United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk strongly condemned Israel’s strike on the Qatari capital on September 9, which targeted Hamas leaders and resulted in the deaths of five Hamas members and a Qatari security officer. Speaking during an urgent debate at the UN Human Rights Council, Turk described the attack as a “shocking breach of international law” and an “assault on regional peace and stability,” urging “accountability for unlawful killings.” Qatar and numerous other countries echoed these sentiments during the three-hour debate. Qatari International Cooperation Minister Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al-Misnad slammed the “treacherous attack” and called for…
Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
United Nations investigators have concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, according to a report released by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry (COI). The commission, which does not speak on behalf of the UN but is mandated by its Human Rights Council, stated that “genocide is occurring in Gaza” and that “the responsibility lies with the State of Israel.” This is the first time a UN-mandated body has made such a determination. The report, immediately rejected by Israel as “distorted and false,” details findings based on evidence gathered over nearly two years. The commission asserts that Israeli…
In an agreement announced at a news conference in Riyadh, the coastguard of Yemen’s internationally recognized government will be trained and equipped to counter threats including piracy, human-trafficking, and smuggling. This initiative, funded by several million dollars from over 35 countries—including Australia, Canada, Japan, and the United States, as well as Gulf nations and the European Union—aims to bolster Yemen’s maritime security. Saudi Arabia alone pledged $4 million. Japan’s ambassador to Yemen, Yoichi Nakashima, stressed the importance of the Yemeni government controlling its coastline, though he cautioned that this initiative would not necessarily curb Houthi attacks. Israel Strikes Houthi-Held Port…
Ahead of the visit, the opening salvo was fired by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who highlighted new Home Office data showing a record number of Americans applying for UK citizenship. He attributed this surge to London’s “liberal values” and diversity, remarks widely seen as a direct rebuke of Trump. “Many Americans identify with our values—adherence to the rule of law, celebrating diversity, and defending minority rights,” the mayor stated. Earlier in the month, Khan had said in an interview, “I’ll show him mosques, diversity, and the Notting Hill Carnival. It’ll prove that multi-culturalism is our greatest strength.” The US president,…
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative to Afghanistan during the Trump administration, has called on Afghanistan to “help Pakistan with such negotiations.” He recently visited Kabul with US hostage envoy Adam Boehler, where he met with key members of the Afghan Taliban regime. In a tweet after his visit, Khalilzad noted that the escalating violence between Pakistan’s security forces and the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has resulted in the deaths of a significant number of security personnel and civilians. Khalilzad’s Call for a Political Solution Stating that a military solution to this challenge is a mistake, Khalilzad urged Islamabad to…
According to the BBC, researchers have discovered that the crusts—deposits formed by chemical interactions between pollutants and the walls of the red sandstone fort—were between 0.05mm and 0.5mm thick. These deposits could damage its intricate carvings if no action is taken. This is the first comprehensive study to examine the effects of air pollution on the 17th Century monument. Delhi, one of the world’s most polluted cities, frequently makes headlines for its worsening air quality, especially during winter. Conservationists have repeatedly warned about the detrimental impact of pollution on heritage structures in the capital and other states. In 2018, the…
The Syrian foreign ministry, in a statement outlining its new roadmap, announced that “the United States, in consultation with the Syrian government, will work to reach security understandings with Israel concerning southern Syria.” The goal is to address the “legitimate security concerns of both Syria and Israel while emphasizing Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.” Sources said that even a modest agreement would be a significant achievement, given Israel’s tough stance during months of talks and Syria’s weakened position following sectarian violence in its south. According to intelligence sources, Syria’s proposal aims to secure the withdrawal of Israeli troops from recently…
Russia and Belarus have concluded five days of joint military exercises, codenamed Zapad (West), in what they describe as a test of combat readiness, a show of force that has unnerved surrounding nations. Dressed in military attire, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with top military officials on Tuesday in Russia’s Nizhny Novogorod region, where some of the drills took place. Putin’s Surprising Visit and Troop Numbers During a surprise visit to the exercises, parts of which were conducted close to NATO borders, Putin announced that 100,000 troops were participating in the joint Zapad (West) drills with Belarus. Earlier, Minsk had…
In Punjab, often called India’s granary, the damage is unprecedented: floods have inundated farmlands nearly the size of London and New York City combined. During a recent visit to the state, India’s agriculture minister stated, “the crops have been destroyed and ruined,” while the Chief Minister of Indian Punjab called the deluge “one of the worst flood disasters in decades.” Old-timers agree. “The last time we saw such an all-consuming flood was in 1988,” said 70-year-old Balkar Singh in the village of Shehzada, 30km north of Amritsar. The gushing water has turned Singh’s paddy field into a marshland and caused…
India’s parliament recently passed a sweeping law banning online gambling after government figures revealed that companies were stripping $2.3 billion annually from 450 million people. Officials state that the rapid proliferation of these platforms led to widespread financial distress, addiction, suicide, and links to fraud, money laundering, and terrorism financing. However, the law has been challenged in court by a prominent online card games platform. The ban impacts websites and apps for card games and fantasy sports, including fantasy cricket, with offenders facing up to five years in prison. Challenges and Evasion Tactics Some players and advertising professionals predict that…
