CANBERRA: The prime ministers of Australia and Vanuatu signed an agreement Monday that bars a foreign military base on the Pacific island. &quot;What this does do is to provide certainty for Australia that there will be no foreign military base,&quot; Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters after signing the deal in Canberra with his Vanuatu counterpart, Jotham Napat.

Australasia

The prime ministers of Australia and Vanuatu signed an agreement Monday that bars a foreign military base on the Pacific island

Australia, Vanuatu sign deal barring foreign military base on Pacific Island

WASHINGTON: The World Bank on Monday extended its climate change policy framework indefinitely but dropped its targets for the percentage of financing that must have climate-related impacts, according to a statement. &quot;We will complete our shift from inputs to outcomes to maximize development impact,&quot; said a World Bank Group statement. &quot;We will&nbsp;retire&nbsp;the 45-percent climate co-benefits target and the 35-percent target in the (Climate Change Action Plan),&quot; it said. The United States, the World Bank&#39;s largest shareholder, has abruptly changed policy on climate change under President Donald Trump, who has called it a &quot;hoax&quot; and ramped up spending on fossil fuels. In April, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called for the bank to drop its climate finance targets, saying it &quot;breeds inefficiency, distorts economic decision-making, and moves the bank away from its core mission.&quot; The World Bank statement said that further work on climate change outcomes would be driven by demand from client countries. The bank&#39;s yearly climate financing targets under its Climate Change Action Plans (CCAPs) have largely been reached since work on the area began in 2016. In 2025, 48 percent of the World Bank Group&#39;s financing had &quot;climate co-benefits,&quot; amounting to roughly $50.8 billion, according to official data. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says that climate change is indisputably attributable to human activity, and in particular to the burning of fossil fuels (gas, oil, coal), especially since the end of the 19th century. Under Trump, however, there has been a widespread official rejection of climate change as a manmade phenomenon, with the administration embracing high-polluting fossil fuels and shelving renewable energy projects. Since taking office for his second term, Trump has also exerted pressure on global institutions and other countries to lessen their focus on climate change. One of the main causes of global warming is the enhanced greenhouse effect, caused by greenhouse gases (GHGs) that persist in the atmosphere. The World Bank will continue to report on net greenhouse gas emissions and on the percentage of its projects that have a climate-change impact, the statement said. The World Bank&#39;s work is primarily focused on developing countries, which are least responsible for global warming. Climate financing for these countries includes loans for renewable energy projects, technical advice on dealing with impacts of climate change, and projects that build resilience in areas prone to natural disasters.

Climate

The World Bank on Monday extended its climate change policy framework indefinitely but dropped its targets for the percentage of financing that must have climate-related impacts, according to a statement.

World Bank drops climate finance targets in renewed action plan

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday welcomed the first financial closing of Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL), describing it as a historic milestone in the country&rsquo;s privatization journey and a major step forward in the government&rsquo;s economic reform agenda. Congratulating the nation, PM Sharif, in a statement, said the successful completion of the first closing demonstrates that complex and strategic transactions can be executed transparently, competitively, and on time through a whole-of-government approach.&nbsp; He said the achievement sends a strong message to domestic and international investors that Pakistan is open for business, committed to reforms, and ready for sustainable economic growth.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2071614053844488481&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=20fb3149a22aa3a5338edcf3162e5597d8ec17f2&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 369px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> Shehbaz Sharif said the first financial closing marks the beginning of a new chapter for PIA and brings the national flag carrier closer to regaining its past glory.&nbsp; He assured that the government remains committed to protecting the interests of employees, passengers, and consumers while ensuring a smooth transition and uninterrupted airline operations under all applicable aviation laws and regulatory oversight. The Prime Minister commended Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and his team, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Adviser on Privatization Muhammad Ali, members of the Cabinet Committee on Privatization, and the Privatisation Commission for their collective efforts in making the transaction successful. Earlier, in a statement, the Privatisation Commission announced that management control of PIACL has formally been transferred to the investor consortium led by Arif Habib Corporation Limited after fulfilling all conditions under the Share Purchase and Subscription Agreement (SPSA).&nbsp;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2071576474705121310&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=20fb3149a22aa3a5338edcf3162e5597d8ec17f2&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 321px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> The restructured board has appointed Lt Gen (Retd) Anwar Ali Haider as Chairman of the privatized airline. According to a statement from the the commission, over 40 regulatory, commercial, contractual, taxation, governance, and financing conditions were completed before the first closing, including approvals from domestic and international aviation authorities and aircraft lessors. PIA also made a similar statement separately towards the Monday evening. Under the agreement, the investor consortium has paid Rs 10 billion to the government as sale proceeds and injected Rs 80 billion as fresh equity into PIACL. The investment will strengthen the airline&rsquo;s financial position, support fleet expansion and modernization, enhance operational performance, expand the route network, and improve customer services. The Arif Habib-led consortium acquired a 75 percent stake in PIACL for Rs135 billion during the competitive bidding process completed in December 2025.

Economy

Privatization Commission announces the formal transfer of management control of PIACL to the investor consortium led by Arif Habib Corporation Limited after fulfilling all conditions under the Share Purchase and Subscription Agreement

PM Sharif hails historic first financial closing of PIA privatization

PARIS: The hundreds of millions who use Meta-owned messenger WhatsApp to chat with family, friends or businesses will no longer need to share phone numbers under a coming update, the company said Monday. Instead, people will be able to pick unique usernames to share with others, in a move &quot;designed to protect the privacy of your phone number,&quot; WhatsApp said in a statement. Restricting access to phone numbers would mean they are not shared automatically in cases such as being added to a large group chat or messaging person or business for the first time, the company added. What&#39;s more &quot;there&#39;s no directory to browse and no suggestions, so people need to know your exact username to contact you,&quot; Meta said. As with other social media services, the sheer number of people Meta claims over three billion using WhatsApp means many may not get their first choice of handle. The company said it would gradually roll out username reservations worldwide &quot;over the coming months&quot;, notifying users in each country when they open there. Meanwhile &quot;creators, small businesses and organizations&quot; will be allowed to claim WhatsApp usernames that they already use on fellow Meta products Facebook or Instagram.

Artificial Intelligence

WhatsApp introduces unique usernames, allowing users to connect without sharing phone numbers. The update enhances privacy, has no searchable directory, and rolls out globally over the coming months, while creators and businesses can reserve existing Meta usernames.

WhatsApp messenger to begin offering usernames

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani man from the north-eastern city of Gujrat&nbsp;has been honored by Italian authorities for displaying exceptional courage after rescuing two children from a violent attacker in the northern city of Brescia, despite having undergone heart surgery just three months earlier. The Saudi-born 39-year-old Naveed Aslam, who works as a delivery courier in Italy, was recognized by the Mayor of Brescia with a civic plaque for his brave actions during an incident on June 19. According to reports, Aslam was spending time with his family at a local park when a man, reportedly under house arrest and suffering from a drug-induced psychiatric episode, attacked children nearby. The assailant first grabbed a four-year-old Egyptian boy by the neck before targeting a seven-year-old child moments later. Without hesitation, Aslam intervened to protect the children. Despite recently receiving a cardiac pacemaker following a serious heart condition, he restrained the attacker for nearly 20 minutes until police arrived. Recalling the incident, Aslam said he drew strength from the values instilled in him by his mother. &ldquo;If anyone is in trouble or facing hardship, you must help them. This is what my mother taught me,&rdquo; he said. He also revealed that his wife had tried to stop him from intervening due to concerns about his health, but he believed it was his responsibility to protect innocent children. Following the incident, medical examinations confirmed that although Aslam suffered bruising to his chest during the struggle, his pacemaker remained undamaged. On Friday, Brescia Mayor Laura Castelletti presented Aslam with a civic award, praising his &ldquo;heartfelt and courageous gesture.&rdquo;&nbsp; She also announced that his pending Italian citizenship application would be expedited in recognition of his exemplary civic spirit. Originally from Pakistan, Aslam spent the first 26 years of his life in Riyadh before moving to Pakistan and later settling in Italy seven years ago. After receiving the honor, Aslam said making his parents proud meant more to him than public recognition or the prospect of Italian citizenship. &ldquo;I have made my mother&rsquo;s and father&rsquo;s names shine with pride,&rdquo; he said, while his mother watched the ceremony virtually from Gujrat in Punjab province of Pakistan.<p style='box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Roboto, -apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 2;' id="isPasted">&nbsp;<hr style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 1px 0px 0px; border-style: solid; border-color: currentcolor; border-image: initial; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; height: 0px; color: inherit; font-family: Roboto, -apple-system, &quot;system-ui&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, sans-serif;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Roboto, -apple-system, &quot;system-ui&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: oklch(0.985 0.002 247.839); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">This article was initially published on Arab News&#39; website on June 29, 2026.

Europe

A Pakistani delivery worker receives a civic award from Italy after rescuing two children from a violent attacker in Brescia, restraining the assailant despite recent heart surgery.

Pakistani man honored in Italy for heroic rescue of children

KINSHASA:&nbsp;A deadly Ebola outbreak has spread to a fourth province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, meaning the country&#39;s entire northeast home to around 15 million people is affected. So far, the epidemic has claimed 360 lives out of 1,274 confirmed cases, according to figures from the World Health Organization. The DRC declared its 17th outbreak of the viral haemorrhagic fever on May 15. This time, it is caused by the Bundibugyo strain, for which there is no vaccine or specific treatment. Clinical trials are set to begin in the coming days, according to the WHO, which has issued an international alert over the disease. The conflict-hit Ituri province is the epicentre of the outbreak, reporting 1,165 cases and 301 deaths, according to health authorities. Scientists and aid workers say the real numbers are likely higher. Until now, two other provinces had been affected: North Kivu and South Kivu. Twenty cases, including two deaths, have also been reported across the border in Uganda. Haut-Uele, bordering South Sudan and the Central African Republic, is now the fourth affected province. One case was detected after an infected person travelled from Bunia, Ituri&#39;s capital, into Haut-Uele, according to a source at the National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB). That person has since died, another health source told AFP. Authorities are now trying to trace the chain of transmission and identify contacts. In many cases, the virus has spread at funerals, where the highly infectious bodies of Ebola victims are handled. For weeks, aid workers, facing mistrust among local communities, have struggled to plan safe burials in affected areas to prevent contact with the dead. In the DRC, as in much of Africa, funerals often last several days, during which family and friends traditionally touch the body of the deceased. Health centres have reported incidents of angry confrontations after relatives demanded they hand over the bodies of their family member.

the Ebola Treatment Center of the Center Médical Évangélique (CME), in Bunia, Ituri, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo on June 23, 2026. (Photo by Benediction MURHABAZI / AFP)

Africa

A deadly Ebola outbreak spreads to a fourth province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, killing 360 people among 1,274 confirmed cases. The Bundibugyo strain has no approved vaccine, while authorities race to trace infections and contain transmission.

Ebola outbreak in DR Congo spreads to fourth province

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is hosting the first-ever international seminar on the Indus Waters Treaty in Islamabad on Tuesday, bringing together renowned water and legal experts from around the world to highlight Islamabad&rsquo;s rights under the landmark water-sharing agreement. Announcing the seminar at a news conference in Islamabad on Monday, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said the event would address various legal and technical aspects of the treaty and raise international awareness of Pakistan&#39;s water rights.&nbsp; Titled &ldquo;Indus Water Treaty: An Instrument of Peace &amp; Regional Stability,&rdquo; the seminar&rsquo;s first two sessions will be addressed by Pakistan&rsquo;s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Besides, several foreign delegates, water experts, engineers, foreign dignitaries, former ministers and government functionaries would speak and present papers during the three sessions of the one-day seminar, which is being described as the first of its kind. &ldquo;The global community has consistently acknowledged Pakistan&#39;s position on the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it a significant success for the country in the narrative domain,&rdquo; said the minister, who will deliver the opening address at the seminar. Emphasizing that the treaty cannot be unilaterally revoked, suspended or amended by any one party, Tarar said, &ldquo;Pakistan&#39;s rights under the agreement remain legally protected.&rdquo; Reaffirming the government&#39;s commitment to safeguarding the country&#39;s water interests, the information minister said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir have declared water Pakistan&#39;s lifeline and red line. Speaking at the news conference, Minister for Climate Change Dr Musadik Malik said that Pakistan has consistently raised the issue of the Indus Waters Treaty at international fora, including the United Nations and that the Court of Arbitration has also upheld Pakistan&#39;s legal position.&nbsp; He reiterated that Pakistan would not allow any attempt to obstruct or divert its share of water under the treaty. Dr Malik stressed the importance of developing a national consensus on constructing dams to enhance water storage capacity and ensure reliable water supplies for agriculture. He said regulating water resources through additional reservoirs was essential for the country&#39;s long-term water security.

Foreign Affairs

The one-day seminar on June 30 will examine various legal and technical aspects of the IWT and raise international awareness of Pakistan's water rights; foreign delegates, water experts, engineers, foreign dignitaries, former ministers and government functionaries will address participants.

Pakistan to host first international seminar on Indus Waters Treaty

STADE: Five people were shot dead at a youth welfare centre in Germany Monday and the suspected gunman has been arrested, police said, in one of the country&#39;s deadliest mass shootings in years. Police in protective vests and ambulances were seen in large numbers at the site in the northern city of Stade, west of Hamburg, in the wake of the gun rampage. &quot;Homicides involving multiple victims occurred at a youth welfare facility&quot; in the city, police said. &quot;Five people were fatally injured and additional individuals sustained injuries.&quot; The suspected gunman and a second alleged perpetrator were arrested, police said, adding that investigations into what precisely happened were ongoing. There was no longer any danger to the public, they said. As news emerged of the shooting, police confirmed that a major operation was under way in Stade, a city of about 50,000 people, on the Elbe river, 50 kilometres (30 miles) west of Hamburg. Images in local media showed a large contingent of police and ambulances gathered on a cobble-stoned street in Stade while helicopters hovered overhead. &quot;We ask you to leave the area and give it a wide berth for your own safety,&quot; police said in an earlier post on X. Germany has some of Europe&#39;s strictest gun laws -- they require anyone under 25 to pass a psychiatric exam before applying for a gun licence -- and mass shootings are relatively rare. But they occur from time to time, and Monday&#39;s was among the deadliest in recent times. In February 2020, a far-right extremist shot dead nine people and wounded five others in the central German city of Hanau. In March 2023 a disgruntled former Jehovah&#39;s Witness member shot dead six people from the Christian group&#39;s congregation in the German city of Hamburg, before turning the gun on himself. In May 2022 a 21-year-old gunman opened fire at a secondary school in northern Germany, badly injuring a female member of staff before being arrested.

Police and rescue personnel work near the scene where five people were killed in a shooting in Stade, northern Germany, a city some 50 kilometres west of Hamburg, on June 29, 2026.

Five people killed in a shooting at a youth welfare center in Stade, Germany, while police arrest the suspected gunman and another alleged accomplice.

Five dead in shooting at German youth welfare center: police

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Secretary-General&#39;s Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict has highlighted the ongoing impact of conflict and insecurity on children in Afghanistan, documenting hundreds of verified grave violations. According to the report, the UN verified 1,647 grave violations affecting 559 children, including 434 boys and 125 girls, in Afghanistan.&nbsp; An additional 244 violations from previous years were also verified during the reporting period.&nbsp; The report notes that children in Afghanistan continue to bear the consequences of violence, insecurity and restrictions affecting their safety and well-being. The report, prepared in light of a Security Council resolution, comprises consultations and covers the period from January to December 2025. It includes trends regarding the impact of armed conflict on children and information on violations committed, as requested by the Security Council. Casualties and recruitmentThe report states that 543 children were killed or injured during the year in Afghanistan.&nbsp; Explosive ordnance remained the leading cause of child casualties, while cross-border shelling, air strikes and attacks by various armed groups also contributed to civilian harm. The UN further verified the recruitment and use of 11 boys by the Taliban for combat and support roles, calling for an immediate end to the practice and adherence to international child protection standards. Attacks on schools and humanitarian accessThe report documented 135 verified attacks on schools and hospitals, with most incidents attributed to the Taliban. It also verified the military use of 31 schools, although 14 of those facilities were later vacated. Humanitarian operations also faced significant challenges.&nbsp; The UN verified 950 incidents of the denial of humanitarian access, disrupting the delivery of essential assistance to children and vulnerable communities across the country. UN calls for greater protectionThe UN Secretary-General urged all parties in Afghanistan, particularly the Taliban, to strengthen the protection of children and comply with international humanitarian and human rights obligations.&nbsp; The report calls for an end to the recruitment and use of children, improved clearance of explosive remnants of war, unhindered humanitarian access, and greater protection of schools and hospitals in Afghanistan. The UN also reiterated its call for the removal of restrictions affecting girls&#39; education in Afghanistan and for measures that ensure all Afghan children have access to education, healthcare and humanitarian assistance without discrimination. Other regionsThe UN Secretary-General&#39;s report describes 2025 as one of the worst years on record for children affected by armed conflict.&nbsp; The United Nations verified 41,370 grave violations against 22,495 children across 20 country situations and one regional monitoring arrangement, marking a sharp increase from the previous year.&nbsp; The report notes a 25% rise in verified grave violations, with children increasingly exposed to killing, maiming, recruitment by armed groups, sexual violence, abduction, attacks on schools and hospitals, and denial of humanitarian access.&nbsp; The UN warned that the growing disregard for international humanitarian and human rights law continues to place millions of children at heightened risk in conflict-affected regions worldwide.

Afghanistan

Report verifies 1,647 grave violations affecting 559 children, including 434 boys and 125 girls, in Afghanistan; also verifies additional 244 violations occurring in previous years. UN Secretary-General urges Afghan Taliban to protect children in their country. 

Children in Afghanistan continue to face grave challenges: UN report

ISLAMABAD: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a new presidential distinction from Seychelles on Sunday, but the image of the certificate that circulated publicly drew more scrutiny than the honor itself after journalists and fact-checkers identified spelling errors, an AI watermark, and a four-day gap between the award&#39;s creation and its presentation. The &quot;Guardian of the Blue Horizon&quot; was authorized by the Seychelles Cabinet on June 24, just 96 hours before the ceremony, according to former Rajya Sabha member Saket Gokhale, who posted the cabinet decision on X. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed the award at an MEA press briefing in Victoria on June 28. Even Seychelles President Patrick Herminie himself announced the award for Modi at a press conference, according to a video published by Press Trust India. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 648px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2071154605111877951&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fmedia-library%2F&sessionId=2521620ad6e7f83db315ffef344737ceedf51cfa&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> Indian state media was quick to tout it as &ldquo;the first time&rdquo; the &ldquo;distinction&rdquo; had been &ldquo;conferred&rdquo; on anyone. The certificate image distributed through BJP promotional channels then went viral for all the wrong reasons. Aroon Deep, who covers technology policy for The Hindu, reshared a post by a WION editor, Sidhant Sibal and attached an image as proof that the honor was, in his words, &quot;Generated with OpenAI tools.&quot; <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-2" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 1395px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2071155962942197869&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fmedia-library%2F&sessionId=2521620ad6e7f83db315ffef344737ceedf51cfa&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> &quot;Seychelles used ChatGPT to make a state honor for PM Modi,&quot; he wrote on X. Mohammed Zubair, co-founder of fact-checking organization AltNews, separately catalogued the text errors on X. &quot;It&#39;s OPVS and not OPUS. It&#39;s Republic and not Repubblic. It&#39;s Seychelles and not Seycheeles.&quot; <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-3" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 576px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-3&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2071245754547490926&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fmedia-library%2F&sessionId=2521620ad6e7f83db315ffef344737ceedf51cfa&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> The forensic basis for the AI claim centers on a SynthID watermark detected in the image. SynthID, developed by Google DeepMind and documented by IndiaAI, embeds an imperceptible identifier directly into an image&#39;s pixel structure, one that survives compression, resizing, and file conversion, according to Silicon.co.uk. Its presence in the circulated graphic indicated that it was AI-generated. It did not, however, establish that the physical certificate presented at the State House carried the same errors. Generative AI tools are known to treat text as a visual pattern rather than a linguistic structure, frequently producing characters that look plausible but are misspelled, as documented by UX Collective. The legislative timeline further compressed the window.&nbsp; According to ANI News, Seychelles recently overhauled its national honors framework and instituted the new Presidential Distinction category, leaving communications teams with fewer than four days between cabinet approval and the ceremony. The Wire reported the timeline using Seychelles state records. Neither the Indian Ministry of External Affairs nor the Seychelles State House published a high-resolution scan of the certificate on their official portals. This makes any comparison between the circulated image and the physical document impossible. Supriya Shrinate of the opposition Indian National Congress flagged the four-day turnaround on X.&nbsp; The Deccan Herald reported that opposition figures drew a direct line between the award&#39;s rushed creation and India&#39;s concurrent announcement of a $175 million Special Economic Package for Seychelles, comprising a $125 million concessional line of credit and $50 million in grants. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 991px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2071440725225730170&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fmedia-library%2F&sessionId=2521620ad6e7f83db315ffef344737ceedf51cfa&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> The optics were difficult to ignore. A freshly minted award, a $175 million check, and a certificate that appears to have been generated by the same technology now available to anyone with an internet connection.&nbsp; Neither government has offered an explanation, and neither has taken the certificate down.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi accepts the "Guardian of the Blue Horizon" medal from Seychelles President Patrick Herminie during an official presentation ceremony at the State House in Victoria, Sunday, June 28, 2026. (News On Air)

India

India's prime minister accepts newly created Seychelles honor, but the image of the certificate circulating online contains three spelling errors and an AI-generation watermark, raising questions neither government has addressed.

Modi's Seychelles award certificate marred by typos, AI watermark

ISLAMABAD: The All India Congress Committee on Monday questioned Defense Minister Rajnath Singh for misleading parliament by saying no soldiers were killed during Operation Sindoor, noting that the recent addition of six names to the National War Memorial contradicted his statement. India&#39;s opposition Congress party, in a post on X, shared a video clip of Colonel Rohit Chaudhry (retd), chairman of the Congress&#39;s ex-servicemen department of the All India Congress Committee, addressing a press conference in New Delhi, saying that Singh had &quot;insulted&quot; the soldiers who died during the operation by claiming in parliament that the military had suffered no losses. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2071492607323291816&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=1d04da82a8f431278a5710e3eb2816b15a51a3b8&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 728px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" spellcheck="false">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div> Chaudhry said the defense minister had told parliament, &quot;If you want to ask a question, ask this: was there any loss of our brave soldiers in this operation? The answer is no.&quot; Holding up a list, the committee chairman said the names of six personnel had since been added to the National War Memorial in New Delhi, more than 13 months after the operation ended and with no formal announcement, arguing that the inscription contradicted the minister&#39;s statement and that the names prove the statement was a lie. &quot;Rajnath Singh lied to the nation, lied in Parliament,&quot; he said, adding that &quot;he should resign.&quot; He further claimed that 10 soldiers had died during Operation Sindoor and questioned why only six names had been added to the memorial. &quot;Where are the names of those four other brave soldiers who were martyred?&quot; Chaudhry said. &ldquo;In the BJP, neither is responsibility taken, nor is there accountability, nor responsibility; there is only lies and fraud.&rdquo; Chaudhry also played a video of a woman identified as the mother of an Indian Air Force serviceman, Surendra Moga, who criticized Singh&#39;s remarks and said they had compounded her family&#39;s grief.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, chairman of Congress's ex-servicemen department says Singh had 'insulted' the soldiers who died during the operation by claiming in parliament that the military had suffered no losses.