Israel Intensifies Attacks On Gaza As Netanyahu Heads To US

CAIRO, Sept 25: Israeli forces advanced deeper into Gaza City on Thursday as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu headed to New York to address the United Nations General Assembly, with US President Donald Trump pursuing a deal to end the Gaza war.

Israeli strikes killed at least 19 people across the Palestinian enclave on Thursday, local health authorities said. They included 11 people from two families in Zawayda town in the central Gaza Strip, where planes hit a residential building.

Israel's military did not comment on the incident but said it had struck 170 targets across Gaza in the past 24 hours and attacked "terror infrastructure" used by militant groups to attack soldiers. Its forces were deep in Gaza City, it said.

Tanks have entered Gaza City as part of an offensive that Israel says is intended to eliminate Hamas following its deadly attack on Israel in October 2023 but which has caused extensive destruction, a humanitarian catastrophe and widespread hunger.

Netanyahu says Gaza City is the Palestinian militant group's last bastion, but hundreds of thousands of civilians remain there, fearing there is nowhere safe for them to go.

US envoy Steve Witkoff said on Wednesday Washington was confident of securing breakthrough on Gaza in coming days after Trump shared a 21-point Middle East peace plan with leaders of Muslim-majority countries in New York.

Trump also promised Arab leaders he would not allow Israel to annex the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Politico reported. Palestinians want the West Bank for an independent Palestinian state, with Gaza and East Jerusalem.

Netanyahu has declared there will never be a Palestinian state although Britain, France, Canada and other nations this week formally recognised Palestinian statehood. Some of Netanyahu's coalition allies want Israel to annex the West Bank.

'Goal Is To Finish War': Zelensky Says Ready To Leave Presidency After Peace

NEW YORK, Sept 25: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that he would be ready to step down after the war with Russia is over. In an interview with Axios on Thursday, he said, "If we finish the war with the Russians, yes, I am ready not to go (for elections) because it's not my goal, elections".

Zelensky explained that he wanted to help Ukraine during the war and his only goal right now is to finish the war. He also said that he would ask the parliament to hold elections if a ceasefire was reached.

Speaking to Axios, he said that, "During the ceasefire, I think security can give the possibility to have elections. It can be so."

The president of Ukraine, a former comedian, was elected in 2019, and although an election was due in 2024, it was suspended because of martial law after Russia's invasion in February 2022.

As a result, Russia has constantly questioned the Ukrainian leader's legitimacy as a leader.

In August, during a high-profile Oval Office meeting with US President Donald Trump, Zelensky reiterated that elections will be held in Ukraine once peace is restored. "We need to work in parliament because during the war you can't have elections," and said that it was needed for people to have a possible democratic, open, legal election.

Zelensky said that Ukraine was seeking long-range weapons from the US and if Moscow does not end the war, Russian officials working at the Kremlin should know where the nearest bomb shelter is.

30 Killed As Pak Air Force Drops 8 Bombs On Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Village

ISLAMABAD, Sept 22: At least 30 people, including women and children, were killed in airstrikes by the Pakistani Air Force in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Monday. The incident took place around 2 am when the Pakistani fighter jets dropped eight LS-6 bombs on the Matre Dara village located in the Tirah Valley, causing a huge massacre.

All of those dead were civilians.

Local media reported that many people have also been injured, but their situation remains unclear.

Disturbing pictures and videos of the incident site showed bodies, including those of children, lying around. Rescue teams were engaged in searching for bodies under rubble, raising fears of the death count rising further.

Many counter-terrorism operations have been carried out in the past in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with many civilian deaths being reported from the region. Earlier this year, in June, Amnesty International had said that recurrent drone strikes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa signal an alarming disregard for civilian life in Pakistan.

"Pakistani authorities have failed to take action to protect the lives and property of civilians in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who continue to pay the price of an escalating number of drone strikes in the province. Last Friday's drone strike, killing one child, is part of an alarming series of attacks which have escalated since March of this year," Isabelle Lassee, Deputy Regional Director for South Asia at Amnesty International, said.

According to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's police, the province has reported 605 terror incidents between January and August this year in which at least 138 civilians and 79 Pakistani police personnel were killed. August alone recorded 129 incidents, including the killing of six Pakistan Army and paramilitary Federal Constabulary personnel.

After Operation Sindoor, which targeted and destroyed nine major terrorist hideouts across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), terrorist organisations such as Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) are establishing new bases deep inside Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, near the Afghan frontier. The province's mountainous terrain, coupled borders with Afghanistan, offers natural concealment. Many areas still contain hideouts built during the anti-Soviet Afghan war of the 1980s and during the American invasion of Afghanistan following the 9/11 attacks.

Moscow will uphold nuclear limits for one more year: Putin

MOSCOW, Sept 22: Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said Monday that Moscow will adhere to nuclear arms limits for one more year under the last remaining nuclear pact with the United States expires that expires in February and urged Washington to follow suit.

Putin said that the termination of the 2010 New START would have negative consequences for global stability and could fuel proliferation of nuclear weapons.

“To avoid provoking a further strategic arms race and to ensure an acceptable level of predictability and restraint, we believe it is justified to try to maintain the status quo established by the New START Treaty during the current, rather turbulent period,” he said in televised remarks. “Therefore, Russia is prepared to keep adhering to the central quantitative limitations of the New START Treaty for one year after February 5, 2026.”

Putin added that “based on our analysis of the situation, we will subsequently make a decision on maintaining these voluntary self-restraints.”

He said that Russia expected the U.S. to follow its example and also stick to the treaty’s limits.

“We believe this measure will only be viable if the United States acts in a similar manner and does not take steps that undermine or disrupt the existing balance of deterrence potentials,” the Russian leader said.

Putin instructed Russian agencies to “closely monitor relevant American activities, particularly with regard to the strategic offensive arms arsenal,” with a particular emphasis on plans to “expand the strategic components of the U.S. missile defense system, including preparations for the deployment of interceptors in space.”

“The practical implementation of such destabilizing actions could undermine our efforts to maintain the status quo in the strategic offensive arms sphere,” Putin warned, adding that, in that case, “we will respond accordingly.”

He emphasized that Moscow's honoring the pact's limits could “make a significant contribution to creating an atmosphere conducive to substantive strategic dialogue with the U.S.," provided that other efforts are also taken to normalize bilateral relations.

The New START, signed by then-Presidents Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev, limits each country to no more than 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and 700 deployed missiles and bombers. Its looming expiration and the lack of dialogue on anchoring a successor deal have worried arms control advocates.

The pact also envisaged sweeping on-site inspections to verify compliance, but they have been dormant since 2020.

In February 2023, Putin suspended Moscow’s participation in the treaty, saying Russia could not allow U.S. inspections of its nuclear sites at a time when Washington and its NATO allies have openly declared Moscow’s defeat in Ukraine as their goal.

At the same time, Russia has emphasized that it was not withdrawing from the pact altogether and pledged to respect the caps on nuclear weapons set under the treaty and keep notifying the U.S. about test launches of ballistic missiles.

Putin’s statement comes at a time of hightened tensions between Russia and the West, fueling concerns that the fighting could spread beyond Ukraine’s borders as European countries rebuked Russia for what they said were provocations. The incidents have included Russian drones landing on Polish soil and Estonia accusing Russian fighter jets of intruding its airspace.

'Rewarding Terror With Enormous Prize': Netanyahu To UK, Canada On Palestine

TEL AVIV, Sept 21: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday issued a warning to Britain, Canada, and Australia after the three countries recognised Palestinian state and accused them of "rewarding terror" in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attack.

He also said that there would be no Palestinian state "to the west of the Jordan River."

In a statement, Netanyahu said, "There will be no Palestinian state. The response to the latest attempt to force upon us a terror state in the heart of our land will be given after my return from the United States"

"I have a clear message to those leaders who are recognising a Palestinian state after the horrendous October 7 massacre: You are rewarding terror with an enormous prize. And I have another message for you: It's not going to happen. There will be no Palestinian state to the west of the Jordan River," he added.

Reiterating his long-standing opposition to Palestinian statehood, the Israeli Prime Minister vowed to continue expanding Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

"For years, I have prevented the creation of that terror state, against tremendous pressure, both domestic and from abroad. We have done this with determination, and with astute statesmanship. Moreover, we have doubled the Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria, and we will continue on this path," Netanyahu said.

Notably, Britain, Canada and Australia formally recognised Palestinian state today, joining other nations in a move aimed at reviving momentum for a two-state solution but which has been criticised by Israel and the United States.

In a post on X, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote, "Today, to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis, and a two state solution, the United Kingdom formally recognises the State of Palestine."

Prime Minister Mark Carney in a statement said, "Canada recognises the State of Palestine and offers our partnership in building the promise of a peaceful future for both the State of Palestine and the State of Israel."

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, "Today's act of recognition reflects Australia's longstanding commitment to a two-state solute, which has always been the only path to enduring peace and security for the Israeli and the Palestinian people."

He also said that Australia will continue to work with its international partners to build on today's act of recognition and to bring the Middle East closer to lasting peace and security.

Meanwhile, Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin said that countries recognising a Palestinian state this week were taking an irreversible step that preserved the two-state solution and brought Palestinian independence and sovereignty closer.

Hamas Releases 'Farewell' Photo Of Hostages, Blames Israel's Gaza Invasion

GAZA, Sept 20: Hamas, shared a compilation picture of the remaining 47 Israeli hostages held in Gaza on Saturday. Hamas said that the image released was a farewell picture and each hostage has been labelled as "Ron Arad", an Israeli Air Force navigator who was captured in 1986. Along with it, the hostages were also given a number.

The text on the image accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of rejecting a ceasefire-hostage deal and blamed the IDF Chief of Staff for going ahead with the invasion of Gaza despite his reported opposition to it.

It reads, "Because of [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu's refusal, and [IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal] Zamir's capitulation, a parting image as the military operation in Gaza City begins."

According to a report by Ynet, an Israeli publication, officials say out of the 47 hostages, only 20 are believed to be alive. 2 of the remaining hostages are in a grave condition and the rest are dead.

A statement from al-Qassam Brigades said, "Your prisoners are distributed within the neighborhoods of Gaza City, and we will not be concerned for their lives as long as Netanyahu has decided to kill them," as reported by CNN.

"The commencement of this criminal operation and its expansion means that you will not receive any prisoner, neither alive nor dead, and their fate will be the same as that of (Ron Arad)."

Israeli tanks push into major Gaza City residential area

TEL AVIV, Sept 18: Local residents and eyewitnesses say dozens of Israeli tanks and military vehicles have pushed into a major residential district of Gaza City, on the second day of Israel's ground offensive aimed at occupying the area.

Video footage shows tanks, bulldozers and armoured personnel carriers moving on the edges of Sheikh Radwan, in northern Gaza City. Thick clouds of smoke can be seen as Israeli forces fire artillery shells and smoke bombs to cover their advance.

The Sheikh Radwan district was home to tens of thousands of people before the war and is considered one of the city's most densely populated areas.

Israel says the aim of its Gaza City offensive is to free hostages held by Hamas and defeat up to 3,000 fighters in what it describes as the group's "last stronghold" - but the operation has drawn widespread international condemnation.

The leaders of more than 20 major aid agencies, including Save the Children and Oxfam, warned that "the inhumanity of the situation in Gaza is unconscionable".

Residents in Sheikh Radwan said Wednesday's incursion followed a wave of heavy airstrikes targeting buildings and main streets across the neighbourhood, in what appeared to be preparation for the ground assault.

Sheikh Radwan includes the areas of Abu Iskandar, al-Tawam, and al-Saftawi, and is intersected by al-Jalaa Street, a vital artery linking central Gaza City with its northern districts.

Locals say Israeli control of the neighbourhood could open the way for forces to advance deeper into the city and reach its central areas.

President Putin dials Modi on birthday, Ukraine conflict figures in talks

NEW DELHI, Sept 17: India stands ready to make all possible contributions for peacefully resolving the conflict in Ukraine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, a day after efforts to end the war figured in Modi’s phone conversation with US President Donald Trump.

Putin dialled Modi to wish him on his 75th birthday, marking the third phone call between the two leaders since early August. Besides the situation in Ukraine, the two leaders reviewed India-Russia relations.

“Thank you, my friend, President Putin, for your phone call and warm wishes on my 75th birthday. We are committed to further strengthening our Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. India is ready to make all possible contributions towards a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict,” Modi said on social media.

In a message to Modi, Putin said the PM is making a great contribution to strengthening the strategic partnership between India and Russia and the two sides will continue their constructive dialogue and joint work on bilateral, regional and global issues.

On Tuesday, Modi and Trump spoke on phone for the first time in nearly three months against the backdrop of a thaw in India-US ties, which were hit by the US leader’s doubling of tariffs on Indian goods to 50%, including a 25% punitive levy over Russian oil purchases. The Trump administration has pressured India to cut purchases of Russian energy and military hardware, contending that Russia was using the proceeds to fund its war in Ukraine..

Modi said India supports Trump’s initiatives “towards a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict”. Trump thanked Modi for his “support on ending the war between Russia and Ukraine”.

Gazans flee as Israel launches ground offensive; Trump issues 'big trouble' warning

TEL AVIV, Sept 16: The Israeli military on Tuesday launched the "main phase" of its ground offensive to completely occupy Gaza City as thousands of people in the Palestinian territory's largest city streamed out in vehicles laden with their belongings.

According to reports, long lines of cars and trucks strapped with mattresses and other belongings were seen on Gaza’s coastal road, as people fled the city. Many people were crowded on top of vehicles, while others made their way on foot.

The operation marks yet another escalation in a conflict that has roiled the Middle East for nearly two years and likely pushes any ceasefire farther out of reach.

Israeli defense minister Israel Katz declared that “Gaza is burning” as the operation began, and heavy bombardment battered the city overnight and into the morning.

An Israeli military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the “main phase” of the Gaza City operation had begun, with troops moving in from the city's outskirts toward its center.

The official added that the Israeli military estimated about 2,000 to 3,000 Hamas militants are left in Gaza City, as well as tunnels used by the militant group.

US President Donald Trump warned that Hamas would be in "big trouble" if they use hostages in Gaza as human shields during a new offensive launched by Israel. "We'll wait to hear what happens, because I hear Hamas is trying to use the old human shield deal, and if they do that they're going to be in big trouble," Trump told reporters.

The development comes on a day when the United Nations Commission of Inquiry has concluded that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza and that top Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, incited these acts.

The UN commission in its report has cited examples of the scale of the killings, aid blockages, forced displacement and the destruction of a fertility clinic to back up its genocide finding.

'Not Here To Taste Power': Nepal's New PM Sets A 6-Month Deadline

KATHMANDU, Sept 14: Sushila Karki, Nepal's interim Prime Minister and former Chief Justice of its Supreme Court, has said that she and her team are not interested in power and would hand over the country's responsibility to a new parliament within six months.

Addressing the media after taking charge as interim Prime Minister, the 73-year-old said, "My team and I are not here to taste power. We won't stay for more than six months. We will hand over the responsibility to the new parliament. We won't succeed without your support," she said.

Ms Karki praised the nationwide 'Gen-Z' protests against corruption that toppled the KP Sharma Oli government in Nepal and said those killed during the agitation would be recognised as "martyrs".

She announced a compensation of 1 million Nepali rupees to the families of each victim. The interim government, she said, would bear the treatment costs of those injured and also help them financially.

According to reports, the number of deaths in the recent protests has climbed to 72 -- this includes 59 demonstrators, 10 prison inmates, and three police officers.

"I have never seen such a transformation in just 27 hours of protests. We must work with determination," she said.

The interim Prime Minister flagged cases of vandalism and said the government will investigate them and also compensate those who have suffered damage to their property.

"Looking at what happened in the name of protests, it seems as if it was executed in a planned way, raising questions of a conspiracy," she said, according to a report.

"Personal properties were also burnt down; we will not leave them, the government will work on measures to give some compensation. It can be through soft loans or any other measures. Those involved in the incident of vandalism will be investigated," she said.

Nepal, she said, was going through an economic crisis and the interim government's priority would be reconstruction and economic stability.

Marco Rubio Visits Israel In Aftermath Of Israel's Qatar Strikes

TEL AVIV, Sept 14: Top US diplomat Marco Rubio began a visit to Israel on Sunday, after expressing the Trump administration's unwavering support for its ally in the war with Hamas despite a strike in Qatar that drew broad criticism of Israel.

The trip is taking place after President Donald Trump rebuked Israel over the unprecedented attack against Hamas leaders meeting in Doha on Tuesday.

It marked Israel's first such strike against US ally Qatar and has put renewed strain on diplomatic efforts to bring about a truce in Gaza.

Before departing for the region on Saturday, Rubio told reporters that while Trump was "not happy" about the strike, it was "not going to change the nature of our relationship with the Israelis".

But he added that the United States and Israel were "going to have to talk about" its impact on truce efforts.

On Friday, Trump met with Qatar's Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, while Rubio's visit comes as Arab and Muslim leaders are set to meet Monday in Doha to express solidarity with the Gulf state in the aftermath of the Israeli strike.

Israel's strike targeted Hamas leaders gathering to discuss a new ceasefire proposal put forward by the United States.

Netanyahu has defended the operation, saying on Saturday that killing senior Hamas officials would remove the "main obstacle" to ending the war.

In Jerusalem, Rubio will visit the Western Wall with Netanyahu on Sunday, according to the Israeli prime minister's office.

His main meetings with officials, including Netanyahu, will take place on Monday before he departs on Tuesday.

In recent days, Israel has ramped up efforts to seize control of Gaza City, the territory's largest urban centre, telling residents to evacuate and blowing up numerous high-rise buildings it said were being used by Hamas.

Huge Anti-Immigration Rally In London, Cops Punched, Kicked By Protesters

LONDON, Sept 14: A London march organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson drew more than 110,000 people and became unruly on Saturday as a small group of his supporters clashed with police officers who were separating them from counterprotesters.

Several officers were punched, kicked, and struck by bottles tossed by people at the fringes of the "Unite the Kingdom" rally, Metropolitan Police said. Reinforcements with helmets and riot shields were deployed to support the 1,000-plus officers on duty.

Twenty six police officers were injured - four who were seriously hurt, including broken teeth and a concussion, a possible broken nose, and a spinal injury. At least 25 people were arrested for offenses including violent disorder, assaults, and criminal damage, and the investigation continues, police said.

"There is no doubt that many came to exercise their lawful right to protest, but there were many who came intent on violence," Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said. "They confronted officers, engaging in physical and verbal abuse and making a determined effort to breach cordons in place to keep everyone safe."

The rally drew an estimated crowd of between 110,000 and 150,000 people, far surpassing expectations, police said. The rival "March Against Fascism" protest organised by Stand Up To Racism had about 5,000 marchers.

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, founded the nationalist and anti-Islam English Defense League and is one of the most influential far-right figures in Britain.

The march was billed as a demonstration in support of free speech - with much of the rhetoric by influencers and several far-right politicians from across Europe aimed largely at the perils of migration, a problem much of the continent is struggling to control.

Participants in the "Unite the Kingdom" march carried the St George's red-and-white flag of England and the Union Jack, the state flag of the United Kingdom, and chanted "we want our country back."

UK flags have proliferated this summer across the UK - at events and on village lampposts - in what some have said is a show of national pride and others said reflects a tilt toward nationalism.

Supporters held signs saying "stop the boats," "send them home," and "enough is enough, save our children."

'Go Back To Your Country': Sikh Woman Raped, Faced Racist Abuse In UK

LONDON, Sept 13: A Sikh woman in her twenties was raped by two men and was subjected to racist remarks in the UK's Oldbury town. The attackers further told the woman to "go back to your own country", in a racial attack mirroring a similar incident on Indian-origin expatriates.

The incident occurred near Tame Road in Oldbury around 8:30 am last Tuesday.

The police are treating it as a 'racially aggravated' attack and have urged for help to trace the attackers. The woman has informed them that the attackers made racist comments, the police said, adding that CCTV and forensic inquiries are underway.

Birminghamlive identified the suspects as "white men", one with a shaven head and wearing a dark-coloured sweatshirt, while the other suspect was reportedly wearing a grey top.

The incident has left the local Sikh community infuriated, and it is being seen as a targeted assault. A local senior cop said the anger was "fully understandable" and assured they would increase patrols in the area.

After Poland, Russian drone breaches Romanian airspace during attack on neighbouring Ukraine

BUCHAREST, Sept 13: Romania scrambled fighter jets on Saturday when a drone breached the country's airspace during a Russian attack on Ukrainian infrastructure near the border, the Defence Ministry said.

Defence Minister Ionut Mosteanu said the F-16 pilots came close to taking down the drone as it was flying very low before it left national airspace toward Ukraine. A threat of drone strikes also prompted Poland to deploy aircraft and close an airport in the eastern city of Lublin on Saturday, three days after it shot down Russian drones in its airspace with the backing of aircraft from its NATO allies.

Romania, a European Union and NATO state which shares a 650-km (400-mile) border with Ukraine, has had Russian drone fragments fall onto its territory repeatedly since Russia began waging war on its neighbour.

On Saturday, it scrambled two F-16 fighter jets and later two Eurofighters — part of German air policing missions in Romania — and warned citizens in the southeastern county of Tulcea near the Danube and its Ukrainian border to take cover, the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

It added the jets detected a drone in national airspace, which they followed until it dropped off the radar 20 km southwest of the village of Chilia Veche.

Mosteanu told private television station Antena 3 that helicopters will survey the area near the border to look for potential drone parts, "but all information at this moment indicates the drone exited airspace to Ukraine."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on social media platform X that data showed the drone breached about 10 kilometres into Romanian territory and operated in NATO airspace for around 50 minutes.

"It is an obvious expansion of the war by Russia — and this is exactly how they act," he said. "Sanctions against Russia are needed. Tariffs against Russian trade are needed. Collective defence is needed." NATO announced plans to beef up the defence of Europe's eastern flank on Friday, after Poland shot down drones that had violated its airspace, the first known shots fired by a member of the Western alliance during Russia's war in Ukraine.

Romanian lawmakers approved a law earlier this year enabling the army to shoot down drones illegally breaching Romanian airspace during peacetime, based on threat levels and risks to human life and property, but the bill does not yet have all enforcement rules approved.

Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard wrote on platform X that the airspace breach was "another unacceptable violation of NATO airspace."

"Sweden stands in full solidarity with Romania as a NATO Ally and EU Member State. We are always ready to contribute further to the deterrence and defence of the Alliance."

Ukraine Hits One Of Russia's Largest Oil Refining Complexes

KYIEV, Sept 13: A Ukrainian drone crashed into one of Russia's largest oil refining complexes on Saturday, sparking a fire and causing minor damage, a Russian official said.

The complex, which belongs to Russian oil company Bashneft, lies on the outskirts of the central Russian city of Ufa around 1,400 kilometres (870 miles) from the front line in Ukraine.

Videos posted on social media appeared to show a drone drifting towards the facility before exploding in a ball of flames, sending a cloud of smoke into the sky.

"Today, Bashneft's facility was subjected to a terrorist attack by aircraft-type drones," the head of Russia's Bashkortostan region, Radiy Khabirov, said on Telegram.

One drone crashed into the plant, while another was shot down, he said.

"There were no casualties or injuries. The production site sustained minor damage, and a fire broke out, which is currently being extinguished," he added.

Since Moscow launched its full-scale military offensive in Ukraine in February 2022, Kyiv has responded with attacks on Russian refineries in an attempt to curb the Kremlin's ability to fund the conflict.

A wave of Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries over the summer hit processing capacity at several key sites and pushed fuel prices up at the pump.

The Kremlin described Bashneft's Ufa refining complex in 2016 as "one of the largest in the country", saying it produced more than 150 types of oil products.

Ex-Chief Justice Sushila Karki Sworn In As Nepal PM

KATHMANDU, Sept 12: Former chief justice Sushila Karki was sworn in as the interim Prime Minister of Nepal. The ceremony, held at Nepal's Rashtrapati Bhawan, capped days of speculation and behind-the-scenes negotiations, bringing to office the country's first woman head of government. Following the oath-taking ceremony, it was decided that general elections would be held on March 5, 2026.

Besides President Ramchandra Paudel and PM Karki, Vice President Ram Sahay Yadav and Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Rawat were present during swearing-in ceremony. India's Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, also met and congratulated the newly sworn-in PM.

The decision, announced formally by the Office of the President, followed a consensus between President Ram Chandra Paudel, Nepal Army chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel, and representatives of the Generation Z protest movement, whose agitation had driven the resignation of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli earlier in the week.

The developments followed days of mass protests, spearheaded by young Nepalese frustrated with corruption and unemployment. Those protests, which led to a police crackdown this week, left at least 51 people dead and forced the departure of Oli.

While Ms Karki's name had been circulating for several days as a possible consensus candidate, she was not the only figure considered. At one stage, reports suggested that protesters were divided, with some rallying behind Kulman Ghising, the engineer widely credited with ending Nepal's power shortages.

Another name in the mix was Balendra Shah -- better known as Balen -- the 35-year-old Kathmandu mayor, rapper, and politician whose popularity among urban youth has surged.

Ms Karki, who served as Nepal's first female chief justice between 2016 and 2017, is regarded by many younger Nepalese as an uncompromising figure. During her time on the bench, she earned a reputation for taking a hard line against corruption.

Her judicial career, however, was not without turbulence. Less than a year into her tenure as chief justice, the government initiated an impeachment motion against her, a move widely seen as politically motivated. That effort collapsed under the weight of public pressure, but the episode left Ms Karki disillusioned and she eventually stepped down.

Russia says Ukraine talks are paused, accuses Europe of hindering them

MOSCOW, Sept 12: The Kremlin said on Friday that there was a pause in peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and accused European countries of hindering a process it said that Moscow remained open to.

Russian and Ukrainian negotiators have held three rounds of direct talks this year in Istanbul, most recently on July 23, which have yielded several agreements to return prisoners of war and the bodies of the dead. But the two sides remain far apart on what a possible peace deal might look like.

Russia accuses Kyiv of not recognising what it calls "the realities on the ground", while Ukraine says Moscow is feigning interest in talks while continuing to try to take more of its territory.

Efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump to broker a deal have so far come to nothing.

Asked whether talks between Kyiv and Moscow were now deadlocked, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "The channels of communication are in place and functioning. Our negotiators have the opportunity to communicate through these channels. But for now, it is probably more accurate to say that there is a pause."

Moscow has bridled against proposals by European countries and Britain to provide security guarantees to Ukraine that might involve deploying NATO troops on the ground after any peace settlement, saying it could not accept such a move.

Peskov blamed the pause in talks on such ideas.

"The Russian side remains ready to pursue the path of peaceful dialogue. But the fact that the Europeans are hindering this is indeed true. This is not a secret to anyone," he said.

'This Place Belongs To Us': Israel PM Vows 'There'll Be No Palestinian State'

TEL AVIV, Sept 11: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on Thursday that there would be no Palestinian state, speaking at a signing ceremony for a major settlement project in the occupied West Bank.

"We are going to fulfil our promise that there will be no Palestinian state, this place belongs to us," Netanyahu said at the event in Maale Adumim, an Israeli settlement just east of Jerusalem.

"We will safeguard our heritage, our land and our security... We are going to double the city's population." The event was streamed live by his office.

Israel has long had ambitions to build on the roughly 12 square kilometre (five square mile) tract of land known as E1, but the plan had been stalled for years in the face of international opposition.

The site sits between Jerusalem and the Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, near routes connecting the north and south of the Palestinian territory.

Last month, Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich backed plans to build around 3,400 homes on the ultra-sensitive parcel of land.

His announcement drew condemnation, with UN chief Antonio Guterres saying the settlement would effectively cleave the West Bank in two and pose an "existential threat" to a contiguous Palestinian state.

All of Israel's settlements in the West Bank, occupied since 1967, are considered illegal under international law, regardless of whether they have Israeli planning permission.

Several Western governments, including Britain and France, have announced they intend to recognise the State of Palestine at the United Nations later this month.

Britain has said it will take the step if Israel fails to agree to a ceasefire in the devastating Gaza war, triggered by Palestinian militant group Hamas's October 2023 attack.

Far-right Israeli ministers have in recent months openly called for Israel's annexation of the territory.

Israeli NGO Peace Now, which monitors settlement activity in the West Bank, said last week that infrastructure work in E1 could begin within a few months, and housing construction within about a year.

It said the E1 plan was "deadly for the future of Israel and for any chance of achieving a peaceful two-state solution".

Excluding Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, the West Bank is home to around three million Palestinians, as well as about 500,000 Israeli settlers.

Nepal's Former Chief Justice Picked By Gen Z To Lead Talks With Army

KATHMANDU, Sept 10: The former Chief Justice of Nepal, Sushila Karki, would be the representative of the Gen Z protesters for negotiations with the Army on government formation. The protesters had arrived at the decision after a marathon 6-hour meeting this evening.

The demands of the Gen Z protesters included immediate arrest and action against the then Prime Minister, Home Minister, and all involved in ordering mass killings, drawing up a new constitution which would have provision preventing anyone from becoming Prime Minister for more than two terms, immediate cancellation of politically influenced appointments in constitutional bodies like CIAA and judiciary and merit-based appointments.

Sushila Karki is Nepal's first woman Chief Justice who was known for her zero-tolerant attitude to corruption.

Who Is Sushila Karki

Ms Karki had completed her BA from Mahendra Morang Campus and her MA in Political Science from the Banaras Hindu University. Later she graduated in law from Tribhuvan University and started a career in teaching.

Then shifting to law, she became a senior advocate and was appointed the Chief Justice. Appointed on July 11, 2016, she had presided over multiple high-profile anti-corruption cases.

During her tenure, then Information and Communication Minister Jaiprakash Prasad Gupta was convicted in a corruption case. She had also given a bold verdict against Lokman Singh Karki, the former Chief Commissioner of Nepal's Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority.

In 2017, she had faced an impeachment attempt from then Maoist-led government but the motion withdrawn after backlash from the public and the judiciary.

"I am supporting this movement from today. Not yesterday, but today. Because these people killed our children. See, 19 people are dead. What is the condition of their mothers and fathers?" said Sushila Karki.

Nepal is facing political uncertainty after its Prime Minister, KP Oli, resigned on Tuesday following widespread anti-corruption protests, triggered by a social media ban. At least 19 people were killed in the protests that turned violent over the weekend.

The protests had started on September 8 in Kathmandu and other major cities, including Pokhara, Butwal, and Birgunj, after the government imposed a ban on major social media platforms, citing concern about revenue and cybersecurity.

They had demanded that the ban on social media platforms be scrapped, seeing it an attempt to suppress free speech. But the focus of the protests soon broadened, with the people calling for an end to institutionalised corruption and favouritism in governance.

The situation escalated soon and at least 19 people were killed and 500 were injured in clashes with security forces. A curfew is now in place in several cities, including Nepal capital Kathmandu, to control the situation.

The call for the talks came late on Tuesday after President Ram Chandra Paudel accepted the resignation of the Prime Minister Oli. But shortly after, he quit, coming under the pressure of the protesters who demanded the dismantling of the government. In Nepal, the President heads the government, not the Prime Minister.

India condemns violation of Qatar's sovereignty: Modi

NEW DELHI, Sept 10: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday held a telephone conversation with Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, expressing his deep concern over the recent attacks in Doha.

"Spoke with Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani and expressed deep concern at the attacks in Doha. India condemns the violation of the sovereignty of the brotherly State of Qatar. We support resolution of issues through dialogue and diplomacy, and avoiding escalation. India stands firmly in support of peace and stability in the region, and against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," Modi posted on X after the phone call.

The conversation took place after the Israeli strikes in Doha on Tuesday.

According to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), PM appreciated the role being played by Qatar in promoting regional peace and stability, including its mediation efforts in Gaza to achieve ceasefire and release of all hostages.

"Sheikh Tamim thanked Prime Minister Modi for the expression of solidarity with the people and the State of Qatar. The two leaders also expressed satisfaction at the sustained progress in the India-Qatar Strategic Partnership and reiterated their commitment to advance bilateral cooperation in all areas of mutual interest. They agreed to remain in close touch," read a statement issued by the PMO.

On Tuesday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had stated that India was "deeply concerned" by the development and its impact on the security situation in the region.

"We strongly urge restraint and diplomacy, so that peace and security in the region is not endangered," the MEA stated after the Israeli strikes in Doha.

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani had paid a State Visit to India in February, earlier this year at the invitation of Modi. He was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers, officials and business leaders. This was the second State Visit of Emir of Qatar to India.

During their meeting, both leaders recalled the historic trade linkages, deep-rooted people-to-people ties and robust bilateral relations between both countries. They had expressed the desire for further expanding and deepening of the multifaceted relationship between both countries. In this context, they had expressed happiness at the signing of the 'Agreement on the Establishment of Bilateral Strategic Partnership' between the two sides.

Israel Strikes Qatar's Doha To Eliminate Hamas Leaders

TEL AVIV, Sept 9: Several explosions have been heard in Qatar's capital Doha, simultaneously, Israel's military has announced that it carried out an airstrike targeting Hamas leaders on Tuesday, although it did not give details about the place.

"The IDF (Israeli military) and ISA (security agency) conducted a precise strike targeting the senior leadership of the Hamas terrorist organisation," the military said.

"For years, these members of the Hamas leadership have led the terrorist organisation's operations, are directly responsible for the brutal October 7 (2023) massacre, and have been orchestrating and managing the war against the State of Israel," it added.

An Israeli military official said that the military had carried out air strikes on Doha Tuesday in an operation targeting senior leaders of Palestinian group Hamas. "The name of the operation in Doha is Summit of Fire. These were air strikes," a military official said.

This comes in after the Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defence Forces Eyal Zamir vowed to targed Hamas' leaders based abroad.

"Most of Hamas's leadership is abroad, and we will reach them as well," Zamir said on August 31.

Qatar has been the home of exiled leaders of Hamas, and has also served as the mediator in talks between the Palestinian group and Israel for years, much before the latest attack on Gaza took place.

The strike could complicate the ongoing negotiations regarding ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages taken in after the attack by Hamas in October 7, 2023.

Qatar has condemned the attack, terming it as "cowardly Israeli attack" on the political headquarters of Hamas. Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari called it a "flagrant violation of all international laws and norms."

Ansari wrote on X, "The State of Qatar strongly condemns the cowardly Israeli attack that targeted residential buildings housing several members of the Political Bureau of Hamas in the Qatari capital, Doha.

He dubbed the attack a "criminal assault" and a "blatant violation" of international laws and norms. He wrote that the attack poses a "serious threat" to the security and safety of Qataris and residents in Qatar.

"The Ministry affirms that the security forces, civil defense, and relevant authorities immediately began addressing the incident and taking necessary measures to contain its repercussions and ensure the safety of the residents and surrounding areas. While the State of Qatar strongly condemns this assault, it confirms that it will not tolerate this reckless Israeli behavior and the ongoing disruption of regional security, nor any act that targets its security and sovereignty. Investigations are underway at the highest level, and further details will be announced as soon as they are available", he added.

Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich praised the attack by Israeli military saying that terrorists will never have immunity from Israel anywhere in the world, and praised IDF's decision and execution.

"Terrorists have no immunity and will never have immunity from Israel's long arm anywhere in the world," Smotrich wrote on X, hailing a "right decision and a perfect execution by the IDF (Israeli military) and the Shin Bet (security agency)".

A White House official has confirmed that Israel informed the US about the attack in advance.

Nepal PM KP Oli Resigns Amid Deadly Gen Z Protests, Chaos On Streets

KATHMANDU, Sept 9: Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned Tuesday after two days of violent anti-corruption agitations - led by 'Gen Z protesters' - killed 21 people and injured around 100. "In view of the adverse situation in the country, I have resigned effective today to facilitate the solution to the problem and to help resolve it politically in accordance with the constitution," he wrote to President Ram Chandra Paudel.

"The PM has quit," his aide Prakash Silwal later confirmed. Visuals showed Oli leaving from his office in a military helicopter. Shortly afterwards the Nepal government's Chief Secretary issued a fervent appeal for calm.

Oli's resigation was followed by Paudel also quitting.

One of the big questions now is who will replace Oli. Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah and parliamentarian Sumana Shrestha are reportedly seen as candidates favoured by the protesters.

Ex Nepal PM's Wife Burnt Alive As Protesters Set His House On Fire

KATHMANDU, Sept 9: Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, the wife of Nepal's ex-prime minister Jhalanath Khanal, died on Tuesday, say media reports, after protesters, led by Gen Z, trapped her in their home and set the house on fire.

The incident took place at their home in Dallu area in the state capital Kathmandu.

Ms Chitrakar was rushed to Kirtipur Burn Hospital but died during the treatment, say family sources.

Nepal's prime minister KP Sharma Oli, whose own house was set on fire, resigned Tuesday as protests against a short-lived ban on social media grew increasingly violent and expanded into broader criticism of his government and accusations of corruption among the Himalayan country's political elite.

Oli's finance minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel, 65, was chased through the streets of the capital, showed a disturbing video. The minister, showed the video, was kicked and thrashed brutally.

Demonstrations led by young people angry about the blocking of several social media sites gripped the country's capital a day earlier, and police opened fired on the crowds, killing 19 people.

19 Killed In Massive Nepal Protest, Home Minister Resigns

KATHMANDU, Sept 8: At least 19 people, including a 12-year-old, were killed and more than 300 were injured in violent clashes in Nepal's Kathmandu as Gen-Z protestors took to the streets to protest against corruption and the government's ban on several social media apps. The army was deployed in the Nepali capital after angry protesters broke curfew restrictions and entered restricted zones near Parliament.

As per sources, Nepal Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak submitted his resignation to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli during the emergency cabinet meeting held at the official residence this evening.

Amid the protests, the government is likely to lift the ban on these social media apps, said sources.

Police responded with water cannons, teargas, and rubber bullets after demonstrators threw tree branches and water bottles and shouted anti-government slogans. Some protesters even managed to enter the Parliament compound, intensifying the situation, according to a report by The Kathmandu Post.

In response to the unrest, the Kathmandu District Administration Office extended the curfew-- initially imposed in the capital's Baneshwar area. The new restrictions now include several high-security zones, such as the President's residence (Shital Niwas), the Vice-President's residence in Lainchaur, Maharajgunj, all sides of Singha Durbar, the Prime Minister's residence in Baluwatar, and adjacent areas.

According to Chief District Officer Chhabilal Rijal, the curfew will remain in effect from 12:30 PM to 10:00 PM (local time). The public has been strictly prohibited from movement, gatherings, protests, or encirclement activities within these zones.

Protests have also spread in different parts of the country. In Pokhara, local authorities have imposed a curfew, where demonstrators reportedly damaged the Chief Minister's office. Nepal Prime Minister KP Oli has called an emergency cabinet meeting over the matter.

In Nepal, several social media sites, including Facebook, YouTube, and X, have been inaccessible since Friday after the government blocked 26 unregistered platforms, leaving users angry and confused. Popular platforms, such as Instagram and Snapchat, have millions of users in Nepal who rely on them for entertainment, news, and business.

The move has sparked public outrage, especially among young people, who accuse the government of stifling free expression while failing to address deep-seated corruption. On Monday, thousands of Generation Z demonstrators marched in Kathmandu demanding that the government lift its ban on social media platforms and end the culture of corruption pervading the country.

"We were triggered by the social media ban, but that is not the only reason we are gathered here," said student Yujan Rajbhandari, 24.

"We are protesting against corruption that has been institutionalised in Nepal."

Another student, Ikshama Tumrok, 20, said she was protesting against the "authoritarian attitude" of the government.

"We want to see change. Others have endured this, but it has to end with our generation," she said.

Since the ban, videos contrasting the struggles of ordinary Nepalis with the children of politicians flaunting luxury goods and expensive vacations have gone viral on TikTok, which is still operating.

"There have been movements abroad against corruption, and they (the government) are afraid that might happen here as well," said protester Bhumika Bharati.

The cabinet decided last month to give the affected companies seven days to register in Nepal, establish a point of contact, and designate a resident grievance handling officer and compliance officer. The decision came after a Supreme Court order in September last year.

In a statement on Sunday, the government said it respected freedom of thought and expression and was committed to "creating an environment for their protection and unfettered use".

Nepal has restricted access to popular online platforms in the past. The government blocked access to the Telegram messaging app in July, citing a rise in online fraud and money laundering. It lifted a nine-month ban on TikTok in August last year after the platform agreed to comply with Nepali regulations.

World Needs Fair, Transparent Trade System: S Jaishankar At BRICS Summit

NEW DELHI, Sept 8: The world is seeking a stable and predictable environment for trade and economic practices should be fair, transparent and to everyone's benefit, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Monday, against the backdrop of increasing global concerns over Washington's tariff tussle.

In an address at a virtual BRICS summit, the external affairs minister said India strongly believes that the international trading system's foundational principles of non-discriminatory and rules-based norms must be protected and that there is a need to create more resilient and reliable supply chains.

S Jaishankar represented Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the summit that saw participation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and several other leaders of the grouping.

It was convened by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to discuss trade disruptions triggered by US' policies on trade and tariff.

The US slapped 50 per cent tariffs on Brazilian exports like in the case of India.

Jaishankar's participation at the summit in place of Modi is seen as part of New Delhi's "balancing act" with the Trump administration increasingly getting suspicious about the BRICS.

In his remarks, Jaishankar called for urgent resolution to ongoing conflicts, adding the Global South has experienced a deterioration in its food, energy and fertilizer security. However, the major focus of his speech was on trade.

"The world as a collective is seeking a stable and predictable environment for trade and investment. At the same time, it is imperative that economic practices are fair, transparent and to everyone's benefit," he said.

"When there are multiple disruptions, our objective should be to proof it against such shocks. That means creating more resilient, reliable, redundant and shorter supply chains," he said.

Jaishankar said the world requires "constructive and cooperative" approaches to promote trade that is sustainable.

"Increasing barriers and complicating transactions will not help. Neither would the linking of trade measures to non-trade matters," he said.

The external affairs minister said BRICS itself can set an example by reviewing trade flows among its member states.

"Where India is concerned, some of our biggest deficits are with BRICS partners and we have been pressing for expeditious solutions. We hope that this realisation will be part of the takeaways from today's meeting," he said.

The remarks assumed significance as they came amid India's ballooning trade deficit with China.

"The international trading system is based on the foundational principles of open, fair, transparent, non-discriminatory, inclusive, equitable and a rules-based approach with special and differential treatment for developing countries," Jaishankar said.

"India strongly believes that this should be protected and nurtured," he said.

The external affairs minister also said that the "state of the world today is a cause for genuine concern".

He listed devastating impact of the Covid pandemic, major conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East and volatility in trade and investment flows as well as extreme climate events as some of the major challenges facing the globe in the last few years.

"In the face of these challenges, the multilateral system appears to be failing the world. That so many serious stresses are being left unaddressed is understandably having consequences for the global order itself," he said.

"It is this cumulative concern that BRICS is now discussing," he added.

Jaishankar also said that the world is seeking an urgent resolution of ongoing conflicts.

"The Global South has experienced a deterioration in its food, energy and fertilizer security. Where shipping is targeted, not just trade but livelihoods also suffer," he said.

"Selective protection cannot be a global answer. An early end to the hostilities and undertaking diplomacy to ensure a durable solution is the obvious pathway before us," he said.

The external affairs minister argued that the working of international organisations in the last few years has witnessed "major shortfalls" in many areas.

"On key issues, we have unfortunately seen that gridlocks have undermined the search for common ground. These experiences have only made the case for reformed multilateralism generally, and that of the United Nations and its Security Council specifically, more urgent," he said.

"The BRICS have taken a positive view of this need for reform and we expect that it would collectively become a strong voice for much awaited change," he said.

S Jaishankar also underlined the need for not losing sight of bigger concerns, especially climate change.

"Sadly, both climate action and climate justice are currently slipping in global priorities. We need new thinking and initiatives as well," he said.

Ukraine Says Russia Launched Largest Attack With Over 800 Drones, Decoys

KYIV, Sept 7: Russia hit Ukraine's capital with drone and missiles Sunday in the largest aerial attack on the country since the war began, killing at least two people and leaving smoke rising from the roof of a key government building.

Russia attacked Ukraine with 805 drones and decoys, officials said.

Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Air Force, confirmed that Sunday's attack was the largest Russian drone strike since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. Russia also launched 13 missiles of various types.

Ukraine shot down and neutralized 747 drones and 4 missiles, according to a statement from the Air Force.

There were nine missile hits and 56 drone strikes in 37 locations across Ukraine. Debris from downed drones and missiles fell on eight locations.

A reporter saw a plume of smoke rising from the roof of Kyiv's cabinet of ministers building, but it was not immediately clear if the smoke was the result of a direct hit or debris, which would mark an escalation in Russia's air campaign. Russia has so far avoided targeting government buildings in the city center.

Modi, Macron discuss early end to conflict in Ukraine

NEW DELHI, Sept 6: French President Emmanuel Macron briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday about the initiative of the so-called “Coalition of the Willing” to end the war in Ukraine, and the Indian side reiterated its backing for the resolution of the conflict and early restoration of peace.

Macron spoke to Modi two days after he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other leaders of the coalition in Paris on Thursday and announced that 26 countries are willing to provide troops or other military assistance to Ukraine once the fighting ends as part of an effort to guarantee the nation’s security.

The two leaders also discussed India-France relations, including cooperation in areas such as trade, defence and technology.

“Exchanged views on international and regional issues, including efforts for bringing an early end to the conflict in Ukraine. The India-France Strategic Partnership will continue to play a key role in fostering global peace and stability,” Modi said on social media.

“We reviewed and positively assessed the progress in bilateral cooperation in various areas,” he added.

Macron said on social media that he had briefed Modi on the “outcome of the work we carried out with President Zelensky and our partners of the Coalition of the Willing” on Thursday. “India and France share the same determination to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” he said.

“Building on our friendship and our strategic partnership, we will continue moving forward together to trace this path toward peace,” Macron said.

The Coalition of the Willing is a temporary grouping that comprises mostly European countries, though it also includes Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Canada. Leaders of 35 countries attended the meeting in Paris. Zelenskyy, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen attended in person, while others joined online.

Macron’s phone call is part of a European outreach to India to get it to use its relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin to seek an end to the fighting in Ukraine. India is also among the few countries that has been in touch with both Putin and Zelenskyy.

European Council President António Costa and Von der Leyen had spoken to Modi on Thursday to help in persuading Russia to end the war, and the PM reiterated India’s support for the resolution of the conflict. “India has an important role to play in bringing Russia to end its war of aggression and helping create a path towards peace,” Costa and Von der Leyen said on social media posts after the conversation.

In recent weeks, Putin and Zelenskyy have dialled Modi to discuss efforts to end the conflict. The issue also figured when Modi met Putin on the margins of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in China.

The external affairs ministry said in a readout that Modi and Macron exchanged views on recent efforts aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine. Modi reiterated “India’s consistent support for peaceful resolution of the conflict and early restoration of peace and stability”, and both leaders agreed to remain in touch and work closely to promote global peace and stability.

The two leaders also reviewed bilateral cooperation across sectors such as economic, defence, science, technology and space, and reiterated their commitment to strengthen the bilateral strategic partnership in line with the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, Indo-Pacific Roadmap and Defence Industrial Roadmap.

Modi thanked Macron for accepting the invitation to the AI Impact Summit to be hosted by India in February 2026.

India, which has not publicly censured Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, has repeatedly called for direct talks between Russia and Ukraine to find a lasting resolution of the conflict. Modi has also told Putin and Zelensky that a solution can’t be found on the battlefield and talks won’t succeed under the shadow of the gun.

Israel destroys second high-rise as assault on Gaza City intensifies

TEL AVIV, Sept 6: The Israeli military has destroyed a high-rise block in Gaza City, the second major tower it has targeted in as many days.

Defence Minister Israel Katz posted video of the building collapsing on X, with the caption: "We're continuing".

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), which has been expanding operations in Gaza, said the Sussi Tower was being used by Hamas - a claim denied by the militant group.

It was not immediately clear whether there were any casualties. Ahead of Saturday's strike, Israel dropped leaflets repeating calls for Palestinians to relocate to what it calls a humanitarian zone in the south.

The Sussi Tower is the second high-rise to be destroyed in as many days. On Friday social-media footage showed the Mushtaha Tower, in the city's al-Rimal neighbourhood, collapsing after a massive explosion at its base.

The residential and commercial tower blocks in Gaza City represented an important chapter in the city's history, tied to hopes of ending the Israeli occupation and building an independent Palestinian state.

The rise of multi-storey towers – more than five floors – began after the signing of the Oslo Accords in 1993, which allowed tens of thousands of Palestinians to return from exile to Gaza and parts of the West Bank.

Following the Israeli withdrawal from most of Gaza in 1994, vertical expansion became a necessity to accommodate the influx of returnees.

The Palestinian Authority encouraged large investments in the construction sector, with entire neighbourhoods named after the towers.

15 killed as Lisbon’s landmark streetcar derails

LISBON, Sept 4: An electric streetcar that is one of Lisbon’s landmarks and a big draw for tourists derailed on Wednesday, killing 15 people and injuring 18 others, emergency services said.

Five of the injured are in serious condition and a child is among the injured, the National Institute for Medical Emergencies said in a statement. An unknown number of the injured are foreigners, it said.

Authorities called it an accident, the worst in the city’s recent history.

The yellow-and-white streetcar, which goes up and down a steep downtown hill in tandem with one going the opposite way, was lying on its side on the narrow road that it travels along, Portuguese television channels showed.

Its sides and top were partially crumpled and it appeared to have crashed into a building where the road bends. Several dozen emergency workers were at the scene but most stood down after about two hours.

Eyewitnesses told local media that the streetcar careened down the hill, apparently out of control.

The streetcar, technically called a funicular, is known as Elevador da Gloria. Two streetcars run parallel to each other as they shuttle up and down the hill on a curved, traffic-free road for a few hundred meters.

It is classified as a national monument.

Lisbon hosted around 8.5 million tourists last year and the streetcar is a popular attraction. Long lines of tourists typically form for the brief ride on it.

Putin says ready to meet Zelensky but insists war is about ‘people’s rights’, not territory

BEIJING, Sept 3: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday (September 3) said he was open to meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but questioned whether such talks would be meaningful.

“As for a meeting with Zelenskiy I have never ruled out the possibility of such a meeting. But is there any point? Let’s see,” Putin told reporters in Beijing after meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Putin added that he was prepared to host Zelensky in Moscow but emphasised that any talks would need careful preparation and tangible outcomes. “I am ready to meet with him, but is there any sense to meet him?” he asked.

The Russian leader repeated long-standing Kremlin conditions for progress, including the cancellation of martial law in Ukraine, holding elections, and staging a referendum on territorial questions.

Putin yet again argued that Ukraine’s NATO membership remains unacceptable for Moscow. “We are against Ukraine joining NATO,” he declared, saying Russia’s security concerns must also be respected.

Despite the ongoing war, Putin suggested that a negotiated settlement was still possible.

“I think there is a light at the end of the tunnel,” he said. “Let’s see how the situation develops. If not, then we will have to resolve all our tasks militarily.”

He vowed that Russia would continue fighting if diplomacy failed: “If a peace deal cannot be reached, we will carry on fighting in Ukraine.”

Putin claimed that Russian forces were advancing steadily in Ukraine and that Kyiv lacked the reserves to mount a large-scale offensive.

“Ukraine is not capable of conducting a large-scale offensive,” he said. “It means that Ukraine has fewer military reserves. The enemy is trying to plug the holes by regrouping its forces.”

Putin also commented on US President Donald Trump’s efforts to broker peace, saying, “They also expressed hope that these talks will lead to end of conflict in Ukraine.”

When asked about Trump’s remarks on conspiracies, Putin replied: “Trump has a sense of humour.”

Afghanistan Earthquake Toll Is 1,400

KABUL, Sept 2: A powerful earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan at the weekend killed more than 1,400 and injured 3,000 others, the Taliban government said Tuesday, making it one of the deadliest to hit the country in decades.

The casualty count has mounted steadily since the 6.0-magnitude earthquake hit late Sunday night, devastating remote areas in mountainous provinces near the border with Pakistan.

Chief Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on X Tuesday that 1,411 people were killed and 3,124 people were injured in the hard-hit province of Kunar alone.

Another dozen people were killed and hundreds injured in neighbouring Nangarhar province.

The earthquake could impact "hundreds of thousands", said United Nations humanitarian coordinator in Afghanistan Indrika Ratwatte.

Rescuers were still desperately searching Tuesday for survivors in the rubble of homes flattened in Kunar.

Emergency "operations continued throughout the night", said the head of the Kunar Provincial Disaster Management Authority, Ehsanullah Ehsan.

Modi Invites SCO Members To Be Part Of India's Development Journey

TIANJIN, Sept 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday linked India's domestic principles to its global role, saying 'reform, perform and transform' are the three principles India is adhering to, and other nations should also join the growth momentum the country is currently going through across the spectrum.

Delivering opening remarks at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, the Prime Minister said this approach defines both governance within the country and India's engagement with international forums such as the SCO.

"Today, India is exploring new opportunities. We invite you to be a part of India's journey of development," said Modi, adding that India and China both pursue strategic autonomy and their relations should not be seen through the lens of a third country.

Stressing that SCO means Security, Connectivity and Opportunity, Modi highlighted that India firmly believes that strong connectivity ensures not just trade, but also trust and development.

"That is why we are working on Chabahar port and the International North-South Economic Corridor projects, which will enhance connectivity to Afghanistan and Central Asia," Modi told the gathering.

He further stated that "Connectivity should always respect sovereignty and territorial integrity -- this is a fundamental principle of the SCO Charter. Connectivity that bypasses sovereignty loses trust and meaning," the Prime Minister emphasised.

"It is a matter of happiness that the SCO is evolving with the changing needs of the times. Four new centres are being set up to tackle challenges such as organised crime, drug trafficking, and cybersecurity. We welcome this reform-oriented mindset," Modi added.

Modi also urged SCO member states to adopt a strong stance against terrorism and act collectively to eradicate it.

The SCO Summit, hosted by China this year, formally began on Sunday. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, founded by China in 2001, is a regional political, economic, and security grouping that includes India, China, Russia, and five other member states.

This is Modi's first visit to China in seven years; his presence on Chinese soil holds particular diplomatic weight given the cooling of India-China relations following the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes.

Landslide kills more than 1,000 people in Sudan’s Darfur

CAIRO, Sept 2: A devastating landslide wiped out a village in Sudan’s western region of Darfur, killing at least 1,000 people in one of the deadliest natural disasters in the African country’s recent history, a rebel group controlling the area said late Monday.

The tragedy happened Sunday in the Tarasin village in Central Darfur’s Marrah Mountains after days of heavy rainfall in late August, the Sudan Liberation Movement-Army said in a statement.

“Initial information indicates the death of all village residents, estimated to be more than one thousand people. Only one person survived,” the statement read.

The village was “completely levelled to the ground,” the group said, appealing to the UN and international aid groups for help to recover the bodies.

Over 800 killed in Afghanistan earthquake

KABUL, Sept 1: The earthquake which struck the eastern Afghanistan region on Monday has reportedly claimed the lives of more than 800 people in the region, while injuring more than 2,500, according to reports quoting Taliban government spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid.

The US Geological Survey reported that the 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck around midnight in Afghanistan, about 27 kilometres northeast of Jalalabad. However, the tremors of this earthquake were felt in Kabul and Pakistan's Islamabad.

Three or four aftershocks followed the Monday earthquake, ranging within a 30-minute period in the region. According to the report, more than 1.2 million people felt the earthquake on Monday.