Putin Defends India’s Russian Oil Purchases
At the Valdai Discussion Group in Sochi, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned the United States against pressuring India to stop buying Russian oil. He said India would face losses of up to $10 billion if forced to halt purchases, calling it politically unwise. Putin praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “balanced, wise and nationally oriented” leader who would not succumb to foreign pressure.
Putin emphasised that cutting Russian oil supplies would send global prices above $100 per barrel, worsening the economic crisis worldwide. He highlighted India-Russia ties as a “privileged strategic partnership” and urged BRICS nations to resolve payment and trade bottlenecks. His remarks followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s appeal to major economies, including India, to stop funding Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
Rajnath Singh Warns Pakistan on Sir Creek
In Bhuj, Gujarat, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warned Pakistan of a decisive response if it attempted any misadventure in the Sir Creek sector. Singh declared that India was fully prepared to respond in a way that could “change both history and geography.”
Sir Creek, a 96-km estuary separating Gujarat from Pakistan’s Sindh province, has been a long-standing maritime dispute. While Pakistan claims the entire creek, India maintains the boundary lies along the middle channel under international law. Singh noted Pakistan’s rapid expansion of military infrastructure in the region since 2019, including new creek battalions and surveillance systems. He reminded Islamabad that in 1965, the Indian Army had reached Lahore, and today, the road to Karachi could pass through Sir Creek.
Manchester Terror Attack on Synagogue
In the UK, two people were killed and three injured in a terror attack outside a Manchester synagogue during Yom Kippur. Police identified the attacker as 35-year-old Jihad Al-Shamie, a British man of Syrian descent. He rammed his car into worshippers before stabbing bystanders. Officers shot him dead at the scene after finding he wore a fake explosive vest.
Greater Manchester Police declared the incident a terrorist attack and arrested three others in connection with the assault. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the “cowardly act” and announced additional police deployment at synagogues nationwide. Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis called it a tragic result of rising anti-Semitism in the UK.
Rahul Gandhi Criticises Modi Govt Abroad
Speaking at EIA University in Colombia, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the Modi government of mounting a “wholesale attack” on India’s democratic system. He said India’s diversity, with multiple religions and languages, required a strong democratic space. He alleged that the BJP-RSS ideology encouraged cowardice, attacking weaker opponents while avoiding stronger ones.
Gandhi described the ongoing threat to democracy as the nation’s biggest risk, warning that it could undermine India’s growth despite its strong engineering and healthcare capabilities.
Bareilly Internet Shutdown Over Security Concerns
Authorities in Uttar Pradesh suspended internet, broadband, and SMS services in Bareilly for 48 hours starting Thursday afternoon. The decision came ahead of Friday prayers and following recent communal tensions. Police and paramilitary forces were deployed, with drone surveillance to maintain order.
The unrest stemmed from the cancellation of a protest linked to the “I Love Muhammad” poster controversy. Officials said the temporary internet suspension would help prevent rumours and maintain peace during the festive season.
Intellectuals Demand Action Against Actor Vijay
In Tamil Nadu, over 300 intellectuals and public figures urged legal action against actor and TVK leader Vijay over the Karur rally stampede that killed 41 people. The signatories, including retired judges and writers, accused Vijay of poor planning and lack of remorse. They said inadequate facilities and unsafe rally practices had contributed to the tragedy.
The statement also criticised his supporters for spreading conspiracy theories to absolve him of responsibility. The group called on the state government to hold him accountable for negligence and demand an inquiry into security lapses.
