579 Killed In Nepal Floods, 84 Indians Rescued, Hundreds Remain Missing

KATHMANDU: The devastating Nepal floods have claimed at least 579 people and left more than 977 people missing, Nepal's disaster authority said on Friday. The Chinese state media said that the disaster that happened on Wednesday killed at least five people, taking the total casualties to 584. Together, the two countries have said that almost 2,500 people are missing....more

US announces new Iran sanctions; Tehran hits back, calls them 'state terrorism'

WASHINGTON: The United States on Friday imposed additional targeted Iran-related sanctions, days after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent threatened further action as Washington’s ongoing war with Iran entered its sixth month. The Trump administration plans to impose restrictions on an Egyptian bank over its business dealings with Tehran and revoke US financial access to Banque Misr’s branches in the United Arab Emirates. The Financial Times earlier reported the planned action....more

UN chief António Guterres calls for end to attacks on shipping, warns maritime disruptions threaten global food supply

By Deepak Arora

UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an immediate end to attacks on commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the Strait of Hormuz, the Black Sea, Red Sea and around Bab al-Mandab, warning that disruptions at key maritime chokepoints are driving up prices, worsening hunger and putting the global food system under severe pressure. Speaking with newspersons here on Monday, Guterres said conflicts in different regions were increasingly converging in their impact on the world's most vulnerable populations, with disruptions to maritime traffic restricting the movement of energy, fertilizers, grain and other essential commodities....more

Ambassador Gor calls for stronger India-US economic partnership

By Deepak Arora

MUMBAI: US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Tuesday called for India and the United States to work together as “true partners” to address friction points and unlock the full potential of their economic relationship. Addressing the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC) National Convention in Mumbai, Ambassador Gor called for stronger India-US economic partnership. He stressed the need for predictable taxation and regulatory frameworks to provide businesses with greater certainty and encourage investment and innovation....more

Time for Military Justice Reform? Experts Call for Overhaul of India's Court Martial System

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

Rodrigues Birkett Leads Second UN Straw Poll as Secretary-General Race Tightens

UNITED NATIONS: Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett has emerged as the leading candidate in the second informal UN Security Council straw poll for the next Secretary-General, edging ahead of Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan as the race begins to take a more competitive shape. Rodrigues Birkett received 8 “encourage” votes, 3 “discourage” votes and 4 “no opinion” votes from the 15 members of the Security Council....more

India to Buy US Javelin Anti-Tank Missiles: Ambassador Sergio Gor

By Deepak Arora

NEW DELHI: India plans to buy the battle-tested Javelin anti-tank missile system from the United States, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor announced on Friday, calling the proposed procurement a major step forward in the defence partnership between the two countries and opening the door to potential co-production. “BIG news! India plans to buy the battle-tested Javelin anti-tank system,” Gor said in a post on X, adding that the move would create new opportunities for deeper defence-industrial cooperation between New Delhi and Washington....more

‘Death to America’ then show up for US visa? US envoy Sergio Gor warns applicants

NEW DELHI: US ambassador Sergio Gor on Monday said people who publicly use slogans such as “Death to America” should not expect to seek a US visa “without facing scrutiny”. “The days of you tweeting 'Death to America' and then showing up asking for a US visa are over..India does the exact same thing. India asks all sorts of questions when you apply for a visa. Plenty of people get denied, and that is India's right,” Gor said while attending an event by Economic Times....more

'Break silos, engage more with youth': Modi’s message to officials after key high-level meeting

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday asked the top government official to engage with the youth more during a high-level meeting with top government officials. Modi chaired the third high-level meeting with Secretaries to the Government of India at his residence. He discussed the future action agenda of ministries and departments dealing with infrastructure and connectivity, security and external affairs, and governance, according to a press release....more

Trump says Strait of Hormuz open as tanker traffic resumes

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has said the Strait of Hormuz is open, describing the Iranian response to the conflict as “very mild”. The strait has been Iran's most powerful card since the war began in late February. But over the past two months, according to Axios, citing US officials, the American military has steadily eroded Iran's leverage over the crucial waterway....more

US Ambassador Sergio Gor calls Jammu and Kashmir important part of India after meeting Omar Abdullah

SRINAGAR: US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor has described Jammu and Kashmir as an “important part of India” after meeting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Srinagar. Ambassador Gor, who arrived in Srinagar as part of his first visit to Jammu and Kashmir since assuming office, held discussions with Omar Abdullah on India-US relations and areas where Washington could engage with the Union Territory....more

Putin Could Deploy Tactical Nukes In Ukraine As 'Last Resort': Report

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin could use tactical nuclear weapons as a last resort in the Ukraine war, Bloomberg reported, citing people close to the Kremlin. Tactical nuclear weapons are short-range nuclear arms designed for limited battlefield use rather than full cities or countries. While smaller than strategic weapons, they still possess immense destructive power and are capable of contaminating large areas of land with nuclear fallout....more

Won't publish Sonia Gandhi's memoir, says Penguin India; Congress alleges pressure over Modi, RSS, China references

NEW DELHI: Three sets of passages in Sonia Gandhi's forthcoming memoir were at the centre of discussions between the Congress leader and Penguin Random House India before the publisher decided not to publish the book in the country. These were: Chinese incursions along India's borders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and central government policies, and the role of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in India's social history....more

Rajnath Singh clears transfer of DRDO missile tech to Indian defence firms amid regional security concerns

NEW DELHI: Defence minister Rajnath Singh has approved the transfer of technology for all conventional missile systems developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to Indian defence companies for production within the country, the Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday....more