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Monday, September 14, 2026

Pakistan court orders blocking passports of KP CM, 24 lawmakers of Imran Khan's party

Peshawar, Sep 14 (PTI): An Islamabad anti-terrorism court on Monday ordered the blocking of passports of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi and 24 other Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers in connection with a case registered at a police station in the national capital. Judge Abul Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain issued the order while allowing a request by the police and directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to block the passports until further orders. The order also covers senior PTI leader and former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, lawmakers Shahram Khan Tarakai, Shah Ahmad, Sher Ali Arbab, Muhammad Iqbal Afridi, Dr Amjad Ali, Junaid Akbar, Shahid Khattak, Zubair Wazir, Arshad Umarzai, Zar Alam, Mian Omar and Akhtar Khan, among others. The court said the available record showed that the individuals have been named as accused in the case. The investigating officer told the court that the accused could flee the country to evade legal proceedings and alleged that they were facing serious charges, including attacks on state institutions and promotion of terrorism. The court noted that the accused had failed to appear before it and that those who had secured interim bail had also not yet joined the investigation. It subsequently approved the police request and ordered the FIA to keep the passports blocked until further orders. The order comes amid heightened political activity by the PTI, which has announced a nationwide protest for September 27. Afridi, who is currently touring Punjab to mobilise support for the planned protest, separately alleged on Monday that Punjab Police had attempted to abduct him and later left him on the roadside after assaulting and mistreating him. "Punjab Police will have to answer for this action. This is no joke," Afridi said, describing the alleged treatment of a chief minister of one province by police of another province as "unacceptable". He demanded an explanation from the Punjab government over why he was allegedly left on the roadside and mistreated. The PTI has in recent months remained engaged in political agitation against the central government, with its supporters and leaders facing multiple cases linked to protests and alleged violence against state institutions. PTI AYZ SCY SCY(This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/pakistan-court-orders-blocking-passports-of-kp-cm-24-lawmakers-of-imran-khan-s-party-1866738

Houthis Seize Hanish Islands In Red Sea As Iran War Escalates, Pressure Mounts On Saudi Oil Routes

Edited by: Kieran Burke Iranian-backed Houthi rebels on Monday announced they had captured Greater and Lesser Hanish Island in the southern Red Sea. The move bolsters the group's ability to choke traffic in another key global maritime shipping route as the ripple-effect of the war in Iran grows. The strategic advance comes as Saudi-backed Yemeni forces try to regain territory recently lost near the Bab el-Mandab Strait, an important alternative to the Strait of Hormuz — which Iran has held closed since US President Donald Trump began bombing the Islamic Republic on February 28. The closure of the Hormuz Strait, through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil passed before the US began hostilities, has led to a global economic and energy emergency, driving up prices around the world and forcing petro-monarchy Saudi Arabia to move its oil exports through Bab el-Mandab. But the Houthis have declared a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia and last week seized strategic Mayun Island and the Red Sea port of Mokha, cutting off the alternative route. The capture of Greater and Lesser Hanish now puts even more pressure on Saudi shipments and thus global oil supplies and prices. Beyond putting the squeeze on Saudi Arabia — the Houthis' proxy enemy for backing the internationally recognized government in the Yemen's reignited civil war — it could also provide Iran added leverage in defending itself against the US. <h2>Houthi offensive continues to escalate as Iran war expands</h2> The Houthis pressed on with their offensive Monday, launching missile and drone attacks on Saudi military targets. A spokesman for the group said the strikes had caused "significant damage" and had come in response to "more than 300 [Saudi] airstrikes in [Yemen over] the past five days." Despite being a longtime backer of the Houthis as part of its anti-Israel "axis of resistance," Tehran has denied any involvement in Yemen's revived civil war. "Iran does not interfere in Yemeni affairs," said Tehran's Foreign Ministry on Monday, with spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei telling reporters the Houthis are "entirely independent actors who make their decisions based on their own interests." Yemen's civil war — dormant for four years until the conflict in Iran broke out — began in 2014, when Houthi rebels seized large parts of northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, and forced the government to flee to Aden in the south. In 2015, Saudi Arabia led a military coalition aiding the government, launching wave after wave of airstrikes as the conflict escalated into one of the worst humanitarian disasters in the world. <h2>Concerning situation for US and its Saudi, Gulf State allies</h2> On Monday, Admiral Brad Cooper of US Central Command (CENTCOM) was in Jeddah to discuss "the latest developments in the region" with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. US news site Axios reports that Cooper has been in the kingdom since Thursday, dealing with urgent coordination meetings as the situation in the Red Sea escalates. US media outlets reported last week that President Trump had rejected a request by the crown prince for the US to directly intervene. Despite turning down the request to unleash US firepower, Trump reportedly agreed to provide intelligence sharing and targeting assistance. <h2>Iran blames Saudi Arabia for stalling Hormuz talks</h2> Iran on Monday accused Saudi Arabia of delaying talks aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Foreign Ministry spokesman Baghaei called a meeting set to take place in Oman, a "real opportunity" to restore security in the region and added that an agreement between Iran and Oman on opening the passage had been finalized and would be announced later. Saudi Arabia reportedly has concerns over the lasting implications of a deal for the Strait of Hormuz and how it might negatively impact Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Tehran says Riyadh is using Yemen as a "pretext" to delay talks on how the Strait will be governed now that the status quo has been upended by the US. Currently, the only secure routes allowing Saudi Arabia to deliver its oil to Asian markets are via the Suez Canal or around South Africa's Cape of Good Hope. On Monday, China's Foreign Ministry called attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure "unacceptable," saying Beijing is "deeply concerned" about further escalation. (Disclaimer: This report first appeared on Deutsche Welle, and has been republished on ABP Live as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/houthis-seize-hanish-islands-in-red-sea-as-iran-war-escalates-pressure-mounts-on-saudi-oil-routes-1866732

Sunday, September 13, 2026

Oil Crisis: West Asia war threatens global oil supply as key routes face disruption

The ongoing West Asia conflict is increasingly threatening global oil supplies as key energy routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb and Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline face serious disruption. Brent crude rose from $97.58 per barrel on September 7 to $104.60 on September 13, keeping pressure on global energy markets. India is particularly vulnerable because it relies heavily on crude oil imports. The country’s oil import bill was around ₹10.92 lakh crore in FY 2025-26, while imports between April and July 2026-27 were already worth about ₹5.94 lakh crore. If crude stays around $100 per barrel, India’s annual import bill could potentially reach ₹19.1 lakh crore, increasing pressure on government finances and consumers. The bigger concern is whether oil can physically reach global markets. If the three major routes are disrupted, Brent crude could potentially climb toward $120–150 per barrel in a worst-case scenario. Longer shipping routes around the Cape of Good Hope would increase transportation time and costs. The crisis could also trigger higher inflation, slower global growth, expensive fuel and freight, and LNG shortages, creating a broader threat to the world economy.

source https://news.abplive.com/videos/news/world-oil-crisis-west-asia-war-threatens-global-oil-supply-as-key-routes-face-disruption-1866623

Boris Johnson’s Train Passes Minutes Before Drone Hits Passenger Train In Ukraine

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson narrowly escaped a drone attack in Ukraine after a passenger train travelling from Kyiv to Warsaw was targeted near the Polish border on Sunday. The train carrying more than 200 passengers was evacuated in time, and no injuries were reported. Johnson, former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt and several other foreign officials were travelling towards Poland after attending a security conference in Kyiv. Their train had passed through the area just minutes before a separate passenger train was targeted by a drone. Bildt later clarified on social media that the train hit by the drone was not the one carrying the foreign delegation. He said the targeted train was travelling towards the Polish border a few minutes behind their train and praised the security arrangements that allowed the passengers to be evacuated in time. <h2>Drone Hits Passenger Train Near Polish Border</h2> According to Ukrainian Railways, the drone targeted the locomotive of a passenger train in the Volyn region, around two kilometres from the Polish border. The train crew was alerted to the threat before the attack, allowing passengers to be evacuated and moved to safety. No casualties were reported. The Associated Press reported that the special train carrying foreign representatives had already passed through the area when the attack occurred. Ukrainian Railways said the train carrying the delegation had been allowed to leave ahead of schedule as a security precaution. <h2>Boris Johnson, European Officials Were In Area</h2> Several European security and foreign policy officials were travelling with Johnson and Bildt towards Poland. Reports said senior German security advisers, along with officials associated with Britain, France and Italy, were part of the delegation. Former CIA chief David Petraeus was also reportedly in the region. Security measures were tightened following the drone attack. Once the threat had eased, the trains were allowed to continue their journeys. Johnson condemned the attack, calling it a senseless strike and saying that civilians and railway workers in Ukraine continue to face repeated attacks. He urged Western nations to strengthen Ukraine's air-defence capabilities. Johnson also backed consideration of using frozen Russian assets held in Europe and Britain to provide further support to Ukraine.  

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/boris-johnson-s-train-passes-minutes-before-drone-hits-passenger-train-in-ukraine-1866606

Meeting Between Iran, Gulf States Scheduled In Oman Postponed

Muscat/Tehran: A meeting between Iran and Gulf states scheduled to take place in the Omani city of Salalah on Monday has been postponed, according to a social media post by Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi on Sunday. "In the interests of consensus the regional meeting set for tomorrow in Salalah has been postponed," Al Busaidi said on X. "We remain committed to fostering dialogue that supports stability and lasting cooperation in our region," he added. Confirming the meeting's deferral in an interview with Iran's official news agency IRNA, Mohammad Ali Bak, director general of the Persian Gulf at the Iranian Foreign Ministry, said it was postponed to another date at some regional countries' requests and based on a joint decision by Iran and Oman. The official stressed that Iran is in close consultations with Oman to ensure the necessary arrangements and coordination regarding the appropriate time for holding the meeting, Xinhua News Agency reported. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei announced on Friday that Gulf littoral states' foreign ministers were scheduled to meet in Oman on Monday to exchange views on regional issues, including the Iran-Oman talks on designating safe routes in the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking to media on Saturday, Baghaei said the gathering would "hopefully" be attended by foreign ministers from Gulf states as well as Iran and Iraq. Meanwhile, Iraq announced on Sunday a phased reopening of three major border crossings with neighbouring Iran, following administrative and technical reviews to enhance security and streamline border movement. According to a statement by the Security Media Cell (SMC), affiliated with the Iraqi Joint Operations Command, the decision was made under the directives of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to upgrade organisational and technical infrastructure at the Shalamcheh, Mandali, and al-Sheeb border crossings. Under the schedule, passenger travel through the al-Sheeb and Shalamcheh border crossings resumed at 6 am on Sunday, while commercial trade activities at Shalamcheh will resume on Monday, followed by Mandali on Tuesday and al-Sheeb on Thursday, the statement said. The SMC emphasised that trade and passenger movement with Iran at the Zurbatiyah and al-Munthiriya crossings have remained unaffected and continue to operate around the clock. (This story is published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. No editing has been done in the headline or the body by ABP Live.)

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/meeting-between-iran-gulf-states-scheduled-in-oman-postponed-1866597

Russia Hits Warsaw-Bound Passenger Train Near Poland Border, Ukraine Says

Edited by: Kieran Burke Russia launched two drone strikes on western Ukraine, close to its border with NATO member Poland, Ukrainian and Polish authorities said on Sunday. One of the drones hit a passenger train locomotive in Volyn, some two kilometers (1.24 miles) from the border crossing. "The monitoring team gave the train crew advanced warning, and thanks to that, no one was injured," Ukrainian railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia said in online post. Separately, Poland's PKP Intercity confirmed that they have taken control of the affected train following the attack in the Ukrainian territory. "The train is carrying 206 people. There are no Polish citizens among the passengers," the operator said online. "After completing customs clearance, it will continue its journey towards Warsaw." <h2>Senior Western figures reportedly at station before train strike</h2> Ukrzaliznytsia later said that senior Western figures, including Boris Johnson and former CIA Director David Petraeus, were at the station shortly before the Warsaw-bound train was struck. "Shortly before the locomotive was hit at the Ukrainian-Polish border, a diplomatic train was at Yagodyn station," Ukrzaliznytsia said in a statement. "There were, among others, security advisers from several EU member states and former European leaders on board, including former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. In another train that was at Yagodyn station at the very moment of the attack was former CIA Director David Petraeus." Johnson didn't specifically mention that he had been near the vicinity of the attack, but called for more action to be taken against Russian President Vladimir Putin, once reports of the attack emerged. "I don’t know what warped logic drove Putin to blow up a stationary Ukrainian locomotive on the Polish border this morning," Johnson said. "When are we going to give them the air defences they need? Why won’t we unfreeze Putin’s cash and give it to Ukraine? There is more than €140 billion in a Belgian bank account - and about £10 billion in London," Johnson said, addin that Britain could lead the way in this regard. <h2>Poland says attacks on its territory cannot be ruled out</h2> Poland's foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski urged for increased support for Ukraine, calling the incident an 'escalation.' "This is an escalation, this is another great challenge for Ukraine and for the hypothetical future victims of Russian aggression and this means that we should double our efforts to support victims of aggression," Sikorski told a press briefing. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk chaired an emergency meeting on Sunday to address Russian drone attacks near the border and warned the country must be prepared for the possibility that drones could target Polish territory. "The coming weeks and months will be a period of very intensive actions on the Russian side," Tusk said, adding Poland "cannot rule out that this escalation will also affect our territory," he added. <h2>Zelenskyy: Locomotive 'deliberately burned'</h2> On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the locomotive was "deliberately burned" and a gas station damaged in Volyn. "It is precisely to prevent these strikes from spreading further into Europe that Ukrainian men and women fight every day, give their lives, and do not allow the aggression to expand," he said. Moscow did not immediately comment on the reports. Ukrainian officials also reported another drone strike on Yahodyn overnight, some half a mile (800 meters) from the Polish border. The border with Poland serves as essential transit point for military and humanitarian aid. <h2>'Putin's terror 'knocking' directly on the doors' — Ukrainian foreign minister</h2> Commenting on the Yahodyn incident, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the "barbaric" attacks were more than "just a continuation of its attacks on our state borders." "This is Putin's terror 'knocking' directly on the doors of the EU and NATO. Russian barbarians are at your gate, dear partners," he said in an English-language post on X. He urged Ukraine's Western allies to make Russia "feel the consequences of its terror. Not just half-decisions, but uncompromising, powerful steps. Full trade embargo. Full entry bans. Full sanctions on the military-industrial complex." "Putin needs to understand that his barbarism will be met with decisive action that increases the cost of war for him to an unacceptable level," he added. Disclaimer: This report first appeared on Deutsche Welle, and has been republished on ABP Live as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by ABP Live.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/russia-hits-warsaw-bound-passenger-train-near-poland-border-ukraine-says-1866586

Iran, Oman Agree On New Entry, Exit Routes For Strait Of Hormuz Amid West Asia Tensions: Report

Iran and Oman have agreed on details of new entry and exit routes for the Strait of Hormuz and will brief Gulf countries on the arrangement at a regional meeting in Muscat on Monday, Iranian officials said, according to Xinhua News. The understanding was reached after consultations between the Iranian and Omani sides, with the details of the proposed routes set to be presented to Gulf countries at the meeting. The development comes amid heightened tensions in West Asia, with the strategic waterway remaining a major focus of regional and international attention. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/osfH-XKYFaI?si=oI76F89KONcIK1fT" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <h3>Pezeshkian Says BRICS Must Counter US Sanctions</h3> The developments around the Strait of Hormuz came as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking to India Today on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, said the grouping was created to counter what he described as the United States' “unilateral sanctions regime”. “The objective of BRICS and what we have come here for is that, regarding the trend which has begun by the US and, you know, actually it sanctions any country it wishes. On the other hand, the BRICS intention is to break this kind of totalitarianism. That is why BRICS was developed,” Pezeshkian said. He said BRICS members should develop alternative forms of trade and cooperation that remain independent of sanctions imposed by individual countries. “We're supposed to change the type of interactions and the type of trade and cooperation, regardless of and independent of the fact that one country may be, you know, at whim to sanction other countries,” he said. Pezeshkian said BRICS members should support one another in confronting unilateralism. “We are here to help each other and to support each other so that this unilateralism can be fought against,” he said, adding that the objective was to “derail America from this unilateralism”. ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/iran-wont-surrender-pezeshkian-slams-us-strikes-on-civilian-targets-as-trump-blames-tehran-for-saudi-attack-1866475">‘Can't Bully Iran Into Surrender’: Pezeshkian Hits Out At US, Israel Over Attacks On Civilians</a> <h3>BRICS Reaches Consensus On West Asia</h3> Meanwhile, BRICS countries reached a consensus on the situation in West Asia, with dialogue and diplomacy emerging as the guiding principles for addressing conflicts, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs Sudhakar Dalela said on Saturday. Speaking to the media after the BRICS Leaders' Summit, Dalela said the grouping's diverse development experiences and economic systems required space for members to discuss their respective national positions before reaching consensus. “I would say that within the BRICS and in the preparation for the BRICS summit, we have been discussing these issues for some time, and I think it is the essence of the BRICS view is captured in para 28 of the New Delhi Declaration,” he said. Dalela said India, as BRICS chair, had provided a forum for transparent discussions in which members could express their national perspectives before working towards areas of consensus. “I would say that we are very happy that we have an agreed approach on West Asia, and the centrepiece of that approach is that we all believe that dialogue and diplomacy should be the guiding parameter for addressing any conflict, any situation that requires a solution, and that is the only way to build lasting peace, security, and stability in any part of the world,” he said. ALSO READ: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/xi-jinping-skips-pm-modi-s-brics-gala-dinner-in-delhi-reason-for-absence-unclear-1866479">Xi Jinping Skips PM Modi's BRICS Gala Dinner In Delhi; Reason For Absence Unclear</a> <h3>New Delhi Declaration Calls For Restraint</h3> Dalela's remarks came after BRICS leaders unanimously adopted the New Delhi Declaration 2026 at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. The declaration expressed deep concern over the continued escalation of tensions in West Asia and called for maximum restraint and avoidance of actions that could further aggravate the situation. BRICS countries urged the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and greater efforts through dialogue and diplomacy to achieve lasting peace, security and stability in the region. The declaration also stressed the need to maintain the smooth flow of global trade, supply chains and energy in accordance with international law. It expressed serious concern over deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities under full safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency, stressing that nuclear safeguards, safety and security must be upheld even during armed conflicts.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/iran-oman-agree-on-new-entry-exit-routes-for-strait-of-hormuz-amid-west-asia-tensions-report-1866529