Author: Rahul M

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…

European rights and advocacy groups slam ICT verdict against Sheikh Hasina Dhaka, Nov 19 (IANS) Five European international organisations have denounced International Crimes Tribunal’s (ICT) judgement against Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and demanded global action to stop what they describe “politically motivated” trials, the local media reported on Wednesday. A coalition of rights and advocacy groups based in London released a joint statement, voicing “deep concern” over ICT’s recent judgement under Bangladesh’s interim government. The coalition has written letters to the UN Secretary-General, the UN High Commissioner for human rights, Human Rights Watch, the European External Action Service,…

EAM Jaishankar and Russian Deputy PM review preparations for Putin’s India visit Moscow, Nov 19 (IANS) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov met in Moscow on Wednesday as they reviewed preparations for the annual India-Russia Leaders Summit set to be held in New Delhi, next month. “A pleasure to meet First DPM Denis Manturov in Moscow today morning. Took stock of the progress made since our last meeting for the 26th IRIGC-TEC in August 2025. Reviewed preparations for the upcoming Annual India-Russia Leaders Summit in New Delhi next month,” EAM Jaishankar posted…

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A large Russian drone and missile barrage pummeled a western Ukrainian city, killing 20 people, including two children, authorities said Wednesday, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Turkey in search of diplomatic support for his fight against Russia’s invasion.The nighttime attack hit two nine-story apartment blocks in Ternopil, located around 200 kilometers (120 miles) from the Polish border, according to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko. Emergency crews were sifting through the rubble in daylight to find any survivors, he said. At least 66 people, including 16 children, were injured, emergency services said.Russia fired 476 strike and…

Focus on ‘effectively utilising’ Chabahar port as Afghan minister begins India visit New Delhi/Kabul, Nov 19 (IANS) Afghan Industry and Commerce Minister Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi arrived in New Delhi Wednesday afternoon, kicking off the official visit of a high-ranking government delegation from Kabul with the aim of activating and effectively utilising the capacities of India-developed Chabahar Port in Iran and attracting and drawing more investments. Welcoming the visiting minister, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that advancing bilateral trade and investment ties is the key focus of Azizi’s visit. Just ahead of the visiting delegation’s arrival in India, Afghanistan’s…

New Delhi: A group of eminent citizens comprising judges, retired civil servants and diplomats, and retired armed forces officers have accused the Congress and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi of attempting to tarnish institutions like the Election Commission after targeting the judiciary and armed forces, among others.A group of 272 eminent citizens consisting of 16 judges, 123 retired civil servants (including 14 ambassadors), 133 retired armed forces officers have written the open letter. “After their attempts to tarnish the Indian armed forces by questioning their valour and accomplishments, and the judiciary by questioning its fairness, Parliament and its…

Delivering the Sixth Ramnath Goenka Lecture in Delhi on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on people to take a pledge to end, over the next 10 years, Thomas Macaulay’s influence, which he said had “colonised” Indian minds for almost two centuries. The PM’s statements expressed a core concern of the Sangh and were in line with its position on indigenising education and “decolonising the Indian mind”.Macaulay’s objective, Modi said, was to create Indians who “are Indians by appearance but British at heart.” The country, he added, “paid a heavy price” for this as the belief that the Western or…