Category: World

Ayodhya: Senior Indian Postal Service officer Dr Vinay Prakash Singh, a native of Purabazar in Ayodhya, has once again brought honour to India and Uttar Pradesh by being re-elected as the Secretary General of the Asian-Pacific Postal Union (APPU) for a second consecutive four-year term. Dr Singh was declared elected unopposed on September 4 during the APPU Congress held in Bangkok, Thailand. The Asian-Pacific Postal Union comprises 32 member countries, including India, China, Iran, Japan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Bhutan, Nepal and Fiji. His first…

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By Tanveer Jafri Tehran: The debate over Sharia often overlooks an important reality: Islamic law is interpreted differently across Muslim-majority countries, producing sharply contrasting legal and social outcomes. The experiences of women in Iran and Afghanistan offer perhaps one of the clearest examples of this divergence. Sharia broadly refers to a body of Islamic principles derived from sources including the Quran, Sunnah, Hadith, scholarly consensus and methods of legal reasoning. Its scope can cover worship, marriage, divorce, inheritance, commerce, criminal law and other aspects of social life. Yet there is…

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New Delhi: The devastating floods along the Nepal-China border on August 26 have raised fresh questions about disaster preparedness and the sustainability of development across the Himalayan region, offering important lessons for India’s mountain states. The disaster, which reportedly killed more than 900 people and left thousands missing, has highlighted a changing pattern of Himalayan risks. Experts and officials increasingly recognise that extreme weather events in the mountains can trigger a chain of hazards, making conventional flood-warning systems alone insufficient. The key lesson is that Himalayan disasters often begin far…

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New Delhi: The 18th BRICS Summit, to be hosted by India in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, is expected to place renewed emphasis on global peace, economic cooperation, sustainability and the concerns of developing nations amid growing geopolitical and economic uncertainty. India assumed the BRICS chairmanship from Brazil on January 1, 2026, and will host the summit at Bharat Mandapam. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to lead the Indian delegation at the high-level gathering, which will bring together leaders of BRICS member countries as well as invited…

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Sana’a: At least 25 people were killed and several others injured as intense fighting erupted between Yemen’s government forces and Houthi fighters in the southwestern province of Taiz, according to a government military official. The fighting was concentrated around Maqbanah and Al-Kadha, where a major assault reportedly began at dawn. The clashes involved artillery, mortars and other heavy weapons, with government forces and Houthi fighters exchanging fire for several hours. The military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said 15 government soldiers and 10 Houthi fighters were among those…

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Kathmandu: Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah is expected to lead the country’s delegation to the United Nations General Assembly this month, with climate change, extreme weather and the devastating impact of recent floods likely to feature prominently in his address. The Nepalese Cabinet approved Shah’s participation at a meeting on Thursday, according to officials familiar with preparations for the visit. The decision represents a change from an earlier plan under which Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal was expected to represent Nepal at the annual UN gathering. Preparations for the Prime Minister’s…

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Kyiv: Ukraine has welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for an end to the prolonged Russia-Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha saying Kyiv is ready to pursue diplomatic efforts with the support of India and other international partners. Sybiha made the remarks during External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Kyiv on Thursday, describing the trip as an important milestone in India-Ukraine relations. He noted that it was the first standalone bilateral visit by an Indian foreign minister to Ukraine, reflecting the growing importance…

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Uzbekistan has highlighted India’s growing strategic engagement with Central Asia, with energy security, trade, defence cooperation, connectivity and cultural ties emerging as key areas of focus. The visit was marked by a significant diplomatic gesture when Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev conferred the country’s highest civilian honour, the Order of Friendship, on Prime Minister Modi. The recognition underlined the deepening relationship between the two countries and reflected Uzbekistan’s growing importance in India’s broader Eurasian strategy. Beyond the symbolism of the honour, the…

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Kathmandu/Beijing: The United Nations has expressed solidarity with Nepal and China following a devastating flood disaster that has reportedly claimed 157 lives, while hundreds of people from several countries remain unaccounted for. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, through his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, conveyed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished those injured a speedy recovery. He also praised emergency personnel involved in rescue and relief efforts and reaffirmed the UN’s readiness to provide additional assistance as the situation develops. UN Teams Supporting Nepal’s Relief Assessment Dujarric…

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Dhaka: A new defense equation in South Asian and West Asian politics is gaining serious discussion. Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement earlier this month. Some analysts are calling this deal the ‘Islamic NATO.’ The reasoning is that the agreement treats an armed attack on any one member as an attack on all members. However, it’s not yet a formal military organization like NATO. The agreement’s stated purpose is to strengthen defense, security, and military cooperation among member states. Pakistan has also positioned it as…

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