Posts in category: World

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Colombia on Monday, causing widespread destruction and leaving at least 47 people dead, while fears remain that several people are trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings.

According to the Associated Press (AP), the strong earthquake struck western Colombia, with its epicentre reported near San José del Palmar in Chocó province. The area, located in the Chocó region, has a population of around 4,800 and lies approximately 400 kilometres west of the capital, Bogotá.

Tremors were felt across different parts of Colombia, including Bogotá, as well as in neighbouring countries.

According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake occurred at a depth of approximately 107 kilometres beneath the Earth’s surface.

The earthquake caused several buildings to collapse in western parts of the country, while debris was scattered across roads and other areas.

The mayor of Pereira said there were reports of several people trapped inside collapsed buildings. Rescue workers, assisted by local residents, launched search operations to locate and rescue people feared buried under the rubble.

Local authorities confirmed that at least 47 people had died in the earthquake.

Of the total fatalities, 18 were reported in Pereira, two in Manizales and 27 in the Valle del Cauca region.

Authorities said at least three children were among those who died in Valle del Cauca.

Search and rescue efforts are continuing amid concerns that more people could still be trapped beneath collapsed structures.

The United States has announced a new round of sanctions against Iran, further increasing economic pressure on the country.

The US Department of the Treasury announced the new sanctions, claiming that Tehran had been collecting mandatory maritime insurance payments from commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz and using those funds to provide financial support for the activities of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). According to US officials, the new sanctions are aimed at targeting this alleged network.

According to a statement issued by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), sanctions have been imposed on two Iranian entities, eight companies involved in oil trading, and several oil tankers. The entities are accused of helping Iran continue its oil exports and financial activities.

US officials said the sanctions focus on an alleged financial network operating in the Strait of Hormuz, through which commercial vessels were reportedly required to purchase mandatory maritime insurance.

The United States claims that although the system appeared to provide security for ships, it was actually being used to collect funds to financially support the activities of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The statement identified the two sanctioned Iranian entities as Persian Gulf Marine Insurance Company and Hormoz Safe Marine Services Authority. According to the US Treasury Department, Hormoz Safe also accepted payments in Bitcoin and other digital assets in an effort to evade Western sanctions.

As part of the action, the United States also targeted Iran’s alleged “shadow fleet.” US officials said that several oil tankers were involved in transporting Iranian crude oil and petroleum products, particularly to China. Eight shipping companies linked to those tankers have also been added to the sanctions list.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has claimed to have foiled multiple drone attacks originating from Iraq.

According to the Saudi Ministry of Defense, the country’s air defense system acted promptly and destroyed drones that were attempting to target key petroleum facilities in Riyadh and the Eastern Region.

The ministry said that several drones coming from Iraq were successfully intercepted by the air defense system before they could strike important oil installations located in the Eastern Region and the capital, Riyadh.

Saudi Ministry of Defense spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Maliki said that the Kingdom has the full and legitimate right to defend its territory, its people, and its vital national installations.

🔴 Saudi Arabia’s air defenses intercepted and destroyed drones coming from Iraq, the Kingdom’s defense ministry says in a statement

🔴 The drones attempted to target oil facilities in Saudi Arabia’s eastern region and Riyadh, according to the ministry

🔴 The ministry says the… pic.twitter.com/yzdXfL0y9m

— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) July 27, 2026

He added that Saudi Arabia also reserves the right to respond appropriately to the attack and will continue taking all necessary measures to safeguard its national security.

Also Read: Pakistan Tells Iran Any Attack on Saudi Arabia Will Be Treated as an Attack on Pakistan: Reuters

According to the spokesperson, security agencies remain fully mobilized to ensure the protection of the Kingdom’s energy facilities, and any act of aggression will be met with a strong response.

Saudi authorities did not immediately release further details regarding the number of drones involved or the elements responsible for the attack. However, security around sensitive installations has been further tightened following the incident.

TEHRAN: Iran’s Presidential Office has accused the country’s state broadcaster of censorship, alleging that parts of an interview with President Masoud Pezeshkian were removed.

According to an Al Jazeera report, a senior Iranian official called on the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the country’s state broadcasting organization, to provide broader representation of different political viewpoints following the government’s allegation that parts of President Masoud Pezeshkian’s interview had been censored by state media.

Mohammad Mirzaei, spokesperson for the Supervisory Council overseeing the state broadcaster, said that the national broadcaster should be one of the symbols of national unity and should also provide appropriate representation to moderate figures from approved political parties and groups.

Mohammad Mirzaei urged the management of IRIB to take effective administrative measures and issue the necessary directives to prevent similar broadcasting-related disputes in the future.

The report stated that the Supervisory Council’s statement came after President Masoud Pezeshkian’s office complained that some of the President’s remarks had been removed from an interview broadcast on state television.

Also Read: Iran Suspends Implementation of MOU with the United States

Student protests have achieved a major breakthrough as Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has resigned from his position.

According to Indian media, Dharmendra Pradhan sent his resignation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accepted his resignation.

In a statement posted on X, the Cockroach Janata Party said, “Long live the power of students. Education Minister Pradhan has resigned.” The party said that students had been staging a sit-in protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi since June 5. Following the paper leak issue, the Cockroach Janata Party had demanded the resignation of the Education Minister. The party added that several prominent Indian personalities, actors, and other public figures had participated in its demonstrations and supported the protesters’ demands.

Cockroach Janata Party Refuses to End Protest

A spokesperson for the CJP said that the protest would not end until the government fulfills two more demands. The party has demanded action against the police officers involved in the crackdown on protesters on July 20, that Dharmendra Pradhan should not be given any new ministry, and that the families of students who died by suicide should be provided compensation of Rs. 10 crore.

Nationwide Candle March Announced

The Cockroach Janata Party has announced a nationwide candle march.

Following the resignation of Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, there is a festive atmosphere in the Indian capital, New Delhi. Students are celebrating the development with great enthusiasm.

Sonam Wangchuk Congratulates Students

Social activist Sonam Wangchuk congratulated the students, saying, “This is a victory for democracy. This is a victory of peace, patience, and perseverance. Congratulations to the Cockroach Janata Party on this great achievement. The students have overcome fear and staged protests across every corner of the country.”

Also Read: India Opens Salal Dam Gates, Water Released into Chenab River Toward Pakistan

DHAKA: Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin has resigned from office, citing deteriorating health and his inability to continue performing the responsibilities of the country’s highest constitutional office.

President Shahabuddin submitted his resignation to the Speaker of the National Parliament on Tuesday evening, and the resignation has been received by the Parliament Secretariat.

In his resignation letter, the president said he has been suffering from several serious health conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney complications.

He stated that he had previously undergone heart bypass surgery and that a recent medical examination diagnosed him with autonomic neuropathy, a condition that causes him to occasionally lose consciousness for short periods.

President Shahabuddin wrote that the progression of these illnesses, along with the resulting physical and mental disability, has made it impossible for him to fulfill the responsibilities of the presidency.

He added that he requires long-term medical treatment and has therefore decided to resign from the office of President under Article 50(3) of the Constitution of Bangladesh.

Also Read: Bangladesh Seizes $6.2 Billion Worth of Assets Linked to Sheikh Hasina

NEW DELHI: The Indian government has sought one more day to respond to the demand for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan during a key meeting with members of the Cockroach Janta Party.

According to Indian media reports, the government agreed to two demands put forward by the student organization during the talks.

The Cockroach Janta Party said that Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan could resign by tomorrow, but stressed that it would not compromise on its demand for his resignation.

The party also announced that another round of talks with the government delegation will be held tomorrow.

Until then, protesters will continue their sit-in at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, the party said.

Read More: PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi Invited to ICC Board Meeting and IPL Final in India

NEW DELHI: Several prominent Bollywood and entertainment personalities have spoken out in support of, or commented on, the ongoing student protests in India’s capital, New Delhi, led by the Cockroach Janta Party over alleged examination paper leaks and demands for reforms in the country’s education system.

The protests at Jantar Mantar gained nationwide attention after clashes between police and demonstrators during a march towards Parliament on July 20. The confrontation involved tear gas shelling and baton charges. According to Indian media, hundreds of thousands of students have taken to the streets demanding government jobs, action over the alleged medical entrance examination paper leak, and reforms in the education system.

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan shared a message on social media, saying, “It is encouraging to see students across the country united in demanding a better education system, with the support of their parents. It was a very peaceful movement, and it is deeply saddening that it turned violent. Examination paper leaks are a very serious issue.”

Actress Alia Bhatt also expressed her views on Instagram, writing, “What has happened over the past few days has broken my heart. But the courage and determination of the students have given me hope. I salute the dreams of the students and the hopes of their families.”

Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah strongly criticized the police action in a video statement, saying, “If an ignorant person leads a country, it is only natural that they would want the entire country to become ignorant and cruel. Students should not lose hope. The whole country stands with them, and the government should remember that everything will be remembered.”

Naseeruddin Shah also criticized several leading Bollywood stars for remaining silent on the issue, linking their silence to personal interests.

South Indian actor and politician Kamal Haasan also expressed support for the students in an emotional message, saying, “We should have listened when one child cried, but we waited until many children had lost their lives. A system where coaching replaces education and crime replaces merit is a decayed system.”

Senior Bollywood actor Prakash Raj criticized artists who have remained silent on the protests, saying, “Movements like these reveal who truly stands with the people. I had hoped that many leading actors would use their voices for this cause, but they did not. History may forgive those who made mistakes, but it will not forgive those who remained silent.”

Actor Imran Khan also joined a march with children in Mumbai during the rain, saying, “I am here to support all those children whose hard work has been wasted. This is a fight for the future of our country.”

BBC has claimed that Iran has announced the suspension of the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) reached with the United States.

According to a foreign news agency, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said that Iran has temporarily suspended the implementation of the commitments it had made under the MOU.

He said that under the current circumstances, Iran’s top priority is the country’s defense and national security, which is why the implementation of the memorandum has been halted.

Kazem Gharibabadi stated that Iran is currently not implementing the agreement and that all attention is focused on defense-related matters. He added that Iran will review the situation in the future before making any decision regarding the implementation of the MOU.

Also Read: Pakistan Tells Iran Any Attack on Saudi Arabia Will Be Treated as an Attack on Pakistan: Reuters

He further said that Iran had been participating in the negotiation process, but US actions had severely damaged trust.

Meanwhile, Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam said that the US attacks on Iran were against the Memorandum of Understanding and international principles, and called on the international community to strongly condemn what he described as this aggressive recklessness.

He said that after several months of mediation by Pakistan, a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding had been reached, and it was decided that negotiations would continue over the next six months. However, he alleged that the United States violated the terms of the MOU, gained control of parts of the Strait of Hormuz, and sought to achieve what had not been achieved on the battlefield.