INTERNATIONAL

Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government, major Western powers have moved quickly to lift long-standing sanctions on Syria, signaling a potential shift in its global economic standing. The European Union has removed restrictions in key sectors including banking, energy, and transportation, while the United States eased financial and investment bans, opening the door for reconstruction funding and trade. A senior EU diplomat stated, “These measures are meant to give Syrians a chance to rebuild — not to reward any political side.” President Donald Trump welcomed the lifting of restrictions, calling it “a step toward stability” and highlighting Syria’s potential as a strategic economic hub. Assad, widely viewed as anti-Western during his rule, implemented economic measures th...

At least 82 people, including women and a newborn, were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza Wednesday, as humanitarian aid remains stuck at the border. Though dozens of aid trucks entered Gaza Tuesday, UN officials say distribution was blocked due to logistical delays and Israeli military restrictions. Israeli activists tried to block the aid convoys, arguing hostages remain in Hamas captivity, but police intervened. Meanwhile, in the West Bank, gunfire interrupted a visit by European and regional diplomats to Jenin. No injuries were reported. The Israeli military said the group had strayed from their approved route and apologized after firing warning shots. EU officials condemned the incident. International pressure on Israel continues to grow. The UK suspended free trade talks,...

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that there was no radiation leak from any of Pakistan’s nuclear facilities amid the recent India-Pakistan military escalation. The clarification follows online speculation linking India’s Operation Sindoor to alleged strikes near Pakistan’s Kirana Hills, a site believed to house nuclear infrastructure. Responding to queries from The Indian Express, an IAEA spokesperson stated: “We are aware of the reports you are referring to. Based on information available to the IAEA, there has been no radiation leak or release from any nuclear facility in Pakistan.” India’s Air Force had earlier denied targeting Kirana Hills during its May 7 operation, which was aimed at terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kas...

India and Pakistan have agreed to extend their ceasefire agreement till May 18, sources in the Indian Army said on Friday. As per an NDTV report, the move comes as part of ongoing confidence-building measures following a brief but intense flare-up after the deadly terror attack in Jammu Kashmir's Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists. The ceasefire understanding was initially reached on May 10 after four days of missile and drone exchanges triggered by India's Operation Sindoor—a precision military campaign targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Launched on the night of May 7–8, the operation was a direct response to the Pahalgam attack and has since heightened military tensions across the region. Despite the ceasefire, Pakistan re...

U.S. President Donald Trump has once again claimed credit for brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, asserting that he used the promise of trade deals to push both nations toward de-escalation following India’s recent cross-border strikes under Operation Sindoor. Speaking at the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum, Trump said, “Let’s do some trade,” describing how he encouraged both countries to halt hostilities in exchange for expanded economic ties with the United States. “If you stop it, we’re doing trade. If you don’t stop it, we’re not going to do any trade,” he added, noting that the U.S. was in talks with both India and Pakistan to deepen trade relations. His comments came in the wake of India’s targeted strikes across the Line of Control (LoC), a response to the April 22 Pahal...

India on Wednesday issued a sharp rebuke to China’s latest move to rename several locations in Arunachal Pradesh, dismissing the act as “vain and preposterous.” In a statement, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We have noticed that China has persisted with its vain and preposterous attempts to name places in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Consistent with our principled position, we reject such attempts categorically. Creative naming will not alter the undeniable reality that Arunachal Pradesh was, is, and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India.” The remarks come in response to reports that Beijing has once again assigned Chinese names to multiple places in the Indian state, a move that New Delhi says carries no legiti...

The Indian government has condemned remarks made by retired army officer and TV personality Gaurav Arya against Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, calling his tone “inappropriate” and distancing itself from the views expressed in the viral video. The condemnation came through the Indian Embassy in Iran, which clarified that Arya is a private citizen and that his statements do not reflect the official position of India. “The Embassy of India in Iran would like to clarify that the individual in this video is a private Indian citizen,” the Embassy of India in Iran wrote on X. “His statements have no connection with the official position of India, and the Government of India considers the disrespectful tone used in the video to be inappropriate.” The diplomatic friction emerged ...

The U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his admiration for the leadership of India and Pakistan, commending their strength and wisdom in reaching a historic ceasefire agreement that averted further escalation into full-scale war. The ceasefire was brokered by the United States and marks a crucial step toward peace in amid a series of military confrontations. In a tweet celebrating the ceasefire, President Trump said, “I am very proud of the strong and unwaveringly powerful leadership of India and Pakistan for having the strength, wisdom, and fortitude to fully know and understand that it was time to stop the current aggression that could have led to the death and destruction of so many, and so much. Millions of good and innocent people could have died!” Trump continued to praise...

Former U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced today that India and Pakistan have agreed to a "full and immediate ceasefire" following a night of talks mediated by the United States. Taking to his social media platform, Trump wrote, "After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE. Congratulations to both countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" Adding further details, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that he and Vice President Vance had engaged with senior Indian and Pakistani officials over the past 48 hours. In a statement posted on social media, Rubio said they had been in direct contact with key le...

Pakistan's National Security Council on Wednesday said the country's armed forces have been duly authorised to undertake retaliation “at a time, place, and manner of its choosing” to avenge the loss of innocent Pakistani lives in Indian military strikes. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif presided over the National Security Council (NSC) meeting, which was attended by cabinet ministers, chief ministers, all services chiefs and senior officers to discuss the situation. Indian armed forces early Wednesday carried out missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir under Operation Sindoor. An NSC statement warned that in consonance with Article-51 of the UN Charter, Pakistan reserves the right to respond, in self-defence, "at a time, place, and manner of i...