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Nigerian police say armed group killed 33 in fresh simultaneous attacks

Diplomat Times
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Nigerian police say armed group killed 33 in fresh simultaneous attacks

Abuja, Nigeria — At least 33 people have been killed after Islamic militants launched simultaneous attacks on a district in northwest Nigeria, according to the police.

The attack took place on Wednesday in the Biu community of Kebbi state, police spokesman Bashir Usman said in a statement late Thursday night.

The assailants crossed from Sokoto state, parts of which are occupied by the Lakurawa insurgent group, Usman said.

“Preliminary investigations confirm that armed Lakurawa militants entered the area to rustle cattle,” he said, adding that security personnel have been deployed to restore calm and maintain order.

The Lakurawa group operates in parts of northwestern Nigeria, particularly around communities in the northwestern state of Sokoto. The armed group is known to engage in cattle rustling, raids on villages and kidnappings for ransom.

Northern Nigeria is in the grip of a complex security crisis featuring both Islamic militants and armed criminal gangs kidnapping people for ransom.

The West African nation is in security cooperation with the U.S. after initial diplomatic tensions. Earlier this week, the Nigerian military announced the arrival of 100 U.S troops in Nigeria to help train its military in its fight against armed groups.

SOURCE : AP NEWS |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Former Prince Andrew released under investigation after almost 11 hours in police custody

Diplomat Times
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Former Prince Andrew released under investigation after almost 11 hours in police custody

London, United Kingdom – Former United Kingdom Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the brother of King Charles III, was released on Thursday after being held for almost 11 hours by police for questioning. His arrest was connected to an investigation into alleged misconduct in public office related to the Epstein case.

Thames Valley Police, the agency leading the investigation, released a brief statement on Thursday confirming that they had released a man “in his sixties” under investigation after his arrest in Norfolk, eastern England, on Thursday.

They also announced that they had concluded their inquiries in the area without explicitly identifying the man as Andrew.

However, the former Duke of York, who turned 66 on Thursday, was photographed inside a car leaving the Aylsham police station in Norfolk, eastern England, where he had been questioned by authorities following his arrest at his Sandringham estate that morning.

The photograph, taken almost 11 hours after his detention, shows Andrew reclining in the back seat of the vehicle with wide-open eyes and his hands clasped.

Thames Valley authorities, the police force whose jurisdiction includes Windsor (where Andrew lived until the recent forced abandonment of his Royal Lodge mansion) indicated that the investigation into several properties in the Berkshire region is still ongoing.

After learning of the arrest, King Charles III issued a brief statement expressing his “deepest concern” over his brother Andrew’s detention. Nevertheless, he backed the authorities, defended that “the law must take its course,” and maintained his public schedule.

The uproar surrounding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who was stripped of all his noble titles and honors by his brother in October, has deepened after emails disclosed by the United States Department of Justice revealed that the former Prince provided Epstein with sensitive government documents during his time as the UK’s special representative for trade and investment.

A few prior to his arrest, Thames Valley Police had reported that they were assessing that information to decide whether to proceed with a criminal investigation.

The scandal of the so-called ‘Epstein Files’ has caused a seismic shock to the UK monarchy, which is experiencing a difficult period, after Andrew became the first high-ranking member of the royal family in modern history to be arrested.

Although he has always denied his involvement in Epstein’s network of child sexual abuse, his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, and now Charles III, have taken steps to progressively remove him from public life to mitigate the reputational damage to the monarchy.

SOURCE : EFE. |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Toxic gas leak at mine in Nigeria kills 37 people

Diplomat Times
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Toxic gas leak at mine in Nigeria kills 37 people

Abuja, Nigeria — A toxic gas leak at a mine in north-central Nigeria killed 37 people and led to the hospitalization of 26 others, according to police.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday in Kampani Zurak community, located in the Wase area of Plateau state, police spokesman Alfred Alabo said in a statement.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the miners were affected due to a sudden discharge of lead oxide and other associated gases like sulphur and carbon monoxide which are toxic and poisonous to humans, particularly in a confined or poorly ventilated environment,” he said. “The corpses of the deceased victims have been released to their families for burial according to their religious practices.”

The Nigerian government has closed the mining site and an investigation into the leak is underway.

The miners were unaware of the toxic nature of the emissions and continued their operations, Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake said in a statement.

It’s not clear what was being mined at the site and whether the mine was operating legally. Nigeria is trying to rein in illegal gold mining operations across the country that have killed hundreds of people over the years.

Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake , said the miners were unaware of the deadly nature of the gases and continued working. The government has closed and sealed the mining site , operated under Mining Licence 11810 by Solid Unit Nigeria Limited, and dispatched expert teams to investigate the cause of the disaster.

Preliminary findings suggest the site was an abandoned lead mine , where residual minerals can emit hazardous gases, and villagers entering the tunnels for extraction were caught unaware

SOURCE : AGENCIES |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Macron, Modi Hold Talks to Strengthen France–India Economic and Strategic Partnership

Shasi Kumar
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Macron, Modi Hold Talks to Strengthen France–India Economic and Strategic Partnership

New Delhi/Mumbai, India — Emmanuel Macron and Narendra Modi held high-level bilateral talks on Tuesday, reaffirming their commitment to deepen economic cooperation and strengthen strategic ties amid global uncertainty and shifting geopolitical dynamics.

The meeting in Mumbai highlighted the expanding India–France partnership, which now spans defense, trade, technology, space, nuclear energy, and critical minerals. France has emerged as one of India’s most trusted European partners as New Delhi seeks to diversify supply chains and attract greater foreign investment.

“India–France partnership knows no boundary. In today’s era of uncertainties, this partnership is a force for global stability and progress,” Modi said during a joint press conference.

Defense and Strategic Cooperation at the Core

Defense remains the backbone of bilateral ties. India recently granted preliminary approval for military acquisitions worth nearly $40 billion, including 114 Rafale fighter jets from France. India already operates two Rafale squadrons and last year signed a deal for 26 naval variants for its aircraft carriers.

Maintaining air superiority is critical for India as it navigates complex security challenges along its borders with nuclear-armed neighbors Pakistan and China.

The two leaders also virtually inaugurated a final assembly line for H125 helicopters in Karnataka — a joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus — marking India’s first private-sector helicopter manufacturing facility.

Expanding Economic and Technology Partnership

Macron described the relationship as being in a “phase of acceleration” in response to the evolving global order. Key sectors identified for deeper collaboration include:

  • Space and satellite technology
  • Nuclear energy
  • Rare earth and critical minerals
  • Aeronautics and high-speed rail
  • Artificial intelligence and innovation

Macron also voiced support for accelerating negotiations toward a free-trade agreement between India and the European Union.

Bilateral trade crossed $15 billion in the fiscal year ending March 2025, making France India’s third-largest trading partner within the EU, according to Indian government data.

Global Issues and Indo-Pacific Vision

The leaders discussed ongoing global conflicts, including the war in Ukraine. Macron invited Modi to attend the upcoming G7 Summit in Evian in June and urged closer cooperation to push for humanitarian ceasefires.

“As the ceasefire remains difficult to achieve, we could join efforts to secure an immediate and lasting moratorium on strikes against civilians and civilian infrastructure,” Macron said.

Modi reiterated India’s consistent position advocating dialogue and peaceful resolution to conflicts in Western Asia and Eastern Europe.

With shared interests in the Indo-Pacific and a commitment to multipolar global stability, the Modi–Macron meeting underscored a partnership that continues to grow in scale, ambition, and strategic importance.

SOURCE : AGENCIES |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

India Hosts High-Stakes AI Summit, Welcomes 20 Global Leaders and Top Tech CEOs

Shasi Kumar
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India Hosts High-Stakes AI Summit, Welcomes 20 Global Leaders and Top Tech CEOs

New Delhi, India — India is hosting a major artificial intelligence summit this week, bringing together heads of state, senior policymakers, and leading technology executives for a five-day gathering that underscores AI’s growing global influence.

The India AI Impact Summit marks the first time the high-level forum is being held in the Global South, shifting the spotlight beyond wealthy nations where most advanced AI systems are developed and dominated by major tech corporations. The event comes at a pivotal moment as artificial intelligence rapidly transforms economies, reshapes labor markets, and intensifies debates around regulation, security, and ethics.

From generative AI tools capable of producing text, images, and code to advanced systems powering defense platforms, healthcare diagnostics, and climate modeling, AI has become central to government strategies and corporate investments worldwide.

Previously hosted in France, the United Kingdom, and South Korea, the summit has evolved significantly — expanding from an initial focus on AI safety to a broader global platform addressing innovation, trade, governance, and responsible deployment of emerging technologies.

With participation from nearly 20 world leaders and top tech CEOs, India aims to position itself as a key voice in shaping the future of artificial intelligence in a more inclusive and multipolar digital order.

India aspires to be a rising AI power

India — the world’s most populous nation and one of the fastest-growing digital markets — sees the summit as an opportunity to project itself as a bridge between advanced economies and the Global South.

Officials said the country’s experience in building large-scale digital public infrastructure, including digital identity and payment platforms, offer a model for deploying AI at scale while keeping costs low.

“The goal is clear: AI should be used for shaping humanity, inclusive growth and a sustainable future,” India’s Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said.

The summit begins Monday and will be attended by 20 heads of state and government, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a session Thursday.

Google’s Chief Executive Sundar Pichai, Qualcomm’s CEO Cristiano Amon, OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman, Microsoft’s President Brad Smith and AMI Labs Executive Chairman Yann LeCun are also expected to attend.

Indian executives hope the summit will highlight the country’s role as a driver of national capacity, economic resilience, and long-term growth.

“As India advances toward its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047, AI will play a crucial role in strengthening large-scale systems — from energy and manufacturing to public infrastructure,” said Sumant Sinha, CEO of NASDAQ-listed clean energy firm ReNew.

As in many parts of the world, concerns are growing in India over AI’s potential disruption to jobs across the technology sector and related industries. However, experts stress that large-scale reskilling initiatives can help mitigate the risks.

“There is genuine concern around this issue, and we should not underestimate its impact. But from an Indian perspective, the focus is strongly on reskilling programs. As AI becomes more mainstream, we will also see new job roles emerging,” said Sangeeta Gupta, Senior Vice President at Nasscom, the leading association representing India’s technology industry.

SOURCE : AGENCIES |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Dr. Pavit Mohan Samantaray’s name is in the news due to the stir in Odisha’s politics

Ahsan Ansari
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Dr. Pavit Mohan Samantaray’s name is in the news due to the stir in Odisha’s politics

New Delhi, India – Political activity has intensified in Odisha ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections scheduled for April 2. Amidst discussions about potential candidates for four seats, the name of senior journalist and social activist Dr. Pabitra Mohan Samantaray has emerged prominently in political and media circles.Dr. Samantaray is currently the Editor-in-Chief of the Odia daily Paryabekhyak and the English daily The Kalinga Chronicle.

At the national level, he also holds important positions such as the National Journalists’ Federation (RPM), the National Media Confederation (NMC), and the National President of the Indian Federation of Small and Medium Newspapers (IFSMN), New Delhi.His involvement in public life spans several decades. In 2009, he contested the Odisha Legislative Assembly election from the Barchana constituency as a BJP candidate. Since then, he has consistently played an active role in media rights, journalist safety, and various socio-cultural initiatives.

In addition to journalism and public service, Dr. Samantray has also made significant contributions to the dissemination of Vedic knowledge and value-based education. Over the past four decades, he has played a key role in the establishment and support of numerous educational institutions across the country, especially in Odisha.

He currently serves as the President of the Vedic International Foundation and the Maharishi International Knowledge Foundation, and is also an advisor to several national and international organizations.Given his long-standing contributions to journalism, education, Vedic tradition, and social service, discussions have intensified among political analysts and the media regarding his potential Rajya Sabha candidacy. As the election date approaches, the political landscape in Odisha is constantly changing, and Dr. Samantray’s name appears to add a new dimension to this Rajya Sabha electoral equation.

SOURCE : DT/ANSARI |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Kannadasan K honoured with Bharat Ratna Award 2026 in Delhi

Ahsan Ansari
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Kannadasan K honoured with Bharat Ratna Award 2026 in Delhi

New Delhi, India – Today, at the Bharat Ratna Awards ceremony held in Delhi by the Face Group, people from various states across the country were honored. South Indian social worker Kannadasan K. was also honored with the Bharat Ratna Award 2026.

Organized by Dr. Mushtaq Ansari, Chairman of the Face Group, the Bharat Ratna Awards ceremony selected individuals from all walks of life who have contributed to social work. This event wasn’t just an awards ceremony, but a strong message of social unity, talent recognition, and brotherhood.

The event was attended by numerous celebrities, including doctors, businessmen, singers, and politicians, who are consistently contributing to the good work of their communities. South Indian Kannadasan K. has been consistently contributing to the cause of community harmony and humanity for many years. Dr. Mushtaq Ansari, Chairman of the Face Group, said, “We salute such social warriors. The Face Group will honor such individuals every year.”

SOURCE : DT/ANSARI |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Japan’s “Iron Lady” Sanae Takaichi Secures Stunning Election Victory

Diplomat Times
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Japan’s “Iron Lady” Sanae Takaichi Secures Stunning Election Victory

Tokyo, Japan — Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi led her ruling coalition to a landslide victory in Sunday’s general election, securing a powerful mandate that clears the way for tax cuts and higher military spending aimed at countering China, policies that have already unsettled financial markets.

Projections showed Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party winning up to 328 of the 465 seats in the lower house of parliament. The LDP alone crossed the 233-seat threshold needed for a majority less than two hours after polls closed. With coalition partner the Japan Innovation Party (Ishin), the ruling bloc is set to command a supermajority, according to projections by public broadcaster NHK.

RELATED NEWS : Thailand PM Anutin Charnvirakul strengthens grip on power with landslide election victory

A conservative who says she is inspired by Britain’s “Iron Lady” Margaret Thatcher, Takaichi is Japan’s first female prime minister. Her decisive win follows months of political turbulence under her predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba, during which the LDP lost control of both houses of parliament.

Outside a polling station in Uonuma, a snowbound town in Niigata prefecture, voter Kazushige Cho, 54, said Takaichi had given the country a renewed sense of direction. “It feels like the whole country is pulling together and moving forward,” he said.

Markets have reacted nervously to Takaichi’s campaign pledge to suspend the 8% sales tax on food to help households cope with rising prices. Investors remain concerned about how Japan, which carries the heaviest debt burden among advanced economies, would fund the measure. Takaichi has said she will speed up consideration of the tax cut while keeping fiscal sustainability in focus.

Chris Scicluna, head of research at Daiwa Capital Markets Europe, said the plan leaves “big question marks about funding and how the arithmetic will add up.”

Japan’s top business lobby, Keidanren, welcomed the election result, with chairman Yoshinobu Tsutsui saying the outcome restored political stability at a critical moment for the economy.

Takaichi’s strong mandate is also expected to have significant geopolitical implications. U.S. President Donald Trump last week gave her a “total endorsement” and said he would host her at the White House next month.

China is also closely watching the outcome. Weeks after taking office, Takaichi triggered Japan’s most serious dispute with Beijing in more than a decade by publicly outlining how Tokyo might respond to a Chinese attack on Taiwan. China responded with economic countermeasures, including discouraging its citizens from traveling to Japan.

Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said on Sunday that he wants to push ahead with policies to strengthen Japan’s defences while continuing dialogue with China.

“Beijing will not welcome Takaichi’s victory,” said David Boling, principal at the Asia Group. “China now faces the reality that she is firmly in place — and that efforts to isolate her have failed.”

SOURCE : AGENCIES |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Thailand PM Anutin Charnvirakul strengthens grip on power with landslide election victory

Diplomat Times
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Thailand PM Anutin Charnvirakul strengthens grip on power with landslide election victory

Bangkok, Thailand — Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul secured a decisive victory in Sunday’s general election, with his Bhumjaithai Party emerging as the largest force in parliament, raising hopes of a more stable governing coalition after years of political uncertainty.

The snap election was called in mid-December amid a border dispute with Cambodia, a move analysts said was timed to capitalise on a surge in nationalist sentiment. The strategy appears to have paid off for Anutin, who took office after former premier Paetongtarn Shinawatra of the Pheu Thai Party was ousted over the crisis, before dissolving parliament less than 100 days later.

RELATED NEWS : Thailand prepares to vote in elections framed by continuity or reform

“With more than 90% of polling stations reporting, it’s clear we will have the most seats,” Anutin said while addressing reporters. “Bhumjaithai’s victory is a victory for all Thai people, whether they voted for us or not. We will do our utmost to serve the nation.”

Preliminary results released by the Election Commission showed Bhumjaithai holding a comfortable lead over the progressive People’s Party in second place, followed by the once-dominant Pheu Thai Party.

When he dissolved parliament, Anutin cited dysfunction and infighting among rival parties that made it impossible to govern effectively with a minority administration. Sunday’s outcome marks a dramatic turnaround for Bhumjaithai, which was not a leading contender in the 2019 and 2023 elections, when it won 51 and 71 seats respectively.

Thailand’s 500-member House of Representatives is elected through a mixed system, with 400 constituency seats decided by first-past-the-post voting and 100 party-list seats allocated according to each party’s share of the national vote.

Anutin said the results sent a “clear signal” from voters for Bhumjaithai to govern, adding that the party accepted the mandate under Thailand’s democratic system with the king as head of state. “This is the people’s win — all of them,” he said.

SOURCE : AGENCIES |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

Russia says man suspected of shooting top general has been flown to Moscow from Dubai

Diplomat Times
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Russia says man suspected of shooting top general has been flown to Moscow from Dubai

Moscow, Russia – A Ukrainian-born Russian citizen has been extradited to Moscow from Dubai on suspicion of gravely injuring one of Russia’s most senior military intelligence officers, Russian security officials and investigators said on Sunday.
Lieutenant General Vladimir Alexeyev, deputy head of Russia’s vast GRU military intelligence service, was shot three times on Friday with a Makarov pistol equipped with a silencer in an apartment block on the Volokolamsk highway in northern Moscow, according to investigators.

Alexeyev, 64, was rushed to hospital and underwent surgery. His wife told a Russian war blogger on Sunday that Alexeyev had regained consciousness and was able to talk.
The Federal Security Service (FSB), the main successor to the Soviet-era KGB, said in a statement that a Russian citizen named Lyubomir Korba was detained in Dubai on suspicion of carrying out the shooting.

Russian investigators said Korba, born in the Ternopil region of Soviet Ukraine in 1960, was tasked by Ukrainian intelligence to carry out the shooting. Russia said Ukraine was behind the shooting but Kyiv has denied involvement.

Russian media showed masked FSB officers escorting a blindfolded man from a small jet in Russia in the dark.
The FSB said it had identified two accomplices, also Russian citizens. One, Viktor Vasin, was detained in Moscow, while another, Zinaida Serebritskaya, escaped to Ukraine, Russian investigators said.

Reuters was unable to immediately verify the details of the suspects. President Vladimir Putin thanked Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the leader of the United Arab Emirates, for his help in detaining the suspect, Russia’s foreign ministry said.
The UAE did not release details about how Korba was detained.

SHADOW WAR

The shooting of such a senior Russian intelligence official just 12 km (7 miles) north of the Kremlin has underscored the vulnerability of top Russian generals involved in executing the war in Ukraine.

Some in Russia have questioned how Alexeyev could be tracked in such a location and why he was not guarded better.
The head of the GRU, Admiral Igor Kostyukov, has been leading Russia’s delegation in negotiations with Ukraine in Abu Dhabi on security-related aspects of a potential peace deal.

Behind the front lines of the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War Two, Russia and Ukraine’s military intelligence agencies have fought a shadow “hybrid” war involving cyber attacks, disinformation campaigns, strikes at strategic infrastructure, and killings.

Since December 2024, three other officials of the same rank as Alexeyev have been killed in or near Moscow.
Since the start of the war in 2022, Ukrainian military intelligence has claimed responsibility for assassinating several senior Russian officers, some of whom have appeared on a public list of Ukraine’s enemies.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha told Reuters on Friday that Ukraine had nothing to do with Alexeyev’s shooting.
“We don’t know what happened with that particular general – maybe it was their own internal Russian in-fighting,” he said.

‘SERIOUS BLOW’

The GRU, like the FSB, is a vast and powerful Russian intelligence agency that includes sleeper agents abroad, special forces units and advanced cyber capabilities.
Jailed Russian nationalist Igor Girkin, who has repeatedly scolded Russian generals for what he says the shambolic prosecution of the war, praised Alexeyev’s energy and courage but said the attack was a significant setback.
“This is a serious blow to our special services,” Girkin, himself a former FSB officer, said on Telegram.
Alexeyev came to national prominence in June 2023 when he was shown trying to calm down Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner mercenary group, during a failed mutiny.

In a video, Alexeyev listened as Prigozhin said he had come to take then-Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Russia’s top general, Valery Gerasimov.
“Take them then,” Alexeyev said with a chuckle.
The mutiny fizzled and Prigozhin died in a plane crash two months later.

SOURCE : REUTERS |  Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |

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