World

Ukrainian underwater drones have struck two tankers belonging to Russia's so-called shadow fleet in the Black Sea, a Ukrainian security official has confirmed -- marking the latest escalation in Kyiv's campaign to disrupt Moscow's oil exports

In a powerful intervention at the United Nations Forum on Minority Issues in Geneva, Dolkun Isa, President of the Uyghur Center for Democracy and Human Rights, delivered an impassioned statement highlighting China's systematic repression of Uyghur people despite an attempt by the Chinese delegation to interrupt and silence him. "I must reiterate what I just said. Regarding this NGO, which is trying to take advantage of this platform and undermines the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of China", the Chinese delegation stated. The Chair of the session, however, allowed Isa to continue, marking a rare moment of open dissent within a UN platform often dominated by diplomatic restraint.

In a major development in the British Parliament, Labour MP John McDonnell has raised grave concerns over the worsening human rights situation in Balochistan, drawing attention to the abduction of Baloch women and the reported use of drone strikes by Pakistani forces in the restive province. McDonnell has submitted three written parliamentary questions and tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM), officially recording the issue within the House of Commons. The British Government is now obligated to respond to the questions within three days.

In a post on X, MEA Spokesperson Jaiswal wrote, "Warm welcome to Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Mr. Jasem Mohammad Al Budaiwi @jasemalbudaiwi on his arrival in New Delhi. His visit will further deepen the historic and strong India-GCC ties. @GCCSG"

"Look, Canada and India share a lot of things in common. We are both federal parliamentary democracies. And in that sense, as you may well know, the Indian constitution was inspired by the Canadian federal system. So I think we have a lot of things that we can cooperate on trade, on human resources, on critical minerals, on technology. So I think it's a very positive thing that India and Canada, which are middle powers in these very uncertain times, should be working together on a whole range of things, not only bilaterally, but also multilaterally." This assessment comes from Veena Nadjibullah, Vice President of Research and Strategy at the Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada. I

As Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January: "It seems that every day we're reminded that we live in an era of great-power rivalry - that the rules-based order is fading, that the strong can do what they can, and the weak must suffer what they must."