<p>The Arctic Ocean's ice is melting faster than ever due to global warming, opening up more areas in the huge area to global competition for its untapped resources, including an estimated 13 per cent of the world's oil. The US Coast Guard commissioned its first new polar icebreaker ship in over 25 years this August, as part of an $8.6 billion push to expand its Arctic capabilities, with key rivals Russia and China in mind. In this context, here is a look at the Arctic region's resources, the contentious control of its territory, and the countries engaged in the scramble.</p><h2>What are the resources of the Arctic?</h2><p>The Arctic possibly contains up to 13 per cent of the world's undiscovered oil and roughly 30 per cent of global natural gas deposits.&nbsp;</p><p>It is also home to mineral deposits, including rare earth elements critical for green tech and electric vehicles.&nbsp;</p><p>Greenland and northern Scandinavia offer mining opportunities for iron ore and other strategic minerals.</p><p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/the-arctic-space-race-heats-up-china-u-s-europe-build-antenna-farms-in-the-far-north-1764097803450/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/the-arctic-space-race-heats-up-china-u-s-europe-build-antenna-farms-in-the-far-north-1764097803450/embed</a></p><h2>New shipping routes can drastically reduce global maritime trade costs</h2><p>Besides the Arctic's abundant and critical natural resources, the thawing of ice is slowly opening up more shipping routes, such as the Northern Sea Route along Russia’s Arctic coast and the Northwest Passage through Canada. When fully operational and commercialised, these routes can reduce transit times between Asia and Europe by up to 40 per cent and lower shipping costs by roughly 30 per cent.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/why-scientists-revive-40-000-year-old-ancient-virus-with-pandemic-potential-from-arctic-ice-1759812221224">Why?? Scientists revive 40,000-year-old ancient virus with 'pandemic potential' from Arctic ice</a></p><h2>Who controls the Arctic?</h2><p>The Arctic Ocean region, spanning approximately 14.5 million square kilometres, is loosely governed through a combination of national jurisdiction, international law, and cooperative bodies like the Arctic Council. Eight countries have coastlines along the Arctic Ocean: Canada, Denmark (via Greenland), Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the US (via Alaska). These countries are part of the Arctic Council, which focuses on non-security issues and environmental protection. China also claims to be a “near-Arctic state,” becoming an active new entrant in the race for the region's resources.</p><p>The coastal states control their land, internal waters, and exclusive economic zones (EEZs) spanning 200 nautical miles.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/scientists-surprised-to-see-organism-alive-and-moving-inside-arctic-ocean-that-they-thought-was-dead-1757656476816">Scientists surprised to see organism 'alive and moving' inside Arctic Ocean that they thought was dead</a></p><h2>Race for more control of the Arctic via UN laws</h2><p>The scramble for the Arctic is evident from new claims by some countries to expand their rights over the continental shelf beyond the EEZ. They have filed petitions under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), with Russia and Norway receiving partial approvals. Canada, Denmark, and some others have their claims pending. The US has not ratified UNCLOS, but generally observes its provisions.</p><p>The central Arctic Ocean remains international waters, open for navigation and fishing under UNCLOS.</p><h2>Which countries are interested in the Arctic?</h2><p>While Arctic coastal states naturally have the strongest claims and interests in resource development, shipping, and security, countries like the US, Russia, and China are competing to gain an upper hand. US President Donald Trump's remarks about wanting to buy Greenland should be seen in this context.</p><h2>China: A non-Arctic power operating in the waters</h2><p>Calling itself a “near-Arctic state,” China has expanded its research and commercial shipping activity in the region. The Asian power is testing new maritime routes and building icebreaker capacity in the Arctic.&nbsp;</p><p>Countries and entities with observer status in the Arctic Council, including India, Japan, South Korea, Germany, and the European Union, have invested in scientific research, mining projects, and shipping infrastructure to gain a foothold in the region.</p><h2>Militarising the Arctic</h2><p>De facto enforcement of the Arctic Ocean is carried out by countries like the US using Coast Guard patrols to maintain presence and monitor foreign vessels. Russia maintains the largest military presence and extensive Arctic bases, asserting control over roughly half of the Arctic coastline.</p><p>Canada and Norway also regulate shipping in their waters while pursuing resource extraction.</p><p>In this context, the US commissioning of new icebreakers and plans to acquire more gain significance. The aim is to secure strategic influence, protect shipping routes, and gain access to mineral resources, particularly in Greenland.</p><p>The days when the Arctic could become a conflict zone are not far away, given the current level of intensifying activity around the slowly unfreezing ocean.</p>

The US has commissioned its first icebreaker in 25 years, as melting of Arctic ice opens up more shipping routes and scramble for untapped resources. China and Russia are also racing for dominance. 


The Arctic Ocean's ice is melting faster than ever due to global warming, opening up more areas in the huge area to global competition for its untapped resources, including an estimated 13 per cent of the world's oil. The US Coast Guard commissioned its first new polar icebreaker ship in over 25 years this August, as part of an $8.6 billion push to expand its Arctic capabilities, with key rivals Russia and China in mind. In this context, here is a look at the Arctic region's resources, the contentious control of its territory, and the countries engaged in the scramble. What are the resources of the Arctic? The Arctic possibly contains up to 13 per cent of the world's undiscovered oil and roughly 30 per cent of global natural gas deposits. It is also home to mineral deposits, including rare earth elements critical for green tech and electric vehicles. Greenland and northern Scandinavia offer mining opportunities for iron ore and other strategic minerals. https://www.wionews.com/videos/the-arctic-space-race-heats-up-china-u-s-europe-build-antenna-farms-in-the-far-north-1764097803450/embed New shipping routes can drastically reduce global maritime trade costs Besides the Arctic's abundant and critical natural resources, the thawing of ice is slowly opening up more shipping routes, such as the Northern Sea Route along Russia’s Arctic coast and the Northwest Passage through Canada. When fully operational and commercialised, these routes can reduce transit times between Asia and Europe by up to 40 per cent and lower shipping costs by roughly 30 per cent. Also read: Why?? Scientists revive 40,000-year-old ancient virus with 'pandemic potential' from Arctic ice Who controls the Arctic? The Arctic Ocean region, spanning approximately 14.5 million square kilometres, is loosely governed through a combination of national jurisdiction, international law, and cooperative bodies like the Arctic Council. Eight countries have coastlines along the Arctic Ocean: Canada, Denmark (via Greenland), Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the US (via Alaska). These countries are part of the Arctic Council, which focuses on non-security issues and environmental protection. China also claims to be a “near-Arctic state,” becoming an active new entrant in the race for the region's resources. The coastal states control their land, internal waters, and exclusive economic zones (EEZs) spanning 200 nautical miles. Also read: Scientists surprised to see organism 'alive and moving' inside Arctic Ocean that they thought was dead Race for more control of the Arctic via UN laws The scramble for the Arctic is evident from new claims by some countries to expand their rights over the continental shelf beyond the EEZ. They have filed petitions under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), with Russia and Norway receiving partial approvals. Canada, Denmark, and some others have their claims pending. The US has not ratified UNCLOS, but generally observes its provisions. The central Arctic Ocean remains international waters, open for navigation and fishing under UNCLOS. Which countries are interested in the Arctic? While Arctic coastal states naturally have the strongest claims and interests in resource development, shipping, and security, countries like the US, Russia, and China are competing to gain an upper hand. US President Donald Trump's remarks about wanting to buy Greenland should be seen in this context. China: A non-Arctic power operating in the waters Calling itself a “near-Arctic state,” China has expanded its research and commercial shipping activity in the region. The Asian power is testing new maritime routes and building icebreaker capacity in the Arctic. Countries and entities with observer status in the Arctic Council, including India, Japan, South Korea, Germany, and the European Union, have invested in scientific research, mining projects, and shipping infrastructure to gain a foothold in the region. Militarising the Arctic De facto enforcement of the Arctic Ocean is carried out by countries like the US using Coast Guard patrols to maintain presence and monitor foreign vessels. Russia maintains the largest military presence and extensive Arctic bases, asserting control over roughly half of the Arctic coastline. Canada and Norway also regulate shipping in their waters while pursuing resource extraction. In this context, the US commissioning of new icebreakers and plans to acquire more gain significance. The aim is to secure strategic influence, protect shipping routes, and gain access to mineral resources, particularly in Greenland. The days when the Arctic could become a conflict zone are not far away, given the current level of intensifying activity around the slowly unfreezing ocean.

<p>The US has commissioned its first icebreaker in 25 years, as melting of Arctic ice opens up more shipping routes and scramble for untapped resources. China and Russia are also racing for dominance.</p>

Humans are coming: Arctic resource race to intensify with first US icebreaker in 25 years - Why this scramble?

<p>At least 55 people have died in the Hong Kong apartment fire on Wednesday (Nov 26), with 275 others missing and hundreds left homeless overnight. The Wang Fuk Court building fire in Tai Po District is a stark reflection of Hong Kong's housing crisis, where skyrocketing prices make private accommodation impossible for local residents, who then depend on public housing and so-called 'coffin homes'.&nbsp;</p><h2>Hong Kong has one of the world's most severe housing shortages</h2><p>Median home prices are 20 times higher than the annual household income of Hong Kongers. Amid the glitzy towers of the financial hub, most commoners can't afford a place to call home, depending instead on public housing. But there, &nbsp;the average waiting time for a public rental flat in could be up to 5.5 years.&nbsp;</p><h2>‘Coffin homes’ with six square metres for a person: The poor face the brunt of the housing crisis</h2><p>Low-income, working poor and elderly populations end up living in overcrowded subdivided flats or SDUs that have only 65 square feet or 6 square metres of space per person. There were around 108,200 such subdivided flats or SDUs in Hong Kong as of 2021, housing over 220,000 people.&nbsp;<br>Many of these flats lack proper ventilation or fire escapes. In many cases, toilets and bathrooms are shared by multiple families.</p><p>The SDUs, also known as “coffin homes”, "cubicle apartments" or "cage homes," could be as small as 15 square feet. They are often stacked like bunks in wire-mesh enclosures, and notorious fire traps too, with narrow corridors blocking evacuation. Flammable materials like polystyrene are used in construction, and shared wiring overloads electricity circuits.</p><h2>Fire safety violations: A perennial problem in Hong Kong residential buildings</h2><p>According to government data, fire safety violations are found in more than 60 per cent of inspected buildings. Fire incidents in the past, like the 2017 Cheung Sha Wan blaze, killed residents trapped in these mazes.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-high-rise-fire-continues-to-burn-at-least-44-killed-hundreds-still-unaccounted-for-1764211027685">Hong Kong high-rise fire continues to burn; death toll rises to 55, hundreds still unaccounted for</a></p><h2>The Wang Fuk Court fire: A public housing estate from the 1980s</h2><p>Wednesday's fire took place not in a 'coffin home', but a government-run public housing estate. Still, it exemplifies the housing crisis and hazards across all low-income housing in the city.</p><p>The Wang Fuk Court was built in 1983 as subsidised home-ownership units. It had some 4,800 residents, living in nearly 2,000 apartments across eight 31-storey towers.</p><p>An estimated 36 per cent of the residents were aged over 65.&nbsp;</p><p>The blaze started when the external bamboo scaffolding - that covered the entire estate - caught fire during renovation. The fire also brought to light the poor or deferred maintenance situation in these decades-old public housing buildings, strained by underfunding.</p><p>Once the fire started, it went all the way up to the top of the towers, exacerbated by flammable foam boards on windows and non-compliant netting. The fire eventually spread to seven towers, trapping residents amid intense heat and smoke.</p><p>The Wang Fuk Court fire was Hong Kong's deadliest fire since the Garley Building fire of 1996 that killed 41 people. The fire in 2008 at the Cornwall Court resulted in four deaths.&nbsp;</p><h2>Even coffin homes are unaffordable for some</h2><p>With coffin homes going on rent for up to HK$140 per square foot, even that is unaffordable for some. This makes nearly 45 per cent of Hong Kong residents dependent on public estates like Wang Fuk, which are overcrowded and ageing. According to reports, many of these public housing units lack modern water sprinklers or wide exits to facilitate escape in the event of a fire.</p><p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hong-kong-high-rise-fire-four-blocks-under-control-operations-continue-in-others-1764228305747/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/hong-kong-high-rise-fire-four-blocks-under-control-operations-continue-in-others-1764228305747/embed</a></p><h2>A rapidly ageing population made evacuation difficult</h2><p>Hong Kong's rapidly ageing population, with nearly 25 aged over 65, is living in large numbers in public housing units. Given their reduced mobility, evacuations were difficult: many victims could not descend the stairs quickly enough.</p><p>Among this deadly cocktail of factors is the slow progress in phasing out substandard housing units by 2049. According to media reports, only 47 per cent of Hong Kong's public housing targets were met since 2014, even as coffin homes mostly remain illegal and unregulated.</p>

Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court apartments fire highlights severe housing shortages in the financial hub. The poor and elderly rely on unsafe public housing, or cramped coffin homes. The city’s low-income housing system is facing brunt of systemic neglect

At least 55 people have died in the Hong Kong apartment fire on Wednesday (Nov 26), with 275 others missing and hundreds left homeless overnight. The Wang Fuk Court building fire in Tai Po District is a stark reflection of Hong Kong's housing crisis, where skyrocketing prices make private accommodation impossible for local residents, who then depend on public housing and so-called 'coffin homes'. Hong Kong has one of the world's most severe housing shortages Median home prices are 20 times higher than the annual household income of Hong Kongers. Amid the glitzy towers of the financial hub, most commoners can't afford a place to call home, depending instead on public housing. But there, the average waiting time for a public rental flat in could be up to 5.5 years. ‘Coffin homes’ with six square metres for a person: The poor face the brunt of the housing crisis Low-income, working poor and elderly populations end up living in overcrowded subdivided flats or SDUs that have only 65 square feet or 6 square metres of space per person. There were around 108,200 such subdivided flats or SDUs in Hong Kong as of 2021, housing over 220,000 people. Many of these flats lack proper ventilation or fire escapes. In many cases, toilets and bathrooms are shared by multiple families. The SDUs, also known as “coffin homes”, "cubicle apartments" or "cage homes," could be as small as 15 square feet. They are often stacked like bunks in wire-mesh enclosures, and notorious fire traps too, with narrow corridors blocking evacuation. Flammable materials like polystyrene are used in construction, and shared wiring overloads electricity circuits. Fire safety violations: A perennial problem in Hong Kong residential buildings According to government data, fire safety violations are found in more than 60 per cent of inspected buildings. Fire incidents in the past, like the 2017 Cheung Sha Wan blaze, killed residents trapped in these mazes. Also read: Hong Kong high-rise fire continues to burn; death toll rises to 55, hundreds still unaccounted for The Wang Fuk Court fire: A public housing estate from the 1980s Wednesday's fire took place not in a 'coffin home', but a government-run public housing estate. Still, it exemplifies the housing crisis and hazards across all low-income housing in the city. The Wang Fuk Court was built in 1983 as subsidised home-ownership units. It had some 4,800 residents, living in nearly 2,000 apartments across eight 31-storey towers. An estimated 36 per cent of the residents were aged over 65. The blaze started when the external bamboo scaffolding - that covered the entire estate - caught fire during renovation. The fire also brought to light the poor or deferred maintenance situation in these decades-old public housing buildings, strained by underfunding. Once the fire started, it went all the way up to the top of the towers, exacerbated by flammable foam boards on windows and non-compliant netting. The fire eventually spread to seven towers, trapping residents amid intense heat and smoke. The Wang Fuk Court fire was Hong Kong's deadliest fire since the Garley Building fire of 1996 that killed 41 people. The fire in 2008 at the Cornwall Court resulted in four deaths. Even coffin homes are unaffordable for some With coffin homes going on rent for up to HK$140 per square foot, even that is unaffordable for some. This makes nearly 45 per cent of Hong Kong residents dependent on public estates like Wang Fuk, which are overcrowded and ageing. According to reports, many of these public housing units lack modern water sprinklers or wide exits to facilitate escape in the event of a fire. https://www.wionews.com/videos/hong-kong-high-rise-fire-four-blocks-under-control-operations-continue-in-others-1764228305747/embed A rapidly ageing population made evacuation difficult Hong Kong's rapidly ageing population, with nearly 25 aged over 65, is living in large numbers in public housing units. Given their reduced mobility, evacuations were difficult: many victims could not descend the stairs quickly enough. Among this deadly cocktail of factors is the slow progress in phasing out substandard housing units by 2049. According to media reports, only 47 per cent of Hong Kong's public housing targets were met since 2014, even as coffin homes mostly remain illegal and unregulated.

<p>Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court apartments fire highlights severe housing shortages in the financial hub. The poor and elderly rely on unsafe public housing, or cramped coffin homes. The city’s low-income housing system is facing brunt of systemic neglect</p>

'Coffin homes' to crammed public apartments: Hong Kong fire that left 55 dead brings focus on city's chronic housing crisis

<p>Rumours are swirling, and being rejected, about the whereabouts of Imran Khan, the jailed former prime minister of Pakistan, including some fake news that he is dead. In Pakistan's vengeance-filled politics, democratically elected prime ministers have often faced the revolving door of power, exit, arrest, conviction, prison, exile and even death by hanging.</p><h2>Riskiest job in the world? No Pak PM finished full five-year term</h2><p>Since 1947, Pakistan has had around 30 prime ministers if one counts multiple-term PMs separately. In its 75-year history, no Pakistani PM has completed a full five-year term in office. On at least 18 occasions, PMs ended terms or quit due to reasons including dismissals by court, votes of no-confidence or assassination. They were removed through coups, dismissals or judicial and constitutional manoeuvres. Many PMs were dismissed by presidents or governors or forced to resign, and some served only for months. Most PMs, particularly since the 1970s, faced post-tenure legal action: arrests, corruption cases, convictions and exile.<br>As protests continue around Adiala jail, where Khan is lodged, and across Pakistan, here is a look at what happened to former PMs of Pakistan.</p><h2>What happened to Pakistani PMs till 1973?</h2><p>Liaquat Ali Khan (Aug 1947 – Oct 1951) was the first prime minister of independent Pakistan. His term ended with his assassination on October 16, 1951. Khwaja Nazimuddin (Oct 1951 – Apr 1953) was dismissed by the Governor-General in April 1953. Chaudhry Mohammad Ali (Aug 1955 – Sep 1956) resigned amid political rows and inner-party differences. &nbsp;Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy (Sep 1956 – Oct 1957) &nbsp;was dismissed by the president, and was reportedly arrested on anti-state charges under the military regime. Feroz Khan Noon (Dec 1957 – Oct 1958) was dismissed just before martial law was imposed in the 1958 military coup.</p><p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-where-is-imran-khan-sisters-ask-to-meet-jailed-ex-pak-pm-amid-death-rumours-1764219313593/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-where-is-imran-khan-sisters-ask-to-meet-jailed-ex-pak-pm-amid-death-rumours-1764219313593/embed</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>Post-1973 PMs: Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (Aug 1973 – Jul 1977)</h2><p>Perhaps the most tragic fate was that of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. He was removed from power in July 1977 through a military coup led by General Zia-ul-Haq. Bhutto was arrested in September 1977 on charges of conspiracy to murder a political opponent. Over that 1974 case, Bhutto was tried under martial law, convicted and hanged to death on 4 April 1979.</p><h2>Muhammad Khan Junejo (Mar 1985 – May 1988)</h2><p>Muhammad Khan Junejo became prime minister after martial law ended, but his government was dismissed by the president in May 1988. He was reportedly placed under house arrest after dismissal.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/where-is-imran-khan-sisters-dragged-by-hair-for-demanding-to-meet-former-pakistan-pm-fake-death-rumours-float-what-s-happening-1764141799691">Where is Imran Khan? Sisters 'dragged by hair' for demanding to meet ex-Pakistan PM, fake death rumours float - What's happening</a></p><h2>Benazir Bhutto (Dec 1988 – Aug 1990 and Oct 1993 – Nov 1996)</h2><p>The first term of Benazir Bhutto, the daughter of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, &nbsp;ended with dismissal by the president in August 1990 over alleged corruption and misgovernance. In her second term, Benazir was dismissed by the president in 1996. She faced multiple legal cases after leaving office, leading to convictions in absentia while she lived in exile. She was assassinated on 27 December 2007, while campaigning for the election.</p><h2>Nawaz Sharif (1990–1993; 1997–1999 and 2013–2017)</h2><p>One of the longest-serving prime ministers, Nawaz Sharif, could still not complete a full term. His first term ended in 1993 after being dismissed by the president, and second term was cut short by the military coup led by General Pervez Musharraf in October 1999. He went into exile, mostly in London, for several years. His third term ended with disqualification by the Supreme Court due to allegations related to the Panama Papers disclosures. Sharif was arrested and convicted in several corruption cases and served multiple prison terms.</p><h2>Yousaf Raza Gillani (Mar 2008 – 2012)</h2><p>Yousaf Raza Gillani was disqualified by the Supreme Court in April 2012 for contempt of court after refusing to reopen corruption cases against the then-president.</p><h2>Raja Pervez Ashraf (Jun 2012 – Mar 2013)</h2><p>Raja Pervez Ashraf, who completed the parliamentary term, faced corruption and accountability investigations after leaving office, including over the allocation of government funds.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-osama-bin-laden-dressed-as-woman-pakistan-can-t-win-war-with-india-imran-khan-s-party-demands-apology-from-ex-ex-cia-officer-for-his-statements-1763812519281">‘Osama bin Laden dressed as woman’, 'Pakistan can’t win war with India’: Imran Khan’s party demands apology from ex-CIA officer for his statements</a></p><h2>Shahid Khaqan Abbasi (Aug 2017 – May 2018)</h2><p>After his term ended, Abbasi was arrested in July 2019 in an accountability probe related to an LNG contract.</p><h2>Imran Khan (Aug 2018 – Apr 2022)</h2><p>Imran Khan was removed from office in April 2022 through a vote of no-confidence, in which practically all of the opposition parties joined hands. He faced multiple arrests and numerous cases over alleged corruption, graft and accountability. He was sentenced or convicted in several of these cases, and sent to jail. His supporters allege these cases are politically motivated.</p>

Imran Khan is not the first former PM to face Pakistan's revenge politics. The South Asian nation’s PMs have faced coups, dismissals, arrests, convictions, exile and even assassination. None could complete a full five-year term. Here is a timeline


Rumours are swirling, and being rejected, about the whereabouts of Imran Khan, the jailed former prime minister of Pakistan, including some fake news that he is dead. In Pakistan's vengeance-filled politics, democratically elected prime ministers have often faced the revolving door of power, exit, arrest, conviction, prison, exile and even death by hanging. Riskiest job in the world? No Pak PM finished full five-year term Since 1947, Pakistan has had around 30 prime ministers if one counts multiple-term PMs separately. In its 75-year history, no Pakistani PM has completed a full five-year term in office. On at least 18 occasions, PMs ended terms or quit due to reasons including dismissals by court, votes of no-confidence or assassination. They were removed through coups, dismissals or judicial and constitutional manoeuvres. Many PMs were dismissed by presidents or governors or forced to resign, and some served only for months. Most PMs, particularly since the 1970s, faced post-tenure legal action: arrests, corruption cases, convictions and exile. As protests continue around Adiala jail, where Khan is lodged, and across Pakistan, here is a look at what happened to former PMs of Pakistan. What happened to Pakistani PMs till 1973? Liaquat Ali Khan (Aug 1947 – Oct 1951) was the first prime minister of independent Pakistan. His term ended with his assassination on October 16, 1951. Khwaja Nazimuddin (Oct 1951 – Apr 1953) was dismissed by the Governor-General in April 1953. Chaudhry Mohammad Ali (Aug 1955 – Sep 1956) resigned amid political rows and inner-party differences. Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy (Sep 1956 – Oct 1957) was dismissed by the president, and was reportedly arrested on anti-state charges under the military regime. Feroz Khan Noon (Dec 1957 – Oct 1958) was dismissed just before martial law was imposed in the 1958 military coup. https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-where-is-imran-khan-sisters-ask-to-meet-jailed-ex-pak-pm-amid-death-rumours-1764219313593/embed Post-1973 PMs: Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (Aug 1973 – Jul 1977) Perhaps the most tragic fate was that of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. He was removed from power in July 1977 through a military coup led by General Zia-ul-Haq. Bhutto was arrested in September 1977 on charges of conspiracy to murder a political opponent. Over that 1974 case, Bhutto was tried under martial law, convicted and hanged to death on 4 April 1979. Muhammad Khan Junejo (Mar 1985 – May 1988) Muhammad Khan Junejo became prime minister after martial law ended, but his government was dismissed by the president in May 1988. He was reportedly placed under house arrest after dismissal. Also read: Where is Imran Khan? Sisters 'dragged by hair' for demanding to meet ex-Pakistan PM, fake death rumours float - What's happening Benazir Bhutto (Dec 1988 – Aug 1990 and Oct 1993 – Nov 1996) The first term of Benazir Bhutto, the daughter of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, ended with dismissal by the president in August 1990 over alleged corruption and misgovernance. In her second term, Benazir was dismissed by the president in 1996. She faced multiple legal cases after leaving office, leading to convictions in absentia while she lived in exile. She was assassinated on 27 December 2007, while campaigning for the election. Nawaz Sharif (1990–1993; 1997–1999 and 2013–2017) One of the longest-serving prime ministers, Nawaz Sharif, could still not complete a full term. His first term ended in 1993 after being dismissed by the president, and second term was cut short by the military coup led by General Pervez Musharraf in October 1999. He went into exile, mostly in London, for several years. His third term ended with disqualification by the Supreme Court due to allegations related to the Panama Papers disclosures. Sharif was arrested and convicted in several corruption cases and served multiple prison terms. Yousaf Raza Gillani (Mar 2008 – 2012) Yousaf Raza Gillani was disqualified by the Supreme Court in April 2012 for contempt of court after refusing to reopen corruption cases against the then-president. Raja Pervez Ashraf (Jun 2012 – Mar 2013) Raja Pervez Ashraf, who completed the parliamentary term, faced corruption and accountability investigations after leaving office, including over the allocation of government funds. Also read: ‘Osama bin Laden dressed as woman’, 'Pakistan can’t win war with India’: Imran Khan’s party demands apology from ex-CIA officer for his statements Shahid Khaqan Abbasi (Aug 2017 – May 2018) After his term ended, Abbasi was arrested in July 2019 in an accountability probe related to an LNG contract. Imran Khan (Aug 2018 – Apr 2022) Imran Khan was removed from office in April 2022 through a vote of no-confidence, in which practically all of the opposition parties joined hands. He faced multiple arrests and numerous cases over alleged corruption, graft and accountability. He was sentenced or convicted in several of these cases, and sent to jail. His supporters allege these cases are politically motivated.

<p>Imran Khan is not the first former PM to face Pakistan's revenge politics. The South Asian nation’s PMs have faced coups, dismissals, arrests, convictions, exile and even assassination. None could complete a full five-year term. Here is a timeline</p>

World's riskiest job? Amid rumours on Imran Khan 'missing', a timeline of all Pakistani PMs who were ousted, convicted, jailed, killed

<p>American and Russian officials are holding secret negotiations in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday (Nov 25) for peace in Ukraine, even as Moscow's deadly overnight strike on Kyiv killed at least six people. The meetings in the UAE come as US President Donald Trump set a Thanksgiving Day deadline for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept a peace plan. The Wednesday deadline followed the leak of a US 28‑point peace proposal that has sparked strong criticism. Over the weekend, European leaders put forward an alternative during talks in Geneva, and Zelensky is reportedly making adjustments to the US-drafted plan to better reflect Ukraine’s security priorities. Here is what is known, based on reports.</p><h2>What is Zelensky doing to the Ukraine peace plan?</h2><p>President Zelensky and his advisers are reportedly pushing to refine the US proposal in a way that preserves Ukraine’s sovereignty and avoids any sense of capitulation to Moscow. The original US draft would have asked Ukraine to cede some Russian-occupied territories, cap its army at 600,000 troops, and renounce future NATO membership ambitions. That version was strongly criticised in Kyiv and by European governments as favouring Russia. Zelensky is pressing for stronger security guarantees and safeguards, despite pressure from Washington to move fast on the peace effort. The European counter‑proposal, emerging from Geneva, omitted outright pro-Russian concessions and instead envisaged freezing the current front line for future territorial negotiations. It also includes NATO-style security assurances for Ukraine — a formula Kyiv is said to be weighing seriously alongside the US draft.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-war-europe-s-peace-plan-leaks-how-similar-or-different-is-it-from-leaked-us-plan-1763978380649">Russia-Ukraine war: Europe's peace plan 'leaks'. How similar or different is it from leaked US plan?</a></p><h2>Who are attending the UAE crunch talks?</h2><p>The Abu Dhabi talks are being led on the American side by US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. Also involved are Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. A Russian delegation is present, though names have not been publicly announced. According to some reports, Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, is participating separately, focusing specifically on security guarantees. This marks the first direct US-Russia diplomatic engagement on Ukraine since Trump pushed for a rapid-resolution plan. The US proposal has reportedly been slimmed down from 28 to around 19 points, aiming to concentrate on key issues such as territorial concessions and military limits, while preserving core American demands. Russia has described the plan as a “good basis,” but continues to insist that Ukraine remain politically and militarily subordinate. Meanwhile, Ukraine is demanding enforceable NATO-style protections and refuses to give up land.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-zero-gratitude-from-ukraine-trump-s-rants-about-inherited-russia-ukraine-war-slams-europe-amid-talks-on-peace-plan-1763910698890">'Zero gratitude from Ukraine...': Trump rants about 'inherited' Russia-Ukraine war, slams Europe amid talks on peace plan</a></p><h2>Will there be peace by Thanksgiving?</h2><p>Despite Trump's claims of “big progress”, obstacles remain. The issues of territorial disputes, reliable security guarantees, and the looming Thanksgiving deadline are difficult to reconcile. Continuing Russian military advances in contested areas and the drone and missile strikes on Kyiv underscore Moscow’s leverage on the ground. European leaders are following the UAE negotiations closely, engaging virtually and urging a “just and lasting peace” without compromising Ukrainian sovereignty.</p><p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-team-secretly-negotiating-ukraine-peace-deal-with-russia-1763541506148/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-team-secretly-negotiating-ukraine-peace-deal-with-russia-1763541506148/embed</a></p><p>Analysts suggest that a full, formal agreement by Thanksgiving is unlikely. Yet, to satisfy Trump’s demand and show momentum, some form of interim deal — possibly a ceasefire through to Christmas — could be on the table. It is increasingly likely that Zelensky may need to engage directly again with Trump to negotiate the most sensitive issues, particularly territory, even though there is no public confirmation from the White House about any such meetings.</p><p>Meanwhile, the war continues. The overnight Russian attack on Kyiv reportedly involved more than 460 drones and 22 missiles and hit infrastructure and energy systems.&nbsp;</p>

American and Russian officials are meeting in Abu Dhabi as Trump's Thanksgiving deadline to end the Russia-Ukraine war looms. Two peace plans are on offer: from US and EU. And Russia is continuing to pound Kyiv. Will there be peace?

American and Russian officials are holding secret negotiations in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday (Nov 25) for peace in Ukraine, even as Moscow's deadly overnight strike on Kyiv killed at least six people. The meetings in the UAE come as US President Donald Trump set a Thanksgiving Day deadline for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept a peace plan. The Wednesday deadline followed the leak of a US 28‑point peace proposal that has sparked strong criticism. Over the weekend, European leaders put forward an alternative during talks in Geneva, and Zelensky is reportedly making adjustments to the US-drafted plan to better reflect Ukraine’s security priorities. Here is what is known, based on reports. What is Zelensky doing to the Ukraine peace plan? President Zelensky and his advisers are reportedly pushing to refine the US proposal in a way that preserves Ukraine’s sovereignty and avoids any sense of capitulation to Moscow. The original US draft would have asked Ukraine to cede some Russian-occupied territories, cap its army at 600,000 troops, and renounce future NATO membership ambitions. That version was strongly criticised in Kyiv and by European governments as favouring Russia. Zelensky is pressing for stronger security guarantees and safeguards, despite pressure from Washington to move fast on the peace effort. The European counter‑proposal, emerging from Geneva, omitted outright pro-Russian concessions and instead envisaged freezing the current front line for future territorial negotiations. It also includes NATO-style security assurances for Ukraine — a formula Kyiv is said to be weighing seriously alongside the US draft. Also read: Russia-Ukraine war: Europe's peace plan 'leaks'. How similar or different is it from leaked US plan? Who are attending the UAE crunch talks? The Abu Dhabi talks are being led on the American side by US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. Also involved are Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. A Russian delegation is present, though names have not been publicly announced. According to some reports, Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, is participating separately, focusing specifically on security guarantees. This marks the first direct US-Russia diplomatic engagement on Ukraine since Trump pushed for a rapid-resolution plan. The US proposal has reportedly been slimmed down from 28 to around 19 points, aiming to concentrate on key issues such as territorial concessions and military limits, while preserving core American demands. Russia has described the plan as a “good basis,” but continues to insist that Ukraine remain politically and militarily subordinate. Meanwhile, Ukraine is demanding enforceable NATO-style protections and refuses to give up land. Also read: 'Zero gratitude from Ukraine...': Trump rants about 'inherited' Russia-Ukraine war, slams Europe amid talks on peace plan Will there be peace by Thanksgiving? Despite Trump's claims of “big progress”, obstacles remain. The issues of territorial disputes, reliable security guarantees, and the looming Thanksgiving deadline are difficult to reconcile. Continuing Russian military advances in contested areas and the drone and missile strikes on Kyiv underscore Moscow’s leverage on the ground. European leaders are following the UAE negotiations closely, engaging virtually and urging a “just and lasting peace” without compromising Ukrainian sovereignty. https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-team-secretly-negotiating-ukraine-peace-deal-with-russia-1763541506148/embed Analysts suggest that a full, formal agreement by Thanksgiving is unlikely. Yet, to satisfy Trump’s demand and show momentum, some form of interim deal — possibly a ceasefire through to Christmas — could be on the table. It is increasingly likely that Zelensky may need to engage directly again with Trump to negotiate the most sensitive issues, particularly territory, even though there is no public confirmation from the White House about any such meetings. Meanwhile, the war continues. The overnight Russian attack on Kyiv reportedly involved more than 460 drones and 22 missiles and hit infrastructure and energy systems.

<p>American and Russian officials are meeting in Abu Dhabi as Trump's Thanksgiving deadline to end the Russia-Ukraine war looms. Two peace plans are on offer: from US and EU. And Russia is continuing to pound Kyiv. Will there be peace?</p>

Will there be peace in Ukraine? Crunch talks in UAE ahead of Trump’s Thanksgiving deadline as overnight Russian strikes on Kyiv kill 6

<p>A report by the Axios website on Monday (Nov 24) implied that Cuba would kill Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro if he flees amid a possible direct military action by the US against the Latin American nation. The report is largely based on unnamed intelligence sources. This could be one of the many attempts by the American media to put pressure on the Venezuelan government as the US attempts a regime change, through ‘Operation Southern Spear’, a massive military buildup cloaked as a counternarcotics operation. But it is important to examine why Cuba would want to kill Maduro if he reaches some kind of understanding with US President Donald Trump and exits the regime or flees Venezuela. The short answer, it appears, is that Venezuela, or more specifically its oil, is the lifeline for Cuba. For a longer answer, read below.</p><h2>What are the claims made in the Axios article?</h2><p>The article claimed that Cuba might kill Maduro if he attempts to negotiate with Trump. The report almost entirely cited anonymous US administration officials. This is not confirmed intelligence, but a perceived risk that can complicate the Trump administration’s Venezuela strategy, amid reports that the US leader and Maduro could hold a phone conversation. At the time of writing this, there is no public evidence to suggest that Cuba has threatened Maduro, or planned to act against him.</p><p>The Axios report, titled <i>Scoop: Trump ready to talk with Maduro over Venezuela drug strikes,</i> is in the context of Trump’s escalating pressure campaign on Maduro, with Operation Southern Spear targeting alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean.</p><p>According to the officials cited in the report, a possible hindrance to Maduro stepping down voluntarily would be a fear that his Cuban ‘handlers’ might retaliate violently if he attempted to flee or cooperate with the US. The report said: “Part of the challenge of persuading Maduro to leave, US officials say, is that his Cuban handlers might execute him if he yields to American pressure and quits.”</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/xi-jinping-backs-nicolas-maduro-blasts-us-meddling-as-warships-circle-venezuela-1764051446049">Xi Jinping backs Nicolas Maduro, blasts US meddling as warships circle Venezuela, vows to protect Caracas' sovereignty</a></p><h2>What could be Cuba’s potential motive to eliminate Maduro if he exits the Venezuelan regime?</h2><p>The report appeared to suggest that Cuba's motive would stem from its deep economic reliance on the Venezuelan regime. For more than 20 years, Venezuela has supplied subsidised oil to Cuba, which is a crucial economic support for the Communist regime. Cuba reportedly gets 53 million barrels of oil from Venezuela annually at preferential rates, valued at approximately 4 billion US dollars per year. This oil supply has been central to keeping the Cuban economy afloat, particularly during periods of economic crisis. Cuba, in return, has embedded intelligence personnel within Venezuelan institutions, including internal security advisors and even participating in Maduro’s protective personal security detail.</p><p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nicolas-maduro-dances-to-try-reduce-us-venezuela-tensions-1764054501742/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/nicolas-maduro-dances-to-try-reduce-us-venezuela-tensions-1764054501742/embed</a></p><p>If Maduro defected or pursued a deal with Trump, it could jeopardise Cuba’s economic survival and expose its covert networks inside Venezuela. Cuba might act to prevent Maduro from abandoning the Chavista system.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/-no-crazy-war-never-war-venezuelan-president-maduro-dances-to-remix-of-his-own-speech-internet-reacts-watch-1763992347774">'No war, yes peace': Venezuelan President Maduro dances to remix of his own speech – WATCH</a></p><h2>What is the Chavista system? The socialist bonhomie between Cuba and Venezuela</h2><p>Since the presidency of late Hugo Chávez in 1999, Cuba and Venezuela have had a close ideological and economic alliance. Chávez established the Chavista system, a socialist governance model inspired by Cuba. The system preferred state control over key industries like oil, and regional cooperation with like-minded nations like Cuba. Part of this is the Alba alliance, by which Venezuela gives oil subsidies to Cuba in exchange for Cuban personnel supporting health, education, and security projects in Venezuela. Since the time of Chávez, Cuban intelligence operatives, security advisers, and even personal guards for Chávez and later Maduro have been embedded in Venezuela. This network helps reinforce both regimes’ political stability. The Chavista system represents both ideological solidarity and tangible economic interdependence between the two nations. The Axios report implies that a threat to this system could make Cuba act against Maduro.</p>

Axios website has reported that US officials fear Cuba could harm Maduro if he negotiates with Trump. The reasons have to do with Venezuela’s oil and the deep security and intelligence ties between Cuba and Venezuela.


A report by the Axios website on Monday (Nov 24) implied that Cuba would kill Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro if he flees amid a possible direct military action by the US against the Latin American nation. The report is largely based on unnamed intelligence sources. This could be one of the many attempts by the American media to put pressure on the Venezuelan government as the US attempts a regime change, through ‘Operation Southern Spear’, a massive military buildup cloaked as a counternarcotics operation. But it is important to examine why Cuba would want to kill Maduro if he reaches some kind of understanding with US President Donald Trump and exits the regime or flees Venezuela. The short answer, it appears, is that Venezuela, or more specifically its oil, is the lifeline for Cuba. For a longer answer, read below. What are the claims made in the Axios article? The article claimed that Cuba might kill Maduro if he attempts to negotiate with Trump. The report almost entirely cited anonymous US administration officials. This is not confirmed intelligence, but a perceived risk that can complicate the Trump administration’s Venezuela strategy, amid reports that the US leader and Maduro could hold a phone conversation. At the time of writing this, there is no public evidence to suggest that Cuba has threatened Maduro, or planned to act against him. The Axios report, titled Scoop: Trump ready to talk with Maduro over Venezuela drug strikes, is in the context of Trump’s escalating pressure campaign on Maduro, with Operation Southern Spear targeting alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean. According to the officials cited in the report, a possible hindrance to Maduro stepping down voluntarily would be a fear that his Cuban ‘handlers’ might retaliate violently if he attempted to flee or cooperate with the US. The report said: “Part of the challenge of persuading Maduro to leave, US officials say, is that his Cuban handlers might execute him if he yields to American pressure and quits.” Also read: Xi Jinping backs Nicolas Maduro, blasts US meddling as warships circle Venezuela, vows to protect Caracas' sovereignty What could be Cuba’s potential motive to eliminate Maduro if he exits the Venezuelan regime? The report appeared to suggest that Cuba's motive would stem from its deep economic reliance on the Venezuelan regime. For more than 20 years, Venezuela has supplied subsidised oil to Cuba, which is a crucial economic support for the Communist regime. Cuba reportedly gets 53 million barrels of oil from Venezuela annually at preferential rates, valued at approximately 4 billion US dollars per year. This oil supply has been central to keeping the Cuban economy afloat, particularly during periods of economic crisis. Cuba, in return, has embedded intelligence personnel within Venezuelan institutions, including internal security advisors and even participating in Maduro’s protective personal security detail. https://www.wionews.com/videos/nicolas-maduro-dances-to-try-reduce-us-venezuela-tensions-1764054501742/embed If Maduro defected or pursued a deal with Trump, it could jeopardise Cuba’s economic survival and expose its covert networks inside Venezuela. Cuba might act to prevent Maduro from abandoning the Chavista system. Also read: 'No war, yes peace': Venezuelan President Maduro dances to remix of his own speech – WATCH What is the Chavista system? The socialist bonhomie between Cuba and Venezuela Since the presidency of late Hugo Chávez in 1999, Cuba and Venezuela have had a close ideological and economic alliance. Chávez established the Chavista system, a socialist governance model inspired by Cuba. The system preferred state control over key industries like oil, and regional cooperation with like-minded nations like Cuba. Part of this is the Alba alliance, by which Venezuela gives oil subsidies to Cuba in exchange for Cuban personnel supporting health, education, and security projects in Venezuela. Since the time of Chávez, Cuban intelligence operatives, security advisers, and even personal guards for Chávez and later Maduro have been embedded in Venezuela. This network helps reinforce both regimes’ political stability. The Chavista system represents both ideological solidarity and tangible economic interdependence between the two nations. The Axios report implies that a threat to this system could make Cuba act against Maduro.

<p>Axios website has reported that US officials fear Cuba could harm Maduro if he negotiates with Trump. The reasons possibly have to do with Venezuela’s oil and the deep security and intelligence ties between Cuba and Venezuela.<br>&nbsp;</p>

Why would Cuba want to kill Maduro? A report claims that could happen if...

<p>Viola Fletcher was a young Black girl in 1921 when she witnessed the Tulsa race massacre, one of the darkest chapters of America’s racist past. The longest survivor of the massacre, Fletcher died at the age of 111 on Monday (Nov 24). She spent the last years of her life advocating for racial justice and civil rights, often sharing her first-hand experience of racism at Tulsa in the southern state of Oklahoma, which had a past of Black slavery. Her death is a moment for America to recall the atrocities of Tulsa a century later, and do some soul-searching, particularly in the current context of racial tensions involving both Black Americans and immigrant communities, from Latin America to Asia.</p><h2>Who was Viola Fletcher?</h2><p>Viola Ford Fletcher was the oldest known survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. She was only seven years old when white mobs destroyed the Greenwood district, then the most prosperous Black community in the US, located in Oklahoma.<br>Born in 1914 in Oklahoma, Fletcher lived with her family in Greenwood. Unlike many other parts of the country, Greenwood at the time was known as Black Wall Street, due to the proliferation of Black-owned businesses, homes and institutions in the area.</p><p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-techie-shot-dead-in-california-by-us-police-techie-s-family-alleges-racism-wion-1758279913827/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-techie-shot-dead-in-california-by-us-police-techie-s-family-alleges-racism-wion-1758279913827/embed</a></p><h2>Fletcher's memories of Tulsa and late-life activism</h2><p>In her retelling, Fletcher often shared how she woke up to chaos on 31 May 1921, seeing armed white men advancing, buildings burning, and planes overhead dropping explosives. As gun violence spread, Fletcher’s family fled the area even as their home and community were burned down. The family survived, though they never recovered what was lost.</p><p>For decades, Fletcher lived quietly, working as a welder during World War II and later as a housekeeper. She did not speak much about Tulsa until much later.<br>But since her late 90s, Fletcher became a leading voice for Tulsa survivors. At the age of 107, Fletcher testified before Congress in 2021 on the need for justice and reparations for the massacre. She asked America to remember what happened in Tulsa, and to deliver justice to survivors and descendants. She described the fear, the destruction and the lifelong losses caused by the massacre, seeking acknowledgement of the event as a state-enabled attack on a Black community. She met and engaged with civil rights groups, spoke at commemorations, and challenged leaders to confront the legacy of racial violence.</p><p>She wrote a memoir titled <i>Don’t Let Them Bury My Story </i>to preserve her story and the memory of Tulsa, and joined a lawsuit seeking reparations. The case was dismissed by the courts, but Fletcher’s advocacy brought national attention to a suppressed chapter of America’s dark history.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-move-back-to-india-racist-attack-on-indian-man-in-toronto-canada-sparks-debate-online-1762338126370">‘Move back to India’: Racist attack on Indian man in Canada sparks debate online</a></p><h2>What happened in Tulsa?</h2><p>The trigger event happened on 30 May 1921, when Black teenager Dick Rowland was accused of assaulting a white elevator operator, which was later described as accidental and exaggerated. But the local newspapers, many of them owned by whites, inflamed the issue and even publicly urged a lynching of Blacks. During the hearing of the case, a white mob gathered at the courthouse, while armed Black residents arrived to defend Rowland. A confrontation broke out, and shots were fired.</p><p>At the end of it, an estimated 300 people were killed, mostly Black residents of Greenwood. Some 1,200 homes and mostly Black businesses were burned down, and nearly 10,000 Black residents were left homeless. Many Black residents were detained and held in makeshift camps.</p><p>The event shattered the success story and confidence of the Black community in the state.</p><p>Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/black-lives-matter-mural-removed-washington-dc-trump-news-8843409"> One block from White House, Black Lives Matter Plaza 'dismantled'</a></p><h2>What were the reasons for Tulsa massacre?</h2><p>The Tulsa massacre was the culmination of years of deep resentment among whites about Greenwood’s success story and long-standing racial hostility in Oklahoma.</p><p>When Oklahoma became the 46th state of the US in the year 1907, it had racial segregation laws in place. This led to years of racial conflict and white vigilantism, mostly motivated by resentment at Black prosperity. This charged atmosphere eventually resulted in the Tulsa massacre.</p><p>The massacre was seen as the extent to which white authorities and mobs would go in order to suppress Black advancement in the US.&nbsp;</p><p>For many years, there was a state-led suppression of the real incidents, damage and cost of Tulsa.</p><p>The massacre is an example of historical neglect too, as many governments did not allow for a full report of the atrocities.</p><p>With Fletcher’s passing, the responsibility to protect that memory now rests entirely with the current and future governments.</p>

Viola Fletcher’s passing closes a living link to the 1921 massacre. In the current American reality of racial tensions, this would be a good time for a new look at violence and justice in the US.



Viola Fletcher was a young Black girl in 1921 when she witnessed the Tulsa race massacre, one of the darkest chapters of America’s racist past. The longest survivor of the massacre, Fletcher died at the age of 111 on Monday (Nov 24). She spent the last years of her life advocating for racial justice and civil rights, often sharing her first-hand experience of racism at Tulsa in the southern state of Oklahoma, which had a past of Black slavery. Her death is a moment for America to recall the atrocities of Tulsa a century later, and do some soul-searching, particularly in the current context of racial tensions involving both Black Americans and immigrant communities, from Latin America to Asia. Who was Viola Fletcher? Viola Ford Fletcher was the oldest known survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. She was only seven years old when white mobs destroyed the Greenwood district, then the most prosperous Black community in the US, located in Oklahoma. Born in 1914 in Oklahoma, Fletcher lived with her family in Greenwood. Unlike many other parts of the country, Greenwood at the time was known as Black Wall Street, due to the proliferation of Black-owned businesses, homes and institutions in the area. https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-techie-shot-dead-in-california-by-us-police-techie-s-family-alleges-racism-wion-1758279913827/embed Fletcher's memories of Tulsa and late-life activism In her retelling, Fletcher often shared how she woke up to chaos on 31 May 1921, seeing armed white men advancing, buildings burning, and planes overhead dropping explosives. As gun violence spread, Fletcher’s family fled the area even as their home and community were burned down. The family survived, though they never recovered what was lost. For decades, Fletcher lived quietly, working as a welder during World War II and later as a housekeeper. She did not speak much about Tulsa until much later. But since her late 90s, Fletcher became a leading voice for Tulsa survivors. At the age of 107, Fletcher testified before Congress in 2021 on the need for justice and reparations for the massacre. She asked America to remember what happened in Tulsa, and to deliver justice to survivors and descendants. She described the fear, the destruction and the lifelong losses caused by the massacre, seeking acknowledgement of the event as a state-enabled attack on a Black community. She met and engaged with civil rights groups, spoke at commemorations, and challenged leaders to confront the legacy of racial violence. She wrote a memoir titled Don’t Let Them Bury My Story to preserve her story and the memory of Tulsa, and joined a lawsuit seeking reparations. The case was dismissed by the courts, but Fletcher’s advocacy brought national attention to a suppressed chapter of America’s dark history. Also read: ‘Move back to India’: Racist attack on Indian man in Canada sparks debate online What happened in Tulsa? The trigger event happened on 30 May 1921, when Black teenager Dick Rowland was accused of assaulting a white elevator operator, which was later described as accidental and exaggerated. But the local newspapers, many of them owned by whites, inflamed the issue and even publicly urged a lynching of Blacks. During the hearing of the case, a white mob gathered at the courthouse, while armed Black residents arrived to defend Rowland. A confrontation broke out, and shots were fired. At the end of it, an estimated 300 people were killed, mostly Black residents of Greenwood. Some 1,200 homes and mostly Black businesses were burned down, and nearly 10,000 Black residents were left homeless. Many Black residents were detained and held in makeshift camps. The event shattered the success story and confidence of the Black community in the state. Also read: One block from White House, Black Lives Matter Plaza 'dismantled' What were the reasons for Tulsa massacre? The Tulsa massacre was the culmination of years of deep resentment among whites about Greenwood’s success story and long-standing racial hostility in Oklahoma. When Oklahoma became the 46th state of the US in the year 1907, it had racial segregation laws in place. This led to years of racial conflict and white vigilantism, mostly motivated by resentment at Black prosperity. This charged atmosphere eventually resulted in the Tulsa massacre. The massacre was seen as the extent to which white authorities and mobs would go in order to suppress Black advancement in the US. For many years, there was a state-led suppression of the real incidents, damage and cost of Tulsa. The massacre is an example of historical neglect too, as many governments did not allow for a full report of the atrocities. With Fletcher’s passing, the responsibility to protect that memory now rests entirely with the current and future governments.

<p>Viola Fletcher’s passing closes a living link to the 1921 massacre. In the current American reality of racial tensions, this would be a good time for a new look at violence and justice in the US.</p>

Viola Fletcher death: Recalling Tulsa Massacre, a dark chapter of US racist history, as its longest survivor dies at 111

<p>Days after a US plan to end the Ukraine‑Russia war was leaked and widely criticised, British newspaper The Telegraph and Reuters news agency have published an alternative plan from the European Union that they claim to have accessed from this weekend's Geneva talks. Here are the key elements of Europe’s peace plan, if the leaks are accurate, and how it compares with the US proposal.</p><h2>What are the key features of Europe’s peace plan for Ukraine war?</h2><p>Europe’s peace plan seeks a full and immediate ceasefire across land, sea and air, to be monitored by a multinational mission under American and European leadership. The truce would be monitored via satellites, drones and other on‑site mechanisms.&nbsp;</p><p>Affirming Ukraine’s full sovereignty, it stipulates that any territorial issues should be addressed through negotiations after the truce. These negotiations would start from the current line of contact, rather than any forced concessions.&nbsp;</p><p>Security guarantees for Ukraine are central to the European plan, as per the reports. Kyiv would receive legally binding guarantees from NATO member nations and the US.</p><p>The European plan does not force Ukraine into permanent neutrality, leaving the door open for it to join NATO or the EU in the future.&nbsp;</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kremlin-says-it-was-not-informed-about-geneva-talks-as-zelensky-calls-for-more-steps-to-end-the-war-putin-tump-zelenskyy-russia-ukraine-1763981817604">Kremlin says it was not informed about Geneva talks as Zelensky calls for more steps to end the war</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Europe has proposed Ukraine’s armed forces be capped at 800,000 personnel. It says there should be no restriction on Ukraine’s defence industry or its ability to host “friendly forces,” which essentially paves the way for EU or NATO member nations’ troops to enter Ukraine for protection in future.</p><p>The European plan calls for an “all-for-all” prisoner exchange and the unconditional return of deported Ukrainian children under international supervision.</p><p>The proposal suggests using frozen Russian sovereign assets for rebuilding Ukraine. Sanctions relief for Russia would be gradual and reversible, using a “snap-back” mechanism if violations occur. The European plan also includes a long-term security architecture, with European security discussions to involve all OSCE states, and a “Board of Peace” to oversee its implementation.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-zero-gratitude-from-ukraine-trump-s-rants-about-inherited-russia-ukraine-war-slams-europe-amid-talks-on-peace-plan-1763910698890">'Zero gratitude from Ukraine...': Trump rants about 'inherited' Russia-Ukraine war, slams Europe amid talks on peace plan</a></p><h2>How far is the European peace plan for Ukraine similar to the leaked US plan?</h2><p>There are overlapping aspects in both European proposals and the US plan. This suggests that Europe possibly took the US draft as a starting point of reference and built on it. Ukraine’s sovereignty is mentioned in both, as is a call for a comprehensive non‑aggression pact involving Russia, Ukraine and NATO.</p><p>Both plans include some form of security guarantee for Ukraine, economic reconstruction funded by frozen Russian assets, and ceasefire monitoring.</p><p>Longer-term dialogue on European security architecture and Russia’s gradual reintegration into the global economy are mentioned in both plans, possibly including Moscow's eventual return to the G8.</p><h2>What are the differences between Europe’s Ukraine peace plan and the American one?</h2><p>The military capacity of Ukraine is one area of divergence, with the US putting a cap of 600,000 personnel. The US plan also appears to oppose NATO membership for Ukraine. It requires Ukraine to enshrine in its constitution that it would not join NATO and prohibits NATO troops in Ukrainian territory.</p><p>The European plan, on the other hand, leaves NATO membership open, stating that it would depend on consensus among current members of the alliance.</p><p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-ukraine-war-rubio-praises-tremendous-progress-at-peace-talks-1763978890554/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-ukraine-war-rubio-praises-tremendous-progress-at-peace-talks-1763978890554/embed</a></p><p>Europe rejects any immediate recognition of Russian control over Ukrainian lands, insisting that negotiations should start only from existing frontlines, and only after a ceasefire. This differs from the US plan, which appeared to give de facto status to Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia.</p><p>The European plan insists on using frozen Russian assets strictly for Ukraine’s reconstruction, while the US proposal suggests that a portion of those assets could be used for a joint investment vehicle, with profits partially shared with investors.</p><p>The European plan explicitly excludes amnesty for war crimes and supports a robust legal mechanism overseen by a peace board. The US proposal was vague on war crimes consequences, particularly regarding Russia and its President, Vladimir Putin.</p><p>Europe’s peace plan aligns with Ukraine’s core red lines more closely than the US draft, prioritising Kyiv's sovereignty, long-term security, and justice. It suggests that rapid de‑escalation could compromise Ukraine’s territorial integrity or future orientation, particularly vis-à-vis Europe. The US plan is a pragmatic and potentially expedient deal, while Europe’s version seeks a more calibrated, balanced and principled peace.<br>&nbsp;</p>

Europe's Ukraine peace plan has some points similar to the leaked US plan. But there are also differences. Key areas of divergence include on the territories Ukraine would have to surrender to Russia, and Ukraine's NATO membership
 

Days after a US plan to end the Ukraine‑Russia war was leaked and widely criticised, British newspaper The Telegraph and Reuters news agency have published an alternative plan from the European Union that they claim to have accessed from this weekend's Geneva talks. Here are the key elements of Europe’s peace plan, if the leaks are accurate, and how it compares with the US proposal. What are the key features of Europe’s peace plan for Ukraine war? Europe’s peace plan seeks a full and immediate ceasefire across land, sea and air, to be monitored by a multinational mission under American and European leadership. The truce would be monitored via satellites, drones and other on‑site mechanisms. Affirming Ukraine’s full sovereignty, it stipulates that any territorial issues should be addressed through negotiations after the truce. These negotiations would start from the current line of contact, rather than any forced concessions. Security guarantees for Ukraine are central to the European plan, as per the reports. Kyiv would receive legally binding guarantees from NATO member nations and the US. The European plan does not force Ukraine into permanent neutrality, leaving the door open for it to join NATO or the EU in the future. Also read: Kremlin says it was not informed about Geneva talks as Zelensky calls for more steps to end the war Europe has proposed Ukraine’s armed forces be capped at 800,000 personnel. It says there should be no restriction on Ukraine’s defence industry or its ability to host “friendly forces,” which essentially paves the way for EU or NATO member nations’ troops to enter Ukraine for protection in future. The European plan calls for an “all-for-all” prisoner exchange and the unconditional return of deported Ukrainian children under international supervision. The proposal suggests using frozen Russian sovereign assets for rebuilding Ukraine. Sanctions relief for Russia would be gradual and reversible, using a “snap-back” mechanism if violations occur. The European plan also includes a long-term security architecture, with European security discussions to involve all OSCE states, and a “Board of Peace” to oversee its implementation. Also read: 'Zero gratitude from Ukraine...': Trump rants about 'inherited' Russia-Ukraine war, slams Europe amid talks on peace plan How far is the European peace plan for Ukraine similar to the leaked US plan? There are overlapping aspects in both European proposals and the US plan. This suggests that Europe possibly took the US draft as a starting point of reference and built on it. Ukraine’s sovereignty is mentioned in both, as is a call for a comprehensive non‑aggression pact involving Russia, Ukraine and NATO. Both plans include some form of security guarantee for Ukraine, economic reconstruction funded by frozen Russian assets, and ceasefire monitoring. Longer-term dialogue on European security architecture and Russia’s gradual reintegration into the global economy are mentioned in both plans, possibly including Moscow's eventual return to the G8. What are the differences between Europe’s Ukraine peace plan and the American one? The military capacity of Ukraine is one area of divergence, with the US putting a cap of 600,000 personnel. The US plan also appears to oppose NATO membership for Ukraine. It requires Ukraine to enshrine in its constitution that it would not join NATO and prohibits NATO troops in Ukrainian territory. The European plan, on the other hand, leaves NATO membership open, stating that it would depend on consensus among current members of the alliance. https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-ukraine-war-rubio-praises-tremendous-progress-at-peace-talks-1763978890554/embed Europe rejects any immediate recognition of Russian control over Ukrainian lands, insisting that negotiations should start only from existing frontlines, and only after a ceasefire. This differs from the US plan, which appeared to give de facto status to Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia. The European plan insists on using frozen Russian assets strictly for Ukraine’s reconstruction, while the US proposal suggests that a portion of those assets could be used for a joint investment vehicle, with profits partially shared with investors. The European plan explicitly excludes amnesty for war crimes and supports a robust legal mechanism overseen by a peace board. The US proposal was vague on war crimes consequences, particularly regarding Russia and its President, Vladimir Putin. Europe’s peace plan aligns with Ukraine’s core red lines more closely than the US draft, prioritising Kyiv's sovereignty, long-term security, and justice. It suggests that rapid de‑escalation could compromise Ukraine’s territorial integrity or future orientation, particularly vis-à-vis Europe. The US plan is a pragmatic and potentially expedient deal, while Europe’s version seeks a more calibrated, balanced and principled peace.

<p>Europe's Ukraine peace plan has some points similar to the leaked US plan. But there are also differences. Key areas of divergence include on the territories Ukraine would have to surrender to Russia, and Ukraine's NATO membership<br>&nbsp;</p>

Russia-Ukraine war: Europe's peace plan 'leaks'. How similar or different is it from leaked US plan?

<p>It appears that the display of those stones by Pakistan Army Chief Gen Asim Munir to US President Donald Trump in September has led to some real business deals between the two countries, focused on rare earths. Since Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif presented what media reports described as mineral samples in late September, the groundwork for a full-fledged minerals trade has begun.</p><h2>What did Munir show Trump?</h2><p>At the time of the Oval Office meeting, many netizens mockingly referred to Munir as a 'salesman'. Reports said he had shown Trump geological specimens of rare earth or critical minerals, though US sources did not confirm the exact nature of the colourful stones. The symbolic intent was clear: to highlight Pakistan’s mineral potential directly to Trump, &nbsp;when the US was seeking rare earths critical for its key industries and defence.</p><p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-army-chief-asim-munir-cozying-up-with-trump-repeats-anti-india-rhetoric-1754909040774/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-army-chief-asim-munir-cozying-up-with-trump-repeats-anti-india-rhetoric-1754909040774/embed</a></p><h2>First shipment of Pakistan's enriched critical minerals sent to the US</h2><p>Now, recent reports have said that Pakistan has shipped enriched critical minerals including antimony, copper concentrate, and rare earth elements to the US. This is the first tangible development under the new US–Pakistan minerals cooperation framework, moving beyond diplomatic signalling to real trade.</p><p>Earlier, Pakistan’s Frontier Works Organization and US Strategic Metals inked a deal covering the extraction and export of rare earth metals, alongside plans for value-added processing in Pakistan. A poly-metallic refinery would process critical minerals into intermediate and finished products for American buyers. The multi-hundred-million-dollar cooperation suggests that the US is looking at Pakistan as a supplementary source of critical minerals.</p><p>Separately, US-listed Nova Minerals has signed a strategic MoU with Pakistani company Himalayan Earth Exploration (HEE). The focus is on exploration, technology transfer, capacity building, and trade in high-tech metals including antimony, gold, and rare earth elements. The initial investment could run into hundreds of millions of dollars, according to Nova’s CEO.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/pakistan-army-chief-or-shopkeeper-asim-munir-ridiculed-for-rare-earth-minerals-photo-op-with-trump-watch-1759380620882">Pakistan Army chief or shopkeeper? Asim Munir ridiculed for rare earth minerals photo-op with Trump. Watch</a></p><h2>Rare earths and critical mineral capacity of Pakistan</h2><p>Pakistan could emerge as a significant supplier of critical minerals for the US and beyond. Rare earth element concentrations are estimated up to 1,400 mg/kg in parts of the northern Himalayan and Karakoram belts. Light rare earths more abundant than heavy ones at roughly three to one ratio. Pakistan also holds significant quantities of antimony, copper, gold, tungsten, lithium, cobalt, and other strategic minerals. Most of these resources remain untapped, with an estimated total mineral wealth of up to US$68 trillion.</p><h2>Should India be worried about US–Pakistan rare earths cooperation?</h2><p>Indian strategic and official circles are closely monitoring the growing US–Pakistan minerals cooperation. A sustained minerals corridor linking Pakistan and the US could boost Pakistan’s economic capacity and create a strategic safeguard for the US to secure these assets. India, meanwhile, has its own mineral cooperation frameworks with the US, so a major shift in US focus towards Pakistan is unlikely in the near term.</p><p>Diversifying critical mineral supply chains is a strategic priority for the US. Pakistan’s emerging minerals sector offers an attractive supplementary source for the US. For Pakistan, the partnership promises technology transfer, foreign investment, and trade opportunities in value-added mineral processing.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-calls-asim-munir-shehbaz-sharif-great-people-says-he-can-quickly-solve-afghanistan-pakistan-conflict-1761460929371">Trump calls Asim Munir, Shehbaz Sharif 'great people,' says he can 'quickly solve' Afghanistan-Pakistan conflict</a></p><h2>Pakistan still faces hurdles in rare earths trade</h2><p>Environmental concerns, regulatory gaps, and limited processing capacity remain challenges for Pakistan in exploration and refining of rare earths.&nbsp;</p><p>But if Pakistan overcomes these, the cooperation with US could evolve into a stable mineral supply chain with lasting strategic significance.&nbsp;</p>

Pakistan-US rare earths trade has begun in earnest, couple of months after Asim Munir showed a case full of stones to Trump. What are the key deals? Should India worry?



It appears that the display of those stones by Pakistan Army Chief Gen Asim Munir to US President Donald Trump in September has led to some real business deals between the two countries, focused on rare earths. Since Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif presented what media reports described as mineral samples in late September, the groundwork for a full-fledged minerals trade has begun. What did Munir show Trump? At the time of the Oval Office meeting, many netizens mockingly referred to Munir as a 'salesman'. Reports said he had shown Trump geological specimens of rare earth or critical minerals, though US sources did not confirm the exact nature of the colourful stones. The symbolic intent was clear: to highlight Pakistan’s mineral potential directly to Trump, when the US was seeking rare earths critical for its key industries and defence. https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-army-chief-asim-munir-cozying-up-with-trump-repeats-anti-india-rhetoric-1754909040774/embed First shipment of Pakistan's enriched critical minerals sent to the US Now, recent reports have said that Pakistan has shipped enriched critical minerals including antimony, copper concentrate, and rare earth elements to the US. This is the first tangible development under the new US–Pakistan minerals cooperation framework, moving beyond diplomatic signalling to real trade. Earlier, Pakistan’s Frontier Works Organization and US Strategic Metals inked a deal covering the extraction and export of rare earth metals, alongside plans for value-added processing in Pakistan. A poly-metallic refinery would process critical minerals into intermediate and finished products for American buyers. The multi-hundred-million-dollar cooperation suggests that the US is looking at Pakistan as a supplementary source of critical minerals. Separately, US-listed Nova Minerals has signed a strategic MoU with Pakistani company Himalayan Earth Exploration (HEE). The focus is on exploration, technology transfer, capacity building, and trade in high-tech metals including antimony, gold, and rare earth elements. The initial investment could run into hundreds of millions of dollars, according to Nova’s CEO. Also read: Pakistan Army chief or shopkeeper? Asim Munir ridiculed for rare earth minerals photo-op with Trump. Watch Rare earths and critical mineral capacity of Pakistan Pakistan could emerge as a significant supplier of critical minerals for the US and beyond. Rare earth element concentrations are estimated up to 1,400 mg/kg in parts of the northern Himalayan and Karakoram belts. Light rare earths more abundant than heavy ones at roughly three to one ratio. Pakistan also holds significant quantities of antimony, copper, gold, tungsten, lithium, cobalt, and other strategic minerals. Most of these resources remain untapped, with an estimated total mineral wealth of up to US$68 trillion. Should India be worried about US–Pakistan rare earths cooperation? Indian strategic and official circles are closely monitoring the growing US–Pakistan minerals cooperation. A sustained minerals corridor linking Pakistan and the US could boost Pakistan’s economic capacity and create a strategic safeguard for the US to secure these assets. India, meanwhile, has its own mineral cooperation frameworks with the US, so a major shift in US focus towards Pakistan is unlikely in the near term. Diversifying critical mineral supply chains is a strategic priority for the US. Pakistan’s emerging minerals sector offers an attractive supplementary source for the US. For Pakistan, the partnership promises technology transfer, foreign investment, and trade opportunities in value-added mineral processing. Also read: Trump calls Asim Munir, Shehbaz Sharif 'great people,' says he can 'quickly solve' Afghanistan-Pakistan conflict Pakistan still faces hurdles in rare earths trade Environmental concerns, regulatory gaps, and limited processing capacity remain challenges for Pakistan in exploration and refining of rare earths. But if Pakistan overcomes these, the cooperation with US could evolve into a stable mineral supply chain with lasting strategic significance.

<p>Pakistan-US rare earths trade has begun in earnest, couple of months after Asim Munir showed a case full of stones to Trump. What are the key deals? Should India worry?</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Asim Munir showed Trump those stones. Now, Pak-US rare earths trade is on. Should this worry India?

<p>Laptops are back, with better AI chips that enable online work without having to download software for once heavy-duty tasks like video and music production. The global laptop market is slowly recovering after turbulence. The new generation of AI processors is reviving consumer interest. But there are hurdles: Prices are up as production costs is rising due to supply chain constraints, component shortage, and geopolitical tensions.&nbsp;</p><h2>Laptop shipments fell sharply in 2022-2023 after pandemic boom</h2><p>After many years of struggle that saw big players like IBM, Sony and Toshiba exiting the PC market in the 2010s, there was a boom during the Covid pandemic, accelerated by work from home. As the lockdowns ended, personal laptops saw one of the steepest corrections in the industry’s recent history. In 2024, the market stabilised with a modest annual growth of about 1.3 per cent. According to a Canalys estimate, total PC shipments (out of which up to 85 per cent are laptops), rose to roughly 255 million units in 2024, up nearly 4 per cent. This broke an eight-quarter streak of declines. Lenovo, HP and Dell together accounted for more than 60 per cent of these shipments. This was helped by continuing patterns of hybrid work, and as fleets of devices purchased in the pandemic's early years crossed their refresh cycle.</p><p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-saudi-talks-trump-says-us-is-negotiating-advanced-chip-exports-to-saudi-1763534319813/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-saudi-talks-trump-says-us-is-negotiating-advanced-chip-exports-to-saudi-1763534319813/embed</a></p><h2>The rise of so-called 'AI PCs'</h2><p>The biggest hype in recent years has been around AI processors from Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, and Apple that incorporate dedicated neural processing units (NPUs) on laptops. Intel’s Core Ultra chips, AMD’s Ryzen AI 300 series, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite, and Apple’s M4 processors all include NPUs. New models like the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i, HP Spectre x360 AI, Asus Vivobook S 15 (Snapdragon X Elite), and Apple MacBook Air M4 highlight this shift to AI computing. They enable hardware acceleration for on-device AI tasks, like real-time video enhancement, noise filtering, and other productivity tasks, reducing reliance on cloud computing. A Gartner forecast showed that AI-capable PCs will account for roughly 31 per cent of global PC shipments in 2025, and more than half by 2026, with laptops leading the adoption.</p><p>Available data from 2025 shows AI-equipped laptops are in high demand compared to traditional models. Business buyers bought in bulk as they prepare for Windows 10’s end of support in October 2025 on many earlier PC models. Many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have been advertising AI features as “future-proof” for productivity, security, and device-local workloads. Enterprise orders reportedly increased by more than 10 per cent year on year.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vikram-chip-at-semicon-india-2025-india-fired-first-shot-in-global-chip-wars-here-is-why-it-s-not-just-another-science-story-1756812544584">Vikram chip at Semicon India 2025: India fired its first shot in global 'chip wars'. Here is why it's not just another science story</a></p><h2>Laptop resurgence also comes with higher prices: Chip wars and battery shortages</h2><p>A parallel trend is the higher cost of laptops. The average selling prices (ASPs) are up, driven by factors of geopolitics and the global contest for semiconductors and rare earths. As a result, ASPs rose from about 720 US dollars in 2021 to about 820 US dollars in 2024. AI-capable components like NPUs, advanced memory, and power-efficient displays led to higher cost of production than previous models. The export restrictions from countries like China and the US, part of the chip war, led to supply chain issues. Logistics bottlenecks continue to add to the cost of buying laptops. Besides the chips, the contest for critical minerals behind the high-performance lithium batteries is also weighing on the prices. Demand for lithium and cobalt is particularly tight.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-could-change-ai-google-gemini-is-performing-strong-even-without-nvidia-gpus-1763599705063">‘Could change AI’: Google Gemini is performing strong even without Nvidia GPUs</a></p><h2>How geopolitics is affecting price of laptops</h2><p>Laptops are among items where geopolitical uncertainty is strongly felt in pricing. The US tariff war with China and other countries prompted some laptop makers to pull shipments forward and diversify production locations, raising costs. Apple, HP and Dell shifted some production to Vietnam and India. Currency fluctuations and rising labour costs in Asian manufacturing hubs are adding to the retail prices of laptops.</p><p>As a result of these factors, premium and mid-range laptop prices rose in 2024. Data from 2025 suggests the trend will continue, as AI models are dominating sales. This is strangely leading to an interesting situation. While laptops are now rebounding, many lower-income customers are either postponing upgrades or refurbishing older laptops. The used-laptop market grew by more than 9 per cent in 2024.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/these-chips-make-apple-iphone-air-the-most-power-efficient-mobile-ever-1757443441511">These chips make Apple iPhone Air the most power-efficient mobile ever</a></p><h2>What does the future look for laptops?</h2><p>For the foreseeable future, the demand for laptops is going to be steady if not astronomical, but it's not always going to be pocket-friendly for the middle or lower-income consumers. Industry remains cautiously optimistic, offering AI-driven features. The Windows 11-only PC era is here, since Microsoft stopped supporting Windows 10. This means enterprises will have to buy new models. Shipment volumes are stabilising in spite of the geopolitical headwinds. Laptops have suddenly become more relevant in an era increasingly defined by intelligent computing.</p>

Global laptop sales are seeing a slow rebound, helped by the advent of AI chips. But politics can hold back this revival, as prices rise due to supply chain strains largely brought about by chip wars, tariff tensions and rare earths competition. Here's a situation report

Laptops are back, with better AI chips that enable online work without having to download software for once heavy-duty tasks like video and music production. The global laptop market is slowly recovering after turbulence. The new generation of AI processors is reviving consumer interest. But there are hurdles: Prices are up as production costs is rising due to supply chain constraints, component shortage, and geopolitical tensions. Laptop shipments fell sharply in 2022-2023 after pandemic boom After many years of struggle that saw big players like IBM, Sony and Toshiba exiting the PC market in the 2010s, there was a boom during the Covid pandemic, accelerated by work from home. As the lockdowns ended, personal laptops saw one of the steepest corrections in the industry’s recent history. In 2024, the market stabilised with a modest annual growth of about 1.3 per cent. According to a Canalys estimate, total PC shipments (out of which up to 85 per cent are laptops), rose to roughly 255 million units in 2024, up nearly 4 per cent. This broke an eight-quarter streak of declines. Lenovo, HP and Dell together accounted for more than 60 per cent of these shipments. This was helped by continuing patterns of hybrid work, and as fleets of devices purchased in the pandemic's early years crossed their refresh cycle. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-saudi-talks-trump-says-us-is-negotiating-advanced-chip-exports-to-saudi-1763534319813/embed The rise of so-called 'AI PCs' The biggest hype in recent years has been around AI processors from Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, and Apple that incorporate dedicated neural processing units (NPUs) on laptops. Intel’s Core Ultra chips, AMD’s Ryzen AI 300 series, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite, and Apple’s M4 processors all include NPUs. New models like the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i, HP Spectre x360 AI, Asus Vivobook S 15 (Snapdragon X Elite), and Apple MacBook Air M4 highlight this shift to AI computing. They enable hardware acceleration for on-device AI tasks, like real-time video enhancement, noise filtering, and other productivity tasks, reducing reliance on cloud computing. A Gartner forecast showed that AI-capable PCs will account for roughly 31 per cent of global PC shipments in 2025, and more than half by 2026, with laptops leading the adoption. Available data from 2025 shows AI-equipped laptops are in high demand compared to traditional models. Business buyers bought in bulk as they prepare for Windows 10’s end of support in October 2025 on many earlier PC models. Many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have been advertising AI features as “future-proof” for productivity, security, and device-local workloads. Enterprise orders reportedly increased by more than 10 per cent year on year. Also read: Vikram chip at Semicon India 2025: India fired its first shot in global 'chip wars'. Here is why it's not just another science story Laptop resurgence also comes with higher prices: Chip wars and battery shortages A parallel trend is the higher cost of laptops. The average selling prices (ASPs) are up, driven by factors of geopolitics and the global contest for semiconductors and rare earths. As a result, ASPs rose from about 720 US dollars in 2021 to about 820 US dollars in 2024. AI-capable components like NPUs, advanced memory, and power-efficient displays led to higher cost of production than previous models. The export restrictions from countries like China and the US, part of the chip war, led to supply chain issues. Logistics bottlenecks continue to add to the cost of buying laptops. Besides the chips, the contest for critical minerals behind the high-performance lithium batteries is also weighing on the prices. Demand for lithium and cobalt is particularly tight. Also read: ‘Could change AI’: Google Gemini is performing strong even without Nvidia GPUs How geopolitics is affecting price of laptops Laptops are among items where geopolitical uncertainty is strongly felt in pricing. The US tariff war with China and other countries prompted some laptop makers to pull shipments forward and diversify production locations, raising costs. Apple, HP and Dell shifted some production to Vietnam and India. Currency fluctuations and rising labour costs in Asian manufacturing hubs are adding to the retail prices of laptops. As a result of these factors, premium and mid-range laptop prices rose in 2024. Data from 2025 suggests the trend will continue, as AI models are dominating sales. This is strangely leading to an interesting situation. While laptops are now rebounding, many lower-income customers are either postponing upgrades or refurbishing older laptops. The used-laptop market grew by more than 9 per cent in 2024. Also read: These chips make Apple iPhone Air the most power-efficient mobile ever What does the future look for laptops? For the foreseeable future, the demand for laptops is going to be steady if not astronomical, but it's not always going to be pocket-friendly for the middle or lower-income consumers. Industry remains cautiously optimistic, offering AI-driven features. The Windows 11-only PC era is here, since Microsoft stopped supporting Windows 10. This means enterprises will have to buy new models. Shipment volumes are stabilising in spite of the geopolitical headwinds. Laptops have suddenly become more relevant in an era increasingly defined by intelligent computing.

<p>Global laptop sales are seeing a slow rebound, helped by the advent of AI chips. But politics can hold back this revival, as prices rise due to supply chain strains largely brought about by chip wars, tariff tensions and rare earths competition. Here's a situation report</p>

Rebound of the laptop: AI chips fuel sales recovery but geopolitics, shortages and high costs can hurt this boom

<p>US President Donald Trump has hinted that a group of Democratic lawmakers could be locked up for seditious behaviour, saying it is punishable by death, after they released a video asking military and intelligence personnel to refuse illegal orders from his administration. This was seen by the lawmakers—all military veterans or former intelligence officials—as a direct death threat. The White House tried to play it down, but the controversy is likely to burn for some more time, coming as it does after Trump's recent direct address to senior military officials, his deployment of National Guard troops in several US cities, and other orders seen as violative of the Constitution. But does US sedition law allow for the death penalty? It is a bit nuanced. Here is what you should know about the row, the law and reactions.</p><h2>What provoked Trump to make the sedition ‘death threat’?</h2><p>On November 18, a group of Democratic lawmakers released a video in which Senators Elissa Slotkin and Mark Kelly, and Representative Chrissy Houlahan, among others, reminded active-duty military and intelligence personnel of their oath to the Constitution and duty to refuse illegal orders. While the video message did not mention any specific order from Trump, they warned that threats to the Constitution can come “from right here at home.” A furious Trump appeared to have interpreted the video as an attempt to encourage defiance of the chain of command, labelling it as seditious behaviour punishable by death.</p><h2>What exactly did Trump say about 'seditious behaviour'?</h2><p>In a series of angry Truth Social posts on Thursday (Nov 20), Trump said of the Democrats' video: “This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???” He said in another post: “It’s called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL.”</p><p>“SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!,” he declared in another message, while also reposting other social media posts, including one that said “Hang them, George Washington would !!”</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-we-have-agreed-trump-to-meet-communist-mayor-elect-zohran-mamdani-details-here-1763603523599">'We have agreed...': Trump to meet 'communist' mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani: Details here</a></p><h2>Trump posts set off 'death threat' alarm among Democrats</h2><p>Trump's posts were interpreted as threatening his opponents with death, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer saying: “The president of the United States is calling for the execution of elected officials. This is an outright threat, and it’s deadly serious.”</p><p>The lawmakers behind the video released a joint statement, describing themselves as veterans and national security professionals "who love this country".&nbsp;</p><p>"No threat, intimidation, or call for violence will deter us from that sacred obligation. What’s most telling is that the President considers it punishable by death for us to restate the law,” it said.</p><p>Senator Elissa Slotkin posted a video response, refusing to be intimidated and calling threats of death for disagreement “beyond the pale.”&nbsp;</p><p>Representative Chrissy Houlahan said: “This is the president of the United States calling for the death of a member of Congress. That is a different brand of political violence.”</p><p>Amid concerns for members’ safety, the Democrats contacted Capitol Police, with several lawmakers reporting threats following Trump's posts.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/7-things-donald-trump-said-after-signing-epstein-files-bill-1763606073313">7 things Donald Trump said after signing Epstein files bill</a></p><h2>How did the White House respond to 'death threat' by Trump to Democrats?</h2><p>White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt brushed aside the concerns, saying 'no' when asked if Trump wanted to execute members of Congress. She said the Democrats’ video was “dangerous” as it encouraged defiance of “lawful orders”, insisting the lawmakers involved “should be held accountable.” She painted the Trump posts as a reaction to their message, and not a literal call for executions.</p><p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-labels-democrats-military-video-seditious-behavior-punishable-by-death-1763709805212/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-labels-democrats-military-video-seditious-behavior-punishable-by-death-1763709805212/embed</a></p><h2>What does the US sedition law say on the death penalty?</h2><p>The laws apply to civilians and military personnel differently. The specific statute is 18 U.S.C. § 2384 – Seditious Conspiracy, which states: “If two or more persons... conspire to overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force the Government of the United States, or to levy war against them, or to oppose by force the authority thereof, or by force to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States, or by force to seize, take, or possess any property of the United States contrary to the authority thereof, they shall each be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both.”</p><p>This clearly means that for civilians, sedition crimes do not carry the death penalty, with the maximum punishment being 20 years in jail and/or fines.</p><p>But military law is slightly different. Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Article 94 has provisions related to sedition that can, in extreme wartime cases, carry the death penalty. These apply to military personnel and not civilians.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-i-m-good-at-settling-disputes-trump-pats-his-back-reiterates-his-role-in-ending-india-pakistan-war-after-pahalgam-terror-attack-1763612427497">'I'm good at settling disputes': Trump pats his back again, reiterates role in ending India-Pakistan war after Pahalgam terror attack</a></p><p><br>Then there are the treason laws. Under 18 U.S.C. § 2381, treason can carry the death penalty. But it involves the crime of aiding enemies of the US during war.</p><p>Legal experts cited in the US media said that the video of the Democratic lawmakers, which reminded military members they must refuse illegal orders, is standard doctrine and not seditious.</p><p>Nobody has been executed for sedition or seditious conspiracy in modern US history. What Trump basically tried to do was to conflate the civilian law on sedition with military wartime laws on treason.</p>

Trump's social media posts calling a video message by Democratic lawmakers “seditious behaviour punishable by death,” have sparked controversy. Did he threaten them with death? What does US law say on sedition and treason? 


US President Donald Trump has hinted that a group of Democratic lawmakers could be locked up for seditious behaviour, saying it is punishable by death, after they released a video asking military and intelligence personnel to refuse illegal orders from his administration. This was seen by the lawmakers—all military veterans or former intelligence officials—as a direct death threat. The White House tried to play it down, but the controversy is likely to burn for some more time, coming as it does after Trump's recent direct address to senior military officials, his deployment of National Guard troops in several US cities, and other orders seen as violative of the Constitution. But does US sedition law allow for the death penalty? It is a bit nuanced. Here is what you should know about the row, the law and reactions. What provoked Trump to make the sedition ‘death threat’? On November 18, a group of Democratic lawmakers released a video in which Senators Elissa Slotkin and Mark Kelly, and Representative Chrissy Houlahan, among others, reminded active-duty military and intelligence personnel of their oath to the Constitution and duty to refuse illegal orders. While the video message did not mention any specific order from Trump, they warned that threats to the Constitution can come “from right here at home.” A furious Trump appeared to have interpreted the video as an attempt to encourage defiance of the chain of command, labelling it as seditious behaviour punishable by death. What exactly did Trump say about 'seditious behaviour'? In a series of angry Truth Social posts on Thursday (Nov 20), Trump said of the Democrats' video: “This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???” He said in another post: “It’s called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL.” “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!,” he declared in another message, while also reposting other social media posts, including one that said “Hang them, George Washington would !!” Also read: 'We have agreed...': Trump to meet 'communist' mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani: Details here Trump posts set off 'death threat' alarm among Democrats Trump's posts were interpreted as threatening his opponents with death, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer saying: “The president of the United States is calling for the execution of elected officials. This is an outright threat, and it’s deadly serious.” The lawmakers behind the video released a joint statement, describing themselves as veterans and national security professionals "who love this country". "No threat, intimidation, or call for violence will deter us from that sacred obligation. What’s most telling is that the President considers it punishable by death for us to restate the law,” it said. Senator Elissa Slotkin posted a video response, refusing to be intimidated and calling threats of death for disagreement “beyond the pale.” Representative Chrissy Houlahan said: “This is the president of the United States calling for the death of a member of Congress. That is a different brand of political violence.” Amid concerns for members’ safety, the Democrats contacted Capitol Police, with several lawmakers reporting threats following Trump's posts. Also read: 7 things Donald Trump said after signing Epstein files bill How did the White House respond to 'death threat' by Trump to Democrats? White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt brushed aside the concerns, saying 'no' when asked if Trump wanted to execute members of Congress. She said the Democrats’ video was “dangerous” as it encouraged defiance of “lawful orders”, insisting the lawmakers involved “should be held accountable.” She painted the Trump posts as a reaction to their message, and not a literal call for executions. https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-labels-democrats-military-video-seditious-behavior-punishable-by-death-1763709805212/embed What does the US sedition law say on the death penalty? The laws apply to civilians and military personnel differently. The specific statute is 18 U.S.C. § 2384 – Seditious Conspiracy, which states: “If two or more persons... conspire to overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force the Government of the United States, or to levy war against them, or to oppose by force the authority thereof, or by force to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States, or by force to seize, take, or possess any property of the United States contrary to the authority thereof, they shall each be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both.” This clearly means that for civilians, sedition crimes do not carry the death penalty, with the maximum punishment being 20 years in jail and/or fines. But military law is slightly different. Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Article 94 has provisions related to sedition that can, in extreme wartime cases, carry the death penalty. These apply to military personnel and not civilians. Also read: 'I'm good at settling disputes': Trump pats his back again, reiterates role in ending India-Pakistan war after Pahalgam terror attack Then there are the treason laws. Under 18 U.S.C. § 2381, treason can carry the death penalty. But it involves the crime of aiding enemies of the US during war. Legal experts cited in the US media said that the video of the Democratic lawmakers, which reminded military members they must refuse illegal orders, is standard doctrine and not seditious. Nobody has been executed for sedition or seditious conspiracy in modern US history. What Trump basically tried to do was to conflate the civilian law on sedition with military wartime laws on treason.

<p>Trump's social media posts, calling a video message by Democratic lawmakers “seditious behaviour punishable by death,” have sparked controversy. Did he threaten them with death? What does US law say on sedition and treason?&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</p>

Trump wants DEATH for Democratic lawmakers over sedition, but can he do it? The row, the law and reactions, explained

<p>An estimated 48 million barrels of cheap crude – many originally headed to India or China – are stranded at sea as US sanctions on Russian oil linked to the Ukraine war take effect, reports said on Friday (Nov 21). The move will affect India, one of the key buyers of Russian crude. Here is why it matters.</p><h2>US sanctions Russia’s biggest oil producers</h2><p>The US sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil took effect on Friday. These two Russian giants account for between 50 and 70 per cent of Russia’s seaborne crude exports, amounting to roughly 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd). The sanctions include full blocking, freezing US-linked assets of these companies, and barring transactions with US-linked firms. Global buyers such as India and China face secondary sanctions if they continue collecting these cargoes after the wind-down deadline.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/has-india-s-modi-promised-us-it-will-no-longer-buy-russian-oil-here-s-what-trump-claims-1760574591627">Did Modi promise US that India will no longer buy Russian oil? Here's what Trump claims</a></p><h2>Stranded cargoes, the immediate fallout visible at sea</h2><p>According to analytics firm Kpler, nearly 48 million barrels of Rosneft and Lukoil crude across around 50 tankers are now loaded, in transit, or delayed, Bloomberg reported. This equals almost two weeks of exports from the sanctioned firms. The oil is stranded in regions ranging from the Baltic and Black Sea to the Pacific. Many ports and refiners have refused to unload the cargoes after the sanctions deadline passed. Possible outcomes now include rerouting, ship-to-ship transfers, or extended floating storage.</p><p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/u-s-sanctions-choke-russian-global-oil-supply-flows-plunge-1763698119913/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/u-s-sanctions-choke-russian-global-oil-supply-flows-plunge-1763698119913/embed</a></p><h2>Sanctions have hit Russian oil prices and revenue</h2><p>Russian oil prices have struggled in recent months, with the Urals crude trading at a 19–30 dollar discount to Brent crude. Some Urals spot sales are now at 36–47 dollars per barrel, compared with 62–65 dollars for Brent. This has sharply squeezed Russia’s per-barrel revenue. Buyers willing to take the risk are demanding larger discounts because of the sanctions environment.<br>Russia has kept seaborne loadings near 3.4 million bpd, but unloading delays mean a growing share of exports is stuck offshore. As per a JPMorgan estimate, nearly 1.4 million bpd are effectively in floating storage. Prolonged delays could force Russia to cut production if storage fills beyond capacity. Oil and gas account for 40–50 per cent of Russia’s federal budget, and October energy-related tax revenues were already down more than 24 per cent on year.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-claims-india-halting-russian-oil-purchases-completely-days-after-speaking-to-pm-modi-1761471408478">Trump claims 'India halting Russian oil purchases completely,' days after speaking to PM Modi</a></p><h2>Impact on India, the key buyer of Russian oil</h2><p>Despite trimming some volumes, India remains among the most exposed buyers of Russian crude. In 2025, India is estimated to have imported 1.7–2 million bpd of Russian oil, accounting for as much as 40 per cent of its total crude imports. Cheap Russian supply helped India stabilise domestic fuel prices, but that advantage is now under strain.<br>Major refiners, including the state-run Indian Oil Corporation, have already halted or cancelled December and January purchases from Rosneft and Lukoil. Some of the currently stranded tankers were India-bound, but cannot unload. India is turning to Middle Eastern and US suppliers, pushing freight rates to five-year highs and increasing overall import costs for the country.<br>The shift could raise India’s import bill and narrow its refinery margins. Petrol and diesel prices may rise if higher costs persist. Some Russian flows might resume indirectly or via unsanctioned producers, but the period of reliably cheap Russian crude appears to be ending.</p>

US sanctions on Russian oil giants are in effect now, stranding 48 million barrels of cheap Russian crude at sea. This could drive fuel prices up for India. Here is what you should know

An estimated 48 million barrels of cheap crude – many originally headed to India or China – are stranded at sea as US sanctions on Russian oil linked to the Ukraine war take effect, reports said on Friday (Nov 21). The move will affect India, one of the key buyers of Russian crude. Here is why it matters. US sanctions Russia’s biggest oil producers The US sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil took effect on Friday. These two Russian giants account for between 50 and 70 per cent of Russia’s seaborne crude exports, amounting to roughly 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd). The sanctions include full blocking, freezing US-linked assets of these companies, and barring transactions with US-linked firms. Global buyers such as India and China face secondary sanctions if they continue collecting these cargoes after the wind-down deadline. Also read: Did Modi promise US that India will no longer buy Russian oil? Here's what Trump claims Stranded cargoes, the immediate fallout visible at sea According to analytics firm Kpler, nearly 48 million barrels of Rosneft and Lukoil crude across around 50 tankers are now loaded, in transit, or delayed, Bloomberg reported. This equals almost two weeks of exports from the sanctioned firms. The oil is stranded in regions ranging from the Baltic and Black Sea to the Pacific. Many ports and refiners have refused to unload the cargoes after the sanctions deadline passed. Possible outcomes now include rerouting, ship-to-ship transfers, or extended floating storage. https://www.wionews.com/videos/u-s-sanctions-choke-russian-global-oil-supply-flows-plunge-1763698119913/embed Sanctions have hit Russian oil prices and revenue Russian oil prices have struggled in recent months, with the Urals crude trading at a 19–30 dollar discount to Brent crude. Some Urals spot sales are now at 36–47 dollars per barrel, compared with 62–65 dollars for Brent. This has sharply squeezed Russia’s per-barrel revenue. Buyers willing to take the risk are demanding larger discounts because of the sanctions environment. Russia has kept seaborne loadings near 3.4 million bpd, but unloading delays mean a growing share of exports is stuck offshore. As per a JPMorgan estimate, nearly 1.4 million bpd are effectively in floating storage. Prolonged delays could force Russia to cut production if storage fills beyond capacity. Oil and gas account for 40–50 per cent of Russia’s federal budget, and October energy-related tax revenues were already down more than 24 per cent on year. Also read: Trump claims 'India halting Russian oil purchases completely,' days after speaking to PM Modi Impact on India, the key buyer of Russian oil Despite trimming some volumes, India remains among the most exposed buyers of Russian crude. In 2025, India is estimated to have imported 1.7–2 million bpd of Russian oil, accounting for as much as 40 per cent of its total crude imports. Cheap Russian supply helped India stabilise domestic fuel prices, but that advantage is now under strain. Major refiners, including the state-run Indian Oil Corporation, have already halted or cancelled December and January purchases from Rosneft and Lukoil. Some of the currently stranded tankers were India-bound, but cannot unload. India is turning to Middle Eastern and US suppliers, pushing freight rates to five-year highs and increasing overall import costs for the country. The shift could raise India’s import bill and narrow its refinery margins. Petrol and diesel prices may rise if higher costs persist. Some Russian flows might resume indirectly or via unsanctioned producers, but the period of reliably cheap Russian crude appears to be ending.

<p>US sanctions on Russian oil giants are in effect now, stranding 48 million barrels of cheap Russian crude at sea. This could drive fuel prices up for India. Here is what you should know</p>

48 million barrels of cheap crude stranded at sea as US sanctions on Russian oil kicks in. How India will be hit

<p>Nithari serial killings—the disappearance and alleged murders of over a dozen children in the north Indian city of Noida—was a stomach-churning news story in 2006. Moninder Singh Pandher and his house help Surinder Koli were arrested and charged with shocking crimes ranging from rape and murder to necrophilia and cannibalism. But today, both Pandher and Koli are free men, having been acquitted of all charges after decade-long court battles. The fundamental questions remain: Who killed Nithari kids? How did an 'open and shut' case collapse after nearly 20 years, whose suspects had been given multiple death sentences? Why wasn't the organ trade angle probed enough?</p><h2>The Nithari serial murders: How the story unfolded</h2><p>The Nithari case in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh garnered public attention months after disparate missing person complaints were filed by parents in Sector 31, Noida, about their children—boys and girls aged from five to 19. More than 30 children and young women went missing between 2005 and mid-2006, but complaints were largely ignored because the parents came from poor socioeconomic backgrounds.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-sector-36-review-vikrant-massey-deepak-dobriyals-performance-draws-you-into-this-gruesome-tale-758274">Sector 36 review: Vikrant Massey, Deepak Dobriyal's performances draw you into this gruesome tale</a>&nbsp;</p><h2>A drain of terror and a house of horrors</h2><p>Eventually, body parts, skulls and human remains began to be recovered from a drain behind House D-5, owned by businessman Moninder Singh Pandher, and occupied by his domestic help, Surinder Koli. The case, splashed across Indian TV channels and newspaper front pages at the time, became all about the alleged rape, murder, and dismemberment of children and young women.</p><p>By late 2006, more and more skeletal remains, items of clothing, and personal belongings of the missing children were recovered in police searches. Amid public outrage, Koli was arrested after one missing girl’s phone was traced to him.</p><p>Then came the alleged confessions: Koli, a poor man from the eastern state of Odisha, allegedly admitted to having committed multiple murders, sexual assaults, dismemberment, and acts of necrophilia. Pandher was arrested shortly after and charged with some of these crimes.</p><p>Also read: India: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/allahabad-hc-acquits-koli-and-pandher-in-nithari-serial-killings-case-647458">Allahabad HC acquits Koli and Pandher in Nithari serial killings case</a></p><h2>India's top investigative agency took the case but allegations of organ trade not probed enough</h2><p>The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which took over the case in January 2007 amid mounting pressure, discovered more remains and evidence.</p><p>Charges were filed in 19 of the cases. Koli was convicted in most of them, and Pandher in fewer. The death penalty was handed down by lower courts for both in the murder of 14-year-old Rimpa Haldar.</p><p>During this period, there were reports and allegations that these murders could not have been the handiwork of one single individual (or two), but possibly an organised crime group involved in organ trafficking. However, this angle was never sufficiently investigated. Several reports suggested that body parts found in the drains and household were removed in ways that indicated professional handling. Both family members and some investigators pointed out that some organs were missing from the recovered human remains. But in the absence of proper forensic evidence and procedural lapses, the organ trade and trafficking angle was not fully explored.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nithari-killings-2006-how-reports-of-cannibalism-rapes-and-gory-murders-unfolded-647582">Nithari killings 2006: How reports of cannibalism, rapes and gory murders unfolded</a></p><h2>The acquittals: As shocking as the murders</h2><p>The court battles that followed saw Pandher being acquitted in most cases, while Koli’s sentences were often upheld, commuted, or eventually overturned.</p><p>In 2023, the Allahabad High Court fully acquitted both Pandher and Koli. It cited “shoddy” CBI investigations, unreliable confessions, procedural lapses, and failure to probe leads such as organ trade. Pandher was freed in the same year.</p><p>The Uttar Pradesh government appealed the verdict, as did families of the victims. But in July 2025, India’s Supreme Court upheld the acquittals.</p><p>After nearly 19 years in custody, Koli was released from prison on November 13.</p><p>The courts expressed “deep regret” that the actual perpetrators were not identified beyond legal doubt.</p><p>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nithari-killings-accused-surendra-koli-set-free-by-supreme-court-1762848505121">Nithari killings: Accused Surendra Koli set free by Supreme Court</a></p><h2>Nithari unsolved: A horrific case now officially back to square one</h2><p>The Nithari murders now echo the shoddy handling of investigations in other high-profile cases in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) such as the Jessica Lal murder, the Aarushi Talwar–Hemraj case, the Shivani Bhatnagar killing, and the Priyanka Matoo case. It remains to be seen if a fresh investigation will be opened, but for Koli and Pandher, the damage to their lives has been done. It is said that one is innocent until proven guilty, but they were acquitted only after having been pronounced guilty and sentenced to multiple death penalties. They have forever been shamed, with films, web series, documentaries, and TV programmes portraying them as monsters. The documentary, <i>India’s Serial Killers: The Nithari Case</i>, the TV show <i>Savdhaan India'</i>s episodes on the murders, and web series like <i>Crime Patrol </i>and the film <i>Sector 36</i> depicted the killings in some form.&nbsp;</p><p>If Koli and Pandher are indeed not the perpetrators, it is safe to assume that the real culprits are silently roaming among the residents of the Indian city.</p><h2>A different type of justice for the poor of India</h2><p>If you search online now for Nithari, you might see interviews of the former suspects explaining their side of the story. It adds to the current trend of former criminals, gangsters, and financial crime-accused becoming podcast guests. We live in an America-inspired era where criminals can become celebrities.&nbsp;</p><p>On the other hand, unlike several other shocking murders in Delhi, the aggrieved party here is not from middle-class or influential families. They are parents and relatives of children from slums and shanties in the backyards of the Indian capital. There may not be as many 'Justice For' marches for them, as happened in the cases of Jessica Lal and Priyanka Matoo. For them, it is proving to be a different kind of justice system.</p>

The Nithari murders case collapses after nearly two decades as courts acquitted key accused Surinder Koli and Moninder Singh Pandher. Families of missing children are left without answers and raising questions over a failed investigation. How did we reach here?

Nithari serial killings—the disappearance and alleged murders of over a dozen children in the north Indian city of Noida—was a stomach-churning news story in 2006. Moninder Singh Pandher and his house help Surinder Koli were arrested and charged with shocking crimes ranging from rape and murder to necrophilia and cannibalism. But today, both Pandher and Koli are free men, having been acquitted of all charges after decade-long court battles. The fundamental questions remain: Who killed Nithari kids? How did an 'open and shut' case collapse after nearly 20 years, whose suspects had been given multiple death sentences? Why wasn't the organ trade angle probed enough? The Nithari serial murders: How the story unfolded The Nithari case in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh garnered public attention months after disparate missing person complaints were filed by parents in Sector 31, Noida, about their children—boys and girls aged from five to 19. More than 30 children and young women went missing between 2005 and mid-2006, but complaints were largely ignored because the parents came from poor socioeconomic backgrounds. Also read: Sector 36 review: Vikrant Massey, Deepak Dobriyal's performances draw you into this gruesome tale A drain of terror and a house of horrors Eventually, body parts, skulls and human remains began to be recovered from a drain behind House D-5, owned by businessman Moninder Singh Pandher, and occupied by his domestic help, Surinder Koli. The case, splashed across Indian TV channels and newspaper front pages at the time, became all about the alleged rape, murder, and dismemberment of children and young women. By late 2006, more and more skeletal remains, items of clothing, and personal belongings of the missing children were recovered in police searches. Amid public outrage, Koli was arrested after one missing girl’s phone was traced to him. Then came the alleged confessions: Koli, a poor man from the eastern state of Odisha, allegedly admitted to having committed multiple murders, sexual assaults, dismemberment, and acts of necrophilia. Pandher was arrested shortly after and charged with some of these crimes. Also read: India: Allahabad HC acquits Koli and Pandher in Nithari serial killings case India's top investigative agency took the case but allegations of organ trade not probed enough The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which took over the case in January 2007 amid mounting pressure, discovered more remains and evidence. Charges were filed in 19 of the cases. Koli was convicted in most of them, and Pandher in fewer. The death penalty was handed down by lower courts for both in the murder of 14-year-old Rimpa Haldar. During this period, there were reports and allegations that these murders could not have been the handiwork of one single individual (or two), but possibly an organised crime group involved in organ trafficking. However, this angle was never sufficiently investigated. Several reports suggested that body parts found in the drains and household were removed in ways that indicated professional handling. Both family members and some investigators pointed out that some organs were missing from the recovered human remains. But in the absence of proper forensic evidence and procedural lapses, the organ trade and trafficking angle was not fully explored. Also read: Nithari killings 2006: How reports of cannibalism, rapes and gory murders unfolded The acquittals: As shocking as the murders The court battles that followed saw Pandher being acquitted in most cases, while Koli’s sentences were often upheld, commuted, or eventually overturned. In 2023, the Allahabad High Court fully acquitted both Pandher and Koli. It cited “shoddy” CBI investigations, unreliable confessions, procedural lapses, and failure to probe leads such as organ trade. Pandher was freed in the same year. The Uttar Pradesh government appealed the verdict, as did families of the victims. But in July 2025, India’s Supreme Court upheld the acquittals. After nearly 19 years in custody, Koli was released from prison on November 13. The courts expressed “deep regret” that the actual perpetrators were not identified beyond legal doubt. Also read: Nithari killings: Accused Surendra Koli set free by Supreme Court Nithari unsolved: A horrific case now officially back to square one The Nithari murders now echo the shoddy handling of investigations in other high-profile cases in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) such as the Jessica Lal murder, the Aarushi Talwar–Hemraj case, the Shivani Bhatnagar killing, and the Priyanka Matoo case. It remains to be seen if a fresh investigation will be opened, but for Koli and Pandher, the damage to their lives has been done. It is said that one is innocent until proven guilty, but they were acquitted only after having been pronounced guilty and sentenced to multiple death penalties. They have forever been shamed, with films, web series, documentaries, and TV programmes portraying them as monsters. The documentary, India’s Serial Killers: The Nithari Case, the TV show Savdhaan India's episodes on the murders, and web series like Crime Patrol and the film Sector 36 depicted the killings in some form. If Koli and Pandher are indeed not the perpetrators, it is safe to assume that the real culprits are silently roaming among the residents of the Indian city. A different type of justice for the poor of India If you search online now for Nithari, you might see interviews of the former suspects explaining their side of the story. It adds to the current trend of former criminals, gangsters, and financial crime-accused becoming podcast guests. We live in an America-inspired era where criminals can become celebrities. On the other hand, unlike several other shocking murders in Delhi, the aggrieved party here is not from middle-class or influential families. They are parents and relatives of children from slums and shanties in the backyards of the Indian capital. There may not be as many 'Justice For' marches for them, as happened in the cases of Jessica Lal and Priyanka Matoo. For them, it is proving to be a different kind of justice system.

<p>The Nithari murders case collapses after nearly two decades as courts acquitted key accused Surinder Koli and Moninder Singh Pandher. Families of missing children are left without answers and raising questions over a failed investigation. How did we reach here?</p>

Nobody killed the Nithari kids: Suspects free, case fallen, justice eludes kin of India’s top serial murder victims

Author

Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Vinod Janardhanan

Home

Live Tv

Latest

World

India

Business

Entertainment

Sports

Opinions

Videos

Photos

Gravitas

Lifestyle

Science

Tech

Rajasthan News in Hindi: In-depth coverage of Rajasthan Crime, Political News, Education, Rajasthan Weather Update and Latest Rajasthan News on Zee News Rajasthan.