Any military response to a cross-border terror attack from Pakistan will have to take into account the new alignments beginning to take shape in the region, points out former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.
A question has been raised whether the Mecca Pact will have a negative impact on our doctrine that the Operation Sindoor has only been suspended and that it would be resumed if Pakistan engages in terrorism in the future. But the Mecca Pact only speaks of aggression, not defence against terrorism, points out Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.
Bangladesh is considering joining a newly formed defence alliance between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkiye, with junior ministers stating that any decision would be based on national interests and a "Bangladesh First" policy. The pact, signed in Makkah, aims for collective deterrence.
'It beggars belief that Saudi Arabia would deploy military force against India, a top partner and market.'
7 Dogs has all the money, stars and kinetic action you could want, but its vanity-project sheen cannot hide a painfully generic screenplay, observes Sreeju Sreedharan.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye on Friday signed a key joint defence agreement under which an attack against one of them will be treated as an attack against all of them, amid increasing security concerns in the wake of escalating tensions in West Asia.
Pakistan, Turkiye, and Saudi Arabia have signed a trilateral defence pact, agreeing to treat an attack on one as an attack on all. Analysts suggest this alliance could significantly diminish the United States' strategic influence in West Asia and elevate Pakistan's geopolitical standing, potentially acting as a deterrent in regional conflicts.
The ministry of external affairs on Friday dismissed as 'fake news' reports alleging that India had requested Israel to sign a defence pact in response to the newly formed Pakistan-Saudi Arabia-Turkey security framework.
The PCB will build a cricket stadium as per international standards and with state-of-the-art facilities, said the Pakistan Cricket Board.
Maxi Araujo scored a late equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw for Uruguay in their World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia on Monday, preventing another stunning upset in Group H after Spain's earlier goalless draw with Cape Verde.
Indian rally drivers Naveen Puligilla and Musa Sherif secured their third consecutive podium finish, taking third place at the Rally del Paraguay, part of the FIA World Rally Championship. This follows their previous successes in Saudi Arabia and Kenya, highlighting their consistent performance on the global stage.
Spain arrive into their Group H clash against Saudi Arabia needing a sharper attacking display after being held to a shock 0-0 draw by World Cup debutants Cape Verde in their opening match in Atlanta.
Inspired by Lamine Yamal, Spain strolled to a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia in Group H on Sunday, where Mikel Oyarzabal restored his reputation with two goals and Luis de la Fuente's side found their groove after an underwhelming World Cup opener.
Saudi Arabia coach Georgios Donis said his players lacked self-confidence in the second as they failed to hold on to their lead with Maxi Araujo equalising for Uruguay in the 2nd half.
Indian rally driver Naveen Puligilla and co-driver Musa Sherif are participating in the WRC3 category of Rally del Paraguay, the 11th round of the FIA World Rally Championship. The duo, fresh off a win in Rwanda and a historic WRC podium in Saudi Arabia, will navigate 22 red-gravel special stages, with Puligilla emphasising the need for precision due to the rally's challenging conditions.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Al Nassr defeated Damac 4-1 to clinch the Saudi Pro League title, securing the club's first league crown since 2019 and Ronaldo's maiden Saudi triumph.
India has been drawn into Group E of the AFC U-17 Men's Asian Cup Qualifiers, alongside hosts Malaysia, Palestine, Singapore, and Guam. The qualifiers will take place in Malaysia from November 11 to 20, with India aiming for their 11th appearance in the main tournament, scheduled for Uzbekistan in 2027.
'An experience I will never forget, what a welcoming, friendly, and welcoming people.'
A champions' mentality, a new generation of fearless players are some of the qualities that will have Saudi Arabia wary of the former champions in their upcoming Group H match on Sunday.
'In the current environment, India is effectively paying a premium for supply security and diversification.'
Cristiano Ronaldo was impressed by his 16-year-old son's dedication in training for Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr youth team.
Cristiano Ronaldo has fuelled speculation about his retirement plans after saying the upcoming year will probably be the last of his playing career.
Non-resident Indians are increasingly investing in luxury homes in India, driven by geopolitical uncertainties, particularly the Iran war. This trend is observed across major cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and the National Capital Region, with developers noting a significant rise in NRI pre-sales. While some see it as a temporary shift, others believe India is becoming a stable, long-term investment destination for NRIs, especially those from West Asia.
Lionel Messi leaves as a World Cup winner and twice Copa America champion, the man who stepped out of Diego Maradona's immense shadow to create an Argentine legacy entirely his own.
Ibrahim Mbaye, the 18-year-old Senegal forward, has completed a permanent transfer from Paris St Germain to Premier League club Aston Villa.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will chair a two-day meeting of BRICS Sports and Youth Ministers in Visakhapatnam, aiming to strengthen cooperation in youth affairs and sports, with a focus on sports manufacturing, indigenous disciplines, and youth development.
Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to training with Al-Nassr just days after marrying his long-time partner Georgina Rodriguez in a private ceremony in Cascais, Portugal.
The inaugural Esports Nations Cup, initially planned for November this year, has been postponed to November 2027 by the Esports Foundation. This decision was made following an assessment of the wider regional situation and to ensure stability for participating national teams, publishers, partners, and fans. Despite the postponement, Saudi Arabia remains capable of hosting events, and existing development fund commitments will be maintained.
A proposed deal between Iran and Oman could grant Tehran control over vessels entering the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a senior Iranian source and two regional officials who spoke to Reuters on Wednesday, in what represents one of the most significant concessions made to Iran to date.
Bento blunder delays Al Nassr's title celebrations.
Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has married his longtime girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez in a private civil ceremony in Cascais, Portugal.
The US has informed allies it will avoid new military strikes on Iran, instead focusing on economic sanctions and maritime enforcement, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz. This strategic shift aims to intensify pressure on Tehran's economy and oil exports while keeping the military option open if Iran initiates aggression. Diplomatic efforts continue amidst persistent regional tensions and maritime incidents.
Zlatko Dalic, former Croatia manager, has been appointed as the new head coach of the United Arab Emirates national football team. He previously led Croatia to a World Cup final and returns to the UAE where he won a league title with Al Ain.
Al Hilal rallied to defeat Al Kholood 2-1 in the Saudi King's Cup final, with a late first-half goal from Theo Hernandez securing the victory.
The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has launched the ISSF Shotgun Referee Course in New Delhi, a five-day programme aimed at developing internationally qualified technical officials for shooting sports. The course, led by ISSF instructor Nooruddin Alyasi, attracts participants from India, Saudi Arabia, and Sri Lanka, signifying a major step towards enhancing officiating standards and technical infrastructure in the region.
Donald Trump stated that Iran has been given a "last chance" to reach an agreement, revealing that the US paused a planned military strike after receiving requests from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Iran to pursue diplomacy instead.
US Vice President JD Vance and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a phone call to discuss expanding the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership, focusing on trade, defence, energy security, emerging technologies, and critical minerals. The discussion comes amidst rising tensions in West Asia and recent regional realignments, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation.
'Even if it's just a short moment, he creates something that is pure cinema.'
Inter Milan and Napoli secured victories in their Serie A openers, while Racing Lens and Olympique Lyonnais also began their Ligue 1 campaigns with wins, setting an early pace in their respective leagues.
England international footballer Ivan Toney has been charged with assault causing actual bodily harm following an incident at a Soho nightclub in December last year.
