देश-विदेश

Yemen’s Houthi movement is attempting to replicate Iran’s strategy in the Strait of Hormuz by disrupting maritime traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb strait, Yemeni Foreign Minister-designate Afrah al-Zouba warned on Monday. Speaking to reporters at the Yemeni Embassy in Riyadh, al-Zouba stated that an insufficient international response has emboldened the group to pursue control over critical Red Sea shipping corridors. The Red Sea has emerged as a major flashpoint following escalations linked to the broader regional conflict involving Iran. The Houthis have intensified operations against Saudi Arabia by launching drone and missile strikes and announcing a blockade on Saudi-bound shipping. In response, Saudi Arabia has conducted airstrikes targeting Houthi military positions and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting commercial maritime routes. The surge in hostilities threatens to unravel the fragile truce established in 2022, raising concerns among diplomats and officials over a potential return to full-scale war in Yemen. Al-Zouba confirmed that while military skirmishes persist along frontline positions stretching from the Red Sea to the Saudi border, neither side has launched a major ground offensive. She emphasised that the internationally recognised government is prepared for further escalation, asserting that the conflict must ultimately be resolved either diplomatically or by force.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Iran of directly participating in the war against Ukraine through its continuous military support for Russia. Speaking on potential threats following a recent incident involving an Iranian vessel, Zelensky urged caution to prevent the opening of another front while stressing that Ukraine must remain prepared for all scenarios. He stated that Tehran became a direct participant by supplying Moscow with thousands of attack drones from the outset of the full-scale invasion and subsequently granting licences for local production. He added that both Iran and North Korea have effectively attacked Ukraine by supplying Russia with weaponry, including missiles, drones, and artillery ammunition. In response, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei rejected assertions that Tehran had sought negotiations with the United States to end hostilities, asserting that Iran will independently determine matters of war and peace. Baghaei added that Washington had initially expected an Iranian surrender within days of commencing attacks, yet months later, the United States continues to face severe challenges in the region.

Indian digital rights activists and student leaders are challenging Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government in the Delhi High Court over the deployment of artificial intelligence-powered mass surveillance during recent youth protests in New Delhi. Student activist Aishe Ghosh filed a petition with the Delhi High Court seeking to declare the police’s mass surveillance of demonstrators unconstitutional. The lawsuit requests the immediate destruction of all personal and biometric data collected during the demonstrations and asks the court to establish clear binding guidelines governing the use of surveillance technologies at public gatherings. The controversy intensified after photographs circulated showing a mobile police surveillance unit, branded “Ikshana” and developed alongside security firm CP Plus, deployed at the main protest site. The vehicle featured telescopic masts providing 360-degree coverage, AI-powered cameras, and real-time facial recognition capabilities that displayed face accuracy metrics to match attendees against law enforcement databases. Furthermore, police officers were documented recording the social media handles of arriving participants. Digital rights organisations, including the Internet Freedom Foundation, have formally requested the Delhi Police Commissioner to delete all biometric data gathered during the events. Advocates emphasise that India currently lacks a dedicated legal framework governing police deployment of facial recognition systems, making such intrusive measures disproportionate and illegal. During court proceedings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta defended law enforcement actions, arguing that expectations of privacy at a public gathering were misplaced and asserting that the security measures were absolutely necessary in the interest of public order. Delhi Police maintained that the technology was used solely to identify individuals with criminal histories and count crowd size without restricting freedoms. The court challenge continues despite the end of the student demonstrations, which were triggered by widespread examination paper leaks in national competitive tests. The protests culminated in the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the announcement of a government panel tasked with overhauling the national examination system.

Regional mediators led by Qatar and Pakistan have achieved significant progress in restoring negotiations between the United States and Iran following a three-day pause in direct military strikes, according to regional officials. The temporary lull comes after nearly two weeks of heavy bombardment triggered by Iranian actions in the Strait of Hormuz. While US President Donald Trump and Tehran have temporarily halted direct strikes against one another, scattered attacks by regional armed groups persist, including drone attacks targetting Saudi petroleum facilities by Iran-backed militias and Houthis, alongside drone interceptions over Jordan and Iraq. Talks facilitated alongside Oman are focusing on establishing a maritime management mechanism for the Strait of Hormuz to restore an interim ceasefire deal, although Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that no direct negotiations with Washington are taking place and that the waterway currently remains closed. Concurrently, US naval blockades against Iran persist, and global shipping through both the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb strait remains constrained. Amid ongoing mediation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump in Washington to discuss the wider conflict, while Iranian officials have condemned a recent Ukrainian strike on an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea.

TORONTO: Canadian police have launched an investigation after gunfire was reported outside the US Consulate in downtown Toronto. The incident marks the second shooting near the diplomatic facility this year. Authorities are investigating the motive and examining security measures around the building. Police were alerted after hearing a gunshot near the consulate on University Avenue. Officers later found evidence that a firearm had been discharged. Investigators recovered a single shell casing from the area. The exterior of the consulate also suffered minor damage. No injuries were reported in the incident. Police said a white Honda sedan without a licence plate was seen leaving the area at high speed. Officers briefly pursued the vehicle but ended the chase because of safety concerns. The consulate was previously targeted in a shooting on March 10. Several arrests were later made in connection with that incident. Toronto police have also been investigating claims that criminal networks were recruiting young people to carry out shootings at prominent locations across the city. Officials have previously mentioned the US Consulate and Jewish institutions among the reported targets. Police have not yet established whether the latest shooting is linked to the earlier incident. Authorities said it was too early to determine a definite motive. Security around the consulate has remained under close watch following previous incidents. Police said in June that young people in the Toronto area were allegedly being offered money to carry out shootings at different locations. The reported targets included synagogues, Jewish schools and the US Consulate. Three people were arrested in connection with the March shooting. A police officer was killed during the operation linked to those arrests. The US State Department said it was cooperating with Canadian authorities following the latest incident. A department spokesperson thanked Canadian law enforcement agencies for their continued efforts to protect the consulate. The US Embassy and consulates across Canada remain open. However, some routine consular services in Toronto have been rescheduled. Ontario Premier Doug Ford condemned the latest incident. He also criticised recent shootings and acts of vandalism reported in Toronto. Ford said police investigations were underway and called for those responsible to be identified and prosecuted.

SEOUL: South Korea is preparing legislation that would legally reaffirm its commitment to nuclear non-proliferation while it moves ahead with plans to develop nuclear-powered submarines. The proposed bill is expected to be released for public consultation by the Defence Ministry. It will set out five key principles governing the country’s nuclear-powered submarine programme. If approved, the legislation would formally establish in domestic law Seoul’s pledge not to develop, produce, possess or use nuclear weapons. The proposed law would also prevent the government from using nuclear materials specifically for weapons-related purposes. It would prohibit activities that could weaken the international nuclear non-proliferation system. The move is aimed at addressing concerns that South Korea’s submarine programme could eventually lead to a domestic nuclear weapons capability. The legislation would reaffirm Seoul’s commitments under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. It would also require cooperation with international organisations during the development of the submarines. The proposed framework would include safeguards for public safety and environmental protection against radioactive materials. The government also wants to speed up the submarine programme. The proposed law would reportedly allow the project to bypass a preliminary feasibility study. South Korea’s nuclear-powered submarine project, known as Jang Bogo N, involves plans for attack submarines powered by low-enriched uranium. The programme is being developed with US approval. The two countries reached an agreement on the project during a leaders’ summit last October. Seoul plans to launch its first nuclear-powered submarine in the mid-2030s. The vessel is expected to enter operational service later in the decade. Defence authorities are reportedly considering three submarines weighing about 8,000 tonnes each. However, official technical details have not yet been released. South Korean Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back has previously stressed that the country will continue to follow its international non-proliferation commitments. Seoul also plans to work closely with the International Atomic Energy Agency throughout the programme.

TOKYO: A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Japan’s southern Kyushu island on Tuesday, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami warning for coastal areas. The earthquake hit Kumamoto prefecture at around 4:27pm local time, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). The agency recorded the tremor at the highest level on Japan’s seven-point seismic intensity scale in some areas. Following the earthquake, the JMA warned that tsunami waves of up to one metre could reach nearby coastal areas. Residents were urged to remain alert and follow evacuation instructions issued by local authorities. The Japanese government also issued emergency earthquake warnings for several prefectures across Kyushu. These included Kumamoto, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Saga, Oita and Miyazaki. The strong tremor disrupted daily life in several areas. Around 40,000 homes reportedly lost electricity after the earthquake. Train services operated by JR Kyushu were also suspended as authorities assessed the situation. Kyushu Electric Power said its Sendai and Genkai nuclear power plants reported no abnormalities or damage following the earthquake. Officials continued monitoring the facilities as a precaution. The latest earthquake comes after another strong tremor struck northern Japan on June 25. That earthquake measured 7.2 in magnitude but did not cause major casualties or widespread damage. Japan is one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries. It sits along the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, a region known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. The country experiences thousands of earthquakes every year. It also accounts for a significant share of the world’s earthquakes measuring magnitude 6 or higher.