Category: World

Washington: The United States military is moving toward a leaner command structure and greater reliance on artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and unmanned platforms as warfare increasingly becomes technology-driven. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to implement an additional 20 percent reduction in positions for generals and admirals, building on an earlier proposal for a 10 percent cut. The plan involves eliminating some positions and downgrading others rather than simply removing personnel. The move is part of a broader effort to reduce layers of senior command and streamline decision-making. At…

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New Delhi: India and Canada appear to be moving towards a cautious reset in bilateral ties after nearly two years of diplomatic tensions, with both sides now seeking to place greater emphasis on trade, energy, mobility and strategic cooperation. The recent meeting between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York marked an important step in the ongoing efforts to stabilise relations. The talks reflected a broader attempt by New Delhi and Ottawa to…

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New Delhi: China’s rapid expansion of its naval capabilities is increasingly extending beyond the western Pacific, raising questions about its future ability to operate farther into the Indian Ocean. While the number of warships and aircraft carriers remains an important indicator of naval strength, the more significant issue is whether Beijing can sustain carrier operations over long distances with trained personnel, technical support and reliable logistics. China has been placing growing emphasis on developing a larger pool of carrier pilots and aviation personnel. Its efforts reportedly include identifying young candidates…

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Geneva: Three days of sharp exchanges between the leaders of the United States, Iran and Israel put the ongoing conflict between them at the centre of the 81st UN General Assembly session in New York, with delegations from dozens of countries walking out during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address. Trump: “a big decision” on Iran US President Donald Trump opened the tension on September 22, the first day of the session. He said he faced “a big decision”: either strike a deal that gives Iran a chance to rebuild…

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WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has defended President Donald Trump’s decision to engage directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying sustained communication between Washington and Beijing remains important despite disagreements over trade, technology, critical minerals, supply chains and security. Rubio made the remarks during the United Nations General Assembly in New York as preparations continued for Xi’s September 23–25 visit to the United States. The visit marks another high-level meeting between the two leaders as both governments seek to manage differences while keeping economic and diplomatic channels open.…

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London: The future of the United Kingdom’s constitutional arrangement has come under renewed political scrutiny after the leaders of nationalist parties in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland joined forces in Cardiff to call for greater control over their respective constitutional futures. On September 14, Scottish First Minister John Swinney, Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth and Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill took part in a meeting in Cardiff alongside Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald. The leaders signed a memorandum calling for the right of their nations to determine…

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New Delhi: The renewed confrontation between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi movement has evolved beyond a bilateral military conflict, with growing implications for oil supplies, maritime trade, inflation and India’s energy security. Saudi Arabia remains one of the world’s largest oil producers and exporters, while the Houthis have expanded their ability to threaten infrastructure and shipping routes around the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb. The simultaneous disruption of key routes in the wider region has increased concerns about the vulnerability of global energy supplies. Saudi oil production fell to about…

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Washington: The US military operation that removed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January 2026 has renewed debate over Washington’s strategic interests in oil-rich countries and the role of energy resources in its foreign policy. The United States announced on January 3 that Maduro had been captured following a large-scale military operation. Washington had accused his government of involvement in drug trafficking and organised crime. Maduro denied the allegations. The subsequent US approach to Venezuela has also had a significant energy dimension. President Donald Trump said Washington intended to control Venezuela’s…

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New Delhi: Indian security agencies are examining intelligence inputs about an alleged Pakistan-based effort to recruit Indian digital content creators to influence online discussions on politically and socially sensitive issues. According to officials cited in the source material, the suspected network is allegedly approaching young Indians with skills in video production, blogging, vlogging and other forms of digital content creation. Some recruits are reportedly being offered monthly payments of around Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 in return for producing and circulating content on contentious subjects. The reported development comes against…

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New Delhi: The debate over BRICS and the future of the US dollar has increasingly moved away from the idea of creating a single BRICS currency and towards a more practical question: can member countries reduce their dependence on the dollar by expanding the use of national currencies and alternative payment systems? The distinction is important. A common BRICS currency would require extensive coordination on monetary policy, exchange rates, foreign-exchange reserves, central banking and fiscal frameworks among countries with very different economic structures. By contrast, increasing the use of national…

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