Author: Ananya Gautam

Reports suggest that Arundhati Roy, the acclaimed Indian novelist who won the Booker Prize, may face prosecution for a speech she delivered in 2010 regarding Indian-administered Kashmir. According to sources, a high-ranking official has given the green light to this action. At 61 years old, Roy is one of India’s most renowned contemporary authors. However, her literary work and activism, which includes outspoken critiques of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, have rendered her a divisive figure within the country. Since its initial filing in 2010, a criminal complaint alleging sedition against Roy and several others had been stalled in India’s…

A flash flood in North Sikkim on October 4 resulted in the destruction of Sikkim’s largest hydropower venture, the 1,200-MW Teesta III project. This led to further damage downstream in areas including Gangtok, Namchi, and Pakyong. The latest update from the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority on October 8 reported 33 fatalities and 105 individuals still unaccounted for. The destruction of the Teesta-III project’s dam and the impairment of the Teesta-V dam due to the flood have refocused attention on the series of hydel projects, both existing and planned, along one of the most dammed rivers in the nation. The…

The UN Security Council convened an urgent closed-door meeting on Sunday. The United States insisted that all 15 members strongly denounce “these atrocious acts of terrorism perpetrated by Hamas,” yet no immediate action was taken. The session lasted approximately 90 minutes, during which the UN’s Middle East peace envoy, Tor Wennesland, provided a briefing. According to diplomats, led by Russia, some members were hoping for a broader discussion beyond simply condemning Hamas. A consensus statement needs to be reached. Russia’s UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, emphasised, “My message was to halt the conflict immediately, implement a ceasefire, and engage in substantive…

India expresses a desire to “work closely together” with the Maldives in tackling regional issues such as transnational crimes and disaster relief. This sentiment is shared even as President-elect Mohamed Muizzu emphasizes that the most urgent matter to be addressed after he assumes formal office is the state of relations with New Delhi. After winning the elections this week, Maldivian President-elect Mohamed Muizzu declared on Wednesday his intention to promptly withdraw all foreign soldiers, including 75 unarmed Indian military personnel, from the islands. However, in order to uphold a stable relationship with New Delhi, discussions will be held, and any…

European Union member states have reached an agreement on new protocols for managing irregular immigration during periods of high arrivals. This development removes a significant hurdle towards a broader consensus on the EU’s asylum and migration policies by year-end. Representatives from all 27 EU nations finalized a deal on Wednesday regarding “crisis regulation,” enabling progress in further discussions and a push to formalize these alterations before the upcoming EU elections next year. Swedish Migration Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard remarked, “Now we can proceed with the negotiations. It is crucial to establish the pact to ensure order at the EU’s external…

In September 2023, U.S. immigration agents dealt with over 200,000 individuals who crossed the southern border illegally, marking the highest level recorded for the year. This surge in migration poses a significant challenge for the Biden administration in its efforts to manage the situation in the region. This information is based on preliminary government data obtained by CBS News. Border Patrol agents reported around 210,000 apprehensions of unauthorized migrants who entered the U.S. between official ports of entry along the Mexican border last month. This represents an increase from the 181,000 recorded in August, as indicated by internal Department of…

On Monday, Matt Gaetz took a significant step in attempting to remove Speaker Kevin McCarthy from his top House leadership position. Gaetz put forth a motion on the House floor to vacate McCarthy’s chair, a rare procedural maneuver that could lead to a vote for his removal. The outcome of this challenge to McCarthy remains uncertain, but it represents the most serious threat to his speakership thus far. To succeed in a floor vote, a majority would need to support the motion. Following the announcement, McCarthy responded with a defiant message, saying “Bring it on,” while Gaetz expressed his readiness…

On Sunday, President Joe Biden assured that the flow of American aid to Ukraine will continue for the time being. He aimed to reassure allies about ongoing U.S. financial support for the war effort. The president issued a warning to Congress, emphasizing that time is running out. Speaking from the White House, Biden praised the deal reached by lawmakers, which he promptly signed into law just minutes before funding was set to expire at midnight on Sunday. He added that the same protracted, last-minute process wouldn’t be necessary for the upcoming round of negotiations leading up to the November 17…

A populist former prime minister, who campaigned on a pro-Russian and anti-American message, appeared to be heading for victory in early parliamentary elections in Slovakia, according to preliminary results on Sunday. The election tested the small Eastern European country’s support for neighboring Ukraine in its war with Russia, and a potential win by Fico could strain the fragile unity in the European Union and NATO. This election’s outcome is likely to heighten concerns about Slovakia’s future foreign policy direction. At 59 years old, Robert Fico has pledged to halt military assistance to Ukraine, voiced criticism of sanctions against Russia, and…

In a press conference held in Montreal, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reiterated Canada’s dedication to fostering closer connections with India, despite the presence of “credible allegations” regarding the Indian government’s involvement in the death of Sikh Separatist Leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, as reported by Canada’s National Post. Emphasising India’s increasing global influence, Trudeau stressed the “extremely important” nature of ongoing engagement between Canada, its allies, and India. Trudeau underlined the significance of India as a burgeoning economic powerhouse and a pivotal player on the global stage. He reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to building stronger ties with India, referencing their Indo-Pacific…