 20 km will be implemented with a total estimated cost of Rs 403334 croreTo facilitate the movement of people including third country nationals an Immigration Check Post was inaugurated at Darranga Assam on November 7 2024 The Jogigopha Inland Waterway Terminal inaugurated in January 2025 in presence of the Minister of Industry Commerce and Employment of Bhutan will further enhance regional trade connectivityThe two countries also enjoy longstanding and mutuallybeneficial cooperation in the hydropower sector Till date India has jointly developed five major hydroelectric projects HEPs in Bhutan totaling 3156 MW including 336 MW Chukha HEP 60 MW Kurichhu HEP 1020 MW Tala HEP 720 MW Mangdechhu HEP and the recently completed August 2025 1020 MW PunatsangchhuII HEPA 1200 MW PunatsangchhuI HEP is under construction India has also been facilitating market access for Bhutans power sale in India such as Basochhu and Nikachhu HEPs to trade their energy in Indian Energy Exchange IEXSpace cooperation is a new area of bilateral cooperation In 2019 Prime Minister Modi and then Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering jointly inaugurated the Ground Earth Station of the South Asia Satellite in Thimphu Subsequently the two sides jointly developed the IndiaBhutan SAT which was launched on November 26 2022 by ISRO The Indian government has been extending capacity building opportunities to Bhutanese engineers in the space sectorFintech is another domain of collaboration between India and Bhutan The RuPay Card was launched in Bhutan in two phases Phase I 2019 and PhaseII 2020 to enable crossborder payments using RuPay cards In 2021 Indias BHIM UPI application was launched in Bhutan The usage of the RuPay cards and BHIM UPI has increased since their launchIndia has also supported Bhutans initiatives such as the Gyalsung National Service Programme one year mandatory training for all Bhutanese youth attaining the age of 18 years New Delhi extended grant assistance of Rs 200 Crore to the Gyalsung Project and through a concessionary loan of Rs 1500 crore to build the infrastructure for the Gyalsung academies The two sides have also been engaged in training programmes for GyalsungBesides India has conveyed full support to Bhutans Gelephu Mindfulness City project GMC which is an initiative of the King of Bhutan IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pm-modis-visit-to-bolster-india-bhutan-trade-and-investment-ties-647893.html Mon, 10 Nov 2025 18:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/president-droupadi-murmu-begins-her-state-visit-to-angola-647693.html Luanda Nov 9 President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday arrived in Luanda for a Statevisit at the invitation of Angola President Joao Lourenco Angolas Minister of External Relations Tete Antonio and Vice Governor of Luanda province Jorge Miguens received President Murmu at the airport Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that President Murmus visit to Angola will further strengthen bilateral tiesnbspPresident Droupadi Murmu lands in Luanda the capital city of Angola India and Angola are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year This visit will further strengthen IndiaAngola bilateral cooperation Jaiswal posted on XDuring her visit President Murmu will hold bilateral talks with her Angola counterpart Lourenco She will also attend the 50th anniversary celebrations of Angolas independence on November 11nbspIn a special briefing on President Murmus visit to Angola in New Delhi on Thursday MEAs Secretary Economic Relations Sudhakar Dalela stated that this will be an Indian head of states first visit to Angola and Botswana as he noted that the engagement between India and Africa is growing across several sectorsnbspDalela recalled that President Lourenco visited India in May when he had extended an invitation to her to participate in the 50th anniversary celebrations of Angolas independence India had consistently supported the Angolan freedom struggle he saidFurther India and Angola are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year President of Angola is currently the chairperson of the African Union So for all these reasons the visit of Honourable Rashtrapati Ji assumes significance During her visit Honourable President will be holding bilateral talks with the President of Angola She will be attending the 50th anniversary celebrations of Angolas independence on 11th of November Elaborating on President Murmus engagements in Angola he said that President Murmu is scheduled to address the Angolan parliament and to interact with members of the Indian community of AngolaIndia and Angola of course enjoy very close ties of friendship and cooperation which have been growing across sectors We have a vibrant energy partnership with Angola building on the momentum imparted by the visit of the Angolan President to India this year The state visit of Honourable Rashtrapati Ji will provide an opportunity to review the entire climate of bilateral ties and to expand mutually beneficial cooperation in sectors such as agriculture energy trade and investments technology infrastructure development defence and peopletopeople connectionsnbspAfter concluding her engagements in Angola President Murmu will visit Botswana from November 1113 at the invitation of the Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko where she will hold talks with him address the National Assembly of Botswana and engage with the Indian community IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/president-droupadi-murmu-begins-her-state-visit-to-angola-647693.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 14:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-forced-to-step-back-as-conflict-with-afghanistan-proves-too-costly-647704.html New Delhi Nov 9 Pakistans brief military confrontation with Afghanistan has exposed the countrys deep internal vulnerabilities and lack of international backing forcing Islamabad to opt for a ceasefire instead of prolonging hostilities Following its airstrikes inside Afghan territory aimed at targeting TehrikeTaliban Pakistan TTP operatives Islamabad quickly found itself on the back footAnalysts say political fragility economic strain and foreign policy failures have rendered Pakistan incapable of sustaining a longterm conflictAfghanistan has little to lose but as a more stable nation Pakistan should avoid irresponsible actions Such attacks will not eliminate the TTP they will only increase its support political analyst Sami Yousufzai told the Daily Asian AgeSecurity expert Ihsanullah Tipu noted that over 6000 TTP fighters could infiltrate Pakistan in retaliationJoshua White a professor at Johns Hopkins University said Islamabads predicament was largely of its own making as the Taliban it once supported now shelters antiPakistan militants the report addedRelations between Islamabad and Kabul have deteriorated since the Talibans takeover in 2021 compounded by rising TTP attacks and Pakistans expulsion of nearly half a million Afghan refugeesIslamabad has lost much of its strategic relevance to the West since the US withdrawal said Dr Chietigj Bajpaee of Chatham HouseChina Pakistans closest ally refrained from taking sides urging both countries to remain calm and restrainedSoon after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced readiness for talks on valid conditionsHowever Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid clarified that the ceasefire came at Pakistans request and insistenceEconomically Pakistan remains in crisis Analysts warn that further escalation could derail its fragile IMF programme and worsen its financial woes Dawn newspaper in an editorial advised the government to act with sagacity and avoid a prolonged conflictAs analyst Abdullah Baheer observed If bombing couldnt bring Afghanistan to submission during 20 years of US occupation Pakistan shouldnt expect a different outcome now IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-forced-to-step-back-as-conflict-with-afghanistan-proves-too-costly-647704.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 15:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/over-12-000-afghan-refugees-forcibly-deported-from-iran-pakistan-in-single-day-647712.html Kabul Nov 9 More than 12000 Afghan refugees have been forcibly repatriated from Iran and Pakistan in a single day according to a Taliban official local media reported on Sunday In a statement shared on X Taliban deputy spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat stated that 2098 families comprising 12455 individuals were deported to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan on Saturday Afghanistanbased Pajhwok Afghan News reported He stated that Afghan refugees returned home through Spin Boldak in Kandahar Bahramcha in Helmand Torkham crossing in Nangarhar Islam Qala crossing in Herat and PuliAbresham in NimrozHe said that some returnees were taken to their home areas while 2051 others were provided humanitarian assistance He further said that telecommunication firms distributed 1652 SIM cards to refugees who were deported from Iran and PakistanEarlier in October Afghan refugees voiced concerns over escalating challenges and growing fear amid the ongoing crackdown in Pakistan local media reportedThey alleged that the Pakistani police have recently made announcements in some mosques warning that anyone assisting the refugees including by renting homes or shops in Pakistan would be considered a criminal by the governmentA large number of Afghan refugees including children women and the elderly have been held in Pakistani detention centres for over 15 days living in extremely harsh conditions Afghanistans leading media outlet TOLO News quoted Atiqullah Mansoor an Afghan refugee in Pakistan as sayingMeanwhile several other refugees stated that along with demolishing shelters the Pakistani government has stepped up arrests and forced deportations They urged the Pakistani government to suspend the demolition of their homes and allow them to stay in Pakistan at least through the winterWinter has already started Many of the remaining homes of Afghan refugees here have been demolished We urge the Pakistani government to stop destroying the rest of the homes because otherwise refugees will be left without shelter and with nowhere to go On top of that the government has warned locals not to rent homes to Afghan refugees or they will face legal consequences said another Afghan refugee in PakistanMigrant rights activist Nazar Nazari said The solution to this crisis lies in diplomatic negotiations between the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan negotiations that must aim to stop home demolitions and prevent forced deportations In parallel coordination with international organisations is essential to provide shelter food healthcare and job opportunities Implementing such strategies can help reduce pressure on refugees and make the return process more humane and sustainable IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/over-12-000-afghan-refugees-forcibly-deported-from-iran-pakistan-in-single-day-647712.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 16:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/japans-weather-agency-issues-tsunami-alert-for-iwate-prefecture-after-67-magnitude-earthquake-647725.html Tokyo Nov 9 The Japanese weather agency on Sunday issued a tsunami advisory for Iwate Prefecture after an earthquake of magnitude 67 struck in the Pacific off northeastern Japan causing a power outage and a temporary partial suspension of Shinkansen bullet train services local media reported The Japan Meteorological Agency stated that a tsunami of up to 1 metre could reach the prefecture due to the temblor which struck off the Sanriku coast at a depth of about 10 kilometres Japanbased Kyodo News reported The earthquake which occurred at 503 pm was measured 4 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7 in some parts of Iwate and Miyagi prefecturesAccording to the agency a tsunami wave of 10 centimetres was observed in Ofunato while a minor tsunami reached MiyakoMeanwhile the Tohoku Shinkansen between Sendai and ShinAomori stations started operating after the temporary suspension according to its operator JR EastJapanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shared a statement on X urging people to evacuate from the coast She asked people to be alert as aftershocks are possible and a tsunami that may come later could be larger than expectedAt around 1703 an earthquake with its epicentre off the Sanriku coast occurred Seismic intensity 4 was observed in Iwate Prefecture and Miyagi Prefecture and an information liaison room has been immediately set up in the Prime Ministers Office A tsunami advisory has been issued so please evacuate away from the coast immediately The tsunami that may arrive later could be larger than expected so please stay alert for further information Additionally aftershocks are possible so please remain cautious of any strong shaking Takaichi posted on XTohoku Electric Power stated that no malfunction was reported at its Onagawa nuclear power plant in Miyagi Prefecture local media reportedAddressing a news conference on Sunday a Meteorological Agency official stated that earthquakes of similar or even stronger intensity could occur in the next few days The Japan Times reported He urged people to avoid going into the sea or the shores in the regions where the tsunami advisory has been issued IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/japans-weather-agency-issues-tsunami-alert-for-iwate-prefecture-after-67-magnitude-earthquake-647725.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 17:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/indias-calm-amid-south-asias-storm-647733.html New Delhi Nov 9 From Kathmandu to Karachi South Asia is in turmoil Nepal has seen Gen Z protests erupt over inequality and political elitism while in Bangladesh students led a revolution last year that ended former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas 15year rule Sri Lankas 2022 economic collapse forced its President Mahinda Rajapaksa to flee and Pakistan remains mired in political chaos and another IMF bailout Yet in the midst of all this India stands out for its stability said a report by The EconomistThe report highlights that despite being hit by US President Donald Trumps punitive trade tariffs over Russian oil purchases and engaging in a brief military exchange with Pakistan Indias economy has shown remarkable resilienceWith foreignexchange reserves of nearly 700 billion enough to cover 11 months of imports and steady growth of 68 per cent India looks like a calm island in a turbulent neighbourhoodThis wasnt always the caseSince Independence India has faced repeated balanceofpayments crises from the 1965 war and drought to the 1991 Gulf War when the country had to airlift gold to secure loansReforms under thenFinance Minister Manmohan Singh opened Indias economy and ended the licence raj laying the groundwork for todays stabilityEven as recently as 2013 India was counted among the fragile five economies vulnerable to global shocksSince then it has cleaned up its banking system reined in bad loans and exercised fiscal restraint The Economist highlightsThe budget deficit has fallen from nine per cent during the pandemic to below five per cent with plans to reduce debttoGDP from 57 to 50 per cent by 2031Oil dependency once Indias Achilles heel has eased through cheap Russian imports expanded refinery capacity and ethanol blending policiesService exports mainly IT and outsourcing now contribute 15 per cent of GDP cushioning external shocks Still challenges remainGraduate unemployment hovers near 30 per cent and castebased job reservations fuel resentmentYet unlike neighbours gripped by street protests Indias young appear patient the report saidSurveys show they are moderately dissatisfied today but hopeful for tomorrowIn a volatile region that optimism rooted in visible growth and economic progress may be Indias strongest stabiliser IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/indias-calm-amid-south-asias-storm-647733.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 18:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/illegal-arms-munitions-seized-smuggler-detained-in-afghanistans-panjshir-647740.html Kabul Nov 9 Afghan police have seized illegal weapons and explosives in the eastern Panjshir province and detained an alleged smuggler provincial police spokesman Haqmal Saad said on Sunday The haul which included three AK47 assault rifles a pistol a pair of binoculars hundreds of rounds of ammunition and other military equipment was recovered at a checkpointThe man was arrested on Saturday while attempting to smuggle the contraband out of the province the official added Xinhua News Agency reportedSaad urged the public to assist security forces in locating illegal arms and reiterated that police would not permit the illegal possession or transportation of weapons anywhere in the provinceIn a similar operation a week ago police in the southern Kandahar province arrested three other arms and ammunition smugglersOn November 6 the provincial police office in a statement stated that police discovered seven pieces of firearms and ammunition in central Afghanistans Daykundi provinceThe weaponry which includes three stocks of Kalashnikov assault rifles a rocketpropelled grenade a machine gun two hunting guns and hundreds of bullets and projectiles was recovered from a house during operations in Pato district recently the statement addedPolice have also arrested an individual on charges of keeping the weaponry illegally the statement further saidThe statement also called upon the people to avoid keeping or carrying arms illegallyAs part of efforts to ensure law and order in postwar Afghanistan the Afghan government has vowed to collect arms and ammunition from anyone living outside the security organsEarlier on November 3 provincial police spokesman Mullah Assadullah Jamshid stated that police arrested three individuals on charges of involvement in arms and ammunition smuggling in the southern Afghan province of KandaharActing on a tipoff police launched an operation in Shurabak district recently and discovered two Kalashnikov assault rifles a hand grenade a machine gun and hundreds of bullets and rounds the official saidAccording to the official three individuals were attempting to smuggle the weaponry out of the country but police identified and took them into custody for investigation IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/illegal-arms-munitions-seized-smuggler-detained-in-afghanistans-panjshir-647740.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 18:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/ins-sahyadri-docks-at-guam-for-malabar-2025-showcasing-indias-naval-strength-amid-strained-india-us-ties-647744.html New Delhi Nov 9 As part of the QUAD Naval exercise INS Sahyadri has reached at Guam in the Northern Pacific for participation in the crucial multilateral exercise Malabar2025 The participation of INS Sahyadri in Exercise Malabar2025 reaffirms Indias enduring partnership and its commitment to strengthening coordination enhancing interoperability and demonstrating a collective resolve to safeguard regional security a Naval official saidIndigenously designed and constructed INS Sahyadri is a guided missile stealth frigateThe ship is a shining example of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision and has participated in several bilateral and multilateral exercises as well as operational deployments the official saidThe Harbour Phase of Exercise Malabar2025 will feature operational planning and discussions alignment on communication protocols familiarisation visits between participating nations and sports fixturesFollowing the harbour phase all participating units will proceed for the Sea Phase wherein ships and aircraft will take part in naval drills focusing on joint fleet operations antisubmarine warfare gunnery serials and flying operationsNotably Quad members include India the US Australia and JapanThis exercise comes at the backdrop of a strain in the IndoUS bilateral relations after President Donald Trump imposed heavy tariffs on India for its import of oil from Russia and repeatedly claiming that he brokered the ceasefire between IndiaPakistan a claim New Delhi deniesDespite a rough phase in the bilateral relations the defence and diplomatic engagement continuesAlso the 21st edition of Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2025 the annual bilateral ArmytoArmy exercise between India and the United States concluded in September after two weeks of rigorous training in AlaskaAs part of the exercise a total of 450 soldiers from each side took part in field and command post drills while also engaging with subjectmatter experts to further strengthen operational synergyThe Indian side was led by a battalion of the Madras Regiment with soldiers of the US Armys 11th Airborne DivisionThe exercise was conducted from September 114 at Fort Wainwright and the Yukon Training Area in AlaskaThe 2025 edition was one of the largest bilateral military exercises for the Indian Army in terms of troops mobilised IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/ins-sahyadri-docks-at-guam-for-malabar-2025-showcasing-indias-naval-strength-amid-strained-india-us-ties-647744.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 19:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/ins-sahyadri-docks-at-guam-for-malabar-2025-showcases-indias-naval-strength-amid-strained-india-us-ties-647745.html New Delhi Nov 9 As part of the QUAD Naval exercise INS Sahyadri has reached at Guam in the Northern Pacific for participation in the crucial multilateral exercise Malabar2025 The participation of INS Sahyadri in Exercise Malabar2025 reaffirms Indias enduring partnership and its commitment to strengthening coordination enhancing interoperability and demonstrating a collective resolve to safeguard regional security a Naval official saidIndigenously designed and constructed INS Sahyadri is a guided missile stealth frigateThe ship is a shining example of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision and has participated in several bilateral and multilateral exercises as well as operational deployments the official saidThe Harbour Phase of Exercise Malabar2025 will feature operational planning and discussions alignment on communication protocols familiarisation visits between participating nations and sports fixturesFollowing the harbour phase all participating units will proceed for the Sea Phase wherein ships and aircraft will take part in naval drills focusing on joint fleet operations antisubmarine warfare gunnery serials and flying operationsNotably Quad members include India the US Australia and JapanThis exercise comes at the backdrop of a strain in the IndoUS bilateral relations after President Donald Trump imposed heavy tariffs on India for its import of oil from Russia and repeatedly claiming that he brokered the ceasefire between IndiaPakistan a claim New Delhi deniesDespite a rough phase in the bilateral relations the defence and diplomatic engagement continuesAlso the 21st edition of Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2025 the annual bilateral ArmytoArmy exercise between India and the United States concluded in September after two weeks of rigorous training in AlaskaAs part of the exercise a total of 450 soldiers from each side took part in field and command post drills while also engaging with subjectmatter experts to further strengthen operational synergyThe Indian side was led by a battalion of the Madras Regiment with soldiers of the US Armys 11th Airborne DivisionThe exercise was conducted from September 114 at Fort Wainwright and the Yukon Training Area in AlaskaThe 2025 edition was one of the largest bilateral military exercises for the Indian Army in terms of troops mobilised IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/ins-sahyadri-docks-at-guam-for-malabar-2025-showcases-indias-naval-strength-amid-strained-india-us-ties-647745.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 19:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/deeply-moved-by-warm-welcome-accorded-to-lord-buddhas-sacred-relics-in-bhutan-eam-jaishankar-647749.html New Delhi Nov 9 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Sunday that he was deeply moved to see the warm welcome accorded to sacred relics of Lord Buddha that arrived in Bhutan from India Sharing pictures from the ceremony on X EAM Jaishankar stated Deeply moved to see the warm welcome accorded by the Government and the people of Bhutan to the Sacred Relics of Lord BuddhaEarlier in the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the people of Bhutan for giving a grand welcome to the sacred relics of Lord BuddhaIn a statement shared on X PM Modi said Heartfelt appreciation to the people and leadership of Bhutan for the reverent welcome accorded to the Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha from India These relics symbolise the timeless message of peace compassion and harmony The teachings of Lord Buddha are a sacred link between our two nations shared spiritual heritageThe sacred relics of Lord Buddha enshrined at the National Museum in New Delhi reached Bhutan for a public exposition from November 818 The Indian delegation led by Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar comprises senior Buddhist monks and officials The exposition marks another milestone in the enduring cultural and spiritual partnership between India and Bhutan according to a statement released by the Ministry of Culture on SaturdayUpon arrival at Paro International Airport the sacred relics were received with deep reverence by Bhutans Home Minister Tshering Tshoki Lopen of the Central Monastic Body of Bhutan and the Mayor of Paro Dzongkhag Norbu Wangchuk Indias Ambassador to Bhutan Sandeep Arya and senior officials and monks from Bhutan Bhutans Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck and Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck also paid their respect to the holy relics during the ceremonyFollowing the ceremonial welcome Lord Buddhas sacred relics were escorted to Tashichho Dzongs Grand Kuenrey Hall in Thimphu where they were enshrined with traditional religious rituals according to the Ministry of Culture statement Speaking on the occasion Virendra Kumar expressed his deep sense of honour in leading the Indian delegation stating that this exposition strengthens the cultural and spiritual ties between India and Bhutan reinforcing the shared heritage of peace and compassion inspired by Lord BuddhaBhutan PM Tshering Tobgay expressed gratitude to the Indian government for bringing the sacred relics to Bhutan He noted that the concept of the festival was envisioned by Bhutans King as a symbol of global peace and harmony He commended the efforts of Indias Ministry of Culture and the International Buddhist Confederation IBC calling the event a significant milestone in BhutanIndia relations He expressed appreciation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi for facilitating the visit of Lord Buddhas sacred relics underscoring the deeprooted spiritual and cultural ties between the two nations IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/deeply-moved-by-warm-welcome-accorded-to-lord-buddhas-sacred-relics-in-bhutan-eam-jaishankar-647749.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 20:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistans-muridke-blueprint-of-regime-that-has-learned-to-trade-blood-for-approval-report-647758.html Islamabad Nov 9 The Muridke massacre which occurred more than three weeks ago has already faded into silence like every other atrocity in Pakistans recent history It is however a blueprint of a regime that has learned to trade blood for approval as it has not only betrayed its people but also included repression in its foreign policy according to a report No independent investigation no accountability and no fury but just another failure on the national radar buried under state propaganda and foreign policy theatre The assault on Muridke was not a spontaneous clash but a largescale premeditated operation Umer Azad a software engineer by profession and a volunteer with CODEPINK and the Palestinian Youth Movement PYM wrote in a report in CODEPINKAs per DropSite News protesters from the TehreekeLabbaik Pakistan TLP had gathered to oppose Pakistans potential normalisation with Israel and to show solidarity with Gaza According to Dawn more than 10000 lawenforcement personnel participated in a cordonandsearch operation in Muridke with units of the Frontier Corps and Pakistan Rangers arriving on a special train from Rawalpindi Lawenforcers used surveillance drones to map out streets and neighbourhoods while trenches were dug along main roads in preparation for the operation The forces moved in the early hours of the morning firing on the crowd that had gathered peacefully Eyewitnesses and social media footage documented heavy gunfire and chaos resulting in multiple deaths and injuries By morning streets were littered with spent cartridges and blood and the air was thick with tear gas Among the many horrific pieces of footage still haunting social media one stands out Security personnel can be seen firing round after round into crowds of unarmed protestors the CODEPINK report saidSimilar scenes were witnessed in Pakistan in 2024 when thousands of Pakistan TehreekeInsaf PTI supporters gathered to protest against the imprisonment of party founder Imran Khan In response to the protests Pakistani authorities imposed a nationwide communication blackout and dozens were killed hundreds were injured and thousands were detainedTogether these two incidents showcase a pattern that can no longer be seen as excessive force but systematic state violence deliberate rehearsed and rewarded according to the report The reward was immediate in the case of Muridke as reports that surfaced within days claimed that Pakistans military establishment was engaged in advanced discussions with the United States and Israel brokered through the CIA and Mossad to deploy up to 20000 Pakistani troops to Gaza as part of a socalled peacekeeping initiativeA report in CODEPINK stated The Muridke massacre in this context looks less like domestic repression and more like a demonstration of capability a livefire performance meant to show Washington and Tel Aviv how efficiently Pakistans generals can subdue dissent whether in Punjab or Palestine This is what Pakistans pursuit of Western validation now costs blood for legitimacy A regime that guns down its citizens for waving the Palestinian flag is now marketing itself as a stabilising force in Gaza The same commanders who unleashed bullets on protesters in Muridke will soon don peacekeeping badges hailed abroad as partners in regional securityAccording to the report the Pakistani military in the past three years has overthrown an elected government jailed political opponents including Imran Khan on blatantly fabricated charges conducted an election marred by widespread electoral rigging as corroborated by the Commonwealth Observer Group and persecuted journalists forcing many into exile The judiciary has been stripped of independence and regularly faces threats from state actors while people are being tried in military courts in violation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ICCPRA report in CODEPINK stated Muridke is a blueprint of a regime that has learned to trade blood for approval The current regime has not only betrayed its people but has also institutionalised repression as an instrument of foreign policy The generals have discovered that the road to Washington and Tel Aviv runs through the corpses of their own citizens In Muridke they offered the ultimate demonstration of how swiftly and brutally dissent can be crushed in the name of order IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistans-muridke-blueprint-of-regime-that-has-learned-to-trade-blood-for-approval-report-647758.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 20:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pak-afghan-deteriorating-relation-from-being-viewed-in-a-tea-cup-to-an-ethnic-narrative-647583.html New Delhi Nov 8 Is PakistanAfghanistan deteriorating ties the result of a storm in a teacup Some statements coming from Islamabad would point that way In August 2021 days after the Taliban swept into Kabul a photograph circulated widely showing the thenInterServices Intelligence ISI chief Lieutenant General Retd Faiz Hameed sitting at a table having tea with senior Taliban leaders in the Afghan capital Imran Khan was then the Prime Minister of PakistanThe image quickly became an emblematic snapshot of Islamabads rapid outreach to the new rulers in Kabul and was interpreted as the culmination of longstanding contacts between Pakistans security establishment and Taliban leadershipThe optics were politically explosive to some it signalled successful diplomatic engagement to others it looked like an improvised handshake that opened doors to unintended consequencesReferring to the incident Pakistans Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar recently blamed the Imran Khanled Pakistan TehreekeInsaf PTI government for worsening ties with Afghanistan said reportsIn his recent address to the Senate Dar who is also the countrys Foreign Minister opined that the cup of tea in Kabul had proved costly for IslamabadMedia reports have also quoted other senior government figures including Defence Minister Khwaja Asif and Pakistans ruling party spokespersons having echoed similar lines that Hameeds 2021 Kabul meeting was a strategic errorThe issue has meanwhile evolved into an ethnic narrative which paints a local canvas of Pakistans Punjabidominated political leadership and military elite versus a Pashtun Taliban with Imran Khans Pashtun roots invoked as evidence of his sympathy for Pashtun militantsEthnic identities are politically salient and have shaped perceptions in Pakistan Such identities play a background role in shaping perceptions and political narratives including about Imran Khan And now it is being considered among causes for Islamabads current fallout with the Afghan TalibanHowever it can not be perceived as the only or even the principal reason for Islamabads fallout with the Afghan TalibanPakistans relationship with Afghan militant groups has long been transactional and statedriven During the Soviet occupation the ISI raised the Mujaheddin militia with covert assistance from US Central Intelligence Agency CIAThe Taliban TTP are said to be their offshoots PostSoviet era Pakistans security establishment supported the Afghan Taliban as a strategic shortcut to influence in Kabul and to counter any regional playersAfter 911 and the elimination of Osama bin Laden on its territory Pakistan publicly shifted under international pressure but continued to balance ties with Afghan actors for strategic depth intelligence leverage and crossborder influenceIn August 2021 the fall of Kabul reopened old dilemmas should Islamabad normalise relations with the Afghan Taliban or use military power to push Kabul to restrain antiPakistan groups such as the TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP and Balochistan Liberation Army BLA among othersPakistani officials say that the number of militants returning across the border and the scale of crossborder attacks rose substantially after 2021 citing figures and incidents that fed the sense of strategic regret over early outreachAgainst that backdrop the photo of a senior Pakistani intelligence chief casually meeting Taliban leaders came to be rerun and be viewed not as diplomatic realpolitik but as the moment Pakistan allegedly ceded leverage that it could need to curb alleged militant transit and sanctuariesFor many critics of the Imran Khan era Faiz Hameeds visit epitomised an operational choice taken by elements of the security bureaucracy that privileged rapid engagement with the new Afghan rulers apparently without sufficient safeguards to prevent militant spilloverThus arose competing narratives with one painting the visit as a miscalculated opening that worsened Pakistans security while the other portraying it as necessary realpolitik that was later blamed for consequences beyond what any single meeting could cause IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pak-afghan-deteriorating-relation-from-being-viewed-in-a-tea-cup-to-an-ethnic-narrative-647583.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 00:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/patna-born-doctor-anjani-sinha-takes-charge-as-us-envoy-to-singapore-647598.html New Delhi Nov 8 From the bylanes of Patna to the corridors of global diplomacy Dr Anjani K Sinha has charted an inspiring journey The Delhi University alumnus and distinguished orthopaedic surgeon officially began his tenure as the US Ambassador to Singapore this week marking another milestone for her whose life has been defined by service skill and statesmanshipI am deeply honoured to represent the US in Singapore a friend of the US that is a leading hub for American business and a pillar of regional stability Ambassador Sinha said upon his arrival in SingaporePresident Trump has asked me to increase our ambitions for cooperation with Singapore based on mutual respect and shared priorities I look forward to working together in areas such as technology energy and securityDr Sinhas appointment underscores Washingtons commitment to strengthening ties with Singapore a relationship that has thrived for nearly six decadesThe USSingapore partnership has brought tangible benefits to both nations through collaboration in emerging technologies energy security law enforcement and defenceBefore stepping into diplomacy Ambassador Sinha was widely regarded in the medical fraternity as an accomplished orthopaedic surgeon and successful entrepreneurAs a physician I have spent my career connecting with people and delivering results and I look forward to applying that same spirit of collaboration to deepen the ties between our two countries he saidKnown for his warmth and precision in both surgery and leadership Sinha brings a unique blend of empathy and pragmatism to his new roleAmbassador Sinha is joined in Singapore by his wife Dr Kiki Sinha a retired anesthesiologist and faculty member at New York UniversityThe couple married for 48 years have two children and three grandchildrenFor Bihar his appointment stands as a proud reminder that global diplomacy often begins with strong roots and hardearned dreams IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/patna-born-doctor-anjani-sinha-takes-charge-as-us-envoy-to-singapore-647598.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 00:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/houthis-arrest-yemeni-nationals-accused-of-spying-for-israel-647636.html Sanaa Nov 9 Yemens Houthi group announced that they have arrested several Yemeni nationals accused of spying for Israel in the capital Sanaa In a statement the Houthis claimed the detainees were collaborating with the Israeli foreign intelligence service Mossad through a Saudibased joint operation room that allegedly involved three foreign intelligence agencies those of Israel the United States and Saudi Arabia Xinhua news agency reportedThey also claimed that the arrested were trained to write intelligence reports spy on civilian and military locations and monitor the movements of the groups officialsThe Houthis did not tell how many people they have arrested nor provide evidence of the alleged espionage accusationsThe statement said confessions of the arrested were to be broadcast later in the day on its official satellite television channel alMasirahAccording to a source close to the group most of the newly arrested are employees with the United Nations aid agencies including the World Food Program WFP the World Health Organization WHO and the UN Childrens Fund UNICEFThis came weeks after the UN body secured the release of 20 foreign aid workers through a mediation of Iran and Oman and flew them out of Yemen according to a UN statement at that timeUN Special Envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg said in a recent statement that at least 53 UN aid employees of Yemeni nationals remain in Houthi prisons as well as dozens of other Yemeni employees working with nongovernmental organizations and those who had worked with foreign diplomatic missionsThe arrests came after Israeli airstrikes on Sanaa in August killed a dozen members of the Houthirun cabinet as well as the Houthi military chief of staff Mohammed Abdulkarim AlGhamariThe Houthis have tightened security measures in Sanaa and declared general mobilization after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared in a televised speech last week that the Houthis pose a threat to the existence of Israel and vowed to eliminate the groupThe Houthis which control much of northwestern Yemen including Sanaa had launched dozens of ballistic missiles and bombladen drones toward Israeli air and sea ports as well as targeting ships linked to Israel in the Red Sea to show solidarity with Palestinians since the Gaza war broke out in October 2023 The group has stopped its attacks since the Gaza ceasefire went into force last month IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/houthis-arrest-yemeni-nationals-accused-of-spying-for-israel-647636.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 11:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/new-zealand-national-park-fights-against-large-fire-647665.html Wellington Nov 9 New Zealands Tongariro National Park has been fighting against a large fire since Saturday which has now covered 1600 hectares There was no report of casualties or structural damage yet However operations have been carried out to evacuate tampers in the national park and people in the nearby facilities The fire has not been controlled yetNew Zealand Fire and Emergency Assistant Commander Craig Gold said air operations were prioritised to fight the fire with additional aircraft being used Five fixedwing planes and 12 helicopters are being deployed In the meantime four teams of firefighters are fighting on the ground with additional crews supporting the aircraft operations Xinhua news agency reportedThe forest fire was reported to the Fire and Emergency New Zealand on Saturday afternoon initially covering 50 hectares Fire brigades and three helicopters were deployed to fight the fireDue to the terrain and extent of the fire overnight operation was deemed too dangerous for active firefighting and aircraft were all stood down at nightfall on SaturdayEstablished in 1887 Tongariro National Park is New Zealands first national park It has an area of around 80000 hectares The park is a dual UNESCO World Heritage for both its cultural significance to Mori as well as its outstanding natural featuresThe Tongariro Crossing and associated areas which are a worldfamous tourist attraction are now closed due to the fire A section of State Highway 47 leading to the national park is closed A nofly zone is in place covering the airspace over the fireground and surrounding area so that firefighting aircraft are not endangered by other aircraft or dronesThe cause of the fire has not been established yetIn 1993 Tongariro became the first property to be inscribed on the World Heritage List under the revised criteria describing cultural landscapes according to the UNESCO website The mountains at the heart of the park have cultural and religious significance for the Maori people and symbolise the spiritual links between this community and its environment IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/new-zealand-national-park-fights-against-large-fire-647665.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 13:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-administration-launches-over-100-investigations-into-h-1b-visa-programme-647439.html Washington Nov 7 The US Department of Labour DOL has launched at least 175 investigations into potential abuses within the H1B visa programme as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to crack down on the foreign worker visa system Fox News reported on Friday The initiative dubbed Project Firewall was launched in September to target companies allegedly exploiting the visa system which allows US firms to hire foreign workers in speciality occupations such as information technology engineering and healthcareThe Department of Labour is using every resource at our disposal to put a stop to H1B abuse and protect American jobs the DOL Secretary Lori ChavezDeRemer said in a post on XShe added that Under the leadership of POTUS well continue to invest in our workforce and ensure highskilled job opportunities go to American Workers FIRSTThe White House also shared the news report on the investigations with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posting on X Trump admin reveals over 100 investigations into H1B abuses as it pledges every resource to protect US jobsIt is the latest measure in a series of actions by the Trump administration and Republican leaders to target the H1B visa programmeIn September US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing a fee of 100000 on new H1B visa applicationsIn October Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that he was directing the states Board of Governors to end the use of H1B visas across state universities saying that positions currently held by visa holders should be filled by Florida residentsWhy are we bringing people in to assess our accreditation on an H1B visa We cant do that with our own people DeSantis said adding that the practice amounts to cheap labour and calling on university leaders to reassess hiring practicesDays later the White House reiterated that President Donald Trumps priority in reforming the H1B visa programme is to put American workers first and vowed to fight lawsuits filed against the administrations crackdownThe administrations H1B visa policy has faced broad opposition from lawmakers and legal challenges with two major lawsuits filed in courts including the one by the US Chamber of Commerce the countrys biggest business organisationOn October 30 five US lawmakers wrote a letter to Trump urging him to reconsider his September 19th proclamation on H1B visas due to its potentially negative impacts on the IndiaUS relationshipThe letter was cosigned by Congressmen Ami Bera Salud Carbajal Derek Tran and Congresswoman Julie Johnson No Republican lawmaker signed the letterThey defended the H1B programme highlighting how many of Americas most successful companies were founded or led by former H1B holders who create new businesses job creation and keep the United States at the forefront of technological progressIndiaborn workers received over 70 per cent of the total approved H1B visas in 2024 primarily due to a huge backlog in approvals and a high number of skilled immigrants from India IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-administration-launches-over-100-investigations-into-h-1b-visa-programme-647439.html Sat, 08 Nov 2025 00:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/over-700-flights-cancelled-in-us-as-government-shutdown-drags-on-647448.html Washington Nov 8 Airlines across the United States cancelled hundreds of flights as the continuing government shutdown deepened strains on the nations air travel system As of midday Friday some 780 flights or roughly 3 per cent of the 25000 scheduled nationwide had been cancelled according to aviation analytics firm Cirium Cancellations could accelerate sharply in the coming days as more air traffic controllers are forced to seek other employment due to unpaid workTransportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that flight reductions could surge to as much as 20 per cent by the Thanksgiving holiday if the crisis persistsIf this continues and I have more controllers who decide they cant come to work and control the airspace but instead have to take a second job with that you might see 10 per cent would have been a good number because we might go to 15 per cent or 20 per cent Duffy said in an interview with Fox News This is a momentbymoment assessment he added Were doing all we can to make sure travellers are safe as they move through the airspaceAir traffic controllers designated as essential workers are required to work even without payFor now the Department of Transportation has implemented a tiered reduction plan that will raise mandated flight cuts to 6 per cent on Tuesday 8 per cent on Thursday and 10 per cent next FridayAmong US carriers American Airlines said it expects to cancel about 220 flights a day through the weekend Delta cancelled 173 flights while United cut 184 flightsAt Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington travellers faced significant delays on Friday with average wait times reaching four hours according to a Federal Aviation Administration advisoryAirport officials urged passengers to check flight status frequently and prepare for longer waits as disruptions appeared likely to worsen heading into the busy holiday travel season IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/over-700-flights-cancelled-in-us-as-government-shutdown-drags-on-647448.html Sat, 08 Nov 2025 09:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/hurricane-melissa-claims-at-least-75-lives-impacts-nearly-5-million-people-in-caribbean-647454.html United Nations Nov 8 Hurricane Melissa has claimed at least 75 lives and impacted nearly 5 million people in Cuba Haiti and Jamaica one week after landfall in the Caribbean a UN spokesperson said Farhan Haq deputy spokesperson for the UN secretarygeneral said in a daily briefing that the hurricane has also displaced more than 770000 people and damaged or destroyed tens of thousands of homes schools and healthcare facilities Xinhua news agency reportedWe and our partners continue to support authorities across all three countries he saidIn Jamaica the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has deployed additional staff to help the government with humanitarian issues and strengthen operations Haq saidThe spokesperson said that in Cuba the Food and Agriculture Organization has delivered agricultural tools livestock feed and fishing supplies to help restore livelihoods and the World Food Programme has deployed mobile warehouses lighting towers and tents to the eastern provincesDifferent UN agencies are actively engaged in providing critical humanitarian assistance across the region according to HaqThe United Nations Population Fund is distributing reproductive health kits and closely collaborating with local partners to both prevent and respond to cases of genderbased violence ensuring that the specific needs of women and girls are prioritized during the crisisThe United Nations Development Programme on the other hand is supplying essential roofing materials toolkits and generators to help communities rebuild infrastructure and support the early recovery processMeanwhile the United Nations Childrens Fund is delivering water storage and treatment supplies designed to provide clean and safe drinking water to as many as 16000 people every day helping to prevent disease and improve living conditions for affected families IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/hurricane-melissa-claims-at-least-75-lives-impacts-nearly-5-million-people-in-caribbean-647454.html Sat, 08 Nov 2025 09:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/un-chief-supports-views-of-us-airstrikes-in-caribbean-pacific-violating-international-humanitarian-law-647455.html United Nations Nov 8 UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres supports the views of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk that the US airstrikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific violate international human rights law a UN spokesperson said Farhan Haq deputy spokesperson for the UN chief said at a daily briefing that none of the individuals on the targeted boats appear to pose an imminent threat to the lives of others or otherwise justify the use of lethal armed force against them under international law echoing TurkWe want to make sure that established law enforcement methods are used to deal with questions of illegal trafficking on the high seas the spokesperson saidTurk said in a statement on October 31 that the United States must halt such attacks and take all measures necessary to prevent the extrajudicial killing of people aboard these boats whatever the criminal conduct alleged against themOn Thursday US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth said on X that US forces struck another alleged drug trafficking boat in the Caribbean killing three people and bringing the total number of vessels destroyed to at least 18 Earlier UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Turk had said in the statement that the United States must halt such attacks and take all measures necessary to prevent the extrajudicial killing of people aboard these boats whatever the criminal conduct alleged against them The statement said over 60 people have reportedly been killed in a continuing series of attacks carried out by US armed forces against boats in the Caribbean and the Pacific since early September in circumstances that find no justification in international law IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/un-chief-supports-views-of-us-airstrikes-in-caribbean-pacific-violating-international-humanitarian-law-647455.html Sat, 08 Nov 2025 09:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-defense-ministry-condemns-north-koreas-launch-of-short-range-ballistic-missile-647460.html Seoul Nov 8 South Koreas defence ministry on Saturday strongly denounced the Norths suspected ballistic missile launch calling for the North to halt acts that heighten tension between the Koreas The Souths military strongly condemns the recent ballistic missile launch by the North and expresses deep regret for the Norths statement denouncing South KoreaUS annual exercises and conference the ministry said in a notice to the pressIt also called on North Korea to immediately halt all acts heightening tensions between the two KoreasThe statement came a day after North Korea launched one suspected shortrange ballistic missile toward the East Sea on Friday a day after it warned of proper measures against the latest US sanctions on PyongyangIn a separate statement the US Forces Korea USFK also said it is aware of the Norths ballistic missile launch and its pursuit of longrange missile capabilitiesWe are consulting closely with the Republic of Korea Our focus is on maintaining the readiness required to defend the US homeland and our allies in the region the USFK saidMeanwhile North Korean Defence Minister No Kwangchol denounced the annual security talks between South Korea and the United States as an intentional expression of the allies hostile nature against it vowing to take more offensive actions against enemy threatsNos remarks came as the defence chiefs of South Korea and the US held the Security Consultative Meeting in Seoul on Tuesday to discuss key alliance and defence issues Yonhap news agency reportedEarlier on November 7 a US military command had reiterated Americas readiness to defend its homeland and allies stressing that North Koreas ballistic missile launch this week underscores the destabilising impact of Pyongyangs actionsThe IndoPacific Command had released a statement after Pyongyang fired one suspected shortrange ballistic missile toward the East Sea on Friday Korean timeWe are aware of the missile launch and are consulting closely with our allies and partners the command had saidWhile we have assessed that this event does not pose an immediate threat to US personnel or territory or to our allies the missile launch highlights the destabilising impact of the DPRKs actions The US remains ready to defend the US homeland and our allies in the region it addedThe DPRK stands for the Norths official name the Democratic Peoples Republic of KoreaThe Norths latest missile launch came after Pyongyang warned of proper measures against the latest US sanctions on itIt last fired shortrange ballistic missiles northeastward on October 22 ahead of South Koreas hosting of the AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation summit and US President Donald Trumps visit to the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-defense-ministry-condemns-north-koreas-launch-of-short-range-ballistic-missile-647460.html Sat, 08 Nov 2025 10:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/mos-margherita-welcomed-by-la-paz-mayor-in-bolivia-discusses-strengthening-cooperation-647469.html La Paz Nov 8 Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita was warmly received and honoured by the Mayor of La Paz Ivan Arias at the historic Palacio Consistorial in Bolivia Both sides held a warm and cordial discussion aimed at strengthening cooperation between India and Bolivia across diverse areas such as yoga culture healthcare urban planning and the promotion of Gandhian philosophyHappy to receive this honour on behalf of the people of India Grateful to Mayor of La Paz Mr Iván Arias and the people of Bolivia for this warm welcome and great honour Margherita posted on X on SaturdayAfter successfully concluding his visit to Ecuador the MoS arrived in Bolivias capital La Paz on Friday to represent India at the inauguration ceremony of the new President of Bolivia During the visit he will also inaugurate the newlyopened Embassy of India in La Paz and interact with business leaders the Indian community Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation ITEC alumni and cultural groupsTaking to X Margherita said Arrived in La Paz the worlds highest capital to represent India at the Inauguration Ceremony of the new President of Bolivia During the visit I look forward to inaugurating the newly opened Embassy of India in La Paz and engaging with business leaders the Indian community ITEC alumni and cultural groupsLast month Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Rodrigo Paz Pereira on his victory in the Presidential elections in Bolivia asserting that he looks forward to deepening the partnership between the two countries in the years to comeWarm congratulations Mr Rodrigo Paz Pereira on your election as the President of Bolivia Close and friendly ties between India and Bolivia have long underpinned our mutually beneficial cooperation I look forward to deepening our partnership for shared progress and prosperity in the years to come PM Modi posted on XPereira 58 won the presidential runoff election in Bolivia on October 19 according to the quick count of the Preliminary Results System of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal TSEPaz will assume office on November 8 for a fiveyear term from 2025 to 2030India and Bolivia enjoy friendly and cordial relations According to the Ministry of External Affairs the bilateral exchanges trade and investment are promising with potential for increasing mutually beneficial cooperation Both sides are working to improve the level of engagement and forge a partnership in sectors like minerals infrastructure development health and pharmaceuticals Information Technology capacity building and development cooperation IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/mos-margherita-welcomed-by-la-paz-mayor-in-bolivia-discusses-strengthening-cooperation-647469.html Sat, 08 Nov 2025 10:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-armenia-discuss-bilateral-regional-and-global-issues-at-11th-foc-in-yerevan-647488.html Yerevan Nov 8 India and Armenia held the 11th Foreign Office Consultations FOC in Yerevan where both sides discussed the entire gamut of bilateral relations as well as regional and global issues of mutual interest the Ministry of External Affairs MEA announced on Saturday According to the MEA the two sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest including cooperation in multilateral foraThe Indian delegation was led by Sibi George MEA Secretary West while the Armenian delegation was led by Mnatsakan Safaryan Deputy Foreign Minister of ArmeniaSibi George also called on Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan During the occasion an agreement on Cooperation in the field of public health and medical science between the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India and the Ministry of Health of Armenia was also signed by Indian Ambassador to Armenia Nilakshi Saha Sinha and Armenian Deputy Minister of Health Lena NanushyanIt was agreed that the next FOC between the two countries would be held in India on a mutually convenient date in 2026 The previous round of FOC was held in New Delhi in November 2023Last month Sibi George represented India at Armenias National Day celebrations in New Delhi reaffirming the nations commitment to the enduring friendship with the West Asian nationThe Indian envoy reaffirmed New Delhis commitment to the relations between the two nations and built upon the recent highlevel engagements between the leadership of both countriesTaking to X the MEA posted Secretary West Sibi George represented India at the National Day celebrations of the Republic of Armenia He reaffirmed commitment to the longstanding IndiaArmenia friendship rooted in history building on recent highlevel engagements among the leadership of both countriesIn August Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Armenian counterpart Nikol Pashinyan on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO Summit in Chinas Tianjin and noted that the two nations share warm and growing tiesFollowing their interaction PM Modi in a post on X wrote Very good interaction with Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan India and Armenia share warm and growing ties rooted in friendship and mutual cooperationEarlier in March Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan visited India at the invitation of External Affairs Minister EAM S JaishankarAccording to the MEA the two ministers held productive discussions where they reviewed the whole range of growing IndiaArmenia bilateral cooperation including in the areas of political exchanges trade economic connectivity education culture and peopletopeople contacts IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-armenia-discuss-bilateral-regional-and-global-issues-at-11th-foc-in-yerevan-647488.html Sat, 08 Nov 2025 12:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-ncp-declares-no-note-of-dissent-in-july-charter-amid-rising-political-tensions-647501.html Dhaka Nov 8 In a growing political conflict in Bangladesh the National Citizen Party NCP asserted there would be no note of dissent in the July charter local media reported The remarks came after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP recently accused the countrys National Consensus Commission of deceiving the people and political parties with its final recommendations on the July Charter calling for its immediate correction by incorporating the notes of dissentWhatever consensus we have reached will stand and the people will decide the rest If they agree those decisions will be implemented Bangladeshs newspaper The Daily Star quoted NCP Convener Nahid Islam as saying while speaking at an event in Dhaka on FridayThe July charter order must be issued by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus keeping up with the mass uprising There will be no note of dissent in the July charter he addedThe NCP leader further said The people are eagerly waiting for change Everything the uprising the election and the consensus commission will fail without that change If certain quarters or political parties alone benefit from the uprising that is not real changeNahid expressed hope to move towards the upcoming election after establishing a legal basis for the July charterEarlier this week the NCP leader accused the BNP and the radical Islamist party JamaateIslami of blocking reform measures and conspiring to delay the February 2026 polls local media reportedAddressing a press conference in Dhaka Nahid alleged that the BNP opposed the National Consensus Commission by submitting notes of dissent on key reform issues fuelling doubts among the public and within the partys own ranks about its reform commitmentHe further claimed that Jamaats actions indicated possible efforts to postpone the electionOne party is obstructing reforms while another is perhaps trying to postpone the election Nahid statedLast week NCPs chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary remarked that the BNPs note of dissent through the National Consensus Commission was in fact a note of cheatingBangladesh continues to face growing uncertainty and political turmoil ahead of next years electionThe parties that earlier collaborated with Yunus to overthrow the democratically elected government of the Awami League led by Sheikh Hasina are now at loggerheads over reform proposals IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-ncp-declares-no-note-of-dissent-in-july-charter-amid-rising-political-tensions-647501.html Sat, 08 Nov 2025 13:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/six-civilians-killed-five-injured-in-afghanistan-in-pakistani-military-attack-647549.html Kabul Nov 8 At least six civilians including women and children were killed and five others injured after the Pakistani military struck three residential homes in Spin Boldak district of Afghanistans Kandahar Province local media reported on Saturday The latest attack came amid the third round of peace talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan in Istanbul which reportedly ended in a deadlockSpeaking to Afghan media outlet TOLO news Afghan citizen Hayatullah whose mother was killed and daughter injured said Two or three mortar shells hit our home My mother was martyred and this child was injured in the armMeanwhile another resident Abdul Manan said that two artillery shells struck his home killing his young son and grandson and injuring two other family membersIts very painful No one can understand it No one knows what we are going through Manan statedIn addition to residential areas a commercial centre in Spin Boldak was also hit in the Pakistani Armys attacks causing extensive damage to local businesses and propertyResidents said such attacks on civilians and commercial centres are blatant violations of international lawsYou always do this These are acts of aggression against us Civilian and commercial infrastructure must not be targeted TOLO news quoted an eyewitness Najibullah as sayingLocal officials said Pakistan breached the ceasefire without any provocation and launched attacks on civilians noting that Afghan forces have not retaliatedThey always violate the ceasefire while the Islamic Emirates forces have mostly remained committed and have not broken the truce said Ali Mohammad Haqmal Head of Information and Culture in Spin BoldakHowever the third round of peace negotiations between Pakistan and Taliban authorities held in Istanbul aimed at establishing a joint framework for crossborder security and counterterrorism once again ended without any breakthrough Afghanistans leading news agency Khaama Press reportedPakistans Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said on Friday that the negotiations had been suspended after reaching a deadlock with no immediate plans to resume talks IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/six-civilians-killed-five-injured-in-afghanistan-in-pakistani-military-attack-647549.html Sat, 08 Nov 2025 16:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/indian-community-marks-150-years-of-vande-mataram-in-chinas-shanghai-647424.html Beijing Nov 7 Indian community members commemorated 150 years of the national song Vande Mataram in Chinas Shanghai on Friday The event started with Indian Consul General in Shanghai Pratik Mathurs address who highlighted the role of Vande Mataram in firing Indias freedom struggle Sharing pictures from the event on X the Indian Consulate General in Shanghai wrote Goonj of Vande Mataram in China Celebrating 150 years of Vande Mataram in Shanghai honouring the song that awakened a nation and still unites it today The event opened with a stirring address by CG Pratik Mathur who spoke about the role of Vande Mataram in firing Indias freedom struggle Indian community members filled the Consulate auditorium voices soaring in unison singing Vande Mataram celebrating 150 years of the song that defined Indias freedom struggleShanghai occupies a special place in the glorious history of our freedom struggle Secret hub for Ghadar revolutionaries who plotted freedom from these shores City Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore visited in 1924 amp 1929 to awaken Asian unity From whispers of revolution then to proud chorus now the spirit lives on Jai HindEarlier in the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the yearlong commemoration of 150 years of the national song at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi saying that during the era of slavery Vande Mataram became the voice of Indias awakeningAddressing the gathering PM Modi said From the eternal journey of humankind we have learned and drawn new conclusions from time to time Based on those learnings we shaped and refined the values and ideals of our civilisation Our ancestors sages seers and divine souls gave us a distinct cultural identityPM Modi continued During the era of slavery Vande Mataram became the voice of Indias awakening a declaration that the chains of bondage binding Maa Bharati would be broken by her own children who would then become the makers of their own destiny Vande Mataram has always been relevant and has achieved immortality The first line Sujalam suphalam malayaja shitalam shasyashyamalam Mataram means we bow down to our land abundant in natural beauty and prosperity This is the thousandyearold identity of India This land has always possessed the power to yield goldIn 1875 Bankim Chandra Chatterjee published Vande Mataram in Bangadarshan some thought it was merely a song But gradually it became the collective voice of Indias awakening the united cry of millions that echoed the spirit of revolution and the emotions of every Indian PM Modi saidHe further added Even amid dire circumstances pain destruction and despair all around Bankim Babu envisioned a prosperous India He firmly believed that no matter how difficult the times India could revive its golden era Thats why he invoked the call of Vande MataramAccording to a release from the Prime Ministers Office PMO the year 2025 marks 150 years of Vande MataramThe national song written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee during the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Navami on November 7 1875 first appeared in the literary journal Bangadarshan as part of his novel AnandamathThe song invokes the motherland as the embodiment of strength prosperity and divinity giving poetic expression to Indias spirit of unity and selfrespect Over time it became an enduring symbol of devotion to the nation IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/indian-community-marks-150-years-of-vande-mataram-in-chinas-shanghai-647424.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 22:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-says-he-will-visit-india-next-year-calls-pm-modi-a-great-man-647202.html Washington Nov 7 US President Donald Trump said he plans to visit India soon praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a great man and his friend Responding to a question during a press conference at the White House on Thursday Trump said the trade negotiations with India are going very wellHes a friend of mine and we speak and he wants me to go there Well figure that out Ill goHes a great man and Ill be going he addedWhen asked if he would travel to India next year Trump said it could be yeah The US President also remembered his last visit to India in 2020 saying I had a great trip there with the Prime MinisterHe also claimed that India has largely stopped buying oil from RussiaTrumps statement comes days after the White House said that Trump has great respect for Prime Minister Modi and said the two leaders speak pretty frequentlyThe White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt while answering a question on IndiaUS ties on Tuesday said that Trump feels very positive and strongly about the bilateral relationshipI know the President has great respect for Prime Minister Modi and they speak pretty frequentlyOn the trade negotiations Leavitt had revealed that Trump and his team are in serious discussions with the Indian sideThe President and his trade team continue to be in very serious discussions with India with respect to that topic she addedShe also highlighted last months Diwali event at the White House and the appointment of Sergio Gor as the next US Ambassador as evidence of the US Presidents commitment to the relationship with IndiaHe recently a few weeks back spoke to Prime Minister directly when he celebrated in the Oval Office Diwali with many highranking Indian American officials here at the White House We have a great US Ambassador to India in Mr Sergio Gor who will represent our country very well she notedOn October 21 Trump hosted a special Diwali event at the White House where he termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi a great person and said he loves the people of India IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-says-he-will-visit-india-next-year-calls-pm-modi-a-great-man-647202.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 06:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-continues-to-work-with-quad-partners-says-state-department-official-647203.html Washington Nov 7 A senior State Department official told IANS that the Trump administration remains committed to working closely with its Quad partners and such cooperation will continue in the future While responding to a question from IANS at the State Department Casey Mace US Senior Official to the AsiaPacific Economic Forum APEC on Thursday termed the collaboration among the Quad partners as fruitfulI can say and confirm that we continue to work with our Quad partners Its been a really very fruitful configuration for us to cooperate with these close partners of ours and that work continues Mace told IANSAt the same time he refused to confirm the dates of the Quad Leaders Summit in India saying he did not have anything to announce yetThe Quad is an informal strategic partnership among four democracies India the United States Japan and Australia committed to promoting a free and open IndoPacificHis statement comes on a day when US President Donald Trump said he plans to visit India soon praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a great man and his friendHes a friend of mine and we speak and he wants me to go there Well figure that out Ill goHes a great man and Ill be going he told reporters at the White House on ThursdayMace also attempted to reassure US allies and friends in Asia over Washingtons IndoPacific strategySome experts have raised questions over the US commitment to the region after President Donald Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth recently characterised US ties with China under a G2 frameworkTrump on October 30 wrote on Truth Social The G2 WILL BE CONVENING SHORTLY hours before he met Chinese President Xi Jinping in South KoreaHowever Mace argued that labelling is a distraction and does not reflect the reality of US engagementsUnited States values its partnerships with all of our partners and allies in the AsiaPacific region and I think labels can be a distractionWhats important is the amount of the amount of energy and investment were pouring into our partnership and alliances should speak to how important we see them So I would say that its important to look at all of what the United States is doing with the region with our partners and allies and draw conclusions from that he told IANS IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-continues-to-work-with-quad-partners-says-state-department-official-647203.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 06:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-ex-president-yoon-wife-to-appear-in-court-on-same-day-for-1st-time-647207.html Seoul Nov 7 Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee were set to appear in court Friday in their separate trials the first time both have appeared on the same day since their arrests Yoon is scheduled to attend one of his trials related to his failed martial law imposition in December over his alleged attempt to obstruct his detention by investigators in January and involvement in deleting secure phone records from serversKim the former first lady is standing trial for corruption and other charges including her alleged involvement in a stock manipulation scheme and the meddling of candidate nominations for electionsYoon had not attended his two martial law trials since being placed under arrest a second time in July but recently resumed his court appearances as key witnesses began to testifyKim has been present at every trial session since the court proceedings began in September She has been held in custody since August 12Both trials on Friday were set to begin at around 1015 am but the couple was not expected to overlap as correctional authorities had arranged to prevent any encounter between the two Yonhap news agency reportedYoon and Kim have been held at separate detention centresEarlier on November 4 a special counsel team had said it had summoned former President Yoon Suk Yeol to appear for questioning over his alleged interference in a military probe into the 2023 death of a young MarineSpecial counsel Lee Myeonghyeons team had sent the notice to Yoon ordering him to appear for questioning at 10 am on Saturday assistant special counsel Choung Minyoung said during a press briefingInvestigators suspect he had ordered the presidential office and the defence ministry to reverse the initial findings of a military probe into the death of Cpl Chae Sugeun in order to relieve a then Marine commander of responsibilityThe former president is also suspected of helping former Defence Minister Lee Jongsup evade responsibility by appointing him ambassador to Australia in March 2024The special counsel team had previously demanded his appearance on October 23 but the former president did not comply citing the trial schedules of his lawyersI understand that his lawyers are not of the position that he will not appear at all Choung had said of the likelihood of Yoons appearanceWe expect him to appear on the eighthThe late Marine died in July 2023 after being swept away in a swollen stream during a search mission for victims of heavy rains without wearing proper safety equipment such as a life vest IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-ex-president-yoon-wife-to-appear-in-court-on-same-day-for-1st-time-647207.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 08:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/typhoon-kalmaegi-leaves-five-dead-in-central-vietnam-647210.html Hanoi Nov 7 Typhoon Kalmaegi has left at least five people dead and six others injured in central Vietnam local daily Lao Dong reported on Friday Three of the fatalities were recorded in Dak Lak province while the other two were in Gia Lai provinceAccording to preliminary reports from local authorities 52 houses collapsed and 2593 others were damaged across the regionLocal authorities are continuing to assess the damage and carry out recovery effortsThe Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Environment said the typhoon weakened into a tropical depression early Friday morning before further dissipating into a lowpressure area over southern Laos Xinhua news agency reportedOn Thursday Typhoon Kalmaegi had made landfall in central Vietnam bringing torrential rains and powerful winds that caused widespread damage local media outlet VNExpress had reportedThe typhoon had uprooted trees damaged roofs and shattered glass windows of buildings in several localities Power outages were reported across large areas of several provinces affecting hundreds of thousands of householdsLocal authorities had said rescue teams had received numerous emergency calls from residents reporting roof collapses and flooding while strong winds had hindered immediate response effortsEight airports and more than 50 flights in Vietnam had been affected as Typhoon Kalmaegi moves toward the countrys central and southern regions local daily Cong An Nhan Dan reportedAirports expected to be directly impacted include Da Nang Phu Bai Lien Khuong Chu Lai Phu Cat Tuy Hoa Pleiku and Buon Ma Thuot according to the Civil Aviation Authority of VietnamThe authority had ordered roundtheclock monitoring and strict compliance with typhoon response proceduresThe Airports Corporation of Vietnam had been instructed to coordinate with relevant agencies to inspect airport infrastructure and communication systems and promptly detect and repair any damageNational flag carrier Vietnam Airlines had also announced that more than 50 flights scheduled for Thursday and Friday had been affected due to flight adjustments made to ensure operational safety IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/typhoon-kalmaegi-leaves-five-dead-in-central-vietnam-647210.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 09:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-hosts-first-biennial-conference-of-bimren-to-boost-cooperation-in-bay-of-bengal-647271.html New Delhi Nov 7 Reinforcing Blue Economy cooperation in the Bay of Bengal region India hosted the first biennial conference of BIMSTECIndia Marine Research Network BIMReN in Kochi the Ministry of External Affairs MEA announced on Friday According to the MEA the event held from November 4 6 served as a milestone in advancing regional cooperation in marine research and sustainable blue economy initiatives focused on marine challenges ecosystem health and research innovations including building scientific networks among young researchers effective marine resource management and harmonious policy developmentBIMReN an initiative of the MEA launched in 2024 enables institutional collaborations through twinning research grants and splitsite PhD fellowships linking leading Indian research institutions with those in other BIMSTEC countriesThe BIMReN initiative was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Colombo BIMSTEC Summit in 2022 to strengthen collective research in marine sciences It aligns with Indias broader regional policy objectives under its Neighbourhood First Act East IndoPacific and MAHASAGAR strategies read a statement issued by the MEAThe Ministry mentioned that the biennial conference brought together BIMReN partners to engage in discussions and exchange of views on the outcomes of BIMReNs activities since its launch The pilot phase of BIMReN has till date connected 25 institutions and over 50 researchers from BIMSTEC countriesThe launch of BIMReN by India is testimony to its longterm commitment towards sustainable fisheries management through regional cooperation in the Bay of Bengal which accounts for 6 per cent of the worlds fish catch and over a third of worlds fishing fleet ply around it the MEA statedEarlier in April during the sixth BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand Prime Minister Modi presented a comprehensive 21point action plan laying out an ambitious road map for cooperation across diverse sectorsHis proposals reflected Indias leadership in revitalising BIMSTEC aligning with the Neighbourhood First and Act East policies and dovetailing into Indias broader IndoPacific visionSharing his vision on X PM Modi stated BIMSTEC is an important forum to further global good It is imperative we strengthen it and deepen our engagement In this context I proposed a 21point action plan covering different aspects of our cooperation IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-hosts-first-biennial-conference-of-bimren-to-boost-cooperation-in-bay-of-bengal-647271.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 12:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/north-korea-fires-suspected-short-range-ballistic-missile-toward-east-sea-jcs-647303.html Seoul Nov 7 North Korea launched one suspected shortrange ballistic missile toward the East Sea on Friday South Koreas military said a day after the North warned of proper measures against the latest US sanctions on Pyongyang The Joint Chiefs of Staff JCS said it detected the launch from near Taegwan County in North Phyongan Province at 1235 pm without providing further detailsThe missile flew about 700 kilometers before splashing into the sea the JCS said adding further analysis is underway with the US side to determine its specificationsSouth Korean and US Intelligence authorities detected signs of the Norths missile launch preparations in advance and had been closely monitoring the situation it added noting relevant information has been shared with the US and JapanThe North last fired shortrange ballistic missiles northeastward on October 22 ahead of South Koreas hosting of the AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation summit and US President Donald Trumps visit to the countryFridays launch also marked the sixth ballistic missile launch by the North this year and second since the administration of President Lee Jae Myung took office in JuneThe move came a day after North Korea denounced the latest US sanctions on eight North Korean individuals and two entities over cybercrimerelated money launderingNorth Korea slammed the US sanctions as reaffirming Washingtons hostile policy toward Pyongyang vowing to take proper measures with patienceWashingtons fresh sanctions came even as US President Donald Trump has expressed his wish to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jongun to resume stalled diplomacy with PyongyangEarlier this week the US State Department also said it is seeking UN sanctions on seven ships accused of illegally exporting North Korean coal and iron ore to China in violation of UN Security Council sanctions over the Norths nuclear and missile programs IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/north-korea-fires-suspected-short-range-ballistic-missile-toward-east-sea-jcs-647303.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 14:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/isi-backed-bangladeshi-terror-groups-plan-major-infiltration-drive-into-india-via-west-bengal-647315.html New Delhi Nov 7 Indian agencies are keeping a close watch as terror groups from Bangladesh are planning a major infiltration drive into the country In the aftermath of Sheikh Hasinas ouster and the JamaateIslami gaining extensive control terror groups have thrived Many militants were released from jail and they were given a free hand to operateThey are so audacious that many hold meetings in the open and the security agencies turn a blind eye to the sameIntelligence agencies are picking up chatter between terrorists in Bangladesh and their logistic providers and financiers in India These groups are also in touch with their sympathisers in India and this is a clear sign that a major infiltration drive of terrorists is being plannedWhile there is a close watch on the borders along the northeastern states a sharp eye is being kept on West BengalThe Intelligence agencies say that these groups have a large number of people working for them in South 24 Parganas Murshidabad Birbhum and MaldaThese places have been on the radar for long as they are used by terror groups from Bangladesh to further their activitiesThe agencies have been noticing a rise in activities at places in West Bengal There is a clear sign that terror groups from Bangladesh backed by the ISI are trying some misadventure in IndiaThe security agencies are also keeping tabs on some of the fugitive naxalites who may be contacted by these terror groups There are quite a few of them in West Bengal as naxalism originated from the state in 1967Many who did not want to surrender or feared being killed went missing They are off the radar today but there is every chance that they could be contacted by these elements operating from Bangladesh an official addedWhile at first these terror groups had plans of infiltrating through the northeastern states they changed their mind and decided to move operations towards the border with West BengalOver the years these terror groups have set up modules in the state They have scores of touts whose job is to aid infiltrationThese are the same networks in West Bengal which have aided these terror groups not just in infiltration but also in circulating fake Indian currency and promoting drugsOver the years these persons who have been indulging in such trade have earned a lot of money thanks to which they have made high connections These links that they have developed over the years has helped them carry out their trade without fearWest Bengal has been vulnerable to infiltration and other illegal activities for many years now If one looks at the data for the past three years a total of 2688 Bangladeshi nationals were apprehended and repelled Out of this South Bengal alone accounted for 2410 and in north Bengal it was 278 according to data provided by the Border Security Force BSFAfter Muhammad Yunus was made the caretaker of the interim government radical groups have had a free ride The ISI has made Bangladesh its playground and in the last many months sent retired army officials to train terroristsIt also advised these groups to act as one This would mean that major terror groups such as the HarkatulJihadi Islami HuJI Ansarullah Bangla Team ABT Jamaateul Mujahideen Bangladesh JMB and HizbutTahrir HUT would work in unisonThe ISI feels that this would ensure that these groups are stronger and the chances of a rift over ideology or turf war will not ariseAccording to the Intelligence agencies all these terror groups have a network in West Bengal and have now been instructed by the ISI to activate themEven those networks which are on the Bangladesh side of the border with West Bengal have become very active thus signalling a possible wave of infiltration of terrorists into India IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/isi-backed-bangladeshi-terror-groups-plan-major-infiltration-drive-into-india-via-west-bengal-647315.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 14:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/fighting-monsters-ignoring-decay-within-pakistani-generals-dichotomy-647380.html New Delhi Nov 7 In early October Pakistan launched airstrikes inside Afghanistan targeting Kabul Kandahar and Paktika claiming to hit TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP militants Instead civilians including women children and young cricketers were killed Kabul retaliated killing 58 Pakistani soldiersFor the first time Afghanistan was bombed not by a superpower but by its neighbour once a haven for its refugeesAccording to a report by The Diplomat the strikes meant to project power instead exposed Pakistans fragilityRawalpindis generals are repeating an old playbook using external aggression to mask internal decay the report saidFor decades Pakistan has blamed instability on others India Kabul or the West while nurturing militant proxies that now threaten its own survivalThe TTP once considered a strategic asset has turned into an existential menace the report saidThe recent air campaign is not a show of confidence but of desperation With the economy on the brink inflation crushing citizens and civilian authority hollowed out Pakistans military is exporting conflict to distract from domestic chaos the report addedMeanwhile the Taliban once Islamabads pawn now assert sovereignty Afghanistan will not fight someone elses war said Afghan Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob just days after the attackThis independence unnerves Pakistans generals Efforts at deescalation such as the ongoing third round of negotiations in Istanbul mediated by Turkiye and Qatar remain fragile as Islamabad continues to speak in ultimatums not diplomacyAlso no external power seems willing to back Pakistans brinkmanship even Beijing and Tehran have urged restraint fearing instability that could spill across bordersWashington long weary of Pakistans duplicity is staying outThe lesson is one history keeps repeating Pakistans coercive diplomacy and militarised reflexes only deepen domestic fracturesEvery confrontation with Afghanistan ends the same way Afghanistan endures Pakistan weakensPakistans generals are trapped in their own contradictions fighting the monsters they once created while ignoring the decay within IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/fighting-monsters-ignoring-decay-within-pakistani-generals-dichotomy-647380.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 18:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/dalai-lamas-photos-seized-china-escalates-repressive-campaign-in-tibet--647403.html Colombo Nov 7 The Chinese government frustrated by the growing popularity of the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Buddhism has increased its repressive religious campaign in Tibet as the Chinese government carried out raids in an Amdobased monastery and nearby villages to seize photos of the Dalai Lama Several Tibetan Buddhist monasteries that hold great cultural and spiritual significance are located in Amdo region a report has stated The Chinese government has long banned the display of the Dalai Lamas pictures in Tibet with several incidents being reported about Tibetans being beaten or arrested under fabricated charges according to a report in Sri Lankabased Ceylon Wire News Recently the Chinese authorities searched the Larang Tashi Khyil Monastery and surrounding villages in Amdo confiscating photos of the Dalai Lama and stating that displaying them was illegal Officials forcibly barged into the monks quarters and homes cutting off all communications from the area The raids were conducted in villages including Thangnag Ngonchag Ledruk and SangkhogA report in Ceylon Wire News stated Frustrated by the growing popularity of the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Buddhism the Chinese government has escalated its repressive religious campaign in Tibet Recently it conducted raids in an Amdobased monastery and nearby villages to confiscate photographs of the Dalai Lama The Amdo region is home to several Tibetan Buddhist monasteries that hold great cultural and spiritual significanceAfter carrying out searches in houses officials confiscated the photos Apart from conducting these raids Chinese officials also forced Tibetans to participate in a controversial Panchen Lama ceremony organised under tight security Monks nuns and senior lamas including the 7th Gunthang Rinpoche the Sakya abbot and the Sera abbot were forced to attend the Kalachakra empowerment led by Gyaltsen Norbu the stateappointed Panchen LamaBy promoting Nurbu the Chinese government has been attempting to impose its version of Buddhism and weaken the influence of the Dalai Lama His appointment as the statesanctioned Panchen Lama is a significant part of Chinas plan to control religious hierarchy in Tibet particularly in anticipation of the Dalai Lamas eventual succession The CCPs religious manipulation stems from its rejection of the legitimate 11th Panchen Lama Gendun Choekyi Nyima He was kidnapped by Chinese authorities at the age of six in 1995 and has been missing till nowFour years back the Chinese administration started a campaign in Zawonpo Township Sershul County in the Karze area where officials removed photos of the Dalai Lama and replaced them with portraits of Chinese leaders Tibetans were forced to sign a pledge that required them to express gratitude to the Communist Party show love for the motherland avoid banned photos discourage loved ones from keeping such images not share Dalai Lama pictures online and pledge full political loyalty Chinese authorities warned that violators will face loss of all state welfare benefits and assistanceA report in Ceylon Wire News stated Freedom Houses 2022 Freedom in the World report highlighted how Chinese authorities are especially rigorous in suppressing any signs of dissent among Tibetans including manifestations of Tibetan religious beliefs and cultural identity Such systematic suppression is part of a broader attempt to reshape Tibets spiritual landscape under the doctrine of statecontrolled religion The CCPs approach towards religion is different as faith is not tolerated unless it serves the Partys goals By promoting Chinese Buddhism Beijing seeks to craft a façade of religious harmony while using religion as a political tool to consolidate control over Tibet This strategy aims to erode Tibetan cultural identity and replace it with a homogenised narrative of Party loyalty masked as patriotismChinas ongoing crackdown on the followers of the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Buddhism is a calculated political manoeuvre to suffocate Tibets spiritual autonomy Chinese Buddhism has become a façade and a political weapon in Beijings hands designed to suppress Tibets centuriesold faith and replace it with a statesanctioned version of obedience The international community especially the United States and Western democracies must take a stronger stance against Chinas religious persecution in Tibet Holding Beijing accountable through diplomatic legal and human rights channels is essential to prevent the extinction of Tibets cultural and spiritual identity Without firm global intervention the voice of Tibetan Buddhism and the teachings of the Dalai Lama risk being silenced under the shadow of authoritarian control it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/dalai-lamas-photos-seized-china-escalates-repressive-campaign-in-tibet--647403.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 19:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/in-sindhs-graveyard-of-dishonoured-women-pakistans-feudal-culture-still-fuels-honour-killing-647404.html New Delhi Nov 7 Fattu Shah a remote village in northern Sindh Pakistan hides a grim secret a burial ground locals call the graveyard for dishonoured women The unmarked graves devoid of names or rituals are the final resting places of women killed in the name of honour according to a report by DW   For 15 years Ive been documenting this site each grave tells the story of a woman silenced said researcher and activist Aisha Dharejo who runs Sindh Suhai Sath an organisation supporting survivors of genderbased violenceShe says victims are denied even basic burial rites their bodies hastily buried in shallow pitsAccording to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan at least 405 people were killed in honour crimes in 2024 with Sindh and Punjab reporting the highest numbersActivists say the real toll is much higher as many cases go unreported due to the influence of feudal landlords and tribal customs the report saidThese killings have nothing to do with tradition said Dharejo They are often about property revenge or control Womens bodies become currency in negotiations between familiesOne survivor talking to DW Sobia Batool Shah said that she was attacked by her father and relatives in Naushahro Feroze for seeking a divorceThey made me disabled They took away my strength to walk she said Supported by Dharejos group she filed cases against her attackers a rare step in rural SindhAnother woman Haleema Bhutto was married at 12 and later accused of adultery when she refused to hand over her inheritance After 18 years of struggle and protests outside Islamabad Press Club she won a Supreme Court case in 2011 restoring her property I fought so he couldnt kill me Haleema saidBut Dharejo warns that real change requires dismantling feudal and patriarchal systems that perpetuate violence Education and awareness help but unless power structures are challenged women will keep ending up in these silent graveyards she said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/in-sindhs-graveyard-of-dishonoured-women-pakistans-feudal-culture-still-fuels-honour-killing-647404.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 19:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/we-all-know-which-country-is-factory-of-terrorism-mea-slams-pakistan-for-supporting-terrorists-647419.html New Delhi Nov 7 India on Friday slammed Pakistan for its support to terrorist groups calling it a factory of terrorism and a global epicentre of terrorism When asked about Pakistans institutional help to terrorist organisations and Pakistan ministers recent visit to LashkareTayyiba LeT institution Jaiswal responded We all know you know which country is the factory of terrorism which country is the global epicentre of terrorism So I need not elaborate more for you to get an answer to your questionEarlier in October Pakistan made a renewed attempt to legitimise its terrorism by defending its terrorist brigades sent across to attack India by making the outlandish claim that they are freedom fighters India denounced it as doublespeak and hypocrisy by the epicentre of global terrorismNations should distinguish between terrorism and the exercise of the legitimate right of people to resist foreign occupation Muhammad Jawad Ajmal a Counsellor at Pakistans UN Mission saidHe falsely claimed that the distinction is duly observed in International Law International Humanitarian Law and General Assembly resolution 4651 which also endorses this positionHowever a 1994 General Assembly declaration expressly states Criminal acts intended or calculated to provoke a state of terror in the general public a group of persons or particular persons for political purposes are in any circumstance unjustifiable whatever the considerations of a political philosophical ideological racial ethnic religious or any other nature that may be invoked to justify them This is reiterated in a 2004 Security Council resolution and the 1999 International Convention Against Financing Terrorism adopted by the UN General AssemblyThe Assembly resolution that Ajmal cited 4651 adopted in 1991 makes a glancing mention of liberation struggles but does not legitimise terrorism carried out under that claim and goes on to stress that it once again unequivocally condemns as criminal and unjustifiable all acts methods and practices of terrorism wherever and by whomever committedIt demanded that all nations fulfil their obligations under international law to refrain from participating in terrorist acts in other statesRaghoo Puri a First Secretary at Indias UN Mission sought to set Pakistan right saying Terrorism is among the gravest of offences that fundamentally violates the core of humanity It represents the worst of bigotry violence intolerance and fear and terrorists are the worst of the worst in humankindPakistans doublespeak and hypocrisy also stand exposed he saidHe added Pakistan is a wellknown epicentre of terrorism with established link to multiple terror attacks across the world targeting innocent nationalsAjmal made the absurd attempt to misinterpret international law during the interactive dialogue with Ben Saul the Special Rapporteur on Fundamental Freedoms While Countering TerrorismIt was held by the UN General Assemblys Third Committee that deals with humanitarian affairs IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/we-all-know-which-country-is-factory-of-terrorism-mea-slams-pakistan-for-supporting-terrorists-647419.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 21:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistans-textile-sector-on-brink-of-implosion-report-646913.html New Delhi Nov 5 With decades of poor governance illconceived subsidies and structural inefficiencies the textile sector in Pakistan known to be the countrys single largest export industry now stands at the brink of implosion according to a media report The textile sector once hailed as the backbone of Pakistans economy accounting for nearly 60 per cent of total exports has in recent years seen a significant decline with exports plummeting and imports rising Maldives Insight reportedCiting data from the Pakistan Textile Council PTC the report showed that textile exports in Pakistan fell 383 per cent yearonyear in the first quarter of FY26 to 761 billion down from 791 billion in the same period last yearIn September this year the country experienced the fifth contraction in six months with exports plunging 1171 per cent to 251 billion and imports rising 1349 per cent to 1697 billionWhile industry leaders have long warned against the situation shortterm fixesrebates bailouts and energy subsidies by successive governments have just temporarily inflated export figures The measures did nothing to build sustainable competitivenessIf urgent corrective measures are not taken Pakistan risks further closures of exportoriented units and reduced foreign investment This will not only mean job losses and industrial shutdowns but also a sharp decline in Pakistans foreign exchange earnings at a time when the country cannot afford such shocks PTC Chairman Fawad Anwar was quoted as sayingMeanwhile the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce amp Industry FPCCI in its latest policy brief described an inefficient and costly logistics system that swallows 156 per cent of GDP almost double the cost in advanced economiesThis means that before a single container of garments leaves the port it is already burdened with costs that make Pakistani exports unviable the report saidWith the countrys logistical collapse it has fallen completely off the World Banks Logistics Performance Index while its regional peers like India Vietnam and Bangladesh are steadily climbingThese countries with efficient ports modern rail systems and integrated supply chains have given exporters the edge to meet deadlines cut costs and expand market share the report saidIt also cited the use of outdated technology energy crises and policy inconsistency with frequent changes in tax regimes export facilitation programmes and import restrictionsWhile policymakers speak of revival plans and energy relief packages the data the shutdowns and the layoffs all point to a collapsing industry the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistans-textile-sector-on-brink-of-implosion-report-646913.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 01:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-inflation-hits-2025-high-of-62-pc-amid-afghan-border-closures-646922.html New Delhi Nov 5 Pakistans inflation surged to 62 per cent in October the highest in a year amid floods and Afghan border closures affecting food supplies a recent media report said The surge was caused by floods in Punjab and ongoing closures of key trade crossings with Afghanistan especially at border points such as Torkham and Spin Boldak which disrupted food supplies and increased prices the report from Khaama Press News Agency saidAccording to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics food prices in Pakistan rose by 18 per cent from September the report addedThe Afghanbased media house cited officials saying inflation had eased below 6 per cent by mid2025 after hitting nearly 30 per cent last year but surged again due to temporary supply shocks and base effectsIn August severe floods ravaged farmland and industrial zones across Punjab killing over 1000 people and displacing 25 million The disaster also destroyed major crops worsening supply constraints the report mentionedThe government projected inflation to remain between 5 per cent and 6 per cent in October but later admitted that flood damage and blocked trade routes with Afghanistan have increased the prices of essential goodsEconomists however said Pakistans inflationary pressures stem not only from climate shocks but also from persistent governance weaknesses and external dependence according to the reportA report in October said that Pakistans total public debt hit 286 billion by the end of the 202425 fiscal year and its borrowing has reached an unsustainable level up 13 per cent YoYThe borrowings suggest that deep structural flaws that have become the hallmark of Pakistans fiscal management it said adding that servicing debt rather than financing growth remains the single largest use of public resourcesPakistans Ministry of Finances Annual Debt Review 2025 concedes that the debttoGDP ratio has climbed to 70 per cent up from 68 per cent the previous year IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-inflation-hits-2025-high-of-62-pc-amid-afghan-border-closures-646922.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 02:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/2025-could-be-deadliest-year-in-decade-for-pakistan-security-report-646936.html Islamabad Nov 5 Pakistan has witnessed an over 46 per cent rise in overall violence in its security landscape for the third quarter of 2025 according to the latest security report released by Islamabadbased Centre for Research and Security Studies CRSS As per the report Pakistan reported at least 901 fatalities and 599 injuries among civilians security personnel and outlaws resulting from 329 incidents of violence including terror attacks and counterterror operationsA report in CRSS stated In just three quarters 2025 has proven nearly as deadly as all of 2024 with 2414 fatalities recorded compared to the entire tally of 2024 2546 which with an entire quarter still remaining indicates that 2025 is on course to surpass last years toll and intensification of militant violence and the expanded scale of counterterrorism operations If the current trend continues 2025 could mark one of the deadliest years in a decade A yearonyear comparison reinforces this shiftPakistan recorded 1527 fatalities between JanuarySeptember 2024 Q1Q3 The 2414 fatalities during the same period showcases a surge of 58 per cent in violence However the source of fatalities has shifted As many as 505 deaths were reported due to security operations in 2024 while 1022 people died due to terror attacks The report stated In 2025 security operations accounted for 1265 deaths over half of the total fatalities This shift underscores how the states response has intensified with security forces inflicting heavier losses on militantsThe CRSS report added Accounting for over 96 per cent of the countrys violence in this quarter Khyber Pakhtunkhwa KP and Balochistan stood out as the most volatile provinces KP was the worsthit region suffering nearly 71 per cent 638 of the total violencelinked fatalities and over 67 per cent 221 of the incidents of violence followed by Balochistan with over 25 per cent fatalities 230 and incidents 85 The number of fatalities injuries and incidents recorded in all other regions remained relatively lowIn comparison to Q2 2025 the total fatalities increased from 616 to 901 in the period under review a metric behind the reported rise of over 46 per cent in violence where the most significant rise was recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan with 64 per cent from 390 to 638 fatalities and 21 per cent from 190 to 230 rise respectively Sindh also reported a rise in fatalities by 162 per cent though the number of deaths was less from 8 in Q2 to 21 in Q3 2025The report said It is worth noting that in the last quarter CRSS had reported around 32 and 40 less violence recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa KP and Balochistan provinces respectively compared to Q1 Of the security landscape in Q3 2025 by the victims of violence reveals some interesting security trends with both alarming and encouraging insights The total number of outlaws fatalities recorded 516 were still more than the fatalities suffered by security personnel and civilians combined 385The outlaws accounted for the majority of fatalities recorded in this quarter ie 57 per cent 516 followed by civilians with over 24 per cent 219 fatalities and security personnel with over 18 per cent 166 Compared to Q2 2025 these figures mark almost 55 per cent more losses among outlaws 516 vs 333 over 43 per cent among civilians 219 vs 153 and nearly 28 per cent among security personnel 166 vs 130 it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/2025-could-be-deadliest-year-in-decade-for-pakistan-security-report-646936.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 02:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/afghanistan-delegation-travels-to-turkey-for-fresh-round-of-talks-with-pakistan-646938.html Kabul Nov 5 Afghanistans delegation led by intelligence chief Abdul Haq Wasiq will travel to Turkey for a new round of negotiations with Pakistan scheduled to be held on Thursday local media reported on Wednesday Wasiqs delegation will hold talks with Pakistani officials to discuss border tensions Afghanistans leading news agency Khaama Press reported The third round of peace negotiations set to be held in Istanbul on Thursday is being mediated by Turkey and Qatar to ease tensions between the two countriesTaliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed to staterun media that the delegation would leave later on Wednesday reaffirming Afghanistans intention to maintain dialogue with PakistanEarlier talks between delegations of Pakistan and Afghanistan were held in Doha and Istanbul However the second round of negotiations between two nations ended without progress due to difference of opinion between two delegations over crossborder militant activityPakistan has repeatedly accused the Taliban regime of backing the TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP group asking Kabul for written guarantees that it would stop such groups from operating on Afghan soilAnalysts have said that the talks in Istanbul could determine whether the two nations can rebuild trust and create mechanisms to manage border security and counterterrorism cooperation effectivelyLast week Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said that Pakistans civilian government wants to build ties with Afghanistan based on mutual interests however the military does not allow itMujahid stated that elements within Pakistans military are making efforts to damage ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan Afghanistanbased Tolo News reported citing Khyber TV He further said Pakistans special envoy for Afghanistan Sadiq Khan was in Kabul and had positive talks with Afghan officials but during the same period Pakistan carried out attacks on Afghan soil The civilian government seeks to build relations but the military damages themHe stated that traders from both nations were facing losses due to Pakistans closure of crossings along the Durand Line and stressed that such issues should be kept out of politics Mujahid noted that relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan were strong during Imran Khans tenure as Pakistans Prime MinisterZabihullah urged Pakistan to share information regarding terrorist activities taking place on Afghan soil with the Taliban so that action can be taken He said The Pakistani side wants us also to prevent incidents happening inside Pakistan but that is beyond our control The Islamic Emirate does not want insecurity in Pakistan and remains committed to ensuring that no threat arises from Afghan territoryHis statement came amid escalation of tensions after Pakistani forces carried out crossborder operations in Afghanistan and the failure of talks between the delegations of the two countries in Turkey IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/afghanistan-delegation-travels-to-turkey-for-fresh-round-of-talks-with-pakistan-646938.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 03:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/2025-dengue-death-toll-in-bangladesh-crosses-300-with-10-new-fatalities-646945.html Dhaka Nov 5 Dengue outbreak in Bangladesh is worsening rapidly with infections and deaths rising sharply across the country As many as 10 people died due to dengue in 24 hours till Wednesday morning raising the death toll from the mosquitoborne disease in Bangladesh in 2025 to 302 the local media reported It marked the second highest singleday rise in deaths in 2025 According to the Directorate General of Health Services DGHS five new fatalities have been reported in Dhaka South City Corporation DSCC three in Dhaka North City Corporation DNCC and one each in Barishal and Khulna divisions the United News of Bangladesh UNB reportedDuring the same period 1069 more patients were admitted to hospital with viral fever raising the total number of cases in 2025 to 74992 Presently 1140 patients are undergoing treatment in Dhaka while a total of 3203 patients are receiving treatment at various hospitals of BangladeshAmong this years patients 622 per cent were men while 378 per cent were women according to the report Among the fatalities in 2025 533 per cent were male and 467 per cent were femaleAs many as 575 people died due to dengue in Bangladesh in 2024On October 9 Directorate General of Health Services DGHS Director General Abu Jafor noted that the number of dengue cases in 2025 is higher than last year however the death rate is lowerSpeaking at a press briefing held over the Typhoid Vaccination Campaign2025 at the Health Ministry Abu Jafor said This year the number of dengue infections is higher than last year but the death rate in proportion to infections is lower the UNB reportedHe called breeding of mosquitoes and the destruction of their larvae important for preventing dengue People must use mosquito nets and take protective measures These are mostly individual responsibilities If we neglect these it will be very difficult to eliminate dengue he saidHe stated Our data shows that over 50 per cent of dengue deaths in hospitals are occurring on the very first day of admission This suggests that patients are seeking care too We are doing our best to ensure proper management in hospitalsAbu Jafor called early diagnosis important and mentioned that dengue if detected in the initial stage can be treated at home with proper medical care He said that lack of awareness negligence and delay in seeking medical care as the main reasons for the increasing dengue death rateDengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus DENV which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes Dengue is found in tropical and subtropical climates across the world mostly in urban and semiurban areas according to the World Health Organisation WHO statement Prevention and control of dengue depend on vector control There is no specific treatment for dengue however early detection and access to proper medical care lower fatality rates of severe dengue IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/2025-dengue-death-toll-in-bangladesh-crosses-300-with-10-new-fatalities-646945.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 03:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/tgana-cm-congratulates-hyderabad-born-ghazala-hashmi-on-election-as-virginia-lt-governor-646952.html Hyderabad Nov 5 Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday congratulated Democratic Party leader Ghazala Hashmi on her election as the Lt Governor of Virginia The Chief Minister noted that Senator Ghazala Hashmi who was born in Hyderabad and later settled in the US holds a doctorate in international affairsHe conveyed his best wishes to her for continued success and many more accomplishments in her public service careerGhazala Hashmi scripted history by winning the Virginia Lt Governor race as she became the first Indianorigin Muslim woman to hold the postSix years after making history with her election as Virginia state senator the 61yearold Democrat set another record by defeating Republican John Reid in the Virginia lieutenant gubernatorial raceShe also became the first Muslim and South Asian American to be elected to the postBharat Rashtra Samithi BRS working president and former Telangana minister K T Rama Rao has hailed Ghazala Hashmis election as Lieutenant Governor of VirginiaThis is massive From Malakpet to Virginia Congratulations to Ghazala Hashmi on becoming the first IndianAmerican Lieutenant Governor of Virginia There is nothing more beautiful when democracies celebrate diversity of the world Rama Rao posted on XGhazala Firdous Hashmi was born in Hyderabad in 1964 to Tanveer and Zia Hashmi She lived at her maternal grandparents home in Malakpet area here during her childhoodWhen she was four years old she along with her mother and older brother moved to the United States joining her father who was then pursuing a PhD in international relations in Georgia and beginning his university teaching career according to the profile on her websiteShe attended the Marvin Pittman Laboratory School at Georgia Southern University where both her father and uncle taught in the political science departmentGhazala earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Georgia Southern University and her PhD in American literature from Emory University in AtlantaGhazala and her husband Azhar moved to the Richmond area in 1991 and she spent nearly 30 years as a professor first teaching at the University of Richmond and then at Reynolds Community College where she founded and led the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning CETLIn November 2019 she was elected to Virginia state senate defeating incumbent Republican senator Glen Sturtevant She became the first MuslimAmerican woman and also the first IndianAmerican to enter Virginia state senate IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/tgana-cm-congratulates-hyderabad-born-ghazala-hashmi-on-election-as-virginia-lt-governor-646952.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 03:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-trying-to-hide-strategic-depth-policy-failure-in-afghanistan-report-646953.html Islamabad Nov 5 Pakistan has been making desperate efforts to shift the global narrative in its favour amid tensions with Afghanistan and uncertainty about peace talks with Taliban In order to achieve this Pakistan is trying to showcase itself as a victim of crossborder terrorism calling Taliban uncooperative seeking support from Western and friendly Islamic nations on the matter justifying military actions in Afghanistan and accusing India for its tensions with Taliban a report has stated All these factors also contribute to Pakistans attempts to hide its strategic depth policy failure in Afghanistan and coerce the Taliban leadership to fall in line or face consequences Riding high on renewed ties with the United States and a growing diplomatic role in the Middle East Pakistan believes it can reshape the perception about Afghanistan While this tactic may work in the short term Islamabad risks alienating the Taliban in the long run Sarral Sharma a Doctoral Candidate at JNU and a former Consultant at the National Security Council Secretariat wrote in an opinion piece for NDTVPakistan has been portraying itself as the victim of crossborder terrorism and consistently accused Taliban of harbouring TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP and other militant groups that target Pakistani armed forces During the recent round of talks in Turkey Pakistan initially said The dialogueended without any workable solution and accused Taliban of being indifferent to Pakistans lossesPakistan by showcasing its own sufferings and sacrifices is presenting itself as a responsible peaceseeking neighbour whose diplomatic efforts have been rejected due to the Talibans views The recent talks concluded after thirdparty mediation efforts on October 30 with plans to hold the next round of negotiations in Istanbul starting ThursdayThe writer mentioned that by criticising Taliban and showcasing its own peaceful efforts Pakistan is trying to claim the role of the peace warrior Pakistan has claimed that they had always desired advocated and immensely sacrificed for peace and prosperity for the people of Afghanistan and warned that Pakistans patience has run its course Pakistans army chief Asim Munir said when it comes to the safety and security of every single Pakistani the whole of Afghanistan can be damned By making such statements Pakistan portrays itself both as a willing negotiator and a powerful military force that has the right to actThe failure of peace talks also helps Pakistan to gain external support from the Western and Islamic nations to pressurise Taliban Pakistan has contended that Afghanistan cannot be stable until Pakistans security concerns particularly about TTP are addressed The NDTV report mentions that as Taliban has limited role in controlling militancy in Pakistan since the former regards it as the internal problem of the latter Islamabad may use the uncertainty around peace negotiations as an example of Talibans unreliability and try to get diplomatic and financial support intelligence military cooperation from Western nations on the issueThe diplomatic impasse wrote Sharma helps Pakistan to justify its military strategy against Afghanistan under the pretext of counterterrorism operations against TTP and its affiliates The temporary breakdown of diplomacy between two nations can result in Pakistan using force to conduct strikes inside Afghanistan such as Kabul or in KandaharPakistan it seems is also quite unsettled following the recent visit of Afghanistan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi to India in October However by relying heavily on military actions and coercive diplomacy Pakistan may further alienate Taliban reduce its influence and increase the possibility of confrontationThe Taliban may also change its policy and form new partnerships within the region and outside Taliban 20 is not willing to accept directives issued by Pakistan and seeks respectful treatment from its neighbour Furthermore Pakistan is unwilling to accept independent policies of Taliban especially Afghanistans strengthening ties with India Even after four years of seizing power Taliban has not been recognised by Pakistan as Afghanistans legitimate government causing serious mistrust in Kabul about Islamabads intentions IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-trying-to-hide-strategic-depth-policy-failure-in-afghanistan-report-646953.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 03:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/you-are-hindus-pakistan-denies-entry-to-14-indian-pilgrims--646957.html New Delhi Nov 5  Fourteen Indian citizens who travelled to Pakistan as part of a large group of pilgrims for Guru Nanaks 556th birth anniversary celebrations were denied entry and turned back after officials reportedly refused to accept them allegedly saying they were Hindu and not Sikh  New Delhi Nov 5 Fourteen Indian citizens who travelled to Pakistan as part of a large group of pilgrims for Guru Nanaks 556th birth anniversary celebrations were denied entry and turned back after officials reportedly refused to accept them allegedly saying they were Hindu and not SikhThe pilgrims Pakistaniorigin Sindhi Hindus who later acquired Indian citizenship had joined around 2100 devotees cleared by Indias Home Ministry to visit Nankana Sahib the birthplace of Guru Nanak Pakistan had issued travel documents for roughly the same number of peopleOn Tuesday approximately 1900 pilgrims crossed the Wagah border the first civilian movement between the two nations since Operation Sindoor Indias military action in May following the Pahalgam terror attack However it is now confirmed that 14 people were forced to returnAccording to a report by NDTV Pakistani authorities told them You are Hindu you cant go with Sikh devoteesThe group which reportedly included pilgrims from Delhi and Lucknow walked back humiliated the report saidIn addition nearly 300 others who had independently applied for visas were stopped on the Indian side due to a lack of mandatory approval from the Home MinistrySenior Sikh leaders including Akal Takht representative Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj SGPC delegate Bibi Gurinder Kaur and DSGMCs Ravinder Singh Sweeta were among those who entered PakistanThe main Gurpurab ceremony is being held at Gurdwara Janamasthan about 80 km from Lahore During their 10day pilgrimage Indian Sikh devotees are scheduled to visit historic shrines including Gurdwara Panja Sahib Hasan Abdal Gurdwara Sacha Sauda Farooqabad and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib KartarpurThe episode has unfolded amid persistent strain between New Delhi and Islamabad after the Pahalgam massacre in April which killed 26 mostly civiliansIndia has not yet issued an official condemnation of the incident involving the Hindu pilgrims but the development is likely to add to diplomatic friction during an already tense period IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/you-are-hindus-pakistan-denies-entry-to-14-indian-pilgrims--646957.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 03:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/rights-groups-denounce-arrest-of-afghan-journalist-in-pakistan-demand-her-release-646958.html Kabul Nov 5 Several human rights groups have requested Pakistan to release detained Afghan journalist Fatema Hamnawa and uphold its commitment to protect exiled reporters from deportation An Afghan media watchdog slammed Pakistan for detaining Fatema Hamnawa and her children warning of rising threats to Afghan journalists in exile local media reported on Wednesday Afghanistans media advocacy group Nai on Tuesday called the arrest and possible deportation of Afghan journalists especially women from Pakistan a dangerous and alarming development Afghanistans leading news agency Khaama Press reportedThe organisation stated that Pakistani police arrested Fatema Hamnawa along with her two children amid an ongoing crackdown on Afghan migrants Nai asked Pakistani government to immediately release Hamnawa and allow her renew her visa The group stressed that Pakistans deportation of journalists to Afghanistan could endanger their livesFatema Hamnawa like other Afghan refugees was living in Pakistan on temporary visa that expired after Pakistan stopped renewing visa for Afghan nationalsRights groups have criticised Pakistans expulsion of thousands of Afghan refugees in recent months warning that activists and journalists could face severe risks if deportedMeanwhile Reporters Without Borders also denounced Talibans continued repression of journalists in Afghanistan It stated that Afghan journalists who return home face arbitrary detention and mistreatment and contended that the Taliban treat independent reporters as criminalsEarlier in October Afghan refugees have voiced concerns over escalating challenges and growing fear amid the ongoing crackdown They alleged that the Pakistani police have recently made announcements in some mosques warning that anyone assisting the refugees including by renting homes or shops in Pakistan would be considered a criminal by the governmentA large number of Afghan refugees including children women and the elderly have been held in Pakistani detention centres for over 15 days living in extremely harsh conditions Afghanistans leading media outlet Tolo News quoted Atiqullah Mansoor an Afghan refugee in Pakistan as sayingMeanwhile several other refugees stated that along with demolishing shelters the Pakistani government has stepped up arrests and forced deportationsThey urged the Pakistani government to suspend the demolition of their homes and allow them to stay in Pakistan at least through the winterWinter has already started Many of the remaining homes of Afghan refugees here have been demolished We urge the Pakistani government to stop destroying the rest of the homes because otherwise refugees will be left without shelter and with nowhere to go On top of that the government has warned locals not to rent homes to Afghan refugees or they will face legal consequences said another Afghan refugee in Pakistan IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/rights-groups-denounce-arrest-of-afghan-journalist-in-pakistan-demand-her-release-646958.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 03:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-leads-the-way-in-pushing-limits-of-global-south-report-646962.html Muscat Nov 5 India plays a leading role in expanding the boundaries of the Global South enthusiastically sharing the fruits of its development journey with other partners in areas ranging from socioeconomic development to digital infrastructure trade or investment a report cited on Wednesday It added that Indias engagement is crucial in the evolving dynamics of the Global South reflecting its strong commitment towards a multipolar world equitable distribution of power and economic resources and the democratisation of global platforms to ensure all voices are heardThe need for cooperation and coordination between the Global South acquired a key role in the diplomatic relations in the postcolonial world This traces back to Indias association with Egypt Indonesia and Ghana to colead and openly challenge the Western hegemony through the NonAligned Movement NAM to the current stress on SouthSouth Cooperation Historically speaking from the need for raising a voice against colonial rule across the globe to NAM from stressing the need for a multipolar world to the contemporary phenomenon of SouthSouth Cooperation India has always been at the forefront in raising a voice and action of the Global South a report in Times of Oman detailedIndeed leveraging the shared historical cultural and economic identities as well as development experience is a key aspect of Indias involvement in the Global South For instance during the Covid19 pandemic India established vaccine maitri vaccina friendship in which India provided nearly 300 million vaccine doses to less developed and vulnerable countries often free of cost This was in contrast to many countries that imposed export controls during the pandemic it addedAmid rising trade protectionism and soaring tariffs the report said the Global South requires deeper economic integration to stay resilient to economic uncertainties and changes in the political climate of developed economies It added that with this understanding India is fast emerging as a key player on the economic frontiers spearheading economic engagement through investments in the Global SouthIndian corporates are making significant investments mergers acquisitions and startups in traditional as well as newly emerging sectors like agriculture mining along with telecommunications pharmaceuticals and renewable energy across the Global South the report notedFor instance in Africa Indian enterprises have invested over 50 billion This is not just helping bring money home but also creating jobs and infrastructure development in Africa Similarly in Latin America India is investing in IT and renewable energy contributing to the overall technological advancements and sustainable development it mentionedAccording to the report the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam the world is one family is demonstrated through Indias initiatives in Global South engagement whether responding to crisis addressing developmental needs or raising its voice and support on international platforms IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-leads-the-way-in-pushing-limits-of-global-south-report-646962.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 03:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/rights-group-slams-yunus-govt-over-politically-motivated-attacks-on-lawyers-in-bangladesh-646963.html Dhaka Nov 5 Highlighting the crackdown on the independence of lawyers in Bangladesh several international human rights organisations and bar councils on Wednesday strongly condemned the continuous politically motivated repression of the legal community under the Muhammad Yunusled interim government According to the joint statement issued by the 15 human rights organisations and bar councils lawyers are being systematically targetted solely for performing their professional duties and exercising their political beliefs in BangladeshThe statement cited the Francebased human rights organisation Justicemakers Bangladesh in France JMBF which has documented 268 verified incidents of persecution affecting 849 lawyers between August 2024 and September 2025 under the Yunus regimeAs per the findings of JMBF 200 incidents targeting 721 lawyers involved false charges of murder attempted murder sabotage seditious conspiracy extortion and other crimes used to criminalise and silence legal professionalsThe evidence reveals a coordinated politically motivated campaign orchestrated by the Interim Government led by former Nobel Peace Laureate Muhammad Yunus and its allies targeting lawyers for their political affiliations professional responsibilities and organizational engagements This campaign has undermined the independence of the legal profession obstructed justice and threatened the rule of law read the joint statementThe repression has been overwhelmingly politically motivated disproportionately affecting lawyers affiliated with the Bangladesh Awami League BAL JMBF documented 236 incidents involving 795 victims representing 88 per cent of all incidents and 93 per cent of all victims nationwide These figures demonstrate a deliberate effort to neutralise proBAL lawyers and obstruct justice it addedExpressing concern the organisations criticised these politically motivated and systematically targetted attacks on the lawyers They called on the Yunusled interim government to immediately end all forms of persecution against lawyers in Bangladesh and release all imprisoned lawyers and withdraw all charges unconditionallyAdditionally the groups urged the interim government to ensure protection of lawyers from harassment intimidation and violence guarantee justice for persecuted lawyers prevent further persecution and create an enabling environment for lawyers to perform their duties without fear or interference in the countryFurthermore the organisations appealed to the international community including bar associations and human rights organisations notably the United Nations Human Rights Council the European Parliament and the European Commission to closely monitor the situation and provide support to lawyers under threat in Bangladesh IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/rights-group-slams-yunus-govt-over-politically-motivated-attacks-on-lawyers-in-bangladesh-646963.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 03:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/water-crisis-in-pakistan-leaves-millions-struggling-for-survival-report-646965.html Islamabad Nov 5 Pakistans water crisis has taken a staggering human toll forcing millions to dig deeper wells and travel long distances to fetch water with women especially in droughtstricken regions bearing the brunt of this burden a report said on Wednesday It added that children suffer from preventable diseases caused by contaminated water and poor sanitation while urban populations grapple with daily shortages and rural communities are left neglected by the stateAt the heart of South Asia Pakistan is teetering on the brink of a catastrophic water crisis one that is not born of scarcity but of systemic mismanagement governmental apathy and political deflection Despite being one of the more waterabundant nations globally with the World Bank ranking only 35 countries ahead of it in natural water availability Pakistan finds itself among the most waterstressed nations in the world The situation reveals a profound and unsettling truth Pakistans water crisis is the consequence of human mismanagement rather than an inevitable natural catastrophe a report in Islam Khabar detailedAccording to the report despite the severity of the crisis Pakistans leadership remains indifferent lacking a longterm water policy an integrated drought early warning system and meaningful investment in infrastructure The International Water Management Institutes political economy analysis highlighted significant shortcomings in Pakistans water governance including insufficient data outdated planning mechanisms and the absence of coordination among the provincesMedia and public discourse mirror this apathy Political talk shows dominate the airwaves while the water crisis arguably the most pressing issue facing the nation receives scant attention Policymakers appear more interested in scoring political points than in securing water for their citizens the report statedThe report further emphasised that rather than addressing their own failures Pakistans political leaders have increasingly engaged in blameshifting targeting India for suspending the Indus Waters Treaty or Afghanistan for its proposed Kunar River dam which they argue could affect water flow to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa It stressed these narratives serve only to deflect attention from Pakistans chronic mismanagement of water resources with external scapegoating delaying meaningful solutions and diverting the focus from the urgent need for domestic reform and accountabilityWater easy to weaponise in public discourse has become a tool for deflection Yet the irony is stark Islamabad and Rawalpindi which suffer acute water shortages rely on watersheds entirely within Pakistan The crisis in these cities cannot be blamed on external actors it is a product of domestic neglect the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/water-crisis-in-pakistan-leaves-millions-struggling-for-survival-report-646965.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 03:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/israel-says-20-militants-killed-in-lebanon-over-past-month-646992.html Jerusalem Nov 6 The Israeli military said it had killed about 20 people in Lebanon over the past month describing them all as militants including a member of Hezbollahs elite Radwan Force killed earlier in the day The latest strike came amid increased crossborder Israeli attacks in Lebanon and escalating rhetoric from the country despite an ongoing fragile ceasefire raising concerns that Israel may be preparing to resume largescale air operations in its northern neighbor Xinhua news agency reportedThe army said the 20 people killed were targeted as part of operations to remove threats against the State of IsraelIn an airstrike earlier on Wednesday the military said it had struck and eliminated Hussein Jaber Dib described as a member of Hezbollahs Radwan Force who advanced terror attacks against the State of Israel and its citizensLebanons Health Ministry said one person was killed and another wounded in an Israeli airstrike that hit a car in the town of Burj Rahal in the southern district of Tyre The attack resulted in the martyrdom of one citizen and the injury of another the ministry said in a statement without identifying the victimsSecurity sources told Xinhua that the targeted person was Hussein Jaber Dib from the municipality of ShuhurAlthough a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has been in place since November 27 Israel has continued to launch neardaily strikes in Lebanon saying it is targeting ongoing Hezbollah activity while maintaining forces along the border IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/israel-says-20-militants-killed-in-lebanon-over-past-month-646992.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 12:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/eu-council-agrees-position-on-amendment-to-european-climate-law-646993.html Brussels Nov 6 The Council of the European Union EU announced that member states had reached an agreement on amending the European climate law and approved updated 2035 emissionreduction targets for the EU and member states According to the document the Council maintained the European Commissions proposal for an intermediate climate target for 2040 of a 90 per cent reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 levels Xinhua news agency reportedThe document sets out the Councils position for subsequent negotiations with the European Parliament that will shape the final text of the legislationIt clarifies some areas of flexibility included in the Commissions proposal and introduces a biennial assessment to track progress towards intermediate targetsOn the same day the Council also approved an updated nationally determined contribution of the EU and member states which will be submitted ahead of COP30 in BrazilAdopted in 2021 the European climate law sets a climate neutrality target by 2050 and a 2030 objective of reducing net emissions by at least 55 per cent compared to 1990 levelsThe European Commission put forward a proposal in July to amend the law to set a 2040 targetIn 2019 the EU launched the European Green Deal as its growth strategy consisting of a package of policy initiatives setting the EU on the path to a green transition with the goal of reaching climate neutrality by 2050 putting social fairness and solidarity at its heart leaving no person and no place behindUnder the European Green Deal all policy areas are meant to contribute to fighting climate change and support measures across economic sectors covering energy transport industry buildings environment agriculture sustainable finance circular economy health and more IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/eu-council-agrees-position-on-amendment-to-european-climate-law-646993.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 12:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/north-korea-slams-us-sanctions-on-pyongyang-vows-corresponding-response-647047.html Seoul Nov 6 North Korea on Thursday denounced the latest US sanctions on Pyongyang over cybercrimerelated money laundering vowing to respond in a corresponding manner The Norths reaction came as the US announced on Tuesday that it had imposed sanctions on eight North Korean individuals and two entities for their involvement in laundering money stolen through illicit cyber activitiesThe sanctions came even as US President Donald Trump has expressed his wish to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jongun to resume stalled diplomacy with PyongyangKim Unchol North Koreas vice foreign minister in charge of US affairs said in a statement that Washingtons latest sanctions demonstrate its hostile policy toward the North Yonhap News Agency reportedAs long as the current US administration has laid out its stance that it will be hostile to us to the end we will also respond to them with patience and in a corresponding manner read the statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency KCNADenouncing the US for showing its malicious nature the Norths official warned Washington should not expect its tactics of pressure appeasement and threats against North Korea will workThe US sanctions came as North Korea has not responded to Trumps proposal to meet with the Norths leader during his latest trip to South Korea on the occasion of the AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation APEC gatheringEarlier this week the US State Department had also raised the need to seek UN sanctions on seven ships accused of illegally exporting North Korean coal and iron ore to China in violation of UN Security Council sanctions over the Norths nuclear and missile programmesSouth Koreas spy agency said this week there were signs that North Korea had been preparing for a possible meeting with the US in time for last weeks APEC gatheringThe National Intelligence Service had said that there is a high possibility that the North and the US would hold a summit some time after an annual joint military exercise between South Korea and the US in March next year IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/north-korea-slams-us-sanctions-on-pyongyang-vows-corresponding-response-647047.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 13:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistani-airstrike-in-balochistan-injures-nine-civilians-claims-rights-body-647077.html Quetta Nov 6 At least nine Baloch civilians were injured after Pakistani military forces carried out an aerial attack on the Chiltan Hills in Balochistan said a leading human rights organisation on Thursday Citing verified reports and eyewitness accounts Paank the Baloch National Movements Human Rights Department mentioned that on October 28 an aerial bombardment by the Pakistani forces struck a group of young civilians gathered for a picnic in the Chiltan mountain range near the provincial capital QuettaThe victims were identified as Jahanzaib Mohammad Shahi Imrani Sumalani Maqbool Ahmed Zahid Baloch Manzoor Ahmed Daulat Khan Arbab Baloch Rafeeq Lehri and Wajid AliThe rights body alleged that despite credible evidence Pakistani authorities have attempted to conceal the incident Paank described the attack as part of a wider pattern of indiscriminate air operations in Balochistan that have repeatedly endangered civiliansThe Chiltan Hills area located on the outskirts of Quetta has seen increased military presence and air activity in recent months These actions are part of Pakistans ongoing counterinsurgency operations Local communities have repeatedly reported fear and insecurity as civilians continue to be caught in operations where no verified militant presence has been established Paank statedThis is not the first instance of civilians being targeted in aerial operations On 5 October 2025 a drone strike in the Moola Pass area of Zehri District Kalat killed six civilians including four children and two adults and injured three others Despite video and eyewitness evidence the state continues to deny responsibility for civilian deaths it addedCondemning the Chiltan Hills attack in the strongest terms Paank said that targeting civilians under the guise of counterinsurgency represents a serious breach of both domestic and international lawThe rights body claimed that no independent investigation has been announced so far while the families of the victims have reportedly been pressured to remain silent and media access to the site has been restricted The civil society groups in Balochistan also condemned the incident as a clear violation of international humanitarian law which prohibits indiscriminate or disproportionate use of forceThe Chiltan Hills air strike once again demonstrates a systematic pattern of impunity in Balochistan where innocent civilians are repeatedly victimised under military operations Without independent oversight and justice such incidents are likely to continue Paank stressedThe rights body called on the United Nations Human Rights Council and international human rights organisations to launch an independent investigation into this and previous airstrikes It also urged the global community to press Pakistan to uphold its obligations under international humanitarian law and protect civilians in all circumstances IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistani-airstrike-in-balochistan-injures-nine-civilians-claims-rights-body-647077.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 14:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/the-munir-amendment-pakistan-set-to-become-a-constitutional-security-state-647087.html New Delhi Nov 6 IANS The Pakistan government and Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir appear to have ironed out their differences over the tenure of the latter after differences had arisen out of itnbspWhile Munir had proposed that he remain Army chief until 2028 the government was insistent that his term comes to an end next yearnbspWhile Munir managed to bestow upon himself the rank of Field Marshal under the constitution of Pakistan that is only a ceremonial postnbspJust being a Field Marshal was not good enough for Munir as he would have no powers to make decisions once his term as Army chief comes to an endnbspNow with the 27th amendment set to be tabled in Parliament a lot of changes will be seen especially when it comes to the post of Field Marshal The amendment seeks to modify Article 243 of the Pakistan Constitution If the amendment goes through then it would establish the constitutional office of the Field Marshal of Pakistan Munir would then have a five year tenure like the President and Prime Minister of PakistanMunir would also have the power to appoint the head of the Army Navy and Air Force He would also appoint the Director General of the ISInbspMunir owing to several decisions he has taken on the political front has been insecure about his position for some time Through this amendment he has ensured that the Field Marshal would get constitutional protection This makes him immune from both judicial and political challengenbspAmendments will also be introduced to the Army Act 1952 This would abolish the office of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee The amendment will also create the post of Vice Chief of Army Staff under the Field Marshal Further the terms of the service chiefs would be fixed at five yearsOfficials in India say that the amendment appears to have been tailored for Asim Munir He has ensured that Pakistan remains a democracy for the rest of the world while his own country would be turned into a security state The power to appoint the service chiefs gives Munir the chance to instal people of his choice Having control over the armed forces and the ISI is as good as having control over the entire countrynbspTo top it all Munir has also ensured that he is constitutionally protected against any legal or political challenge It could be called as the Munir amendment experts say and point out that once the amendment is cleared Pakistan would be controlled by a hybrid regimeThe democraticallyelected government would just be a puppet in the hands of the Field Marshal Moreover the Army is also in charge of managing the resource extraction projects and infrastructure investments The Army claims that these are important projects since they are in collaboration with the US and Chinese firms The move comes in the wake of Pakistan recently signing a multibillion dollar agreement with the US for direct mineral extractionnbspThe Shehbaz Sharif government which is in power courtesy the Pakistan Army is confident that it has the numbers to have the amendment passed The Opposition however is going to object to this because if the amendment goes through then the government would always be subordinate to the Field Marshal This would mean that the votes of the people are just going to become a formality at least until Munir is in charge for the next five yearsThis amendment would however prevent a military coup since Munir has decided to play it smartly This amendment ensures that he remains fully in charge of the country The government would have the powers to make certain decisions but it would have to check with the Field Marshal before that considering the powers the amendment gives the post With immunity and powers to appoint the service chiefs Munir would not have to bother about plotting a coup The Army anyways would have a significant share in governanceIf the military would stage a coup and an Army general takes over it would put Pakistan in a spot of bother Pakistan would come under immense pressure from the international community and this could result in cancelling of deals and probably sanctions too Munir has smartly managed to avoid all this since technically it is the democraticallyelected government that is ruling PakistannbspThe Bill to amend the Constitution would first go before the Senate on November 7 before it can be tabled in the National Assembly for a final decision Going by the numbers and also the clout the Army enjoys the Bill already seems to have the numbers in the National Assembly for it to be passed https://dailyworld.in/international/the-munir-amendment-pakistan-set-to-become-a-constitutional-security-state-647087.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 15:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/270-indian-nationals-repatriated-from-thailand-by-iaf-flights-in-coordinated-effort-647114.html Bangkok Nov 6 At least 270 Indian nationals including 26 women were repatriated from Thailands Mae Sot city to India by two special Indian Air Force IAF flights the Indian Embassy in Bangkok said in a statement on Thursday The Embassy of India in Bangkok and the Consulate of India in Chiang Mai province in Thailand in close coordination with various agencies of the Royal Thai Government facilitated the repatriation processAccording to the Indian Embassy these Indian nationals recently crossed into Thailand from the Myawaddy region of Myanmar where they were allegedly working in cyber scam centres They were detained by Thai authorities for violating immigration laws after entering Thailand illegallyThe Indian Embassies in Thailand and Myanmar are working with the respective host governments to secure the repatriation of those Indians who were allegedly involved in scamming activities and are still in MyanmarIndian nationals are strongly advised to verify the credentials of foreign employers and check the antecedents of recruiting agents and companies before taking up a job offer overseas Further visafree entry into Thailand for Indian passport holders is meant for tourism and short business purposes only and should not be misused for taking up employment in Thailand the Embassy of India in Bangkok posted on XLast month the Ministry of External Affairs MEA informed that India has been working closely with the authorities in Thailand for the early repatriation of Indian nationals who were detained in the country after crossing over from MyanmarWe are aware of Indian nationals who have been detained by Thai authorities They had crossed into Thailand from Myanmar over the past few days Our Mission in Thailand is working closely with Thai authorities to verify their nationality and to repatriate them after necessary legal formalities are completed in Thailand said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in response to media queries regarding the issue IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/270-indian-nationals-repatriated-from-thailand-by-iaf-flights-in-coordinated-effort-647114.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 17:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-latvia-agree-to-expand-ties-in-trade-technology-innovation-647125.html Riga Nov 6 India and Latvia held 9th Foreign Office Consultations in Riga and agreed to expand ties including in areas of trade technology innovation and peopletopeople ties During the meeting held on Wednesday the officials of two nations reviewed entire gamut of bilateral ties For the meeting the Indian delegation was led by Sibi George Secretary West Ministry of External Affairs and the Latvian side was led by Andzejs Vilumsons State Secretary Latvias Ministry of Foreign Affairs according to a Ministry of External Affairs MEA statement on ThursdayIn a statement the MEA stated Secretary West conveyed Indias appreciation for Latvias condemnation of all forms of terrorism and reiterated Indias support for Latvias successful stint at the UNSC for the period 20262027 Both sides also exchanged views on regional and global developments of mutual interestThe two sides agreed to maintain regular official exchanges and hold the next Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi at a mutually convenient time in 2026 The last Foreign Office Consultations were held in New Delhi in November 2022George called on Latvias Foreign Minister Baiba Braze He also interacted with members of the Indian diaspora in LatviaSecretary West Sibi George also met and interacted with members of the Indian diaspora in Latvia He emphasized the important role of diaspora members in strengthening IndiaLatvia relations Indian Embassy in Riga posted on XThe MEA Secretary also announced the commencement of consular services of the newlyestablished Indian Resident Mission in RigaSecretary West Sibi George announced commencement of consular services of the newly established Indian Resident Mission in Riga and inaugurated it at the Embassy He also met and interacted with the Embassy team the mission wrote in a post on XDuring his visit George visited the National Library of Latvia and laid flowers at the bust of Mahatma Gandhi located there The Indian Embassy stated that the Deputy Director of the National Library received George at the LibraryIndia and Latvia have warm and friendly relations India recognised Latvia as a sovereign and independent state in 1991 according to the Indian Embassy in Riga statement and diplomatic ties between the two nations were established in 1992 The two nations marked 30 years of establishment of diplomatic relations in 2022 Latvia opened an Embassy in New Delhi in 2014 while India opened its Embassy in Riga in July 2024In March this year Latvian Foreign Minister Braze visited India and participated in the 10th edition of the Raisina Dialogue During her visit Braze met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and discussed issues of bilateral cooperation IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-latvia-agree-to-expand-ties-in-trade-technology-innovation-647125.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 18:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/student-led-revolt-in-pok-mirrors-nepal-bangladesh-protests-threaten-to-spiral-nationwide-646876.html New Delhi Nov 5 Pakistanoccupied Kashmir PoK which the Shehbaz Sharif government thought had brought under control is on the boil again Complaints about largescale atrocities especially against students are being reported even as India condemned the action Intelligence agencies say that while the protests last month were by the political class and activists this time it is the students who have taken the lead This has given the Sharif government much to worry about as it is well known what the students did in Nepal and BangladeshThe protests began at the University of Azad Kashmir The students raised the issues of the demerit in intermediate exams and rising fees The government immediately banned student unions and political activities at the universityCurrently it is only the students who are protesting They have been raising antiPakistan slogans The anger is against the Sharif government and the atrocities being committed by the Pakistan militaryThe Sharif government is taking no chances and is doing everything possible to put down the protests As per Intelligence inputs the protest has the potential of gaining traction in a huge way not just in PoK but in the rest of Pakistan as wellThe Nepal situation is fresh on everyones mind There are many similarities between the protests that rocked Kathmandu and the one that is taking place in PoK In both cases the protests were against corruption and lack of opportunities and lack of development The protests in Nepal turned violent when the government ordered a ban on social mediaSimilar issues are being raised in PoK as well While issues such as corruption and lack of development have been raised over the past few months the students in particular are angry about the exam boards emarking policy The students say that this policy is affecting 10000 studentsThe Pakistani government is also worried that many others will join the students and this could well become a nationwide movement The Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee JKJAAC has said that it will back the students This would give the protesters more teeth and grit to fight against the establishmentExperts say that this situation should not be viewed in isolation Pakistan is facing trouble on many fronts There is trouble in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa already which the military is finding extremely hard to deal withOn the other hand the establishment is constantly dealing with Imran Khan and his supporters Protests like the one that is taking place in the PoK involve students The atrocities being committed against them can gain them sympathy from students across the nation the experts say This is what is worrying the Sharif governmentAn official said that the arbitrary arrests of students violation of human rights and suppression of the unions are bound to hurt PakistanThe manner in which the situation is being handled there is every chance that it could get worse not just for the PoK but the rest of Pakistan as well PoK watchers say that issues such as corruption and mismanagement are nothing new in the regionIssues such as these have been simmering for long but the establishment has always used brute force to silence those who raise questions In the last one and a half years there has been a change in approach by those raising questions They have been standing up to the atrocities and each time the government has entered into a truce it has been temporaryOfficials say that this is a clear indicator that there is a storm brewing and Pakistan may well witness a Nepal or Bangladeshlike situation soon IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/student-led-revolt-in-pok-mirrors-nepal-bangladesh-protests-threaten-to-spiral-nationwide-646876.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/4th-t20i-washington-axar-dube-help-india-beat-australia-by-48-runs-take-2-1-lead-647133.html Carrara Gold Coast Nov 6 IANS Washington Sundar picked remarkable figures of 33 while Axar Patel and Shivam Dube took two wickets each as India produced a commanding bowling performance to defeat Australia by 48 runs in the fourth T20I at Carrara Oval on Thursday and take an unassailable 21 lead in the fivematch seriesnbspDespite India posting a par score of 1678 on a twopaced pitch with variable bounce their bowlers turned the contest decisively in their favour Each of the six bowlers used picked up at least one wicket with Sundar Axar and Dube proving to be standout personsAustralia who were well placed to chase down 168 lost their last nine wickets for just 52 runs and couldnt recover from the stranglehold imposed by Indias spin trio From 671 Australia were eventually bowled out for 119 in 182 overs and are now in a mustwin scenario for the final game in Brisbane on SaturdaynbspAustralia began their chase with Matthew Short and Mitchell Marsh hitting six boundaries between themselves Axar provided the breakthrough for India by trapping Short lbw after missing the ball on a sweep and came back to castle Josh Inglish Marsh looked promising but his innings was cut short by a slower ball from Dube and holed out to backward square legFrom there Australias middle order faltered under pressure Tim David miscued a pull shot off Dube to extra cover Josh Philippe followed soon after caught at short midwicket off Arshdeep Singh Glenn Maxwell was undone by a googly from Varun Chakaravarthy that clipped the top of off stumpnbspSundar then struck twice in quick succession trapping Marcus Stoinis lbw and taking a return catch off a tame chip from Xavier Bartlett to claim his 50th T20I wicket Jasprit Bumrah returned to claim his 99th T20I wicket by castling Ben Dwarshuis while Sundar ended the game by having Adam Zampa hole out to longonPreviously after being put in to bat India had a promising 49run opening stand with Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill showing intent and fluency But Indias momentum stalled as the top four failed to convert their starts into substantial scores The middle order struggled to build partnerships as they went from 1212 to 1366 allowing Australia to claw back into the contestnbspPacer Ellis operating with his trademark slower deliveries struck at regular intervals to dent Indias progress and pick three wickets while legspinner Zampa applied pressure through the middle overs with his variations to bag three scalps as Australia gave away only 46 runs in the last six oversIndia began positively with Abhishek surviving an early chance off Dwarshuis before he and Gill hit eight boundaries between themselves Zampa broke the opening stand by having Abhishek hole out to longon India made a surprise move by promoting Dube to number three a decision that raised eyebrowsnbspAfter Dube hit a six and four Ellis deceived him with a slower ball which he chopped onto his stumps Suryakumar Yadav injected momentum with a flurry of boundaries including two sixes off Zampa Gill looked composed but couldnt break free from the slowdown post powerplay against the older ball and was castled by a sharp back of the hand delivery from EllisBartlett then removed Suryakumar with a welldirected delivery that induced a topedge and was caught by square leg while Tilak Varma fell in a bid to reverse sweep off Zampa Jitesh Sharma was trapped lbw by Zampa who successfully overturned the onfield decision via DRS while Ellis and Marcus Stoinis took out Sundar and Arshdeep to ensure India finished three runs short of 170 which was more than adequate to get the visitors a comprehensive winnbspBrief Scores India 1678 Shubman Gill 46 Abhishek Sharma 28 Nathan Ellis 321 Adam Zampa 345 beat Australia 119 in 182 overs Mitchell Marsh 30 Matthew Short 25 Washington Sundar 33 Axar Patel 220 by 48 runs https://dailyworld.in/international/4th-t20i-washington-axar-dube-help-india-beat-australia-by-48-runs-take-2-1-lead-647133.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 18:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/a-three-day-journey-into-the-future-of-artificial-intelligence-ai-journey-2025-schedule-released-647136.html Moscow Nov 6 The organisers have released the schedule of AI Journey 2025 the 10th International Conference coorganised with the participation of AI Alliance Russia Keynote speakers will include leading experts and visionaries from the global AI community who will showcase an innovative perspective on technology development Presentations are scheduled from experts representing Russia China India Serbia Brazil Bahrain the USA Malaysia and other countriesAlexander Vedyakhin First Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board Sberbank said The anniversary conference retains all the best traditions of AI Journey prominent names from the world of artificial intelligence relevant agendas announcements of topnotch designs and international networking in a hybrid format This years program focuses on technology innovation and use cases that demonstrate the potential of generative AI to multiply human capabilities for businesses and society I invite every AI enthusiast to join AI Journey a platform where insights are born and the technological future of the planet is shapedThe first day of the conference November 19 will focus on the use of generative artificial intelligence GenAI in both daily life and national development Sessions include debunking myths about the electricity of the 21st century demonstrations of solutions for everyday tasks and talk shows exploring the global impact of technology on the planet and societyNovember 20 will focus on AI use in economic sectors and business processes The day will start with a speech by First Deputy Chairman Vedyakhin Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Maxim Oreshkin was also invited to participate in the opening Following this Andrey Belevtsev Senior Vice President and head of Sberbanks Technological Development will discuss market trends and new solutions developed at Sberbank Highlights include presentations by keynote speakers from partner technology companies notably Chen Qiufan a renowned Chinese science fiction writer President of the World Chinese Science Fiction Writers Association and coauthor of the bestseller AI 2041 He will deliver a lecture titled The Future of AI From Fiction to Reality Significant events of the day include the second international business forum of BRICS countries on AI a session of the AI Alliance and the award ceremony for recipients of the national AI Leaders prize for contributions to the development of artificial intelligenceOn the same day the special offline track AIJ Deep Dive will commence Running on November 2021 it will include presentations by top AI experts from Russia and around the globe talks by research centres highlighting groundbreaking scientific articles pitch sessions by leading Russian AI startups and presentations of business solutions based on GenAI and multiagent approachesOn November 21st designated as the Day of Artificial Intelligence in Science the event will be opened by Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Chernyshenko and Belevtsev One of the key events of the day will be the summary of the AI Horizons foresight sessions which took place in various countries worldwide in 2025 under the auspices of AI Alliance Network an international artificial intelligence alliance The days programme will feature presentations by researchers from around the world Ajith Abraham from Sai University India will speak on Generative AI in Healthcare Nebojsa Bacanin Dzakula from Singidunum University Serbia will discuss the latest advances in bioinspired metaheuristics Alexandre Ferreira Ramos from the University of Sao Paulo Brazil will present a study on transcriptional control regulatory logic at the DNA level using thermodynamic models Anderson Rocha from the University of Campinas Brazil will deliver a speech titled Revolution of Convergence Artificial Intelligence Nanotechnology Biotechnology IoT Robotics and BeyondOn Science Day AIJ will traditionally host AIJ Junior a unique youth track Russian professionals will share handson advice on using AI solutions for learning creativity and selfdevelopment Additionally interviews with winners of international competitions in artificial intelligence and the exact sciences will inspire young audiences to seek new opportunities for growth in this fieldTo conclude the day the conference will honour the winners of the AI Challenge for young data researchers the AIJ Contest for experienced AI specialists and unveil the results of the open selection of scientific papers for AIJ Science The best works will be published in a scientific journal issued jointly with the Russian Academy of Sciences and the best article will receive a monetary awardThe conference will be streamed live on the website in Russian English and Arabic with simultaneous interpretation into Russian Sign Language accompanying the main stage broadcast IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/a-three-day-journey-into-the-future-of-artificial-intelligence-ai-journey-2025-schedule-released-647136.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 18:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/who-warns-of-measles-outbreak-in-afghanistan-urges-parents-to-vaccinate-children-647139.html Kabul Nov 6 The World Health Organisation WHO on Thursday warned that the risk of measles outbreak in Afghanistan is growing and urged families to vaccinate children aged below five years local media reported In a statement on Thursday the WHO urged parents to ensure that all children aged below five years are vaccinated against measles at health centres in AfghanistanThe agency called vaccination the most effective way to stop the spread of measles which has already caused several deaths among children in Afghanistan in recent months Afghanistanbased Khaama Press reportedWHO noted that malnutrition and limited access to healthcare have further deteriorated the outbreak leaving many children vulnerable to diseases like measlesLast week health authorities in Nangarhar launched a 10day vaccination campaign to prevent new infections and protect highrisk populationsAfghanistan has witnessed measles outbreaks in recent years and health experts have blamed the reduction in vaccination coverage and weak healthcare infrastructure for the rising number of infections International health officials have warned that Afghanistan risks another major epidemic without regular vaccination campaigns further impacting an already fragile public health infrastructureEarlier in September UN SecretaryGeneral spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said that World Food Programme WFP officials have warned that Afghanistan is facing a rapidly worsening humanitarian crisis in 2025 and more than 47 million women and children require urgent treatment for malnutrition Afghanistanbased Tolo News reportedHe said Our colleagues at the World Food Programme warn that the country is facing a rapidly worsening humanitarian crisis in 2025 WFP pointed out that this year has seen the highest spike in acute malnutrition ever recorded with more than 47 million women and children in need of urgent treatmentAs per the report the majority of the malnourished children in Afghanistan are being taken to Indira Gandhi Childrens Hospital in Kabul for treatment Doctors at Indira Gandhi Childrens Hospital have also reported an increase in the number of patients who require treatment for malnutrition They had stated that three to five children with severe malnutrition are admitted to the hospital each dayMohammad Arif Hasanzai head of the hospitals internal medicine department stated Mild and moderate malnutrition cases are few and we dont admit them If they do come we offer nutritional counselling and send them home Our hospital has 20 beds for this purpose and they are always occupied IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/who-warns-of-measles-outbreak-in-afghanistan-urges-parents-to-vaccinate-children-647139.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 18:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-portugal-review-ties-agree-to-expedite-discussions-for-conclusion-of-pacts-646888.html Lisbon Nov 5 India and Portugal held the fifth round of Foreign Office Consultations in Lisbon and reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations including political relations trade and economic cooperation cultural ties and peopletopeople connect During the meeting the officials of the two nations discussed IndiaEU relations and exchanged views on regional and global issues of common interest according to the Ministry of External Affairs MEA statement released on WednesdayThe two sides reiterated their commitment to continue the existing close cooperation in the multilateral fora including the United NationsBoth sides reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations including political relations trade and economic cooperation cultural ties and peopletopeople connect Discussions also covered areas such as Defence and security renewable energy agriculture science and technology tourism and education Both sides reviewed the current status of bilateral agreements under negotiation and agreed to expedite these discussions for their early conclusion a MEA statement saidSibi George Secretary West Ministry of External Affairs of India and Helena Malcata Director General for Foreign Policy Portugals Ministry of Foreign Affairs cochaired the meeting The two sides agreed to hold the next round of Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi at mutually convenient datesDuring his visit to Portugal Sibi George met Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Ana Isabel XavierIn a statement the MEA stated India and Portugal enjoy close historic relations which are now developing into a forward looking multifaceted and mutually beneficial partnership This year both countries are celebrating 50 years of the reestablishment of diplomatic relations Both sides expressed their satisfaction at the activities undertaken to commemorate this year which has seen high level visits from both sides including visits to Portugal by Honble President of India Speaker of the Lok Sabha and Finance Minister of IndiaPortugal has consistently supported Indias permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council and the Nuclear Suppliers Group according to a statement by Indias Embassy in LisbonThe idea of starting an IndiaEU Summit was mooted for the first time by Portugal when the current United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres was Prime Minister in Portugal and the first IndiaEU Summit was subsequently held in Lisbon under the Portuguese Presidency of the European Union in 2000 IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-portugal-review-ties-agree-to-expedite-discussions-for-conclusion-of-pacts-646888.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/sindhi-leader-writes-to-global-community-accuses-pakistan-of-secret-nuclear-activities-in-sindh-646891.html Berlin Nov 5 Shafi Burfat Chairman of the Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz JSMM on Wednesday wrote to the international community accusing Pakistan of uranium enrichment and nuclear storage in mountainous areas of Sindh province calling it a threat to global security In a letter addressed to UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights OHCHR UN Office for Disarmament Affairs UNODA Presidents and Foreign Ministers of the concerned countries Burfat appealed for an independent international enquiry and immediate precautionary measures over credible allegations of clandestine underground tunnels and suspected nuclearrelated activities in SindhThere are serious concerns and strong suspicions about the existence of secret nuclear facilities We the undersigned representatives of the National Movement of Sindhudesh Sindhi civil society and concerned citizens write to draw urgent international attention to a series of credible and deeply troubling allegations regarding extensive clandestine subterranean construction and suspected nuclearrelated activity in multiple remote mountainous belts of Sindh Province Pakistan the letter detailedOur concerns are wellfounded and supported by verified information indicating that these nuclear activities of the Pakistani military could create immediate and grave threats to regional peace and security especially for Sindh environmental safety and the health livelihoods and human rights of local communities it addedCiting several independent local testimonials dated photographs annotated maps and consistent community reports Burfat claimed the emergence of extensive underground tunnels and chamber systems in remote highland areasnorth of Jamshoro near Noriabad around KambarShahdadkot and west of Manchar Lake in SindhThe Sindhi leader stressed that the reports documented intensified construction activity restricted access to certain mountain sectors and increased secrecy around specific sites He added that local observers and environmental monitors alleged that these subterranean structures are being used or prepared for activities linked to Pakistans nuclear apparatus including the potential storage or concealment of nuclear materials or facilities for nuclearrelated processesIf nuclear materials or sensitive nuclear processes are present in unmonitored or insecure underground facilities there is a severe risk of radioactive contamination accidents ecosystem damage and violations of international nuclearsafety and nonproliferation obligations The potential humanitarian and crossborder environmental consequences require immediate impartial verification and if necessary rapid mitigation Burfat emphasised IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/sindhi-leader-writes-to-global-community-accuses-pakistan-of-secret-nuclear-activities-in-sindh-646891.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/mos-margherita-meets-ecuadorian-prez-bilateral-ties-discussed-647148.html Quito Nov 6 Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita on Thursday met the President of Ecuador Daniel Noboa Azin and discussed ways to enhance and diversify bilateral cooperation between India and Ecuador The MoS also conveyed greetings to the Ecuadorian President on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of IndiaHonoured to call on Daniel Noboa Azin President of Ecuador Conveyed greetings from PM Narendra Modi and the people of India Had a good discussion on strengthening and diversifying IndiaEcuador bilateral cooperation Margherita posted on X following the meetingThe MoS also paid respects at the Monument of the Heroes of August in Ecuadors capital QuitoTaking to X Margherita wrote The monument honours those who sacrificed their lives for freedom and liberty Felt nostalgic remembering their courage and spiritThe MoS also held discussions with Ecuadorian Ministers Vice Ministers and officials to deepen cooperation between India and the South American country across key sectors including agriculture artificial intelligence and cybersecurity training education culture tourism trade textiles health and pharmaceuticalsMargherita reaffirmed Indias commitment to engage with Ecuador within the framework of SouthSouth cooperationThe MoS also held a meeting with Ecuadors Minister of Foreign and Human Mobility Affairs Gabriela SommerfeldBoth sides explored opportunities to deepen cooperation in political trade pharmaceuticals training and capacity building as well as other areas of shared interest During the meeting the two leaders signed a Memorandum of Understanding MoU on cooperation between the diplomatic training institutions of India and EcuadorOn Wednesday the MoS and Foreign Minister Sommerfeld jointly inaugurated the resident Embassy of India in Quito underscoring Indias commitment to strengthening its partnership with EcuadorHonoured and delighted to jointly inaugurate the resident Embassy of India in Quito with Gabriela Sommerfeld Foreign Minister of Ecuador This reflects Indias commitment to deepen its partnership with Ecuador and marks a new chapter in our bilateral relations Margherita posted on XFurthermore the MoS interacted with representatives from the Ecuadorian business community and explored ways to boost bilateral trade ties between India and Ecuador IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/mos-margherita-meets-ecuadorian-prez-bilateral-ties-discussed-647148.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 19:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/bdesh-five-more-people-die-of-dengue-fatalities-rise-to-307-647150.html Dhaka Nov 6 Dengue outbreak in Bangladesh is worsening rapidly with infections and deaths rising sharply across the country As many as five people have died due to dengue in 24 hours till Thursday morning raising the fatalities from the mosquitoborne disease in Bangladesh in 2025 to 307 local media reportedThree new fatalities were reported in Dhaka South City Corporation DSCC and one each in Dhaka North City Corporation DNCC and Mymensingh Division according to the Directorate General of Health Services DGHSDuring the same period 1034 more people were admitted to hospital with viral fever increasing the total number of cases in 2025 to 76026 United News of Bangladesh reportedPresently 1155 patients are undergoing treatment in Dhaka while 3331 patients are receiving treatment at various hospitals in BangladeshAs per the report among this years patients 623 per cent were men and 377 per cent were womenAmong the fatalities 528 per cent were male and 472 were femaleAs many as 575 people have died due to dengue in 2024 During the same period the DGHS reported 101214 dengue cases and 100040 recoveriesOn October 9 Directorate General of Health Services DGHS Director General Abu Jafor noted that the number of dengue cases in 2025 is higher than last year however the death rate is lowerSpeaking at a press briefing held over the Typhoid Vaccination Campaign2025 at the Health Ministry Abu Jafor said This year the number of dengue infections is higher than last year but the death rate in proportion to infections is lower United News of Bangladesh reportedHe called breeding of mosquitoes and the destruction of their larvae important for preventing dengue People must use mosquito nets and take protective measures These are mostly individual responsibilities If we neglect these it will be very difficult to eliminate dengue he saidHe stated Our data shows that over 50 per cent of dengue deaths in hospitals are occurring on the very first day of admission This suggests that patients are seeking care too We are doing our best to ensure proper management in hospitalsAbu Jafor called early diagnosis important and mentioned that dengue if detected in the initial stage can be treated at home with proper medical care He said that lack of awareness negligence and delay in seeking medical care as the main reasons for the increasing dengue death rateDengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus DENV which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes Dengue is found in tropical and subtropical climates across the world mostly in urban and semiurban areas according to the World Health Organisation WHO statement Prevention and control of dengue depend on vector control There is no specific treatment for dengue however early detection and access to proper medical care lower fatality rates of severe dengue IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/bdesh-five-more-people-die-of-dengue-fatalities-rise-to-307-647150.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 20:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-in-deep-crisis-one-third-of-countrys-youth-jobless-646900.html New Delhi Nov 5 The unemployment rate in Pakistan stands at 78 per cent based on the countrys firstever digital census This translates to approximately 187 million unemployed individuals out of a total population of 2415 million Among the workingage population the unemployment rate is even higher reaching 11 per cent of the 1717 million individuals considered economically active according to an article in the Pakistan Observer newspaperThe article highlights that the unemployment crisis is even deeper than it appears as onethird of Pakistani youth aged between 15 to 35 are currently out of workThe headline unemployment rate fails to account for the millions of young Pakistanis who are neither in education employment nor training NEET This group includes those who have stopped seeking work altogether are engaged in unpaid or informal labour or are trapped in lowproductivity family enterprises the article statesThe labour force participation rate among women is particularly low one of the lowest in the region further exacerbating the NEET problem and sidelining half of the countrys potential workforce the article statesIt points out that structural unemployment where the skills of the labour force do not align with the evolving needs of the economy has become increasingly prevalent Pakistans education system plagued by poor quality and outdated curricula fails to equip students with marketrelevant skills Vocational training is limited and the inclination of educated youth toward public sector jobs which are scarce and highly competitive only compounds the problemPakistans unemployment rate rose to 8 per cent in 2025 with the total labour force projected at 8518 million and an estimated 681 million people unemployed The employment rate hovers around 522 per cent indicating that nearly half of the workingage population is either unemployed or underemployed the article statesInflation foreign exchange crisis the effect of the 2022 and more recent 2025 floods have devastated small businesses and local job markets The World Banks PostDisaster Needs Assessment highlighted billions of dollars in damage and a regression of millions into poverty In the absence of timely designed policy interventions such shocks risk turning otherwise employable youth into longterm economic casualtiesThe article highlights that the implications of youth unemployment extend beyond economics Marginalised youth are more susceptible to poverty forced migration and recruitment into criminal or extremist networks The psychological toll manifesting in hopelessness and despair is profound and corrosiveIn underdeveloped regions young people are trafficked into bonded labour coerced into begging or forced into the sex trade The coal mines of Balochistan have become grim symbols of this exploitation where labourers perish due to the absence of basic safety equipment These tragedies though occasionally reported in the media reflect a deeper systemic failure to protect the youth from predatory forces The lack of employment also fuels a surge in street crimes as young men resort to snatching valuables at gunpoint the article points outIn some madrasas and on social media disenfranchised youth are lured by the promise of respect and power often symbolised by the possession of weapons Such radicalisation is not merely a security threat it is a symptom of a society failing to offer its youth meaningful alternatives the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-in-deep-crisis-one-third-of-countrys-youth-jobless-646900.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 01:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-sindhi-nationalist-parties-to-hold-protest-against-enforced-disappearances-extrajudicial-killings-646901.html Islamabad Nov 5 The Sindhi nationalist parties will hold protests in Sindh province on November 9 to reiterate their demands for release of the alleged missing persons and express opposition to the extrajudicial killings local media reported on Wednesday The decision to hold protest was taken during a meeting organised by Jeay Sindh Mahaz JSM in Hyderabad on Tuesday JSMs Chairman Riaz Ali Chandio Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahazs Niaz Kalani Sindh United Partys Roshan Ali Buriro Jeay Sindh Tehreeks Anwar Burdi and Qaumi Awami Tehreeks Altaf Khaskheli and other leaders participated in the meeting leading Pakistani daily The Express Tribune reported on WednesdayDuring the meeting the participants shared a list of 22 persons majority of whom are students and farmers and who have been missing since 2010 The leaders demanded safe recovery of all the missing persons and putting an end to enforced disappearances They urged the authorities to book suspects in FIRs if they have proof regarding their involvement in the alleged unlawful activitiesThey also condemned the modus operandi of the police personnel of allegedly killing or injuring suspects in staged encounters They also voiced serious concerns about the proposed 27th amendment in Pakistans constitution insisting that the people of the province have already lost certain rights through the 26th amendment They said that federal government wanted to further deprive Sindh of its resourcesEarlier in October leading human rights groups in and outside Pakistan have denounced the alleged enforced disappearance of Sindh National Students Federations SNSF central chief organiser Ghani Aman Chandio who was reportedly abducted from a hospital in KarachiEyewitnesses said that incident happened at Memona Hospital in Karachi on October 28 when Chandio was there for the treatment of his infant daughter According to witnesses a group of armed men in plain clothes allegedly accompanied by Pakistani paramilitary rangers came to the hospital confiscated mobile phones destroyed CCTV footage and blindfolded Ghani Aman Chandio before taking him away in presence of his family The Balochistan Post reportedIn a statement Amnesty International South Asia described the abduction of Ghani Amani Chandio a blatant attack on his rights to liberty dignity and due process and urged Pakistani authorities to reveal his whereabouts and ensure his safe returnPAKISTAN The abduction of student activist Ghani Aman Chandio on 28 October from Memona Hospital in Karachi allegedly by state forces is deeply troubling The abduction of a father visiting his hospitalized infant daughter is not only cruel and inhumane but also a blatant attack on his rights to liberty dignity and due process Amnesty International South Asia posted on XAccording to the eyewitnesses plainclothes men accompanied by uniformed law enforcement officials abducted Ghani intimidated bystanders in the hospital and confiscated the mobile phones of all family members presentGhani had previously been named in a criminal case on charges of antistate slogans during a protest and had delivered a lecture at the local university on student politics the day before his abduction We are very concerned about Ghanis safety The Pakistani authorities must immediately disclose Ghanis fate and whereabouts and ensure his safe return Further authorities must conduct a prompt thorough independent impartial transparent and effective investigation into his abduction and bring to justice all those suspected to be responsible read the Amnesty statement IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-sindhi-nationalist-parties-to-hold-protest-against-enforced-disappearances-extrajudicial-killings-646901.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 01:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/yen-loans-backfire-on-bangladesh-as-japans-currency-turns-volatile-646708.html New Delhi Nov 4 Bangladeshs strategy of borrowing in Japanese yen to avoid paying high dollarbased interest rates has started backfiring due to the currency volatility and rising interest rates in Japan The South Asian country has for instance ended up losing 13 million to exchange rate differences on a recent 600 million budget support loan from the Asian Development Bank taken entirely in yen according to a report in Bangladeshs Business Standard newspaperLast year too the government took a 300 million loan for the Bangladesh Second Recovery amp Resilience Development Policy in yen Another 400 million Climate Resilient Inclusive Development Programme loan from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank AIIB was also denominated in yen Similarly a 100 million portion of a World Bank budget support loan for the Resilient Urban and Territorial Development Project was taken in yen the report statesDespite the appeal of low interest rates in Japan the downside risks are growing The yen has appreciated by about 7 per cent against the US dollar in just one month and Japans interest rates are trending upward This combination threatens to raise the real cost of repaying yendenominated loans especially for a country like Bangladesh whose reserves are still overwhelmingly dollarbased the report statesNowhere is this risk more visible than in the World Bankfinanced Chattogram Water Supply Improvement Project The 280 million loan was split between dollars and yen with half 213 billion yen or 140 million taken in yen to hedge against dollar interest rate hikes The rest remains in dollarsBut with repayments nearing the Chattogram Water and Sewerage Authority Wasa is facing an annual debt service burden of over 23 million for six yearsaround 300 crore takas per year Officials warn this could severely strain Wasas finances especially as the project does not generate commercial revenues the report points outChattogram Wasa Managing Director Muhammad Anwar Pasha said that foreign loan decisions are made at the policy level by the Local Government Division Finance Division and the Economic Relations Division ERD adding that any action on easing the repayment pressure would require government interventionAt the same Executive Committee of the National Economic Council Ecnec meeting that approved the Chattogram project on 20 April another major yen loan was greenlit a 650 million World Bank loan for the Bay Terminal Marine Infrastructure Development Project of which 400 million will be taken in yen to avoid high marketbased interest on the dollardenominated portionThe yendenominated debt is growing fast ERD data shows that as of 30 June 2024 Bangladeshs yen loan portfolio stood at nearly 12 billionup from 752 billion just four years earlier the report points outBut Finance Division officials are raising red flags What was once seen as a strategic hedge now carries mounting risks Exchange rate fluctuations between the yen and the dollar have exposed Bangladesh to new vulnerabilities particularly in the absence of a formal policy guiding the use of marketbased or nondollar loans the report added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/yen-loans-backfire-on-bangladesh-as-japans-currency-turns-volatile-646708.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/surrendering-to-islamists-yunus-govt-in-bangladesh-cancels-plan-to-recruit-music-and-pe-teachers-646713.html Dhaka Nov 4 The Bangladesh government has cancelled its plan to create posts for music and Physical Education PE teachers in government primary schools weeks after facing criticism from several radical organisations local media reported on Tuesday Bangladeshs Ministry of Primary and Mass Education released a revised gazette on Sunday changing the Government Primary School Teachers Recruitment Rules 2025 Bangladeshbased The Daily Star reported The revised gazette did not include two new teaching positions which were mentioned in the earlier gazette released on August 28Additional Secretary of the ministrys School Division Masud Akhtar Khan stated A revised gazette has been issued While the earlier version listed four categories of teachers the new one includes only two The posts of assistant teachers for music and physical education are no longer includedHe refused to comment on whether the decision was taken after facing pressure from any particular group saying Please speak to the higher authorities about thatThe earlier gazette had mentioned two new assistant teacher positions for music and physical education along with other assistant teacher posts Educationists had welcomed the decision of the authorities to introduce music and physical education in schools calling it a longoverdue step towards encouraging creativity and allround learning at the primary levelHowever several Islamist organisations including HefazateIslam Islami Andolan Bangladesh JamaateIslami Khelafat Majlish Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish and Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan had criticised the decision of the authorities and demanded its withdrawalSince the collapse of the Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 and Muhammad Yunus takeover as the Chief Advisor to the interim government Bangladesh seems to be regressing on multiple fronts including political freedom minority rights economic security and most significantly cultural secularism a report stated in OctoberHighlighting reports from human rights organisations minority advocacy groups and journalists it mentioned a disturbing rise in religious intolerance with secular symbols being targetted folk traditions suppressed and statues and murals integral to Bangladeshs cultural identity defaced or dismantledAccording to a report in Times of Oman the situation has led to a climate of fear and selfcensorship in the country while eroding the vibrant public culture that once embraced diversityData gathered by the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council highlights 2442 instances of communal violence from August 2024 to mid2025 encompassing murders sexual assaults attacks on places of worship looting vandalism and property confiscations the report detailedIn just the first half of 2025 there were 258 incidents aimed at religious minorities 27 murders 59 assaults on places of worship and numerous homes and businesses were devastated The victims include men women and young people many of whom have been compelled to abandon their homes in terror it addedThe report stressed that several minority groups accused the Yunus administration of turning a blind eye to the attacks even when the perpetrators are knownWith radical factions like JamaateIslami reemerging in the public sphere there are growing concerns that the state is leaning towards appeasement or failing to curb extremist elements Although formal alliances remain unclear the notable rise in Islamist rhetoric the cancellation of secular cultural events and diminished protections for minority rights indicate a troubling shift it noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/surrendering-to-islamists-yunus-govt-in-bangladesh-cancels-plan-to-recruit-music-and-pe-teachers-646713.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-alarming-rise-in-cases-of-enforced-disappearances-recovery-of-dead-bodies-in-balochistan-646716.html Quetta Nov 4 Pakistans Balochistan continues to report a massive rise in cases of enforced disappearances arrests and recovery of dead bodies over the past several days local media reported on Tuesday Pakistans armed forces allegedly detained a man identified as Abdul Khalid a resident of Parom Saiki Bazaar district Panjgur on October 30 Khalid was reportedly summoned to a nearby camp before being detained and moved to an undisclosed place His family members have said that his whereabouts remain unknown since his detention They have urged authorities to present him before court if there are any charges against him or release him immediately The Balochistan Post reportedMeanwhile two unidentified bodies were discovered in Turbat and Mastung districts Police said that residents found the bodies on Sunday morning and informed the authorities who shifted the bodies of the deceased to local hospitals for conducting postmortem and identification Police officials stated that efforts were being made to determine the identities of the deceased peopleEarlier on November 1 police in Mastung discovered the body of an unidentified man and took it to Nawab Ghaus Bakhsh Raisani Memorial Hospital for postmortem and identificationCases of enforced disappearances have also been reported in Balochistan On October 30 Pakistani forces allegedly detained Basir Ahmed in Panjgurs Issa Kahen area and he has not been seen since thenSimilarly members of a statebacked militia from Nal Bazaar reportedly detained Abdul Sattar in Khuzdar district on October 29 The Balochistan Post reported His family has received no information regarding his fate or location since his detentionTwo youths who were previously missing in Turbats Aliabad Koshkalat area Shahjan and Abdul Hafeez have returned home after reportedly being released on November 1 These two youths were detained on October 27 However two other persons Hamza and Shah Hussain who were reportedly detained on the same day continue to remain missingCases of enforced disappearances have been reported in Balochistan regularly Human rights groups have urged Pakistani authorities to address the issue and carry out transparent investigation of all the reports and ensure that those taken into custody are produced before court as per constitutional and international legal obligationsOn Monday a human rights organisation alleged that Pakistani security forces have forcibly disappeared three more Baloch civilians in Balochistan adding to the rising number of enforced disappearances reported across the volatile provincePaank the Baloch National Movements Human Rights Department mentioned that between October 30 and 31 Pakistani security forces conducted a raid on a house in the Bahaman area of Turbat city located in the Kech district of Balochistan During the operation three individuals were forcibly disappeared from their homes The victims have been identified as Yasir Waheed Ahmed and Zareef Ahmed IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-alarming-rise-in-cases-of-enforced-disappearances-recovery-of-dead-bodies-in-balochistan-646716.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-ncp-setting-preconditions-for-feb-election-exposes-growing-insecurity-646723.html Dhaka Nov 4 With Bangladeshs national election scheduled for February 2026 the National Citizen Party NCP has displayed its unwillingness for polls without securing complete impunity for its political coup during last years July uprising The actions and remarks of leaders in the NCP exposed the partys growing insecurity in the political game Its consistent demand for electoral reform to have national elections based on proportional representation also favoured by Islamist parties reflect its awareness of lack of popular supportThe optimism of the July Uprising quickly faded as witnessed in the growing political chaos following the exit of former Bangladeshs Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina which revealed the countrys democracy deficitNow with the Bangladesh Election Commission EC denying the shapla symbol to NCP the partys ego is shattered as members are threatening to delay the election if they are denied its electoral symbol NCP is now open to both the Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP and the radical Islamist party JamaateIslami for political alliances notwithstanding the war of words it has been engaging in with both and presenting itself before Bangladesh as the new alternative Truly NCPs revolutionary emergence has been shortlived and is perhaps now reaching its endgameGiven the political vacuum as a result of Hasinas ousting and political ostracisation of Awami League that remains as Bangladeshs largest political party the country witnessed two political developments This includes the resurgence of Islamists on the political stage and the growing fissures between former allies BNP and JamaatA new political platform was established in September last year known as the Jatiyo Nagorik Committee National Student Committee by prominent student leaders of the July Uprising The intent behind the formation of this platform was to replace the existing fascist political settlement with a democratic one and become the ideological vanguard of the July UprisingThe committee felt that only through the establishment of a new political party the political aspiration of the July Uprising can be achieved This paved the way for the establishment of a studentled political party Jatiyo Nagorik Party National Citizen Party that announced its formation on February 28 2025 with a centrist and pluralist ideological approach that aims to establish a second republic in Bangladesh It also announced its expectation to contest for all 300 seats in the national Jatiya Sangsad electionJust six months within this year a total of 32 NCP leaders resigned from the party citing internal conflict misconduct and dissatisfaction with leadership Moreover its NCPs student wing Bangladesh Gonotantrik Chhatra Sangsad BGCS faced heavy defeats and failed to secure central posts in recent student union elections of Dhaka Jahangirnagar Chattogram and Rajshahi University The surveys on voter preference since early this year also denote the same trendA nationwide survey by Innovision Consulting held this March reported that despite appeal among young voters the voters preference for NCP stands at an overall five per cent Another survey by the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development BIGD in July showed only a marginal 28 per cent increase from two The latest Peoples Election Pulse Survey in September preference for NCP stands at 49 per cent Surprisingly NCPs main rival Awami League despite the ban continues to enjoy a higher voters preference percentage than the NCP as per these surveysNCP drew controversies even before its launch The selection of the initial 10 core members of the NCP was criticised for its lack of inclusivity and lacking a democratic process Moreover the inclusion of leaders from the Jatiyo Nagorik Committee having past ties with Jamaats student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir in the party created another round of uproar leading to their voluntary withdrawal Another controversy followed when a recognised activist of LGBTQ community was reported to secure a position in the partys central committee sparking debate and dissatisfaction even among NCP leaders eventually leading to the members exclusion Quite early on the new partys approach to present an alternative as the most inclusive party and its own internal contradictions reflected NCPs own ideological challengesLed by students under the banner of Students Against Discrimination SAD the 2024 July Uprising was popularised as Bangladeshs second liberation The movement largely composed of antiHasina forces championed for an inclusive plural just and democratic Bangladesh Thus Bangladeshs political landscape not only changed after August 5 2024 but also initiated a new debate on which direction the countrys politics should headThe interim government was established on August 8 just days after Hasina fled the country The main coordinators of the Students Against Discrimination SAD invited Muhammad Yunus to head the interim government as the Chief Advisor Three prominent leaders of SAD Nahid Islam Mahfuj Alam and Asif Muhammad also became advisors in the interim government representing students Thus SAD played a significant role in legitimising Yunus administration installing it the responsibility of implementing reforms and conducting a free and fair electionAmidst anticipation of who will be part of the NCPs central leadership Nahid Islam resigned from its advisory position in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to become the chief convenor of the party Islams joining the NCP was not viewed favourably by other political parties who accused the interim government of helping for the establishment of a Kings Party under its schemes of endless reforms rather than announcing a clear election roadmap NCPs formation and the Chief Advisor Yunuss soft spot for the student political party also put its own neutrality in question Political parties like Gono Odhikar Forum and the BNP strongly demanded for resignation of student advisors Mahfuj Alam and Asif Muhammad alleging them as NCP loyalistsBangladeshs political culture rooted violence corruption and extortion soon caught up to the nations newest political alternative In April its joint member secretary Gazi Salauddin Tanvir was accused of involvement in corruption and misconduct over the appointment of Deputy Commissioners leading to his removal from NCP The partys March to build the country rally in July took a violent turn in Gopalganj district when party leaders revealed their real intent bury Mujibism along with 1972 Mujibbadi ConstitutionNCPs rally in Gopalganj the birthplace of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman where Awami League continues to maintain a stronghold despite ban was perceived as a provocative act by locals as words spread the partys intention to desecrate Mujibs graveyard leading to a violent clash The following month NCP joint coordinator of Chattogram city branch Nizam Uddins video of his involvement in extortion to suppress a portrelated protest became viral leading to his suspension Indeed the apple didnt fall far from the treeThe interim governments political bias towards NCP became more visible when following NCPled street protests in May it announced a ban on the Awami League thus leading to its registration suspension as a political party in the Election Commission Before NCPs protest the interim government had maintained that it was for Awami League to decide if it wants to participate in the election indicating it had no plan to ban the party earlier It is not just Awami Leagues ban but also attempts at complete historical revisionism removing public holidays dedicated to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman excluding his title as the Father of the Nation by revising the Liberation War Act and removing his picture by redesigning currency notes and portraits from public offices to name a few are all calculative steps taken under the strong demands of the NCP IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-ncp-setting-preconditions-for-feb-election-exposes-growing-insecurity-646723.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/balochistans-struggle-is-human-rights-crisis-that-demands-worlds-attention-646724.html Quetta Nov 4 Balochistans struggle is not a fringe conflict it is a human rights crisis that demands attention The forced labour the disappearances the land seizures these are crimes against people who have asked for nothing more than control over their own lives and resources Several analysts reckon that the Pakistani military and government must be held accountable for what they have done to Balochistan For decades the Baloch have been told to be patient to wait for development to trust the State But patience cannot grow where injustice is the only harvest In 2025 Balochistan stands as a stark reminder of how power when unchecked becomes predation The world must choose to listen not to the Generals and politicians who speak of unity but to the mothers workers and students who speak of freedom Balochistan is not asking for privilege it is demanding humanity the experts highlightThe land where mountains meet the sea deserves more than military parades and hollow promises It deserves justice It deserves freedom from forced labour from land theft from the iron hand of an army that claims to protect but only oppresses The story of Balochistan in 2025 is the story of resilience against tyranny people standing tall even as the State tries to break their back One day perhaps Balochistan will no longer be the land where anything is possible for its oppressors It will instead be the land where freedom dignity and justice are finally possible for its peoplePakistan has done all kinds of oppression in Balochistan They seize land of the people and drive people to forced labour What began decades ago as marginalisation has transformed into a fullscale assault on the dignity and autonomy of an entire people In 2025 the scars of Balochistans exploitation are deeper than ever Behind the curtain of national security and development the Pakistan military has entrenched its power through fear coercion and the systematic dismantling of Baloch societyAcross the rugged mountains and deserts of Balochistan the story is tragically familiar Villages emptied overnight under the shadow of military convoys Families forced to abandon ancestral lands that generations had cultivated Men rounded up and compelled to work without pay on projects linked to army infrastructure roads and bases Women left behind watching their homes turned into outposts and checkpoints This is not just occupation by force of arms it is occupation of life itself The people of Balochistan have lived for decades under what can only be described as a slow grinding war against their existenceThe Pakistan military in the name of counterinsurgency and maintaining order has created an environment where dissent is crushed where journalists disappear and where the silence of the mountains is broken only by the sounds of helicopters and gunfire In 2025 reports from the ground reveal that entire communities in districts such as Kech Panjgur and Khuzdar have been subjected to forced relocations Farmlands are fenced off seized under the pretext of security zones and then repurposed for military or government use The same land that fed generations is now out of reach for those who tilled itThe forced labour system imposed by the Pakistan military in various parts of Balochistan is a form of modern slavery dressed up in patriotic rhetoric Local men are ordered to construct roads carry supplies and dig trenches for military bases They are not paid fairly often not paid at all and refusal brings punishment In areas around Gwadar for instance fishermen have been pushed into menial labour for military and Chinesebacked projects after being barred from their own fishing zones Their boats are seized their movement restricted their livelihoods destroyed The military calls it development the Baloch call it survival under chainsThe year 2025 has seen an escalation in such practices partly driven by the militarys increasing economic control in the province Balochistan is rich in resources natural gas coal copper gold and deepsea ports yet it remains the poorest region in Pakistan The armys corporate arms and allied companies have carved out concessions over mines land and infrastructure projects while the indigenous people see none of the benefits Billions flow through Balochistan but barely a drop reaches its peopleThe irony is bitter a province that fuels Pakistans industries is itself left in darkness with children walking miles for water and schools without roofs The Pakistani government complicit and silent plays its part in the oppression by dressing exploitation as progress Every promise of integration and development becomes another mechanism of control Laws meant to regulate the province are wielded as weapons to confiscate land Antiterror legislation is used not to combat extremism but to silence activists students and intellectuals who dare to speak of freedomThe state media paints them as traitors the military brands them as insurgents and their voices vanish into the black hole of enforced disappearance Forced disappearances remain the most chilling signature of Pakistans rule over Balochistan Thousands of Baloch men and boys have vanished over the years abducted from their homes workplaces or checkpoints Their families search endlessly their photos held up at protests that the state calls unpatriotic In 2025 the number of missing continues to rise despite repeated pleas for justice Mothers march under the scorching sun carrying portraits of sons who may never returnThis culture of disappearance has become an instrument of terror one that ensures silence compliance and despair The pattern is unmistakable The Pakistan military does not just dominate Balochistan it extracts from it Every mine every port every socalled development zone is secured through coercion and maintained by intimidation People are forced to work for the very institutions that occupy their lands The militarys projects in Gwadar Lasbela and Turbat rely heavily on local labour but this labour is neither voluntary nor fairly compensatedIn many cases families report being threatened with detention or the loss of their homes if they refuse to work This is forced labour institutionalized under the banner of nationalism In rural areas especially around Khuzdar and Awaran soldiers have been accused of forcing locals to assist in building camps and transport logistics during operations Villages are cut off communication networks jammed and movement restricted People live under constant surveillance and fear It is the kind of oppression that erodes the human spirit slow methodical and devastatingBalochistans tragedy is compounded by the deliberate destruction of its culture and identity The Pakistan state has systematically tried to erase the Baloch language and heritage from education and administration Local teachers who insist on teaching Balochi or Brahui face harassment or dismissal Textbooks portray Baloch resistance as rebellion never as struggle for justice Universities are watched student leaders are monitored some abducted some found dead in remote valleysIn 2025 student movements across Quetta and Turbat have been met with raids arrests and curfews The youth who demand books instead of bullets are treated as enemies of the state Yet despite this suffocating repression the Baloch spirit endures Across the province people continue to resist sometimes through protests sometimes through art sometimes simply by refusing to be silent Women have become the conscience of this struggle Mothers of the disappeared march from Quetta to Karachi holding pictures of their sons and chanting for justiceThe Pakistan government and military present Balochistan as an ungrateful province one that must be pacified and tamed But it is not ingratitude it is the cry of a people who refuse to be stripped of their dignity The Baloch do not reject progress they reject progress built on their suffering They do not reject Pakistan out of hatred they reject oppression out of love for their landWhat the Pakistani State refuses to understand is that peace cannot be imposed at gunpoint and loyalty cannot be extracted through labour camps and disappearances The forced labour and land seizures of 2025 are not isolated incidents They are part of a long continuum of state policy one that began with the annexation of Balochistan in 1948 and has evolved into a militarydriven colonial project The faces change the slogans change but the machinery of control remains the same Every new government promises reform every general promises peace Yet the boots remain on the ground the land remains occupied and the people remain chained It is time for the world to look beyond Islamabads rhetoric IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/balochistans-struggle-is-human-rights-crisis-that-demands-worlds-attention-646724.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistani-forces-kill-two-more-civilians-in-balochistan-646727.html Quetta Nov 4 Two more Baloch civilians were extrajudicially killed by Pakistani forces in Balochistan a leading human rights organisation said on Tuesday The latest incident comes against the backdrop of a continuing cycle of persecution marked by a surge in extrajudicial killings enforced disappearances and torture across the provincePaank the Baloch National Movements Human Rights Department mentioned that on October 29 Hamza Baloch a labourer by profession from the Sourgar Oranch area of the Khuzdar district of Balochistan was forcibly disappeared by a Pakistanbacked death squad and handed over to the Pakistani army After five days of illegal detention the rights body said his bulletriddled body was discovered on Monday morning in the Jootar Koor Korak area of the Awaran districtAdditionally Paank stated that Bahad Baloch a resident of Kulaho village in Kech district was brutally murdered by the members of the Pakistanbacked death squads and his lifeless body was shifted to the Turbat Civil Hospital on November 1He was a breadwinner for his family by working in the Kuntani border area of Gwadar He was en route to his home when the squad members without considering his family status robbed his bike and other stuff and killed him After murdering him they put a rope around his neck trying to portray it as a suicide and kept the body in the nearby mosque which was then shifted to the Turbat hospital Paank detailedExpressing solidarity with the grieving family the rights body demanded accountability for those responsible It added that Pakistan through its notorious security forces and the local militias under their payroll is directly involved in heinous war crimes in Balochistan Paank called on the global community to freeze funding of Pakistan alleging that such funds are used to perpetuate war crimes in BalochistanHighlighting the atrocities in Balochistan Pank also stated that a Baloch youth Asif Hasil a fisherman by profession fell victim to the heinous crime of enforced disappearance from Pasni checkpost in Gwadar district on Monday evening at the hands of personnel from Pakistans notorious CounterTerrorism Department CTD and intelligence agencies Before his illegal detention the security forces conducted an illegal and unwarranted raid on his home at midnight during which they confiscated all mobile phones belonging to family membersThe rights body asserted that illegal detentions have traumatised the Baloch society at large particularly the involvement of the security forces has made it more concerning for the indigenous peoplePaank urged the international community to immediately intervene and make the Pakistani state accountable for its continuous human rights violations targeting Baloch civilians IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistani-forces-kill-two-more-civilians-in-balochistan-646727.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-emerges-as-key-pillar-of-quads-strategy-and-indo-pacific-stability-report-646729.html Washington Nov 4 Indias maritime resurgence lies at the heart of the Quads strategic coherence and the IndoPacifics longterm stability a report said on Tuesday It added that with China expanding its naval power and increasing maritime assertiveness the Quads ability to uphold a free open and rulesbased order depends on Indias capacity to safeguard the Indian Ocean bolster regional maritime infrastructure and deliver collective security goodsThe future of the IndoPacific hinges on the freedom of navigation the security of sea lanes and the resilience of maritime infrastructure At this critical juncture Indias maritime transformation embodied in the Maritime India Vision 2030 and its extension to 2047 is not merely a domestic policy initiative It represents a strategic pivot that positions India as an indispensable anchor of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue Quad and a vital counterweight in the evolving geopolitical architecture of the IndoPacific a report in India Narrative detailedWith nearly 95 per cent of Indias trade by volume traversing maritime routes the nations economic lifeline is intrinsically tied to the security and efficiency of its ports and shipping lanes But Indias maritime ambitions transcend commercial interests They are rooted in a vision of regional leadership collective security and a rulesbased maritime orderprinciples that align seamlessly with the Quads strategic objectives and the broader IndoPacific framework it addedAccording to the report by pursuing a measured yet assertive approach through initiatives such as Security and Growth for All in the Region SAGAR and the IndoPacific Oceans Initiative India has emerged as a net security provider thereby enhancing the Quads collective regional effortsThe firstever Quad at Sea Ship Observer Mission launched in June 2025 brought together Indian Coast Guard officers and their counterparts from Japan the United States and Australia exemplifying operational convergence Such crossembarkation initiatives it said strengthened joint readiness domain awareness and interoperability key capabilities in countering unlawful maritime activities from illegal fishing to piracy and territorial intrusionsThe report emphasised that Indias maritime future is closely tied to the Quad and the IndoPacific as Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated at the recent India Maritime Week 2025Indias coastline strategic geography and bold vision for Blue Economy growth position it as a natural investment destination and a maritime leader The question is not whether India will shape the IndoPacific maritime order but how swiftly and decisively it can leverage its strategic assets to anchor a free open and prosperous region The waves of change are already in motionIndia must navigate them with vision strategy and determination the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-emerges-as-key-pillar-of-quads-strategy-and-indo-pacific-stability-report-646729.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-bnp-fears-yunus-govt-may-secure-victories-for-jamaat-ncp-in-feb-election-646731.html Dhaka Nov 4 The Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the possibility of the Muhammad Yunus led interim government employing unlawful means to secure electoral victories in favour of the two political parties it currently depends on radical Islamist party JamaateIslami and the National Citizen Party NCP in February 2026 polls local media reported Addressing a party programme in Dhaka BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas Abbas accused the interim government of acting on the directives of the two partiesThe way this government is acting its clear they have no strength of their own This government survives by leaning towards two parties one is a party they themselves created and the other is an old one Bangladeshi media outlet quoted the BNP leader as sayingThe latest proof is the allocation of the NCPs election symbol The government must do whatever they say Who are these people Where did they come from What is their popular base Do they have any support anywhere in Bangladesh he questionedAbbas further said I am deeply worried that the government may resort to illegal means to ensure the victory of these partiesThe BNP leader also slammed Jamaat for attempting to divide the nation by intertwining religion with politicsWe will not let the nation be divided But there is a section of people who want to split the nation for their own gain he added criticising JamaatAbbas asserted that Bangladesh has fallen into a terrible state due to the absence of good governanceWho owns the country Who runs it It feels as if the country has no owner no one is looking after it Everyone is just busy talking about reform reform and reform But what exactly are you reforming I dont understand that he statedThe BNP leader alleged that the Yunusled interim government has taken no initiative to address the problems of unemployed people in the countryInstead they have turned everything upside down creating opportunities for a section of people to plunder the country A new class is now thinking only of looting and destroying the nation Abbas stressedBangladesh continues to face growing uncertainty and political turmoil ahead of next years electionThe parties that earlier collaborated with Yunus to overthrow the democraticallyelected government of the Awami League led by Sheikh Hasina are now at loggerheads over reform proposals IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-bnp-fears-yunus-govt-may-secure-victories-for-jamaat-ncp-in-feb-election-646731.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 01:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/at-least-30-killed-in-haiti-15-million-people-affected-in-jamaica-by-hurricane-melissa-un-646737.html United Nations Nov 5 At least 30 people have been killed in Haiti and more than 15 million people affected in Jamaica by Hurricane Melissa a UN spokesperson said In Jamaica infrastructure has been severely damaged with more than 130 roads blocked and power and communication networks disrupted Farhan Haq deputy spokesperson for the UN secretarygeneral told a daily briefing on TuesdayHealth services are under heavy strain since several hospitals and clinics were damaged or destroyed prompting the deployment of an emergency medical team from the Pan American Health Organisation he saidHaq said the World Food Programme WFP estimated that up to 360000 people may require food assistance in JamaicaA UN disaster assessment and coordination team is coordinating assistance teams and aid arriving in support of the Jamaican government he saidIn Haiti Haq said that the United Nations and its partners continue to carry out assessments of the damage wreaked by Hurricane Melissa and are ramping up efforts to reach people in need Xinhua news agency reportedThe Food and Agriculture Organisation indicated losses in beans corn and fruit crops as well as damage to fishing infrastructure which is expected to increase hunger in a country where half of the population is already food insecure said the spokespersonSpeaking to reporters via video link WFPs Country Director in Cuba Etienne Labande said the hurricane left behind widespread flooding power outages and heavy damage with crops lost and many buildings partially or fully destroyed in the eastern part of CubaOne particularity in the response to the hurricane is the anticipatory action framework adopted by Cuba coupled with a preapproved UN allocation which enabled UN agencies to preposition key supplies in vulnerable areas ahead of the hurricanes landfall Labande saidReaffirming solidarity with its Global South partners India on Tuesday had dispatched 20 tonnes each of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief HADR materials for Jamaica and Cuba to support recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane MelissaTaking to X External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar had said Despatched 20 tonnes each of HADR relief materials for Jamaica and Cuba in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa Indian Air Force flight carrying aid including Arogya Maitri BHISHM Cube rehabilitation support items food and daily utilities medicines medical equipment power generators shelter support and hygiene kits has departed from New Delhi today IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/at-least-30-killed-in-haiti-15-million-people-affected-in-jamaica-by-hurricane-melissa-un-646737.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-has-great-respect-for-pm-modi-says-white-house-on-ties-with-india-646738.html Washington Nov 5 The White House has said that US President Donald Trump has great respect for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that the two leaders speak pretty frequently The White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt while responding to a question on IndiaUS ties on Tuesday said that Trump feels very positive and strongly about the bilateral relationship I know the President has great respect for Prime Minister Modi and they speak pretty frequentlyShe also highlighted last months Diwali event at the White House and the appointment of Sergio Gor as the next US Ambassador as evidence of the US Presidents commitment to the relationship with IndiaHe recently a few weeks back spoke to the Prime Minister directly when he celebrated Diwali in the Oval Office with many highranking Indian American officials here at the White House We have a great US Ambassador to India in Mr Sergio Gor who will represent our country very well she notedOn October 21 Trump hosted a special Diwali event at the White House where he termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi a great person and said he loves the people of IndiaThe event was attended by the Indian Ambassador to India Vinay Kwatra Sergio Gor FBI Director Kash Patel and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard Leading business leaders from the Indian diaspora were also part of the celebrationsTrump lit the diya in the Oval Office calling it a symbol of faith in the victory of light over darkness and extending his warmest wishes to the people of IndiaOn the trade negotiations Leavitt revealed that Trump and his team are in serious discussions with the Indian sideThe President and his trade team continue to be in very serious discussions with India with respect to that topic she added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-has-great-respect-for-pm-modi-says-white-house-on-ties-with-india-646738.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/violence-intensifies-in-sudans-north-darfur-un-646742.html United Nations Nov 5 Violence is intensifying across Sudans North Darfur state following the takeover of the states capital El Fasher by the Rapid Support Forces UN humanitarians said Multiple air and drone strikes were reported across the areas of El Fasher Tina and Wana Mountain on Sunday said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs OCHALocal sources reported civilian casualties but OCHA said it was unable to verify the reports due to limited access and the difficulty of communicating with people in the affected areasOn Monday Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus directorgeneral of the World Health Organization condemned continued attacks on healthcare in Sudan after the Kernoi Pediatric and Maternity Hospital in North Darfur was struck resulting in at least four deaths and three injuries He said that such attacks on healthcare must stop everywhereOCHA said that despite the hazardous operating environment the United Nations and its partners continue to deliver lifesaving assistance wherever access permitsIt added that the world body and its partners are scaling up therapeutic feeding and vitamin supplementation programs At the same time efforts continue to ensure safe deliveries and emergency care for pregnant women through mobile clinicsThe office said that in Sudans Kordofan region the security situation is also worsening Local sources reported that at least 40 civilians were killed and dozens injured on Monday in an attack on a funeral gathering in El Obeid the capital of North Kordofan state Xinhua news agency reportedOnce again OCHA calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for all parties to protect civilians and respect international humanitarian law the office saidEarlier on October 30 the UN Security Council had voiced grave concern over escalating violence in and around El Fasher in Sudans North Darfur stateIn a press statement the members of the council had condemned the assault by the Rapid Support Forces RSF on El Fasher and its devastating impact on the civilian populationThey had also condemned reported atrocities being perpetrated by the RSF against the civilian population including summary executions and arbitrary detentions They also expressed grave concern at the heightened risk of largescale atrocities including ethnically motivated atrocitiesThe council members had called for all perpetrators of violations to be held accountable They had demanded that all parties to the conflict protect civilians and abide by their obligations under international law including international humanitarian law and to allow and facilitate safe and unhindered humanitarian access IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/violence-intensifies-in-sudans-north-darfur-un-646742.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/new-us-assistant-secretary-meets-indian-ambassador-in-washington-646743.html Washington Nov 5 Indias Ambassador to the United States Vinay Kwatra hosted Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur at his residence in Washington The State Department Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs posted on X on Tuesday Thank you AmbVMKwatra for graciously hosting me at India House last night Appreciated the opportunity to discuss shared bilateral and regional priorities including strengthening the USIndia relationship AS Paul KapurOn October 22 Kapur an Indian American security expert was sworn in as the next Assistant Secretary marking a key appointment of the Trump administration for the regionKapur succeeded Donald Lu who served as Assistant Secretary from September 2021 through January 2025He previously served from 2020 to 2021 on the State Departments Policy Planning Staff where he worked on issues related to South and Central Asia IndoPacific strategy and IndiaUS relationsKapur has also led the IndiaUS Track 15 dialogue and other strategic defence engagements between the two countriesHe is a visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution and a professor at the US Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey CaliforniaIn early October Kapur was confirmed by a Senate vote along with the new US Ambassador to India Sergio GorDuring his Senate confirmation hearing in June Kapur said his career has come full circle having studied the region academically and now stepping into a leading diplomatic roleI cant avoid the feeling of having come full circle I was born in New Delhi to an Indian father and an American mother Although I visited India often during my childhood I grew up in the United States as a thoroughly American kid never imagining that my career would someday return me to the place where I was born he addedOn US ties with India Kapur stressed that the two countries share a host of common interestsThe United States and India share a host of common interests ensuring a free and open IndoPacific region which is not dominated by China expanding bilateral trade building our economic relationship so that it is more symmetrical and profitable facilitating technology sharing and innovation and ensuring access to the energy necessary to fuel our economies he notedOn Pakistan he said he would pursue security cooperation where beneficial to US interestsThe bureau plays a crucial role in shaping US policy on security economic engagement counterterrorism and infrastructure development in the broader South and Central Asia region IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/new-us-assistant-secretary-meets-indian-ambassador-in-washington-646743.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/south-asian-candidates-make-history-with-wins-in-new-york-virginia-ohio-646745.html Washington Nov 5 In a landmark evening for the South Asian diaspora three prominent candidates of Indian and broader South Asian heritage claimed resounding victories in highstakes US elections underscoring the communitys growing political clout From New York to Virginia and Ohio three Indianorigin politicians Zohran Mamdani Ghazala Hashmi and Aftab Pureval have scored major electoral victories each making history in their respective racesLeading the charge was Mamdani the 34yearold Ugandanborn son of acclaimed Indian filmmaker Mira Nair and academic Mahmood MamdaniWith almost 90 per cent of the votes counted Mamdani won decisively in the New York City mayoral race defeating Independent challenger and former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis SliwaMamdani a Democratic socialist and Queens assemblyman captured over 50 per cent of the vote translating to over one million ballots in a turnout that shattered records with more than two million total voters the highest in over five decadesHis victory marks him as the citys first Muslim mayor and first of South Asian descent a milestone hailed by supporters as a beacon for immigrant communitiesIn Virginia state senator Ghazala Hashmi scored a historic victory in the lieutenant governors race becoming the first Muslim woman elected to a statewide office in the USThe Associated Press projected Hashmi winning 53 per cent to Republican John Reids 47 per cent Hashmi who made history in 2019 as the first Muslim and South Asian woman in the Virginia legislature will now hold one of the top executive positions in the stateGhazala Hashmi was born in Hyderabad in 1964 and relocated to the US with her mother and older brother at the age of fourIn Ohio Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval won reelection securing over 79 per cent of the counted votes according to early results with 90 per cent of precincts reportingPureval who is of Indian and Tibetan heritage defeated Republican challenger Cory Bowman the halfbrother of US Vice President JD VanceThe victories of Mamdani Hashmi and Pureval underscored the growing influence of IndianAmerican and South Asian leaders in US politics from city halls to state capitals marking a night of historic firsts for the community IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/south-asian-candidates-make-history-with-wins-in-new-york-virginia-ohio-646745.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/at-least-3-dead-11-injured-in-cargo-plane-crash-in-kentucky-us-646758.html New York Nov 5 At least three people were killed and 11 were injured when a cargo plane crashed shortly after taking off from Louisville International Airport in the US state of Kentucky Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said We believe we have at least three fatalities I believe that number is going to get larger Beshear said at a press briefingUPS Flight 2976 crashed around 515 pm local time on Tuesday Nov 4 after departing from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky The McDonnell Douglas MD11 was headed to Daniel K Inouye International Airport in Honolulu The FAA and NTSB will investigate The NTSB will lead the investigation and will provide all updates This information is preliminary and subject to change the Federal Aviation Administration FAA said on XAs the plane exploded into a huge fireball some responders have had to shelter behind different things Beshear saidIt is still a very dangerous situation with different flammables or potentially explosive materialsThe police first issued a shelterinplace for all locations within 5 miles of the airport later extending it to cover all areas north of the airport to the Ohio RiverThe plane a McDonnell Douglas MD11F manufactured in 1991 can take off weighing in at a maximum 633000 pounds and carrying more than 38000 gallons of fuel according to Boeing which bought McDonnell Douglas Xinhua news agency reported Authorities ordered residents within a fivemile radius of the airport to shelter in place around 530 pm later expanding the directive According to a post on X from the Louisville Metro Police Department LMPD All areas north of the airport to the Ohio River are now included in the shelterinplace order Please avoid the areaInvestigators are still working to determine what caused the UPS cargo plane to crash near Louisville The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board NTSB are jointly leading the investigation into why the MD11 aircraft went down shortly after taking off IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/at-least-3-dead-11-injured-in-cargo-plane-crash-in-kentucky-us-646758.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 10:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/radical-democratic-socialist-mamdani-elected-new-york-mayor-646767.html New York Nov 5 Zohair Mamdani the insurgent Democratic Socialist won New York Citys mayoral race capitalising on the liberal metropolis antipathy to President Donald Trump and economic angst Preliminary results on Tuesday night showed Mamdani the Democratic Party candidate winning about 50 per cent of the 2 million votes cast to 41 per cent polled by former Governor Andrew Cuomo who ran as an independent after losing the partys nomination to him in the June primariesMamdani will be the citys first mayor of Indian descent and the third nonWhite in the citys historyThe inexperienced 34yearolds victory on a socialist platform poses a strategic conundrum for Democrats reeling from the defeat in last years presidential electionHis radicalism may play in a liberal city where Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than two to one but it could be a turnoff in constituencies where they would have to rely on moderatesDemocratic Partys Senate Leader Chuck Schumer and former President Barack Obama withheld their endorsements while some spoke out against himMamdani will confront President Donald Trump who came out vehemently against him on the eve of the polls threatening to cut funds for the city if he is electedTrump endorsed Cuomo over the Republican Party candidate Curtis Sliwa the founder of an anticrime vigilante group who polled a paltry 7 per centReacting to the election victories of Mamdani and other Democrats Trump wrote on Truth Social TRUMP WASNT ON THE BALLOT AND SHUTDOWN WERE THE TWO REASONS THAT REPUBLICANS LOST ELECTIONS TONIGHT according to PollstersCuomo who conceded defeat congratulated Mamdani and said he wanted him to succeed for the sake of the greatest city in worldWhen his supporters booed he tried to silence them saying That is not usIt was a turn from a vicious campaign during which they and their supporters traded insultsMamdani is the son of a Shia Muslim Ugandan academic Mahmood Mamdani whose ancestry is Indian and movie director Mira Nair who is from a Hindu family in IndiaMamdani mobilised an army of youth fresh off the antiIsrael protests that rocked the city to wrest the Democratic Party nomination and they went on to expand his base beyond the young White economically welloff base to the working class and the older peopleHe offered a socialist platform to people facing a high cost of living in the city promising free buses a freeze on rents in some housing cityrun shops a wave of new homebuilding and higher taxes on the richThe youthful campaigners ceaselessly worked convincing voters to back the 34yearold with little experience beyond four years as a state assemblyman a rapper and a short stint as an activist with a South Asian social welfare organisation ChhayaBut Mamdanis campaign and his past were toxically divisiveA Khalistan supporter he participated in a rally at which Khalistanis shouted venomous insults against HindusHis campaign for Palestine sometimes verged on antiSemitic according to someMamdani threatened to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and boycott Prime Minister Narendra Modi when they visited the cityHe alleged that the citys police were working with Israels militaryMany Jews have felt insecure because of the rise of antiSemitism that have seen attacks on themSeveral Hindu temples have also been attacked in the citySome of his statements have reflected communist ideology like taking over the means of productionTrumps threat and his endorsement of Cuomo were capitalised by Mamdani who wore it as a badge of honour riling up voters displeased with TrumpThe stage is set for a confrontation between Mamdani and Trump who has moved against Democratrun cities with aggressive immigration enforcement and deployed federal forces including the National Guard for law and orderTrump has generally gone easy on New York because of an understanding with Mayor AdamsMany of the promises that Mamdani made to voters may be beyond his ability as they will require the states cooperation and more funds than would be availableBut he can use the alibi that others were obstructing his programmeHe carried out a campaign against the police and wanted to cut their numbers and their budget but now he will have to deal with peoples fears of crimeIt could be the end of the career for Cuomo the son of a former governor and who had served on Obamas cabinetHe resigned as governor after being accused of sexually harassing employees IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/radical-democratic-socialist-mamdani-elected-new-york-mayor-646767.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 10:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/cm-naidu-lauds-his-wife-for-winning-two-prestigious-awards-in-london-646772.html Amaravati Nov 5 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said that he is proud of his wife Nara Bhuvaneswari after she received two prestigious awards in London The Chief Minister who is in London with his wife took to X to share his thoughts after Bhuvaneswari ViceChairperson and Managing Director of Heritage Food Limited received the awardsAbsolutely proud of my wife Bhuvaneswari who has been honoured with two prestigious awards in London today The first the IOD Distinguished Fellow Award recognises her remarkable contribution to public service business leadership and society The second the Golden Peacock Award for Excellence in Corporate Governance 2025 has been presented to Heritage Foods Ltd for its unwavering commitment to ethical governance and corporate excellence posted CM NaiduBhuvaneswari is not just an entrepreneur and philanthropist but a proud representative of Telugu culture upholding the best of Indian and Telugu heritage through her values compassion and leadership Her journey continues to inspire everyone around her and these recognitions beautifully reflect her vision dedication and heart My heartfelt congratulations to Team Heritage and Team NTR Trust for their shared success he addedBhuvaneswari daughter of Telugu Desam Party TDP founder and former Chief Minister N T Rama Rao NTR is Managing Trustee of NTR Memorial TrustTruly humbled and honoured to receive prestigious recognitions from the Institute of Directors here in London the Distinguished Fellowship Award 2025 for public service and social impact and the Golden Peacock Award for Excellence in Corporate Governance for Heritage Foods posted BhuvaneswariShe stated that it was a moment of immense pride to receive these honours in the presence of her husband This recognition strengthens my resolve to continue serving people and contributing to society with greater dedication she addedBhuvaneshwaris son and Human Resources Development and Information Technology Minister Nara Lokesh and daughterinlaw Nara Brahmani also took to X to congratulate herIm deeply thrilled and proud today My mother Smt Bhuvaneswari and Heritage Foods Ltd are being honoured on a global platform Amma youve been an inspiring role model to our family Your selection as a Distinguished Fellow of the Institute of Directors IOD for 2025 celebrates your lifelong commitment to ethical leadership good governance and societal impact wrote LokeshMy heartfelt congratulations also to Heritage Foods on winning the Golden Peacock Award for Excellence in Corporate Governance 2025 Emerging as a sector winner out of 410 responses and 175 shortlisted through a rigorous 3tier evaluation is truly commendable Its a proud moment that reflects integrity innovation and sustained stakeholder trustBrahmani also congratulated her motherinlaw and said Her tireless commitment to social service and ethical leadership continues to inspire us all IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/cm-naidu-lauds-his-wife-for-winning-two-prestigious-awards-in-london-646772.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 11:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-japan-partnership-key-to-strategic-stability-in-indo-pacific-eam-jaishankar-646774.html New Delhi Nov 5 Highlighting the growing IndoJapan ties External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar on Wednesday said that the partnership between the two nations contributes to enhancing strategic stability in the IndoPacific Addressing the 8th IndiaJapan IndoPacific Forum he said Our partnership that has deepened so much in the last few decades has greater value than ever before It serves to enhance strategic stability in the IndoPacific and contribute to economic one at a global level Maintaining a free and open IndoPacific is a stronger imperative but also a more complex challenge Our bilateral relationship responds to the changing global scenario and that is reflected in the deepening of cooperation across multiple domainsThe EAM congratulated the think tanks Delhi Policy Group and the Japan Institute of International Affairs for hosting the dialogueEmphasising the recent conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi after she assumed office he said it reflects the priority both countries attach to their partnershipThe visit of Prime Minister Modi to Japan in August significantly laid out the joint vision for the next decade Its eight priority pillars and the investment target of 10 trillion yen over the next 10 years are useful metrics to assess our ambition The Joint Declaration on security cooperation is also noteworthy in raising the level of our aspirations in defence and security the EAM stressedLooking ahead the IndiaJapan partnership must focus on leveraging our strengths bolstering our supply chains and investing in artificial intelligence semiconductors critical minerals clean energy and space Friends as two major democracies and maritime nations India and Japan have a larger responsibility towards the IndoPacific The IndoPacific Oceans Initiative where Japan coleads the maritime trade transport and connectivity pillar has the potential to advance our contributions he addedThe EAM further said that during his meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi at the recent East Asia Summit in Malaysias capital Kuala Lumpur both sides agreed that it was in their mutual interest to hold a more detailed review in the near future to take the partnership forwardStressing on IndiaJapan partnership S Jaishankar said Let me emphasise that they both nations have always benefited from inputs and insights provided by think tanks I wish you all a very productive discussion and I very much look forward to receiving your ideas IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-japan-partnership-key-to-strategic-stability-in-indo-pacific-eam-jaishankar-646774.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 11:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/democrat-mikie-sherrill-wins-new-jersey-governors-race-646777.html Trenton Nov 5 Democratic Partys Mikie Sherrill a former Navy pilot flew to victory in New Jerseys election for governor with a campaign focused on economic issues and high taxes defeating Republican Jack Ciattarelli Preliminary results of Tuesdays poll showed Sherill winning about 57 per cent of the votes to President Donald Trumpbacked Republican candidate Ciattarellis 43 per centSherril will succeed fellow Democrat Philip Murphy who has served two terms and is barred by law from running againEconomic issues dominated the state which has high local taxes a soaring electricity bill and a punishing cost of living especially because of housingDuring her campaign she said on the first day in office she would declare a state of emergency on electricity costsCiattarelli a businessman and former state legislator came up from a dismal showing in early polls to recent ones that showed a closer race which did not match the final tallyHe polled fewer votes than Trump did last year in the state with 46 per cent to Harris 52 per centSherrill managed to overcome the popular scepticism that Murphy faced and her victory speech summed it up Good government doesnt just manage problems it solves themShe served as a helicopter pilot in the Navy with assignments in EuropeSherill then got a law degree and worked as a federal prosecutor before entering politics and getting elected to CongressShe and her husband an investment banker have four children Sherill used her motherhood to appeal to voters saying it made her understand what they needed It also made her more relatable to the votersNew Jersey has the highest percentage of South Asians of any state at 5 per cent of the population most of them being of Indian descent IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/democrat-mikie-sherrill-wins-new-jersey-governors-race-646777.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 11:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/in-victory-speech-mamdani-challenges-trump-who-responded-so-it-begins--646793.html New York Nov 5 IANS Zohran Mamdani threw a challenge to President Donald Trump on immigration declaring that for his enforcement campaign to get to any of us you will have to get through all of usnbspA city led by an immigrant will always be welcoming to immigrants he told a delirious crowd of supporters who packed a theatre in BrooklynAddressing the US President who he said must be watching his speech he said defiantly Donald Trump since I know youre watching Ive got four words for you Turn the volume upAs if taking up the challenge President Trump posed an ominous fourword message on Truth Social AND SO IT BEGINSPresident Trump who described the Democratic Socialist as a Communist said in an electioneve post that New York City will be a Complete and Total Economic and Social Disaster if Mamdani winsPresident Trump threatened to cut federal funds for the cityCasting his victory as a model of a brave new course for the country Mamdani said No longer will we have to open a history book for proof that Democrats can dare to be greatHe reiterated his campaign promise to tackle the citys affordability crisis through free fast buses childcare for all freeze on rents on some residences and more and better public housingEvery New Yorker will feel the impact of the change he was about to bring he addedAbout the hard work of fulfilling those promises he said A great New Yorker once said that while you campaign in poetry you govern in proseThat was a quote by the legendary Governor Mario Cuomo who happens to be the father of Andrew Cuomo whom Mamdani defeated in the mayoral race and wanted to needleAnd he added If that must be true let the prose we write still rhyme and let us build a shining city for allIn this moment of political darkness New York will be the light he saidOn the stage were his mother movie director Mira Nair and father Mahmood Mamdani the Ugandan academic with roots in IndiaAddressing what were some of the criticisms he faced the 34yearold said I am young despite my best efforts to grow older I am Muslim I am a Democratic Socialist And most damning of all I refuse to apologise for any of thisHe has faced accusations of antiSemitism in the way he led the antiIsrael protests and in a conciliatory gesture he said We will build a City Hall that stands steadfast alongside Jewish New Yorkers and does not waver in the fight against the scourge of antisemitismHe added that it will also be where the more than 1 million Muslims know that they belong not just in the five boroughs of this city but in the halls of powerNo more will New York be a city where you can traffic in Islamophobia and win an election he saidCuomo in his concession speech congratulated Mamdani and said he wanted to see him succeed for the sake of the greatest city in worldThat was met by boos from his supporters and he tried to silence them saying That is not usThe other candidate whom Mamdani defeated Republican Curtis Sliwa said in his concession speech Obviously I wish him good luck because if he does well we do wellHowever the founder of a vigilante group also held out a threat that if Mamdani implements socialism or weakens the police and endangers public safety he would become the worst enemyIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/in-victory-speech-mamdani-challenges-trump-who-responded-so-it-begins--646793.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 13:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/nara-lokesh-congratulates-zohran-mamdani-calls-his-campaign-masterclass-in-modern-politics-646795.html Amaravati Nov 5 Andhra Pradesh Human Resources Development Information Technology and Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh has congratulated Zohran Mamdani on his election as Mayor of New York City Lokesh son of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said that Zoharn Mamdanis campaign had been a masterclass in modern politicsThe Telugu Desam Party TDP General Secretary took to X to congratulate Zohran Mamdani on winning the New York City mayoral raceAs a young politician of Indian heritage his campaign has been a masterclass in modern politics sharp messaging smart social media and authentic people connect Politics evolves and so must we Lots of lessons for budding politicians across the world wrote LokeshDemocratic socialist Zohran Mamdani has been elected as the mayor of New York City defeating former New York governor Andrew Cuomo The 34yearold became the first Muslim and first of Indian descent to hold the officeBorn on October 18 1991 in Kampala Uganda Mamdani is the son of Ugandan scholar Mahmood Mamdani and acclaimed Indian filmmaker Mira NairHis early years took him from Uganda to South Africa and then to New York City where he attended the Bank Street School for Children and Bronx High School of ScienceHe graduated from Bowdoin College in 2014 with a degree in Africana Studies where he cofounded a Students for Justice in Palestine chapterIn his victory speech Mamdani quoted Indias first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to declare that with his win the city has stepped out from the old into the newMamdani who is also the youngest to hold the office of New York City mayor also stated that his victory toppled a political dynastyStanding before you I think of the words of Jawaharlal Nehru a moment comes but rarely in history when we step out from the old to the new when an age ends and when the soul of a nation long suppressed finds utterance Tonight we have stepped out from the old into the new he said in his victory speech IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/nara-lokesh-congratulates-zohran-mamdani-calls-his-campaign-masterclass-in-modern-politics-646795.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 14:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/isi-dangles-america-card-to-bring-azhar-saeed-out-of-hiding-646799.html New Delhi Nov 5 The ISI and Pakistan army have been exploiting the improved ties with the United States to lure its terrorists to come out of hiding and renew terror operations once again Many terror groups especially the JaisheMohammad JeM and LashkareTaiba LeT had gone completely quiet in the aftermath of Operation SindoorDuring Operation Sindoor the JeM LeT and Hizbul Mujahideen faced considerable losses after their headquarters and training pads were destroyedIntelligence Bureau officials say that terror chiefs such as Mazood Azhar and Hafiz Saeed remained largely indoors They were scared of being hit by an Indian strike or being eliminated by enemies The terror chiefs were also dejected as they could not explain the situation to their cadres However they were disillusioned with both the ISI and the army as they felt that these two institutions were unable to protect their people infrastructure and familiesWhile Pakistan has lost all the wars that it has fought with India Operation Sindoor had a completely different impact on not just the Pakistan establishment but even the terror groups The operation witnessed precision hits and the entire Pakistan mechanism was caught nappingThe ISI is currently in damage control mode It is fully aware that none of the cadres in these terror groups will function if their chiefs are not seen in the open They expect them to deliver fiery antiIndia speeches All these days the ISI ensured that old videos of Azhar and Saeed were in circulation and they were being passed off as new The cadres however grew increasingly suspicious and asked questionsThe army and ISI then reached out to the two chiefs and assured them that they could come out in the open and begin operations They were told that the US and Pakistan share strong ties which means the country was well protected Both Azhar and Saeed had separate meetings with ISI officials at their respective militaryprotected homes in LahoreThe ISI used the American card to get the two leaders on board They were assured that India would not carry out any such operation against Pakistan and if it did then the US would get involved This is something that New Delhi would not want the terror chiefs were toldWhile both chiefs appear to have agreed for now only Azhar has made a brief public appearance The JeM channels are now active with messages from Azhar The messages are directed against India and call on the cadres to reignite the war in Jammu and Kashmir Apart from Azhar making an appearance the JaisheMohammad is also working on its womens wing which will be headed by the terror chiefs sister Sadiya AzharOn the assurance that the ISI has given to the two terror chiefs officials say that it is a hollow promise India will take similar action if there is any misadventure from Pakistan the official said This would be irrespective of which country Pakistan would look up to if it had to face something similar to Operation Indoor India has made it clear that any act of terror would be treated as an act of war and the country has every right to defend itself while also making sure that it is not the aggressorMeanwhile Indian agencies are keeping a close watch on the border areas and the modules of these terror groups within the country The army is monitoring the border areas closely to prevent any infiltration There are over 80 terrorists who are waiting at the launch pads in Pakistanoccupied Kashmir PoK In the last couple of months several infiltration bids have been made but each one of them has been foiled by the Indian armed forcesThe vigil would remain at an alltime high as the possible return of the two chiefs to fulltime operations could give the terrorists waiting to infiltrate a major morale boost IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/isi-dangles-america-card-to-bring-azhar-saeed-out-of-hiding-646799.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 14:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/in-victory-speech-mamdani-challenges-trump-whoresponded-so-itbegins-646800.html New York Nov 5 Zohran Mamdani threw a challenge to President Donald Trump on immigration declaring that for his enforcement campaign to get to any of us you will have to get through all of us A city led by an immigrant will always be welcoming to immigrants he told a delirious crowd of supporters who packed a theatre in BrooklynAddressing the US President who he said must be watching his speech he said defiantly Donald Trump since I know youre watching Ive got four words for you Turn the volume upAs if taking up the challenge President Trump posed an ominous fourword message on Truth Social AND SO IT BEGINSPresident Trump who described the Democratic Socialist as a Communist said in an electioneve post that New York City will be a Complete and Total Economic and Social Disaster if Mamdani winsPresident Trump threatened to cut federal funds for the cityCasting his victory as a model of a brave new course for the country Mamdani said No longer will we have to open a history book for proof that Democrats can dare to be greatHe reiterated his campaign promise to tackle the citys affordability crisis through free fast buses childcare for all freeze on rents on some residences and more and better public housingEvery New Yorker will feel the impact of the change he was about to bring he addedAbout the hard work of fulfilling those promises he said A great New Yorker once said that while you campaign in poetry you govern in proseThat was a quote by the legendary Governor Mario Cuomo who happens to be the father of Andrew Cuomo whom Mamdani defeated in the mayoral race and wanted to needleAnd he added If that must be true let the prose we write still rhyme and let us build a shining city for allIn this moment of political darkness New York will be the light he saidOn the stage were his mother movie director Mira Nair and father Mahmood Mamdani the Ugandan academic with roots in IndiaAddressing what were some of the criticisms he faced the 34yearold said I am young despite my best efforts to grow older I am Muslim I am a Democratic Socialist And most damning of all I refuse to apologise for any of thisHe has faced accusations of antiSemitism in the way he led the antiIsrael protests and in a conciliatory gesture he said We will build a City Hall that stands steadfast alongside Jewish New Yorkers and does not waver in the fight against the scourge of antisemitismHe added that it will also be where the more than 1 million Muslims know that they belong not just in the five boroughs of this city but in the halls of powerNo more will New York be a city where you can traffic in Islamophobia and win an election he saidCuomo in his concession speech congratulated Mamdani and said he wanted to see him succeed for the sake of the greatest city in worldThat was met by boos from his supporters and he tried to silence them saying That is not usThe other candidate whom Mamdani defeated Republican Curtis Sliwa said in his concession speech Obviously I wish him good luck because if he does well we do wellHowever the founder of a vigilante group also held out a threat that if Mamdani implements socialism or weakens the police and endangers public safety he would become the worst enemy IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/in-victory-speech-mamdani-challenges-trump-whoresponded-so-itbegins-646800.html Wed, 05 Nov 2025 14:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/afghan-police-seizes-225-kg-of-opium-in-ghazni-646681.html Kabul Nov 4 Police in eastern Afghanistans Ghazni province seized 225 kg of opium from a car the provincial police office said in a statement on Tuesday The official said the contraband was hidden in secret compartments of the vehicle and was discovered during a routine search in Muqar district on SundayThe driver of the car fled the scene the official confirmed adding that search operations are underway to locate and bring to justice the owner of the drugs Xinhua News Agency reportedIn a similar antinarcotics operation several days ago police discovered and destroyed a drug processing lab in the eastern Paktia provinceOn November 1 a local police officer said that Afghan counternarcotics forces have eradicated 400 acres of illegal poppy farms in the northern Badakhshan provinceThe operations targetted illicit crops on the outskirts of Baharak Jurm Shuhada and Darayem districts according to Ehsanullah Kamgar provincial police spokesmanKamgar said that security forces would not allow cultivation of poppy or any other prohibited crops in the provinceIn April 2022 the Afghan government imposed a nationwide ban on the cultivation of illegal crops including poppy and hashishEarlier in August provincial police spokesman Ehsanullah Kamgar said that police had arrested a drug smuggler and discovered 92 kg of opium poppy in his possession in northern Afghanistans Badakhshan provinceThe alleged smuggler according to the official had hidden 92 kg of poppy in the cavities of a car and was attempting to take the contraband out of Badakhshan on Monday but the police identified and arrested Kamgar added that the arrested man along with his car and the confiscated poppy had been kept in police custody for investigationEarlier in July the counternarcotics police wiped out 170 acres of poppy farms in northern Afghanistans Baghlan province the provincial police office said in a statement According to the statement law enforcement regarding these illicit crops was conducted on the outskirts of the TalaoBarfak and PuleHesar districts of the province IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/afghan-police-seizes-225-kg-of-opium-in-ghazni-646681.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 21:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/taliban-says-16-242-afghan-refugees-forcibly-deported-from-iran-pakistan-in-single-day-646691.html Kabul Nov 4 A total of 16242 Afghan refugees have been forcibly deported from Iran and Pakistan in a single day Taliban deputy spokesperson said on Tuesday local media reported Taliban deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat stated that 2963 Afghan families comprising 16243 individuals returned home from Iran and Pakistan on Monday Afghanistans leading news agency Pajhwok Afghan News reported He said the refugees entered Afghanistan through the Islam Qala crossing in Spin Boldak in Kandahar Herat PuliAbresham in Nimroz Bahramcha in Helmand and the Torkham crossingFitrat said 2161 families which comprised 11772 individuals were taken to their respective provinces while 1882 refugees who returned home were provided humanitarian assistance He further said that telecommunication companies provided 2958 sim cards to Afghan refugees who returned homeMeanwhile Germany on Tuesday will receive the fourth group of Afghan refugees granted approval for relocation under its humanitarian admission programme Afghanistanbased Khaama Press reported citing German media reports The group of Afghan refugees who have been approved by the German government to enter will travel to Hanover from Islamabad it was reportedThis is the fourth evacuation flight that will arrive in Germany since the new coalition government assumed office in Germany in May Last week 14 Afghan nationals reached Hanover under the same initiative which has been launched to assist those most at risk following the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan in 2021After the Taliban seized power Germanys previous administration launched an admission programme to protect local staff human rights advocates and journalists who had worked with German and international organisations However the current coalition government has signalled plans to reduce or phase out these voluntary admission efforts IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/taliban-says-16-242-afghan-refugees-forcibly-deported-from-iran-pakistan-in-single-day-646691.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 22:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/former-us-vice-president-dick-cheney-passes-away-at-84-646696.html Washington Nov 4 Former US Vice President Dick Cheney passed away at the age of 84 years on Monday due to complications of pneumonia cardiac and vascular disease according to a statement released by his family Richard B Cheney the 46th Vice President of the United States died last night November 3 2025 He was 84 years old The Hill reported quoting a statement issued by Cheneys familyHis beloved wife of 61 years Lynne his daughters Liz and Mary and other family members were with him as he passed The former Vice President died due to complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease it addedDick Cheney served as the US Vice President during former President George W Bushs administration from 20012009 He is regarded as one of the most influential Vice Presidents in modern US history having helped lead the countrys war on terror after the terror attacks on September 11 2001 The Hill reportedBorn in Lincoln Nebraska on January 30 1941 Cheney grew up in Casper Wyoming He had a distinguished career as a businessman and public servant serving four Presidents and as an elected official His career in public service started in 1969 when he joined the Nixon Administration and served in various positions at the Cost of Living Council at the Office of Economic Opportunity and within the White HouseWhen Gerald Ford assumed the Presidency in August 1974 Cheney served on the transition team and later as Deputy Assistant to the President According to the White House in 1975 he was named as Assistant to the President and White House Chief of Staff a post he held throughout the remainder of the Ford AdministrationAfter returning to Wyoming in 1977 Cheney was elected to serve as the states sole Congressman in the US House of Representatives He was reelected five times and elected by his colleagues to serve as Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee from 19811987 He was elected Chairman of the House Republican Conference in 1987 and House Minority Whip in 1988 During his tenure in the House he earned a reputation as a man of knowledge character and accessibilityHe served as US Secretary of Defence from March 1989January 1993 and directed two of the largest military campaigns in recent history Operation Just Cause in Panama and Operation Desert Storm in the Middle East He was responsible for shaping the future of the US military during the age of rapid change as the Cold War ended In 1991 thenUS President George Bush awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Cheney for his leadershipDespite his status as a hawkish conservative Cheney was a critic of US President Donald Trump and expressed support for former Vice President Kamala Harris presidential bid At the time he said As citizens we each have a duty to put country above partisanship to defend our Constitution He stated That is why I will be casting my vote for Vice President Kamala Harris IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/former-us-vice-president-dick-cheney-passes-away-at-84-646696.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 22:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-linked-networks-connected-to-global-arms-smuggling-report-646454.html Islamabad Nov 3 Pakistanbased entities have been linked to arms trafficking networks extending beyond India and Afghanistan from Iranian arms transfer to Yemens Houthis to wider black markets across the Middle East and Africa a report cited on Monday Citing findings from investigative reports and official charges in the United States and Europe it stated that Pakistani nationals participated in unlawful exports of antiaircraft ammunition and drone technology bolstering Pakistans global reputation as a logistics and facilitation hub for arms smugglingThe recent 40year prison sentence handed down by a US court to Pakistani national Muhammad Pahlawan for smuggling Iranian weapons to Yemens Houthi insurgents has cast a glaring spotlight on the persistent involvement of Pakistani actors in international arms trafficking and criminal enterprises Pahlawans conviction is not an isolated incident but rather a manifestation of a broader trend reflecting Pakistans entanglement in regional and global illicit arms flows often with grave security implications for the wider world a report in Asian News Post detailedAccording to the report Muhammad Pahlawan the Pakistani citizen was sentenced to 40 years by a US federal court in Virginia on charges of conspiring to provide material support to terrorists violating weapons of mass destruction controls and illegally transporting advanced conventional armsThe US Justice Department revealed that Pahlawan captained a fishing vessel used to move sophisticated Iranian ballistic missile components antiship missile parts and warheads to the Houthi rebels in Yemen This operation intercepted in the Arabian Sea in January 2024 tragically resulted in the deaths of two US Navy SEALs during the boarding action Crew testimonies revealed many were deceived about their participation highlighting the transnational clandestine and often coercive nature of such trafficking networks it mentionedThe report noted that in recent years the modus operandi of Pakistani arms traffickers has evolved From largescale trucking operations it said the network now employs methods such as drone drops and maritime transfers and covert border crossings often managed by organised criminal networks with overseas linksHistorical investigations the report said have documented the role of Pakistans InterServices Intelligence ISI and militarybacked syndicates in both arming foreign proxies and managing lucrative smuggling chains for profit and strategic influence Some analysts argue that denial and inaction by law enforcement have enabled criminal actors and militant suppliers to operate with significant impunity enhancing the resilience and expanding the footprint of these networksSo long as criminal and state actors in Pakistan possess the motive opportunity and network to facilitate illicit arms flows regional and global security will remain threatened Whether supplying weapons to state clients proxies sectarian groups or criminal syndicates Pakistans entanglement in arms smuggling is both a historical constant and a present danger the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-linked-networks-connected-to-global-arms-smuggling-report-646454.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 00:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/rising-dragon-fireworks-leave-lasting-scars-on-tibetan-plateau-report-646457.html Beijing Nov 3 The Rising Dragon fireworks display in Tibet has left consequences that may reverberate for decades across the damaged grasslands of the Tibetan Plateau near Gyantse County The incident underscored broader contradictions between Chinas rhetoric of ecological civilisation and the reality of exploitation corporate greenwashing and environmental destruction artistic expression and cultural insensitivity shortterm spectacle and longterm sustainability a report cited on Monday On September 19 at precisely 430 pm the remote Tibetan Plateau near Gyantse County in Shigatse witnessed an event that would ignite a firestorm of controversy extending far beyond the 52second spectacle it produced Against the backdrop of the sacred Himalayan peaks 1050 fireworks erupted across the mountainside between altitudes of 4670 and 5020 m forming a dragonshaped cascade of coloured smoke and fire a report in Myanmars media outlet The Irrawaddy detailedDubbed Rising Dragon this pyrotechnic display a collaboration between outdoor brand Arcteryx and internationally renowned Chinese artist Cai Guoqiang was intended as an artistic tribute to natures majesty Instead it became a stark reminder of the Tibetan Plateaus precarious environmental position and the growing tensions between commercial spectacle and ecological responsibility in one of Earths most fragile ecosystems it addedAccording to the report nearly a month after the incident findings from the Shigatse Municipal Investigation Team in Tibet confirmed that the brief event had damaged 3006 hectares of grassland destroying soil and turf layer structures through flattening operations human trampling and vehicle movement It added that the firework residue plastic debris and other materials were inadequately cleared while bright flashes and loud noise caused temporary disturbance to wildlife in the areaThe report asserted that beyond environmental devastation the incident inflicted deep cultural wounds on the Tibetans for whom the Himalayan mountains are not just geographical features but sacred abodes of protective deitiesThe incorporation of dragon imagery it said strongly associated with Chinese identity on sacred Tibetan land deepened the sense of cultural insensitivityAs the Tibetan Plateau continues warming at twice the global rate as glaciers retreat and permafrost thaws as grasslands degrade and water security deteriorates for billions downstream the world can no longer afford to treat this fragile ecosystem as a stage for publicity stunts or development fantasies The sacred mountains of Tibet home to protective deities in Tibetan cosmology and critical water sources in hydrological reality demand not fireworks tributes but genuine protectionprotection from the very forces that claim to honour them the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/rising-dragon-fireworks-leave-lasting-scars-on-tibetan-plateau-report-646457.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 00:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/lebanese-president-calls-for-diplomacy-with-israel-amid-border-tensions-646470.html Beirut Nov 4 Lebanon has no choice but to negotiate with Israel President Joseph Aoun said stressing that diplomacy should take precedence over war according to a statement from the presidency In politics there are three tools diplomacy economy and war When war leads nowhere what else can we do Every war in the world eventually ends with negotiations and negotiation is never with a friend or ally but with an enemy Aoun said on Monday during a meeting with officials at Baabda PalaceHe added that the language of negotiation is more important than the language of war which we have seen only brings destruction and praised the diplomatic efforts of Lebanons leadership including Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf SalamAoun emphasised that Lebanons national interest must take precedence over political religious and sectarian considerations He urged politicians to prioritize national unity over electoral ambitions and to move beyond sectarian divisions that have long undermined the countrys stability Xinhua news agency reportedIn late October Aoun ordered the Lebanese army to respond to any Israeli incursions in the south following a deadly raid on the border village of Blida a move welcomed by Hezbollah leader Naim QassemA US and Frenchbrokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has been in effect since late November last year halting months of crossborder hostilities triggered by the war in GazaDespite the truce Israel has continued to carry out occasional strikes in Lebanon saying it is targeting Hezbollah threats Lebanon and several international organizations have condemned the attacks as violations of the ceasefire IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/lebanese-president-calls-for-diplomacy-with-israel-amid-border-tensions-646470.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 06:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/summary-executions-sexual-violence-in-sudans-el-fasher-continue-un-646473.html United Nations Nov 4 Over one week after the takeover of Sudans El Fasher city by the Rapid Support Forces RSF summary executions and sexual violence against civilians reportedly continue UN humanitarians said The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs OCHA said the United Nations received credible reports of the crimes against civilians including women and children from within the barricaded North Darfur states capital Xinhua news agency reportedHundreds of civilians including humanitarian workers have reportedly been killed while large numbers remain trapped inside the city with little or no communication to the outside world OCHA said The delivery of lifesaving assistance remains blocked by the RSF contrary to its obligation under international humanitarian law to facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of such reliefThe International Organization for Migration IOM reported that nearly 71000 people have fled El Fasher and surrounding areas since the citys fall on October 26 most to overcrowded camps in the town of Tawila 40 kilometers away while many new arrivals have reported killings abductions and sexual violence along the wayConditions in Tawila are dire with families living in the open or in makeshift shelters food stocks running out and clean water scarce said OCHA The UN and its partners are providing emergency assistance including daily meals healthcare water sanitation nutrition and psychosocial support but these efforts cover only a fraction of the needs due to funding constraintsViolence in the Kordofan region has also sharply escalated triggering largescale displacement and civilian suffering said the office noting that grave violations including the alleged summary execution of civilians have been reported in North Kordofans locality of BaraThe IOM said that between October 26 and 31 approximately 37000 people were displaced from Bara Um Rawaba and surrounding villages Civilians face mounting insecurity food shortages and the destruction of basic infrastructureWith just two months left in the year the 2025 response plan for Sudan is only 28 per cent funded with 117 billion received of the 416 billion required said OCHA calling for urgent flexible funding to support the millions of people caught in the Sudan conflict IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/summary-executions-sexual-violence-in-sudans-el-fasher-continue-un-646473.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 08:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/indian-ambassador-meets-us-senator-to-discuss-cooperation-in-technology-innovation-646475.html Washington Nov 4 Indias Ambassador to the United States Vinay Kwatra met with Republican Senator Mike Rounds to discuss cooperation between India and the United States in technology innovation and trade In a post on X on Monday Ambassador Kwatra described the meeting as productiveUseful exchange on enhancing cooperation in technology and innovation between India and the US and developing a roadmap for productive exchanges in the domain of Artificial Intelligence Also apprised him of our current bilateral engagement on trade and increasing hydrocarbons purchases from the US by India Kwatra addedEnergy cooperation has become a major component of the IndiaUS partnership with India now accelerating purchases of American crude oil and liquefied natural gasSenator Rounds a Republican representing South Dakota serves as Chairperson of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and is cochair of the Senate Artificial Intelligence Caucus He has been involved in legislative initiatives aimed at promoting innovation and strengthening US leadership in emerging technologiesAmbassador Kwatras meeting with Rounds is part of a series of his ongoing engagements with US lawmakers and officials to deepen cooperation across hightechnology sectors In recent months the Indian Ambassador has held several interactions focused on strengthening partnerships in innovation trade and clean energyLast month he attended multiple Diwali events in Washington including at the World Bank and other think tanksOn October 24 the Indian Ambassador took part in Diwali celebrations organised by the USIndia Strategic Partnership Forum a think tank Ricky Gill the Special Assistant to President Donald Trump and the White House National Security Council Senior Director for South and Central Asia also attended the eventDelighted to join the Diwali Reception hosted by USIPForum to celebrate the festive seasons with friends of India from different sectors including the US Government Business ThinkTanks and media Kwatra posted on XLast month the Indian Ambassador attended a special Diwali event at the White House where President Donald Trump extended his warmest wishes to the people of IndiaTrump lit the diya in the Oval Office calling it a symbol of faith in the victory of light over darknessThe Indian Ambassador thanked President Trump for opening up the White House to mark the festival of DiwaliYou are showcasing the strength of diversity through this celebration So its truly a great honour On behalf of my Prime Minister and my own behalf I wish you and your loved ones a very very happy Diwali greetings particularly to over 5 millionstrong Indian diaspora in the US he noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/indian-ambassador-meets-us-senator-to-discuss-cooperation-in-technology-innovation-646475.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 10:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/eam-jaishankar-calls-for-global-zero-tolerance-towards-terrorism-in-talks-with-israeli-foreign-minister-646508.html New Delhi Nov 4 IANS Reaffirming Indias solidarity with Israel External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said both countries face a common challenge from terrorism and underscored the need for a global zerotolerance approach to terrorism in all its forms and manifestationsnbspIn his opening remarks during his meeting with Israels Foreign Minister Gideon Saar in New Delhi EAM Jaishankar said India and Israel have a strategic partnership and particularly in our case the term has a real meaning We have stood together in testing times and we have created a relationship with a very high degree of trust and of reliability Our two nations face a particular challenge from terrorism It is essential that we work towards ensuring a global approach of zero tolerance towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestationsWelcoming his Israeli counterpart Saar on his first visit to India Jaishankar said that the engagement would allow both nations to review bilateral cooperation and explore avenues to further deepen itnbspThe recent conclusion of our bilateral investment agreement is a notable step in that direction It is noteworthy that your ministerial colleagues dealing with agriculture economy tourism and finance have all visited us recently In recent times India has developed many new capabilities especially in rail road and port infrastructure in renewable energy and in health Our businesses are very keen to explore opportunities in Israel and we would certainly like to give that more attention he addedStressing that India has been closely following developments in Israel Jaishankar welcomed the return of the hostages and the remains of those who tragically lost their lives Reiterating New Delhis support for the Gaza peace plan Jaishankar expressed hope that it would pave the way for a lasting and durable solution in the regionnbspEAM noted that an increasing number of Indian workers are now present in Israel as a result of the two countries mobility understandingsThey have some issues which need attention and I hope that we can take that dimension of our ties forward he stressednbspHighlighting the importance of IndiaIsrael strategic cooperation and exchange of perspectives on regional and global issues Jaishankar said There are some plurilateral initiatives in which we both have a strong interest I look forward to that aspect of our deliberations as well https://dailyworld.in/international/eam-jaishankar-calls-for-global-zero-tolerance-towards-terrorism-in-talks-with-israeli-foreign-minister-646508.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 15:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/18-arrested-after-almost-270-kg-of-illicit-drugs-seized-by-australian-police-646569.html Sydney Nov 4 Australian police have arrested 18 people after seizing almost 270 kg of illicit drugs during an investigation into an organised crime syndicate operating across the country The police forces in the states of New South Wales NSW and Western Australia WA as well as the Australian Federal Police AFP said in a statement on Tuesday that the arrests were made by a joint strike force that was established earlier in 2025 to investigate the largescale supply of illicit drugs by an organised syndicateStrike force detectives executed 30 search warrants across NSW and WA between May and October during which they located and seized 150 kg of pseudoephedrine 95 kg of methamphetamine 21 kg of ketamine 2 kg of cocaine 14 firearms almost 24 million Australian dollars 15 million in cash and lab equipmentOfficers arrested 18 people 11 of whom were in WA and charged them with a range of offenses relating to the import and supply of illicit drugs and participating in a criminal groupIt will be alleged in court that the syndicate imported the drugs via sea by concealing them in consignments of shoes in plasticPolice said the drugs were then exchanged across state borders by post and by drug mules on planes Xinhua news agency reportedAccording to authorities the seized drugs had a combined estimated value of 60 million Australian dollars 375 millionEarlier on October 19 Police in the NSW had said in a statement that more than 5 kg of methylamphetamine and almost 11 kg of cocaine with an estimated potential combined street value of over 63 million Australian dollars about 409 million had been seized in the states southwestOfficers who were conducting patrols of the Hay area and had stopped a black car on the Sturt HighwayAfter the 30yearold male driver got a positive result in a roadside drug test officers had searched the man and found cocaine and cash in his possession Officers had conducted a search of the car and seized the drugs as well as more than 130000 Australian dollars in cash and two mobile phonesThe driver was arrested and was charged with seven offences IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/18-arrested-after-almost-270-kg-of-illicit-drugs-seized-by-australian-police-646569.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 19:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-extends-250-000-aid-for-five-community-development-projects-in-dominica-646577.html Roseau Nov 4 India and Dominica signed Memorandums of Understanding MoUs for the implementation of five Quick Impact Projects QIPs aimed at boosting community development in the Caribbean nation The Government of India will provide financial assistance of USD 250000 to support these local initiatives under its development partnership programme The exchange took place between the High Commissioner of India to Dominica Pradeep Rajpurohit and Dominicas Minister of Foreign Affairs International Business Trade and Energy Vince Henderson in the capital city RoseauThe projects include the rehabilitation of 235 metres of a farm access and feeder road in Macaton Grand Bay the rehabilitation of St Elmos Road in St Elmos Estate Upper Giraudel and the rehabilitation of portions of a farm access road in Carholme Additionally the initiatives cover the rehabilitation of the Grand Bay Basketball Court and the construction of a footpath crossing at Fond St JeanIndia remains steadfast in its endeavor to extend developmental assistance to the people of the Commonwealth of Dominica and extends best wishes to them on the occasion of the 47th anniversary of the independence of the country the High Commission of India in Trinidad and Tobago also accredited to Dominica said in a statementIndia has traditionally enjoyed cordial bilateral relations with Dominica since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1981Under development cooperation several projects were implemented in Dominica IndiaUnited Nations Development Programme UNDP Projects Resilient Rehabilitation of Salisbury Educational Facility in Dominica PostHurricane Maria project under the IndiaUNDP Fund of 1 million was granted in 2018 for the rehabilitation of the two buildings at the Salisbury Educational Facility that were severely damaged by Hurricane Maria in 2017 and was completed in March 2020A 1 million project under the IndiaUNDP Fund for Strengthening Sustainable Livelihoods and Resilience in the Kalinago Community was launched in February 2021 and was accomplished in January 2024 Another 1 million project ie the 2nd phase of the Community Resilience Project in the Kalinago Territory was launched on December 19 2024 and is currently ongoing IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-extends-250-000-aid-for-five-community-development-projects-in-dominica-646577.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 20:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/sindhi-leader-writes-to-us-lawmaker-alleges-political-repression-torture-in-pakistan-646613.html Berlin Nov 4 Shafi Burfat Chairman of the Jeay Sindh Muttahida Maha JSMM wrote to American Congressman Brad Sherman with copies sent to several international human rights organisations accusing Pakistan of subjecting indigenous communities including Sindhis to the worst forms of slavery political repression economic exploitation and brutal torture of political activists In an open letter addressed to Sherman Burfat said The oppressed peoples political activists intellectuals writers journalists men and women of the region who raise their voice for human rights consider you a great source of strength and hope for themselves You have always raised your timely voice against violations of human rights for the historic nations imprisoned in Pakistan including SindhYour principled position and courageous statements against the ongoing political oppression and economic exploitation of the historic nations by the Pakistani state are felt by millions of oppressed people including the Sindhi nationas a light of hope and encouragement a candle in the deep darkness of oppression tyranny and state fascism bringing life and new hope it addedBurfat alleged that since the very first day of Pakistans creation this unnatural state has continuously conspired under the deception of religion against the existence of the imprisoned nations and their historic political freedoms economic resources demography language culture and historyThe reality is that this unnatural state is in fact nothing but Punjabi imperialism because Pakistan exists solely for the interests of the Punjabi colonial nation Eighty percent of Pakistans army consists of Punjabis and the historic nations including Sindhis have been subjected to the worst forms of slavery political repression and economic exploitation under this fascist state he statedThe Sindhi leader highlighted that people of Sindh are exercising their right to national selfdetermination a natural and internationally recognised right of all nations and struggling for the independence of their homeland SindhudeshBecause of this struggle he said hundreds of Sindhi political workers have been detained disappeared and imprisoned in Pakistans InterServices Intelligence ISI torture cells for 10 to 12 yearsMany mutilated bodies of Sindhi national activists have been thrown by ISI on roads and deserted places across Sindh These include JSMMs Central General Secretary Muzaffar Bhutto Afzal Panhwar Samieullah Kalhoro Munir Khan Choliani Raja Dahar Bhanbhro Zulfiqar Kolachi and many others the letter detailed highlighting the atrocities by Pakistani forcesJSMMs Senior Vice Chairman Sarai Qurban Khahoor and Noorullah Tanyu Rupalo Choliani were publicly wounded and burned alive by the army before the villagers it addedEmphasising that hundreds of activists remain missing Burfat expressed hope that the US Congressman would raise his voice to save the lives of the hundreds of disappeared political activists of Sindh IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/sindhi-leader-writes-to-us-lawmaker-alleges-political-repression-torture-in-pakistan-646613.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 20:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/goal-is-to-build-long-term-strategic-partnership-with-india-says-israeli-fm-saar-646627.html New Delhi Nov 4 Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Tuesday that India and Israel share warm friendship and their goal is to build a longterm strategic partnership between the two nations In his opening remarks during his meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi on Tuesday Saar expressed appreciation for Prime Minister Narendra Modis solidarity following the Hamas attack on October 7 as he was the first world leader to call Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin NetanyahuHe said We appreciate Prime Minister Modis strong solidarity We remember that he was the first world leader to call Prime Minister Netanyahu after the Hamas October 7 massacre and we wont forget it Minister I believe that India is the future I told you that India is the worlds largest democracy and the fastestgrowing economy India is a global superpower Israel is a regional powerhouse Our nations already share a warm friendship Our goal is to build a longterm strategic partnership between Israel and IndiaHe called radical terror a mutual threat for both Israel and India and condemned the terrorist attack that took place in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam on April 22Radical terror is a mutual threat to Israel and India We strongly condemn the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam In the Middle East Israel faces a unique phenomenon which I call terror states The radical terror states of Hamas in Gaza Hezbollah in Lebanon and Houthis in Yemen have established themselves over the past decades Uprooting them is necessary for the security and stability of our region The eradication of the Hamas terror state is at the heart of President Trumps plan Hamas must be disarmed Gaza must be demilitarised We will not compromise on it he saidExpressing Israels support for regional connectivity projects he said I believe that the future for regional partnerships is bright Israel supports regional connectivity projects such as I2U2 and IMEC We want to promote connectivity between South Asia West Asia and EuropeNotably I2U2 is a partnership between India Israel the UAE and the US thats working to tackle global challenges and advance economic opportunities In 2023 India Saudi Arabia UAE France Germany European Union the US and Italy committed to work together to establish the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor IMECGideon Saar who is on a twoday diplomatic visit to India will meet with other senior officials in the Indian government The visiting minister is also scheduled to meet other government officials Ambassadors diplomats heads of research institutes and local business leaders during the visit the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on MondayDuring his flying visit the Foreign Minister will also deliver a briefing on Middle East Affairs to foreign policy and security scholars before returning to Israel on Wednesday IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/goal-is-to-build-long-term-strategic-partnership-with-india-says-israeli-fm-saar-646627.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 20:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-delivers-food-items-to-earthquake-impacted-families-in-afghanistan-646436.html KabulNew Delhi Nov 3 India on Monday delivered food items to the families affected in Afghanistan due to the earthquake that struck Balkh Samangan and Baghlan provinces Reaffirming its support to the Afghan people India delivers food items for the families affected by the earthquake the Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on XIndias assistance comes after more than 20 people were killed and hundreds of others were injured after an earthquake of magnitude 63 struck areas of northern AfghanistanEarlier in the day External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar spoke to his Afghanistan counterpart Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi to convey condolences at the loss of lives in the earthquake He stated that Indian relief material will be handed over to the earthquakeimpacted people and further supplies will reach there soonFollowing their talks EAM Jaishankar in a post on X wrote Called FM Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi of Afghanistan this afternoon to convey condolences at the loss of lives in the earthquake that struck Balkh Samangan and Baghlan provinces Indian relief material for the earthquake impacted communities is being handed over today Further supplies of medicines to reach soonDiscussed progress in our bilateral relationship since his visit Welcomed the improving peopletopeople contacts between India and Afghanistan Appreciated the exchange of views on the regional situation he addedWith the epicentre being in Khulm district of Balkh province the earthquake shook several northern regions of Afghanistan including Samangan and Badakhshan and was felt in Kabul Afghanistans leading news agency Khaama Press reportedAt least 10 people were killed and 260 others were injured in Samangan province while four people died and more than 100 others were injured in Balkh according to Afghanistans Ministry of Public HealthAccording to local officials in Badakhshan several people were injured and more than 800 homes were damaged or destroyed especially in remote mountainous regions where it is difficult to carry out rescue efforts due to blocked roads and poor communication Khaama Press reportedOfficials have warned that the total death toll from the latest earthquakes across northern Afghanistan has reached 20 while more than 400 others were injured with fears that numbers could increase as search operations continue IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-delivers-food-items-to-earthquake-impacted-families-in-afghanistan-646436.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 21:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/un-envoy-vows-support-for-iraqs-upcoming-parliamentary-election-646231.html Baghdad Nov 3 The UN SecretaryGenerals Special Representative for Iraq Mohamed Al Hassan underscored here the organizations commitment to supporting Iraqs November 11 parliamentary elections according to a statement by the Iraqi Foreign Ministry During his meeting with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein Al Hassan reaffirmed the UNs dedication to continuing its support for Iraq in the electoral process and enhancing political and economic stabilityWhile reviewing the final preparations for the national vote Hussein emphasized the Iraqi governments commitment to ensuring transparent and fair elections that reflect the will of the Iraqi people and expressed appreciation for the ongoing technical support from the UN Xinhua news agency reportedThe two sides also touched upon regional and international developments and ways to boost cooperation between Iraq and the UN to advance stability and sustainable development the statement addedMore than 21 million eligible Iraqis are set to vote to elect a 329member parliament for a fouryear termMeanwhile Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia alSudani affirmed that his government will provide full logistical support to the The Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission IHEC to ensure transparent and credible parliamentary elections that reflect the will of the Iraqi peopleIraqs last parliamentary election in 2021 sparked violent clashes in Baghdad and led to nearly a year of political deadlock before a government was formed IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/un-envoy-vows-support-for-iraqs-upcoming-parliamentary-election-646231.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 07:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/israel-receives-bodies-of-three-hostages-from-hamas-pm-netanyahus-office-646232.html Jerusalem Nov 3 Israel said on Sunday it had received the remains of three hostages from Hamas in Gaza as part of the ongoing exchange of bodies under the ceasefire agreement The remains were handed over to Israeli forces inside the Gaza Strip by the International Committee of the Red Cross and will be transferred to the national forensic institute in Tel Aviv for identification the Prime Ministers Office said in a statementOnce the identification process is completed an official notification will be delivered to the families the office saidIf confirmed it would leave the bodies of eight hostages still in Gaza out of 28 that Hamas was required to return to Israel under the truce in exchange for the bodies of 360 Palestinian militants killed in the war Xinhua news agency reportedHamass AlQassam Brigades said in a statement that the bodies were recovered from a tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip east of Khan Younis They identified one of them as Colonel Asaf Hamami an Israeli officer killed during the October 7 2023 Hamasled assault while defending Kibbutz NirimIn a separate statement Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said the handover comes as part of the movements firm commitment to continuing the exchange process calling on mediators to pressure Israel to implement its obligations under the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza StripDespite the ceasefire that took effect more than three weeks ago at least 236 Palestinians have been killed and 600 wounded by Israeli fire since October 11 according to Gaza health authorities It said the total death toll from Israeli strikes since October 7 2023 had reached 68865 IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/israel-receives-bodies-of-three-hostages-from-hamas-pm-netanyahus-office-646232.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 07:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/kremlin-says-no-need-to-promptly-prepare-putin-trump-meeting-646233.html Moscow Nov 3 There is no need to rapidly organize a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview Peskov said on Sunday that promptly preparing such a meeting is possible but there is no need for it Xinhua news agency reported quoting TASS news agencyAt this moment what is needed is very meticulous work on the details of the Ukraine settlement problem Peskov addedAfter a phone call with Putin on Oct 16 Trump said that the two leaders would meet soon in Budapest Hungary On October 22 Trump said he had canceled the planned meeting saying that the meeting just didnt feel right to me and that it didnt feel like we were going to get to the place we have to getPreviously Putin said that the meeting in Budapest had more likely been postponed than canceled adding that it was the United States that initiated the summitOn October 26 Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the future of personal contacts at the highest level will depend on the US sideThe two leaders last met in person on August 15 2025 at Joint Base ElmendorfRichardson in Anchorage Alaska That summit ended without a significant agreement on a ceasefire or a path to end the war though it was their first facetoface meeting since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/kremlin-says-no-need-to-promptly-prepare-putin-trump-meeting-646233.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 08:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/powerful-earthquake-hits-afghanistan-killing-7-over-100-injured-646238.html Kabul Nov 3 A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 63 jolted northern Afghanistan early on Monday morning causing at least seven people dead and over 100 injured according to media reports The US Geological Survey USGS issued an orange alert through its PAGER systeman automated tool that assesses the potential impact of earthquakeswarning that significant casualties are likely and the disaster is potentially widespreadThe quake struck at a depth of 28 km 174 miles near Mazare Sharif a city of about 523000 people according to the USGSVideos showing rescue operations to free people trapped under rubble along with images of collapsed buildings and scattered debris circulated widely on the social media platform XEarlier on September 23 a 49magnitude earthquake had struck southeastern Afghanistan according to the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences The quakes epicentre was pinpointed at a shallow depth of 10 km with coordinates at 3448 degrees north latitude and 7071 degrees east longitudeSince taking power in 2021 the Taliban government has faced several devastating earthquakes including one in 2023 in the western Herat region near the Iranian border that killed over 1500 people and destroyed more than 63000 homesAnother major quakea shallow magnitude 6 tremorstruck the countrys east on August 31 this year killing more than 2200 people making it the deadliest in recent Afghan historyAfghanistan lies along the collision zone between the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates with additional influence from the Arabian plate to the southmaking it one of the most seismically active regions in the worldThe country is simultaneously grappling with multiple crises after decades of war including widespread poverty severe drought and the forced return of millions of Afghans from Pakistan and IranAccording to seismologist Brian Baptie of the British Geological Survey northeastern Afghanistan has experienced 12 earthquakes above magnitude 7 since 1900 Studies further show that more than 355 quakes exceeding magnitude 50 have occurred across the country since 1990Eastern and northeastern Afghanistanparticularly areas bordering Uzbekistan Tajikistan and Pakistanremain the most earthquakeprone regions IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/powerful-earthquake-hits-afghanistan-killing-7-over-100-injured-646238.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 08:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/congo-president-says-peace-talks-with-m23-rebels-to-resume-next-week-in-doha-646240.html Kinshasa Nov 3 Peace talks between the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo DRC and the March 23 Movement M23 rebel group will resume next week in Doha Qatar DRC President Felix Tshisekedi has said According to the statement issued late Sunday by the Congolese presidency Tshisekedi reaffirmed that the DRC remains committed to political and diplomatic means to end the conflict in the eastern provinces while upholding the countrys sovereignty and territorial integrityDoha has remained the only operational channel of dialogue between Kinshasa and the M23 for months In July Kinshasa and the M23 signed a Declaration of Principles in Doha a roadmap that initially set a start date for negotiations no later than August 8 and the signing of a peace agreement before August 18 These timelines have now passed without being metTshisekedi who arrived on Sunday in Doha to participate in the Second World Summit for Social Development scheduled for November 46 also praised the involvement of Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in the ongoing exchanges with the M23 Xinhua news agency reportedThe statement did not specify whether the president would take part directly in the upcoming talks with the rebelsAfter reemerging in late 2021 the M23 now part of the politicalmilitary Alliance Fleuve Congo AFC has extended its control over several strategic centres in eastern DRC including Goma and Bukavu In these areas parallel administrative structures have been established further weakening local institutions and worsening an already dire humanitarian situationAccording to the United Nations more than 24 million people have been displaced since January 2025 bringing the tally of internally displaced persons to nearly 6 million Around 1 million Congolese have sought refuge in neighbouring countries while 27 million people are now threatened by hunger IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/congo-president-says-peace-talks-with-m23-rebels-to-resume-next-week-in-doha-646240.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 08:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-ncp-accuses-bnp-jamaat-of-plotting-to-delay-2026-elections-646246.html Dhaka Oct 3 As political conflict intensifies in Bangladesh ahead of next years election the National Citizen Party NCP accused the Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP and the radical Islamist party JamaateIslami of blocking reform measures and conspiring to delay the February 2026 polls local media reported Addressing a press conference in Dhaka on Sunday afternoon NCP Convener Nahid Islam alleged that the BNP opposed the countrys National Consensus Commission by submitting notes of dissent on key reform issues fuelling doubts among the public and within the partys own ranks about its reform commitmentHe further claimed that Jamaats actions indicated possible efforts to postpone the electionOne party is obstructing reforms while another is perhaps trying to postpone the election Bangladeshs leading newspaper The Daily Star quoted Nahid as sayingThe NCP leader criticised BNP and Jamaat for engaging in a row over whether the referendum should be held before the election or on the polling day calling the arguments unnecessary and unproductiveThe key issues and main points of debate are which reforms will be included in the charter what proposals will be made their legal basis and whether Muhammad Yunus will issue the implementation order If consensus is reached on these points the referendum can be held on election day or even earlier he addedNahid further said that the NCP wants the February election to be held as scheduled while calling for a legal framework to implement the July charterWe believe the July charter implementation order should be issued within this month The referendum can take place on election day or even earlier he stressedLast week NCPs chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary accused the Jamaat and the BNP of jointly pushing the country into uncertainty at a time of national crisis the former over proportional representation in the lower house of parliament and the latter through notes of dissent on the July charterWe call on Jamaat not to create panic in the public over the referendum Instead we should focus on how we can reach a solution regarding the dissent process how orders can be issued he stressedFurthermore the NCP leader remarked that the BNPs note of dissent through the Bangladesh National Consensus Commission was in fact a note of cheatingBangladesh continues to face growing uncertainty and political turmoil ahead of next years electionThe parties that earlier collaborated with Yunus to overthrow the democratically elected government of the Awami League led by Sheikh Hasina are now at loggerheads over reform proposals IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-ncp-accuses-bnp-jamaat-of-plotting-to-delay-2026-elections-646246.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 09:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-us-see-meaningful-progress-on-conditions-for-wartime-command-transfer-from-washington-646269.html Seoul Nov 3 The top military officers of South Korea and the United States on Monday assessed that meaningful progress has been made to meet the conditions for Seoul to retake wartime operational control OPCON from Washington the Souths military said Joint Chiefs of Staff JCS Gen Jin Yongsung and his US counterpart Gen Dan Caine discussed such details during the 50th Military Committee Meeting held in Seoul according to the Souths JCS It marked their first inperson talks in three monthsThey agreed to continue efforts to meet the conditions required for achieving OPCON transition and strengthen the alliances combined defence posture the military said in an Englishlanguage releaseGen Jin and Gen Caine have the same understanding of the meaningful progress made across various fields as confirmed through the annual evaluation conducted in accordance with the bilaterally agreedupon standards of conditionsbased operational control transition plan it saidThe talks came as South Korea has vowed to regain OPCON from Washington within South Korean President Lee Jae Myungs fiveyear term that ends in 2030In the meeting Jin and Caine also held discussions on alliance modernisation and agreed to enhance the alliances capabilities interoperability and combined readiness posture to better respond to the changing security environment and emerging threats the military saidThey noted that the security environment in the IndoPacific has become increasingly complex due to North Koreas advancing nuclear and missile threats as well as an intensifying global arms race Yonhap news agency reportedStill the top military officers said the Norths military buildup attempt backed by technological support from Russia is effectively being managed under the allies strong combined defence postureGoing forward Jin and Caine concurred on the importance of developing an everstronger combined defence posture under the allies mutual defence treaty and pledged utmost efforts to ensure peace and stability not only on the Korean Peninsula but in the regionMondays talks attended by senior officials from both sides including Adm Samuel Paparo chief of the US IndoPacific Command and Gen Xavier Brunson commander of the US Forces Korea came a day ahead of annual security talks between their defence chiefsDefence Minister Ahn Gyuback and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth are set to cochair the 57th Security Consultative Meeting on Tuesday which is widely expected to include discussions on Seouls push for OPCON transition and the acquisition of nuclearpowered submarines IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-us-see-meaningful-progress-on-conditions-for-wartime-command-transfer-from-washington-646269.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 12:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/hiding-chiefs-broken-trust-lashkar-e-taiba-and-jaish-e-mohammed-cadres-turn-on-their-leaders-post-ops-sindoor-646270.html New Delhi Nov 3 The LashkareTaiba and JaisheMohammed were left reeling during Operation Sindoor The ISI has since made several attempts to revive these groups and put them back into business However both groups despite having men at their disposal are failing to bounce back because their chiefs have gone into hiding Masood Azhar the head of the JaisheMohammed is a depressed man after he lost a good chunk of his family during Operation Sindoor During the precise action undertaken by the Indian armed forces the JaisheMohammeds Bahawalpur headquarters was hit and razed to rubble Azhars family members who were present at the facility were killed during the operationHafiz Saeeds LashkareTaiba which also suffered major damage during the operation is also finding it hard to operate Saeed has gone into hiding and Indian Intelligence Bureau officials say that he fears that someone from within may try and eliminate himThere is growing discontent within both outfits following Operation Sindoor Many within the outfits question why they are left out in the open while the heads get all the protection directly either from the ISI or the Pakistan Army They also question the silence from their heads following the operation Many feel that people like Saeed and Azhar look out only for themselves and their families When it comes to their foot soldiers they do not look out for themMany within the outfits are asking questions about whether Jihad and death are only reserved for them and not for the top leaders They cite examples of ZakiurRehman Lakhvi the operational commander of the LashkareTaiba who continues to live in highsecurity locationsMoreover Lakhvi has not been seen for several years and this has raised questions in the minds of the cadres In the case of JaisheMohammed the cadres were initially understanding after Azhar lost his family However his prolonged absence has become increasingly frustrating for the cadresThey have begun to realise that the videos of Azhar being passed off as recent ones are in reality old All these developments have caused immense discontentment within the ranks officials sayWhile Operation Sindoor broke the backs of these two outfits the developments in Afghanistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa KP have angered the cadres as well Both the LashkareTaiba and JaisheMohammed only toe the line of the army or ISI Most of the cadres are unable to understand why these two outfits are silent about the Pakistan governments stance on the TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP or the Afghan TalibanThe airstrikes in Afghanistan and the fight against the TTP have not gone down well with the cadres of most terror groups They are questioning the logic of battling the Taliban when the actual battle ought to be against India and the Western forcesIn recent months Pakistan has cozied up to the United States a country that both the cadres of the LashkareTaiba and JaisheMohammed view as an enemy This bonhomie which has been a problem for these groups in the past has once again resurfaced and has not gone down well with many within the ranks of these terror groupsNeither the army nor the ISI would want to see these groups going down or face a rift within This is because they are the most trusted proxies However both institutions are busy with the Afghan Taliban TTP and the Balochistan Nationalist Army BLAIn the battle against the three the army has faced severe losses An official says that the army is too busy protecting itself and hence has no time to help revive its two most important proxies This explains so many failed infiltration bids into Jammu and Kashmir While operations are hit and the ISI may look to revive them what it would find tough is boosting the morale of the cadre Currently it is not just the morale of the cadres that is down but even the trust factor in the leadership is almost invisible IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/hiding-chiefs-broken-trust-lashkar-e-taiba-and-jaish-e-mohammed-cadres-turn-on-their-leaders-post-ops-sindoor-646270.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 12:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/at-least-8-killed-200-injured-as-63-magnitude-quake-strikes-afghanistan-646271.html Kabul Nov 3 At least eight people were killed and nearly 200 others injured after a 63magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan early on Monday Afghan government officials told local media Qari Lutfullah Habibi head of the Public Health Department in Samangan province said that in the provincial capital Aybak one person was killed and more than 100 were injured In the Hazrat Sultan district of Samangan one person was killed and 15 others were injured In the neighbouring Balkh province six deaths and over 70 injuries were reported in the Khulm districtThe Afghan government said rescue teams are still assessing damage in remote areas affected by the earthquake and warned that the casualty toll may rise as communications are restored Medical and emergency teams have been dispatched to the affected regions where local hospitals are struggling to cope with the increasing number of injured people Xinhua news agency reportedDue to mountainous terrain and weak infrastructure Afghanistan frequently experiences deadly earthquakes that cause significant casualties The countrys ongoing humanitarian crisis has also severely hindered its ability to respond effectively to disasters Afghanistan lies along the collision zone between the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates with additional influence from the Arabian plate to the southmaking it one of the most seismically active regions in the worldThe US Geological Survey USGS issued an orange alert through its PAGER systeman automated tool that assesses the potential impact of earthquakeswarning that significant casualties are likely and the disaster is potentially widespreadThe quake struck at a depth of 28 km 174 miles near Mazare Sharif a city of about 523000 people according to the USGSVideos showing rescue operations to free people trapped under rubble along with images of collapsed buildings and scattered debris circulated widely on the social media platform XEarlier on September 23 a 49magnitude earthquake had struck southeastern Afghanistan according to the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences The quakes epicentre was pinpointed at a shallow depth of 10 km with coordinates at 3448 degrees north latitude and 7071 degrees east longitudeSince taking power in 2021 the Taliban government has faced several devastating earthquakes including one in 2023 in the western Herat region near the Iranian border that killed over 1500 people and destroyed more than 63000 homesAccording to seismologist Brian Baptie of the British Geological Survey northeastern Afghanistan has experienced 12 earthquakes above magnitude 7 since 1900 Studies further show that more than 355 quakes exceeding magnitude 50 have occurred across the country since 1990 IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/at-least-8-killed-200-injured-as-63-magnitude-quake-strikes-afghanistan-646271.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 12:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-prez-trump-praises-putin-and-xi-calls-them-intelligent-and-strong-leaders-646281.html Washington Nov 3 American President Donald Trump lauded Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping when asked which of the two global leaders was tougher to deal with describing both as strong and intelligent men who shouldnt be underestimated During an interview with American media outlet CBS President Trump was asked Whos tougher to deal with Vladimir Putin or Xi Jinping to which he replied both leaders are tough and smartLook theyre both very strong leaders These are people not to be toyed with These are people you have to take very seriously Theyre not theyre not walking in saying Oh isnt it a beautiful day Look how beautiful The sun is shining its so nice These are serious people These are people that are tough smart leaders NDTV quoted President Trump as saying during the interview with CBS 60 MinutesPresident Trump also reiterated his claim of having resolved eight wars saying the only conflict he was unable to stop was the one in Ukraine while stressing thatll happenBefore the ninth month I stopped eight wars The only one I havent been successful yet in and and thatll happen is Russia Ukraine which I thought actually would be the easiest one because I have a very good relationship with President Putin the US President statedWe are respected again as a country and thats the way Ive been able to stop the wars I also stopped them because of trade he addedPresident Trump claimed he had discussed the issue of denuclearisation with leaders of both Russia and China acknowledging that both nations possess large stockpiles of nuclear weaponsI believe we need to do something about denuclearisation and I have indeed discussed it with both President Putin and President Xi he stressedPresident Trump confirmed his plan to conduct nuclear tests saying We need to see how it works The reason I talk about tests is that Russia has announced its intention to test North Korea tests constantly and so do other countries We are the only country that does not testWhen pointed out that Moscow was testing delivery systems rather than nuclear weapons President Trump claimed both Russia and China were carrying out such tests but they are not talking about it IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-prez-trump-praises-putin-and-xi-calls-them-intelligent-and-strong-leaders-646281.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 13:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-prez-trump-says-russia-china-pak-among-nations-testing-nuclear-weapons-646294.html Washington Nov 3 US President Donald Trump has revealed that Pakistan is among the countries that are testing nuclear weapons He stated that the US like other nations will test nuclear weapons and stressed that the move was necessary as several nations including Russia China North Korea and Pakistan are carrying out nuclear tests Russias testing and Chinas testing but they dont talk about it You know were a open society Were different We talk about it We have to talk about it because otherwise you people are gonna report they dont have reporters that are gonna be writing about it We do No were gonna test because they test and others test And certainly North Koreas been testing Pakistans been testing NDTV quoted President Trump as saying during the interview with CBS NewsPresident Donald Trump made the remarks when asked whether the US is going to start detonating nuclear weapons for testing after more than 30 years He said that the US does not necessarily know where these nations are testing nuclear weapons however he stated that testing is being doneThey they test way under underground where people dont know exactly whats happening with the test You feel a little bit of a vibration They test and we dont test We have to test NDTV quoted Trump as saying during the interview with CBS NewsTrump claimed that US has more nuclear weapons than any other country adding that he had discussed denuclearisation with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping He said We have enough nuclear weapons to blow up the world 150 times Russia has a lot of nuclear weapons and China will have a lot They have some They have quite a bit He stated that they need to test nuclear weapons to know how they workHe said You have to see how they work You know you do have to and the reason Im saying testing is because Russia announced that they were gonna be doing a test If you notice North Koreas testing constantly Other countries are testing Were the only country that doesnt test and I wanna be I dont wanna be the only country that doesnt testLast week Trump announced that the US will start testing nuclear weapons immediately in a break from 33 years of the countrys selfrestraintHours before his meeting with Xi Jinping in South Korea on Thursday he said in a cryptic post on Truth Social Because of other countries testing programs I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basisThat process will begin immediately he addedTrump said that the US had more nuclear weapons than any other country and this was due to a complete update and renovation of existing weapons during his first termThat was accomplished without any nuclear tests which scientists say are not necessary anymore because computer simulations can do the jobTrump wrote that he had no choice but to expand the nuclear arsenal although he hated it because Russia is second and China is a distant third but will be even within 5 yearsElements in his post were unclear For example he said he was ordering the nuclear tests because of other countries testing programmesOnly North Korea across from where he made the post has carried out a nuclear test in recent years and that was in 2017There have been no other tests since 1998 when India and Pakistan set off test blasts IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-prez-trump-says-russia-china-pak-among-nations-testing-nuclear-weapons-646294.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 14:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-bahrain-share-centuries-old-friendship-committed-to-peace-prosperity-eam-jaishankar-646297.html New Delhi Nov 3 IANS Highlighting the enduring partnership between India and Bahrain External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar on Monday addressed the 5th IndiaBahrain High Joint Commission meeting in New Delhi alongside Bahrains Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani stating that the two nations are bound by a centuriesold friendship rooted in trade linkages and strong peopletopeople tiesnbspHe underscored that both countries share a common goal of promoting peace and prosperity for their people in the regionnbspIndia and Bahrain share centuriesold ties of friendship underpinned by trade linkages and strong peopletopeople ties We also believe in a common goal and commitment for promoting peace and prosperity for our people and for our common region Since our last HJC meeting we have made significant progress bilaterally in defence security trade ampamp commerce health culture and peopletopeople ties But there are new areas such as space fintech and technology that hold considerable promise for our partnership EAM Jaishankar saidHe also congratulated Bahrain on the successful conduct of the 21st Manama Dialogue and extended his best wishes as the country prepares to assume the presidency of the Gulf Cooperation Council GCC at the upcoming GCC Summit in Manama next month Jaishankar expressed hope that with Bahrains support the cooperation between India and the GCC would be further strengthenednbspHighlighting the maritime cooperation between India and Bahrain Jaishankar further said India has been active in the Combined Maritime Forces based in Manama In September 2025 three Indian naval ships had visited Bahrain which helped to reinforce bilateral friendship and the Indian Navys commitment to regional maritime securitynbspJaishankar emphasised that India and Bahrain have witnessed a steady growth of bilateral trade and investment tiesWe welcome investors from Bahrain to come and explore investment opportunities in India Conclusion of a Bilateral Investment Treaty and the establishment of a Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment will further boost our economic ties Jaishankar statednbsp We are working on various initiatives to strengthen our cooperation in the field of healthcare Our space agencies are also making progress for deepening their collaboration We have a vibrant cooperation in the area of culture and strong peopletopeople ties Earlier this year we launched the electronic visa system for Bahraini nationals This I hope will encourage more visitors from Bahrain he addednbspReiterating New Delhis support for the Gaza peace plan Jaishankar expressed hope that it would pave the way for a lasting and durable solution in the region https://dailyworld.in/international/india-bahrain-share-centuries-old-friendship-committed-to-peace-prosperity-eam-jaishankar-646297.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 15:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/35-tn-fishermen-arrested-by-sri-lankan-navy-for-crossing-maritime-boundary-646300.html Chennai Nov 3 In yet another incident highlighting the continuing tensions over fishing rights in the Palk Bay 35 fishermen from Tamil Nadu were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy in the early hours of Monday for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line IMBL and fishing in Sri Lankan waters According to official sources the arrests took place near the northern coast of Sri Lanka when naval patrol vessels intercepted three mechanised boats belonging to Indian fishermenAll three boats were seized along with the fishing gear Of those detained 31 fishermen are residents of Nagapattinam district and had set sail from Akkaraipettai and Thopputhurai fishing harbours on Sunday eveningThe remaining four fishermen hailed from Ramanathapuram districtThey were reportedly engaged in deepsea fishing when the Sri Lankan Navy intercepted them claiming they had violated maritime boundariesInitial reports indicated that the detained fishermen were taken to Kankesanthurai port in northern Sri Lanka for questioning They are likely to be produced before a local court once the necessary documentation and preliminary inquiries are completedThe seized boats and equipment have been handed over to the fisheries department in Jaffna for further legal proceedingsNews of the arrest has sparked anxiety among the fishing community in Nagapattinam and RamanathapuramThe families of the detained fishermen have appealed to both the Tamil Nadu and Union governments to intervene urgently for their releaseFishermens associations have condemned the repeated arrests urging diplomatic talks between New Delhi and Colombo to ensure a permanent solution to the recurring maritime conflictThe representatives of fishermens unions pointed out that rough seas and poor navigation facilities often push fishing boats close to the IMBL resulting in inadvertent crossings They demanded that the Centre expedite efforts to retrieve the fishermen and their boats and renew bilateral talks to delineate clear fishing rights and promote joint patrollingThis is the third major incident in recent months involving the arrest of Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities underscoring the need for a sustainable and humane resolution to the longstanding issue IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/35-tn-fishermen-arrested-by-sri-lankan-navy-for-crossing-maritime-boundary-646300.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 15:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/from-mumbai-to-kabul-pakistans-habit-of-denying-its-own-terrorists-returns-to-haunt-it-646313.html New Delhi Nov 3 Not owning up to its own nationals who enter other countries as terrorists has been a speciality of Pakistan While India has complained about it for long and still continues to the same problem appears to have cropped up for Afghanistan as well Talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan which have entered into an uneasy truce are failing on many fronts While issues relating to the Durand Line have been the major bone of contention Afghanistan is now complaining that Pakistan does not want to take its nationals backFor many years several Pakistani terrorists have been operating in Afghanistan The Afghan security officials have made several arrests as these people were undertaking acts of terror However during the talks Pakistan flatly refused to take back these nationals and insisted that they remain in AfghanistanDuring the talks Afghanistan said that these terrorists of Pakistan nationality will be deported Pakistan however did not agree to the same Instead Islamabad insisted Kabul reins in these elements within Pakistan and they should not be deportedThis has become a flash point during the talks and peace between the two nations remains a far cry stillIndian officials say that this is a classic Islamabad tactic Pakistan has for years been sending its nationals to India to undertake terror attacks However each time one of them has been arrested Pakistan has denied that these are their nationalsIndia too has on several occasions offered the deportation of Pakistani nationals Islamabad has always rejected the claim stating that these persons are not their nationalsWhen Ajmal Kasab carried out the Mumbai 2611 attacks along with 9 other terrorists Pakistan refused to accept that he was their national In fact when they were sent in they were given Hindu identities and also told to wear saffron threads on their wrists When some persons in the Pakistan media exposed the real identity of Kasab the ISI made sure that everything was covered up In fact his entire family was hidden from the world so that the real identity would not get exposedPakistan has without proof been accusing Afghanistan of shielding and backing the TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP This has been a major stand off point between the two nations and Kabul has flatly rejected these allegationsKabul has accused Pakistan of sending in terrorists into the country with the aim of carrying out attacks Recently Afghanistan accused Pakistan with proof that it was training its nationals to be part of the Islamic State Khorasan Province ISKP Pakistan joined hands with the ISKP to counter the TTP In return Pakistan has promised to train and send its nationals to join the ISKP to fight against the Taliban in AfghanistanNow that many Pakistani nationals have been arrested Islamabad is refusing to agree to their deportation If they agree it would become clear that Pakistan is training terrorists to fight in Afghanistan Hence Pakistan wants to avoid that embarrassment and is insisting that they be tried and jailed in Afghanistan itselfWhile Pakistan has been denying this Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said that during the negotiations that took place in Istanbul the Islamic Emirate had offered to deport individuals who Pakistan considers to be a threatThis was however rejected by Pakistan Officials in India say that despite stating that these persons are a threat Pakistan has refused their deportation and this is only because of their nationality Deporting these individuals would expose Pakistans duplicity as its own nationals are the ones creating trouble the official also addedAnalysts say that on the peace front the troubles between the two countries are unlikely to end anytime soon There is too much mistrust between the two sides and issues such as these are only making matters worse for the relations between the two nations IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/from-mumbai-to-kabul-pakistans-habit-of-denying-its-own-terrorists-returns-to-haunt-it-646313.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 15:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/nepal-sees-major-decline-in-indian-tourist-arrivals-due-to-fragile-law-and-order-situation-646315.html Kathmandu Nov 3 Nepal has witnessed a significant decline in the number of Indian tourist arrivals during the first 10 months of 2025 and only a marginal increase in total foreign tourist inflows according to the latest statistics released by the Nepal Tourism Board NTB India remains the largest source market for Nepals tourism industry accounting for onefourth of total international visitors to the Himalayan nationAccording to NTB data arrivals from the southern neighbour dropped by 11 per cent yearonyear to 243350 between January and October this year Overall foreign tourist arrivals however grew marginally by 03 per cent to 943716Likewise arrivals from another neighbour China decreased by 53 per cent to 78929 during the same period China currently ranks as Nepals thirdlargest source market down from the preCovid period when it had emerged as the secondlargest source market for Nepals tourism industryTourism entrepreneurs said the decline in Indian tourist arrivals was largely due to the impact of the GenZ movement which exposed Nepals fragile law and order situation The GenZ movement which took place in early September left over 70 people dead and several injured while government and private properties were destroyed on a large scaleForeignbranded hotels including the Hyatt Regency and Hilton were severely damaged during the violent protests The Hilton was burnt to the ground while the Hyatt remains closed for maintenanceFour groups of Indian tourists who were preparing to visit Nepal cancelled their trips in the wake of the protests said Umesh Danai Managing Director of Speedy Tourism and Travels Pvt Ltd a travel agency organising trips for Indian and other foreign tourists They were supposed to arrive in Nepal via the land route but they cancelled their travel plansKhum Bahadur Subedi Director of Unique Adventure International which also caters to Indian tourists told IANS that arrivals from India both by air and land decreased in the aftermath of the GenZ movement We are still witnessing the impact as arrivals particularly through the land route have come down he said They Indian tourists are concerned about the security situationAccording to the NTB overall tourist arrivals in September dropped by 183 per cent a decline attributed to the GenZ movement During the month arrivals from India fell by 323 per cent from China by 349 per cent and from the United States by four per cent the three biggest source marketsIn response to the negative impact of the GenZ movement the Nepal Tourism Board in September launched the Now In Nepal campaign to rebuild Nepals tourism imageWhile the arrivals from India recovered in October Indian tourists contributed to a positive momentum with a six per cent growth those from the US and China however continued to declineDanai said his company did not see additional trip cancellations by Indian tourists for October and November It may be because normalcy returned in Nepal earlier than anticipated he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/nepal-sees-major-decline-in-indian-tourist-arrivals-due-to-fragile-law-and-order-situation-646315.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 16:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/north-koreas-kim-inspects-special-operations-units-war-readiness-646154.html Seoul Nov 2 North Korean leader Kim Jongun has inspected the combat readiness of a military special operations unit and gave instructions for its development the Norths state media reported Sunday Kim visited the headquarters of the 11th Corps of the Korean Peoples Army the previous day and watched a training session expressing great satisfaction with its perfect war posture the Korean Central News Agency KCNA saidThe 11th Corps is the North Korean militarys most elite special forces unit which deployed troops to Russia late last year to support its war with Ukraine and gained experience in modern warfareThe visit came on the same day President Lee Jae Myung held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation APEC summit in the southeastern South Korean city of Gyeongju Yonhap News Agency reportedAhead of the summit the South Korean presidential office said the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula would be on the agenda for the LeeXi talks but the results disclosed after the summit made no mention of the issueIt is the will and desire of the ruling party to turn the whole army into a strong and heroic one like the unit that always wins victory in every battle Kim said while touring the units museumHe received a briefing on the units operational plan and set forth strategic policies and important tasks for the development of the special operations forces the KCNA saidThe leader also stressed the need to take a military organisational and structural measure for strengthening the unit adding that the partys Central Military Commission will examine the issue on a full scaleHe also watched the units training and expressed great satisfaction over the perfect war posture saying the military is fully ready to thoroughly defend the sovereignty and development rights of the state and reliably safeguard the destiny and future of the peopleOn Saturday North Korea denounced the South Korean presidential offices announcement that denuclearisation was on the summit agenda with China calling it a pipe dream but Sundays report made no mention of the issue IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/north-koreas-kim-inspects-special-operations-units-war-readiness-646154.html Sun, 02 Nov 2025 13:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-delivers-over-16-tonnes-of-medicines-to-afghanistan-to-help-combat-vector-borne-diseases-646186.html Kabul Nov 2 India has delivered over 16 tonnes of medicines to Afghanistan to help combat vectorborne diseases like malaria dengue and leishmaniasis a Taliban spokesperson announced on Sunday Taliban spokesperson Sharafat Zaman stated that the medicines and diagnostic kits will support Afghanistans National Malaria and Other VectorBorne Diseases Prevention Programme He noted that supplies sent by India will help enhance Afghanistans capacity to combat diseases like malaria dengue and leishmaniasisIn a post on X Zaman stated India Donates over 16 Tonnes of AntiVector Borne Disease Medicines to Afghanistan The government of India has extended a significant gesture of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan by gifting over 16 tonnes of antivectorborne disease medicines and diagnostic kits to the Ministry of Public Health MoPH This donation is part of Indias continued commitment to supporting the health sector in Afghanistan and strengthening bilateral cooperation in public health and disease preventionThe medicines and diagnostic kits will directly support Afghanistans National Malaria and Other VectorBorne Diseases Prevention Programme The supplies are aimed at enhancing the countrys capacity to combat diseases such as malaria dengue and leishmaniasis which continue to pose serious public health challenges across several regions of Afghanistan he addedZaman said that Afghanistans Ministry of Public Health expressed appreciation for the Indian governments timely and valuable assistance The Ministry noted that these medicines and diagnostic kits represent a crucial step toward improving public health infrastructure and ensuring effective disease control especially in vulnerable and highrisk communities This latest donation underscores Indias longstanding partnership and developmental support to Afghanistan By contributing essential medical supplies India reaffirms its role as a reliable partner in promoting health stability and humanitarian cooperation in the region he addedIndias medical assistance to Kabul comes after the recent visit of Afghanistans Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi to New Delhi in October On October 10 he met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar as both held discussions on Indias support for Afghanistans development bilateral trade territorial integrity and independence peopletopeople ties and capacitybuilding besides several other issues EAM Jaishankar noted that Muttaqis visit to India marks an important step in advancing bilateral ties He also announced the handing over of five ambulances to AfghanistanOn October 10 Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal informed that India delivered additional food supplies to Afghanistan for the people affected by the earthquake The MEA spokesperson further informed that the announcement was made by EAM Jaishankar during his meeting with his Afghan counterpart Muttaqi IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-delivers-over-16-tonnes-of-medicines-to-afghanistan-to-help-combat-vector-borne-diseases-646186.html Sun, 02 Nov 2025 14:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/you-forgot-to-mention-act-4-elon-musk-hits-back-at-sam-altman-over-tesla-car-delay-claim-646202.html New Delhi Nov 2 Tesla CEO Elon Musk has hit back at OpenAI chief Sam Altman after the latter claimed he was still waiting for a Tesla car more than seven years after booking it Musk accused Altman of leaving out key details saying the issue had already been resolved and a refund issued within 24 hoursnbspThe longrunning tension between Musk and OpenAI CEO Altman flared up once again after Altman alleged that he has been waiting more than seven years for a Tesla vehicle he booked and still hasnt received itAltman claimed that he paid 45000 as a prereservation fee for a Tesla car in July 2018 but despite multiple followups he has not received the vehicle or a refund In a post on social media platform X Altman shared screenshots of his email exchanges with Tesla including the booking confirmation a refund request and an error message showing his email bounced back with Address not foundnbspCalling it a tale in three acts Altman wrote I really was excited for the car And I understand delays But 75 years has felt like a long time to waitTesla CEO Elon Musk however quickly responded to Altmans post accusing him of leaving out key details And you forgot to mention act 4 where this issue was fixed and you received a refund within 24 hours But that is in your nature Musk wrote in a pointed reply on XnbspIn a followup post Musk added You stole a nonprofit taking a sharp jab at Altman over OpenAIs shift from a nonprofit to a forprofit structure a move Musk has publicly criticised in the pastTeslas secondgeneration Roadster which Altman is believed to have reserved was first unveiled in 2017 as the fastest production car ever made However the vehicles launch has been repeatedly delayed and remains in the design development stage as per Teslas latest financial filings IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/you-forgot-to-mention-act-4-elon-musk-hits-back-at-sam-altman-over-tesla-car-delay-claim-646202.html Sun, 02 Nov 2025 15:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistans-civilian-govt-seeks-to-build-ties-military-damages-it-taliban-646216.html Quetta Nov 2 IANS Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said that Pakistans civilian government wants to build ties with Afghanistan based on mutual interests however the military does not allow it local media reported on SundaynbspMujahid stated that elements within Pakistans military are making efforts to damage ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan Afghanistanbased Tolo News reported citing Khyber TV He further said Pakistans special envoy for Afghanistan Sadiq Khan was in Kabul and had positive talks with Afghan officials but during the same period Pakistan carried out attacks on Afghan soil The civilian government seeks to build relations but the military damages themHe stated that traders from both nations were facing losses due to Pakistans closure of crossings along the Durand Line and stressed that such issues should be kept out of politics Mujahid noted that relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan were strong during Imran Khans tenure as Pakistans Prime MinisternbspZabihullah urged Pakistan to share information regarding terrorist activities taking place on Afghan soil with the Taliban so that action can be takennbspnbspHe said The Pakistani side wants us also to prevent incidents happening inside Pakistan but that is beyond our control The Islamic Emirate does not want insecurity in Pakistan and remains committed to ensuring that no threat arises from Afghan territoryHis statement comes amid a recent escalation of tensions after Pakistani forces carried out crossborder operations in Afghanistan and the failure of talks between the delegations of the two countries in Turkey on MondaynbspMujahid hoped that the next round of talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan scheduled to take place on November 5 would involve honest and substantive discussions to find lasting solutions to bilateral issues Tolo News reportednbspWhen asked about Pakistans concern regarding reports of a dam being built on the Kunar River a Taliban spokesperson stressed that construction and other activities on Afghan soil are Afghanistans rightnbspHe said If a dam is built on the Kunar River it wont harm Pakistan The water will continue to flow in its natural direction it will just be used along the way he saidnbspEarlier in October Afghanistan announced its plans to build dams on the Kunar River as soon as possiblenbspnbspIn a statement shared on X Talibans Deputy Information Minister Muhajer Farahi stated His Eminence Amir alMumineen referring to Taliban Supreme Leader Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada has instructed the Ministry of Water and Energy to begin construction of dams on the Kunar River as soon as possible and to sign contracts with domestic companies and not wait for foreign companies https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistans-civilian-govt-seeks-to-build-ties-military-damages-it-taliban-646216.html Sun, 02 Nov 2025 17:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/9-critical-after-10-stabbed-in-train-in-uks-cambridgeshire-2-suspects-arrested-646217.html London Nov 2 IANS As many as nine people were receiving treatment for lifethreatening injuries after a series of stabbings on a train near Cambridge in eastern England police said adding that two suspected attackers were arrested and counterterrorism police were supporting their investigation local media reports saidnbspPrime Minister Keir Starmer described the attack as an appalling incidentBritish Transport Police said counterterrorism police were supporting its probe while it is working to find the full circumstances and motivation behind the incident The Guardian reportednbspIn a statement BTP Chief Superintendent Chris Casey said Were conducting urgent enquiries to establish what has happened and it could take some time before we are in a position to confirm anything furthernbspAt this early stage it would not be appropriate to speculate on the causes of the incidentCambridgeshire Constabulary said armed police reached the site of the incident when officers were informed about the incident at Huntingdon station at 739 pm local time on Saturdaynbsp Armed officers attended and the train was stopped at Huntingdon where two men were arrestedThe East of England ambulance service has sent a largescale response to the incident A spokesperson said several ambulances tactical commanders and its hazardous area response team were at the site of the incident It further said We can confirm we have transported multiple patients to hospitalPolice said the attack took place at the train service from Doncaster to London Kings Cross at 625 pm local time shortly after the LNER train left Peterborough stationPM Starmer called the incident on a train near Huntingdon deeply concerning and expressed gratitude to the emergency services for their responseIn a statement shared on X he said The appalling incident on a train near Huntingdon is deeply concerning My thoughts are with all those affected and my thanks go to the emergency services for their response Anyone in the area should follow the advice of the policeUK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated that she is deeply saddened to hear about the stabbings in Huntingdon and expressed sympathies with those affected by the incidentI am deeply saddened to hear about the stabbings in Huntingdon My thoughts go out to all those affected Two suspects have been immediately arrested and taken into custody I am receiving regular updates on the investigation I urge people to avoid comment and speculation at this early stage Mahmood posted on XLondon North Eastern Railway LNER which operates east coast mainline services in the UK said that the incident happened on one of its trains and asked passengers not to travel due to major disruption The Guardian reported National Rail said that Huntingdon station is closed with all lines blocked According to the LNER the services in the area are expected to remain disrupted until MondayWe are experiencing major disruption across the LNER route Emergency services are dealing with an incident at Huntingdon station all lines are blocked Our advice is Do Not Travel Please defer your travel where you can https://dailyworld.in/international/9-critical-after-10-stabbed-in-train-in-uks-cambridgeshire-2-suspects-arrested-646217.html Sun, 02 Nov 2025 17:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/russia-strongly-condemns-us-for-excessive-use-of-military-force-in-caribbean-646115.html Moscow Nov 2 Russia strongly condemns the United States for the excessive use of military force during counternarcotics missions in the Caribbean Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said We firmly denounce the use of excessive military force in carrying out actions in antidrugs operations foreign ministry Zakharova said in a commentary on her ministrys websiteSuch actions violate both US domestic and international law she said adding that the position is recognized by representatives of a number of countries and international organizations including UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk Xinhua news agency reportedWe reaffirm our firm support for the Venezuelan leadership in its efforts to defend national sovereignty she saidWe advocate for preserving the Latin American and Caribbean region as a zone of peace she saidThe spokesperson added that steps are needed to deescalate the situation and facilitate constructive solutions to existing problems in line with international lawA US campaign in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific against what Washington says is the illegal drug trade has targeted at least 14 boats and killed 61 peopleThe United States has built up a large military presence in the Caribbean in recent months with fighter jets warships and thousands of troopsRussian President Vladimir Putin and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro signed a strategic partnership agreement in Moscow earlier in May 2025 IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/russia-strongly-condemns-us-for-excessive-use-of-military-force-in-caribbean-646115.html Sun, 02 Nov 2025 07:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/at-least-22-killed-in-store-explosion-in-mexico-646120.html Mexico City Nov 2 At least 22 people were killed including four children after an explosion triggered a fire at a department store in Hermosillo capital of the northern Mexican state of Sonora local media reported The explosion occurred in the afternoon at a chain department store in the city center according to the reports Witnesses said the fire quickly spread through the building and nearby vehicles trapping several people inside Xinhua news agency reportedRescue teams rushed to the scene to conduct searchandrescue operations and transport the 12 injured people to local hospitalsPreliminary investigations suggest that the fire may have been caused by smoke from a malfunctioning transformerThe explosion occurred in one of the stores of the local Waldos chain after which the building caught fire Local media noted that those injured had suffered burnsAuthorities in Sonora said the possibility of a terrorist attack has been ruled outEarlier in September three died and over 50 were injured after a gas tanker truck exploded in Mexico City with 19 of them in serious condition local authorities saidThe accident occurred on the Zaragoza road under the Concordia bridge said Clara Brugada Molina head of government of the Mexican capital on the social media platform XIt took place at around 220 pm local time when the truck with a capacity of 49500 litres overturned and the injured have been rushed to different hospitals she told local mediaThe accident also affected 18 vehicles and 19 of the injured transferred to hospitals are in serious condition IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/at-least-22-killed-in-store-explosion-in-mexico-646120.html Sun, 02 Nov 2025 09:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/death-toll-rises-to-35-in-vietnam-floods-646142.html Hanoi Nov 2 The death toll from heavy rains and flooding in Vietnams central region has risen to 35 with 5 people missing and 60 others injured the Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority said on Sunday More than 16500 houses remain inundated while 361 others were damaged Xinhua news agency reportedThe floods also submerged over 5300 hectares of rice and other crops damaged nearly 800 hectares of fruit trees and killed or swept away more than 42000 livestock and poultry according to the reportPower has been restored for most affected areas with around 75000 households still without electricityVietnams government has approved an emergency relief fund of 450 billion Vietnamese dong about 1793 million USD to support four cities and provinces in central Vietnam in their recovery efforts including Hue Da Nang Quang Tri and Quang NgaiEarlier in August Eight people died and three others remained missing following flash floods and landslides in Vietnams northern province of Dien Bien local media reportedAround 60 houses had been swept away or damaged by floodwaters according to the Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management AuthorityThirty villages remained isolated due to disrupted trafficNearly 700 personnel including police military forces local militia and members of various mass organisations have been deployed to search for the missingThese flash floods came just weeks after Typhoon Wipha had struck coastal areas between Hung Yen and Ninh Binh provinces of Vietnam IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/death-toll-rises-to-35-in-vietnam-floods-646142.html Sun, 02 Nov 2025 12:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/jd-vance-defends-conversion-remark-hopes-wife-may-see-things-as-i-do-645932.html Washington Nov 1 US Vice President JD Vance defended his earlier statement that he hoped his wife Usha Vance a Hindu would become a Christian like him saying that she encouraged him to reengage with his faith many years ago In a post on X Vance said that though his wife has no plans to convert but hoped that she may one day see things as I doMy Christian faith tells me the Gospel is true and is good for human beings My wifeas I said at the TPUSAis the most amazing blessing I have in my life She herself encouraged me to reengage with my faith many years ago She is not a Christian and has no plans to convert but like many people in an interfaith marriageor any interfaith relationshipI hope she may one day see things as I do Vance wroteOn Wednesday while responding to an audience question at Turning Point USA rally in Oxford Mississippi Vance said he believed in the Christian Gospel and hoped that eventually his wife comes to see it the same wayHe also asserted that Usha Vance grew up in a Hindu family but not a particularly religious family in either direction and she comes to church on Sundays with the rest of the family and theyre raising their kids as ChristiansUsha is closer to the priests who baptised me than maybe I am Vance addedUsha Vance in an interview with Meghan McCain in June had ruled out religious conversion for herselfIm not Catholic and Im not intending to convert or anything like that she saidShe also added her kids had a choice to choose their faith and access to the Hindu traditionWe send our kids to Catholic school and we had given them each the choice They can choose whether they want to be baptised Catholic and then go through the whole stepbystep process so far our oldest child has done that Well see what our second child doesThe kids know that Im not Catholic and they have plenty of access to the Hindu tradition from books that we give them to things that we show them to the visit recently to India and some of the religious elements of that visit So it is a part of their lives and they know many practising Hindus as a part of their lives she revealedJD Vance along with Usha Vance and their three children travelled to India in April on a fourday visitThe Hindu American Foundation an advocacy group responded to JD Vances clarification on Friday in a post on XWith respect JDVance if your wife encouraged you to reengage with your faith why not reciprocate that and engage with Hinduism too If you did you may well learn that Hinduism doesnt share the need to wish your spouse comes around to see things as you do in terms of religion Hinduism is inherently inclusive and pluralistic in this way We do not seek to convert anyoneIt added that as Vice President Vance should acknowledge the positive impact of Hinduism on Hindus and the rights of Hindus to practice IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/jd-vance-defends-conversion-remark-hopes-wife-may-see-things-as-i-do-645932.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 06:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/situation-in-sudans-north-darfur-remains-catastrophic-un-645933.html United Nations Nov 1 The situation in Sudans North Darfur state remains catastrophic following the fall of its capital El Fasher with continued attacks on civilians UN humanitarians said The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs OCHA said that civilians continue to flee toward Tawila a town 40 kilometers away and humanitarian access to El Fasher remains blocked Xinhua news agency reportedOCHA said that in Tawila the United Nations and local partners are working to register new arrivals to provide emergency support but huge gaps persist including shelter materials medicines and trauma care supplies food assistance and psychosocial supportThe International Organization for Migration IOM estimated that at least 62000 people have been displaced from El Fasher and surrounding areas between October 26 and October 29 with insecurity along routes continuing to restrict movementsThe humanitarian situation in North Kordofan state also remains alarming said OCHA citing IOM estimates of around 36000 people being displaced from Bara town north of the state capital El Obeid so far this weekThe office said that local sources continue to share extremely worrying reports of displaced civilians on the move being abducted and facing extortionOCHA renewed its appeal for new flexible funding as less than onethird of the 42 billion response plan for Sudan has been covered IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/situation-in-sudans-north-darfur-remains-catastrophic-un-645933.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 07:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/un-aid-partners-support-gov-responses-across-caribbean-following-hurricane-melissa-645934.html United Nations Nov 1 The United Nations and partners are moving at top speed to coordinate and deliver aid across the Caribbean to support government responses in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa UN humanitarians said The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs OCHA said it is working with partners to aid millions of people caught in the storms path and in urgent need of assistance in Jamaica Cuba and Haiti Xinhua news agency reportedIn times like these international solidarity isnt just a principle its a lifeline said UN UnderSecretaryGeneral for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom FletcherIn Cuba Melissa passed over the eastern provinces and preliminary assessments indicated severe damage across Santiago Holguin Granma and Guantanamo said OCHAHundreds of communities remain isolated and access continues to be hampered by damaged road rail and air transport infrastructure the office saidOCHA said it is helping to develop a UN action plan to guide the response with a team deployed incountry and additional support from its Regional Office for Latin America and the CaribbeanIn Jamaica where the government is leading a robust national response OCHA said it is supporting coordination efforts with the Rapid Needs Assessment Teams led by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management AgencyThe office said the Food and Agriculture Organization the UN Childrens Fund the UN Population Fund and the International Organization for Migration will participate in the Jamaica assessmentsIn Haiti already reeling from a massive humanitarian crisis and deadly armed violence humanitarian teams are responding to urgent needs alongside national authorities UN agencies and partners are supporting temporary shelters and providing food nonfood items and cash assistance said OCHA IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/un-aid-partners-support-gov-responses-across-caribbean-following-hurricane-melissa-645934.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 07:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/uk-health-agency-warns-of-rising-meningitis-threat-among-young-people-645937.html London Nov 1 Children and young adults particularly university students face an increased risk of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia the UK Health Security Agency UKHSA warned following a nationwide rise in confirmed cases UKHSA figures show 378 cases of invasive meningococcal disease IMD were recorded in 202425 up from 340 the previous year Most infections involved children and young adults with the MenB strain responsible for 90 per cent of cases in babies and all cases among 15to19yearoldsHealth officials cautioned that students starting university are especially vulnerable due to close contact and communal living Declining vaccination rates among infants and teenagers have further heightened the riskThese latest figures are a stark reminder meningitis remains a serious threat to children and young adults said Public Health Minister Ashley Dalton urging eligible individuals to get vaccinated Xinhua news agency reportedShe added that prompt immunisation offers crucial protection against this devastating disease which can take hold in a matter of hoursMeningitis is the inflammation of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord It can be infectious or noninfectious in origin can be associated with high risk of death and longterm complications and requires urgent medical careSymptoms include high fever vomiting muscle pain headache stiff neck sensitivity to light and a rash Authorities stressed that vaccination remains the most effective defense against severe illness and deathMeningitis remains a significant global health threat It can be caused by several species of bacteria viruses fungi and parasites Injuries cancers and drugs cause a small number of casesOne in 5 people surviving an episode of bacterial meningitis may have long lasting aftereffects These aftereffects include hearing loss seizures limb weakness difficulties with vision speech language memory and communication as well as scarring and limb amputations after sepsisAntibiotic treatment should be started as soon as possible when bacterial meningitis is suspected The first dose of antibiotic treatment should not be delayed until the results of the lumbar puncture are available The choice of antibiotic treatment should consider the age of the patient presence of immunosuppression and local prevalence of antimicrobial resistance patterns In nonepidemic settings intravenous corticosteroids eg dexamethasone are initiated with the first dose of antibiotics to reduce the inflammatory response and the risk of neurological sequelae and death IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/uk-health-agency-warns-of-rising-meningitis-threat-among-young-people-645937.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 08:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/rajnath-singh-meets-vietnamese-defence-minister-phan-van-giang-in-kuala-lumpur-645938.html New Delhi Nov 1 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met his Vietnamese counterpart Gen Phan Van Giang in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia on Saturday The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 19th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting ADMM and ahead of the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers MeetingPlus ADMMPlusExpressing satisfaction over the discussions Singh posted on X Happy to have met the Defence Minister Phan Van Giang in Kuala Lumpur The two ministers reviewed ongoing defence cooperation between India and Vietnam and explored ways to further strengthen strategic and security ties between the two nationsEarlier on Friday Singh also held a bilateral meeting with Malaysias Defence Minister Dato Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin in Kuala Lumpur The two leaders discussed avenues to enhance the IndiaMalaysia defence partnershipHad a very good conversation with the Defence Minister of Malaysia Dato Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin in Kuala Lumpur Discussed ways to further strengthen the IndiaMalaysia defence partnership Singh said in a post on XThe second edition of ASEANIndia Defence Ministers Informal Meeting under the chairmanship of Malaysia is also taking place wherein Defence Ministers from all ASEAN member countries will take part The meeting aims to further strengthen defence and security cooperation among ASEAN member states and India and advance the Act East Policy the Ministry of Defence statedSingh also met US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in Kuala Lumpur on Friday where the two leaders signed a 10year Framework for the USIndia Major Defence Partnership heralding a new era in deepening the defence ties between the two nationsHad a fruitful meeting with my US counterpart Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in Kuala Lumpur We signed the 10 years Framework for the USIndia Major Defence Partnership This will usher in a new era in our already strong defence partnership Singh posted on X following the meetingThis Defence Framework will provide policy direction to the entire spectrum of the IndiaUS Defence Relationship It is a signal of our growing strategic convergence and will herald a new decade of partnership the post addedSingh arrived in Malaysia on Thursday for a twoday visit to attend the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers MeetingPlus ADMMPlus Indias High Commissioner to Malaysia B N Reddy received Singh at the Subang Airbase IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/rajnath-singh-meets-vietnamese-defence-minister-phan-van-giang-in-kuala-lumpur-645938.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 08:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-criticises-inaccurate-un-report-that-its-traditional-culture-endangered-645952.html United Nations Nov 1 India has criticised as inaccurate a UN report that made several farfetched claims to assert traditional cultural expressions are under threat in the country and pointed out that traditional arts crafts and performances are thriving India possesses a rich and diverse cultural heritage of artistic literary musical and craft traditions spanning millennia they continue to flourish across the country Lok Sabha member Indra Hang Subba said on FridayIndias cultural economy including traditional arts crafts and performances continues to thrive with the robust popular and government support the MP from the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha saidWe find no empirical data that substantiates the claim of declining demand for Indias traditional cultural expressions he saidRecognising the immense value of this heritage India has established comprehensive legal and institutional frameworks to protect and promote traditional knowledge and cultural expressions and the geographical indications of goods he saidSubba was responding to claims by Alexandra Xanthaki the UNs Special Rapporteur for Cultural Rights in her report that was being discussed at the General Assemblys Third Committee which deals with cultural issuesThe Sikkim Krantikari Morcha lawmaker is among the MPs in Indias delegation to the General AssemblyXanthaki a professor at Britains Brunel University is one of the special rapporteurs who are unpaid independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to monitor what it asserts are human rights issues and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SecretaryGeneral or the UNShe said in her report that cultural expressions in India were facing decreasing demand and were further threatened by middlemen and copyright lawsHer report also made a strange claim that the Indian Copyright Act was of a communal nature and therefore did not adequately protect the form of traditional knowledge and artSubba said The characterisation of protection under Indias copyright law as superficial is inaccurate and unwarrantedThe Copyright Act and the Information Technology Act provide robust mechanisms to regulate intermediaries and protect creators rights including provisions for licensing royalty collection and enforcement against infringement he saidFootnotes in Xanthakis report indicate that these observations were based on submissions from the Centre for Advanced Studies in Cyber Law and Artificial Intelligence at Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law in PunjabShe said that threats to traditional art were exacerbated by AIgenerated art which imitates traditional art without crediting or compensating the creatorsSubba however said that technology and new digital platforms have further enhanced the outreach of and the demand for traditional cultural expressionsWhile focusing on AI Xanthaki mentioned that a group of major newspaper and book publishers has brought a case before the Delhi High Court claiming that OpenAI is using their content without authorisation to train ChatGPTShe criticised the use of AI citing its inadequacies in creating Indian classical music and danceIndian classical musics microtonal variations known as shruti and raga cannot be reproduced by AI tools she said and therefore do not capture the emotional essence and depth of what artists are trying to convey through the art formThe widely popular dance form from Tamil Nadu has its own set of codified gestures and rhythmic sequences that become a struggle for AI and robs the dance form of its emotional expression she said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-criticises-inaccurate-un-report-that-its-traditional-culture-endangered-645952.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 10:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/with-bnp-ahead-yunus-and-jamaat-move-to-tighten-grip-through-appointment-of-loyalists-646025.html New Delhi Nov 1 The elections in Bangladesh will be a closely watched affair for not only will the outcome impact the future of the nation but the results will have a bearing on its neighbours as well There is a lot of talk about whether the elections will be held at all in February and even if they are the question is whether they will be free and fair In the runup to the elections there are plenty of developments taking place and signs of a rift between the interim government and the JamaateIslami are visible This is largely to do with the fact that the two sides are installing their loyalists in key positions ahead of the elections The Jamaat recently swept the Dhaka University elections and this has put it in a strong position Now the Jamaat is installing its men in key positions in all universities across the country in a bid to consolidate its position among the students Analysts say that no party would take the students lightly as they are aware that it was protests by them which effected a regime change not just in Bangladesh but in Nepal as well The JamaateIslami is also forcibly installing its loyalists and members in key positions in state institutions as well This has raised eyebrows as many feel that the Jamaat would want to be in charge even if it fails to win the elections On the other hand the Jamaat has raised concerns over the caretaker government headed by Muhammad Yunus appointing politically loyal persons in key institutions As a new Secretary was appointed to the Public Administration ministry and the person the Jamaat said was not just loyal to Yunus but also had a chequered past It also raised concerns that at least four to five advisers in the government are controlling major administrative appointments with the intention of turning the administration into a partisan oneBangladesh watchers say that these are clear signs that the elections will not be a free and fair affair In the months to come things could get worse and there is every chance the country would once again be marred by violence None are on the same page and all these moves are being made with the aim of controlling the election results With the Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP walking out of an alliance with the Jamaat a lot has changedAlmost all opinion polls suggest that the BNP has the edge With the Awami League out of the picture owing to the ban imposed on it the BNP is clearly in the front while the Jamaat would be at a distant second The newly formed National Citizen Party NCP is backed by Yunus and the polls for now indicate that this party would end up third The fact that the BNP is ahead has made both Yunus and the Jamaat insecure Both want to ensure that if they are not in power they could at least control the administration by holding on to key posts This explains the rush by both sides to appoint their loyalists to key positions ahead of the elections The BNP and Jamaat have formed the government together in the past However this time around an alliance looks nearly impossible Further there is an open rift between the Yunus administration Jamaat and the BNP Both sides have accused the BNP of trying to create an atmosphere of fear ahead of the elections The BNP has been accused of trying to create panic in the minds of the people stating that the elections would not be a fair process The Jamaat even accused the BNP of trying to obstruct the elections by plotting conspiracies so that those based in India would get an opportunity to destabilise Bangladesh Officials in New Delhi say that this is a baseless charge and the BNP is insecure that both Yunus and the Jamaat are trying to rig the elections so that they remain at the helm New Delhi has always advocated for a stable Bangladesh and wishes that the elections would be a free and fair one the official also added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/with-bnp-ahead-yunus-and-jamaat-move-to-tighten-grip-through-appointment-of-loyalists-646025.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 15:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-china-renew-489-billion-currency-swap-deal-646056.html Seoul Nov 1 South Korea and China signed an agreement on Saturday to renew their currency swap deal worth 70 trillion won 489 billion for another five years the presidential office said The deal between the central banks of both countries was signed alongside six other memorandums of understanding MOUs on the sidelines of President Lee Jae Myungs summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the southeastern city of Gyeongju reports Yonhap news agencyThe previous Korean wonChinese yuan swap agreement with the same amount and a fiveyear term expired last monthThe currency swap deal is expected to help stabilize financial and foreign exchange markets and promote trade between the two nations the office said in a releaseThe two sides also signed an MOU on strengthening exchanges and services and tradeIt will lay the institutional foundation for economic cooperation through substantive progress in KoreaChina free trade agreement negotiations on services and investment the office saidIn addition the two nations signed an MOU on a joint economic cooperation plan for 20262030 the office said noting it would set a longterm direction for promoting mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countriesOther agreements included bilateral cooperation to combat voice phishing and online scam crimes between police the joint promotion of a startup partnership program and phytosanitary requirements for the export of fresh Korean persimmons to ChinaJinping departed for home following a threeday visit to South Korea where he attended a summit of the AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation APEC forumThe Chinese leader arrived in South Korea on Thursday for his first visit to the country in 11 years The same day he held a closely watched summit with US President Donald Trump in Busan and the two sides agreed to take steps to ease the trade war between their countries IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-china-renew-489-billion-currency-swap-deal-646056.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 18:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/three-bodies-returned-by-hamas-not-of-hostages-israel-646067.html Jerusalem Nov 1 The remains of three bodies handed over Friday night to Israel by Hamas have been identified as not belonging to any Israeli hostages local media reported on Saturday We ruled out that the remains returned on Friday evening are related to Israeli hostages Israeli news website Ynet quoted an Israeli official as saying following examinations at the National Centre for Forensic MedicineThe official noted that this did not constitute a violation of the agreement by Hamas explaining We initially had already assessed that these remains were unlikely to belong to hostages Still we prefer that Hamas send any findings for verificationThe website noted that according to the agreement reached between Israel the mediators and Hamas in cases of ambiguity all the remains they obtain will be submitted for examination as happened in this case Xinhua news agency reportedOf the 28 bodies that Hamas is obliged to hand over to Israel 11 still remain in GazaThe effort to return our hostages is ongoing and will not cease until the last hostage is returned the Israeli Prime Ministers Office stated earlier this weekThe bodies received from the Gaza Strip via the International Committee of the Red Cross are transferred to the Israel Defense Forces IDF and Israels domestic security agency Shin Bet before being taken to the National Centre of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv for identificationOn Tuesday Israel said that remains handed over by Hamas the previous night were body parts belonging to a hostage whose body had already been recovered by the Israeli army two years agoIn a statement Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said Israel regarded the handover as a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement with HamasNetanyahus office said that following the identification process it was determined that the remains returned last night belong to the fallen hostage Ofir TzarfatiTzarfati 27 was kidnapped from the Nova music festival in southern Israel during the Hamasled assault on October 7 2023 His body was recovered by Israel in a military operation in December 2023 IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/three-bodies-returned-by-hamas-not-of-hostages-israel-646067.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 19:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/drone-sighting-at-berlin-airport-rekindles-debate-on-drone-wall-initiative-646081.html Berlin Nov 1 Flight operations at Berlin Brandenburg Airport were suspended for about two hours on Friday evening following reports of a drone sighting but the airport has since resumed normal operations local media reported on Saturday The German Press Agency quoted a police spokesperson as saying that at around 8 pm local time 1900 GMT a witness reported seeing a drone near the airport prompting the closure of the northern runway Police officers in patrol vehicles later confirmed the sighting but were unable to locate the deviceThe incident caused flight delays and diversions with departures to Basel Oslo and Barcelona suspended Police deployed a helicopter during the operation and Germanys Federal Aviation Office was also involved Xinhua news agency reportedFlights on Saturday resumed as scheduled and were not affected by the incidentEarlier in October Munich Airport was closed several times due to suspected drone incursions affecting more than 100 flights and nearly 10000 passengers Similar incidents have also been reported in Denmark Norway and PolandGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in October that the frequent drone incursions in Europe could be linked to espionage activities and attempts to disrupt public orderOn October 16 Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said that ensuring the security of the European Unions EU borders and airspace is a shared interest of all member states as some European countries are skeptical of the blocs drone wall initiativeBudrys made the remarks after meeting with Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze in Vilnius according to the Baltic News Service BNSThe EU aims to have a new system of antidrone defences partly operational by the end of 2026 and fully functional in 2027European Commission President Ursula von der Leyens initial drone wall proposal was met with some skepticism from countries such as Germany which fear the bloc may be encroaching on NATOs roleGermany and France are reluctant for the EU executive to take too central a role in military planning which is a matter for national governmentsCountries in the south of the bloc have also called for the drone initiative to cover not only the EUs eastern nationsConcerns about counterdrone measures have intensified after Russian aircraft allegedly violated the airspace of NATO members Poland Estonia and Romania in recent months according to BNS IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/drone-sighting-at-berlin-airport-rekindles-debate-on-drone-wall-initiative-646081.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 21:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/samia-suluhu-hassan-wins-tanzanias-presidential-election-646084.html Dar es Salaam Nov 1 Tanzanias incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party has won the presidential election securing 9766 per cent of the vote the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC announced on Saturday I declare Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan of the ruling party Chama Cha Mapinduzi CCM the winner of the presidential elections who got 31913866 votes equivalent to 9766 percent of the vote cast announced INEC Chairperson Jacobs Mwambegele in the capital DodomaHassan thus becomes the countrys first elected female President She previously served as Vice President from 2015 to 2021 and first assumed the presidency in March 2021 following the death of thenPresident John Magufuli from heart disease marking a historic milestone as Tanzanias first female head of stateTanzanians went to the polls on Wednesday in general elections Held every five years the elections saw voters choose the president members of parliament and local council representatives with 17 parties fielding presidential candidates and 18 contesting parliamentary and local seatsHassan defeated 16 opposition candidates securing a decisive victory that extends her partys longstanding dominance in the countrys political landscape Xinhua news agency reported The election was marred by protests in the port city of Dar es Salaam where demonstrators took to the streets accusing authorities of stifling the opposition after key candidates were barred from the presidential raceAccording to reports clashes erupted between protesters and police who opened fire to disperse crowds Several police posts gas stations commuter buses and polling stations were reportedly damaged in the unrestThe government reacted by imposing a curfew in Dar es Salaam while reports of internet disruptions later emergedThe Tanzanian President visited India in October 2023 during which both countries agreed to turn their bilateral relations into a strategic partnershipTanzania is Indias largest development partner in Africa and India is providing support to it in fields like skill development capacity building vocational training agriculture health water supply and other sectors IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/samia-suluhu-hassan-wins-tanzanias-presidential-election-646084.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 21:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/at-least-13-dead-in-mudslides-after-heavy-rains-hit-western-kenya-646086.html Nairobi Nov 1 At least 13 people were confirmed dead and several others missing on Saturday after mudslides triggered by heavy rains swept through villages in Elgeyo Marakwet County western Kenya authorities said The Ministry of Interior and National Administration said the mudslides struck overnight in Endo Sambirir and Embobut areas following torrential rains destroying homes uprooting trees and cutting off key access roadsSo far 13 bodies have been retrieved while search and rescue efforts continue under difficult conditions the ministry said in a statementNineteen survivors have been rescued and several of the injured are receiving treatment at a local hospital it added Xinhua news agency reported Rescue operations have been hampered by continued mudslides along access routes The government has deployed aerial support emergency teams and first responders to assist with evacuation medical aid and surveillanceElgeyo Marakwet County Police Commander Zablon Okoyo said the intense rains had triggered mudslides rockfalls and flooding in several parts of the county since Friday eveningOkoyo added that roads and homes had been washed away rendering several routes impassable while the county government has mobilized ambulances and medical personnel from neighboring areas to support the responseThe Kenya Red Cross Society said its teams had been activated to assess the situation conduct rescue operations and support affected familiesThe Kenya Meteorological Department has warned that heavy rainfall is expected to persist across several regions heightening the risk of flash floods and landslides particularly in hilly and riverine areasEfforts are underway to restore destroyed road networks to facilitate access for emergency and relief operationsAccording to weather experts the region has experienced similar disasters in the past often linked to increased land use and poor soil conservation which have left the terrain more vulnerable to erosion and landslides during periods of heavy rainfall IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/at-least-13-dead-in-mudslides-after-heavy-rains-hit-western-kenya-646086.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 21:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/ttp-emerges-as-dominant-outfit-in-pakistans-militant-landscape-646101.html Islamabad Nov 1 Renewed rift between JamaatulAhrar JuA and TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP within Pakistans militant network extends beyond changes in leadership to the operational level with the JuA often claiming responsibility for attacks that TTP publicly denied a report cited on Saturday It added that JuA was founded in 2014 by Omar Khalid Khorasani after he broke away from the TTP following a disagreement with the thenleader of the TTP Mullah FazlullahIn Pakistans militant landscape the TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP has emerged as the dominant outfit This lead largely stems from its quasigovernance model with centralized leadership and a decentralized operational structure Likewise a sustainable stream of financial flows and a vast network of alliances with over 90 groups have made the TTP the most lethal vibrant and resilient group operating in Pakistan a report in The Diplomat detailedHowever this potency is now facing challenges as rifts are gradually brewing between the TTP and JamatulAhrar JuA with the latter determined to split ways Meanwhile the upstart Ittehad Mujahideen Pakistan IMP is increasingly joining hands with the JuA to chip away at the TTPs influence it addedAccording to the Diplomat report following the killing of Omar Khalid Khorasani the JuA has been left without a leader making it unlikely that any major JuA affiliate will hold a significant position within the TTP commandThe JuA now wants key positions The Diplomat quoted Arshad Mohmand a journalist at Voice of America as sayingMohmand added that amid the shifting landscape the JuA has pursued a hedging policy between the TTP and rising rival group the Ittehad Mujahideen Pakistan IMPIn April 2024 the IMP emerged as a new faction in Pakistans militancy domain The group is led by three factions LashkareIslam Hafiz Gul Bahadur and Harakat Inqilab Islami Pakistan HIIP with the Gul Bahadur faction at the helm This newly formed alliance has claimed several highprofile attacks across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province particularly focusing on the southern belts the report stressedThe JuA is gradually expanding its network of alliances extending its influence from the Chitral district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Karachi in Sindh On October 25 30 affiliates from Chitral joined the JuA This strategy is mainly motivated by a desire to weaken the strong foothold of the TTP in the southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where the JuA intends to consolidate its hold a source familiar with the dynamics says it noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/ttp-emerges-as-dominant-outfit-in-pakistans-militant-landscape-646101.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 22:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/poor-quality-frequent-malfunctions-undermine-confidence-in-chinese-arms-report-646102.html Dhaka Nov 1 The reputation of Chinese military hardware and equipment has suffered a major dent due to several prominent export failures Frequent issues with Pakistans F22P frigates groundings and technical problems experienced by JF17 customers and recently reported operational difficulties with the Chinese SkyShield laser system in desert environments have been cited as the main reasons behind Chinas defence exports not gaining access to significant world markets a report cited on Saturday Even though China remains one of the prominent military powers it is the fourth largest defence exporter behind the US Russia and France questions are being raised about the credibility quality and sustainment of its defence products a report in Dhakabased Lens Asia has highlightedRoot causes are multiple and interacting China suffers from chronic corruption as evident by President Xis relentless purges targeting the PLA Additionally the uneven industrial base gaps in precision components and advanced materials maintenancelogistics shortfalls procurement misconduct and rushtoshow capabilities for politicalpropaganda are the reasons behind the falling quality of Chinese defence equipment Analysts warn these factors could slow or complicate PLA modernisation the report detailedIt cites reports from regional defence press which document repeated sensor and radar defects and enginepropulsion problems on early Chinesebuilt F22P frigates delivered to Pakistan The problems the report mentions ranged from degraded radar performance under highpower transmission to engine overheating and crankshaftlubrication issues that affected operational availability These issues were raised publicly by Pakistani naval sources and defence analystsThe Chinese firm admitted that defective Gimbal Assembly motors were the cause of the fault and these motors had not yet been repaired or replaced jeopardising the ships berthing operations This situation has compelled the Pakistani Navy to operate the four frigates with compromised operational capabilities due to faulty critical components and inadequate service from Chinese manufacturers As a result some key mission objectives for which these expensive ships were acquired have been jeopardised the report saysNot only Pakistan news outlets in Myanmar Nigeria and other JF17 customers have also documented groundings and structuralmissioncomputer malfunctions and vibrationairframe issues after export deliveries This led to several countries grounding fleets after declaring the Chinese equipment unfit for operations The report details that J17s poor accuracy and low weaponcarrying capacity forced Nigeria to purchase the Italian M 346FA fighter jetsRecent reports from defence blogs and mainstream outlets covered Saudi operational experience with Chinas SkyShield laser counterdrone system highlighting significant performance degradation in harsh desert conditions and raising doubts about the systems reliability and maturity These reports were operationalfield based rather than manufacturer test claims and therefore more reliable the Lens Asia report statedThe SkyShield system was acquired to meet Saudi Arabias specific geopolitical requirements It was anticipated to offer a costeffective solution by integrating electronic warfare capabilities with directedenergy weapons However its failure in the realworld conditions casted deeper doubts on the credibility of the controlled testing and the quality of the product it addedThe report reveals that a numerous export customers and analysts have publicly complained about frequent malfunctions poor spareparts availability and weak aftersales support which together undermine confidence in Chinese arms sales and have slowed some export trajectoriesThese complaints gain further traction when PLA media itself empahsises the need to treat equipment quality as lifeordeath for soldiers and to strengthen weapons wholelife management implicitly acknowledging prior shortcomings in testing it stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/poor-quality-frequent-malfunctions-undermine-confidence-in-chinese-arms-report-646102.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 22:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/awami-league-commands-strong-support-base-in-bangladesh-report-646103.html Dhaka Nov 1 Although the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has downplayed Bangladeshs former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas call to boycott the February 2026 elections the support base of the Awami League tells a different story a report revealed on Saturday It added that even in its worst performance in the 2001 election winning 62 of 300 seats the Awami League secured over 22 million votes only about a million fewer than the Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP which won 193 seats underscoring the Awami Leagues enduring popular baseWriting for leading German media outlet Deutsche Welle DW senior journalist and political analyst Masood Kamal observed that a large number of the Awami League supporters remain ideologically and historically devoted to the party despite the allegations levelled against its leadershipHe further argued that banning a political party with an executive order is not a sign of a civilized societyThe irony is that this government was meant to be one of unity Instead it has become a tool of division DW quoted Kamal as sayingThe report highlighted that six international human rights groups including CIVICUS the Committee to Protect Journalists Fortify Rights and Human Rights Watch recently wrote a joint letter to Yunus calling for the lifting of the ban on the Awami League warning that such restrictions could undermine democratic rights and political fairnessThe rights bodies appealed to the Interim Government to refrain from political party bans that would undermine a return to a genuine multiparty democracy and effectively disenfranchise a large part of the Bangladeshi electorateThe report mentioned that it is not just the Awami League facing the threat of exclusion Since the fall of the Awami League government led by Hasina calls to ban Bangladeshs Jatiya Party have intensified fueling concerns of a broader crackdown on political pluralismWhile not officially banned the Jatiya Party was excluded from the interim governments yearlong reform talks The National Citizen Party NCP formed by some leaders of the 2024 uprising has made banning the Jatiya Party one of its demands the DW report addedShamim Haider Patwary the Secretary General of the Jatiya Party warned that such a mindset poses a grave risk to the countrys democratic progressExcluding the Jatiya Party from all discussions sends a clear message to the administration that this partys rights do not need to be protected This is going to be a rigged vote Jatiya Party is being treated as an almostbanned party This is not a good sign Patwary said in an interview with DW IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/awami-league-commands-strong-support-base-in-bangladesh-report-646103.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 23:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/hegseth-says-resuming-nuke-testing-will-make-nuclear-conflict-less-likely-645892.html Kuala Lumpur Oct 31 US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday defended President Donald Trumps surprise directive to restart nuclear weapons testing saying a resumption would make nuclear conflict less likely Hegseth made the remarks during a press availability on the margins of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ASEAN Defence Ministers MeetingPlus in Kuala Lumpur a day after Trump unveiled the directive to begin testing US nuclear weaponsWe would work with the Department of Energy but the President was clear that we need to have a credible nuclear deterrent That is the baseline of our deterrence and so having understanding and resuming testing is a pretty responsible very responsible way to do that the Secretary saidI think it makes nuclear conflict less likely if you know what you have and make sure it operates properly So its the right directive he added Yonhap news agency reportedHegseth underscored that through the testing America will ensure that it has the strongest most capable nuclear arsenal so that it can maintain peace through strengthWe dont seek conflict with China or any other nation but the stronger we are the stronger our alliances are the more we work with allies in this region and around the world I think the less likely conflict becomes the Secretary saidIn a social media post this week Trump said he instructed the Pentagon to start testing nuclear weapons following a suspension of 33 years on an equal basis as he pointed to the nuclear programs of China and Russia His directive has spawned concerns that it could lead to a new nuclear arms raceIANS reported that hours before his meeting with Chinas President Xi Jinping in South Korea on Thursday Trump said in a cryptic post on Truth Social Because of other countries testing programs I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basisThat process will begin immediately he addedTrump said that the US had more nuclear weapons than any other country and this was due to a complete update and renovation of existing weapons during his first termThat was accomplished without any nuclear tests which scientists say are not necessary anymore because computer simulations can do the jobTrump wrote that he had no choice but to expand the nuclear arsenal although he hated it because Russia is second and China is a distant third but will be even within 5 yearsOnly North Korea across from where he made the post has carried out a nuclear test in recent years and that was in 2017The last nuclear weapon test by the US was in 1992 by China in 1996 and by Russias predecessor the Soviet Union in 1990NATO allies Frances last test was in 1996 and Britains was in 1991 at the US facility in NevadaBoth India and Pakistan had their last nuclear tests in 1998 IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/hegseth-says-resuming-nuke-testing-will-make-nuclear-conflict-less-likely-645892.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 20:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/human-rights-groups-slam-pakistan-for-sindhi-student-leaders-abduction-from-karachi-hospital-645899.html Islamabad Oct 31 Leading human rights groups in and outside Pakistan have denounced the alleged enforced disappearance of Sindh National Students Federations SNSF central chief organiser Ghani Aman Chandio who was reportedly abducted earlier this week from a hospital in Karachi Eyewitnesses said that incident happened at Memona Hospital in Karachi on October 28 when Chandio was there for the treatment of his infant daughter According to witnesses a group of armed men in plain clothes allegedly accompanied by Pakistani paramilitary rangers came to the hospital confiscated mobile phones destroyed CCTV footage and blindfolded Ghani Aman Chandio before taking him away in presence of his family The Balochistan Post reportedIn a statement Amnesty International South Asia described the abduction of Ghani Amani Chandio a blatant attack on his rights to liberty dignity and due process and urged Pakistani authorities to reveal his whereabouts and ensure his safe returnPAKISTAN The abduction of student activist Ghani Aman Chandio on 28 October from Memona Hospital in Karachi allegedly by state forces is deeply troubling The abduction of a father visiting his hospitalized infant daughter is not only cruel and inhumane but also a blatant attack on his rights to liberty dignity and due process Amnesty International South Asia posted on XAccording to the eyewitnesses plainclothes men accompanied by uniformed law enforcement officials abducted Ghani intimidated bystanders in the hospital and confiscated the mobile phones of all family members presentGhani had previously been named in a criminal case on charges of antistate slogans during a protest and had delivered a lecture at the local university on student politics the day before his abduction We are very concerned about Ghanis safety The Pakistani authorities must immediately disclose Ghanis fate and whereabouts and ensure his safe return Further authorities must conduct a prompt thorough independent impartial transparent and effective investigation into his abduction and bring to justice all those suspected to be responsible read the Amnesty statementThe Human Rights Commission of Pakistan HRCP also demanded an immediate recovery of Ghani Aman Chandio who was forcibly taken into custody allegedly by the state operatives It said that the forced disappearance of Chandio and several other individuals reveals the states continued policy of curbing fundamental and stifling political dissentHRCP demands the immediate recovery of political activist Ghani Aman Chandio who was forcibly taken into custody allegedly by state operatives at a hospital in Karachi where he was tending to his young daughter The manner in which this action was taken is deeply concerning Mr Chandio and other such citizens who have been arbitrarily detained abducted or forcibly disappeared reflect the states continued policy of curbing fundamental freedoms and stifling political dissent HRCP reiterates that such draconic measures only exacerbate political chaos and social fragmentation the HRCP posted on XIn a statement the Baloch Students Organisation BSO stated that state institutions fearful and unsettled by the growing resistance movements across the country continue to target peaceful political workers through unconstitutional and brutal tactics The group described Chandios disappearance a blow to the democratic political process and demanded his release The Balochistan Post reportedMeanwhile the Voice for Missing Persons of Sindh VMPS Europe Chapter also denounced abduction of Ghani Aman Chandio describing it as a blatant violation of human rights and an attempt to silence peaceful dissent in SindhVMPS coordinator Sarang Sindhi said Chandio was a a nonviolent political activist who had been advocating for democracy and human rights for a long time He said that Chandio was abducted by men backed by paramilitary personnel from hospital where his twin children were admittedHe highlighted that the perpetrators intimidated patients and attendants before taking him away adding that Chandios family members were assaulted and their phones were seizedBaloch activist Sammi Deen Baloch also condemned the abduction of Chandio from the Karachi hospitalTwo days ago they dragged Ghani Aman Chandio out of a hospital in Karachi his daughter was sick in the next room The men who call themselves the protectors of this country abducted a father from his childs bedside Now that same girl is sitting on the roads of Sindh beside her mother grandmother and aunt demanding a father she may never see again This is the states idea of governance kidnapping fathers breaking families and then lecturing the world about peace and stability Every time a man is taken a family is turned into a protest Every time they silence one voice a thousand more rise from the dust The daughters of Balochistan know this story too well and we refuse to stop telling it said Sammi Deen Baloch IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/human-rights-groups-slam-pakistan-for-sindhi-student-leaders-abduction-from-karachi-hospital-645899.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 20:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/ties-with-afghanistan-can-only-be-normal-after-kabul-stops-supporting-ttp-pak-minister-645901.html Islamabad Oct 31 Pakistans Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Friday said that the countrys ties with Afghanistan can never turn normal until Kabul stops giving support to the outlawed TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP local media reported Speaking to Geo News Asif said that those providing shelter to TTP militants in Afghanistan must stop the terrorists infiltration into Pakistan Peaceful relations with our neighbour are only possible if all support for the TTP is completely ended adding that it is difficult to trust Afghanistan without firm assurances against crossborder attacksAsif accused the Taliban government for breaching the ceasefire agreement and claimed that Pakistan is responding in a befitting manner He said that the next round of talks between the delegations from both sides is scheduled for November 6 in IstanbulAsifs statement comes amid recent escalation of tensions after Pakistani forces carried out crossborder operations in Afghanistan The latest round of talks between the delegations of the two countries in Turkey also ended on Monday without any outcomeOn October 29 Asif had issued a stern warning to Taliban stating that they can test the resolve of Islamabad at their own peril and doom He had mentioned that Pakistan does not even need to use a fraction of its full arsenal to completely obliterate the Taliban and push them back to the caves for hidingWe have borne your treachery and mockery for too long but no more Any terrorist attack or any suicide bombing inside Pakistan shall give you the bitter taste of such misadventures Be assured and test our resolve and capabilities if you wish so at your own peril and doomLet me assure them that Pakistan does not require to employ even a fraction of its full arsenal to completely obliterate the Taliban regime and push them back to the caves for hiding If they wish so the repeat of the scenes of their rout at Tora Bora with their tails between the legs would surely be a spectacle to watch for the people of the region Pakistans Defence Minister wrote on X IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/ties-with-afghanistan-can-only-be-normal-after-kabul-stops-supporting-ttp-pak-minister-645901.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 21:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-lawmakers-urge-trump-to-reconsider-h-1b-visa-crackdown-645910.html Washington Oct 31 US Representative Jimmy Panetta along with four other Congress members has written a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to reconsider his September 19th Proclamation on H1B visas due to its potentially negative impacts on the IndiaUS relationship The H1B visa programme is an important part of why the United States continues to lead in technological innovation and is needed now more than ever with the recent sharp rise of artificial intelligence Panetta said on ThursdayAlthough 75 per cent of current H1B visa recipients come from India the programme still needs to be enhanced and increased rather than limited to a select amount of people or corporations that can pay exorbitant amounts of money to get a visa My Congressional colleagues and I wrote and sent this letter to the Administration so that they not only preserve but also expand the H1B visa programme as a key factor for the United States to remain competitive in the 21st century he addedThe letter was sent to Trump on Thursday and was cosigned by Congressmen Ami Bera Salud Carbajal Derek Tran and Congresswoman Julie JohnsonNo Republican lawmaker signed the letterThey defended the H1B programme highlighting how many of Americas most successful companies were founded or led by former H1B holders who create new businesses job creation and keep the United States at the forefront of technological progressIndianAmericans and other H1B holders also comprise a thriving constituency in each of our districts enhancing our local economies contributing to our academic and civic institutions and strengthening our communities it notedThey also urged Trump to preserve and expand the H1B programme to strengthen Americas technological leadership create jobs for American workers and safeguard our national securityThe letter comes a day after Florida moved to ban H1B visa hiring across state universitiesSpeaking at a press conference at the University of South Florida in Tampa on Wednesday Governor Ron DeSantis said the decision is aimed at ensuring that Florida citizens are first in line for job opportunitiesThe US Department of Homeland Security had also issued new guidance on the H1B 100000 application fee providing a series of exemptions and carveoutsAccording to the new guidelines workers who switch to H1B visa status from other visa categories such as F1 student status wont be subjected to the 100000 application feeThe White House last week reiterated that President Trumps priority in reforming the H1B visa programme is to put American workers first and vowed to fight lawsuits filed against the administrations crackdownThe administrations H1B visa policy has faced legal challenges with two major lawsuits filed in courts including the one by the US Chamber of Commerce the countrys biggest business organisation IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-lawmakers-urge-trump-to-reconsider-h-1b-visa-crackdown-645910.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 22:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistani-forces-forcibly-disappear-two-minor-boys-in-balochistan-rights-body-645920.html Quetta Oct 31 Two Baloch children were forcibly disappeared by Pakistani forces in Balochistan amid an escalating wave of enforced disappearances across the province a leading human rights organisation said on Friday The latest incident comes against the backdrop of a continuing cycle of persecution marked by a surge in enforced disappearances extrajudicial killings and torture targetting Baloch civiliansPaank the Baloch National Movements Human Rights Department mentioned that on Thursday Pakistani forces conducted a raid in the Pullabad region of Kech district forcibly disappearing two minor boys Farooq son of Syed Mohammad and Abdullah son of Rashid from their home Both victims are under the age of 15Condemning the inhumane act Paank described it as another example of Pakistans systematic policy of enforced disappearances in BalochistanThe abduction of children not only violates all moral and legal principles but also exposes the extent of militarisation and impunity in the region the rights body statedPaank called for the immediate and safe release of Farooq and Abdullah urging international human rights organisations and the United Nations to take urgent notice of the ongoing enforced disappearances of Baloch civilians including minors at the hands of Pakistani security forcesMeanwhile several human rights organisations on Thursday condemned the brutal torture and sexual assault of two women by Pakistani forces in Panjgur district of BalochistanExpressing concern human rights body Baloch Voice for Justice BVJ stated that the victimsa mother and her daughter were reportedly detained by Pakistani security forces in Panjgur brutally tortured and later dumped in critical condition at a local hospital The daughter was allegedly subjected to sexual assault during detentionThis horrific incident is not isolated but reflects a broader and alarming pattern of violence sexual abuse and enforced disappearances of women across Balochistan In recent months several such cases have been reported including the abduction of Safia Bibi during a military operation in Zehri and the enforced disappearance of 23yearold student Mahjabeen Baloch on 29 May who remains missing the BVJ statedCondemning the horrific incident the Human Rights Council of Balochistan HRCB said The sheer brutality of this act is beyond comprehension targetting women through abduction torture and sexual violence exposes the moral collapse and impunity that define state operations in BalochistanSuch systematic violence against Baloch women it said is not only a grave human rights violation but also a deliberate attempt to silence and terrorise entire communitiesThe HRCB called for an immediate and independent investigation accountability of the perpetrators and justice for the victims IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistani-forces-forcibly-disappear-two-minor-boys-in-balochistan-rights-body-645920.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 23:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/foreign-policy-of-pakistan-remains-fragile-amid-internal-failures-report-645922.html Islamabad Oct 31 Pakistans foreign policy gains will remain fragile unless it confronts internal governance failures regional inequalities and political mistrust a report said on Friday It stated that Islamabads recent outreach to Washington centred on offering access to rare earth minerals many of which are located in the volatile province of BalochistanAccording to a report by Al Jazeera while the deal may seem to be a winwin on paper with Pakistan attracting investment and the US gaining critical resources the underlying reality is darkerBalochistan remains Pakistans poorest province despite decades of extraction Infrastructure projects stand underused airports lie empty and unemployment remains stubbornly highThe Balochistan Mines and Minerals Act 2025 passed by the provincial legislature in March has only deepened discontent Under the act Islamabad is formally empowered to recommend mining policies and licensing decisions in Balochistan a move that has provoked opposition across the political spectrum the report detailedCritics argue it undermines provincial autonomy and recentralises control in Islamabad Even rightwing religious parties such as the Jamiat UlemaiIslam JUIF seldom aligned with nationalist groups have expressed opposition portraying the law as yet another attempt to dispossess local communities of their rightful stake in the provinces resources it addedEmphasising that the backlash underscores a growing danger the report said resource exploitation without local participation fuels resentment and insurgency in BalochistanBy inviting foreign investment in its mineral sector without social safeguards Pakistan risks further alienating a province already scarred by conflict and militarisationa policy that may appear as progress in Islamabad but as dispossession in QuettaTaken together these drivers show that Pakistans foreign policy shift is less a renaissance than a calculated pivot under pressure The Afghan vacuum the recalibration of USIndia ties and the lure of mineral diplomacy all explain Islamabads newfound prominence But none erases underlying fragilities Washington may once again treat Pakistan as disposable when its priorities change Indias weight in US strategy is not going away And Balochistans grievances will only deepen if resource deals remain extractive and exclusionary the report stressedIt asserted that the acclaim in Riyadh the visibility at the Gaza summit and the handshakes in Washington do not amount to a strategic revival for IslamabadIn the end no defence pact or minerals deal can substitute for a stable social contract within Pakistan itself That is the true renaissance Pakistan still awaits the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/foreign-policy-of-pakistan-remains-fragile-amid-internal-failures-report-645922.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 23:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/hopeful-my-wife-usha-becomes-christian-us-vp-vance--645696.html New York Oct 30 US Vice President JD Vance says that he hopes his wife Usha a Hindu would become a Christian like him but if she doesnt it wont be a problem for him because God has given everybody freewill In a candid discussion of family matters and faith on Wednesday Vance asked Ill say now in front of 10000 of my closest friends do I hope eventually that she is somehow moved by the same thing that I was moved by ChurchYeah I honestly do wish that because I believe in the Christian gospel and I hope eventually my wife comes to see it the same way but if she doesnt then God says everybody has free will and so that doesnt cause a problem for me he saidVance was speaking at a rally of the Turning Point movement in Oxford Mississippi when a woman of Indian origin asked him about the familys interreligious dynamicsTurning Point was founded by Charles Kirk a conservative Christian activist who was assassinated last monthHe said that reconciling religious differences also mattered in marriages between people of different Christian sects or between atheists and believersEverybody has to come to their own arrangement here he said The way that weve come to our arrangement is shes my best friend We talked to each other about this stuff So we decided to raise our kids ChristianHe added The only advice I can give is you just got to talk to the person that God has put you with and youve got to make those decisions as a family unitVance said that when he met Usha at Yale University he was an agnostic or atheistHis wife he said thats what I think she would have considered herself as wellShe grew up in a Hindu family but not a particularly religious family in either direction he saidVance gradually returned to his Christian roots in the Protestantism he grew up in but in a move away from the sects that dominate President Donald Trumps he converted to the Catholic sect three years ago and is an ardent observer of that churchSome Christian fundamentalists have expressed reservations about his membership in the Catholic Church and his marriage to a HinduVance said that his wife comes to church on Sundays with the rest of the family and Usha is closer to the priests who baptised me than maybe I amThey talk about this religious stuff he addedOn religious freedom and diversity he said The most one of the most important Christian principles is that you respect free willEarlier he stressed that real Christianity believes in freedom of religion because of the Godgiven everyone the freedom to choose whatever path they wantHe said that the moves by Republican states and leaders to introduce prayers and discussions of Christianity did not violate the Constitution because they did not force everyone to pray and the constitutional ban was only creating an official government church as some states had at Independence IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/hopeful-my-wife-usha-becomes-christian-us-vp-vance--645696.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 00:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/caribbean-reels-from-hurricane-melissas-destruction-as-death-toll-rises-645699.html Washington Oct 31 Parts of the Caribbean are assessing the extensive damage left by Hurricane Melissa after the powerful storm swept across the region killing dozens and leaving widespread devastation in its wake Hurricane Melissa one of the most intense Atlantic hurricanes on record made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday as a Category 5 storm before weakening as it moved across Cuba and the Bahamas By Thursday morning the hurricane was moving toward Bermuda according to the US National Hurricane Center NHCThe NHC warned that catastrophic flash flooding and landslides would continue across parts of the Caribbean even as the storm weakened The hardesthit areas include Jamaica Cuba and Haiti where severe flooding and destructive winds have damaged infrastructure uprooted trees and torn down power linesLocal authorities said recovery and rescue operations were underway though widespread power outages communications failures and blocked roads continued to hamper efforts Officials reported more than 30 deaths across Jamaica Haiti and the Dominican Republic and said the toll was expected to rise as more information comes in from isolated areasIn Jamaica floodwaters washed up four bodies in the southern parish of St Elizabeth where communities sustained some of the heaviest damage I am saddened to announce that four persons three men and one woman have been confirmed dead by the police in St Elizabeth They were discovered after being washed up by the flood waters generated by the hurricane said Desmond McKenzie Jamaicas Minister for Local Government and Community Development in a statementEmergency relief flights began arriving at Jamaicas main international airport which reopened late Wednesday Crews were distributing food water and medical supplies as helicopters delivered aid to remote communities cut off by collapsed bridges and impassable roadsThe devastation prompted international offers of assistance In the wake of Hurricane Melissas devastation of eastern Cuba the Trump Administration stands with the brave Cuban people who continue to struggle to meet basic needs said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio He added that the United States was prepared to provide humanitarian assistance directly and via local partnersCountries across the region and beyond have pledged support in the form of cash food aid and rescue teams as the Caribbean begins the difficult process of recovery IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/caribbean-reels-from-hurricane-melissas-destruction-as-death-toll-rises-645699.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 06:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/new-york-declares-state-of-emergency-ahead-of-suspension-of-federal-food-aid-645701.html New York Oct 31 The US state of New York declared a state of emergency ahead of the suspension of federal food aid caused by the ongoing government shutdown At a news conference Governor Kathy Hochul announced 65 million in new state funds for emergency food assistance and promised to provide 40 million meals to New Yorkers Xinhua news agency reportedThe prolonged US federal government shutdown is putting millions of people at risk of missing their food stamp benefits or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program SNAP a vital lifeline for lowincome householdsEarlier this month the US Department of Agriculture USDA told state agencies to hold off distributing November benefits until further notice because of insufficient fundsAs the GOP federal government shutdown continues the Trump administration has refused to release billions in statutorily approved federal contingency funding that would address this crisis in states across the nation Hochul saidIn recent days several states have stepped up efforts to ensure SNAP recipients can afford food in NovemberLouisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed an emergency declaration last week to fund SNAP benefits for recipients who rely on the program while Vermont lawmakers on Wednesday approved a plan to fund food stamp benefits for state residents through November 15In New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Wednesday that her state will provide 30 million in emergency food assistance to residents through EBT cards backfilling SNAP benefits temporarilyDemocratic governors and attorneys general from 25 US states filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Tuesday challenging its conclusion that it lacks the authority to use emergency funds to maintain food assistance for millions of Americans next monthThey called on the court to compel the USDA to use contingency funds appropriated by Congress to keep the program runningSNAP is the nations largest antihunger program serving approximately 42 million people Most SNAP recipients live at or below the federal poverty line IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/new-york-declares-state-of-emergency-ahead-of-suspension-of-federal-food-aid-645701.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 07:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/un-security-council-voices-grave-concern-over-escalating-violence-in-sudan-645702.html United Nations Oct 31 The UN Security Council voiced grave concern over escalating violence in and around El Fasher in Sudans North Darfur state In a press statement on Thursday the members of the council condemned the assault by the Rapid Support Forces RSF on El Fasher and its devastating impact on the civilian population Xinhua news agnecy reportedThey also condemned reported atrocities being perpetrated by the RSF against the civilian population including summary executions and arbitrary detentions They expressed grave concern at the heightened risk of largescale atrocities including ethnically motivated atrocitiesThe council members called for all perpetrators of violations to be held accountable They demanded that all parties to the conflict protect civilians and abide by their obligations under international law including international humanitarian law and to allow and facilitate safe and unhindered humanitarian accessThe council members reiterated that the priority is for the parties to resume talks to reach a lasting ceasefire and a comprehensive inclusive and Sudaneseowned political processThey urged all UN member states to refrain from external interference that seeks to foment conflict and instability to support efforts for durable peace to abide by their obligations under international law and to implement relevant Security Council resolutionsThe council members unequivocally reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the sovereignty independence unity and territorial integrity of Sudan In this regard the Security Council reaffirmed its rejection of the establishment of a parallel governing authority in areas controlled by the RSF IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/un-security-council-voices-grave-concern-over-escalating-violence-in-sudan-645702.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 07:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/stripped-of-title-by-brother-king-charles-ousted-from-windsor-home-prince-andrew-to-move-to-private-estate-645713.html New Delhi Oct 31 In one of the harshest decisions made in the history of modern monarchy against a family member Britains King Charles has stripped his younger brother Andrew of his title of prince and forced him out of his Windsor home over links to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal Now the maverick former prince will move to a private accommodation on the Sandringham estate in eastern England According to a statement put out by Buckingham Palace a formal notice had been served on Andrew to surrender the lease of his Royal Lodge mansion on the Windsor Estate west of LondonThe move is being seen as a bid by the British royals led by the ailing King to distance themselves from Charles younger brother Andrew over the repeated infractions and embarrassments he has caused to the familyThe second son of the late Queen Elizabeth the 65yearold has come under mounting pressure over his irresponsible behaviour and his ties to the late sex offender Epstein Earlier in October he was forced to stop using his title of Duke of YorkKing Charles in a drastic move has now taken firm action against Andrew by stripping him of all his titles leaving him to be known as Andrew Mountbatten WindsorThe Buckingham Palace stated These censures are deemed necessary notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been and will remain with the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuseAndrew who once served as a naval officer during the Falklands War with Argentina in the early 1980s was forced to step down from a roving UK trade ambassador role in 2011 before quitting all royal duties in 2019 He was then stripped of his military links and royal patronages in 2022 amid allegations of sexual misconduct that he has always denied IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/stripped-of-title-by-brother-king-charles-ousted-from-windsor-home-prince-andrew-to-move-to-private-estate-645713.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 09:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/isi-trains-over-1-000-iskp-terrorists-to-target-afghan-taliban-raising-fears-of-spillover-into-india-645773.html New Delhi Oct 31 Pakistan has set up four dedicated camps to train terrorists of the Islamic State in large numbers and then send them into Afghanistan to carry out attacks Experts say that Pakistan could gradually divert some of the ISKP terrorists into Jammu and Kashmir Since tensions with the Afghan Taliban escalated Pakistan and the Islamic State Khorasan Province ISKP have come closer as they are fighting a common enemyThe Afghan Taliban and Pakistan have had a falling out over issues over the Durand Line and since then tensions have soaredPakistan has even carried out air strikes in Afghanistan and the Taliban too have responded fiercelyTraining camps in Pakistan specially to train members of the ISKP have been mushrooming in recent monthIntelligence Bureau officials say that the ISI plans to train over a 1000 terrorists of the ISKP with the specific intention that they carry out attacks on the Afghan TalibanVarious forms of training are being imparted the Indian agencies sayTerrorists are being trained to fight on the land so that they can take on the Taliban fighters There are training camps for suicide strikers as well officials sayIt is also learnt that many officers of the Pakistan Army both current and former are involved in the training processThe ISKP since its inception has been in a battle with the Taliban and seeks to overthrow the Taliban regime and rule AfghanistanHowever the ISKP has been no match for the Taliban and hence grabbed the opportunity that Pakistan offered itOfficials say that many ISKP members are being taken into Pakistan from Afghanistan and then are sent to camps in Balochistan and the tribal areas of Khyber PakhtunkhwaThe arrest of one Mohammad by the Afghan security officials also confirmed the claims that Pakistan had become a training ground for ISKP terroristsThe terrorist detained told the security officials that he had undergone ideological and combat training in Pakistans Quetta region He said that when he entered Afghanistan with a fake ID card his name was Mohammad He also said that the ISI had made significant efforts to indoctrinate himWhile the terror camps set up by Pakistan to train ISKP terrorists are solely focussed on Afghanistan officials warn that in the future this could have ramifications for the entire regionIndia is a country of interest for the ISKP and over the next couple of months it could expand its area of operations away from Afghanistan as wellWhen the ISKP was set up its primary focus was on defeating the Taliban The terror group had however made it clear that it was interested in setting up a Caliphate that included IndiaThe terror group has also shown keen interest in fighting in Jammu and KashmirExperts say that Pakistan could gradually divert some of the ISKP terrorists into Jammu and Kashmir The ISI feels that having another terror group in the Valley in addition to the JaisheMohammad and LashkareTayiba would make the battle stronger for themAnother worry for the Indian agencies is that apart from sending in trained fighters of the ISKP there is every chance of a recruitment drive being launchedThe ISKP has in the past hired Indians and trained them in Pakistan Now the ISI would look to recruit from India and then train them in camps in PakistanAt the last count at least 21 people from Kerala left the country and joined the ISKP in Afghanistan They were being trained so that they could be later sent back to India and carry out terror strikes IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/isi-trains-over-1-000-iskp-terrorists-to-target-afghan-taliban-raising-fears-of-spillover-into-india-645773.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 12:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/al-qaeda-issues-lone-wolf-call-in-india-marking-alarming-tactical-shift-645785.html New Delhi Oct 31 The security agencies are keeping a close watch following a call made by the AlQaeda in the SubContinent AQIS to launch lone wolf attacks in India This signals a shift in the functioning of the AQIS which has so far not managed to make the kind of progress it would have wanted to in India The AQIS was launched in 2014 with the sole goal of carrying out strikes in the subcontinent While it was formed in Afghanistan it had stated that its primary focus would be IndiaThe outfit had even spoken about liberating Jammu and Kashmir from India It had even appointed Asim Umar a man from Uttar Pradesh to head its India operationsAt first the AQIS made several attempts to set up modules in Uttar Pradesh Delhi and other parts of North India While the modules were set up they never took off as the AQIS hoped since the Intelligence and security agencies managed to get the better of them This made the terror group change its strategy and hence the call was made to carry out lone wolf attacks in IndiaThe AQIS is more or less following the pattern of the Islamic State which also encourages lone wolves to carry out attacks The decision to go in for lone wolf attacks is because they are investmentfree and the chance of detection is very lowThe arrest of Zubair Hangargekar from Pune by the Maharashtra AntiTerrorism Squad ATS is a clear sign that the AQIS has been encouraging lone wolvesWhile the ATS is still investigating his links to the outfit and whether he was involved in radicalising others prima facie it appears that he was acting aloneAt the time of his arrest the ATS found pictures of him holding an AK47 rifle and also making bombsWhile Zubair Hangargekar originally hails from Solapur he worked in Pune as a specialist in software testing and a database developerThe ATS learnt that he was earning well in the IT firm where he was employed It became clear that he was radicalised by the online propaganda of the AQIS following which he decided to carry out attacksIntelligence Bureau officials said that the call for lone wolf attacks made by the AQIS is a worrisome development When compared to the Islamic State Al Qaeda has more traction in IndiaSince the days of Osama bin Laden Al Qaeda had more traction and when the Islamic State came into the picture the loyal base of Al Qaeda remained intact in IndiaFurther AlQaeda has more reach in India Its ideology is strong in the north south and the northeastern states Hence the latest call is a worrying development and many youth who are radicalised online could follow the message put out by the outfitFollowing the deaths of Bin Laden and Atman alZawahiri many had expected that AlQaeda would be finished While the outfit lay low for a while it gradually started bouncing backThe developments in Mali that signal a complete AlQaeda takeover would have boosted the morale of the rest of the members across the globeSuch events are being cited during online radicalisation sessions as well as the propaganda material that the outfit has been putting outAlQaeda while encouraging its followers to carry out lone wolf attacks says Pick up the truck now not to mow grass but to kill the enemiesIt says There is no need for an IED If you cannot assemble one then run your enemy over with a car The other weapons that the lone wolves can use according to AlQaeda are stones and knives It also encourages its members to push nonbelievers down the building Such material is circulating in large numbers online as the terror group makes a hard push to encourage lone wolves to carry out attacks in India IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/al-qaeda-issues-lone-wolf-call-in-india-marking-alarming-tactical-shift-645785.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 12:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/australia-two-injured-in-shooting-south-of-brisbane-645803.html Sydney Oct 31 Two people have been hospitalised with gunshot wounds following a driveby shooting south of Brisbane in the early hours of Friday morning The police service in the Australian state of Queensland said in a statement that emergency services were alerted that two people had been injured in a shooting in the suburb of Park Ridge 26 km south of Brisbane at around 120 am on FridayAn 18yearold man was transported to hospital in a serious but stable condition and a 20yearold woman was hospitalized with injuries not considered lifethreateningThe Queensland Police Service said the pair were injured when gunshots were fired from a passing vehicle into a residence and that there is no ongoing threat to the publicA crime scene has been established and investigations into the incident were ongoing Xinhua News Agency reportedEarlier on October 16 police in the state of New South Wales NSW had said in a statement that emergency services were called to reports of a fire in Cabramatta 26 km west of central Sydney at around 1245 am local timeOn arrival at the scene officers had found a house and vehicle both alightBoth fires were extinguished but the house and car had sustained significant damagePolice officers were told that a number of gunshots had been heard and subsequently found bullet casings at the sceneIn another statement NSW Police said that emergency services received reports of loud bangs believed to be gunshots and a car on fire on North Liverpool Road in Green Valley in Sydneys southwest shortly after 1 am on ThursdayThe occupant had extinguished the fire a short time laterPolice had said that officers attended and established a crime scene where some bullet casings were found on the roadway Police believe several shots were fired into the air There were no reports of injuries or property damage IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/australia-two-injured-in-shooting-south-of-brisbane-645803.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 13:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/rights-body-exposes-systemic-repression-of-lawyers-in-bangladesh-under-yunus-regime-645810.html Dhaka Oct 31 A leading international human rights organisation highlighted alarming patterns of violence intimidation and systemic repression against lawyers in Bangladesh under the Muhammad Yunusled interim government In its report titled Crackdown Against Independence of Lawyers in Bangladesh under the Interim Government Justice Makers Bangladesh in France JMBF documented one of the most comprehensive records of statesponsored persecution of the legal profession in Bangladeshs history following the fall of the Awami League government led by Sheikh HasinaDrawing on 268 verified incidents affecting 849 lawyers between August 2024 and September 2025 the report exposed a coordinated campaign to neutralise proAwami League lawyers silence political dissent and subjugate the justice systemAs per the findings 88 per cent of incidents and 93 per cent of victims involved lawyers affiliated with or perceived as supportive of the Awami League while political belief emerged as the dominant motive in 187 incidents affecting 730 victims200 incidents 721 victims involved false or politically motivated cases including murder attempted murder sabotage vandalism and sedition Authorities routinely invoked Section 54 of the CrPC the Special Powers Act and the AntiTerrorism Act to justify arbitrary arrests and detentions the report detailed highlighting the harassment of lawyers in Bangladesh75 incidents 203 victims involved imprisonment often following warrantless arrests or coerced voluntary surrenders Highprofile victims such as Barrister Turin Afroz endured brutal torture cigarette burns and genderbased humiliation in custody it addedAccording to the report the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and radical Islamist party JamaateIslami aligned lawyers forcibly occupied 16 bar committees including the Bangladesh Bar Council and the Supreme Court Bar Association ousting elected Awami League members Additionally in 44 bar association elections Awami League lawyers were prevented from contesting through intimidation and fabricated chargesThe JMBF revealed that 46 judges and judicial officers were persecuted through arrests forced resignations or dismissals Six Appellate Division justices including a Chief Justice it said were forced to resign while others faced fabricated charges reflecting systematic interference in the judiciaryThe rights body urged the United Nations the European Union the Commonwealth and partner governments to condemn the crackdown on lawyers in Bangladesh and to demand compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Universal Declaration of Human Rights and UN Basic PrinciplesIt also called for sanctions against officials responsible for grave abuses and for monitoring of politically motivated trials through international trial observation missions IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/rights-body-exposes-systemic-repression-of-lawyers-in-bangladesh-under-yunus-regime-645810.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 14:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-another-information-blackout-in-balochistan-as-mobile-internet-suspended-for-24-hours-645819.html Quetta Oct 31 The Balochistan government on Friday suspended mobile data services in Quetta for 24 hours due to the peculiar law and order situation local media reported In a letter sent on Thursday the Balochistan government requested Pakistans Ministry of Interior that the relevant authorities be directed to suspend 3G4G internet services in Quetta on October 31 for 24 hours Pakistans leading daily Dawn reportedThe letter stated Owing to the peculiar law and order situation and threat perceptions the services of 3G and 4G services are required to be jammed in district QuettaThe suspension comes two months after mobile data services in Balochistan were suspended in August citing security reasons However the Balochistan High Court BHC had ordered the immediate restoration of mobile internet servicesEducation online businesses and media reporting had faced widespread disruptions in Balochistan due to the suspension of internet services in August Officials had said that the decision was taken on the security agencies recommendation keeping in view rising tensions especially around National Day celebrations in PakistanStudents business owners journalists and human rights organisations had criticised the governments decision The Balochistan Post reported Students enrolled in online classes had said that they were not able to attend lectures or submit assignments with the situation more severe in rural areas where students already have limited educational resourcesFreelancers and entrepreneurs in Quetta Turbat Khuzdar and Panjgur had reported that their livelihoods was brought to a standstill due to the suspension of internet services One business owner said Our entire work depends on the internet this shutdown has pushed us to the brink of financial collapseMedia outlets were also majorly affected with journalists saying that they are not able to share reports from the region resulting in what some termed an information blackout as per the report Local political and social organisations had accused the government of imposing collective punishment on the public instead of improving security in the regionEarlier in January a report revealed that Pakistan was leading the world in terms of facing economic losses due to internet outages and shutdowns Pakistan stood at the first spot with a total financial impact of USD 162 billion IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-another-information-blackout-in-balochistan-as-mobile-internet-suspended-for-24-hours-645819.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 15:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-continues-to-witness-rise-in-attacks-against-journalists-curbs-on-press-freedom-645829.html Islamabad Oct 31 Pakistans capital Islamabad and the province of Punjab have been named as the most dangerous places for journalists in the country as violations against the media increased by around 60 per cent in 2025 in comparison to last year in the lead up to the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists which is observed on November 2 the local media reported on Friday The two places have been named as the most dangerous places in the Annual Impunity Report 2025 of Freedom Network produced with assistance of International Media Support IMS The report showcases deteriorating situation of freedom of expression and the safety of journalists under the Pakistani government led by Shehbaz SharifThe report has revealed a sharp rise in attacks and violations against journalists and other media professionals in PakistanAt least 142 cases of violations were documented marking a nearly 60pc increase compared to the previous year The hostile environment for the media which intensified after the February 2024 general elections has made almost every region in Pakistan unsafe for journalism with incidents reported across all provinces and territories reported Pakistans leading daily DawnAt least 36 formal legal cases against 30 journalists and media professionals under the controversial Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act Peca were filed during the first year of the current federal government according to the report The authorities amended the Act earlier this year making its provisions more harsh for journalists facing criticism by media professionals and rights activistsOf these 36 cases 22 cases were lodged under the Peca and 14 under Pakistan Penal Code PPC with some facing several charges Media professionals in Punjab were targeted in majority of Peca cases while all PPC were also lodged in the province The report titled Impunity Report 2025 Crime and Punishment in Pakistans Journalism World is Freedom Networks annual flag publication and it provides details regarding impunity for crimes against journalists and efforts to tackle the issueEarlier in September journalists and rights activists voiced concerns regarding the rising restrictions on press freedom in Pakistan with some comparing the present situation to the media censorship experienced during General Ziaul Haqs military ruleJournalists and rights activists highlighted these concerns during events held in Islamabad to pay tribute to Nisar Osmani and CR Shamsi two veteran journalists and trade unionists who fought for press freedom and journalists rights during martial law regimes Dawn reportedDuring a seminar at the National Press Club current and former officebearers of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists PFUJ and RawalpindiIslamabad Union of Journalists RIUJ paid tribute to both the journalists and spoke about their struggle for a free pressAnother event was held outside the Dawn offices where the journalists lawmakers and rights activists held a candlelight vigil to pay tribute to Osmani and Shamsi The speakers called for unity among journalists to collectively resist measures imposed by the government to suppress freedom of expression They also pledged to resist the restrictions imposed on media and continue the struggle against controversial laws like the recent amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act Peca IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-continues-to-witness-rise-in-attacks-against-journalists-curbs-on-press-freedom-645829.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 15:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-us-extend-defence-framework-agreement-by-10-years-645865.html Kuala Lumpur Oct 31 IANS Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday met US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in Kuala Lumpur where the two leaders signed a 10year Framework for the USIndia Major Defence Partnership heralding a new era in deepening the defence ties between the two nationsnbspThe bilateral engagement was held on the sidelines of the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers MeetingPlus ADMMPlus scheduled to begin on November 1Had a fruitful meeting with my US counterpart Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in Kuala Lumpur We signed the 10 years Framework for the USIndia Major Defence Partnership This will usher in a new era in our already strong defence partnership Singh posted on X following the meetingnbspThis Defence Framework will provide policy direction to the entire spectrum of the IndiaUS Defence Relationship It is a signal of our growing strategic convergence and will herald a new decade of partnership the post addedSingh emphasised that defence would continue to serve as a major pillar of IndiaUS bilateral relations noting that partnership is critical for ensuring a free open and rulesbased IndoPacific regionnbspSharing details of his talks with the Indian Defence Minister Hegseth posted on X I just met with Rajnath Singh to sign a 10year USIndia Defence Framework This advances our defence partnership a cornerstone for regional stability and deterrence Were enhancing our coordination info sharing and tech cooperation Our defence ties have never been strongerEarlier on Thursday Singh arrived in Malaysia on a twoday visit to attend the ADMMPlus He was received at Subang Airbase by Indias High Commissioner to Malaysia BN ReddynbspThe 12th ADMMPlus being held in Kuala Lumpur will feature discussions among ASEAN member states and eight dialogue partners including India the US China Russia Japan South Korea Australia and New ZealandThe Defence Minister is expected to address the forum on the theme Reflection on 15 Years of ADMMPlus and Charting the Way ForwardnbspDuring his visit Singh will also hold bilateral meetings with defence ministers and senior leadership from participating nations https://dailyworld.in/international/india-us-extend-defence-framework-agreement-by-10-years-645865.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 17:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-committed-to-share-best-practices-under-norway-india-partnership-initiative-health-secy-645876.html New Delhi Oct 31 India is committed to sharing best practices under Norway India Partnership Initiative said Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava on Friday Srivastava said this while chairing the annual meeting of the Norway India Partnership Initiative NIPI The meeting aimed to review and approve the NIPI Progress Report 2025 and the budgeted work plans for 202526 under Phase IV of the initiativeNIPI displays how the convergence of efforts can yield results Government of India is also involved in convergence with states and UTs through a wholeofgovernment approach for achieving desired outcomes Srivastava saidNoting that India displays a good testing ground for bringing innovation the Union Health Secretary underlined Indias commitment to share the best practices under the initiative for replication in other settingsSrivastava also highlighted the significance of the IPHS ODK Indian Public Health StandardsOpen Data Kit Tool developed under the initiative which facilitates assessments and helps states quickly identify gaps and receive targeted support to achieve the required standardsMayElin Stener Ambassador of Norway to India highlighted that next year will mark 20 years of this partnership She stated that there have been innovative and catalytic interventions through this partnership which have helped in bringing significant resultsStener noted that the Indian government has invested 26 times the amount Norway spent under this initiative which highlights the importance being given to this collaborationIndia has a very definitive goal of being a developed country and this is visible in the work being done at the ground level Commitment to health services is very important for the development of Indian health servicesThere have been significant developments in the health sector in India since this partnership started in 2006 she addedThe NIPI is based on an agreement between the governments of Norway and India to collaborate towards achieving Indias National Health Policy and Sustainable Development Goals SDGsNIPIs vision is to provide strategic catalytic and innovative support to Indias National Health Mission NHM in Bihar Odisha Madhya Pradesh Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-committed-to-share-best-practices-under-norway-india-partnership-initiative-health-secy-645876.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 18:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/govt-committed-to-share-best-practices-under-norway-india-partnership-initiative-health-secy-645877.html New Delhi Oct 31 The Union government is committed to sharing best practices under Norway India Partnership Initiative said Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava on Friday Srivastava said this while chairing the annual meeting of the Norway India Partnership Initiative NIPI The meeting aimed to review and approve the NIPI Progress Report 2025 and the budgeted work plans for 202526 under Phase IV of the initiativeNIPI displays how the convergence of efforts can yield results Government of India is also involved in convergence with states and UTs through a wholeofgovernment approach for achieving desired outcomes Srivastava saidNoting that India displays a good testing ground for bringing innovation the Union Health Secretary underlined Indias commitment to share the best practices under the initiative for replication in other settingsSrivastava also highlighted the significance of the IPHS ODK Indian Public Health StandardsOpen Data Kit Tool developed under the initiative which facilitates assessments and helps states quickly identify gaps and receive targeted support to achieve the required standardsMayElin Stener Ambassador of Norway to India highlighted that next year will mark 20 years of this partnership She stated that there have been innovative and catalytic interventions through this partnership which have helped in bringing significant resultsStener noted that the Indian government has invested 26 times the amount Norway spent under this initiative which highlights the importance being given to this collaborationIndia has a very definitive goal of being a developed country and this is visible in the work being done at the ground level Commitment to health services is very important for the development of Indian health servicesThere have been significant developments in the health sector in India since this partnership started in 2006 she addedThe NIPI is based on an agreement between the governments of Norway and India to collaborate towards achieving Indias National Health Policy and Sustainable Development Goals SDGsNIPIs vision is to provide strategic catalytic and innovative support to Indias National Health Mission NHM in Bihar Odisha Madhya Pradesh Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/govt-committed-to-share-best-practices-under-norway-india-partnership-initiative-health-secy-645877.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 18:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/salma-dam-perfect-example-of-india-afghan-cooperation-on-water-matters-mea-645633.html New Delhi Oct 30 India on Thursday highlighted its ongoing cooperation with Afghanistan on water matters calling the Salma Dam as a perfect example of this longlasting partnership between the two nations Addressing a weekly media briefing in New Delhi on Thursday Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal recalled Afghanistan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqis recent visit to India stating that the joint statement mentioned Indias readiness to support Afghanistans efforts towards sustainable management of water resources including hydroelectric projectsWe had the Foreign Minister of Afghanistan He visited India recently as part of the visit we had issued a joint statement between both countries This particular joint statement clearly emphasises that India stands ready to support all efforts of Afghanistan that are directed towards sustainable management of water resources including hydroelectric projects Jaiswal said in response to a question on whether India will consider funding construction of a dam in the Kunar provinceYou also would know that between the two countries there has been a long history of cooperation on water matters The Salma Dam for example is a perfect example of this cooperation which is today called IndiaAfghanistan friendship dam he addedJaiswals statement comes after Kabul recently announced its plans to build dams on the Kunar river as soon as possible a move which is likely to create unease in IslamabadIn a statement shared on X Talibans Deputy Information Minister Muhajer Farahi stated His Eminence Amir alMumineen referring to Taliban Supreme Leader Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada has instructed the Ministry of Water and Energy to begin construction of dams on the Kunar River as soon as possible and to sign contracts with domestic companies and not wait for foreign companiesThe Chitral River also known in Afghanistan as the Kunar River is a 480kilometrelong river in northern Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan It originates from the Chiantar glacier located at the border of Gilgit Baltistan and Chitral in Pakistan At Arandu it enters Afghanistan where it is called the Kunar River It later merges with the Kabul River in Nangahar Province of Afghanistan The river system is fed by melting glaciers and snow of the Hindu Kush mountainsOn October 10 India and Afghanistan underscored the importance of sustainable water management and agreed to cooperate on hydroelectric projects with a view to addressing energy needs of KabulThe joint statement released following talks between External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar and his Afghan counterpart Muttaqi stated Appreciating Indias assistance in construction and maintenance of IndiaAfghanistan Friendship Dam Salma Dam in Herat both sides also underscored the importance of sustainable water management and agreed to cooperate on hydroelectric projects with a view to addressing Afghanistans energy needs and support its agricultural development IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/salma-dam-perfect-example-of-india-afghan-cooperation-on-water-matters-mea-645633.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 18:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-australia-discuss-ways-to-enhance-cooperation-in-countering-terrorism-radicalisation-645647.html Canberra Oct 30 India and Australia held the 15th meeting of the Joint Working Group JWG on Counter Terrorism in Canberra discussing ways to enhance cooperation in countering terrorism radicalisation and violent extremism conducive to terrorism the Ministry of External Affairs MEA stated on Thursday During the meeting the two nations held discussion on emerging domestic regional and international terrorism landscape and exchanged views on various areas of cooperation in counter terrorism law enforcement judicial cooperation and maritime security The meeting was cochaired by MEA Joint Secretary Counter Terrorism Vinod Bahade and Australias Ambassador for CounterTerrorism Gemma HugginsBoth sides condemned the heinous terrorist attack on 22 April 2025 in Pahalgam and the Australian side reiterated its support and solidarity with India Recognising the need for enhancing cooperation for effectively countering the challenges in countering terrorism the two sides underlined strengthening cooperation in timely information sharing and concerted actions to counter the use of new and emerging technology for terrorist purposes and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in countering radicalization and violent extremism conducive to terrorism read a statement issued by the MEAThe officials of two nations reaffirmed commitment to strengthen cooperation in the multilateral fora including the United Nations Global Counterterrorism Forum GCTF Financial Action Task Force FATF ASEAN Regional Forum ARF Indian Ocean Rim Association IORA No Money for Terror NMFT and Quad partners to combat global terrorismThe Indian delegation also met officials of the Australian Federal Police Counter Terrorism Unit National Emergency Management Agency and Maritime Border Command and visited the Australian Watch Office and the Crisis Centre the statement addedBoth sides agreed to hold the next meeting of the Joint Working Group in Delhi on a mutually convenient dateEarlier this week External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar met Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the sidelines of 20th East Asia Summit EAS in Malaysias Kuala LumpurIn a post on X EAM Jaishankar wrote Nice to meet PM Anthony Albanese of Australia on the sidelines of 20th East Asia SummitOn October 9 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Australias Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong held a meeting in Canberra discussing ways to strengthen growing Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Penny Wong called India and Australia joint custodians of the Indian OceanHad a good meeting with Australias Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Canberra Rajnath Singh posted on XSharing details on the meeting the Ministry of Defence stated Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh met Australias Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Canberra The leaders discussed ways to strengthen the growing IndiaAustralia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and deepen cooperation across key sectors including trade technology connectivity and regional security IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-australia-discuss-ways-to-enhance-cooperation-in-countering-terrorism-radicalisation-645647.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 19:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pak-afg-trade-accusations-while-ignoring-isis-k-threat-raising-global-alarm-645657.html New Delhi Oct 30 The presence of Islamic State ISISK fighters along the volatile Durand Line between Afghanistan and Pakistan posing a grave threat to the neighbourhood including India has been accepted by the respective administrations but with a narrative that suits individual purposes The recent killings of ISISK members and socalled commanders in the region have once again raised international concerns while both countries are claiming to be the target of such elements The global community including the United Nations has been raising its concerns over the existence of such elements along the porous border across some inhospitable mountainous terrains Recent spurt in hostility with sporadic armed skirmishes and frequent raids coupled with renewed debate over the Durand Line itself has further worsened the situation A longterm truce effort brokered by regional players failed after Islamabad and Kabul continued to stick to their stand of no compromise on their respective demands Thus instead of a combined coordinated operation on terror elements along the border the neighbours are targeting issues at a local level while adopting a narrative suited to their own political ends Quoting security sources Afghanistans news agency reported on October 29 that Nusrat also known as Pahlawan Musa and Abu Zar one of the key figures in ISISK was killed in Peshawar The report claimed that he reportedly played a role in planning attacks in Kabul during 2022 and 2023 and led the groups Pahlawan centre in Pakistan It is alleged that while Islamabad consistently claim that no groups such as ISIS operate within their territory recent developments suggest that ISISKhorasan still maintains safe havens and active networks in Pakistan Meanwhile Pakistan highlighted the killing of Asim Baloch a senior ISISK commander along with a Tajik associate in Khuzdar Balochistan alleging the terror groups connection with the Baloch uprising Such reports also emphasised foreign connections of the ISISK especially with recruits from countries in Central Asia trying to spread terror in Pakistan allegedly with Afghan Taliban support Reportage has added that areas within Pakistani territory like Peshawar Karachi and Balochistan are being covertly used as transit or operational hubs for ISISK activities Asim Baloch was reported to be from the Mastung district in Balochistan who fled after Pakistani security operations targeted ISIS hideouts in the district Reports added that he was killed by unidentified gunmen in Khuzdar along with a Tajik national who had recently joined ISISK and was living with him Kabul outlets said that the report of Asim Balochs death in early October came a day after another senior ISIS official known as Hasan was also killed in Karachi emphasising the groups deep roots in Pakistan These claimed that Hasan originally from Peshawar was known as a facilitator of the groups attacks inside Afghanistan Focusing on the regional lawandorder and counterterrorism angle reports quoting Pakistani sources suggested these killings were part of a broader crackdown on ISISK operatives Afghan media presented the killings as confirmation that ISISK leadership and foreign fighters remain active and mobile in Pakistan stressing the crossborder threat These dispatches often quote military analysts and experts warning about Pakistans role or inaction while Pakistani stories place more on local security sources and investigative reporting Differing national narratives complicate bilateral cooperation and intelligence sharing when both sides need to adopt a common framework for investigation and counterterrorism response Continued presence of ISIS K leadership or facilitators inside Pakistan suggests a persistent crossborder threat to not only Afghanistan but also poses a grave challenge to regional stability Additionally the reported involvement of foreign recruits underscores ISIS Ks transnational recruitment and operational reach in Central and South Asia IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pak-afg-trade-accusations-while-ignoring-isis-k-threat-raising-global-alarm-645657.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 20:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/madrassa-education-in-pakistan-deepens-inequality-nurtures-extremism-report-645682.html Islamabad Oct 30 Pakistans madrassa education embodies a troubling paradox offering refuge and religious instruction to the poor while simultaneously nurturing radicalism deepening inequality and allowing abuse a report said on Thursday It added that although madrassa education remains an internal policy matter the international community has a deep concern in ensuring that Pakistan upholds its obligations in the education sector and dismantles institutions that act as breeding grounds for extremismIn a nation as complex and divided as Pakistan the schism between its two educational systems mainstream secular institutions and religious seminaries known as madrassas has evolved into a deeply contentious issue This divide transcends curriculum and pedagogy it reflects broader social economic and political fault lines that shape the countrys future a report in European Times detailedAccording to the report madrassas have often been accused of fostering extremist ideologies that run counter to Pakistans national interests and global principles of peace and toleranceThe 2005 Red Mosque siege in Islamabad brought these concerns into sharp focus A madrassa affiliated with the mosque declared war on the state took hostages and demanded the imposition of Sharia law The military response left over 100 people dead and marked a turning point in Pakistans relationship with religious schools Critics began referring to madrassas as jihad factories and even former President Pervez Musharraf faced death threats for his role in the crackdown it stressedThe report highlighted a recent statement by Pakistani Defence Minister Khwaja Asif stating that As far as Madrassas or Madrassa students are concerned theres no doubt they are our second line of defence the youngsters who are studying there When the time comes they will be used as needed 100 per cent was widely viewed as an acknowledgement of Pakistans complicity in promoting radicalismSuch rhetoric it said strengthens the perception that madrassas function not merely as centres of learning institutions but as ideological pipelines for extremismThe report stressed that madrassas not only contribute to radicalisation but also perpetuate socioeconomic inequality Their curriculum remains heavily centred on religious instruction with minimal attention to secular subjects including mathematics science or technologyDisturbingly madrassas have also come under scrutiny for widespread abuse particularly sexual violence Numerous reports have surfaced in recent years detailing cases of exploitation often involving vulnerable children from financially struggling families These children placed in madrassas by parents who view them as safe havens are sometimes subjected to horrific abuse by individuals in positions of authority Many madrassas have been accused of shielding abusers and societal silence has allowed the problem to persist the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/madrassa-education-in-pakistan-deepens-inequality-nurtures-extremism-report-645682.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 23:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-fed-cuts-interest-rates-as-govt-shutdown-clouds-economic-outlook-645473.html Washington Oct 30 The US Federal Reserve on Wednesday lowered its benchmark lending rate by a quarter percentage point bringing the target range to 375 per cent to 4 per cent as policymakers grapple with limited economic data due to a federal government shutdown The rate cut marks the second reduction in borrowing costs this yearThe decision approved by a 102 vote comes as the US governments funding lapse stretches into its fifth week The shutdown has forced agencies including the Bureau of Labour Statistics to suspend the collection and publication of key economic indicators leaving the central bank with a partial view of the economys performanceWednesdays rate cut brought borrowing costs below 4 per cent for the first time since late 2022 Policymakers cited uncertainty in the outlook compounded by the lack of data on employment inflation consumer spending and other economic measures as a factor in the decision to reduce ratesThe Feds move comes amid mixed signals from the broader economy including steady job growth reported before the shutdown and inflation readings that have moderated from last years peaksEconomists note that with government data delayed the central bank is relying on alternative sources including private sector surveys and financial market indicators to gauge the economys strengthInvestors have closely watched the Feds policy stance for signs of its approach to balancing economic growth and inflation pressuresThe decision follows a quarterpoint rate reduction in July as the Fed sought to provide support to the economy in the face of slowing growth and financial market volatility The central bank has raised its benchmark rate several times since 2022 to combat inflationWednesdays actions underscore the Feds continuing effort to calibrate monetary policy amid uncertainty while signalling a willingness to adjust rates as conditions evolve even in the absence of complete economic data IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-fed-cuts-interest-rates-as-govt-shutdown-clouds-economic-outlook-645473.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 14:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/another-two-baloch-students-forcibly-disappeared-by-pakistani-forces-645514.html Quetta Oct 30 Two more Baloch students were forcibly disappeared by Pakistani security forces in Balochistan amid an escalating wave of enforced disappearances across the province said a leading human rights organisation on Thursday Paank the Baloch National Movements Human Rights Department mentioned that on October 28 two students Bezan aged 17 years and Jahanzaib aged 19 years both residents of Washuk district became the latest victims of enforced disappearanceCiting local sources the rights body stated that personnel affiliated with Pakistans Counter Terrorism Department CTD and InterServices Intelligence ISI conducted coordinated raids during which the two students were forcibly disappeared from their homes Their whereabouts remain unknown since their disappearanceHighlighting the growing atrocities in Balochistan another human rights body Baloch Voice for Justice BVJ on Wednesday strongly condemned the enforced disappearances of four young Baloch studentsAccording to BVJ on October 23 Pakistans Frontier Corps and Military Intelligence personnel abducted Hamood Baloch Haroon Baloch and Fahad Baloch from the Mand region in Kech district Additionally on October 17 another student Asim Nawaz was forcibly disappeared from Panjgur districtThese abductions reflect a deeply troubling continuation of statebacked repression and collective punishment against the Baloch population The targeting of minors and students underscores the systematic nature of these crimes the rights body statedThe BVJ urged international human rights organisations and the United Nations to take urgent notice of these cases and pressure Pakistan to end its policy of enforced disappearancesMeanwhile as families and residents of Mand held a sitin protest demanding the recovery of their loved ones subjected to enforced disappearance Paank said The persistent denial of justice and accountability in cases of abduction and secret detention in Balochistan remains a grave violation of fundamental human rights and international lawWe stand with the affected families in their demand for truth justice and the immediate release of all disappeared persons including Fahad son of Usman Hamood son of Muhammad Jan and Haroon son of Muhammad who were reportedly taken by Pakistani security forces on 23 October Promises of recovery without transparent action have repeatedly failed the victims deepening mistrust and trauma within the community the rights body stressedPaank called on the Pakistani authorities to end the practice of enforced disappearances ensure the safe return of all missing persons and hold those responsible accountable IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/another-two-baloch-students-forcibly-disappeared-by-pakistani-forces-645514.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 14:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/d-syndicate-looking-to-expand-narco-trade-into-southern-and-northeastern-routes-warns-intelligence-agencies-645543.html New Delhi Oct 30 In recent months the Narcotics Control Bureau NCB has been cracking down heavily on the Dawood Ibrahimlinked drug network in India The arrests of Danish Chikna and Mohammed Salim Sheikh have dealt major blows to the Dawood network and this has prompted the syndicate to look for newer avenuesAs Intelligence agencies continue to focus heavily on the networks in Maharashtra and neighbouring states the DSyndicate is looking to expand its networks in the northeastern and southern states of IndiaAction would be taken similarly in these parts of the country However it is necessary to bust the networks in states such as Maharashtra and Gujarat which have been the traditional playground of the syndicate for a longWhile Dawood Ibrahim has diversified his business in various parts of the country the command centre remains in MaharashtraThe people working for the network in this sector control the businesses across the country and hence breaking their backs first is important This would eventually lead to the weakening of the networks in other parts of the countryOperations in the northeastern and southern states are currently overseen by Haji Salim an ISI stooge and a member of the Dawood networkSalim has been playing a big part in the DSyndicate after Dawoods righthand man Chhota Shakeel has gone mysteriously quietWith Dawoods brother Anees Ibrahim put in charge of the International wing which does business mostly in African nations the onus of the Indian markets has largely fallen upon SalimAccording to Intelligence agencies the ISI and syndicate have now instructed Salim to focus entirely on the southern and northeastern sector as they feel that there is a major potentialThe syndicate sees potential in the northeast owing to the existing routes from Myanmar With Bangladesh opening up completely to the ISI the syndicate sees further potential in this sectorIn the South the syndicates network exists However this network has largely focused on smuggling drugs out of the country The narcotics would first be smuggled into the southern states especially Kerala and Tamil Nadu and later to the international markets such as Thailand through the Sri Lanka routeAn Intelligence Bureau official says that the syndicate is also looking to bring in more drugs through Sri Lanka before distributing it in the Indian marketWhile the international market is huge for the syndicate it is not ready to let go of India as demand is hugeThe syndicate not just wants to cover its losses in Maharashtra but also the ones it is incurring in PunjabSeveral attempts to bring in drugs through the Punjab route using both couriers and drones are failing owing to heavy scrutiny and security Hence the Dawood network wants to take maximum advantage of the southern route so that it can smuggle drugs in huge quantities and then distribute them to the Indian marketTo bring in drugs from the international market the syndicate would use the route from Sri Lanka The network would look to smuggle the consignment into Tamil Nadu and Kerala before supplying it into the Indian marketAccording to officials the network feels that this would be an easier route as most of the consignments in the Indian market will be transported via land routeThe scrutiny at the southern international borders is relatively less when compared to the borders along Punjab or Jammu and Kashmir Further using the land route to smuggle drugs into India would also attract less scrutiny and the syndicate hopes there would be more hits than missesAnother official also pointed out that the DSyndicate is also tapping into the illegal immigrants who have settled in South India in huge numbers They could be used as carriers to supply the drugs into the Indian markets officials also warned IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/d-syndicate-looking-to-expand-narco-trade-into-southern-and-northeastern-routes-warns-intelligence-agencies-645543.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 15:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/d-syndicate-looking-to-expand-narco-trade-into-southern-and-northeastern-routes-warn-intelligence-agencies-645544.html New Delhi Oct 30 In recent months the Narcotics Control Bureau NCB has been cracking down heavily on the Dawood Ibrahimlinked drug network in India The arrests of Danish Chikna and Mohammed Salim Sheikh have dealt major blows to the Dawood network and this has prompted the syndicate to look for newer avenuesAs Intelligence agencies continue to focus heavily on the networks in Maharashtra and neighbouring states the DSyndicate is looking to expand its networks in the northeastern and southern states of IndiaAction would be taken similarly in these parts of the country However it is necessary to bust the networks in states such as Maharashtra and Gujarat which have been the traditional playground of the syndicate for a longWhile Dawood Ibrahim has diversified his business in various parts of the country the command centre remains in MaharashtraThe people working for the network in this sector control the businesses across the country and hence breaking their backs first is important This would eventually lead to the weakening of the networks in other parts of the countryOperations in the northeastern and southern states are currently overseen by Haji Salim an ISI stooge and a member of the Dawood networkSalim has been playing a big part in the DSyndicate after Dawoods righthand man Chhota Shakeel has gone mysteriously quietWith Dawoods brother Anees Ibrahim put in charge of the International wing which does business mostly in African nations the onus of the Indian markets has largely fallen upon SalimAccording to Intelligence agencies the ISI and syndicate have now instructed Salim to focus entirely on the southern and northeastern sector as they feel that there is a major potentialThe syndicate sees potential in the northeast owing to the existing routes from Myanmar With Bangladesh opening up completely to the ISI the syndicate sees further potential in this sectorIn the South the syndicates network exists However this network has largely focused on smuggling drugs out of the country The narcotics would first be smuggled into the southern states especially Kerala and Tamil Nadu and later to the international markets such as Thailand through the Sri Lanka routeAn Intelligence Bureau official says that the syndicate is also looking to bring in more drugs through Sri Lanka before distributing it in the Indian marketWhile the international market is huge for the syndicate it is not ready to let go of India as demand is hugeThe syndicate not just wants to cover its losses in Maharashtra but also the ones it is incurring in PunjabSeveral attempts to bring in drugs through the Punjab route using both couriers and drones are failing owing to heavy scrutiny and security Hence the Dawood network wants to take maximum advantage of the southern route so that it can smuggle drugs in huge quantities and then distribute them to the Indian marketTo bring in drugs from the international market the syndicate would use the route from Sri Lanka The network would look to smuggle the consignment into Tamil Nadu and Kerala before supplying it into the Indian marketAccording to officials the network feels that this would be an easier route as most of the consignments in the Indian market will be transported via land routeThe scrutiny at the southern international borders is relatively less when compared to the borders along Punjab or Jammu and Kashmir Further using the land route to smuggle drugs into India would also attract less scrutiny and the syndicate hopes there would be more hits than missesAnother official also pointed out that the DSyndicate is also tapping into the illegal immigrants who have settled in South India in huge numbers They could be used as carriers to supply the drugs into the Indian markets officials also warned IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/d-syndicate-looking-to-expand-narco-trade-into-southern-and-northeastern-routes-warn-intelligence-agencies-645544.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 15:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-announces-us-will-start-testing-nukes-in-break-from-33-years-of-restraint-645547.html New York Oct 30 President Donald Trump has announced that the US will start testing nuclear weapons immediately in a break from 33 years of the countrys selfrestraint Hours before his meeting with Chinas President Xi Jinping in South Korea on Thursday he said in a cryptic post on Truth Social Because of other countries testing programs I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basisThat process will begin immediately he addedTrump said that the US had more nuclear weapons than any other country and this was due to a complete update and renovation of existing weapons during his first termThat was accomplished without any nuclear tests which scientists say are not necessary anymore because computer simulations can do the jobTrump wrote that he had no choice but to expand the nuclear arsenal although he hated it because Russia is second and China is a distant third but will be even within 5 yearsElements in his post were unclear For example he said he was ordering the nuclear tests because of other countries testing programmesOnly North Korea across from where he made the post has carried out a nuclear test in recent years and that was in 2017There have been no other tests since 1998 when India and Pakistan set off test blastsThe last nuclear weapon test by the US was in 1992 by China in 1996 and by Russias predecessor the Soviet Union in 1990NATO allies Frances last test was in 1996 and Britains was in 1991 at the US facility in NevadaBoth India and Pakistan had their last nuclear tests in 1998What provoked Trump to order the tests may have been Russias President Vladimir Putins boasts this week that his country had successfully tested two nuclearpowered systemsOn Wednesday he said his country had tested a nuclearpowered underwater drone capable of reaching the US west coast the previous dayThere were no ways to intercept the drone named Posiedon he saidIt is reported to be able to cause a tsunami effect to engulf its targetThere is nothing like this in the world in terms of the speed and the depth of the movement of this unmanned vehicle and it is unlikely there ever will be Putin saidAnd on Sunday Putin said a nuclearpowered cruise missile was tested But they were not nuclear weapons but systems to deliver themTrump could also have meant delivery systems when he said weapons because nuclear bombs are built and tested by the Department of Energy not by the Department of War which controls the delivery systemsIf Trump wants to carry out a test he can because the US is not a signatory to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty moreover it has not come into effect lacking the signatures of countries with nuclear weapons including IndiaA pact between Russia and US to limit nuclear weaponsarmed intercontinental missiles launched from sea or land to 700 each and the deployed weapons to 1550 is to expire on February 5Known as the New START it replaced the earlier Strategic Arms Reduction Treaties START and while limiting the deployed missiles it did not cap the bombsPutin has suggested continuing with the limits for another year while negotiating a new treatyChina which is on a tear to match the US and Russia was not a part of New START IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-announces-us-will-start-testing-nukes-in-break-from-33-years-of-restraint-645547.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 15:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/china-targets-manned-moon-landing-by-2030-outlines-testing-tasks-ahead-645551.html Beijing Oct 30 China is advancing its goal of landing astronauts on the moon by 2030 and has outlined a packed schedule of development and testing for its ambitious crewed lunar programme the China Manned Space Agency CMSA said on Thursday A series of crucial upcoming tests include integrated testing for the Lanyue lunar lander thermal tests and maximum dynamic pressure escape tests for the Mengzhou manned spacecraft and lowaltitude and technology verification flights for the Long March10 carrier rocket Xinhua news agency reportedAt a press conference held at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China CMSA spokesperson Zhang Jingbo announced that the Mengzhou1 spacecraft mission will be included in the public logo solicitation campaign alongside missions to Chinas space stationThis spacecraft is primarily designed for lunar missions while also supporting the space station missions in lowEarth orbitAll development and construction work for the crewed lunar mission is proceeding as planned said Zhang Primary preliminary prototyping of key flight hardware including the Long March10 rocket the Mengzhou spacecraft the Lanyue lander the Wangyu lunar extravehicular suit and the Tansuo crewed lunar rover has been completed the report saidAlso payload designs for scientific research and applications have been finalised and groundbased infrastructure such as the launch site tracking network and landing site on Earth is under accelerated development according to ZhangThe mission has seen a string of successful tests this year including the secondstage propulsion system test and the captive firing test for the Long March10 rocket the zeroaltitude escape test for the Mengzhou spacecraft and the comprehensive landing and takeoff verification test for the Lanyue landerZhang noted that numerous new technologies still require validation and the upcoming workload is heavy given the highquality standards and a tight timeline for flight testsMeanwhile the CMSA also announced the crew for the Shenzhou21 crewed spaceflight mission Zhang Lu Wu Fei and Zhang HongzhangThe Shenzhou21 crewed spaceship is scheduled to be launched at 1144 pm Friday Beijing Time from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China Jingbo saidThe mission is the sixth manned flight mission since the space station entered the application and development phase and the 37th flight of Chinas manned spaceflight programmeThe Shenzhou21 astronauts will complete inorbit rotation with the Shenzhou20 crew and stay in the space station for about six months according to the spokesperson IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/china-targets-manned-moon-landing-by-2030-outlines-testing-tasks-ahead-645551.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 15:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-cyprus-are-trusted-friends-reliable-partners-eam-jaishankar-645580.html New Delhi Oct 30 Hailing the relations between India and Cyprus External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called the two nations trust friends and reliable partners He expressed Indias support for the sovereignty unity and territorial integrity of Cyprus and for a bizonal bicommunal federation with political equality in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions In his opening remarks during his meeting with Cyprus Foreign Minister Constatinos Kombos in New Delhi on Thursday EAM Jaishankar noted that the ties between two nations have developed into a comprehensive partnership anchored in mutual respect shared democratic values and a joint strategic vision He extended a warm welcome to Constatinos Kombos and his delegation to IndiaHe said Your visit takes place at a time when Cyprus is preparing to assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from 1 January 2026 Strengthening ties with both Cyprus and the EU remains a key priority for India and we certainly value your steadfast support in that regard India and Cyprus are trusted friends and reliable partners Trust and timetested are not easy adjectives to use nowadays but certainly I think I can do that with a great deal of confidence and assurance for this relationshipOur ties have developed into a comprehensive partnership anchored in mutual respect shared democratic values and a joint strategic vision It is forwardlooking and it is aligned with the interests and aspirations of both the countries We also cooperate closely in regional and multilateral fora including the United Nations the European Union and Commonwealth frameworks he addedEAM Jaishankar expressed appreciation for Cyprus support on crossborder terrorism He said We deeply appreciate Cyprus consistent support on issues of core interest to India especially in our battle against crossborder terrorism I would once again thank your government for the strong condemnation after the Pahalgam terrorist attack and the solidarity expressed with India in our fight against terrorism We also appreciate your consistent support for Indias Permanent membership in an expanded UN Security Council and for the membership of the Nuclear Suppliers GroupThe External Affairs Minister expressed appreciation for the hospitality given by the Cyprus leadership during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit there in June He noted that the Joint Declaration on the Implementation of the Comprehensive Partnership issued during PM Modis visit provides guidance for further deepening of bilateral cooperation across several sectorsExpressing Indias support for the sovereignty unity and territorial integrity of Cyprus he said India reiterates its unwavering support for the sovereignty unity and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus and for a bizonal bicommunal federation with political equality in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions I am confident that we will have fruitful discussions today and take stock of the progress made in various areas of cooperation as delineated in the Joint Action Plan IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-cyprus-are-trusted-friends-reliable-partners-eam-jaishankar-645580.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 15:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/helpless-afghan-refugees-raise-alarm-over-pakistans-crackdown-and-forced-deportations-645605.html Kabul Oct 30 As Pakistan intensifies arrests and forced deportations Afghan refugees have voiced concerns over escalating challenges and growing fear amid the ongoing crackdown local media reported on Thursday They alleged that the Pakistani police have recently made announcements in some mosques warning that anyone assisting the refugees including by renting homes or shops in Pakistan would be considered a criminal by the governmentA large number of Afghan refugees including children women and the elderly have been held in Pakistani detention centres for over 15 days living in extremely harsh conditions Afghanistans leading media outlet TOLO News quoted Atiqullah Mansoor an Afghan refugee in Pakistan as sayingMeanwhile several other refugees stated that along with demolishing shelters the Pakistani government has stepped up arrests and forced deportationsThey urged the Pakistani government to suspend the demolition of their homes and allow them to stay in Pakistan at least through the winterWinter has already started Many of the remaining homes of Afghan refugees here have been demolished We urge the Pakistani government to stop destroying the rest of the homes because otherwise refugees will be left without shelter and with nowhere to go On top of that the government has warned locals not to rent homes to Afghan refugees or they will face legal consequences said another Afghan refugee in PakistanMeanwhile a migrant rights activist Nazar Nazari said The solution to this crisis lies in diplomatic negotiations between the governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan negotiations that must aim to stop home demolitions and prevent forced deportations In parallel coordination with international organisations is essential to provide shelter food healthcare and job opportunities Implementing such strategies can help reduce pressure on refugees and make the return process more humane and sustainableLocal media on Wednesday reported that Islamabad police carried out raids at Afghan refugee homes overnight arresting several men who did not have valid visas and sparking fear among families who fled Afghanistan after the Taliban seized power in 2021During the latenight operations police targetted Afghan refugees in F17 and Faisal Town neighbourhoods of Islamabad They arrested several people accused of not having proper documentationThe police raids at Afghan refugee homes come amid escalating tensions between Islamabad and Kabul after Pakistani forces carried out crossborder operations in Afghanistan IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/helpless-afghan-refugees-raise-alarm-over-pakistans-crackdown-and-forced-deportations-645605.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 16:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-infuriated-with-afghanistan-exercising-sovereignty-over-its-own-territories-mea-645611.html New Delhi Oct 30 IANS Emphasising that Pakistan is infuriated with Afghanistan exercising sovereignty over its own territories India on Thursday slammed Islamabad for thinking that it has the right to practice crossborder terrorism with impunitynbspWhile addressing a regular media briefing on Thursday the Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also expressed New Delhis full commitment to the sovereignty territorial integrity and independence of AfghanistanI reiterate what I had said in my last briefing Pakistan is infuriated with Afghanistan exercising sovereignty over its own territories Pakistan seems to think that it has the right to practice crossborder terrorism with impunity Its neighbours find it unacceptable India remains fully committed to the sovereignty territorial integrity and independence of Afghanistan said JaiswalThe MEA spokespersons remarks come amid escalating tensions between Kabul and Islamabad after Pakistani forces carried out crossborder operations in Afghanistan The fresh round of talks between delegations of both countries held in Turkey earlier this week also failed to yield any outcomeOn Wednesday Pakistans Defence Minister Khawaja Asif issued a stern warning to Afghan Taliban stating that they can test the resolve of Islamabad at their own peril and doom He added that Pakistan does not even need to use a fraction of its full arsenal to completely obliterate the Taliban and push them back to the caves for hiding Pakistanbased Geo News reportedIn a statement shared on X Pakistans Defence Minister stated We have borne your treachery and mockery for too long but no more Any terrorist attack or any suicide bombing inside Pakistan shall give you the bitter taste of such misadventures Be assured and test our resolve and capabilities if you wish so at your own peril and doomLet me assure them that Pakistan does not require to employ even a fraction of its full arsenal to completely obliterate the Taliban regime and push them back to the caves for hiding If they wish so the repeat of the scenes of their rout at Tora Bora with their tails between the legs would surely be a spectacle to watch for the people of the region he addedOn Tuesday Afghanistan had also issued a stern warning to Pakistan vowing a strong response to any future military strikes after talks in Islamabad had collapsed following Islamabads withdrawal Citing sources Afghan media outlet Ariana News reported that Pakistan withdrew from the negotiations after presenting what the Afghan delegation described as unreasonable and unacceptable demands including a call for Kabul to recall and exert control over armed individuals allegedly operating against Pakistan a demand the Afghan side rejected It added that if Pakistan launches airstrikes on Afghan soil Afghan forces stand ready to retaliate against IslamabadIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-infuriated-with-afghanistan-exercising-sovereignty-over-its-own-territories-mea-645611.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 16:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/indias-digital-transformation-spurs-fdi-in-fintech-provides-valuable-insights-for-africa-645617.html New Delhi Oct 30 Foreign investors are increasingly flocking to Indias financial sector as the country transforms a large population of previously unbanked individuals into a datarich market a recent report said urging Africa to pursue the same model Despite challenges from external trade headwinds and widespread account dormancy the FDI influx suggests confidence in Indias digitallydriven transformation where its huge population is harnessed as a scalable market through innovative policies and fintech ecosystems the report from Sunday Independent saidThe report also noted an internal contradiction of nearly 89 per cent adult account penetration against 25 per cent account dormancy rates Despite this dormancy rate investors like Citigroup Barclays and Japans MUFG are expanding through datadriven credit scoring and microproducts into the Indian marketThe core driver is Indias shift from an informal cashbased economy where the governments digitisation initiatives have created a fintech ecosystem that unlocks value from previously invisible populations the report notedEvery transaction generates data that allows lenders to assess creditworthiness enabling offerings like microloans insurance and savings products to a new consumer base Investors like Citigroup and Barclays aim to gain access to this scalable market of 14 billion people the report saidFurther India is currently addressing the issue of account inactivity through targeted innovations and policies Fintech firms like Paytm and PhonePe use UPI to deliver tailored products for lowincome users leveraging alternative data such as mobile usage for credit scoring it addedThe South Africanbased publication argued that Indias model provides valuable insights for Africa to prioritise digital infrastructure tackle inactivity through innovation and transform demographics into assetsIndias success shows that inclusive digitisation reduces costs boosts usage and draws FDI evidenced by Indias over 50 billion inflows in 202425 the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/indias-digital-transformation-spurs-fdi-in-fintech-provides-valuable-insights-for-africa-645617.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 16:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/un-climate-change-convention-reports-progress-on-nationally-determined-contributions-645420.html United Nations Oct 29 The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change UNFCCC released its 2025 nationally determined contributions NDCs synthesis report showing improved quality credibility and economic coverage Released ahead of COP30 in Brazil next month the report covers national climate plans formally submitted in the NDC registry between January 1 2024 and September 30 2025 Xinhua news agency reportedThe report provides new indications of real and increasing progress on action to address climate change through national efforts underpinned by global cooperation based on the 64 new NDCs submitted by 64 parties to the Paris Agreement covering about 30 per cent of total global emissions in 2019In their NDCs parties are setting out new national climate targets and plans to achieve them that differ in pace and scale from those that have come before the report saidIt said that parties are bending their combined emission curve further downward but still not quickly enoughThe wholeofeconomy wholeofsociety approaches evident in NDCs point to strong climate action as an increasingly core pillar of ensuring economic stability and growth jobs health and energy security and affordability among many other policy imperatives in countries it saidHowever it remains clear that major acceleration is still needed in terms of delivering faster and deeper emission reductions and ensuring that the vast benefits of strong climate action reach all countries and peoples the report saidTo provide a wider picture of global progress ahead of COP30 UNFCCC has done some additional calculations which also capture new NDCs or targets submitted or announced up to the publication of the report Stephane Dujarric spokesman for the UN secretarygeneral told a daily briefingThey say that this wider picture shows global emissions clearly falling for the first time by around 10 percent by 2035 The report underscores that while clear progress is evident major acceleration is needed to deliver faster and deeper emission cuts to keep the 15 degrees Celsius limit within reach he saidBoth the SecretaryGeneral and the UNFCCC have noted that the science is very clear it is entirely possible and essential to bring temperatures back down to 15 degrees after temporary overshoot of that limit said Dujarric IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/un-climate-change-convention-reports-progress-on-nationally-determined-contributions-645420.html Wed, 29 Oct 2025 18:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/helicopter-skids-while-landing-in-nepals-mt-lobuche-645438.html Kathmandu Oct 29 A helicopter that had flown to pick up trekkers from the base camp of Mt Lobuche a neighbouring peak of Mt Everest met with an accident early Wednesday morning a senior police official said The helicopter belonging to Altitude Air met with an accident at 750 am when it skidded while landing at a helipad in Lobuche said Deputy Superintendent of Police Manojit Kunwar chief of Solukhumbu District PoliceThe only occupant of the helicopter the pilot was rescued and brought to Lukla Airport near the mountain he saidAccording to him the helicopter sustained partial damage to its tail and has been left at the accident siteLobuche which has two peaks Lobuche East 6119 meters and Lobuche West 6145 metres attracts a large number of trekkers and mountaineers every yearThe mountain serves as an acclimatisation peak for climbers aiming to summit higher mountains including Mt Everest 884886 meters the worlds tallest peakOctober is a peak tourist season in Nepal and many trekkers reach Lobuche via the Everest trekking route during this periodAs of Tuesday evening there were 210 trekkers at the Lobuche base camp according to DSP KunwarFor the past few days Nepali authorities have been warning trekkers to exercise extreme caution due to adverse weather conditions caused by Cyclone Mountha which developed over the Bay of BengalNepals high hilly and mountainous regions have been experiencing snowfall posing risks to residents and trekkers However the weather was clear in the Everest region on Wednesday when the accident occurred Kunwar addedHe further said that authorities have advised trekkers to remain cautious while venturing outside their hotels in the mountainous areas of the Everest regionMeanwhile the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology on Tuesday said that the country could experience snowfall and rainfall in the central and eastern regions from October 30 to November 1Several government agencies have also urged the public to exercise caution while travelling in high hilly and mountainous regionsIn a statement the Nepal Tourism Board NTB urged all mountaineering and trekking teams as well as domestic and international tourists to exercise utmost caution over the next few days due to adverse weather conditions IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/helicopter-skids-while-landing-in-nepals-mt-lobuche-645438.html Wed, 29 Oct 2025 18:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/un-humanitarian-partners-condemn-attacks-on-civilians-in-sudans-el-fasher-645439.html United Nations Oct 29 UN humanitarians said that they join with their partners in Sudan to warn of escalating violence in besieged El Fasher and to condemn attacks on civilians The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs OCHA said on Tuesday that the world body and its Sudan aid partners issued a statement condemning in the strongest terms reported attacks by the Rapid Support Forces RSF against civilians civilian infrastructure and humanitarian workers in El Fasher the capital of North Darfur stateWe are horrified by credible reports of widespread violations including summary executions attacks on civilians along escape routes housetohouse raids and obstacles preventing civilians from reaching safety the statement saidSexual violence particularly against women and girls continues to be reported Local aid responders are in grave danger with some reportedly detained or killedThe Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has documented some 1850 civilian deaths in North Darfur of these an estimated 1350 were in El Fasher from the beginning of the year to October 20This is however considered an underrepresentation of the real number of conflictrelated deaths in El Fasher and North Darfur given challenges related to telecommunications and lack of access on the ground Stephane Dujarric spokesman for UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres told reporters in a briefingOCHA said that local aid responders who had been sustaining communities throughout 18 months of the siege are at extreme risk with some detained or killed Humanitarian workers continue to operate under extraordinary danger to assist those fleeing toward Tawila and the surrounding areasThe UN Refugee Agency UNHCR said it provides lifesaving assistance and essential services to displaced families including shelter basic necessities and cash assistance and offers counseling at community centresHowever the UNHCR said that access to El Fasher remains blocked and humanitarian capacity is rapidly shrinking as needs soarThe humanitarian community in Sudan is calling for urgent action to protect civilians and humanitarian workers guarantee safe passage and humanitarian access to people trapped in El Fasher ensure accountability for all violations of international humanitarian law and scale up funding to sustain lifesaving operations and support local and womenled responders on the front lines OCHA saidThe office said the United Nations and its humanitarian partners remain committed to scaling up their lifesaving support across Darfur and to reestablishing their presence on the ground Xinhua news agency reportedOCHA also said that fighting has intensified in Sudans North Kordofan stateOCHA stresses again that civilians must be protected wherever they are and allowed to flee safely and in dignity the office saidIt urges all parties to immediately halt hostilities respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and enable safe sustained humanitarian access IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/un-humanitarian-partners-condemn-attacks-on-civilians-in-sudans-el-fasher-645439.html Wed, 29 Oct 2025 18:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-lawmakers-unite-to-defend-bilateral-ties-with-india-through-letters-and-resolutions-645158.html Washington Oct 27 Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have joined hands to support the IndiaUS relationship months after the Trump administration announced a series of policies targeting Indian interests At least six bipartisan letters and resolutions have been drafted over the past 10 days defending the interests of the Indian American community reaffirming support for the IndiaUS partnership and pressing the administration for accountability over its recent actions targeting New DelhiLast week a group of House members expressed concern that an event at Rutgers University on Monday could fuel further prejudice against Hindus at a time when Hindu temples have been targets of violenceThe cosigners of the letter were Democrats Sanford Bishop from Georgia Shri Thanedar from Illinois and Suhas Subramanyam from Virginia and Republican Rich McCormick also from GeorgiaTwo days earlier another bipartisan group of six House Representatives wrote to US President Donald Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick expressing concerns over the H1B proclamationWe are concerned that the recent proclamation related to H1B visa petitions will create significant challenges for US employers and overall weaken our competitiveness the letter statedThe group again included Democrat Suhas Subramanyam along with Republican Congressmen Jay Obernolte and Don Bacon among othersOn October 17 four US lawmakers wrote to President Donald Trump urging him to attend the Quad Leaders Summit in India and other meetings in AsiaThe same day a bipartisan resolution was introduced in the House of Representatives to recognise the contributions made to the United States by the Indian American diaspora and condemn recent acts of racism against Indian AmericansThe resolution also termed the IndiaUS relationship as one of the most important democratic partnerships in the worldIt was a sharp departure from just days earlier when 19 House members all Democrats with no Republican support wrote to President Donald Trump on October 8 urging him to reset and repair the IndiaUS critical partnershipLeaders from both Democratic and Republican parties have faced criticism for mostly remaining silent as senior officials of the Trump administration like Trade Advisor Peter Navarro and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick repeatedly targeted India over its purchase of Russian oil and trade imbalanceIn August the Trump administration imposed 50 per cent tariffs on New Delhi which included a 25 per cent levy for importing Russian oilThen in September President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on H1B visas imposing a 100000 application fee to restrict the programme Over 70 per cent of the approved H1B applications in 2024 went to Indian nationalsWhile a handful of Democrats opposed the administrations stance publicly Republican lawmakers until recently decided to keep quietIn early October Democratic Representative Ami Bera a leading advocate of the USIndia relationship told IANS that some Republican lawmakers have remained silent out of fear of the presidentI think theyre certainly afraid to take on President Trump directly he saidIn recent weeks ties have stabilised and negotiators have resumed talks to finalise the first phase of a trade agreementLast week President Donald Trump held a special Diwali event at the White House where he termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi a great person and said he loves the people of IndiaBera added that more members should come out to support the relationshipInstead of making this about President Trump lets make it about the USIndia relationship Lets make it about what we think as members of Congress Democrats and Republicans I dont want the IndiaUS relationship to be a Democratic thing or a Republican thing It should be an American thing he told IANS IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-lawmakers-unite-to-defend-bilateral-ties-with-india-through-letters-and-resolutions-645158.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 08:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/indias-women-peacekeepers-inspire-women-in-conflict-zones-enhance-protection-645159.html United Nations Oct 28 Indias women peacekeepers inspire women in conflict zones and improve civilian protection the UN Peacebuilding Commission was told Indian women peacekeepers who were pioneers in the UN mission deployments inspire women in conflict zones through example that they too can be leaders and peacebuilders P Wilson said on Monday at the Commissions meeting on Women Peace and SecurityThey build trust in communities and give hope to vulnerable populations particularly women and children he said and most critically they help address genderbased violence and ensure that peace processes reflect the needs and perspectives of all segments of societyWilson who is a Rajya Sabha member from the DMK began his speech with the Tamil greeting Vanakam and ended it with Nanri ThanksHe is one of the MPs joining the delegation to the General AssemblyMondays meeting was in observance of the 25th anniversary of the Security Councils adoption of a landmark resolution that called for enhancing the role of women in UN missions involving them in peace negotiations and protecting them against violenceLong before the resolution was adopted Indian women medical officers served in the peacekeeping operation in Congo in the 1960s Wislon saidWhat makes Indias peacekeeping legacy unique is that it was among the first to recognise that women are indispensable agents of sustainable peace he saidThe UNs first allwomen police unit came from India when it was deployed in Liberia in 2007 and this pioneering initiative inspired local women to join their national police and security services he saidThe Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping in New Delhi is a global centre of excellence for genderresponsive training that conducts courses for women peacekeepers he saidEarlier this year India hosted the firstofitskind International Conference for Women Peacekeepers from the Global South he addedAt the national level Wilson said womenled development has transformed society and more than 14 million women are elected representatives at the grassroots level he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/indias-women-peacekeepers-inspire-women-in-conflict-zones-enhance-protection-645159.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 08:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/thousands-of-us-flights-delayed-as-government-shutdown-strains-airports-645160.html Washington Oct 28 More than 4000 flights across the US were delayed on Monday with roughly 118 additional flights cancelled as the 27day government shutdown continues to disrupt air travel The delays come amid growing shortages of essential workers at airports and air traffic control towers nationwideOn Sunday alone over 8700 flights were delayed according to FlightAware as staffing shortfalls continue to mount About 13000 air traffic controllers and 50000 Transportation Security Administration officers are working without pay resulting in widespread operational strainThe Federal Aviation Administration FAA cited staffing shortages affecting flights across the Southeast and at Newark Liberty International Airport in New JerseyAt the Los Angeles International Airport the FAA imposed a ground delay that held flights on the tarmac for an average of 25 minutesThey got their notice on Thursday and Friday They get a notice of what they are going to be paid on Tuesday And they got a big fat no paycheck is coming on Tuesday Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told Fox News on SundayDuffy described the stress faced by air traffic controllersIve been out talking to air traffic controllers and you can see the stress These are people that oftentimes like paycheck to paycheck they are concerned about gas in the car they are concerned about childcare he addedThe Transportation Department warned that while flights are continuing to operate delays and cancellations are expected to persist as the shutdown drags on Airlines have urged travellers to check flight status and prepare for longer wait times at airportsExperts caution that even after the shutdown ends it may take time to clear the backlog of delayed flights as staffing shortages and operational bottlenecks continue to challenge the systemAirport hubs nationwide are bracing for continued disruption as the federal impasse shows no immediate sign of resolution IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/thousands-of-us-flights-delayed-as-government-shutdown-strains-airports-645160.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 08:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/east-asia-summit-2025-countries-reaffirm-commitment-to-localised-anticipatory-action-for-disaster-resilience-645175.html Kuala Lumpur Oct 28 The participating countries of the East Asia Summit EAS have reaffirmed their collective resolve to strengthen disaster resilience across the region calling for urgent action to fortify the ASEAN Communitys capacity to withstand and recover from disasters The 20th East Asia Summit EAS convened under Malaysias ASEAN Chairmanship on Monday in Kuala Lumpur During this the participating nations adopted a declaration underscoring the growing complexity of global disaster risks driven by environmental threats rapid urbanisation and socioeconomic vulnerabilitiesRecognising the increasing frequency and intensity of disasters the Summit recalled pivotal commitments such as the 2009 Chaam Hua Hin Statement and the 2014 EAS Statement on Rapid Disaster Response which emphasised regional cooperation in disaster preparedness response and recoveryThe leaders noted that anticipatory action especially when localised has proven effective in reducing disaster impacts Localisation involving active participation from local authorities communities organisations and the private sector was highlighted as a cornerstone of successful disaster managementThe leaders also recalled the localisation that has been highlighted in key frameworks and agreements including the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response AADMER ASEAN Declaration on One ASEAN One Response ASEAN Responding to Disasters as One in the Region and Outside the Region ASEAN Framework on Anticipatory Action in Disaster Management ASEAN Leaders Declaration on Sustainable Resilience the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 20152030 and the CoChairs Summary of the Seventh session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction GPDRR also known as the Bali Agenda for ResilienceThese documents collectively underscore the importance of communityled approaches and the integration of local wisdom and capacities in disaster risk reductionThe Summit appreciated that localised anticipatory action can reduce physical social and economic vulnerabilities offering targeted solutions tailored to specific hazardsIt acknowledged the need to empower local actors in disaster preparedness and response ensuring their central role in building resilience and mitigating impacts The declaration emphasised the development of science and technologybased locally tailored and regularly updated disaster risk assessments hazard maps and impactbased early warning systems as critical enablers of anticipatory approachesRecognising the value of riskinformed investment the Summit affirmed that prudent planning and resource allocation can yield costeffective and equitable solutions for longterm community resilienceThe participating countries declared their commitment to fulfilling regional and international obligations including those outlined in AADMER ASEAN SHIELD and the Sendai Framework while reinforcing the role of local communities in responsive disaster managementThe declaration called for strengthened regional collaboration through sharing best practices capacity building and resource mobilisation facilitated by institutions such as the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance AHA CentreIt encouraged investment in local anticipatory action capacities infrastructure and early warning systems integrating disaster risk reduction into postdisaster recovery and reconstruction effortsThe countries also reaffirmed the commitment to foster multistakeholder partnerships among EAS participating countries enhancing cooperation with the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management ACDM and the AHA Centre the ASEAN Center for Climate Change ACCC the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Transboundary Haze Pollution Control ACC THPC local governments the private sector academia the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement Non Governmental Organisations NGOs and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen capacities and resourcesThe Summit urged collaboration to enhance local early warning systems mobilebased alerts GISbased community risk mapping and AIpowered forecasting models for effective dissemination of early warning informationThe declaration further supported the active participation of local actors in regional and communityled disaster initiatives capacity development and implementation of contextually relevant anticipatory actions It stressed leveraging local culture and wisdom recognising communities as first responders and vital contributors to disaster risk reductionThe Summit explored the development of nationallevel guidelines and mechanisms including prearranged financing to enable rapid decisionmaking and delivery of anticipatory actions at the local levelIt also advocated for the integration of localisation principles into national and regional disaster management frameworks ensuring their effective implementation through EAS statements IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/east-asia-summit-2025-countries-reaffirm-commitment-to-localised-anticipatory-action-for-disaster-resilience-645175.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 10:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/kuala-lumpur-declaration-adopted-at-20th-east-asia-summit-reaffirms-commitment-to-peace-stability-645179.html Kuala Lumpur Oct 28 The Kuala Lumpur Declaration reaffirmed the participating countries unwavering commitment to the 2005 Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the East Asia Summit which laid down the broad vision principles objectives and modalities of the EAS It further reiterated their dedication to the 2010 Ha Noi Declaration commemorating the fifth anniversary of the EAS the 2015 Kuala Lumpur Declaration marking the tenth anniversary and the 2020 Ha Noi Declaration celebrating the fifteenth anniversaryThe declaration recognised that the world and the region are currently facing numerous geopolitical tensions and conflicts along with economic uncertainties security threats and other transboundary challenges It emphasised that these issues require collective collaboration and joint efforts to ensure lasting peace social development and economic progress for allReaffirming the regions shared commitment to the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations the ASEAN Charter and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia TAC the declaration also cited the 2005 Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the East Asia Summit and the 2011 Declaration of the East Asia Summit on the Principles for Mutually Beneficial Relations the Bali Principles as vital foundations for continued cooperation and trustbuilding among member statesThe declaration further supported ASEANs unity and centrality within ASEANled mechanisms reaffirming ASEAN as the driving force within the East Asia Summit It called for close partnerships with other participating countries to promote strategic trust and to ensure transparent predictable and responsible behaviour in regional and international affairsAcknowledging the considerable progress achieved by the East Asia Summit over the past 20 years the declaration called for the further strengthening of the EAS based on its established principles and objectivesIt further expressed the collective desire to foster a peaceful environment conducive to deeper cooperation and stronger bonds of friendship among EAS participating countries guided by the principles of equality partnership consultation and mutual respectThrough these efforts the EAS aims to contribute meaningfully to peace stability and prosperity not only in the region but also globallyThe declaration also recognised the respective and complementary roles of the EAS Foreign Ministers in providing policy guidance the EAS Senior Officials in ensuring policy coordination and followup and the Group of East Asia Summit Ambassadors in Jakarta as vital mechanisms for ongoing engagement and dialogueAdditionally the EAS Unit within the ASEAN Secretariat was acknowledged for providing institutional support and continuity all of which contribute to strengthening the EAS frameworkThese mechanisms were commended for supporting the effective implementation of EAS Leaders statements declarations decisions and initiatives as well as the EAS Plan of Action 20242028The declaration also emphasised the importance of exchanging information on regional development cooperation security policies and discussions on the evolving regional architectureOn this significant 20th anniversary the Kuala Lumpur Declaration reaffirmed the EASs role at the apex of the ASEANcentred regional architecture It highlighted that the Summit remains a Leadersled forum for dialogue and cooperation on broad strategic political and economic issues of common interest and concern with the overarching aim of promoting peace stability and economic prosperity across East AsiaThe declaration stated that the EAS is committed to enhancing dialogue and upholding international law in the region It underscored the importance of mutual understanding respect trust and friendship as well as the peaceful settlement of differences and disputes in accordance with international lawIt called upon all nations to work together to maintain promote and sustain peace stability and prosperity in East AsiaReaffirming its strong commitment to multilateralism based on international law including the Charter of the United Nations the declaration described this foundation as indispensable for building a more peaceful and prosperous worldThe EAS also pledged to continue promoting and upholding international law and the principles outlined in the 2011 Bali Principles which guide mutually beneficial relations among member countriesThe declaration further emphasised the importance of the EAS as an avenue for constructive candid and open dialogue as well as practical cooperation It stated that the EAS process should remain positive dynamic and beneficial to ASEAN and the broader region ensuring longterm utility and relevanceIt also reaffirmed that with ASEAN playing a central role the East Asia Summit would enhance economic cooperation among participating countries This would focus on areas of mutual interest to bolster regional resilience against economic challenges promote sustainable development and reduce development gaps among nations in the regionTo further strengthen the East Asia Summit the declaration outlined several concerted efforts and measures including maintaining the informal nature of the EAS cooperation in joint activities and projects and advancing implementation of the EAS plan of actionIt also reaffirmed support for ASEANs continuous efforts to mainstream and implement the ASEAN Outlook on the IndoPacific AOIP The declaration emphasised that the AOIP is designed to enhance the ASEAN Communitybuilding process while strengthening and complementing cooperation with external partnersIn conclusion the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the Twentieth Anniversary of the East Asia Summit reaffirmed the participating nations collective vision of a peaceful stable and prosperous East Asia built on the foundations of dialogue mutual respect and cooperationIt reiterated that through shared commitment respect for international law and adherence to ASEANs centrality the EAS would continue to serve as a cornerstone of regional peace and progress IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/kuala-lumpur-declaration-adopted-at-20th-east-asia-summit-reaffirms-commitment-to-peace-stability-645179.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 11:18:00 +0530