Category: World

Jerusalem | Israel’s parliament has approved a record national budget following an intense overnight session, securing the coalition government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu through the remainder of its current term, expected to last until the fall. The vote was finalized just ahead of a crucial April 1 deadline, averting the automatic trigger of early elections. While the immediate political crisis has been avoided, Netanyahu retains the option to call elections earlier if circumstances change. Opposition Slams Spending Priorities The budget has sparked strong criticism from opposition leaders, who argue…

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Brussels |Energy ministers from across the European Union are set to convene for a key virtual meeting on Tuesday to formulate a coordinated response to recent disruptions in global oil and gas markets, driven largely by rising tensions involving Iran. The high-level discussions aim to assess the evolving energy landscape and identify collective measures to safeguard supply stability and protect member states from market volatility. Focus on Collective Strategy According to officials familiar with the agenda, the meeting will center on enhancing coordination among EU nations to address tightening oil…

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Kabul | Afghanistan has intensified its diplomatic outreach across the region as overlapping geopolitical tensions—from the United States–Iran standoff to strained ties with Pakistan—continue to reshape the regional landscape. Kabul Engages Iran on Regional Crisis In Kabul, Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi held talks with Iran’s envoy to review bilateral ties and assess the evolving situation in West Asia. The Iranian side outlined its position on recent hostilities, attributing the escalation to external factors. Muttaqi expressed concern over the intensifying conflict, warning that further escalation could destabilize not only…

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Pyongyang | North Korea has conducted a successful test of a high-capacity solid-fuel missile engine, a development that is likely to heighten global security concerns, particularly in the United States and its allied nations. According to state media Korean Central News Agency, the test involved a powerful new engine designed to enhance the country’s ballistic missile capabilities. Leader Kim Jong Un personally oversaw the ground-based jet test, underscoring its strategic importance. Significant Boost in Missile Capability Reports indicate that the newly tested engine has a thrust capacity of approximately 2,500 kilotons,…

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Karachi | Pakistan’s attempt to position itself as a mediator in easing tensions between the United States and Iran suffered a setback after a high-level diplomatic meeting in Islamabad ended prematurely without any concrete outcome. The two-day conference, scheduled for March 29–30, concluded within a single day, reflecting deep divisions among participating nations and the absence of a unified strategy. Foreign ministers from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt attended the meeting, which aimed to establish a framework for facilitating dialogue between Washington and Tehran. No Consensus on Roadmap Diplomatic sources indicated…

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Beirut | A rapidly intensifying conflict in the Middle East has triggered a deepening humanitarian and geopolitical crisis, with more than one million people displaced in Lebanon amid escalating clashes and cross-border hostilities. Tensions linked to Iran have expanded into a wider regional confrontation, impacting global oil markets and security dynamics. Airstrikes and ground operations have intensified, particularly in Lebanon, where fighting between Israel and the Hezbollah has worsened conditions on the ground. A United Nations peacekeeper has also been killed, raising concerns over the safety of international missions. Global Oil…

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New Delhi: Amid escalating geopolitical conflicts and rising global instability, concerns are being voiced over the effectiveness of international institutions and major powers, with critics pointing to the role of the United Nations and the United States in shaping the current global crisis. In a strongly worded opinion, writer Sita Ram Sharma “Chetan” argues that institutional inefficiency, administrative inaction, and structural weaknesses in global governance systems have contributed significantly to ongoing conflicts and instability worldwide. Questions Over Effectiveness of the United Nations The critique highlights that the United Nations, originally…

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Dhaka: As Bangladesh marks its Independence Day, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has voiced concerns over what she described as renewed attempts by anti-independence groups to undermine the core values established during the 1971 Liberation War. In a statement shared through the Awami League’s official channels, Hasina said the nation is navigating a crucial period. While Bangladesh has made significant progress in recent years, she warned that certain groups—allegedly influenced by both domestic and foreign actors—are working to distort the principles of independence that have guided the country since its…

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Tehran: Iran is reportedly preparing a draft bill that would require vessels to pay a fee for secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints. The proposed legislation is aimed at formally asserting Iran’s sovereignty and control over the waterway while generating additional revenue for the country. According to semi-official reports, the bill is expected to be finalized next week, marking a legal codification of Iran’s authority over the strait, which connects major Persian Gulf oil and gas producers to global markets. A…

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Tehran:  In a significant escalation in the ongoing US-Iran tensions, Alireza Tangsiri, the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, has reportedly been killed in a strike in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint. Details of the strike, including its perpetrators and full circumstances, remain unconfirmed. Tangsiri, appointed IRGC Navy chief in August 2018 by Iran’s then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, was a key figure in regulating operations through the strategic strait and had overseen strikes against US naval assets, including the USS Abraham Lincoln. He also…

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