English हिन्दी
Connect with us

Latest world news

UN Appoints Veteran Indian Army Officer to Lead its Mission in Yemen

Published

on

UN Appoints Veteran Indian Army Officer to Lead its Mission in Yemen

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday (September 12) appointed a veteran Indian Army official as the head of the world body’s observer mission in Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah, according to media reports. 

Lieutenant General (retired) Abhijit Guha was appointed as the Chair of the Redeployment Coordination Committee (RCC) and head of the United Nations Mission in support of the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA), the Secretary General’s spokesman said in a statement.

He will succeed Lieutenant General Michael Lollesgaard of Denmark, who served as RCC Chair and head of UNMHA from January 31 to July 31, he added. 

The Indian Army official is tasked with leading the UN oversight of a ceasefire agreement in Hodeidah. The truce went into effect in December after peace talks in Sweden between the Yemen’s government and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who have been fighting each other since 2015.

General Guha brings to this position 39 years of national and international military experience. He served from 2009-2013 as the Deputy Military Adviser and the Military Adviser within the Office of Military Affairs of the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations, while also establishing the Office of Peacekeeping and Strategic Partnerships in 2013, the statement said.

He has also previously served as a Military Observer as part of the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia during 1992-3.

After his retirement from the Indian Army in 2013, General Guha served on the Expert Panel on Technology and Innovation in UN Peacekeeping (2014) and the High Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations (2015).

He has also led a number of United Nations’ investigations and boards of inquiry in Africa and the Middle East.

UNMHA was authorized for an initial period of six months to lead and support the functioning of the RCC, assisted by a secretariat staffed by UN personnel, to oversee the governorate-wide ceasefire, redeployment of forces and mine action operation.

It was also authorized to monitor compliance of the parties to the ceasefire in Hudaydah governorate and the mutual redeployment of forces from the city of Hudaydah and the ports of Hudaydah, Saleef and Ras Isa and to work with the parties so that the security of the city and the ports of Hudaydah, Saleef and Ras Isa is assured by the local security forces in accordance with the Yemeni law.

Lieutenant General (retired) Guha is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, the College of Combat, and the National Defence College, each in India.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Latest world news

General Asim Munir reaffirms Pakistan’s hardline stance on Kashmir and Balochistan

In a speech abroad, General Asim Munir reignites Indo-Pak tensions by reiterating Pakistan’s claims on Kashmir and dismissing concerns about terrorism and separatist movements.

Published

on

In a provocative address to overseas Pakistanis, Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir has reiterated Islamabad’s uncompromising position on Kashmir, asserting that it remains Pakistan’s “jugular vein” and would never be forgotten. His remarks, delivered while addressing a gathering of Pakistanis abroad, are likely to provoke a strong diplomatic reaction from India.

General Munir described those residing overseas as Pakistan’s “ambassadors” and urged them to uphold what he called a “superior ideology and culture.” He framed his statements within the context of the two-nation theory, which served as the ideological foundation for the creation of Pakistan in 1947. Emphasising civilizational differences, he said, “Our forefathers thought that we are different from the Hindus in every aspect of life… our religions, our customs, traditions, thoughts and ambitions are different.”

The two-nation theory, championed by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, has long been a source of ideological division between India and Pakistan. It directly opposes the vision of a united India based on secular values and shared heritage.

Assertion on Kashmir and national identity

Referring to the ongoing dispute over Kashmir, General Munir said, “It was our jugular vein, it will be our jugular vein, we will not forget it.” He further added, “We will not leave our Kashmiri brothers in their heroic struggle,” framing the Kashmir issue as central to Pakistan’s national narrative and identity.

In a broader nationalist tone, General Munir urged Pakistanis to keep narrating the country’s creation story to future generations to maintain a strong bond with the nation.

Stance on terrorism and Balochistan separatism

Touching upon concerns related to terrorism and investment, the Pakistan Army chief dismissed doubts about the country’s stability, stating, “The 1.3 million-strong Indian Army, with all its wherewithal, if they cannot intimidate us, do you think these terrorists can subdue the armed forces of Pakistan?”

On the issue of Balochistan, where separatist movements have long challenged the central authority, Munir declared the province to be “Pakistan’s pride” and warned against any illusions of secession. “You won’t be able to take it in 10 generations,” he said, pledging that the military will decisively counter separatist groups.

Implications for India-Pakistan relations

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs is yet to issue an official response, but given the sharply worded statements, diplomatic engagement or condemnation is anticipated. General Munir’s comments underscore the enduring friction between the two nations and reinforce the Pakistan Army’s dominant role in shaping Islamabad’s foreign and domestic policies.

Continue Reading

Latest world news

China halts Boeing jet deliveries amid trade war with US

This halt in Boeing deliveries could have significant repercussions for both China’s aviation industry and the American aerospace sector.

Published

on

In a significant escalation of trade tensions between China and the United States, Beijing has directed its airlines to stop receiving aircraft from American aerospace manufacturer Boeing, according to a report released on Tuesday.

Additionally, Chinese authorities have ordered their carriers to cease purchasing aircraft-related equipment and components from U.S. companies.

This development, initially reported by Bloomberg News, comes amid rising tensions in the ongoing trade conflict between Washington and Beijing, which began following the introduction of “reciprocal tariffs” under former President Donald Trump.

Since Trump took office in January, the two largest economies in the world have engaged in a reciprocal trade war, with the U.S. imposing tariffs as high as 145 percent on certain Chinese imports.

In retaliation, Beijing has described Washington’s actions as illegal “bullying” and has implemented counter-tariffs of 125 percent on American goods, claiming that further tax increases would be futile.

The recent Chinese government order to suspend Boeing deliveries, affecting both state-owned and private airlines, is interpreted as part of China’s broader strategy to address the U.S. tariffs.

This halt in Boeing deliveries could have significant repercussions for both China’s aviation industry and the American aerospace sector.

On the same day, China emphasized its commitment to forging stronger trade relationships, with the foreign ministry stating its preference for cooperation over conflict. Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry, remarked during a briefing that China aims to “tear down walls” and foster connections instead of creating barriers.

Meanwhile, the World Trade Organization has cautioned that the intense trade dispute between the two nations could lead to an 80% reduction in goods shipments between them and could severely impact global economic growth.

Continue Reading

Latest world news

Barack Obama backs Harvard University after Trump freezes $2.3 billion funding, says attempt to stifle academic freedom

The demands also called for banning face coverings—viewed as targeting pro-Palestinian protesters—and dismantling the university’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, which the government criticized as fostering “simplistic racial stereotypes.”

Published

on

Former United States President Barack Obama on Tuesday lauded Harvard University for resisting the Trump administration’s decision to withhold $2.3 billion in federal funding after the institution rejected a series of White House demands. Calling Harvard’s stance a beacon for other colleges, Obama praised its commitment to academic freedom amid intensifying political pressure.

Harvard President Alan Garber firmly rebuffed the administration’s conditions, which included overhauling admissions to prioritize “merit-based” criteria, curbing student activism, auditing diversity initiatives, and derecognizing certain student groups. The demands also called for banning face coverings—viewed as targeting pro-Palestinian protesters—and dismantling the university’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, which the government criticized as fostering “simplistic racial stereotypes.”

“Harvard’s rejection of this heavy-handed attempt to undermine academic freedom sets a powerful example for higher education,” Obama wrote on X, commending the university for fostering “intellectual rigor, open debate, and mutual respect.”

The clash escalated after the Department of Education’s antisemitism task force accused Harvard of neglecting civil rights laws and fostering an “entitlement mindset” while failing to protect Jewish students amid campus disruptions.

The White House argued that elite universities, flush with federal funds, have tolerated unrest tied to pro-Palestinian protests since Israel’s war in Gaza began, with some demonstrations accused of endorsing Hamas—a group the US labels a terrorist organization following its October 7 attack on Israel.

Garber, in a defiant open letter, declared, “No government, regardless of party, has the right to dictate what private universities teach, who they admit or hire, or what research they pursue.” Hours later, the Trump administration froze $2.3 billion in funding, marking a dramatic escalation in its campaign to reshape higher education.

Harvard’s stand makes it the first major US university to openly challenge such federal directives, which also urged cooperation with immigration authorities and the withdrawal of support for student groups linked to violence or harassment. The university’s endowment, valued at over $50 billion, may cushion the financial blow, but the standoff signals deeper tensions over campus autonomy.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com