Author: Rahul M

Poland to shut Russian Consulate in Gdansk: FM Sikorski Warsaw, Nov 19 (IANS) Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski on Wednesday announced withdrawal of the consent for the functioning of Russia’s last operating Consulate in Poland’s Gdansk in response to recent railway sabotage, the local media reported. Polish government’s decision comes after two sections of the Warsaw to Lublin Line, regarded as a strategic connection between Warsaw and the eastern regions sharing border with Ukraine, were attacked by covert operations during the weekend, Poland-based TVP World reported. Officials said tracks were blown up near Mika village, some 90 kilometres south of…

A Washington state resident has been diagnosed with a bird flu strain never before seen in humans, marking an unprecedented case that has alarmed public health officials. The “severely ill” man, who was admitted to hospital with high fever, confusion, and respiratory distress, tested positive for H5N5, a subtype of avian influenza usually found in ducks, geese, and other wild birds. According to the Washington State Department of Health, H5N5 has only been detected in animals until now. The patient, described as older with underlying medical issues, lives in Grays Harbor County and keeps a mixed backyard flock. Two of…

A woman delivered a baby while walking to the toilet at a government hospital in Karnataka’s Haveri on Tuesday and the newborn died instantly after it fell onto the hard floor during the unattended delivery, her family said, accusing the hospital staff of medical negligence.Story continues below this ad The incident took place in the District Government Hospital, where Roopa Girish Karabannanavar, 30, from Kakola village in Ranebennur taluk, was admitted with severe labour pain. Her family members said the woman had been refused a bed due to overcrowding in the labour ward in the women and children’s wing. Roopa…

Pakistan: JUI-F terms 27th amendment ‘unconstitutional’ Islamabad, Nov 19 (IANS) Severely criticising the 27th Constitutional Amendment, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chapter in Pakistan’s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province has described it as a “conspiracy against the Islamic Constitution” and contrary to national interests, the local media reported on Wednesday. The party slammed the 27th Constitutional Amendment during JUI-F’s provincial executive committee meeting in Peshawar. During the briefing, JUI-F’s provincial General Secretary Senator Maulana Attaul Haq Dervish said the 27th amendment had been approved by legal and constitutional requirements, leading Pakistani daily ‘The Express Tribune’ reported. Provincial Ameer Senator Maulana Attaur Rehman stated that…

In Nigeria, Gunmen attacked the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town, Kebbi State, early on Monday, 17th November. They killed the vice principal and kidnapped 25 schoolgirls. The incident took place around 4 a.m. when armed men on motorcycles stormed the school, firing at police officers who were guarding the area. After exchanging gunfire, the attackers climbed over the school fence and forcibly took the students from their dormitories. This incident marks the latest mass kidnapping in northwest Nigeria, where schools have been repeatedly targeted despite security efforts. Police spokesperson Nafiu Abubakar Kotarkoshi confirmed that Vice Principal Hassan…

After a decisive victory in the Bihar Assembly election, the NDA has accelerated efforts to form the next state government. On Wednesday, 19 November, Nitish Kumar was unanimously elected as the leader of the NDA Legislature Party. Earlier in the day, MLAs of the Janata Dal (United) met at the Chief Minister’s residence and chose Nitish Kumar as the party’s Legislature Party leader. Later, during a joint meeting of NDA legislators at the state Assembly, BJP leader Samrat Choudhary proposed Nitish’s name, which was approved unanimously. Nitish Kumar will now visit the Raj Bhavan to submit his resignation and stake…

Rights body slams Pakistan court for rejecting Baloch activist Mahrang’s bail Quetta, Nov 19 (IANS) Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) again rejected the bail plea of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) central organiser Mahrang Baloch, along with other leaders and activists, despite the absence of concrete evidence, the human rights body said on Wednesday. The ruling follows months of custody for Mahrang Baloch, as well as BYC leaders and activists Bibagar Baloch, Sibgatullah Shah Ji, Beebow Baloch and Gulzadi Baloch — a prolonged detention that has sparked human rights concerns. “Yesterday, on 18 November, bail proceedings were conducted in ATC Court Quetta…

The decision to light a charcoal stove inside a closed room to keep themselves warm turned fatal for three young men in Karnataka’s Belagavi, who were found dead on Tuesday evening, allegedly due to asphyxiation. Another member of the group was found alive but is critical. The police identified the deceased as Mohin Nalaband, 23, Rehan Matte, 22, and Sarfaraz Harappanahalli, 22, all residents of Aman Nagar in Belagavi. Shahanawaz Harpanhalli, 19, is undergoing treatment at a local hospital. “There was some function at Matte’s house. As the women of the family slept in the house, these men, who are…

‘Will boost trade, cultural ties’: EAM Jaishankar launches two Indian Consulates in Russia Moscow, Nov 19 (IANS) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Wednesday emphasised that the opening of the two new Indian Consulates General in Russia would deepen bilateral engagement and mark a new phase in the relationship between the two countries. Speaking at the inauguration of Consulates General of India in Yekaterinburg and Kazan in Russia, EAM said, “This is an important day for us, when we are adding two more consulates, consulate generals in this country. And I want to say that over the last few…

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland’s foreign minister said Wednesday that he will order the closure of the last Russian consulate still operating in the country after authorities said two Ukrainian citizens working for Moscow are suspected of blowing up a railway line in Poland.Radek Sikorski said he had repeatedly warned Russia that its diplomatic and consular presence would be reduced further if it didn’t cease hostile actions against Poland, Polish news agency PAP reported.“In connection with this, though it will not be our full response, I have decided to withdraw consent for the operation of the last Russian consulate in…