GGS NEWS

Six Dead in Gaza as Israeli Strikes Continue Despite US-Mediated Ceasefire

noreply@blogger.com (AMRIT SIDHU) — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 13:01:59 +0530

Six Dead in Gaza as Israeli Strikes Continue Despite US-Mediated Ceasefire

Six Dead in Gaza as Israeli Strikes Continue Despite US-Mediated Ceasefire.Image By ANI

ANI

Gaza [Palestine], July 10 : Fresh Israeli strikes in Gaza killed six people on Thursday (local time) despite a US-brokered "ceasefire," Al Jazeera reported, quoting Gaza's Civil Defence agency and health officials.

Two of the six deceased were killed after an Israeli drone struck central Gaza's Nuseirat camp, while the other four died in different parts of the region, Al Jazeera reported, citing the Civil Defence agency. Hospitals in Gaza confirmed receiving the bodies of the six people killed in the attacks.

This development comes amid fresh US strikes in Iran. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Wednesday that its forces had started conducting additional strikes against Iran to further degrade Tehran's ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, following recent attacks on commercial shipping and civilian crews.

In a post shared on X, US CENTCOM stated: "At the direction of the Commander in Chief, US Central Command forces have started conducting additional strikes against Iran to further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz."

Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Thursday claimed it had struck the US Al-Azraq air base in northern Jordan with 10 ballistic missiles, targeting what it described as an "enemy command and control centre in West Asia."

The IRGC stated these retaliatory strikes were in response to a recent attack on Tehran by Washington.

According to a statement carried by Iran's state broadcaster, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the IRGC said the missile strikes marked the "second phase" of its response to what it described as aggression by the United States.

"At 2:20 pm today, IRGC aerospace fighters destroyed the enemy's command and control centre in West Asia and the enemy air base in Al-Azraq, Jordan, with 10 ballistic missiles," the statement read.

The IRGC warned that further US military action would trigger additional attacks on American bases in the region. "If the US terrorist army repeats its aggression, other US bases in the region will not be safe from our heavy fire," the statement carried by IRIB added. (ANI)

FIFA World Cup 2026 : End of an Era 💔 Spain Knock Out Portugal, Ronaldo’s Dream Shattered

noreply@blogger.com (AMRIT SIDHU) — Tue, 7 Jul 2026 12:22:59 +0530

FIFA World Cup 2026 : End of an Era 💔 Spain Knock Out Portugal, Ronaldo’s Dream Shattered

FIFA World Cup 2026 : End of an Era 💔 Spain Knock Out Portugal, Ronaldo’s Dream Shattered

Reuters

Cristiano Ronaldo was tearful after the last game of his sixth and final World Cup, Portugal's 1-0 loss to Spain in the Round of 16 on Monday decided by Mikel Merino's stoppage-time winner.

But the five-time Ballon d'Or winner insisted -- just as he did Sunday before the match -- that in the big picture, he remains secure in his legacy with his national team.

"Well, it's normal, sad, to leave the World Cup like this," Ronaldo said through an interpreter. "But, as I said yesterday at the press conference, I gave it my all, I gave my best. And I leave with a clear conscience.

"That's football, that's the life of a footballer. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. And it has to move on. It was my last World Cup, yes, but the rest ... I have time to think, be with my family, not make decisions in the heat of the moment and move on with life."

Ronaldo will retire without a World Cup title or even a World Cup final appearance to his name. His team's best performance with Portugal came in his first appearance, a 2006 run to the semifinals and a fourth-place finish.

But by any standard, he still finished as one of the tournament's all-time great performers, scoring 11 times in 27 matches and joining Argentina's 39-year-old Lionel Messi -- whose team plays on Tuesday -- as the only men to play in six World Cups.

He was arguably better in the European Championships, where he scored 14 times in 30 matches and helped the Selecao das Quinas to the 2016 title.

"Before Cristiano, Portugal hadn't won any titles," he said. "So, I'm happy.

The truth is that the biggest title I won with the national team was in 2016, which for me has the same significance as the World Cup, honestly.

"Therefore, I repeat, I leave with a clear conscience, having done my best, and that's it. Tomorrow will be a new day, and life goes on." Ronaldo is under contract for one more season with Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, the club where he's spent the past four seasons. This coming season may be his last, though that has not been confirmed.

Performer sparks outrage with anti- Donald Trump remarks at Iran leader’s funeral

noreply@blogger.com (AMRIT SIDHU) — Sun, 5 Jul 2026 15:36:33 +0530

Performer sparks outrage with anti- Donald Trump remarks at Iran leader’s funeral

Performer sparks outrage with anti- Donald Trump remarks at Iran leader’s funeral

Tehran : A performer at the funeral for Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called for the death of US President Donald Trump before a crowd of hundreds of thousands of people in Tehran on Sunday.

Mohammad Rasouli, a poet, drew calls of "Death to America!" and "Death to Israel!"

Speaking to the crowd, Rasouli asked, referring to Trump: "Why is the most bas**rd man in the world still alive?" That drew cheers.

A far-larger crowd for the funeral than the day before attended the ceremony on Sunday. Mourners dressed in black walked to the site, carrying banners and flags honouring Khamenei and also calling for Trump's killing as he gave a speech in Washington for the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.

The funeral for Khamenei, who ruled Iran for decades before he was killed at age 86 in a February 28 airstrike in the opening moments of the Iran war, could provide a boost for the country's theocracy and its new supreme leader, his son Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.

FIFA 2026: Argentina national football team survive scare, edge Cape Verde national football team 3-2 in extra-time thriller

noreply@blogger.com (AMRIT SIDHU) — Sat, 4 Jul 2026 13:02:28 +0530

FIFA 2026: Argentina national football team survive scare, edge Cape Verde national football team 3-2 in extra-time thriller

FIFA 2026: Argentina national football team survive scare, edge Cape Verde national football team 3-2 in extra-time thriller

Miami Gardens : Lionel Messi and Argentina beat Cabo Verde 3-2 on Friday (July 3, 2026) and advanced to the World Cup Round of 16 in a thrilling match in which the tiny island nation challenged the reigning champion until the final minutes of extra time.

The go-ahead score for Argentina was credited as an own-goal after Cristian Romero's header deflected off Cabo Verde's Diney Borges in the 111th minute.

Argentina vs Cabo Verde, FIFA World Cup Highlights

Messi scored early in regulation, his record-extending 20th career World Cup goal. Lisandro Martinez scored in the 103rd to put Argentina ahead 2-1.

Cabo Verde's Sidny Lopes Cabral celebrates after scoring his side's second goal against Argentina during the World Cup round of 32 match

Cabo Verde's Sidny Lopes Cabral celebrates after scoring his side's second goal against Argentina during the World Cup round of 32 match | Photo Credit: AP

Sidny Lopes Cabral and Deroy Duarte scored for Cabo Verde — both equalisers that stunned the pro-Argentina crowd in South Florida.

Argentina advanced to face Egypt, which beat Australia in a penalty shootout earlier Friday, in Atlanta on Tuesday.

Cabo Verde’s dream run ends

Cabo Verde's memorable World Cup debut had been a stunning run that few outside the tiny island nation off the western coast of Africa could have predicted.

FIFA World Cup 2026 | France is bossing it but Paraguay may be no pushover

Behind the stellar play of 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, Cabo Verde became the smallest country to reach the knockout round, securing surprising draws against Spain and Uruguay and another against Saudi Arabia.

Vozinha had 10 saves against Argentina, including five against Messi.

Argentina's Lionel Messi controls the ball before scoring their first goal during the World Cup round of 32 match between Argentina and Cabo Verde in Miami Gardens

Argentina's Lionel Messi controls the ball before scoring their first goal during the World Cup round of 32 match between Argentina and Cabo Verde in Miami Gardens | Photo Credit: AP

Messi added another brilliant goal to his resume, sneaking behind the Cabo Verde defence on a well-timed run as Martinez lofted a pass toward him, taking a quick touch and hammering a finish into the roof of the net past goalkeeper Vozinha for a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute.

The Argentina captain has seven goals in this tournament — one more France's Kylian Mbappe in the Golden Boot race as the top scorer in this year's World Cup — and extended his World cup record, moving two goals ahead of Mbappé on the all-time list. He has 12 goals during his record eight-match scoring streak.

Israel dismisses ‘fake news’ claims over alleged threat to Iranian negotiators

noreply@blogger.com (AMRIT SIDHU) — Sat, 4 Jul 2026 12:39:52 +0530

Israel dismisses ‘fake news’ claims over alleged threat to Iranian negotiators


	In a post on X on Friday, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said, "As usual, The New York Times' latest story about Israel and the Iranian negotiators is fake news. A complete fabrication of reality."

ANI

Tel Aviv : The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Office has dismissed a news report alleging that US officials feared that Israel might have targeted senior Iranian negotiators during Islamabad talks earlier this year.

In a post on X on Friday, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said, "As usual, The New York Times' latest story about Israel and the Iranian negotiators is fake news. A complete fabrication of reality."

The Prime Minister’s Office:

As usual, The New York Times' latest story about Israel and the Iranian negotiators is fake news.

A complete fabrication of reality.

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) July 3, 2026

According to the NYT news report as cited by the Times of Israel, US officials had allegedly conveyed indirect warnings to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf during negotiations (Islamabad Talks) earlier this year that Israel might attempt to assassinate them.

The US media report, citing current and former US officials, further alleged that some US officials believed Israel may have been planning to target the two senior Iranian negotiators in the weeks following the April 8 ceasefire that halted fighting in the US-Israel conflict with Iran.

It also claimed that, due to those concerns, US officials asked counterparts in other countries across the region to warn Tehran that Israel might seek to target Araghchi and Ghalibaf.

Al Jazeera noted that Israel has previously been accused of targeting negotiating counterparts in regional conflicts. It cited an incident in September 2025 in which Israel bombed Hamas's negotiating team in Doha, Qatar, where members had gathered to discuss a ceasefire proposal that had reportedly been sent by the Israeli side.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump agreed to meet in the United States in the near future during a phone conversation on Friday, according to a report by the Times of Israel, citing a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

According to the PMO statement, Netanyahu congratulated Trump on the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and said, "The US is what ensures the freedom of the world, and Israel greatly appreciates the tight bond between the nations."

The statement added that "Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump agreed to meet soon in the US."

The Prime Minister's Office did not provide a specific date or venue for the proposed meeting, according to the Times of Israel.

The developments come as Qatar and Pakistan, on July 1, concluded separate meetings with US and Iranian negotiators in Doha, with "positive progress" reported on issues related to the 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The Qatar foreign spokesperson said, "The parties agreed to continue discussions over the coming period, with the next meeting to be scheduled at the earliest possible time following the funeral processions of the former Iranian Supreme Leader."

US–Iran Talks Wrap Up in Doha, Spotlight on Strait of Hormuz Security

noreply@blogger.com (AMRIT SIDHU) — Thu, 2 Jul 2026 12:43:26 +0530

US–Iran Talks Wrap Up in Doha, Spotlight on Strait of Hormuz Security

US–Iran Talks Wrap Up in Doha, Spotlight on Strait of Hormuz Security

Reuters

Doha/Dubai/Virginia Beach, Virginia : Iran and the United States concluded a round of indirect talks on Wednesday with no sign they had made headway toward a lasting peace, focusing instead on issues that they said had been resolved when an interim agreement was announced two weeks ago.

Sources familiar with the discussions said negotiators for the two countries spent two days in Qatar’s Doha discussing maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and unfreezing Iran’s funds, two critical issues under the initial agreement.

The next meeting will take place after funeral processions for Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is due to be buried on July 9, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said.

The Doha discussions produced “positive progress” on issues related to the memorandum that halted the war in June and were “building on the outcomes” of a summit in Switzerland, the ministry spokesperson said in a post on X.

In Washington, US President Donald Trump said the two sides were making progress on possible limits to Iran’s nuclear program — the main reason he launched the war along with Israel in February. “The denuclearization of Iran is moving along well,” he told reporters. “They’ve had very good meetings, and we’ll see.”

But the sources said the nuclear program did not come up in the talks, which were technical in nature.

US Vice President JD Vance said that matter would be addressed later. “Obviously, we’re worried about the nuclear issue, we’re going to start talking about that,” he told reporters.

American and Iranian negotiators held separate meetings with Qatari and Pakistani mediators, Qatar’s foreign ministry said.

Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and top US envoy Steve Witkoff, dispatched to the region for what the White House had billed as “high-level” talks, did not attend the sessions, according to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The leader of Iran’s delegation, Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, said the talks concluded. Neither side said whether they had managed to bridge any of their differences.

WHO CONTROLS THE STRAIT?

The initial deal calls for Iran and the United States to allow shipping to resume through the Strait of Hormuz, which handled one-fifth of global oil and liquid natural gas trade before the war. Though traffic has partially resumed, the status of the strategic waterway remains unclear and the two countries exchanged strikes last weekend following an Iranian attack on a cargo ship.

Iran is determined to win international recognition of its control over the strait even if it has to do so by force, two senior Iranian sources said, and has repeatedly said it will assess tolls on shipping starting in mid-August, after a toll-free period specified by the initial agreement expires.

Trump’s comments on Wednesday played down the possibility of a return to all-out war with Iran. “I think they’ve come a long way,” he said.

Oil prices fell to their lowest level in four months following Trump’s remarks, and analysts cut their price forecasts for the first time since the war began.

Iran’s state media said on Wednesday that a foreign container ship had run aground in shallow waters outside the shipping route designated by Iranian authorities.

“Hormuz continues to reopen but it’s patchy, unpredictable, and not fully transparent,” said Vandana Hari, founder of oil market analysis provider Vanda Insights.

Several European countries have offered to help clear mines from the Strait, but Germany’s defense minister Boris Pistorius said he did not expect his country to participate, citing Iran’s unwillingness to cooperate with other countries.

Netanyahu Signals Shift: Israel to Stand Without US Support

noreply@blogger.com (AMRIT SIDHU) — Wed, 1 Jul 2026 12:40:25 +0530

Netanyahu Signals Shift: Israel to Stand Without US Support

Netanyahu Signals Shift: Israel to Stand Without US Support

ANI

Tel Aviv : Asserting the nation's economic self-reliance, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced an ambitious policy shift aimed at ending American financial assistance, declaring that the country's robust economy no longer requires foreign subsidies.

Making the remarks on Tuesday, the Prime Minister outlined his administration's comprehensive strategy across critical security and geopolitical fronts, including state sovereignty, regional military presence, and diplomatic manoeuvres.

Addressing the financial relationship with Washington, Netanyahu stated, "I want to stop American aid. It's like welfare; I don't want it."

He emphasised that Israel's contemporary fiscal strength renders outside funding negligible, adding, "Our economy is no longer a small economy... we can finance ourselves with this fraction of a per cent of our GDP that we receive from the United States. I want this process to start this year."

Turning to core territorial and sovereignty matters, the Prime Minister re-emphasised his administration's unyielding opposition to Palestinian statehood.

He reaffirmed, "Israel is the nation-state of the Jewish people. No Palestinian state will be established here."

Netanyahu detailed an aggressive stance on national defence, underscoring that the military will maintain a proactive posture against external adversaries.

He asserted, "We will pursue an active security policy--we won't sit back and wait behind fences."

When questioned about the potential re-establishment of Israeli communities within the Gaza Strip, the Prime Minister maintained a calculated diplomatic silence.

He noted, "As for rebuilding settlements in Gaza, you have to be ready to act first and talk afterwards. Sometimes it's better to separate the two. That's why I'm not going to add anything further on that subject."

Elaborating on his approach to governance and international relations, Netanyahu suggested that strategic ambiguity remains paramount.

He stated, "You have to understand that the art of statecraft isn't limited to domestic politics. I don't have to declare everything to the whole world at every moment."

Highlighting Israel's persistent operations against regional threats, the Prime Minister issued a direct warning regarding cross-border pre-emptive strikes against Tehran's nuclear and military infrastructure.

He remarked, "We entered Iran twice to save ourselves from destruction. There will be a third time if necessary."

Netanyahu also confirmed that Israeli defence forces will maintain their operational positions within Lebanese territory to counter hostile factions.

He explained, "We didn't leave Lebanon. We have effectively established this security belt--about 10 kilometres inside Lebanon--with the agreement of the Lebanese government. And, of course, Hezbollah is outraged. The same is true of Iran."

During a physical assessment of troop deployments in the northern sector, the Prime Minister reiterated that the military presence would persist until cross-border threats were neutralised.

He told the gathered forces, "Our position is clear: we will not leave southern Lebanon until the threat has disappeared. And as long as Hezbollah, armed, is here and threatening us, we will stay here."

The declaration follows the recent signing of a Washington-brokered framework pact between Beirut and Tel Aviv, intended to establish long-term stability and ensure the demilitarisation of the Iran-backed Shiite militia.

Under the stipulations of the diplomatic accord, any eventual troop drawdown by Israeli forces remains strictly contingent upon the Lebanese government successfully establishing specialised operational sectors where the state military takes over security control.

Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 235, Over 4,300 Injured

noreply@blogger.com (AMRIT SIDHU) — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 20:25:43 +0530

Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 235, Over 4,300 Injured

Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 235, Over 4,300 Injured

La Guaira : Venezuelans searched for survivors beneath collapsed buildings on Thursday and rescue teams raced to northern areas rocked by a pair of powerful earthquakes that officials say killed around 235 people and left at least 4,300 people injured.

"Unfortunately we have received around 235 patients who arrived without vital signs or died when they arrived at our health facilities," Health Minister Carlos Alvarado told state media on Thursday.

The number of dead and injured is expected to rise with thousands reported missing after the 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes that struck on Wednesday evening, which was among the strongest in Venezuela in more than a century and was felt throughout the region.

Thousands were reported missing and buildings were evacuated as far away as Brazil's Amazon.

In response to the devastation, the US Treasury on Thursday moved to waive some sanctions until October 23 to allow transactions related to earthquake relief efforts in Venezuela that would otherwise be prohibited.

Meanwhile, in cities across northern Venezuela, panicked residents poured into the streets and searched for the missing in the debris.

The injured were pulled out of the rubble covered in dust and blood, among them children and animals. Venezuelan state TV showed dramatic images of rescues, including a woman who was trapped under a cement slab, only a barefoot poking out before crews managed to get her out alive. But few government search teams were seen outside Caracas.

Dayana Delgado, mother of three children, asked where the heavy machinery was that government officials had promised, pointing out that neighbours were the ones digging through the rubble.

"I want to know where my child is, if he's trapped or in a shelter," she said of her eight-year-old son who was missing.

One mother sobbed and collapsed in grief as the bodies of her three- and ten-year-old children were wrapped in blankets and carried away. Others screamed the names of missing loved ones. Some stood in silent shock.

The coastal region of La Guaira -- north of the capital, Caracas -- suffered some of the heaviest damage and casualties. The country's main airport is there and was closed due to damage, complicating aid efforts.

Retired schoolteacher Juan Alberto Mendano climbed through wreckage in La Guaira and past a dead body when he spotted a woman who was trapped and signalling with her hand for help.

"May God rescue her as quickly as possible," said Mendano. "When we heard the scream, there was nothing we could do."

Offers to send aid and supplies poured in from around the world, including from the United States, which seized Venezuela's then-president Nicolas Maduro at the beginning of the year in a surprise military operation.

The natural disaster is just the latest challenge for acting President Delcy Rodriguez, the former vice president who took office in January after Maduro's capture. Venezuela has been facing economic disarray for more than a decade, and many people reject the legitimacy of the political movement Rodriguez represents.

US–Iran Talks Set for Crucial Switzerland Meeting Amid War Tensions

noreply@blogger.com (AMRIT SIDHU) — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 12:03:47 +0530

US–Iran Talks Set for Crucial Switzerland Meeting Amid War Tensions

US–Iran Talks Set for Crucial Switzerland Meeting Amid War Tensions

Tyre (Lebanon) : US and Iranian negotiators headed to a Swiss venue on Saturday for talks on adding key details to their interim agreement to halt the war, hours after Tehran said it closed the Strait of Hormuz because of Israel's attacks in Lebanon and warned that little might be achieved if the fighting didn't stop.

US President Donald Trump, in response, unleashed a new threat to impose American tolls in the crucial waterway if a final deal with Iran isn't reached in 60 days, saying the money would be for “services rendered as the Guardian Angel to the countries of the Middle East”.

The agreement calls for toll-free travel for 60 days.

The announcements indicated a rough start to the technical-level talks that key mediator Pakistan said would begin on Sunday, with Qatari mediators also participating.

US Vice President JD Vance left for Switzerland on Saturday evening, just as Iranian state TV posted a video showing Iran's negotiators arriving there. They are led by parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and include Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and central bank and oil officials, among others.

The deal calls for billions of dollars of Iran's assets to be unfrozen.

Talks were meant to start on Friday, but the Iranians cancelled plans to attend because of escalating fighting in Lebanon.

Negotiators for the US and Qatar, with help from Iran, worked out an agreement between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group to tamp down hostilities, according to US and regional officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment publicly.

Vance told reporters he would be in Switzerland "for a day or two" but was optimistic about making progress in talks about Iran's nuclear programme and on a ceasefire in southern Lebanon. He earlier confirmed that top negotiators Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff were already in Switzerland.

But Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told state TV that negotiations towards a final agreement would begin once key commitments are upheld. If they are not, "the memorandum of understanding as a whole will be jeopardised".

The strait once again becomes a challenge

The strait has emerged again as a focus. Iran's joint military command said it was closed because of the US' "clear breach of its commitments" by failing to end the war. The interim deal is meant to stop fighting on all fronts, including Lebanon.

The US disputed Iran's announcement.

"Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz. Traffic continues to flow, and US forces are monitoring the situation to ensure this remains the case," Capt Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for US Central Command, said.

The military said that 55 merchant ships transited on Saturday with more than 17 million barrels of oil.

The global economy braced for more uncertainty.

Ships began transiting after the interim US-Iran agreement was signed earlier in the week, a milestone that left plenty of questions unanswered. The US lifted its blockade of Iran's ports and now allows Tehran to sell its oil freely on terms that have left some in US Congress asking whether the war was worth it.

The interim deal signed by Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian gives negotiators 60 days to reach a nuclear agreement, but the issue is intricate and the time can be extended.

Israeli attacks in Lebanon kill at least 16

Earlier on Saturday, as mediators tried to get the parties to Switzerland, a Hezbollah official told The Associated Press that Iran informed the militant group that Tehran won't reopen the strait until Israel announces publicly that it will comply with a "comprehensive ceasefire" in Lebanon and an end to military operations there.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorised to speak publicly.

The official said that Hezbollah would commit to a ceasefire if Israel does.

Iran Slams Trump’s ‘Baseless’ Claims, Blames US Strikes for Killing 3 Indian Sailors

noreply@blogger.com (AMRIT SIDHU) — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 11:21:25 +0530

Iran Slams Trump’s ‘Baseless’ Claims, Blames US Strikes for Killing 3 Indian Sailors

Iran Slams Trump’s ‘Baseless’ Claims, Blames US Strikes for Killing 3 Indian Sailors

ANI

New Delhi : The Embassy of Iran in India on Saturday rejected the US President Donald Trump's allegations regarding an Indian vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, calling them "baseless".

It also accused Washington of attempting to deflect attention from recent attacks on commercial ships carrying Indian seafarers.

The Iranian Embassy said the US attacked three Indian vessels in less than a week, resulting in the death of three Indian sailors, and described the actions as "brutal" and "pathetic".

In a post on X, the official account of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in India shared, "The U.S. president's accusation against Iran regarding an Indian vessel in the Strait of Hormuz is simply baseless. It is an attempt to divert public attention from the brutal fact that the U.S. has attacked 3 Indian vessels in less than a week and killed 3 innocent Indian sailors. That's pathetic!"

The U.S. president's accusation against Iran regarding an Indian vessel in the Strait of Hormuz is simply baseless. It is an attempt to divert public attention from the brutal fact that the U.S. has attacked 3 Indian vessels in less than a week and killed 3 innocent Indian… https://t.co/2UiXWAMulM

— Iran in India (@Iran_in_India) June 12, 2026

This comes after Trump alleged that Iran was behind the attacks on three vessels carrying Indian seafarers near the Hormuz Strait, which resulted in the deaths of three, despite the US Central Command having confirmed that the strikes were carried out by American naval forces, calling the incident "totally unacceptable".

His remarks followed Iran's condemnation of the United States attacks on commercial vessels carrying Indian seafarers, resulting in the death of three in the Gulf of Oman, describing the actions as "brutal" and accusing Washington of engaging in "lawless conduct" that threatens global peace and maritime security.

In a statement on X, Esmaeil Baqaei, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran, expressed condolences over the deaths of Indian nationals killed in the attacks and called for international accountability.

"The brutal U.S. attacks on Indian commercial vessels, which have killed at least three Indian nationals, stand as clear evidence of America's ongoing policy of armed robbery and State piracy. We extend our sympathies to the families and friends of the slain Indian sailors and offer our sincere condolences to the Indian people and government," the statement said.

He further urged the international community to take action against the repeated violations of international norms.

"The international community must hold the United States accountable for its lawless conduct, which continues to threaten global peace and security while endangering the freedom of navigation," the spokesperson added.

US plans to use seized Iranian funds for Gulf reconstruction amid faltering ceasefire: Report

noreply@blogger.com (AMRIT SIDHU) — Sun, 7 Jun 2026 12:00:10 +0530

US plans to use seized Iranian funds for Gulf reconstruction amid faltering ceasefire: Report

US plans to use seized Iranian funds for Gulf reconstruction amid faltering ceasefire: Report

Washington : The US Treasury Department is planning to leverage Iranian assets to assist Gulf allies in rebuilding from destruction inflicted by Tehran's regime during the ongoing war, according to a CBS News report.

A source familiar with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's thinking revealed on Saturday that the department "intends to utilise all available authorities to make Iranian assets accessible for rebuilding and repair efforts related to any future damage inflicted by Iran."

The directive marks a significant shift in how Washington intends to handle frozen foreign capital.

Bessent has instructed officials to obtain detailed financial projections from partner nations in the Gulf regarding the total expenditure required to fix infrastructure hit since the hostilities erupted.

Furthermore, the Treasury is poised to examine whether these seized assets can legally and practically be deployed to fund restorations for destruction that has "already been sustained by Gulf allies during the conflict," the source told CBS News.

Currently, it remains uncertain which specific holdings will be targeted to fund the reconstruction initiatives -- whether liquid funds held in frozen bank accounts or physical property such as oil tankers.

The strategy comes at a delicate time for international diplomacy. During concurrent indirect peace negotiations between Washington and Tehran, Iran has maintained that "any deal would require the lifting of sanctions to allow the release of billions of dollars in Iranian frozen assets abroad."

Since the outbreak of hostilities in late February, Tehran has carried out sporadic drone and missile offensives targeting multiple Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman.

According to the source cited by CBS News, the overarching objective remains holding the regime financially accountable for its regional aggression while alleviating the economic burden on key US security partners in the region.

This contentious asset proposal has materialised at a highly volatile juncture, as the United States and Iran actively trade military strikes despite a nominal ceasefire being in place.

The immediate catalyst for the heightened friction was a pre-dawn operation on Saturday, when US forces launched targeted strikes against Iranian coastal radar installations located in Goruk and on Qeshm Island within the critical Strait of Hormuz.

US Central Command stated that the military action was initiated after intercepting Iranian drones that posed an immediate threat to commercial shipping lanes in the strategic waterway.

In direct retaliation for the radar strikes, Iran fired a barrage of missiles aimed at US military facilities situated in Kuwait and Bahrain. According to Kuwaiti authorities, seven ballistic missiles traversed populated areas, resulting in structural damage but causing no casualties, while Bahrain activated its public warning sirens and instructed citizens to take immediate shelter.

An official statement from Iran's Revolutionary Guard claimed that its strikes successfully targeted American military installations in both Gulf nations, though the US military countered that six of the incoming missiles were intercepted by air defences, while another failed to reach its intended target.

These rapid military exchanges have severely complicated the broader diplomatic tracks, which are already stalled due to Tehran's sweeping demands.

Beyond insisting on the release of USD 24 billion in frozen revenues, an adviser to Iran's supreme leader indicated that securing these funds remains a non-negotiable component of any future peace framework, even as Tehran continues to seek leverage over shipping corridors through the Strait of Hormuz and relief from sanctions affecting its oil exports.

Amid these gridlocked negotiations, Pakistan has attempted to intercede, with Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi travelling to Tehran on Saturday to deliver a special message from Islamabad's leadership to Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.

However, the prospects for a diplomatic breakthrough are further dimmed as the conflict expands across multiple regional fronts, particularly in Lebanon.

An Israeli strike recently hit a military vehicle in the southern region of the country, killing three members of the Lebanese armed forces, including two officers, according to an official statement from the Lebanese army.

This Lebanese front has become deeply intertwined with the wider US-Iran friction, as Tehran has explicitly conditioned any diplomatic progress with Washington on a comprehensive ceasefire involving Israel and Hezbollah, while Israel has signalled its intention to sustain active military operations and preserve its strategic troop deployments.

The security situation has drawn further scrutiny following a separate development in which Lebanese Army Commander General Rudolf Haykal travelled to Pakistan following an invitation from the Pakistani military leadership.

Ultimately, the persistent combat operations spanning from the waters of the Gulf to the borders of Lebanon continue to present severe obstacles for international negotiators attempting to transition the highly volatile ceasefire into a permanent and verifiable peace agreement.

Trump Faces Blow as Republicans Break Ranks to Back Iran War Halt

noreply@blogger.com (AMRIT SIDHU) — Thu, 4 Jun 2026 11:05:05 +0530

Trump Faces Blow as Republicans Break Ranks to Back Iran War Halt

Trump Faces Blow as Republicans Break Ranks to Back Iran War Halt

Reuters

Washington : The Republican-led US House of Representatives approved a resolution on Wednesday to block President Donald Trump from continuing the war against Iran, reflecting growing concern among members of his party about the three-month-old conflict.

The House voted 215 to 208, as four Republicans voted with Democrats in favour of the war powers resolution, which directs Trump to withdraw US troops from Iran unless Congress declares war or authorises the use of military force.

It was the latest setback for Trump in Congress despite his party's slim majorities in both the House and Senate.

For now, the vote is largely symbolic, as legislation must pass the Senate as well as the House to become effective, and there is debate over whether war powers resolutions would be constitutional even if they are approved by Congress.

The vote, nonetheless, reflects unease among some Republicans over Trump’s handling of the conflict and marks a rare bipartisan effort to curb presidential war powers as the war has entered a fourth month.

Three previous war powers resolutions had failed in the House by increasingly slim margins and the chamber's Republican leaders abruptly postponed a vote on this one last month when it looked likely to pass.

The Senate advanced a separate, but similar resolution last month in a procedural vote, after seven previous attempts had failed. Further votes on the Senate measure have not yet been scheduled.

The four House Republicans who voted for the war powers resolution were Representatives Tom Barrett of Michigan, Warren Davidson of Ohio, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Thomas Massie of Kentucky.

No Democrats voted against it. Seven House members did not vote.

Recent pushback against Trump

Trump recently has faced some opposition from members of his party in Congress, after months in which very few Republicans pushed back against his policy initiatives.

Separately on Wednesday, the House approved a procedural motion that clears the way for a vote on the Ukraine Support Act, which would provide security aid to Ukraine as it fights a Russian invasion. The act reached the floor only after a petition reached a 218-signature threshold last month to move ahead.

Six Republicans and one independent who normally votes with Republicans voted in favor of the Ukraine measure.

Republicans recently have revolted against Trump's plans to create a “weaponisation” fund to pay his political allies who said they had been the subject of government abuse.

Republican lawmakers on Wednesday also criticised Trump's pick of loyalist Bill Pulte - a mortgage regulator with no national security experience - to serve as acting director of national intelligence.

Separation of powers

Democrats have called on Trump to come to Congress for authorisation to use military force in the Iran conflict, noting that the US Constitution says only the legislature, not the President, can declare war.

They warned that Trump may have pulled the country into a long conflict without setting out a clear strategy and also railed against higher prices for gasoline, food and other products since the joint U.S.-Israeli air strikes on Iran began on February 28.

“The passage of this WPR today signals a significant turning point: more and more Republicans are listening to their constituents who do not want another open-ended war in the Middle East,” Representative Gregory Meeks, who sponsored the war powers resolution and serves as ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a statement after the vote.

Democrats have made affordability a central theme of their economic message ahead of midterm elections in November that will decide whether Republicans keep control of Congress.

US producer prices posted their biggest increase in four years in April, boosted by soaring costs for goods and services since the war began.

The Trump administration insists that the war on Iran is necessary for US national security, citing an urgent need to prevent the Islamic republic from developing a nuclear weapon.

Republican critics of the war powers resolutions call them political grandstanding by Democrats who want to weaken the United States and score points against Trump.

Delhi Scraps B&B Policy After Fatal Hotel Blaze, Says Kapil Mishra

noreply@blogger.com (AMRIT SIDHU) — Thu, 4 Jun 2026 10:34:42 +0530

Delhi Scraps B&B Policy After Fatal Hotel Blaze, Says Kapil Mishra

Delhi Scraps B&B Policy After Fatal Hotel Blaze, Says Kapil Mishra

PTI

New DELHI : In the wake of the devastating fire at a hotel in south Delhi's Malviya Nagar area that claimed 21 lives on Wednesday, the Delhi government has decided to officially withdraw its Bed and Breakfast policy and review all establishments operating under the scheme, Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra said.

The announcement comes after a massive fire ripped through the Flourish Stay B&B on Wednesday morning, leaving 21 people dead, including 11 foreign nationals, and several injured.

"We are going to officially withdraw the Bed and Breakfast scheme, and all establishments licensed under it will be checked," Mishra told PTI.

"Action would be taken against operators found violating the terms of the licence. If any establishment registered under the scheme is found running more than six rooms, its licence will be cancelled," the minister said.

According to Mishra, Flourish Stay was granted a licence under the B&B scheme in 2024 in the Silver category for six rooms, with validity until 2027.

However, investigators said the hotel was allegedly operating nearly four times beyond its permitted strength and did not possess the mandatory fire safety clearance.

It was allegedly running around 25 rooms, including some in the basement, police sources said.

Explaining the role of the tourism department, Mishra said its responsibility is largely limited to granting and renewing licences and verifying compliance during inspections.

"The owners are required to submit guest records to the local police station every 15 days. The tourism department does not have a role in the day-to-day functioning of these establishments," he said.

The decision to withdraw the policy comes despite the tourism department recently proposing a revamp of the scheme.

Last month, the department released a draft policy proposing several changes to the existing framework. It introduced two categories Gold and Silver with classification based on factors such as room size, furnishings, sanitation standards, guest amenities and safety arrangements, a senior official said.

As of 2023, more than 2,200 rooms across 432 properties in the national capital had been registered under Delhi government's B&B scheme.

Urban planning expert Jagdish Mamgain said the city has witnessed a series of fatal incidents in recent months, raising concerns about enforcement and regulatory oversight.

"In the last one to one-and-a-half years, Delhi has witnessed several deaths due to fire incidents and building collapses. The latest fire tragedy and the building collapse in Saidulajab point to a larger systemic issue that needs attention," he said.

Mamgain, a former chairman of the works committee of the erstwhile unified Municipal Corporation of Delhi, said the frequent incidents suggest gaps in monitoring and enforcement.

"There appears to be a flaw in the system that is directly affecting public safety. The discussion should not be limited to whether the establishment had permission for six rooms or more," he said.

The more important question is how it continued to operate with a valid licence when commercial activities were allegedly being carried out from the basement, which is a violation of norms, he added.

The blaze tore through the hotel allegedly operating without a fire NOC in a congested bylane in Malviya Nagar, killing at least 21 people, including 10 Indians, nine African nationals, and two from Turkmenistan, officials said.

The fire started around 8.30 am and quickly spread through the five-floor narrow building that had only one entry-exit point, permanently sealed windows and a sensor-operated main door, they said.

At least 58 people were rescued and rushed to hospitals where 21 were declared dead, they said.

Fresh Escalation in West Asia: Kuwait Counters Missile and Drone Attacks

noreply@blogger.com (AMRIT SIDHU) — Mon, 1 Jun 2026 12:08:05 +0530

Fresh Escalation in West Asia: Kuwait Counters Missile and Drone Attacks

Fresh Escalation in West Asia: Kuwait Counters Missile and Drone Attacks

ANI

Kuwait City : Tension sparked once again in West Asia even as the US and Iran continue to hedge their bets on a possible peace deal. Kuwait's Army on Monday announced that its air defences were confronting hostile missile and drone attacks, and advised people to adhere to security and safety instructions.

In a post on X the Army said, "The Kuwaiti air defenses are currently confronting hostile missile and drone attacks."

It informed that if explosion sounds are heard, they result from the air defence systems intercepting the hostile attacks."Everyone is requested to adhere to the security and safety instructions issued by the competent authorities", the post concluded.

تتصدى حالياً الدفاعات الجوية الكويتية لهجمات صاروخية وطائرات مسيرة معادية.

تنوه رئاسة الأركان العامة للجيش أن أصوات الانفجارات إن سمعت فهي نتيجة اعتراض منظومات الدفاع الجوي للهجمات المعادية.

يرجى من الجميع التقيد بتعليمات الأمن والسلامة الصادرة عن الجهات المختصة.… pic.twitter.com/TkNLV2Yj4E

— KUWAIT ARMY - الجيش الكويتي (@KuwaitArmyGHQ) June 1, 2026

Earlier on May 28 also the Kuwaiti air defence was engaged in confronting hostile missile and drone attacks.

As the security situation continues to evolve in West Asia and the Gulf region, Kuwait's News Agency (KUNA) reported that the country's Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah held a phone call with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. During which the developments of current events in the region and ways to enhance regional and international security and stability were discussed.

Meanwhile, Iran has restored access to a significant portion of its underground missile infrastructure following months of excavation and repair work, highlighting the "limits to US bombing strategy", which was focused on sealing tunnel entrances, according to a news report by CNN.

As developments follow, US President Donald Trump has requested further amendments to a proposed agreement with Iran aimed at prolonging a ceasefire, CBS News reported.

According to reports, the newest draft incorporates a 60-day cessation of hostilities, measures to unlock the Strait of Hormuz, and a framework to resume negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme. However, an official agreement has not yet been declared.

A high-level White House session held on Friday to reach a "final determination" concluded without any definitive resolution.

Trump signalled that blocking Iran from engineering nuclear armaments continues to be a core element of the potential pact.

"The one guarantee that I have to have is that there will be no nuclear weapons," he asserted during a broadcast interview on Fox News.

The US President further mentioned that he was in "no hurry" to finalise a pact. According to Axios, as cited by CBS News, Trump demanded multiple revisions during the Friday session and has subsequently pushed for additional modifications.

Validating this stance, a White House official stated: "President Trump will only make a deal that is good for America and satisfies his red lines."

As per the CBS News report, the current proposal encompasses the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and tackling the issue of Iran's reserve of highly enriched uranium.

US–Iran Tensions Spike as Trump Rejects Hormuz Deal, Strikes Resume

noreply@blogger.com (AMRIT SIDHU) — Fri, 29 May 2026 11:38:36 +0530

US–Iran Tensions Spike as Trump Rejects Hormuz Deal, Strikes Resume

US–Iran Tensions Spike as Trump Rejects Hormuz Deal, Strikes Resume

Washington : Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated sharply after former US President Donald Trump rejected reports of a potential agreement over the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a fresh wave of military strikes between the two long-time adversaries.

According to multiple reports, both nations carried out retaliatory attacks in and around strategic areas linked to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil shipping route. The escalation comes at a time when diplomatic efforts had hinted at a possible breakthrough aimed at reducing hostilities in the region.

Sources suggested that a deal under discussion involved easing tensions and ensuring the safe passage of oil tankers through the strait. However, Trump publicly dismissed these reports, calling them “inaccurate” and stating that no such agreement was in place. His remarks appeared to undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts and were quickly followed by renewed military action.

Within hours of the statement, explosions were reported near key maritime zones, with both sides accusing each other of initiating the attacks. Iranian officials claimed that US forces targeted defensive installations, while Washington alleged that Iranian-backed units were responsible for strikes on allied assets.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most strategically important chokepoints in the world, with nearly a fifth of global oil supply passing through it. Any disruption in this region has immediate repercussions for global energy markets, often leading to spikes in oil prices and heightened economic uncertainty.

International observers have expressed concern over the rapid deterioration of the situation. Analysts warn that the collapse of even preliminary discussions could push both countries closer to a wider conflict, especially given the fragile state of previous ceasefire understandings.

Meanwhile, global leaders have urged restraint, calling for both sides to return to diplomatic channels. The United Nations has reiterated the importance of maintaining peace in the Gulf region, emphasizing that continued escalation could have far-reaching consequences beyond the Middle East.

Military experts note that the current exchange of strikes appears calibrated rather than full-scale, suggesting that both sides may still be attempting to avoid an all-out war. However, the risk of miscalculation remains high, particularly in such a volatile and heavily militarized zone.

For now, the situation remains fluid, with no immediate signs of de-escalation. Markets, governments, and security agencies worldwide are closely monitoring developments, as the possibility of further conflict looms large.

The latest confrontation highlights how quickly geopolitical tensions can spiral, especially when diplomacy falters. As both nations continue to trade accusations and military actions, the future of stability in the region hangs in the balance.

Tensions Explode: US Bombs Iran Targets Despite Ceasefire

noreply@blogger.com (AMRIT SIDHU) — Tue, 26 May 2026 14:48:54 +0530

Tensions Explode: US Bombs Iran Targets Despite Ceasefire

Tensions Explode: US Bombs Iran Targets Despite Ceasefire

Washington : The US military said Monday that it carried out "self-defence" strikes in southern Iran, including on missile launch sites and boats placing mines, even as President Donald Trump said on social media that negotiations with Tehran were "proceeding nicely."

The strikes were done "to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces," but the military was "using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire," Capt Tim Hawkins, the spokesman for the US military's Central Command, said in a statement.

Further details were not immediately available, including more specifics on the threats from Iran and what this means for negotiations. There was no official response from Iran, which had sent its parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf to Qatar for negotiations over the possible deal with the US.

Qatar, which faced intense attacks from Iran during the war, holds billions of dollars in frozen Iranian funds.

In Iran, the news website Tabnak, believed to be close to former Revolutionary Guard chief Mohsen Rezaei, identified four dead Guard troops it said had been killed in American strikes on boats. Iranian state television separately reported blasts around Bandar Abbas, a city on the Strait of Hormuz home to a military port and a dual-use airport.

The strikes were the latest attacks to shake the weekslong ceasefire in the war. The Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of all crude oil and natural gas traded once passed, remains effectively in Iran's chokehold, disrupting global energy markets.

Trump brings up recognition of Israel

Earlier, Trump said any agreement to end the Iran war should include a requirement for several additional countries, including Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, to join the Abraham Accords, the US-brokered agreements from Trump's first term aimed at normalizing relations with Israel.

The proposal came as the emerging Iran deal faced criticism from fellow Republicans who favour a harder line on Iran, and it could add new diplomatic complications to the negotiations.

Trump pointed to Saudi Arabia and Qatar as countries that should "immediately" sign on. Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates became the first countries to join in 2020, diplomatically recognizing Israel.

He wrote that "after all the work done by the United States to try and pull this very complex puzzle together, it should be mandatory that all of these Countries, at a minimum, simultaneously, sign onto the Abraham Accords."

Trump has long hoped Saudi Arabia would join. Saudi Arabia in particular has for decades called on Israel to return to its 1967 borders and allow the formation of a Palestinian nation with east Jerusalem as its capital. Israel's conduct in the war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip also has alienated Gulf Arab states and the wider Muslim world as well.

Pakistan remains key mediator

Recognition of a Palestinian state also remains key for Pakistan, which is among the countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel.

Islamabad-based analyst Syed Mohammad Ali said Pakistan's position on Israel remains unchanged despite Trump's latest proposal.

The President said he brought up the Abraham Accords plan with leaders during negotiations on Saturday. He said he would accept "one or two" countries declining to sign, but said most should be willing. Egypt and Jordan already formally recognise Israel and have long-standing peace treaties. Turkey first recognised Israel in 1949.

Masood Khan, Pakistan's former ambassador to the United States, said it remains to be seen how workable the proposal might be for the countries on Trump's list.

"The invocation of the Abraham Accords at this stage gives an altogether new dimension to the diplomatic and mediatory processes because this issue was not on the agenda," he said, pointing to the domestic pressure Trump is facing to strike a favourable deal.

Still, Khan said, "the diplomatic track is still working, and I believe Pakistan is very much at the centre of it, supported by regional countries."

It remains unclear when or how any deal with Iran might be completed. Trump suggested even Iran could eventually sign on to the accords, if an agreement is reached.

The accords are a series of diplomatic, economic and security agreements created with US influence during Trump's first term, which also saw Sudan, Morocco, and, more recently, Kazakhstan, join.

Punjab Polls Turn Turbulent: 32% Voting, Congress Candidate Attacked in Raikot

noreply@blogger.com (AMRIT SIDHU) — Tue, 26 May 2026 14:05:48 +0530

Punjab Polls Turn Turbulent: 32% Voting, Congress Candidate Attacked in Raikot

Punjab Polls Turn Turbulent: 32% Voting, Congress Candidate Attacked in Raikot

Ludhiana : Voting for local civic body elections across Punjab witnessed steady participation on polling day, with approximately 32% voter turnout recorded till 12 noon, according to preliminary data released by election authorities. The polling process, which began early in the morning, has largely remained peaceful across most districts, though isolated incidents of violence have raised concerns.

One of the most serious incidents was reported from Raikot, where a candidate belonging to the Indian National Congress was allegedly attacked during polling hours. The candidate sustained injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. Local authorities have confirmed that the situation is now under control, and an investigation into the attack has been initiated.

Officials stated that security arrangements had been tightened in sensitive areas, with additional police forces deployed to prevent disruptions. Despite these measures, sporadic clashes between rival party supporters were reported in a few locations. Election observers are closely monitoring developments to ensure that polling remains free and fair.

Voter turnout in urban areas appeared moderate, while rural regions showed comparatively higher participation during the morning hours. Election officials expressed optimism that the overall turnout would increase significantly as the day progresses, with many voters expected to cast their ballots in the afternoon.

The civic body elections are considered crucial, as they will determine the composition of local governance bodies responsible for municipal administration and development. Political parties have been actively campaigning over the past weeks, focusing on issues such as infrastructure, sanitation, water supply, and local employment.

Leaders from major political parties have urged voters to come out in large numbers and exercise their democratic rights. At the same time, they have condemned the incident in Raikot and called for strict action against those responsible.

Meanwhile, the State Election Commission reiterated its commitment to conducting peaceful elections and warned that any attempt to disrupt the democratic process would be dealt with firmly. Polling is scheduled to continue until the evening, after which the counting of votes will take place as per the official schedule.

As the day unfolds, all eyes remain on voter turnout trends and the overall conduct of the elections, especially in areas marked as sensitive. Authorities continue to appeal for calm and cooperation from the public to ensure a smooth and incident-free electoral process.

Powerful Blast Destroys Railway Track in Balochistan, 20 Injured

noreply@blogger.com (AMRIT SIDHU) — Sun, 24 May 2026 14:13:55 +0530

Powerful Blast Destroys Railway Track in Balochistan, 20 Injured

Powerful Blast Destroys Railway Track in Balochistan, 20 Injured

PTI

Karachi : A powerful explosion ripped through a railway track in Pakistan’s Balochistan province on Sunday, injuring at least 20 people, authorities said.

A train suffered partial damage in the blast, while 10 vehicles parked in the area were also damaged, police said. The impact of the explosion shattered the windows and glass panels of nearby buildings, Geo News reported.

The explosion occurred near Chaman Phatak railway station in Quetta on Sunday.

At least 20 people sustained injuries in the blast, rescue officials said.

The explosion derailed three coaches, including the locomotive, while two coaches overturned, state-run APP reported.

Following the incident, an emergency was declared in government hospitals across Quetta, with doctors and medical staff summoned to handle the situation.

Railway authorities said the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express was stopped at Quetta Railway Station after the blast as a precautionary measure, Geo News reported.

Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi condemned the attack as a cowardly act of terrorism, adding that it would not weaken the nation’s resolve against militancy.

He said hostile forces were involved in malicious activities aimed at spreading unrest and fear in Pakistan.

Slamming terrorists as “enemies of humanity”, the minister asserted they would be “brought to a disgraceful end”.

Babar Yousafzai, the spokesperson to the home minister, said that all relevant institutions have been placed on high alert following an explosion in the city.

He urged the public not to gather near the blast site to ensure safety and allow emergency teams to carry out rescue operations without obstruction.

US Suffers Heavy Blow: 42 Aircraft, Including Jets & Reaper Drones Lost in Iran War

noreply@blogger.com (AMRIT SIDHU) — Wed, 20 May 2026 11:40:49 +0530

US Suffers Heavy Blow: 42 Aircraft, Including Jets & Reaper Drones Lost in Iran War

US Suffers Heavy Blow: 42 Aircraft, Including Jets & Reaper Drones Lost in Iran War

PTI

Washington : At least 42 US aircraft, including fighter jets and drones, were lost or damaged during Operation Epic Fury launched on February 28 targeting Iran, according to an official report.

The number of aircraft damaged or destroyed may remain subject to revision due to multiple factors, including classification, ongoing combat activity, and attribution, said the report by the Congressional Research Service (CRS).

The aircraft losses and damages include four F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets, one F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft, one A-10 Thunderbolt II ground-attack aircraft, seven KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refuelling aircraft, one E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft, two MC-130J Commando II special operations aircraft, one HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter, 24 MQ-9 Reaper drones and one MQ-4C Triton drone.

The CRS, which provides policy and legal analysis to the US Congress and committees, compiled the losses by perusing news reports and statements by the Department of Defence and the US Central Command.

During a hearing of the House Appropriations subcommittee on May 12, Acting Pentagon Comptroller Jules W Hurst III testified that the department's cost estimate for military operations in Iran has increased to USD 29 billion.

"A lot of that increase comes from having a refined estimate on repair or replacement costs for equipment," he said.

At Least 10 Dead as Severe Rainstorm Batters Southern and Central China

noreply@blogger.com (AMRIT SIDHU) — Tue, 19 May 2026 14:29:04 +0530

At Least 10 Dead as Severe Rainstorm Batters Southern and Central China

At Least 10 Dead as Severe Rainstorm Batters Southern and Central China

Reuters

Hong Kong : At least 10 people have lost their lives after relentless heavy rains battered large parts of southern and central China, triggering severe flooding, landslides, and widespread disruption. Authorities have launched emergency rescue operations as the extreme weather continues to affect millions across multiple provinces.

According to local officials, days of torrential rainfall caused rivers to overflow and inundated low-lying areas, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. Streets in several المدن were submerged under water, while transportation networks—including roads and railways—faced major disruptions. Emergency services have been working around the clock to rescue stranded residents and provide relief to those affected.

The worst-hit regions include parts of southern China, where intense downpours led to flash floods and landslides. In central provinces, swelling rivers breached warning levels, increasing the risk of further flooding. Authorities have warned that the situation could worsen if rains continue in the coming days.

Rescue teams, including firefighters and military personnel, have been deployed to the affected areas. Boats and heavy machinery are being used to reach isolated communities cut off by rising water levels. Temporary shelters have been set up for displaced families, providing food, water, and medical assistance.

China’s meteorological department has issued alerts for continued heavy rainfall, urging residents in vulnerable areas to remain cautious. Schools and offices in some regions have been closed as a precautionary measure. Local governments have also strengthened monitoring of dams and reservoirs to prevent potential breaches.

The heavy rains have also caused significant damage to infrastructure and agriculture. Farmlands have been submerged, raising concerns about crop losses and economic impact. Power outages have been reported in several المناطق, adding to the challenges faced by rescue teams and residents.

Experts say that extreme weather events like these are becoming more frequent and intense, highlighting the growing impact of climate change. In recent years, China has experienced a series of devastating floods during the monsoon season, prompting authorities to invest heavily in disaster management and flood control systems.

Despite these efforts, the scale of the current disaster has overwhelmed local resources in some areas. Volunteers and humanitarian organizations have joined rescue efforts, providing support to affected communities.

As the situation continues to evolve, authorities are urging people to stay informed through official channels and avoid traveling to high-risk areas. The focus remains on saving lives, providing relief to survivors, and preventing further casualties as China battles yet another extreme weather crisis.

Further updates are expected as rescue operations continue and the full extent of the damage becomes clearer.

Stray Dogs Must Be Removed from Streets: Supreme Court Takes Tough Stand on Bite Cases

noreply@blogger.com (AMRIT SIDHU) — Tue, 19 May 2026 14:07:00 +0530

Stray Dogs Must Be Removed from Streets: Supreme Court Takes Tough Stand on Bite Cases

Stray Dogs Must Be Removed from Streets: Supreme Court Takes Tough Stand on Bite Cases

PTI

New Delhi : The right to live with dignity encompasses the right to move freely without the threat of harm from dog bite attacks, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday while dismissing pleas seeking a recall of its earlier order on the relocation and sterilisation of stray canines.

"The court cannot remain oblivious to harsh ground realities where children, international travellers and old age people have fallen victim to dog bite incidents," a bench of Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and N V Anjaria said in response to the petitions by animal rights activists and others.

The court also issued a slew of directions to states, union territories and other statutory bodies to augment infrastructure to deal with stray dogs.

On November 7 last year, the court took note of the "alarming rise" in dog-bite incidents in areas such as educational institutions, hospitals and railway stations and directed that stray dogs be relocated to designated shelters after sterilisation and vaccination. Stray dogs picked up shall not be released back to their original place, the court said.

On Tuesday, the apex court rejected petitions challenging the validity of SOPs on dealing with stray animals issued by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI). It observed that there has been a "discernible absence" of sustained efforts on the part of states and UTs to build infrastructure to deal with the rising population of stray dogs.

Implementation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) framework, it said, remains largely sporadic, underfunded and uneven across jurisdictions. The framework includes sterilisation, vaccination, sheltering, and overall scientific management of state arms. Prolonged inaction coupled with the absence of institutional commitment to the effective implementation of the ABC framework has led to aggravation of the problem, which has now assumed dimensions "warranting urgent and systemic intervention", the apex court said.

"The right to live with dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution of India necessarily encompasses the right of every citizen to move freely and access public spaces without living under a constant apprehension of physical harm, attack, or exposure to life-threatening events, such as dog bites in public areas," the court ruled. "The state cannot remain a passive spectator where preventable threats to human life continue to proliferate in the face of statutory mechanisms specifically designed to address them," it added.

States and union territories, it stressed, are under continued constitutional obligation to ensure the protection of the fundamental right to life and safety of citizens under Article 21a.

"This obligation is not very passive in nature, but casts an affirmative duty upon the states and union territories to take all necessary and effective measures to prevent conditions that pose a threat to public safety, health, and well-being," the bench directed.

The failure to adopt a proactive, structured, and sustained approach to the problem has resulted in a "largely reactive and crisis-driven response necessitated by the escalation of the problem rather than its prevention", the court said.

Such an approach is neither efficient nor capable of yielding durable resolutions, particularly in a matter involving public health, human safety and ecological balance.

The bench said in its three-part order that after reserving judgment on January 29 in the present matter, it has been informed of multiple reports indicating that the incidence of dog bites and stray dog attacks continue to occur across the country with alarming frequency and severity.

It also referred to media reports on dog bite incidents in Rajasthan and other places and said they highlighted deeply disturbing incidents in which young children suffered previous injuries, including mauling of the faces and limbs by the street dogs.

"Such incidents not only endanger the safety and dignity of the citizens and visitors, but also adversely affect public confidence in civic administration and in urban governance. The whole set of figures reveal staggering dimensions of the problemâ€¦ the harm caused by such incidents is not mainly statistical in nature but has great human societal and public health consequencesâ€¦," the bench said.

Continued non-compliance and non-implementation of the directions issued by the apex court and thereafter by the jurisdictional high court, "shall be viewed seriously".

In November last year, the court directed authorities to ensure the removal of all cattle and other stray animals from the state highways, national highways and expressways.

The top court is hearing a suo motu case, initiated on July 28 last year, over a media report on stray dog bites leading to rabies, particularly among children, in the national capital.

Mid-Air Collision at US Air Show; Fighter Jet Crews Eject Safely

noreply@blogger.com (AMRIT SIDHU) — Mon, 18 May 2026 13:51:02 +0530

Mid-Air Collision at US Air Show; Fighter Jet Crews Eject Safely

Mid-Air Collision at US Air Show; Fighter Jet Crews Eject Safely

Boise : All four crew members ejected safely after two Navy jets collided and crashed Sunday during an air show at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in western Idaho, officials said.

The collision involved two US Navy EA18-G Growlers from the Electronic Attack Squadron 129 in Whidbey Island, Washington, said Cmdr Amelia Umayam, spokesperson for Naval Air Forces, US Pacific Fleet.

The aircraft were performing an aerial demonstration when the crash occurred, Umayam said in a statement. The four crew members from both jets safely ejected, and the crash was under investigation, she said.

The crew members were in stable condition, base officials said.

Nobody at the military base was hurt, said Kim Sykes, marketing director with Silver Wings of Idaho, which helped to plan the air show.

“Everyone is safe, and I think that’s the most important thing,” Sykes said.

Planes fell to the ground together

The base said in a social media post that it was locked down immediately following the crash. The remainder of the air show was cancelled.

Videos posted online by spectators showed four parachutes opening in the sky as the aircraft plummeted to the ground near the base about 50 miles (80 kilometres) south of Boise.

The EA-18G Growler is a variant of the F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet with sophisticated electronic warfare systems.

Shane Ogden said he was filming the two jets as they came close together. A video he captured shows the two aircraft appear to make contact and then spin in tandem as the crew members eject and their parachutes open. The planes then fall together, exploding into a fireball upon impact as the crew members drift to the ground nearby.

“I was just filming thinking they were going to split apart, and that happened, and I filmed the rest,” Ogden said in a text message. He said he left soon after the crash because he did not want to get in the way of emergency responders.

Organisers said the popular air show that includes flying demonstrations and parachute jumps is a celebration of aviation history and a look at modern military capabilities. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration squadron headlined the show both days.

The National Weather Service reported good visibility and winds gusting up to 29 mph (47 kph) around the time of the crash.

Little room for error

It was remarkable that both crews were able to eject from their planes, and aviation safety expert Jeff Guzzetti said that may have been possible because of the way the planes collided and appeared to remain stuck together in midair before falling to Earth. Crews usually don’t have a chance to eject in a midair collision, he said.

“It’s really striking to see,” Guzzetti said. “It looks like they struck each other in a very unique fashion to cause them to remain intact and kind of stick to each other, and that very well could have saved them.”

“It appears to be a pilot issue to me. It doesn’t look like it was a mechanical malfunction,” he added. “Rendezvousing with another aeroplane in formation flight is challenging, and it has to be done just right to prevent exactly this kind of thing.”

Aviation safety expert John Cox, who is CEO of Safety Operating Systems, said the pilots who perform at air shows are among the best, but there is little room for error.

“Air show flying is demanding. It has very little tolerance,” Cox said. “The people who do it are very good, and it’s a small margin for error. I’m glad everybody was able to get out.”

This year’s Gunfighter Skies event was the first at the base since 2018, when a hang glider pilot died in a crash during an air show performance.

In 2003, a Thunderbirds aircraft crashed while attempting a manoeuvre. The pilot, who was not hurt, was able to steer the plane away from the crowd and eject less than a second before it hit the ground.

The air show industry has been working to improve safety for years at the roughly 200 events held each year in the US. The last fatal crash at an air show came in 2022 when two vintage military planes collided at an event in Dallas and killed six people.

An average of 3.8 deaths a year occurred at US air shows from 1991 to 2006, said John Cudahy, president and CEO of the International Council of Air Shows. That fatality rate has been improving, and since 2017, there have been an average of 1.1 deaths per year, even including the 2022 crash. There were no US air show deaths in 2023 or 2025, and a spectator hasn’t been killed at an air show in the US since 1952.

“Safety-wise, we’ve enjoyed really an unprecedented term of few accidents,” Cudahy said.

Investigators may be able to quickly get an idea of what happened in Sunday’s crash because the crews of both planes survived and will be able to tell investigators what they saw and experienced before the collision. The Navy will lead the investigation, so there won’t be as much information shared publicly as in civilian crashes.

The Iran war has led to the cancellation of some air shows this year at bases where military units are flying missions related to the conflict.

Gujarat Accident: Four Killed, 10 Hurt as Bus Goes Up in Flames Post Collision

noreply@blogger.com (AMRIT SIDHU) — Thu, 14 May 2026 11:27:39 +0530

Gujarat Accident: Four Killed, 10 Hurt as Bus Goes Up in Flames Post Collision

Gujarat Accident: Four Killed, 10 Hurt as Bus Goes Up in Flames Post Collision

PTI

Surendranagar : Four passengers were charred to death and 10 others suffered burn injuries when a bus caught fire after crashing into a tanker in Gujarat’s Surendranagar district in the wee hours of Thursday, officials said.

The incident occurred at around 1.30 am near Sangani village on the Chotila-Rajkot National Highway, Deputy Superintendent of Police SS Bhadoriya said.

The private luxury bus was going towards Rajkot from Ahmedabad when it collided with an asphalt-laden tanker moving ahead of it. After the collision near Chotila, the bus caught fire.

There were around 40 passengers in the bus, and several of them were rescued, Bhadoriya said.

were burnt alive in the collision between the private bus and the tanker filled with asphalt,” Deputy Collector HT Makwana said.

Ten persons suffered injuries in the incident, according to the police.

The injured persons were referred to Rajkot civil hospital, and the bodies were shifted to Chotila referral hospital for postmortem, Makwana said.

After being alerted, a firefighting team rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control.

Global Focus on Trump-Xi LIVE: Trade Disputes and Tech Race Intensify

noreply@blogger.com (AMRIT SIDHU) — Thu, 14 May 2026 11:02:37 +0530

Global Focus on Trump-Xi LIVE: Trade Disputes and Tech Race Intensify

Global Focus on Trump-Xi LIVE: Trade Disputes and Tech Race Intensify

Reuters

Beijing : US President Donald Trump called China's Xi Jinping a great leader and a friend as they kicked off two days of talks on Thursday set to cover their fragile trade truce, the Iran war and US arms sales to Taiwan.

With his approval ratings dented by his entanglement in the Middle East, Trump's hotly anticipated trip to China - the first by a US president to America's main strategic rival since his last visit there in 2017 - has taken on added significance.

Joining him on the trip are a group of CEOs looking to resolve issues with China, including Elon Musk and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, a late addition. Trump has said his first request to Xi will be to "open up" China to US industry.

=The pomp-filled summit began at Beijing's imposing Great Hall of the People where Xi greeted Trump on the red carpet, with the leaders shaking hands and smiling warmly.

Chinese troops goose-stepped to revolutionary anthems in front of the visiting US President, while schoolchildren waving American and Chinese flags cheered as the two leaders strolled past, Trump occasionally patting Xi on the back.

“You're a great leader, sometimes people don’t like me saying it, but I say it anyway,” Trump told Xi as they sat across from each other, flanked by their delegations.

“There are those who say this may be the biggest summit ever ... It's an honour to be with you. It's an honour to be your friend and the relationship between China and the USA is going to be better than ever before,” Trump said.

Xi told Trump: “Each country's success represents an opportunity for the other, and a stable China-US relationship benefits the entire world. When we cooperate, both sides benefit; when we confront each other, both sides suffer.”

Power dynamics have shifted

The power dynamic has shifted since Trump's last visit to Beijing when China went out of its way to lavish Trump and buy billions in US goods, said Ali Wyne, senior adviser for US-China relations at International Crisis Group.

Back then “China was trying to persuade the United States of its growing status... This time around it's the United States, unprompted, of its own volition, that is acknowledging that status,” Wyne said, pointing out Trump revived the term 'G2', referring to a superpower duo, when he last met Xi on the sidelines of an APEC meeting in South Korea in October.

This week's meetings will provide plenty of face time between the leaders: they are scheduled to hold talks at The Great Hall of the People, tour the UNESCO heritage site Temple of Heaven and attend a state banquet on Thursday, before taking tea and lunch together on Friday, according to the White House.

Trump enters the talks with a weakened hand.

US courts have hemmed in his ability to levy tariffs at will on exports from China and other countries. The Iran war has also boosted inflation at home and escalated the risk that Trump's Republican Party will lose control of one or both legislative branches in November's midterm elections.

Though the Chinese economy has faltered, Xi does not face comparable economic or political pressure.

Nevertheless, both sides are eager to maintain a trade truce struck last October in which Trump suspended triple-digit tariffs on Chinese goods and Xi backed away from choking global supplies of rare earths, vital in making items from electric cars to weapons. They are also expected to discuss forums to support mutual trade and investment and dialogue on AI issues.

Washington looks to sell Boeing airplanes, farm goods and energy to China to cut a trade deficit that has long irked Trump, while Beijing wants the US to ease curbs on exports of chipmaking equipment and advanced semiconductors, officials involved in the planning said.

Aside from trade matters, Trump is expected to encourage China to convince Tehran to make a deal with Washington to end the conflict. But analysts doubt that Xi will be willing to push Tehran hard or end support for its military, given Iran's value to Beijing as a strategic counterweight to the US.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News aboard Air Force One that it was in China's interest to help resolve the crisis as many of its ships are stuck in the Gulf and a slowdown in the global economy would hurt Chinese exporters.

US arms sales to Taiwan in focus

For Xi, US arms sales to Taiwan, the democratically governed island claimed by China, will be a top priority.

China reiterated on Wednesday its strong opposition to the sales, with the status of a $14-billion package awaiting Trump's approval still unclear. The US is bound by law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, despite a lack of formal diplomatic ties.

“Trump doesn't really have that many of the cards to play. But I don't think that Trump actually sees the situation that way,” said Ronan Fu, an assistant research fellow at Taiwan's top government think tank Academia Sinica.

“I don't think that Trump is going to just let Beijing basically ask for whatever they want and then the US will make any concession that Beijing requests.”

Xi has a reciprocal visit tentatively planned for later this year, which would be his first visit to the United States since Trump re-took office in 2025.

Mid-Air Scare Ends Safely: Turkish Airlines Jet Catches Fire While Landing in Nepal

noreply@blogger.com (AMRIT SIDHU) — Mon, 11 May 2026 11:37:00 +0530

Mid-Air Scare Ends Safely: Turkish Airlines Jet Catches Fire While Landing in Nepal

Mid-Air Scare Ends Safely: Turkish Airlines Jet Catches Fire While Landing in Nepal

PTI

Kathmandu : A Turkish Airlines jet caught fire while landing at Nepal’s main airport on Monday, causing no reported injuries but forcing the airport to shut down.

The flight from Istanbul landed at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport with fire and smoke on the right landing gear. Emergency crew responded and controlled the fire and passengers were safely evacuated, according to airport officials.

The airport was shut down on Monday morning.

There were 277 passengers on board the Airbus 330 jet.

Several planes bound for Kathmandu were put on hold while officials were investigating and attempting to clear the only runway available at the airport.

Nepal experiences relatively frequent plane crashes as its mountainous terrain and variable weather make flying conditions difficult.

In 2015, a Turkish Airlines jet landing in dense fog in Kathmandu skidded off a slippery runway shutting down the airport for several days.

No injuries were reported, and the plane was later towed out of the airport and converted into a museum.