Palestinians condemn Israeli minister’s call for West Bank annexation
Palestinians have rejected Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s call to annex the majority of the occupied West Bank, warning it would eliminate the possibility of a future Palestinian state and escalate regional tensions. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry denounced Smotrich’s remarks as a “direct
Trump cites secondary sanctions on India as proof of tough Russia stance
US President Donald Trump has pointed to secondary sanctions on India as evidence of his administration’s tough stance against Russia, amid criticism of his approach to Moscow. Speaking at a joint press conference with Polish President Karol Nawrocki, Trump dismissed suggestions of inaction,
Sudan rejects US claims of chemical weapons use in Khartoum
Sudan has firmly denied US allegations of chemical weapons use in its capital Khartoum, releasing a government report that found no evidence of toxic or radiological contamination. The Federal Ministry of Health said on Wednesday that extensive field tests, medical records, and forensic
US judge rules Harvard funding freeze by Trump administration unlawful
A US federal judge has ruled in favor of Harvard University in its lawsuit against the Trump administration, declaring that the federal government’s freeze on billions in research funding was unlawful and politically motivated. The case centered on the $2.2 billion in multi-year
Ex-Indian envoy Mohan Kumar debunks Trump’s ‘India tariff king’ claim
Former Indian Ambassador to France and leading trade expert Mohan Kumar has pushed back against the Trump administration’s recurring claim that India is the “tariff king,” arguing that the perception is misleading and not supported by data. In a Newsweek article titled “Is
Indian envoy meets US lawmaker Gregory Meeks as Trump tariffs strain ties
India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Kwatra, met with Representative Gregory Meeks, the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, on Wednesday to discuss bilateral ties amid growing trade tensions under President Donald Trump. In a post on X, the House
Israel rejects Hamas ceasefire proposal, insists on its own terms to end Gaza war
Israel has rejected a new ceasefire proposal from Hamas, reaffirming that the war in Gaza will end only under conditions set by Tel Aviv. In a statement on Wednesday, Hamas reiterated its readiness for a “comprehensive deal” that would include the release of
UNGA marks International Day against Nuclear Tests, urges global ban
The UN General Assembly (UNGA) on Wednesday commemorated the International Day against Nuclear Tests, calling for renewed commitment to global disarmament and a world free of nuclear weapons. Speaking on behalf of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Izumi Nakamitsu, UN Undersecretary-General and High Representative
Trump orders strike on Venezuelan drug vessel, Rubio calls it start of cartel crackdown
US President Donald Trump has escalated Washington’s fight against drug cartels by ordering the destruction of a Venezuelan vessel suspected of smuggling narcotics in the Caribbean, killing 11 people on board. Speaking in Mexico City on Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended
GST reforms to benefit middle class and farmers, says FM Sitharaman
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said that the latest Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms are not only about rationalising rates but represent “structural” changes that will directly benefit farmers, healthcare, and the middle class. Briefing the media after the 56th GST
Asia Cup Hockey: India held 2-2 by Korea in Super 4s opener
India’s winning streak at the Men’s Asia Cup 2025 came to a halt on Wednesday as Korea held them to a 2-2 draw in their opening Super 4s encounter in Rajgir. Hardik Singh (8’) gave India an early lead with a brilliant solo
GST 2.0: What gets cheaper and costlier from September 22 under new tax slabs
The GST Council on Wednesday cleared a landmark reform to India’s indirect tax system by rationalising rates into two main slabs — 5% and 18% — with the changes set to take effect from September 22. The move is expected to make a
Trump calls India-US trade ties ‘one-sided,’ slams high tariffs on American exports
US President Donald Trump has once again criticized India’s trade practices, calling the bilateral economic relationship “one-sided” and accusing New Delhi of imposing some of the highest tariffs in the world on American goods. “We get along with India very well. But India,
Former UK official slams White House advisor Navarro’s anti-India remarks as ‘shameful’
Edward Price, a former British official and political economist, has sharply criticized White House Senior Advisor Peter Navarro’s recent remarks on India, branding them a “shame” and an insult to diplomacy. In an interview with IANS, Price said Navarro’s attempt to “instruct” India
US federal judge rules Trump’s use of troops in Los Angeles illegal under Posse Comitatus Act
A US federal judge has ruled that President Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles in June was illegal, citing a violation of the 1878 Posse Comitatus Act. Judge Charles Breyer of the US District Court for the
Singapore PM Lawrence Wong pays homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat during India visit
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, on a three-day official visit to India, paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi by laying a wreath at Raj Ghat on Wednesday. The visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of India-Singapore diplomatic relations, underlining the strong historical and strategic
Brazil’s Lula says Bolsonaro must get fair trial in coup attempt case
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has said that his predecessor Jair Bolsonaro is entitled to a fair trial in the ongoing coup attempt case. Bolsonaro, accused of trying to overturn the 2022 election results to stay in power, could face up
Pakistan turns to US after setbacks with China’s weapons and CPEC: Report
Pakistan is increasingly leaning toward the United States after being left disappointed by China’s military equipment and the debt-heavy China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), according to a new report. Citing a Maldives Insight analysis, the report noted that Beijing has saddled Islamabad with unsustainable
India-Germany ties steady and growing in substance, says Jaishankar
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Wednesday described India-Germany ties as “enormously important,” stressing that the relationship is steady, predictable, and growing in substance at a time of global uncertainties. Speaking alongside visiting German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul after talks in New