Author: Umair Abbas

Explanations beginning to emerge after worst terror attack in Israel’s history They might as well have been sitting ducks. They are the tatzpitaniyot, mostly female soldiers stationed on the IDF bases near the Gaza Strip, their eyes glued to security cameras and other feeds of the border. Last Saturday morning, the Hamas terrorists who entered some of those bases with hang gliders shot at cameras and jammed some communications systems. They shot at the combat soldiers who were stationed at those bases, as well as at the tatzpitaniyot. “Yes, they surprised us, and we weren’t ready for it,” said a female soldier…

Warsaw, Berlin (25/3 – 80) A diverse group of Pamiri and Ismaili interest groups gathered to discuss the terror attack in Moscow. “We reject the notion this were Pamiris or Ismailis representing us”, said one of the spokespeople, who want to remain anonymous out of fear of persecution by the Tajik authorities. “They are Takfiris”, he said. Non-believers, apostates to the cause. The majlis (meeting) was called after Moscow was quick to blame Tajik immigrants for the terror attacks. Previous warnings were ignored by Moscow. “We as a Pamiri community do not belief in the use of violence against the…

HERNDON, Va. — January 11, 2024 — BlackSky Technology Inc. (NYSE: BKSY) won a multi-year contract from PT Len supporting the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia to provide immediate access to subscription-based real-time, high-frequency imagery and analytics services. “Meeting the growing global demand for real-time monitoring solutions, BlackSky has the unique ability to activate instant access to high-cadence imagery and AI-driven analytics for our customers,” said Brian E. O’Toole, BlackSky CEO. “The Indonesian MoD has made a bold and innovative step towards defense modernization as an early adopter of space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance on-demand.” The Assured access…

Just getting to the end of the day and surviving the night must feel like a miracle in the Gaza Strip. Palestinians “plead for safety”, wrote Philippe Lazzarini, head of UNRWA, the main UN relief agency in Gaza, in an “endless, deepening tragedy… hell on earth”. It must be just as hellish for the hostages taken by Hamas and for the families of their victims. War is a cruel furnace that puts humans through terrible agonies. But its heat can produce changes that seemed impossible. It happened in western Europe after World War Two. Old enemies who had killed each…

Paris (08/11 – 75) Sri Lanka’s economic and political crisis of 2022 left the country bankrupt. Ranil Wickremesinghe took over as President of Sri Lanka in July 2022 when the country was in the middle of its worst economic and political crisis since independence in 1948. His predecessor, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, had been forced out of power after facing mass protests prompted by 12-hour power cuts and persistent fuel and food shortages. The nation was bankrupt.Wickremesinghe brought in the International Monetary Fund and has focused on reaching macroeconomic stability and driving tough but much-needed structural reforms. Today, as Sri Lanka embarks…

Copenhagen (26/10 – 76.9) UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Nazila Ghanea called on Tajikistan to adapt and review its laws, policies, and practices regarding religion or belief following her 10-day visit. She stated that the implementation of religious freedom and belief in the country is a cause for concern. During a press conference at the UN office in Tajikistan, she also urged Tajikistan’s authorities to “leave the past behind and protect freedom of religion and belief.” Ghanea stated, “This will contribute to development, peace, and understanding in the country. The shadow of civil war looms over…

With the rapid expansion of agricultural practices worldwide, geothermal energy is emerging as a transformative force, poised to diversify crop production and extend to all regions of Türkiye, regardless of their climatic conditions. Türkiye holds a leading position in Europe in terms of geothermal resources, with over 1,500 natural geothermal outlets. Ali Kındap, chairperson of the Geothermal Energy Association (JED), highlighted the enormous potential of geothermal energy to revolutionize agriculture in Türkiye. This abundant resource can facilitate the cultivation of a wide variety of agricultural products in every province of the country through geothermal-heated greenhouses. “With the untapped geothermal resources…

An impressive display of contemporary Indian painting masterpieces is set to grace the halls of the National Museum of Oman as an exhibition opened its doors this week. The exhibition, named “India on Canvas: Masterpieces of Modern Indian Painting,” showcases a curated collection of 20 works of art from the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) in New Delhi. This artistic spectacle is the result of a collaborative effort between India and Oman and is likely to be embraced by art enthusiasts across the Sultanate. The inauguration ceremony was graced with the presence of Minister of State for External Affairs,…

The Turkish government plans to increase investment in hydrogen fuel cells, their components and hydrogen-powered engines a year after the launch of the country’s first domestically-produced electric car, Sputnik quoted Turkish newspaper Yeni Akit report on Friday. The engines are expected to be produced locally, the report said, adding that the move will help cut costs for imported oil by over 40 per cent by using electric- or hydrogen-powered vehicles, as well as produce green hydrogen with zero emissions. Turkiye unveiled its first Togg electric car in October last year. The cheapest vehicle with a 160-kilowatt battery and capable of…

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism signed an action programme to boost the two countries’ tourism cooperation in Riyadh on October 19. The signing was made within the framework of the ongoing visit to Saudi Arabia of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. The programme, a joint initiative reached by Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung and Minister of Tourism Ahmed A. Al-Khateeb at their meeting in Hanoi last August, covers measures to increase the exchange and sharing of information, experience, statistics on the Halal market, tourist demand, tourism human resources…