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Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Pakistan-Saudi-Turkey Mecca Defence Pact Revealed: Key Clauses Explained

On August 7, the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement was signed between Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia in Mecca. Turkey has now presented this joint defence pact to its parliament for ratification, making the text of the agreement public for the first time. According to Article 1 of the Joint Defence Agreement, the three member nations pledge to assist one another in protecting their independence, sovereignty and internationally recognised borders, binding all parties to use every possible means if a threat arises to these boundaries. Crucially, Article 1 explicitly limits protection to "internationally recognised borders". <h2>Articles 2-8: Joint Defence</h2> Article 2 outlines that an attack on one nation will be treated as an attack on all three, leaving the remaining countries to decide their level of involvement, which may also include military aid. Under Article 3, the three nations agree to collaborate across the defence industry and related security sectors. Article 4 mandates joint coordination on international affairs, while Article 5 binds them to work together under the guise of anti-terrorism cooperation. Also Read: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/india/marco-rubio-says-us-ties-with-pakistan-wont-come-at-india-expense-eyes-conflict-prevention-1872530">‘US Ties With Pakistan Won’t Come At India’s Expense’: Rubio Sees Scope To Prevent Conflict</a> Furthermore, Article 6 focuses on conducting joint military exercises to bolster each other's defence capabilities. Under Article 7, the signatories commit to joint arms production and military training, while Article 8 creates a "Strategic Political and Defence Committee" to navigate operational friction during the pact's execution. <img src="https://ift.tt/zirkp1N" width="720" /> <h2>Articles 9, 10 And 16</h2> Article 9 binds the trio to exchange intelligence data, while Article 10 mandates logistical support, including weapons, ammunition, fuel, spare parts and military hardware, during peacetime or wartime emergencies. Finally, Article 16 gives any participating country the option to withdraw from the pact after 10 years by simply providing three months' advance notice. Also Read: <a href="https://news.abplive.com/news/world/bangladesh-pm-tarique-rahman-visits-durga-puja-temple-donates-tk-10-lakh-hostel-all-religions-should-1872552">Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman Visits Durga Puja Temple, Donates Tk 10 Lakh: 'All Religions Should...'</a>

source https://news.abplive.com/news/world/pakistan-saudi-turkey-mecca-defence-pact-revealed-key-clauses-explained-1872565

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Anti-CEC Protests: UN Experts Seek Probe Into Police Crackdown, Flag Excessive Force

United Nations independent experts on Tuesday called for an independent investigation into the conduct of Indian authorities during a recent crackdown on protests, alleging that demonstrators sustained injuries and some reported being subjected to ill-treatment. Opposition parties and student organisations have held protests in recent weeks, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. In a statement, the experts alleged that law enforcement agencies had used force against unarmed demonstrators despite the assemblies being peaceful. They also said authorities had prevented thousands of people from joining the protests. <h2>UN Experts Flag Alleged Use Of Excessive Force</h2> “Despite the non-violent nature of the assemblies, law enforcement agencies have reportedly deployed force against unarmed students, including lathi charges, and have prevented thousands from joining the protests,” the experts said, according to Reuters. The group urged Indian authorities to immediately stop the alleged use of excessive force, withdraw blanket restrictions on assemblies and refrain from what they described as the misuse of digital surveillance, including biometric monitoring, and internet disruptions. India has repeatedly rejected such criticism, describing it as interference in its internal affairs. Earlier this month, the UN human rights office had also expressed concern over mass detentions linked to the anti-CEC protests. <h2>Human Rights Groups Also Condemn Crackdown</h2> The crackdown has drawn criticism from human rights organisations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. The UN experts are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to monitor and document specific human rights concerns and crises. However, they operate independently of the organisation itself. <h2>Second Case Against CJP Leaders Transferred To Crime Branch</h2> Meanwhile, Delhi Police have transferred another case registered against Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to the Crime Branch. The move means the Crime Branch will now investigate two cases against the leaders. The first case, linked to allegations that Das and Ranka entered the Jantar Mantar area, was transferred to the branch on Monday. According to Delhi Police, Das, Ranka, Ajinkya Shinde and 11 other CJP members reached Jantar Mantar on October 13 by allegedly trespassing through private premises. The site has been denotified as a designated protest venue. <h2>Das And Ranka’s Judicial Custody Extended</h2> Police personnel deployed at the site intervened and attempted to stop the group. All 14 people were detained, and two first information reports (FIRs) were registered in connection with the incident. On October 14, a Special Executive Magistrate sent Das and Ranka to five days of judicial custody for allegedly breaching peace bonds. Their judicial custody was extended by two days on Monday.

source https://news.abplive.com/news/india/anti-cec-protests-un-experts-seek-investigation-into-police-crackdown-lathi-charge-cjp-jantar-mantar-protest-1872419

Probe Illinois temple plot as federal hate crime: 105 US lawmakers to FBI director

Washington, Oct 21 (PTI): Over 100 US lawmakers shot off a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel to investigate the attempted mass shooting at a Hindu temple in Illinois as a federal hate crime and also demanded answers on steps taken to address online threats targeting Indian-Americans.The letter from the lawmakers, led by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, came days after a 19-year-old gunman tried to open fire at the Sri Venkateswara Swami temple in Aurora, near Chicago. The plan failed due to a jammed shotgun, thus averting a tragic incident.The letter from 105 members of Congress, including four US Senators, also criticised the Trump administration’s messaging, saying it sought to legitimise racial and religious stereotypes. Indian-American Congresspersons Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Ami Bera, Suhas Subramanyam and Shri Thanedar are signatories to the letter.They cite a Department of Homeland Security post depicting a Sikh man with the message, “Get off our roads, you don’t know how to drive Mr. Singh,” and a Department of Education post declaring “Make College Football Great Again” after a Texas Republican complained about South Asians attending a University of Texas football game.“We are also deeply concerned that communications from the administration have risked amplifying, rather than rejecting, hostility toward these communities,” the lawmakers said in the letter dated October 20.They said the alleged combination of targeted racial hatred, a religious setting and preparations for mass violence demands a comprehensive federal response.“We appreciate the FBI’s reported assistance to local investigators and urge the Bureau to ensure that potential hate-crime violations receive explicit attention,” the lawmakers said.They cited a September 2026 report that identified more than 5,42,000 anti-South Asian hateful posts on X between January 2025 and June 2026, with the monthly volume rising approximately 240 per cent from January 2024 to June 2026.A Carnegie Endowment survey also found that 48 per cent of Indian American respondents encountered racist posts targeting their community very or somewhat often since the start of 2025, while one in four reported being called a slur.The lawmakers sought to know whether the FBI is examining potential racial, ethnic and religious bias in the Aurora case, whether online platforms or other individuals facilitated the alleged plot, and what steps were being taken to protect houses of worship.“No one should fear being targeted because of their ancestry, appearance or faith, and no congregation should have to wonder whether gathering for worship will make its members targets of mass violence,” the lawmakers said. PTI SKU PRK(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/probe-illinois-temple-plot-as-federal-hate-crime-105-us-lawmakers-to-fbi-director-1872417

EU Unveils New Arctic Strategy Amid Russia’s Military Build-Up, Trump’s Greenland Ambitions

Edited by: Sean Sinico The EU on Tuesday presented a new Arctic Strategy that outlines the bloc's priorities in the key region amid challenges such as security threats, climate change and mining. Russia is building up its military power in the Arctic, and US President Donald Trump has threatened Greenland, saying the Danish territory is needed for American security interests but later signed a deal with Denmark over US military access to the territory. China is also investing in the region and has shipping ambitions there. The northern parts of Finland and Sweden, along with Greenland are located within the Arctic, meaning part of the region is in the European neighborhood. Iceland and Norway, two other Arctic states, are also involved in the European single market. <h2>'Tectonic plates of geopolitics' colliding in Arctic</h2> "The Arctic is one place where the tectonic plates of geopolitics are colliding," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. "When we see that sovereignty, territorial integrity and the rules that have underpinned security in the region can no longer be taken for granted, we have to act and change our strategic posture," she added. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said Russia "has reopened Soviet-era bases and is testing new weapons" in the Arctic. "Drone incursions, GPS jamming and the sabotage of undersea cables undermine Arctic security," Kallas continued. Russia's shadow fleet, which is an attempt to circumvent Western sanctions, is active in the Arctic. On Arctic security, the EU plans to develop a maritime security hub in the region "to facilitate information sharing form seabed to space." The bloc also intends to expand European icebreaker capacity and extend its satellite surveillance program in the region. However, the EU does not intend to compete with NATO in the region, EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Sikela told DW. Twenty-three EU countries are members of NATO. "NATO will remain basically the center of defense and the center of deterrence, but NATO doesn't have a budget, the member state has," Sikela said. "This is first about the proper focus and the proper use of resources of the NATO member states and about better coordination." <h2>EU to boost climate research as Arctic faces ice melting crisis</h2> In regard to the climate, the Arctic is warming about four times faster than the global average. The melting of ice and glaciers in the Arctic pose risks to Europe such as prolonged heatwaves, drought and flooding. Sikela said, "Collaboration among the Arctic is very difficult," adding, "We're not getting information about the permafrost from the biggest part of the Arctic territory." Sikela accused Russia of "unprecedented" actions in the Arctic and said the "catastrophic level of drilling and opening new mines" in the region is contributing to its rapid warming. The Arctic is rich in critical minerals and rare earth elements such as nickel. As part of the EU Arctic Strategy, the bloc intends "to strengthen climate research, observation and monitoring" and launch flagship projects utilizing AI to "anticipate extreme weather and cascading disasters such as coastal flooding." Although Russia and other non-EU countries such as Norway drill in the Arctic, the EU does not want to expand new drilling in the region. European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jorgensen said the EU's view "on drilling in the Arctic remains the same and it's very clear: oil, coal and gas must stay in the ground." <h2>Greenland submarine cable route project bypasses US</h2> Regarding economic interests in the Arctic, the bloc may take further steps to bypass the US. The strategy calls for "resilient submarine cable connectivity linking Greenland directly to Europe, with potential future extensions towards Canada and Japan." The EU also outlined new plans regarding the residents of the Arctic region. The bloc wants to strengthen dialogue with Indigenous people along with expanding Erasmus+ opportunities for Arctic youth. 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/eu-unveils-new-arctic-strategy-amid-russia-s-military-build-up-trump-s-greenland-ambitions-1872412

Brazil Election: Lula And Flavio Bolsonaro Locked At 50% Ahead Of October 25 Runoff

There are only a few days left until Brazil's runoff election on October 25, with neither left-wing incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva nor right-wing populist Flavio Bolsonaro a clear favorite. While three polls from last week showed a razor-thin lead for Bolsonaro, the PoderData polling institute has now projected 50% voter backing for each candidate. This election could end up as close as the one held in 2022, when Lula narrowly beat Flavio Bolsonaro's father, Jair Messias Bolsonaro, with just 50.9% of the vote. Jair Bolsonaro, incidentally, was later jailed for attempting a coup to hold onto power. His son, Flavio, surprisingly won the first round of voting on October 4 by securing 47% of the vote. Bolsonaro's right-wing bloc also won many additional seats in Congress, primarily at the expense of Brazil's centrist parties. And in the week following the first round of voting, polls showed Bolsonaro commanding a lead of up to six percentage points. Yet last week, Lula managed to gain momentum through nationwide mass rallies and his dynamic social media presence. Bolsonaro, in contrast, had scaled back street campaigning in light of his strong poll numbers. That turned out to be a mistake. Now he, too, is once more mobilizing supporters to stage major rallies across Brazil as the country readies for the runoff. <h2>A polarized nation</h2> The rivalry between Lula's left-wing camp and Bolsonaro's far-right bloc has shaped Brazilian politics for the past decade. Jair Bolsonaro gained nationwide recognition during the 2016 impeachment proceedings against Lula's political protegee, then-President Dilma Rousseff. He went on to win the 2018 presidential election while Lula was serving a prison sentence on corruption charges. But when Lula's conviction was overturned, the former trade union leader staged a political comeback in 2022. This polarization is responsible for the disappearance of centrist parties and a political alternative, or "third way," said political scientist Marco Aurelio Nogueira. "The divide between Lula and Bolsonarism has paralyzed Brazilian politics, and anything that didn't belong to one pole or the other has disappeared," Nogueira told DW. This polarization is fueled by social media, the expert added, saying that "platforms' algorithms thrive on conflict and reward excitement." <h2>Flavio Bolsonaro a toned-down version of his father</h2> Nogueira said Flavio Bolsonaro's calm demeanor could explain why he has a realistic chance of defeating Lula, unlike his father in 2022. "Jair Messias Bolsonaro was a crude, rhetorically aggressive figure," said Nogueira. "Flavio Bolsonaro, on the other hand, casts himself as more moderate and gives Bolsonarism a more youthful image. He communicates skillfully, posts well-produced videos, and addresses workers' issues, such as the introduction of the five-day workweek." Lula's recent promise to shorten workweek hours has lent momentum to his campaign. Alarmed by Lula's rising poll numbers, Bolsonaro gave up his opposition to the move and voted in favor of the five-day workweek. Bolsonaro is now taking a less radical stance on fiscal policy, too. Although he had announced drastic budget cuts before the first round of voting, modeled on the policies of his libertarian Argentine ally Javier Milei, he now intends to continue Lula's social programs. That said, Bolsonaro has not presented a plan for how he intends to reduce Brazil's high public debt. <h2>Banco Master corruption scandal shapes race</h2> The election campaign has been overshadowed by a massive corruption scandal surrounding the insolvent financial institution Banco Master. Daniel Vorcaro, the bank's former owner, is under investigation for fraud, money laundering and corruption. Vorcaro is accused of having bribed decision-makers in the world of politics, finance and the judiciary. Several Supreme Court justices are said to be involved in the scandal, which involved dubious sex parties and millions in reported payouts. Judges from both the Lula camp and some appointed by Jair Bolsonaro are said to be tied up in the scandal. Flavio Bolsonaro is alleged to have accepted goods and services from Vorcaro, including a €10 million donation for a film about his father's life. Yet Lula has not been able to capitalize on his rival's alleged failings. After all, his very own son is implicated in another corruption scandal. Moreover, Bolsonaro has repeatedly drawn attention to Lula's 2017 conviction for corruption, even though it was later overturned by the Supreme Court. <h2>Friday's debate key to reaching voters</h2> Political scientist Nogueira believes the mudslinging between both candidates over who is more corrupt has left voters jaded. "There are constant reports about scandals and mutual accusations from all sides," said Nogueira. "As a result, the effect is essentially canceled out in the election campaign. The average voter tunes out and no longer attaches much importance to these accusations when making a voting decision." Both candidates held their first live television debate on Sunday. On Friday, two days before the runoff election, they will face off once more on Brazil's largest broadcaster, Globo. The debate will likely have a significant influence on the October 25 vote. Experts believe the key for both candidates will be to not be rattled by provocations from the other side. Concrete policies, in turn, will only play a minor role in the debate. 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/brazil-election-lula-and-flavio-bolsonaro-locked-at-50-ahead-of-october-25-runoff-1872410

Monday, October 19, 2026

Two Indian nationals among 28 charged with election fraud in California

Washington, Oct 19 (PTI): Two Indian nationals are among 28 green card holders charged with election fraud in California, the US Department of Justice said in a statement on Monday. According to the Justice Department, Amandeep Kaur (30) and Kamlesh Shah (67) have been charged with fraudulently registering as voters and casting their ballots in the November 2024 US elections. It said of the 28 persons charged with election fraud, 11 have been arrested in early morning raids across the state under ‘Operation Protect the Vote’ to combat and root out fraud in US elections and uphold electoral integrity. It was not immediately clear whether the two Indian nationals were among those arrested. Shah is a resident of Sacramento and fraudulently registered to vote on the day of the November 2024 general election and voted that day, the Justice Department said. Kaur, a resident of Rancho Palos Verdes, who is seeking to become a US citizen, fraudulently registered to vote in December 2022 and voted in the November 2024 US election, it said. “All 28 foreign nationals charged are lawful permanent residents (LPRs), or 'green card' holders. Although LPRs have legal immigration status in the United States, they are not US citizens and are not permitted to vote in US elections,” the Justice Department said. The criminal charges include making false statements in a naturalisation application and some of the defendants also are charged with fraudulent voter registration. Both charges are felonies that carry a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. “Each of the 28 defendants charged today appears on the list of more than 20,000 likely noncitizen registrants we provided to California election officials last week,” Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter told reporters in Los Angeles. Before Monday, the Justice Department had charged about 90 people for various types of election misconduct so far this year, including 50 who are alleged to have voted as noncitizens. There were more than 227 million registered voters in the United States during the 2024 presidential election. PTI SKU GSP GSP(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/two-indian-nationals-among-28-charged-with-election-fraud-in-california-1872256

Ethiopia-Eritrea Conflict Fears Grow As Tigray Violence Revives Risk Of Regional War

Edited by: Keith Walker Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Friday announced an interim government in the country's northern Tigray region and gave it six months to prepare for regional elections and restore stability. Abiy's announcement followed a military offensive launched in September by the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and six other armed groups. They were ultimately forced to retreat and lost control of the region. "To attain the peace that has long eluded them, to secure their right to self-administration, and to finally enjoy the fruits of development — which have been out of reach for many years — the people of Tigray must break free from this cycle ⁠of conflict," Abiy said in a statement posted on X. Shishay Amare, the new mayor of the regional capital Mekelle, said: "Our role is to create the right conditions for elections by ensuring peace and stability across Tigray," reported French news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP). "I am confident that this will be done within six months, according to our plan," Amare said, adding that their priorities included restoring peace, helping displaced residents return home, reopening markets and ensuring humanitarian assistance reached those in need. <h2>Why relations with Eritrea matter</h2> The fighting has revived concerns about a return to the devastating 2020–2022 Tigray war. Around 1 million people remain displaced from that conflict. The African Union has estimated that the war resulted in around 600,000 deaths from combat, famine and the collapse of healthcare. The new administration faces unresolved disputes over political authority and territory, including western Tigray, which is claimed by both Tigray and neighboring Amhara state. Ethiopia and Eritrea were once bitter enemies but signed a peace agreement in 2018. Eritrean forces later fought alongside Ethiopian federal troops during the Tigray war. The countries' relationship has since deteriorated. Addis Ababa accuses Asmara of supporting Tigrayan forces and violating Ethiopian territory. Eritrea has denied the accusations. Reports of Eritrean troop movements near the border have heightened concern, although the extent of any current deployment remains disputed. Tsedale Lemma, journalist and publisher of the prominent Addis Standard magazine, told DW earlier this month that the danger reflects years of unresolved tensions and failures to implement the November 2022 Pretoria Agreement, which ended the previous Tigray war. Asked whether the international community was underestimating the threat, Lemma said: "It is absolutely underestimating it." She argued that international actors had failed to ensure effective monitoring of the agreement and respond adequately as the peace process weakened. <h2>A wider regional risk</h2> The confrontation comes amid instability across the Horn of Africa, including Sudan's war and tensions between Ethiopia and Egypt over the Nile mega-dam project. Last year, Ethiopia inaugurated the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), a move that was not well received by neighboring Egypt and Sudan, both downstream countries. Competition over access to the Red Sea adds another strategic dimension: Ethiopia became landlocked when Eritrea gained independence in 1993. Journalist Martin Plaut, who specializes in the Horn of Africa, has warned that the region faces a crossroads. He has raised the possibility of Ethiopian forces entering Eritrea, but an invasion remains a scenario, not a confirmed decision by the Ethiopian government. Any wider conflict could threaten regional trade and maritime security. The Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait connect shipping routes between Europe and Asia, making the region strategically important well beyond Africa. <h2>Can diplomacy avert war between Ethiopia and Eritrea?</h2> The United States and the United Kingdom have called on Ethiopia and Eritrea to exercise restraint and return to dialogue under their 2018 peace framework. Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews on Saturday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that the military buildup on the Ethiopia-Eritrea border could escalate into a wider conflict. Rubio said Washington hoped lifting some sanctions would improve communication with both sides and stressed the need for a "wise and measured" response to avoid a broader regional war. A UK government spokesperson said in an October 15 statement that: "We urgently call for de-escalation and a return to dialogue. We reiterate our support for the African Union's role in facilitating this." For now, the recapture of towns in Tigray has changed the military balance but has not resolved the tensions surrounding the region. Whether international pressure can prevent a wider war will depend on whether the governments involved choose dialogue over further escalation. Negash Mohammed, Tamirat Geleta and Christine Mhundwa contributed to this report. 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/ethiopia-eritrea-conflict-fears-grow-as-tigray-violence-revives-risk-of-regional-war-1872251