World News

Spain Under Siege: 60,000 Migrants Storm Ceuta Border, Sánchez Faces Political Firestorm

Spain Under Siege: 60,000 Migrants Storm Ceuta Border, Sánchez Faces Political Firestorm

Ceuta, Spain (Bureau): Spain is grappling with one of the most serious migration crises in its recent history after an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 unauthorized migrants crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco, overwhelming security forces, stretching humanitarian resources to the breaking point, and triggering a fierce political backlash against Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. The unprecedented influx into the tiny North African enclave, home to nearly 80,000 residents, has forced the Spanish government to deploy the military after Civil Guard personnel struggled to contain the mass border crossings. Many migrants reportedly swam around border barriers or rushed through…
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Amnesty Report Claims Indian Defence Exports to Israel Continued During Gaza Conflict

Amnesty Report Claims Indian Defence Exports to Israel Continued During Gaza Conflict

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): A report by Amnesty International has alleged that defence-related exports from India to Israel continued after the beginning of the Gaza conflict, with thousands of shipments of military equipment and components reportedly reaching Israeli defence companies. The rights organisation said it analysed trade records and identified 2,596 shipments of weapons, ammunition and related parts sent from India to Israel since October 7, 2023. According to the report, the supplies came from Indian companies, including some with government ownership or control, and were delivered to Israeli firms linked with the country's defence establishment. Amnesty alleged that these…
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Powerful Earthquake in Japan Leaves 13 Dead, Widespread Damage Reported

Powerful Earthquake in Japan Leaves 13 Dead, Widespread Damage Reported

Tokyo (Rajeev Sharma): A powerful earthquake that struck southwestern Japan has claimed at least 13 lives, triggering widespread destruction, disrupting infrastructure, and prompting a large-scale emergency response. The 7.1-magnitude quake, which hit on Tuesday afternoon, caused buildings to collapse, sparked fires, and forced thousands of households into darkness. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi confirmed the death toll on Wednesday as rescue teams continued searching for survivors in the worst-affected areas. One of the most severe incidents occurred at a shopping mall in Kashima, where a suspected gas explosion caused significant structural damage after the building had been evacuated. According to…
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13 Indian Seafarers Stranded at Ukraine’s Chornomorsk Port as Black Sea Strikes Intensify: Report

13 Indian Seafarers Stranded at Ukraine’s Chornomorsk Port as Black Sea Strikes Intensify: Report

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Thirteen Indian nationals are reportedly among the crew of a merchant vessel stranded at Chornomorsk Port in Ukraine, where ongoing drone and missile attacks have raised serious concerns over the safety of those on board. According to a media report quoting the Forward Seamen's Union of India (FSUI), the crew remains trapped as military activity continues around the Black Sea region. The vessel, MV AMIR1, has a crew of 15, including 13 Indians. The sailors' union has described the situation as critical, stating that the crew is confined to the ship while repeated attacks continue near…
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China Expands J-20 Presence Near India, Satellite Images Highlight Growing Air Power: Report

China Expands J-20 Presence Near India, Satellite Images Highlight Growing Air Power: Report

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Fresh satellite imagery has reportedly revealed an increased deployment of China's advanced J-20 stealth fighter jets at military airbases located close to India's northern frontier, signalling a continued strengthening of Beijing's aerial capabilities in the region. According to an NDTV report, at least 11 J-20 aircraft were spotted at two strategically located airbases during late June and early July. The report, based on satellite images provided by geospatial intelligence firm Vantor, states that seven J-20 stealth fighters were observed at Hotan Air Base in Xinjiang on July 9. The installation is situated relatively close to India's…
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PoK Votes Under Heavy Security as Elections Begin Amid Political Unrest

PoK Votes Under Heavy Security as Elections Begin Amid Political Unrest

Islamabad (Rajeev Sharma): The first phase of elections to the legislative assembly in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) began on Sunday amid unprecedented security arrangements, with authorities on high alert following months of protests and political unrest in the region. Polling is being conducted in phases and will conclude on August 10, covering 45 directly elected seats in the 53-member assembly. The remaining eight seats are reserved for women, technocrats and religious representatives. According to election authorities, the first phase covers 13 constituencies in the Mirpur division. The second round of polling is scheduled for August 2, when voters in Muzaffarabad division…
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India Tracks Odesa Port Strike as Rescue Efforts Continue for Missing Crew Members

India Tracks Odesa Port Strike as Rescue Efforts Continue for Missing Crew Members

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The Government of India is closely following developments after cargo vessel MV AGN Ragnar came under attack at Ukraine's Port of Odesa on July 25, with four Indian crew members reported to have been on board during the incident. In an official update, the Embassy of India in Ukraine said that two of the Indian nationals have been located and are safe. However, the whereabouts of the remaining two crew members are still being verified as emergency teams continue search and rescue operations. The Indian mission said it has been maintaining regular contact with Ukrainian authorities…
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China Braces for Powerful Typhoon Noul as Red Alert Issued, Travel Disruptions Mount

China Braces for Powerful Typhoon Noul as Red Alert Issued, Travel Disruptions Mount

Beijing (Rajeev Sharma): China has activated its highest typhoon warning as Typhoon Noul continues to strengthen on its approach to the country's southern coastline, prompting emergency measures, transport disruptions and heightened flood preparedness across several provinces. The National Meteorological Centre (NMC) issued a red alert, warning that the storm is likely to make landfall along the coast of Guangdong Province after intensifying over the South China Sea. Meteorologists said the cyclone was located around 100 kilometres southeast of Huidong County late Saturday, carrying winds reaching Force 14 near its centre. Weather officials said Noul is moving in a northwesterly direction…
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US Imposes 10 Per Cent Tariff on Indian Imports Following Forced Labour Investigation

US Imposes 10 Per Cent Tariff on Indian Imports Following Forced Labour Investigation

Washington DC/New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): The United States has imposed a 10 per cent tariff on imports from India and more than a dozen other nations following a months-long Section 301 investigation into forced labour practices. New Delhi secured the lower 10 per cent rate—placing it alongside regional peers such as Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh—after initial proposals by Washington suggested a steeper 12.5 per cent levy. The new duties replace the temporary 10 per cent global tariff that expired this week and apply to 60 countries accounting for over 99 per cent of American imports. US Trade Representative Jamieson…
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Nuclear Threat Looms as US Pounds Iran for 11th Consecutive Night; War Cost Crosses Rs 3.2 Lakh Crore

Nuclear Threat Looms as US Pounds Iran for 11th Consecutive Night; War Cost Crosses Rs 3.2 Lakh Crore

Washington/Tehran (Rajeev Sharma): The conflict between the United States and Iran intensified further after American forces launched another series of coordinated air and missile strikes on multiple Iranian locations early Wednesday, extending their military campaign into an 11th straight night. Alongside the fresh offensive, US President Donald Trump warned that Washington could soon target one of Iran's suspected underground nuclear facilities, raising fears of a dangerous new phase in the conflict. Iranian authorities reported that the latest attacks struck the cities of Chabahar, Konarak, Tabriz, Behbahan and Omidiyeh, with several military-related sites believed to have been hit. The overnight operation…
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