देश-विदेश

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    Cross-party US legislators introduce resolution demanding prompt elections in Caracas

    ByJustpaste.in

    A bipartisan group of US senators has introduced a resolution urging the swift organisation of free, transparent elections in Venezuela. The measure comes seven months after the American intervention that removed former President Nicolas Maduro and placed Vice President Delcy Rodriguez in charge as acting president. Spearheaded by Republican Senator Ted Cruz and Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the proposal demands the immediate release of political detainees and measures to protect political figures from violence or state retribution. The resolution highlights growing Congressional dissatisfaction with the current diplomatic stance of the White House, which lawmakers argue has failed to move the interim administration in Caracas toward establishing democratic processes. The action arrives as formal talks between the interim government and select opposition factions prepare to open without the inclusion of prominent opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado. Machado, currently living in exile following post-election repression, has signaled intentions to return home to assist with national recovery following severe earthquakes, despite reluctance from Washington officials who argue her return could destabilise the fragile political environment. Senatorial leadership emphasised that restoring elected governance remains vital to regional security, cross-border cooperation, and international democratic norms.

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    US, Iran and Oman near interim Strait of Hormuz ag…

    ByJustpaste.in

    WASHINGTON: A breakthrough agreement aimed at reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz could be announced as early as Wednesday, with the United States, Iran and Oman reportedly nearing a temporary deal designed to restore maritime traffic and reinforce the fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran. According to a report by the US news website Axios, citing two regional sources and a US official, negotiations have reached their final stage after weeks of intensive diplomacy. The agreement is expected to provide a 60-day interim framework that could later be extended if both sides remain committed to its terms. Under the proposed arrangement, ships entering the Persian Gulf would travel through the northern shipping lane under Iranian oversight, while vessels leaving for the Arabian Sea would use the southern lane within Omani waters, coordinated in consultation with Iran. During the interim period, no tolls or transit fees would be imposed on commercial shipping. The deal also includes a commitment to clear naval mines from the central navigation channel within 30 days. Once the route is declared safe, it is expected to become the primary passage for two-way maritime traffic under a longer-term management framework jointly coordinated by Iran and Oman. The reported agreement would address some of Iran’s longstanding demands for a greater role in managing navigation through the strategic waterway, one of the world’s most important energy corridors through which a significant share of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports passes. Regional diplomatic efforts played a crucial role in bringing the parties closer to an understanding. Sources familiar with the talks said officials from Qatar, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia supported mediation efforts alongside Oman, while the White House remained actively involved throughout the negotiations. The report added that US envoy Steve Witkoff, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi held several telephone discussions in recent days to finalize outstanding issues. Regional sources said Araghchi had agreed to the proposal in principle over the weekend, pending approval from Iran’s senior leadership and the Supreme National Security Council. A US official and another regional source indicated that Tehran completed its approval process on Tuesday, clearing the way for a formal announcement. If confirmed, the agreement could ease tensions in the Gulf, reduce risks to global energy supplies, and revive broader diplomatic efforts, including discussions on Iran’s nuclear programme and long-term regional stability.

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    Brasilia reduces diplomatic presence in Buenos Aires following verbal attacks by Argentine leadership

    ByJustpaste.in

    Brazil has formally downgraded its diplomatic representation in Argentina to the level of chargé d’affaires following renewed verbal insults directed by Argentine President Javier Milei toward Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Brazilian Ambassador Julio Bitelli will not be returning to his post in Buenos Aires. The decision was triggered after Milei referred to the Brazilian head of state using derogatory terms, including calling him corrupt and an ex-convict, during a television interview with Argentine broadcaster LN+. Bitelli had initially been recalled late last month after Milei openly criticized Lula while appearing in São Paulo alongside opposition candidate Flavio Bolsonaro during the formal launch of his presidential campaign. Argentine Ambassador Daniel Raimondi was officially notified of the administrative downgrade in Brasília. The move marks a formal escalation in the deteriorating relations between South America’s two largest economies, whose leaders have not held a formal bilateral summit since Milei assumed office.

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    Türkiye condemns Black Sea drone strikes on cargo…

    ByJustpaste.in

    ISTANBUL: Türkiye has strongly condemned drone attacks on two commercial cargo vessels in the Black Sea, warning that continued assaults on civilian shipping could jeopardize international maritime trade and global food security. According to international media reports, the vessels were attacked shortly after departing Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk. Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that several crew members were injured in the incidents and said their condition is being closely monitored. In a statement, the ministry expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea, noting that repeated warnings about the risks to civilian navigation have gone unheeded. It stressed that disruptions to commercial shipping could have serious consequences for global trade routes and food supply chains. Ankara urged all parties involved in the conflict to take immediate and effective measures to safeguard freedom of navigation and ensure the safety of commercial vessels operating in the region. Reports identified the targeted ships as Yasir and Nadezhda, sailing under the flags of Panama and Cameroon, respectively. Although registered abroad, both vessels are reportedly owned by Turkish companies. The attacks come amid a steady rise in hostilities across the Black Sea, where commercial shipping has increasingly been caught in the crossfire of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In late June, an attack near Crimea on a Turkish fishing boat left one person dead and four others injured, while another Turkish cargo ship was reportedly struck by a drone at the end of May. Meanwhile, separate security incidents have further heightened regional tensions. In the Russian-controlled Crimean city of Sevastopol, four people, including a soldier, were killed after a serviceman allegedly opened fire on both military personnel and civilians before being taken into custody. Authorities have launched an investigation into the motive behind the shooting. Elsewhere, Russian officials reported that a Ukrainian drone strike on the industrial area of Novoselki near Moscow killed five people and injured ten others. The attack also triggered multiple fires across the industrial zone. Analysts say the intensifying military activity in the Black Sea is increasing the risks to international commerce, energy transportation, and global food supplies, while further complicating efforts to ease the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

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    New Delhi distances itself from scheduled online talk by ousted Bangladeshi leader Sheikh Hasina

    ByJustpaste.in

    The Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi has formally clarified that the Indian government maintains no connection to or responsibility for an upcoming online address by former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Officials confirmed that the press gathering is an entirely independent initiative arranged by a private press entity. The official statement came following direct enquiries from diplomatic authorities in Dhaka seeking clarity regarding New Delhi’s position. Sheikh Hasina, the ousted head of the Bangladesh Awami League, is scheduled to deliver a remote address on 5 August during an international media event hosted by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia in New Delhi. The date coincides with the second anniversary of the mass student-led demonstrations that brought an end to her administration in 2024. Addressing the matter during a press briefing, an official spokesperson for the Indian foreign ministry emphasized that the gathering is strictly a private affair organised by the media body, adding that the state framework remains wholly unassociated with its coordination or proceedings.

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    Kyiv rocked by massive Russian missile and drone assault

    ByJustpaste.in

    More than 30 explosions shook Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, during a fresh wave of Russian missile and drone attacks, according to Russian media reports. The strikes triggered large fires in several parts of the city, with thick smoke rising over parts of the capital as emergency crews rushed to contain the damage. Initial reports confirmed that at least one person lost their life, while five others suffered injuries. Authorities also activated air raid sirens across Kyiv and its surrounding suburbs, warning residents to seek shelter as the attacks continued. The latest assault caused significant disruption across the city and raised concerns about damage to civilian infrastructure. Emergency responders remained on the ground to extinguish fires, assist the injured, and assess the full extent of the destruction. Russian media claimed that Moscow’s forces used advanced precision-guided missiles and drones during the operation. The reports also stated that Ukraine’s air defense systems failed to intercept several of the incoming weapons, allowing multiple strikes to reach their intended targets. Ukrainian authorities have not immediately commented on those claims. The attack marks another escalation in the ongoing conflict, as both sides continue to exchange long-range strikes while fighting persists on several fronts.

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    Iran says it is ready for war again

    ByJustpaste.in

    Iran has claimed that it has significantly strengthened its military and defense capabilities during the ceasefire with the United States, warning that its armed forces are fully prepared if diplomacy fails and hostilities resume. Speaking to Iranian state television, a military spokesperson said the armed forces used every moment of the ceasefire to reinforce the country’s defenses. According to the spokesperson, Iran upgraded existing weapons, developed new air defense systems, restored facilities damaged during the conflict, and accelerated work on advanced military technologies. The spokesperson also revealed that Iran deployed a new generation of drones during the recent conflict. While officials did not disclose technical details, they said more information about the drones will be released at a later stage. According to Arab media reports, Iran’s acting defense minister said missile and drone production continued without interruption throughout the ceasefire. He claimed that drone manufacturing has increased to nearly three times its pre-war level, reflecting Tehran’s efforts to rapidly rebuild and expand its military capabilities. The acting defense minister also stated that the Iranian armed forces maintained their command structure despite the deaths of several senior military commanders. He added that revised battlefield strategies enabled Iranian forces to surprise their opponents during the conflict. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Iran improved both the production speed and accuracy of its missile program during the ceasefire. However, officials declined to reveal the size of the country’s remaining weapons stockpiles or provide details about military losses suffered during the fighting. Several U.S. media outlets have also reported that Iran still possesses roughly 70 percent of its pre-war missile inventory and about 40 percent of its drone arsenal. Analysts believe those remaining capabilities could allow Tehran to sustain a prolonged campaign of asymmetric warfare if tensions escalate again. Arab media further reported that Iran could soon receive around 400 shoulder-fired air defense missile systems manufactured in China. However, both China and Pakistan have rejected those reports, while Iranian authorities have not issued any official comment on the claim. A former Iranian military commander also argued that thousands of U.S. and Israeli strikes failed to eliminate Iran’s military capabilities. He said the country continues to improve the range, precision, and destructive power of its domestically produced missiles while bringing newly developed weapons from underground missile and drone facilities into operational service. The latest statements highlight Iran’s determination to strengthen its military readiness despite international pressure, while also signaling that Tehran remains prepared for another confrontation if diplomatic efforts with Washington fail.

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    China rejects reports of Saindak project shutdown

    ByJustpaste.in

    Islamabad:China has dismissed reports claiming that it has suspended operations or withdrawn investment from the Saindak Copper-Gold Project in Balochistan, reaffirming its commitment to the long-running mining venture. According to a spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Planning, the Chinese company operating the project continues its activities without interruption. The spokesperson said reports suggesting that China had halted work or decided to pull out of the project are false and do not reflect the actual situation. The ministry also revealed that a Chinese company recently visited Pakistan to assess investment opportunities for another major project. The delegation completed its feasibility study, highlighting China’s continued interest in expanding economic cooperation and investment in Pakistan. The Saindak Copper-Gold Project remains under the management of China Resource Development Limited, a subsidiary of the state-owned Metallurgical Corporation of China (MCC). The company renewed its lease for the project in 2022 and has continued mining and development work since then. Officials stressed that operations at the Saindak mine are proceeding as planned and rejected speculation about the project’s closure. They added that the project remains an important symbol of Pakistan-China economic cooperation and continues to contribute to the country’s mining sector and regional development.

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    India denies role in Sheikh Hasina’s planned vir…

    ByJustpaste.in

    NEW DELHI: India has firmly denied any government involvement in a virtual address that former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to deliver to mark two years since the political uprising that forced her from office. The clarification came after reports suggested that the online event, scheduled to be held in New Delhi, had official backing. India’s Ministry of External Affairs rejected those claims, insisting the government has no connection with the programme. Speaking at a weekly press briefing on Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the event was being organised by a private media organisation and not by the Indian government. “The Government of India has no role in organising this event,” Jaiswal said. He added that New Delhi neither endorses nor supports the views that may be expressed during the programme. The statement comes amid heightened political sensitivity surrounding Sheikh Hasina, who has been living in self-imposed exile in India since her government was toppled following student-led protests in 2024. According to media reports, the 78-year-old former premier is expected to make her first public appearance since leaving Bangladesh, addressing supporters and viewers via video link from New Delhi. The event is being hosted by the Foreign Correspondents Club of South Asia. Her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, is also expected to participate alongside other speakers. Meanwhile, authorities in Dhaka have reportedly instructed local media outlets not to broadcast or provide live coverage of Hasina’s virtual speech. The move reflects the continuing political tensions surrounding the former prime minister and her Awami League. Sheikh Hasina remains one of the most influential and controversial figures in Bangladesh’s recent political history. After losing power, she was convicted in 2025 on charges of crimes against humanity linked to a crackdown on anti-government protesters. A court sentenced her to death, a verdict she has rejected as politically motivated and legally invalid. Her planned address is expected to draw significant attention across South Asia, with supporters viewing it as a symbolic return to the political spotlight, while critics see it as another chapter in Bangladesh’s ongoing political divide. India’s latest statement appears aimed at distancing itself from any perception of official involvement, as New Delhi seeks to avoid diplomatic friction with Dhaka while continuing to host the former Bangladeshi leader. With regional attention focused on the event, Sheikh Hasina’s speech is likely to reignite debate over Bangladesh’s political future and her possible role in it.

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    Trump says Hormuz reopening near, warns Iran of consequences

    ByJustpaste.in

    US President Donald Trump has said the Strait of Hormuz could reopen “very soon” as diplomatic efforts with Iran continue, while warning that Tehran would face a strong military response if negotiations fail. Speaking during an interview with Fox News, Trump expressed optimism about the ongoing talks, saying discussions had made significant progress. He claimed Iranian representatives had requested negotiations at a time when the United States was preparing for a large-scale military operation. According to Trump, Washington agreed to engage in dialogue after receiving signals from Tehran that it was willing to negotiate. He stressed that the United States remains committed to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and said abandoning the talks would have serious consequences. The US president said negotiators spent the entire day in discussions and described the atmosphere as positive. He added that a successful agreement could help restore normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy routes. Trump also suggested that reopening the strategic waterway would ease pressure on global energy markets. He said lower oil prices could eventually translate into cheaper fuel costs for consumers and urged energy companies to reduce gasoline prices if market conditions improve. Speaking later to reporters in California, Trump said developments with Iran were moving in the right direction and indicated that greater clarity on the negotiations could emerge within the next 48 hours. Diplomatic efforts are reportedly being supported by regional mediators, including Oman and Qatar. Discussions are focused on restoring safe maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz while reducing tensions between Washington and Tehran. However, Iranian officials have maintained that progress depends on an end to US threats and continued respect for Iran’s sovereignty. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital global shipping lane through which a significant share of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas exports passes. Any disruption to traffic through the waterway has immediate consequences for international energy markets and global trade. Financial markets reacted positively to reports of progress in the negotiations. Oil prices declined while Asian stock markets advanced on expectations that a diplomatic breakthrough could reduce regional tensions and restore uninterrupted shipping. Meanwhile, reports from Israel indicated growing concern over Washington’s diplomatic approach. Some Israeli officials reportedly believe the United States is prioritising a negotiated settlement with Iran, although no official Israeli government statement has confirmed those claims.