DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Fri, 27 Feb 2026 17:11:22 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/international/king-charles-iiis-birthday-celebrated-in-bengaluru-ktaka-ministers-attend-event-662934.html Bengaluru Feb 26 Karnataka Ministers MB Patil and MC Sudhakar attended a reception in Bengaluru to mark the birthday of King Charles III highlighting the ties between Karnataka and the UK The event was organised on Thursday by the office of the British Deputy High Commissioner Chandru Iyer at the Taj West End and was attended by government officials industry representatives and members of the diplomatic communitySpeaking at the event Minister for Large and Medium Industries MB Patil said Karnataka and the UK share a long history of engagement particularly in industry and investmentHe added that during his recent visit to London he met industrial leaders and encouraged them to invest in KarnatakaPatil noted that several British companies have established operations in the state and are contributing to its economic activityHe also said discussions were held with representatives of academic institutions including the Imperial College London and the University of LiverpoolHe added that British companies and universities are expected to participate in the proposed Knowledge Wellbeing and Innovation KWIN City project near Dabaspet which is aimed at creating opportunities for youthMinister for Higher Education MC Sudhakar said Karnataka maintains cooperation with the United Kingdom in higher education through twinning programmes that facilitate student exchanges and academic collaborationHe added that 30 students are benefiting from the programme this year similar to last year enabling them to pursue studies abroadSudhakar added that the state government is focusing on skill development and international academic partnerships to expand global opportunities for students from KarnatakaKing Charles III was born on November 14 1948 at Buckingham Palace in London England He is the eldest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh His birth occurred during the reign of his grandfather King George VISince founding the Princes Trust in 1976 using his Â7500 of severance pay from the Royal Navy King Charles III has established 16 more charitable organisations and now serves as President of eachKing Charles III has been known to donate his blood to raise awareness for health causes IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/king-charles-iiis-birthday-celebrated-in-bengaluru-ktaka-ministers-attend-event-662934.html Fri, 27 Feb 2026 07:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/melania-trump-to-be-first-spouse-of-president-to-preside-over-unsc-662935.html United Nations Feb 27 US First Lady Melania Trump is to preside over a meeting of the Security Council when the US takes over its presidency for the month SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterresâs Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Thursday that this would be the first time that the spouse of a president takes the gavel at a session of the Council He said that UnderSecretaryGeneral Rosemary DiCarlo will brief the Council session that will deal with education The First Ladyâs office said she will preside over a session that will discuss education technology and advancing tolerance Melania Trump a former model who was born in Slovenia is the third wife of Trump As First Lady she has promoted initiatives focusing on children One of them is the Be Best campaign that seeks to protect children against cyberbullying and to promote responsible social media use and their health She has also campaigned to improve the educational and career prospects of children raised in foster care US Permanent Representative Michael Waltz said that her leading the session meshed with her advocacy for children He told Fox News that it is fitting that the first lady a passionate and tireless advocate for children will preside over the first day of Americaâs presidency of the Security Councilâ âHer message of helping the helpless through education and technology fits exactly with our mission at the UN to achieve meaningful and lasting peaceâ he added On Sunday the US will take over the rotating presidency of the Council for March from the United Kingdom and its first session will be on Monday Trump who has had harsh words for the UN saying it is not living up to its potential has lately moderated his criticism even as he claimed last week that the Board of Peace would âalmost be looking over the United Nations and making sure it runs properlyâ The Board was set up with the concurrence of the Council to ensure the ceasefire takes hold in Gaza and to facilitate its reconstruction However Trump is trying to give it an openended agenda beyond the Councilâs mandate But Trump also said that the UN has âtremendous potentialâ and there are âsome very good people at the United Nationsâ and offered help to strengthen it After withholding the US dues to the UN of about 4 billion Trump released 160 million last week towards the arrears for last year Dujarric said Melania Trump presiding over the session is a âsign of the importance that the US feels towards the subject of education and children and the Security Councilâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/melania-trump-to-be-first-spouse-of-president-to-preside-over-unsc-662935.html Fri, 27 Feb 2026 07:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-lawmaker-seeks-death-penalty-for-child-rapists-662937.html Washington Feb 27 A Republican lawmaker has introduced legislation in the US House of Representatives to authorise the death penalty for individuals convicted of raping children under federal law declaring there would be âzero mercy for child rapistsâ and that those who prey on minors should face âthe harshest consequence we can deliverâ Unveiling the Death Penalty for Child Rapists Act Congresswoman Nancy Mace said the proposal would send âan unmistakable message Child rapists will pay the ultimate priceââWe have zero mercy for child rapists Those who prey on our most vulnerable deserve the harshest consequence we can deliverâ Mace saidâNo predator should be allowed to walk away from the most unthinkable crimes against children This bill is simple Rape a child and you dont get a second chance you get the death penalty We will never apologize for protecting Americaâs childrenâ she addedAccording to the press release the legislation would amend Title 18 of the United States Code to authorise capital punishment for aggravated sexual abuse of a child under 18 USC Â 2241c sexual abuse of a minor under 18 USC Â 2243a and abusive sexual contact against a child under 18 USC Â 2244The bill would also amend the Uniform Code of Military Justice to permit the death penalty for rape of a child under Article 120b codified at 10 USC Â 920bThe release said the measure builds on Maceâs ârelentless work to hold predators accountableâ including her demands for âfull transparency and justice for the victims of child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and every person who conspired or collaborated with himâShe has stood with survivors in calling for âanswers accountability and consequences which match the severity of the heinous crimes committedâ the statement saidUnder current federal law capital punishment is authorised for a narrow set of offences largely involving homicide and certain national security crimes The US Supreme Court has previously ruled that imposing the death penalty for the rape of a child where the victim does not die violates constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishmentDebates over harsher penalties for sexual crimes against children periodically resurface in US politics particularly in the wake of highprofile abuse and trafficking cases Lawmakers have in recent years advanced measures aimed at strengthening sentencing oversight and victim protectionsMaceâs bill now heads into the congressional process where it would require committee approval passage in both chambers of Congress and the Presidentâs signature to become law IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-lawmaker-seeks-death-penalty-for-child-rapists-662937.html Fri, 27 Feb 2026 07:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-senator-targets-meta-apple-over-bias-662938.html Washington Feb 27 A senior Republican senator has launched a twin attack on two of Americaâs most powerful technology companies accusing Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg of âdenial and deceitâ in a landmark child safety trial and alleging that Apple News has âsystematically suppressedâ rightleaning publications in favour of liberal outlets US Senator Marsha Blackburn speaking on the Senate floor cited newly released court documents from a California trial examining whether social media platforms are designed to harm young usersâNew court documents made public last week revealed that nearly 1 in 5 young teenagers report seeing ânudity or sexual images on Instagramâ that they didnât want to see 1 in 5â she saidâThatâs just one shocking fact that we have learned through a landmark trial in California that is focused on how social media platforms harm American childrenâShe described the findings as deeply troublingâIt is appalling what these companies have done Yet when he testified last week Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg doubled down on his record of denialâwhile sitting just feet away from parents who have tragically lost their children to social media harmsââOnce again Zuckerberg asserted that there is no link between youth social media use and worse mental health outcomes But Metaâs own research has shown the exact oppositeâIn a separate statement following Zuckerbergâs appearance before a jury in Los Angeles Blackburn said âTo no oneâs surprise Mark Zuckerberg followed his usual playbook of denial and deceit while sitting just a few steps away from parents who have tragically lost their children as a consequence of the way his platforms are designed to harm young usersâShe added that â86 per cent of Americans want Big Tech companies to be held accountable for their role in the social media addiction crisisââThese companies are using the same playbook as Big Tobacco did decades ago by trying to keep kids hooked on products that hurt them Itâs time for legislators to stop ignoring the will of the American people and ensure social media platforms are safer by design for our children and grandchildrenâBlackburn also sent a February 19 letter to Apple chief executive Tim Cook raising concerns about alleged bias in Apple NewsLetter to AppleIn the letter she wrote that Apple News had âsystematically suppressed news articles from conservative publications while amplifying articles from liberal outletsââAccording to the Media Research Center MRC which analyzed over 600 stories featured by Apple News in the morning time slots between January 1 and January 31 of this year 440 of these were published by leftleaning outlets A whopping zero stories from outlets considered rightleaning were featuredâShe cited comments that Americans are not âgetting the full scope of perspectives availableâThe letter also referenced a communication from the Federal Trade Commission warning that âthe systematic suppression of viewpointsâregardless of political affiliationâcould violate consumer protection rulesââApple News is automatically installed on Apple devices and was purportedly ranked the most popular news application in the United States Canada and Australia in Januaryâ Blackburn wrote âYou have a responsibility to offer access to information without favor or bias toward one political partyâThe Los Angeles trial marks one of the most closely watched legal confrontations between grieving families and a social media giant over allegations of addictive design and youth harmThe case has intensified pressure on lawmakers to revisit proposals that would impose a statutory âduty of careâ on platforms serving minors IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-senator-targets-meta-apple-over-bias-662938.html Fri, 27 Feb 2026 07:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-elderly-scam-courier-sentenced-to-six-years-in-17-million-fraud-scheme-662939.html Washington Feb 27 A 29yearold man has been sentenced to six years in prison for his role in a scheme that stole over 17 million from elderly victims across the United States Zabi Ullah Mohammed was sentenced to 72 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release US Attorney Kurt Alme said ThursdayMohammed was found guilty after trial in October 2025 of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraudAccording to court documents and evidence presented at trial Mohammed acted as a courier in a scheme designed to steal from elderly victims across the United StatesProsecutors said the fraud took several forms But the objective was consistent Victims were falsely led to believe that it was necessary to withdraw money and other assets from financial institutions and hand them over to a supposed âfederal agentâ for âsafekeepingâThere was no federal agent The money and assets provided under that pretext were stolenAuthorities identified Mohammed as a conspirator after a victim in Missoula Montana reported losing more than 900000 dollars in the scamLaw enforcement then set up a controlled operation Officers arranged a ruse pickup in Missoula using a package fitted with a tracking deviceMohammed arrived to collect the package believing it contained cash When he discovered the tracker inside he threw the package out of his vehicle and attempted to flee He was arrested shortly thereafterAt the time of his arrest Mohammed claimed he too was a victim of the scheme A trial jury rejected that argument and found that he was a member of the conspiracy an official release saidInvestigators said victims in the case collectively lost more than 39 million Mohammed personally retrieved approximately 17 million in gold and US currencyOfficials have repeatedly warned that such scams often target older Americans exploiting fear and trust in government authorities Fraudsters frequently impersonate federal agents or law enforcement officers and instruct victims to move funds urgentlyIn recent years US authorities have stepped up cooperation with international partners to address transnational fraud networks including schemes operating from abroad IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-elderly-scam-courier-sentenced-to-six-years-in-17-million-fraud-scheme-662939.html Fri, 27 Feb 2026 07:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-senators-question-commerce-secretary-over-16-billion-rare-earth-deal-662940.html Washington Feb 27 Democratic Senators have questioned US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick over a 16 billion rareearth minerals deal warning that the arrangement could benefit his immediate family and his former firm Cantor Fitzgerald In a February 25 letter Senators Elizabeth Warren Ron Wyden and Chris Van Hollen said the agreement brokered by the Department of Commerce with USA Rare Earth Inc USAR âcould enrich your immediate familyââThis follows in a long string of actions that you have taken in your capacity as the Secretary of Commerce that could stand to enrich your immediate family and former companyâ the lawmakers wroteThe Department last month announced a tentative deal worth up to 16 billion with USAR Under its terms Commerce would provide âup to 277 million in direct funding and up to 13 billion in loansâ while acquiring 161 million shares or around a 10 per cent stake in the companyOn the same day USAR announced it had raised 15 billion in private funds with Cantor Fitzgerald âas the lead placement agentâ for the transaction The senators noted that âCantor acted as a compensated broker for a company whose financial position was bolstered by a 16 billion public funding agreement from your DepartmentâLutnick previously owned and led Cantor for years His ethics agreement required that he divest this interest He transferred his stake to his adult sons who now lead the firmEthics experts cited in the letter said the âfact that the USAR deal is brokered by the Wall Street firm formerly run by the commerce secretary â and now headed by his sons â is reason to worry that the public interest is being subordinated yet again to the profit seeking of Trump croniesâThe senators said Lutnick âpublicly touted and reportedly were personally involved inâ the USAR deal They referred to reports that he met USARâs chief executive in November 2025 and asked âwhat would it take for USA Rare Earth to go faster and to scale furtherâUSARâs chief executive Barbara Humpton was quoted as saying the âfirst condition is we were asked to go raise private money by Commerceâ The company ultimately raised 15 billion in private investment in public equity funding alongside the federal commitmentThe lawmakers also pointed to SEC filings showing that billionaire Trump allies including Steve Schwarzman Ken Griffin and Steven A Cohen bought discounted shares of USAR in the private fundraising transaction brokered by CantorâIf they had inside information on the Commerce Department it could potentially implicate federal ethics rules â as well as raising questions about corruption related to financial rewards for wealthy supporters of President Trump and his administrationâ the senators wroteThey have asked Lutnick to respond to a series of questions by March 11 including details of his involvement in the deal any guidance received from ethics officials and whether he complied with federal recusal requirementsRare earth minerals are critical to defence systems semiconductors and electric vehicles China accounts for roughly 60 per cent of global rare earth mining output and about 91 per cent of production underscoring US concerns over supply chain vulnerabilitiesThe Trump administration has made domestic sourcing of critical minerals a strategic priority amid intensifying competition with China Programmes under the CHIPS and Science Act have been used to support projects aimed at strengthening US manufacturing capacity and reducing reliance on foreign supply chains IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-senators-question-commerce-secretary-over-16-billion-rare-earth-deal-662940.html Fri, 27 Feb 2026 07:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-senators-revive-rail-safety-bill-after-toxic-derailment-662984.html Washington Feb 27 US lawmakers have reintroduced sweeping rail safety legislation three years after a toxic train derailment in Ohio seeking tougher oversight of hazardous cargo stricter inspections and stronger protections for communities living along railway lines The bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2026 was unveiled this week by Senator John Fetterman and a group of Democratic and Republican colleagues emergencyâItâs been three years since the toxic train derailment in East Palestineââa complete tragedy and something we could have prevented Congress still hasnât done anything about itâ Fetterman said adding the bill will hold railroads accountable and make the communities saferIt has been over three years since the Norfolk Southern derailment disaster in East Palestine Ohio and it is past time for Congress to act said Senator Maria CantwellThe Railway Safety Act will require railroads to deploy technology that could have prevented the East Palestine derailment hold large railroad companies accountable through stiffer fines and ensure that trains carrying hazardous materials are held to a higher safety standard she saidThe bill would mandate the use of defectdetection technology including hotbox detectors placed on average every 15 miles rather than the current 25 milesIt would expand the definition of highhazard trains to include flammable gases explosives and radioactive materials and cap train speeds at 50 miles per hour with lower limits in highthreat urban areasIt would also prohibit railroads from limiting the time required for inspections and require periodic freight car inspections at least once every five years Civil penalties for violations would rise sharply with maximum fines reaching up to 5 million in cases involving death or serious injuryThe legislation mandates twoperson crews on Class I freight trains accelerates the phaseout of older DOT111 tank cars to 2027 and expands grants so fire departments can purchase protective gearGreg Regan of the Transportation Trades Department AFLCIO said âItâs unacceptable that communities across the country have endured more than 3100 derailments since the 2023 toxic Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine OhioâHe added that âRail workers and communities living near railroad tracks deserve the peace of mind that Congress will take action on commonsense reforms and move us towards a safer rail networkâEast Palestine resident Misti Allison said âCommunities like mine know firsthand that rail safety is not a political issue It is a public safety environmental and public health issueâThe bill also creates an emergency response assistance programme to provide up to 10 million in rapid aid to communities responding to a âsignificant hazardous materials transportation incidentâFor India where the railways carry millions daily and transport chemicals and petroleum products across densely populated regions the US debate underscores a shared challenge balancing freight efficiency with passenger safety and oversight of hazardous cargo IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-senators-revive-rail-safety-bill-after-toxic-derailment-662984.html Fri, 27 Feb 2026 14:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-courts-grant-bond-relief-to-indians-held-in-immigration-detention-662988.html Washington Feb 27 Federal courts across the United States this week have ordered bond hearings or immediate release for several Indian nationals held in immigration detention The rulings came from district courts in California Michigan New York and Oklahoma Judges said immigration authorities either applied the wrong detention law or failed to provide adequate due processIn California a federal judge in San Diego granted a habeas petition filed by Harbeet Singh The court ordered an âindividualised bond hearingâ within seven daysThe judge wrote that prolonged detention without a bond hearing âhas become unreasonable and violates due processâ The government must prove by âclear and convincing evidenceâ that he is a flight risk or danger to the communityIn Michigan a federal judge in the Western District conditionally granted relief to Sagar Ram The court ordered a bond hearing under section 1226a within five business days or immediate release The judge rejected the governmentâs claim that mandatory detention appliedIn Oklahoma a federal court reached a similar conclusion in the case of Karandeep Singh The judge held that his detention is governed by section 1226a which allows bond not by the mandatory detention provision in section 1225b2 The court ordered a prompt bond hearingIn New York a federal judge in Brooklyn granted habeas relief to Harmanpreet Singh The court ordered a new bond hearing The government must show by clear and convincing evidence that he is a flight risk or danger The judge said continued detention without proper safeguards violated the Fifth AmendmentIn another California case a federal judge ordered the immediate release of Bhawandeep Singh Dhaliwal The court said he âSHALL be released IMMEDIATELY from DHS custodyâ The judge also barred authorities from rearresting him without constitutionally adequate processIn a separate San Diego case the court ordered that Singh Vikrant âbe released forthwith from immigration custody under the same terms and conditions as his previous releaseâNot all detainees won reliefIn Michigan a federal judge denied a habeas petition filed by Gurpreet Walia Singh The court found that he had already received a redetermination of custody The judge ruled that his detention did not violate the law or the ConstitutionIn Oklahoma another federal court adopted a magistrate judgeâs recommendation and denied a petition challenging the denial of bondThe cases centre on which section of the Immigration and Nationality Act applies Section 1225 requires mandatory detention for certain applicants for admission Section 1226 allows the release of noncitizens already in the country on bondFederal courts in recent years have closely examined prolonged immigration detention The Supreme Court has recognised that noncitizens in the US are entitled to due process protections But disputes continue over how bond hearings must be conducted and who bears the burden of proof IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-courts-grant-bond-relief-to-indians-held-in-immigration-detention-662988.html Fri, 27 Feb 2026 14:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/jd-vance-attacks-democrats-says-nov-polls-will-decide-if-us-puts-american-citizens-first-662989.html Washington Feb 27 US Vice President JD Vance has used a visit to the politically crucial state of Wisconsin to mount a sharp attack on Congressional Democrats arguing that Novemberâs election would determine whether America prioritises âAmerican citizensâ over what he described as open borders fraud and rising costs of living Speaking at Pointe Precision Inc on Thursday a manufacturing facility in Plover Wisconsin Vance repeatedly invoked President Donald Trumpâs State of the Union address and criticised Democrats for their reaction to stories highlighted during the speechâIf anything the State of the Union should have shown us that we cannot give power back to Congressional Democratsâ Vance told a few hundred workers and supporters gathered on the shop floorHe pointed to a moment involving a sixyearold girl who survived an assault by an undocumented immigrant and questioned why Democrats did not applaudâWhat kind of a person canât stand up and cheer for an innocent young girl whoâs doing well whoâs showing the entire country strength and resilienceâ he askedFraming the upcoming election in stark terms Vance said âThe question in November is not do we want low taxes And of course we do Itâs not do we want to secure the border And of course we do Itâs a more fundamental question in that do we want to give power back to the people who opened our border who raised your taxes who wonât even cheer for a sixyearold girl who was wounded because of their bad policiesâThe vice president sought to project economic momentum under the Trump administration He said inflation had fallen to â24 the lowest in five yearsâ and added that âthe average American has seen a 1700 increase in takehome payâ in the past yearOn housing costs he said âHousing prices are down Apartment rents are down Four months in a row we came in saying we wanted to make housing more affordable and weâre starting to make good progress on thatâ He added that âthe annual cost of a new mortgage in just a year is down by 5000 a yearâResponding to a question about affordability a top concern for voters Vance said âWe want people to be able to afford a good life Nothing breaks my heart more The idea that youâve got somebody who goes out they bust their rear end they come home they want to give their kids a nice meal maybe once or twice a year They want to take their kids on a nice vacation We want people to be able to afford that so long as they work hard to play by the rulesâHe acknowledged that âsome of the policies that weâve already put in place take a little bit of time to work their way through the systemâVance also defended the administrationâs crackdown on fraud and illegal immigration âThe job of your government is to shut the border and shut off the fraud and thatâs exactly what weâre doingâ he saidOn technology and energy he described data centres as vital to the countryâs future âThose data centres are like the gasoline of the technology revolution weâre gonna see over the next 75 years And I donât know about you all but I want America to win that technology revolution I donât want China or some other country to win itâAt the same time he said facilities must ensure that âelectricity costs come down for American citizens instead of going up for American citizensâ stressing they should be âgood neighboursâWisconsin remains one of the most closely contested states in US politics and is seen as pivotal to the outcome of national elections The state has swung between Republicans and Democrats in recent presidential cycles IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/jd-vance-attacks-democrats-says-nov-polls-will-decide-if-us-puts-american-citizens-first-662989.html Fri, 27 Feb 2026 14:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/un-chief-voices-concern-over-afghanistan-pakistan-clashes-urges-resolution-through-dialogue-662991.html Kabul Feb 27 IANS UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres has warned that escalating clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan risk regional instability and urged two nations to hold dialogue and protect civilians local media reported on FridaynbspGuterres voiced concern over rising clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan and urged both sides to avoid further military confrontation He urged Pakistan and Afghanistan to resolve disputes through talks and diplomacy and uphold international obligations especially regarding the protection of people Afghanistans leading news agency Khaama Press reportedOn Thursday night Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lilHaq Righteous Fury in response to what it described unprovoked firing by the Afghan forces across multiple border sectors Pakistans leading daily Dawn reportedMeanwhile Afghan Ministry of National Defence said on Friday that Afghan forces launched retaliatory strikes along the PakistanAfghanistan border killing at least 55 Pakistani soldiers and capturing two bases along with 19 posts The counterattacks come amid escalating tensions along the border regionAccording to the Ministry the attacks took place on Thursday night in response to Pakistans strikes on Afghan territory which killed women and children The retaliatory operation by Afghan forces targeted posts of Pakistani military forces in the east and southeast directions across the Durand LineDuring these operations the Ministry said the Afghan forces destroyed two Pakistani military bases and 19 posts forcing soldiers to flee from four additional posts It added that over the course of the fourhour battle 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed several others were captured alive and many others managed to escapeIn these operations dozens of light and heavy weapons ammunition and military supplies were seized by Afghan forces Additionally an enemy tank was destroyed and a large military transport vehicle was captured the Ministry statedAdditionally it said 8 Afghan soldiers were killed and 11 others were injured during the operationThe Ministry also mentioned that 13 Afghan civilian citizens including women and children were injured in a missile attack by Pakistani forces on a refugee camp in the Afghan province of NangarharThe Taliban recently slammed Pakistan for its airstrikes on Afghanistan terming it a shameful act and warning of a military response to it adding that Islamabad targeted civilians instead of militantsIn an interview with Al Arabiya English Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Naturally it would be a military response but its details are confidential and I cannot explain further Pakistan must receive a response for its shameful actEarlier on February 22 Afghanistans Ministry of National Defence accused the Pakistani military regime of carrying out deadly airstrikes in various residential areas of the Nangarhar and Paktika provinces resulting in the death of several civilians Islamabad has claimed that it was targeting militant groups that were carrying out attacks in PakistanMujahid said a family of 22 people was hit in Nangarhar with 17 killed and five injured He said one child was injured after a school was hit and several buildings were damagedHe said There were no armed individuals there Only civilians were injured and killed and civilian areas were targetedMujahid rejected Pakistans claims that Afghan territory is being used for attacks against neighbouring countries Unfortunately whenever attacks occur inside Pakistan they immediately attribute them to Afghanistan without evidence and accuse us We reject this Afghan soil is not allowed to be used against anyone he told Al Arabiya EnglishIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/un-chief-voices-concern-over-afghanistan-pakistan-clashes-urges-resolution-through-dialogue-662991.html Fri, 27 Feb 2026 14:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/accept-medal-of-the-knesset-with-humility-pm-modi-662804.html Tel Aviv Feb 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that he accepts the Medal of the Knesset with utmost humility and gratitudeâ Israels Parliament the Knesset conferred the Speaker of the Knesset Medal on PM Modi making him the firstever recipient of this prestigious award âKnesset Speaker Amir Ohana presented the medal to PM Modi immediately after his address to the lawmakers in Jerusalem ââThis honour is not a tribute to an individual but to the enduring friendship between India and Israelâ PM Modi wrote on XâThe Knesset citation highlighted PM Modis role in deepening bilateral ties across defence technology agriculture innovation and economic cooperation ââI am deeply honoured to receive the Medal of the Knessetâ said PM Modi âThe honour described as the highest recognition bestowed by the Knesset acknowledges PM Modis exceptional personal leadership in significantly strengthening and elevating the strategic partnership between India and Israel ââI accept it with humility and gratitudeâ PM Modi informed on XâThe Prime Minister also said that Israelâs highest award reflects the shared values that guide our two nationsâThe award comes at a time when PM Modi is on a visit to Israel where he delivered a historic speech to the Knesset the first by an Indian Prime Minister receiving a standing ovation from members âIn his remarks he expressed gratitude for the honour calling it a recognition of the enduring friendship between the two democracies âThis distinction adds to PM Modis rare global stature as he remains one of the few leaders honoured at the highest level by both Israel and Palestine IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/accept-medal-of-the-knesset-with-humility-pm-modi-662804.html Thu, 26 Feb 2026 08:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/ex-us-air-force-pilot-arrested-for-training-chinese-military-662806.html Washington Feb 26 A former US Air Force officer who once flew some of Americaâs most advanced fighter jets has been arrested for allegedly training Chinese military pilots without authorisation the Justice Department has said Gerald Eddie Brown Jr 65 also known by the call sign âRunnerâ was arrested in Jeffersonville Indiana He was charged by criminal complaint for providing and conspiring to provide defence services to Chinese military pilots in violation of the Arms Export Control Act He is expected to appear before a Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of Indiana on Thursday local timeâThe United States Air Force trained Major Brown to be an elite fighter pilot and entrusted him with the defence of our Nation He now stands charged with training Chinese military pilotsâ said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A EisenbergâWhen US persons whether military or civilian provide training to a foreign military that activity is illegal unless they have a license from the State Department The National Security Division will use all tools at its disposal to protect our military advantages and hold to account those who would violate the AECAâ he addedAssistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBIâs Counterintelligence and Espionage Division said Brown a former F35 Lightning II instructor pilot âallegedly betrayed his country by training Chinese pilots to fight against those he swore to protectââThe Chinese government continues to exploit the expertise of current and former members of the US armed forces to modernise Chinaâs military capabilitiesâ he said âThis arrest serves as a warning that the FBI and our partners will stop at nothing to hold accountable anyone who collaborates with our adversaries to harm our service members and jeopardise our national securityâAccording to the complaint Brown has conspired since August 2023 to provide combat aircraft training to pilots in the Chinese Air Force The training was classified as a defence service under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations Brown did not have the required licence from the State Departmentâs Directorate of Defense Trade Controls federal prosecutors allegedBrown served more than 24 years in the Air Force and left active duty in 1996 with the rank of Major During his career he commanded sensitive units with responsibility for nuclear weapons delivery systems and flew aircraft including the F4 âPhantom IIâ F15 âEagleâ F16 âFighting Falconâ and A10 âThunderbolt IIâ He later worked as a commercial cargo pilot and as a contract simulator instructor training US military pilots on the A10 and F35Prosecutors said Brown began arranging a contract in August 2023 to train Chinese military pilots He allegedly used a coconspirator to negotiate with Stephen Su Bin a Chinese national who in 2016 pleaded guilty in the United States to conspiring to hack major US defence contractors and steal sensitive military data for the Peopleâs Republic of ChinaIn December 2023 Brown travelled to China to begin training pilots He remained there until early February 2026 when he returned to the United StatesThe charges follow similar allegations against former US Marine Corps pilot Daniel Edmund Duggan who was charged in 2017 with providing defence services to Chinese military pilots without authorisation Duggan was arrested in Australia in 2022 and is pending extradition IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/ex-us-air-force-pilot-arrested-for-training-chinese-military-662806.html Thu, 26 Feb 2026 08:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/justice-department-fines-it-company-for-ai-job-ads-excluding-us-workers-662807.html Washington Feb 26 The US Department of Justice has reached a settlement with a Virginiabased IT services company after it allegedly used artificial intelligence to generate job advertisements that excluded American workers The Civil Rights Division said it secured a settlement agreement with Elegant EnterpriseWide Solutions describing it as a âVirginia IT professional service providerâThe department said the settlement âaddresses allegations that the company violated the Immigration and Nationality Act INA when it posted job advertisements generated by an artificial intelligence AI tool that included citizenship status restrictions not authorised by law including language restricting consideration only to applicants with H1B OPT or H4 visasââIt is unconscionable for companies to illegally exclude US workers when recruiting and hiringâ said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K Dhillon of the Justice Departmentâs Civil Rights DivisionâThis Department of Justice will not tolerate discriminating against US workers no matter who or what drafts a job advertisement or whether it is an employee a recruiter or an AI toolâ Dhillon addedAccording to the signed settlement agreement dated February 23 2026 the company agreed to pay a civil penalty of 9460 in two instalments of 4730 eachThe department said this is the eighth settlement since it relaunched its Protecting US Workers Initiative in 2025 The initiative enforces the INAâs prohibition on discrimination based on citizenship status against companies that favour workers with employment visas over US workersUnder such settlements the department âobtains civil penalties for each violation and will continue to seek the maximum penalty permitted by lawâ It added that the agreements âalso involve awards of back pay when warranted and require employers to conduct comprehensive training to relevant staff and recruiters and cease restricting consideration for job opportunities based on workersâ citizenship status without a lawful reasonâAs part of the agreement the company must not âdiscriminate against individuals based on citizenship status or national origin during the recruitment hiring firing or employment eligibility verification and reverification processesâIt must also not âintimidate threaten coerce or retaliate against any personâ for participating in the matterThe Justice Department has in recent years stepped up enforcement of antidiscrimination provisions under the US immigration law The Immigration and Nationality Act bars employers from favouring temporary visa holders over US citizens and certain authorised workers unless required by law or government contract IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/justice-department-fines-it-company-for-ai-job-ads-excluding-us-workers-662807.html Thu, 26 Feb 2026 08:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/canadian-pm-carney-to-embark-on-india-visit-today-focus-on-elevating-bilateral-ties-662809.html Ottawa Feb 26 Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to begin a visit to India on Thursday in what is being seen as a significant reset in bilateral relations between the two countries The visit marks the first official trip to India by a Canadian prime minister since relations became strained during the previous administration signalling a renewed push to stabilise and strengthen diplomatic and economic engagementAccording to a statement issued by the Canadian Prime Ministers Office Carney will commence his India tour in Mumbai where he is expected to meet leading business figures He will subsequently travel to New Delhi for highlevel discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 2The leaders will focus on elevating and expanding the CanadaIndia relationship with ambitious new partnerships in trade energy technology and artificial intelligence AI talent and culture and defence He will meet with business leaders to identify investment opportunities in Canada and create new partnerships between businesses in both nations the statement released on Monday saidThe statement further underscored Canadas economic strengths asserting Canada has what the world wants abundant energy critical minerals expertise in technology and worldclass talent In a changing world we are investing in our strength diversifying our trade and cultivating a dense web of new connections throughout the world to build Canada strongThe Canadian PMO highlighted that India is the worlds fastestgrowing major economy and a powerhouse in global commerce and technology India was Canadas seventhlargest goods and services trading partner in 2024 with twoway trade reaching 308 billionPM Modi met Carney on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg last November where he noted that India has set a target of 50 billion USD by 2030 for bilateral trade between the two countriesPrime Minister Modi mentioned that India and Canada have great potential in strengthening trade and investment linkagesWe have set a target of 50 billion USD by 2030 for our bilateral trade Canadian Pension Funds are also showing keen interest in Indian companies he posted on X after the meetingEarlier this month Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand met External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in GermanyIn an official press release the Government of Canada stated This marks the fifth meeting between the ministers since September 2025 reflecting the growing momentum in the CanadaIndia relationship building on more than 75 years of diplomatic relations and strong peopletopeople ties The ministers discussed deepening cooperation in several areas including energy technology and tradeHighlighting Indias expanding global role the Canadian government noted As one of the worlds most dynamic and growing economies Minister Anand noted Indias importance as a partner for Canada The Ministers affirmed the shared technological benefits and significant partnership opportunities for both countries businesses industries and workersBoth sides underscored the substantive progress made on the joint road map for CanadaIndia relations and reiterated their commitment to strengthening ties through the implementation of road map priorities as well as expanding and diversifying CanadaIndia trade in support of economic resilience and stabilityEAM Jaishankar said that he had a fruitful conversation with his Canadian counterpart with both ministers discussing further strengthening of the bilateral ties in various sectorsFollowing the completion of his engagements in India Carney will proceed to Australia before travelling onward to Japan continuing his broader diplomatic outreach in the IndoPacific region IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/canadian-pm-carney-to-embark-on-india-visit-today-focus-on-elevating-bilateral-ties-662809.html Thu, 26 Feb 2026 08:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/donald-dash-report-shows-americans-leaving-us-in-record-numbers-662810.html Washington Feb 26 In its 250th year the United States is witnessing a rare reversal More Americans moved out than moved in last year a shift not seen since the Great Depression a major financial daily has reported The US experienced net negative migration in 2025 with an estimated loss of about 150000 people according to calculations by the Brookings Institution The outflow is expected to increase in 2026 Total inmigration fell to between 26 and 27 million in 2025 down from nearly 6 million in 2023 according to The Wall Street JournalA Wall Street Journal analysis of 15 countries with partial or full 2025 data found that at least 180000 Americans moved to them The number is likely higher once complete figures are reportedThere is no single dataset that fully captures the estimated 4 to 9 million Americans already living abroad The State Department estimated 16 million lived in Mexico in 2022 Canada hosts more than 250000 The United Kingdom has more than 325000 Americans living in the country part of over 15 million Americans now living in Europe it saidIn Portugal the number of American residents has jumped more than 500 per cent since the COVID pandemic It rose 36 per cent in 2024 alone Ireland welcomed 10000 Americans in 2025 about double the previous year More Americans moved to Germany last year than Germans moved to the United States the daily saidRelocation firms say demand is surging On a recent conference call hosted by Expatsi nearly 400 Americans signed up to learn how to move to AlbaniaâPreviously the Americans leaving were superadventurous and wellcredentialedâ Expatsi founder Jen Barnett was quoted as saying âNow theyâre ordinary people like meâ She said the companyâs goal is âto move one million AmericansâSome commentators have labelled the trend the âDonald Dashâ as numbers spiked during President Donald Trumpâs second term But the movement has been building for years Remote work rising living costs and lifestyle preferences are key driversA White House spokesman said the US economy is outperforming other developed nations and that the administration is deporting hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants while attracting âcountless ultrahigh net worth foreignersâ some paying â1 million for a Gold Card to come settle in the United StatesâThe Department of Homeland Security reported 675000 deportations and 22 million âselfdeportationsâ last yearAccording to The Wall Street Journal renunciation requests are also rising The US government has a monthlong backlog of Americans seeking to give up citizenship either to secure a foreign passport or to avoid taxation on overseas earnings Requests jumped 48 per cent in 2024 and likely rose further in 2025 immigration firms sayRelocation companies say todayâs migrants include families and midcareer professionals âYou donât face the prospect of your 5yearold going into a kindergarten and doing an active shooter drillâ said Chris Ford who moved to Berlin âThe wages are higher in the US but the quality of life is higher in EuropeâIn Spain officials acknowledge the inflow âMany Americans come and there are many love storiesâ said Spanish government spokeswoman Elma Saiz Delgado âAfter four glasses of wine they stayâEducation trends reflect the shift International students coming to America fell 17 per cent last autumn and are expected to decline further At the same time more Americans are enrolling in European universities Applications for British citizenship reached 6600 in the year to March 2025 Irish passports issued to Americans hit 31825 in 2024 and an estimated 40000 last yearâIn Albania you can very easily right now survive on 1000 a monthâ said Kelly McCoy who moved from New York state and now advises other Americans considering relocationThe last time more people left the United States than moved in was 1935 when many Americans sought work in the Soviet Union during the Great Depression Census historical data records that episode as a rare moment when America became a country of net emigration the financial daily reported IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/donald-dash-report-shows-americans-leaving-us-in-record-numbers-662810.html Thu, 26 Feb 2026 09:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trumps-third-country-deportation-push-hits-a-legal-roadblock-662813.html Washington Feb 26 The Trump administrationâs effort to fasttrack deportations to third countries hit a legal setback after a US appeals court refused to pause a lower court order blocking the policy The US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Boston on Wednesday local time denied the governmentâs emergency request to lift a preliminary injunction that restricts deportations of certain migrants to countries other than their ownâThe emergency motion for a stay of the April 18 preliminary injunction pending appeal and for an immediate administrative stay is denied the government not having met the standard for the relief soughtâ the court saidThe threejudge panel said the administration had failed to satisfy the legal test required to secure a stay while the case proceeds on appealCiting the Supreme Courtâs ruling in Nken v Holder the court noted that a party seeking a stay must âmake a âstrong showing that it is likely to succeed on the meritsâ in its appealâ and demonstrate irreparable harm among other factorsThe dispute centres on the Department of Homeland Securityâs March 30 guidance regarding thirdcountry removals Under that policy US authorities sought to deport certain migrants to countries willing to accept them even if those countries are not their nations of originIn its order the court expressed concern about âthe continuing application of the Department of Homeland Securityâs March 30 Guidance Regarding Third Country RemovalsâIt also pointed to âthe irreparable harm that will result from wrongful removals in this contextâ signalling unease about the consequences of deportations carried out before full judicial reviewThe judges directed both sides to address key legal questions in their briefs Among them is whether the classwide injunction improperly âenjoin or restrain the operation ofâ certain provisions of the Immigration and Nationality ActThe court also asked whether the relevant section of the Act âpresumes the availability of individualised judicial review to individuals subject to thirdcountry removalsâ and therefore does not bar classwide injunctive relief where such relief is necessaryIn addition the panel questioned whether the plaintiffsâ Administrative Procedure Act and due process claims fall outside the scope of that statutory provisionThe case titled DVD MM EFD OCG v US Department of Homeland Security names DHS Secretary Kristi Noem Attorney General Pamela Bondi and other officials as defendants IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trumps-third-country-deportation-push-hits-a-legal-roadblock-662813.html Thu, 26 Feb 2026 09:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/one-third-of-somalis-to-face-hunger-in-march-un-officials-662817.html United Nations Feb 26 Some 65 million people or about a third of Somalias population will face crisis levels of hunger through March an increase of 17 million since January UN officials warned Speaking to reporters on Wednesday at the UN headquarters via video link World Food Programme WFP Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response Ross Smith said the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification IPC report for Somalia released on Tuesday confirmed fears that the humanitarian situation in Somalia has significantly worsenedOf these two million of the most vulnerable women and children are expected to face severe hunger with over 18 million children under the age of 5 to face acute malnutrition in 2026 he saidSmith said Somalia is in the midst of a very complex hunger crisis where two rainy seasons have failed conflict and insecurity persist and thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes in search of shelter food and basic servicesMeanwhile agencies in Somalia including WFP are facing a severe lack of resources he warned adding that without urgent funding WFPs lifesaving emergency food and nutrition assistance in the country will be forced to cut support to the most vulnerable and eventually come to an end soon Xinhua news agency reportedRein Paulsen director of the Office of Emergencies and Resilience with the Food and Agriculture Organization FAO highlighted the drought that is having a devastating effect on Somalias agriculture Concretely this means widespread crop and livestock losses in addition to largescale displacements of peopleAs a result of the drought the countrys last main cereal harvest was 83 per cent lower than the longterm average between 1995 and 2025 and livestock births have also dropped said Paulsen stressing the urgency of lifesaving assistance to protect lives and actions to prevent a collapse of rural farming pastoral livelihoodsTo respond to the situation FAO needs 85 million to support a million of the most vulnerable highrisk underserved rural people at the moment but it has just 6 million to date he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/one-third-of-somalis-to-face-hunger-in-march-un-officials-662817.html Thu, 26 Feb 2026 09:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/ai-infra-race-reshapes-nations-nvidia-ceo-662827.html Washington Feb 26 NVIDIA chief executive Jensen Huang said the global artificial intelligence boom has entered a decisive phase declaring that computing power now directly drives revenue growth and national competitiveness âIn this new world of AI compute equals revenuesâ Huang said Wednesday local time during the companyâs earnings call âWithout compute there is no way to generate tokens Without tokens there is no way to grow revenuesâHe said architecture decisions have become central to business outcomes âArchitecture is incredibly important It is more than strategic now It directly affects their earningsâ Huang said âChoosing the right architecture the one with the best performance per watt is literally everythingâ he told the investorsHuang stressed that AI infrastructure is becoming a national priority âEvery country will build and operate some parts of its AI infrastructure just like with electricity and the Internet todayâ he said underscoring the rise of sovereign AI systemsChief financial officer Colette Kress said Nvidiaâs âSovereign AI business more than tripled year over year to over 30 billionâ driven by customers in âCanada France the Netherlands Singapore and the UKâThe company reported total quarterly revenue of 68 billion up 73 per cent year on year Data centre revenue reached 62 billion up 75 per cent For the full fiscal year data centre revenue totalled 194 billion up 68 per centNVIDIA also projected firstquarter revenue of 78 billion plus or minus 2 per cent with most growth expected to come from data centresHuang highlighted deepening partnerships with leading AI firms âThis quarter we announced a partnership with Anthropic and a 10 billion investment in their companyâ he said He described Anthropicâs âClaude Cowork agent platformâ as ârevolutionaryâ and added âBetween Claude Cowork and OpenAI compute demand is skyrocketing and the ChatGPT moment of agentic AI has arrivedâHe said Nvidia recently celebrated OpenAIâs launch of âGPT53 Codexâ which was âtrained with and inferencing on Grace Blackwell and NVLink 72 systemsâ He added âWe continue to work with OpenAI toward a partnership agreement and believe we are closeâOn China Kress said âWhile small amounts of H200 products for Chinabased customers were approved by the US government we have yet to generate any revenue and we do not know whether any imports will be allowed into Chinaâ She added the company was ânot assuming any Data Centre compute revenue from China in our outlookâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/ai-infra-race-reshapes-nations-nvidia-ceo-662827.html Thu, 26 Feb 2026 10:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/jaishankar-calls-for-overarching-approach-to-human-rights-rather-than-polemics-662858.html United Nations Feb 26 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has called for an overarching approach to human rights that includes development and capacitybuilding leading to âtangible improvements in the daily lives of the most vulnerableâ and confronting terrorism rather than engaging in polemics of âpoliticisation selectivity or double standardsâ Speaking through a video link to the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Wednesday he said âIn a world marred by conflict polarisation and uncertainty India seeks to find and expand common groundâ âWe have consistently underlined dialogue over confrontation consensus over division and humancentric development over narrow interestsâ he said For the UN and Human Rights Council to fully realise their commitment to human rights they must âadvocate zerotolerance for terrorist actsâ he saidâTerrorism is among the most egregious violations of human rights and there can be no justification especially when innocent lives are targetedâ he said India was elected for the seventh time to the Human Rights Council in October with a pledge to be a âbridgebuilderâ It received an overwhelming mandate with 177 of the 188 votes cast at the General Assembly âOur mandate reflects the trust and expectations of the international community especially of partners in the Global Southâ Jaishankar said âIndia approaches this Council with the conviction that human rights are best advanced through dialogue capacitybuilding and genuine partnerships and not by politicisation selectivity or double standardsâ the EAM said On the Council he said âas the worldâs largest democracy India remains firmly committed to working with all members and observers to promote and protect all human rights for all people on the basis of equality openness and respectâ Indiaâs vision of human rights he said âis rooted in the understanding that the insecurity of any region or the marginalisation of any group eventually undermines the rights and wellbeing of allâ His speech was seeded with implied criticism of the narrow focus on human rights that some Western countries and institutions haveExplaining Indiaâs sweeping view of human rights Jaishankar said âWe speak from our experience as a developing country that has known poverty and external shocks and yet has chosen the path of democracy pluralism and social justiceâ Amid the ongoing debates about technology and human rights and the risks of worsening the global divide Jaishankar declared âTechnology can and must be a force multiplier for human rights not a new fault lineâ Giving the example of Indiaâs Digital Public Infrastructure DPI he said the country âhas been investing in developing human capacities at an unprecedented scaleâ This has âenabled hundreds of millions to access welfare benefits financial services and public schemes with transparency and minimal leakageâ and India is sharing its knowhow for the global public good he said Emphasising the importance of development for people to truly enjoy human rights he said âthe devastating impact of pandemic climate change geopolitical tensions and economic stress have exacerbated existing inequitiesâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/jaishankar-calls-for-overarching-approach-to-human-rights-rather-than-polemics-662858.html Thu, 26 Feb 2026 12:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/talks-with-us-commerce-secretary-focused-on-boosting-economic-partnership-piyush-goyal-662893.html New Delhi Feb 26 IANS Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said he held very fruitful discussions with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor to expand trade and economic ties between the two countriesnbspIn a post on social media platform X Goyal said he hosted the US Secretary of Commerce and the US Ambassador in India and engaged in meaningful talks aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and economic partnershipHe highlighted that the discussions focused on expanding cooperation and deepening engagement between India and the United StatesnbspHosted US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor Engaged in very fruitful discussions to expand our trade and economic partnership Goyal wrote on XnbspThe meeting comes at a time when India has been actively working to enhance its global trade footprint and build stronger economic relationships with key partnersThe government has been pushing for greater market access for Indian businesses and encouraging integration into global value chainsnbspEarlier Goyal had said that India has concluded nine free trade agreements FTAs covering 38 nations giving Indian businesses preferential access to nearly twothirds of global tradenbspHe noted that these agreements are helping Indian goods services agricultural and fisheries products and labourintensive sectors reach new markets while also improving talent mobilityAccording to the minister the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat is not about isolation but about building resilient trusted and diversified supply chains through global engagementnbspHe has repeatedly called upon entrepreneurs and industry leaders to take global opportunities to MSMEs farmers exporters and fishermen across the countrynbspSpeaking at the 27th edition of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards in Mumbai recently Goyal had said that Indias growth journey will continue to be driven by its entrepreneurs and youthnbspHe expressed confidence that young India will lead the country through the Amrit Kaal towards becoming a developed economy by 2047IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/talks-with-us-commerce-secretary-focused-on-boosting-economic-partnership-piyush-goyal-662893.html Thu, 26 Feb 2026 15:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pm-modi-calls-on-israel-president-discusses-ways-to-enhance-cooperation-in-key-sectors-662896.html Jerusalem Feb 26 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israel President Isaac Herzog held a meeting on Thursday discussing ways to further enhance cooperation in education startups innovation tech and connectivitynbspPM Modi also planted a tree in the Presidential Gardens under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative and invited Herzog to visit India in the near futureTies of warmth and goodwill PM Narendra Modi calledon the President Isaac Herzog of Israel today PM thanked President Herzog for his steadfast support in strengthening the special IndiaIsrael Partnership Both leaders explored avenues to further enhance cooperation in education startups innovation tech and connectivity Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated on XPM Narendra Modi planted a tree in the Presidential Gardens under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative PM also extended an invitation to President Herzog to visit India in the near future he addedEarlier in the day Herzog shared a video on X which showed preparations being made for PM Modis welcomeWhile posting the video on X President Herzog wrote Prime Minister Narendra Modi the people of Israel welcome you with open arms I look forward to hosting you today in JerusalemPrior to meeting Israeli President PM Modi visited the Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Centre in Jerusalem on Thursday laying a wreath at the memorial in memory of the Holocaust victimsPrime Minister Modi was accompanied by Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Yad Vashem Chairman Dani Dayan as he visited the Holocaust Memorial and Museum which perpetuates and documents the HolocaustThe visit included a tour of the Book of Names a monumental installation containing the names of 48 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and a memorial ceremony in the Hall of Remembrance Prime Minister Modi also signed the Yad Vashem guest bookThis was PM Modis second visit to Yad Vashem having also visited the memorial in July 2017 during his last visit to the countryPM Modi is currently on a twoday State Visit to Israel He was accorded a grand welcome by Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on Wednesday Later he addressed a Special Plenary of the Knesset in Jerusalem the first such address by an Indian Prime Minister at the Israeli parliamentPrior to PM Modis arrival in Israel on Wednesday Herzog stated that people of Israel are looking forward to welcome himPrime Minister Narendra Modi the State of Israel and the people of Israel look forward to welcoming you to Israel he posted on XIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pm-modi-calls-on-israel-president-discusses-ways-to-enhance-cooperation-in-key-sectors-662896.html Thu, 26 Feb 2026 16:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/ais-power-race-hits-us-permit-wall-662629.html Washington Feb 25 The US push to lead in artificial intelligence is colliding with a hard constraint power â and a permitting and litigation system lawmakers said can take âfive years sometimes ten yearsâ just to connect new data centres to the grid At a House Science subcommittee hearing Congressman Rich McCormick said the scale of AIâs electricity demand is no longer in dispute âArtificial intelligence requires enormous computing power and that means enormous amounts of electricity thats not up for debateâ he saidWhat is at issue he added is whether Washingtonâs infrastructure approval system can keep paceTransmission permitting âcurrently averages about four years in some cases and stretches up to a decadeâ McCormick rued Federal environmental reviews âunder NEPA National Environmental Protection Act averaged 26 months in 2020â Even after approvals court challenges can drag on he saidâEven when agencies ultimately prevail when they do roughly just threequarters of the time the process itself can add up to six more years in litigation delaysâ he saidGoogleâs Marsden Hanna told lawmakers that grid congestion is already shaping corporate decisions âWe have utilities telling us it can be five years sometimes ten years to interconnect new facilitiesâ he said He framed the issue in strategic terms âWe believe fundamentally that energy supply is a national security imperative Winning the AI race requires winning the energy raceâHanna warned that rivals operate under fewer constraints Currently the United States is ahead of global competitors on AI However the gap is closing The speed with which China can plan permit and deploy energy infrastructure is a comparative advantageâ he saidDemocrats on the panel cautioned that rapid buildout without safeguards could hurt households Ranking member Emilia Sykes said communities hosting large facilities must not shoulder higher bills âHowever that does not mean that Ohioans should pay higher electricity bills for billionaires in Silicon Valley to see higher profitsâ she saidPaige Lambermont of the Competitive Enterprise Institute called for broad changes to the approval framework âPermitting reform is essential to meet this challengeâ she said urging amendments across environmental statutes to remove âoverbroad duplicative and unnecessary requirements to secure permitsâBeyond permitting experts said the country lacks basic visibility into the sectorâs footprint Eric Masanet a professor at the University of California Santa Barbara said âNo other major US sector and especially one that is growing so quickly suffers from as many public data blind spotsâ He noted that âvery few data center operators disclose the energy and water use of their specific data centersâ leaving policymakers to rely on assumptionsâAs the old adage goes you cant manage what you dont measureâ Masanet said urging more systematic federal data collectionData centres have expanded rapidly across US states as AI models require vast computing power driving new demand for electricity transmission upgrades and waterintensive cooling systems Companies have announced tens of billions of dollars in investments in recent years even as utilities warn of tightening capacity in several regionsFor India and other technologydriven economies US decisions on energy grid reform and AI infrastructure will shape global supply chains for chips cloud services and digital platforms As Washington debates speed versus safeguards the outcome could influence where the next wave of AI investment flows IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/ais-power-race-hits-us-permit-wall-662629.html Wed, 25 Feb 2026 08:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-warns-of-ai-chip-smuggling-fueling-chinas-military-push-662630.html Washington Feb 25 US export enforcement officials have acknowledged that advanced American AI chips are being smuggled overseas as lawmakers warned that China is aggressively seeking to bypass restrictions to power its military and artificial intelligence ambitions At a Congressional hearing on strengthening export control enforcement Congressman Bill Huizenga said the panel was examining âthe administrations plans for enforcing US export control lawsâ and legislative options âto strengthen the enforcement of US export controls and block adversary access to sensitive US and allied technologyâFraming the issue as an âAI arms race against the Chinese Communist Partyâ Huizenga cited recent reports of advanced chips reaching China despite restrictions He also referred to testimony from the nominee to lead US Cyber Command and the National Security Agency quoting Lt Gen Joshua Rudd âChina is aggressively seeking to acquire advanced AI chips to accelerate its development of AIenhanced weaponsâAssistant Secretary for Export Enforcement David Peters told lawmakers that the Bureau of Industry and Security BIS is âcharged with the civil and criminal enforcement of the nations dualuse export control lawsâ and stressed that âthe stakes of this mission have never been higherâWhen asked directly whether chip smuggling is occurring Peters responded âSimply put yes there is chip smuggling it is going onâ He added that stopping diversion âis the priority for us in export enforcementâ and described preventing diversion as âour bread and butter taskâPeters pointed to recent enforcement actions including âa 95 million settlement with Cadence Design Systemsâ and âa 252 million settlement with Applied Materialsâ He said BIS had collected âroughly 278 millionâ in criminal and administrative penalties forfeitures and restitution in fiscal year 2025 compared with funding of âapproximately 191 millionâHe warned companies âFollow the law or face the consequencesâSeveral lawmakers pressed for stronger penalties Congressman Keith Self argued that current fines may not deter misconduct Peters agreed that âincreased penalties are really keyâ suggesting that penalties could begin at âfour times the value of the unlawful transactionâ If notâ dramatically higherâ while cautioning against discouraging voluntary selfdisclosureDemocrats focused on enforcement capacity and policy consistency Congresswoman Sydney KamlagerDove said BIS has been operating with âonly 11 export control officers conducting enduse checks overseasâ and warned that export controls are âonly as effective as our ability to enforce themâPeters acknowledged that more resources would improve oversight saying new funding would enable âmore agents more analysts more overseas export control officersâ and better monitoring of licensed trade abroadLawmakers also questioned how enduse checks are conducted in China and whether US authorities face delays Peters said he had ânot yet seen evidenceâ that requests were being blocked for extended periods but agreed that yearlong delays âdontâ seem reasonableThe hearing underscored bipartisan concern that advanced AI chips and related technologies are central to national security competition US export controls in recent years have increasingly targeted cuttingedge semiconductor and AI capabilities aiming to prevent their use in military and surveillance systems IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-warns-of-ai-chip-smuggling-fueling-chinas-military-push-662630.html Wed, 25 Feb 2026 08:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-visa-fee-row-clouds-indian-doctor-pathway-662632.html Washington Feb 25 A heated congressional hearing on Americaâs growing physician shortage has opened a new fault line that could directly affect Indian medical graduates seeking careers in the United States At issue is a proposed â100000 supplemental fee for new H1b visasâ sharply higher than current employerpaid processing costs Lawmakers on Tuesday debated whether such a move would deter rural hospitals from hiring foreigntrained doctors at a time when the country faces widening workforce gapsThe discussion unfolded during a Ways and Means health subcommittee hearing on expanding graduate medical education GME and strengthening rural health care deliveryCongressman Adrian Smith said the United States faces âa very real problem a rapidly depleting health care workforceââBy 2037 the US will see a shortage of 187000 physicians Nearly half of all practicing physicians will retire in the next decadeâ he saidRural America is particularly strained â83 million Americans live in an area with too few primary care physiciansâ Smith noted adding that only â2 per cent of residencies can be found in rural AmericaâAmid bipartisan calls to expand Medicaresupported residency slots immigration policy emerged as a flashpointCongresswoman Linda Sanchez pointed to the proposed increase in visa fees and asked whether it would affect underserved communities that rely heavily on international medical graduates Dr Andrew Racine president of the American Academy of Pediatrics said that âanything thatâs going to decrease the supply is going to have an impact on our ability to serve the needs of childrenâSeveral lawmakers acknowledged that foreigntrained physicians form a significant part of residency programmes and rural care systemsIndia was not mentioned in the hearing But Indian nationals historically represent one of the largest cohorts of international medical graduates in the United States particularly in internal medicine family medicine and other primary care specialtiesMany international medical graduates in particular from India serve in rural and medically underserved areas under visa arrangements tied to service requirements Any substantial increase in visa costs could make recruitment financially difficult for small community hospitals already operating on narrow margins lawmakers saidJason Shenefield chief executive of Phelps Health in Missouri told lawmakers his rural system expects âclose to about 100000 loss per residentâ under current financial structures Additional immigrationrelated costs members suggested could further strain such facilitiesAt the same time some Republican lawmakers argued that immigration policy should not substitute for domestic training reform Congressman Greg Steube said American medical graduates were losing residency slots to foreign doctors and vowed to introduce legislation addressing the issueBeyond immigration lawmakers debated expanding Medicarefunded residency slots A bipartisan proposal seeks to add 14000 positions over seven years prioritising rural and underserved areasMedicare currently spends roughly 22 billion annually on GME but caps imposed in 1997 continue to shape how residency positions are distributedFor Indian medical students pursuing US licensure and residency â a pathway that requires clearing US licensing examinations and securing accredited training slots â the debate adds uncertaintyAs Congress weighs workforce expansion immigration rules and funding formulas the hearing underscored how closely US domestic health policy and global medical mobility have become intertwined IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-visa-fee-row-clouds-indian-doctor-pathway-662632.html Wed, 25 Feb 2026 08:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-sanctions-russian-exploit-broker-in-cyber-theft-case-662633.html Washington Feb 25 The United States imposed sanctions on a Russian exploit broker and several associated entities accused of acquiring and selling stolen American cyber tools in what officials described as the first action under a new law aimed at protecting US intellectual property The measures target Russian national Sergey Sergeyevich Zelenyuk and his company Operation Zero The action coincides with a separate criminal case against Australian national Peter Williams who pleaded guilty last year to stealing proprietary cyber tools from a US company and selling them to Operation ZeroThe Department of State said it was sanctioning one individual and two entities under the Protecting American Intellectual Property Act PAIPA âin connection with theft of trade secrets from US personsâ It said these were the first designations under the law and were supported by concurrent Treasury sanctionsâTheft of trade secrets particularly in relation to sensitive and emerging technologies poses a serious threat to US national security and economic prosperityâ Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a February 24 statement He added that such theft âharms US national security jobs companies and investments while costing US industry billions of dollars each yearâIn parallel action the Treasury Departmentâs Office of Foreign Assets Control OFAC designated Zelenyuk and Matrix LLC doing business as Operation Zero along with five associated individuals and entitiesAccording to Treasury Zelenyuk and Operation Zero trade in âexploitsâ â pieces of code that exploit software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorised access to or control of devices Operation Zero acquired âat least eight proprietary cyber toolsâ created for the exclusive use of the US government and select allies The tools were stolen from a US company and later sold to âat least one unauthorized userââIf you steal US trade secrets we will hold you accountableâ Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said âTreasury will continue to work alongside the rest of the Trump Administration to protect sensitive American intellectual property and safeguard our national securityâThe sanctions coincide with an investigation by the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation into Williams a former employee of the affected US company He pleaded guilty on October 29 2025 to two counts of theft of trade secretsOfficials said Williams stole proprietary cyber tools between 2022 and 2025 and sold them to Operation Zero in exchange for millions of dollars paid in cryptocurrenciesThe State Department also sanctioned an affiliated UAE company Special Technology Services LLC FZ under PAIPA The law authorises sanctions against persons who knowingly engage in or benefit from significant theft of trade secrets of US persons when such theft threatens US national security foreign policy or economic stabilityAs a result of the action all property and interests in property of the designated persons in the United States or in the possession or control of US persons are blocked IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-sanctions-russian-exploit-broker-in-cyber-theft-case-662633.html Wed, 25 Feb 2026 08:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-new-special-counsel-launches-to-investigate-uncovered-allegations-surrounding-ex-president-yoon-662636.html Gwacheon Feb 25 A new special counsel team officially launched on Wednesday to investigate remaining suspicions surrounding ousted former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol his failed martial law bid and allegations involving his wife Special counsel Kwon Changyoung has been tasked with reopening investigations into insurrection charges stemming from Yoons failed martial law bid along with corruption allegations tied to former first lady Kim Keon Hee and the 2023 death of a MarineLast month the National Assembly passed a new special counsel bill after three special probes ended without fully addressing 17 major allegations such as suspected planning made ahead of Yoons martial law declaration on December 3 2024While the three special counsels produced many results since their launch the second special counsel has been established reflecting the publics belief that there have been shortcomings Kwon said in a briefingSpecifically the new team is expected to investigate alleged attempts under Yoons administration to induce North Koreas provocation by staging armed helicopter flights near the interKorean border as well as the former first ladys suspected meddling of state affairsThe team recently received investigation records and indictments filed by the three special counsel teams Yonhap news agency reportedKwons investigation mandate which lasts for at least 90 days can be extended twice to run up to 170 days including a 20day preparatory periodYoon has been sentenced to life imprisonment after one of the three previous special counsels indicted him on charges of leading an insurrection through his failed martial law bidEarlier on Tuesday Yoon Suk Yeol had appealed his life sentence over his insurrection conviction from his failed bid to impose martial lawThe appeal was filed by his lawyers five days after a court sentenced Yoon to life in prison for leading an insurrection when he briefly imposed martial law on December 3 2024We think we have a responsibility to clearly point out the problems with this decision for not only court records but for future historical records the lawyers had said in a notice to the pressWe will not be silent about the special counsels overzealous indictment and the contradictory decision of the court of first instance premised on it as well as its political background they added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-new-special-counsel-launches-to-investigate-uncovered-allegations-surrounding-ex-president-yoon-662636.html Wed, 25 Feb 2026 08:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/un-security-council-expresses-concern-over-continued-violence-in-sudan-662643.html United Nations Feb 25 The UN Security Council expressed deep concern over continued violence across Sudan including in the Kordofan and Darfur states calling on all parties to the conflict to immediately halt the fighting In a press statement on Tuesday the members of the Security Council strongly condemned reports of repeated drone attacks on civilians civilian infrastructure and humanitarian personnel as well as property and assets including multiple attacks impacting the World Food Programme since the start of February 2026Deliberate attacks against humanitarian personnel their premises and assets may constitute war crimes council members said urging all parties to comply with international law and relevant UN resolutionsThey also condemned the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces RSF assaults violations against civilians and reports of arbitrary detention and conflictrelated sexual violence calling for accountabilityThe council expressed grave concern at conflictinduced famine and extreme food insecurity and demanded safe and unhindered humanitarian access and civilian passageCouncil members welcomed the agreement on a humanitarian truce which should lead to an immediate ceasefire deescalate the situation mitigate regional impacts and support an inclusive civilianled transitional period to realise the aspirations of the Sudanese people for a peaceful stable and prosperous future in accordance with the principles of national ownership Xinhua news agency reportedThey urged all UN member states to refrain from external interference that seeks to foment conflict and instability to support efforts for durable peace to abide by their obligations under international law and to implement relevant Security Council resolutionsReaffirming their commitment to the sovereignty independence unity and territorial integrity of Sudan they reaffirmed their rejection of the establishment of a parallel governing authority in areas controlled by the RSF IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/un-security-council-expresses-concern-over-continued-violence-in-sudan-662643.html Wed, 25 Feb 2026 08:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-paid-leave-fight-shows-split-on-safety-net-662646.html Washington Feb 25 Americaâs longrunning gap in paid family and medical leave â routine in much of the developed world but still patchy in the United States â took centre stage on Capitol Hill as lawmakers sparred over whether Washington should set a national standard or let states and employers chart their own course At a hearing titled âBalancing Careers and Care Examining Innovative Approaches to Paid Leaveâ Congressman Ryan Mackenzie the Republican chair of the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections said the US still has no federal law guaranteeing paid leave even though the Family and Medical Leave Act FMLA sets rules for when workers can take unpaid time offâThere is currently no federal law that outlines paid leave benefitsâ Mackenzie said calling it a âpersonalâ issue as he described his familyâs experience raising young children and relying on his wifeâs employer policy âRight now my wife is able to watch our newborn daughter because of her companys paid leave policyâMackenzie cited the âlatest figures from Dolâ showing âonly 27 per cent of private sector workers in the United States have access to paid family leave benefits through their employerâ a statistic that framed the debate in a country with the worldâs largest economy paid leave remains a benefit many workers cannot count onA Democratic lawmaker described the stakes in blunt terms The United States the member said is âone of the only wealthy countries in the world that does not guarantee paid family and medical leave to workersâ leaving âover 100 million workersâ unsure if they can afford to care for a new child an ill parent or their own health âwithout risking their job or financesThe lawmaker argued the issue is also unequal saying access is âdramatically unevenâ for âlow wage workers and part time workersâ and urged Congress to âset a strong federal floorâ through âuniversal paid family leaveâ warning against what the member called âvoluntary modelsâ and âpartnerships with private insurance companiesâ that are âlow quality and have not meaningfully expanded accessâWitnesses mapped the complicated US reality a patchwork of state programmes private insurance options and federal rules that employers must navigate â a system that even its supporters admit can confuse workers and companies operating across state linesJulie Squire testifying for the National Association of State Workforce Agencies said âa total of 13 states and the District of Columbia have passed state paid family and medical leaveâ She added that âthe most recently implemented programs are Minnesota and Delaware with both states having launched on January 1stâ while âMaine is set to offer benefits later this yearâSquire said state programmes typically provide âpartial wage replacement up to a certain number of weeksâ for âa medical need for themselves or a loved oneâ or for time with âa newborn baby or adopted childâ But she said the spread of different state rules creates a growing demand for âmore interstate coordinationâ because basic questions â such as how long a worker must be employed to qualify â âcan vary state by stateâFor Indians used to national schemes and centralised rules in many sectors the US approach can look strikingly decentralised the benefits a worker can access may depend heavily on where they live where their employer is based and which stateâs forms and definitions applyAdrienne Schweer of the Bipartisan Policy Centre brought the policy argument down to a human scale describing a highrisk pregnancy and returning to the Pentagon quickly after giving birth âI was exhausted from a newborn I was barely healed from the birthâ she said adding she had âvery few days leftâ after using sick and vacation daysSchweer said the centre found âover 60 million Americans are balancing work and caregiving every dayâ including parents of young children caregivers for ageing relatives and âsandwichedâ families handling both She said parents want âflexibilityâ and that âaccess to paid leave and affordable child care keeps them connected to the workforceâElyse Shaw of the Centre for Law and Social Policy urged Congress to go further saying paid leave is needed for more than babies alone âOnly a quarter of leaves under FMLA are for parental leave but over half are for medical leave and 1 in 5 is to care for a family members serious health conditionâ she said Shaw argued that âonly one in every four private sector workers has access to paid family leave through their employer leaving 106 millionâ without that supportShaw also attacked a key House proposal HR 3089 saying âit does not go far enoughâ and adding âHR 3089 is actually not a paid leave bill It is a paid leave grant programâ She said the bill includes âno requirement for job protectionâ warning that without protections many workers fear retaliation and do not seek leaveFrom the employer side Greta Kessler speaking on behalf of the Society for Human Resource Management said the workforce is under strain âIn 2025 nearly 7 in 10 organisations reported that they have difficulty in recruiting fulltime employeesâ she said arguing that paid leave has become âan essential part of attracting talent and retaining itâBut Kessler said running paid leave across the US is complicated âMandatory programs exist in 13 states plus Washington DC but each has differing eligibility rules benefit formulas and administrative requirementsâ she said adding employers must also coordinate with federal laws such as âFMLAâ and âthe Adaâ She said differing rules can enable abuse allowing people âto stack leaveâ which makes it harder to detect fraud rather than use them concurrently which is really what was intended IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-paid-leave-fight-shows-split-on-safety-net-662646.html Wed, 25 Feb 2026 09:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-security-clearances-stuck-in-limbo-662648.html Washington Feb 25 A broken US securityclearance pipeline is keeping Americaâs most sensitive jobs waiting â and Congress is now warning that the Pentagonâs flagship fix is years late billions over budget and still unable to deliver the modern system Washington promised after a massive data breach a decade ago At a hearing of the House Oversight subcommittee on Government Operations lawmakers from both parties said the Department of Defenceâs National Background Investigative Services System known as NBIS has become a test of whether the US can protect secrets while hiring fast enough to compete in technology and national securityâIf the topic of todays discussion sounds familiar it shouldâ Chairman Congressman Pete Sessions said recalling a June 2024 hearing where âCongress raised serious concerns about persistent failures in personnel vettingâSessions said NBIS was meant to be âa onestop shop for all phases of federal personnel vettingâ but âtoday NBIS has deployed only limited capacities and capabilitiesâ and is âmore than eight years behind schedule with completion delayed from 2019 to 2028âHe said delays have âcost the American taxpayer hundreds of millions of dollarsâ and raised questions about âthe safety and reliability of all aspects of the federal personnel vetting systemâRanking member Kweisi Mfume said the goal was âstraightforward deliver a background check system that keeps the United States of America safeâ while also ensuring it âgets qualified people to work without delayââAmerica in my opinion cannot hope to maintain our technological advantage in the national security space if we make the best engineers scientists linguists analysts and others spend months If not years sometimes in limbo before they can serveâ Mfume said âAnd if we cant clear people we cant complete our missions its very very simpleâMfume said the government has spent âabout 24 billion on NBIS and legacy sustainmentâ since 2017 and the department projects âabout another 22 billion is needed to finish the jobâ âIts an enormous amount of money for the government to spend on anything and have so very very little to show for itâ he saidJustin Overbaugh acting director of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency pushed back on earlier assurances that the agency was on track âRespectfully that assessment was too optimisticâ he saidâThe truth is DCSA has been an agency in the midst of an identity crisisâ Overbaugh said arguing it was âcobbled together from disparate programsâ and ânever truly selfactualized or forged a unified cultureâ He said previous leadership drifted âtowards an intelligencefocused entity rather than embracing its vital security missionâOverbaugh called the delivery of Trusted Workforce 20 and NBIS ânonnegotiableâ and said recent progress was âfragileâ He promised a shift from âa sclerotic compliancebased bureaucracy to a customercentric businessoriented entityâ and told lawmakers âMy commitment to you is that I will continue to foster a culture of innovation and accountabilityâAlissa Czyz of the Government Accountability Office said reform is âurgently neededâ and the clearance process remains too slow âFor example it takes over 200 days to grant a top secret clearanceâ she said âThis is 80 longer than the governments goalâCzyz said DCSA now has âa reliable cost estimate for NBIS for the first time everâ but warned that the schedule âis still not reliable putting NBIS at risk of further delaysâThe US securityclearance system is central to Washingtonâs defenceindustrial machine which depends on cleared personnel across government and private contractors After the 2015 breach the federal government began shifting towards modernised vetting and continuous evaluation IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-security-clearances-stuck-in-limbo-662648.html Wed, 25 Feb 2026 09:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/intelligence-agencies-assess-renewed-efforts-to-destabilise-punjab-through-tactical-escalation-662681.html New Delhi Feb 25 A little known group called the TehreekeTaliban Hindustan TTH has claimed responsibility for the recent killing of police personnel at a border outpost in Punjab This has led Intelligence agencies to believe that there are renewed efforts to destabilise Punjab through tactical escalation Two personnel of the Punjab Police who were on duty near the IndiaPakistan border were found dead with bullet injuries on February 22Gurnam Singh and Ashok Kumar an Assistant SubInspector and Home Guard respectively were on duty at the border outpost in Gurdaspur Punjab when the incident took placeWhile the investigation is still ongoing and the agencies are trying to get to the bottom of the case the TTH claimed responsibility for the attackThis has complicated the probe as the TTH is not a known entity The name of the outfit sounds like it is connected to the TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTPAn Intelligence Bureau official said that there is nothing to show that the TTP and TTH are linkedThis is clearly an operation that has been undertaken to target the Indian security agencies Looking the current relations between the ISI and TTP it is unlikely that Pakistan could have directed such an attack through the TTP or its proxyThe officer said that these killings come at a time when the ISI has become desperate to relaunch the Khalistan movement in India The Khalistan terror groups are under pressure to strike in Punjab and revive the movementOn the other hand India and Canada and to a large extent the United Kingdom UK are working together to wipe out the Khalistani causeOver the years both the UK and Canada have been soft on these elements operating on their soil However the scenario has changed and both nations have agreed to work with India and end the menaceAll these factors have not just put pressure on the ISIbacked Khalistan groups but has also managed to increase the heat on themAn official said that the socalled TTH is just a proxy of a Pakistan terror group A Khalistan linked group may have carried out the Gurdaspur attackThe Punjab Police have rejected that the TTH carried out the attack The police say that all angles are being probed which include smuggling links crossborder terror involvement and personal enmity alsoThe Intelligence agencies say that the ISI has become desperate to revive the Khalistan movement in PunjabIt would use all tools at its disposal to try and disrupt normalcy in Punjab Officials say that there is a pattern that has been emergingThe killings at Gurdaspur are not an isolated incident Several incidents in which police stations personnel and security establishments have been targeted were reported in recent monthsExplosive devices have been used in attacks at police stations and outposts in Ajnala Nawanshahr Majitha Batala Amritsar and GurdaspurThe ISI has been using the service of international drug syndicates foreign based handlers and gangsters to disturb peace in PunjabThe recent Gurdaspur operation could also be the handiwork of the gangsterterror nexusSeveral cases relating to this nexus are under probe by the National Investigation Agency NIA In a bid to take the heat off the Khalistani terror groups and also the gangsterterror nexus the ISI is creating groups such as the TTHThis helps in diverting attention an official saidThe attack at Gurdaspur appears to be thoroughly planned The post is typically manned by two local police personnel and two from the Border Security Force BSF The BSF personnel on the day of the attack were absent due to a departmental function near AmritsarThe killers were aware of this and also that the post did not have CCTV coverageThe Intelligence agencies warn that the ISI would look to step up its operations and continue to target security personnelPakistani agencies have also refined their drone operations and have been sending in sophisticated ones to drop arms and ammunition along with narcotics into PunjabThe frequency of the drones coming in is likely to go up as the ISI wants to hurry through its plan of reviving the Khalistan movement in a very big way another official said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/intelligence-agencies-assess-renewed-efforts-to-destabilise-punjab-through-tactical-escalation-662681.html Wed, 25 Feb 2026 12:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/israel-looks-forward-to-welcoming-pm-modi-president-isaac-herzog-662694.html Jerusalem Feb 25 As Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on his twoday State visit to Israel on Wednesday President Isaac Herzog stated that the people of Israel look forward to welcoming him In a post on X Herzog stated Prime Minister Narendra Modi the State of Israel and the people of Israel look forward to welcoming you to IsraelnbspHis statement came in response to PM Modis departure statement on X where he mentioned that he is looking forward to his engagements with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu aimed at further strengthening cooperation in various sectors and discussing regional and global issues This will be PM Modis second trip to Israel after his 2017 visit which opened new avenues in defence agriculture and water managementIn his departure statement PM Modi stated India and Israel share a robust and multifaceted Strategic Partnership that has witnessed remarkable growth and dynamism in recent years I look forward to my discussions with Prime Minister Netanyahu aimed at further strengthening our cooperation across various domains including science and technology innovation agriculture water management defence and security trade and investment as well as peopletopeople tiesHe said that he will also exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest with the Israeli PM During the visit PM Modi will meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog and discuss the bilateral issues I will also have the honour of becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Israeli Parliament Knesset an occasion that would be a tribute to the strong parliamentary and democratic ties that bind our two nations he saidThe Prime Minister said that he eagerly looks forward to interacting with the members of the Indian diaspora who have for long been nurturing the IndiaIsrael special friendship I am confident that my State Visit will further consolidate the enduring bonds between the two countries set new goals for the Strategic Partnership and advance our shared vision for a resilient innovative and prosperous future PM Modi addedOn Sunday PM Modi warmly acknowledged Netanyahus personal tribute during a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem where the Israeli PM described PM Modi as a dear friend and hailed his upcoming visit as a milestone in bilateral tiesnbspIn his response to a video posted by Netanyahu on X PM Modi stated Thank you my friend Prime Minister Netanyahu I fully agree with you on the bond between India and Israel as well as the diverse nature of our bilateral relations India deeply values the enduring friendship with Israel built on trust innovation and a shared commitment to peace and progress Looking forward to our discussions during my upcoming Israel visitNetanyahu had shared a video from the cabinet meeting on X In his remarks to his cabinet Netanyahu termed PM Modis arrival in the country as a historic moment underscoring the strength of the IndiaIsrael alliancenbspHe spoke of a vision to forge a broader axis of nations in the Middle East an alliance of likeminded countries united against radical forces and committed to stability security and technological advancementHighlighting his personal rapport with PM Modi the Israeli PM noted their frequent exchanges and mutual visits calling the Indian leader not just a partner but a personal friendnbspElaborating on PM Modis engagements in Israel Netanyahu said On Wednesday Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive He will address the Knesset and I am sure you will all be there We will also hold an innovation event in Jerusalem and visit Yad Vashem together I will also note something else a special collaboration We will advance cooperation in hightech AI and quantum I say AI and quantum not because its not the future its the present and we want to be among the worlds leading nations in this field IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/israel-looks-forward-to-welcoming-pm-modi-president-isaac-herzog-662694.html Wed, 25 Feb 2026 14:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-warns-of-rising-global-risks-as-arms-control-frameworks-weaken-calls-for-strategic-stability-662696.html Geneva Feb 25 IANS India has emphasised the urgent necessity of safeguarding strategic stability and averting a fresh global arms race cautioning that growing geopolitical uncertainties are coinciding with the erosion of key arms control mechanismsnbspAddressing the 2026 HighLevel Segment of the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva on Tuesday local time Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said The recent expiration of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty New START poses a significant setback for global arms control India believes that preserving strategic stability and preventing an arms race remain vital more than ever for global securityHe noted that the HighLevel Segment was being convened amid a profoundly uncertain geopolitical and security environment which was characterised by increasing military spending pressure on established arms control arrangements and rapid technological progress with direct military implicationsnbspIndia as a responsible nuclearweapon state is committed as per its nuclear doctrine to maintaining a credible minimum deterrent and espouses a posture of nofirst use and nonuse against nonnuclearweapon states he addedMisri reiterated Indias longstanding position in favour of universal nondiscriminatory and verifiable nuclear disarmament through a phased multilateral approachnbspnbspAt the same time he expressed support for negotiations on a Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty based on the existing mandate within the Conference on DisarmamentnbspTurning to emerging and disruptive technologies the Foreign Secretary observed that scientific and technological advancements are transforming military capabilities while simultaneously creating new vulnerabilities and areas of competitionnbspHe said India has called for a UN systemwide evaluation of the security implications arising from such technological developmentsnbspOn artificial intelligence he underlined Indias commitment to its responsible deployment in the military spherenbspnbspHuman judgement and oversight in the use of AI in the military domain is essential to mitigate risks and to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law he said adding that Delhi has put in place a domestic framework to assess trustworthy AI in defence built around principles such as reliability safety and transparencyHe further clarified that decisions relating to nuclear weapons would remain firmly under human controlnbspThe Foreign Secretary also referred to the recently concluded AI Impact Summit 2026 held in India which adopted the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact and saw participation from over 100 countriesnbspThe Summit stressed the importance of democratising access to artificial intelligence and harnessing it for inclusive development particularly across the Global SouthAddressing concerns over outer space security Misri said outer space should remain a realm for cooperation not conflict and reiterated Indias support for negotiating a legally binding instrument aimed at preventing an arms race in outer spacenbspHe also mentioned Indias hosting of a conference in December 2025 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Biological Weapons Convention as well as capacitybuilding initiatives undertaken in collaboration with the UN Office for Disarmament AffairsThe Foreign Secretary reaffirmed Indias backing for the Conference on Disarmament as the worlds single multilateral disarmament negotiating forum and called on member states to demonstrate political resolve and place collective security above narrower considerationsnbspIndia continues to highlight the need for constructive dialogue and engagement We call on all States to demonstrate the required political will by taking into account the collective security interests of all States Misri addedIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-warns-of-rising-global-risks-as-arms-control-frameworks-weaken-calls-for-strategic-stability-662696.html Wed, 25 Feb 2026 14:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/confident-my-visit-will-further-strengthen-india-israel-relations-pm-modi--662709.html New Delhi Feb 25 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on Wednesday that he is looking forward to his visit to Israel and expressed confidence that it will further strengthen bilateral tiesnbspI am also looking forward to my visit to Israel I am confident that my visit will further strengthen the bilateral relations between our two countries PM Modi posted on X while replying to Israels Leader of Opposition Yair Lapids postWhole Israel is excited to welcome Prime Minister Modi tomorrow He is a true friend of Israel The relationship between Israel and India is not merely a strategic one but a bond of deep friendship between nations Lapid posted in Hindi on X on Tuesday ahead of PM Modis arrival in the country on a twoday State VisitThis is PM Modis second trip to Israel after his 2017 visit which opened new avenues in defence agriculture and water managementPM Modi also termed his visit to Israel as historic In a post on X PM Modi wrote It is indeed a historic visit to Israel Im confident it will add new momentum to the bilateral friendship between our nationsHe made the statement in response to The Jerusalem Post Editor in Chief Zvika Kleins post on X where he shared a picture of the front page of the newspaper published ahead of PM Modis visit to IsraelThe leading daily rolled out a warm and symbolic welcome to PM Modi on its front page with a headline Namaste Two Ancient Nations Open a New Chapter It featured a big photograph of PM Modi accompanied by highlights of Indias expanding partnership with Israel and the evolving strategic ties between the two countriesWhile sharing the picture of the front page of the newspaper on X Klein wrote Namaste We just sent tomorrows paper to print in Jerusalem ahead of PM Narendra Modis historic visit to Israel his first since 2017 This is our special The Jerusalem Post cover for the occasion What do you think If you want to join me in welcoming Modi please like comment and sharePM Modi also acknowledged Israels gesture as its parliament Knesset was illuminated in the colours of the Indian flag on Tuesday night and stated that he is looking forward to address the lawmakersIn a post on X PM Modi stated Honoured by the gesture Looking forward to addressing the Knesset later todayPM Modi made the statement after Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana shared a picture of the Knesset illuminated in colours of Indian flag While sharing the picture of X Ohana wrote In tribute to Prime Minister Narendra Modi the Knesset is illuminated tonight in the colors of the Indian flagIn his departure statement on Wednesday PM Modi stated that he is looking forward to his engagements with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu aimed at further strengthening cooperation in various sectors and discussing regional and global issuesPM Modi stated India and Israel share a robust and multifaceted Strategic Partnership that has witnessed remarkable growth and dynamism in recent years I look forward to my discussions with Prime Minister Netanyahu aimed at further strengthening our cooperation across various domains including science and technology innovation agriculture water management defence and security trade and investment as well as peopletopeople tiesDuring the visit PM Modi will also meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog and hold talks on various bilateral issuesI will also have the honour of becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Israeli Parliament Knesset an occasion that would be a tribute to the strong parliamentary and democratic ties that bind our two nations he saidThe Prime Minister said that he eagerly looks forward to interacting with the members of the Indian diaspora who have for long been nurturing the IndiaIsrael special friendshipI am confident that my State Visit will further consolidate the enduring bonds between the two countries set new goals for the Strategic Partnership and advance our shared vision for a resilient innovative and prosperous future PM Modi addedIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/confident-my-visit-will-further-strengthen-india-israel-relations-pm-modi--662709.html Wed, 25 Feb 2026 15:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/wuc-raises-alarm-over-chinas-transnational-repression-against-uyghurs-662434.html Berlin Feb 23 The World Uyghur Congress WUC has once again expressed grave concerns over what it has described as Chinaâs escalating transnational repression targetting Uyghurs abroad In its weekly briefing the WUC stated that it joined around 70â80 Uyghurs in Switzerland on February 15 in a strong demonstration organised by the Swiss Uyghur community showing âunity resilience and solidarityâCiting reports by German Table Media the WUC also raised concerns over the use of Chinese surveillance technology across Germany particularly cameras produced by Hikvision and Dahua â companies linked to surveillance practices in East Turkistan also known as the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of ChinaThe organisation warned that the widespread installation of such hardware in airports train stations ministries and public spaces undermines trust in state protection especially in light of Chinaâs record of transnational repression against Uyghurs overseasAdditionally the International Labour Organisation ILO Committee of Experts reviewed Chinaâs implementation of the Forced Labour Convention and the Abolition of Forced Labour Convention The Committee noted allegations from the International Trade Union Confederation of widespread statesponsored forced labour affecting Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang and TibetThe WUC cited reports indicating that millions were transferred in 2024 under labourtransfer programmes including 334 million in Xinjiang and 648000 in Tibet often under threat of detention for refusal The Chinese government however denies the existence of statesponsored forced labour and maintains that participation is voluntaryThe ILO Committee recalled that forced labour includes work performed under the menace of penalty without freely given consent and urged China to ensure labour transfers are genuinely voluntaryAddressing the Womenâs Progress Dialogue at the World Forum 2026 featuring former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton WUC Executive Committee Chair Rushan Abbas as the keynote speaker highlighted forced sterilisations forced abortions forced marriages and the ongoing imprisonment of her sister Gulshan Abbas She also revealed how Uyghur forced labour contaminates global supply chainsEarlier on February 16 German Television programme Weltspiegel published an investigation revealing how governments intimidate and threaten human rights defenders even within United Nations premises The interview featured UN High Commissioner Volker Turk WUC Vice President Zumretay Arkin Kenneth Roth and Ralph WeberâZumretay Arkin shared her personal experience of being followed on UN premises and described how the Chinese government targets Uyghur activists and their families for engaging with UN mechanisms and speaking out about the genocide in East Turkistan The report underscores that reprisals do not stop at borders â or at the UNâ the WUC statedHighlighting the USbased advocacy group Human Rights Watchs report on February 18 the organisation stated that Chinese authorities attempted to pressure two Uyghur activists in Paris including asking one to spy on the Uyghur communityâThe incidents reflect escalating transnational repression with officials allegedly offering contact with detained family members in exchange for compliance and attempting to silence activism Both activists recorded and publicised the callsâ the WUC noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/wuc-raises-alarm-over-chinas-transnational-repression-against-uyghurs-662434.html Tue, 24 Feb 2026 00:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/indian-american-voter-atlas-launched-662439.html Washington Feb 23 An Indian American civic data initiative was launched on Monday ahead of the midterm elections later this fall The platform aims to map and understand the communitys political footprintIt describes itself as the first open nonpartisan effort of its kind focused on Indian AmericansAnnouncing the launch community leader Anang Mittal called it the first nonpartisan open civic data platform built specifically for and about the Indian American communityTaking to his official X account Mittal repeated that it is the first nonpartisan open civic data platform built specifically for and about the Indian American communityThe platform accessible at voteratlasio seeks to provide structured civic data on Indian Americans in the USThe launch statement did not outline detailed featuresIt stressed that the initiative is nonpartisan and communityspecificThe timing is significant Indian Americans are one of the fastestgrowing immigrantorigin communities in the US They are increasingly visible in elections public policy debates and campaign financingDatadriven tools now play a key role in modern political campaignsDiaspora communities are also using such tools to strengthen civic engagement and representationBy branding the platform as open and nonpartisan Mittal signalled that it is not aligned with any political party He framed it as a publicfacing data resourceThe emphasis on being built specifically for and about the Indian American community points to a targeted effortIt seeks to gather and present information relevant to the communitys civic presenceThe announcement on February 23 drew attention onlineThere is growing interest in tools that track voter data demographic trends and political participationPublic civic data platforms in the US often rely on federal state and local election records They also use census data and other publicly available datasetsThe launch statement did not provide methodological details about the Indian American Voter AtlasAccording to US census estimates Indian Americans number more than four millionOver the past two decades their political presence has expanded steadilyMembers of the community now serve at city state and federal levelsIndian Americans have also held senior posts in presidential administrationsPolitical analysts say the communitys high median income and educational attainment increase its influenceIts geographic concentration in key states also makes it an important electoral blocIn recent election cycles both major parties have stepped up outreach to Indian American voters IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/indian-american-voter-atlas-launched-662439.html Tue, 24 Feb 2026 00:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-weighs-new-security-tariffs-us-media-662445.html Washington Feb 24 US President Donald Trump is considering fresh national security tariffs on a halfdozen industries after the Supreme Court struck down many of his secondterm levies a media report said According to a Wall Street Journal report the proposed measures could target sectors including largescale batteries cast iron and iron fittings plastic piping industrial chemicals and power grid and telecom equipmentThe tariffs would be issued under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 which allows the president to impose duties on national security groundsThey would be separate from a new global 15 per cent tariff that Trump has proposed to keep in place for five months the financial daily reportedProducts already tariffed under Section 232 have so far been exempt from other secondterm levies Trump has previously used the provision to impose tariffs on steel aluminium copper cars trucks and auto partsIt remains unclear when new investigations by the Commerce Department would be announced and when any tariffs would take effect Section 232 requires lengthy probes though once imposed duties can be altered unilaterallyâSafeguarding Americaâs national and economic security remains a top priority for President Trump and the Administration remains committed to using every lawful authority to deliverâ White House spokesman Kush Desai said in a statementThe Supreme Court voted 63 to strike down most of Trumpâs secondterm tariffs issued under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act The ruling did not address Section 232 tariffs which have faced fewer legal challenges the daily saidTrade policy under Trump has repeatedly drawn scrutiny from US courts and trading partners His earlier tariffs on steel and aluminium triggered retaliatory measures from several countries including IndiaFor India any fresh US national security tariffs could affect exports in metals chemicals and components tied to global supply chains New Delhi and Washington have in recent years sought to stabilise trade ties even as tariff disputes linger IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-weighs-new-security-tariffs-us-media-662445.html Tue, 24 Feb 2026 07:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-promises-long-state-of-the-union-speech-662446.html Washington Feb 24 President Donald Trump will deliver his State of the Union address on Tuesday night early Wednesday morning local India time and he said it will be lengthy âIt is going to be a long speech because we have so much to talk aboutâ Trump said at an event in the East Room of the White HouseThe speech comes at a tense moment in Washington The Supreme Court has struck down most of Trumpâs global tariff programme The ruling has revived debate over presidential trade powersTrump has not backed down Over the weekend he raised a 10 per cent replacement import fee to 15 per centâCongress has basically given the executive branch a lot of authority on tariffsâ Rep Mike Lawler a New York Republican said on CNNUtah Republican Sen John Curtis said the decision reaffirmed constitutional checksâTodayâs ruling affirms despite all the noise of the moment that the Foundersâ system of checks and balances remains strong nearly 250 years laterâ he wrote on XâSeveral questions remain unanswered including what happens to the revenue already collected and how the Administration may use alternative authorities to impose tariffsâ Curtis added âLooking ahead it is critical that we provide the clarity and predictability businesses needâTrump criticised the justices who ruled against himâI think that foreign interests are represented by people that I believe have undue influence have a lot of influence over the Supreme Courtâ he said âWhether itâs through fear or respect or friendships I donât know but I know some of the people that were involved on the other side and I donât like them I think theyâre real slimeballsâThe address also comes amid renewed focus on investigations linked to Jeffrey EpsteinUS Representative Pramila Jayapal said she will bring Marijke Chartouni an Epstein survivor and constituent as her guestâThirty years after the FBI first ignored reports of Epsteinâs crimes Pam Bondiâs Justice Department continues to fiddle rather than hold perpetrators to account â even as other countries act decisivelyâ Chartouni saidâI am attending the State of the Union tonight to remind the House the Senate and the Executive that survivors will not remain silent through this continued institutional failureâ she saidâThis injustice cannot be buried and we will continue to make our voices heard at every opportunity until there is truth and accountability for every survivor of Epstein and his ringâJayapal said she will not attend the speechâWhile I will not be attending this yearâs State of the Union I am glad to be hosting Marijke to ensure that survivors of Epsteinâs horrific abuse are in the roomâ she saidTrump has also ordered the movement of US military combat and support assets towards the Middle East He is weighing a possible second round of strikes in Iran Talks on Iranâs nuclear programme are expected to resume this weekRecent data showed economic growth slowed to 14 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2025 It was 44 per cent in the previous quarter A Washington PostIPSOSABC News poll conducted Feb 12â17 found 60 per cent disapproved of how Trump is handling the jobThe State of the Union is required by the US Constitution The president outlines priorities and assesses the nationâs condition before Congress Lawmakers invite guests to highlight key issues IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-promises-long-state-of-the-union-speech-662446.html Tue, 24 Feb 2026 07:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-ex-president-yoon-appeals-life-sentence-over-insurrection-conviction-662449.html Seoul Feb 24 Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday appealed his life sentence over his insurrection conviction from his failed bid to impose martial law The appeal was filed by his lawyers five days after a court sentenced Yoon to life in prison for leading an insurrection when he briefly imposed martial law on December 3 2024We think we have a responsibility to clearly point out the problems with this decision for not only court records but for future historical records the lawyers said in a notice to the pressWe will not be silent about the special counsels overzealous indictment and the contradictory decision of the court of first instance premised on it as well as its political background they addedThe Seoul Central District Court delivered the ruling last Thursday saying Yoon aimed to cripple the National Assembly by sending troops to the compound after declaring martial law meeting the definition of an insurrection as stipulated by the ConstitutionIt also said the former president planned the crime personally and in a leading role incurring an enormous social cost but hardly expressed an apology Yonhap news agency reportedSeven other defendants received their first verdicts alongside Yoon including former Defence Minister Kim Yonghyun former National Police Agency chief Cho Jiho and former Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency chief Kim BongsikThe former defence minister was sentenced to 30 years in prison while Cho was given 12 years and the former Seoul police chief 10 years for their roles in the martial law bidYoon was earlier sentenced to five years in prison in a separate trial on charges that include his alleged obstruction of investigators attempt to detain him last year IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-ex-president-yoon-appeals-life-sentence-over-insurrection-conviction-662449.html Tue, 24 Feb 2026 08:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-has-right-to-protect-itself-from-terrorism-us-662450.html Washington Feb 24 Pakistan has a right to protect itself from terrorism the US said on Monday after Islamabad carried out strikes against alleged militant camps along the Afghanistan border âPakistan has a right to protect itself from terrorismâ a State Department spokesperson told IANS in response to a question on the airstrikes inside AfghanistanâWe are aware of reports that Pakistan carried out strikes against alleged TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP and ISISKhorasan ISISK camps along the border with Afghanistanâ the spokesperson saidâThe Pakistani people have suffered greatly at the hands of terroristsâ said the spokesperson in response to a questionAt the same time the United States directed a clear message to Afghanistanâs Taliban authoritiesâThe Taliban must uphold their counterterrorism commitments and ensure that terrorist attacks are not launched from Afghan soilâ the spokesperson saidPakistan said over the weekend it targeted camps linked to the TehreekeTaliban Pakistan and affiliates of the Islamic State group in the border region killing 70 militantsIslamabad has long maintained that TTP fighters operate from across the frontier and stage attacks inside PakistanIndia on Sunday strongly criticised Pakistans airstrikes on Afghan territory that reportedly resulted in civilian casualties including women and children and reiterated its support for Afghanistans sovereignty territorial integrity and independenceResponding to media queries on the issue Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal conveyed Indias condemnation of the strikes and expressed concern over the reported loss of civilian lives during the holy month of RamadanIndia strongly condemns Pakistans airstrikes on Afghan territory that have resulted in civilian casualties including women and children during the holy month of Ramadan MEA spokesperson Jaiswal saidHe also described the development as an attempt by Pakistan to shift attention from its internal situationIt is another attempt by Pakistan to externalise its internal failures the MEA spokesperson saidReaffirming Indias position on Afghanistan MEA spokesperson Jaiswal said New Delhi remains committed to supporting the countrys sovereignty and independenceIndia reiterates its support for Afghanistanâs sovereignty territorial integrity and independence he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-has-right-to-protect-itself-from-terrorism-us-662450.html Tue, 24 Feb 2026 08:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/bomb-cyclone-wallops-us-northeast-with-record-snow-662461.html New York Feb 24 A bomb cycloneâ walloped the US Northeast dumping more than 90 centimeters of snow whipped by 135kilomtre winds in some areas cutting off power to nearly halfamillion and canceling about 11000 flights As the storm raged Sunday night into Monday along a 600kilometre swath of coastal states from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts governors or local authorities declared states of emergency banning all but essential vehicles on the roads while emergency crews struggled to cope with the snowy onslaughtThe raging blizzard was dubbed a âbomb cycloneâ by weather experts because it was accompanied by a meteorological phenomenon called bombogenesis which occurs when there is a drop of at least 24 millibars in the pressure at the centre of the storm during a 24hour period the rapid change intensifying its ferocityWarwick in Rhode Island reported the most snow 91 centimetres while winds churned at a134kilometre speed in Nantucket in neighbouring MassachusettsOnly two deaths so far have been attributed to the blizzard both in Rhode IslandWhile the snowfall had abated in New York and most other places by Monday evening the National Weather Service said that heavy snow and strong winds will continue into Tuesday morning across Maine as the storm goes off the coastMassachusetts Governor Maura Healey said of the blizzard hitting the region âThis is as bad as Iâve seen itâThe media in that state described it as âhistoricâMore than 300000 homes were without power in Massachusetts and 100000 in New Jersey as electric lines snapped mostly because trees toppled over there and elsewhereHundreds of cars some with the people inside them were reported stranded in snowbound roadwaysIt was the worst blizzard in a decade in New York City which was recovering from another snowstorm last monthThe 45 centimetres of snow recorded in Central Park ranked it the ninthhighest snowfallNew Yorkâs Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency and announced what amounted to a curfew for nonessential vehicles on Sunday for the parts of the state close to the coastIn the heavy snowfall and cold wave last month at least18 people most of them homeless died in the cold because Mayor Zohran Mamdani had promised in his campaign that the homeless would not be made to leave their encampmentsThis time however he changed his stance and asked social medical and police services to get the vulnerable off the streets and he declared at a news conference on Monday that there were no deathsThe bustling city roads were barren on Monday and by evening city buses slowly ventured outMany tourists flocked to Times Square amid the cleared snow piled into minimountains by emergency workersWhile stocks traded on Wall Street and other markets in city powered by traders and investors working from home most offices including the United Nations and schools were closed because of the travel restrictionsIn some places like Rhode Island schools and offices will be closed on Tuesday as wellThe Federal Emergency Management Agency which would have to provide assistance in disasters like this is under the Homeland Security Department whose budget is on hold because of Democratsâ demand that the department put restrictions on the conduct of immigration officers who shot dead two US citizens during confrontations with protestorsPresident Donald Trumpâs administration gave the assurance that the agency would be able to provide immediate disaster relief IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/bomb-cyclone-wallops-us-northeast-with-record-snow-662461.html Tue, 24 Feb 2026 09:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/strengthening-australian-social-cohesion-could-take-years-says-bondi-attack-inquiry-head-662467.html Sydney Feb 24 The head of a major inquiry into the antisemitic terror attack at Sydneys Bondi Beach in December said on Tuesday that it could take years to strengthen social cohesion in Australia Former High Court Justice Virginia Bell who was appointed by the federal government to lead the royal commission on antisemitism and social cohesion said in her opening statement on the inquirys first day on Tuesday that the work of the commission would help Australians come to terms with the attackThe royal commission was established by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in January almost one month after 15 people were killed in the fatal mass shooting that targeted a Jewish event at the iconic beach on December 14Bell said that it is of critical importance that the inquiry hands down its final report before the first anniversary of the attack but warned that strengthening social cohesion would be the work of years not monthsBell said she was interested in hearing from Jewish Australians who had experienced antisemitism âwhether at school or at university or in the workplace or elsewhereâ and making a submission online did not commit them to giving evidence in publicShe said that the royal commission would not hear evidence from eyewitnesses of the attack so as not to prejudice criminal proceedings against the surviving alleged gunman Naveed Akram Xinhua news agency reportedThe senior counsel assisting the royal commission Richard Lancaster said that dozens of notices have been issued to federal and state government agencies to appear before the inquiry and produce relevant documentsA large part of the work of this commission will be to present evidence to allow a broader understanding of the scourge of antisemitism its nature and prevalence throughout Australian society and its impact on the lives of fellow Australians he saidThe inquiry is expected to hand down an interim report by April 30The commission will identify antisemitic conduct and its drivers in Australian society examine how law enforcement and security agencies were tackling antisemitic conduct and protecting the Jewish community and look at the circumstances leading up to the attack IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/strengthening-australian-social-cohesion-could-take-years-says-bondi-attack-inquiry-head-662467.html Tue, 24 Feb 2026 10:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-supreme-court-ruling-may-not-yet-calm-choppy-waters-around-trump-trade-policy-662500.html New Delhi Feb 24 IANS In a little over a year since he took office as the 47th President of the United States on January 20 last year Donald Trump has managed to stir the world order a few times with frequent changes made using two of his favourite words trade and tariffsnbspFirst he introduced a set of reciprocal tariffs last year that forced several countries to scurry for inking trade deals with Washington or agree to negotiations as the dice appeared to be loaded against themAfter the US President tore up the global economic order in 2025 Japan was one among the countries scrambling to strike a deal They pledged to dramatically increase investment in the US in exchange for lower US tariffs on Japanese exports observed the UKs liberalleaning The Guardian newspaperBut two days after Trumps declared victory his bid to reshape international trade suffered a damaging defeat at the US Supreme Court it addedOn February 20 the US Supreme Court in a 63 judgment ruled that President Trump overstepped his authority when he imposed global tariffs using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act IEEPA The court clarified that IEEPA was designed for national security emergencies not broad trade measures This effectively struck down many of Trumps earlier reciprocal tariffsTrue to his style with contempt towards judges who ruled that much of his tariff regime was illegal Trump soon announced a 10 per cent global tariff then quickly raised it to 15 per cent by invoking Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974While it allows the US President to impose this import duty it is a temporary adjustment for a maximum of 150 days This provision is meant to be used to address balanceofpayments deficits and needs to be extended by CongressWith midterm elections looming ahead this year the House may not want to vote in a hurryMeanwhile businesses and trading partners face confusion about what tariffs apply making longterm planning difficult But the dynamics have shifted with allies feeling confident that they can renegotiate a few clausesIndia Brazil and China have been handed significant tariff cuts without making a single compromise The Guardian report said adding that at the same time countries like the UK may now face higher tariffs despite making concessionsNew Delhi has hit the pause button on the ongoing negotiation before an imminent closure of a trade deal Exporters in India are alarmed especially in the textiles chemicals and auto parts sectorsThe European Union too is seeking clarifications after the European Commission had reached an understanding in an initial trade deal with Washington According to reports Brussels wants to consult the WTO and has warned of possible countermeasuresAgricultural exporters in Brazil are reportedly worried about higher costs where President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva while in Delhi urged countries to unite and form collective negotiating blocs for talks with the USMeanwhile President Xi Jinping of China will carry some extra leverage when he sits at the negotiating table across his US counterpart during the latters Beijing visit from March 31 to April 2 Chinas Ministry of Commerce this week said that it has noted the US Supreme Courts ruling and is conducting a comprehensive assessment of its relevant content and impactThe unilateral measures it added such as the imposition of reciprocal tariffs and fentanyl tariffs not only violate international economic and trade rules but also contravene domestic laws of the United States and are not in the interests of any partyTrump may not now be able to push Xi for larger purchases of American soybeans Boeing aircraft and energyChina may go slow on allowing a steady flow of rare earth minerals a crucial component of the American hitech and AIbased manufacturing Some reports are already hinting at Beijing attempting retaliation But that may wait till the XiTrump Beijing summitIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-supreme-court-ruling-may-not-yet-calm-choppy-waters-around-trump-trade-policy-662500.html Tue, 24 Feb 2026 15:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-bnp-leader-injured-in-shooting-in-dhakas-kalabagan-area-662319.html Dhaka Feb 23 A Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP leader was injured after unidentified assailants opened fire in Dhakaâs Kalabagan area local media reported This incident on Sunday night came just days after the BNP led by Tarique Rahman formed the government following its decisive victory in the 13th Parliamentary electionsThe 55yearold injured Shafiqur Rahman who serves as the joint general secretary of Kalabagan Ward16 BNP was shot outside the shoe market opposite Bashundhara Shopping Complex under Kalabagan Police Station Bangladeshi media outlet UNB reportedAccording to a local shopkeeper Shahparan who rushed Shafiqur to Dhaka Medical College Hospital the injured BNP leader supplies shoes to several local shopsâSuddenly a bullet hit his left hand I cannot say who or what shot himâ UNB quoted the shopkeeper as sayingConfirming the incident Inspector Md Faruk in charge of the police camp at the hospital said a businessman with gunshot injuries was brought from Kalabagan and is receiving treatment at the emergency departmentâWe have informed Kalabagan Police Station about the matterâ he addedLast week at least nine people were injured and a house was set ablaze amid escalating incidents of postelection violence in five districts across Bangladesh local media reportedAs violence intensified six individuals sustained injuries after two groups of BNP workers clashed in Lalpur upazila of the Natore district on the night of February 14At least six people were injured during the clash Bangladeshs leading newspaper The Daily Star quoted Md Mojibar Rahman officerincharge of Lalpur Police Station as sayingHe stated that two suspects were arrested and a firearm was recovered from the scene adding that a case was filed in connection with the incidentIn a separate incident a BNP worker Giasuddin Rasel was injured in an attack allegedly carried out by members of JamaateIslami in Sherpur districts Sadar upazilaIn another act of violence a gang reportedly torched the house of Jamaat supporter Shokor Akunji in Mashiali village under Phultala upazila in Khulna districtWe could not identify the attackers said Shokors son Abdur RazzakIn its latest report Dhakabased Human Rights Support Society HRSS revealed that at least 10 people were killed and 2503 injured in electionrelated violence between October 2025 and February 14 during the 13th national parliamentary election local media reportedAs per the findings HRSS recorded more than 700 incidents of violence across the country leaving 10 people dead and more than 2500 injuredIt added that as many as 34 people suffered bullet injuries while more than 500 houses vehicles businesses election offices and polling centres were vandalised looted or set on fireWith Tarique Rahman at the helm experts warn that Bangladesh faces a formidable challenge in overcoming the unrest and rising Islamist extremism that marked the 18month tenure of the Muhammad Yunusled interim government IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-bnp-leader-injured-in-shooting-in-dhakas-kalabagan-area-662319.html Mon, 23 Feb 2026 13:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/political-leaders-in-india-decry-talibans-new-penal-code-legalising-domestic-violence-662329.html New Delhi Feb 23 The Talibanâs new domestic violence code which permits women to be beaten as long as their bones do not break has sparked widespread outrage in India Critics describe it as an assault on basic human dignityâ and a chilling reminder of the dangers when power and religious edicts override basic rights The move has been condemned as a stark violation of womenâs rights an affront to justice and a signal that oppressive policies can be formalised under the guise of law Speaking to IANS BJP National Spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain reacted sharply saying âThe Taliban are not going to refrain from such actions They have returned to power and an atmosphere has formed that their actions can never be right The fatwa they have issued and the law they have made allows women to be beaten severely and these lawmakers should be held accountableâJDU Spokesperson Neeraj Kumar called the law a stark violation of democratic and human rights principlesâWhere democratic values are not protected and policies are driven by religion injustice is inevitable The mistreatment of women under religious pretexts is unacceptable No religion permits disrespecting daughters denying them education or discriminating against themâ he saidCongress MP Imran Masood criticised the Talibanâs justification for the penal code âI cannot understand which Islamic text they referred to while framing this According to the status of women in Islam this is not justifiedâ he addedJDU National Spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad noted the broader diplomatic implications âThis concerns relations between countries We support the central governmentâs decisions and policy measures regarding such international developmentsâThe Talibanâs 90page code signed by Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada also abolishes the 2009 law on the Elimination of Violence Against Women EVAW and imposes punishments based on social status allowing lighter penalties for the elite and harsher measures for lowerclass individualsHuman rights organisations including the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women have called for immediate international intervention to halt the lawâs implementation IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/political-leaders-in-india-decry-talibans-new-penal-code-legalising-domestic-violence-662329.html Mon, 23 Feb 2026 14:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/sri-lanka-must-jump-onto-indias-bandwagon-to-join-ai-race-report-662334.html New Delhi Feb 23 The only way for Sri Lanka to get into the AI race is to jump onto the bandwagon of a fast mover Since it is unlikely that Sri Lanka can do so with the two leaders in the AI race the US and China the choice available is its neighbour to the north India the rising star India has a high strategic edge with AI on many counts according to an article in the Colombo Telegraph âIndia is moving fast in AI development and most likely will become part of a threemember oligopoly along with the US and China that will dominate the world In this game Sri Lanka has no choice but to jump onto the Indian bandwagon to harness the best results for its citizensâ states the article written by Dr WA WijewardenaSri Lankaâs President Anura Kumara Dissanayake highlighted at the AI Summit here last week that countries lagging in the AI race may face even greater vulnerabilities because the new trend will threaten shared aspirations for inclusive equitable and sustainable development the common goals of the worldâs nations todayHe also noted that Sri Lanka like many other emerging economies is yet to develop its AI infrastructure to harness its full potential as a driver of the economy What is needed according to him is decisive action by these nations to follow a principled confident and forwardlooking strategyThe article states that Sri Lanka is specifically vulnerable because it does not have the necessary infrastructure in place to join the AI race In this game India which is now branded as a ârising starâ is placed third globally in AI competitiveness and vibrancy by Stanford Universityâs AI Index 2025 while it is ranked midway in the IMFâs AI Preparedness Index and Oxford Universityâs Government AI Readiness Index for 2025 But its ability to effectively challenge the two rising leaders is questionableThe article points out that joining that India provides a way out for Sri Lanka Demographywise India has a young population of about a twothirds falling under 35 years That is a high potential humanware stock With respect to digital infrastructure it has an enviable recent catchupIts cloud storage capacity is about 100 petabytes or PBs and numerous data centres are equipped with more than 38000 Graphics Processing Units or GPUs This is a massive advancement since a single petabyte can store about 500 billion pages of standard text or over 200000 highdefinition movies GPUs originally designed for graphics are today used for heavy computation video editing and machine learningDue to their ability to handle intensive data tasks GPUs are critical for training large AI models On top of these India is now entrepreneurshipdriven with the proliferation of about 200000 startups It also has a large 5G subscriber base of more than 400 million users the article states IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/sri-lanka-must-jump-onto-indias-bandwagon-to-join-ai-race-report-662334.html Mon, 23 Feb 2026 14:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladeshs-president-alleges-conspiracy-by-yunus-led-interim-govt-to-overthrow-him-662335.html Dhaka Feb 23 Bangladeshâs President Mohammed Shahabuddin asserted that he was excluded from key discussions during the oneandahalfyear tenure of the Muhammad Yunusled interim government alleging that conspiracies were hatched to overthrow him and that attempts were made to destabilise the country and create a constitutional vacuum In an interview with Bangladeshi Bengali daily Kaler Kantho at Bangabhaban his official residence in Dhaka the President said âDuring those one and a half years I have not been in any discussion yet various conspiracies are being hatched against me There have been many attempts to permanently destroy the peace and order of the country and create a constitutional vacuumâWhen asked if those efforts were successful he said âI was steadfast in my decision That is why no conspiracy succeeded Especially the numerous plots to overthrow the President through unconstitutional means have failed As a result the experience of one and a half years at Bangabhaban cannot be said to be good I dont know whether anyone else had the strength to withstand the storm that has passed over meâResponding to a question on whether the former chief advisor coordinated with the President on state decisions including the issuance of 133 ordinances Shahabuddin said that although some ordinances may have been necessitated by the circumstances there was no justification for issuing such a large numberShahabuddin further alleged that although the former chief advisor made a number of overseas trips he neither called on the President upon return nor provided any written updates which the latter described as a âconstitutional obligationââThe Chief Advisor did not follow any provision of the Constitution The Constitution states that whenever he goes on a foreign trip he should meet the President after returning from there and inform me of the output He is supposed to inform me in writing about what was discussed what happened whether any agreement was made what kind of talks were held So he must have gone on foreign trips 14 to 15 times He never told me He never came to meâ he said speaking to Kaler KanthoAccording to Shahabuddin he remained âcompletely in the darkâ during the tenure of the interim government and claimed that two of his proposed foreign visits to Kosovo and Qatar were blockedOn being asked whether he had been aware of the last agreement concluded with the United States by the interim government ahead of the elections the President said he had no knowledge of it and such developments should have been formally communicated to himâNo I do not know anything Such a state agreement should have been informed to me Be it small or big of course the previous heads of government informed the President And this is a constitutional obligation But he did not do it He did not inform me verbally nor in writing He didnt come And he was supposed to come anywayâ the President told Kaler Kantho IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladeshs-president-alleges-conspiracy-by-yunus-led-interim-govt-to-overthrow-him-662335.html Mon, 23 Feb 2026 14:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-rights-group-alleges-two-farmers-extrajudicially-killed-in-balochistan-662369.html Quetta Feb 23 As violence against civilians continues to escalate in the Balochistan province of Pakistan a leading human rights organisation reported that two farmers from Surab area were killed after being subjected to enforced disappearance earlier this month local media reported on Monday The Baloch Yakjehti Committee BYC stated that Taimoor a 26yearold farmer was forcibly disappeared on February 9 BYC alleged that Taimoors body was later found discarded after being held in custody for several days showing visible signs of severe torture The Balochistan Post reportedThe group stated that families of those subjected to enforced disappearance in Balochistan are often scared about disappearance and possible mistreatment while being in custody According to the organisation victims allegedly faced torture in several cases of enforced disappearance before their bodies were discovered in remote placesThe rights group said that Taimoor was a labouring farmer who used to earn his livelihood through daily work The group termed killing of Taimoor a violation of international human rights law including provisions under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ICCPR regarding the right to life and the prohibition of torture and the Convention Against Torture CATIn a separate case the BYC said Murtaza a 31yearold farmer was detained by Pakistanâs Frontier Corps FC personnel on February 9 from the Mal FC checkpoint in Surab The group alleged that Murtaza was arrested without a court warrant and without being informed about the charges he was facing According to the organisation his family received no information about his whereabouts or condition after the arrest The Balochistan Post reportedBYC mentioned that details about Murtazas case were shared with the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances to obtain clarification from the Pakistani authorities regarding his fate The organisation stated that Murtazas body was found on February 20 11 days following his detention According to the group his body showed visible signs of severe torture like other cases of alleged enforced disappearances reported in BalochistanBYC said that Pakistan state institutions were responsible for what it termed extrajudicial killing of Murtaza and urged United Nations and the international community to take notice of the case and demanded a full independent and transparent investigationLast week the BYC strongly condemned the alarming surge in extrajudicial killings enforced disappearances and staged âfake encountersâ across Balochistan during the month of FebruaryIn its latest report the BYC confirmed that 19 individuals have been extrajudicially killed while noting that additional cases have yet to be independently verified or officially documentedChildren youth and elders are being targetted Families seeking truth face intimidation harassment and threats The rights to life liberty security and justice are being systematically and deliberately violated it statedAccording to the rights body due to severe restrictions on media coverage limited social interaction and an atmosphere of fear and intimidation only a fraction of cases are formally registered or publicly documentedCondemning the incidents the BYC said These acts are unlawful inhumane and constitute grave violations of fundamental human rights They represent a direct assault on the dignity security and collective existence of the Baloch people Families across Balochistan are living in constant fear Children students workers and ordinary civilians are being targetted abducted and killed without explanation due process or accountabilityLives are being taken with impunity We demand justice Every life lost must be accounted for Those responsible must be identified investigated and brought before independent courts of law it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-rights-group-alleges-two-farmers-extrajudicially-killed-in-balochistan-662369.html Mon, 23 Feb 2026 17:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/childhood-cancer-survival-rate-in-pakistan-remains-dismal-report-662376.html Islamabad Feb 23 Even though experts reckon that childhood cancer survival rates in wealthy nations is over 80 per cent it drops to below 30 per cent in low and middleincome nations like Pakistan largely due to delay in recognising symptoms lack of quality supportive care and trained specialists limited access to specialised treatment and treatment abandonment a report has detailed Around 10000 children are diagnosed with cancer in Pakistan each year an editorial in Pakistans leading daily The Express Tribune stated Every year Pakistan is losing children that could have been saved if they were born in nations which have better resources and resource managementThe dismal survival rate in Pakistan is largely due to a delayed recognition of symptoms lack of quality supportive care lack of trained specialists limited access to specialised treatment centres and even high rates of treatment abandonment the editorial mentionedDiagnosis of childhood cancer is delayed due to negligence on almost all levels of care A lack of awareness of symptoms causes a primary delay in consulting a doctor Then there is a delay in referring the child to an oncological centre which is further followed by a delay in the final diagnosis due to limited diagnostic facilities and overburdened hospitals The Express Tribune opinedDuring the treatment process families have to deal with inexperienced medical professionals and face difficulties in accessing medical facilities Families who reside in remote areas faced increased disadvantages as specialised care is absent in such regions it mentioned furtherEven if children are able to access medical facilities the price of advanced treatments lifesaving drugs and basic primary care provisions make it impossible for majority of families to use every possible resource IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/childhood-cancer-survival-rate-in-pakistan-remains-dismal-report-662376.html Mon, 23 Feb 2026 18:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/dutch-minority-govt-sworn-in-after-lengthy-coalition-talks-662381.html The Hague Feb 23 A Dutch minority government was officially sworn in on Monday at Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague more than 110 days after the general election held on October 29 last year Following the discharge of the previous cabinet 18 ministers and 10 state secretaries were sworn inThe new cabinet is a coalition of Democrats 66 D66 the Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy VVD and the Christian Democratic Appeal CDA formed on January 30 Xinhua news agency reported Before the swearingin incoming Prime Minister Rob Jetten held an introductory meeting with King WillemAlexander marking the transition to the new administrationThe first cabinet meeting is scheduled for Monday afternoon An initial task of the government will be to draft its policy programme under the coalition agreementAccording to the agreement the new government will prioritise improving the efficiency of public administration accelerating housing construction and energy transition advancing proactive climate policies promoting hightech industries to boost economic growth tightening immigration policies reforming the social security and healthcare systems and strengthening national security and international cooperationA total of 27 parties contested the parliamentary election last October with 15 winning seats in the House of Representatives The D66 and the Party for Freedom PVV each secured 26 seats followed by the VVD with 22 and the GreenLeftLabour alliance GroenLinksPvdA with 20 The CDA and JA21 won 18 and nine seats respectivelyOn January 9 the D66 the VVD and the CDA announced their plan to form a minority cabinet Forming a government without majority support at the outset is rare in Dutch politics The three parties together hold 66 seats in the 150member House of Representatives 10 short of a majority and are 16 seats short of a majority in the SenateThe Netherlands does not have a tradition of minority cabinets In that respect we are in uncharted territory the three parties said in their coalition agreement The success of this cabinet hinges on its willingness to collaborate with the House of Representatives and the Senate fellow government bodies and civil society organizations IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/dutch-minority-govt-sworn-in-after-lengthy-coalition-talks-662381.html Mon, 23 Feb 2026 18:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/guyana-vice-president-lauds-indias-rapid-progress-in-digital-governance-662402.html New Delhi Feb 23 VicePresident C P Radhakrishnan held a meeting with his Guyanese counterpart Bharrat Jagdeo in New Delhi on Monday discussing ways to further strengthen bilateral ties across various sectors The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the voice of the Global South at international forums including the United Nations Security Council UNSC and the International Tribunal for the Law of the SeaVicePresident of Guyana HE Dr Bharrat Jagdeo called on the VicePresident of India Shri C P Radhakrishnan at Uprashtrapati Bhavan New Delhi today The two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen IndiaâGuyana ties across diverse sectors Dr Jagdeo appreciated the decisive leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Indiaâs rapid progress in digital governance and financial inclusion through UPI and both sides discussed the possibility of extending similar models to Guyana The Guyanese delegation also expressed interest in Indiaâs eMigrate platform and the ITEC programme the Vice Presidents Office posted on X after the meetingThe VicePresidents reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the voice of the Global South at international platforms including the UNSC and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea Both leaders also shared their mutual passion for cricket and acknowledged Guyanaâs contribution to the game it addedJagdeo arrived in New Delhi last week to attend the AI Impact Summit hosted by India from February 1620 Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai welcomed him at the airport on February 17 Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that Jagdeos visit to India will further strengthen the historic and multifaceted bilateral tiesLast month Guyana President Irfaan Ali had extended warm wishes to PM Narendra Modi and people of India on Republic Day He noted that India as worlds largest democracy continues to champion the interests and aspirations of developing states on the global stageOn the occasion of the 77th Republic Day of the Republic of India we extend warm congratulations to the Government and people of the Republic of India as they commemorate the adoption of their Constitution and the enduring ideals it enshrines Irfaan Ali had posted on X on January 26Indiaâs freedom struggle and its peaceful transition from colonial rule ignited hope across the developing world inspiring generations of nations to claim their sovereignty and shape their own destinies As the worldâs largest democracy India continues to champion the interests and aspirations of developing states on the global stage he addedPresident Ali stated that Guyana values its bond with India and noted that the ties between two nations have matured into a strong partnership based in mutual respect and cooperation in diverse sectorsGuyana proudly values its deep and historic bonds with India forged through ties of history blood and a common commitment to democracy and development These relations have matured into a strong partnership grounded in mutual respect and cooperation across diverse sectors he posted on X IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/guyana-vice-president-lauds-indias-rapid-progress-in-digital-governance-662402.html Mon, 23 Feb 2026 21:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/balochistan-on-edge-as-water-crisis-deepens-report-662422.html Quetta Feb 23 A major water crisis unfolding in Pakistans Balochistan along with a demographic explosion threatens to overwhelm the fragile ecology of the province a report has highlighted Every morning in Quetta before the sun clears the jagged peaks of the Sulaiman Mountains a ritual of anxiety begins It starts with the hollow metallic clink of a dry tap For thousands of households this sound is the starting gun for a daily race for survival With it echo the neighbourhoods with one question Will water come today a report in Pakistans Express Tribune magazine statedIn the sprawling neighbourhoods of the provincial capital families ration every drop calculating whether a litre of water should be used for cooking a meal or washing a childâs face What was once a seasonal inconvenience has hardened into a defining feature of life in Balochistan This quiet crisis is unfolding alongside a demographic explosion that threatens to overwhelm the provinceâs fragile ecology it addedAccording to Population Management and Communication Team PMCT Director Abdul Sattar Shahwani population of Balochistan has increased to 1489 million up from 1234 million in 2017 showcasing an average annual growth rate of 32 per cent Official projections suggest that Balochistan will have population of 1857 million people by 2030 and the figure could be over 35 million by 2050We are adding millions of people to a landscape that is physically losing its ability to support lifeâ the report quoted a local urban planning consultant as sayingThe consultant further said If the population doubles while the water table halves the math simply doesnt work We are heading toward an impossibilityFor decades Balochistan survived on its ground water however the account is now overdrawn The World Bank stated that 95 per cent of Balochistans farmland depends on groundwater extraction Only five per cent of Balochistan is linked to Indus Basinâs canal system This overdependence has turned a lifeline into a liabilityAccording to the data from the International Union for Conservation of Nature IUCN groundwater could be reached at 50 metres in 2000 That depth dropped to over 150 metres in many areas by 2023 The water table is plunging by two to five metres in Quetta each yearThe crisis is not uniform it is a patchwork of desperation The UKfunded District Vulnerability Index for Pakistan DVIP identifies 17 districts in Balochistan as being on the absolute edge From the desert reaches of Washuk and Chagai to the mountainous terrain of Zhob and Kalat falling water tables and rising populations are converging to create a perfect storm of food insecurity and displacement Mohammad Zafar Baloch wrote in The Express Tribune magazineTanveer Jamote Deputy Secretary of the Public Health Engineering PHE Department was cited as saying that the daily demand of Quetta is roughly 60 million gallons while the government supplies about 30 millionResidents hoped that they could get temporary relief from the Mangi Dam designed to supply eight million gallons a day to Quetta However the project represents bureaucratic lethargy as the project meant to be completed in 2022 initially is now nearly 43 per cent over budget with costs rising to 198 billion rupees Lawmakers at the Public Accounts Committee have expressed anger over these delays The new date announced for the completion of the project is March 31 2026 IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/balochistan-on-edge-as-water-crisis-deepens-report-662422.html Mon, 23 Feb 2026 22:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/iskp-bombing-at-islamabad-shia-mosque-should-raise-concerns-in-pakistan-report-662427.html Islamabad Feb 23 The Islamic State Khorosan Provinceâs ISKP suicide bombing targetting a Shia mosque in Pakistans Islamabad which claimed 36 lives and injured over 160 others during February 6 Friday prayers should raise concerns within the state on several levels as it indicates the possible emergence of another militant front in the country The attack punctured what is routinely described as the countryâs most fortified zone signalling that the operational capacity of the terrorists cannot be dismissed as merely residual It also risks reigniting sectarian fault lines in the country that had been subdued in recent years Most critically the attack points to the possible emergence of yet another militant front alongside the Pakistani Taliban and Baloch militants Islamabadbased journalist and analyst Ihsanullah Tipu Mehsud wrote in The Express Tribune magazineThe ISKP which has a presence across the region from Central Asia to Turkey has faced significant losses in recent years Despite these significant losses the group has managed to carry out sporadic but highly unpredictable attacks in Pakistan and other nations which have left state authorities in a state of shock Since its formation the ISKPs parent organisation the Islamic State in Iraq and Levant ISIL has consistently adhered to an antiShia ideology Over time the ISKP expanded its targets to the US China Russia and other nationsA close examination of the ISKPs propaganda content reveals that the spread of antiShia content is an enduring theme ranging from the generation of extreme hatred to the incitement of extreme violence against Shias The ISKPs rivalry with the Talibanled Afghan interim government and even Hamas is also closely tied to their ties with Iran with the group viewing anyone who befriends Iran as a prime target wrote MehsudThe attack on mosque in Islamabad was followed by several statements on mainstream and social media with many speculating that it was either an attempt to disrupt the Pakistan TehreekeInsafs PTI announced protests against election rigging or the Basant festival in Lahore The festival which is centuriesold celebration of spring was recently reinstated by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz after a ban of nearly 20 yearsHowever it is crucial to acknowledge that the operations of nonstate actors are multifaceted aiming to not only inflict physical damage on their enemies but also to achieve political and propaganda objectives by creating mistrust social and political polarisation and moral decay To understand militancy properly its essential to recognise its patterns Such attacks dont occur overnight rather they involve weeks of meticulous preparation including training in handling explosives arranging transportation to the target location and securing accommodation in the vicinity while concealing identities Mehsud wrote in The Express Tribune magazineFurthermore extensive survey is conducted at the planned target site to gather intelligence on security protocols and find potential vulnerabilities After all preparations are complete militant organisations act swiftly to carry out the attack being detected and arrested by the authorities It seems that the attacks timing which coincided with a political or cultural event was more a coincidence than a deliberate disruption attempt particularly keeping in view ISKPs limited resources dormant nature and the intense domestic regional and international surveillance the opinion piece detailedIn recent years ISKP has transformed from using traditional training methods for its members to a more camouflaged and diffused group that prioritises bolstering its ideological indoctrination over territorial gains The group uses secure digital platforms to recruit radicalise and direct operatives In recent years Western nations which have the technological capabilities to monitor and trace ISKPs digital activities have been able to stop the groups planned attacks However nations like Pakistan and Afghanistan do not have necessary resources to monitor ISKPs online presence which has resulted in group carrying out successful attacks despite facing significant losses in recent years IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/iskp-bombing-at-islamabad-shia-mosque-should-raise-concerns-in-pakistan-report-662427.html Mon, 23 Feb 2026 23:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-weighs-strike-as-iran-allies-hold-back-662261.html Washington Feb 23 US President Donald Trump is weighing military options against Iran as diplomacy enters what officials describe as a lastditch phase even as Tehranâs closest partners â China and Russia â appear reluctant to offer direct military backing in any conflict with the United States According to a report in The Wall Street Journal Iran has sought for years to build closer military ties with Beijing and Moscow But its powerful friends are âproving reluctant to step forwardâ as the regime faces what the paper described as the âmost acute US threat to its survival in decadesâRussia and Iran conducted smallscale naval drills in the Gulf of Oman this past week An exercise involving Chinese ships is also planned in the Strait of Hormuz Iranian state media reported Yet analysts told the Journal that Beijing and Moscow have shown little willingness to provide direct military assistance if Trump orders an attack on IranâTheyâre not going to sacrifice their own interests for the Iranian regimeâ Danny Citrinowicz a former Israeli military intelligence official was quoted as saying âThey are hoping the regime will not be toppled but they are definitely not going to counter the US militarilyâAt the same time The New York Times reported that Trump has told advisers that if diplomacy or any initial targeted US attack does not lead Iran to give up its nuclear programme he would consider a much larger assault intended to drive the countryâs leaders from powerNegotiators from Washington and Tehran are scheduled to meet in Geneva for talks aimed at avoiding military conflict But Trump has been weighing options for US action if negotiations failTargets under consideration range from the headquarters of Iranâs Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to nuclear and ballistic missile facilities the Times reportedIranâs foreign minister Abbas Araghchi insisted in a television interview that the country was not ready to give up what he called its ârightâ to make nuclear fuel under the Nuclear Nonproliferation TreatyMeanwhile Senator Jeff Merkley warned against unilateral military action âAny decision to launch military action without congressional authorization would violate the Constitution undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts and risk putting American troops and innocent civilians in the crossfireâ he said in a statementMerkley added âOnly Congress has the constitutional authority to declare warâIn a separate interview cited by the New York Post special presidential envoy Steve Witkoff said Iran could be âa week awayâ from having âindustrialgrade bombmaking materialâ intensifying pressure on the White House to actFor India any escalation in the Strait of Hormuz carries immediate consequences Around a fifth of the worldâs oil supply passes through the narrow waterway Disruption would likely affect global crude prices and shipping routes critical to Indiaâs energy security IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-weighs-strike-as-iran-allies-hold-back-662261.html Mon, 23 Feb 2026 07:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/arab-countries-condemn-us-ambassadors-remarks-over-israeli-right-to-entire-middle-east-662191.html Cairo Feb 22 The Arab League Egypt and Saudi Arabia condemned remarks by US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee that Israel has the right to claim control over the entire Middle East Huckabees remarks being illogical and irrational are inconsistent with the fundamental principles and established norms of diplomacy SecretaryGeneral of the Arab League Ahmed AboulGheit said in a statementThose remarks serve only to inflame sentiments and stir religious and national emotions when countries are exploring ways to implement the Gaza ceasefire and seize the opportunity to launch a serious political process towards peace he saidMeanwhile Egyptian Foreign Ministry on Saturday expressed its astonishment over the remarks describing them as a blatant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter Xinhua news agency reportedIn a statement the ministry reaffirmed Egypts longstanding position that Israel holds no sovereignty over occupied Palestinian territory or any other Arab lands voicing its categorical rejection of any attempts to annex the West Bank or separate it from the Gaza StripSaudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud also condemned Huckabees comments on Saturday saying such statements set a dangerous precedent and reflect a disregard for the relations between the countries of the region and the United StatesThis extremist rhetoric portends grave consequences and threatens international peace and security by antagonizing the countries and peoples of the region and undermining the foundations of the international order the minister said on XIn a contentious interview with podcaster Tucker Carlson posted on Friday Huckabee said Israel has a biblical right to claim control over the entire Middle East or at least most of the regionIt would be fine if they took it all Huckabee said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/arab-countries-condemn-us-ambassadors-remarks-over-israeli-right-to-entire-middle-east-662191.html Sun, 22 Feb 2026 07:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-approves-emergency-declaration-for-washington-as-sewage-spill-lingers-662193.html Washington Feb 22 US President Donald Trump approved an emergency declaration for Washington DC as a sewage line collapse and spill continued to tarnish the Potomac River The Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA announced in a press release that federal disaster assistance is available to the District of Columbia to supplement response efforts due to emergency conditions resulting from the sewage line collapse since January 19 Xinhua news agency reportedThe Presidents action authorises FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts to alleviate the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population and to provide appropriate assistance to save lives to protect property public health and safety and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe FEMA said adding that this assistance is for the District of Columbia and the area where the district has responsibilities in the State of Maryland and Commonwealth of VirginiaUnder the presidents authorisation FEMA can mobilise personnel equipment and other resources to help with response operations The assistance includes emergency protective measures under the agencyâs Public Assistance program with the federal government covering 75 per cent of eligible costsWashington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said again on Friday that drinking water is not impacted by the Potomac sewage spillOn January 19 a section of Potomac Interceptor a major sewage pipeline operated by DC Water collapsed releasing over 200 million gallons of wastewater into the Potomac River Bowser declared on February 18 the monthlong Potomac River sewage spill a local public emergency to request federal support IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-approves-emergency-declaration-for-washington-as-sewage-spill-lingers-662193.html Sun, 22 Feb 2026 07:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/iran-signals-hard-stance-as-extremist-us-remarks-draw-condemnation-662194.html Cairo Feb 22 Iran vowed to uphold national unity and designated the naval and air forces of European Union EU states as terrorist organizations The move came as a US envoys controversial remarks drew widespread condemnation across Arab countries Speaking at a meeting in Tehran Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed his administrations commitment to national resilience and unity saying that Iran will not yield to external pressure as it navigates nuclear negotiations with the United States Xinhua news agency reportedWe will make efforts and will not bow before any of the difficulties we are faced with he said in remarks carried live by staterun IRIB TVWhile acknowledging difficulties Pezeshkian called for national cohesion urging Iranians to put aside the differences and stay unitedPezeshkians remarks follow a recent US military buildup in the Middle East and two rounds of indirect nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran which have centered on Irans nuclear program and the possible lifting of US sanctionsMeanwhile Iranian Foreign Ministry said the country had designated the navies and air forces of all member states of the EU as terrorist organisationsThe move is to respond to the EUs recent unlawful and unjustified decision to label Irans Islamic Revolution Guards Corps as a terrorist organization the ministry said in a statementThe EU decision is in contradiction with the fundamental principles and rules of the United Nations Charter and international law the statement saidAgainst tense regional developments US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said in a Friday interview that Israel has a biblical right to claim control over the entire Middle East or at least most of the regionThe comments drew condemnation across the Arab countries as the Arab League called them highly extremistHuckabees remarks being illogical and irrational are inconsistent with the fundamental principles and established norms of diplomacy SecretaryGeneral of the Arab League Ahmed AboulGheit said in a statementThose remarks serve only to inflame sentiments and stir religious and national emotions when countries are exploring ways to implement the Gaza ceasefire and seize the opportunity to launch a serious political process towards peace he saidEgyptian Foreign Ministry expressed its astonishment over the remarks on Saturday describing them as a blatant violation of international law and the United Nations CharterAlso calling the rhetoric extremist Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said the same day that Huckabees action portends grave consequences and threatens international peace and security by antagonizing the countries and peoples of the region and undermining the foundations of the international order IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/iran-signals-hard-stance-as-extremist-us-remarks-draw-condemnation-662194.html Sun, 22 Feb 2026 07:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistani-strikes-afghan-border-areas-dozens-civilians-killed-662196.html IslamabadKabul Feb 22 Several Afghan civilians were killed and many others injured after Pakistan carried out airstrikes targeting civilian areas along the volatile border between the two countries Kabul alleged that residential locations were hit in the operationIslamabad maintained that the strikes were aimed at Afghanbased terrorist groups that it holds responsible for a string of recent suicide attacks inside PakistanAccording to the Afghan government dozens of people were killed or wounded in the bombardmentLast night they bombed our civilian compatriots in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces martyring and wounding dozens of people including women and children Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said in a post on XConfirming the operation Pakistans Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said in a post on X Pakistan has carried out intelligencebased selective targeting of seven terrorist camps and hideouts belonging to Pakistani Taliban and its affiliates in the border regionTarar further stated that the action also targeted an alleged affiliate of the Islamic State group which had claimed responsibility for the recent mosque attack in Islamabad that left 31 people dead and more than 160 injured The incident was among the deadliest assaults in the Pakistani capital since the 2008 Marriott hotel bombingIn a separate statement the Pakistani Army said that despite repeated efforts to urge the Afghan Taliban regime to take verifiable steps to prevent Afghan territory from being used by terrorist groups and foreign proxies to launch attacks inside Pakistan the Afghan Taliban regime failed to undertake any substantive action against themPakistan has always strived to maintain peace and stability in the region but at the same time the safety and security of our citizens remains our top priority In this backdrop Pakistan in a retributive response has carried out intelligencebased selective targeting of seven Terrorist camps and hideouts belonging to the Pakistani Taliban of FAK and its affiliates and ISKP at the border region of PakistanAfghan border with precision and accuracy the statement addedTensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have escalated since the Taliban regained control of Kabul in 2021 Bilateral ties have deteriorated sharply in recent months amid deadly border clashes and repeated accusations from Islamabad that Afghan soil is being used to shelter militants targeting PakistanThe Taliban government in Kabul however has consistently rejected these allegations denying that it allows its territory to be used for crossborder attacks IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistani-strikes-afghan-border-areas-dozens-civilians-killed-662196.html Sun, 22 Feb 2026 09:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistani-strikes-afghan-border-areas-dozens-of-civilians-killed-662197.html IslamabadKabul Feb 22 Several Afghan civilians were killed and many others injured after Pakistan carried out airstrikes targeting civilian areas along the volatile border between the two countries Kabul alleged that residential locations were hit in the operationIslamabad maintained that the strikes were aimed at Afghanbased terrorist groups that it holds responsible for a string of recent suicide attacks inside PakistanAccording to the Afghan government dozens of people were killed or wounded in the bombardmentLast night they bombed our civilian compatriots in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces martyring and wounding dozens of people including women and children Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said in a post on XConfirming the operation Pakistans Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said in a post on X Pakistan has carried out intelligencebased selective targeting of seven terrorist camps and hideouts belonging to Pakistani Taliban and its affiliates in the border regionTarar further stated that the action also targeted an alleged affiliate of the Islamic State group which had claimed responsibility for the recent mosque attack in Islamabad that left 31 people dead and more than 160 injuredThe incident was among the deadliest assaults in the Pakistani capital since the 2008 Marriott hotel bombingIn a separate statement the Pakistani Army said that despite repeated efforts to urge the Afghan Taliban regime to take verifiable steps to prevent Afghan territory from being used by terrorist groups and foreign proxies to launch attacks inside Pakistan the Afghan Taliban regime failed to undertake any substantive action against themPakistan has always strived to maintain peace and stability in the region but at the same time the safety and security of our citizens remains our top priority In this backdrop Pakistan in a retributive response has carried out intelligencebased selective targeting of seven Terrorist camps and hideouts belonging to the Pakistani Taliban of FAK and its affiliates and ISKP at the border region of PakistanAfghan border with precision and accuracy the statement addedTensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have escalated since the Taliban regained control of Kabul in 2021Bilateral ties have deteriorated sharply in recent months amid deadly border clashes and repeated accusations from Islamabad that Afghan soil is being used to shelter militants targeting PakistanThe Taliban government in Kabul however has consistently rejected these allegations denying that it allows its territory to be used for crossborder attacks IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistani-strikes-afghan-border-areas-dozens-of-civilians-killed-662197.html Sun, 22 Feb 2026 09:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-to-deliver-first-sotu-of-second-term-on-feb-24-662198.html Washington Feb 22 US President Donald Trump will deliver his first State of the Union address of his second term on February 24 returning to Congress at a politically charged moment in Washington The address comes as Democrats prepare to mount a formal rebuttal On February 19 2026 Democrats announced that Virginia Gov Abigail Spanberger would deliver the Democratic responseThe annual speech delivered before a joint session of Congress traditionally outlines the administrationâs legislative and policy priorities for the year aheadAs with previous years a member of the presidentâs Cabinet is designated to remain at an undisclosed location outside Washington to ensure continuity of government in the event of an attack A designated survivor for Trumpâs address had not been announcedThe State of the Union has evolved over more than two centuries into one of the most closely watched moments in American politics Historical records show presidential addresses to joint sessions dating back to 1790 including annual messages and wartime speechesTrump himself addressed joint sessions of Congress multiple times during his first term including State of the Union addresses in 2018 2019 and 2020This yearâs speech will be Trumpâs first formal State of the Union address of his second term following an address to a joint session of Congress on March 4 2025The event will also feature the official Democratic response a televised rebuttal that offers the opposition party an opportunity to counter the presidentâs narrative and policy claimsFor international observers including in India the address is closely tracked for signals on trade immigration defence and foreign policy prioritiesThe State of the Union requirement stems from the US Constitution which mandates that the president âfrom time to timeâ provide Congress with information on the state of the country and recommend measures deemed necessary and expedient Over time the address has become a nationally televised primetime event often watched by millions and followed by an official response from the opposition party IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-to-deliver-first-sotu-of-second-term-on-feb-24-662198.html Sun, 22 Feb 2026 09:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/cia-retracts-19-intelligence-reports-over-bias-concerns-662200.html Washington Feb 22 The CIA has formally withdrawn or ordered revisions to 19 intelligence products after an internal and independent review found they did not meet the agencyâs analytic standards and âfailed to be independent of political considerationâ the agency has said CIA Director John Ratcliffe in an official release said the products produced over the past decade âfall short of the high standards of impartiality that CIA must uphold and do not reflect the expertise for which our analysts are renownedâThe unusual move includes the retraction of 17 reports and the recall of two others for substantial revision according to The Washington Post The reports will be deleted from CIA databases and will no longer be available to US policymakersThe products were identified by the Presidentâs Intelligence Advisory Board PIAB which reviewed hundreds of CIA analytic reports from the past decade An internal review led by Deputy Director Michael Ellis concurred with the findingsDirector Ratcliffe released redacted versions of three reports cited as examples They include âWomen Advancing White Racially and Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremist Radicalization and Recruitmentâ published October 6 2021 âMiddle EastNorth Africa LGBT Activists Under Pressureâ published January 14 2015 and âWorldwide PandemicRelated Contraceptive Shortfalls Threaten Economic Developmentâ published on July 8 2020âThe intelligence products we released to the American people today produced before my tenure as DCIA fall short of the high standards of impartiality that CIA must uphold and do not reflect the expertise for which our analysts are renownedâ Ratcliffe statedâThere is absolutely no room for bias in our work and when we identify instances where analytic rigour has been compromised we have a responsibility to correct the recordâ he addedA senior CIA official briefing reporters on condition of anonymity said âThereâs absolutely no room for bias of any kind in CIAâs work So when we find that our tradecraft did not reach that high bar of impartiality we must correct the recordâAccording to The Washington Post the partially released reports examined the role of women in violent white nationalist groups overseas the challenges facing LGBT activists in parts of the Islamic world and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on access to contraception and family planning in developing countriesThe senior official described one 2021 assessment as âa prime example of how CIA analysts should not be spending their timeâ arguing that it weighed in on foreign political debates ârather than discussing any actual threats of political violenceâ and âimplies a danger to these societies from traditional motherhoodfocused rolesâThe official also said two reports relied on opensource information from advocacy groups including the Human Rights Campaign the Washington Blade newspaper and Planned ParenthoodThe CIA said the actions âunderscore our commitment to transparency accountability and objective intelligence analysisâThe recall follows months of scrutiny by senior intelligence officials over how earlier assessments were prepared The PIAB review was chaired by former Congressman Devin NunesThe CIA produces thousands of intelligence products annually IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/cia-retracts-19-intelligence-reports-over-bias-concerns-662200.html Sun, 22 Feb 2026 09:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-providing-terror-groups-with-operational-space-report-662208.html Kabul Feb 22 Pakistanâs military establishment is providing radical Islamist groups like Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood operational space enabling support for local terror outfits including LashkareTaiba LeT and JaisheMohammad JeM and seeking backing from Islamic nations on Gaza and Kashmir However this convergence increases the risks of âmiscalculation ideological spillover and proxy entanglementâ across two already âvolatileâ regions of South Asia and the Middle East a report said on SundayAccording to a report by the Afghan Diaspora Network to prevent a new wave of proxy conflicts and armed confrontations in these regions the international community should treat Pakistanâs pivot to the Middle East as an urgent riskmanagement challenge As the report suggests Pakistan has long been backing and supporting the UNdesignated terrorist organisations such as LashkareTaiba LeT and JaisheMohammad JeM in their antiIndia endeavours Even when Pakistan banned these groups under international pressure the report said that they continue to retain a very active operational space via affiliates and front structures âThis matters because when Pakistan simultaneously boosts its security footprint in the Middle East its open support for Islamist terrorist outfits becomes a regional problem not just a South Asian oneâ the report detailedâIn parallel Pakistanâs mainstream political and religious platforms have increasingly provided support to Hamas representatives for propaganda purposes In January 2024 Pakistanâs Senate hosted Hamas representative Khaled Qaddoumi and senators publicly welcomed him In February 2025 Qaddoumi participated in an event in Pakistanoccupied Jammu and Kashmir PoJK and met Pakistani religious political and known terrorist figuresâ it addedThe report highlighted that this serves as evidence that Pakistan is hosting Hamas to mobilise local and international terror organisations against Western countries Israel and India âHamas is widely designated a terrorist organisation by the United States and the European Union among others and its fundraising and support networks have been a live enforcement issue in Western jurisdictions When Hamas figures are treated as honoured guests in Pakistanâs political spaces it creates two downstream risks first Pakistanâs domestic Islamist ecosystem becomes a magnet for transnational mobilisation narratives second Pakistan further vindicates the global narrative that it is a terrorsponsoring nationâ it notedThe report further said âThere have been concerns regarding support to Pakistanbased terror groups from Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood The sheer presence of representatives from these banned Islamist outfits in Pakistan suggests a systematic and operational support for LeT and JeMâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-providing-terror-groups-with-operational-space-report-662208.html Sun, 22 Feb 2026 10:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/eleven-members-of-baloch-family-forcibly-disappeared-by-pakistani-forces-662215.html Quetta Feb 22 At least eleven members of the same family were forcibly disappeared by the Pakistani forces in Balochistan amid a growing wave of enforced disappearances across the province a leading human rights organisation said on Sunday Condemning the incidents Paank the Baloch National Movements Human Rights Department mentioned that Pakistani security forces raided a house in the Gazgi area of Khuzdar district on February 18 and detained Hayat Bibi an elderly woman taking her to an undisclosed location without official acknowledgement Her husband Fazal Karim and two sons had previously been forcibly disappeared in separate incidentsThe rights body further revealed that on February 8 seven other relatives were reportedly detained during raids in the Hub district and transferred to unknown locations while Pakistani authorities have so far provided no information regarding their fate or whereaboutsPaank expressed serious concern over the âapparent collective targeting of one family particularly the detention of an elderly woman and called on the authorities to immediately disclose their whereabouts ensure their safety and either present them before a court or release them without delayâIn its latest report Paank documented alarming human rights violations occurring in Balochistan with a particular focus on enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings targeting civiliansâThe cases recorded during January revealed a deeply concerning pattern of state repression arbitrary detentions physical and psychological torture and unlawful executions carried out by Pakistani security forces These abuses underscore a continuing climate of impunity and fear across Balochistanâ the rights body statedAs per the findings a total of 82 cases of enforced disappearances were documented reflecting widespread and systematic targeting of Baloch civilians Additionally 44 victims were released after âenduring severe mental and physical torture further illustrating the use of coercive interrogation methodsâAccording to the Paank report the extrajudicial killings by Pakistani forces in Balochistan continue unabated with the Pakistani military reportedly detaining and killing individuals without due processThe report recorded 12 confirmed cases of extrajudicial killings during the same period âhighlighting the lethal consequences of unchecked state powerâAsserting that the findings reflect the deteriorating human rights situation in Balochistan Paank called for independent investigations accountability mechanisms and international monitoring to protect vulnerable communities across the province IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/eleven-members-of-baloch-family-forcibly-disappeared-by-pakistani-forces-662215.html Sun, 22 Feb 2026 11:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/red-fort-temple-targets-on-radar-isi-backed-module-busted-in-tamil-nadu-west-bengal-662221.html New Delhi Feb 22 The security agencies have busted a major ISIbacked terror plot following the arrest of eight persons from West Bengal and Tamil Nadu The arrested persons are linked to Bangladesh based terror groups and were being funded by the ISI the security agencies have learntThe arrested persons have been identified as Mizanur Rahman Mohammed Shabat Umar Mohammed Litan Mohammed Shahid and Mohammed UjjalThe arrests were made from a garment factory in Tiruppur district of Tamil Nadu and West Bengal Among the arrested persons one is a Bangladeshi national the police saidThe suspects who were arrested by the Tamil Nadu are being handed over to the Delhi Police for further investigation The preliminary probe showed that these persons were plotting attacks in various parts of IndiaThe arrests come in the backdrop of the Intelligence agencies warning that the ISI backed LashkareTaiba is in the process of setting local modules in the country to carry out a series of attacksAnother alert said that the LashkareTaiba were plotting an attack near the Red Fort Following the arrest the police recovered mobile phones and SIM cardsThe accused persons had been posting content on the social media in support of Pakistan based terror groups All the persons arrested had concealed their identity and were working at a garment factory They used fake Aadhaar cards the police said During the raids the police recovered eight mobile phones and 16 SIM cardsIn a bid to help set up the local modules for the ISI backed groups these people were actively carrying out reconnaissance activities in various citiesDuring the AI Summit four of the accused had travelled to Delhi and put up poster advocating for a Free Kashmir Following this they returned to Tamil Nadu and West Bengal the police saidThe police said that the accused persons communicated via social media The Delhi police are set to grill them about their links to Bangladeshi based terror groups and also their connection with the ISI Since the last couple of months the ISI has been plotting attacks in India This is part of the ISIâs strategy to set up local modules so that the foreign hand can be avoidedThe Pakistani terrorists stationed at the launch pads across the IndiaPakistan border have been finding it hard to infiltrate The ISI feels that to overcome this it would be better to set up local modules within India Further Pakistan can also have the deniability factor if blasts are carried out within India with the help of locals an official saidAnother alert by the Intelligence agencies speaks about a plot to target Temples in North India The Delhi Police would question these accused persons about this plot The key information that the police will try to source is which are the places that they have carried out reconnaissanceThe plot to target temples has been on the anvil for several month now The aim is to carry out attacks on Temples and then incite communal tensions another official said This plot is being overseen by the LashkareTaibaThe terror group has been scouting for recruits and has even activated some of its moles in the country to carry out this activity Further the plot was bust at a time when the agencies have been warning that a conspiracy is being hatched in Bangladesh to carry out terror attacks ahead of the West Bengal elections IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/red-fort-temple-targets-on-radar-isi-backed-module-busted-in-tamil-nadu-west-bengal-662221.html Sun, 22 Feb 2026 11:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/mann-ki-baat-pm-modi-praises-indian-origin-cricketers-in-foreign-teams-highlights-speciality-of-bhartiyata-662222.html New Delhi Feb 22 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday praised Indianorigin cricketers playing in foreign teams and emphasised the significance of Bhartiyata and noted that wherever Indians travel they maintain a strong connection to their roots in their matrabhoomi motherland while also contributing to the development of their karmabhoomi place of duty He highlighted the importance of sports in everyones life stressing that One who plays blooms adding that sports unite usAddressing the 131st episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat PM Modi said Nowadays you must be watching T20 World Cup matches I am sure that while watching a match you must be eyeing a particular player The jersey may belong to another country but on hearing their name you realise that he is from our country The moment gives you a slight happiness because the player is of indian origin and is playing for the country where his family settled They step onto the field wearing the jersey of their country and wholeheartedly represent that nation he said The Prime Minister noted that the Canadian cricket team has the highest number of Indianorigin players He mentioned that the teams captain Dilpreet Bajwa was born in Punjabs Gurdaspur and Naveneet Dhaliwal is from Chandigarh He also mentioned the names of Harsh Thaker and Shreyas Movva and said that several players like these are making both Canada and India proudPM Modi also mentioned that the USA cricket team and said Americas team has many players from Indias domestic cricket The American teams captain Monank Patel has played for Gujarats U16 and U18 teams Mumbais Saurabh Harmeet Singh and Delhis Milind Kumar are all proud of the American teamHe also stated that several players in the Oman cricket team have played in different states of India and mentioned the names of Jatinder Singh Vinayak Shukla Karan Jai and AshishIndiaorigin players are also creating a place for themselves in the teams of New Zealand UAE and Italy too Many such Indianorigin players are bringing pride to their countries and becoming an inspiration for the youth there he said This is the speciality of Bhartiyata Wherever they go Indians remain connected to the roots of their motherland and they also contribute to the development of their karmabhoomi the Prime Minister added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/mann-ki-baat-pm-modi-praises-indian-origin-cricketers-in-foreign-teams-highlights-speciality-of-bhartiyata-662222.html Sun, 22 Feb 2026 12:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pm-modis-visit-israeli-pm-netanyahu-eyes-middle-east-alliance-against-radicals-662257.html JerusalemNew Delhi Feb 22 IANS Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Israel on February 25 for a twoday official visit marking his second trip to the country since his historic 2017 visitnbspIn remarks during Israels weekly Cabinet meeting earlier on Sunday and shared via posts on social media platform X from official channels Israeli PM Netanyahu described the upcoming engagement as a key expression of the special relationship forged in recent years between Israel and India and what he called the global power that is IndiaOn Wednesday the Prime Minister of India my friend Narendra Modi will arrive in Israel In the vision I see before my eyes we will create a complete system of alliances around or within the Middle East An axis of countries that see reality the challenges and the goals with one eye facing the radical axis the Israeli Prime Minister saidNetanyahu emphasised the personal friendship between him and PM Modi noting that they speak frequently via phone and visit each otherWe are personal friends the Israeli PM said highlighting the warmth in bilateral ties between the two countriesIsraeli PM Netanyahu outlined his vision for the visit as advancing a broader strategic frameworkHe envisions building a comprehensive alliance system described as a hexagon of alliances in and around the Middle East uniting likeminded nations to collectively address regional challenges and counter radical forcesWe have a unique alliance and in my opinion also a historic one with the US both statetostate and my personal relations with President Trump This alliance does not mean that we are not seeking additional alliances on the contrary we are constantly nurturing them Netanyahu saidThe visit he said would contribute to tightening such alliances while deepening cooperation between Israel and India in economic diplomatic and security spheresThe agenda for PM Modis February 2526 visit includes his addressing the Knesset Israels Parliament in the afternoon a joint visit to Yad Vashem the Holocaust memorial with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and participation in an innovation event in Jerusalem focused on hightech collaboration particularly in areas like artificial intelligence quantum computing and other emerging technologiesThis foreign visit comes nearly nine years after PM Modis landmark 2017 visit the first by any Indian Prime Minister to Israel which elevated ties in defence agriculture water management and innovationNetanyahus reciprocal visit to India in 2018 further solidified the bilateral partnershipAmid ongoing Middle East tensions PM Modis visit underscores Indias strategic recalibration and growing convergence with Israel on counterterrorism defence supplies and technology sharingThe discussions are expected to cover expanding trade defence deals cybersecurity and regional stabilityThe announcement has drawn attention amid Israels domestic political dynamics with some Opposition leaders raising procedural concerns about the Knesset addressThe visit is seen as reinforcing the tremendous alliance between the two democracies with both sides keen to elevate cooperation against common threats and foster mutual growthIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pm-modis-visit-israeli-pm-netanyahu-eyes-middle-east-alliance-against-radicals-662257.html Sun, 22 Feb 2026 22:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/neal-katyal-indian-american-lawyer-who-stopped-trumps-tariffs-662064.html Washington Feb 21 The son of Indian immigrants who once served as Americaâs top courtroom advocate has emerged as the face of a landmark Supreme Court judgement that overthrew President Donald Trumpâs sweeping tariffs Neal Katyal a former Acting Solicitor General of the United States argued against Trumpâs use of the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act IEEPA to impose what he described as âunjust unconstitutional taxesâ on imports from nearly every trading partnerMoments after the ruling Katyal said âToday the United States Supreme Court stood up for the rule of law and Americans everywhere Its message was simple Presidents are powerful but our Constitution is more powerful still In America only Congress can impose taxes on the American peopleâThe case was brought by small businesses and supported by the Liberty Justice Center Trump had defended the tariffs as vital to national security and economic leverage citing trade deficits and fentanyl overdoses as national emergenciesKatyal framed the ruling as a constitutional milestone The US Supreme Court gave us everything we asked for in our legal case Everythingâ he saidâThis case has always been about the presidency not any one president It has always been about the separation of powers and not the politics of the moment Im gratified to see our Supreme Court which has been the bedrock of our government for 250 years protect our most fundamental valuesâ Katyal saidBorn in Chicago to Indian immigrant parents â a doctor and an engineer â Katyal has built a career around highstakes constitutional battles He is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Yale Law School and clerked for Justice Stephen Breyer of the US Supreme CourtAppointed Acting Solicitor General by President Barack Obama in 2010 Katyal represented the federal government before the Supreme Court and the Courts of Appeals nationwide He has argued more than 50 cases before the Supreme Court breaking records for minority advocatesCurrently a partner at Milbank LLP and the Paul Saunders Professor at Georgetown University Law Center Katyal specialises in constitutional and complex appellate litigation His past cases include defending the constitutionality of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 challenging Trumpâs 2017 travel ban and winning unanimous rulings in major environmental and national security disputesHe has also served as Special Prosecutor for the State of Minnesota in the murder case of George Floyd and is the author of the book Impeach The Case Against Donald TrumpKatyal has received the US Justice Departmentâs highest civilian honour the Edmund Randolph Award and has been named Litigator of the Year by The American Lawyer in 2017 and 2023 Forbes listed him among the top 200 lawyers in the United States in 2024 and 2025The Supreme Courtâs decision on Trumpâs tariff is expected to limit a presidentâs ability to use emergency economic powers to impose sweeping tariffs without explicit congressional authorizationâJust think about it like that The son of immigrants was able to go to court and say on behalf of American small businesses hey this president is acting illegally And I was able to present my case have them ask really hard questions at me It was a really intense oral argument And at the end of it they voted and we wonâ he told MS Now in an interviewâThat is something so extraordinary about this country the idea that we have a system that selfcorrects that allows us to say you might be the most powerful man in the world but you still cant break the Constitution I mean that to me is what today is aboutâ Katyal said âToday the United States Supreme Court stood up for the rule of law stood up for Americans everywhere Its message was simple Presidents are powerful but our constitution is more powerful stillâ he told MSNBC in another interviewâIn America only Congress the chief justice writing for six justices said only Congress can impose taxes on the American people And thats what tariffs are Tariffs are taxesâ he said standing outside the Supreme Court IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/neal-katyal-indian-american-lawyer-who-stopped-trumps-tariffs-662064.html Sat, 21 Feb 2026 08:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-trade-gap-widens-india-deficit-at-58bn-662071.html Washington Feb 21 The US trade deficit widened sharply in December capping a year in which Americaâs goods gap with India reached 582 billion The goods and services deficit rose to 703 billion in December up from 530 billion in November revised the US Census Bureau and the US Bureau of Economic Analysis said this weekExports fell 17 per cent to 2873 billion Imports climbed 36 per cent to 3576 billionThe widening gap was driven by goods The goods deficit increased 157 billion to 993 billion The services surplus narrowed 16 billion to 290 billionIn December alone the US goods deficit with India was 52 billionFor the full year 2025 the overall goods and services deficit stood at 9015 billion down slightly from 9035 billion in 2024 Exports rose 1998 billion to 34323 billion Imports increased 1978 billion to 43338 billionThe goods deficit widened 255 billion to 12409 billion in 2025 The services surplus increased 276 billion to 3395 billionThe United States recorded a goods deficit of 582 billion with India in 2025 That placed India among Washingtonâs larger bilateral trade gapsBy comparison the US goods deficit stood at 2188 billion with the European Union and 2021 billion with China It was 1969 billion with Mexico 1782 billion with Vietnam and 1468 billion with TaiwanExports of goods fell 55 billion in December to 1808 billion Industrial supplies and materials dropped 87 billion Nonmonetary gold fell 71 billionCapital goods exports rose 25 billion Semiconductor exports increased 09 billion Consumer goods exports rose 18 billion including a 13 billion increase in pharmaceutical preparationsImports of goods rose 102 billion to 2802 billion in December Capital goods imports increased 56 billion Computer accessories rose 34 billion Telecommunications equipment increased 13 billionIndustrial supplies and materials imports rose 70 billion Copper increased 15 billion Crude oil imports rose 10 billion Consumer goods imports fell 35 billionIn real terms the goods deficit increased 125 billion or 148 per cent to 971 billion in DecemberFor India the figures reflect expanding trade ties with the United States India has emerged as a key supplier of goods to the US market even as Washington seeks to diversify supply chains across AsiaTrade data are closely watched in both capitals They shape debates over tariffs manufacturing and strategic economic ties between the worldâs two largest democracies IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-trade-gap-widens-india-deficit-at-58bn-662071.html Sat, 21 Feb 2026 11:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/melania-trump-donates-inaugural-gown-662072.html Washington Feb 21 US First Lady Melania Trump entered her 2025 inaugural gown into the Smithsonian National Museum of American History calling it proof that âAmericaâs fashion industry can lead the rest of the worldâ âThe human condition is captured within every stitchâthe idea to endure and rise above mediocrityâto reach the highest levelâAmericaâs destinyâ Melania Trump said at the ceremonyThe gown now joins the museumâs historic First Ladies Collection The collection established in 1912 displays inaugural attire worn by First Ladies and remains one of the Smithsonianâs most visited exhibitionsâHuman nature resides in the discipline of detail Everything is in the detailâ she saidâThis is not a dress This is more than 50 years of education experience and wisdom realized with each thread each stitch each sharp edgeâDesigned by Herve Pierre the strapless offwhite silk crepe gown is trimmed with black silk gazar It was paired with a reproduction of a 1955 diamond brooch by Harry Winston worn on a black ribbon chokerThe First Lady described the design as a tribute to American craftsmanshipâIt is no easy feat to construct such a complex garment Behind every true couture piece stands a superior team of patternmakers seamstresses and artisans who transform a creative idea into realityâ she saidShe added âItâs a testament as to why Americaâs fashion industry can lead the rest of the worldâThe First Lady said the black and white contrast âsets a mood rich with emotionâ and called the gown âa modern silhouette bold and dignified and ruthlessly chicâThe presentation included remarks from Smithsonian Secretary Dr Lonnie G Bunch III and Museum Director Anthea M HartigMelania Trump is the first nonconsecutive First Lady to donate an inaugural gown for a second time She is also only the second First Lady in history to have two inaugural ball gowns represented in the collection the last being Ida McKinley in 1897 and 1901Visitors can view the gown at the National Museum of American History The museum is open daily from 10 am to 530 pm with free admissionReflecting on the creative process Melania Trump said âPersonally I relish the entire design process from start to finish It takes time itâs slow but the end result is always magicalââWe must take pride not only in the small rituals of selfcare but in the courageous act of selfexpressionâour outward appearance to the worldâ she saidShe concluded âI am honored to have our creative vision on display here once again within the walls of this institution indefinitelyâThe Smithsonianâs First Ladies Collection spans more than a century and includes nearly 1000 objects ranging from gowns to personal effects and White House ephemera The exhibition has long been seen as a cultural marker of changing styles and public roles of presidential spouses IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/melania-trump-donates-inaugural-gown-662072.html Sat, 21 Feb 2026 11:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/brazilian-president-lula-accorded-ceremonial-welcome-at-rashtrapati-bhavan-662084.html New Delhi Feb 21 Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan on Saturday President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly welcomed the Brazilian President upon his arrivalLater in the day PM Modi and the Brazilian President will hold a bilateral meeting discussing ways to further strengthen the partnership between the two Global South nationsBoth leaders would be reviewing the entire gamut of bilateral relations The Prime Minister is scheduled to host a lunch in honour of the visiting dignitary The two leaders would also be exchanging views on regional and global issues of mutual interest including cooperation in multilateral fora reformed multilateralism global governance and issues concerning the Global South the Ministry of External Affairs MEA had stated earlierDuring the February 1822 State Visit President Lula participated in the 2nd AI Impact SummitPresident Droupadi Murmu will also host a banquet in his honour Vice President CP Radhakrishnan and External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar are envisaged to call on President LulaPresident Lula is accompanied by about 14 ministers and a large delegation of top CEOs of Brazilian companies The accompanying ministers would be having meetings with their Indian counterparts The CEOs are expected to participate in a Business Forum being organised during the visit of the Brazilian President reflecting the growing trade and commercial engagements between the two countriesThis is the sixth visit of President Lula to India He had first visited India in 2004 as the Guest of Honour for Republic Day celebrations and last visited India for the G20 Summit in September 2023 Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Lula have however been meeting frequently in between It may be recalled that Prime Minister Modi was in Brasilia on a State Visit from 78 July 2025 which was the first State Visit by an Indian Prime Minister in the last 57 years Both leaders also met in Johannesburg during the G20 in November 2025 the MEA statedIndia and Brazil share a warm close and multifaceted Strategic Partnership rooted in shared democratic values close peopletopeople ties and expanding cooperation across key sectors The two large democracies have been Strategic Partners since 2006Brazil is Indias largest trading partner in LAC region and bilateral engagement has continued to deepen in areas such as trade and investment defence energy agriculture health and pharmaceuticals energy including renewables critical minerals rare earth materials science and technology and innovation including in cooperation in the field of Digital Public Infrastructure DPI and AI space and peopletopeople linkages The two countries share common views on various international issues including UN reforms climate change and combating terrorismThe MEA highlighted that the State Visit of President Lula will provide an opportunity for both sides to chart a forwardlooking agenda for further strengthening bilateral Strategic Partnership and further deepen cooperation across bilateral regional and global platforms on issues of mutual interest IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/brazilian-president-lula-accorded-ceremonial-welcome-at-rashtrapati-bhavan-662084.html Sat, 21 Feb 2026 11:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/eam-jaishankar-calls-on-brazilian-prez-lula-discusses-advancing-strategic-partnership-662085.html New Delhi Feb 21 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar on Saturday called on Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and discussed ways to advance the Strategic Partnership between the two nations Later in the day PM Modi and the Brazilian President will hold a bilateral meeting The EAM expressed confidence that the Brazilian Presidents engagements with Prime Minister Narendra Modi later in the day would impart a new momentum to the bilateral ties Following the meeting EAM Jaishankar took to X and said Honoured to call on President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil visiting India on a State Visit Deeply appreciate his warm sentiments and guidance on advancing our Strategic Partnership Confident that his meetings with PM Narendra Modi later today will impart a new momentum to our ties he addedEarlier the Ministry of External Affairs MEA had stated Both leaders would be reviewing the entire gamut of bilateral relations The Prime Minister is scheduled to host a lunch in honour of the visiting dignitary The two leaders would also be exchanging views on regional and global issues of mutual interest including cooperation in multilateral fora reformed multilateralism global governance and issues concerning the Global South President Lula arrived in India on February 18 for the 2nd AI Impact SummitHe is accompanied by about 14 ministers and a large delegation of top CEOs of Brazilian companies The accompanying ministers would be having meetings with their Indian counterpartsThis is the sixth visit of President Lula to India He had first visited India in 2004 as the Guest of Honour for Republic Day celebrations and last visited India for the G20 Summit in September 2023 Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Lula have however been meeting frequently in between It may be recalled that Prime Minister Modi was in Brasilia on a State Visit from 78 July 2025 which was the first State Visit by an Indian Prime Minister in the last 57 years Both leaders also met in Johannesburg during the G20 in November 2025 the MEA statedIndia and Brazil share a warm close and multifaceted Strategic Partnership rooted in shared democratic values close peopletopeople ties and expanding cooperation across key sectors The two large democracies have been Strategic Partners since 2006Brazil is Indias largest trading partner in LAC region and bilateral engagement has continued to deepen in areas such as trade and investment defence energy agriculture health and pharmaceuticals energy including renewables critical minerals rare earth materials science and technology and innovation including in cooperation in the field of Digital Public Infrastructure DPI and AI space and peopletopeople linkages The two countries share common views on various international issues including UN reforms climate change and combating terrorismThe MEA highlighted that the State Visit of President Lula will provide an opportunity for both sides to chart a forwardlooking agenda for further strengthening bilateral Strategic Partnership and further deepen cooperation across bilateral regional and global platforms on issues of mutual interest IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/eam-jaishankar-calls-on-brazilian-prez-lula-discusses-advancing-strategic-partnership-662085.html Sat, 21 Feb 2026 11:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/bihar-keeping-pace-with-technology-sanjay-kumar-jha-as-uk-ai-minister-visits-patna-662093.html New Delhi Feb 21 Kanishka Narayan the UKâs AI Minister received a warm welcome in Patna on Saturday during his visit to Bihar after more than two decades Sanjay Kumar Jha JDU MP welcomed the visiting minister at his residence in Patna and highlighted the significance of his visit for the stateâs technological aspirations Speaking to IANS Sanjay Kumar Jha said Since he is from Bihar and serves as a minister in the AI department in UK he is familiar with all these matters Today everything has become global and Bihar is keeping pace especially in the field of technologyJha further noted Kanishka Narayan is the AI Minister in the United Kingdom and a UK citizen originally from Muzaffarpur He is visiting Muzaffarpur after 23 years In the afternoon he is scheduled to meet officials of the Bihar government and there might be collaboration in AI with London some talks might happen on that as wellâNarayan reflecting on his return to his birthplace said I was born here and so Im back after more than 20 years You can see a huge amount of progress here We are chasing the future of technology thats what were trying to do in the UK with AI as well so its a real personal pleasure to be here in BiharHis visit is seen as symbolically significant bridging his roots in Bihar with his current role in shaping the UKs AI strategy Discussions during the visit are expected to explore potential cooperation in AI development research and innovationEarlier on Friday speaking on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi Narayan described the ongoing discussions as highly significant The summit has been deeply impactful the Minister stated recognising the value of this global gathering in shaping the future of AINarayan emphasised that the UKIndia relationship in the digital domain rests on mutual understanding and aligned strategic priorities He highlighted the parallel paths both nations are taking in the regulation and responsible deployment of AIThe UK and India have shared values and AI trajectory as well he remarked pointing to the clear synergy in their approaches to the technologys evolutionExpressing strong personal interest in advancing ties Narayan concluded I am very keen on collaborations with India as we have a lot to do together IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/bihar-keeping-pace-with-technology-sanjay-kumar-jha-as-uk-ai-minister-visits-patna-662093.html Sat, 21 Feb 2026 13:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/11-year-old-pennsylvania-boy-to-stand-trial-as-adult-for-fatal-shooting-of-father-662098.html Washington Feb 21 An 11yearold boy in Pennsylvania has been ordered to stand trial as an adult after allegedly fatally shooting his adoptive father during a birthday celebration earlier this year The ruling reflects the severity of the crime and overrides efforts by his defence team to keep the case in the juvenile justice systemThe boy made his first court appearance on Thursday handcuffed and maintaining an expressionless demeanour He did not respond to questions from the Press outside the courtroomAuthorities say the incident occurred shortly after midnight on January 13 the night of the boyâs birthday Dietz as identified in court records allegedly shot his 42yearold adoptive father Douglas Dietz in the head while he was asleep at their Pennsylvania home Police reported that the boy had accessed a revolver stored in a bedroom safeEarlier in the evening the family had celebrated the boyâs birthday singing âHappy Birthdayâ before going to bed Investigators said a dispute over video games had reportedly taken place as the boy was upset that his Nintendo Switch had been taken away Fox News reportedThe victimâs wife Jillian Dietz told authorities she awoke to a loud noise and tried to rouse her husband only to discover him unresponsive with blood coming from his head Police said the boy later told his mother âI killed my dad I hate myselfâ and a responding officer reported hearing him say âI killed DaddyâCourt records also indicate that the boy admitted he âhad someone in mind who he was going to shootâ and that he loaded the revolver pulled back the hammer and fired while his father sleptDefence attorneys argued that the boyâs young age psychological development and family circumstances warranted handling the case in juvenile court They indicated plans to appeal the ruling according to the Daily MailThe child who was adopted by Douglas and Jillian Dietz in 2018 remains in custody pending further hearings Authorities have not released his full identity due to his ageThis case has drawn significant attention due to the boyâs age and the alleged circumstances surrounding the tragic incident highlighting ongoing debates about how the justice system handles serious crimes committed by minors IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/11-year-old-pennsylvania-boy-to-stand-trial-as-adult-for-fatal-shooting-of-father-662098.html Sat, 21 Feb 2026 13:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/125-overseas-companies-exit-pakistan-by-jan-2026-secp-data-662099.html New Delhi Feb 21 Pakistanâs top corporate regulator the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan SECP has released a list of 125 foreign companies that have stopped operating in the country as of January 20 2026 According to the SECP these include branch and liaison offices of international firms that have formally closed their operations in major cities such as Karachi Lahore Islamabad and PeshawarThe companies were working across different sectors of the economy reflecting a wide foreign business presence in Pakistan before their shutdown as per Pakistan Observer reportThe list shows that companies from many countries have exited Pakistan These include firms from the United States the United Kingdom the United Arab Emirates China Malaysia Singapore Japan Turkiye Australia Sweden Bahrain Canada France and the Netherlands among othersSeveral wellknown global names are part of the list Energy giant ExxonMobilâs subsidiary ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Pakistan BV has ceased operationsElectronics major Panasonic Corporation and airline company Lufthansa German Airlines AG are also among those that have closed their officesTechnology and telecomrelated companies such as Dell Global BV Nortel Networks Asia Ltd and Telcordia Technologies Inc have also wound up their presenceCompanies linked to the oil and gas sector engineering and construction banking insurance consulting and manufacturing are included as well the report saidThese range from Halliburton Limited and Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction Co Limited to Mashreq Bank and TC Ziraat Bankasi AS Some international nonprofit and trade organisations including the American Soybean Associations and Peace Winds Japan are also on the listThe SECP clarified that these companies had officially completed the legal process required to close their branch or liaison offices in PakistanThe development highlights a significant shift in the foreign corporate footprint in the country though the regulator has not provided specific reasons behind the closures the report stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/125-overseas-companies-exit-pakistan-by-jan-2026-secp-data-662099.html Sat, 21 Feb 2026 13:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/70-million-people-in-pakistan-living-in-extreme-poverty-income-inequality-reaches-27-year-high-report-662101.html Islamabad Feb 21 Pakistans poverty rate has climbed to an 11year high of 29 per cent while income inequality has touched its highest level in 27 years amid a steep decline in real incomes and consumption over the last seven years local media reported citing an official survey released by the countrys Planning Ministry As per the findings shared by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal nearly 70 million people in Pakistan are now living in abject poverty based on the monthly poverty line of Rs 8484 a minimum expenditure required to meet the basic needs of lifeAccording to the preliminary poverty assessment for the fiscal year 202425 there was a 32 per cent increase in poverty since 201819 when the last Pakistans poverty survey was conductedThe findings indicated that in 2019 the poverty ratio stood at 219 per cent but rose to 289 per cent in the first year of the Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifled government This marked the highest level since 2014 when the poverty rate was recorded at 295 per centThe survey highlighted a sharp rise in income inequality in Pakistan which jumped to 327 the highest ratio since 1998 when it stood at 311Pakistan recorded the highest unemployment rate in 21 years at 71 per cent along with the highest poverty rate in 11 years and the widest income inequality in 27 years the outcomes described as the poor policy choices by the ruling class leading Pakistani daily The Express Tribune reportedThe poverty in rural areas rose disproportionately increasing from 282 per cent to 362 per cent while urban poverty rose from 11 per cent to 174 per centIqbal noted that poverty increased across provinces with Punjab rising from 165 to 233 per cent a 41 per cent jump in seven years and in Sindh poverty jumped from 245 per cent to 326 per cent marking a onethird surge over the same periodIn KhyberPakhtunkhwa the poverty rate increased from 287 per cent to 353 per cent reflecting nearly a onefourth rise within a yearBalochistan remains the hardest hit province where almost every second person lives in poverty The poverty ratio in the conflicthit province increased from 42 per cent to 47 per cent a rise of 124 per centThe report attributed the rise in poverty in KhyberPakhtunkhwa and Balochistan to the persistent security challenges that have disrupted livelihoods constrained access to markets and essential services and increased household vulnerability disproportionately impacting the most vulnerable segments of society in these provincesThe income inequality also increased across Pakistan with Punjab rising from 284 to 32 per cent Sindh from 297 to 359 per cent Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from 248 to 294 per cent and Balochistan from 21 to 265 per cent IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/70-million-people-in-pakistan-living-in-extreme-poverty-income-inequality-reaches-27-year-high-report-662101.html Sat, 21 Feb 2026 13:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-brazil-to-bolster-steel-supply-chain-662133.html New Delhi Feb 21 IANS India and Brazil on Saturday signed a memorandum of understanding MoU to enhance cooperation in the field of mining and minerals required for the steel sectornbspThis partnership will support efficient preparation of steelmaking inputs enable technologyled improvements across the steel value chain and strengthen resilience and sustainability of the IndiaBrazil steel supply chainAccording to Ministry of Steel it provides an institutional framework for strengthening bilateral cooperation across the steel value chain with a focus on promoting reliable and sustainable development of key raw materials required for steel productionThe cooperation will focus on attracting investment in exploration mining and infrastructure development in steel sector processing and recycling technologies for minerals automation and the use of advanced technologies in exploration and mining use of artificial intelligence in geoscientific data analysis to enhance exploration processes and best practices in mineral extraction processing and environmental managementThe Ministry of Steel and the Ministry of Mines and Energy of the Federative Republic of Brazil signed the MoU in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva President of Brazil at Hyderabad House hereAccording to an official statement Brazil is among the worlds leading producers of iron ore and possesses significant reserves of minerals critical to steelmaking including manganese nickel and niobiumnbspEnhanced cooperation with Brazil is expected to improve access to key raw materials and technologies necessary for sustaining longterm growth of Indias steel sector it addedIndia currently has a steelmaking capacity of 218 million tonnesnbspTo meet growing domestic demand driven by infrastructure development and industrialisation Indian companies are undertaking significant expansion in steelmaking capacitynbspThe partnership is an important step towards strengthening cooperation for development of mineral resources required for steel production facilitating access to advanced technologies in mineral processing beneficiation recycling and datadriven explorationnbspIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-brazil-to-bolster-steel-supply-chain-662133.html Sat, 21 Feb 2026 17:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-supreme-court-strikes-down-trump-global-tariffs-says-they-are-unlawful-662024.html Washington Feb 20 IANS In a major setback to President Donald Trumps economic agenda the US Supreme Court on Friday struck down most of his sweeping tariffs ruling that he lacked authority under a 1977 emergency law to impose broad import levies on Americas trading partners across the world including IndianbspThe ruling marks a rare instance of the conservativeled court reining in Trumps use of executive power According to Politico the court in a 63 decision struck down the tariffs calling it a major repudiation of a core piece of Trumps economic programmeChief Justice John Roberts writing for the majority said The President asserts the extraordinary power to unilaterally impose tariffs of unlimited amount duration and scope In light of the breadth history and constitutional context of that asserted authority he must identify clear congressional authorization to exercise itRoberts added that the 1977 law Trump relied on falls short of the Congressional approval requiredThe Washington Post reported that the justices ruled the president did not have the authority under a 1977 emergency economic powers law to impose a vast array of import levies on goods from nearly all of the nations trading partnersThe Hill said the court cast aside the bulk of President Trumps sweeping tariffs Friday obliterating a canon of his economic strategy in ruling that his use of an emergency statute to remake global trade was unlawfulThe justices rejected Trumps expanded use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act IEEPA a 1970sera statute that allows the president to regulate imports when necessary to respond to national emergencies that pose an unusual and extraordinary threatWe claim no special competence in matters of economics or foreign affairs Roberts wrote We claim only as we must the limited role assigned to us by Article III of the Constitution Fulfilling that role we hold that IEEPA does not authorize the President to impose tariffsTrump had declared emergencies over fentanyl and trade deficits to justify tariffs on countries including Canada China and Mexico and to impose what he called reciprocal tariffs on dozens of trading partners worldwide On India Trump has imposed an 18 percent tariffThe Hill noted that Trump is the first president to attempt to invoke IEEPA to impose tariffs in its nearly 50year historySectorspecific tariffs relying on separate legal authorities including those on steel aluminium and copper were not at issue and remain in effectThe decision is expected to trigger efforts by companies to recover billions of dollars in tariffs already paid In the runup to the ruling Costco parts of the Toyota Group Revlon and hundreds of other companies had filed lawsuits seeking to protect their claims according to The HillThough the ruling represents a significant defeat avenues remain for the administration Congress retains constitutional authority to impose tariffs and the president could seek to justify duties under other existing lawsThe International Emergency Economic Powers Act was enacted in 1977 to provide presidents with authority to address extraordinary foreign threats during national emergencies Over the decades it has primarily been used to impose sanctions rather than broadbased tariffs making this case a significant test of executive power in trade policyIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-supreme-court-strikes-down-trump-global-tariffs-says-they-are-unlawful-662024.html Fri, 20 Feb 2026 21:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/norway-reiterates-rejection-of-trumps-board-of-peace-after-us-claim-661948.html Helsinki Feb 20 Norway will not join US President Donald Trumps socalled Board of Peace the countrys foreign ministry said Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace at the US Institute of Peace Trump said the United States would contribute 10 billion to the initiative and claimed that Norway would host a board event Xinhua news agency reportedAne Jorem a spokesperson for Norways foreign ministry rejected the claim and reiterated that Norway would not become a board member the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation NRK reportedNorway has clearly communicated that we will not become a member of the Board of Peace and this position remains firm Jorem was quoted as saying by NRKJorem added that Norway plans to host a spring meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee an international mechanism long chaired by Norway that coordinates aid to Palestinians and the country is in contact with relevant parties about discussing the Gaza peace plan on that occasionNorway is among several European countries including France Germany and Britain that have stayed out of the controversial board which Trump formally launched on January 22 during the World Economic Forum in Davos SwitzerlandMeanwhile US President Trump is trying to position his Board of Peace as a super international organisation that would supervise the UN while widening its own scope beyond Gaza for which it was set up IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/norway-reiterates-rejection-of-trumps-board-of-peace-after-us-claim-661948.html Fri, 20 Feb 2026 11:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-ex-president-yoon-apologises-for-suffering-caused-by-martial-law-but-defends-his-decree-661972.html Seoul Feb 20 Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday apologised for suffering caused by his shortlived imposition of martial law in late 2024 but defended that his decree was solely aimed at saving the nation Yoon made the remarks a day after he was handed life in prison for leading an insurrection capping a chapter that plunged the nations democracy into the worst crisis in decades In the statement however there was little indication that Yoon would appeal Yonhap news agency reportedIn the statement Yoon disputed the Seoul Central District Courts ruling on Thursday that sentenced him to life in prison after finding him guilty of leading an insurrection through his declaration of martial law on December 3 2024It is difficult to accept the logic that troops going to the National Assembly amounted to insurrection Yoon said in the statement shared by his legal teamIn its ruling the court stressed that at the core of the case was Yoons deployment of troops to the National Assembly during martial law ruling that he aimed to paralyse the functions of a constitutional bodyMy judgment and decision to declare martial law on December 3 was solely for the country and the people he said While it was a decision to save the nation I deeply apologise to the people for making you experience much despair and suffering due to my shortcomingsThe former president also questioned the point of appealing claiming the independence of the judiciary could not be ensured His lawyers earlier said they would decide whether to appeal after consulting with YoonYoon made the surprise declaration of martial law with the stated aim of eradicating antistate forces but the order was lifted six hours later following a vote by the National AssemblySpecial counsel Cho Eunsuks team had sought the death penalty for Yoon and has indicated that it would appeal IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-ex-president-yoon-apologises-for-suffering-caused-by-martial-law-but-defends-his-decree-661972.html Fri, 20 Feb 2026 14:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/very-happy-about-fantastic-partnership-us-ambassador-on-india-joining-pax-silica-declaration--661978.html New Delhi Feb 20 IANS Amidst the global spotlight on the ongoing AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam India on Friday formally joined the Pax Silica declarationnbspUS Ambassador to India Sergio Gor sharing his reaction on New Delhi joining the special grouping said I am very happy that India has joined Pax Silica Its a fantastic partnership and will move forward from therenbspThe Pax Silica is a USled strategic alliance of nations focused on building resilient supply chains for critical minerals and also on building robust models of Artificial Intelligencenbsp nbspWith India making a formal entry into the strategic alliance this will strengthen the framework give impetus to technological cooperation and enhance the countrys ability to leverage its resources pertaining to rare earth mineralsnbspnbspThe US envoy to India also took to X and wrote A GREAT day for our relationship Today INDIA joins PAX SILICAnbspnbspAfter the signing of the Pax Silica Declaration Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Jacob Helberg Sergio Gor and MeitY Secretary S Krishnan posed for a group photograph reaffirming IndiaUS collaboration in critical technologiesnbspnbspIndias entry into the select league marks a significant step in strengthening trusted semiconductor and technology supply chainsnbspUnion Information and Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw termed the Pax Silica Declaration as a significant step for Indias growing semiconductor and electronics ecosystemnbspnbspBriefing the newsmen Ashwini Vaishnaw said Pax Silica is very important for semiconductor manufacturing setting up supply chains chip design and the entire semiconductor ecosystem This will greatly benefit Indias electronics and semiconductor industry Ten plants are already in the process of being established and the first semiconductor plant will begin commercial production very soon A complete ecosystem is emerging in India Pax Silica will be crucial for this and the youth of India will benefit from itnbspCurrently the signatories to this strategic alliance are Japan South Korea Singapore the United Kingdom Israel and Australia UAE Qatar and Greece also joined the Pax Silica declaration last month It is also seen as a measure to counter Chinas dominance in the rare earth mineral segmentnbspnbspIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/very-happy-about-fantastic-partnership-us-ambassador-on-india-joining-pax-silica-declaration--661978.html Fri, 20 Feb 2026 15:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-to-unveil-5-billion-gaza-push-at-board-of-peace-meet-661834.html Washington Feb 19 US President Donald Trump convened the inaugural Board of Peace meeting during which member states pledged over 5 billion in investment for Gaza reconstruction and related security measures Pakistanâs Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is also set to attend the inaugural Board of Peace meeting on Thursday with delegations from over 40 nations including IndiaConvened by President Donald Trump the administration has positioned the Board of Peace as a central mechanism to oversee humanitarian relief reconstruction and security arrangements in GazaWhite House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that member states âhave pledged more than 5 billion towards the Gaza humanitarian and reconstruction efforts and have also committed thousands of personnel to the International Stabilisation Force and local police to maintain security and peace for GazansâShe described the funding as â5 billion worth of investment Weâre talking about reconstructing GazaâOn oversight of the funds Leavitt said âIt will be the Board of Peace which the US President is of course the chairman of But all of the member parties I believe will have votes on the funding and then of course there is that technocratic layer underneath the official Board of Peace with the member countries that will be making decisions as wellâSpeakers expected at the meeting include President Trump Secretary of State Marco Rubio his top advisor Jared Kushner former British Prime Minister Tony Blair US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and High Representative Nickolay MladenovSenior administration officials released a list of over 40 countries that they said would be participating in the meeting Countries sending representatives include India Israel Japan Jordan Egypt Saudi Arabia the United Arab Emirates Qatar and PakistanâPresident Trump is proud to welcome representatives from over 40 nations to the Donald J Trump Institute of Peace on Thursday for a big announcement on Board of Peace actions to establish an enduring peace in the Middle Eastâ White House spokesperson Anna Kelly saidShe said that since the President and his team âended the war between Israel and Hamas last October we have maintained the ceasefire delivered historic amounts of humanitarian aid and freed every single living and dead hostageââThe Board of Peace will continue this historic success and prove itself to be the most consequential international body in historyâ she addedIn New York US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz said the Board of Peace will hold its inaugural meeting in Washington focusing on peace and security He added that the Board âwill announce tomorrow over 5 billion in pledges for rebuildingâWaltz said that âbefore reconstruction can move forward Hamas must and will disarm all military terror and offensive infrastructureâ must be destroyed and not rebuilt and Gaza must be demilitarised and deradicalisedâAt the United Nations UnderSecretaryGeneral Rosemary DiCarlo said âThe Board of Peace meeting in Washington DC tomorrow is an important stepâ She called for âconcrete progress toward stabilisation and recoveryâ and âa credible political path leading to a negotiated twoState solutionâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-to-unveil-5-billion-gaza-push-at-board-of-peace-meet-661834.html Thu, 19 Feb 2026 08:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/australian-unemployment-rate-steady-at-41-per-cent-661901.html Canberra Feb 19 Australias unemployment rate remained steady at 41 per cent in January according to official data released on Thursday The latest monthly labour force data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics ABS showed that the number of Australians employed on a fulltime basis increased by 50500 between December and January which was partially offset by a fall in parttime employment of 32700 people Xinhua News Agency reportedThe official unemployment rate remained at 41 per cent in January after it fell from 43 per cent from November to DecemberEconomists were widely expecting the unemployment rate to rise slightly to 42 per cent in January according to local mediaThe ABS said that the participation rate which measures the proportion of the workingage population who are either employed or actively looking for work was 667 per cent in January compared to a recordhigh 673 per cent recorded 12 months earlierThe total number of hours worked by Australians increased by 06 per cent between December and January to 201 billionOn February 3 Australias central bank raised its key interest rate for the first time in more than two years in response to a spike in inflationThe Reserve Bank of Australia RBA said that its Monetary Policy Board unanimously decided at its first meeting of 2026 to raise the cash rate target from 360 per cent to 385 per centIt marks the first increase to the cash rate target since November 2023 and comes after the central bank cut rates by 025 percentage points on three separate occasions in 2025The Monetary Policy Board said that inflation has fallen substantially since its peak in 2022 but picked up materially in the second half of 2025According to the latest official data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics ABS the consumer price index CPI rose by 38 per cent in the 12 months to December 2025 up from 34 per cent in NovemberThe trimmed mean a measure of underlying inflation preferred by the RBA rose by 33 per cent in the year to December up from 32 per cent in the year to NovemberThe Monetary Policy Board said that it now considers that inflation is likely to remain above the 23 per cent target band for some timeIt is evident that private demand is growing more quickly than expected capacity pressures are greater than previously assessed and labor market conditions are a little tight it saidIn updated forecasts released the RBA said it expects annual CPI growth to reach 42 per cent in June 2026 up from the 37 per cent it projected in November before falling to 29 per cent in June 2027 IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/australian-unemployment-rate-steady-at-41-per-cent-661901.html Thu, 19 Feb 2026 16:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/milan-2026-terror-piracy-new-challenges-need-navies-to-join-hands-says-rajnath-singh--661905.html Visakhapatnam Feb 19 IANS Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday that cooperation among navies is no longer an option but an imperative to collectively address challenges such as piracy maritime terrorism illegal fishing trafficking cyber vulnerabilities and disruptions to critical supply chainsnbspSpeaking at the inauguration of the multilateral naval exercise MILAN 2026 here the Defence Minister said these distinctive responsibilities call upon the international community to join hands to manage the challenges harmoniously and act in the spirit of mutual respectHe added that climate change is intensifying natural disasters making humanitarian and disaster relief operations more frequent and more demanding No single navy however capable can address these challenges alone This is why cooperation among the navies is no longer an option it is an imperative he saidMILAN 2026 seeks to enhance interoperability among navies of partner countries improve professional competence by sharing professional experiences and practices and deepen friendships among participants by evolving bonds of mutual advantage he saidRajnath Singh said that through joint exercises at sea professional interactions during such meetings and cultural exchanges we reaffirm our commitment to establishing a lasting bond of friendshipWe aspire to establish an equitable maritime order based on international rules and freedom of navigation in accordance with international law he saidMILAN gives practical expression to that shared language Today we carry forward that cohesive spirit and maritime momentum from ceremony to substance as we transition decisively into the operational aspect of maritime engagement through MILAN he saidThe Defence Minister said this year with the participation of 74 nations MILAN 2026 stands as the largest and most inclusive edition to date a reflection of the confidence the global maritime community places in India as a trusted and responsible maritime partnerHe said As a true VishwaMitra or a trusted global friend we will continue to play a constructive and dependable role in the regionWe believe that holistic maritime security and mutual prosperity are indivisible and can only be achieved through cooperation trust and shared commitment among likeminded nations said Rajnath SinghThe sea phase of MILAN 2026 is scheduled to start on February 21 and will conclude on February 25 Both the harbour and sea phases are designed to enhance interoperability among participating navies strengthen maritime domain awareness and conduct advanced drills in antisubmarine warfare air defence and searchandrescue operationsThe exercise seeks to bring together navies of friendly foreign countries to deepen professional ties exchange operational best practices and expand maritime cooperationInitiated by the Indian Navy in 1995 MILAN is a biennial multilateral naval engagement that began with the participation of four regional countries Indonesia Singapore Sri Lanka and ThailandIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/milan-2026-terror-piracy-new-challenges-need-navies-to-join-hands-says-rajnath-singh--661905.html Thu, 19 Feb 2026 16:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/digital-world-returns-to-its-homeland-brazil-president-lula-hails-indias-ai-impact-summit--661907.html New Delhi Feb 19 IANS Spotlighting that an ancient Indian mathematician was the first inventor of the Binary number system Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Thursday hailed the AI Impact Summit being hosted by New Delhi asserting that the digital world has returned to its homelandnbspThe Brazilian leader who sat alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the inauguration ceremony of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam hailed the landmark event being held at a time when according to him societies find themselves at crossroadsnbspnbspFor Brazil it is a pleasure to participate in the Artificial Intelligence Impact Summit organised by the Indian government the first time it has been held in the Global South President Lula posted on XnbspHere in Delhi the digital world returns to its homeland It was Indian mathematicians who bequeathed to us more than 2000 years ago the binary system that would come to structure modern computing We are making our way back to discuss one of the greatest dilemmas of our time Our societies find themselves at a crossroads The Fourth Industrial Revolution is advancing rapidly while multilateralism is dangerously retreating It is in this context that the global governance of Artificial Intelligence assumes a strategic role the visiting leader addednbspDuring his February 1822 State Visit President Lula would be participating in the 2nd AI Impact Summit and also hold discussions with PM Modi on February 21Every highimpact technological innovation has a dual nature and confronts us with ethical and political questions Aviation the use of the atom genetic engineering and the space race are examples of this phenomenon They can multiply collective wellbeing or cast shadows upon itAlgorithms are not merely applications of mathematical codes that underpin the digital world They are part of a complex power structure Without collective action Artificial Intelligence will deepen historical inequalities Computational capabilities infrastructure and capital are all crucial elements he statednbspEarlier in the day the Brazilian President held a meeting with Google CEO Sundar Pichai on the sidelines of the Summit on the Impact of Artificial Intelligence AInbspPichai spoke about the importance of Brazil for Google the companys investments in the country the opening of the Engineering Centre in Sao Paulo and infrastructure actions and partnerships with the public sector We presented the Brazilian vision for Artificial Intelligence the governments actions in the area of digital public services the Brazilian Artificial Intelligence Plan and the plan to attract investments in data centers President Lula posted on X after the meetingnbspWe also discussed concerns about the risks of AI especially for girls and women and the proposed regulatory framework under discussion in the National Congress with measures to protect the Brazilian creative industry Google signalled its commitment to deepening its partnership with the Brazilian government and expanding actions with the private sector in the country he added furthernbspOn Wednesday shortly after arriving in New Delhi President Lula had shared a video on his social media accounts showcasing the grand traditional welcome he got upon his arrival in the Indian capitalnbspnbspNamaste India Ive arrived for another visit with an important agenda strengthening ties deepening partnerships and discussing the future of artificial intelligence in the world We continue working to build more cooperation innovation and opportunities between our countries the visiting leader posted on X after he was accorded a traditional welcome at the hotelMinister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita had welcomed the Brazilian President upon his arrival at the Delhi airportDuring his visit President Lula will be participating in the IndiaAI Impact Summit PM Narendra Modi will also hold bilateral meeting with President Lula India and Brazil share a close and multifaceted relationship elevated to Strategic Partnership and rooted in a common global vision shared democratic values and commitment to inclusive growth President Lulas visit will impart strong momentum to IndiaBrazil partnership the Ministry of External Affairs MEA posted on X after the Brazilian Presidents arrivalOn Tuesday evening as he left for India President Lula highlighted that he would also be discussing new opportunities for cooperation between both countries during his India visitAt the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi we are now departing for India In the coming days I will participate in the Summit on the Impact of Artificial Intelligence and we will discuss new opportunities for cooperation between Brazil and India From there we will proceed to South Korea to at the invitation of President Lee Jae Myung also strengthen the ties between our countries President Lula posted on XHe mentioned that a highlevel business delegation will also be accompanying him on the India visit with the aim of deepening commercial relationsIn 2025 bilateral trade between Brazil and India reached more than US 15 billion asserted the Brazilian PresidentIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/digital-world-returns-to-its-homeland-brazil-president-lula-hails-indias-ai-impact-summit--661907.html Thu, 19 Feb 2026 16:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/namaste-india-ive-arrived-for-another-visit-with-an-important-agenda-brazilian-president--661831.html New Delhi Feb 18 IANS Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva who arrived in New Delhi Wednesday afternoon to attend the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi shared a video on his social media profile showcasing the grand traditional welcome he got upon his arrival in the Indian capitalnbspnbspNamaste India Ive arrived for another visit with an important agenda strengthening ties deepening partnerships and discussing the future of artificial intelligence in the world We continue working to build more cooperation innovation and opportunities between our countries the visiting leader posted on X after he was accorded a traditional welcome at the hotelEarlier Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita welcomed the Brazilian President upon his arrival at the Delhi airportDuring his visit President Lula will be participating in the IndiaAI Impact Summit PM Narendra Modi will also hold bilateral meeting with President Lula India and Brazil share a close and multifaceted relationship elevated to Strategic Partnership and rooted in a common global vision shared democratic values and commitment to inclusive growth President Lulas visit will impart strong momentum to IndiaBrazil partnership the Ministry of External Affairs MEA posted on X after the Brazilian Presidents arrivalOn Tuesday evening as he left for India President Lula highlighted that he would also be discussing new opportunities for cooperation between both countries during his India visitAt the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi we are now departing for India In the coming days I will participate in the Summit on the Impact of Artificial Intelligence and we will discuss new opportunities for cooperation between Brazil and India From there we will proceed to South Korea to at the invitation of President Lee Jae Myung also strengthen the ties between our countries President Lula posted on XHe mentioned that a highlevel business delegation will also be accompanying him on the India visit with the aim of deepening commercial relationsIn 2025 bilateral trade between Brazil and India reached more than US 15 billion asserted the Brazilian PresidentDuring the February 1822 State Visit President Lula would be participating in the 2nd AI Impact Summit and hold discussions with PM Modi on February 21Both leaders would be reviewing the entire gamut of bilateral relations Prime Minister is scheduled to host a lunch in honour of the visiting dignitary The two leaders would also be exchanging views on regional and global issues of mutual interest including cooperation in multilateral fora reformed multilateralism global governance and issues concerning the Global South the Ministry of External Affairs MEA had stated earlierPresident Droupadi Murmu is also expected to meet the visiting leader and would host a banquet in his honour Vice President C P Radhakrishnan and External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar are envisaged to call on President LulaPresident Lula is accompanied by about 14 ministers and a large delegation of top CEOs of Brazilian companies The accompanying ministers would be having meetings with their Indian counterparts The CEOs are expected to participate in a Business Forum being organised during the visit of the Brazilian President reflecting the growing trade and commercial engagements between the two countriesThe forthcoming visit would be the sixth visit of President Lula to India He had first visited India in 2004 as the Guest of Honour for Republic Day celebrations and last visited India for the G20 Summit in September 2023 Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Lula have however been meeting frequently in between It may be recalled that Prime Minister Modi was in Brasilia on a State Visit from 78 July 2025 which was the first State Visit by an Indian Prime Minister in the last 57 years Both leaders also met in Johannesburg during G20 in November 2025 the MEA statedIndia and Brazil share a warm close and multifaceted Strategic Partnership rooted in shared democratic values close peopletopeople ties and expanding cooperation across key sectors The two large democracies have been Strategic Partners since 2006Brazil is Indias largest trading partner in LAC region and bilateral engagement has continued to deepen in areas such as trade and investment defence energy agriculture health and pharmaceuticals energy including renewables critical minerals rare earth materials science and technology and innovation including in cooperation in the field of Digital Public Infrastructure DPI and AI space and peopletopeople linkages The two countries share common views on various international issues including UN reforms climate change and combating terrorismThe MEA highlighted that the State Visit of President Lula will provide an opportunity for both sides to chart a forwardlooking agenda for further strengthening bilateral Strategic Partnership and further deepen cooperation across bilateral regional and global platforms on issues of mutual interestIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/namaste-india-ive-arrived-for-another-visit-with-an-important-agenda-brazilian-president--661831.html Wed, 18 Feb 2026 17:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/french-president-macron-pays-tribute-to-victims-of-2008-mumbai-terror-attacks-661769.html Mumbai Feb 17 IANS French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron on Tuesday paid tribute to victims of 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks as he began his India visit Macron is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi later in the dayBoth leaders will launch IndiaFrance Year of Innovation 2026 as the French Presidents visit is set to impart further momentum to the vibrant strategic partnership between the two countriesEarlier PM Modi extended a warm welcome to Macron on his arrival in India and expressed confidence that strengthening IndiaFrance cooperation will contribute to global progressThe French President was extended a warm welcome at the Mumbai airport by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Governor Acharya DevvratExtending a warm welcome to President Macron PM Modi said India looks forward to your visit and to advancing our bilateral ties to new heights I am confident that our discussions will further strengthen cooperation across sectors and contribute to global progressSee you in Mumbai and later in Delhi my dear friend Emmanuel Macron PM Modi addedPresident Macrons visit comes at the invitation of PM Modi to take part in the AI Impact Summit being hosted by IndiaDuring his stay the two leaders will also convene a bilateral summit in Mumbai This marks President Macrons fourth visit to India and his first official engagement in MumbaiAccording to the Prime Ministers Office PMO the discussions between PM Modi and Macron will include a comprehensive review of advancements made under the IndiaFrance Strategic PartnershipThe deliberations are expected to focus on further strengthening the strategic relationship and expanding cooperation into emerging and futureoriented sectors The two leaders will also exchange perspectives on significant regional and global issues the PMO said in an official statementLater in the day at around 515 pm Prime Minister Modi and President Macron will jointly inaugurate the IndiaFrance Year of Innovation 2026They will also address an audience comprising business leaders startup founders researchers and innovators from both countriesIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/french-president-macron-pays-tribute-to-victims-of-2008-mumbai-terror-attacks-661769.html Tue, 17 Feb 2026 15:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/tarique-rahman-cabinet-25-ministers-24-state-ministers-to-take-oath--661771.html Dhaka Feb 17 IANS A total of 25 BNP MPs have been selected to take the oath as Ministers in the Cabinet while 24 will be sworn in as state ministers of the newly elected government in Bangladesh local media reportsnbspnbspThe list of Ministers includes Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury Salahuddin Ahmed Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram etc according to the leading Bangladeshi daily The Dhaka TribunenbspTwo BNP leaders Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid and Khalilur Rahman will take oath as Technocrat Ministers the report addedThe MPs will shortly take the oath as Ministers in the CabinetnbspEarlier in the day during the BNP Parliamentary Party meeting the MPs announced that they had decided not to accept dutyfree vehicles or government plotsAccording to local media reports a total of 45 government vehicles were prepared for the new Ministers and were lined up in front of the Parliament SecretariatMeanwhile earlier in the day all 209 of the winning BNP candidates were sworn in as members of Parliament however they refused to take the Constitution Reform Council oathnbspBNP leader Salauddin Ahmed said that on instructions of the party chief Tarique Rahman all BNPs newly elected MPs have been instructed not to sign the Constitution Reform Council form since they were not elected as members of the council Bangladeshs leading newspaper The Daily Star reportedFollowing this the 11party alliance parties including JamaateIslami Islami Andolan and National Citizens Party NCP refused to take parliamentary oaths citing BNPs refusal to accept the Constitution Reform CouncilHowever soon after the Jamaatled alliance independent candidates and Islami Andolan Bangladesh took their oath as MPsnbspLater six newly elected NCP MPs also took the oathnbspChief Election Commissioner CEC AMM Nasir Uddin administered the oath in accordance with the countrys Constitution It was for the first time in the countrys history that a CEC administered the oath to the newly elected MPsnbspMeanwhile the BNP Parliamentary Party elected Tarique Rahman as its Leader setting him up to become the Leader of the House and take the oath as the Prime Minister of the country later in the dayAs the party with the majority of seats the BNP established the Parliamentary Party and conducted its inaugural meeting chaired by Tarique Rahman During the meeting the Parliamentary Party elected BNP Chairman Tarique as its Leader and the only candidate for prime minister according to a post shared on BNPs Facebook pageSpeaking to journalists after the swearingin ceremony BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also affirmed that Tarique who has presented new plans and a vision for a new Bangladesh has been selected by the partys MPs to guide them in the Jatiya Sangsad reports leading Bangladeshi daily The Business StandardThe 13th parliamentary election was held alongside the referendum on the July National Charter on February 12 in 299 out of the countrys 300 constituenciesIn the elections the BNP won 209 parliamentary seats while the radical Islamist party JamaateIslami secured 68 seatsBNPs chairman Tarique who won from two constituencies vacated the Bogura6 seat for a byelection and took oath as a member of Parliament from the Dhaka17 constituencyWith Tarique now set to lead Bangladesh the country last saw a male PM almost 35 years ago experts warn that the nation faces a massive challenge of overcoming the unrest and rising Islamist extremism that marked the 18month tenure of the Muhammad Yunusled interim governmentIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/tarique-rahman-cabinet-25-ministers-24-state-ministers-to-take-oath--661771.html Tue, 17 Feb 2026 15:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pm-modi-french-president-macron-begin-talks-in-mumbai--661783.html Mumbai Feb 17 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron are holding a bilateral meeting at Mumbais Lok Bhavan on TuesdaynbspExternal Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar National Security Advisor NSA Ajit Doval and other top officials were also present during the meetingPM Modi and Macron warmly greeted each other before proceeding for the talksIts a delight to meet my friend President Macron in Mumbai He told me he really likes the city and also enjoyed his run earlier in the day PM Modi posted on XnbspnbspAccording to the Prime Ministers Office PMO the discussions between PM Modi and Macron will include a comprehensive review of advancements made under the IndiaFrance Strategic PartnershipThe deliberations are expected to focus on further strengthening the strategic relationship and expanding cooperation into emerging and futureoriented sectors The two leaders will also exchange perspectives on significant regional and global issues the PMO said in an official statementLater in the day PM Modi and President Macron will jointly inaugurate the IndiaFrance Year of Innovation 2026 They will also address an audience comprising business leaders startup founders researchers and innovators from both countriesReaffirming solidarity with India President Macron also paid homage to the 2611 Mumbai terror attacks victims which included two French citizens France said that it unequivocally condemns terrorism and stands with India against this scourgeEarlier in the day PM Modi extended a warm welcome to Macron on his arrival in India and expressed confidence that strengthening IndiaFrance cooperation will contribute to global progress For his visit to India French President Macron is accompanied by First lady Brigitte MacronThe French President was extended a warm welcome at the Mumbai airport by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Governor Acharya DevvratExtending a warm welcome to President Macron PM Modi in a post on X wrote India looks forward to your visit and to advancing our bilateral ties to new heights I am confident that our discussions will further strengthen cooperation across sectors and contribute to global progressSee you in Mumbai and later in Delhi my dear friend Emmanuel Macron PM Modi addedPresident Macrons visit comes at the invitation of PM Modi to take part in the AI Impact Summit being hosted by IndiaThis marks President Macrons fourth visit to India and his first official engagement in Mumbai Macrons visit to India comes after PM Modis visit to France in February 2025 and showcases the mutual trust and depth of Strategic Partnership as well as the shared commitment of the two countries to deepen it furtherIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pm-modi-french-president-macron-begin-talks-in-mumbai--661783.html Tue, 17 Feb 2026 16:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/ls-speaker-om-birla-arrives-in-dhaka-for-tarique-rahman-swearing-in-ceremony--661704.html Dhaka Feb 17 IANS Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla arrived in Bangladesh on Tuesday to represent the Indian government at the swearingin ceremony of the newly elected government in DhakanbspnbspThe Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP under the leadership of its chairman Tarique Rahman registered a landslide victory in the Bangladesh parliamentary electionsThe BNP Parliamentary Party on Tuesday elected Tarique Rahman as its Leader setting him up to become the Leader of the House and take the oath as the Prime Minister of the country later in the day As the party with the majority of seats the BNP established the Parliamentary Party and conducted its inaugural meeting chaired by Tarique Rahman after its 208 MPs took their oaths at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban earlier in the dayLok Sabha Speaker Om Birla along with several other foreign dignitaries including Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and Pakistans Planning Minister Ahsan IqbalNepal will be represented by its Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma while Sri Lankas Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa is also slated to participate in the eventThe United Kingdoms IndoPacific UnderSecretary Seema Malhotra is expected to attend as well There is also a possibility that Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu may participate in the ceremonyOn Sunday Indias Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla would attend the oathtaking ceremony of the Tarique Rahmanled government in BangladeshIn an official statement the MEA said The Honble Speakers participation at this important event underscores the deep and enduring friendship between the peoples of India and Bangladesh reaffirming Indias steadfast commitment to the democratic values that bind our two nationsIt further stated As neighbours united by a shared history culture and mutual respect India welcomes Bangladeshs transition to an elected government under the leadership of Tarique Rahman whose vision and values have received an overwhelming mandate of the peopleThe 13th parliamentary election was conducted on February 12 and the Election Commission published the official gazette notification of the victorious candidates on the night of February 13Polling was held for 299 of the 300 seats in the 13th parliamentary election The Election Commission declared unofficial results for 297 constituencies However the gazette notifications for Chattogram2 and Chattogram4 have not yet been issued following a directive from the High CourtAccording to the results announced so far the BNP won 209 out of 297 seats with its candidates leading in the two constituencies including Chattogram2 and 4 where results have been withheld Their allies have claimed three seatsOn the other hand JamaateIslami has won 68 seats while the partners in the Jamaatled 11party electoral alliance secured nine seats Islami Andolan Bangladesh IAB claimed one seat and independent candidates won in seven constituencies Prothom Alo reportedWith Tarique Rahman now set to lead Bangladesh the country last saw a male PM almost 35 years ago experts warn that the nation faces a massive challenge of overcoming the unrest and rising Islamist extremism that marked the 18month tenure of the Muhammad Yunusled interim governmentIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/ls-speaker-om-birla-arrives-in-dhaka-for-tarique-rahman-swearing-in-ceremony--661704.html Tue, 17 Feb 2026 13:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/rahman-takes-charge-tomorrow-as-intel-warns-of-jamaat-backed-mobocracy-661656.html Dhaka Feb 16 IANS The massive win by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP in the recentlyconcluded Bangladesh elections has come as a relief for many in the countrynbspIn Tarique Rahman as the Prime Minister of the country the people see hopenbspWhile there is jubilation across the country there is also a great deal of scepticism due to the rise of the JamaateIslami The Jamaat ended up with 77 seats which is its best performance everRahman has his plate full owing to the mess that Muhammad Yunus has left for himnbspBangladesh watchers say that for Rahman cleaning up from within will be the biggest challenge when compared to foreign relationsnbspHe has made it clear that he wants good ties with all nations but has been firm for him that Bangladesh will always come first Experts say that this means that he would not give away too much to any country at the cost of his ownYunus had given too much away to Pakistan whereby he opened the seas and relaxed visa norms The Indian agencies say these were blunders by Yunus as the ISI has been using these routes to send arms and ammunition and also terrorists These routes are also being used to send in drugs and then route them into IndianbspUnder Yunus courtesy of the Jamaat mobocracy has become a daily normThe media has been attacked minorities persecuted and political opponents targeted The police have failed to book cases and even if they had those cases were never investigatednbspAn Intelligence Bureau official said that the Jamaat may not indulge in violence immediately There is a lot of talk that the Jamaat is looking to cosy up with the BNP so that it can be part of the governmentnbspBoth sides have been in an alliance in the past and hence it may come as no surprise if both come together again the official saidHowever the BNP does not need the Jamaat as it has a mammoth majority on its own Prior to the elections the Jamaat had a lot of control over the administration This is because of the good ties the party shared with YunusnbspAnother official said that if the Jamaat does not get some important role to play in the administration then it would get increasingly frustrated and indulge in mobocracynbspAlthough the BNP has won big the reach of the Jamaat has spread The party that never could cross the 20 mark has surged to 77 and that is a massive jump another official saidIt would look to use this reach to spread its ideology and also terrorise the people Experts say that although the Jamaat won big it is clearly not rejoicing The party was hoping to win the elections so that it could implement its own agendanbspOne main agenda of the Jamaat was to erase the memories of the 1971 Liberation War The Jamaat had sided with Pakistan in that war It always wanted Bangladesh to be part of Pakistan as it was easier to implement its radical ideology the experts also say Under Yunus it had managed to have its way The persecution of minorities violence on the streets and extortion grew multifoldHowever the election result clearly indicated that a majority of Bangladesh rejected the Jamaats ideology and they want Bangladesh to remain intact and not under the influence of a party that is a puppet of the ISInbspRahman is unlikely to allow the Jamaat to have a free run as he is interested in urgently restoring normalcy in his country another official saidnbspThe Jamaat on the other hand owing to its reach and frustration is likely to instigate the people and encourage mobocracy This would be challenging for Rahman as the Jamaat is not just a fringe group but today has political clout due to the 77 seats it won the official addedMoreover the Jamaat has won in the bordering areas with West Bengal These areas had become a breeding ground for radicalisation and with the Jamaat fully in control of these areas the problems are going to worsen and this challenges Indias national security intelligence agencies sayIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/rahman-takes-charge-tomorrow-as-intel-warns-of-jamaat-backed-mobocracy-661656.html Mon, 16 Feb 2026 14:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korean-president-lees-approval-rating-rises-for-third-consecutive-week-poll-661688.html Seoul Feb 16 IANS South Korean President Lee Jae Myungs approval rating rose to 565 per cent last week a survey showed Monday driven by the governments efforts to stabilise the property marketnbspThe rating was up 07 percentage point from the previous week while the negative assessment fell 02 percentage point to 389 per cent according to the survey by Realmeter commissioned by a local business news outletnbspRealmeter attributed the increase to Lees ongoing push to curb home prices by ending an exemption from the heavy capital gains tax for owners of multiple homes and the stock markets rise Yonhap News Agency reportednbspThe survey was conducted on 1009 adults from Monday to Friday last week and had a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points with a confidence level of 95 per centnbspEarlier in the day Lee continued his criticism of multiplehome ownership for investment purposes on his social media platform XnbspIt is clear that there are more negative effects than positive ones he said of owning multiple homesnbspThat is why the government needs to remove unfair preferential treatment in terms of tax finance and regulations he said Regarding social problems we need to make them take social responsibility and bear their fair share of the burden to a certain degree and that is in line with common senseThe remarks were the latest in a recent series of social media posts by Lee on his views on the heated property market He has repeatedly pledged to stabilize the housing market arguing that rising home prices are placing heavy burdens on young people and discouraging marriage and childbirthsnbspOn February 12 Lee called for efforts to stabilise the prices of food and daily necessities by monitoring unfair trade practices and addressing structural issues in the distribution processLee made the remarks during a meeting with senior aides after visiting a traditional market in the central city of Chungju Many people remain concerned about prices and weak sales Lee said during the meeting at Cheong Wa DaenbspHe instructed a newly launched interagency task force to prepare shortterm measures to stabilise prices and closely monitor unfair practices such as price rigging and monopolistic practices involving certain itemsPreemptive steps are needed to address structural issues at each stage of the distribution process he saidnbspLee also pointed to cases in which some companies allegedly resold import goods subject to reduced tariffs at higherthanmarket prices stressing that firm action should be taken if such practices are discoveredIn addition he instructed a review of school uniform prices following reports that the average cost has approached 600000 won USD 417 noting that the current level appears much higher than when he served as mayor of Seongnam south of Seoul from 2014 to 2018nbspWith the backtoschool season approaching the current school uniform prices need to be reviewed to determine whether they are appropriate he saidIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korean-president-lees-approval-rating-rises-for-third-consecutive-week-poll-661688.html Mon, 16 Feb 2026 15:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/over-40-lakh-visitors-from-100-nationsbaps-hindu-mandirin-abu-dhabimarks-two-years-of-global-inspiration-661689.html Abu Dhabi Feb 16 The BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi celebrated its second anniversary recently marking two years of spiritual service and cultural harmony in the United Arab Emirates UAE Since its inauguration by Mahant Swami Maharaj on February 14 2024 the Mandir has welcomed over four million visitors from more than 100 countries emerging as a global symbol of peaceful coexistence and shared human valuesMore than 8000 devotees dignitaries diplomats and families gathered for the special anniversary assembly themed âMandir Our Family Our FutureâThe event reflected the BAPS templeâs growing role not only as a place of worship but as a living institution that strengthens families connects communities and promotes harmony across culturesSwami Brahmviharidas delivered the keynote address on behalf of Mahant Swami Maharaj who inspired and inaugurated the Mandir two years ago to the dayDrawing a meaningful analogy he shared âA child begins to walk at one but speaks at two In the same way the Mandir has now begun to speak to the world and its message is harmonyâ He noted that the Mandirâs message has resonated consistently with millions of visitors including ambassadors faith leaders tourists and community representatives from across the globeThe evening honoured HE Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan for his longstanding commitment to cultural coexistence and unity in the UAEIn his address he described the Mandir as âa powerful symbol of shared human valuesâ and a reflection of the deep and enduring friendship between India and the United Arab Emirates He emphasised the UAE leadershipâs vision of fostering mutual respect across faiths and cultures expressing hope that the Mandir will continue to provide spiritual strength moral guidance and community upliftment for generations to comeThe anniversary programme featured âMandir Talksâ highlighting the Mandirâs expanding global and societal impactâMandir Talks to the Worldâ brought together diplomatic voices who described it as a bridge between heritage and modern diplomacy shaped not only by stone but by friendship and goodwillâMandir Talks to the Familiesâ captured the lived experiences of residents who shared how the Mandir has become a welcoming spiritual home a place where traditions are celebrated openly and where acts of service strengthen family bondsâMandir Talks to the Communitiesâ reflected on how the Mandir has become a unifying hub for diverse traditions fostering inclusion volunteerism and social cohesionâMandir Talks to the Futureâ featured children leading four collective pledges Self Positivity Family Values National Harmony and Environmental Responsibility symbolising the Mandirâs commitment to shaping responsible compassionate future generationsBlending traditional craftsmanship with modern sustainability the BAPS Hindu Mandir stands as a landmark of civilizational collaboration Yet its true strength lies in its impact inspiring faith strengthening families serving society and advancing harmonyAs it enters its third year the Mandir continues to embody the UAEâs commitment to peaceful coexistence and the enduring belief that faith service and unity can help build a more hopeful and harmonious world IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/over-40-lakh-visitors-from-100-nationsbaps-hindu-mandirin-abu-dhabimarks-two-years-of-global-inspiration-661689.html Mon, 16 Feb 2026 15:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-wedded-to-strategic-autonomy-eam-jaishankar-amid-us-claims-on-russian-oil-buys-661641.html Munich Feb 15 IANS Amid repeated assertions from the United States regarding New Delhis purchases of Russian oil India reaffirming its strategic autonomy has conveyed a clear message on the global stage that its energy decisions will be determined by availability cost and risk considerationsThe remarks come against the backdrop of fresh US sanctions targeting Russias oil sector and claims by President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio that India has agreed to halt additional imports of Russian crudeAddressing the Munich Security Conference on Saturday local time External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar rejected suggestions that a recent IndiaUS trade understanding would undermine Indias longstanding commitment to strategic autonomyHis comments followed Rubios statement that Washington had received assurances from New Delhi that it would refrain from purchasing more Russian oil after the latest round of US sanctions on Moscows energy exportsThe United States has imposed additional sanctions on Russias oil In our conversations with India weve gotten their commitment to stop buying additional Russian oil Europe has taken its set of steps moving forward Rubio was quoted as saying during the conference by Russian news agency TASSEarlier this month President Trump had made a stronger assertion while announcing what he described as a breakthrough following months of trade tensionsIndia agreed to stop buying Russian oil and buy more from the US he had saidHowever EAM Jaishankar made it evident that Indias foreign policy orientation would remain anchored in its independent decisionmaking frameworkWe are very much wedded to strategic autonomy because it is very much a part of our history and our evolution And it is something which is very deep it is something which cuts across the political spectrum as well he statedReferring specifically to energy procurement the External Affairs Minister described the global oil market as complexAs far as energy issues are concerned this is a complex market today I think the oil companies in India as in Europe as probably in other parts of the world look at availability look at costs look at risks and take decisions that they feel are in their best interest he saidAked directly whether India would discontinue Russian oil purchases under the terms of the trade arrangement EAM Jaishankar responded candidly If the bottom line of your question is would I remain independentminded and make my decisions and would I make choices which may not agree with your thinking yes it can happenIndia has so far neither formally confirmed nor denied Washingtons claim that it has committed to stopping additional imports of Russian crudeIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-wedded-to-strategic-autonomy-eam-jaishankar-amid-us-claims-on-russian-oil-buys-661641.html Sun, 15 Feb 2026 16:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/ls-speaker-om-birla-to-represent-india-at-swearing-in-ceremony-of-new-bangladesh-govt--661642.html New DelhiDhaka Feb 15 IANS Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will represent the Indian government at the swearingin ceremony of the newly elected Bangladesh government in Dhaka on February 17 the Ministry of External Affairs MEA said in a statementnbspnbspThe Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP under the leadership of its chairman Tarique Rahman registered a landslide victory in the Bangladesh parliamentary electionsIn its statement the MEA said The Honble Speakers participation at this important event underscores the deep and enduring friendship between the peoples of India and Bangladesh reaffirming Indias steadfast commitment to the democratic values that bind our two nationsAs neighbours united by a shared history culture and mutual respect India welcomes Bangladeshs transition to an elected government under the leadership of Tarique Rahman whose vision and values have received an overwhelming mandate of the people it addedThe members elected in Bangladeshs 13th National Parliamentary Election are set to take their oath of office on Tuesday February 17nbspThe swearingin ceremony will be administered in the morning by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir UddinnbspMultiple sources from the interim governments chief advisors office the law ministry and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP which is poised to form the next government confirmed the development to the leading Bangladeshi daily Prothom AloThe 13th parliamentary election was conducted on Thursday and the Election Commission published the official gazette notification of the victorious candidates on Friday nightnbspPreparations for the oathtaking ceremony are already underway at the Jatiya Sangsad secretariat Traditionally the ceremony is held in the designated oath room at the Jatiya Sangsad BhabanJatiya Sangsad secretariat secretary Kaniz Moula said that arrangements are being made for the oathtaking ceremony on Tuesday evening February 17Polling was held for 299 of the 300 seats in the 13th parliamentary election on February 12nbspThe Election Commission declared unofficial results for 297 constituencies However the gazette notifications for Chattogram2 and Chattogram4 have not yet been issued following a directive from the High CourtAccording to the results announced so far the BNP won 209 out of 297 seats in the February 12 election with its candidates leading in the two constituencies including Chattogram2 and 4 where results have been withheld Their allies have claimed three seatsOn the other hand JamaateIslami has won 68 seats while the partners in the Jamaatled 11party electoral alliance secured nine seats Islami Andolan Bangladesh IAB claimed one seat and independent candidates won in seven constituencies Prothom Alo reportedWith Tarique Rahman now set to lead Bangladesh the country last saw a male PM almost 35 years ago experts warn that the nation faces a massive challenge of overcoming the unrest and rising Islamist extremism that marked the 18month tenure of the Muhammad Yunusled interim governmentIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/ls-speaker-om-birla-to-represent-india-at-swearing-in-ceremony-of-new-bangladesh-govt--661642.html Sun, 15 Feb 2026 16:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/iran-says-talks-with-us-can-progress-positively-without-excessive-demands-661564.html Tehran Feb 14 A senior adviser to Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said negotiations between Tehran and Washington could advance and protect mutual interests if they are grounded in realism and avoid excessive demands Ali Shamkhani secretary of Irans Defence Council made the remarks in an interview with Qatars Al Jazeera which was published on Friday while commenting on the renewed indirect nuclear negotiations between his country and the United States the first round of which was held in Oman on February 6 Xinhua news agency reportedShamkhani said that refraining from actions and movements that could negatively affect the stability and security of West Asia is a logical and rational path for all sides involved adding that diplomatic measures in the region are aimed at deescalating tensions and strengthening political solutionsHe stressed that Irans missile program is among the countrys red lines and nonnegotiable warning that Iran will give a strong decisive and appropriate response to any potential adventurism against the countryHe said Israel cannot attack Iran without US support emphasising that Irans level of military readiness is high raising the costs of any miscalculation by any side against the countryHis remarks came amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington and a US military buildup in the region despite recent diplomatic efforts Earlier on Wednesday Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that his country would ânot yield to excessive demandsâ on its nuclear programme after Tehran resumed talks with the United StatesHe also said Iran was ready for âany verificationâ of its nuclear programme and insisted it was not seeking an atomic weapon IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/iran-says-talks-with-us-can-progress-positively-without-excessive-demands-661564.html Sat, 14 Feb 2026 15:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/at-least-three-killed-in-plane-crash-in-us-colorado-661566.html Los Angeles Feb 14 At least three people were killed in a plane crash in Steamboat Springs US state of Colorado according to a preliminary report from the Federal Aviation Administration The US National Transportation Safety Board said on X that it is investigating the crash of an Epic Aircraft E1000 a singleengine sixseat turboprop light aircraft Xinhua news agency reportedThe aircraft crashed on Friday near Emerald Mountain at about 1220 am local time under unknown circumstances local media reportedThe Routt County Sheriff Doug Sherar said the coroner was working to identify the victims and notify their next of kinEarlier in separate incident seven people were killed after a small jet crashed at a regional airport in Statesville US state of North Carolina police saidAccording to the police among those killed in the crash were former NASCAR National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing driver Greg Biffle his wife and two childrenThe Cessna C550 jet crashed on Thursday at around 1020 am Eastern Time while landing at the airport and triggered a large fire the Federal Aviation Administration FAA saidAccording to flighttracking website FlightAware the plane took off from the airport shortly after 10 am but then returned and attempted to land thereVideo footage showed first responders rushing onto the runway as scattered wreckage from the plane was engulfed in fireJohn Ferguson Statesville Regional Airport manager told reporters then that the FAA was taking over the crash scene The airport now is closed until further notice It will take some time to get the debris off the runway to get it safe again he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/at-least-three-killed-in-plane-crash-in-us-colorado-661566.html Sat, 14 Feb 2026 15:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-israel-push-ai-cybersecurity-ties-661569.html Washington Feb 14 Indian and Israeli officials joined technology executives and investors in Silicon Valley this week to deepen cooperation in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity warning that the fast rise of AI brings both opportunity and risk The IndiaâIsrael AICybersecurity Connect held February 11 in Palo Alto drew more than 130 founders venture capitalists and cybersecurity experts The event was hosted by the Consulate General of India in San Francisco the Consulate General of Israel and Venture DockThe gathering focused on strengthening collaboration among India Israel and the United States in AI cybersecurity and other critical technologies Organizers framed the discussion around the theme âCybersecurity for AI and AI for CybersecurityâDr K Srikar Reddy Indiaâs consul general in San Francisco highlighted the longstanding ties between the two countries and their growing innovation partnershipâWe are happy to bring these three vibrant innovation ecosystems togetherâ Reddy said âIndia the US and Israel are strategic partners and responsible AI and cybersecurity must be developed not only for our countries but for the betterment of the worldâReddy also pointed to Indiaâs upcoming AI Impact Summit in New Delhi expected to draw participation from more than 100 countries The summit will focus on âpeople planet and progressâ with emphasis on inclusive growth and expanding access to health care and education through AIIsraelâs consul general to the Pacific Northwest Marco Sermoneta reflected on the progress since India and Israel established diplomatic relations in the early 1990sâTo see what we have achieved in 30 years is outstandingâ Sermoneta said âAI is no different I truly believe that both India and Israel are forces for good in this world especially in this centuryâHe cited expanding cooperation in AI education and entrepreneurship including joint boot camps and hackathons and said Silicon Valley provides a natural platform to strengthen institutional tiesThe keynote speaker Jay Chaudhry chief executive of cybersecurity firm Zscaler described AI as transformative but potentially dangerousâIf you need help with your heart you go to a heart surgeon not a general physician We are the heart surgeons of cyber securityâ Chaudhry said underscoring the need for deep specializationHe called AI both âpowerful and dangerousâ saying it represents a technological wave larger than the internet mobile or cloud computing While AI can boost automation and productivity he warned it also lowers barriers for attackersChaudhry said AI agents could become a new vulnerability with organizations potentially deploying â50 to 100 per employeeâ If compromised he said those agents could have broad access across enterprise systemsAddressing startup culture Chaudhry said the short answer to preserving momentum is âa lot of hard workâ He stressed the importance of hiring people with genuine âfire and desireâ âWe become what we read what we watch who we hang around withâ he saidA panel discussion on cybersecurity in an AIdriven world examined how AI accelerates digital transformation while amplifying cyber risksâOne of the largest problems in cybersecurity today is just a lack of skill You just canât find people And entrepreneurs that solve that problem using these models across the entire cybersecurity domain are going to be some of the largest companies everâ said Guru Chahal a partner at Lightspeed Ventures IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-israel-push-ai-cybersecurity-ties-661569.html Sat, 14 Feb 2026 15:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/ashley-tellis-indicted-on-11-espionage-counts-in-us-court-661596.html Washington Feb 14 A federal grand jury in Virginia has returned a superseding indictment against prominent Indian American scholar and former US government adviser Ashley J Tellis charging him with 11 counts of willful retention of national defense information under the Espionage Act Filed on February 12 in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia the new indictment replaces the earlier criminal complaint that led to Tellisâs arrest in October 2025Federal prosecutors allege that from 2001 till October 11 2025 Tellis was employed by the US Department of State and at various times since 2003 served as a contractor at the Department of Defense In connection with his government work he held a Top Secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented InformationAccording to the superseding indictment Tellis removed without authorization US government property including documents relating to national defense and other classified materials The indictment states that many of the documents bore markings indicating they were classified at the Secret and Top Secret levels including SCI informationThe grand jury alleges that Tellis willfully retained 11 classified documents at his residence without authorization These documents dated between 2018 and 2025 include material related to Chinese nuclear capabilities assessments of foreign military forces vulnerabilities of a US military facility and projections of future nuclear capabilities of foreign governmentsEach of the 11 counts corresponds to a specific classified document that prosecutors say he retained unlawfullyThe indictment notes that at no point during the charged period did Tellis deliver or attempt to deliver the classified documents to any officer or employee of the United States entitled to receive them The charges center on alleged unauthorized retention not on transmissionProsecutors are seeking forfeiture of property traceable to the alleged offenses including materials seized from Tellisâs residence in October 2025 and any digital media or devices used to store such informationCourt records indicate that Tellis remains out on bond and is represented by retained counsel Assistant US Attorney Seth Schlessinger is leading the prosecutionTellis 64 was born in Bombay India and later became a US citizen Over the past two decades he has been a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and a wellknown expert on USâIndia strategic relations He previously served as a senior adviser at the State Department and held a role on the National Security Council during the George W Bush administration where he was associated with shaping the USâIndia civil nuclear agreementAn indictment is an allegation Tellis is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/ashley-tellis-indicted-on-11-espionage-counts-in-us-court-661596.html Sat, 14 Feb 2026 15:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/rights-bodies-condemn-mass-disappearance-of-civilians-in-balochistan-by-pakistani-forces-661612.html Quetta Feb 14 At least fourteen Baloch civilians were forcibly disappeared by Pakistani forces in Balochistan according to leading human rights organisations Paank the Baloch National Movements Human Rights Department on Saturday mentioned that 23yearold Zulfiqar a resident of Tasp region in Panjgur district of Balochistan was forcibly disappeared on Friday by a Pakistanbacked armed groupThe rights body also expressed concern over the enforced disappearance of Zakir Noor a student from Panjgur by Pakistani state military personnel in Karachi on December 30Citing information Paank stated that Zakir Noor was unlawfully detained without any warrant legal justification or due process while his whereabouts remain unknown placing his life at serious riskâSuch actions constitute a grave violation of fundamental human rights including protection from arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance under international lawâ the rights body statedPaank expressed serious concern over the continued pattern of enforced disappearances targeting Baloch students and youth across Pakistan particularly in urban centres like KarachiMeanwhile human rights body Baloch Voice for Justice BVJ strongly condemned the enforced disappearance of multiple members of a single family on February 8 during a latenight raid by Pakistani forces in Gulshan Amir Abad region in Hub districtAccording to BVJ Pakistani security forces reportedly detained Abdul Rab Muhammad Rahim Abdul Razzaq and Abdul Malik four brothers along with their sons Shahzaib Jahangir Noroz and Shah MirIt added that the Pakistani authorities are further accused of taking another Baloch civilian Dad Shah from HubCiting family reports the rights body stated that women and children were subjected to violence during the operationâThis pattern of collective punishment reflects a continued policy of intimidation and lawlessness in Balochistan Enforced disappearance is a serious violation of international human rights law We demand the immediate disclosure of their whereabouts and their presentation before a court Silence from state institutions only deepens the crisis and erodes public trustâ the BVJ statedHighlighting the atrocities across Balochistan the rights body further revealed the enforced disappearances of three Baloch youthsGhalib Afzal and Yasir LehriBVJ stated that on February 9 Pakistanâs Frontier Corps and Secret Service agencies raided Allangi Mashkai in Awaran district and forcibly disappeared Ghalib a student who had returned from provincial capital Quetta to attend a family weddingIn a separate incident on February 10 26yearold Yasir Lehri a police constable and photographer was abducted by Pakistani Military Intelligence MI and Frontier Corps FC from Mughalzai Main RCD Road in Kalat district in Balochistan Additionally on January 29 22yearold Afzal a driver from the Turbat region in the province was taken from his home by FC and MIâWe denounce these unlawful actions in the strongest terms Enforced disappearance is a grave violation of human rights and international lawâ BVJ noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/rights-bodies-condemn-mass-disappearance-of-civilians-in-balochistan-by-pakistani-forces-661612.html Sat, 14 Feb 2026 15:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/we-hope-security-of-minorities-is-handled-effectively-congress-mp-on-bangladesh-poll-results-661505.html New Delhi Feb 13 Reacting to the Bangladesh parliamentary election results Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat said that he hopes security of minorities is handled effectively Speaking to IANS Bhagat said âFirst of all I extend my best wishes to them and we hope that the government remains sensitive and lives up to the expectations of the people Most importantly we hope that the security of minorities and all related matters are handled effectively â that is our sincere wishâBJP leader Dilip Ghosh expressed optimism on the countryâs future stating âPeace will return to Bangladesh very soon and the country will once again move forward on the path of developmentâThe Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP and its alliance claimed a decisive victory in the 13th parliamentary elections according to local media citing unofficial results The BNPled alliance has won 210 seats paving the way for the formation of a new government led by the partyCiting party sources Bangladeshi daily Jugantor reported that BNP chairman Tarique Rahman is set to become Prime Minister marking the return of a male PM to Bangladesh after nearly 35 yearsUnofficial results from the Dhaka17 constituency showed Tarique securing 72699 votes defeating his closest rival JamaateIslami candidate SM Khaliduzzaman who received 68300 votes according to Prothom Alo He also won from Bogra6 constituency receiving 216284 votes against Jamaat candidate Abidur Rahman Sohelâs 97626 votesEarlier Tarique expressed confidence after casting his vote stating he was â100 per cent hopefulâ of a victory He assumed leadership of the BNP following the death of his mother former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia last December Tarique is also the son of former President Ziaur Rahman the founder of BNPIn Bangladesh after the unofficial results Tarique Rahman is now poised to lead the nation as Prime Minister as BNP prepares to form its new government IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/we-hope-security-of-minorities-is-handled-effectively-congress-mp-on-bangladesh-poll-results-661505.html Fri, 13 Feb 2026 11:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-reform-referendum-nears-approval-raising-fears-of-1972-constitution-being-overturned-661517.html New Delhi Feb 13 The Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP won the elections with a thumping mandate On February 12 the country voted for the first time since the uprising that led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina Simultaneously the people of Bangladesh were asked to decide on a constitutional reform package under the âJuly National Charterâ Constitutional Amendment Implementation Order 2025 Local media reports said that a majority of the participating voters supported the reform package One report said that 73 per cent of the counted votes said âYesâ to the referendum However an official announcement is yet to be made regarding the results of the referendumCurrently the country has a parliamentary system If the referendum is approved then a second chamber called the Upper House would be established This would have 100 seats allocated proportionally based on the vote share of the parties in the general elections This would mean that Constitutional amendments would need to be approved by both Houses A twothirds majority in the lower house and a majority vote in the Upper House would be necessary for the amendments to go throughFurther the impeachment of the President would need twothirds support in both chambers Once implemented it would be mandatory to have the deputy speaker of the lower party from the opposition Reserved seats for women would be gradually increased to 100 Any major international treaty involving national security would need approval of both HousesThe package would reinstate the caretaker government system which had previously been abolished The formation of such a government would be subject to the consensus of the ruling party the opposition and the second opposition partyWhile Muhammad Yunus the caretaker of the interim government called the reform pathbreaking many are sceptical about itThere are a number of proposals which could overturn the basic constitutional principlesThe referendum according to experts is an attempt to change the Constitution This means that the continuity of the Constitution comes to an end after almost 55 years Further there is no provision for a plebiscite even if it meant that the government had got it signed by the President of BangladeshAccording to media reports a majority of the people of Bangladesh have voted in favour of the implementation of this reform This means that the government is obligated to implement itThe implementation would lead to the establishment of a bicameral Parliament Experts are questioning this move as the Constitution does not allow this There is likely to be a legal challenge to this and the matter may drag on in court until a final decision is takenBangladesh since its formation in 1971 has seen three referendums 19771985 and 1991The 1977 and 1985 referendums were held under military rule while the one in 1991 took place to create the provision for a caretaker government which would ensure the conduct of national electionsAll three referendums of the past got the support of 8438 to 9888 per cent of the peopleThe first two referendums asked the people if they had confidence in the sitting president and his policies The third one sought the approval to shift from a presidential system back to a parliamentary democracyThe experts also argue that if one looks closely at the reform there are attempts being made to erase the 1972 Constitution of Bangladesh The very foundation of the country will be under threat if this reform were to go throughYunus has however pushed hard for this reform This reform also recognises the interim government that he headed He is making an effort to cement his legacy which in reality has been marred by violence On February 9 Yunus during a nationwide address made a call seeking a âYesâ vote for his proposed package He said that if the âYesâ vote wins in the referendum Bangladeshâs future will be built in a more positive way He also said that the referendum represents a move towards a civilised society from barbarism IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-reform-referendum-nears-approval-raising-fears-of-1972-constitution-being-overturned-661517.html Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/deal-or-very-traumatic-trump-warns-iran-661495.html Washington Feb 13 US President Donald Trump warned Iran to reach a nuclear agreement quickly or face serious consequences saying failure to make a deal would be âvery traumaticâ âWe have to make a deal otherwise its going to be very traumatic very traumaticâ Trump told reporters at the White HouseâI dont want that to happen but we have to make a dealâ he added Asked about a timeline Trump said the process should move fastâI guess over the next month something like that â shouldnt take I mean it should happen quickly They should agree very quicklyâ he saidTrump said if talks fail the situation would escalate âIf they dont make a deal then itll be a different storyâ he saidâIf the deal isnt a very fair deal and a very good deal with Iran then its going to be I think a very difficult time for themâThe remarks followed a day after his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin NetanyahuâWe had a very good meeting yesterday with Bibi Netanyahu and he understands but its ultimately up to meâ Trump saidAsked whether Netanyahu wanted him to stop negotiating Trump replied âIll talk to them as long as I like and well see if we can get a deal with them And if we cant well have to go to Phase 2 Phase 2 will be very tough for themâTrump did not spell out what âPhase 2â would involveThe comments signal continued diplomacy but also renewed pressure on TehranIranâs nuclear program has remained a central flashpoint in West Asia The United States withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal during Trumpâs first term Since then tensions have persisted over enrichment levels and regional securityFor India stability in the Gulf region carries economic and strategic importance India imports a significant share of its crude oil from West Asia and maintains a large diaspora presence across the regionAny escalation between Washington and Tehran could have implications for energy markets and regional security dynamics At the same time USIran negotiations have historically moved in cycles of pressure and engagement with diplomatic channels often kept open even during periods of sharp rhetoric IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/deal-or-very-traumatic-trump-warns-iran-661495.html Fri, 13 Feb 2026 08:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-elections-violence-erupts-at-several-polling-booths-bnp-leader-killed-661478.html Dhaka Feb 12 IANS Violence erupted at several polling booths across Bangladesh on Thursday leading to the death of a political leader as the voting was underway across the nation local media reportednbspThese incidents unfolded hours after polling began reflecting the deteriorating law and order situation and volatile security landscape in BangladeshnbspAmid the escalating violence a Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP leader Mohibuzzaman Kochi died at the Alia Madrasa polling station in Khulna districtnbspCiting eyewitnesses and police Bangladeshs leading Bengali daily Jugantor reported that tension arose between BNP and JamaateIslami supporters on Thursday morning near the Alia Madras Academic BuildingFormer Khulna Sadar Thana BNP organising secretary Yusuf Harun Majnu said There was tension at the centre since morning The principal of Alia Madrasa was campaigning for Jamaat When he stopped him he pushed Mohibuzzaman Kochi As a result he hit a tree and got hit on the head This is what caused his deathnbspConfirming the incident Khulna Sadar Police Station Sub Inspector Khan Faisal Rafi in charge of the centre said When tension arose between the two parties we immediately went to the spot and separated the two partiesEmergency Medical Officer at Khulna City Medical College Hospital Partha Roy said the BNP leader Kochi was brought dead to the hospitalnbspnbspMeanwhile a cocktail bomb attack at a polling station in Gopalganj Sadar Upazila during voting left three people injurednbspThe incident occurred at the Reshma International School polling station in Gopalganj district on Thursday morningnbspAccording to SubInspector Jahidul Islam on duty officer at the polling station voting was going on peacefully since morning when miscreants threw cocktails from across the canal outside the centre The explosion injured two onduty Ansar members a paramilitary auxiliary force and a child accompanying a voter triggering panic among the votersAdditionally Jamaat alleged that its leaders workers and supporters were prevented from voting and attacked in several parts of the countrynbspAddressing a press conference on Thursday morning the partys Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair made the allegationnbspThe elections are being held in a festive atmosphere In the meantime there have been allegations of attacks on Jamaat leaders activists and candidates agents in different parts of the country and obstruction of voting Among them Jamaat leaders and activists were attacked at a polling station in Barisal there was a massive attack in Bhola2 constituency militants are attacking and obstructing agents in Comilla8 constituency Bangladeshi Bengali daily Bonik Barta quoted Zubair as sayingBesides voters are being prevented from going to polling stations in Hatia Noakhali Several such incidents are happening We think those who are doing this are depressed and bankrupt We have informed the administration the Election Commission and those responsible to take action in these incidents We have told the administration not to take sides he addednbspBangladeshs highstakes parliamentary elections are unfolding amid escalating political conflict and violence with several parties raising concerns over the fairness of the pollsIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-elections-violence-erupts-at-several-polling-booths-bnp-leader-killed-661478.html Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-elections-mea-says-will-wait-for-outcome-to-see-what-sort-of-mandate-comes-out-661490.html New Delhi Feb 12 IANS As people of Bangladesh voted in the countrys 13th parliamentary election India on Thursday stressed that it would wait for the results before making any assessment of the political landscapeAddressing a weekly media briefing in New Delhi Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said The elections are going on in Bangladesh We should wait for the outcome of the elections to see what sort of mandate has come out and thereafter we will look at issues that are there On the election per se you know what our position has been We stand for free fair inclusive and credible elections in BangladeshJaiswal stated that India chose not to depute any election observers to Bangladesh despite receiving an invitationnbspWe did receive an invitation to send observers but we have not sent our observers to Bangladesh to monitor the elections he said while replying to another questionnbspnbspMeanwhile violence erupted at several polling booths across Bangladesh on Thursday leading to the death of a political leader as the voting was underway across the nation local media reportednbspIncidents started unfolding after polling began early Thursday morning reflecting the deteriorating law and order situation and volatile security landscape in BangladeshAmid the escalating violence a Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP leader Mohibuzzaman Kochi died at the Alia Madrasa polling station in Khulna districtnbspCiting eyewitnesses and police Bangladeshs leading Bengali daily Jugantor reported that tension arose between BNP and JamaateIslami supporters on Thursday morning near the polling centrenbspFormer Khulna Sadar Thana BNP organising secretary Yusuf Harun Majnu said There was tension at the centre since morning The principal of Alia Madrasa was campaigning for Jamaat When he stopped him he pushed Mohibuzzaman Kochi As a result he hit a tree and got hit on the head This is what caused his deathConfirming the incident Khulna Sadar Police Station Sub Inspector Khan Faisal Rafi in charge of the centre said When tension arose between the two parties we immediately went to the spot and separated the two partiesnbspEmergency Medical Officer at Khulna City Medical College Hospital Partha Roy told Jugantor that the BNP leader Kochi was brought dead to the hospitalIn another incident on Thursday morning a cocktail bomb attack at a polling station in Gopalganj Sadar Upazila during voting left three people injured The incident occurred at the Reshma International School polling station in Gopalganj districtnbspBangladeshs highstakes parliamentary elections are unfolding amid escalating political conflict and violence with several parties raising concerns over the fairness of the pollsIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-elections-mea-says-will-wait-for-outcome-to-see-what-sort-of-mandate-comes-out-661490.html Thu, 12 Feb 2026 18:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/russia-ready-to-seek-negotiated-solution-to-ukraine-crisis-russian-fm-661396.html Moscow Feb 11 Russia is ready to seek a negotiated solution to the Ukraine crisis based on understandings reached by the leaders of Russia and the United States Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said He said Russia remains fully committed to the outcomes of the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump held in the US city of Anchorage Alaska in August last year and noted that Moscow expects its interests to be fully taken into account in the process of reaching mutually acceptable agreements with partners open to honest and direct dialogue Xinhua news agency reportedLavrov said Russia would continue to uphold truth and justice in international affairs and promote a multipolar world grounded in the purposes and principles of the UN Charter adding that Moscow would oppose double standards hidden agendas imposed settlement formulas as well as practices of neocolonialism and hegemonismThe foreign minister also said Russia would prioritize strengthening strategic partnerships with emerging centers of a multipolar world adding that Russia and likeminded partners would work to accelerate the development of sanctionsresistant mechanisms for trade investment financial and logistical cooperationThe second round of USbrokered talks between Russia and Ukraine concluded earlier on Thursday with both sides agreeing to a largescale prisoner exchange but failing to achieve substantive breakthroughs on core issues such as territorial arrangements and a ceasefireAccording to Ukraine the talks were conducted trilaterally before moving to group consultations Ukraines National Security and Defence Council Secretary Rustem Umerov said the Ukrainian delegation sought a dignified and lasting peace without disclosing specific outcomesThe talks ended with no joint political or security statement underscoring persistent differences between Russia and Ukraine on key matters including territorial disputes ceasefire arrangements and security guaranteesUS Presidents Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said representatives from the three countries reached a consensus on a prisoner swap describing the discussions as specific and constructive He added however that greater efforts would be required to advance a comprehensive settlement of the conflictFollowing the talks Russia and Ukraine conducted their first largescale prisoner exchange in nearly five months with each side returning 157 detainees Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said those released included both military personnel and civilians IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/russia-ready-to-seek-negotiated-solution-to-ukraine-crisis-russian-fm-661396.html Wed, 11 Feb 2026 06:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/iran-says-talks-with-us-will-stay-in-oman-661397.html Tehran Feb 11 Irans Foreign Ministry rejected reports that indirect talks between Tehran and Washington would be held outside Oman saying Muscat was always the agreed venue according to the staterun IRNA news agency Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei told a news briefing that Iran welcomed diplomatic efforts by regional and neighboring countries that had offered to help ease tensions and support dialogue Xinhua news agency reportedHe said Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi had been in contact with counterparts in regional countries as well as others concerned about regional peace and security Those contacts Baqaei said took place at the highest levels including with Irans president and foreign minister and were aimed at reducing tensions and facilitating a diplomatic processBaqaei stressed however that there had never been any plan to hold the talks anywhere other than OmanSeparately Ali Larijani secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council arrived in Muscat on Tuesday where he met with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi Omans official news agency reported The two discussed regional and international issues and underscored the importance of dialogue and cooperation in supporting regional security and stabilityAlso in the day Larijani issued a warning on social media platform X ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus scheduled meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington on Wednesday where Iran is expected to feature prominently Larijani warned that the United States should not let Netanyahu through posturing dictate the framework of nuclear negotiationsIsrael has argued that Iran cannot be trusted on the nuclear issue and has threatened unilateral action if USIran talks fail to meet its expectations Before departing for Washington Netanyahu said Iran would be the first and foremost topic in his meeting with Trump IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/iran-says-talks-with-us-will-stay-in-oman-661397.html Wed, 11 Feb 2026 06:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/ice-chief-grilled-by-lawmakers-on-mass-deportation-operations-at-divided-us-house-hearing-661398.html Washington Feb 11 Todd Lyons acting head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement ICE and other immigration officials were questioned by lawmakers on mass deportation operations at a US House of Representatives hearing with Republican and Democratic lawmakers expressing divided views Lyons testified at a hearing before the House Homeland Security Committee along with Rodney Scott commissioner of Customs and Border Protection and Joseph Edlow director of Citizenship and Immigration Services All three agencies operate under the Department of Homeland Security DHS Xinhua news agency reportedThe ICE chief and other immigration officials who defended the Trump administrations mass deportation operations largely received praise and support from Republican lawmakers and drew criticism from Democrats reflecting a polarized political environmentDemocrats pressed the officials on a lack of due process poorlyregulated practices the two fatal shootings of US citizens by federal agents and whether Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem who has faced mounting pressure in recent days following her comments describing the victims as having committed an act of domestic terrorism should resignRepublicans meanwhile touted US President Donald Trumps mass deportation policies and highlighted the risk and danger faced by federal immigration agentsNew York Democratic Representative Timothy Kennedy is among the lawmakers who lashed out at ICE for wearing masks during immigration raids In America we shouldnt have secret police We shouldnt have masked government agents executing citizens in the streets he saidWhen asked whether the secretary of homeland security should resign Lyons dodged the question saying that Im not going to comment on an ongoing investigationAsked whether there were plans to release footage from body cameras worn by immigration agents in Minnesota state Lyons said he fully welcomes body camerasLyons said that out of approximately 13000 ICE officers who are active in the field more than 3000 have cameras He also estimated that about 10000 Border Patrol agents out of about 20000 have body camerasDemocratic Representative LaMonica McIver of New Jersey asked How many government agencies are you aware of that routinely kill American citizens and still get funding adding that ICE should be abolished entirelyThe recent two fatal shootings by federal enforcement personnel in the city of Minneapolis have prompted Democrats to seek changes to how immigration agencies operate resulting in a brief lapse in government fundingThe DHS only received a twoweek continuing resolution at current funding levels allowing both parties and the White House to continue negotiations on immigration enforcement The funding is set to expire on FridayDemocrats demands include ending roving patrols tightening warrant rules imposing an enforceable code of conduct that holds federal agents to the same useofforce standards as local law enforcement and implementing a masks off body cameras on policy for federal agents IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/ice-chief-grilled-by-lawmakers-on-mass-deportation-operations-at-divided-us-house-hearing-661398.html Wed, 11 Feb 2026 06:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-commerce-secretary-admits-having-lunch-with-epstein-on-private-island-661405.html New York Feb 11 US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick admitted that he and his family had lunch with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on the latters private island in 2012 I did have lunch with him as I was on a boat going across on a family vacation Lutnick said during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on Tuesday And we had lunch on the island that is true for an hourI did not have any relationship with him I barely had anything to do with that person he said in his testimonyLutnick had previously said that he cut off contact with Epstein in 2005 But the latest Epstein files released by the US Department of Justice in January showed that he and Epstein remained in touch years later And the two men also had business dealings as recently as 2014 local media reportedLutnick is now under pressure from both Democrats and some Republicans to resign Xinhua news agency reportedEpstein pleaded guilty to a state charge of soliciting a minor for prostitution in 2008 He was arrested again in July 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges and died by suicide in jail on Aug 10 2019 before trialEarlier in January the US Justice Department began releasing millions of records linked to the investigations and prosecutions of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell saying it had completed an unprecedented review ordered under a new transparency law signed by President Donald TrumpDeputy Attorney General Todd Blanche told reporters that the department was producing more than three million pages of material including over 2000 videos and about 180000 images as part of its compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act signed into law on November 19 2025âIn total that means that the department produced approximately 35 million pages in compliance with the actâ Blanche said at a news conference at the Justice DepartmentBlanche said the review effort involved more than 500 lawyers and professionals across multiple divisions including the FBI and several US attorneyâs offices He said teams met âtwice daily sometimes moreâ for nearly 75 days to complete the work IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-commerce-secretary-admits-having-lunch-with-epstein-on-private-island-661405.html Wed, 11 Feb 2026 11:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/bondi-beach-attackers-went-dark-to-hide-plans-says-australias-intelligence-chief-661406.html Canberra Feb 11 The perpetrators of the terror attack at Sydneys Bondi Beach in December demonstrated high levels of awareness to hide their plans Australias intelligence chief said Mike Burgess directorgeneral of security of the Australian Security Intelligence Organization ASIO told a Senate hearing that law enforcement and intelligence agencies did not know that the perpetrators of the Bondi attack were planning anything prior to the fatal mass shooting on December 14 Xinhua news agency reportedIt appears the alleged terrorists demonstrated a high level of security awareness to hide their plot In simple terms they went dark to stay off the radar he saidFifteen people were killed in the attack which targeted an event celebrating the Jewish festival of Hanukkah making it Australias most deadly mass shooting since 1996One of the alleged attackers Sajid Akram was shot dead by police at the scene while his son 24yearold Naveed was arrested and charged with 59 offenses including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist actNaveed Akram was in 2019 investigated by ASIO over alleged links to a Sydneybased Islamic State terror cell but was deemed not to pose a terror threatBurgess said on Tuesday night that he commissioned a review of the previous investigation immediately following Decembers attack which concluded that the Akrams did not intend to engage in violent extremism in 2019 IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/bondi-beach-attackers-went-dark-to-hide-plans-says-australias-intelligence-chief-661406.html Wed, 11 Feb 2026 11:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-says-flotilla-headed-toward-iran-661408.html Washington Feb 11 US President Donald Trump said the United States has deployed a âmassive flotillaâ toward Iran and signaled that Tehran is seeking negotiations even as he warned that further action remains possible In an interview with Fox Businessâ Larry Kudlow Trump described heightened US military posture in the regionâAs you know we have a massive floatilla right now going over to Iran Weâll see what happensâ he saidTrump suggested Iran is open to talks âI think they wanna make a deal I think theyâd be foolish if they didnâtâ he saidHe added that any agreement would have to address core US concerns âItâs gotta be a good deal No nuclear weapons no missiles no this no that all the different things that you wantâ he saidAt the same time Trump questioned whether a deal would hold âA lot of people say noâ he said referring to doubts about the current Iranian regimeâs reliabilityTrump criticised earlier diplomacy with Tehran âObama and Biden what they did in terms of creating a monster with Iran was terribleâ he said âThat Iran nuclear deal was one of the dumbest deals Iâve ever seenâHe also referenced prior US action against Iranian nuclear facilities âWe took out their nuclear power last time and weâll have to see if we take out more this timeâ he saidTrump framed the deployment and diplomacy as part of a broader strategy that links economic leverage and national security toolsâI settled eight wars Of the eight wars at least six were settled because of tariffsâ he said earlier in the interview arguing that trade pressure strengthens U negotiating power globallyThe remarks come amid ongoing tensions over Iranâs nuclear program and regional activitiesIran remains central to regional security calculations in West Asia affecting energy markets maritime routes and geopolitical alignmentsIndia which has longstanding civilizational and economic ties with Iran closely tracks developments in the Gulf given its energy dependence and strategic interests including connectivity projects and shipping security in the region IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-says-flotilla-headed-toward-iran-661408.html Wed, 11 Feb 2026 11:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/white-house-defends-ice-arrests-661410.html Washington Feb 11 The White House defended its immigration enforcement record rejecting criticism that most arrests under President Donald Trump involve nonviolent offenders Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration remains focused on removing criminals from the countryâThe Trump administration has been clear from day one that any illegal alien present in this country is subject to deportationâ she said âHowever the priority of course is going after the convicted criminals the worst of the worst the murderers the pedophiles the rapists in this countryâLeavitt was responding to reports citing data that only a small percentage of those arrested are violent criminalsShe said the numbers were being taken âout of contextââNearly 60 per cent of ICE arrestees over the past year had criminal charges or convictionsâ Leavitt saidShe added that âapproximately 70 per cent of illegal aliens arrested under President Trump have pending criminal charges andor prior convictionsâLeavitt said many of the crimes classified as nonviolent are still seriousâThese socalled nonviolent crimes drug trafficking distribution of child porn burglary fraud DUI embezzlement solicitation of a minor and human smuggling just to name a fewâ she saidâSo just because a crime is not violent in nature doesnt mean that crime is victimlessâ she addedLeavitt said critics who highlight the statistics would not want such offenders in their communitiesâI can guarantee every single person who is out there on television right now pointing to these statistics that were taken out of context by CBS news would not want an illegal alien convicted of the distribution of child porn or fraud or DUI living in your communityâ she saidShe said the administration will continue its approachâSo the Trump administration will continue our focus on deporting all illegal aliens present in our country with a focus on the worst of the worst criminalsâ Leavitt saidDuring the briefing Leavitt also cited a federal appeals court decision upholding the administrationâs policy of detaining migrants who enter the country illegallyâA federal appeals court today â just upheld the Trump administrations policy of detaining illegal aliens validating the strong measures that have driven illegal crossings to historic lowsâ she saidShe added that for âan unprecedented ninth straight month there were zero illegal border crossings at the southern borderâImmigration enforcement has remained a central pillar of Trumpâs policy agenda since his first campaign in 2016 The administration has argued that strict detention and deportation policies deter illegal crossings and improve public safetyCritics including many Democrats and immigrant advocacy groups have questioned enforcement priorities and raised concerns about due process and the impact on families and communities IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/white-house-defends-ice-arrests-661410.html Wed, 11 Feb 2026 11:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-hails-great-economy-record-market-urges-passage-of-save-america-act-661411.html Washington Feb 11 President Donald Trump on told Fox Business that the US economy is âgoing greatâ as he touted record stockmarket levels and said he wants Congress to pass a voting package he called the âSave America Actâ ahead of the midterm elections In an interview with Larry Kudlow on Fox Businessâ âKudlowâ Trump pointed to market milestones âWhen you say 50000 and by the way uh SampP 7000ââ he said adding âwere at the end of the first yearâTrump said prices and energy costs are down âThey cant use it because we brought the prices downâ he said referring to âaffordabilityâ He cited gasoline prices during a recent trip âOil now I was in Iowa last week and they were 185 a gallonâ he said âIn many cases now its broken 2 a gallon and thats like a major tax cutâKudlow pressed Trump on whether he wants another major reconciliation package after his âOne Big Beautiful Billâ Trump said the legislation bundled multiple proposals into a single package âThis was a fouryear package and we put it together and we got it passedâ he said âThis is really this is the biggest bill ever passed in the history of Congress and its a great thingâTrump then pivoted to elections and said he wants a separate measure âWe wanna get the Save America Act passed Save America is on votingâ he said âWe want people to have voter ID We want people to have proof of citizenship and we wanna have uh no mailin ballots other than if youre in the military or youre sick or youre away or some reasonable but good excuseâAsked if it could pass before the midterms Trump cited polling âWell it polls at about 94 per centâ he said He added âIncluding Democrats are at 87 per cent other than Democrat politicians because they cheatâOn monetary policy Trump praised his Federal Reserve pick âI liked himâ he said of Kevin Warsh âI think hes a somebody thats gonna be a real influencerâ Trump argued interest rates should be lower âInterest rates should be lowerâ he said âYou know every point is 600 bill ionâTrump also defended his tariff strategy as leverage beyond economics âTariffs are very importantâ he said âIm taking in hundreds of billions of dollars in tariff moneyâ He described tariffs as a tool to push countries to resolve conflicts âOf the eight wars at least six were settled because of tariffsâ he saidTrump said he is also continuing efforts to cut government waste pointing to DOGE âDOGE really continues in a different formâ he said âWe saved a lot of moneyâMidterm elections are scheduled for November 2026 when voters will decide control of Congress and a large number of statewide offices Election rules including voter ID and mail voting remain a recurring flashpoint in US politics with states setting most procedures under federal and constitutional constraints IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-hails-great-economy-record-market-urges-passage-of-save-america-act-661411.html Wed, 11 Feb 2026 11:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/white-house-pushes-back-on-epstein-questions-661412.html Washington Feb 11 The White House pushed back on renewed questions about President Donald Trumpâs past ties to Jeffrey Epstein and said the administration stands firmly behind Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump had long distanced himself from EpsteinâThe president has always remained consistent and that he kicked Jeffrey Epstein out of his club at MaraLago because frankly Jeffrey Epstein was a creepâ she saidShe added that Trump âcut off his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and was honest and transparent about that for years and yearsâLeavitt was asked about newly released documents that referenced a conversation between Trump and the Palm Beach police chief in the early 2000sâLook it was a phone call that may or may not have happened in 2006 I dont know the answer to that questionâ she said âWhat Im telling you is that what President Trump has always said is that he kicked Jeffrey Epstein out of his MaraLago club because Jeffrey Epstein was a creep and that remains trueâLeavitt also pointed to the release of records related to the caseâThe release of more than 3 million documents related to Jeffrey Epstein and his heinous disgusting crimes just shows the level of transparency that this president and administration has committed to in bringing these files to lightâ she saidAsked whether Trump would rule out a pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell Leavitt said it was not under considerationâLast time we did speak about it he said its not something hes considering or thinking aboutâ she saidLeavitt was also questioned about Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick after he testified on Capitol Hill and acknowledged past contact with EpsteinâNo Secretary Lutnick remains a very important member of President Trumps team and the president fully supports the secretaryâ she saidLeavitt shifted to what she described as broader achievements by the administrationâAgain on Friday the Dow shattered 50000 for the first time everâ she said She also cited a federal appeals court ruling upholding the administrationâs detention policy for migrants and said âfor an unprecedented ninth straight month there were zero illegal border crossings at the southern borderâEpstein a financier was charged with sex trafficking offenses and died in federal custody in 2019 Maxwell was later convicted on federal sex traffickingrelated charges The case has continued to generate political scrutiny due to the prominent figures who had past associations with EpsteinThe administration has argued that the release of documents reflects a commitment to transparency while critics continue to press for clarity about past contacts and decisions involving individuals named in the files IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/white-house-pushes-back-on-epstein-questions-661412.html Wed, 11 Feb 2026 11:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-floats-renaming-penn-station-dulles-airport-661413.html Washington Feb 11 The White House confirmed that President Donald Trump floated the idea of renaming major infrastructure sites after himself and defended his stance on control of a USCanada bridge project Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked about reports that Trump had suggested renaming Penn Station in New York and Dulles Airport near WashingtonâTo your first question about the renaming why notâ Leavitt said âIt was something the president floated in his conversation with Chuck Schumerâ She did not provide further details on the proposalLeavitt was also questioned about Trumpâs comments on the Gordie Howe Bridge which connects Detroit to Canada and was fully financed by CanadaâI think the president was very clear and direct in his truthâ she saidLeavitt said Trump objects to the ownership and control structure of the bridgeâThe fact that Canada will control what crosses the Gordie Howe Bridge and owns the land on both sides is unacceptable to the presidentâ she saidShe added that Trump believes âmore of this bridgeâ should have been built with âmore American made materialsââHe also believes that the US should own at least half of the bridge have shared authority over what passes across it and participate in the economic benefits generated by its useâ Leavitt saidâThis is just another example of President Trump putting Americas interests firstâ she addedLeavitt said Trump conveyed his position during a call with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney earlier in the dayThe Gordie Howe International Bridge is a major crossborder infrastructure project linking Michigan and Ontario It is intended to ease congestion and expand trade between the United States and CanadaRenaming federal infrastructure assets typically requires congressional approval Penn Station is a major rail hub in New York City while Dulles International Airport serves the Washington metropolitan area IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-floats-renaming-penn-station-dulles-airport-661413.html Wed, 11 Feb 2026 11:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-calls-india-indo-pacific-anchor-661414.html Washington Feb 11 The United States called India the anchor of South Asia and the western IndoPacific as the Trump administration outlined an âAmerica firstâ strategy built on trade deals defence cooperation and targeted investment across the region Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Paul Kapur in a written testimony submitted before the House Foreign Affairs Committeeâs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia said President Donald Trumpâs National Security Strategy makes clear that Washington âmust put America first and do so through active engagement with vital parts of the worldââUnder the Presidentâs leadership this has advanced our economic and security interests while helping our partnersâ Kapur said on the eve of his appearance before the House Foreign Affairs Committeeâs Subcommittee on South and Central AsiaHe described South Asia as âvitally importantâ noting that âIndia alone has well over one billion people and occupies a subcontinental landmassâHe warned that âa hostile power dominating South Asia could exert coercive leverage over the world economyâ adding that âthe United States must prevent this from happening and keep the region free and openâKapur said India âwith its size location and commitment to a free and open region anchors South Asia and more broadly the Western half of the IndoPacificâHe pointed to growing bilateral engagement including highlevel diplomatic touchpoints and cooperation in defense technology and energy He cited the renewed 10year USIndia Defence Framework Agreement the TRUST initiative and Indian purchases of US products âranging from drones to liquefied natural gasâKapur also highlighted recent trade moves âJust last week President Trump and Prime Minister Modi reached an agreement on a historic trade frameworkâ he saidHe added that âtwo days ago the Trump Administration signed a trade deal with Bangladesh providing American exporters with access to Bangladeshâs market of 175 million peopleâBeyond trade he outlined âthree broad approaches to strategiccapacity buildingâ âDefence cooperation targeted investment and diplomacyâCalling Pakistan âanother important partnerâ Kapur said Washington is working with Islamabad to realize âthe potential of its criticalmineral resourcesâ combining US government seed financing with privatesector knowhowHe also cited expanding trade in energy and agriculture and âongoing counterterrorism cooperationâHe said Bangladesh Nepal Maldives Sri Lanka and Bhutan have âoutsized importanceâ due to their strategic locations but can become âtargets for coercionâHe warned against âthe dangers of debttrap diplomacyâKapur urged bipartisan cooperation âLetâs work together to build strategic capacity in the region helping our partners to help themselves and making the United States safer stronger and more prosperousâSouth Asia remains central to Washingtonâs IndoPacific strategy particularly as the US seeks to counter Chinaâs expanding economic and security footprint in the region India has emerged as a key partner in that effort through defense coordination multilateral groupings and expanded trade engagement IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-calls-india-indo-pacific-anchor-661414.html Wed, 11 Feb 2026 11:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-house-passes-bill-targeting-china-over-taiwan-661415.html Washington Feb 11 The US House of Representatives has passed a bill that would push to exclude China from major international financial institutions if Beijing poses an immediate threat to Taiwan The legislation introduced by Rep Frank D Lucas of Oklahoma is known as the PROTECT Taiwan Act It would make it US policy to seek the removal of Chinese representatives from key multilateral bodies if the president notifies Congress that China poses an immediate threat to Taiwanâs securityUnder the Taiwan Relations Act the president must inform Congress if such a threat arises If that notification is made the bill calls for excluding China from organizations such as the Group of 20 major economies the Financial Stability Board and the Basel Committee on Banking SupervisionâThe United Statesâ response to an invasion of Taiwan should be robust and include numerous sanctions and economic penalties Exclusion from international bodies must be part of that responseâ Lucas said on the House floorHe added that if China âseeks to disrupt the global orderâ it âcannot continue to be party to international organizations that seek to preserve that orderâRep French Hill of Arkansas chairman of the House Financial Services Committee also backed the measureâThe Protect Taiwan Act ensures that there will be significant financial and diplomatic consequences were China to invade Taiwan Full stopâ Hill said âThe US must send a clear message that Chinaâs aggression toward Taiwan will not and is not toleratedâThe bill previously passed unanimously out of the House Financial Services Committee It is cosponsored by Rep Vicente Gonzalez of TexasSupporters pointed to Taiwanâs central role in the global semiconductor industry About 90 per cent of the worldâs most advanced semiconductor chips are produced by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co a key supplier for technology and defense companies worldwide The legislation now goes to the SenateChina claims Taiwan as its own territory and has not ruled out the use of force to bring the selfgoverning island under its control The United States does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan but is its main security partner under the Taiwan Relations Act IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-house-passes-bill-targeting-china-over-taiwan-661415.html Wed, 11 Feb 2026 11:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/china-agent-gets-four-years-in-us-jail-661418.html Washington Feb 11 A Californiabased political operative has been sentenced to four years in federal prison for acting as a covert agent of the Peopleâs Republic of China and influencing local US politics Yaoning âMikeâ Sun 65 was sentenced to 48 months by United States District Judge R Gary Klausner of the Central District of California the Department of Justice said Sun pleaded guilty in October 2025 to one count of acting as an illegal agent of a foreign governmentAccording to the Justice Department Sun acted at the direction of Chinese government officials from at least 2022 to January 2024 without notifying the US Attorney General as required by lawâFor years Sun received and executed taskings from Chinese government officials distorted our public discourse by disseminating Chinese propaganda and surveilled groups in the United States that China viewed as threatening its interests as part of a campaign of intimidationâ said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A EisenbergâHis conduct represents a brazen violation of our national sovereignty This sentence reflects our commitment to prosecuting those who would extend the authoritarian reach of the Chinese government on US soil Eisenberg saidSun served as a campaign advisor for a political candidate identified in court documents as âIndividual 1â who was elected to a Southern California city council in November 2022âWhen Americans vote for elected officials they expect them to represent the interests of their constituents â not those of a foreign adversary like the Chinese governmentâ said Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBIâs Counterintelligence and Espionage Division âBy exploiting his position as a campaign advisor Yaoning Sun attempted to undermine our political processes and democratic institutions for the benefit of the Chinese Communist PartyâFederal prosecutors said Sun âorchestratedâ a team to help elect the candidate and promoted proPRC propaganda in the United StatesCourt documents show that Sun also surveilled the thenPresident of Taiwan during her April 2023 visit to Southern California He sent realtime updates on her movements to a PRC consular official in Los Angeles He also took photographs of protesters supporting and opposing her visit and sent them to the officialIn a February 2023 report to PRC officials Sun summarized his past service in the Peopleâs Liberation Army and wrote that âmost of all during the 2022 US midterm elections I orchestrated and organized my team to win the election for city councilâ for the candidate he described as a ânew political starâSun also requested 80000 from the PRC government to fund a proPRC demonstration at a Fourth of July parade in Washington DC according to court filingsProsecutors said Sun worked covertly with John Chen also known as Chen Jun described as a âhighlevel member of the PRC intelligence apparatusâ Chen was sentenced in November 2024 to 20 months in federal prison after pleading guilty in the Southern District of New York to acting as an illegal agent of the PRC and conspiracy to bribe a public official IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/china-agent-gets-four-years-in-us-jail-661418.html Wed, 11 Feb 2026 11:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-lawmakers-push-tighter-china-chip-curbs-661424.html Washington Feb 11 Senior US lawmakers have urged the Biden administration to close âcritical gapsâ in export controls on semiconductor manufacturing equipment to prevent China from gaining access to advanced chipmaking tools that could boost its military and artificial intelligence capabilities In a bipartisan letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick House Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast called for ârobust export controlsâ and stronger coordination with alliesThey said export controls on semiconductor manufacturing equipment SME are âone of Americas most significant points of leverage in our strategic competition with the Peoples Republic of ChinaââThese tools are essential not only for producing the advanced AI chips that will shape the future of both economic and military power but also for manufacturing the legacy chips that go into PLA weapons systems and intelligence platformsâ the lawmakers wrote âMaintaining restrictions on this equipment is critical to US national securityâThe letter was also signed by House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks South and Central Asia Subcommittee Chairman Bill Huizenga Ranking Member Sydney KamlagerDove and Congressmen Greg Stanton Michael Baumgartner and Johnny OlszewskiThe lawmakers noted that SME controls have been a bipartisan priority across administrations They pointed to steps taken during the first Trump administration to press the Netherlands to restrict exports of extreme ultraviolet lithography tools to China They also cited expanded controls under the Biden administrationâThis continuity reflects a shared recognition across party lines that protecting Americas semiconductor advantage is essential to our national securityâ the letter saidDespite progress they warned that âcritical gaps persistâ in the export control regime Of concern certain foreignproduced chokepoint equipment is controlled only for specified Chinese entities rather than across the countryâEntityspecific controls while valuable cannot substitute for countrywide restrictions on the most critical chokepoint toolsâ the lawmakers wrote They added that once equipment enters China the US government has âextremely limited ability to enforce enduse and enduser restrictionsâCiting a recent bipartisan report titled Selling the Forges of the Future and a House hearing on âExport Control Loopholes Chipmaking Tools and their Subcomponentsâ the lawmakers said China has âsignificantly accelerated imports of foreignproduced chokepoint equipment in recent yearsâThey noted that Dutch sales to China of advanced lithography equipment doubled from 2022 to 2023 and again from 2023 to 2024 They also referred to recent reporting that China may be upgrading imported tools to exceed export control thresholdsâEach chokepoint tool that enters China represents a permanent loss of American leverageâ the letter saidThe lawmakers urged the administration to press allies to implement countrywide controls on key chokepoint semiconductor equipment and subcomponents including those âthat China cannot produce indigenouslyâ They also called for âclear and reasonable deadlinesâ after which the United States should be prepared to act on its own if necessaryâThe window to secure Americas semiconductor advantage is narrowingâ they wrote requesting a briefing within the next month on the administrationâs strategyThe debate over chip export controls has intensified as Washington views semiconductor technology as central to both economic competitiveness and national security The US has tightened restrictions on advanced chips and manufacturing tools in recent years seeking to curb Chinaâs ability to develop cuttingedge AI systems and military technologiesThe Netherlands and Japan key players in the semiconductor supply chain have coordinated with Washington on certain restrictions But differences remain over the scope and enforcement of controls especially as China pushes for greater selfsufficiency in advanced chipmaking IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-lawmakers-push-tighter-china-chip-curbs-661424.html Wed, 11 Feb 2026 11:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/nine-killed-in-mass-shooting-at-canada-school-suspect-dead-by-suicide-661429.html Ottawa Feb 11 Nine people were killed in a mass shooting allegedly by a person possibly a woman who committed suicide in a mining town in British Columbia according to officials The areaâs federal police Chief Superintendent Ken Floyd said on Tuesday night local time that seven people were found dead in a local high school in Tumbler Ridge and two others in a home The alleged shooter was discovered dead in the school he said during a virtual news conference Floyd who commands the Royal Canadian Mounted Police RCMP northern district in the province said that about 100 staff and students at the school were safe and were evacuated Prime Minister Mark Carney said on X that he was âdevastatedâ by the âhorrific acts of violenceâ There were indications that the shooter was a woman or someone in female attire Citing privacy reasons and the ongoing investigation Floyd did not disclose if the shooter was a student or an adult but confirmed that it was the same person mentioned in an active shooter alert sent to phones in the area That message described the suspected shooter as a brownhaired female wearing a dress Two people with serious injuries were airlifted to a hospital while 25 were checked for injuries at a local medical centre according to police British Columbiaâs Premier David Eby called the incident an âunimaginable tragedyâ and said the âgovernment will ensure every possible support for community members in the coming daysâ Floyd said that they have not yet been able to ascertain the motives for the attack âI think we will struggle to determine the âwhyâ but we will try our best to determine what transpiredâ he said The house was near the school and the shootings were connected Floyd said Tumble Ridge is a small coal mining town of about 2400 people in an area famed for dinosaur footprints and fossils Mass shootings are rare in Canada and the last major incident involving a school was in Montreal in 1989 when 14 died The worst massacre in recent times was in Nova Scotia in 2020 when over two days a man shot dead 13 people and killed nine others by setting fire IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/nine-killed-in-mass-shooting-at-canada-school-suspect-dead-by-suicide-661429.html Wed, 11 Feb 2026 11:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/desperation-mounts-as-isi-hunts-afghan-taliban-dissidents-to-sustain-kashmir-operations-661257.html New Delhi Feb 9 After ties with the Afghan Taliban soured Pakistan has been hunting for disgruntled elements and recruiting them into the JaisheMohammed Indian agencies have learnt that the ISI has been scouting for disgruntled elements from the Afghan Taliban and other breakaway factions The idea is to recruit such persons and take them into the JaisheMohammed An official said that the strategy was to get these persons to infiltrate India directly from Afghanistan Moreover the ISI also seeks to break the Afghan Taliban with which it is having immense problems currently The new strategy has been devised because the terrorists waiting at the launchpads in Pakistanoccupied Kashmir PoK are finding it impossible to infiltrate into India Security is at an alltime high following the Pahalgam attack and the subsequent Operation SindoorAnother official said that this strategy has been used in the past Many who had fought against the Soviet forces in the 1980s were directed into Kashmir after the end of fighting After the Soviets withdrew in 1989 scores of Afghan fighters were sent to Kashmir to wage a battle against IndiaAccording to Intelligence agencies this time the push would be much harder as the desperation is growing There are hardly 50 terrorists of Pakistani origin who remain in Kashmir This is not a good enough number to carry out a sustained attack Moreover the security forces have launched a massive operation aimed at hunting down the remaining terroristsThe security forces have been able to achieve a lot of success and the number of terrorists of Pakistani origin has fallen to 50 from the 600 there were in 2019 These developments have set the alarm bells ringing within the ISI circles Both the ISI and Pakistan Army are under immense pressure from outfits such as the JaisheMohammed and LashkareTaiba over infiltrations They are asking why the army is unable to facilitate the infiltrations They too realise that if they want to survive they have to battle harder in Kashmir and with the infiltration falling to nearly nil they will not be able to achieve their goalAn Intelligence Bureau official said that there are currently at least 1500 terrorists waiting at the launchpads in PoK Every attempt to infiltrate that has been made since the Indian armed forces carried out Operation Sindoor has failed Among the 50 terrorists who remain in Jammu and Kashmir it has been learnt that many of them had fought in Afghanistan against the NATO forces Many veterans from Afghanistan have been recruited into the JaisheMohammed and they have been sent into the Valley an official saidDuring the recent encounter that led to the elimination of JaisheMohammed terrorists it was found that two of them had fought in Afghanistan before being recruited into the outfit and then sent into Kashmir The ISI is also looking to drive a wedge within the Afghan Taliban in a bid to make it weaker Pakistan has not been able to get around with the Taliban and this has led to a lot of frustration Both sides are constantly in battle with each other and it is the Pakistan security forces who have been facing lossesGetting the Taliban on board or weakening it is a major priority for Pakistan at this moment On one hand it wants to stop the fighting and on the other there is the Chinese pressure another official saidThe Chinese are insistent that Afghanistan is part of the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor CPEC Project 20 Cashstrapped Pakistan is desperate for this project to take place The Chinese have told the Pakistanis to bring the Afghan Taliban on board at any cost if the project has to go through This has led to immense pressure in Islamabad and hence it feels the need to weaken the Taliban and then get them on board the official added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/desperation-mounts-as-isi-hunts-afghan-taliban-dissidents-to-sustain-kashmir-operations-661257.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 01:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-stuck-with-low-economic-growth-rising-unemployment-report-661271.html New Delhi Feb 9 Pakistanâs growth in 2025 remained modest unemployment stayed high and youth unemployment rose underscoring weak productivity and poor job creation according to an article in East Asia Forum The countryâs economic growth was modest at around 3 per cent in fiscal year 2024â25 barely keeping pace with population growth while unemployment remained high at 8 per cent Sustained growth of 6â7 per cent is necessary to absorb new labour market entrants and reduce unemployment the article further statesThe economy is unable to absorb over 35 million new entrants each year into productive jobs Unemployment among youth aged 15â29 rose to 115 per cent well above the national average of 8 per cent and higher among educated youth the article points outPakistanâs Household Integrated Economic Survey 2024â25 also shows that real per capita consumption of major food items has declined signalling household distress and the number of earners per household fell from 186 to 172 between 2018â19 and 2024â25Remittances were one of the paradoxes of 2025 With exports and foreign direct investment subdued inflows reached a record 383 billion in fiscal year 2024â25 and became Pakistanâs most reliable source of external financing But rising reliance on remittances has coincided with declining domestic earning capacity and shrinking food consumption at the household level Remittances rose from 496 per cent of household income in 2018â19 to 777 per cent in 2024â25 They increasingly function as distress insurance rather than development capital signalling weak domestic job creation the article observesThese facts point to a deeper structural problem in Pakistanâs economic model Policy has remained focused on inputs rather than outcomes The 13th FiveYear Plan 2024â29 set ambitious goals for exports productivity and inclusive growth but implementation has been dysfunctional and shallow Exports stagnated at around 32 billion private investment remained subdued and public investment continued to deliver weak returns the article further statedPakistanâs deeper problem is not a shortage of reform ideas but weak execution with delays and regulatory frictions sapping productivity growth In 2026 Pakistan must treat time and performance as core policy variables improve investment efficiency and translate stabilisation into productivity and jobs the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-stuck-with-low-economic-growth-rising-unemployment-report-661271.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 02:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistans-sindh-emerges-as-distressing-case-of-policy-failure-and-neglect-661276.html New Delhi Feb 9 Despite adequate funding and provincial autonomy following the 18th Amendment in Pakistan Sindh has emerged as a distressing case of policy failure and neglect according to a new report The âHousehold Integrated Economic Survey 202425â reflects the paradox painting two Pakistans â one advancing and the other left behind according to Express Tribune For example Sindh has highest proportion of households 14 per cent without any toilet facilities worse than the socalled backward province of Balochistan 12 per cent and far behind Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa KP which are both around 5 per cent each the report revealsRural Sindh still relies on hand pumps for drinking water than any other provinceThere is a 10 per cent literacy gap between Sindh and Punjab Almost 40 per cent of Sindhs schoolaged kids are not enrolled and only twothirds are fully vaccinated compared to 79 per cent in PunjabâIt is also worth noting that Sindh does not have to deal with political instability in the same way as most other provinces as the same party has held comfortable majorities for the past four election cyclesâ the report noted The report laments that unless progress is made across the board in all provinces real national progress becomes impossibleAccording to a recent article in Lahorebased Friday Times the need of the hour is to allow provinces to raise adequate resources which would also help address the overall fiscal deficit faced by the federal governmentFor example Balochistan should receive the ânet proceedsâ of excise duty on natural gas and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on electricity as envisaged in Article 1611a and b of the Constitution something that is presently not being implementedâTheir current shares in sales tax under the 7th NFC Award are as low as 9 per cent and 15 per cent respectively Despite their rich natural resources oil gas and electricity their low population results in meagre shares of the revenues generated from the goods they produce Sindh faces similar issuesâ the article statesAfter the 18th Amendment the right to levy wealth tax capital gains tax on immovable property gift tax inheritance tax etc rests with the provinces However they are unwilling to impose these taxes on the rich and powerful This lack of political will exists at both the federal and provincial levels IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistans-sindh-emerges-as-distressing-case-of-policy-failure-and-neglect-661276.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 03:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/mongolias-total-number-of-confirmed-measles-cases-exceeds-14-000-661282.html Ulan Bator Feb 9 The total number of measles cases in Mongolia has increased to 14123 the countrys National Centre for Communicable Diseases NCCD said on Monday The majority of new measles infections were among schoolage children who had had only one shot of the measles vaccine the NCCD said in a statementIn view of this the NCCD advised parents to protect their children from a potentially severe disease by getting them two doses of the measles vaccineMeasles is one of the worldâs most contagious diseases spread by contact with infected nasal or throat secretions coughing or sneezing or breathing the air that was breathed by someone with measles The virus remains active and contagious in the air or on infected surfaces for up to two hours For this reason it is very infectious One person infected by measles can generate up to 18 secondary infections Xinhua news agency reportedMeasles can affect anyone but is most common in childrenBeing vaccinated is the best way to prevent getting sick with measles or spreading it to other people The vaccine is safe and helps your body fight off the virusBefore the introduction of measles vaccine in 1963 and widespread vaccination major epidemics occurred approximately every two to three years and caused an estimated 26 million deaths each yearAn estimated 107 500 people died from measles in 2023 â mostly children under the age of five years despite the availability of a safe and costeffective vaccineSymptoms of measles usually begin 10â14 days after exposure to the virus A prominent rash is the most visible symptomEarly symptoms usually last 4â7 days They include Running nose cough red and watery eyes and small white spots inside the cheeksThe rash begins about 7â18 days after exposure usually on the face and upper neck It spreads over about 3 days eventually to the hands and feet It usually lasts 5â6 days before fading IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/mongolias-total-number-of-confirmed-measles-cases-exceeds-14-000-661282.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 03:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/53-migrants-dead-or-missing-after-boat-capsizes-off-libya-iom-661310.html Tripoli Feb 9 Fiftythree migrants including two infants were dead or missing after their rubber boat capsized off the coast of Libya the International Organisation for Migration IOM said Monday The vessel which was carrying 55 people overturned on Friday north of the city of Zuwara northwestern Libya Only two survivors both Nigerian women were rescued by Libyan authorities Xinhua news agency reported One survivor reported losing her husband in the wreck the other lost her two children the IOM saidThe boat departed from the western city of AlZawiya late on February 5 Survivors told the UN migration agency the craft began taking on water and capsized about six hours into the journeyThe IOM said its teams provided emergency medical aid to the women The Central Mediterranean remains one of the worlds deadliest migration routes with the latest tragedy bringing the 2026 death toll to at least 484The agency warned that smuggling networks continue to exploit migrants by using unseaworthy vessels and called for protectioncentered international responses and safer legal pathways for migrationLast November the IOM said that a rubber boat carrying 49 migrants and refugees capsized off the coast of Libya leaving 42 people deadIn a statement the IOM said Libyan authorities carried out a search and rescue operation on November 8 near the Al Buri Oil Field after the vessel which had departed from the Libyan coastal city of Zuwara capsizedAccording to survivors the boat left Zuwara on November 3 About six hours after its departure high waves caused the engine to fail overturning the vessel and throwing all passengers into the seaAfter drifting for six days seven were rescued four from Sudan two from Nigeria and one from Cameroon The 42 missing migrants were presumed dead including 29 from Sudan eight from Somalia three from Cameroon and two from Nigeria the IOM saidAccording to data from the IOMs Missing Migrants Project more than 1000 migrants and refugees died in the Central Mediterranean in 2025Libyas Ministry of Defence under the UNrecognised Government of National Unity GNU announced that it has targetted several boats used for smuggling illegal migrants in northwestern LibyaAccording to a post by the staterun Libya National TV on social media platform Facebook the airstrikes conducted inside Zuwara Port about 120 km west of the capital Tripoli were carried out with precision and without causing any human casualtiesField sources told the channel that the airstrikes followed close monitoring and tracking of smuggling networks operating in the areaAccording to the ministry the operation was part of ongoing security efforts to combat human trafficking networks and curb the flow of migrants through Libyas coastal areasLibya has long been a major transit point for irregular migrants due to its geographic proximity to Europe and its long Mediterranean coastline Since the fall of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 prolonged instability and weak border control have allowed smuggling networks to operate with relative ease IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/53-migrants-dead-or-missing-after-boat-capsizes-off-libya-iom-661310.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 03:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-tib-condemns-detention-of-journalists-by-army-661329.html Dhaka Feb 9 Transparency International Bangladesh TIB has voiced serious concerns after 21 employees of an online news portal Bangladesh Times were allegedly picked up by army personnel and taken to an army camp TIB has termed the action as unacceptable and an attempt to create fear among journalists local media reported During a speech at an event TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman condemned the armys action and stressed that the incident at the office of media outlet set a troubling precedentI strongly protest and express deep concern Taking away employees of an institution at night without any specific allegation is completely unacceptableâ Whatever the justification this is an extremely negative and violent precedent for Bangladeshâs free journalism Bangladeshs leading newspaper The Daily Star quoted Iftekharuzzaman as sayingHe stated that appropriate legal and institutional measures could have been taken if there were objections to any news report and termed picking up people as a very harsh message for the entire media community in BangladeshThe statement came after army personnel entered the office of Bangladesh Times in Dhakas Nikunja on Saturday at around 930 pm local time picked up its employees and took them to an army camp Later at 1130 pm a live video streamed on the Bangladesh Times Facebook page which showed that 21 employees returning to the office following their release The Daily Star reportedPicking up people in such an authoritarian manner even if they were later returned has sent a very harsh message not only for that particular institution it has created an intense climate of fear across the entire media in Bangladesh said IftekharuzzamanCiting the recent attacks vandalism looting and arson at the offices of The Daily Star and Prothom Alo he raised questions over the role of law enforcement agencies including the army He termed the incident at Bangladesh Times as an example of what happens after fearless reportingI want to ask without approval from the highest authority can any army officers undertake such an action If that is possible then where does command and control exist within the armyHe urged Bangladeshs army and all institutions to not take such actions and emphasised the need to find ways to address the rising pressure on free media in BangladeshThe Bangladeshi Journalists in International Media BJIM also voiced concern over the incident at the Bangladesh Times office The organisation demanded an explanation from the authorities over the action taken by the army and emphasised the importance of ensuring the safety of journalists while protecting editorial independence from intimidation or interference IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-tib-condemns-detention-of-journalists-by-army-661329.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 05:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-around-million-children-missed-53-000-refusals-reported-during-first-polio-campaign-in-2026-661332.html Islamabad Feb 9 Around a million children were not vaccinated and 53000 refusals were reported during the first polio campaign conducted in Pakistan in 2026 the local media reported on Monday During the campaign the largest share of refusals 58 per cent were reported in Pakistans Karachi Polio drops were administered to over 443 million children in Pakistan The data has indicated that the polio campaign achieved household coverage of 98 per cent with only two per cent children missed Pakistans leading daily Dawn reported However the number of children who did not receive polio drops is still huge considering Pakistans populationOverall 095 million children were reported as missed during the polio campaign launched in Pakistan in 2026 Among those a large proportion of children 067 million did not receive polio vaccination as they were not present at home During the campaign polio drops were administered to 25 million guest children likely covering a substantial share of children who were not present at home at the time of vaccination233000 children were reported as leftovers due to security constraints community boycotts and snowbound areasâ said an official He mentioned that the total leftovers included 184000 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and around 50000 children remained unreachable in Pakistanoccupied Jammu and Kashmir PoJK and Pakistanoccupied Gilgit Baltistan PoGB due to snowbound regions and nonconduct of campaignsThe official stated that the polio eradication campaign was postponed in Mastung Gwadar Chagai and Awaran areas of Balochistan due to security reasons Dawn reported 014pc of the total targetted children were reported as refusals with 31000 refusals from Karachi forming the largest shareAccording to the statement polio drops were administered to more than 229 million children in Punjab over 105 million children in Sindh more than 713 children in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and over 23 million children in BalochistanDuring the polio campaign more than 455000 children were vaccinated in Islamabad approximately 261000 children were vaccinated in PoGB and more than 673000 children were vaccinated in PoJKPakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world where Wild Poliovirus remains an endemic Polio workers in Pakistan have been frequently targetted in attacks particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and BalochistanIn October a police constable who was deployed for the security of polio vaccination team was shot dead after unidentified assailants opened fire in the Kaahi area of Nizampur in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police identified the constable as Maqsood 35 a resident of KheshgiPolice spokesperson said that the incident happened when female health workers were administering polio drops to children in a house another leading Pakistani daily The Express Tribune reported The attackers fled from the spot after the incident IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-around-million-children-missed-53-000-refusals-reported-during-first-polio-campaign-in-2026-661332.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 05:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/minorities-in-bangladesh-feel-insecurity-more-profoundly-ahead-of-election-report-661346.html Dhaka Feb 9 As Bangladesh readies to hold national election on February 12 minorities in the South Asian nation feel the insecurity more profoundly a report has highlighted Quoting Bruce Allen of the Forgotten Missionaries International FMI a report in Mission Network News stated The social climate in Bangladesh has been one of uncertainty FMI partners tell Allen that under the current caretaker government of Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus thereâs an indifference to the rising militance in the country so persecution has increased anger as well as rising price of commodities Itâs been a messAccording to the report people of Bangladesh are looking forward to this election and there is also a sense of We donât like where the country is right now Another issue that is noteworthy is that GenZ momentum has fractured in Bangladesh In December last year the studentled National Citizen Party formed a multiparty alliance with JamaateIslami a party which has checkered pastAllen says minorities in Bangladesh such as Christians Hindus and Buddhists feel the insecurity even more profoundly Pray for us for wisdom for clarity as we speak Since radical Muslims are being energised by the current chaos the church planters and their congregations really face a lot of threats the Mission Network News statedPastor Mintu and his congregation were about to break ground for constructing a church when their formerly willing Muslim neighbours stopped them from doing it The work on the construction of the church has remained halted for the past year and a halfAccording to Allen many Christians in Bangladesh do not live on land that they own but on lands owned by government and their Muslim neighbours can evict them at any time Allen stated that Christian community has a delicate relationship with their Muslim neighbours as the Muslim majority wields all the power in BangladeshOn February 2 media reports quoting a study claimed that Bangladesh has witnessed more than 50 attacks on minority communities in recent times in addition to electionrelated violence harassment and killings of political leaders activists and potential candidatesAt least 15 political leaders and activists have been killed across the country in the last 36 days following the announcement of the schedule for the upcoming 13th national election according to a study by Transparency International Bangladesh TIB reported Dhakabased The Business StandardActivists claimed that more than 50 attacks on minority communities has raised serious concerns in Bangladesh According to the study a total of 401 incidents of political violence were recorded last year leaving 102 people deadAdditionally at least 1333 weapons have gone missing added the report It warned that the failure to recover this large cache of weapons looted from police stations along with initiatives to issue new firearms licences to political personalities could further increase the risk of violenceThe TIB report also spoke of doubts raised by political parties such as JamaateIslami the National Citizen Party NCP and Islami Andolan Bangladesh questioning if a level playing field could be ensuredPolitical parties have accused the Election Commission of bias in scrutinising nominations and cancelling candidacies over loan default and dual citizenship it added Incidentally the Awami League is banned from participating in any political activity in BangladeshThe TIB findings part of a research report titled One and a half years after the fall of authoritarianism Expectations and outcomes released on February 2 also mentioned a growing threat from deepfakes and misinformation IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/minorities-in-bangladesh-feel-insecurity-more-profoundly-ahead-of-election-report-661346.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 06:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/former-fda-commissioner-warns-us-measles-surge-part-of-global-cycle-661220.html Washington Feb 9 Former US Food and Drug Administration commissioner Dr Scott Gottlieb warned that the accelerating measles outbreak in the United States is part of a broader global cycle driven by falling vaccination rates and a growing antivaccine backlash that has spread well beyond America âI think this is going to get worse unfortunately before it resolvesâ Gottlieb said on CBSâ Face the Nation pointing to a steady rise in cases this year following what he described as declining childhood immunisation ratesSo far this year the United States has reported about 750 measles cases Gottlieb said adding that the number is likely to climb significantly by yearâs end Last year the country recorded roughly 2000 casesâThis is going to be a long cycleâ he said noting that the majority of new infections are now appearing among children aged five to 17 rather than toddlers âWeâre seeing vaccination rates decline among toddlers really as part of a broader movement away from pediatric vaccines in this countryâAs unvaccinated toddlers age into school environments Gottlieb warned outbreaks are likely to intensify âAs those toddlers age into school age settings the scope of the measles outbreaks are going to continue to escalate in this countryâ he saidGottlieb drew parallels with earlier periods of declining immunisation In the early 1990s he said measles cases surged when vaccination coverage dropped âIn 1991 there were about 25000 cases of measlesâ he said âIn 1992 we had about 10000âToday national vaccination rates for measles mumps and rubella hover around 90 percent Gottlieb said but in some outbreakprone states the numbers are far lower âIn some of the states where youâre seeing these outbreaks the rate is as low as 81 percent in Alaska 88 percent in a number of states that are having outbreaks right nowâ he saidHost Margaret Brennan noted that the problem is not confined to the United States âBritain Canada Spain a number of European and central Asian countries lost their measles elimination statusâ she said suggesting the trend reflects âa global antivaccine movementâGottlieb agreed âYes look I think that thatâs rightâ he said arguing that the Covid19 pandemic played a major role in fueling vaccine skepticism worldwide âPeople felt compelled to take vaccines that they had hesitations around through state actionâ he said âThat would create an antivaccine backlash And I think thatâs what weâre seeingâHe said the backlash has given greater political influence to vaccine opponents âItâs given voice to a lot of people who are antivax from the outset who are now gaining political resonance and starting to drive a lot of the policy agendaâ Gottlieb said including within the US Department of Health and Human ServicesGottlieb warned that the consequences extend beyond measles âItâs not just MMRâ he said âItâs diphtheria tetanus and pertussis as wellâ He cited growing outbreaks of whooping cough in the United States and said similar trends were emerging internationallyMeasles he stressed remains particularly dangerous because of its high transmissibility âThe herd immunity rate is about 95 percent vaccination in a communityâ Gottlieb said âIn certain pockets of this country weâre well below thatâBrennan noted that some communities have vaccination rates near 70 per cent a level Gottlieb said makes outbreaks almost inevitableGottlieb also challenged claims that childhood infections are harmless sharing his own medical history to underscore longterm risks âViruses do have longterm sequelaeâ he said linking infections to conditions including cancer multiple sclerosis and other chronic illnesses IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/former-fda-commissioner-warns-us-measles-surge-part-of-global-cycle-661220.html Mon, 09 Feb 2026 08:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/senator-schiff-warns-trumps-call-to-nationalise-us-elections-could-undermine-democracy-661221.html Washington Feb 9 US Senator Adam Schiff warned that President Donald Trumpâs calls to ânationalizeâ US elections could undermine democracy at home and damage Americaâs standing abroad as the country moves toward midterm elections Speaking on ABCâs This Week Schiff said Trump appeared prepared to interfere in the vote if Republicans loseâI think heâll intend to try to subvert the electionsâ Schiff said âHe will do everything he can to suppress the voteâSchiff said Americans should take the warning seriously He pointed to Trumpâs efforts to overturn the 2020 election âWe saw him try to the point of insurrection to overturn the 2020 electionâ he saidSchiff said Trumpâs recent actions and rhetoric suggest a similar approach ahead of November âHeâs basically telling us he intends to interfere in this coming electionâ he saidThe California Democrat said the issue goes beyond US domestic politics He warned that repeated claims of election fraud weaken confidence in American democracy and are closely watched overseasSchiff raised alarm over the involvement of the Director of National Intelligence in an FBI operation that seized 2020 election materials in Georgia He said the intelligence chief has no role in domestic election mattersâHer job is to oversee the work of the intelligence agencies outward focusing on foreign threatsâ Schiff said ânot to create a threat to our domestic tranquility by interfering in electionsâHe called the episode âunprecedentedâ and questioned why authorities revisited an election that had already been reviewed multiple times âWhy is the FBI conducting a raid five years after the fact when there were three recounts in Georgiaâ he askedSchiff said such actions appeared designed to send a warning âThe message is we will not tolerate or accept an election that we loseâ he saidHe also linked election concerns to immigration enforcement Schiff said lawmakers must ensure that federal agents do not intimidate voters âWe donât have ICE agents at polling placesâ he said adding that elections must be âfreeâ and âfairâSchiff criticized Republican Senator Tommy Tubervilleâs claim that some elections were âbogusâ which Trump later shared online âThis is just the latest iteration of the big lieâ Schiff saidHe accused Republicans of laying the groundwork to dispute election results if they lose âThey keep telling the American people that somehow American elections are untrustworthyâ he saidSchiff rejected proposals requiring proof of citizenship or photo identification to vote He said such measures would suppress turnout âItâs part of the broader disenfranchisement effortâ he saidRepublican Congressman Mike Lawler appearing separately on the program condemned a Trumplinked post that used racist imagery of former President Barack Obama Lawler called it âwrong and incredibly offensiveâ and said it should never have been sharedSchiff said protecting democracy will ultimately fall to voters not politicians or courts âThe last best hope for our democracy is going to be the American peopleâ he saidFor international audiences including in India the debate underscores how internal US political battles can have wider consequences shaping global views of American democratic stability and leadership IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/senator-schiff-warns-trumps-call-to-nationalise-us-elections-could-undermine-democracy-661221.html Mon, 09 Feb 2026 08:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/scams-steal-trust-not-just-money-indian-american-community-deliberates-661236.html New Jersey Feb 9 In a modest hall in Maywood New Jersey seniors students and families gathered to confront a growing menace that has quietly reshaped lives across the Indian American community scams that drain savings shatter trust and increasingly pull young people into serious legal trouble The awareness event held on Sunday afternoon marked the public launch of Help Before Scam HBS a community initiative founded by Anil Mangukia aimed at stopping fraud before irreversible damage is done âScams do not steal the money They steal the trust they steal the peace of mind and the family stabilityâ Mangukia told the audience urging families to talk openly about scam tactics and warning signsIn the last year alone dozens of such cases have been reported from across the country with Indian American senior citizens and young students from India becoming victims of such a scam resulting in many of them losing their life savings or ending up in jail Much of the discussion focused on how scammers exploit fear and authority Frances Nicotra a New Jerseybased attorney explained that seniors are often targeted precisely because they are conditioned to be respectful and responsive âThey could sound the sweetest they could be the most charmingâ Nicotra said warning that scammers rely on friendliness and urgency to extract personal informationNicotra stressed that urgency itself should raise suspicion âAnything calling for your personal information threatening an arrest threatening something badâs going to happen to you itâs never that urgent ever under any circumstanceâ she said advising seniors to pause refuse to share details and verify independently before respondingThe event also addressed a disturbing trend involving students particularly international students who are being recruited as couriers in gold and cash scams Speakers warned that offers of quick money often end with arrests and long prison sentences âAnybody offers you that type of money donât ever indulge in thatâ said Harold DâSouza describing such offers as clear red flagsDâSouzaâs remarks carried weight as he recounted his own experience of labour trafficking after arriving legally in the US in 2003 Describing the moment he realised he was trapped he said âIn one second I lost four things I lost my hope I lost my courage I lost my voice and I lost my freedomâAddressing students directly DâSouza warned against shortcuts that promise fast returns âA shortterm pain is a longterm gain but a shortterm gain is a longterm painâ he said adding that easy money schemes can devastate families that have invested heavily in education abroadSpeakers repeatedly emphasised the importance of early reporting and intervention Nicotra urged victims or potential victims to seek help immediately âNine one one is always always the bestâ she said while also advising calls to banks Adult Protective Services and trusted family members if a suspicious call is receivedSeveral speakers acknowledged that law enforcement often arrests lowlevel participants while those directing scams remain hidden Calling scams âa criminal enterpriseâ Nicotra said agencies must push further up the chain to dismantle networks that prey on vulnerable populations rather than recycling arrests at the bottomMangukia said HBS aims to bridge the gap between policing and prevention by spreading practical knowledge within families community centres and student networks âKnowledge is powerâ Nicotra added âIt helps you maintain your agencyâUS authorities have repeatedly warned of rising impersonation and courier scams with billions of dollars lost nationwide in recent years Communitydriven efforts like the HBS initiative reflect a growing recognition that education and vigilance especially within immigrant communities may be the most effective first line of defence against an evolving threat IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/scams-steal-trust-not-just-money-indian-american-community-deliberates-661236.html Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/top-iranian-security-official-to-visit-oman-after-iran-us-nuclear-talks-661245.html Tehran Feb 9 IANS The secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council SNSC Ali Larijani will lead a delegation to the Omani capital of Muscat on Tuesday according to the SNSCaffiliated Nour NewsnbspLarijani is scheduled to meet with highranking Omani officials to discuss regional and international developments as well as bilateral relations the news outlet reported MondaynbspThe visit comes after Oman hosted and mediated a round of indirect nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States on Friday Xinhua news agency reported Amid heightened tensions between the two nations Oman is considered a potential venue for future talksAt a news conference in Tehran on Sunday Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said the date and location for the next round of nuclear negotiations would be determined through consultations with OmannbspIranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday characterized recent indirect nuclear negotiations with the United States as a step forward even as Washington moved to tighten the economic noose around Tehran with new sanctions and tariff threatsThe talks mediated by Oman represent the first highlevel contact between the two adversaries since the IsraelIran conflict last June during which the United States attacked Irans key nuclear facilitiesnbspWhile Pezeshkian framed the dialogue as Tehrans consistent strategy for peaceful resolution analysts say the diplomatic opening reflects cautious crisis management rather than any genuine rapprochementWriting on his X account Pezeshkian said Irans nuclear ambitions remain firmly within the explicit rights guaranteed by the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty The Iranian nation has always responded to respect with respect he wrote but it does not tolerate the language of forcenbspIrans Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi who led Irans delegation in Muscat suggested Washington lacks the necessary seriousness to carry the diplomatic process forwardThe continued imposition of sanctions on Iran and certain military movements in West Asia Araghchi said raise doubts about the other sides level of seriousness and readiness pointing to what he described as mixed signals from the United StatesnbspHe stressed that Irans peaceful nuclear rights including uranium enrichment are nonnegotiable and said any progress would depend on the United States treating that issue with seriousness Irans missile programme he added has never been and will not be on the agenda of talks with Washington with negotiations focused solely on the nuclear issuenbspThe United States and Israel have said Iran must dismantle its nuclear capacity and curb its ballistic missile programme demands analysts say Tehran is unlikely to accept https://dailyworld.in/international/top-iranian-security-official-to-visit-oman-after-iran-us-nuclear-talks-661245.html Mon, 09 Feb 2026 17:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-us-stage-regular-joint-aerial-exercise-this-week-at-osan-air-base-661246.html Seoul Feb 9 The South Korean and US air forces will kick off a joint aerial exercise this week in a bid to enhance interoperability the Souths armed forces said on Monday The Buddy Squadron exercise will take place at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek some 65 kilometres south of Seoul from Monday through Friday according to the Air ForceIt will involve South Koreas KF16 fighter jets and the US F16 fighters along with the F35A fighter jet and the FA50 light attack fighter to be deployed for a combined operations trainingThis year the Air Force plans to more than double the participating forces per session and dramatically increase the sortie or the number of deployments while reducing the number of yearly training sessions to four from eightThe Buddy Squadron exercise is a battalionlevel drill conducted in turns between the South Korean and US air forces aimed at sharing airtoair tactics and conducting integrated tactical training involving fourth and fifthgeneration fighter jetsAsked whether the plan to halve the number of drills is in consideration of North Koreas protest against joint drills with the United States an Air Force official said the decision was made in consultations between the alliesThe number of training sessions this year was set through consultations between South Korea and the US in light of the decommissioning of US A10 aircraft last year and the restructuring of assets said Lt Col Jang Dongha during a regular press briefingIn regard to speculations that the cutdown reflects Washingtons weakened security commitment to the Korean Peninsula the official said the number of participating aircraft has more than doubled compared with average years and the sortie will be dramatically increased Yonhap news agency reportedThe US military decommissioned its aging fleet of A10 aircraft stationed in South Korea last year as part of its military modernisation initiative in response to evolving security threats from potential adversaries IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-us-stage-regular-joint-aerial-exercise-this-week-at-osan-air-base-661246.html Mon, 09 Feb 2026 17:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/brazilian-president-lula-slams-us-policy-toward-cuba-venezuela-661179.html Sao Paulo Feb 8 Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva lashed out at the US administrations intervention in the internal affairs of Cuba and Venezuela Our country stands in solidarity with the Cuban people victims of a massacre fueled by US speculation And we as a party must find ways to help them he said on Saturday during the closing ceremony of the 46th anniversary of the Workers Party in Salvador Bahia state Xinhua news agency reportedThe president also stressed that the problem of Venezuela must be resolved by the Venezuelan people not by the United States or by TrumpEarlier on Thursday The White House brushed aside public skepticism from Cubaâs leadership about USCuba talks saying President Donald Trump remains open to diplomacy and suggesting engagement is already underwayA reporter cited remarks by Cuban leader Miguel DiazCanel who said Cuba would engage in dialogue with the United States âonly without pressure without preconditions on equal footing and with respect for sovereigntyâ while his government denied Trumpâs claim that talks were already taking placePress Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded with a sharp warning aimed at Havana âI think the fact that the Cuban government is on its last leg and its country is about to collapse they should be wise in their statements directed towards the president of the United Statesâ she saidLeavitt then reiterated Trumpâs posture âBut as I just reiterated the president is always willing to engage in diplomacyâ she saidShe went further asserting that engagement is happening now âAnd I believe thats something that is taking place in fact with the Cuban governmentâ Leavitt said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/brazilian-president-lula-slams-us-policy-toward-cuba-venezuela-661179.html Sun, 08 Feb 2026 10:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/netanyahu-to-meet-trump-in-washington-discuss-iran-talks-661180.html Jerusalem Feb 8 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said that he will travel to Washington on Wednesday to discuss the IranUS talks with US President Donald Trump The two will discuss the negotiations with Iran Netanyahus office said in a statement adding that Netanyahu believes that any talks must include restrictions on ballistic missiles and an end to support for the Iranian axisThe announcement followed indirect talks between Iranian and US delegations held in Oman on Friday Trump described them as very good talks adding that Iran looks like it wants to make a deal very badlyThe talks marked the first round of negotiations between the two countries since Israel struck Iran in June last year triggering a 12day war during which the United States bombed Irans key nuclear sites Xinhua news agency reportedTrump and Netanyahu last met in DecemberThere was no immediate White House commentThe US and Iran held indirect talks on Friday in Oman that appeared to return to the starting point on how to approach discussions over Tehranâs nuclear programTrump called the talks âvery goodâ and said more were planned for early next week Trump has repeatedly threatened to use force to compel Iran to reach a deal on its nuclear program after sending the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and other warships to the region amid Tehranâs crackdown on nationwide protests that killed thousands IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/netanyahu-to-meet-trump-in-washington-discuss-iran-talks-661180.html Sun, 08 Feb 2026 10:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/after-oman-talks-iran-sees-opening-for-diplomacy-with-us-but-rejects-nuclear-missile-curbs-661181.html Cairo Feb 8 Irans Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said that he expected a new round of talks with the United States to take place soon describing the meeting held a day earlier as a positive start while cautioning that rebuilding trust would take time In an interview with Al Jazeera aired on Saturday and later shared in Persian on his Telegram channel Araghchi also made clear that Tehran would not relinquish its uranium enrichment program which he called an inalienable right He added that his country was open to an agreement that reassures the international community while preserving its enrichment activities Xinhua news agency reportedAraghchi also noted that Iran opposes transferring its uranium abroad and said the nuclear dispute could be resolved only through negotiations He also rejected US demands that Iran curb its missile program calling missiles a defensive matter that is never negotiableHe confirmed that members of the Iranian and American delegations briefly shook hands despite the talks being conducted indirectly Although the negotiations were indirect an opportunity arose to shake hands with the American delegation he said disputing US reports that the two sides had held a short direct exchange during the discussions in MuscatAfter concluding the talks with Steve Witkoff US President Trumps special envoy Araghchi traveled to Doha where he met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim AlThani Qatars prime minister and foreign minister Qatari media reportedIrans military chief of staff Abdolrahim Mousavi struck a more confrontational tone warning that any attempt to impose war on Iran would spread conflict across the Middle East Iran would not initiate a war he said but would respond decisively to defend its sovereigntyTrump speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to his MaraLago resort in Florida described the Oman talks as very good saying Iran looks like it wants to make a deal very badly He said the sides would meet again early next weekOn Friday Trump also signed an executive order threatening additional tariffs on countries that continue to trade with Iran While the order does not specify a tariff rate it cites 25 per cent as an example and says the measure could apply to goods imported into the United States from any country that directly or indirectly purchases goods or services from IranThe talks in Muscat marked a renewed diplomatic effort amid heightened regional tensions In recent weeks the United States has expanded its military presence in the Middle East while Iran has stepped up its own preparations fueling concerns among regional governments about the risk of a wider conflictIsrael is watching the negotiations closely Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said on Saturday that he would travel to Washington later this week to discuss the talks with Trump Netanyahu believes any agreement must include limits on Irans ballistic missile program and an end to its support for allied militant groups the statement saidEarlier this week and ahead of the Muscat meeting Witkoff visited Israel for consultations during which Netanyahu said Iran had repeatedly demonstrated it cannot be trusted to keep its promisesRegional reactions were cautiously supportive Egypt and the United Arab Emirates welcomed the talks as a constructive step toward dialogue and deescalationEgypts foreign minister Badr Abdelatty praised Omans role in hosting the negotiations and reaffirmed Cairos support for a negotiated settlement of the nuclear issue The Emirati foreign ministry said Omans mediation had helped create conditions conducive to dialogue and expressed hope for outcomes that would enhance regional securitySaudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud also welcomed the talks voicing hope they would open a diplomatic path to ease tensions and promote regional stabilityThe region is burdened by multiple crises and finding a diplomatic solution between the United States and Iran is essential for achieving peace and stability he said during a press conference on FridayQatars foreign minister during his Saturday meeting with Araghchi in Doha voiced hope that the negotiations would lead to a comprehensive agreement that strengthens stability and security across the region according to a statement from the Qatari Foreign Ministry IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/after-oman-talks-iran-sees-opening-for-diplomacy-with-us-but-rejects-nuclear-missile-curbs-661181.html Sun, 08 Feb 2026 10:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-malaysia-deepen-partnership-rooted-in-trust-and-friendship-says-pm-modi-661183.html Kuala Lumpur Feb 8 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday shared moments from his ceremonial welcome at Perdana Putra in Putrajaya underlining the growing warmth in IndiaâMalaysia relations Posting on X the Prime Minister wrote âGlimpses from the ceremonial welcome at Perdana Putra in Putrajaya India and Malaysia continue to deepen a partnership rooted in trust friendship and shared aspirationsâ The message set the tone for his twoday visit to Malaysia marked by highlevel engagements cultural exchanges and outreach to the Indian diasporaEarlier Prime Minister Modi had highlighted the cultural connect between the two nations particularly the role of the Tamil community in Malaysia Sharing another post he said âA group of students from the Malaysia Hindu Sangam recited Tirumurai devotional songs It is commendable how the Tamil community in Malaysia has preserved and popularised their heritage over the last several yearsâ The gesture reflected the deep civilisational and peopletopeople ties that continue to anchor bilateral relationsDuring his visit the Prime Minister announced that an Indian Consulate will be opened soon in Malaysia a move expected to further strengthen diplomatic engagement and provide enhanced services to the Indian community in the country The announcement was made after he participated in a grand Indian community reception titled âSelamat Datang Modijiâ in Kuala LumpurThe event featured a spectacular cultural showcase with 800 artists performing traditional Indian dances on stage a feat that entered the Malaysian Book of Records as the largest such performance in the country The programme highlighted the vibrancy of Indian culture and the enduring bond shared by the Indian diaspora with their rootsAddressing the gathering Prime Minister Modi thanked the community for the colourful welcome and expressed gratitude to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for his gracious presence and warm remarks He praised the Indian diaspora for its significant contributions to Malaysiaâs progress and prosperity and acknowledged its role in strengthening the friendship between the two nationsPM Modi also reiterated Indiaâs steadfast commitment to the welfare of Indian nationals in Malaysia and to further deepening peopletopeople tiesAdding a personal touch to the visit Prime Minister Modi shared a car ride with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim after his arrival in Malaysia as the two leaders travelled together to a community event in Kuala Lumpur The moment showcased the warm personal rapport between the leaders and symbolised the growing closeness in IndiaâMalaysia relations rooted in mutual respect cultural affinity and shared aspirations for the future IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-malaysia-deepen-partnership-rooted-in-trust-and-friendship-says-pm-modi-661183.html Sun, 08 Feb 2026 10:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pm-modi-accorded-ceremonial-welcome-at-perdana-putra-in-malaysia-661184.html New Delhi Feb 8 Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Perdana Putra in Putrajaya on his official visit to Malaysia reaffirming the strong and enduring bonds between the two countries The development was highlighted by Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal who shared details of the welcome and the broader significance of the visit in a post on XâReaffirming the enduring bonds that connect India and Malaysia PM narendramodi was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Perdana Putra on his Official Visit to Malaysia India shares close bonds with Malaysia anchored in civilizational historical and peopletopeople ties Wideranging discussions aimed at further cementing our enduring friendship and strong bilateral relations to followâ Jaiswal saidThe ceremonial welcome marked the formal commencement of Prime Minister Modiâs engagements in Malaysia and reflected the importance both sides attach to the bilateral relationship India and Malaysia share deeprooted connections shaped by centuriesold civilisational links shared history cultural exchanges and strong peopletopeople ties particularly through the Indian diaspora in MalaysiaPM Modi also offered a glimpse into his ceremonial welcome at Perdana Putra in Putrajaya underlining the growing warmth in IndiaâMalaysia relationsPosting on X the Prime Minister wrote âGlimpses from the ceremonial welcome at Perdana Putra in Putrajaya India and Malaysia continue to deepen a partnership rooted in trust friendship and shared aspirationsâThe message set the tone for his twoday visit to Malaysia marked by highlevel engagements cultural exchanges and outreach to the Indian diasporaEarlier PM Modi had highlighted the cultural connect between the two nations particularly the role of the Tamil community in Malaysia Sharing another post he said âA group of students from the Malaysia Hindu Sangam recited Tirumurai devotional songs It is commendable how the Tamil community in Malaysia has preserved and popularised their heritage over the last several yearsâ The gesture reflected the deep civilisational and peopletopeople ties that continue to anchor bilateral relationsShowcasing a cordial and personal rapport the Prime Minister was seen sharing a car ride with his Malaysian counterpart Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as they travelled together to a community event in Kuala Lumpur The gesture symbolised the close understanding between the two leaders and underscored the friendly nature of IndiaâMalaysia relationsPM Modiâs visit is being seen as a significant step toward further deepening the enduring friendship between India and Malaysia rooted in mutual trust shared values and common aspirations for the future IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pm-modi-accorded-ceremonial-welcome-at-perdana-putra-in-malaysia-661184.html Sun, 08 Feb 2026 10:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/shared-love-for-tamil-language-connects-india-and-malaysia-pm-modi-661188.html Kuala Lumpur Feb 8 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the Tamil language connects India and Malaysia and expressed hope that the Audio Visual Agreement between the two nations will bring our hearts closer Addressing a joint press meet with his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur PM Modi highlighted the interest of the Malaysians in the Tamil language and said Shared love for the Tamil language also connects India and Malaysia In Malaysia the strong and living presence of Tamil can be seen in education media and cultural life I am confident that with todays Audio Visual Agreement film and music especially Tamil films will bring our hearts closer he addedEarlier on Saturday the Prime Minister hailed the grand celebration of Indian culture in Malaysia especially the recordbreaking dance performance during the Selamat Datang Modiji event which was attended by over 12000 members of the Indian diaspora friends of India from across the country and also Malaysian PM Anwar IbrahimIn his address at the event PM Modi highlighted that Malaysia has the secondlargest Indianorigin community in the world and noted that there is much that connects Indian and Malaysian heartsHe also highlighted that the people of the two countries understand each other well possibly due to the large number of common words between their languages and Malay and have heard that Indian movies and music are popular in Malaysia PM Modi noted that Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim sings very well and also loves Tamil songs of the legendary MGRPrime Minister Modi reiterated that the Indianorigin community in Malaysia had preserved its traditions over centuries He recalled mentioning the community in his Mann Ki Baat programme where he shared that over 500 schools in Malaysia teach children in Indian languagesThe influence of saints such as Thiruvalluvar and Swami Vivekananda is visible in Malaysia and the recent Thaipusam celebrations at Batu Caves are divine and comparable to those at Palani he noted Prime Minister Modi also said that Garba is popular in Malaysia and added that India deeply cherishes its cultural ties with the Sikh community which continues to promote the teachings of Sri Guru Nanak Dev JiStating that Tamil is Indias gift to the world PM Modi noted that Tamil literature is eternal Tamil culture is global and Tamil people have served humanity through their talentsIndias Vice President Thiru C P Radhakrishnan External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr Murugan are all from Tamil Nadu he told the large gatheringPrime Minister Modi further said that members of the Tamil diaspora in Malaysia are serving society in various fields and noted that the Tamil diaspora has been present in Malaysia for many centuries He said that inspired by this history India had established the Thiruvalluvar Chair at the University of Malaya and would now set up a Thiruvalluvar centre to further strengthen shared heritage IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/shared-love-for-tamil-language-connects-india-and-malaysia-pm-modi-661188.html Sun, 08 Feb 2026 14:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/congress-opposes-even-progress-nda-leaders-hail-india-us-trade-deal-highlight-strategic-gains-661201.html New Delhi Feb 8 NDA leaders on Sunday lauded the recently announced IndiaâUS Interim Trade Agreement while criticising the Congress for its opposition to the historic pact JDU spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said Regarding the trade agreement between India and the United States which the Congress party has been continuously opposing it is important for the grand old party to review its history When the Congress was in power the nuclear deal was inked and the party came under scrutiny over issues of national sovereignty and information sharing At that time Congress supported the US nuclear deal but today they are pointing out the shortcomings in the IndiaUS trade pactBJP National Spokesperson C R Kesavan echoed the criticism stating As for the Congress antagonistic reaction the people are growing weary of its politics of pessimism The party is currently facing a credibility crisis as many do not trust Rahul Gandhis statements The Congress appears hostile whenever India makes progress or witnesses development This is evident in the bitter response of the party even when farmers fishermen skilled workers and the people of India stand to benefit from this trade dealHighlighting the economic benefits of the agreement JDU national spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan said This trade deal has greatly benefited India For our business with America only a few items have an 18 per cent tariff which is big news for IndiaMeanwhile UP Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar focused on the strategic and diplomatic significance of the deal noting Whenever our Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits any country others say he comes from the land of Buddha bringing a message of peace This deal is one part of that effort to ensure that people live in peace and harmonyâThe Interim Agreement framework jointly announced by India and the United States aims to reduce tariffs on Indian goods from 25 per cent to 18 per cent particularly benefiting agricultural industrial products and food itemsAccording to a joint statement issued by both sides the framework reaffirms the commitment of India and America to negotiations on a USIndia Bilateral Trade Agreement talks launched by US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 13 2025 Officials said the interim arrangement is designed to deliver early outcomes while supporting more resilient and diversified supply chainsThe Interim Agreement between the United States and India will represent a historic milestone in our countries partnership demonstrating a common commitment to reciprocal and balanced trade based on mutual interests and concrete outcomes the announcement notedEarlier this week President Trump also spoke with Prime Minister Modi and later wrote on his social media handle Truth Social that both countries had agreed on a trade dealHe highlighted reciprocity expanded market access and efforts to address longstanding trade imbalances while underlining the broader strategic importance of economic ties with New Delhi IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/congress-opposes-even-progress-nda-leaders-hail-india-us-trade-deal-highlight-strategic-gains-661201.html Sun, 08 Feb 2026 14:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/cyber-abuse-threats-shadow-women-candidates-in-bangladesh-elections-661204.html Dhaka Feb 8 As Bangladesh heads into a highstakes national election women candidates are confronting an intensifying wave of cyber harassment coordinated online abuse and targeted misinformation according to local media reports Women account for just around four per cent of candidates in the upcoming national polls exposing entrenched gender barriers in a political landscape where women form half the population but barely figure on the ballotSeveral women candidates across constituencies have reported organised cyberbullying character assassination sexual harassment and threats both online and on the ground aimed at intimidating them and discouraging their campaigns local media reportedDilshana Parul National Citizen Party NCP candidate from Dhaka19 said she has been subjected to relentless online trolling particularly over her choice to wear a headscarfNot only supporters of rival parties but even those who call themselves progressive are involved I believe I have been among the most targeted she was quoted as saying by a leading Bangladeshi daily The Dhaka TribuneParul also alleged physical threats to her campaign workers Recently my team was attacked at a rural electricity site I also received calls warning that a former ward commissioner in Ashulia is threatening my female workers to stop them from voting Whenever it appears the BNP may lose ground threats increase she saidHighlighting gendered targeting Parul said male politicians are criticised mainly over corruption or policy while women are attacked over their character Despite this I will continue working in the field and focus on developing my constituency she addedNabila Tasnid NCP candidate from Dhaka20 said her campaign environment has been far from fair reports The Dhaka Tribune Our banners and festoons have been torn down When we reported this to authorities they demanded photo or video proof which reflects where institutional support lies she saidTasnid accused coalitionbacked groups of spreading misinformation and questioning womens leadershipThey claim society will not accept women leaders Online propaganda and character attacks are their main tools she said adding that her campaign agenda focuses on agriculture farmers rights employment technical education and overseas opportunities for womenTaslima Akhter candidate from Dhaka12 representing Gonoshonghoti Andolon said online harassment thrives because it is easier to attack anonymously When the target is a woman it becomes even simpler she said asserting that intimidation would not deter her from advocating womens rights free education up to grade twelve and action against corruption extortion and drug syndicatesThe harassment comes against a broader backdrop of womens marginalisation in electoral politics The Election Commission data shows that women make up only around 4 per cent of candidates while 30 of the 51 political parties contesting the polls have not fielded a single female candidateReports have also pointed to rising lawlessness as a key factor discouraging women from contesting elections The 13th parliamentary polls scheduled for February 12 are already marked by the absence of the Awami League and a notably low number of women candidatesMeanwhile gender exclusion has also been reinforced by ideological positions Bangladesh JamaateIslami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman had earlier stated that women cannot hold the partys top leadership post citing religious obligations and what he described as biological limitations asserting that Islamic principles do not permit women to serve as ameerObservers say the convergence of cyber abuse political violence institutional reluctance and ideological barriers raises serious questions about Bangladeshs commitment to inclusive and representative democracy IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/cyber-abuse-threats-shadow-women-candidates-in-bangladesh-elections-661204.html Sun, 08 Feb 2026 14:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pm-modi-departs-for-india-after-concluding-malaysia-visit--661207.html Kuala Lumpur Feb 8 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday departed for India after concluding his twoday visit to MalaysianbspMinistry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that PM Modis visit to Malaysia produced significant outcomes that will add substantial strength to bilateral tiesnbspA memorable visit concludes After a successful visit to Malaysia marked by special warmth and hospitality and anchored in our close cultural bonds PM Narendra Modi has departed for India The visit produced significant outcomes that will add substantial strength to IndiaMalaysia ties Jaiswal posted on XEarlier in the day PM Modi interacted with CEOs from India and Malaysia In a post on X PM Modi stated The CEO Forum has opened new opportunities in trade and investment for both our nationsnbspPM Modi met Indianorigin leaders including Ministers and Senators in Malaysia on Sunday and lauded their accomplishments in public lifenbspHad a wonderful interaction with PIO leaders including distinguished Ministers and Senators Their deep emotional connect to India was clearly visible Their accomplishments in public life are a matter of immense pride for everyone he posted on XPM Modi also met Azad Hind Fauj also known as the Indian National Army INA veteran Jeyaraj Raja Rao in Kuala Lumpur highlighting the historical contribution of the force and its legacy among the Indian diaspora in Southeast AsianbspWhile sharing a picture with Jeyaraj Raja Rao on X he paid tribute to the legacy of the INA and its founder Netaji Subhas Chandra BosenbspIt was very special to meet INA veteran Shri Jeyaraj Raja Rao His life is marked by immense courage and sacrifice Listening to his experiences was very inspiring We remain forever indebted to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose the brave women and men of the INA whose valour helped shape Indias destiny he postedEarlier in the day PM Modi held a meeting with his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim at the latters official residence Seri PerdananbspThe two leaders reviewed development cooperation in various sectors like infrastructure energy and biotechnology and agreed to strengthen cooperation in security defence technologies Artificial Intelligence AI and semiconductorsnbspHad an excellent meeting with PM Anwar Ibrahim at Seri Perdana earlier today India and Malaysia are maritime neighbours who have always enjoyed a close friendship We reviewed developmental cooperation in sectors like trade infrastructure energy IT biotechnology and more We also agreed to strengthen cooperation in the field of security defence AI digital technologies and semiconductors PM Modi posted on XPeopletopeople linkages are at the core of IndiaMalaysia friendship The Social Security Agreement a gratis evisa for tourism and the coming of UPI to Malaysia will bring our people even closer We are also working to increase university exchanges and create skill development opportunities for our youth he addednbspEarlier on Saturday PM Modi addressed members of the Indian diaspora in MalaysianbspArriving in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday for his twoday visit he received a warm welcome from his Malaysian counterpart IbrahimIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pm-modi-departs-for-india-after-concluding-malaysia-visit--661207.html Sun, 08 Feb 2026 16:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trumps-dealmaking-opens-indian-market-to-us-goods-greer-661124.html Washington Feb 7 US President Donald Trumpâs trade dealmaking is opening Indiaâs vast market to American products by lowering tariffs on US industrial and agricultural goods US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Greer spoke on Friday after the White House issued a joint statement announcing a framework for an Interim Agreement between the United States and India on reciprocal and mutually beneficial tradeâPresident Trumpâs dealmaking is unlocking one of the largest economies in the world for American workers and producers lowering tariffs for all US industrial goods and a wide array of agricultural productsâ Greer saidâTodayâs announcement demonstrates the deepening ties between the United States and India as we create new opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs in both countriesâ he saidGreer thanked Indiaâs commerce leadership for advancing the negotiations He expressed appreciation for the role played by Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal in pursuing what he described as fair and balanced tradeThe framework reaffirms the commitment of both countries to negotiations on a broader USIndia Bilateral Trade Agreement Those talks were launched by Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 13 2025 Officials said the Interim Agreement is meant to deliver early and concrete results while strengthening supply chainsâThe Interim Agreement between the United States and India will represent a historic milestone in our countriesâ partnership demonstrating a common commitment to reciprocal and balanced trade based on mutual interests and concrete outcomesâ the joint announcement saidUnder the framework India will eliminate or reduce tariffs on all US industrial goods It will also cut duties on a wide range of US food and agricultural products These include dried distillersâ grains red sorghum for animal feed tree nuts fresh and processed fruit soybean oil wine and spirits and other productsThe United States will apply a reciprocal tariff rate of 18 percent on Indian goods under an executive order aimed at addressing large and persistent US goods trade deficits The tariff will cover products such as textiles and apparel leather and footwear plastic and rubber organic chemicals home dÃcor artisanal products and certain machineryIf the Interim Agreement is concluded successfully the United States said it will remove the reciprocal tariff on a range of goods identified for aligned partners These include generic pharmaceuticals gems and diamonds and aircraft partsThe framework also calls for removing US tariffs on certain aircraft and aircraft parts from India imposed under national security proclamations on aluminum steel and copper imports In line with US national security requirements India will receive a preferential tariffrate quota for automotive partsIndia will also receive negotiated outcomes on generic pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients This will depend on the findings of a US Section 232 investigationBoth countries agreed to provide preferential market access in sectors of interest They will establish rules of origin to ensure the benefits of the agreement accrue mainly to the United States and India They also committed to addressing nontariff barriers affecting bilateral tradeIndia agreed to address longstanding barriers affecting US medical devices It will eliminate restrictive import licensing procedures that delay access for US information and communication technology goodsIndia will also decide within six months whether USdeveloped or international standards are acceptable for exports in identified sectors It also agreed to address barriers affecting US food and agricultural productsThe framework outlines cooperation on standards digital trade and economic security This includes work on supply chain resilience investment reviews and export controls India said it intends to purchase 500 billion of US energy products aircraft and aircraft parts precious metals technology products and coking coal over the next five years It also plans to expand trade in technology products used in data centersThe United States and India said they will move quickly to implement the framework and work toward finalizing the Interim Agreement The goal is to conclude a mutually beneficial Bilateral Trade Agreement in line with the agreed roadmapThe announcement follows months of intensified engagement between trade officials from both countries as Washington links market access to supply chain security manufacturing and technology cooperation IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trumps-dealmaking-opens-indian-market-to-us-goods-greer-661124.html Sat, 07 Feb 2026 08:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-targets-iran-trade-with-new-tariff-order-661125.html Washington Feb 7 US President Donald Trump signed an executive order renewing the national emergency on Iran and creating a new tariff system targeting countries that buy goods or services from Tehran The White House said the order is designed to protect US national security foreign policy and the economy It allows the United States to impose additional tariffs on imports from any country that âdirectly or indirectly purchases imports or otherwise acquires any goods or services from IranâThe White House said the move is part of a broader effort to confront Iranâs actions abroad It cited Tehranâs pursuit of nuclear capabilities its ballistic missile program support for terrorism and activities that destabilize the Middle EastIn a fact sheet the White House described Iran as the worldâs leading state sponsor of terrorism The fact sheet said Tehran supports proxy groups and militias across the region including forces that have killed and wounded Americans and that continue to target US troops partners and alliesThe administration also pointed to Iranâs internal conditions It said the regime has spent national resources on nuclear and missile programs while the countryâs infrastructure and population struggleThe White House accused Iran of severe repression at home It said the regime has killed protesters denied basic human rights and used violence to maintain power It also accused Tehran of spreading extremism and undermining efforts aimed at peace and regional stabilityThe administration said these actions amount to a continuing and extraordinary threat to the United States It said that the threat requires a sustained and intensified response to protect Americans and US interestsThe executive order reinforces President Trumpâs longstanding position that Iran must not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon The White House said he has made that pledge repeatedly both during his first term and during his campaignAccording to the fact sheet the President is building on actions taken during his earlier presidency Those included withdrawing the United States from the Iran nuclear deal restoring what the administration calls maximum pressure and designating Iranâs Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a Foreign Terrorist OrganizationThe White House said that after returning to office Trump again restored maximum pressure on Iran The goal it said is to deny Tehran any path to a nuclear weapon and to counter its influence beyond its bordersThe administration also referred to military steps taken last year It said that in June after Iran refused to reach a deal with Washington President Trump authorized an operation that destroyed Iranâs nuclear facilities and significantly set back its nuclear ambitionsThe fact sheet said the President has recently deployed a large US military force to the region It said Iran was urged to negotiate a fair deal that would exclude nuclear weapons or face stronger consequencesThe White House framed the Iran order as part of a wider strategy toward governments it considers hostile It cited recent actions against Venezuelaâs Nicolas Maduro and new tariffs imposed on countries that provide oil to CubaThe administration said those steps are meant to send a clear message Dictators and state sponsors of terrorism it said will be held to account The executive order takes effect early Friday IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-targets-iran-trade-with-new-tariff-order-661125.html Sat, 07 Feb 2026 08:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-senators-seek-drug-origin-labels-661126.html Washington Feb 7 Two US senators from rival parties introduced legislation this week that would require prescription drug labels to disclose where medicines and their key ingredients are made a move aimed at increasing transparency in a supply chain heavily reliant on overseas manufacturing US Senators Seek Drug Origin Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Republican Senator Rick Scott said the proposal would help patients pharmacists and doctors better understand the origins of the drugs they use every dayThe bill is called the Consumer Labeling for Enhanced API Reporting and Legitimate Accountability for Base Entity Listings Act or the CLEAR LABELS Act It would add new countryoforigin disclosure requirements to prescription drug labels in the United StatesâAmericans deserve to know where their prescription drugs are manufactured so they can make informed health care decisionsâ Gillibrand said She said the legislation would make manufacturing information readily available and strengthen accountability across the pharmaceutical supply chainGillibrand added that the measure would support access to âsafe effective lifesaving medicationsâ by giving patients and providers clear and reliable informationScott said families are currently left without basic details about where their medicines come fromâAs parents and grandparents we do everything we can to make informed safe decisions that keep our families safe and healthyâ Scott said âBut right now families are being kept in the dark about where their drugs are coming fromâScott said the United States depends heavily on foreign countries for the production of drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients or APIs He cited China and India as major manufacturing hubs and said limited transparency and oversight create risks for patientsâThis broken process leaves patients in the dark about where their drugs comeâ Scott said âFamilies deserve to have confidence that the medicines they take are safe regulated and clearly labeledâMany prescription drugs sold in the United States along with their APIs are manufactured overseas Current federal labeling rules do not require public disclosure of where those ingredients or finished products are produced As a result patients pharmacists and health care providers often lack visibility into the origins of medicationsThe CLEAR LABELS Act would require prescription drug labels to identify the original manufacturers of finished drugs and APIs The information could appear directly on the label or be made available through a link barcode or QR code connected to a searchable electronic databaseThe senators said the goal is to give patients and regulators clear upfront information about where medicines are made They argue that transparency is a first step toward identifying weaknesses in the drug supply chain and preventing threats to the availability of safe and effective treatmentsThe legislation builds on earlier bipartisan efforts by Gillibrand and Scott Those include an investigative report and more than a dozen inquiries to federal agencies and pharmaceutical industry leaders seeking details on US reliance on foreignmade generic drugsIf enacted the bill would amend the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act to expand labeling requirements and increase disclosure across the prescription drug supply chain IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-senators-seek-drug-origin-labels-661126.html Sat, 07 Feb 2026 08:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/south-africa-releases-first-locally-produced-fmd-vaccine-in-20-years-661133.html Johannesburg Feb 7 South Africa has released its first locally produced vaccine for footandmouth disease FMD in nearly two decades the countrys Department of Agriculture said At a press briefing Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen together with the Agricultural Research Council ARC the vaccine developer and producer announced the release of an initial batch of 12900 vaccine doses with production expected to rise to 20000 doses per week by MarchThe ARC said plans are being prepared to distribute the vaccine to herds across the countryAccording to a statement from the department the milestone marks a shift from a largely reactive response to a more proactive scienceled campaign against the disease to help South Africa regain its FMDfree status from the World Organisation for Animal HealthThis will strengthen our frontline defence against footandmouth disease Steenhuisen said noting that the countrys longterm goal is to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers for the FMD vaccine Xinhua news agency reportedThe FMD primarily affects clovenhoofed animals such as cattle pigs sheep and goats In most cases the symptoms include fever painful sores in the mouth and a rash with blisters on the hands feet and buttocksFMD is a severe highly contagious viral disease of livestock that has a significant economic impactThe disease affects cattle swine sheep goats and other clovenhoofed ruminantsIntensively reared animals are more susceptible to the disease than traditional breeds The disease is rarely fatal in adult animals but there is often high mortality in young animals due to myocarditis or when the dam is infected by the disease lack of milkFMD is characterised by fever and blisterlike sores on the tongue and lips in the mouth on the teats and between the hooves The disease causes severe production losses and while the majority of affected animals recover the disease often leaves them weakened and debilitatedAll seven of the serotypes have also been found in wildlife African buffalo are important carriers for FMDV Other species of wildlife do not seem to be able to maintain FMD viruses IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/south-africa-releases-first-locally-produced-fmd-vaccine-in-20-years-661133.html Sat, 07 Feb 2026 09:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/ethiopias-addis-ababa-sees-nearly-700-000-international-arrivals-in-six-months-661134.html Addis Ababa Feb 7 Nearly 700000 foreign tourists visited the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa during the first six months of the current Ethiopian fiscal year that began on July 8 2025 according to local authorities Presenting the citys halfyear performance report on the tourism sector on Friday Adanech Abiebie Mayor of Addis Ababa City said that 699761 foreign tourists visited the capital during the period showing a 15 per cent increase compared to the same period last yearAccording to the mayor the inflow of tourists has enabled the city administration to generate 155 billion birr about 1 billion in revenue from the sector A total of 49 million domestic tourists also visited the city during the period exceeding the target of 47 millionThe mayor attributed the strong performance to the development of new and upgraded tourism destinations making the capital a leading tourism and conference hub in AfricaAbiebie further emphasised that public religious and cultural festivals that were celebrated in the city along with the expansion of sports and health tourism have significantly contributed to the rise in foreigners visiting the city The ongoing development works and flagship megaprojects being undertaken across the city are expected to attract an increasing number of tourists and highlevel international and continental gatherings Xinhua news agency reportedOver the past six months alone nearly 150 international and continental events were also held in Addis Ababa representing a 50 per cent increase compared to the same period last year according to the mayors reportOne of Africas most important cities Addis Ababa is home to nearly 35 million people Sitting atop the highlands next to the Great Rift Valley the city sprawls over more than 200 square miles housing a startling variety of historical and cultural attractions And if you want to get out there are the massive Entoto Mountains to explore right above Addis AbabaWithin the city centre Addis Ababa boasts monumental architecture and all of the grandeur that can be expected from any national capital Great churches mosques and museums offer respite solace education and inspiration to travelers from around the world Meanwhile traditional Ethiopian food and dance are on constant display throughout the city IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/ethiopias-addis-ababa-sees-nearly-700-000-international-arrivals-in-six-months-661134.html Sat, 07 Feb 2026 09:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/islamabad-blast-raises-iskp-betrayal-angle-as-pakistan-sidesteps-intelligence-lapses-targets-india-661138.html New Delhi Feb 7 Within 24 hours of the deadly Islamabad blast that killed over 30 people and injured 160 Pakistan was quick to blame Afghanistan and India Pakistan however did not blame its own Intelligence factor and the fact that it has nurtured terror groups for long which have now turned against it An assessment by the Indian agencies suggested that it could be the handiwork of the TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP or the Islamic State Khorasan Province ISKP However both groups have not claimed credit for the attack Indian agencies also do not rule out the possibility of this attack being a diversionary tactic by the establishment to turn attention from the losses the Pakistan security forces have faced in Balochistan Unknown terrorists targeted devotees at the Khadja Tul Kubra Mosque in Islamabads Tarlai Kalan area when they were offering Friday prayers The pattern in which the attack was carried out and the fact that the Shias were targeted suggest that it could be the handiwork of either the TTP or ISKP Another question that Indian officials ask is why Pakistan was quick to blame India and Afghanistan They are not speaking about the Intelligence failure and one has to understand if this miss was deliberate or not the official said The Pakistan establishment whose de facto head is Field Marshal Asim Munir has been left redfaced on several occasions in recent months It began with Indias Operation Sindoor and since then Pakistan has been in a battle with multiple players It has been battling the Balochistan Liberation Army BLA the TTP and also the Afghan Taliban Further there are protests in Pakistanoccupied Kashmir PoK against the establishment and Intelligence Bureau officials say that the region is all set to blow up very soon If this attack was carried out by the ISKP then it is a clear sign that the ISIs strategy has blown up in its face The ISKP never trusted the Pakistan establishment and like the TTP wants the country to be ruled under Sharia law The ISI briefly roped in the ISKP to fight alongside the LashkareTaiba against the Afghan Taliban and TTP However this strategy blew up in the face of the ISI as the ISKP has yet again shown that it cannot be trusted an official said The ISKP briefly agreed to battle alongside the LashkareTaiba due to its enmity with the Afghan Taliban It had hoped that Pakistan would have helped it in its fight against the Afghan Taliban but then the ISI failed to live up to its commitment Moreover not all in the Islamic State especially those part of the Syria and Iraq branches wanted any alliance with the Pakistan establishment They felt that the issues that the ISKP has been raising regarding Pakistan becoming an Islamic State run by the Sharia were being diluted due to this alliance An official said that it is too early to conclude whether it was the ISKP which carried out the attack However it bears all the signatures of the ISKP the official said Before even a preliminary probe could begin Pakistans Defence Minister Khwaja Asif blamed the Afghan Taliban and India for the strikeAnalysts said that this kneejerk reaction by Munir is a clear sign that he wants to divert attention from a variety of issues He sought to divert the Balochistan issue and sought to set a narrative against India and the Taliban Such a statement and the attack come at a time when Pakistan is drumming up a huge narrative against India It has allowed the JaisheMohammad to carry out radical rallies while also trying to provoke the people in Pakistanoccupied Kashmir PoK The idea is to create unrest and then blame India for the same In doing so Pakistan forgot to assess its own internal security and the blast in an urban area is proof of that the experts say IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/islamabad-blast-raises-iskp-betrayal-angle-as-pakistan-sidesteps-intelligence-lapses-targets-india-661138.html Sat, 07 Feb 2026 11:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/death-toll-in-islamabad-suicide-bombing-climbs-to-36-661169.html Islamabad Feb 7 The death toll from the Islamabad suicide bombing rose to 36 on Saturday local media reported quoting a spokesperson of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences PIMS A 21yearold man who was brought from the imambargah died said Dr Aneeza Jalil while speaking to a leading Pakistani daily DawnShe further mentioned that nine of the injured are in very serious condition Jalil also stated that in total 149 injured people and 28 bodies were brought to Pims on Friday following the attackAdditionally HBS Hospitals Dr Riaz Janjua also confirmed that three deaths from the attack were reported at his hospital according to the report by DawnMeanwhile authorities have identified the suspected attacker as a resident of Peshawar who allegedly underwent militant training in Afghanistan local media reported on Saturday According to preliminary findings shared by sources associated with the investigation the attacker identified as Yasir Khan Yasir had reportedly stayed in Afghanistan for nearly five months before returning to Pakistan leading Pakistani daily The Express Tribune reportedInvestigators are also exploring potential connections between the suspect and the Islamic State Khorasan Province ISKP though officials have stressed that the investigation is still at a preliminary stage and no final conclusions have been drawnSources indicated that Yasir Khan who was reportedly influenced by the Salafi school of thought is believed to have received militant training during his stay across the border He received training at the Mansoor Istashhadi training centre in Afghanistans northeastern Kunar province and travelled to and from the country multiple times sources told The Express TribuneAuthorities said they are working to unravel the broader network that may have facilitated the attack including identifying possible handlers logistical supporters and any domestic or crossborder links that could have enabled the operationMinister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry also confirmed that the identity of the suicide bomber had been established He stated that the information was obtained through forensic analysis of his remainsHe is not an Afghan citizen but forensic examination of the remaining parts of his body has provided information about how many times he had travelled to Afghanistan he saidThe explosion at the Khadija Tul Kubra mosque located in Islamabads Tarlai Kalan area resulted in the death of at least 36 people and left nearly 170 others injured during Friday prayers according to Pakistani officialsEyewitnesses recounted that gunfire was heard moments before the explosion after which the suicide bomber detonated explosives amid a large congregation of worshippers gathered at the mosqueHospitals across the capital declared emergency protocols as rescue teams rushed the injured to medical facilities with several victims reported to be in critical conditionPakistan was quick to point fingers at the external forces for the attack However innocent people of the rogue nation have time and time again borne the burden of homegrown terrorism IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/death-toll-in-islamabad-suicide-bombing-climbs-to-36-661169.html Sat, 07 Feb 2026 16:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/foreign-women-not-pakistanis-isis-suicide-bomber-strategy-to-retain-deniability-661170.html New Delhi Feb 7 In January this year the ISI circulated an audio clip in which JaisheMohammad JeM chief Masood Azhar is heard threatening to unleash thousands of suicide bombers on India Although it has not been verified whether the voice was Azharâs it is a wellknown fact that the JeM is in the process of building an army of suicide bombers Intelligence inputs have suggested that this suicide bomber unit of the outfit would be women heavy Interestingly the JeM has not hired a single woman bomber of Pakistani origin It is being headed by Pakistani women but the bombers are all from abroad an official said It has been found that the terror outfit has been recruiting women in large numbers from Uzbekistan Indonesia and the Philippines an official saidThere is a dual purpose behind this strategy Pakistani women are not as strong when compared to the women from these regions Further these women are also more charged when it comes to ideology and hence the ISI asked the JeM to pick people from these countries the official addedThe second part of this strategy is what Pakistan tries its best to dodeniability It is not ready to give up its terror first policy but also cares about the punishments it would get from international organisations such as the International Monetary Fund IMF and Financial Action Task Force FATF Hiring such women and deploying them for attacks would offer Pakistanis the deniability factorAnother official said that the deniability factor strategy has been tried for very long by Pakistan However in reality it has never workedDuring their training programme these women have been told to aim for soft targets They are being trained to carry out attacks on movie theatres and hotels in different parts of India An Intelligence Bureau official said that once their training is complete and the target is fixed a reconnaissance would be carried out following which the details would be shared with them Once this aspect is complete these women would be told to return to their home countries and then wait for orders They would then try and enter India and execute the attack once the green signal is given the official also saidThe Pakistani women who are part of the module are more involved in radicalisation and training They have not been trained for field activities as yet and the ISI intends to keep it that way an official addedIn addition to the JeM the ISI is also promoting the female network of the LashkareTayiba For now the LashkareTayiba is in the recruitment mode It has many women who are part of the top leadership These women are actively recruiting women However the brief for the LashkareTayiba is focus more on Jammu and Kashmir while the JeM would target the rest of India officials have learntThe womenâs wing has been pushed by Pakistan for long It feels the need to have such a wing as the women are considered to be more ideological radical and committed to the cause The chances of a Uturn are very low among women in terror groups analysts have found Women normally tend to dodge the radar when compared to menEven in the Faridabad module a woman Dr Shaheen Shahid played a major role In the run up to setting up the module she made multiple trips from Faridabad to Jammu and Kashmir She was the lead recruiter and was majorly involved in recruitment While the fact that she was a doctor did help her dodge the radar the woman angle too contributed largely to this the probe has foundOfficials say going forward the modus operandi of the ISI would largely focus around recruiting more women and white collared terrorists officials say IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/foreign-women-not-pakistanis-isis-suicide-bomber-strategy-to-retain-deniability-661170.html Sat, 07 Feb 2026 16:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trust-has-become-indias-strongest-currency-pm-modi-in-malaysia-661177.html Kuala Lumpur Feb 7 IANS Spotlighting the recent trade deals signed by India Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that India is seen as a trusted partner for growth and trust has become the countrys strongest currencynbspIndia is seen as a trusted partner for growth Whether it is the UK UAE Australia New Zealand Oman the EU or USA countries have trade deals with India Trust has become Indias strongest currency said PM Modi while addressing the Indian community in Kuala Lumpur shortly after arriving in Malaysia on a twoday visitMalaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also attended the event after both leaders travelled together in the same car from the airportnbspPrime Minister Modi stated that IMPACT which he described as India Malaysia Partnership for Advancing Collective Transformation remains the guiding word of relationship between both countries as Indias success also translates into success for Malaysia and AsianbspIndias success is Malaysias success it is Asias success That is why I say the guiding word of our relationship is IMPACT IMPACT means IndiaMalaysia Partnership for Advancing Collective Transformation said PM ModiIn a special gesture Prime Minister Modi on his arrival in Kuala Lumpur was warmly received by his Malaysian counterpart at the airport along with Malaysian Minister of Human Resources Ramanan Ramakrishnan and Deputy Foreign Minister of Malaysia Lukanisman bin Awang Sauni This was followed by a colourful cultural welcome highlighting the shared heritage of both countriesnbspThe visit seeks to further strengthen the IndiaMalaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2024 It also reflects Indias strong commitment to strengthening IndiaMalaysia ties which is a key pillar of New Delhis Act East Policy IndoPacific vision and Vision MAHASAGARPrime Minister Modi is visiting Malaysia on February 78 at the invitation of Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim This is the third visit of the Prime Minister to Malaysia since 2015nbspIn his address PM Modi mentioned that Malaysia has the secondlargest Indianorigin community in the world and the diaspora continues to serve as a strong bridge between both countriesnbspRecently I spoke in my monthly radio conversation Mann Ki Baat about you I shared with 14 billion Indians how over 500 schools in Malaysia teach children in Indian languages PM Modi said during the community programme in Kuala LumpurHighlighting that there is so much that connects Indian and Malaysian hearts PM Modi praised the Indian community in the countrynbspIt is remarkable the way you have preserved traditions over centuries he mentionedPrime Minister Modi said that the members of the Tamil diaspora in Malaysia are serving the society in various fieldsnbspIn fact the Tamil diaspora has been here for many centuries Inspired by this history we are proud to have established the Thiruvalluvar Chair in the University of Malaya We will now set up a Thiruvalluvar Centre to further strengthen our shared heritage he said in Kuala LumpurPM Modi invited everyone in the gathering to travel and experience Incredible IndianbspYou must also bring your Malay friends with you Because peopletopeople contact is the cornerstone of our friendship he saidIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trust-has-become-indias-strongest-currency-pm-modi-in-malaysia-661177.html Sat, 07 Feb 2026 17:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-mobile-internet-services-in-balochistan-remain-suspended-for-sixth-day-661027.html Quetta Feb 5 Mobile internet services in Quetta and some other parts of Pakistans Balochistan remained suspended for the sixth day even though the train services have been partially restored The development comes as the tense security situation eased after counterterrorism operations were conducted in response to attacks in Balochistan local media reported on Thursday Speaking to Pakistans leading daily Dawn Balochistan Additional Chief Secretary Hamza Shafqaat said that the mobile internet remained suspended in Quetta However he said that it was expected to be restored till 12 midnightReportedly mobile data remained disrupted in Nushki Sibi and Mastung districts Mobile data services also remained suspended in Panjgur Kalat Khuzdar Awaran and Turbat for varying periods due to prior security concernsMeanwhile Pakistan Railwaysâ Quetta division spokesperson Muhammad Kashif said that the services of the Jaffar Express train on the QuettaPeshawar route and the Karachibound Bolan Mail which remained suspended since January 31 had been restored Dawn reported He further mentioned that the QuettaChaman passenger train had also resumed operationsPakistan security forces said that they had killed 216 terrorists in Operation RaddulFitna1 that were conducted in Balochistan in response to attacks carried out on January 31 The InterServices Public Relations ISPR said 36 people including women and children and 22 security forces and law enforcement agenciesâ personnel were killed during the operationsOn January 31 the Baloch Liberation Army BLA announced the start of the second phase of Operation Herof across Balochistan Reports of armed clashes explosions and attacks targetting Pakistani military installations emerged from multiple districts of the province local media reportedCalling it a âdeclaration of decisive resistanceâ BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch in a statement said the new phase is directed against âthe occupying state and all its military and administrative structuresâHe said that by standing alongside Baloch fighters the people of Balochistan would âdefeat the enemy in every city street and neighbourhoodâ stressing that the operation seeks to demonstrate that âthere is no place for the occupier in BalochistanâIn a statement sent to media outlets the BLA said during the second phase of Operation Herof it has launched âsimultaneous coordinated attacksâ in 10 cities in the province including Quetta Nushki Mastung Dalbandin Kalat Kharan Gwadar Pasni Tump and BuledaAccording to the BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch the group had attacked âmilitary and administrative structuresâ disrupted the movement of âenemy forcesâ and âpushed backâ Pakistani troops in multiple areasThe statement added that âFidayeen attacksâ targeted Pakistani army and InterServices Intelligence ISI camps in Quetta Pasni Gwadar Noshki and Dalbandin asserting that the groupâs Majeed Brigade had âsuccessfully entered army camps and captured large sections of themâ with âfierce fightingâ continuingThe BLA claimed that âdozensâ of Pakistani military personnel had been âneutralisedâ so far adding that further details would be shared with the media soonIn a separate message released through the BLAâs media wing the groupâs commanderinchief Bashir Zeb Baloch called on the people of Balochistan to âcome out of their homes and fight against Pakistani forcesââThis struggle does not belong to any single individual but to collective consciousness When a nation stands united the enemy cannot avoid defeat despite its power The Baloch nation is urged to step out and become part of Operation Herofâ The Balochistan post quoted Bashir as saying IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-mobile-internet-services-in-balochistan-remain-suspended-for-sixth-day-661027.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-editors-council-urges-authorities-political-parties-to-ensure-safety-of-journalists-during-polls-661029.html Dhaka Feb 5 Bangladeshs Editors Council has urged authorities and local political parties to ensure the safety of journalists who will be covering the upcoming national elections on February 12 local media reported on Thursday In a statement on Thursday the council stated Journalists face various risks while carrying out their duties of collecting and disseminating news during elections and ensuring the safety and security of journalists working in the field is a very important issue at this time Bangladeshs leading daily The Daily Star reportedIt urged the interim government the Election Commission and relevant law enforcement agencies to provide security to journalists who will be covering elections and requested political parties to play an important role in protecting reportersThe Editors Council expressed hope that all parties concerned would understand the importance of the issue and take steps to ensure the safety of the journalists The signatories of the statement included Editorsâ Council President Nurul Kabir and General Secretary Dewan Hanif MahmudAhead of the crucial elections political violence in Bangladesh continues to rise sharply as casualties in January increased significantly in comparison to December 2025 local media reported citing a Dhakabased human rights organisationIn its latest findings the rights group Ain o Salish Kendra ASK recorded a surge in political violence in January with 75 incidents causing 616 injuries and 11 deaths This marked a sharp rise compared to 18 incidents in December 2025 which left 268 people injured and four deadThe findings indicated that clashes intensified following the announcement of the election schedule and the start of campaigning on January 22ASK reported that four people were killed while 414 others injured in 49 clashes between January 2131 highlighting a clear upward trend as polling day draws nearThe rights group documented that journalists have also been targetted amid the rising political violence with 11 journalists facing obstruction or assault while on duty in December last year a number that increased to 16 in January The Daily Star reportedExpressing concern over the rising violence the rights body urged political parties to exercise restraint and maintain peace during the campaign It also called on law enforcement agencies to safeguard citizens and uphold their constitutional rights IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-editors-council-urges-authorities-political-parties-to-ensure-safety-of-journalists-during-polls-661029.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 01:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/chinese-govt-intensified-repression-in-2025-human-rights-watchdog-661033.html Washington Feb 5 The Chinese government intensified its repression in China in 2025 leading rights group Human Rights Watch HRW said in its 2026 World Report Chinese President Xi Jinping directed the government to impose ideological conformity and loyalty to him and the Chinese Communist Party the HRW report highlighted Uyghurs Tibetans and other communities with different identities including members of unofficial churches face the most severe suppression of rights Chinese authorities have also intensified repression in Hong Kong it saidMaya Wang Deputy Asia Director at Human Rights Watch said The Chinese government under Xi Jinping has amassed an increasingly disastrous human rights record expanding and deepening its crackdown on fundamental freedoms Foreign governments have largely been unwilling to push back against the threats the Chinese government poses to the international human rights system let alone within China she statedIn the 529page World Report 2026 HRW reviews human rights practices in over 100 nations According to the HRW statement Xi Jinping visited Tibet in August and Xinjiang in September largely to showcase his governments strong control The Chinese government is expected to pass a draft law to justify repression of minorities facilitate increasing ideological control and foster control abroadAs per the report thousands of Uyghurs continue to remain imprisoned unfairly in China The Chinese government also banned celebrations of Tibetan religious leader Dalai Lamaâs 90th birthday in Tibet Repression has increased after Chinese authorities imposed the National Security Law on Hong KongThe Chinese governmentâs campaign to sinicize religions â retooling them so they propagate Party ideology â has led to intensified crackdown on house churches Protestant congregations that resist joining the official church In April a court in Shanxi province reportedly sentenced over a dozen people affiliated with the Linfen Golden Lampstand Church for fraud HRW statedIn October authorities also arrested nearly 30 affiliates of Zion Church including its pastor The authorities have arbitrarily detained and imprisoned people for exercising their basic rights the report mentionedChina it said has also intensified efforts to silence diaspora communities who have been raised voice against government abuses harassing their families and friends in China and detaining those who return to the country with arrest of Francebased student activist Tara Zhang Yadi being the latest exampleThe HRW urged Chinese government to end its crimes against humanity and other abuses in Xinjiang revoke Hong Kongâs national security laws allow independent observers access to Tibet and Xinjiang and release detained human rights defenders in China IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/chinese-govt-intensified-repression-in-2025-human-rights-watchdog-661033.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 01:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-survey-data-reveals-trust-deficit-between-people-govt-institutions-661034.html Islamabad Feb 5 A transparency survey launched by Ipsos and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry FPCCI has found a gap between perception and reality showcasing trust deficit between people and government institutions local media reported on Thursday The Index of Transparency and Accountability in Pakistan iTAP launched during an event in Islamabad on Tuesday revealed that government departments usually have a bad image in public in comparison to the experiences reported by those who have met them Pakistans leading daily Dawn reportedThe iTAP initiative was launched as an effort by the FPCCI to create an indigenous recurring benchmark to measure transparency and accountability in Pakistan The organisers stated that the survey was launched to provide assessment of peoples trust in government and institutions based on fieldwork conducted during December 2025January 2026According to the survey interviews of over 6000 respondents both men and women were conducted in 82 urban and rural districts and more than 195 tehsils A smaller sample of 300 respondents was taken from within government institutionsThe findings of the survey revealed that 68 per cent of respondents believed bribery was common in government institutions while 27 per cent said they had personally experienced this situation where they were asked to pay a bribeIpsos Pakistan Managing Director Abdul Sattar Babar was quoted as saying by Dawn that the survey indicated that percepÂtions of corruption was higher than reported personal experience He said Corruption levels are still high but the perception is very strong and the gap is too large adding that the image of public sector hospitals was improÂving in PakistanThe survey revealed that largest share of respondents around 53 per cent had interacted with healthcare institutions and government hospitals over the past 12 months During the survey the respondents were asked 36 questions related to awareness and interaction with government offices views of public regarding malpractices like bribery nepotism and illicit enrichment awareness of anticorruption institutions views about anticorruption measures and levels of satisfaction with those steps Dawn reportedThe survey placed Nadra at the top in overall satisfaction which it said was largely due to high levels of digitalisation On question related to nepotism 56 per cent of respondents said they believed it was common in government offices while 24 per cent said they believed nepotism was impacting merit According to the survey perception of malpractices was at over 67 per cent while reported experience was 156 per centMeanwhile 59 per cent respondents said they believed government officials became rich through illegal means while only 5 per cent said they had personally observed a government official who had illicitly collected wealth according to the report The survey revealed that bribery nepotism and illicit enrichment were the three core forms of corruption related to public institutionsWhen asked about the most corrupt institutions during the survey the respondents mentioned FBRâs Customs department the offices of deputy and assistant commissioners DC and AC the police FBRâs Inland Revenue and the courts as the top five IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-survey-data-reveals-trust-deficit-between-people-govt-institutions-661034.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 01:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistans-loyalty-to-iran-undermines-credibility-as-us-ally-report-661042.html Washington Feb 5 Pakistans public support for US adversary Iran â through lavish receptions highlevel meetings and deepening ties â directly undermines its credibility as a Major NonNATO Ally MNNA Amid growing engagement with Tehran Pakistan should be excluded from any international Board of Peace and barred from facilitating Washingtonled negotiations with Iran a report said on Thursday According to a report in the USbased Middle East Media Research Institute MEMRI Pakistans routine diplomatic shielding of Iran makes it an unreliable broker It added that Islamabad cannot be considered a genuine ally and its MNNA status warrants serious reconsideration and potential revocationâPakistan holds Major NonNATO Ally MNNA status with the United States a designation that grants it privileged access to military cooperation and equipment Furthermore on January 15 2026 the USled intergovernmental organisation Board of Peace was established On January 18 US President Donald Trump acting as chair of the organisation invited Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to join itâ the report detailedâFurthermore Pakistan has been invited to participate in talks between Iran and the United States in Turkey on February 6 Islamabad is expected to play a facilitative role However Pakistan has repeatedly demonstrated its unreliability as a strategic partner for the United Statesâ it statedThe report emphasised that despite reports of mass killings of civilians by Iran Pakistans Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has reaffirmed his support for TehranâOn January 13 2026 he emphasised that Iran has always been a dear neighbour and brother and that its security and sovereignty are close to Pakistans heart while on January 20 the Pakistani Defence Minister in a meeting with Iranian Ambassador to Islamabad Reza Amiri Moghadam said that Pakistan stands firmly by Iran in all circumstancesâ the report detailedâFurthermore on January 24 Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi thanked Pakistan for its support at the UN Human Rights Council after Islamabad voted against a resolution expanding an international investigation into Irans violent crackdown on protestsâ it mentionedA clear example the report noted surfaced during the June 2025 12Day War â a direct armed conflict between Iran and a coalition of Israel and the United States with US forces joining aerial attacks on key Iranian nuclear sites âduring which Pakistan firmly aligned with Iran publicly expressing unwavering solidarityâThis alignment continued and intensified in the aftermath of the conflict Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visited Pakistan on August 23 2025 â his first official foreign trip following the war Officials think tanks and media in both countries widely hailed the visit as a major success highlighting ambitions to raise annual bilateral tradeâ it highlighted IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistans-loyalty-to-iran-undermines-credibility-as-us-ally-report-661042.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 01:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/bnm-says-pakistan-labels-baloch-freedom-struggle-as-terrorism-to-hide-own-failure-661044.html Quetta Feb 5 Baloch National Movement BNM Chairman Naseem Baloch has accused Pakistan of falsely labelling the Baloch freedom struggle as terrorism to conceal its own failures emphasising that it is a legitimate resistance by an indigenous people against âcolonial occupationâ In an interview with Afghanistanâs Rana TV Naseem said âWe want the world to clearly understand the difference between terrorism and a freedom movement The Baloch struggle is not terrorism It is a legitimate movement of an indigenous people resisting colonial occupation Pakistan routinely labels our resistance as terrorism to conceal its own failures Sometimes they blame India sometimes Afghanistan sometimes Iran â this is a repeated propaganda tactic The truth is simple Pakistan is trying to misrepresent a genuine freedom struggle he statedResponding to a question on the current human rights situation in Balochistan the BNP Chairman described the situation in the province as catastrophicCiting a report by Paank the BNMs Human Rights Department Naseem said that in 2025 alone the rights body documented over 1000 cases of enforced disappearances â an average of four to five people every day â and more than 200 extrajudicial killingsHighlighting the atrocities across Balochistan he further said âWe have discovered mass graves in Panjgur Khuzdar Dera Bugti and Tootak In Tootak alone 169 bodies were recovered most unidentified This is nothing short of genocideâAddressing the question about the increasingly visible role of women in the Baloch resistance Naseem noted that when repression reaches an extreme point even those who traditionally avoid conflict are forced to actâBaloch women â mothers sisters wives â came onto the streets because their loved ones were disappeared or killed Figures like Karima Baloch Mahrang Baloch and Sammi Deen Baloch represent this awakening Many of these women come from victim families Yet even peaceful activism has been met with arrests and imprisonment When every democratic space is closed people are pushed toward harsher forms of resistanceâ he statedWhen asked about the role of the international community on the issue of Balochistan Naseem emphasised that it has not done enough He stated that while global attention shifts from one crisis to anotherâPalestine Syria UkraineâBalochistan remains under a media blackoutâWe have raised these issues at the United Nations the European Union and international human rights forums Some statements are made some letters are writtenâbut real pressure is missingâ he mentionedIn a message to the global community Naseem said through Rana TV âWe want to convey this message to the world to friends and to all people if the international community does not intervene Pakistan will continue to behave as a ruthless and lawless stateâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/bnm-says-pakistan-labels-baloch-freedom-struggle-as-terrorism-to-hide-own-failure-661044.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 01:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/indiaafrica-forum-summit-to-serve-as-strategic-inflection-point-report-661045.html New Delhi Feb 5 As IndiaâAfrica relations evolve ambitions need to align with strategic clarity and disciplined execution The synergy between Africaâs continental development goals and Indiaâs longterm path towards enhanced economic technological and institutional capacity presents a historically significant opportunity a report stated on Thursday Writing for India Narrative former diplomat Sanjay Kumar Verma said that an effective policy approach for India must be grounded in strategic autonomy while remaining fully aware of other external actors operating across AfricaHe stressed that Indiaâs strategy should prioritise identifying distinct value propositions avoiding zerosum competition in areas of structural disadvantage and actively collaborating where partner strengths are complementaryâThe forthcoming IndiaâAfrica Forum Summit IAFS 2026 likely to be held midyear will represent more than a routine diplomatic engagement it will serve as a strategic inflection point in aligning two transformative visionsâAfricaâs Agenda 2063 and Indiaâs Viksit Bharat 2047 Both frameworks are fundamentally about structural transition shift from inputdriven growth models toward higher value production and industrial upgrading from resource dependence to technologyenabled productivity and from peripheral participation in global systems to agendasetting influenceâ wrote VermaâIAFS 2026 therefore arrives at a moment when India and Africa are simultaneously redefining their development trajectories and global roles The summit provides an opportunity to shift the partnership narrative from projectbased cooperation toward ecosystemlevel codevelopment where industrial capacity digital transformation human capital formation and institutional strengthening are pursued in parallel If structured correctly IAFS 2026 can become the bridge that translates shared longterm aspirations into implementable mediumterm partnerships anchored in measurable outcomesâ the seasoned diplomat addedAccording to Verma Africaâs political landscape is increasingly sensitive to equitable partnership and local value creation while Indiaâs development experience â especially its focus on inclusive growth affordable technology and human capital expansion â aligns closely with African policy prioritiesâThe most important reputational risk is not competition from other external actors but the possibility of overpromising and underdelivering Indiaâs narrative should emphasise partnership cocreation local job creation technology transfer and institutional strengthening Development partnerships are judged over decades and early implementation credibility will shape longterm perceptionâ Verma mentionedThe report highlighted that with effective executions India can emerge not just as another development partner but as a âsystemlevel transformation partnerâ in line with Africaâs longterm development outlookâThe next phase of IndiaâAfrica engagement will ultimately be defined by operational credibility Strategic autonomy combined with partnership intelligence offers India its strongest pathway to sustained influence and shared development success The test of IndiaâAfrica partnership will no longer be intent or alignment but the ability to cobuild systems that outlast political cycles and market shocksâ it noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/indiaafrica-forum-summit-to-serve-as-strategic-inflection-point-report-661045.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 01:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistani-forces-kill-two-civilians-in-balochistan-amid-rising-atrocities-661047.html Quetta Feb 5 At least two Baloch civilians were extrajudicially killed in Balochistan by Pakistani forces a leading human rights organisation said on Thursday These latest incidents come against the backdrop of a growing wave of targetted killings and enforced disappearances across the provincePaank the Baloch National Movements Human Rights Department mentioned that Balach Khalid a resident of Turbat city in Kech district was killed by a Pakistanbacked death squad on Wednesday after being subjected to repeated enforced disappearancesCiting local sources the rights body stated armed motorcyclists linked to the âdeath squadâ opened fire on Balach and fled the sceneAccording to Paank Balach was first abducted on the night of October 25 2023 and released after 25 days on November 15 2023 It added that months afterwards he was forcibly disappeared again subsequently handed over to Pakistanâs Counter Terrorism Department CTD and released after several months in custodyâBefore his killing Balach had reportedly survived at least two earlier assassination attempts by the same death squadâ the rights body statedPaank also revealed that another Baloch civilian 60yearold Babu Atta Muhammad Badini was killed on February 3 as a result of direct firing by the Pakistani Army in Killi Qazi Abad area of Nushki district in BalochistanThe rights body cited available information stating that Pakistani forces opened fire in the area leading to his deathâThis incident reflects the ongoing pattern of lethal force used against civilians in Balochistanâ Paank notedHighlighting the atrocities in Balochistan the rights body brought to light the enforced disappearance of a 15yearold student Hasnain Baloch on February 3 from Killi Asghar Abad Sariab Customs area of provincial capital Quetta at the hands of the Pakistan ArmyIn its latest annual human rights report titled âA Year of Repression Balochistan 2025â Paank documented widespread human rights violations across the province in 2025The report recorded 1355 cases of enforced disappearances 225 extrajudicial killings repeated aerial attacks on civilian areas in the province while alleging systematic misuse of legal and administrative measures to suppress peaceful civic movements and restrictions on information aimed at silencing victimsâ families and witnessesAs per the findings of Paank Pakistanâs apparatusâ primarily the Pakistani military its multifaceted intelligence agencies and the paramilitary Frontier Corpsââhas intensified its campaign against the Baloch population through a strategic combination of enforced disappearances extrajudicial executions and the novel deployment of sophisticated aerial warfare technology against civilian populationsâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistani-forces-kill-two-civilians-in-balochistan-amid-rising-atrocities-661047.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 01:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/8-killed-in-nepal-bus-accident-carrying-wedding-party-661060.html Kathmandu Feb 5 At least eight persons were killed after a bus carrying a wedding procession met with an accident in Baitadi district of farwestern Nepal on Thursday evening a senior police officer said âThe bus which was returning with the wedding procession crashed in Purchaudi Municipality of the district at around 8 pm on Thursdayâ Deputy Superintendent of Police Deepak Kumar Rae told IANSHe said as many as 45 people were injured with 16 receiving treatment at local health posts while others were referred to hospitals with better facilitiesâThe bride and groom remained safe as they were travelling in another vehicleâ Rae saidAccording to the police the exact cause of the accident could not be identified immediatelyChief District Officer Krishna Thapa said nearly 60 people were travelling on the bus when the accident occurred on Thursday nightHe said a rescue operation was carried out involving the Nepal Army Nepal Police Armed Police Force and local residentsWith the rise in the number of vehicles plying on the roads and improved road connectivity across the country Nepal has also been witnessing an increase in road accidents in recent yearsA decade ago 4999 road accidents were reported according to the Traffic Police OfficeIn the fiscal year 2024â25 the country recorded 7669 road accidents and 190 deaths the office saidOf the total accidents 278 were classified as seriousApart from the enormous human toll road safety has a major economic impactA World Bank study in Nepal showed that the economic cost of road traffic injuries has increased threefold since 2007 and is equivalent to 15 per cent of the gross national productRoad crashes also have a devastating and disproportionate impact on the poorMore than 70 per cent of all road fatality victims in Nepal are vulnerable road users such as pedestrians cyclists and motorcyclists the World Bank saidThe loss of income and medical expenses from a crash can push families into deep poverty IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/8-killed-in-nepal-bus-accident-carrying-wedding-party-661060.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 01:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/2nd-round-of-russia-ukraine-talks-ends-in-uae-with-prisoner-swap-deal-key-differences-unresolved-661062.html Abu Dhabi Feb 6 The second round of USbrokered talks between Russia and Ukraine concluded with both sides agreeing to a largescale prisoner exchange but failing to achieve substantive breakthroughs on core issues such as territorial arrangements and a ceasefire According to Ukraine the talks were conducted trilaterally before moving to group consultations Ukraines National Security and Defence Council Secretary Rustem Umerov said the Ukrainian delegation sought a dignified and lasting peace without disclosing specific outcomes Xinhua news agency reportedThe talks ended on Thursday with no joint political or security statement underscoring persistent differences between Russia and Ukraine on key matters including territorial disputes ceasefire arrangements and security guaranteesUS Presidents Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said representatives from the three countries reached a consensus on a prisoner swap describing the discussions as specific and constructive He added however that greater efforts would be required to advance a comprehensive settlement of the conflictFollowing the talks Russia and Ukraine conducted their first largescale prisoner exchange in nearly five months with each side returning 157 detainees Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said those released included both military personnel and civiliansIn a statement issued earlier the United Arab Emirates UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed cooperation between Russia and Ukraine on the prisoner exchange saying it demonstrated the UAEs role as a reliable mediator in easing the crisis and promoting constructive dialogueNo timetable or arrangements for a next round of talks were announced highlighting continued uncertainty in the political settlement processZelensky said Thursday that the next peace talks with the delegations of the US and Russia will be held soon Further meetings are planned in the near future likely in the United States Zelensky said in his evening address IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/2nd-round-of-russia-ukraine-talks-ends-in-uae-with-prisoner-swap-deal-key-differences-unresolved-661062.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 06:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/freight-train-carrying-hazardous-materials-derails-in-us-connecticut-661063.html New York Feb 6 A freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed in the town of Mansfield the US state of Connecticut leading to the overturn of several cars of the train into a river Mansfield Fire Chief John Roache said four of the trains cars carrying liquid propane ended up in the water No injuries have been reported he addedAs of noon there have been no reports of leaks or contamination according to local authoritiesA shelterinplace order has been issued within a halfmile radius of the accident scene for a possible hazardous gas leak according to a statement released by the Mansfield town government Xinhua news agency reportedSix railcars carrying liquid propane went fully off the track with four ending up in water officials saidOfficials urged residents to remain indoors with windows closed as the liquid propane is odorless and would not be immediately detected by smellOther derailed cars were carrying liquified natural gas and foodgrade grease according to Mansfield Fire Chief John RoacheThe derailment occurred along the Willimantic River near Eagleville Lake according to NECRThe cleanup is anticipated to take several days due to the hardtoreach location with crews working to gain access to the site and bring in cranes according to RoacheA road nearby was closed and officials asked people to avoid the area and seek alternate routesState and local hazardous materials teams are monitoring for leaks closely the states Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said They have placed hazmat booms in the water as a precautionThe cause of the derailment is under investigation IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/freight-train-carrying-hazardous-materials-derails-in-us-connecticut-661063.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 07:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-vote-lacks-legitimacy-us-scholar-661066.html Washington Feb 6 Bangladeshâs upcoming national elections will not be free or fair a senior American scholar said warning that the exclusion of major political parties has already stripped the process of democratic legitimacy âThereâs absolutely not gonna be free and fair elections in Bangladeshâ Michael Rubin a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute thinktank told IANS when asked about the credibility of the voteRubin said genuine elections require open competition âThe only way to have free and fair elections in Bangladesh is to have the mainstream political parties which most Bangladeshis support actually competeâ he saidHe said efforts to bar the Awami League reflected political fear rather than democratic principle âThe fact that Mohammad Yunis chief advisor and JamaateIslami want to ban the Awami League is simply determined by the recognition they have that in a free and fair election the Awami League would winâ Rubin saidEarlier in a keynote address at a conference on Bangladeshi elections organized by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue Rubin warned that Bangladesh could emerge as a defining foreign policy crisis for the United StatesâThe crisis which is now looming and which in many ways seems to be almost like a slowmotion train wreck is whatâs happening in Bangladeshâ Rubin said arguing that Washington has failed to think proactively about developments under Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus who has served as chief adviser since August 8 2024Challenging the prevailing narratives about political unrest in Bangladesh in mid2024 he said âWhat we now know of course is that the protests which we saw were not organicâHe compared elections held under such conditions to authoritarian systems âIf you have an electionâ when a party like the Awami League is banned then in effect what youâre talking about is an election akin to what weâve seen in the past in the Soviet Union or in the Islamic Republic of Iranâ Rubin saidRubin also alleged external interference He said Pakistan continues to view Bangladesh as âEast Pakistanâ and claimed that Pakistani authorities have funded a studentled political party aligned with JamaateIslami He said evidence of such funding was ârock solidâ though largely underreportedHe warned that diplomatic isolation worsens misjudgments âItâs very hard for diplomats to actually get outside the embassy and see the reality of the societies which theyâre supposed to be reporting uponâ Rubin said arguing that reliance on narrow contact networks distorts US assessments IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-vote-lacks-legitimacy-us-scholar-661066.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 08:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-house-panel-warns-of-global-war-on-god-661067.html Washington Feb 6 A joint House Foreign Affairs hearing on defending religious freedom delivered a stark warning that authoritarian regimes and extremist violence are accelerating a worldwide crackdown on faith communities while US policy tools and enforcement mechanisms lag behind the scale of the crisis At a hearing titled âDefending Religious Freedom Around the Worldâ Congressman Christopher Smith said religious liberty â often described as âAmericaâs first freedomâ â is deteriorating globally with âbillions of human beingsâ living under severe restrictions that can lead to âincarceration torture and executionâCiting the Open Doors 2025 World Watch List Smith said âMore than 380 million Christians suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faithâ adding that âantisemitism is exploding not just in the Middle East but throughout Western democracies including in the United StatesâSmith said âbrutal dictatorships like China Russia Nicaragua North Korea Belarus and Cubaâ are seeking to suppress faith communities arguing that such regimes are âterrified of letting their people speak out and to practice their faithâFormer US ambassadoratlarge for international religious freedom Sam Brownback told lawmakers that an emerging alliance of authoritarian states now views faith as âthe greatest internal threat to their dictatorial controlââThis alliance of communist authoritarian totalitarian regimes will literally stop at nothing to control people of faithâ Brownback said urging Congress to see religious freedom not as a peripheral human rights concern but as a strategic security issueâIf we will look at religious freedom not as some sort of a side humanitarian issueâ he said âbut would see it as a major global security issueâ this represents the best tool I believe that we have to go at these regimesâBrownback alleged that China is at the center of this repression saying Beijing has invested âbillions of dollars in creating the most sophisticated surveillance technology mankind has ever known by farâ and has shared it with other authoritarian governments to help them control religious communitiesA central moment of the hearing came from Grace Jin Drexel daughter of detained Chinese pastor Ezra Jin who described what she called the largest crackdown on an independent Christian congregation in China since the Cultural RevolutionâOn October 10 2025 my father Pastor Ezra Jin was arrested by the Chinese authorities along with 27 other pastors and church leaders from Zion Churchâ she said âEighteen remain imprisoned todayâDrexel said many church leaders were detained âin front of their young childrenâ and urged lawmakers to demand the immediate and unconditional release of all detaineesShe said the crackdown is part of a broader campaign under President Xi Jinping to bring all religious life under state control including forcing churches to install surveillance equipment removing religious symbols and replacing them with portraits of Communist Party leadersâSinicization in practice means facial recognition cameras monitoring who is worshiping and the government selecting church leaders and dictating theologyâ she saidDrexel also described what she called transnational repression linked to her advocacy including threats surveillance and harassment targeting her family in the United StatesFormer US Commission on International Religious Freedom chairman Stephen Schneck warned that the global crisis is closely tied to the retreat of liberal democracy and the rise of authoritarianism saying religious freedom has increasingly been âsubordinated to transactional foregn policyâSchneck warned that cuts to foreign assistance programs have weakened support for civil society and religious freedom defenders undermining US credibility abroad IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-house-panel-warns-of-global-war-on-god-661067.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 08:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/usiran-talks-in-oman-set-amid-white-house-push-for-zero-nuclear-capability-661072.html Washington Feb 6 The White House said US talks with Iran will take place in Oman with President Donald Trumpâs team pursuing diplomacy while insisting Tehran must accept âzero nuclear capabilityâ Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner âwill be traveling to Oman for those talks tomorrowâ after a reporter noted the discussions had been expected in Turkey before being movedLeavitt did not give a detailed reason for the venue change but framed the shift as part of the administrationâs broader approach âLook the president â diplomacy is always his first option when it comes to dealing with countries all around the world whether its our allies or our adversariesâ she saidAsked what the agenda would be Leavitt pointed to Trumpâs stated demands âDiplomacy moving forwardâ she said âThe president has obviously been quite clear in his demands of the Iranian regime Zero nuclear capability is something hes been very explicit about and he wants to see if a deal can be struckâLeavitt also issued a warning as negotiations begin âAnd while these negotiations are taking place I would remind the Iranian regime that the president has many options at his disposal aside from diplomacy as the commander in chief of the most powerful military in the history of the worldâ she saidThe briefing comments came as the White House sought to project a mix of readiness for talks and a hard line on nuclear limits with Leavitt saying Trump was âstanding by for an updateâ from his envoys after the Oman discussionsShe did not preview any potential concessions or timelines Instead she underscored that the presidentâs default preference is diplomacy â but not at any cost âThe president is always willing to engage in diplomacyâ she said in response to a separate foreignpolicy questionThe US and Iran have cycled through periods of direct and indirect diplomacy for years often through intermediaries and thirdcountry venues in the Gulf region The core disputes have centered on Iranâs nuclear program sanctions relief and regional securityOman has previously served as a quiet diplomatic channel between Washington and Tehran hosting or facilitating backchannel contacts even when formal negotiations were stalled elsewhere IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/usiran-talks-in-oman-set-amid-white-house-push-for-zero-nuclear-capability-661072.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 14:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/white-house-warns-cuba-as-talks-loom-661074.html Washington Feb 6 The White House brushed aside public skepticism from Cubaâs leadership about USCuba talks saying President Donald Trump remains open to diplomacy and suggesting engagement is already underway A reporter cited remarks by Cuban leader Miguel DÃazCanel who said Cuba would engage in dialogue with the United States âonly without pressure without preconditions on equal footing and with respect for sovereigntyâ while his government denied Trumpâs claim that talks were already taking placePress Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded with a sharp warning aimed at Havana âI think the fact that the Cuban government is on its last leg and its country is about to collapse they should be wise in their statements directed towards the president of the United Statesâ she saidLeavitt then reiterated Trumpâs posture âBut as I just reiterated the president is always willing to engage in diplomacyâ she saidShe went further asserting that engagement is happening now âAnd I believe thats something that is taking place in fact with the Cuban governmentâ Leavitt saidLeavitt did not identify the channel for the talks or any topics on the agenda She also did not address DÃazCanelâs demand for âno preconditionsâ beyond repeating that Trump favors diplomacyThe exchange came during a wideranging briefing in which the White House addressed multiple national security issues with Leavitt repeatedly emphasizing the administrationâs preference to engage â but on its termsThe US and Cuba have had a long often tense relationship marked by decades of sanctions and periodic shifts in engagement Diplomatic ties were formally restored in the mid2010s but many restrictions remained and policy has moved back and forth across administrationsCubaâs ongoing economic strain and political pressures have repeatedly shaped the pace and tone of bilateral contacts including migrationrelated coordination and limited diplomatic engagement IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/white-house-warns-cuba-as-talks-loom-661074.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 14:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-shifts-financial-stability-focus-to-economic-growth-household-security-661078.html Washington Feb 6 Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has told lawmakers that economic growth and household security are now central to safeguarding the financial system Testifying before the Senate Banking Committee on Thursday Bessent said the Financial Stability Oversight Council FSOC has moved away from what he called a reflexive approach to regulation âPromoting economic growth and economic security is essential to ensuring financial stabilityâ he saidThe hearing marked the first detailed congressional examination of FSOCâs 2025 annual report Bessent said the council is shifting its focus towards identifying specific vulnerabilities rather than broadly labelling large sectors of the economy as risksâToo often in the past weâve seen regulation by reflexâ he said adding that regulators had acted as a âhazmat cleanup team instead of preventing dangerous spillovers in the first placeâBessent said excessive regulation can itself undermine stability by slowing growth and limiting opportunity âEconomic stagnation is itself a threat to financial stabilityâ he saidRepublican Chairman Tim Scott welcomed the shift saying affordability and growth must move together âA system that slows growth limits opportunity or prices families out of basic financial services is not a stable systemâ Scott saidRanking Member Elizabeth Warren from the opposition Democratic Party accused the administration of weakening guardrails âCongress created FSOC after the 2008 financial crash to protect familiesâ she said warning that risks were being ignoredBessent rejected that view saying past approaches had blurred priorities âFSOC shifted away from its past approach where nearly every major market and financial sector was described as a financial stability vulnerabilityâ he saidHe said the council is now centred on strengthening household and business balance sheets âEconomic growth strengthens households business and financial institution balance sheets creating capital buffers that reduce the risk of defaults and financial stressâ Bessent saidLawmakers repeatedly clashed over the causes of inflation and bank failuresWarren said rolling back oversight could invite another crisis âThe private credit market looks like a ticking time bombâ she saidBessent said FSOCâs role is not to eliminate risk entirely âFederal agencies must avoid the temptation to create a zerorisk financial systemâ he said calling it âthe stability of the graveyardâFSOC was created after the 2008 global financial crisis to monitor systemic risks across markets and institutions It brings together senior regulators from Treasury the Federal Reserve and other agenciesThe United Statesâ approach to regulation and growth is closely watched by global markets including India where banks investors and policymakers track US signals for capital flows and financial conditions IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-shifts-financial-stability-focus-to-economic-growth-household-security-661078.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 14:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/fiery-senate-clash-on-us-economy-banks-661080.html Washington Feb 6 A sharp partisan clash over inflation bank regulation and financial stability dominated a Senate Banking Committee hearing on as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the administrationâs economic record and the Financial Stability Oversight Councilâs 2025 annual report Stressing growth and affordability Committee Chairman Tim Scott warned against policies that burden households âA system that slows growth limits opportunity or prices families out of basic financial services is not a stable systemâ Scott saidBessent told lawmakers the FSOC has changed course He said it has moved away from what he called âregulation by reflexâ The council is now focused on growth and economic security âPromoting economic growth and economic security is essential to ensuring financial stabilityâ he saidHe said the 2025 report highlights four priorities They are Treasury markets cybersecurity regulatory modernization and artificial intelligence âThe council is prioritizing the responsible use of artificial intelligence to strengthen financial stabilityâ Bessent saidRanking Member Elizabeth Warren strongly disagreed She accused the administration of weakening safeguards and failing to lower costs âDonald Trump campaigned on lowering costs on day oneâ she said âBut 381 days into his term Trumpâs economic policies have driven prices upâWarren said families are paying more for groceries electricity health care and housing She said Wall Street is benefiting while households struggle She also warned of overlooked risks âThe private credit market looks like a ticking time bombâ she saidBessent rejected those claims He blamed inflation on policies under the previous administration âThere was a loss of real purchasing power for working familiesâ he said He said conditions are improving âCPI for 2025 was 27 per cent and we have seen it fall for the past three months to 21â he saidThe hearing showed deep divisions over regulation Scott said reviewing bank rules is meant to remove unnecessary burdens not weaken oversight âCoordination mattersâ he said He warned that overlapping rules raise costs and limit access to creditWarren countered that easing guardrails could invite another crisis She said Congress created FSOC after the 2008 financial crash to protect families from risky behavior by large financial institutionsBessent said the goal is not to eliminate risk âFederal agencies must avoid the temptation to create a zerorisk financial systemâ he said He called that âthe stability of the graveyardâThe hearing also touched on tariffs digital assets and manufacturing Bessent said the United States is âat the beginning of a manufacturing boomâ Democrats pointed to recent job losses and rising costs for small businessesBessent said FSOC has stopped labeling ânearly every major market and financial sectorâ as a threat âWe are tuning out the white noise to concentrate on the issues that matter mostâ he saidFSOC was created after the 2008 global financial crisis to monitor risks across the financial system It brings together regulators from the Treasury Department the Federal Reserve and other agencies IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/fiery-senate-clash-on-us-economy-banks-661080.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 14:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-treasury-secretary-defends-stablecoins-to-boost-dollar-power-661086.html Washington Feb 6 The US Treasury is betting that stablecoins backed by government securities can strengthen the global role of the dollar with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defending new legislation on digital assets before Congress Testifying before the Senate Banking Committee Bessent praised the GENIUS Act which requires stablecoins to be backed by highquality liquid assets such as US TreasuriesâThis framework has the potential to expand dollar dominance increase global demand for dollardenominated assets like US treasuries reduce systemic risk and support economic growth and innovationâ said Chairman Tim ScottBessent said stablecoins could become an important source of funding for the US government âWe believe that with the US having the safest soundest best practices we can draw in new sources of funding via the stablecoin mechanismâ he saidRepublican lawmakers said the law would keep innovation onshore Senator Bill Hagerty said it would help maintain the dollarâs central role in the global financial systemBessent warned against the rise of central bank digital currencies overseas âWe are going to see a choice between American private sector assets with our best practices in regulation or between central bank digital assetsâ he saidâAnd I think the world is going to choose the US dollarâ Bessent addedDemocrats raised concerns about financial stability and consumer protection but Bessent said proper regulation would prevent risks âWe donât want to have central bank digital assetsâ he said arguing for a privatesector led modelThe Treasury secretary said agencies are working to ensure stablecoin growth does not trigger deposit volatility at community banksâWe will continue to work to make sure that there is no deposit volatility associated with thisâ Bessent saidDigital assets and stablecoins are closely watched in India where policymakers and regulators have taken a cautious approach while monitoring global developmentsIndiaâs fintech sector and IT firms with exposure to global payments systems track US policy closely as shifts in dollarbased digital finance could affect crossborder transactionsThe Senate hearing highlighted bipartisan interest in providing regulatory clarity for digital assets while maintaining US financial leadershipTreasury officials said further work on crypto market structure legislation is expected later this year IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-treasury-secretary-defends-stablecoins-to-boost-dollar-power-661086.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 14:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/indiaeu-fta-game-changing-development-in-bilateral-ties-says-eam-jaishankar-661096.html New Delhi Feb 6 Highlighting the growing partnership between India and the European Union EU External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar on Friday described the signing of the Free Trade Agreement FTA as a transformative milestone in bilateral ties while addressing the IndiaEU forum He also underlined the potential for deeper cooperation between India and the EU in areas including security defence climate technology and talent flowsâAddressed the inaugural IndiaEU Forum this morning Highlighted that the FTA has been a game changing development for our partnership Also flagged other dimensions that hold great potential including security defence climate technology and talent flows Hope that the IndiaEU Forum promotes more conversations and creates greater convergences between India and the EUâ EAM posted on XEarlier on January 27 Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the successful conclusion of negotiations of the landmark IndiaâEU FTAThis historic deal is a milestone in the IndiaâEU Strategic Partnership that will significantly enhance bilateral trade and investment ties drive shared prosperity strengthen resilient and diversified supply chains and support sustainable and inclusive growth read a joint statement issued after the 16th IndiaâEU Summit cochaired by the three leadersThe leaders emphasised the central role of the World Trade Organisation WTO in the multilateral trading system and global trade governance and underlined that meaningful necessary and comprehensive reform of the WTO is essential to improve its functions so that it is better suited to advance all membersâ objectivesIn the context of global uncertainty and disruptions closer economic ties between India and the EU are more important than ever to drive growth job creation green transition industrial development and more resilient sustainable and trustworthy supply chains the statement saidThe leaders of India and the EU are committed to ensuring the full implementation of the FTA Additionally they tasked their respective teams to complete negotiations at the earliest opportunity on an Investment Protection Agreement IPA and on an Agreement on Geographical Indications GIs They committed to work on scaling up bilateral investments and engage in discussions on Blue Valleys to accelerate private sector engagement in strengthening select value chains the joint statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/indiaeu-fta-game-changing-development-in-bilateral-ties-says-eam-jaishankar-661096.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 14:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/amid-falling-demographics-chinanow-pushing-women-toward-more-childbirth-report-661099.html New Delhi Feb 6 From the strict onechild policy to curb population China is now pushing women to bear more children to boost the dwindling demographics said a media report The Myanmarbased MeKong News reported that over the past four decades the state not women has been dictating the countryâs birth policies While the onechild policy introduced in 1979 was justified as an urgent brake on population growth the country is now forcing women towards more children as it stares at a demographic collapse As per official data released in January the number of births in 2025 fell 17 per cent yearonyear to 792 million the lowest recorded since population records began in 1949âBeijing still treats reproduction as a lever of economic planning not as a matter of personal freedomâ the report said With an aim âto accelerate development lift incomes and ease pressure on resourcesâ the onechild policy subjected scores of women to forced abortions involuntary sterilisation and intense pressure tactics including detention fines and harassment The state coercion became an enforcement mechanism embedded into local governance where compliance was treated as administrative performanceâ the report said adding that it resulted in not just demographic control but also the institutionalisation of reproductive surveillanceFurthermore the traditional preference for sons also skewed the countrys sex ratio âUnder a onechild restriction the stakes rose dramatically the wrong gender became for some families an economic and cultural catastropheâ the report said It highlighted that the human cost was borne by girls whose births were often treated as mistakes in a system built to limit choice China ended the onechild policy and moved to a twochild policy in 2016 and later expanded to a threechild policy as the birth rate continued to slide âThe confusion of Chinaâs policy shifts reveals a deeper problem rather than recognising individual rights the government recalibrated reproductive limits based on economic needsâ the report said While the state has begun encouraging childbirth many couples are facing mounting pressures due to rising living costs job insecurity housing burdens and gendered workplace penalties Notably with the skewed sex ratio China now also has a shrinking pool of women of childbearing age âEven as the state now calls for more childbirth women remain caught between policy demands and social realitiesâ the report said It said that the consequences of decades of social engineering may now not be reversible even with policy Uturns IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/amid-falling-demographics-chinanow-pushing-women-toward-more-childbirth-report-661099.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 14:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/baloch-activist-urges-norway-not-to-host-pakistani-leaders-accused-of-human-rights-abuses-661104.html Quetta Feb 6 Leading Baloch human rights defender Mir Yar Baloch on Friday cautioned the Norwegian Government against hosting Pakistanâs former caretaker Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar and Balochistanâs puppet Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti during their scheduled visit from February 1517 accusing them of human rights violations The human rights activist alleged that Pakistani leaders set to visit Norway under the pretext of a âbriefingâ on Balochistan are linked to Pakistans InterServices Intelligence ISI have collaborated with terror groups such as AlQaida and ISIS and are responsible for the alleged genocide of the Baloch people âBoth Anwar and Sarfaraz work directly with Pakistanâs ISI to abduct torture kill and dump Baloch civilians in mass graves They perpetuate Pakistanâs illegal occupation looting Baloch resources while funding terrorist groups like AlQaida ISIS and others posing a global security riskâ Mir statedAccording to the human rights activist both Anwar and Sarfaraz coordinate closely with Iranâs Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps while being involved in assassinations of opposition leaders critics and the cream of societyâTheir Oslo visit risks plotting attacks on Baloch diplomats and enabling IRGCISISAlQaida terrorism backed by Pakistanâs ISI and Armyâ Mir stressedThe human rights activist called on the Norwegian government to cancel all meetings and refrain from engaging with the Pakistani leaders whom he described as âtraitors and religious terroristsâAsserting that failure to act could endanger Norway and global security Mir said âPakistan harbours terrorists with military infrastructure do not be misled Protect global security by rejecting these criminalsâEarlier on Thursday Baloch National Movement BNM Chairman Naseem Baloch expressed concern over the upcoming visit of Anwar and Sarfaraz to Norway stating that this must not be treated as routine diplomacy in light of allegations of human rights abuses against themâBoth individuals are widely responsible for grave human rights violations in Balochistan including enforced disappearances extrajudicial killings collective punishment and policies that many Baloch human rights defenders and international observers describe as crimes against humanity and acts of genocideâ Naseem statedâOf particular concern are their documented links to Shafeeq Mengal a known prostate militia leader who has publicly operated armed death squads under the patronage of the Pakistani militaryâ he addedNaseem stressed that Norway globally respected for its commitment to human rights international law and peacebuilding must not allow its soil to be used to âwhitewash atrocities or normalise war criminalsâHe emphasised that the Norwegian government parliamentarians media and civil society have a moral and legal responsibility to question these officials about enforced disappearances mass graves and extrajudicial killings in Balochistan demand explanations for their links with armed militias and death squads and ask why perpetrators enjoy impunity while victimsâ families are denied truth and justice IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/baloch-activist-urges-norway-not-to-host-pakistani-leaders-accused-of-human-rights-abuses-661104.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 14:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistans-aim-to-reach-100-billion-exports-by-2030-a-wishful-thinking-than-credible-strategy-661111.html New Delhi Feb 6 The gap between how Pakistan actually lives and how it is officially governed is steadily eroding productivity deepening inequality and weakening the foundations of growth a new report has said adding that the rhetoric around reaching 100 billion in exports by 2030 is closer to wishful thinking than credible strategy Moreover latest package of incentives announced by the government may provide temporary relief but on their own they are unlikely to alter Pakistanâs export trajectory in any meaningful way without deeper structural reform argues Yousuf Nazar in The News InternationalProjections place Pakistanâs total exports of goods and services at roughly 40â41 billion in FY2025â26 with merchandise exports around 32 billion and services close to 8â9 billionâThat baseline is being weakened further by recent performance in the first seven months of FY2025â26 merchandise exports declined with July 2025âJanuary 2026 shipments falling to about 182 billion nearly 70 per cent lower than a year earlier widening the trade deficit by 282 per centâ said the reportThe report said that the 100 billion target remains aspirational rather than credible in the absence of âradical transformation in productivity urban infrastructure industrial clustering and export competitivenessâEconomics is not moved by slogans Without structural reform this is less a strategy than a sandcastle the report notesNotably only 38â39 per cent of Pakistanâs population as urban based on administrative boundaries drawn decades ago This framing obscures the scale of demographic change underway âA large and growing share of Pakistanis now live in dense builtup settlements that function economically and socially like cities but remain officially labelled âruralâ These areas absorb migrants host nonfarm employment and shape labour markets yet fall outside municipal governance urban investment and political attentionâ the report observesEconomically the contradiction is clear Urban areas generate the bulk of output services exports and tax revenue yet receive inadequate investment relative to their population and economic weight Environmental stress further compounds these challenges âPolitically however Pakistan remains anchored in a rural imagination Electoral incentives reward patronage over planning and land distribution over labour productivityâ it saysIf Pakistan is serious about exportled growth urban reform must move from the margins to the centre of economic policy said the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistans-aim-to-reach-100-billion-exports-by-2030-a-wishful-thinking-than-credible-strategy-661111.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 15:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/combat-roles-propaganda-drive-indian-recruits-towards-iskp-in-afghanistan-661115.html New Delhi Feb 6 In 2019 there were an estimated 200 Indians who were part of the Islamic State but some of the returnees during questioning had said that they were given menial jobs and looked down upon However that has changed and now the Islamic State is moving most of its Indian origin operatives into Afghanistan where the Islamic State Khorasan Province ISKP is wooing them through combat roles and propaganda glorifying them Earlier all these operatives had moved from India and other middle eastern countries to be part of the outfit in Syria and Iraq Some of the returnees complained of being given menial jobs and many recruits had reported that they were disgruntled and wanted to return to their countryHowever the situation has changed with the Islamic State moving Indian origin operatives into Afghanistan where ISKP dominatesThe outfit which has managed to radicalise scores of Indian youth is also trying to get them out of India and place them in AfghanistanThe Indian operatives prefer Afghanistan over Syria and Iraq for a variety of reasons They find the cultures to be similar when compared to the Arab nations Further they have also found it easier to operate within Afghanistan when compared to Syria or Iraq officials sayThe agencies are keeping a close watch for any possible movement of Islamic State operatives from India to Afghanistan It is clear that the ISKP has lost a lot of men and hence wants more people in its outfitAmong all the countries it has recruited from the outfit found it is the Indian operatives who were more interested in fighting in Afghanistan when compared to other countriesAn Intelligence Bureau official said that the route may not be a direct one Many would attempt going to the Gulf nations before they could travel to Afghanistan This the ISKP feels would keep the heat low and they could make a safe entry into AfghanistanPrior to setting up operations in Afghanistan the operatives from India could choose only between Syria and Iraq Hearing some of the horror stories narrated by the returnees or those pleading to return the recruitments from India had gone down considerablyThese operatives were given menial jobs and never allowed on the battlefield and this had led to a lot of disgruntlement among the cadres from India However the situation in Afghanistan is completely different Not only are they being given combatant jobs but are also being used as suicide bombers This has made Afghanistan an attractive proposition for the Indian recruitsThree recent examples of Indian recruits being chosen as suicide bombers are Abu Khalid alHindi Abu Rajah alHindi and Najeeb alHindiThis is however not the only aspect which is attracting the Indian recruits These persons who take part in attacks or are chosen as suicide bombers are made into heroes by the ISKPThe outfit has a sophisticated communication platform which is used to spread its propaganda In one issue of the outfitâs magazine Voice of Khorasan Najeebâs story was featured in four pagesLike Najeeb another operative from Kerala Abu Khalid alHindi too featured in the same magazineThe article speaks about their sacrifices and how they fought all difficulties and reached Afghanistan Such cases are being used widely by the ISKP to brainwash and recruitAn Intelligence Bureau official said that in recent months the activity online has gone up multifold What is attracting the youth is the amount of importance the ISKP has been giving to Indian operativesThe bigger plan is to recruit thousands from India and ensure that they make their way into Afghanistan With the situation in the region getting harder the ISKP is in need of men to wage a battle and they find the Indian recruits best suited for the job This would be an ongoing process and the agencies would need to remain on a state of highalert officials say IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/combat-roles-propaganda-drive-indian-recruits-towards-iskp-in-afghanistan-661115.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 16:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-child-sexual-abuse-rampant-in-online-and-physical-spaces-661005.html Islamabad Feb 5 Child sexual abuse remains rampant in Pakistan especially in online and physical spaces Recently the National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency of Pakistans Federal Investigation Agency FIA uncovered a major network involved in the sexual exploitation of children through blackmail a report has revealed A prime suspect was arrested as part of the operation uncovering more than 600 obscene videos of children The incident has sparked questions about the proliferation of such depraved people in online spaces â spaces that can be accessed by children and predators an editorial in leading Pakistani daily The Express Tribune detailedWhat measures has the government put in place to ensure the protection of our children Who if anyone is making sure parents are informed enough to know what to look for when trying to protect them What if any conversations are taking place to figure out how to uncover possibly more such networks These are questions every citizen deserves answers to but it seems there are none Child sexual abuse is rampant in Pakistan not just in online spaces but in physical spaces as well When physical traces of sexual crime are rarely caught and prosecuted what hope is there for catching people who can easily hide their identities and locations online it mentioned furtherSome nations in the world have banned social media for minors while others have put digital safety at the center of their curriculum According to the Express Tribune editorial Pakistan needs to implement a practical approach instead of simply depending on individual protectionIn September 2025 a report revealed that Pakistan witnessed a 20 per cent increase in reported Child Sexual Abuse CSA cases between JanuaryJune 2025 compared to the same period in 2024As many as 1956 cases were reported in the first six months of 2025 which included 605 abductions 192 missing children 950 CSA cases and 34 instances of child or compensation marriages according to Sahils Cruel Numbers reportDeeprooted stigma fear of retaliation and entrenched inefficiencies within law enforcement ensure that countless cases remain hidden Families often choose silence over seeking justice knowing that the system designed to protect their children may instead retraumatise them a report in Greek City Times detailed while citing the data from Islamabadbased Sahil which has been working since 1996 on child protection especially against child sexual abuse in PakistanThe reasons behind the reported surge are multifaceted Part of the increase stems from improved reporting mechanisms and awareness campaigns led by NGOs such as Sahil and VoicePKnet alongside heightened media attention that encourages families to come forward Yet these improvements in visibility do not fully explain the rising prevalence of abuse Socioeconomic pressures â including rising inflation unemployment and pervasive poverty â have rendered children in lowincome households particularly vulnerable These vulnerabilities are compounded by digital exposure as children encounter predatory threats on social media and other online platforms it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-child-sexual-abuse-rampant-in-online-and-physical-spaces-661005.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 19:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-economist-slams-yunus-govt-over-anti-national-chattogram-port-deal-660815.html Dhaka Feb 4 Bangladeshs prominent economist Anu Muhammad accused the Muhammad Yunusled interim government of indulging in activities against national interest by advancing plans to sign a longterm concession agreement with UAEbased port operator DP World to run the countrys New Mooring Container Terminal at Chattogram Port local media reported He alleged that the interim government lacks both authority and jurisdiction to enter into such agreements yet is moving ahead hastily and using coercive methodsAddressing a solidarity rally outside the National Museum in Dhakas Shahbagh on Tuesday afternoon Anu Muhammad said that those elected through the February 12 parliamentary election would be tasked with publishing a white paper clarifying why and in return for what the interim government signed agreements that go against national interestThey must also bring those responsible to justice To ensure this those within the government carrying out these activities must not be allowed to leave the country Bangladeshs leading newspaper The Daily Star quoted the economist as sayingAnu Muhammad alleged the NCT lease agreement was being pushed forward amid irregularities a lack of transparency and disregard of public and national interestHe claimed that transferring the control of the terminal to a foreign company would lead to a decline in revenue and charges generated from the facilityHe further highlighted that tariffs on all goods were increased days earlier to pave the way for the agreement which would raise both import and export costs and adversely affect the countrys economyThe economist claimed that several agreements are being pursued through opacity irrational decisions and in breach of existing rules and regulationsBy disguising them as advisors and special assistants Yunus has effectively appointed lobbyists of foreign companies and foreign states within this government he addedEarlier on Tuesday workers and employees at Chittagong Port called for an indefinite work stoppage in protest against the interim governments decision to lease the ports New Mooring Container Terminal to DP WorldAddressing a press briefing Mohammad Humayun Kabir and Ibrahim Khokon coordinators of the Chattogram Bandar Rakkha Sangram Parishad announced the work stoppage beside the port buildingFollowing three consecutive days of an eighthour work stoppage since Saturday the protestors launched a 24hour work stoppage on Tuesday morning Before the demonstrations concluded the protestors declared an indefinite work stoppage escalating the ongoing stalemateOur officials are being held in Dhaka and attempts are being made to force them to sign the agreement In this situation there is no scope to relax the programme Therefore we have decided that the movement will continue indefinitely Bangladeshs leading daily Prothom Alo quoted Ibrahim Khokon one of the coordinators as saying IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-economist-slams-yunus-govt-over-anti-national-chattogram-port-deal-660815.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/new-zealand-unemployment-hits-54-per-cent-highest-in-over-decade-660822.html Wellington Feb 4 New Zealands unemployment rate rose to 54 per cent in the December 2025 quarter the highest since the September 2015 quarter when it was 57 per cent Stats NZ reported Wednesday The unemployment rate of 54 per cent was up from 53 per cent in the previous quarter said the statistics department Xinhua News Agency reportedThe number of unemployed people rose by 5000 to 165000 over the quarter while both employment and participation in the labour market increased Stats NZ saidThe labour force participation rate rose to 705 per cent with 19000 more people active in the job market over the quarter it saidWe saw higher levels of engagement in the labour market as both employment and unemployment increased said Stats NZ macroeconomic spokesperson Jason AttewellAbout 20000 more women joined the labour force with 16000 gaining employment compared with the previous quarter statistics showedFemale employment rose particularly in managerial and professional roles while clerical and administrative positions declined Stats NZ saidOverall the employment rate stood at 667 per cent the underutilization rate at 13 per cent annual wage inflation at 2 per cent and average hourly earnings at 4399 New Zealand dollars 2659 US dollars in the December 2025 quarter it said On February 2 Stats NZ said the average New Zealand households living costs rose 22 per cent in the year to December 2025Household living costs price indexes HLPIs which measured the increase and how inflation affects New Zealand households have continued to moderate since peaking at 82 per cent in 2022 returning to levels last seen in June 2021 said the statistics departmentThe consumer price index CPI a broader gauge of inflation rose 31 per cent over the same period statistics showedInterest payments fell 173 per cent for the average household over the past year while the cost of building a new home increased 12 per cent over the same period Stats NZ prices and deflators spokesperson Nicola Growden saidHLPIs include interest payments such as mortgage credit cards and other interest while the CPI includes the cost of building a new homeSuper annuitant households experienced the highest inflation rate at 38 per cent driven by higher local authority rates electricity prices and health insurance Stats NZ saidBy contrast the highestspending households recorded the lowest inflation rate at 08 per cent reflecting an 186 per cent drop in mortgage interest payments it saidRent rose 19 per cent over the year and remained the main contributor to higher living costs for beneficiary and Maori households statistics showed IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/new-zealand-unemployment-hits-54-per-cent-highest-in-over-decade-660822.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 01:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/japanese-researcherstobegin-human-trial-for-nipah-vaccinein-april-660825.html New Delhi Feb 4 A team of researchers in Japan has announced a clinical trial to confirm a vaccines efficacy against the deadly Nipah virus in humans The vaccine candidate developed at the University of Tokyo is set to start clinical trials in Belgium in April Nikkei Asia a Japanbased Englishlanguage news magazine reported The new vaccine offers a potential breakthrough against a disease whose fatality rate is estimated to be between 40 per cent and 75 per cent Currently there is no licensed vaccine or specific treatment for Nipah virus infectionThe latest development comes even as India reported two confirmed cases of Nipah virus from West Bengal in January The new vaccine is reportedly being developed by inserting a portion of the Nipah viruss genetic information into the measles virusâWhen the vaccine is introduced in humans antigen proteins similar to those of the Nipah virus are produced The immune systems response is seen strengthening the bodys defenses helping to prevent the onset of symptomsâ the report said âThe modified measles virus widely used globally for measles vaccinesâ it added The team has already established the vaccines efficacy and safety in animal trials with hamsters To confirm the vaccines safety in humans the Phase 1 clinical trial will involve 60 subjects Separately a team from Oxford University began Phase 2 clinical trials with a Nipah vaccine candidate in Bangladesh in December About 300 people aged 18 to 55 are expected to participate Nipah virus infection has also been designated as a priority disease under the World Health Organizations WHO Research and Development BlueprintNipah is a zoonotic disease that is primarily transmitted from bats to humans either directly or through contaminated food It can also spread from animals such as pigs to humans and in some cases between people through close and prolonged contact particularly in healthcare settings In humans Nipah virus infection can range from asymptomatic illness to severe respiratory disease and fatal encephalitis Globally the case fatality rate is estimated to be between 40 per cent and 75 per cent depending on early detection and quality of clinical care IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/japanese-researcherstobegin-human-trial-for-nipah-vaccinein-april-660825.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 01:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/rajasthan-to-gain-significantly-from-india-us-trade-deal-cm-bhajanlal-sharma-660827.html Jaipur Feb 4 Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Wednesday said the newlysigned trade agreement between India and the United States will be a game changer for the states economy CM Sharma said Rajasthan is expected to reap immense benefits from the newly signed trade agreement between India and the United StatesExpressing optimism over the agreement reached under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi the Chief Minister said the deal reflects growing global confidence in Indias economic strengthHighlighting the reduction in US tariffs on Indian products from 50 per cent to 18 per cent the Chief Minister said the move would make Indian goods more competitive in one of the worlds largest marketsThe sharp cut in tariffs will significantly improve market access for Indian exporters It gives fresh momentum to the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives at the global level he saidThe Chief Minister said Rajasthan being one of the countrys leading exportoriented states stands to benefit substantially particularly its textile industry which forms the backbone of the states economyWith easier access to the US market demand for Rajasthans garments and textile products is expected to rise sharply This will be especially beneficial for MSMEs which play a crucial role in employment generation CM Sharma saidReferring to Rajasthans rich cultural and artisanal heritage he said the agreement would open new opportunities for the states handicrafts sector including blue pottery miniature paintings marble and wooden crafts and handwoven textilesHe added that the deal would also bring relief and expansion opportunities for Jaipurs globally renowned gems and jewellery industry ensuring better prices and wider market reach for artisans and tradersAccording to the Chief Minister growth in exports would have a multiplier effect on the states economy creating new employment opportunities in allied sectors such as transport packaging banking and insuranceHe urged stakeholders and citizens to work collectively towards building a prosperous developed and selfreliant RajasthanHe also pointed to Indias expanding presence in global trade noting that the country has signed nine major trade agreements in the last six yearsWhen the worlds two largest democracies and economies collaborate the benefits reach entrepreneurs workers and ordinary citizens Today the global community is keen to strengthen its engagement with India CM Sharma said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/rajasthan-to-gain-significantly-from-india-us-trade-deal-cm-bhajanlal-sharma-660827.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 01:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/nepal-mobilises-army-for-election-security-660856.html Kathmandu Feb 4 As Nepal prepares to hold parliamentary elections on March 5 the Nepal Army has been mobilised across the country to support election security starting Wednesday As per the Integrated Election Security Plan Nepal plans to mobilise 79727 army personnel nationwide to support the Nepal Police the Armed Police Force and the temporarilyhired election police in conducting the polls peacefully With just a month remaining before the elections the army has been deployed to strengthen security for the House of Representatives pollsâThe Nepal Army has been mobilised in line with the decision of the Government of Nepal and the Integrated Security Planâ Brigadier General Rajaram Basnet spokesperson for the Nepal Army told IANS âAs part of election security we have established bases and are already conducting joint patrols with other security agenciesâThe army will replace police forces at airports prisons and other sensitive installations freeing police personnel to be mobilised in the field for election dutiesBasnet said joint patrols involve assessing election centres to arrange security management accordingly Under the Integrated Security Plan security arrangements will be implemented in three phases â preelection during the elections and postelectionDuring the preelection phase the Nepal Army is providing security for ballot paper printing âJoint exercises involving personnel from all security agencies separate ground patrols and aerial patrols by the Nepal Army will continueâ Basnet saidAs per the plan the Nepal Army will provide security to polling stations from the third security ring in coordination with the Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force Nepal Police will be deployed in the first ring as has been the practice in past elections The Armed Police Force Nepal will be mobilised in the second ring followed by the Nepal Army in the outer third ring âHowever the configuration of these security rings may change depending on the situationâ Basnet saidIn the postelection phase security personnel will be deployed to ensure the safe transportation of ballot boxes the security of polling stations and the protection of votecounting centresUnder the plan more than 338000 security personnel will be mobilised including personnel from the Nepal Army Nepal Police Armed Police Force election police intelligence agencies and other security units IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/nepal-mobilises-army-for-election-security-660856.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 02:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/un-experts-alarmed-by-conviction-of-pakistani-lawyers-and-human-rights-defenders-660859.html Geneva Feb 4 Several United Nations UN experts on Wednesday expressed alarm at the conviction of Pakistani lawyers and human rights defenders Imaan MazariHazir and Hadi Ali Chattha on multiple criminal charges which resulted in lengthy prison sentences for simply exercising rights guaranteed by international human rights law Lawyers like other individuals are entitled to freedom of expression The exercise of this right should never be conflated with criminal conduct especially not terrorism the experts said emphasising the broad and vague definition of terrorismrelated offences under Pakistanâs counterterrorism framework Doing so risks undermining and criminalising the work of lawyers and human rights defenders across Pakistan and has a chilling effect on civil society in the country they added in a statement released by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights OHHCR the leading UN entity on human rightsIn August 2025 a criminal prosecution was initiated against MazariHazir for posting on X and against Ali Chattha for sharing and reposting her posts On January 24 this year MazariHazir and Ali Chattha were convicted of offences under sections 9 glorification of an offence 10 cyberterrorism and 26A false and fake information of Pakistanâs Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 They each received multiple concurrent sentences of imprisonment totalling 17 years with the longest being a 10year sentence for cyberterrorism They were also fined a total of 36 million rupees eachThe UN experts observed that these are not the first prosecutions against the two lawyers who have been the subject of 10 criminal complaints since 2022 some of which remain pending They have never previously been convicted of wrongdoingThis pattern of prosecutions suggests an arbitrary use of the legal system as an instrument of harassment and intimidation in order to punish them for their work advocating for victims of alleged human rights violations they said States must ensure lawyers are not subject to prosecution for any professional action and that lawyers are not identified with their clientsThe proceedings against the two lawyers progressed with worrying speed MazariHazir and Ali Chattha reportedly had inadequate time to prepare their defence They also encountered obstacles in accessing counsel of their choosing and evidence was taken from prosecution witnesses in their absenceInternational standards provide a set of procedural guarantees that must be made available to persons charged with a criminal offence but these appear to have been undermined in this case the experts said These violations seriously threaten the fairness of the trial and convictionUN experts which included Margaret Satterthwaite Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers Ben Saul Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism Mary Lawlor Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders Irene Khan Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression and Gina Romero Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association have also contacted Pakistan regarding their concerns the OHHCR stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/un-experts-alarmed-by-conviction-of-pakistani-lawyers-and-human-rights-defenders-660859.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 02:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/netflixwarner-deal-sparks-antitrust-alarm-in-us-senate-660863.html Washington Feb 4 A US Senate panel has flagged serious antitrust risks in Netflixs 83billion bid for Warner Bros Discovery questioning whether the merger would give the streaming giant excessive market power and reshape competition across the entertainment industry Senate Antitrust Subcommittee Chair Mike Lee said the proposed transaction was extraordinary in both scale and in potential consequence and warranted close scrutinyHe said that Netflix the worlds largest streaming platform would gain control of Warner Bros film and television studios streaming services and an extensive library of iconic contentAt a Congressional hearing on Tuesday Lee said the merger raised horizontal antitrust concerns because Netflix and HBO Max compete directly for subscription streaming customers seeking premium films and web seriesHe also warned that the companies compete for creative talent including writers directors and actors and that consolidating two major employers could weaken competition in the labour marketLee also cited vertical risks saying that combining Netflixs dominant global distribution platform with Warner Bros content portfolio could disadvantage rivalsThe Utah Republican said the merged company could withhold marquee titles raise licensing fees or favour its own content through Netflixs recommendation algorithms even small changes that could affect visibility and competitionRanking Member Cory Booker said corporate concentration had reached levels not seen for generations and warned that selling Warner Bros to a competitor could have serious consequences for consumers and for the television and film industryThe New Jersey Democrat said consolidation had often led to higher subscription prices fewer choices and shrinking opportunities for artists and creatorsBooker also raised concerns about the broader cultural impact saying another large merger could give a single corporation greater control over what we see what we hear and the news we consume while tens of thousands of workers across the entertainment industry worried about their livelihoodsDefending the deal Netflix coCEO Ted Sarandos told lawmakers that a combined Netflix and Warner Bros would strengthen the American entertainment industry preserve choice and value for consumers and create opportunities for creatorsHe said Netflix planned to operate Warner Bros studios largely as they are today keep traditional 45day theatrical release windows for major films and continue investing in US productionSarandos said that the market remained highly competitive citing broadcast networks rival streamers and technology companiesHe said Netflix accounted for about nine per cent of US television viewing time and would rise to about 10 per cent after the mergerHe added that Netflix productions had created more than 155000 American jobs and contributed 225 billion to the US economyWarner Bros Discovery Chief Revenue and Strategy Officer Bruce Campbell said the companys board unanimously determined that Netflixs offer was the best option after reviewing competing bidsHe added that the vertical merger would pair Warner Bros studios with Netflixs streaming platform while allowing the planned separation of the companys news and sports networks into a new entitySeveral Senators pressed both executives on potential layoffs price increases and the future of movie theatersLee and others warned that the deal could divert major releases from theatres to streaming and reduce consumer choice while Sarandos insisted the company intended to support theatrical releases and keep investing in contentThe hearing comes as the US Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission review the proposed merger under federal antitrust law with lawmakers from both parties urging regulators to examine its impact on competition prices jobs and the future of the entertainment industry IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/netflixwarner-deal-sparks-antitrust-alarm-in-us-senate-660863.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 02:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/uk-man-dies-after-being-stabbed-near-leicester-city-centre-660878.html London Feb 4 A man in his 20s died after being stabbed near Leicester city centre local police said on Wednesday The victim was stabbed on Tuesday evening and died shortly after being sent to hospital An 18yearold man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in police custody Xinhua News Agency reportedPolice said they believe the stabbing followed an altercation between two men and a murder investigation is underwayEarlier on Wednesday local media said a very serious incident occurred at De Montfort University on Tuesday evening citing university statementA man was arrested after a woman was stabbed to death in northwest London the Metropolitan Police said on February 1The police were called on January 31 to reports of a stabbing incident The victim a 50yearold woman was found with stab wounds Despite the efforts of emergency services she was pronounced dead at the sceneA 30yearold man was arrested on Saturday evening on suspicion of murder It is believed that the suspect and the victim were known to each otherIn October last year at least two people were killed and several others were injured in a mass stabbing attack that took place near a synagogue in Manchester City the local police authorities reportedPolice said responding police officers shot dead a third person who was a man believed to be the offender ABC News reported The local authorities confirmed that at least three more people were injured The incident took place outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester according to law enforcementAccording to police injuries were caused by a vehicle and stab wounds Police said that a member of the public told responding officers that he had seen a car being driven towards a crowd of people Police said firearms officers responded to the call IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/uk-man-dies-after-being-stabbed-near-leicester-city-centre-660878.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 03:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/wfp-halts-operations-in-south-sudans-baliet-county-after-convoy-attack-660880.html Juba Feb 4 The United Nations World Food Programme WFP on Wednesday suspended its operations in South Sudans Baliet County following an attack on its river convoy last week The WFP said its 12boat convoy transporting more than 1500 metric tonnes of vital food assistance was attacked multiple times by armed youth between January 30 and February 1It said the cargo also including nonfood items being transported on behalf of partners was looted overnight by members of the local community at various locations within Baliet Xinhua News Agency reportedDespite receiving security assurances and guarantees from authorities for safe humanitarian movement the looting occurred overnight without security intervention by the county authorities the WFP said in a statement issued in Juba the capital of South SudanIt added that the incident has forced it to halt all activities in the county until the safety and security of its staff partners and contractors are assuredThe UN food agency also called on the government to take immediate measures to recover the stolen commodities stressing that attacks on humanitarian workers are never acceptableWe strongly urge all parties involved in the conflict to respect the critical role of humanitarian workers and to safeguard the facilities and resources that are indispensable for providing humanitarian assistance it saidThe WFP said it was deeply concerned about recent incidents in Jonglei State where vital humanitarian infrastructure has been severely impacted by armed conflict between government forces and opposition groupsIt said essential infrastructure including warehouses and health facilities has been destroyed in various incidents in Akobo Ayod Nyirol and Uror counties where the South Sudan Peoples Defence Force and the opposition Sudan Peoples Liberation ArmyinOpposition have been fighting since December 2025The WFP stressed that a combination of access constraints and brazen attacks on humanitarian convoys threatens to jeopardise its ability to reach more than 42 million of the most vulnerable women men and childrenIt noted that persistent insecurity in the volatile Jonglei has already forced the agency to pause its plan to preposition 12000 metric tonnes of food ahead of the rainy season IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/wfp-halts-operations-in-south-sudans-baliet-county-after-convoy-attack-660880.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 03:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-minority-christian-community-targetted-through-fabricated-drug-cases-660886.html Islamabad Feb 4 Christian community leaders in Pakistans Faisalabad have voiced their concern over what they termed as discriminatory policing and stereotyping under the ongoing antidrug drive in Punjab province They alleged that members of the minority community have been facing raids and criminal cases falsely linking them to narcotics over the past two months local media reported While addressing a press conference at the Faisalabad Press Club Minority Rights Movement MRM chief Lala Robin Daniel and other Christian leaders said that the community fully backs efforts to end drug abuse However they expressed opposition to what they described as a targetted narrative showcasing Christians as centres of drug activity reported Voicepknet an open platform dedicated to broadcasting events related to human rights concerns in PakistanThey alleged that substances like heroin hashish and ice are being falsely linked to Christian community through baseless police cases and social media campaigns The speakers stated that such narratives risk criminalising Christian community and deepening social prejudice They requested authorities to intervene in the matter and ensure transparency in law enforcement and intelligence reportingThe speakers complained that when the members or religious minorities as per law were allowed to sell and purchase alcohol then they could not be detained for it by terming it as a drug They said If any arm of the state such as the police declares alcohol a drug and advertises it as that that would be a violation of the lawSpeaking to Voicepk Lala Robin Daniel one of the prominent leaders said that people belonging to Christian community were being booked under narcoticslinked provisions including Section 9c through what he termed as false and discriminatory cases He said Our community is being targetted through fabricated drug cases He termed the discrimination extremely dangerous for Christians as a minority communityDaniel mentioned that members of Christian community despite having legal licenses for alcohol were being falsely accused of dealing in substances like heroin ice and hashish This campaign of bogus cases risks branding the entire Christian community as criminal Voicepk quoted him as sayingHe alleged that police were increasing druglinked figures by lodging false cases against Christians Many members of our community are currently facing fabricated narcotics charges said Daniel IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-minority-christian-community-targetted-through-fabricated-drug-cases-660886.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 03:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistans-illicit-gun-culture-outcome-of-decades-of-conflict-permissive-governance-report-660887.html Islamabad Feb 4 Pakistans illicit gun culture is not accidental but a product of instability and the outcome of decades of conflict permissive governance and a deeply embedded social relationship with weapons a report has stated The countryâs modern landscape of arms trafficking and illegal gun ownership sits at the intersection of geopolitics criminal enterprise and cultural tradition an ecosystem where state fragility and societal norms reinforce one another allowing the trade in small arms and light weapons to flourish Fatima Chaudhary a lecturer at a private university in Pakistanâs Punjab province wrote in a report in Afghan Diaspora NetworkThe past two decades of militancy suicide bombings and attacks on security forces have created fertile ground for organised crime As the stateâs attention and resources were consumed by counterterrorism criminal markets expanded in the shadows Heroin trafficking surged alongside a rising domestic addiction crisis and weapons flowed through the same routes carried by the same networks the author further statedIn 2023 Interpolâs Operation Trigger Salvo II revealed the scale of this underground economy as hundreds of firearms components and rounds of ammunition were seized in Pakistan especially in areas which share border with Afghanistan These seizures demonstrated only a fraction of the weapons that were circulating in the regionThe US forces withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 further increased the problem After taking control of Afghanistan Taliban also obtained vast quantities of USsupplied military equipment abandoned by retreating forces Pakistan also obtained these weapons by smuggling some across borders and others traded through longâestablished tribal networks Although individuals need to have licenses to own a gun in Pakistan however millions of ammunition remain unregistered and illegal weapons are available in markets workshops and online platformsPakistan ranks among the top 25 countries in civilian gun ownership with an estimated 22 firearms per 100 civilians according to the Small Arms Survey Yet unlike the United States where gun ownership is heavily commercialised Pakistanâs weapons economy is overwhelmingly illicit Chaudhary wrote in Afghan Diaspora NetworkSmall arms fuel the operations of criminal groups militant outfits and urban gangs The arrest of a serving Khyber Pakhtunkhwa policeman in April 2024 caught smuggling small arms into Karachi illustrated how deeply entrenched these networks have become Buyers place orders through social media dealers in KP arrange the supply and couriers like the arrested officer deliver weapons across provincial lines The demand is high and the risks are low the author addedCarrying arms is not only tolerated but embedded into cultural identity in several parts of Pakistan particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Craftsmen in areas like Darra Adamkhel have made handmade copies of MP5 submachine guns M16s AKâ47s and several other models People who prefer affordability over precision over buy these Khyber Pass firearms often sold at a third of the price of originalsApart from these informal workshops modern private manufacturers in and around Peshawar produce commercial firearms using industrial equipment The policies of Pakistan have further increased the crisis Civilians and private militias have also become owners of arms due to Pakistans distribution of gun licenses often used as political favours or tools of patronage In addition online platforms especially social media have become market places for unlicensed weaponsThe report in Afghan Diaspora Network stated Pakistanâs role as a transit point for drug trafficking further intertwines narcotics and weapons smuggling Shared routes shared financiers and shared transport networks mean that arms and drugs often move together According to the Organized Crime Index Pakistanâs arms trafficking market worsened between 2021 and 2023 scoring 85 out of 10 placing it alongside countries grappling with entrenched criminal economies IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistans-illicit-gun-culture-outcome-of-decades-of-conflict-permissive-governance-report-660887.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 03:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/people-in-pakistan-occupied-kashmir-continue-to-suffer-from-political-subjugation-infrastructural-decay-660888.html New Delhi Feb 4 The Line of Control LoC that separates Jammu and Kashmir from Pakistanoccupied Jammu and Kashmir PoJK is no longer a military frontier but has evolved into a developmental fault line While Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have seen structural transformations and economic revitalisation PoJK and Pakistanoccupied Gilgit Baltistan PoGB remain caught in political subjugation and infrastructural decay a report has stated For years the narrative regarding this region was dominated by conflict However a closer analysis of the Age of Development showcases a different reality according to a report in India Narrative Two contrasting trajectories of governance started after the partition of 1947 one under Indias democratic framework which has prioritised inclusion and last mile delivery while other remains under Pakistans occupation defined by extraction and stagnationAs we stand in 2026 the data presents an undeniable verdict while Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are witnessing structural transformations and economic revitalisation PoJK and Gilgit Baltistan remain caught in a cycle of political subjugation and infrastructural decay an opinion piece in India Narrative mentionedSince the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 India has projected the reorganisation of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir as a step to have better governance District Development Council elections in 2020 and legislative polls in 2024 were critical steps towards restoring representative governance in the region and welfare schemes like Ayushman Bharat and PM Kisan have been implemented in every district of the regionIn sharp contrast PoJK continues to function under the Interim Constitution of 1974 which provides only limited selfgovernance while Pakistan fully controls key areas like defence and foreign affairs The situation is even more precarious in PoGB as the region despite the 2009 Empowerment and Self Governance Order has not yet received the constitutional status in Pakistan This systemic exclusion has triggered public outcry with protests held over wheat prices electricity tariffs and the exploitation of local natural resourcesThe disparity between PoJK PoGB and Jammu and Kashmir is visible in infrastructure development as well Projects like the Chenab Railway Bridge now connect Kashmir Valley with Indiaâs national railway grid Similarly Zojila Tunnel located at an altitude of nearly 11500 feet provides allweather connectivity between Kashmir Valley and Ladakh In contrast no railway links have been developed in PoGB and PoJK Furthermore infrastructure projects including large dams like the Diamer Bhasha remaining under Pakistans control with PoGB getting negligible revenue from the hydropower generatedTourism has experienced a massive revival in Jammu and Kashmir with official data revealing that approximately 212 crore visitors in 2023 increasing to 236 crore in 2024 including over 65000 foreign tourists Projects supporting horticulture worth Rupees 307 crore were approved under centrally sponsored schemes for the financial year 202526Meanwhile unemployment rate in Pakistan remains at 78 per cent with local factors in PoJK making the situation even worse The ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor CPEC has further increased Pakistans control over local resources of PoGB enabling external corporate entities to have control over construction and mining projects while local residents bear the environmental costs according to the India Narrative opinion pieceThe disparity extends deeply into human development JampK stands tall with a literacy rate of 773 per cent 2025 estimates and boasts a robust educational infrastructure that includes six institutes of national importance such as IIT Jammu IIM Jammu and two AIIMS The region hosts a total of 11 universities ensuring quality education is accessible the writer mentionsThe authorities in PoJK have claimed that the region has a literacy rate of 74 per cent however the infrastructure there reveals a different story No consolidated data has emerged for PoJK and independent analysis showcase a decay in public infrastructure in farflung regions like Kotli and Bhimber IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/people-in-pakistan-occupied-kashmir-continue-to-suffer-from-political-subjugation-infrastructural-decay-660888.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 03:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-vice-president-vance-secy-rubio-call-for-global-minerals-reset-660892.html Washington Feb 4 US Vice President J D Vance on Tuesday urged US allies and partners to act collectively to fix what he described as a broken global market for critical minerals warning that brittle and highly concentrated supply chains threaten economic growth and national security Opening the Critical Minerals Ministerial Vance said modern economies continued to depend on âreal thingsâ stressing that critical minerals were as essential as oil and gas for economic activity advanced manufacturing and defence systemsThe ministerial one of the largest ones hosted by the United States is being attended by over 50 countries India is being represented by External Affairs Minister S JaishankarâThere is no realer thing than critical mineralsâ Vance said arguing that governments had learned âthe hard wayâ how deeply their economies depended on stable access to these materialsHe said countries represented at the meeting together accounted for close to twothirds of global GDP and had the capacity to make themselves âmore independent more selfreliantâ if they worked togetherVance said the current international market was failing to support domestic supply chains or longterm investment He cited repeated instances in which mining and processing projects collapsed after sudden market flooding led to price crashes forcing investors to pull outâSupply chains remain brittle and exceptionally concentratedâ he said adding that erratic and unpredictable prices had made sustained investment nearly impossibleHe outlined the Trump administrationâs broader approach to addressing those vulnerabilities pointing to steps already taken over the past year including domestic and international agreements expanded public financing tools and new efforts to stockpile mineralsVance also described a proposed preferential trade zone for critical minerals built around reference prices intended to stabilize markets and protect supply chains from external disruption He said the initiative was designed to create diverse centers of production and supply chains immune to sudden shocks while strengthening partner countriesâOur alliances and our friendships can really help one anotherâ Vance saidSecretary of State Marco Rubio delivering his opening remarks after Vance echoed the call for coordinated international action and said the administration viewed critical minerals as central to both economic and national securityâCritical minerals are vital to the devices that we use every single dayâ Rubio said noting that they power infrastructure industry and national defenseRubio said US President Donald Trump had made the issue a top priority from his first day in office citing an executive order issued in March to accelerate permitting reform increase domestic mining and build reliable supply chains âboth at home and abroadââIn October alone the United States secured over 10 billion in critical mineral agreements across five countriesâ Rubio said pointing to existing efforts to deepen cooperation with allies and partnersHe also highlighted the Pax Silica Summit convened in December which he said launched a partnership dedicated to building a resilient silicon supply chain capable of supporting âa new era of global prosperityâ Rubio warned that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence would not be possible unless countries rebuilt factories and reopened minesDrawing on US history Rubio recalled how rare earth discoveries at Mountain Pass California helped usher in the jet age space age and computer age before mining was neglected and supply chains were outsourcedâWe woke up and realised we had outsourced our economic security and our very futureâ he saidRubio compared the current effort to the Washington Energy Conference held in the same room about 50 years ago which led to the creation of the International Energy Agency during a period of concentrated global oil supplies He said todayâs discussions were aimed at advancing Critical Minerals Framework Agreements to protect every stage of production from mining to refining and manufacturingâThis is not solely an American initiativeâ Rubio said âThis must be an international global initiative with likeminded countriesâThe ministerial brought together senior officials from dozens of countries as governments seek to reduce dependence on concentrated mineral supply chains amid rising geopolitical tensions and growing demand from clean energy defense and advanced technology sectors IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-vice-president-vance-secy-rubio-call-for-global-minerals-reset-660892.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 03:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-dials-xi-trade-taiwan-and-ukraine-discussed-660893.html Washington Feb 4 US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he held an âexcellentâ and wideranging telephone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping touching on trade security geopolitics and energy and signaling what he described as a positive trajectory for USChina relations over the next three years Trump said the call was âlong and thoroughâ and covered âmany important subjectsâ including âTrade Militaryâ his planned April visit to China Taiwan the war between Russia and Ukraine the situation involving Iran and energy cooperation between the two countriesâI have just completed an excellent telephone conversation with President Xi of Chinaâ Trump said in a post on Truth Social âIt was a long and thorough call where many important subjects were discussedâAccording to Trump economic issues featured prominently in the discussion including Chinese purchases of US energy and agricultural products He said the leaders discussed âthe purchase of Oil and Gas by China from the United Statesâ as well as Beijingâs consideration of buying additional American farm goodsTrump said China is weighing âthe purchase of additional Agricultural products including lifting the Soybean count to 20 Million Tons for the current seasonâ adding âThey have committed to 25 Million Tons for next seasonâThe US President also said the call covered aviation and manufacturing supply chains noting discussions on âAirplane engine deliveriesâ alongside what he described as ânumerous other subjects all very positiveâTrump underscored what he portrayed as a stable personal rapport with the Chinese leader saying âThe relationship with China and my personal relationship with President Xi is an extremely good one and we both realize how important it is to keep it that wayâHe expressed optimism about future outcomes linking them directly to continued engagement with Beijing âI believe that there will be many positive results achieved over the next three years of my Presidency having to do with President Xi and the Peopleâs Republic of Chinaâ Trump saidThe White House did not issue a separate readout of the call Trumpâs remarks suggest that Washington and Beijing remain engaged at the highest level on a broad set of strategic economic and security issuesIn his post Trump highlighted his upcoming travel plans saying the April trip to China was discussed and adding that it is a visit âwhich I very much look forward toâ The visit is expected to mark a significant moment in USChina diplomacy during Trumpâs current termThe call also addressed major global flashpoints including âthe War between RussiaUkraineâ and âthe current situation with Iranâ areas where both Washington and Beijing play influential roles on the international stageUSChina relations have long been defined by a mix of cooperation and competition spanning trade technology military posture in the IndoPacific and global governance Taiwan remains a particularly sensitive issue and Trumpâs inclusion of it among the topics discussed indicates continued highlevel attentionThe two countries are the worldâs largest economies and key trading partners with ties that directly affect global markets supply chains and geopolitical stability Over successive administrations bilateral relations have seen periods of sharp tension as well as renewed engagement often shaped by trade disputes strategic rivalry and diplomatic outreach IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-dials-xi-trade-taiwan-and-ukraine-discussed-660893.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 03:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/tiruppur-exporters-expect-surge-in-investments-jobs-after-india-us-trade-pact-660894.html Tiruppur Feb 4 The textile industry in Tamil Nadus Tiruppur is poised for significant growth following the trade agreement between the India and the US according to the Tiruppur Exporters Association TEA Welcoming the IndiaâUS trade agreement TEA General Secretary Thiru Kumaran said the pact would greatly benefit the Indian textile sector with Tiruppur emerging as one of the key gainersHe also added that the agreement has reinforced global confidence in Indian textile exports and opened up new opportunities for manufacturers and exportersHe said that the proposed European UnionâIndia Free Trade Agreement FTA expected to be implemented later this year would provide an additional boost to the sectorWith both agreements in place the entire textile industry and Tiruppur in particular is expected to witness tremendous growth in the coming months We are confident of doubling our revenue in the next year Kumaran addedAt present Indias textile exports are valued at nearly 16 billion while exports from Tiruppur alone stand at around 52 billion say experts sharing the dataThe association expects both figures to double within the next three years which is likely to generate substantial investment opportunities and create more employment across the sectorThiru Kumaran expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh for facilitating the IndiaâUS trade agreement and advancing the IndiaâEU FTAHe also expressed gratitude to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for what he called presenting a growthoriented Union BudgetReacting on the Union Budget he said that the incentives announced would encourage fresh investments in the textile sector and accelerate exportled growthHe added that the growth in the textile sector would also be beneficial in terms of employment generation IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/tiruppur-exporters-expect-surge-in-investments-jobs-after-india-us-trade-pact-660894.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 03:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-deal-advances-us-trade-security-senator-660897.html Washington Feb 4 Describing India as central to President Donald Trumpâs trade strategy US Senator Roger Marshall said the latest deal with New Delhi will double American agriculture and oil exports and at the same time serve Americaâs national security by reducing Indiaâs reliance on Russian energy Marshall a Republican from Kansas made the remarks during an appearance on The Evening Edit on Fox Business where he outlined what he described as the economic and strategic gains flowing from the agreement announced by the Trump administrationâWell Liz what another great day of winning for President Trump and for Americaâ Marshall said during the interview âYou know President Trumpâs the only person the only president Iâve ever seen to take tariffs and use them for economic benefit as well as a national security benefitâHe argued that the India deal delivers a direct geopolitical payoff by reshaping energy trade flows âThe national security benefit here is that India is going to stop buying oil from Russia and theyâll start buying it from Americaâ Marshall said âSo thatâs going to slow down Putinâs war machineâMarshall said the agreement would significantly expand US exports to India especially in sectors critical to rural AmericaâLook what this deal is going to do itâs going to double the amount of exports of American agriculture and oil into Indiaâ he said âSo thatâs a great win for all Americans and a great win for President TrumpâHe placed the India agreement within a broader pattern of tariffbased trade deals pursued by the Trump administration âBy the way out of the top 10 countries we trade with President Trump has now done with all 10 of them some type of a tariff dealâ Marshall saidDuring the same interview the senator also addressed immigration saying Republicans are in a strong position politically and legislatively âAgain more winning for all of usâ he said âLook the big picture here is that Republicans have the high ground as well as the leverageâMarshall drew a sharp contrast between the two parties saying âThe high ground is that Republicans are the party of law and order and Democrats are the party of defund the policeâ He criticised Democrats over funding decisions related to immigration enforcement adding âSo here they are defunding ICE again and itâs not a winning issue for themâHe said public opinion favours tougher enforcement measures âStill the supermajority of Americans want a secure border they want their families to be safe they wantâespeciallyâthe violent illegal aliens to be exported out of this country as wellâ Marshall saidMarshall also warned of broader economic consequences linked to illegal immigration âFrom an economic standpoint donât underestimate the impact of 10 or 20 million people flooding into our country and taking up the housing as well as all the social resourcesâ he saidLooking ahead to budget battles he said Republicans retain leverage through funding decisions already in place âAgain Republicans hold the leverage going forward in that we have funded ICE in the Working Family Tax Cuts going forward for the next three or four yearsâ Marshall said He added âWhat youâre going to see is the Democrats try to shut down funding for the rest of DHS and that includes the Coast Guard FEMA and TSAâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-deal-advances-us-trade-security-senator-660897.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 03:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-getson-un-honour-roll-for-prompt-payment-of-its-35-million-dues-660902.html United Nations Feb 5 India has joined the UN Honour Roll by promptly paying up its 2026 dues of 35187 million to the cashstrapped organisation according to Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric India sent in on Tuesday local time its share of 1016 per cent of the total 2016 regular budget of 345 billion for its operations except peacekeeping The UN which is facing a financial crisis because its biggest contributor the US has not paid its share for last year has appealed to members to send their dues early to keep it solvent SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres warned in a letter to member countries that the UN is in imminent financial collapse and officials say that it could run out of money for its operations by July if the US does not pay its arrears The honour roll is for countries that pay their dues within 30 days of getting the payment notice So far 47 countries have made the roll India has consistently figured on itAt his daily briefings Dujarric announces the contributions with a quiz for reporters to guess the country On Wednesday he gave this poser This country is the home of The Statue of Unity the worlds tallest statue with a height of 182 metres After a reporters correct guess Dujarric confirmed that India had paid its due in full SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres visited the statue which is in the image of Sardar Vallabhai Patel who integrated the country when the British quit India leaving behind a patchwork of princely states Indias total contribution to the UNs regular budget comes to 38223 million but 3091 million of that is offset by the amount that the organisation withholds in lieu of income taxes from the salaries of Indian employees The UN has a separate budget for peacekeeping which falls due in July Indiaâs share of the 538 billion budget is 02212 per cent Arul Louis can be contacted at arulliansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-getson-un-honour-roll-for-prompt-payment-of-its-35-million-dues-660902.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 10:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/south-koreas-defence-minister-to-visit-saudi-arabia-for-arms-trade-show-ministerial-talks-660903.html Seoul Feb 5 South Koreas Defence Minister Ahn Gyuback will visit Saudi Arabia this week to attend a major defence exhibition and hold meetings with his counterparts from Riyadh the ministry said on Thursday as South Korea seeks to boost arms exports As part of his fiveday trip that begins Friday Ahn will attend the biennial World Defence Show in Riyadh where some 40 South Korean defence firms will showcase their arms products according to the ministryHe will also hold talks with Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud and Minister of the National Guard Abdullah bin Bandar Al Saud it addedAhn is expected to discuss ways to deepen bilateral arms cooperation and promote South Korean arms products as Saudi Arabia seeks to foster its own defence industry and modernise the military reports Yonhap news agencyHe will be accompanied by Gen Son Sugrag Air Force chief of staff who will also attend the trade show and hold talks with his Saudi Arabian and British counterparts on the margins of the eventAhns upcoming trip comes five months after he visited the Middle Eastern country in September to discuss bilateral defence and arms industry cooperationSouth Korea seeks to become the worlds fourthlargest arms exporter by 2030 to account for 6 per cent of the global market IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/south-koreas-defence-minister-to-visit-saudi-arabia-for-arms-trade-show-ministerial-talks-660903.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 10:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-police-request-arrest-warrants-for-lawmaker-ex-councillor-over-bribery-660905.html Seoul Feb 5 South Koreas Police on Thursday requested arrest warrants for a lawmaker and a former Seoul city councillor embroiled in a bribery scandal linked to the 2022 local elections The warrants were sought for Rep Kang Sunwoo an independent who formerly belonged to the ruling Democratic Party DP and Kim Kyung who until recently served as a Seoul city councillor reports Yonhap news agencyKim is accused of offering 100 million won US68500 to Kang in exchange for a DP nomination for her councillorship ahead of the 2022 local electionsKang has acknowledged receiving a shopping bag from Kim but denied knowing it contained cashPolice said that in the case of Kang they considered applying charges of bribery under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes but opted instead for charges of acceptance of bribes in breach of trust judging that the task of giving a nomination fell under party affairs not public affairsKim was charged with giving bribes in breach of trustThe two crimes carry punishments of up to four years and 18 months in prison respectively which are lighter than the maximum sentences of 10 years and 3 12 years for accepting and giving bribes under the aggravated punishment actPolice said they will continue to review whether the heavier bribery charge can be applied before sending the case to the prosecutionBoth women were also charged with violating the Political Funds Act and the Improper Solicitation and Graft ActThe scandal broke at the end of last year through the disclosure of a recording in which Kang can be heard discussing the money with former DP floor leader Kim ByungkiThe former city councillor left the country for the United States raising suspicions she was attempting to flee but returned last month to face investigationMeanwhile the investigation into Kang began after she was removed from the DP heightening suspicions that the police were dragging their feetUnder typical procedures a court will hold a hearing within three days after the prosecution requests an arrest warrant to determine whether to issue itAs a sitting lawmaker Kang however has immunity from arrest while parliament is in sessionTo arrest her the National Assembly must consent with majority approval in a vote attended by a majority of lawmakers IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-police-request-arrest-warrants-for-lawmaker-ex-councillor-over-bribery-660905.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 10:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-military-stages-live-fire-drills-using-remote-weapon-system-in-south-korea-660906.html Seoul Feb 5 The US military stationed in South Korea has staged livefire drills involving a remote weapon station designed to be mounted on armoured vehicles according to the US Eighth Army on Thursday The drills conducted on January 2829 involved assembling preparing and operating the Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station CROWS a remote weapon system mounted on armoured vehicles to protect the gunner inside according to the US militaryThe twoday exercise also involved live firing with the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon and M240 machine gun to enhance handson training for the troops reports Xinhua news agencyThe CROWS allows us to employ our machine guns from the safety of the cockpit of the vehicle and not have to expose ourselves said Capt Noah Klein 84th Ordinance Company commanderMeanwhile in a separate development Matthew Lohmeier US undersecretary of the Air Force visited Osan Air Base in South Korea last week as part of his tour of IndoPacific bases the bases website showed ThursdayLohmeier visited the air base in Pyeongtaek some 60 kilometres south of Seoul on January 30 according to a release uploaded on the websiteDuring his visit Lohmeier engaged with US airmen and guardians along with senior officials of the Seventh Air Force the 51st Fighter Wing and Space Forces Korea as part of efforts to better understand how the base operatesThe visit reinforced the US Air Forces focus on readiness across the force and its continued investment in the people programs and culture that enable airmen and guardians to execute their mission according to the releaseBeing forwardpostured in this region places Osan at the heart of deterrence and their readiness is critical to protecting our nation and preventing conflict Lohmeier said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-military-stages-live-fire-drills-using-remote-weapon-system-in-south-korea-660906.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 10:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/sydney-teenager-charged-over-death-threat-against-israeli-president-ahead-of-his-australia-visit-660907.html Sydney Feb 5 A 19yearold from Sydney has been charged by authorities over an alleged death threat to Israeli President Isaac Herzog ahead of his visit to Australia The Australian Federal Police AFP said on Thursday that the man was arrested on Wednesday and charged with allegedly making an online threat towards a foreign head of stateThe Australian Broadcasting Corporation ABC reported that the head of state was Israeli President Isaac Herzog who is set to arrive in Australia on Sunday for a fiveday visit after being invited by the federal government following the antisemitic Bondi Beach terror attack reports Xinhua news agencyThe AFP said in a statement that officers from its newly established National Security Investigations NSI team began investigating the alleged threat against Herzog on a social media platform in JanuaryA search warrant was executed at a home on Wednesday where the 19yearold was arrested and later charged with one count of using a carriage service to make a threat to kill which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonmentHerzogs visit to Australia is expected to be met with widespread protests led by proPalestine activistsChris Sidoti a leading Australian human rights lawyer who served as a commissioner on a United Nations independent commission of inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territories told the ABC on Thursday morning that Herzog should be arrested on arrival in Australia for inciting genocideA September report from the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory concluded that Israel was committing genocide in GazaResponding to Sidoti Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong told ABC radio that the government had considered legal advice about Australias obligations to international law before inviting Herzog to visit IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/sydney-teenager-charged-over-death-threat-against-israeli-president-ahead-of-his-australia-visit-660907.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 10:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/un-chief-sees-end-of-new-start-as-grave-moment-for-international-peace-security-660908.html United Nations Feb 5 UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres has warned that the expiration of New START the USRussia nuclear arms reduction treaty marks a grave moment for international peace and security For the first time in more than half a century we face a world without any binding limits on the strategic nuclear arsenals of the Russian Federation and the United States of America the two states that possess the overwhelming majority of the global stockpile of nuclear weapons Guterres said in a statement on Wednesday local timeNew START which limits the number of deployed nuclear warheads and strategic delivery systems of Russia and the United States expires on ThursdayThroughout the Cold War and its aftermath nuclear arms control between the two countries helped prevent catastrophe It built stability and when combined with other measures prevented devastating miscalculations Most importantly it facilitated the reduction of thousands of nuclear weapons from national arsenals Strategic arms control drastically improved the security of all people not least the populations of the United States and Russia said GuterresThis expiration of New START could not come at a worse time as the risk of a nuclear weapon being used is the highest in decades he saidYet at this moment of uncertainty we must search for hope This is an opportunity to reset and create an arms control regime fit for a rapidly evolving context said Guterres I welcome that the presidents of both states have made clear that they appreciate the destabilising impact of a nuclear arms race and the need to prevent the return to a world of unchecked nuclear proliferation The world now looks to the Russian Federation and the United States to translate words into actionGuterres urged the two states to return to the negotiating table without delay and agree on a successor framework that restores verifiable limits reduces risks and strengthens common global securityNew START which entered into force in 2011 was the last arms control pact between Russia and the United States after Washington withdrew from the IntermediateRange Nuclear Forces Treaty in 2019 IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/un-chief-sees-end-of-new-start-as-grave-moment-for-international-peace-security-660908.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 10:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/number-of-australians-with-young-onset-dementia-set-to-rise-40-pc-by-2054-660909.html Canberra Feb 5 The number of Australians younger than 65 living with dementia is projected to increase by 40 per cent by 2054 according to new data released on Thursday The data from Dementia Australia the national peak body supporting people living with dementia and their families revealed that the number of Australians estimated to be living with dementia has increased to 446500 up from 433300 in 2025Dementia Australia said that 29000 Australians aged 1865 are living with youngonset dementia and that the figure is projected to increase by over 40 per cent to an estimated 41000 by 2054Additionally it said that an estimated 1500 children in Australia live with childhood dementiaDementia became the leading cause of death in Australia for the first time in 2024 accounting for 94 per cent of all deaths according to official dataThe Australian Institute of Health and Welfare AIHW said in a report published in December that the number of Australians living with dementia is set to more than double to over one million by 2065Tanya Buchanan chief executive officer of Dementia Australia said in a media release on Thursday that Australia has a critical need for a national programme to promote brain health and for quality care and support services for people of all ages living with dementia Xinhua news agency reportedAustralia is recognised internationally for its strengths in dementia care support and research but the system still has areas that need improvement she saidThe organisation has called for the federal government to launch a comprehensive brain health campaign roll out a national network of support services and build the capability of the workforce to care for people living with dementiaDementia is a syndrome that can be caused by a number of diseases which over time destroy nerve cells and damage the brain typically leading to deterioration in cognitive function ie the ability to process thought beyond what might be expected from the usual consequences of biological ageing While consciousness is not affected the impairment in cognitive function is commonly accompanied and occasionally preceded by changes in mood emotional control behaviour or motivation IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/number-of-australians-with-young-onset-dementia-set-to-rise-40-pc-by-2054-660909.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 10:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/three-structures-destroyed-by-south-australian-bushfire-660910.html Canberra Feb 5 Three structures have been destroyed by a bushfire that has burnt more than 3000 hectares of land in South Australia SA The SA Country Fire Service CFS said that the fire near the small town of Deep Creek 85 km southwest of Adelaide in the states Fleurieu Peninsula region had burnt through 3646 hectares and had a 49 km perimeter as of Thursday morning reports Xinhua news agencyAuthorities on Wednesday night confirmed that the fire which has been burning since Sunday has destroyed at least three structuresThe CFS said that firefighters had some success creating a perimeter around the northwest side of the fire on Wednesday but that the fire is expected to remain erratic due to coastal winds and terrain that is hard to access in the Deep Creek National ParkIt said that people who wish to leave the area will be allowed to do so via closed roads but will not be allowed to return until the fire is under controlFirefighters from the neighbouring state of Victoria were expected to arrive in the area on Thursday to aid local crews who have been working since Sunday to protect nearby townsMeanwhile residents and visitors on the southwest coast of Western Australia WA were on Wednesday evening ordered to evacuate due to the threat posed by a nearby bushfireA bushfire emergency warning issued by the WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services DFES said that the fire is threatening lives and homes in the community of Forest Grove about 250 km southwest of PerthThe DFES said that the fire was contained but not controlled and was moving in a northwesterly directionIt said that people in part of Forest Grove should leave immediately if the way is clear and that people who cannot leave should prepare to shelter in their homesYou are in danger and need to act immediately to survive the warning saidFirefighters are actively fighting the fire and aerial support has been sent to assist ground crews according to the warningForest Grove had a population of 253 people at the time of the 2021 national census while the town of Margaret River around 15 km north has a population of over 7000 IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/three-structures-destroyed-by-south-australian-bushfire-660910.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 11:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-builds-global-bloc-on-strategic-minerals-660912.html Washington Feb 5 Warning that critical mineral supply chains have become tools of political coercion the United States US convened 54 countries and the European Commission to overhaul the global market for strategic minerals and rare earths At the ministerial the US announced the signing of 11 new bilateral critical minerals frameworks or memoranda of understanding These include agreements with Argentina Ecuador Guinea Morocco Paraguay Peru the Philippines the United Arab Emirates and UzbekistanThe US said it has signed ten similar agreements over the past five months and completed negotiations with 17 additional countries The frameworks are intended to help partners address pricing challenges spur development create fair markets close gaps in priority supply chains and expand access to financing it saidSecretary of State Marco Rubio joined by Vice President JD Vance Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Interior Secretary Doug Burgum Energy Secretary Chris Wright and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer hosted the 2026 Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington on WednesdayThe meeting brought together 43 foreign and other ministers from across Africa Latin America Europe the IndoPacific and the Middle EastIndia was among the participating countries alongside major producers and consumers including Australia Brazil Canada France Germany Japan Saudi Arabia South Korea the United Kingdom and the United Arab EmiratesâCritical minerals and rare earths are essential for our most advanced technologies and will only become more important as AI robotics batteries and autonomous devices transform our economiesâ the US fact sheet said It warned that the market is âhighly concentratedâ leaving it vulnerable to âpolitical coercion and supply chain disruptionâRubio also announced the creation of the Forum on Resource Geostrategic Engagement or FORGE as the successor to the Minerals Security Partnership FORGE will be chaired by South Korea through June and will coordinate policy and projectlevel cooperation to strengthen diversified resilient and secure critical mineral supply chains according to a media releaseIn a statement after the ministerial the Trump administration stressed that governments alone cannot solve supply chain vulnerabilities It highlighted the role of the private sector through initiatives such as Pax Silica which focusses on investments in mining refining processing recycling and enduse applicationsOn February 3 a day before the ministerial US officials brought together governments and private companies to discuss supply chain challenges and investment opportunities During that meeting Deputy Secretary Landau witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Glencore and the USbacked Orion Critical Mineral Consortium related to a potential acquisition of assets in the Democratic Republic of the CongoThe agreement aims to encourage greater US investment in the DRCâs mining sector and promote secure reliable and mutually beneficial flows of copper and cobalt to the USThe US government said it has mobilised more than 30 billion in letters of interest investments loans and other support for critical mineral projects over the past six months It said these efforts have produced a multiplier effect by attracting private capital many times greater than government outlaysA central pillar of the push is Project Vault announced by President Donald Trump on February 2 The ExportImport Bank of the US approved a direct loan of up to 10 billion for the initiative to establish a domestic strategic reserve for critical minerals IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-builds-global-bloc-on-strategic-minerals-660912.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 11:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/attempted-bombing-of-protesters-in-western-australia-declared-act-of-terror-660917.html Sydney Feb 5 An attempted bombing of a crowd of protesters in the capital of Western Australia WA in January has been declared an act of terror authorities said on Thursday WA Premier Roger Cook said at a press conference that police have deemed that the attempted bombing was motivated by a racist hateful ideology and that the alleged culprit has become the first person in the states history to be charged with engaging in a terrorist actThe 31yearold man was arrested shortly after a suspected homemade explosive device was thrown into a crowd of thousands of people who had gathered in central Perth for a protest led by Indigenous Australians on Australia Day on January 26Police alleged that the suspect removed the device from his bag and threw it from a walkway into a crowd of more than 2000 people during the Invasion Day protest in Perth Alerted by a member of the public police took the man into custody and bomb response officers inspected the device the Western Australia Police Force said in a statementHe was initially charged with one count of making or possessing explosives under suspicious circumstances and with one count of endangering the life health and safety of othersCook said on Thursday that further investigations had determined that the incident should be treated as a terrorist act Xinhua news agency reportedWe must condemn this incident in the strongest possible way he saidThe attack was motivated by racist hateful ideologyAuthorities previously said that the device contained ball bearings screws and an unknown liquid in a glass container and that it was designed to explode on impactCook said on Thursday that it could have been a mass casualty event if the device had detonated as intendedWA Police Commissioner Col Blanch said that authorities had no intelligence that the attack was being planned IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/attempted-bombing-of-protesters-in-western-australia-declared-act-of-terror-660917.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 12:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/new-start-expiry-raises-global-nuclear-risks-us-senate-660923.html Washington Feb 5 The imminent expiry of the New START nuclear arms control treaty has triggered sharp warnings in the US Senate about a more dangerous unconstrained era of nuclear competition involving the United States Russia and China with lawmakers and experts cautioning that the fallout could extend well beyond the three powers Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker believes that the treaty signed in 2010 was ânegotiated in a bygone eraâ and no longer reflects todayâs threat environment He said Russiaâs suspension of compliance and Chinaâs rapid military expansion had fundamentally altered the strategic landscapeâFifteen years after the treaty was signed we face an assortment of threats far more complicated and dangerous than anyone foresaw in 2010â Wicker said during a Congressional hearing this week pointing to Russiaâs nuclear production capacity and Chinaâs rapidly growing arsenalRanking Member Jack Reed warned that the lapse of New START would leave Washington and Moscow without any binding framework governing nuclear forces for the first time in more than five decades âFor the first time in 54 years the United States and Russia will have no binding framework to regulate our respective nuclear forcesâ he saidAccording to Reed public reporting indicated Russia had continued to observe the treatyâs central limits despite suspending inspections but cautioned that an unconstrained arms race would serve neither sideâs interests He also warned that China was moving rapidly toward nuclear parity âExperts predict Beijing could acquire approximately 1500 warheads in the next several yearsâ he saidThe hearing underscored growing divisions over whether Washington should seek to preserve elements of New START or move decisively beyond it Former US Strategic Command commander Admiral Charles Richard said arms control could enhance deterrence only if it included all parties all weapons and effective verificationâI would not recommend a oneyear extension to the New START Treaty absent verification procedures being reinstatedâ Richard said adding that any future agreement should at a minimum include the United States Russia and ChinaFormer US arms control negotiator Rose Gottemoeller argued that deterrence and arms control were not opposites but âenjoy a symbiotic relationshipâShe told lawmakers that negotiated limits created predictability which in turn strengthened deterrence Gottemoeller supported extending New START limits for a year to prevent a rapid Russian nuclear âuploadâ while Washington prepared to address Chinaâs buildupâIt does not serve US national security interests to have to address the Chinese nuclear buildup while simultaneously facing a rapid Russian upload campaignâ she said warning that refusing an extension could hand Moscow an âeasy diplomatic winâTimothy Morrison a former White House national security official rejected that approach calling New START a âbad dealâ that constrained the United States more than Russia and ignored large portions of Moscowâs arsenal He said arms control should be a tool of competition not an end in itself and argued that Washington needed the ability to respond quickly to violationsSeveral senators raised concerns about nuclear proliferation beyond the major powers Reed warned that resuming US nuclear testing could encourage others to follow suit âResuming tests would simply encourage our adversaries to close their own technological gaps and would give India Pakistan and North Korea justification to resume their programsâ he saidGottemoeller echoed that assessment saying a return to explosive testing by the United States would likely be matched by Russia and China and could also prompt India and Pakistan to test againThe debate among others highlighted anxieties among US allies particularly in Europe and the IndoPacific over the credibility of extended nuclear deterrence Reed said allies were âreexamining their nuclear policiesâ amid uncertainty about US commitments raising the risk of further proliferation IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/new-start-expiry-raises-global-nuclear-risks-us-senate-660923.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 12:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-us-trade-deal-in-final-stages-of-detailing-eam-jaishankar--660934.html Washington Feb 5 IANS Citing the historic IndiaUS trade deal which he said is in the final stages of detailing External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar on Thursday said that a strong momentum is evident in the growing engagement between New Delhi and Washingtonnbsp nbspThe EAM made the comment as he concluded his February 24 visit to the United States during which he also participated in the Critical Minerals Ministerial convened by the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesdaynbsp nbspConcluded a productive and positive visit to the US Thank Secretary Rubio for his warm hospitality he posted on XnbspThe historic IndiaUS trade deal is in the final stages of detailing that will be completed very soon It opens up a new phase in our bilateral ties with vast possibilities for the relationship Our critical mineral cooperation is also advancing rapidly Expect engagement on strategic issues defence and energy in the coming days Overall a strong momentum is evident EAM Jaishankar addednbspnbspDuring the significant visit the External Affairs Minister also hold meetings with senior members of the US administrationnbspThis included separate meetings with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during which he held wideranging discussions on the IndiaUS strategic and economic partnershipnbspDelighted to meet US Secretary Rubio this afternoon Jaishankar said in a post on X after the meeting A wideranging conversation that covered our bilateral cooperation agenda regional and global issuesnbspThe discussions with Rubio he stated covered multiple pillars of the IndiaUS relationship Facets of India US Strategic Partnership discussed included trade energy nuclear defence critical minerals and technology EAM Jaishankar mentionednbspThe External Affairs Minister said both sides agreed to move quickly on followup engagements Agreed on the early meetings of various mechanisms to advance our shared interests he addedAccording to the US State Department readout EAM Jaishankar and Rubio discussed formalising bilateral cooperation on critical minerals exploration mining and processing an area that has emerged as a central pillar of the IndiaUS economic and strategic relationshipnbspThe meeting on Wednesday came a day after US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a trade deal aimed at lowering barriers and expanding market access between the worlds two largest democraciesnbspUS Secretary Rubio and EAM Jaishankar also welcomed the agreement underscoring the importance of the two democracies working together to unlock new economic opportunities and advance shared energy security goals the readout saidThe discussions also focused on the regional and multilateral dimensions of the partnership Rubio and EAM Jaishankar concluded their meeting by reaffirming their commitment to expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue They acknowledged that a prosperous IndoPacific region remains vital to advancing shared interestsnbspEarlier on Wednesday EAM Jaishankar also met US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington Pleased to meet US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington DC today he said in a separate postnbspThe External Affairs Minister described the talks as productive Had a useful discussion on advancement of India US economic partnership and strategic cooperation he saidThe twin meetings reflected the broadening scope of IndiaUS engagement spanning diplomacy security trade and finance Senior officials on both sides have emphasised the need for closer coordination across departments to translate political momentum into concrete outcomesnbspIndia and the United States have expanded cooperation in recent years across defence energy and emerging technologies while also deepening economic ties through trade and investment Both countries have highlighted critical minerals and advanced technologies as priority areas given their importance to clean energy transitions and highend manufacturingThe latest highlevel engagements follow sustained dialogue between New Delhi and Washington on regional and global issues including developments in the IndoPacific Officials on both sides have described the IndiaUS partnership as a central pillar of their respective foreign policy strategiesIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-us-trade-deal-in-final-stages-of-detailing-eam-jaishankar--660934.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 15:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/ensuring-energy-security-of-14-billion-indians-remains-govts-supreme-priority-mea-660937.html New Delhi Feb 5 IANS Reiterating that ensuring energy security remains a top national priority India on Thursday said that the governments strategy to diversify energy sources is shaped by market conditions and evolving international dynamicsnbspIn so far as Indias energy security or energy sourcing is concerned the government has stated publicly on several occasions that ensuring the energy security of 14 billion Indians is its supreme priority Diversifying energy sourcing in keeping with objective market conditions and evolving international dynamics is at the core of our strategy to ensure this All of Indias decisions are taken and will continue to be taken with this objective in mind Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a weekly media briefing in New Delhi on ThursdayReplying to another question on Indias energy engagement with Venezuela the MEA spokesperson stated that the South American nation has long been Indias key partner in the crude oil and trade and investment sectors He emphasised that New Delhi remains open to assessing the commercial viability of any crude supply options including from VenezuelanbspAs far as Venezuela is concerned it has been a longstanding partner for us in the area of energy both on the trade side and also on the investment side We were importing energy or crude oil from Venezuela till 201920 and thereafter we had to stop Again we started buying oil from Venezuela in 20232024 but had to stop because of the reimposition of sanctions Jaiswal statedAs you are aware Indian PSUs have established a partnership with the National Oil Company of Venezuela PDVSA and our PSUs have maintained a presence in the country since 2008 Consistent with our approach to energy security India remains open to exploring the commercial merits of any crude supply options including from Venezuela he addednbspLast week Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a telephone call from the Acting President of Venezuela Delcy Eloína Rodriguez Gomez with the two leaders having a detailed discussion on deepening the partnership between both countries during their conversationSpoke with Acting President of Venezuela Ms Delcy Rodríguez We agreed to further deepen and expand our bilateral partnership in all areas with a shared vision of taking IndiaVenezuela relations to new heights in the years ahead PM Modi posted on X after the phone callnbspAccording to the Prime Ministers Office PMO the two leaders agreed to further expand and deepen the IndiaVenezuela partnership in all areas including trade and investment energy digital technology health agriculture and peopletopeople ties https://dailyworld.in/international/ensuring-energy-security-of-14-billion-indians-remains-govts-supreme-priority-mea-660937.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 16:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-lawmaker-slams-texas-governor-over-h-1b-visa-freeze-660940.html Washington Feb 5 A prominent American lawmaker has criticised Texas Governor Greg Abbottâs order freezing new H1B visa petitions at public universities and state agencies calling it harmful to the stateâs workforce and economy Congressman Marc Veasey said the decision would weaken Texas at a time when skilled labour and innovation are criticalAbbott last month ordered state agencies and public universities to halt new H1B visa petitions through the end of 2027 while his administration reviews the use of the federal program He has said taxpayerfunded jobs should be filled by Texans firstâAbbottâs decision to freeze H1B visa petitions at Texas public universities and state agencies is a blow to Texasâ workforceâ Veasey said in a strongly worded statement âTexasâ economy has thrived because we attract qualified workers researchers doctors educators and students who bring their talents and hard work to strengthen our communities This order undermines that legacyâ he saidThe Texas Democrat said the freeze would affect families students and workers who contribute to the state every dayâThis action will impact thousands of families students and workers who contribute every day to our stateâs successâ he said âIt will make Texas less competitive economically weaken our workforce and erode the standing of our higher education and medical institutions at a time when innovation and talent are critical to our futureâVeasey also criticised Abbottâs expanded review of visa use at universities and state agencies He said it would not fix deeper immigration problemsâGovernor Abbottâs socalled investigations do nothing to fix our broken immigration systemâ Veasey said âThey waste taxpayer dollars sow fear and offer no real solutionsâHe said immigration reform requires cooperation not political attacks âImmigration reform requires serious leadership and bipartisan cooperation not political stunts that scapegoat immigrants and damage Texasâ economyâ Veasey saidVeasey warned that the move sends a negative message to global talent and investors âTexas should be competing to attract the best talent in the world not driving it awayâ he said âWe must reject fearbased politics and focus on policies that grow our economy support families and keep Texas strongâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-lawmaker-slams-texas-governor-over-h-1b-visa-freeze-660940.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/ai-emerges-as-new-financial-stability-test-for-us-bessent-660941.html Washington Feb 5 Artificial intelligence is becoming a new focus for US financial regulators Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Congress that AI can strengthen markets but it also poses risks that require close monitoring Bessent was testifying before the House Financial Services Committee on the Financial Stability Oversight Councilâs 2025 annual report He said AI is now one of the four top priorities for protecting the financial system The others are Treasury markets cybersecurity and regulatory modernisationâThe council is prioritising the responsible use of artificial intelligence to strengthen financial stabilityâ Bessent saidHe said regulators are working with public and private partners The goal is to monitor risks while improving resilience across the systemBessent said AI is spreading quickly across banks and financial markets Firms are using it for risk management compliance and operations But he warned that poorly understood or unchecked use could worsen shocks during times of stressThe FSOC report reflects a shift in approach he said Regulators are moving away from broad warnings They are focusing instead on specific vulnerabilities that could trigger systemic disruptionâWeâre tuning out the noise to concentrate on the issues that matter most for US financial stabilityâ Bessent saidDemocratic lawmakers voiced concern over AIdriven decisions They warned that opaque algorithms could introduce bias and discrimination especially in lending and credit decisions They said similar blind spots had contributed to past financial crisesBessent acknowledged the risks But he said FSOCâs mandate is limited âIt could be a concernâ he said when asked about explainability in AI systems âBut we donât view it as a priority for financial stabilityâRepublican lawmakers largely backed the administrationâs approach They said innovation should not be choked by premature regulation They argued that AI can help detect fraud improve customer service and strengthen complianceBessent said regulators are also watching concentration risks Heavy reliance on a few AI vendors or systems he said could amplify damage from cyberattacks or technical failuresâNationstate actors and criminal groups continue to target our financial institutions and infrastructureâ he saidBessent added that FSOC is coordinating with international counterparts He said AI risks are global and require cooperation across borders to avoid regulatory gaps IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/ai-emerges-as-new-financial-stability-test-for-us-bessent-660941.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/democrats-blast-us-sba-ban-on-green-card-owners-in-us-660947.html Washington Feb 5 Top Democrats have criticised a new Small Business Administration policy that blocks businesses owned by legal permanent residents from getting SBA loans They said the move hurts immigrant entrepreneurs and local economiesSen Edward J Markey of Massachusetts and Rep Nydia Velazquez of New York on Wednesday local time said the policy reverses decades of practice and shuts out lawful immigrants who run small businessesâThe Trump administration is stoking the flames of hatred spreading fear and confusion among immigrants and small business ownersâ Markey and Velazquez saidâRather than support hardworking legal immigrants to start or expand a business the Trump SBA is choosing hatred by barring green card holders from receiving an SBA loan The Administrationâs message to immigrants is clear you are not welcome to pursue the American DreamâThe SBA published the policy on February 2 It takes effect on March 1Under the rule 100 per cent of a small business must be owned by US citizens or US nationals who live in the United States its territories or possessions Legal permanent residents also known as green card holders will not be allowed to own any share of a business seeking SBAbacked loansThe policy also cancels an earlier SBA notice from December That notice briefly allowed up to 5 per cent foreign ownership including by legal permanent residents whose main residence was outside the United States The SBA said the earlier notice is rescindedThat December guidance had already drawn criticism It listed several groups as âineligible personsâ The list included refugees asylum recipients visa holders and people covered by Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals It also singled out individuals who were citizens of or lived in China or Hong KongDemocratic lawmakers said the policy changes have caused confusion for lenders and borrowersThey said access to SBA loans has dropped sharplyIn July Markey and Velazquez wrote to the SBA warning that new citizenship checks were too strict and would cut off eligible small businesses In September Markey said SBA lenders told him the rules were hard to apply and slowed lendingIn December Markey and other Democratic members of the Senate Small Business Committee sent another letter to SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler They repeated their concerns and pointed to a steep fall in lendingThat letter said SBA loan volume fell by 46 per cent from June to August 2025 Lawmakers linked the drop to new citizenship rules introduced earlier that yearAccording to the lawmakers changes that took effect June 1 2025 blocked loans for businesses with even small ownership stakes held by noncitizens This included refugees asylees visa holders and conditional green card holders That was true even if US citizens owned most of the businessThey said the changes reversed more than 25 years of SBA policy Markey and VelÃzquez said SBA loans help small businesses start up expand and hire workers They said immigrantowned businesses rely heavily on such financingThe SBA said the new rules follow federal law and an executive order titled âProtecting the American People Against Invasionâ Lenders must now certify that no owner of an applicant business is an ineligible personThe SBA has not responded publicly to the lawmakersâ latest criticismFor decades those programs allowed businesses owned by US citizens and lawful permanent residents to qualifyImmigrants play a major role in the creation of the US small businesses Many start firms that employ American workers and serve local communities across the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/democrats-blast-us-sba-ban-on-green-card-owners-in-us-660947.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-polls-jamaat-e-islami-promises-constructive-peaceful-ties-with-india-660955.html Dhaka Feb 5 As Bangladesh heads to elections next week radical Islamist party JamaateIslami in its election manifesto pledged to pursue peaceful and cooperative relations with neighbouring countries including India rooted in âmutual respect and fairnessâ âConstructive relations with neighbouring countries Peaceful friendly and cooperative relations will be built with neighbouring and nearby countries including India Bhutan Nepal Myanmar Sri Lanka Maldives and Thailand based on mutual respect and fairnessâ read the manifesto issued by JamaatHighlighting its foreign policy priorities the party said it would focus on strengthening ties with countries of the Muslim world It also outlined a plan to enhance cooperation with developed nations including the United States the United Kingdom the European Union Japan and Canada and to expand diplomatic economic and strategic engagement with Eastern Europe Africa and South AmericaâEngagement with the developed world Constructive and mutually beneficial relations will be fostered with developed countries including the United States the United Kingdom the European Union Japan and Canadaâ the party statedâExpanding ties with Eastern Europe Africa and South America Effective steps will be taken to broaden and deepen diplomatic economic and strategic relations with countries in Eastern Europe Africa and South Americaâ it addedThe manifesto emphasised strengthening Bangladeshâs engagement with the United Nations and other international organisations to tackle global issues including peace security human rights and economic developmentâActive engagement with the United Nations and international organisations Bangladeshâs active participation in the United Nations and its affiliated agencies will be further strengthened to address global challenges such as peace security human rights and economic developmentâ it notedJamaat also reaffirmed Bangladeshâs continued participation in regional organisations like SAARC and ASEANâActive participation in regional organisations Bangladesh will continue its active engagement in regional organisations such as SAARC and ASEANâ it addedThe party further said that in collaboration with the international community âa peaceful and sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis will be pursued ensuring their safe dignified and voluntary repatriationâJamaat also committed to continuing âBangladeshâs participation in United Nations peacekeeping missionsâ while pledging to âsupport and cooperate in the establishment of transparent orderly and lawful migration management systemsâJamaatâs election manifesto ahead of the February 12 election promises a broader and cooperative foreign policy outreach across several countries however it strikingly avoids any direct mention of Pakistan IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-polls-jamaat-e-islami-promises-constructive-peaceful-ties-with-india-660955.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/heartbroken-shashi-tharoors-son-after-retrenchment-by-washington-post-660961.html New Delhi Feb 5 Ishaan Tharoor a senior international affairs columnist and son of Congress MP Shashi Tharoor was among those laid off by The Washington Post in what has been described as one of the most extensive newsroom job cuts in recent media history The Jeff Bezosowned newspaper reportedly on Wednesday February 4 reduced nearly onethird of its workforce as part of a large restructuring exercise that also involved shutting down its sports desk and scaling back several international bureausIshaan Tharoor confirmed the development on social media He had been associated with the publication for close to 12 years and said he was heartbroken for the newsroom and his wonderful colleaguesI have been laid off today from the washingtonpost along with most of the International staff and so many other wonderful colleagues Iâm heartbroken for our newsroom and especially for the peerless journalists who served the Post internationally â editors and correspondents who have been my friends and collaborators for almost 12 years Itâs been an honour to work with them he said in a post on XHe also recalled the launch of his WorldView column in 2017I launched the WorldView column in January 2017 to help readers better understand the world and Americaâs place in it and Iâm grateful for the half a million loyal subscribers who tuned into the column several times a week over the years he addedIn a separate update on X Tharoor shared what appeared to be an image from inside the newsroom where a poster displaying the newspaperâs wellknown slogan âDemocracy Dies in Darknessâ could be seen He captioned the image with the words âA bad dayâ The post was later reshared by his father as wellAccording to reports from the newspaper and employee unions the layoffs affected around onethird of the Washington Postâs overall workforce While the organisation has not publicly disclosed the exact number of employees on its payroll union representatives said that âhundredsâ of newsroom staff were among those dismissedThe cuts reportedly extended across multiple departments and were not restricted to one unit Several editorial teams were impacted including international reporting metro coverage editing desks sports journalism and culturerelated coverageFounded in 1877 The Washington Post evolved from a local newspaper into a nationally and internationally recognised institution Its investigative journalism during the Watergate scandal led by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein remains one of the most iconic chapters in modern American media historyUnder longtime editor Ben Bradlee the Postâs Style section also earned a reputation for some of the countryâs most acclaimed feature writingFor decades the newspaperâs strong presence in sports culture books and foreign reporting helped define its identity The closure and downsizing of several of these sections is being seen as a major shift in how the publication now positions its role and priorities IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/heartbroken-shashi-tharoors-son-after-retrenchment-by-washington-post-660961.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-prepares-kill-and-dump-on-unprecedented-scale-to-break-support-for-bla-660962.html New Delhi Feb 5 Horror stories have been emerging from Balochistan where severe violence has broken out over the past couple of days With the Pakistan establishment facing severe losses at the hands of the Balochistan Liberation Army BLA fears of the âkill and dumpâ policy have surfaced yet again The âkill and dumpâ policy has been used by the Pakistan Army and ISI several times in the past This operation has been carried out to silence voices who have spoken out against the establishment and in favour of Balochistan An Intelligence Bureau official stated that after suffering severe losses at the hands of the BLA the security forces are likely to make a slight retreat The Pakistani security forces are looking for a breather as they have found it hard to battle against the BLAThe official added that while the retreat takes place the establishment would boost its âkill and dumpâ operations This is something that the Baloch people fear and this time even ordinary people would be targeted Pakistan is facing immense pressure from both China and the United States The US has signed a minerals deal with Pakistan and a major part of this would involve Balochistan Beijing too is exerting pressure on Pakistan as the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor worth 46 billion faces constant risks from the BLAThe people of Balochistan say that their mineralrich region is benefiting only the high and mighty in Pakistan and the foreigners It is a wellknown fact that Pakistan is cashstrapped and hence dealings with China and the US become extremely crucial for its economyAn official explained that while Pakistan does want to do business with these nations the problem is that it does not want to hear the voices of the Baloch people Cases related to extrajudicial killings by the Frontier Corps are nothing new The unit that operates with total impunity has been told to step up extrajudicial killings Under the garb of killing of BLA cadres whom Pakistan brands as terrorists even the common people are getting killedUnable to counter the onground offensive the Frontier Corps would now go on a rampage and target innocent people including women and children the Intelligence agencies say The Baloch people once termed such killings as slowmotion genocide but today the fear is that the security forces will go on a rampageAnother official explained that the people of Balochistan back the BLA blindly as they feel that their cause is what is being fought for This support by the people is what is making operations hard for the security forces The people act as a barrier between the BLA and the security forcesOwing to this no Intelligence comes out and recent operations where the security forces have failed miserably are a clear indicator of that Indian Intelligence agencies have learnt that the genocide that is being planned is on levels that Balochistan has never seen before The instruction to the Frontier Corps is to target as many people as possible They have also been told not to hold back against when and children irrespective of their ageHuman rights organizations say that such operations are carried out by the Frontier Corps along with the army and ISI Currently a lot of information coming out of Balochistan has been blocked Journalists are not allowed and the rights organizations are completely barred from entering the region These are clear signals of what is about to come and the consequences for the people could well become catastrophic in nature an official explainedData would show that between 2003 and 2012 there were 8000 enforced disappearances The manner in which these are carried out is brutal in nature People are randomly picked up taken to jail tortured and then their bulletridden bodies are thrown on the road This is meant to create fear and panic in the minds of the people so that they fall in line and stop backing forces such as the BLA For the establishment to ensure absolute control in Balochistan it either has to have constructive talks or control the peopleAnother official said that talks are something that Pakistan would never opt for Currently it wants to control the region and to do so it would indulge in genocide and try to create fear It wants the people on its side so that groups such as the BLA are subdued Moreover Intelligence gathering has become almost nil in the region and the establishment seeks to improve that by enforcing the âkill and dumpâ policy in a manner that Balochistan has never seen in the past officials say IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-prepares-kill-and-dump-on-unprecedented-scale-to-break-support-for-bla-660962.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/taiwan-to-deepen-us-ties-on-ai-critical-minerals-to-counter-beijing-report-660968.html Mumbai Feb 5 The Taiwanese governments move to deepen collaboration with the US in artificial intelligence AI and critical minerals aims to counter risks from growing competition with Beijing a new report has said The report from Modern Diplomacy said senior Taiwanese and US officials discussed cooperation on AI technology and drones at a highâlevel forum after which the US State Department described Taiwan as a âvital partnerâTaiwan must look to fellow democracies rather than China for trade and economic cooperation President Lai Chingte said earlier this weekLaiâs remarks came as Taipei seeks to strengthen economic and technological links with Washington amid intensifying strategic competition between the United States and China the report saidâTaiwan is on the right economic path and is striding confidently onto the world stageâ Lai said adding that the country had both the capability and confidence to work with democratic partners on strengthening technological linksThe report highlighted that the two sides signed statements on cooperation in economic security and on the Pax Silica Declaration a USâled initiative aimed at securing artificial intelligence and semiconductor supply chainsHowever Hsiao Hsutsen deputy chairman of Taiwanâs main opposition party the Kuomintang KMT said the country should cooperate across the Taiwan Strait to earn money from the world rather than oppose each other across the strait and let foreign countries reap the benefits exploiting Taiwan and hollowing it outHsiao was recently in Beijing for a thinkâtank exchange which reportedly discussed nonpolitical issues such as artificial intelligence and tourismPresident Lai however contrasted faster growth under his government with slower growth under the previous KMT government and asked âDo we want to continue collaborating with the US Japan Europe and other allied nations or again lock ourselves into ChinaâThe report highlighted that Lai framed the trade cooperation as a choice between democratic partners and China to âembed Taiwan more deeply in USled and allied supply chains particularly in highvalue sectors such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/taiwan-to-deepen-us-ties-on-ai-critical-minerals-to-counter-beijing-report-660968.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/why-muhammad-yunus-is-betting-on-chaos-to-secure-power-in-post-election-bangladesh-660969.html New Delhi Feb 5 When Muhammad Yunus was installed as the caretaker of the interim government in Bangladesh he was accused by many of being a foreign agent His actions over the last year and a half have proved all those allegations right as he has opened the country heavily to Pakistan and China However what many missed was a longterm game that Yunus has been playing with the help of foreign agencies and that is to cling to power even after the elections are over One of the first decisions he made was to ban the Awami League headed by Sheikh Hasina following her ousterThe Awami League which is barred from contesting the elections has called the decision unfair The party has scores of cadres and supporters who have constantly indulged in street battles with members of the JamaateIslami and Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP The violence is not dying down and is expected to continue even after the electionsFurther Yunus has struck a deal with the JamaateIslami that he would be made president if the party wins the elections In order to ensure this Yunus has made several concessions to the Jamaat so that it can have a winning chance in the electionsYunus who has the backing of the ISI has ensured that several terrorists radical elements and criminals have been released from jail These persons are unleashed on the streets and they have been indulging in violent incidents that include kidnapping murder and extortionFor Yunus to become President is very important for the ISI an official said If the violence persists even after the elections which there is every chance that it will the President will use the power under the Constitution to assume charge of the country Article 141A of the Bangladesh Constitution says that the President can assume emergency powers This is similar to what Pakistan has in its Constitution and has been used to install hybrid regimes in the past Bangladesh has witnessed this in 1975 1981 and 2007 and the chances of the President using this power are not being ruled out by the experts who follow BangladeshIf the BNP comes to power then the going may not be easy for Yunus The BNP would not want him to be President unless the party can be influenced by foreign forces Intelligence Bureau officials say that from what they see of Bangladesh violence will not stop even after the elections The rivalry between the BNP and Jamaat is very intense following the return of Tarique Rahman the son of the late Khaleda Zia Either party would indulge in largescale violence and this would give the President the opportunity to invoke the emergency powersAdding to the already violent situation would be the Awami League workers who would want the elections to be declared null and void Yunus has also ensured that he is protected from all legal consequences even if his plans do not go through The Sheikh Hasina government had initiated several cases against him and institutions linked to him the Grameen Bank and Grameen TelecomThe allegations ranged from embezzlement of worker welfare funds tax evasion misuse of foreign income and violations of labour laws It was found that large sums of money had been diverted without prior consent These cases including the ones against Yunus concerning the violation of labour laws were proceeding smoothly until Hasina was at the helm Today the cases have been stalled under Yunus By stalling these cases Yunus has tried reshaping his imageAn official said that Yunus would have never announced elections and would have preferred to remain at the helm for a couple of years more However he decided to announce elections as any further delay would have damaged his imageBangladesh watchers say that Yunus has managed to make a mess of the country He has done everything in his power to try to ensure that he remains at the helm even after the elections are over In the days to come Yunus would use all that he has in his hand to ensure a Jamaat victory so that he could become president the experts sayAnother official explained that cleaning the mess in the country is a hard task and India has to ensure that it has its territory secured There is a rebellion within the BNP as many want an alliance with the Jamaat If the top BNP leadership caves in and allies with the Jamaat then there would be no better situation for Yunus to become President of Bangladesh officials also say IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/why-muhammad-yunus-is-betting-on-chaos-to-secure-power-in-post-election-bangladesh-660969.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-facing-water-bankruptcy-report-660970.html New Delhi Feb 5 Pakistan is facing water bankruptcy with the groundwater table declining sharply every year as states such as Punjab and Sindh remain locked in a dispute of sharing of water according to an article in the Karachibased The News International The article by Mohsin Leghari a former Irrigation and Finance Minister of Pakistanâs Punjab province cites the United Nations University Institute for Water Environment and Health UNUINWEH January 2026 report titled âGlobal Water Bankruptcy Living Beyond Our Hydrological Means in the PostCrisis Eraâ to highlight the depth of the water crisis in Pakistan For decades we have treated water as a âcrisisâ something acute that can be managed before returning to normal The report argues this framing has become misleading because it assumes the baseline remains viable In many regions that assumption has collapsed Rivers fail to reach the sea aquifers are pumped until land subsides wetlands disappear and glaciers retreat the article states âWater bankruptcyâ the report argues is a persistent postcrisis condition in which longterm use exceeds renewable inflows and safe depletion limits causing damage so severe that prior levels of supply cannot realistically be restored Bankruptcy has two components insolvency the use of more resources than are available and irreversibility the damage to the systemâs storage and ecological functions Pakistan exhibits both In Lahore the water table has dropped from below five metres in the 1950s to over 60 metres today in some areas potable water now requires drilling to depths of over 800 feet The damage is not only to quantity arsenic is also present in groundwater across Punjab with traces detected in human hair and milk the article laments Pakistanâs irrigation economy has normalised groundwater as a substitute for unreliable canal supplies to quench the thirst of waterintensive sugarcane and rice crops it points out What began as emergency pumping has become a permanent practice That is not resilience it is liquidation temporary comfort bought at permanent cost And solarpowered tubewells have removed even the price signal of scarcity with marginal pumping costs nearzero farmers have no economic reason to stop âHere is Pakistanâs deeper problem when claims exceed carrying capacity the contest becomes political not hydrological Our internal water debate between provinces between canal commands between head and tail farmers resembles a dispute over âmissing waterâ measurement credibility and trust In a bankrupt system when the ledger is disputed everything becomes a grievanceâ the article laments IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-facing-water-bankruptcy-report-660970.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/british-pms-china-visit-sidelines-discussions-on-beijings-nuclear-rapid-build-up-report-660737.html London Feb 3 During UK Prime Minister Keir Starmerâs recent visit to China discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping avoided Beijingâs âdangerous unexplained secretive and rapid buildupâ of nuclear weapons as well as other contentious issues such as human rights abuses espionage and Taiwan a report said on Tuesday Citing the 2025 report of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute Sipri a report in the UKâs leading daily The Guardian stated that while China with an estimated 600 warheads lags behind other nuclear powers itâs catching up at a fast paceâChinaâs nuclear arsenal is growing faster than any other countrys by about 100 new warheads a year since 2023 â It could potentially have at least as many ICBMs intercontinental ballistic missiles as either Russia or the US by the turn of the decadeâ The Guardian quoted Sipri as sayingAccording to the report Beijing has provided no explanation or rationale for this dramatic increase â and rejected negotiations with multilateral arms controlâAn official white paper published by China in November restated its position that countries with the largest nuclear arsenals must make the first move by unilaterally making âdrastic and substantive reductionsâ Until then it said China would keep its own nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required for national securityâ The paper conveniently omitted to say what that level isâ it notedDespite its current advantages the report said the US remains concerned with the Pentagon warning in December last year that âChinaâs historic military buildup has made the US homeland increasingly vulnerableâThe Pentagon also highlighted what it described as a more attackready âhairtriggerâ nuclear posture claiming that about 100 Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles ICBMs were recently installed in silos in northern China It added that Beijing was testing its capacity âto strike US forces in the Pacificâ potentially undermining future US military support to TaiwanâChina expects to be able to fight and win a war on Taiwan by the end of 2027â The Guardian quoted the Pentagon as sayingThe report further said âWhatever Chinaâs President is thinking these are alarming times for anyone worried about global thermonuclear war â which should be everyone Starmerâs talks with Xi reportedly included Chinese threats to UK national security What bigger threat is there than proliferating nuclear weapons Yet as far as is known he did not raise the issueâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/british-pms-china-visit-sidelines-discussions-on-beijings-nuclear-rapid-build-up-report-660737.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 01:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-strategic-failure-in-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-has-collapsed-into-ethnic-security-crisis-660738.html Islamabad Feb 3 Pakistans hostility towards Afghanistan is not about terrorism as for Islamabad terrorism has always remained negotiable but the Taliban in Kabul acting like a sovereign authority brutal responsive incompetent but independent a report has highlighted Taliban it said refused to take instruction rejected hierarchy and declined the role scripted for them in Pakistanâs strategic theatre The report in Counter Currents stated that nothing makes a patron angry than a proxy that stops seeking permissionPakistanâs military has always preferred its wars orderly enemies legible proxies pliable violence narratively obedient For decades the western frontier complied Militants were assets Pashtuns were terrain and Afghanistan was treated not as a polity but as strategic negative space â a hinterland to be shaped managed and periodically disciplined Junaid S Ahmed Director of the Centre for the Study of Islam and Decolonization CSID in Islamabad wrote in Counter CurrentsWhat the Generals never planned for â because they never do â is autonomy Not from civilians not from provinces and certainly not from former clients expected to remain grateful dependent and silent What Rawalpindi now brands a security crisis is something far less dignified It is the shock of lost control disguised as resolve A tantrum armoured and aerial he addedAccording to Ahmed Pakistani authorities have considered Pashtuns as the population which it knows how to manage with force Pashtuns radicalised as suspect and governed as exception are seen as the connective link between Afghanistans defiance and domestic instabilityA strategic failure is collapsed into an ethnic security problem and the remedy remains reassuringly familiar bombard displace sanitise the language repeat Military operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the former tribal districts are not counterterrorism in any meaningful sense They are disciplinary performances he wroteVillages are destroyed to restore hierarchy displacement is normalised as a method and suffering of people is invisible to authorities Violence is not inflicted but processed and Pashtuns have lived under it for generations The Pakistani state seeks to treat Pashtun resistance as cultural reflex instead of political response according to the reportThis narrative is convenient as it absolves the centre of responsibility However the reality is different as Pashtun regions have faced securitised governance collective punishment economic abandonment enforced disappearances and episodic devastation marketed as stability The militarys anger towards Pashtuns is cumulative and the standoff with Afghanistan further increases the fury Crossborder strikes are named self defence however they function politically as diversionBorders however are not abstractions in Pashtun life They are colonial incisions cutting through kinship commerce and memory The Durand Line has never been emotionally internalized by those who live across it and successive Afghan regimes â monarchical republican Islamist â have treated it with studied ambiguity The Taliban have not formally rejected the border but they have refused to consecrate it That ambiguity is deliberate historical and strategicPakistanâs failure is not that Kabul questions the line It is that Rawalpindi no longer has the leverage to enforce silence about it The Afghan Taliban no longer depend on Pakistani sanctuaries or sponsorship They have alternatives regional engagement transactional diplomacy calibrated flirtations with Pakistanâs rivals This is not Taliban brilliance It is Pakistani strategic exhaustion And exhaustion when denied curdles into aggression Ahmed opined in Counter Currents IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-strategic-failure-in-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-has-collapsed-into-ethnic-security-crisis-660738.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 01:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/british-pms-china-visit-sidelines-discussions-on-beijings-rapid-nuclear-build-up-report-660740.html London Feb 3 During UK Prime Minister Keir Starmerâs recent visit to China discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping avoided Beijingâs âdangerous unexplained secretive and rapid buildupâ of nuclear weapons as well as other contentious issues such as human rights abuses espionage and Taiwan a report said on Tuesday Citing the 2025 report of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute Sipri a report in the UKâs leading daily The Guardian stated that while China with an estimated 600 warheads lags behind other nuclear powers itâs catching up at a fast paceâChinaâs nuclear arsenal is growing faster than any other countrys by about 100 new warheads a year since 2023 â It could potentially have at least as many ICBMs intercontinental ballistic missiles as either Russia or the US by the turn of the decadeâ The Guardian quoted Sipri as sayingAccording to the report Beijing has provided no explanation or rationale for this dramatic increase â and rejected negotiations with multilateral arms controlâAn official white paper published by China in November restated its position that countries with the largest nuclear arsenals must make the first move by unilaterally making âdrastic and substantive reductionsâ Until then it said China would keep its own nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required for national securityâ The paper conveniently omitted to say what that level isâ it notedDespite its current advantages the report said the US remains concerned with the Pentagon warning in December last year that âChinaâs historic military buildup has made the US homeland increasingly vulnerableâThe Pentagon also highlighted what it described as a more attackready âhairtriggerâ nuclear posture claiming that about 100 Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles ICBMs were recently installed in silos in northern China It added that Beijing was testing its capacity âto strike US forces in the Pacificâ potentially undermining future US military support to TaiwanâChina expects to be able to fight and win a war on Taiwan by the end of 2027â The Guardian quoted the Pentagon as sayingThe report further said âWhatever Chinaâs President is thinking these are alarming times for anyone worried about global thermonuclear war â which should be everyone Starmerâs talks with Xi reportedly included Chinese threats to UK national security What bigger threat is there than proliferating nuclear weapons Yet as far as is known he did not raise the issueâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/british-pms-china-visit-sidelines-discussions-on-beijings-rapid-nuclear-build-up-report-660740.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 01:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/british-pms-china-visit-sidelines-discussions-on-beijings-rapid-nuclear-build-up-report-660741.html London Feb 3 During UK Prime Minister Keir Starmerâs recent visit to China discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping avoided Beijingâs âdangerous unexplained secretive and rapid buildupâ of nuclear weapons as well as other contentious issues such as human rights abuses espionage and Taiwan a report said on Tuesday Citing the 2025 report of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute Sipri a report in the UKâs leading daily The Guardian stated that while China with an estimated 600 warheads lags behind other nuclear powers itâs catching up at a fast paceâChinaâs nuclear arsenal is growing faster than any other countrys by about 100 new warheads a year since 2023 â It could potentially have at least as many ICBMs intercontinental ballistic missiles as either Russia or the US by the turn of the decadeâ The Guardian quoted Sipri as sayingAccording to the report Beijing has provided no explanation or rationale for this dramatic increase â and rejected negotiations with multilateral arms controlâAn official white paper published by China in November restated its position that countries with the largest nuclear arsenals must make the first move by unilaterally making âdrastic and substantive reductionsâ Until then it said China would keep its own nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required for national securityâ The paper conveniently omitted to say what that level isâ it notedDespite its current advantages the report said the US remains concerned with the Pentagon warning in December last year that âChinaâs historic military buildup has made the US homeland increasingly vulnerableâThe Pentagon also highlighted what it described as a more attackready âhairtriggerâ nuclear posture claiming that about 100 Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles ICBMs were recently installed in silos in northern China It added that Beijing was testing its capacity âto strike US forces in the Pacificâ potentially undermining future US military support to TaiwanâChina expects to be able to fight and win a war on Taiwan by the end of 2027â The Guardian quoted the Pentagon as sayingThe report further said âWhatever Chinaâs President is thinking these are alarming times for anyone worried about global thermonuclear war â which should be everyone Starmerâs talks with Xi reportedly included Chinese threats to UK national security What bigger threat is there than proliferating nuclear weapons Yet as far as is known he did not raise the issueâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/british-pms-china-visit-sidelines-discussions-on-beijings-rapid-nuclear-build-up-report-660741.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 01:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistans-suppression-of-press-freedom-and-dissent-raises-global-concern-report-660745.html Athens Feb 3 Journalists and media organisations across Pakistan have faced mounting pressures in recent years including legal cases threats and constraints on reporting Critics argue that the frequent use of counterterrorism laws by the Pakistani authorities in cases related to speech and political commentary blurs the line between legitimate national security concerns and the silencing of dissent a report said on Tuesday According to a report in Greek City Times the recent conviction of journalists social media commentators and former military officers on charges of âdigital terrorismâ in Pakistan comes amid growing scrutiny of press freedom and civic space across the countryâIn early January 2026 a judgment by an AntiTerrorism Court ATC in Islamabad handed multiple life sentences to seven journalists social media commentators and former military officers on charges of âdigital terrorismâ related to their alleged roles in the unrest that erupted on May 9 2023 following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khanâ the report detailedâThe convictions delivered in absentia triggered a wave of criticism from press freedom advocates and human rights organisations intensifying concerns about due process judicial independence and the future of independent expression in Pakistanâ it mentionedThe report said that several international human rights bodies and press freedom advocates expressed grave concerns arguing that the legal process raises serious questions about âdue process transparency and fundamental rightsâ in PakistanIt highlighted that the International Human Rights Foundation IHRF submitted a statement to United Nations mechanisms raising âserious concernâ about the conduct of proceedings in the Pakistani court saying the accused were not properly notified of charges and were denied access to evidence or meaningful opportunities to defend themselvesâIHRF highlighted that such actions could undermine constitutional guarantees and Pakistanâs obligations under international law including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ICCPR The foundation further noted that these convictions occurred amid broader constitutional changes in Pakistan that critics say weaken judicial independence and tilt the balance of power toward military authorityâ the report notedCivil liberties advocates â including the Committee to Protect Journalists CPJ â the report said have long warned that such cases in Pakistan may be aimed at punishing critical reporting rather than addressing genuine counterterrorism effortsCPJ Asia programme coordinator Beh Lih Yi previously called on the Pakistani authorities to drop investigations and put an end to what the organisation described as ârelentless intimidation and censorshipâ of the mediaHighlighting the wider abuses across Pakistan the report further said âBeyond the life sentences broader crackdowns following the May 2023 unrest have resulted in hundreds of criminal cases and arrests of political activists and dissenters under antiterrorism laws or militarylinked judicial processesâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistans-suppression-of-press-freedom-and-dissent-raises-global-concern-report-660745.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 01:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/jamaats-view-on-women-sparks-visceral-response-across-bangladesh-660746.html Dhaka Feb 3 Bangladesh JamaateIslami leader Shafiqur Rahmanâs recent social media remarks equating womenâs work outside the home with prostitution are not merely a conservative stance but dehumanising reducing teachers garment workers doctors nurses journalists police officers and civil servants to a single degrading label a report said on Tuesday According to a report in Time of Bangladesh in a country where women are from the numerical majority rather than a marginal minority such language inevitably comes across as an attack on mothers daughters sisters and grandmothers alike The outrage that followed was not manufactured but a âvisceral responseâ from people whose lives and the lives of women they depend on were dismissed as âmorally corruptâThe report highlighted that Jamaatâs insistence that women should never assume leadership because âAllah did not permit thisâ coupled with the claim that womenâs participation in public life represents decay or even âanother form of prostitutionâ struck a deep chord because it exposed the partyâs attitude towards more than half of the countryâs populationâThe partyâs insistence that the post was the result of hacking does little to address the deeper issue The outrage did not arise simply because of one offensive word or one badly timed post It arose because the ideas expressed in that post closely mirror positions Shafiqur Rahman has already articulated publicly including in a recent interview with Al Jazeera where he categorically ruled out women leading his party or the stateâ the report detailedâSenior Jamaat leaders openly defended those remarks at the time The only substantive difference between the interview and the X post is linguistic the interview did not contain the term âprostitutionâ while the post used it explicitly That choice of word is what transformed a familiar ideological stance into a national flashpointâ it addedEmphasising the farâreaching political implications the report said Jamaatâs pursuit of electoral legitimacy and eventual state power raises an unavoidable question about whether women can be safe socially and politically under a party that views their presence in public life as inherently immoralIt stressed that in Bangladesh where the social welfare system is limited and millions of families survive on womenâs work often as the sole or primary breadwinners Jamaatâs position appears especially starkâFrom garment factories to rural clinics from classrooms to overseas labour markets womenâs earnings keep households afloat If Shafiqur Rahmanâs vision were implemented in practice the consequences would be devastating Families would lose income children would be pushed deeper into poverty and the already fragile social safety net would tear further Moral rhetoric offers no answer to the practical question of who would feed these familiesâ the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/jamaats-view-on-women-sparks-visceral-response-across-bangladesh-660746.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 01:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/eam-jaishankar-meets-rubio-bessent-in-washington-660765.html Washington Feb 4 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held separate meetings with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent holding wideranging discussions on the IndiaUS strategic and economic partnership âDelighted to meet US SecRubio this afternoonâ Jaishankar said in a post on X after the meeting âA wideranging conversation that covered our bilateral cooperation agenda regional and global issuesâHe said the discussions with Rubio covered multiple pillars of the IndiaUS relationship âFacets of India US Strategic Partnership discussed included trade energy nuclear defence critical minerals and technologyâ Jaishankar saidThe External Affairs Minister said both sides agreed to move quickly on followup engagements âAgreed on the early meetings of various mechanisms to advance our shared interestsâ he addedAccording to a State Department readout the two leaders discussed formalising bilateral cooperation on critical minerals exploration mining and processing â an area that has emerged as a central pillar of the IndiaâUS economic and strategic relationshipThe meeting came a day after President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a trade deal aimed at lowering barriers and expanding market access between the worldâs two largest democraciesSecretary Rubio and Minister Jaishankar welcomed the agreement underscoring the importance of the two democracies working together to unlock new economic opportunities and advance shared energy security goals the readout saidThe discussions also focused on the regional and multilateral dimensions of the partnership Rubio and Jaishankar concluded their meeting by reaffirming their commitment to expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue They acknowledged that a prosperous IndoPacific region remains vital to advancing shared interestsEarlier in the day Jaishankar also met US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington âPleased to meet US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington DC todayâ he said in a separate postJaishankar described the talks as productive âHad a useful discussion on advancement of India US economic partnership and strategic cooperationâ he saidThe twin meetings reflected the broadening scope of IndiaUS engagement spanning diplomacy security trade and finance Senior officials on both sides have emphasised the need for closer coordination across departments to translate political momentum into concrete outcomesIndia and the United States have expanded cooperation in recent years across defence energy and emerging technologies while also deepening economic ties through trade and investment Both countries have highlighted critical minerals and advanced technologies as priority areas given their importance to clean energy transitions and highend manufacturingThe latest highlevel engagements follow sustained dialogue between New Delhi and Washington on regional and global issues including developments in the IndoPacific Officials on both sides have described the IndiaUS partnership as a central pillar of their respective foreign policy strategies IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/eam-jaishankar-meets-rubio-bessent-in-washington-660765.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 11:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-signs-funding-package-ending-brief-partial-government-shutdown-660766.html Washington Feb 4 US President Donald Trump signed a massive funding package ending a partial government shutdown that began Saturday The bill narrowly passed the House of Representatives earlier Tuesday after gaining Senate approval on Friday Xinua news agency reportedThe latest package will fund multiple US federal agencies for the remainder of the fiscal year which ends on September 30The agencies include the Department of Defence the Department of Education the Department of Health and Human Services the Department of Labor the Department of Transportation and the Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentFunding for the Department of Homeland Security DHS originally included in the omnibus funding package has been removed The department will instead receive a twoweek continuing resolution at current funding levels allowing both parties and the White House to continue negotiations on immigration enforcementThe recent two fatal shootings by federal enforcement personnel in the state of Minneapolis have prompted Democrats to seek changes to how immigration agencies operate Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has said that until Immigration and Customs Enforcement is properly reined in and overhauled legislatively the DHS funding bill does not have the votes to pass the SenateIn recent years as political polarization between the Republican and Democratic parties has intensified the US federal government has repeatedly fallen into crises of shutdown or being on the brink of shutdown A recordbreaking federal government shutdown that lasted 43 days came to an end more than two months ago IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-signs-funding-package-ending-brief-partial-government-shutdown-660766.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 11:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/rubio-hails-ussri-lanka-ties-on-national-day-660767.html Washington Feb 4 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated the people of Sri Lanka on their National Day highlighting what he described as a growing partnership rooted in shared interests in the IndoPacific âIt is a great honor to congratulate the people of Sri Lanka as they celebrate their National Dayâ Rubio said in a press statement issued by the State DepartmentHe said the United States and Sri Lanka have âbuilt a relationship grounded in mutual respect and a commitment to a free secure and prosperous IndoPacificâ underscoring Washingtonâs focus on regional stabilityRubio noted that ties between the two countries had strengthened under the Trump Administration He pointed to recent US support following a major natural disaster in the island nationâUnder the Trump Administration our partnership has grown stronger most recently demonstrated by the United States support for the Sri Lankan people after the devastating Cyclone Ditwahâ he saidThe secretary said the United States had provided direct assistance to help recovery efforts on the ground âThe United States is proud to have provided lifesaving assistance and American expertise as well as resources to support these recovery effortsâ Rubio saidLooking ahead he said cooperation between Washington and Colombo would continue across several areas âIn the coming year we will continue to cooperate to advance our economic ties promote regional stability and support the aspirations of our peoplesâ Rubio saidSri Lanka marks its National Day on February 4 to commemorate independence from British colonial rule in 1948 The annual observance includes official ceremonies and public celebrations across the countryThe United States has in recent years increased engagement with Sri Lanka as part of its broader IndoPacific strategy which emphasizes maritime security economic connectivity and democratic governance in the region IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/rubio-hails-ussri-lanka-ties-on-national-day-660767.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 11:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/shooter-of-former-japanese-pm-abe-appeals-life-sentence-660768.html Tokyo Feb 4 Tetsuya Yamagami the man who fatally shot former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022 filed an appeal on Wednesday against his life sentence The Nara District Court on January 21 handed down a life sentence to Yamagami 45 who was convicted of murder and other charges for shooting Abe with a homemade gun in July 2022 while the former leader was delivering a campaign speech on a street in NaraThe ruling rejected the defence counsels argument that his unfavorable upbringing should be considered in determining his sentenceMasaaki Furukawa one of Yamagamis lawyers said the decision to appeal was made after consultations with the defendant to seek a review and possible correction of the initial ruling the Asahi Shimbun reportedWednesday was the deadline for him to file an appeal against the January 21 ruling by the Nara court Yamagami agreed to appeal after strong persuasion from his lawyers domestic media reported quoting informed sourcesYamagami had earlier admitted to murdering Abe during his trial at the Nara District Court saying that he committed the crime due to a grudge he held against the Unification Church because his family suffered financial ruin due to his mothers large donations to the religious group which he believed had close ties to Abe and other Japanese politiciansYamagamis defence had called for a prison term of no more than 20 years arguing that he was a victim of a religious groups harm and that his tragic upbringing motivated him to kill Abe Xinhua news agency reportedThe court however maintained that while his upbringing involved significant hardship it did not justify a substantial reduction in sentenceThe life sentence was in line with what prosecutors had requested The defence team which did not contest the basic facts surrounding the murder that took place in broad daylight had asked that Yamagamiâs sentence be capped at 20 years or less saying their client deserved a chance to make a fresh start in society IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/shooter-of-former-japanese-pm-abe-appeals-life-sentence-660768.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 11:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-rallies-highlight-violence-against-hindus-in-bangladesh-660769.html Washington Feb 4 Peaceful awareness rallies were held across 25 cities in the United States over the past few days despite severe winter conditions drawing attention to the violence faced by Hindu and other minority communities in Bangladesh Amid freezing temperatures snow and icy roads participants gathered at city halls and civic centers to show solidarity with victims of religiously targeted violence with the organizers describing the effort as nonpartisan and humanitarianCommunity members faith leaders and concerned citizens observed moments of silence and offered prayers They also issued peaceful calls for the protection of vulnerable minorities according to a media releaseFrom the Midwest to the East and West Coasts participants raised awareness about reported incidents of lynching arson sexual violence and targeted killingsThe nationwide initiative was coordinated by Daipayan Deb Deepti Mahajan Geeta Sikand and Divya JainâThese rallies were peaceful dignified and humanitarian in purposeâ said Daipayan Deb one of the four national organizers The two others are Deepti Mahajan and Geeta SikandMahajan said the gatherings were driven by compassion not politics âThis was about standing up for human dignity not politics When innocent lives are targeted compassion must be louder than fear or inconvenienceâ she saidSikand said the rallies reflected unity across communities and faiths She said Bangladeshi Hindu Americans who attended expressed deep concern about the survival of Hindus amid ongoing violence in Bangladesh She also said the complacency of the Bangladesh government was worrying as it has not effectively addressed the safety of Hindus and other minoritiesJain described the events as a quiet but powerful show of resolve âWhat we witnessed today was quiet strengthâprayer presence and purposeâdemonstrating that awareness begins with showing upâ she saidIn several cities local elected officials and civic leaders attended the gatherings or formally acknowledged them Organizers said this underscored the importance of peaceful civic expression and communityled efforts in highlighting global humanrights concernsEach rally followed a straightforward peaceful format Participants held brief prayers and observed a oneminute silence in memory of the victims Short remarks emphasized nonviolence and human dignity In some cities symbolic car rallies were also organized in compliance with local laws and publicsafety rulesOrganizers said the nationwide action was not a onetime event They said it was part of an ongoing effort to promote awareness and dialogue until violence against innocent civilians ends IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-rallies-highlight-violence-against-hindus-in-bangladesh-660769.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 11:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-calls-for-federal-role-in-us-elections-660771.html Washington Feb 4 President Donald Trump has called for stronger federal involvement in US elections arguing that states that fail to conduct elections âlegally and honestlyâ should face federal intervention Speaking to reporters at the White House after signing a major spending bill on Tuesday local time Trump questioned the current system for stateadministered elections âI want to see elections be honestâ he said âIf a state canât run an election I think the people behind me should do something about itâTrump said states act as agents of the federal government in elections and suggested Washington should step in when problems arise âA state is an agent for the federal government in electionsâ he said âIf they canât count the votes legally and honestly then somebody else should take overâWhen a reporter noted that the Constitution gives states authority over elections Trump responded âThey can administer the election but they have to do it honestlyâHe repeated claims of election irregularities in past contests and cited several cities as examples âTake a look at Detroit take a look at Pennsylvania take a look at Philadelphia you go take a look at Atlantaâ he said âHorrible corruption in electionsâTrump also renewed his call for voter identification requirements âWe should have Voter IDâ he said âWho would not want Voter ID Only somebody who wants to cheatâThe President linked election integrity to broader concerns about governance and public trust saying the federal government should not allow what he described as âcrooked electionsâOn immigration Trump defended his administrationâs enforcement policies and rejected suggestions that immigration agents should be required to obtain search warrants in some instances an idea raised by Democratic leadersâI havenât even thought of itâ Trump said when asked about requiring warrants for Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions âNo Iâm not thinking about search warrantsâSen Lindsey Graham strongly backed Trump criticising sanctuary city policies and warning they encourage illegal immigration âAs long as 12 states have a sanctuary policy theyâll keep comingâ Graham said âThese magnets of illegal immigration have to goâGraham said he planned to push legislation to end sanctuary city policies âWeâre going to take it to the floor and weâre going to voteâ he said adding that the issue would be central in upcoming electionsTrump echoed those views calling sanctuary policies âa sanctuary for criminalsâ He urged local authorities to cooperate with federal officials âAll they have to do is hand over their criminalsâ he saidThe President also claimed that stricter enforcement had sharply reduced crime He said border crossings had dropped dramatically and asserted that violent crime nationwide was at its lowest level in more than a century âThe crime rate now is the lowest itâs been since 1900â Trump saidTrump further alleged largescale fraud in some states specifically Minnesota and California and suggested that uncovering fraud could eliminate budget deficits âIf we find the fraud in this country youâll have a balanced budget without even cutting anythingâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-calls-for-federal-role-in-us-elections-660771.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 11:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-us-mull-outlining-timeline-for-wartime-command-handover-source-660773.html Seoul Feb 4 South Korea and the United States are considering outlining a timeline for Washingtons transition of wartime operational control OPCON to Seoul in their annual defence ministerial talks this year a source said on Wednesday with the year 2028 widely considered a likely target schedule The move comes as South Korea has been seeking to achieve the conditionsbased handover of wartime command currently held by the US within President Lee Jae Myungs fiveyear term that ends in 2030Under the plan both sides aim to complete the verification of Seouls full operational capability FOC the second part of a threestage program to assess its capabilities to lead the allies combined forces so that the result can be reviewed for approval by their defence chiefs in the annual Security Consultative Meeting SCM reports Yonhap news agencyGiven that US President Donald Trumps term is set to end in January 2029 the year 2028 is viewed as a potential timeline for Seouls yearslong bid to retake OPCON that had been delayed mainly due to North Koreas nuclear and missile threatsA more detailed timeline is expected to be decided once the defence chiefs of the two countries suggest a timeline during the SCM and proceed on to the third and final stage of the verification the full mission capability FMC The FMC is widely regarded as depending on a political assessment made by the leaders of the two countriesThe push is expected to gain momentum as Lee has put an emphasis on the importance of selfreliant defence and the new US National Defence Strategy stated that South Korea is capable of taking primary responsibility to deter North Korea with critical but more limited US supportDuring last years SCM the defence chiefs of the allies also agreed to develop a road map designed to expedite the implementation of conditions for the OPCON transferLast month Defence Minister Ahn Gyuback reaffirmed such a commitment in a meeting of key defence and military officials saying this year would mark the start of the retaking of wartime control which he called a mission that must be wrapped upSouth Korea handed over operational control of its troops to the USled UN Command during the 195053 Korean War It was then transferred to the two allies Combined Forces Command when the command was launched in 1978 South Korea retook only peacetime operational control in 1994The allies have been working to meet the conditions for the envisioned transition which include South Koreas capabilities to lead combined KoreaUS forces its strike and air defence capabilities and a regional security environment conducive to such a handoverAs part of efforts to prepare for the handover South Korea and the US are reportedly preparing to conduct their annual springtime Freedom Shield exercise next month as planned which the two sides use to verify the conditions for the transition IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-us-mull-outlining-timeline-for-wartime-command-handover-source-660773.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 11:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-senators-accuse-ubs-of-blocking-holocaust-truth-660775.html Washington Feb 4 US senators accused UBS of obstructing a congressional probe into Credit Suisseâs Nazilinked accounts after investigators said disputed bank records could determine âwhether a Nazi had an account or did not have an accountâ Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley on Tuesday local time said lawmakers were examining ânew facts and evidence regarding Nazis collaboration with uh Swiss banksâ describing the inquiry as a bipartisan effort to uncover the historical truth that had been âonce lost to historyâGrassley said the investigation began after the Simon Wiesenthal Centre notified Credit Suisse in 2020 that it had identified information related to the bankâs Naziera ties He said Credit Suisse initially agreed to investigate and hired former Troubled Asset Relief Program inspector general Neil Barofsky to oversee the reviewâBut after the investigation uncovered damaging information the bank paused its review limited access to records and terminated Barofskyâ Grassley said calling claims of performance issues âentirely falseâGrassley said the Senate Budget Committee later issued its first subpoena since 1991 to obtain Barofskyâs draft report and a forensic auditorâs report which found that Credit Suisse âdidnât review and investigate all relevant records regarding its Nazi past and applied excessive scope restrictions to its reviewâ Even so the probe identified nearly 100 Nazilinked accounts with some remaining open until the 1990s and one as recently as 2020After UBS acquired Credit Suisse Grassley said Barofsky was rehired and given resources to revive the investigation He credited UBS for initially cooperating but alleged that the bank began withholding records after it learned the Senate might hold a public hearingHe also criticised UBS for pursuing court action in New York that he said could limit the Wiesenthal Centreâs ability to speak about Holocaustrelated issues and restrict Barofskyâs testimony âUBS conduct is absurd and a historic shame that will outlive todayâs hearingâ Grassley saidRanking Member Dick Durbin said the hearing came as the living memory of the Holocaust fades making it vital that events âare not forgotten are not revised and are not rewrittenâ He noted that more than six million Jews were killed during the Holocaust and said lawmakers still had a responsibility to reckon with the pastSenator Sheldon Whitehouse said the bipartisan investigation had brought to light âneverbeforeseen informationâ about Credit Suisseâs role in servicing Nazi clients and accounts central to the Nazi war effort He cited findings that included previously undisclosed accounts held by senior Nazi officials and entities involved in escape networks known as âRatlinesâTestifying Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Simon Wiesenthal Centre said Congress had âan unprecedented opportunity to look under the hood of the banking machinery that facilitated genocideâ He warned that âsilencing researchers intimidating human rights organisations or restricting historical truth undermines integrity and weakens confidenceâUBS Americas President Rob Karofsky and UBS Group General Counsel Barbara Levi said the bank had undertaken âunprecedented voluntary workâ to uncover historical facts providing 165 million documents millions of pages of data and access to archives in multiple countries Levi said a small set of documents remained disputed because they relate to the 1999 Holocaust litigation settlement and were subject to privilege concernsBarofsky told lawmakers that without access to those documents he could not complete his mandate âI donât know whatâs in those documentsâ he said adding that even a small number could be decisive in determining whether specific Nazilinked individuals held accountsIn his testimony Barofsky detailed newly uncovered ties between Credit Suisse and Nazi institutions including accounts linked to the German Foreign Office and SSrelated financial networks He also described evidence showing Credit Suisseâs role as banker and landlord to an Argentine smuggling operation that helped Nazis flee Europe after the warBarofsky said his final report is expected by the end of the year and will include further findings He warned that current disputes could undermine the investigation if not resolvedLawmakers repeatedly urged UBS to provide full access to records and allow the investigation to proceed without obstruction âThe Senate will be watchingâ Grassley said âand the truth will come outâThe hearing also revisited the 1999 settlement in which Swiss banks agreed to pay 125 billion to Holocaust victims and heirs Witnesses said that while the settlement resolved legal claims it did not preclude continued historical investigationSenators said the goal of the current probe is to establish a complete and transparent historical record on Nazilinked banking activity arguing that accountability and truth remain essential decades after the Holocaust IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-senators-accuse-ubs-of-blocking-holocaust-truth-660775.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 11:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-congress-presses-for-stricter-ai-workplace-rules-660777.html Washington Feb 4 Warning that AI is already shaping pay schedules and performance reviews in workplaces top US lawmakers have pressed for transparency and human oversight as companies expand the use of new tools At a House hearing titled Building an AIReady America Adopting AI at Work on Tuesday local time lawmakers questioned whether current labour laws and data systems can keep upCongressman Rick W Allen the panels chairman said AI is no longer science fiction He said it is already transforming industries Allen said that Congress must protect workers while allowing innovation and growthAllen said policymakers need better data He said federal agencies must track how AI is changing work That data he said is needed for sound policy decisionsRep Mark DeSaulnier the top Democrat on the panel said the risks are real He warned that some employers use AI to monitor workers and suppress organising He cited tools that track bathroom breaks and screen activity He said such practices threaten worker privacyBradford Kelley a labour and employment attorney urged caution He warned against rushing new laws Poorly written rules he said could slow innovation and hurt US competitiveness Kelley argued that existing laws already cover most abuses He also said conflicting state rules are creating confusionLabour economist Revana Sharfuddin said lawmakers face a data gap Current federal statistics count jobs she said not tasks AI often automates parts of a job not the whole role The job still exists she said but the work has changed She called for updated surveys to measure how workers use AITanya Goldman a former worker protection official said harms are already happening She said employers use AI to set wages manage schedules and monitor performance These systems she said can worsen bias and push unsafe work speeds She warned that constant surveillance can chill protected activityGoldman called for stronger enforcement of existing laws She also urged new safeguards aimed at AI Those should include disclosure human review of key decisions and testing for bias She said states should be free to adopt stricter rulesDavid Walton a managementside attorney said AI use has surged across hiring safety and compliance He said many employers are building internal controls These include bias testing and keeping humans involved in major decisions He said such steps can protect workers and boost efficiencyWalton said workers need clear explanations Without buyin he said employees may work around the systems Early input and feedback are keyDemocrats said enforcement agencies lack resources They said agencies need staff and technical expertise to review complex AI systems The hearing ended with broad agreement on one issue Lawmakers said better data is needed Allen said policy must be guided by evidence so workers and employers both benefit IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-congress-presses-for-stricter-ai-workplace-rules-660777.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 11:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/indias-farmers-and-dairy-sector-have-been-protected-in-us-trade-deal-piyush-goyal-660794.html New Delhi Feb 4 IANS Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday that the interests of Indias farmers have been protected in the IndiaUS trade deal as agricultural and dairy products are out of its ambitnbspThe minister said that India has successfully protected sensitive sectors such as agriculture and dairy while giving full attention to food and farming concerns in the IndiaUS trade agreementnbspHe said the partnership will create new opportunities for MSMEs skilled workers and industry strengthen bilateral ties and ensure energy security which remains a top priority for 140 crore IndiansThe minister said that the trade deal will simplify the reach to advanced technologies and help in realising Indias Make in India for the World Design in India for the World and Innovate in India for the WorldnbspGoyal made his speech amid a ruckus created by unruly MPs of the opposition who resorted to shouting slogans in the Lok Sabha This led to the adjournment of the Lower House by the Speaker as the business could not proceed amid the chaosnbspPrime Minister Narendra Modi is set to respond to the Motion of Thanks to the Presidents address during the ongoing Budget Session on Wednesday as both Houses of Parliament are scheduled continue the discussionThe motion comes after President Droupadi Murmus address to a joint sitting of both Houses at the start of the Budget Session on January 28nbspEarlier on Tuesday Goyal said that PM Modi had clinched the deal which was stuck in lengthy negotiations at the official and ministerial levelsnbspHe explained that it was essential to finalise the trade deal as Indian exports of labourintensive products such as seafood and textiles to the US were hit due to the higher punitive tariff of 50 per cent imposed by the Trump administrationOn behalf of 140 crore Indians I want to thank PM Modi because this deal will bring a lot of opportunities for Indias economic growth for farmers poor fishermen women and youth he saidnbspGoyal launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accusing him of misleading the country and lacking concern for Indias developmentnbspHe said Leaders with negative thinking like Rahul Gandhi are misleading the country They have no concern for the nations progress The Congress government reduced India to the fragile five economies and if Rahul Gandhi has his way he will take the country back to the same stageIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/indias-farmers-and-dairy-sector-have-been-protected-in-us-trade-deal-piyush-goyal-660794.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 14:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-polls-supporters-of-barred-awami-league-forced-to-vote-amid-intimidation-660690.html New Delhi Feb 3 Bangladesh will go to polls this month and the battle is between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP and JamaateIslami Although there are many more parties in the fray experts say that only the BNP or Jamaat have the capability of winning The ban on the Awami League following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina has been a dampener for many supporters At first they had made it clear that they would be boycotting the elections During the campaign what is being noticed is that both the Jamaat and BNP candidates are being told that they risk being singled out if they do not vote The JamaateIslami has managed to drum up a narrative that it completely antiAwami League Its candidates openly tell the people that they are antinational if they support Sheikh Hasinaâs partyThe Awami League supporters now find themselves in a dilemma in case they decided to abstain The Jamaat has set up a team to identify those persons who do not step out and vote in the elections scheduled to be held this monthThese persons would then be identified as Awami League supporters and there is every chance of them being targeted an official saidBoth the Jamaat and BNP claim that under Sheikh Hasinaâs rule their people were persecuted The Jamaat was banned and many of its members executed under HasinaMany BNP leaders including former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia were put in jail during Hasinaâs rule Another official said that both the BNP and Jamaat would want their pound of fleshThe Jamaat in particular wants to ensure that the Awami League is completely wiped out While its campaign is about getting votes it is also about warning the Awami League supporters against abstainingWhen the elections were announced many had thought that the Awami League supporters would abstain from voting However that trend has changed and experts say that the Awami League supporters would all go out and vote This is mainly due to the fear of being persecuted the experts also sayAn Intelligence Bureau official said that the fear that the Jamaat and others have created seems to be working for them There are many who do not admit that they are supporters of the Awami LeagueWhile the party has faced similar issues in the past this time it is different The supporters of the party are being threatened and this is a clear attempt to wipe out everything to do with the Awami LeagueAnother official said that while sustained efforts are being made to wipe out the party it is unlikely that its leaders would give up so easilyThere are many exiled leaders of the party who are plotting a comebackThere are thousands of party members who fled Bangladesh in the wake of the uprising which led to the ouster of Hasina Many of them are currently in Kolkata and they meet up regularly to plan a comebackIn addition to this they regularly keep in touch with Sheikh Hasina who is currently in New DelhiOver the last couple of weeks she has been in touch with her party members both in Bangladesh as well as in KolkataExperts say that if the Awami League wants to remain relevant then it would have to act fastThe Jamaat and the Muhammad Yunusled interim government is hellbent on wiping out the partyAhead of the elections Sheikh Hasinaâs party members have been telling the people to boycott polling However Bangladesh watchers say that it is highly unlikely that a boycott would take place as the Awami League supporters are too scared of being identified and targeted IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-polls-supporters-of-barred-awami-league-forced-to-vote-amid-intimidation-660690.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/from-continuity-to-change-experts-deliberate-on-evolution-of-indias-neighbourhood-policy-660698.html New Delhi Feb 3 Adaptive and more countryspecific Indias neighbourhood policy is no longer limited to historical goodwill as it responds to diverse political realities while safeguarding the regional stability opined top policymakers industry leaders and domain experts at an insightful discussion At the highlevel dialogue organised by the Chintan Research Foundation CRF and titled Perspectives From and Within India and Its Neighbourhood analysts deliberated on the evolution of Indias neighbourhood policy conducting alongside thematic analysis on the economic political and security challenges confronting the regionAs nations grapple with the evolving regional and global geopolitics the experts reckoned that India has increasingly sought to balance its security concerns development partnerships and economic diplomacy to foster stability and cooperation across South Asia and its extended neighbourhoodThey mentioned that Indias approach to its neighbourhood has long been shaped by geography and history captured succinctly in former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayeeâs observation that You can change your friends but not neighbours This reality the experts highlighted continues to frame Indias neighbourhood policy where enduring cultural ties intersect with hard strategic choicesCRF President Shishir Priyadarshi who has coedited a book with Cchavi Vasisht on the same theme emphasised that the neighbourhood constitutes Indiaâs most challenging strategic theatreIn his opening remarks at the event Priyadarshi noted that Indias neighbourhood policy had become increasingly complex amid geopolitical competition political transitions in South Asia climate pressures and rising expectations from a growing Indian economy Stressing the vast diversity everevolving nature and nonlinear attributes of the region he stated that a onesizefitsall approach canât be adopted by India while engaging with its neighbourhoodThe experts highlighted that shifting regional dynamics have added new layers of complexity to Indiaâs neighbourhood engagementRecent years have witnessed political transitions and internal upheavals across South Asia including developments in Nepal Bangladesh and Sri Lanka requiring India to adapt its diplomatic and strategic approaches Political unrest in Bangladesh in 2024 the situation in the Maldives and continuing internal conflict in Myanmar have underscored the need for a more calibrated responsive neighbourhood strategy These challenges have been further compounded by Chinaâs expanding footprint in the region particularly through the Belt and Road Initiative BRIVasisht an Associate Fellow at the CRF added that the region functions in a state of constant flux rather than fixed agency She stated that Neighbourhood First is not just a slogan in New Delhi and the allocations made to immediate neighbours in the Union Budget underlines that development assistance connectivity projects and capacitybuilding and security are today central to Indiaâs regional diplomacyFurther discussions highlighted Indias efforts to balance national interests with regional growth and security including diplomatic initiatives such as engaging neighbouring leaders at the 2014 swearingin ceremony and aiding during the Covid19 crisisThe experts concluded that while the principles of Indiaâs Neighbourhood First policy remain relevant their execution must be recalibrated to account for changing domestic politics within neighbouring states shifting public perceptions of India and new forms of strategic vulnerability Engagement must therefore be differentiated recognising that Pakistan Bangladesh Nepal Myanmar Sri Lanka the Maldives Bhutan and Afghanistan each demand distinct policy instruments rather than uniform diplomatic responses IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/from-continuity-to-change-experts-deliberate-on-evolution-of-indias-neighbourhood-policy-660698.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/debt-ridden-pakistan-surviving-on-foreign-borrowing-660707.html New Delhi Feb 3 Debtridden Pakistanâs recent request to the United Arab Emirates UAE for the rollover of 3 billion deposits reflects the heavy dependence of the countryâs economy on borrowing from friendly countries and the IMF to stay afloat This pattern of repeated rollovers and emergency funding from friendly states and the IMF has provided shortterm breathing space but has also entrenched a fragile economic model that discourages domestic reform distorts incentives and perpetuates dependence according to an article in the Colombobased Asian News PostThe article points out that in early January 2026 Pakistan sought roll over of 3 billion from the UAE currently deposited with the State Bank of Pakistan SBP in three separate 1 billion tranches originally deposited in 2021 to shore up Pakistanâs balance of payments and stave off pressure on the foreign exchange reservesThe article cites official sources as indicating that Pakistan expects the rollover process to be completed on time and has also assured the International Monetary Fund IMF that the UAE will maintain these deposits in line with commitments made under the ongoing IMF programme This request is systematic in which Pakistan leans heavily on bilateral partners notably Saudi Arabia the UAE and China to roll over central bank deposits and commercial loans whenever repayment deadlines approachFor the current fiscal year government sources estimate that Pakistan will rely on rollovers of around 12 billion from these three partners alone underscoring how the countryâs external account management has become structurally tied to friendly capital rather than domestic export capacity or productivityled growthThe SBP Governor recently highlighted that in fiscal year 2025â26 total external repayments amount to about 258 billion of which approximately 93 billion are expected to be rolled over illustrating how rollovers are now embedded as a routine pillar of debt management rather than an exceptional crisis toolThe borrowing from the IMF also follows similar lines The IMF Executive Board approved a new 7 billion 37âmonth Extended Fund Facility EFF for Pakistan in September 2024 with disbursement contingent on sound policies and reforms but also explicitly backed by substantial financing assurances and rollovers from China Saudi Arabia and the UAE IMF officials have acknowledged that Pakistan has already been through 22 previous IMF programmes since 1958 a frequency that itself is symptomatic of recurring external sector crises and the failure of past reform efforts to break the cycle of dependenceUnder the new programme Pakistan secured immediate disbursement of 1 billion and additional commitments yet the conditionality again focuses on stabilisation rather than a fundamental restructuring of the economic model the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/debt-ridden-pakistan-surviving-on-foreign-borrowing-660707.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 01:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistani-court-again-issues-non-bailable-warrants-for-imran-khans-sister-660717.html Islamabad Feb 3 An AntiTerrorism Court ATC in Rawalpindi once again on Tuesday issued nonbailable arrest warrants for former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khans sister Aleema Khan and her two guarantors for the November 2024 protest local media reported The court also issued a showcause notice to the Superintendent of Police SP Rawal for not executing the nonbailable arrest warrants against Aleema Khan The court issued nonbailable warrants for two guarantors Nadeem Bilal and Wahid Mehmood ordering SP Rawal to arrest and present them before it Pakistans leading daily The Express Tribune reportedThe court ordered SP Rawal to be present on Wednesday and give an explanation for not arresting and presenting Aleema Khan despite the clear orders In addition the court directed arrest of Aleema Khan and presenting her before it on February 4 without fail as her application requesting exemption from appearing in the court was rejectedThe case has been filed at Sadiqabad Police Station and is linked to a protest held at DChowk in Islamabad on November 24 2024 Pakistan TehreekeInsaf PTI founder Imran Khan on November 13 2024 issued a final call for protests on November 24 demanding the restoration of partys electoral mandate the release of detained PTI members and the reversal of the 26th AmendmentFollowing Imran Khans call PTI supporters from various districts held protest at DChowk in Islamabad In response to the protests the state launched an operation against the demonstrators prompting the PTI leadership to flee the site and the protest ending on November 26Imran Khan who has remained in prison since August 2023 faces multiple cases including corruption and terrorism since his ouster from power through a notrust motion in 2022Meanwhile Pakistan TehreekeInsaf PTI party on Monday approached the Sindh High Court SHC against the alleged detention of more than 180 party workers during raids conducted in Karachi and other parts of Sindh under the Maintenance of Public Order MPO Ordinance local media reportedOn Sunday PTI accused the Sindh police of conducting predawn raids at the houses of party workers and leaders picking up around 180 of them Sindh government has rejected the allegations made by PTIThe petitioners PTI Sindh General Secretary Mansoor Ali and Insaf Lawyers Forum President Faisal Mughal have requested that the order issued under the MPO dated February 1 be declared impugned and demanded the immediate release of the party workers leading Pakistani daily Dawn reportedIn the petition the party has mentioned 14 respondents including the provincial Chief Secretary the additional Chief Secretary the Inspector General of Police Sindh the Central police office additional IGP Karachi police the deputy IGs east west south zone the SSPs Karachi east west south central Malir district Korangi district Keamari district IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistani-court-again-issues-non-bailable-warrants-for-imran-khans-sister-660717.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 01:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/paris-prosecutors-search-french-offices-of-social-media-platform-x-660720.html Paris Feb 3 The Paris prosecutors office said on Tuesday that the French offices of social media platform X were being searched as part of an investigation The prosecutors cybercrime unit is conducting the searches with the support of Europol and the cyber unit of the National Gendarmerie it said in a post on X adding that the action is related to an investigation opened in January 2025The investigation was launched after a French lawmaker contacted prosecutors over concerns about allegedly biased algorithms on the X platform Xinhua news agency cited France Info as reportingCiting a statement from the Paris prosecutors office France Info said the scope of the investigation was later expanded following additional complaints alleging that the operation of Grok on X had led to the dissemination of Holocaustdenying content and sexually explicit deepfake videosXs owner Elon Musk and former CEO Linda Yaccarino have been summoned to a hearing on April 20 with other X staff also summoned as witnesses said the reportAs a result of the procedure the Paris prosecutors office said it would leave X and direct the public to its other social media accounts In December the European Commission imposed a fine of 120 million euros about 140 million US dollars on X for violating its transparency obligations under the EUs Digital Services Act DSAThe penalty stems from three distinct breaches of the DSA including the deceptive design of Xs blue checkmark lack of transparency in its advertising repository and the platforms failure to provide researchers with access to public data Xinhua news agency had reported The use of the blue checkmark which any user can obtain by paying to designate verified accounts exposes users to scams including impersonation fraud and other forms of manipulation according to the CommissionIt added that Xs advertisement repository fails to meet the DSAs transparency and accessibility requirements and that the platform also falls short of its obligation to provide researchers with access to its public data US tech billionaire Elon Musk had blasted the European Union EU for a fine slapped on his social media platform X for violating transparency rules warning that his response would target the officials responsible for the penaltyThe EU imposed this crazy fine not just on X but also on me personally which is even more insane the Tesla CEO wrote on X Therefore it would seem appropriate to apply our response not just to the EU but also to the individuals who took this action against meHe had followed up with another post saying The EU should be abolished IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/paris-prosecutors-search-french-offices-of-social-media-platform-x-660720.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 01:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/chinese-fishing-fleets-pose-maritime-security-threat-to-indian-ocean-region-report-660721.html Naypyidaw Feb 3 Chinaâs expanding use of fishing fleets and maritime militia in the Indian Ocean Region IOR reflects a deliberate strategy aimed at normalising coercive presence and undermining established maritime norms Through the weaponisation of civilian vessels and exploitation of legal ambiguities Beijing is exporting instability environmental degradation and strategic pressure into a region vital to regional security posing a direct maritime threat to the IOR rather than a peripheral fisheries concern a report said on TuesdayAccording to a report in Myanmar media outlet Mizzima News amid mounting pressure on the international order from geopolitical rivalry and climatedriven resource scarcity Chinaâs conduct in the IOR mirrors a recurring and troubling patternâUnder the guise of civilian economic activity Beijing is extending its maritime footprint through heavily subsidised distantwater fishing fleets that operate in close coordination with state and military institutions What appears on the surface as fishing is in practice a greyzone strategy blending economic exploitation intelligence gathering and coercive presence to reshape maritime realities without triggering open conflict The Indian Ocean is now emerging as the next testing ground for this modelâ the report detailedâChina has been struggling to maintain food and economic security which has led it to expand its fishing operations beyond the South and East China Seas and far into the Indian Ocean Its large âcivilianâ distantwater fishing DWF fleets affiliated to varying degrees with Chinese government agencies are militarily trained and seen as China extending its maritime power â challenging international rules and using nontraditional maritime forcesâ it addedChinaâs DistantWater Fishing DWF fleets the report said have come under growing international scrutiny over environmental damage including overfishing ecosystem damage shark finningâas well as human rights abuses such as forced labour violence debt bondage on vessels alongside illegal unreported and unregulated IUU fishing Chinaâs assertions of responsible behaviour contrast sharply with a documented pattern of âdeception coercion and rule evasionâThe report emphasised that China has weaponised its massive fishing fleet to advance its goals while operating below the radar avoiding escalation It added that China also presents a major normative threat to a weakening world order While Beijing advocates for the code of conduct in the South China Sea SCS the actions of its maritime militia undermine the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea UNCLOS eroding maritime governance and establishing a precedent that favours coercion over complianceThe report further said âWhat China is exporting to the Indian Ocean is not fishing capacity but a tested model of maritime coercion refined in the South China Sea and now adapted for a new theatreâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/chinese-fishing-fleets-pose-maritime-security-threat-to-indian-ocean-region-report-660721.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 01:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/high-cost-of-doing-business-cripples-pakistans-exporters-660723.html New Delhi Feb 3 The Pakistan Business Forum PBF has assessed the cost of doing business in the country to be around 34 per cent higher than in comparable regional economies which means Pakistani exporters are losing price competitiveness in international markets that determine survival according to an article in the Pakistani media For an economy that is trying desperately to pivot to exportgenerated growth employment and foreign exchange this disadvantage is simply unsustainable Pakistanâs exporters have already felt the consequences Despite a recovery in global trade across several sectors exports have remained stagnant since 2022 the article in the Karachibased Business Recorder observedIt highlights that regional competitors such as India Bangladesh and Vietnam have expanded market share by maintaining lower cost structures stable policy frameworks and predictable operating environments Pakistan by contrast has allowed costs to spiral through policy choices that actively undermine industrial competitivenessEnergy pricing is one of the most damaging factors Electricity and gas tariffs for industry remain significantly higher than regional benchmarks These costs are driven by inefficiencies misaligned subsidies and the continued treatment of productive sectors as a source of fiscal extraction rather than economic growth For exportoriented firms energy expenses feed directly into unit costs eroding margins and pricing them out of competitive bids Buyers do not wait for policy corrections they shift orders elsewhere the article lamentedTax policy has further compounded the problem The burden of revenue collection continues to fall disproportionately on a narrow group of documented businesses Instead of broadening the tax base and eliminating distortions policy has relied on higher effective rates withholding mechanisms and indirect levies that inflate costs throughout the supply chain This approach penalises formal production and weakens competitiveness while leaving structural leakages untouched the article observesNowhere is this policy failure more visible than in the cotton sector Cotton underpins Pakistanâs textile industry the countryâs largest export earner and a major source of rural livelihoods Yet more than 400 cotton ginning factories have closed disrupting the entire value chain the article statedConsequently Farmers face reduced demand and lower returns ginners have been pushed out of operation and textile manufacturers increasingly rely on imported cotton placing additional strain on foreign exchange reserves This situation is not sustainable and all relevant authorities are aware of it yet despite all the talk thereâs still nothing on the ground to offer any encouragement the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/high-cost-of-doing-business-cripples-pakistans-exporters-660723.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 01:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/the-unholy-barrier-how-imperial-fear-and-arrogance-fought-the-missionaries-660591.html New Delhi Feb 3 By the second decade of the 19th century the British East India Company EIC had ceased to be a mere commercial concern It was a staggering debtridden empire ruling over a vast population of seventy to eighty millions of souls The tranquility of this immense possession according to those who governed it rested not solely on the sheer physical force of its armies but on a highly volatile mix of moral influence and in a great degree even by prejudiceIn this fragile politically combustible atmosphere where governance was openly described by critics as a despotism maintained by rulers who were despots over the governed the issue of religious activity became explosiveThe EICs survival depended on maintaining a delicate artificial political stability and the introduction of unrestrained Christian proselytisation threatened to ignite the very social structure the Company strove to upholdThe moment of reckoning arrived with the approaching renewal of the EICs exclusive Charter in 1814 This crisis allowed various British domestic factions manufacturers desperate for open trade London shipowners fighting Indian competition and crucially evangelical and religious societies to press their agendas upon a struggling imperial powerOn February 19 1813 the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge SSPCK formally approached the House of CommonsTheir petition presented by Mr Wilberforce sought parliamentary provision in the Charter renewal to allow them to pursue their spiritual duty in the EICs territoriesFor the inhabitants of India already subjected to a system widely criticised as being founded upon blood and supported by injustice the language of this petition provided a searing indictment of British cultural arrogance confirming that the colonial project viewed the subjects not merely as economic resources but as morally deficient people in desperate need of foreign civilisationI The Insult of Deplorable IgnoranceThe SSPCK an organisation incorporated in 1709 by Queen Annes charter to promote Christian knowledge viewed India as the perfect field for their efforts entirely agreeably to the object of the royal charter They highlighted their success in diffusing the blessings of civilisation and industry subordination to lawful authority and attachment to the Constitution and government of the British empire in Scotland and America The petition sought to export this civilising process to the Indian territoriesThe language used by the Society to describe the Indian populace however was saturated with profound condescension revealing the cultural superiority complex that underpinned the missionary drive That while the natives of those countries have long been and still continue in a state of deplorable ignorance and addicted to various idolatrous and superstitious usages of the most degrading and horrible descriptionThis description of deplorable ignorance and idolatrous and superstitious usages stood in stark contrast to the economic and political realities the British themselves had imposed upon India While the SSPCK sought to remedy spiritual darkness the EIC was simultaneously presiding over systemic exploitation and financial crisisFinancial Bankruptcy The EIC was not a viable commercial entity being in a distressed state and potentially 15 millions worse than nothing Its immense territorial revenues were largely consumed by the costs of the British administration and its military activities By 1813 the debt contracted for political purposes stood at nearly Â260000002 Judicial Paralysis The courts supposedly established to provide security for persons and property were revealed to be in a deplorable state Civil justice was virtually denied to suitors because the administration imposed exorbitant fees up to 50 per cent on claims and required stamped paper for all documents making it almost impossible to obtain justice The cost of administering justice in British India was allegedly higher than in the whole of Europe3 Informational Lockdown Far from operating an enlightened government the administration maintained a despotic system where the press was perfectly fettered by requiring the sanction of the secretary of the government This censorship was necessary to keep the people of India in darkness as to the nature of their government and prevent publications that might reveal the peculiar tenure by which the British government held their powerFrom the Indian perspective the true deplorable ignorance lay not in the indigenous culture but in the rulers refusal to acknowledge the systemic misery debt and political fraud they perpetrated The very year of the petition 1813 was a time when Parliament was awash in criticism of the EIC for its economic monopoly which restricted Indian potential and created an unnatural and extremely hard if not an unjust arrangement by allowing foreigners to trade more freely with British India than British subjectsII The Governors Fear Defending Despotism with PrejudiceThe EICs restrictions on missionary activity were a calculated political measure of selfpreservation stemming from an overriding fear of native resistance The Charter Act of 1813 had to address this as Parliament contained influential evangelicals like Mr Wilberforce who pressed for provisions to allow missionsThe ruling power believed that their empire acquired partly by conquest compact forfeiture and even fraud was too fragile to withstand ideological challenge This fear dictated a policy of radical noninterference in religious life a policy defended in Parliament by R Dundas and othersThe core justification for the restrictions rested on the recognition that it was the substratum of the British government in India to uphold the laws and usages of the nativesPreventing Irritation and Hostility Dundas confirmed the governments duty to suppress a work calculated to excite irritation and hostility He recalled a case where certain persons though acting with most laudable intentions had printed a treatise containing animadversions of the most severe nature on the religion and customs of the natives Suppression was necessary to prevent a religious backlash2 Avoiding Tumultuous Proceedings The government believed that abstaining from openly exerting itself to further the cause of Christianity was necessary lest they should be represented to the people as attempting to impose upon them a new religion which could lead to tumultuous proceedings3 The Political Necessity of Darkness Critics seized upon this defensive posture Mr Whitbread argued that to support a political despotism the government would not let them have the light of that Gospel through which they hoped for salvation themselves Mr Hutchinson observed that the aim was to keep the people of India in darkness as to the nature of their governmentThe EICs defense thus revealed a profound cynicism Religious tolerance was not granted out of genuine respect but was cynically deployed as a political weapon to maintain tranquillity and prevent the massive sixtymillionstrong subject population from recognising the vulnerability of the one million British rulers The British administration facing economic collapse and military strain such as the war against the Pindarries which led to conflicts with the Mahratta powers could not risk any internal ideological fractureIII The Irony of Exclusion Scottish Subjects Denied Their FaithThe SSPCK petition and a related appeal from the Church of Scotland highlighted a cruel irony in the EICs system the religious restrictions primarily victimised not only the targeted Indian population but also the British subjects themselvesThe SSPCK noted that many of our own countrymen members of the church of Scotland employed in the different civil and military departments in India are precluded from enjoying the ordinances of Christianity agreeably to the forms of the Church to which they are attachedThe EICs control over entry into India was managed through a strict licensing system Lord Melville explained that while most perfect toleration prevailed in these parts of the British dominions Scottish Church members found it almost impossible to exercise their functions This was because the Company out of zeal for the Established Anglican Church was not in the habit of granting licenses to such individuals except they were of the established ChurchThis demonstrates that the Charter system created a powerful centralised regulatory body the EIC whose control extended beyond commerce and governance into the personal spiritual lives of its European employees The exclusion was not just antiproselytisation it was a form of political and religious discrimination enforced by the Companys authorityThe SSPCK specifically prayed Parliament to provide in the new Charter Bill that its members be allowed to afford religious worship and instruction to our countrymen members of the church of Scotland who may reside in that part of the British empire A separate Church of Scotland petition had also sought provisions for its members to practice their national religionThe debate made it clear the EICs monopoly was about total control It determined who could trade excluding British private merchants in favour of foreigners who could publish requiring sanction from the government secretary and even who could travel to India to practice their faith excluding nonAnglican clergyIV The Paradox of Colonial CivilisationThe SSPCK framed the propagation of Christian knowledge as disseminating the blessings of civilisation and industry This rhetoric perfectly aligned with the broader British belief that their rule despite its political shortcomings was a force for modernisationYet this supposed civilising mission was from the Indian perspective deeply paradoxical and subservient to colonial goalsSubjugation via Education When missionaries were finally granted official permission after the Charter Act of 1813 they viewed education as a primary tool for cultural change intending to Christianising and civilising the natives These efforts while sometimes focused on social reforms like the abolition of Sati were fundamentally intertwined with the overarching goals of colonial control economic exploitation and cultural subjugation2 Economic Ruin The economic policy of colonial underdevelopment had actively dismantled Indias preexisting industrial capacity and ensured India became a subservient supplier of raw materials and a captive market for British manufactured goods Policies like the exploitative land revenue system led directly to widespread peasant misery and agrarian stagnation The British actively undermined Indian industries such as shipbuilding to protect London domestic interests in an act seen as injustice and oppression The irony of missionaries claiming to spread industry while the governing power deliberately destroyed Indian industry was stark3Suppression of Local Agency The political necessity of suppressing dissent led to the stifling of indigenous intellectual and political responses The press was fettered and any information that might empower the natives was withheld This denial of moral and political information was essential to prevent a collective anticolonial consciousness from formingThe missionary drive with its insistence that Indian life was characterised by deplorable ignorance provided a moral justification for the continuation of a rule that was by the British critics own admission fiscally corrupt and profoundly unjust It allowed the EIC to frame its military expansion like the irrepressible expansion seen in the Mahratta wars as necessary for civilising a benighted land diverting attention from the massive Indian debt incurred for the defence and protection of the British possessionsV Conclusion The Perpetuation of Controlled InteractionThe 1813 debate over missionary impediments ignited by the petition from the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge solidified the British imperial strategy regarding India Parliaments eventual cautious relaxation of the missionary licensing system part of the larger Charter Act was a compromise that sought to placate powerful evangelical interests in Britain without immediately jeopardising the EICs carefully managed despotismThe controversy confirmed that the EICs authority was nonnegotiable Whether through immediate embarkation for Europe for a dissenting journalist the imposition of exorbitant fees for civil justice or the denial of licenses to nonAnglican clergy the administration was designed to maintain total control over movement information and ideologyThe description of Indians as being in a state of deplorable ignorance was ultimately a selfserving myth The true ignorance was the willful political and intellectual blindness of the EIC regime which believed it could maintain stability by suppressing facts about its own financial insolvency military vulnerability and the systemic injustice underpinning its governanceThe decision to impose restrictions on missions was the EICs attempt to manage the immense potential energy stored in the clash between British imperial ambition and Indian cultural and social integrity It confirmed that the EIC preferred a silent predictable subject to a potentially enlightened and therefore rebellious one In the context of the Drain of Wealth and the deplorable state of jurisprudence the most profound freedom denied to the Indian population was not merely the freedom to hear foreign sermons but the freedom to organise to communicate and to legally challenge the unjust arrangement of their foreign rulersThe Author is a researcher specialising in Indian history and contemporary geopolitical affairs IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/the-unholy-barrier-how-imperial-fear-and-arrogance-fought-the-missionaries-660591.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 08:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/eam-jaishankar-arrives-in-us-for-strategic-minerals-talks-660598.html Washington Feb 3 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived in New York on Monday for a threeday official visit to the United States focused on cooperation in critical minerals and meetings with senior officials from the Trump administration Jaishankar is scheduled to travel to Washington during the visit where he will attend the Critical Minerals Ministerial convened by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio according to an official announcement US Vice President JD Vance is expected to address the conferenceThe visit runs from February 2 to February 4 The Critical Minerals Ministerial will focus on supply chain resilience clean energy transitions and strategic cooperation in the critical minerals sector These materials are considered essential for advanced manufacturing and emerging technologiesJaishankar is likely to hold a bilateral meeting with Rubio on Tuesday He is scheduled to attend the ministerial on Wednesday The engagements are expected to review cooperation between India and the United States in the critical minerals sectorDuring the visit Jaishankar will also meet senior members of the US administration Details of those meetings were not disclosedIndia and the United States have increased engagement in recent years on issues linked to economic security Critical minerals have emerged as a central element of those discussions Both countries see them as vital to clean energy goals and longterm industrial growthThe US State Department said that on February 4 the United States will welcome delegations to advance collective efforts to strengthen and diversify critical minerals supply chainsâThis historic gathering will create momentum for collaboration to secure these critical components vital to technological innovation economic strength and national securityâ the State Department saidJaishankarâs Washington meetings are part of regular highlevel exchanges between New Delhi and Washington The two sides hold frequent talks on diplomacy trade technology and securityCritical minerals have gained importance in recent years as countries expand renewable energy and advanced manufacturing They are widely used in clean energy systems batteries and other strategic sectors with demand rising steadily worldwide IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/eam-jaishankar-arrives-in-us-for-strategic-minerals-talks-660598.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 08:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/gujarat-delegation-to-showcase-sacred-devnimori-relics-in-sri-lanka-660602.html VadodaraGandhinagar Feb 3 Gujarat will take centre stage in Indias cultural diplomacy as senior officials from the state lead the Indian delegation for the exposition of the sacred Devnimori Relics of Lord Buddha in Sri Lanka The Relics currently housed at The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in Vadodara will be on public display at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo from February 4 to 10 returning to India on February 11 government officials said on MondayThe delegation will be led by the Governor Acharya Devvrat and the Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi accompanied by senior monks and officialsThe Relics will travel aboard a special Indian Air Force aircraft with full state honours reflecting the reverence accorded to Indias cultural and spiritual heritageThe delegation will participate in ceremonial religious and official events in Colombo including the inauguration of the exposition and exhibitions showcasing Indias Buddhist legacyThe Devnimori Relics originate from the Devnimori archaeological site in Gujarats Aravalli district near ShamlajiExcavated in 1957 by archaeologist SN Chowdhry the site revealed significant Buddhist structures and relics dating to the early centuries of the Common EraThe Relics include a green schist casket inscribed in Brahmi and Sanskrit reading dashabala sharira nilay the abode of the Buddhas bodily relicInside a copper box contains holy ashes silk cloth beads and a goldcoated silvercopper bottleThe items are preserved in an airtight glass desiccator with a cotton base to prevent deteriorationThe exposition at Colombos Gangaramaya Temple one of Sri Lankas most prominent Buddhist institutions is expected to draw devotees from across the countryThe initiative highlights Gujarats historical and cultural significance in Buddhism and its contemporary role in supporting Indias civilisational diplomacyBy sharing the Devnimori Relics India reinforces its longstanding spiritual and cultural ties with Sri Lanka while Gujarats leadership in the delegation emphasises the states unique contribution to preserving Buddhist heritage and fostering peopletopeople connections between the two nations IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/gujarat-delegation-to-showcase-sacred-devnimori-relics-in-sri-lanka-660602.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 08:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/arunachal-mountaineer-kabak-yano-conquers-mount-aconcagua-scales-south-americas-highest-peak-660609.html Itanagar Feb 3 Continuing her inspiring quest to scale the highest peaks on all seven continents mountaineer Kabak Yano successfully summited Mount Aconcagua the highest peak in South America in Argentina late last week as part of her ambitious 7Summit Mountaineering Expedition officials said A Lok Bhavan official in Itanagar said on Monday that towering at 22831 feet above sea level Mount Aconcagua is the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere and a formidable challenge even for seasoned mountaineers This remarkable achievement marks yet another milestone in Yanos extraordinary journey of endurance courage and determination Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lieutenant General KT Parnaik Retd congratulated 27yearold Kabak Yano on her latest outstanding mountaineering accomplishment Lauding her indomitable spirit and unwavering focus the Governor said that Yanos journey is a personal triumph and at the same time a powerful source of inspiration for the youth of Arunachal Pradesh He also added that Yanos achievements vividly demonstrate how discipline perseverance and selfbelief can help overcome even the most daunting challenges Emphasising his continued commitment to encouraging sports and adventure activities among youth the Governor expressed confidence that Yanos success will motivate many youths of the state to pursue games sports and adventure disciplines with renewed enthusiasm and confidence Governor Parnaik had formally flagged off Yanos 7Summit Mountaineering Expedition from Lok Bhavan at Itanagar on July 28 last year in the presence of the State Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Kento Jini extending his best wishes for her challenging global mission Born on September 5 1999 Yano one of the proud Everesters of Arunachal Pradesh has already etched her name in the annals of mountaineering by successfully summiting Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania the highest peak in Africa on August 4 2025 and Mount Elbrus the highest peak in Russia and Europe on August 16 2025 The prestigious 7Summit Mountaineering Expedition comprises the ascent of Mount Everest Asia Aconcagua South America Denali North America Kilimanjaro Africa Mount Elbrus Europe Vinson Massif Antarctica and Puncak Jaya or Mount Kosciuszko Oceania a rare and demanding feat achieved by only a select few mountaineers across the world With this remarkable achievement she became the fifth woman climber from Arunachal Pradesh and the first woman from the Nyishi community to achieve such a feat IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/arunachal-mountaineer-kabak-yano-conquers-mount-aconcagua-scales-south-americas-highest-peak-660609.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 08:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-lawmakers-hail-india-us-trade-deal-as-strategic-reset-660614.html Washington Feb 3 US lawmakers from both parties welcomed the new trade deal between the United States and India calling it a reset in ties between the worldâs two largest democracies and a boost for trade energy security and geopolitics Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said the agreement marked an important shift after a difficult period âThe new USâIndia trade deal is an important step forward for one of Americaâs most vital partnershipsâ he told IANSKrishnamoorthi said stronger trade with India would help both sides âDeepening trade with India a fellow democracy and strategic partner will support workers businesses and innovation in both countriesâ he saidHe added that the deal followed a phase when sweeping tariffs had âunnecessarily strained the relationship and harmed both economiesâ The agreement he said allows both countries to âmove past that chapterâUS Senator Steve Daines called the deal a clear win âTodayâs agreement is a tremendous step in the right direction a win for all sidesâ Daines said praising President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra ModiDaines said Indiaâs market access matters for the US economy âIndia is the fourth largest economy in the world and increased access to its market will benefit the American economy including American agricultureâ he said He also pointed to energy ties saying Indiaâs decision to buy oil from the United States instead of Russia sends a strong global signal He said more work remains on trade imbalancesSenate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch said the agreement was a major achievement âCongratulations to President Trump for a superb accomplishmentâ Risch said He welcomed Indiaâs move to reduce trade barriers and called India a close US partner with a strong diaspora presenceRisch said the deal also has strategic value He said Indiaâs pledge to buy American would help counter Russian aggression and support efforts to end the war in Ukraine by cutting support to Russiaâs energy sectorSenator Lindsey Graham linked the deal to pressure on Moscow âWell played President Trumpâ Graham said He said forcing Russiaâs energy customers to rethink their choices was beginning to workGraham said India had âmore than earned this reductionâ and said other countries buying Russian energy should follow Indiaâs lead âPutin will only come to the table when the pain is so greatâ he saidThe trade deal comes as Washington and New Delhi seek closer alignment on trade energy and the IndoPacific IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-lawmakers-hail-india-us-trade-deal-as-strategic-reset-660614.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 08:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-chamber-of-commerce-welcomes-trade-deal-with-india-660615.html Washington Feb 3 The US Chamber of Commerce welcomed the announcement of a trade deal between the United States and India calling it a longsought step for businesses in both countries US Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Suzanne P Clark said the announcement marked important momentum âWe congratulate the US and Indian governments on their announcement to reduce tariffs and nontariff barriers that will benefit American and Indian companies and workers in both great nationsâ Clark saidShe praised the leadership behind the effort âWe appreciate the efforts of President Trump and Prime Minister Modi and their officials including Ambassadors Vinay Kwatra and Sergio Gorâ she saidClark said the Chamber was optimistic the move would lead to more progress âWe are optimistic that this is the first step toward a comprehensive trade agreement that will unlock even more private sector collaborationâ she said adding that the Chamber looks forward to reviewing the detailsClark said the Chamber and its USIndia Business Council strongly support the effort âThe Chamber our USIndia Business Council and our members are strong champions of this effortâ she said âWe look forward to partnering with both governments to implement todayâs announcementâClark traveled to Delhi and Mumbai last year and met Indian officials and business leaders She had called for a trade deal and said the USIndia economic relationship is among the most consequential in the world She said a deal would benefit both economies and global securityEconomist Steve Hanke offered a mixed reaction on social media âIn exchange for having its tariffs lowered India commits to buying 500 billion worth of US energy technology agriculture and moreâ Hanke wroteHanke said tariffs remain a concern âUS tariffs on India are still way too highâ he said In a separate post he noted that the United States would cut tariffs on Indian goods from 25 per cent to 18 per cent and that India would stop buying Russian oilIn a statement USISPF said it âenthusiastically welcomes President Donald J Trumpâs announcement following his conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi which reaffirms their shared commitment to deepen the USâIndia economic partnership and advance a bilateral trade agreementâThe forum described the reduction of Indiaâs reciprocal tariff from 25 per cent to 18 per cent as âan important and positive first stepâ even as it noted that the details of the agreement are still to be finalisedâWhile the agreementâs specifics are pending todayâs announcement signals strong political will on both sides to move toward a comprehensive USâIndia Bilateral Trade Agreement BTA that addresses tariffs market access nontariff barriers and other traderelated issues across a wide range of sectorsâ the statement saidAccording to USISPF a bilateral trade agreement would âdeliver meaningful benefits for businesses workers and consumers in both countriesâ while also strengthening supply chains and improving overall economic resilienceThe forum emphasised that both governments have made clear that the announcement marks the beginning of a longer negotiating processâBoth governments have made clear that this is only the beginning with additional phases and negotiations anticipated in the months aheadâ USISPF said adding that it was encouraged by the âconstructive momentumâ created by the latest announcementUSISPF reiterated its commitment to working closely with both the Government of India and the US Government to advance the shared objective of expanding bilateral trade toward the 500 billion targetâA stronger USâIndia trade and investment relationship is not only critical to both economies but also central to advancing a stable resilient and rulesbased IndoPacificâ the statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-chamber-of-commerce-welcomes-trade-deal-with-india-660615.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 08:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/uk-imposes-new-sanctions-on-iranian-officials-660616.html London Feb 3 Britain imposed another package of sanctions against ten individuals and an organization blaming their role in dealing with the recent unrest in Iran according to a statement by the countrys foreign office Those sanctioned include Irans Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni Police Chief in Lorestan Province Mohammad Reza Hashemifar Public Security Police Chief Seyed Majid Feiz Jafari Commander of Fars Province in Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps IRGC Yadollah Bouali as well as several other military and judicial personnel according to the statementBritain has already imposed more than 550 relevant sanctions on Iranian individuals and organizations including the IRGC in its entirety Xinhua news agency reported quoting the statementThe move came after similar measures taken in recent days by the United States and the European UnionSince late December weeks of protests over the sharp depreciation of the rial swept cities across Iran The demonstrations initially peaceful escalated into clashes that caused casualties and damage to public property including mosques government buildings and banksâThe Iranian people have shown extreme courage in the face of brutality and repression over recent weeks simply for exercising their right to peaceful protestâ said UK Foreign Minister Yvette CooperâThe reports and shocking scenes of violence that have been seen around the world are horrificâ Cooper said adding that this package of sanctions seeks to hold Iranâs authorities âto accountâ for the crackdownTehran has blamed the unrest on the United States and Israel In response to an antiIran resolution adopted by the European Parliament Iran condemned it as meddlesome IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/uk-imposes-new-sanctions-on-iranian-officials-660616.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 08:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-media-hails-india-trade-deal-as-step-forward-660617.html Washington Feb 3 Major US media outlets said the IndiaâUS trade deal marks progress after months of tension but warned that many details remain unclear Fox News reported that President Donald Trump announced the agreement after a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi The network said the deal would cut US tariffs on Indian goods from 25 per cent to 18 per cent It also cited Trumpâs claim that India would reduce trade barriers and stop buying Russian oil shifting purchases to the United StatesFox News linked the announcement to broader geopolitical issues including the war in Ukraine and said the move followed months of pressure over Indiaâs energy ties with RussiaThe Wall Street Journal said the deal was aimed at easing trade tensions after a long standoff The paper reported that India agreed to halt Russian oil purchases and boost US imports while Washington agreed to lower tariffsThe Journal noted that the White House had not yet released formal documents to implement the tariff changes It also said some major Indian exports including pharmaceuticals and electronics had already been largely exempt from earlier tariffsThe New York Times described the agreement as short on details but potentially significant The paper said the deal appeared to roll back some of the steep tariffs imposed last year and could help reduce tensions between the two countriesThe Times reported skepticism saying analysts questioned whether India would fully stop buying Russian oil and whether the remaining 18 per cent tariff would still weigh on businessesThe Washington Post said the agreement helps stabilise ties after months of diplomatic strain The paper called the tariff cut a âmuchneeded boostâ for both Washington and New Delhi while noting that key terms remain unresolvedMost outlets said the deal is a step forward but stressed that its impact will depend on how quickly promises turn into action IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-media-hails-india-trade-deal-as-step-forward-660617.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 08:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/eam-jaishankar-welcomes-india-us-trade-deal-660618.html Washington Feb 3 Indiaâs External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on welcomed the USâIndia trade deal announced after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump calling it a boost for jobs growth and innovation in both economies The minister arrived in New York on Monday on a threeday official trip to attend the Critical Minerals Ministerial being hosted by his American counterpart Secretary of State Marco RubioâThis will create more jobs spur growth and promote innovation in both economiesâ Jaishankar said in a post on X He said the agreement would strengthen âMake in Indiaâ efforts and encourage trusted technology ties âA robust economic relationship is the strongest foundation for our strategic partnershipâ he addedAmerican singer and commentator Mary Millben described the deal as a moment of reconciliation She said the agreement showed âthe power of humilityâ in diplomacy and thanked President Trump for restoring ties with Prime Minister ModiMillben praised Indiaâs leadership during months of uncertainty and said the outcome positioned India strongly in global geopolitics She expressed confidence in the future prosperity of the USâIndia relationship and said she was proud of both countriesKhanderao Kand chief of policy and strategy at the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies welcomed the agreement and thanked both leaders for strengthening the partnershipKand said the renewed momentum reinforces the central role of USâIndia ties in the IndoPacific He added that the deal unblocks progress under TRUST advancing cooperation in artificial intelligence quantum technology cybersecurity robotics space and defense He also cited deeper engagement through groupings such as Quad and I2U2Political commentator Javed Hassan said India secured a better tariff outcome than Pakistan without symbolic gestures The reactions highlight the wide political and public interest surrounding the dealOfficials on both sides say the agreement is expected to deepen cooperation across economic strategic and technology domains in the months ahead IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/eam-jaishankar-welcomes-india-us-trade-deal-660618.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 08:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/eam-jaishankar-in-us-to-meet-rubio-today-660622.html Washington Feb 3 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived in New York for a threeday official visit to the United States and is scheduled to meet Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Tuesday as part of talks focused on cooperation in critical minerals The meeting comes a day after a phone call between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi Following the call the president announced a trade deal with India The announcement has added momentum to highlevel engagements between the two sidesJaishankarâs visit from February 2 to February 4 includes participation in the Critical Minerals Ministerial convened by Rubio according to an official announcement The ministerial will bring together partner countries to discuss supply chain resilience and strategic cooperationThe External Affairs Minister is scheduled to travel from New York to Washington during the visit He is likely to hold bilateral talks with Rubio on Tuesday followed by participation in the ministerial on Wednesday US Vice President JD Vance is expected to address the conferenceThe bilateral talks are expected to review a wide range of issues including regional and global matters These include developments related to the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East as well as economic and strategic cooperationIn a social media post on X EAM Jaishankar welcomed the announcements on bilateral trade following the conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald TrumpâThis will create more jobs spur growth and promote innovation in both economies It will strengthen âMake in Indiaâ endeavors and encourage trusted technology ties The opportunities in our economic engagement are truly vast and we are confident of realizing themâ he saidâA robust economic relationship is the strongest foundation for our strategic partnershipâ the EiAM wroteOn Wednesday EAM Jaishankar would attend the Critical Minerals MinisterialThe Critical Minerals Ministerial will focus on supply chain resilience clean energy transitions and strategic cooperation in the critical minerals sector These materials are essential for advanced manufacturing clean energy technologies and emerging industriesIn addition to the ministerial Jaishankar will meet senior members of the US administration Details of those meetings were not disclosedIndia and the United States have increased engagement in recent years on issues linked to economic security Critical minerals have become a central element of that dialogue with both countries seeking to ensure reliable and diversified supply chainsThe US State Department said on February 4 that the United States will welcome delegations to advance collective efforts to strengthen and diversify critical minerals supply chainsâThis historic gathering will create momentum for collaboration to secure these critical components vital to technological innovation economic strength and national securityâ the State Department saidJaishankarâs Washington engagements are part of regular highlevel exchanges between New Delhi and Washington The two sides maintain frequent dialogue on diplomacy trade technology and securityCritical minerals have gained importance globally in recent years They are widely used in clean energy systems batteries and other strategic sectors with demand rising as countries expand renewable energy and advanced manufacturing IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/eam-jaishankar-in-us-to-meet-rubio-today-660622.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 14:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-cabinet-officials-hail-india-trade-deal-gains-660624.html Washington Feb 3 US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Energy Secretary Doug Burgum welcomed the USâIndia trade deal citing benefits for farmers energy producers and the broader US economy Rollins said the agreement would expand US farm exports to Indiaâs large and growing market âNew USIndia deal will export more American farm products to Indiaâs massive market lifting prices and pumping cash into rural Americaâ she saidShe noted that in 2024 the US agricultural trade deficit with India stood at 13 billion Rollins said Indiaâs growing population makes it an important market for American farm goods and said the deal would go a long way toward reducing the deficit She called the outcome an âAmerica First victoryâBurgum focused on energy ties and investment âDealmaker in Chiefâ he said praising President Donald Trump for securing increased US energy purchases Burgum said the deal showed energy diplomacy at work and would strengthen international relationships while bolstering the US economyEarlier Trump said a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi led to the deal cutting US tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent and easing Indian trade barriers on US productsTrump said India would also stop buying Russian oil and increase purchases of US energy technology and agricultural products He said the agreement would strengthen ties between the two countries and support efforts to end the war in UkraineFormer US diplomat Evan Feigenbaum urged a measured response to the announcement He said the previous situation in USâIndia trade ties was unsustainable and that reaching a deal was necessaryFeigenbaum said the 18 per cent tariff rate was better than earlier levels but warned tariffs could return as leverage on other issues He also questioned whether India could realistically buy 500 billion worth of US goods in the near term saying the figures should be viewed with cautionHe said the deal puts the relationship in a better place than it was months ago but warned that trust lost during the recent standoff would take time to rebuildThe agreement follows months of strained ties over tariffs and energy policy Officials on both sides say the deal is intended to reset relations and open the door to deeper cooperation across trade energy and strategic sectors IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-cabinet-officials-hail-india-trade-deal-gains-660624.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 14:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trade-deal-heralds-exciting-new-phase-in-our-partnership-indian-envoy-to-us-660625.html Washington Feb 3 Indian Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra on Tuesday hailed the trade deal between the two nations and said that the new announcements herald an exciting new phase in our partnership This came as India and the US reached a trade deal on MondayTaking to X the Indian Ambassador said A big WIN for a consequential partnership under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump India and USA announce a trade deal creating vast new opportunities for the two economies and the people of our two great nations Todays announcements herald an exciting new phase in our partnershipEarlier on Monday the US President said that India and the United States had reached a trade deal outlining key elements after a phone conversation with PM Modi whom he described as one of my greatest friendsIn a detailed post on Truth Social Trump said the agreement would immediately reduce the US reciprocal tariff on Indian goods from 25 per cent to 18 per cent calling it a major shift in bilateral trade ties linked to energy cooperation and broader geopolitical goalsTrump said the two leaders discussed many things including Trade and ending the War with Russia and Ukraine He claimed that PM Modi agreed to stop buying Russian oil and to increase purchases from the United States and potentially from VenezuelaThis will help END THE WAR in Ukraine which is taking place right now with thousands of people dying each and every week Trump wroteAccording to Trump the trade deal would take effect immediately He said India would move forward to reduce their Tariffs and Non Tariff Barriers against the United States to ZEROTrump also said PM Modi is committed to BUY AMERICAN at a much higher level He added that India would purchase over 500 BILLION DOLLARS of US Energy Technology Agricultural Coal and many other productsOur amazing relationship with India will be even stronger going forward Trump wrote Prime Minister Modi and I are two people that GET THINGS DONEPM Modi also took to X and said Wonderful to speak with my dear friend President Trump today Delighted that Made in India products will now have a reduced tariff of 18 per cent Big thanks to President Trump on behalf of the 14 billion people of India for this wonderful announcementHe said that when two large economies and the worlds largest democracies work together it benefits our people and unlocks immense opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperationHailing President Trumps leadership in advocating for global peace stability and prosperity the Prime Minister said India fully supports his efforts for peaceI look forward to working closely with him to take our partnership to unprecedented heights PM Modi added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trade-deal-heralds-exciting-new-phase-in-our-partnership-indian-envoy-to-us-660625.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 14:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-eu-fta-likely-pushed-us-to-make-trade-deal-south-asia-expert-660626.html New York Feb 3 Indiaâs free trade agreement FTA concluded with the European Union last month could have pushed the US to make the trade deal with India according to a South Asia expert at the Asia Society here âThough IndiaUS trade negotiations were on for a while the deal with EU could have served as an impetus for the US to push forwardâ Farwa Aamer the director of South Asia Initiatives at the Asia Society Policy Institute ASPI said on MondayâThe timing is interesting as the deal comes straight after the EUFTA she saidPrime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump announced that they had reached a trade agreement that would lower the tariffs set for Indiaâs exports to 18 per cent from the 25 per cent set last year by WashingtonAccording to the White House the US will also drop the punitive 25 per cent tariff that Trump had imposed on India for buying Russian oilThe breakthrough came after about a year of negotiations between the two countries which were sometimes rockyâFor India the Russia question remains Aamer said Even though it has and will change its oil import structure away from Russia India would still want to keep relations steadyThe agreement was announced after a phone conversation between PM Modi and President TrumpâIt was finally the leadershiplevel engagement that we have been talking about since the beginning that was able to bring the deal aroundâ Aamer saidAnother expert with highlevel trade experience Wendy Cutler stated that the deal between India and the US would give India an advantage over its Southeast Asian competitorsâImportantly the US reciprocal tariff for India will be reduced to 18 per cent giving Indian exporters a slight edge in the US market over its ASEAN competitors who have secured 1920 per cent tariffsâ she saidA former acting Deputy US Trade Representative Cutler who is the senior vice president of ASPI said that it was likely the US got a better deal than the EUOn Indiaâs cuts to tariff and nontariff measures impacting trade âTrumpâs language gets vaguer only conveying that India âwill moveâ to zero percentâ she saidâHowever based on the language of the Truth Social post by Trump announcing the deal it does seem likely that the US secured deeper and broader tariff cuts than the EU achieved in its recently announced FTA with Delhiâ she saidWhile tariffs on EU exports of some categories like electronics and machinery would be eliminated over time some like alcohol beverages will go down to 20 per centTrump said on Truth Social that India will move forward to reduce their Tariffs and NonTariff Barriers against the United States to ZEROOverall Cutler said the IndiaUS agreement âwill help clear the pathway for the US and India to work cooperatively on other pressing matters concerning critical minerals technology cooperation and supply chain resiliencyâExternal Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived here on Monday en route to Washington for the Critical Minerals Ministerial convened by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-eu-fta-likely-pushed-us-to-make-trade-deal-south-asia-expert-660626.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 14:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/indiaus-economic-ties-set-to-reach-new-heights-rajnath-singh-welcomes-trade-deal-660630.html New Delhi Feb 3 Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday hailed the IndiaUS trade deal and said that it will open a new phase of deeper and greater cooperation between the two nations In a post on X Singh said A landmark moment for IndiaUS relations as a historic trade deal has been finalised bringing tariffs down to a significantly lower 18 per cent and opening a new chapter of deeper and greater economic cooperationCongratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump on reaching a decisive agreement the Defence Minister said that it will significantly strengthen our strategic partnership and deliver tangible benefits to both the countries and their peopleWith this agreement IndiaâUS economic ties are set to reach new heights he addedEarlier on Monday Trump said a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi led to the deal cutting US tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent and easing Indian trade barriers on US productsTrump said India would also stop buying Russian oil and increase purchases of US energy technology and agricultural products He said the agreement would strengthen ties between the two countries and support efforts to end the war in UkrainePM Modi also took to X and said Wonderful to speak with my dear friend President Trump today Delighted that Made in India products will now have a reduced tariff of 18 per cent Big thanks to President Trump on behalf of the 14 billion people of India for this wonderful announcementHe said that when two large economies and the worlds largest democracies work together it benefits our people and unlocks immense opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperationHailing President Trumps leadership in advocating for global peace stability and prosperity the Prime Minister said India fully supports his efforts for peaceI look forward to working closely with him to take our partnership to unprecedented heights PM Modi added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/indiaus-economic-ties-set-to-reach-new-heights-rajnath-singh-welcomes-trade-deal-660630.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 14:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/cms-welcome-trade-deal-with-us-hail-boost-to-make-in-india-global-market-access-660641.html New Delhi Feb 3 The landmark IndiaUnited States trade agreement which lowers US tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent has drawn widespread praise from leaders across the country on Tuesday who described it as a major step forward for Indiaâs manufacturing sector exporters MSMEs and youth Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister hailed the development as a defining moment in bilateral economic tiesPosting on X CM Yogi said on Tuesday âA landmark moment for the IndiaUS economic partnership A major boost to MakeInIndia as Indian products will gain wider global market access creating fresh opportunities for Indian youth and MSMEs Thank you Hon PM Shri narendramodi Ji for your decisive and determined leadership in advancing stronger IndiaUS ties This milestone reflects rising global confidence in Made in India and reinforces Indiaâs position as a key driver of global growthâRajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma congratulated PM Modi and US President Trump In a post on X he wrote The world is looking at India with hope and optimism This is yet again reflected in the latest advancements in the IndiaUSA friendshipHe further said that this will tremendously help Indian products thus benefiting Indian enterprises and MSMEs It will open new opportunities for innovation investment and job creation across sectors This partnership further strengthens our shared commitment to inclusive growth and longterm prosperity The world is looking at India with hope and optimism This is yet again reflected in the latest advancements in the IndiaUSA friendship Congratulations to President Trump and PM Narendra Modi CM Sharma said Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also welcomed the agreement calling it a historic advancement in IndiaUS relationsIn his post on X Majhi said âA historic advancement in IndiaUnited States economic relations setting a strong foundation for deeper cooperation and shared prosperity The US tariff reduction to 18 on Made in India products is a significant boost for Indian manufacturing MSMEs exporters and job creation while opening broader markets and new avenues for entrepreneurs and startups I extend my sincere congratulations and gratitude to PM Shri narendramodi Ji for his decisive leadership and peoplefocused diplomacy strengthening IndoUS ties and enhancing Indiaâs global economic presenceâBihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary termed the development a major day for bilateral tiesHe wrote on X âIt is a big day for IndiaUS relations IndiaUS has set tariffs at 18 by signing a trade agreement This has paved the way for stronger trade relations and mutual growth I congratulate Prime Minister narendramodi ji and President realDonaldTrump ji for this historic agreement This decision will strengthen our strategic partnership and bring great benefits to both countries and the common people India and the US are ready to advance trade in a cordial environmentâIndia and the US reached a trade deal on Monday following a phone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump The agreement reduces US tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent while easing Indian trade barriers on select American productsPrime Minister Modi also welcomed the announcement saying on X âWonderful to speak with my dear friend President Trump today Delighted that Made in India products will now have a reduced tariff of 18 per cent Big thanks to President Trump on behalf of the 14 billion people of India for this wonderful announcementâThe Prime Minister noted that when two âlarge economiesâ and the âworldâs largest democraciesâ work together it benefits people in both countries and unlocks vast opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation Praising President Trumpâs leadership in promoting global peace and stability PM Modi said India fully supports his efforts and looks forward to taking the bilateral partnership to unprecedented heights IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/cms-welcome-trade-deal-with-us-hail-boost-to-make-in-india-global-market-access-660641.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 14:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/defining-step-forward-in-indiaus-economic-relations-nitin-gadkari-on-trade-deal-660642.html New Delhi Feb 3 Nitin Gadkari Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways on Tuesday welcomed the IndiaUS trade deal calling it a defining step forward in bilateral economic ties India and the US reached a trade deal on Monday following a phone call between PM Modi and President Trump cutting US tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent and easing Indian trade barriers on US productsToday marks a defining step forward in IndiaâUS economic relations as the trade deal is finalised with tariffs reduced to 18 per cent opening new avenues for growth and cooperation My heartfelt congratulations to Honble PM Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump for their leadership in securing this historic outcome Gadkari posted on X He further stated that the agreement strengthens trust boosts business confidence and sets the stage for deeper trade investment and shared prosperity for both nationsEarlier on Monday Trump said a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi led to the dealHe said India would also stop buying Russian oil and increase purchases of US energy technology and agricultural products He said the agreement would strengthen ties between the two countries and support efforts to end the war in UkrainePM Modi also took to X and said Wonderful to speak with my dear friend President Trump today Delighted that Made in India products will now have a reduced tariff of 18 per cent Big thanks to President Trump on behalf of the 14 billion people of India for this wonderful announcementHe said that when two large economies and the worlds largest democracies work together it benefits our people and unlocks immense opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperationHailing President Trumps leadership in advocating for global peace stability and prosperity the Prime Minister said India fully supports his efforts for peaceI look forward to working closely with him to take our partnership to unprecedented heights PM Modi added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/defining-step-forward-in-indiaus-economic-relations-nitin-gadkari-on-trade-deal-660642.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 14:51:00 +0530