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https://www.ft.com/content/0267b431-2ec9-4ca4-9d5c-5abf61f2b082
**Saudi Arabia and Pakistan Sign Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement to Formalize Security Cooperation**
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have formalized their long-standing security cooperation by signing a **Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement**, marking a significant step toward institutionalizing their military ties. The pact pledges mutual support in the event of any external aggression, reflecting a shared commitment to regional security and peace.
The agreement was signed during Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s state visit to Riyadh and was announced through a joint statement following his talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. According to Reuters, this new accord aims to enhance defense cooperation between the two Islamic nations and strengthen joint deterrence against any aggression.
A key feature of the pact is that any attack on either country will be considered an attack on both, representing a major shift from informal security arrangements to a formalized military framework.
A senior Saudi official described the deal as the culmination of years of discussions and emphasized that it is not a reaction to any recent conflict or specific country. The official also noted that it is a comprehensive defensive agreement encompassing all military means but declined to specify whether it includes Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal.
This agreement follows days after an extraordinary joint session of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), convened in response to Israel’s strike on Doha on September 9 targeting senior Hamas leaders. However, the Saudi official stressed that the new pact is not directly linked to this incident.
In addition to defense cooperation, both leaders discussed ways to enhance the strategic partnership across various fields and exchanged views on regional and global issues, according to Al Jazeera.
While Saudi Arabia strengthens its defense ties with Pakistan, it reiterated that its growing relationship with India remains unaffected. The Saudi official commented, “Our relationship with India is more robust than it has ever been,” a noteworthy statement given the brief conflict between India and Pakistan earlier in May.
**A Long History of Military Cooperation**
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share a deep history of military collaboration. Since 1967, Islamabad has trained over 8,200 Saudi military personnel, and the two nations have conducted multiple joint military exercises, underscoring their enduring partnership.
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/pakistan-saudi-arabia-defence-pact-declares-joint-response-to-any-agresssion-on-either-no-shift-in-india-ties-says-riyadh/articleshow/123961139.cms
**President Trump Announces Plan to Designate Antifa as a Major Terrorist Organization**
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced early Thursday that he plans to designate antifa as a major terrorist organization. Antifa, short for anti-fascists, is an umbrella term for far-left-leaning militant groups rather than a singular entity. These groups primarily resist fascists and neo-Nazis, especially during demonstrations.
It remains unclear how the administration intends to label what is effectively a decentralized movement as a terrorist organization. The White House did not immediately provide further details following the announcement on Wednesday.
Trump, who is currently on a state visit to the United Kingdom, made the announcement in a social media post shortly before 1:30 a.m. Thursday local time. In the post, he described antifa as a “SICK, DANGEROUS, RADICAL LEFT DISASTER.” He also stated that he will be strongly recommending investigations into funders of antifa.
As a domestic entity, antifa is not eligible for inclusion on the State Department’s list of foreign terror organizations. That list currently includes dozens of groups, such as extremist organizations like the Islamic State and al-Qaida. The designation is significant because it allows the Justice Department to prosecute individuals who provide material support to listed entities, even if that support does not lead to violence.
However, there is no domestic equivalent to this list, partly due to broad First Amendment protections afforded to organizations operating within the United States. Despite periodic calls — especially after mass shootings by white supremacists — to establish a domestic terrorism law, no singular statute currently exists.
In an exchange with reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, Trump said he would pursue a domestic terrorism designation for antifa if the move had the support of Attorney General Pam Bondi and other members of his Cabinet.
“It’s something I would do, yeah. I would do that 100%,” Trump said. “Antifa is terrible.”
On Wednesday night, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) praised the announcement, stating: “Antifa seized upon a movement of legitimate grievances to promote violence and anarchy, working against justice for all. The President is right to recognize the destructive role of Antifa by designating them domestic terrorists.”
Cassidy, along with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), introduced a resolution in July 2019 condemning the violent acts of antifa and calling to designate the group as a domestic terror organization.
During the 2020 George Floyd protests, Trump also raised the idea of designating antifa as a terror organization. However, Trump’s former FBI Director Christopher Wray testified that year that antifa is an ideology rather than an organization, lacking the hierarchical structure typically required for federal terrorism designation.
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/world/americas/trump-says-hell-designate-antifa-as-a-terrorist-group-1904457
The Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections for 2025 are scheduled to be held today, September 18. This year’s polls promise a tough three-cornered contest among the major players: Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), and the SFI-AISA alliance. With more than 2.75 lakh students expected to cast their votes, the competition is intense and closely watched.
In an effort to ensure a fair and transparent election process, the university has implemented new security arrangements and strengthened enforcement of the Lyngdoh Committee guidelines. Increased vigilance against malpractice and stricter regulations make this election one of the most monitored in recent times.
The voting will be conducted in two phases:
Students arriving within these time frames will be allowed to vote, as per DUSU guidelines.
Regarding eligibility, students must carry valid identification:
Voting for the four central panel positions—President, Vice President, Secretary, and Joint Secretary—will be conducted using electronic voting machines (EVMs), while college-level elections will continue to use ballot papers.
The leading candidates from the major student groups are as follows:
Following a directive from the Delhi High Court last year, strict anti-defacement measures are in place. Posters, graffiti, and wall writings have been banned on all university and college premises.
Moreover, colleges have been advised to prevent candidates from enticing students through recreational offers such as movie outings or park visits, ensuring the focus remains on fair campaigning.
To safeguard the integrity of the polls, Delhi Police has ramped up security efforts, deploying extra personnel, installing CCTV cameras, and equipping officers with 160 body-worn cameras. Vehicles with tinted windows or missing number plates will be thoroughly checked as part of security protocols.
As the voting progresses, students, candidates, and observers alike are watching closely to see who will emerge victorious in this fiercely contested election.
