A heated exchange erupted between DMK and AIADMK councillors during the Greater Chennai Corporation Council meeting on Wednesday, disrupting proceedings during the “zero hour” session attended by Mayor Priya. The clash began after AIADMK Councillor KPK Sathish of Ward 182 raised concerns over the nature of discussions taking place in the council. He said that he focuses only on issues related to his ward and questioned why some members use official meetings to praise their party leaders instead of addressing public matters. His remarks triggered strong reactions from DMK councillors, leading to a verbal confrontation.
The tension had already started building earlier in the meeting when DMK councillor Chittrarasu requested the Commissioner and Mayor Priya to ensure that photographs of former Chief Minister MK Stalin were displayed at all zonal offices. Responding to the request, the Mayor instructed the Commissioner to issue a circular regarding the installation of the portraits.
During the session, Chittrarasu also praised the previous DMK-led government, stating that Tamil Nadu’s progress was linked to Dravidian ideology. He claimed that the DMK administration had gained public support by understanding and responding to people’s needs. He also appreciated the role of Tamil Nadu Assembly opposition leader Udhayanidhi Stalin, saying his approach had earned admiration, even from Chief Minister Vijay.
The political war of words intensified when DMK councillor Durairaj criticised Chief Minister Vijay over a recent Assembly incident. Referring to Vijay’s hand gesture during the Governor’s address proceedings, Durairaj alleged that the act was an attempt to imitate MK Stalin and called it “childish,” claiming Vijay was still acting like a film personality.
Durairaj contrasted Vijay’s political journey with that of DMK leaders, saying their rise came through years of work among the people rather than through social media popularity. He added that the DMK has experience as both a ruling party and opposition force and assured that the party would continue working hard to regain stronger political support in the future.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
India’s efforts to limit Pakistan’s influence on the international stage are facing a complicated geopolitical reality as Islamabad continues to maintain ties with major global powers and remains involved in important regional developments. Despite economic struggles and domestic challenges, Pakistan has managed to remain diplomatically relevant, highlighting the difficulties of completely isolating a strategically located country.
For years, India has pushed a stronger global narrative against Pakistan, particularly focusing on security concerns and cross-border terrorism issues. The approach aimed to increase international pressure on Islamabad and reduce its diplomatic space. However, changing global priorities and strategic interests have allowed Pakistan to continue engaging with several influential countries. Pakistan’s geographical position remains one of its biggest advantages. Located between South Asia, China, Central Asia, and the Middle East, the country holds strategic importance for global powers looking at trade routes, security cooperation, and regional stability.
Its proximity to Afghanistan, access to the Arabian Sea, and links with energy-rich regions have kept Pakistan relevant in international calculations. Analysts say that geography often plays a major role in diplomacy, and countries with strategic locations are rarely ignored for long. China continues to be one of Pakistan’s closest partners, with economic cooperation and defence ties forming a key part of their relationship. At the same time, Islamabad has worked to maintain engagement with other countries, including the United States and Gulf nations, following a policy of balancing relationships rather than relying on a single alliance.
Pakistan has also gained attention through its involvement in regional diplomacy. Recent developments around international negotiations have highlighted Islamabad’s attempt to present itself as a useful diplomatic player. Pakistan’s role in facilitating discussions involving global powers has increased its visibility in international affairs.
The situation reflects a broader shift in global politics, where strategic interests often influence diplomatic decisions. Many countries continue relations with Pakistan because of security, economic, and regional considerations, even while raising concerns over various issues. Pakistan’s diplomatic relevance does not remove its internal challenges. The country continues to face economic pressure, political uncertainty, and security issues. Experts argue that maintaining international attention will not be enough unless Pakistan strengthens its economy and domestic institutions.
The challenge now extends beyond diplomatic pressure on Pakistan. New Delhi must also navigate a changing global environment where countries increasingly make decisions based on their own strategic interests. The evolving India-Pakistan competition shows that international influence is not shaped only by political disputes. Geography, alliances, economic opportunities, and regional importance continue to determine how countries are viewed on the world stage. While India has expanded its global partnerships and strengthened its international position, Pakistan’s continued engagement with major powers shows that diplomatic isolation remains a difficult goal in modern geopolitics.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.
Amnesty International has criticised Pakistan’s decision to sentence leading Baloch activists Dr Mahrang Baloch and Sibghat Ullah Shah Jee to life imprisonment, calling the verdict a serious violation of fair trial principles. The rights organisation alleged that anti-terror laws were being misused to silence peaceful voices and target human rights defenders.
Amnesty International’s Acting Regional Director for South Asia, Isabelle Lassee, said the convictions undermined the right to a fair trial and reflected what the organisation described as the authorities’ improper use of counter-terrorism legislation against activists. The condemnation came after an anti-terrorism court in Quetta sentenced Mahrang Baloch and Sibghat Ullah Shah Jee to life terms over allegations related to a 2024 protest, during which a security official was killed.
Amnesty claimed that the proceedings were conducted through a rushed and closed-door trial inside a prison facility, raising concerns about transparency, due process and compliance with international legal standards. The organisation said no substantial evidence had been presented directly connecting the two activists to the killing.
The rights group also raised concerns over the prolonged detention of Mahrang Baloch, who was arrested in March 2025 after taking part in a peaceful demonstration. Amnesty stated that she was later named in more than 20 anti-terrorism cases across Pakistan, making it increasingly difficult for her defence team to prepare an effective legal response.
Amnesty International said the activists were being punished because of their work highlighting human rights issues and called for their immediate release and the removal of cases linked to their advocacy activities. Mahrang Baloch and Sibghat Ullah Shah Jee are senior figures in the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), a rights movement that campaigns against enforced disappearances, alleged unlawful killings and social and economic challenges faced by communities in Balochistan. They have remained in custody since protests in March 2025, along with several other activists facing multiple legal cases.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from @MahrangBaloch_.
Indian Navy’s stealth frigate INS Tarkash departed from Port Louis, Mauritius, on 22 June 2026 after completing its scheduled port visit, as the warship continued its operational deployment in the South West Indian Ocean Region. According to an official statement, the crew of INS Tarkash took part in several engagements during the visit, including a friendly but competitive volleyball match and specialised professional training sessions for personnel of the Mauritius National Coast Guard.
The naval ship was also opened for public visitors on 21 June 2026, attracting nearly 450 people from the Indian diaspora and the local community. The interaction helped strengthen the longstanding cultural and people-to-people connections between India and Mauritius. During the visit, INS Tarkash Commanding Officer Captain Rohit Mishra held meetings with Mauritius Police Commissioner Rampersad Sooroojebally and India’s High Commissioner to Mauritius Anurag Srivastava, the release stated.
The ship also organised a yoga session for Mauritius National Coast Guard personnel on 21 June to mark the International Day of Yoga 2026, highlighting cooperation and shared participation between the two maritime partners. The visit reflected the strong and historic relationship between India and Mauritius while reaffirming New Delhi’s focus on strengthening maritime cooperation, regional stability, and the vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).
The development comes after External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s high-level visit to Mauritius in April, which focused on healthcare cooperation, diplomatic engagements, and regional discussions aimed at further deepening bilateral ties. A key highlight of Jaishankar’s visit was the inauguration of Mauritius’ first dedicated renal transplant unit at Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital in Port Louis. The facility was described as a significant step in improving the country’s healthcare infrastructure and as another example of India’s long-term development partnership with Mauritius.
While inaugurating the unit, Jaishankar said the project represented an important achievement for patients and families in Mauritius, describing it as both a healthcare milestone and a humanitarian initiative. In a post on X, he said the new facility would enhance access to advanced medical treatment for kidney patients and further strengthen the health partnership between the two nations. He also reiterated India’s commitment to global cooperation, noting that Mauritius remains an important partner in India’s vision of a connected and inclusive global community.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun in Seoul on Wednesday to discuss expanding India-Korea cooperation and global developments. The talks focused on trade, investment, finance, defence, technology, clean energy, and people-to-people ties. Jaishankar said both countries are committed to building a more forward-looking partnership, while Cho highlighted the importance of following up on agreements made during South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s India visit in April. The two ministers also exchanged views on regional issues, including economic challenges linked to West Asia, and agreed to maintain close communication.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@DrSJaishankar.
As AI continues to evolve, cyber risks are becoming a major business challenge rather than just a technical problem. The Five Eyes alliance warns that advanced AI models could transform the cyber threat landscape faster than anticipated. With AI being used for both attacks and defense, the question remains: who is ahead in this new automated cyber battle? Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman explore this with Jayant Dave, Chief Information Security Officer at Check Point Software Technologies.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
A decade after the Brexit referendum, the United Kingdom is again facing a leadership transition, with the departure of Prime Minister Keir Starmer set to bring the country its seventh prime minister in just over 10 years. This frequent turnover reflects the ongoing political instability linked to the long-term effects of the Brexit. As nominations open on 9 July and a new prime minister is expected by September, analysts are examining what this latest leadership crisis reveals about Brexit’s lasting impact on British politics and governance, including insights from political analyst Alexander Hilton of Skystamper.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Keir Starmer has revealed that he will step down as prime minister less than two years after securing an election win, setting off a contest to choose the next Labour leader. As Labour MPs grow increasingly concerned about the rising influence of Nigel Farage’s Reform party, attention has turned to Andy Burnham, the politician nicknamed the “King of the North.” His strong performance in a local by-election last weekend has fuelled speculation that he could be a future occupant of No. 10. Reged Ahmad speaks with North of England editor Josh Halliday about Burnham’s growing political momentum, why he is being viewed as a potential next British prime minister, and why the coming week could shape the future direction of UK politics.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Nick Ames, Lucy Ward, and Jacob Steinberg as England kick off their World Cup campaign in impressive fashion. The episode invites listeners to rate, review, and share on Apple Podcasts, and to join the discussion via email. Today’s focus is England’s 4–2 win over Croatia, with Thomas Tuchel’s side pressing aggressively and playing with real tempo and attacking intent, particularly in a strong second half. The panel debates how much significance should be attached to such a convincing opening performance. Elsewhere in the group, Ghana’s 1–0 win over Panama receives only brief attention before moving on to DR Congo, who earned a well-deserved draw against a disappointing Portugal side. This naturally leads to growing discussion about Cristiano Ronaldo’s role in the team going forward. The episode also previews the next set of fixtures, includes Nick Ames reporting from the GOP convention on his day off, revisits the ongoing “apples” segment, and wraps up with listener questions. Listeners are encouraged to support The Guardian and follow Football Weekly on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
