DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Sat, 02 May 2026 03:19:44 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-backs-iraq-pm-nominee-ali-al-zaidi-signals-support-for-new-govt-671795.html Washington May 1 US President Donald Trump on Thursday congratulated Ali alZaidi on his nomination as Iraqâs next Prime Minister signalling support for the formation of a new government in Baghdad and expressing hope for closer bilateral ties In a post on his official social media platform Trump said âCongratulations to Ali alZaidi on his nomination to be the next Prime Minister of IraqâHe added that Washington wishes him success as he seeks to form a government capable of addressing security concerns and governance challengesâWe wish him success as he works to form a new government free from terrorism that could deliver a brighter future for Iraqâ Trump saidThe US President also pointed to the prospect of strengthening ties between the two countries under alZaidiâs leadershipâWe look forward to a strong vibrant and highly productive new relationship between Iraq and the United Statesâ he saidTrump described the development as a potential turning point in bilateral relationsâThis is the beginning of a tremendous new chapter between our nations â prosperity stability and success like never seen beforeâ he saidHe concluded his message with a personal note âAgain Ali congratulationsâThe statement comes as Iraq navigates a sensitive political transitionThe United States maintains a diplomatic mission in Iraq which American officials describe as focused on sustaining a longterm strategic partnership with the Government of Iraq and its peopleIn coordination with the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS the United States had supported Iraqâs efforts that led to the December 2017 milestone of liberating the country from ISIS controlAn official statement mentions that following the territorial defeat of ISIS the US increased efforts to stabilise liberated areas as Iraq continues to develop as a sovereign stable and selfreliant countryOfficials describe Iraq as a key partner for the United States in the region and a country playing an increasingly constructive role in the Middle EastIraq has functioning government institutions including an active legislature and the US continues broad engagement with Iraq on diplomatic political economic and security issues under the USIraq Strategic Framework Agreement SFA which forms the basis of bilateral relations IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-backs-iraq-pm-nominee-ali-al-zaidi-signals-support-for-new-govt-671795.html Fri, 01 May 2026 08:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/ceasefire-with-iran-pauses-60-day-clock-on-congressional-authorization-pete-hegseth-671801.html Washington May 1 US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said that he believes the ceasefire with Iran pauses a 60day clock on congressional authorization for war Hegseth made the remarks when asked by Democratic Senator Tim Kaine at a congressional hearing on Thursday about whether the Trump administration would seek authorization from Congress for the war with Iran on the 60day mark of the war as required by law Xinhua news agency reportedUltimately I would defer to the White House and White House counsel on that However we are in a ceasefire right now which our understanding means the 60day clock pauses or stops in a ceasefire Hegseth saidI do not believe the statute would support that Kaine said I think the 60 days runs out maybe tomorrow and thats going to pose a really important legal question for the administration thereOn February 28 Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities killing Irans then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei senior commanders and civiliansUS President Donald Trump notified Congress of the military campaign against Iran on March 2 making May 1 the 60day milestone at which point the US War Powers Act requires the president to start winding down a war unless he receives congressional authorization according to media reportsMeanwhile earlier this week Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump held a phone call discussing the recent shooting at the White House press dinner the situation in Iran and the Ukraine crisis the Kremlin saidPutin strongly condemned the assassination attempt against Trump at the White House Correspondents Association Dinner stressing in particular the unacceptability of any form of politically motivated violence said Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov on Wednesday after the phone conversation that lasted over an hour and a halfAmong the issues on the international agenda the two leaders focused primarily on the situation in Iran and the Persian Gulf according to the KremlinPutin viewed Trumps decision to extend the ceasefire as the right move as it will help stabilise the situation Ushakov said adding that Putin drew attention to the inevitable extremely dire consequences not only for Iran and its neighbours but also for the entire international community should the United States and Israel resort to force again IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/ceasefire-with-iran-pauses-60-day-clock-on-congressional-authorization-pete-hegseth-671801.html Fri, 01 May 2026 08:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/eam-jaishankar-highlights-pm-modis-address-as-key-moment-at-hom-conference-stresses-3ts-in-diplomacy-671802.html New Delhi May 1 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs address as the standout moment of the 11th Heads of Mission HoM Conference underlining the growing importance of trade technology and tourism â the â3Tsâ â in Indiaâs diplomatic strategy In a post on X Jaishankar said the conference deliberations also focused on the Neighbourhood First policy deeper engagement with the Indian diaspora and the need for resilience and derisking âThe Conference benefited from the views of prominent figures from the Government business and technology worlds The active exchange of ideas during its various sessions lived up to the theme âReforming Indian Diplomacy for 2047ââ he wrote in a postPM Modi on Thursday held discussions on foreign policy at the Heads of Missions conference in New DelhiThe 11th Heads of Missions HoMs Conference was organised by the Ministry of External Affairs from April 28 to April 30 at the National Agricultural Science Complex Pusa New DelhiAccording to the Ministry of External Affairs this yearâs HoMs Conference was centred around the theme Reforming Indian Diplomacy for 2047âPrime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Heads of Mission on Thursday and provided valuable guidance on promoting Indiaâs national interests abroad said the Ministry of External AffairsâWe had extensive discussions on strengthening Indiaâs global engagement through advancing trade technology and strategic partnerships while deepening the connection with our diasporaâ posted PM Modi on XExternal Affairs Minister S Jaishankar delivered the inaugural address on April 29He addressed Indiaâs High Commissioners Ambassadors and senior officials from the Ministry of External AffairsâOur interaction recognised the significant expansion of Indiaâs engagement with the world in the last decade In a volatile and turbulent world Indian diplomacy stands ready to advance national interest and secure national goalsâ the Minister posted on XOver the course of three days the Heads of Mission participated in yoga brainstorming sessions tabletop exercises and thematic discussions covering various geopolitical developments emerging technologies 3Ts Trade Technology and Tourism the Bharat story and futureready diplomacy the Ministry of External Affairs addedThe Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson shared that presentations were made to the Prime Minister on futureready diplomacy the promotion of the 3Ts Trade Technology and Tourism and amplifying the Bharat story IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/eam-jaishankar-highlights-pm-modis-address-as-key-moment-at-hom-conference-stresses-3ts-in-diplomacy-671802.html Fri, 01 May 2026 08:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-expands-ira-access-for-millions-671804.html Washington May 1 US President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at expanding access to retirement savings accounts for millions of Americans particularly lowincome workers and those without employersponsored plans Calling it a âhistoric executive orderâ Trump said the initiative would allow Americans to access retirement accounts similar to those available to federal employeesâThis afternoon Im thrilled to sign a historic executive order expanding access to highquality retirement savings accounts for millions of Americansâ he saidAccording to Trump lowincome Americans could receive âup to 1000 per year in matching funds deposited directly into their accountsâHe described the programme as transformative for workers outside traditional employment structures âFor millions of Americans who lack employer sponsored plans this will be really revolutionary because theyll be coveredâ he saidTrump illustrated the longterm impact with a projection âIf a 25 year oldâ invests just 165 a monthâ they will have an estimated 465000 in their account by the time theyre 65 years oldâ he said adding âIn other words theyll be richâNational Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said the policy targets structural gaps in retirement savings access âWhat youve done here is youve given the Match to low income people with incomes below 35000â he saidHassett added that the administration is already working on expanding eligibility âWere working with Congress to significantly expand this programâ he said noting that discussions include extending benefits to middleincome AmericansTrump acknowledged that further expansion would require legislative approval âTo take it to the next level we need Congressional approvalâ it should be bipartisanâ he saidThe programme will also allow charitable contributions into individual retirement accounts broadening participation beyond government matching Hassett said âWeve also made it clear that in the TrumpIRA charities can contribute to other peoples accounts as wellâTrump linked the initiative to broader economic performance pointing to job growth and investment âMore people are working right now than at any time in the history of our countryâ he saidThe US retirement system has long relied heavily on employerbased plans leaving gig workers and informal labour segments underserved Efforts to expand access have gained bipartisan attention in recent years IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-expands-ira-access-for-millions-671804.html Fri, 01 May 2026 08:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/hegseth-senators-clash-over-iran-war-budget-671805.html Washington May 1 A heated Senate hearing saw sharp clashes between US SEcretary of War Pete Hegseth and lawmakers as divisions deepened over the Iran war rising costs and a proposed 15 trillion defence budget At the Senate Armed Services Committee Democratic and some independent senators challenged the administrationâs claims of success in Iran and questioned the scale of military spendingRanking Member Jack Reed led the criticism accusing the administration of entering an âunwiseâ conflict without a clear strategyâToday our nation is in a war strategic positionâ Reed said pointing to casualties damaged infrastructure and economic fallout He warned that the administrationâs claims of victory were âdangerously exaggeratedâHegseth rejected the criticism insisting the campaign had been effective âOur military objectives have been stunningly effectiveâ he said arguing that Iranâs defence capabilities had been significantly degradedThe exchange set the tone for a contentious hearing with senators repeatedly pressing the defence chief on costs and outcomesSenator Kirsten Gillibrand said Americans were âfuriousâ about the warâs economic impact citing rising fuel and food pricesâHow much more are we asking the American people to pay for this warâ she askedHegseth pushed back saying the mission was necessary to counter Iranâs nuclear ambitions âWhat is the cost of a nucleararmed Iranâ he respondedSenator Mark Kelly raised concerns about the scale of military operations and the strain on US weapons stockpiles noting that thousands of strikes had been carried outâThis war is stuckâ Kelly said adding that the Strait of Hormuz remained closed and âitâs not clearâ what the goal of this war isâHegseth said the military had achieved its objectives and was rapidly rebuilding capacityTensions also flared over civilian casualties and rules of engagement Senator Gillibrand questioned reports of strikes hitting schools and hospitals asking about safeguards to protect civiliansHegseth insisted the US military ânever targets civiliansâ and takes extensive measures to minimise harmSenator Tim Kaine raised legal concerns about the conflict citing the War Powers Resolution and asking whether the administration would seek congressional authorisationHegseth deferred to the White House saying a ceasefire meant the â60day clock pauses or stopsâBudget issues added to the friction Senator Kelly questioned whether the 15 trillion figure was justified suggesting it appeared âpulled out of thin airâHegseth countered that the number was the result of a âhighly rigorous processâ reflecting global threats and years of underinvestmentLawmakers also pressed the Pentagon on the cost of the war Defence comptroller Jules Hurst confirmed an initial estimate of 25 billion though several senators argued the true figure could be far higherThroughout the hearing Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine largely avoided political disputes emphasising his role in providing âclear and candid nonpartisan military adviceâThe confrontations underscored deepening divisions in Washington over US military strategy the Iran conflict and the scale of defence spendingThe debate comes as the US faces simultaneous geopolitical challenges including tensions with China and Russia and ongoing questions about longterm military commitments abroad IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/hegseth-senators-clash-over-iran-war-budget-671805.html Fri, 01 May 2026 08:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-claims-iran-weakened-seeks-deal-671806.html Washington May 1 US President Donald Trump said Iran had been significantly weakened and was eager to negotiate even as tensions remain high over its nuclear programme âIran is dying to make a dealâ Trump said while reiterating that Tehran âcannot be nuclearâHe claimed US military action had sharply degraded Iranâs capabilities âTheir Navy is gone Their Air Force is goneâ their drone factories are about 82 percent downâ he saidTrump added that missile production had also been hit âTheir missile factories are almost 90 percent downâ he saidHe described the US operation as decisive âWe obliterated that nuclear capacity of theirsâ he saidTrump also suggested leadership instability within Iran âWe have a problem because nobody knows for sure who the leaders areâ he saidDespite ongoing tensions he pointed to strong US economic indicators âWe just hit a new high today on the stock marketâ he saidTrump said only a limited group was aware of the status of negotiations âNobody knows what the talks are except myself and a couple of other peopleâ he saidHe indicated that economic pressure remained central to US strategy âTheyre not getting any money from oilâ the blockade is incredibleâ he saidTrump framed the conflict as necessary to prevent nuclear proliferation âYou cant let Iran have a nuclear weaponâ he saidHe also suggested that Iranâs economic condition was deteriorating âTheir economy is crashingâ he saidThe situation has significant implications for global energy markets particularly oil prices which are sensitive to developments in the Middle EastIndia which has historically imported oil from Iran closely watches such developments due to their direct impact on energy security IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-claims-iran-weakened-seeks-deal-671806.html Fri, 01 May 2026 08:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-defence-secretary-defends-15-trillion-defence-push-iran-war-671807.html Washington May 1 US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth mounted a forceful defence of President Donald Trumpâs proposed 15 trillion military budget arguing it reflects âthe urgency of the momentâ and is essential to counter a rapidly deteriorating global security environment Testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee Hegseth said the record request would âposition our forces for the current and future fightsâ while reversing years of âunderinvestment and mismanagementââThe 15 trillion budget will ensure that the United States continues to maintain the worldâs most powerful and capable militaryâ he saidHegseth framed the proposal as a generational reset of US military strength highlighting investments in industrial capacity advanced weapons and troop welfare He pointed to a âseven percentâ pay increase for junior enlisted personnel and said the budget would eliminate âall poor or failing barracksââA nationâs ability to build to innovate and to support the critical needs of its warfighters at speed and at scale is the foundation upon which its deterrence and survival restsâ he saidThe defence chief also stressed efforts to overhaul the Pentagonâs procurement system saying the department had shifted âfrom a bureaucratic model to a business modelâ aimed at delivering faster and more costeffective outcomesHe cited more than 50 billion in privatesector investments driven by Pentagon initiatives including â280 new or expanded facilitiesâ and âmore than 70000 new jobsâ calling it âa historic demonstration of American manufacturing and defence revitalisationâOn the ongoing conflict with Iran Hegseth described US military operations as highly effective insisting that Washington had significantly degraded Tehranâs capabilitiesâOur military objectives have been stunningly effectiveâ he said adding that Iran was now âcompletely incapable at scaleâ of rebuilding key elements of its defence infrastructureHe argued that the campaign had strengthened US leverage to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons âWeâve put the president in a very strong position to ensure Iran never gets a nuclear weaponâ he saidHegseth also pushed back against criticism of the war effort warning that âdefeatist wordsâ from political opponents risk undermining military gainsâThe biggest adversary we face at this point are the reckless naysayers and defeatist wordsâ he said adding that the administration was confronting âa 47year threatâ with âcourage no other president has hadâThe secretary repeatedly emphasised that the budget was designed to restore deterrence across multiple domains including drones missile defence and nuclear forcesâThis is a warfighting budgetâ he said âEvery policy we pursueâ serves to ensure that this department remains laser focused on increasing lethality and survivabilityâHe also underscored improvements in recruitment and morale saying young Americans were joining the military âat historic numbersâ and that retention rates were risingâWe fight to win in every scenarioâ Hegseth saidThe proposed budget marks a sharp increase from the roughly 1 trillion defence outlay in fiscal year 2026 and comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions involving China Russia and IranThe US has steadily expanded defence spending in recent years driven by strategic competition with China and ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-defence-secretary-defends-15-trillion-defence-push-iran-war-671807.html Fri, 01 May 2026 08:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-approves-pipeline-to-boost-energy-671808.html Washington May 1 US President Donald Trump approved a presidential permit for a major transborder pipeline project signalling a renewed emphasis on energy infrastructure and North American supply integration White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf described the project as âa transborder pipeline similar to the old Keystone XL pipelineââIt will significantly expand our ability to move oil and gas around North Americaâ he saidTrump contrasted the approval with previous policy decisions âThey wouldnt sign a pipeline deal We have pipelines going upâ he saidHe argued that pipelines provide a more efficient and safer means of transport compared to alternatives âAs opposed to trucking it or training itâ theyre greatâ he saidThe administration said the project would support longterm energy goals Scharf called it âa huge deal in terms of longterm energy dominance and energy securityâTrump also emphasised employment benefits linked to infrastructure expansion âA lot of jobs tooâ he saidGiven that energy infrastructure has been a key component of US economic strategy particularly amid global supply disruptions and geopolitical tensions the presidential move aligns with Trumpâs broader push to expand domestic energy production and reduce reliance on importsTrump linked energy policy to economic growth and industrial revival noting increased manufacturing activity âWe have auto plants being built all over the countryâ he saidHe also highlighted investment inflows from abroad âTheyre coming back from Canadaâ Germany Japan South Koreaâ he saidPipeline projects have long been politically contentious in the US with debates centred around environmental concerns and energy security The approval comes at a time when global energy markets remain volatile influenced by conflicts and supply chain disruptionsShifts in US energy infrastructure policy can influence global markets impacting countries dependent on imports for energy security IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-approves-pipeline-to-boost-energy-671808.html Fri, 01 May 2026 08:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-again-on-us-priority-watch-list-for-ip-rights-violations-671809.html Washington May 1 The United States has again placed India on its Priority Watch List for intellectual property concerns citing continued gaps in enforcement and longstanding issues in patent protection The designation came in the 2026 Special 301 Report released by the Office of the US Trade Representative USTR which reviews how trading partners protect and enforce intellectual property rightsIndia remains among six countries on the Priority Watch List alongside China Russia and IndonesiaThe report said India has taken some steps to strengthen its IP regime These include adding more examiners and improving awareness But it said progress remains unevenâIndia remains one of the worldâs most challenging major economies with respect to the protection and enforcement of IPâ the report saidPatent issues remain a key concern The report pointed to long delays in approvals It also cited âexcessive reporting requirementsâ and prolonged opposition proceduresThe USTR said restrictions on patentable subject matter especially in the pharmaceutical sector continue to affect companiesThe report also flagged concerns over the lack of an effective system to protect test data used to obtain marketing approval for drugs and agricultural chemicalsEnforcement remains weak it said Authorities face coordination gaps Penalties often do not deter violationsâIndiaâs overall IP enforcement remains inadequateâ the report saidHigh levels of piracy and counterfeiting continue The report cited illegal streaming software use and counterfeit goods as persistent problems Trademark enforcement also faces delays Companies report long backlogs in opposition cases and concerns over examination qualityThe report said India lacks a dedicated law on trade secrets Companies face difficulty protecting proprietary informationDespite the concerns the USTR noted some positive steps India amended patent rules in 2024 The changes aim to improve efficiency and reduce burdensThe US said it will continue to engage India through trade talks and the Trade Policy ForumâUsing all the enforcement tools we have to address unfair trade practices is a top priorityâ US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer saidâAmerican innovators creators and brand owners rely on robust IP protection and enforcementâ Ambassador Rick Switzer saidThe Special 301 Report is an annual review of intellectual property protection among US trading partnersCountries on the Priority Watch List face closer scrutiny and engagement from WashingtonIndiaâs inclusion reflects continuing differences between the two countries on intellectual property policy The issue has long featured in trade discussions especially in pharmaceuticals and digital sectors IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-again-on-us-priority-watch-list-for-ip-rights-violations-671809.html Fri, 01 May 2026 08:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-targets-cost-overruns-in-contracts-671811.html Washington May 1 US President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at overhauling federal contracting practices by shifting towards fixedprice agreements a move the administration says will reduce waste and curb cost overruns White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf said many government contracts currently operate under a âcost plusâ systemâMany federal contracts currently operate on a cost plus basisâ leads to cost overruns and costs the federal government a lot of moneyâ Scharf saidThe new policy establishes âa fixed price contract as the default in most federal contractsâ aligning government procurement with privatesector standards he saidTrump backed the reform suggesting it would bring discipline to federal spending âWould anybody like to object to thisâ he said drawing laughter from those presentThe executive order is part of a broader effort by the administration to streamline federal operations and improve efficiency across departmentsScharf said the change would address structural inefficiencies âWe believe will continue to drive down fraud and abuse in federal contracting government wideâ he saidHighlighting broader economic trends he linked procurement reforms to overall growth âWe have a tremendous amounts of factories being built in our country now more than weve ever had at any time ever beforeâ he saidHe also pointed to increased investment flows into the United States âThereâs more investment being made in the United States than any country at any timeâ he saidFixedprice contracts are widely used in the private sector as a way to control costs but they can shift financial risk onto contractors Critics argue that such systems may lead to higher initial bids or reduced flexibility in complex projectsSupporters however say they improve accountability and reduce incentives for inefficiencyThe US federal government is one of the largest procurement entities globally and changes in its contracting framework often influence international best practices IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-targets-cost-overruns-in-contracts-671811.html Fri, 01 May 2026 09:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/security-council-renews-mandate-of-un-mission-in-south-sudan-with-reduced-troop-ceiling-671815.html United Nations May 1 The Security Council adopted a resolution to renew the mandate of the UN Mission in South Sudan UNMISS for one year until April 30 2027 with a reduced troop ceiling Resolution 2820 won the support of 13 of the Security Councils 15 members while China and Russia abstainedBoth China and Russia in their explanations of the vote expressed regret over the handling of the draft by the United States the penholder on South Sudan They said they supported extending UNMISSs mandate but could not agree on the reduction in the troop ceiling and on the draft resolutions attempt to exert pressure on the South Sudanese governmentThe resolution decides to reduce the troop ceiling from 17000 to 12500 personnel while maintaining the police ceiling at 2101 personnelIt also expresses the Security Councils readiness to consider further adjustments to UNMISS force levels and mandated tasks based on security conditions on the ground and the transitional governments cooperation with the mission Xinhua news agency reportedThe US apparently sought to streamline the missionâs mandate in line with its stated priorities Although some Council members acknowledged the USâ rationale divergences emerged over key issues including the overall strategic direction of UNMISSâ mandate the missionâs role in supporting the peace process in South Sudan proposed reductions in the missionâs capacity resources and tasks and the omission of language on thematic areas such as women peace and security WPS climate change and children and armed conflict CAAC It appears that the EU4 members coordinated closely and submitted joint comments strongly advocating for their positions on these issuesIt seems that the initial draft text proposed by the US said that UNMISSâ mandate is aimed at preventing a return to civil war and the escalation of violence in South Sudan It further noted that the Council will continually assess and review its support for the mission based on progress or lack thereof in the protection of civilians PoC the facilitation of humanitarian access and improvements in the political and security environment by the parties to the conflict IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/security-council-renews-mandate-of-un-mission-in-south-sudan-with-reduced-troop-ceiling-671815.html Fri, 01 May 2026 09:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-lee-vows-zero-compromise-on-workplace-safety-in-labor-day-address-671832.html Seoul May 1 South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Friday pledged unwavering commitment to workplace safety in his address to mark Labor Day at Cheong Wa Dae I will neither compromise nor make concessions on workplace safety he said vowing to build a normal country where no worker ever has to risk their life at workSafeguarding workers is the most basic responsibility of any nation and any business he saidThe president also pushed back against the notion that worker welfare and business growth are incompatible stressing the two are mutually dependentWe can only move forward by breaking free from the outdated thinking that being probusiness means being antiworker he said Growth has a future only when labor stands behind it he saidAmid growing concerns that artificial intelligence AI threatens jobs the president sought to reassure the public that the government prioritises people over productivityAs technologies advance the prevailing view is that machines powered by artificial intelligence will largely replace human labor he saidBut it is not right to ask workers to sacrifice themselves in the name of productivity he said adding that growth that leaves workers behind is not growth at allLee called workers the backbone of our economy who keep things running on the ground and drive the spending that fuels growthIt marked the first time a Labor Day event has been held at Cheong Wa Dae The event brought together some 130 participants including key figures from labor management and government as well as workers from diverse occupations to mark the occasionIt also marked the first time two major umbrella labor unions the Federation of Korean Trade Unions and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions that are said to hold different political views both took part in such an event Yonhap news agency reportedSouth Korea had initially observed Labor Day on May 1 before it was renamed Workers Day in 1963 The government restored the name to Labor Day last year and designated it as a national holiday earlier this year allowing all workers to take the day offIn celebration of Labor Day a variety of events took place across the country highlighting the value of work and its role in improving quality of life and driving economic growth IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-lee-vows-zero-compromise-on-workplace-safety-in-labor-day-address-671832.html Fri, 01 May 2026 12:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/singaporean-pm-warns-mideast-crisis-to-prolong-supply-disruptions-raise-recession-risks-671842.html Singapore May 1 Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong warned on Friday that supply disruptions stemming from the Middle East crisis are likely to persist and could worsen in the months ahead raising the risk that some economies slip into recession Globally inflation will rise spreading from energy to food and then other essentials Some economies may well slip into recession and Singapore will feel the impact directly Wong said in a May Day Rally speechEven if the Strait of Hormuz reopens Wong said we should not expect this crisis to be over anytime soon citing damage to ports and energy infrastructure the need to clear shipping lanes of mines and the time required to restore confidenceIt will take months at least before the situation stabilises he saidThe strait has been closed for more than two months with effects already seen in higher prices and tightening supply Wong said Asia has been particularly affected due to its heavy reliance on energy and other critical imports from the Gulf he addedSome countries in our region are already facing fuel shortages he said noting that airlines have cut flights and factories are reporting delaysHe warned the disruptions will not stop at energy with fertilizer food and other essential inputs likely to be affected next We can expect shortages in more items to emerge he saidWong also said Singapores economic growth will slow this year while inflation rises placing real pressure on businesses workers and households Xinhua news agency reportedUN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres also warned that the crisis in the Middle East is worsening encouraging opening a pathway to peaceThe consequences of the Middle East crisis grow dramatically worse with each passing hour he said on a post on XHe added that curbs on movement in the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted energy transport manufacturing food markent and the overall global economyNow is the time for dialogue for solutions that pull us back from the brink amp for measures that can open a pathway to peace IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/singaporean-pm-warns-mideast-crisis-to-prolong-supply-disruptions-raise-recession-risks-671842.html Fri, 01 May 2026 13:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-uae-cepa-boosts-trade-growth-unlocks-new-business-opportunities-piyush-goyal-671849.html New Delhi May 1 IANS The IndiaUAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA is driving robust trade expansion and opening new avenues for Indian businesses Union Minister Piyush Goyal said on FridaynbspFour years after the implementation of the IndiaUAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement the bilateral economic relationship between India and the United Arab Emirates has witnessed significant growth across multiple sectorsHighlighting the progress in a post on social media platform X Goyal said the agreement has created transformational opportunities for Indian farmers MSMEs and businessesFour years ago when the IndiaUAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA came into force it created a transformational opportunity for Indian farmers MSMEs and other businesses Goyal statedHe noted that bilateral merchandise trade between the two nations has crossed the 100 billion mark reflecting strong momentum since the agreement came into forceServices trade has also shown steady growth helping Indian companies access new markets while enhancing value creationBilateral merchandise trade has grown strongly crossing 100 billion with services trade also rising steadily and opening new markets and greater value Goyal mentionedExpansion across key sectors like gems and jewellery engineering goods electronics and agriculture is delivering tangible gains and FDI inflows from the UAE and Indias overseas investments further reflect our deepening economic linkages Goyal explainedAccording to the minister key sectors such as gems and jewellery engineering goods electronics and agriculture have seen notable expansion under the CEPA frameworkThese gains are translating into real benefits for exporters and entrepreneurs strengthening Indias position in global tradeGoyal further said that rising foreign direct investment FDI inflows from the UAE into India along with increased overseas investments by Indian firms underscore the deepening economic partnership between the two countriesMeanwhile earlier in the day he informed about a virtual interaction with UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle to deepen bilateral trade and investment tiesBoth leaders explored ways to enhance trade and investment ties while fully leveraging the IndiaUK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement CETA the minister said in a social media postIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-uae-cepa-boosts-trade-growth-unlocks-new-business-opportunities-piyush-goyal-671849.html Fri, 01 May 2026 13:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-raises-fuel-prices-amid-strait-of-hormuz-blockade-671856.html Islamabad May 1 Amid blockade of the Strait of Hormuz due to the IranUS conflict the Pakistan government has raised the price of highspeed diesel HSD by Pakistani Rupees PKR 1939 per litre and the price of petrol by PKR 651 per litre for one week local media reported on Friday As per the notification issued by the Pakistans Petroleum Division on Thursday price of HSD has been increased from PKR 38019 to PKR 39958 while petrol will be sold at 39986 per litre compared to the previous rate of Rs 39335 at PKR 39335 Pakistans leading daily The Express Tribune reportedHighspeed diesel is used in the transport and agriculture sectors As the sowing season is underway the sharp rise in its price is expected to impact the agriculture sector Fertiliser prices have increased due to hike in transportation costsEarlier in April residents in Peshawar and other parts of Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been facing difficulties due to acute shortage of natural gas as CNG stations remained shut across the province local media reportedMajority of school van and bus operators had suspended their services due to unavailability of CNG while public transporters have increased fares after they started using petrol placing further financial burden on residents Pakistans leading daily The Express Tribune reportedCNG filling stations remained shut in Peshawar and other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Several areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa experienced unannounced loadshedding of natural gas further increasing the problems for domestic and commercial consumersThe closure of CNG stations had forced many vehicles to either stop operations or run at higher price of petrol causing further hike in transport fares School transporters were among the worst impacted as they have said that running vehicles on petrol is beyond their capacity leaving them with no option except to disrupt their services Parents have voiced concern over the suspension of school transportation fearing it would impact education and daily routine of childrenPublic transport operators also faced several difficulties with those who have switched to petrol instead of CNG increasing fares They have warned of suspending services if CNG stations do not resume operations IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-raises-fuel-prices-amid-strait-of-hormuz-blockade-671856.html Fri, 01 May 2026 14:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-eyes-big-kashmir-strike-to-trigger-global-intervention-671857.html New Delhi May 1 There is desperation drawn all over and Pakistan is attempting another audacious attack on Indian soil It would once again look to target Jammu and Kashmir and then bring the United States US into the picture Pakistan is planning a massive attack and would hope that India would retaliate like the way it did during Operation SindoorConsidering the newfound ties with the US under President Donald Trump Pakistan would hope for an external interventionAn official said that the intervention that Pakistan would be seeking would not just be restricted to the retaliation for the terror strike This is a long planned goal of Pakistan to internationalise the Kashmir issue the official saidIndia has always maintained that Kashmir is an internal issue Even after the abrogation of Article 370 Pakistan had tried to raise the issue internationally However India made it clear that it remains an internal matter and the abrogation of the Article that gave Jammu and Kashmir special status was only meant to integrate it with the rest of IndiaFor Field Marshal Asim Munir there is a lot at stake He tried to push for a peace deal between the US and Iran However with that not going exactly as planned he is bound to shift his focus back to IndiaThere is a lot at stake for Field Marshal Munir and his reputation The domestic pressure is growing and he has to attempt something big in India so that his image correction can take place the official addedAnother official went on to add that Field Marshal Munir is also making out a case for him to become the President of Pakistan Although he can take that post by bullying any government in Pakistan he would still want to make it seem as though he has earned itWhat better than the Kashmir issue and internationalising it to make out a case for him to become the next President of Pakistan the official pointed outFor now the focus of Pakistan remains on rebuilding its terror network in Jammu and Kashmir It has been pushing for more homegrown modules This becomes important for Pakistan as these modules would continue to carry out attacks in the ValleyAn Intelligence Bureau official said that it is a twopronged strategy that Munir has planned On one hand Pakistan wants homegrown modules to undertake strikes This causes losses to the tourism industry It also diverts the attention of the security forces which are currently focussed entirely on the borderIf the diversion does happen then Pakistan would look to send in its terrorists who are waiting in large numbers in launch pads across the borderGiven the current situation Pakistan would want attacks to continue in Jammu and Kashmir However the larger goal would be to carry out a big attack in Kashmir using Pakistani terrorists with the hope that the Indian armed forces would retaliateThis is a big game that Munir is playing He is ready to allow terror infrastructure in Pakistan to be hit again His larger aim is to get the international community to intervene and then internationalise the Kashmir issuePakistan watchers point out that the Iran negotiations were of extreme importance for Munir More than wanting to stop the war he wanted to project to the people of Pakistan that he is putting their country on the international stageAs of now it has not gone the way Pakistan would have hoped This explains why Munir wants to strike big in Kashmir and then get countries such as the US to intervene the experts also pointed out IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-eyes-big-kashmir-strike-to-trigger-global-intervention-671857.html Fri, 01 May 2026 14:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-reports-threefold-surge-in-workplace-deaths-in-first-quarter-of-2026-671858.html Dhaka May 1 At least 72 workers were killed and 573 injured in workplace accidents across Bangladesh in the first three months of 2026 more than three times the number recorded during the same period last year local media reported citing a human rights organisation The findings were presented on Thursday by Dhakabased Human Rights Support Society HRSS at a discussion titled âWorkersâ Rights are Human Rightsâ organised ahead of International Workersâ DayAccording to the report injuries among workers in the first three months of this year nearly doubled the 294 injuries reported during the same period in 2025 These injuries were caused by workplace accidents police action during protests and other forms of violence Bangladeshs leading newspaper The Daily Star reportedAs per the data a total of 168 workplace deaths were reported in 2025 including 19 that occurred in the first quarter and 64 in the final quarterAddressing the event civil society platform Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna criticised the lack of workersâ representation in the national parliament stating that their rights and demands continue to be overlookedHe expressed concern that despite parliament being in session for an extended period issues including workersâ rights living standards or economic challenges have gone unaddressedManna also took a dig at ongoing debates on state reform and constitutional amendments arguing that the potential benefit for workers remains unclearHe further alleged that the increase in prices of essentials gas and fuel in Bangladesh is not being effectively addressed while social safety net benefits continue to miss their intended recipientsManna called on the labour leaders across the country to integrate the labour movement with mainstream politics and develop an accountable mass movement aimed at establishing a welfare stateBangladesh Sramik Kalyan Federation President Advocate Atiqur Rahman said âHalf of those killed in the July movement were workers Yet reform commissions have failed to address the concerns of 75 crore workersâHe also criticised the persistent use of child labour in garment factoriesHighlighting wage discrimination and harsh conditions faced by female garment workers in Bangladesh Rabita Islam Deputy Director of Karmojibi Nari a womenled advocacy group said âWorkers receiving minimum wages are often laid off as they age and are forced to join subcontracting factories where they earn only Tk 5000 to Tk 7000 a monthâ she said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-reports-threefold-surge-in-workplace-deaths-in-first-quarter-of-2026-671858.html Fri, 01 May 2026 14:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/taiwan-accuses-china-of-smuggling-vegetables-through-vietnam-671862.html Taipei May 1 Taiwan has accused China of smuggling vegetables into the selfruled island through Vietnam to avoid import restrictions with officials pledging to impose a crackdown on a practice they termed origin washing Taiwan which has prohibited import of over 1000 Chinese agricultural and fishery products said companies in China were avoiding restrictions by rerouting vegetables like Napa cabbage and shiitake mushrooms through Vietnam British daily newspaper The Guardian reportedAccording to officials the items are then repackaged as Vietnamese goods and imported into Taiwan While addressing lawmakers at a legislative meeting Taiwans agriculture minister Chen Junnejih said that his ministry is taking steps to combat origin laundering including enforcing strict penalties on violatorsChen mentioned that his ministry would conduct aerial surveys in Veitnam to map out how much produce could feasibly originate from certain areas He said If the volume exported to Taiwan exceeds that there should be a mechanism to address itDuring a meeting on Wednesday Democratic Progressive Party DPP legislator Chiu Yiying said it was possible to fraudulently buy an official Vietnamese certificate of origin for NT13000 about USD 410 She mentioned that importers can then earn profits between NT200000 and NT500000 per container She urged the agriculture ministry to take action against the practice by requiring thirdparty isotope testing to analyse the origin of the productChina considers Taiwan as part of its territory and does not rule out the use of force for âreunificationDuring early 200s cooperation between Taiwan and China resulted in the signing of a landmark free trade agreement between Beijing and Taipei in 2010In recent years Chinas tried to intimidate Taiwans ruling prosovereignty Democratic Progressive Party DPP and President Lai Chingte by increasing military political and economic pressureInitially China suspended the import of Taiwanese pineapples in 2021 over pest control concerns a move termed political by Taipei In 2024 Taiwan accused China of violating World Trade Organisation rules after it imposed a ban on imports of several Taiwanese fruits vegetables and seafood The Guardian reportedTaiwan termed the move economic coercion stressing that it harms the interests of farmers on both sides of the Taiwan Strait Meanwhile China accused Taiwan of breaching the terms of its 2010 free trade agreement by prohibiting the import of 2509 Chinese products IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/taiwan-accuses-china-of-smuggling-vegetables-through-vietnam-671862.html Fri, 01 May 2026 14:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-navys-blockade-of-iran-hits-chinas-cheap-oil-deals-report-671874.html New Delhi May 1 The US Navys blockade of Iran has built economic pressure on Tehran that continues even though the ceasefire has led to a temporary pause in fighting according to a new report The blockade has also hit Chinaâs purchases of Iranâs oil at discounted prices deals for which were being carried out through a covert financial system and a fleet of ghost tankersAccording to an article in Sky News Australia Iranâs Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps IRGC has sustained itself through shell companies rotating ship identities and shadow banking corridors that kept oil revenue flowing outside the formal financial system The article highlights that earlier the US kept targeting individual aspects of this covert system put in place by China and Iran to circumvent western sanctions However this time around the US is aiming to dismantle the entire network that in the past has managed to survive the limited action It points out that earlier this clandestine ecosystem survived as China built the infrastructure to sustain it This included a shadow banking network which concealed the origin of Iranian crude oil rotating ship identities and layering payments through thirdcountry intermediariesChinaâs âteapot refineryâ sector comprising small coastal refineries processed most of Irans oil exports while carrying out these deals through the US financial system in dollars and providing the IRGC the hard currency which was required to finance missiles drones and weapons transfers to regional proxies such as Hezbollah Hamas and the Houthi rebels The article also states that China was also using Iran as âa rehearsal spaceâ so that it could use these evasion methods on a much wider scale for itself if required to evade US sanctions The IRGC operated a rotating fleet of tankers under falsified identities to conceal Iranian crude shipments to Chinese buyers while Hengli Petrochemical Chinas secondlargest independent refinery received more than five million barrels of IRGCaffiliated crude through that same network the article points out âThe arrangement served Beijing on both ends with Chinese refiners purchasing Iranian crude at steep discounts unavailable on open markets while every successful evasion transaction simultaneously stresstested the financial infrastructure Xi intended to activate over Taiwanâ the article observes However there has been a big setback to this entire network as in the latest action the US has sanctioned 35 entities and individuals running Irans shadow banking system hitting 19 shadow fleet vessels simultaneously and putting every company paying IRGC tolls for Strait of Hormuz passage on notice the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-navys-blockade-of-iran-hits-chinas-cheap-oil-deals-report-671874.html Fri, 01 May 2026 16:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/uae-telecom-giant-etisalat-may-exit-pakistan-671893.html New Delhi May 1 Leading UAE telecom major Etisalat is reviewing its investment in Pakistan which could lead to its exit from Pakistan TelecomÂmuniÂcation Company Ltd PTCL according to a report in the local media Insiders say Etisalat had indicated that the review is driven by a combination of global macroeconomic uncertainty regional geopolitical tensions and evolving capital allocation strategies among sovereignlinked investors the report in the Dawn saidEtisalatâs plans are still at the preliminary assessment stage with no final decision taken as yet the report statedAsked for comment PTCL told Dawn its longterm business plan had recently been approved by its board and shareholders PTCL is not aware about shareholdersâ plan of any change at this stageâ the company said in its statementFor Pakistan PTCL remains a strategically important entity despite its mixed ownership â the government and its entities still hold around 62 per cent stake in it although 26 per cent shares and management control are in the hands of the Gulf telecom giant which recently rebranded and is in the process of corporate restructuring The remaining 12 pc shares are held by private investors through the Pakistan Stock ExchangePTCL has been facing continuous losses over the past couple of years turning a profit only recently following its acquisition of Telenor PakistanJust recently Islamabad repaid about 35bn to the UAE which had been rolling over these deposits for years to shore up Pakistanâs foreign exchange reserve target under multiple IMF programmesConcurrently Saudi Arabia has increased its role in maintaining Pakistanâs reserves by enhancing the volume of its safe deposits in Pakistan by 3bn to 8bn to fill the financing gap under IMF requirements Meanwhile the IMFâs executive board is set to meet on May 8 to clear the disbursement of another 121bn tranche for PakistanA senior Finance Division official told Dawn that in the event of any portfolio rebalancing by UAE stakeholders Pakistan retained credible downside protection through alternative GCC capital flows noting that strategic interest from Saudi and Qatari investors provided a viable alternative pathway to ensure continuity of investment operational stability and longterm sectoral growthSources referred to the UAEâs recent measured rebalancing toward US dollar reserves and domestic market commitments amid global volatility saying that this reflects standard focus on hardcurrency buffers balanceofpayment stability and capital efficiency the report added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/uae-telecom-giant-etisalat-may-exit-pakistan-671893.html Fri, 01 May 2026 20:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/isis-long-game-distraction-surveillance-and-a-bigger-plot-ahead-of-up-polls-671757.html New Delhi April 30 The ISI is playing a long game and is plotting a big attack leading up to the elections in Uttar Pradesh scheduled to be held next year In the run up to the big plot ISI backed elements are causing major distractions through their propaganda channels officials have learnt The Uttar Pradesh election is a big event and the ISI is plotting to carry out a series of attacks in the lead up an official said The official explained that if one notices the pattern the ISI backed elements are indulging in multiple acts such as setting up CCTV cameras indulging in spying activity among others All this is aimed at gathering information about sensitive locations in IndiaThe sudden surge in activity is to keep the Indian agencies engaged so that these persons can slip in an attack of a huge magnitude an Intelligence Bureau official saidThe official said that these people are not just plotting major strikes but also plan on disrupting communal harmony There are multiple intercepts which have been picked up that suggest that the propaganda channels have been asked to go on overdrive mode to disturb peace and harmony the official also saidThe intent is not just to create problems in major cities in Uttar Pradesh The ISI has its eyes on tier2 cities and villages as well The idea is to confuse the agencies in India and then slip in the surprise element another official saidRecently the Ghaziabad police busted a module that was involved in setting up CCTV cameras at railway stations and other sensitive locations Solar powered cameras were being installed so that live feed could be provided to the handlers based out of Pakistan This prompted a CCTV camera audit across the countryThe agencies worry that these elements may have procured CCTV cameras in large numbers much in advance The official said that they propose to use the same tactic in the run up to the UP electionsThe plan is to install them at roadside dhabas and other shops The aim would be to keep an eye on the routes that the big politicians take during campaigning Officials also say that the ISI is unlikely to use its elements who have set up shop in Uttar Pradesh They are likely to use elements from other states as there is a chance that the police are unlikely to have a record on them Using elements from UP will create suspicion and the ISI wants to avoid that at all cost the official also saidOfficials say that while the agencies bust espionage and terror modules in various states a close eye should also be kept on what is happening elsewhere The constant distraction that the ISI is trying to create in reality is aimed elsewhere and the plan is a big one officials also noteSuch planning also suits the ISIâs larger narrative of having multiple homegrown modules to carry out attacks in India Following the change in doctrine where India would treat every act of terror from Pakistan as an act of war the ISI too has tweaked its tacticsAn official said that while the ISI wants to hit big in India it also wants to ensure that the trail does not lead back to Pakistan While the doctrine change is one factor Pakistan is aware that it is under the watch of the Financial Action Task Force FATFWith an economy that is struggling the last thing Pakistan wants is to get back to the Grey List Islamabad had come out of the Grey List on the promise that it would stop financing terrorPakistanâs ISI has been accused of diverting drug money and funds generated through charities to keep terror groups going This explains the major change in tactic by Pakistan whereby it wants every attack to look like it is homegrown an official also said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/isis-long-game-distraction-surveillance-and-a-bigger-plot-ahead-of-up-polls-671757.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-and-italy-expand-defence-ties-explore-deepening-industrial-cooperation-671773.html New Delhi April 30 IANS India and Italy explored prospects for further developing industrial cooperation in the defence sector during a meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto in New Delhi on Thursday Both ministers discussed ways to further develop mutually beneficial defence industrial cooperation under Indias Atmanirbhar Bharat programme and Italys defence cooperation initiativeThe two sides also exchanged a Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan MCP 202627 regarding military engagements between the armed forces of India and ItalyHappy to have welcomed my Italian counterpart Mr Guido Crosetto and held extensive talks with him in Delhi today We discussed a wide range of regional and global issues including the current situation in West Asia We also discussed the avenues to further develop mutually beneficial defence industrial cooperation under Indias Atmanirbhar Bharat programme and Italys defence cooperation initiative A Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan MCP 202627 was also exchanged regarding military engagements between the Armed forces of both countries Singh posted on XDescribing his meeting with Singh as cordial and fruitful Crosetto stated that several regional and global issues including the current situation in the Middle East were also discussedCordial and fruitful meeting in India with my counterpart Shri Rajnath Singh We discussed a wide range of regional and global issues including the current situation in the Middle East During the meeting we also delved into prospects for further developing industrial cooperation in the defence sector based on shared interests and mutual benefit Finally the Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan 20262027 was exchanged concerning commitments and collaborative activities between our Armed Forces Italys Ministry of Defence quoted Crosetto as sayingEarlier in the day the visiting minister laid a wreath at the National War Memorial and paid tribute to the brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in service of the nationItalys Ministry of Defence has highlighted that the defence cooperation between Italy and India has gained further momentum following Singhs visit to Rome in October 2023Minister Crosettos visit to India underscores the willingness of both countries to expand existing cooperation and explore new areas of collaboration particularly within the framework of industrial partnership it statedItaly mentioned that that the signing of IndiaEU Defence and Strategic Partnership in January 2026 signals increasing strategic convergence and has provided further impetus to defence industrial cooperation in areas of mutual interestAccording to the Ministry of External Affairs MEA initially the defence ties between both nations were focused on import of defence equipment to India which has now expanded to include training industry cooperation including export of defence equipment sharing of information port calls maritime exercises maritime security etcDuring his visit to Italy in 2023 Rajnath Singh had held discussions with Crosetto and both sides had signed a Memorandum of Understanding MoU on defence cooperationIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-and-italy-expand-defence-ties-explore-deepening-industrial-cooperation-671773.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/south-africans-welcome-fuel-relief-extension-amid-ongoing-cost-pressures-671715.html Johannesburg April 30 The South African governments decision to extend its temporary fuel levy relief has drawn a positive albeit cautious reaction from the public Many have seen the measure as muchneeded breathing room amidst persistent costofliving pressuresEarlier this week the National Treasury and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources confirmed that the temporary three rand about 018 US dollars per litre reduction in the general fuel levy for petrol will remain in place through June reports Xinhua news agencyFor many motorists in Johannesburg the most populous city in South Africa the extension is a welcome reprieveBhambatha Nkqayi a ridehailing driver said fuel is one of his biggest monthly expenses This relief doesnt solve everything but it helps me keep my business running and still earn an incomeLerato Mokoena a retail worker from Soweto who commutes nearly 30 km to the Glen Shopping Centre said that taxi fares usually rise quickly when fuel prices increase If this prevents another increase even for a few weeks it makes a difference for people like usFuel is a major cost in my business especially with daily deliveries said Xolani Bheshunga who runs a catering service in Randburg This gives us breathing space and helps us avoid passing extra costs on to customersEconomist Raymond Parsons from NorthWest University Business School said the extension is a necessary response to persistent global energy price pressures and rising living costsParsons said the decision is justified on social grounds and supported by available fiscal space including higherthanexpected tax revenues and planned spending reviewsFuel levy relief was first introduced at the end of March to cushion the blow of the rising global oil prices linked to tensions in the Middle East However some South Africans caution that the temporary measure does not address deeper structural issues in the energy sectorSimnikiwe Kanyayi a student at the University of Johannesburg said the extension is necessary but limitedIt cushions consumers in the short term especially during global shocks But South Africa still needs longterm solutions to reduce its dependence on international oil prices including investment in alternative energy and stronger domestic supply chains said KanyayiSmall business owners particularly those reliant on transport echoed similar concerns Aisha Patel who runs a delivery service in Alberton said the uncertainty makes planning difficultWe appreciate the extension but once it ends we could face another sudden spike That makes it hard to set prices Patel said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/south-africans-welcome-fuel-relief-extension-amid-ongoing-cost-pressures-671715.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/german-chancellor-says-ties-with-trump-remain-good-despite-friction-over-iran-671716.html Berlin April 30 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said his personal relationship with US President Donald Trump remains good despite a recent exchange of sharp rhetoric regarding the war in Iran Speaking at a press conference in Berlin on Wednesday local time Merz said he and Trump remain on good speaking terms adding that he simply had doubts from the beginning regarding the actions initiated with the warMerz called for a swift resolution to the conflicts in Iran as Germany and Europe are suffering considerably from the consequences of the conflicts reports Xinhua news agencyEarlier this week Merz criticised the United States for its planless military engagement in Iran saying that the United States is being humiliated by the Iranian leadershipIn response Trump wrote on social media on Tuesday that Merz doesnt know what hes talking about and is indifferent to Irans nuclear ambitions Speaking at the CarolusMagnusGymnasium a school in Marsberg North RhineWestphalia Merz expressed his scepticism about Washingtons ability to quickly conclude its war with IranThe United States obviously went into this war without any strategy Merz was quoted by the German magazine Spiegel as saying adding that the Iranian side is negotiating highly skillfullyThe problem with such conflicts is always you dont just have to go in you also have to get out he saidMerz reiterated Germanys offer to help secure the Strait of Hormuz and restore global oil supply chains However he stressed that Germany will only participate once all combat operations have ceasedOn February 28 Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities killing Irans then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei senior commanders and civilians Iran responded with waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and US interests in the Middle East and a tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz a key global route for oil and gas shipmentsA ceasefire was achieved on April 8 but Iran and the United States failed to reach an agreement in their talks in Pakistans capital Islamabad The United States later imposed its own blockade on the waterwayThe disruptions in the Strait have sharply driven up energy prices with Brent crude climbing above 107 US dollars per barrel on Monday IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/german-chancellor-says-ties-with-trump-remain-good-despite-friction-over-iran-671716.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/iran-war-raises-concerns-over-us-focus-on-china-671717.html Washington April 30 The US war with Iran is prompting concerns in Congress that Washingtonâs military focus may be shifting away from countering China as lawmakers warn of growing strain on resources and deployments At a hearing on the Pentagonâs budget members pointed to the concentration of US forces in the Middle East including carrier strike groups at a time when China is expanding its military reachCommittee chairman Mike D Rogers said the United States faces âan unprecedented global threat environmentâ with China playing a central roleHe said Beijingâs military has evolved from a largely defensive force into one capable of projecting power âwell into the Pacificâ backed by rapid investment in ships missiles and space assetsSome lawmakers warned that the current war risks weakening the US position in the IndoPacific where China is seen as the primary longterm challengeThey said the diversion of military assets to the Middle East could limit the USâ ability to respond quickly to developments in AsiaJoint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine said such tradeoffs are part of strategic decisionmakingâThereâs always tradeoffs in all of these thingsâ he told lawmakers adding that deployments are shaped by evolving security prioritiesCaine said decisions are made after weighing risks and options with the aim of balancing commitments across multiple regionsCritics said prolonged engagement in the Middle East could stretch US capabilities and send the wrong signal to adversariesThey also warned that shifting attention away from the IndoPacific could give China more room to expand its influenceDefence Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the administrationâs approach saying the US military remains capable of addressing threats globallyHe said the strategy is designed to maintain deterrence across regions while dealing with immediate challengesChinaâs military rise has been a central concern in US defence planning with lawmakers citing its shipbuilding capacity and growing defence spendingThe IndoPacific remains a key theatre for US strategy with Washington strengthening partnerships and cooperation with regional allies IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/iran-war-raises-concerns-over-us-focus-on-china-671717.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/continued-strikes-on-gaza-disrupt-basic-services-un-humanitarians-671718.html United Nations April 30 Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip continue to hit residential areas and disrupt basic services UN humanitarians have said The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs OCHA on Wednesday Local time said that a recent airstrike reportedly hit nongovernmental organisation workers at a water well in Gaza City One of them was killed and four were injuredThe well was heavily damaged and onsite work has been suspended OCHA quoted its partners as sayingActivities were also suspended at another water filling point Al Mansoura where two civilian truck drivers contracted by the UN Childrens Fund were also recently killed said the officeDespite the attacks partners working on water said overall water production has not yet fallen and that they were filling gaps by sourcing more clean water to deliver by truck They stressed that peoples water needs are far from being met some 60 per cent of families cannot access enough clean water said OCHAHumanitarians warned that current arrangements regarding water supply are costly and not sustainable They rely heavily on increased fuel oil generators spare parts trucks and a devastated pipe network that is wholly inadequate The United Nations has been engaging with authorities so these and other critical items can enter Gaza Without them water production and other services are at serious risk of collapse said the officeOCHA stressed that civilians and civilian objects including critical facilities that people rely on to meet their basic needs must be protected in line with international humanitarian law reports Xinhua news agencyHumanitarian operations continue across all sectors it saidOn Tuesday the world body and humanitarian partners collected additional food medicine and hygiene items at the Kerem ShalomKarem Abu Salem border crossing They also supported the medical evacuation of two dozen patients and their companions and offered protection and other services to nearly 50 returneesAlso on Tuesday the United Nations recovered broken trucks from hardtoreach areas where Israeli forces remain deployed And nearly 100 humanitarian staff crossed in or out of Gaza a routine but essential cycle to ease pressure and prevent burnout among frontline teams working in extremely challenging conditions said OCHA IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/continued-strikes-on-gaza-disrupt-basic-services-un-humanitarians-671718.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-15-trillion-defence-budget-push-to-target-supply-chain-gaps-671719.html Washington April 30 The Trump Administration is seeking to overhaul its defence industrial base and reduce reliance on adversaries as lawmakers reviewed a sweeping budget proposal aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing and supply chains At a congressional hearing on Wednesday local time Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the 15 trillion budget would âsuperchargeâ production capacity and restore the countryâs ability to build weapons systems at scaleHe said the plan includes major investments to expand manufacturing strengthen supply chains and accelerate the production of munitions ships and advanced systemsLawmakers from both parties acknowledged that years of underinvestment have weakened the US industrial base leaving it in some areas dependent on foreign suppliers including potential adversariesCommittee chairman Mike D Rogers said the US is no longer able to produce critical defence equipment at the speed requiredâWeâre no longer capable of manufacturing for our warfighters at scale or speedâ he said pointing to gaps in shipbuilding and munitions productionHe highlighted the contrast with China noting that Beijing dominates global shipbuilding while US capacity has sharply declinedThe budget seeks to reverse that trend by increasing spending on procurement and research along with investments in domestic and allied supply chainsHegseth said the department is shifting from what he described as a âbureaucratic model to a business modelâ aimed at encouraging private sector investmentHe told lawmakers that recent efforts have already triggered significant industry response including new facilities and manufacturing expansion backed by private capitalOfficials said the strategy includes sending longterm demand signals to companies enabling them to scale production and invest in new plants and assembly linesJoint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine said sustained investment is essential to maintain military readiness and adapt to evolving threatsHe said modern warfare increasingly depends on industrial capacity technology and the ability to produce at scale IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-15-trillion-defence-budget-push-to-target-supply-chain-gaps-671719.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/oil-prices-surge-supply-tightens-amid-escalating-us-iran-conflict-spark-concerns-671720.html Washington April 30 Disruptions from the US war with Iran are pushing up fuel prices and straining global energy supplies lawmakers warned citing mounting pressure on economies worldwide At a congressional hearing on Wednesday local time lawmakers pointed to instability around the Strait of Hormuz a key shipping route for global oil flows as a major source of concernRanking member Adam Smith said the economic fallout is already visible âThe impact on the economy certainly here at home gas prices up by over a dollarâ he saidHe added that the crisis is global âDozens of countries are rationing gasoline as we speak and experiencing extreme economic pain because of this warâ Smith told the committeeLawmakers said reduced transit through the Strait of Hormuz has tightened supply while higher fuel and fertiliser costs risk driving broader inflationDefence Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the campaign saying it is necessary despite economic strain âWe fight to win in every scenarioâ he saidPentagon officials said the war has already cost about 25 billion Department of Defence Comptroller Jules W Hurst III told lawmakers most of the spending has gone to munitions and operationsLawmakers pressed officials on whether the broader economic impact is being fully considered especially as energy prices climbJoint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine said global risks are rising as conflicts increasingly affect both security and economic systemsThe Strait of Hormuz remains one of the worldâs most critical oil chokepoints Any disruption there can quickly tighten supply and push prices higherThe current conflict has added to that pressure raising concerns about how long disruptions could last and how deeply they could affect energydependent economiesThe United States has long faced tensions with Iran over its nuclear programme and regional influence Past crises in the Gulf have triggered similar spikes in oil prices IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/oil-prices-surge-supply-tightens-amid-escalating-us-iran-conflict-spark-concerns-671720.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/europe-faces-intensifying-climate-extremes-as-reports-warn-of-accelerating-warming-671722.html Geneva April 30 Multiple reports have painted a stark picture of accelerating climate extremes with Europe warming faster than any other continent The findings underscore that climate change has become an urgent reality reshaping ecosystems economies and human health across Europe calling for ambitious actions Since 1980 Europe has been warming twice as fast as the global average making it the fastest warming continent on Earth Celeste Saulo secretarygeneral of the World Meteorological Organization WMO said while presenting the European State of the Climate Report 2025 released on Wednesday local timeEurope suffered record or nearrecord climate extremes in 2025 with heatwaves wildfires marine heat and ice loss intensifying across the continent the EUfunded Copernicus Climate Change Service and the WMO said in the reportAccording to the report at least 95 per cent of Europe recorded annual temperatures above average with prolonged heat spreading from the Mediterranean to the Arctic Circle Europe experienced its secondmost severe heatwave on record while subArctic Fennoscandia endured a 21day heatwave in July the longest and most severe ever recorded in the region Temperatures near and within the Arctic Circle reached or exceeded 30 degrees Celsius reports Xinhua news agencyThe findings align with broader Copernicus data showing that 2025 was the thirdwarmest year on record globallyHot and dry conditions fuelled Europes worst wildfire year on record Wildfire data in the report showed that about 1034 million hectares of land an area larger than Cyprus were burned in 2025 Wildfire emissions in Europe also reached their highest level on record with Spain accounting for around half of the continents total fire emissionsNumerous extreme events in 2025 including drought wildfires and land and marine heatwaves placed mounting pressure on biodiversity in marine and terrestrial ecosystems Shrinking and shifting habitats disrupted seasonal cycles and changing precipitation patterns have further intensified stress on natureThe report highlighted concrete examples of climate change impacts on sensitive ecosystems such as marine heatwaves damaging seagrass meadows in the Mediterranean Sea and wildfires affecting peatlands underscoring the growing links between climate and biodiversity lossSeparate findings from the Global Forest Watch platform showed that climate changelinked forest loss was also significant in Europe in 2025 In France tree cover loss due to fire reached a record high in 2025 seven times higher than in 2024 In Spain and Portugal around 60 per cent of all 2025 tree cover loss was caused by wildfiresExtreme heat also takes a measurable toll on human health and productivity A joint report by the Food and Agriculture Organization FAO and the WMO has warned that extreme heat is disrupting global agrifood systems threatening over one billion people It estimated annual losses of around 500 billion working hours worldwide due to heat stressFAO DirectorGeneral Qu Dongyu described extreme heat as a major risk multiplier exerting mounting pressure on crops livestock fisheries forests and on communities and economies that depend upon themCiting Europes record heatwaves European Centre for MediumRange Weather Forecasts DirectorGeneral Florian Pappenberger said The 2025 report offers clear actionable insights to support policy decisions and help the public better understand the changing climate we live inThe report also points to steps taken by European policymakers including legally binding EU targets to restore at least 20 per cent of land and sea areas by 2030 and all ecosystems in need by 2050 Broader frameworks such as the European Green Deal and EU Climate Law embed biodiversity protection within climate strategiesHowever despite these initiatives the report underlined that progress must accelerateThe European State of the Climate 2025 report is a stark reminder that we must sustain and accelerate both adaptation and mitigation efforts said Dusan Chrenek principal adviser for Digital Green Transition at DirectorateGeneral for Climate Action adding that Europe should further strengthen its Earth observation capabilities through advanced technologies IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/europe-faces-intensifying-climate-extremes-as-reports-warn-of-accelerating-warming-671722.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/iranians-pledge-allegiance-to-new-supreme-leader-at-mass-rallies-671724.html Tehran April 30 Tens of thousands of Iranians took to the streets in mass rallies across the country to pledge allegiance to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and demonstrate national unity The rallies held concurrently in different cities on the birthday anniversary of the eighth Imam of Shiite Muslims Imam Reza ran from 1600 local time 1230 GMT to 2100 on WednesdayIn the capital Tehran people marched from Imam Hossein Square to Azadi Square waving Iranian flags and holding pictures of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei who was killed in a US and Israeli attack in late February and the new leader reports Xinhua news agencySeveral officials including Tehran Mayor Alireza Zakani and Irans Constitutional Council spokesman Hadi Tahan Naizf joined the crowdThe participants chanted slogans against the United States and Israel and in support of Irans Islamic establishment and highlighted the necessity to maintain national unityA pavilion was set up along the route to commemorate those killed in a US and Israeli attack on a school in the southern Iranian city of Minab on the first day of the 40day war against IranIrans homegrown Kheibarshekan missile and Shahed 136 drone were also displayed during the rally in TehranOn February 28 Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities killing Irans thenSupreme Leader Ali Khamenei senior commanders and civilians Iran responded with waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and US assets in the Middle East A ceasefire was achieved between the warring parties on April 8 IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/iranians-pledge-allegiance-to-new-supreme-leader-at-mass-rallies-671724.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pentagon-official-says-iran-war-has-cost-25-billion-so-far-671725.html Washington April 30 A senior Pentagon official has said that the cost of the ongoing US war against Iran is estimated to be 25 billion US dollars so far as the conflict has dragged on for two months Approximately on this day were spending about 25 billion dollars on Operation Epic Fury acting Pentagon Comptroller Jules Hurst III told the House Armed Services Committee as he testified alongside Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan CaineHurst added that most of those costs were from munitions and included operations maintenance and equipment replacements reports Xinhua news agencyAccording to previous media reports Pentagon officials told lawmakers in a closeddoor briefing on March 11 that the Trump administration spent more than 113 billion dollars in the first six days of its war against IranHegseths attendance at the hourslong hearing marks his first public questioning since the United States launched military strikes against IranDuring the hearing most Republicans expressed support for President Donald Trumps decision to carry out military action against Iran while Democrats engaged in heated exchanges with Hegseth over the wars strategy objectives and consequencesIn response to a series of sharp questions from Democrats regarding the rapidly escalating costs of the Iran war significant reductions in key munitions stockpiles and the impact of the conflict on US citizens cost of living Hegseth dismissed criticism of the war as politicalThe defence secretary also refused to answer questions about how long the conflict might last or how much it would ultimately costHe further defended the Pentagons proposed recordhigh defence budget of 15 trillion dollars for fiscal year 2027 This budget will ensure the United States continues to maintain the worlds most powerful and capable military as we grapple with a complex threat environment across multiple theatres Hegseth said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pentagon-official-says-iran-war-has-cost-25-billion-so-far-671725.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/new-us-bill-aims-to-strengthen-imec-connectivity-via-mediterranean-671726.html Washington April 30 US Senators Cory Booker and Dave McCormick have introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at strengthening energy security supply chains and strategic partnerships by elevating the Eastern Mediterraneanâs role in the IndiaâMiddle EastâEurope Economic Corridor IMEC The proposed âEastern Mediterranean Gateway Actâ seeks to expand US engagement in a region increasingly viewed as a critical link between the United States India the Middle East and Europe The bill focuses on ports digital corridors and infrastructure to secure energy flows and deepen trade and diplomatic tiesâGlobal energy security and supply chains are under growing strain and the Eastern Mediterranean is emerging as a critical region for enhancing stability and cooperation on a range of shared strategic interests including support for the USIndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridorâ Senator Booker saidâI am proud to introduce this important bipartisan legislation to strengthen energy security accelerate innovation and economic growth and deepen regional partnershipsâ he addedThe legislation formally recognises the Eastern Mediterranean as a âstrategic gatewayâ within IMEC a corridor launched at the 2023 G20 Summit to enhance connectivity between Asia the Middle East and Europe while offering an alternative to Chinaâs Belt and Road InitiativeLawmakers said the bill would institutionalise highlevel strategic dialogues with IMEC partners and expand cooperation on crossborder energy and infrastructure projects It also calls for assessing the expansion of USIsrael innovation programmes to other regional partners and evaluating multilateral models such as Cyprusâs CYCLOPS centreSenator McCormick pointed to recent regional tensions to underline the urgency of the initiativeâOperation Epic Fury showed that the Eastern Mediterranean is not on the sidelines of the Middle East itâs at the centre of it Our critical regional partners like Greece Cyprus Israel and Egypt stepped up with critical defence intelligence and logistical support when it mattered mostâ he saidâThe Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act strengthens these partnerships makes the region a bigger priority for the US and helps secure the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor so critical trade and energy routes arenât left vulnerable to Iran China or other adversariesâ he addedThe bill emphasises energy infrastructure projects such as interconnectors and LNG terminals as essential to European energy security and as a backbone for linking India the Gulf and Europe through the region It also highlights the role of countries such as Greece Cyprus Egypt and Israel as key US partners in promoting regional stability and economic developmentIn addition the legislation calls for enhanced defence cooperation educational exchanges and multilateral engagement including support for frameworks like the â31â initiative involving the United States Greece Israel and Cyprus and continued participation in the East Mediterranean Gas ForumAmong other things the measure directs US agencies to submit annual reports on implementation including updates on energy projects and defence cooperation It also mandates studies on expanding bilateral research and technology programmes modelled on existing USIsrael partnershipsThe IndiaâMiddle EastâEurope Economic Corridor was unveiled in 2023 with backing from the G7 and key regional partners It aims to create a multimodal network linking India to Europe via the Middle East combining rail ports and digital infrastructureIn recent years the Eastern Mediterranean has gained prominence due to energy discoveries shifting alliances and its geographic position connecting Europe West Asia and the Indian subcontinent The United States has expanded its engagement through diplomatic defence and energy partnerships in the region IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/new-us-bill-aims-to-strengthen-imec-connectivity-via-mediterranean-671726.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/two-jewish-men-stabbed-in-terror-attack-in-london-pm-starmer-says-deeply-concerned-671727.html London April 30 Two Jewish pedestrians were stabbed in the northwest London neighbourhood by a man in the latest in a series of assaults targeting the community UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that he was deeply concerned over the incident The British counterterrorism police have declared the incident a terror attack The incident occurred earlier in the day in the northwest London neighbourhood where a man armed with a knife randomly attacked Jewish pedestrians Xinhua news agency reportsCommunity watch group Shomrim said on social media that the attacker was running along Golders Green Road armed with a knife and attempting to stab Jewish members of the publicPolice officers responding to the incident were also attacked The suspect was subsequently subdued with a Taser and arrested on suspicion of attempted murder the Metropolitan Police said adding that he remains in custodyThe two victims aged 76 and 34 suffered stab wounds and are currently in hospital said Laurence Taylor head of Counter Terrorism Policing at the Metropolitan Police The suspect is a 45yearold manMetropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley said the suspect has a history of serious violence and mental health issuesFollowing an emergency COBRA meeting Starmer said on social media that his government would act to make local Jewish community feel safe and fight antisemitism This is not an isolated incident It is the latest in a spate of utterly vile attacks on the Jewish community he saidKing Charles III currently on a state visit to the United States has kept fully informed and is deeply concerned about the incident according to British mediaLondon Mayor Sadiq Khan said the capitals Jewish community has faced a series of shocking antisemitic attacks and stressed that there must be absolutely no place for antisemitism in societyThe stabbing follows a series of arson attacks targeting Jewish sites in LondonOn March 23 four volunteerled ambulances in Golders Green were set on fire causing explosions Three people were charged earlier this month in connection with the caseA suspected arson attack involving a memorial wall was reported in the same area on Monday While the case is under investigation by counterterrorism police it is not currently being treated as terrorismOn April 21 police said seven people had been arrested over an alleged plan to carry out an arson attack against the Jewish community although the exact target remained unclear On the same day a 17yearold boy pleaded guilty to carrying out a petrol bomb attack at a synagogue in Kenton northwest London on April 18British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said an enhanced police presence had been deployed and pledged to strain every sinew to protect the Jewish community IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/two-jewish-men-stabbed-in-terror-attack-in-london-pm-starmer-says-deeply-concerned-671727.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-probes-firms-using-chinese-ai-citing-data-exposure-censorship-risks-671732.html Washington April 30 Two key US House committees announced that they have launched an investigation into national security risks linked to American companies using Chinesedeveloped artificial intelligence models citing concerns over data exposure censorship and supply chain vulnerabilities The probe announced by House Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar and House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Andrew Garbarino on Wednesday local time focuses on companies including Airbnb and AnysphereâAirbnb and Anysphereâs decisions to build their products on Chinese Communist AI models threaten critical infrastructure Americans use every dayâ Moolenaar said âThe AI models these companies use are trained by Chinaâs censorship regime and introduce hidden vulnerabilities that put Americansâ data and businesses at riskâGarbarino said Beijing is seeking to exploit US innovation âThe Chinese Communist Party is trying to turn Americaâs AI breakthroughs into Beijingâs strategic advantageâ he said warning that such models could âundercut US leadershipâ and embed âCCPaligned technology across the software supply chains our economy and national security depend onâLawmakers said the investigation centres on concerns that Chinese firms are using âadversarial model distillationâ to extract capabilities from advanced US systems and repurpose them into cheaper models without safeguardsIn a letter to Airbnb Chief Executive Brian Chesky the committees cited the companyâs reported use of Alibabaâs Qwen model in customer service operations âThe Committees have serious concerns about the national security and datasecurity implications of that approach for Airbnbâs American customers and for the integrity of its systemsâ the lawmakers wroteChinese AI systems may âcovertly censor and manipulate information pursuant to Chinese lawâ and align outputs with Communist Party directives the Seators alleged It also warned that using such models through external systems could expose sensitive user data to entities subject to Chinese lawSeparately lawmakers raised concerns about Anysphereâs Cursor software which they said was built on a model linked to Beijingbased Moonshot AI The letter said Chinese firms carried out âcoordinated campaigns to extract advanced capabilities from American AI systems through adversarial distillationâ generating millions of interactions through fraudulent accountsâThe billions of dollars American companies invest in foundational researchâ is being undercut by a sustained extraction campaignâ the lawmakers wrote adding that strippeddown models could be used by âhostile state actors terrorist organisations and criminal enterprisesâReliance on such systems is not just a business decision âAmerican firms adopting these models are not simply choosing a cheaper tool they are importing an architecture designed to serve the Chinese stateâ the Airbnb letter saidThe investigation follows an April White House science policy memo that described such activities as âdeliberate industrialscale campaignsâ to extract US AI capabilitiesThe committees have asked both companies to provide detailed information on their use of Chinese AI models including data handling security assessments and any ties to Chinese providers with responses due in MayThe inquiry comes as USChina competition intensifies in artificial intelligence a sector seen as critical to economic and national security IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-probes-firms-using-chinese-ai-citing-data-exposure-censorship-risks-671732.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-blasts-powell-over-decision-to-stay-on-as-fed-governor-671734.html Washington April 30 US President Donald Trump blasted Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell after the central bank chief said he would stay on as a governor Jerome Too Late Powell wants to stay at the Fed because he cant get a job anywhere else Nobody wants him Trump wrote on his Truth Social account on Wednesday Local time reports XinhuaEarlier Powell confirmed he will step down as chair on May 15 but plans to remain on the Federal Reserve Board as a governor for a period He said recent developments influenced that decisionwarned that the central bankâs independence is âat riskâ amid what he called unprecedented legal challenges raising concerns about its ability to set policy free from political pressureâThese legal actions by the administration are unprecedented in our 113year historyâ Powell said on Wednesday local time He added that such moves are âbattering the institutionâ and could undermine its role in guiding the economyPowell said the issue is critical for economic stability âIt is so importantâ that they can depend over time on a central bank that operates that way free of political influenceâ he saidHe noted that the Federal Reserve has already had to defend its authority in court âWeâve had to go to courtâ to defend itâ he said warning of âongoing threats of additional such actionsâThe Fed chief stressed that credibility depends on independence from elected officials âThat piece of institutional architecture separates successful countries from unsuccessful countriesâ he saidHe said political influence over interest rate decisions would erode trust âIf thatâs what we were doing weâd have no credibility markets would lose faith in usâ Powell saidâI had long planned to be retiringâ but the things that have happenedâ have left me no choice but to stay until I see them throughâ he saidHe rejected suggestions that staying on is political âIâm literally staying because of the actions that have been takenâ Powell saidPowell said the goal is to preserve the Fedâs ability to act without political considerations He stressed that monetary policy must be guided by economic data and analysis not electoral pressuresâThink about it this way that you want people to make monetary policyâ and focus only on that and ignore political considerationsâ he saidHe said independence is rooted in both law and longstanding norms âThereâs a boundary line between the Fed and the administrationâ and we need to respect those boundariesâ he saidIn response to a question Powell acknowledged that the institution is under strain but expressed confidence in its resilience âI am confidentâ that the Fed will continue to make its decision based on analysisâ and not on political considerationsâ he saidCentral bank independence has been a cornerstone of modern economic policy allowing authorities to control inflation and stabilise economies without political interference IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-blasts-powell-over-decision-to-stay-on-as-fed-governor-671734.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-warns-of-china-russia-threats-as-space-turns-battlefield-671736.html Washington April 30 The United States has warned that outer space is rapidly emerging as a contested military domain with China and Russia expanding capabilities that could threaten global security satellite infrastructure and international stability Eminent lawmakers and experts during a Congressional hearing described a shifting strategic landscape in which competition is intensifying across military commercial and diplomatic frontsâSpace is now a congested and contested domain one that the US Space Force characterises as a warfighting domainâ said Congressman Keith Self chairing the House subcommittee hearing He added that âthe realities in outer space are very much different today than when they were 50 years agoâChina emerged as the central concern throughout the hearing with officials describing it as the most significant longterm challenger to US leadership in spaceâChina is the most consequential threat and competitor in spaceâ said Kari Bingen director of the Aerospace Security Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies She pointed to Beijingâs rapid buildup of satellites launch capabilities and global partnershipsBingen said China is âusing space as a tool of diplomacy and influence expanding its partnerships across the global Southâ warning that the longterm implications extend beyond technology to control over global standards and information networksLawmakers also raised concerns about Chinaâs activities in orbit including what the US Space Force has characterised as aggressive manoeuvresâChinaâ has engaged in aggressive manoeuvres in space from pushing defunct satellites out of orbit to close proximity operations that the US Space Force has characterised as dogfighting in orbitâ Self saidRussia meanwhile remains a significant threat particularly in the development of advanced antisatellite weaponsâFor years the Russians have been deploying a nuclearcapable antisatellite weapon that if employed would have devastating impacts on satellite operations in low Earth orbitâ Self saidExperts warned that such capabilities could disrupt not only military systems but also civilian infrastructure worldwide including communications navigation and financial networksThe hearing underscored how modern warfare is increasingly dependent on spacebased assets Bingen noted that satellites now underpin military operations by providing âconnectivity across dispersed forces intelligence in denied areas and are critical to missile warning precision targeting battle damage assessment and weatherââIn Ukraine we have seen how a militarily overmatched nation can use spacebased assets to level the playing fieldâ she said citing satellite communications and imagery as key tools in the conflictAt the same time the growing number of satellites and actors in space is complicating the strategic environment More than 80 per cent of satellites are now commercial and over 100 countries operate in space intensifying global competitionâThis is a very timely opportunity to consider American space enterpriseâ said Scott Pace director of the Space Policy Institute at George Washington University He described the emerging environment as a âheteropolar world orderâ where the United States and China hold dominant but asymmetric influenceâOfficials highlighted initiatives such as the Artemis Accords which now include more than 60 countries as part of a broader effort to maintain leadership through partnershipsâWe donât lead in space alone we lead by bringing others with usâ said Congressman Gabe Amo pointing to growing international cooperation in exploration and governanceExperts stressed that alliances are critical not only for technological collaboration but also for setting rules of behaviour in spaceâIf the United States does not lead in shaping the rules of behaviour in outer space others willâ said Mallory Stewart chief executive of the Council on Strategic RisksShe warned that without stronger norms and coordination the risks of conflict and miscalculation would rise sharply âAs space becomes more congested and contestedâ the risks of miscalculation and conflict will growâ Stewart saidA key area of concern is the potential for an arms race in space particularly involving antisatellite weapons and cyber capabilities targeting critical systemsâI think the arms race in outer space will continue unabated with no guardrailsâ Stewart cautioned warning of longterm damage to the space environmentLawmakers also highlighted the strategic competition playing out beyond orbit particularly in developing countries where China is expanding its footprint through infrastructure and financingChina is ârapidly expanding space partnerships in developing countries investing in ground infrastructure to improve tracking monitoring and launch capabilitiesâ Self notedResponding to questions officials called for a more coordinated diplomatic and economic strategy to compete globally including support for American commercial space companies and closer engagement with allies in regions such as the IndoPacificPace emphasised the importance of deeper collaboration with partners including India The US should âinclude space security in annualised dialogues with priority allies especially in the IndoPacific region such as Japan Australia India and South Koreaâ he saidIndiaâs growing space capabilities and its role in the IndoPacific security architecture make it a key partner in shaping future space governance and ensuring stabilityâIt is difficult to distinguish between benign and aligned actions in space because so many space systems are dual useâ Self said noting that technologies designed for repair or maintenance could also be used to disable satellitesAs competition intensifies experts said the outcome will determine not just technological leadership but the future rules governing spaceâThe winner will not just supply technology it will set the terms by which information flows networks interoperate and how the world is seenâ Bingen said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-warns-of-china-russia-threats-as-space-turns-battlefield-671736.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-military-claims-42-vessels-intercepted-in-ongoing-blockade-of-iranian-ports-671737.html Washington April 30 The US military has announced that its forces have intercepted 42 vessels as part of its blockade to prevent maritime commerce from entering or exiting Iranian ports Today US forces achieved a significant milestone after successfully redirecting the 42nd commercial vessel attempting to violate the blockade US Central Commander Brad Cooper said in a statement posted on social media X on Wednesday local timeHe highlighted that the 41 tankers currently stranded as a result of the blockade hold an estimated 69 million barrels of oil which is over 6 billion US dollars in potential revenue further crippling Irans ability to profit from its oil exports reports Xinhua news agencyThe blockade is highly effective and US forces remain fully committed to total enforcement Cooper saidIran condemned the seizure as a flagrant act of piracy The countrys main military command Khatam alAnbiya Central Headquarters explained that armed forces did not intervene at the time because the crew members families were on boardThe continued US maritime piracy and banditry in the form of naval blockade against Iran will soon be met with practical and unprecedented military action staterun Press TV reported earlier citing a highranking security sourceIrans armed forces maintain that patience has limits and a punishing response will be necessary if the United States continues its illegal naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz the source told Press TVAccording to the source if the US obstinacy and delusions continue and Irans conditions are rejected the enemy should soon expect a different kind of response to the naval blockade which is akin to maritime banditryThe United States has imposed a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz preventing ships from transiting to and from Iranian ports The blockade came into effect after IranUS negotiations in Pakistans capital Islamabad on April 1112 failed to yield an agreement IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-military-claims-42-vessels-intercepted-in-ongoing-blockade-of-iranian-ports-671737.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/nepal-airlines-apologises-for-showing-jampk-as-part-of-pakistan-in-its-network-map-671743.html Kathmandu April 30 Nepals stateowned national flag carrier on Thursday apologised for showing Indias Jammu and Kashmir as part of Pakistan in its network map shared on social media a day before terming it an error Nepal Airlines said the map contained significant cartographic inaccuracies regarding international boundaries that do not reflect Nepals official stance or that of the airlinesWe sincerely apologise for the error in the network map recently shared on our social media channels We have immediately removed the post and are conducting an internal review to ensure our materials meet the highest standards of accuracy the airline said on social media We deeply value our strong relationships with our neighbours and friends in the region and regret any offence the post has caused it addedArchana Khadka spokesperson for the Nepal Airlines Corporation NAC told IANS that the error occurred while selecting a Google map and the same inaccurate map was used in the network mapIt was not intentional and we removed it within 2â3 hours after it was posted when we noticed the error she saidThe image shared by the airline quickly went viral on social media with Indian users calling for a boycott of the airline Some accused the airline of cartographic aggressionNepal Airlines operates flights to New Delhi West Asia Southeast Asia and ChinaIndiaNepal relations are characterised by a deep multifaceted partnership rooted in the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship featuring open borders significant economic interdependence and close cultural tiesIndia is also one of Nepals leading development partners In the fiscal year 2024â25 India emerged as the largest bilateral donor to Nepal disbursing US1078 million according to Nepals finance ministry Dozens of projects and programmes are currently being implemented in Nepal with Indian economic and technical assistance at different stages of completionAccording to a recent report in The Kathmandu Post India has proposed a visit by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to Nepal on May 11â12 as part of wider consultations ahead of newlyelected Nepali Prime Minister Balendra Shahs visit to its southern neighbourCiting diplomatic sources in the Foreign Ministry of Nepal and the Nepali Embassy in India the report stated that the Indian side has proposed the dates and is awaiting Kathmandus official responseNepali Prime Minister Shah has already received an invitation from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit India and he has accepted it Nepals Foreign Minister Sishir Khanal had confirmed earlier though the visit may take some time as the government will first set its priorities IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/nepal-airlines-apologises-for-showing-jampk-as-part-of-pakistan-in-its-network-map-671743.html Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/king-charles-urges-renewed-us-uk-alliance-671583.html Washington April 29 King Charles III of the United Kingdom called for a renewed United StatesUnited Kingdom partnership warning that global instability and conflict require deeper cooperation between the two allies Addressing a joint meeting of Congress Charles said the two nations face âtimes of great uncertaintyâ in times of conflict from Europe to the Middle Eastâ with consequences felt across both societiesHe also referred to a recent violent incident near the Capitol saying âsuch acts of violence will never succeedâ and reaffirmed a shared commitment âto uphold democracyâ and âprotect all our people from harmâCharles described the USUK relationship as rooted in shared democratic traditions even as it emerged from early disagreementsâOur nations are in fact instinctively likemindedâ he said calling it âa partnership born outta dispute but no less strong for itâHe traced those ties to common legal and political foundations including Magna Carta and English common law which helped shape American constitutional principles such as checks and balancesThe King said the current global environment demands collective actionâThe challenges we face are too great for any one nation to bear aloneâ he said urging both countries to build on their alliance rather than rely on past achievementsOn defence Charles said Britain is undertaking âthe biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold Warâ citing evolving security threatsHe pointed to deep military and intelligence cooperation between the two countriesâOur defence intelligence and security ties are hardwired togetherâ he saidCharles also backed continued support for Ukraine saying it is needed âin order to secure a truly just and lasting peaceâ and stressed the importance of NATOâs role in collective securityHe highlighted economic ties noting 430 billion in annual trade and 17 trillion in mutual investment He said both countries are working together in emerging fields including artificial intelligence quantum computing and nuclear fusionâOur nations are combining talent and resources in the technologies of tomorrowâ he saidThe King also warned about environmental risks saying the âcollapse of critical natural systemsâ threatens longterm prosperity and security if ignoredHe closed by urging both nations to resist inwardlooking policies and strengthen their allianceâLet our two countries rededicate ourselves to each otherâ he saidThe address comes as the United States marks the 250th anniversary of its Declaration of Independence a milestone Charles said reflects both historic divisions and a lasting partnershipThe USUK alliance has been central to global security for decades including cooperation through NATO and joint responses to major conflicts In recent years the partnership has expanded into advanced technology and climate initiatives amid rising geopolitical tensions IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/king-charles-urges-renewed-us-uk-alliance-671583.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-pivots-to-china-in-cyber-operations-strategy-671584.html Washington April 29 The United States is sharpening its military focus on China as its primary longterm strategic challenge with senior commanders warning that cyber capabilities and special operations forces will be critical in maintaining an edge in an increasingly contested global environment At a Senate hearing on the posture of US Special Operations Command and Cyber Command Admiral Frank Bradley said American forces must simultaneously address multiple threats but remain oriented toward BeijingâWe must also orient our force on the longterm pacing challenge of Chinaâ Bradley told lawmakers during his testimony as he outlined a security landscape shaped by overlapping risks from Russia Iran and transnational networksHe said US forces no longer have âthe luxury of focusing on only a single goal or missionâ describing a strategic environment defined by what officials called âsimultaneityâ â managing competition and conflict across regions and domainsCyber Command leaders stressed that technological competition particularly in artificial intelligence is central to countering Chinaâs military rise General Joshua Rudd said maintaining superiority in advanced technologies is essential to preserving US advantagesâI think itâs critical that the US has the technological advantage in every aspect of warfightingâ he said adding that Washington must âretain and maintain our advantageâ as AI becomes more deeply embedded in military operationsLawmakers warned that China is actively leveraging emerging technologies In exchanges during the hearing officials agreed that Beijing is using artificial intelligence in military applications underscoring the urgency of the technological raceThe Pentagon is responding through a sweeping overhaul known as âCybercom 20â aimed at strengthening the cyber workforce and accelerating innovation Katherine Sutton Assistant Secretary of Defense for cyber policy said adversaries are moving rapidly to exploit vulnerabilitiesâOur adversaries have moved beyond conducting espionage and theft and are preparing for conflict by prepositioning disruptive capabilities inside our nationâs critical infrastructureâ Sutton saidResponding to a question Sutton described cyber as âthe connective tissue of modern warfareâ Integration across domains is essential to counter increasingly sophisticated threats she addedHighlighting the growing role of partnerships in countering China particularly in the IndoPacific Bradley said strengthening alliances and building partner capacity remain central to deterrenceHe pointed to longstanding relationships in the region emphasising that trust and credibility built over decades enable the United States to share intelligence and support partners facing evolving threatsâForemost and most important in any strategy of deterrence is to have that stronger allianceâ he saidSpecial operations forces which make up a small fraction of the military provide âan indispensable asymmetric advantageâ particularly in contested environments where conventional forces may be limitedAt the same time lawmakers expressed concern about the pace of operations and the strain on personnel warning that sustained high demand could affect readiness over the long term IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-pivots-to-china-in-cyber-operations-strategy-671584.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/former-fbi-director-james-comey-indicted-over-alleged-threat-to-trump-671585.html Washington April 29 A federal grand jury has indicted former FBI director James Comey on charges of threatening to harm US President Donald Trump authorities said The twocount indictment returned in the Eastern District of North Carolina alleges that Comey âknowingly and willfullyâ made a threat to take the life of and inflict bodily harm upon the President on May 15 2025 It also charges him with transmitting a threat in interstate commerceProsecutors say the case centres on an Instagram post showing seashells arranged to form the numbers â86 47â which âa reasonable recipient who is familiar with the circumstances would interpret as a serious expression of an intent to do harm to the President of the United StatesâActing Attorney General Todd Blanche said the indictment followed months of investigation âThreatening the life of the President of the United States is a grave violation of our nationâs lawsâ he said âThe temperature needs to be turned down and anyone who dials it up and threatens the life of the President will be held accountableâBlanche said the case was built over time âThis investigation just didnât come now Itâs a result of a lot of work by law enforcement over the past yearâ he said adding that such cases often require examining devices communications and legal protectionsFBI Director Kash Patel said investigators handled the case using standard procedures âEvery single investigation this FBI and our partners at the Department of Justice undertakeâ are met with the same measure of investigative prowess and tools and personnelâ he said âJames Comey allegedly threatened the life of the President of the United StatesâPatel said the alleged post was later removed âShortly after posting that threat he deleted that threat and then issued an apologyâ he saidUS Attorney Ellis Boyle said prosecutors would pursue the case regardless of the defendantâs position âIt doesnât matter who you are we take all threat cases seriously and prosecute anyone who violates federal law regardless of title or statusâ he saidComey is charged under federal statutes that criminalise threats against the President and the interstate transmission of threats If convicted he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prisonOfficials declined to discuss evidence in detail Blanche said intent would be proven through âwitnesses with documents with the defendant himself to the extent itâs appropriateâHe said the case would proceed through the courts like others âThis case will proceed like hundreds of others do every yearâ he said noting that an arraignment would be scheduledAn indictment is an accusation Comey is presumed innocent unless proven guiltyThreats against US presidents are prosecuted under federal law Authorities have brought multiple such cases in recent years amid concerns over rising threats against public officials IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/former-fbi-director-james-comey-indicted-over-alleged-threat-to-trump-671585.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/king-charles-warns-of-volatile-new-global-era-671586.html Washington April 29 King Charles III warned that the world is entering a more volatile and dangerous phase urging the United States and the United Kingdom to adapt their alliance to meet shifting global challenges Addressing a joint meeting of Congress the British monarch said the international system is under strain from multiple crisesâWe meet in times of great uncertaintyâ in times of conflict from Europe to the Middle East which pose immense challenges for the international communityâ he saidHe added that the world today is âin many ways more volatile and more dangerousâ than previous decades underscoring the need for renewed cooperation among alliesFraming his remarks around a changing global order Charles said longstanding alliances cannot rely solely on past achievementsâOur alliance cannot rest on past achievements or assume that foundational principles simply endureâ he said calling for efforts âto build on itâThe King described the United StatesUnited Kingdom partnership as an âindispensable partnershipâ rooted in shared democratic traditions but now facing new pressures from geopolitical instability and security threatsHe said the challenges confronting the international system are too complex for any single country to handle aloneâThe challenges we face are too great for any one nation to bear aloneâ he said urging closer coordination with international partnersCharles pointed to security as the starting point for adapting to the new era announcing that Britain is committing to âthe biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold WarâHe stressed that military and intelligence ties between the United States and Britain remain deeply integratedâOur defence intelligence and security ties are hardwired together through relationships measured not in years but in decadesâ he saidThe monarch also highlighted the importance of collective defence alliances particularly NATO describing it as central to protecting shared interests in a shifting security landscapeContinued support for Ukraine is necessary âin order to secure a truly just and lasting peaceâ the King said and described the conflict as a test of Western resolve in the current global environmentBeyond security Charles identified economic and technological cooperation as critical pillars of the evolving global orderHe cited 430 billion in annual trade and 17 trillion in mutual investment between the two countries and pointed to joint work in artificial intelligence quantum computing and nuclear fusion as key to future growthâOur nations are combining talent and resources in the technologies of tomorrowâ he saidHe also warned that environmental pressures are reshaping global stability saying the âcollapse of critical natural systemsâ poses risks not only to nature but also to economic and national securityIn his closing remarks Charles cautioned against inwardlooking policies at a time of global transitionHe urged both nations to âignore the clarion calls to become ever more inward lookingâ and instead reaffirm their role in supporting international cooperationThe address comes as the United States marks 250 years since its Declaration of Independence a moment Charles described as an opportunity to renew commitments in a changing world IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/king-charles-warns-of-volatile-new-global-era-671586.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-condemns-attacks-on-hormuz-shipping-at-unsc-calls-for-restoration-of-free-navigation-671587.html United Nations April 29 India has condemned the attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz which is vital to its energy and economic security and called for restoring free navigation âCommercial shipping must not be the target of military attacks and such attempts are deplorableâ Indiaâs Deputy Permanent Representative Yojna Patel told the Security Council on TuesdayPatel did not mention any country by name but alluded to Iran by recalling that India cosponsored a Council resolution brought by Bahrain that condemned in the âstrongest termsâ Tehranâs attacks on its Middle East neighboursâIt bears mention in this context that India had cosponsored UNSC resolution 2817 which was adopted on 11th Marchâ she saidIran has attacked Indian ships and a vessel bound for it and in assaults on ships of other countries at least three Indian sailors have diedThe US has also set up a blockade in the Hormuz regionâWe underscore that the targeting of commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members or otherwise impeding the freedom of navigation and commerce in the Strait of Hormuz are unacceptableâ Patel said at the meeting convened by Council President Bahrain on the situation in the Middle EastShe noted that unimpeded shipping through the Strait is important because it provides India with vital connectivity to a region with which its trade and energy supply chains are linked through geography âwith implications for economy and energy securityââAlmost 10 million Indians live and work in the Gulf region their safety and wellbeing are a key priority for usâ she addedCalling for dialogue and diplomacy to deescalate the tensions in the Gulf region she said âThe Middle East is our proximate neighbourhood and we have significant stakes in the security and stability of the regionâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-condemns-attacks-on-hormuz-shipping-at-unsc-calls-for-restoration-of-free-navigation-671587.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/gcc-leaders-reject-irans-measures-to-close-strait-of-hormuz-671590.html Riyadh April 29 Gulf Cooperation Council GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said on Tuesday that GCC states have rejected Irans illegal measures to close the Strait of Hormuz and obstruct navigation through the waterway The statement was made at the 19th Consultative Meeting of GCC leaders held in Saudi Arabias port city of Jeddah on TuesdayAlbudaiwi said the leaders also rejected any measures that would negatively affect navigation through the strait including the imposition of fees on ships passing through it reports Xinhua news agencyThe leaders stressed the need to restore security and freedom of navigation in the strait and return conditions there to what they were before February 28 he addedAlbudaiwi said the GCC leaders directed the GCC General Secretariat to expedite the completion of requirements for all joint GCC projects including transport and logistics services and to accelerate the implementation of the GCC railway projectHe said the leaders also highlighted the need to take steps toward establishing an oil and gas pipeline project and a water interconnection project They also called for moving forward with studies on establishing areas for GCC strategic reserves he saidAlbudaiwi added that the leaders underlined the importance of intensifying military integration among member states and accelerating the completion of an early warning system against ballistic missilesHe said the meeting discussed the current regional situation particularly the regional escalation and Iranian attacks against GCC countries and JordanThe leaders stressed the need to establish a diplomatic path to end the crisis and pave the way for agreements and understandings that address GCC states concerns and enhance longterm security and stabilityOn February 28 Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities killing Irans then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei senior commanders and civilians Iran responded with waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and US interests in the Middle East and tightened control over the Strait of HormuzAfter a ceasefire was reached on April 8 talks between the Iranian and US delegations in Pakistans Islamabad failed to yield an agreement The United States later imposed its own blockade on the waterway IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/gcc-leaders-reject-irans-measures-to-close-strait-of-hormuz-671590.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/uk-pm-starmer-not-to-face-investigation-over-mandelson-issue-671591.html Riyadh April 29 UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will not be investigated over claims that he misled Parliament regarding Peter Mandelson the former British ambassador to the United States after a House of Commons vote on Tuesday After more than five hours of debate Members of Parliament voted 335 to 223 against a motion led by the Conservative Party that called for Starmer to be investigated by the Houses Privileges CommitteeStarmer told British media on Monday that the vote was a political stunt by his opponents reports Xinhua news agencyThe vote centred on whether Starmer misled Parliament when he said that full due process had been followed in Mandelsons appointment Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch argued that this statement amounted to misleading ParliamentStarmer said Monday the vote on the following day to decide whether he will be investigated is a political stunt by his political opponentsWhats my political opponents are doing tomorrow is a political stunt Starmer told Sky News Having a political stunt adds absolutely nothing to the transparency weve got Its not good use of parliaments timeIn midApril it was revealed that before taking up his post Mandelson had been denied security clearance in January 2025 At the time British security officials had conducted a rigorous vetting process including a confidential background check but the decision was overturned by the UK Foreign OfficeStarmer said he became aware of the matter only on April 14 insisting that he didnt mislead Parliament when telling them full due process was followedMandelson was dismissed as Britains chief diplomat in Washington in September 2025 following revelations about his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey EpsteinEarlier this year he was briefly arrested as part of an investigation into alleged misconduct in public office including the possible disclosure of marketsensitive information IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/uk-pm-starmer-not-to-face-investigation-over-mandelson-issue-671591.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trade-deal-with-us-to-hit-poor-bangladesh-farmers-expert-671643.html New Delhi April 29 The trade deal signed by Bangladesh with the US is nothing but a dumping of genetically modified organisms GMOs through meat and dairy products and will hit the livelihood of poor farmers in the Asian country according to an article in The Daily Star a Dhakabased newspaper The article by Farida Akhter former adviser in the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock points out that importing meat and dairy products from the US poses unequal trade terms for Bangladesh due to the different economic models in the two countries Livestock is part of the livelihood economy in Bangladesh whereas in the US it is part of an industrial agrocapitalist systemâThe US Reciprocal Trade Agreement was concluded with nine countries Among these Malaysia was the first country to declare the trade deal with the US invalid on March 15 2026 This should prompt Bangladesh to reevaluate the deal or follow the Malaysian decisionâ the article statesIt points out that in the US industrial livestock farming accounts for 21 lakh farms but engages less than two per cent of the population Contrarily in Bangladesh livestock keeping is part of the livelihoods of 8085 per cent of 41 crore households often led by women The meat and milk supply from these sources contributes 16 per cent of agricultural GDPIt further states that Bangladeshâs poor livestock keepers do not receive any subsidy but will have to compete with a heavily subsidised industrial livestock sector The US Department of Agriculture has spent at least 72 billion in subsidies to livestock and seafood producers over the past few decades This asymmetry is critical According to the Food and Agriculture Organization FAO smallholder livestock systems are highly vulnerable to import competition due to limited access to credit technology and state supportIt highlights that the corn and soybeans used for chicken dairy and meat cattle feed in the US are genetically modified US chicken feed also contains meat meal from recycled animal byproducts mainly beef and pork This is a sensitive issue for Bangladesh with over 90 per cent of the population being Muslim Over 90 per cent of the acreage planted with GM soybean varieties in the US has primarily herbicidetolerant traits for chemical weed controlThe article cites a 2019 study by the European Union which states that many weeds have adapted to the widespread use of such chemicals and become resistant These herbicidetolerant weeds are an increasing problem Widespread adoption of the chemicals has led to an accelerating increase in herbicide use and consequently an âarms raceâ in genetic engineering technology and the use of complementary herbicides The increasing amount of herbicides sprayed not only causes substantial environmental problems but also creates new challenges for the risk assessment of health effects since products derived from these plants can introduce new herbicide residues into the food chainIt further states that under the trade agreement with the US Bangladesh is not importing soybean and corn directly they will come through the import of meat and dairy products and other soybean and cornbased products Besides a genetically modified growth hormone called recombinant bovine somatotropin rBST is used to increase cowsâ milk production by 1015 per cent Milk from rBSTtreated cows is used to make ice cream butter cheese and yoghurt IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trade-deal-with-us-to-hit-poor-bangladesh-farmers-expert-671643.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/concentration-of-food-insecurity-in-pakistan-outcome-of-deep-rooted-weaknesses-in-agriculture-sector-report-671645.html Islamabad April 29 A new United Nationsreport has named Pakistan among 10 nations where acute food insecurity is concentrated The concentration of food insecurity in Pakistan is due to deeprooted weaknesses in the countrys agriculture sector rocked by repeated climate shocks and continuous economic fragility a report has stated The Global Report on Food Crisis showcases that food insecurity in Pakistan is chronic rather than temporary or cyclical However as per the report fewer people were classified in the most severe categories in 2025 compared to the previous year indicated that emergency responses and some stabilisation in prices may have had an impact according to an editorial in Pakistans daily DawnA New UNbacked report has listed Pakistan among 10 countries where acute food insecurity is most concentrated This finding may seem surprising for a country with a large agricultural base But it should not be Essentially the concentration of food insecurity in Pakistan is the predictable outcome of the deeprooted weaknesses in the countryâs agriculture sector rocked by repeated climate shocks and persistent economic fragility an editorial in Dawn mentionedAccording to the report more than 11 million people which include 93 million under crisis conditions and 17 million in emergency still facing acute food insecurity showcases a thin margin of resilience Climate volatility continues to be a force multiplier Crops have been damaged and rural livelihoods impacted due to recurrent floods and extreme weather events leading to vulnerable populations getting pushed into a cycle of asset depletion and dependencyThese shocks have a compounding effect in Pakistans provinces of Balochistan Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh where deprivation already limits access to healthcare nutrition and clean water Food insecurity is also impacting national economy of Pakistan as per the editorial A rising food import bill puts more pressure on an already strained external account At the same time a malnourished workforce impacts productivity and longterm growthThe 2026 Global Report on Food Crises has named Pakistan alongside Afghanistan Bangladesh Congo Myanmar Nigeria South Sudan Sudan Syria and Yemen as the primary centres of acute hungerPakistan also appears in the analysis of malnutrition risk pathways showcasing vulnerabilities related to diet healthcare access water and sanitation as well as disease The report projects that inflation in Pakistan will increase to 6 per cent in 2026 putting additional pressure on the system Dawn reportedAccording to the report Pakistanâs mention in the top 10 nations reflects the severity of need and expansion of data coverage The analysis was extended from 43 rural districts in 2024 to 68 districts in 2025 covering areas of Balochistan Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh resulting in the share of Pakistanâs population included in the analysis increased from 16 per cent to 21 per cent adding more than 14 million people IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/concentration-of-food-insecurity-in-pakistan-outcome-of-deep-rooted-weaknesses-in-agriculture-sector-report-671645.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/no-structured-modules-lone-actors-drive-indias-terror-threat-671656.html New Delhi April 29 The Intelligence agencies are closely monitoring the manner in which terror groups would increasingly function in future Officials say that terror modules would no longer be structured like the earlier ones Terrorists would no longer operate under structured modules that would involve handlers from abroad and ideological mentors they would either act alone or in very small groups Terror modules would also increasingly have buddy pairs so that scrutiny is very less an official saidWhile the ISI has ensured a massive propaganda push within India terror outfits such as the Islamic State have flooded the Internet with radical contentThe ISI does realise that it cannot afford to be blamed for a terror attack on Indian soil as it is aware that India can undertake another Operation SindoorThe Islamic State on the other hand wants to infiltrate the minds of the youth and ensure that they are radicalised to such an extent that they would carry out attacks on their ownAn Intelligence Bureau official says that these strategies being adopted by the ISI and Islamic State would only lead to an increase in the number of lone actors carrying out attacksThe Islamic State is not bothered about the scale of the attack It could be one death or two but the impact that such an attack makes is immense One may be walking around doing his business and an Islamic State killer may just be around him the official said This is the psychological impact that an Islamic State styled attack hasThe ISI on the other hand has other plans It wants selffunded and motivated modules to come up on their own It wants all the modules to be homegrown in natureHowever it wants the modules to have a smaller number of people and expects that they should not have any conversation with anyone from Pakistan in the runup to the attackIt expects that even the funding trail should be within India and nothing should lead to PakistanAnother official says that the ISIstyled modules are relatively easier to deal with as the members of such modules are bound to leave some trail or the otherThe worry is what the Islamic State has been doing After successfully penetrating states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu it has been focussing on the rest of India The official said that the penetration is so deep that it has become difficult for the agencies to identify individuals who could carry out a lone actor strikeThere has been a surge in such cases in recent months Zaib Zubair Ansari in Mumbai Rizwan in Delhi and Tushar Chauhan alias Hizbullah Khan in Uttar Pradesh This is a clear indication that the radical material and DoItYourself DIY material that is being shared has gone up a lotThe official went on to explain that this has been a global trend and the agencies across the world are finding it hard to track such personsThe problem is that there is a zero communication trail and this is what has been the nightmare for the security agencies The lack of a financial trail is also another issue when it comes to such persons and the attacks that they carry outThe agencies have been appealing to relatives and parents to keep a close watch on the behaviour of seemingly radicalised persons If they find something unusual they ought to report it It has worked in some cases that were reported in South IndiaHowever now such individuals have become smart and act quite normally even though they are fully radicalisedIn the Mumbai case Ansari was staying alone and none of his relatives were aware of what he was up to Even in the case of Hizbullah Ali Khan the parents were unaware that he had been converted and radicalised They said that he was suffering from a neurological disorderEven in cases that have been reported from abroad the people familiar with the lone actor have maintained that the person looked normal and showed no signs of being radicalisedAn official said that this would be a major challenge going ahead The agencies will have to shift from traditional network interception to proactive communitybased and digital monitoringMonitoring behaviour digital Intelligence strengthening protective services and community awareness would be the keyIt is also equally important to take down DIY manuals and radical content on a daily basis the official saidThe challenge is immense and India will have to brace and deal with such attempts by Islamic State inspired lone actors the official also added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/no-structured-modules-lone-actors-drive-indias-terror-threat-671656.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-children-from-underprivileged-families-continue-to-face-structural-barriers-671673.html Islamabad April 29 Children from underprivileged families in Pakistan face structural barriers while children from wealthy families in the country continue to receive highquality schooling and better opportunities leading to prestigious careers a report has detailed According to estimates approximately 262 million children including 134 million girls remain out of school in Pakistan Around 2028 per cent of schoolage children are not enrolled in school with many forced to prioritise survival over educationWhy do some children enjoy their right to education while others are denied it Why are quality schools reserved for those who can afford them while millions are left with inadequate alternatives Why do we continue to tolerate a system that reinforces inequality from one generation to the next Children enter the world equal and without any bias or class difference They are not born with an awareness of class status or hierarchy nor do they feel inferior unless society teaches them to an editorial in leading Pakistani daily The Express Tribune mentionedIn the early years children see life as a blessing and do not consider the disparities that come in adult life like political divisions social stratification or the invisible hindrances that decide who will succeed and who will struggle Millions of children particularly those from rural and underresourced communities do not have access to basic rights Access to education healthcare and meaningful participation in social and political life is also limitedAs a professional in the field of education I see the same patterns Children from privileged backgrounds continue to access highquality schooling better healthcare and better opportunities leading to prestigious careers Meanwhile children from underprivileged families face the same structural barriers I witnessed decades ago Express Tribune quoted Mujeeb Ali an Assistant Professor as sayingIn many government schools today conditions remain unchanged underresourced classrooms limited materials and insufficient support for both students and teachers Children from wealthy families are far more likely to become doctors engineers administrators or officers Those from poorer backgrounds are often pushed toward lowpaying labourintensive jobs not because they lack talent but because they lack opportunity he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-children-from-underprivileged-families-continue-to-face-structural-barriers-671673.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/patience-and-restraint-should-not-be-taken-as-weakness-or-retreat-afghan-minister-warns-pakistan-671677.html Kabul April 29 Talibans Minister of Higher Education Nida Mohammad Nadeem has said that Afghanistans patience and restraint against repeated Pakistani attacks does not showcase weakness or retreat He emphasised that Kabul will respond to Islamabad at an appropriate time and under appropriate circumstances local media reported on Wednesday Nadeem stated that Afghanistans resolve and courage will not be shaken after Pakistani attacks He specifically mentioned the recent attack at Sayed Jamaluddin University in Kunar which he said will not stop scientific progress in the country Afghanistan International reportedStressing that Taliban were raised in suffering and are no strangers to martyrdom the minister asserted that the Afghans will defend their system with all their might Patience should not be interpreted as weakness and the movement is capable of responding forcefully when necessary Afghanistan International reportedAt least seven people were killed and 75 others injured after Pakistani strikes hit parts of Afghanistans Kunar province including the provincial capital Asadabad and Sarkano district on Monday Local sources said that the latest strikes hit several places including residential areas and Sayed Jamaluddin Afghan University where mortar rounds targetted the campus causing damage and panic among students and employeesOn Tuesday Afghanistanâs Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Charge dAffaires of the Pakistani Embassy in Kabul over the recent attacks carried out by the Pakistani forces on civilian targets in various Afghan provincesKabul also handed a protest letter to the Pakistani diplomat over Islamabad targetting public facilities along the Durand Line even the university in the centre of Kunar provinceThe Ministry strongly condemned the violation of Afghanistans airspace and the attacks against civiliansIt stated that the actions of Pakistani forces are a clear violation of Afghanistanâs territorial integrity contrary to international principles and a provocative actâThe Islamic Emirate categorically rejects allegations that the recent escalation started by the Afghan side and underscores the imperative that the root causes of the situation must be investigated with due diligenceâ the Afghan ministry saidCalling on the Pakistani side to refrain from such actions Afghanistan reiterated that it reserves a legitimate right to defend its soil and people It also reminded Pakistan that the continuation of such irresponsible actions will have undesirable consequences IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/patience-and-restraint-should-not-be-taken-as-weakness-or-retreat-afghan-minister-warns-pakistan-671677.html Wed, 29 Apr 2026 19:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/unknown-gunmen-rock-lashkar-leadership-vacuum-deepens-trust-deficit-grows-671491.html New Delhi April 28 Even as the LashkareTayiba tries to rebuild following heavy losses during Operation Sindoor a leadership crisis is fast emerging within the group The killing of Sheikh Afridi a close aide of LashkareTayiba chief Hafiz Saeed clearly signals that the top rung is collapsingAfridi was killed by unknown gunmen in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa KP by unidentified gunmen This follows the pattern of unknown gunmen killing top terrorists of both the LashkareTayiba and Hizbul MujahideenIn 2026 alone more than 30 such people have been killed by unknown gunmenThe incidents have been reported from Lahore Punjab Sindh KP Balochistan and KarachiWhat is interesting is that these unknown persons who carried out these hits have completed their job and vanished They are completely off the radar and the Pakistan security agencies have had hardly any success in nabbing them an official saidAn Intelligence Bureau official said that such killings are weakening the LashkareTayiba largely Like in the case of the JaisheMohammad the LashkareTayiba too is missing a fierce leaderHafiz Saeed is old and cannot lead like the way he used to be ZakiurRehman Lakhvi seems to have taken a back seat as a result of which the outfit lacks a strong operational headEarlier this month Amir Hamza also a very close associate of Hafiz Saeed was shot at This incident dented the prospects of the LashkareTayibaHamza was an ideological mentor and had the capability of bringing in recruits With him out of the picture the recruitment process has been hit badlyThe LashkareTayiba was already facing a major crisis when it came to recruitmentsAnother official said that the killing of Afridi is a huge blow for the LashkareTayiba He was not a lowlevel operative In fact he was overseeing the operations of the outfit in KP as well as Jammu and Kashmir Before his death he was trying to actively recruit youth for operations He was coordinating operations and overseeing the movement of terroristsThe official said that he was part of the inner circle of the LashkareTayiba and with his death the number of decision makers has come downThe official said that Operation Sindoor created a major trust deficit among the cadres of the LashkareTayiba The leadership was being questioned as they felt that all the tall promises which were made at the time of recruitment stood exposed thanks to the operation by the Indian armed forcesMoreover Saeed has not been active since the operation He is making efforts to rebuild the outfit but his presence in the open is very limited This has made the cadres question if Saeed is more bothered about his own safety when compared to that of the cadresThese killings by unknown gunmen too have added to the misery of the cadres They question that if top commanders recruiters and ideological heads can be gunned down with ease then where is the guarantee of their securityApart from the top leadership the cadres are also questioning the Pakistan establishment Not only do their camps get destroyed in operations by the Indian armed forces but their top leaders are not safe anywhere in PakistanThe ISI and Pakistan Army made tall promises at the time of recruitment However the events that have unfolded in the last several months have left the establishment exposed the official addedThe ISI and Pakistan Army are desperately working on a plan to ensure that the LashkareTayiba bounces back It would attempt a big hit in India so that the trust factor among the cadres is backIntelligence agencies say that Pakistan is desperate at the moment and in order to boost the morale of the terrorists and also cause a diversion from internal problems it would look to undertake a major operation on Indian soil IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/unknown-gunmen-rock-lashkar-leadership-vacuum-deepens-trust-deficit-grows-671491.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 16:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/eam-jaishankar-and-unga-president-discuss-reformed-multilateralism-sdgs-and-west-asia-conflict-671501.html New Delhi April 28 IANS External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar held a meeting with United Nations General Assembly UNGA President Annalena Baerbock in New Delhi on Tuesday discussing UN80 sustainable development goals SDGs Artificial Intelligence AI implications and the ongoing West Asia conflictnbspDuring the meeting EAM Jaishankar stressed the need for reformed multilateralism which is reflective of todays realities especially the Global SouthA pleasure to host UNGA President Annalena Baerbock this afternoon in New Delhi Discussed UN80 SDGs AI implications and the West Asia conflict Underscored the need for reformed multilateralism reflective of todays realities particularly of the Global South Thanked her for her leadership and contributions EAM Jaishankar posted on XEarlier in the day Baerbock paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at the Rajghat in Delhi The UNGA President arrived in New Delhi on Monday on a twoday visit to India at the invitation of EAM JaishankarA warm welcome to UNGA President Ms Annalena Baerbock on her official visit to India The visit reaffirms Indias steadfast engagement with the UN the MEA spokesperson posted on XDuring her visit Baerbock will also have an interactive session with representatives from the Ministry of Electronics and IT MEITY on governance and regulation of Artificial Intelligence AIAhead of her arrival in India the UNGA Presidents spokesperson said that Baerbock will meet with the UN team in India led by Resident Coordinator Stefan PriesnerThis is the second highlevel UN visit to India after SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres trip to attend the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi in FebruaryBaerbock is scheduled to travel to China after concluding her visit to IndianbspThe UNGA President is quite familiar with India having even travelled on New Delhis Metro in one of her visits as Germanys Foreign Minister to enhance ties with the country But this is her first time as the president of the General AssemblyDuring her first visit as minister in 2022 she said Without a doubt India will play a key role in shaping the international order of the 21st century in the IndoPacific and beyondThat India has lifted 400 million people out of extreme poverty in 15 years shows that a pluralistic society freedom and democracy are drivers of economic development peace and stability she addedIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/eam-jaishankar-and-unga-president-discuss-reformed-multilateralism-sdgs-and-west-asia-conflict-671501.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 16:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/karachi-residents-hold-protest-against-prolonged-power-outages-671504.html Islamabad April 28 Residents in Karachi held a protest against prolonged unannounced power outages lasting up to 16 hours daily resulting in severe traffic congestion in the cityâs business district for hours local media reported on Tuesday The protests on Monday impacted vehicular movement on the II Chundrigar Road Ziauddin Ahmed Road and nearby areas for over two hours with roads in nearby areas including Saddar and Pakistan Chowk clogged and commuters facing difficulty under extreme heat as queues of traffic stretched for kilometres daily Dawn reportedFrustrated with prolonged power outages residents of Railway Colony gathered at the Shaheen Complex intersection blocked traffic and shouted slogans against KElectric for resorting to unannounced loadshedding for long hoursThe protesters demanded immediate restoration of power supply complaining that unannounced loadshedding of up to 16 hours in the area made life of residents very difficult during the summerA resident said that they had not received the proper power supply for the past several weeks Our children canât sleep patients are suffering and thereâs no water because the pumps donât work without electricityAnother resident Muhammad Aslam said that they were forced to live without electricity for 16 hours despite paying their bills regularly How long can we stay silent he askedAnother protester Shazia Bibi said that unannounced loadshedding for long hours was torture for residents Our food is rotting we canât charge our phones and the heat is killing usOfficegoers students and patients faced problems due to traffic congestion under scorching heat due to the protestsA woman who was taking her father to a hospital said that they were stranded in the traffic for 90 minutes with no way out Dawn reportedPolice reached the protest site and negotiated with the demonstrators The protest was dispersed after nearly 30 minutes but the traffic jam took over two hours to clearPeople were facing problems from earlier this month as the power outages increased up to eight hours in urban areas and 1216 hours in rural areas in the service areas of Lahore Electric Supply Company Lesco and other districts of Pakistans Punjab provinceThe situation worsened after the power distribution in Lahore and cities and towns in other districts started observing unannounced or forced loadshedding on an hourly basis resulting in people spending most of their time without electricity Dawn reportedSeveral divisions and districts of Punjab including Faisalabad Gujranwala Sialkot Toba Tek Singh Sahiwal Kasur Sheikhupura Multan Khanewal Bahawalpur Rahim Yar Khan Muzaffargarh and Dera Ghazi Khan also witnessed power outages The Lesco spokesperson said that there was an increase in complaints about loadshedding IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/karachi-residents-hold-protest-against-prolonged-power-outages-671504.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 17:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/nepal-protests-as-china-builds-safety-wall-on-bhotekoshi-river-across-border-671509.html Kathmandu April 28 China has been building a safety wall along the Bhotekoshi River on the Chinese side of the NepalChina border prompting strong protests from Nepal Nepal fears that the construction could alter the riverâs course and cause damage on the Nepali side Nepali officials said the Chinese construction activities violate the boundary protocol signed between the two countries in 1963 which states that either party must inform the other in advance before constructing any structure along the international borderThe protocol also states that neither party shall attempt to change the course of boundary rivers unilaterallyOfficials from Nepalâs Home Ministry confirmed to IANS that the Chinese side has been constructing a safety wall along the river within Chinese territory across the borderThe river flows through the Tatopani border point in Sindhupalchowk district and partly serves as a natural boundary between the two countriesChief District Officer of Sindhupalchowk Ram Krishna Adhikari confirmed that the Chinese side had constructed the wall on its side of the border âWhether the construction activities carried out by the Chinese side fall under the bilateral agenda will be determined by the concerned Nepali authoritiesâ he saidAccording to a Home Ministry official the District Administration Office in Sindhupalchowk had recently informed the government about the construction activities being carried out by the Chinese side close to the border and the matter was subsequently forwarded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for diplomatic actionThe Foreign Ministry then urged the Chinese side to halt the construction activities immediately the Kathmandu Post reported on TuesdayForeign Ministry officials were not immediately available for comment to IANS However a senior official at Nepalâs Home Ministry told IANS that he had been informed that a diplomatic note had been sent to the Chinese side protesting the construction activities undertaken without notifying Nepal âWe had sent details of the construction activities carried out by the Chinese side to the Foreign Ministryâ the official saidThe Bhote Koshi River lies in one of the most disasterprone areas and officials say that any construction along the river or attempt to alter its course could have a major impact on the Nepali side during the monsoon season Nepal frequently experiences landslides near the border point and international trade with China is often disrupted during the rainy seasonAccording to the report the construction is being carried out near border pillar number 53 of the NepalChina international boundary Under the boundary protocol signed in 1963 both parties are required not to deliberately alter the course of the boundary river and to take measures to prevent such changes The protocol further states that both sides should adopt joint measures to prevent losses and it also includes provisions for compensation if either party causes damage across the border due to changes in the rivers course IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/nepal-protests-as-china-builds-safety-wall-on-bhotekoshi-river-across-border-671509.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 17:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/sweden-backs-make-in-india-initiative-calls-partnership-strong-671407.html New Delhi April 28 Sweden is a very good partner to India when it comes to the Make in India policy and also supports Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs policy of making more in Indiaâ Swedish companies are investing a lot in India said Head of Mission Sven Ostberg Consul General of Sweden in Mumbai on MondayâDuring South Africaâs Freedom Day celebrations at the South African Consulate in Mumbai the Consul General of Sweden said that the IndiaSweden partnership is very fruitful and prosperous with more than 280 Swedish companies in India employing two lakh people directly and 2200000 people indirectly while answering a question regarding IndiaSweden future partnershipsHe also congratulated South Africa on its 30th anniversaryâHe said that it is a fantastic day to celebrate South Africa adding that apartheid was a very bad sin and that Sweden is very happy that democracy is now ruling in South AfricaâHe said that Sweden has supported South Africaâs freedom struggle for many decades during the apartheid period as well as one of the few Western European countries that were supporting the African National Congress and its liberation movement while answering a question about the South AfricaSweden partnershipâHe highlighted that Sweden is working together with the South African government to promote bilateral trade investments and tourismâHe added that many Swedish people love going to South Africa for tourismâHe said that Sweden and India want peace and stability in the Middle East adding that this is what everybody wantsâHe also condemned any attack on the president or any political leadersâHe said that Sweden was very horrified after seeing the pictures coming out of Washington the previous day describing it as a horrible attack and expressing hope that everyone is safe and sound while commenting on the incident during a White House dinnerâHe also mentioned that Sweden believes in democracy and freedom of speech adding that everyone has the right to express themselves but violence is not the answer to anythingâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/sweden-backs-make-in-india-initiative-calls-partnership-strong-671407.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/south-african-consulate-marks-freedom-day-in-mumbai-671408.html New Delhi April 28 The South African Consul in India celebrated 32 years of South Africas freedom which also coincides with 30 years of its Constitution in Mumbai on Monday The Consul General of South Africa in Mumbai Gideon Labane said the event was one of their public diplomacy platforms where South Africa reminds everyone about their country both from the perspective of bilateral relations with India and also from a trade and investment promotion point of viewWhile answering questions about growing IndiaSouth Africa relations the Consul General said that relations are growing significantly especially in both political and investment termsHe said that they see a lot of Indian companies that have invested in South Africa more than 100 and also that there are South African companies that are invested in IndiaHe noted that currently there are more Indian investments but they would like to see more South African investments coming to IndiaHe highlighted that relations in political trade cricket culture and cinema aspects are growingHe mentioned that South Africa appreciated what PM Modi does and took note of how much interest he has in the African continent adding that they have seen him opening a lot of embassies in AfricaWhile speaking about upcoming events he noted the BRICS foreign ministersâ meeting in midMay and said that hopefully their minister will be in India for the meetingHe also added that there is an IndiaAfrica summit at the headofstate level and said that hopefully their head of state or his representative will be presentHe emphasised that there are also ongoing discussions either at the bilateral or multilateral level and that the relationship between India and South Africa is equal and based on mutual respect expressing hope that it will grow strongly from hereHe commented that it is rather unfortunate that what is happening in that region is affecting everyone especially around the oil supply which also has an inflationary impact as prices are increasingHe stated that South Africa always advocates dialogue saying that their preference is for parties to come together sit at the table discuss and try to resolve their differencesHe added that war is not the solution to any issues and expressed hope that all parties will come together and find a way to coexist IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/south-african-consulate-marks-freedom-day-in-mumbai-671408.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-lawmakers-push-golden-dome-plan-amid-rising-missile-threats-671411.html Washington April 28 The United States faces an âunprecedentedâ missile threat environment with senior defence officials warning lawmakers that the countryâs current homeland defences are limited and increasingly vulnerable to advanced weapons including hypersonic and cruise missiles Testifying before a Senate panel Assistant Secretary Marc Berkowitz said rivals are âexpanding diversifying and increasing the sophistication of their arsenals of missiles and aerial weaponsâ posing âtruly grave threats to our homeland to the American population to our critical infrastructures and to our second strike capabilityâHe acknowledged that the existing system offers only âvery limited capabilityâ beyond defending against a smallscale intercontinental ballistic missile attack and that the US currently has âno defence against hypersonic weapons or cruise missilesâGeneral Michael Guetlein described the programme as âa layered integrated shield designed to defend the homeland against the full spectrum of advanced threatsââOur nationâs margin of safety has vanishedâ Guetlein said adding that âthe homeland is exposed and relatively undefendedâ against a new generation of threats that are âunprecedented in their speed numbers and lethalityâThe proposed system would integrate sensors and interceptors across land sea air and space combining kinetic and nonkinetic responses Officials said it would also leverage artificial intelligence and nextgeneration processing to improve targeting and response timesGuetlein said the goal is to deliver an operational capability by 2028 supported by a funding request that includes more than 17 billion in the near term The full projected cost of the programme is estimated at about 185 billion through the 2030sLawmakers raised concerns over both the cost and the funding mechanism Senator Angus King questioned the use of a reconciliation process outside the traditional appropriations route calling it âa huge mistakeâ and warning it reduces congressional oversightKing also pressed officials on whether the longstanding doctrine of nuclear deterrence remains sufficient Berkowitz responded that the current strategic environment is more complex than during the Cold War noting the presence of âmultiple nuclear armed rivalsâ with advanced missile capabilitiesHe argued that missile defence would complement deterrence providing âboth a sword and a shieldâ to strengthen security and protect civilians if deterrence failsOfficials described Guam as âan undisputable part of the homelandâ and a key hub in the IndoPacific Lieutenant General Frank Lozano said the Guam defence system is progressing on schedule with a projected cost of about 35 billionMilitary officials emphasised lessons from recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East pointing to the growing complexity and volume of missile threats Lieutenant General Heath Collins said the US has issued âhundreds of updatesâ to defence systems in response to realtime battlefield dataThey also acknowledged challenges in scaling production and maintaining interceptor inventories warning that sustained investment will be needed to meet future demand IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-lawmakers-push-golden-dome-plan-amid-rising-missile-threats-671411.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-flags-china-linked-illegal-pesticide-influx-671412.html Washington April 28 US regulators have stepped up efforts to block illegal pesticide imports including shipments linked to China the head of the Environmental Protection Agency told lawmakers EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the agency has made import enforcement a priority as it confronts what he described as unauthorised chemicals entering the US marketâWe have pesticides that come in from out of the countryâ we have pesticides that get dumped here from Chinaâ Zeldin told a congressional hearingHe said visits to farms revealed products with âChinese lettersâ on packaging calling it âeye openingâ to see how widespread foreignlinked inputs can beZeldin drew a distinction between legally imported pesticides that go through US registration and products that are smuggled or sold outside regulatory controlsâItâs another thing when youâre illegally dumpingâ pesticides into our countryâ he saidThe EPA has blocked âover 16 million pounds of illegal pesticides importsâ and stopped more than 500 shipments of noncompliant products since early 2025 Zeldin saidHe added that authorities have âcharged 65 criminal defendants for illegal smuggling and transnational organised criminal conductâThe comments came during a hearing on the Trump administrationâs proposed EPA budget where lawmakers debated funding cuts and regulatory prioritiesWhile most of the discussion focused on domestic policy the pesticide issue highlighted concerns about foreign supply chains and enforcement gapsZeldin said illegal imports hurt US farmers and undermine safety standards He said the agencyâs Office of Enforcement and Compliance has increased inspections and coordination with other agenciesâEPA is prepared to deliver even more results in fiscal year 27â he saidLawmakers did not directly challenge the Chinarelated remarks during the exchange But broader concerns about chemical safety and oversight surfaced repeatedly including questions about pesticide reviews and public health risksThe United States regulates pesticides through a federal approval process that requires testing and safety review Products that do not meet those standards are barred from sale Enforcement however can be difficult when shipments move through complex international supply chainsChina is one of the worldâs largest producers of pesticides US officials have raised concerns in the past about counterfeit or noncompliant products entering domestic markets often through indirect channels IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-flags-china-linked-illegal-pesticide-influx-671412.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/buy-america-push-in-us-congress-targets-china-imports-671415.html Washington April 28 Bipartisan legislation introduced in the US Senate seeks to tighten enforcement of domestic sourcing rules in federally funded infrastructure projects with lawmakers arguing that American taxpayer money is still supporting foreign manufacturers including strategic competitors like China Senators Tammy Baldwin and Jim Banks on April 27 unveiled the Build America Buy America Compliance Act aimed at closing implementation gaps in existing law and forcing federal agencies to fully apply domestic procurement standardsâTo me this is straightforward When we use American tax dollars we should be investing those dollars back into American workers products and businessesâ Baldwin said underscoring the intent behind the proposalBanks framed the measure in geopolitical terms saying âOur bill is common sense legislation that puts American workers and businesses first It makes sure your tax dollars support American manufacturers and not foreign adversaries like ChinaâThe legislation responds to concerns that years after passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law agencies have âpartially or fully avoidedâ implementing the Build America Buy America BABA Act for certain programmes As a result taxpayerfunded projects have continued to rely on imported materials according to the sponsorsUnder the proposal the head of each federal agency would be required to submit an annual report to the Made in America Office and Congress detailing how the BABA Act is being implemented The report must identify all infrastructurerelated financial assistance programmes and specify which are fully compliant and which are notFor programmes that have met the requirements agencies must document âall actions takenâ to comply and maintain existing domestic procurement standards For those that have not agencies would need to provide a timeline and specific steps to achieve compliance including efforts to replace broad waivers with âtargeted projectspecific waivers wherever possibleâThe bill also mandates that all such reports be published in the Federal Register a step intended to enhance transparency and accountability across federal departmentsThe legislative text further reflects congressional concern that earlier procurement rules were weakened by âwaivers and loopholesâ allowing significant portions of taxpayerfunded infrastructure spending to bypass domestic sourcing requirementsIndustry groups have backed the effort Scott Paul president of the Alliance for American Manufacturing said the lawâs original promise depends on consistent enforcement He said the new bill would bring âtransparency and accountability to the process by requiring agencies to clearly identify where Buy America requirements are being applied and where they are notâThe United Steelworkers union has also endorsed the measure aligning labour interests with the broader push to strengthen domestic supply chainsThe proposed legislation builds on the BABA Act enacted in 2021 as part of a major infrastructure spending package which requires that federally funded projects use Americanmade iron steel construction materials and manufactured products IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/buy-america-push-in-us-congress-targets-china-imports-671415.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/china-threat-drives-us-missile-defence-rethink-671418.html Washington April 28 Chinaâs expanding missile arsenal and evolving military capabilities are reshaping US defence planning with senior Pentagon officials telling lawmakers that Beijing remains the central strategic challenge driving a new generation of homeland missile defence Testifying before a Senate panel Assistant Secretary Marc Berkowitz said bluntly âChina is our pacing competitor we will deter China from a position of strengthâHe said Beijingâs growing capabilities are part of a wider trend in which US rivals are âexpanding diversifying and increasing the sophistication of their arsenals of missiles and aerial weaponsâ integrating them into operations designed to threaten American territory and interestsThe testimony placed China at the centre of the Pentagonâs push for a new layered missile defence architecture known as the âGolden Domeâ aimed at countering advanced threats including hypersonic and longrange cruise missilesBerkowitz warned that these systems â whether nuclear or conventional â pose âtruly grave threats to our homeland to the American population to our critical infrastructures and to our second strike capabilityâOfficials argued that Chinaâs approach goes beyond building offensive missile forces It also involves integrating strike systems with missile defences to deny US access and complicate military operations particularly in the IndoPacificThe US response Berkowitz said includes strengthening forwarddeployed missile defence networks These are centred on Aegis destroyers Terminal High Altitude Area Defense systems and Patriot batteries forming what he described as âa forward deployed layered integrated air and missile defence networkâSuch systems are designed to operate along key strategic zones including the first island chain where US forces seek to counter Chinese military expansion and maintain regional deterrenceGeneral Michael Guetlein said the nature of the threat has shifted significantly warning that the US can no longer rely on geographic distance as a buffer âThat distance has been quickly eroded by their technologyâ he told lawmakersHe said the new defence architecture would address both conventional and nuclearcapable threats including cruise missiles hypersonic weapons and unmanned aerial systemsLawmakers pressed officials on the scale of Chinaâs capabilities While specific figures remain classified Guetlein said the range of threats spans âfrom several hundred to several tens of thousandsâ depending on the systemThe discussion also reflected a broader shift in US strategic thinking Senator Angus King questioned whether traditional nuclear deterrence â which underpinned stability during the Cold War â remains sufficient in dealing with ChinaBerkowitz responded that the current environment differs fundamentally with âmultiple nuclear armed rivalsâ and increasingly sophisticated missile technologies requiring a combination of deterrence and active defenceHe said missile defence would complement the nuclear triad providing âboth a sword and a shieldâ to counter coercive threats and protect the homelandOfficials also emphasised the role of alliances noting that US partners must invest more in defence to strengthen collective security and interoperability particularly in regions facing Chinese military pressureChinaâs rapid military modernisation including advances in hypersonic weapons and integrated air defence systems has been a growing concern for Washington and its allies These developments have intensified competition in the IndoPacific where the US seeks to maintain strategic balance and freedom of navigation IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/china-threat-drives-us-missile-defence-rethink-671418.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korean-president-says-will-resolve-pending-issues-with-allies-through-mutual-respect-671459.html Seoul April 28 Issues between close allies should be resolved based on mutual respect and fundamental principles South Koreas President Lee Jae Myung said Tuesday Lee made the remarks during a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae stressing that cooperation with traditional allies should also be developedWe need the wisdom to build healthy futureoriented relations with traditional allies while resolving pending issues based on mutual respect common sense and principles he told the meetingI will also devote myself to diplomacy aimed at building genuine friendship with allies with confidence as a sovereign nation the president addedThe president did not provide the specific background but the remarks came amid diplomatic frictions over Washingtons reported complaints about Seouls handling of a massive information breach at Coupang a USlisted ecommerce firm and the disclosure by a Seoul minister that Kusong may be a North Korean uranium enrichment site reports Yonhap news agencyEarlier reports suggested that Washington has partially suspended information sharing on North Koreas nuclear facilities with Seoul over Unification Minister Chung Dongyoungs public reference to Kusong as a uranium enrichment site which it believes was based on USshared intelligenceThe minister has repeatedly clarified that his remarks on Kusong were based on publicly available sources not on any intelligence shared by the USPresident Lee also highlighted the militarys expanded selfreliant defence capability pledging to further increase defence spending to ensure standalone defence powerThe Lee administration seeks to regain wartime operational control of South Korean troops from Washington before its fiveyear term ends in 2030During the 195053 Korean War command authority was transferred to the US side with only peacetime control returned to Seoul in 1994 while wartime control remains with WashingtonSouth Koreas own defence capability excluding US Forces Korea is the worlds fifthlargest while its annual defence spending is 14 times North Koreas annual gross national product Lee said also noting that the countrys defence exports are the worlds fourthlargestEven now we have enough capability to defend ourselves on our own and going forward we will further increase defence expenditure the president said highlighting the need to make the public aware of this and not worry about national securityNoting the countrys real gross domestic product grew 17 per cent in the first quarter from three months earlier Lee stressed that the figure is nearly double the earlier estimate and that it marked an acceleration of the economic recovery trend that began in the second half of last yearStill external economic uncertainties linger due to the prolonged Middle East war while high oil prices pose risks to the real economy he said instructing officials to make allout efforts to sustain economic growth IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korean-president-says-will-resolve-pending-issues-with-allies-through-mutual-respect-671459.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 12:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-court-sentences-lawmaker-to-2-year-prison-term-over-unification-church-funds-row-671461.html Seoul April 28 An appeals court in South Korea on Tuesday sentenced Rep Kweon Seongdong of the main opposition People Power Party PPP to a twoyear prison term on charges of accepting illegal political funds from the Unification Church The Seoul High Court handed down the sentence after finding him guilty of accepting 100 million won US68000 in January 2022 from a church official seeking favours from the former administration of President Yoon Suk Yeol reports Yonhap news agencyThe sentence matched the ruling of a lower court in JanuaryThis case is far more serious than typical violations of the Political Funds Act making severe punishment inevitable a judge at the sentencing hearing said Even though the charges were corroborated by various evidence he denied the crime from the investigation stageThe court also ordered Kweon to forfeit 100 million won in line with the lower court rulingKweon a fiveterm lawmaker once known as one of Yoons close confidants had argued he met the church official for a meal but did not receive moneyHis lawyers had also claimed the case did not fall under the mandate of special counsel Min Joongkis team which indicted him while investigating various corruption allegations against former first lady Kim Keon HeeThe court dismissed the claimsKweon served as the PPPs floor leader until June 2025 He was placed under arrest in September and indicted the following monthMins team had requested a fouryear prison term and a forfeiture of 100 million won for KweonLawmakers are stripped of their parliamentary seats if they are sentenced to a fine of 1 million won or heavy punishment for violating the Political Funds ActShould the Supreme Court uphold his sentence following a widely anticipated appeal from Kweon the lawmaker would lose his seat in the National Assembly IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-court-sentences-lawmaker-to-2-year-prison-term-over-unification-church-funds-row-671461.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 12:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/unicef-warns-afghanistan-could-lose-over-25-000-female-teachers-healthcare-workers-by-2030-671468.html Kabul April 28 The United Nations International Childrens Emergency Fund UNICEF on Tuesday warned that Afghanistan risks losing up to 20000 women teachers and 5400 healthcare workers by 2030 amid continuing restrictions on girlsâ education and womenâs employment in the country In its latest analysis titled âThe Cost of Inaction on Girlsâ Education and Womenâs Labour Force Participation in Afghanistan the UNICEF said that female representation in the civil services fell from 21 per cent to 177 per cent between 2023 and 2025It cautioned that the declining number of trained women professionals in schools and hospitals across Afghanistan would have devastating consequences for childrens education health outcomes and future opportunitiesâRestrictions on girlsâ and womens education and work are already costing the country US84 million annually in lost economic output with losses compounding over time as they remain blocked from education and employmentâ UNICEF mentionedAccording to the UN agency removing women from teaching and healthcare services in Afghanistan â two sectors where they are permitted to work and critically needed â directly harms children as it will lead to fewer girls in schools and reduced care for women and childrenThe impact it said is particularly severe in healthcare where societal context often prevents women from receiving medical services from men while the declining number of female health workers will directly limit maternal newborn and child health servicesâAfghanistan cannot afford to lose future teachers nurses doctors midwives and social workers who sustain essential services This will be the reality if girls continue to be excluded from educationâ said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine RussellWe urge the de facto authorities to lift the ban on secondary education for girls and call on the international community to remain committed to supporting girlsâ rights to learnâ she addedUNICEF stated that Afghanistan is facing a dual crisisâthe loss of trained female professionals and the inability of the next generation to replace them As experienced women retire or leave the workforce it said girls remain barred from continuing their education and stepping into these roles Each year of delay costs Afghanistan another generation of skilled professionals the UN agency notedSince the Afghan Taliban barred girls from secondary education in September 2021 UNICEF said that one million girls have been denied their right to learn in a country that already has one of the lowest female literacy rates in the worldThe analysis indicated that if the ban persists until 2030 more than two million girls in Afghanistan will be deprived of their right to education beyond primary school It added that schools are already affected with the number of female teachers in basic education declining by over 9 per cent â from nearly 73000 in 2022 to around 66000 in 2024 IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/unicef-warns-afghanistan-could-lose-over-25-000-female-teachers-healthcare-workers-by-2030-671468.html Tue, 28 Apr 2026 13:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/false-flag-claims-spark-backlash-after-white-house-correspondents-dinner-shooting-671286.html Washington April 27 Prominent television hosts and journalists have pushed back against online claims that the White House Correspondentsâ Dinner shooting was staged They have called such assertions âdisturbingâ and reflective of a wider erosion of trust in the United States MS NOW host Eugene Daniels said he was alarmed by conspiracy theories circulating after shots were fired at the Washington Hilton on Saturday nightâOne thing that Iâm disturbed by as we woke up this morning is seeing folks on the internet say that this was a false flag that we are basically all in cahoots to do to say that this was stagedâ Daniels said on âThe WeekendâDescribing the moment inside the venue Daniels added âfor all of us who was in the room who had to jump on the ground who had to text our family and friends and tell them that we were okayâ to see people say those kinds of things it is frustrating and itâs disturbingâThe annual dinner attended by President Donald Trump for the first time in both his terms was abruptly halted as the president First Lady Melania Trump and other officials were ushered out following the gunfireAs details emerged some commentators suggested the shooting may have been preplanned Twitch streamer Hasan Piker wrote on X about the incident while former MSNBC host Katie Phang questioned the sequence of events saying âTrump is just lahdeedah fine after another alleged assassination attempt amp he demands âLET THE SHOW GO ONâ The âSHOWââAuthor Don Winslow also criticised the official account writing âIf you believe that BS last nightâ If you accept that utterly ridiculous storyâ You are stupid stupid STUPIDâ according to Fox NewsDaniels rejected those claims stressing the role of journalists in reporting verified information Fellow host Jonathan Capehart noted that conspiracy theories were emerging across the political spectrumâIâm hearing that from my social media pages from people on the left also thinking that this was stagedâ Capehart said adding that such reactions âfeels to me that there feels to be a lack of trust in this countryâAuthorities have identified the suspect as Cole Allen 31 of Torrance California who allegedly prepared a manifesto and expressed intent to target Trump administration officials according to law enforcement sources cited by Fox NewsThe suspect remains in custody as investigators examine his writings social media activity and possible motivesThe White House Correspondentsâ Dinner is an annual gathering of journalists policymakers and public figures traditionally seen as a celebration of press freedom The event has previously drawn large security deployments due to the presence of senior officials IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/false-flag-claims-spark-backlash-after-white-house-correspondents-dinner-shooting-671286.html Mon, 27 Apr 2026 08:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/libyan-pm-un-envoy-discuss-roadmap-toward-national-elections-671287.html Tripoli April 27 Libyan Prime Minister AbdulHamid Dbeibah held talks with a UN envoy to explore ways to move the country toward longdelayed national elections and end its political division Hanna Tetteh the UN secretarygenerals special representative for Libya briefed Dbeibah on a UNbacked roadmap aimed at unifying state institutions and preparing for direct elections said the governments Hakomitna news platformShe said the recent UNsponsored minidialogue falls within the first phase of the roadmap which focuses on finalising electoral laws and forming the board of the High National Elections CommissionDbeibah reaffirmed his governments support for efforts that propose practical and implementable solutions to preserve the path toward a civil state and stressed the need to move along clear tracks that would lead to the completion of electoral laws and proceed directly to elections with the aim of ending institutional division and respecting the will of votersFor her part Tetteh reiterated the UN missions continued support for consensusbuilding among Libyan parties and for creating favorable conditions to ensure the success of the political process and the holding of comprehensive elections Xinhua news agency reportedThe meeting comes amid growing public debate over unconfirmed reports about an alternative roadmap involving the restructuring of the executive authority which has been rejected by groups of activists in the city of Misrata who view such proposals as a threat to national sovereigntySince the 2011 fall of its former leader Muammar Gaddafi Libya has been split between the UNrecognised Government of National Unity in Tripoli and the eastern administration backed by the Libyan National Army under commander Khalifa HaftarEarlier on April 22 the UNs top envoy for Libya had said that a stalled political progress deteriorating economy and persistent institutional divisions are pushing the country toward deeper instability IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/libyan-pm-un-envoy-discuss-roadmap-toward-national-elections-671287.html Mon, 27 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/rising-food-gas-utility-costs-squeeze-americans-amid-tariff-war-concerns-671305.html Los Angeles April 27 Americans are feeling the strain as the cost of groceries gasoline and utilities continues to rise Economists say a onetwo punch of new US tariffs and a wardriven spike in global energy prices are pushing up everyday expenses and threatening to slow growth just as households had begun to regain some breathing room I feel betrayed Katie Peyrey a 66yearold struggling grandmother and caregiver from Burbank California told Xinhua news agencyShe is a minimum wage janitorial worker at a rehab facility who supports herself and her autistic grandson on minimum wage I voted for Donald Trump because he promised to make things better for us she saidShe said her household expenses including rent utilities groceries gas clothing taxes and healthcare for her grandson had totaled around 2300 per month before Trump came into office which she was barely able to cover with her meager income of 2400 dollars per monthBut now despite careful budgeting she feels increasing financial pressure My expenses have shot up to over 2500 a month and I cant make ends meet anymore she told XinhuaShe explained that she had borrowed as much as she could from family and friends who were going through similar hard times She feels her future looks bleakPeyrey is not alone in her concerns about the future Christian Devito a 34yearold health and safety worker at a largechain grocery store in Los Angeles told Xinhua his monthly bills have jumped by at least 15 per cent in the last three monthsLA is all spread out so commuting to work jumped from 50 a week to over 70 And my food and utility bills shot up too Thats killing me he complained First I just cut down on going to movies and getting haircuts but now I have to cut back on foodHe enjoys his job in health and safety but is concerned about the future if prices keep spiraling as the war in the Middle East drags on and tariffs drive inflation upThe latest US government data support his worries showing overall consumer prices are still rising with energy costs doing much of the damage In March energy prices jumped 109 per cent month over month led by a 212 per cent surge in gasoline according to the US Bureau of Labor StatisticsThat matters for consumer spending which powers about twothirds of the US economy and for the Federal Reserve Fed which has signaled it will keep interest rates higher for longer if price pressures broadenFor many families the mix is especially painful gasoline spikes hit commuters immediately higher utility bills arrive with a lag and food inflation even when modest overall tends to concentrate in staples Higher borrowing costs from credit cards to auto loans add another layer of strain as the Fed keeps rates elevated to keep inflation in checkI used to feel like 200 dollars at Costco could fill up your entire shopping cart but now it doesnt even cover the bottom Everything is getting more expensive Allen Wang told Xinhua at a Costco store in Azusa California adding Even a box of cat litter has gone up by 2 to 3 over the last 12 monthsTariffs are a key part of the renewed inflation debate A Fed analysis published in April estimated that tariffs implemented through November 2025 lifted core goods prices in the personal consumption expenditures index the Feds preferred inflation gauge by 31 per cent through February 2026 while researchers also found a dollarfordollar passthrough When tariffs raised retailers costs consumer prices rose by roughly the same amount over timeEconomists at the Peterson Institute for International Economics have warned that broad tariffs can function like a tax increase on households In a February 2025 analysis they estimated that tariffs announced on imports from Canada Mexico and China would cost the typical US household more than 1200 a year even before accounting for potential knockon effects such as higher prices from domestic producers competing with importsAt the same time energy cost spikes from the ongoing war with Iran can ripple through the economy well beyond the pump raising shipping and production expenses for everything from groceries to manufactured goodsFor now economists say the trajectory will hinge on how long energy markets stay disrupted and whether tariffs expand further or begin to ease The next CPI report due May 12 will offer an early read on whether April brought broader price increases beyond energy and whether Americans should brace for a longer stretch of sticker shock heading into the next yearI hope there is good news soon Peyrey told Xinhua We cant survive another year like this one IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/rising-food-gas-utility-costs-squeeze-americans-amid-tariff-war-concerns-671305.html Mon, 27 Apr 2026 11:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/salim-dolas-arrest-hits-isi-revenue-stream-india-plans-two-step-extradition-via-uae-671327.html New Delhi April 27 The arrest of Salim Dola who ran a Rs 5000 crore drug empire is a major blow to the Dawood Ibrahim Syndicate Dola was arrested in Turkey in a joint operation by the National Intelligence Organisation and police units India would seek his extradition as his interrogation would be crucial to further break up the Dawood Syndicate Indian agencies would coordinate with the United Arab Emirates UAE to seek his extradition as India does not have an extradition treaty with TurkeyAn official said that the first move would be to have him extradited to the United Arab Emirates since Dola holds a UAE passport Following this the Indian agencies would coordinate with their counterparts in the UAE and then have him extradited to IndiaDola was detained based on an Interpol Red Corner Notice RCN issued following a request by the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI He was wanted by the Mumbai police which sought to question him in multiple cases relating to narcotics smugglingAn official said that they are confident about the extradition Last year Dolaâs son Taher Dola was detained in the UAE following an operation conducted by the local authorities and Interpol Taher was extradited to India from the UAE in June 2025 A few months later Salim Mohammed Sohail Shaikh a key player in this cartel and a close aide of Dola was arrested in Dubai and extradited to IndiaThe arrest comes at a time when the agencies from across the country have launched a massive operation against drug cartels Officials are operating at multiple levels as they deal with threats from cartels from Pakistan Myanmar and also MexicoAn official said that dismantling the Dawood Syndicate is a high priority since it is the money that this cartel earns from narcotics smuggling which funds terror groups in Pakistan The ISI as part of its deal with the Dawood network gets 40 per cent of the money that the syndicate earns for each transactionAn Intelligence Bureau official said that the arrest of Dola will significantly weaken the Dawood syndicate operations in Mumbai Gujarat and Delhi The official said that Dolaâs arrest hurts the Dawood Syndicate in a major way especially when it comes to transnational operations and fundsDola was a big contributor to the syndicate and his arrest not just hurts the syndicate but also the ISIâs funds which it routes into terror groups that hurt Indiaâs interests Another official explained that going after the narco syndicates is also key in the fight against terrorWhile the Pakistanbased cartel funds terror groups in the country those operating in Myanmar fund insurgent groups in the northeast The drug cartels and terror groups are directly linked and the war on narcotics will directly impact the operations of terrorist groups the official addedThe arrest of Dola his son and close aide suggests that the network is gradually crumbling They were involved in running a transnational synthetic drug trafficking network which spanned several countries They had set up laboratories and factories in many parts of IndiaThe interrogation of Dola and his aides would lead the police to the production points which eventually would be eliminated The police would also gather information on his lineages with Dawood and the ISI elements who have been backing this network for long another official saidDola was born in Mumbai in 1966 and got close to the underworld at a very young age He worked closely with Dawoodâs righthand man Chhota Shakeel His operations began by supplying ghutkha following which he smuggled weed or marijuana He was arrested in 2012 by the Narcotics Control Bureau NCB after 80 grams of weed were found in his possession He was acquitted after spending five years in jailAfter his release he set up a drug manufacturing unit for a synthetic drug known as Button which is made using fentanyl In 2018 he was arrested once again in Santa Cruz Mumbai after 100 kg of fentanyl was seized from him However he was out on bail after four months as the forensic report said that the tested samples of fentanyl came back negative He fled to the UAE while he was out on bail IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/salim-dolas-arrest-hits-isi-revenue-stream-india-plans-two-step-extradition-via-uae-671327.html Mon, 27 Apr 2026 12:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/irans-fm-araghchi-arrives-in-st-petersburg-to-hold-talks-with-russian-president-putin-671353.html Moscow April 27 Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Russias St Petersburg on Monday to hold talks with President Vladimir Putin local media reported on Monday Upon arrival in St Petersburg Araghchi was received by Russian officials and Irans Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali According to Jalali Araghchi and President Putin are set to hold talks in St Petersburg on Monday Irans Islamic Republic News Agency IRNA reportedSpeaking to IRNA Jalali said discussions between Araghchi and President Putin will focus on developments after the joint strikes by the US and Israel against IranJalali said Araghchis visit is part of close consultations between Iran and Russia as the two nations have similar approaches to regional and international issues He further said that the Presidents of Iran and Russia have held three phone calls since the conflict began on February 28Araghchi arrived in Russia after concluding his visit to Oman amid the ongoing tensions in West AsiaEarlier the Iranian FM held a meeting with Omans Sultan Haitham bin Tariq discussing bilateral ties regional developments and ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the regional crisisDuring the meeting Araghchi briefed Omans Sultan about Irans stance on the latest developments of the conflict He expressed appreciation for Omans support for dialogue and promoting efforts aimed at enhancing security and stability in the region especially considering the current regional challenges Irans Press TV reportedSultan Haitham highlighted Omans stance on advancing mediation efforts that would increase the chances of reaching sustainable political solutions and mitigate the impact of crises on the people of the region He stressed the importance of using dialogue and diplomacy to resolve issuesIn a statement on X Irans Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei stated We are in Muscat for an official visit to the Sultanate of Oman FM Araghchiâs first to the region following the recent USIsraeli aggression which has impacted the broader region Iran continues to place great importance on its relations with Persian Gulf states and remains committed to strengthening mutual trust and constructive cooperation The OmanâIran relationship stands as a testament to Iranâs genuine pursuance of respectful and mutually beneficial relations with its neighbours in the SouthThe tensions in West Asia escalated after the US and Israel carried out a joint military operation against Iran on February 28 The joint military strikes killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei triggering a largescale military operation by Iran against Israel and the US bases in the Gulf nations The conflict also led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz which triggered a global energy crisis IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/irans-fm-araghchi-arrives-in-st-petersburg-to-hold-talks-with-russian-president-putin-671353.html Mon, 27 Apr 2026 14:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/nsa-ajit-doval-calls-on-uae-president-discusses-bilateral-ties-regional-situation-671244.html Abu Dhabi April 26 IANS National Security Advisor NSA Ajit Doval called on UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Sunday discussing measures to deepen Comprehensive Strategic Partnership the regional situation and other issues of mutual interestIn a post on X Indian Embassy in the UAE stated NSA Ajit Doval paid an official visit to the UAE He called on President HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Conveyed greetings of PM Narendra Modi Measures to deepen Comprehensive Strategic Partnership the regional situation and other issues of mutual interest were discussedThis is the second high level visit from India to UAE after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankars twoday visit earlier this monthEarlier this month EAM Jaishankar called on UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi and conveyed greetings of Prime Minister Narendra ModiDuring 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 DubaiOn April 11 EAM Jaishankar 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 ppreciation 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 there During his interaction he highlighted the Indian governments ongoing efforts towards the security and wellbeing of its nationals amidst the West Asia conflictThe tensions in West Asia escalated after the US and Israel carried out a joint military operation against Iran on February 28 The joint military strikes killed the former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei triggering a largescale military operation by Iran against Israel and the US bases in the Gulf nations The conflict also led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz which triggered a global energy crisisIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/nsa-ajit-doval-calls-on-uae-president-discusses-bilateral-ties-regional-situation-671244.html Sun, 26 Apr 2026 16:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-pushes-ballroom-plan-after-shooting-671258.html Washington April 26 IANS President Donald Trump has renewed his push for a secure White House ballroom following the shooting at the annual White House Correspondents Dinner here on Saturday asserting that the incident exposed vulnerabilities in hosting highprofile events outside the presidential complexnbspSpeaking hours after being evacuated from the Washington Hilton Trump said the attack underscored the need for a permanent highly secure venue within the White House groundsnbspWhat happened last night is exactly the reason that our great Military Secret Service Law Enforcement have been DEMANDING that a large safe and secure Ballroom be built ON THE GROUNDS OF THE WHITE HOUSE he said on Truth SocialHe added that the shooting would never have unfolded in such a facility and described the proposed venue as having every highest level security feature there isnbspTrump has been advocating the construction of a 90000squarefoot ballroom on the White House grounds a project currently facing legal challenges He said those obstacles should now be removednbspIt cannot be built fast enough he said adding that the venue would be located inside the gates of the most secure building in the WorldThe proposal has been under scrutiny for months with courts reviewing whether proper approvals were followed According to Fox News Trump has called for legal challenges to be dropped immediately arguing the project is necessary for national securitynbspThe annual White House Correspondents Dinner has traditionally been held at the Washington Hilton due to space limitations at the White House The event draws journalists senior officials and celebrities making it one of the most prominent gatherings in the US political calendarTrump criticised the current venue describing it as less secure compared to a purposebuilt facility Its not a particularly secure building he said during a press conference following the incidentnbspThe President praised the response of security personnel crediting the Secret Service and law enforcement agencies with preventing a more serious outcomenbspYou saw the very best you saw law enforcement do exactly what theyre supposed to do Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said during the briefingTrump said he initially wanted to continue the event despite the shooting but was advised to evacuate I fought like hell to stay he said adding that the dinner would be reschedulednbspThe ballroom proposal has long been debated in Washington with supporters citing enhanced security and critics raising concerns about cost and the impact on the historic White House complexnbspAccording to The Washington Post Trump and his allies have increasingly used the shooting to strengthen their case for the project arguing that largescale events require more controlled environmentsSaturdays incident has brought renewed urgency to that debate as policymakers weigh how best to secure gatherings involving top leadershipnbspThe White House has hosted major events for decades but it has never had a dedicated ballroom of this scale The proposed facility would represent a significant expansion of the complexIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-pushes-ballroom-plan-after-shooting-671258.html Sun, 26 Apr 2026 22:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/netanyahu-orders-intensified-strikes-on-hezbollah-targets-in-lebanon-671177.html Jerusalem April 26 Prime Minister Netanyahu has ordered the Israel Defense Forces to vigorously attack Hezbollah targets in Lebanon said the Government Press Office of Israelâ He said that he had promised to change the face of the Middle East and that this is exactly what is being doneâHe added that first and foremost in Iran he had an excellent conversation with President Trump who is applying very strong pressure on Iran both economically and militarilyâHe said that they are operating in full cooperationâHe further stated that the same applies to Lebanon and that a process has begun to achieve a historic peace between Israel and LebanonâHe added that it is clear that Hezbollah is trying to sabotage thisâThe message also mentioned that they are maintaining full freedom of action against any threat including emerging onesâNetanyahu said that they attacked yesterday and today and are determined to restore security to the residents of the NorthâEarlier today the Israel Defense Forces said that they eliminated a terrorist who infiltrated the territory of the State of Israel on October 7âThe Israel Defense Forces also reported that a stockpile of antitank missiles belonging to the Hezbollah terror organisation was located by the forces of the 146th Division in southern LebanonâThe Israel Defense Forces also struck buildings used by the Hezbollah terror organisation including the Radwan Force unit for military purposes and a warehouse used to store combat equipment south of the forward defence lineâThe Air Force successfully intercepted a suspicious aerial target launched from the direction of Lebanon towards Israeli territory after alerts were activated in several areas in the northern part of the country said the Israel Defense Forces earlier in the dayâThe Israel Defense Forces also stated that they struck launchers of the Hezbollah terror organisation in the areas of Dir alZahrani Kafr Reman and AlSamiya in southern Lebanon north of the forward defence lineâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/netanyahu-orders-intensified-strikes-on-hezbollah-targets-in-lebanon-671177.html Sun, 26 Apr 2026 08:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-military-says-iran-blockade-continues-to-be-fully-implemented-671178.html Washington April 26 US military forces continue to enforce US sanctions and fully implement the blockade against ships entering or departing Iranian ports US Central Command said on social media In a post on X the US Central Command said that 37 vessels have been redirected since the start of the blockade noting a merchant vessel named Sevan intercepted in the Arabian Sea earlier Saturday by the US forces is currently complying with US military direction to turn back to Iran under escortUS President Donald Trump announced on April 12 that the US Navy would begin blocking ships trying to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz His decision came after the first round of USIranian talks on April 11 and 12 in Islamabad Pakistan failed to produce a peace dealIn response to Trumps announcement Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned that any threat against the security of the Strait of Hormuz will have largescale consequences for global tradeOn Saturday Irans main military command Khatam alAnbiya Central Headquarters reiterated its pledge to react if the United States continues its blockade banditry and piracy in the West Asia region Xinhua news agency reportedTrump announced earlier Saturday that he has canceled the trip of US representatives going to Islamabad this weekend for talks with the Iranian sideIn his short post on Truth Social Trump did not make any fresh threats against Iran but said âWe have all the cards they have none If they want to talk all they have to do is callââToo much time wasted on travelling too much work Besides which there is tremendous infighting and confusion within their âleadershipââ he saidThe split in Iranâs leadership between moderates and hardliners came to the fore last week when Araghchi considered a moderate declared on Friday that the Strait of Hormuz was open only to have the hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps IRGC reinstate it on SaturdayAfter attempts at restarting the stalled negotiations in Islamabad last weekend and earlier this week failed Trump extended the ceasefire indefinitely but kept the Naval blockade of Iranian ports IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-military-says-iran-blockade-continues-to-be-fully-implemented-671178.html Sun, 26 Apr 2026 08:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/iran-vows-to-react-if-us-continues-blockade-banditry-in-region-671181.html Tehran April 26 Irans main military command Khatam alAnbiya Central Headquarters vowed to react if the United States continues its blockade banditry and piracy in the West Asia region It made the announcement in a statement carried by Iranian media while pointing to the US naval blockade imposed on the Strait of Hormuz which prevents vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports from transiting the waterway and actions against Iranbound ships over the past few days Xinhua news agency reportedIt called on the United States to know that Irans armed forces are more powerful and prepared than before to defend the countrys national sovereignty and interests as well as territorial integrity adding the US army experienced part of Irans power and offensive capabilities during the recent warIt said Irans armed forces are ready and determined to while monitoring the enemies behavior and movements in the region and continuing their management and control over the Strait of Hormuz inflict more severe damage on the US and Israeli enemies if they repeat their aggressionAlso on Saturday Saudi statelinked Al Arabiya News citing a source reported that Iran will not acquiesce to negotiations involving red lines set by the United StatesThe developments came as Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Saturday conveyed Irans considerations and views regarding the end of the war in a meeting with Pakistans Army Chief Asim Munir the semiofficial Tasnim news agency reportedAraghchi who arrived in Pakistans capital Islamabad Friday night at the head of a diplomatic delegation also exchanged views with Munir on the latest developments pertaining to a ceasefire with the United States and Israel and the end of the war as well as the expansion of bilateral cooperation to strengthen peace and stability in the West Asia region the report saidIran had tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz since February 28 when it barred passage to vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States after the two countries joint strikes on Iranian territoryA ceasefire was achieved between Iran the United States and Israel on April 8 after 40 days of fighting followed by lengthy talks between Iranian and US delegations in Islamabad on April 1112 which failed to yield an agreement The United States later imposed its own blockade on the waterwayIranian and US delegations were reportedly expected to hold another round of peace talks in Pakistan this week but Iran refrained from attending negotiations citing the US continued naval blockade and excessive demands as the main reasons IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/iran-vows-to-react-if-us-continues-blockade-banditry-in-region-671181.html Sun, 26 Apr 2026 08:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/relieved-that-prez-trump-first-lady-vp-vance-are-safe-pm-modi-after-shooting-incident-671201.html New Delhi April 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed relief that US President Donald Trump First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President JD Vance were unharmed after a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents Dinner Condemning the incident he further stated that violence has no place in a democracyTrump and several senior US officials were evacuated from the annual White House Correspondents Dinner in Washington on Saturday night local time after multiple gunshots were reportedSecret Service agents and other security personnel rushed into the banquet hall as panic spread among attendees Guests reportedly took cover under tables while security officers urged people to duckIn a post on X PM Modi said Relieved to learn that President Trump the First Lady and Vice President are safe and unharmed following the recent security incident at a Washington DC hotel I extend my best wishes for their continued safety and wellbeing Violence has no place in a democracy and must be unequivocally condemnedFollowing the incident Trump shared an update on social media confirming that the situation had been brought under control and praising the swift response of security agencies He indicated that the suspect had been apprehended and said any decision regarding the continuation of the event would be made by law enforcement authoritiesQuite an evening in DC Secret Service and Law Enforcement did a fantastic job They acted quickly and bravely The shooter has been apprehended and I have recommended that we let the show go on but will entirely be guided by Law Enforcement They will make a decision shortly Regardless of that decision the evening will be much different than planned and well just plain have to do it again Trump posted on Truth SocialSeveral individuals present at the event said they heard what sounded like five to eight gunshots The hall packed with hundreds of journalists celebrities and political leaders awaiting the Presidents address was quickly evacuated National Guard personnel were deployed inside the venue and attendees were escorted out but not allowed to reenter Security remained extremely tight in the surrounding areaInvestigators have identified the suspect in the shooting near the White House Correspondents Association dinner as a 31yearold man from California believed to have acted alone and now facing multiple federal charges linked to firearms and the attackLaw enforcement officials cited in The New York Times identified the suspect as Cole Tomas Allen 31 of Torrance California who was taken into custody after attempting to breach a security checkpoint at the Washington HiltonAuthorities said the attacker was armed with multiple weapons and attempted to push past security before being tackled by law enforcement The suspect fired several rounds before being subdued inside the hotel complex just meters away from the ballroomPresident Trump speaking at a press conference described the attacker as a sick person and said early indications suggested a lone actor He added that investigators were already searching the suspects residence in California and reviewing his backgroundFederal officials have not yet publicly detailed a motive Trump said They seemed to think hes a lone wolf and I feel that too while cautioning that more information would emerge as the investigation progresses IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/relieved-that-prez-trump-first-lady-vp-vance-are-safe-pm-modi-after-shooting-incident-671201.html Sun, 26 Apr 2026 10:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/a-dangerous-profession-many-us-presidents-have-faced-assassination-attempts-671206.html New York April 26 Its a dangerous professionâ US President Donald Trump said when a reporter asked him about the latest assassination attempt against him It indeed is He has faced three assassination attempts the latest on Saturday with one attempt during his presidential campaign injuring him Like him many US presidents have come under violent attacks and four were killedOn July 13 2024 when Trump was campaigning for presidents elections in Pennsylvania he had a miraculous escape with the bullet only grazing his ear as he tilted his head to look at a chart projected on a giant screenIt fatally struck a man on the stage behind him and the gunman who fired at him at the openair venue from a nearby building was killed by a Secret Service sharpshooter There was a furore over the security lapse and several Secret Service personnel faced action Two months later on September 15 2024 a man was discovered hidden in the shrubbery with a rifle at the fence around Trumpâs golf course in Florida A Secret Service agent fired at him but he fled and was later captured put on trial and sentenced in February to life in prison Like many politicians across the ideological spectrum and judges and other officials Trump continually gets death threats in a sharply polarised nation The Hilton Hotel where Saturdays attempt against Trump took place featured in another presidential assassination attempt It was against Ronald Reagan who was shot and wounded in March 1981 outside the hotel Reagan suffered a puncture to his lung in the attack by a man who was declared insane and escaped trial The man John Hinckley claimed he tried to kill Reagan to impress the actress Jodie Foster on whom he had a fixation John F Kennedy was a presidential victim to die He was killed in Dallas Texas on November 22 1963 by an American who had defected to the Soviet Union and returned to the US That man Lee Harvey Oswald was in turn killed by Jack Ruby who was said to be angry at him but it gave rise to several conspiracy theories Oswald shot Kennedy from a building while the president was riding in an open car John Kennedyâs brother Robert was killed five years later in California while he was campaigning for the Democratic Partyâs presidential nomination Gerald Ford came close to being killed by a member of a cult in September 1975 in California But the gun pointed at him from a close range failed and the woman wielding it spent 34 years in prison for it An Indian origin man Sai Varshith Kandula who rammed a truck at a barrier to the White House in May 2023 said he planned to kill Joe Biden and take over the country He had a Nazi flag in his truck and expressed admiration for Adolf Hitler He was sentenced to eight years in prison President Abraham Lincoln was the first president to be assassinated He was shot dead on April 18 1865 inside a Washington theatre Lincoln had led the nation in the Civil War in which he defeated the secessionist states that opposed the abolition of slavery Other presidents killed are James Garfield in 1881 and William McKinley in 1901 IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/a-dangerous-profession-many-us-presidents-have-faced-assassination-attempts-671206.html Sun, 26 Apr 2026 11:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/measles-claims-lives-of-71-children-in-pakistan-in-four-months-of-2026-671213.html Islamabad April 26 As many as 71 children including 40 in Sindh have died due to measles in the first four months of 2026 local media reported on Sunday Among the 71 children who have died due to measles in Pakistan Sindh topped the list with 40 deaths followed by 12 each in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and four in Balochistan in the first four months of 2026 according to the official statistics Pakistans leading daily Dawn reported As many as 4541 measles cases have been reported in Pakistan in the first four months of 2026 with 1712 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 1198 in Punjab 1183 in Sindh 17 in Balochistan 55 in Islamabad 151 in Pakistanoccupied Kashmir and 45 in Pakistanoccupied GilgitBaltistanMeanwhile the sources said polio continues to remain a challenge in Pakistan with the continued prevalence of the disease amid security concerns for vaccinators In 2026 one polio cases was detected in Sindhs Sujawal Pakistan reported 74 polio cases in 2024 while 31 cases were reported in 2025 Sindh recorded nine cases of polio in 2025 with nearly 80 per cent of environmental samples testing positive for the virus Dawn reported Recently Sindh Chief Minister noted that there was significant progress in battling polio with environmental positivity rates reducing to 24 per cent Khalid Shafi representing the Pakistan Paediatric Association said While the government continues its efforts there are multiple challenges with respect to routine immunisation The most important one is vaccine hesitancy He called for making strategies to aware people about vaccinating children against polioOn April 13 a police constable was killed and four others injured after law enforcement party heading to provide security for polio teams in Hangu district of Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa local media reported The incident happened in Thall tehsil of Hangu on the first day of vaccination campaign scheduled for April 1319 In a statement the Hangu District police said that unidentified assailants opened fire on a police party killing a police personnel and injuring four others Dawn reportedThe injured police personnel were rushed to the hospital for the treatment Following the incident a search operation was initiated in the area to find the attackersPakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries in the world where Wild Poliovirus remains endemic Polio workers in Pakistan have been frequently targetted in attacks particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and BalochistanIn February a police personnel was killed when unidentified assailants opened fire on a police vaccination team in Chaman district of Pakistans Balochistan IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/measles-claims-lives-of-71-children-in-pakistan-in-four-months-of-2026-671213.html Sun, 26 Apr 2026 13:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/capac-lawmakers-condemn-trumps-post-on-indian-chinese-immigrants-671071.html Washington April 25 Lawmakers from the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus CAPAC and other political leaders have strongly condemned a social media post by President Donald Trump targeting Indian and Chinese immigrants calling it racist divisive and dangerous In a joint statement CAPAC Chair Grace Meng alongside lawmakers including Ted Lieu Judy Chu Ami Bera Suhas Subramanyam Pramila Jayapal Raja Krishnamoorthi and Shri Thanedar said they were âdeeply outragedâ by remarks referring to India and China as âhellholesâ and immigrants as âgangsters with laptopsââAt a time when hate incidents against South Asian communities are on the rise and one in four Americans view Chinese Americans as a threat this kind of rhetoric pours fuel on an already dangerous fireâ the lawmakers saidThey added that the remarks reflect âa disturbing pattern of the President legitimizing bigotryâ and accused the administration of endorsing individuals who had called to ânormalize Indian hateâ and urged people to ânever trust a Chinaman or IndianââThose who become American by birthright are just as American as anyone elseâ the statement said calling on the president âto serve all Americans with dignity and respect not just those he deems worthyâCongressman Ted Lieu in a separate slammed Trump for this âDuring WWII over 100000 Americans were torn from their homes and forcibly incarcerated in US internment camps because they were deemed disloyalâ he said âThe message was clear Japanese Americans could never truly belongââFor much of US history Asian Americans have been cast as forever foreignersâ Lieu said adding that Trumpâs post âclaims there is âno loyaltyâ among todayâs immigrants singling out Indian and Chinese communities specificallyâLieu also highlighted personal experience âI came to this country with my family at three years oldâ he said noting his military service and public career âImmigrants make our country great Nothing trump says will change thatâOther political figures echoed the criticism Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said âChinese Americans and Indian Americans are valuable members of our communities President Trumps hateful message about fellow Americans is truly despicableâJayapal described the post as âdisgusting insulting and rooted in white supremacyâ adding âBirthright citizenship is foundational to Americaâno amount of racism or xenophobia from Trump can change thatâRepresentative Greg Stanton warned that such comments âare designed to divide us and normalize hatred toward our neighboursâ noting that âhate crimes against South Asian communities are already on the riseâThe Hindu American Foundation also criticised the rhetoric saying it had âserious implicationsâ and reaffirming that âAsian Americans are integral to the fabric of this country driving its economy strengthening its institutions and enriching its societyâThe controversy comes amid broader debates in the United States over immigration citizenship and racial identity Asian American communities including Indian Americans have in recent years reported increased incidents of hate and discrimination particularly during periods of political polarisation IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/capac-lawmakers-condemn-trumps-post-on-indian-chinese-immigrants-671071.html Sat, 25 Apr 2026 07:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-bill-proposes-three-year-suspension-of-h-1b-visas-671072.html Washington April 25 A group of Republican lawmakers has introduced legislation to pause the issuance of H1B visas for three years and overhaul the programme arguing it has disadvantaged American workers The proposed âEnd H1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026â introduced by Eli Crane seeks to reset the visa system before resuming it with stricter rulesâThe federal government should work for hardworking citizens not the profit margins of massive corporations We owe it to the American people to prevent the broken H1B system from boxing them out of jobs they are qualified to performâ Crane saidHe added the bill âwould provide greater access to employment strengthen protocols in the visa process and prioritise the livelihoods of AmericansâThe legislation has drawn support from several Republican lawmakers including Brandon Gill Paul Gosar and Andy OglesâI am proud to cosponsor Rep Eli Craneâs efforts to reform and tighten our H1B visa system ensuring that our immigration system serves American workers first before foreignersâ Gill saidThe bill proposes sweeping changes It would cut the annual H1B cap from 65000 to 25000 and eliminate exemptions It would replace the lottery system with a wagebased selection process and set a minimum salary of 200000 per yearEmployers would be required to certify they cannot find a qualified American worker and confirm they have not carried out layoffs The bill would also bar H1B workers from holding multiple jobs and prohibit thirdparty staffing agencies from employing themFurther provisions include banning H1B workers from bringing dependents ending the Optional Practical Training OPT programme and preventing visa holders from transitioning to permanent residencyâThe H1B program has been hijacked to replace American workers with cheaper foreign laborâplain and simple This bill slams the brakes on a system thatâs rigged against our own people and puts American jobs first againâ Gosar saidOgles struck a sharper tone saying âAmerican workers are being replaced and cheap foreign labor is the cause We will not bow down to the corporations and we will not let Americans become strangers in their own country End the H1B scamâThe proposal also seeks to ensure nonimmigrant visas remain temporary by requiring holders to leave the United States before changing to another visa status and prohibiting federal agencies from sponsoring such workersRosemary Jenks cofounder of the Immigration Accountability Project described it as âthe strongest H1B bill that has ever been introduced in CongressââH1B visas were sold to the American people as a shortterm visa to fill temporary labor gaps while Americans are trained to take those jobs This bill makes that a realityâ she said citing provisions such as reducing caps raising wage thresholds and ending thirdparty employmentThe H1B visa programme allows US companies to hire foreign workers in specialised occupations particularly in technology and engineering sectors Indian nationals have historically been the largest beneficiaries of these visas forming a significant share of the highskilled workforce in the United StatesThe programme has long been a point of political debate in Washington with critics arguing it undercuts domestic wages while industry groups maintain it fills critical skill shortages and supports innovation in the US economy IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-bill-proposes-three-year-suspension-of-h-1b-visas-671072.html Sat, 25 Apr 2026 07:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-seeks-to-strip-citizenship-of-convicted-pakistani-predator-671073.html Washington April 25 The US Justice Department has filed a civil complaint to revoke the citizenship of a Pakistanborn man convicted of sexually grooming and abusing a minor alleging he obtained naturalisation by concealing his crimes and giving false testimony The case targets Hassan Sherjil Khan who was granted US citizenship in May 2013 despite what prosecutors describe as years of criminal conduct involving a child The government argues his citizenship was âillegally procuredâ and must be revoked under federal lawCourt filings show Khan met the victim online in 2007 when she was 11 Over several years he used internet chats and video calls to coerce her into sending sexually explicit images and engaging in sexual activityIn April 2012 prosecutors say Khan travelled from the United States to England where the victim lived and engaged in sexual acts with her when she was 15 and he was 24During his later plea hearing Khan admitted his actions âI knew that my conduct was not only illegal but morally wrong and Iâm deeply regretful of that conduct your Honorâ he told the courtThe Justice Department said Khan continued to exploit the victim online until at least 2013 and contacted her repeatedly even after she asked him to stopDespite this conduct Khan applied for naturalisation in August 2012 In his application and subsequent interview he stated he had never committed a crime for which he had not been arrested a claim prosecutors now say was falseâNaturalization and US citizenship will not protect sexual predators from the consequences of their horrific actsâ said Assistant Attorney General Brett A Shumate âIf you fail to disclose serious crimes while seeking naturalization the government will discover your lies and revoke your illgotten US citizenshipâThe complaint argues Khan lacked the âgood moral characterâ required for citizenship because he had committed crimes involving moral turpitude and later lied under oath during the naturalisation processProsecutors further allege he secured citizenship through âwillful misrepresentationâ and concealment of material facts which would have disqualified him had they been disclosedKhan was arrested in 2015 after the victim reported the abuse In January 2016 he pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor He was sentenced to 17 years in prison and remains incarcerated with a projected release date of July 2029At the time of his arrest he was working as a physician according to the Justice DepartmentThe government has asked the court to cancel Khanâs naturalisation certificate revoke his citizenship and bar him from claiming any rights associated with US nationality The allegations in the civil complaint have not yet been adjudicatedDenaturalisation cases in the United States are rare and typically pursued in instances of fraud war crimes or serious criminal conduct concealed during the immigration process Under federal law courts are required to revoke citizenship if it is found to have been illegally obtained or secured through misrepresentation IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-seeks-to-strip-citizenship-of-convicted-pakistani-predator-671073.html Sat, 25 Apr 2026 07:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/fuel-surge-hits-airlines-sparks-us-clash-671074.html Washington April 25 Surging jet fuel prices linked to the Iran conflict are forcing US airlines to cut flights and raise fares triggering a sharp exchange in Congress over energy policy and cuts to alternative fuel programmes At a Senate hearing Maria Cantwell pressed Energy Secretary Chris Wright on rising costs and the administrationâs decision to scale back incentives for sustainable aviation fuelâFront page of the Seattle Times this morning â flights canceled because of the high cost of jet fuelâ Cantwell said She added that Alaska Airlines is expected to spend hundreds of millions more on fuel this quarterThe airline has already announced cuts to its spring schedule as it struggles to absorb higher fuel costsIndustry data show jet fuel prices have jumped from about 100 per barrel late last year to above 200 this month before easing slightlyCantwell tied the pressure on airlines to policy decisions She criticised cuts to tax credits aimed at boosting sustainable aviation fuel productionâYoure cutting the hydrogen program And in the Big Beautiful Bill they cut the sustainable tax credit in value And so youre really crippling the next generation of jet fuelâ she saidShe urged the administration to back efforts to reduce dependence on Middle East oilâLets get out of the way of diversifying our fuel source so that were not so dependent on Middle East oilâ Cantwell saidWright said higher prices are a concern but defended the administrationâs approachâAbsolutely and so do I I would say it is frustrating to see a little bit higher energy prices right now Theyre still well lower than they were four years agoâ he saidCantwell pushed back âTheres nobody in the Northwest who thinks whats going on right now is okay not when they wake up and airline flights are being canceled because of high fuel costsâ she saidWright said alternative fuels remain expensive and face infrastructure limits He said sustainable aviation fuels are âmeaningful drivers of upward prices for jet fuelsâ and pointed to high production costs and limited transport networksCantwell argued earlystage technologies need government support to scale She said cutting incentives risks slowing innovation in aviation energyThe dispute comes as fuel costs rise across the economy Diesel prices have climbed sharply and petrol prices have increased over the past year raising travel and transport costsAirlines are already passing on higher costs through fares and fees More disruptions are likely if prices stay elevated IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/fuel-surge-hits-airlines-sparks-us-clash-671074.html Sat, 25 Apr 2026 07:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-sanctions-china-refinery-over-iran-oil-trade-671075.html Washington April 25 The United States imposed sanctions on a Chinabased refinery and dozens of vessels linked to Iranâs oil trade stepping up pressure on Tehranâs energy revenues The Treasury Department said its Office of Foreign Assets Control Office of Foreign Assets Control targeted Hengli Petrochemical Dalian Refinery Co Ltd describing it as one of Iranâs largest buyers of crude oil and petroleum productsâEconomic Fury is imposing a financial stranglehold on the Iranian regime hampering its aggression in the Middle East and helping to curtail its nuclear ambitionsâ Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent saidThe move also targets about 40 shipping firms and vessels linked to what US officials call Iranâs âshadow fleetâ The Treasury said these ships transport oil and petrochemicals to global markets providing a financial lifeline to Iranâs governmentâAt President Trumpâs direction Treasury will continue to constrict the network of vessels intermediaries and buyers Iran relies on to move its oil to global marketsâ Bessent said referring to Donald Trump âAny person or vessel facilitating these flowsâthrough covert trade and financeârisks exposure to US sanctionsâTreasury officials said Chinaâs independent refineries known as âteapotsâ purchase most of Iranâs crude oil Hengli identified as Chinaâs secondlargest such refinery has bought âbillions of dollarsâ worthâ of Iranian petroleumThe statement said Hengli has received shipments linked to sanctioned vessels and to Iranâs Armed Forces General Staff through Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars Company generating âhundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for the Iranian militaryâIn a parallel move the US sanctioned 19 vessels accused of transporting billions of dollars in Iranian crude oil liquefied petroleum gas and other petrochemical products These vessels operated under flags from jurisdictions including Panama Hong Kong and BarbadosSome tankers were cited for delivering millions of barrels of Iranian oil to China while others transported cargoes to the United Arab Emirates and Bangladesh The Treasury said the vessels engaged in activities such as shiptoship transfers to conceal the origin of the oilThe action was taken under Executive Order 13902 which targets Iranâs petroleum and petrochemical sectors It forms part of a broader campaign of economic pressure on Tehranâs oil exports and financial networksSince February 2025 the Treasury said it has sanctioned more than 1000 Iranrelated individuals entities vessels and aircraft as part of that campaignUnder US law all property and interests of designated entities within US jurisdiction are blocked Transactions involving these parties are generally prohibited for US persons and foreign entities risk penalties for facilitating such activityThe Treasury warned that violations could lead to civil or criminal penalties It also said financial institutions and others could face sanctions exposure for engaging in transactions involving designated entities IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-sanctions-china-refinery-over-iran-oil-trade-671075.html Sat, 25 Apr 2026 07:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-treasury-official-says-sanctions-key-tool-to-block-adversaries-from-american-financial-system-671076.html Washington April 25 US Treasury Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing Jonathan Burke has told lawmakers that sanctions remain a central tool to cut off adversaries from the American financial system and disrupt illicit activity âSanctions can be useful to isolate those sanctions targets and make sure they donât have access to the US financial systemâ Burke told lawmakersTestifying before a House subcommittee Burke said sanctions serve both as a direct enforcement tool and as a deterrent He said they can be used to block financial flows freeze assets and limit access to global marketsâOne of those is disruptionâ he said explaining that sanctions help protect the US financial system from exposure to illicit actorsHe added that even the threat of sanctions can influence behaviour âThe prospect of sanctionsâ can be effective at changing behaviour of various actorsâ Burke saidBurke said Treasury is working to ensure sanctions are applied in a targeted and strategic way He acknowledged that implementation remains complex especially as adversaries adopt new methods to evade restrictionsâAdversaries are also using increasingly sophisticated methods to evade sanctionsâ he said citing shell companies digital assets and alternative payment systemsHe said Treasury is reviewing how sanctions lists are managed to improve effectiveness âWeâre looking at how can we make the list most effectiveâ Burke said adding that designations must be aligned with national security prioritiesThe official also pointed to challenges faced by financial institutions which must screen transactions against large sanctions listsâCurrent compliance practicesâ often generate high volumes of false positives and divert resources from higher risk threatsâ he saidBurke said the department is moving toward a riskbased approach to enforcement That would allow institutions to focus more resources on higherrisk activityâItâs important thatâ resources are spent against higher risk activities and less resources spent against lower risk activitiesâ he saidHe said the effectiveness of sanctions should be judged by outcomes not volume âWe donât want to measure the impact of sanctions by how many names we put on a listâ Burke saidLawmakers used the hearing to question the consistency of US sanctions policy and its impact on global markets Some raised concerns about enforcement gaps and the need for clearer strategyBurke said sanctions remain one tool among many and must be used alongside diplomacy and law enforcement âSanctions can be used for different reasons and to complement other toolsâ he saidSanctions have become a key element of US foreign policy targeting terrorism financing nuclear programmes and organised crime networks Over time their use has expanded to include cybercrime and financial fraud IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-treasury-official-says-sanctions-key-tool-to-block-adversaries-from-american-financial-system-671076.html Sat, 25 Apr 2026 07:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-key-to-indo-pacific-strategy-says-us-indopacom-commander-671077.html Washington April 25 India is emerging as a key pillar in the US strategy to counter China in the IndoPacific with top American military leadership highlighting expanding defence ties and growing coordination with New Delhi Admiral Samuel Paparo head of US IndoPacific Command told lawmakers this week that engagement with India remains a priority describing the relationship as on an upward trajectory and among his most active military partnershipsHis remarks come as Washington sharpens its focus on Chinas military rise and seeks to deepen ties with regional partners to maintain balance in the IndoPacificIn his testimony Paparo said the USIndia security relationship has seen transformative growth through increasingly complex military exercises defence sales and strategic dialogue under the Major Defence Partnership frameworkHe pointed to expanding cooperation in areas such as maritime security and underwater domain awareness including Indias planned acquisition of MQ9B drones through Foreign Military SalesPaparo described India as a stabilising force in the region saying it continues to be a source of stability within South Asia while strengthening strategic partnerships and defence cooperation across the Indian OceanHe cited Indias growing regional role including investments in Sri Lanka and agreements with Mauritius aimed at boosting maritime cooperation and ensuring strategic infrastructure remains free of adversarial influencesThe IndoPacific commander also highlighted Indias participation in multilateral groupings such as the Quad alongside the United States Japan and Australia which is expanding cooperation on maritime security and logisticsExercises like Malabar involving all four countries have become central to building interoperability and demonstrating joint capability in the region he saidPaparo said partnerships are central to the US strategy in the IndoPacific describing alliances and partnerships as Washingtons greatest asymmetric advantageHe also noted that India faces persistent tensions with Pakistan with recent military exchanges extending beyond traditionally disputed areas Despite this he said Indias primary focus remains on maintaining deterrence and credible warfighting capability within the region writ largeThe broader context of USIndia engagement is shaped by concerns over Chinas growing military capabilities and expanding footprint across the IndoPacificPaparo warned that Chinas actions combined with its deepening ties with Russia and North Korea pose a complex challenge to regional stabilityIn the second part of the hearing lawmakers underlined the importance of strengthening partnerships such as India to counter Beijings influenceRepresentative Adam Smith said alliances are critical to deterrence and credibility in the region We need to maintain those relationships We need to let those folks know that we are there and they can depend on us he saidPaparo also confirmed that his engagement with India is extensive describing it as one of his most frequently visited and closely coordinated partners at the military levelThe IndoPacific has become the focal point of global strategic competition as China accelerates its military modernisation and expands its presence across the regionThe United States has responded by strengthening ties with partners such as India Japan and Australia including through the Quad while expanding joint military exercises and defence cooperation IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-key-to-indo-pacific-strategy-says-us-indopacom-commander-671077.html Sat, 25 Apr 2026 08:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/japanese-govt-ignores-historical-lessons-whitewashes-past-crimes-russia-671079.html Moscow April 25 The Japanese government led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ignores historical lessons and whitewashes past crimes Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has said Speaking at a regular press briefing on Friday Zakharova said Japanese militarists committed horrific crimes during World War IITakaichis recent move of sending offerings to the notorious Yasukuni Shrine a symbol of Japanese militarism and wartime aggression demonstrated the Takaichi administrations disregard for the feelings of the people of neighbouring countries who suffered at the hands of militaristic Japan during World War II she saidThis once again shows her administrations absolute ignoring of the lessons of history and the whitewashing of the most brutal monstrous crimes of the past Zakharova saidShe urged Japan to fully acknowledge the results of World War II and abandon its policy of accelerating remilitarisation reports Xinhua news agencyCommenting on Japans easing of arms export restrictions Zakharova said the move represents a deliberate departure from the countrys pacifist principles enshrined in its constitutionRegarding the Japanese combat troops participation in the USPhilippine joint military exercises she said Russia has consistently expressed its concerns regarding Japans expansion of military activity within the framework of its alliance with the United States adding that such steps only increase tensions in the Asia Pacific regionMore than 100 Japanese government officials and lawmakers on Wednesday worshipped the notorious Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo a symbol of Japanese militarism and wartime aggression on the occasion of its spring festivalThe visits came a day after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sent a ritual masakaki tree offering in her capacity as prime minister to the controversial shrine that honours 14 convicted ClassA Japanese war criminals from World War II alongside the war deadOn Wednesday morning the second day of the shrines threeday ceremony Haruko Arimura chairperson of the General Council of the Liberal Democratic Party LDP visited the warlinked shrine and made a monetary offering on behalf of Takaichi in her capacity as LDP presidentMinoru Kiuchi Japans minister of state for economic and fiscal policy also visited the shrine on the same day becoming the first member of Takaichis cabinet to do so while a crossparty group of over 120 Japanese lawmakers paid a collective visitThe controversial moves drew widespread criticism in Japan IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/japanese-govt-ignores-historical-lessons-whitewashes-past-crimes-russia-671079.html Sat, 25 Apr 2026 09:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/blatant-distortion-of-history-north-korea-slams-japan-pms-offering-to-war-shrine-671084.html Seoul April 25 North Korea on Saturday criticised Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for making a ritual offering to a controversial war shrine in Tokyo calling it a challenge to international justice Takaichi on Tuesday sent an offering to the Yasukuni Shrine which honours Japanese war dead including 14 Class A criminals convicted by the Allied forces after World War II Other prominent Japanese politicians visited the shrineIt is a blatant distortion of history and a challenge to international justice and peace a Rodong Sinmun newspaper article read It is a place to pay respects to aggressors and war criminals who caused suffering that cannot be healedThe newspaper accused Tokyo of seeking to disseminate militarism through the shrine visits calling on it to atone for the past reports Yonhap news agencyJapanese politicians have faced criticism for sending offerings or visiting the shrine with neighbouring countries such as South Korea and China viewing such actions as an attempt to glorify the countrys militaristic pastKorea was under Japans colonial rule from 1910 to 1945 while China was invaded by Japan during World War IIMeanwhile earlier on Friday Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova accused the Japanese government led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of ignoring historical lessons and whitewashing past crimesSpeaking at a regular press briefing on Friday Zakharova said Japanese militarists committed horrific crimes during World War IITakaichis recent move of sending offerings to the notorious Yasukuni Shrine a symbol of Japanese militarism and wartime aggression demonstrated the Takaichi administrations disregard for the feelings of the people of neighbouring countries who suffered at the hands of militaristic Japan during World War II she saidThis once again shows her administrations absolute ignoring of the lessons of history and the whitewashing of the most brutal monstrous crimes of the past Zakharova saidShe urged Japan to fully acknowledge the results of World War II and abandon its policy of accelerating remilitarisation reports Xinhua news agencyCommenting on Japans easing of arms export restrictions Zakharova said the move represents a deliberate departure from the countrys pacifist principles enshrined in its constitutionRegarding the Japanese combat troops participation in the USPhilippine joint military exercises she said Russia has consistently expressed its concerns regarding Japans expansion of military activity within the framework of its alliance with the United States adding that such steps only increase tensions in the Asia Pacific region IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/blatant-distortion-of-history-north-korea-slams-japan-pms-offering-to-war-shrine-671084.html Sat, 25 Apr 2026 09:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-looks-to-replace-flagged-ogws-in-jampk-moves-to-reboot-student-outreach-plan-671113.html New Delhi April 25 In a bid to rebuild and revive its terror network in Jammu and Kashmir Pakistan has been trying to set up a group of completely new overground workers OGWs The OGW network crucial for terror operations in the Valley has largely fallen following an intense crackdown by the Indian security agenciesAn official said that the new OGW network is being set up because most of them part of the old or existing guard have police records against themThe ones with police records are easy to track and this information has been used several times by the Jammu and Kashmir Police to nab these OGWs the official addedWhile attempts are being made to send in foreign fighters to Jammu and Kashmir Pakistan realises that they cannot operate without a strong OGW networkThis is the network that facilitates the movement of terrorists their shelter food and logisticsThe presence of a strong OGW network is key to a successful terrorist strike by terrorists Hence Pakistan is shunning many within the existing guard and looking for newer ones the official saidSome of the men who are on the target list include shopkeepers tour guides and unemployed youthAnother official said that Pakistan would not entirely dismantle its OGW networkIt would have a couple of them from the old guard to be part of the network These persons have experience and would be needed to train the newer lot the official addedThe ISI is also attempting to get the youth of Jammu and Kashmir onboard It is attempting to restart its earlier programme through which the ISI would sponsor the education of the youthThe education would be imparted in top universities and colleges abroad They would pick countries such as the US UK and Australia for the education of the youth Like in the past they would avoid taking the students to Pakistan and imparting education This would become too obvious and Pakistan would want to avoid thatOnce abroad the Pakistani agents would get in touch with these students and radicalise them The ISI will push money for the education of the youth discreetly so that the funding trail is not traced Once their education and radicalisation programme is completed they would return to Jammu and Kashmir where they would be expected to further the ISIs narrative and rope in more youth an official saidThese developments make it clear that Pakistan is desperate to reset its Kashmir plansA lot has changed in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 The Indian government has been getting the youth into the mainstream and telling them to shun supporting terror and move away from the separatist mindsetPakistan on the other hand is facing heat from its terror groups and hardliners regarding the Kashmir issueThe establishment is being questioned about the lack of action in Jammu and Kashmir and why things have quietened downA majority of Pakistans policy is shaped around Kashmir and in the context of local politics raking up this issue is important for the ISI and ArmyOff late the infiltrations have been hard owing to heavy security Hence Pakistan is trying to take baby steps and trying to reshape the narrativeFor this it has decided to start from the ground level by rebuilding its OGW networkAt the same time it wants to recapture the minds of the youth in Kashmir This explains why it wants to restart its education funding programme This program in reality is not an educational programme but one that is aimed at radicalisation an official added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-looks-to-replace-flagged-ogws-in-jampk-moves-to-reboot-student-outreach-plan-671113.html Sat, 25 Apr 2026 13:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-us-discuss-deepening-strategic-ties-reaffirm-commitment-towards-indo-pacific-security-671116.html Washington April 25 IANS Chief of Defence Staff CDS General Anil Chauhan held discussions with a senior US IndoPacific Command official reinforcing the expanding strategic alignment between the two nations in terms of regional securityHe engaged with General Kevin B Schneider Commander Pacific Air Force and Air Component Commander US IndoPacific Command where both sides emphasised shared priorities in regional security and the sustained commitment to maintain peace and stability across the IndoPacific and beyondGeneral Anil Chauhan CDS engaged with General Kevin B Schneider Commander Pacific Air Force and Air Component Commander US IndoPacific Command reaffirming the deepening strategic convergence between India and the US Deliberations underscored a shared resolve towards regional security and the enduring maintenance of peace and stability across the IndoPacific and beyond the Headquarters of Integrated Defence Staff posted on X on SaturdayIt further mentioned that both sides articulated a clear intent to expand and operationalise the scope complexity and frequency of bilateral and TriService engagementsnbspRecognising technology as a defining determinant of modern power the partnership continues to evolve with enhanced synergy capability and strategic foresight it addedEarlier this week General Chauhan held several engagements with top UK military officialsThe CDS met with his UK counterpart Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton during which India and the UK reaffirmed their shared resolve to address contemporary challenges from global trade imbalances to emerging cyber threats while advancing a peaceful and prosperous IndoPacificGeneral Anil Chauhan CDS during his official visit to the United Kingdom interacted with Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton CDS UK India and the UK reaffirmed their shared resolve to collaboratively address contemporary challenges from global trade imbalances to emerging cyber threats while advancing a peaceful and prosperous IndoPacific and harnessing accelerated technological transformation the Headquarters of Integrated Defence Staff posted on XThis visit will strengthen defence cooperation and strategic convergence underscoring a shared commitment to global security stability and resilience it addedDuring his visit to the UK General Chauhan interacted with the Commandant and faculty of the Royal College of Defence Studies RCDS and discussed the evolving global security environment underlying trends and their strategic impactHe subsequently addressed the pinnacle cohort on the Impact of Recent Conflicts on Military Strategy highlighting the changing nature of conflict Indias strategic dilemmas and Indias role in shaping a stable and secure global order the Headquarters of Integrated Defence Staff posted on XIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-us-discuss-deepening-strategic-ties-reaffirm-commitment-towards-indo-pacific-security-671116.html Sat, 25 Apr 2026 14:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/its-a-mistake-to-accept-chinese-statistics-at-face-value-figures-can-be-misleading-report--671123.html New Delhi April 25 While it is important not to underestimate China any data from Chinese sources especially government sources should be regarded sceptically a new report has said adding that it is a mistake to accept official or published Chinese statistics at face value China is succeeding in many fields but numbers can be misleading writes James Lewis a Distinguished Fellow at Tech Policy programme at the Center for European Policy Analysis CEPA headquartered in Washington DCâThere are places where China is ahead but fewer than a casual reading might suggestâ he saysAccording to the report China is engaged in a longrunning influence campaign to persuade the world of its successâChinaâs government regards more data as âstate secretsâ than other countries do Statistics particularly economic statistics are often massaged or hidden In several cases China has even arrested journalists and researchers for revealing data that other countries would regard as publicâ the report mentionsThere is a constant desire to inflate metrics like GDP and to disguise metrics such as debt levels that contradict the story that success is inevitableâPublished data may show that the US has more public debt than China but this is the result of Chinese obfuscationâ writes LewisThe use of number of citations or scientific publications as an indicator of strength also needs to be scrutinised carefully There is also the question of what the metric asserts it is measuring versus what it is actually measuringFor example Chinaâs assertion that its radar could detect stealth aircraft and that the J20 was a fighter equivalent to F35 is bogusâRecent events in Venezuela and Iran â or the disappearance of the J20âs designer â suggest this may have been an exaggerationâ the report arguesChina has more highspeed trains but the US has more passenger airplanes Similarly 5G remains a contentious area for measurement China has done quite well in 5G but when you look at access to 5G services the US leads says the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/its-a-mistake-to-accept-chinese-statistics-at-face-value-figures-can-be-misleading-report--671123.html Sat, 25 Apr 2026 14:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/global-rights-group-says-activist-ali-wazirs-detention-prosecution-highlight-pakistans-arbitrary-unlawful-actions-670977.html Islamabad April 24 Global rights watchdog Amnesty International has stated that 20month long detention and ongoing prosecutions against human rights defender and former parliamentarian Ali Wazir in Pakistan highlight a pattern of arbitrary and unlawful against him Amnesty has urged Pakistani authorities to immediately release Ali Wazir According to the statement released by Amnesty International Pakistani authorities arrested Ali Wazir in Hyderabad on March 16 He was arrested shortly after bench of the Sindh High Court approved his bail in a separate case earlier that day Authorities then charged him under antiterrorism laws Since his arrest authorities have filed two additional cases against WazirPreviously he was arrested in December 2020 on sedition charges related to speeches criticising state institutions He remained in prison for over two years before his release in February 2023 after acquittal in one case and bail in others He was again arrested in August 2023 along with other members of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement PTM and a human rights lawyer Wazir was released laterHowever his repeated arrests form part of a broader pattern of targeting his activism He has also faced personal risks with armed groups targeting his family killing several relatives including his father brothers uncles and cousinsIn a statement Amnesty International stated Ali Wazir has faced repeated arrests since 2020 Authorities have charged him in dozens of cases that appear intended to keep him in detention and silence his activism He has spoken out against extrajudicial executions enforced disappearances and discrimination and violence against the Pashtun minority His 20month detention and ongoing prosecutions highlight a pattern of arbitrary and unlawful action against him Pakistani authorities must immediately release Ali WazirAmnesty International stated that Pakistani authorities have intensified their crackdown on the movement In October 2024 Pakistani authorities banned PTM under antiterrorism laws In March this year the Peshawar High Court upheld the ban while a request to overturn it remains under reviewThe watchdog stated that Pakistani authorities have used preventive detention laws to keep Ali Wazir in detention without trial These laws allow detention for up to 90 days and have been repeatedly applied to stop his release despite courts granting him bail IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/global-rights-group-says-activist-ali-wazirs-detention-prosecution-highlight-pakistans-arbitrary-unlawful-actions-670977.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-emerges-as-key-reservoir-of-poliovirus-report-670999.html Athens April 24 Pakistan is evolving into a significant reservoir of poliovirus raising concerns within the international community that it may become a hub for broader crossborder transmission This resurgence is driven by systemic challenges including corruption administrative failures government inaction barriers to access in vulnerable communities and widespread vaccine hesitancy a report stated According to Athensbased Geopolitico this trend is especially troubling given that Pakistan has received over 100 million in international funding for polio eradication since 2023Currently only two countries worldwide â Pakistan and Afghanistan â remain endemic for Wild PolioVirus type 1 WPV1 While Afghanistan under Taliban rule has recorded a significant reduction in cases Pakistan has reported more than 100 active cases of the WPV1 strain over the past two yearsâThe World Health Organisation WHO has highlighted that WPV1 has now been detected across all major provinces of Pakistan from the relatively developed Punjab to the less developed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa According to the WHOs Polio IHR Emergency Committee active transmission continues into 2025 including in Lahore and multiple districts within the central epidemiological corridor of the country the report detailedâThe committee noted that the upward trend in cases became evident as early as mid2023 particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sindh and Balochistan Of additional concern is the reappearance of the virus in GilgitBaltistan which reported its first WPV1 case in over eight years â a development underscoring the persistent threat posed by entrenched transmission zones it addedThe reports stressed that experts attribute the failure to eradicate the disease to the deep structural weaknesses within Pakistans healthcare systemAmong the key challenges it said are âinadequate transportation for medical teams in remote areas insufficient training vaccine shortages poor coordination and accountability political interference and the unequal distribution of quality healthcare which remains largely accessible only to elitesâPakistani development consultant Nawab Ali Khattak echoes these concerns noting that the resurgence of polio continues due to logistical constraints security threats misinformation and corruptionAnother Pakistanbased educator Assadullah Channa stated that much of the crisis stems from the governmentâs failure to effectively counter extremist narratives He argues that authorities have refrained from confronting fundamentalist elements enabling years of misinformation to influence public perception and drive vaccine rejectionâAccording to Channa the persistence of polio is also a reflection of political neglect with successive governments failing to counter extremist propaganda while the current leadership remains preoccupied with political and judicial manoeuvring at the expense of urgent public health priorities the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-emerges-as-key-reservoir-of-poliovirus-report-670999.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 17:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-faces-deepening-debt-crisis-671019.html New Delhi April 24 In the five fiscal years from 2026 to 2030 Bangladesh will need to spend a staggering 26 billion to repay external debt which is expected to create a huge economic burden on the country according to an article in the local media The debt burden is considered âenormousâ as in the 54 years since independence Bangladesh has spent a total of 40 billion on external debt repayment In contrast in just the next five years it will have to spend nearly twothirds of that amount the Dhaka Tribune article saidAs of last June Bangladeshâs total external debt stood at 77 billion which is 19 per cent of national income and this ratio has been rising over timeCurrently Bangladeshâs debt servicing to government revenue ratio is 165 per cent Although this is slightly below the International Monetary Fundâs risk threshold of 18 per cent the overall picture is far from reassuring the article observedIt further stated that during the 10 fiscal years from 2026 to 2035 Bangladeshâs external debt repayments will total 51 billion double the amount of the next five years By 2030 annual repayments will peak at around 55 billionFrom 2021 to 2025 Bangladesh earned about 2 billion from remittances per month Thus the peak annual repayment could be covered by roughly three months of remittance income If current trends continue it will take Bangladesh 37 years until 2063 to fully free itself from the current debt burden the article pointed outRegarding the factors leading to the piling up of this massive debt the article states that some causes are global such as the Ukraine war the Covid19 pandemic and now the Middle East conflict The global turmoil has negatively affected exports foreign direct investment and remittance inflows of Bangladesh which has weakened the countryâs capacity to repay its debtDomestic factors include Bangladeshâs largescale infrastructure projects largely financed through foreign loans which have contributed heavily to the debt burden These include the 11 billion Ruppur Nuclear Power Project the Karnaphuli Tunnel the Padma Rail Link and the third terminal of the Shahjalal International AirportDelays in the implementation of these projects have increased project costs and consequently debt repayment obligations of BangladeshSecond Bangladesh has failed to adequately expand its tax base Tax revenue especially direct taxes has not reached desired levelsThirdly many bilateral and multilateral lenders have changed their interest structures shortened repayment periods and reduced grace periods Altogether these changes have intensified the pressure on Bangladeshâs debt servicing situation the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-faces-deepening-debt-crisis-671019.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 18:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-s-korea-sign-landmark-paris-agreement-article-62-pact-to-launch-cross-border-carbon-market-671034.html New Delhi April 24 India and South Korea have taken a significant step toward advancing global climate cooperation by signing a bilateral agreement under Article 62 of the Paris Agreement a report has said The deal finalised during the South Korean presidentâs visit to India lays the groundwork for crossborder carbon markets between the two major Asian economies as per Carbon Credits reportThe agreement is part of a broader set of more than a dozen pacts covering clean energy trade and industrial collaboration reflecting a deepening partnership that links economic growth with sustainabilityAt its core the Article 62 framework allows countries to collaborate on emissions reduction projects and trade carbon credits creating new pathways for costeffective climate action the report statedUnder this mechanism emissions reductions known as internationally transferred mitigation outcomes ITMOs can be exchanged between countriesEach ITMO represents one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent reduced or removed This enables countries to invest in emissionscutting initiatives abroad and count those reductions toward their own climate targetsA key safeguard in the system is the requirement for âcorresponding adjustmentsâ ensuring that emission reductions are not doublecounted and that transparency is maintained the report saidThe bilateral deal comes at a time when global interest in carbon markets is accelerating While still in its early stages the Article 6 framework is gaining traction with dozens of agreements already signed worldwide and many pilot projects under developmentThese mechanisms are increasingly seen as essential tools for lowering the cost of achieving national climate goals as per the reportThe partnership aligns closely with the longterm climate ambitions of both nations India has pledged to reach netzero emissions by 2070 while South Korea is targeting 2050These differing timelines create a complementary dynamic South Korea with limited domestic mitigation options can invest in costeffective projects abroad while India can attract climate finance to scale up its clean energy transition the report stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-s-korea-sign-landmark-paris-agreement-article-62-pact-to-launch-cross-border-carbon-market-671034.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/report-highlights-gaps-in-legal-protections-custodial-abuse-allegations-in-pakistan-671038.html Islamabad April 24 A new alternate report submitted to the UN Committee against Torture by the National Commission for Human Rights NCHR showcases gaps in Pakistans legal protections local media reported The report submitted ahead of the review of Pakistans compliance with its obligations under the Convention against Torture exposes incidents of custodial abuse and inadequacy in the countrys enforcement of the Torture and Custodial Death Prevention and Punishment Act 2022 The country ratified the Convention against Torture back in 2010 but seven years later the UN expressed serious concern over the absence of adequate legal safeguards and lack of accountability for torture Since then while important progress has been made the NCHR report says that significant issues still remain including a statutory definition of torture that does not fully align with international standards lacking an explicit reference to psychological pain and suffering clearly defined penalties and sufficient provisions for victim rehabilitation and compensation an editorial in Pakistans leading daily The News International mentionedThe report also points to procedural weaknesses including unclear mechanisms for complaint registration and investigation inconsistencies with international standards for medical examinations and limited scope for independent or suomotu investigations it addedDespite the legal protections allegations of torture against law enforcement agencies continue The torture problem is hard to deal with as many feel that torture is an effective method against criminalsThe thinking in Pakistan is that underresourced and underequipped police not helped by a cloggedup court system has no option other than using unscrupulous methods to implement the law and maintain peace According to the News International if this was the correct way Pakistan would not have law and order issues it currently was facingMeanwhile a lady health worker from Muzaffargarh city of Pakistans Punjab province requesting countrys Chief Justice to conduct an independent probe into the killing of her two sons in an alleged police âencounterâ demonstrates the eroding trust of people in provincial authorities to deliver justice Her statement about police torture and the subsequent killing of her sons in a socalled encounter is not an isolated case another report statedIt reflects a continuing pattern in which the once sporadic instances of police staging encounters to eliminate suspected criminals appear to have evolved into a systemic practice Figures cited by the media and rights groups reinforce this concern a recent editorial in Dawn statedEstimates based on reported incidents indicate that hundreds of police encounters in recent months have resulted in a staggering number of deaths across Punjab Rather than prompting action these encounters have at times been praised by political authorities as an effective deterrent against crime It signals not just tolerance of extrajudicial methods but also a tacit endorsement of them as an official crime control policy it addedThe increase in encounters demonstrates failure of the criminal justice system in Pakistan Police relying on eliminating instead of prosecuting suspects showcases that investigation evidencegathering and trial processes are either too weak or too inconvenient to pursue Each citizen has a right to a fair trial under the constitution However when the state starts to decide who should get that right and who should not it crosses a dangerous threshold The acceptance of these killings brutalises society undermines peoples trust and blurs the line between law enforcement and lawlessness the editorial mentioned IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/report-highlights-gaps-in-legal-protections-custodial-abuse-allegations-in-pakistan-671038.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/nepal-construction-of-hospital-emergency-block-begins-with-indian-aid-671047.html Kathmandu April 24 A hospital emergency block is being constructed at Ilam Hospital located in Ilam Municipality in eastern Nepal with financial assistance from the government of India Gitanjali Brandon counsellor at the Indian Embassy in Nepal and Kedar Thapa Mayor of the municipality jointly laid the foundation stone for the construction of the emergency block at the hospital on Friday according to a statement issued by the Indian EmbassyThe emergency block is being built with the financial assistance of approximately NPR 94 million from the government of India the Embassy saidOn the occasion Mayor Thapa and other local stakeholders expressed appreciation for the continued developmental support extended by India They highlighted that the new emergency facility is expected to significantly improve access to quality healthcare services for residents of Ilam Municipality and surrounding areasThe project falls under the High Impact Community Development Project HICDP framework and the municipality will be responsible for its implementation according to the Indian EmbassyâAs close neighbours Nepal and India maintain wideranging cooperation across multiple sectorsâ the Embassy stated âThe implementation of HICDPs underscores Indiaâs ongoing support to Nepalâs development efforts particularly in strengthening infrastructure in priority sectors such as health education and community servicesâSince the formation of the new government led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah on March 27 foundation stones have been laid for two health infrastructure projects one school building and one waste management centre to be constructed with the Indian governmentâs assistance Likewise Memorandums of Understanding MoU have been signed to implement seven different local infrastructure projects under the HICDP frameworkThe HICDP programme has emerged as a key pillar of the IndiaâNepal development partnership supporting grassroots development initiatives in NepalLaunched in 2003 HICDPs were previously known as Small Development Projects The initiative supports smallscale infrastructure and communitybased projects across Nepal through local authorities focusing on priority sectors identified by the Government of Nepal including health education drinking water sanitation and drainage rural electrification hydropower and river training worksIn a significant boost to the initiative a new agreement reached in January 2024 increased the ceiling of Indian financial assistance to NPR 20 million per project up from NPR 5 million IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/nepal-construction-of-hospital-emergency-block-begins-with-indian-aid-671047.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 20:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/beijing-rejects-trumps-claim-that-intercepted-iranian-ship-carried-gift-from-china-671053.html Beijing April 24 The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Friday denied allegations made by US President Donald Trump that an Iranian cargo ship intercepted by the US might have carried a âgiftâ from Beijing When asked about Trumps remarks during a regular press briefing in Beijing on Friday Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said China rejects any assertion and speculation that lack factual evidence Normal trade between countries should not be disrupted or harmedChinas response came after Trump in his interview with CNBC on Tuesday said We caught a ship yesterday that had some things on it which wasnât very nice A gift from China perhaps I donât know but I was a little surprised but â because I have a very good relationship and I thought I had an understanding with President Xi But thatâs all rightOn April 21 former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley had stated that the ship seized by the US in the Strait of Hormuz was travelling from China and is linked to chemical shipments for missilesThe ship the US seized in the Strait of Hormuz this weekend was headed from China to Iran and is linked to chemical shipments for missiles It refused repeated orders to stop Another reminder that China is helping prop up Iranâs regime âa reality that canât be ignored Haley posted on XOn April 20 Guo Jiakun had expressed concern over the US forcible interception of a vessel after media reports claimed that the US had seized an Iranian cargo ship While addressing a press briefing on Monday Jiakun termed the situation in the Strait of Hormuz complex and fragileWhen asked about Chinas view about the US seizing an Iranian cargo ship he responded The situation in the Strait of Hormuz is fragile and complex We are concerned over the USâ forcible interception of the vessel and hope that relevant parties will honor the ceasefire agreement in a responsible manner avoid aggravating disputes and escalating tensions and provide necessary conditions for the restoration of normal passage through the StraitTensions continue in and around Strait of Hormuz the narrow maritime corridor linking the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea through which about onefifth of global oil trade passes ever since the conflict erupted in West Asia IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/beijing-rejects-trumps-claim-that-intercepted-iranian-ship-carried-gift-from-china-671053.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 20:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/situation-in-iran-remains-serious-embassy-providing-assistance-to-indian-nationals-mea-671060.html New Delhi April 24 India on Friday said that the situation in Iran remains serious and the Embassy in Tehran continues to assist Indian nationals still remaining in the country Addressing an interministerial briefing on recent developments in West Asia on Friday the Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson stated that more than 2400 Indian nationals have been safely evacuated and brought home from IranIn Iran and that region the situation has remained serious Although there is a ceasefire for now But you know that what kind of difficult situation has prevailed in Iran and other countries from the beginning until now Despite this our Ambassador continues to work in the Embassy in Tehran I would say that it is inspiring for all of us that our Ambassador there and our entire team are continuously working in the interest of the country They are providing assistance to the people Through their efforts we have safely evacuated 2400 Indian citizens from there and brought home I would say that their commitment is commendable said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal Earlier this week US President Donald Trump unilaterally extended the ceasefire with Iran indefinitely hours before it was to expire even though Tehran refused to attend a second round of talks that Trump had said were imminentAfter making several threats to Iran if it did not accept his terms for a settlement he announced on Truth Social on Tuesday local time that because Iran is seriously fractured he was extending the ceasefire till Tehran can come up with a unified approachWhile announcing the extension of the ceasefire the President said that he was continuing the Naval blockade of Iranian ports which was one of the factors behind Tehran staying away from the talks he had said would take place this week in IslamabadIrans governmentowned Press TV said Tehran unequivocally insisted on the removal of the blockade and said that it would not rejoin negotiations under pressure IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/situation-in-iran-remains-serious-embassy-providing-assistance-to-indian-nationals-mea-671060.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 21:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-us-ties-face-trust-deficit-need-reset-670874.html Washington April 24 A deepening âlack of mutual trustâ has emerged as the biggest challenge in IndiaUS ties even as both sides continue to engage across strategic and economic fronts speakers said at the Hudson Instituteâs New India Conference âThere is a big lack of mutual trust today We need to build that trust once againâ Ram Madhav said pointing to a sharp shift in perceptions compared to earlier phases of close political alignmentThe panel said the relationship while resilient is undergoing a difficult phase marked by misaligned expectations policy uncertainty and slower momentumElizabeth Threlkeld of the Stimson Centre said both sides often misread each otherâs constraints âEach side has a tendency to see the othersâ limits as choices but their own limits as necessitiesâ she said calling for a candid reassessment of shared interestsShe said rebuilding trust would require focusing on âgenuine mutual interestsâ and delivering practical outcomes that reduce friction in cooperationKurt Campbell former US Deputy Secretary of State said the strain runs deeper than policy disagreements âThis has caused a deep hurtâ a deep profound hurt among Indian friendsâ he said adding that emotional and political factors are shaping perceptions on both sidesCampbell said the relationship had advanced significantly over the past two decades with an expectation it would become the âdominant relationshipâ of the century making the current phase more consequentialThe discussion also highlighted persistent friction in areas such as trade defence cooperation and policy coordination often slowed by bureaucratic processes and differing political systemsAt the same time speakers stressed that engagement continues and opportunities remain particularly in economic cooperationMadhav said India has shown flexibility on key issues including tariffs and energy imports and is moving ahead with a potential trade agreement despite domestic political pressures âThat wouldnât discourage usâ the government will go aheadâ he saidHe also emphasised the importance of reengaging on initiatives such as the IndiaMiddle EastEurope corridor and I2U2 which have seen uncertainty in recent monthsSpeakers broadly agreed that the relationship requires sustained political attention and renewed alignment on priorities even as global crises add pressureThe New India Conference held on April 23 brought together policymakers and experts to examine Indiaâs global trajectory and the future of USIndia relationsOver the past two decades the partnership has expanded across defence trade and technology supported by strong diaspora ties However recent geopolitical shifts and policy divergences have exposed structural gaps making trustbuilding a central task going forward IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-us-ties-face-trust-deficit-need-reset-670874.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 07:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-faces-backlash-from-indian-american-leaders-over-remarks-on-india-670877.html Washington April 24 Indian American lawmakers and community leaders have strongly condemned remarks by Donald Trump targeting Indian immigrants and India calling them offensive divisive and harmful to bilateral ties Ami Bera the longestserving Indian American Member of Congress said he was proud of his heritage and of the United States âAs the son of immigrants from India I take great pride in both my heritage and in the country that gave my family the opportunity to build a better lifeâ he saidâMy parents came to the United States legally in search of that opportunity My mother spent 35 years working as a public school teacher My father worked as an engineer They raised my brothers and me with a deep belief in hard work public service and giving back to the country that welcomed themâ Bera saidCalling himself âa product of that American storyâ he added âI attended Californiaâs public schools from kindergarten through medical school became a doctor and now have the privilege of serving our nation in Congress That is what the American Dream looks likeâBera described Trumpâs comments as âoffensive ignorant and beneath the dignity of the office he holdsâ He said they reflect âa fundamental misunderstanding of who we are as a nationââAmerica has always been strengthened by generations of immigrants who come here work hard and contribute to our country They do not weaken America â they strengthen itâ he saidCongressman Raja Krishnamoorthi also criticised Trump for amplifying what he called a âracist rantâ âDonald Trumpâs decision to amplify a racist rant attacking India and immigrants is disgraceful and beneath the office he holdsâ he saidâHis rhetoric doesnât just insult millions of Indian Americans and one of our most important global partnersâit undermines the values that have made America a nation of opportunity and innovationâ Krishnamoorthi added âWe should be strengthening that partnership and honoring our diversity not stoking division for political gainâAjay Bhutoria a former advisor to the Presidentâs Advisory Commission on Asian Americans Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders demanded an immediate withdrawal of the remarksâThe rhetoric coming from the Oval Office describing India as a âhellholeâ and our professional community as âgangsters with laptopsâ is a dangerous and offensive distortion of realityâ he saidBhutoria argued that Indian Americans are central to the US economy âManagers with laptops create jobs fuel innovation and contribute to massive economic growth They are infinitely better for the future of this country than gangsters with guns who promote violence and instabilityâ he saidHe added that the Indian American community while only 15 per cent of the population contributes nearly 6 per cent of US income taxes âOur âlaptop warriorsâ are the CEOs of Alphabet Microsoft and Adobe and the entrepreneurs who have founded over 10 of Americaâs unicorn startupsâ he saidBhutoria also stressed the strategic dimension of the relationship âIndia is a critical strategic allyâ Attacking this diaspora is not just a social mistake it is an economic and geopolitical blunderâ he saidThe backlash highlights growing concern among Indian Americans over rhetoric seen as targeting immigrants and undermining a key bilateral partnership Lawmakers and community leaders have framed the issue not only as one of dignity but also of economic and strategic consequenceThe Indian American community is among the most affluent and highly educated groups in the United States with a significant presence in technology healthcare and academia Nearly one in ten doctors in the US is of Indian origin and the community plays a major role in innovation and entrepreneurshipUSIndia ties have deepened over the past two decades driven by cooperation in defence technology and trade Bilateral trade has crossed 200 billion and both countries increasingly view each other as key partners in addressing global challenges IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-faces-backlash-from-indian-american-leaders-over-remarks-on-india-670877.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 07:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-touts-record-drug-price-cuts-670878.html Washington April 24 US President Donald Trump announced sweeping agreements with major pharmaceutical companies to lower prescription drug costs calling it âthe biggest cut in drug prices in the history of our countryâ Speaking at the White House Trump said one of the leading firms Regeneron had agreed to offer medicines at âmost favoured nation pricesâ adding that âthe numbers will come down at levels that nobodyâs ever seen beforeââWith this announcement 17 of the worldâs largest pharmaceutical companies representing 80 percent of the branded drug market have now agreed to sell their drugs to American patients at the lowest prices anywhere in the worldâ he saidTrump argued that Americans had long paid disproportionately high prices âFor decades Americans have been forced to pay the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs by farâ he saidHealth and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr backed the move calling it a response to a longstanding ârip offâ in which the United States accounts for â42 per cent of the worldâs populationâ but generates â75 per cent of the profits to the pharmaceutical industryâAdministrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Mehmet Oz said affordability had been central to the policy push âOne in three Americansâ will often leave emptyhanded because they cannot afford the medicationsâ he saidThe administration highlighted specific price cuts including a cholesterol drug falling âfrom 537 to 225â and a weightloss drug dropping âfrom 1350 a month to as low as 199 a monthâRegeneronâs CEO Leonard Schleifer said the company supported efforts to rebalance global pricing âWe were not pushed to be here We are happy to be here because it marks an important step to lower drug pricesâ he saidThe company also announced a gene therapy for a rare form of deafness which it said would be provided free to eligible children for a period George Yancopoulos described the treatment as âa first of its kind gene therapyâ so Travis can now hear his motherâSierra Smith whose twoyearold son received the therapy called the outcome âabsolutely incredibleâ adding ânow he can hearâ itâs life changingâCommerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the policy was also tied to domestic manufacturing âThat means 448 billion of drug manufacturing is coming to Americaâ he saidThe White House said the agreements now cover about 86 per cent of the branded pharmaceutical market with further negotiations underway IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-touts-record-drug-price-cuts-670878.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 07:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-brokers-israel-lebanon-truce-extension-670879.html Washington April 24 US President Donald Trump announced a threeweek extension of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon describing it as a âhistoricâ step and signalling possible direct talks between the two sides in Washington The development followed an Oval Office meeting attended by senior officials from both countries including Lebanese Ambassador to the United States Nada Hamadeh Moawad and Israeli Ambassador Yechiel LeiterâTheyâve agreed to an additional three weeks ofâ ceasefire no more firingâ Trump said adding that leaders from both nations could visit Washington in the coming weeksVice President JD Vance called the move âa major historic momentâ crediting âthe Presidentâs direct engagementâ for bringing the two sides together He said the extension gives both countries space to pursue a longerterm settlementOfficials at the meeting stressed that Israel and Lebanon share a common security concern in Hezbollah One senior official said both countries âare victimized by the same terrorist organizationâ expressing hope that the ceasefire could lead to âa permanent peace between two countriesâIsraeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter said Israel âwants peaceâ and security for citizensâ adding that both governments are âunitedâ wanting to rid the country of this malign influence called HizballahâLebanese Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Moawad welcomed US support saying âwith your help with your support we can make Lebanonâ stable again pointing to the countryâs fragile political and economic situationTrump linked the ceasefire push to broader regional diplomacy including US efforts related to Iran He said the IsraelLebanon track âshould be an easy one relative to some of the things weâre working onâ noting that both sides are aligned against a common threatOn security Trump reiterated that Israel retains the right to respond if attacked âIsrael is going to have to defend itselfâ and they willâ he said adding that any response would be âcarefulâ and âsurgicalâThe President also indicated that regional actors such as Saudi Arabia could play a role in future negotiations saying the kingdom âwould be very happy with thisâ and supportive of peace effortsTrump expressed optimism about the trajectory of talks âI think thereâs a very good chanceâ it could be brought back pretty quicklyâ he said referring to Lebanonâs prospects for stabilityThe ceasefire extension comes amid persistent tensions along the IsraelLebanon border where Hezbollah remains a dominant armed actor The group backed by Iran has long been a flashpoint in regional conflicts and is designated a terrorist organisation by the United States and IsraelIsrael and Lebanon have no formal diplomatic relations and technically remain in a state of war Past ceasefire arrangements have been fragile often requiring sustained international mediation to prevent escalation IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-brokers-israel-lebanon-truce-extension-670879.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 07:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/indias-vision-can-guide-global-unity-rss-670916.html Washington April 24 RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale outlined a civilisational vision of India rooted in unity diversity and sustainability arguing that the country is positioned to play a decisive role in shaping a more harmonious global order Addressing an exclusive dinner reception on âIndiaâs Global Vision and Role in the Emerging Worldâ in the Washington area Hosabale said Indiaâs philosophical traditions offer a framework to address modern global challenges from social fragmentation to environmental stressâThe vision of Indiaâ is that there is a oneness of unity and the oneness is present in all being living and nonlivingâ he said stressing that this idea forms the basis of Indiaâs worldviewHe argued that while humanity has made material progress it faces deep contradictions âWe have multiplied our possessions but our valuesâ we have notâ he said describing a world with âmore knowledge but less judgmentâ more experts but more problemsâHosabale said Indiaâs approach differs in its attempt to balance material advancement with spiritual understanding âIndia philosophy being that recognises nature as motherâ enough for our needâ but not to fulfil our greedâ he said linking traditional thought to contemporary debates on sustainabilityHe emphasised that diversity should be a strength not a source of conflict âDiversity should be celebratingâ the beauty of human societyâ he said adding that cultural uniqueness must coexist with a broader sense of unityExpanding on the idea of global harmony Hosabale said human society has long experimented with faith and relationships at multiple levels â âhuman to humanâ human being and natureâ and the human being and the creatorâ â but stressed that these paths ultimately lead to a common truth âThe truth is one and there will be many ways to approachâ he saidFraming Indiaâs global role Hosabale said the countryâs civilisational experience supports the idea of a shared human future âWhen India say the world is one family it says it from some experience of practiceâ he said pointing to historical examples of religious communities living peacefully in IndiaHe added that Indiaâs rise must be anchored in internal strength âIf India has to play that role India has to be a selfconfident prosperous societyâ he said underlining the need to combine âmodernityâ with âcultural ethos and civilisation valuesâHosabale also said Indiaâs global engagement has historically been nonexpansionist âIndia has never invade anything India has not enslaved anybodyâ he said adding that Indians abroad have âcontributed in nation buildingâ while maintaining harmony in their host societiesForeign policy scholar Walter Russell Mead reinforced the argument saying a âstrong fully developed selfconfident outward looking Indiaâ could reshape global geopolitics and reduce the risk of conflict particularly in AsiaâThe world needs a vibrant developed harmonious strong Indiaâ Mead said adding that Indiaâs growth is âcritically important for all of humanityâAcademic Walter Andersen who has studied the RSS for decades described the organisation as a âstabilising influenceâ in India citing its emphasis on âpatriotismâ and its ability to adapt to changing social needsHosabale also highlighted Indiaâs potential to offer solutions beyond geopolitics including in health and lifestyle He said the world is increasingly looking to India âon the ways of yogaâ and other traditions that promote balance and wellbeingThe event brought together community leaders scholars and policymakers for a discussion on Indiaâs expanding global footprint and its philosophical contributions to international discourseIndiaâs growing global role has been shaped by its economic rise demographic strength and increasing diplomatic engagement across regions In recent years New Delhi has also projected civilisational themes such as âVasudhaiva Kutumbakamâ â the world as one family â in multilateral forums IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/indias-vision-can-guide-global-unity-rss-670916.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/un-general-assembly-president-annalena-baerbock-to-visit-india-next-week-670923.html United Nations April 24 United Nations General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock will make an official visit to India next week according to her Spokesperson La Niece Collins During her visit at the invitation of the Indian government Baerbock will have several bilateral meetings with officials Collins said on ThursdayShe will also meet with the UN team in India led by Resident Coordinator Stefan Priesner the spokesperson saidThis is the second highlevel UN visit to India after SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterresâ trip to attend the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi in FebruaryBaerbock is quite familiar with India having even travelled on New Delhiâs Metro in one of her visits as Germanyâs foreign minister to enhance ties with the country But this is her first time as the president of the General AssemblyDuring her first visit as minister in 2022 she said âWithout a doubt India will play a key role in shaping the international order of the 21st century â in the IndoPacific and beyondâThat India has lifted 400 million people out of extreme poverty in 15 years âshows that a pluralistic society freedom and democracy are drivers of economic development peace and stabilityâ she addedThe IndoPacific region was an area of focus during the visitDuring that visit she signed the migration and mobility agreement to facilitate the movement of skilled personnelShe accompanied Chancellor Olaf Scholz during his 2024 visit to India for the seventh GermanIndian intergovernmental consultations whose motto was âGrowing Together with Innovation Mobility and SustainabilityâGermany is a member of G4 the group that besides India includes Brazil and Japan and lobbies for reforming the Security Council by adding permanent membersThe four countries support each other for permanent seats in a reformed CouncilBerbock has met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar several times during his visits to Germany on the sidelines of international meetings and the G4 meetings at the UN From India Baerbock will go on to China IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/un-general-assembly-president-annalena-baerbock-to-visit-india-next-week-670923.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/who-urges-stronger-immunisation-in-western-pacific-670924.html Manila April 24 The World Health Organization WHO renewed its call for intensified immunisation efforts across the Western Pacific region warning of a resurgence of vaccinepreventable diseases The WHO stressed the need to protect hardwon gains in vaccination programmes reach children who continue to miss routine immunisations and sustain public confidence in vaccines at every stage of life according to a statement from the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific in Manila PhilippinesVaccines are a miracle of science and medicine and they have protected generations of families and communities across our region But we cannot take this protection for granted said Saia Mau Piukala WHO Regional Director for the Western PacificYet in 2024 nearly 21 million children in the Western Pacific missed at least one vaccine dose leaving far too many at risk of preventable diseases Across the region with 22 billion people representing over a quarter of the worlds population countries have made major gains against vaccinepreventable diseases according to the WHOThe WHO emphasised that strengthening routine immunisation systems improving outreach to underserved populations and ensuring reliable vaccine supply chains are critical to reversing the trend Xinhua news agency reportedVaccination has prevented millions of deaths and disabilities in the Western Pacific Region However inequitable access to vaccination remains a major problem in many countries The VaccinePreventable Diseases and Immunisation VDI unit aims to build a Region free from vaccinepreventable diseases This is achieved by supporting Member States to achieve the goals of the Regional Framework for Implementation of the Global Vaccine Action PlanThe immunisation goals for the Western Pacific Region are to sustain poliofree status eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus eliminate measles accelerate the control of hepatitis B eliminate rubella introduce new vaccines meet regional vaccination coverage targets and accelerate the control of Japanese encephalitis IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/who-urges-stronger-immunisation-in-western-pacific-670924.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-forces-disappear-three-more-civilians-in-balochistan-rights-group-670949.html Quetta April 24 Another three civilians including women were allegedly forcibly disappeared by Pakistani forces in Balochistan a leading human rights organisation said on Friday Paank the Baloch National Movements Human Rights Department strongly condemned the enforced disappearance of Sameena from her home in the Istakhli region in Khuzdar district on the night of April 22Citing reports the rights body stated that Pakistanâs Frontier Corps FC and Military Intelligence personnel entered the house subjected family members to violence and took her into custody before transferring her to an undisclosed locationPaank also mentioned that 20yearold mechanic Akhter Hussain a resident of the Shapatan region in the Panjgur district was forcibly taken by FC personnel on April 19Expressing deep concern over the continued targeting of civilians including women Paank further revealed that 22yearold Gull Banuk was forcibly taken from her home in the Singabad Karki region in the Kech district during a latenight raid on April 14 by personnel of the FC and Counter Terrorism Department CTDSince her abduction it said her whereabouts remain unknown placing her at grave risk of harmCondemning the enforced disappearance of Banuk the Baloch Voice for Justice BVJ said âThe enforced disappearance of Baloch women is being carried out in the name of socalled security These actions amount to collective punishment against entire communities Women who are already vulnerable are being used as tools of pressure to silence families and suppress dissent This practice violates basic human rights and undermines the rule of lawâMeanwhile a leading international human rights organisation sharply criticised the abduction and enforced disappearance of another Baloch civilian Daad ShahReports suggest that 28yearold Balochi writer Daad Shah was forcibly disappeared for the second time on April 21 He is the brother of Fozia Baloch a member of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee BYCFront Line Defenders described the incident as an attempt to suppress the human rights work of his sister FoziaâThe documented violence against human rights defenders especially those from religious or ethnic minorities such as the Baloch has intensified over the past years The authorities in Pakistan appear to act with a high level of impunity against its citizens and human rights defendersâ the rights body statedFront Line Defenders called on the Pakistani authorities to end reprisals against Baloch human rights activists and their family members and ensure that all human rights defenders in Pakistan are able to carry out their work with dignity and safety IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-forces-disappear-three-more-civilians-in-balochistan-rights-group-670949.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/intelligence-signals-turmoil-in-jaish-e-mohammad-as-mystery-around-masood-azhar-deepens-670957.html New Delhi April 24 The mystery around JaisheMohammad JeM chief Masood Azhar is growing with each passing day His own cadres have been questioning the top leadership about his whereabouts There are claims within the JeM that their chief is on his deathbed The terror groupâs leadership has been fighting such rumours and has been asking the cadres to calm down and stay hopefulThe Indian agencies however confirm that Azhar is not nearing his death However they add that his health is fragile and he is not facing any lifethreatening condition He is unwell and mentally downThe top leadership has intentionally kept him behind closed doors as they do not want the cadres to see him in the condition that he is in the official also addedAnother official said that Azhar would never be able to fully lead the outfit again He lost a lot of his close family members during Operation Sindoor and this has upset him a lot He has refused to come out and even speak with the members of his outfit since thenAnother official said that before Operation Sindoor Azhar was alright He had health issues but he did make public appearances and met with his people regularly All this has stopped now and he confines himself to his home and only meets with a select few the official saidAn Intelligence Bureau official said that this is the first time that Azhar appears to be vulnerable He is known to be fiery when he talks and the attacks that he plans against India are lethal in nature His speeches and the manner in which he conducted himself are what made him so popular among his cadre All these aspects are missing in him and this has in turn made the cadres demoralised the official also addedThe agencies have also picked up information that prayers for Azhar are being held regularly They pray for his good health and hope that he will come out in the open once again The number of prayer meetings that are being held is what set off rumours about his health conditionMany within the JaisheMohammad feel that the leadership is hiding something big from them The recruitments into the JaisheMohammad are ongoing but at a very small scale Azhar would meet with all the recruits and give them a pep talk once they joined the outfit The few recruits who have joined the JeM were spoken to by other leaders and not AzharAn official said that for all recruits meeting with Azhar was a big deal They look up to him as a hero and a father figure and he is the reason why many even decided to be part of the JaisheMohammad the official saidFor a few months after Operation Sindoor the JaisheMohammad managed to keep the cadres quiet by circulating old videos and audio clips of Azhar However their patience began to run out and questions about Azhar became louder Further within the outfit there is too much discussion about their chiefThe top leadership is finding it hard to keep the cadres calm and is clearly aware that the situation may blow up soonOfficials say that the cadres would sooner or later have to be told about Azhar and his real condition The official also added that they are likely to push this some more until they find a new leader The hunt for a new leader is on and once that takes place the real picture about Azhar would become clear for all the cadres of the JaisheMohammad the official added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/intelligence-signals-turmoil-in-jaish-e-mohammad-as-mystery-around-masood-azhar-deepens-670957.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-special-counsel-seeks-30-yr-prison-term-for-ex-president-yoon-over-alleged-drone-dispatch-to-pyongyang-670959.html Seoul April 24 A South Korean special counsel team on Friday demanded a 30year prison term for former President Yoon Suk Yeol on charges of benefiting the enemy for allegedly ordering the dispatch of military drones over Pyongyang in 2024 The team led by special counsel Cho Eunsuk also requested the Seoul Central District Court to sentence former Defense Minister Kim Yonghyun to 25 years in prison over the same allegationChos team believes the alleged dispatch in October 2024 was aimed at inciting the Norths retaliation in an attempt to use it as a pretext for Yoons failed martial law bid that took place two months laterDue to this criminal act the countrys military interests were severely undermined as there was substantial harm to national security the team said accusing the two of committing a crime against the state and the peopleThe team has argued that the move led to heightened interKorean tensions at the time while leaking military secrets when one of the drones crashed in North KoreaPyongyang had at the time accused Seoul of flying drones into the country multiple times releasing images of a crashed droneFridays trial hearing took place behind closed doors due to national security concernsEarlier this month the team demanded a 20year term for Yeo Inhyung former head of the Defense Counterintelligence Command and a fiveyear term for Kim Yongdae former chief of the Drone Operations Command over their alleged involvement in the dispatchYoon currently in custody faces multiple criminal trials linked to his botched martial law bid on December 3 2024In February a district court sentenced him to life imprisonment for leading an insurrection through his martial law declaration Yonhap news agency reported IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-special-counsel-seeks-30-yr-prison-term-for-ex-president-yoon-over-alleged-drone-dispatch-to-pyongyang-670959.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/sri-lanka-launches-investigation-after-cyber-fraud-tricks-25-million-from-government-670963.html Colombo April 24 Sri Lanka has initiated a multiagency investigation into a massive cyber fraud that led to the diversion of a government payment of 25 million US dollars the countrys Ministry of Finance has said The ministry revealed that cyber criminals gained unauthorised access to the External Resources Departments computer system through email and redirected a payment of 25 million US dollars originally intended for an Australian creditorRelevant authorities are also working alongside international counterparts to trace the funds and identify those responsible it saidThe incident came to light when Treasury officials detected unusual changes to account details during a separate payment process linked to India prompting immediate scrutiny and preventing a further attempted transactionTreasury Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma said swift action allowed authorities to identify the fraud without disrupting ongoing investigations An internal committee comprising senior officials including two deputy treasury secretaries has been appointed to recommend further measures while disciplinary action has been initiated against those responsible for procedural lapsesOfficials said Sri Lanka has informed the Australian government creditor institutions and stakeholders involved in the countrys debt restructuring process Debt experts have indicated that the incident does not affect the countrys commitment to meeting its sovereign obligations Xinhua news agency reportedThe Australian High Commission said it is coordinating closely with Sri Lankan authorities and continues to support the countrys efforts toward debt sustainabilityCyber fraud is a blanket term to describe crimes committed by cyberattackers via the internet These crimes are committed with the intent to illegally acquire and leverage an individuals or businessâs sensitive information for monetary gainCommon types include phishing Business Email Compromise BEC ransomware and online shopping scams Key protections include using strong unique passwords and enabling multifactor authentication IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/sri-lanka-launches-investigation-after-cyber-fraud-tricks-25-million-from-government-670963.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/rights-body-flags-surge-in-violence-against-women-across-pakistan-670975.html Islamabad April 24 A leading minority rights organisation on Friday highlighted a disturbing pattern of violence against women citing 6543 cases of genderbased violence reported last year According to the Voice of Pakistan Minority VOPM the violence against women recorded in 2025 rose sharply from 5253 in 2024âa 25 per cent increase in just one yearâThis is not just a trend it is a warning It signals that despite laws policies and public discourse women across the country are becoming more vulnerable not lessâ the rights body notedExpressing concern over the rising incidents of genderbased violence the VOPM claimed that in 2024 alone more than 24000 abductions took place â around 67 women taken every single day Additionally over 5000 rape cases were reported nearly 19 daily and as many as 405 women were killed in the name of honourThe rights body noted that the most disturbing reality lies not in the crimes but in the lack of justice Conviction rates are alarmingly low with less than 2 per cent for rape cases and around 01 per cent for abductionsâThese are not just failures of the legal system they are signals sent to victims that their pain may never be acknowledged and to perpetrators that they may never be held accountable the VOPM mentionedHighlighting the grim situation across Pakistan the VOPM revealed an estimated 90 per cent of women experience domestic violence while 85â90 per cent face harassment in workplaces It added that for many women in the country danger is not an exception but a daily reality which exists in homes on streets and even in institutions meant to provide safety and opportunityIn Pakistans provinces including Sindh and Balochistan the VOPM noted that reality is far more severe Many cases it said never make it to official records buried under social pressure fear or the influence of powerful local figures where silence is not merely imposed but enforcedâWhat makes this crisis even more difficult to confront is how normalised it has become Stories of women killed over personal choices family disputes or socalled honour appear with alarming regularity They fade quickly from public attention replaced by the next headline the next tragedy In this cycle outrage is brief but loss is permanentâ the rights body statedEmphasising the entrenched systemic failure and weak enforcement of law against genderbased violence in Pakistan the VOPM said At the heart of the problem lies a system that has yet to fully recognise women as equal citizens Informal mechanisms like jirgas continue to operate often overriding formal law and delivering decisions that strip women of their basic rights These parallel systems do not just fail womenâthey actively endanger them IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/rights-body-flags-surge-in-violence-against-women-across-pakistan-670975.html Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-trade-representative-greer-defends-trump-tariff-policy-cites-gains-for-workers-and-industry-670764.html Washington April 23 US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer mounted a strong defence of the Trump administrationâs trade policy telling lawmakers that tariffs and aggressive negotiations were beginning to deliver tangible gains for American workers and industry Appearing before the House Ways and Means Committee Greer said the administrationâs approach marked a decisive break from past policies that in his view encouraged offshoring and weakened domestic manufacturingâWere exporting more than weve ever made before and our workers are making more and getting paid more to do itâ he said citing record export figures and rising wagesGreer framed the strategy around âreciprocal and balanced tradeâ arguing that the US had long allowed foreign goods to enter its market without securing equivalent access abroadâItâs just reciprocityâ he said stressing that trading partners must provide âeffective accessâ if they expect to benefit from the US marketCentral to that approach has been the use of tariffs which Greer described as leverage rather than an end in themselves He told lawmakers that recent trade openings in multiple countries were achieved not through persuasion but by applying economic pressureâAll this new accessâ is not due to moral suasionâ itâs because President Trump said Im going to protect our marketsâ he saidHighlighting what he described as early economic gains including a reduction in the US trade deficit and increased manufacturing activity Greer said the goods trade deficit had fallen by 24 per cent since the introduction of the administrationâs trade programme in April 2025He added that manufacturing indicators were improving with higher productivity wage growth and increased demand for labour âThe average American manufacturing worker is producing more goods and getting paid more to do soâ he saidAt the same time Greer acknowledged that the transition would not be immediate describing the effort as reversing decades of economic policy âItâs hard to do it in one year after 50 years of offshoringâ he saidWhile Greer rejected claims that tariffs were fuelling inflation some Democratic lawmakers pointed to rising consumer costs and economic uncertaintyGreer pushed back arguing that the administrationâs focus was on rebuilding domestic capacity and strengthening supply chains He said tariffs were designed to ensure that goods consumed in the US were increasingly produced at home reducing reliance on foreign sourcesThe testimony comes as the administration prepares for a review of key trade agreements and continues negotiations with multiple partners Greer indicated that future policy would remain focused on enforcing commitments and ensuring that trading partners comply with agreed termsUS trade policy has undergone a significant shift in recent years moving away from traditional free trade frameworks towards a more protectionist and transactional model The current approach emphasises domestic manufacturing supply chain resilience and strategic competition particularly in critical sectorsAs debates over tariffs and global trade intensify in Washington Greerâs remarks signal that the administration intends to stay the course betting that shortterm disruption will yield longterm economic gains IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-trade-representative-greer-defends-trump-tariff-policy-cites-gains-for-workers-and-industry-670764.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 08:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/continue-to-be-bold-in-pursuit-of-unsc-reform-macky-sall-candidate-for-un-chief-670770.html United Nations April 23 âWe have to continue to be boldâ in pursuing the reform of the Security Council said Macky Sall who is a candidate for secretarygeneral The debate over reforming the Council has been going on for over 30 years but the âone thing that we can all agree on is that today the Security Council is not representative of todays world he said on Wednesday at a candidateâs forum hereThere are many different proposals for reforming the Council and some even say that it cannot take place now within the time of tension that more time is needed for reformââWhat I can try to do is push the agenda forwardâ he pledged while replying to a question on behalf of the G4 India Germany Japan and Brazil which pursue reforms togetherHe said âWe need to ensure inclusion whilst also bearing in mind the need to maintain the credibility and above all the effectiveness of the council because with five vetoes thats already a hard taskâAll options are on the table and I will push as hard as I canâ he saidBut he added âObviously the decision is not that of the secretarygeneral It is the decision of member states if this reform is to go forwardâSall a former president of Senegal is one of the four candidates who want to succeed Antonio Guterres when his second term ends this yearHe is the only one from Africa the other three are from Latin AmericaHe was nominated by Burundi whose President Evariste Ndayishimiye is the president of the African UnionBut Sall does not have the backing of his countryWhile he faced a gauntlet of questions from diplomats and civil society representatives during a threehour session his supporters and his opponents held demonstrations outside the UN buildingSall was the president of the African Union AU during 202223 when the organisation became a member of G20 at the New Delhi summit while it was led by Prime Minister Narendra ModiHe recalled his efforts on behalf of the AU for joining the G20 the group of industrialised and emerging nations as an example of how he would lead the UN if he got the jobAU becoming a full member of the G20 âwas not an obvious thing at the time but it was through discussion through dialogueâ and by talking to all leaders that he managed it he saidI think that this capacity to talk to anyone everyone without any barriers this is what I want to and can put at the disposal of the organisationâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/continue-to-be-bold-in-pursuit-of-unsc-reform-macky-sall-candidate-for-un-chief-670770.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 09:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-defends-russia-oil-waiver-amid-price-fears-670771.html Washington April 23 US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended a temporary sanctions waiver affecting Russian oil saying it helped prevent a sharper spike in global prices even as Democrats warned it could boost Moscowâs war finances and keep fuel costs high Testifying before a Senate panel Bessent said the move was aimed at stabilising supply during a volatile periodâTreasury was able to create the more than 250 million barrels on the waterâ he saidHe added that without the waiver prices could have surged further âAs they came in today the oil prices are at 100 If we had not done that sanctions relief they might have been at 150âBessent said the policy was designed to protect consumers â100 per cent of 100 is less than 80 per cent of 150â he saidDemocrats pushed backChris Coons said the waiver risks sending billions of dollars to Russia He argued it undermines pressure on Moscow at a critical timeâWe the folks in Delaware are buying 4 a gallon gas todayâ Coons saidHe questioned whether the policy had delivered any real reliefBessent rejected claims that Russia or Iran had gained significantly âI couldnât disagree moreâ he saidHe said the decision to extend the waiver was influenced by global concerns âI was approached by more than 10 of the most vulnerable and poorest countriesâ and they asked us to extend that sanction and its only for 30 daysâ he saidLawmakers also flagged rising fuel costsJack Reed said Americans are paying âover 4 a gallon at the pumpâ warning that prices remain a burden on householdsBessent pointed to market trendsHe said the oil market is in âa very steep backwardationâ meaning prices could fall over timeâI think the conflict will endâ gasoline prices will come back to where they were or perhaps lowerâ he saidThe exchange underscored a wider divide in Washington The administration argues flexibility can steady markets Critics say it weakens sanctions pressureSanctions on Russian energy have been central to Western policy since the Ukraine war Governments have tried to limit Moscowâs revenue while avoiding supply shocksOil prices remain sensitive to geopolitical tensions especially in the Middle East Any disruption can quickly push up global prices affecting major importers including India IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-defends-russia-oil-waiver-amid-price-fears-670771.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 09:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-rejects-claims-that-iran-gained-from-sanctions-relief-670772.html Washington April 23 US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent rejected claims that Iran has gained financially from sanctions relief telling lawmakers the estimates were inaccurate and overstated Testifying before a Senate panel Bessent dismissed assertions that Tehran had received billions in additional revenue during the ongoing conflictâThe 14 billion is a mythâ he said pushing back against criticism from lawmakersThe exchange came during questioning by Chris Coons who argued that easing restrictions on global oil flows risks benefiting US adversariesCoons said Iran and Russia could be profiting from higher energy prices and relaxed enforcement warning that such policies could weaken US leverageBessent disagreed âI couldnât disagree moreâ he said when asked whether Iran had received significant additional revenueHe said Treasury actions were aimed at keeping global oil markets supplied and avoiding sharp price increases that would hurt consumersâThere is oil to the leftâ there is oil to the rightâ Bessent said referring to supply around key global routesHe argued that maintaining supply had helped prevent a spike in pricesThe hearing also touched on broader concerns about fuel costsLawmakers said Americans are paying more at the pump as the conflict adds pressure to global markets They linked higher prices to geopolitical tensions and policy choicesBessent said current conditions reflect market volatility rather than longterm shortages He pointed to supply measures taken by the administration to stabilise pricesSanctions on Iran remain a central element of US foreign policy They are designed to limit revenue from oil exports and constrain the countryâs economic capacityGlobal oil markets remain sensitive to geopolitical developments especially in the Middle East Changes in supply or policy can quickly affect prices worldwide including in major importing countries such as India IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-rejects-claims-that-iran-gained-from-sanctions-relief-670772.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 09:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-lawmakers-back-strong-india-ties-670776.html Washington April 23 Powerful American lawmakers across party lines called for deeper IndiaUS cooperation on security trade and global stability even as some flagged strains in ties over tariffs and policy differences At an âExhibition on Human Cost of Terrorismâ organized by Indian Embassy at the Capitol Hilll members of Congress described India as a key strategic partner underscoring shared democratic values and the need for closer coordination in addressing global challenges particularly terrorismCongressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said the relationship âis not as strong as it should beâ pointing to what he described as a more âtransactional relationshipâ and the impact of tariffs He added however that ties âshould transcend partiesâ andâ rise to new heights over timeâAt the same time Krishnamoorthi stressed common ground between the two countries âOur two countriesâ share so much in commonâ he said citing a commitment to freedom equality and a rulesbased orderCongressman Dave Taylor described India as âa hugely important ally of the United Statesâ calling for âa coordinated policyâ to address global threats including terrorismOthers highlighted the strategic dimension of the partnershipCongressman Bill Huizenga Chairman of the South and Central Asia Subcommittee for Foreign Affairs said India is âextremely importantâ both economically strategicallyâ adding that cooperation spans counterterrorism intelligencesharing and maritime securityHuizenga pointed to the importance of ensuring open sea lanes saying the United States is focused on âmaking sure that thereâs an ability to transit the freeâ seasâ an area where India plays a growing roleCongressman Rich McCormick emphasised the longterm potential of the partnership describing the âsynergy between our two countriesââWhen you look at what America and India together are poised to doâ it could usher in an era of peace economic prosperityâ he said linking the relationship to broader global stabilityCongressman Ro Khanna cochair of the India Caucus said the partnership has taken on greater importance in confronting transnational threatsâTerrorism isnât just contained to one regionâ it spreads and threatens freedom around the worldâ Khanna said adding that both countries must deepen âintelligence sharing and defence cooperationâCongressman Jonathan Jackson tied the relationship to global economic pressures noting that instability affects both nationsâThe price of fuel the price of foodâ affects us allâ he said warning that rising conflict and terrorism are ânow consuming the entire worldâIndiaâs Ambassador to the United States Vinay Mohan Kwatra said the strong turnout of lawmakers reflected broad political support for the partnershipâCongressmenâ represent the voice of the peopleâ he said adding that their engagement helps shape policy and reinforces commitment to counterterrorism effortsKwatra said the event highlighted the need for countries to âcome together need to work together andâ act togetherâ in addressing global challengesA big supporter of IndiaUS ties Congressman Brad Sherman said ties have been âstrained by the outrageous tariffsâ but expressed hope for expanding economic engagement going forwardLawmakers stressed that differences do not undermine the overall trajectory of the relationshipCongresswoman April McClain Delaney described it as âa long strong relationshipâ rooted in deep peopletopeople connections including contributions from the Indian diasporaâI think thereâs just such an incredible exchange between our countriesâ she saidCongressman Jamie Raskin called for a rulesbased approach grounded in international law Congresswoman Julie Johnson emphasised the importance of maintaining democratic alignment in confronting global threatsLawmakers said cooperation on counterterrorism defence and trade will continue to define the relationship as both countries navigate an increasingly uncertain global environment IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-lawmakers-back-strong-india-ties-670776.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 10:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-state-department-urges-americans-to-leave-iran-after-airspace-reopening-670788.html Washington April 23 The US State Department has urged American citizens in Iran to leave after the Middle Eastern country partially reopened its airspace In a social media post on Wednesday local time the State Departments Bureau of Consular Affairs urged Americans to monitor local media for updates closely and to contact commercial airlines for information about outbound flightsThe advisory noted that US citizens may also depart by land to Armenia Azerbaijan Turkey and Turkmenistan However it warned against travelling to Afghanistan Iraq or the PakistanIran border areaIran shut down its airspace after joint USIsraeli strikes started on February 28 reports Xinhua news agencyThe country reopened its eastern airspace to international flights on Saturday paving the way for the partial resumption of airport operationsIn a report on Sunday the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting quoted a senior official from Irans Civil Aviation Organization as saying that the countrys airspace would be reopened in four phases Earlier on Wednesday the Donald Trump administration has extended its ceasefire with Iran while maintaining a sweeping naval blockade with the White House insisting there is no deadline for negotiations and signalling continued economic pressure on Tehran White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the United States is pursuing a dualtrack approach pausing military strikes while intensifying financial and maritime restrictionsPresident Trump announced an extension of the cease fireâ and generously offering a bit of flexibility to a regime who has been completely tarnished because of Operation Epic Fury she told reporters inside the White House on WednesdayShe made clear that the pause in combat operations does not signal a reduction in pressure Theres a cease fire with the military and kinetic strikes but Operation Economic Fury continues and the effective and successful naval blockade continues as well she saidAccording to the White House the blockade is inflicting significant economic damage We are completely strangling their economy through this blockadeâ theyre losing 500 million a day Leavitt said adding that Iran is unable to move oil shipments or sustain paymentsDespite the escalation in economic pressure the administration has deliberately avoided setting a timeline for negotiations The President has not set a firm deadlineâ ultimately the timeline will be dictated by the commander in chief she said rejecting reports of a short window for talks IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-state-department-urges-americans-to-leave-iran-after-airspace-reopening-670788.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/wildfires-ravage-us-force-mass-evacuations-670804.html Florida April 23 Wildfires sweeping across the southeastern United States have forced widespread evacuations and destroyed dozens of homes particularly in Georgia and Florida Dry conditions strong winds and abundant vegetation have allowed the fires to spread rapidly catching some residents off guard without warningIn Georgia the hardesthit areas include counties near the coast where nearly 50 homes have already been lost and around 1000 more are under threat Officials say two major fires alone have scorched over 30 square miles around 80 square km with additional smaller blazes reportedThe situation has been worsened by severe drought with rainfall far below normal levels prompting the states firstever burn ban in affected regions reports Xinhua news agencyEmergency crews are working to contain the flames by creating firebreaks but shifting winds continue to pose a major challenge Authorities have ordered hundreds of evacuations and more residents are being urged to leave as conditions changeMeanwhile Florida is experiencing one of its worst wildfire seasons in decades with over 100 active fires burning across the state Smoke from the blazes has drifted into major cities reducing air quality and raising health concernsEarlier on April 17 the National Interagency Fire Centre Idaho announced that fire activity remained light across the country with 144 new fires reported and three new large incidents It further mentioned that 23 large fires are uncontained with 992 personnel assigned nationwide All incidents are being managed under a full suppression strategy with most activity concentrated in the Southern Area the NIFC said in a statementIt further announced that a new Fuels and Fire Behaviour Advisory has been issued for the Southeastern Area where persistent dry weather and rapidly intensifying drought are resulting in historically dry fuels from the southern Appalachians and adjacent areas into the coastal Southeast IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/wildfires-ravage-us-force-mass-evacuations-670804.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 12:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/the-new-doctrine-how-isi-is-internationalising-lashkar-jem-operations-670808.html New Delhi April 23 Pakistan has been called out on numerous occasions for being a facilitator of terror While its primary agenda is to hurt Indiaâs interests of late several operatives linked to the ISI have been arrested for plotting attacks in various parts of the world The arrests made in the United States and also in South Korea indicate the growing network of the ISIIn August last year a Pakistani citizen was arrested for being a member of the LashkareTayiba He was trained in Pakistan and had entered South Korea by using falsified documentsInvestigators probed his links with the LashkareTayiba and his potential links to terror financingWhile the ISI has always had an international network it has of late been ramping up such activity in a big wayWhile the targets are Indian nationals and Indian interests abroad the aim is also to recruit from across the globe and carry out attacks on a major scaleAn Intelligence Bureau official said that if one studies the pattern the ISI has been looking to operate on an international scaleThe ISI has been trying to rope in international players so that it can operate on a global scale The spy agency wants outfits such as the LashkareTayiba and JaisheMohammad JeM to operate on a larger scale like how the Islamic State and AlQaeda doIt began with Sajid Mir one of the main accused in the Mumbai 2611 attacks In 2007 Mir was sentenced inabsentia by a French court to 10 years in prison He was accused of plotting terrorist activities involving French citizensOn March 6 a Pakistani national Asif Merchant associated with the ISI was found guilty in the US of trying to kill political figures and government officialsSimilarly one Muhammad Shahzeb Khan once again of Pakistani origin pleaded guilty for trying to carry out an attack on a Jewish centre in New York CityCounterterrorism officials say that most of these people who are operating abroad are on the payrolls of the ISI They are trained in Pakistan and then sent out on international missionsThis is clearly a sign that Pakistan does not want to focus just on India but on major international operations as wellThe ISI has also hosted members of the Hamas on multiple occasions in Pakistan It has been trying to bring together the LashkareTayiba and the Hamas for several months nowAn official said that this signals that Pakistan wants its terror groups not just to focus on India but operate at an international levelMany terror groups in Pakistan have been insisting that they be allowed to carry out operations internationallyIn addition to India these terror groups have raised their voices against the French administration and Israeli action against the terror group HamasLike the Islamic State and AlQaeda groups such as the LashkareTayiba and JaisheMohammad have very often questioned the actions of the West and US against Islamic nationsIt is very difficult to keep these groups and their demands under check for the ISI This has led to the scaling up of international operations another official saidThe official pointed out that for now the ISI would want members of these terror outfits to carry out attacks individually There are no plans to send in multiple members at one go like is the case when it comes to their operations in Jammu and KashmirOutfits such as the LashkareTayiba expect that their operatives carry out lone actor strikes abroad and at the same time convey the message to the global audience Officials say that wherever operations may be carried out the fact remains that their origins are from PakistanThese persons are funded generously by the ISI and also provided safe havens in Pakistan once their operations concludeThe scaling up of international operations has however not gone unnoticed The Global Terrorism Index 2026 has placed Pakistan on the top of the global rankingsThe rankings come in the wake of several international agencies flagging Pakistanâs role in aiding and abetting terror not just in India but in other parts of the world as wellThe report also says that Pakistan continues to function as a host and an operational hub for multiple terror networks with global and regional reach IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/the-new-doctrine-how-isi-is-internationalising-lashkar-jem-operations-670808.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 12:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/police-officers-among-4-injured-following-sydney-shootings-670809.html Sydney April 23 Two police officers are among four people who have been treated for injuries following separate shootings in western Sydney Police said on Thursday that the first incident occurred at around 840 pm on Wednesday local time when officers in the suburb of Punchbowl 16 km southwest of central Sydney spotted a car that had been reported stolenAn officer approached the car to arrest the driver when it stopped in traffic but the driver accelerated and pinned the 39yearold man between two vehiclesThe officer fired his weapon at the vehicle before it left the scene Ambulance paramedics attended and took him to the hospital in a stable condition with lower leg injuries reports Xinhua news agencyThe alleged driver of the stolen vehicle a 32yearold man was found with a gunshot wound in the yard of a home a short time later and hospitalised under police guardHours later police said that emergency services were deployed at 1130 pm to Chester Hill 19 km west of central Sydney following reports that several shots had been fired from one vehicle into anotherBoth vehicles left the scene but police were notified that a 26yearold man had presented to a nearby hospital with gunshot wounds minutes laterA vehicle with several bullet holes was located at the hospital and police attempted to speak to a 30yearold man in the emergency department when he allegedly assaulted an officer who was treated for a laceration to his head after being repeatedly punchedThe 26yearold shooting victim was admitted to the hospital in a critical condition and the 30yearold was arrested and charged with assaulting a police officer executing their dutyPolice established several crime scenes and have commenced investigations into both shootings IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/police-officers-among-4-injured-following-sydney-shootings-670809.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 12:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/after-trfs-fall-lashkar-plots-slather-proxy-to-evade-indias-new-doctrine-670832.html New Delhi April 23 The Resistance Front TRF which claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack twice before denying any role is almost decimated today The TRF a proxy of the LashkareTaiba carried out a series of attacks in Jammu and Kashmir while posing as a locally grown group Post the Pahalgam attack the TRF was disbanded An Intelligence Bureau official said the Pahalgam attack elicited a strong response from India This led to many terror groups facing the heat The official said that the ISI has asked some of these groups to lie low as there is too much heat on them Moreover Pakistan is trying to reshape its image internationally and hence it is important for it to keep its terror groups at bay at least for nowThe official however warned that the LashkareTaiba is in the process of creating another proxy for operations in Jammu and Kashmir It is identifying men to be part of this new proxy The emphasis is on the locals in Jammu and Kashmir It is also looking for those persons from Kashmir who moved into Pakistan several years ago and would look to rope in these persons to join this new terror groupAnother official explained that unlike the TRF the structure of this new proxy would be different When it was launched the agencies did not have much of a headache in tracing its originsThe funding and handlers shared the same trail as the LashkareTaiba LeT From day one it was clear that the outfit was nothing but a proxy For the new proxy the LeT plans on keeping operations separate The funding channels would not overlap with those of the LashkareTaibaThe LeT would also not want to involve its trainers and handlers with this new group The only similarity would be the ideology and the cause The members of this new group will not interact or connect with anyone from the LeT directly On being asked whether this group is ready or not officials said that its making is in the processThe Lashkar will not rush through anything and would rather want to wait it out at least for a year before this group becomes fully functionalWhile the group would be formed the challenge would be the infiltrations Since it is next to impossible to infiltrate India at the moment the terror outfit would take it slow They are aware that the Indian security agencies are on a state of very high alert Hence they would wait for the security mechanism to turn lax before attempting anything at the borderThe proxy which the LeT feels should operate without any Pakistani linkages is also aimed at tackling Indiaâs new doctrine on terror India following the Pahalgam attack said that any act of terror would not be treated as crossborder terror but as an act of warFollowing the Pahalgam attack investigators were quick in identifying the attackers and the probe learned that the three were Pakistani nationals This is a scenario which the LeT wants to avoid Any attack in Jammu and Kashmir should be carried out by locals and no amount of probing should lead to Pakistan the outfit feelsNot only would the outfit carry out a strike in Jammu and Kashmir but it is also looking to avoid an Operation Sindoor an official said In addition to keeping a close watch on the operational capabilities of this new group the agencies are also tracking funding trails both in Pakistan and IndiaThe outfit would look to carry out donation drives and would even ask people from India to donate The LeT has already formed groups such as the Muslim Medical Mission MMM which claims to be a humanitarian group It says that its formation is to raise funds for Gaza relief In reality all the funds are being pumped into the LashkareTaiba an official said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/after-trfs-fall-lashkar-plots-slather-proxy-to-evade-indias-new-doctrine-670832.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-africa-forum-summit-to-shape-next-phase-of-our-partnership-eam-jaishankar--670837.html New Delhi April 23 IANS External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar said on Thursday that the India Africa Forum Summit IAFSIV will shape the next phase of the partnership between two sides stressing that it would be more ambitious inclusive and futureorientednbspThe EAMs statement came as he unveiled the logo theme and website of the summit to be hosted by India in collaboration with the African Union Commission here on May 31Joined African Ambassadors and those invested in IndiaAfrica friendship to launch the Logo Theme and Website of 4th India Africa Forum Summit The forthcoming Summit will shape the next phase of our partnership one that is more ambitious more inclusive and more futureoriented It will enable us to exchange best practices share successful experiences and discuss common challenges he said in a post on XJaishankar stated that the development partnership and capacitybuilding initiatives between India and Africa are driven by African priorities and local ownership He mentioned that the engagement of two sides has increased in various sectors like digital fintech and innovation reshaping economies across the African continentIndia and Africa have been deepening engagement in the International Solar Alliance the Global Biofuels Alliance the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and the International Big Cat Alliance he noted He highlighted Indias consistent support to Africas rightful place in global governance demonstrated in the African Unions inclusion in the G20 during Indias 2023 presidencynbspHighlighting Indias growing diplomatic footprint in Africa he said that India and Africa are not just partners in development but partners in shaping a better worldThe IAFSIV will bring together leaders from the African continent the African Union Commission and representatives from regional organisations to strengthen the enduring IndiaAfrica partnership and lay out a roadmap for further expanding cooperation in various sectors according to a Ministry of External Affairs MEAnbsp statementThe summit will be held under the theme IA SPIRIT India Africa Strategic Partnership for Innovation Resilience and Inclusive Transformation demonstrating the comprehensive nature of the IndiaAfrica partnership In the leadup to the summit a series of preparatory meetings will be held including the IndiaAfrica Foreign Ministers Meeting on May 29 preceded by the Senior Officials Meeting on May 28 which will deliberate on key areas of cooperation between India and AfricaThe IndiaAfrica Forum Summit is an important platform for fostering dialogue with African countries and the AU Commission and advancing mutually beneficial collaboration guided by the principles of mutual respect equality solidarity and shared prosperity The last edition of the IndiaAfrica Forum Summit resulted in a major expansion of Indian development assistance and capacity building programs for Africa the MEA statement saidAccording to the MEA the upcoming summit will be a landmark engagement for further cementing close ties of friendship and cooperation between India and Africa and strengthening partnership under the SouthSouth framework It will also be an occasion to showcase good governance and inclusive development initiatives developed over the past 10 yearsIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-africa-forum-summit-to-shape-next-phase-of-our-partnership-eam-jaishankar--670837.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 14:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-cannot-even-guarantee-safe-vaccination-for-its-children-report-670869.html Islamabad April 23 Pakistans deteriorating global reputation has been jolted further by a recent incident at a government hospital in Punjab province where 331 children were infected with HIV The incident in Bhakkar city has âshaken the very conscience of humanityâ sparking serious questions about national priorities reported Khalsa Vox while also citing that the countrys InterServices Intelligence ISI has for long dented the countrys image by supporting Khalistani terrorists gangsters and drug mafiasMultiple children were reportedly vaccinated with the same syringe â highlighting not only mere negligence but also a broader weakness of a system in safeguarding human lifeâThis cannot be dismissed as a routine medical error It exposes the reality of a fragile and failing system where even fundamental health protocols are not followed Administering injections to 10 children with a single syringe clearly indicates either a lack of awareness of rules or a complete disregard for them â both scenarios are equally dangerous the report detailedThe infection of 331 children with HIV is a matter that should force any society into deep introspection This is not just a statistic it represents hundreds of innocent lives whose futures have been compromised due to preventable negligence What is even more alarming is that warning signs had appeared earlier making it clear that this crisis is not sudden but the result of years of neglect it statedThe report stressed that the issue extends beyond a single hospital or a few staff members reflecting the failure of an entire system In the absence of strong oversight accountability and timely reform it said such incidents tend to repeat rather than remain isolatedThe strength of a nation is not measured by outward displays but by how well it ensures the basic safety of its citizens If a country cannot even guarantee safe vaccination for its children serious questions must be raised about its priorities It is also worth examining how resources are being allocated Are critical sectors like healthcare and education receiving the attention they deserve or are they consistently sidelined in favour of other priorities This imbalance ultimately leads to such tragedies it mentionedHighlighting Pakistanâs grim situation the report said âPoverty and helplessness further worsen the situation Those who have no alternatives are forced to depend on the very system that is failing them This is not just administrative failure â it is also a form of social injustice IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-cannot-even-guarantee-safe-vaccination-for-its-children-report-670869.html Thu, 23 Apr 2026 18:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/one-year-since-pahalgam-argentina-backs-indias-fight-against-terrorism-670723.html New Delhi April 22 Argentinas Ambassador to India Mariano Caucino on Wednesday paid tribute to the victims of Pahalgam terror attack expressing his countrys support to India in its right to defend itself India is on Wednesday observing one year of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in which Pakistanbacked terrorists gunned down 26 innocent tourists after identifying their religion in one of the most brutal incidents targetting civilians in recent yearsIn an interview with IANS Caucino said One year after this terrible terrorist attack we want to commemorate the day and pay tribute to those who were lost to their families to their loved ones and absolutely condemn terror and all forms of terrorism The Argentine government has been so emphatic on this supporting India in its right to defend itself and its people So we are supporting the government of India and we know what terrorism isThe attack in Pahalgam was carried out by The Resistance Front TRF an offshoot of the Pakistanbased LashkareTaiba The attackers singled out victims after asking about their religion forcing them to recite the Islamic kalima to identify nonMuslims Among those killed were 25 tourists and one local pony ride operator who tried to save the touristsWhen asked whether peace talks between the US and Iran will lead to any conclusion Caucino responded We hope of course everybody wants this war to be concluded and this conflict to be in a way solved Its not so easy In the Middle East there are a number of conflicts this is one of them But we hope there are peace efforts on the way and we hope this brings stability to the world and to the world economy And of course we are supporting the operation in the sense that some countries are promoting terrorism and that is not acceptableEarlier in the day US President Donald Trump unilaterally extended the ceasefire with Iran indefinitely hours before it was to expire even though Tehran refused to attend a second round of talks that Trump had said were imminentAmbassador Caucino stressed that oil is still important in the world and will continue to be a geopolitical factor for the next few decadesI think geopolitically the truth is that oil is still important in this world Although there are numerous countries including mine that have a huge reserve of energy for example gas in the case of Argentina but its a world in which we are still dependent on these types of energy resources So I think although Im not an expert on energy I think for a while it will continue being a geopolitical factor maybe for the time we are going to be alive for the next few decades So I think its still a major issue on the global stageHe praised Indias decision to diversify energy resources and said that Argentina can provide energy security to New DelhiEverybody is trying to diversify the energy resources or the energy provisions I think thats a natural course that every country is trying to do In the case of India you are following a strategy of diversifying your energy resources provisions Argentina has already been doing work in that sense especially since last month since this disruption emerged We think that it is wise from Indian side to diversify and Argentina is a country that can not only provide food security to India but also energy security IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/one-year-since-pahalgam-argentina-backs-indias-fight-against-terrorism-670723.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 16:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-detains-15-afghan-refugees-in-rawalpindi-670732.html Islamabad April 22 A 15member Afghan family including minor children were detained by law enforcement agencies in Pakistans Rawalpindi as authorities continued their crackdown against illegal Afghan nationals local media reported on Wednesday Sources said more than 5673 illegal Afghans have been repatriated to Afghanistan since the deadline for voluntary return has ended The law enforcement agencies have been asked to maintain accurate comprehensive and consolidated data of all deported Afghan nationals irrespective of whether their return was voluntary or conducted through formal actions Pakistans leading daily Dawn reportedThe police have been ordered to collect relevant data verify accuracy by the CounterTerrorism Department CTD and combine at the appropriate level to ensure effective monitoringOn April 14 police in Pakistans Quetta arrested over 20 landlords and shop owners for renting properties to undocumented Afghan migrantsThe crackdown targetted those who violated rental laws with cases lodged against those arrested under existing legal provisions governing housing and foreign residency Afghanistans leading news agency Khaama Press reportedHundreds of undocumented Afghans were identified and arrested during the operation which demonstrates growing pressure faced by migrants in PakistanAfghan migrants in Balochistan said that the restrictions imposed by the authorities have made their routine life increasingly difficult restricting their access to housing employment and essential services needed for basic survivalPakistan has imposed a ban on renting properties to undocumented foreign nationals in Islamabad and nearby areas and extended restrictions to utilities mobile SIM cards and other essential services Khaama Press reportedIn the past few months Afghan refugees have written letters to the United Nations and other bodies to express concerns about increased arrests harassment and forced deportationsOn March 15 over 300 illegal Afghan refugees were detained by police during raids carried out in various parts of Swabi district in Pakistans Khyber PakhtunkhwaA crackdown was launched after a decision made by the district administration and police officials to deport illegal Afghans Dawn reported The police had ordered Station House Officers SHOs to keep data of all illegal Afghans in the jurisdictions of their police stationsAccording to sources 341 Afghan refugees were arrested during raids conducted in Topi Razaar Chota Lahor tehsils and other parts of Swabi on March 15 They mentioned that the raids will continue and all Afghan refugees who are illegally residing in Swabi will be detained and deported to Afghanistan IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-detains-15-afghan-refugees-in-rawalpindi-670732.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/canadas-china-trade-push-risky-could-hurt-ties-with-us-report-670734.html New Delhi April 22 Canadaâs move to deepen trade ties with China could pose risks to its economic security and strain relations with the United States a report has said Former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig warned Ottawaâs evolving China strategy as a risky play that may not be viewed favourably in Washington and could complicate ongoing trade discussions with its largest partner according to the report in Global NewsThe basic problem is that China is not a solution to most of our problems with the US Kovrig was quoted as sayingHe also cautioned that closer engagement with Beijing could make Canada appear as an unreliable ally in the eyes of the United StatesKovtig noted that the US accounts for about 75 per cent of Canadaâs exports while China represents only around 4 per cent underscoring the imbalance in trade dependence according to the reportEarlier the Canadian government announced a deal under Prime Minister Mark Carney which includes provisions such as importing a limited number of Chinese electric vehicles and easing tariffs on certain Canadian agricultural exportsThe agreement aimed at boosting Canadaâs exports to China by 50 per cent by 2030Kovrig warned that China is currently in selling mode not in buying mode and is seeking to expand global reliance on its exportsHe also cautioned that Beijing could use economic leverage to increase its market access over time including pushing for higher quotas of Chinese electric vehicles beyond the current commitmentDrawing an analogy Kovrig said the influx of cheaper imports could undermine domestic industries similar to how large retailers can displace local businesses eventually reducing competition and increasing dependenceHe further pointed out that canola pork and seafood sectors have already become highly dependent on the Chinese market making them vulnerable to potential trade disruptionsIf China cuts off that trade the people in those sectors face an economic catastrophe he said adding that such dependence could influence domestic policy decisionsHowever Kovrig did not advocate cutting off ties with China entirely stressing that engagement should be tightly controlled and restricted with safeguards to prevent misuseThe report further highlighted that other experts have echoed similar concerns warning that the deal could impact negotiations to renew the CanadaUSMexico Agreement IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/canadas-china-trade-push-risky-could-hurt-ties-with-us-report-670734.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/former-us-nsa-raises-concerns-over-pakistans-motives-in-iran-talks-calls-it-chinas-client-670618.html Washington April 22 Former US National Security Advisor NSA HR McMaster has cast doubt on Pakistanâs role in Iranrelated diplomacy describing it as a âclientâ of China and warning of âulterior motivesâ in its mediation efforts âI think what you have to do is consider Pakistan as certainly a client of the Chinese Communist Partyâ McMaster told IANS in an exclusive interview when asked about the role of Pakistan in mediating between the US and IranThe second round of talks between Iran and the US in Islamabad was called off by President Donald Trump on Tuesday afternoon local timeMcMaster in response to a question argued that Beijing has a vested interest in preserving the current Iranian regime âThe Chinese Communist Partyâ is desperate to keep the Islamic Republicâ in power in Iranâ said McMaster who served as the national security advisor to President Trump in his first termGiven that context McMaster suggested Pakistanâs offer to broker talks may not be neutral âThere is probably an ulterior motive here in offering their good offices to broker these talksâ he saidDrawing on his experience McMaster delivered a blunt assessment of Pakistanâs security establishmentâMy experience with the Pakistani army has been one of great disappointmentâ he saidHe accused Pakistan of pursuing a dualtrack approach in security cooperation âPakistan often offers to be your friend and to assistâ in counterterrorism effortsâ while at the same timeâ theyâre supporting your enemiesâ he saidReferring to longstanding concerns raised by India he added that such behaviour is not new âTheyâve been using terrorist organisations as an arm of their foreign policy since the late 1940sâ he saidMcMaster linked Pakistanâs positioning to wider geopolitical competition especially Chinaâs role in the Middle East According to him Beijingâs economic engagement with Iran including largescale oil purchases provides the Iranian regime with financial resourcesâThey buy 90 per cent of Iranâs oil to feed the Iranian regimeâs ATMâ he said adding that such support enables Tehran to sustain its regional activitiesMcMaster argued that these dynamics make it difficult to view Pakistanâs diplomatic role in isolation from Chinaâs strategic interests IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/former-us-nsa-raises-concerns-over-pakistans-motives-in-iran-talks-calls-it-chinas-client-670618.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 06:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-extends-iran-ceasefire-blockade-stays-670619.html Washington April 22 US President Donald Trump has extended the ceasefire with Iran and ordered the continuation of a naval blockade saying Tehran must first present a âunified proposalâ before talks can move forward In a statement posted on Truth Social on Tuesday local time Trump said the decision followed a request from Pakistanâs leadership and internal divisions within Iranâs governmentâBased on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fracturedâ we have been asked to hold our attack on the country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposalâ Trump saidâI have therefore directed our military to continue the blockadeâ and will therefore extend the ceasefire until such time as their proposal is submitted and discussions are concluded one way or the otherâ he addedThe announcement came hours before the twoweek ceasefire was due to expire and has thrown the next round of peace talks into uncertaintySoon thereafter Vice President JD Vance cancelled his plans to travel to Islamabad for the second round of negotiations with Iran A White House official confirmed that the trip would not proceed as Washington awaits clarity from TehranIran has not confirmed participation in the talks and has demanded that the US lift its blockade as a condition for returning to negotiations according to The Washington PostIranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Washington of breaching the truce saying âBlockading Iranian ports is an act of war and thus a violation of the ceasefireâ and added that âstriking a commercial vessel and taking its crew hostage is an even greater violationâ The Wall Street Journal reportedPakistan which has been mediating the talks welcomed the extension Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked Trump for âgraciously accepting our request to extend the ceasefire to allow ongoing diplomatic efforts to take their courseâDespite the extension tensions remain high Earlier in the day Trump warned that military action remains an option if negotiations failâWell I expect to be bombingâ the military is raring to goâ he said in an interviewThe US has maintained pressure through a sweeping maritime blockade targeting Iranian ports and oil shipments Officials say at least 28 vessels have been ordered to turn around or return to port since the blockade began on April 13 according to Fox News Digital and The Wall Street JournalIran has responded with threats to escalate Reports citing Iranian media said Tehran would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz while the blockade remains and could âbreak the blockade by force if necessaryâ according to Fox News Digital and The Wall Street JournalThe diplomatic standoff has left both sides in a holding pattern with the ceasefire extended but no clear path to negotiationsThe conflict which began on February 28 has disrupted global energy markets particularly through tensions around the Strait of Hormuz a critical route for oil shipments The waterway carries a significant share of global crude supply and remains central to the crisis IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-extends-iran-ceasefire-blockade-stays-670619.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 06:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/bihar-outlines-growth-vision-before-diaspora-at-us-event-670621.html Washington April 22 Bihar officials pitched the stateâs growth and technology vision to the diaspora at Bihar Diwas 2026 celebrations in New York The event was held at the Consulate General of India and brought together diplomats policymakers and members of the Indian diaspora Emcee Komal Sharan opened the programme and welcomed attendeesAsserting that âBihar is ready for transformationâ Bihar Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit urged people of Bihari origin across the world to contribute at what he described as a critical moment He said that government departments would remain accountable and address development challenges transparentlyIndustry Secretary Kundan Kumar who also serves as CEO of the Bihar Foundation reinforced the message saying âBihar Hai Taiyarâ Bihar is ready to take a leap forward He pointed to industrial growth new GCC policies and efforts to position Bihar as a competitive investment destinationAlok Kumar Chairman of Bihar Foundation USA â ETZ highlighted the governmentâs push towards artificial intelligence He referred to the establishment of a Centre of Excellence and collaboration with industry leaders including Mahesh Kumar Founder of Tiger Analytics and Badrish PrakashIndiaâs Consul General in New York Binaya S Pradhan in his remarks underscored the stateâs global footprint He referred to Biharâs historical legacy and its future potentialCommunity leader Avinash Gupta urged attendees to move beyond stereotypes about Bihar and recognise infrastructure improvements Priti Kashyap President of BJANA stressed unity and the need to engage younger generationsThe programme included the launch of the book âGaon Ki Mitti Mitne Nahi Detiâ by Santa Mishra Cultural performances showcased Biharâs traditions through folk music and dance including acts inspired by regional festivals and songsBihar Vishwa Gaurav Samman 2026 was presented to Saroj Kumar Jha Hasmukh Ranjan Rajesh Sinha and Sanjay Choubey for their contributions in their respective fields IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/bihar-outlines-growth-vision-before-diaspora-at-us-event-670621.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 07:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-steps-up-lng-push-with-shipment-flag-off-from-us-670622.html Washington April 22 India has stepped up its energy security push as GAIL India Limited flagged off an LNG vessel from a US terminal signalling deeper IndiaUS cooperation in securing cleaner fuel supplies The LNG vessel Energy Fidelity was flagged off on April 20 from the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal by Indiaâs Consul General in Houston DC Manjunath according to official statementsâGAIL India Limited proudly marks a significant milestone in Indiaâs global energy journeyâ the company said on Tuesday local time It described the development as part of its longterm LNG shipping portfolioWithin this portfolio the 174000 cubic metre LNG carrier Energy Fidelity âstands as a testament to Indiaâs growing strength in building a robust futureready energy ecosystemâ the company said It added that the vessel would âstrengthen Indiaâs energy logistics ensuring a resilient supply chain and a reliable flow of cleaner fuel to support the countryâs growthâThe Houston consulate said the ceremony âmarks an important milestone in Indiaâs expanding global energy engagement and GAIL India Limitedâs longterm LNG shipping portfolioâIt described the vessel as a âstateoftheart 174000 cbm LNG carrierâ that strengthens Indiaâs energy logistics chain The consulate said it supports âthe countryâs transition toward cleaner and more sustainable fuel sourcesâThe milestone âreflects the deepening energy partnership between India and the United States anchored in mutual trust shared goals of energy security and expanding economic collaborationâ the statement saidThe consulate said the occasion âreflects the growing IndiaâUS energy partnership built on shared priorities of reliability innovation and longterm energy securityâIt added that the mission âremains committed to working closely with all stakeholders to facilitate cooperation in Energy Security and to promote the 3Ts Trade Technology and Tourismâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-steps-up-lng-push-with-shipment-flag-off-from-us-670622.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 07:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/unmanned-navy-push-gains-urgency-in-us-670623.html Washington April 22 US lawmakers have urged the Navy to speed up the deployment of unmanned surface vessels warning that delays could leave the United States trailing adversaries adopting autonomous systems at a pace Opening a Senate Seapower subcommittee hearing on Tuesday Senator Rick Scott said the Navy âmust move decisively to integrate unmanned systems into the fightâ and warned it âappearsâ late to the game alreadyâ pointing to lessons from the war in UkraineScott said unmanned vessels can âextend our reach reduce risks to American sailors and Marinesâ and give us the edge we needâ stressing that rivals are moving quickly in this domainSenator Tim Kaine highlighted growing threats at sea noting that US and partner vessels have faced repeated attacks in recent years He said the Navy must respond to âthreats that are growing more complicated every dayâ especially in regions such as the Persian Gulf and the Strait of HormuzRear Admiral Derek Trinque director of Surface Warfare told the panel that unmanned surface vessels are a âcritical componentâ of future naval operations but will work alongside traditional ships âWe are not moving toward an exclusively unmanned fleetâ he said emphasising âmanned and unmanned teamingâHe said the Navy is trying to accelerate acquisition and field capabilities faster Unmanned systems he said will âaugment and complement the main battle forceâ and expand operational options for commandersRebecca Gassler the Navyâs portfolio acquisition executive for robotic and autonomous systems said the service is shifting from experimentation to rapid deployment âUnmanned systems are not a future conceptâ they are a response to a present operational realityâ she saidShe said adversaries are investing in âmass distribution and lower cost systemsâ forcing the US to adopt a âcomplementary approachâ that increases reach and persistenceGassler said the Navy has introduced a competitive marketplace model allowing companies to offer mature systems that compete for contracts The approach aims to speed up procurement and scale production of proven technologiesOfficials said the Navy plans an initial procurement of about 30 medium unmanned surface vessels with the fleet potentially expanding to around 70 over a fiveyear lifecycle including sustainmentLawmakers raised concerns about clarity for the industry Scott said companies need âa clear sustained demand signalâ not another pivotâ to ensure continued investmentThe discussion also touched on how to measure naval strength Kaine said traditional ship counts may no longer reflect âcapacity and lethalityâ calling for updated metrics that include unmanned systemsUnmanned maritime systems have gained prominence globally particularly after Ukraine used them effectively in the Black Sea against Russian forcesThe US Navy built around large warships and aircraft carriers is now adapting to a changing battlespace as rivals invest in autonomous capabilities across air surface and subsurface domains IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/unmanned-navy-push-gains-urgency-in-us-670623.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 07:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-india-ties-rocky-but-essential-former-nsa-mcmaster-670624.html Washington April 22 Former US National Security Advisor NSA HR McMaster has described current USIndia relations as ârockyâ but stressed that the two countries remain indispensable partners amid rising global tensions particularly from China âItâs been rocky Iâll say thatâ McMaster told IANS in an exclusive interview reflecting on the trajectory of ties in recent years âIt didnât need to be that rocky in my viewâHe pointed to strains that emerged during the Trump administration including perceptions around diplomatic credit and trade disagreements âPresident Trump felt as if heâ didnât receive enough creditâ for reducing tensions on the border between India and Pakistanâ he saidMcMaster served as the National Security Advisor to President Donald Trump in his first termTrade disputes he noted have been a recurring source of friction âThe trade issues have always been kind of sticky But we could work together on thoseâ he said in response to a questionDespite these challenges McMaster underscored the structural importance of the relationship âWe need each otherâ he saidHe acknowledged disappointment in Washington over Indiaâs position following Russiaâs invasion of Ukraine âThere was disappointmentâ when Indiaâ didnât voteâ with the United States in the United Nationsâ he saidHowever he linked Indiaâs cautious stance to concerns over US reliability after the withdrawal from Afghanistan âWhen Indiaâ asked who has our back There were doubts about the degree to which the United States could support Indiaâ he saidMcMaster described Indiaâs strategic posture as balancing competing risks âThereâs this natural inclinationâ to swing between fears of entanglementâ and fears of abandonmentâ he saidHe argued that a middle ground is needed with stronger assurances from Washington âFrom Indiaâs perspective the US should be the most important partnerâ going forwardâ he saidThe former NSA also raised concerns about Indiaâs continued reliance on Russian military equipment âIndiaâs reliance on Russian weapons and munitions isâ problematicâ he saidCiting recent conflicts he added âRussian weapons and munitions are not very goodâ as you can see in UkraineâHe said reducing that dependence could unlock deeper defence cooperation âThere is a great deal of reluctance to sell the most capable US weaponsâ because of the threat of compromiseâ he said referring to security concerns linked to Russian systemsMcMaster framed USIndia ties within the broader challenge posed by China âThe US and India are the solution to each otherâs problemsâ in terms of the threat from Chinese aggressionâ he saidHe recalled recent tensions along the IndiaChina border âChinese soldiers were attacking Indian soldiers on the Himalayan frontierâ he said adding that Beijing continues to pursue âsubversive actionsâ and economic pressureBeyond government ties McMaster highlighted the role of peopletopeople connections âWe have benefited fromâ the incredibly talented and vibrant Indian diasporaâ he saidHe said these social and cultural links strengthen the foundation of the relationship âWe also haveâ strong cultural ties andâ familial tiesâ he addedDespite recent frictions McMaster expressed confidence in the longterm trajectory âIndia and the United States are natural partnersâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-india-ties-rocky-but-essential-former-nsa-mcmaster-670624.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 07:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-praises-ncaa-athletes-pushes-for-sports-reforms-670625.html Washington April 22 US President Donald Trump praised NCAA champions at the White House and said his administration is pushing changes to college sports warning current trends are ânot sustainableâ Hosting seven collegiate championshipwinning teams on Tuesday local time Trump described the athletes as âremarkableâ and said they had shown âgrit and determinationâ âThis afternoon were joined by not one not two but seven collegiate championshipwinning teams from all across the country champions every one of themâ he saidThe teams included the Oklahoma State Cowboys menâs golf champions Texas AampM womenâs volleyball champions Wake Forest menâs tennis champions Georgia womenâs tennis champions Youngstown State womenâs bowling champions Florida State womenâs soccer champions and West Virginiaâs mixed rifle championsTrump praised the Oklahoma State golf team for securing its â12th national titleâ and said the Texas AampM volleyball team âplayed with heart and determinationâ He highlighted standout players calling Kyndal Stowers âa real powerhouse and championâ and commended Logan Lednickyâs performance in the finalOn tennis he said Wake Forest âbattled through the fierce postseason to claim their second national titleâ while Georgiaâs womenâs team captured its third title after a comeback winHe also recognised Youngstown Stateâs bowling team for achieving âthe programs first ever national titleâ and praised Madyson Marx saying her â208 averageâ was âfantasticâ Florida Stateâs womenâs soccer team was noted for winning its fifth national title while West Virginiaâs rifle team marked its 20th national shooting titleTrump used the event to outline concerns about the current state of college sports âWhats happening is crazyâ he said adding that his administration is âfighting hard to save college sportsâHe referred to an executive order introducing reforms including limiting transfers and setting a fiveyear eligibility cap âStudents right out of high school should not have to compete against players that are 28 or 29 years oldâ he saidCalling for legislative support Trump said âWe need now Congress to act to clear up the confusion created by the courts and institute permanent reforms to protect college sports at every levelâHe also stressed the broader importance of college athletics noting that â75 per cent of Olympians competing for Team USA played as college athletesâClosing the ceremony Trump told the athletes âYou are unbelievable champions I admire and respect all of you and its an honour to have you in the White HouseâCollege sports have long been a key part of the US education system serving as a pathway to professional leagues and international competition In recent years however changes linked to athlete compensation transfer rules and legal challenges have reshaped the landscape IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-praises-ncaa-athletes-pushes-for-sports-reforms-670625.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/australian-pm-says-extra-diesel-shipments-secured-amid-volatile-global-period-670630.html Sydney April 22 Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday announced the government has secured additional diesel shipments Albanese told reporters in Sydney that four shipments two from South Korea and one each from Brunei and Malaysia with a combined 200 million litres of diesel have been secured by the government in collaboration with BP and Viva EnergyHe said that the government has been working to guarantee Australias domestic fuel supply amid global volatility and that Australia would continue to advocate for a deescalation of the conflict in the Middle EastSpeaking alongside Albanese Energy Minister Chris Bowen said that the diesel shipments would arrive in Australia in late May or early June and would serve as an extra buffer for the national stockpile Xinhua news agency reported Albanese will on Thursday meet with Australian state and territory leaders for fuel security talks for the third time since the conflict in the Middle East beganEarlier on April 18 Anthony Albanese had said that Australia welcomes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and will consider deploying military assets to secure shipping in the regionSpeaking to reporters in Sydney Albanese had welcomed Irans announcement that the strait has completely reopened for all commercial vessels during the ceasefire between Israel and LebanonThis was positive news that we received last night Albanese had said We want to see though this fragile arrangement confirmedAsked if Australia would deploy military assets to ensure shipping remains open Albanese said the government would consider any such requestsAustralia obviously is a long way away as well from the strait compared with European nations Its fair to say that well give consideration to requests which are made when we come together he had saidAlbanese was speaking alongside Energy Minister Chris Bowen who said that Australia has increased its strategic fuel reserves recently IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/australian-pm-says-extra-diesel-shipments-secured-amid-volatile-global-period-670630.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-unilaterally-extends-ceasefire-despite-iran-staying-away-from-talks-670632.html New York April 22 US President Donald Trump has unilaterally extended the ceasefire with Iran indefinitely hours before it was to expire even though Tehran refused to attend a second round of talks that Trump had said were imminent After making several threats to Iran if it did not accept his terms for a settlement he announced on Truth Social on Tuesday local time that because Iran is seriously fractured he was extending the ceasefire till Tehran can come up with a unified approachHe had threatened earlier Tuesday in an interview with CNBC that he wouldnt extend the ceasefire and said I expect to be bombing Iran if there is no dealWhile announcing the extension of the ceasefire the President said that he was continuing the Naval blockade of Iranian ports which was one of the factors behind Tehran staying away from the talks he had said would take place this week in IslamabadWhile the ceasefire announcement kept a ray of hope for a world reeling under the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz that shuts out 20 per cent of the global supply of oil and gas a lifting of the restrictions by either side was not on the horizon for nowIrans governmentowned PressTV said Tehran unequivocally insisted on the removal of the blockade and said that it would not rejoin negotiations under pressureIrans Tasnim news agency said that according to its sources the Iranian negotiating team has informed the American side through a Pakistani mediator that it will not be in Islamabad Pakistan on Wednesday and there is currently no prospect for participating in the negotiationsPakistans Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed on Tuesday that Iran was not coming to Islamabad for the second round of talks US Vice President JD Vance who is leading the negotiations with Iran was expected to leave for Pakistan on Tuesday morning but delayed the trip under the threat of Iranians standing him upTrump again took cover behind Pakistans leaders for extending the ceasefire asserting that it was because military chief Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had asked him to hold our attack on the country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposalEarlier when he announced the 14day ceasefire on April 7 after the 21 hours of talks in Islamabad ended in a stalemate he made it seem he was doing so at Pakistans request In a stagemanaged facesaving manoeuvre for Trump Shehbaz Sharif at that time posted on X a request to Trump for a ceasefire and it turned out the White House had seen and approved the postIrans Tasnim news agency said that according to its sources Tehran did not ask for an extension of the ceasefireA continued naval blockade means the continuation of hostilities Iran will not open the Strait of Hormuz at least as long as the naval blockade remains in place and will break the blockade by force if necessary it saidTrump had repeatedly said over the last few days that a deal was at hand and asserted on Monday that he was offering Iran a better deal than they had received under an international agreement that he had denounced as too conciliatory towards Tehran and scrapped it in his first termIf they took it they can make themselves into a strong nation again a wonderful nation again he saidBut his deal would require Iran to completely abjure nuclear ambitions hand over the remnants of the enriched uranium in the rubble of the facilities Trump said had been obliterated in last years bombing and end its missile capabilityIran is unlikely to agree to them after surviving the punishing attacks by Israel and the USIts prime objective is to retain control of the Strait of Hormuz which Tehran has found is the source of power in the region as 20 per cent of the global oil and gas supplies pass through itTrump at one time offered to share control of the Strait with IranAs Trump said Irans leadership is indeed seriously fractured with the hardliners in control of the military seeming dominant at the momentOn Friday after a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon was brokered by Trump Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X that the Strait of Hormuz was completely openBut the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps IRGC which represents the military and Tehrans hardline faction asserted its power on Saturday reimposing restrictions on the Strait going to the extent of firing on two Indian ships that had received Irans permission to go through the waterwayTrump had expected that when Israel which initiated the war killed the top leadership including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the February 28 bombing a new leadership amenable to making a deal would emergeBut he acknowledged that the next tier of leaders he had hoped to do business with were wiped out in another Israeli attack He claimed it had resulted in a regime change but it did not turn out the way he wanted it to beWashington according to reports stopped Israel from killing Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf with whom it wanted to negotiateThe IRGC and Ghalibaf have been issuing a steady stream of counterthreats to Trumps warningGhalibaf warned on X Over the past two weeks we have been preparing to unveil new cards on the battlefieldIn the midst of the policy tussle in Iran Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei who succeeded his father as the Supreme Leader has been absent from public view and has not been heard ofIn the standoff its a matter of which side has greater staying powerIn the democratic US Trump faces popular discontent with the war â a ReutersIpsos poll released on Monday showed only 36 per cent of Americans supported it â and a consequential midterm election is coming up in November amid rising prices attributed to the warIran though is a totalitarian state with dissent suppressed and the currently dominant section of the leadership willing to take on more punishment IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-unilaterally-extends-ceasefire-despite-iran-staying-away-from-talks-670632.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 09:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/time-to-strengthen-us-india-energy-cooperation-amid-global-tensions-mcmaster-670645.html Washington April 22 Former US National Security Advisor NSA HR McMaster has underscored the urgency of strengthening USIndia energy cooperation saying that current global tensions highlight Indiaâs need for longterm energy security McMaster who served as the national security advisor to President Donald Trump in his first term said the energy crisis in the aftermath of the Iran war situation mirrors earlier disruptions during the Ukraine warâThis is very similar to the energy crisis associated with Russiaâs massive invasion of Ukraineâ he told IANS in an exclusive interviewCautioning that reliance on external energy sources leaves India vulnerable to geopolitical volatility he said âIt highlights the need for energy securityâMcMaster identified the USIndia partnership as central to addressing these risks âThe US partnership with India is immensely important on so many levelsâ he saidHe stressed that energy cooperation must become a core pillar of bilateral ties âOne of the most important dimensionsâ should be a partnershipâ to develop technologiesâ that will allow for a much higher degree of energy securityâ he saidThe former NSA also linked energy challenges to broader domestic pressures in India âWater security and food securityâ I see these as all interconnectedâ he saidOutlining practical steps McMaster pointed to expanding access to American energy supplies âAccess to US liquified natural gas exportsâ he said could help India diversify its import basketHe noted that the United States has emerged as a dominant energy producer âThe USâ is now the worldâs largest producer of fossil fuelsâ he saidAt the same time he warned against overdependence on supply chains linked to China âRenewable solutions that are not reliant on supply chains controlled by Chinaâ he said should be prioritisedHe cited sectors such as solar panels and wind turbines where Chinese dominance in manufacturing creates strategic vulnerabilitiesLooking ahead McMaster highlighted advanced nuclear technologies as part of a longterm solution âNuclear technologiesâ such as small modular reactorsâ hold great promiseâ he saidHe argued that a diversified energy strategy combining fossil fuels renewables and nuclear would strengthen Indiaâs resilience against external shocksThe remarks come as India continues to navigate global uncertainty including tensions in West Asia and fluctuating energy markets while seeking to balance growth with stabilityMcMasterâs comments underline a broader strategic view in Washington that energy cooperation can anchor the next phase of USIndia relations alongside defence and technology partnerships IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/time-to-strengthen-us-india-energy-cooperation-amid-global-tensions-mcmaster-670645.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/un-secretary-general-candidate-bacheletto-push-as-much-as-possible-for-unsc-reforms-670666.html United Nations April 22 Michelle Bachelet Jeria who is running to be the next secretarygeneral has declared she would âpush as much as possibleâ to have the member states reform the Security Council âTheres a huge movement that they UN members understand that the Security Council needs to be reformed but in which way will depend on how members decideâ she said on Tuesday at a news conference following a candidatesâ forumThe Council needs to have representation of those who are underrepresented as permanent members or nonpermanent members she saidIf it is not reformed there is not much hope for the multilateral system she added emphasising the need for changeBachelet said that while the secretarygeneral doesnât have the mandate to reform the Council she will do her best to convince member nations to act on reforming itA pediatric doctor by profession Bachelet is a former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and was the president of Chile which nominated her along with Mexico and BrazilDuring the candidateâs forum on behalf of G4 Germanyâs Permanent Representative Thomas Hans Ossowski asked her what role she would see for the SecretaryGeneral in reforming the Security Council that âdoes not reflect todays geopolitical realitiesâ and its relevance and effectiveness are questionedG4 a group of India Germany Japan and Brazil lobbies for Council reform and they mutually support each other for permanent seats on a reformed CouncilBachelet said that there is a need for making the Council reflect the world as it is today so it can be more efficient and effective with better geographic representation with permanent members from certain regions and the secretarygeneral can play a role in bringing this aboutIndiaâs External Ministry Secretary Shibi George asked her about her approach to achieving the developmental goals of the Global SouthBachelet said the member states should make achieving the development goals a political priority and ensure finances are available for itIt will also have to be ensured that the Global South is well represented in the different decisionmaking positions at the UN agencies and the Secretariat she saidThis is to make sure their voices are really heard not only in particular group meetings like those on the situation of the least developed countries but on a daily basis she saidThere are three other candidates competing to succeed Antonio Guterres whose second term ends this year The Security Council will select the winner and recommend its choice to the General Assembly for approval IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/un-secretary-general-candidate-bacheletto-push-as-much-as-possible-for-unsc-reforms-670666.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/four-civilians-forcibly-disappeared-by-pakistani-forces-in-balochistan-rights-body-670667.html Quetta April 22 At least four civilians including a woman were forcibly disappeared by Pakistani forces in Balochistan according to leading human rights organisations Paank the Baloch National Movements Human Rights Department on Wednesday strongly condemned the enforced disappearance of Khadija Baloch a female nursing studentAccording to the rights body she was abducted on Tuesday by personnel of Pakistanâs Frontier Corps FC Military Intelligence MI and CounterTerrorism Department CTD from the hostel of Bolan Medical College in the provincial capital QuettaExpressing grave concern over the enforced disappearance of Khadija the Baloch Voice for Justice BVJ said âThis incident reflects a continuing pattern where Baloch women are increasingly subjected to enforced disappearances intimidation and unlawful detention undermining their fundamental rights and securityâThe human rights organisations called on the Pakistani authorities to immediately disclose Khadijas whereabouts and ensure her safe release They also urged international human rights bodies to take urgent note of the dire situation in Balochistan and hold those responsible accountablePaank further revealed that 28yearold Balochi writer Daad Shah was forcibly disappeared for the second time on Tuesday He is the brother of Fozia Baloch a member of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee BYCThe rights body stated that he was previously subjected to enforced disappearance on August 11 2023 during which he remained missing for 27 days before reappearing bearing signs of âsevere mental and physical tortureââThe repeated enforced disappearance of Daad Shah raises grave concerns about his safety and highlights an ongoing pattern of targeting writers and intellectuals in Balochistanâ Paank statedSabiha Baloch a BYC leader described the enforced disappearance of Daad as a disturbing pattern of intimidation by Pakistani authoritiesTaking to her social media platform X Sabiha said âTargeting relatives of Baloch human rights activists and advocates is being used to silence dissent and punish lawful political expression Such actions constitute collective punishment and violate fundamental human rights norms The repetition of these incidents indicates a deliberate policy aimed at coercion rather than justice undermining the rule of law and due processâHighlighting the atrocities against civilians across Balochistan Paank further mentioned that 29yearold shopkeeper Noman Baloch a resident of the Turbat region in the Kech district was forcibly disappeared from his home on April 18 along with his brother Ikram by personnel of FCBalochistan 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/four-civilians-forcibly-disappeared-by-pakistani-forces-in-balochistan-rights-body-670667.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/iran-regime-unsustainable-says-ex-us-nsa-flags-corruption-repression-670676.html Washington April 22 Former US National Security Advisor NSA HR McMaster has said the Iranian regime is unlikely to sustain itself citing military setbacks corruption and widespread repression as key factors weakening its hold on power âI do not think that the Islamic Republic of Iran can sustain itselfâ McMaster told IANS in an exclusive interview âI think itâs unsustainableâ he said responding to a question on the Iranian regime after the US dismantled its entire leadership and armed forcesHe pointed to the cumulative impact of recent developments on the regimeâs ability to function âThe damage that has been done to its militaryâ to its ability to project power outside of its bordersâ he said has been significantMcMaster who served as national security advisor to President Donald Trump in his first term also emphasised internal challenges arguing that the regime has undermined itself through its policies âThe damage that it has done to itself and its own people through corruptionâ he saidHe criticised Tehran for prioritising military ambitions over domestic welfare âPrioritising a nuclear weapons programme and its missile programmes over the welfare of its own peopleâ he saidMcMaster said that the financial cost of these programmes has been enormous âThe waste ofâ tens of billions if not hundreds of billions of dollarsâ he addedHighlighting systemic corruption within the ruling establishment he said âCollectives associated with the regimeâ are extracting money and sending it abroadâHe also referred to offshore financial holdings linked to senior leadership âTens of millions of dollars in offshore accountsâ he notedThe former NSA raised concerns over human rights abuses by the regime âExecutionsâ against political prisonersâ he said continue to take placeHe cited what he described as a particularly severe episode of violence âThe mass murderâ of what appears to be 40000 people in a 48hour period in Januaryâ he saidMcMaster said the humanitarian dimension remains central to the crisis âThe stakes are highest for the Iranian peopleâ he saidHe called for sustained international efforts to weaken the regimeâs coercive apparatus âThe need toâ continue actionsâ to weaken the repressive arms of the theocratic dictatorshipâ he saidLinking Iran to broader regional instability McMaster said the regime has long engaged in indirect conflict It has been âwagingâ a proxy warâ for 47 yearsâ he saidHe also connected Iranâs position to global geopolitical competition particularly Chinaâs role Beijingâs economic engagement including largescale oil purchases provides critical financial support to Tehran he saidâThey buy 90 per cent of Iranâs oilâ McMaster noted describing it as a key revenue stream for the regimeHe argued that changes within Iran could have wider implications A fundamental shift in the regime he suggested would alter dynamics in the Middle East and beyond IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/iran-regime-unsustainable-says-ex-us-nsa-flags-corruption-repression-670676.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-uk-agree-to-address-contemporary-challenges-advance-indo-pacific-security-670698.html London April 22 IANS Chief of Defence Staff CDS General Anil Chauhan held a meeting with his UK counterpart Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton on Wednesday during which India and UK reaffirmed their shared resolve to address contemporary challenges from global trade imbalances to emerging cyber threats while advancing a peaceful and prosperous IndoPacificnbspGeneral Anil Chauhan CDS during his official visit to the United Kingdom interacted with Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton CDS UK India and the UK reaffirmed their shared resolve to collaboratively address contemporary challenges from global trade imbalances to emerging cyber threats while advancing a peaceful and prosperous IndoPacific and harnessing accelerated technological transformation Headquarters of Integrated Defence Staff posted on XThis visit will strengthen Defence Cooperation and strategic convergence underscoring a shared commitment to Global Security stability and resilience it addedDuring his visit to the UK General Chauhan interacted with the Commandant and faculty of the Royal College of Defence Studies RCDS and discussed the evolving global security environment underlying trends and their strategic impactHe subsequently addressed the pinnacle cohort on the Impact of Recent Conflicts on Military Strategy highlighting the changing nature of conflict Indias strategic dilemmas and Indias role in shaping a stable and secure global order Headquarters of Integrated Defence Staff posted on XEarlier on Tuesday General Anil Chauhan met Defence Industry leaders of the UK and emphasised that enhanced economic integration will allow smoother collaboration in defence manufacturing technology transfer and supply chain resilienceIn a post on X the Headquarters of Integrated Defence Staff stated General Anil Chauhan Chief of Defence Staff CDS engaged Defence Industry leaders of UK focusing on impetus to defence collaborationThe CDS emphasised that enhanced economic integration will enable smoother collaboration in defence manufacturing technology transfer and supply chain resilience He further highlighted that Defence Industrial Collaboration will boost codesign codevelopment and coproduction of critical technologies he addedGeneral Chauhan also laid a wreath at Memorial Gates Constitution Hill in the UK and paid tribute to the fallen honouring their courage and supreme sacrificeCDS General Anil Chauhan met the UKs Minister of State for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard with their discussions focusing on the evolving nature of conflict and deepening militarytomilitary cooperationGeneral Chauhan also met the UKs Minister of State MoS for IndoPacific Seema MalhotraCDS also held highimpact bilateral talks with Ms Seema Malhotra MoS for IndoPacific to take forward India UK Partnership Defence Industrial Roadmap and Tech and Security initiatives to counter emerging challenges in the IndoPacific the HQ Integrated Defence Staff IDS said in a post on XBoth sides emphasised enhancing cooperation in Cyber Intelligence and Space domains including information resilience and specialised exchanges The exchange reaffirmed a shared commitment to resilient Future Ready forces and a strengthened India UK strategic partnership it addedGeneral Chauhan also led a roundtable conference with leading officials think tanks and intellectuals on Indian military transformation challenges and opportunityGeneral Anil Chauhan Chief of Defence Staff CDS led an engaging roundtable conference with leading officials think tanks and intellectuals on Indian military transformation challenges and opportunity focused on the evolving strategic landscape and the imperatives of modern military transformation during his visit to the United Kingdom the HQ IDS posted on XDiscussions underscored the centrality of advanced technologies in defence enhancement of operational capabilities and closer synergy across industrial intelligence and cyber domains alongside strategic communication and joint engagements to further strengthen a robust futureoriented IndiaUK Defence Partnership it addedOn Monday General Chauhan was accorded a Ceremonial Step Line and received by his UK counterpart Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton in LondonIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-uk-agree-to-address-contemporary-challenges-advance-indo-pacific-security-670698.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-concerns-raised-after-individual-arrested-for-posting-satirical-cartoon-on-social-media-670719.html Berlin April 22 A leading international human rights organisation has expressed its grave concerns over the recent arrest of an individual in Bangladesh for allegedly sharing a satirical cartoon on a social media platform Germanybased International Society for Human Rights ISHR said that this incident has once again brought critical questions to the forefront regarding freedom of expression civil liberties and the rule of law â issues fundamental to any democratic societyâCiting available information the organisation said that individual was arrested under Bangladeshs Cyber Protection Ordinance 2025 with allegations centering on a satirical cartoon created in response to a political remark and later shared on social mediaâIt is important to note that satire and political cartoons have long been recognised as legitimate forms of expression in democratic societies Therefore arresting an individual over such content may conflict with the fundamental right to freedom of expressionâ the ISHR notedExpressing concern over the incident the ISHR stated that the âlegal provisions applied in this case especially those related to âblackmailâ and threats to state security do not appear to align clearly with the nature of the alleged actâSuch discrepancies it said in the application of the law risk enabling misuse and may create fear and uncertainty among ordinary citizensThe organisation emphasised that in a democratic society criticism satire and even humour directed at political figures are integral components of free expressionâSuch expressions are not only tests of tolerance but also indicators of democratic maturity Political leaders and state institutions should demonstrate restraint and uphold a culture of tolerance in responding to such expressionsâ it mentionedThe ISHR has called on Bangladeshi law enforcement agencies to ensure that arrests and legal actions are based on clear evidence relevance and proportionality warning that the application of stringent legal provisions without sufficient justification may violate civil liberties and erode public trust in the legal systemStressing that cyber protection laws are necessary particularly to address misinformation hate speech and cybercrime the organisation said âIt is essential that such laws are not used as tools to suppress legitimate expression Ensuring transparency accountability and proper oversight in both the drafting and enforcement of these laws is crucialâThe ISHR has appealed to Bangladeshs government to conduct an impartial review of the case and ensure the immediate release of the individual if the allegations lack sufficient meritAdditionally it urged for the reassessment of the contentious provisions of the Cyber Protection Ordinance 2025 to ensure alignment with international human rights standards IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/bangladesh-concerns-raised-after-individual-arrested-for-posting-satirical-cartoon-on-social-media-670719.html Wed, 22 Apr 2026 15:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/lori-chavez-deremer-exits-trumps-cabinet-amid-ongoing-controversies-670500.html New York April 21 US Labour Secretary Lori ChavezDeRemer has become the third member of President Donald Trumpâs cabinet to leave within two months amid controversies during his second term White House communications chief Steven Cheung announced her departure on X on Monday saying she would be moving to the private sectorChavezDeRemer faced allegations that she had an affair with a member of her security detail took personal trips masked as official tours drank in her office and sowed chaos in her officeAll three cabinet officials who have quit are women the other two are Attorney General Pam Bondi who was let go this month and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem who was dismissed last monthNoem was also pursued by allegations that he had an affair with an adviser which she deniedOne of the actions during her tenure was to cancel millions of dollars that the departmentâs Bureau of International Labour Affairs gave to NGOs abroad for antislavery and anti child labour programmesCheung said her deputy Keith Sonderling would be the acting labour secretaryTrump did not react to her ouster but Cheung said âShe has done a phenomenal job in her role by protecting American workers enacting fair labour practices and helping Americans gain additional skills to improve their livesâChavezDeRemers chief of staff and the security person who was allegedly involved in an affair with her were fired earlierShe was under investigation by the departmentâs inspector general over allegations of professional misconduct and her familyâs interference in the departmentHer husband Shawn DeRemer was banned from visiting her office after some women staffers alleged he misbehaved with them with one allegation leading to a police investigationThe Senateâs Judiciary Committee also initiated a probe of the allegations against herChavezDeRemer 58 was a former member of the House of Representatives from Oregon who lost her reelection bidTrump picked her for the post because she was backed by the powerful Teamsters trade union which supported his reelectionAs labour secretary she ran afoul of unions as she took steps that would dismantle several labour protection rules such as those relating to workplace safety and minimus wage for some categories of workers IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/lori-chavez-deremer-exits-trumps-cabinet-amid-ongoing-controversies-670500.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-says-it-is-highly-unlikely-to-extend-ceasefire-with-iran-670503.html Washington April 21 US President Donald Trump said it is highly unlikely he would extend a twoweek ceasefire with Iran if a deal is not reached before it ends this week according to a Bloomberg report The Strait of Hormuz would remain blocked until a peace agreement is finalized Trump said in a phone interviewThey want me to open it The Iranians desperately want it opened Im not opening it until a deal is signed he said Oil prices jumped as Washington maintained its blockade and the US Navy seized an Iranianflagged ship over the weekend Xinhua news agency reportedIm not going to be rushed into making a bad deal Weve got all the time in the world Trump saidHe said the truce which he announced on April 7 will expire on Wednesday evening US Eastern TimeAsked if he expects strikes to resume immediately afterward if no deal is reached Trump said If theres no deal I would certainly expectIn a phone call with PBS News on Monday morning Trump said that if the ceasefire with Iran expires then lots of bombs start going offAsked if Iranian negotiators will participate in fresh talks in Islamabad Trump said I dont know I mean theyre supposed to be there We agreed to be there although they say we didnt But no it was set up And well see whether or not its there If theyre not there thats fine tooHe told the New York Post on Monday morning that US Vice President JD Vance is set to head to Pakistan for the second round of negotiations with Iranian officials According to The New York Times which cited two US officials Vance is expected to leave Washington for Pakistan on TuesdayTrump also told the Post that he is willing to meet with senior Iranian leaders if a breakthrough is reached But he told Bloomberg also on Monday morning that he did not think it would be necessary for him to attend the talks in personAs of Monday morning US forces have turned back 27 ships to or from Iranian ports the US Central Command said on X IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-says-it-is-highly-unlikely-to-extend-ceasefire-with-iran-670503.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/iran-fm-says-us-actions-threaten-continuation-of-peace-talks-670505.html Tehran April 21 Irans Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said that US provocative actions and ceasefire violations are major obstacles to continuing peace negotiations between the two countries During separate phone calls with his Pakistani and Russian counterparts Araghchi condemned US actions against Iranian commercial shipping including the reported seizure of the container vessel Touska and its crew and cited contradictory positions and rhetoric of threat from Washington according to a Foreign Ministry statementA ceasefire that took effect on April 8 after 40 days of fighting remains fragile Pakistan has mediated indirect talks between Tehran and Washington hosting a first round in Islamabad on April 11 and 12 but Iran has not confirmed participation in another round Xinhua news agency reportedIrans semiofficial Tasnim news agency reported that Tehrans attendance depends on Washington meeting preconditions It cited a US naval blockade and excessive demands as key obstaclesAraghchi said Iran would decide whether to continue diplomacy based on all aspects of the issue and US behavior adding that Tehran would take steps to protect its interests and national securityEarlier on Monday citing contradictory actions from Washington Iran made it clear that it has not made any decision yet on participating in the next round of negotiations with the USSo far we have not made any decisions regarding the next round of negotiations said Esmaeil Baqaei spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry while speaking to reporters at a weekly press conference in TehranThe spokesperson criticised the United States accusing Washington of engaging in contradictory actions while claiming to pursue diplomacy He mentioned that since the very beginning of the ceasefire bad faith and constant complaints were faced by Iran from WashingtonHe clarified that the US initially claimed that Lebanon was not part of the ceasefire despite contrary assertionsTensions follow joint USIsraeli attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities beginning February 28 which killed Irans thenSupreme Leader Ali Khamenei senior commanders and civilians Iran responded with waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and US assets in the Middle East IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/iran-fm-says-us-actions-threaten-continuation-of-peace-talks-670505.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/defence-minister-rajnath-singh-to-begin-three-day-germany-visit-today-670507.html New Delhi April 21 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will begin a threeday official visit to Germany on Tuesday aimed at strengthening the IndiaâGermany strategic defence partnership and deepening bilateral cooperation During the visit Rajnath Singh is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with his German counterpart Boris Pistorius and other senior leaders of the German government focusing on key areas of cooperationThe discussions will centre on enhancing defence industrial collaboration expanding militarytomilitary engagements and exploring new opportunities in emerging domains such as cybersecurity artificial intelligence and drone technologiesA Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap and an Implementing Arrangement for Cooperation in UN Peacekeeping Operations Training are expected to be signed in the presence of both defence ministers during the visitThese agreements are being seen as key steps to boost joint development and coproduction of defence equipment according to an official press note issued ahead of the visitThe visit will also provide an important platform to review ongoing defence cooperation initiatives and identify fresh avenues for collaboration between the defence industries of the two countriesRajnath Singh is expected to interact with key representatives of the German defence industry to promote joint ventures technology partnerships and coproduction projects aligned with Indiaâs âMake in Indiaâ initiativeThis marks the first visit by an Indian Defence Minister to Germany in the last seven years underlining the significance of the engagement at the current junctureThe last such visit was undertaken by Nirmala Sitharaman in February 2019 Boris Pistorius had earlier visited India in June 2023 where he held extensive discussions with Defence Minister Rajnath SinghIndia and Germany enjoy a strong and multifaceted strategic partnership rooted in shared democratic values commitment to the rule of law and a common vision for a rulesbased international orderIn recent years defence and security cooperation has emerged as a vital pillar of this relationship with both countries seeking to deepen engagement across multiple domainsThe upcoming visit is expected to further deepen bilateral ties and contribute meaningfully to regional and global peace stability and prosperityWith Germany being a key European partner for India the outcomes of this visit are likely to give fresh momentum to the growing defence collaboration between the two countries across sectors IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/defence-minister-rajnath-singh-to-begin-three-day-germany-visit-today-670507.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-seizes-iran-ship-tehran-vows-retaliation-670508.html Washington April 21 The United States has seized an Iranflagged cargo vessel after opening fire on it in the Arabian Sea Tehran condemned the move as âarmed piracyâ and warn of retaliation escalating tensions days before a fragile ceasefire is set to expire The US Navy fired on the Iranianflagged vessel MV Touska after it attempted to breach a naval blockade imposed on Iranian ports according to US Central Command CENTCOMCENTCOM said American forces issued repeated warnings during a sixhour standoff before taking action âAmerican forces issued multiple warnings and informed the Iranianflagged vessel it was in violation of the US blockadeâ the command saidAfter the crew failed to comply a US guidedmissile destroyer targeted the shipâs engine room disabling its propulsion system Marines later boarded the vessel and took it into custody Fox News reportedThe operation marks the first known use of force since Washington imposed a blockade on Iranian maritime activity earlier this month significantly raising the stakes in a confrontation centred on the Strait of HormuzIranian officials reacted sharply accusing Washington of aggression In a statement carried by Fox News Iranâs Khatam alAnbiya Central Headquarters warned âWe warn that the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will soon respond to and retaliate against this armed piracy by the US militaryâIranian military authorities said their forces did not resist the boarding to avoid endangering crew members and their families âThey faced constraints in order to protect their lives and ensure their safetyâ the command saidUS officials said the ship had ignored repeated radio warnings The destroyer USS Spruance eventually ordered the crew to evacuate the engine room before firing several rounds into the vesselâs propulsion system The New York Times reportedA US military official said Marines are now searching thousands of containers aboard the ship to determine the nature of its cargo according to The New York TimesThe Touska had been under US sanctions and was among vessels being closely monitored for potential links to Iranâs supply chains The New York Times reportedThe incident comes as a twoweek ceasefire between the United States and Iran nears its expiry with no clarity on whether it will be extendedThe Strait of Hormuz has long been a flashpoint in USIran tensions due to its strategic importance for global oil flows Previous confrontations in the region have triggered spikes in energy prices and raised fears of wider conflict IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-seizes-iran-ship-tehran-vows-retaliation-670508.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/china-link-seen-in-iranian-cargo-ship-seized-by-us-forces-report-670509.html Washington April 21 The Iranian cargo ship seized by US forces in the Gulf of Oman was part of a fleet linked to Chinese ports and suspected supply routes a media report said The MV Touska an Iranianflagged container vessel is tied to a network of ships that frequently sail to China and have been linked to transporting materials with potential military use The Wall Street Journal reportedThe ship was intercepted after attempting to breach a US naval blockade and was later boarded by American forces following warning shots that disabled its engine according to reportsShipping data cited by The Wall Street Journal showed the vessel had visited the southern Chinese port of Zhuhai twice in the weeks before it was seizedThe Touska is controlled by a sanctioned Iranian company accused of transporting items for Tehranâs ballistic missile programme the report saidUS officials have not disclosed what the ship was carrying Analysts said the attempt to cross an active blockade suggests the cargo may have been importantâIt must have been worth the risk to try to run the blockade but they chose poorlyâ Charlie Brown a former US Navy officer told The Wall Street JournalSeparate reporting by Fox News Digital said the vessel had travelled through Southeast Asia and Chinese ports before heading toward Iran Maritime security sources cited in the report said the cargo may have been âdualuseâ meaning it could serve civilian or military purposesThe ship had last docked in Port Klang Malaysia before moving toward the Strait of Hormuz where it was intercepted near Iranian waters according to US officials cited by Fox News DigitalExperts say such routes are often used to mask cargo origins Waters near Southeast Asia are known for shiptoship transfers that make tracking shipments difficultChina has said it does not supply arms to Iran and maintains controls on exports of dualuse goods But it does not recognise US sanctions on TehranBeijing has expressed concern about the seizure and called for restraint The Wall Street Journal reportedThe case highlights how the Iran conflict is linked to global trade networks US officials have expanded enforcement of a maritime blockade targeting vessels suspected of carrying prohibited goodsThe Strait of Hormuz remains a key route for global energy supplies Disruptions linked to the conflict have already raised concerns about shipping and oil marketsIran has long relied on trade ties with countries including China to manage the impact of sanctions Those links have become more important as pressure from Washington has increased IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/china-link-seen-in-iranian-cargo-ship-seized-by-us-forces-report-670509.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/fbi-director-kash-patel-sues-atlantic-for-250-million-in-defamation-670512.html Washington April 21 FBI Director Kash Patel has filed a 250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic and one of its journalists alleging the magazine published a âsweeping malicious and defamatory hit pieceâ aimed at damaging his reputation and forcing him from office In his complaint filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia Indian American Patel accuses The Atlantic Monthly Group LLC and staff writer Sarah Fitzpatrick of publishing false claims about Patelâs conduct including allegations of âexcessive drinkingâ and âunexplained absencesâ while leading the Federal Bureau of InvestigationPatelâs legal filing states the article was âreplete with false and obviously fabricated allegations designed to destroy Director Patelâs reputation and drive him from officeâ The lawsuit seeks at least 250 million in damages along with other reliefAccording to reporting by The Washington Post the article relied on accounts âattributed to anonymous peopleâ who alleged Patel engaged in inappropriate conduct during his tenure The Post noted it âhas not independently verified the Atlanticâs reportingâPatelâs complaint disputes those claims asserting that several incidents described in the article â including allegations that meetings were rescheduled due to drinking or that security staff requested âbreaching equipmentâ to access him â âare falseâThe filing further argues that the publication acted with âactual maliceâ a legal standard required in defamation cases involving public officials It states the claims were âso demonstrably and obviously false or easily refutedâ that publishing them was recklessPatelâs lawyer Jesse Binnall said âDefamatory speech is not free speech and it is an honour to represent Kash Patel in this lawsuit seeking accountability for The Atlantic articleâs malicious falsehoodsâIn response The Atlantic defended its reporting Anna Bross a spokeswoman for the publication said âWe stand by our reporting on Kash Patel and we will vigorously defend The Atlantic and our journalists against this meritless lawsuitâThe dispute comes amid heightened scrutiny of Patelâs leadership Separate reporting cited by Newsweek noted that nearly 30000 people had signed an online petition calling for an investigation into his conduct following allegations raised in recent media reportsPatel has denied the allegations and maintains that the article relied on anonymous sources âwith axes to grind and are not in a position to know the factsâUnder US law public officials must prove that a publication acted with âactual maliceâ â meaning it knowingly published false information or acted with reckless disregard for the truth â a standard established in the landmark Supreme Court case New York Times v SullivanPatel who has led the FBI since February 2025 is not new to litigation over media coverage His current lawsuit is at least the second defamation claim he has filed since taking office including a separate case linked to statements made on a television news programmeThe case is expected to proceed in federal court in Washington IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/fbi-director-kash-patel-sues-atlantic-for-250-million-in-defamation-670512.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-senate-hearing-warns-of-rising-nuclear-threat-from-china-russia-670514.html Washington April 21 The United States is confronting a âmore dangerous eraâ marked by simultaneous nuclear competition with China and Russia lawmakers and defence officials warned at a Senate hearing as the administration pushed for accelerated modernisation of its nuclear arsenal At a Congressional hearing Senator Deb Fischer said the US now faces âthe challenge of simultaneously deterring two nuclear adversariesâ noting that both countries are expanding and modernising their nuclear forcesâThis is not a hypothetical future problem this is a now crisisâ said Robert Kadlec describing Chinaâs expansion as âbreathtaking and opaqueâ and warning that Russia continues integrating new nuclear capabilities into its strategyOfficials from the Department of Energy and Department of Defense outlined a sweeping effort to upgrade ageing infrastructure and weapons systems some dating back to the Cold WarDavid Beck told lawmakers that âRussia and China are engaged in an unprecedented nuclear buildup that is rapidly eroding Americas strategic advantageâ adding that modernisation of the nuclear stockpile is the âtop priorityâHe said the US is âsurging production of plutonium pits uranium components high explosives and other critical materialsâ while rebuilding âthe aging infrastructure that underpins our entire enterpriseâBeck also acknowledged the scale of the challenge noting that the US is undertaking âa very heavy liftâ after decades of underinvestment in nuclear infrastructureSenator Angus King underscored concerns about Chinaâs rapid buildup saying recent intelligence briefings highlight developments âto be taken extremely seriouslyâAt the Pentagon officials emphasised urgency in delivering nextgeneration capabilities Dale White said key programmes including the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile and B21 bomber are being prioritised to ensure âtimely delivery and executionââOur mission is guided by three golden rulesâ to deliver capabilities to the warfighter at the speed of relevanceâ he saidMilitary commanders warned that current forces are under strain even as modernisation proceeds An Air Force Global Strike Command representative said operations are being executed âunder ever increasing strainâ with âtight marginsâNaval officials highlighted parallel efforts to sustain seabased deterrence William Houston said nuclearpowered submarines and carriers remain central to âmaritime dominanceâ while stressing the need for continued investment in personnel and infrastructureJohnny Wolfe Jr in his final appearance before the panel described seabased nuclear forces as âthe bedrock of our national securityâ and warned that sustaining industrial capacity will be critical to future readinessBeyond weapons systems the Department of Energy pointed to efforts to address legacy environmental risks Timothy Walsh said the government is working to âclean up environmental legacy sites and protect our communitiesâ while transforming them into hubs for energy and innovationThe hearing also highlighted the scale of investment required Kadlec said nuclear modernisation accounts for about 55 per cent of the defence budget stressing that âthe cost of failureâ is a world where the risk of miscalculation catastrophic conflict is unacceptably highâLawmakers acknowledged the financial burden of upgrading all three legs of the nuclear triad simultaneously but argued it is unavoidable King described it as a âpig in the budgetary pythonâ reflecting the concentration of spending in a short period IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-senate-hearing-warns-of-rising-nuclear-threat-from-china-russia-670514.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/despite-iran-war-fallout-india-to-record-64-pc-growth-as-fastest-developing-in-region-escap-670519.html United Nations April 21 Weathering the fallout of the Iran warinduced energy crisis India will remain the fastestgrowing large economy in the Asia Pacific region at 64 per cent during the current fiscal year according to ESCAP the UN agency for the regionâs economy The report released here on Monday by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific better known by the acronym ESCAP said Indiaâs real gross domestic product GDP growth moderated from 74 per cent last fiscal year and is projected to increase to 66 per cent next fiscal yearThe projections for this financial year were based on the situation on March 17 when the Iran conflict was underway and the effects from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz were beginning to be feltWith the Asia Pacific region as the engines of growth for the world Indiaâs top spot in the region also translates to the top global spot for growthFor the region that stretches from Japan to Turkiye the report pegged last yearâs GDP growth at 41 per cent and projected it to dip to 35 per cent this year and pick up slightly to 38 per cent next yearChinaâs growth rate was 5 per cent last year and the projections are 43 per cent this yead and 45 next yearPakistan recorded the weakest growth in South Asia 3 per cent last year with projections for 26 this year and 31 next yearIndiaâs higher growth last year was âsupported by robust consumption especially from the rural economy along with goods and services tax rate cutsâ the report saidIt was also helped by US importers frontloading imports from India in anticipation of the high tariffs it saidâHowever economic activities moderated in the second half of 2025 as exports to the United States declined by 25 per cent following the introduction of 50 per cent tariffs in August 2025â according to the reportIn the midst of all this âthe services sector remained a key growth driverâ it saidHamza Malik ESCAPâs director of Macroeconomic Policy and Financing said that despite adverse external factors India has been able to maintain a growth momentum because of its productivity growthSpeaking to reporters at the release of the report he said âAt the end of the day this sustained aspect of growth rate depends on the productivity of the country So if underlying productivity is growing you can actually sustain high levels of growthâAnother contributory factor is Indiaâs huge population he saidThey have a lot more absorptive capacity to absorb labour into productive areasâ he saidIndiaâs targeted fiscal support for the vulnerable population would also help India in facing the problems in the global scenarioMaliks said that India had relatively more capacity compared to many other countries for providing fiscal support for the vulnerable population which would increase their ability to spend moreâIts not that hard to now assess which are vulnerable populations or not people who are much much more dependent on food for instance and if the food prices are going up they will need much more supportâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/despite-iran-war-fallout-india-to-record-64-pc-growth-as-fastest-developing-in-region-escap-670519.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/table-for-talks-set-as-world-awaits-us-iran-meet-halfway-in-islamabad-670521.html Islamabad April 21 Pakistan has readied its capital for the expected renewed USIran talks despite the next round of the highstakes negotiation still hanging in the air Pakistans Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi informed Irans Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam on Monday that preparations for the second phase of talks in Islamabad have been completed said the interior ministryAccording to a statement the minister met with the ambassador to discuss arrangements for the second round of talks saying that foolproof security arrangements have been put in place for visiting foreign delegations reports Xinhua news agencySome 20000 police personnel supported by hundreds of elite commandos including snipers have been deployed on security duty across Islamabad and the neighbouring garrison city of Rawalpindi according to police sourcesAdditional Punjab Highway Patrol Dolphin Force and Quick Response Unit teams have also been placed on alert while Safe City cameras and rooftop snipers are maintaining roundtheclock surveillanceSimilar arrangements were made before the first round of peace talks between the United States and Iran aimed at easing recent hostilities in West AsiaSecurity officials said a batch of advance teams from the United States including security personnel have arrived to coordinate arrangements for the expected talksMajor hotels including the Serena Hotel and Marriott Hotel have asked guests to vacate after the government requisitioned the properties for the talks while hostels and guest houses in the capital were directed to close until further noticePakistans Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on MondayHowever by the time of filing this report its still not certain whether and when the two sides can meet again in IslamabadUS President Donald Trump told Fox News that an agreement with Iran could be signed tonight in Pakistans capital American media later reported that Vice President JD Vance and the American delegation will travel to Islamabad on TuesdayIran struck a cautious tone Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran currently had no plan for a second round of talks accusing Washington of failing to show seriousness since the April 8 ceasefireHe cited what he called broken promises the US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz the seizure of an Iranian commercial vessel and disagreements over whether the Lebanon truce was part of the ceasefire arrangementIranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also took a defiant stance saying on social media that Iranians do not submit to force and accusing Washington of sending contradictory signals while seeking Tehrans surrenderThe current twoweek ceasefire is due to expire on Wednesday and Trump said it was highly unlikely he would extend it without a deal adding that the Strait of Hormuz would remain blocked until an agreement is finalisedEarlier in the day Pakistans Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir reportedly told Trump that the blockade of Iranian ports would remain a major obstacle to meaningful diplomatic progressIran has also indicated it may consider charging tolls for vessels passing through the strait raising concern among Gulf states and international shipping companiesDespite the uncertainty analysts remained cautiously optimistic about the prospects of talks in Islamabad Defence analyst and retired Air Commodore Khalid Chishti said neither side appeared interested in restarting the war despite the ongoing brinkmanship as both Washington and Tehran were under growing pressure to find a facesaving resolution IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/table-for-talks-set-as-world-awaits-us-iran-meet-halfway-in-islamabad-670521.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/new-zealand-unveils-fuel-relief-for-rural-schools-670524.html Wellington April 21 New Zealand will provide targeted financial support to small rural and isolated schools to ease pressure from rising fuel costs a senior official has said Global fuel price volatility is hitting some schools harder than others particularly those that rely on diesel and where students face longer distances when travelling to and from school Education Minister Erica Stanford said in a statementThe government will invest 37 million NZ dollars to replace diesel boilers at up to 70 schools nationwide a move expected to cut annual diesel use by about 600000 litres and protect schools from future fuel price shocks reports Xinhua news agency citing the statementAll schools with under 100 students will receive oneoff cash grants of 2500 NZ dollars Stanford was quoted as sayingTransport support will also increase with mileage reimbursement rates for relief teachers more than doubling and a 30 per cent rise in conveyance allowances for eligible families benefiting around 5000 students she saidThe higher mileage rates will apply for up to 12 months or until fuel prices fall below 3 NZ dollars per litre for four consecutive weeks Stanford added 1 NZ dollar equals 059 US dollarEarlier on Friday Stats NZ reported that New Zealand fuel prices surged in March while food costs showed a modest annual risePetrol and diesel prices climbed 186 per cent and 426 per cent from February to March the largest increases for both fuel types since monthly tracking began in July 2011 according to the statistics departmentThe rise followed falls for both petrol and diesel in January and February it said adding that on an annual basis petrol prices were up 139 per cent and diesel up 369 per centHowever domestic airfares fell by 144 per cent monthonmonth and were down 73 per cent in the 12 months to March 2026 while international fares rose 35 per cent in March and 98 per cent annually statistics showedTravellers typically book and pay for airfares in advance so price changes reflect fares that were set up to 12 months ago Stats NZ prices and deflators spokesperson Nicola Growden was quoted as sayingFood prices increased 34 per cent in the year to March easing from a 45 per cent annual rise in the year to February Higher meat poultry and fish prices up 73 per cent led the annual increase Stats NZ saidOn a monthly basis food prices dipped 06 per cent in March compared with February driven by cheaper fruits and vegetables like kiwifruit as well as lower grocery items such as chocolate and cheese it said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/new-zealand-unveils-fuel-relief-for-rural-schools-670524.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/venezuela-launches-national-rally-against-us-sanctions-670525.html Caracas April 21 A nationwide mobilisation against US sanctions continued in Venezuela with National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez leading a rally calling for political and social unity We have to put an end to the sanctions Rodriguez said at Cerro El Gallo in San Felix where the rally took place on Monday local time He said the campaign aims to build consensus and push for the lifting of economic sanctions urging Venezuelans to set aside differences and focus on shared interestsThe mobilisation is part of a national rally launched on April 19 by acting President Delcy Rodriguez with events held in several states including Zulia Tachira and Amazonas reports Xinhua news agencyAt the launch event in Zulia state Delcy Rodriguez said Venezuela must overcome US sanctions adding that millions of children born during nearly a decade of economic restrictions have faced limited access to basic social and economic conditionsThe nationwide campaign includes marches and public events across the country and is scheduled to conclude in Caracas on May 1Meanwhile last month the United States removed sanctions on Venezuelas Acting President Delcy RodriguezThe US Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control said Rodriguez had been removed from its sanctions list without providing further details on the decisionIn 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 cooperationRodriguez 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/venezuela-launches-national-rally-against-us-sanctions-670525.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/japanese-pm-sends-ritual-offering-to-yasukuni-shrine-670527.html Tokyo April 21 Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday sent a ritual offering to the Yasukuni Shrine on the occasion of its spring festival Takaichi sent a ritual masakaki tree offering to the warlinked shrine on the first day of its threeday ceremonyYasukuni Shrine located in central Tokyos Chiyoda Ward has long been a source of diplomatic friction between Japan and its neighbours reports Xinhua news agencyFor a long time visits and ritual offerings made by Japanese officials to the controversial shrine have consistently sparked criticism and opposition both at home and abroad hurting the feelings of the people of China South Korea and other countries Any visit or even ritual offerings by Japanese officials is seen as a provocation drawing immediate fierce condemnation When Shinzo Abe then prime minister visited Yasukuni in 2013 the backlash was so widespread that even the United States made a rare public expression of disappointmentNo sitting prime minister has visited the shrine since yet Sanae Takaichi has signalled she may break the precedentFresh from her victory in the lower house election Takaichi floated the prospect of a visit saying she had been working to create an environment conducive to paying respects at the shrineAmid the upheaval of the Meiji Restoration the Yasukuni Shrine was initially built by order of Emperor Meiji to honour those who died in the civil war that paved the way for Japans modernisation and unfortunately militarismIn the late Meiji era Japan launched the First SinoJapanese War forcing China to cede Taiwan to JapanOriginally called Shokonsha dedicated to the spirits of the war dead the shrine was later renamed Yasukuni meaning to preserve peace for the entire nationToday Yasukuni presents itself as a shrine of peace enshrining 247 million divinities who it says sacrificed their lives in the course of fulfilling their public duty to protect their motherland Notably 213 million souls contributed to Japans aggression in World War IIIn the shrines own account regardless of their rank social status and historical role all are honoured equally and worshipped as venerable divinities IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/japanese-pm-sends-ritual-offering-to-yasukuni-shrine-670527.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-usfk-chief-lodges-protest-against-unification-minister-for-leaking-us-intelligence-670545.html Seoul April 21 The commander of the US military stationed in South Korea Gen Xavier Brunson has lodged a protest against the unification ministers recent remarks that allegedly leaked classified US information about North Koreas nuclear facility a lawmaker said on Tuesday Unification Minister Chung Dongyoung has come under fire for referring to the Norths Kusong region as one of the sites hosting the countrys uranium enrichment facilities in a parliamentary session last monthBrunson recently lodged a protest with Defence Minister Ahn Gyuback over Chungs remarks according to Rep Sung Iljong of the main opposition People Power Party who chairs the parliamentary national defence committee reports Yonhap news agencyMinister Chung should step down immediately Sung told a press briefing arguing that a minister who has caused such a rift in the South KoreaUS alliance should not remain in officeFollowing the controversy the United States has partially restricted sharing intelligence with South Korea involving North Korearelated technology collected through satellites military officials said earlierSo far only two regions Yongbyon and Kangson have been officially recognised as uranium enrichment sites in North KoreaThe unification ministry has claimed Chungs remarks were based on open information rejecting claims that they were based on intelligence shared by WashingtonThe defence ministry rejected Rep Sungs claim of the USFK commanders protest as not trueIt is not appropriate for a USFK commander to lodge a protest against a South Korean defence minister in terms of South KoreaUS military diplomacy nor is his claim true the ministry said in a notice to the pressIt added that South Korea and the US are regularly in communication in regard to key issues and thoroughly abiding by the military intelligencesharing pact between the two countries without specifying the detailsA USFK official said they have no official statement regarding the issue noting the US military has nothing to add IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-usfk-chief-lodges-protest-against-unification-minister-for-leaking-us-intelligence-670545.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/defence-minister-rajnath-singh-arrives-in-germany-to-advance-defence-cooperation-670556.html Berlin April 21 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday arrived in Germany to discuss advancing defence cooperation between the two nations Indias Ambassador to Germany Ajit Gupte received him at the Munich Airport The visit is significant for advancing IndiaGermany defence cooperation with focus on industrial collaboration military engagement and emerging areas such as cyber AI and drones the Indian Embassy in Germany said in a post on X During his visit Rajnath Singh is set to hold talks with his German counterpart Boris Pistorius and other senior leaders of the governmentDiscussions will focus on increasing defenceindustrial collaboration strengthening militarytomilitary engagements and exploring opportunities in emerging sectors like cybersecurity artificial intelligence and drones according to the Ministry of DefenceA Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap and Implementing Arrangement for Cooperation in UN Peacekeeping Operations Training are likely to be signed in the presence of both ministersThe visit will provide an opportunity to review the ongoing defence cooperation initiatives and identify new avenues for collaboration between the defence industries of both countries Shri Rajnath Singh is also expected to interact with key representatives of the German defence industry with a view to promoting joint development and coproduction under the MakeinIndia initiative the Ministry of Defence statement saidThe last visit to Germany by any Indian Defence Minister was in 2019 when thenDefence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited the European nation Pistorius had travelled to India in June 2023 and held talks with Rajnath SinghIndia and Germany share a strong and multifaceted strategic partnership anchored in democratic values the rule of law and a shared commitment to a rulebased international order Defence and security cooperation has emerged as an important pillar of this partnership in recent years The objective of the visit is to further deepen bilateral ties and contribute to regional and global peace stability and prosperity the Ministry of Defence statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/defence-minister-rajnath-singh-arrives-in-germany-to-advance-defence-cooperation-670556.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/japan-officially-eases-arms-export-rules-to-allow-weapons-sales-despite-protests-670557.html Tokyo April 21 The Japanese government officially revised the three principles on transfer of defence equipment and technology and their implementation guidelines on Tuesday to allow overseas sales of weapons including those with lethal capabilities despite waves of largescale protests local media reported The revisions scrap rules that limit Japans defence equipment exports to five noncombat categories namely rescue transport warning surveillance and minesweepingInstead defence equipment will be divided into weapons and nonweapons categories based on whether they have lethal or destructive capabilities reports Xinhua quoting Kyodo NewsThe revision maintains unrestricted exports of nonweapons such as warning and control radar systems while allowing the export of weapons including destroyers and missiles previously prohibited to countries that have signed agreements with Japan on protecting classified information related to defence equipment and technologyKyodo News commented that the changes mark a significant shift in defence policy for a country that has touted itself as a peaceloving nation under its warrenouncing Constitution since its defeat in World War IIWhile the revisions in principle prohibit the export of arms to countries engaged in active conflicts they do allow for exceptions in special circumstances that take into consideration Japans security needsUnder the revision weapon exports will not require prior parliamentary approval Instead the National Security Council will make the decisions with the Diet informed only after approvalThe lack of parliamentary involvement in the process has drawn criticism from opposition parties which argue that prior parliamentary approval is necessary to prevent Japan from becoming involved in exacerbating conflicts or fueling arms racesSince the revision plan came to light it has sparked widespread concern and criticism across Japan triggering waves of largescale protestsDuring an April 16 rally in front of the prime ministers office in Tokyo protesters held placards reading Oppose lifting the fivecategory restriction No to arms exports and Japan must not become a merchant of death while chanting slogans such as No repeating past mistakes and We reject war Participants expressed deep concern and dissatisfaction warning that the move could mark a significant departure from the countrys longstanding pacifist stanceThe revisions approved by the Cabinet and the National Security Council coincide with the kickoff of the threeday spring festival at the notorious warlinked Yasukuni Shrine a symbol of Japanese militarism and wartime aggressionTakaichi sent a ritual masakaki tree offering to the controversial shrine which honours 14 convicted ClassA Japanese war criminals from World War II IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/japan-officially-eases-arms-export-rules-to-allow-weapons-sales-despite-protests-670557.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-uk-discuss-evolving-nature-of-conflict-and-deepening-military-to-military-cooperation-670572.html London April 21 IANS Chief of Defence Staff CDS General Anil Chauhan met the UKs Minister of State for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard with their discussions focusing on the evolving nature of conflict and deepening militarytomilitary cooperationGeneral Chauhan also met the UKs Minister of State MoS for IndoPacific Seema MalhotraCDS also held highimpact bilateral talks with Ms Seema Malhotra MoS for IndoPacific to take forward India UK Partnership Defence Industrial Roadmap and Tech and Security initiatives to counter emerging challenges in the IndoPacific the HQ Integrated Defence Staff IDS said in a post on XnbspBoth sides emphasised enhancing cooperation in Cyber Intelligence and Space domains including information resilience and specialised exchanges The exchange reaffirmed a shared commitment to resilient Future Ready forces and a strengthened India UK strategic partnership it addedEarlier General Chauhan led a roundtable conference with leading officials think tanks and intellectuals on Indian military transformation challenges and opportunityGeneral Anil Chauhan Chief of Defence Staff CDS led an engaging roundtable conference with leading officials think tanks and intellectuals on Indian military transformation challenges and opportunity focused on the evolving strategic landscape and the imperatives of modern military transformation during his visit to the United Kingdom the HQ IDS posted on XDiscussions underscored the centrality of advanced technologies in defence enhancement of operational capabilities and closer synergy across industrial intelligence and cyber domains alongside strategic communication and joint engagements to further strengthen a robust futureoriented IndiaUK Defence Partnership it addedOn Monday General Chauhan was accorded a Ceremonial Step Line and received by his UK counterpart Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton in LondonDuring their meeting the two officials held discussions focused on expanding cooperation in cyber intelligence industrial collaboration and joint exercises to reinforce global security stability and resilience the Indian High Commission in London statedThe CDS also interacted with Indias High Commissioner Vikram K DoraiswamiThe visit will further deepen Defence Cooperation and will advance defence industrial ampamp intelligence collaboration cyber cooperation strategic communication and joint exercises This visit reinforces a shared commitment to global security stability and resilience the HQ IDS addedAccording to the UK Defence Ministry senior UK civil and military leaders will also interact with General Chauhan during his threeday visit Representatives of the British defence industry will meet him to progress talks on greater defence coproduction between the two countries General Chauhan will also be given a tour of the Royal College of Defence Studies where he will meet a multinational cohort of studentsThis is the first official visit by an Indian CDS to the UK and marks the fifth senior UKIndia military engagement this year following the UK Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyths visit to India in MarchIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-uk-discuss-evolving-nature-of-conflict-and-deepening-military-to-military-cooperation-670572.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 14:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-holds-fuel-prices-steady-as-us-uae-australia-pak-see-sharp-surge-670574.html New Delhi April 21 IANS Even after escalation in West Asia conflict and rise in Brent crude oil prices due to the closure of Strait of Hormuz the fuel prices remain unchanged in India while many countries have witnessed a jump of up to 85 per centnbspData by Kotak highlighted a sharp divergence between India and both advanced and emerging countries where consumers have faced increases in fuel prices so far this year reports NDTV ProfitOn the diesel front prices have witnessed a sharp rise in several countries in recent months amid geopolitical tensionsCountrywise the UAE saw an increase of around 85 per cent followed by Australia and the United States which recorded rises of more than 65 per cent and 62 per cent respectively Meanwhile in Canada Pakistan France Sri Lanka and Britain prices rose between 35 per cent and 53 per centMoreover countries where prices increased more modestly include China and Brazil while Russia stands out as an exception with diesel prices rising only slightly by over 1 per centIn contrast diesel prices in India have remained unchanged at Rs 876 per litre compared to January levels indicating zero increase despite the USIran tensionsA similar trend has been observed in petrol prices Neighbouring Pakistan has seen the highest a 44 per cent jump in petrol prices followed by the United States 42 per cent and the UAE 36 per centMeanwhile petrol prices in Canada Sri Lanka and China have risen by up to 34 per cent while Australia Britain and France recorded relatively moderate gainsAmong countries with modest increases Brazil and Russia reported hikes of over 7 per cent and 1 per cent respectivelyIn India retail petrol prices have been kept at Rs 947 per litre compared to January levels indicating no increase for consumersIndias unchanged fuel prices highlight the degree of price stabilisation enabled by policy interventions and publicsector oil marketing company OMC pricing Despite volatility in global fuel markets Indian consumers have largely been shielded from the immediate passthrough of international price pressuresIn a first since fuel price deregulation staterun OMCs are paying refineries a discounted price for petrol diesel aviation turbine fuel ATF and kerosene in a bid to curb mounting losses arising from a selfimposed freeze on retail fuel prices according to reportsIn another report prominent brokerage Macquarie said that at spot petroldiesel pricing of 135165 per barrel we estimate Indias oil marketing companies incur losses of Rs 18 per litre on petrol and Rs 35 per litre on dieselThe report added that every 10 per barrel increase in crude prices raises marketing losses by around Rs 6 per litreIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-holds-fuel-prices-steady-as-us-uae-australia-pak-see-sharp-surge-670574.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 14:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-yet-again-delays-decision-on-17-year-old-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-bypass-project-670576.html Islamabad April 21 Pakistanâs federal government has delayed a decision on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governmentâs offer to provide Rs 4 billion in bridge financing for the longpending Peshawar Northern Bypass project even as the crucial infrastructure initiative continues to face setbacks Despite the provincial government stepping forward with financial support to push the project ahead the Centre has indicated that the 30km road project will not meet its June 30 completion deadline this year according to local media reports Originally planned to complete the ring road around the provincial capital Peshawar the Northern Bypass has remained stalled for the past 17 years due to slow fund releases from the federal Public Sector Development Programme PSDP and other issuesLast year the KP government proposed to the federal government to arrange the bridge financing for the project to ensure its completion by June 30Speaking to Pakistani daily Dawn KP finance minister Muzzammil Aslam said that the provincial governmentâs representatives met officials of the National Highway Authority NHA and the Prime Ministerâs Inspection Team on Monday to discuss the issue He said they were informed that the Northern Bypass project could not be completed by June 30 as it was not among 16 priority projects the Centre had directed them to be completed by the end of the current fiscal yearThe minister said that the 30 km road project could be completed by the end of June adding that federal officials indicated that it may instead be completed by next SeptemberAslam said that the KP team highlighted that it had obtained the chief ministerâs approval for Rs4 billion in bridge financing through bank guarantees to complete the project on time but despite that the Centre was âdragging its feetâ on the crucial initiativeâWe have conveyed to the Centre that treating the province in this manner is unacceptableâ Dawn quoted him as sayingThe project now in its 17th year of execution has seen its cost rise from Rs 3 billion to Rs 27 billion due to limited fund releases from the federal governmentCiting documents Dawn reported that the project launched in November 2010 has undergone three PCI revisions and missed several deadlinesEarlier in January the KP government expressed concerns that reduced revenue transfer from the centre during the first half of 202526 has jeopardised the provinceâs ability to meet its annual budget surplus target agreed with the International Monetary Fund IMFThe provincial government further warned that the delays and reductions in federal transfers were straining its finances especially impacting the delivery of essential services in the merged districts of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-yet-again-delays-decision-on-17-year-old-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-bypass-project-670576.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 14:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-gifts-2-tonnes-of-medical-supplies-to-tanzania-670598.html Dar es Salaam April 21 India has handed over a substantial twotonne consignment of essential lifesaving medical supplies to the Shree Hindu Mandal Hospital in Tanzaniaâs Dar es Salaam underscoring New Delhiâs commitment to international cooperation and humanitarian support According to the Indian High Commission in Dar es Salaam the formal handover took place on Monday local time during a press conference held at the mission where the Indian High Commissioner Bishwadip Dey presented the consignment of medicines to Kaushik L Ramaiya Trustee of the Shree Hindu Mandal HospitalâThis comprehensive contribution is designed to bolster the hospitalâs diagnostic and treatment capabilities featuring a wide array of critical items including oxygen concentrators suction units oximeters microscopes and stethoscopes Furthermore the consignment addresses immediate clinical needs with a vast supply of inhalers syringes examination gloves bandages and wheelchairs ensuring a holistic upgrade to patient care and mobility servicesâ the High Commission mentionedDuring the ceremony Dey highlighted that the gesture reaffirms the deeprooted friendship between India and Tanzania emphasising a shared resolve to improve public health outcomes and ensure wider access to lifesaving technologyExpressing sincere gratitude on behalf of the Shree Hindu Mandal Hospital Kaushik L Ramaiya noted that the diverse range of equipment and consumables will provide vital support to the medical staff in their daily mission to deliver highquality healthcare to the communityâThis partnership stands as a testament to the enduring bilateral ties and the collective effort to strengthen the healthcare infrastructure within the regionâ the Indian High Commission statedEarlier on February 10 critical lifesaving equipment including three cardiac monitors two mechanical ventilators six infusion pumps and three syringe pumps worth more than 120 million Tanzanian shillings Rs 4345590 was given to Shree Hindu Mandal Hospital as humanitarian assistance by the Indian government according to the Indian High CommissionIndia and Tanzania have enjoyed traditionally close friendly and cooperative relations From the 1960s to the 1980s the political relationship involved shared commitments to anticolonialism nonalignment and SouthSouth cooperation and close cooperation in international forums IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-gifts-2-tonnes-of-medical-supplies-to-tanzania-670598.html Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/vandalism-of-jesus-statue-netanyahu-left-stunned-and-saddened-orders-criminal-probe-670467.html Jerusalem April 20 Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday condemned in the strongest terms the incident involving an Israeli soldier damaging a Jesus Christ statue in Lebanon saying that he was left stunned and saddened after learning about the episode Netanyahu mentioned that military authorities are carrying out a criminal probe into the matter and will take disciplinary action against the offender He stated that Israel cherishes and upholds the Jewish values of tolerance and mutual respect between Jews and people of all faithsHis statement came after a picture went viral on social media showing an Israeli soldier smashing a statue of Jesus Christ with a sledgehammerAs the Jewish state Israel cherishes and upholds the Jewish values of tolerance and mutual respect between Jews and worshippers of all faiths All religions flourish in our land and we view members of all faiths as equals in building our society and region Yesterday like the overwhelming majority of Israelis I was stunned and saddened to learn that an IDF soldier damaged a Catholic religious icon in southern Lebanon I condemn the act in the strongest terms Military authorities are conducting a criminal probe of the matter and will take appropriately harsh disciplinary action against the offender Netanyahu posted on XWhile Christians are being slaughtered in Syria and Lebanon by Muslims the Christian population in Israel thrives unlike elsewhere in the Middle East Israel is the only country in the region that the Christian population and standard of living is growing Israel is the only place in the Middle East that adheres to freedom of worship for all We express regret for the incident and for any hurt this has caused to believers in Lebanon and around the world he addedOn Sunday the Israel Defence Forces IDF stated that the incident is being viewed with great severity and the soldiers conduct is inconsistent with the values expected of IDFs troops It mentioned that the Northern Command is carrying out probe into the incident and vowed to take appropriate measures against those involvedFollowing the completion of an initial examination regarding a photograph published earlier today of an IDF soldier harming a Christian symbol it was determined that the photograph depicts an IDF soldier operating in southern Lebanon The IDF views the incident with great severity and emphasizes that the soldierâs conduct is wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops IDF posted on XThe incident is being investigated by the Northern Command and is currently being addressed through the chain of command Appropriate measures will be taken against those involved in accordance with the findings Furthermore the IDF is working to assist the community in restoring the statue to its place The IDF is operating to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure established by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and has no intention of harming civilian infrastructure including religious buildings or religious symbols it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/vandalism-of-jesus-statue-netanyahu-left-stunned-and-saddened-orders-criminal-probe-670467.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-using-nuclear-deterrence-as-cover-for-proxy-warfare-reckless-escalation-670468.html Washington April 20 The wider international community should move beyond treating Pakistans nuclear arsenal as a static fact managed discreetly by experts behind closed doors As an instrument used for strategic leverage Pakistans nuclear arms possession demands political consequences the analysts reckon According to a report in American magazine The National Interest if Pakistan acts as a rogue state the international community should treat it accordingly â with a clear message that nuclear blackmail is unacceptable will not succeed and will come at great conventional costPakistans bombing of Afghanistan over the past few weeks has again exposed something the world would prefer not to confront it is fundamentally a rogue state that acts without regard for international law From February 26 until March 18 according to the United Nations Pakistanâs bombing of Afghanistan has killed at least 289 people including women and children and displaced around 115000 This notoriously included the bombing of a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul on March 16 killing 143 civilians and wounding hundreds more the report detailedThe report stressed that the strikes are deeply concerning given Pakistans failure to articulate any doctrine on threat escalationIslamabads actions in Afghanistan so far have been reckless In a conflict with a more powerful adversary there is no reason that this recklessness might not extend to using nuclear weapons If the Pakistan Army cannot presently show restraint with artillery airstrikes and crossborder escalation what more might it be willing to do in the future it questionedEmphasising the threat posed by Pakistan the report noted that while one might argue that no state should possess nuclear weapons in a world that permits them such weapons must remain in the hands of states that exhibit discipline and a serious respect for escalation risksPakistan is showing the opposite it is normalising the use of force across borders blurring the line between militants and civilians and sweeping civilian deaths under the rug using broad counterterrorism language It has also long faced accusations of using the protection of its nuclear umbrella as cover for crossborder terrorism carried out through Islamist militant proxies in its neighbours A state that behaves in such a way has no business owning a nuclear arsenal in the first place it statedThe report further said âInternational pressure should begin with a simple principle that no state should be allowed to use nuclear deterrence as cover for proxy warfare and reckless escalation as Pakistan has been doing for decadesâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-using-nuclear-deterrence-as-cover-for-proxy-warfare-reckless-escalation-670468.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-ramps-up-pace-for-critical-minerals-in-africa-to-counter-china-670474.html New Delhi April 20 The US is stepping up its investments in infrastructure projects in Africa to counter Chinaâs influence as the race for critical minerals such as copper cobalt lithium and rare earth elements gathers pace in the aftermath of the trade war between the two countries Chinese engagement in African mining operations has evolved into comprehensive value chain integration spanning exploration production transport and processing stages Major Chinese companies have established significant operational presence across key mineralproducing regions creating interconnected systems that extend beyond individual mining projectsThe scale of Chinese involvement extends beyond operational control to encompass transportation networks processing facilities and export logistics This vertical integration creates comprehensive systems where African mineral production becomes embedded within Chinesecontrolled value chains increasing technical and economic dependencies for host countriesThe US strategy emphasises infrastructure development as a mechanism for gaining market access and operational influence Transportation corridor development aims to create alternative routing options for African mineral exports reducing dependence on Chinesecontrolled logistics networks while providing competitive export pathways for mineral producersPort modernisation and logistics optimisation focus on increasing throughput capacity and reducing transportation costs The Lobito Corridor represents the primary implementation of this approach targeting 46 million tonnes of annual capacity through railway rehabilitation and port terminal upgrades These improvements aim to reduce transit times by 29 days and transportation costs by 30 per cent compared to existing routesFinancing mechanisms utilise development finance institutions to provide competitive alternatives to Chinese infrastructure financing The US International Development Finance Corporation provides loan guarantees and direct financing for infrastructure projects that create mineral export pathways aligned with US strategic objectives Additionally the US mineral production order has strengthened national security priorities in mineral developmentChinese dominance in critical minerals is most pronounced in downstream processing operations where significant value creation occurs China processes 80 per cent of global cobalt refining 40 per cent of global copper smelting and 60 per cent of global lithium processing according to industry assessmentsThe integrated nature of Chinese operations creates comprehensive dependency relationships Raw ore extracted from African mines typically requires processing in Chinese facilities to achieve batterygrade specifications This processing stage captures 4060 per cent of total value creation while raw ore extraction typically captures only 510 per cent of final product valueTransportation route dependencies reinforce value chain control Chinese companies have invested in railway infrastructure port facilities and logistics networks that channel African mineral exports toward Chinese processing facilities These infrastructure investments create longterm routing dependencies that persist beyond individual mining project lifecycles IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-ramps-up-pace-for-critical-minerals-in-africa-to-counter-china-670474.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/balochistan-cm-broker-for-pakistani-soldiers-alleges-baloch-activist-670476.html Washington April 20 Tara Chand President of the Baloch American Congress has slammed Balochistanâs Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti calling him a broker for Pakistani soldiers He also criticised the arrest of Baloch Yakjehti Committee BYC leaders including Mahrang Baloch Gulzadi Baloch and Bebow Baloch alleging that they have been imprisoned for months without any justificationâYou a broker for Pakistani soldiers and the socalled Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti should be ashamed of yourselves for arresting the innocent daughters of the Baloch nation Mahrang Baloch Gulzadi Baloch and Bebow Baloch and keeping them in jail for many months without any guilt You call yourself Baloch yet you imprison the daughters of Balochistan without justification This shows that you are nothing more than a puppet of the soldiers and your status is nothing beyond that Chand wrote on XHe also condemned the role of Baloch ministers and those in power accusing them of functioning as agents of Pakistani soldiers within the provincial assemblyâAll those Baloch sitting in the Balochistan government should also be ashamed The ministers and everyone in power should stop calling themselves Baloch Instead they should recognise the shame in their actions The time has come for the Baloch to take responsibility and hold accountable those acting as agents of Pakistani soldiers within the Balochistan assemblies Chand addedLast month Naseem Baloch Chairman of the Baloch National Movement BNM called on the global community to end its silence over what he described as the âillegal detention of the BYC leaders who have been held in custody for over a yearHe said that the continued imprisonment amounts to a blatant violation of international human rights and due processâIt has been one year since the illegal detention of BYC leaders One year of injustice silence and denial of basic rights Their only âcrimeâ is raising their voice against enforced disappearances and state repression in Balochistan This is not just unlawful it is a blatant violation of international human rights and due process The world must not stay silentâ Naseem posted on XSeveral other human rights organisations have recently called for the immediate release of the BYC leaders demanding that all âfalse and politically motivated chargesâ be dropped and that free fair trials without state pressure must be ensured IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/balochistan-cm-broker-for-pakistani-soldiers-alleges-baloch-activist-670476.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-learned-little-even-after-10-hiv-outbreaks-report-670479.html Islamabad April 20 Pakistan has learned little even after 10 years and roughly 10 human immunodeficiency virus HIV outbreaks later As many as 331 children tested positive for HIV in Pakistans Taunsa between November 2024October 2025 a report has stated These cases in Taunsa have been reported despite government claiming to have launched a crackdown on the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital where the medical superintendent was removed and replaced However the undercover footage by the British broadcaster BBC has showcased that nothing has changed in the hospital as syringes were being reused on several children injections administered through clothing a nurse rummaging through medical waste without gloves Furthermore parents confirmed that syringes were reused on their children in hospital A contaminated needle was identified as the mode of transmission in more than half of these cases according to a report in Pakistans leading daily Dawn As HIV is no longer confined to certain highrisk groups former Special Assistant to the Prime Minister SAPM voiced concern In the post on X he stated What BBC film has revealed in Tunsa THQ is a tip of the iceberg Same practices are rampant in all districts of the country All blood borne diseases as a result are on the rise in Pakistan due to absolutely irresponsible health care practices including reuse of disposable syringes by health care workers and drug addicts unscreened blood transfusions unprotected sex unhygienic use of shaving instruments and so on We have the largest population with Hepatitis C infection in the world ie around 10 millionThe revelation will unfold a familiar cycle outrage will flare and the finger pointing will start followed by probe according to a report in Dawn Media will start reporting about it and the government will make some efforts and before long it will all fade from the memory until the matter again comes to light following a new outbreakThis pattern has been witnessed in four outbreaks over 1000 cases were reported in Larkana in 2019 with up to 90 per cent of the cases being children Jacobabad and Shikarpur became hotspots in 2023 Taunsa Mirpurkhas emerged as âanother Larkanaâ after 150 children tested positive while Dera Ghazi Khan witnessed rise in HIV cases linked to unsafe sexual practices and the reuse of syringes by unqualified practitioners in 2024 Similarly HIV cases were also reported in Hyderabad Shaheed Benazirabad Naushahro Feroze and KarachiYet these criminal practices have failed to provoke the outrage they deserve from the public health practitioners and even governments Nobody seems to know who to hold accountable otherwise why would these outbreaks continue so frequently And in the Taunsa hospitals case in particular it is clear that the irresponsible behaviour never stopped despite a change in leadership Zofeen T Ebrahim an independent journalist based in Karachi wrote in a report in Dawn Along with implementation gas the lack of public awareness remains a stumbling block Patients especially in public hospitals are not only poor but often poorly informed They have little reason to suspect that a routine injection could leave them or their child with a lifelong infection she added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pakistan-learned-little-even-after-10-hiv-outbreaks-report-670479.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 22:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/confusion-over-vance-pak-trip-trump-rules-it-out-on-security-grounds-wh-says-otherwise-670323.html New York April 20 There was confusion over US Vice President JD Vance travelling to Pakistan to lead the US in talks with Iran after President Donald Trump ruled it out on Sunday citing security concerns while the White House said he would attend Trump told two television programmes that Vance would not be going to Islamabad for the second round of direct negotiations that he said would take place next weekBut both CNN and The New York Times reported soon afterwards that according to White House officials Vance would indeed be at the talks along with Trumpâs soninlaw Jared Kushner and Special Representative Steve WitkoffAn ABC News interviewer said that Trump told him âthat Vice President Vance will not be leading the US delegation to IslamabadâThe interviewer Jonathan Karl reported âHe said its because of security the Secret Service did not feel comfortable having the vice president go to Pakistan on 24 hours notice He added âJD is greatââTrump also told MSNBCâs Jacqueline Alemany that Vance would not be going because 24 hours was too short to make security arrangementsPakistan is a nation wracked by terrorism caused in part by its policy of exporting terrorism that has boomerangedIran has not confirmed that it is participating in a new round of direct talks in IslamabadTrump said that his representatives would be in Islamabad on MondayHe told Fox News that his soninlaw Jared Kushner and Special Representative Steve Witkoff would be leading the US side in the talks with IranAlthough the Strait of Hormuz remained closed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps IRGC Trump was going ahead with the talks while also issuing fresh threats against Iran if it did not make a dealâWeâre offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL and I hope they take it because if they donât the United States is going to knock out every single power plant and every single bridge in Iranâ he said on Truth SocialâNO MORE MR NICE GUYâ he addedThere appeared to be a power struggle between the diplomatic and military establishments in IranIranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that the âStrait of Hormuz is declared completely openâ for commercial shipping but the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps IRGC countermanded it on SaturdayTrump confirmed Araghchiâs statement with a âThank youâ postThe IRGC said that the Strait was closed because the US was blockading its ports and fired on two Indian ships on SaturdayTrump did not immediately declare the ceasefire dead or take retaliatory action because he was invested in getting the negotiations to succeed as he faces increased pressure at home because of the impact of the war on the economyAbout the IRGC Navys hostile action in the Strait Trump said âThat wasnât nice was itâBut he added âMy representatives are going to Islamabad Pakistan they will be there tomorrow evening for negotiations Iran recently announced that they were closing the Strait which is strange because our BLOCKADE has already closed itâTrump has claimed that Iran had agreed to most of the US demands including forswearing nuclear ambitions foreverAgain there was no confirmation of this from Iran which continued its bellicose rhetoric IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/confusion-over-vance-pak-trip-trump-rules-it-out-on-security-grounds-wh-says-otherwise-670323.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 08:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/iran-rejects-taking-part-in-2nd-round-of-peace-talks-with-us-670324.html Tehran April 20 Irans official news agency IRNA said that the country has rejected taking part in the second round of the peace talks with the United States which were reportedly to be held in Pakistan soon Irans top joint military command said on Monday that Iran will soon respond to armed maritime piracy by the US military according to media reportsIrans Khatam alAnbiya Central Headquarters warned Iran will soon respond to US armed maritime piracy after American forces fired on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Gulf of Oman disabled its navigation system and boarded it with armed commandos Xinhua news agency reported quoting Press TVIn response Iran carried out drone attacks on US warships causing the US forces to retreat according to staterun IRIB and the semiofficial Mehr news agencyUS President Donald Trump said on Sunday the United States forcibly seized an Iranianflagged cargo ship that tried to get around a naval blockade near the Strait of HormuzA US Navy guided missile destroyer in the Gulf of Oman stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engine room and the US Marines had custody of the vessel he saidMeanwhile Trump has signaled that American negotiators would be in Pakistans Islamabad on Monday for the fresh round of talks amid a shaky ceasefire which is due to expire on Wednesday April 22Trump on Sunday announced that a team of negotiators from the US will be heading to Pakistan this week set to arrive in Islamabad on Monday My Representatives are going to Islamabad Pakistan They will be there tomorrow evening for Negotiations Trump said in a post on Truth Social IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/iran-rejects-taking-part-in-2nd-round-of-peace-talks-with-us-670324.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 08:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-says-us-has-intercepted-taken-custody-of-iranian-flagged-cargo-ship-670325.html New York April 20 US President Donald Trump said that US forces have intercepted and taken custody of an Iranianflagged cargo ship that tried to bypass its blockade in the Gulf of Oman Today an Iranianflagged cargo ship named TOUSKA nearly 900 feet long and weighing almost as much as an aircraft carrier tried to get past our Naval Blockade and it did not go well for them Trump wrote in a post on his social media Truth SocialA US destroyer intercepted the TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman and gave them fair warning to stop Trump added The Iranian crew refused to listen so our Navy ship stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engineroom Right now US Marines have custody of the vesselIran has attacked US military ships in retaliation for the US seizure of its vessel according to latest news reportsThe announcement came after the White House confirmed US VicePresident JD Vance would lead another delegation for a second round of talks with Iran in PakistanTehran has not yet confirmed its attendance Iranian state media has reported that officials will not participate while the US blockade remains in placeEarlier Irans Khatam alAnbiya Central Headquarters warned that it will soon respond to the US armed maritime piracy Xinhua news agency reported quoting Irans Press TVIrans official news agency IRNA said on Sunday that the country has rejected taking part in the second round of the peace talks with the United States which were reportedly to be held in Pakistan soonTrump said on Friday that the naval blockade of Iranian ports would continue until a deal was agreed by the two countries IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-says-us-has-intercepted-taken-custody-of-iranian-flagged-cargo-ship-670325.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 08:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/north-korea-tests-cluster-bombs-in-latest-ballistic-missile-launch-670331.html Seoul April 20 North Korea has tested cluster bombs in its latest launch of surfacetosurface ballistic missiles supervised by leader Kim Jongun state media reported Monday The Korean Central News Agency KCNA published the report of the launch of the Hwasong11 Ra tactical ballistic missile a day after South Koreas military detected multiple shortrange ballistic missiles launched toward the East Sea at around 610 am from North Koreas Sinpho areaThe KCNA said the purpose of the testlaunch was to evaluate the power of the cluster bomb warhead and fragmentation mine warhead fitted to the weapon systemFive missiles struck a target area near an island measuring about 13 hectares some 136 kilometres away with very high density fully demonstrating their combat capability the KCNA report saidPhotos released showed Kims daughter Juae who is believed to be being groomed as his successor accompanying him at Sundays weapon testKim expressed great satisfaction over the testlaunch saying It is of weighty significance to boost the highdensity striking capability to quell a specific target area as well as the highprecision striking capabilityThe development and introduction of different cluster bomb warheads can meet the operational demand of the Korean Peoples Army in a more satisfactory and effective way the report addedThe leader also encouraged science research groups responsible for weapons development expressing hope that they would continue their important undertakings to acquire and update various ultramodern technologies necessary for the combat preparedness of our armyAttending the test launch alongside Kim were Kim Jongsik a member of the Central Military Commission Jang Changha chief of the Missile Administration and frontline military unit commandersSundays launch followed the Norths testfiring of multiple shortrange ballistic missiles on April 8 State media said at the time the country testfired a tactical ballistic missile tipped with a cluster bomb warhead claiming it could reduce to ashes targeted areas with the highestdensity powerSouth Koreas Office of National Security has condemned the latest North Korean missile launch as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions and called for an immediate halt to the Norths missile provocationsA cluster bomb releases dozens to hundreds of submunitions allowing it to strike multiple targets over a wide area The weapon has been used by Iran in the ongoing Middle East conflict posing a challenge to Israels air defense systemThe Norths report suggests that Sundays test involved the launch of cluster bombs and airborne fragmentation mines fitted to missile warheadsThe KCNA also released photos of a missile being launched from the edge of a seawall and releasing cluster bombs that hit an islet marking the first time the country has disclosed images of a cluster bomb test Yonhap news agency reportedIt also represents the Norths first official reference to the Hwasong11 Ra ballistic missile which it had previously referred to as a new tactical ballistic missile or a tactical guided missileThe 136km range demonstrated in Sundays launch would reach Seoul and as far as the US military base in Pyeongtaek and Osan Air Base if fired southward said Hong Min a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for National UnificationThe missile fills the gap in range between the Norths multiple rocket launchers and shortrange missiles allowing it to target the Seoul metropolitan area he saidYoon Minho the South Korean unification ministrys spokesperson assessed that the test launch appears to be part of the Norths efforts to advance a defence development plan adopted at the recent ninth congress of the ruling Workers Party of KoreaDuring the congress Kim called for reinforcing the deployment of multiple rocket launchers and tactical missiles to counter South Korea he notedThe spokesman also said he took note of the rare attendance of a number of military commanders in charge of frontline units at the test IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/north-korea-tests-cluster-bombs-in-latest-ballistic-missile-launch-670331.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korean-president-lee-jae-myung-accorded-ceremonial-welcome-at-rashtrapati-bhavan-670334.html New Delhi April 20 South Korean President Lee Jae Myung was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly welcomed the South Korean President upon his arrivalChildren in traditional costumes holding the South Korean national flag and the Tricolour also warmly welcomed the visiting leaderSouth Korean President Lee arrived in New Delhi on Sunday for a threeday state visit Union Minister of State for Corporate Affairs Harsh Malhotra received President Lee and First Lady Kim Hea Kyung at the airport in New DelhiThe Ministry of External Affairs MEA noted that the South Korean Presidents visit to India marks an important milestone in advancing the Special Strategic Partnership between the two nationsPresident Lee was received by Shri Harsh Malhotra MoS Ministry of Corporate Affairs and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways The visit marks an important milestone in advancing the IndiaSouth Korea Special Strategic Partnership the Ministry said in a post on XExternal Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar also called on the visiting President on Sunday Honoured to call on President Lee Jae Myung of the Republic of Korea as he begins his State Visit to India Value his commitment to deepen India Korea relations across multiple domains the EAM said in a post on X expressing confidence that his talks with PM Modi will further strengthen our Special Strategic PartnershipMeanwhile President Lee will hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi later in the day and the two leaders will hold discussions on strengthening bilateral cooperation in various sectors including shipbuilding trade investments AI semiconductors critical and emerging technologies peopletopeople connections and cultural exchanges They will also discuss regional and global issues of mutual interest the MEA stated PM Modi is also scheduled to host a lunch in honour of the visiting leaderPresident Lee will also hold talks with President Droupadi Murmu President Murmu will also host a banquet in his honour at the Rashtrapati BhavanPresident Lee will also pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat later in the dayIndia and the ROK share a multifaceted partnership rooted in ancient civilisational ties and shared values of democracy and rule of law The visit of President Lee underscores the shared aspiration of both countries to further strengthen the existing areas of cooperation while expanding collaboration in new and emerging areas of mutual interest the MEA statedLast November PM Modi held a meeting with the South Korean President on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg This was their second meeting in 2025 following their talks on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korean-president-lee-jae-myung-accorded-ceremonial-welcome-at-rashtrapati-bhavan-670334.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/life-satisfaction-among-australians-falls-to-record-low-survey-finds-670351.html Canberra April 20 Average life satisfaction among Australians fell to the lowest level on record in March according to the latest edition of an Australian National University ANU survey published on Monday The 29th iteration of the ANUpoll which has regularly surveyed Australians on their wellbeing since 2019 recorded an average lifesatisfaction rating of 622 out of 10 from 3662 participants falling below the previous record low of 635 in March 2025Average life satisfaction has fallen by 37 per cent since the last edition of the poll in December marking the biggest decline between surveys since the COVID19 pandemicAustralia in March 2026 is a country under considerable strain Nicholas Biddle head of the ANU School of Politics and International Relations and leader of the ANUpoll project said in a media releaseMore respondents said they were dissatisfied with the direction of the country than satisfied for the first time in the polls history with 54 per cent dissatisfied and 46 per cent satisfied to some extentNearly 60 per cent said they believe life was better 50 years ago and 585 per cent believe it will be worse in 50 years in the futureThe timing of the survey coincided with the oil supply crisis driven by the conflict in the Middle East which caused fuel prices in Australia to soarA recordhigh 349 per cent of respondents said they were finding it difficult or very difficult to cope on their current income and employed participants reported an average expected probability of losing their job of 268 per cent up from 192 per cent in January 2025Biddle said that the proportion of employed Australians specifically concerned that machines or computer programs will replace their jobs has nearly doubled since March 2018 IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/life-satisfaction-among-australians-falls-to-record-low-survey-finds-670351.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 11:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/uncertainty-remains-ahead-of-expected-us-iran-talks-670353.html Islamabad April 20 As US forces have intercepted and taken custody of an Iranianflagged cargo ship and Iran said it has currently no decision to send a negotiating delegation for peace talks the prospect of an expected second round of USIran talks remains unclear Meanwhile other regional countries continue their efforts to bring the two sides to the tableOn Sunday President Donald Trump said that US forces had intercepted and taken custody of an Iranianflagged cargo ship that tried to bypass the US blockade in the Gulf of OmanToday an Iranianflagged cargo ship named TOUSKA nearly 900 feet long and weighing almost as much as an aircraft carrier tried to get past our Naval Blockade and it did not go well for them Trump wrote in a post on his social media platform Truth SocialIn a titfortat reaction Iran has attacked US military ships in retaliation for the US seizure of its vessel according to the latest news reportsAhead of the skirmish over the Strait of Hormuz Trump on Sunday also announced that US negotiators will travel to the Pakistani capital Islamabad on Monday for possible talks with Iran but he didnt detail who will head the teamHowever the Iranian side denied the potential talks in Islamabad Irans semiofficial Tasnim news agency said Sunday that Iran currently has no decision to send a negotiating delegation for peace talks with the United StatesThe Iranian team has stressed that as long as the US antiIran naval blockade remains in place there will be no negotiation with Washington according to the reportIrans official news agency IRNA said on Sunday that the country has rejected taking part in the second round of peace talks with the United States Irans absence from the second round of talks stems from what it called Washingtons excessive demands unrealistic expectations constant shifts in stance repeated contradictions and the ongoing naval blockade which it considers a breach of the ceasefire the agency said in a post on its English account on social media platform XTrump stressed that the US naval blockade on Iran would remain in full force until Washingtons transaction with Tehran is 100 per cent completeThe Strait of Hormuz is only one of the obstacles ahead According to statements from both sides and media reports the nuclear issue is another major point of divergenceTrump said on Friday that the United States would work with Iran to remove its enriched uranium CNN citing informed sources reported that Washington is prepared to unfreeze 20 billion US dollars in Iranian assets in exchange for Tehrans handing over its stockpile a proposal rejected by Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh as impossibleDisagreement also persists over Irans right to enrich uranium Trump said that Iran had agreed to suspend its nuclear program indefinitely a claim denied by an anonymous senior Iranian official in an interview with CNN the following day US sources familiar with previous talks said Washington had proposed a 20year suspension of Irans enrichment activities Tehran countered with a fiveyear pause a proposal the United States did not acceptDespite differences between Iran and the US regional countries are intensifying efforts to restart talks between the two adversaries after their first round of negotiation in IslamabadPakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday had a phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian During the 45minute phone call Sharif apprised the Iranian leader about his recent engagements with regional leaders including those of Saudi Arabia Qatar and Turkey stressing that such interactions were crucial for building consensus and bringing lasting peace to the warravaged regionPakistans Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar also held a separate phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas AraghchiAlso on Sunday Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Pakistani counterpart Dar voiced hope for a new round of USIran talks during a phone call affirming that negotiation and dialogue are the only way to resolve the disputeBoth parties agreed to maintain joint coordination and consultation on relevant developments to support regional security and stabilityTo prepare for the possible talks Pakistan has placed its capital Islamabad and the neighbouring garrison city of Rawalpindi on high security alertAccording to police sources some 20000 police personnel supported by hundreds of elite commandos including snipers have been deployed on security duty across the twin cities Similar arrangements were made before the first round of peace talksAuthorities have also suspended all public and goods transport in Rawalpindi and Islamabad as part of the security plan while most entry points to the Red Zone have been sealedMajor hotels including Serena Hotel and Marriott Hotel have asked guests to vacate after the government requisitioned the properties for the talks Hostels and guest houses in the capital were also directed to close until further notice IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/uncertainty-remains-ahead-of-expected-us-iran-talks-670353.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 11:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/australian-man-charged-over-200-kg-cocaine-import-670356.html Sydney April 20 A 41yearold Australian man has been charged by police over an alleged attempt to import 200 kg of cocaine into the country by sea A joint statement on Monday from federal law enforcement agencies and police in the east coast states of New South Wales NSW and Queensland said that the man was arrested on Thursday after officers located the cocaine on board an intercepted catamaranPolice said that the vessel was intercepted by an organised crime task force investigating an alleged plan by a criminal syndicate with links to outlaw motorcycle gangs to sail cocaine into Australian waters before transferring it to local vessels to bring the cocaine to shoreIt will be alleged in court that the catamaran had sailed out of the Tweed River located in northern NSW near the border with Queensland on Tuesday to collect the drugs before returning on Thursday when it was interceptedIn addition to 200 kg of cocaine police said that 100000 Australian dollars 71500 US dollars in cash was found on boardThe 41yearold man from northern NSW was charged with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a bordercontrolled drug and faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonmentInvestigations to determine the vessel and the crew responsible for transporting the cocaine into Australian waters are ongoingEarlier on March 24 the Australian police charged a man over an alleged attempt to smuggle 20 kg of heroin into the country from ThailandThe Australian Border Force ABF and Australian Federal Police AFP said that the 26yearold man from the state of New South Wales was selected for a baggage examination on arrival at Sydney Airport on a flight from BangkokDuring the examination ABF officers located 34 vacuumsealed bags containing a combined 20 kg of heroinAccording to authorities the heroin had an estimated value of 10 million Australian dollars 7 million US dollars and could have supplied 100000 street dealsThe case was turned over to AFP officers who arrested the 26yearold and charged him with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a bordercontrolled drug which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonmentAFP Detective Superintendent Morgen Blunden said that the attempted importation highlights the determination of organised crime groups to exploit international travel pathways for profit IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/australian-man-charged-over-200-kg-cocaine-import-670356.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/lee-pledges-coordination-with-india-on-efforts-to-reopen-strait-of-hormuz-670361.html New Delhi April 20 IANS President Lee Jae Myung stressed the need for South Korea and India to work together to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in an interview published on Monday also highlighting the need for joint efforts to stabilise global supply chainsnbspIn a written interview with The Times of India held before his summit talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi he noted that the effective closure of the critical shipping route due to the prolonged conflict between the United States and Iran has been driving up global oil prices while also disrupting supply chains for key industrial materials reports Yonhap news agencyBoth the Republic of Korea and India depend on the Middle East for a significant share of their energy supplies including crude oil and natural gas Accordingly ensuring the security of critical maritime routes is essential to the safety of our peoples and the very survival of our nations Lee said referring to South Korea by its official nameLee and Modi were set to hold a bilateral summit later in the day which would mark their third inperson meeting since Lee took office last yearThe president said South Korea will collaborate with India on multilateral efforts to ensure safe passage through the strategic route and diversify energy supply chains to address uncertainties in the global economyKorea will maintain close communication with India to ensure that all vessels can navigate the Strait of Hormuz safely and freely he said We will also continue to work together in relevant international forums to uphold this shared commitmentAs part of efforts to reduce heavy dependence on imported energy and raw materials Lee expressed hope to expand cooperation in critical mineral supply chainsBy moving beyond the traditional model of importing raw material and combining Koreas technology with Indias mining and refining industries we can work together to establish stable criticalmineral supply chains he saidLee also stressed the need to step up collaboration in strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence defense and the shipping and shipbuilding industries to deepen economic ties and create synergy between the two countriesBeyond traditional sectors such as electronics and automobiles we will broaden cooperation into shipbuilding finance and the defence industry he saidIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/lee-pledges-coordination-with-india-on-efforts-to-reopen-strait-of-hormuz-670361.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pm-modi-south-korean-president-lee-jae-myung-hold-talks-in-delhi-670369.html New Delhi April 20 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi on MondaynbspExternal Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and other officials were present during the meetingEarlier in the day Lee Jae Myung paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat in New DelhiIn a post on X the Ministry of External Affairs MEA said For peace harmony and a better world President Lee Jae Myung of Republic of Korea paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat honouring values of peace and nonviolenceBefore his visit to Raj Ghat the South Korean President was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati BhavanPresident Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi warmly welcomed President Lee Jae Myung upon his arrivalChildren in traditional costumes holding the South Korean national flag and the Tricolour also warmly welcomed the visiting leaderSouth Korean President Lee Jae Myung arrived in New Delhi on Sunday for a threeday state visitUnion Minister of State for Corporate Affairs Harsh Malhotra received President Lee and First Lady Kim Hea Kyung at the airport in New DelhiThe MEA noted that the South Korean Presidents visit to India marks an important milestone in advancing the Special Strategic Partnership between the two nationsEAM S Jaishankar also called on the visiting President on SundayHonoured to call on President Lee Jae Myung of the Republic of Korea as he begins his State Visit to India Value his commitment to deepen IndiaSouth Korea relations across multiple domains the EAM said in a post on X expressing confidence that his talks with PM Modi will further strengthen our Special Strategic PartnershipLater in the day PM Modi will host a lunch in honour of the visiting leaderPresident Lee will also hold talks with President Murmu and she will also host a banquet in his honour at the Rashtrapati BhavanIndia and the ROK share a multifaceted partnership rooted in ancient civilisational ties and shared values of democracy and rule of law The visit of President Lee underscores the shared aspiration of both countries to further strengthen the existing areas of cooperation while expanding collaboration in new and emerging areas of mutual interest the MEA statedIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pm-modi-south-korean-president-lee-jae-myung-hold-talks-in-delhi-670369.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-south-korea-eye-cepa-upgrade-talks-deepen-green-energy-cooperation-piyush-goyal-670390.html New Delhi April 20 IANS India and South Korea have discussed ways to resume and revamp negotiations for upgrading their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA while also exploring deeper cooperation in industrial sectors green energy and digital trade Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said on MondaynbspSharing details of his meeting with South Koreas Trade Minister Yeo Hankoo on social media platform X Goyal said the discussions focused on strengthening the bilateral economic partnership through renewed engagement on the CEPA upgrade talksDelighted to meet Yeo Hankoo We discussed ways to resume and revamp the IndiaKorea CEPA upgrade negotiations and explored opportunities for deeper cooperation in industrial cooperation green energy and digital trade Goyal saidThe two sides explored avenues to enhance collaboration across key sectors including industrial cooperation green energy and digital trade signalling a broader push to deepen economic ties between the two countriesGoyal highlighted that both countries are keen to expand trade and investment flows leveraging complementarities in manufacturing technology and emerging sectorsThe discussions also reflected a shared intent to align with evolving global trade dynamics and sustainability goalsThe minister expressed optimism about the future of bilateral ties noting that India and South Korea are looking to strengthen their partnership further through sustained engagement and cooperation across strategic sectorsWe look forward to strengthening our partnership for greater mutual trade and investment Goyal mentionedMeanwhile earlier in the day South Korean President Lee Jae Myung paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat in New DelhiIn a post on X the Ministry of External Affairs MEA said For peace harmony and a better world President Lee Jae Myung of Republic of Korea paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat honouring values of peace and nonviolenceBefore heading to Raj Ghat President Lee was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati BhavanIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-south-korea-eye-cepa-upgrade-talks-deepen-green-energy-cooperation-piyush-goyal-670390.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/vp-radhakrishnan-departs-for-delhi-after-successfully-concluding-sri-lanka-visit-670417.html Colombo April 22 Vice President CP Radhakrishnan departed for New Delhi after concluding a successful twoday visit to Sri Lanka on Monday The Vice Presidents visit yielded key outcomes focused on further strengthening the bilateral ties between the two nations including eased OCI eligibility to sixthgeneration Indian Origin Tamils IOTs for simpler travel to IndiaVP Radhakrishnan also virtually handed over a cluster of houses to plantation workers under the Indian Housing Project Phase III made an announcement of Northern Railway Line resumption and installation of three new Bailey bridges as postCyclone Ditwah rehabilitationThe agreements also covered enhanced estate worker scholarships health facilities in Mullaitivu and Eastern Province farmer clusters Ayurveda projects and Sri Lanka joining the International Big Cat AllianceEarlier in the day the Vice President offered prayers at the Seetha Amman Temple in Sri Lankas Seetha Eliya and said that the Indian governments initiative to renovate the religious site would further strengthen the historical ties between the two nationsThe Vice President also paid respects at the Hanuman Kovil venerating the sacred footsteps of Lord Hanuman from his meeting with Devi Sita at the Ashok VatikaIn a post on X the Vice Presidents Office wrote Vice President Shri C P Radhakrishnan visited the Seetha Amman Temple in Seetha Eliya Sri Lanka The sacred temple associated with the holy Ramayana stands as a profound reminder of the deep cultural and civilisational linkages between India and Sri Lanka The Vice President also paid respects at the Hanuman Kovil venerating the sacred footsteps of Lord Hanuman from his meeting with Devi Sita at the Ashok VatikaRecalling Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modis announcement during his visit to Sri Lanka last year that the Seetha Amman Temple would be renovated with the assistance of the Government of India he said that the initiative would further strengthen the historical ties between the two countries he addedVice President Radhakrishnan also visited houses built with the Indian Governments assistance under the Indian Housing Project Phase III at Liddlesdale Estate Ragala Nuwara Eliya Sri Lanka and interacted with the beneficiariesThe Vice President expressed his happiness at meeting the Indianorigin Tamil community and stated that the Government and people of India have a deep commitment to the welfare of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka He noted that the Government of India has so far provided 50000 houses for the Tamil families in Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka as well as to Indian origin Tamil families in plantation regions He added that an additional 10000 houses will be delivered under the fourth phase of the Indian Housing Project the Vice Presidents Office posted on XThe post further mentioned that while interacting with Indianorigin Tamils in Nuwara Eliya the Vice President expressed his deep sorrow over the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwa He also discussed Indias relief and rescue operations launched under Operation Sagar Bandhu in response to the natural calamityEarlier on Sunday Vice President Radhakrishnan called on Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo where both leaders held discussions on strengthening bilateral and cultural relations between the two countriesIn a post on X the Ministry of External Affairs MEA stated Vice President C P Radhakrishnan called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of Sri Lanka at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo today Sunday They held productive discussions on further deepening the multifaceted IndiaSri Lanka ties rooted in shared history and cultural valuesThe Ministry further added Vice President CP Radhakrishnan reaffirmed Indias commitment to the Neighbourhood First policy and to further strengthen our cooperation for the benefit of both nations The discussions also focused on various initiatives including the Indian Housing Project and projects being implemented under the USD 450 mn package for areas affected by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri LankaVice President Radhakrishnan also met Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya on Sunday and discussed the importance of further strengthening bilateral ties including peopletopeople bondsThe visit also saw engagement with Sri Lankas political leadership as the Vice President met Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa in Colombo on Sunday The MEA said Both leaders discussed further strengthening IndiaSri Lanka bilateral tiesPremadasa noted that the discussions focused on enhancing trade relations deepening economic cooperation and exploring practical opportunities to benefit both nationsThe series of meetings and site visits highlights Indias continued diplomatic and developmental outreach in Sri Lanka with a strong emphasis on housing infrastructure support and strengthening longstanding cultural ties IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/vp-radhakrishnan-departs-for-delhi-after-successfully-concluding-sri-lanka-visit-670417.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korean-president-hails-pm-modis-viksit-bharat-2047-vision-670423.html New Delhi April 20 IANS South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on Monday that he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi agree that India and South Korea can be most ideal partners for comprehensive cooperation to promote mutual growth and innovationWhile addressing a joint press meet with PM Modi following their talks in New Delhi President Lee announced that India and South Korea have agreed to upgrade economic cooperation framework to create new drivers for mutual growth He stated that India and South Korea will establish an industrial cooperation committee the first ministerial platform for economic cooperation between two nations to strengthen cooperation in trade and investment and strategic areas such as critical minerals nuclear energy and clean energyIn the era of hyper uncertainty we share our view that Korea and India can be the most ideal partners for comprehensive cooperation to promote mutual growth and innovation Against this backdrop while we further advance our existing economic cooperation we have also agreed to expand cooperation in strategic industries such as ship building finance AI and defense and promote cultural and peopletopeople exchanges he saidThe South Korean President also expressed gratitude to PM Modi for inviting him to India and the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation India is the worlds largest democracy and achieving the most dynamic growth and Im very pleased to pay you state visit to your country for the first time in eight years as president of the Republic of Korea and at the earliest time since taking officeHe noted that India and South Korea have witnessed remarkable advancement in bilateral relations through the signing of a comprehensive economic partnership agreement in 2010 and upgrading of relations to a special strategic partnership in 2015 Now we are ushering in a new decade of the special strategic partnership Today the Prime Minister and I had indepth discussions on ways to further promote our relations and exchanged views on the regional and global affairsHe stated that India has emerged as a leader of Global South and hailed Indias remarkable development under the Viksit Bharat 2047 visionWith the worlds largest population and the fourth largest economy India has emerged as a leader in the Global South And under your Viksit Bharat 2047 vision this country is achieving remarkable development and the Republic of Korea has also evolved as a leader in chip building semiconductors and cultural industries and we are accelerating innovation and growth to achieve a great leap forward to ensure that every Korean can grow together South Korean President saidLee Jae Myung expressed gratitude to Indian government for their constant support to building peace on the Korean Peninsula and stated that South Korea looks forward to India continuing to play a constructive role for peace on the peninsula and within the regionsHe said We agreed to maintain close collaboration in addressing regional peace and international issues Prime Minister Modi and I exchanged our views on the recent events unfolding in the Middle East and agreed that restoring stability and peace in the Middle East is crucial to global security and the economy I also spoke to the Prime Minister about the Korean governments efforts to build peace on the Korean Peninsula and extended our gratitude to the Indian government for their consistent support on this matter Korea looks forward to the constructive role that India will continue to play for peace on the peninsula and within the regionHe emphasised that India and South Korea will sustain cooperation for supply stability of energy resources and key commodities such as NAFTA President Lee announced that he and PM Modi have agreed to speed up the negotiations to upgrade Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA to create a more favourable trade and investment conditions for businesses of two nations and fully reflect new trade norms so that both nations can respond to the changing trade environment concerning supply chains in green growth in a more timely mannerIANS https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korean-president-hails-pm-modis-viksit-bharat-2047-vision-670423.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/isis-media-wing-steps-up-india-focus-pushes-mass-attacks-and-crypto-funding-for-iskp-670432.html New Delhi April 20 Indian security agencies have flagged a recent spike in activity by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syriaâs media network with a sharper focus on India While propaganda aimed at Europe and the United States has called for highprofile attacks during global events such as the FIFA World Cup messaging directed at India is urging operatives to carry out largescale strikesAn Intelligence Bureau official said the groupâs media channels have been urging largescale attacks at crowded public places At the same time they are appealing for donations to strengthen the Afghanistanbased Islamic State Khorasan Province ISKPThe official said there has been a surge in messages seeking donations Officials noted a surge in fundraising messages in recent weeks with the drive gathering pace this month Contributions are being sought under the label of âsadaqatâ or charity often through cryptocurrency These funds they said are being routed to support ISKP operations in AfghanistanThe ISKP is also seen to be exploiting tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan Earlier sustained pressure from the Taliban had curtailed its activities However the shifting situation in the region has provided the group with space to regroup and rebuild its networkThe ISKP has sought to exploit tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan to its advantage Officials say the conflict created an opening for the group to regain lost ground Earlier sustained pressure from the Taliban had kept its activities in check However with attention diverted by the ongoing situation the ISKP has used the window to reorganise and rebuild its networkâThis urgency explains the renewed push for fundsâ another official saidThe group appears to recognise that conditions in Afghanistan may not remain favourable for long and is trying to build capacity while the window exists According to officials its propaganda misinformation campaigns and fundraising efforts are increasingly focused on India A major attack they assess is seen as a way to draw attention and boost recruitmentThe idea of establishing a Caliphate in India with Jammu and Kashmir projected as its centre has been widely pushed through its propaganda Officials say some individuals have been drawn in by this messaging and believe that the ISKP can achieve these aims To deepen its outreach the group has expanded its presence across multiple social media platformsWhile misleading narratives are circulated openly online appeals for attacks and funding are routed through encrypted channels Agencies are closely monitoring the AlAzaim Foundation for Media Production which is seen as a key hub in this network Officials describe its operations as highly organised with content disseminated in a wide range of languages They deliver messages in Pashto Dari Arabic Urdu Farsi Uzbek Tajik Turkish Russian Hindi Malayalam and English With the use of Artificial Intelligence AI its messaging has expanded to more languagesOfficials say the group has been using AI to produce fabricated videos In some cases ordinary locations in India are depicted as sites of communal violence with visuals suggesting attacks on minority communities Agencies believe these clips are designed to provoke unrest Recent content they note has become sharper in tone and is clearly aimed at audiences in IndiaApart from the AlAzaim Foundation for Media Production the ISKP is also using its Pashtolanguage publication Khurasan Ghag to advance its messaging The magazine is tailored primarily for readers in South Asia IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/isis-media-wing-steps-up-india-focus-pushes-mass-attacks-and-crypto-funding-for-iskp-670432.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/nepal-govt-employees-to-receive-salary-on-fortnightly-basis-670437.html Kathmandu April 20 Government employees in Nepal will now receive their salaries every 15 days breaking the longheld tradition of monthly salary payments As per a Finance Ministerlevel decision taken on April 17 government employees will be paid on a fortnightly basis twice a month and a circular has already been issued in the name of concerned government agencies to implement the decisionThis practice is not common in most parts of the world where government employees are generally paid on a monthly basis In South Asia as well countries such as India Pakistan Bangladesh Bhutan Sri Lanka and the Maldives all follow a monthly salary system for government employeesNepali government officials said the decision was taken to help revitalize the economy as putting money into the hands of government employees more frequently could lead to increased spending Improving cash flow for employees could stimulate regular economic circulation they sayIt is not immediately clear when the government will begin implementing the decision âTechnically there is no problem for us to implement this systemâ said Dipak Lamichhane spokesperson for the Financial Comptroller General Office FCGO which is responsible for releasing the salary payment to the government employees âWe can release the salaries of civil servants the Nepal Army Police Armed Police Force and other government employees at any timeâHowever he said that implementing the new decision may require legal amendments as the Civil Service Act of Nepal provides for monthly salary paymentsSection 28 of the law states that each civil servant shall receive salary and allowances if any after the completion of each monthâPerhaps some way out could be found to implement the governmentâs decision earlyâ Lamichhane said With the parliamentary session not currently in operation the government has the option of introducing an ordinance to implement the decision immediatelyâWe are discussing how to implement the governmentâs decisionâ he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/nepal-govt-employees-to-receive-salary-on-fortnightly-basis-670437.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/japans-new-delhi-desk-signals-recognition-of-indias-strategic-role-in-indo-pacific-report-670441.html New Delhi April 20 Japans move to open a dedicated office in India to help Japanese firms navigate regulatory hurdles and boost investment signals Tokyoâs longâterm bet on Indias economic and strategic role in the IndoâPacific according to a new report The India Narrative report said the office will deepen ties beyond manufacturing linking Japanâs large corporations with Indiaâs startâup ecosystem artificial intelligence sector critical minerals and cleanâenergy chainsThe proposed centre will act as an information clearinghouse policy advocate and coordination platform administered by Japanâs Ministry of Foreign AffairsIt will collect feedback from Japanese companies on issues such as inconsistent stateâlevel rules opaque legal processes and complex tax and approval structures and then channel these concerns directly to relevant Indian agencies the report detailedTokyoâs focus on highâgrowth strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence and critical minerals reflects a shift from seeking lowâcost manufacturing to anchoring longâterm technological and supplyâchain partnerships in IndiaThe report highlighted a renewed Japanese interest in Indian partnership for over a decade which has not been fully translated into scaleJapanese companies wanted Indian partnerships to diversify away from Chinaâcentric supply chains but the number of Japanese firms in India has hovered around a modest figure with little change in recent years the report notedThe stagnation stemmed from transaction costs such as varying stateâwise regulations unclear implementation of central laws and administrative bottlenecks that made longâterm fixedâcapital planning difficultJapan remaining a key foreign investor in India gives the new office a builtin credibility the media house said adding Tokyo sees India as indispensable but only if the policy environment becomes more predictable and less opaqueTokyo framed India as a critical node in its evolving IndoâPacific supplyâchain strategy linking it with semiconductorârelated collaborations and cleanâenergy partnerships and the dedicated foreign office signalled India as a highâpotential albeit a highâcomplexity frontier economy IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/japans-new-delhi-desk-signals-recognition-of-indias-strategic-role-in-indo-pacific-report-670441.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-iran-talks-in-doubt-after-ship-seizure-670460.html Washington April 20 Uncertainty deepened over a fresh round of USIran peace talks on Monday after Washington seized an Iranianflagged cargo ship prompting Tehran to signal it may not attend negotiations planned in Pakistan US President Donald Trump said American negotiators would travel to Islamabad for talks this week But Iranian officials sent conflicting signals with state media suggesting Tehran could skip the discussions citing Washingtonâs âexcessive demandsâ according to The Wall Street JournalIranâs foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said the country has âno plans for the next round of negotiationsâ adding âWe donât believe in deadlines or ultimatums to secure Iranâs national interestsâ according to CNNThe diplomatic uncertainty follows a sharp escalation in the Gulf of Oman where US forces fired on and seized an Iranian cargo vessel after it allegedly tried to breach a naval blockade CNN reportedIran condemned the move as âmaritime highway robberyâ and warned it would respond while statelinked Tasnim agency said Tehran âwill take the necessary actionâ once the âsafety of the families and crew of the vesselâ is ensured according to CNNTrump meanwhile struck a hard line saying âWeâre offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL and I hope they take it because if they donât the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant and every single Bridge in IranâUS Vice President JD Vance special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to be part of the American delegation if talks proceedHowever Tehran has linked participation in talks to the lifting of the US naval blockade which it considers a breach of the ceasefire with Iranian state media suggesting talks may not proceed under current conditions according to CNNThe ceasefire itself is fragile and due to expire on Wednesday with both sides accusing each other of violations according to The Washington PostBehind the scenes mediation efforts continue Pakistani authorities have stepped up security in Islamabad preparing for possible talks despite uncertainty The Wall Street Journal reportedKey sticking points include Iranâs uranium stockpiles and the status of the Strait of Hormuz a vital energy corridor disrupted in recent weeks according to CNNIn a more moderate tone Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the war âbenefits no oneâ and stressed that âevery rational and diplomatic path must be used to reduce tensionsâ according to CNNThe United States and Iran have had decades of tensions marked by sanctions military standoffs and intermittent diplomacy Previous negotiations have often been accompanied by escalation on the groundThe Strait of Hormuz remains central to the conflict carrying a significant portion of global oil supplies making any disruption a matter of global concern IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-iran-talks-in-doubt-after-ship-seizure-670460.html Mon, 20 Apr 2026 19:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/north-korea-fires-short-range-ballistic-missiles-toward-east-sea-japanese-military-670222.html Seoul April 19 North Korea fired multiple shortrange ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Sunday South Koreas military said The Joint Chiefs of Staff JCS said it detected the missiles launched from the Sinpho area in the North at around 610 am and they flew about 140 kilometresOur military is closely monitoring North Koreas various movements under a robust South KoreaUS combined defence posture and maintains the capabilities and posture to respond to any provocation in an overwhelming manner the JCS saidSouth Korean and US intelligence authorities have tracked movements related to the launch and have also shared relevant information with the Japanese side it addedThe military is reportedly considering the possibility of the latest launch involving a submarinelaunched ballistic missile SLBM reports Yonhap news agencySubmarinerelated facilities are known to be located in Sinpho with the Hero Kim Kun Ok and the 824 Yongung submarines previously spotted at the eastern coastal city The North testfired an SLBM in waters off Sinpho in May 2022North Korea last fired multiple shortrange ballistic missiles on April 8 in a rare pair of launches conducted in a single day The North also fired an unidentified projectile the previous day but it disappeared shortly after it was fired in an apparent failureFollowing the series of launches over two days North Koreas state media said the North testfired a tactical ballistic missile tipped with a cluster bomb warhead claiming it can reduce to ashes any target within its range with the highestdensity powerState media also reported Pyongyang conducted tests of an electromagnetic weapon system and carbon fibre sham bombs scattering while verifying the combat reliability of a mobile shortrange antiaircraft missile system raising views that the latest launch may be part of such weapons testsFollowing the launch the presidential Office of National Security convened an emergency meeting and condemned it as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions calling for an immediate haltThe defence ministry also issued a similar statement urging the North to halt such missile provocationsNorth Korea should immediately halt consecutive missile provocations that heighten tension on the Korean Peninsula and actively take part in our governments efforts to establish peace it said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/north-korea-fires-short-range-ballistic-missiles-toward-east-sea-japanese-military-670222.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 11:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/uss-rushmore-conducts-blockade-operations-in-arabian-sea-central-command-670225.html Washington April 19 The US Central Command has said that the dock landing ship USS Rushmore is conducting blockade operations in the Arabian Sea Earlier Saturday local time it was said on social media that a guidedmissile destroyer USS Pinckney is patrolling regional waters in support of the blockade operations Meanwhile the USS New Orleans an amphibious transport dock ship is monitoring shipping reports Xinhua news agencyThe move came as the Navy of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps IRGC announced that the Strait of Hormuz has been blocked since Saturday evening and will not reopen until the United States lifts its naval blockade on the waterwayOn Friday both Washington and Tehran confirmed that the strait had been completely open for all commercial vessels However US President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that the US naval blockade would remain in full force In response Iran warned of closing the strategic waterway again if the US blockade continues Irans Supreme National Security Council SNSC said that the country is determined to exercise control and supervision over traffic through the Strait of Hormuz until the war is definitively ended and a lasting peace is achieved in the region The statement reported by Iranian media came after Irans main military command Khatam alAnbiya Central Headquarters announced earlier on Saturday the resumption of strict control over the Strait of Hormuz citing the continuation of US naval blockade against IranThe SNSC said it will control the strait by demanding vessel information issuing passage permits charging fees for security and environmental services and directing traffic according to its regulations and wartime protocols Xinhua news agency reportedBy the time the enemy seeks to cause disruption to the vessels transit through the strait and resorts to methods such as imposing a naval blockade which will be considered as violations of the current twoweek ceasefire the country will prevent the conditional and restricted reopening of the Strait of Hormuz it said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/uss-rushmore-conducts-blockade-operations-in-arabian-sea-central-command-670225.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 11:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-denounces-north-koreas-missile-launch-calls-for-immediate-halt-670226.html Seoul April 19 South Koreas presidential Office of National Security on Sunday condemned North Koreas ballistic missile launch as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions calling for an immediate halt The office convened an emergency meeting led by Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Hyunjong to analyse and assess the Norths latest missile launch presidential spokesperson Kang Yujung said in a written press briefingThe office expressed concerns over the Norths increasingly frequent ballistic missile launches and urged Pyongyang to immediately halt provocations that clearly violate the UN Security Council resolutions reports Yonhap news agencyIt also instructed relevant agencies to step up their readiness posture as President Lee Jae Myung is set to depart for India later in the day for a twonation trip that also includes a visit to VietnamKang said the office also reported the Norths latest launch and response measures to the presidentThe North fired the missiles from the Sinpho area in the North at around 610 am Sunday according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff JCSThe JCS earlier said it is closely monitoring North Koreas movements under a robust South KoreaUS combined defence postureSouth Korean and US intelligence authorities have tracked movements related to the launch and have also shared relevant information with the Japanese side it addedNorth Korea last fired multiple shortrange ballistic missiles on April 8 in a rare pair of launches conducted in a single dayThe Norths latest provocation comes ahead of US President Donald Trumps planned visit to China in midMayMeanwhile the Japanese military is reportedly considering the possibility of the latest launch involving a submarinelaunched ballistic missile SLBM reports Yonhap news agencySubmarinerelated facilities are known to be located in Sinpho with the Hero Kim Kun Ok and the 824 Yongung submarines previously spotted at the eastern coastal city The North testfired an SLBM in waters off Sinpho in May 2022North Korea last fired multiple shortrange ballistic missiles on April 8 in a rare pair of launches conducted in a single day The North also fired an unidentified projectile the previous day but it disappeared shortly after it was fired in an apparent failureFollowing the series of launches over two days North Koreas state media said the North testfired a tactical ballistic missile tipped with a cluster bomb warhead claiming it can reduce to ashes any target within its range with the highestdensity powerState media also reported Pyongyang conducted tests of an electromagnetic weapon system and carbon fibre sham bombs scattering while verifying the combat reliability of a mobile shortrange antiaircraft missile system raising views that the latest launch may be part of such weapons tests IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korea-denounces-north-koreas-missile-launch-calls-for-immediate-halt-670226.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 11:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/vp-radhakrishan-arrives-in-colombo-to-a-rousing-welcome-670237.html Colombo April 19 Vice President CP Radhakrishnan arrived in Colombo on Sunday for a twoday official visit to Sri Lanka focused on further strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations This visit underscores the growing momentum in diplomatic engagement between the neighboursThe Vice President was accorded a warm welcome upon his arrival in the Lankan capital with a traditional Kandyan dance performance The visit is notable as the first bilateral official trip by an Indian Vice President to Sri Lanka This visit will focus on strengthening the civilisational and peopletopeople ties between the two nations During the visit VP Radhakrishnan is scheduled to call on Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka and hold discussions with Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya His engagements will also include interactions with leaders of the Indianorigin Tamil community and Tamil representatives from the Northern and Eastern regions of the island nationThe Vice President will also address members of the Indian diaspora at a community event in Colombo At the event he will virtually hand over houses to beneficiaries from Tamil communities constructed under the third phase of the Indian Housing Project With this phase the total number of houses built for Tamil communities will reach 50000 while an additional 10000 houses are currently being developed under the initiatives fourth phaseOn Monday the Vice President will travel to Nuwara Eliya where he will visit project sites and interact with the local Tamil community Indianorigin Tamilians form a significant segment of Sri Lankas population numbering around 16 million or approximately 7 per centThe visit comes amid a series of recent highlevel exchanges between the two countries including President Disanayakas visit to India in February and Prime Minister Amarasuriyas trip in October 2025 It is expected to further deepen the millenniaold civilisational and peopletopeople ties shared by India and Sri Lanka IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/vp-radhakrishan-arrives-in-colombo-to-a-rousing-welcome-670237.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 12:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/ex-pak-pm-imran-khans-wife-bushra-bibi-seeks-suspension-of-sentence-on-medical-grounds-670244.html Islamabad April 19 Bushra Bibi the wife of Pakistans former prime minister Imran Khan is seeking suspension of the sentence in the AlQadir Trust case on medical grounds according to local media reports An application has been submitted to the Islamabad High Court IHC regarding the same reported the leading Pakistani newspaper The Express Tribune on SundayBushra Bibi had eye surgery at a private hospital in Rawalpindi this week As per the jail authorities she was transferred to a private facility for the procedure which was performed by retina specialist Dr Nadeem Qureshi at Al Shifa Eye Hospital After spending one night there she was discharged and returned to Adiala Jail Officials mentioned that followup examinations will be conducted according to medical adviceThe application also requested the IHC to summon the head of the Ophthalmology Department at AlShifa Trust Eye Hospital Rawalpindi the superintendent of jail and the deputy superintendent of jail with relevant documents relating to the surgery performed on Bushra Bibi including the complete medical record operation notes diagnosis and treatment historyThe Applicant be forthwith shifted to AlShifa Trust Eye Hospital Rawalpindi for proper postoperative treatment under continuous medical supervision and that the concerned jail authorities be directed to ensure regular meaningful and unhindered access to the Applicants counsel and family members in accordance with law and prior judicial directions the application readBushra Bibis counsel Salman Safdar has moved an application to explain her health condition amid the hearing on the plea seeking suspension of Imrans and Bushra Bibis sentence which will resume on April 22 by the IHC division bench led by Chief Justice Sardar Sarfraz DogarBushra Bibi is sentenced to a term of seven years according to the reportThe application added that Bushra Bibi has been subjected to prolonged incarceration repeated delays in adjudication of her application for suspension of sentence continued denial of access to counsel and now serious medical deterioration culminating in a surgical procedure conducted under undisclosed circumstances According to the application Bushra Bibis appeal has remained pending for more than a year and her continued detention would serve no useful purpose and cause perpetuating irreparable harm stated the applicationThe application stated that the family members of Bushra Bibi were abruptly and informally informed by the jail authorities that the applicant had undergone an eye surgery due to certain complications It is a matter of serious concern and grave alarm that neither the counsel nor any member of the Applicants family was informed or consulted prior to the said medical procedure nor was any prior disclosure ever made regarding any deterioration in the medical condition of the Applicant which could necessitate such a surgical intervention the application stated It further claimed that the entire medical procedure appears to have been conducted in complete opacity without adherence to basic standards of transparency and without affording the Applicant the benefit of consultation with her counsel or family IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/ex-pak-pm-imran-khans-wife-bushra-bibi-seeks-suspension-of-sentence-on-medical-grounds-670244.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 12:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/night-ban-adds-to-livelihood-concerns-of-balochistan-fishermen-670248.html Islamabad April 19 Nighttime fishing bans have been imposed by the Pakistani authorities across Balochistans coastal district of Gwadar further impacting the livelihoods of fishermen who are already suffering due to repeated restrictions according to local media reports The authorities cited the prevailing security situation for the restrictionsThe directives issued by the fisheries department stated that fishing has been prohibited within a one nautical mile radius along the coastline the port area the Gwadar Red Zone and areas surrounding the Pakistan Coast Guards camp According to the officials during the night fishermen would not be allowed to operate in these zones under any circumstances according to a report in The Balochistan PostThe local fishermen have denounced the decision stating that their income was already being affected by repeated restrictions imposed by the Pakistani authorities citing security measures and mentioned that this move would further affect their livelihoodsWe are already struggling due to earlier restrictions This ban will further worsen our financial conditions one fisherman was quoted as saying by The Balochistan Post He also urged the authorities to act against illegal trawling which he described as a major threat to local livelihoodsThe authorities also instructed the fishermen to carry their relevant documents when at sea and obey the directives given by security staff They warned that violations would result in legal action under applicable laws the report mentionedThis development came days after the Baloch Liberation Army BLA announced the formation of the Hammal Maritime Defence Force HMDF their naval wing Three coast guard personnel were killed in an attack by the BLAs naval wing near the Gwadar coastFollowing this security measures have been intensified across Gwadar and the surrounding areas Blockades have been set up at multiple points and military and police personnel have increased the checks the report said citing local sourcesIt further mentioned that government offices Gwadar port and other key installations are being closely monitored across the coastline amid the concerns of potential attacks by the BLA However no formal notification has been issued by officials regarding this potential threatMeanwhile the residents claim that during these ongoing operations by the Pakistani authorities several men have been taken into custody and their whereabouts remain unknownThis also adds to the alarming trend of forcible disappearances at the hands of Pakistani forces across Balochistan IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/night-ban-adds-to-livelihood-concerns-of-balochistan-fishermen-670248.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 13:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/rajnath-singh-to-visit-germany-next-week-to-discuss-strengthening-defence-cooperation-670261.html New Delhi April 19 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will travel to Germany for an official visit from April 2123 to further strengthen the defence partnership between the two nations During his visit Rajnath Singh is set to hold talks with his German counterpart Boris Pistorius and other senior leaders of the governmentDiscussions will focus on increasing defence industrial collaboration strengthening militarytomilitary engagements and exploring opportunities in emerging sectors like cyber security artificial intelligence and drones according to a statement released by the Ministry of DefenceA Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap and Implementing Arrangement for Cooperation in UN Peacekeeping Operations Training are likely to be signed in the presence of both ministersThe visit will provide an opportunity to review the ongoing defence cooperation initiatives and identify new avenues for collaboration between the defence industries of both countries Shri Rajnath Singh is also expected to interact with key representatives of the German defence industry with a view to promoting joint development and coproduction under the MakeinIndia initiative the Ministry of Defence stated in a releaseThe last visit to Germany by any Indian Defence Minister was in 2019 when thenDefence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited the European nation Boris Pistorius travelled to India in June 2023 and held talks with Rajnath SinghIndia and Germany share a strong amp multifaceted strategic partnership anchored in democratic values the rule of law and a shared commitment to a rulebased international order Defence and security cooperation has emerged as an important pillar of this partnership in recent years The objective of the visit is to further deepen bilateral ties and contribute to regional and global peace stability and prosperity the Ministry of Defence stated in a releaseOn April 14 India and Germany held Foreign Office Consultations in Berlin and agreed to further deepen and diversify cooperation in areas of contemporary relevance including critical and emerging technologies defence industrial collaboration digital governance renewable energy green hydrogen innovation and development cooperation in third countriesDuring the meeting the officials of two nations took stock of the current status of bilateral relations and explored ways to further deepen the IndiaGermany Strategic Partnership the Ministry of External Affairs MEA said in a statementDuring the Consultations both sides undertook a comprehensive review of the full spectrum of IndiaGermany bilateral relations including trade and investment defence and security technology green and sustainable development mobility and peopletopeople exchanges it saidThe two sides discussed key regional and global developments including the situation in West Asia and the RussiaUkraine conflict Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and State Secretary of the German Foreign Office Geza Andreas von Geyr cochaired the Foreign Office Consultations held in BerlinThe consultations were held in a significant year for bilateral ties as India and Germany are commemorating 75 years of diplomatic relations this year following the celebration of 25 years of the Strategic Partnership in 2025 The Cochairs also launched the logo commemorating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of IndiaGermany diplomatic relations the MEA release saidDuring his visit to Berlin Misri also met German Foreign Minister Johann WadephulForeign Secretary Vikram Misri met German Foreign Minister Dr Johann Wadephul in Berlin on 14 April 2026 FM Wadephul appreciated steady progress in the IndiaGermany Strategic Partnership Both agreed to broaden and deepen cooperation across key areas and reaffirmed the importance of this vital relationship the Indian Embassy in Germany posted on XMisri also interacted with senior Foreign Policy experts Members of Parliament and senior officials from the Federal and state governments at the Korber FoundationForeign Secretary Vikram had an engaging interaction with political leaders and senior Government officials The discussions focused on deepening the IndiaGermany Strategic Partnership across key pillars of cooperation including trade defence technology and innovation They exchanged perspectives on regional and global developments IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/rajnath-singh-to-visit-germany-next-week-to-discuss-strengthening-defence-cooperation-670261.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 13:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/bulgaria-holds-8th-parliamentary-election-in-5-years-670267.html Sofia April 18 Bulgarians went to the polls on Sunday to vote in the countrys early parliamentary election the eighth vote for the legislature in five years Nearly 66 million voters are eligible to elect 240 lawmakers among more than 4700 candidates from 14 political parties and 10 coalitions as well as one independent candidate according to the Central Election Commission reported Xinhua news agencyThe commission said that the polling stations in the country opened nationwide at 7 am local time and are due to close at 8 pmMeanwhile polling stations in 55 countries and regions are available for Bulgarians living abroad to cast their ballotsExit polls will be announced immediately after stations close in Bulgaria and the final results should be announced no later than April 23The elections became inevitable after Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkovs coalition government resigned in December 2025 amid largescale protests over the ruling majoritys economic policy and parliamentary parties subsequently failed to elect a new governmentZhelyazkovs government took power on January 16 last year after snap elections in October 2024The National Assembly is Bulgarias legislative body It also elects the government by a simple majority and has a fouryear term except in certain circumstances such as when it cannot elect a governmentBulgaria is holding early parliamentary elections after the third and final attempt to form a government within the existing legislature failed in January Bulgarian President Rumen Radev offered the parliamentary group Alliance for Rights and Freedoms ARF to form a government in January but it declined and the two largest parliamentary groups GERBUDF and PPDB also declined to do so in January this yearAndrey Gurov was appointed as the caretaker prime minister in February by President Iliana Lotova IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/bulgaria-holds-8th-parliamentary-election-in-5-years-670267.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 14:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/vp-radhakrishnan-meets-sri-lankan-president-dissanayake-focus-on-strengthening-ties-670268.html New Delhi April 19 Vice President CP Radhakrishnan called on Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on Sunday with discussions held on strengthening bilateral and cultural ties between the two nations During the meeting Radhakrishnan reaffirmed Indias commitment to the Neighbourhood policy and further strengthening cooperation between India and Sri Lanka for the benefit of people of two nationsIn a post on X Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated Vice President Shri CP Radhakrishnan calledon President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of Sri Lanka at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo today They held productive discussions on further deepening the multifaceted India Sri Lanka ties rooted in shared history and cultural valuesVice President CP Radhakrishnan reaffirmed Indiaâs commitment to the Neighbourhood First policy and to further strengthen our cooperation for the benefit of both nations The discussions also focused on various initiatives including the Indian Housing Project and projects being implemented under the USD 450 mn package for areas affected by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka he addedEarlier in the day the Vice President arrived in Colombo on Sunday for a twoday official visit to Sri LankaThis visit underscores the growing momentum in diplomatic engagement between the neighboursThe Vice President was accorded a warm welcome upon his arrival in the Lankan capital with a traditional Kandyan dance performanceThe visit is notable as the first bilateral official trip by an Indian Vice President to Sri Lanka This visit will focus on strengthening the civilisational and peopletopeople ties between the two nationsDuring the visit VP Radhakrishnan is scheduled to hold discussions with Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya His engagements will also include interactions with leaders of the Indianorigin Tamil community and Tamil representatives from the Northern and Eastern regions of the island nationThe Vice President will also address members of the Indian diaspora at a community event in Colombo At the event he will virtually hand over houses to beneficiaries from Tamil communities constructed under the third phase of the Indian Housing Project With this phase the total number of houses built for Tamil communities will reach 50000 while an additional 10000 houses are currently being developed under the initiatives fourth phaseOn Monday VP Radhakrishnan will travel to Nuwara Eliya where he will visit project sites and interact with the local Tamil community Indianorigin Tamilians form a significant segment of Sri Lankas population numbering around 16 million or approximately 7 per centThe visit comes amid a series of recent highlevel exchanges between the two countries including Sri Lankan President Dissanayakes visit to India in February and Prime Minister Amarasuriyas trip in October 2025 It is expected to further deepen the millenniaold civilisational and peopletopeople ties shared by India and Sri Lanka IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/vp-radhakrishnan-meets-sri-lankan-president-dissanayake-focus-on-strengthening-ties-670268.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 14:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-closer-to-expanding-its-nuclear-fuel-base-report-670289.html New Delhi April 19 India may be closer than ever to achieving longterm nuclear selfreliance following a key milestone in its ambitious threestage nuclear programme according to an article The report in the Vietnam Times described the development as a potential turning point in Indiaâs decadesold strategy to overcome fuel constraints and build a sustainable nuclear energy baseAccording to the article India has long faced a fundamental challenge India didnât have much uranium the fuel most nuclear reactors run on Even today it noted the country remains dependent on imports including major agreements with countries like Canada However India possesses vast reserves of thorium or 25 per cent of the global total buried in its sands offering a unique longterm opportunityThe report says that thorium cannot be directly used as fuel and requires conversion prompting India to adopt a longterm approach rather than quick fixesInstead of chasing speed Indian nuclear scientist Dr Homi J Bhabha chose something far more ambitious a system that could turn this resource scarcity into selfreliance even if it took decades to get thereThis vision led to Indiaâs threestage nuclear programmeâbeginning with uranium transitioning to plutonium and eventually unlocking thorium For years the second stage remained incomplete But that changed recentlyOn April 6th Indiaâs Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor PFBR at Kalpakkamâ achieved criticality for the first timeâ The report underscores the importance of this moment noting that âcriticality is the point where a nuclear reactor becomes selfsustaining the article saidWhile fast breeder reactors exist elsewhere the Vietnam Times points out that in most other countries the efforts behind these reactors havenât exactly gone as planned Indiaâs persistence therefore stands out it said âAnd yet India didnât back down from this pursuit It stayed committed to breeder reactors because they were essential The significance of the milestone lies in its longterm implications As per the Vietnam Times by achieving criticality India has shown that it can run a reactor using plutoniumbased fuelâ bringing the country closer toâ expanding its nuclear fuel base These reactors can produce more usable material than they consume effectively transforming limited resources into sustainable fuelThe report also highlights the technological complexity involved including the use of mixed oxide fuel and liquid sodium cooling which has to be sealed monitored and engineered with extreme precisionDespite the breakthrough the report cautions that challenges remain Nuclear energy currently accounts for just over 3 per cent of Indiaâs electricity generation and thereâs still a long way to go However if successful the programme could significantly reduce dependence on imported uraniumSumming up the achievement the report notes that India may finally be realising Dr Bhabhaâs longheld vision Running on fuel it already has instead of relying on the world for it IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-closer-to-expanding-its-nuclear-fuel-base-report-670289.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 16:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/vp-radhakrishnan-departs-for-sri-lanka-on-landmark-two-day-visit-to-boost-bilateral-ties-670206.html New Delhi April 19 Indiaâs Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Sunday departed for a twoday official visit to Sri Lanka marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations The visit is notable as the first bilateral official trip by an Indian Vice President to Sri Lanka underscoring the growing momentum in diplomatic engagement between the neighboursConfirming the departure Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X âHonâble Vice President of India Shri C P Radhakrishnan VPIndia has departed for Sri Lanka A rich agenda involving meeting with Sri Lankan leadership and interacting with Indian community lies aheadâDuring the visit VP Radhakrishnan is scheduled to call on Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka and hold discussions with Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya His engagements will also include interactions with leaders of the Indianorigin Tamil community and Tamil representatives from the Northern and Eastern regions of the island nationThe Vice President will also address members of the Indian diaspora at a community event in Colombo At the event he will virtually hand over houses to beneficiaries from Tamil communities constructed under the third phase of the Indian Housing Project With this phase the total number of houses built for Tamil communities will reach 50000 while an additional 10000 houses are currently being developed under the initiatives fourth phaseOn Monday the Vice President will travel to Nuwara Eliya where he will visit project sites and interact with the local Tamil community Indianorigin Tamilians form a significant segment of Sri Lankaâs population numbering around 16 million or approximately 7 per centThe visit comes amid a series of recent highlevel exchanges between the two countries including President Disanayakaâs visit to India in February and Prime Minister Amarasuriyaâs trip in October 2025 It is expected to further deepen the millenniaold civilisational and peopletopeople ties shared by India and Sri Lanka IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/vp-radhakrishnan-departs-for-sri-lanka-on-landmark-two-day-visit-to-boost-bilateral-ties-670206.html Sun, 19 Apr 2026 09:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/mcmaster-warns-on-china-tech-threat-669970.html Washington April 18 Former US National Security Adviser Lt Gen rtd H R McMaster said the United States and its allies must move quickly to secure critical technologies and supply chains as strategic competition with China intensifies Speaking at a panel discussion at the Thrive 2026 conference at Stanford University McMaster said years of globalisation had left Western economies exposed by prioritising efficiency over resilience âWe became complacentâ he said warning that supply chains are now vulnerable in a period of renewed great power rivalryâChina in particular has weaponised its status as a marketplace economic model against our free market economiesâ McMaster said adding that the challenge spans artificial intelligence supercomputing energy and material sciencesâHe described the competition as part of a broader effort by China and others to reshape global rules These actors he said seek to replace the current system with one aligned to âtheir authoritarian form of governmentââOn emerging technologies McMaster said it would be difficult to establish shared global standards âItâs unrealistic to assume that the Chinese Communist Party leadership will sign upâ for the rules that we would think are in our interestsâ he saidâHe urged companies and investors to adopt stricter safeguards He proposed a âHippocratic oathâ for boardrooms to ensure firms do not aid adversaries or undermine longterm interestsââDonât help our potential enemies develop weapon systemsâ Donât help an authoritarian regime extinguish human freedomâ and donât compromise the longterm viability of your companyâ he saidâMcMaster pointed to past US investments in Chinese firms linked to military and surveillance systems as examples of the risks involved He said intellectual property theft and statebacked competition remain persistent concernsâHe also highlighted weaknesses in supply chains for critical minerals Environmental regulations in the West he said had pushed processing capacity to ChinaââA lot of people were well motivatedâ they just exported the pollution to Chinaâ he said calling for new investment in extraction and refining technologiesMcMaster said rebuilding supply chains would require coordination with allies He cited sectors such as shipbuilding and semiconductors where multinational cooperation is essentialâAt the same time he cautioned against restricting academic exchanges Limiting foreign students in US universities would be a âtremendous mistakeâ he said while calling for tighter screening in sensitive research areasâOn Taiwan he warned that the risk of disruption to semiconductor supplies is rising Any blockade or coercive action by China would be âa disaster for the global economyâ he saidâMcMaster said governments may need to act where markets fall short âItâs free market versus the public good of national securityâ he said adding that some economic costs may be unavoidable IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/mcmaster-warns-on-china-tech-threat-669970.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 07:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-claims-iran-progress-warns-us-pressure-will-continue-until-deal-finalised-669972.html Washington April 18 President Donald Trump said Iran had agreed to reopen a critical global shipping route while warning that US military pressure would continue until a broader agreement is finalised Addressing a Turning Point USA gathering in Arizona Trump said the Strait of Hormuz was âfully open and ready for business and full passageâ signalling a potential easing of tensions in one of the worldâs most sensitive energy corridorsAt the same time he made clear that US forces would maintain a strong presence âThe naval blockadeâ will remain in full force and effect as it pertains to Iran until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100 per cent complete and fully signedâ he saidTrump projected confidence in ongoing negotiations âThis process is getting along wellâ most of the points are already negotiated and agreed toâ he said adding that the outcome would ensure that âIranâ will never have a nuclear weaponâIn his speech Trump indicated his plans for recovering what he called ânuclear dustâ referring to residue from earlier US strikes in Iran âWeâre going to get itâ weâre going to take it back home to the USAâ he said suggesting joint operations involving excavationTrump linked the developments to broader regional diplomacy claiming that recent US efforts had stabilised tensions beyond Iran He said there had been âan unprecedented ceasefire between Israel and Lebanonâ adding that the development had not occurred âin 78 yearsâHe thanked several countries for their role in regional engagement âI want to thank the country of Pakistanâ and its great field marshalâ I also want to thank Saudi Arabia Qatar UAE Bahrain Kuwaitâ theyâve all helped tremendouslyâ he saidTrump sharply criticised US allies in Europe arguing that Washington should rely less on traditional partnerships âThey were absolutely useless when we needed themâ he said referring to NATO while asserting that âwe have to rely on ourselvesâTrump said the US had built âthe greatest military the world has ever seenâ and emphasised selfreliance in future engagementsHe also portrayed himself as a global dealmaker claiming credit for ending multiple conflicts âI ended eight warsâ he said adding that further agreements could increase that number âIf we add Iran and Lebanon that will be ten wars endedâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-claims-iran-progress-warns-us-pressure-will-continue-until-deal-finalised-669972.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 07:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/iran-says-transferring-enriched-uranium-to-us-never-an-option-669973.html Tehran April 18 Iran will not transfer its enriched uranium to a foreign country and sending it to the United States has never been under consideration Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Baghaei speaking on staterun IRIB television said that recent public statements by Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi were made within the framework of the ceasefire between Iran and the United States announced on April 8 not as signals of a new diplomatic openingEarlier on Friday Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz would remain completely open to commercial shipping for the duration of the current truce between Iran and the United States Xinhua news agency reportedBaghaei moved to clarify the foreign ministers position saying that following a ceasefire in Lebanon on Friday Tehran chose to apply safepassage conditions outlined in its agreement with Washington to vessels transiting the straitWe have reached no new agreement he said The ceasefire agreement is the one announced on April 8He accused the United States of failing from the outset of the truce to honor a commitment to extend its terms to Lebanon a provision Iran insists was included in the April 8 agreement Washington and Jerusalem have rejected that characterizationBaghaei also warned that Iran would take countermeasures if a United States naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz persisted He said no talks on extending the ceasefire had taken place and that mediation efforts led by Pakistan remained focused on ending the conflict and protecting Irans interestsIran tightened its grip on the strait beginning February 28 when it barred safe passage to vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States following joint strikes on Iranian territory The United States subsequently imposed its own blockade preventing ships traveling to and from Iranian ports from transiting the waterway after peace negotiations in Islamabad collapsed over the weekendAxios reported Friday citing people familiar with the talks that a second round of United StatesIran negotiations is expected to take place in Pakistan this weekend most likely on Sunday IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/iran-says-transferring-enriched-uranium-to-us-never-an-option-669973.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 07:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-touts-gains-targets-rivals-at-rally-669974.html Washington April 18 President Donald Trump touted economic gains claimed foreign policy breakthroughs and urged supporters to deliver a Republican victory in the midterm elections striking a combative tone at a Turning Point USA event in Arizona âOur economy is booming incomes are rising investment is soaring inflation has been defeatedâ Trump said âOur workers are thriving our border is closed and America is respected all over the worldâHe described the 2024 election as decisive saying Republicans âwon all seven swing statesâ and secured both the Electoral College and popular vote âThatâs called a landslideâ he saidTrump repeatedly stressed the importance of the midterms âWe have to win the midtermsâ and weâll do everything we can to do it togetherâ he said predicting a âlandslideâ if turnout remains highOn foreign policy Trump said Iran would ânever have a nuclear weaponâ and claimed progress in talks He said the Strait of Hormuz was âfully open and ready for businessâ but added that a US naval presence would remain in placeHe also criticised NATO allies âThey were absolutely useless when we needed themâ Trump said while asserting that the United States had built âthe greatest military the world has ever seenâTrump claimed recent diplomacy had led to âan unprecedented ceasefire between Israel and Lebanonâ He thanked several countries including Pakistan and Gulf states for their role âTheyâve all helped tremendouslyâ he saidOn domestic policy Trump focused heavily on immigration and crime He said there had been âzero illegal aliensâ entering the country in recent months and that violent crime had fallen sharply He added that fentanyl flows were down âby an astounding 59 per centâ and illegal drug shipments by sea had dropped âby 97 per centâHe highlighted tax cuts deregulation and education changes as key achievements âWe passed the largest tax cutsâ the largest spending cutsâ and the largest regulation cuts in American historyâ he saidTrump also attacked Democrats accusing them of backing open borders and opposing enforcement measures âDemocrats want to protect criminal aliensâ he said contrasting that with Republican efforts to deport offendersThe president framed the election as a choice between competing visions âIf you want a rich and strongâ country you must go out in the midterms and vote Republicanâ he saidThe speech blended policy claims with campaign rhetoric and drew strong applause from the audience especially on immigration and national securityTrumpâs remarks come as both parties intensify campaigning ahead of the midterm elections which will determine control of CongressTurning Point USA has emerged as a key platform for conservative mobilisation particularly among younger voters and Trumpâs appearance underscored his continued influence over Republican strategy IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-touts-gains-targets-rivals-at-rally-669974.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 07:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-immigration-hurting-us-innovation-says-expert-669975.html Stanford April 18 Restrictive US immigration policies under President Donald Trump are pushing talent and innovation out of America with India emerging as a key beneficiary Silicon Valleybased immigration expert Vivek Wadhwa said Drawing on personal experience and research Wadhwa told IANS the United States is losing its competitive edge as barriers to skilled migration rise âWeâre chasing the best and the brightest awayâ these backwards immigration policiesâ are doing a lot of damage nowâ he said in an interviewWadhwa who has studied the role of immigrants in US innovation pointed to a steady decline in immigrantled startups âHalf of the startups here in Silicon Valley were founded by people like usâ over a decade that numberâ dropped substantially to about 40 per cent 44 per cent And now itâs probably in the thirties if even that muchâ he saidResponding to a question he cited his own attempt to build a medical diagnostics company in Silicon Valley as an example Despite his network he struggled to secure funding and talent âI couldnât find the talent here I couldnât find the money hereâ Wadhwa said adding that investors were reluctant to support a venture with research and development outside the United StatesHe eventually shifted operations to India working with institutions such as IIT Madras and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences âWithin a year they made breakthroughs that were inconceivable in the United Statesâ he saidWadhwa attributed this to Indiaâs depth in interdisciplinary science âIndia still hasâ people who understand thermodynamics who understand plasma physics who understand chemistry who understand electrical engineeringâ he said contrasting it with what he described as a shortage of such talent in the US startup ecosystemEfforts to bring international talent to the United States were blocked by visa hurdles âWith this H1B backlog and problemâ thereâs no way I could bring the talent I wantedâ he saidHe said the current system discourages longterm commitment from skilled migrants âThey canât get green cardsâ theyâre worried about getting kicked out any dayâ who wants to come here like thisâ he saidWadhwa compared the situation to his own experience in the 1980s âWhen I came hereâ it took me 18 months to get a green card Today it would take me 70 yearsâ he saidHe warned that the impact goes beyond migration and affects innovation itself âInnovation is globalised and stupid policies trying to keep people out will only keep innovation outâ he said adding that the US risks losing its technological leadershipWadhwa said his company plans to bring its technology to the United States only after pilot testing in India reflecting a broader shift in where innovation is taking placeThe comments come as Washington debates immigration reforms and the role of foreign talent in sustaining US leadership in technology and science Skilled immigration particularly through the H1B visa programme has long been central to Silicon Valleyâs growth IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-immigration-hurting-us-innovation-says-expert-669975.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 07:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/un-humanitarian-chief-warns-of-famine-in-south-sudan-669980.html United Nations April 18 UN UnderSecretaryGeneral for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher warned of famine in South Sudan The worlds youngest nation stands at a dangerous crossroads Conflict up Displacement up Hunger up Disease up Attacks on aid workers up Fletcher told the Security Council in a briefing on the situation in South SudanTwothirds of the population in the country needs humanitarian support this year yet the world bodys humanitarian plan for South Sudan which requires 146 billion is only 22 per cent funded he saidI therefore fear my next briefing to you on South Sudan will speak of famine he told the Security Council via a video linkMore than 75 million people will need food assistance this year All of this is unfolding as floods are expected to continue cutting communities off and hitting livelihoods he saidHunger across South Sudan is tightening its grip Emergency levels of food insecurity are expected for some populations across all of South Sudans 10 states during the lean season from now through July he warnedSince late December renewed fighting in Jonglei state has forced more than 250000 people to flee across multiple states another 110000 into Ethiopia said FletcherAccording to the World Health Organization 135 million people across Jonglei state have lost access to health care after 26 facilities were destroyed or forced to close he saidThe situation in neighbouring Upper Nile state in the northeast corner is just as alarming he said adding that fighting access restrictions and interference with humanitarian operations are blocking aidThe war in Sudan with the Kordofan region just across the border is pushing more people into South Sudan with 439000 Sudanese refugees and 917000 South Sudanese returnees said FletcherTo prevent South Sudan from sliding toward fullscale famine and collapse Fletcher called on the Security Council to take three decisive and immediate actionsFirst press for rapid unhindered humanitarian access including the immediate removal of red tape checkpoints high fees and the guarantee of predictable sustained air access Second swiftly step up flexible funds especially through this lean season Third use the councils influence on the parties to demand full respect for international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians and infrastructure Xinhua news agency reportedFletcher also asked for support for renewed political efforts to strengthen adherence to ceasefire agreements and move toward implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement noting that only peace can end this crisis IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/un-humanitarian-chief-warns-of-famine-in-south-sudan-669980.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 08:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/us-president-made-7-claims-all-false-iran-warns-of-closing-hormuz-amid-naval-blockade-669985.html Tehran April 18 Iranâs Parliament Speaker Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf has warned US President Donald Trump that Tehran could shut down the Strait of Hormuz if the United States continues its naval blockade This came shortly after the US President indicated that the restrictions would remain in âfull forceâIn a post on X Ghalibaf asserted that maritime movement through the strategic waterway would be regulated strictly by Iran âWith the continuation of the blockade the Strait of Hormuz will not remain openâ he said adding that passage would be allowed only along a âdesignated routeâ and with âIranian authorisationâHis remarks came just hours after Iran announced that the Strait of Hormuz remained open to commercial shipping during the ongoing ceasefire Iranâs Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated âIn line with the ceasefire in Lebanon the passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of the ceasefire on the coordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Rep of IranâResponding to Tehranâs position Trump maintained that the naval blockade would continue until a broader âtransactionâ with Iran is finalised He suggested that the process would conclude âvery quicklyâ claiming that key sticking points had already been negotiatedRejecting the US position Ghalibaf said âThey did not win the war with these lies and they will certainly not get anywhere in negotiations either Whether the Strait is open or closed and the regulations governing it will be determined by the field not by social mediaâThe Iranian Parliament Speaker further alleged that Trump had made âseven claims in one hourâ describing all of them as âfalseâ though he did not specify the statements in questionThe Strait of Hormuz remains one of the worldâs most critical energy corridors handling nearly a fifth of global oil supply IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/us-president-made-7-claims-all-false-iran-warns-of-closing-hormuz-amid-naval-blockade-669985.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 09:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/un-chief-urges-future-guided-by-rule-of-law-not-raw-power-669991.html United Nations April 18 UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres has called on the international community to choose a future governed by the rule of law rather than one driven by raw power in The Hague the Netherlands Marking the 80th anniversary of the International Court of Justice ICJ on Friday local time Guterres noted that violations of international law are unfolding before our eyesIt is precisely because the international system is under such strain that adherence to international law matters more than ever especially in this era of shifting power dynamics the UN chief saidGuterres warned that weakening international law risks eroding the foundations of global stability When the law of force replaces the force of law instability becomes contagious he cautionedIwasawa Yuji president of the ICJ echoed these concerns pointing to troubling signs of disengagement from international obligations growing resistance to compliance and increasing scepticism toward multilateralism reports Xinhua news agencyThe Court responds to these challenges by carrying out its judicial function by interpreting and applying international law rigorously and in good faith he saidThe ICJ the UNs highest tribunal is the only international court that settles disputes between the 193 UN member states This means that it makes an important contribution to global peace and security providing a way for countries to resolve issues without resorting to conflictEstablished in 1945 and based in the Peace Palace in The Hague the ICJ held a solemn sitting on Friday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of its inaugural session The event was attended by Dutch King WillemAlexander alongside senior international and Dutch officials IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/un-chief-urges-future-guided-by-rule-of-law-not-raw-power-669991.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 10:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/south-koreas-oppn-party-nominates-incumbent-oh-se-hoon-as-candidate-for-seoul-mayor-669992.html Seoul April 18 South Koreas main opposition People Power Party PPP said on Saturday it has chosen incumbent Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon as its candidate for the mayoral race in the June 3 local elections Oh beat PPP Rep Park Soomin and former PPP Rep Yun Heesuk in a threeway primary Rep Park Dukhyum the partys nomination committee chief said setting him up against candidate Chong Wono of the ruling Democratic Party DP in the mayoral electionOh will be aiming to win his third consecutive and fifth nonconsecutive term as mayor of Seoul reports Yonhap news agencyIn a press conference after the announcement Oh cast the Seoul mayoralty as the last safeguard against the recklessness of the Lee Jae Myung administrationThese local elections are not routine elections held every four years but the final battleground for the restoration of the rule of law and balanced democracy he said at the partys headquartersOh pledged that in the event he is reelected he will take it as the citizens command to rebuild the opposition party The mayor appeared to refer to the disarray within the PPP following former President Yoon Suk Yeols martial law declaration in 2024While accusing the ruling party of failed real estate policies Oh laid out a fivepoint vision for the capital city centred on the theme of coprosperity and affordable home ownershipOn his DP rival he said Chongs administrative philosophy will likely end up hurting him and he expects citizens to make a wise choiceIn a Facebook post Chong congratulated Oh on the nomination and said he looks forward to a fair and honourable contest that reflects the dignity of Seouls citizensBorn in 1961 Oh entered politics in 2000 after winning a parliamentary seat in Seouls Gangnam district Though he announced his retirement from politics four years later he made a comeback in 2006 by becoming the first Seoul mayor in their 40sOh won reelection but resigned after staking his mayoralty on the results of a referendum on free school meals in 2011After 10 years of absence from the political scene he returned to City Hall by winning the April 2021 byelection and won reelection in 2022 IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/south-koreas-oppn-party-nominates-incumbent-oh-se-hoon-as-candidate-for-seoul-mayor-669992.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 10:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/air-canada-to-suspend-some-flights-to-us-over-jet-fuel-costs-669993.html Ottawa April 18 Air Canada has announced it will suspend service on several routes to the United States due to soaring jet fuel costs According to a statement from Canadas largest carrier on Friday local time jet fuel prices have doubled since the start of the Iran conflict rendering some routes and flights no longer economically feasibleThe suspensions affect a mix of transborder and domestic services Service from Montreal and Toronto to New Yorks John F Kennedy International Airport will be paused from June 1 to October 25Air Canada will also suspend its TorontoSalt Lake City route on June 30 with a tentative return set for 2027The total impact on the airlines planned capacity is roughly 1 per cent of annual available seat miles the statement saidMeanwhile the United States Department of the Treasury has extended a waiver permitting the delivery and sale of sanctioned Russian oil already loaded onto vessels pushing the deadline to May 16 according to a document released on its official website The earlier 30day waiver had expired on April 11The renewed license issued on Friday local time is part of the administrations broader effort to stabilise global energy prices which have surged amid the ongoing USIsraeli conflict with Iran The decision comes against the backdrop of several countries facing problems with the impact of rising energy costs and supply disruptionsAt the same time the waiver continues to impose strict restrictions on dealings involving certain countries The move comes shortly after remarks by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent who had indicated that Washington does not intend to continue such waivers indefinitely amid rising geopolitical tensionsMeanwhile global oil prices saw a sharp decline of around 9 per cent on Friday settling near 90 per barrel after Iran temporarily reopened the Strait of Hormuz a key global energy transit route However the broader conflict has already triggered what the International Energy Agency described as the worst disruption to global energy supplies in historyThe war which entered its eighth week on Saturday has reportedly damaged more than 80 oil and gas facilities across West Asia IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/air-canada-to-suspend-some-flights-to-us-over-jet-fuel-costs-669993.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 10:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/displaced-lebanese-people-begin-returning-despite-danger-warnings-un-669997.html United Nations April 18 Following the IsraelLebanon ceasefire thousands of the 12 million people displaced in southern Lebanon are returning home despite warnings of unexploded ordnance UN humanitarians said The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs OCHA on Friday local time said its partners reported that displaced families are starting to return to Beiruts southern suburbs and southern Lebanon including parts of Nabatieh and TyreHowever OCHA warned that risks to peoples safety remain including unexploded ordnance in many residential areas across the South and Nabatieh governoratesAccording to partners and local authorities thousands of people were seen travelling south early this morning with major roads congested particularly near the villages of Qasmiyeh and Zefta in southern Lebanon despite extensive damage to bridges and infrastructure OCHA saidThe office said that temporary fixes were installed at river crossings in the South governorate and along the coastal route of Qasmiyeh to facilitate returns reports Xinhua news agencyOCHA said that by Friday evening local time there were 113000 people in collective shelters down from the 141000 registered on ThursdayPartners continue to support the humanitarian response in close coordination with the local authorities the office saidThe 10day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect at midnight between Thursday and Friday local timeUN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres welcomed the announcement of the ceasefire his chief spokesman Stephane Dujarric said ThursdayHe reaffirms the support of the United Nations to all efforts to end hostilities and alleviate the suffering of communities on both sides of the Blue Line Dujarric said The secretarygeneral hopes that this ceasefire will pave the way for negotiations toward a longterm solution to the conflictThe UN peacekeeping mission patrolling the Blue Line between northern Israel and southern Lebanon said that peacekeepers did not detect any projectiles fired into Israel or Israeli airstrikes in the area of their operations since the ceasefire began IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/displaced-lebanese-people-begin-returning-despite-danger-warnings-un-669997.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 10:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/indonesia-explores-energy-cooperation-with-russia-670000.html Jakarta April 18 Indonesia is exploring potential energy cooperation with Russia including plans to develop oil refineries and storage facilities the countrys Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia has said The initiative forms part of the governments broader efforts to strengthen national energy security and expand downstream capacity in the oil and gas sectorThe proposed cooperation is expected to support Indonesias drive to boost domestic refining capacity and reduce reliance on imported fuel Lahadalia said on Friday Local timeIn addition to refinery development Lahadalia noted that the inclusion of storage facilities would be strategic in enhancing national energy reserves and ensuring supply stability particularly amid global oil market uncertainties reports Xinhua news agencyHe added that the government remains open to foreign investment that aligns with national interests especially in the energy sectorThe potential partnership with Russia reflects Indonesias strategy to diversify energy partners while accelerating infrastructure development to meet growing domestic demand he said Meanwhile the United States Department of the Treasury has extended a waiver permitting the delivery and sale of sanctioned Russian oil already loaded onto vessels pushing the deadline to May 16 according to a document released on its official website The earlier 30day waiver had expired on April 11The renewed license issued on Friday local time is part of the administrations broader effort to stabilise global energy prices which have surged amid the ongoing USIsraeli conflict with Iran The decision comes against the backdrop of several countries facing problems with the impact of rising energy costs and supply disruptionsAt the same time the waiver continues to impose strict restrictions on dealings involving certain countries The move comes shortly after remarks by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent who had indicated that Washington does not intend to continue such waivers indefinitely amid rising geopolitical tensionsMeanwhile global oil prices saw a sharp decline of around 9 per cent on Friday settling near 90 per barrel after Iran temporarily reopened the Strait of Hormuz a key global energy transit route However the broader conflict has already triggered what the International Energy Agency described as the worst disruption to global energy supplies in historyThe war which entered its eighth week on Saturday has reportedly damaged more than 80 oil and gas facilities across West Asia IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/indonesia-explores-energy-cooperation-with-russia-670000.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 11:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/positive-news-australian-pm-welcomes-strait-of-hormuz-reopening-670003.html Sydney April 18 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Saturday that Australia welcomes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and will consider deploying military assets to secure shipping in the region Speaking to reporters in Sydney Albanese welcomed Irans announcement that the Strait has completely reopened for all commercial vessels during the ceasefire between Israel and LebanonThis was positive news that we received last night Albanese said We want to see though this fragile arrangement confirmedAsked if Australia would deploy military assets to ensure shipping remains open Albanese said the government would consider any such requestsAustralia obviously is a long way away as well from the Strait compared with European nations Its fair to say that well give consideration to requests which are made when we come together he saidAlbanese was speaking alongside Energy Minister Chris Bowen who said that Australia has increased its strategic fuel reserves over the last week reports Xinhua news agencyBowen said that Australia had 46 days worth of petrol in the national stockpile as of Saturday as well as 31 days worth of diesel and 30 days worth of jet fuelEarlier on Friday Irans Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said that in line with the truce in Lebanon the passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of the ceasefire between Tehran and WashingtonHe made the remarks in a post on social media platform X hours after a 10day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect following more than a month of deadly escalation between Israel and Hezbollah which has claimed over 2000 livesAraghchi stressed that vessels can cross the Strait via the previously announced coordinated route announced by Irans Ports and Maritime OrganizationIn reaction to the announcement US President Donald Trump thanked Iran for the announcement of a full reopening of the Strait of HormuzIran tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz by denying safe passage to vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States after they launched joint attacks on the country on February 28The United States has also imposed a blockade on the strait preventing ships travelling to and from Iranian ports from transiting the waterway following the failure of peace talks between the Iranian and US delegations in Pakistans capital Islamabad on Saturday and early Sunday IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/positive-news-australian-pm-welcomes-strait-of-hormuz-reopening-670003.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 11:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/puppet-label-failed-leadership-hafiz-saeed-at-centre-of-lashkar-e-taiba-rift-670007.html New Delhi April 18 Signals of rifts within the Pakistan establishment relating to the revival of terror groups and leadership changes have emerged It is a well known fact that Pakistans Field Marshal and Army Chief Asim Munir is unhappy with the manner in which the ISI has been functioningHe has demanded accountability over the number of mysterious shooting of terrorists within Pakistan a trend that has been visible since 2023Field Marshal Asim Munir is also upset that Pakistans Intelligence has failed miserably when it came to the activities of both the TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP and Balochistan Liberation Army BLAHowever for the ISI and Pakistan Army the bigger problem is the major rift that has hit the LashkareTaiba This terror group is Pakistans favourite proxy It prefers the LashkareTaiba over the JaisheMohammad as it has never rebelled against the establishmentAn Intelligence Bureau official said that the rift is over the leadership Many within the outfit are questioning the effectiveness of Hafiz Saeed still leading the outfitThey feel Saeed is past his prime and should make way for a younger leader Further many within the outfit also feel that Saeed is a puppet and once in a way must question the establishment the official saidAt the centre of all is this Saifullah Kasuri the number two within the LashkareTaiba todayKasuri is 58yearsold and feels that he should be leading the group He has on numerous occasions expressed the need to effect a leadership change and says that it is time that the 76year old Hafiz Saeed to goWhile Kasuri does enjoy the support of the younger cadre the old guard is however not keen on letting Hafiz Saeed goAn official said that the tensions have been simmering for nearly two years and all this had been kept under wraps However the lid blew off when the Indian armed forces carried out Operation Sindoor to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack This not only made the LashkareTaiba question the Pakistan establishment but the leadership as wellMany including Kasuri said that Hafiz Saeed ought to have spoken out against the establishment and its lack of ability to protect themDespite the LashkareTaiba losing its primary training facility at Muridke Hafiz Saeed did not utter a wordAnother official said that many within the LashkareTaiba feel that Hafiz Saeed is too old to lead They say he has done his bit and should move on and make way for Kasuri This aspect is also another reason why the ISI and Army are not on the same page on several issuesThe Army wants Kasuri to lead while the ISI wants to stick on to Hafiz SaeedThe ISIs argument is that Hafiz Saeed is tried and tested and his loyalties would never shiftKasuri on the other hand is a loose cannon and has the capability of revolting against the establishment and this is something that the ISI wants to avoid the official saidWhile the leadership change remains the top reason for this major rift there are other issues too which are causing issuesKasuri is of the belief that the LashkareTaibas only focus should be Jammu and KashmirHafiz Saeed on the other hand has meekly surrendered Pakistans changing tactics be it against the TTP or Afghan TalibanOfficials say that Operation Sindoor did manage to expose the faultiness within the LashkareTaibaThe operation only made it worse for the outfit which has been doing all it can to rebuildThis has been another sticking point and the cadre have largely lost faith with the leadership of Hafiz Saeed who proved to be completely ineffective both during and after Operation Sindoor the official added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/puppet-label-failed-leadership-hafiz-saeed-at-centre-of-lashkar-e-taiba-rift-670007.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/oil-prices-in-cambodia-plunge-further-after-iran-announces-opening-hormuz-670017.html Phnom Penh April 18 Retail fuel prices in Cambodia have dropped further after Iran declared the opening of the Strait of Hormuz the Ministry of Commerce said In an announcement late on Friday local time the ministry said a litre of regular gasoline is now priced at 4950 riels 124 US dollars from this Saturday until the next notice down 29 per cent from 5100 riels 128 dollars in the last three daysDiesel now costs 5700 riels 142 dollars per litre down 109 per cent the announcement addedCambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said last Saturday that the General Department of Customs and Excise GDCE has subsidised approximately 50 million dollars a month to minimise the impact of rising fuel pricesThe 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 dieselEarlier on Friday Irans Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said that in line with the truce in Lebanon the passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of the ceasefire between Tehran and WashingtonHe made the remarks in a post on social media platform X hours after a 10day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect following more than a month of deadly escalation between Israel and Hezbollah which has claimed over 2000 livesAraghchi stressed that vessels can cross the Strait via the previously announced coordinated route announced by Irans Ports and Maritime OrganizationIn reaction to the announcement US President Donald Trump thanked Iran for the announcement of a full reopening of the Strait of HormuzIran tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz by denying safe passage to vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States after they launched joint attacks on the country on February 28The United States has also imposed a blockade on the Strait preventing ships travelling to and from Iranian ports from transiting the waterway following the failure of peace talks between the Iranian and US delegations in Pakistans capital Islamabad on Saturday and early Sunday IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/oil-prices-in-cambodia-plunge-further-after-iran-announces-opening-hormuz-670017.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/macron-says-irans-announcement-of-reopening-hormuz-goes-in-right-direction-670019.html Paris April 18 French President Emmanuel Macron said that Irans announcement of reopening the Strait of Hormuz goes in the right direction Macron made the remarks in a joint declaration following a conference cohosted by France and Britain in Paris on Friday local time which brought together 49 countries to discuss securing freedom of navigation in the Strait of HormuzBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attended the meeting while officials from across Europe Asia Latin America and the Middle East joined by video conference reports Xinhua news agencyMacron welcomed the ceasefire in Iran and Lebanon describing it as a positive development However he stressed that its necessary to remain vigilantWe all oppose any restriction any agreement regime that would effectively amount to an attempt to privatise the strait and obviously any toll system he said He also announced that a neutral independent mission would be set up to ensure the openness of the Strait of Hormuz noting that a planning meeting was scheduled for the following week in LondonStarmer for his part expressed the hope that talks would resume and a lasting agreement would be reachedHe said France and Britain will lead a multinational mission to safeguard shipping as soon as conditions allow noting that the mission will be strictly defensive and intended to reassure shipping and support mineclearing operationsAround a dozen countries were ready to contribute assets to the defensive mission Starmer notedMeloni said that it was necessary to ensure the absence of mines and guarantee the safety of vessels transiting through the strait in order to reassure the maritime shipping sector adding that Italy stood ready to deploy its naval units in a strictly defensive postureGermany will participate in the ongoing military planning discussions and we would welcome if possible participation from the United States Merz said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/macron-says-irans-announcement-of-reopening-hormuz-goes-in-right-direction-670019.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/crackdown-on-illegal-immigration-pushes-overground-terror-operatives-underground-670039.html New Delhi April 18 India has been facing the menace of illegal immigration for long Migrants coming in illegally from Bangladesh and Myanmar have settled in various parts of the country and the government in its new policy said that all states must detect and deport such persons The Intelligence agencies say that with such drives ongoing in the country many illegal immigrants roped in by terror groups have been ordered to go underground These persons were specifically sent to India to take part in terror activities They have been instructed to remain underground and wait for further instructionsThese persons who have been told to stay off the radar were pushed into India to be part of terror cells However they operate differently They blend into the migrant population and work as ordinary labour Their brief is to explore places and gather information about sensitive locations they have been told aboutThey have been asked to gather information not about the military or other sensitive departments They are told to scan bus stands railway stations and crowded markets These persons who have now come under the scanner of the agencies are part of either the HarkatulJihadi Islami HuJI or the JamaatulMujahideen Bangladesh JMB Both terror groups report to the ISI and have been tasked with handling operations in West Bengal the northeastern states and certain parts of South IndiaAn official said that what is interesting is that these persons who come in as illegal immigrants and are tasked with carrying out attacks are normally housed in Kerala or Tamil Nadu There are many camps which house Bengalispeaking people These migrants blend in easily and stay part of this groupAnother official said that they maintain a very low profile and go about their work daily Their job to undertake reconnaissance is not a daily chore To avoid detection they carry out such tasks just once a week or once every 15 days Such acts are very hard for the Intelligence agencies to detect When the reconnaissance activity is being undertaken these persons normally go in a group The group would mostly comprise people who are legally living in India This in fact eliminates the risk of detectionOfficials say that these persons who are tasked with gathering information will not be asked to carry out the attack For this the HuJI and JMB have a select set of trained operatives who are yet to cross over Once all the information is gathered the plan is made following which the trained operatives are sent in the official addedThe agencies are currently noticing a pattern whereby many have gone underground This has been done on the instructions of their handlers The JMB had hoped to strike during the West Bengal elections However the scrutiny is too high at the moment and multiple drives are ongoing to identify illegal immigrantsOfficials say that they are just waiting for the heat to reduce before they can resume their activities Counterterrorism experts say that this is not just a problem It is a ticking time bomb and could go on to become Indiaâs biggest security headache if left uncheckedAs part of its new deportation policy the Ministry of Home Affairs has told all states to form a Special Task Force in every district to detect and deport illegal migrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar A nationwide verification drive targeted at the border states is also underway to identify and deport illegal immigrants Over 4000 have been identified and deported as part of this drive IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/crackdown-on-illegal-immigration-pushes-overground-terror-operatives-underground-670039.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/rising-paediatric-hiv-infections-expose-healthcare-lapses-in-pakistan-670075.html Karachi April 18 A dramatic increase in the number of paediatric human immunodeficiency virus HIV cases has been recorded at three hospitals in Pakistans Karachi over the last nine months and their numbers continue to grow according to a latest report The Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital and Research Centre SIDHampRC admitted 10 HIV positive children in 2024 and in 2025 their numbers rose to over 70 30 children with HIV posive status were admitted to the hospital this year reports leading Pakistani daily DawnMeanwhile 144 HIV positive patients were reported at the Indus Hospital in 2024 and in 2025 the numbers rose to 17 Additionally 69 HIV patients have been reported in the first quarter of this year alone at this facilityDr Samreen Sarfaraz Chair of Infection Control Services and consultant infectious diseases at the Indus Hospital told Dawn There has been an alarming surge in paediatric cases registered at our hospital Since August 2025 to date 72 children less than 14 years of age have been registered of which 68 per cent are under five years of ageAccording to Sarfaraz unsafe healthcare practices are the reason for the majority of their registered paediatric HIV cases She said that the reuse of syringes needles intravenous drip sets and cannulas use of contaminated or improperly sterilised medical instruments and transfusion of unscreened blood are major causes of HIV transmission in the healthcare settingsSarfaraz also mentioned that due to commercial reasons many doctors in the public sector prefer drips and injections over oral medications Additionally the suspension of USAID United States Agency for International Development funding according to her has led to the shortages of both antiretroviral and antituberculosis drugs across PakistanThe report also mentioned that in all of the World Health Organisation Eastern Mediterranean WHO EMRO Pakistan has the fastestgrowing HIV epidemic according to Sarfaraz She also called for strict disciplinary action against rampant malpractices like reuse of syringes cannulas drip sets and multidose vials as well as enforcing the National Action Plan for Injection Safety 2019 IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/rising-paediatric-hiv-infections-expose-healthcare-lapses-in-pakistan-670075.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 14:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/violence-mistrust-derail-anti-polio-drive-in-pakistan-670092.html Islamabad April 18 The fight against polio in Pakistan is on a path to derail and it is not only due to the stubborn virus but also violent and persistent campaigns against those who are actively trying to eradicate this virus according to a latest media report According to a report published in Pakistans leading newspaper Dawn police escorts were killed and polio workers were abducted in recent attacks in KPs Hangu and Bannu besides parts of Balochistan The attacks were in coordination with the immunisation drive being conducted nationwide to administer the drops to millions of children thousands of administrative workers fanned out through the country The report said that these campaigns were targeted by militants often branding them as intelligence fronts or foreign plots These campaigns made progress unevenly due to vaccine refusal and disruption campaigns With each attack compounding the challenge entire pockets are left unprotected as vaccinators withdraw These setbacks are visible in data as Pakistan is one of the two countries where polio is still endemic In recent years cases have fallen to single digits but periodic spikes in cases are driven by missed children and these small gaps can allow the virus to resurface after circulating said the report The report further added that though protection for frontline workers is nonnegotiable the states response cannot be limited to security alone It also mentioned that rebuilding trust is a more durable solution which requires engagement with local communities in a meaningful way including engagement with religious leaders mosques and clerics who can influence at the grassroots level Earlier on April 13 a police constable was killed and four others were injured after a law enforcement party heading to provide security for polio teams in the Hangu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa The incident happened in Thall tehsil of Hangu on the first day of the vaccination campaign scheduled for April 1319 In a statement the Hangu District police said that unidentified assailants opened fire on a police party killing a police personnel and injuring four others Pakistans leading daily Dawn reportedIn February a police personnel was killed when unidentified assailants opened fire on a police vaccination team in Chaman district of Pakistans BalochistanIn a similar incident in February polio teams were attacked in different areas of Pakistans Lahore as parents did not allow them to administer polio drops to their children IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/violence-mistrust-derail-anti-polio-drive-in-pakistan-670092.html Sat, 18 Apr 2026 15:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/india-welcomes-israellebanon-ceasefire-every-step-leading-towards-peace-669966.html New Delhi April 17 India on Friday welcomed the ceasefire announced between Israel and Lebanon expressing support for every step that leads towards peace While addressing a weekly media briefing in New Delhi on Friday Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said We welcome the ceasefire We welcome every step that leads towards peaceMEAs statement comes after the US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon aimed at bringing a temporary coolingoff along another front linked to the Iran conflictLebanon is not directly engaged in a formal war with Israel but Hezbollah controls large parts of southern Lebanon and has carried out attacks on Israel prompting retaliatory strikes Unable to rein in Hezbollah Lebanon has borne the brunt of Israeli retaliationWhen asked about Israel requesting India to designate Hamas as a terrorist organisation and Indias policy about disarming Hamas Jaiswal responded We have a process in place and those issues are addressed under that processOn Thursday Israels Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Saar stressed the importance of Hamas being designated as a terror organisation by India during his interaction with a group of distinguished Hindu leaders from around the worldI stressed the importance of Hamas being designated as a terror organisation by India Hamas has ties with all other radical Islamist terror organisations including LashkareTaiba Saar during the virtual interactionThe Israeli Foreign Minister stated that he was honoured to brief the group of distinguished leadersI spoke about the positive trends in the strengthening of Israels relations with India and the great importance we attach to this relationship I also spoke about the historic campaign Israel had been forced to fight for the past 25 years against radical Islam Their declared objective is the elimination of Israel and they act to achieve that goal Saar posted on XIsrael demonstrated on all fronts that it has the upper hand It dramatically weakened the terror octopus of radical Islam headed by the Iranian regime This struggle has and will have implications beyond the Middle East he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/india-welcomes-israellebanon-ceasefire-every-step-leading-towards-peace-669966.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/10-day-ceasefire-between-israel-lebanon-goes-into-effect-669866.html Jerusalem April 17 A 10day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect at midnight between Thursday and Friday following an earlier announcement by US President Donald Trump The truce aims to end more than a month of deadly escalation between Israel and Hezbollah which has claimed over 2000 livesIn a statement Israels military said that it struck more than 380 Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon over the past day including militants launchers and headquarters Xinhua news agency reportedIsraels rescue service Magen David Adom claimed that Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel during the final hours before the ceasefire went into effect resulting in three injuriesIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a videotaped statement that Israel will maintain a 10km security zone in southern Lebanon during the ceasefire periodHe cited security needs rejected withdrawal and highlighted a historic opportunity for peace between Israel and Lebanon alongside a demand to disarm HezbollahMeanwhile Trump said Thursday he will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House over the next week or twoI think were going to have a meeting Trump told reporters at the White House noting the talks would be the first in 44 yearsI think we will have an agreement between Lebanon and theyre going to take care of Hezbollah Trump saidThe remarks came hours after he announced on social media that Israel and Lebanon agreed to a 10day ceasefireThe ceasefire is expected to pause hostilities that escalated when Israel opened a new front targeting Iranaffiliated HezbollahLebanon is not directly engaged in a formal war with Israel but Hezbollah controls large parts of southern Lebanon and has carried out attacks on Israel prompting retaliatory strikesUnable to rein in Hezbollah Lebanon has borne the brunt of Israeli retaliationThe durability of the ceasefire is likely to depend on Hezbollah refraining from further attacksWhile Hezbollah is not formally part of the agreement media reports indicated that the group may halt attacks if Israel also exercises restraint IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/10-day-ceasefire-between-israel-lebanon-goes-into-effect-669866.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-says-he-had-very-good-talk-with-pm-modi-669867.html Washington April 17 US President Donald Trump said he had a âvery good talkâ with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi while expressing optimism about a ceasefire effort between Israel and Lebanon âI had a very good talk with himâ heâs doing greatâ Trump said of Modi describing the exchange as positiveIn the same interaction with White House reporters Trump said he could travel to Pakistan if a deal tied to ongoing diplomacy is finalised âI would go to Pakistan yeahâ Islamabad Iâll be â I might goâ he said âIf the deal is signed in Islamabad I might goâ they want meâHe described ties with Pakistan in favourable terms âPakistan has been great theyâve been so greatâ he saidTrumpâs remarks come as the United States advances multiple diplomatic tracks across the Middle East including negotiations with Iran and efforts to halt hostilities along the IsraelLebanon borderHe said a ceasefire arrangement involving Israel and Lebanon was taking shape and could include Hezbollah âTheyâre all agreeingâ itâs a very nice little package for about a weekâ he saidTrump said he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanonâs leadership âWeâre going to be meeting with Bibi Netanyahuâ and the President of Lebanonâ he saidHe described the development as significant âItâs very exciting because itâs 48 yearsâ he saidHe also pointed to the possibility of direct engagement between Israel and Lebanon âWeâre going to have a meetingâ first time in 44 yearsâ he said adding it could take place at the White HouseOn Hezbollah Trump said he expected compliance with the ceasefire âI think they willâ he saidHe said the aim was to reduce violence âWeâre not going to have lots of bombs droppingâ weâre going to see if we can make peace between Lebanon and Israelâ he saidTrump indicated progress could come soon âOver the next week or twoâ he said when asked about timingHe added that Lebanon would play a role in handling Hezbollah âTheyâre going to take care of Hezbollahâ theyâll be working on Hezbollah right nowâ he saidThe President also signalled he could travel to the region if talks advance âI would certainly go thereâ at the right timeâ he saidThe remarks highlight Washingtonâs widening diplomatic outreach spanning South Asia and the Middle East as it seeks progress on Iran and regional stability IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/trump-says-he-had-very-good-talk-with-pm-modi-669867.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/netanyahu-says-israel-to-maintain-10-km-security-zone-in-southern-lebanon-during-ceasefire-669870.html Jerusalem April 17 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that even after the ceasefire with Hezbollah takes effect Israel will maintain a 10km security zone in southern Lebanon Netanyahus videotaped statement followed US President Donald Trumps announcement of a ceasefire agreed to by Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun set to take effect at 5 pm US Eastern Time 2100 GMTThe Israeli prime minister noted that he had rejected Hezbollahs demand for an Israeli withdrawal to the international border and that Israeli forces would remain in a security zone in Lebanon Xinhua news agency reportedHe argued that this buffer zone would help prevent invasions and antitank fire into northern Israeli communitiesNetanyahu also said We have an opportunity to make a historic peace agreement with Lebanon adding that Trump intends to invite him and Aoun to advance such a dealHe claimed that this opportunity exists because Israel has fundamentally changed the balance of power in Lebanon noting that Israel has received calls from Lebanon over the past month for direct peace talksThe prime minister noted that Israel has two main demands in these talks the disarmament of Hezbollah and a lasting peace agreementTurning to Iran Netanyahu claimed that Trump told him that he was tremendously determined to continue both the naval blockade and to dismantle Irans nuclear capability what is left of itHe described these as two very important moves that could fundamentally change our security and political situation for years to comeTrump on Thursday announced a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon aimed at bringing a temporary coolingoff along another front linked to the Iran conflictHe said that after speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Lebanonâs President Joseph Aoun the two sides agreed to a 10day ceasefire beginning at 5 pm Washington timeThe ceasefire is expected to pause hostilities that escalated when Israel opened a new front targeting Iranaffiliated HezbollahLebanon is not directly engaged in a formal war with Israel but Hezbollah controls large parts of southern Lebanon and has carried out attacks on Israel prompting retaliatory strikes IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/netanyahu-says-israel-to-maintain-10-km-security-zone-in-southern-lebanon-during-ceasefire-669870.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 07:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/australia-to-import-250-000-tonnes-of-fertiliser-urea-from-indonesia-669872.html Canberra April 17 Australia will import 250000 tonnes of fertiliser urea from Indonesia under a deal announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday Albanese said in a joint statement with Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong and Minister for Agriculture Julie Collins that the deal between Australian supplier Incitec Pivot Fertilisers and manufacturer PT Pupuk Indonesia will supply 20 per cent of Australias fertiliser needs for the current seasonThis is a significant outcome for our farmers We understand how critical fertiliser is for Australian farmers for our food production system and the food security of our region he saidIt comes after Collins on Thursday announced that Australia would streamline the import process for fertilisers to mitigate supply issues caused by the conflict in the Middle EastAround 60 percent of Australias fertiliser urea imports were transiting through the Strait of Hormuz prior to the outbreak of the conflictCollins said on Friday that the Australian and Indonesian governments had worked to facilitate the deal Xinhua news agency reportedThis will mean Australia can continue to play an important role supporting food security in Indonesia and our region at a time of global uncertainty she saidAustralia is one of the worldâs biggest exporters of crops including wheat barley and canola but relies on fertiliser imports that are threatened by âthe war on Iran which has cut supply from the Middle East a major urea producerThe price of urea a source of nitrogen that fuels plant growth has risen by around 60 per cent in Australia since the war began in late FebruaryMany farmers now sowing winter crops are considering planting less to reduce their need â for fertiliser which even if available may cost too much Fuel costs have also shot âup adding to pressure on farm budgetsAustralia has enough fertiliser for the coming weeks but must import â around 13 million â tonnes of urea to meet its needs during the remainder of the winter crop season the government said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/australia-to-import-250-000-tonnes-of-fertiliser-urea-from-indonesia-669872.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 08:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/oil-refinery-fire-to-have-minimal-impact-on-australian-fuel-supply-pm-albanese-669875.html Melbourne April 17 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday that a major fire that broke out at one of Australias two oil refineries will have a minimal impact on fuel production Albanese on Friday returned early from an official trip to Brunei and Malaysia to inspect the damage at Viva Energys refinery southwest of Melbourne after equipment failure caused a major fire on Wednesday night The fire was extinguished around midday on ThursdaySpeaking to reporters at the refinery Albanese said that the timing of the fire was regrettable amid the oil supply crisis caused by the conflict in the Middle East but that it would have a minimal impact on productionThe advice that weve received today is that 80 per cent of diesel production is continuing 80 per cent of aviation fuel is continuing said Albanese who was in Brunei and Malaysia for talks on fuel securityPetrol production at the facility which provides 10 per cent of Australias national fuel supply was at 60 per cent of capacity on Friday and there are hopes that it can ramp up in the coming days Albanese saidHe said that the government would provide its regular weekly update on fuel stockpile levels on Saturday Xinhua news agency reportedAuthorities said on Thursday that equipment failure caused a major fire at an Australian oil refinery that is expected to affect the national fuel supplyThe 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 fire IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/oil-refinery-fire-to-have-minimal-impact-on-australian-fuel-supply-pm-albanese-669875.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korean-president-lees-approval-rating-edges-down-to-66-per-cent-669926.html Seoul April 17 South Korean President Lee Jae Myungs approval rating inched down slightly for the first time in three weeks to 66 per cent a poll showed Friday The survey by Gallup Korea conducted Tuesday through Thursday on 1000 respondents aged 18 and over showed that the positive assessment of Lees overall performance fell 1 percentage point from the previous week Yonhap News Agency reported In the previous survey Lees approval rating stood at 67 per cent for the second consecutive week marking the highest level since taking officeThe negative assessment rose 2 percentage points to 26 per cent while 8 per cent were undecidedLees handling of the economy and peoples livelihoods was cited most frequently as the reason for positive evaluation at 17 per cent followed by diplomacy at 14 per cent and competence at 11 per centAmong the negative responses 17 per cent pointed to concerns over the economy and the high exchange rate followed by diplomacy at 12 per cent and excessive welfare policies at 9 per centThe approval rating for the ruling Democratic Party remained unchanged at 48 per cent maintaining its highest level since the current administration took office for the third straight weekSupport for the main opposition People Power Party fell 1 percentage point to 19 per centThe survey had a margin of error of plus or minus 31 percentage points at a 95 per cent confidence levelOn Thursday Cheong Wa Dae said South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will attend talks led by Britain and France this week over freedom of navigation in the Strait of HormuzThe virtual gathering to be hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer late Friday Seoul time aims to ensure free and safe passage through the crucial waterwayâAs the freedom and security of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz serve the interests of all parties and are vital to our national interests we are continuing efforts to work in solidarity with countries that share similar positionsâ a senior official told reportersLee is preparing a message addressing energy supply chains Seouls stance on the Middle East situation and the importance of international solidarity to ensure free passage through the crucial shipping route the official saidThe leaderlevel meeting follows earlier consultations including a Franceled video conference of top military officials on March 26 and a Britainled ministerial meeting on April 2 both of which South Korea attendedThe United States is not expected to attend the meeting while Chinas and Japans participation has yet to be confirmed the official said IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/south-korean-president-lees-approval-rating-edges-down-to-66-per-cent-669926.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/australia-man-hospitalised-after-southwest-sydney-stabbing-669928.html Sydney April 17 Police are investigating after a man was hospitalised following a latenight stabbing attack in southwest Sydney with a teenage boy charged over a separate stabbing that occurred on Tuesday The police force in the state of New South Wales NSW said on Friday that emergency services were called to a report of concern for welfare in Kingsgrove 13 km southwest of central Sydney at 1150 pm on Thursday and arrived to find a man with stab wounds to his shoulderPolice officers were told that the 44yearold man had stopped his vehicle when two unknown men approached and stabbed him before fleeing the scene on motorcycles Xinhua News Agency reported The man was treated by ambulance paramedics and taken to hospital in a stable condition while police established a crime scene and commenced an investigationIn a separate statement NSW Police said on Thursday night that a 15yearold boy has been arrested and charged over a machete attack on a light rail service on Tuesday nightIt will be alleged in court that the 15yearold was one of two boys who assaulted a third boy also aged 15 on the service in central SydneyThe 15yearold victim was hospitalised in a stable condition with a stab wound to the left armThe alleged perpetrator was arrested by officers at a home in Sydneys innerwest on Thursday morning and charged with wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm Police said that investigations to locate the second boy are ongoing Earlier in February one person died and two others were hospitalised with critical injuries following a stabbing attack in western SydneyThe police force in the Australian state of New South Wales NSW said that emergency services responded to the stabbing on a main street in the suburb of Merrylands 20 km west of central Sydney around 10 am local time on February 17Police officers arrived at the scene and were told that a man had stabbed multiple people before leaving the area on footThree victims with serious injuries were treated by ambulance paramedics but one died at the sceneThe other two were taken to the hospital in critical conditionPolice established a crime scene and a man was arrested nearby following a major searchThe NSW Police Force asked for anyone with information about the attack to contact detectives IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/australia-man-hospitalised-after-southwest-sydney-stabbing-669928.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/pak-linked-drug-flow-via-golden-crescent-increases-india-intensifies-multi-agency-crackdown-669930.html New Delhi April 17 The focus of the Indian security agencies dealing with the menace of narcotic smuggling has been largely on the contraband originating from the Golden Crescent of PakistanAfghanistan The Indian agencies have said that activities through the Golden Crescent have gone up considerably There is a push by Pakistan to smuggle huge quantities of narcotics into IndiaRamping up activities at the Golden Crescent is a clear sign that the Pakistanbased operatives are trying to raise money to fund terror activities against IndiaEstimates by the security agencies show that 65 per cent of the narcotics that come into India are from the Golden Crescent The remaining come in from the Golden Triangle which comprises Myanmar Laos and ThailandOfficials say that the Pakistanbased narcotic smugglers are pushing more drugs into South India today and the drugs are reaching Kerala and Tamil NaduOnce the domestic needs are catered to then the drugs are smuggled into Maldives and Sri Lanka Prior to the drugs reaching the southern states they are smuggled into Gujarat and Maharashtra With this strategy the cartels plan to cover both North and South India significantlyWhen it comes to the northeastern states the cartels operating from the Golden Triangle handle the job an official saidWith Intelligence inputs suggesting that the Pakistanbased narcotic smugglers are ramping up operations a high level meeting was held between the officials of the Narcotics Control Bureau NVB National Technical Research Organisation NTRO and the Indian NavyIt was decided to intensify surveillance to detect drugs coming in from the Golden Crescent The agencies are keeping a close watch on high speed motor boats and smaller fishing boatsOf late the cartels are also relying on commercial shipping containers through which they are attempting to smuggle in larger quantity of drugs The drugs that come in from the Golden Crescent largely comprise charas and methamphetamineWith inputs suggesting a major rise in drug smuggling activity India has also been working closely with international agencies to put a halt to the menaceIt is important that apart from taking steps on our own we coordinate with international agencies as well an official saidIndia would however be taking the lead role as it is a landing point owing to its geographical proximity to the Golden Crescent the official also saidWhile constant attempts are being made to step up drug smuggling activity officials report that in the last three months the activities have been down The vigil has been stepped up and multiple agencies are working in tandem to keep the menace at bayIn addition to disruptions being reported in the Golden Crescent supply chains due to regional stability the Indian agencies too have resolved to fight this problemOfficials say that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made it clear that the Centre wants India to be drug freeUnion Home Minister Amit Shah said that all departments of the government of India should prepare a road map up to 2029 and establish a timebound review mechanism for its implementationHe said that during the next three years a campaign would be carried out collectively across the country to move fast towards making India drug freeAn Intelligence Bureau official said that if supplies from the Golden Crescent fall then every attempt will be made to scale up operations from the Golden TriangleThe cartels from these regions are interconnected and hence they cannot be treated as separate entitiesThe road map ahead would be to have coordinated efforts by multiple agencies to deal with cartels that operate both from the Golden Crescent as well the Golden Triangle the official also added IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/pak-linked-drug-flow-via-golden-crescent-increases-india-intensifies-multi-agency-crackdown-669930.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/australia-melbourne-police-issue-warning-over-arson-attacks-669931.html Melbourne April 17 Police in Australias Melbourne on Friday warned the public to be alert for suspicious activity following a string of arson attacks and a driveby shooting targeting hospitality venues The police force in the state of Victoria said in a statement that detectives from the arson and explosives squad are investigating potential links between and the motivation behind five arson attacks and a shooting at hospitality venues in metropolitan Melbourne since TuesdayTwo of the arson incidents occurred in Melbournes central business district CBD and the other three targeted venues in the citys innersouthern suburbs police said Xinhua News Agency reportedThe shooting occurred around 410 am on Friday when a shot was fired from a vehicle towards a CBD venue No injuries were reported On April 1 a man was hospitalised in a critical condition after he was shot by police in the Australian state of QueenslandThe Queensland Police Service QPS said that officers were conducting a welfare check at a property in the suburb of Arana Hills 12 km northwest of central Brisbane at around 1230 pm when an altercation occurred involving a man armed with a knifeThe man was subsequently shot by officers who provided first aid at the scene before he was taken to the hospital in a critical conditionLocal media reported the man was aged 19 and that police officers twice deployed tasers before he was shotThe QPS said the incident would be investigated by ethical standards and anticorruption bodiesEarlier in March Police in the Australian state of New South Wales NSW began a search for a man who shot another man before stealing money and a car south of SydneyThe NSW Police Force said in a statement on Saturday that emergency services were called to reports of a shooting at a hotel in the coastal town of Narooma 280 km south of SydneyOfficers were told at the scene that an unknown man had entered the hotel before shooting a 31yearold man threatening other patrons and stealing cashThe perpetrator then approached a vehicle in an adjacent car park and produced a firearm to demand that the 17yearold driver get out of the car which he subsequently used to flee the sceneThe 31yearold shooting victim was treated at the scene by ambulance paramedics before being taken to the hospital in a stable conditionA short time later police said the stolen vehicle was located on fire on a major highwayPolice commenced an investigation into the incident and asked anyone with information to come forward IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/australia-melbourne-police-issue-warning-over-arson-attacks-669931.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/international/lack-of-funds-hinder-free-treatment-of-cancer-patients-in-pakistans-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-669932.html Islamabad April 17 Free treatment of cancer patients at three major medical teaching institutions of Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has been hampered due to lack of funds local media reported on Friday citing officials Pakistans Health Secretary Shahidullah Khan said he was in contact with the Planning and Development Department for reappropriation of funds to resume treatment of cancer patients the daily Dawn reported However over 1000 poor patients already registered for cancer treatment were waiting for drugs at Hayatabad Medical Complex HMC and Khyber Teaching Hospital KTH Peshawar and Ayub Teaching Hospital ATH AbbottabadAccording to sources the government needed to release Pakistani Rupees PKR 1500 million for the free treatment programme for the year 202526 However it had provided PKR 820 million so far and the remaining PKR 680 million was yet to be releasedSo far 347 patients have received free drugs from ATH from August 2025 to till now The hospital last received medicines in December 2025 but now the stock is about to run out Similarly there is no stock available in KTH and 623 registered patients are awaiting drugs Dawn reportedOncologists linked with the free medication initiative stated that over 10000 patients had benefited from the programme since its beginning The oncologists said the programme was launched for all patients and the hospitals could not deny treatment to those who were in the last stage of cancer According to oncologists the stoppage of free medication might cause the death of many patients as medicines are very expensiveMeanwhile prices of medicines have increased in the open market and the pharmaceutical hub of Bohor Bazaar in Pakistans Rawalpindi with prices rising from 50 per cent to as high as 500 per cent local media reportedPrices of essential medicines including those for diabetes and hypertension antibiotics gastrointestinal conditions and cough have increased The price of an insulin injection device in the open market has increased from Pakistani Rupees PKR 2200 to PKR 4720 The Express Tribune reportedThe cost of vitamin B supplements has increased from PKR 500 to PKR 600 Similarly the price of a packet of indigestion and acidity medication has increased from PKR 530 to PKR 620 The price of a pack of nutritional supplements and vitamin tablets has increased from PKR 480 to PKR 510The price of thyroid medicine has increased from PKR 85 to PKR 290 Meanwhile the price for a commonly used typhoid treatment has increased from PKR 805 to PKR 930 Prices of several other lifesaving medicines have also increasedCritics have termed the increase unbearable stressing that insulin devices reaching between PKR 2000 and PKR 5000 deprive patients with lowincome to access essential treatment and have urged the government to intervene IANS https://dailyworld.in/international/lack-of-funds-hinder-free-treatment-of-cancer-patients-in-pakistans-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-669932.html Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:25:00 +0530 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