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WASHINGTON: U.S. airstrikes on Friday appeared to have collapsed a tower at Iran's Chabahar port on the Gulf of Oman, a key trade route for Afghanistan. U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth shared the image of the surveillance tower appearing to collapse. That image had circulated social media via activists prior to Hegseth sharing it....more
WASHINGTON: The United States is sending dozens of refueling planes to Israel in the coming days as the country prepares to launch a wider military campaign against Iran, according to a report by Axios. The report cites senior American and Israeli officials, who say that US President Donald Trump could order the attacks in the coming days....more

NEW DELHI: As remarks by a former Japanese minister on delays in the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project triggered a controversy, India on Friday dismissed the criticism, stating it is an "individual opinion" that is "at considerable variance with facts". Hideki Makihara, a member of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, sought to blame New Delhi for the timeline delays....more
WASHINGTON: A bipartisan group of Senators announced a new sanctions bill that proposes tariffs up to 100% on exports from India, China and three other countries for purchasing Russian oil. The bill - which has been backed by the White House - could be passed before August and aims to cripple Russia’s revenues from its energy exports and force an end to the Ukraine war....more

By Rear Admiral Dhiren Vig (Retd)
NEW DELHI: India's military justice system, long regarded as a cornerstone of discipline within the Armed Forces, is facing renewed calls for reform amid concerns over procedural shortcomings, judicial delays and the need for greater transparency in court martial proceedings. The military legal framework operates under a distinct set of laws designed to ensure swift disciplinary action and maintain operational readiness, morale and discipline among service personnel....more
JIND: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the country's first hydrogen-powered train on Friday, making it one of a handful of nations to use the zero-emission, clean fuel technology. India joins a select group of countries, including Germany, Japan, China and the United States, with such trains. They produce only heat and water vapour as by-products, a cleaner alternative to traditional diesel locomotives....more

LONDON: Andy Burnham has been confirmed as the new Labour Party leader and UK PM-designate, who will replace outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, will take charge at 10 Downing Street next week....more
NEW DELH: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has reportedly been hit by mass resignations with at least 100 scientists putting in their papers in recent months, prompting Centre to step in to tighten rules on voluntary exits and retirement, especially for those working on critical missions such as Gaganyaan....more

ABU DHABI: The United Arab Emirates has entered a new chapter in public transport with the launch of its first passenger train service, Etihad Rail. Beginning June 30, travellers can board trains between Abu Dhabi and Fujairah, marking the start of passenger rail operations in the country. The service is expected to significantly improve connectivity between the emirates, offering a faster and more sustainable alternative to road travel....more
OTTAWA: Canada’s Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu will lead a business delegation from the country to India in October this year. Sidhu made that announcement on Friday even as negotiators from India were engaged in the third round of talks towards a comprehensive economic partnership (CEPA) in Ottawa in recent days....more

MOSCOW: In what appears to be a repeat of Strait of Hormuz-like situation in West Asia, Russia is exploring alternative shipping routes after Ukraine launched a series of intense drone strikes on vessels in the Azov Sea, reportedly targeting 116 ships over the past nine days....more
BANGKOK: Thailand will allow 30-day visa-exempted entries by visitors from India, after a proposal to scrap visa-free entry led arrivals from the South Asian nation to drop in a blow to the vital tourism industry. An initial proposal, which had not come into effect despite being approved by the cabinet in May, had caused confusion for Indian travelers and resulted in a decline of arrivals from the country, Tourism Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said after a weekly cabinet meeting....more

KINGSTON: One of greatest cricketers of all-time, West Indies legend Sir Garfield Sobers, who represented the country from 1954 to 1974 in the international arena, has passed away at the age of 89. Sobers played 93 Test matches and left a lasting mark on the game through his extraordinary skills in all disciplines of the game....more
NEW YORK: On Wednesday, Indian billionaire Gautam Adani submitted a sworn affidavit affirming that he was not aware of any quid pro quo offer with the US Department of Justice that may have led to the recent dismissal of the indictment against him and his associates on bribery and fraud charges....more |