West Asia faces faith-based politics (Column: The Third Eye)

D.C. Pathak | February 4, 2024 10:00 AM

New Delhi: The turn of events involving Iran's cross-border missile attack on January 16 on the camps of Jaish-al Adl, a Sunni extremist organisation working out of Baluchistan demanding an independent Baluch nation and a retaliatory action of the same kind carried out by Pakistan on January 18 in the adjoining area of Iran - on the ground that supporters of the Salafi outfit operated from Iran as well - have more than anything else, unravelled the rapidly rising militancy attributable to the growth of extremism in the Muslim world on one hand and the inevitable outbreak of sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shiites resulting from it, on the other.

Time to transform cybersecurity as good vs bad GenAI debate rages

Deepika Bhan | February 3, 2024 10:28 AM

Bangkok, Feb 3 (IANS) As industries, governments and law enforcement agencies all over the world struggle to keep up with the vast and ever-evolving cybercrime ecosystem, specialist cyber defenders building and upgrading firewalls, say that sensitisation and prevention are always better than cure. And it is the Generative AI itself that can do the saving.

Multiple gunshots fired at home of Nijjar's friend in Canada

IANS | February 2, 2024 3:46 PM

Toronto, Feb 2 (IANS) Gunshots were fired at the house of a Sikh activist related to pro-Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India, who was shot dead outside a Sikh temple in the Canadian province of British Columbia last year.

US addressing 'questions' lawmakers have on drone deal with India

Yashwant Raj | February 1, 2024 7:52 AM

Washington, Feb 1 (IANS) A US State Department Spokesperson on Wednesday did not deny or confirm a news report that the proposed sale of MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones to India was being blocked by lawmakers but did say that officials "routinely consult" with members of the foreign relations committees of the US Congress and address any "questions" that they may have before they are formally notified in the final stage of the approval process.