world

Moscow: The New START treaty, the last major nuclear arms control agreement between the United States and Russia, officially expired on Thursday, February 5. With the treaty’s expiration, limits on the deployment of nuclear warheads are lifted, raising concerns of a renewed arms race between the world’s two largest nuclear powers. About the TreatyThe Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), renewed in 2010, placed restrictions on the number of strategic nuclear weapons that the US and Russia could possess. It also required the exchange of information regarding nuclear force movements and allowed on-site inspections of missiles with short notice. The treaty was originally signed by then-US President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. However, neither the current U...

Washington: Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has become a father for the third time. His wife, Apoorva, gave birth to their third child, a baby girl, on Wednesday. The couple has named her Savitri. In a social media post, Vivek shared the news, confirming that both mother and child are healthy. A family statement expressed gratitude for the blessings and well-wishes received from Ohio and around the world. Vivek posted a photo on X (formerly Twitter) with Apoorva and their three children, writing: “We are delighted to share the news of our daughter Savitri’s birth. Both mother and baby are healthy, and we are grateful for your blessings.” Prior to Savitri, Vivek and Apoorva have two sons, Kartik (eldest) and Arjun. The choice of the name Savitri received widespread apprec...

Tehran: Tensions between the United States and Iran continue to escalate, raising concerns of a potential conflict in the Persian Gulf. The US recently shot down an Iranian Shahed drone that was approaching the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. Following this, US warships have deployed strategically in the Arabian Sea, putting Iran under pressure. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that nuclear talks with the US are scheduled for Friday in Muscat, Oman. Analysts warn that if these negotiations fail, the US could take decisive military action against Iran. Implications for ChinaA military conflict involving Iran could send shockwaves across China. China imports a significant portion of its oil from Iran, and the Strait of Hormuz—a strategic waterway separati...

Calls to restrict Muslim women from wearing burqas and face coverings in public are gaining momentum across Europe. In Spain, the parliament of the Balearic Islands has voted in favor of a proposal urging the national government to ban burqas and veils in public spaces. Support and Opposition The proposal received backing from representatives of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera, and was supported by the conservative People’s Party (Partido Popular) and the far-right Vox Party. Vox even called for a ban on hijabs, though this demand faced opposition from both sides. Spain is home to roughly 3 million Muslims, with significant populations in Catalonia, Madrid, Valencia, and Andalusia. Several groups have criticized the Balearic parliament’s move as discriminatory. Portugal L...

Houthi rebels in Yemen are reportedly preparing to target American and Israeli naval vessels in the Red Sea in support of Iran, should the United States carry out a military strike. The move signals a potential escalation in the already volatile region. Houthi Preparations The Houthis, who control Sana’a and significant parts of Yemen, have previously launched attacks in the Red Sea. In October 2023, following Israeli strikes in Gaza, they targeted US and Israeli ships to show support for Palestinians. Recent intelligence suggests that the Houthis are once again positioning missiles, drones, and other military resources to strike US naval assets in the event of an Iranian conflict. According to the Israeli public broadcaster KAN News, Israeli security forces are operating under th...

Beijing is intensifying efforts to market its fighter jets internationally, but despite its push, Pakistan remains the only confirmed buyer so far. Now, China is attempting to boost sales by spreading propaganda against India. Targeting the Global Market China aims to strengthen its position as a global arms supplier and is actively targeting the South Asian market. The country recently showcased some of its most advanced fighter aircraft, including the J-10C and the fifth-generation stealth fighter J-35A, at the prestigious Singapore Airshow, held biennially and considered Asia’s premier aviation event. Using Regional Conflicts for Promotion China is promoting the J-10C as a “combat-tested” fighter by referencing the India-Pakistan military clashes in May last year. Pakistan, ...

Tel Aviv: Indian authorities have asked two British tourists to leave the country after they were found posting anti-Israel and pro-Palestine stickers in public areas of Pushkar, Rajasthan. The incident involved 36-year-old Louis Gabriel D and Anushi Emma Christine, who were visiting India on tourist visas, which prohibit participation in political activities. The Rajasthan Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) initiated an inquiry after the stickers, which read “Free Palestine, Boycott Israel”, were reported on January 21. While both tourists apologized for their actions, authorities emphasized that such activities violate local regulations as well as visa terms. Consequently, the pair were issued notices to leave India immediately. Israeli Social Media Praises India’s Acti...

Islamabad: Pakistan marked Kashmir Solidarity Day on Thursday, February 5, with official statements and public events reiterating its long-standing stance on the Kashmir issue. On this occasion, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Aseem Munir once again made strong anti-India statements, expressing support for Kashmiri separatists and calling for international pressure on India regarding its policies in the region. In an official statement, Pakistan’s military leadership—including Army Chief Munir, Navy Chief Naveed Ashraf, and Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Sidhu—declared solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The statement emphasized that India should address the Kashmir issue promptly, framing it as a matter of urgency for regional stability. Political...

New Delhi: India’s successful launch of the Agni Prime (Agni-P) medium-range ballistic missile from Odisha on December 24, 2025, has drawn renewed attention to the country’s rail-mobile missile capability—an approach that significantly enhances strategic survivability and deterrence. Defense analysts say the system’s mobility makes it extremely difficult for adversaries to detect and neutralize, raising concerns in both China and Pakistan. Although road-mobile missile systems are often seen as more modern, India’s vast rail network provides a unique advantage. A missile mounted on a train can move across thousands of kilometers, making it nearly impossible for enemy satellites to track. Experts describe the challenge as equivalent to finding a needle in a haystack. Where Could Rail-M...

Washington: Scientists worldwide are closely monitoring unusual activity inside the Sun as it continues to emit powerful solar flares directly impacting Earth. Since February 1, the Sun has released a series of high-intensity flares, prompting space agencies from NASA to ISRO to issue warnings and closely track potential disruptions to Earth’s technology and communication systems. What Are Solar Flares?Solar flares are massive bursts of energy and radiation caused by explosions within the Sun. These flares are charged with magnetic energy and propagate through the solar system, often referred to as solar storms. When they interact with Earth’s atmosphere, they release significant amounts of electromagnetic radiation almost instantaneously, causing disturbances in the planet’s ionosphere...