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Qatar Tribune
an hour ago
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Seifert's fireworks power NZ to seven-wicket win over SA
ANI Harare A fiery half-century from Tim Seifert and fine performances from the bowling attack helped New Zealand complete a seven-wicket win over South Africa in the tri-nation series match at Harare on Tuesday. With this win, NZ have ended the group stage of the series with three wins in three matches and set a title clash with Proteas, who won two and lost two to finish second. The hosts, Zimbabwe, are out of the competition after losing all three matches. NZ opted to field first after winning the toss. They consistently troubled the Proteas batting, reducing them to 79/5 in 14.1 overs. Reeza Hendricks (41 in 37 balls, with four boundaries and a six) offered some resistance at the top, helping SA get past the 100-run mark in 15.3 overs. George Linde (23* in 15 balls, with a four and six) was the only other notable contribution as SA finished with 134/8 in their 20 overs. Adam Milne (2/21), skipper Mitchell Santner (2/26) and Jacob Duffy (2/33) topped the bowling charts for Kiwis. During the run-chase, Seifert and Devon Conway (19) got their side off to a fine start, with a 51-run opening stand. Despite some hiccups, Seifert's quickfire 66* in 48 balls, with six fours and two sixes and Daryl Mitchell (20* in 15 balls, with two fours) brought things back under control with a half-century partnership. The final will take place at Harare on Saturday, July 26. Scores: New Zealand 135 for 3 (Seifert 66*, Mitchell 20*, Muthusamy 2-24) beat South Africa 134 for 8 (Hendricks 41, Linde 23*, Milne 2-21, Santner 2-26) by 7 wickets.
Express Tribune
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
India's 'more options' ICBMs
Listen to article India's strategic consideration is to extend the range of its ICBMs beyond the territories of its rivals — China and Pakistan. It's a worrisome development for those who played a significant role in allowing India to extend the ranges of its ICBMs. In the future, Western capitals will fall within India's ICBM targeting range. ICBMs are one of the potent modes of carrying weapons of mass destruction. Nuclear-tipped ICBMs can cause havoc on rivals and are instrumental in ensuring mutual vulnerabilities. This adds lethality to these weapons that rivals keep a wary eye on the development of each other's ICBMs. India's friends kept a blind eye on its ICBMs. Is it because India has been granted the status of 'Net Security Provider' and 'Major Defence Partner' in the Indian Ocean Region by the United States? Likewise, a Cold War power also covertly assisted India in developing its ICBM programme through its space launch vehicles. However, there are no permanent enemies, nor are there permanent friends; only interests. Therefore, there is a need to debunk the perception that India's extending ICBM ranges are only to target Pakistan and China. India's ICBMs can also pose a potent threat to its allies in the future. Once such a capability is achieved, it will not be easy to reverse it. Recently, the world has witnessed the US bombing of bunker busters on Iran's nuclear facilities. The intense bombing damaged Iran's nuclear facilities but not beyond repair, as per the IAEA. This also lends credence to India's ICBM programme, which has extended ranges. It has taken advantage of Western capitals' blind spot on its deadly development. Once India develops ICBMs with extended ranges, Western capitals will be permanently on its target list. The workhorse of India's ICBM arsenal is Agni-V, recently deployed by its Strategic Forces Command, representing a significant step in target acquisition beyond its rivals' territories. Agni-V was first tested in 2012 with a declared range of 5,500km. Officially, it was a long-range ballistic missile (LRBM). Chinese experts initially assessed that the Agni-V range was under-declared, and its actual range is 8,000km. However, the Indian strategic community maintained a strategic silence on its range. ANI first broke the news in 2022, reporting that India could extend the range of Agni-V up to 7,000km by replacing the steel content with composite materials. Presently, Agni-V is now Multiple Independent Targetable Re-entry Vehicle, providing more options for utility to the Indian Strategic Force Command during conflicts. Now, after all these years, Indian media and analysts openly suggest that the Agni-V range is 8,000km. What about Agni-VI and Surya ICBMs? Will these two ICBMs provide India with more options? Of course, these two will be utilised for more options. News about Surya first came to the public in 1999. The development was kept secret but accidentally revealed by Indian Minister of State for Defence (and former head of DRDO) Bachi Singh Rawat. He told the media that India is developing an ICBM known as Surya that would have a range of up to 5,000km. Mr Rawat was later stripped of his position after disclosing the ICBM. He dropped a bombshell on the international community by revealing India's top-secret, under-development ICBM. Indian rocketry received significant assistance from the Space Launch Vehicle programme, which it obtained with foreign support. Notably, India received Cryogenic engines for its SLV programme from Ukraine and Russia in the 1990s. It is believed that the same cryogenic engines are now Surya's test-bed. In the early 2000s, Russian and Western intelligence assessments indicated that India was developing an ICBM with more than 5000km range, which can be extended to 10,000km. Nevertheless, Western powers conspicuously kept mum on this, knowing that they would eventually be on India's targeting list. Independent analysis also suggests that Agni-VI has a range of 10000-12000km. Agni-VI and Surya are under development, and to date, no test or trial of these systems by DRDO has been conducted. The Indian decision not to test Agni-VI and Surya may be due to unseen pressure from the US. Previously, the US has least criticised India on its anti-satellite test in 2019, despite overtly criticising China and Russia's ASAT missile tests in the past. India may test Agni-VI and Surya by ignoring US pressure, as it completely ignored the US pressure when it tested its ASAT missile. India does not deny the development of both. However, India never openly discussed it due to the possibility of pressure from London, Paris, Moscow and Washington, as they were already aware of such developments. Instead, Washington and its allies are busy alleging that other powers are developing ICBMs. What is this "more options" strategy? Is there any rocket science required to understand more options strategy? No, India's intermediate-range and long-range ballistic missiles are enough to achieve targets within the territories of Pakistan and China. Therefore, "a more option" strategy is linked with Agni-VI and Surya to acquire targets well beyond Pakistan and China. London, Paris, Moscow and Washington may reconsider their position and think about being included in the "more options" strategy. The Western powers have helped India develop its ICBM capability while also allowing the interchangeability of space and missile components and systems, which has contributed to India's space and ballistic missile programmes. Now, the onus lies on them to think about India's "more option" strategy.
Mint
7 hours ago
- Mint
Ahmedabad airport gets bomb threat email. Here's what we know
The authorities at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Tuesday received a bomb threat on Tuesday, reported ANI, following which a massive search operation was launched. The local police rushed to the spot and scanned the entire airport premises with the help of cyber crime branch and other security agencies, PTI quoted Assistant Commissioner of Police, 'G' Division, VN Yadav as saying. "The threat turned out to be a hoax as nothing suspicious was found. The Airport police as well as cyber crime are conducting further investigation," he informed. Also, an airport spokesperson said the threat was 'non-specific' and nothing suspicious was found after the search. A Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad spokesperson said, as quoted by ANI, "Following the receipt of a threatening email on 22 July 2025, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad, activated the Bomb Threat Assessment Committee, and the threat was assessed as non-specific." "CISF's Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad conducted comprehensive checks in line with standard security protocols. After a thorough sweep of the premises, no suspicious object or activity was found. Airport operations have continued without disruption," the spokesperson added. As per the details, in the past six months, hoax bomb threats were received by the Gujarat High Court, the Ahmedabad airport and over 20 private schools across the state. A report by PTI stated that the threat was sent via an email at around 7:30 am and claimed that an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was placed inside a cigarette packet. It also claimed that the bomb could detonate at any time. However, no suspicious object has been found as of yet.
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
‘Not too distant': Donald Trump hints at upcoming China visit; meeting with Xi Jinping on cards
File photo (Picture credit: ANI) US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he may travel to China 'not too far into the future' to meet with President Xi Jinping , signalling a potential diplomatic thaw amid intense trade negotiations and geopolitical tensions. Speaking alongside Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr at the White House, Trump confirmed that Xi had extended an invitation. 'President Xi has invited me to China, and we'll probably be doing that in the not-too-distant future,' he told reporters. 'It's a little bit out, but not too distant', Trump added. According to CNA, while no final plans have been announced, sources familiar with the matter cited by news agency Reuters claim that the visit could be timed to coincide with a broader Asia tour later this year. Two possible occasions under consideration are the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea from October 30 to November 1, or a separate Beijing trip on September 3 for the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, a ceremony Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to attend. The White House and Chinese authorities have not yet confirmed details about any potential Trump-Xi meeting. However, the Kremlin has indicated it would not rule out a meeting between Trump and Putin if both leaders happen to be in Beijing at the same time. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Monday said, 'If it so happens that [Trump] is there, then, of course, we cannot rule out that the question of the expediency of holding a meeting will be raised.' According to The Times, Beijing is actively considering playing host to a summit involving all three leaders, a move that could have wide-reaching diplomatic implications. Trump and Putin have already held multiple phone conversations since the former returned to office in January. Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with Moscow's stance on Ukraine and recently warned of sanctions on Russia and its trading partners unless a peace agreement is reached by early September. In his comments on Tuesday, Trump described the US-China relationship as being on stable ground. 'We're getting along with China very well,' he said, adding that President Marcos should feel free to pursue economic ties with Beijing. 'It wouldn't bother me at all,' Trump remarked, to which Marcos replied, 'It is something that we have to do in any case.' The meeting comes at a crucial moment, as the Trump administration pushes Beijing to meet an August 12 deadline to finalise a new trade agreement. Although Trump has toned down his rhetoric in recent weeks, the US continues to apply pressure over Chinese industrial overcapacity, fentanyl-related exports, and regional security concerns. A proposed 10 per cent universal base tariff on all imports remains on the table, alongside a sharply higher 55 per cent rate on goods from China. Despite unresolved disputes, including China's support for Russia, exit bans on American residents, and aggressive moves in the Indo-Pacific, Trump has reiterated his willingness to keep lines of communication open with Xi, underscoring what he called a 'very good relationship' with the Chinese leader.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
India helping Maldives stabilise its 'stressful financial' situation: Foreign secretary Misri
Foreign secretary Vikram Misri (ANI) NEW DELHI: Foreign secretary Vikram Misri on Tuesday stated that India has been lending a "helping hand" to the Maldives to stabilise its "stressful financial" situation, highlighting New Delhi's role in bolstering the island nation's foreign exchange reserves through significant financial a press briefing ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Maldives, Misri elaborated on India's support for the island nation, noting that a $400 million swap line has been nearly fully utilised to stabilise its financial has been grappling with a mounting debt crisis that threatens its economic sovereignty, as its foreign exchange reserves dwindle to precarious levels while substantial debt repayments is currently needing to service external debt worth USD 600 million in 2025, which can amount to a staggering USD 1 billion by also emphasised that India remains in close contact with Maldivian authorities to explore further support, describing the situation as dynamic and requiring ongoing collaboration."Insofar as the issue related to the financial stability of Maldives is concerned, it is a fact that it has faced a stressful financial environment, and that is why we have been giving a helping hand to Maldives in order to stabilise the financial recent assistance has led to accretions in the foreign exchange position of the Maldives, and it is this accretion, as a matter of fact, that has been cited by international financial organisations, including the IMF, as a positive factor that has helped the Maldives stave off outcomes that could be difficult for it," the foreign secretary stated."This is a dynamic situation. We will remain in close touch with our friends and partners in the Maldives to see what else we can do. In any case, so far as the swaps are concerned, my understanding is that the USD 400 million swap line has been drawn almost completely, and now perhaps the USD 30 billion rupee Indian swap line will also be drawn upon," he year, during Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu visit to India, the Union Government extended support in the form of $400 million and Rs 30 billion as a bilateral currency swap agreement in order to tackle the ongoing financial challenges faced by the in May, the Union government has extended support to the island nation by rolling over the $50 million treasury the broader turnaround in India-Maldives relations after ties between New Delhi and Male were strained following derogatory remarks made by Maldivian officials about Prime Minister Modi in early January last year, Misri underscored the resilience of the credited the close discussions with Maldivian partners for providing clarity and assurances on the matter while highlighting India's continued support through its military or infrastructural assets provided to the Maldives for its development."There will always be events that will impact or try to intrude on the relationship. But I think this is testimony to the kind of attention that has been paid to the relationship, including attention at the highest levels that has been paid to the relationship. We've continued to work at it, and I think the result is there for you to see. I think we have also been in very close discussions with our partner partners in the Maldives to provide clarity and assurances about what it is that we want to do bilaterally, and I think this is the result is there for all to see," the Foreign Secretary stated."With regard to the assets that we have provided them. They continue to function there with the appropriate personnel to manage them and to assist the Maldives authorities in using them for the best possible results," Misri ties between New Delhi and Male were strained after Maldivian officials made derogatory remarks about Prime Minister Modi in early January last during the visit of Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer in April 2024, Zameer distanced his government from the derogatory remarks made by these officials, stating that it was not the government's stance and that "proper action" had been taken to ensure such remarks were not in January, India handed over defence equipment and stores to the Maldives, as per the island nation's request, while reiterating its firm commitment to working closely in realising the joint vision for the India-Maldives Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a Modi will embark on his two-nation tour of the UK and the Maldives from July 23 to July 26, the MEA had said on July 25, he will be on a two-day state visit to Maldives at the invitation of President Mohamed Muizzu. He has been invited as the 'Guest of Honour' for the 60th Anniversary celebrations of the Independence of Maldives on July the visit by PM Modi comes at a historic juncture as New Delhi and Male are marking their 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic will be the Prime Minister's third visit to the Maldives and the first visit by a Head of State or Government to the Maldives during the Presidency of Mohamed Muizzu.
