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Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Tamil Nadu CM Vijay's London event cancelled over safety concerns

London, Sep 15 (PTI): Hundreds of fans gathered outside London's tallest building, The Shard, on Tuesday to catch a glimpse of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, but the event was called off after the Metropolitan Police intervened, citing safety concerns. The cancellation left many fans, some of whom had queued for hours, disappointed. “For public safety concerns, we are calling off the programme because we don't have permission due to safety concerns,” a member of the chief minister's team announced over a loudspeaker. “I think it’s reasonable but all of these people have been waiting. This is hardly the kind of crowds we see in Tamil Nadu,” said a young fan who had been camped at the actor-turned-politician's hotel for hours. Vijay is leading a state delegation to the UK to attract investments into Tamil Nadu. Earlier, the Chief Minister's Office said the delegation had signed multiple memoranda of Understanding involving investments worth around Rs 12,300 crore during the visit. The investment drive, aimed at positioning Tamil Nadu as Asia’s premier advanced manufacturing and technology hub, is expected to generate more than 9,400 high-value jobs across the state. Vijay is scheduled to conclude his UK tour and return to India on Wednesday. PTI AK 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/tamil-nadu-cm-vijay-s-london-event-cancelled-over-safety-concerns-1866896

US Military Pullback In Indo-Pacific? Report Urges End To Alliances With Japan, South Korea

Edited by: Keith Walker A study by a US foreign policy think tank advocates a major military pullback from the western Pacific, prompting concern among long-standing allies of the United States across the Indo-Pacific, analysts say. The report was authored by Jennifer Kavanagh, a senior fellow and director of military analysis at the right-of-center Defense Priorities Foundation. Kavanagh calls for the US to "narrow its defense commitments in the region" by ending mutual defense alliances with South Korea, Japan, Australia and the Philippines. The priority for Washington, she states, is to defend the US homeland and safeguard access to key economic markets and trade routes. That would be best served by pulling back from the "first island chain," which runs from Okinawa in southern Japan, through Taiwan and on to the Philippines. Kavanagh writes that US forces should be pared back and moved to the "second island chain," which runs from eastern Japan to the Northern Marianas Islands in the central Pacific, Guam, Palau and on to Papua New Guinea. The report states that moving the troops back would make their positions easier to defend and "reduce the risk of a catastrophic war with China." <h2>Taiwan in the crosshairs</h2> Such a withdrawal would arguably be most keenly felt in Taiwan, which Beijing views as a renegade province that must one day be assimilated into greater China. In her report, Kavanagh notes that the US has no formal commitment to come to the assistance of Taiwan in the event of an attack by China. She warns that any armed clash "would come at an exorbitant cost for the United States, far in excess of any benefits." "With a cost-benefit calculation this lopsided, a change in the US commitment to Taiwan seems wise," she said. "The United States should shift from strategic ambiguity to a clear non-intervention policy in the event of any military confrontation over Taiwan." The countries named in the report have made no formal comments on the think tank's proposals, but its conclusions "will be viewed with shock," William Yang, a Taiwan-based security analyst for the International Crisis Group, told DW. The concern will be even deeper given that the Defense Priorities Foundation is known for its isolationist foreign and defense policy positions and is reputed to have ties with a number of senior and like-minded decision-makers in the White House, Yang said. <h2>Pullout 'seems to be very accommodating to China'</h2> Yang noted that US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to withdraw troops from allied nations in Europe and Asia if his demands for larger payments or concessions in some other area of the bilateral relationship were not met, Yang said. "This is a venture into a fully restrained agenda and seems to be very accommodating to China," Yang said. Though there is no indication that the White House is about to adopt the foundation's proposals, Yang said, they do mesh with many of the administration's isolationist and transactional principles. And, if the plans were to find favor with Trump, he said, the consequences would be "earthquake-level." The Defense Priorities report was published amid broader regional concerns about the durability of US security commitments in Asia, specifically tensions over Taiwan and the South China Sea. Despite Kavanagh's reassurances, many analysts suggest that a withdrawal of US support in the region would prompt China to quickly seize Taiwan and nuclear-armed North Korea to make greater demands on South Korea. It is also likely to trigger a region-wide spike in defense spending and, ultimately, a rupture in regional nuclear non-proliferation efforts. <h2>Report plays down China fears</h2> Kavanagh's report plays down those fears, concluding that "China's path to regional hegemony would be a difficult one, threats to the US homeland emanating from Asia are few, and challenges to US economic interests are unlikely and to some extent self-deterring." Garren Mulloy, a professor of international relations at Daito Bunka University and a specialist in military issues, described the study as "one of the more cogent and informed versions of what Trump and those around him have been arguing inconsistently for years: The idea is that the US has a priority to defend the homeland and all costs incurred in other missions are a waste." "In my view, this is seeing the cost of everything and the value of nothing," Mulloy said. He pointed out a number of "obvious problems": notably that the United States would leave a void that China and, to a lesser extent, Russia would step in to fill, and the US would have no influence on the region's geopolitics — including "the shaping of norms, standards and laws." "Is this worth saving money for that Trump would give away in a tax cut or election bribe?" Mulloy asked, in reference to the president's promise of $5,000 (€4,300) for every US adult if his party wins midterm congressional elections in November. "This is the ultimate short-term vision that haunts diplomats around the world," Mulloy said. Dan Pinkston, a professor of international relations at the Seoul campus of Troy University, echoes those concerns, describing the plan as "flawed and unrealistic." "The whole premise of the report is completely different to how collective and cooperative international security has been practiced for decades," Pinkston said. "These people have a very different worldview, and you wonder if they won't stop at the second island chain and go all the way back to the US mainland." <h2>Fears of a stronger China</h2> US isolationists see NATO and America's other allies "purely as a burden and a cost," Pinkston said, which is "too simplistic." By withdrawing from security alliances in the Indo-Pacific, the US jeopardizes its trade relationships and largely gives up any influence it presently has over "complex issues" that range from combating piracy, breaches of international sanctions, efforts to combat cybercrime and espionage, smuggling, climate change, fisheries, cross-border financial crime, and a host of other critical matters, Pinkston said. "It's naive to believe that China is going to be benevolent if the US withdraws and will act in anyone else's best interests when it comes to the rule of law, peaceful settlements of territorial disputes or human rights," he said. 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/us-military-pullback-in-indo-pacific-report-urges-end-to-alliances-with-japan-south-korea-1866890

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