Author: News Desk

News Desk NEW DEHLI: Indian media reported that New Delhi had engaged a United States-based lobbying firm to help facilitate meetings and dialogue with senior American officials throughout 2025. According to the reports, the firm played a central role in coordinating both calls and in-person meetings between Indian representatives and officials from the US State Department as well as the National Security Council. It also assisted in preparing for visits by Indian diplomats to Washington, providing logistical support and strategic guidance to ensure access to key decision-makers. Defence analyst Sushant Singh, who is based in the United States, stated on…

News Desk LONDON: The British Minister for the Middle East, Hamish Falconer, condemned Israel’s decision to block aid and tents destined for Gaza, calling it “unforgivable.” Speaking in parliament during a debate on the humanitarian crisis, Falconer said Israel had previously agreed, without interference from the UN or other agencies, that aid would be allowed under a peace plan. He criticized Israel’s recent restrictions on 37 NGOs, including six branches of Doctors Without Borders and two of Oxfam, leaving large quantities of aid stranded at the border. “Trucks are entering Gaza, but key crossings remain closed. Convoys are being turned…

News Desk TEHRAN: Iran is facing a dual crisis, with rising domestic unrest and mounting external military pressures, amid reports of a secret contingency plan by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to intelligence sources cited by British media, Khamenei has reportedly prepared a “Plan B” to relocate to Moscow if security forces fail to control protests or refuse to follow orders. The plan would involve Khamenei, his immediate family, and his son Mojtaba Khamenei leaving Iran via pre-arranged routes, while foreign properties, assets, and cash would be secured to facilitate a safe exit. Iran’s economy has been battered by…

News Desk NEW YORK: A New York–based human rights organization, Patriots of Bangladesh (POB), has called for the suspension of Indian television channels in Bangladesh, citing concerns over what it described as anti-Bangladesh propaganda. Leaders of the group submitted a memorandum on the matter to the Bangladesh Consulate in New York on other day. POB Chairman Abdul Qader handed the memorandum to the Consul General of Bangladesh. Senior journalist Chowdhury Mohammad Kajol and other members of the organization were present during the handover. Indian television channels have long been broadcast in Bangladesh without reciprocal access for Bangladeshi channels in India,…

News Desk MOSCOW/TEHRAN: Russia, Iran, Colombia, and Cuba have strongly condemned the recent US military operation in Venezuela. Russia reaffirmed its support for Caracas’s leadership in defending national interests and sovereignty, expressing serious concern over the US attacks. The Russian Foreign Ministry called for Latin America to remain a “zone of peace” and urged dialogue to resolve the crisis and prevent further escalation. Iran described the US strikes as a violation of Venezuela’s national sovereignty and regional integrity, calling on the UN Security Council to take immediate action and hold those responsible accountable. The attack, carried out by US warplanes…

News Desk CARACAS: Venezuela’s defence minister has issued a defiant message to Washington following US attacks, saying the country would not surrender and would ultimately prevail. In a statement, defence minister Vladimir Padrino López said Venezuela would not negotiate or accept defeat, declaring that the nation would “achieve victory” despite mounting pressure from the United States. “We will not give up,” Padrino López said. “We will stand as a united nation behind a single purpose.” He said Venezuela’s foundations were rooted in peace but insisted the country would continue to fight for its freedom. “We have always extended our arms…

News Desk NEW YORK: New York’s newly sworn-in mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has triggered a political backlash after taking sweeping decisions on his first day in office, prompting sharp criticism from Israel. According to foreign media reports, Mamdani moved quickly to revoke all executive orders issued by former mayor Eric Adams after 26 September 2024, the date on which Adams was indicted on bribery and fraud charges. Among the decisions reversed was New York City’s adoption of a definition of antisemitism endorsed by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). Mamdani also lifted restrictions linked to the boycott of Israel that had…

Laws in 12 Indian states criminalize conversions deemed coerced or induced, while broadly casting suspicion on religious outreach and proselytism News Desk WASHINGTON: The Wall Street Journal has highlighted growing concerns over the treatment of religious minorities in India, reporting that Christians—who make up just 2.3% of the population—are increasingly being targeted under state-level “anti-conversion” laws. These laws, enforced in 12 Indian states, criminalize conversion carried out through alleged coercion, fraud, or inducement, while broadly casting suspicion on religious outreach. Recent incidents have intensified scrutiny. In Uttar Pradesh, crowds gathered outside churches on Christmas Eve, shouting hate slogans against Christian…

News Desk TEHRAN: Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has said the country will not bow to its enemies and warned that Iran would force its adversaries to their knees, as tensions with the United States continue to rise. Responding to comments by US president Donald Trump about intervention in Iran, Khamenei said Tehran would never retreat under pressure. “Iran will not submit to the enemy. We will never step back,” he said, according to state media. Abbas Araghchi also hit back at Trump’s remarks, warning that attacks on public property could not be tolerated. He described the US president’s…

News Desk JEDDAH: An extraordinary open-ended session of the OIC executive committee has strongly condemned Israel’s unilateral and unlawful recognition of the so-called Somaliland region as an independent state, reaffirming full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia. The meeting, held at the OIC secretariat in Jeddah, was convened to address the situation arising from Israel’s move. Pakistan was represented by its permanent representative to the OIC, Ambassador Syed Mohammad Fawad Sher. In his remarks, Sher reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for Somalia’s unity and internationally recognised borders, describing Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as a…