DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:01:14 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/international/trying-to-get-little-breathing-room-trump-says-israel-lebanon-talks-to-take-place-today-669716.html Washington April 16 US President Donald Trump has said that IsraelLebanon talks will take place on Thursday Trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken like 34 years It will happen tomorrow Trump wrote on Truth SocialIsrael and Lebanon on Tuesday held a meeting in Washington where Israel insisted on Hezbollahs disarmament and Lebanon called for a ceasefire and concrete measures to ease the severe humanitarian crisis resulting from the USIsraeli war with Iran according to a statement from the US State DepartmentAll sides agreed to launch direct negotiations at a mutually agreed time and venue said the statementThe meeting marked the first major highlevel engagement between Israel and Lebanon since 1993 it saidEarlier in the day the United States clarified that a possible ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is not part of its negotiations with Iran even as Washington steps up diplomatic efforts to ease tensions along Israels northern borderA senior administration official said the US had not asked for a truce in Lebanon and that it was not part of the peace negotiations with Iran However the official added that President Donald Trump would welcome the end of hostilities in Lebanon as part of a peace agreement between Israel and LebanonThe remarks come a day after rare direct talks between Israel and Lebanon were hosted at the State Department by Secretary of State Marco Rubio the first such engagement between the two countries in yearsThe discussions were described by US officials as a step towards reducing tensions and potentially opening a pathway to a broader agreementThe United States wants to see a durable peace but did not demand an immediate ceasefire another senior official said outlining Washingtons calibrated approach to the conflictInstead the focus remains on confidencebuilding measures between the two sidesThe United States focus is on building trust between the two governments so that we can create space for a peace deal and so that any future understandings can be durable the official said Both sides need to build political momentumThe renewed diplomatic push also comes as the US continues efforts to stabilise its fragile truce with Iran with regional flashpoints like Lebanon seen as potential spoilers if not carefully managed IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trying-to-get-little-breathing-room-trump-says-israel-lebanon-talks-to-take-place-today-669716.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pm-modi-holds-bilateral-talks-with-austrian-chancellor-christian-stocker-at-hyderabad-house-669736.html New Delhi April 16 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker held a bilateral meeting at New Delhis Hyderabad House on Thursday focusing on enhancing cooperation in trade investment green technology and critical sectorsEarlier in the day the Austrian Chancellor paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at RajghatnbspIn a post on X the Ministry of External Affairs MEA said Remembering Bapu and his ideals Federal Chancellor Dr Christian Stocker of Austria paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat laying a wreath and reflecting on Gandhijis enduring message of peace nonviolence and global harmonyStocker arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday This is his first official visit to India aimed at strengthening bilateral ties across key sectors including trade investment and emerging technologiesEarlier on Wednesday External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar called on the Austrian Chancellor expressing confidence that his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to be held on Thursday will open new avenues for greater cooperation between the two nationsDelighted to call on Federal Chancellor Dr Christian Stocker of Austria as he begins his first official visit to India Confident that his discussions with PM Narendra Modi tomorrow will open new avenues for greater cooperation across various domains EAM Jaishankar posted on XEarlier in the day Stocker hailed the growth of India stressing that it is investing massively in infrastructure and technology and is the European Unions EU most important trading partner in South AsiaIndia is growing at around seven per cent per year investing massively in infrastructure and technology and is today the EUs most important trading partner in South Asia For Austria a small but highly innovative export nation this is an enormous opportunity that we want to actively seize Stocker posted on X after his arrivalEspecially in times of global uncertainties stable partnerships are the key to economic success That is why I will be in New Delhi for the next three days to create concrete framework conditions so that Austrian companies can benefit from this growth through new cooperations deepened partnerships and even better access to this dynamic market he addedThis visit marks Stockers first trip to India and his maiden official visit to Asia since assuming office in 2025Stocker is accompanied by a highlevel delegation including senior ministers government officials and business leaders underlining the strong economic focus of the visit Both sides are expected to explore opportunities to deepen collaboration in areas such as advanced manufacturing digital innovation and renewable energyThe visit comes amid growing economic engagement between the two countries Discussions are also likely to cover regional and global issues of mutual interest as well as cooperation in multilateral forumsIndia and Austria share longstanding friendly relations rooted in shared democratic values The visit builds on the momentum generated by PM Modis visit to Austria in 2024 and is expected to further strengthen the IndiaAustria partnership opening new avenues for strategic and economic cooperationIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pm-modi-holds-bilateral-talks-with-austrian-chancellor-christian-stocker-at-hyderabad-house-669736.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/faridabad-to-nashik-changing-profile-of-terror-modules-raises-security-concern-669755.html New Delhi April 16 The Faridabad module case linked to the Delhi car bomb blast in November last year has served as a stark wakeup call for Indian security agencies While several whitecollar modules have been uncovered in the past the Faridabad network operated on a far larger and more organised scale An Intelligence Bureau official said that emerging patterns point to a growing preference among terror groups for whitecollar operatives indicating a shift in recruitment and operational strategyThe Tata Consultancy Services case in Maharashtras Nashik also falls within the ambit of such modules Unlike the Faridabad network which was geared towards executing attacks across Delhi and other parts of North India the Nashik module focused primarily on conversion and radicalisationIn Faridabad the network was led by medical professionals whereas in Nashik it comprised IT professionals and an HR manager reflecting the changing profile of those involvedWhile such modules are eventually detected their professional backgrounds often delay suspicion allowing them to function undetected for extended periods the officials saidBoth the Nashik and Faridabad modules are believed to have remained active for three to four years By the time they are uncovered considerable damage has often been done underlining the need for a reassessment of current strategies to counter this evolving threatOfficials indicate that terror groups are likely to place greater emphasis on whitecollar operatives for both terror activity and radicalisation efforts Such individuals often require only minimal prompting as they can access methods and instructions online and act independentlyTheir familiarity with encrypted platforms and secure communication channels further enhances their ability to operate discreetlyIn the Faridabad case members relied on ghost SIM cards and encrypted applications In Nashik the group used dedicated WhatsApp groups to circulate material and identify targetsOrganisations such as the Islamic State and AlQaeda may limit their role to providing initial direction while encouraging these modules to sustain themselves over time These networks may focus either on radicalisation or on carrying out attacks an official saidWhile recent crackdowns have brought these operations into sharper focus officials note that Pakistanbased terror groups have long invested in developing networks involving whitecollar operatives The ISI has in the past targeted schools and colleges in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country as part of this effortOfficials say the investment is aimed at encouraging radicalisation at the school and college level By the time these individuals complete their education they can form networks focused on both radicalisation and potential terror activity While the involvement of medical professionals came into focus after the Faridabad module was exposed officials note that such efforts have long been part of an ISIbacked approachFunding support has reportedly been extended to select individuals for their education Instead of being sent to Pakistan many were encouraged to pursue engineering or medical studies in Turkey and parts of EuropeOfficials believe such locations offer greater scope for targeted indoctrination while also keeping these individuals away from the scrutiny of Indian agencies On returning they are expected to influence others and draw more youth into similar networks There are indications that both the ISI and groups such as the Islamic State may continue to place emphasis on this modelAgencies are examining possible links between the modules that have been uncovered so far However one official pointed out that many of these networks may function independently which allows them to operate longer with a lower risk of detectionFor the ISI officials say the priority appears to be the expansion in number rather than direct coordination between modules IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/faridabad-to-nashik-changing-profile-of-terror-modules-raises-security-concern-669755.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-austria-to-strengthen-partnership-in-defence-semiconductors-and-quantum-pm-modi--669760.html New Delhi April 16 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced that India and Austria will strengthen their partnership in defence semiconductors quantum and biotechnologynbspAddressing a joint press meet with visiting Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker PM Modi stated that India and Austria will ensure reliable technology and supply chains for the entire world by combining Austrias expertise with Indias speed and scaleIndia and Austria have remained trustworthy partners in infrastructure innovation and sustainability Be it the Delhi Metro or the Atal Tunnel Austrias tunnelling expertise has made a strong impactFrom green energy to urban development Austrian companies have been actively contributing to Indias engineering projects he saidChancellor Stockers visit will bring new enthusiasm in trade and investment We are glad that he has come to India with a big vision and a large business delegation By combining Austrias expertise with Indias speed and scale we will ensure reliable technology and supply chains for the entire world We will also strengthen our partnership in the areas of defence semiconductors quantum and biotechnology the PM addedExtending a warm welcome to the Austrian Chancellor PM Modi expressed happiness at Stocker choosing India for his first visit outside EuropeWe are pleased that India is your first destination outside Europe This reflects your strong commitment to your vision and to strengthening IndiaAustria relations The Austrian Chancellors visit to India after four decades is highly significant Following the IndiaEuropean Union Free Trade Agreement a new chapter has begun in IndiaEU relations Through Chancellor Stockers visit we are taking IndiaAustria ties into a new eraHe announced that India and Austria would promote mobility in the nursing sector He also announced that the two nations will launch a Working Holiday Programme to encourage youth exchangeIndias talent has the potential to enhance Austrias innovation and productivity In 2023 we signed a Migration and Mobility Agreement with Austria Under this framework we will now promote mobility in the nursing sector We will further boost joint research and startup cooperation To encourage youth exchange we are launching the IndiaAustria Working Holiday ProgrammeCalling for reform of global institutions amid the ongoing tensions in the world PM Modi said Today the entire world is passing through a very serious and tense situation Its impact is being felt on all of us In such a tense global environment India and Austria are in agreement that military conflict cannot resolve problems Whether it is Ukraine or West Asia we support stable sustainable and lasting peace We also agree that reforming global institutions is essential for addressing the growing global challenges and eradicating terrorism is our shared commitmentIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-austria-to-strengthen-partnership-in-defence-semiconductors-and-quantum-pm-modi--669760.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/voice-of-india-carries-lot-of-weight-bilaterally-and-in-international-forums-austrian-chancellor-stocker-669778.html New Delhi April 16 Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker on Thursday hailed Indias role bilaterally and in international forums saying that New Delhis voice carries a lot of weight Stocker stated that he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi agree that peace in all conflicts can be achieved through negotiations While addressing a joint press meet with PM Modi following their talks in New Delhi on Thursday Stocker stated that he and Prime Minister Modi support a rulesbased order and not a world where might is rightStocker stated We are living in an age of geopolitical upheaval and disruption Power centres are shifting new alliances are being created and conflicts are becoming more complex At times like this stability trust and reliable partnerships are not just words but a strategic necessity And that is why India is such a reliable partner and is valued by Austria The largest democracy in the world shares common interests and fundamental values At a time when geopolitical challenges are getting stronger such partnerships are even more valuable Together we represent an international order in which we can live in freedom and securityWe are in favour of a rulesbased world order and not a world in which might is right Mr Prime Minister and I share the view that peace in all conflicts can only be achieved through negotiation and the voice of India carries a lot of weight bilaterally and also in international forums In a vibrant democracy parliaments also play an important role We have very important priorities in many areas and we believe that dynamic technological cooperation will be important and will connect us he addedHailing Indias growth he said India has an impressive growth rate of about 7 per cent per year and its one of the most dynamic global markets and a key strategic partner for us Austrian companies will in the future benefit more strongly from this dynamismHe stated that the Free Trade Agreement FTA between India and the EU will reduce trade barriers and create new opportunities for exports investments and industrial cooperation He called the IndiaEU FTA important in times of geopolitical challengesTerming his visit to New Delhi a milestone for bilateral ties he said My visit is in fact a milestone for AustrianIndian relations and I am very pleased and I also think its a great honour to be the first federal Chancellor to visit India in more than 40 years Mr Prime Minister you visited Vienna in the summer of 2024 and I think we can truly say that the diplomatic relations that weve had for the last 75 years are much stronger than ever before and we will be trying to build on this positive dynamism And thank you very much Mr Prime Minister for your invitation and also for your very friendly welcome and your hospitalityBut I havent come to India alone I am accompanied by 60 highranking business leaders The whos who of the Austrian business world This delegation is led by our Minister for economic affairs and the Vice President of the Austrian Economic Chamber Our close political ties are also of benefit for our business landscape he addedCalling India one of the most important trading partners outside the EU for Austria he noted that the bilateral trade between the two nations has increased to about three billion euros in the last 10 years He stated that about 160 Austrian companies are active in the Indian market in important frontier technologies like semiconductor production renewable energies automotive and infrastructureHe announced that India and Austria will be strengthening cooperation in security and defence through strategic dialogueHe said As far as our enterprises are concerned we want to have good ideas that can be implemented much more quickly and that investment takes place and that decisions are taken more quickly and that problems are resolved In terms of food security we want clear standards We believe in cooperation and knowledge transfer Reliable quality strengthens markets It creates trust We will be intensifying our cooperation in the fields of security and defence through a strategic dialogueAnd so as far as combating terrorism is concerned its clear that security does not end where our borders end And this is something that can only be tackled at a global level All this shows that our partnership covers a lot of areas We have economic dynamism academic and scientific cooperation and responsibility as far as security policy is concerned he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/voice-of-india-carries-lot-of-weight-bilaterally-and-in-international-forums-austrian-chancellor-stocker-669778.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-can-play-key-role-in-helping-africas-green-energy-push-669781.html New Delhi April 16 India can play a key role in helping Africa scale up its renewable energy as the country has over the last decade successfully added over 130 gigawatts of solar and wind capacity with renewables now accounting for just over half of installed electricity capacity according to an article Across Africa the energy transition is not a distant policy target it is a practical attempt to turn sunlight wind and mineral wealth into hospitals with steady power farms that can irrigate after sunset and factories that can plug into something more reliable than expensive diesel generators according to the India Narrative articleIt points out that 600 million people in Africa are still without electricity although access rates are increasing and renewable energy projects are being set up It sees immense potential for India to provide technology and institutional experience to drive this transition aheadIndiaâs expansion has been driven by competitive auctions clear policy signals and a focus on distributed solar that reaches small town grids and rural households For African governments some of those lessons transparent tenders predictable tariffs and a strong domestic engineering base are transferable even if the exact regulatory design must be adapted to local conditionsâ the article written by Zuri Amondi statesThe African continent receives more solar radiation than almost any other region and between 2020 and 2025 African governments and private investors have already committed roughly 25 gigawatts of renewable capacity with another 11 gigawatts secured through private sector deals and solar alone now accounts for a majority of new capacity Besides in many African countries new solar power is cheaper than building new gasfired plants especially when transmission and fuel price volatility are factored in the article pointed outIt also highlights that Africa is a central piece of the global clean energy supply chain through its critical minerals endowment The continent hosts a substantial share of the worldâs cobalt copper manganese platinum group metals and a growing share of lithiumâmaterials that underpin batteries electrolysers and wind turbines which would enable Africa to participate in the global industrial economyThe article points out that Indian utilities have already begun sharing experience with African counterparts on grid modernisation energy storage and the integration of variable renewables Power Grid Corporation of India for example has partnered with Africa50 and other African institutions on transmission projects which can help pool solar and wind across countries and reduce reliance on isolated fossil fuel plantsIndia can help by scaling up patient financing sharing hardwon lessons on grid integration and solar pump schemes and supporting Africanled rules for critical minerals value addition If those elements are aligned under strong African institutions and transparent contracts the IndiaâAfrica renewable energy partnership can become a model of how two large developing regions can build growth resilience and cleaner power together the article said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-can-play-key-role-in-helping-africas-green-energy-push-669781.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-austria-partnership-to-get-more-innovation-centric-and-future-ready-pm-modi-669795.html New Delhi April 16 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed confidence that the partnership between India and Austria will get more innovationcentric and futureready PM Modis statement came after he met Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker and discussed ways to deepen cooperation in areas like innovation infrastructure and sustainabilityHe stated that both nations are committed to adding new energy to trade and investment linkagesHeld very productive discussions with Chancellor Stocker of Austria We in India are glad that he selected our nation as his first destination to visit outside Europe after he assumed office This reflects his vision and commitment to IndiaAustria relations Equally special is the fact that this is the first visit by an Austrian Chancellor in four decades His visit also comes in the wake of the historic IndiaEU Free Trade Agreement which has ushered in a new chapter in IndiaEU ties PM Modi posted on XOur talks today covered ways to deepen cooperation in areas such as innovation infrastructure and sustainability We are committed to adding new energy in trade and investment linkages Sectors like defence semiconductors futuristic technologies and StartUps present immense potential for closer relations I am confident that the IndiaAustria partnership will get even more innovationcentric and futureready he addedStocker thanked PM Modi for his invitation to India and his hospitality He stated that his visit to New Delhi marks a new chapter in IndiaAustria friendshipIn a post on X Stocker said Thank you Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for the invitation to India and your kind hospitality It is a great honour to be in New Delhiâas the first Austrian Chancellor to visit India in over four decades This visit marks a new chapter in a friendship that has grown stronger for more than 75 years In times of increasing geopolitical uncertainty reliable partners connected by shared values are more important than everEarlier in the day the Austrian Chancellor paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at RajghatIn a post on X the Ministry of External Affairs MEA said Remembering Bapu and his ideals Federal Chancellor Dr Christian Stocker of Austria paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat laying a wreath and reflecting on Gandhijis enduring message of peace nonviolence and global harmonyStocker arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday for his first official visit to India after assuming office aimed at strengthening bilateral ties across key sectors including trade investment and emerging technologiesEarlier on Wednesday External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar called on the Austrian Chancellor expressing confidence that his talks with Prime Minister Modi would open new avenues for greater cooperation between the two nations IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-austria-partnership-to-get-more-innovation-centric-and-future-ready-pm-modi-669795.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-five-coal-miners-killed-in-balochistan-mining-accidents-669825.html Quetta April 16 Five coal miners were killed and another injured in two separate mining accidents in Bolan and Duki coalfield areas of Pakistans Balochistan local media reported on Thursday Officials said three miners died after they were trapped underground while methane gas accumulated in a coal mine in the Bolan coal mining field near Mach area Other miners were able to escape from the affected mine and informed authorities about the incident Pakistans leading daily Dawn reportedRescue teams from the Mines and Minerals Department and local workers started an operation to rescue trapped miners However the miners had died due to suffocation caused by inhaling methane gas The bodies of workers were found in the mine and taken to the hospitalWe received three bodies of coal miners who died from inhaling poisonous methane gas said hospital officialsThe impacted coal mine was shut and an investigation into the incident has been orderedIn a separate incident two coal miners were killed and another was injured in an accident in the Duki coal mining areaPolice said that three coal miners were seriously injured after a trolley carrying coal hit them They were immediately rushed to the hospital where two miners succumbed to their injuries The injured miner is undergoing treatment at the hospitalIn February a report by the Pakistan Central Mines Labour Federation revealed that 89 coalminers had died in mines in Balochistan in 2025According to the report accidents in these mines in Balochistan have increased by several times Furthermore accidents that occur in Balochistan are more than the accidents that happen in other provinces of Pakistan The report revealed that 618 miners have died in Balochistan in the past eight years Dawn reportedWith the workers being paid daily wages without job security no health provisions and no education support for children the condition of miners in Pakistan has been termed as inhuman by several agenciesMiners navigate unsafe tunnels with outdated tools without oxygen systems helmets masks and basic gear Furthermore they work for 1012 hours for a meagre irregular wages IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-five-coal-miners-killed-in-balochistan-mining-accidents-669825.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/imf-cuts-pakistan-growth-forecast-to-35-pc-raises-inflation-outlook-669827.html New Delhi April 16 The International Monetary Fund IMF lowered Pakistanâs economic growth forecast to 35 per cent for the fiscal year 202627 and raised its inflation outlook a report has said In its latest World Economic Outlook released during the Spring Meetings the IMF cut down the growth projection from its earlier estimate of 41 per cent citing the impact of the ongoing Middle East conflict while warning that the global economy could face significant disruptions if the war escalatesFor the current fiscal year the growth forecast has been retained at 36 per cent broadly in line with projections by other global institutions as per The Express Tribune reportThe global lender also raised Pakistanâs inflation forecast to 84 per cent for the next fiscal year up from 7 per cent estimated earlierFor the ongoing fiscal year inflation is now expected to come in at 72 per cent higher than the previous projection of 63 per centThe elevated inflation outlook could put pressure on the countryâs central bank to maintain or tighten interest rates as per the reportThe IMF further revised Pakistanâs external outlook more than doubling the current account deficit projection to 09 per cent of GDP or roughly 5 billion for the next fiscal year while maintaining the estimate at 04 per cent for the current yearThe report noted that Pakistan remains particularly vulnerable to the Middle East conflict as it sources nearly 90 per cent of its energy imports from the regionRising oil and gas prices coupled with supply disruptions are expected to strain the countryâs macroeconomic stabilityBeyond Pakistan the IMF warned of broader risks to the global economy Under its baseline scenario global growth is projected at 31 per cent in 2026 and 32 per cent in 2027 lower than the recent average of around 34 per centGlobal inflation is expected to rise to 44 per cent in 2026 before easing to 37 per cent in 2027 as per the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/imf-cuts-pakistan-growth-forecast-to-35-pc-raises-inflation-outlook-669827.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/indias-technology-talent-key-in-global-crypto-race-669681.html Washington April 16 Indiaâs deep pool of technology talent is emerging as a critical factor in the global race to build digital asset infrastructure participants at a policy discussion have said The discussion held under Chatham House Rules on Wednesday local time highlighted Indiaâs growing importance in the crypto ecosystem driven by its large base of software developers and expanding digital capabilitiesParticipants said the shift towards digital assets including stablecoins tokenised securities and blockchainbased finance is increasing demand for specialised engineering talent India they noted is wellpositioned to meet that demandThe country accounts for a significant share of global software development activity Its experience in building and scaling digital systems was cited as a key advantage in the next phase of financial innovationNoting that the opensource nature of blockchain technology lowers barriers for new entrants the participants said this creates opportunities for Indian firms to compete globally without the legacy constraints seen in traditional financial systemsSome participants pointed to the potential for Indian companies to emerge as major players in digital finance including the rise of new fintech firms focused on crypto infrastructure and paymentsAt the same time Indiaâs regulatory approach remains cautious Concerns around monetary sovereignty capital controls and financial stability continue to shape policy discussions particularly on privately issued digital currenciesParticipants said this caution reflects broader risks associated with crossborder digital assets especially for large and complex economiesIndiaâs digital public infrastructure including realtime payments and identity systems was cited as a strong foundation for future growth Participants said these systems could support the integration of new technologies into financial servicesThere was also growing interest among global firms in India as both a talent hub and a longterm market A large consumer base rising digital adoption and strong technical expertise make the country strategically important participants saidThe discussion noted that global developments could influence Indiaâs policy choices over time As digital assets gain traction in major financial centres countries may face pressure to adaptDigital assets are increasingly moving into mainstream finance with regulators in the United States Europe and parts of Asia developing frameworks to oversee their use India has taken a measured approach so far balancing innovation with stability concernsParticipants said Indiaâs challenge will be to leverage its talent advantage while managing risks Its policy choices could shape its role in the future of global digital finance IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/indias-technology-talent-key-in-global-crypto-race-669681.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/we-feel-good-about-prospects-of-deal-us-signals-progress-in-iran-talks-669683.html Washington April 16 The White House has stated negotiations with Iran remain âproductive and ongoingâ even as tensions over the Strait of Hormuz continue to shape the pace and outcome of the talks White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Wednesday local time that the United States remained actively engaged in negotiations with Iran pushing back against reports that Washington had formally sought an extension of the current ceasefireâAt this moment we remain very much engaged in these negotiations in these talksâ Leavitt said adding that discussions were âproductive and ongoingâShe said conversations with Iran were continuing at multiple levels with possible inperson meetings under consideration but not yet finalisedâIâve also seen some reporting about the potentiality for inperson discussions again Those discussions are being had but nothing is official until you hear it from us here at the White Houseâ she saidSpeaking about the mediation efforts Leavitt said âThe Pakistanis have been incredible mediators throughout this processâ she said adding âThey are the only mediator in this negotiationâShe said while several countries had expressed interest in facilitating talks the administration was focused on maintaining a streamlined negotiation track through IslamabadLeavitt indicated that the next round of discussions if confirmed would likely take place at the same location as earlier meetingsThe White House expressed cautious optimism about the trajectory of the talks âWe feel good about the prospects of a dealâ she said referring to ongoing diplomatic effortsAt the same time Leavitt stressed that the administration was not setting timelines for an agreement âI will never set timelines on behalf of the president of the United Statesâ she saidShe added that President Donald Trump had made his negotiating position clear âHeâs made his red lines in these negotiations very clear to the other sideâ she saidThe White House also clarified its position on maritime operations in the region noting that while a blockade targeting Iranianlinked shipping was in place US forces continued to support freedom of navigation for other vesselsâOur US forces in the region are supporting the freedom of navigation for vessels that are transiting the Strait to and from nonIranian portsâ Leavitt saidShe emphasised that enforcement measures applied to âvessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian portsâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/we-feel-good-about-prospects-of-deal-us-signals-progress-in-iran-talks-669683.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-eyes-global-crypto-rules-india-central-to-future-framework-669684.html Washington April 16 The United States is pushing for global alignment on digital asset regulations with India seen as a key partner in shaping future standards according to participants at a policy discussion The conversation held under Chatham House Rules on Wednesday local time underscored that digital assets by their nature operate across borders making international coordination essential to avoid regulatory fragmentationParticipants said Washington is increasingly focused on building interoperable frameworks that can be adopted across jurisdictions The goal is to reduce compliance complexity lower costs and enable smoother movement of capital in a rapidly digitising global economyThere was broad agreement that no single country can regulate digital assets in isolation Crossborder cooperation both bilateral and through multilateral forums such as the G20 was identified as critical to developing common standardsIndia was highlighted as an important player in these discussions given its scale growing digital economy and experience in building large public digital systemsParticipants said that Indiaâs role in earlier global policy efforts on digital finance has already been significant and future engagement could deepen as the technology maturesSeveral participants noted that while the United States is moving towards a more innovationdriven framework India has taken a more cautious stance particularly on issues such as capital controls and monetary sovereigntyParticipants noted that these differences reflect varying economic structures and policy priorities but said there is still scope for convergence over timeCrossborder payments were one area of potential cooperation identified during the discussion Digital assets could reduce friction in international transactions an issue of particular relevance to countries like India with large remittance flowsThere was also emphasis on the importance of setting global norms Participants stated that countries that move early to establish credible regulatory frameworks are more likely to shape international standardsIn this context collaboration between major economies such as the United States and India could influence how digital asset markets evolve globallyAt a broader level participants said digital assets are becoming part of a larger shift in financial infrastructure alongside advances in artificial intelligence and digital paymentsThey stressed that cooperation between democracies will be important in ensuring that emerging technologies are governed by transparent and rulesbased systemsParticipants said the challenge ahead will be to balance national priorities with the need for global coordination as digital finance continues to expand across bordersThey added that deeper engagement between the United States and India could play a decisive role in shaping the future architecture of digital asset regulation IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-eyes-global-crypto-rules-india-central-to-future-framework-669684.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/tax-gains-driven-by-overtime-relief-small-business-benefits-drive-uptake-white-house-669685.html Washington April 16 Tax exemptions on overtime and targeted relief for small businesses have emerged as key drivers behind the uptake of President Donald Trumpâs tax cuts according to the White House US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters at a news conference that the most widely used provision in the new tax framework was the exemption on overtime income with more than 25 million filers claiming the benefitHe said the policy was designed to reward additional work âIf you want to work longer hours you get to keep more of your moneyâ Bessent saidThe average deduction for overtime stood at about 3100 according to Treasury data while millions of workers in service sectors also benefited from the notaxontips provisionOfficials said early feedback from employers and workers suggested an increase in willingness to take on additional shifts particularly in sectors facing labour shortagesBessent said the administration viewed overtime incentives as a way to address workforce gaps âWhat better way to fill that gap than with overtime for hardworking Americans and for them to keep more of itâ he saidSmall Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler said the tax package was also delivering significant gains for small firms which she described as a âmassive economic engineâ accounting for the majority of businesses in the countryShe said 12 million small businesses had seen average tax savings of about 7000 with provisions such as the permanent 20 per cent passthrough deduction helping firms plan for growthLoeffler said the tax cuts were enabling expansion and hiring She pointed to examples of manufacturers increasing shifts and reinvesting savings into new jobs and facilitiesIn one case she said a manufacturing firm in Georgia was ramping up operations after benefiting from the tax measures while another business used savings to construct new infrastructureOfficials also cited increased activity in industrial sectors linking tax provisions such as full expensing of equipment and research incentives to a push for domestic productionLoeffler said the changes were contributing to what she described as a broader revival of manufacturing and small business confidence with firms âin growth modeâ and planning to hireShe added that small businesses were benefiting alongside workers particularly through provisions that reduce tax burdens on wages earned through additional workThe administration has positioned these measures as central to its economic strategy focusing on increasing takehome pay and incentivising productivity while supporting domestic industry IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/tax-gains-driven-by-overtime-relief-small-business-benefits-drive-uptake-white-house-669685.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-backs-lebanon-peace-push-not-truce-669686.html Washington April 16 The United States has clarified that a possible ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon is not part of its negotiations with Iran even as Washington steps up diplomatic efforts to ease tensions along Israelâs northern border A senior administration official said the US had ânot asked forâ a truce in Lebanon and that it was ânot part of the peace negotiations with Iranâ However the official added that President Donald Trump âwould welcome the end of hostilities in Lebanon as part of a peace agreement between Israel and LebanonâThe remarks come a day after rare direct talks between Israel and Lebanon were hosted at the State Department by Secretary of State Marco Rubio the first such engagement between the two countries in yearsThe discussions were described by US officials as a step towards reducing tensions and potentially opening a pathway to a broader agreementâThe United States wants to see a durable peace but did not demand an immediate ceasefireâ another senior official said outlining Washingtonâs calibrated approach to the conflictInstead the focus remains on confidencebuilding measures between the two sidesâThe United States focus is on building trust between the two governments so that we can create space for a peace deal and so that any future understandings can be durableâ the official said âBoth sides need to build political momentumâThe clarification comes amid reports that Israel is considering a shortterm ceasefire in Lebanon that could pause its conflict with Iranbacked HezbollahAccording to officials cited in those reports the proposed truce could last about a week though discussions remain fluid and subject to political and military considerations It is also unclear whether Hezbollah would agree to such a moveUS officials stressed that while Washington supports deescalation it is not linking different negotiation tracksâNegotiations between the US and Iran are not linked to ongoing peace talks between Israel and Lebanonâ the official saidThat separation reflects broader US concerns about managing multiple conflicts in the region without allowing one track to complicate anotherThe Lebanon front has remained volatile since Israel launched a military campaign earlier this year following rocket attacks by Hezbollah The conflict has displaced large numbers of civilians and raised fears of a wider regional escalationWashingtonâs current approach appears aimed at creating incremental progress rather than forcing an immediate settlementOfficials emphasised that building trust and sustaining dialogue could eventually lead to a more stable outcome than a rushed ceasefireThe renewed diplomatic push also comes as the US continues efforts to stabilise its fragile truce with Iran with regional flashpoints like Lebanon seen as potential spoilers if not carefully managed IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-backs-lebanon-peace-push-not-truce-669686.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/global-conflicts-strain-developing-economies-669687.html Washington April 16 Global conflicts and supply chain disruptions are adding to economic stress in developing countries with the Intergovernmental Group of TwentyFour G24 warning that recent gains on inflation and growth are at risk Speaking at a press briefing during the Spring Meetings G24 Chair Olawale Edun said âNumerous political crises and conflicts globally have significantly impactedâ populations and further strained the fragile global economy with particularly adverse consequences for developing nationsâHe said disruptions in supply chains especially in energy markets are worsening conditions âOilimporting countries face increased current account pressures inflation may affect various sectorsâ undermining the progress made recentlyâ Edun saidRising interest rates and exchange rate volatility are pushing up borrowing costs This is increasing debt risks in emerging markets and developing economies At the same time âtighter financial conditions and heightened risk aversionâ could reduce the flow of private capitalâ he addedThe group called for stronger multilateral support Edun said âMultilateral support and enhanced development assistance remain essential for vulnerable countriesâCentral banks face a difficult policy choice Akhtar Javed First ViceChair said âitâs really difficult for the central banks to strike a balanceâ adding they must âbehave prudently andâ strike a balanceâIyabo Masha Director of the G24 Secretariat said current inflation pressures are largely supplydriven âSupplyside constraints do not respond well to monetary policy like an interest rate hikeâ she said She urged a âwait and seeâ approach while staying datadrivenEdun warned of risks on both sides Raising rates âtoo early and too highâ can do damageâ he said But delaying action can also allow inflation to riseOn fiscal policy the group backed targeted support Edun said governments should focus on âtargeted and temporary relief particularly for the poor and the most vulnerableâ instead of returning to broad subsidiesHe said the energy shock is affecting both oil importers and exporters Even oilproducing countries face rising costs through higher prices for inputs such as gas and foodThe G24 also called for more support from global institutions âWe would definitely like them to provideâ additional liquidity risk management tools that bring down the cost of financingâ Edun saidMasha said reforms are underway but âthe gap remainsâ especially on the debt side on how they bring down the cost of borrowingâOn trade Edun said the global system is weakening He pointed to âfragmentation bilateralism and a breakdown of supply chainsâ This is pushing developing countries to focus more on domestic production and regional marketsHe also flagged risks from new technologies Artificial intelligence could âcreate inequality before finally maybe helping to close the gapâ he saidThe warning comes as geopolitical tensions continue to disrupt global markets For countries like India a major oil importer higher energy prices can fuel inflation and widen external imbalancesThe IMF and World Bank have expanded support tools in recent years But developing countries continue to seek lower borrowing costs stronger financial safety nets and reforms to reflect their growing role in the global economy IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/global-conflicts-strain-developing-economies-669687.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/equipment-failure-blamed-for-major-fire-at-australian-oil-refinery-669688.html Melbourne April 16 Authorities said on Thursday that equipment failure caused a major fire at an Australian oil refinery that is expected to affect the national fuel supply The fire broke out at Viva Energys refinery in the city of Geelong 65 km southwest of Melbourne around 11 pm local time on Wednesday and was continuing to burn on Thursday morningThe facility is one of only two operational refineries in Australia and produces about 10 per cent of the national fuel supplyMichelle Cowling deputy commissioner of the fire and rescue service in the state of Victoria told Australian Broadcasting Corporation ABC radio that equipment failure in the refinery caused the fireTherell be a thorough investigation into the failure of how this fire started she saidSpeaking earlier on Thursday federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen said that the fire would impact petrol production but that there is no reason to believe it will affect the production of diesel or jet fuelIm sure that petrol production will continue but it may be impacted for some time he told ABC televisionHe said that the fire was not great timing amid the oil supply crisis caused by the conflict in the Middle East and that the government would update Australians with the latest information when the full impact of the fire is determinedThe federal government in March struck a deal to continue subsidising the operation of the Geelong refinery and Australias other oil refinery in Brisbane into the 2030s Xinhua news agency reported Fire Rescue Victoria FRV had said the fire started in the refinerys motor gasoline unit and that flames reached up to 60 metres in heightIt had said that all emergency responders and workers were accounted for and no injuries were reportedFRV Assistant Chief Fire Officer Michael McGuinness told ABC radio that the fire was being fueled by various types of hydrocarbon fuel and that it was expected to continue burning for several hours on Thursday morningIt was burning in an area of approximately 30 metres by 30 metres There have been several small explosions he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/equipment-failure-blamed-for-major-fire-at-australian-oil-refinery-669688.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/world-bank-group-aims-to-secure-water-access-for-1-billion-by-2030-669689.html Washington April 16 The World Bank Group has launched a global initiative to improve water security for one billion people by 2030 linking access to reliable water directly to jobs economic growth and stability across developing economies The platform called Water Forward aims to align reforms financing and partnerships to expand water services and strengthen resilience to droughts and floodsâWater is foundational to how economies function When water systems work farmers produce businesses operate and cities attract investmentâ World Bank President Ajay Banga said on Wednesday local timeHe warned that without functioning water systems âeconomies donât workâ adding that water is ânot a side issueâ but âfoundational and fundamentalâThe initiative comes as water scarcity affects an estimated 4 billion people globally while waterdependent sectors already support more than 17 billion jobs according to the BankThe World Bank said it will aim to reach 400 million people directly with partner institutions expected to take the total beyond one billionAt the core of the initiative are countryled âwater compactsâ where governments commit to reforms strengthen institutions and outline investment pipelines Fourteen countries announced such compacts at the launchThe push also seeks to unlock private capital by improving regulation utility performance and project preparationBusiness leaders echoed the economic case for water investments Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote said water must be treated as core infrastructure warning that âwhen water systems fail labour markets agriculture industry health and human capital sufferââOne thing that would be importantâ is to make sure that those most affectedâ get the help they deserveâ Banga said noting the need for targeted support amid global economic strain driven by conflict and debt pressuresSpeakers from developing countries highlighted how water shortages affect schooling agriculture and business activity One youth advocate said âWater is not only about thirstâ it is about whether you go to school whether you keep your jobâMultilateral development banks and institutions pledged support with commitments targeting hundreds of millions of people across regions including Asia Africa and Latin AmericaThe initiative also drew backing from the United Nations with SecretaryGeneral António Guterres calling water access essential to sustainable development and warning that billions still lack safe water and sanitationHe said the global system has failed to direct resources where needed citing a financing gap of around 1 trillion annually in the water sector IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/world-bank-group-aims-to-secure-water-access-for-1-billion-by-2030-669689.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/at-least-11-dead-in-bus-accident-in-ecuador-669690.html Quito April 16 At least 11 people were killed and 22 others injured after an interprovincial bus veered off the road and fell into a river in southern Ecuador authorities said The accident occurred on Wednesday on the CuencaMolleturo road near the El Chorro bridge Cuenca canton where the bus veered off the road and broke through guardrails before falling into a shallow river according to the Cuenca fire departmentThe vehicle later caught fire and was completely burned images shared on social media showedRescue teams including firefighters the Red Cross and health authorities were dispatched to the scene to assist the injured and recover bodiesCuenca Fire Chief Sixto Heras said some victims were found inside the bus while others were located in the river Several of the injured were reported to be in critical conditionAuthorities said the death toll could rise as recovery operations continue The cause of the accident remains under investigation Xinhua news agency reportedThe road has been closed while rescue efforts are ongoing Traffic accidents are a leading cause of death in Ecuador often linked to speeding and driver error authorities saidEarlier on Nov 16 2025 a bus crash in Simiatug in central Ecuador killed at least 12 people the countrys disaster agency said on social media and injured at least 10The bus was driving an interprovincial route between that cities of Simiatug and Ambato the attorney generals office said in its own postEcuador has one of the highest rates of road accidents in Latin America due to careless driving speeding and badly maintained vehicles There have been many deaths including British nationals In Ecuador road conditions varyDuring the first three months of 2025 4759 traffic accidents were recorded in the country according to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Census INEC This represents a 224 per cent decrease compared to the same period last yearThe main cause continues to be lack of skill and recklessness behind the wheel During this period alone 1814 accidents were linked to human errorAlthough there was a slight decrease in the number of incidents 565 people were reported dead between January and March equating to a death rate of 1187 per 100 registered accidents The majorityâ6188 per centâoccurred in urban areas IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/at-least-11-dead-in-bus-accident-in-ecuador-669690.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/war-debt-risks-strain-global-finances-imf-669693.html Washington April 16 The global economy is facing renewed strain from the West Asia conflict with elevated debt levels and limited fiscal space constraining governmentsâ ability to respond the International Monetary Fund IMF has said âThe world economy is being tested again with the consequences of the war in the Middle Eastâ Rodrigo Valdes Director of the IMFâs Fiscal Affairs Department said on Wednesday local time warning that âpublic finances are more stretched in many many countriesâThe IMF urged governments to avoid broad fiscal stimulus despite rising pressure from higher fuel and food prices Instead it called for targeted and temporary support to protect vulnerable households while preserving market price signalsâFiscal policy should steer clear of discretionary demand stimulusâ Valdes said adding that such moves would make âharder the central bankâs job in terms of inflation controlâThe Fund cautioned against broadbased energy subsidies describing them as âfiscally costly regressive and hard to unwindâ while also distorting price signals and creating global spilloversThe IMF officials said attempts by multiple countries to suppress prices could worsen global inflation âIf everybody does that weâre in big troubleâ Valdes noted stressing the need to âreflect scarcities through pricesâThe current shock differs from the Covid crisis officials said as it is primarily supplydriven âIf you try to undo a supply shock by trying to prop up demand you will end up with more inflationâ ValdÃs saidDeputy Director Era DablaNorris highlighted that governments now face tighter fiscal constraints than during the pandemic âCountries have much less fiscal space room for manoeuvre Debt levels are high in many parts of the worldâ she saidWhile governments have deployed a mix of tax cuts subsidies and pricing controls the IMF noted that responses so far have been more restrained than during the 2022 energy shock However the Fund warned that poorly targeted measures could impose significant longterm fiscal costsBeyond the immediate crisis the IMF flagged worsening mediumterm debt dynamics Global public debt is projected to rise to 99 per cent of GDP by 2028 with risks skewed to the upside In a severe scenario debt could reach 121 per cent within three years reflecting risks from geopolitical fragmentation market volatility and financial repricingHigher interest rates are compounding the challenge with real borrowing costs about 06 percentage points above prepandemic levels At the same time shorter debt maturities and increased reliance on private investors are making markets more sensitive to shifts in sentimentThe IMF called for rebuilding fiscal buffers once conditions stabilise âRebuild fiscal buffers once conditions stabilise and do so without delayâ Valdes said warning that postponing consolidation would make future adjustments more difficultFor lowincome countries the Fund stressed the need to boost domestic revenue mobilisation as external aid declines and fiscal pressures mountThe IMF also pointed to emerging structural challenges including the fiscal implications of artificial intelligence While AI could improve tax administration and public service delivery it may also âreshape jobsâ and âincrease inequalityâ placing additional strain on social protection systems DablaNorris saidThe IMFâs assessment comes as governments grapple with persistent inflation geopolitical uncertainty and rising borrowing costs Policymakers globally face the dual challenge of managing immediate shocks while ensuring longterm fiscal sustainability IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/war-debt-risks-strain-global-finances-imf-669693.html Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-democrats-push-votes-to-end-illegal-war-669459.html Washington April 15 Senate Democrats escalated pressure on President Donald Trump over the conflict with Iran announcing plans to force repeated votes to end what they called an âillegal war of choiceâ as Republicans defended the administrationâs strategy and actions Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer said Democrats would âforce that choice week after week after weekâ accusing Republicans of creating âchaos abroadâ and âchaos hereâ by backing the president and blocking funding measuresDemocratic senators sharply criticised the warâs impact Senator Tammy Baldwin said the conflict âhas not made us any saferâ and âhas simply gone off the railsâShe cited casualties and rising costs noting â13 American service members are deadâ and that âgas prices have surged more than a dollar per gallon upâSenator Tammy Duckworth said the president lacked a clear strategy âTheir commanderinchief not only has no idea what the end state looks like in his war of choice he probably doesnât even know what the term end state means at allâ she saidShe also criticised a potential blockade in the Strait of Hormuz calling it âa dangerous complex partial military blockadeâ with no justification explanation or even a concept of a planâSenator Andy Kim raised concerns about transparency saying he had sought a Pentagon briefing but was refused âTheyâre not just saying no to me theyâre saying no to the American peopleâ he saidRepublicans pushed back defending the administrationâs actions Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the military effort had been âextraordinarily successfulâ and aimed to secure the Strait of HormuzHe said efforts were underway to ensure âthere can be traffic in and out of thereâ and to âbegin to see this thing wind downâThe two sides also clashed over domestic issues including funding for the Department of Homeland Security Schumer said Republicans were prolonging a shutdown to avoid accountability while Thune said Democrats had âblockedâ attempts to fund agencies through the appropriations processRepublicans are pursuing a reconciliation bill to secure funding for border and law enforcement agencies Thune said the aim was to ensure they are âfunded not only today but well into the futureâDemocrats said they would continue to force votes on war powers resolutions Baldwin said Congress must âdo its job to be a check on this presidentâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-democrats-push-votes-to-end-illegal-war-669459.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-hosts-rare-israel-lebanon-talks-669460.html Washington April 15 The United States convened a rare highlevel direct meeting between Israel and Lebanon The first such engagement in over three decades set the stage for direct negotiations Secretary of State Marco Rubio who hosted the talks at the State Department called it âa historic opportunityâ and said the effort aimed beyond an immediate ceasefire âThis is about bringing a permanent end to 20 or 30 years of Hizballahâs influence in this part of the worldâ he saidHe added that âthe Lebanese people are victims of Hizballahâ and âvictims of Iranian aggressionâ and said the process would take time âThis is a process not an event This is more than just one dayâ Rubio saidAccording to a State Department statement the meeting brought together senior US officials and the ambassadors of Israel and Lebanon It âmarked the first major highlevel engagement between the governments of Israel and Lebanon since 1993â with discussions described as âproductiveâAll sides agreed to launch direct negotiations at a mutually agreed time and venueThe United States expressed support for Lebanonâs plans âto restore the monopoly of force and to end Iranâs overbearing influenceâ while reaffirming Israelâs âright to defend itself from Hizballahâs continued attacksâ It also said any agreement to cease hostilities must be reached between the two governments and ânot through any separate trackâIsrael said it supports disarming âall nonstate terror groupsâ and dismantling âall terror infrastructure in Lebanonâ It also committed to direct negotiations aimed at achieving âa durable peaceâLebanon stressed the need to fully implement the November 2024 cessation of hostilities It underscored âterritorial integrity and full state sovereigntyâ and called for a ceasefire and steps to address the countryâs humanitarian crisisThe Washington Post reported that Lebanese and Israeli diplomats met facetoface in Washington in what was described as a working group aimed at reaching a ceasefire and addressing crossborder hostilities The meeting lasted more than two hours The New York Times reported that the talks came as fighting continued in southern Lebanon highlighting the fragility of the situation and the risk to a broader USIran ceasefire effort It noted that Israel and Lebanon do not have formal diplomatic relations Rubio said the talks could help build âthe framework upon which a permanent and lasting peace can be developedâ allowing Israelis to live âwithout fearâ and Lebanese citizens to have âthe kind of future they deserveâIsrael and Lebanon have a long history of conflict shaped by border disputes and the presence of Hizballah an Iranbacked militant group Efforts at direct engagement have been rare and often shortlived IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-hosts-rare-israel-lebanon-talks-669460.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/global-growth-to-slow-as-conflicts-bite-g-24-669461.html Washington April 15 The Intergovernmental Group of TwentyFour G24 warned of a sharp deterioration in global economic conditions citing conflicts supply disruptions and financial pressures that could weigh heavily on emerging economies In a communique issued after its ministerial meeting in Washington the G24 said global growth is projected to decline in 2026 compared to 2025 as the fallout from the war in the Middle East and other crises ripples across energy markets and supply chainsâThe war in the Middle East is causing deterioration in the wellbeing of affected populations as well as damage to civilian infrastructureâ the group said noting that these developments are taking âa significant toll on an already weak global economy with particularly devastating effects on emerging market and developing countriesâThe group underscored the risk of rising inflation driven by higher energy food and fertiliser prices alongside increasing supply chain costs It also stressed the need to safeguard maritime routes and called for âcessation of attacks on energy infrastructureâ warning that restoring damaged assets is costly and timeconsumingOil market stability remains a concern The G24 noted that efforts by OPEC Declaration of Cooperation countries to use alternative export routes have helped reduce volatility but warned that disruptions continue to pose risks to global supplyThe mediumterm outlook remains uncertain with mounting pressure on oilimporting nationsâ current accounts and the possibility of rising borrowing costs due to higher interest rates and exchange rate pressures it said Tighter financial conditions and increased risk aversion could further limit capital flows to developing economies it addedThe group also called for strengthening the global financial safety net placing the International Monetary Fund at its centre It urged timely completion of quota reforms to enhance the representation of emerging and developing economies and protect the share of the poorest membersâThe need for a strong Global Financial Safety Netâ is now more important than everâ the communiquà said adding that the IMF must remain âproactive and agileâ in responding to evolving risksOn the development front the G24 highlighted the role of the World Bank Group in boosting job creation infrastructure investment and financing for vulnerable countries It called for expanded lending capacity and greater mobilisation of private capital particularly for micro small and medium enterprisesThe group also flagged rising debt vulnerabilities urging coordinated and timely sovereign debt restructuring and greater transparency in debt management It welcomed progress under the G20 Common Framework and called for further reforms to the international debt architectureClimate financing and multilateral cooperation were identified as critical priorities The G24 urged developed countries to honour commitments including the target of 300 billion annually by 2035 for climate finance and called for increased technology transfer and concessional fundingFinally the group warned against protectionist trade measures saying unilateral tariffs and sanctions undermine global integration It reiterated the need for a ârulesbased nondiscriminatoryâ multilateral trading system to restore confidence and support global growthThe G24 comprises developing countries from Africa Asia and Latin America and plays a key role in coordinating positions on international monetary and development issues particularly at the IMF and World Bank India is a member of the Asian group within the blocThe communique comes as global policymakers gather in Washington for the Spring Meetings of the IMF and World Bank amid heightened geopolitical tensions and growing concerns over the resilience of the world economy IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/global-growth-to-slow-as-conflicts-bite-g-24-669461.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/europe-plans-hormuz-mission-without-us-report-669463.html Washington April 15 European countries are preparing a postwar plan to secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz without direct US involvement as tensions from the Iran conflict reshape transAtlantic ties The proposal led by the UK and France would create a broad coalition to restore confidence in the waterway after hostilities end It would include mineclearing operations and naval deployments but exclude âbelligerentâ parties such as the United States Israel and Iran according to officials cited in a Wall Street Journal reportFrench President Emmanuel Macron said the mission would be defensive in nature European ships would not operate under American command The goal is to reassure shipping companies that it is safe to return once the fighting stopsThe plan would be launched only after calm is restored French Foreign Minister JeanNoel Barrot said the coalition would coordinate with countries bordering the strait including Iran and Oman That suggests any deployment may require Tehranâs approvalGermany is expected to play a key role Berlin has long been cautious about overseas military operations But officials say it could contribute ships and surveillance assets making the mission more substantialThe plan has three main aims First to put logistics in place so hundreds of ships stuck in the strait can leave Second to carry out largescale demining after Iran mined parts of the waterway early in the conflict Third to deploy naval escorts and surveillance to ensure safe passageAnalysts say demining will take time Europe has more such capabilities than the United States which has reduced its minesweeping fleet Even after a ceasefire a Western naval presence may be needed to reassure insurers and shippers âThere will need to be at some point an escort system or some convoy to protect shipsâ said Mujtaba Rahman of Eurasia GroupThe plan is modelled partly on the European Unionâs Operation Aspides in the Red Sea That mission coordinated naval escorts to protect commercial vessels from Houthi attacks The Hormuz effort would be separate from a larger USled operation previously deployed in the regionThe proposal comes amid growing differences between Europe and Washington US President Donald Trump has urged European allies to help reopen the strait by force European leaders have pushed back They warn such a move could escalate the conflict and expose ships to missile threatsOfficials said China and India have been invited to discussions though it is unclear if they will take partThe Strait of Hormuz carries about a fifth of the worldâs oil Any disruption affects global energy markets including major importers such as IndiaThe plan reflects a broader shift European countries are preparing to take on more security responsibility especially in critical trade routes as questions grow over longterm US military leadership IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/europe-plans-hormuz-mission-without-us-report-669463.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/global-markets-resilient-despite-middle-east-volatility-imf-warns-of-rising-debt-risks-669464.html Washington April 15 Global financial markets have remained resilient despite volatility triggered by the Middle East conflict the International Monetary Fund said and warned that rising debt levels and limited policy space could amplify risks if conditions worsen Presenting the latest Global Financial Stability Report IMF Financial Counsellor Tobias Adrian said markets have so far absorbed geopolitical volatility without major disruption âThe financial system has been resilient so farâ he said noting that markets have functioned âin an orderly mannerâ despite episodes of escalation and deescalation in the conflictAdrian said the war has led to âbouts of volatilityâ but not the sustained stress seen in past liquidity crises There have been no widespread margin calls or forced deleveraging and banks remain âwell capitalised and liquidâHowever he cautioned that resilience is not guaranteed Elevated public and private debt rollover risks and the growing role of nonbank financial institutions are key vulnerabilities that could destabilise markets âThe resilience is not assured in all states of the worldâ he saidA central concern flagged by the IMF is the limited policy space available to governments after years of crisis support âThe policy space has been drawn down in many countriesâ Adrian said urging policymakers to closely monitor risks and remain ready to inject liquidity if neededThe conflict has also pushed up oil prices feeding into inflation expectations globally Adrian said the initial impact has been a rise in inflation expectations though markets currently see this as temporary âInflation expectations remain well anchored further out into the futureâ he said suggesting the shock is not yet seen as persistentThis outlook has implications for central banks The IMF said policymakers may prefer a âwait and seeâ approach given uncertainty over how long the energy shock will last âThe option value of waiting in many cases is highâ Adrian said though some central banks may still tighten policy depending on inflation dynamicsEmerging markets face additional pressures particularly from volatile capital flows and higher energy costs Nonbank financing flows dominate in many such economies and are sensitive to shifts in global risk appetite At the same time vulnerable populations are already feeling the impact of rising energy and food prices IMF officials notedDespite these challenges emerging markets have shown relative resilience so far supported by credible monetary policies âEmerging marketâ has been fairly resilient through this period so farâ an IMF official said adding that central banks must act decisively if inflation pressures intensifyThe report also highlights risks linked to artificial intelligence particularly cybersecurity threats The IMF warned that AI can be âused for good and for badâ calling for stronger regulatory frameworks and operational readiness to address potential threats to financial stabilityOn private credit markets the IMF said risks appear contained for now even under stress scenarios Default rates could rise but remain manageable while mechanisms such as redemption gates in funds help limit systemic spilloversOverall the IMF stressed that while financial markets have weathered recent shocks the combination of geopolitical tensions high debt levels and constrained policy space leaves the global system exposed to future stress IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/global-markets-resilient-despite-middle-east-volatility-imf-warns-of-rising-debt-risks-669464.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 08:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/middle-east-conflict-threatens-global-growth-sparks-inflation-fears-669466.html Washington April 15 War in the Middle East is threatening to slow global growth and push up prices IMF officials warned as supply disruptions spread across energy markets and trade flows The International Monetary Fund said the conflict has created âexceptional uncertaintyâ in the global outlook forcing a reassessment of forecasts Deputy Managing Director Bo Li said all scenarios now point to âhigher price and lower growth and slower growthâThe impact is already visible across the Middle East and neighbouring regions âFor those countries most directly affected their output will remain below their prewar trends for the near term and also for the medium termâ Li said adding that the effects are âvery uneven very asymmetricalâOil exporters are facing disruptions to production and exports Importdependent economies are dealing with rising energy and food prices That is eroding purchasing power and putting pressure on public finances Lowincome and fragile states are the most exposed due to reliance on imported fuel and fertiliserPakistanâs Finance Minister Mohammad Aurangzeb said the immediate challenge is securing energy supplies Shipping times have lengthened sharply raising costs âEven if the molecule is availableâ logistics have to be kept in mindâ he saidHe said the government initially shielded consumers from price increases But it has since moved to âfull transmission with targeted subsidiesâ as fiscal pressures increased Support is now focused on transport small farmers and vulnerable groups Fertiliser stocks have helped limit food risks for now he addedMarkets are reflecting a supplydriven shock rather than financial panic Mike Pyle of BlackRock said both equities and bonds have weakened at the same time That points to a structural disruption rather than a traditional riskoff cycleBlackRock estimates the conflict could cut global growth by 20 to 30 basis points Europe is expected to take a larger hit Asia will see uneven effects The United States is likely to be relatively insulated due to domestic energy dynamics he saidEnergy markets are under strain Tim Gould of the International Energy Agency said oil supply losses now total about 13 million barrels a day That is more than double the scale of the 1970s oil shocks âEven in percentage terms this is a larger shockâ he saidGas supplies are also disrupted Key liquefied natural gas exports are affected The impact is expected to intensify in the coming weeks as earlier shipments run out and supply tightens furtherThe crisis is likely to accelerate policy shifts Countries are expected to diversify energy sources and expand reserves Investment in renewables and nuclear power may increase âThere will be efforts to diversifyâ and also efforts to expand strategic reservesâ Li saidThe global economy had shown resilience last year with growth stronger than expected But the IMF has warned that geopolitical shocks especially in energy and supply chains remain a major risk to the outlook IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/middle-east-conflict-threatens-global-growth-sparks-inflation-fears-669466.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 08:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/north-korea-calls-for-loyalty-to-leader-kim-on-founders-birth-anniversary-669467.html Seoul April 15 North Korea called on party members and citizens for increased loyalty to leader Kim Jongun on Wednesday the birth anniversary of state founder Kim Ilsung highlighting the two leaders shared peoplecentered policies The ruling Workers Party of Koreas newspaper Rodong Sinmun made the call in an article as the country marks the 114th birth anniversary of founder Kim Ilsung the current leaders grandfatherThe newspaper said the founders policy of serving the people as the sky lives on under the current leaders leadership calling the peoplecentered approach a perpetual political philosophy of the ruling party and the stateWith unwavering loyalty we should uphold the ideology and leadership of respected general secretary Kim Jongun who carries forward the sacred history of supreme leader Kim Ilsungs peoplecentered policy the newspaper saidThe newspaper also called for greater resolve and a march toward the day when the ruling partys top priority of improving peoples welfare is fully realizedNorth Korea observes the founders birthday known as the Day of the Sun as one of the countrys most important national holidays although it has refrained from using the honorific term in recent years apparently in a bid to shift the focus of loyalty to the current leader North Korea however appears to have reduced its use of the honorific term for the founders birthday the âDay of the Sunâ in recent years including this year as it seems to be shifting allegiance to his grandson the current leader Kim JongunThe Korean Central News Agency KCNA separately said the Socialist Womens Union of Korea the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea and other social groups have held events marking the founders birth anniversary pledging allegiance to the current leaderYouths and students were to hold an outdoor rally at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang on Wednesday evening to celebrate the anniversary according to state media IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/north-korea-calls-for-loyalty-to-leader-kim-on-founders-birth-anniversary-669467.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 08:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/ambedkars-constitutional-morality-can-strengthen-multilateralism-in-fragmented-world-p-harish-669484.html New York April 15 BR Ambedkarâs concept of constitutional morality can strengthen multilateralism in a world beset by conflicts and political fragmentation according to Indiaâs Permanent Representative P Harish Speaking at the Ambedkar Jayanti observance here on Tuesday he said that the Indian Constitutions architectâs vision of morality and law when applied to multilateralism can help in reforming the UN and revitalise itThe Jayanti observed here on the 135th birth anniversary of Ambedkar was marked by a discussion of âDr B R Ambedkarâs Vision of Constitutional Morality and its Relevance for MultilateralismâRaja Sekhar Vundru a scholar of Ambedkarâs work said that having lived through two world wars and seeing the creation of the UN he recognised the importance of multilateralismVundru who is an additional chief secretary of the Haryana government is the author of âAmbedkar Gandhi and Patel The Making of Indias Electoral SystemâHe said that the Indian constitution that Ambedkar drafted reflects the spirit of the UNâs Charter in striving for peaceAmbedkarâs ideas of constitutional morality can promote multilateralism and adherence to the UN CharterSantosh Raut a visiting professor at Harvard Divinity School said that Ambedkar viewed the Constitution as a vehicle for social justice and economic transformation ideas that have relevance to the UNâs goals in these areasMorality is the force that enables the implementation of the spirit of written texts like the UN Charter and Ambedkar had foreseen it said the scholar of Buddhism IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/ambedkars-constitutional-morality-can-strengthen-multilateralism-in-fragmented-world-p-harish-669484.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/texas-attorney-general-launches-probe-into-athletic-apparel-company-over-possible-pfas-presence-669535.html Texas April 15 Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into Canadian athletic apparel company Lululemon over whether its products contain Per and Polyfluoroalkyl substances PFAS commonly known as forever chemicals Paxton has issued a Civil Investigative Demand to the companys US subsidiary as part of a probe into whether the company has misled consumers about the safety quality and health impacts of its products according to a statement released by his office on MondayThe investigation will examine whether Lululemons athletic apparel contains PFAS that healthconscious consumers would not expect based on the brands marketing as a wellness and sustainabilityfocused companyThe attorney generals office will also review the companys Restricted Substances List testing protocols and supply chain practices to assess whether its products comply with its stated safety standards reports Xinhua news agencyLululemon said in a statement that it does not use PFAS in its products and has phased out the substances in fiscal year 2023 noting that they had previously been used in a small portion of waterrepellent productsThe company said its products meet or exceed global regulatory safety and quality standards and that it requires vendors to conduct regular thirdparty testing for restricted substances including PFAS to ensure ongoing complianceLululemon also said it is aware of the inquiry and is cooperating by providing the requested documentationPFAS are a group of over 14000 synthetic chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products according to the US Centers for Disease Control and PreventionStudies suggest that exposure to some PFAS might result in harmful health outcomes including cancer increased cholesterol levels and immune system effects IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/texas-attorney-general-launches-probe-into-athletic-apparel-company-over-possible-pfas-presence-669535.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/retail-fuel-prices-in-cambodia-drop-following-two-week-ceasefire-in-west-asia-669536.html Phnom Penh April 15 Retail fuel prices in Cambodia have declined further after the United States and Iran agreed to a twoweek ceasefire the Ministry of Commerce said In an announcement the ministry said a litre of regular gasoline is priced at 5100 riels about 128 US dollars from this Wednesday until the next notice down 19 per cent from 5200 riels about 13 dollars in the past five daysDiesel now costs 6400 riels about 16 dollars per litre down 724 per cent while the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas is unchanged at 3900 riels about 097 dollars per litreCambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said last Saturday that the General Department of Customs and Excise has subsidised about 50 million dollars a month through the reduction of import duties and taxes to minimise the impact of rising fuel pricesEarlier on April 10 in an announcement the Ministry of Commerce announced that a litre of regular gasoline costs 5200 riels 13 US dollars until the next notice down 54 per cent from 5500 riels 137 dollars in the past three daysDiesel is now priced at 6900 riels 173 dollars per litre down 158 per cent from 8200 riels 205 dollars the announcement addedMeanwhile the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas is flat at 3900 riels 097 dollars per litreThe General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia said on Wednesday that it has subsidised about 47 million US dollars a month to minimise the impact of rising fuel prices caused by the Middle East conflictThe subsidies have been made through the reduction of import duties and taxes on oil and gas and the reduction of import duties on electric vehicles passenger plugin hybrid electric vehicles electric stoves and solarpowered devicesThe Southeast Asian country entirely relies on imported petroleum and diesel as its seabeds oil reserves have not been exploited yet IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/retail-fuel-prices-in-cambodia-drop-following-two-week-ceasefire-in-west-asia-669536.html Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/iran-will-never-get-nuclear-weapon-trump-669201.html Washington April 14 US President Donald Trump said Iran âwill not have a nuclear weaponâ and confirmed that a US naval blockade had begun as he signalled pressure on Tehran to return to negotiations Speaking during an unscheduled press gaggle outside the Oval Office Trump said the dispute with Iran centred on nuclear capabilities âIt was over the fact that they will never have a nuclear weapon Iranâ Iran will not have a nuclear weaponâ he saidHe added that Tehran had not agreed to that condition during talks âWe agreed to a lot of things but they didnt agree to that and I think they will agree to it Im almost sure of it In fact I am sure of it If they dont agree theres no dealâ Trump saidThe President indicated that Iran had reached out to resume negotiations âWeve been called by the other side Theyd like to make a deal very badly very badlyâ he saidOn the military front Trump confirmed that a blockade was underway âYeah it started 1000â he said when asked whether the naval blockade had begunHe described the move as part of broader efforts to counter Tehranâs actions âWe cant let a country blackmail or extort the world because thats what theyre doing Theyre really blackmailing the world Were not going to let that happenâ Trump saidTrump suggested the blockade could serve multiple purposes including forcing Iran back to the negotiating table and stabilising global energy markets âMaybe everything I mean both of those things certainly and moreâ he saidHe emphasised that the United States did not depend on the Strait of Hormuz for its energy needs âWe dont use the strait We dont need the strait We have our own oil and gas much more than we needâ Trump said adding that the US produces âsubstantially moreâ oil than Saudi Arabia and RussiaAt the same time he underscored the global importance of the waterway âSo we dont need it but the world needs itâ he saidTrump claimed that Iranâs military capabilities had been severely degraded âDont forget their Navy is gone their air force is gone their antiaircraft is gone their radar is gone and their leaders are goneâ he saidHe also warned of consequences if a deal is not reached âIt wont be pleasant for themâ Trump said declining to elaborateThe President noted that other countries had offered to assist in enforcing the blockade âOther countries are going to alsoâ theyve offered their servicesâ he said adding that further details could be announced soonOn Chinaâs role Trump said Beijing had not directly reached out but wanted the situation resolved âWe have a very good relationship with China He would like to see this ended alsoâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/iran-will-never-get-nuclear-weapon-trump-669201.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/un-chief-calls-on-us-iran-to-continue-talks-669203.html United Nations April 14 UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres calls on USIranian negotiations to continue said his spokesman While no agreement was reached at the talks hosted by Pakistan between the United States and Iran in Islamabad the discussions themselves underscored the seriousness of their engagement and constituted a positive and meaningful step toward renewed dialogue said Stephane Dujarric the spokesman in a statementGiven the deeply rooted differences an agreement cannot be reached overnight and the secretarygeneral calls on the talks to continue constructively for an agreement to be reached he saidAfter weeks of destruction and distress it is clear that there is no military solution to the current conflict said the spokesmanAt the same time the ceasefire must absolutely be preserved said Dujarric adding that all violations must cease Xinhua news agency reportedThe secretarygeneral stresses that all parties to this conflict must respect freedom of navigation including in the Strait of Hormuz in line with international law he addedDisruptions in the maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz have already had a direct effect well beyond the immediate region with increased global economic fragility and insecurity in many sectors noted the spokesmanThe disruption of fertilizer and its inputs further exacerbates food insecurity for millions of vulnerable people around the world adding to the rising cost of living due to impacts from fuel transportation and supply chain disruptions he saidGuterres stressed that all parties to the conflict must respect freedom of navigation including in the Strait of Hormuz in line with international law Theâcriticalâmaritime corridor located south of Iran lies between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman The US announced plans to blockade ships entering and leaving Iranian ports which took effect on Monday Meanwhile some 20000 seafarers remain stranded on ships in the Persian Gulf and are âfacing increasing hardships dailyâ the UN statement recalled IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/un-chief-calls-on-us-iran-to-continue-talks-669203.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/world-bank-approves-financing-for-caspian-pollution-biodiversity-project-669204.html Baku April 14 The World Bank has approved a fiveyear project worth 824 million to strengthen pollution monitoring and biodiversity protection in the Caspian Sea Report news agency said The initiative titled Blueing the Caspian Sea Building Capacities for Pollution Management and Biodiversity Conservation is expected to benefit Azerbaijan Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan The project will receive 1174 million in grant financing from the Global Environment Facility Xinhua news agency reportedThe implementation will be coordinated by the United Nations Environment Programme while the United Nations Office for Project Services will receive a 183489 dollar grant to develop environmental and social framework tools and strengthen crosscountry cooperationWorld Bank funding will support two components pollution monitoring management worth 315 million aimed at developing systemic approaches and comparable water quality assessments and biodiversity planning management worth 425 million to improve protected area management and track population statusThe project seeks to enhance pollution control systems and increase the effectiveness of marine protected areas across the Caspian Sea which hosts around 400 endemic species The bank warned that the seas level has decreased significantly in recent decades and could drop by 8 to 30 meters by 2100 due to climate change and economic use of water resourcesIn Azerbaijan the initiative will assist the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources in developing a marine pollution monitoring scheme including policy tools a national seminar and staff training The project will also support biodiversity measures focused on Caspian seals and sturgeon alongside plans to expand marine protected areas within Absheron National Park IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/world-bank-approves-financing-for-caspian-pollution-biodiversity-project-669204.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/irans-irgc-says-to-use-new-capabilities-if-conflict-continues-669205.html Tehran April 14 Irans Islamic Revolution Guards Corps IRGC has vowed to use new military capabilities if the war with the United States and Israel continues the semiofficial Fars news agency reported We have not yet used our capabilities and if the war continues we will unveil capabilities that the enemy has no idea about IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi saidMeanwhile Irans Defence Ministry spokesperson Reza Talaeinik said Monday that the Iranian armed forces capabilities are increasing with sufficient missiles drones weapons ammunition and other military equipment to continue offensive and defensive operations in the future Xinhua news agency reported quoting Irans official news agency IRNAAlso on Monday Irans Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei wrote on social media platform X that the US attempt to impose a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz is a revenge of choice against the global economyDelegations from Iran and the United States held extended negotiations in Islamabad on Saturday and early Sunday to ease tension in the Middle East The talks which failed to produce an agreement took place after a ceasefire was announced on Wednesday between Iran the United States and Israel following 40 days of fightingEarlier on Monday the US military announced the start of its blockade of all Iranian ports and coastal areas saying it will only allow ships traveling between nonIranian ports to transit the Strait of Hormuz US President Donald Trump also warned on Truth Social that the US military will eliminate any Iranian ship if it comes close to the US blockade on the straitIrans Navy is laying at the bottom of the sea completely obliterated 158 ships What we have not hit are their small number of what they call fast attack ships because we did not consider them much of a threat Trump saidWarning If any of these ships come anywhere close to our BLOCKADE they will be immediately ELIMINATED using the same system of kill that we use against the drug dealers on boats at Sea Trump said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/irans-irgc-says-to-use-new-capabilities-if-conflict-continues-669205.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 07:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/vietnam-warns-of-rising-dengue-fever-cases-669225.html Hanoi April 14 Vietnams Ministry of Health has warned that dengue infections may continue to rise noting that the country has recorded 31927 cases including four deaths since the beginning of the year local daily Nhan Dan reported on Tuesday Most cases have been concentrated in southern localities the report saidThe warning comes amid an early onset of hot and humid weather irregular rainfall and favourable breeding conditions for mosquitoesVo Hai Son deputy director of the Vietnam Administration of Disease Prevention said infections could continue to increase in the near future if prevention and control measures are not implemented strictly and consistently Xinhua news agency reportedThe health sector is working closely with local authorities to monitor and contain outbreaks while stepping up public communication on disease prevention according to the reportThe country recorded more than 181000 dengue fever cases in 2025 including 36 fatalitiesDengue breakbone fever is a viral infection that is spread from mosquitoes to people It is more common in tropical and subtropical than in temperate climatesMost people who get dengue do not have symptoms For those who do the most common symptoms are high fever headache body aches nausea and rash Most get better in 1â2 weeks Some develop severe dengue and need care in a hospitalIn severe cases dengue can be fatalYou can lower your risk of dengue by avoiding mosquito bites especially during the dayDengue is treated through pain management as there is no specific treatment currentlyIndividuals who are infected for the second time are at greater risk of severe dengue The symptoms of severe dengue often come after the fever has gone away and may include severe abdominal pain persistent vomiting rapid breathing bleeding gums or nose and fatigueThe incidence of dengue has grown dramatically worldwide in recent decades with the number of cases reported to WHO increasing from 505 430 cases in 2000 to 146 million in 2024 The vast majority of cases are asymptomatic or mild and selfmanaged and hence the actual numbers of dengue cases are underreported The disease is now endemic in more than 100 countriesIn 2024 more cases of dengue were recorded than ever before in a 12month period affecting over 100 countries on all continents During 2024 ongoing transmission combined with an unexpected spike in dengue cases resulted in a historic high of over 146 million cases and more than 12 000 denguerelated deaths reported The Region of the Americas contributed a significant proportion of the global burden with over 13 million cases reported to WHOSeveral factors are associated with the increasing risk of spread of the dengue epidemic including the changing distribution of the responsible vectors chiefly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus especially in previously denguenaive countries climate change leading to increasing temperatures higher rainfall and humidity fragile and overburdened health systems limitations in surveillance and reporting and political and financial instabilities in countries facing complex humanitarian crises and high population movements IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/vietnam-warns-of-rising-dengue-fever-cases-669225.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/rights-body-alleges-extrajudicial-killing-of-two-more-baloch-youths-in-balochistan-669227.html Quetta April 14 A leading human rights organisation has alleged that two more Baloch youths were extrajudicially killed in Balochistan by Pakistani security forces adding to concerns over continuing human rights violations in the region Human rights body Baloch Yakjehti Committee BYC alleged that 18yearold Muhammad Khalid was brutally killed by Pakistanâs Eagle Squad personnel on April 10 while travelling to the provincial capital Quetta with two friends to sell their motorbike and purchase furnitureAccording to the rights body the Eagle Squad personnel opened fire without any warning throwing Khalidâs friends off the motorcycle Khalid was reportedly isolated beaten and shot at close rangeInstead of receiving medical assistance the BYC stated that Khalid was taken to an unknown location where he was subjected to further violence He was later taken to Civil Hospital Quetta in critical condition where he was allegedly physically abused and tortured before succumbing to his injuriesâThe systematic pattern of killing is deeply concerning where excessive use of force and mistreatment of victims and their families are escalating The current situation in Balochistan is suffocating where no one is safe Women children and youth are all in constant fear not knowing when or where they will be unjustly killedâ the BYC statedâLaw and order have failed in Balochistan No court or institution can provide security as they themselves are complicit in the atrocities being committed in Balochistan The international medias silence over the Balochistan genocide is another grave concernâ it addedIn a separate incident the BYC revealed that another 18yearold student Chakar Baloch was extrajudicially killed by a Pakistanbacked death squad on April 9 in the Kech districtThe rights body stated that Chakar was targeted at his shop where armed men affiliated with a death squad opened fire on him killing him on the spot Condemning the brutal killing the BYC said âSuch acts constitute grave violations of international human rights law particularly Article 6 Right to Life of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ICCPR which strictly prohibits the arbitrary deprivation of life under all circumstancesâThe rights body expressed grave concern stating that the latest incidents highlight the absence of accountability amid the ongoing human rights crisis in Balochistan with families suffering while perpetrators continue to operate with impunity The BYC called on international human rights organisations and the United Nations to immediately press for independent and transparent investigations to ensure accountability and to prevent further loss of life in Balochistan IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/rights-body-alleges-extrajudicial-killing-of-two-more-baloch-youths-in-balochistan-669227.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/two-us-congress-members-to-resign-amid-sexual-misconduct-allegations-669233.html New York April 14 Two members of the US House of Representatives who are facing expulsion over sexual misconduct allegations have announced that they are resigning Democrat Eric Swalwell who was also running for governor of California announced on X on Monday that he was resigning from Congress even as he made a contradictory statement insisting the allegations were false but also saying he was sorry for âmistakes in judgmentâSwalwell who was seen as a rising star in the party had announced on Sunday that he was suspending his campaign for governorRepublican Tony Gonzales who had resisted calls to quit after a staffer committed suicide amid allegations he coerced her to have an affair also announced his intention to resign with a cryptic line âThere is a season for everything and God has a plan for us allâSwalwell is facing a criminal investigation in New York City where one of the four women who have made allegations against him said he sexually attacked her at a city hotelThe other three women alleged sexual misconduct and harassment by Swalwell who is a married father with three childrenThe House Ethics Committee said that it was investigating the allegations against him and a Republican House member had said she would bring a motion in the chamber to expel himRegina SantosAviles who worked for Gonzales committed suicide last year by setting herself on fireGonzales denied he had an affair with her or that he was connected to her death but later admitted to the affairText messages he had sent her and her message to another staffer about her affair surfaced adding to the pressure on himAnother staffer accused Gonzales who is married and has six children of allegedly asking for nude pictures and for sexSwalwell dropping out of the governorâs race raised hopes for his party that faced the prospect of being shut out of the gubernatorial election because of the way California primaries are set upIn California the primaries are nonpartisan and the two top candidates run in the election regardless of party affiliationAt least ten Democrats were running in the primary and it was feared that if the partys votes were split among them the two Republicans could emerge as the top two candidates and run in November ensuring that the Republicans win with either of themSwalwell was among the four Democrats at the top of the polls with none exceeding 16 per cent and his dropping out of the race raising the possibility of voters coalescing around one of them opening the possibility that a Democrat would be among the top two in the primary IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/two-us-congress-members-to-resign-amid-sexual-misconduct-allegations-669233.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/dawood-linked-fake-currency-syndicate-goes-local-as-border-routes-tighten-669271.html New Delhi April 14 Indian agencies have reported a sharp rise in counterfeit currency seizures pointing to a renewed push by organised networks to expand operations Investigators say the syndicate linked to Dawood Ibrahim operating from Pakistan is increasingly directing operatives in India to print fake notes locally instead of relying on crossborder smuggling routes through Pakistan and BangladeshThe trend points to a deliberate attempt to scale up production with signs of a coordinated effort to undermine the Indian economy Recent months have seen multiple seizures in border regions due to tighter security At the same time attempts to drop counterfeit currency using drones are being detected and intercepted with increasing frequencyAn Intelligence Bureau official said that the syndicate is now directing its operatives in India to print fake notes locally and circulate them within the market They have been advised to keep operations small but frequent to maintain overall volume while avoiding attentionâTo reduce the risk of detection members are also shifting bases regularly making it difficult for agencies to track and pin down a single locationâ the official addedThe route through the Bangladesh border has also become increasingly difficult for smugglers to use Enhanced security measures have tightened surveillance making it harder for operatives to push counterfeit currency into IndiaAnother official said the strategy now is to expand printing across multiple states including Gujarat Uttar Pradesh Rajasthan and Punjab In the past the syndicate had set up a localised unit in Malda West Bengal where highquality counterfeit notes were produced and were difficult to detectâHowever after the unit was uncovered intensified action by agencies led to a sharp decline in operationsâ the official saidAnother official said printing capacity in Malda has dropped by more than half after agencies including the National Investigation Agency NIA intensified investigations and enforcementOfficials added that efforts are underway to push in raw materials needed to set up fresh units to expand local production If these consignments reach operatives in India output could increase again Even as the focus shifts to domestic printing attempts to move counterfeit currency across the border using drones are expected to continueLast month the Border Security Force BSF and Amritsar Police seized counterfeit currency worth Rs 25 lakh which officials believe may have been a trial run While drones have been intercepted carrying drugs arms and ammunition on several occasions their use for moving fake currency has emerged as a growing concernAgencies said the syndicate is now relying on smaller consignments that are harder to detect on radar and surveillance systems An official noted that operatives are adopting varied methods to increase the circulation of counterfeit notesEven as local production gathers pace the use of drones is expected to continue The broader objective officials said is to generate funds for terror activities and to inflict economic damage through the sustained circulation of fake currency IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/dawood-linked-fake-currency-syndicate-goes-local-as-border-routes-tighten-669271.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/-nepali-leaders-wish-nations-prosperity-on-new-year-2083-669277.html Kathmandu April 14 As Nepal celebrates the New Year 2083 Bikram Sambat BS on Tuesday the countryâs top leaders have wished for happiness peace and prosperity for the nation Unlike many other countries Nepalâs government and private institutions conduct their activities based on the Bikram Sambat calendar and the first day of the New Year usually falls in midAprilPrime Minister Balendra Shah began the greetings on the occasion with Sanskrit verses wishing happiness for all âMay happiness health and wellbeing prevail in all our lives May there always be auspiciousness freedom from obstacles and relief from sufferingâ he wrote on Facebook âOn this sacred occasion marking the beginning of the New Year 2083 I extend my heartfelt wishes for happiness peace and prosperity to everyoneâPresident Ram Chandra Paudel wished for peace prosperity good health and happiness urging Nepalis to review the past and make resolutions for future progress In his message the Head of State also highlighted the recent conclusion of the House of Representatives which according to him provided an exit from the adverse situation the country had been facingThe country had been facing an uncertain future following the Gen Z revolt in early September last year The elections held on March 5 brought a new political forceâthe Rastriya Swatantra Partyâinto the driving seat of state affairs and a new leader Prime Minister Balendra Shah took charge of the governmentâThrough the HoR election people have given a mandate to their representatives for the rule of law sustainable peace good governance and social justice reinforcing the federal democratic republicâ President Paudel saidVice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav also extended greetings urging Nepalis to use the New Year as an occasion to cultivate positive thinking discipline and fraternity while highlighting the need for collective resolve to address challenges in the economy public health environmental conservation and climate changeThe year 2082 BS was forgettable for former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli as he was not only ousted from power but his partyâCommunist Party of Nepal Unified Marxist Leninist or CPN UML also performed poorly in the March 5 elections and was taken into custody for alleged homicidal crimes during the Gen Z movement in September last year Oli who is also facing investigation on money laundering charges wrote on Facebook wishing the best for everyoneâSuccess or failure opportunity or challenge weaknesses or achievements â 2082 has now become historyâ he wrote âReflecting on the lessons of the past and looking ahead to the future may the New Year 2083 create a meaningful synergy between âseasoned experienceâ and âyouthful energyâ for a secure and prosperous NepalâOn Monday Nepalâs former king Gyanendra Shah also issued a message to the Nepali people on the occasion of the New Year 2083 He pointed out the instability Nepal has experienced over the past several years which has pushed the country behind in terms of prosperityâWe remained constantly engaged in experiments and the search for alternatives As a result our country has remained merely a laboratoryâ he said hinting at transitions from monarchy to republicanism and from a unitary to a federal systemHe also lauded the growing participation of the younger generation in Nepalâs politics following the March 5 elections as the countryâs legislative bodyâthe House of Representativesâhas witnessed a large number of young lawmakersâIt is encouraging to see increasing participation of the younger generation in politics and state affairs We believe that the involvement of educated informed technologically skilled and enthusiastic individuals will contribute positively to nationbuildingâ the former monarch said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/-nepali-leaders-wish-nations-prosperity-on-new-year-2083-669277.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-check-posts-road-blockades-spark-frustration-among-residents-in-islamabad-669280.html Islamabad April 14 People in Pakistans Islamabad have expressed anger over heavy police check posts and road blockades set up on almost every major and minor road within the city Residents have said that they are feeling daily inconvenience due to the measures implemented by the authorities Commuters have said that their routine travel has become a nightmare due to long queues frequent vehicle searches and traffic jams Pakistans leading daily The Express Tribune reported A resident said Schools offices and hospitals are all affected This is not security this is harassment Peoples frustration has further increased after the murder of a prominent businessman in Islamabad Residents and traders have demanded immediate relief from the authorities An increasing number of people have demanded removal of check posts from from inside the city limits and restricted only to entry and exit points of Islamabad A local trader association member stated that placing barriers on every internal road is pointless and counterproductive stressing that it has caused problems for residents and gives criminals time to escapeSeveral social media campaigns and resident welfare groups have urged Islamabad Capital Territory ICT administration and police to review the security strategy The Express Tribune reported Meanwhile Islamabad police officials have defended the checkpoints saying they were put in place after intelligence reports of possible threats However they admitted that they had received several complaints about traffic disruption and promised to review the placement of some barriersOn April 10 the Islamabad Police spokesperson announced several traffic and security restrictions in Islamabad stating that the Red Zone and Extended Red Zone will remain shut for all types of traffic movement due to the talks between Iran and the US Pakistanbased ARY News reportedAccording to the spokesperson Shakarparian Road and the route from Chand Tara Chowk to Seventh Avenue will remain shut while Jinnah Avenue Khayaban Chowk to Blue Area and Faisal Chowk to Trail 3 on Margalla Road will also remain closed He mentioned that all government and private offices and markets in the Extended Red Zone of Islamabad will remain shut due to security arrangements People travelling between Bhara Kahu and Islamabad or Rawalpindi were asked to use alternative routes ARY News reported Islamabad police asked people to cooperate with law enforcement agencies during the restrictions and plan their travel accordingly IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-check-posts-road-blockades-spark-frustration-among-residents-in-islamabad-669280.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-residents-in-karachi-face-problems-due-to-unannounced-gas-outages-669281.html Islamabad April 14 Residents in Pakistans Karachi have been facing difficulties as the Sui Southern Gas Company SSGC has failed to ensure gas supply even during meal hours three times a day local media reported on Tuesday The SSGC claimed that it was providing gas to households from 6 am to 1030 pm local time without any disruption However over the past two weeks people of Karachi have complained about unannounced gas outages in their localities The gas shortage has triggered widespread frustration among people in Karachi with many households turning to roadside vendors restaurants and LPG suppliers for alternative cooking options Pakistans leading daily Dawn reportedRehan Danish a resident termed the situation chaotic He said I had to rush back home from my office in Saddar buying food for my children for lunch after my wife told me that our kitchen was shut down due to the unannounced gas suspensionA woman revealed that she had to cancel a planned family dinner as there was no gas supply Another woman criticised the gas utility for unannounced gas cutes during the few scheduled hours of supply three times a dayAnother furious woman said Why doesnât the SSGC let people know about the gas cuts in advance or do they just want to pile misery on their customersAs people faced difficulties in finding alternatives long queues formed at LPG stations and shops as the refilling took long time LPG was not available at many shops further adding to peoples difficultiesA resident waiting at an LPG shop said âI waited for half an hour only to be told that the gas would arrive late He asked âItâs frustrating Canât the gas utility manage their schedules properly so we can prepare ourselvesâMany people even took to social media to express their anger against the gas utility company Meanwhile the SSGC claimed that it was ensuring proper gas supply throughout the meal times Dawn reportedMeanwhile prices of roti and chapati have increased in Karachi as Pakistan continues to experience a severe Liquified Petroleum Gas LPG crisis further increasing financial burden on people who are already facing difficulty with inflationTandoor owners have hiked prices by Pakistani Rupees PKR five citing higher production costs due to the rise in LPG price which is widely used in the absence of natural gas Pakistans another leading daily The Express Tribune reportedTandoor owner Manzoor Hussain said the majority of tandoor owners in Karachi have started using LPG causing an increase in operational costs Due to the rise in LPG prices we have no choice but to increase the rates of roti and chapati The Express Tribune quoted him as sayingAfter the hike lowweight roti is being sold at PKR 25 heavier roti at PKR 30 and chapati is sold at PKR 20 in various parts of Karachi People of Karachi have voiced concern over the continuous increase in prices of essential items and urged the government to take immediate steps to control prices and provide relief to the people IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-residents-in-karachi-face-problems-due-to-unannounced-gas-outages-669281.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-sends-vaccines-to-afghanistan-for-child-immunisation-programme-against-tb-669309.html Kabul April 14 India on Tuesday delivered 13 tonnes of BCG vaccines and related dry material to support Afghanistans child immunisation programme to fight Tuberculosis TB In a post on X Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated India delivers 13 tonnes of BCG vaccines and related dry material to Afghanistans Ministry of Public Health to augment Afghanistanâs child immunisation programme against tuberculosisOn April 5 India sent humanitarian assistance and disaster relief material HADR to Afghanistan due to the problems faced by people due to recent floods and earthquakesJaiswal expressed Indias solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and commitment to extending humanitarian assistance during this challenging timeAt this time of hardship being faced by the Afghan people due to recent floods and earthquakes India delivers HADR materials including kitchen sets hygiene kits plastic sheets tarpaulins sleeping bags and more India stands in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and remains committed to extending humanitarian assistance and support during this challenging time Jaiswal posted on XEarlier in March India delivered a 25tonne consignment of emergency medicines medical disposables kits and equipment to Afghanistan to support the medical treatment of those injured in Pakistans recent attack on a hospital in KabulTo support the medical treatment and swift recovery of those injured in the heinous attack on 16 March India delivers a 25tonne consignment of emergency medicines medical disposables kits and equipment to Kabul India stands in solidarity with the Afghan people and will continue to extend all possible humanitarian support in this difficult hour Jaiswal posted on XIndia provided assistance to Afghanistan after a Pakistani strike targeted the 2000bed Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabulâs PuleCharkhi area killing over 400 people and injuring more than 250 othersIndia also condemned the Pakistani airstrikes on a hospital and rehab centre in Kabul and said that Islamabad is now trying to dress up a massacre as a military operationUnequivocally condemning the attack MEA said This is a cowardly and unconscionable act of violence that has claimed the lives of a large number of civilians in a facility which can by no means be justified as a military target Pakistan is now trying to dress up a massacre as a military operationIndia said that the heinous act of aggression by Pakistan is also a blatant assault on Afghanistans sovereignty and poses as a direct threat to regional peace and stability IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-sends-vaccines-to-afghanistan-for-child-immunisation-programme-against-tb-669309.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/geopolitics-rattles-pakistan-stocks-kse-100-crashes-4-800-points-669312.html New Delhi April 14 IANS Pakistans benchmark KSE100 Index witnessed sharp volatility this week plunging in early trade on Monday after USIran talks failed to yield a breakthrough before staging a strong rebound a day later on hopes of renewed diplomacynbspThe index tumbled nearly 4800 points within minutes of the market opening on Monday reflecting panic selling across sectorsDuring early trade on the same day the gauge was trading at 16239621 down 479516 points or 287 per centThe selloff was broadbased with heavy losses seen in automobiles cement banking oil and gas power and refining stocksKey indexheavy stocks such as Attock Refinery Limited Hub Power Company Mari Energies Limited Oil and Gas Development Company Pakistan Oilfields Limited Pakistan Petroleum Limited Pakistan State Oil Sui Southern Gas Company Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited and Wafi Energy Pakistan all traded in the red dragging the benchmark lowerThe decline came after comments by JD Vance who said that his negotiating team was leaving Pakistan after nearly 21 hours of talks with Iran ended without a breakthroughHe pointed to disagreements over US conditions particularly those linked to commitments on nuclear weapons developmentEchoing the uncertainty Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf signalled limited expectations for an immediate agreement citing deep mistrust despite the latest round of indirect negotiations facilitated by PakistanThe setback reversed the optimism seen last week when the KSE100 had gained 167387 points or 101 per cent to close at 16719138 amid hopes that easing geopolitical tensions between Washington and Tehran would support investor sentiment and reduce regional risk premiumsHowever sentiment turned positive again on Tuesday with Pakistans stock market surging sharplyThe KSE100 jumped nearly 4000 points as investors bet on the possibility of fresh USIran peace talksIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/geopolitics-rattles-pakistan-stocks-kse-100-crashes-4-800-points-669312.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-not-to-travel-to-israel-for-i-day-celebrations-report-669328.html Jerusalem April 14 US President Donald Trump will not travel to Israel to attend the countrys 78th Independence Day celebrations next week in view of the ceasefire schedule with Iran the Israeli media reported on Tuesday Israeli news media outlet Ynet reported that Trump will not come to Israel on Independence Day and he will not participate in the Israel Prize ceremony â not even via a video speechIn December Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that breaking with several decades of tradition the country will award Trump the Israel Prize the countrys highest cultural honourWe decided to break a convention or create a new one and that is to award the Israel Prize which in almost our 80 years weve never awarded it to a nonIsraeli and we are going to award it this year to President Trump Netanyahu said while standing alongside the US President during a news conference in Florida on December 29Trump is scheduled to receive the award on his next visit to IsraelYnet reported on Tuesday that singer Noa Kirls participation at the event has also been postponed as she was supposed to sing in honour of the American President with Trumps granddaughters also possibly performing along with herIt should be noted that the White House has not officially announced that Trump will not come to Israel but Jerusalem already understands that given the timetable for the ceasefire with Iran and its end on April 21 the chance that he will come is close to zero as the ceremony is scheduled to take place on April 22 During the Israel Prize ceremony there will be a mention of Trumps win in the video but as mentioned the awarding of the prize will be postponed to a separate ceremony to be held in his honour when he arrives in Israel later Ynet reported The report mentioned that however Argentine President Javier Milay will participate in the Israeli Independence Day celebrations as an agreement on his arrival was reached even before the ceasefire with Iran and Milay is expected to land in Israel on April 18 during the Sabbath IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-not-to-travel-to-israel-for-i-day-celebrations-report-669328.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/global-pharma-giants-escape-us-regulation-while-testing-drugs-in-chinas-xinjiang-report-669329.html New Delhi April 14 Multinational pharmaceutical giants with RampD investments and human trials running in Chinaâs Xinjiang region and at Chinese military hospitals are escaping US regulation that prohibits drug development or clinical testing according to an article in The Wire a New Yorkheadquartered global digital magazine Data put together by The Wire China and WireScreen from ClinicalTrialsgov a medical trial database maintained by the US National Library of Medicine shows that multinational companies have for years actively been sponsoring medical trials taking place in Xinjiang and at Peopleâs Liberation Armyaffiliated sitesThe true scope of this testing is difficult to measure ClinicalTrialsgov requires registered trials to conform to regulations from regional authorities but some trials only list the city where the test is held not the hospital PLA hospitals also do not always openly identify their military affiliation China has 165 PLA hospitals across each of its provinces according to WireScreen dataTesting at multiple locations allows companies to collect data on how medicine impacts a variety of people under different conditions The results are used by companies seeking approval from regulatory agencies to market the final productThe report cites the example of a Covidera treatment developed by UKheadquartered AstraZeneca which illustrates the role Xinjiang played in the testing of a medicine that received regulatory approval in the United States The treatment which was eventually sold under the name Evusheld was trialed at a hospital in Xinjiang and at other sites across China the United States Europe Latin America and JapanEvusheldâs Xinjiang clinical trial was just one of hundreds sponsored by AstraZeneca between 2021 and 2023 Yet its example illustrates how the pharmaceutical industry can operate in Xinjiang and bring products to market in the United States without facing regulatory requirements addressing forced labour concerns in the region Several foreign governments and the United Nations UN have said that human rights violations are rife in Xinjiang the article statesUnlike agricultural and technology firms operating in the region drug manufacturers were exempt from sanctions under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act according to a 2024 report from the Washingtonbased research group Center for Advanced Defense Studies The act passed in 2021 prevents the import of all goods mined produced or manufactured in Xinjiang unless a forced labourfree supply chain is otherwise provenAs a result the industry has been able to continue testing medicines on patients in Xinjiang and at military hospitals Data identified by the report shows the top multinational sponsors of trials over the past fifteen yearsThe article highlights that the lack of oversight prompted the House of Representativesâ bipartisan Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party to address the Food and Drug Administration FDA in 2024 and call for more information on pharmaceutical trials conducted in Xinjiang and at PLA hospitalsâChina runs trials at PLA military hospitals and in Xinjiang where there has been a documented history of people being coerced into medical studies amid the Chinese Communist Partyâs genocide targeting Uyghur Muslims and other minoritiesâ the select committeeâs chairman John Moolenaar RMI said in a March 18 hearing on the generic drug supply chain according to the articleâIn spite of this forced testing the FDA currently allows companies to use data from uninspected Chinese trial sites to advance drug applications in the United Statesâ he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/global-pharma-giants-escape-us-regulation-while-testing-drugs-in-chinas-xinjiang-report-669329.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/eam-jaishankar-australian-counterpart-penny-wong-discuss-west-asia-conflict-669331.html New Delhi April 14 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar spoke to his Australian counterpart Penny Wong on Tuesday discussing the ongoing West Asia conflict Following their conversation EAM Jaishankar wrote on X Appreciated the exchange of views today with Senator Penny Wong of Australia on the West Asia conflictThe phone call between two ministers took place amid tense security situation in the region after negotiations between the US and Iranian officials failed to produce an agreementOn April 8 the US and Iran agreed to a twoweek ceasefire in the war which erupted on February 28 following joint USIsrael joint strikes in Iran which killed Irans former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and top military officials In response Iran launched missile and drone strikes against Israel US bases and USallied countries in the West AsiaOver the past few weeks EAM Jaishankar has spoken with his counterparts from several nations as India remains in touch with the governments of the region as well as other key partners over the conflict in West AsiaEarlier in the day EAM Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar discussing West Asia situation and the Strait of HormuzHad a telecon this afternoon with Israel FM Gideon Saar Our discussion covered different aspects of the West Asia situation EAM Jaishankar posted on XSaar stated that he told EAM Jaishankar that the US stance in the negotiations that would prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons is important for the international communityA good conversation as always with my friend Indiaâs Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar We discussed Iran the Strait of Hormuz and Lebanon I said that the firm American stance in the negotiations on conditions that would prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons no enrichment in Iran removal of enriched material from Iran is critical for the entire international community the Israeli Foreign Minister posted on X after the callI also said that Iranâs harm to freedom of navigation and the global economy through economic terrorism in the Strait of Hormuz requires action that will ensure the freedom of navigation for all countries including India and our friends in the Gulf he addedThe Strait of Hormuz which links the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea is one of the worldâs most critical oil transit routes carrying nearly a fifth of global oil shipments IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/eam-jaishankar-australian-counterpart-penny-wong-discuss-west-asia-conflict-669331.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/demand-for-crude-oil-to-see-biggest-quarterly-slump-since-covid-pandemic-iea-669335.html New Delhi April 14 The International Energy Agency IEA warned on Tuesday that demand for crude oil will likely see the biggest slump in the second quarter Q2 2026 since the Covid pandemic slashed fuel consumption Oil demand is expected to contract by 80000 barrels per day kbd this year as the Iran war upends our global outlookThis is 730 kbd less than in last monthâs Report and a forecast 15 mbd 2Q26 decline would be the sharpest since Covid19 slashed fuel consumption Initially the deepest cuts in oil use have come in the Middle East and Asia Pacific mainly for naphtha LPG and jet fuel However demand destruction will spread as scarcity and higher prices persist the agency said in its reportGlobal crude throughputs continue to struggle with disruptions to feedstock supplies and infrastructure damage that are tightening global product marketsOil prices posted their largestever monthly gain in March in the wake of the most severe oil supply shock in historySpot crude benchmarks and differentials soared outpacing futures markets as refiners anxiously scrambled to replace lockedin Middle Eastern cargoes said the reportThe IEA said that the twoweek ceasefire provided some welcome respite to global oil markets just as the impact of disruptions to supply and trade was spreading globallyHowever at the time of writing it remains unclear whether the ceasefire will turn into a lasting peace and a return to regular shipping flows through the Strait of Hormuz said the reportWith oilimporting nations scrambling to source replacement barrels from an increasingly shrinking pool of supply physical crude oil prices surged to record levels near 150bbl far above the prices in futures markets with the physicalfutures disconnect becoming increasingly acuteEven steeper gains have been seen for refined products with middle distillate prices in Singapore reaching alltime highs above 290bblThe IEA said that resuming flows through the Strait of Hormuz remains the single most important variable in easing the pressure on energy supplies prices and the global economyThe latest development in the fastevolving situation is the announced US blockade on vessels entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areasConsumers and refiners alike are tapping into oil inventories to mitigate the immediate impact of supply disruptionsIn March global observed oil stocks fell by 85 mb despite an accumulation of both onland and offshore inventories in the Middle East and further builds in ChinaThe largest decline came from oil on water following the near halt to sailings from Gulf producers dependent on the Strait Crude oil stocks in importing countries in Asia dropped by 31 mb with further declines expected in AprilâThe prospects for a lasting negotiated settlement to the conflict remain unclear at this stage We present a forecast that assumes a resumption of regular deliveries of oil and gas from the Middle East to international markets by midyear although not back to preconflict levelsâ said the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/demand-for-crude-oil-to-see-biggest-quarterly-slump-since-covid-pandemic-iea-669335.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistans-mediation-claim-media-driven-optics-not-substantive-strategic-influence-report-669360.html Islamabad April 14 The temporary truce between the United States and Iran should not be considered an independent diplomatic achievement of Pakistan Rather it reflects Washingtonâs pursuit of managed deescalation from an increasingly costly and complex conflict that had become âstrategically economically and geopoliticallyâ counterproductive a report said on Tuesday The Iran ceasefire reflects US strategic recalibration and Pakistans constrained diplomatic role Washington sought a managed exit from an escalating conflict that threatened energy security strained alliances and fuelled domestic opposition Pakistan acted as an intermediary not an autonomous negotiator driven by fears of regional destabilisation economic fragility and obligations to Gulf partners Imran Khurshid wrote in New Delhibased International Centre for Peace StudiesâWhile the episode gave Islamabad visibility it underscored its dependence on external powers and risked straining ties with Gulf states India rejecting mediation benefited indirectly from deescalation safeguarding energy and remittance flows Ultimately Pakistanâs role highlights visibility without substantive strategic influence it addedAccording to the report while Pakistan may present the mediation efforts as a diplomatic success the internal consequences appear less favourable with Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir potentially leveraging the narrative to further consolidate controlâThis is not good news for those who want democracy to take root in Pakistan For the Pakistani diaspora working from abroad to restore democracy this is also not encouraging With Imran Khan already imprisoned and democratic institutions under strain this development could further strengthen the militaryâs narrative of strategic indispensability Figures like Asim Munir may use this to consolidate power and further suppress dissentâ it mentionedThe report stressed that much of the perception of Pakistanâs growing importance is largely mediadriven hype with domestic outlets portraying its mediation as a diplomatic victory over India â though visibility should not be conflated with influenceâPakistan remains a constrained state economically dependent on institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and on countries including the United States China and Gulf states While it may gain shortterm visibility this does not translate into substantive strategic influence It continues to face structural constraints across economic geopolitical and strategic domains and remains reliant on IMF bailoutsâ it notedAs a result the report said Pakistan will remain primarily concerned with securing the successive debt tranches and managing its repayment obligations rather than exercising independent strategic decisionmaking comparable to more autonomous statesThe report further said âForeign policy must never be assessed through a shortterm lens While Pakistan may celebrate its momentary visibility its longterm strategic position appears more constrained In contrast Indiaâs calibrated and pragmatic approach is likely to yield positive dividends over timeâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistans-mediation-claim-media-driven-optics-not-substantive-strategic-influence-report-669360.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 18:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/turkey-16-injured-after-former-student-opens-fire-in-school-669370.html Ankara April 14 At least 16 people were injured after a young man opened indiscriminate fire in the corridor of his former school in Siverek district of Turkey on Tuesday The attacker died later after committing suicide local media reported Sanliurfa Governor Hasan Sildak met the injured people at Siverek State Hospital in connection with the shooting incident at Ahmet Koyuncu Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School Speaking to reporters outside the hospital he stated that 16 people were injured in the incident occurred after the suspect entered the school and fired randomly Turkeybased Anadolu Agency reportedOf the 16 injured 4 are teachers 10 are students one is a police officer and one is a canteen worker Thankfully there were no fatalities Four of the injured two teachers and two students were transferred to hospitals in the city centre because their health condition was assessed as moderate Currently the other 12 injured are receiving treatment at Siverek State Hospital Anadolu Agency quoted him as sayingHe mentioned that the incident is being probed from multiple angles The attacker is a former student of the school only attending here in the 9th grade He later enrolled in an open high school programme Born in 2007 he took his own life while being apprehended by the police We have evacuated the school This incident which we deeply regret will be investigated thoroughly including its backgroundHasan Sildak offered condolences to people of Siverek and Sanliurfa He stated that judicial and administrative processes will be examined and necessary investigation will be conducted He stressed that such isolated incidents can happen despite taking all necessary precautions about the security of schools in Turkey Anadolu Agency reportedSildak stated that the attack was being investigated thoroughly and the perpetrator had no prior criminal record He said that Chief Prosecutors Office will handle the judicial aspects and the administrative investigation mechanism will be activated to shed light on the incident at the earliest IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/turkey-16-injured-after-former-student-opens-fire-in-school-669370.html Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-to-blockade-ships-entering-or-exiting-iranian-ports-after-talks-fail-669091.html Washington April 13 The United States will begin enforcing a sweeping maritime blockade of vessels entering or exiting Iranian ports from April 13 escalating tensions after highstakes talks between Washington and Tehran failed to yield agreement on key issues including Iranâs nuclear programme The move announced by US Central Command CENTCOM follows a presidential directive and will target âall maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian portsâ including those along the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of OmanâThe blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nationsâ CENTCOM said adding that US forces would not impede ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from nonIranian ports The blockade would begin at 730 pm IST on Monday as per a CENTCOM releaseCommercial mariners have been advised to monitor official navigation warnings and remain in contact with US naval forces while operating in the regionThe announcement came hours after US President Donald Trump declared that negotiations with Iran had stalled over its nuclear ambitions despite progress on other frontsâMost points were agreed to but the only point that really mattered NUCLEAR was notâ Trump said announcing that the US Navy would begin âthe process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter or leaveâ the Strait of HormuzHe accused Iran of âWORLD EXTORTIONâ by leveraging threats of naval mines in the strait a critical global energy corridor âNo one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seasâ he said adding that US forces would also âbegin destroying the mines the Iranians laid in the StraitsâIran however pushed back sharply suggesting the blockade derailed nearfinal negotiationsIranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Tehran had engaged âin good faith to end warâ and was âjust inches awayâ from an agreement before encountering âmaximalism shifting goalposts and blockadeââGood will begets good will Enmity begets enmityâ he saidAnalysts tracking the conflict say the dispute centres on Iranâs use of uncertainty around naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz to pressure global shipping The Institute for the Study of War said Iran had declared a âhazardous areaâ covering key shipping lanes forcing vessels into Iranian territorial waters where they were subjected to âprotection feesââThis protection racket is illegal under maritime lawâ the group said noting that no state bordering a strait can restrict passage or extract fees under international conventionsThe threat of mines â reportedly fewer than a dozen â has driven up oil prices and shipping insurance costs even without direct attacks analysts saidUS naval forces have begun operations to counter that strategy Destroyers including USS Frank E Peterson and USS Michael Murphy have transited the strait to demonstrate safe passage and begin mineclearing efforts CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper said safe routes would be shared with civilian shipping âas soon as possibleâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-to-blockade-ships-entering-or-exiting-iranian-ports-after-talks-fail-669091.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/former-us-secretary-of-state-antony-blinken-warns-of-strategic-failure-on-iran-669092.html Washington April 13 Washington risks turning battlefield gains against Iran into a longterm strategic setback former US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said urging restraint and renewed diplomacy as a fragile ceasefire holds In an interview to CNNâs Fareed Zakaria Blinken said recent developments may amount to âtactical successâ but strategic failureâ arguing that Iran retains key capabilities despite military pressureâYou can have a tactical successâ butâ what are we left with at the end of thisâ he said noting Iran still has âhighly enriched uraniumâ centrifugesâ and missilesâHe added that Tehran now has âa new huge advantage the Strait of Hormuzâ describing the situation as a turning point that increases Iranâs leverageThe comments come after 21 hours of USIran talks in Islamabad failed to produce a lasting agreement leaving only a tenuous ceasefire in placeBlinken said President Donald Trump faces a difficult choice if negotiations do not yield results escalation or compromiseâIt is an optionâ to restart the war he said but warned such a move would be âhighly risky highly costlyâHe urged the administration to avoid further military action âDonât go back to fightingâ Keep the pressure on the Iranians by other meansâ and engage in diplomacy for however long it takes to get a dealâ he saidBlinken said any deal would require concessions âA deal is going to involve some compromise Decide where youâre willing to compromiseâ he said adding that control and access to the Strait of Hormuz should be central to negotiationsDrawing on his experience with the 2015 nuclear deal Blinken said reaching an agreement with Iran is inherently slow and complexâIn the whole history of the Revolutionary Republicâ theyâve only made a fundamental compromiseâ twiceâ he said referring to the end of the IranIraq war and the nuclear agreementHe said one challenge is internal divisions within Iran âOne of the biggest mistakesâ is to see it as a political monolith It wasnâtâ he saidAt the same time Blinken described Iranian negotiators as highly skilled âThese are master negotiatorsâ incredibly challenging to deal withâ he said recalling how talks often extended even after agreements appeared completeHe said there may still be room for compromise on uranium enrichment suggesting a deal could allow Iran to enrich âat very low levels with a very small stockpileâ offering a facesaving arrangement without recognising a formal rightBlinken also reflected on efforts by the Biden administration to revive the nuclear deal after the US withdrawal under Trump He said talks stalled partly because Iran sought guarantees that future administrations would not abandon an agreement againâIncredibly hard to do with our politicsâ he saidHe added that negotiations were further complicated by Iranâs expanded nuclear programme and domestic political pressures in both countriesBlinken said diplomacy remains the only viable path âYouâve got to have strategic patienceâ the record shows that this can be doneâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/former-us-secretary-of-state-antony-blinken-warns-of-strategic-failure-on-iran-669092.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/nikki-haley-says-iran-talks-not-worth-time-669094.html Washington April 13 Republican Indian American politician Nikki Haley said the US was right to walk away from Iran talks backing President Donald Trumpâs blockade plan and warning Tehran was using the Strait of Hormuz to âhold the global economy hostageâ Negotiations between Washington and Tehran had failed to make progress with both sides entering discussions far apart âThe US had a 15 point plan Iran had a 10 point plan They really were miles apartâ she told CNN in an interview adding that âthe Iranians were not willing to give up their nuclear productionâ or their control over the strategic waterwayShe supported Vice President J D Vanceâs decision to end the talks saying âWere not gonna continue talks This isnt worth our timeâ and argued that the Trump administration was now moving decisively âWere gonna go after Iran where it hurtsâ she saidHaley framed the blockade as part of a broader economic strategy to weaken Iran âThe part to really bring Iran to its knees is to go after it economicallyâ she said stressing that keeping the Strait of Hormuz open was critical to global tradeShe warned that Iran was attempting to leverage its position to increase pressure on the US and its allies âIran sees winning as putting as much political and economic pressure on Trump and the Gulf allies as they can This is a game of chickenâ she saidHighlighting the global stakes Haley noted that â20 per cent of oil 20 per cent of liquified natural gasâ and âa third of the fertilizerâ move through the strait She said disruptions were already visible âTypically 135 ships would go through the strait a day Now weve got maybe a handfulâ Youve got a backlog of 400 shipsâ she saidHaley said the objective was not a prolonged conflict âWe dont want an endless war This needs to be completed fastâ she said noting that US naval forces in the region were already positioned to secure the passageOn Iranâs nuclear programme Haley said the campaign would not be complete unless enriched uranium was removed âPresident Trump has said that he doesnt want Iran to have a nuclear weaponâ she said adding that Gulf allies supported that goalShe suggested that a targeted military operation may be required âI think thats probably what its gonna come down toâ It would take about a week to 10 days to get doneâ she said describing it as a âspecial force missionâ that would be âdangerousâHaley also accused China and Russia of aiding Iranâs military capabilities âChina has suppliedâ hundreds of ballistic missilesâ she said adding that Beijing could soon provide additional air defence systemsShe questioned whether Trump should proceed with a planned summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping âI question whether the summit should go onâ she said urging a tougher US stance unless China halts its support to IranDespite her criticism of Trump during the 2024 campaign Haley said he was handling adversaries firmly âHes dealing with our adversaries in a way thats strong and not weakâ she said while adding that his approach can sometimes âcause chaosâShe also flagged domestic concerns saying the US economy and rising debt remained the âbiggest issueâ at home pointing to a national debt nearing 40 trillion and pressure on entitlement programmes IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/nikki-haley-says-iran-talks-not-worth-time-669094.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 08:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/irans-irgc-warns-any-wrong-move-by-enemy-in-strait-of-hormuz-to-have-lethal-consequences-669096.html Tehran April 13 The Navy of Irans Islamic Revolution Guard Corps IRGC said that any erroneous move by the enemy in the Strait of Hormuz will have deadly consequences It issued the warning in a post on social media platform X sharing drone surveillance footage of the real situation in the Strait of HormuzThe IRGCs Navy said all movements and nonmovements in the Strait of Hormuz are under complete control of the Iranian armed forces adding that Any erroneous maneuver will trap the enemy in deadly whirlpools in the straitUS Central Command CENTCOM said Saturday that two US warships transited the Strait of Hormuz and began mineclearing operations in the Gulf Irans main military command Khatam alAnbiya Central Headquarters rejected that account strongly denying CENTCOMs claim that American vessels had entered the strait Xinhua news agency reportedIn an exclusive report on Sunday Irans staterun Press TV said the US militarys attempt to sail two destroyers through the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday ended as a failed propaganda stunt timed to coincide with TehranWashington talks in IslamabadThe Press TV identified the US destroyers as USS Michael Murphy and USS Frank E Peterson saying they were forced to retreat by Irans naval forcesAlso on Sunday the IRGC said in a statement that any military vessels that intend to approach the Strait of Hormuz under any title or pretext will be considered a ceasefire violation and will be dealt with severelyOn February 28 Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities killing Irans then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei along with senior military commanders and civilians Iran responded with waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and US assets in the Middle East and tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz by restricting passage by vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United StatesA twoweek ceasefire between Iran and the United States took effect on Wednesday followed by the holding of lengthy talks between the Iranian and US delegations in Islamabad which failed to lead to an agreement IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/irans-irgc-warns-any-wrong-move-by-enemy-in-strait-of-hormuz-to-have-lethal-consequences-669096.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 08:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-says-iran-desperate-as-blockade-looms-669098.html Washington April 13 US President Donald Trump said that Iran was in âvery bad shapeâ and âpretty desperateâ as he confirmed a planned blockade would take effect within hours Speaking to reporters on the tarmac after returning from Miami Trump said a ceasefire in the region was âholding wellâ but signalled no softening in Washingtonâs position ahead of the blockade set to begin at 10 am MondayâThe blockade will go into effect tomorrow at 10 amâ Trump said adding that âthere are many boats heading toward our country to fill up with oilâHe indicated that other countries were cooperating with efforts to curb Iranâs oil sales though he did not identify them âOther nations are working so that Iran cannot sell oilâ he saidOn prospects for renewed negotiations with Tehran Trump struck a dismissive toneâI think Iran is in very bad shape I think theyâre pretty desperate Iran will not have a nuclear weaponâ he saidAsked how long he would wait for Iran to return to the negotiating table the President said âI donât care if they come back or not If they donât come back Iâm fineâThe remarks underscore a hardened US posture as tensions with Iran continue with Washington combining economic pressure and maritime measures to restrict Tehranâs energy exportsTrump also used the brief exchange with reporters to criticise NATO expressing frustration with the allianceâs roleâIâm very disappointed in NATO they werenât there for us We pay trillions of dollars for NATO and they werenât there for usâ he saidHe declined to respond to questions about Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbanâs reported electoral loss ending the exchange after about six minutes and departing the tarmacThe planned blockade marks a significant escalation in US efforts to pressure Iran particularly targeting its oil exports which remain a critical source of revenue for Tehran Washington has long argued that restricting these revenues is key to curbing Iranâs nuclear ambitions IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-says-iran-desperate-as-blockade-looms-669098.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 08:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-calls-pope-leo-weak-on-crime-669099.html Washington April 13 US President Donald Trump launched a sharp attack on Pope Leo XIV in a lengthy social media post accusing the pontiff of being âweak on crimeâ and criticising his stance on foreign policy Iran and US domestic issues âPope Leo is WEAK on Crime and terrible for Foreign Policyâ Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform setting off a fresh escalation in tensions between the White House and the VaticanIn the post Trump accused the Pope of focusing on criticism of his administration while ignoring past restrictions on religious gatherings during the COVID19 pandemicâHe talks about âfearâ of the Trump Administration but doesnât mention the FEAR that the Catholic Churchâ had during COVID when they were arresting priests ministers and everybody else for holding Church Servicesâ Trump wroteThe President also targeted the Popeâs position on Iran asserting disagreement with what he characterised as leniencyâI donât want a Pope who thinks itâs OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weaponâ he saidTrump further defended US actions abroad including Venezuela linking them to concerns over drugs and crime entering the United StatesâI donât want a Pope who thinks itâs terrible that America attacked Venezuela a Country that was sending massive amounts of Drugs into the United Statesâ he wrote adding that the country was âemptying their prisonsâ into our CountryâThe post also turned personal with Trump comparing the Pope unfavourably to his brotherâI like his brother Louis much better than I like him because Louis is all MAGA He gets it and Leo doesnâtâ he saidTrump went on to defend his own presidency citing electoral victory crime reduction and economic performanceâIâm doing exactly what I was elected IN A LANDSLIDE to do setting Record Low Numbers in Crime and creating the Greatest Stock Market in Historyâ he wroteIn a striking claim Trump suggested the Popeâs election was linked to his own presidencyâLeo should be thankful becauseâ he was a shocking surpriseâ If I wasnât in the White House Leo wouldnât be in the Vaticanâ he saidHe also criticised the Popeâs interactions with political figures singling out former adviser David AxelrodâLeo should get his act together as Popeâ stop catering to the Radical Left and focus on being a Great Pope not a Politicianâ Trump addedThe remarks reflect a deepening rift between Trump and the Vatican with both sides increasingly diverging on issues ranging from war and diplomacy to immigration and domestic policyPope Leo XIV the first Americanborn pontiff has in recent weeks spoken out against war and called for restraint and dialogue in global conflicts including tensions involving Iran IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-calls-pope-leo-weak-on-crime-669099.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 08:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/iran-blames-us-maximalism-as-near-final-islamabad-mou-collapses-669100.html Tehran April 13 Iran has accused the United States of derailing a potential breakthrough agreement saying that maximalism shifting goalposts and blockade tactics prevented what was inches away from becoming the proposed Islamabad MoU after 21 hours of intense negotiations ended without a deal In a post on X Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran had entered into its highestlevel direct engagement with Washington in 47 years with sincerity and intent to help bring an end to the ongoing conflict but lamented that there were zero lessons earned His assertion that both sides were inches away from finalising an agreement highlighted how close the talks had come to success before tensions escalated sharply at the final stage In intensive talks at highest level in 47 years Iran engaged with US in good faith to end war But when just inches away from Islamabad MoU we encountered maximalism shifting goalposts and blockade Zero lessons earned Good will begets good will Enmity begets enmity Araghchi posted on XIranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that the possibility of a diplomatic breakthrough with the United States still exists provided Washington changes its approach He urged the US to abandon what he termed totalitarianism and to respect Irans rights suggesting that such a shift could pave the way for an agreementIf the American government abandons its totalitarianism and respects the rights of the Iranian nation ways to reach an agreement will certainly be found Pezeshkian said in a post on X while praising members of the negotiating delegationMeanwhile the United States announced that it will begin enforcing a sweeping maritime blockade of vessels entering or exiting Iranian ports from April 13 escalating tensions after highstakes talks between Washington and Tehran failed to yield agreement on key issues including Irans nuclear programme The move announced by US Central Command CENTCOM follows a presidential directive and will target all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports including those along the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of OmanThe blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations CENTCOM said adding that US forces would not impede ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from nonIranian ports Commercial mariners have been advised to monitor official navigation warnings and remain in contact with US naval forces while operating in the regionThe announcement came hours after US President Donald Trump declared that negotiations with Iran had stalled over its nuclear ambitions despite progress on other fronts IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/iran-blames-us-maximalism-as-near-final-islamabad-mou-collapses-669100.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 08:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/tropical-cyclone-maila-kills-at-least-11-in-pngs-bougainville-669102.html Melbourne April 13 At least 11 people have died including eight in a landslide after Tropical Cyclone Maila hit the autonomous Bougainville region of Papua New Guinea PNG PNG media reported on Monday that 11 people were killed in Bougainville located over 950 km northeast of Port Moresby in the Solomon Sea amid widespread destruction caused by the cycloneAccording to the National Broadcasting Corporation of PNG at least eight people were killed by a landslide that destroyed homes in Asiko Village in Central BougainvilleTwo more women died after being hit by fallen trees the NBC reported and around 12 other people have been hospitalised with various injuriesTropical Cyclone Maila reached Category 5 strength in the Solomon Sea and caused major flooding and destruction across eastern PNG and the Solomon IslandsIn a statement issued on Sunday PNG Prime Minister James Marape said that the government has begun mobilising essential relief supplies including food rations clean water medical supplies and temporary sheltersWe will make sure we reach every place every island and every community that has been affected he saidTropical Cyclone Maila was initially forecast to hit the southeastern tip of the island of New Guinea as a Category 2 or 3 storm but has since been downgraded to a tropical low Xinhua news agency reportedThe system has been a destructive force through the Pacific region destroying buildings creating huge waves storm surges and landslidesEarlier on April 8 three people had been reported missing in the Solomon Islands as emergency warnings remain in place in eastern Papua New Guinea PNG after Tropical Cyclone Maila reached Category 5 strength in the Solomon SeaAustralias Bureau of Meteorology had said that Tropical Cyclone Maila was a Category 5 storm in the Solomon Sea around 425 km west of Honiara and 980 km east of Port Moresby IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/tropical-cyclone-maila-kills-at-least-11-in-pngs-bougainville-669102.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 08:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/ajmer-cleric-meets-indian-envoy-in-russia-calls-for-deeper-cultural-and-spiritual-ties-669160.html Jaipur April 13 In a notable engagement linking diplomacy with civilisational heritage Haji Syed Salman Chishty cleric of Ajmer Sharif Dargah and Chairman of the Chishty Foundation met Ambassador Neelam Rani Consul General of India in St Petersburg The interaction focused on strengthening IndiaRussia ties through art culture spiritual traditions and peopletopeople engagement Dargah officials said on MondayThe meeting took place during Chishtyâs official visit to Russia which included St Petersburg and Moscow Against the historic setting of St Petersburg both sides underlined that the IndiaRussia partnership long built on mutual trust should expand beyond defence and trade Cultural outreach and spiritual heritage were identified as key avenues for cooperationDiscussions included proposals for cultural festivals Sufi music and qawwali programmes classical art exchanges and curated exhibitions reflecting shared traditions A major focus was on strengthening interfaith dialogue and spiritual cooperationChishty noted that the Sufi message of âpeace with allâ finds resonance in Russiaâs diverse religious landscape Regions such as Tatarstan Dagestan Bashkortostan and the Caucasus were highlighted for their strong Sufi traditions offering scope for collaboration Both sides explored structured interfaith dialogues academic exchanges and joint spiritual delegations to translate shared heritage into active engagementEmphasising that lasting international ties rest on human connections the two also identified youth exchanges academic partnerships and cultural immersion programmes as priority areas These efforts aim to widen the reach of bilateral ties beyond official channelsThe discussion also touched upon longstanding intellectual links between the two countries including Leo Tolstoyâs engagement with Indian philosophy and the influence of Mahatma Gandhi on Russian thoughtChishty said the Neelam Rani represents the countryâs civilisational approach to diplomacy and added that IndiaâRussia relations are grounded in shared values of peace and humanity He reiterated his commitment to promoting the message of harmony associated with Khwaja Gharib Nawaz across bordersThe Indian envoy welcomed the visit and appreciated efforts to promote Indiaâs spiritual and cultural heritage She reaffirmed the Consulateâs support for initiatives that deepen cultural ties and strengthen peopletopeople connections between India and Russia IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/ajmer-cleric-meets-indian-envoy-in-russia-calls-for-deeper-cultural-and-spiritual-ties-669160.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/from-ghaziabad-to-mumbai-isis-expansive-spy-network-fed-data-for-planned-strikes-669161.html New Delhi April 13 The ISIbacked espionage module which the Ghaziabad Police first busted had surveyed sensitive locations such as naval facilities and airport zones in Mumbai They were in the process of installing solarpowered CCTV cameras at these locations and were planning to send the live feed to their handlers in Pakistan An investigating official said that the module was not just limited to conducting a reconnaissance in Delhi Ghaziabad Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir They had a reach up to Maharashtra as well The questioning of the prime accused Suhail Malik revealed that he was working as a daily wager at a bakery In reality he was on the ISIs payrollWhile residing in Pune Malik had transmitted information about sensitive locations both in Pune and Mumbai Following this he moved to Ghaziabad and continued to work for the ISI He had been heading the espionage module that was busted by the Ghaziabad policeThe espionage module had managed to set up solarpowered CCTVs at railway stations and other crowded locations The agencies are now closely probing the activities undertaken by this module in Mumbai and Pune Malik was in Mumbai for five years between 2020 and 2025 During this period he had conducted a reconnaissance of several locations and provided the ISI with informationAn official said that the targets of this module were largely Army cantonment areas railway stations and the movement of the security personnel The official added that the probe suggests that these persons were focusing heavily on the Indian RailwaysThe espionage module was entrusted with only providing information and was not involved in planning any attack The ISI was in the process of setting up another module to carry out attacks at railway stations and Army cantonment areasAnother official noted that the cameras to capture live feed were not set up overnight It has been in the works for several years and now the security agencies are analysing the extent of information that has been passed on This module was providing information at a very low cost to the ISI so that attacks could be carried out at multiple locations over a period of time The scale of this operation was massive and the busting of this module has managed to avert a major catastrophe an official notedSuhail according to investigators was paid Rs 8000 to install each CCTV camera He has managed to install it at multiple locations over the years investigating officials have learnt This new playbook of the ISI to gather live feed from sensitive and crowded locations has prompted a thorough audit of CCTV cameras being soldFollowing the busting of this module the Maharashtra government has ordered an audit of CCTV systems Further the procurement of CCTV cameras linked to Chinese companies has been put on hold The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority will now have to obtain police clearance before putting up surveillance systemsAn Intelligence Bureau official said that the module had a wide reach and had managed to procure sensitive information from many states The police personnel of these respective states would need to coordinate and gather as much information as possible This cannot be viewed as an isolated module that was just gathering informationIt is equally important that the agencies learn about what has been done with the data collected and how the ISI was looking to use it the official also added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/from-ghaziabad-to-mumbai-isis-expansive-spy-network-fed-data-for-planned-strikes-669161.html Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/indias-2047-vision-rooted-in-policy-vinay-kwatra-669005.html Washington April 12 Indiaâs journey to becoming a developed nation by 2047 is anchored in informed academic and policy discourse Indiaâs Ambassador to the United States Vinay Kwatra said while addressing a major conference in Texas Kwatra made the remarks during his virtual address at the inaugural Austin India Conference themed âIndia at 100 Decades of Decisionsâ hosted by the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas AustinCommending the organisers for bringing together scholars students and practitioners he said such forwardlooking initiatives are critical to deliberating on Indiaâs pathway towards Vision 2047 or âViksit BharatâHe underscored that the decisions shaping Indiaâs growth are rooted in deep policy discussions which form the foundation for the countryâs transformative progress in the coming decadesIndiaâs development and innovation journey would generate shared benefits for both India and the United States he said adding that there is a deepening of strategic and economic convergence between the two countriesThe conference organised under the theme of Indiaâs longterm development trajectory brought together stakeholders to examine the countryâs evolving policy landscape and development prioritiesIn a separate session titled âThe Growth Triangleâ Indiaâs Consul General in Houston D C Manjunath said IndiaUS relations continue to strengthen across multiple pillars including governmenttogovernment businesstobusiness and peopletopeople engagementHe highlighted that these three pillars have underpinned the steady upward trajectory of bilateral ties reinforcing cooperation across sectorsPointing to the growing importance of subnational partnerships Manjunath identified collaboration between India and Texas as a key component of the broader IndiaUS relationshipHe noted that such regional linkages are playing an increasingly significant role in driving economic engagement innovation and institutional cooperationThe event also provided insights into Indiaâs policy evolution and development priorities reflecting a surge in academic and policy interest in the countryâs growth storyManjunath expressed appreciation to the leadership and faculty of the University of Texas Austin and reaffirmed the Consulateâs commitment to expanding collaboration with academic and research institutions across TexasHe said such engagement would help nurture dialogue foster innovation and advance a shared vision of growth and progress IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/indias-2047-vision-rooted-in-policy-vinay-kwatra-669005.html Sun, 12 Apr 2026 11:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-intel-sees-china-weighing-iran-support-669007.html Washington April 12 US intelligence assessments cited by American media suggest China may be weighing a more active role in Iranâs conflict even as Beijing seeks to avoid a wider war A report in The New York Times said US agencies have gathered information pointing to possible Chinese support to Iran though officials stressed the intelligence is not definitiveThe report said there is âno evidence that the Chinese missiles have yet been used against American or Israeli forces during the conflictâ underscoring the uncertainty around the findingsStill US officials view even the possibility of Chinese involvement as significant given the broader geopolitical stakesThe report noted that Beijing appears cautious Chinese officials are seen as eager to project themselves as a neutral party even as internal discussions about supporting Iran indicate a more complex stanceFormer officials cited in the report said Iran relies on China for key components used in missiles and drones Beijing however can argue such parts have civilian uses allowing it to maintain plausible deniabilityChina is also believed to have provided some intelligence support according to the report though details remain limitedThe developments come as US and Iranian officials hold direct talks in Islamabad to stabilise a fragile ceasefire after weeks of conflictUS officials are watching closely whether any external backing could affect the negotiations or shift the balance on the groundAnalysts say Beijingâs approach reflects a careful calculation China has deep economic ties with Iran and is its largest oil customer but it also has strong incentives to avoid escalation that could disrupt global tradeThe report said debate within China over sending missiles highlights the tension between those interestsAt the same time Beijingâs public posture has emphasised restraint Chinese officials have sought to protect their image as a neutral actor particularly as they expand diplomatic and economic engagement in the Middle East IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-intel-sees-china-weighing-iran-support-669007.html Sun, 12 Apr 2026 11:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-media-track-marathon-iran-talks-tensions-669008.html Washington April 12 US media coverage of the ongoing Iran talks in Islamabad on Saturday focused on prolonged negotiations deep divisions over key issues and heavy security measures surrounding the highlevel meetings in the Pakistani Capital Reports by The New York Times The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post described the talks as a marathon diplomatic effort between longtime adversaries with discussions stretching late into the night and into early SundayThe New York Times said negotiations between US and Iranian officials extended âpast 5 am local time on Sundayâ calling it a âhistoric encounterâ as both sides sought to broker peace after weeks of conflictThe report noted that the length of the talks â more than 15 hours â suggested both sides âremained engaged and still had topics to discussâ even as no breakthrough had emergedIt identified control of the Strait of Hormuz as the central sticking point describing it as an âeconomically vital waterwayâ at the heart of the dispute between Washington and TehranThe paper added that while the talks had yet to yield results direct facetoface engagement at this level was âextraordinaryâ given decades of hostility between the two countriesThe Wall Street Journal focused on conditions in Islamabad reporting that the Pakistani capital had turned into a âghost townâ as authorities imposed sweeping security measuresAccording to the report central Islamabad was placed under lockdown Roads were closed shops and offices shut and thousands of police and security personnel deployed Streets ânormally buzzing with cars and motorbikes were almost emptyâ it saidThe paper described tight security at the venue where journalists passed âa dozen guntoting police officersâ and underwent multiple checks before entering the press centreSecurity concerns were linked to fears that âno spoiler can jeopardize the talksâ amid a fragile ceasefire and recent violence in the regionThe Washington Post described the negotiations as the highest level of direct engagement between the United States and Iran in decades led by Vice President JD VanceThe report said talks âstretched well past midnightâ and had moved into technical discussions signalling limited progress but continued engagementIt added that both sides were seeking âa more permanent end to the warâ after agreeing to a temporary ceasefire but remained âfar apart on key issuesâAcross outlets coverage highlighted the lack of clarity on the outcome The New York Times noted that the White House had ânot provided any details about the status of the negotiationsâ despite their duration IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-media-track-marathon-iran-talks-tensions-669008.html Sun, 12 Apr 2026 11:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/iran-us-peace-talks-extended-for-another-day-media-669009.html Tehran April 12 Negotiations between delegations from Iran and the United States will be extended for another day at Pakistans proposal and at the two sides consent the semiofficial Tasnim news agency reported early Sunday The report said given the illogical and excessive demands of the United States and the Iranian delegations insistence on ensuring national interests Pakistan proposed to hold another round of negotiations on Sunday and the two sides agreed Xinhua news agency reportedThis occurred at the end of the latest round of Pakistanimediated talks that ended early Sunday in Islamabad and after the two delegations exchanged texts according to TasnimThe negotiations started at 1 pm local time 0800 GMT on Saturday and continued for more than 14 hours the report saidTasnim said earlier that certain serious differences still remain between the two sides adding that the ball is now in the US court to put aside its usual excessive demands and replace its ambitious approach with a realistic oneIt quoted an informed source as saying that despite the initial progress achieved in the negotiations between the two sides expert teams the delegations still have serious differences over the Strait of Hormuz and a number of other issues and no tangible change has occurred in the talks due to the US excessive demandsThe report stressed that some Western media are exaggerating the talks positive atmosphere to control global energy pricesRegarding the latest round Tasnim said Given the US excessive demands this round appears to be the last chance given by the Iranian team to the Americans to achieve a joint frameworkDelegations from Iran and the United States are in Islamabad for talks aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East following a ceasefire reached earlier this week after more than a month of fighting IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/iran-us-peace-talks-extended-for-another-day-media-669009.html Sun, 12 Apr 2026 11:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/iraqi-parliament-elects-former-environment-minister-nizar-amedi-as-countrys-new-president-669010.html Baghdad April 12 The Iraqi Parliament elected former environment minister Nizar Amedi as the countrys new president following a decisive voting session held in the capital Baghdad Parliament Speaker Haibet alHalbousi officially announced Amedi as the winner after he secured 227 votes in the runoff vote Following the announcement the presidentelect took the constitutional oath Xinhua news agency reportedThe pivotal session was attended by approximately 250 lawmakers from the 329seat parliament exceeding the constitutional quorum of 220 members required for the presidential electionAccording to the televised session Amedi the candidate of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan PUK led the first round with 208 votes while his primary competitors Muthanna Amin from the Kurdistan Islamic Union and current Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein received 17 and 16 votes respectivelyThe election moved to a second round between Amedi and Amin as no candidate secured a twothirds majority in the initial ballotAmedi head of the Political Bureau of the PUK in Baghdad previously held the post of Iraqi environment minister from 2022 to 2024 and has acted as an adviser to former Iraqi presidentsUnder the Iraqi constitution the newly elected president has 15 days to nominate the leader of the largest parliamentary bloc as the prime ministerdesignate The nominee will then have 30 days to form a new cabinet and seek a confidence voteIraq held parliamentary elections in November last year The vote concludes a long period of political deadlock The election of the new president had been stalled due to a lack of consensus between the major Kurdish parties and the failure to achieve the required twothirds parliamentary quorum in previous attemptsUnder Iraqs post2003 powersharing system the presidency is reserved for a Kurd while the parliamentary speaker is a Sunni and the prime minister is a Shiite IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/iraqi-parliament-elects-former-environment-minister-nizar-amedi-as-countrys-new-president-669010.html Sun, 12 Apr 2026 11:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-two-firefighters-killed-in-cold-storage-warehouse-fire-669050.html Seoul April 12 A fire broke out at a cold storage warehouse in a southwestern county on Sunday leaving two firefighters dead as the blaze intensified during rescue operations South Korean authorities said The fire started at around 825 am at a fisheries processing companys warehouse in the county of Wando South Jeolla Province prompting authorities to mobilise more than 100 firefighters It was extinguished after about three hours according to the Wando Fire Station Yonhap News Agency reportedTwo firefighters became trapped inside the warehouse and were later found dead it notedAccording to fire authorities the blaze is believed to have started while workers were using a torch to remove paint from the building as part of floorlevelling and repaving workA fishery company official inhaled smoke and was sent to a nearby hospital but was not in lifethreatening conditionLee Minseok chief of the Wando Fire Station said the two firefighters were unable to escape after reentering the site to extinguish residual flames following the initial operationOil mist presumed to have been floating near the ceiling exploded Lee said at a press briefing The operations chief ordered seven firefighters to evacuate after spotting black smoke and flames via radio communication but two were unable to exitFire authorities said they plan to investigate the exact cause of the blazeInvestigators suspect that epoxy flooring which is highly flammable may have contributed to the rapid spread of the flames compounded by the presence of sandwich panels in parts of the structure which likely hampered firefighting effortsSouth Korean President Lee Jae Myung was briefed on the incident and instructed fire authorities to mobilise all available resources to put out the fire and carry out rescue operations presidential spokesperson Kang Yujung said in a written briefingIn a post on social media platform X Lee extended condolences to the deceased firefighters aged 44 and 30 and their bereaved familiesThey rushed to the most dangerous scene to protect the lives and safety of the people and fulfilled their duties to the very end Lee wrote I bow my head in tribute to their courage and dedicationLee said the government takes the incident seriously and will make efforts to ensure a safer environment for firefighters to carry out their missions IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-two-firefighters-killed-in-cold-storage-warehouse-fire-669050.html Sun, 12 Apr 2026 14:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-hikes-electricity-tariff-in-double-whammy-after-fuel-price-rise-669051.html New Delhi April 12 Pakistanâs National Electric Power Regulatory Authority NEPRA has delivered a major shock to the countryâs consumers with an increase in electricity tariffs by Rs 142 per unit under the monthly fuel cost adjustment citing a variation in fuel charges for February 2026 The Rs 142 per unit rise for Februaryâs fuel adjustment will now be collected from consumers in April bills and according to some reports the overall additional burden consumers now have to shoulder comes to around Rs1057 billion according to an editorial piece in Pakistanâs The News InternationalAside from conserving fuel the austerity measures the government has taken in the wake of the Middle East conflict can also be seen as a way to help people save money However in this country be it the pump or the home there does not appear to be anywhere people can hide from price and tariff hikes And for now the global energy future remains murky As such Pakistanis could well find themselves paying more for fuel and for power through this month the article laments There is also the impact on the countryâs beleaguered industry to consider A representative of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry FPCCI has reportedly said that the industrial sector has already borne an aggregate burden of Rs 5647 billion over the past three years and that further increases would be detrimental to sustainability and industrial viability the article observes However Pakistanâs power malaise long predates the Middle East turmoil In FY202425 Pakistanâs power distribution sector bled a combined Rs 397 billion due to transmission and distribution losses and weak bill recoveries If this is not in the control of the authorities it should be So should the hefty fixed payments made to power producers regardless of output and the low utilisation of power plants the report points out IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-hikes-electricity-tariff-in-double-whammy-after-fuel-price-rise-669051.html Sun, 12 Apr 2026 14:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-markets-stay-shut-in-rawalpindi-peoples-woes-mount-669052.html Islamabad April 12 People are facing series of problems from buying edibles to daily essentials in Pakistans Rawalpindi as the markets have remained shut at the behest of district administration local media reported on Sunday Markets in Rawalpindi remained shut due to the security reasons as USIran talks were held in Islamabad The worstimpacted regions of Rawalpindi were Peshawar Road Murree Road and areas which shared border with Islamabad Pakistans leading daily Dawn reported All shops including milk shops tandoors and grocery shops remained shut The main grain market in Raja Bazaar of Rawalpindi also remained shutRawalpindi Traders Association leader Shahid Ghafoor Paracha said that shopkeepers were told to keep their shops shut on Saturday and Sunday as per the district administrations instructionsMeanwhile residents faced problems in buying edibles as milk shops and bakeries remained shut Mohammad Qamar a resident said I had to get roti from the inner streets of Raja Bazaar as the tandoor was closedMohammad Riaz a resident said many vegetable shops were shut in the market and it was difficult to make chapati at home due to low pressure of gas in many parts of the city Dawn reportedSajid Mehmood a resident said that shops had been shut for the past two days and it was difficult to buy vegetables and milkPeople also faced problems in commuting as there was a shortage of public transport on the roads A passenger said Taxi cabs and rickshaw drivers are cashing in on the situation and charging higher faresThe markets remained shut as the authorities asked traders to not open shops due to the security reasons for the negotiations between US and Iran which failed to produce an agreementUS Vice President J D Vance said negotiations with Iran failed to produce an agreement after more than 20 hours of talks in Islamabad warning that Tehranâs refusal to accept Washingtonâs terms was âbad news for Iran much more than its bad news for the United States of AmericaââWe have been at it now for 21 hours and weve had a number of substantive discussions with the Iranians Thats the good news The bad news is that we have not reached an agreementâ Vance told reporters at a press conference in the early hours of Sunday morning The Vice President said US negotiators had clearly outlined their position but Tehran declined to accept the termsâWeve made very clear what our red lines are what things were willing to accommodate them on and what things were not willing to accommodate them on and weve made that as clear as we possibly could and they have chosen not to accept our termsâ he said Vance emphasised that the core US objective remained preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capabilityâThe simple fact is that we need to see an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon and they will not seek the tools that would enable them to quickly achieve a nuclear weaponâ he said He added that Washington was seeking longterm assurances from Tehran not temporary commitments IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-markets-stay-shut-in-rawalpindi-peoples-woes-mount-669052.html Sun, 12 Apr 2026 14:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/eam-jaishankar-calls-on-uae-president-expresses-gratitude-for-ensuring-well-being-of-indian-community-669063.html Abu Dhabi April 12 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar called on UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on Sunday and conveyed greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi During the meeting EAM Jaishankar expressed gratitude to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for ensuring the wellbeing of the Indian community in the UAE during the conflict in West AsiaCrown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was also present during the meetingDeeply honoured to call on President of UAE HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi today Conveyed warm greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and our gratitude for ensuring wellbeing of the Indian community during the West Asia conflict Thank him for his guidance on further strengthening the IndiaUAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership EAM Jaishankar posted on XIn another post he wrote Good to see HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum during the call Conveyed the appreciation of our Government for ensuring the welfare of the Indian community in DubaiEAM Jaishankar is on a twoday official visit to the UAE On Saturday he held talks with UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the evolving situation in West Asia and its wider implicationsThe External Affairs Minister expressed confidence that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations will advance furtherA real pleasure to meet DPM and FM of UAE Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi this evening Our conversation focused on the evolving regional situation and its implications Conveyed our deep appreciation for ensuring the wellbeing of the Indian community in the UAE Confident that our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will advance further he wrote on XEAM Jaishankar also interacted with the members of the Indian community on Saturday During his interaction he highlighted the Indian governments ongoing efforts towards the security and wellbeing of its nationals amidst the West Asia conflictStarted my visit to the UAE interacting with the members of the Indian Community Spoke about GOIs efforts towards their wellbeing and security amidst the West Asia conflict Appreciated their contributions to the local society during these difficult times As well as the support of the Government of the UAE in ensuring welfare of the Indian community the minister posted on X after the meetingEAM Jaishankar arrived in the UAE on Saturday for a twoday official visit after concluding his visit to Mauritius where he participated in the 9th Indian Ocean Conference and met the countrys leadership IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/eam-jaishankar-calls-on-uae-president-expresses-gratitude-for-ensuring-well-being-of-indian-community-669063.html Sun, 12 Apr 2026 15:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/china-may-exploit-middle-east-conflict-to-expand-influence-in-asia-report-669070.html New Delhi April 12 IANS The ongoing conflict in the Middle East could create strategic openings for China to expand its influence across Asia particularly at a time when the United States is heavily engaged in another theatre according to a reportnbspThe war in the Middle East is also reshaping the strategic environment in ways that extend far beyond the region the report by Japan Forward said adding that by tying down American attention and resources the conflict is leaving other regions more vulnerable than they appear creating conditions that China has historically been adept at exploitingnbspnbspThe analysis underscores that Beijing does not necessarily need to trigger crises to gain an advantage Chinas strategic approach does not rely on precipitating crises in Asia it often benefits more from their absence particularly when the United States is preoccupied in another theatreDrawing on historical patterns the report points out that periods of intense US engagement in the Middle East have coincided with significant Chinese activity in Asia The years of the Iraq War offer an early example eijing expanded its footprint in the South China Sea with relatively limited external resistance the report statesSimilarly during the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 China increased military pressure around Taiwan The report noted Taiwan recorded more than 900 sorties by the Peoples Liberation Army into its Air Defense Identification Zone reflecting a strategy of sustained pressure below the threshold of open conflictThe report also highlights the impact of US military deployment patterns stating that when key assets such as carrier strike groups are stationed in regions like the Eastern Mediterranean or Red Sea they are necessarily absent from the Western Pacific This shift it argues can alter the strategic balance in the IndoPacificAccording to Japan Forward China has increasingly relied on incremental and calibrated actions including military exercises and infrastructure development to reshape the regional landscape without triggering direct confrontation Each calibrated action has remained below the threshold of an allout crisis Yet together they have reshaped the strategic environment in ways difficult to reverse the report notesThe report also draws parallels with developments along Indias northern borders referencing the 2020 Galwan Valley clash and subsequent infrastructure buildup as part of a broader pattern of strategic positioningIn conclusion Japan Forward emphasises that Chinas approach is driven by timing and opportunity stating that the objective has not been to trigger confrontation but to reshape realities gradually in ways that avoid immediate escalationIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/china-may-exploit-middle-east-conflict-to-expand-influence-in-asia-report-669070.html Sun, 12 Apr 2026 16:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/fuel-price-shocks-ripple-pakistans-economy-hit-households-668966.html New Delhi April 11 IANS As geopolitical tensions rise following Israels attack on Lebanons Hezbollah Pakistans already fragile economy is facing added pressure with rising fuel prices rippling across the broader economy driving up the cost of essential goods and straining households a report has saidnbspAccording to a Business Recorder report fuel price adjustments typically driven by global crude oil trends exchange rate movements and fiscal pressures have had a more pronounced impact in Pakistan due to structural weaknesses and limited regulatory oversightIt further stated that fuel is a key input across sectors and any increase in prices quickly feeds into transportation costs which in turn raises the prices of food and other essential commodities As supply chains become more expensive the burden is passed on to consumers amplifying inflationary pressuresIn Pakistans case fuel price increases do not remain confined to energy costs they cascade through the entire economy the report saidThe situation is further exacerbated by loosely regulated markets where intermediaries often pass on higher costs while adding margins leading to price increases that exceed the actual impact of fuel hikesThe report also highlighted the role of psychological inflation where expectations of rising costs prompt businesses to increase prices in advance compounding the effect on consumersFor households particularly those with limited incomes and savings the cumulative impact is significant Rising fuel costs translate into higher daily expenses reduced purchasing power and growing uncertainty over future spendingPakistans fiscal constraints including commitments linked to International Monetary Fund IMF programmes have limited the governments ability to absorb price shocks through subsidies making such adjustments unavoidableHowever concerns remain over policy consistency with abrupt price revisions and occasional reversals adding to market uncertainty According to the report clearer communication and predictable pricing mechanisms could help moderate the wider economic impactUntil then fuel price shocks are likely to continue reverberating across Pakistans economy intensifying inflationary pressures and deepening the strain on householdsIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/fuel-price-shocks-ripple-pakistans-economy-hit-households-668966.html Sat, 11 Apr 2026 19:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/neighbourhood-first-policy-india-mauritius-deepen-ties-during-eam-jaishankars-visit-668893.html New Delhi April 10 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankarâs visit to Mauritius has delivered a series of impactful outcomes across health education infrastructure and green mobility reaffirming Indiaâs commitment to its Neighbourhood First policy Vision MAHASAGAR and support for the Global South According to the Ministry of External Affairs the visit underscored a shared focus on sustainable and peopleâcentric partnership Among the key outcomes was the signing of a Letter of Exchange between the governments of India and Mauritius for the implementation of projects under the Special Economic Package 2025 Eleven High Impact Community Development Projects were inaugurated across Mauritius covering areas such as sustainable development energy sports and infrastructureThe visit also marked the launch of the first dedicated iGOT Karmayogi platform for a partner country aimed at enhancing capacity building and governance In the health sector Jaishankar inaugurated a Renal Transplant Unit at Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital while India handed over 90 electric buses to Mauritius to promote green mobilityEducational cooperation was strengthened through a Memorandum of Understanding between the University Grants Commission of India and the Higher Education Commission of Mauritius Additionally India handed over a royalty cheque of USD 45000 from the sale of nautical charts in line with the protocol on navigational chart salesIndia and Mauritius share deep historical and cultural ties with Mauritius hosting one of the largest Indian diasporas Bilateral relations have been marked by close cooperation in trade investment and development projects India has consistently supported Mauritius in areas ranging from infrastructure to capacity building reflecting its broader commitment to the Indian Ocean region under Vision MAHASAGARAmbassador Randhir Jaiswal noted that the visit highlighted Indiaâs role as a proactive partner in sustainable development while Mauritius reaffirmed its appreciation for Indiaâs continued support IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/neighbourhood-first-policy-india-mauritius-deepen-ties-during-eam-jaishankars-visit-668893.html Sat, 11 Apr 2026 08:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/iranian-delegation-arrives-in-islamabad-for-talks-668897.html Islamabad April 11 A highlevel Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf arrived in Islamabad on Saturday to participate in the upcoming talks with the United States Pakistans foreign ministry said in a statement The delegation also includes Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas AraghchiAccording to the statement the Iranian delegation was received upon arrival by Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar along with National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshall Syed Asim Munir and Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza NaqviIshaq Dar expressed hope that the parties would engage constructively and reiterated Pakistans willingness to continue facilitating efforts toward a lasting and durable solution to the conflict Xinhua news agency reportedThe United States and Iran are scheduled to begin negotiations on Saturday morning during the diplomatic window of a twoweek conditional truce announced on Tuesday more than one month after the start of USIsraeli joint military strikes on IranThe ceasefire between the United States and Iran has been strained as Israel continues striking Hezbollah the Iranbacked militant group in Lebanon Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf have stressed that stopping the attacks on Lebanon is an integral part of the ceasefireMeanwhile Irans Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf on Friday demanded a ceasefire in Lebanon and the release of Irans blocked assets prior to the commencement of negotiations with the United StatesHe made the remarks in a post on social media platform X while elaborating on Irans preconditions for taking part in the talks to ease tensions in the Middle East which are expected to take place in Pakistans capital Islamabad following the announcement of a twoweek ceasefire between the warring partiesAlso Foreign Minister Araghchi earlier on Friday called on the United States to fulfill its commitments under the ceasefire regarding the necessity to stop Israels attacks against Lebanon the official news agency IRNA reportedHe made the remarks in a phone call with Irans proposed ambassador to Lebanon Mohammad Reza Sheibani on Friday afternoon while condemning Israels ongoing military aggressions and crimes against Lebanon and underlining the full support and solidarity of the Iranian government and people for and with Lebanons legitimate resistance against Israel IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/iranian-delegation-arrives-in-islamabad-for-talks-668897.html Sat, 11 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/un-chief-welcomes-us-iran-talks-in-pakistan-spokesperson-668898.html United Nations April 11 UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres welcomes the USIran talks scheduled to start in Islamabad over the weekend his spokesperson said He calls on the parties to seize this diplomatic opportunity to engage in good faith toward a lasting and comprehensive agreement with a view to deescalation and the prevention of a return to hostilities spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said at a daily briefing Xinhua news agency reportedThe SecretaryGeneral reiterates that there is no viable alternative to the peaceful settlement of international disputes in full accordance with international law including the UN Charter Dujarric saidThe UN chiefs personal envoy for the Middle East conflict and its consequences Jean Arnault continues to be in the region to support diplomatic efforts Dujarric addedThe temporary ceasefire between Iran the United States and Israel was achieved early Wednesday despite which Israel has continued its attacks on Lebanon Meanwhile a highlevel Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf arrived in Islamabad on Saturday to participate in the upcoming talks with the United States Pakistans foreign ministry said in a statementThe delegation also includes Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas AraghchiThe United States and Iran are scheduled to begin negotiations on Saturday morning during the diplomatic window of a twoweek conditional truce announced on Tuesday more than one month after the start of USIsraeli joint military strikes on IranThe ceasefire between the United States and Iran has been strained as Israel continues striking Hezbollah the Iranbacked militant group in Lebanon Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf have stressed that stopping the attacks on Lebanon is an integral part of the ceasefire IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/un-chief-welcomes-us-iran-talks-in-pakistan-spokesperson-668898.html Sat, 11 Apr 2026 09:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/colombia-to-impose-100-pc-tariffs-on-ecuador-in-tit-for-tat-move-amid-tensions-668901.html Bogota April 11 Colombias trade ministry said that it will raise tariffs on imports from neighboring Ecuador to 100 per cent from 30 per cent matching a decision made a day earlier by Quito as tensions between the two countries escalate Trade Minister Diana Morales said on Friday in a statement that Ecuadors latest tariff hike from 50 per cent to 100 per cent forced Colombia to align its policy accusing the Quito move of distorting competition and harming domestic producers of both countriesThe process to implement the new measure would begin immediately she said adding that Colombia had pursued dialogue with Ecuador but received no positive responseWe have exhausted all diplomatic efforts and kept channels of dialogue open with the government of Ecuador seeking a solution that benefits both countries business people and above all the communities on both sides of the border she saidHowever we have not received a positive response We are therefore forced to adjust our tariff measures to match Ecuadors new rate she said adding that the Colombian government will introduce support measures including credit lines and financing access to help affected businessesCiting a trade deficit and accusing Colombia of failing to effectively fight drug trafficking at the shared border Ecuador has in recent months hiked tariffs against its larger neighbor while Colombia has denied the allegationsThe two countries have also clashed over Colombian President Gustavo Petros comments that Ecuadors former Vice President Jorge Glas is being held as a political prisoner and should be freed Xinhua news agency reportedThe escalating tensions between Ecuador and Colombia come within the final months of Petroâs presidency Elected in 2022 Petro is Colombiaâs first leftwing president and a former rebel involved in the countryâs sixdecadelong armed conflict IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/colombia-to-impose-100-pc-tariffs-on-ecuador-in-tit-for-tat-move-amid-tensions-668901.html Sat, 11 Apr 2026 09:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/congress-faults-govts-diplomacy-as-us-accords-new-role-to-pak-in-west-asia-peace-talks-668910.html New Delhi April 11 IANS Amid the USIran talks in Islamabad the Congress on Saturday targeted the Union government for its diplomatic inability to prevent the US from according to Pakistan a new role in the West Asia peace processnbspJairam Ramesh Congress General Secretary Communications InCharge on social media platform X said The USIran meeting is beginning today in Islamabad The entire world including India are hoping that this is the beginning of a durable peace process between the two countries that will not get derailed by Israels continuing aggression in its neighbourhoodPeace in West Asia must return quickly The Strait of Hormuz must once again revert to the situation that prevailed before the USIsrael assault on Iran began on Feb 28 the Congress leader saidHe noted that Pakistans reported role undermines Indias longstanding strategy of diplomatically isolating Islamabad over terrorismIn a post on X made hours after the ceasefire announcement Ramesh said The entire world will cautiously welcome the twoweek ceasefire in the West Asia conflict between the US and Israel on the one side and Iran on the other The conflict had begun on Feb 28 with the targeted assassinations of the topmost echelons of the regime in IranThe veteran Congress leader also linked the developments to Indias diplomatic positioning saying that the hostilities began shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Israel which he claimed diminished Indias global stature and standingRamesh also questioned why India could not outshine Pakistan in the Gulf conflictrelated talksWhy didnt India as the current President of BRICS launch any peace or mediation initiative especially since Iran the UAE and Saudi Arabia are members of the BRICs the Congress leader asked in a post on XRamesh raised questions on Indian diplomacy saying How has Pakistan managed to carve out a new role for itself despite its role in the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack of April 2025 and the diplomatic engagement India mounted to isolate it following the terror attackThe veteran Congress leader said This failure is especially damming because the Manmohan Singhled Congress government had very effectively isolated Pakistan after the Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/congress-faults-govts-diplomacy-as-us-accords-new-role-to-pak-in-west-asia-peace-talks-668910.html Sat, 11 Apr 2026 15:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-mauritius-strengthen-ties-with-enhanced-strategic-partnership-668703.html Port LuisNew Delhi April 9 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during his visit to Mauritius reaffirmed Indiaâs commitment to deepening bilateral relations with the island nation In a message to Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam Jaishankar congratulated Mauritius for hosting the 9th Indian Ocean Conference and expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegationHighlighting the progress made in just over a year Jaishankar recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs state visit to Mauritius in March 2025 when both governments elevated their ties to an âEnhanced Strategic Partnershipâ He noted that this decision reflects the enduring bonds of history culture and trust between the two nations while also expanding cooperation across key sectorsJaishankar emphasised the importance of development partnership citing the Special Economic Package jointly announced last year which is now being implemented through the Exchange of LettersHe also underscored Indiaâs support in healthcare inaugurating a Renal Transplant Unit at Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital and pointed to ongoing projects such as the AYUSH Centre of Excellence and community development initiatives across Mauritius Rodrigues and Agalega Sustainable energy cooperation featured prominently in his remarksIndia has supported Mauritius with ebuses solar power projects and collaborations under the International Solar Alliance and Global Biofuels Alliance An Indian enterprise is also developing Mauritiusâ first floating solar power projectOn defence and security Jaishankar announced the forthcoming appointment of a Defence Attache in Mauritius strengthening maritime cooperation and joint hydrography servicesHe also highlighted capacitybuilding initiatives including the launch of the iGOT Karmayogi portal for Mauritian civil servants making Mauritius the first country to receive a dedicated version of the platform Education and labour cooperation were also noted with agreements between the University Grants Commission and Mauritiusâ Higher Education Commission alongside operationalisation of the labour MoU memorandum of understandingEnergy security remains a priority with India and Mauritius finalising a governmenttogovernment agreement for oil and gas supplyJaishankar concluded by reaffirming Indiaâs commitment under its âNeighbourhood First Policy Vision Mahasagar and Global Southâ priorities stressing that the partnership with Mauritius is both unique and enduring IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-mauritius-strengthen-ties-with-enhanced-strategic-partnership-668703.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 08:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/conflicts-in-middle-east-could-reshape-global-economy-says-world-bank-chief-ajay-banga-668705.html Washington April 10 Rising geopolitical tensions are beginning to reshape economic expectations with the World Bankâs president Ajay Banga warning that prolonged conflict could dampen growth fuel inflation and strain vulnerable economies Speaking at the Atlantic Council World Bank President Ajay Banga said the ongoing conflict in the Middle East combined with existing crises such as the war in Ukraine is already exerting pressure on global economic conditionsâThe emerging markets are more stressedâ because they already start from a more complicated fiscal and debt situationâ he said adding that advanced economies will also feel the effectsBanga said global growth previously projected at around 28 to 3 per cent could decline by up to one percentage point in a more severe scenario Inflation he added is likely to rise with increases of up to two percentage points depending on the scale and duration of disruptionsâIf you looked at the world having a probable GDP growth of 28 to 3 per centâ youâre probably impacting thatâ all the way to a one plus percent in the more challengingâ scenarioâ he saidHe pointed to the ripple effects of conflict on global supply chains particularly in energy and commodities such as fertiliser and chemicals which are critical for economies across Asia and AfricaThe World Bank he said is preparing to respond with liquidity support for affected countries According to Banga nations could access between 20 billion and 25 billion in the near term potentially rising to 60 billion to 70 billion over a sixmonth periodâThese are learnings we drew during COVIDâ he said referring to emergency financing tools developed during the pandemicHowever he cautioned governments against unsustainable fiscal responses urging them to focus on targeted and temporary support measures rather than broad subsidies that could worsen longterm debt burdensâYou gotta be carefulâ that you donât end up using that moment to increase your fiscal challengesâ he saidBanga also highlighted the broader implications of overlapping crises noting that conflicts in different regions are contributing to a more volatile global environmentâThe crisis isnât only whatâs going on todayâ there is more in the worldâ he said citing Ukraine and Gaza alongside the Middle East conflictBeyond the immediate economic impact he suggested that geopolitical instability is reinforcing the need for countries to rethink energy security and resilienceHe said governments must consider a mix of energy sources â including gas nuclear and renewables â to ensure reliable supply while managing longterm sustainability goals IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/conflicts-in-middle-east-could-reshape-global-economy-says-world-bank-chief-ajay-banga-668705.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 08:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/iranian-fm-warns-us-against-letting-netanyahu-kill-diplomacy-668706.html Tehran April 10 Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi warned the United States against allowing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to kill diplomacy as a fragile ceasefire took hold following 40 days of fighting In a post on social media platform X Araghchi said Netanyahus criminal trial resumes on Sunday A regionwide ceasefire including in Lebanon would hasten his jailingHe added that if the United States lets Netanyahu kill diplomacy that would ultimately be its choice We think that would be dumb but are prepared for itMeanwhile Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf wrote on X that time is running out stressing that Lebanon and the resistance axis are inseparable parts of the ceasefireAlso on Thursday Araghchi discussed the ceasefire with his Russian French Spanish and German counterparts in separate phone calls Xinhua news agency reported quoting statements released by the Iranian Foreign MinistryAraghchi told Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that Iran took a responsible approach and that safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz promised for two weeks under the ceasefire will be provided if the United States adheres to its commitmentsIn a call with French Foreign Minister JeanNoel Barrot Araghchi expressed regret over Israeli ceasefire violations and attacks on Lebanon urging international action Barrot welcomed the ceasefire and stressed the need to stop Israeli attacks against LebanonSpanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares called the attacks on Iran illegal and urged all parties to remain committed to the diplomatic pathA twoweek ceasefire between the United States and Iran took effect on Wednesday with peace talks scheduled to begin later this week in Islamabad Pakistan The Iranian side will be reportedly headed by QalibafIsrael has said the ceasefire does not cover the conflict in Lebanon a position disputed by Iran and mediator Pakistan Hours after the ceasefire came into effect Israel launched its largest singleday attack on Lebanon which has killed more than 300 and injured over 1100 IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/iranian-fm-warns-us-against-letting-netanyahu-kill-diplomacy-668706.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 08:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/world-bank-president-ajay-banga-backs-jobs-push-cites-india-model-668707.html Washington April 10 Underscoring job creation as the core of global development strategy World Bank president Ajay Banga has pointed to models like Indiaâs cooperative sector as examples of scalable growth solutions Speaking at the Atlantic Council ahead of the annual Spring meeting of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund Banga said development efforts must shift focus from individual projects to broader outcomes centred on employment and economic opportunityâDevelopment isnât a charity Itâs a strategyâ he said stressing that creating jobs is essential to sustaining growth and stabilityHe highlighted a looming demographic challenge noting that 12 billion young people are expected to reach working age over the next 15 years while far fewer jobs are likely to be createdâIf you donât get these young people to have the opportunity of a jobâ dignity and hope come from the chance to have a jobâ he saidBanga outlined a threepart framework for driving job creation built on infrastructure development businessfriendly governance reforms and access to catalytic financeThe first pillar focuses on physical and human infrastructure including roads energy education and healthcare The second centres on reforms that enable businesses of all sizes to operate and expand The third emphasises financing tools such as blended capital and insurance mechanisms to support investmentHe also identified five key sectors for employment generation infrastructure agriculture primary healthcare valueadded manufacturing and tourismDrawing from his own background Banga referenced Indiaâs dairy cooperative model as a successful example of how technology and organisation can transform rural livelihoodsâI grew up in Indiaâ he said adding that cooperative structures like those in the dairy sector helped small producers access better markets and pricingHe warned that failure to create sufficient employment opportunities could have farreaching consequences including rising migration pressures and social instabilityâImagine the impactâ if 800 million peopleâ are not able to get hope and dignityâ he said linking job shortages to broader global challengesBanga emphasised that development strategies must be tailored to individual country conditions particularly in fragile or conflictaffected states However he said the overall framework remains consistentHe added that governments play a critical role in creating an enabling environment for businesses while maintaining necessary regulatory safeguardsThe World Bank he said is shifting its focus from inputs such as project numbers and financing volumes to measurable outcomes âIâm trying to moveâ from inputâ to outcomes which is jobs and growthâ Banga saidHe also stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in development efforts noting that outcomes must be visible and measurable IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/world-bank-president-ajay-banga-backs-jobs-push-cites-india-model-668707.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 08:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/delaware-eyes-india-as-key-partner-for-economic-growth-says-governor-matt-meyer-668709.html Washington April 10 After his first official overseas trip Delaware Governor Matt Meyer is betting on Indiaâs economic rise to bring investment and innovation to his state framing the partnership as a longterm economic strategy âThis was my first foreign trip as governor My first official tripâ Meyer told IANS in an exclusive interview describing his recent India visit designed to prioritise substance over symbolism âWeâ went on a trip that was all about building real relationships not just doing stuff for media but real relationships that create real opportunity for Delaware and strengthen the broader partnership between India and the United StatesâFor Meyer the choice of India was deliberate He described it as âthe most populous country in the world the largest democracyâ and one of the most dynamic places in the world for innovation talent entrepreneurship and growthâThe trip spanned New Delhi Mumbai and Hyderabad and focused on attracting investment building research partnerships and positioning Delaware as a destination for Indian companies looking to expand in the United StatesMeyer said the visit yielded âincredible accomplishmentâ pointing to agreements in clean energy and advanced manufacturing A Delawarebased company signed a deal with a major Indian solar energy provider to integrate hydrogen technologies into renewable energy systems âItâs infusing hydrogen energy into the green solar energyâ proliferating across Indiaâ he saidThe governor also highlighted growing interest from Indian firms in establishing operations in Delaware Referring to a renewable energy company he said its executives are expected to visit the state âto begin site selection for manufacturingâ that theyâre now expanding to DelawareâAnother potential investment came from an international medical air transport provider âTheyâre interested in establishing operations in the United States Like so many others theyâre choosing Delawareâ Meyer saidA key outcome of the trip was a formal partnership between Hyderabadâs THub and the Delaware Prosperity Partnership the stateâs economic development agency âThat partnership is already delivering resultsâ Indian startup companiesâ looking to grow beyond Indiaâs bordersâ and American companies looking to partner to get into Indiaâs marketsâ Meyer saidHe also pointed to engagement with Indiaâs technology industry body âWe had a great meeting with Nasscomâs leadershipâ and about 15 leading Indian companiesâ he said adding that some of those companies were already visiting Delaware to continue discussionsBeyond business deals Meyer framed the visit as part of a broader economic alignment between democracies âWhen democracies work together across borders we can create jobs togetherâ expand opportunityâ andâ make progress on the biggest challenges facing the worldâ he saidHe also reflected on Indiaâs economic transformation âThe tremendous growth story that is Indiaâ the number of peopleâ emerging out of poverty building a middle classâ he said adding that his objective was to ensure Delaware becomes part of that trajectoryTo Indian businesses Meyer offered a direct pitch Delaware he said is more than a legal domicile for corporations âDelaware is the number one place for companies to incorporateâ Over two thirds of the Fortune 500â have their corporate home in Delawareâ he notedâWhat weâre trying to tell them is that itâs not just a place to file your corporate legal work Itâs also a great place to open a headquartersâ extremely business friendlyâ the public and private sector are hustlingâ to make sure your business can thrive and growâ he addedMeyer also emphasised the role of the Indian diaspora in shaping the stateâs economic landscape âIndian Americans come to Delaware they thriveâ in just about every sectorâmedical legal finance IT and techâ chemical industryâ andâ the political space as wellâ he saidThat success he suggested can serve as a bridge for future investment and collaboration âHow do we make sure that more Indiansâ choose Delawareâ he askedAt the same time Meyer offered a candid assessment of the broader policy environment âIâm not a fan of many of our presidentâs policiesâ we need to reduce barriersâ create incentives for Indian investorsâ andâ lower the costs for Delaware companies going to Indiaâ he saidHe acknowledged that federal actions could influence perceptions abroad âI think itâs badâ thereâs definitely a concernâ that the thingsâ are doing active harm to our relationship withâ countries like Indiaâ Meyer saidStill he underscored the importance of statelevel engagement in sustaining ties âAmerica is not just what you see on TVâ there are states here who are open for businessâ he said describing such outreach as a counterbalance to national policy uncertaintiesThe visit also included meetings with senior Indian leaders including the foreign minister and ministers handling science technology and education as well as statelevel leadership in Maharashtra and Telangana reflecting a multilayered engagement strategyLooking ahead Meyer said the trip should be seen as a starting point rather than a oneoff initiative âOur goal in this trip is for it to be a relationshipâ a leap forward in a continuing relationship between India andâ Delawareâ he saidDelawareâs outreach reflects a broader trend of US states increasingly engaging directly with foreign partners to attract investment talent and technology Despite its small size Delaware plays an outsized role in global business due to its corporatefriendly legal system and concentration of registered companies IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/delaware-eyes-india-as-key-partner-for-economic-growth-says-governor-matt-meyer-668709.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 08:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-seeks-private-sector-push-to-rival-china-abroad-668711.html Washington April 10 The United States must deploy its private sector more aggressively across global markets to counter Chinaâs expanding footprint Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said calling commercial diplomacy a âkey foundationâ of American foreign policy Framing economic engagement as central to both geopolitical competition and longterm global stability Landau argued that Washington must better mobilise its businesses to compete abroadâThe one question that I wake up thinking about every single dayâ is how do weâ ensure that the US private sector isâ beating out the Chinese entities in every corner of the globeâ he said in his address at the Atlantic Councilâs Global Prosperity ForumLandau acknowledged that many countries prefer US firms but often turn to China due to the latterâs consistent presence and financing âYou canât beat something with nothing The Chinese are hereâ Whereâs the American private sectorâ he saidHe argued that Washington must address barriers such as perceived risk lack of information and regulatory complexity that deter US companies from investing abroad âWe may exaggerate some of the risksâ he said adding that the government should help firms âassess risks correctlyâ and âmitigate those risksâAt the core of his approach is what he described as a âthreelegged stoolâ of commercial diplomacy expanding export markets encouraging US investment overseas and attracting foreign direct investment into the United StatesâThe overall objective isâ we are trying to make our country more prosperousâ Landau said stressing that economic engagement is not zerosum âThe whole pointâ is that you find winwin situations that benefit both sidesâHe also pushed back against criticism that a stronger commercial focus makes US foreign policy overly transactional âAll relationshipsâ are based on some sense of mutual benefitâ he saidLandau said the Western Hemisphere remains a ânatural focusâ for US engagement citing proximity and supply chain integrationHe pointed to Venezuela as a potential longterm opportunity describing it as a âvery very rich countryâ whose economy has sharply deterioratedMore broadly he argued that economic development can help stabilise politically fragile regions âEconomic prosperity is the key element to almost all of these conflictsâ he said citing examples where investment projects helped bridge political divisionsOn global conflicts Landau said the US is working toward a âlasting and effective ceasefireâ in the Middle East adding that Washington has âeffectively accomplished the military objectivesâ of degrading adversarial capabilitiesHe also underscored the importance of access to capital in developing economies calling it âthe lifeblood of the whole systemâHe urged closer coordination between government and business âWhat can I do for you to make your life easierâ he said describing his message to corporate leadersThe Atlantic Council forum highlighted growing consensus among policymakers and financial institutions that private capital will be critical to global growth Speakers noted that most new jobs in emerging markets are expected to come from the private sector not governmentsIn recent years the US has increasingly emphasised economic statecraft alongside traditional diplomacy particularly in response to Chinaâs Belt and Road Initiative Washington has expanded tools such as the US International Development Finance Corporation to support overseas investment and manage risk IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-seeks-private-sector-push-to-rival-china-abroad-668711.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 08:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-defence-minister-faces-global-outrage-condemnation-over-israel-remarks-668712.html Washington April 10 A fresh diplomatic row erupted after Pakistanâs Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif posted sharply critical remarks about Israel drawing swift condemnation from Israeli authorities US lawmakers and experts at a sensitive moment in ongoing ceasefire efforts Asif wrote on X that âIsrael is evil and a curse for humanityâ alleging that âgenocide is being committed in Lebanonâ and that âinnocent citizens are being killed by Israel first Gaza then Iran and now Lebanonâ He added âI hope and pray people who created this cancerous state on Palestinian land to get rid of European jews burn in hellâThe comments came less than 50 hours before highstakes diplomatic talks in Islamabad where Pakistan is hosting discussions between US and Iran linked to broader regional tensionsReacting sharply Israelâs Prime Ministerâs Office said âPakistan Defence Ministerâs call for Israelâs annihilation is outrageous This is not a statement that can be tolerated from any government especially not from one that claims to be a neutral arbiter for peaceâUS Congressman Josh Gottheimer also criticised the remarks calling them âvile rhetoric targeting Jews and Israelâ He said âHateful rhetoric like this is beyond unacceptable and unproductive at this fragile moment This is not diplomacy and must be condemnedâThe controversy has cast a shadow over Pakistanâs role as a mediator Islamabad has been positioning itself as a venue for talks involving the United States and Iran amid escalating tensions in the Middle EastCriticism also emerged from other commentators Emily Schrader described the remarks as a âJew hating diatribeâ quoting Asifâs statement that âIsrael is evil and curse for humanityâI hope and pray people who created this cancerous state on Palestinian land to get rid of European jews burn in hellâ She added âPakistan is not an impartial actor and they should not be permitted to mediate anythingâFormer US official Ellie Cohanim also questioned Islamabadâs role saying âMany of us were concerned by the idea of the country which harbored amp sheltered 911 mastermind Osama Bin Laden to serve as any kind of âmediatorâ roleâ She added that âwith this statement Pakistan managed to blow any notion of objectivity or distance from the radical Islamist agendaâObservers noted that the timing of the post â as delegations were arriving and security arrangements were being finalised â raised questions about the host countryâs perceived neutralityThe remarks also follow earlier confusion over a ceasefire announcement attributed to Pakistanâs leadership That announcement had suggested the ceasefire applied âeverywhere including Lebanonâ a position later contradicted by Israel which clarified that Lebanon was not includedThe Israeli position as reiterated by its leadership is that operations in Lebanon are separate from the broader ceasefire framework The Israeli military has continued operations against Hezbollah including what was described as a major bombardment on April 8The sequence of events â first the ceasefire scope ambiguity and now the defence ministerâs comments â has led to criticism that Pakistanâs role as mediator is being undermined at a critical junctureDespite the controversy preparations for the talks in Islamabad have continued with extensive security measures in place and international delegations already on the groundThe diplomatic stakes are high The talks are being described as one of the most significant USIran engagements in decades with regional stability hanging in the balance IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-defence-minister-faces-global-outrage-condemnation-over-israel-remarks-668712.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 08:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/russian-embassy-in-london-rebuts-british-claim-of-russian-submarine-activity-668741.html London April 10 The Russian Embassy in Britain dismissed a claim by British Defence Secretary John Healey of Russian submarine activity in the North Atlantic as neither credible nor verifiable Earlier Thursday Healey said Britain and Norway had led a monthlong operation to track Russian submarines near key undersea cables and pipelines in the North Atlantic Xinhua news agency reportedThe Russian embassy said in a statement that it was impossible to either believe or verify Healeys claim that Britain spent weeks repelling the aggression of an alleged Russian submarine in neutral waters using only a single vessel and a surveillance aircraftA British warship and aircraft were deployed to deter the malign activity by Moscow and there was no evidence of any damage to UK infrastructure in the Atlantic he addedAddressing Russian President Vladimir Putin directly Healey said We see you We see your activity over our cables and our pipelines and you should know that any attempt to damage them will not be tolerated and will have serious consequencesLondon had recently issued extremely aggressive statements and threats targeting merchant ships operating in the interests of Russian companies and their partners the embassy added warning that if these threats are translated into action there will be consequencesThe embassy said Russia does not threaten undersea infrastructure critical to Britain nor does it use aggressive rhetoric on the issue noting that the responsibility for the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines rested with Western countries IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/russian-embassy-in-london-rebuts-british-claim-of-russian-submarine-activity-668741.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 11:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-appoints-ex-ambassador-to-kuwait-as-special-envoy-to-iran-668742.html Seoul April 10 The foreign ministry on Friday appointed former Ambassador to Kuwait Chung Byungha as its special envoy to Iran and will send him to Tehran soon to coordinate the safe passage of South Korean vessels and nationals amid the Middle East conflict officials said The ministry announced the appointment of Chung currently ambassador for polar affairs a day after Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held phone talks with his Iranian counterpart Abbas AraghchiDuring the talks Cho announced the decision to dispatch a special envoy to Iran to discuss the situation in the Middle East and bilateral issues between South Korea and Iran Yonhap news agency reportedA total of 26 South Korearelated vessels remain stranded in the Strait of Hormuz under the control of Iran which has said it will offer safe passage in coordination with its armed forces but is warning of attacks on ships attempting to pass without permissionWith the dispatch of the special envoy the foreign ministry plans to share views on the Middle East situation and discuss passage not only for our nationals vessels and crews but for all ships the ministry saidMeanwhile situation in the Middle East escalating quickly Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday approved direct talks with Lebanon aimed at disarming Iranbacked Hezbollah militants in a move seen as potentially reinforcing ceasefire effortsNetanyahu earlier said no formal ceasefire agreement exists between Israel and LebanonThe US and Iran are expected to begin negotiations over the weekend to formalize the ceasefire terms US President Donald Trump said overnight he is optimistic about reaching a deal while warning Tehran against interfering with shipping in the Strait of Hormuz IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-appoints-ex-ambassador-to-kuwait-as-special-envoy-to-iran-668742.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 11:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/japan-to-release-extra-20-days-oil-reserves-from-may-668750.html Tokyo April 10 Japan plans to release 20 days worth of oil reserves from May Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Friday adding to the ongoing efforts that began in midMarch Takaichi revealed the plan at a ministerial meeting on the day to address the Middle East situation amid uncertainty over safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz despite the USIran ceasefire dealThe Japanese government began releasing some 50 days worth of reserves to the market on March 16 to secure stable supplies after the outbreak of the Middle East conflict in late February left the key oil shipping route largely closedAlthough the United States and Iran have agreed on a twoweek ceasefire it remains uncertain whether shipping through the Strait of Hormuz can resume smoothly or return to prewar operating conditionsTakaichi told the media that we will take every possible measure to ensure a stable supply of crude oilBy May Japan should be able to secure more than half of its oil imports via routes that do not include the Strait of Hormuz Takaichi said without naming the sourcesJapan is dependent on the Middle East for more than 90 per cent of its crude oil imports most of which pass through the Strait of Hormuz Xinhua news agency reportedEarlier on April 8 Sanae Takaichi talked with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian after a twoweek ceasefire deal was reached between Iran and the United States urging Iran to swiftly secure safe passage for ships of all nations through the Strait of HormuzTakaichi told reporters after the 25minute call that she had conveyed to the Iranian leader the importance of an early deescalation in the Middle East conflict and that the two sides agreed to keep in communication IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/japan-to-release-extra-20-days-oil-reserves-from-may-668750.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 12:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/from-khalistan-to-islamic-state-isis-expanding-playbook-to-hit-india-overseas-668751.html New Delhi April 10 There has been a rising concern over the number of Pakistaniorigin individuals settled abroad who have associated themselves with the Islamic State Such persons according to Indian agencies pose a big risk to the United States Canada and Europe An Intelligence Bureau official said that these persons are trying to harm Indian interests abroad The Islamic State has been targeting individuals of Pakistani origin with the intention of recruiting them and asking them to hit Indian interests abroad The official said this is more or less like what the ISI expects the Khalistan elements to do The ISI seeks to have Indian interests hit with the help of both Khalistani elements and Islamic Stateinspired persons the official also said Under the radar of these elements are the Hindu Temples Indian diplomatic missions and locations linked to the JewishIndian community This signals a major plot by the ISI which goes beyond India It is looking for similar recruits in several other countries as well and the intention is to hurt India internationally as well The ISI is devising several strategies so that it can target India In recent months investigations by multiple agencies revealed that the ISI was looking to set up homegrown modules It has stepped up its propaganda narrative so that the youth tend to selfrecruit and run modules The Faridabad module was one such example of this plan In addition to trying to target India by setting up homegrown terror modules it has decided to club this with a plan that goes beyond India The recent confession of a Pakistaniorigin man in Canada is proof that the ISI has activated its international plans Muhammad Shahzzeb Khan a man of Pakistani origin confessed before a US federal court to plotting an attack on a Jewish centre in Brooklyn Based out of Canada he was arrested in September 2024 near the USCanada border while trying to illegally enter the United States with the help of a human smuggler He now faces the possibility of life imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to charges related to terrorism He said that he was planning to strike at a Jewish centre on October 7 the anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel Another official said that with such plans in place the Indian missions need to remain on a state of high alert The ISI has been tapping into lone actors to carry out such attacks the official added While such an attack would hurt Indiaâs interests it also creates fear and panic among the Indian diaspora The Khalistanis have done this in the US the UK and Canada and now the ISI wants the Islamic State terrorists to do the same While the Khalistan threat is immense the plan that the ISI wants to undertake through these lone actors is extremely dangerous Another official said that such attacks are aimed at massive destruction It is also meant to send a signal to India that its citizens and interests are not safe anywhere For the ISI such attacks are of utmost importance following the embarrassment Pakistan faced after Operation Sindoor This operation carried out by the Indian Armed Forces to avenge the Pahalgam attack led to the destruction of massive terror infrastructure both in Pakistan occupied Kashmir PoK and Pakistan In a bid to avenge this and save face the ISI has come up with multiple plans to hurt India both within and abroad IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/from-khalistan-to-islamic-state-isis-expanding-playbook-to-hit-india-overseas-668751.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 12:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/laos-prepares-for-lao-new-year-with-emphasis-on-safety-cultural-heritage-668772.html Vientiane April 10 Laos is gearing up for the 2026 Lao New Year celebrations with preparations underway across the country to ensure a joyful safe and culturally meaningful festival The Lao New Year is the most important festival in the Lao calendar This years holiday will be observed from April 14 to 16Authorities have introduced a wide range of measures aimed at maintaining public order preserving traditions and enhancing safety during the holiday period Xinhua News Agency reported A notice issued on Tuesday outlined restrictions on noise levels requiring the controlled use of sound equipment to avoid disturbing local communities Controls have also been tightened on fireworks including rockets and sky lanterns while stricter guidelines have been introduced to reduce risks during the celebrationsRoad safety remains a key priority as travel typically increases during the holiday The Lao Ministry of Public Security has announced the deployment of additional traffic police at key locations along with stricter enforcement of traffic regulations to reduce accidents and ensure safe travel for the publicThe government is also encouraging more modest celebrations urging the public to limit unnecessary travel and consider using electric vehicles to conserve fuel amid ongoing global economic and energy challenges Authorities have been instructed to ensure sufficient supplies of essential goods and to closely monitor prices to prevent increases during the holidayAt the provincial level preparations are also in full swing In Champasak province officials are organising a series of cultural religious and tourism activities aimed at showcasing Lao heritage and boosting the local economy Meanwhile Savannakhet province has issued detailed guidelines calling for orderly meaningful and costconscious celebrations with an emphasis on cultural preservation public security and environmental cleanlinessLocal officials have also stepped up efforts to stabilise markets banning unauthorised price increases and deploying inspection teams to monitor markets and retail outlets during the holiday periodThese measures are intended to ensure that Lao New Year 2026 is celebrated in a safe orderly and festive manner while upholding the nations longstanding cultural traditions IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/laos-prepares-for-lao-new-year-with-emphasis-on-safety-cultural-heritage-668772.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistani-forces-suffer-heavy-losses-in-ambush-drone-strikes-by-baloch-armed-group-668789.html Quetta April 10 Pakistani forces were attacked in an ambush in Balochistanâs Turbat where a Baloch armed group had earlier imposed a road blockade resulting in severe casualties local media reported Citing sources The Balochistan Post reported that the attack occurred on Thursday after the group blocked the road on the outskirts of Turbat for about three hours before taking control of a nearby police post and seizing weaponsAfter entering the area a military convoy of six vehicles was ambushed near the Mashallah Hotel leading to an exchange of fire lasting over 40 minutesDuring the clash military quadcopters were also targeted with forces suffering casualties and material losses though the extent of the damage remains unverifiedThe armed group reportedly damaged a communication tower and two surveillance cameras near Shahdad Hotel in the same areaIn separate incidents these Baloch fighters conducted snapchecking in the Dasht area of the Mastung district in Balochistan establishing a second blockadeAdditionally a gas pipeline near Sibi Teaching Hospital in the province was reportedly destroyed in a blast causing a disruption to gas supply in the areaAmid the escalating attacks on Pakistani forces a military camp in the Mastung district was targeted in a series of drone attacks on Thursday eveningThe strikes reportedly targeted a camp at Maro Kund in the Spilinji area with multiple drones used in the attack The Balochistan Post reported citing sourcesReports suggest that the attack unfolded over a brief period and resulted in casualties among Pakistani troops though the extent of the losses could not be independently verifiedThis incident follows a similar drone strike targeting a military camp in Kalat district for which the Baloch Liberation Army BLA claimed responsibility in the wake of a wave of coordinated attacks reported across BalochistanPakistani military and police personnel have come under escalating attacks by Baloch militant groups in recent days resulting in heavy casualties and damage to the infrastructureMeanwhile Balochistan continues to reel under relentless atrocities by the Pakistani forces marked by enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings of Baloch civilians at an unprecedented level IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistani-forces-suffer-heavy-losses-in-ambush-drone-strikes-by-baloch-armed-group-668789.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/strategic-blowback-how-pakistans-taliban-war-enabled-iskps-revival-668800.html New Delhi April 10 When Pakistan entered into a war with the Afghan Taliban little did it realise that it was indirectly making the Islamic State Khorasan Province ISKP stronger Today the ISKP has become a stronger force and even the recruitments have shot up considerably For the Afghan Taliban the ISKP was always an enemy When the Taliban refused an offer from Abu Bakr alBhagdadi the founder of the Islamic State to battle together in Afghanistan both outfits ended up becoming enemiesThe Taliban wanted no interference from the Islamic State and decided to stay away This led to the formation of the ISKP in Afghanistan and since then it has been in a battle with the TalibanThe ISKP was formed to take control over Afghanistan and set up a Caliphate in Pakistan while also targeting India The speed at which the outfit was set up and carried out attacks at will especially in Pakistan and Afghanistan baffled many However after the Taliban took over Afghanistan following the withdrawal of US troops the trajectory of the ISKP went down considerablyBy 2023 the outfit was largely decimated as the Afghan Taliban took on the terror group The Taliban managed to sustain its pressure until late 2025 By this time the Afghan Talibanâs ties with Pakistan had strained considerably Pakistan then accused the Taliban without proof that it was providing the TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP a launchpadEven as the Taliban continued to deny this Pakistan decided to attack Afghanistan The ISKP was quick to shift sides The outfit which viewed Pakistan as an enemy was now being backed by the same countryIn fact Islamabad reached out to the ISKP to help it battle both the Taliban and the TTPWhile this has helped the ISKP a great deal the real change began once the war began With the Taliban busy with the war the ISKP has had time to rebuild and create a bigger operational spaceAn official explained that a weakened Taliban automatically translates into a stronger ISKP This is another nuisance that Pakistan has created the official saidThe ISKP while trying to build a stronger base in Afghanistan has its attention largely focused on India It has been striking deals with the Pakistani establishment about furthering its agenda in Jammu and KashmirAn Intelligence Bureau official said that the ISKP is in fact relieved that Pakistan is at war with the Afghan Taliban It has been given breathing space as the Taliban is busy elsewhereThe war being prolonged only means the ISKP gets more time to rebuild into a strong group the official addedAnother official said that Pakistan is so blinded by the war that it fails to realise that the ISKP can turn against it very soon The ISKP after its formation had trained its guns against Pakistan Some of the notable attacks that the ISKP has carried out in Pakistan include a suicide bombing in September 2023 in Mastung Balochistan in which 52 people were killed It also attacked a Shia Mosque in Peshawar in March 2022The ISKP feels that the true Islamic laws are not being followed in Pakistan and it is time to convert it into an Islamic StateWhile the war does help strengthen the ISKP Pakistan has failed to understand that this conflict is also giving both the TTP and Balochistan Liberation Army BLA breathing time Both these groups are in a battle with the Pakistan establishment and they would use this time to regroup and hit harder another official said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/strategic-blowback-how-pakistans-taliban-war-enabled-iskps-revival-668800.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 14:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/floods-affect-tens-of-thousands-across-afghanistan-un-668803.html Kabul April 10 Severe seasonal flooding has caused extensive damage across Afghanistan over the past two weeks Tolo news reported on Friday citing the United Nations According to the report the heavy rains and resulting floods which affected the country from March 26 to April 6 struck communities in numerous provinces inundating hundreds of villages More than 73000 people have been impacted by the disasterOver 9000 homes have been damaged and more than 15500 acres of agricultural land have been destroyed raising serious concerns about food security in the affected regions The loss of over 500 head of livestock has further compounded the crisis for rural families who depend on farming and animal husbandry Xinhua news agency reportedEarlier on April 7 three women were killed and two children injured as a wall collapsed in Afghanistans Khost province following heavy rainfall and flash floodsAccording to the local Governors spokesperson Mustaghfar Gurbaz the incident occurred in Gingini village in Maton area of Khost He had said that the wall collapsed after recent rainfall as it had weakened its structure Gurbaz had further said that injured children were taken to a nearby health facility where they are undergoing treatment Pajhwok Afghan News reportedMeanwhile at least 10 people were killed on April 7 and six others injured after heavy rains caused roof collapses in Nangarhar province of Afghanistan according to local officials The worst impacted regions include Jalalabad Sherzad Khogyani Haska Mina and Angoor Bagh neighbourhood Afghanistanbased Ariana News reported on TuesdayOn Monday officials said that at least 110 people and 160 others were injured after heavy rains flash floods landslides lightning strikes and house collapses in Afghanistan over the past 12 days Authorities said seven people remain missing while fresh rainfall predictions have sparked concerns that the toll could rise further Khaama Press reportedAuthorities said 958 houses were completely destroyed while another 4155 homes were partially damaged leading to thousands of families in urgent need of shelter and assistance Over 325 kilometres of roads have been damaged and businesses farmland irrigation canals and drinking water wells have suffered losses IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/floods-affect-tens-of-thousands-across-afghanistan-un-668803.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 14:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-qatar-review-strategic-ties-across-trade-energy-agree-to-deepen-bilateral-cooperation-668820.html New DelhiDoha April 10 IANS India and Qatar have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening strategic ties across key sectors including trade energy and cultural exchanges as Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri held highlevel talks in Doha during his twoday official visit the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said on FridaynbspPuri who arrived in Doha on April 9 met Qatars Minister of State for Energy Affairs and President and CEO of QatarEnergy Saad Sherida AlKaabi where both sides reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relationsThe discussions covered highlevel engagements trade and investment opportunities energy cooperation as well as cultural and peopletopeople ties reflecting the growing depth of the IndiaQatar partnershipnbspBoth Ministers discussed all aspects of the strategic relations between the two countries including high level engagements trade investment energy culture and peopletopeople relations the ministry saidnbspThey hoped for early return of peace and stability in the region and further strengthening of the bilateral relationship between India and Qatar it addedDuring the meeting Puri conveyed greetings and a message of solidarity on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Qatars Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al ThaninbspHe also recalled the recent telephonic conversations between PM Modi and the Amir in March 2026 following the onset of regional tensions during which both leaders underscored the need for peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacyPM Modi had also expressed gratitude for Qatars continued support to the Indian community residing therenbspThe two ministers expressed hope for an early restoration of peace in the region and agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperationnbspAlKaabi reiterated Qatars commitment to being a reliable energy partner for India and emphasised continued collaboration in the energy sectorThe leaders also welcomed the twoweek ceasefire announced on April 8 stressing the importance of ensuring uninterrupted global energy suppliesnbspThey highlighted the need for freedom of navigation and the smooth flow of global commerce to maintain stable supply chainsnbspPuri thanked his Qatari counterpart for hosting him and both sides agreed to remain in close contact in the coming weeks as they work towards advancing mutual interestsIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-qatar-review-strategic-ties-across-trade-energy-agree-to-deepen-bilateral-cooperation-668820.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 16:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/russia-and-ukraine-agree-for-orthodox-easter-ceasefire-668825.html Moscow April 10 Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a ceasefire for Orthodox Easter with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressing Kyivs willingness to abide it According to the Kremlin the ceasefire will remain in effect from 4 pm Moscow time on April 11 and until the end of April 12 leading Russian news agency Tass reportedThe statement reads By decision of the Supreme CommanderinChief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin a ceasefire has been declared ahead of the Orthodox Easter from 400 pm Moscow time 100 pm GMT on April 11 until the end of April 12 2026 900 pm GMTRussian soldiers have been ordered to cease combat operations in all directions during the ceasefire from April 1112 However they have been asked to stand ready to repel any enemy attackThe statement reads Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation Andrey Belousov and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Commander of the Joint Grouping of Forces Army General Valery Gerasimov have been instructed to halt combat operations in all areas for this period Russian troops are to remain ready to repel any possible provocations by the enemy as well as any aggressive actions on its partMeanwhile Zelensky stated that Ukraine had proposed a ceasefire during the Easter Holidays and would act accordinglyUkraine has repeatedly stated that we are ready for symmetrical steps We proposed a ceasefire during the Easter holidays this year and will act accordingly People need an Easter free from threats and real movement toward peace and Russia has a chance not to return to strikes after Easter as well Zelensky posted on XThe ceasefire comes as talks to end the war between Ukraine and Russia remain stalledOn April 3 Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow has repeatedly said that to stop Russias military action in Ukraine Kyiv must withdraw from DonbassWhen asked about reports alleging that Russia had set a deadline for withdrawal of Ukrainian soldiers he responded There are no deadlines itâs not trueWe have repeatedly said that in order to stop the hot stage of the special military operation Ukraine needs to pull back troops from Donbass This has to be done Tass quoted Peskov as sayingHe stated that the withdrawal of Ukrainian soldiers from Donbass would contribute to the transition to a political and diplomatic settlement of the war between Moscow and KyivPeskov said For this Vladimir Zelensky must take political responsibility and make an appropriate decision But there are no deadlines here This should be done today or better yet it should have been done yesterday IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/russia-and-ukraine-agree-for-orthodox-easter-ceasefire-668825.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-concerned-over-civilian-casualties-in-lebanon-calls-for-adherence-to-international-law-668833.html New Delhi April 10 IANS India on Friday expressed its concern over the reports of civilian casualties in Lebanon emphasising that the direction of recent events is very disturbingnbspWhile addressing an interministerial briefing on recent developments in West Asia in New Delhi on Friday Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called for adherence to international law and respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states He stated that the Indian Embassy remains in touch with the Indian community in LebanonWe are deeply concerned by reports of a large number of civilian casualties in Lebanon As a troop contributing country to the UNIFIL that is invested in Lebanons peace and security the direction of events is very disturbing India has always emphasised the protection of civilians as the foremost priority Observing international law and respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity of states is essential Our Embassy in Lebanon remains in close touch with the Indian community for its safety and security Jaiswal statedAccording to the MEA spokesperson there are about 1000 Indian nationals in Lebanon currentlynbspHis statement comes after a twoweek ceasefire between the United States and Iran took effect on Wednesday with peace talks scheduled to begin on Saturday However Israel has said that the ceasefire does not cover military action in LebanonOn April 8 Israel Prime Ministers Office expressed support for the US decision to suspend strikes on Iran However it mentioned that the twoweek truce does not include military operations in LebanonHours after the temporary truce was announced between the United States and Iran Israel claimed of giving Hezbollah one of the biggest blows by attacking 100 targets in 10 minutes with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisting that Lebanon was not part of the ceasefire dealnbspAsserting that Tehran is beaten and weaker than ever with its missile production machinery destroyed completely Reuven Azar the Ambassador of Israel to India on Thursday told IANS that Israel will continue to respond to the threat posed by HezbollahWe have made this clear and the American administration has confirmed it We were attacked unilaterally by Hezbollah that has violated not only this ceasefire but also terms that were signed last year They were not supposed to operate in southern Lebanon The Lebanese government committed to disarming them but that has not happened Therefore we are defending ourselves especially our border communities which have been heavily targetted by Iranian missiles and antitank weaponry Azar told IANS in an exclusive interviewnbspIsrael Defence Forces IDF said on Wednesday that it has stopped operations against Iran but continues to conduct targetted ground operations against HezbollahIn accordance with directives from the political echelon the IDF has ceased fire in the operation against Iran and is highly prepared to respond defensively against any violation Overnight the IDF conducted a widescale wave of strikes targeting missile launch sites and launchers across Iran in order to significantly degrade its launching capabilities Simultaneously in Lebanon the IDF is continuing to conduct targeted ground operations against Hezbollah The IDF will continue to operate across all fronts to defend Israel IDF posted on XIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-concerned-over-civilian-casualties-in-lebanon-calls-for-adherence-to-international-law-668833.html Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-three-killed-14-injured-as-rains-wreak-havoc-in-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-668685.html Islamabad April 9 Three people have been killed and 14 others injured in rainrelated incidents in Peshawar Mohmand and Nowshera districts of Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province local media reported on Thursday Rescue 1122 spokesman Bilal Ahmad Faizi said that a child died and two others were injured in a roof collapse incident in Mattani area of Peshawar Pakistans leading daily Dawn reported The rescue workers took the injured people to the hospital He further mentioned that people were stranded in rainwater in Mian Gujjar and Islamabad Korona regionsFaizi stated that three members of a family were injured in a roof collapse incident in Rahimabad area of Nowshera district He said that two children and a woman were taken to the Pabbi hospital for treatmentTwo people were killed and nine others injured in rainrelated incidents in Mohmand tribal district A girl was killed after a room in her home collapsed in Shaheed Banda area Five people were injured in a similar incident in the Karari area of Ekkaghund tehsil A man died after a room collapsed due to heavy rain in the Sra Khawa area of Baizai subdivisionAccording to rescue officials four people were injured in a roof collapse incident in Dawezai Dawat Kor area of tehsil Pindiali in Mohmand district on WednesdayRecord rainfall and destruction has been reported in Mohmand tribal district According to the official 151 millimetres of rain fell in 2026 surpassing the previous record of 134mm set in 2013 The continuous rainfall inundated lowlying areas and swollen seasonal streams Dawn reportedPeople have been displaced as hundreds of houses and boundary walls have been destroyed or damaged Roads in several tehsils have been washed out isolating residents and affecting rescue effortsSimilarly livestock have been killed and standing crops have been destroyed in rainrelated incidents causing financial losses to people as per the reportOn March 5 Provincial Disaster Management Authority PDMA in its report said that at least 45 people were killed and 105 others injured after heavy rains caused roof and wall collapses across several parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since MarchendIn its latest report PDMA said that casualties were caused due to roof and wall collapse amid heavy rains across several districts of Khyber PakhtunkhwaThe PDMA said the deceased include 23 children 17 men and five women while the injured include 45 men 16 women and 44 children Pakistans leading media outlet Geo News reportedAs many as 442 houses were damaged in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which include 382 partially and 60 completely destroyed IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-three-killed-14-injured-as-rains-wreak-havoc-in-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-668685.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-keeps-forces-ready-as-iran-truce-holds-668555.html Washington April 9 The United States will maintain full military readiness in the Middle East despite a twoweek ceasefire with Iran the White House said signalling that Washington is prepared for a rapid escalation if negotiations falter Officials said no immediate drawdown of US forces is planned even as diplomatic efforts begin following weeks of intense military operationsAsked what to expect from US troops during the ceasefire window a reporter queried âWhat we should expect from US troops in theatre for the next two weeks and beyondâWhite House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration is taking a cautious approachâWere not going to move anything immediatelyâ in the meantime were going to ensure that our military is always at the ready of the commander in chiefâ she saidShe referred operational specifics to the Pentagon but made clear that US forces will remain in place as negotiations proceedThe posture reflects concerns within the administration that the ceasefire could break down particularly given ongoing regional tensions and uncertainty over Iranâs internal command structuresâThis is a fragile truce Ceasefires are fragile by natureâ Leavitt said warning that implementation could face disruptions in the coming daysThe ceasefire announced after 38 days of US military operations against Iran has opened a twoweek diplomatic window aimed at securing a longerterm agreementHowever Washington has emphasised that military preparedness remains central to its strategy both as a deterrent and as leverage in negotiationsThe White House has argued that sustained military pressure forced Iran to accept the ceasefire in the first placeâThe Presidentâs maximum pressure and the leverage created by the success of Operation Epic Fury led to the Iranian regime asking for and ultimately agreeing to a ceasefire proposalâ Leavitt saidAt the same time officials acknowledged that the operational impact of US strikes on Iran could complicate the ceasefireâs early stagesOne reporter raised concerns about reports of renewed activity inside Iran asking about explosions and air defence activation in multiple citiesLeavitt said she had not yet verified those reports but pointed to a broader issueâOne of the results of Operation Epic Fury was that we completely dismantled Irans command and control center which makes it difficult for them to pass messages up and down the chainâ she saidThe disruption she suggested could affect Iranâs ability to coordinate compliance with the ceasefire at least in the short termThe administration has also said that many of Iranâs remaining leaders are operating under constraints following the strikes further complicating internal coordinationIn addition to military effects questions were raised about the political consequences inside Iran particularly whether the conflict had led to greater freedoms for its populationAsked directly whether âregime change has led to more freedoms for the Iranian peopleâ Leavitt said it was too early to draw conclusionsâI think thats a question thats being asked a little bit too earlyâ Its something that has yet to be seenâ she said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-keeps-forces-ready-as-iran-truce-holds-668555.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/indias-growth-momentum-stays-strong-world-bank-668560.html Washington April 9 Indiaâs economy is maintaining strong growth momentum driven by robust domestic demand resilient services exports and sustained reforms the World Bank said in its latest report Growth is estimated at 76 per cent in fiscal year 202526 higher than earlier projections reflecting the strength of consumption and investment activity according to the South Asia Economic UpdatePrivate consumption has been a key driver The report said retail demand has remained steady supported by lower inflation tax rationalisation and rising consumer confidence which reached its highest postpandemic level in late 2025Domestic demand has helped offset weakness in goods exports Shipments of merchandise grew marginally affected by tariff disruptions but services exports remained strong expanding by about 16 per cent in recent monthsThe services sector continues to anchor growth Information and communications technology and business services have expanded steadily contributing to export earnings and economic activityManufacturing has also picked up pace The report noted that industrial activity has been strong with manufacturing growing by more than 10 per cent annually between 2023 and 2025 led by sectors such as electronicsAccording to the World Bank government incentives and rising investment flows have supported this expansion Productionlinked incentive schemes and improved infrastructure have helped boost output and competitiveness the report saidIndiaâs trade outlook has improved with new free trade agreements with the European Union and the United Kingdom These deals are expected to reduce tariffs on more than 95 per cent of traded goods and expand market access for Indian firmsThe World Bank said such reforms are likely to result in âbroadbased consumption and real income gainsâ for households especially through lower prices for manufactured goodsMacroeconomic stability has reinforced growth Inflation remained within the central bankâs target range for much of 2025 aided by lower food prices The Reserve Bank of India cut policy rates through the year supporting consumption and investmentIndiaâs financial system has remained stable with wellcapitalised banks and improving credit conditions supporting economic activity the report saidThe World Bank also pointed to structural reforms as a key factor behind Indiaâs performance Measures to improve infrastructure streamline taxes and strengthen the financial sector have enhanced productivity and investor confidenceWhile external risks such as higher energy prices persist the report said Indiaâs strong domestic fundamentals and reform trajectory position it well to sustain growthIndia has consistently outperformed growth forecasts in recent years reflecting resilience and steady policy support Over the longer term continued reforms and investment could further strengthen its economic trajectory IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/indias-growth-momentum-stays-strong-world-bank-668560.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/imf-sees-growth-boost-from-india-defence-push-668561.html Washington April 9 The move by India to expand its domestic defence manufacturing could strengthen economic growth the International Monetary Fund said noting that higher military spending can lift output when it supports local industry âDefence buildups can boost economic activity in the short termâlifting consumption and investmentâ the IMF said in its latest analysis of global defence trendsThe report comes as defence spending rises worldwide amid growing geopolitical tensions About half of all countries increased military budgets in recent years reversing a postCold War declineFor India the IMFâs findings point to a clear economic upside Gains are stronger when defence spending is anchored in domestic production rather than importsâDefence spending multipliers are close to 1 on averageâ the IMF said meaning each increase in spending broadly translates into a similar rise in economic outputBut the impact varies sharply across countries âDefence spending multipliers are smaller in countries that rely heavily on arms imports reflecting demand leakages abroadâ it addedThat distinction favours India New Delhi has stepped up efforts to reduce dependence on foreign arms and build a domestic defence base A larger share of spending is now directed toward local manufacturing private firms and joint venturesThe IMF said importheavy spending can weaken external balances âExternal balances deteriorate as demand is geared toward imported equipmentâ the report notedIndiaâs focus on indigenisation could help limit such pressures It also allows more of the demand stimulus to stay within the economy supporting jobs and investmentThe report said defence spending acts as a targeted demand shock It raises government consumption and can crowd in private spending especially in defencelinked sectorsOver time it can also support productivity âA buildup that makes public investment a priorityâ could support longterm productivity growthâ the IMF saidHowever the IMF flagged risks if spending rises too fast âFiscal deficits worsen by about 26 percentage points of GDP and public debt increases by about 7 percentage points within three yearsâ it saidThese pressures are sharper during conflicts when debt rises faster and social spending can fallGlobal defence spending has been climbing since the mid2010s Nearly 40 per cent of countries now spend more than 2 per cent of GDP on defenceNATO members have pledged to raise defence and securityrelated spending to 5 per cent of GDP by 2035 pointing to sustained growth in military outlaysIndia spends about 2 per cent of its GDP on defence It has in recent years expanded domestic production through policy reforms and incentivesThe IMF analysis suggests countries with stronger local defence industries are better placed to turn higher military spending into growth while limiting external risks IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/imf-sees-growth-boost-from-india-defence-push-668561.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-growth-to-pick-up-after-slowdown-668562.html Washington April 9 Bangladeshâs economy is expected to see a gradual recovery after a period of slowdown supported by improving domestic demand and stabilising conditions the World Bank said Growth is projected at 39 per cent in fiscal year 202526 reflecting the impact of earlier political unrest and external pressures on economic activity according to the World Bankâs latest assessmentThe report said the economy is recovering from disruptions linked to political instability in late 2024 which weighed on investment exports and overall economic momentumPrivate consumption is expected to remain the main driver of growth as conditions stabilise However the pace of recovery is likely to be gradual with investment remaining subdued amid uncertainty and financial sector constraintsExports are expected to contribute to growth though not as a major driver Bangladeshâs key export sector readymade garments has faced pressure from higher global tariffs and increased competition in international marketsInflation remains a concern The report noted that price pressures have stayed elevated driven by currency depreciation supply disruptions and higher food prices limiting purchasing power and economic recoveryMonetary policy has remained tight to contain inflation with interest rates at elevated levels This has constrained credit growth and weighed on private investment the World Bank saidThe banking sector continues to face stress with high levels of nonperforming loans affecting lending capacity and investor confidenceExternal pressures also persist Higher global energy prices and reliance on imports are expected to strain the current account and fiscal balances adding to macroeconomic challengesDespite these headwinds the World Bank said growth is expected to strengthen in the medium term if reforms are implemented and political stability holdsSeparate World Bank projections indicate Bangladeshâs growth could rise to around 46 per cent in FY202526 and further to about 61 per cent in FY202627 as inflation eases and investment picks upBangladesh has been one of South Asiaâs fastestgrowing economies over the past decade driven by strong export performance and a large manufacturing base centred on garmentsHowever recurring challengesâincluding financial sector weaknesses external vulnerabilities and political uncertaintyâcontinue to shape its growth trajectory keeping the recovery uneven IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-growth-to-pick-up-after-slowdown-668562.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/white-house-forced-pakistan-to-reach-iran-report-668563.html Washington April 9 The White House used Pakistan as a primary channel to reach Iran on a temporary ceasefire underscoring Islamabadâs pivotal yet contested role in sensitive backchannel diplomacy the Financial Times London reported For weeks the Trump administration leaned on Islamabad to persuade Tehran to accept a pause in fighting tied to reopening the Strait of Hormuz Pakistanâs positioning as a Muslimmajority neighbour was seen as key to making the USbacked proposal more acceptable to IranThe effort was led by Pakistanâs army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir who coordinated closely with senior US officials As the deadline approached Munir held calls with President Donald Trump VicePresident JD Vance and special envoy Steve Witkoff while Pakistani officials shuttled proposals between Washington and TehranIslamabad transmitted a USdrafted 15point plan and conveyed Iranâs responses including five and 10point counterproposals Diplomats said Iran gradually became more open to limiting aspects of its nuclear programme but only after sustained backchannel engagementThe diplomacy culminated in a twoweek ceasefire announced by the US Iran and Israel even as Trump publicly escalated rhetoric warning he could destroy Iranâs âwhole civilisationâ if his terms were not metIn a different report The New York Times said that Pakistanâs public messaging was closely aligned with Washingtonâs positionPakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifâs social media appeal seeking an extension of Trumpâs deadline was seen and cleared by the White House before it was posted suggesting deeper coordination than publicly acknowledged the daily saidThe report said the post which framed diplomacy as âprogressing steadily strongly and powerfullyâ came as Trumpâs deadline approached and Islamabad sought to create an offramp for both sides The White Houseâs prior approval of the message pointed to active diplomatic engagement behind the scenes even as public rhetoric remained confrontational the New York Times said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/white-house-forced-pakistan-to-reach-iran-report-668563.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-faces-debt-strain-weak-outlook-668564.html Washington April 9 Pakistan is facing mounting debt pressures weak growth prospects and persistent structural vulnerabilities which risks its economic stability the World Bank said The report highlighted that economies with high public debt limited fiscal space and heavy external financing needs remain particularly exposed to global shocks such as rising energy prices and tighter financial conditionsPakistan now assessed under a broader regional grouping rather than South Asia falls into this category of vulnerable economies the report saidHigh external financing requirements are a central concern Countries with elevated debt and constrained reserves face pressure from currency depreciation higher borrowing costs and reduced investor confidence the World Bank saidFiscal weakness continues to limit policy options Low tax revenues and persistent deficits constrain the ability to respond to economic shocks or support growth the report notedEnergy dependence adds to the strain Economies reliant on imported fuel are vulnerable to spikes in global prices which widen current account deficits and push up inflationThe report warned that global financial volatility could worsen these pressures Capital outflows tighter liquidity and higher interest rates could further slow economic activity in fragile economiesBanking sector risks also remain High levels of nonperforming loans and weak financial buffers can restrict credit growth and investment delaying recoveryThe World Bank stressed that sustained structural reforms are critical Strengthening fiscal management improving governance and enhancing the business environment are key to restoring stability and attracting investmentGlobal shifts in trade and technology could add further pressure Slower demand and disruptions in export sectors may limit growth opportunities for economies already under strainPakistan has faced repeated balance of payments crises in recent years often requiring support from the International Monetary Fund High inflation currency volatility and energy shortages have weighed on growthEfforts to stabilise the economy have focused on fiscal consolidation and structural reforms but progress has been uneven leaving the country vulnerable to external shocks IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-faces-debt-strain-weak-outlook-668564.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/hindu-american-foundation-moves-court-over-caste-hinduism-row-668566.html Washington April 9 The Hindu American Foundation HAF has approached a US appeals court arguing that Californiaâs civil rights regulator has wrongly linked caste discrimination to Hinduism and targeted Indian and South Asian communities in a case that could shape how caste is addressed in US workplaces In a reply brief filed on April 6 before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals HAF urged the court to remove what it called procedural hurdles that led a lower court to dismiss its lawsuit against the California Civil Rights Department CRD The foundation said the district court erred by not examining the substance of its claimsHAF argues that the CRDâs enforcement approach âexplicitly and implicitly links âcasteâ to Hinduism and people of Indian or South Asian descentâ effectively singling out a minority communityThe case traces back to a highprofile complaint filed by the CRD against Cisco Systems and two managers alleging castebased discrimination The regulator publicly stated it had âSued Cisco Systems Inc and Former Managers For CasteBased Discriminationâ and filed action under Californiaâs Fair Employment and Housing ActAccording to HAF the CRD âdoubled downâ on its theory that Cisco should have prevented caste discrimination âoccurring within its South Asian Indian workforceâ The foundation noted that the term âcasteâ appears repeatedly in the agencyâs active complaintHAF contends that the CRDâs framing relied on âracist and demonstrably false tropesâ about Indians and Hindus It cited the departmentâs earlier claim that âIndiaâs caste systemâ is âa strict Hindu social and religious hierarchyâThe CRD has since removed that phrasing and argued that the issue is now moot But HAF maintains that the core problem persistsâRemoving the phrase âHindu social and religious hierarchyâ doesnât change the fact that the CRD is attempting to direct âcasteâ policies solely at the companyâs Indian South Asian and Hindu workforceâ the foundation saidNeedhy Shah HAF Senior Legal Director warned that the implications extend beyond a single caseâThe Hindu American Indian American and South Asian American communities are concerned and if they arenât they should beâ Shah saidâThe CRD is attempting to wield its enforcement powers by singling out the very minority groups it is charged to protect Californians are paying attention and so are employers and businesses regulated by the CRDâ Shah addedShe further said âThe CRD is playing caste cop blaming caste discrimination on Hinduism and itâs only a matter of time until they identify their next Hindu targetâHAF is represented by lead counsel Tim Travelstead of Narayan Travelstead Ku PCThe Ninth Circuitâs decision on whether to revive the case could have broader implications for how US civil rights law interprets caste and its association with religion or ethnicity particularly for Indianorigin communitiesCaste has emerged as a contentious issue in parts of the United States especially in technology sector workplaces with significant South Asian representation Some advocacy groups have pushed for explicit caste protections while others argue such measures risk stereotyping entire communities IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/hindu-american-foundation-moves-court-over-caste-hinduism-row-668566.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-secures-313k-settlement-over-bias-against-american-workers-in-job-ads-668568.html Washington April 9 The US Justice Department has secured a 313420 settlement with a New Jerseybased technology services firm after finding that its recruiters used job advertisements that discouraged American workers and favoured foreign visa holders The Civil Rights Division said Compunnel Software Group Inc violated the Immigration and Nationality Act by posting vacancies that included unlawful citizenship restrictions excluding US citizens and permanent residents while preferring candidates on H1B and other temporary visasâItâs illegal to discourage US workers from applying for American jobsâ said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K Dhillon âEmployers cannot exclude US workers from the labour force by discriminating against them based on their citizenship statusâUnder the settlement the company will pay 58000 in back pay to a US citizen who was denied consideration for a Python developer role due to his citizenship status It will also pay 255420 in civil penalties to the US TreasuryAccording to the settlement document federal investigators found âreasonable cause to believeâ the company engaged in a pattern of discriminatory recruitment practices including emails and job postings that specified âonlyâ certain temporary visa holders for positions while rejecting US applicants The investigation further found that at least ten recruiters were involved and that more than 50 job postings carried such restrictions effectively excluding protected US workers without legal justificationThe agreement requires the company to overhaul its hiring practices It must not âdiscriminate against applicants or employees based on citizenship status absent a legal justificationâ including during recruitment hiring or employment verification processesCompunnel has also agreed to conduct mandatory training for employees involved in hiring and recruitment revise internal policies and post notices informing workers of their rights The firm must monitor compliance and report regularly to federal authorities during the twoyear term of the agreementThe Justice Department said the case forms part of its renewed enforcement push under the Protecting US Workers Initiative relaunched in 2025 This is the ninth settlement under the initiative which targets companies that favour foreign visa holders over American workers in violation of federal lawThe department noted that such settlements typically include civil penalties back pay where applicable and mandatory compliance reforms to prevent repeat violationsThe company while agreeing to settle maintained that the agreement does not constitute an admission of liability It said it would continue to comply with applicable US regulationsThe Immigration and Nationality Act prohibits discrimination based on citizenship status unless required by law regulation or government contract Enforcement of these provisions falls under the Justice Departmentâs Immigrant and Employee Rights SectionThe H1B visa programme widely used by technology companies allows US employers to hire foreign workers in specialised occupations It has long been a point of policy debate particularly around its impact on domestic employment and wage levelsFederal authorities have in recent years stepped up scrutiny of hiring practices to ensure that US workers are not unfairly excluded from job opportunities in favour of visa holders IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-secures-313k-settlement-over-bias-against-american-workers-in-job-ads-668568.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-sweeps-un-elections-unopposed-to-ecosoc-bodies-668569.html United Nations April 9 India has swept unopposed the four elections to Economic and Social Council ECOSOC bodies with former senior diplomat Preeti Saran reelected to the Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights CESCR United Nations April 9 India has swept unopposed the four elections to Economic and Social Council ECOSOC bodies with former senior diplomat Preeti Saran reelected to the Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights CESCRIn the elections on Wednesday India was also elected to the Commission on Science and Technology for Development and the committees on NonGovernmental Organisations and for Programme and CoordinationAll the elections were by acclamation which means they were unanimousSaran a former Secretary East at the External Affairs Ministry was reelected in her personal capacity to the CESCR where she had chaired last years sessionShe has been Indias envoy to Vietnam and served in diplomatic missions in Toronto Geneva Dhaka Cairo and Moscow during her 36year career in the Indian Foreign ServiceCESCRs 18 independent experts monitor the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural RightsThe Covenant enshrines for all people economic social and cultural rights such as the rights to adequate food adequate housing education health social security water and sanitation and work according to the UNThe Committee on NGOs is an influential body that examines applications for consultative status and requests for reclassification submitted by civil society groups and has a say on their participation in UN activities by ensuring they are legitimateThe Commission on Science and Technology for Development frames the critical issues influencing the fields of science and technology and how they affect development and a sustainable future according to the UNThe Committee for Programme and Coordination assists the ECOSOC by considering on a sectorbysector basis the activities and programmes of UN agencies to ensure their work programmes are compatible and complementary according to the UNThe council is at the heart of the UNâs mechanism to advance the three dimensions of sustainable development economic social and environmental IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-sweeps-un-elections-unopposed-to-ecosoc-bodies-668569.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/stablecoin-yield-ban-may-not-boost-lending-white-house-668589.html Washington April 9 A White House economic study has found that banning yield on stablecoins would do little to increase bank lending challenging a central argument made by traditional banks in the debate over digital assets The analysis by the Council of Economic Advisers CEA shows that eliminating stablecoin yield would raise lending by just 21 billion or about 002 per cent while imposing a net welfare cost of 800 millionThe findings come as policymakers weigh tighter rules on stablecoins under the GENIUS Act signed into law in July 2025 The law requires issuers to maintain onetoone reserves backing their tokens and bars them from offering interest directly to holdersâReinforcing prohibitions on stablecoin yield may be motivated by the concern that competitive stablecoin returns will draw deposits out of the banking system and contract lendingâ the White House study said âOur model shows that this concern is quantitatively smallâBanks have warned that allowing stablecoins to offer returns could pull deposits away from traditional accounts weakening their ability to lend Crypto advocates argue the opposite saying such products drive innovation and competitionThe CEA study suggests the overall impact on lending is limited A shift away from stablecoins following a yield ban would move about 54 billion into conventional deposits but only a small portion of that would translate into new loansThe report says most stablecoin reserves are invested in assets such as Treasury bills which flow back into the banking system Only a small share about 12 per cent is held in bank deposits that cannot be used for lendingEven under extreme assumptions the effect remains modest âEven stacking every worstcase assumption the model produces only 531 billion in additional aggregate lendingâ or about a 44 per cent increase the study saidCommunity banks would see limited gains The study estimates they would account for 24 per cent of any increase in lending or about 500 million equivalent to a 0026 per cent riseâIn short a yield prohibition would do very little to protect bank lending while forgoing the consumer benefits of competitive returns on stablecoin holdingsâ the report saidThe findings could shape ongoing discussions in Congress where lawmakers are considering whether to expand restrictions on stablecoin yield through proposals such as the CLARITY ActStablecoins digital tokens pegged to the US dollar have grown rapidly and are widely used for payments and savings particularly outside the United States The market is estimated at about 300 billion IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/stablecoin-yield-ban-may-not-boost-lending-white-house-668589.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-awami-league-condemns-parliamentary-bill-banning-party-as-disgraceful-act-668612.html Dhaka April 9 Bangladeshâs Awami League has strongly denounced a parliamentary bill that effectively bans the party terming the move a âdisgraceful actâ and a direct attack on democratic norms The remarks came after the parliament passed the AntiTerrorism Amendment Bill 2026 on Wednesday without altering the AntiTerrorism Amendment Ordinance 2025 issued by the Muhammad Yunusled interim governmentUnder the ordinance the interim government amended the antiterrorism law to bar all activities of the Awami League until the trial of the party and its leaders at the International Crimes Tribunal is completedCriticising the bill the Awami League said âThe National Parliament of Bangladesh has been disgraced A shameful chapter has been written in history Through a socalled election a parliament was formed which disregarding democratic culture and values has passed a bill banning the historic political party that led Bangladesh in the Liberation Warâthe Bangladesh Awami LeagueââThe National Parliament is a sacred institution It represents the spirit of democratic culture in the country Yet it has been used in this manner to establish the dominance of antiindependence and antistate forces Such a decision is not merely targeted at a single political party rather it is a direct attack on democratic practices a fair political system and the fundamental rights of the peopleâ it addedExpressing concern the party said that the attempt to ban a political institution built through history tradition and struggle undermined the very spirit of democracy and pushes the country towards a âoneparty or authoritarian pathâ It added that the move constitutes âhostility toward history itself which the people of Bangladesh would never acceptThe party emphasised that ârepression bans or the misuse of lawâ can never bring lasting solutions rather they create âinstability and division in society and hinder democratic cultureâThe Awami League called upon all prodemocracy citizens political parties civil society professional organisations and the youth of Bangladesh to unite in the âstruggle for democratic rights freedom of expression and the rule of law âThe victory of the people and democracy is inevitable Inspired by history and strengthened in our beliefs we will continue our movement and struggleâ the party concluded IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-awami-league-condemns-parliamentary-bill-banning-party-as-disgraceful-act-668612.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/isi-shifts-tactics-juveniles-drawn-into-spy-network-with-cash-drugs-668627.html New Delhi April 9 In recent months multiple arrests have been made in connection with an alleged Pakistan InterService Intelligencebacked espionage racket operating in India Investigators say a wide network of operatives had been assembled to gather information on public spaces and defence establishments Officials note that while Pakistanâs intelligence agency has long attempted to recruit assets in India its methods are evolving A striking feature of the latest network is the significant number of juveniles involvedâRecruiting juveniles offers several advantagesâ an official saidA juvenile is defined as a person below 18 years of age and is governed by the Juvenile Justice Care and Protection of Children Act or JJ Act Such individuals cannot be lodged in regular jails or police lockups and their identity is protected While the 2015 amendment permits those aged 16 to 18 accused of heinous offences to be tried as adults after an assessment of their mental and physical capacity they cannot be awarded life imprisonment or the death penaltyThe ISI appears to be exploiting provisions of the JJ Act while recruiting juveniles for espionage These networks also include adult operatives who guide and supervise the juveniles in carrying out assigned tasksFurther details on the use of juveniles emerged during the investigation into a module allegedly set up by Meerutbased operative Suhel Malik He is said to have built a network of 21 individuals including nine juveniles They were tasked with installing closedcircuit television CCTV cameras at railway stations and security force installations in Sonipat Delhi and other locations The objective investigators said was to relay live feeds to ISIbacked handlers in PakistanBy taking advantage of laws governing juveniles ISIbacked handlers found it easier to recruit and control them Investigators observed a pattern in which many were lured with small amounts of money Some recruits aged 16 to 17 were already struggling with substance use and the payments were sufficient to meet their needsAn official said juveniles are often drawn to the idea of power and belonging to a gang Malik allegedly convinced them that they were working for a powerful group and that such tasks would enhance their statusâThis became a key selling point and many fell for itâ the official addedThey were told that installing CCTV cameras at sensitive locations was part of a major heist which impressed them and made them willing to carry out the assignmentsAnother official said some of the juveniles were later told that they were working for the ISI and not a criminal gang âThis made little difference to them as they were drawn by the money that they were earning much of which was spent on drugsâ the official addedInvestigators also noted that heavy use of mobile phones and the internet made communication easier The recruits were added to online groups such as âLawrence Bishnoi007â which gave them a sense of identity and influence Being part of such groups reinforced their belief that they were involved in something significantAn Intelligence Bureau official said that the ISI is expected to continue this recruitment pattern The use of juveniles may not remain limited to espionage as they could also be drawn into terror groups and tasked with carrying out attacksâThey may further be used extensively to provide logistical support for such activitiesâ the official warned IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/isi-shifts-tactics-juveniles-drawn-into-spy-network-with-cash-drugs-668627.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/infiltration-fails-isi-moves-recruitment-beyond-jampk-to-fuel-kashmir-attacks-668629.html New Delhi April 9 In a major revelation the security agencies have found that the ISI has directed its existing operatives in Jammu and Kashmir to set up modules in multiple states in Northern India The remaining operatives who are hiding in Jammu and Kashmir have been instructed to set up modules in Punjab Haryana and Uttar Pradesh An Intelligence Bureau official said that the purpose is to set up these modules and train the recruits to carry out attacks in Jammu and KashmirThe official added that running modules in Jammu and Kashmir has become tough since there is too much scrutiny following the Pahalgam attack Following this attack security has been tight making it hard for the operatives to go about their businessThe ISI had even tried to activate its overground workers OWGs but owing to thorough scrutiny the plan failed Another official said that the lack of trained operatives and the fact that infiltrations have almost halted have made terror groups desperate This explains why they are exploring multiple modules outside of Jammu and Kashmir the official addedTerror groups such as the LashkareTaiba feel that recruitment should not be limited to Jammu and Kashmir alone There is a chance a module could be busted if they try to set up in the Union Territory These terror groups feel that the scrutiny would be less in other states and it would be a good idea to create new modulesThe plan is to recruit into these terror modules and then train operatives The intention is to train these operatives and deploy them in Jammu and Kashmir Moreover these elements are trying to take advantage of the fact that infiltrating them into Jammu and Kashmir from Punjab Haryana or Uttar Pradesh would be easierAn official said that nearly a thousand operatives are waiting in Pakistanoccupied Kashmir to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir These are battlehardened terrorists and if they manage to enter Jammu and Kashmir the risks they pose would be very highAfter the Pahalgam attack security is at an unprecedented high and infiltrations through the Line of Control LoC and International Border IB have become next to impossible The Indian armed forces are maintaining a state of very high alert to prevent infiltrations Multiple attempts have been made since Operation Sindoor to enter Jammu and Kashmir but they have failedMore details about the setting up of modules in multiple states came out following the arrest of Abdullah alias Abu Hureira an operative of the LashkareTaiba He had managed to evade the security agencies for nearly 16 years His arrest revealed that he was tasked with setting up interstate modulesThe ISI is trying to set up a wider ecosystem beyond Jammu and Kashmir an investigating official said For terror groups such as the LashkareTayba this is part of a revival strategy Jammu and Kashmir is a major selling point for the outfit in order to recruit Even in Pakistan recruitment has dropped significantly post Operation SindoorOutfits such as the LashkareTaiba and JaisheMohammed have found it hard to revive owing to a lack of recruitment Since Jammu and Kashmir remains a large selling point the LashkareTaiba wants to step up operations in the Union Territory A major attack in JampK will act as a major boost for the outfit which would then sell the cause and rope in more youthAnother official said that the interstate modules would not just be involved in recruitment and training They would be involved in providing logistics and also facilitating the movement of arms and ammunition The agencies are putting up a coordinated effort across states to stop such activity the official added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/infiltration-fails-isi-moves-recruitment-beyond-jampk-to-fuel-kashmir-attacks-668629.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/fresh-600-million-borrowing-flags-pakistans-fragile-finances-report-668652.html New Delhi April 9 Pakistanâs economy remains under pressure as its decision to secure a 600 million shortterm loan from Standard Chartered Bank has once again highlighted the countryâs fragile external financing position amid mounting fiscal and external challenges according to a new report According to an Asian News Post report the loan is priced at SOFR plus 26 per cent translating to an interest rate of around 63 per cent aimed at supporting foreign exchange reserves which have come under strain due to a shortfall in expected foreign commercial inflowsDrawn against energy imports the facility comes at a time when Pakistan has received only 54 million of the 31 billion it had budgeted under foreign commercial loans for the current fiscal year the report notedIt further pointed out that of the planned 26 billion in total external borrowing only 57 billion has materialised so far including disbursements from the International Monetary Fund IMFAt the same time the country recently repaid a 700 million loan to the China Development Bank with foreign exchange reserves declining to 155 billion as of February 10The government is expected to seek refinancing of this amount in June along with another 1 billion commercial loanAccording to the report analysts have termed âbudgetary fictionâ a key factor driving the financial imbalanceDespite plans to raise 400 million through sovereign bond issuance this fiscal year no such transaction has taken place so farSimilarly a proposed 250 million Panda bond issue has seen little progressThe broader macroeconomic backdrop remains challenging Exports have declined by 7 per cent in the first seven months of the fiscal year while foreign direct investment has dropped over 41 per cent to 981 millionThe government is targeting foreign exchange reserves of 18 billion by June banking on improved remittances fresh borrowing and continued deposits worth 125 billion from Saudi Arabia the UAE and ChinaEconomists have also flagged concerns over rising public debt and fiscal slippages Pakistanâs public debt has reached around PKR 785 trillion or 68 per cent of GDP while interest payments have surged 43 per cent to PKR 64 trillionThey noted that structural issues including weak revenue mobilisation reliance on optimistic budget projections and increased supplementary spending continue to undermine fiscal disciplineIn the absence of strong institutional oversight analysts said Pakistan remains dependent on external financing to maintain macroeconomic stability with shortterm borrowing increasingly becoming a recurring necessity IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/fresh-600-million-borrowing-flags-pakistans-fragile-finances-report-668652.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/taiwans-nsb-warns-of-chinas-shifting-infiltration-strategy-668653.html Taipei April 9 Taiwans National Security Bureau NSB DirectorGeneral Tsai Mingyen has described Chinas attempts to infiltrate Taiwan as systematic planned and targeted with strategy shifting from recruiting midlevel military officers to rankandfile enlisted personnel local media reported on Thursday In his remarks at a meeting of the legislatures Foreign Affairs and National Defence Committee on Wednesday Tsai said that Chinese Communist Party CCP has been using national security intelligence operations and âunited frontâ efforts to carry out intelligence gathering and espionage in Taiwan He accused CCP of using specific networks to screen targets through exchange activities and recruiting local collaborators to set up intelligencegathering organisations Taiwans leading daily Taipei Times reportedAccording to him China is also shifting targets to lowerranking military personnel Citing investigations into suspected espionage cases he said that the CCP in its initial infiltration attempts primarily tried to recruit âmidlevel military officersâ who had easier access to classified intelligence however CCP is now targeting noncommissioned officers and enlisted personnelMeanwhile a recent report released by the National Security Bureau NSB revealed that China is prepared to intervene in Taiwans nineinone local elections set to be held in November by launching attacks on the Taiwanese Government Service Network GSNThe report was submitted to the Legislative Yuan before the bureauâs scheduled briefing at the Foreign Affairs and National Defence Committee last week Taipei Times reported Mentioning details regarding Chinas cognitive warfare against Taiwan the bureau said that the national security team has found about 13000 suspicious internet accounts and 860000 disputed messagesIn the report the bureau said that the disputed messages focus on major foreign affairs national defence and economic issues which were made using Artificial Intelligence AI and shared through Chinese state media Internet trolls suspicious accounts and content farmsThe bureau said the GSN was attacked over 17328 million times during the first quarter of 2026 adding that the actions could be part of Chinese interference in the nineinone elections It said they were created for intelligencegathering surveillance and data theft purposesFor the elections at the end of this year China is expected to intervene by adopting a hybrid approach including spreading disputed content using AIpowered deepfake technology publishing false public opinion surveys and setting up illegal betting rings the bureau saidIt mentioned that Beijing will also likely try to sway election results by inviting tour groups to China paying for their travel expenses and buying agricultural products from proChina cities or countiesAccording to the report Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwans airspace more than 420 times during the first quarter of 2026 Taipei Times reported The bureau said these actions were coordinated with Chinese naval vessels to carry out 10 joint combat readiness patrols and were aimed to test operational capabilities against Taiwan through periodic drills IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/taiwans-nsb-warns-of-chinas-shifting-infiltration-strategy-668653.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/israel-claims-killing-nephew-of-hezbollah-chief-qassem-in-beirut-668664.html Jerusalem April 9 The Israel Defence Forces IDF said on Thursday that it has killed Ali Yusuf Harshi personal secretary of Hezbollah SecretaryGeneral Naim Qassem in Beirut Harshi was also nephew of the Hezbollah chief who heads the Lebanese group backed by Iran In a statement shared on X the IDF said that it has also hit two key crossings used by Hezbollah for moving weapons south of the Litani River and 10 weapons storage sites launchers and command centres in southern LebanonELIMINATED Ali Yusuf Harshi the personal secretary to Hezbollah SecretaryGeneral Naim Qassem in Beirut A close associate and personal advisor Harshi played a key role in managing and securing Qassemâs office The IDF also struck two key crossings used by Hezbollah to move weapons south of the Litani River along with 10 weapons storage sites launchers and command centers in southern Lebanon IDF posted on XThe development comes a day after the US and Iran announced a twoweek ceasefire agreementEarlier IDF claimed it has killed a Hamas terrorist operating under the guise of a journalist The IDF claimed that Muhammad Samir Muhammad Washah was actively involved in planning attacks against IDF troops and posed a threat to forces in the areaIn a post on X IDF stated ELIMINATED Muhammad Samir Muhammad Washah a Hamas terrorist operating under the guise of an Al Jazeera journalist Washah a key terrorist in Hamasâ rocket amp weapons production HQ was also involved in the production and transfer of weapons through Gaza The terrorist was actively involved in planning attacks against IDF troops amp posed a concrete threat to forces in the areaOn Wednesday IDF Chief of the General Staff LTG Eyal Zamir overseeing the wave of strikes against Hezbollah said that Israel will continue to strike Hezbollah and use every operational opportunity according to his statement shared by IDF on XHe further said We will not compromise the security of the residents of northern Israel We will continue to strike with determinationThe IDF said on Wednesday that it has completed the largest coordinated strike in Lebanon since the start of Operation Roaring Lion According to the statement IDF hit more than 100 Hezbollah headquarters military arrays and commandandcontrol centers in Beirut Beqaa and southern LebanonIn 10 minutes the IDF completed the largest coordinated strike across Lebanon since the start of Operation Roaring Lion The strike targeted 100 Hezbollah headquarters military arrays and commandandcontrol centers in Beirut Beqaa and southern Lebanon including Intelligence command centers and central headquarters used planning terror attacks Infrastructure of firepower and naval arrays responsible for launching missiles Assets of the Radwan Force and the Aerial unitâHezbollahs elite units IDF posted on X IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/israel-claims-killing-nephew-of-hezbollah-chief-qassem-in-beirut-668664.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistans-oil-companies-face-crisis-as-govt-holds-up-funds-668665.html New Delhi April 9 Pakistans oil marketing companies are facing an acute liquidity crisis as up to Rs107 billion in unpaid price differential claims remain stuck with industry players accusing the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority of repeatedly shifting documentation requirements instead of clearing dues according to an article in the local media Industry estimates show the first claim of around Rs 27 billion filed in midMarch was only partially settled while subsequent claims worth Rs 7080 billion remain entirely unpaid The cumulative exposure has left companies operating on razorthin margins and struggling to sustain the cash flow as per the article in the Karachibased Express TribuneOfficials say the issue is not transparency but unpredictability Each time OMCs move to comply Ogra introduces fresh documentation demands â from invoicelevel reconciliations to repeated CEO CFO and auditor certifications â effectively resetting the process A revised format was circulated as recently as Monday night with no clarity on whether further changes will follow Each time the industry prepares to comply a new requirement arrives There is no finishing line in sight a senior industry source said noting that some audit firms may refuse involvement as the requirements fall outside of the standard audit scopeThe situation may worsen if the regulatory authority proceeds with a proposal to withhold 10 per cent of the payments until tax reconciliation with the Federal Board of Revenue â a move that could lock up another Rs74 billion for up to two monthsPrice differential claims arise when the government caps fuel prices below procurement cost and the difference needs to be reimbursed Delays force oil marketing companies to bridge the gap through borrowing which adds to the financial strainIndustry officials warn the crisis could soon translate into fuel supply disruptions if the liquidity continues to erode The sector has urged the Ministry of Energy to intervene and has called for immediate settlement of dues a single documentation framework and withdrawal of the proposed move to withhold some of the payments the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistans-oil-companies-face-crisis-as-govt-holds-up-funds-668665.html Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-international-airlines-scraps-passenger-discounts-cuts-flights-report-668496.html New Delhi April 8 IANS Pakistan International Airlines PIA has scrapped most passenger discounts and cut flight frequencies as rise in jet fuel prices squeezed the air carriers finances a new report has saidnbspPakistanbased Dawn cited a PIA spokesperson as saying that concessions are currently limited to children and infants and all other fare discounts withdrawnThe move followed a highlevel review of rising fuel costs and potential losses after Jet fuel JP1 prices jumped significantly over four times in recent weeksThe International Air Transport Associations IATA latest fuel monitor showed the global average jet fuel price touching 19519 a barrel last week according to multiple reportsPIA has also cut frequencies and suspended several international routes to counter global supply disruptions linked to the USIsrael war on IranPIA informed that flights to the UAE will be capped at 16 per week and services to other Gulf countries except Saudi Arabia will be suspended until the end of April Further flight operations to Beijing and Kuala Lumpur will also be halted from April 11 and April 14 respectivelyThe entire burden of higher fuel prices cannot be passed on to passengers the spokesperson said adding that administrative measures were necessary to limit financial lossesPakistan recently raised petrol prices to Rs 45840 per litre with a petroleum levy of Rs 161 per litre and a recent report said the move risks a structural shock on an already fragile economy The country later announced some relief on petrol pricesThe hike necessary under the constraints of the IMF programme will pass through supply chains inflating input costs compressing margins and ultimately dampening output it saidWhile the hike aims to mobilise revenue after the administration missed tax targets it will ultimately end up being a direct hit on viability of small and medium enterprises and transportdependent sectors the report notedIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-international-airlines-scraps-passenger-discounts-cuts-flights-report-668496.html Wed, 08 Apr 2026 14:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-brazenly-breaching-terms-of-imf-loans-report-668504.html New Delhi April 8 IANS While the International Monetary Fund IMF has asked Pakistan to remove subsidy on diesel as keeping prices of fuels below the market price violates the conditions that have been fixed for its loans to the cashstrapped country Islamabad has in brazen defiance of the norms gone ahead with reducing the subsidy on petrol as wellnbspThe prime ministers Friday night dash to slash the petrol levy undoing a massive price hike meant to fully pass on the global increase in fuel prices over supply disruptions from just 24 hours earlier suggests the government is back to its old economic playbook an article in Karachiheadquartered Dawn newspaper statesnbspWhile the move might not immediately blow up the latest stafflevel agreement with the IMF the lender remains concerned about existing distortions particularly in diesel pricing introduced after the first adjustment amid the USIsrael war on Iran on March 7 and is pressing for their early removal the article points outInitially the government had sought to offset the revenue loss from the petroleum levy on diesel currently at zero against the Rs 80 per litre targeted in the budget through higher levy rates on petrol But this cushion has narrowed sharply after the prime minister slashed the petrol levy by Rs 80 per litre to extend relief to all income groups rather than maintaining a targeted subsidy the article observesThe IMF quietly tolerated the targeted subsidy declared by the government presumably because it did not undermine the levys revenue target Last weeks announcement however has significantly altered that positionIt suggests that the governments attempt to balance public relief and fiscal discipline is becoming increasingly untenable A populist move the decision to slash the levy will weaken a major revenue source at a time when tax collection continues to fall short of the target the article statesnbspThis raises serious questions about the feasibility of meeting key IMF programme benchmarks such as the primary surplus The lenders insistence on removing distortions is therefore grounded in sound economic logic Islamabads predicament is largely selfinflictedYears of delayed tax reforms and a reluctance to decisively curb wasteful public expenditure have left the state with limited fiscal space to respond to external shocks The current oil price surge exacerbated by disruptions in global supply routes has merely exposed these underlying vulnerabilities the article points out IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-brazenly-breaching-terms-of-imf-loans-report-668504.html Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/iran-war-kuwait-urges-citizens-to-stay-indoors-at-night-668519.html Kuwait City April 8 The Ministry of Interior of Kuwait has issued a strong appeal to all citizens and residents to remain indoors and go out only if absolutely necessary citing current conditions in the country In its official Statement 18 the Ministry announced precautionary measures aimed at ensuring public safety and enhancing emergency response capabilities The advisory will be in effect from Tuesday April 7 at 1200 midnight until 600 AM on Wednesday April 8The Ministry stated that the move is intended to maintain safety support ongoing security operations and ensure overall stability across the nation Authorities have called upon everyone to strictly follow the instructions and extend full cooperation to security personnel during this periodThis nighttime restriction comes amid heightened regional tensions including threats of missile and drone activities in the broader Middle East Kuwait has been closely monitoring the situation with its air defence systems remaining on high alertSimilar advisories have been issued in recent weeks asking people to shelter in place avoid windows and rely only on official communications while refraining from spreading unverified informationThe Ministry concluded its statement with a prayer âMay Allah protect Kuwait and its peopleâResidents have been advised to plan their movements accordingly and treat the directive seriously to facilitate smooth security operationsNo specific reason for the timing was detailed in the statement beyond general precautionary needs but officials have repeatedly emphasised that the countryâs security situation is under constant monitoring and that state institutions are operating at full readinessThis latest appeal aligns with earlier measures including automatic extensions of visit visas and activation of the national emergency alert system reflecting Kuwaitâs proactive approach to safeguarding its population during uncertain regional developmentsCitizens and expatriates are encouraged to stay updated through official channels of the Ministry of Interior and avoid venturing out during the restricted hours unless in cases of genuine emergency IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/iran-war-kuwait-urges-citizens-to-stay-indoors-at-night-668519.html Wed, 08 Apr 2026 17:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-defends-risky-iran-rescue-amid-dissent-668204.html Washington April 7 President Donald Trump said some US military officials opposed a highrisk rescue mission in Iran warning it could cost hundreds of lives but he approved it anyway to bring back two downed airmenâ âNot everybody was on boardâ Trump said He added that âthere were military peopleâ that preferred not doing itââThe mission took place deep inside Iranian territory after an F15 fighter jet went down Two crew members ejected and were stranded behind enemy linesâTrump said the operation involved âhundreds and hundredsâ of personnel He said the risk was severeââHundreds of people could have been killedâ he saidâSome officials advised against itââThey saidâ You just donât do this You donât go into the heart of a very powerful militaryâ Trump saidâHe said he understood the concerns but went aheadââI understood that but I decided to do itâ he saidâThe rescue unfolded in two phases The first airman was recovered in a daylight mission The second who was injured evaded capture for hours before being located and rescuedâTrump highlighted the dangers of flying over hostile territoryââWe flew seven hours over Iranâ thatâs a long time over unbelievably hostile territoryâ he saidâHe said US forces had weakened Iranian defences but not eliminated themââThey still haveâ a shoulderâ missileâ he saidâMilitary planners warned of heavy lossesââThey saidâ weâre going to be sacrificing hundreds of peopleâ Trump saidâIn the end both airmen were rescued No American lives were lostâTrump said the outcome exceeded expectationsââIf you had told meâ nobody was even essentially injured I would have said that would be impossibleâ he saidâOfficials said the mission required coordination across air ground and intelligence units It lasted more than two daysâThe operation comes amid high tensions between the United States and Iran Washington has stepped up military pressure while keeping the door open for negotiationsâThe US military has long adhered to the âleave no one behindâ principle But such missions are rare They are often avoided due to high risksâOperations inside Iran are especially complex The terrain is rugged The military presence is dense That raises the stakes for any future action IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-defends-risky-iran-rescue-amid-dissent-668204.html Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-touts-military-dominance-after-iran-rescue-668205.html Washington April 7 The operation to rescue fighter pilots projected military dominance with top officials asserting that it demonstrated unmatched capability and warning adversaries of Americaâs reachâ Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the mission showed why the US has âthe greatest fighting force the world has ever knownâââIn two extraordinary combat search and rescue operations deep inside enemy territory in Iran our warriors executed missions of breathtaking skill courage and precisionâ he told reporters at a White House news conferenceâThe operation followed the downing of an F15 fighter jet inside Iran Two crew members ejected and were stranded behind enemy lines Both were later rescued in separate missionsâOfficials said the operations involved coordinated strikes intelligence support and special forces working under heavy enemy pressureââThese are not routine operationsâ highrisk highstakes missions conducted in the heart of enemy territoryâ Hegseth saidâHe said US forces operated for hours over Iran without being stoppedââWe flew for seven hours in daylight over Iranâ and Iran did nothing about itâ he saidâMilitary officials described intense combat conditions during the rescue Aircraft were hit by enemy fire Crews continued the mission despite the damageâGeneral Dan Caine said forces engaged enemy fighters while protecting rescue teamsââThey were violently suppressing and engaging the enemy in a closein gunfightâ he saidâOne aircraft was hit and later abandoned The pilot ejected safely and was recoveredâDespite the risks officials said all personnel returned safelyââNo American lives were lostâ Hegseth saidâThe mission lasted more than 50 hours It involved air cover drones refuelling aircraft and rescue units working in coordinationâHegseth said the operation sent a message to adversariesââThe Iranians are still asking themselves right now how did the Americans do thisâ he saidâHe added that US forces remain ready to act anywhereââThe United States military will go anywhere at any time to protect our own and complete the missionâ he saidâPresident Donald Trump also described the mission as historic and said it showed the strength of US military powerâOfficials said the operation comes amid ongoing US strikes and rising tensions with Iran Washington has increased military pressure while pushing for a negotiated outcomeâThe US has long relied on rapidresponse and special operations forces to recover personnel in conflict zones Such missions are rare due to the risks involvedâThe Iran operation highlights the scale of US military reach in the region and signals a willingness to operate deep inside hostile territory a factor that could shape future conflict dynamics in West Asia IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-touts-military-dominance-after-iran-rescue-668205.html Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/hormuz-priority-as-us-warns-iran-on-oil-route-668206.html Washington April 7 The strategic Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a central flashpoint in the escalating USIran standoff with President Donald Trump calling it âa very big priorityâ even as he warned Tehran of severe consequences if negotiations failâ Addressing a crowded White House press conference Trump underscored the vulnerability of the narrow oil chokepoint saying it could be disrupted with minimal effort âTo close the strait all you need is one terrorist that somehow has a truck loaded withâ a water mine Drop them in the waterâ he saidâHe added that even the perception of mines could halt global shipping âYou can do that even just by saying we put mines in the waterâ Trump said noting the risks for vessels worth billions of dollarsâThe remarks came amid heightened tensions following US military operations inside Iran and ongoing negotiations with Tehran Trump said Washingtonâs objective includes ensuring uninterrupted energy flows âPart of that deal is going to be we want free traffic of oil and everything elseâ he saidâThe Strait of Hormuz through which a significant portion of global oil passes has long been a geopolitical pressure point Trump suggested that while the US has degraded Iranâs conventional military capabilities asymmetric threats to the strait remain a concernââWeâve knocked out their navyâ knocked out their Air Force completelyâ he said adding that Iranâs ability to deploy mines or disrupt shipping still poses a challenge âThey could drop themâ Iâm not even sure they have any minesâ but theyâre very goodâ negotiatorsâ he saidâTrump also floated an unconventional idea imposing tolls on maritime traffic âWe have a concept where weâll charge tollsâ why shouldnât we Weâre the winnerâ he said framing it as a potential postconflict arrangementâAt the same time he indicated that diplomacy remains active but uncertain âThey have till tomorrow 800 eastern timeâ we think they are negotiating in good faithâ he said while warning of severe military action if talks collapseââWe can knock them out for a loopâ Trump said adding that infrastructure targets remain an option âVery little is off limitsâ he said though he also noted âI hope I donât have to do itââThe President acknowledged the broader global stakes saying multiple countries are engaged in efforts to resolve the crisis âA lot of people are affected by thisâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/hormuz-priority-as-us-warns-iran-on-oil-route-668206.html Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-sets-deadline-warns-iran-of-strikes-668207.html Washington April 7 US President Donald Trump has issued a final deadline to Iran to reach a deal warning of sweeping military action if talks fail as tensions in West Asia escalate with global energy and security implicationsâ âThey have till tomorrow 800 eastern timeâ Trump said adding that the window for diplomacy was closing fastâHe said negotiations were ongoing but uncertain âWe think they are negotiating in good faithâ weâre going to find outâ he told reporters at a crowded news conference hereâAt the same time Trump made clear that military options remain on the table âWe can knock them out for a loopâ he said underscoring the scale of potential US actionâHe added that âvery little is off limitsâ in terms of possible targets signalling that critical infrastructure could be hit if Iran fails to complyâThe President indicated that ensuring the free flow of oil remains central to US demands âPart of that deal is going to be we want free traffic of oil and everything elseâ he said pointing to the strategic importance of energy routes such as the Strait of HormuzâTrump described Iran as weakened after recent US operations âThey have no navyâ they have no Air Forceâ they have no antiaircraft weaponryâ he said while cautioning that asymmetric threats remainâHe also acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the next phase of the conflict âI canât tell youâ It depends on what they doâ Trump said when asked whether the war was nearing an end or could escalate furtherâThe remarks reflect a mix of pressure and diplomacy with the US seeking concessions while keeping the option of intensified strikes open Trump said several countries were engaged in efforts to resolve the crisis âA lot of people are affected by thisâ he notedâThe situation carries significant implications for global energy markets particularly if tensions disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz a key artery for oil supplies Trump warned that even limited actions such as deploying sea mines could halt traffic and trigger wider economic fallout IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-sets-deadline-warns-iran-of-strikes-668207.html Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/iran-rejects-us-ceasefire-offer-issues-10-point-plan-calling-for-permanent-end-to-war-668208.html Tehran April 7 Iran has rejected a USproposed 15point peace plan calling instead for a permanent end to the conflict the official news agency IRNA reported Tehran delivered its response in a 10point document citing past experiences as the reason it would not accept a ceasefire Xinhua news agency reportedThe response outlines Irans demands including ending regional conflicts establishing safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz reconstructing waraffected areas and lifting international sanctionsThe IRNA claimed the text was presented following recent developments in Irans western and central regions and the unsuccessful outcome of a US heliborne operation with US President Donald Trump extending a previously set deadline again and adjusting earlier threatsIn a press conference on Monday Trump called Irans 10point response a significant step but said it was not good enoughAlso on Monday Irans Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said a ceasefire would only give opponents time to regroup and commit further crimes and no sane person would accept itIn late March US media reported that Washington sent a 15point plan to Iran through Pakistan to try to end the war Iran later rejected the plan calling it excessive and disconnected from the realities on the battlefieldThe Islamic Republic set several preconditions for peace These include ending US and Israeli aggression creating mechanisms to prevent future attacks compensating for war damage stopping fighting across all fronts in West Asia and recognizing Irans sovereignty over the Strait of HormuzOn February 28 Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei senior military commanders and civilians Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli and US assets in the Middle East IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/iran-rejects-us-ceasefire-offer-issues-10-point-plan-calling-for-permanent-end-to-war-668208.html Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/un-alarmed-by-us-rhetoric-threatening-attacks-on-iranian-power-plants-bridges-spokesperson-668209.html United Nations April 7 The United Nations is alarmed by the US rhetoric that threatens attacks on Irans power plants and bridges a UN spokesperson said We were alarmed by the rhetoric seen in that social media post that threatened American attacks on power plants bridges and other infrastructure should Iran not agree to a deal Stephane Dujarric chief spokesman for UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres said at a daily briefingThe secretarygeneral has been very clear on issues regarding international law and he urges yet again all parties to abide by their obligations regarding the conduct of these hostilities he saidAccording to the spokesman Guterres recalls that civilian infrastructure including energy infrastructure may not be attacked even if specific civilian infrastructure were to qualify as a military objective Xinhua news agency reportedOnce again the secretarygeneral reaffirms that its high time for the parties to stop this conflict as there is no viable alternative to the peaceful settlement of international disputes he saidWhen asked if such attacks could constitute war crimes in the UN chiefs view Dujarric said that they would constitute violations of international law and that whether it is a crime or not would have to be decided by a courtBut any attack on civilian infrastructure is a violation of international law and a very clear one he said Meanwhile Irans Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi strongly condemned a US and Israeli attack on the Sharif University of Technology in the capital Tehran which severely damaged the building of its information technology center and a gas substation near the academic centers mosqueIrans army said Sunday it has targeted petrochemical industries and petroleum products storage facilities in southern Israel as well as US equipment depots satellite communication units and troops in a base in Kuwait IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/un-alarmed-by-us-rhetoric-threatening-attacks-on-iranian-power-plants-bridges-spokesperson-668209.html Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/massive-us-air-operation-saves-two-stranded-in-iran-trump-668210.html Washington April 6 A massive US air operation involving more than 100 aircraft rescued two airmen stranded in Iran in one of the most complex combat searchandrescue missions in recent years President Donald Trump said An F15 fighter jet went down late Thursday during Operation Epic Fury with both crew members ejecting over Iranian territory One was located and rescued within hours The second injured and separated by miles evaded capture for nearly two days before being extracted in a larger followup missionâWithin hours our armed forces deployed 21 military aircraft into hostile airspaceâ at times facing very very heavy enemy fireâ Trump told reporters at a crowded White House news conferenceJoint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine said both crew members were âisolated behind enemy linesâ after ejecting triggering an immediate rescue operation to bring them home safelyThe first pilot was recovered in daylight after US aircraft entered Iranian airspace and engaged hostile forces The second airman a weapons systems officer landed far from the crash site injured and surrounded by enemy personnelTrump said he âwas injured quite badly and stranded in an area teeming with terroristsâ forcing him to move through rugged terrain while avoiding captureThe second rescue mission expanded sharply in scale Trump said it involved â155 aircraft including four bombers 64 fighters 48 refuelling tankers 13 rescue aircraftâ along with deception tactics to mislead Iranian forces searching for the downed officerCIA Director John Ratcliffe said the operation depended on speed and precision describing it as âa race against the clockâ and comparing the search to âhunting for a single grain of sand in the middle of a desertâRatcliffe said the CIA deployed âhuman assets and exquisite technologiesâ and conducted a deception campaign to confuse Iranian search effortsOnce the second airmanâs position was confirmed US forces launched a nighttime rescue under heavy threat Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the missions were âhigh risk high stakesâ conducted in the heart of enemy territoryâHe said the downed airman sent a brief message after activating his beacon âGod is goodâCaine said rescue aircraft including A10 support planes and drones engaged enemy forces while helicopters moved in to extract the airman One aircraft was hit and later abandoned in friendly territory while helicopters involved in the first rescue also took fire with minor injuries reportedDespite the risks all personnel were recovered without fatalities âNo American lives were lostâ Hegseth saidTrump said some military officials had opposed the mission because of the danger âThere were military people that said you just donât do thisâ he said noting the risk that âhundreds of people could have been killedâHe also criticised a media leak that revealed one airman was still missing saying it alerted Iranian authorities and triggered a wider search âThe entire country of Iran knew that there was a pilotâ fighting for his lifeâ he saidOfficials said the broader campaign over Iran has involved more than 10000 combat flights and over 13000 strikes in recent weeks Trump described the scale as âunheard ofâ and âunparalleledâThe downing of the F15 marked the first loss of a manned aircraft in the current operationThe United States has long followed a doctrine of recovering personnel behind enemy lines a principle reinforced in conflicts from Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan Such missions are among the most complex in warfare and require coordination across air ground and intelligence unitsTensions between the United States and Iran have remained high for decades driven by disputes over nuclear ambitions regional influence and military confrontations IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/massive-us-air-operation-saves-two-stranded-in-iran-trump-668210.html Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-blasts-nato-allies-over-iran-war-668212.html Washington April 7 US President Donald Trump sharply criticised NATO and key US allies for not supporting Washingtonâs military campaign against Iran calling the alliance a âpaper tigerâ âNATO is a paper tigerâ Trump said arguing that the alliance had failed to step up during the conflictHe said allies had âgone out of their way not to helpâ and even declined to provide logistical support âThey didnât even want to give us landing stripsâ he saidTrump broadened the criticism to include countries such as Japan South Korea and Australia âJapan didnât help usâ Australia didnât help usâ South Korea didnât help usâ he saidHe suggested that the United States had carried the burden of the conflict alone âNATO is usâ he said emphasising US dominance within the allianceThe comments reflect growing tensions between Washington and its allies as the Iran war escalatesAccording to The Wall Street Journal many US partners view Washingtonâs approach as âunpredictableâ and are reluctant to join the conflict despite relying on American security guaranteesThe report noted that the war has placed allies âin front of an uneasy dilemmaâ particularly as energy disruptions and economic fallout mountTrump also criticised European allies for their stance saying they had refused to participate despite longstanding tiesThe lack of allied involvement marks a departure from previous USled conflicts where coalition support was a key componentâI have to tell you Im very disappointed in NATO very I think its a mark on NATO that will never disappear in my mindâ Trump said in response to a questionâNo its not a dangerâ he said in response to a questionâWe went to NATO I didnt ask very strongly I just said hey if you want to help great no no no we will not help I said thats all right You dont want to help because Ive always said NATOs a paper tiger See NATOs a paper tigerâ Trump saidâPutins not afraid of NATO Putins afraid of us very afraid of us and hes explained it to me a lot of times I got to know him very well I know him very well NATO is a paper tiger NATO is US obviously they havent helped at all just the opposite Theyve actually gone out of their way not to help They didnt even want to give us landing stripsâ he saidâThink of it And its not just NATO You know who else didnt help us South Korea didnt help us You know who else didnt help us Australia didnt help us You know who else didnt help us Japan Weve got 50000 soldiers in Japan to protect them from North Korea We have 45000 soldiers in South Korea to protect us from Kim Jong Un who I get along with very well as you knowâ Trump said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-blasts-nato-allies-over-iran-war-668212.html Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/brazil-launches-measures-to-cushion-fuel-price-hikes-668213.html Rio de Janeiro April 7 Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva launched a package of measures designed to cushion the impact of international energy price volatility on Brazils economy The president on Monday signed a series of decrees to provide immediate relief to consumers and businesses while strengthening the countrys energy security and reducing Brazils exposure to external shocksA major part of the package was a diesel subsidy crucial for freight transport in the country The federal government and the states will jointly finance the subsidy of 120 reals 023 per litre for diesel imports with the federal government shouldering half of the subsidyFor the renewable fuels sector the government announced the exemption of two federal taxes on biodiesel which will lead to a price reduction of 002 reals 0004 per litre Biodiesel represents 15 per cent of the diesel blend sold in Brazil Xinhua news agency reportedThe package also includes measures for liquefied petroleum gas LPG widely used in Brazilian homes The government will subsidize all LPG imports for the next few months providing a subsidy of 850 reals 165 per tonneThe total estimated cost of this measure is 330 million reals about 64 million and it will allow imported LPG to be sold at the same price as locally produced LPG reducing the impact of international price increases on households especially lowerincome familiesThe government also announced the creation of two credit lines for the aviation sector totaling up to 9 billion reals 175 billionMeanwhile the government sent an urgent bill to Congress that criminalizes price gouging with penalties ranging from two to five years in prison IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/brazil-launches-measures-to-cushion-fuel-price-hikes-668213.html Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-signals-us-role-in-rebuilding-iran-668214.html Washington April 7 US President Donald Trump signalled that the United States could play a role in rebuilding Iran if a deal is reached even as he warned of sweeping destruction if negotiations fail âWe may even get involved with helping them rebuild their nationâ Trump said suggesting a postconflict role for WashingtonThe remark came alongside a stark warning about potential strikes on Iranian infrastructure âEvery bridge in Iran will be decimatedâ every power plantâ burning exploding and never to be used againâ he saidTrump added that such destruction was not his preferred outcome âWe donât want that to happenâ he said noting that rebuilding could take decades âIt will take them 100 years to rebuildâThe President framed the approach as a mix of pressure and opportunity urging Iran to meet US demands before a deadline âThey have till tomorrowâ now weâll see what happensâ he saidHe said the United States was dealing with âa active willing participant on the other sideâ and expressed cautious optimism about negotiationsAt the same time he made clear that reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ensuring âfree traffic of oilâ would be central to any agreementReporting by The Wall Street Journal noted that Trump has warned of targeting âbridges and power plantsâ if Tehran does not comply underscoring the escalation riskTrump also indicated that US involvement could extend beyond military objectives âWe may even get involvedâ and you know what If thatâs the case the last thing we want to do is start with power plantsâ he saidThe dual messaging reflects a strategy of coercive diplomacy â combining threats of force with incentives for cooperationHistorically USled reconstruction efforts in the Middle East have been complex and controversial often involving longterm commitments and mixed outcomesThe possibility of rebuilding Iran even as military operations continue signals that Washington may be preparing for multiple scenarios IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-signals-us-role-in-rebuilding-iran-668214.html Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/cias-deception-campaign-covert-hunt-key-to-recuse-of-us-jet-pilot-in-iran--668215.html Washington April 7 The Central Intelligence Agency CIA has played a critical role in locating a stranded US airman deep inside Iran deploying covert capabilities and deception tactics in what officials described as a race against time CIA Director John Ratcliffe said the mission relied on both human intelligence and advanced surveillance tools âWe deployed both human assets and exquisite technologies that no other intelligence service in the world possessesâ he saidHe described the effort as âcomparable to hunting for a single grain of sand in the middle of a desertâThe downed airman had ejected into hostile terrain and remained hidden for nearly two days while evading Iranian forces Ratcliffe said speed and secrecy were essential to prevent captureâIt was critical that we locate the downed aviator as quickly as possible while at the same time keeping our enemies misdirectedâ he saidTo achieve that the CIA executed âa deception campaign to confuse the Iranians who were desperately hunting for our airmanâRatcliffe said the breakthrough came on Saturday morning when intelligence assets confirmed that the airman was alive and concealed in mountainous terrain âWe achieved our primary objective by finding and providing confirmation that one of Americaâs best and bravest was aliveâ he saidPresident Trump offered additional details saying intelligence teams tracked movement from a long distance âWeâre seeing something moving up in the mountainâ 40 miles awayâ he said adding that after sustained observation âthey said we have himâThe CIAâs confirmation allowed the military to launch the second larger rescue operation involving a significant force packageOfficials said the mission demonstrated the integration of intelligence and military capabilities with realtime coordination enabling precise targeting and rapid responseRatcliffe emphasised that many aspects of the operation remain classified âCovert means exactly that Iâm not going to be able to tell you everythingâ he saidThe success of the mission also reflected coordination between intelligence agencies and military units operating in hostile conditions where even minor delays could have led to capture or worseThe operation comes amid broader US military action in Iran where officials say thousands of sorties have been conducted in recent weeks IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/cias-deception-campaign-covert-hunt-key-to-recuse-of-us-jet-pilot-in-iran--668215.html Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/cias-deception-campaign-covert-hunt-key-to-rescue-of-us-jet-pilot-in-iran--668216.html Washington April 7 The Central Intelligence Agency CIA has played a critical role in locating a stranded US airman deep inside Iran deploying covert capabilities and deception tactics in what officials described as a race against time CIA Director John Ratcliffe said the mission relied on both human intelligence and advanced surveillance toolsâWe deployed both human assets and exquisite technologies that no other intelligence service in the world possessesâ he saidHe described the effort as âcomparable to hunting for a single grain of sand in the middle of a desertâThe downed airman had ejected into hostile terrain and remained hidden for nearly two days while evading Iranian forces Ratcliffe said speed and secrecy were essential to prevent captureâIt was critical that we locate the downed aviator as quickly as possible while at the same time keeping our enemies misdirectedâ he saidTo achieve that the CIA executed âa deception campaign to confuse the Iranians who were desperately hunting for our airmanâRatcliffe said the breakthrough came on Saturday morning when intelligence assets confirmed that the airman was alive and concealed in mountainous terrainâWe achieved our primary objective by finding and providing confirmation that one of Americaâs best and bravest was aliveâ he saidPresident Trump offered additional details saying intelligence teams tracked movement from a long distance âWeâre seeing something moving up in the mountainâ 40 miles awayâ he said adding that after sustained observation âthey said we have himâThe CIAâs confirmation allowed the military to launch the second larger rescue operation involving a significant force packageOfficials said the mission demonstrated the integration of intelligence and military capabilities with realtime coordination enabling precise targeting and rapid responseRatcliffe emphasised that many aspects of the operation remain classified âCovert means exactly that Iâm not going to be able to tell you everythingâ he saidThe success of the mission also reflected coordination between intelligence agencies and military units operating in hostile conditions where even minor delays could have led to capture or worseThe operation comes amid broader US military action in Iran where officials say thousands of sorties have been conducted in recent weeks IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/cias-deception-campaign-covert-hunt-key-to-rescue-of-us-jet-pilot-in-iran--668216.html Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-invokes-faith-in-iran-war-rhetoric-668217.html Washington April 7 US President Donald Trump on invoked religious language to justify US actions in the Iran conflict saying he believed âGod supportsâ the American position âI do Because God is goodâ Trump said when asked if he believed divine backing existed for the war âGod wants to see people taken care ofâThe remarks came during a wideranging White House news conference where Trump also discussed military operations and diplomatic effortsHe said he did not âenjoyâ the conflict âI donât like whatâs happeningâ he said âI donât enjoy itâDefence Secretary Pete Hegseth also used religious imagery describing the rescue of a stranded airman in terms of Easter symbolism He said the pilot was âshot down on a Friday Good Fridayâ rescued on Sundayâ a pilot rebornâTrump himself linked the successful rescue to divine intervention âGod was watching usâ it was the Easterâ God was watching usâ he saidAccording to The Washington Post Trump said he believed God supports US actions in Iran even as the conflict intensifiesThe report noted that Trump has increasingly framed the war in religious terms while raising the possibility of broader strikesThe President also emphasised moral justification for the conflict pointing to human rights conditions in Iran âThey want freedomâ he said referring to Iranian citizensThe use of religious rhetoric adds a new dimension to US messaging on the war combining strategic arguments with moral and ideological framing IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-invokes-faith-in-iran-war-rhetoric-668217.html Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/30-indian-fishermen-repatriated-from-sri-lanka-return-journey-underway-668218.html Colombo April 7 Thirty Indian fishermen were repatriated from Sri Lanka on Tuesday and are currently on their way back home the Indian High Commission in Colombo announced Sharing the update on X the Indian mission said 30 Indian fishermen were repatriated from Sri Lanka today and are on their way homeThe detention of Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities has been a recurring issue often arising from allegations of crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line IMBL in the Palk Bay and Palk Strait region The matter remains a longstanding concern rooted in fishing disputes with regular diplomatic engagement by Indian authorities and appeals from the Tamil Nadu government contributing to periodic releases and repatriationsEarlier on March 14 a group of 14 Indian fishermen was repatriated from Sri Lanka and returned to Chennai after being detained by the Sri Lankan Coast Guard for alleged maritime boundary violations Their release was facilitated through diplomatic intervention by the Indian High CommissionIn subsequent developments nine Indian fishermen were repatriated on March 20 while three others were sent back on March 17In early March a Sri Lankan court ordered the release of eight fishermen from Rameswaram who had been arrested on January 13 for alleged IMBL violations However two others in the same case were sentenced to imprisonment and fines while seven fishermen were kept in a special camp pending repatriationThe issue had also drawn attention in February when Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin urged the Central government to expedite the return of Indian fishermen released by Sri Lankan courts His appeal included cases involving 12 fishermen from Mandapam and Mayiladuthurai who had been arrested between late 2025 and early 2026 with some later shifted to detention centres following court ordersThe matter of fishermen crossing the maritime boundary is frequently raised during bilateral discussions between India and Sri Lanka with both sides emphasising the need for a humane approach while also exploring longterm solutions such as alternative livelihood options and improved boundary management mechanisms IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/30-indian-fishermen-repatriated-from-sri-lanka-return-journey-underway-668218.html Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/nasas-artemis-ii-crew-sets-new-distance-record-668221.html Washington April 7 Astronauts aboard NASAâs Artemis II mission have set a new record for the farthest distance travelled by humans from Earth marking a major milestone in the first crewed lunar mission in over five decades Four astronauts â Reid Wiseman Victor Glover Christina Koch and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen â crossed the historic threshold six days into their mission travelling 248655 miles from Earth and eventually reaching about 252756 miles at the farthest point of their journeyThe milestone surpasses the previous record set during the Apollo 13 mission in 1970 establishing a new benchmark in human spaceflightâAt NASA we dare to reach higher explore farther and achieve the impossible Thatâs embodied perfectly by our Artemis II astronauts â Reid Victor Christina and Jeremy They are charting new frontiers for all humanityâ said Dr Lori Glaze acting associate administrator for Exploration Systems Development Mission DirectorateâTheir dedication is about more than breaking records â itâs fueling our hope for a bold future Their mission is carrying our promise to return to the Moonâs surface this time to stay as we establish a Moon Baseâ she addedThe crew is currently on a 10day mission designed to test the Space Launch System SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft in a deep space environment with astronauts onboard The mission includes a lunar flyby before returning to EarthSpeaking from aboard the Orion spacecraft Hansen reflected on the momentâFrom the cabin of Integrity here as we surpass the furthest distance humans have ever traveled from planet Earth we do so in honoring the extraordinary efforts and feats of our predecessors in human space explorationâ he saidâWe will continue our journey even further into space before Mother Earth succeeds in pulling us back to everything that we hold dear But we most importantly choose this moment to challenge this generation and the next to make sure this record is not longlivedâDuring the lunar flyby the astronauts conducted extensive observations capturing highresolution images of the Moon and studying surface features including craters and geological formations The crew also witnessed a solar eclipse as the Moon passed in front of the Sun and experienced a planned communications blackout lasting about 40 minutes as the spacecraft moved behind the MoonAt one point the spacecraft came within about 4067 miles of the lunar surface offering astronauts a rare view of regions of the Moon not previously seen directly by humansThe mission has also produced scientific data through imagery telemetry and direct human observation which will inform future Artemis missionsThe crew is scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego on April 10 where recovery teams will retrieve them for postflight medical evaluations before their return to shoreArtemis II is the first crewed mission in NASAâs Artemis programme which aims to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustained presence there The programme is also seen as a stepping stone for future human missions to MarsThe last time astronauts travelled beyond low Earth orbit was during the Apollo missions more than five decades ago By surpassing that record Artemis II marks a significant step in reviving deep space human exploration and advancing longterm ambitions for lunar and interplanetary missions IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/nasas-artemis-ii-crew-sets-new-distance-record-668221.html Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/op-sindoor-blow-global-rebuff-leave-asim-munir-scrambling-for-narrative-control-668222.html New Delhi April 7 Pakistan has been indulging in a fake narrative campaign against India While Pakistan is known to sponsor terror groups to strike India in recent months it has been fighting another battle which involves spreading false information against its neighbouring country The cause for this sudden rise in the number of fake stories being planted in India is Field Marshal Asim Munirâs failure and his desperation to build his own legacy The big blow for Asim Munir was Operation Sindoor during which the terror infrastructure was blown up by the Indian Armed ForcesAn Intelligence Bureau official said that the biggest setback Munir faced was from Pakistanâs own proxies The JaisheMohammad JeM in particular questioned the capability of the Pakistan Army and ISI in protecting the group when the Indian forces took down their headquarters at BahawalpurThe JeM chief Masood Azhar is reportedly upset with the establishment and since Operation Sindoor he has hardly been seen Another official said that with questions being raised about the capabilities of the Pakistan Army it became imperative for Asim Munir to indulge in a fake narrative campaign against IndiaWhile it worked to a certain extent the mask blew up when Pakistan faced backtoback diplomatic failures while dealing with foreign nations Pakistan watchers say that the foreign policy that Pakistan would have hoped to build a reputation on has been crumblingThe battle in Afghanistan was a big blow to Asim Munir He would have hoped to have manoeuvred the Afghan Taliban easily but that ploy failed Since the comeback of the Taliban Pakistan had hoped to control Afghanistan but that fell flat Afghanistan has been clear that it would not want any influence when it came to its own foreign policyA big drawback was when the Afghan Taliban mended ties with India This led to the Pakistan Army falsely claiming that the Afghan Taliban had given space for the TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP to launch attacksThe Afghan Taliban has firmly denied it but Pakistan decided to launch a war against Afghanistan Disnfo Lab a group of researchers who investigate InfoWarfare and Psywar took to X and said that after Operation Sindoor Asim Munir has been trying to build his legacy as a successful leaderPakistan has been receiving a cold shoulder from the UAE Saudi Arabia Iran and Afghanistan Munir has been desperately trying to create a narrative as it has become a matter of his survival The global press is not buying the narrative and hence it has been building its own global press network so that it can sell narratives of its choiceDisnfo Lab points to the creation of the Himalayan Institute of Research and Policy Studies HIRPS at the Minhaj Institute in Lahore The institute claims that it is an institute that studies geopolitics security and climate across the Himalayan belt from Pakistan to China to India to Central Asia The institute that was set up in November 2025 is headed by Prof Dr Hussain MohiudDin Qadri He is a known critic of India and under him are a bunch of academics retired army officers and other individuals who also indulge in an antiIndia campaignAn official said that the intention of the HIRPS is to hold discussions and conduct studies While on the face of it the institute claims that it is studying geopolitics in reality its intention is to hold global conferences and then run a fake narrative against IndiaIt would try to portray India as an aggressor in the region so that the global press could pick up the information the official addedFurther Pakistan also drew up the Strategic Communication Master Plan 2025 STRATCOM 2025 which is aimed at building Englishlanguage media platforms to project Pakistanâs fake narratives globally As part of Munirâs strategy to get global recognition he also ensured the setting up of media platforms such as AsiaOne News Karachi July 2025 Pakistan TV Digital August 2025 DM News English Manchester UK August 2025 FP92TV Paris active from 2024 and Afrik1 TVAsiaOne is headquartered in Karachi and was launched just two months after Operation Sindoor The channel hired presenters from Turkey Nigeria the UK and Australia The hiring is done in a manner that makes the platform look international The channel is owned by 365 Digital Media Company and was founded by a former TRT World journalist Naveed Qamar Baloch who has close ties with the ISITRT which is a Turkeystatefunded media group has been helping Pakistan to spread a fake narrative against India It has very often pushed the fake claims made by the DG ISPR against India For instance during Operation Sindoor the media outfit peddled fake news such as Indian jets being taken down by the Pakistan armed forcesAnother media outfit that the Pakistan establishment started was the DM News English which was founded by a Manchesterbased British Pakistani Dr Liaqat Malik The media outfit presents itself as British and has studios in Manchester Birmingham London and Lahore The founder is a known peddler of fake news and has very often promoted criminal activities on airTo ensure that Pakistanâs fake narrative reaches beyond the Englishspeaking audience it also launched FP92TV which is a FrenchUrdu digital channelThese are clear signs that Pakistan has been losing the global narrative The global media is not buying Pakistanâs storiesPakistan had tomtommed that it would be brokering a ceasefire between Iran and the United States However Iran spoke about a major trust deficit This was Asim Munirs best chance at shaping his legacy as a global leader but that fell flat Pakistan has a military pact with Saudi Arabia but failed to stand by it in the battle against IranEven the UAE which has been targeted during the ongoing war has major trust issues with Pakistan as it feels that the country plays according to where the wind blows An official explained that questions are being asked about Asim Munir both domestically and internationally This explains why he has set up so many media houses He is desperate for global attention and hopes that these outlets which he has set up will help him get attention in the global mediaMunir has also managed to suppress the local media while giving a boost to these new outlets which are presenting themselves as global brandsAnother official explained that it was Pakistanâs misadventure in Pahalgam that cost them the narrative and loss of face The Narendra Modi government hit back hard in the form of Operation Sindoor and this is something that Asim Munir is unable to digest to date the official said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/op-sindoor-blow-global-rebuff-leave-asim-munir-scrambling-for-narrative-control-668222.html Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-fm-khalilur-rahman-to-visit-india-today-668223.html New DelhiDhaka April 7 Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi on Tuesday for a threeday official visit focused on reinforcing bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh During the visit Rahman will hold detailed discussions with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar In addition he is expected to call on National Security Advisor NSA Ajit Doval and Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri as part of his highlevel engagements in the capitalThe trip assumes significance as it is the first visit by a Bangladeshi Minister to India since the BNPled government assumed office in February indicating a shift in the recalibration of India and Bangladesh ties which had strained during the eighteenmonth tenure of the former Muhammad Yunusled interim government amid escalating attacks on Hindu minorities and antiIndia rhetoricKey issues likely to dominate the discussions include the resumption of visa services for Bangladeshi citizens enhancing energy cooperation strengthening border management mechanisms resolving pending matters related to river watersharing and boosting trade facilitation measuresRahman will be accompanied by Humayun Kabir Foreign Affairs Advisor to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman reflecting the importance Dhaka is placing on the visitAccording to reports in Bangladeshi media Dhaka is expected to press for a more positive and proactive approach from India towards the complete restoration of visa services The Bangladeshi side is also likely to highlight the economic and social benefits linked to medical tourism which has been impacted by the current restrictionsTourist visas for Bangladeshi nationals have remained suspended since July 2024 citing security concerns Additionally visa processing centres in Bangladesh have been operating with limited staff following incidents of violence and vandalism reported outside Indian facilities sources were quoted as saying by leading Bangladeshi daily The Dhaka TribuneIn a related development earlier on Monday Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma called on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman where both sides discussed ways to enhance bilateral engagement and cooperation across key sectorsDuring the meeting Verma expressed Indias willingness to deepen ties through a positive constructive and forwardlooking approach built on shared interest and mutual benefitMeanwhile diplomatic interactions between the two countries have also extended to defence cooperationLast week Bangladeshs High Commissioner to India M Riaz Hamidullah held a meeting with Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi in New Delhi and discussed enhancing defence cooperation including joint training initiativesThey discussed opportunities for deeper collaboration to promote regional peace and security IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-fm-khalilur-rahman-to-visit-india-today-668223.html Tue, 07 Apr 2026 11:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/from-islamic-nato-ambition-to-isolation-asim-munirs-strategic-failures-deepen-668263.html New Delhi April 7 Pakistan had tried to project itself as a net security provider in West Asia and even tried opening the possibility of setting up an Islamic NATO Considering that Pakistan is a nuclear state it felt that it could lead such a coalition and the creation of the Islamic NATO would take centre stage in West Asia Pakistan entered into a defence pact with Saudi Arabia following which even Turkey sought a similar agreement with Islamabad Pakistan had hoped to even rope in Egypt and Somalia into this alliance When Pakistan felt that everything was going in its favour the USIsraelIran conflict broke out Iran began hitting US targets in several Gulf nations and Saudi Arabia in particular hoped that Pakistan would honour the defence pact and stand by it Officials say that Pakistan has a problem of plenty and hence has backed out from supporting Saudi Arabia It cannot afford to anger the 15 per cent Shia population in the country Although smaller in number when compared to the Sunnis the Shias are present throughout the ranks of the Pakistan military Pakistan also cannot join the US and Israel as this would anger the Sunni population within the country who are viewing the ongoing war as a religious one between the Muslims and the ChristianJewish combine Another official said that Pakistan which was riding high on its newfound ties with the US and a defence pact with the Saudis ultimately turned out to be an opportunist nation The manner in which the events have unfolded of late makes it clear that globally Pakistan is very low on trust and cannot be relied upon when a problem hits a nation Another official said that Pakistan had made a very desperate push to set up the Islamic NATO and also be its key player The official added that Pakistans lack of commitment during a crisis situation coupled with its opportunist nature ended its dream of an Islamic NATO With this Islamabads strategic ambitions in West Asia also collapsed the official added With the Islamic NATO dream collapsing like a pack of cards Pakistans Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir tried playing a role by offering to negotiate between the US and Iran However Iran has rejected the offer There are plenty of trust issues between Iran and Pakistan It may be recalled that in January 2025 Iran had dropped missiles and conducted drone attacks on the terror group JaishalAdals bases in Balochistan Pakistan watchers say that with one policy after the other failing Munir has decided to step up the heat on Afghanistan The experts say that Munir who had projected himself as a great leader capable of rewriting Pakistans position on the global stage has failed miserably After he armtwisted his way into becoming a Field Marshal after the losses his terror groups faced during Operation Sindoor Munir is also being questioned internally Of late he has not been consulting with the political class and has been making decisions unilaterally It is not about saving Pakistans face anymore It is about trying to make Asim Munir look good officials say An Intelligence Bureau official said that Munir will not step up the heat on Afghanistan and also indulge in widespread atrocities in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa KP where the Pakistan security forces are battling against the Balochistan Liberation Army BLA and TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP In Afghanistan Pakistan has indulged in atrocities and in one attack over 400 children were killed after a school in Kabul was bombed The official also adds that the Indian security agencies too need to remain on very high alert as Munir would tell his forces to step up tensions along the border Field Marshal Asim Munir is a desperate man and owing to multiple failed policies both internally and externally he is likely to indulge in some major misadventure IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/from-islamic-nato-ambition-to-isolation-asim-munirs-strategic-failures-deepen-668263.html Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-releases-rs-423-crore-to-bhutan-to-support-13th-five-year-plan-projects-668276.html Thimphu April 7 India and Bhutan held the 17th Monthly Coordination Meeting in Thimphu where both sides discussed progress and charted next steps for projects underway in the Himalayan nation with the Indian governments support The meeting organised on Monday was cochaired by the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India in Thimphu and the Director General of the Department of MacroFiscal and Development Finance DMDF in Bhutans Ministry of FinanceDuring the meeting Indian Deputy Chief of Mission Aniket Govind Mandavgane handed over cheques amounting to Rs 423 crore Bhutanese Nu 423 million to the Bhutanese Ministry of Finance towards the implementation of projects under the 13th FiveYear Plan of the Himalayan nation According to the Indian Embassy in Thimphu Rs 1686 crore Nu 1686 million was released for strengthening infrastructure facilities for the Zhung Dratshang the Central Monastic Body in Bhutan The funding aims to create conducive living learning and spiritual environments preserve and continue cultural and spiritual practices and ensure the sanitation safety and wellbeing of monks and nunsAdditionally Rs 1501 crore Nu 1501 million was allocated for the construction of the modern highstandard KhuruKuenphen bridge on BajoKhuru SNH which was inaugurated on March 27 Meanwhile to improve road transport Rs 544 crore Nu 544 million was released for upgrading 17 km of road to the standard of a Primary National Highway to align with the entire length of the Northern East West Highway NEWH The Indian mission said that this project is expected to facilitate smooth and fast movement of all types of vehicular traffic and reduce travel time and vehicle operating cost as well as risk for the commuters Furthermore Rs 499 crore Nu 499 million was released for the upgrade and development of the Royal Institute of Management RIM campus including renovation of hostels procurement of library resources computers and accessories for labs and offices and establishment of linkages with Indian institutionsBoth sides also reviewed progress and addressed implementation issues of Government of Indiasupported projects under the 13th FiveYear Plan This included Human Resource Development and Skilling Programmes being implemented by the Bhutanese Ministry of Education and Skills Development to enhance productivity and performance of the workforce engaged in different priority sectors through reskilling and upskilling activities The meeting also discussed the status of implementation of activities under the Economic Stimulus Programme ESP the Indian Embassy mentionedIndia has committed Rs 10000 crore total for the plan period with regular disbursements covering infrastructure including colleges and irrigation mega farms and governance initiatives to strengthen the longstanding bilateral development partnership IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-releases-rs-423-crore-to-bhutan-to-support-13th-five-year-plan-projects-668276.html Tue, 07 Apr 2026 13:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-ex-speaker-shirin-sharmin-chaudhury-arrested-in-dhaka-668283.html Dhaka April 7 Bangladeshi police on Tuesday arrested senior Awami League leader and former Parliament Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury the countryâs first woman to hold the post according to local media reports Confirming the development Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Media NM Nasiruddin said she was taken into custody from her residence in Dhakaâs Dhanmondi early Tuesday morningAddressing the journalists Nasiruddin said that Chaudhury is currently undergoing interrogation and details of subsequent steps will be announced laterâAs far as we know cases have been filed against her over incidents during the July movement at Banani and Uttara police stations in the capital There is also a case against her in Rangpurâ Bangladeshi daily Dhaka Tribune quoted the police official as sayingCiting sources Dhaka Tribune reported that a case has been lodged against Chaudhury in connection with the fatal shooting of gold worker Muslim Uddin in Rangpur during the July 2024 protestsThe murder case filed on August 27 2024 implicates Chaudhury and 16 others including former commerce minister Tipu MunshiMunshi remains in custody following his arrest in the same caseChaudhury a former member of parliament from the Rangpur6 constituency became the first female speaker of the parliament when she was elected on April 30 2013She went on to serve four consecutive terms with her latest term as speaker of the 12th National Parliament on January 30 2024Reports suggest that Chaudhury stepped down on September 2 2024 27 days after the fall of the Sheikh Hasinaled Awami League governmentThis latest incident reflects a continuing pattern of crackdown on Awami League leaders and activists that has persisted since the eighteenmonth tenure of the former Muhammad Yunusled interim governmentLast month the Awami League expressed grave concern over what it described as ongoing mass arrests and custodial killings of political leaders and activists across the country saying the actions violate fundamental rights and undermine justice and the rule of lawThe party alleged that the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP government has followed the path of the former Yunusled interim government by using state machinery to carry out repression torture and suppression aimed at silencing dissent and pursuing political vengeanceMass arrests of political leaders and activists along with deaths in custody continue to occur Repeated arrests indiscriminate remand orders and reports of custodial deaths are causing pain and anger across the nation the Awami League stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-ex-speaker-shirin-sharmin-chaudhury-arrested-in-dhaka-668283.html Tue, 07 Apr 2026 13:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-measles-outbreak-claims-118-lives-mostly-children-668301.html Dhaka April 7 As Bangladesh grapples with a measles outbreak a total of 118 people mostly children died from the suspected cases local media reported on Tuesday citing the countryâs Directorate General of Health ServicesDGHS According to the DGHS the fatalities have been recorded since March 15 including five deaths in the 24hour period ending Monday morningThe health agency stated that the 2006 suspected measles patients primarily children are currently receiving care at hospitals across the countryReports suggest another two children died with the symptoms of an infectious disease at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital RMCH bringing the total number of such deaths at the facility to 42 Confirming the recent fatalities hospital spokesperson Shankar Kumar Biswas confirmed that deaths occurred over a 24hour span Sunday to Monday morning the Bangladeshi daily Dhaka Tribune reportedExperts warned that in the absence of systemic reform emergency measures taken to control the measles outbreak are unlikely to yield significant benefitsBenazir Ahmed a health expert and former director of disease control at the DGHS said that the previous Muhammad Yunusled interim governmentâs sudden cancellation of the sectoral programme which provided funds for vaccination sparked a measles vaccine crisis resulting in the deaths of many childrenâWhen we are supposed to celebrate something positive on World Health Day we have to fight an outbreak which is very unfortunate We are supposed to eliminate measlesrubella by 2026 but we are struggling with the growing number of measles patients at hospitals Bangladeshâs leading newspaper Daily Star quoted Ahmed as sayingAdditionally the special campaign for immunisation planned for late 2024 could not be carried out amid the political transitionAccording to health officials the interim government did not launch any such drive while workers responsible for administering the shots went on strike three times in 2025 disrupting the regular vaccination programmeSpeaking to Daily Star on condition of anonymity another official said that the Expanded Programme on Immunisation EPI was forced to ration vaccines in some region since January due to a fund shortage Mushtaq Husain another public health expert said that although the government has undertaken an emergency vaccination campaign to control the spike in measles cases and deaths the health sector requires reform to ensure sustainable progressAmid the rising fatalities experts have also urged the government to take urgent action warning that failure to act could lead to a widespread measles outbreak as one patient can infect 16 to 18 people IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-measles-outbreak-claims-118-lives-mostly-children-668301.html Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/nepal-foreign-minister-to-attend-indian-ocean-conference-in-mauritius-668309.html Kathmandu April 7 Nepalâs Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal is set to participate in the ninth Indian Ocean Conference scheduled to be held from April 10 to 12 in Mauritius Indias Ministry of External Affairs the India Foundation a New Delhibased think tank and the Government of Mauritius are jointly organising the conference â an annual flagship event held since 2016 that brings together global leaders and experts to deliberate on key regional and global challenges in the Indian Ocean Region IORKhanal will become the first Cabinet minister to travel abroad following the formation of the new government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah on March 27âMinister Khanal is scheduled to go to Mauritius later this week to attend the conferenceâ Lok Bahadur Poudel Chettri the Foreign Ministry spokesperson told IANS âThe ministry is making necessary preparations for the foreign ministerâs participation in the conferenceâChettri said the foreign minister is likely to address the conference and the issues to be included in the address are being prepared He is also expected to meet several counterparts from Asia and AfricaThe annual conference serves as an important international platform aimed at promoting regional cooperation and addressing both emerging and traditional challenges in the strategically significant IORThis yearâs conference is being held under the theme Collective Stewardship for Indian Ocean Governance which will guide discussions among heads of government senior officials private sector representatives scholars and policy experts the India Foundation said on its websiteThe key areas of focus include maritime security economic development environmental sustainability and evolving geopolitical dynamicsâThe conference is expected to foster dialogue and collaboration among countries bordering the Indian Ocean as well as major global powers with strategic interests in the regionâ the foundation saidSince its establishment in 2016 the forum has emerged as a significant venue for advancing regional cooperation Countries such as India Sri Lanka Australia Oman and Singapore have played central roles in its proceedingsOver the years the conference has addressed a wide spectrum of issues ranging from traditional security concerns such as naval power and territorial disputes to emerging challenges including climate change natural disasters and economic disruptions IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/nepal-foreign-minister-to-attend-indian-ocean-conference-in-mauritius-668309.html Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-section-144-imposed-in-rawalpindi-ahead-of-ptis-protest-outside-adiala-jail-668321.html Islamabad April 7 The authorities have imposed Section 144 in Rawalpindi till April 20 considering the Pakistan TehreekeInsaf PTI protest outside the Adiala jail local media reported on Tuesday In an order released on Monday Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema enforced Section 144 of the CrPC in Rawalpindi from April 6 to April 20 banned gatherings sitins and protests Pakistans leading daily Dawn reportedThe order issued by Rawalpindi DC reads It has been brought to my attention by the District Intelligence Committee DIC in its meeting held on April 4 that there exists an imminent threat within the limits of District Rawalpindi particularly surrounding sensitive installations prominent roads and other critical infrastructureAccording to the order the DIC has reported intelligence suggesting that certain groups and elements are making efforts to disturb law and order situation in the district through gatherings protests and assembliesThe order stated The forum further indicates that these elements may target soft locations and mobilise individuals with the potential to engage in violent actions near key installations and other sensitive sitesCheema stated that considering these circumstances it is necessary to ensure the security of the people and buildings against any possible threat Subsequently he imposed a ban on gatherings of five or more individuals in Rawalpindi Furthermore ban has been imposed on display of arms other than possessed by law enforcement personnel and objectionablehate speechCheema also imposed a ban on carrying weapons spikes ball bearings petrol bombs laden batons improvised explosives or any other instrument that could possibly be used for violence Pillionriding and the use of loudspeakers have also been bannedRawalpindi Deputy Commissioners order comes as PTI has called for a peaceful protest outside the Adiala jail on Tuesday over the restrictions imposed on meeting PTI founder Imran Khan The party has also said that it will hold a protest in Rawalpindi on April 9 marking the day when Imran Khan was ousted in a noconfidence motion in 2022 Dawn reportedIn the past few months PTI has held sitins outside Adiala jail every Tuesday and Thursday which are the days allowed by court to meet Imran Khan who has been incarcerated at the jail and has faced restrictions in meeting his family members and party leaders IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-section-144-imposed-in-rawalpindi-ahead-of-ptis-protest-outside-adiala-jail-668321.html Tue, 07 Apr 2026 16:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-in-a-fix-as-deadline-for-repaying-35-billion-uae-debt-nears-668327.html New Delhi April 7 Debtridden Pakistan is facing a grim financial situation as it has to repay 35 billion to the United Arab Emirates this month The repayment confirmed by a senior cabinet minister during a press briefing as reported by Pakistanâs Express Tribune comes at a time when Islamabadâs foreign exchange reserves have fallen to abysmally low levels raising concerns about the countryâs capacity to fulfil its external debt obligationsThis financial burden has been intensified by the United Arab Emiratesâ reported decision not to extend further rollovers on the debt For years Pakistan has relied on such rollovers from friendly nations to ease immediate repayment pressures and stabilise its reserves However shifting geopolitical dynamics particularly tensions linked to the ongoing USIsraelIran conflict appear to have influenced Abu Dhabiâs stance accelerating Islamabadâs need to settle its obligations according to an article in Sri Lankaâs Guardian newspaperThe implications for Pakistanâs economy are significant Foreign exchange reserves already stretched thin will take a direct hit as funds are redirected toward debt servicing Economists warn that this could weaken the countryâs capacity to manage its external accounts potentially affecting its ability to pay for imports and maintain currency stability Such pressures come at a delicate time as Pakistan continues to navigate a challenging economic recovery under the framework of an International Monetary Fund program the article pointed outIn recent years the financial relationship between Pakistan and the UAE has been marked by both cooperation and tension In 2018 Abu Dhabi provided 2 billion to support Pakistanâs economy followed by an additional request from Islamabad for 1 billion in 2023 to meet external financing needs These arrangements were part of a broader pattern in which Pakistan has leaned heavily on bilateral partners to bridge funding gaps while implementing economic reforms tied to international lending programsNow with rollover options narrowing Pakistan is exploring alternative approaches Some officials have indicated that discussions are underway to convert portions of the debt into investment a move that could ease immediate repayment pressures while fostering longerterm economic engagement However such arrangements remain uncertain and may not provide timely relief given the urgency of current obligations the article observedGeopolitical factors are also shaping the situation Pakistanâs perceived proximity to Iran during the ongoing regional conflict has added complexity to its relations with Gulf partners including the UAE While Islamabad has traditionally balanced its ties across the Middle East shifting alliances and heightened tensions are testing that equilibrium with potential economic consequences the article pointed outThe broader context of Pakistanâs financial position further amplifies the challenge The countryâs reliance on external financing including support from the International Monetary Fund and allied nations reflects structural weaknesses in its economy such as low export competitiveness high fiscal deficits and limited revenue generation These issues have made Pakistan particularly vulnerable to external shocks whether economic or geopolitical the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-in-a-fix-as-deadline-for-repaying-35-billion-uae-debt-nears-668327.html Tue, 07 Apr 2026 16:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-afghan-transgender-woman-killed-in-peshawar-over-friendship-refusal-668343.html Islamabad April 7 A transgender woman identified as Sara was killed in Peshawar city of Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province after she refused to have friendship with an individual and allegedly did not pay extortion local media reported The incident took place outside a plaza in Peshawars Faqirabad where assailants riding on a motorcycle opened fire at Sara hitting at her for six to seven times Pakistans leading daily The Express Tribune reported She was taken to Lady Reading Hospital where she succumbed to her injuriesSara an Afghan national was residing in Kohat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for several years before shifting to Peshawar around five to six years back Saras body could not be sent to Afghanistan due to lack of official documents and she was buried Rahman Baba Cemetery under police and transgender community supervision the newspaper reportedPreliminary investigations suggest that Sara was killed over refusing friendship The accused Adam had a prior friendship with her and the incident occurred because she chose not to maintain friendships with anyone else the daily quoted Faqirabad SP Resham Jahangir as sayingA close associate of the suspect has been arrested and police are working to arrest the main perpetrator He further mentioned that a financial dispute may also be one of the reason for killing as the accused allegedly spent a large amount of money on Sara and a conflict might have erupted when he asked the money back leading to gunfire Police has lodged an FIR into the caseKhyber Pakhtunkhwa Shemale Association Farzana said It is a tragic incident Transgender people in the province are being killed regularly while being denied opportunities to participate in functions and eventsSpeaking to The Express Tribune Transgender rights activist with TransAction Alliance Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Arzu said that 170 transgender individuals have been killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since 2015 with over 700 injured in shootings and violent attacks and noted that perpetrators are rarely brought to justiceEarlier in January a report while highlighting an attack on Bindiya Rana said that violence against the transgender community has surged in PakistanRana was attacked at her home while she was having tea with Zehrish Khanzadi another trans woman who works for the Gender Alliance Interactive GIA an organisation that advocates for transgender rightsWithin seconds of Rana unlocking the door remotely from the kitchen three shots rang out The men fled and she narrowly escaped all three bullets Khanzadi was quoted as saying by the leading UK daily The GuardianRana is the head of GIA while Khanzadi works as a rights activistBy morning they had filed a formal police complaint against the unknown assailants As an activist Khanzadi is acutely aware of the risks that trans communities in Pakistan face but she never expected to become a victim herself in the safety of her own home in Karachi Those who protect others are now under attack she told the UK newspaperThe shooting incident on January 19 was the latest in a series of brutal assaults and killings of transgender people in Pakistan In September Nadira a trans woman who had gone to beg at Sea View beach in Karachi was attacked with a knife for rejecting a man who was approaching herI told him Iâm a beggar not a sex worker but he wouldnât listen Nadira who is HIVpositive said She managed to protect her bag which had Pakistani Rupees PKR 2500 However the attacker stabbed her in the abdomen Two days later three trans women were shot at close range on Karachis outskirtsViolence against the transgender community in Pakistan has surged GIA has documented 55 killings in Sindh province between 2022 and September 2025 including 17 in Karachi In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa KP province elders in several districts have been ordering trans women to leave accusing them of corrupting the youth In September about 200 people including four transgender people were arrested at a dance in Swabi The Guardian report stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-afghan-transgender-woman-killed-in-peshawar-over-friendship-refusal-668343.html Tue, 07 Apr 2026 17:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/irans-fm-discusses-ongoing-war-with-indian-russian-counterparts-over-phone-668050.html Tehran April 6 Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi exchanged views with his Russian and Indian counterparts on the ongoing regional conflict involving the United States Israel and Iran In two separate phone calls Araghchi on Sunday discussed the latest developments in the West Asia region as well as the security and economic consequences of the US and Israeli aggression with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar according to statements released by the Iranian Foreign MinistryAraghchi elaborated on the crimes committed by the United States and Israel against Irans people over the past 37 days including their attacks on Iranian industrial and production infrastructure hospitals schools residential areas as well as nuclear centers and facilities Xinhua news agency reportedHe urged all influential parties at the UN Security Council to adopt responsible approaches that are based on international lawHe highlighted the firm determination of Iranian people and armed forces to powerfully defend Irans national interests and security warning about the consequences of the US and Israeli aggression for the stability and security in the region and the worldLavrov for his part stressed the need for stopping the illegal attacks against civilian targets especially the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in southern Iran calling for grasping every opportunity to prevent the expansion of the conflicts scopesThe Indian foreign minister highlighted the importance of efforts to restore stability and security to the region expressing his countrys support for the ongoing efforts at the regional and international levels to stop the warThe phone calls came amid heightened regional tensions following joint USIsraeli strikes on Iran starting on February 28 to which Iran and its regional allies responded with attacks on Israeli and US interests across the Middle East IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/irans-fm-discusses-ongoing-war-with-indian-russian-counterparts-over-phone-668050.html Mon, 06 Apr 2026 09:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/au-partners-warn-middle-east-conflict-poses-serious-risk-to-african-economies-668051.html Addis Ababa April 6 The African Union AU and its partners have warned that the ongoing Middle East conflict poses a serious risk to African economies In a joint policy brief the AU the United Nations UN Economic Commission for Africa the African Development Bank and the UN Development Program warned that the longer the conflict lasts and the more severe the disruption on shipping routes energy and fertilizer supplies the greater the risk of a significant growth slowdown across Africa Xinhua news agency reportedWith most African countries still growing at rates below the preCOVID time the brief projected a loss in output growth of 02 percentage points on Africas gross domestic product for 2026 if the conflict exceeds six monthsThe organizations stressed that the conflict which has already triggered a trade shock could quickly become a costofliving crisis through higher fuel and food prices Rising shipping costs insurance premiums exchange rate pressures and tighter fiscal conditions could further compound the crisis with vulnerable households bearing the heaviest burdenThe Middle East accounts for 158 per cent of Africas imports and 109 per cent of exports which highlights the critical implications of the current situation for African economies according to the briefHighlighting that the fertilizer channel may prove more consequential than oil shocks for some countries the brief noted that disruptions to Gulf liquid natural gas supply would affect ammonia and urea production raising fertilizer costs during the crucial MarchtoMay planting seasonIt warned that the phenomenon will put further upward pressure on food prices and hit vulnerable households hardest with significant negative impacts on food security in AfricaExpressing concern over potential geopolitical spillover effects that could reshape Africas security it also warned that a wider conflict could intensify competition for influence in Africa with regional conflicts in Sudan Somalia and Libya already reflecting external sponsorshipThe brief emphasised the importance of strengthening energy security safeguarding and restoring fiscal space accelerating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area and establishing financial safety nets across Africa as essential strategies for building resilience IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/au-partners-warn-middle-east-conflict-poses-serious-risk-to-african-economies-668051.html Mon, 06 Apr 2026 09:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-ruling-party-govt-agree-on-efforts-to-send-special-envoys-to-middle-east-to-secure-crude-oil-668052.html Seoul April 3 The ruling Democratic Party DP of South Korea and the government agreed on Monday to seek the dispatch of special envoys to Saudi Arabia Oman and Algeria to secure crude oil as the Strait of Hormuz a key oil shipping route is effectively closed amid the USIsraeli war with Iran The DP lawmakers and government officials are working to secure crude oil supplies through consultations with countries that have alternative routes Rep Ahn Dogeol told reporters after a consultative meeting at the National AssemblyThey also vowed to step up diplomatic efforts to stabilise the supply of crude oil including dispatching the envoys to Saudi Arabia Oman and AlgeriaAuthorities are pushing to dispatch five Koreanflagged vessels to the Saudi Arabian city of Yanbu on the Red Sea coast according to Rep AhnDuring the meeting the officials also discussed measures to release the nations strategic oil reserves to private refiners to tackle shortages of oil suppliesThe government will first supply the strategic oil reserves to private refiners and later carry out swaps once the overseas shipment arrives in Korea Ahn saidOn the supply of naphtha he said the government is conducting intensive checks on the supply chains across 50 major industries on a daily basis as domestic disruptions have intensified following US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran Naphtha is a key feedstock widely used in petrochemical and other industries Yonhap news agency reportedEarlier on April 3 Lee Jae Myung and French President Emmanuel Macron held summit talks and discussed ways to expand cooperation to mitigate the economic impacts of the war in the Middle East while strengthening strategic coordination on international issuesLee had addressed growing concerns over uncertainties in global energy supply chains as the Strait of Hormuz a vital oil shipping route has been effectively disrupted for weeks by the United States war in Iran pushing up prices for crude and related products worldwide IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-ruling-party-govt-agree-on-efforts-to-send-special-envoys-to-middle-east-to-secure-crude-oil-668052.html Mon, 06 Apr 2026 09:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-uses-profanity-religious-rhetoric-to-vent-fury-over-iran-war-668053.html New York April 6 US President has vented his frustration and fury with the way the Iran war has developed with an outburst of foul language and religious references in social media posts that raise questions on how he may act and how far he would go when his latest deadline for Tehran to open the Strait of Hormuz ends on Tuesday âOpen the Fâinâ Strait you crazy bastards or youâll be living in Hellâ he wrote on Sunday with the fourletter word spelt outHe ended the post invoking the Islamic deity âPraise be to AllahâIt came mere hours after the second crew member of the jet shot down by Iran was rescuedOn Easter eve he issued a warning âTime is running out 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on themâ And he added âGlory be to GODâIn both posts he invoked visions of âhellâTehran also upped the ante in the war of words and threatsâIf the White House dares to repeat its foolish mistakes it will soon realise that the flow of global energy and trade can be disrupted with a single moveâ warned Ali Akbar Velayati a former foreign minister and a senior advisor to Iranâs Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei according to that countryâs mediaIran Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf retorted to Trumpâs warning of âhellâ posting on X âYour reckless moves are dragging the United States into a living HELLâThe threats could be a blow to the tripartite diplomacy among Pakistan Turkey and Egypt to defuse the situation even after Islamabadâs efforts to involve ChinaIranâs Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi indicated on Saturday that Tehran was ready for talks denying reports that it was backing outWe âhave never refused to go to Islamabadâ he saidTrumpâs outburst was a far cry from his optimism last week He had said that âtalksâ were going well â referring to the messages exchanged through Pakistan and other intermediaries adding âI do see a deal in Iran yeah Could be soonâHe even asserted that he had achieved a âregime changeâ in Tehran and was dealing with A NEW AND MORE REASONABLE REGIME to end our Military OperationsBut his new threat of an allout battle would end the diplomatic effortsIranâs retaliation targeting the Gulf countriesâ energy production infrastructure could worsen the global energy situationUS presidents have used foul language in private as several aides have disclosed or in the case of former President Joe Biden being caught on a hot mike using the âFwordâBut this was the first time that a president has used such language in what is essentially a virtual diplomatic demarche though delivered digitallyHis virulent post came as he was flailing in polls about the Iran war his performance and midterm election prospects while spiking prices hit the electorateCNN polls last week showed 64 per cent of Americans disapproved of the military action against Iran with only 28 per cent approving it a margin approximated in other pollsSixtytwo per cent disapproved of his job performance and only 38 per cent approved â ominously close to Bidenâs low of 36 per centTwo generic polls about the Congressional elections in November from CNN and The Economist showed the Democrats picking up six seats in the House of Representatives ending the Republicansâ slim holdIf that happens the Democrats would have a firm grip on the House with the threat of impeachmentAfter having followed Israel into the devastating conflict Trump has faced contingencies that he admits he had not foreseen Iranâs ability to restrict access to the Strait of Hormuz that can hit petrol pumps in Washington and Tehran striking US allies in the Gulf further hurting the global energy situation and shooting down at least one US aircraftHis attempts to get NATO to get involved have also failed after he shunned Britainâs offer to send an aircraft carrier and rained invectives on his alliesFacing what appears to be an intractable situation he said in his Sunday post âTuesday will be Power Plant Day and Bridge Day all wrapped up in one in Iran There will be nothing like itâ â a warning that he would order the destruction of power plants and bridges across Iran to cripple it IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-uses-profanity-religious-rhetoric-to-vent-fury-over-iran-war-668053.html Mon, 06 Apr 2026 09:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-lee-expresses-regret-over-drone-flights-by-individuals-into-pyongyang-668054.html Seoul April 6 South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Monday expressed regret over drone flights by individuals into North Korea saying that such behaviour has caused unnecessary military tension with Pyongyang Lee made the remarks during a Cabinet meeting after prosecutors last week indicted three individuals accused of flying drones into North Korea between September and JanuaryThose indicted include a graduate student in his 30s an employee of the National Intelligence Service and a military officerAlthough this was not an act by our government I express regret to the North Korean side over the unnecessary military tension caused by such reckless behavior Lee saidLee has previously criticised the drone incursions on several occasions but this marks the first time he has expressed regret directly to North KoreaHe said civilians are prohibited from engaging in unauthorised private acts that could provoke North Korea stressing that even when such actions are deemed necessary for national strategy they must be handled with the utmost caution Yonhap news agency reported It is deeply regrettable that individuals carried out such provocative acts toward North Korea on their own he said calling such actions unacceptableLee also addressed concerns among residents near border areas noting that the incident had caused significant anxiety Yonhap news agency reportedWe need to carefully consider who such actions are really meant to benefit he said urging relevant ministries to revise regulations and take swift measures to prevent recurrencesAmid a rapidly shifting global landscape Lee emphasised the importance of Seouls responsible role in maintaining peace and stability on the Korean PeninsulaWe should closely monitor the changes in the harsh international order which requires more responsible action to ensure peace on the Korean Peninsula he saidLee has extended an olive branch to resume dialogue with Pyongyang since taking office in June 2025 but North Korea has rebuffed those overtures formally describing South Korea as the most hostile state in a parliamentary speech last month IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-lee-expresses-regret-over-drone-flights-by-individuals-into-pyongyang-668054.html Mon, 06 Apr 2026 09:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-supports-ongoing-efforts-to-stop-war-iran-after-eam-jaishankar-araghchi-talks-668061.html Tehran April 6 India has stressed the importance of restoring stability and security in West Asia and expressed support for ongoing efforts aimed at stopping the war the Iranian Foreign Ministry has said External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar held a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on Sunday and discussed the recent developments about the situation in West Asia Irans Foreign Minister referring to what he described as grave crimes committed by US and Israeli forces against the Iranian people including attacks on industrial and production infrastructure as well as peaceful nuclear facilities under safeguards also highlighted continued rhetoric by US officials openly threatening strikes on Irans energy infrastructure read a statement by Irans Foreign Ministry after the phone conversation between the two leaders During the conversation Araghchi emphasised the responsibility of the international community and the United Nations to confront violations of international law and prevent the normalisation of war crimesThe Iranian Foreign Minister stressed the firm determination of the countrys people and armed forces to defend the national interests and security warning about the broader consequences of US and Israeli military actions for regional and global stabilityIndias Foreign Minister noting the importance of restoring stability and security in the region expressed support for ongoing regional and international efforts aimed at stopping the war the Ministry statement readEarlier on Sunday EAM Jaishankar said he received a call from Araghchi during which the two leaders discussed the prevailing situation in the region EAM Jaishankar in a post on X said Received a call from Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi of Iran Discussed the present situation He however did not elaborate on the specifics of the conversationThe interaction comes amid rising tensions in West Asia particularly around the Strait of Hormuz a critical global oil transit route The region has seen heightened military activity and sharp rhetoric from multiple sides fuelling concerns of a wider conflict IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-supports-ongoing-efforts-to-stop-war-iran-after-eam-jaishankar-araghchi-talks-668061.html Mon, 06 Apr 2026 09:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/australian-scientists-find-evidence-of-rare-form-of-exploding-star-with-missing-black-holes-668084.html Sydney April 6 An Australianled study has uncovered evidence of a rare form of exploding star shedding light on one of the most cataclysmic events in the universe The study published in Nature uses gravitational wave observations to probe how the most massive stars end their lives strengthening the case for a longpredicted forbidden gap in blackhole masses according to a statement from Australias Monash UniversityAt the end of their lives most massive stars collapse into black holes objects with gravity so strong that not even light can escape it said However extremely massive stars are thought to become so hot that they are blown apart in a pairinstability supernova an explosion so violent that the star is completely destroyed and leaves no black hole behind reports Xinhua news agency quoting the statement from Australias Monash UniversityResearchers identified a forbidden range of blackhole masses more than 45 times the Suns mass where stellarorigin black holes are rare The gap aligns with models in which such stars explode via pairinstability and leave no remnantProject lead Tong Hui a PhD candidate from Monash University said the study found a forbidden mass range where stars seemingly dont make black holesThe only black holes in this mass range are made from merging smaller black holes rather than directly from stars Tong Hui saidConfirming the existence of this gap would help settle a major question about how the most massive stars live and die and the origin of black holes the researchers said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/australian-scientists-find-evidence-of-rare-form-of-exploding-star-with-missing-black-holes-668084.html Mon, 06 Apr 2026 11:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/cooling-halted-at-japans-fukushima-daini-nuclear-plant-after-pump-malfunction-668097.html Tokyo April 6 The operator of Japans Fukushima Daini Nuclear Power Plant a facility currently being decommissioned has said it suspended cooling of a spent fuel pool after a pump malfunction triggered an alert Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings TEPCO said an alarm for the spent fuel pool of the plants No 1 reactor went off at around 245 pm local time on Sunday Workers shut down the pump after smoke was detected at the site halting the pools cooling system reports Xinhua news agencyRadiation levels around the nuclear plant have shown no change and no injuries have been reported so far TEPCO said adding that it was investigating the cause of the malfunction and working to repair the pump as quickly as possible to restore coolingAccording to public broadcaster NHK the pool water temperature stood at 265 degrees Celsius when the cooling system was halted leaving about 8 days before it would exceed the 65degree Celsius threshold set for safe operationThe fourreactor Fukushima Daini plant sits about 12 km south of the Fukushima Daiichi plant both of which were crippled by a massive earthquake and an ensuing tsunami in March 2011 prompting TEPCO to decommission both facilities Earlier on April 2 Japan began the first round of discharge of nuclearcontaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean in fiscal 2026The latest discharge is the 19th round of the ocean release since the operation began in August 2023 according to the plants operator TEPCOIn this round set to run through April 20 about 7800 tonnes of wastewater will be discharged TEPCO saidThe utility plans to discharge a total of 62400 tonnes of contaminated water in eight rounds in fiscal 2026 which began on WednesdayHit by a 9magnitude earthquake and an ensuing tsunami on March 11 2011 the Fukushima nuclear plant suffered core meltdowns that released radiation resulting in a level7 nuclear accident the highest on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event ScaleDespite opposition from local fishermen residents and the international community ocean discharge of the Fukushima nuclearcontaminated water began in August 2023 So far approximately 141000 tonnes of wastewater have been released into the sea IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/cooling-halted-at-japans-fukushima-daini-nuclear-plant-after-pump-malfunction-668097.html Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/vietnams-16th-national-assembly-convenes-first-session-tran-thanh-man-re-elected-as-top-legislator-668098.html Hanoi April 6 The 16th National Assembly NA of Vietnam opened its first session on Monday morning in the capital city of Hanoi Speaking at the opening ceremony General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam CPV Central Committee To Lam said that the session will focus on institutionalising the resolution of the 14th National Congress of the CPV while creating a legal and institutional foundation and policy impetus for the countryLam expressed his expectation that the 16th NA for the 20262031 term will fulfil the important responsibilities entrusted by the party the state and the people contributing to the realisation of the aspiration of building a peaceful independent democratic prosperous civilised and happy Vietnam and steadily advancing toward socialismThe first session of the 16th National Assembly will conduct highlevel appointments for the state apparatus while considering and approving eight draft laws and one resolution according to an announcement released at a press conference on the tentative agenda of the session reports Xinhua news agencyMeanwhile Tran Thanh Man chairman of the 15th parliament was reelected to lead the countrys top legislature for its 16th tenureMan a member of the Political Bureau of the 14th Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee won a majority of votes to continue in the postMan born in 1962 previously assumed the NA chairmanship on May 20 2024He used to be vice chairman and chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee and has been the permanent NA vice chairman since April 2021On April 26 2024 the 13th Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee accepted the resignation of Vuong Dinh Hue as a Politburo member and Vietnams NA chairman upon his personal requestDuring an extraordinary session held on May 2 2024 the countrys top legislature passed a resolution to relieve Hue from being the NA chairman and a 15th tenure NA deputy IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/vietnams-16th-national-assembly-convenes-first-session-tran-thanh-man-re-elected-as-top-legislator-668098.html Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/japan-preparing-for-summit-talks-with-iran-pm-668101.html Tokyo April 6 The Japanese government is arranging summit talks with Iran Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Monday local media reported We are preparing dialogues at the leadership level at an appropriate time Takaichi told a parliamentary committee in response to a question from an opposition lawmaker about Japans diplomatic efforts amid the ongoing USIsraelIran conflict according to Kyodo NewsEarlier on March 30 Prime Minister Takaichi said that she would consider holding talks with the Iranian leadership at an appropriate time if it serves Japans national interest as tensions in West Asia remain high local media reported I will judge the appropriate timing for holding talks based on the national interest from a comprehensive standpoint Takaichi told a session of the House of Representatives Budget Committee according to Kyodo NewsStability in West Asia is of critical importance to Japan which relies on the region for over 90 per cent of its crude oil imports Xinhua news agency reportedEarlier on March 19 Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi told President Donald Trump that she believed he alone could deliver peace in a world facing a severe security crisis as the two leaders met at the White House against the backdrop of tensions in West Asia and growing fears over the global economyâ Takaichi made the remark during an Oval Office appearance placing Japan firmly alongside Washingtons push for regional stability while also stressing the risks to energy supplies and navigationTrump also praised Takaichi for her leadership and electoral victory saying she had won a tremendous election in a recordsetting fashion He added We have a very popular powerful woman and shes a great woman and said the two countries shared a very fine relationshipâSanae Takaichi told US President Donald Trump at the White House that she believed it is only you Donald who can achieve peace across the world offering strong public backing as the two leaders discussed Iran energy security and turmoil in West Asia IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/japan-preparing-for-summit-talks-with-iran-pm-668101.html Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/mount-semeru-volcano-erupts-in-indonesia-668110.html Jakarta April 6 Indonesias Mount Semeru in East Java province erupted several times on Monday morning sending thick ash up to 1100 meters above its summit according to the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation An official at the Semeru monitoring post reported that the ash columns ranging from white to grey moved southward with moderate intensity reports Xinhua news agencyBy press time the volcano had recorded at least seven eruptions since midnight The activity began at 0038 am local time with the most recent blast occurring at 929 am The peak of this activity was observed at 651 am when the ash plume reached its maximum height of 1100 metersAuthorities have warned the public to remain outside a 5km radius of the summit In the southeastern sector the exclusion zone extends 13 km along the Besuk Kobokan river with further warnings that lahars and pyroclastic flows could reach up to 17 km from the peakEarlier in March Mount Semeru erupted sending an ash column about 1000 meters above its summit the countrys volcanology agency saidThe eruption also produced a hot avalanche cloud that travelled about three kilometres to the southeast along the Besuk Kobokan river channelMonitoring officials stated the thick grey ash drifted to the northeast and east and the eruption lasted nearly five minutes with a maximum seismic amplitude of 12 mmIn February Mount Semeru erupted five times on Wednesday sending volcanic ash up to 1000 meters above its summit according to the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation PVMBGLiswanto an officer at the Semeru Volcano Monitoring Post said the first eruption occurred at 0028 am local time on February 11 The strongest eruption was recorded at 0536 am the same day when an ash column rose 1000 meters into the sky The fifth eruption took place at 0806 am later in the day and was accompanied by notable seismic activity he addedMount Semeru remains at Level III alert the secondhighest level in Indonesias fourtier volcanic warning systemThe PVMBG has advised the public not to conduct activities within 13 kilometres of the summit and within a 5kilometre radius of the crater due to potential hazards including hot clouds and volcanic materials Residents living near the volcano have been urged to remain vigilant and follow instructions issued by local authoritiesStanding 3676 meters above sea level Semeru is the tallest volcano on Java Island and among the most active in Indonesia The archipelagic country lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire and has nearly 130 active volcanoes IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/mount-semeru-volcano-erupts-in-indonesia-668110.html Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/mesabi-metallics-secures-150-million-dollar-from-macquarie-group-668135.html Nashwauk MN United States April 6 Mesabi Metallics Company LLC Mesabi Metallics backed by Essar Group on Monday announced that it has secured 150 million of financing from Macquarie Group supporting the Q3 2026 startup of its worldscale Direct Reduction DR grade iron ore mine and pellet plant in Nashwauk Minnesota The latest financing builds on recent capital momentum for the structurally important American iron ore projectThe financing follows Mesabiâs recently announced 520 million senior secured credit facility with Breakwall Capital further reinforcing the strong momentum behind the projectMesabi has also recently received support from the US ExportImport Bank EXIM reflecting the projectâs growing strategic importance to US manufacturing infrastructure automotive shipbuilding and defenseMesabi Metallics is building a strategically important new American source of DRgrade iron ore at a time when the United States is working to strengthen industrial supply chains and reduce reliance on imported raw materialsLocated on more than 16000 acres in Northern Minnesota Mesabi Metallics is completing a 25 billion worldscale merchant DRgrade iron ore mine and pellet plant that will supply the next generation electric arc furnaces of American steelmaking the cleanest and most energy efficient way of making highquality steelWith more than 800 construction workers currently onsite the project is one of the largest private sector industrial investments in Minnesotaâs history Essar Group has already invested more than 2 billion of equity into the projectâThis financing from Macquarie marks another major step forward for Mesabi Metallics and builds on the strong momentum we have established with our recently announced financial partnershipsâ said Joe Broking President and CEO of Mesabi MetallicsâTogether these transactions reflect growing confidence in the quality scale and strategic importance of our project as we build a new American source of DRgrade iron ore to strengthen domestic steel supply chains and reduce dependence on importsâ Broking addedâMacquarie has enjoyed a longstanding financing relationship with Essar Group and we are pleased to extend that relationship to their metals and mining investments in the USâ said Mike Burns Senior Managing Director in Macquarie Groupâs Commodities and Global Markets businessâMesabi is developing a highquality and strategically important project for the US steel sector and we look forward to supporting the company over the long termâ Burns added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/mesabi-metallics-secures-150-million-dollar-from-macquarie-group-668135.html Mon, 06 Apr 2026 13:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/prahaar-pressure-desperate-isi-pushes-khalistani-groups-for-strikes-in-north-india-668137.html New Delhi April 6 A deliberate strategy to keep outfits such as the LashkareTaiba quiet for the time being is being orchestrated by the ISI A major push is being made to promote the Khalistani terror groups with the targets being Punjab and Delhi an official said Pakistan is busy on multiple fronts and wants to use outfits such as the LashkareTaiba to battle against the TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP and Balochistan Liberation Army BLAAn Intelligence Bureau official said that the ISI has activated its modules in various parts of the world The instruction given to them is to step up arms smuggling into India so that they can be used to carry out attacks the official saidThe recent chatter picked up by the Intelligence agencies suggests that the arms smugglers especially those associated with the Khalistanbacked gangsters have become activeAnother official said that the ISI wants as many arms and ammunition to be smuggled into India so that they can be used to carry out attacks The Khalistani terror groups in particular have become extremely active which in turn has mandated a probe by multiple agenciesThe National Investigation Agency NIA has learnt that a major plot has been hatched to carry out strikes in Punjab and Delhi An official said that the attacks in Punjab were aimed at reviving the Khalistan movement The attack in Delhi was to send out a strong message to the Central Government which has been successful in keeping the Khalistan movement at bayThere is a clear sign of desperation that can be seen among these ISIbacked terror groups While Operation Sindoor dealt a deadly blow to terror infrastructure in Pakistan the new national counterterrorism policy and strategy called âPrahaarâ has been a major dampener for these ISIsponsored terror groupsAnother official said that Prahaar has been a successful strategy by the Union Government Thanks to this terror attacks arms and ammunition smuggling and other antinational acts have come down drastically across the country the official said The ISI wants to counter this strategy and hence is pushing the Khalistani terror groups to indulge in something very big in the country These elements have been carrying out reconnaissance at key spots in Punjab and Delhi with a view to carrying out a big strikeData provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs MHA states that between 2004 and 2014 there were 7217 terror incidents However thanks to the zerotolerance policy against terror by the Narendra Modi government the number of terror incidents has come down to 2242 between 2014 and 2024 While Leftwing extremism has been wiped out incidents of terror in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeastern states have also come down drastically MHA data suggestsWith these elements finding it hard to penetrate Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeastern states they are looking for other places to stage an attack Officials say that the ISI has major plans and is looking to use the Khalistani terror groups such as the Babbar Khalsa International BKI to stage attacks in various parts of North India The initial targets they have in mind are Punjab and New Delhi following which they are planning to carry out attacks in Uttar Pradesh Rajasthan and Bihar the Intelligence agencies have learntThe ongoing probe by the NIA is focused on the questioning of one Shubham Kumar a resident of Uttar Pradesh who was arrested by the State Special Operations Cell Amritsar The police had recovered an IED packed in a metallic case with a remote control along with a foreignmade pistol and ammunition The ammunition was dropped off from across the border using a droneThis module is being run by one Jasvir Singh who managed to send in the consignment from Pakistan the agencies have learnt Investigators say that Singh whose real name is yet to be ascertained was planning a major attack using the Khalistanibacked terror groups to strike in various parts of North India which include Punjab and Delhi IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/prahaar-pressure-desperate-isi-pushes-khalistani-groups-for-strikes-in-north-india-668137.html Mon, 06 Apr 2026 13:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/asifs-kolkata-threat-under-lens-agencies-suspect-bid-to-incite-terror-in-west-bengal-668148.html New Delhi April 6 Indiaâs security agencies are closely examining the remarks made by Pakistanâs Defence Minister Khawaja Asif where he made a reference to Kolkata Asif warned that if India attempted any false flag operation then Pakistanâs response would extend to Kolkata If India tries to stage any false flag operation this time then Godwilling we will take it to Kolkata Asif said A false flag operation is a covert action designed to look as though it was carried out by another party often used to justify retaliation or manipulate public opinion Experts say that Asifâs statements are clearly aimed at taking a defensive posture while trying to project India as the aggressorA topranking official said that Indiaâs position when it comes to Pakistan is very clear If Islamabad indulges in any misadventure then India would hit back like it did during Operation Sindoor the official saidThe doctrine is clear that any crossborder terror attack by Pakistan would be viewed as an act of war We have repeatedly told Pakistan that India will talk once they shut down their terror facilities the official also addedAnother official said that Asifâs statement relating to Kolkata must also be viewed in the context of the ongoing election process in West Bengal He is attempting to incite terror groups such as the HarkatulJihad Islami HuJI and Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh JMB to carry out an attack so that the election process could be disruptedAn Intelligence Bureau official said that there are plenty of intercepts suggesting that groups such as the JMB and HuJI are attempting terror strikes both in pollbound West Bengal and AssamAsif has assumed that India is planning a false flag operation and suggested that Kolkata would be attacked in retaliation the official saidPakistan is also frustrated with the fact that ties between India and Bangladesh have been reset Both nations are working closely on strengthening cooperation both on the economic and security frontPakistan has been trying to incite the terror groups operating in Bangladesh to carry out strikes in West Bengal and the Northeastern states Such an attack could potentially strain ties and this is what Islamabad hopes forAnother official said that the cooperation between India and Bangladesh has improved remarkably Both sides are working closely on stopping illegal infiltrations and also rein in those terror groups that pose a threat to the region the official addedA senior official added that Asifâs statements make it clear that Pakistan is planning something big in India A direct reference to Kolkata clearly signals that He is just running a fake narrative about an Indian aggression to justify an attack in Kolkata the official addedFurther Islamabad is also trying to build a global narrative against India It wants to portray New Delhi as the aggressor so that it can justify an attackThe Pakistani establishment has been under tremendous pressure from its terror groups to help carry out an attack in India Operation Sindoor decimated a lot of terror infrastructure in Pakistan The rebuilding of these terror groups has been harder than what they may have imagined A big strike in India is something that the ISI is looking for so that it could act as a morale booster for these terror groups officials sayPakistan is facing a severe crisis within as it continues to battle against the Afghan Taliban TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP and the Balochistan Liberation Army BLA To battle these forces it has been seeking help of outfits such as the Islamic State Khorasan Province ISKP and LashkareTayibaHowever this is not enough for the youth in Pakistan to join the terror ranks A major recruitment strategy has always been an attack on India This is why such desperate statements are being made an official added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/asifs-kolkata-threat-under-lens-agencies-suspect-bid-to-incite-terror-in-west-bengal-668148.html Mon, 06 Apr 2026 14:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/global-leaders-bypass-us-to-tackle-strait-of-hormuz-crisis-667931.html Washington April 5 World leaders are moving to contain the Strait of Hormuz crisis without direct US leadership as deepening divisions emerge between Washington and its European allies over the Iran war and its global fallout Countries heavily dependent on Gulf energy supplies are scrambling to reopen the Strait of Hormuz even as frustration grows over the US approach to the conflict according to The Hill The United Kingdom convened more than 40 nations this week to coordinate efforts to restore maritime traffic through the critical waterway placing responsibility on Iran for disrupting global tradeBut the meeting also exposed sharp tensions within the Western allianceFrench President Emmanuel Macron openly rejected US calls for support in military operations saying âThey cannot then complain about not being supported in an operation they decided on their own It is not our operationâ he saidEuropean leaders have instead pushed for diplomatic and economic pressure rather than force Military options to reopen the Strait are seen as unrealistic and risky The Wall Street Journal reported citing officials and expertsAt the United Nations Bahrain has introduced a Security Council resolution to protect commercial shipping in the region though it faces resistance from China The Hill reportedThe divergence reflects a broader rupture in transAtlantic tiesThe Iran war has triggered a âbreaking pointâ in relations between the United States and Europe with Washington angered by alliesâ refusal to join the conflict The Wall Street Journal reportedPresident Donald Trump has reportedly expressed âdisgustâ at European allies and questioned the future of NATO intensifying concerns about the durability of the alliance the report saidMeanwhile Trump has issued mixed signals on responsibility for reopening the StraitIn a national address he said countries reliant on Gulf energy must take the lead adding âThey must grab it and cherish it They can do it easily We will be helpfulâ Trump saidHe later suggested the US could reopen the passage itself and profit from oil flows underscoring policy inconsistenciesOn the ground Iran has effectively tightened control over the Strait through missile and drone threats and selective passage for friendly nations while proposing tolls for vessels The Hill reportedThe disruption has triggered urgent contingency planning among governments including coordination with shipping companies and discussions on sanctions to pressure TehranHumanitarian concerns are also rising The United Nations has launched a task force to address shortages of essential supplies such as fertilisers and food inputs affected by the blockage according to The HillUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has advised separating energy negotiations from war talks suggesting parallel tracks to stabilise the situationThe diplomatic scramble highlights growing uncertainty over the duration of the conflict and the absence of a clear US exit strategy IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/global-leaders-bypass-us-to-tackle-strait-of-hormuz-crisis-667931.html Sun, 05 Apr 2026 07:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-senators-warn-on-chinese-autos-threat-667932.html Washington April 5 Top US senators have urged President Donald Trump to block Chinese automakers from operating in the United States warning of risks to national security and American jobs according to a congressional press release Senators Tammy Baldwin Chuck Schumer and Elissa Slotkin called for action after Trump signalled openness to Chinese firms entering the US market saying at a forum âLet China come inâIn a letter to the president the lawmakers warned âAllowing automakers headquartered in China which operate with backing from the Chinese Communist Party CCP to build and sell vehicles in the United States would have farreaching consequences for our economic and national securityâThey added âWe urge you to stay the course and make it clear that Chinese auto manufacturers and their products present unprecedented dangers to our economic and national security and their manufacture sale or operation on US soil is nonnegotiableâThe senators also asked the administration to prohibit Chinese vehicles made in Canada and Mexico from entering the US and to coordinate with allies to counter what they described as a growing global threatThe letter said the US auto sector accounts for roughly 3 to 5 percent of GDP and supports about 1095 million jobs including a wide supply chain spanning steel semiconductors and tyresLawmakers argued that Chinese state subsidies and labour practices distort competition They said Chinaâs system of âillegal state subsidiesâ and âlow wages and poor working conditionsâ creates an uneven playing field for US workersThey also warned that Chinese firmsâ vertically integrated supply chains could displace American jobs âFor every job on a vehicle assembly line there are roughly two jobs in the auto parts and supplier networkâ the letter notedThe senators flagged growing Chinese auto ties with Canada and Mexico including reduced Canadian tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles as a potential threat to North American trade arrangementsNational security concerns featured prominently Lawmakers said modern connected vehicles could transmit sensitive data about infrastructure They warned such systems âcan connect with systems outside of the vehicle itself sending information about our infrastructure and built environment to external entitiesâThey also raised concerns about remote control risks and links between Chinese companies and militarycivil fusion strategiesâThe United States must reaffirm our clear position â that Chinese vehicles of all types and automakers are not welcome to operate here in any capacityâ the senators said urging continued restrictions on connected vehiclesThe push reflects broader bipartisan concerns in Washington over Chinaâs role in critical supply chains including technology manufacturing and infrastructure IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-senators-warn-on-chinese-autos-threat-667932.html Sun, 05 Apr 2026 07:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/chinese-firms-use-ai-to-track-us-military-moves-in-iran-war-report-667933.html Washington April 5 Chinese firms are using artificial intelligence and opensource data to track US military movements during the Iran war raising fresh concerns in Washington about emerging battlefield surveillance risks a media report said A growing number of Chinese private companies are marketing intelligence tools that claim to âexposeâ the movements of US forces even as Beijing publicly distances itself from the conflict according to The Washington Post The firms are combining artificial intelligence with publicly available data â including satellite imagery flight trackers and shipping information â to produce detailed analyses of US military deployments in the Middle EastThe trend has gained momentum since the start of the Iran war five weeks agoOnline posts have circulated showing granular details of US carrier movements aircraft positioning and base activity reflecting what analysts describe as a rapidly expanding intelligence marketplaceSome of the companies involved have links to Chinaâs military ecosystemThey are part of Beijingâs broader push to integrate privatesector innovation into defence capabilities backed by significant state investment under its civilmilitary integration strategy The Washington Post reportedUS officials and analysts are divided on how serious the threat is the daily saidSome question whether these tools are being actively used by adversaries Others warn that their increasing sophistication could make it harder for the US to conceal troop movements in future conflictsâThe proliferation of more and more capable private sector geospatial analysis companies in China will augment Chinaâs defence capabilities and ability to contest US forces in a crisisâ Ryan Fedasiuk a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute told The Washington PostOne firm has claimed it can track US military activity in real time using a mix of Western and Chinese data sources filtered through AI the report saidAnother company has said it can analyse aircraft communications and monitor largescale military movementsThe rise of such firms reflects a broader shift in modern warfareOpensource intelligence once limited to niche analysts is increasingly being enhanced by AI allowing private actors to generate insights previously available only to governmentsUS lawmakers have begun raising alarmsâCompanies tied to the CCP are turning AI into a battlefield surveillance tool against Americaâ the House Select Committee on China said in a statement cited by The Washington PostAt the same time Beijing has sought to maintain a careful distance from the conflictChina has called for a ceasefire and peace talks while avoiding direct involvement even as its private sector capitalises on the warAnalysts say the dualtrack approach allows China to benefit strategically without formally entering the conflictPrivate firms can provide intelligence capabilities while giving the Chinese government plausible deniabilityThe development also highlights a broader challenge for the United StatesAs commercial technologies become more powerful the line between civilian and military intelligence is blurring complicating efforts to maintain operational secrecy IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/chinese-firms-use-ai-to-track-us-military-moves-in-iran-war-report-667933.html Sun, 05 Apr 2026 07:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-senator-slams-china-on-religious-freedom-667934.html Washington April 5 A senior US lawmaker has criticised Chinaâs record on religious freedom ahead of Easter accusing the Chinese Communist Party of persecuting Christians and calling for greater freedoms in the country Chairman John Moolenaar of the Select Committee on China said the faith of imprisoned Christians in China would continue to inspire others despite state repressionâWhen he was imprisoned for his faith in Jesus Paul wrote to the Philippians âIt has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ And because of my chains most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fearââ Moolenaar said in a statement marking EasterHe drew parallels between early Christian persecution and presentday conditions in ChinaâSuch is the case in China where the CCPâs chains on Pastor Jin Jimmy Lai and other followers of Jesus will only encourage others to spread the good news of Christâs victory over the graveâ he saidMoolenaar also called on Chinese leadership to change courseâAs we celebrate Easter this Sunday I pray that just as Paul was once a vicious oppressor of Christians that Xi Jinping and the CCP will see the light and allow the people of China to have freedom of religion â a right we have had as Americans for 250 yearsâ he saidThe remarks come amid ongoing scrutiny in Washington over Chinaâs treatment of religious minorities including Christians Muslims and other faith groupsLawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties have frequently raised concerns over restrictions on worship surveillance and detention linked to religious practicesThe statement also reflects broader tensions between Washington and Beijing where human rights issues remain a persistent point of friction alongside trade technology and security disputes IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-senator-slams-china-on-religious-freedom-667934.html Sun, 05 Apr 2026 07:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/hormuz-crisis-hits-economy-across-world-report-667935.html Washington April 5 The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has triggered a widening global economic shock as energy markets reel from supply disruptions according to a report The Iran warâs impact on global energy flows is intensifying with the effective shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz disrupting oil gas and critical supply chains across continents according to The Washington Post The strategic waterway through which about 20 per cent of the worldâs oil passes has become the focal point of the crisis with Iran restricting maritime traffic in response to USIsraeli strikesThe disruption is already rippling through global marketsEnergy prices are rising supply chains are tightening and governments are preparing for prolonged shortages with analysts warning that the economic impact could worsen significantly if the conflict continues The Washington Post reportedIndia heavily dependent on energy imports has moved quickly to secure suppliesNew Delhi has purchased oil from Iran for the first time in years marking a significant shift after avoiding Iranian crude due to US sanctions according to CNNIndia has also imported 44000 metric tons of liquefied petroleum gas LPG from Iran with shipments arriving at the port of Mangalore the report saidOil prices could surge to 170 per barrel if the disruption lasts three months while a prolonged sixmonth conflict could push the global economy into recession according to estimates cited by The Washington PostSupply shocks are not limited to energyThe blockage is also affecting fertiliser shipments petrochemicals and industrial inputs with shortages already hitting Asia and expected to spread to Europe and the United States in the coming weeksPetrochemical plants in countries such as India and China are facing shortages of raw materials used in manufacturing a wide range of products including plastics textiles and consumer goods The Washington Post reportedAgriculture is also at riskFertiliser prices have surged sharply with some inputs rising by around 50 per cent since the conflict began raising concerns about future crop cycles and food inflationShipping disruptions are compounding the crisisThousands of vessels and containers remain stranded in the Gulf affecting global trade flows and creating shortages of refrigerated containers needed for agricultural exports according to industry analysts cited by The Washington PostAs a result several countries have introduced fuel rationing and conservation measures while others are exploring alternative supply routes and emergency reserves to mitigate the impact IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/hormuz-crisis-hits-economy-across-world-report-667935.html Sun, 05 Apr 2026 07:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/russias-rosatom-begins-main-phase-of-evacuating-staff-from-iran-667939.html Moscow April 5 Russias state nuclear corporation Rosatom has begun the main phase of evacuating staff from the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev said A total of 198 Rosatom employees are being transported by bus toward the IranianArmenian border Likhachev saidWe very much hope that within two to three days our colleagues will safely cross nearly the entire territory of Iran and return home to our country he saidLikhachev added that the Iranian side is doing a great deal to ensure the safety of the Rosatom staff evacuation route and cooperation with the Armenian government is proceeding smoothly Xinhua news agency reportedThe Russian nuclear specialists will leave the region from Yerevan airport he saidThe Atomic Energy Organization of Iran reported earlier that a projectile had hit an area near the Bushehr nuclear power plant killing one security worker and marking the fourth such attack since the USIsraeli strikes on Iran began on February 28Meanwhile Irans Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Tehran seeks to secure the terms of a conclusive and lasting end to the US and Israeli war imposed on the countryAraghchi condemned a USIsraeli strike near Irans Bushehr nuclear power plant and warned of its potential lethal consequences for the West Asia regionThe Bushehr nuclear power plant located about 17 km southeast of the city of Bushehr and under the cooperation with Russia began supplying electricity in September 2011 In November 2014 Iran and Russia signed a cooperation agreement to add two reactors to the plant IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/russias-rosatom-begins-main-phase-of-evacuating-staff-from-iran-667939.html Sun, 05 Apr 2026 10:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/syria-closes-key-border-crossing-after-israeli-threat-667940.html Damascus April 5 Syrian authorities announced that a key border crossing with Lebanon will be temporarily closed due to security concerns following Israeli warnings of possible strikes on the area The General Authority for Land and Sea Borders and Crossings on Saturday local time said the Jdeidet Yabous crossing opposite Lebanons Masnaa crossing is designated solely for civilian use not for any military purposesThere are no armed groups or militias present at the crossing and it is not used for any activity outside civilian and legal frameworks the authority said in a statementTraffic would resume once the situation stabilises it saidThe announcement came after the Israeli military said it intended to target the road leading to the Masnaa crossing a major transit point along the SyrianLebanese border alleging that Hezbollah uses the route for military actions reports Xinhua news agencyTensions have remained high along the border amid ongoing regional hostilities involving the United States Israel and Iran Meanwhile earlier on March 31 Syrian interim President Ahmed alSharaa said that Syria will stay out of any conflict unless it is directly targeted emphasising the countrys focus on recovery after years of warNo one is ready to be involved in war and we will not be in it unless we are subject to aggression and we have no diplomatic solution he said at an event hosted by think tank Chatham House in LondonAlSharaa said the governments priorities remain stabilising the economy rebuilding infrastructure and facilitating the return of displaced citizensWe had enough war We paid a large bill We are not ready for another war experience he said Those who have been in war know the value of peace IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/syria-closes-key-border-crossing-after-israeli-threat-667940.html Sun, 05 Apr 2026 10:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/yemens-houthis-irgc-carry-out-joint-operation-against-israel-667941.html Sanaa April 5 Yemens Houthi group has said that it had carried out a joint military operation targeting Israels Ben Gurion Airport along with other key military sites using a ballistic missile and multiple drones In a statement broadcast by the groups alMasirah television on Saturday Local time Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said the operation was conducted with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps the Iranian army and Hezbollah in Lebanon adding that the mission had successfully achieved its objectivesThere was no immediate confirmation from Israeli authorities regarding the strikes reports Xinhua news agencyThe Houthis began launching missile and drone attacks against Israel on March 28 in support of its allied forces across the region including those in Iran Iraq Lebanon and Palestine as tensions continue to rise in the Middle EastThe group which has controlled Sanaa and much of northern Yemen since late 2014 previously supported Iran during last years 12day conflict with the United States and Israel Earlier on Thursday the Houthis said that they had launched a fourth wave of coordinated ballistic missile attacks targeting Israel saying the move is part of an escalating regional confrontation involving multiple allied forcesIn a statement aired by the groups alMasirah television Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said the group had carried out a joint operation alongside Iran and Hezbollah against what he described as vital enemy targets in the Jaffa area in IsraelOur military intervention in this important and exceptional battle is gradual Sarea said adding that the group would continue to respond based on developments on the groundWe will not stop here and will respond to developments according to whether the enemy escalates or deescalates he saidSarea noted that the missile attacks were part of ongoing support for allied forces across the region including those in Iran Iraq Lebanon and Palestine as tensions continue to rise in the Middle East IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/yemens-houthis-irgc-carry-out-joint-operation-against-israel-667941.html Sun, 05 Apr 2026 10:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/slovak-pm-calls-for-eu-dialogue-with-russia-lifting-gas-oil-sanctions-667942.html Bratislava April 5 Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has called on the European Union EU to resume dialogue with Russia and lift sanctions on Russian energy raw materials after holding a phone call with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban local media STVR reported The EU and especially the EC the European Commission should immediately resume dialogue with Russia and ensure such a political and legal environment that individual member states and the EU as a whole replenish the missing gas and oil reserves and enable the supply of these strategic raw materials from all possible sources and directions including Russia Fico said in a post on social media on Saturday local timeHe urged the senseless sanctions banning gas and oil imports from Russia to be lifted and called for decisive steps to resume the operation of the Druzhba pipeline reports Xinhua quoting STVR mediaAccording to Fico the phone call with Orban confirmed that the huge energy crisis cannot be tackled only at the national level Fico said the governments of Slovakia and Hungary are protecting national economies and their citizens from the ideological blindness and incompetence of the ECHungary and Slovakia have recently faced disruptions in oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline which transports Russian crude oil to Central Europe via Ukraine The situation has heightened tensions between the two countries and Ukraine while raising concerns about the potential impact on regional energy suppliesMeanwhile earlier in March Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced that his government would gradually halt gas supplies to Ukraine citing what he described as a continued blockade of crude oil deliveries to Hungary via the Druzhba pipelineIn a video message posted on social media ahead of the weekly cabinet meeting Orban said Ukraine has been blocking the pipeline for around 30 daysAs long as Ukraine does not supply oil it will not receive gas from Hungary he said adding that Ukraine had targeted infrastructure linked to Hungarys southern gas supply routeOrban said that Hungary would retain gas volumes domestically and increase storage levels to safeguard its own energy security IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/slovak-pm-calls-for-eu-dialogue-with-russia-lifting-gas-oil-sanctions-667942.html Sun, 05 Apr 2026 10:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/unifil-to-lodge-formal-protest-after-israeli-troops-destroy-surveillance-cameras-at-hq-667943.html Beirut April 5 The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon UNIFIL has said that it will file a formal protest after Israeli soldiers destroyed surveillance cameras installed at its headquarters in Naqoura UNIFIL spokesperson Candice Ardell said in a statement on Saturday local time that Israeli troops had since Friday destroyed all cameras facing the Menghi road at the missions general headquarters in NaqouraThe cameras were positioned solely to monitor the UNIFIL compounds immediate area ensuring the security of its peacekeepers Ardell saidArdell said UNIFIL had conveyed its serious concern to the Israeli army and would submit a formal protest reports Xinhua news agencyThe incident comes amid broader regional hostilities involving the United States Israel and Iran as well as repeated recent incidents affecting UNIFIL positions in southern LebanonEarlier on Friday an explosion inside a United Nations position near the Adaisseh area in southern Lebanon wounded three peacekeepers two of them seriously said the United Nations Interim Force in LebanonUNIFIL spokesperson Candice Ardell said the injured peacekeepers were transported to the hospital adding that the source of the explosion remains unknown Lebanons National News Agency NNA reportedIt has been a difficult week for peacekeepers operating near the central sector of UNIFILs area of operations We wish a full and speedy recovery to all those injured Ardell said according to the NNAShe added that UNIFIL reminds all parties of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers including avoiding nearby combat activities that could put them at riskThe incident comes after several security incidents affecting UNIFIL positions and patrols were reported in southern Lebanon in recent days amid ongoing tensions along the Blue Line IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/unifil-to-lodge-formal-protest-after-israeli-troops-destroy-surveillance-cameras-at-hq-667943.html Sun, 05 Apr 2026 10:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/libya-orders-halt-to-new-oil-deals-citing-public-concerns-667945.html Tripoli April 5 The head of Libyas Presidential Council Mohamed AlMenfi has instructed that no new deals be made concerning already developed oil fields in the country according to a report The instruction to Masoud Suleiman chairman of the National Oil Corporation NOC confirmed Saturday Local time by the Presidential Councils media office prohibits all forms of agreements in this regard including contractual arrangements reports Xinhua news agency quoting AlAhrar TVMenfi also requested immediate reports to the Council on the legal technical and economic procedures and backgrounds of any previous dealsThe move is intended to strengthen protection of Libyas national economy and secure optimal returns from its strategic oil resources said reportsThis development followed a previous decision by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah to suspend a controversial oil development agreement reportedly with the Arabian Gulf Oil Company citing mounting concerns over transparency and public backlashOil and gas exports are Libyas main source of revenue but production has been repeatedly disrupted in recent years due to conflict or political instability Meanwhile earlier on Thursday Libyas Ports and Maritime Transport Authority announced that an operation to tow a damaged Russian liquefied natural gas LNG tanker had failedIn a statement the authority said the tanker is now completely adrift and out of control at sea due to severe weather conditions caused by a deep depression with winds reaching 40 knots and waves up to 5 metersThe statement added We inform all ships maritime units and relevant authorities that the towing operation failed at 400 am on April 2 The tanker is now out of control and the tugboat is unable to return and reconnect under these dangerous weather conditionsThe 277meterlong tanker named Arctic Metagas was carrying an estimated 62000 metric tonnes of LNG when it went down in waters between Libya and Malta on March 3 according to a navigational circular reported by the Libyan News Agency IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/libya-orders-halt-to-new-oil-deals-citing-public-concerns-667945.html Sun, 05 Apr 2026 10:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/egypt-raises-electricity-prices-amid-global-energy-crisis-667946.html Cairo April 5 Egypts Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy announced price hikes for commercial and residential electricity consumption effective this April citing the global energy crisis triggered by the USIsraeli conflict with Iran In a statement issued late Saturday local time the ministry said that the current acute and unprecedented global crisis across all energy resources caused by the ongoing war in the Gulf region has necessitated price increases for certain commercial and residential consumption tiers starting this month reports Xinhua news agencyAccording to the statement commercial consumption prices across various brackets will rise by an average of approximately 20 per centFor residential consumption prices for tiers consuming 2000 kWh per month and above have been raised by an average of 16 per cent while rates for all tiers below the 2000 kWh threshold will remain unchangedThis decision followed a series of measures taken by the Egyptian government in response to the global energy situationAusterity measures announced in late March included activating remote work systems slowing the implementation of fuelintensive megaprojects and cutting fuel allocations for all government vehicles by 30 per centAdditional measures included cutting business hours for shops restaurants cafes and malls as well as reducing street lighting and billboard illumination by onethird Earlier on April 3 Egypt brought four new natural gas wells online in the Mediterranean Sea and the Western Desert as part of efforts to boost domestic energy output and curb its growing reliance on importsThe wells located in the offshore West Burullus field in the Mediterranean and the Khalda fields in the Western Desert are expected to produce a combined 120 million cubic feet of gas per day the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources said on FridayThe additions come as Egypt grapples with soaring energy costs stemming from the regional conflict involving Iran Israel and the United States Israeli natural gas which typically accounts for nearly 20 per cent of Egypts total consumption has been cut off since US and Israeli strikes on Iran began on February 28The government has been seeking to increase oil and gas output after a decline in natural gas production in recent years In August 2025 Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said Egypts current production stands at 41 billion cubic feet per day with plans to reach 66 billion cubic feet per day by 2027The ministry said Egypt plans to drill more than 100 exploratory wells in 2026 to secure new energy reserves IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/egypt-raises-electricity-prices-amid-global-energy-crisis-667946.html Sun, 05 Apr 2026 10:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/libya-records-63-mine-victims-in-2025-including-21-children-unsmil-667948.html Tripoli April 5 The United Nations Support Mission in Libya UNSMIL has said that 63 casualties from explosive remnants of war were recorded in 2025 alone including 21 children Repeated armed conflicts and unsafe ammunition storage have left a widespread legacy of explosive ordnance contamination across Libya affecting residential areas roads and agricultural land UNSMIL said in a statement on Saturday local timeIssued on the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action the statement stressed the importance of mine action in protecting civilians and supporting peace and stability in Libya reports Xinhua news agencyUNSMIL said largescale armed clashes in Tripoli in May 2025 along with four accidental explosions at ammunition depots in populated areas over the past two years have underscored the severity of explosive ordnance contamination in LibyaRisks remain even in areas where active conflict has subsided particularly due to unsecured weapons and stockpiles posing an immediate danger to displaced families returning home according to the statementUNSMIL reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Libyanled efforts to enhance the security of weapons and ammunition stockpiles and to clear explosive ordnance contamination The mission called on national authorities international partners and civil society to strengthen coordinated and sustained support for mine clearance effortsLibya remains divided between the UNrecognised Government of National Unity in the west and a rival eastern administration headed by Osama Hammad and backed by Khalifa Haftars Libyan National ArmyMilitia clashes have become frequent in the African nation Earlier in March armed clashes broke out in Zawiya a city about 60 km west of Tripoli leaving one person dead a local daily reportedAlBashti AlZahouf a member of the citys Council of Elders and Notables told AlMashhad newspaper that fighting erupted in the DilaQamouda area between two armed factions And both groups are affiliated with the Tripolibased Government of National Unity GNUThe fighting underscores persistent tensions in Zawiya where rival armed groups have repeatedly clashed despite calls from local leaders for calm IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/libya-records-63-mine-victims-in-2025-including-21-children-unsmil-667948.html Sun, 05 Apr 2026 10:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-aircraft-loss-in-iran-raises-stakes-as-search-efforts-intensify-667950.html Washington April 5 The United States is racing to locate a missing airman after a fighter jet was shot down over Iran as Washington and Tehran trade escalating threats that signal a dangerous new phase in the conflict US forces continued searchandrescue operations on Saturday for a crew member from an F15 fighter jet that was shot down over Iran marking a significant escalation in direct hostilities according to The Washington PostThe aircraft one of two US warplanes lost to hostile fire on Friday went down during combat operations One crew member was rescued while the second remains unaccounted forThe incident is the first known case of an American crewed aircraft being shot down inside Iranian territory since the war began raising concerns within the Pentagon about the risks of deeper engagementRescue operations have been fraught with dangerTwo US helicopters involved in the mission were hit by Iranian fire injuring personnel while Iranian state media broadcast appeals offering a âvaluableâ reward for the capture of the missing airman The Washington Post reportedSeparately an A10 attack aircraft was also struck but its pilot was able to eject safely and was later recovered according to Fox NewsThe developments come amid sharply rising rhetoric on both sidesPresident Donald Trump has warned Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face severe consequences posting that âtime is running out 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on themâ he wrote on Truth SocialIranian military officials have responded with similar language warning that the âgates of hell will be opened upon youâ if attacks continue CNN reportedThe exchange of threats reflects intensifying pressure around the Strait a critical global energy route that Iran has effectively restricted in response to USIsraeli strikesUS officials had previously claimed air superiority but the shootdown has raised fresh questions about the extent of Iranâs remaining air defence systems and operational resilienceSearch efforts are ongoing in hostile terrainIranian tribesmen have reportedly fired at US helicopters participating in the rescue mission while local groups have been mobilised to locate the missing airman according to CNNThe situation has also created a potential political complication for WashingtonIf the missing crew member is captured it could complicate ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to push Tehran toward negotiations The Washington Post notedDespite the risks US officials have signalled that recovery operations will continueâOur recovery forces our combat searchandrescue capabilities are so welltrained and capable that theyâre going to stop at nothing until we get our crew member backâ Ravi Chaudhary a former US Air Force official told CNNMeanwhile Israeli forces have reportedly paused strikes in areas where the missing airman is believed to be located and are sharing intelligence with US forces according to The New York TimesThe conflict now in its sixth week continues to expand across the region with strikes reported in Iran Lebanon and elsewhere IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-aircraft-loss-in-iran-raises-stakes-as-search-efforts-intensify-667950.html Sun, 05 Apr 2026 10:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/we-got-him-trump-on-rescue-of-second-crew-member-of-us-jet-downed-in-iran-667962.html New York April 5 The second crew member of a US plane that was shot down by Iran has been rescued in a military operation deep inside that country President Donald Trump said on Sunday âWe got himâ Trump said in a post on Truth Social just after midnight âI am thrilled to let you know is now safe and soundâ The officer who Trump said was a âhighly respected colonelâ was on the F15E Strike Eagle jet that was brought down by Iran on Friday Both the crew on the jet on a mission over Iran ejected from it and the pilot was rescued shortly afterwards in a searchandrescue mission while the search continued for the colonel US aircraft had intensified pounding of targets within Iran and on Thursday had destroyed a major bridge that was a major gateway to TehranIran had put a bounty on the colonel and if the officer had been captured it would have been a bargaining point for Tehran Earlier on Saturday while the search was on for the colonel Trump in a post warned Iran that he would hit it hard if it did not open up the Strait of Hormuz âRemember when I gave Iran ten days to make a deal or open up the Hormuz Strait Time is running out 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them Glory be to Godâ he said on Truth Social The successful US operation deep inside Iran was also a test of the American ability to launch ground operations âThe fact that we were able to pull off both of these operations without a single American killed or even wounded just proves once again that we have achieved overwhelming Air Dominance and Superiority over the Iranian skiesâ he said Trump said that the âUS Military sent dozens of aircraft armed with the most lethal weapons in the World to retrieve himâ from âbehind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iranâ âHe sustained injuries but he will be just fineâ he said of the colonel who was described by the media as a weapons officer Additionally another US A10 Warthog aircraft that may have been hit by Iranian fire crashed near the Gulf of Hormuz also on Friday according to media reports but the pilot was rescued after landing outside Iranian territory Air crew carry beacons and communication devices to help locate them and stay in contact Several helicopters and other aircraft had been deployed in the search for the second officer and troops landed in Iran to carry out the rescue US sources that had received briefings were quoted by the media as saying that during the rescue operation aircraft dropped bombs on Iranian forces heading towards the colonel A firefight also took place the reports said Reports said that a helicopter used to rescue the pilot had been damaged by Iranian fire but managed to fly out Two days before the US jet was shot down Trump had claimed in an address to the nation that Iranâs air defence systems had been totally destroyed IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/we-got-him-trump-on-rescue-of-second-crew-member-of-us-jet-downed-in-iran-667962.html Sun, 05 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/77-killed-over-100-injured-in-afghanistan-floods-since-march-26-govt-officials-667980.html Kabul April 5 At least 77 people were killed and 137 others were injured in floods that swept across several provinces of Afghanistan between March 26 and April 4 local media reported on Sunday quoting disaster management officials Afghanistans National Disaster Preparedness and Disaster Management Authority said that floods have caused widespread destruction leaving hundreds of homes destroyed and damaging thousands of acres of agricultural land the countrys leading news agency Khaama Press reportedAccording to authorities four people remain missing and over 3400 houses were damaged in several parts of Afghanistan demonstrating the scale of destruction caused by heavy rainsOfficials said roads were blocked and transport links were disrupted in several provinces of Afghanistan which impacted rescue efforts and restricted access to affected people in remote regionsEarlier Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said over 3000 jeribs a traditional unit of land measurement of farmland were destroyed and more than 1000 livestock were killed due to the severe weather conditions Khaama Press reportedThe latest flooding in Afghanistan follows a similar pattern witnessed in the past several rainy seasons when heavy rainfall repeatedly caused devastation across the country Hundreds of people were killed and houses and farmlands were devastated in similar floods in 2024On January 22 a National Disaster Management Authority spokesperson said that at least 11 people have been killed and three others injured amid heavy snowfall and rains lashing multiple provincesAccording to the spokesperson initial reports from provincial authorities indicated that severe weather had affected residents in the provinces of eastern Parwan Wardak southern Kandahar northern Jawzjan Faryab and central Bamiyan Xinhua News Agency reportedThe storms have partially destroyed nine homes and led to the loss of 530 livestock severely affecting local livelihoods in these agrarian regions said the spokesperson adding that the snow accumulation had blocked key roads prompting urgent clearance operations by authorities to restore connectivity and facilitate aid delivery IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/77-killed-over-100-injured-in-afghanistan-floods-since-march-26-govt-officials-667980.html Sun, 05 Apr 2026 14:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/rsps-dol-prasad-aryal-elected-speaker-of-nepals-house-of-representatives-667982.html Kathmandu April 5 Dol Prasad Aryal vicepresident of the Rastriya Swatantra Party RSP was declared elected Speaker of Nepals House of Representatives after emerging as the sole nominee for the post At a meeting of the lower house on Sunday seniormost lawmaker Arjun Narsingh KC formally announced Aryals unopposed election He becomes the 10th Speaker of the lower house and the first noncommunist to hold the post in nearly two decadesGiven that the RSP holds a near twothirds majority in the 275member House of Representatives Aryals elevation to the post was widely seen as a formalityIn the recent elections held on March 5 the RSP emerged as the largest party in the lower house securing 182 seats as it swept the polls amid public discontent with traditional political partiesAryal was elected to the lower house from Kathmandu9 constituency defeating his closest rival Nepali Congress candidate Nanumaya Bastola by a wide marginBorn in Maidi now Jwalamukhi Rural Municipality of Dhading district adjoining Kathmandu the 51yearold leader represents a rise from humble beginningsAfter moving to Kathmandu in search of work in the early 1990s Aryal began his career as a labourer and worked in restaurants before leaving for Japan in 1996 for foreign employmentHe spent nearly eight years there After returning to Nepal Aryal became active in multiple businesses including tourism education cooperatives and remittance servicesHe has been associated with ventures such as Sumire Tours and Travels Yokohama Japanese Language Academy HEMS School Jansagar Savings and Credit Cooperative and EasyLink Remittance serving in executive roles including director and CEOA founding member and vicechairperson of the RSP Aryal has also served as the partys acting chair notably leading the organisation when party president Rabi Lamichhane was in custody over alleged irregularities in cooperativesAryal entered Parliament after being elected in the 2022 general elections through the proportional representation system He later served twice as Minister for Labour Employment and Social Security both tenures being brief due to the formation of multiple coalition governments under former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal as no single party had secured a majority in the previous lower houseWith the Speaker now elected attention has shifted to the deputy Speaker position As per constitutional provisions either the Speaker or the Deputy Speaker must be a woman and the two positions must be held by members of different political partiesThe Nepali Congress has signalled its claim to the post as the main opposition while the Shram Sanskriti Party a newly formed political party led by former Dharan mayor Harka Rai has also announced plans to field a female candidateGiven the RSPs strong presence in Parliament its support is expected to play a decisive role in determining the next deputy Speaker a position that also carries influence within the Constitutional Council which makes key appointments to constitutional bodies IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/rsps-dol-prasad-aryal-elected-speaker-of-nepals-house-of-representatives-667982.html Sun, 05 Apr 2026 14:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/afghan-police-discover-illegal-drugs-arrest-four-drug-traffickers-667985.html Kabul April 5 Police have discovered illegal drugs including 300 kg of hashish and arrested four drug smugglers said a statement of Afghanistans Ministry for Interior Affairs on Sunday Counternarcotics police officers seized 300 kilograms of hashish in Helmand province the statement posted on the ministrys social platform X saidAccording to the statement police have also discovered and seized 2800 intoxicating tablets from Jalalabad city the capital of eastern Nangarhar province and 1000 stimulant tablets locally known as tablet K from Herat Xinhua News Agency reported Four individuals have been taken into custody for allegedly being involved in the smuggling of illegal objects the statement said warning that legal action would be taken against anyone who produces or smuggles illegal drugs in the country On March 29 Afghanistans Ministry of Interior Affairs said that Afghan security forces have dismantled two clandestine heroin processing laboratories and destroyed more than 6000 kg of illicit drugs in western Ghor provinceCounternarcotics units carried out targeted operations on the outskirts of the province demolishing the facilities and seizing 6140 kg of precursor substances used in heroin production according to the ministrys statementAfghan authorities have intensified their nationwide crackdown on narcotics trafficking and production pledging to sustain operations until poppy cultivation and heroin manufacturing are completely eradicated across the wartorn country On February 24 provincial police office in a statement said that Afghan police in the drive against illegal drugs arrested two drug smugglers and recovered 41 kg of illicit drugs from their possessions in northern Afghanistans Takhar province The arrested suspects according to the statement were attempting to smuggle 29 kg of opium poppy and 12 kg of hashish out of the province on February 23On February 3 provincial police spokesman Mullah Kalimullah Nangyal said police in western Afghanistans Farah province have arrested two drug smugglers and seized 75 kilograms of narcoticsThe official added that acting on intelligence security forces raided a location in Farah Rod district on Monday apprehending the two suspects and confiscating 75 kg of raw opiumAn assault rifle was also recovered from the operation site the spokesman said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/afghan-police-discover-illegal-drugs-arrest-four-drug-traffickers-667985.html Sun, 05 Apr 2026 14:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/indias-role-seen-as-vital-to-bolster-bangladesh-nepal-economic-ties-667988.html New Delhi April 5 Nepals first billionaire Binod K Chaudhary has said that Bangladesh and Nepal could strengthen economic ties in energy and crossborder trade with closer regional cooperation involving India We would like to enter into a much bigger economic engagement with Bangladesh but without India playing a positive role thats not going to happen Chaudhary said on Saturday at a press conference organised by the International Chamber of Commerce Bangladesh ICCB in Dhaka according to a report in The Daily StarChaudhary pointed to Nepals growing hydropower capacity as a concrete opportunity saying the South Asian country could develop projects specifically targeting the Bangladeshi market with India facilitating transmissionIndias evolving stance on crossborder energy cooperation offers a window for such initiatives This becomes necessary due to geography As Nepal is a landlocked country trade of this nature depends largely on Indias cooperation he notedBinod Chaudhary controls Nepals CG Corp Global The businessman made it to the Forbes billionaire list in 2013 Forbes estimates his current net worth at 21 billionAlso speaking at the event Abdul Awal Mintoo Bangladeshs Environment Forest and Climate Change Minister referred to classical economic theory to stress the value of neighbouring marketsHe cautioned that reliance on natural resources alone cannot be a sustainable path to growth noting that many resourcerich countries had struggled while tradedriven economies had fared betterThe Minister also said strengthening economic ties with adjacent countries should take precedence over distant partnerships when it comes to boosting trade and longterm growthPolitical considerations should not be allowed to override the economic logic of regional integration he addedThe Minister said enhanced connectivity energy collaboration and trade integration among South Asian nations could unlock substantial economic opportunities provided countries prioritise pragmatic partnerships over political constraintsNepalese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanshyam Bhandari said the two countries share similar economic challenges and aspirations making cooperation in trade and investment both natural and necessaryThe longstanding bilateral relationship he added is rooted in geographic and economic interdependence symbolically linked by rivers flowing from the Himalayas to the Bay of BengalHe identified stronger engagement between the business communities of the two countries as the practical vehicle for expanding bilateral tradeThe Ambassador said Nepal and Bangladesh have the opportunity to define their own economic trajectory through closer regional cooperation with trade acting as the central pillar of that engagement IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/indias-role-seen-as-vital-to-bolster-bangladesh-nepal-economic-ties-667988.html Sun, 05 Apr 2026 15:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/bjp-cong-slam-pak-defence-ministers-kolkata-as-potential-target-remark--667990.html New Delhi April 5 IANS The Bharatiya Janata Party BJP and the Congress on Sunday lashed out at Pakistan after its Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned India that in case of any future conflict between the neighbouring countries the rogue nation will strike West Bengals capital Kolkata Asif had also accused India of planning a false flag operation against PakistannbspSpeaking to reporters Khawaja Asif had said They India plan some kind of falseflag operation through their own men or through the Pakistanis in their detention by planting dead bodies somewhere and claiming they were terrorists who had done soIf they India try to enact such a drama this time then God willing we will take it to Kolkata he addednbspCriticising the Pakistan Defence Ministers remark Congress MP Manish Tewari commented that Pakistan has achieved a PhD in false flag operationsnbspTewari told IANS Since 1971 Pakistan has been conducting false flag operations against India They have achieved PhD in false flag operations Whether it is Afghanistan India or other South Asian countriesThe Congress MP also called Pakistan as the epicentre of terrorismnbspTewari said If there is any epicentre of terrorism in South Asia that is PakistannbspSo those Pakistan who have done PhD in false flag operations when they put baseless allegations on others they in fact make a mockery of themselves he addednbspBJP Spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo reminded the neighbouring country of how its terror infrastructures were destroyed by India during last years Operation SindoorDoes Pakistan have the courage to challenge India During Operation Sindoor when we struck inside their territory they must not have forgotten how we destroyed the entire families of terrorists We had not spared even their military installations Deo saidnbspHe asserted that Pakistan had begged India for ceasefire and said We stopped the war on our terms and conditionsnbspMoreover BJP leader Deo emphasised that Kolkata is beyond the reach of PakistannbspThey Pakistan just talk big Kolkata is even beyond their reach In fact whenever we India want we can strike any part of their country Pakistan he saidIndia is a peaceloving country It never wants a war to happen We never function on the philosophy of attacking first but if somebody raises their eyes at us then what we did to Pakistan in Operation Sindoor we will do 100 times worse than that if they try to strike at us again Deo told IANSnbspJanata DalUnited leader Neeraj Kumar also echoed similar view while criticising Pakistans Defence Minister Khawaja AsifnbspHe said I hope Pakistans Defence Minister is aware of the wounds of Operation Sindoor Pakistans terror infrastructures were reduced to rubbles in minutes This type of statement from the Pakistan Minister is heavily objectionableIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/bjp-cong-slam-pak-defence-ministers-kolkata-as-potential-target-remark--667990.html Sun, 05 Apr 2026 16:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/ex-pakistani-minister-calls-for-creating-panel-to-examine-cases-of-forced-conversion-marriage-of-minor-girls-667998.html Islamabad April 5 All Pakistan Minorities Alliance chairman and former federal minister for national harmony and minorities affairs Paul Jacob Bhatti has urged the government to establish an independent parliamentary commission to analyse cases of forced religious conversion and marriage of minor girls local media reported In a statement Bhatti termed the issue a matter of serious and legitimate concern and warned that repeated cases of forced concern and child marriage were undermining basic human rights including childrens rights freedom of religion and the inherent dignity of each person the countrys leading daily Pakistan Today reportedHis demand comes amid protests held by Christians in several parts of Pakistan after a Federal Constitutional Court in its verdict allowed a 30yearold Muslim man to keep the custody of a 13yearold Maria ShahbazBhatti said a minor could not give full and free consent in matters linked to religion or marriage He stressed that any conversion or marriage taking place under pressure or coercion should undergo strict and independent analysis before being accepted as legally or morally validHe requested the Pakistan government to immediately reconsider the Federal Constitutional Courtâs verdict so that it aligns with Pakistanâs constitutional protections and the countryâs commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Pakistan Today reportedHe called for establishing a mandated review body through parliamentary approval and demanded that the panel include internationally recognised human rights experts representatives of all major religious communities qualified human rights lawyers and child protection specialistsOn March 29 a large number of Christians gathered outside the Karachi Press Club carrying placards and shouting slogans demanding protection for underage girls and stronger legislation against forced faith conversions and child marriages Christian Daily International reportedDuring the protests speakers warned of rising cases of abductions forced conversions and marriages involving Christian girls and urged the Federal Constitutional Court to reconsider the judgment They urged the Pakistan Prime Minister and President to take immediate noticeWhile addressing protesters church leader and rights activist Ghazala Shafique said We condemn the Federal Constitutional Court for trampling over the existing child marriage laws of the country by validating the Islamic conversion and marriage of an underage Christian minor girl How can minors who cannot legally obtain identity documents be deemed capable of making decisions about religion or marriageOther speakers called for reviewing all controversial laws and decisions impacting minority communities stressing that failure to address these issues increases insecurity among minorities Similarly protests were also organised by other groups including the National Christian Party and Gawahi Mission TrustGirls holding placards demanded justice in the Maria Shahbaz case and the implementation of laws prohibiting marriages under 18 years of age The protesters warned that vulnerable groups especially young girls remained at serious risk if urgent legal reforms and judicial review were not conducted IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/ex-pakistani-minister-calls-for-creating-panel-to-examine-cases-of-forced-conversion-marriage-of-minor-girls-667998.html Sun, 05 Apr 2026 16:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/naxalism-kashmir-militancy-see-major-decline-over-12-years-report-668002.html New Delhi April 5 India has recorded a significant decline in two of its most persistent internal security challenges Left Wing Extremism LWE and militancy in Jammu and Kashmir over the past 12 years with sustained security operations better intelligence coordination and developmentled interventions playing a decisive role according to a report On the Naxalism front the report highlights a sharp contraction in both the geographical spread and operational capabilities of Maoist groupsOnce stretching across a wide Red Corridor covering parts of central and eastern India Maoist influence is now largely confined to a limited number of districtsSecurity forces have over the years neutralised several top Maoist leaders dismantled key logistical networks and choked supply lines that earlier enabled insurgents to operate with relative easeA major shift in strategy from area of domination to intelligencedriven targeted operations has been central to this successThe increased use of technology improved coordination between state police forces and central agencies and the establishment of fortified security camps in remote areas have significantly reduced the mobility and strike capacity of Maoist cadresEqually important has been the governments focus on development in LWEaffected regionsExpansion of road networks mobile connectivity banking access and welfare schemes has helped integrate remote tribal areas into the mainstream weakening the ideological and logistical support base of Maoist groups Surrender and rehabilitation policies have also encouraged Maoist cadres to lay down arms further accelerating the declineIn Jammu and Kashmir the report points to a steady weakening of militancy particularly after a series of policy and security measures implemented over the past decadeThe security grid has been strengthened with better coordination among the Army paramilitary forces and local police leading to more frequent and precise counterterror operationsOne of the defining aspects of the shift has been the focus on dismantling terror ecosystems including overground worker OGW networks financing channels and recruitment pipelines Agencies have intensified surveillance and enforcement measures making it increasingly difficult for militant outfits to sustain operations or attract new recruitsAccording to the report by The Sunday Guardian crossborder infiltration has been curtailed to a large extent due to enhanced border management fencing and the use of advanced surveillance technologies This has significantly impacted the ability of Pakistanbacked groups to replenish cadres and resourcesWhile local recruitment had emerged as a concern in earlier years sustained pressure on militant leadership and outreach initiatives have contributed to a decline in fresh inductionsAt the same time targeted operations have reduced the lifespan of active militants limiting their operational impactThe cumulative effect of these measures has been visible in the reduction of largescale attacks and improved stability indicators in the regionCivilian life tourism and local governance have shown signs of revival although the report cautions that sporadic incidents and residual threats remainThe report authored by Abhinandan Mishra and published in The Sunday Guardian concludes that the decline in both Naxalism and Kashmir militancy reflects a calibrated approach combining hard security measures with governance and development leading to a gradual but sustained restoration of state authority in previously affected regions IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/naxalism-kashmir-militancy-see-major-decline-over-12-years-report-668002.html Sun, 05 Apr 2026 16:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/fairpoint-smarter-wars-not-longer-ones-indias-lesson-for-a-restless-world-668004.html New Delhi April 5 As the USIran conflict drags into its second month unsettling markets testing alliances one thing is becoming clear the world does not need longer wars It needs smarter outcomes That is why it is worth revisiting a decision closer home one that at the time drew sharp criticism from the Congressled opposition When the Modi government chose to halt Operation Sindoor soon after achieving its objective the opposition was quick to call it hasty even shortsightedIn hindsight that criticism now feels more reactive and political than reasoned Because strategy especially in matters of national security is rarely about how things look in the moment It is about clarity of purpose and just as importantly about knowing when that purpose has been served Not every show of strength needs to be stretched out to prove a pointIndia could have extended Operation Sindoor May 7 2025 â May 10 2025 It had the operational capacity to escalate broaden the scope or extend the engagement It chose not to The objective was clear and once met the operation was halted Within days Pakistan had been pushed onto the back foot seeking relief and a ceasefire agreement That was the outcome India was aiming forAnd perhaps that is what made it uncomfortable for some there was no prolonged buildup no dramatic escalation no extended theatre Just a swift contained resultNow shift the lens to West Asia Despite repeated assertions of control the US appears increasingly caught in a conflict that is deepening widening rather than settling US President Donald Trump continues to project confidence but the ground reality tells a more complicated story Iran for its part has shown that it retains the capacity to respond The backandforth continues and with it the uncertaintyThe unease around the Strait of Hormuz says enough The disruption is sending ripples across global energy markets That is the problem with prolonged conflicts they rarely stay contained and their consequences travel far beyond the immediate theatreWhat is also becoming evident is the hesitation among Americaâs traditional allies There is support yes but not quite the kind that translates into deep involvement There is caution a degree of distance and in some cases visible discomfortFrench President Emmanuel Macron in his recent remarks articulated this shift rather clearly His call for a âcoalition of independenceâ reflects a growing sentiment that countries are no longer entirely comfortable being tied too closely to dominant power blocs Strategic space matters perhaps more now than beforeFor India this is not unfamiliar ground Strategic autonomy has long been part of its approach though the way it is exercised has evolved From nonalignment to a more flexible interestdriven engagement India has gradually built a framework where it can work with multiple partners without being locked into any single axisIn the middle of the current crisis New Delhi has largely stayed that course It has resisted the pressure to take overt sides while ensuring that its own interests particularly in energy flows are not compromised It is this approach that has allowed India to maintain steady movement through critical routes Several Indian vessels have continued to pass through the Hormuz Strait despite the prevailing uncertaintyDiplomatic engagement continues and where required support has been extended quietly without much noise And that quietness is easy to miss especially in a world that often equates visibility with effectivenessThe longer the conflict continues the sharper the contrast becomes Prolonged offensives tend to create more variables than they resolve They stretch resources test alliances and introduce risks that are difficult to anticipate let alone manage Swift clearly defined actions on the other hand tend to leave less room for escalationOperation Sindoor may not have been widely acknowledged globally but it demonstrated a principle that is hard to ignore effectiveness is not measured by duration but by whether the objective was achieved Staying longer in a conflict does not necessarily translate into a better outcome it often does the oppositeThe US and the rest of the world are experiencing this India understood this a long time agoIf the past few weeks have shown anything it is this drawnout wars rarely produce clean endings They create layers of uncertainty economic political and strategic that take far longer to unwind than the conflict itselfDecisiveness restraint and clarity are often underestimated in moments of high tension They do not make for dramatic headlines Ultimately wars are not won by how long they last but by how decisively they are concludedAnd that is where Indiaâs approach begins to stand out Operation Sindoor is perhaps its clearest recent exampleDeepika Bhan can be contacted at deepikabiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/fairpoint-smarter-wars-not-longer-ones-indias-lesson-for-a-restless-world-668004.html Sun, 05 Apr 2026 16:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/chinese-tourists-experience-in-beijing-reveals-rapidly-expanding-system-of-identity-control-report-668027.html Beijing April 5 A Chinese tourists recent visit to Beijing reveals a rapidly expanding system of identity control in the Communist country one that combines big data and facial recognition technology to monitor movement across the public places of Chinas capital a report said A Chinese tourist shared on social media that he passed through security checks six times and was required to scan his national ID card 15 times during his recent fiveday visit to Beijing according to a report in The Epoch TimesIn a video shared on WeChat he said Basically everywhere you go you have to scan your IDHe added At tourist sites subway stations and many public spaces there are ID checkpoints Your trip gets interrupted again and againHis experience offers a window into a rapidly expanding system of identity control in Beijing one that integrates big data and facial recognition technology to monitor movement across the citys public spaces a report in The Epoch Times addedSeveral petitioners rights advocates and other individuals who spoke to The Epoch Times say the system reflects a broader shift toward datadriven social control raising concerns about privacy and civil liberties in China They spoke to the publication on condition of anonymity or only publishing their surnames out of fear of reprisal the report saidSecurity checks and ID verification have become nearly unavoidable for people in Beijing Subway stations regularly ask for bag inspections while many places require ID scans linked directly to personal data systems The system can be even more restrictive for certain groupsSpeaking to The Epoch Times a woman surnamed Li who has repeatedly visited Beijing to petition regime authorities said that scrutiny has increasedAccording to the report petitioning is an administrative process for hearing complaints and grievances of people However human rights groups have alleged that authorities routinely dismiss petitions and often persecutes those who are not satisfied with the authoritarian rule of the regimeShe said I just came back from Beijing This time the checks were more frequent than beforePlaces like Tiananmen Square all have security checks Petitioners are basically inspected wherever they go she addedAccording to her individuals flagged as key persons in some cases may be stopped entirelyShe said If youâre considered a priority target you may not be allowed to pass at all Theyll detain you and hand you over to your local authoritiesOthers termed it a system that functions through invisible digital monitoring and not just through physical checkpoints IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/chinese-tourists-experience-in-beijing-reveals-rapidly-expanding-system-of-identity-control-report-668027.html Sun, 05 Apr 2026 17:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/white-house-denies-trump-hospital-rumours-668038.html Washington April 5 The White House has pushed back against widespread online speculation that President Donald Trump was hospitalised calling the claims false after rumours spread rapidly across social media following a routine press âlidâ The speculation began after the White House announced a travel and photo âlidâ at 11 am ET Saturday signalling no further public appearances for the day Posts on X suggested Trump had been taken to Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre amplified by a widely shared motorcade videoHowever factchecks and subsequent reporting indicated the footage was from 2024 when Trump was released from a hospital in Butler Pennsylvania after being shotThe White House communications director Steven Cheung dismissed the claims and sought to project normalcy around the Presidentâs scheduleâThere has never been a President who has worked harder for the American people than President Trump On this Easter weekend he has been working nonstop in the White House and Oval Office God Bless himâ Cheung wrote on XA freelance journalist reporting from Walter Reed said there was no Marine One no motorcade and roads remained open contradicting claims of heightened security linked to a Presidential visitVisual cues from the White House also reinforced that Trump remained inside the West Wing CBS News journalist Emma Nicholson posted âA Marine sentry is standing at the door of the West Wing as of 150 pm indicating the President is working insideâA Marine posted outside the West Wing entrance typically signals the President is present and working in the buildingIn recent years misinformation linked to Presidential movements has spread quickly across digital platforms often requiring rapid official clarification to counter false narratives IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/white-house-denies-trump-hospital-rumours-668038.html Sun, 05 Apr 2026 19:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-thanks-armenia-for-helping-evacuate-citizens-from-iran-amid-west-asia-tensions-667907.html New Delhi April 4 IANS India on Saturday expressed gratitude to Armenia for facilitating the evacuation of its nationals from Iran as efforts continue to bring back citizens amid the intensifying conflict in West AsianbspnbspThe evacuation of Indian fishermen through Armenia marks another step in New Delhis ongoing mission to ensure the safe return of its citizens from the regionExternal Affairs Minister S Jaishankar posted on X Thank FM AraratMirzoyan and the Government of Armenia for facilitating the evacuation of Indian fishermen today from Iran through Armenia to IndiaAmid the escalating situation hundreds of Indian citizens have been evacuated from Iran into neighbouring Armenia in recent days India has been coordinating closely with regional governments to ensure safe transit routes for its nationalsEarlier this week India also thanked Azerbaijan for assisting in the evacuation process During a weekly media briefing in New Delhi Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that around 204 Indian nationals have successfully crossed into Azerbaijan from Iran via the land border He added that while several evacuees have already returned to India others are expected to arrive over the coming daysAzerbaijan several of our Indian nationals 204 to be precise have been able to leave Iran for Azerbaijan through the land border And from there they will be coming back home Several of them have returned others will be returning in the course of the next few days or so Jaiswal statedIndia had earlier acknowledged Armenias assistance in evacuation efforts On March 16 EAM Jaishankar thanked the Armenian government and its people for facilitating the safe evacuation of over 550 Indian nationals from Iran appreciating their continued support during challenging circumstancesThe ongoing evacuation operations highlight Indias diplomatic outreach and coordination with multiple countries to safeguard its citizens amid rising tensions in West AsiaIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-thanks-armenia-for-helping-evacuate-citizens-from-iran-amid-west-asia-tensions-667907.html Sat, 04 Apr 2026 13:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/taxes-margins-eat-half-of-pakistans-petrol-price-consumers-cry-report-667914.html New Delhi April 4 IANS Pakistani consumers are bearing almost half of petrols retail cost in the form of government levies and industry profit margins an internal government document has revealed coming just a day after a massive increase in the prices of both petrol and diesel was announced a report saidnbspAccording to the Geo News report Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik speaking alongside Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb at a press briefing announced a Rs 13723perlitre rise in petrol prices pushing the retail rate to Rs 45841 per litreMoreover highspeed diesel climbed even more steeply up Rs 18449 per litre to a new benchmark of Rs 52035Both hikes were attributed to disruptions in the global oil supply chain stemming from the ongoing conflict in the Middle EastThe Ministry of Energys pricing document lays bare a cost structure that places the exrefinery price of petrol at Rs 24715 per litre less than the Rs 21126 per litre piled on through taxes and marginsOf that nonproduct portion a petroleum levy alone accounts for Rs 16061 per litre followed by Rs 2412 in customs duty and Rs 250 under the climate support levyThe inland freight margin adds another Rs 752 while oil marketing companies OMCs collect Rs 787 in profit and pump dealers retain an Rs 864 commission per litreThe picture is markedly different for diesel consumers The exrefinery price of highspeed diesel stands at Rs 46123 per litre and unlike petrol diesel currently attracts no petroleum levyIn addition combined taxes and margins on diesel total Rs 5912 per litre 1136 per cent of the retail price comprising Rs 3574 in customs duty Rs 437 for inland freight Rs 787 in OMC profit Rs 864 for dealers and the Rs 250 climate levyThe disclosures have drawn fresh scrutiny to the governments fiscal strategy with petrols taxandmargin share more than four times that of diesel even as pump prices for both fuels reach record highsIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/taxes-margins-eat-half-of-pakistans-petrol-price-consumers-cry-report-667914.html Sat, 04 Apr 2026 13:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-jets-shot-down-over-iran-rescue-underway-667841.html Washington April 4 A US Air Force F15E Strike Eagle was shot down over Iran triggering a combat searchandrescue operation with one crew member rescued and another still missing Both crew members ejected from the aircraft One has been found alive while efforts continue to locate the second whose status remains unclear The F15E is a twoseat multirole fighter with a pilot and a weapons systems officerIn a separate incident the same day a US Air Force A10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft was also lost in the region Its pilot was rescued safely people familiar with the situation were quoted by local media outletsInitial US indications suggest both aircraft were hit by Iranian fire Iran claimed it had downed an American fighter and circulated images purportedly showing wreckage of an F15E though the authenticity of those images could not be independently verifiedUS Central Command and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for commentVideos on social media reportedly from southwestern Iran showed US aircraft flying low possibly conducting combat searchandrescue CSAR missionsThe US Air Force has CSAR teams in the region equipped with HC130J Combat King II aircraft and HH60 helicopters At least one rescue helicopter involved in the operation was hit by Iranian fire but managed to land according to people familiar with the matterThe incidents mark the first known combat loss of US crewed aircraft in the current conflict Earlier a US Air Force F35 pilot had âsuffered shrapnel woundsâ after damage to the aircraft during a mission over Iran on March 19 but the jet was able to make an emergency landingThree F15Es were also âshot down by friendly fireâ over Kuwait on March 2 with all six crew members ejecting safely Separately a KC135 tanker âcrashed in western Iraq after an apparent midair collisionâ killing six airmenIranian state media said the downing of the aircraft would mark the first time Tehran had shot down an American fighter jet since the conflict began weeks ago Reports also indicated Iranian forces were searching for the missing US service member in the area where the jet went downUS officials have said American forces continue to operate with air superiority over large parts of Iran and have struck more than 12300 targets IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-jets-shot-down-over-iran-rescue-underway-667841.html Sat, 04 Apr 2026 09:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-seeks-record-15-trillion-defence-budget-667842.html Washington April 4 US President Donald Trump has proposed a record 15 trillion defence budget for fiscal 2027 a 44 per cent jump that would sharply expand Pentagon spending while cutting several domestic programmes âThe Budget builds upon the historic 1 trillion topline provided for the national defense by requesting 15 trillion for 2027 a 44percent increaseâ the White House said in its official budget document proposal for the fiscal 2027The administration said the request would ensure that the United States maintains military dominance at a time of rising security pressures âThe 2027 Budget upholds this promise and would ensure that the United States continues to maintain the worldâs most powerful and capable militaryâ the document saidThe proposal includes about 11 trillion in base discretionary defence spending and another 350 billion tied to priority programmes including munitions production and expansion of the defence industrial baseA major centrepiece is the âGolden Domeâ missile defence shield The White House budget says it would be ârobustly fundedâ while related reports said the programme is expected to receive strong backing as part of a broader homeland defence pushThe budget also seeks 658 billion for shipbuilding including new battle force ships and support vessels and proposes pay rises for service members with a 7 per cent wage increase for personnel ranked E5 and below according to media reports and the budget summaryAt the same time the White House is pairing the defence increase with cuts across nondefence spending âThe Budget proposes a 10per cent cut compared to 2026 nondefense levelsâ the official document saidThe proposal outlines reductions in education environmental health and foreign assistance programmes The Washington Post reported that it would make 73 billion in cuts to environmental education and health research programmes while the Journal said the plan would reduce nondefence spending by 10 per cent to about 660 billionCongressional reaction split along party lines Republican leaders broadly welcomed the defence expansion while Democrats attacked it as excessive and warned that it would come at the expense of domestic priorities according to media reportsThe White House framed the proposal as part of a larger fiscal reset âThe Budget builds on the Presidentâs vision by continuing to constrain nondefense spending and reform the Federal Governmentâ the official document saidThe budget request now heads to Congress where lawmakers will have to decide how much of it survives before the new fiscal year begins on October 1 Big Pentagon requests often face political resistance even when both parties broadly support strong defence spendingThe United States remains the worldâs largest military spender The proposed jump would come as Washington faces pressure from conflicts in the Middle East longterm competition with China and fresh demands to replenish weapons stockpiles and modernise its forces IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-seeks-record-15-trillion-defence-budget-667842.html Sat, 04 Apr 2026 09:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-us-join-indo-pacific-partners-in-20-day-anti-submarine-drill-in-guam-667843.html Washington April 4 The United States and India joined Japan Australia and New Zealand in a 20day antisubmarine warfare exercise in Guam boosting coordination among IndoPacific partners officials said Exercise Sea Dragon 2026 concluded at Andersen Air Force Base on March 28 after 20 days of intensive training focused on tracking and neutralising undersea threats in a complex operational environment a media release saidHosted by Commander Task Force 72 the exercise featured US Navy P8A Poseidon aircraft alongside aircraft from the Indian Navy Japan Maritime SelfDefense Force Royal Australian Air Force and Royal New Zealand Air ForceOfficials said the drills were designed to enhance interoperability and strengthen shared maritime domain awareness among the five participating nations The exercise built on previous editions to improve the ability to conduct coordinated antisubmarine warfare operations in a dynamic and contested environmentâWhat we do in Sea Dragon builds more than skill â it establishes team across nations The shared experience empowers us to fight together more effectivelyâ said Navy Lt Paolo Aguilar assigned to Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron 4The training programme included structured tracking drills using a mobile antisubmarine warfare training target known as the MK30 Participants also carried out a live antisubmarine warfare exercise in which crews hunted for an active Navy submarine operating in the areaThis yearâs operations were conducted in the vicinity of Saipan the capital of the Northern Mariana Islands where forces employed recoverable exercise torpedoes demonstrating an expansion of operational capabilities among the participating nationsThe exercise retained a competitive component with each nationâs performance assessed and graded in realistic scenarios Japanâs Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron 3 won the Dragon Belt award which had been held last year by the Royal Australian Air ForceExercises like Sea Dragon highlight the strength of US partnerships and alliances officials said emphasising the role of such drills in maintaining regional stabilityâThey show that together weâre stronger more capable and ready to deter any aggressor in the IndoPacificâ said Navy Lt Caitlin Tucker a pilot with Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron 45Sea Dragon held annually since 2019 has emerged as a key platform for enhancing coordination among maritime forces operating in the IndoPacific The participation of India alongside US allies reflects a steady deepening of defence cooperation in the regionIn recent years India has expanded its engagement in multilateral naval exercises as part of broader efforts to strengthen maritime security partnerships and safeguard critical sea lanes The IndoPacific remains central to global trade flows and strategic competition with increasing focus on undersea capabilities and surveillance IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-us-join-indo-pacific-partners-in-20-day-anti-submarine-drill-in-guam-667843.html Sat, 04 Apr 2026 09:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/indian-american-candidate-makes-washington-dc-mayor-ballot-667844.html Washington April 4 Rini Sampath a Tamil Naduborn candidate has become the first South Asian person to secure a place on the ballot for Mayor of Washington DC marking a milestone in the cityâs political history Sampath who was born in Theni in India and moved to the United States at the age of seven said the moment carried personal and broader community significanceâItâs so meaningful to me to be the first South Asian person to make the ballot for DC Mayor I moved to the United States when I was seven years old in pursuit of the American dream and Iâm in this race to make sure that dream actually works for DC residentsâ she saidHer campaign confirmed that more than 4500 people signed her petition to qualify for the ballotâIâm thrilled to have had over 4500 people sign my petition to get me on the ballot for DC Mayor South Asians contribute so much to our economy but see very little representation in government I hope my candidacy inspires others to run and do good for their neighbours and I hope youâll join our campaignâ Sampath saidAccording to campaign material Sampath is a 31yearold government contractor who has lived in the US capital for over a decade She has positioned her campaign around basic civic services and governance reformsâAs Mayor my priority will be to make sure our city lives up to its basic commitments to our residents Fill the potholes Stop the catastrophic wastewater spill in the Potomac Lower prices Improve 911 wait timesâ she said outlining her agendaHer campaign slogan underscores this focus emphasising fixing basic services strengthening neighbourhoods and lowering the cost of livingIn her campaign messaging Sampath draws a contrast with what she describes as entrenched leadership in City Hall âWhy would you give a promotion to someone who has failed at the basic functions of their jobâ she said referring to the âcurrent front runners in the DC Mayors raceâ as âpolitical insiders who have served on the city council for yearsâShe added âWe all know DC government is brokenâ pointing to recent snowstorms that left âstreets and sidewalksâ unpassable and dangerousâ with âtrash piled upâ and âwaterlines burst because of aging infrastructureâSampath has also framed her candidacy as that of an outsider âIâm not a politician Iâm not backed by any special interest groups Iâm a federal contractor who spent my career improving government programs and citizen servicesâ she said âWe need someone new We need to go back to basics and fix our roads and sidewalks and city servicesâHer personal story features prominently in her campaign narrative Born in Tamil Nadu she describes her roots as central to her public service motivation âMy grandfather has always been a driving force for me and a source of inspirationâ she said She also credited her fatherâs decision to move the family to the United States saying it shaped her outlook on opportunity and responsibilityWashington DC operates under a mayorcouncil system where the mayor serves as the chief executive of the District The Democratic primary is often decisive in the city given the partyâs strong voter baseSampathâs entry into the race reflects a broader trend of increasing political participation by Indian Americans and other South Asian communities in US local and national politics While representation at higher levels has grown in recent years including in Congress and state offices mayoral races in major US cities have seen fewer candidates from the community IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/indian-american-candidate-makes-washington-dc-mayor-ballot-667844.html Sat, 04 Apr 2026 09:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-signs-order-to-save-college-sports-667845.html Washington April 4 US President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at restoring âorder fairness and stabilityâ to college athletics warning that the system faces mounting financial and legal pressures that threaten its future The order directs federal agencies to strengthen enforcement of rules governing transfers eligibility and compensation including examining whether violations could render universities ineligible for federal grants and contracts according to a White House fact sheet It also calls for updated national standards to stabilise the system These include âclear consistent and fair eligibility limitsâ structured transfer rules and a fiveyear participation window for studentathletesThe administration is pushing for measures to âensure medical care for studentathletesâ regulate revenuesharing and âban improper financial arrangements including payforplay agreements facilitated by collectives and similar entitiesâThe executive order among other things directs the General Services Administration and the Department of Education to expand data collection across college sports to improve compliance The Federal Trade Commission and the Attorney General have been tasked with taking enforcement action where necessaryThe move comes amid growing concern in Washington over what officials describe as a âfinancial arms raceâ in college athletics driven by lawsuits and statelevel changes to compensation rulesâCollege sports cannot function without clear agreedupon rules concerning payforplay and player eligibility that canât be endlessly challenged in courtâ the White House saidOfficials argue that the current system risks concentrating resources in major revenue sports such as football and basketball while undermining smaller programmes particularly womenâs and Olympic sportsThe order notes that âthe resulting chaos is creating financial pressures that threaten to drain resources from all sports except football and basketball and from many universities altogetherâIt also highlights the broader economic and social role of college athletics which supports over 500000 studentathletes and provides nearly 4 billion in scholarships annuallyâCollege sports is a uniquely American institution that produces great athletes and leaders fuels our Olympic dominance and forms an indelible part of American culture and communitiesâ the White House saidThe directive urges Congress to act swiftly stating that âfurther delay is not an option given what is at stake and the turmoil and instability currently facing universities across the nationâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-signs-order-to-save-college-sports-667845.html Sat, 04 Apr 2026 09:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/iran-rejects-us-proposal-for-48-hour-ceasefire-report-667847.html Tehran April 4 Iran has rejected a US proposal for a 48hour ceasefire the semiofficial Fars news agency reported on Friday The proposal was delivered to Iran through a friendly country on Thursday Fars quoted an informed source as sayingWashington has stepped up its diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire particularly after an Iranian strike targeted a US military forces depot on Kuwaits Bubiyan Island Xinhua news agency reported quoting sourcesAccording to Fars assessments suggest that the proposal was put forward following an intensification of the crisis in the region and serious problems for US forces resulting from their countrys miscalculation of Irans military capabilitiesThe report added that Irans response to the offer was not given in writing but through the continuation of attacks in the battlefieldMeanwhile the Iranian army confirmed that its air defence systems shot down a US A10 Warthog attack plane over Irans southern waters near the Strait of Hormuz with the aircraft crashing into the Persian Gulf The announcement came shortly after IRGC said that it had downed a US F35 fighter jet in central Iranian airspace earlier in the day Later Friday Irans semiofficial Mehr News Agency reported that a US Black Hawk helicopter was also hit by a projectile in Iranian airspace while searching for the pilot of the downed US fighter jetYadollah Rahmani governor of Kohgiluyeh and BoyerAhmad province called on residents in tribal and rural areas to assist authorities in locating enemy pilotsOn February 28 Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities killing Irans then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei along with senior military commanders and civilians Iran responded by launching waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and US assets in the Middle East IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/iran-rejects-us-proposal-for-48-hour-ceasefire-report-667847.html Sat, 04 Apr 2026 09:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/earthquake-in-northern-afghanistan-kills-eight-667855.html Kabul April 4 At least eight people have been killed in a 59magnitude earthquake that struck northern Afghanistan Mohammad Yousuf Hammad a spokesman for the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority said A house in Kabul province collapsed following the quake killing eight residents and injuring a child Hammad said late Friday nightStrong tremors were also felt in the capital Kabul The epicentre with a depth of 1864 km was initially determined to be at 3655 degrees north latitude and 7085 degrees east longitude Xinhua news agency reportedEarthquake tremors were felt across DelhiNCR and several parts of North India on Friday night triggering panic among residents who rushed out of homes and office buildingsThe tremors were reported from multiple locations including Delhi Noida Gurugram Ghaziabad and Faridabad as well as parts of Uttar Pradesh Haryana and adjoining regionsResidents had reported feeling sudden jerks while seated with furniture and hanging objects swaying Many people said the shaking lasted for a few seconds but was strong enough to be clearly felt indoorsIn several residential areas people stepped out of their homes as a precaution while officegoers briefly evacuated buildings People gathered in open spaces waiting for further updatesAfghanistan is prone to a range of natural disasters but its earthquakes cause the most fatalities killing about 560 people on average each year and causing annual damages estimated at 80 million Studies indicate at least 355 earthquakes with a magnitude higher than 50 have hit Afghanistan since 1990Afghanistan is located on the edge of the Eurasian tectonic plate which shares a transgression zone with the Indian plate implying the two may converge or brush past each other and is also influenced by the Arabian plate to its south creating one of the worlds most tectonically active regionsThe northward movement of the Indian plate and its thrust against the Eurasian plate is usually responsible for Afghanistans numerous quakesEastern and northeastern Afghanistan especially regions along its borders with Uzbekistan Tajikistan and Pakistan are particularly prone to earthquakesThis includes heavily populated Kabul which has the highest average estimated damage due to earthquakes amounting to 17 million every year according to a studyEarthquakes are also particularly dangerous in Afghanistans mountains where they can trigger landslides exacerbating loss of life and property IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/earthquake-in-northern-afghanistan-kills-eight-667855.html Sat, 04 Apr 2026 09:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistani-forces-killed-another-baloch-student-in-balochistan-rights-group-667887.html Quetta April 4 Another Baloch student was extrajudicially killed in Balochistan by Pakistan forces according to a leading human rights organisation Human rights body Baloch Yakjehti Committee BYC mentioned that the dead body of 18yearold student Ghulam Qadir was found dumped in the Palari area of Gwadar district on April 1 after he had been forcibly disappeared for nearly four monthsAccording to the rights body on November 24 2025 he was taken from the Coast Hospital Gwadar by Pakistani forces without any due processCondemning the brutal incident the BYC said that it reflects an ongoing pattern of violence in Balochistan where the âbodies of Baloch individuals are found daily following enforced disappearances extrajudicial killings and targeted attacks a reality marked by fear yet met with resistanceâThe rights body called on international human rights organisations and the global community to take immediate notice of the grave human rights situation in the province Questioning the silence of the global community on the ongoing atrocities in Balochistan by Pakistani authorities the BYC said We will not forget We will not stay silent This is resistanceâPaank the Baloch National Movements Human Rights Department earlier mentioned that four more civilians including students were forcibly disappeared in Balochistan raising fresh concerns over enforced disappearances in the regionThe rights body strongly condemned the enforced disappearance of a Baloch youth Kareem on Thursday from the Joosak area of Turbat in the Kech districtâThis pattern of abduction carried out in broad daylight involving armed individuals and unidentified vehicles reflects an ongoing and alarming trend of enforced disappearances in Balochistan Such actions violate fundamental human rights including the right to liberty security and due process as enshrined in both national and international lawâ the rights body statedPaank also revealed that a Baloch student Shayhaq Rahim was forcibly disappeared on March 31 from the Main Bazar in Turbat by Pakistanbacked death squadsThe rights body said that the abduction of Rahim in broad daylight underlines the prevailing climate of fear and impunity in the regionIn a separate case another student Noor Khan was forcibly disappeared on March 28 by personnel of the Pakistani military from the Pasni area of Gwadar district in BalochistanAdditionally the rights body said that one more student identified as Sameer was abducted on March 20 from Gwadar by Pakistani Military Intelligence MIBalochistan continues to reel under relentless atrocities by the Pakistani forces marked by enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings of Baloch civilians at an unprecedented level IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistani-forces-killed-another-baloch-student-in-balochistan-rights-group-667887.html Sat, 04 Apr 2026 12:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-imposes-50-per-cent-tariffs-on-steel-aluminum-and-copper-667734.html Washington April 3 US President Donald Trump signed a sweeping proclamation imposing steep tariffs on imports of steel aluminium and copper tightening trade controls in the name of national security The order mandates that tariffs apply to the âfull customs valueâ of imported metal products and their derivatives closing what the administration described as loopholes in earlier measuresThe move builds on earlier Section 232 actions under which the US had already determined that rising imports of key metals âthreaten to impair the national security of the United StatesâUnder the new regime most primary steel and aluminium products will face a 50 per cent ad valorem duty while certain derivative products will be subject to a 25 per cent tariffOfficials said the changes are aimed at ensuring importers pay duties based on actual transaction prices rather than artificially lowered valuesâWe are going to charge 50 per cent of the full value of the steel paid by US customers in Americaâ a senior administration official said explaining the revised methodologyThe official added that the new structure is designed to eliminate pricing distortions by exportersâThey were just artificially making it lower and weâre just getting rid of that because they were basically fooling the systemâ the official saidThe administration also introduced a simplified framework for derivative products Items with limited metal content will be exempt from additional tariffs while those with substantial metal composition will face a flat dutyâIf itâs got substantial amounts of steel aluminium or copperâ itâll have a simple 25 per cent tariffâ the official saidOfficials argued the overhaul would streamline compliance and reduce administrative complexity for importers while strengthening enforcementThe proclamation states that domestic capacity utilisation in aluminium and steel has risen since the original tariffs were imposed reaching about 504 per cent for aluminium and 772 per cent for steelThe administration said further tightening was needed to push utilisation closer to the targeted 80 per cent and to prevent circumvention through derivative productsIn addition to tariff hikes the order authorises US authorities to expand the list of covered products on a ârolling basisâ if imports are found to undermine national security objectivesOfficials insisted the measures would not significantly affect consumer pricesâI donât think itâs going to have any impact on affordabilityâ the official said adding that the changes primarily affect trade mechanics rather than retail pricingThe tariffs will take effect from April 6 applying to goods entering the US market from that date IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-imposes-50-per-cent-tariffs-on-steel-aluminum-and-copper-667734.html Fri, 03 Apr 2026 10:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-warns-china-over-panama-canal-linked-ships-667735.html Washington April 3 The United States warned China that actions targeting Panamaflagged vessels threaten a key global trade route and could drive up costs for businesses and consumers US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Chinaâs recent actions against Panamaflagged ships raise âserious concernâ about the use of economic tools to undermine the rule of law in PanamaâChinaâs recent actions against Panamaflagged vessels raise serious concerns about the use of economic tools to undermine the rule of law in Panamaâ Rubio said in a statementHe said detentions delays and other impediments to vessel movement âundermine the stability of global supply chains increase costs for businesses and consumers and erode confidence in the international trading systemâThe remarks follow reports of increased inspections and detentions of Panamaflagged vessels at Chinese ports Panamanian authorities have acknowledged a rise in scrutiny which has led to delays and disruptions in maritime operations though not necessarily seizuresThe dispute comes after a recent ruling by Panamaâs Supreme Court on the Balboa and Cristóbal terminals The court invalidated a longstanding concession granted to a Hong Kongbased company and allowed the government to assume control of the ports and appoint new operatorsRubio said the courtâs decision âupheld transparency the rule of law and held private operators accountable to the public interestâ He added that it shows Panama is âa reliable partner for international investment and business opportunitiesâThe United States also reaffirmed its support for Panamaâs sovereignty Rubio said Washington âstands firmly with Panamaâ and looks forward to expanding economic and security cooperation with the countryThe Panama Canal is a critical artery for global trade It handles roughly 5 per cent of global maritime commerce Any disruption to vessel movement can ripple across supply chains affecting energy manufacturing and consumer goodsUS officials have increasingly raised concerns about Chinaâs influence over strategic infrastructure near the canal IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-warns-china-over-panama-canal-linked-ships-667735.html Fri, 03 Apr 2026 10:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-imposes-100-per-cent-tariff-on-patented-drugs-667736.html Washington April 3 The United States will impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on imported patented pharmaceuticals with President Donald Trump citing national security risks and heavy reliance on foreign supply chains In a proclamation issued Thursday Trump said pharmaceuticals and related ingredients âare being imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United StatesâThe proclamation targets patented drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients APIs These are critical for both civilian healthcare and military readiness The administration warned that reliance on overseas production could disrupt access to âlifesaving medicationsâ during geopolitical or economic crisesUnder the order most imported patented pharmaceuticals will face a 100 per cent ad valorem duty Companies that commit to shifting production to the United States will be subject to a reduced 20 per cent tariff which will rise to 100 per cent after four yearsThe proclamation also outlines differentiated tariff rates for key trading partners Imports from the European Union Japan South Korea and Switzerland will face lower tariffs of around 15 per cent while certain specialised categories such as orphan drugs nuclear medicines and gene therapies will remain exemptGeneric drugs and biosimilars have been excluded from the tariff regime for now âGeneric pharmaceuticals and their associated ingredients shall not be subject to tariffsâ at this timeâ the proclamation saidOfficials said the policy is part of a broader effort to rebuild domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing and secure supply chains US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told reporters at the White House that the focus goes beyond tariffs to longterm restructuring of productionâItâs less whatâs the tariff level and itâs more all of the actual deals weâve been making with countries and companies to make sure that the supply chains are secure that weâre making here in Americaâ Greer saidHe added that companies were already responding to the policy shift âWe see concrete going in superstructures going up on new pharmaceutical facilitiesâ he said pointing to investments in USbased manufacturingThe tariffs will be implemented in phases beginning July 31 2026 with some companies facing delayed timelines based on existing agreementsThe decision is expected to have farreaching implications for global pharmaceutical trade especially for countries that serve as major suppliers of finished drugs and raw materialsIndia and China are among the largest producers of generic medicines and active pharmaceutical ingredients globally supplying a significant share of the US market While generics are currently exempt any future expansion of tariffs could have wider implications for global drug pricing and supply chainsSection 232 of the Trade Expansion Act invoked in this case allows the US President to restrict imports deemed a threat to national security The provision has previously been used to impose tariffs on steel and aluminium and its extension to pharmaceuticals marks a significant escalation in trade policy targeting strategic sectors IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-imposes-100-per-cent-tariff-on-patented-drugs-667736.html Fri, 03 Apr 2026 10:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/white-house-says-trade-pacts-including-india-helped-slash-us-deficit-667737.html Washington April 3 The White House said that new trade agreements including with India have helped rebalance global trade and reduce US deficits under Donald Trumpâs tariff strategy Marking one year since what it calls âLiberation Dayâ the White House said the US economy is now more resilient competitive and secureâOne year ago today President Trump threw away the illusions of âfree tradeâ to finally put Americans and America Firstâ White House spokesman Kush Desai said âThe results since Liberation Day have been astonishing over 20 new trade deals trillions in manufacturing investments lower drug prices and lower goods trade deficitsââAnd this is just the beginning of the Presidentâs transformation of global trade as these investment and trade deals continue taking effect and more get signed Americans can count on the best being yet to comeâ Desai saidThe administration said the US goods trade deficit fell 24 per cent from April 2025 through February 2026 compared to a year earlier It added that the deficit has declined every month on a yearonyear basis since the policy shiftOfficials said bilateral trade balances improved with more than 63 per cent of trading partners The goods trade deficit with China dropped by 32 per cent over the past year and by 46 per cent from April 2025 through January 2026For the first time since 2000 China is no longer the country with which the United States has its largest trade deficit the statement saidThe deficit with the European Union also fell sharply dropping by nearly 40 per cent over the same period The United States has also begun running a goods surplus with Switzerland for the first time since 2012The White House said foreign producers were bearing part of the tariff costs Citing a Bank of England study it said export prices to the United States fell while prices to other countries did not indicating that overseas exporters lowered prices to remain competitiveThe administration said it has secured more than 20 trade agreements with major partners including the European Union Japan India Vietnam and Argentina These deals it said cover over half of global GDP and reduce nontariff barriers while opening new markets for US agriculture energy and industrial goodsOfficials also pointed to a resurgence in manufacturing âTrillions in private and foreign investments are fueling a historic reshoring of American industry bring jobs production and supply chains back homeâ the statement saidInvestments span companies such as Apple Toyota Micron and Pfizer it addedShipments of core capital goods reached record highs in 2025 while capital goods imports as a share of total imports also hit a record levelManufacturing activity expanded in early 2026 for the first time in more than two years with growth continuing through February and March The industrial production index is now at its highest level since 2019 the White House saidIn 2025 the United States surpassed Japan in crude steel production for the first time since 1999 becoming the worldâs thirdlargest steel producer behind China and IndiaThe administration said American workers have seen strong wage gains Private sector workers recorded real wage increases of more than 1400 in one year with higher gains in manufacturing construction and miningâThese strong results prove that President Trumpâs America First trade policies are making our country wealthy strong and respected once againâ the statement saidTrade policy has been a central element of Trumpâs economic agenda with tariffs aimed at reducing dependence on imports and encouraging domestic production The approach has reshaped trade flows and triggered negotiations with key partnersThe United States remains one of the worldâs largest trading economies with India the European Union and China among its major partners Trade deficits industrial output and wage trends continue to be closely tracked as indicators of the policyâs longterm impact IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/white-house-says-trade-pacts-including-india-helped-slash-us-deficit-667737.html Fri, 03 Apr 2026 10:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/chinese-national-jailed-in-us-fraud-case-667738.html Washington April 3 A Chinese national unlawfully residing in the United States has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for his role in an identity theft and vehicle fraud scheme involving luxury cars federal prosecutors said David X Sullivan United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut said Huachun Zheng also known as âRi Yuanâ 43 was sentenced by US District Judge Sarala V Nagala in HartfordAccording to court documents and statements made in court Zheng and his associates used stolen personal and financial information along with counterfeit or stolen identity cards to secure loans to purchase or lease highend vehicles from a dealership in GreenwichThe vehicles were then transported to New York where the group attempted to resell themOn September 27 2022 Zheng used a stolen identity to obtain 9474273 in financing to purchase a 2019 Porsche Panamera from the Greenwich dealership The fraud was detected before the vehicle could be resold and the dealership repossessed itProsecutors said Zhengâs coconspirators also obtained financing fraudulently to purchase additional vehicles from the same dealershipThe investigation further revealed that Zheng and others used stolen identity information in other fraudulent schemesOn September 10 2022 Zheng was arrested in Nassau County New York in connection with a scheme involving fraudulent cheques used to purchase jewellery At the time of that arrest he was driving a Maserati that had been purchased from a dealership in Jamaica New YorkThe vehicle was registered in the name of the same identity theft victim whose information Zheng later used to obtain financing for the Porsche in GreenwichZheng who did not have legal status in the United States has been detained since his arrest on January 28 2025He pleaded guilty on January 6 2026 to one count of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theftAuthorities said Zheng will face immigration proceedings after completing his prison sentence IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/chinese-national-jailed-in-us-fraud-case-667738.html Fri, 03 Apr 2026 10:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-bill-targets-permanent-moon-outpost-by-2030-667739.html Washington April 3 A US Congressman introduced legislation directing NASA to establish the first elements of a permanent lunar outpost by 2030 asserting that the move is critical to sustaining American leadership in space amid rising competition from China Congressman Keith Self unveiled the bill a day after the Artemis II mission lifted off marking the first crewed flight to lunar orbit in over five decades The proposal seeks to amend existing US space law and sets a deadline of December 31 2030 for the initial outpostâLast night America reminded the world that we are the greatest spacefaring nation on earthâ Self said âBut a victory lap is not a strategy If we are serious about maintaining American leadership in space we need boots on the Moon Permanently That is what this legislation demandsâThe bill directs the NASA Administrator to establish the initial infrastructure at the Moonâs south pole The region is considered strategically important due to the presence of water ice which can be converted into rocket fuel and deposits of helium3 and rare earth elementsSelf described the lunar effort as an economic as well as strategic imperative âThe Moon is not just a destination It is the foundation for an entirely new American industrial frontierâ he said âLunar resources will drive the next generation of space manufacturing mining and constructionâHe added that US companies are already developing relevant technologies but require sustained government backing and a permanent presence on the lunar surfaceThe legislation comes amid intensifying competition with China National Space Administration which has publicly outlined plans to establish a lunar research station in the same region before the end of the decadeâThe CCP is not a partner in space They are a competitor and they are playing to winâ Self said âInternational law on lunar resources is unsettled The nation that physically establishes a presence on the surface will define the rules for everyone elseâThe Artemis II mission launched by NASA carries four astronauts on a lunar flyby aboard the Orion spacecraft It is the first crewed deepspace mission since 1972Self argued that a permanent outpost would translate into economic gains at home âA lunar outpost means American jobs American ingenuity and American flags planted firmly in the regolithâ he said âThe window to lead is open This legislation makes sure we do not waste itâThe proposal was earlier introduced as part of the NASA Reauthorization Act and cleared committee in February before being reintroduced as a standalone bill IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-bill-targets-permanent-moon-outpost-by-2030-667739.html Fri, 03 Apr 2026 10:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-among-uss-largest-trade-deficit-partners-with-5491-billion-in-past-12-months-667741.html Washington April 3 The United States recorded a goods trade deficit of 5491 billion with India over the past 12 months placing it among Washingtonâs top deficit partners even as the overall US trade gap widened in February according to official data The monthly figures showed the US trade deficit rose to 5735 billion in February up 267 billion from January though still 11 percent below the 12month averageThe increase came as imports grew faster than exports Total exports stood at 3148 billion while imports reached 3721 billion during the monthIn goods trade the US ran a deficit of 8460 billion while the services sector posted a surplus of 2726 billion The goods deficit widened from January while the services surplus edged lowerIndia featured among the notable US trade partners In February alone the US recorded a goods trade deficit of about 35 billion with IndiaOver the 12month period through February 2026 India accounted for about 501 per cent of the total US goods trade deficit reflecting steady trade flows between the two countriesIndia also ranked among the significant sources of US imports Goods imports from India totalled 10197 billion over the same period underlining its role in supplying pharmaceuticals engineering goods and other products to the American marketAt the same time imports from India generated 1234 billion in US customs duties with an average applied tariff rate of 1212 per centThe broader US trade picture continued to be shaped by larger imbalances with Mexico Vietnam and China which remained the top contributors to the goods trade deficitExports during February rose on the back of higher shipments of industrial supplies and materials including nonmonetary gold and natural gas Services exports also increased modestlyHowever imports rose more sharply driven by demand for capital goods computers semiconductors crude oil and pharmaceutical preparationsAmong traded goods over the past year civilian aircraft pharmaceutical products and nonmonetary gold were the leading US exports On the import side pharmaceuticals computers and passenger vehicles dominatedDespite the monthly rise longerterm trends suggest some easing in the trade imbalance Yeartodate data showed the deficit has narrowed compared to the same period last year with exports increasing and imports declining on an annual basisIn February the US collected 2124 billion in import duties about 13 per cent below the 12month average The average applied duty rate stood at 848 per cent IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-among-uss-largest-trade-deficit-partners-with-5491-billion-in-past-12-months-667741.html Fri, 03 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/australian-govt-rules-out-negotiating-with-us-on-pharmaceutical-tariffs-667744.html Canberra April 3 The Australian federal government will not make changes to its subsidization scheme for medications amid tariff pressure from the US administration said Mark Butler the health minister on Friday Butler told Seven Network television that Australia will not negotiate with the United States on the fundamentals of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme PBS under which the federal government subsidizes the cost of prescription medicines Xinhua news agency reportedWe keep sending this clearest of possible messages to the US because we know they get the big drug companies in their ear trying to unpick the PBS here in Australia and equivalent schemes in other countries around the world We are not negotiating about those fundamentals he saidButler was speaking after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday imposing a 100 per cent tariff on imports of certain patented pharmaceuticalsIn an updated list of trade grievances with Australia released late in March the US administration said that the PBS undervalues American innovation through unfair drug pricing practicesUnder the scheme pharmaceutical manufacturers must negotiate sales directly with the Australian government rather than individual buyers to prevent commercial bidding warsAccording to data from the United Nations Comtrade Australian pharmaceutical exports to the United States were worth 13 billion in 2025Biotechnology giant CSL is Australias largest pharmaceutical company but Butler said on Friday the government is confident the Melbournebased firm will be exempt from the new tariffs because of its large US manufacturing presenceA spokesperson for trade minister Don Farrell told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Friday that the government was disappointed by the US tariffs on pharmaceuticals and would continue to push for the removal of unjustified and unwarranted tariffs IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/australian-govt-rules-out-negotiating-with-us-on-pharmaceutical-tariffs-667744.html Fri, 03 Apr 2026 11:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/rights-body-flags-decay-of-karachis-oldest-hindu-temple-as-national-shame-667769.html Islamabad April 3 A prominent minority rights organisation has raised alarm over the dilapidated condition and alleged encroachment of the historic Ramchandra Mandir in Karachi describing the situation as a ânational shameâ According to the Voice of Pakistan Minority VOPM the temple located on Ratan Talao Street near Preedy Police Station in Karachi now stands enclosed within cement walls and iron gates featuring Islamic inscriptions The rights body said that the religious site once marked by prayer and coexistence has been overshadowed by neglect and discreet encroachmentâFor decades the Ramchandra Mandir stood as a reminder of Karachiâs plural pastâa time when Ram Talaoâs waters reflected the diverse faiths of those who lived harmoniously beside them Today all that remains is a dome barely visible behind blank walls The new barriers are more than mere construction they are symbols of erasure sealing off a sacred piece of history from the public gazeâ the VOPM statedâWhat makes this tragedy harder to digest is the silence of those responsible The Evacuee Trust Property Board entrusted with safeguarding such abandoned religious properties has once again turned a blind eyeâ it addedThe VOPM alleged that Pakistanâs Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony remains detached âwatching a piece of national heritage slowly disappearâIt questioned how a temple could vanish beside a police station without any accountability asking whether this amounts to an indictment of institutional failureThe VOPM said Ramchandra Mandirâs fading presence is not merely a local loss but a national shameââa monument to negligence disguised as progressââIf Pakistan truly seeks global respect and internal harmony it must start by defending the forgotten corners of its own history Protecting a temple does not threaten faithâit preserves humanity To hide the Ramchandra Mandir behind cement and steel is to hide the truth of what Pakistan once was and what it still can be if only it chooses remembrance over repressionâ the rights body noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/rights-body-flags-decay-of-karachis-oldest-hindu-temple-as-national-shame-667769.html Fri, 03 Apr 2026 12:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/global-hindu-groups-condemn-khalistani-outfits-call-to-protest-outside-temples-in-canada-667801.html Ottawa April 3 Several global Hindu advocacy organisations have strongly condemned calls by the Khalistani extremist group Sikhs for Justice SFJ to stage protests outside Hindu temples in Canada The groups expressed concern over potential disruption and urged authorities to ensure the safety and security of religious places and communitiesThe SFJ announced âKhalistan Zindabadâ rallies on April 5 in front of Triveni Mandir in Brampton and Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey to protest against the Hindu Canadian Foundation HCFThe HCF objected to the planned rallies stating that âtargeting the Hindu community because of its ancient roots to India or indigenous cultural identity is xenophobia and Hinduphobia plain and simpleâThe organisation urged the Canadian police to ensure fullday security at temple premises and for devotees on Aprilâ5 in light of the planned protest by Khalistani extremist groups which it said have a history of âviolent and extremist behaviourMeanwhile the Coalition of Hindus of North America CoHNA also sharply criticised the plans by SFJ to protest outside Hindu temples citing concern over the extremist groupâs past record of violence including a medievalstyle assault on Hindu devotees and invasion of temples on November 3 2024 The organisation said that Hindu devotees who visit temples for prayer and spiritual connection have often encountered loud and abusive demonstrations at the temple entrances as well as âviolent imagery glorification of terrorism and verbal harassment âThis is nothing but religious bigotry and targeted harassment that masquerades as âfreedom of speechâ and âpolitical expressionâ It must be noted that the Hindu Canadian Foundation also enjoys freedom of speech and using the threat of physical protests against an entire community to silence one organisation violates the very basic Canadian principle of fairnessâ CoHNA statedThe organisation expressed solidarity with the HCFâs right to express their lawful opinions about the Khalistan movement without âfear of bullying and physical harassmentâCoHNA also acknowledged and appreciated the commitment by Peel Regional Police to enforce Bramptonâs Protecting Places of Worship from Public Nuisance Demonstrations Bylaw It noted that by establishing a 100metre safety zone around Triveni Mandir the Canadian authorities have finally recognised that the right to expression does not include the âright to lay siege either physically or psychologically to a congregationâThe organisation called on Surrey Police and authorities to take immediate note and implement similar protective measures for Lakshmi Narayan Mandir IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/global-hindu-groups-condemn-khalistani-outfits-call-to-protest-outside-temples-in-canada-667801.html Fri, 03 Apr 2026 14:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/succession-battle-in-d-company-isi-orchestrates-power-balance-amid-dawoods-ill-health-667805.html New Delhi April 3 Dawood Ibrahim is back in the news following the release of Dhurandhar The Revenge Dawood is shown as a bedridden man and this is contrary to the scores of images that one gets to see in which the 1993 blasts accused is shown as a young man For the ISI Dawood is a massive asset as he controls both the narcotics and fake currency syndicates While both these businesses are thriving even today the fact is that the ISI had to step in a couple of years to prevent the syndicate from splitting into twoAn official said that a rift had developed within the syndicate as to who would head it owing to Dawoodâs poor health Dawood Ibrahim who largely stays indoors is not in the best of health due to which he cannot oversee the business The ISI and the syndicate have managed to keep Dawoodâs healthrelated issues under wraps for long as they do not want the members to get demoralisedWith Dawood largely out of action the battle for succession was between his very close aide Chhota Shakeel and the family members comprising his brother son wife and soninlaw The ISI realised that sorting out the succession battle was important as it could not afford a split in the Dawood syndicate For the ISI it is about the funds that it gets from this syndicate which in turn is used entirely to fund terror activities against IndiaWhen Dawood fled India and sought shelter in Pakistan he had to strike a deal with the Pakistani agencies The ISI realised that Dawood was desperate for cover and also wanted his narcotics trade to run hasslefree Almost all the drugs that Dawood smuggles are routed through Pakistan and the ISI had threatened to block this routeThe deal that was finally struck was that Dawood would cough up 40 per cent of the income that he generated from trading in narcotics and also by circulating fake Indian currency That arrangement continues to date and the ISI uses all these funds to run its terror outfits aimed at striking on Indian soil A split in the syndicate meant that the ISI would not get these fundsMoreover a broken syndicate would never have functioned the way it does today There are four key players in the Dawood syndicate They are his brother Anees Ibrahim trusted aide Shakeel soninlaw Junaid Miandad and son Mooen Nawaz Among them Shakeel is the most important player as he singlehandedly oversees operations in India Losing him meant losing the Indian marketMoreover all the players in India look up to Shakeel as their boss The family however insisted someone from them should head the syndicate The ISI managed to get them together and handed out individual roles It today runs more as a corporate firm with Shakeel heading the India operations and Anees looking after the overseas businessIt was also decided that Junaid who is known for his business acumen would handle the finances Dawoodâs wife Mahjabeen had however wanted her son Moeen to head the empire However he is considered to be too soft and focuses more on religious affairsWhile negotiating the secession plan several other players in India and other parts of the world were consulted Each one thought that there should not be one boss as egos could clash and operations would be hit It was decided to run the syndicate in the manner which the ISI decided and the same would continue even after Dawoodâs deathIntelligence Bureau officials say that Dawood has been ill for several years now He is 70 years old and suffers from severe diabetes and a heart condition He hardly steps out of his room and the interaction with the rest of the syndicate members is almost nilAnother official said that the ISI was really desperate to put the succession issue to rest Dawood remains the ISIâs biggest fundgenerating machine The same funds were used to run the Indian Mujahideen Money is also diverted in large numbers to run the LashkareTaiba and JaisheMohammed The ISI in addition to protection and permission to move drugs also helps with the logistics and keeping the smuggling routes safe IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/succession-battle-in-d-company-isi-orchestrates-power-balance-amid-dawoods-ill-health-667805.html Fri, 03 Apr 2026 14:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/rights-body-slams-pakistan-fuel-price-hike-amid-surging-inflation-667806.html Islamabad April 3 Human Rights Council of Pakistan HRC on Friday strongly criticised the governmentâs steep increase in petrol and diesel prices warning that the move would further burden citizens already grappling with rising inflation and economic hardship According to the rights body the decision to take petroleum products to their historical highest levels comes at a time when the public is already grappling with severe inflation and economic pressure raising fears that the purchasing power of ordinary citizens would be further erodedThe remarks came after the Pakistan government announced a sharp increase in fuel prices with petrol rising by 43 per cent and highspeed diesel HSD by 55 per cent according to local media reportsThe price of petrol has been raised by Pakistani Rupees PKR 13723 per litre from PKR 32117 to PKR 45841 while the price of HSD has been increased by PKR 18449 per litre from PKR 33586 to PKR 52035 The price of kerosene has been raised by PKR 3408 to PKR 45780 Pakistans leading daily Dawn reportedExpressing concerns the HRC of Pakistan said that âusing regional or global tensions as a basis for an extraordinary price hike does not provide adequate justification particularly in the context where oil supplies in the global market have not been completely disrupted and the country has access to alternative energy sources âIt noted that an increase of this magnitude of petroleum products across Pakistan does not appear to align with the requirements of policy transparency and public interestâThis measure will not only further intensify inflationary pressures but will also directly affect the daily lives of the common man through additional burdens in the transport essential goods and services sectors which negatively impact basic human rights especially the right to a dignified standard of living the rights body stressedThe HRC of Pakistan called on the government to urgently review this decision provide actionable relief to the public and ensure transparency and accountability in determining petroleum pricesIt warned that âgrowing public anxiety could lead to socioeconomic instability for which the responsibility will fall directly on policymakers IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/rights-body-slams-pakistan-fuel-price-hike-amid-surging-inflation-667806.html Fri, 03 Apr 2026 14:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/unfair-to-say-india-follows-us-syed-akbaruddin-667807.html New Delhi April 3 Indias former Permanent Representative to the United Nations Syed Akbaruddin on Friday noted that claims that India follows the United States are unfair and not reflective of reality In an interaction with young Indian podcaster and entrepreneur Raj Shamani on his YouTube channel Akbaruddin said No I think itâs unfair to say that we follow the US Look at the Board of Peace US President Donald Trump has put up a Board of Peace Pakistan has put up a Board of Peace We have not joined it Because we know this is not a real international institution The US doesnât like us negotiating with Iran at all to get our ships It has not stopped us from going and negotiating And we have openly said we are doing it one by one If it works we will try againâThe US doesnât want that It wants countries to send ships there minesweepers etc and it doesnât even mention our name because they know that we are not a country which takes sides like that I can give you another whole list of things where we are not aligned So on the war in Ukraine did we support the US No The US repeatedly told us not to abstain but we did abstain So I donât think there is anybody in the world who believes that India follows the US Even the US doesnât think that Maybe some people here who want to prove a point will say that but in reality itâs notâ the former IFS officer saidThe Opposition in India has often been seen criticising the government and alleging that it functions under the pressure of US President Trump Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has also made similar remarks on several occasions suggesting that âIndiaâs PM is compromisedâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/unfair-to-say-india-follows-us-syed-akbaruddin-667807.html Fri, 03 Apr 2026 15:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/junta-chief-min-aung-hlain-elected-myanmars-president-667810.html Naypyidaw April 3 Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing has been elected the countrys President after he secured more votes among the three nominees media reported on Friday Hlaings two Vice Presidents are former militaryappointed Prime Minister Nyo Saw a longtime loyalist and Nan Ni Ni Aye the Karen State chair of the militarybacked Union Solidarity and Development Party USDP The Irrawaddy reportedIn the days leading up to his election Min Aung Hlaing stepped down as commanderinchief and appointed General Ye Win Oo to the post The handover ceremony of the commanderinchief of defence services was held at the Zeyathiri Beikman in Naypyidaw on MondayOn Monday Myanmars lower house Pyithu Hluttaw had nominated Min Aung Hlaing as a vicepresidential candidate the staterun Myanmar Radio and Television reported As per Myanmars constitution the Union Parliament elects the President from among three vicepresidential candidatesElections were held in Myanmar in December 2025 and January 2026 The USDP secured a win in the elections where the majority of opposition parties were barred from participating The Irrawaddy reportedMin Aung Hlaing has ruled Myanmar since 2021 when he ordered a coup toppling the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi After the National League for Democracy NLD led by Aung San Suu Kyi secured a win in both 2015 and 2020 elections Min Aung Hlaing claimed the latter vote was marred by electoral fraud and used the accusation to launch his coupAt the time he mentioned that it was not a power grab but a necessary measure taken amid a constitutional âstate of emergencyâ Following the military takeover the Myanmar junta annulled the 2020 election results dissolved the NLD and detained Aung San Suu Kyi cabinet members and thousands of democracy activists IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/junta-chief-min-aung-hlain-elected-myanmars-president-667810.html Fri, 03 Apr 2026 15:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/two-killed-13-injured-in-bus-accident-in-eastern-afghanistan-667811.html Kabul April 3 Two commuters were killed and 13 others sustained injuries as a passenger bus veered from the road in eastern Afghanistans Ghazni province on Friday provincial police spokesman Khalid Sarhadi said The deadly mishap took place on the main road in Qarabagh district early Friday morning the official said adding that efforts are underway to search for a missing boy Xinhua News Agency reported Blaming reckless driving for the accident Sarhadi said an investigation into the accident is underwayOn March 28 one commuter was killed and 10 others sustained injuries as a minibus struck two motorists in east Afghanistans Laghman province said a statement of the provincial police officeA minibus according to the statement struck a threewheel rickshaw and a motorbike simultaneously due to carelessness in the provincial capital Mehtarlam on March 28 killing one on the spot and injuring 10 others including five children and two women All the injured commuters have been shifted to the hospital for medical treatment the statement said calling on drivers to respect traffic rules and regulations while driving to avoid road accidents On March 1 at least three people were killed and six others injured in a highway accident in northern Afghanistans Jawzjan province the provincial police office said in a statementThe incident occurred when two highspeed vehicles collided due to reckless driving in the Hadbakhshi region along the JawzjanSari Pul highway killing both drivers and a female passenger on the spot and injuring six others including two children the statement added The injured were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment according to the statement which also urged drivers to strictly adhere to traffic rules to prevent further tragediesDeadly road accidents remain a persistent problem in wartorn Afghanistan often attributed to deteriorating road conditions reckless driving and inadequate safety measures amid the countrys challenging terrain and limited infrastructure IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/two-killed-13-injured-in-bus-accident-in-eastern-afghanistan-667811.html Fri, 03 Apr 2026 15:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/brazilian-president-vows-to-shield-nation-from-mideast-conflicts-economic-fallout-667812.html Brasilia April 3 Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Thursday said he cannot predict when the USIsraeli strikes against Iran might end but vowed to shield Brazilians from the economic impact of the conflict In an interview with local television station Record Bahia Lula da Silva stressed the uncertainty surrounding the duration of the conflictThe war goes on The concrete fact I can offer is that we are making every possible effort to prevent the irresponsible war on Iran from affecting peoples pocketbooks he saidWe will not allow the international price increase to impact the truck drivers pocket to impact the people the housewifes pocketbook That is why we are taking many measures We have a very serious oversight process underway in Brazil he addedThe President warned against speculation in the domestic fuel market and announced tighter controls to prevent price gouging saying security forces are involved in monitoring efforts to detect potential irregularities in the distribution chainAccording to him his government has also taken tax exemption and subsidy measures to contain fuel price increases on the domestic market Xinhua news agency reportedEarlier on April 1 Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had said that the United States had fabricated a lie as a pretext to launch an unnecessary war against IranThe United States got involved in an unnecessary war in Iran claiming that Iran had nuclear weapons or that they were trying to make nuclear weapons Thats a lie Lula had said during an interview in Brazils northeastern state of CearaHe said the United States has repeatedly waged wars based on lies citing Iraqs alleged weapons of mass destruction that were never foundThats just a pretext and war has never solved anything Lula had said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/brazilian-president-vows-to-shield-nation-from-mideast-conflicts-economic-fallout-667812.html Fri, 03 Apr 2026 15:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/four-more-baloch-civilians-forcibly-disappeared-in-balochistan-rights-group-667815.html Quetta April 3 Four more civilians have been forcibly disappeared in Pakistanâs Balochistan province a leading human rights organisation said raising fresh concerns over enforced disappearances in the region These latest incidents come against the backdrop of a growing wave of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings across the provincePaank the Baloch National Movements Human Rights Department strongly condemned the enforced disappearance of a Baloch youth Kareem on Thursday from the Joosak area of Turbat in the Kech districtâThis pattern of abduction carried out in broad daylight involving armed individuals and unidentified vehicles reflects an ongoing and alarming trend of enforced disappearances in Balochistan Such actions violate fundamental human rights including the right to liberty security and due process as enshrined in both national and international lawâ the rights body statedPaank also revealed that a Baloch student Shayhaq Rahim was forcibly disappeared on March 31 from the Main Bazar in Turbat by Pakistanbacked death squadsThe rights body said that the abduction of Rahim in broad daylight underlines the prevailing climate of fear and impunity in the regionExpressing grave concern over Rahimâs safety and wellbeing Paank said âEnforced disappearance is a serious violation of fundamental human rights including the right to liberty security and due process Such actions not only devastate families but also contribute to widespread psychological trauma within communitiesâIn a separate case another student Noor Khan was forcibly disappeared on March 28 by personnel of the Pakistani military from the Pasni area of Gwadar district in BalochistanCiting eyewitnesses Paank stated that Noor was abducted in broad daylight raising serious concerns about the continued pattern of targeting students and civilians across the provinceHe was previously forcibly disappeared before December 6 2025 from Turbat city in Kech but was later releasedAdditionally the rights body said that one more student identified as Sameer was abducted on March 20 from Gwadar by Pakistani Military Intelligence MIPaank further expressed serious concerns over the continued enforced disappearance of retired Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Bakhsh Sajidi his brother Naeem Sajidi and Engineer Rafeeq Baloch the former chief of Sui Gas in the province over the past two monthsMohammad Bakhsh Sajidi is the father of Baloch National Movement BNM Chairman Naseem Baloch while Naeem Sajidi and Rafeeq Baloch are his unclesAccording to the rights body in the early hours of February 2 a large contingent of Pakistani security forces carried out coordinated raids on multiple residences in Hub Chowki in BalochistanThe three individuals it said were forcibly disappeared without warrants or any subsequent acknowledgement of their detentionâThis case is not an isolated incident It reflects the broader and systematic policy of collective punishment employed by the state of Pakistan where family members of political activists are targeted in an attempt to silence dissentâ Paank stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/four-more-baloch-civilians-forcibly-disappeared-in-balochistan-rights-group-667815.html Fri, 03 Apr 2026 15:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-matters-to-world-we-must-be-more-careful-measured-in-our-responses-syed-akbaruddin-667818.html New Delhi April 3 Indias former Permanent Representative to the United Nations Syed Akbaruddin said that the countrys foreign policy is increasingly reflecting the aspirations of its young population and the everyday concerns of ordinary citizens and while India matters to the world the reverse is also true and and therefore it must adopt a more careful and measured approach in its responses Speaking on the YouTube channel of young Indian podcaster and entrepreneur Raj Shamani Akbaruddin dwelt on the evolving nature of diplomacy as he highlighted that the expectations of young Indians today are very different from those of earlier generationsThe former IFS official noted that while traditional foreign policy focused largely on ideological positioning todayâs youth are more concerned with practical outcomes such as employment opportunities easier visa access and better avenues for remittancesSo I see that the young and the ordinary Indian want something else from foreign policy than the traditionalist wants They want jobs opportunities better visas and remittances he said underlining how these aspirations are now being reflected in Indiaâs external engagementsAkbaruddin added that Indiaâs approach in the 1980s was far more vocal and reactive on global issuesWe were more outspoken and quick to comment on international developments If something happened in Libya or Venezuela we would be among the first to condemn it he saidHowever he pointed out that the countryâs growing economic integration with the world has necessitated a more cautious and balanced stance While Indiaâs global economic engagement stood at around 1517 per cent in the 1980s it has now risen to nearly 50 per cent This shift he said has made it essential for India to act with greater restraint and strategic calculation as global developments now have a direct impact on domestic interestsToday while India matters to the world the world also matters equally to India Therefore we must be more careful and measured in our responses he addedDiscussing geopolitical realities Akbaruddin said that every country operates with a certain degree of leverage in international relations He cited Chinaâs strong influence over Iran due to its significant oil imports contrasting it with the relatively limited leverage of European nations in similar contextsHe emphasised that foreign policy outcomes should not be judged solely on immediate results as diplomacy is often a gradual and processdriven effortSome processes take time while others may move faster Different countries have different levels of leverage he saidHighlighting Indiaâs strengths he added that the country enjoys considerable influence in the Gulf region which has helped it secure its interests effectively He stressed that Indiaâs foreign policy should be evaluated based on its leverage and outcomes rather than on whether it publicly criticises global developments IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-matters-to-world-we-must-be-more-careful-measured-in-our-responses-syed-akbaruddin-667818.html Fri, 03 Apr 2026 15:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-lax-restoration-work-at-world-heritage-sites-in-taxila-causes-irreversible-harm-667682.html Islamabad April 2 Recent restoration work at the World Heritage sites of Mohra Moradu and Sirkap in Taxila has raised serious concerns regarding the stewardship of Pakistans archaeological legacy These sites which have centuries of history now risk being identified as endangered by UNESCO not due to its natural decay but because of illjudged human intervention a report has detailed The reported use of cement in repairs in violation of conservation standards points to a deeper malaise a troubling lack of expertise oversight and commitment within the institutions concerned Equally alarming is the lack of response by the Punjab Archaeology Department An urgent communication from the Department of Archaeology and Museums Islamabad reportedly went unanswered for weeks Such indifference is more than bureaucratic inertia it signals a dangerous disregard for national heritage an editorial in Pakistans leading daily Dawn mentioned earlier this weekIn this case silence indicates departments approach towards the issue This approach showcases a broader pattern of neglect Conservation is not only about preserving bricks and stones It demands transparency collaboration and respect for scholarly input However meaningful engagement with conservation experts and historians remains absent and it endangers invaluable sites of Pakistan These efforts will cause irreversible harm if investment is not made in specialised training and international best practices are not followedLast December a leading minority rights organisation accused Pakistan of deliberate neglect institutional apathy and decadeslong refusal to preserve the religious heritage of the Hindu and Sikh communities the Pakistani authorities claimed to protectAccording to the Voice of Pakistan Minority VOPM 98 per cent of Hindu and Sikh places of worship in Pakistan are either abandoned locked illegally occupied or left to rot â a situation the rights group said is not an administrative oversight but an indictment of Pakistanâs power structure itselfCiting a latest finding laid before Pakistanâs Parliamentary Committee on Minority Caucus the rights body stated that out of 1285 Hindu worship sites and 532 gurdwaras recorded on paper only 37 remain functionalâWhat makes this neglect more painful is the pattern of systemic discrimination surrounding it While temples crumble school curricula continue to carry hateful or discriminatory content Minority students receive fewer opportunities with no equivalent scholarship or quota benefits to those offered to Muslim students Government job representation remains dismally low and even senior officials frequently skip caucus meetings where minority issues are meant to be addressed The message this sends is unmistakable minorities are seen as an afterthought and their concerns are seen as optionalâ the VOPM statedThe rights body noted the tragic irony of Pakistan proudly showcasing sites such as Kartarpur to the world while hundreds of other temples and gurudwaras across the country lie in ruinsâA single wellmaintained shrine cannot erase the silence of the hundreds that have fallen into decay Sacred spaces where generations once prayed now stand shattered overtaken by weeds or illegally occupied by private interests It is a loss not just for minorities but for Pakistanâs identity its cultural continuity and its moral credibilityâ the VOPM emphasised IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-lax-restoration-work-at-world-heritage-sites-in-taxila-causes-irreversible-harm-667682.html Thu, 02 Apr 2026 17:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-protests-held-against-courts-verdict-upholding-christian-girls-forced-conversion-667689.html Islamabad April 2 Christians rights advocates and civil society members in Pakistan held protests against a federal court judgement upholding the forced conversion of a Christian girl by a Muslim man local media reported A protest was held after a Federal Constitutional Court in its verdict allowed a 30yearold Muslim man to keep the custody of a 13yearold Maria Shahbaz On March 29 a large number of Christians gathered outside the Karachi Press Club carrying placards and shouting slogans demanding protection for underage girls and stronger legislation against forced faith conversions and child marriages Christian Daily International reportedDuring the protests speakers warned of rising cases of abductions forced conversions and marriages involving Christian girls and urged the Federal Constitutional Court to reconsider the judgement They urged Pakistan Prime Minister and President to take immediate noticeWhile addressing protesters church leader and rights activist Ghazala Shafique said We condemn the Federal Constitutional Court for trampling over the existing child marriage laws of the country by validating the Islamic conversion and marriage of an underage Christian minor girl How can minors who cannot legally obtain identity documents be deemed capable of making decisions about religion or marriageOthers speakers called for reviewing all controversial laws and decisions impacting minority communities stressing that failure to address these issues increases insecurity among minorities Similarly protests were also organised by other groups including the National Christian Party and Gawahi Mission Trust Girls holding placards demanded justice in the Maria Shahbaz case and implementation of laws prohibiting marriages under 18 years of age The protesters warned that vulnerable groups especially young girls remained at serious risk if urgent legal reforms and judicial review were not conductedRepresentatives of civil society political and human rights groups also held a press conference in Lahore to condemn the verdict in Maria Shahbaz case Christian Daily International reported Rwadari Tehreek or Movement for Equality chairman Samson Salamat termed the ruling misleading and a setback for efforts to protect minors from marriages that can cause lasting physical emotional and educational harmSalamat stressed that Federal Constitutional Courtâs decision effectively validates the forced marriage of the 13yearold Christian girl to a Muslim man citing sharia Islamic law despite the Child Marriage Restraint Act and its provincial variations including the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Ordinance 2026 Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act 2013 Balochistan Child Marriage Restraint Act 2025 and Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Act 2025 which set the minimum age of marriage for girls at 18 Christian Daily International reportedDuring the press conference the speakers highlighted the impact of courts verdict on minority girls in Pakistan who are disproportionately affected by forced conversions and child marriages Salamat emphasised that the courts decision could encourage perpetrators to exploit vulnerable girls forcibly converting them and getting married to them erasing their identities and denying them access to education and protection IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-protests-held-against-courts-verdict-upholding-christian-girls-forced-conversion-667689.html Thu, 02 Apr 2026 17:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/afghanistan-one-killed-13-injured-in-herat-flash-floods-667700.html Kabul April 2 One person was killed and 13 others injured after flash floods swept through several areas in Afghanistans Herat province local media reported citing an official statement on Thursday Afghanistans Pajhwok Afghan News quoted provincial governor spokesman Mohammad Yousuf Saeedi as saying that rescue operations were being conducted to rescue trapped people Saeedi said a trailer truck was also stranded due to floodwaters on the HeratKandahar highway However the situation was resolved due to timely actionSaeedi said that 13 people were injured after a passenger bus travelling on the HeratâFarah highway overturned due to flooding He said that three people were trapped due to floods in Adraskan district Among them two were rescued through efforts made by local residents and response team while one person lost his lifeHe said that rescue operations were being conducted to rescue two people trapped by floodwaters in the Torghundi river In a similar incident three vehicles were stranded in floodwaters in Rud Bazaar area of Gulran district However all passengers and vehicles were safely rescued by response teams and local residentsOn March 30 Disaster Preparedness Authority spokesperson Mohammad Yousuf Hamad said that 28 people have been killed and 49 others injured due to heavy rains floods and lightening in several provinces of Afghanistan since February 26Hamad said that the affected provinces include Kandahar Helmand Herat Ghor Kabul Kapisa Parwan Panjshir Jawzjan Faryab Badakhshan Bamyan Daikundi Paktia Paktika Logar Zabul Balkh Badghis Samangan Sare Pol Baghlan Takhar Laghman and Nangarhar Afghanistans Tolo News reportedAs many as 568 houses and 10 shops were destroyed 93 kilometres of roads damaged and around 244 livestock lost during the floods Hamad said that 1130 families have been impacted by these rainsHamad said that the Disaster Preparedness Authority has sent assistance food supplies and other aid to the impacted residents Authorities have asked residents to ensure their safety and advised them to stay away from rivers and floodprone regions IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/afghanistan-one-killed-13-injured-in-herat-flash-floods-667700.html Thu, 02 Apr 2026 17:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/un-chief-appoints-shalini-bahuguna-of-india-as-resident-coordinator-in-papua-new-guinea-667524.html United Nations April 2 UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres has appointed Shalini Bahuguna who has worked on artificial intelligence AI as the resident coordinator in Papua New Guinea Guterresâ Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Wednesday local time that she brings decades of experience with international organisations Resident coordinators are the highestranking UN officials in a country leading the organisations teams working on UN programmes Most recently she worked with UNICEF developing an AI strategy in partnership with Accenture according to the UN Earlier she was the UNICEF representative in Tanzania where she advanced childrenâs rights and the nationâs development priorities She has been the UNICEF deputy representative in Ethiopia and Myanmar and chief of social policy and gender in Nigeria Bahuguna launched her career in development in India working for an NGO on water and sanitation issues and later worked with the Indian government and World Bank programme on water sector reform Her work with Britainâs Department for International Development DFID also took her to China Indonesia and Afghanistan A graduate of Lady Shri Ram College in Delhi she has a masterâs degree in development economics and international development from Britainâs Swansea University The UN is involved with 192 programmes in Papua New Guinea with an outlay of 855 million It is a small Pacific nation that shares a border with Indonesia and has a population of about 13 million IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/un-chief-appoints-shalini-bahuguna-of-india-as-resident-coordinator-in-papua-new-guinea-667524.html Thu, 02 Apr 2026 09:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/powerful-74-quake-jolts-indonesia-tsunami-warning-issued-for-coastal-regions-667525.html Jakarta April 2 A powerful 74magnitude offshore earthquake struck eastern Indonesia early Thursday the United States Geological Survey said prompting a warning from a US monitoring agency about the possibility of âhazardous tsunami wavesâ within a 1000kilometre radius of the epicentre According to the USGS the earthquakeâs epicentre was located at 120 degrees north latitude and 12635 degrees east longitude The quake occurred at a depth of around 30 kilometres as reported by the China Earthquake Networks CenterThe tremor which was initially recorded at a magnitude of 78 struck at approximately 648 am local time in the Molucca Sea the USGS addedThe Hawaiibased Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued an alert stating that hazardous tsunami waves were possible âwithin 1000 km of the epicentreâ particularly along coastal areas of Indonesia the Philippines and MalaysiaThe USGS also reiterated its warning regarding the potential for âhazardous tsunami wavesâ in regions situated within the same distance from the epicentreIndonesia remains one of the most seismically active regions in the world as it lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire a vast 40000kilometre arc of volcanoes and fault lines formed by the interaction of tectonic plates This horseshoeshaped belt surrounding the Pacific Ocean accounts for nearly 90 per cent of the worldâs earthquakes and is known for its frequent seismic and volcanic activityJust last month on March 3 a magnitude 61 earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra according to the USGS shaking residents but not causing significant damageThat quake originated offshore near Sumatraâs northeastern tip leading many residents to rush outdoors in panic in a region accustomed to frequent tremors Meanwhile Indonesiaâs Meteorology Climatology and Geophysics Agency known as Badan Meteorologi Klimatologi dan Geofisika had recorded the magnitude of the earthquake at 64 and stated that it occurred at a depth of 13 kilometres IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/powerful-74-quake-jolts-indonesia-tsunami-warning-issued-for-coastal-regions-667525.html Thu, 02 Apr 2026 09:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/russian-deputy-pm-arrives-in-delhi-for-key-talks-on-defence-energy-and-trade-667526.html New Delhi April 2 Russias First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov arrived in New Delhi early on Thursday for highlevel discussions covering defence energy trade and a range of other bilateral issues In a post on X the Ministry of External Affairs said A warm welcome to Mr Denis Manturov First Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federation and co Chair of the IndiaRussia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade Economic Scientific Technological amp Cultural Cooperation to New DelhiDuring the visit he will hold consultations with External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and engage in other bilateral meetings the Ministry addedAccording to officials the visit is expected to focus significantly on strengthening bilateral relations particularly in the areas of security and defence cooperation Developments related to the ongoing West Asia conflict are also likely to feature prominently in the discussionsAs per the MEA Manturov is scheduled to meet National Security Advisor Ajit Doval External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during his visitDiscussions are expected to centre around cooperation in key sectors including defence security energy and trade Notably following a monthlong waiver on US sanctions Russia has once again emerged as the largest supplier of crude oil to India in recent weeksAhead of the visit Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko cochaired foreign office consultations in New Delhi on March 30 where both sides reviewed the current state of bilateral ties and exchanged views on regional and global developmentsThe two sides also evaluated progress made in implementing decisions taken during the IndiaRussia Summit held in New Delhi last December which had largely focused on boosting economic cooperation between the two countriesManturovâs engagements in India are also expected to address the broader economic impact of the West Asia conflict particularly in terms of disruptions to global energy supplies and their implications for both nations IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/russian-deputy-pm-arrives-in-delhi-for-key-talks-on-defence-energy-and-trade-667526.html Thu, 02 Apr 2026 09:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/no-enmity-towards-american-people-irans-president-in-open-letter-to-us-667527.html Tehran April 2 Irans President Masoud Pezeshkian said that Iranian people harbour no enmity towards the American people accusing the US administration of fighting Iran as a proxy for Israel He made the remarks in a letter addressed to the American people while elaborating on Irans positions regarding the ongoing war with the United States and Israel reports Xinhua news agencyThe Iranian people harbour no enmity toward other nations including the people of America Europe or neighbouring countries Pezeshkian said adding Even in the face of repeated foreign interventions and pressures throughout their proud history Iranians have consistently drawn a clear distinction between governments and the peoples they governPezeshkian said Iran has never in its modern history chosen the path of aggression expansion colonialism or domination despite having suffered occupation invasion and pressure by global powersHe said casting Iran as a threat is a narrative manufactured by Israel to divert global attention away from its crimes toward the PalestiniansPezeshkian pointed to the US military buildup and bases around Iran emphasising that the ongoing US aggressions launched from those bases have demonstrated how threatening such a military presence truly isIn response to US President Donald Trumps threats of conducting largescale strikes on Iranian energy facilities in the coming days he said attacking the countrys vital infrastructure directly targets the Iranian people stressing that such actions constitute war crimes and involve consequences extending beyond Irans bordersPezeshkian said the United States has entered the war with Iran as a proxy for Israel and under its influence adding Israel seeks to fight Iran to the last American soldier and the last American taxpayer dollar in pursuit of its illegitimate interestsIs America First truly among the priorities of the US government today he askedHe added that the world is currently standing at a crossroads having to choose between confrontation and engagementOn February 28 Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities killing Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei along with senior military commanders and civilians Iran responded by launching waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and US bases and assets in the Middle East IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/no-enmity-towards-american-people-irans-president-in-open-letter-to-us-667527.html Thu, 02 Apr 2026 09:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-citizenship-case-worries-h-1b-families-667528.html Washington April 2 A US Supreme Court case on birthright citizenship has raised concerns among Indian professionals on H1B visas and other temporary permits The Trump administration told the court that children born to âtemporary visitorsâ may not automatically be US citizensSolicitor General John Sauer said the Constitution requires âdirect and immediate allegianceâ to the United States not just birth on its soilHe argued that children of people on temporary visas do not meet that testThat position could affect thousands of Indian families Indians form the largest group of H1B visa holders in the USMany live in the country for years while waiting for green cards They build careers and raise families Their children are often born in the US and treated as citizens under the current lawThe governmentâs argument challenges that longstanding practiceSauer said the phrase âsubject to the jurisdiction thereofâ should be read as requiring allegiance tied to lawful residenceHe said the rule should not apply to those who are in the country only temporarilySeveral justices questioned how such a policy would workThey asked how officials would determine a childâs citizenship at birth They also asked if parentsâ immigration status would need to be checked in each caseThe government said the system would rely on âobjectively verifiableâ immigration dataThat suggests visa status could decide whether a child is a citizenLawyers opposing the administration warned that the move would overturn settled lawThey pointed to the 1898 ruling in United States v Wong Kim Ark That case held that most children born in the US are citizens regardless of their parentsâ statusThey said the Constitution creates a clear rule âEveryone born here is a citizen alikeâ counsel told the courtFor Indian families the stakes are highH1B visa holders often face long delays in getting permanent residency During that time their USborn children enjoy full citizenship rightsA change in the law could create uncertainty It could affect access to education jobs and government benefitsThe court also discussed whether any ruling would apply only in the futureThe government said its policy would be prospective But challengers warned that the logic could put the status of many people in doubtThe case comes as immigration remains a key political issue in the USThe administration argued that current rules act as a âpull factorâ for illegal immigrationThe 14th Amendment adopted in 1868 grants citizenship to all persons born in the United States and subject to its jurisdiction It was meant to ensure citizenship for freed slaves after the Civil WarFor more than a century the US has followed a broad birthright citizenship ruleThe courtâs decision could reshape that principle and have direct consequences for Indian professionals and their families IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-citizenship-case-worries-h-1b-families-667528.html Thu, 02 Apr 2026 09:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-deeptech-push-needs-capital-clients-indian-american-ceos-667529.html Washington April 2 Indiaâs push to build a globally competitive deep tech ecosystem will depend on patient capital stronger domestic demand and tighter integration between industry government and research some of the top Indian American CEOs from the sector have said The discussion on âBuilding Indiaâs DeepTech Engine Startups Venture Capital amp Innovation Pathwaysâ at the annual Hopkins India Conference 2026 on Wednesday local time brought together industry leaders and investors to assess the gaps holding back Indiaâs innovation ambitionsVivek Lall Chief Executive of General Atomics Global Corporation said Indiaâs biggest strength lies in its human capitalâIt boils down to talentâ this is where India beats out almost every countryâ Lall said describing the countryâs demographic and skills base as a âstrategic advantageâHe added that startups are becoming central to innovation in sectors such as defence and aerospaceâThey are the engine of growthâ it infuses new energy it infuses new ideasâ he said noting that global conflicts are reshaping how countries approach defence innovationGirish Rishi CEO and chairman of Cognite said India has clear structural advantages but weak enterprise adoption remains a key constraintâThe Indian market has been underwhelming in that adoption of technologyâ Rishi said noting that many businesses still âsee technology as a costâ rather than a driver of revenue and competitive edgeHe stressed that domestic demand is critical for scaling startupsâDomestic customers have to scale domestic venture startupsâ he said arguing that large Indian companies must act as anchor clients as seen in the United States and ChinaRaj Iyer president of Global Public Sector Markets at TSecond said deep tech faces even steeper barriers than softwareâIf you thought it was hard to scale SaaS software in India just think about it in terms of deep tech and hardwareâ Iyer said pointing to challenges in research talent infrastructure and long investment cyclesHe highlighted the role of the state not just as a funder but as an early adopterâGovernments are in a unique position where not only can they fund innovation but they can become the early adoptersâ he said citing policy support such as âMake in Indiaâ that has encouraged domestic production and procurementIyer also underscored Indiaâs data advantageâThereâs certainâ massive amounts of data that I think no other country in the world hasâ he said adding that leveraging this with artificial intelligence could unlock major gainsOn funding Seema Chaturvedi Founder and Managing Partner of Achieving Women Equity Funds said traditional venture capital models are not suited to deep techâThis space does not need venture velocity It needs infrastructure patienceâ she said calling for a broader capital stack that includes government and philanthropic fundingShe said India is beginning to respond pointing to a governmentbacked âfund of fundsâ and researchdriven financing mechanisms to support innovationChaturvedi also flagged execution risksâItâs not just the risk of technologyâ thereâs actuallyâ risk of execution and scaleâ she said urging investors to better price these risksPanellists also pointed to Indiaâs cost advantage and frugal innovation model with companies able to build products at a fraction of global costs However they said scaling those innovations requires stronger partnerships between startups and large industrial groupsRishi said established businesses must step up to support emerging firmsâFor India to take offâ they have toâ give a shoulder to these frugal startupsâ he said urging large companies to adopt and invest in new technologiesIndiaâs startup ecosystem has expanded rapidly over the past decade driven by digital infrastructure policy reforms and rising investment flowsExperts say the next phase will depend on converting innovation into globally competitive businesses particularly in strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence semiconductors and defence technologies where India is seeking a larger role in global value chains IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-deeptech-push-needs-capital-clients-indian-american-ceos-667529.html Thu, 02 Apr 2026 10:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/un-security-council-condemns-killing-of-three-un-peacekeepers-in-lebanon-667530.html United Nations April 2 The UN Security Council decried incidents that killed three Indonesian peacekeepers from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon UNIFIL In a press statement Security Council members on Wednesday reaffirmed their full support for UNIFIL and urged all parties to ensure the safety and security of its personnel and premises as well as the missions freedom of movement in accordance with international law They also called on parties to refrain from actions that could endanger peacekeepersRecalling that peacekeepers must never be targeted they called on the United Nations to investigate the incidents through UNIFIL and keep the relevant troopcontributing country informed of progress consistent with the objectives of Security Council resolutions 2518 2020 and 2589 2021They also called on parties to fully implement Security Council resolution 1701 2006 and reiterated their strong commitment to Lebanons sovereignty independence territorial integrity and unity Xinhua news agency reportedFive other peacekeepers were injured on Sunday and Monday In recent weeks several other incidents have affected UNIFIL positions and injured peacekeepers against the backdrop of ongoing hostilities along the Blue Line according to the statementEarlier on March 31 Spains Minister of Foreign Affairs European Union and Cooperation Jose Manuel Albares had unequivocally condemned the killing of three Indonesian peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon UNIFIL expressing outrage at the attacks and demanded an investigation in an interview with Radio EuskadiThe three Indonesian troops who were part of a Spanishled UNIFIL contingent were killed in two separate incidents in southern Lebanon following explosions caused by projectiles of unknown origin The incidents occurred in an area where Israeli forces were operatingSpain is one of the troopcontributing countries to UNIFIL with around 600 to 700 personnel deployed in Lebanon and leads UNIFILs eastern sector IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/un-security-council-condemns-killing-of-three-un-peacekeepers-in-lebanon-667530.html Thu, 02 Apr 2026 10:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-admin-raises-concerns-over-birth-tourism-in-citizenship-case-667533.html Washington April 2 The US government flagged concerns over âbirth tourismâ particularly from China as it urged the Supreme Court to curb automatic citizenship for children born on American soil Arguing for the Trump administration Solicitor General John Sauer told the court on Wednesday local time that foreign nationals are increasingly travelling to the US to give birth creating what he described as a largescale industryHe cited reports of up to 1 to 15 million births linked to Chinese nationals and said there were hundreds of companies in China facilitating such travelSauer said the current system makes the United States an âoutlier among modern nationsâ and acts as a pull factor for immigrationHe told the court that âevery nation in Europe has a different ruleâ with most countries tying citizenship to parentage rather than birthplaceThe argument brought a geopolitical dimension to the constitutional case which centres on whether the 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to nearly all children born in the USSeveral justices questioned whether international comparisons should influence constitutional interpretationJustice Brett Kavanaugh stated that global practices may be relevant for policy debates but not necessarily for interpreting US lawOpponents of the administrationâs position made a similar point arguing that the Constitution reflects a uniquely American approach rooted in historyThey said the 14th Amendment was designed to create a clear rule birth in the United States confers citizenship with only narrow exceptionsThe court also explored the broader implications of changing that ruleJustice Samuel Alito raised questions about how limits on birthright citizenship would affect families particularly those with longterm ties to the countrySauer argued that countries with stricter citizenship rules do not face a âhuge humanitarian crisisâ suggesting the US could move in a similar directionHe also pointed to changes in the global environment noting that âeight billion people are one plane ride awayâ from the United StatesOpponents warned that such reasoning risks overturning settled lawThey pointed to the Supreme Courtâs 1898 ruling in United States v Wong Kim Ark which affirmed that most children born in the US are citizens regardless of their parentsâ statusThe 14th Amendment ratified in 1868 overturned the Dred Scott decision and established a national definition of citizenshipFor more than a century the US has followed a broad birthright citizenship ruleThe courtâs decision could determine whether that approach continues or shifts closer to practices seen in other parts of the world IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-admin-raises-concerns-over-birth-tourism-in-citizenship-case-667533.html Thu, 02 Apr 2026 10:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-hits-out-at-nato-questions-its-relevance-in-modern-conflicts-667534.html Washington April 2 US President Donald Trump has sharply criticised NATO questioned its relevance in modern conflicts and suggested the alliance may not support the United States in a major war Speaking at a White House Easter lunch on Wednesday Trump said recent military operations exposed deep weaknesses within the transatlantic alliance âWeâve had some very bad allies in NATOâ he said adding that the bloc had failed to step forward when askedHe described NATO as ineffective in real conflict situations âTheyâre a paper tigerâ Trump said asserting that the US did not need the allianceâs help during ongoing operationsTrump said he had reached out to multiple NATO members seeking support but received little commitment âMany of them said weâll be there after the war is completedâ he said criticising what he described as delayed and symbolic backingThe President said this response reinforced his concerns about NATOâs reliability âNATO wonât be there if we ever have the big oneâ he said warning that the alliance may fail in a major global conflictTrump also pointed to what he described as an imbalance in burdensharing He said the US had spent âtrillions of dollars on NATOâ while receiving little in return when support was soughtIn his remarks as per the video posted by the White House on its YouTube channel Trump singled out key allies including France and the UK suggesting they were unwilling or slow to provide assistance The video was later pulled out from YouTube by the White HouseTrump recounted conversations with leaders where requests for immediate military support were declined or postponedThe remarks reflected a broader scepticism toward alliances and multilateral security frameworks Trump said the US military was capable of operating independently and had already demonstrated that capability âWe didnât need themâ he said referring to NATO involvementHe added that US forces had carried out operations effectively without allied intervention âWe were blasting the hell out of themâ and the last thing I needed was NATO stepping in our wayâ Trump saidTrumpâs comments suggested a shift toward a more unilateral approach to security He indicated that alliances should not be relied upon in critical situations and that the US should act based on its own strategic interests IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-hits-out-at-nato-questions-its-relevance-in-modern-conflicts-667534.html Thu, 02 Apr 2026 10:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/what-the-hell-are-we-doing-it-for-trump-on-us-role-in-policing-energy-corridors-667537.html Washington April 2 US President Donald Trump has said that countries that depend on key global routes should take responsibility for securing them He questioned why the United States should continue to police critical energy corridors such as the Strait of HormuzâLet China do it Let Japan do it Let South Korea do itâ what the hell are we doing it forâ Trump said in his remarks at a White House Easter lunch The video of the event was posted by White House on its YouTube channel only to be removed later The event was closed to the pressHe said the US has carried this burden for years âWe have been for yearsâ he said referring to efforts to secure the straitTrump indicated a possible shift in policy He said the US was âgetting ready to get out of thereâHe framed the move as part of a broader change in US strategy American military action he said should focus on direct national interestsâAll I want to do is make sure they donât ever have a nuclear weaponâ Trump saidHe also stressed that US forces can act without allies âWe didnât need themâ he saidTrump said countries that benefit from global trade routes should help protect them He suggested the current model puts too much pressure on the United StatesThe remarks signal a push for burdensharing among partners and alliesThey also reflect a more transactional approach to US foreign policyThe Strait of Hormuz is one of the worldâs most important oil routes A large share of global crude passes through itAny change in US involvement could affect energy markets and supply chainsIndia is among the largest energy importers in the world A significant portion of its crude comes from the GulfStability in the Strait of Hormuz is therefore critical for Indiaâs energy securityIndia has long followed a policy of strategic autonomy It avoids formal alliances but works with partners to protect its interests IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/what-the-hell-are-we-doing-it-for-trump-on-us-role-in-policing-energy-corridors-667537.html Thu, 02 Apr 2026 10:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/north-korea-condemns-un-human-rights-resolution-on-pyongyang-kcna-667540.html Seoul April 2 North Korea on Thursday condemned a recent United Nations resolution on human rights violations in the country calling it a grave political provocation The reaction came after the Genevabased UN Human Rights Council adopted its annual resolution on Pyongyangs human rights by consensus Monday at its 61st regular session cosponsored by 50 countries including South KoreaOur foreign ministry brands the adoption of this antiDPRK human rights resolution as a grave political provocation to the dignity and sovereignty of the DPRK and denounces and rejects it in the most powerful language a ministry spokesperson said in a statement carried by the Korean Central News AgencyDPRK stands for the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea the official name of North Korea Yonhap news agency reportedThe latest UN resolution condemned the longstanding and systematic widespread and gross human rights violations and abuses in North Korea and urges the North to take immediately all steps necessary to end such crimesThe statement argued the UN human rights review system targeting individual states constitutes an act of hostility that runs counter to the UN Charters principle of nonintervention in internal affairsThe practice of adopting such antiDPRK human rights resolution which has lasted for 20odd years is a miniature fully showing the deplorable present situation of the UN human rights arena which has been extremely polluted by politicization selectivity and double standards it addedThe North Korean foreign ministry warned the malicious behavior of countries that joined in slandering North Koreas national and social institutions would be taken into accountIt also referred to hundreds of children in need of special protection being targeted and killed by precisionguided weapons apparently alluding to a US attack that led to the deaths of nearly 200 students and teachers at a school in Iran in what appeared to be an attempt to deflect human rights criticism against the regimeAn official at Seouls unification ministry assessed that North Koreas reaction to this years human rights resolution appears more intense than in the past referring to the regimes pledge to take participating countries into accountSources said this years pointed statement appears to be targeted at the South Korean government as North Korea could accuse the South of taking an inconsistent stance because Seoul cosponsored the resolution despite its continue calls for peaceful coexistence with the North IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/north-korea-condemns-un-human-rights-resolution-on-pyongyang-kcna-667540.html Thu, 02 Apr 2026 10:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/strikes-on-irans-civilian-infrastructure-compound-aid-needs-in-middle-east-un-agencies-667541.html United Nations April 2 Strikes across Iran hit civilian infrastructure compounding relief needs as Middle East aid workers struggle with access constraints UN humanitarians said The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs OCHA said the airstrikes in Iran have severely affected essential services Irans Ministry of Health reported that 309 health facilities and 42 ambulances have been damaged with seven hospitals evacuated since the attacks began on February 28OCHA also said that power disruptions and outages have been reported in several areas and that a desalination plant on Qeshm Island in Hormozgan Province was impacted reports Xinhua news agencyThe Iranian Red Crescent Society IRCS said that as of Wednesday more than 115000 civilian buildings including health education residential and commercial facilities have been impacted The Ministry of Education reported damage to more than 700 educational facilities Humanitarian responders remain active with IRCS teams operating in more than 1200 affected areasOCHA said that UN agencies are also supporting vulnerable populations in IranThe UN Refugee Agency said it has assisted more than 42000 refugees from Afghanistan with counselling legal aid cash assistance and psychosocial supportThe International Organization for Migration continues to provide protection services direct cash assistance and aid to stranded migrantsIn Lebanon humanitarian needs continue to outpace available resources amid ongoing hostilities OCHA said only about onethird of the 308 million US dollars required for the Lebanon Flash Appeal has been funded roughly 94 million warning that additional funding is urgently needed to sustain and scale up the responseThe Lebanese Ministry of Public Health reported that at least 1268 people have been killed and 3750 injured since the escalation in the countrys south began Strikes have continued to hit residential areas including Jnah and Khalde near Beirut where attacks overnight killed at least seven people and wounded more than 20Despite the challenges OCHA said that UN agencies and partners are intensifying efforts to protect civilians Thousands of children and caregivers have received psychosocial support while agencies are working to reunite families and raise awareness of the dangers posed by explosive remnants of warIn Gaza OCHA said humanitarian operations continue under severe constraints at Kerem ShalomKarem Abu Salem the only cargo crossing On Tuesday aid workers brought in more than 270000 litres of fuel to keep critical services runningThe Food and Agriculture Organization FAO collected animal fodder while the UN Childrens Fund retrieved more than 240 pallets of supplies including nutrition items medicines and hygiene kitsOCHA reiterated its call for additional crossings to be opened to allow the movement of people and cargoThe FAO also announced a scaleup of cash assistance to support local crop production for an additional 1000 farmers in Gaza building on a pilot project that helped 200 farmers grow more than 500 tonnes of vegetables last yearThe wider economic fallout from the regional escalation is also mountingUN Trade and Development UNCTAD said maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen by about 95 per cent over the past month bringing shipping there close to a standstill The agency warned this could cut global merchandise trade growth by at least one percentage point and fuel inflation through higher oil pricesUNCTAD forecasts global GDP growth of around 26 per cent this year alongside weaker stock markets and currency depreciation in developing countries It urged governments to adopt policies to stabilise prices and empower development banks to provide emergency financingAs fighting displacement and economic disruption continue across multiple fronts UN officials said that humanitarian access sustained funding and respect for international law remain critical to preventing further deterioration in civilian conditions across the region IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/strikes-on-irans-civilian-infrastructure-compound-aid-needs-in-middle-east-un-agencies-667541.html Thu, 02 Apr 2026 10:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-revamps-foreign-service-selection-training-667547.html Washington April 2 The US State Department has announced major reforms to how it selects and trains its diplomats The changes aim to prepare the Foreign Service for the challenges of the 21st century The overhaul affects both recruitment and training It puts more weight on core skills and policy knowledgeApplicants will now be tested on American history foreign policy concepts and logical reasoning The department said it has removed questions âintended to test alignment with ideological agendasâThe Foreign Service Officer Test has been redesigned The oral exam will now focus on âsubstantive knowledge of US foreign policy concepts diplomatic history and negotiation skillsâThe department has also brought back a written examination It replaces the Qualification Evaluation Panel Officials said the ability âto think critically and write clear prose continues to be an essential skill for Foreign Service OfficersâTraining for new recruits is also being reshaped The A100 onboarding programme will now be a ârigorous and comprehensive basic training programmeâNew officers will receive instruction in public speaking negotiation and leadership They will attend lectures on economic strategy commercial diplomacy and grand strategyThe curriculum will include readings from American leaders and thinkers These include George Washington John Quincy Adams and James Monroe It also includes selections from the Federalist Papers and works by George Kennan Angelo Codevilla and Samuel HuntingtonThe department said it is removing exercises that âpurported to teach communication skills and âteam resilienceââ It cited a â90minute activity that required participants to throw objects into a bucket while blindfoldedâ It added that lecture content on âbureaucratic tediumâ has been reducedThe reforms also aim to promote talent faster The department said it is âreducing barriers to leadership and management roles by emphasising merit in the selection processâ It said this will allow strong performers to move into leadership roles earlierDeputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the changes reflect a new approachâThe Trump administration is modernising the Foreign Service to prepare Americaâs diplomats to advocate for our national interest on a dynamically changing world stageâ Pigott saidâIn this revamped program Foreign Service Officers will be trained in crucial skills like public speaking and negotiation and engage with international relations theory on topics ranging from commercial diplomacy to grand strategyâ he addedThe State Department has opened applications for new candidates Registration for the test is now open Exams will be held from May 15 to May 22âThe State Department encourages the many patriotic Americans from across the country looking to serve their country to apply to join the Foreign Serviceâ Pigott saidThe Foreign Service is the main diplomatic arm of the United States Its officers represent US interests abroad and manage ties with other countriesThe service has been updated several times over the decades These reforms come as Washington faces rising global competition and more complex foreign policy challenges IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-revamps-foreign-service-selection-training-667547.html Thu, 02 Apr 2026 10:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/lula-says-us-fabricated-lie-to-wage-unnecessary-war-against-iran-667564.html Brasilia April 2 Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told the press that the United States has fabricated a lie as a pretext to launch an unnecessary war against Iran The United States got involved in an unnecessary war in Iran claiming that Iran had nuclear weapons or that they were trying to make nuclear weapons Thats a lie Lula said during an interview in Brazils northeastern state of Ceara on Wednesday local timeHe said the United States has repeatedly waged wars based on lies citing Iraqs alleged weapons of mass destruction that were never found Thats just a pretext and war has never solved anything said LulaLula called on the UN Security Council to engage in rational reflection on the conflict noting that the situation has directly impacted Brazil by driving up fuel prices and increasing economic pressuresWith the Strait of Hormuz blocked Brazil faces upward pressure on diesel prices he said noting that the Brazilian government has reduced fuel taxes and increased market oversight to protect the livelihoods of lowincome citizensThe United States and Israel launched joint military strikes on Iran on February 28 disrupting global shipping sending oil prices soaring and shaking the global economy Meanwhile the Iranian Red Crescent Society IRCS has announced that as of Wednesday more than 115000 civilian buildings including health education residential and commercial facilities have been impacted The Ministry of Education reported damage to more than 700 educational facilities Humanitarian responders remain active with IRCS teams operating in more than 1200 affected areasThe UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs OCHA said the airstrikes in Iran have severely affected essential services Irans Ministry of Health reported that 309 health facilities and 42 ambulances have been damaged with seven hospitals evacuated since the attacks began on February 28 IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/lula-says-us-fabricated-lie-to-wage-unnecessary-war-against-iran-667564.html Thu, 02 Apr 2026 10:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-lifts-sanctions-on-venezuelas-acting-president-667589.html Washington April 2 The United States has removed sanctions on Venezuelas Acting President Delcy Rodriguez according to an update posted on the website of the US Treasury Department The US Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control on Wednesday Local time said Rodriguez had been removed from its sanctions list without providing further details on the decision reports Xinhua news agencyIn a post on social media platform X Rodriguez welcomed the move as a positive step toward normalising and strengthening bilateral relations She expressed hope that additional sanctions on Venezuela could be lifted to support economic development and cooperationPresident Trumps decision is a significant step in the right direction to normalise and strengthen relations between our countries We trust that this progress and determination will ultimately lead to the lifting of the additional active sanctions on our country she posted This will allow for rapid economic development investment and an effective bilateral cooperation agenda for the benefit of our peoples Lets keep working toward a prosperous Venezuela for all Rodriguez added Rodriguez previously served as vice president under President Nicolas Maduro and was sanctioned by the United States in 2018 as part of measures targeting members of his governmentOn January 3 US military forces launched a largescale operation against Venezuela and forcibly seized Maduro and his wife before transporting them to New York Rodriguez subsequently assumed the role of acting president and Washington has since engaged with her administrationUSVenezuela relations have long been strained In recent months the United States has eased certain restrictions particularly in the energy sector Venezuela holds some of the worlds largest proven oil reserves and remains an important player in the global energy landscapeOn Monday the US Embassy in Caracas resumed operations after being closed for seven years IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-lifts-sanctions-on-venezuelas-acting-president-667589.html Thu, 02 Apr 2026 11:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/s-korea-secures-50-million-barrels-of-alternative-oil-supplies-for-april-667608.html Seoul April 2 South Korea has secured around 50 million barrels of alternative oil supplies for this month to replace supplies from the Middle East blocked due to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz government officials said on Thursday vowing continued efforts to stably manage energy supplies The government and oil refineries are working hard to secure alternative oil supplies from different countries Yang Ghiwuk deputy minister for trade industry and resource security said in a regular briefing on energy supply noting that Seoul has been knocking on doors of Saudi Arabia Oman Kazakhstan the United States and other countries reports Yonhap news agencyYang said about 80 million barrels of oil arrive in South Korea each month when things run as usual but around 50 million barrels have been tentatively secured at the moment for this month with alternative supplies expected to increase in MayTo cover the shortfall the government is controlling the demand and working to help with supplies through a crude oil swap system with private companies he added noting the government will continue close monitoring of the marketRegarding Australias plan to impose export restrictions on natural gas Yang said the move is expected to have limited impact on South Korea explaining that Australia told Seouls foreign ministry it will make sure there is no disruption in its longterm gas supply contract with KoreaAustralia is planning to restrict exports of natural gas on shortterm spot contracts he added noting that Seoul may see disruptions in some 30000 to 40000 tons of short term gas supplies from the country which is only about half of a days supplyMeanwhile industry Minister Kim Jungkwan vowed on Thursday utmost efforts to stabilise the supply of naphtha and other petrochemical materials amid supply disruptions due to the Middle East conflictKim made such a pledge in a meeting with officials from related ministries and business associations according to the Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources which was held to discuss supply chain measures of petrochemical productsSince naphtha is a staple of industry and also a core raw material used in everyday products the government will do its utmost to establish a stable petrochemical supply chain and prevent any disruptions in peoples daily lives and industrial activities Kim saidThe minister also vowed a stern response to any unfair market practices and actions harming trust in the market IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/s-korea-secures-50-million-barrels-of-alternative-oil-supplies-for-april-667608.html Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/three-of-a-family-killed-in-mortar-strike-by-pakistani-forces-in-balochistan-667616.html Quetta April 2 At least three members of a Baloch family including a child were killed in mortar fire by Pakistani forces in Balochistan according to leading human rights organisations Paank the Baloch National Movements Human Rights Department mentioned that the tragic incident occurred on the evening of March 31 in the Bungul Bazar area of Awaran district It added that Pakistani security forces deployed heavy weaponry including mortar shelling in areas close to civilian populations following an attack on a nearby military camp carried out by Baloch armed groupsDuring this exchange one mortar shell struck a residential house in Bungul Bazar killing three members of the same family on the spotThe deceased were identified as 60yearold Muhammad Umar 57yearold Faiza and their daughter Mahzaib Baloch a fifthgrade studentCondemning the incident the Baloch Voice for Justice BVJ said âThe incident highlights potential violations of international humanitarian law particularly the principles of distinction and proportionality which obligate all parties to protect civilians and civilian objects The use of indirect fire in populated areas significantly increases the risk of indiscriminate harm and demands strict scrutinyâThe rights body called for an immediate independent and transparent investigation into this incident stressing that those responsible must be held accountable under applicable legal frameworks Meanwhile Paank highlighted the extrajudicial killings of four civilians and enforced disappearances of three others by Pakistani forcesCiting information the rights body stated that the bulletriddled body of 18yearold student Ghulam Qadir along with two other individuals was discovered on the coastal Palleri Link Road in the Gwadar district of BalochistanâThe circumstances surrounding the discovery indicate a clear case of extrajudicial execution The recovery of multiple bodies at once further raises concerns about systematic targeting and coordinated acts of violenceâ Paank statedThe rights body also strongly condemned the brutal extrajudicial killing of Faraz Baloch a resident of the Duzap area in the Panjgur district of the province on March 28 by Pakistanbacked death squadsCiting verified information Paank revealed that Faraz was killed when members of the death squad arrived at his residence and attempted to forcibly abduct himIt added that Faraz tried to escape the unlawful detention during which he was shot and sustained critical injuries He was reportedly shot again while wounded resulting in his death on the spotHighlighting the atrocities against civilians across Balochistan the rights body said that another civilian Zafar Baloch was abducted by personnel of Pakistanâs Frontier Corps military intelligence agencies on March 28 in AwaranSince his abduction it said the whereabouts of Zafar remain unknown leaving his family in a âstate of severe distress and uncertaintyâExpressing concern over the alarming incidents of enforced disappearances Paank further revealed that two young men 20yearold Fahad Baloch and 31yearold Sharoz Qayoum were abducted by Pakistani security forces in separate operations last monthBalochistan continues to reel under relentless atrocities by the Pakistani forces marked by enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings of Baloch civilians at an unprecedented level IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/three-of-a-family-killed-in-mortar-strike-by-pakistani-forces-in-balochistan-667616.html Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/russia-says-japans-missile-deployment-could-be-more-than-tragic-667618.html Moscow April 2 The deployment of antiship hypersonic missiles at Japanese military garrisons in Kumamoto and Shizuoka represents yet another indication that Japan is moving away from the pacifist provisions enshrined in its Constitution Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Japans deployment of missile systems on its territory and the buildup of its offensive weapons arsenals reflect the countrys dangerous course toward remilitarization she saidAdd to this the rejection of preserving historical memory and the rewriting of history and the result could be more than tragic she addedAccording to Zakharova Russia has repeatedly raised with Japanese authorities through diplomatic channels the negative impact of their policies on security and stability in the AsiaPacific region reports Xinhua news agencyWe are carefully taking these circumstances into account primarily in the context of developing the necessary countermeasures to ensure an adequate level of our countrys defence capability she saidThe deployment of the missiles at Camp Kengun in Kumamoto Prefecture southwestern Japan and Camp Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture central Japan marks a significant shift from the countrys longstanding exclusively defenceoriented policy under its warrenouncing Constitution reports Xinhua quoting Kyodo NewsCamp Kengun has been equipped with a groundlaunched version of the upgraded Type 12 landtoship guided missile that can fly about 1000 kilometres far exceeding Japans territorial boundaries and widely seen as having clear offensive capabilitiesMeanwhile hyper velocity gliding projectiles have been equipped at a training unit at Camp Fuji Designed for island defence the deployed model has a range of several hundred kilometres with the ministry working to upgrade it to around 2000 kilometresKyodo News noted that enemy base strike capability refers to Japans ability to launch counterstrikes against adversary bases before actual damage occurs if it determines that an attack is imminent However analysts warn that misjudgments could risk violating international law by constituting a preemptive strikeAtsushi Koketsu emeritus professor at Yamaguchi University in Japan told Xinhua that while the government frames the capability as a means of strengthening deterrence it clearly goes beyond the scope of selfdefenceOn Tuesday local residents in Kumamoto staged protests near Camp Kengun holding placards reading Oppose deployment and No missiles needed Kyodo News reportedProtesters expressed concern that the deployment could turn the area into a potential military target and have repeatedly called on the defence ministry to hold public briefings which have yet to take place the report saidSeparately more than a dozen citizen representatives met with defence ministry officials in Tokyo on Monday urging the government to halt its military expansion measures including the missile deployment in Kumamoto Participants criticised officials for providing vague responses and frequently avoiding transparencyCitizen representative Kujirai said after the meeting that the governments replies followed a routine pattern increasingly citing confidentiality as a pretext when declining to answer specific questions He also criticised Prime Minister Sanae Takaichis push to make Japan strong and wealthy arguing it amounts to largescale military expansion without adequate public accountability This is a misinterpretation of the citizens demands and a very dangerous stance he saidAnother representative Akira Saito told Xinhua that the government officials response remained very limited Going forward in addition to directly questioning Takaichi at the parliamentary level it is crucial to continuously expand and amplify our voices through civic movements he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/russia-says-japans-missile-deployment-could-be-more-than-tragic-667618.html Thu, 02 Apr 2026 13:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/nasa-astronauts-carry-iphones-to-moon-for-1st-time-aboard-artemis-ii-mission-667627.html New Delhi April 2 IANS NASA astronauts aboard the Artemis II mission are carrying their personal iPhones into deep space for the first time a shift in how the US space agency equips its crews for human spaceflight beyond Earths orbitnbspThe fourmember crew Commander Reid Wiseman Pilot Victor Glover Mission Specialist Christina Koch and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen of the space agency lifted off aboard the Orion spacecraft atop the Space Launch System rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday embarking on a historic 10day journey to fly around the Moon and backThe decision to allow personal smartphones was announced earlier this year by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman as part of a broader push to modernise crew equipment and streamline mission documentationThe move allows astronauts to capture behindthescenes moments without relying on bulky governmentissued camerasWe are giving our crews the tools to capture special moments for their families and share inspiring images and video with the world Isaacman wrote on X in FebruaryHe added that qualifying modern hardware for spaceflight on an expedited timeline would serve NASA well in future lunar and orbital missionsThe devices will operate in Aeroplane mode throughout the deep space leg of the journey to prevent interference with spacecraft systems effectively serving as highend cameras When the crew passes through the International Space Station astronauts will be able to connect to the stations WiFi to send photos and emails though voice calls will not be possibleThe Artemis II mission is humanitys first crewed flight to the vicinity of the Moon in more than half a decade During the lunar flyby the crew will capture live imagery of the Moons surface observe features not previously visible to human eyes and witness a partial solar eclipse from their vantage point in deep spaceIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/nasa-astronauts-carry-iphones-to-moon-for-1st-time-aboard-artemis-ii-mission-667627.html Thu, 02 Apr 2026 13:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/between-tehran-and-tel-aviv-gazas-story-of-unending-war-667629.html New Delhi April 2 Between Tehran and Tel Aviv a book available on Amazon written by Col Rajeev Agarwal Senior Research Consultant at Chintan Research Foundation Delhi serves as an urgent exposà of the ongoing West Asia conflict It unravels the intricate web of alliances hostilities and historical grievances shaping the volatile region today As nations navigate a fragile balance of power this book sheds light on Irans influence in the region revealing how its ambitions and actions have farreaching implications for global peace and securityThe narrative delves deep into Israels security concerns and military strategies illustrating the challenges it faces in protecting its sovereignty amidst persistent threatsThe book highlights that the US has been pushed to fight a battle which was never its war However it was a situation which was largely built upon a number of strategic miscalculations made by America well before the October 7 Hamas attack took placeBesides it underlines Gazas humanitarian crisis due to the ongoing violence and emphasises the urgent need for dialogue and resolution in a region where countless lives are affectedIn an age where international relations are intertwined the book offers valuable insights for policymakers scholars and anyone seeking to grasp the undercurrents of global affairsThe book is not just a recounting of events itâs a clarion call for awareness and action in todayâs challenging geopolitical landscape It captures important developments as they happened and relives moments of victory defeat death anxiety and hope along the wayIn separately segregated sections it focuses not only on the âwhatâ of the war but also raises questions on the âhowâ and âwhyâ It raises questions on various aspects of the war how Israel regained military control over Gaza why multiple ceasefire attempts failed how Israeli intelligence agencies redeemed themselves how Iran and Israel engaged in a direct military conflict for the first time how Israel used this war to eliminate all other threats on its borders and most importantly how the war finally endedAs the current war in Iran completes one month there are vital lessons from the Gaza War especially on the effects and implications of a prolonged conflict IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/between-tehran-and-tel-aviv-gazas-story-of-unending-war-667629.html Thu, 02 Apr 2026 13:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/fuel-hike-in-pakistan-reflects-structural-mismanagement-delayed-reforms-report-667514.html New Delhi April 1 IANS Factors like regional conflict and the temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz account for only a portion of the increase in fuel prices in Pakistan according to a new report which stresses that the majority reflects structural mismanagement delayed reforms and political considerationsnbspThe Pakistan Observer report mentions that officials described the Middle East situation as an exceptional global crisis while emphasising that precautionary steps had already been taken to manage volatility and safeguard national fuel reservesFollowing this the ministers announced a Rs 55 per litre increase in both petrol and diesel The adjustment raised petrol prices from Rs 26617 to Rs 32117 and diesel to Rs 33586 reflecting an increase of around 17 per centMoreover the IMF had already been pressing Pakistan to adjust fuel prices well before tensions in Iran escalatedIt emphasised avoiding subsidies and meeting the annual petroleum levy target of Rs 1468 trillion By December 2025 over Rs 822 billion had been collected underscoring the need to sustain high perlitre leviesAnother key aspect missing from the governments account is the timing of fuel procurement Assadullah Channa wrote in the Pakistan Observer reportMuch of Pakistans existing stock had been imported roughly 24 days before the March 6 decision at prewar prices Consequently the Rs 55 increase applied across all available stock including fuel acquired at earlier lower pricesThe structure of the price adjustment also reveals a political dimension According to reporting by the Express Tribune the increase in petrol prices exceeded the actual rise in international costs because the government sought to subsidise diesel which is consumed primarily by agriculture freight transport and public transport said the reportAccording to the report the fuel price hike drove up production and transport costs pushing wholesale prices of essentials like flour vegetables and meat higherTransport fares increased and retailers struggled to sell staples at official rates Industry warned of added pressure on manufacturing and agriculture while Pakistan faces its highest poverty in 11 years and unemployment in 21 years it addedIt argued that the governments decision to frame the hike as a consequence of external shocks obscures the underlying issues persistent revenue underperformance reliance on petroleum levies to fill fiscal gaps and the nonutilisation of contingency reserves designed for precisely such momentsIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/fuel-hike-in-pakistan-reflects-structural-mismanagement-delayed-reforms-report-667514.html Wed, 01 Apr 2026 19:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-may-exit-iran-war-in-weeks-trump-667370.html Washington April 1 US President Donald Trump said American forces could exit the ongoing conflict with Iran within weeks asserting that Washington had already achieved its core objective of neutralising Tehranâs nuclear ambitions âI think two or three weeksâ Trump told reporters in the Oval Office of the White House when asked about a timeline for ending US operations adding that the mission was nearing completionHe claimed the US had significantly degraded Iranâs capabilities through sustained strikes âWe had one goal they will have no nuclear weapon and that goal has been attainedâ Trump said adding âThey will not have nuclear weaponsâThe President also suggested that the situation in Iran had fundamentally changed âWe have had regime changeâ he said noting that the US was now dealing with âpeople that are much more rationalâTrump indicated that ongoing military operations were aimed at ensuring longterm disruption of Iranâs capabilities âWe want to knock out every single thing they haveâ he saidAt the same time he left open the possibility of a negotiated settlement âIts possible that well have a deal because they want to make a deal more than I want to make a dealâ Trump saidHowever he made clear that a deal was not a precondition for US withdrawal âIran doesnt have to make a dealâ When we feel that they are for a long period of time put into the stone agesâ then well leaveâ he saidTrump also suggested that the conflict had already shifted strategic realities on the ground âWe have set them back Itll take 15 to 20 years for them to rebuild what weve done to themâ he saidThe President framed the operation as a necessary intervention âWe had to take a little detour because we had a madmanâ who wanted a nuclear weaponâ he saidHe added that US forces had targeted critical infrastructure âLast night we knocked out tremendous amounts of missilemaking facilitiesâ Trump saidTrump maintained that the broader objective had been achieved and that the remaining phase of operations would be limited âIn a fairly short period of time well be finishedâ he saidThe president claimed that Iranâs military capabilities had been effectively dismantled following recent American strikes asserting that Tehran no longer possessed functional defence infrastructureâThey have no navy They have no military They have no air forceâ Trump said describing the impact of US operationsHe added that key systems had been destroyed âThey have no telecommunicationsâ they have no antiaircraft systemsâ he saidTrump also pointed to leadership losses within Iran âTheir leaders are all goneâ he said reiterating his claim that âwe have had regime changeâThe President said US forces now faced little resistance in the air âThey are roaming the skies over Tehran theyre not even being shot at because their equipments been totally decimatedâ he saidHe argued that the scale of damage would delay any recovery âItll take 15 to 20 years for them to rebuild what weve done to themâ Trump saidTrump described the situation as a decisive military outcome âTheyre losing they admit theyre losing theyre begging to make a dealâ he saidHe also suggested that Iranâs defensive capabilities had been neutralised to the extent that US aircraft operated freely âPlanes are just ruling the skyâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-may-exit-iran-war-in-weeks-trump-667370.html Wed, 01 Apr 2026 07:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-signs-order-on-mail-ballot-rules-667372.html Washington April 1 US President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at tightening election procedures focusing on voter rolls and mailin ballots which he said would help âsecure elections in the futureâ Announcing the order at the White House Trump described it as addressing âvoter integrity and mailin ballots and stopping the massive cheating thats gone onâWhite House Staff Secretary Will Scharf said the order targets what he called two major concerns âinaccurate voter rollsâ and mail voting practices that he said has become rife with fraudââSo what this executive order is going to do is one were going to take federal dataâ Scharf said adding that it would help states get âa comprehensive view of who the eligible voters in their jurisdiction actually areâHe said the order would also direct the US Postal Service to take steps to ensure ballots are sent only to eligible voters and returned properly âWe believe that combined the measures in this executive order will help secure elections in the futureâ Scharf saidCommerce Secretary Howard Lutnick outlined proposed operational changes tied to mail voting He said states using the postal system would be required to use a barcode system âThey will â if they want to use the US mailâ theyre going to get a code a barcode from the US Postal Serviceâ he saidâWe will have one envelope per voteâ Lutnick added saying the system would ensure clarity in counting mail ballots âIf you voted by mail you will have it on the envelopeâ so we will knowâ that citizens votedâTrump said the order was developed with legal input and insisted that concerns over mail voting were longstanding âThe cheating on mailin voting is â is legendaryâ he said adding âI think this will help a lot with electionsâHe also reiterated support for additional measures not included in the order âWed like to have voter ID Wed like to have proof of citizenship and that will be another subject for another timeâ Trump saidThe president criticised opposition to voter ID requirements claiming âThe only people that dont want to do voter ID are people that cheatâThe signing of the executive order comes amid broader political debate in the United States over election administration including the balance between access to voting and safeguards against fraud Mailin voting expanded significantly during the Covid19 pandemic and has remained a contested issue between Republicans and DemocratsTrump framed the order as essential to democratic legitimacy âWe want to have honest voting in our country Because if you dont have honest voting you cant have really a nationâ he saidThe executive order is expected to face legal scrutiny though Trump expressed confidence âI dont know how it can be challengedâ he said while acknowledging potential court actionDebates over election integrity intensified after the 2020 presidential election with Republicans pushing for stricter voting laws and Democrats warning such measures could restrict voter access IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-signs-order-on-mail-ballot-rules-667372.html Wed, 01 Apr 2026 07:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/29-dead-after-russian-an-26-military-transport-plane-crashes-in-crimea-667374.html Moscow April 1 Six crew members and 23 passengers were killed when a Russian Anâ26 military transport plane crashed in Crimea the Russian Ministry of Defence confirmed early Wednesday The aircraft collided with a cliff a source at the scene told TASS news agencyThe Russian defense ministry said late Tuesday that the An26 had lost contact during a scheduled flight over the Crimean Peninsula Xinhua news agency reportedAccording to preliminary information the crash was caused by a technical malfunction and no hostile fire targeted the aircraftâOn 31 March at around 1800 Moscow time contact was lost with the An26 military transport aircraft whilst it was on a scheduled flight over the Crimean Peninsulaâ the defence ministry saidThe search and rescue team has located the crash site of the An26 aircraft According to reports from the scene the six crew members and 23 passengers on board were killed the ministry addedThe ministry report âdid not say how many people were on board but it made no mention of any survivors on the An26 a light tactical military transport that has for decades been a mainstay that âcan carry cargo and up to 40 passengers over short and medium distancesIn a similar incident earlier in December 2025 Russia reported a deadly military aviation accident involving an Antonov transport aircraft On December 9 an Antonov An22 crashed during a test flight near the village of Ivankovo in the Ivanovo region located east of Moscow The aircraft had taken off following repair work suggesting it was undergoing postmaintenance testing when the incident occurredRussian authorities confirmed that there were no survivors While the official statement did not initially specify the number of people onboard the staterun TASS news agency reported earlier that the plane was carrying seven crew members All were killed in the crash marking a tragic loss for the military aviation unit involved IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/29-dead-after-russian-an-26-military-transport-plane-crashes-in-crimea-667374.html Wed, 01 Apr 2026 07:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-citizenship-and-immigration-services-hits-fy2027-h-1b-visa-cap-filing-opens-today-667375.html Washington April 1 The US Citizenship and Immigration Services USCIS said that it has received enough electronic registrations to meet the fiscal year 2027 H1B visa cap including the advanced degree exemption triggering the next phase of filings starting April 1 The agency confirmed it has âselected enough beneficiaries with properly submitted registrations to reach the H1B capâ and has notified petitioners whose beneficiaries were chosen Only those with selected registrations are eligible to file H1B capsubject petitions for FY 2027Registrants can check their status through their online USCIS accounts the agency saidPetitions for selected beneficiaries may be filed beginning April 1 2026 USCIS said the filing window will be at least 90 days and petitions must include a copy of the relevant selection notice Filings must be made at the correct location or online through the agencyâs portalThe agency also introduced a compliance requirement tied to documentation Each petition must match the identifying and position details submitted during registration Petitioners must submit evidence of the beneficiaryâs valid passport or travel document used at registration along with proof supporting the wage level declaredUSCIS said that from April 1 it will only accept the new edition of Form I129 dated 022726 for all FY 2027 H1B filingsThe announcement comes with an additional financial condition tied to a presidential proclamation Certain H1B petitions filed on or after September 21 2025 must include an additional 100000 payment as a condition of eligibility the agency saidUSCIS stressed that selection in the registration process does not guarantee approval Petitioners must still establish eligibility and submit all required evidence under Form I129 instructionsFor 2027 USCIS has implemented a new weighted selection system according to which the system prioritises higherskilled and higherpaid applicants based on Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics OEWS wage levelsCongress has set the annual H1B cap at 65000 visas with up to 6800 reserved for the H1B1 programme under US trade agreements with Chile and Singapore An additional 20000 visas are available for applicants with advanced degrees from US institutionsCertain categories remain exempt from the cap These include petitions filed by US higher education institutions and workers employed in Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands provided filings are made before December 31 2029The H1B visa programme is widely used by US companies to hire foreign workers in specialised occupations particularly in technology engineering and research roles Indian nationals account for a significant share of H1B recipients each year IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-citizenship-and-immigration-services-hits-fy2027-h-1b-visa-cap-filing-opens-today-667375.html Wed, 01 Apr 2026 07:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-ahead-of-schedule-in-iran-objectives-says-rubio-667376.html Washington April 1 The United States is âahead of scheduleâ in achieving its objectives in Iran Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an interview with Fox News asserting that ongoing military operations are being carried out with âextraordinary efficiencyâ âWeâre well on our way and ahead of schedule on each of our objectives We can see the finish lineâ Rubio saidHe credited US forces for delivering results with precision and speed âOur military is achieving our objectives with extraordinary efficiency something that I think will go down in history as one of the bestrun tactical military operations in modern timesâ he saidRubio also rejected criticism that the current situation could have been avoided through diplomacy saying Iran had repeatedly failed to engage seriously âThey refused to negotiate For all these people out there talking about how this couldve been avoided â they were given every opportunity in multiple talks and all they did was either reject or delay and thats not going to happen under Donald Trumpâ he saidHe framed the US actions as necessary to counter what he described as a growing strategic threat from Tehran âIran was aiming to become the next North Korea except run by radical Shia clerics with intercontinental missiles that could reach the USâ Rubio saidâThatâs what would have been achieved had President Trump not taken the steps he didâ he addedThe Secretary of State emphasised that while Washington remains open to dialogue it would not allow negotiations to be used as a delaying tactic âPOTUS is not going to allow fake negotiations to be used as a delay tacticâ Rubio saidâWell always be prepared to talk â but were not going to allow that or the failure of talks to impede our ability to defend this country and protect this country from a real threatâ he addedRubioâs remarks underscore a dualtrack US approach â signalling openness to talks while continuing military operations it considers essential for national security His comments also reflect an effort to project confidence in both the pace and effectiveness of the campaign IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-ahead-of-schedule-in-iran-objectives-says-rubio-667376.html Wed, 01 Apr 2026 08:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-lee-indonesias-prabowo-hold-summit-talks-with-eye-on-defence-cooperation-667377.html Seoul April 1 South Korean President Lee Jae Myung held summit talks with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday to discuss bilateral ties with defense industry cooperation expected to be high on the agenda Prabowo arrived in Seoul on Tuesday for a threeday state visit for his second meeting with Lee following their talks on the sidelines of the AsiaPacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea last yearThe talks are expected to focus on expanding defense industry cooperation particularly the joint development of the KF21 fighter jet which Lee has described as a model example of global defense cooperationSouth Korea plans to sign a deal to export 16 KF21 jets to Indonesia which would mark the countrys first overseas sale of indigenous fighter jetsThey are also expected to discuss ways to strengthen South Koreas relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ASEAN along with broader security and global issues including the Korean Peninsula and the Middle East according to presidential spokesperson Kang YujungIndonesia a key ASEAN member with the worlds fourthlargest population and abundant natural resources is considered a strategic partner for South Korea Yonhap news agency reportedDuring their meeting Lee plans to award Prabowo the Grand Order of Mugunghwa South Koreas highest honor in recognition of his contributions to strengthening bilateral ties including support for Korean companies operating in the Southeast Asian nation Kang saidHe will also present Prabowo with a traditional Korean bow set and a martial arts book from the Joseon Dynasty 13921910 reflecting the Indonesian presidents strong interest in martial arts shaped by his background as a former Army general and defense minister she addedSeoul and Jakarta initially formed a partnership to develop the fighter jet in 2015 with Jakarta agreeing to fund around 20 per cent of the project in exchange for technology transfer But payments were repeatedly delayed and the two sides later agreed to reduce Indonesiaâs contribution to onethird of the initial amount and lower the level of technology transfer IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-lee-indonesias-prabowo-hold-summit-talks-with-eye-on-defence-cooperation-667377.html Wed, 01 Apr 2026 08:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-seeks-unesco-heritage-status-for-ginseng-taekwondo-traditions-667379.html Seoul April 1 South Korea has applied for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status for its ginseng culture and is planning a future application for the training culture of its traditional martial art of taekwondo the heritage authority said Wednesday The Korea Heritage Service KHS said it had submitted a nomination for inscription onto UNESCOs Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity for The Insam Tradition Knowledge Skills and Cultural Practices Related to Ginseng in the Republic of KoreaThe ginseng tradition reflects Koreas longstanding belief in health and longevity and includes cultivation and processing techniques as well as related customs such as rituals food preparation and gift giving It also serves as a symbol of solidarity and community wellbeing passed down through practice and education the agency saidA final decision on the nomination will be made during the 23rd session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in December 2028 after review by the UNESCO Secretariat and evaluation bodiesRegarding the taekwondo training tradition the KHS said in January that it was chosen as a candidate for the next round of applications for joint or extended inscriptionThe proposed heritage Taekwondo A Dojangcentered Korean Training Tradition was described as a training culture rooted in the dojang training hall community where values and skills are handed down from masters to students and across generations Yonhap news agency reportedThe KHS hopes taekwondo could be jointly inscribed with North Korea mirroring the 2018 joint listing of ssireum or traditional Korean wrestlingHowever North Korea submitted its own nomination TaekwonDo Traditional Martial Art in the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea in March 2024 which is currently under reviewSouth Korean ginseng specifically Panax ginseng is worldrenowned for its high quality and health benefits often cultivated for six years to maximise potency Known as red ginseng when steamed and dried it is a key health supplement often used for immune support focus and energy IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-seeks-unesco-heritage-status-for-ginseng-taekwondo-traditions-667379.html Wed, 01 Apr 2026 08:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/fuel-prices-in-cambodia-continue-to-rise-amidst-ongoing-mideast-conflict-667380.html Phnom Penh April 1 Retail fuel prices in Cambodia continued to rise due to the escalation of the Middle East conflict the Ministry of Commerce said In an announcement on Tuesday midnight the ministry said a liter of regular gasoline will cost 5450 riels 136 from Wednesday until the next notice up 9 per cent from 5000 riels 125 in the past three daysDiesel will go for 7500 riels 188 per liter up 416 per cent from 7200 180 riels the announcement addedAlso the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas LPG climbed to 3900 riels 097 per liter up 147 percent from 3400 riels 085Since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict the prices of regular gasoline diesel and LPG in Cambodia have risen by 415 per cent 948 per cent and 95 per cent respectively according to the Ministry of CommerceIn an effort to mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices the government reduced import duties and taxes on fuel products on March 20On March 28 the government decided to reduce import duties on electric vehicles EVs passenger plugin hybrid electric vehicles PHEVs electric stoves and solarpowered devicesThe Southeast Asian country entirely relies on imported petroleum and diesel as its seabeds oil reserves have not been exploited yet Xinhua news agency reportedEarlier on March 31 eighteen out of 36 airlines operating flights to and from Cambodia had increased their air ticket prices due to rising fuel costs caused by the Middle East conflict according to a civil aviation spokespersonSinn Chanserey Vutha secretary of state and spokesperson for the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation had said that the airlines have added a fuel surcharge on their basic airfares based on flight distanceFour domestic airlines had increased their airfares by about 21 on average as foreign airlines have averagely raised their airfares by approximately 28 he had said in a news release IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/fuel-prices-in-cambodia-continue-to-rise-amidst-ongoing-mideast-conflict-667380.html Wed, 01 Apr 2026 09:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-condemns-killing-of-un-peacekeepers-in-lebanon-667310.html United Nations March 31 India condemned on Monday the killing of peacekeepers in Lebanon and said it would seek accountability for the crimeâ Three peacekeepers from Indonesia with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon UNIFIL were killed within 24 hours according to UnderSecretary for Peace Operations JeanPierre LacroixâIndiaâs United Nations Mission said in a statement âWe condemn the recent attacks on United Nations Peacekeepers deployed in UNIFIL and pay our homage to the fallen Blue HelmetsââThe United Nations did not disclose the identity of the attackers pending investigationsâLacroix said the incidents were unacceptable and stressed that peacekeepers must never be a targetâSecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres also condemned the killing on Sunday according to his Spokesperson Stephane DujarricâUNIFIL operates in an area of Lebanon bordering Israel where Hezbollah and Israel are active Its mission is to help the Lebanese government regain control of the area from Hezbollah and also acts as a tenuous buffer with IsraelâIndiaâs mission statement noted that the country had piloted the Security Council resolution in 2021 when it was an elected member calling for accountability for those who attack peacekeepers It added that India will continue to pursue action against the perpetratorsâIt further highlighted that India is one of the largest and longestserving contributors to United Nations Peacekeeping and has lost the most personnel to this cause Historically India has lost 164 personnel in peace operations six of them with UNIFILâCurrently 642 Indians are serving with UNIFIL including 540 troopsLacroix said an Indonesian peacekeeper died on Sunday in an explosion inside a UNIFIL base âOn Monday two Indonesian peacekeepers were killed when an explosion hit a UNIFIL logistics convoy destroying their vehicle while two others were injured âHe added that the origin of the explosion has not been determinedâDujarric said that in another incident on Saturday a UNIFIL convoy was subjected to six warning shots fired by Israel Defence Force elements stationed nearby resulting in small arms impact on one of the vehicles IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-condemns-killing-of-un-peacekeepers-in-lebanon-667310.html Tue, 31 Mar 2026 11:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-pushes-iran-deal-as-strikes-intensify-667311.html Washington March 31 The United States is intensifying strikes on Iran while pursuing a deal to end Tehranâs nuclear ambitions the White House said Monday describing a dualtrack approach of military pressure and diplomacyâ Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the ongoing operation was âmoving ahead successfully and according to planâ with more than â11000 enemy targetsâ struck so farâShe said the campaign had sharply degraded Iranâs military capabilities Ballistic missile and drone attacks were âdown by roughly 90 per centâ while US forces had destroyed âmore than 150â naval vessels leaving Iranâs navy âcombat ineffectiveâââOur military continues to obliterate Iranâs defence industrial baseâ she said adding that ânearly 70 per centâ of its missile drone and naval production facilities had been damaged or destroyedâLeavitt said US and Israeli forces had âasserted air dominance over Iranâ completing more than â11000 successful combat flightsââAt the same time she confirmed that talks with Iran were continuing âTalks are continuing and going wellâ she said noting that âwhat is said publicly isâ much different than whatâs being communicated to us privatelyââPresident Donald Trump has issued a âtenday pauseâ on planned strikes targeting Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure to allow space for negotiations she saidâLeavitt described the moment as âa truly onceinageneration opportunityâ for Iran to âpermanently abandon their nuclear ambitionsââBut she warned that if Tehran rejects a deal âthe greatest military in the history of the world continues to stand byâ to ensure this regime continues to pay a grave price one way or anotherââShe said the Pentagonâs timeline for the operation remained â4 to 6 weeksâ with the campaign now on âday 30âââThe mission will continue until the objectives are achievedâ she said listing goals including destroying Iranâs navy dismantling its missile and drone infrastructure and preventing it from obtaining a nuclear weaponâLeavitt also stressed that diplomacy remained central âThe President has always said that diplomacy is his number one optionâ she said while adding that military operations would continue alongside negotiationsâShe said the administration was testing private assurances from Iranian interlocutors warning that any commitments would be verifiedâThe White House also linked the military campaign to broader strategic aims including ensuring Iran âcan no longer control the worldâs free flow of energy through the Strait of HormuzââThe current escalation marks one of the most significant US military campaigns against Iran in decades amid longstanding tensions over Tehranâs nuclear ambitions and regional roleâFor India developments in the Gulf remain closely watched given its dependence on energy imports and the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz for global oil supply chains IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-pushes-iran-deal-as-strikes-intensify-667311.html Tue, 31 Mar 2026 11:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-eyes-arab-support-for-iran-war-costs-667312.html Washington March 31 The Trump administration on Monday signalled that Arab nations could be asked to help bear the financial burden of the ongoing military campaign against Iran even as US forces continue largescale operations in the regionâ Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the idea of Gulf partners contributing to war costs was under consideration echoing past arrangements during earlier USled conflicts in the Middle EastââI think its something the President would be quite interested in calling them to doâ she said when asked whether countries such as Saudi Arabia Kuwait or the UAE would be expected to contributeâShe added âI wont get ahead of him on that but certainly its an idea that I know that he hasââThe comments come as the United States presses ahead with its military campaign in Iran which the White House says has significantly degraded Tehranâs military capabilitiesâLeavitt said more than â11000 enemy targets have been struck to dateâ while Iranâs missile and drone attacks are âdown by roughly 90 per centââShe said US forces had destroyed âmore than 150â Iranian naval vessels leaving the navy âcombat ineffectiveâ and damaged or destroyed ânearly 70 per centâ of its missile drone and naval production facilitiesâAt the same time the administration is pursuing negotiations with Iran describing the moment as âa truly onceinageneration opportunityâ for Tehran to abandon its nuclear ambitionsââTalks are continuing and going wellâ she said adding that private discussions appear more constructive than public statementsâPresident Donald Trump has also ordered a âtenday pauseâ on strikes targeting Iranian energy infrastructure to allow space for diplomacyâThe question of war financing comes amid rising costs associated with sustained military operations and heightened deployments in the regionâDuring the 1990â91 Gulf War a significant portion of US military expenses was offset by contributions from allied Arab states including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-eyes-arab-support-for-iran-war-costs-667312.html Tue, 31 Mar 2026 11:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-allows-oil-to-cuba-on-humanitarian-grounds-667313.html Washington March 31 The United States has allowed an oil shipment to reach Cuba on humanitarian grounds even as it maintained there has been no formal change in its sanctions policy the White House said Mondayâ Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the decision was made on a âcasebycase basisâ to address the urgent needs of the Cuban peopleââAs the President saidâ we allowed this ship to reach Cuba in order to provide humanitarian needs to the Cuban peopleâ she saidâShe stressed that the move does not signal a broader policy shiftââThere has been no formal change with respect to sanction policyâ Leavitt said adding that such decisions would continue to be evaluated individuallyâThe clarification came after questions over whether the United States was easing restrictions on oil shipments to Cuba particularly involving Russian tankersâLeavitt rejected suggestions of a wider relaxation saying âThese decisions are being made on a casebycase basis right nowâShe added that the US still reserves the right to enforce sanctions including the seizure of vessels where legally applicableâWe still reserve the right to seize vesselsâ that violate the United States sanctions policyâ she saidAt the same time the administration has also emphasised flexibility in specific circumstancesâThe President and the administration also reserve the right to waive thoseâ on a casebycase basisâ she said in response to a questionâThe President threatened to tear up any country that would send oil to Cuba but now the US is letting this Russian tanker go to Cuba Is this a policy change or is he willing to let more tankers into Cubaâ she was askedâThis was a decision that will continue to be made on a casebycase basis for humanitarian reasons or otherwise but theres been no firm change in our sanctions policyâ Leavitt saidâPresident Shienbaum of Mexico also said that Mexico is exploring different ways to restart some of those shipments to Cuba Is the administration okay with that at this timeâ another reporter askedâTheres been no change in our sanctions policy We still reserve the right to seize vessels if its legally applicable that are headed towards Cuba and that violate the United States sanctions policy but of course the President and the administration also reserve the right to waive those seizures on a casebycase basisâ Leavitt said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-allows-oil-to-cuba-on-humanitarian-grounds-667313.html Tue, 31 Mar 2026 11:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/as-china-expands-at-sea-us-debates-mining-ocean-floor-667316.html Washington March 31 Concern over Chinaâs dominance in critical minerals is driving renewed US interest in deepsea mining even as experts have cautioned lawmakers that the ecological risks beneath the waves remain poorly understood Lawmakers and industry leaders at a Congressional hearing stressed the urgency of securing supply chains for minerals such as cobalt nickel and copper which are essential to defence systems clean energy and advanced technologiesCongressman Scott Franklin said these resources are âvital to industries across our countryâ warning that adversaries like China âwill undoubtedly seek to undermine the United StatesâIndustry executives argued that the US has both the technology and regulatory framework to move ahead Gerard Barron CEO of The Metals Company told lawmakers that âwe know enough to manage risksâ pointing to decades of research and recent advances that reduce environmental disturbanceBarron said that deepseabed nodules could significantly reduce the USs dependence on imports noting that they contain metals critical to sectors such as defence artificial intelligence and energy He added that modern systems leave âalmost invisible ripples on the sea floorâ and limit environmental impact to relatively small areasBut scientists warned that the push to accelerate mining may be prematureDr Astrid Leitner a deepsea ecologist said âthe best available data is insufficient to enable the responsible development of deepsea miningâ highlighting gaps in baseline data on biodiversity ecosystem functions and longterm impactsShe cautioned that mining could lead to âbiodiversity lossâ and âpossible extinctionsâ with effects that may be longlasting or irreversibleLawmakers across party lines acknowledged the scale of uncertainty Ranking member Gabe Amo said the ocean remains âone of the least understood ecosystems on earthâ adding that the consequences of missteps could be âlonglasting and in some cases irreversibleâThe hearing also underscored how little of the ocean has been mapped or exploredBrian Connon of Saildrone said only â54 per cent of the US EEZ has been mappedâ leaving vast areas of American waters unexploredVeteran explorer Robert Ballard told lawmakers that humans have seen just â0001 per cent of the deep oceanâ stressing that exploration must precede any largescale commercial activityDespite the uncertainties geopolitical competition is accelerating the debateLawmakers repeatedly pointed to Chinaâs lead in mineral processing and ocean research According to testimony China produces nearly 70 per cent of the worldâs rare earth elements and has invested heavily in mapping and exploration capabilitiesSupporters of deepsea mining argue that failing to act could leave the US dependent on foreign supply chains Critics counter that moving too quickly risks damaging ecosystems that play a crucial role in regulating the climate supporting fisheries and maintaining ocean health IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/as-china-expands-at-sea-us-debates-mining-ocean-floor-667316.html Tue, 31 Mar 2026 11:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-lawmakers-seek-data-on-gun-exports-667317.html Washington March 31 Senior US lawmakers have pressed the Commerce Department to release detailed data on exports of Americanmade semiautomatic weapons citing concerns that such sales are fuelling criminal violence abroad In a letter to Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Jeffrey Kessler Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative Gregory Meeks said US firearm exports account for a significant share of crime guns traced globallyData from the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives ATF shows that legal US firearm exports are responsible for âalmost 20 per cent of crime gun traces in Central America and over 37 per cent globally outside of North AmericaâThe lawmakers warned that âWithout proper controls legal firearm exports are often diverted into the underground market and end up arming militia cartels and other criminal actors abroad particularly in the Western HemisphereâThey said this trend risks undermining US national security and foreign policy objectivesâAs this Administration attempts to combat cartels and other transnational criminal organizations in the Western Hemisphere it must ensure that the illicit and legal flow of USmade weapons across our borders are not contributing to instability and violence and undercutting the national security and foreign policy of the United Statesâ the lawmakers wroteWarren the ranking member of the Senate Banking Housing and Urban Affairs Committee and Meeks ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee said they are seeking the information under the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 ECRA which mandates congressional oversight of export controlsUnder the law the Commerce Department is required to provide relevant information to congressional committees upon request including data tied to export licences and regulatory complianceIn the letter the lawmakers have asked the department to provide a comprehensive breakdown of exports of semiautomatic firearms and related accessories including rifles pistols shotguns and associated components classified under specific export control categoriesTheir request seeks monthly data since January 2025 on the number of licences approved countries receiving the exports and the types and volumes of weapons authorised for saleThey also asked for details on the type of buyers involved including whether exports were approved for wholesale distributors retailers or individual customersIn addition the lawmakers requested âa detailed accounting and list of prior notifications provided to Congressâ and information on any monitoring conducted to track diversion of weapons into illicit marketsIt seeks information on pre and postshipment checks carried out by the Bureau of Industry and Security as well as the number of personnel assigned to monitor such diversion risks IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-lawmakers-seek-data-on-gun-exports-667317.html Tue, 31 Mar 2026 11:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-lawmakers-push-bills-against-sharia-law-667319.html Washington March 31 Republican lawmakers used a coordinated House floor debate to push for new laws targeting Sharia law saying âseven bills stand readyâ to ensure no foreign religious code enters the US legal system The hourlong special order was led by Keith Self and Chip Roy cochairs of the Sharia Free America Caucus which lawmakers said has grown rapidly since its launch three months agoSelf told the House that the caucus now has â60 membersâ from â25 states across the United Statesâ calling it a sign of rising concern nationwideFraming the issue as a constitutional matter Self said âAmerica was founded on a timeless principle individual freedom secured by selfgovernment under a clear and supreme rule of constitutional lawâRoy argued that lawmakers must confront what he described as a broader ideological challenge âYou cannot win a war that you do not acknowledge existsâ he saidCongressmen who took the floor during this hourlong debate were Randy Weber Mark Harris Mary Miller Russ Fulcher Buddy Carter Barry Moore Sheri Biggs Randy Fine Eli Crane and Scott PerrySeveral lawmakers stressed that the US Constitution must remain the sole legal authority Weber said âThere is one law of the land the Constitution of the United States periodâ Fulcher added âSharia law cannot coexist with the US Constitution and the American rule of lawâMembers linked their concerns to security and recent incidents Self said âMarch has seen multiple incidents linked to Islamist extremismâ while others warned of what they described as threats from withinTexas featured prominently in the debate Self pointed to a mosquelinked development in Plano alleging it was âa parallel societyâ a defacto Sharia enclaveâ operating within his district He also referred to a proposed larger housing project that remains under regulatory and legal scrutinyLawmakers called for legislative action with Self saying âseven bills stand readyâ to address what members described as Shariaâs influence Moore said âno foreign legal code should ever influence American courtsâ while Biggs added âIf you come to America you come to live under American laws periodâFine described the moment as significant saying lawmakers were speaking âopenly and honestly about one of the greatest threats that is facing the United States todayâCaucus leaders urged broader participation Self called on colleagues âRepublican or Democratâ to join the effort saying the goal was to defend âone nation one constitution one rule of lawâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-lawmakers-push-bills-against-sharia-law-667319.html Tue, 31 Mar 2026 11:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/attacks-on-healthcare-in-lebanon-surge-as-humanitarian-access-tightens-in-gaza-un-667320.html United Nations March 31 Amid Middle East hostilities UN humanitarians pointed to a sharp rise in attacks on healthcare in Lebanon and growing obstacles for humanitarian operations in the Gaza Strip The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs OCHA said attacks on healthcare facilities ambulances and medical personnel in Lebanon have risen at an alarming rateThe World Health Organization WHO reported seven incidents over the weekend alone which killed at least nine health workers while they were on dutyIn southern Lebanon OCHA said that strikes hit ambulances including vehicles transporting casualties from an earlier attack in the town of Kfar Sir in Nabatieh governorateSince the escalation began OCHA said 87 attacks on healthcare have been recorded killing 52 health workers and injuring 126 othersIn a joint statement issued over the weekend UNs deputy special coordinator and humanitarian coordinator for Lebanon Imran Riza and WHO Representative in Lebanon Abdinasir Abubakar called for the protection of health workers and first responders saying that medical personnel and facilities must never be targetedThe office said Lebanese authorities reported that at least 96 people were killed over the weekend bringing the total number of people killed since the escalation began to 1238 with more than 3500 injuredOCHA said that despite deteriorating security conditions the office and its partners continue to work closely with the government to reach people in need WHO and health partners have provided more than 33500 medical consultations to displaced people and delivered essential medicines to over 22500 peopleIn the occupied Palestinian territories OCHA said lethal attacks affecting civilians continue in both Gaza and the West Bank as restrictions on humanitarian operations continue to mountOver the weekend airstrikes and shelling reportedly hit residential areas in Gaza In the West Bank OCHA recorded reports of fatal shootings by Israeli forces and attacks linked to Israeli settlersInternational nongovernmental organizations NGOs said Monday they intend to file a petition of appeal with Israeli High Court of Justice challenging a new Israeli NGO registration system which they say further restricts their ability to operate in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territoriesOCHA said that international NGOs play a critical role in the humanitarian response collectively delivering around 1 billion in assistance each year in the territories The new registration requirements are among several measures undermining peoples access to humanitarian servicesThe office called on Israeli authorities to facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief to reverse policies that obstruct humanitarian operations and to ensure that humanitarian organisations can operate in line with humanitarian principles Xinhua news agency reportedOCHA said that civilians must always be protected and that in the context of law enforcement lethal force must be used only as a last resort Perpetrators of unlawful attacks must be held to account IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/attacks-on-healthcare-in-lebanon-surge-as-humanitarian-access-tightens-in-gaza-un-667320.html Tue, 31 Mar 2026 11:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-congressman-urges-king-charles-to-meet-epstein-victims-667322.html Washington March 31 US Congressman Ro Khanna has asked King Charles III to meet survivors of Jeffrey Epsteinâs abuse during his upcoming visit to the United States calling it a step towards accountability for a powerful global network In a letter sent ahead of the Kingâs expected address to a joint meeting of Congress in the week of April 27 Khanna requested a private meeting between the monarch and survivorsâThe effort to release the Epstein files is about justice for the survivors Leaders in the US and around the world must hold Epsteinâs powerful network accountable Hearing the survivorsâ stories and concerns is an important step That is why I am respectfully requesting a meeting between King Charles and survivors of Epsteinâs abuseâ Khanna saidKhanna coauthor of the Epstein Files Transparency Act said survivors wanted such a meeting and should be allowed to speak directly about how powerful individuals and institutions failed themIn the letter Khanna referred to recent developments in the United Kingdom that have brought renewed scrutiny to individuals and institutions linked to Epstein and his networkâThese developments have raised serious questions about conduct access and whether positions of public trust were misused or whether public institutions helped shield wrongdoingâ he wroteKhanna also cited the Kingâs own call for a âfull fair and properâ investigation saying it recognised the seriousness of the concernsThe Congressman underlined that the case was not confined to the United States noting Epsteinâs links to Britain through Ghislaine Maxwell and his connections with British public figuresâThese connections raise broader questions about how Epstein was able to maintain influence credibility and protection across borders for so longâ Khanna saidHe also pointed to efforts by members of Congress to seek testimony from Prince Andrew and Peter Mandelson regarding their reported ties to EpsteinAccording to the letter Prince Andrew did not respond to congressional outreach while Mandelson declined to cooperate citing an ongoing criminal investigation In both cases Congress was unable to secure testimonyKhanna said a meeting between the King and survivors could help identify any additional information that British institutions and individuals might be able to shareâIt would also ensure that survivors are heard directly and that these matters are addressed with transparency seriousness and accountabilityâ he wroteHe added that he was making the request âwith full respect for the importanceâ of the Kingâs visit IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-congressman-urges-king-charles-to-meet-epstein-victims-667322.html Tue, 31 Mar 2026 11:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/vietnams-capital-logs-29-covid-19-cases-since-start-of-year-667323.html Hanoi March 31 Vietnams capital Hanoi has recorded 29 COVID19 cases since the start of the year with no deaths reported local daily Tuoi Tre reported Tuesday The Hanoi Centre for Disease Control reported 17 new infections across 12 communes and wards between March 20 and 27 up from three cases in the previous week according to the reportRegarding the BA32 variant which is currently being monitored by the World Health Organization WHO the local health department advised the public not to panic while remaining vigilant The WHO said the variant shows some antigenic changes and immune escape characteristics under laboratory conditionsThe local health authority urged the public to maintain preventive measures such as wearing masks in crowded or enclosed spaces regular disinfection and seeking medical care in case of worsening symptoms Xinhua news agency reportedRecently a newly identified Covid19 variant informally dubbed Cicada has been detected in limited clusters across multiple regions prompting scientists to closely monitor its characteristics transmissibility and potential impactAccording to the WHO COVID19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARSCoV2 virusMost people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment However some will become seriously ill and require medical attention Older people and those with underlying medical conditions like cardiovascular disease diabetes chronic respiratory disease or cancer are more likely to develop serious illness Anyone can get sick with COVID19 and become seriously ill or die at any ageThe best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well informed about the disease and how the virus spreads Protect yourself and others from infection by staying at least 1 metre apart from others wearing a properly fitted mask and washing your hands or using an alcoholbased rub frequently Get vaccinated when itâs your turn and follow local guidanceThe virus can spread from an infected personâs mouth or nose in small liquid particles when they cough sneeze speak sing or breathe These particles range from larger respiratory droplets to smaller aerosols It is important to practice respiratory etiquette for example by coughing into a flexed elbow and to stay home and selfisolate until you recover if you feel unwell IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/vietnams-capital-logs-29-covid-19-cases-since-start-of-year-667323.html Tue, 31 Mar 2026 11:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/irans-parliament-starts-process-to-adopt-plan-on-strait-of-hormuz-management-667342.html Tehran March 31 Irans parliament has kicked off a process to approve a plan to exercise smart management over the Strait of Hormuz Abbas Goudarzi spokesman for the Iranian parliaments presiding board said the new plan has been added to the legislatures agenda after gathering over 250 signatures from the members of parliament MPs Parliament has 290 seats in total Xinhua news agency reproted quoting the semiofficial Tasnim news agencyHe said the plan aims to enhance the waterways security and collect tolls from vessels in the local currency the rialEarlier on Sunday senior MP Alireza Salimi said the doubleurgency plan has four main objectives ensuring shipping security charging environmental polluters collecting fees for guidance services and establishing a regional development fundThe development came with Irans tight control over the Strait of Hormuz where it has since late last month barred passage for vessels linked to Israel the United States and their alliesMeanwhile Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Monday accused some European countries of remaining silent about brutal attacks against the Iranian people while focusing only on the conflicts economic impactAraghchi spoke by phone with French Foreign Minister JeanNoel Barrot to discuss the fallout from recent USIsraeli strikes on Iran and rising regional tensions according to a statement from Irans Foreign MinistryHe warned that Iran would continue defensive operations including strikes on US and Israeli military bases in regional countries and cautioned that any provocative moves in the Strait of Hormuz including at the United Nations could escalate the crisis furtherBarrot reaffirmed Frances opposition to attacks on civilian targets and called for stronger diplomatic efforts to end the war and restore regional stability also expressing concern over tensions across West Asia including in Lebanon according to the Iranian statementOn February 28 Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities killing Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei along with senior military commanders and civilians Iran responded by launching waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and US bases and assets in the Middle East IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/irans-parliament-starts-process-to-adopt-plan-on-strait-of-hormuz-management-667342.html Tue, 31 Mar 2026 12:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-defence-secretarys-broker-looks-to-buy-defence-fund-before-iran-attack-667350.html New York March 31 A broker for US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth explored a multimilliondollar investment in defence stocks just weeks before a USIsrael strike on Iran The broker at Morgan Stanley approached BlackRock in February about allocating funds into a defencefocused ETF tied to contractors like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman Such companies typically benefit from rising military spending amid geopolitical tensions and military activity Xinhua news agency reported quoting the Financial TimesThe investment did not go through due to Morgan Stanleys platform availability constraints but the timing is raising scrutiny given Hegseths prominent role in shaping US policy toward IranThe Pentagon said the report was incorrect and demanded a retractionThis allegation is entirely false and fabricated Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell said on social media This is yet another baseless dishonest smear designed to mislead the publicThe report came amid a wider scrutiny of trades made in financial and prediction markets ahead of US President Donald Trumps major policy decisions local media reportedMeanwhile President Trump has told aides that hes willing to end the USIsraeli war with Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday night citing Trump administration officialsTrump and his aides recently assessed that a mission to pry open the crucial global energy waterway would push the war with Iran beyond his timeline of four to six weeks said the reportAs a result Trump decided that the United States should focus on achieving its primary objectives of crippling Irans navy and missile stockpiles while simultaneously pressuring Tehran diplomatically to restore the free flow of trade through the strait and if these efforts fail the White House would press European and Gulf allies to take the lead in reopening it according to the officials IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-defence-secretarys-broker-looks-to-buy-defence-fund-before-iran-attack-667350.html Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-lawmakers-clash-over-troops-war-powers-667153.html Washington March 30 US lawmakers are sharply divided over the prospect of deploying ground troops in Iran with senior politicians warning of escalating risks unclear objectives and the need for Congressional approval The debate has intensified amid media reports of potential military escalation CNN reported that âthousands more US service members arrive in the Middle East as a new front opens in the warâ while President Donald Trump said the conflict is ânot finished yetâDemocratic Senator Andy Kim cautioned against deeper military involvement calling the moment one of the most consequential in recent memory âWe cannot have American troops on the ground in Iranâ he told CNN warning that such a move would be âsuch a risky operationâKim questioned the strategic clarity of the mission saying it would âonly prolong it and increase the risk at a time that we have seen already so many service members put at harms wayâHe also raised concerns over the lack of a defined endgame âItâs a constantly changing objectiveâ he said reflecting broader unease among lawmakers about the administrationâs war strategyRepublicans however defended the administrationâs approach framing it as necessary to counter Iranâs capabilities House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said the focus remains on eliminating threats linked to nuclear and missile programmesâThatâs the real threat they pose to the United States and the rest of the world that President Trump is working to take outâ Scalise told ABC News adding that operations were âgetting closeâ to achieving their goalsHe stressed that the administration had engaged Congress through classified briefings involving both partiesStill divisions persist even within Republican ranks Congresswoman Nancy Mace told CNN any decision to deploy troops must go through lawmakers âIf were going to do that then come to Congress and get the proper authorities to do soâ she saidMace also underscored concerns about the human cost âI worry about the impact of war on our troops and our sons and daughters that were sending into warâ she saidDemocratic Congressman Suhas Subramanyam echoed calls for Congressional oversight âThis president should be coming to Congress nowâ especially for putting in ground troopsâ he told the CNNThe political divide reflects wider uncertainty over US objectives including whether the focus is dismantling Iranâs nuclear capability targeting missile systems or pursuing regime change IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-lawmakers-clash-over-troops-war-powers-667153.html Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:22:00 +0530