Author: Qousain Latief

In a tragic turn of events, a blood transfusion centre, a university, and an aeronautics facility have been targeted in deadly air raids as tensions continue to escalate between Russia and Ukraine. These attacks, which occurred late on Saturday, follow a recent strike by Kyiv on a Russian tanker in the Black Sea, further fueling the hostilities between the two nations. As the attacks unfolded, senior officials from around 40 countries, including global powers like China, India, and the United States, convened in Saudi Arabia for talks aimed at finding a resolution to the escalating conflict in Ukraine. However, a…

In a bold escalation of hostilities in the already tense Black Sea region, Ukraine has claimed responsibility for a daring sea drone attack on a Russian naval base. This audacious move has left a Russian warship severely damaged and listing heavily, as striking visual evidence emerges, sending shockwaves through international waters. The incident unfolded in the early hours of Friday, as dramatic videos began circulating on social media platforms. The footage depicted a Russian warship, the Olenogorsky Gornyak, in a damaged state, listing to the side near the Novorossiysk naval base. This visual confirmation starkly contrasted with earlier assertions by…

In an escalating security crisis in Europe, tensions between Poland and Belarus have surged after Belarusian helicopters allegedly violated Polish airspace during training exercises. The incident, which took place near the Suwalki gap or corridor, has prompted Poland to deploy more troops and combat helicopters at the border, further exacerbating the situation on NATO’s doorstep. Warsaw accused Minsk of violating its airspace on Tuesday, a charge that the Belarusian defence ministry promptly denied, dismissing it as “far-fetched.” However, Poland remains steadfast in its assertion that the violation occurred at a “very low altitude,” making it difficult to detect with radar…

The ongoing crisis in Niger has taken a dangerous turn as European nations rush to evacuate their citizens amidst escalating tensions caused by the recent military coup. The coup, which toppled the country’s democratically elected president, has drawn support from other military juntas in the region, raising concerns about the potential for further instability. European countries, including France, Italy, and Spain, have taken swift action to ensure the safety of their nationals in Niger. A French military transport plane carrying Europeans arrived in Paris, marking the first evacuation flight since the mutinous soldiers overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum nearly a week…

Former Chief Minister and President of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti, has called for a unified front to thwart the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Jammu and Kashmir. During the party’s 24th Foundation Day address, Mufti emphasized the need for solidarity among different religious and ethnic groups, stating that a united front of Shia, Sunni, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Bodh, Gujjar, Bakerwal, and Pahari communities would compel the BJP to concede defeat. Recalling her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s political stance in 2015, Mehbooba revealed that he had insisted on assurances from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to protect Article…

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a stern warning to Russia’s invading forces on Sunday following the overnight drone attacks on Moscow, accusing the Kremlin of being responsible for the conflict that has lasted far beyond their expectations. The President’s address emphasized the resilience and strengthening of Ukraine, stating that the war is now turning back towards Russia’s symbolic centres and military bases. As the conflict continues to escalate, Ukrainian officials appear to be adopting a new strategy, deploying drones to strike Russian targets, particularly those who previously believed that the invasion was a distant concern. According to a spokesperson for…

In a historic moment for Kashmir, the 8th Muharram mourning procession made its triumphant return through the heart of Srinagar on July 27, 2024, after a gap of 34 years. The traditional route from Shaheed Gunj to Dalgate, passing through Lal Chowk, witnessed over 25,000 Shia Muslims of Kashmir participating with overwhelming enthusiasm. This powerful event has become a significant marker of the return to normalcy in the region. The successful conduct of the procession can be attributed to various factors, one of which is the administration’s facilitation led by Lt Governor Shri Manoj Sinha. This decision to grant permission…

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has raised concerns by refusing to commit to abiding by a potential Supreme Court ruling that could strike down his controversial judicial reform law. The looming showdown between the government and the judiciary has left Israelis in a state of anxiety. In an interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, Netanyahu expressed apprehension about the consequences of the Supreme Court overturning the law, which aims to strip the court of its power to block government actions. He drew parallels with the United States Supreme Court declaring a constitutional amendment unconstitutional and hoped to avoid venturing into “uncharted…

Singapore’s former Indian-origin minister, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, officially commenced his presidential campaign on Wednesday. He vowed to steer the nation’s culture towards maintaining its status as a “shining spot” in the global arena. After announcing his intention to run for president more than a month ago, the 66-year-old Tharman stepped down from active politics after a remarkable 22-year career. In a press conference, he expressed his strong belief in the necessity to evolve Singapore’s culture, norms, and collaborative approach, ensuring the nation remains a “shining spot” worldwide. Scheduled for September, the 2024 presidential election marks the end of President Halimah Yacob’s…

Amidst a constitutional crisis that has gripped the nation for months, Israel’s parliament approved the first bill of a judicial overhaul, a central pursuit of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The bill seeks to curtail the powers of the Supreme Court to overturn government decisions deemed “unreasonable.” The legislation received overwhelming support with a 64-to-0 vote, but not without sparking protests as opposition lawmakers expressed their dissent. The day of the vote witnessed intense demonstrations, which began early with protesters chaining themselves to posts and blocking roads outside the parliament. As the hours passed, the number of demonstrators swelled, leading to…