On Saturday, India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar responded firmly to criticism over India's purchase of Russian oil. He stated that while India does buy oil from Russia, it is not necessarily "cheap" and questioned if anyone else could offer a better deal. Jaishankar also emphasized that the global focus is shifting toward finding a solution to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, now in its third year. He highlighted India's efforts to engage with both Russian President Putin and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy through talks in Moscow, Kyiv, and other locations, aiming to find common ground for a peaceful resolution when the right circumstances arise.
08 December,2024 05:33 PM IST
On Saturday, India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar responded to President-elect Donald Trump's threat to impose 100% tariffs on BRICS nations, saying India has "no interest" in weakening the US dollar. Speaking at the Doha Forum, Jaishankar highlighted the strong relationship between India and Trump's first administration, noting that the QUAD was revived during his presidency. He also mentioned the good personal bond between Prime Minister Modi and Trump, which strengthened bilateral ties. Jaishankar emphasized that India does not support de-dollarization and there is no plan for a BRICS currency. He reiterated that the US is India's largest trade partner and they have no intention of undermining the dollar.
08 December,2024 01:02 PM IST
Sectarian violence between Shia and Sunni groups in Pakistan's Kurram district, near the Afghan border, has caused chaos and led to the deaths of at least 133 people, with over 100 more injured. Local officials reported the rising toll, as the clashes between the two communities continued despite a tentative ceasefire agreement. Authorities are struggling to find a lasting solution, and many locals have criticized the government for its failure to manage the ongoing violence. The situation remains tense as efforts to bring peace to the region face significant challenges. The unrest has severely affected the local population, adding to the growing frustration over the government’s inability to address the crisis.
02 December,2024 10:34 AM IST
On November 27, Islamabad woke up to scenes of destruction, with streets filled with debris, broken glass, and burned vehicles. This came after violent protests by supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who had besieged the city days earlier. The protests, which took place on November 24, led to a security lockdown in Islamabad, with highways blocked. At least six people, including four paramilitary soldiers and two protesters, were killed during the unrest. Pakistani Rangers remained on high alert, continuing to guard the city. Khan, who has been in jail since August 2023, blames the military for his 2022 removal and accuses them of rigging elections to prevent his party from regaining power.
28 November,2024 11:59 AM IST
In another terror attack within Pakistan, 36 people lost their lives and 29 were left wounded in northwestern Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Gunmen opened fire on passenger vehicles in a tribal area, claiming lives of several people, in which the death toll is likely to rise. Officials have confirmed that the gunmen targeted passenger vans travelling from Parachinar in Kurram in a convoy. Notably, no terror groups have claimed the responsibility of the major attack, that leaves the officials in despair. A recent surge has been observed in the violent and terror attacks in the Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region of Pakistan. Earlier on November 19, 12 Pakistan soldiers were killed in a suicide bombing incident by Islamist militants. The attack occurred in the northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province when militants rammed an explosives-laden vehicle on a wall of a military outpost. Notably, the province, which borders Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is critical to Chinese Belt and Road projects and has recently seen a spike in attacks.
22 November,2024 11:29 AM IST
Deadly explosion in Pakistan’s Quetta Railway station has left more than 20 dead and many injured. Injured victims were brought to hospital in Pakistan’s Quetta on November 9, after at least 24 people were killed and more than 40 injured in a bomb blast at a railway station. Of those that were injured, 10 were in critical condition, according to a spokesman for the Balochistan government, Shahid Rind, adding that initial evidence indicated the blast was a suicide attack, but the final report was still being awaited in Pakistan Bomb blast.
10 November,2024 11:10 AM IST
Pakistan is facing a severe economic crisis, and now it is also grappling with an increase in militant attacks. On November 9, 2024, a bomb blast at Quetta Railway Station in southwestern Pakistan killed at least 24 people and injured 25 others. The attack has added to the already difficult situation in the country. While no group has claimed responsibility for the blast, Pakistan is dealing with rising violence from both militant groups in the northwest and a growing separatist movement in the south. The government and security forces are struggling to control the escalating violence, which is further straining the country's resources and stability. This attack in Quetta highlights the growing security challenges Pakistan is facing, as it deals with both economic hardship and rising terrorism.
09 November,2024 01:31 PM IST
As winter approaches, Lahore, Pakistan, has become the world’s most polluted city, with its AQI soaring to 1,067 on Nov 2, and 553 on Nov 9, categorized as ‘hazardous.’ The severe pollution, largely attributed to kiln emissions and crop burning, has prompted the government to close schools and enforce work-from-home mandates to safeguard public health. Efforts to mitigate the crisis include the introduction of eco-friendly kiln technologies and the establishment of a ‘Smog War Room’ in Punjab, where an eight-department committee coordinates response measures. Environmental experts emphasize the need for robust data to ensure sustainable solutions. The winter season, with its colder temperatures, exacerbates smog in South Asia, making air pollution a persistent health threat in the region. Immediate actions and long-term strategies are crucial to improving air quality and protecting public health.
09 November,2024 12:08 PM IST
A bomb explosion in southwestern Pakistan on November 1 killed at least seven people, including five school students, and injured 23 others. The blast targeted a police van that was on its way to pick up a polio vaccination team. The bomb was hidden in a motorcycle parked near a girls' school in Mastung. One police officer was among the dead, but no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the violence. Pakistan is facing an increase in militant attacks, especially in the northwest, and a rising separatist movement in the south. This incident happened during a nationwide polio vaccination campaign, which started on Monday. Although polio cases dropped in 2023, there are currently 41 active cases in Pakistan. The country, along with Afghanistan, remains one of the last places where polio is still a major health issue, with militants often targeting vaccination efforts.
02 November,2024 11:24 AM IST
The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested Pankaj Kotiya in Porbandar for espionage, accused of transferring sensitive information to Pakistan. Allegedly in contact with a Pakistani woman named Riya, Kotiya provided details about Coast Guard ships and their movements. He received ₹26,000 from 11 different bank accounts for this illicit activity. Gujarat ATS SP K Siddharth stated that this case falls under sections 61 and 148 of the BNS, categorizing it as a serious threat against the Government of India. Notably, this is not a honey trap; Kotiya was aware that he was sharing information with a Pakistani Navy officer, highlighting the monetary motive behind his actions.
27 October,2024 11:25 AM ISTADVERTISEMENT
