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Washington, April 22 (IANS) US President Donald Trump on Tuesday extended "full support and deepest sympathies" to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India in the wake of the killing of at least 28 people in a terrorist attack in Kashmir carried out by a group linked to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba.

"Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir," President Trump wrote on Truth Social.

"The US stands strong with India against Terrorism. We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Modi, and the incredible people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are with you all."

White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters that President Trump has been briefed on the incident by the national security adviser Mike Waltz.

"What we know already is dozens were killed and even more were injured in a brutal terrorist attack in a popular tourist location in South Kashmir," Leavitt said, adding, "President Trump will be speaking with Prime Minister Modi as soon as he possibly can to express his heartfelt condolences for those lives lost. And our prayers are with those injured in our nation's support for our ally India. These types of horrific events by terrorists are why those of us who work for peace and stability in the world continue our mission."

The US has been an unwavering supporter of India's battle against global terrorism and recently extradited Tahawwur Rana, a Canadian of Pakistani descent, accused of playing a key role in the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, also carried out by Lashkar-e-Toiba.

He announced the extradition decision during Prime Minister Modi's visit to the White House in February, for their first meeting since President Trump's second term.

Rana was brought to India last Thursday.

President Trump's administration had pushed Pakistan in his first term to prosecute Hafiz Saeed, the founder of Lashkar-e-Toiba, who had remained free and unpunished for his role in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack despite international concern and pressure.

--IANS

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Islamabad, April 19 (IANS) The Islamic Republic of Pakistan announced on Saturday that attacks against the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and McDonalds across the country would be treated as terrorist attacks.

“Such acts would be treated as no different from a terrorist attack. These franchises invest over $100 million in Pakistan, employ more than 25,000 people, pay 100 per cent taxes, and buy from local vendors. The entire profit stays in Pakistan. What excuse is there for such attacks? These franchises were locally owned and operated. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered and directed immediate provincial coordination to protect businesses and arrest suspects,” claimed Pakistan Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, while addressing a press conference.

The minister also claimed that more than 145 arrests have been registered in Punjab and 15 in Islamabad, while 12 FIRs have also been registered.

“Those detained expressed remorse and sought forgiveness,” claimed the minister.

The Pakistani minister also claimed that all attacks were actions done by individuals and no party was behind the organised violence.

“The religious clerics of the country have also issued a decree labelling such actions as un-Islamic. Targeting and venting anger on fast-food franchises in the name of Islam should not be done. Youth should refrain from being misguided by extremist elements,” he said.

Chaudhry also stated that additional security will be deployed at the outlets, while strong and strict action will be taken against anyone who tries to attack them.

Pakistan has witnessed violent mob attacks against KFC and McDonalds in Sindh and Punjab provinces in major cities including Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi and Sheikhupura in the wake of the killings in Palestine.

At least 20 separate incidents were reported across the two provinces, in which angry mobs attacked fast-food outlets including KFC and McDonalds.

They have also vandalised the outlets, while a worker was also shot dead during a mob attack in Sheikhupura, Punjab, on April 14.

--IANS

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Karachi, April 19 (IANS) Afghan families at the Keamari camp, in Pakistan’s economic hub and port city of Karachi, on Saturday said that the Pakistani authorities are deporting the low-income Afghans, while turning a blind eye against the wealthy Afghans.

“We and our relatives are poor people, and rely on daily wages to feed our children. The authorities caught them working near Sohrab Goth, and at the time, they did not even have money for food. The police avoid arresting wealthy or business-owning Afghans and instead detain poor individuals just to fulfil their deportation quotas,” said Abdul Rehman and his relative Muhammad Khan of the Keamari camp.

Keamari camp, set up to accommodate Afghan families, houses hundreds of families who await being registered and transported to the Pak-Afghan Torkham border and deported to Afghanistan.

Many families at the Keamari camp complain about the discrimination being practised by the authorities against low-income daily Afghan workers.

Data of detained Afghan nationals also revealed that over 95 per cent Afghans detained by the police in Karachi are labourers, who work at the vegetable market.

Human rights activist Moniza Kakar said that the Pakistan government’s official directive only applies to the forced repatriation of Afghans holding the Afghan Citizen Card (ACC).

“However, in Karachi, Afghans possessing other valid documents are also being detained and forcibly deported to Afghanistan. The majority of these people are poor,” he said.

Muhammad Tahir, an Afghan national who runs a hotel in Sohar Goth area of Karachi, said that even though he hailed from a village in Afghanistan’s Kunduz province, he was only five years old when his father fled Afghanistan and came to a refugee camp in Pakistan.

“I have six children, three sons and three daughters, all of whom were born, raised and married off in Karachi. Like my children, most Afghan children living in Karachi were born here and have never even been to Afghanistan. How could they be forced to live in a country that they have never even seen?” said Muhammad Tahir.

He added that many Afghan Pashtuns living in Karachi have married their children into local Pashtun families, making it impossible for them to simply leave their spouses and families behind and return to Afghanistan.

Pakistan has started a nationwide deportation campaign against illegal Afghan nationals and holders of Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) after the deadline for voluntary repatriation ended on March 31.

--IANS

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Moscow, April 19 (IANS) Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday declared an Easter truce for the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The ceasefire will be in effect from 18:00 Moscow time on April 19 until 00:00 Moscow time on April 21 - a total of 30 hours, the Russian media reported.

It was announced by Putin following a meeting with Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov.

Moscow said it hopes that Kyiv will follow its example and also cease fire.

"Ukraine's reaction will show how sincerely it wants and is able to participate in peace talks," Putin noted.

The Kremlin, according to Russian news agency Tass, maintained that since the earlier moratorium on attacks on energy facilities declared for 30 days from March 18 was violated by the Ukrainian Armed Forces "more than 100 times", the Russian forces must be ready to repel attacks if Ukraine violates the Easter truce.

"I order that all military actions be stopped for this period. We assume that the Ukrainian side will follow our example. Russian troops must be prepared to repel possible violations of the ceasefire and provocations from the enemy, any of its aggressive actions. We know that the Kyiv regime has violated the agreement not to strike energy infrastructure more than 100 times, as you reported to me," said Putin after his meeting with Gerasimov.

On Friday, after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held a telephonic conversation with the United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US President Donald Trump said that he expects to get Russia's response on a possible ceasefire in Ukraine over the weekend.

"We're going to be hearing from them this week, very shortly, actually. I think we're getting close, but we'll let you know very soon," Trump told reporters at the White House.

The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that Lavrov reaffirmed Moscow's readiness to continue collaborative efforts with American counterparts to comprehensively address the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis.

Secretary Rubio, who was in Paris, informed the Russian side about the recent engagements that he and US President's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff had in the French capital.

"These discussions involved representatives from Ukraine, France, and several other European nations. It was underscored that these contacts were in alignment with the framework of ongoing consultations between Washington and Moscow, including the recent dialogue between President of Russia Vladimir Putin and Steve Witkoff in Saint Petersburg," read the statement.

Russia's envoy to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya, meanwhile, said that a ceasefire in Ukraine is "unrealistic" at this point, as Kyiv fails to honour the moratorium on striking energy infrastructure.

"We had an attempt at a limited ceasefire concerning energy infrastructure, which was not observed by the Ukrainian side. Under these circumstances, it is simply unrealistic to talk about a ceasefire at this point," he told reporters.

--IANS

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Dhaka, April 18 (IANS) In yet another incident of violence against minorities in Bangladesh, a Hindu leader in Dinajpur's Biral upazila was abducted and brutally assaulted to death, as confirmed by the local police and family members.

The deceased, Bhabesh Chandra, was a prominent leader of the Hindu community in the area who also acted as the Vice-President of the Biral unit of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, local media reported.

Speaking to Bangladesh's leading newspaper, The Daily Star, Chandra's wife Shantana Roy said that four men arrived on two motorcycles and abducted Bhabesh from their residence on Thursday. Several witnesses also reported seeing the assailants taking Bhabesh to Narabari village, where he was brutally beaten.

Later that day, the attackers dropped Bhabesh's unconscious body back at his home in a van. He was immediately rushed to the Biral Upazila Health Complex. Subsequently, he was transferred to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital, where on-duty doctors declared him dead upon arrival.

The officer-in-charge of Biral Police Station said that police are working to identify and arrest the suspects involved, and preparations are underway to file a case.

Last month, a report of the Dhaka-based human rights organisation, Ain O Salish Kendra (AsK), highlighted that there are reports of a total of 147 incidents of vandalization of houses, temples, and business establishments of the Hindu community across Bangladesh.

Some 408 households were vandalised in these incidents, including 36 cases of arson. Besides, there have been reports of 113 incidents of vandalising business establishments owned by the minority community, 32 incidents of attack on temples and mosques of the Ahmadiyya sect, and 92 incidents of vandalising idols in 92 temples.

In September 2024, the country's leading Bengali daily Prothom Alo reported that after the fall of the Awami League government, there have been several incidents of attacks on the minority communities all over the country, particularly on the Hindu community. In many areas, houses, business establishments, and places of worship of Hindus still continue to come under attack.

Bangladesh has been grappling with violence and protests after the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus came to power in August, last year. The situation of Hindus has worsened drastically under Yunus-led interim government. There are several reports on an alarming rise in gang rapes, murders, and desecration of temples of Hindu minorities.

India has time and again raised concerns against the atrocities of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue of the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus, during his meeting with Yunus, held on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok.

"On the question of minorities, this particular issue came up for discussion. We have conveyed our concerns regarding the treatment of minorities and the kind of violence that has happened against them. We have been raising this in several of our conversations, including our meeting in Bangkok, that this violence and atrocities against minorities cannot simply be wished away or dismissed as political reasons or media agitations. We hope that the Bangladesh government will take strong action against those responsible for these atrocities," Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, said at a media briefing recently.

--IANS

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Dhaka, April 18 (IANS) High-level discussions and evaluations are currently underway in Islamabad after Bangladesh's financial claim to the tune of USD 4.32 billion from Pakistan as a fair share from the assets of undivided Pakistan before 1971.

Further, Bangladesh has also demanded USD 200 million received as foreign aid from countries and agencies to then East Pakistan during the extremely deadly November 1970 Bhola cyclone.

The demands were raised during the sixth round of Foreign Secretary-level bilateral consultations between the two countries - held after a hiatus of 15 years - in Dhaka on Thursday.

Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin and Pakistan counterpart Amna Baloch led their respective delegation at the Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) held at the State Guest House Padma.

Several sensitive issues between Bangladesh and Pakistan remain unresolved, including a formal apology from Pakistan for the genocide committed by the Pakistani armed forces in 1971; repatriation of stranded Pakistanis currently residing in Bangladesh; Dhaka's rightful share of the undivided assets of Pakistan; transfer of foreign aid sent for the victims of extremely deadly November 1970 Bhola cyclone, etc.

Pakistan did not allocate Bangladesh its share of $200 million in foreign aid after the 1970 Bhola Cyclone and instead transferred the fund from the Dhaka branch of the State Bank of Pakistan to its branch in Lahore during the Liberation War.

Reportedly, Pakistan had utilized the funds to procure modern military equipment for its own use. Recently, Islamabad has expressed interest in transferring some of these military assets to Bangladesh as a form of settlement of its outstanding dues.

Pakistan may deploy these military assets within Bangladesh subject to mutual understanding.

These matters are now under continuous bilateral discussions and diplomatic engagement between both countries with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also scheduled to pay an official visit to Dhaka on April 27-28.

The interim government in Bangladesh has formed a working group with the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka to finalise the agreements that will be signed during Dar's visit.

Evaluations are currently going on through various meetings to formulate a coordinated strategy regarding financial dues and the military equipment proposal and to prioritise national interests and regional diplomatic balance on the issue of historical entitlements.

During her visit, Baloch held separate meetings with Bangladeshi interim government's Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus and Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain, where they discussed issues of mutual interest.

Yunus, after his meeting with the visiting Pakistani Foreign Secretary, called for strengthening ties with Pakistan to boost mutual cooperation and explore trade and business potentials.

"There are certain hurdles. We have to find ways to overcome those and move forward," Yunus said after Baloch called on him at the State Guest House Jamuna on Thursday.

--IANS

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Jerusalem, April 18 (IANS) Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement on Friday that he is committed, along with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and all parties, to leading a "clear course of action" to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

Katz noted that when appointed defence minister in November last year, he pledged to achieve two main goals: preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and winning the multi-front war.

"The military is currently fighting for victory in all arenas," he said, adding, "We will not allow threats of annihilation against Israel."

His remarks echoed a Thursday statement from Netanyahu's office, which insisted that Israel would not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons, Xinhua news agency reported. The Israeli rhetoric came ahead of the second round of nuclear talks between the United States and Iran, which will be held this weekend in the Italian capital of Rome.

The first round of indirect talks was held in Oman's Muscat last week, with both sides describing the talks as "constructive".

Oman's Foreign Ministry will continue to mediate the second round of nuclear talks between US and Iranian officials scheduled to take place in Rome on Saturday.

In a statement, the ministry said the Italian capital was chosen as the new site for the talks due to logistical reasons, expressing hope that the discussions could make further progress toward reaching a just, binding, and sustainable agreement.

Oman also expressed appreciation to the Italian government for its cooperation and support in hosting the upcoming meeting.

With Oman's mediation, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi engaged in a first round of "indirect" discussions with US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff in Muscat on April 12, focused on Iran's nuclear programme and the potential removal of US sanctions.

The talks in Muscat, described by both sides as "constructive," followed US President Donald Trump's statement in early March that he had sent a letter to Iranian leaders, delivered through the United Arab Emirates, proposing negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme. Iran later agreed on indirect talks.

--IANS

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Moscow, April 18 (IANS) Russia is ready to facilitate potential nuclear deal agreements between Iran and the US, provided that such accords respect Iran's interests, country's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday.

"We welcomed the willingness, as far as we can see, to achieve objective and mutually acceptable agreements, including those that are being discussed by Iran and the United States," Lavrov said in a joint press conference following talks with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Moscow.

"Russia is certainly ready to facilitate this process and will do its best to support the agreements that would take Iran's legitimate interests into account," he added.

Addressing the press conference, Araghchi said that the indirect talks between Iran and the US, are set to continue in Rome on Saturday. "We are waiting to hear the viewpoints of the American side. If there is enough seriousness and determination, it is likely that a deal can be achieved," he said.

The Iranian Foreign Minister emphasised that Tehran will approach the talks on Saturday with seriousness and full determination, despite "serious doubts" about the intentions of the other side.

"We are fully prepared for a peaceful solution to Iran's peaceful nuclear programme, and if there is a similar will on the other side and they do not make unreasonable and unrealistic demands, I believe reaching an agreement is possible," said Araghchi.

The Foreign Minister also expressed Iran's appreciation for Russia's role in the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers and expressed hope that Moscow would continue its supportive role in any new agreement.

"We will continuously keep our friends in Russia, and of course China, informed about the developments," Araghchi said, emphasising his confidence that constructive feedback will contribute to progress on this path.

Araghchi and US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff are scheduled to hold the second round of their indirect talks on Saturday. The talks mainly center on Iran's nuclear programme and the removal of the US sanctions on the country.

In the first round of Muscat talks held last week, Araghchi engaged in "indirect" discussions with Witkoff, facilitated by Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi. The talks focused on Iran's nuclear programme and the potential removal of the US sanctions.

The talks were proposed by US President Donald Trump, who threatened Iran with bombing and secondary tariffs if Tehran did not come to an agreement with Washington over its nuclear programme.

Iran signed a nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, with six major countries — Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United States — in July 2015, accepting restrictions on its nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief.

However, the US withdrew from the deal in May 2018 and reinstated sanctions, prompting Iran to scale back some of its nuclear commitments. Efforts to revive the nuclear deal have not achieved substantial progress.

--IANS

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Kathmandu, April 18 (IANS) The foundation stone for the construction of a school building being built with the Indian government's financial assistance at a project cost of Nepalese Rs 28.10 million was laid in the Morang district of Nepal, on Friday.

India's grant under 'Nepal-India Development Cooperation' is being utilised for the construction of the triple-storied building of Shree Panchayat Secondary School and other allied facilities at Sundarharaicha Municipality in the Morang district of Nepal.

The foundation stone was laid jointly by Nepal's Minister of Social Development for Koshi Province Panchakarna Rai, Sundarharaicha Municipality Mayor Kedar Prasad Guragain and Second Secretary at the Embassy of India Garima Nautiyal.

Political representatives, government officials, social workers and teachers of the school, students, and their parents were also present on the occasion.

The project is being taken up as a High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) and is being implemented through Sundarharaicha Municipality, Morang.

The officials from Nepal, the school management, and other stakeholders appreciated the developmental support being provided by India to the people of Nepal.

They expressed confidence that the infrastructure being created would help in providing better education to the students of Shree Panchayat Secondary School in Morang. It would also help create an improved environment for learning and contribute to the overall development of the education sector in the region.

Since 2003, India has taken up over 573 HICDPs in Nepal in various sectors and completed 495 projects. Amongst these, 91 projects are in Koshi Province, including 16 projects in Morang. In addition to these, the Government of India has gifted 1009 ambulances and 300 school buses to various hospitals, health posts, and educational institutions in Nepal. Amongst these, 146 ambulances and 48 school buses have been gifted in Koshi Province. Out of these, 21 ambulances and 15 school buses were gifted in Morang.

As close neighbours, India and Nepal are engaged in wide-ranging and multi-sectoral cooperation. The implementation of HICDPs reflects India's continued support in bolstering the efforts of Nepal government to boost growth and development by augmenting infrastructure in priority sectors.

India is the largest developmental donor of Nepal with the major portion of developmental assistance focussed on large-scale infrastructure projects under grants, necessary for the rapid development of Nepal, in the field of priority sectors such as health, education, and connectivity.

Earlier this month, Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli said that he had “extremely fruitful and positive” discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok.

"Had a productive meeting with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in Bangkok. India attaches immense priority to relations with Nepal. We discussed different aspects of India-Nepal friendship, especially in sectors like energy, connectivity, culture, and digital technology. We also talked about some of the key positive outcomes from this year’s BIMSTEC Summit, especially in areas of disaster management and maritime transport," PM Modi posted on X after the meeting.

--IANS

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Sanaa, April 18 (IANS) Yemen's Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi has said his group had launched 26 attacks against Israel and 33 strikes on the US aircraft carrier and warships in the Red Sea since March 15.

In a televised speech aired by the group's al-Masirah TV on Thursday, the Houthi leader said the attacks on Israel were carried out using "30 ballistic missiles and drones," while those targeting the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier and its escorts involved "122 ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones".

However, the Israeli military has reportedly intercepted many of the Houthi projectiles before they reached targets, Xinhua news agency reported.

The US Central Command dismissed the Houthi claims of daily attacks on the US aircraft carrier as "outlandish" in a post on the social media platform X.

Meanwhile, the Houthi leader noted that the US military had conducted more than 900 airstrikes against his group's positions across northern Yemen during the past 30 days.

Tensions between the Houthi group and the US military have escalated since Washington resumed airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen on March 15 to deter the group from attacking Israel and US warships in the Red Sea.

The Houthis, which control much of northern Yemen, said their attacks aim to press US-backed Israel to stop the offensive against the Gaza Strip and allow humanitarian aid into the Palestinian enclave.

Israel's Channel 12 News reported last Saturday that a Yemeni drone was intercepted near the Dead Sea within the Jordanian airspace before it could reach Israel.

The Jordanian army confirmed later last week that an unidentified drone entered Jordanian airspace and crashed in the Ma'in area of Madaba governorate, near the Dead Sea, and no casualties were reported.

Even since Israel renewed its intensive strikes in March across the Gaza Strip, the Houthis have been launching frequent attacks against Israeli and US targets.

Earlier last week, the Houthi military spokesperson claimed fresh attacks against the US aircraft carrier, USS Harry S. Truman, and other US warships in the northern Red Sea.

On March 15, the US military resumed airstrikes against Houthi targets to deter the group from launching attacks against Israel and US warships in the Red Sea.

--IANS

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