EU plans significant increase in defence spending

At the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the organisation Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD) raised concerns over the continued misuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan and their impact on religious minorities.

On the sidelines of the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Mazin Mukhtar, Co-founder and Associate Director of the Akshar Foundation, highlighted development initiatives in India's northeastern region and urged global recognition of progress made in previously neglected areas.

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova condemned a drone strike on the commercial vessel Arctic Metagaz in the Mediterranean. Calling it "a terrorist attack & a war crime," she detailed the crew's rescue after a gas explosion, criticised Malta's refusal to assist the injured, and denounced the European silence.

Iran's UN envoy rejected a Security Council resolution, calling it an "unjust and unlawful" document that serves political agendas. He defended Iran's military response as a "right to self-defence" following the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei and strikes on civilian infrastructure, urging full accountability for the aggressors.

The UAE has led a successful UN diplomatic push, with the Security Council adopting Resolution 2817 to condemn Iran's "egregious attacks." Co-sponsored by 140 nations, the resolution demands an end to "indiscriminate strikes" and affirms the UAE's right to self-defence against threats to its sovereignty and civilian infrastructure.

The UAE has activated air defences to intercept an Iranian missile and drone attack, advising residents to "remain in a safe location." Authorities have intercepted over 1,700 threats since the conflict began. While most were neutralised, hostilities have tragically caused six deaths and 131 injuries among various nationalities.

Saudi Arabia intercepted multiple drones targeting the "Shaybah oil field" as regional tensions soar. Amid the conflict, Russia and Saudi Arabia "emphasised the need" for international efforts to prevent escalation. Meanwhile, the US warned Russia not to intervene, despite Trump and Putin discussing "opportunity for some peace" in Ukraine.

Taiwanese forces said three out of five sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ), and added that they monitored the situation and responded.

The European Union on Wednesday moved to intensify pressure on Tehran amid the conflict in West Asia by approving new sanctions targeting 19 Iranian regime officials and entities accused of serious human rights violations.

Speaking with ANI, she called for South Asian nations to "talk as one" and collaborate with partners like India to maintain regional stability, moving away from insular foreign policy slogans.