World

'Armed people' attack on oil tanker in the sea of Oman, tanker's route changed to Iran

Thursday, January 11, 2024

The British Shipping Commercial Operations Department has reported on Thursday, 11 January 2024 that it has received information that an oil tanker has been targeted by 'four to five armed men' about 92 km east of the coast of Oman and near the port of Sohar .

According to the report, "the armed attackers wore military-style uniforms and black masks."

Meanwhile, some media platforms in Iran have reported about the "seizing" of an oil tanker. Iran has not yet commented officially on this matter.

Britain's Commercial Shipping Operations Authority says it has not been able to make further contact with the ship following the report and that officials are investigating the matter.

At the same time, the British Maritime Security Company (Embry) also says that "This tanker was prosecuted by Iran in the past for carrying oil and was seized by the United States."

According to Embry, this Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker has changed its course towards Iran's Jask port. Euro News also wrote that "the oil tanker seized by armed men is headed towards Iranian waters."

This tanker was carrying crude oil and after loading in Iraq's Basra port, it was heading towards Turkey, but later it changed its route.

According to this report, this tanker is probably the same tanker named 'Suez Rajan' which was stopped in Galveston, eighty kilometers from Houston, USA on 30 May 2023 and was seized by the United States in line with the implementation of sanctions. . At the time, Iranian officials warned that they would take 'retaliatory' action.

America refuses to give evidence against Nikhil Gupta in Pannu case

Thursday, January 11, 2024

The US government has objected to giving evidence against Nikhil Gupta in the court and has said that defense material i.e. evidence will not be given to Nikhil Gupta's lawyer in this case until he is produced in the New York court.

Nikhil Gupta is the main accused in the case of a failed conspiracy to assassinate a Khalistani leader in the US and is currently in jail in the Czech Republic.

The lawyer of Indian citizen Nikhil Gupta had appealed to the New York court that the US government should provide evidence of the allegations against Nikhil Gupta. But now the US government has refused to do so.

In November 2023, America has claimed that Indian citizen Nikhil Gupta had given a contract of one lakh dollars (about Rs 83 lakh) to a person for the murder of Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannu in New York. Documents presented in the US court claim that "Nikhil Gupta had received instructions from an employee of the Government of India."

Nikhil Gupta is in jail in Czech Republic since June 30, 2023. The US government is making efforts for his extradition.

India has formed a high-level committee to investigate this allegation, which is investigating the matter on the basis of evidence received from America.

Maldives and China sign 20 major agreements including tourism cooperation

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Amid the ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Maldives, on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping held a meeting with Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu after which the two countries signed 20 "major" agreements including tourism cooperation.

Both countries announced to further expand their bilateral relations.

Regarding this meeting, Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu said that he is honored to make his first official visit to China and he is happy that he is the first foreign political guest of the year for China.

"Today, 20 major agreements were signed between the Government of Maldives and the Government of China in the presence of both Presidents," the Maldives President's Office wrote on X.

The agreements signed include strengthening investment in tourism cooperation, blue economy, disaster management and digital economy. Along with this, China will also provide grant assistance to Maldives, but the amount has not been given.

Apart from this, the agreements also include accelerating construction works through China's Belt and Road Initiative, housing project at Fushidiggaru Falhu, building factories for fishery products, re-development of road development projects in Male and Vilimale.

According to China's Xinhua News Agency, Xi Jinping stressed that China respects and supports the Maldives and will help them in their development agenda in the national interest of the Maldives. At the same time, China stands firmly with Maldives in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national dignity.

India-Maldives dispute

Maldivian President Mohammed Muizzu is on a five-day visit to China at a time when a diplomatic row has arisen between India and Maldives.

In fact, recently two ministers of Maldives made objectionable remarks against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After this, on Monday, January 8, 2024, officials of both the countries were summoned at the diplomatic level.

Maldives High Commissioner to India Ibrahim Sahib was summoned. India's High Commissioner to Maldives Munu Mahawar met Ambassador at Large in Male Naseer Mohammed.

The Muizzu government has suspended three deputy ministers for their derogatory posts on social media.

On Tuesday, January 9, 2024, Muizzu had said in China that China was the largest country in terms of tourism in Maldives before the Covid pandemic and it should 'intensify efforts' to take back this place.

At present, in terms of tourism, most Indian tourists go to Maldives.

Pakistan: Peshawar High Court overturns the decision of Election Commission, 'Bat' symbol of Imran Khan's party restored

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Pakistan's Peshawar High Court, while giving its verdict in the case related to the election symbol of former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party 'Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf', has restored its election symbol 'BAT'.

On Wednesday, January 24, 2024, a bench of Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Arshad Ali heard an appeal filed in the Peshawar High Court against PTI's decision to cancel the internal elections and confiscate the party symbol 'Bat'.

Peshawar High Court in its brief judgment said that the decision of the Election Commission of Pakistan dated December 22, 2023 is unconstitutional.

In the decision, Peshawar High Court said that the certificate of internal elections of PTI should be released on the website and Imran Khan's party is entitled to the bat symbol.

On 22 December 2023, the Election Commission had declared PTI's organizational elections invalid and with this decision PTI lost its election symbol bat.

Imran Khan disqualified again

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Party founder Imran Khan was not allowed to contest from NA-89 Mianwali seat.

Last week, the decision on the appeal filed against the rejection of Imran Khan's nomination papers was reserved.

The Election Tribunal has rejected Imran Khan's appeal against the rejection of nomination papers from NA-89 Mianwali.

What did President Mohammad Muizzu say after meeting Xi Jinping?

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Maldives President Mohammed Muizzu and China's President Xi Jinping have met and held talks amid the diplomatic dispute with India.

President Mohammad Muizzu was welcomed on the red carpet and given a 21-gun salute.

Giving information about the meeting between the two leaders, China's official news agency Xinhua has written, "The two heads of state have announced to upgrade bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership."

Chinese President Xi Jinping said, "Under the new circumstances, China-Maldives relations have a historic opportunity to build on past achievements."

Muizzu said he was honored to make his first state visit to China along with several important Cabinet ministers and become the first foreign head of state to be hosted by China this year, which fully reflects the importance the two sides have in bilateral relations. How much importance do you give to development?

President Mohammad Muizzu is on a five-day state visit to China.

Israeli army moves towards refugee camps, 1.5 lakh Palestinians leave central Gaza

Friday, December 29, 2023

The United Nations has said that about 1.5 lakh Palestinians have been forced to leave central Gaza due to the Israeli army's advance towards refugee camps located in the Gaza Strip.

Eyewitnesses and armed factions of Hamas have said that Israeli army tanks have reached the eastern end of the Burez camp.

The Israeli army recently launched an offensive targeting Nussirat and Maghazi camps along Burez.

The Health Ministry of Hamas-run Gaza claimed on Thursday, 28 December 2023, that several dozen people were killed in Israeli shelling.

On the other hand, Egypt has said that it has presented a three-phase proposal aiming at a ceasefire.

A Hamas delegation has reached Egypt's capital Cairo to respond to this proposal.

Meanwhile, the United Nations made several allegations against Israel in a report released on Thursday, 28 December 2023.

The report said a surge in attacks by armed settlers on Israeli settlements is leading to large-scale displacement of Palestine's pastoral community. The ongoing discriminatory restrictions on movement are severely affecting people's daily lives and the local economy

In this report, the United Nations urged Israel to stop 'unlawful killings' of Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.

Russian air strikes on several Ukrainian cities: 18 people killed, more than 130 injured

Friday, December 29, 2023

Since the morning of Friday, December 29, 2023, 18 people have been reported killed and 130 people have been injured in several air strikes carried out by Russia on Ukraine.

James Waterhouse, Ukraine correspondent in Kiev, said the massive destruction caused by simultaneous missile attacks has never been seen before.

Ukraine's army said that Russia had attacked it with 158 missiles and drones.

Russia struck first with an Iran-made Shahid drone, followed by 55 cruise missiles, 14 ballistic missiles and five aeroballistic missiles. Apart from this, some anti-radar missiles were also fired.

Ukrainian military commander in chief Valery Zalunzhny said Ukraine shot down 27 out of 36 drones and 87 missiles.

Ukrainian police said in their Telegram post that five people were killed and 26 injured in Dnieper, three died and 13 civilians were injured in Kharkiv, four people were killed and 12 were injured in Zaporizhia, two were killed and 27 were injured in Odessa, some People are feared buried under the debris, one dead and 27 injured in Lviv and three dead and 22 injured in Kiev.

Earlier this week, Ukraine had attacked and sunk a Russian landing ship in Crimea, it is believed that Russia has taken this action in response to the same.

Ukrainian President Zelensky said that Russia used almost every type of weapons in this attack.

The US Ambassador to Ukraine has said that Ukraine needs more help to fight such horrors in 2024.

Israel-Gaza war: UN report makes serious allegations against Israel of human rights violations

Thursday, December 28, 2023

The United Nations has released a report detailing massive raids, arrests, killings and human rights violations in the West Bank.

The United Nations has also urged Israel to stop 'unlawful killings' of Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.

UN human rights chief Volker Turk said he was deeply saddened by Israel's military tactics, use of disproportionate force and restrictions on people's movement.

The report released by the United Nations on Thursday, December 28, 2023, makes several allegations against Israel. It says the arbitrary arrests, detention and torture of large numbers of people and ill-treatment by Israeli forces raise concerns about collective punishment. A surge in attacks by armed settlers on Israeli settlements is leading to mass displacement of Palestine's herding community. The ongoing discriminatory restrictions on movement are severely affecting people's daily lives and the local economy.

Releasing the report, Volker Turk said that its results are deeply disturbing and that cases of human rights violations in conflicts are not new but 'the level of violence and repression being resorted to has not been seen in the last few years'.

Israeli army admitted mistake

Thursday, December 28, 2023

Regarding the Christmas Eve bombing on December 24, 2023, which targeted the Maghazi refugee camp, Israeli military officials have admitted that the wrong weapon choice resulted in excessive civilian casualties.

According to the United Nations, at least 86 people have been killed in this Israeli bombing that took place on Sunday, 24 December 2023 and the number of casualties may increase further.

An Israeli military official told state broadcaster Kan News that the wrong weapon was used for the attack, resulting in greater civilian casualties than could have been avoided.

The Israeli army expressed 'regret' to the BBC regarding this incident.

The UN Human Rights Office said that on Sunday, 24 December 2023, Israeli forces bombed 50 sites in central Gaza, including the Maghazi camp.

Bombs fell on two residential buildings in Maghazi camp, killing most of the people.

50 people killed in Israeli bombing in Gaza, 210 people died in 24 hours

Thursday, December 28, 2023

The Hamas-run health ministry said 210 Palestinians had died in Gaza in the past 24 hours.

According to the Health Ministry, at least 50 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli bombardment in the Beit Lahiya north of Gaza, Khan Yunis in the south and Maghazi refugee camps in the center on the morning of Thursday, December 28, 2023.

The Hamas-affiliated Safa News Agency reported that a house in Maghazi was hit by a bombardment, killing several people. Four houses in Beit Lahiya were completely destroyed.

Many people have also lost their lives due to the bombing around Al-Amal Hospital in Khan Younis.

According to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, 21,320 Palestinians have been killed and 55,603 injured since the war began in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli youth sentenced to jail for refusing to join the army

Thursday, December 28, 2023

An 18-year-old Israeli youth who refused to join the army has been prosecuted and sentenced to 30 days in a military prison.

According to Israeli media reports, Tal Mitnik lives in Tel Aviv. He went to a military recruitment center and announced his decision not to join the army.

He cited the Israel-Hamas war and occupation as a protest against his conscience.

To protest against conscience means that a person refuses something based on his or her beliefs.

He is the first person since the Gaza war began to be punished for 'deciding not to join the army due to his conscience'.

If he continues his opposition to military service, his detention could be extended.

Israeli minister warned Hezbollah?

Thursday, December 28, 2023

According to James Gregory of BBC News, an Israeli minister has warned that the Israeli military will take action to expel Hezbollah from the Lebanese border if Hezbollah attacks continue.

Benny Gantz said Israel's military would intervene if the world and the Lebanese government did not stop extremists' firing on northern Israel.

He said that time is now running out to find a diplomatic solution.

Firing on the border between Israel and Lebanon has intensified since the war between Hamas and Israel that began on October 7, 2023.

This is also increasing concerns that the war in Gaza could spread to the entire region.

"The situation on Israel's northern border must change," Gantz said at a press conference on Wednesday, December 27, 2023.

“Time is running out for a diplomatic solution, if the world and the Lebanese government do not take action to stop the firing on the northern part of Israel and drive Hezbollah away from the border, then the IDF (Israeli army) will do it.''

This week there has been an increase in rocket attacks and armed drone attacks from Hezbollah, with Israel also responding to these attacks.

Lebanese state media reported on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, that an Israeli airstrike killed a Hezbollah fighter and two of his relatives.

Hezbollah said in a statement that one of the victims, Ibrahim Bazi, was an Australian citizen visiting his family.

More than 100 people have been killed in this conflict in Lebanon. Most of them are Hezbollah fighters. But the dead also included civilians including three journalists.

All hospitals in northern Gaza closed due to Israeli attacks: WHO

Friday, December 22, 2023

The situation in Gaza has worsened due to retaliatory action after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

According to the latest report, twenty thousand Palestinians have died so far in these attacks.

Along with this, the health system in Northern Gaza has come to a complete standstill.

The World Health Organization has said that there are no hospitals left in northern Gaza that are functional.

Fierce fighting is also going on in the south of Gaza, where Israel has asked Palestinians to vacate the area around Khan Yunis city.

Dr. Richard Pipercon, representative of the World Health Organization in the Palestinian territory, has explained in detail about the situation in Gaza.

What did the World Health Organization say?

The World Health Organization has said there are about 36 hospitals across Gaza, of which only nine are functioning. All of these are in the southern part of Gaza. There is no hospital in the North that is functioning.

Al-Ahli was the only hospital left that was functioning in some way, but it too was no longer accepting new patients.

The situation is similar in Al-Shifa, Al-Awda and Al-Shahaba hospitals.

"Only the structure remains of Al Ahli Hospital," the World Health Organization said. Two days ago, this was the only hospital in northern Gaza where surgeries for the injured were being conducted and a large number of people were coming to the emergency ward here.

But now the operation theater here is not functioning, because there is neither fuel, nor electricity, nor medical supplies, nor health workers or doctors and surgeons.

Now this hospital has completely stopped working, now there are only a few people here, who are hiding their heads under its roof.