Category: News

  • Britain Urges Coalition to Support Troops for Ukraine’s Peace

    Britain Urges Coalition to Support Troops for Ukraine’s Peace

    On Thursday, Britain’s Defense Minister, John Healey, asked military leaders from about 30 countries to continue plans to send troops to Ukraine. These troops would help keep peace if Ukraine and Russia reach an agreement. This meeting took place at NATO’s headquarters in Brussels and is the first of its kind for a special group of countries willing to support Ukraine.

    Healey stressed the importance of putting pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war. He mentioned that 200 military planners from these countries are working to develop deeper involvement in Ukraine. “We must be ready for when peace comes,” he said.

    In recent news, Ukrainian officials and military experts believe Russia is gearing up for a new attack soon to strengthen its position in negotiations. While the United States does not participate in these coalition meetings, experts from nations like the Netherlands, Sweden, and Finland emphasized that U.S. support is key for success.

    Finnish Defense Minister Anni Hakkanen stated, “The United States is essential for lasting security in Ukraine.” Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans remarked that American support could be vital, but its form might change based on how the European mission is structured.

    European leaders are eager to work together to develop a security force for Ukraine. This force would likely not be positioned right on Ukraine’s border with Russia but rather stationed further away to protect against possible attacks. Some estimates suggest that a force of 10,000 to 30,000 troops could be set up.

    There are still questions to answer regarding how the coalition will operate. Leaders are eager to create a strong deterrent force but face challenges as many European countries have reduced their military sizes since the Cold War.

    The European nations want to ensure they can monitor any ceasefire, potentially using cameras and satellites. They also need to consider what their mission would look like if tensions rise again with Russia.

    Some countries, like Italy and the Netherlands, need approval from their national parliaments to send troops. On Friday, over 50 countries are set to meet again at NATO to gather military support for Ukraine. This important meeting will be led by Britain and Germany.

  • Narender Mann Appointed as Special Prosecutor for 26/11 Case

    Narender Mann Appointed as Special Prosecutor for 26/11 Case

    In New Delhi, the Ministry of Home Affairs has chosen lawyer Narender Mann to be the Special Public Prosecutor for the trial against Tahawwur Hussain Rana, who is accused of involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

    Narender Mann graduated from Delhi University in 1990. He has worked with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and has been involved in many important cases. For example, he handled the case of a plot to kill former Chief Justice A N Ray and many other high-profile cases like the Commonwealth Games scams and Bofors scandal.

    The government’s announcement, made on April 9, stated that Mann will work as a Special Public Prosecutor to manage the trial relating to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) case against Rana for three years or until the trial ends.

    Tahawwur Hussain Rana, 64, is known to be connected to David Coleman Headley, who is one of the main conspirators of the attacks. Rana is reportedly on his way to India after the US Supreme Court refused his plea against being extradited to India.

    On November 26, 2008, ten terrorists from Pakistan attacked Mumbai, hitting places like the CST train station, two luxury hotels, and a Jewish center. This horrifying event lasted three days and resulted in the death of 166 people.

  • Pakistan Denies Connection to 26/11 Accused Tahawwur Rana

    Pakistan Denies Connection to 26/11 Accused Tahawwur Rana

    On Thursday, Pakistan stated that it has no connection to Tahawwur Rana, a man accused of being involved in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson, Shafqat Ali Khan, explained that Rana is a Canadian citizen, born in Pakistan in 1961, and hasn’t updated his Pakistani documents in over 20 years.

    Rana was part of the Pakistan Army Medical Corps but moved to Canada in the 1990s and became a citizen there. Although he was born in Pakistan, his official papers are outdated. Rana is linked to David Coleman Headley, a Pakistani-American who was a key figure in planning the Mumbai attacks. Headley surveyed Mumbai while pretending to work for Rana’s immigration company.

    The 2008 Mumbai attacks were devastating, claiming 166 lives, including six Americans. Ten terrorists from Pakistan carried out the attack, which lasted more than 60 hours and targeted famous locations in the city. Rana faces accusations related to plotting the attacks and was extradited from the United States years later.

  • Delhi High Court Questions Hold on Malabar Gold’s Bank Accounts

    Delhi High Court Questions Hold on Malabar Gold’s Bank Accounts

    New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has asked the Indian government to explain why it has paused two bank accounts of Malabar Gold, a well-known jewellery store. This happened after the store sold some gold items to a company that is under investigation for fraud.

    Justice Sachin Datta, who is handling the case, wants to know if the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) have received any complaints about Malabar Gold that would justify the investigation.

    Malabar Gold and Diamonds Ltd filed a petition asking the government to lift the hold on their accounts at State Bank of India and HDFC Bank. The court has asked the authorities to provide a report within a week explaining why the accounts were frozen.

    The court is also looking for information about whether Malabar Gold is being investigated based on any complaints. The case is scheduled for a hearing on April 21, and an officer from I4C is expected to attend.

    Malabar Gold said they are in the business of buying and selling gold and precious stones. In July 2024, a private company approached them to buy gold bars and coins, and they followed all the proper processes, including verifying the buyer’s identity.

    Later, a complaint was made against this buyer for fraud, and Malabar Gold insisted they are not involved. However, authorities decided to freeze their bank accounts, halting their business and violating their rights.

  • Rana Extradited: Key Figure in Mumbai Terror Attacks Finally Faces Justice

    Rana Extradited: Key Figure in Mumbai Terror Attacks Finally Faces Justice

    The recent extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a key figure in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, was an important success for Indian authorities. This lengthy process included talks with the United States, keeping Rana in custody as he was about to be released, and gathering proof of his involvement.

    Rana is a 64-year-old Canadian citizen born in Pakistan. He was arrested by the U.S. on October 18, 2009, just weeks after his friend David Coleman Headley was taken into custody. India had also asked the U.S. to extradite Headley, but the U.S. refused because he admitted his role in terrorist activities and agreed to help in investigations, which included a promise not to extradite him.

    Rana was tried on charges of helping terrorists in both India and Denmark. India issued a warrant for his arrest in 2018, as they wanted to charge him with serious crimes like conspiracy and terrorism. In 2011, Rana was convicted of terrorism related to Denmark but was found not guilty regarding India. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison, but after serving seven years, he was granted an early release due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, he was rearrested on June 10, 2020, because India requested his extradition.

    The National Investigation Agency (NIA) of India was regularly working with U.S. authorities to gather evidence against Rana and Headley. They made visits to the U.S. to provide necessary details and support. Rana had British lawyer Paul Garlick, while Indian lawyer Dayan Krishnan helped pro bono during the extradition process.

    Rana tried to weaken Headley’s credibility in court by claiming that Headley was a dishonest person who had previously cooperated with authorities for his own benefit. But the court did not believe him and approved Rana’s extradition on May 16, 2023.

    Rana attempted to avoid extradition by saying he would face double punishment for the same crime if sent to India, but a U.S. law analysis confirmed that this was not the case. After other legal attempts failed, including appeals to higher courts, the U.S. Supreme Court ultimately rejected his pleas.

    The U.S. government, under President Donald Trump, approved Rana’s extradition, which officials did during Indian Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the U.S. in February. The extradition went through because India assured the U.S. that Rana would be treated fairly and not tortured in Indian jails.

    Finally, Rana was handed over to Indian officials, who flew him back on a special plane where he would be officially arrested upon arrival. This extradition showed the strong diplomatic ties between India and the U.S., making it easier to overcome legal challenges.

  • Saskatchewan MLA Apologizes for Calling Jagmeet Singh a Terrorist

    Saskatchewan MLA Apologizes for Calling Jagmeet Singh a Terrorist

    In Canada, a politician named Racquel Hilbert, who works for the government in Saskatchewan, said something very wrong about a leader named Jagmeet Singh from the New Democratic Party (NDP). On March 25, during a speech, she called Singh a “terrorist,” which upset many people.

    After realizing her mistake, she apologized and said she was sorry for her comment. She explained that she shouldn’t have said that, especially since Singh has never been charged with any crime in India, including terrorism.

    Singh was denied a visa to India in 2013, but there are no charges against him. In 2018, it was reported that he spoke at a 2015 event that had a poster of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a person linked to a violent movement in India during the 1980s.

    Singh mentioned that while he didn’t care much about the comments made about him, he was really concerned because they came from a member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA).

    It’s important to note that Saskatchewan has strong trade connections with India. In 2023, trade between Canada and India reached $5.1 billion, with Saskatchewan contributing 26% of that, which is over $1.3 billion. Much of this trade includes important goods like lentils and potash.

  • Gold Prices Surge Amid Trade War – What to Expect Next!

    Gold Prices Surge Amid Trade War – What to Expect Next!

    Gold prices went up on Thursday because the trade war between the U.S. and China is getting worse. This happened even after President Donald Trump said there would be a 90-day break on tariffs for other countries.

    Spot gold is now priced at $3,110.69 per ounce, which is a 0.9% increase, following a big rise the day before. U.S. gold futures are up by 1.5%, reaching $3,126.70. According to Nitesh Shah, a commodities expert at WisdomTree, “We are living in a world full of uncertainty, and we don’t know where this trade war will go. I believe gold prices will continue to rise this year.”

    On Wednesday, Trump said he would lower tariffs on many countries but increased tariffs on China from 104% to 125% after China announced an 84% tax on U.S. goods. The U.S. Federal Reserve recently noted that the economy might face challenges like rising prices and slower growth, which could affect their decisions on interest rates.

    Investors are now watching closely for data on U.S. consumer prices, as this could influence how the Fed manages interest rates. The current market expects that the Fed might lower interest rates by around 0.84% by the end of the year. Gold is often seen as a safe investment during tough economic times and does well in low-interest environments.

    Gold prices have risen more than 18% since last year and are expected to keep climbing. Shah predicts that in a year, gold could reach $3,600, and it might even hit $4,000! Meanwhile, silver prices fell by 0.4% to $30.88 an ounce, platinum dropped by 0.3% to $934.70, and palladium went down by 1.3% to $920.79.

  • Sheikh Hasina and Daughter Face Arrest Warrant in Corruption Case

    Sheikh Hasina and Daughter Face Arrest Warrant in Corruption Case

    A court in Bangladesh has issued a new arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her daughter, along with 17 others, in a case about corruption. The case involves claims that they obtained a piece of land wrongfully.

    On Thursday, Dhaka’s Senior Special Judge, Mohammad Zakir Hossain Galib, accepted the Anti-Corruption Commission’s (ACC) charges against them. Since Hasina and the others are not present to defend themselves, the court has ordered their arrest.

    The charges claim that Sheikh Hasina’s daughter, Saima Wajed Putul, used her influence to illegally get a residential plot instead of following proper procedures through the government agency RAJUK. This was wrong because Putul and her family already owned housing in Dhaka.

    Putul currently works as the Regional Director for the World Health Organization (WHO) in South East Asia, based in New Delhi.

    Earlier, Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal had also issued arrest warrants against Hasina and some officials for serious crimes against humanity and enforced disappearance, but this new warrant is linked to corruption and financial misuse involving around Taka 4,000 crores, related to celebrations for the 100th birthday of Bangladesh’s founding leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in 2020.

    The ACC is investigating this matter, as they believe the money was improperly spent from the national budget. The chairman of the ACC has stated that they will pursue justice for Hasina and others involved as they would for anyone else accused of corruption.

  • Walmik Karad Requests Court Release in Sarpanch Murder Case

    Walmik Karad Requests Court Release in Sarpanch Murder Case

    In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Walmik Karad, one of the main accused in the murder of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh, has asked a Beed court to free him from the case. He argues that there is no strong evidence against him. The court has asked the state Crime Investigation Department (CID) for a response to his request.

    If the court believes there isn’t enough proof against Karad after the chargesheet is filed, it can allow him to avoid a trial. Santosh Deshmukh, who led Massajog village in Maharashtra’s Beed district, was kidnapped and brutally killed on December 9 last year. It is believed he was murdered for trying to stop an extortion scheme involving an energy company. So far, eight people, including Karad, have been arrested and are facing serious charges under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act.

    Last month, the CID submitted a lengthy chargesheet of more than 1,200 pages about Deshmukh’s murder. Ujjwal Nikam, a special public prosecutor, said that Karad wanted some documents, which they have now shown to the court. He also mentioned that Karad’s claim of lacking evidence is part of his request to be released from the case.

    During the court session, a video showing Santosh Deshmukh being attacked, reportedly recorded by the accused, was shown. However, prosecutors asked the court not to release this video to the public as it could cause disturbances. The court will hear more on this topic on April 24, along with a request by the prosecution

  • China Stands Strong in Trade War as Tariffs Soar Against the US

    China Stands Strong in Trade War as Tariffs Soar Against the US

    In the ongoing trade fight between China and the US, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Mao Ning, said that China will not be scared or back down from challenges. To make her point, she shared an old video of former Chinese leader Mao Zedong from 1953, during a time of war with the US. In the video, Mao Zedong says that it is not for China to decide how long the war will go on. Instead, it is up to the US presidents. He also claimed that no matter how long it takes, China will never give up and will keep fighting until they win.

    Recently, US President Donald Trump announced that tariffs on Chinese goods are going up by 125%. This decision came after China decided to raise its tariffs on American products from 34% to 84% starting on April 10. This back-and-forth started when the US first raised tariffs to 104%. Trump had even warned of more increases following China’s earlier move. China’s government called the US tariffs unfair and claimed they were just a form of bullying.