Benjamin Netanyahu seeks pardon from Israel's president

TEL AVIV, Nov 30: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked the country's President, Isaac Herzog, for a pardon over corruption cases he has been battling. Netanyahu said a pardon would lead to national reconciliation in Israel.

The president's office said Herzog would receive opinions from justice officials before considering the request "which carries with it significant implications".

Netanyahu has been standing trial for the past five years on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in connection with three separate cases. He denies wrongdoing.

He said in a video message that he would have preferred to see the process to the end but national interest "demanded otherwise".

The Israeli opposition says he should admit guilt before seeking a pardon.

Early this month, US President Donald Trump urged Herzog to "fully pardon" Netanyahu.

At the time, Herzog made it clear that anyone seeking a pardon had to submit a formal request.

On Sunday, his office released the request and a letter by Netanyahu himself, in light of "the importance of this extraordinary request and its implications".

It offered no indication of when the president might reach a decision.

In 2020, Benjamin Netanyahu became the first serving Israeli prime minister to stand trial.

In the first case, prosecutors alleged that he had received gifts - mainly cigars and bottles of champagne - from powerful businessmen in exchange for favours

He is accused in a second case of offering to help improve the circulation of an Israeli newspaper in exchange for positive coverage

And in a third, prosecutors have alleged that he promoted regulatory decisions favourable to the controlling shareholder of an Israeli telecoms company in exchange for positive coverage by a news website.

Netanyahu has pleaded not guilty to all the charges and branded the trial as a "witch hunt" by political opponents.

In Sunday's defiant video message, he claimed that the cases against him were collapsing, but that the process was tearing Israel apart from within.

"I am certain, as are many others in the nation, that an immediate end to the trial would greatly help lower the flames and promote broad reconciliation - something our country desperately needs," the prime minister added.

Netanyahu said he was being required to testify before court three times a week, describing that as "an impossible demand."

A pardon, he insisted, would help Israel fend off threats and seize opportunities by fostering "national unity".

His political opponents have accused Netanyahu of attempting to conflate his interests with those of the state.

Eight more arrested over fire in Hong Kong that killed at least 128 people

HONG KONG, Nov 28: At least 128 people are now known to have died in a devastating fire that engulfed multiple high-rise buildings in Hong Kong.

Eight people have been arrested on suspicion of corruption over the renovation works the blocks had been undergoing before the fire. Three others were detained earlier on manslaughter charges.

The cause of the fire remains unclear, though officials said that polystyrene and protective netting placed on the outside of the windows facilitated its spread.

A further 79 people were injured in the blaze - the city's deadliest in more than 70 years. Dozens remain missing.

Police went into the buildings to start gathering evidence, after authorities said that an investigation would take place over the next three to four weeks.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) said that those arrested in the corruption probe on Friday included directors at an engineering company and scaffolding subcontractors.

Some 2,311 firefighters worked to bring the fire under control after it spread across seven of Wang Fuk Court's eight apartment blocks.

Firefighting efforts have now ceased. The fire was fully extinguished by 10:18 local time on Friday, the fire department said at a news conference.

It also said 89 bodies have yet to be identified, and 16 bodies remain inside the buildings.

Putin hints he's fine with Trump's peace plan, but adds an ultimatum for Ukraine

BISHKEK, Nov 27: Russian President Vladimir Putin made a strictly conditional statement on the possibility of accepting a US-backed peace plan to end the nearly four-year conflict in Ukraine. He suggested that the proposal put forward by Donald Trump could serve as a foundation for future agreements; yet he made direct military threats to Ukraine.

Russia has, meanwhile, confirmed that Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is expected to visit Moscow next week.

At a press conference in Kyrgyzstan, Putin was asked about Trump’s proposal, parts of which have been leaked or shared.

He confirmed that a “variant” of the plan, which was discussed by the United States and Ukraine in Geneva, was given to Russia. He also acknowledged that the US took Russia's stance into account in some respects.

"In general, we agree that this can be the basis for future agreements," he said, but stressed that specific issues still needed discussion. He said he was ready for talks with the US anytime.

But Putin swiftly paired this with an ultimatum for Ukraine. "Ukrainian troops must withdraw from the territories they hold" for fighting to cease, he said. If Ukrainian forces refuse to withdraw, Putin asserted, Russia would achieve its goals "by armed means".

He even called the Ukrainian leadership illegitimate, citing Kyiv's refusal to hold elections after President Volodymyr Zelensky’s elected term expired. Putin claimed it was "legally impossible to sign a deal with Ukraine".

He further stressed that the international community must also recognise Russian territorial gains in Ukraine.

The proposals championed by the US administration — Trump claimed "tremendous progress" on it recently — has drawn condemnation for being "skewed toward Russian demands".

Critics, including leaders in the Trump's Republican and opposition Democratic parties in the US, have described the leaked plan as amounting to a "Russian wish list".

The plan has since been balanced somewhat, reports have suggested. The original one included territorial cessions by Ukraine. This meant Kyiv would be required to cede the entire Donbas region to Russia, and recognise Russia’s de facto control over Crimea, thereby freezing the conflict along current frontlines in regions like Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

It also called for Ukraine to dramatically reduce the size of its military, and prohibit the deployment of foreign troops or long-range weapons on Ukrainian soil.

Crucially the proposal mandated an agreement from Europe that Ukraine would be permanently barred from joining the NATO military alliance. Ukraine's NATO-joining desire was one of the reasons cited by Russian leaders for the war.

At least 55 dead, hundreds missing in Hong Kong Fire

HONG KONG, Nov 27: At least 55 people have been killed in a major fire engulfing public housing apartments in Hong Kong's Tai Po district - and more than 270 are still not accounted for

Officials on Thursday morning said the fire was under control in four out of seven affected buildings, and they hoped to quell the remaining blazes by the evening

As the fires subside, questions are now mounting as to how the blaze initially started, and who should be held accountable

Three construction company executives have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter connected to flammable materials, including mesh and plastic sheets, that may have allowed the fire to spread quickly

The fire was previously classified a level five blaze, the most serious level in Hong Kong

India warns China over Arunachal woman harassment: Any arbitrary action harms trust

NEW DELHI, Nov 26: Against the backdrop of a woman from Arunachal Pradesh being harassed and briefly detained at Shanghai airport, India on Wednesday warned China against any "arbitrary action," saying it would be "most unhelpful" in building the mutual trust and understanding needed to normalise bilateral ties.

Addressing a press briefing in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India had issued a "strong demarche" and raised the issue with the Chinese side both in Delhi and Beijing.

Jaiswal asserted that the maintenance of peace and tranquility along the borders is a "prerequisite" for “normal ties” between India and China.

"We want to say that Arunachal is an integral and inalienable part of India and this is a fact that is self-evident. No amount of denial by the Chinese side is going to change this indisputable reality," Jaiswal stated.

Jaiswal further pointed out that both sides have worked closely to maintain peace and tranquility in the border regions since October 2024, on the basis of which progress focused on people-centric engagements has been made.

China on Tuesday rejected allegations that an Indian woman from Arunachal Pradesh was harassed during a layover at Shanghai airport, even as its Foreign Ministry used the incident to again assert Beijing’s claim over the state, which it calls Zangnan.

Pema Wangjom Thongdok, a UK-based Indian citizen travelling from London to Japan on November 21, said her three-hour transit turned into an 18-hour ordeal after Chinese immigration officials declared her passport “invalid” solely because it listed Arunachal Pradesh as her birthplace.

China reiterated its territorial claim, saying, “Zangnan is China’s territory. China never acknowledged the so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally set up by India."

Reacting to the Chinese statement following the episode, Pema, pointed out that China’s claim that Arunachal Pradesh was "illegally set up by India" only confirms that her detention and the hostile treatment she faced were driven by malice and validated by that statement.

36 Dead, 279 Missing After Fire Ravages 7 High-Rise Buildings In Hong Kong

HONG KONG, Nov 26: A fire spread across seven high-rise apartment buildings in a Hong Kong housing complex, killing 36 people and leaving others still trapped.

About 700 people have been evacuated to temporary shelters.

Hong Kong leader John Lee says 36 were killed in high-rise apartment fires, with 279 people reported missing.

The raging fire sent up a column of flames and thick smoke as it spread quickly on bamboo scaffolding and construction netting that had been set up around the exterior of the housing complex in Tai Po district, in the New Territories. Records show the housing complex consisted of eight blocks with almost 2,000 apartments housing about 4,800 people.

Video from the scene showed multiple buildings close to each other ablaze, with bright flames and smoke shooting out of many of the apartments' windows as night fell. Firefighters were aiming water at the intense flames from high up on ladder trucks.

The blaze started mid afternoon and after nightfall authorities upgraded it to a level 5 alarm, the highest level of severity, the Fire Services Department said. The fire was still raging late into the night.

'Arunachal Inalienable Part Of India': Foreign Ministry Slams China's Remark

NEW DELHI, Nov 25: India on Tuesday issued one of its strongest recent statements against China after an Indian woman from Arunachal Pradesh was harassed, detained for over 18 hours, and denied normal transit procedures at Shanghai's Pudong International Airport.

The incident, which was already raising diplomatic concerns, was further inflamed by a controversial statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, which once again challenged India's sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi sharply rejected Beijing's claims. It condemned the treatment of the Indian citizen, calling the episode a clear violation of international norms as well as China's own immigration regulations.

"Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India"

Responding to media queries, the Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reaffirmed New Delhi's unequivocal stance on Arunachal Pradesh.

"Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India, and this is a self-evident fact. No amount of denial by the Chinese side is going to change this indisputable reality," he said.

The spokesperson confirmed that the Ministry had lodged a strong protest with China both in Beijing and New Delhi, pointing out that the Chinese authorities had failed to justify the arbitrary treatment of the passenger, who was legally transiting through the country on a valid Indian passport.

The Ministry said China's actions were not only indefensible but also directly contravened internationally accepted protocols.

"Chinese authorities have still not been able to explain their actions, which are in violation of several conventions governing international air travel," the spokesperson said, referring specifically to the Chicago and Montreal Conventions that govern civil aviation standards.

He further highlighted that China had violated its own rules, noting that Chinese immigration normally permits visa-free transit of up to 24 hours for citizens of all countries.

In this case, however, officials inexplicably targeted the passenger's birthplace, Arunachal Pradesh, claiming it belonged to China, and declared her Indian passport "invalid."

The passenger, Prema Wang Thongdok, who hails from Rupa in West Kameng district and currently lives in the UK, was travelling from London to Japan on November 21 with a scheduled three-hour layover in Shanghai. Her routine transit turned into a harrowing ordeal.

Thongdok later took to X to detail what happened: "I was held at Shanghai airport for over 18 hrs on 21st Nov, 2025... They called my Indian passport invalid as my birthplace is Arunachal Pradesh which they claimed is Chinese territory."

Despite carrying all valid travel documents, she was allegedly denied free passage, given conflicting instructions, and only released after prolonged questioning during which she said her documents were repeatedly challenged and invalidated on political grounds.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning denied any wrongdoing, insisting the passenger "was not subjected to any compulsory measures, detainment or harassment." Mao said airport officials acted "according to laws and regulations," and claimed the airline had provided the passenger "food, water, and a place to rest."

However, Mao's comments escalated tensions when she reiterated Beijing's territorial claim: "Zangnan is China's territory. China never acknowledged the so-called Arunachal Pradesh illegally set up by India."

This remark drew immediate criticism from India, which said Beijing was once again attempting to distort established facts and politicise a routine travel process.

US, Ukraine ‘refine’ Trump's peace deal to end Russia’s war

GENEVA, Nov 24: Delegations from the United States and Ukraine held what they called “highly productive” discussions on US President Donald Trump’s proposal to halt the war in Ukraine, while Trump criticised Ukraine's leadership on Sunday for “expressing zero gratitude” for his efforts to stop the conflict.

In Geneva, senior officials from both countries sat down to adjust the 28-point draft plan. Ukraine said the newest version included some of its own points. Trump has given Ukraine until November 27, when the United States celebrates Thanksgiving, to agree to the plan.

"The talks were constructive, focused, and respectful, underscoring the shared commitment to achieving a just and lasting peace," the joint statement said.

It also said both sides had prepared a "refined peace framework" after their discussions in Geneva on Sunday.

The first 28-point proposal offered by the United States last week asked Ukraine to give up territory, reduce its military and agree to stay out of NATO. For many Ukrainians, those terms would be seen as giving in after almost four years of fighting in Europe’s deadliest war since World War Two.

Sources said that the original plan was unexpected for US officials across the administration, and that it was created at an October meeting in Miami attended by US special envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and Kirill Dmitriev, a Russian envoy under US sanctions.

Under the terms suggested by the United States, Ukraine would have to pull back troops from parts of the eastern Donbas region that Russia has not fully taken. This area would become a neutral buffer zone that the international community would recognise as Russian.

This way, Moscow would also gain recognition over Crimea, Luhansk and Donetsk. Most of the rest of the frontline, including in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, would remain in place.

In their counter plan, Ukraine and its European partners said talks with Russia on any exchange of territory can begin only after the war stops along the current line of contact.

Their reply to the US 28-point plan asks for a security guarantee from the Americans similar to NATO’s Article 5 mutual-defence clause, and calls for frozen Russian funds to be used to rebuild and compensate Kyiv, the report said. They dismiss Moscow’s demand that Kyiv give up areas in the east that Russia has not taken.

As per the counter proposal, the United States would receive payment for the strong guarantees it offers, and Russian funds would stay frozen unless Moscow agrees to cover the damage it has caused. Other sanctions would be lifted in stages, and Russia would slowly be allowed back into the global economy if it follows the agreement.

US secretary of state Marco Rubio said the 28-point peace plan had been put together with input from Russia, and that it also included earlier points from Ukraine. As he left for Geneva for talks on the Russia-Ukraine peace plan, Rubio said the proposal had been written only by the US.

After a full day of talks, Rubio said "tremendous" progress had been made, and the head of Ukraine's delegation Andriy Yermak also told reporters the sides had made "very good progress".

Israel says killed Hezbollah chief of staff in Beirut strike

BEIRUT, Nov 23: Israel said it carried out an air strike Sunday targeting Hezbollah's chief of staff in Beirut, hitting an apartment building in an operation which the Iran-backed militant group said crossed a red line.

Lebanon's health ministry said the strike killed five people and wounded 28. It did not give the identities of the people killed.

The strike took place in the Haret Hreik area in Beirut's southern suburbs, a densely-populated area where Hezbollah holds sway.

Hezbollah confirmed a senior commander was targeted in the strike, while an Israeli government spokeswoman declined to give the name of the target at this stage.

The strike hit the third and fourth floors of a nine-storey building.

Debris littered the road below, with a car damaged in the street. Dust could be seen rising from the block, with rescue workers inside the apartments searching for survivors.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said he had ordered the attack -- the latest against targets in Lebanon despite a year-long ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

"In the heart of Beirut, the IDF (Israeli military) attacked the Hezbollah chief of staff, who had been leading the terrorist organisation's build-up and rearmament," the premier's office said in a statement.

"Israel is determined to act to achieve its objectives everywhere and at all times."

Separately, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said: "Anyone who raises a hand against Israel will have his hand cut off," warning that Israel would "continue the policy of maximum enforcement".

Hezbollah official Mahmud Qomati told reporters Sunday's attack "crosses a new red line".

"The targeting was clearly aimed at a key... figure in the resistance, and the results are unknown," he added in front of the strike location, without disclosing the person's identity.

Modi announces partnership with Canada, Australia, for innovation, technology at G20 Summit

JOHANNESBURG, Nov 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Saturday (November 22, 2025), met Australian PM Anthony Albanese and Canadian PM Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg.

Posting about it on X, PM Modi announced the new Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership.

At the summit, the prime minister called for a review of global development standards and suggested creating a G20 effort to tackle the drug terror link and set up a global healthcare response team.

Speaking at the opening session of the G20 Leaders' Meeting, he also suggested forming a Global Traditional Knowledge Repository under the G20 to help protect ways of living that support the environment, respect culture, and maintain social harmony.

Modi also met his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni and several other world leaders on the sidelines of the G20 Summit on Saturday.

Earlier, writing in a foreword to the Indian edition of Meloni’s autobiography, Modi wrote: “It is not just an autobiography; it is her Mann Ki Baat.”

"I am delighted that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is penning her autobiography, I Am Giorgia. Over the last 11 years, I have had the privilege of engaging with many world leaders, each with a different life journey. At times, their journeys transcend personal stories and speak to something larger. They remind us of ideals that have endured across cultures and centuries. Prime Minister Meloni has several such instances in her accomplished life, making this book very special," he had written.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson said on Saturday that the Group of 20 leaders’ summit in Johannesburg had adopted a declaration, despite the United States boycotting the event.

South Africa has sought to preserve the integrity and stature of the Group of 20 top economies, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Saturday in opening remarks to the G20 summit in Johannesburg.

All states must refrain from threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition: G-20 declaration

JOHANNESBURG, Nov 22: In a strong message, the G20 on Saturday (November 22, 2025) said that all states must refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state.

A Declaration, adopted with consensus by the heads of state attending the G20 Leaders’ Summit despite U.S. attempts to stop it, also said that states should develop friendly relations among nations, including by promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion.

21 Dead In Gaza As Israel, Hamas Trade Truce Violation Allegations

GAZA, Nov 22: Gaza's civil defence agency said 21 people were killed and dozens more wounded in multiple Israeli air strikes on Saturday, as Hamas and Israel again traded allegations of violating the fragile ceasefire.

Saturday was one of the deadliest days since the US-brokered truce between Israel and Hamas came into effect on October 10, after two years of war.

The Israeli military said an "armed terrorist" had crossed the so-called Yellow Line within the Gaza Strip, behind which Israeli forces have withdrawn, and fired at Israeli soldiers.

In response to the incident in southern Gaza, which it said was on a route used for humanitarian aid deliveries in the territory, the Israeli military said it "began striking terror targets in the Gaza Strip".

Zelenskyy says Ukraine faces choice of losing dignity or risking loss of key partner with U.S. plan

KYIV, Nov 21: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday (November 21, 2025) that Ukraine has to confront the possibility of losing its dignity or risking the loss of a key partner as it figures out how to respond to a U.S. peace proposal.

“This is one of the most difficult moments in our history,” Zelenskyy said in a video address to the nation.

Here are five things to know why Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is under growing pressure

“Currently, the pressure on Ukraine is one of the hardest. Ukraine may now face a very difficult choice, either losing its dignity or the risk of losing a key partner.”

The leaders of Germany, France and the United Kingdom spoke by phone on Friday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, assuring him of their continued support amid the war with Russia as European officials scrambled to respond to U.S. peace proposals that apparently caught them unawares.

The U.S. plan contains many of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s longstanding demands, including Ukrainian territorial concessions, while offering limited security guarantees to Ukraine.

Wary of antagonizing U.S. President Donald Trump, the European and Ukrainian responses were cautiously worded and pointedly commended American peace efforts.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer assured Zelenskyy of “their unchanged and full support on the way to a lasting and just peace” in Ukraine, Merz’s office said.

The four leaders welcomed U.S. efforts to end the war. “In particular, they welcomed the commitment to the sovereignty of Ukraine and the readiness to grant Ukraine solid security guarantees,” the statement added.

“They agreed to continue pursuing the aim of protecting vital European and Ukrainian interests in the long term,” the statement said. “That includes the line of contact being the point of departure for an agreement and that the Ukrainian armed forces must remain in a position to defend the sovereignty of Ukraine effectively.”

Gatherings Banned In Nepal As Fresh Gen Z Protests Erupt

KATHMANDU, Nov 20: Curfew has been imposed in parts of Nepal after fresh clashes erupted between young protestors and loyalists of the former ruling party that was overthrown in a deadly 'Gen Z' uprising in September.

Gatherings have been banned in the country's Bara district, where Gen Z members clashed with supporters of ousted former prime minister KP Sharma Oli's Communist Party of Nepal – Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML).

The district administration said curfew will remain in force until 8 pm (local time) on Thursday, citing the need to restore order.

The situation deteriorated on Wednesday when young protestors and CPN-UML workers both held rallies in the Simara area of Bara district. Soon, scuffles broke out between both groups, some even close to the airport, prompting authorities to impose a curfew.

"The situation is normal... No one was severely injured," Nepal police spokesman Abi Narayan Kafle told news agency AFP.

Nepal's prime minister, Sushila Karki, meanwhile, appealed for calm and called on all parties to "refrain from unwanted political provocation" and to trust the democratic process ahead of elections set for March 5, 2026.

"I have directed the Home Administration and security agencies to work with utmost restraint and preparation to maintain peace and order," Karki said in a statement issued late on Wednesday.

She said she wanted to "ensure the safe movement of leaders of all political parties and create a fair and fear-free environment for the elections".

Karki also held a meeting on Wednesday with representatives of more than 110 parties.

"We want this country to be in the hands of a new generation and to be managed by people with vision," she told the meeting.

Children among 25 killed in one of Russia's deadliest strikes on western Ukraine

KYIV, Nov 19: At least 25 people have been killed including three children in a Russian missile and drone attack that hit two blocks of flats in the western city of Ternopil, Ukrainian officials say.

They say another 73 people were wounded, 15 of them children, in the strike early on Wednesday - one of the deadliest in the region since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Ukraine's air force later said Russian X-101 cruise missiles had hit the residential flats.

The neighbouring Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk regions were also struck, and a drone attack on three districts of the north-eastern city of Kharkiv wounded more than 30 people. Photos posted online showed buildings and cars ablaze.

China suspends seafood imports from Japan as Taiwan row escalates

BEIJING, Nov 19: China has suspended imports of Japanese seafood again, as the fallout over the Japanese prime minister’s comments about Taiwan continues to escalate in one of worst bilateral disputes in years.

The ban was first reported on Wednesday by the Japanese outlets Kyodo News and NHK, and appeared to be confirmed by China’s foreign ministry, which said there was “no market for Japanese seafood in the current climate”.

The reports said China’s government had informed Japan it was suspending all seafood imports, months after it partly lifted a previous ban issued in 2023.

The original ban was imposed in response to Japan’s decision to release wastewater from the damaged and decommissioned Fukushima nuclear plant. Chinese officials reportedly said Wednesday’s decision was related to a need to further monitor the water source, but it has been widely received as part of China’s retaliatory measures amid a deepening diplomatic row with Japan.

At a regular press briefing on Wednesday afternoon, the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Japan had “failed to provide the technical documentation it committed to”.

“I would also like to emphasize that due to [Japanese] prime minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent actions that go against the tide and her erroneous remarks on major issues such as Taiwan, which have triggered strong public outrage in China, there would be no market for Japanese seafood in the current climate even if Japan were able to export it to China.”

Before the 2023 ban, the Chinese market – including Hong Kong – accounted for more than one-fifth of Japan’s exports.

The spat started after Takaichi told her country’s parliament earlier this month that Japan could become militarily involved if China attacked Taiwan, because it would be a threat to Japan’s existence.

Beijing claims Taiwan is a Chinese province and has vowed to annex it, with military force if it cannot coerce or convince Taiwan to accept what it calls “reunification”.

Takaichi had been asked what would trigger Japan’s 2015 “collective self-defense” laws, which give exceptions for Japan’s postwar ban on using force to settle international disputes.

The remarks infuriated Beijing, which has repeatedly demanded Takaichi retract her comments, accusing her of issuing a “military threat” against China, and of pursuing a “revival” of Japan’s prewar militarism.

Takaichi has not withdrawn her comments, although her government has said Japan’s self-defense policy has not changed. Earlier this week, she sent a high-ranking foreign ministry official to Beijing for talks, but they did not appear to lower tensions.

China’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday that Takaichi’s remarks “caused fundamental damage to the political foundation of China-Japan relations”.

The reported seafood ban comes amid a swathe of rhetorical, symbolic, and economic retaliations.

Over the weekend, China sent a coastguard fleet through the disputed waters around the Senkaku Islands and military drones past Japan’s most westerly territory, Yonaguni Island, close to Taiwan’s east coast.

After China issued a travel warning to tourists and students planning to visit Japan, almost a dozen airlines offered refunds to passengers and about 500,000 people were estimated to have cancelled flights. Shares in Japanese retail and tourism companies fell sharply on Monday. State-owned enterprises, including Chinese banks, have also reportedly told staff not to travel to Japan.

Japanese film releases have also been suspended and numerous cross-cultural events have been cancelled. On Tuesday, China’s permanent representative to the UN, Fu Cong, told a forum that Japan was “totally unqualified” for a permanent seat on the UN security council, citing Takaichi’s remarks.

Looking forward to host President Putin next month: Modi

NEW DELHI, Nov 18: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said he is looking forward to hosting Russian President Vladimir Putin in India next month. The statement came during a meeting with Nikolai Patrushev, Aide to the Russian President and Chairman of the Maritime Board of the Russian Federation, who called on him in New Delhi.

The meeting focused on expanding cooperation in the maritime sector. Discussions covered connectivity, shipbuilding, skill development and the blue economy, in line with ongoing efforts to strengthen India–Russia partnership across strategic and economic domains.

After the meeting, the Prime Minister said in a post on X that he had “productive discussions on cooperation in the maritime domain, including new opportunities for collaboration in connectivity, skill development, shipbuilding and blue economy.”

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Modi conveyed his warm greetings to President Putin and reiterated that he looks forward to welcoming him to India next month. Patrushev also discussed preparations for the India–Russia Summit scheduled for early December.

Earlier in the day, Patrushev paid homage to fallen soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces at the National War Memorial and later visited the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya, where he signed the guest book.

Jaishankar calls on Russian President Putin

MOSCOW, Nov 18: India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday called on Russian President Vladimir Putin along with other heads of delegation of SCO member states.

Jaishankar is in Moscow to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of State Council meeting.

"Called on President Putin along with other Heads of SCO Delegations this afternoon," Jaishankar said on social media.

The meeting in the Kremlin was also attended by Russian PM Mikhail Mishustin, Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, Prime Ministers Alexander Turchin of Belarus, Oljas Bektenov of Kazakhstan, Adylbek Kasymaliyev of Kyrgyzstan, Kokhir Rasulzoda of Tajikistan and Abdulla Aripov of Uzbekistan, as well as Pakistan Deputy PM Ishaq Dar and SCO Secretary General Nurlan Yermekbayev.

On Monday, Jaishankar held extensive talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov. The meeting comes as the two sides prepare for President Putin's visit to India for the 23rd annual summit.

The Russian President is expected to visit India around December 5 to hold annual summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

On the sidelines of the SCO, Jaishankar also met Mongolia's Prime Minister Gombojavyn Zandanshatar and Qatari PM/FM Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

He also thanked Russian PM Mishustin for hosting the SCO Heads of Government meeting and appreciated his hospitality.

42 Indians Killed In Saudi Arabia Bus Accident

RIYADH, Nov 17: At least 42 Indian Umrah pilgrims are dead following a devastating collision between a bus and a tanker near Medina, Saudi Arabia on Monday. The victims were traveling from Mecca to Medina when the bus caught fire.

Following the accident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and said, "My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the swift recovery of all those injured."

Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju also expressed their heartfelt condolences to the affected families.

Rescue teams said the bus was completely charred, making identification of victims extremely challenging. Reports claimed one person, Mohd Abdul Shoiab, has survived and is in hospital. However, his condition is unknown.

The Consulate General of India in Jeddah has set up a 24x7 control room - 8002440003. The government has also issued control room numbers - +91 7997959754 and +91 9912919545 to assist the family of victims.

UN ‘regrets’ death penalty for Sheikh Hasina, Yunus hails verdict

DHAKA, Nov 17: The UN said that it “regrets the imposition of the death penalty” for Bangladesh’s former PM Sheikh Hasina, saying that the trials were conducted in absentia. Meanwhile, Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus has hailed the verdict.

The International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh has found ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun guilty of committing crimes against humanity during the student protest of 2024 that ousted the Hasina regime.

India on Monday reacted to the court verdict and assured that it remains “committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including in peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in that country”.

Sheikh Hasina and the top two aides were tried on a total of five charges. These include murders, attempted murders, torture and use of lethal force on unarmed student protesters; issuance of orders to deploy lethal weapons, helicopters and drones; and specific killings in Rangpur and Dhaka.

The five charges listed in court are -

Orchestrating mass killings of protesters in Dhaka
The use of helicopters and drones to fire on civilian crowds
The murder of student activist Abu Sayed
The incineration of bodies in Ashulia to destroy evidence
The coordinated killing of demonstrators in Chankharpul.

The ousted leader has denied all charges against her. However, the tribunal on Monday, sentenced her to death.

The tribunal court has sentenced Sheikh Hasina and former interior minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death for committing crimes against humanity.

Meanwhile, former police chief Al-Mamun was sentenced to five-years in prison in connection with charges as he pleaded guilty in July.

Hasina has rejected the verdict and stated that the ruling against her is “rigged” and “politically motivated”, adding that she was not given a fair chance to represent herself.

Bangladesh has sought Hasina's return from India citing an extradition agreement between the two countries.

India, meanwhile, reacted to the court verdict and death sentence ordered for Hasina. In a statement, it said that “India remains committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh…We will always engage constructively with all stakeholders to that end.”

In a statement, Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus said that the verdict recognises suffering of the student protesters and confirms that “our justice system will hold perpetrators accountable."

The UN rights office said in a statement that it welcomed the verdicts had been reached but “regrets” the imposition of the death penalty for Sheikh Hasina.

Ahead of the verdict, Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed, said that the supporters of her party Awami League would block February’s national election if a ban on the party was not lifted, warning that protests could escalate into violence.

Sheikh Hasina's trial was conducted in absentia. The ousted PM is living in exile in New Delhi, India since fleeing from Bangladesh in August 2024.

The Awami League also continued its call for mass protests, strike and a shutdown in Dhaka ahead of the verdict. The party has further claimed that “Hindus are in danger” in Bangladesh under the rule of Muhammad Yunus.

Macron, Zelenskyy sign accord for Ukraine to buy French fighter jets

PARIS, Nov 17: France's President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy Monday (November 17, 2025) signed an accord for Kyiv to acquire up to 100 Rafale fighter jets and other hardware, a boost for Ukraine as it fights the Russian invasion.

The letter of intent inked by the two leaders sets out possible future contracts for Ukraine to acquire 100 Rafale fighter jets "with their associated weapons", the French presidency said.

It also lays out deals for the new generation SAMP-T air defence systems which are under development, radar systems and drones.

The accord signed at France's Villacoublay air base is not a purchase and sales contract and is projected to be realised "over a timeframe of about 10 years", the presidency added.

Zelenskyy, who has suffered setbacks over the last week due to a corruption scandal at home and Russian forces closing in on the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, wrote on X ahead of meeting Macron that the accord would be a "historic deal".

"A great day," Macron wrote in a brief post on X in French and Ukrainian over a picture of the deal being signed.

The aim is to "enable it [Kyiv] to acquire the systems it needs to respond to Russian aggression", added a French presidential official, asking not to be named.

The Ukrainian President had already signed a letter of intent last month to acquire 100 to 150 Swedish Gripen fighter jets.

France has delivered Mirage fighter jets to Kyiv, but until now there had been no talk of Ukraine acquiring the Rafale, the crown jewel of French combat aviation.

The visit by Mr. Zelenskyy to France is his ninth since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

It comes ahead of what analysts predict will be a tough winter for Kyiv as Moscow presses on the battlefield.

Iran no longer enriching uranium: Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi

TEHRAN, Nov 16: Tehran is no longer enriching uranium at any site in the country, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday, marking the first statement from the government regarding the status of its nuclear programme after Israel and the US bombed its enrichment facilities in June.

“There is no undeclared nuclear enrichment in Iran. All of our facilities are under the safeguards and monitoring” of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Araghchi said, responding to a question from a news agency.

However, he maintained that Iran has an “undeniable” and “inalienable” right to enrich uranium for peaceful use of nuclear technology, adding that the programme had been halted owing to the strikes carried out during its 12-day war with Tel Aviv.

Araqchi also said Washington’s current approach toward Tehran does not indicate any readiness for “equal and fair negotiations”, after US President Donald Trump hinted last week at potential discussions.

He made the comments at a conference labelled “International Law Under Assault: Aggression and Self-Defense,” hosted by Iran’s Institute for Political and International Studies. The forum discussed Tehran’s stance in the Iran’s 12-day conflict with Israel in June.

In June, amid Tehran’s faltering of nuclear deal negotiations with Washington and Tel Aviv’s war with Hamas — among other Iranian proxies — Israeli airstrikes decimated Iran’s nuclear programme, air defense systems and its military’s chain of command. Later that month, the US also struck three key nuclear sites — Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow — what it dubbed “a very successful attack.”

In September, regarding its ambitions, Khamenei said Iran was the only nuclear-capable country not to have developed a bomb, “and we won’t have one”, but maintained that it would not give up on its enrichment capabilities.

Earlier this month, President Masoud Pezeshkian told Iranian state media Tehran will rebuild its nuclear facilities “with greater strength,” following which US President Donald Trump warned he would order fresh attacks the sites should that happen.

Iran’s nuclear programme has been a major point of contention between Tehran and the West, alongside Tel Aviv, with concerns over nuclear fuel being enriched beyond permissible limits to near weapon’s grade. After the facilities were destroyed, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz praised Israel for having done the “dirty work.”

Some of these destroyed sites housed uranium enriched to 60 per cent — far ahead of 3.67 per cent enrichment needed for power generation, but just a step away from weapons-grade (90 per cent).

During an unannounced IAEA survey at Fordow in 2023, inspectors found particles of uranium purified to 83.7 per cent, making it near weapons-grade.

Iran Seizes Oil Tanker in Gulf of Oman

DUBAI, Nov 14: Iran seized on Friday an oil tanker en route to Singapore after it passed the critical Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East in the first major escalation of the tensions in the region since the Iran-Israel war in June.

The Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker Talara was seized by Iranian forces in the Gulf of Oman after having passed the Strait of Hormuz from Ajman in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), heading to Singapore.

Iran’s forces diverted the ship from the international waters to the Iranian territorial waters, a U.S. defense official said on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters.

The vessel was travelling near Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates when it lost contact with Columbia Shipmanagement, its Cyprus-based manager, the company told Bloomberg.

The tanker Talara had loaded high sulfur gasoil from the UAE’s northeastern deep-water port of Hamriyah in October, according to vessel-tracking data cited by Bloomberg. The Talara has passed the Strait of Hormuz chokepoint and was turning to the Gulf of Oman when the incident took place.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the UK Navy’s liaison in the region, said on Friday that it had received a report of an incident 20 nautical miles east of Khor Fakkan, the UAE. Emirates Authorities are investigating while vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO, it said.

A possible “state activity” forced the Talara to turn into Iranian territorial waters, according to UKMTO.

Iran has not yet acknowledged or commented on the incident, which reignites the tensions in the Middle East that the oil market seemed to have forgotten in recent months.

In June, with the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and the Israel-Iran war, the oil market was on edge fearing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of global daily oil consumption passes.

BBC apologises to Trump over Panorama edit but refuses to pay compensation

LONDON, Nov 14: The BBC has apologised to US President Donald Trump for a Panorama episode that spliced parts of his 6 January 2021 speech together, but rejected his demands for compensation.

The corporation said the edit had given "the mistaken impression that President Trump had made a direct call for violent action" and said it would not show the 2024 programme again.

Lawyers for Trump have threatened to sue the BBC for $1bn (£759m) in damages unless the corporation issues a retraction, apologises and compensates him.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told BBC Breakfast she was confident the corporation was "gripping this with the seriousness that it demands", adding her role was to ensure "the highest standards are upheld".

But she also told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the BBC's editorial standards and guidelines were "in some cases not robust enough and in other cases not consistently applied", adding that there would need to be people "at a very senior level with a journalistic background".

Political appointments to the corporation's board would be examined in the BBC's charter review, she said in response to a question asking if member Sir Robbie Gibb, a former political adviser to Theresa May, had overstepped his remit and weighed into politics.

While this was a matter for the board and its chairman, she said, those appointments "damaged confidence and trust in the BBC's impartiality".

Russia is ready to resume talks with Ukraine in Istanbul, foreign ministry official says

MOSCOW, Nov 12: Russia is ready to resume peace talks with Ukraine in Turkey, state-run TASS news agency has quoted a foreign ministry official as saying.

“The Russian team is ready for this, the ball is in the Ukrainian court,” TASS quoted Alexei Polishchuk as saying.

Russia and Ukraine have had multiple rounds of talks in Istanbul, but those talks did not lead to any breakthrough. No meeting has been scheduled since the last meeting in July.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin has stuck to his maximalist terms. The acceptance of such terms will mean a Ukrainian surrender of land and sovereignty. Ukraine has rejected such terms.

Despite expressing willingness to join peace talks, Putin has so far rejected all three ceasefire proposals endorsed by US President Donald Trump. Ukraine has accepted all of them.

Thailand suspends Cambodia peace deal after landmine blast

BANGKOK, Nov 10: Thailand has suspended the implementation of a United States-brokered peace agreement with neighbouring Cambodia after a landmine blast near their border injured two of its soldiers.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said after Monday’s incident that all action set to be carried out under the truce will be halted until Thailand’s demands, which remain unspecified, are met.

“The hostility towards our national security has not decreased as we thought it would,” Anutin asserted. He did not elaborate on what Thailand’s demands were.

There was no immediate response from the Cambodian government.

Thailand and Cambodia signed a ceasefire on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Malaysia last month after territorial disputes between the two Southeast Asian countries led to five days of border clashes in July.

Those hostilities killed at least 43 people and displaced more than 300,000 civilians living along the border.

The Thai army said in a statement that Monday’s mine explosion in Sisaket province injured two soldiers.

Thai Defence Minister Natthaphon Narkphanit said the army is still investigating whether the mine was newly laid.

Thailand has previously accused Cambodia of laying new mines in violation of the truce, a charge that the Cambodian government denies.

Similar landmine explosions have occurred both before and since the deal, and tension has simmered.

Under the terms of the ceasefire, Thailand should release 18 Cambodian soldiers, and both sides must begin removing heavy weapons and land mines from the border.

Natthaphon said Thailand will postpone the release of the Cambodian soldiers, initially scheduled for this week.

Lavrov says US considering Putin's proposal on nuclear arms control

MOSCOW, Nov 9: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the United States has informed Russia through diplomatic channels that it was reviewing President Vladimir Putin's proposal to maintain the limitations outlined in the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) beyond its scheduled expiration in February 2026.

"So far, there has been no substantive response from Washington. We were told through diplomatic channels that 'the issue is under consideration," Lavrov said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

Earlier, President Putin stated that Russia is prepared to continue adhering to the treaty's limitations for one year after its expiration, provided the US reciprocates.

Lavrov also said he was ready to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio but that Russia's interests would have to be taken into account for there to be peace in Ukraine.

The Kremlin on Friday dismissed speculation that Lavrov had fallen out of favour with Vladimir Putin after efforts to organise a summit between the Russian president and Donald Trump were put on ice last month.

"Secretary of State Marco Rubio and I understand the need for regular communication," Lavrov told state news agency RIA.

"It is important for discussing the Ukrainian issue and promoting the bilateral agenda. That is why we communicate by telephone and are ready to hold face-to-face meetings when necessary," Lavrov said.

Hamas says fighters holed up in Rafah will not surrender

GAZA, Nov 9: Hamas fighters holed up in the Israeli-held Rafah area of Gaza will not surrender to Israel, the group's armed wing said on Sunday, urging mediators to find a solution to a crisis that threatens the month-old ceasefire.

Sources close to mediation efforts said on Thursday that fighters could surrender their arms in exchange for passage to other areas of the enclave under a proposal aimed at resolving the stalemate.

Egyptian mediators have proposed that, in exchange for safe passage, fighters still in Rafah surrender their arms to Egypt and give details of tunnels there so they can be destroyed, said one of the sources, an Egyptian security official.

Sunday's statement from Al-Qassam Brigades held Israel responsible for engaging the fighters, who it said were defending themselves.

"The enemy must know that the concept of surrender and handing oneself over does not exist in the dictionary of the Al-Qassam Brigades," the group said.

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said on Thursday that the proposed deal for about 200 fighters would be a test for a broader process to disarm Hamas forces across Gaza.

Al-Qassam Brigades did not comment directly on the continuing talks over the fighters in Rafah but implied that the crisis could affect the ceasefire.

"We place the mediators before their responsibilities, and they must find a solution to ensure the continuation of the ceasefire and prevent the enemy from using flimsy pretexts to violate it and exploit the situation to target innocent civilians in Gaza," the group said.

Since the U.S.-brokered ceasefire took effect in Gaza on October 10, the Rafah area has been the scene of at least two attacks on Israeli forces, which Israel has blamed on Hamas. The militant group has denied responsibility.

Rafah has been the scene of the worst violence since the ceasefire took hold, with three Israeli soldiers killed, prompting Israeli retaliation that killed dozens of Palestinians.

Taliban warns as Afghanistan, Pakistan peace talks collapse

KABUL, Nov 8: As the latest rounds of peace talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan ended in deadlock, the Taliban government warned Islamabad that it will firmly defend against any aggression and that it will not allow anyone to use Afghan territory.

The statement, issued by the official spokesman of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, comes after the Taliban government accused elements within the Pakistani military of pursuing anti-Afghanistan policies and attempting to create tensions through "manufactured pretexts."

The Taliban government expressed gratitude to “the Republic of Turkey and the State of Qatar – the two brotherly countries – for hosting and mediating the talks” between the two countries.

“The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan reiterates its principled position. It will not allow anyone to use Afghan territory against another country, nor will it permit any country to use its territory to take actions against or support actions that undermine Afghanistan’s national sovereignty, independence, or security,” the Taliban statement said.

"The defence of the people and land of Afghanistan is the Islamic and national duty of the Islamic Emirate", it further said, adding that Afghanistan will defend itself against any aggression.

Taliban further said that the Muslim people of Pakistan are brothers of Afghans, and the Islamic Emirates wishes them well and hopes for peace. The statement said that the Islamic Emirate has “good intentions”, but the “irresponsible and non-cooperative” attitude of the Pakistani delegation resulted in no outcome.

Tensions have escalated between the two countries in recent weeks following deadly border fighting that killed dozens of soldiers and civilians. The violence erupted after explosions in Kabul on Oct 9, which coincided with the Taliban government's Foreign Minister's visit to India. The clashes subsided after Qatar brokered a ceasefire on Oct 19, which remains tenuously in place.

In an earlier statement, Afghanistan accused the Pakistan military of pursuing anti-Afghanistan policies and attempting to create tension through what it called “manufactured pretexts.”

“Unfortunately, certain military elements in Pakistan appear to perceive a strong central government in Afghanistan, along with stability, security, and development, as contrary to their interests,” the Taliban statement read.

It said that these elements have taken advantage of the instability and conflict going on in Afghanistan and aim to create tensions.

Clandestine nuclear activities are in keeping with Pakistan's history: India

NEW DELHI, Nov 7: India on Friday noted U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments about Pakistan testing nuclear weapons and said Islamabad’s “clandestine” nuclear activities were centred around decades of smuggling and export control violations.

Last week, Trump named Pakistan among the countries testing nuclear weapons. The U.S. president said this to justify his administration’s plans to resume testing of the U.S.’ own nuclear assets after a gap of over three decades.

“Clandestine and illegal nuclear activities are in keeping with Pakistan’s history, that is centred around decades of smuggling, export control violations, secret partnerships,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing.

He was responding to a question on the issue.

“India has always drawn the attention of the international community to these aspects of Pakistan’s record,” Jaiswal said.

“In this backdrop, we have taken note of President Trump’s comment about Pakistan’s nuclear testing,” he added.

Pakistan fires into Afghanistan despite ceasefire talks underway, Taliban says

KABUL, Nov 6: The Afghan Taliban on Thursday said that Pakistani forces attacked the Spin Boldak region of the country despite the truce and ongoing peace talks in Istanbul.

The Taliban said that it has not retaliated “out of respect” for the negotiating team currently holding talks in Istanbul and to prevent civilian casualties.

“While the third round of negotiations with the Pakistani side has begun in Istanbul, unfortunately, this afternoon, Pakistani forces once again opened fire on Spin Boldak, causing concern among the local population. The Islamic Emirate’s forces, out of respect for the negotiation team and to prevent civilian casualties, have so far shown no reaction," Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said on X.

Trump threatens to launch attacks in Nigeria over ‘killing of Christians’

WASHINGTON, Nov 1: US President Donald Trump has threatened to carry out attacks in Nigeria in response to purported anti-Christian violence, saying he instructed the recently renamed Department of War to “prepare for possible action”.

In a social media post on Saturday, Trump said the United States would immediately cut off all assistance to the African country “if the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians”.

The US “may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities”, Trump added, without specifying which groups or alleged “atrocities” he was referring to.

“I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians! WARNING: THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT BETTER MOVE FAST!” he wrote.

The Nigerian government did not immediately respond to Trump’s threat.

The social media post comes a day after the US president announced that Nigeria would be added to the Department of State’s list of “Countries of Particular Concern”, which is set up to monitor religious persecution around the world.

In recent months, right-wing lawmakers and other prominent figures in the US have claimed that violent disputes in Nigeria are part of a campaign of “Christian genocide”.

While human rights groups have urged the Nigerian government to do more to address unrest in the country, which has experienced deadly attacks by Boko Haram and other armed groups, experts say that claims of a “Christian genocide” are false and simplistic.

Ebenezer Obadare, a senior fellow for Africa Studies at the Washinton, DC-based Council on Foreign Relations, said that Trump was right in identifying a lacking response from the Nigerian government towards Boko Haram.

At least 23, including children, killed in massive explosion at Mexico supermarket

SONORA, Nov 1: A festive holiday weekend turned tragic for families in northwestern Mexico on Saturday when a deadly blaze engulfed a discount store in the city center of Hermosillo, killing at least 23 people and injuring a dozen.

Mexico is celebrating the Day of the Dead this weekend with colourful festivities in which families honor and remember deceased loved ones.

"I have ordered a thorough and transparent investigation to clarify the causes of the accident," Alfonso Durazo, governor of the state of Sonora home to the city, said in a video on social media, adding that children were among the victims.

Most of the deaths appeared to have been from inhalation of toxic gases, said Gustavo Salas, the state's attorney general, citing its forensic medical service.

"My heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives," President Claudia Sheinbaum said in a post on X, adding that she had directed support teams to be sent to help victims' families and the injured.

Sonora's Red Cross said its 40 staff and 10 ambulances joined in the effort, making six trips to the hospital.

The cause of the fire, now doused, was still unclear, though some media blamed an electrical failure. City officials said the store, part of popular discount chain Waldo's, was not the target of an attack.

The chief of the city's firefighters said it was still being investigated whether there was an explosion.