World

Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov rejected NATO's claims of Russian aggression, criticizing its defense spending hike. They accused the West of ignoring Moscow's security concerns and offered peace talks if NATO addresses the root causes of the Ukraine conflict, RT reported.

NATO's plan to raise defense spending won't affect Russia's security, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, according to RT. He dismissed the threat claims as baseless and reiterated Moscow's openness to peace talks if NATO expansion and support for Ukraine are addressed.

A global coalition of rights groups at the UNHRC condemned China's ongoing persecution of human rights lawyers, marking 10 years since the "709 Crackdown." They highlighted cases of imprisonment, disappearances, and family harassment, urging stronger international action against China's legal repression and transnational efforts to silence dissent.

Addressing the Indian Diaspora, he said, "I am personally very excited, very thankful, very appreciative, that I have a great friend from India joining us in Malaysia. This gathering recognises something deep and enduring between the two nations. Long before there were embassies and trade agreements, long before there were nation-states, traders, scholars, and sailors, across the Indian Ocean between the Indian Subcontinent and the Malay Archipelago, consider the Baliyatra, one of the oldest maritime commemorations observed in India. Prime Minister Modi ji, let me assure you that when Malaysia embarked on building a great nation from its diversity, the Indian community, my brothers and sisters, was an integral partner in that journey."

Following claims made by the White House that India has "committed to stop directly or indirectly importing" oil from Russia, as per the interim framework between the US and India trade agreement, the Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday reiterated its stance on the issue, noting that diversifying energy sourcing in line with objective market conditions and evolving international dynamics remains central to India's strategy to ensure energy security for its population of 1.4 billion.

Notices stating "Children under 18 are not allowed in the monastery" were reportedly posted at the monastery entrance in Kham, indicating stricter enforcement of long-standing regulations restricting minors' involvement in religious life, according to Phayul.