Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, has admitted that the country supported terrorist groups for three decades. In an interview with a British news channel, Asif acknowledged that Pakistan was involved in “dirty work” on behalf of the West when asked about Islamabad’s history of funding and backing terror outfits.

Asif further described it as a “mistake” and said that Pakistan has paid a heavy price for its actions. He added that Pakistan’s international record would have been unquestioned had it not aligned with the West during the Soviet-Afghan war and the U.S.-led war against the Taliban following the 9/11 attacks.

This admission comes in the wake of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, raising fresh concerns about Pakistan’s past involvement in regional instability.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said that Russia and Ukraine are very close to a deal on ending conflict between the two countries. President Trump’s remarks came following a meeting between his envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

Ukraine was not part of the talks. Speaking in Rome, the US President stated that most of the key points for a potential deal had already been agreed upon. He said, the war is killing five thousand people a week and must end soon.

He also accused Ukraine of delaying a rare earth minerals deal with the US. Meanwhile, the Kremlin described the three-hour meeting between Mr Witkoff and President Putin as constructive, saying it helped bring the U.S. and Russian positions closer.

However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed that a full and unconditional ceasefire must come first before any talks on territorial issues. He also called for more pressure on Russia, saying it was the only way to achieve peace.

According to the media reports, the US plan also blocks Ukraine from joining NATO and includes US recognition of Russia’s annexation of parts of Ukraine. European and Ukrainian leaders oppose this and want to discuss the territory only after a ceasefire.

जम्मू-कश्मीर के पहलगाम में हुए भयावह आतंकी हमले के बाद भारत को अंतरराष्ट्रीय स्तर पर व्यापक समर्थन मिल रहा है। कई देशों के शीर्ष नेताओं ने प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी से फोन पर बात की और आतंकवाद के खिलाफ मजबूती से खड़े रहने का संकल्प दोहराया। इजराइल के प्रधानमंत्री बेंजामिन नेतन्याहू ने इस हमले को बर्बर और अमानवीय करार देते हुए भारत के लोगों और पीड़ित परिवारों के प्रति गहरी संवेदना व्यक्त की। बातचीत के दौरान प्रधानमंत्री मोदी ने हमले की क्रूरता के बारे में बताया और कहा कि भारत दोषियों और उनके मददगारों को न्याय के कटघरे में लाने के लिए प्रतिबद्ध है। दोनों नेताओं ने आतंकवाद के खिलाफ वैश्विक सहयोग को और मजबूत करने पर सहमति जताई।

जॉर्डन के किंग अब्दुल्ला द्वितीय ने भी प्रधानमंत्री मोदी से फोन पर बात की और हमले की कड़ी निंदा की। उन्होंने निर्दोष लोगों की मौत पर दुख जताते हुए कहा कि आतंकवाद को किसी भी रूप में स्वीकार नहीं किया जा सकता। प्रधानमंत्री मोदी ने उनके समर्थन के लिए धन्यवाद दिया और कहा कि भारत आतंकवादियों और उनके समर्थकों के खिलाफ सख्त कार्रवाई करेगा।

वहीं जापान के प्रधानमंत्री शिगेरू इशिबा ने भी पीएम मोदी से बातचीत की और हमले में मारे गए लोगों के प्रति गहरी संवेदना प्रकट की। उन्होंने कहा कि आतंकवाद मानवता के लिए गंभीर खतरा है और लोकतांत्रिक देशों को मिलकर इसके खिलाफ लड़ना होगा। प्रधानमंत्री मोदी ने सीमा पार से हुई इस आतंकी घटना की जानकारी साझा करते हुए बताया कि भारत इसका डटकर और निर्णायक जवाब देगा। प्रधानमंत्री मोदी के साथ हुई इन बातचीतों ने यह स्पष्ट कर दिया कि भारत को अंतरराष्ट्रीय समुदाय का पूरा समर्थन प्राप्त है और दुनिया आतंकवाद के खिलाफ लड़ाई में एकजुट है।-(IANS)

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi met with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani to discuss bilateral relations and pressing regional issues. In a statement, the Egyptian presidency said the discussion focused on deepening bilateral cooperation in key sectors, particularly in the economic, trade and investment fields. The meeting also discussed the anti-illegal immigration cooperation and the need to support Egypt in this regard. The two sides also touched on the situation in the Gaza Strip. The meeting also addressed the importance of cooperation between the two countries in combating illegal immigration, as well as cooperation in the area of regular migration, and the need to support Egypt in this regard.

Egyptian President reiterated Egypt’s steadfast position, rejecting the forced displacement of Palestinians from their land and any attempts to liquidate the Palestinian cause. Egypt reiterated its commitment to brokering a ceasefire, facilitating the exchange of hostages and detainees, and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid. Egypt also reaffirmed its dedication to the stability, sovereignty, and unity of regional neighbours.

Condolences continue to pour in from countries over Pahalgam terror attack. World leaders have reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to express solidarity and support to India.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has strongly condemned the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir in a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Modi. In a social media post, External Affairs Ministry said that the Australian Prime Minister extended his condolences over the loss of innocent lives and expressed solidarity with the people of India during this time of grief. Mr Albanese also pledged Australia’s full support to India in its fight against terrorism.

Prime Minister of Mauritius Dr Navin Ramgoolam called the Prime Minister and offered his deepest condolences on the senseless killing of innocent people. He strongly condemned the terror attack and expressed support and solidarity with the people of India. He stated that the two countries remain united in the fight against terror.

Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli called Mr Modi to strongly condemn the terror attack, and offered his condolences on the loss of precious lives. Prime Minister Modi also conveyed his condolences on the death of a young Nepali national in the terror attack, and underlined that India remains committed to bringing the perpetrators of the brutal terror attack to justice.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Guyana President Irfaan Ali, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, have also condemned the Pahalgam terror attack.

Several earthquakes have hit Turkey’s largest city, Istanbul, causing buildings to shake and creating panic among residents today. The tremors were powerful enough to scare people out of their homes and offices. According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2, occurred at a shallow depth of just 10 kilometres. The epicentre was located in the Sea of Marmara, about 40 kilometres southwest of Istanbul. As the quake happened so close to the surface, its effects were felt more strongly in nearby regions. Meanwhile, according to early reports, there has been no loss of life or major property damage so far.

भारतीय वायुसेना की एक टुकड़ी रविवार को संयुक्त अरब अमीरात (यूएई) के अल धफरा एयर बेस पहुंची। वायुसेना का दल यहां एक बहुराष्ट्रीय अंतर्राष्ट्रीय हवाई युद्धाभ्यास ‘डेजर्ट फ्लैग-10’ में हिस्सा लेगा। इसमें भारत और यूएई के अलावा फ्रांस, जर्मनी, ब्रिटेन, अमेरिका, ऑस्ट्रेलिया, बहरीन, कतर, दक्षिण कोरिया और तुर्की जैसे देश शामिल हैं। यह अभ्यास 21 अप्रैल से 8 मई 2025 के बीच आयोजित किया जाएगा ।

रक्षा मंत्रालय के अनुसार, भारतीय वायुसेना के मिग-29 और जगुआर विमान अभ्यास में हिस्सा ले रहे हैं। इस अभ्यास का उद्देश्य दुनिया की कुछ सबसे सक्षम वायु सेनाओं के साथ परिचालन ज्ञान को साझा करना है। इसके अलावा वायुसेना से जुड़ी सर्वोत्तम अभ्यासों के आदान-प्रदान के साथ जटिल और विविध लड़ाकू अभियानों को अंजाम दिया जाएगा।

मंत्रालय का कहना है कि इस तरह के अभ्यासों में भाग लेने से आपसी समझ और अंतर-संचालन क्षमता बढ़ती है। साथ ही, सैन्य सहयोग मजबूत होता है। भारतीय वायुसेना की भागीदारी मित्र देशों के साथ रक्षा संबंधों और अंतर-संचालन क्षमता को मजबूत करने के लिए भारत की प्रतिबद्धता को रेखांकित करती है।

Canadian MP Chandra Arya has urged Hindu and Sikh communities in Canada to speak out and demand strong government action against Khalistani extremists. This follows a recent incident where the Laxmi Narayan Mandir in British Columbia was defaced with pro-Khalistan graffiti. In a social media platform, Mr. Arya shared a video from the Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce condemning the vandalism and described it as a “chilling reminder” of the growing influence of Khalistani extremism in Canada. He warned that these extremist elements are becoming more organised and are trying to silence Hindu voices.

In a separate incident, the Khalsa Diwan Society Gurdwara in Vancouver, also known as the Ross Street Gurdwara was also vandalized with “Khalistan” spray-painted on its walls. The act, discovered on the same day as Surrey’s major Vaisakhi parade, has sparked outrage among the Sikh community. The Khalsa Diwan Society strongly condemned the vandalism, calling it an attempt to spread fear and division. They emphasised that a few extremists should not overshadow the hard work and values of the broader Sikh community. Both incidents are under investigation by the Vancouver Police Departmen

The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily stopped President Donald Trump from using an old law to deport Venezuelan migrants without due process. The decision came early Saturday and paused the use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, last used during World War II.

In response, Trump criticised the judiciary on his Truth Social account, calling judges and law enforcement “weak and ineffective.” Justice Samuel Alito, one of the dissenting justices, said the court acted in an unusual and legally questionable way by ruling without hearing both sides.

Democrats and rights groups say Trump is abusing his power by deporting migrants without proper legal hearings. Senator Amy Klobuchar warned that the country is “closer and closer to a constitutional crisis.”

Ukraine and Russia have blamed each other for breaking a 30-hour Easter ceasefire, which ended last night. The truce was announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who ordered a halt to fighting from Saturday evening to Sunday midnight. Ukraine agreed to observe it too. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia broke the truce nearly 3,000 times, with heavy shelling in the eastern city of Pokrovsk. He called the ceasefire a “PR stunt” by Putin and said Russia is the main reason the war continues.

Conversely, Russia said it followed the truce but had to defend itself from Ukrainian attacks. It accused Ukraine of using U.S.-supplied weapons during the ceasefire. The U.S. and the U.K. criticised the truce, calling it a fake gesture. The British government said Russia violated it and harmed civilians, while the U.S. said it’s running out of patience trying to help negotiate peace. US President Donald Trump expressed hope that a deal would be reached soon, but gave no details. Meanwhile, Ukraine proposed a longer 30-day halt to attacks on civilian infrastructure.

The war began in February 2022, and Russia currently controls about 20 per cent of Ukraine, including Crimea. Thousands have died or been injured on both sides.

Iran and the United States agreed on Saturday to begin drawing up a framework for a potential nuclear deal, Iran’s foreign minister said, after talks that a U.S. official described as yielding “very good progress.”

U.S. President Donald Trump, who abandoned a 2015 nuclear pact between Tehran and world powers during his first term in 2018, has threatened to attack Iran unless it reaches a new deal swiftly that would prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon.

At their second indirect meeting in a week, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi negotiated for four hours in Rome with Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff through an Omani official who shuttled messages between them.

Speaking on state TV after the talks, Araqchi described the engagement as useful and conducted in a constructive atmosphere.

“We were able to make some progress on a number of principles and goals, and ultimately reached a better understanding,” Araqchi said.

“It was agreed that negotiations will continue and move into the next phase, in which expert-level meetings will begin on Wednesday in Oman. The experts will have the opportunity to start designing a framework for an agreement,” he said.

The top negotiators would meet again in Oman next Saturday to “review the experts’ work and assess how closely it aligns with the principles of a potential agreement,” he added.

Echoing cautious comments last week from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, he said: “We cannot say for certain that we are optimistic. We are acting very cautiously. There is no reason either to be overly pessimistic.”

Iran, which calls its nuclear programme peaceful, says it is willing to discuss limited curbs to its atomic work in return for lifting international sanctions.

A Trump administration official confirmed that the two sides agreed to meet again next week.

“Today, in Rome over four hours in our second round of talks, we made very good progress in our direct and indirect discussions,” the official said.

Trump told reporters on Friday: “I’m for stopping Iran, very simply, from having a nuclear weapon. They can’t have a nuclear weapon. I want Iran to be great and prosperous and terrific.”

Washington’s ally Israel, which opposed the 2015 agreement with Iran that Trump abandoned in 2018, has not ruled out an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities in the coming months, according to an Israeli official and two other people familiar with the matter.

Since 2019, Iran has breached and far surpassed the 2015 deal’s limits on its uranium enrichment, producing stocks far above what the West says is necessary for a civilian energy programme.

A senior Iranian official, who described Iran’s negotiating position on condition of anonymity on Friday, listed its red lines as never agreeing to dismantle its uranium enriching centrifuges, halt enrichment altogether or reduce its enriched uranium stockpile below levels agreed in the 2015 deal.

(Reuters)

This will be Vice President Vance’s first visit to India. He will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi tomorrow evening. 

The Vice President and his delegation will have other engagements in Delhi and are also scheduled to visit Jaipur and Agra before departing for Washington D.C. 

Akashvani correspondent reports the visit of US Vice President J D Vance to India will provide an opportunity for both sides to review the progress in bilateral relations and the implementation of the outcomes of the India-U.S. Joint Statement issued on 13th February this year during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s to the US. 

The two sides will also exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest. 

India and United States enjoy a comprehensive global strategic partnership covering almost all areas of human endeavor, driven by shared democratic values, convergence of interests on a range of issues, and vibrant people-to-people contacts. 

Regular dialogue between the Leaders of both sides is an important element of the expanding bilateral ties. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a 30-hour Easter truce in Ukraine, ordering his forces to stop all military activity until 2:30 am tomorrow, as per Indian timings. 

He said the pause is based on humanitarian considerations and expects Ukraine to follow suit, but added that Russian troops should be ready to respond to any violations.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine would respect the truce if Russia truly does the same, but noted ongoing fighting and drone activity in some areas. 

He reiterated Ukraine’s support for a longer 30-day ceasefire, proposed earlier by the US, and said they’re willing to extend the truce beyond April 20 if Russia agrees.

The UK also urged Mr Putin to show he’s serious about peace by committing to a full ceasefire, not just a short pause.

In the United States, thousands of people across the country joined protests against President Donald Trump in a movement called “50501” which is a short for “50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement.” The demonstrations were held on the 250th anniversary of the American Revolutionary War.

Protesters gathered in major cities and outside the White House.

The protests remained mostly peaceful, although there were some confrontations.

Earlier in April, an even larger protest movement the “Hands Off” demonstrations drew massive crowds in 1,200 locations, making it the biggest protest since Trump returned to office.

Pakistan was jolted by a 5.9 magnitude earthquake today but no loss of life and property has been reported so far. According to the National Seismic Monitoring Centre, the epicentre was located near the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border region, with a depth of 94 kilometres. The quake was recorded at 11:47 AM.

Tremors were felt across a wide region of Pakistan, including Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, and various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

US President Donald Trump said the United States could stop trying to help negotiate peace between Russia and Ukraine if either side makes talks too difficult. Speaking in the Oval office yesterday, Trump said he wanted the war to end quickly but wasn’t setting a deadline. He said, If one of the two parties makes it very difficult, we’ll just take a pass.

His comments came after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also warned that talks wouldn’t continue for long if progress isn’t made soon. He said United States is not going to keep at this for weeks and months.

Trump has previously claimed he could end the war within 24 hours of taking office. But despite early hopes, no ceasefire has been reached. The US has blamed both Russia and Ukraine for the lack of progress.

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russia continues to launch missile attacks on Ukraine, with two people killed yesterday.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said talks are difficult, but Russia is open to dialogue and wants to secure its interests through a peace deal.

Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance expressed optimism during a visit to Italy, saying there were recent developments that could help end the war.

Separately, Ukraine and the US signed a memorandum of intent for a new economic partnership, which could include investments in minerals, energy, and infrastructure. The aim is to finalize the deal by April 26.

व्हाइट हाउस ने कल शुक्रवार को एक कोविड-19 वेबसाइट लॉन्च की, जिसमें उन्होंने कोरोना वायरस की उत्पत्ति के लिए चीन को जिम्मेदार ठहराया है। साइट के मुताबिक वुहान के एक लैब से ये वायरस लीक किया गया। पूर्व राष्ट्रपति जो बाइडेन, अमेरिका के पूर्व शीर्ष स्वास्थ्य अधिकारी एंथनी फाउसी और विश्व स्वास्थ्य संगठन को भी कोरोना वायरस की उत्पत्ति को दबाने की भी आलोचना की गई है।

व्हाइट हाउस की वेबसाइट पर अब कोविड-19 लैब-लीक थ्योरी को समर्पित एक पूरा पेज है। यह घटना सीआईए द्वारा एक रिपोर्ट जारी करने के कुछ सप्ताह बाद आई है जिसमें कहा गया था कि प्रयोगशाला से लीक की आशंका है। एजेंसी ने पहले कहा था कि उसके पास कोविड-19 की उत्पत्ति का पता लगाने के लिए पर्याप्त जानकारी नहीं है।

नया वेबपेज उस साइट पर है, जो कोविड-19 टीकाकरण प्रयासों के लिए संसाधन के रूप में कार्य करती थी। अब इसमें एक बैनर है जिसमें लिखा है: “लैब लीक, द ट्रू ओरिजिन्स ऑफ कोविड-19 ( यानि कोविड उत्पत्ति की सच्चाई)।” बैनर में राष्ट्रपति डोनाल्ड ट्रंप को भी दिखाया गया है। इसमें पूर्व मुख्य चिकित्सा सलाहकार डॉ. फाउसी और बाइडेन पर कोरोना वायरस की उत्पत्ति को छुपाने का भी आरोप लगाया गया है।

इसमें कहा गया है कि पिछली सरकार ने सच्चाई को छुपाने के लिए विलंब, भ्रम और गैर-जवाबदेही का बहु-वर्षीय अभियान चलाया।

व्हाइट हाउस ने एक बयान में कहा कि यह वेबसाइट कोविड-19 की उत्पत्ति को दर्शाती है और दिखाती है कि कैसे डेमोक्रेट्स और मीडिया ने वैकल्पिक स्वास्थ्य उपचारों और लैब-लीक थ्योरी को बदनाम किया ।

इसके अलावा, वेबसाइट में पांच प्रमुख बिंदुओं को सूचीबद्ध किया गया है, जो यह सुझाव देते हैं कि कोविड-19 की उत्पत्ति प्राकृतिक नहीं थी। वायरस में एक जैविक विशेषता है जो प्रकृति में नहीं पाई जाती। डेटा के अनुसार, कोविड-19 के सभी मामले मनुष्यों में एकल प्रवेश से उत्पन्न हुए हैं, जो पिछली महामारियों के विपरीत है, जहां कई स्पिलओवर घटनाएं हुई थीं।

दरअसल, वुहान में चीन का प्रमुख सार्स अनुसंधान लैब है, जिसका पर्याप्त जैवसुरक्षा के बिना गेन-ऑफ-फंक्शन अनुसंधान (जीन परिवर्तन और जीवों को सुपरचार्ज करने) का इतिहास रहा है। वुहान इंस्टीट्यूट ऑफ वायरोलॉजी के शोधकर्ता 2019 की शरद ऋतु में कोविड जैसे लक्षणों के साथ बीमार थे, जो कि वेट मार्केट में कोविड-19 की खोज से महीनों पहले था।

विज्ञान के लगभग सभी मापदंडों के अनुसार, यदि कोरोना वायरस की प्राकृतिक उत्पत्ति का कोई सबूत होता, तो वह अब तक सामने आ चुका होता। लेकिन ऐसा नहीं हुआ। (इनपुट-आईएएनएस)

The United States told the World Trade Organisation (WTO) that its tariffs on steel and aluminium are based on national security concerns, not safeguard measures as India claims.

India filed a request with the WTO on the 11th of this month, seeking consultations over the U.S. tariffs, arguing that they should be treated as safeguard measures under WTO rules.

In its response yesterday, the U.S. maintained that the tariffs were imposed under Section 232 of U.S. law to protect national security, not under the safeguard provisions of the Trade Act of 1974. The U.S. argued that the tariffs are justified under the national security exception in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994.

The U.S. further stated that it is not using safeguard measures, so there is no basis for consultations under the Safeguards Agreement. India has argued that the U.S. failed to notify the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards about the measures, as required.

US President Donald Trump’s administration has announced a sweeping new retaliatory tariffs of up to 245 per cent on imports of Chinese goods, sharply escalating the trade conflict between the two countries. The decision, detailed in a fact sheet released by the White House last night, comes in response to Beijing’s recent export restrictions and retaliatory tariffs. The White House, in a statement, emphasised that the move is a part of President Trump’s ongoing “America First Trade Policy.” It said the new measures were justified under national security grounds. The administration accused China of deliberately restricting vital high-tech materials, including gallium, germanium, and antimony – elements critical for military, aerospace, and semiconductor industries. More recently, China suspended exports of six heavy rare earth metals and rare earth magnets, tightening its grip on components essential to global supply chains.

The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian has responded to the White House’s claim that China now faces tariffs of up to 245 per cent on imports to the United States. Speaking at a press briefing, Lin asked the US side for the specific tax rate figures. He reiterated China’s position, stating that the tariff war was initiated by the United States. Lin stressed that Beijing’s retaliatory actions are “completely reasonable and legal, aimed at safeguarding the country’s rights and upholding fairness in international trade. The Spokesperson said that if the US wants to resolve the issue through dialogue and negotiation, it should stop exerting extreme pressure, stop threatening and blackmailing, and talk to China based on equality, respect and mutual benefit.

In Congo, heavy rains and flooding have struck several provinces, with the capital Kinshasa among the hardest hit. 11 health zones in Kinshasa have been impacted, with more than 5,000 people displaced. At least 72 people have died, and 170 have been injured due to torrential rains and resulting floods. Tanganyika and South Kivu provinces, in the eastern part of the country, have also reported significant damage. Emergency shelters and care centers have been established in Kinshasa’s stadiums. Continued heavy rainfall has been forecast for the coming days, raising fears of further destruction in the city of 17 million, already vulnerable due to rapid and unregulated urban expansion.