Gireesh Kr. Sahdev

Following the Pahalgam terrorist attack that resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has granted the Indian armed forces complete autonomy. They can now decide on the method, targets, and timing of their response. A high-level meeting was convened, attended by key paramilitary force heads, to address the heightened tensions and security concerns in the region.

Pakistan has access to China’s military space capabilities. Indian armed forces lack a dedicated satellite system. Pahalgam is a reminder that New Delhi must upgrade its satellite-based surveillance network

Harvard's South Asia Institute, funded by Laxmi Mittal, faced backlash for hosting a "Pakistan conference" after Indian students protested, citing concerns about platforming a government allegedly enabling terrorism. Pakistan, facing embarrassment and criticism, vowed to revive its academic presence in the US. The conference sparked debate about Harvard's role and Pakistan's influence in American academia.

A bomb explosion in Nigeria, claimed by the Islamic State's West Africa Province (ISWAP), killed 26 people, including women and children. The explosives struck civilian vehicles on a route between Rann and Gamboru in Borno state. A Toyota pickup carrying farmers and traders suffered the most casualties after hitting a landmine.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the Pahalgam terror attack in calls with India and Pakistan, emphasizing accountability. Jaishankar agreed on the importance of bringing perpetrators to justice, while Sharif urged the UN to counsel India to exercise restraint. PM Modi has granted the armed forces full authority to respond decisively to terrorism.

With major powers distracted by other crises, analysts say India is interpreting the expressions of support by many countries for its pursuit of justice as a green light for any measures it takes

Despite U.S. restrictions, Huawei is developing the Ascend 910D, a powerful AI processor aiming to rival Nvidia's H100 chip. This move highlights China's resilience in the semiconductor industry and its push for technological self-sufficiency. Huawei plans to ship significant quantities of its Ascend chips, demonstrating its ability to overcome challenges and compete in the AI sector.

Swedish police are investigating a shooting in Uppsala after multiple people were injured in the city centre. Authorities received numerous calls reporting loud bangs, and officers arriving at the scene discovered individuals with injuries consistent with gunfire. A large area has been cordoned off as investigators work to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.